Pastor’s Post (Page 9)

Today with the blessing of palms, we start Holy Week. It is the greatest week of the Church year where we are vividly reminded of all that Jesus did and endured for us. It is a week that we should all make special in our lives as we live out the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Savior. On Holy Thursday we bring the Last Supper to life where the Eucharist began as we have it today. We can spend…

In today’s Gospel we hear of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. At one point, He told Martha and Mary that He is the resurrection and the life and Lazarus will rise. Then He asked “Do you believe this?” That’s a question for all of us. In everything Jesus taught, showed in action and miracle and spoke about, He now asks us: Do You Believe This? God’s grace is at work in us. Do you believe this? God always forgives…

It is the Fourth Sunday of Lent this week and, hopefully, we are still keeping to our sacrifices, whether that be giving up something or doing some extra faith activities. Human nature as it is, though, we tend to get a little tired and restless after awhile doing the same routine – especially if it is sacrificial activity. This Sunday is also called Laetare Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. It is like a ‘shot in the arm’ to help keep us…

Today (Sunday March 12th) is our Annual Eucharistic Day. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes places after the 10:30 A.M. Mass and is exposed on the altar for all people to gather in prayer and devotion. Picture for a moment you are sitting with Jesus. What would you talk about? How would you act? During adoration, that is simply what we are doing: sitting with Jesus and talking with him – praying. It is a way for us to express…

What is the Transfiguration? A revelation of divine glory or fantastic moment of personal insight? Why not both! Do we have to go up a mountain to see God’s glory? It’s a great place, but so is a forest, an ocean, a natural wonder or any beautiful sight. We can experience a transfiguration in a beautiful painting, a paragraph from a book, a conversation, or in a simple detail on a street corner. Suddenly, what we imagined becomes a choice…

On Sunday, March 12th , we will have a parish Eucharistic Day. What does that mean? First of all, we are a Eucharistic Church, that is, our faith is based around the Eucharist – the Body & Blood of Christ. As Catholics we believe that the host consecrated at Mass truly becomes the Sacred Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. On this special day for our parish, there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the end of…

Over the last couple of years, we have been hearing so much about racism, prejudice, ethnic supremacy and many forms of envy and jealousy, even including hatred. In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us on these feelings when He says “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That’s what I call a real challenge as you look at what’s happening in our society today. What creates these barriers between people that makes these problems hurt our society? What…

In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes the Ten Commandments to a deeper level. Instead of being written on tablets of stone, He wants them written on hearts of flesh. In other words, don’t just focus on the external actions, like murder and adultery, but examine what is in our hearts, like anger and lust. He wants us to take responsibility for our attitudes as well as our actions. But this is not always easy, especially to do on our own. So…

When I read the Scriptures, I try to understand them in a way that is everyday simple. They are not complicated words that Jesus speaks. “Love one another” is His great rule to live by. So are His words to forgive as He has so many times forgiven us. And don’t be afraid, He says, I am with you always. If we practiced those three virtues – love, forgiveness, courage – we’d have marvelous lives. We’d find our hearts free…

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the Beatitudes. When we hear them, what exactly do we hear. Do words of suffering stand out: blessed are the poor in spirt, the mourning, the hungry for righteousness, the persecuted and insulted? Or do we hear words of hope and peace. In the midst of every dark cloud there is a silver lining, if we believe and look through the eyes of faith. In all our suffering, difficulties, problems and troubles, do we…

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to Peter and Andrew, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” They dropped everything and followed the Lord. How would we respond to Jesus’ call to ministry? There was this man who works as a missionary in Haiti. He used to have a good office position in a big firm. He had a good salary, nice clothes and a new car. One day he was praying and he heard Jesus say…

John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus takes away our sins. Do we do the same for others. What happens when we don’t forgive? A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refuse to forgive in their life’s experience, they choose a potato, write on it the name and…