|
July 25, 2010 - 17th Sunday of Ordinary Times
My Dear People,
We all know that we need to pray in order
to know God, and His Divine Will for us. Even the Holy Apostles asked
Jesus to teach them how to pray. Our Lord instructs Peter and His
brothers how to say the Our Father in our Gospel today. He goes on to
tell them a parable about a friend calling upon his neighbor for
assistance in the middle of the night. Because of the friend's
persistence, he receives what he asked from his neighbor. Jesus then
tells His Apostles, that if we know how to give good things to one
another, how much more will Our Heavenly Father know what we need.
Trusting in God's Divine Providence is a difficult lesson to learn.
Submitting our own will unto God's perfect Will is not an easy task.
It takes great patience and humility. But Our Lord tells us that if we
ask for this grace, it will be given to us. Seek the Lord while He may
be found. Pray to Him while He is still near. Trust in the Lord at all
times, and know He is there.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we learn to see the difference between the simple things we need and
the many things we want.
July 18, 2010 - 16th Sunday of Ordinary Times
My Dear People,
Miracles still happen today, as in days of
old. The reading from the book of Genesis this Sunday, is a testament
of God's almighty power. Sarah was past menopause, she was in her
eighties and childless. Three angles comes to visit the tent of
Abraham. Inviting them into his dwelling place, Abraham and Sarah
prepared a meal for them. After the feast, the angels announce that
Sarah, who was thought to be barren, would conceive and give birth to
a son nine months from the arrival of their announcement. Sarah, who
was listening to their conversation behind the tent wall, laughs. How
can this be? I am not capable of bearing children, she thought to
herself, and so she chuckles. Nine months later, Sarah bore a son.
Abraham gave him the name, "Isaac" which translates,
"Sarah laughed." Never underestimate the power of God. With
Him all things are possible if we but "Believe".
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we never doubt the power of God in our everyday lives. Like Mary, May
we find time to be with Jesus in prayer.
July 11, 2010 - 15th Sunday of Ordinary Times
My Dear People,
"And love your neighbor as
yourself." This was what Jesus says we must do to show we really
love God our Father in Heaven. Luke's Gospel tells us today, that
charity and mercy towards our neighbor opens the door to God's charity
and mercy towards us. As Jesus taught in the parable of the Good
Samaritan, His Mercy must become our mercy. We all have neighbors who
are obnoxious and uncharitable. They are not hard to find these days.
Seems like everyone especially fellow drivers, are careless and often
mean spirited. Everyone is angry and prone to rage. Just try going the
speed limit and you will see what I mean. Everyone is in a hurry. Few
are even remotely kind. So, how are we to live with people who are
self-absorbed and thinking only of their own needs? It is not easy.
How can we deal with neighbors who are selfish and often vindictive?
it is not easy. By ourselves, charity toward this kind of neighbor is
impossible. For God, it is not. We may not be able to change the
neighbor who is so selfish, thinking only of himself, but we can
change our attitude toward him through prayer. "Pray for those
who persecute you, for it is then that we store our treasure in
Heaven." So line up all of your ugly and obnoxious neighbors and
place them on the altar this Sunday. Given them to Jesus. Let Him deal
with their lack of charity, so that he might increase yours.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we strive to be more like the Good Samaritan, sharing our time, talent
and treasure where it is needed.
July 2, 2010 - 14th Sunday of Ordinary Times
My Dear People,
Freedom, is a word, often used during the
fourth of July celebrations. In the United States, we associate
freedom with our separation from the English rule. Most times when we
think of being "free", it usually involves a departing from
someone or something. When Jesus speaks of "freedom", it is
always in reference to being set free "for" something, and
not "from" something. Our true freedom lies in our choice to
make ourselves available for Christ, and His Father's will for
us.
In our Gospel today, Luke tells us that Jesus selected "72"
disciples for the sake of announcing the Kingdom of God. "The
harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few." Our Lord appoints
these men to "free" people from the bondage of sin, and the
second death. They were to live a radical and simple lifestyle,
focused on "service". As the 72 go forth preaching in the
Name of Jesus Christ, even the demons run from them. Ultimately, the
disciples were seeing the victory being won in the Name of the Lord.
We benefit from this victory of Christ. Are you willing to be set free
to serve the Lord? Are you really free for His service? Are you ready
to follow Him?
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we learn to more deeply trust God to provide us with all that we need.
|
|
