The Second Ecumenical Council: The Council of Constantinople by Rev. Glenn Baaten

In my previous article on the Seven Ecumenical Councils, we explored the First Council of Nicaea. Convened in AD 325 by the Roman Emperor Constantine in collaboration with Pope Sylvester I, the council met in the Greek-speaking city of Nicaea in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Its primary purpose was to address the heresy of Arianism, which taught that Jesus was the greatest of God's creatures but not truly equal to the Father.

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): GOD’S KINGDOMS ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN PROVIDE US WITH A LIFE OF FULFILLMENT IF WE FOLLOW HIS WAYS OF LOVE AND REPENTANCE! by Deacon Jim Merle

One of my favorite children’s movies are “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” It is about a candy maker who issues five gold tickets in various chocolate bars he sells so a child can become a partner in his business and help them to grow their business. What makes it interesting is how the five children who found golden tickets react to all the choices with which they are presented at the plant and how they make their decisions.

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): PARABLE OF THE SOWER: A GREEN THUMB IN GOD’S GARDEN! by Deacon Jim Merle

How many of you have green thumbs and can grow everything? How many of you have brown thumbs and wish you could grow anything?

Every time I hear this parable from Saint Matthew’s gospel, I hope I am a green thumb in God’s vineyard, able to grow something no matter what the growing condition is. However, I also know that I am often a brown thumb who falls short in all growing types.

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): JESUS INVITES US TO ACCEPT HIS PROMISE OF RELIEF FROM BURDENS, SO WE CAN BE AT PEACE AND REST! by Deacon Jim Merle

Everyone with whom I have talked, listened to or read about has a distinct perspective on what they define as a burden in their life and how they manage it. Reasons for such happenings are often blamed on others or circumstances as the cause. Most solutions they sought were based on what worked for others in similar situations but still left them with corrections that did not solve their dilemma.

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): HOSPITALITY TO THOSE IN NEED REWARDS THOSE WHO GIVE OF THEMSELVES! by Deacon Jim Merle

In the 21 years I have been ordained a deacon, I have baptized a thousand or more children under the age of seven. In the early years I immersed or “dunked” them. As time goes on, I now pour water over their heads so I do not drop one by mistake, should my hands become too wet.

TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): FEAR NOT! GOD IS HERE! by Deacon Jim Merle

If I could offer a survey to all my blog subscribers that asked the question: Have you ever been afraid as a child, teenager, or adult, most, if not all, would answer yes. The range of responses might be about monsters living under one’s bed that will take you away, asking someone out and being rejected or losing a job if you made too many errors.

THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (A): THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI REMINDS US WE ARE ONE WITH JESUS! LET US PARTAKE OF EUCHARIST AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE TO KEEP US STRONG IN OUR FAITH! by Deacon Jim Merle

It is interesting to watch people who approach the sanctuary to receive Eucharist at Communion time. Most are respectful in the reverence they illustrate in bowing, receiving and blessing themselves. They realize that in addition to what they normally do to partake, that the physical presence of the resurrected Jesus is “actually” in the consecrated bread in whatever form it takes.

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.