An archive of Mike Marcon's Meditation Minute e-mails!
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Today’s gospel (Luke 1:39-45) is the joyful story of the Mary’s visit to see
A Simple Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the World,
Thank you for filling my heart with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for allowing me to be a vessel of your love and joy.
Give me the strength to share this love and joy with others
so that they too may know you as I know you.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
In today’s gospel reading (Mark 10:32-45), James and John are just a little bold in asking Jesus to sit at his side in the
Jesus calls us to drink His cup. This means living a truly Christian life and making daily sacrifices. It is easy for us to glorify God when we’re in church and to do good deeds for our parents, our close friends or possibly even our siblings. But how easy is it for us to be a servant to the homeless. Do we go out of our way to help the poor or the aging? When was the last time you went to a nursing home to visit the elderly or worked in a soup kitchen? The two summer work camps are great expressions of this kind of love and servitude to Christ. Jesus came to this earth not to be served, but to serve. He came to free us from the slavery of sin. To truly become the Messiah, he had to first become a servant. Are you willing to sacrifice your life to be a servant for the Lord? Tonight during your examination of conscience, ask the Lord to help you discern your calling, to help you understand what it means to be his servant. Ask Him to guide you in a clear direction to be his servant.
A Simple Prayer
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
What things do you treasure most of all? Are there things you've just got to have? Are there things that you desire more than anything else? In today’s gospel reading (Mark 10:17-27), a rich man comes and asks Jesus what he needs to do to make it into heaven. Jesus replies, “Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.” The rich man responds that he has obeyed all of these commandments. So Jesus tells him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." The rich man leaves sad and depressed because he had much wealth. He was depressed because he was addicted to his money and material belongs and that these earthly treasures would keep him from entering the
What are your road blocks to Heaven? These road blocks could include attachments, material goods, friendships, entertainment, music, TV, sports, or anything that keeps us from looking into the eyes of our Maker. If you asked Jesus today what you needed to do to get into heaven, what would he tell you? What earthly treasure would you need to part with? Our treasures are very dear to our heart or else we would not treasure them. But when those treasures become an obsession and prevent us from doing the will of God, then these treasures become a sin themselves. Once we realize that Christ in Heaven is the true treasure, we will experience the true joy life has to offer to us.
Remember, we lose what we keep and we gain what we give away. The graces that God gives us are meant to be shared with others. If God blesses you with money, it is so you can share it with others. If God blesses you with the gift of music, it is so you can entertain us with His Glory and if God blesses you with strength, it is so you can build a kingdom for others. Remember, sharing your treasures with others shows deep committed love not only to your fellow man, but also to God Himself.
A Simple Prayer
Lord, keeper of the treasures of Heaven, I desire to enter into your Kingdom.
Open my heart and my soul so that I may share my earthly treasures with others.
I have many treasures and talents which you have graced to me.
Give me the strength to free myself of these treasures so I can enter the
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Jesus, in today’s Gospel (Matthew 7:21-29), talks about our final judgment. "Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus tells us that it is not enough to cry out, but that we must do the will of our Father in Heaven. “A wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Are you building your faith and preparing the way for the Truth and the Light? Is your faith rock solid or are you treading on shifting sands? We cannot wait until our judgment day to call out to our Lord for Salvation. A house built on the foundation of the rock of our faith will not be destroyed. We will have the strength to defend ourselves against evil. However, a faith built upon a weak foundation will topple in the storm. How many times have we had to face hardships trials or situations which tried the fabric of our faith? As teenagers, your peers try to pressure you into situations which you know are wrong, but with a strong faith you can weather the storm. We are constantly bombarded with advertising, TV Shows and media which challenges the moral fiber of our Faith. TV programs and mass media which show adultery and sin with no consequence and glorify these actions tear away at the very foundation of your faith. We are judged by our actions, by our words and by our choices. We must learn to make good choices if we are to make it through the thin gate to heaven. These choices are learned actions which must be exercised daily through the teachings of Christ. Listen to His Words because “he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” will make it through the gate.
A Simple Prayer
Lord, help me build a solid foundation on your rock.
I am weak and you are strong, with your help my foundation can also be strong.
Give me the wisdom and strength to form myself to your will.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.” And after this he said to him, "Follow me." (John 21:15-17,19). Jesus loves us so much that he wants us to be with him. Jesus asks Peter three times; “Do you love me?” and Peter answers “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Why must Jesus ask Peter three times? Peter denied Christ three times and this was Peter’s chance to renew his Grace from God. God freed Peter from the sins of denial so that he would be free to follow Him and serve Him. “God is love” (1 John 4:16). The only way we can deny God, is to deny His love which He so willingly gives to us. This expression of love and sorrow by Peter was accepted with open arms by our Lord. But it doesn’t stop at just loving God, we must also extend our love to our fellow man. Jesus say if you love me then you will “Feed my lambs” and if you love me you will “Tend my Sheep.” It is not enough for us to say we love God and then turn around and ignore those in need and deny those who are less fortunate. God is love and when we love our neighbors as God has loved us, then we come closer to God. Eventually, our love becomes the light which guides us through life. If we follow this light, then we follow Christ. Only our free will can keep us God’s love, but that same free will can draw us closer to Him.
A Simple Prayer
Lord, you knew me before I was in my mother’s womb.
You loved me first before all others.
Enrich my heart and soul with your uncompromising love.
Help me to feed your lambs and to tend your sheep
For I want to follow you.
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
“There is something very special about the beatitude of heaven: it makes us resemble God, because God Himself is love. The more we love Him as He loves us, the more we resemble Him; and the more we resemble Him, the more we come to know Him. And, to complete the circle, the more we know Him, the better we love Him, and this is the eternal life that we may know Thee, the only true God, Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent” (Thomas Merton).
Today’s Gospel reading (John 17:20-26) is the completion of Jesus prayer to His Father the night before his crucifixion. His prayer ends with a petition to our Father to unite all Christians and have us be one body. This is rather interesting that Jesus was praying this prayer at the hour that Christianity was first born and we Christians today are more separated then ever. Jesus wanted all Christians to be one with the Word, not just his disciples. So why does Jesus want to us to form one body? Well it is simple, so we can all experience the love and Grace of our Father in Heaven; so we can all be in union with God together – not separate. Last night after the Vigil Service for Danny, I was reflecting on the pictures of Danny in the entrance to the Church when one of our youths commented the she did not really know Danny, but that Danny must have been a really wonderful person to have brought all these people to church and that this was probably the first time in a long time that many of these people had been to church. How beautiful is it that Danny’s grace is extended beyond his earthly life into his spiritual life. That his grace is still pouring out to help lead us to Christ. Last night the love and prayers put forth by those in attendance were overflowing into the community. This is the love that leads to eternal life with our Maker in Heaven. Christ prayed that all Christians would unite as one body. We should also pray that all Christians should unite.
A Simple Prayer
Christ, you prayed for the union of all Christians,
Let my prayers and my life help lead all of
your lambs to the universal Christian church.
My our love help us resemble God so we can come to know God.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Today’s gospel reading (John 17:11-19) is an extension of yesterday’s message. Yesterday we learned that Jesus’ mission on earth was to glorify his Father so that we could be with the Father. Jesus glorified God through his crucifixion and resurrection. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls upon God to protect his disciples. He prays to his Father, “Keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” Jesus tells his Father that he protected them while he was on earth. But now that he must leave this world, he asks the Father to protect us. Jesus’ sole purpose on this earth was to glorify God his Father and to bring us to Him. Jesus prayed for the protection of his disciples so that they could also glorify the Lord and be one with Him. This prayer of protection is extended to us if we believe in the Truth and the Light of World. The Word is the Truth and the Word became Flesh for our salvation. Jesus wants us to be united as one body with God in Heaven and the Holy Spirit. As Jesus is just hours away from being scourged for our sins and hung on the cross, his not only agonizes about his coming fate, but that his followers will be protected and united with Him. He demonstrated a greater concern for our well being then for his own. This expression of love is extended to us through his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Even in our betrayal, he asks that we be protected. All we have to do is give our heart to the Lord so that we can see the Truth and know the Word. We are asked to give our life to God and to allow him to use us to do his will. As we do his deeds, we become filled with the Holy Spirit and become united with Christ. Where is God leading you? Take up your cross and follow for he is the salvation which gives eternal life.
A Simple Prayer
Lord God, I surrender my heart and soul to your will.
Use me as you see fit. May my life be pleasing to you.
God, give me the strength to be your servant and to do your will.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Did you realize that Mark the Evangelist is the Patron Saint of Mosquito Bites? Is this just not the weirdest thing you ever heard? Now you’re probably wondering what this has to do with today’s Gospel reading. Well so am I, but I though it was rather humorous and at the same time awesome that Christ not only provides for the big things that impact our lives, but he also provides for the little things including comfort for mosquito bites. Do we not have the most awesome and glorious God. One who loves us and wants us to be with him for eternity.
In today’s Gospel (John 17:1-11) Jesus lift’s his eyes to heaven and proclaims, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee.” What is this glory that Jesus is referring? It is the sacrifice He made for us on the Cross. On the Cross, God shows us how much he loves us. He loves us so much that he is willing to give his only Son to save us from our sins. Jesus honored his Father by sacrificing his life for us. He gives us salvation and eternal life through this most wonderful act of love. Jesus was not held captive to the cross. He was able to defeat the cross through his glory of the resurrection. In the cross, Jesus saves us from our sins and he gives us eternal life, a life ever lasting, a life without end. But today’s Gospel is more then Jesus glorifying the Lord, Jesus takes time to pray to his Father that we will all become one with him. He prays for our glory in Heaven. Jesus is about to be crucified on the cross and he prays for us. He prays for those that have committed their lives to the salvation that was given to us on the cross. He prays for those that believe in the Truth and the Way; that they will be united as one with the heavenly Father. This is the testament to our eternal salvation with our Lord in Heaven. When we make that commitment, we actually begin to experience our eternal life with God here on earth. That’s right, we begin to unite ourselves with God while we still live our earthly life.
A Simple Prayer Most Holy One, You are the Truth, in you there is eternal life. I love you with all my heart; you are my salvation. I give myself to you, make me one with you. Use me to fulfill your needs for I am your servant. May my deeds glorify you so that I may have eternal life in Heaven.
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
“In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." What glorious news we receive in today’s Gospel (John 16:29-33). Just before Jesus’ crucifixion and death, the disciples finally figured out that Jesus was sent from God to save them and the world. He did this by reading their hearts and placing the knowledge in them before they could ask the question. We can believe that Jesus existed, but as a Christian, we must believe that Jesus is the One, the Way and the Light, that He is the Truth, that He is God. This is our faith. It is not enough to just believe that Jesus existed and he was a good guy. We must have faith that He was sent by God from Heaven to save us from our sins. This is the difference between belief and faith. Historical documentation tells us that Jesus existed, but faith tells us who He really is. Having faith in Jesus is what sets us free; it helps us overcome the worldly pains and suffering. Our faith is the beginning of our eternal life. We should ask God everyday to strengthen our faith and that we do not let doubt turn our faith into disbelief.
Jesus warned his disciples that their faith would fail them and that they would betray Him. Jesus knows our hearts and He sees inside our souls. He knows that we will fail and that we will stumble. He knows that we will challenge his way, but he will also provide the light to lead us back. Jesus meets our weakness with uncompromising love and compassion. When we allow doubt to creep into our hearts, he still holds us; when we grieve and ask why, comforts us; and when we challenge God, He reaches out to us in love - "My love for you is unconditional and I will never abandon you". We cannot avoid all the pain and suffering in life because it is what prepares us for eternal life. Jesus assures us that he will guide us through these trials and tribulations that we must face. The Holy Spirit gives us this strength to meet these challenges. Nothing can overcome Jesus’ victory over death. God’s love for us is inseparable. We may have a hard time seeing it, but it is always there.
A Simple Prayer
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
Our community is morning the death of one of God's lamb's. Danny Berrera has departed this earth and is now united with our Heavenly Father. Many of us have asked the question why? This is a perfectly natural question but one that is almost impossible to answer. When we are injured, we are in pain, we cry, and we hurt. When we lose a loved one, it is the deepest form of injury and we hurt deeply. There is no simple solution; there is no miracle drug or prayer that will make the hurt go away. This is a natural part of the healing process. We hurt only because we love. If we did not truly love Danny, we would not be sorrowful over his passing to the new life. It is the deep love that Danny had for us that makes his departure hard. Danny has graduated from the School of Life and now sits Valedictorian in Heaven.
While working through my own grief, I came across a prayer my Aunt sent me when my Uncle died.
A Psalm for the Dying
Relatives and Friends, I am leaving you,
my last breath does not say good-bye,
for my love for you is truly timeless,
beyond the touch of boney death.
I leave myself not to the undertaker,
but to your memory, with love.
I leave my thoughts, my laughter, my dreams
to you whom I have treasured
beyond gold and precious gems.
I give you what no thief can steal,
the memories of our times together:
the tender love-filled moments,
the successes we have shared,
the hard times that brought us closer together
and the roads that we walked side by side.
I also leave you a solemn promise
that now that I am at home in the bosom of God,
I will still be present,
whenever and wherever you call on me.
My energy will be drawn to you
by the magnet of our love.
Whenever you are in need, call me;
I will come to you,
with my arms full of wisdom and light
to open your blocked paths,
to untangle your knots
and to be your avenue to God.
And all I take with me is your love
and the millions of memories
of all that we have shared.
So I truly enter my new life as a millionaire.
Fear not nor grieve at my departure
you whom I have loved so much,
for my roots and yours
are forever intertwined.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Your prayers are needed for the Barrera family. Yesterday, Danny Barrera, a senior at
A Simple Prayer for Danny
Most Heavenly Father, one of your Lambs has joined you in Heaven.
Please take Danny into your arms and cherish him as he was cherished on this earth.
Help us make sense of the situation so we can celebrate his life.
Please provide wisdom and understanding to the family as they grieve their lose.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 Jn 4:16). These words from the First Letter of John express with remarkable clarity the heart of the Christian faith: the Christian image of God and the resulting image of mankind and its destiny. In the same verse,
Last night, 120 plus Brothers and Sisters in Christ had a special encounter with God through the grace of the Holy Spirit. They met God through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Holy Spirit came down from heaven through the Catechists, through the parents, through the sponsors and through everyone who had been confirmed in the past to light the way for the confirmation candidates. Now they are asked to respond to this gift by sharing the Holy Spirit in them with others. They are now asked to beacons for the Holy Spirit and to share their faith with others.
A Simple Prayer
Most Heavenly Father, you are Love and I Love You.
May the Holy Spirit fill my heart and my soul so that I can be a beacon of light to others.
May those that received the Sacrament of Confirmation be a testament to the Christian Faith.
May their testament keep the way of the Lord lit forever.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Have you ever heard it said that the truth hurts. In today’s Gospel reading (John 16:12-15) we are told that the Holy Spirit will guide us “into all the truth.” Truth is not something that is created, we cannot make-up the truth. The truth is something that is; the truth is a gift from God. He is the creator of everything and everything he creates is good. Only we humans can turn the Truth of God into something that is bad. We are the ones who create this perception. God is the source of all Truth and we are lead to the Truth through the Holy Spirit. So how can the Truth hurt? The truth frees us from our earthly bonds, from doubts that affect our decision making process and fears that keep us from entering into a closer communion with God. So how can the Truth hurt? The closer we come to God, the closer we come to the real Truth; the realization that He is our Lord God and Savior. Through the Holy Spirit we will experience the salvation of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, the glory of his resurrection and the anticipation of his return. We should not fear the truth. The Holy Spirit is our divine connection and guide to the knowledge and wisdom of God – the Truth. We should surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and he will show us the Truth. While the sacrifice we make to join with God may appear to be painful, the real and Spiritual Truth from God does not hurt and will bring unending joy.
A Simple Prayer
Lord God, show me the light of the Holy Spirit.
Allow that light to guide me to You that I may experience the Truth and the Way.
Free me of the obstacles that I create which prevent me from coming to you.
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ
In today’s gospel reading (John 15:9-17) we learn about the relationship between Jesus and his apostles. A relationship built upon unconditional love. However, unconditional love can be costly. Those who express true love, are willing to sacrifice everything they have for the ones they loved. God took on the responsibility for our sins and paid the price for our redemption — the sacrifice of his only begotten Son. That's the nature of unconditional love and friendship which is described in today’s Gospel. If we are true friends, then we should be willing to lay down our lives for one another. Jesus tells us that he is our friend and he loves us whole-heartedly and unconditionally. We are commanded to love one another just as God loves us, unconditionally and without reservations. If we surrender ourselves to God, His love will fill our hearts and transforms our minds. It will free us to give ourselves in loving service to others. It is easy to make this sacrifice to our best friends, but are we willing to make this sacrifice to those we don’t even know. Jesus came to save the entire world, not just those that were close to him. His love abounded for all. If we truly open our hearts to his love and obey his commandment to love our neighbor, then we experience abundant joy and happiness in our service.
A Simple Prayer from St. Ignatius of Loyola
"Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
An additional reflection on Jesus’ Commandment - This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Have you really thought about what this really means. Tradition tells us that the first written words of the Bible were the Ten Commandments and that the Ten Commandments were actually ten words. While we do not actually know what the ten words were, they somehow translated into the Ten Commandments we study today. Moses took these ten words and converted them into the first five books of the Bible. The first five books of the Bible, the Torah, are referred to as the Law. Man converted the ten words into five books. When Jesus walked, he took the five books that were developed from the original ten words and summarized it in one word – LOVE - This is my commandment, that you love one another. Does this not reveal the true power of God? He can take five books of the Bible and reduce them to one word. Jesus is telling us that while we were given these commandments, we need to do these acts out of Love not because we are forced to do them. When our actions are done out of love, we are actually fulfilling the God’s commandment. Jesus did everything for us out of His unconditional love for us.
A Simple Prayer "Lord Jesus, open our eyes to the Love which you rain down on us, Reveal yourself so that we may spread this love to others in our words and our actions."
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
In today’s Gospel (John 15:12-17), we learn the new commandment that God has given us - "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” So what kind of love is Jesus talking about? Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die to save us. God loves us unconditionally with no strings attached. He loves us no matter what we do or how great a sin we commit, He still loves us. He asks of us to love one another unconditionally. To love one another unconditionally, we must be willing to make sacrifices even to the point where it hurts. Jesus proved this unconditional love for us on the cross. We are also asked to commit to the way of the cross.
We are called to not only love the people that we know, but also those people we do not know. This type of love would be greater than the love between two best friends or even the love between a husband and wife. We are called to love those people who it is difficult to love. The truest commitment would be to make a sacrifice for someone who it is difficult for us to like. To truly love is to give everything we have to offer to someone else in need. God made this sacrifice with his son for our redemption. That's what Jesus meant when He said, “This I command you, to love one another.”
A Simple Prayer My Dearest Lord, Oh how I love you. Give me the strength and courage to love others as you have loved me. May my love be unconditional and without bounds. May the Grace of the Holy Spirit flow through me to others so that can be an example of God’s love.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” In today’s Gospel (John 15:1-7) the
A Simple Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, make me a fruitful branch on your vine. Nourish me and feed me so that my fruit may be abundant. Allow the Holy Spirit to inflame my heart with your love so that my fruit may be worthy of you and remove from me anything that will cause me to become fruitless
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Do you love God? You hopefully answered yes, but do you really love God? “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him.” Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel reading (John 14:21-26) that we need to prove our love to God. To do so, we must be loyal and obedient to the commandments God has given us. In yesterday’s Gospel reading, we were given the new commandment “that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” We are commanded to demonstrate our true love to God by our actions and only through those actions will we demonstrate our worthiness. God’s love for us is real and unending. He demonstrated his deep love by sacrificing us his son for us and by sending us the Holy Spirit. God made us to love him, therefore he made us to love and show compassion for our fellow man. God made us to be united with him; to have a personal relationship with him.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be blind from birth; to have never seen the light of the world? Your dreams would lack the vividness of colors of the earth. Your senses would not be expressed in the feelings of color. When Jesus cured the blind man, what do you think was the first thing he saw? Was it the beauty and glory of his magnificent creation or was it the hatred of man to man. Was it the green grass, the blue skies, the birds singing, a mother hugging her child, a father helping his son or was it people arguing, men fighting over possessions, a world in turmoil? According to the story, the blind man was so moved that he shared the good news of his healing with everyone. The love of God had overwhelmed him with joyful elation. I believe the first thing he saw was the beauty of the glory of God’s creation. I believe that the formerly blind man experienced God’s true love. We are also born into spiritual darkness. But through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are given the light of the world. At that point, we know the love of God. To know God is to grow in his love for us. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes so we can see his glory and our ears to hear his words. Are you listening to God’s word and do you see the beauty that is all around us. Our baptism gave us the light, our confirmation allows us to say to God that we are deserving of his light, that we love Him.
A Simple Prayer
“Most Holy Spirit, inflame my heart with the love of God and his word.
May I never lose sight of you nor forget your steadfast love and faithfulness.
And may I daily dwell upon your word and give you praise in the sanctuary of my heart,
You who are my All."
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Journeyman to Christ:
This week’s Gospel Readings have all focused on the realization that Christ is the true Son of God; that He is the Lamb of God and only through Him will we find Heaven. Not only will Jesus show us the way, but Jesus “the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Him.” (John 14:6) In today’s Gospel reading (John 14:1-6), Thomas expresses concern that Jesus will leave them and they will not know the way. Jesus assures him that he must leave to prepare a room for them in heaven. How many times have you been scared when you faced a major challenge; when you tried to go it alone? Jesus tells us that he will prepare the way for us; that he is making a room especially for us. He is going to lead us to heaven. Jesus has provided us a road map, but are we following the map. The scripture readings, all the books of the bible lead us to our salvation. The scriptures are like this super awesome GPS system which provides everything we need to know the way to heaven. It’s our own personal Map Quest whose directions are never wrong. When we divert from the path of righteousness the gentle voice from the GPS of Life sounds out to redirect us back to path. Rest assured, when you fall off the path, God creates a new path to him. No matter how far you have strayed from the path, Jesus Christ can always calculate the proper path back to the room he has prepared for you. Are you on the right path? The easiest way to get back on the path is to pray for guidance and direction; that Jesus might light the way and lead you from the darkness of evil to the glory of Heaven on Earth. Jesus is the one true path, there is no other.
A Simple Message
Lord Jesus Christ, show me the way, the truth and the life. Protect me while I journey to the room you have prepared for me. Give the wisdom to find the path, the sight to stay true to the path.
Your Fellow Traveler
Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Where in the world is Heaven? I am sure at sometime in your life you have asked the question where is heaven or how do I find heaven. Ancient tradition has heaven in the skies and hell down below. These concepts of heaven and hell were taken from ancient Greek mythology. In reality, heaven and hell are both here on earth and are all around us. Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth and the light that he will lead us to heaven on earth. John’s gospel tells us that the earth is darkness and that Jesus comes to bring us the saving light. Heaven is here right now. We find heaven when we find Jesus. Jesus is the compass that will direct us to where we want to go. “A highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it.” (Isaiah 35:8) When we direct our lives toward Jesus, we find heaven, we find the light. We are building the kingdom of heaven on earth right now, today. Why wait until tomorrow to experience the joy that the Lord Jesus Christ can bring to you today. Our judgment day occurs everyday. As we examine our souls, we judge ourselves; we make sure that we are worthy to walk along the
A Simple Prayer
Most Glorious Risen Christ,
Fill my life with your saving grace.
Help me find the way and identify the truth.
You are my way, my truth and my light.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
What does it mean to believe in Jesus? Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel (John 12:44-50) that “He who believes in Me, believes not in me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness.” He was sent to show us the light, to provide the way. What is interesting is that Jesus was not sent to judge us but to free us from the darkness of our sins. “If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.” So if Jesus is not our judge, then who is? Are we not our own judge? Do we not know what is right and what is wrong? In the final judgment, we will know all the sins we have on our soul. We can ignore the light or we can seek the warmth of the light. Jesus did not come to burn us with his light, but to embrace us with his love. Jesus wants all of us to join him, he wants all of us to be with him in his eternal glory. “For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life."
We are given a choice, we can sit in the darkness or we can accept God’s message as the true guiding light. Jesus is “the way, the truth and the light” which will set us free from the darkness. We must seek the light for our salvation and judgment is today. We should be mesmerized by the light. We should allow the “light of the world” to exterminate our darkness and our sins. The light of the world exposes what is hidden; the hidden truth about the
A Simple Prayer
You are the Light of the World.
Open my eyes so I can see you,
so I can believe in you.
Open my ears so I can hear you.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Today’s Gospel reading is a continuation of the parable of the Good Shepherd. (John 10:22-30). It is the Jewish Festival of Lights (Hanukkah) and the Jews are questioning Jesus: “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." They want a sign from him that he is who he claims he is. Jesus replies not only have I told you, but I showed you, I performed miracles for you and you still don’t believe. He says to them, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” But these Jews lacked faith; they did not believe that Jesus was the Good Shepherd. On this day of the Festival of Lights, Jesus tells them that he is the Light of the World yet they can not see him. We as Christians are called to respond to the voice of God. In darkness, God is the light that will show us the way. We must have faith and trust in God. God’s light will lead us away from the darkness. The calm of his voice will save us from despair and evil. Once we have found the Lord and entered his flock, he protects us from eternal damnation. There is only one shepherd, the Good Shepherd, which can provide this everlasting peace and security. His love embraces us and holds us close to him. This does not mean that we will not get sick, that we will not experience pain or that we will not suffer. But by following God through these trials, he will lead us to the gates of Heaven.
A Simple Prayer
"Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd.
I place all my hope and trust in you,
that you will lead me from the temptations of evil.
It is through you that I will find my way to the gates of Heaven.
You are my guiding light, show me the way.
Yours in Christ Michael Marcon
