The First Ecumenical Council: The Council of Nicaea By Father Glenn Baaten

The first of the seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church was the First Council of Nicaea. Convened in 325 AD by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great with the support of Pope Sylvester I, the council met from May through July in the Greek-speaking city of Nicaea, located in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. More than 300 bishops from across the Christian world—both East and West—gathered to address one of the most pressing theological crises of the time.

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY (A): THE MOST HOLY TRINITY IS A MYSTERY TO ALL BELIEVERS. AND YET, WITHOUT GOD IN OUR LIVES, THERE IS NO HOPE. ACCEPT FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT TO COMPLETE OUR LIVES. by Deacon Jim Merle

Mysteries can be fascinating if you have a mind that enjoys being challenged. Though finding a result of this may be what is sought, the real satisfaction seems to lie in the varying paths one is led down to receive a solution of what is meant by each twist and turn. The hope is one will have a clear picture of what is meant at the end of the journey.

PENTECOST SUNDAY (A): PENTECOST’S INVITATION OF INVOLVEMENT BRINGS THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO OUR HEARTS AND OUR SHARING OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE by Deacon Jim Merle

God’s perfect plan for our involvement might seem over the top with the original Pentecost filled with a “strong driving wind,” “tongues as of fire” and speaking in different tongues, but why shouldn’t it be? Pentecost is an invitation from God the Father and God the Son to accept a partnership involvement with the Trinity under the auspices of the Holy Spirit. We are created out of God’s love to build up the Kingdom of God by bringing people to God. Without God’s help, we would not be able to accomplish this. We need to be of the same Spirit to spread His commissioned message of love through preaching, healing and forgiving.

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD (A) ASCENSION COMPLETES JESUS EARTHLY WORK OF REDEMPTION. FOR US, IT IS WAY TO RISE ABOVE NEGATIVITY AND HATE TO HELP US FOLLOW GOD AND HIS WAYS FOREVER by Deacon Jim Merle

In my earlier days, I travelled for work.  Sometimes I was gone for a few days and at other times for a week.  My wife, Candi, travelled extensively for years leaving on Sunday evening and returning Friday night.  For many years, she averaged 30 to 35 weeks annually.  Our standing joke is that it kept us together as a couple because we always have new stories to tell one another to keep our relationship fresh and alive.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (A): Jesus Proclaims A New Advocate, The Holy Spirit Who Will Be with Us Forever, If We Follow God’s Ways! by Deacon Jim Merle

For those of us who have relatives and friends that are facing mental or physical problems that bring them closer to death, we often contemplate how we will conduct our lives after they pass.  Aside from our memories, will we be able to adjust to do some of the things we did when they were alive?  That is certainly the dilemma of the Apostles as Jesus tells Him of His leaving earth and returning to heaven to be with His Father at the Ascension.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (A): JESUS INVITES US TO BE DISCIPLES WHO IDENTIFY OURSELVES WITH HIS MISSION IN ONENESS WITH THE FATHER AND US! by Deacon Jim Merle

In the weeks after Easter, prior to Pentecost, the Sunday readings and Gospels introduce us to multiple ways of how best to be a disciple of Jesus.

In the Second Sunday of Easter, it involved believing without having physical proof to help one believe. The Third Sunday was about overcoming the truth about scriptural references to Jesus’ resurrection. The Fourth Sunday was listening to God’s call for us as a shepherd calls His sheep.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (A): OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, JESUS, CALLS US TO FOLLOW HIM! LET US RESPOND TO HIS VOICE BY LIVING OUR VOCATION! by Deacon Jim Merle

In addition to celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Easter (known as Good Shepherd Sunday), it also is the 63rd anniversary of “World Day of Prayer for Vocations.”  It is usually the day when we hear a homily on praying for future priests, deacons and religious life vocations. Well not so much for deacons.

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (A): THE ROAD TO EMMAUS CAN BE A CONVERSION EXPERIENCE, IF WE TRUST SACRED SCRIPTURE AND OUR EUCHARISTIC SACRAMENT by Deacon Jim Merle

Life is filled with disappointments, but none was ever greater to Christian belief than between the death of Jesus and His resurrection. St. Luke’s Gospel of two disciples of Jesus on the road to Emmaus brings to light the frustration that follows the failure of expectations or hopes causing confusion about the future.

SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY (A): “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND HAVE BELIEVED.” by Deacon Jim Merle

Too often, the mantra we hear and sometimes say is Seeing is believing! In other words, we need some physical proof as the Apostle Thomas in St. John’s Gospel today when he said: “Unless I see…I will not believe” in reference to Jesus being alive after His death. What makes these words even harder to accept is that they are spoken by a believer who for three years lived with Jesus hearing His words and watching people being healed from all sorts of incurable ailments. Is Thomas really a doubter, or is he a man of faith because if what he was told is true, why aren’t the other Apostles jumping for joy rather than still hiding behind locked doors?

EASTER SUNDAYOF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD (A): JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION HAS GIVEN US A SECOND CHANCE DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY! by Deacon Jim Merle

There is no greater celebration for a Christian than Easter Sunday. It is the culmination and the purpose of God’s redemptive plan for man’s salvation. Jesus has died for our sins and is risen from the dead so that, if we have followed Him as we ought, we will have an everlasting life after we pass from our earthly existence.

So, how do we celebrate Easter Sunday? Hint: It is not with Easter Egg Hunts.