FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): JESUS’ BEATITUDES PROVIDE US WITH A LIFE PLAN ALLOWING GOD TO WORK THROUGH US FOR OTHERS by Deacon Jim Merle

If we are seeking a plan for our life, the Beatitudes provide us with one blessed by God. The catch to following it calls us to accept the virtue of humility which allows God to work through us for others.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (A): GOD’S CALL FOR DISCIPLES TO FOLLOW HIM IS ABOUT SHINING HIS LIGHT ON THEM SO THEY CAN REPENT AND SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE by Deacon Jim Merle

A few years ago, I attended a men’s weekend retreat from a parish I was serving. The title of the retreat was: “Who is Jesus Christ? Who am I? Find the Divinity Within.”

One of the talks presented on the first day touched on how we discern our path in life’s journey. Do we choose ambition or vocation?

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A): GOD INVITES US TO A LIFE OF SERVICE, HOLINESS AND HONOR, IF WE PRACTICE OUR FAITH IN LOVE TO GOD AND ALL HIS CREATION by Deacon Jim Merle

One of the things I enjoy doing is catching up with relatives and friends I have not talked with or seen for several years. If for no other reason, it gives me hope that our dysfunctional family is no worse than theirs. But the real purpose is to discover how they are coping with changes in life that happen for a multitude of reasons.

Baptism of Jesus (A): Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist Clarifies His Presence on Earth, Relates to Our Salvation, Why He was Baptized and How Our Baptism Needs to Mirror That! by Deacon Jim Merle

It has been more than 20 years since my ordination on April 30, 2005. During that time, I have baptized nearly 1,000 children under the age of seven. It is a Sacrament of much joy which has helped me to better understand why it is so needed and how it makes so much difference in one’s life.

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.