THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): By Serving Others Through God’s Love, We Are Saved by Deacon Jim Merle

Since the onslaught of Covid-19 Pandemic in America in 2020, we have become frightened, confused, impatient and sometimes angry with life or with whatever is or is not happening. Civility, kindness and genuine effort to be helpful seem at times to have taken a hiatus waiting for the different strains to end. What makes it even more difficult for us baptized Catholics is what we are called to rise above this because of our promise to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and all that God has created as Jesus loves us according to our Gospel from St. Matthew today.

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): Two Kingdoms, One God by Deacon Jim Merle

It never ceases to amaze me to what lengths people will go to make a point. St. Matthew’s Gospel today provides us with an example I believe verifies this belief.

TWENTY-EIGHTH SNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): Invitation to Choose Holiness by Deacon Jim Merle

Having free will can be difficult at times. You get to choose, but the outcome may not be what you imagined. Saint Matthew’s Gospel today presents us with a parable from Jesus to the Jewish chief priests and elders of His time, as have the last two prior Sundays, inviting them to seriously consider His message of becoming holy according to God’s ways rather than their own interpretation of what they believe God meant. In there lies the problem.

The Fourth Ecumenical Council – The Council of Chalcedon by Father Glenn Baaten

Dear friends in Christ,

We are now halfway through our consideration of the great Councils of the undivided Church during the first millennium. In our very first article, we were introduced to what are commonly referred to as the Seven Ecumenical Councils, and in subsequent articles, we reflected upon the Councils of Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus. In this article, we will delve into the fourth of these gatherings: the Council of Chalcedon (pronounced kal-SEE-don). The Council was held in 451 AD, which today is located in the district of Kaldikoy, in Istanbul, Turkey.

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): GOD’S VINEYARD WAS CREATED FOR HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE! WE ARE CALLED TO EMULATE IT BY FOLLOWING IN HIS WAYS! by Deacon Jim Merle

During formation as a deacon, we were taught to balance our commitments by not taking on more than we can manage. A handy hint we were given was to use one calendar to balance church and personal matters to avoid duplications and/or overbookings. It works most of the time except for unexpected items such as injuries, illnesses and deaths which need immediate attention.

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): Say What You Will Do and What You Will Say? God Will Bless Us If We Follow His Ways With Humility and Obedience! by Deacon Jim Merle

My parents taught me to be honest even if doing so could cause me hardship. They believed that one is responsible for his or her actions and must be held accountable, especially if it causes a negative result, whether it hurt someone or did not.

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): Following God’s Ways Brings us to the Path of Everlasting Life! Asking God to Follow Ours May Lead to a Place Without Peace! by Deacon Jim Merle

God, out of His love, created us for a purpose. We are called throughout our life to discover what that is. As disciples God gives us multiple gifts to understand the ways of the Lord. It is from this aspect that we practice our faith as true and faithful servants of the Blessed Trinity in thought, word and deed, as well as faith, hope and love.

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): JESUS’ FORGIVENESS KNOWS NO BOUNDS! AS DISCIPLES, LET US ALSO OFFER LOVE, MERCY AND FORGIVENESS! by Deacon Jim Merle

Anger is common to all humans, whether we harbor it or someone else does against us. What is important is how we define and handle anger. Is it justifiable or not? And, in a biblical sense, is it sinful? It is this last aspect that will cost us to lose our soul if we do not address the cause!

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): AS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH TOGETHER WE GROW AS DISCIPLES IN LOVE, MERCY AND FORGIVENESS! by Deacon Jim Merle

In conversations with people, I have discovered over the years that everyone has been involved in dysfunctional behavior in their family either directly or indirectly. A few are just a matter of talking it out, working to improve one’s behavior over time. Others may take an intervention to see the problems. Some are serious and require professional assistance.

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): DUPED OR LOVED? A DISCPLE’S DECISION FOR FOLLOWING GOD. by Deacon Jim Merle

Based upon numerous studies by sociologists and psychologists throughout the years, their results have told us for the most part that our perceptions about life are based on expectations we encounter whether based on what we are told, see, hear, experience or believe. And, from that conclusion, many people decide what reality is in their lives.