Total Transformation

January 31, 2022 Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint John Bosco, Priest—Memorial

Video As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind.  And they were seized with fear.  Mark 5:15 This short passage comes after a very dramatic story.  A young man, who lived out among the tombs, was fully possessed by many demons.  The demons identified themselves as “Legion” stating that there were many of them.  It’s clear from the story that this man was wild, out of his mind, and fully under the control of these demons.   As the story goes on, Jesus addressed the demons, rebuked them, and cast them out, sending them into a herd of swine.  The swine went running down a slope and drowned in the lake.  Afterwards, the man was totally transformed as he sat there conversing with others. One interesting thing to note in this story is that, when the townspeople came out and saw this man sitting there “in his right mind,” they were shocked and “seized with fear.”  They did not know what to think about this situation.  Why is that? Perhaps there are a number of reasons.  Let’s look at one of them.  This young man was so dysfunctional, being possessed by a legion of demons, that the townspeople had written him off.  They gave up on him and most likely wanted nothing to do with him.  They were afraid of him.  But when they saw this man completely transformed, sitting there looking normal and rational, the people didn't know what to think.  They were shocked.  And their shock took on a form of fear in that they were afraid of what they did not understand. This reveals something interesting to us.  It reveals that, if we fail to understand the power of God, we will actually find ourselves fearful of His power when confronted by it.  The townspeople should have been filled with great joy and excitement at the total transformation of this man.  However, instead of great joy and excitement, they were fearful.  They were fearful because they did not understand God’s almighty power. Reflect, today, upon the power and glory of God.  He desires to do great things and to bring total transformation to your life.  He desires to cast out the evil one lurking within our world, bringing instead His mercy and peace.  As you reflect upon God’s power, allow yourself to more clearly understand Him.  If you understand Him, you will be more fully ready to rejoice in His good works. Most powerful and glorious God, I rejoice in Your almighty power.  I rejoice in Your greatness and glory.  Help me to see the many ways that You are at work in our world and in the lives of those around me.  As I see Your transforming power at work, fill my heart with gratitude for all that You do.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Preaching to Your Family

January 30, 2022 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Readings for Today

Video And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”  Luke 4:24 Sharing the Gospel with your family is not always as easy as sharing it with a stranger.  Conversely, listening to the Gospel message from a family member is not always as easy as hearing it from someone else.  Why is that?   It may be that familiarity with another, such as the familiarity we have with family members, can tempt us to lack a certain confidence in their convictions and in their Christian witness.  Though this is certainly not true of every relationship we have, it can be the case with some.  Children, at times, will not put as much confidence in the words of a parent as they may another.  Siblings may not be as open to advice from each other as they are from other people.   Perhaps one of the reasons for this experience is that we are often far more critical of those we know well than those we do not know.  It’s easy to allow our long history of personal experience to hinder our openness toward family members.  This is especially the case with the negative experiences we have had over the years.  So often, we hold onto negative experiences and hurts from year to year and we allow those experiences to become a filter for anything that a family member says or does. This statement from Jesus, that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place,” should challenge us to make sure we do not fall into this tendency.  We should do what we can to make sure that we do accept the prophetic witness shared with us from our own family members.   The best way to do this is to make sure that we regularly strive to purge any “baggage” we carry in those relationships.  Very often, we carry the baggage of hurt, anger and resentment without even realizing it.  We also easily focus in on the weaknesses of family members since we easily witness their weaknesses as a result of being close to them.   Reflect, today, upon your family.  Reflect, especially, upon whether you allow yourself to look beyond their weaknesses and sins so as to see the goodness of God at work in their lives.  There is much that God wants to say to you through them.  Make sure you have not closed that door and are willing to accept them as a messenger of the Gospel. Dearest Lord, I thank You for my family.  I thank You for the gift that they have been in my life.  Help me to daily show mercy and forgiveness to them as needed.  Help me to daily be open to Your voice speaking through them.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Calming the Sea

January 29, 2022 Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today

Video Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.  They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”  He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Mark 4:38-39 And there was great calm!  Though this is a reference to the quieting of the sea, it is also a message spoken about the turmoil we face at times in life.  Jesus wants to bring great calm to our lives. It’s so very easy to get discouraged in life.  It’s so very easy to focus in on the chaos that is all around us.  Be it a harsh and biting word from another, a family problem, civil unrest, financial concerns, etc., there are plenty of reasons for each one of us to fall into the trap of fear, frustration, depression and anxiety. But it was for this reason that Jesus allowed this event to take place with His disciples.  He got into the boat with His disciples and allowed them to experience a fierce storm while He slept, so that He could bring from this experience a clear and convincing message to us all. In this story, the disciples focused in on one thing: They were perishing!  The sea was tossing them and they feared imminent disaster.  But through it all, Jesus was there sound asleep, waiting for them to wake Him.  And when they woke Him, He took control of the storm and brought perfect calm.   The same is true in our lives.  We are so easily rattled by the stresses and difficulties of daily life.  We so often allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by problems we face.  The key is to turn our eyes to Jesus.  See Him there, before you, sleeping and waiting for you to rouse Him.  He is always there, always waiting, always ready.   Waking our Lord is as simple as turning our eyes from the stormy sea and trusting in His divine presence.  It’s all about trust.  Total and unyielding trust.  Do you trust Him? Reflect, today, upon that which causes you daily anxiety, fear or confusion.  What is it that appears to be tossing you here and there causing you stress and worry?  As you see this burden, see also Jesus there with you, waiting for you to come to Him in trust so that He can take control of every situation in life in which you find yourself.  He loves you and will indeed take care of you. My sleeping Lord, I turn to You in the midst of the challenges of life and desire to rouse You to come to my aid.  I know You are always near, waiting for me to trust You in all things.  Help me to turn my eyes to You and to have faith in Your perfect love for me.  Jesus, I trust in You.

It Only Takes a Little

January 28, 2022 Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor—Memorial

Video “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?  It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.  But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants…”  Mark 4:30-32 It is amazing to think about.  This tiny seed has so much potential.  That little seed has within it the potential to become the largest of plants, a source of food, and a dwelling place for the birds of the air. Perhaps this analogy that Jesus uses does not impress us as much as it should because we know that all plants begin with a seed.  But try to think about this wonder of the physical world.  Try to think about how so much potential is packed into that little seed. This reality reveals the fact that Jesus wants to use each one of us for the building up of His Kingdom.  We may feel as though we cannot do much, that we are not as gifted as others, that we will not be able to make much of a difference, but that’s not true.  The truth is that each one of us is packed with unbelievable potential that God wants to bring to fruition.  He wants to bring forth from our lives glorious blessings for the world.  All we must do is allow Him to work. Like a seed, we must allow ourselves to be planted in the fertile soil of His mercy through faith and surrender to His divine will.  We must be watered by daily prayer and allow the rays of the Son of God to shine on us so that He can bring forth from us all that He desires and has planted from the foundation of the world.   Reflect, today, upon the incredible potential that God has placed within your soul.  He made you with the intention to bring forth His Kingdom through you and to do so in an abundant way.  It is your responsibility to simply believe this and to allow God to do what He desires to do in your life. Lord of unending potential, I love You and thank You for all that You have done in my life.  I thank You, in advance, for all that You still desire of me.  I pray that I may daily surrender to You so that You can come and nourish me with Your grace, bringing forth from my life an abundance of good fruit.  Jesus, I trust in You.

One Good Reason for Mercy

January 27, 2022 Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Angela Merici, Virgin—Optional Memorial

Video He also told them, “Take care what you hear.  The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.”  Mark 4:24  How would you like others to deal with you?  How would you like them to treat you?  Most certainly we would all like to be treated with mercy.  We wish to be shown kindness, compassion, care, honesty, and the like.  One thing this passage above reveals is that we will be dealt with, by God, in the same way we deal with others. Ideally, we will show mercy and goodness to others simply because it’s the right thing to do.  God calls us to a life of abundant charity and we should desire to live that life.  But if we struggle with charity toward others, perhaps one motivating factor could be to realize that we will be treated in the same way that we act toward others. Though this may put a certain “holy fear” in our hearts and encourage us to act with mercy, it should also call us to desire to go beyond the basics and to offer love and compassion in an abundant way. Think about it.  If you spend your whole life striving to forgive, to show love, to reconcile, to help those in need, etc., you, too, can be assured of these gifts being lavished upon you now and in the end.  You can be assured that God will not withhold anything from you.  Instead, He will joyfully pour out upon you more than you could ever expect or hope for. Reflect, today, upon your own calling to a life of abundant generosity.  There are countless ways that you are called to be generous toward others.  Commit yourself to this life of goodness and then anticipate all that God will pour forth upon you. Lord of endless generosity, help me to be radically generous in my love and compassion toward others.  Help me to forgive, to show kindness, to be merciful and to do it all in abundance.  I love You my dear Lord.  Help me to also love those You have put in my life with a perfect and total love.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Sowing the Word of God... Despite the Results

January 26, 2022 Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops—Memorial

Video “Hear this! A sower went out to sow.”  Mark 4:3 This line begins the familiar Parable of the Sower.  We are aware of the details of this parable in that the sower sows seed on the path, on rocky ground, among thorns and ultimately on good soil.  The story reveals that we must strive to be like that “good soil” in that we must receive the Word of God into our souls, allowing it to be nurtured so that it may grow in abundance. But this parable reveals something more that could easily be missed.  It reveals the simple fact that the sower, in order to plant at least some seed in good and fertile soil, must act.  He must act by going forth spreading seed in abundance.  As he does this, he must not become disheartened if the majority of the seed he has sown fails to reach that good soil.  The path, the rocky ground, and the thorny ground all are places where seed is sown but ultimately dies.  Only one of the four places identified in this parable produces growth. Jesus is the Divine Sower and His Word is the Seed. Therefore, we should realize that we are also called to act in His person by sowing the seed of His Word in our own lives.  Just as He is willing to sow with the realization that not every seed will produce fruit, so also we must be ready and willing to accept this same fact.   The truth is that, very often, the labor we offer to God for the building up of His Kingdom produces little or no manifest fruit in the end.  Hearts become hardened and the good we do, or the Word we share, does not grow. One lesson we must take from this parable is that the spreading of the Gospel requires effort and commitment on our part.  We must be willing to toil and labor for the Gospel despite whether or not people are willing to receive it.  And we must not allow ourselves to become discouraged if the results are not what we had hoped for. Reflect, today, upon the mission you have been given by Christ to spread His Word.  Say “Yes” to that mission and then look for ways, each and every day, to sow His Word.  Expect much of the effort you give to unfortunately bear little fruit in a manifest way.  However, have deep hope and confidence in the fact that some of that seed will reach the soil that our Lord desires it to reach.  Commit yourself to the sowing; God will worry about the rest. My divine Sower, I make myself available to You for the purpose of the Gospel.  I promise to serve You, each and every day, and I commit to being a sower of Your divine Word.  Help me not to become too focused on the results of the effort I give; rather, help me to entrust those results only to You and to Your divine providence.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Persecution and Discord Transformed

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle Readings for Today

Video “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I replied, “Who are you, sir?”  And he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.”  Acts 22:7-8 We celebrate, today, one of the greatest conversions ever known.  The conversion of Saul of Tarsus is so significant that it is given the glorious status of a Feast within our Church.  Why?  We could certainly come up with many reasons.  Let’s look at two of them. First, Saul’s conversion resulted in one of the greatest evangelists our Church has ever known. Saul, who later goes by the name Paul, was a man of incredible zeal and wholehearted commitment to the faith. He was zealous before becoming a follower of Christ Jesus and he carried that zeal into his conversion giving his all to the proclamation of the Gospel. His ministry as an Apostle of Christ resulted not only in the foundation of numerous Christian communities, it also resulted in fourteen letters attributed to him or his followers becoming part of our Sacred Scripture.  His writings are deep, profound and very personal.  His love, zeal and care for the Christian communities he founded shone forth as he was revealed as a true shepherd of God. Secondly, his conversion comes after a fierce persecution of the newly founded Christian Church.  Saul goes forth from town to town, rounding up new Christians and persecuting them.  The most well-known account of this persecution is when he consents to the stoning of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, earlier in the Acts of the Apostles. The Scripture passage quoted above, which comes from the First Reading of the Mass for today, reveals Jesus appearing to Saul asking him why he is persecuting Him.  Saul, in a confused manner, does not understand that his persecution of the Church is actually a persecution of Jesus Himself.  This revelation Saul receives sets him on a powerful path of conversion. One truth this reveals is that, at times, we encounter division and even persecution within the Church from one person to another.  This should not shock us or undermine our faith.  Jesus was quite aware of this fact with St. Paul and chose to use him despite his horrible persecution of Christians.  This passage should call us to look at all persecution and discord more as an opportunity than anything.  It’s an opportunity for Jesus to bring great good out of something that is deeply painful. Reflect, today, upon your own experience of discord and division within the Church or even within your own family.  Though it is important to acknowledge the pain and hurt this produces, do not lose hope that God can turn all things into good and use everything for His glory. Lord, I see the hurt, confusion and division within Your Church and even within my own family.  I see conflict and discord within the whole of society.  As I see and encounter these hardships, give me hope so that I can trust in Your divine plan as You permit all things for Your glory.  Jesus, I trust in You.

The Sin Against the Holy Spirit

January 24, 2022 Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial

Video “Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them.  But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” Mark 3:28-29 Now this is a frightening thought.  Normally when speaking of sin we quickly focus in on the mercy of God and His abundant desire to forgive.  But in this passage we have something that could at first appear quite contrary to the mercy of God.  Is it true that some sins will not be forgiven by God?  The answer is yes and no.  This passage reveals to us that there is a particular sin, the sin against the Holy Spirit, that will not be forgiven.  What is this sin?  Why would it not be forgiven?  Traditionally, this sin has been seen as a sin of final impenitence, or presumption.  It’s the situation where someone sins gravely and then either fails to have any sorrow for that sin or simply presumes on God’s mercy without truly repenting.  Either way, this lack of sorrow closes the door to God’s mercy. Of course it must also be said that whenever a person’s heart is changed, and he/she grows in sincere sorrow for sin, God is there to immediately welcome that person back with open arms.  God would never turn away from someone who humbly returns to Him with a contrite heart.   Reflect, today, upon the abundant mercy of God, but also reflect upon your own duty to foster true sorrow for sin.  Do your part and you will be assured that God will lavish His mercy and forgiveness upon you.  There is no sin too great when we have hearts that are humble and contrite. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.  I do acknowledge my sin and I am sorry for it.  Help me, dear Lord, to continually foster within my heart a greater sorrow for sin and a deeper trust in Your Divine Mercy.  I thank You for Your perfect and unfailing love for me and for all.  Jesus, I trust in You.

The Gift of Sacred Scripture

January 23, 2022 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Readings for Today

Video Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.  Luke 1:1-4 St. Luke begins his Gospel with this short explanation.  This introduction to his Gospel gives us the opportunity to look more deeply at the Holy Bible. What is your approach to the Bible?  How often do you read it?  How thoroughly do you understand it?  Is the Bible the foundation of your life of faith and knowledge of God?   Sacred Scripture is a gift beyond our imagination.  It’s a gift from God through which He reveals His perfect love and His perfect plan for us.  We should know the Scriptures well, read them often, pray over the verses and allow all that is revealed within those pages to become the foundation of our lives.  Let’s reflect upon one particular aspect of Sacred Scripture. The Bible is 100% the work of God and 100% the work of the human author.  It is 100/100 so to speak.  This means that the human author completely cooperated with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in writing each book and letter.  And God, for His part, guaranteed that all that was written came from His heart and inspiration.  Therefore, this joint effort reveals that God used the human author for a divine purpose. This is of great significance to understand for two reasons.  First, it reveals that we should love Scripture because it reveals the heart and truth of God as well as the unique personality and humanity of the human author.  So we are benefiting from the full revelation of God as well as the unique gift of the human author. Second, it should reveal to us that, though God will not use us in the same way (i.e., to add to the Bible), He does desire to use us for divine purposes.  He desires to consume our unique human personality and use us to shine forth the beauty and splendor of His divinity.  He wants a 100/100 cooperation with us, also, so as to shine through us in a radiant way. Reflect, today, upon two things.  First, reflect upon the gift of the Bible and the way that God used the human author to give you this gift.  Second, reflect upon the fact that God wants to use you, in all your weakness and sin, to bring His divine presence into our world.  Be open to that gift so that you may become a living gift of the Word of God to the world. Most glorious Eternal Word, I thank You for the wonderful gift of Sacred Scripture.  Thank You for all that You have revealed through this gift and for the way that You used the human author for the transmission of Your life.  Help me to always be open to Your divine Word and to always be open to becoming a living presence of that Word in our world.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Is Jesus « Out of His Mind? »

January 22, 2022 Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr—Optional Memorial (Celebrated outside of the USA) Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children—USA Memorial

Video Jesus came with his disciples into the house.  Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat.  When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:20-21 What an interesting passage this is.  We start with the obvious premise that Jesus is perfect in every way.  He is the very Wisdom of God and is God.  Everything He said and did reveals the perfect love of the Most Holy Trinity. But what was the response to Him?  Some people, of course, listened to Him attentively with faith and glorious astonishment at His words and actions.  They could see His divinity shine through and knew He was the Son of God, the Savior of the World. But this passage reveals that others, even some who were His own relatives, thought He was “Out of His mind!”  Very interesting and very revealing for our own faith journey. If this was said of Jesus in His perfection, so it also will be said of us if we follow in His ways.  Following Jesus and fulfilling His divine will in our lives will not always be accepted by others.  Yes, acts of kindness and mercy toward the less fortunate, for example, will generally be seen by all as a good and virtuous thing to do.  But there are many things we are called to say and do by the Gospel that will invite the criticism of others.  When this happens, we should not be astonished, hurt or scandalized.  We should not become angry or resentful.  Rather, we should see ourselves as following in the very footsteps of Christ.  We should recall His own false judgments and not allow what we experience from others to deter us from following the will of God. Reflect, today, upon any way that you may experience the same thing that Jesus did.  Reflect upon ways that your fidelity to our Lord and His mission may leave others with a critical word or thought toward you.  Do not be shocked or scandalized when this happens.  Instead, know that it is nothing other than an imitation of the life of Christ Jesus Himself. My Lord of all wisdom, I know that You were misunderstood and even criticized by others.  You were misrepresented and judged even by those close to You.  Help me to always accept unjust persecution and judgment in life as I seek to follow Your holy and divine will.  Help me to seek You and Your will in all things despite any erroneous opinions of others.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Being Called Up the Mountain with Jesus

January 21, 2022 Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial

Video Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.  Mark 3:13 This Scripture passage reveals Jesus summoning His Apostles up the mountain so as to give them the commission to preach and to cast out demons in His name.  One significant aspect of this Scripture passage is that Jesus summoned the Apostles “up the mountain.” Everything Jesus did in life was filled with significance.  This particular action displays great symbolic value.  The commission of the Apostles to preach and to cast out demons only took place after they went up the mountain at Jesus’ invitation.  Why did He do this only after calling His Apostles up a mountain? A mountain is a symbol of our journey toward God.  It’s an indication that we are to go up toward Him.  And it reveals that we are only equipped to go forth and fulfill God’s will after we have first gone up to meet Him. The “mountain” we are called to go up is first and foremost prayer.  We are to daily go up to meet our Lord, seeking Him through a life of deep surrender.  Jesus calls us to Himself where He waits for us so as to be alone with Him basking in His glorious presence.   Unless we go up that mountain with our Lord, we will be ill-equipped to fulfill His divine commission.  We will be insufficiently prepared to bring His love and mercy to a world in need. Reflect, today, upon the invitation Jesus offers you to follow Him up the mountain of prayer.  Respond to that invitation so that you can then be sent forth by Him to fulfill His divine command of love. My inviting Lord, I do accept Your gentle invitation to go up the mountain of faith and prayer.  I desire to seek You out and to be with You.  As I meet You in prayer, give me the grace I need to then go forth and fulfill Your divine will.  Jesus, I trust in You.