EPIPHANY (A): EPIPHANY: HOPE REVEALED by Deacon Jim Merle

Today’s feast of the Epiphany of our Lord is one of those liturgical celebrations that use the same readings, psalm and Gospel for a three-year cycle known as A, B and C. It is in this cycle that all the major aspects of God in our lives are covered through Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD (A): SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! by Deacon Jim Merle

The feast of the Motherhood of Mary, established on October 11, 1931, by Pope Pius XI, specifically her Divine Motherhood, celebrates the belief that Mary is the Mother of God. This belief was established at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD to clarify the nature of Jesus Christ, who is both fully divine and fully human. The Church declaration that Mary is the Mother of God is essential for understanding the true nature of Jesus as God from all eternity and as human in His birth from Mary.

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH (A): ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC FAMILY by Deacon Jim Merle

FAMILY is a word we use to establish our roots and foundation in life. It connects us to various stages of our past, present and future. It shapes us in a multitude of ways for better or worse depending on how we incorporate it into our life goals and objectives. And in respect to the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph today, it can help us in our journey to everlasting life.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A): ACCEPTANCE OF GOD’s PLAN OF LIFE FOR US MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR OUR SALVATION! LET US DENY OUR SINFULNESS THAT LEADS US ASTRAY! by Deacon Jim Merle

Things do not always seem to be what we believe they are or should be based on our viewpoint. This Sunday’s readings and Gospel are indicative of that, especially considering God’s plan for our lives. It often seems contradictory, because our beliefs propagated by what the world has put into place do not always agree with God’s. The question for us is: “With whom do we place our trust, man or God, no matter how difficult the situation, if we seek eternal life”?

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A): Experience the Joy of Salvation by Healing, Wholeness and Holiness As We Offer Christian Joy Which We Ourselves Have Received! by Deacon Jim Merle

We are called to prepare the way for Jesus to come into ours and other people’s hearts so we can experience the joy of salvation, healing, wholeness and holiness for which we long and gives real meaning to our lives. But how do we do that when we are imprisoned into a world of sin as was St. John the Baptist?

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A): As We Prepare for the Coming of Christ, Let Us Practice Peace and Offer Justice to Situations That Harm Us in So Many Ways! by Deacon Jim Merle

Connected through the ages of time, we still prepare during Advent for the coming of Christ in our lives beginning with His birth, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and return. Both readings and St. Matthew’s Gospel illustrate how God’s plan was meant for us whether we were known as an Israelite or Gentile prior to or after implementation of Christianity. Our preparation is for acceptance of who Jesus is as told to us through the scriptures and to find ways we can be repentant, have a personal change of heart and a transformation or conversion as we help to bring peace and justice as Jesus did.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A): PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD! IN REMEMBRANCE OF JESUS’ BIRTH, DEATH AND RESURRECTION; IN PREPARATION OF HIS SECOND COMING; AND FOR EACH DAY WE INTERACT WITH HIM IN THOUGHT, WORD, DEED AND SACRAMENTALLY! by Deacon Jim Merle

If truth is known, I am more of a procrastinator than one who has properly prepared for every contingency. My wife will tell you that it is due to my lack of organization because I like to touch papers more than once and, therefore, fall behind. In my defense, it is not that I purposefully wait, it is that I need to winnow down what I am doing to make sure I have all the bases covered that I understand and want to share with others. Having an active mind with a multitude of matter running through it causes more angst in my planning to provide a finished product. Or my standard excuse: I was ordained to say yes, and my wife supports me by helping me to balance what I need to do versus what I think I should do.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE (C): THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE IF WE ACCEPT GOD’S CALL TO BE ONE WITH HIM! by Deacon Jim Merle

Benevolent monarchies without a spiritual force behind it rarely exist to offer the fullness of what Jesus, a Christian King, provides for us through His love of all that exists in His realm with His Father and the Holy Spirit. If that were not enough of a challenge, outside influences based on fulfilling one’s personal needs of wealth, fame and power all but destroy human decency, morals and integrity so that nothing can exist without negativity in all facets available for peaceful co-existence.

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C): Practicing Patient Endurance Focuses Us to Live Each Day Fully In the Company of Jesus! by Deacon Jim

It is interesting that as one ages, patience takes on a different meaning than when we were young. Things had to happen quicker in our early years because there was so much of life that needed to be experienced. Waiting slowed our pace and caused us to miss something which might be helpful to get ahead in our lives. Consideration for taking time to learn what we wanted or needed to know was less important because we could pick it up on the fly; or so we thought.

The Ecumenical Movement: A Journey Toward Christian Unity by Father Glenn Baaten

I have been excited to write this three-part article series on the Ecumenical Movement within Christian churches worldwide. In the first article, we explored Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in the seventeenth chapter of St. John’s Gospel, focusing on His call for complete unity within the Church. In the second article, we examined the history of schism and division within the Church, beginning with the split between the Eastern and Western Churches, and then the Protestant-Catholic divide in the West.