Fr. Humberto's Blog

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

2012-02-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

Jesus said to his disciples, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? (Luke 9:22-25)

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, you did not flee before suffering, but did what your love for us told you to do. I trust in you. Lord Jesus, you went towards Jerusalem in the hope that we would return to the Father’s home. I hope in you, for you did not put a limit on your love. Even when you were rejected and put to death by your enemies, you prayed for them. Lord, I love you.

Petition: Lord, help me to see the redeeming power of the cross you have laid on my shoulders and embrace it.

1. Suffering: an Opportunity. Suffering is present at every turn of life. Our tendency is to flee from it, to avoid it. This holds true from the small scratch we get when we first fall off our bicycle to the profound sorrow we feel when a friend betrays us. When we feel pain, we take every means in our power to get rid of it. In today’s society, there is a medicine to alleviate any pain or suffering we might feel. Yet, in every suffering there is a lesson, and we remember the lesson better when we have suffered to learn it. Christ foresaw his rejection, suffering, and death, yet did not flee them. He embraced them as a way of showing his most profound love: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). It is what parents do when they give their children their time and attention. It is what real friends do when they serve without counting the cost. It is what we do when we help someone in need.

2. Love the Fight Not the Fall. Sometimes we may feel overwhelmed. Slowly but surely, we may tire of our defects and their effects. The constant, on-going battle to follow Christ may slowly wear us down. The path to perfection in the virtues is surely full of rewards, but it has its share of wear-and-tear.

But it does not matter if we fall a thousand times, as long as we love the fight and not the fall. It therefore makes no sense to despair, especially when we fight with Christ on our side. The effort of a prolonged battle can please Christ more than an easy and comfortable victory. Christ reminds us: He will suffer greatly, be rejected and killed, and everyone who wants to be his disciple must take up his cross and follow him.

3. When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong. With the coming of Christ on the earth, suffering took on a new meaning. He gave us the possibility to give to suffering, illness and pain—the consequences of sin—the redemptive and salvific meaning of love. When the apostles asked our Lord who was responsible for the misfortune of a man blind from birth, Christ answered: “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him” (John 9:3). Misfortune and weaknesses made St. Paul exclaim: “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). It is through denial of self, through the recognition of our weakness, through willfully embracing our trials and sufferings, that we can show the strength of God and the wonders of God in our life.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to see all that happens to me, even pain, suffering and illness, as an opportunity to love, grow in love and offer you my love.

Resolution: Before doing something today I will pause to examine the motives for which I do it: is it for me or for God? If it is only for me, I will rectify my intentions or leave the deed aside, especially if I have the opportunity to do something else for God or to serve God in my neighbor.

Ash Wednesday: Tear apart your hearts, not your garments... (Jl 2, 12-18)

2012-02-22T05:24:00.000-08:00

The drastic expression "Tear apart your hearts, not your garments" in today's first reading, should be an invitation from God to all of us to remember that a broken or torn heart is always a heart that is ready for an encounter with the Lord.

First of all it is a heart that is OPEN. We close our heart when we don't want to listen or feel or when we don't want to have compassion for someone. We seal it off when we pretend that we can solve any problem and when we pretend that we don't need God in our lives (this happens very often). A heart that is closed and hermetic is like a jail or a tomb. To open a heart that was closed and sealed is to help it breath, listen and feel. But to make it happen, especially if that heart (person) was too comfortable in its jail or tomb needs to be torn apart.

Lord, you know how much I need you and depend on you. You know my weakness and my faults. I put all my confidence in your love and mercy in my daily actions. I hope to learn to trust more in your power, your promise, and your grace. Lord, I wish to start this season of Lent with a sincere desire to grow in love, preparing myself worthily to celebrate the mysteries of your passion, death and resurrection.

Lord, help me learn to change what needs to change in my life.

Jesus, give me the grace to begin this Lent with great enthusiasm and love. Help me live it with joy, knowing that I am living it in your presence to please you and you alone.

Resolution:

I will make a Lenten program of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-02-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

Jesus is visible and He is the revelation of the invisible. This is a basic lesson of the New Testament that we can find in today’s gospel “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” (Mk 2: 10). The cure of the paralytic, a visible fact, helped to see the forgiveness of sins that is an invisible reality.

The paralysis was not the result of sin necessarily (Jn 9: 2-3). Sin doesn’t produce visible consequences (Lk 11: 44). But we can say that sin is like a paralysis, a paralysis of the soul of hope, happiness and joy. I hope this meditation will help us to see the powerful lesson in this analogy Jesus is using today.

When the paralytic came, the mat was carrying him; after the healing encounter with Jesus, its the paralytic who is carrying the mat. There are normally things that are like "mats" for us. For instance what we know as "defense mechanisms" that we use to protect a certain interior stability showing ourselves not “too sensitive" or not "too hard" or not "pretending that we don't see other necessities or problems"... Being aggressive with others also is also a defense mechanism for timid people. It serves like a "mat" that carries our paralysis, it doesnt cure us. But Jesus still heals souls, and once healed we don't need to use the so called "defense mechanisms" especially to be indifferently aggressive. Now we have power over the "mat".

On more than one occasion in the gospels we see Jesus penetrating the consciences of men and finding out their deepest thoughts and intentions. In today's passage, when the Scribes start to think: "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?"(Mk 2: 7) Jesus is showing what they are thinking before they say it. This is not just something "awesome", this is crucial to show the divinity of Jesus. In the Old Testament, only God had the power to penetrate the thoughts of men. "More tortuous than anything is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? The LORD, explores the mind and tests the heart, giving to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds". (Jn 17: 9-10) and in Amos 4: 13 "So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel! and since I will deal thus with you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel: Him who formed the mountains, and created the wind, and declares to man his thoughts; Who made the dawn and the darkness, and strides upon the heights of the earth: The LORD, the God of hosts by name".

What is interesting is that Jesus is not saying that they are wrong when they say "only God can forgive sins" (Mk 2: 5 and 2: 7). He reaffirms that He Himself forgive sins. Jesus, first saying "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”— “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” (Mark 2: 10). Jesus is clearly revealing His divine nature with discretion but firmly.

Jesus, thank you for this time to be with you. I humbly offer you my intention to set all my distractions aside so that I can encounter you, my Lord and my God. I hope in you and know that you could never let me down. I love you and long to love you with all of my strength. Aware of my misery and weakness, I trust in your mercy and love.

Lord, increase my zeal for souls

Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to realize more deeply that you want me involved in salvation history. I’m on the front lines. You entrust souls to me, and you want to bless their lives through my prayers, my sacrifices and my work. Increase my love for these souls. They need my help and my fidelity. I don’t want to let them down. Help me to be faithful.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: The New Law will make us free to love

2012-02-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

The way the lepers were treated in today’s first reading sounds exaggerated to us today, however, every society tries to protect itself and one way is to keep away the people that are a threat or danger to others because of health or behavior. The theory is, ‘if you can’t cure it, at least separate that person so they won’t pass the illness to others’. In light of this, we have prisons and hospitals. This approach has been working well for centuries.

But what happens when a cure is possible?

Jesus is going to change our way of measuring problems and teach us that laws have qualified power. Today’s gospel is showing us this. The law of the old covenant said clearly what steps to take in the eyes of an incurable illness, but it didn’t say what we should do when an illness is defeated, a problem fixed, or a bad situation defeated by Jesus’ power to do good.

Jesus didn’t disregard the law; He commanded the leper to go to the priest as the law prescribed. But a greater good is starting. This gospel shows Jesus in a very specific event, ‘a victory of the good’ that was not contemplated in the old law, because our laws are guided by the limits of human thinking. Laws are in a sense a canonization of what exists, without trust in the good that could happen. Faith on the other hand can see the sky above obstacles; it can create languages and ways of communication where words are not enough.

Faith is a whole new world; it is not limited by a specific healing, no matter how spectacular that healing could be. Jesus wants us to see beyond our own healing. He wanted the leper and us to see beyond the miracle in order to find the world of the abundant grace of God.

Jesus continues inviting us to learn and live the new laws of an existence lived in total obedience to the plan of God. He is going to walk before us and His hands and eyes are going to teach us this new way of living, new way of loving, serving…. to succeed always with Him.

Lord, thank you for this time together. I need you in my life and the life of my family. It is easy to let activities overwhelm me so that I lose track of you. You fade into the distance, and sometimes sin grows closer. But I know you are always there for me with your unconditional love. Thank you. I love you and long to put you first in my life.

Lord, wash me from my sins and help me to be detached from them.

I want to be free, but I need your help. Without you, I can do nothing. Help me to trust you and to turn to you. Don’t let me go off on my own as if I could keep fighting without you. Free me to love you. Free me to love others.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Mystery of the Infirmities

2012-02-04T17:31:00.000-08:00

It is interesting that the origin of the word infirmities (illness) comes from the Latin in-firmus, one that is not firm or is without foundation. I am sure that we can all associate this etymology with some of the characteristics of sick people: weakness, suffering, lack of defenses, anguish, and sadness. The Book of Job tells us of this very well: nights with pain and nightmares, the inability to control bad things that are going to inevitably happen.

Jesus appears today in the Gospel as The Great Physician. If infirmities bring us to experience our weaknesses, the presence of Jesus brings us to experience the healing love of God.

The dedication of Jesus to sick people is visible in many ways. It helps us to remember with gratitude the many works of mercy that help ease the pain and suffering of the world; in hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes, houses for refugees or immigrants. In all of these we can feel the care of the Son of God and the efficacious love of millions of people.

Today we need to pray, with love, for those who give their lives in those apostolates, especially if they are aware that they are an extension of the skin, hands and eyes of Jesus, they are in the service of the favored ones of Him: the ones with infirmities.

We can also find a connection to the second reading. Paul with specific ardor gives himself the cause of evangelization. He feels that it is his obligation, something that can't be delegated or postponed “Among the weak in faith I become weak like one of them, in order to win them. So I become all things to all men that I may save some of them by whatever means are posible.” (1 Cor 9,22). Here we learn at least two things. First, it is part of the mission of the apostle; the participation of the pains and sorrow of those that are going to be evangelized. The best proof and example of this is Jesus’ suffering on the cross. Second, is the necessity of adaptation. Love won't stop after hearing “no”; it won't stop when it is faced with defeat and failure; it is always creating new ways and techniques; it is creative and incapable of giving up.

Lord, thank you for this time we will spend together. I wish to step away from the world and all its activities to be alone with you now. You are my beginning and my end: you created me, and you are leading me home to you in heaven. Thank you for your love. I know I deserve nothing from you and that my sins compound my unworthiness, yet you would still enfold me in your unfathomable love.

Lord, increase my love for prayer and the interior life.

Lord, help me to put you first in my life by giving you the best of my time. Help me not to give into laziness, but to rise early in the morning so that I can be with you. I need you in my life. Help me to experience your love so that I can share it with others. Help me to give myself to your plan of salvation and to reach out to those who are searching for you. Help me to hunger for you alone so that you will satisfy my hunger. Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time:

2012-01-28T12:14:00.000-08:00

We have heard that a prophet is the one that predicts things in the future. Even though some of the writings attributed to Moses contain references to things in the future, for instance, 'What would happen if Israel became unfaithful?', it doesn't seem that is Moses' main mission with the people of Israel.

What we can say about a prophet that is more accurate, is that what they say about the future is important because their message is very similar to the way God sees things. The intention is not to predict the future, but to show the will of God which is sometimes is not according to our plans.

The way prophets and Moses said things was not just "this is what God wants" it is more "this is what God wants because He loves us". The commandments of God will be just impositions if we do not know about His love for us that frees us, of His tenderness that is powerful and of His wisdom that surpasses ours.

Moses did a good job showing this to the people of Israel. My brothers and sisters it is our mission to do it in our parish. There are so many people that still think God gives orders and gives commandments as prohibitions only and not in a positive way. We have a loving and caring "God with us" at St. Marks especially through Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Lord, I long to put you first in my life. It is easy to get caught up in daily activities. But you are not just another activity: you are my Lord and my God. I do believe in you, but I know that I need to believe in you more strongly. I do love you, but I must still strive to love you more than I love myself and my plans. I wish to offer you the best of myself right now in this time of conversation with you.

Lord, may I understand that you are the truth. May I love you as Truth-made-incarnate in my heart.

Lord, you know how easily I excuse myself from meeting your demands for my life. I do so even while knowing that when I fulfill them I always discover new strength, hidden energy and untapped resources of love within me. Help me to give myself to you in love, to meet your demands, and to experience the power of grace unleashed within me.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

The realities of the readings for our meditation for this article are focused clearly in repentance. First Jonah 3:1-5, 10 “The word of the LORD came to Jonah, saying: Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you. So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the LORD'S bidding.

Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day's walk announcing, Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed, when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out”. And then Mark 1:14-20 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

The message in appearance is different in both but only in the exterior. Jonah is saying: "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed," and Jesus "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." These are two sides of the same coin of conversion.

“Nineveh shall be destroyed” was and is intended to help us to think to where we are heading in our lives? Where are the personal decisions and options in life that I am taking leading me to? “The kingdom of God is at hand” is inviting us to see the alternatives we have rejected.

Jesus announces the Kingdom because our world is in crisis and cannot make it without God. God is Emanuel, God-with us, because men have demonstrated their incapacity to reach God.

REPENT! It is a plea and an order from Jesus, a plea that comes from a Heart that suffers out of love for the world. It is an order because is an act of justice; God deserves our gratitude, worship and over all Love.

Lord, I thank you for this time to be with you. I don’t deserve your close friendship, and yet you offer me the intimacy of your heart. I trust in your goodness and hope in your infinite mercy. I love you and wish to give up anything that would keep me from you.   

Lord, give me compunction of heart and the grace of a true conversion.

Jesus, my days are booked up with so much activity and noise that it’s extremely hard for me even to reflect about my need for conversion of heart. Please help me to turn away from my sins and bad habits by turning to you and imitating you. Wash me of my sins, and draw me close to you, Amen.

Have a Blessed 2012!

2011-12-31T18:25:00.000-08:00

Let's meditate in (Nm 6, 22-27) and the blessing we find there. “The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace”’ It is more than simple tradition; The blessings are ways to welcome the presence of God in every aspect of our lives.

We can summarize the good wishes of that blessing in three aspects that could be also a good way to start the year 2012. Protection, friendship with God and peace.

Jesus is the Son of Mary. The humility of the "born of a woman" (Gal 4, 4-7) becomes the exaltation of "The Mother of God". Jesus is also the "born in the fullness of time" Jesus brings time to fulfillment. There are no fullness of time without Him. Without Him Life is empty.

Born of a woman and born under the law in Saint Paul's mind goes together. It makes sense when you born from a woman to start to participate in laws and fundamental conditions of human life. Also means to be subjected to the laws of our existence. Also could mean "under the protection of the law". Jesus will transcend that condition and liberate us from the dominion of the law of Moses. He will give us His Spirit, He will be one of us, so that we can be His.

Today we can't forget that In the heart of this cosmic transformation is Mary. She is contemplating the only face that brings peace and abundant blessings, the face of Jesus in the welcoming and tender Baby in Bethlehem.

Lord, may I never tire of contemplating the scene of Bethlehem and your first days among us. There are so many lessons to be learned from Bethlehem. In contemplating Bethlehem, give me strength for my daily work, light to understand my vocation and clarity to see my mission and apostolate as men and women of the Kingdom.Lord, may the mystery of Bethlehem teach me complete trust in your plan over my life.

Heavenly Father, please do not let me inhibit your plan over my life in any way. I want to be a docile instrument in your hands. I want my life to be like Mary’s, never hesitating to keep pace with your plans. You are in haste because you love. Teach me this love that will want all souls to know and love you and to be able to enjoy doing so without delay. May all who come in contact with me go in haste to meet your Son Jesus Christ.

Holy Innocents: Politicians Who Promote Abortion as 'Choice' are the New Herods - U.s. - Catholic Online

2011-12-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

Holy Innocents: Politicians Who Promote Abortion as 'Choice' are the New Herods - U.s. - Catholic Online

2011-12-24T21:41:00.000-08:00

Vigil Mass:

When Christmas comes different emotions visit different people... There are some that look at Christmas like a bridge to their childhood and have pleasant memories of that, others maybe because they had a different childhood, would prefer to have these days end quickly. They want to return as soon as they can to their "normal life" to their jobs as a way to stop thinking about what is related to Christmass.

Today I want to share a brief meditation about the time of the birth of Jesus. He was born in the middle of the night. Night,in more than one sense.

The night of the earth is without the sun's light, the night of the sinner is being away from the clarity that comes from grace, the night of selfishness that can make us prisoners of horrible prisons, the night of fear of the Roman Empire that made himself an idol paying the price of idotitry with human blood.

Jesus was born in the middle of the night and the voices of the angels broke the silence of the moment and the shepherds saw themselves surrendered by a unexpected joy...

The glory of God visited the earth. A planet darkened by evil and ignorance did not look so bad to God. He sent Angels to visit and to bring to light so many injustices, lies, stupidity and impurity.

Jesus was born in the middle of the night. What is night in my life? What is night in my family, friends, community, parish, country, my generation? where and how is the start of the dawn of grace, the love and care of Mary, our Mother, and St. Joseph, where is the light of the star or the worship of the shepherds, the pilgrimage of the Magi?

God always gives gifts that ease the nights, consolations capable of defeating the dark moments.

Stop criticizing the night, because it is not going to get better. Don't simply increase lamentations because of the darkness of night. That lamentation can trap you... Look at the signs of the light in your life, bless those signs and thank God for them because with them you are going to defeat the night, Amen.

Merry Christmas

Midnigth Mass

A lot of people come to mass without expecting anything; they come not knowing God... But we welcome the ones that are not expecting much. Maybe the ones that are well prepared will know details, maybe they are walking in the light, but the people that are walking in darkness are going to be surprised like the Angels in the Gospel tonight.

Saint Paul said that the grace of God has come. Maybe we expected a kind of God, that was upset, but not this merciful forgiving God. If He is here and He has fascinated many in years past why can’t He do the same today? Why can’t He take the hardest heart and surprise us?

Sometimes behind the chasuble and cleric identity is hidden a priest that thinks that he knows everything... Nuns, brothers they think they have all the answers and live their lives in a boring routine. We are not the only ones. Elder people, spouses, professionals, singles, college students, high schoolers; people that think they are in the perfect situation like the shepherds did are going to be surprised by an Angel.

I would like to take those lives and surprise them with the love of God. Surprise them with joy, happiness, holiness, purity, truth...

What can we do for more bishops and priests to preach to us with fire, not only truths but also with a deep love of God?

How can we accept boring Catholics? Sometimes even from young children... Like the kid that said Mom I don't want to go to mass. Why? Because the priest always preaches the same: be good.

I want to be a good father that brings new life. Lord grant me the grace to inject your good news... The reality that You are God with us and You are not going to go anywhere... That He is staying right here, among us, in the Sacraments.

The fruit of this night of Christmas is that something is going to go from the manger to our hearts.

That was the beginning for me and my vocation to the priesthood. He found me and I found Him and that is my desire for all of you.

I think that if we share the fire of the encounter with Jesus soon we will have the world on fire like Jesus wanted.

Let’s finish with the hope that even though people are giving Jesus their backs and are stubborn in sin, Jesus is more stubborn in loving and surprising us.

Merry Christmas

Fourth Sunday of Advent : “For with God nothing is impossible” Lk 1, 37

2011-12-18T06:48:00.000-08:00

The first two weeks of Advent we have the prophet Isaiah as a guide. The third John the Baptist was there to help us to prepare the way to The Lord. This fourth and last week of Advent we have Mary as our model of faith and promptness to respond to the call of God.

I want to invite you to learn from our Mother how to receive Salvation and then how to share that great gift with others and how that needs to be the source of all our apostolate.

In our case it is not an Angel anymore that announces the coming of our Lord. From the apostles, the Catholic Church, our parishes we receive Salvation. It is precisely through that offer, with hearts molded as the Heart of Mary, that we receive Salvation and incarnate Christ so t that we can offer the Life of Christ to the world.

Everything that the Angel said to Mary in the annunciation is alive and valid today. We continue proclaiming it. It is available for all.

Blessed Virgin Mary, teach us to learn your silence and your words always at the right time, you humility, your audacity, your prudence, your unique way to offer yourself to God and your perfect disposition.

With you Mary, help us to listen to the great news: “For with God nothing is impossible” (Lk 1, 37) and then with your help we will believe that God can also make our lives and our hearts open like yours as many other blessings are going to be received.

Faith, faith is what I need to learn from you and that is why Elizabeth your cousin made a complement of you because you believed God, because you trusted Him.

How much do you want to believe in the Lord? Are you going to put limits on your faith?

My brothers and sisters if you find limits, ask Mary’s intercession so that you can receive a faith without limits.

Mary, teach me how to do God’s will as you did, so that I can remain in his company. I want to do his will, even though at times I know that it may seem difficult or impossible. Ask your son for the grace of perseverance for me so that I, too, may cooperate with the Lord, whether he is asking something of me that is ordinary or extraordinary.

Some resources to improve this Last week of Advent:

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/fourthweek.html

Third Sunday of Advent: John The Baptist, what a good preacher...

2011-12-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

John called himself "the voice" (John 1, 23). He made his voice the text of Isaiah "Prepare the way of the Lord" (Isaiah 40, 3).

John's obsession was that the word of God could reach hearts. He wasn't taking the place of the Word of God (John. 1, 20; John 1, 26).

John prepared the way, made straight the path, made sure that when the Lord came he could especially reach those far away.

One day a professor in the art of speech was giving this criterion: the true and good preacher directs his words to those who are far from him, not only physically but emotionally and psychology speaking.

When I preach I especially need to reach those in the back of the church or those who do not come to mass often or those who may be here in body yet their attention is not fully engaged in what is happening during Mass. What a beautiful job I have!

Maybe you come to Mass yet you feel apart from God or you think that you are not worthy to be forgiven or loved, or maybe you are away from our Catholic Church and its teachings, maybe you don't understand the rites, the new translation of the responses...

If that is your situation my concern is to preach in a way that you don't leave this place without being touched by at least one word of God.

This is the challenge for me, other priests, the seminarians in our convent- our future priests. "Don't preach to the one that is close by, preach to the one who is far away from the Church"

Every time I preach I need to especially remember the one who came to mass to give God "one last chance" or the one who said "I am going to go to Mass to see if God makes something happen in my life”. These are the ones to whom I need to preach and touch with the Word of God.

John is the model for preachers. What a different result there would have been if he had preached a message filled with compliments to the religious people of his time. No, instead he preached to those that were far from God, he preached repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Their answer and ours needs to be: Thank you Lord, because you thought of me, thank you Lord because I know that this message is for me.

My brothers and sisters, God is calling you and me to return to Him! (Mt 3, 1-2).

It is a strong message, yes, and a good one, for those who need to go back to Him. It is bad news for the Pharisees and Sadducees of our time who think: “I am religious, I am pious, I have enough comfort in my life and I even have friends in politics that can assure me security...”

The ones who were far from God and the ones today who are in need of forgiveness must say: “God is calling me to go back, God wants me back, God is waiting for me this Advent and Christmas”.

Someone will ask; Why these readings? Why on this Sunday? Because the birth of Jesus is near and believe me He has so much to give...

In the first reading there is a clear joy for the visitation of God to His people. “When God calls us back to Him, He wants to bring us the glad tidings of His love; He wants to heal our broken hearts; to proclaim liberty and release us from the sins that make us captive. He wants to bring His joy, justice and praise to all. He wants us to make straight the way to the Lord and primarily He wants us to recognize His Son, Jesus Christ.”

My question for you today is: Is the way to your heart open? Is the door of your heart unlocked so that Jesus can give you what He wants?

That is the spirit of Advent, the time when we hear John’s voice crying out in the desert to prepare the way to the Lord by reconciliation with God. That is why John’s voice and my preaching focus on repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

If as a fruit of this meditation, or as a fruit of this moment of prayer or as a fruit of John the Baptist’s preaching, you will realize that something is missing from your life today; if you realize now that that “Someone” is missing and that that “Someone” is Jesus-- your hunger is going to open wide the way to Him. Congratulations for your desire to open the doors of your heart to the Savior. God brings us today to the best banquet but if He doesn’t find hunger there is no way we can be fed by Him.

Let us pay attention my brothers and sisters to the VOICE of John, now that Christmas is near. Let’s ask God for a humble and contrite heart, sorrow for our sins. Jesus is near; Jesus heals and saves especially those that were far away. For those who think that Christmas is something for others to enjoy, this Christmas is for you also.

Dear Lord, help me to show who you are to others, especially those who do not really know you or have forgotten your goodness. For this I need to know you more intimately each day. Then, I like John the Baptist, can decrease as you increase. Help my testimony to be a faithful one, expressing more your love than mine, more your truth than my ideas. I want others to see you, Lord. May I never be an obstacle to their vision. I know you will shine in my world, more so if I am faithful to my vocation and seek only the Father’s glory.

Some resources to improve this third week of Advent:

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/aweek3.html#1sun

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2011-12-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

Queen of Heaven, my sweet Mother Mary, although I am weak and unworthy, I am moved by the loving invitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I wish to dedicate myself entirely to Him, I wish to offer everything to Him through your Immaculate Heart, and with childlike trust, I in your care, await for your help in accomplishing all my intentions.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of goodness and Love, freely, and with all my heart, I accept this sweet pact: That You will take to care of me, and I will take care of You.

I wish that all that I have be Yours. I put it in Your hands my soul, my eternal salvation, my liberty, my spiritual progress, my life, my health, my family, my possessions, my work, and whatever good deeds I can accomplish, so that You will arrange these things according to Your will.

I will try to do my best in these matters, and remain content with whatever,
Your loving Heart decides for me. In exchange, I ask that the time I have left is not wasted; I wish to do something important to help you reign in the world.

Through my daily prayers, my daily work, and my daily suffering and self- denial, I ask that everything I do in every moment of my life will be used to build your Divine Reign in our souls, in the Church, and in the world.

Make my last words and last ounce of strength be words of love and a generous offering to Your Blessed Sacred Heart. Amen, Amen

Second Sunday of Advent : What happens when Jesus is taken away from Advent and Christmas?

2011-12-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

The only thing left is the living torture housewives feel when they decorate the house with a number of colors and make a batch of recipes, and fix a number of invitations, and send a number of cards, and eventually are exhausted.

I've found a couple of articles in the papers recently, where moms have declared, "I do not do that external decorating anymore, I will not do anything in my house or front yard."

Some people are opting-especially where there is money to be made-to shut down the house and go to another country, go to a hotel to spend two or three weeks, "there the hotel decorates as they like, so I'm not going to do all the usual stuff: cards, lights and gifts. "

Can you imagine a party where THE guest does not arrive? It would be boring unless one did not care if THE guest came or not. If one reads the kinds of articles that I just shared, they are bored because THE greatest guest, Jesus, is the one who is missing.

If Advent and Christmas means only "we will change these yellow lights for red or green lights and putting up a tree, or we can remove this or that, then we will send cards to people that we never see or care about during the year"; it all sounds very silly and empty. Jesus is missing in our hearts and in our homes if this is the way we think.

The center of the Christian life is Christ, the center of Christmas is Christ and without Christ Christmas is a sterile exercise and a lie, it's silly, it is as if we all say, "Now everyone is happy, everyone is happy. Well, happiness is over, now back to reality, "back to work." That is not the way a Catholic talks, we are happy because we have Christ.

There comes a time when you get bored. A time when you are told that you have to become happy. Instead, Jesus comes to conquer our hearts, to captivate us, to love us, this Child must bring joy to you and me, He must bring us good news. This Child is coming to break the things that hurt us, especially arrogance, selfishness and resentment. Those things, when broken, will turn into the new Spirit that He brings. The Spirit of Christmas is not that we say words just to say them, like "Well, let's be good people for a few days," that is more or less what one sees in the world of commerce or in the movies.

The spirit of Christmas is not, "Well, we are good people for a few days, let us put on a brave face and eat more or less". That is very little and it is like a social farce, the real Spirit of Christmas is that Jesus is coming. That is the excitement that we should all feel.

And the wonderful thing about John the Baptist is that for him the center of his life was Jesus Christ, what he did was to proclaim Jesus Christ. So, basically, this is what we have to learn in Advent. That Jesus is the center. It is so very beautiful when the human heart begins to feel longings for Jesus: "Come, Jesus, come into my life, take away what is disturbing me"

Lord, you have given me a new day. You have given me a new opportunity to prepare myself for your coming. I believe that you will be with me as I continue my preparation for your coming. My heart is too often divided and pulled in many directions, but I wish to set my heart totally on you so that I may love you above all else. Here I am, Lord, to know you and love you more. Help me to embrace the proper means to prepare myself for your birth.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, often I fall into the ways of the world, letting myself get caught up in its comforts and vanities. Teach me that only one thing matters: you and the life you promised us. Help me to use this Advent to prepare for your coming by detaching myself from the ways of the world and by being an example of Christian living for those whom I encounter. Help me to be always faithful to my frequent confession.

Here you have a link with resourses to improve this Second Week of Advent‏

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/secondweek.html

First Sunday of Advent: Come Lord Jesus!

2011-11-26T18:03:00.001-08:00

We, Christians always celebrate Christ but especially when He gave everything on the cross. The Mass is the greatest celebration of the death and resurrection of Our Lord. We call that celebration Easter.

We make preparations for that celebration and that is why we have a specific time to do it: Lent. We remember the 40 days of Jesus praying in the desert, we do our best to emulate Him.

Because of the gift of the resurrection is huge we need to learn to appreciate it. If it is too rich of a gift the Easter season will continue in time and we will call it the Paschal Time.

We have Lent (the days before Holy Week until the Easter Vigil) and Easter (fifty days until Pentecost) which are two very important Liturgical times.

These are the two oldest Liturgical times that we have as Christians. The first thing they celebrated is what we celebrate: the death of Jesus filled with love for us, and His resurrection which is the forgiveness of our sins and the source of our hope and joy.

After a while, some ages, the contemplation of the mystery of Christ starts to help the first Christians to discover other richness such as the Incarnation and Birth of Jesus.

The Gospels tell us of the circumstances that preceded the birth of Christ. They are many reasons to celebrate as we see in the readings, symbols, and new translation of the Roman Missal. What we have is the desire and hunger of centuries for the Savior. Not only hope or desire from ages past but also our desire now because we too are in need of Him.

As you can see we also have another pair of Liturgical times: Advent, the one we are starting today until Christmas (a very short three weeks). That is a time of joy for His birth. We also celebrate the Epiphany, a manifestation to the poor and strangers.

The word advent is an entire catechesis. It comes from the word “adventus” which means “the coming”. Advent is a time to prepare for someone’s coming. Is this the memory of the first Christmas? Is it just a nice way of celebrating Jesus's birthday? Yes, but it is more than that. When we celebrate His coming we also remember that we are in need of Christ.

Jesus came over 2000 years ago but He still needs to come now. Even though He was born in Bethlehem, we still today need to celebrate His birth. Even though the Incarnation has already happened, Jesus still has to start His work of salvation in many souls.

As we can see it is not only a matter of remembering the past and saying what a good birthday of Jesus that happened over 2000 years ago. Advent has the seriousness of knowing that something is missing in our society, our families and in our own lives.

I think this Advent is going to be very special and difficult to forget because of all the things that our eyes are witnessing. There is much justice that is missing and more; peace, solidarity, love, happiness and joy.

Advent is a time to come to our senses and sees how much we need Jesus individually, in our families and in our community at St. Marks. What is going on with the world? Where are we going?

Advent is asking those kinds of questions, it is accepting that we need conversion in politics, relationships, money, life issues such as abortion, education, moral issues. Where are we going with all of these? What are we doing with this great gift of life?

The conclusion is one: Come Lord Jesus, come and save us, come and save us from our selfishness and desire of revenge, from our addictions and lack of love. Come Lord, because it doesn’t seem to get better when I try by myself, without your grace which comes through prayer and the Sacraments.

Advent my brothers and sisters is regaining our appetites and hunger, the necessity of Jesus in our lives. Advent is getting to the point of saying: We need meekness, wisdom, goodness, purity Jesus Christ. We need you, come and don’t delay your visit.

Lord Jesus, I easily forget that you deserve the first spot in my life. At least right now I recognize you as my King and Master. I know you are present with me now and that you wish to fill me with your grace. Thank you for your friendship; I offer my weak love in return. I love you, Lord, and wish you to reign in my life.

Lord Jesus, help me to stay vigilant to your holy inspirations.

I have sought to please you in my actions, and when I have failed, I have turned to you through confession to be washed of my sins. I want to hear you say to me: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share my joy” (Matthew 25:23).

Lord Jesus, help me to “stay awake” in my daily life, keeping heaven as my true goal in all that I do. Help me to stand ready in every moment of my life to be called into your presence, Amen.

I asked all of you to incorporate some specific pratices this Advent. Here you have some prayers for your personal and family devotions for the first week:

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/aweek1.html

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ The King

2011-11-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

Saint Paul offers us a perspective about the mystery of Jesus coming as our King. His kingdom will appear only at the end of the world. Our future then has a very clear goal and direction given to us from history. It is not only what Ecclesiastes 1:9 said: “There is nothing new under the sun”...Christ gives understanding and meaning to history. He is the goal and without Him personally or collectively, everything is just a sum of desires that can't satisfy.

In 1 Cor. 15:20-26, 28, Paul presents the whole universe submitted to Christ. The perspective and direction is precisely this one: the submission of everything to Christ. If this is true, we can prepare and anticipate that goal. Even though there is no specific day, we can anticipate it making Christ reign in our hearts and in other hearts as well.

The words of Jesus that day will be “'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” or “'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:31-46) and if we see and think more on those words, they are the mirrors of our actions. The judgment of Jesus is going to be the result of the kind of life that we all had.

Christ as we see is hidden in the poor or in other words, poverty is the way in which Christ wants to reveal Himself. This is nothing new for the one that has read the gospel. In poverty grace is revealed through the limit of our efforts and what we want and can do Poverty is not a decoration or caprice of Christ. It is a unique condition where we discover the love that exists and that we cannot control: a love that has the power to own our hearts

Lord, let me see you in those who come to me in their need. Open my eyes with faith and love to reach out to all who come to me, offering them what I would offer you. In this, let me find the path that leads to you, hearing you call, “come, blessed of my Father, the Kingdom is prepared for you.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus, you are king of my heart; by the love you have shown me, you teach me how to live not for myself, but for others. Let my motive in doing these acts of charity not be out of fear of punishment or desire for reward, but rather let me act out of love for you. Let me respond to the love you have shown me. You are always a faithful friend to me; let me be a faithful friend to you in every person I meet today.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-11-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

Today’s readings are inviting us to take a look at our lives. What are we doing with our time? Which means what are we doing with our lives? To live is to pay attention to our talents and how we are administering them.

In Mt 25: 14-30 we see a man that has this same response to the servant that gains two as to the ones that gain five: “Well done, my good and faithful servant… Come; share your master's joy”. Why?

For God, what matters is to multiply our talents, to use them.

An empty life, a life without meaning is represented in the Gospel with the ones that haven’t done anything with their talents. There are many people living like that. They worry too much, focusing on what life can give to them, but not on the talents that they have received and how they can multiply them to serve others. There is a law in spiritual realm: the more you give of your talents the more you multiply them.

First Lesson: God doesn’t care of the amount of work, but the quality of it. God is the owner of the universe. And what is quality: everything, all your talents.

Second Lesson: Don’t live only concerned about things in this world. Your talent could be infertile for the next life.

Teach me, Lord, to take all that you have given me and make it produce fruit for your kingdom.

Lord, give me the grace and love to work for your kingdom with all the talents that you have given me. Let me return them all to you with real fruits for your kingdom.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: "The foolish and prudent virgins"

2011-11-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

The invitation of Jesus is very clear: "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Mt 25, 13)

In this parable specifically Christ suggests that there is a kind of sleepiness that involves all of us. Notice that the main difference between the groups of virgins is not in the fact that one group was sleeping and the other not; what makes them different is the way they where prepared for the banquet, how they anticipated their waking. Some didnt prepare for it at all. The tiredness of the activities defeated them, it was too much for them, and they surrendered to sleep without thinking of what would happen later.

On the other hand the other group knowing that the night could defeat them, found a way to have oil for the lamps, so that when they awoke they could find something to defeat the night.

As we see, it is a matter of awareness. Some of them where conscious of the fact that they could fall sleep and prepare themselves for any inconvenience and the others simple let the tiredness overcome them.

What do we do to prepare ourselves for our awakening? First it depends of what kind of sleepiness we are talking about. It is the sleep of death? Actually that sounds very connected to the end of Ordinary time, this is what we are approaching in the liturgy of the Catholic Church as we come to the last chapters of Matthew.

The ones that let sleep take control of their lives are just assuming that after the reality of this world nothing else will happen.

On the other hand save oil for the lamps, save light and even though the body will suddenly be defeated by tiredness and sleepiness, there will always be enough light to keep them from sleeping. What light are we saving? What can defeat darkness when we are sleeping, in other words when we are dead and the night of our lives will inevitably overshadow us?

The first reading (Wis 6: 12) talks about " A Resplendent and unfading wisdom", a light that corresponds well to the oil of the gospel (Mt 25: 1-13). Because even though the sleepiness of death will come to everyone, wisdom is not subjected to the empire of death. The light of wisdom will stay with us when we listen to the voice: 'Behold, the bridegroom (Mt 25: 6)

It is good to remember that this wisdom is much more than just knowledge. It is not against knowledge, but there is more than that. This wisdom comes to those that look for it "and found by those who seek her."(Wis 6:16). It is wisdom that helps us in the art of living.

The message then will be: Learn to live this life in order to prepare for the life that will come after.

I would just like to say something about the hour and the final encounter in today's parable. All the virgins were invited to the wedding, all of them were waiting for the bridegroom. This was the proper custom of the Jewish people. To wait for the bridegroom doesn't have a joy that can be compared to on earth. The wedding is a day of joy and happiness in the Book of the Song of Songs 3:11

If we are waiting, we are not lost in uncertainty without purpose and meaning. We are called to SHARE the joy of the coming of the bridegroom, the coming of our Lord and Savior, in the intimacy of a banquet that is clearly anticipated in the Holy Eucharist. Christ is giving all of us the anticipation of plenitude of joy from His Heart in the midst of His Bride, The Church.

Like In the Mass, after the Mystery of Faith, we say "Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory". Today we say Lord, Come to our lives and help us to prepare many more hearts for your coming, Amen.

The Importance of Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer at St. Marks

2011-10-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

“The worship given to the Trinity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... must fill our churches also outside the timetable of Masses…This worship must be prominent in all our encounters with the Blessed Sacrament… Adoration of Christ in this sacrament of love must also find expression in various forms of Eucharistic devotion: personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, hours of adoration, and periods of exposition – short, prolonged, and annual (Forty Hours) - Eucharistic benediction, Eucharistic processions, Eucharistic Congresses… Let us be generous with our time in going to meet him in adoration and in contemplation that is full of faith and ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease?” Pope John Paul II

What is Eucharistic Adoration?

It has been the consistent belief of the Catholic Church from the very beginning that the bread and wine consecrated at Mass truly become the Body and Blood of Christ; and that, furthermore, as the Catholic Catechism states, this “Eucharistic presence of Christ [which] begins at the moment of the consecration...endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist.” (CC #1377). In other words, the Eucharistic Christ then continues to be present in our midst beyond the Eucharistic liturgy when the consecrated host is either reposed in a tabernacle or exposed on the alter.

Why Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?

If we can adore the Eucharistic presence of Christ when reposed in a tabernacle, why do we then need to expose the Blessed Sacrament on an altar? It is not essential for exposition to take place to have Eucharistic adoration, yet people report experiencing a greater sense of intimacy with Jesus and attentiveness of mind and heart to prayer when they are able to actually “see” our Eucharistic Lord. Moreover, according to Church regulations exposing the Blessed Sacrament for a period of time requires the presence of a sufficient number of people to be there and therefore fosters the commitment needed to establish and sustain a meaningful parish Eucharistic adoration program. But the best reason for having exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is simply that God wills it. During His Eucharistic discourse, Jesus made this unmistakably clear: “Indeed, this is the will of My Heavenly Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son, and believes in Him, shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day” (John 6:40).

Has not Vatican II Forbidden Eucharistic Adoration?

Vatican II sought to highlight the centrality of the liturgical celebration of the Mass and foster the faithful’s full participation in it. Some thought this meant doing away with Eucharistic adoration all together but the opposite is true. In his encyclical on the Eucharist, Mysterium Fidei, promulgated at the height of Vatican II on September 3, 1965, Pope Paul VI expresses his hope that “the restored sacred liturgy will bring forth abundant fruits of Eucharistic devotion, so that the Holy Church, under this saving sign of piety, may make daily progress toward perfect unity and may invite all Christians to unity of faith and of love, drawing them gently, thanks to the action of divine grace.” Experience has proven this to be true, for parishes which have established a long-term Eucharistic adoration program have over time seen an increase not only in the attendance at Mass but also in the sacrament of Reconciliation as well. And even though non-Catholics cannot receive the Eucharist at Mass, they can spend time before the Lord in Eucharistic adoration and through His Eucharistic presence felt spiritually do oftentimes seek full communion with the Church so that they may also participate fully in the liturgical celebration of the Mass.

What is the Difference between Perpetual and Non-Perpetual Adoration?

Perpetual Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a given parish (or some other entity) unite in making continuous hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament both during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. Non-Perpetual Adoration is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament less than 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Perpetual Adoration, whenever possible, is to be preferred because it offers individuals the convenience of adoring Our Lord at any and all hours of the day and night and mobilizes the maximum number of individuals committed to prayer. Consequently, it is to be considered the goal of all parish Eucharistic adoration programs.

Is not Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a Parish Forbidden by Church Laws?

Neither the Code of Canon Law pertaining to the exposition and reservation of the Holy Eucharist (cf. Canons 938-944) nor the Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCW) cited by some liturgists to deny permission for Perpetual Adoration forbid perpetual exposition in parishes. Rather they provide the minimum requirements under which adoration with exposition can take place. Moreover, Pope John Paul II has himself set the pattern for the establishment of parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration by opening a chapel of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at St. Peter’s Basilica on December 2, 1981. And in June 1993 at the 45th International Eucharistic Congress in Seville, he expressed this wish: “I hope that this form of perpetual adoration, with permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, will continue into the future. Specifically, I hope that the fruit of this Congress results in the establishment of perpetual Eucharistic adoration in all parishes and Christian communities throughout the world.”

Will not Focus on Christ’s Presence in the Consecrated Host Eclipse People’s Awareness of His Presence in Each Other and the Community as a Whole?

It is true that the Eucharist is not the only modality of Christ’s presence to us. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states “Christ Jesus… is present in many ways to his Church: in his word, in his Church’s prayer…, in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned, in the sacraments of which he is the author, in the sacrifice of the Mass, and in the person of the minister. But “he is present… most especially in the Eucharistic species” (Catechism, 1373) for therein “the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained” (Catechism, 1374). It is precisely this mode of Christ’s presence offered in atonement for our sins and “remembered” in this sacrificial meal which raises the Eucharist above all other sacraments as “the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend” (Catechism, 1375).

In other words, Christ is present in the Eucharist par excellence precisely because the Eucharist becomes the means by which he is able to establish his presence in every other experience of the Church’s life and ministry and in its members. Rather than eclipsing his presence in all other ways, the Eucharist first celebrated, consumed and then adored becomes the means by which that presence is established and enhanced. This has been the conviction and personal experience of all who have possessed a true understanding and love for the Eucharist in the past and it continues to be the conviction and experience of all who do so today.

Will not Eucharistic Adoration foster a type of a Privatized Spirituality that places exclusive focus on personal growth over social concern?

A true concern for society (i.e. welfare of the poor, issues of peace and justice, evangelization) is a byproduct of the strength of one’s own prayer life and personal dedication to Christ. Eucharistic Adoration fosters such a genuine sense of conversion from over preoccupation with one’s own will to the embrace of Christ’s will for oneself and others. Consequently, rather than being a deterrent to the social mandate of the Church, it provides the foundation upon which a genuine commitment to Gospel service and evangelization can be built.

How Much Time and Money will it require to Establish Eucharistic Adoration?

Eucharistic Adoration is a lay-run ministry. As such it supports the call of Vatican II to promote the involvement of the laity in the mission of the Church. Consequently, once established, outside of his occasional pulpit support and offering of spiritual guidance when needed, very little time will be demanded of the pastor? Experience has also shown that the laity tends to be very generous in financially supporting ministries they see as directly benefiting them and their families. As a result, whatever expenses are needed also tend to be provided for by the lay people themselves.

Someone asked Mother Teresa of Calcutta: What will convert America?

"My answer is prayer. What we need is for every Parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Hours of prayer"

Testimonies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=X4KUk_bFlTk

http://savannahpriest.com/node/265

http://www.madisondiocese.org/Vocations/PromotingVocations.aspx

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

The union between the love of God and love of neighbor

St. Catherine describes the way of love like this: In the first stage, in the beginning, even when we say that we love, we don’t understand love. What we have is love of ourselves, self-love. We have a list of selfish plans and desires. In the beginning this is the human condition wounded by original sin.

A second stage is an encounter with a love that has no selfish desires, like the one that we find in 1 John 4, 10: “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us” He loved us before we loved Him. When we receive this kind of love we receive healing and cleansing. We receive freedom, a very specific strength that helps us to get out of the jail of selfishness, because living in egotism is like being in a prison; to live life as the slave of “my plans” is to live in a very small cell.

Well... Once the prison is broken we are able to receive the love of God, we are freed. We receive the Life of God and our soul is like "a dry weary land without water" (Psalm 63) starting now to drink from the love of God because of a personal encounter with Jesus.

Again, first: There was no love, only selfish desires; second: Love comes in the Person of Jesus. The third stage: that love has the power to build us, construct us until the point that we are going to be capable of loving… loving who? God, the one who has always loved us with a selfless love.

This process is almost like the development of babies. They are not great sinners, but in the beginning they live only for themselves. “My food, my sleep, my comfort” after receiving love from their Moms, they start to love her; they learn to love with a love of gratitude. In this third stage a love of gratitude to God, a love made of happiness, and the ability to trust in Him is what begins to grow within us.

And finally… The fourth stage: God has healed me, forgiven me and freed me. God built me and made me capable of finding some of the beautiful masterpieces that He wants to build and see within me. My life has a purpose and now I can see it. Then, God show me that there are others like me that pass through stage one, two and three, other brothers and sisters that were also helped, loved and freed from their selfishness… we see them and we can easily relate to them.

Little by little God is going to awake in us the capacity of loving our neighbor. How come? Why is He doing this?

When I love someone I want to make them happy, I want to please them, I want to respond to their needs, I want to help them in their projects, in what that person wants to achieve. I will help them finish what they are working on; I want their projects, and plans to be the best. (This is what God is doing; because He loves us, He wants us to succeed at loving our neighbor, and therefore, succeed at loving Him even more.

God said to St. Catherine of Siena: “You can’t love me like I love you, because I love you in a selfless way, without expecting or receiving anything from you… you can’t love me like this… but what you can do is to love the ones that I love, in the same way I love you… you can love them without expecting retribution”

My brothers and sisters, we are called to love God’s project. His plan is the salvation of the whole world. We need to love in the name of God and, because of our love for Him, we need to love our neighbors. This is the explanation of the unity of these two commandments: The Love of God and of our neighbors.

Come Holy Spirit and make us capable of uniting the love of God and the love of our neighbor in the Heart of Jesus.

Dear Lord, I believe in you, because you have a plan for me that will bring me to be like you. I hope in you, because your example and your grace give me the strength to be able to identify my will with yours. I love you, because only by loving you can I be transformed into you and be holy. Give me, Lord, the grace to practice charity faithfully.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, give me the grace to love others with all my effort and good will. I want to contemplate you, Lord, so that I may learn from you how to love them to the point of giving my life for them.

How can I repay the Lord for all the great good done for me? (Psalm 116, 12)

2011-10-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Teacher, tell us what is your opinion, is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" (Mt 22, 15-21) To approve meant to be a traitor to his brothers and to be one with the Romans; to disapprove meant to work against the Romans and be subjected to an accusation of rebellion.

The answer was unexpected: "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." as a way of saying "you who receive a lot from the Romans, many things, pay for that to them in the same measure or don't receive it, and you who receive many things from God, return to Him in the same proportion"

An interesting shift in Jesus' answer could point us in the direction of the importance of the saying. The question was whether one should give (Greek didômi) tribute to Caesar. But Jesus' answer spoke of giving back, paying back (paradidômi), as if one already owed something (and notice that after Jesus is asking for the coin it is from their pocket from where the coin is coming). What Jesus said could be paraphrased as: "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's due, and to God what is God's due." Instead of answering the direct question of whether one should pay the forced tribute to Caesar or not, Jesus raises the question to another level, that of the principle of justice. Greek philosophers before Jesus defined justice as "giving back to everyone what is their due." Jesus seems to be saying that the only binding obligation is that of justice, that of giving back to every person what is due to them. Serving God is basically a matter of justice? If God has given us all that we are and have, then we are bound in justice to give back to God great gratitude, great loyalty and exquisite service. The central act of Christian worship is called Eucharist, which means "thanksgiving." It is basically a question of paying back the debt of gratitude that we owe to God.

Then the question for us is how can I repay the Lord for all the great good He has done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation. Which means that I will offer Him all that I have. Jesus talked about the cup at least on two occasions referring to His Great Passion and Sacrifice on the cross: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Lk 22, 42)... and when the two disciples came asking for the first places in the kingdom: Can you drink the cup I am going to drink? (Mt 22, 20)

The answer of what should we do to repay to God all that He has given us is: With all that we have my brothers and sisters.

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

For many of us to eat is more than to satisfy necessity. It is a social act, a time to rest, an occasion to enjoy a good moment. In the banquets at the time of the first reading this was even truer. Music, drinks, dances... This is good to keep in mind in the readings today.

Banquets where (and should be today) a transition between work and rest, a transition between what we should do and what we would like to do.

Something that grabs our attention in the first reading is that "On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples. The web that is woven over all nations" (Isaiah 25; 7). It seems than it is a banquet of revelations.

It will be a moment when veils will be taken from all nations. The problem is that we never associate eating with receiving special revelation. It is more understandable when we know the context of the banquets with kings. The people who where there could not see the king from a long distance and that was the only chance to have an image of the king stored in their memory like a treasure.

God will reveal himself in His banquet. He is the king that we are waiting for, the one that we always want to contemplate, the one we always want to know, the realization that everything He promised is true. All of this is even tastier than all the food, even more amazing is that it all happens at the same time of the banquet.

Why wouldn’t everyone want to go to the banquet?

The gospel takes the same idea with a little difference. For some reason the ones who were invited weren't interested in going, even though it was the king's banquet. Isn't that absurd? But is it less absurd to be negative in accepting the love of the God that invites... The other thing we see is that it seems that the excuses they made for not going are the result of a satisfaction with what they had. And that's the problem. The satisfied people don’t want to eat.

The conclusion could be that the call to the kingdom, to the banquet, requires unsatisfied people, people who hunger and have a need to be full.

Dear Lord, grant me the grace to value heaven and to live in such away that I can get there. Jesus, so many times I give more importance to my own satisfaction than to centering my attention and efforts on achieving true communion with you. Help me to value your invitation to reach heaven through a truly Christian life that prefers virtue to sin, disinterested love to selfishness, and humility to pride. Amen.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

In the readings today, we can perceive disappointment: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? (Is 5: 1-7) The sadness in the gospel becomes a judgment: What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes? (Mt 21: 33-43)

There is the distance between the projects of God, which needs to become fruitful and the little, sad result of human selfishness. From this distance comes the anthropomorphic expression of a God that is “disappointed”

The question for all of us is how am I cultivating my vine?

God always has a better plan: He wants fruits. He doesn’t want sterile works and fruitless lives. There is a new plan announced in the hard words of Jesus: "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him produce at the proper times."

How is the vine of our lives? Let me go a little bit further. Fathers and mothers also need to ask about the vines of their homes. Sons and daughters how is the vine of your studies and lives at middle, High school and College? Countries must ask for their legacy of faith and history they have received.

Are we leaving things better than when we received them?

What about the world? Are we taking care of it so that the next generation will enjoy it like us? Or we are using it as though we are the last generation that has a right to enjoy it?

The words of Jesus are an invitation to change the way we see things. Today’s Gospel was said to the chief priests and the elders of the people. Why them in particular? Because their blindness not only moves them to ignore the responsibility of the vine entrusted to them but they are also taking possession of it; to the point of killing the one inherited, Christ. As we see there is a relation between the disobedience that ruins the vine and its goal and the desire of appropriating the vine, making it ours and excluding the owner. To expel God from life and ruin creation as we see it is the same thing.

In this Gospel passage, Lord Jesus, you show us how men have rejected your Father and you. It is so easy to lose sight of your love. Grant that I may know and love you better. Quicken my steps that I may bring your love to my brothers and sisters. Lord, grant me the grace of apostolic zeal.

Lord Jesus, your love knows no limits. You reach out to each soul according to the situation it is in. To the chief priests and Pharisees you offered a parable to open their minds and hearts. To us you give the example of your life, the witness of your words, and the teachings of your Spouse, the Church. Grant, O Lord, that I may love my brothers and sisters as you want me to, and so be your faithful apostle. Amen

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

One word that is always incompatible with our Christian faith is “fatalism”… to believe that my destiny is already written… We, as Christians believe that the future is a book that is not written yet, a book in which we have the right to write our own pages in the book of our lives.

The readings today go in that direction. They invite and oblige us to recognize that it is possible to change the direction in our lives. Every decision can transform you into a different person. It means not only that we can change, but we can also get better and improve the direction that we choose. Catholicism always brings a positive message: CONVERSION IS POSIBLE. Today you can come to your senses; the rest of your life doesn’t exist yet… you are going to participate in you existence.

“Change your mind, change your heart and your life and the results will be amazing”

In the first reading we are receiving a very strong invitation: “If the wicked repent… he shall not die, he shall preserve his life” (Ez 18:25-28). That person is someone that has done many bad things and has made many bad decisions and most of the times we consider him bad in himself, in his nature but even that nature doesn’t have the last word. The message is simple but powerful: nobody is tied to a bad past. Not even the bad words that you have said have the power to enslave you. The second son in the parable today was the one that said in a loud voice: “I will not go” (Mt 21; 28-32) yet a word with wisdom can be more powerful than a bad, negative and pessimist word.

I don’t want to finish by giving the impression that what we need is simply “good intentions” we have enough proof of how weak we are. Christ gives us the grace to not only accept and recognize that we where wrong but also not to feel the strong desire to repeat it. The action of Christ in us, don’t forget, changes the heart. We have the Gospel filled with stories that prove this.

This reason is exactly why Saint Paul exhorts us with these words: “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:1-11). It is so hard to do things like Jesus if we are not His. My brothers and sisters, because of our Faith in Him, because we believe in His message, because we are still building St. Marks Church as He commanded us in Mt. 28:19; because we are using all the tools He has placed in our hands to bring more brothers and sisters to love His Church from where we receive His Holy Spirit.

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

God calls, God invites. That is the message this Sunday. Our God is not on vacation; He is not absent in our lives. If God calls it is because He loves us and because we matter to Him. The first call of God was for our existence. We are created free to accept or reject His voice. That is why we need to hear His voice as a guide. His voice talks to our entire being, not only to what we were in the past, to denounce our sins, but to all our being, to all we can become (Is 55: 6-9).

Why don’t we understand His plans? We have a narrow vision, limited in many aspects. If we can only make it broader… not limited only to the past and present… Like God we’ll be able to see in Saul the persecutor of Christians, Paul, the great apostle, in a common young guy the great Francis of Assisi and in a simple fisherman the first Pope and fisher of men.

Even more than that… If we see like God, we will see that there is beauty not only in not making mistakes, but also in finding forgiveness. It is precisely that beauty that is so hard for us to find and it is so essential if only we try to understand the immensity of the love God has for you and me.

“The last will be the first”. When we do not agree with this principle it is because we fear in many occasions. It contradicts our conception of what fear is.

The "first ones" in the case of the Gospel (Mt 20, 1-16) were the ones hired in the beginning of the day. The "last ones" were the ones that were hired late in the day. For all of them the possibility to work was in itself a gift, because all of them were without doing anything, without direction in their lives. But that gift stopped appearing as a burden in the mind of the early birds. The gift became tedious, another common task to which we normally respond with lack of thankfulness. It gave them the capacity to criticize and too much sensibility to their own pain and lack of comfort.

Dear Lord, I sometimes see things from a very human and selfish point of view. Sometimes I find myself getting angry because others may have more than I do. Help me understand that the most important thing to be truly happy in my life is to be aware of the need I have of your grace. I love you because you have loved me without my deserving your love. Lord, help me to appreciate and be grateful for your grace.

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?

St. Catherine of Siena once was praying in front of a Crucifix and with the help of the Holy Spirit said: Lord How come, I am the thief and you are condemned? My brothers and sisters the art of forgiving others lies in knowing and acknowledging that we are forgiven. We are mistaken when we start to take count of the circumstances, motives and intentions of the one that harmed us... this is just going to add more resentment and hatred will seep into our soul for the one who offended us. Forgiveness won't come from there.

Jesus will show us a different way: "Others have debts with you; I know...but let's talk about your debts. Let's talk about the love that I had and have for you when I die on the cross. From there you'll be able to bring the capacity for and the grace to pardon and forgive". That, my brothers and sisters is what we need to pray for today.

The man in the Gospel Mt 18, 15-20; couldn't pay, yet God forgave him. The total amount that he owed was what Galilee owed Rome in 15 years. People knew what Jesus was saying. We can't pay and yet there is someone that pays for us with the infinite price of His own blood. Lord, God, teach us the value of the Blood of Christ and captivate us, so that our bitterness may find the right proportion.

The man in the Gospel knew that his debt was forgiven, but he couldn't see who paid for it. Maybe that is why he was not compassionate with the person that owed him less. We know, my brothers and sisters, who paid our debt, 1 Peter 18, 19. If someone were to really acknowledge the price that was paid, they would not pay much attention to other offenses and problems. God wants us to have a balance between being realistic and merciful. Why? Because this is the way He acts with us.

What if we make this Eucharist a fount of pardon? What if someone has something against his brother, husband, wife, Dad, Mom, co-worker? Ask God for the grace to better understand the price of the blood that is going to be offered on this altar. Ask for the grace to love the Life we will receive. Now, notice the disproportionate debt you have and the huge debt you are about to be forgiven if you approach the Sacraments that we have, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Heavenly Father, I believe you are watching over me during this time of prayer, and I thank you for your constant protection. I trust in you because you are a loving Father who loves me at every moment. I know you are always ready to forgive my small and great offenses.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for your infinite goodness and mercy. You know I am a sinner in such need of your forgiveness. Instill in my heart the desire to be merciful to those around me and to be always ready to forgive them as you are always ready to forgive me.

Welcome to St. Marks All of you College Students in the Neighborhood

2011-09-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

To all of our friends at Saint Mark's,

My name is Daniel Carr; I recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in political science. This past Easter season I became engaged to my future wife Rebecca Theisen and recently returned from a summer abroad in Italy. During our years at St. Thomas we have really enjoyed attending Mass here at Saint Mark's. It is a beautiful Church that holds a lot of promise for the future and the community.

We have been impressed by the work of Father Humberto and the brothers. It is very exciting to see how passionate and dedicated they are to the future of this Parish. In talking to them, we have seen that they have an incredibly positive outlook for the future of Saint Mark's and the Church and have many great ideas about how to further expand the mission of Saint Mark's and evangelize the community.

With that said, the work here is far from over. Although the life of the Parish is coming alive again, it is just in the process of being revived and revitalized. There is much work that still needs to be done. So, always continue improving and making the Saint Mark's family stronger and more united through prayer and community outreach. Give back to the Parish and the community selflessly, and serve first and foremost for others and the personal rewards will come along with that. Reach out to the outside community, continue fighting the good fight, and the great Parish of Saint Mark's will continue to grow stronger and stronger.

Rebecca and I consider ourselves blessed to be a part of the Saint Mark's family, no matter where we are geographically. We ask for your prayers as we prepare for our marriage next fall and that we may continue to grow in our journey and remain followers of Christ.

Sincerely,

Daniel Carr and Rebecca Theisen

Last Chance Mass:

http://lastchancemass.com/

St. Marks Mass Times:

http://www.saintmark-mn.org/

St. Paul Seminary Mass Times:

http://www.stthomas.edu/spssod/chapel/massschedule.html

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

My brothers and sisters the readings today talk about a healthy community and how to bring back a community that is lacking of good health. What can we do when evil or sin comes to our community. What can we do when we see error, sin, problems, and darkness in the lives of others?

Saint Augustine once said: ”We are not merciful if we don't correct the bad in others when we can do it”. Individualism sometimes unauthorized us to talk to others. There is a wrong idea that nobody should say anything to anyone that is doing wrong.

“Mind your own business” is a very common expressions at work, with friends (even with good ones), and even with family members. It is getting so difficult to be able to give advise or correct co-workers, friends and even to members if your family. Will you say to one of the ones that work with you: "hey David, I really think that the alcohol is destroying your life" or "I really think that you affective disorder is not going to lead you to success or joy"

My question is if the gospel we have heard is going to be well received from anyone in today's individualistic society in where everyone has their own private and untouchable world. Who wants to be corrected and who wants to correct when there are so many chances to be rejected or sometimes even sued?

Having said all of this, I will make a suggestion to all of us. Now that we realize that there are few that are willing to accept a fraternal correction. What if we try to be those who are willing to receive corrections. Those that are willing to change the way they see things and accept the will of God.

If you are like me and we have stony hearts, lets ask the Lord with His grace, to open our hearts so that when He speaks and corrects may we can remember that at the same time He consoles and teaches.

Lord, make me a person that can receive corrections. Help me to listen to the voice of my parents, son, daughter, wife… the word that I didn’t want to hear, the question that I didn’t like specially from the ones that I think have less knowledge than me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to be attentive to the inspirations of your Holy Spirit. This day may be filled with many challenges and activities but throughout them all I invite you to be with me. Lord, you taught us to gather together in prayer. Grant your Church greater unity and charity. Help us to help each other. Give us the humility to be open to correction. I believe that your love will triumph

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-08-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

The readings today (Jer. 20: 7-9 and Mt 16: 21-27) are full of paradoxes. The prophet Jeremiah said that was seduced, but we see that his life is not full of loving people towards him, but rejection. Jesus in the gospel preaches that whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself. After those words we can see that The Cross is behind, the sum of all the paradoxes for every Christian. That is our faith. We can announce the victory of Jesus without telling people that He was defeated after He was humiliated.

Jeremiah has a bad reputation. The reputation of someone that is always complaining. What sometimes we forget is that He has something to say and is the word that comes from God and sometimes God is not welcome.

God is welcome when we want Him to resolve a problem, heal from an illness, help us when we are sad, when we want power to control our life. But when is time for Him to lead or when He suggest us to leave idols that we love is not easy to receive the one is speaking in the name of the Lord.

Jeremiah tried to get ride of God because he brought to him many inconvenient. The history tells us that he couldn’t. With god the prophets can become martyrs, but without God may be only clowns. In Jeremiah we see that Love could do more in him even though was making his present uncomfortable but choosing faithfulness to God the criteria of Life.

Lord Jesus, your words, “be perfect just as your heavenly father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), have challenged saints and sinners for 2000 years, and they challenge me today. Lord, I ask you to grant me the grace to follow the steps to holiness by denying myself (purgative way), taking up my cross (illuminative way), and following you (unitive way)

Lord, place in the depth of my soul a great desire to become a saint by denying myself, taking up my cross and following you

Lord Jesus, I ask you for the courage to continue to follow your call to holiness. Help me to know where it is you want me to become more like you, and give me the strength to form myself into the saint of which you have always dreamed. Mother Mary, I entrust my spiritual life into your maternal care. Guide me as you guided your son.

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-08-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

In The Gospels we see Jesus not getting exited about what we people usually get exited about. We see in Luke chapter 10 vs. 17 and 20 when the disciples returned from preaching the good news: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name… and Jesus responded “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven”; or Luke 12, 31 when they were warning Jesus about someone that was trying to kill Him …Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you… and with peace and not paying to much attention He responded “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose... or in the beginning of Mark 1, 37 The excitement because popularity was obvious and they said to Jesus “Everyone is looking for you.” The Lord, instead of growing in popularity like a politician or a Hollywood star will do today He responded: “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come… or even when they said to Him that His Mother and His brothers were looking for Him in Matthew 12, 47 He responded: “who is my mother? Who are my brothers? For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

It seams that things of the earth; praising, success, and persecution, is not the main problem for Him. But if a pagan woman like the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, 28 comes to Him and understands that the bread of the sons of Israel may come at least as scraps of bread to her, then Jesus reacts in a different way: Great is your faith woman, let it be done according to your wish.

The Heart of Jesus is, as we see, set up as a clear mission and nothing is more important than that: To announce the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Peter receives a complement from Jesus in 16, 17 “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood^* has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” Peter is clearly talking about the Father and the wishes of the Father to help Jesus be known as the Messiah. But pay attention to the second part. It seems that Jesus want The Good News of The Gospel, the announcement of The Kingdom not to be as any other news on the streets. He wants it to be preached properly, in a process that involves the Holy Spirit also. A process that transform a message from the mouth of the apostle (first we need to be apostles, followers of Jesus) and then to see the message in the ears and hearts of people be transformed in revelation of the Father through the Holy Spirit.

Lord, please help me to go deep into the truth about who you are and not to be satisfied with simply having some vague idea. I want to know you intimately through prayer, Confession, Spiritual Direction, the same way St. Peter and so many saints have known you. Grant me this grace not just for my sake, but also for all those souls with whom I will come into contact.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-08-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

Today in the readings ( http://new.usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm ), we have the chance to meditate about a reality that repeats itself often: The people from inside and those from the outside; the first ones being those with rights and the second ones being those that are excluded, almost like in a club (members and non-members). The readings today are important because we see that God always takes part with the outsiders. In Egypt, for example, Pharaoh was the one that was thought to have all the rights and the Hebrews were the outsiders.

The woman in the Gospel is an outsider to the Hebrews, but that was not the reason why Jesus was not helping her right away. The reason was because Jesus’ mission on earth was not to stop the sufferings of people; He was sent to announce the Kingdom of God. First to the people of Isrsel because of God's promise and then to those with hearts open to accept the Good News.

In other words Jesus wanted to make sure that the first character in the healing and miracle needed to be THE POWER OF GOD to those that really believe. An easy encounter with Jesus and an easy healing are not exactly the place to recognize God’s power. The slow process in the case of the woman of the gospel can be for us a catechesis on the action of God in our lives. It won't be an answer from God until we recognize that there is only one God and that His glory is going to be manifested if we give Him control over our lives. For this a heroic faith is needed.

I believe in you, my God. You called me into existence from nothingness and carefully watch over me. You have even numbered the hairs of my head. I trust in your infinite goodness, and I abandon into your loving hands my fears, my hopes, my needs, my desires, everything. I love you, Lord, and I wish to love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength.

Lord, grant that these moments of conversation with you will build my trust in your power.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, too often I have given up on prayer without really trying, convinced that you don’t listen to me. I am sorry for judging you. Help me persevere in asking you for the good things I need. Help me overcome any shame or human respect, so that I can increase my faith, hope and love for you.

The Popes on Devotion to the Sacred Heart

2011-07-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

The feast of the Sacred Heart was approved for specified dioceses by Clement XIII in 1765, and extended to the whole Church by Pius IX in 1856. In 1889 Pope Leo XIII elevated it to the rank of first class, and through an encyclical letter in 1899 dedicated the whole Catholic world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Devotion to the Sacred Heart was also an essential component of Pope John Paul II's hopes for the "new evangelization" called for by the Church.

"For evangelization today," he said, "the Heart of Christ must be recognized as the heart of the Church: It is He who calls us to conversion, to reconciliation. It is He who leads pure hearts and those hungering for justice along the way of the Beatitudes. It is He who achieves the warm communion of the members of the one Body. It is He who enables us to adhere to the Good News and to accept the promise of eternal life. It is He who sends us out on mission. The heart-to-heart with Jesus broadens the human heart on a global scale."

Here are some of the relevant documents: Leo XIII in his Encyclical Letter Annum sacrum (1889) on the consecration of mankind to the Sacred Heart; Pius XI in Caritate Christi Compulsi (On The Sacred Heart) and Miserentissimus Redemptor (On Reparation To The Sacred Heart); Pius XII in his Encyclical Letter Haurietis aquas; Paul VI in his Apostolic Letter Investigabiles divitias Christi (1965) and John Paul II in Message on the centenary of the consecration of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1999), in L'Osservatore Romano, 12 June 1999.

The Sacred Heart and Our Spiritual Life

2011-07-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a wonderful historical expression of the Church's piety for Christ, her Spouse and Lord: it calls for a fundamental attitude of conversion and reparation, of love and gratitude, apostolic commitment and dedication to Christ and his saving work.

Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are numerous. Some have been explicitly approved and frequently recommended by the Apostolic See. Among these, mention should be made of the following:

Personal Consecration

Personal consecration, described by Pius XI as "undoubtedly the principal devotional practice used in relation to the Sacred Heart" (Miserentissimus redemptor).

Family Consecration

Family consecration to the Sacred Heart, in which the family, by virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony already participating in the mystery of the unity and love of Christ for the Church, is dedicated to Christ so that he might reign in the hearts of all its members (Aliae concessiones).

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, approved for the whole Church in 1891, which is evidently biblical in character and to which many indulgences have been attached (Aliae concessiones).

Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart

The act of reparation, a prayer with which the faithful, mindful of the infinite goodness of Christ, implore mercy for the offences committed in so many ways against his Sacred Heart (Aliae concessiones).

The Practice of the First Fridays

The pious practice of the first Fridays of the month which derives from the "great promises" made by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary. At a time when sacramental communion was very rare among the faithful, the first Friday devotion contributed significantly to a renewed use of the Sacraments of Penance and of the Holy Eucharist. In our own times, the devotion to the first Fridays, even if practised correctly, may not always lead to the desired spiritual fruits. Hence, the faithful require constant instruction so that any reduction of the practice to mere credulity is avoided and an active faith encouraged so that the faithful may undertake their commitment to the Gospel correctly in their lives. They should also be reminded of the absolute preeminence of Sunday, the "primordial feast" (Sacrosanctum Concilium), which should be marked by the full participation of the faithful at the celebration of the Holy Mass.

The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart

2011-07-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

In the apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Jesus gives these twelve promises for those who are devoted to His Sacred Heart.

I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
I will establish peace in their families.
I will console them in all their troubles.
They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

Scriptural Basis for the Spirituality to The Sacred Heart of Jesus

2011-07-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

Jesus, who is one with the Father (cf. John 10, 30), invites his disciples to live in close communion with him, to model their lives on him and on his teaching. He, in turn, reveals himself as "meek and humble of heart" (Mt 11, 29). It can be said that, in a certain sense, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a cultic form of the prophetic and evangelic gaze of all Christians on him who was pierced (cf. John 19, 37; Zac 12, 10), the gaze of all Christians on the side of Christ, transfixed by a lance, and from which flowed blood and water (cf. John 19, 34), symbols of the "wondrous sacrament of the Church"(St. Augustine).

The Gospel of St. John recounts the showing of the Lord's hands and his side to the disciples (cf. John 20,20), and of his invitation to Thomas to put his hand into his side (cf. John 20, 27). This event has also had a notable influence on the origin and development of the Church's devotion to the Sacred Heart.

These and other texts present Christ as the paschal Lamb, victorious and slain (cf. Apoc 5,6). They were objects of much reflection by the Fathers who unveiled their doctrinal richness. They invited the faithful to penetrate the mysteries of Christ by contemplating the wound opened in his side. Augustine writes: "Access is possible: Christ is the door. It was opened for you when his side was opened by the lance. Remember what flowed out from his side: thus, choose where you want to enter Christ. From the side of Christ as he hung dying upon the Cross there flowed out blood and water, when it was pierced by a lance. Your purification is in that water, your redemption is in that blood".

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

2011-07-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11:25-30)

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I ask you for the grace during this meditation to say “yes” to you at each moment of my life. What a beautiful program—that everyday I renew my unconditional “yes” to you. This acceptance must be based in faith and trust. I believe in you because you are truth itself and are faithful to your promises. You never abandon me or let me down. I want this moment of prayer to be an expression of my love for you, seeking to console you instead of being consoled.

Petition: Lord, grant that I may be generous with God and others.

1. Short and Sweet: When we confront the daily struggles and trials, we tend to get confused because we keep turning the problems around and around until they become such a tangled mess that they really begin to drag us down. Something similar can happen in our spiritual lives too. We begin to juggle around a lot of ideas and good desires and proposals but never really get anywhere because we lack clarity and direction. All we really need is just one idea and one word; “yes”. It’s a word which is easy to say, but at times difficult to fulfill. It needs to be part of our daily vocabulary to say yes to God and to our brothers and sisters. Jesus says to us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

2. Learn from Christ: Our Lord Christ Jesus is the one from whom we learn what it means to say “yes.” He said “yes” at the moment of his incarnation and birth. He said “yes” during those 30 silent years in Nazareth.

He said “yes” at the moments of his passion, death and resurrection, and he continues to say “yes” in the Eucharist. All over the world he is present, giving himself to us once again through this wonderful sacrament.

3. Sacred Heart of Jesus: A heart that always says “yes” is a heart that loves. Christ’s heart is a heart that loves all of us with a love that is infinite. The Sacred Heart of Jesus seeks to show mankind that his love reaches even to all those who say “no” to his will. His heart invites all of them back into his flock. We need never dispair. All we have to do is turn back to him, convert. He is waiting for us with open arms.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, I know that you always said “yes” to the will of the Father. I ask you to grant me the same willingness to do your most holy will at each moment of my life.

Resolution: I will pray an Our Father for peace in the world.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

2011-06-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

Even though with the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost we have the beginning of public life for the Church; a decisive moment in that process was the institution of the Holy Eucharist in the Cenacle at the Last Supper.

The Eucharist, the Mystery of our Faith, is the Mystery of light because every time a priest celebrates the Mass, we have the chance to relive the experience of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus: “With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him” (Lk 14, 31).

The Eucharist is the saving presence of Jesus in the community of the faithful and it is spiritual food. It is the most precious thing the church possesses on the journey of history. When The Church celebrates this Sacrament, the memorial of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we make present THE SAME WORK OF OUR SALVATION. This sacrifice is so crucial for the salvation of human beings.

Jesus Christ left us only after He left us THE MEAN above ALL MEANS, His Body so that we, participating in Him, may return to Him every time we celebrate the Mass. In This Sacrament He “will be shed (His Blood) on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26: 28). “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” (Jn 6:57). The Unity that He asks of His Father at the last supper is now possible because of Him in the Eucharist. It is not possible to understand His words as a metaphor: “Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you” (Jn 6:53); “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (Jn 6: 55)

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

2011-06-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

I will like to share a beautiful meditation about the presence of the Trinitarian mystery in history. This revelation was perfect in the New Testament, but was also anticipated in the old. The characteristics of God as a gentle Father, caring for the righteous children that came to Him. He was called: “Father of the fatherless, defender of widows” (Psalm 68, 6). What is beautiful is that is also considered as father of the rebel and sinners.

There are two prophetic pages with extraordinary beauty and intensity that shows this fatherly care of God the Father with His lost children in (Deuteronomy 32, 5). In these beautiful pages God shows in a clear way His constant presence in all of human history (also for the same topic: Jeremiah 31, 9. 20 and Hosea 11, 1-3-4. 8)

Now, there needs to be a clear thought, God is not indifferent to our needs. Another proof is that He sent His Only Son, to whom we call “the center of History”. Todays Gospel reaffirms that in the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3, 16.

Something about The Holy Spirit, even though the Old Testament is not making a clear and explicit revelation of Him, we think we can attribute some saving initiatives: He helped the judges of Israel “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the LORD delivered Cushan-risha-thaim, king of Aram, into his power, so that he made him subject” (Judges 3, 10); The Kings “Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.”(1 Samuel 16, 13); but more than that He, The Holy Spirit is the one that helps the prophets of Israel, the ones in charge to reveal the glory of God that was not clear in the history.

Everyone of us, as we try with our imperfect intelligence to approach the mystery of the Holy Trinity, working in the history, need to make what Saint Gregory when he sings: Glory to God The father and the Son, King of the Universe. “Glory to The Holy Spirit worthy of praises and worship. The Trinity is one God who created and filled everything… He gives life everything with His spirit so that everyone may pay homage to our creator, unique cause of life… The rational creature needed to celebrate God like a great king and good father”

Pentecost Sunday

2011-06-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

The beauty of the triumph of Christ in His Ascension may distract us from paying attention to what He commanded to His disciples: Pray Together and wait for the promise of The Father. When some parishes have a vigil of prayer (like us), we are fulfilling that commandment.

One name of the Holy Spirit is, “The Promise”. It was John the Baptist who asked Jesus: Are you the Messiah or do we need to wait for another one (Mt 11, 3), the one that was expected. Our Pope is doing a good job, making hope real and accessible to all of us. Repeating what Saint Paul said: “we are saved by hope” (Romans 8, 24). The expectation of The Holy Spirit is deep inside the expectation of a gift, the certainty of a huge deep change that for sure is going to happen… It is the happiness that is greeting us all from afar.

In Gethsemane Jesus commanded us to pray (Mt 26:41), then at the Ascension to stay together in the Holy City of Jerusalem so that we can be baptized with The Spirit (Acts 1: 4-8) The Holy City today is The Catholic Church, because Saint Paul says that we belong to the Jerusalem of heaven not to the earthly one. (Galatians 4:26). To stay in the Church is a very specific way to fulfill what we say in the Creed: I Believe in One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. There are times in life when we are tempted to look for The Holy Spirit outside of the Church, those groups that seem to have more lively preachings and more miracles. If we act like that we will disobey Jesus. It is so important to be obedient to Jesus’s Commandments…

To pray in Jerusalem, in The Church; together with the brothers: is a way to realize that we all have the same necessities. Our Catholic Faith is not based in personal preferences or fashions. It is not an escape from reality (like we said last Sunday talking about how hard it was also for the Apostles to believe in Jesus), nor an escape from heaven, like a Gospel that is only for social promotion, it is not even an escape to our interior, thinking that we can base our faith on internal and personal feelings or our own conscience… We pray together, because we believe that The Same One (Holy Spirit), that informs, renovates, makes anew will create in ALL of US the disposition to make everything NEW.

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

2011-06-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

As we celebrate and remember the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven, Saint Luke gives a summary of the teaching of The Risen lord: The kingdom of God. It is exactly what Jesus said in the beginning of His public life: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mk 1: 15). Jesus' project didn't change. The Resurrection is for us a new beginning. Not even the sufferings He endured or His death could change His obedience to and love of His Father. His goal: The Glory of The Name of God, that His will can be heard and obeyed. In other words, it is what we say in the Our Father: "Adveniat regnum tuus fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo et in terra", which means: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It was hard for the disciples and the first Christians to witness their Leader suffer and then die...

It was hard for the apostles to trust in the Lord and to follow Him. It is still hard to believe, after the Resurrection, in our own lives, what was hard for them to believe is hard for us. They were as real as you or I. When they speak to us years later about holiness and the Kingdom of Heaven through the Gospels, we need not imagine them as people who did not have their feet on the ground. Their questions proved their sense of reality very well: Is it now when You are going to establish the kingdom of Israel? In other words: Is it now when real problems, when real injustices from this world, real hunger, real sufferings are going to stop?

The answer that Jesus gives is always the same: Give Me the freedom to decide for such things are not for you to know. I am King and I will always be King at the right hand of the Father.

The goal of Jesus was not only to create a socially safe environment with good laws but an environment where everyone would respect others, no matter where or how they come. He is the Head we are the Body... Where He is we hope to be one day... Every injustice and lack of order will come to an end when what we say in the Creed every Sunday becomes real: "He will come to judge the living and the dead and His Kingdom will have no end"...Our Goal is Heaven!

Sixth Sunday of Easter

2011-05-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

When Jesus was preaching and healing many people wanted to touch Him and I am sure that many couldn't do it. There were limits in the flesh of Jesus. His flesh couldn't reach many that wanted to. Our Lord is coming with a solution. He asked to the Apostles: pray for another Paracletos in Greek, Advocatos in Latin, Paráclito in Spanish, lawyer in English. Someone strong, wise and someone that is friend, one that never abandons and has Power to Save, Jesus meant to say: I am the first one, but the second, The Holy Spirit will be able to touch you in ways that you can’t imagine, He will remind you of all that I have taught you. Right after His resurrection this was a reality "Receive The Holy Spirit and then… make disciples…" (Mt 28:19). We have the great Mission to be messengers… In our case The Messengers are the Message. If He was strong enough to Forgive and Save the ones crucified Him and the Disciples that deny Him, Today we need to trust that He Is Strong Enough to Save!

In every process with the law, we always want and need a good lawyer, someone who knows the laws and someone that is strong enough to defend us. With Jesus on our side, there is no adversary or enemy that can defeat us.

Lord, as I begin this prayer I offer you my whole self: my thoughts, desires, decisions, actions, hopes, fears, weaknesses, failures and petty successes. I open my entire being to you, aware that you know everything already. I’m certain of your mercy and of the purifying power of your penetrating, loving gaze. Lord, I want to believe in your personal and passionate love for me.

Jesus, help me to believe in you and your love. Imprint your love very deeply onto my heart. I want to remain in your love always. I want to remain in the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit, but I need your strength and grace. Help me to set aside anything that displeases you, Amen.