Belief In God Allows Us To Center Our Lives On Jesus And Grow As Disciples Of The Lord In Faith And Action

In one of the two parishes I serve at, their mission statement is the following:

“We, the Catholic community of [Church Name and Location], under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, center our lives on Jesus Christ.  Together we grow as disciples of the Lord in faith and action.”

Jesus’ Beatitudes Provide Us With A Life Plan Allowing God To Work Through Us For Others

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.

God’s Call For Disciples To Follow Him Is About Shining His Light On Them So They Can Repent And Share The Gospel Message

Last weekend I attended a men’s retreat from one of the two parishes at which I serve.  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? 

God Invites Us To A Life Of Service, Holiness And Honor, If We Practice Our Faith In Love To God And All His Creation

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.

Epiphany: Hope Revealed

Today’s feast of the Epiphany of our Lord is one of those liturgical celebrations that use the same readings, psalm and Gospel for Cycles A, B and C.  Based on the revelation of the Savior, Jesus, who brings hope to the world, its theme is one of Hope Revealed in relation to what is happening in the world.  Since that time 2000 plus years ago, believers and non-believers have been trying to recognize what that means in their life. 

Mary, Holy Mother Of God, By Saying “Yes” To God’s Will, Intercedes On Our Behalf With Her Son!

Prior to my acceptance into Diaconate formation in 2000, I along with other candidates was asked to submit a paper on our spiritual journey.  My submission included three women who influenced me to believe in God and become a follower: My mom, dad’s mom and my wife.  Each one of them in their own way reminded me of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season When We Openly Practice Our Faith So All Can Receive God’s Salvation

For those who have visited the birthplace of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem near the city of Jerusalem, the word “Humble” may not be an apt description of this cramped cave where Mary, Jesus and Joseph spent the first day of the Son of God’s human birthday.  In fact, it reminds me of the many homeless encamped under the freeways with very little protection in what I term as “Squalor.”  And yet this is where our salvation begins in earthly terms with a forced move for a worldly census of the Roman Empire.

Acceptance Of God’s Plan Of Life For Us Makes The Difference For Our Salvation! Let Us Deny Our Sinfulness That Leads Us Astray!

Things don’t 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 in light of God’s plan for our lives.  It often seems contradictory, because our beliefs propagated by what the world has put into place don’t 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”?

Experience The Joy Of Salvation By Healing, Wholeness And Holiness As We Offer Christian Joy Which We Ourselves Have Received

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?

As We Prepare For The Coming Of Christ, Let Us Practice Peace And Offer Justice To Situations That Harm Us In So Many Ways!

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.