God with his defibrillator

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Today, we are celebrating the seventh day of Lent. Lent is now one week old. How’s it going? Have you stumbled? Remember that Lent is a time to bring us closer to God. Yesterday was one of those tough days. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. The network at work crashed; we didn’t have access to our files. Clients were demanding things I couldn’t provide because I couldn’t get to them. My cell phone went out – I lost communication. I was stranded from the world. I was asking why me, why is this happening to me. Then last night, I went to XLT at St. Anne’s and there was God with his defibrillator. What a shock – what a message. Today’s Gospel (Luke 11:29-32) is about rejecting Jesus. Jesus came to preach the Word and many refused to believe in Him. When we stop believing in the strength of God and that God will take care of us, we stop believing in the power of God. As we read and hear scriptures, Christ is revealed to us. Yesterday, God broke me down so I could hear His message last night. Last night, Chad brought forth a very important message and in that message he reminded me of a saying from St. Augustine – “My Heart is restless until it rests in you.” We have many distractions in our life. Many things to pull us away from the Lord. Many things that allow us to deny the Lord. STOP – Its Lent. It’s a time to get closer to the Lord. It is a time of celebration. Today, take a few minutes to re-examine your Lenten promise. Take a few minutes to open your heart to the Lord. Today, take time to examine your conscience and ask for forgiveness for those sins which are keeping you from the Lord. Today, the church offers reconciliation from 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm. It might be time to confess your sins. A Simple Prayer “Jesus, open my ears and my heart to hear your word today. Help me to recall what you have said to me, So I can see the power of your word in my life. Amen” By the way, the network is restored, my clients survived and I was revived. Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

“Daddy, please drive safely.”

My Dearest Brothers in Sisters in Christ: Yesterday while cleaning out my car, I found a holy medal given to me by my kids with the saying, “Daddy, please drive safely.” Such a simple message, such a simple prayer. It reminded me that I have people who care about me and who love me. Today’s Gospel is also about prayer. In Matthew 6:7-15, we are taught the Lord’s Prayer. Such a simple prayer, yet such a powerful prayer. In this passage Jesus teaches us to pray. This gospel reading starts, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Jesus is telling us it is not the length of our prayers but the meaning of our prayers that is important. God knows your prayers before you ask them. You are not graded in your prayers. Your prayers can be simple. Your prayers can be just a few words – “Hi God, it’s me.” It is important to pray, because prayer is our union, or communion with God. Prayer is us answer God’s call. God is like the your favorite radio station, it’s always on, even if your radio isn’t turned on. Not only is God’s word persistent, it is also loving and nurturing. His message can help us grow in faith. The Word of God is so loving that the Word became flesh and lived among us. Jesus lived on earth as the Word. Jesus fulfilled his obligation to his father by giving his life for us on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. God’s plan is completed through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit rains down on us bringing God’s Love into our soul. All we have to do is accept the Word of God. Our soul is opened to the Holy Spirit during prayer. During Lent, we have the opportunity to receive God’s Word, God’s Love through daily prayer. Take time each day to pray. Tonight, say an Our Father for your Brothers and Sisters, say an Our Father for your Family, say an Our Father for the poor and hungry, and lastly, say an Our Father for the Church. A Simple Prayer “Thank You, Lord, for your word! Thank you that you have never stopped pursuing me with your love. Come and have your way with me in even the smallest things, so that the world can be transformed through me.” Don’t forget to join us for Mass Wednesday Nite. Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

The third day of Lent and our second fast day

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ: It is already the third day of Lent and our second fast day. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 9:14-15) tells us that, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and they will fast.” Some people believe that fasting is a form of punishment or reconciliation for our sins. It is quite the contrary, fasting is an opportunity for us to come closer to Christ. Our Lenten fast should be viewed in light of our deepest human desire; to search for God and for the fullness of human life. Jesus, who was fully human, taught us how to become “fully human,” to become united with God. We fast from our earthly nourishment so we eat of our spiritual nourishment. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Jesus went into the desert to fast for 40 days as way of experiencing the greatest food of all, God’s love through the grace of the Holy Spirit. When we fast, we are seeking Jesus with all our hearts. In Paul’s Letter (2 Cor 12:10), he tells us, “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” When I am weak, I give up the barriers that keep me from Christ. I am more likely to turn to Christ during a time of need then when I am satisfied with earthly items. Use this day of fasting to bring you closer to Christ. A simple prayer. “Lord Jesus, I believe that you are with me, but my vision is clouded by so many other demands, dreams, and desires. By your spirit, help me to fix my heart on you so that I can find you. Lord, I want to be filled with your Love.” Hopefully, you have received a postcard in the mail regarding the next four weeks of Senior Sundays. Andy Dommert has prepared four great sessions. Please come after Life Teen Mass and celebrate with us. Yours in Christ Michael Marcon