Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” In today’s gospel (Luke 9:18-22), Jesus asks the apostles a simple question, “Who do people say I am?” But more importantly, he asks the apostles, “But who do you say I am?” Peter responds, “The Christ of God.” In this passage, we see that the apostles finally realize who Jesus is. They identify him as priest, king and profit to all of mankind. It was by the faith placed in Peter by God that Peter recognized who Jesus was. No one on earth could have given him this faith. It had to come from God. We too are given that same faith. Do you see Jesus through the eyes of your faith?

This gospel goes beyond just having faith, this readings was also a prophecy of Jesus’ upcoming passion and death. Jesus tells them that, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” He tells his disciples this so they can be prepared for what lies ahead. Jesus lets them know that he must suffer before he can be truly glorified. Jesus freely accepted his fate and embraced what was going to happen to him. We all must face suffering in our lives just as Jesus did when he was crucified on the cross. We can either allow the suffering to control our lives and we can become overwhelmed with it or we can endure the suffering as a sacrifice to God in Heaven. On the cross Jesus defeated Satan and the powers of sin. Jesus’ own suffering and death on the cross gave us eternal life and freedom from the slavery of sin. Suffering provides the same grace for us. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit we can endure the suffering. Our knowledge of Christ the Redeemer encourages us to carry our cross and to live the gospels. Do not let suffering lead you from God, but closer to God.

A Simple Prayer "Lord Jesus, I believe and I profess that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Take my life, my will, and all that I have, that I may be wholly yours now and forever."

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Who do you seek?

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Do you desire to find God? If so, why? That may seem like a weird question, but it is a very important question. In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 9:7-9), Herod the tetrarch heard about the miracles and healings that Jesus had preformed and “he sought to see him.” Unfortunately, his desire to seek out Jesus was not to form a relationship with him but to satisfy his curiosity. Herod had the same desire and curiosity to meet John the Baptist, but after he met him, he killed him to please others in his family. His seeking out John the Baptist was to demonstrate his own power. Who is it that you seek to know? Do you gravitate toward people of fame, power and wealth or do you seek to know God and people of God? At school or work, do you hang with people because it will elevate your status in this earthly society? It is so easy to seek out the popular crowd and to be with them. However, does this crowd lead one toward Christ or away from Christ? If you want to be united with God, then you should seek out people who are godly people. We should associate ourselves with people who express God’s love and truth. You, yourselves should be an expression of God’s compassion towards others. Allow the grace of God to fill you with the faith and courage one needs to follow the godly crowd and not necessarily the popular crowd. We should seek out the meek, the poor, the merciful, the hungry for these are the people who will inherit the Kingdom of God. We should seek out those who also seek God. Seeking these people is the same as seeking out the Kingdom of Heaven.

A Simple Prayer Heavenly Father, it is you that seek. I seek you not for your power, but for your grace and mercy. I seek you not for your popularity, but because you are the source of new life. May I be godly and lead others to you.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” In today’s gospel (Luke 8:19-21), it appears that Jesus is rebuking his family. His family comes to see him but because of the crowds they cannot get to him. He is told of their desire to see him, but Jesus responds, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” There is no doubt that Jesus loved his mother very much, but today’s message helps us understand the depth of the relationship we should seek with God. He is calling all of us to be one of his siblings. God never intended humans to be alone. In the beginning when God created man and he was alone, God saw that was not good and Adam was lonely. To respond to this solitude, God created a companion for Adam. Man formed a relationship with woman. In today’s gospel, God is telling us that while this relationship is important, your relationship with God is more important. Only through your relationship with God can you elevate your earthly relationships. All relationships should include the communion with God.

Being a good Christian is more than following the Ten Commandments, it is about establishing a relationship with God. Today’s gospel challenges us to take the relationship deeper by elevating the importance of that relationship. By making your relationship with God the most important relationship, we commit to a relationship of love. Any relationship founded on true love includes trust, commitment, loyalty, kindness and compassion. If we have this type of relationship with God, it will flow down into our other relationships. It will become the foundation for all relationships we form on earth. Every relationship you form on earth should mirror your relationship with God. Your relationship with other men and women should be Christ centered. The relationship should mirror the relationship you would have with Christ.

A Simple Prayer My Heavenly Father, I love you and cherish you. I desire a relationship with you. May all my relationships mirror the one you desire from me.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.” In today’s Gospel (Luke 8:16-18), we hear the story about the parable of the lamp. In the days of Jesus, lamps were the only means to see in the darkness. If you needed to work at night, you would need a lamp to get around. God gives each of us many graces and gifts which help define who we are. These graces help light up the darkness not only in our own lives but in those around us. Our lamp helps us reveal who we are. Do you allow you gifts and talents to be revealed to others? Jesus tells us, “For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.” These truths that we have about us will someday be revealed no matter how much we try to hide them. God is all knowing and knows what we try to hide. You can not keep anything away from him. This not only includes the gifts which we have been given, but also the sins which darkens your soul. You should use the light of God to illuminate and reveal those things which prevent you from journeying to God. Do not cover up the light, but let it shine bright for others to see. Your light is a gift, reveal it to others so “that those who enter may see the light.”

A Simple Prayer Lord, you are the Light of World. Fill my heart and my soul with the wisdom and truth of the light. May your light guide eliminate the darkness in my life, And lead me to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

We are all sinners, yet we are all called

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

In today’s gospel reading (Matthew 9:9-13), Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." Jesus calls each of us by name to follow him. Matthew rose to the challenge and became one of the twelve. We are called to leave the comfort of our normal everyday lives to become Disciples of Christ. There is not one person on this earth who has not been called to serve. Are you ready to be one of his disciples?

Matthew is a very special calling. In the days of Christ, the tax collectors were considered some of the most evil and corrupt men on earth as they would pilfer and steal from others. The tax collector was put on par with thieves and prostitutes. They were the worst of worse individuals. So why would Jesus call Matthew? He was not like other apostles called into service. In fact he was probably strongly hated by the townspeople in the village he lived in. Matthew was chosen because he experience the salvation shared through the grace of God. The simple command “follow me” was all Matthew needed to abandon his sinful ways and become a true disciple of Christ. Matthew became a loyal and dedicated servant of Christ at such a simple request. So why would Matthew become an apostle? Matthew, a greedy tax collector, must have realized after simply experiencing the presence of Christ that the treasures of the Kingdom of God were far greater than the treasures he pilfered from the local Israelites. Jesus did not have to tell Matthew any long parable or convince him to an apostle. He just simply looked into his heart and said, “Follow me” - two words that must have translated into “You’re forgiven” or “You’re loved.” Two words completely changed the life of Matthew for ever.

After Jesus called Matthew into service, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. Matthew’s calling opened the door for other tax collectors and sinners to come to God. However, the Pharisees were not happy that Jesus would sit and break bread with such men. They say to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus hearing their complaints responds, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.” Jesus came not to heal the righteous, but to heal the sinners. We are all sinners, yet we are all called. There is no sin so great that you cannot repent and become a missionary for Christ. In two words, Jesus healed Matthew. In two words, Jesus can heal you too.

A Simple Prayer "Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

The humility of reconciliation open us up to true forgiveness

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” In today’s gospel reading (Luke 7:36-50), Jesus teaches a very important lesson about forgiveness. A Jewish Rabbi or Pharisee invites Jesus to have dinner with him. When he arrives, a woman, who is described as a sinner or prostitute, greets him with special reverence. “Standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.” The Pharisee was rather indignant at what he saw. He said to Jesus, “If this man was a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” Jesus responds to the Pharisee in a parable about to debtors who cannot repay their debt. One who owes 50 denari and the other owes 500. Both men were forgiven of their debt. Jesus asks him, “Now which of them will love him more?” The Pharisee replied, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” In this story, we have a Rabbi who is thought to be a righteous man and a woman who is likely a prostitute. Both are sinners. The woman falls on her knees and praises Jesus’ mercy yet the Pharisee does not even greet him with a simple kiss.

It is obvious that the grace of God has filled the woman with repentant sorrow. She falls to his feet, she is crying with resentment for her sins and she anoints Jesus with precious perfumes. She disgusts the Pharisee who would not ever associate himself with such a woman. He also chastises Christ for allowing this woman to come near him. So who loves Jesus more, the rabbi or the prostitute? The rabbi did not even greet Jesus with the customary greeting yet the woman used precious oil which would have been extremely valuable to anoint Jesus. The real message her is that the woman, through her own humility, fell prostate at his feet and showed true love and compassion for Christ. Because of this demonstration, Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” We are all sinners. Are you willing to fall prostrate before him and ask for true forgiveness? Do you love him enough to spend the valuable perfume to anoint him? Do you shed tears over your sins? Do you open yourself to grace of God? We can take the position of the Pharisee and reject God’s love or we can take the position of the sinner and accept God’s love. When you take time to examine your conscience and evaluate your sins, you are at the feet of Christ. It is through the humility of reconciliation that we shed the tears that open us up to true forgiveness. It is through our faith, Christ’s grace and love that we are saved.

A Simple Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, I fall to your feet. A weep in sorrow because I am a sinner. Let me anoint you with my tears and my sorrows. I give these things up to you my Lord so I can be filled with your grace.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

God is piping us a beautiful song

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.” In today’s Gospel (Luke 7:31-35), Jesus is disappointed at the Israelites because they do not get excited about the message that was delivered by John the Baptist nor himself. They ignored the message that was being delivered. Can you imagine Jesus coming and speaking to you and your response is to yawn in boredom? You turn and walk away. Can you image Jesus giving one of his sermons and you fall asleep? Can you image him coming and getting mad at him because he celebrates with sinners? The Israelites were “bored” with Jesus’ message. They did not want to hear what he had to say. They yawned at him and made up excuses not to be with him. Is this our reaction when we hear Jesus? Do you try to avoid going to be with God? Are you excited to be able to celebrate the Eucharist or do you makeup excuses to miss Mass? Anytime you have the opportunity to engage the Word, whether it through formation, fellowship, adoration, or reconciliation, you should dance with joy that you have the opportunity to commune with God. The Israelites were “bored” because they could not see the greatness of the Lord. It is out of our blindness that we cannot see the celebration. We let the devil enter into the picture to divert us from the happiness we should experience when we are with Christ. God is piping us a beautiful song, we should stand and dance with the Lord. We should get lost in his celebration.

A Simple Prayer Lord Jesus, I want to hear your music and celebrate, May the good news of gospel fill my heart with joy and love So I may serve you here on Earth.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Lord, I am not worthy...

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” Today’s Gospel reading (Luke 7:1-10) is all about coming to Christ and coming to know Christ. A Roman centurion had a slave who was very dear to him and also very near death. The centurion was obviously not Jewish and would have been discouraged from even caring about the Jews. So it was unexpected that he would come to Christ with compassion and concern for Jewish person, a person who was his slave. Yet he had the courage to over come the ridicule and possible retaliation from his own people to help this lowly servant. This centurion was more concerned about the slave then he was about his own honor and dignity among the Roman elite. He elevated the value of the servant above him when he asked Jesus to cure the slave. As the centurion approached Jesus he said to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” This is an outright sign of humility. He recognized who was the greater. We must accept humility before we can accept help from the Lord. We must recognize our unworthiness, our sinfulness before we can truly open our hearts to the Lord. Jesus responded to this demonstration by saying, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” This is the same response we get when we humble ourselves before Christ. The door to salvation is right in front of us and humility is the key which opens the lock and lets you in.

No matter how “unworthy” we are, Christ will always come to help us if we accept our unworthiness. What the centurion did was brave because he had to step out of the norm. We too must be willing to be Christian when it is not popular. It is easy to be Christian at church or at religion class, but how easy is it to be a Christian at school or at work or when you’re out with your friends. Can you be a Christian when you’re dating? This is when humility comes through. This is when you demonstrate to Christ your worthiness for him.

A Simple Prayer Lord, I am not worthy of your help for I am a sinner But say the word, and let my servant be healed. Increase my faith so I can stand true even when it is not popular.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

We must journey through the cross

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Today’s gospel reading (Luke 6:39-42) is message of hope for our salvation. This is a day we should thank God for all He has done for us. “For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Jesus was telling Nicodemus of his pending journey to the cross. Humanity can only be saved through the cross. Jesus tells us that “the Son of man be lifted up.” The Son of Man was lifted up on the cross to suffer for our sins. He made the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. But it didn’t stop there. He was raised into the glory of heaven to be at the right hand of the Father. It was through this ultimate journey that we too can make it to heaven. We must journey to the cross; we must journey through the cross. We must be raised up on the cross and make the sacrifice. If we make the journey through the cross, we too will be raised into heaven at the right hand of the Father.

When Christ was placed on the cross, in essence, he was exalted in what would at first appear to be a cruel act. Why would God allow his only son to suffer on the cross? It’s simple, salvation comes through suffering and only through suffering. It is only through Jesus’ suffering on the cross that we can see the gates of heaven. “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We are called to believe in the suffering on the cross. Through the suffering we experienced on the cross, we become reborn in the resurrection of new life on Easter Sunday. Salvation is granted.

A Simple Prayer Lord, through your death we found new life. Through your crucifixion we found the resurrection. Through suffering, we found salvation.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Love Your Enemies

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Today’s gospel reading (Luke 6:27-38) gives us such simple advice, unfortunately it is very difficult to follow. Jesus tells us that it is no big deal to love those who love us. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.” The most difficult command we have from Christ is to love our enemy or to forgive those who have wronged us. When someone say or does something mean to us our first response is probably “You @#!$” instead of, “I forgive you and I love you.” While the first response is much easier, the later is the response we should give. This response is not going to be natural and takes lots of practice. But once you learn to forgive and forget, you will find new peace in your soul. If we forgive, we eliminate the power of revenge and hatred. Revenge and hatred are in direct opposition to the mission of God. However, to forgive is the greatest expression of love – it is true grace. We must treat others, not as we think they deserve, but how Christ would treat them. This is when we should ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” He would immediately forgive the sinners and shower them with love. Our reward in heaven will be based on how we treat others. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

A Simple Prayer Lord God in Heaven, when my enemy attacks, my will is weak. Give the strength and fortitude to forgive and forget Give me the strength to be kind and merciful. May I love my enemy with all my heart.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

True happiness comes from the suffering

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God '." Today's Gospel reading (Luke 6:20-26) presents the Beatitudes. Today's message is quite clear, those that suffer on earth will be rewarded in the Kingdom of God . If you are poor on earth, you will be rich in heaven. If you had a sad life on earth, you will have a very happy life in heaven. We will all suffer and experience some degree of pain, suffering, sickness, and even death. Some people appear to be burdened with pain and suffering. At times we may think that a dark cloud is just sitting over our head. So why must we suffer? Why must people be homeless? Why does God allow us to suffer? We are called to have faith in God and offer this suffering to him. This offering transcends earthly happiness and allows us to reach a spiritual happiness. We see pictures of people who absolutely nothing, yet they laugh and have fun. Why are they not sad? The word Beatitude literally means happiness. True happiness comes from the suffering. Are you really happy if you are given everything? Do we not get bored with material things to only want more? Then we become bored with this stuff and want even more. Is that really happiness? How long does that brand new IPod keep you happy? True happiness is found in the Beatitudes. This message is really trying telling us that the poor are not held captive to material things and therefore see the things that bring true happiness. They can see the Kingdom of God because their site is not blinded by greed for earthly materials. To find true happiness in heaven, we will need to empty our lives of those things that prevent us from seeing God. This is why during Lent that we are asked to participate in Fasting, Praying and Almsgiving. During this time, we separate ourselves from the earthly things and allow our souls to unite with God in Heaven. We are called to live Lent year round, not just during the Lenten season.

A Simple Prayer Lord, I desire your happiness, Give me the strength to separate myself from the earthly things that keep me from you. I hunger for your love, May my suffering allow me to see you more clearly.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

The Call of the 12 Apostles

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for power came forth from Him and healed them all.” Today’s Gospel reading (Luke 6:12-19) is about the call of the twelve apostles. Jesus spends all night in prayer with His Father in Heaven before reaching out and calling the twelve. “And when it was day, He called His disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles.” The twelve were selected from large crowd of disciples that were following Christ. These were the twelve that Jesus called to follow Him during His three year mission. The job of the twelve was to go forth and invite the people of Israel to be Disciples of Christ. Eventually the twelve would go forth beyond Israel and bring Christ to the entire world. The apostles were given the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them form the church and grow it into the vessel which we have today. Jesus chose for His apostles twelve very ordinary men. He chose fishermen, laborers, the poor and uneducated. These men were very ordinary men until they were touched by Christ. They became the very foundation which the church was built upon. The church is still not fully built. We too are called to be disciples and leaders of Christ church. We are called to preach and spread the Word of God. You may say to yourself that, “I can’t,” but Christ enables you with the Holy Spirit so you can. He gives you the strength and wisdom you need. The original twelve overcame all their shortcomings to be the leaders and so can you. You are called to be a leader. Jesus calls you by name. Hear his call and take the challenge. Seek Christ and touch him for the power will come forth to strengthen you and heal you.

A Simple Prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Inflame my heart with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving power. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All.”

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

The Sabbath is a day of healing

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Stretch out your hand.” In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 6:6-11), the scribes and the Pharisees are watching Jesus with hatred in their hearts to see if He heals a man with a crippled hand on the Sabbath. Jesus asks them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” Jesus is challenging the Pharisees and scribes to extend their thinking beyond the words and look for the deeper meaning of the commandments. The commandment, Keep Holy the Sabbath Day, is all about salvation and saving and not about abstinence from work. If someone is ill, then we should reach out to render aid. The intention of the Sabbath is to “do good” and to “save life” and not allow humanity to die in sin. Jesus calls the cripple man forward and says to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He extended his hand and it was healed. When someone is hurting or needing help, the first thing that comes to mind is out stretched hands. When a child needs his parents, they approach them with out stretched hands. As we go through life, many people extend their hands for help; the poor, the homeless, the weak, and the injured. Do you deny them aide or do you reach out to help them? The Sabbath Day is a day of rest so we can recharge our life, so we can reflect on the aliments which cripple our souls. This is also a day we should honor God for all the healing graces He has provided to us. What better way to say thank you then to extend the same grace to someone else who is in need. Not only is the Sabbath a day for you to extend your arms to ask for forgiveness from your sins, but it is a day for you to embrace someone else who has extended their arms in need. The sad part about today’s Gospel is that the Pharisees and scribes did not recognize the good that Jesus provided. Jesus not only cured this man’s hands, he also cured this man’s soul. They were so wrapped up in hatred and envy that they missed the true meaning of today’s message. The Sabbath is a day of healing and we are called to be healers of men. The Sabbath is a day of salvation and we should walk with our hands extended to embrace the Lord.

A Simple Prayer Lord Jesus, I extend my arms to be healed. May your saving grace flow through my body. Transform me into your servant so I can heal others. Give me the strength to help the poor and the weak.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Feast in Jesus, Fast to atone

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” In today’s gospel reading (Luke 5:33-39), Jesus is being challenged by the disciples of John the Baptist. John’s disciples said to Jesus, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” Fasting was a major part of the Jewish lifestyle so why was Jesus letting his disciples avoid fasting? Jesus replied, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” So what is Jesus really trying to tell the disciples? The disciples of Jesus were feasting in the presence of Christ. Now was not the time to fast, but the time to feast because in the near future he was going to be taken away from them. Jesus explains this in a parable about placing new wine in old wine skins. If you place new wine in old skins, the fermenting wine will cause the wine skin to burst. New wine needs to be placed in new skins. Jesus is trying to explain to the disciples that there are times when old traditions are appropriate and times when we need to let the new traditions begin. This relationship/discipleship with Jesus was new and exciting. Jesus filled them with the Holy Spirit and they were alive. Why would you fast when you’re feasting on the Holy Spirit? While there is nothing wrong with old traditions; new traditions can be just as rewarding. This also goes for fasting and feasting; there is a time to fast and a time feast. When we walk with Christ we are feasting in his presence, but when we need to atone for our sins, it is a time to fast.

A Simple Prayer “Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Help me to seek you earnestly in prayer and fasting that I may turn away from sin and willfulness and conform my life more fully to your will. May I always find joy in knowing, loving, and serving you.”

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

He will take care of you.

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Today’s gospel reading (Luke 5:1-11) tells the story of the first apostles, Simon, James and John. After preaching to the people along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus commands Simon to put his nets out into deep water. Peter’s first response was denial and doubt, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!” But reluctantly he obeys Jesus. The net is lowered and is so full that the net is breaking at the seams. The nets were so full that Simon needed help to bring the catch in. Finally, when the catch is brought into the boats, the boats are so full that they began to sink. In his amazement, Simon falls to his knees and says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” And Jesus’ replied “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” If I had to guess, this story probably resembles our own Christian lives. When we encounter Christ in our lives and He asks us to be His servant, our first response is to reject his request either out of fear, insecurity or doubt. But once we abandon our fear and follow His commands, we find that our reward is probably more then we thought. Our nets are full and we need help bringing in our catch. At that point, we are so excited about the catch that we do not realize that our boat is on the verge of sinking because we do not know how to handle this new fragile faith. We do not know how to handle this new found fulfillment. Our faith is fragile. It is easy to get discouraged either because you have been overloaded or because you do not know how to handle the cross you have been given. But if you follow Christ, He will take care of you. He will make sure that your boat stays afloat even in troubled waters. The more we grow in faith; it is easier to follow Christ. But not only must we follow Christ, we are asked to lead others to his way. We are call to be “fishers of men.”

A Simple Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, fill my heart with your compassion and love. May I learn to use this love and compassion to lead others to you.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Jesus heals and revitalizes

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“All those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.” In today’s gospel reading (Luke 4:38-44), Jesus arrives at Peter’s Mother-in-Law’s house to find her sick with a very high fever. Jesus laid His hands on her and she was instantly cured. Once cured, she was able to immediately get up and served them. Once the community heard this, they brought there sick to Jesus and He cured them also. In this story we see the unwavering compassion of Jesus for those who are ailing. The gospel story says that Jesus rebuked the fever and she was cured instantly. She was so completely cured that she was able to get up and serve them. I know that when I recover from a cold or fever, I am so drained that the last thing I want to do is go and do chores or labor. Yet Jesus’ healing power not only cast out the fever, it revitalized her with the energy to serve others. Jesus’ power is not only healing and it is revitalizing. It not only frees us from the things that cripple us, it also gives us the strength to live and to serve. Jesus is the ultimate super drug, antibiotic, and vitamin all rolled into one. Jesus not only cured the sick, he dispelled the demons that plagued their souls. He cured both the body and the soul. The people were so overwhelmed with joy that they sought out Jesus. This is the best example of the healing power of reconciliation. If you seek God’s help through prayer and reconciliation, He will cast out the demons that keep you from the Kingdom of God. Once these barriers are removed, you are then energized to do the work of the Lord. This is the same energy you feel at the end of a retreat. Your body is filled with the Holy Spirit and you feel revitalized to live in Christ. You desire to be with Christ. This is the same feeling that the people felt after Jesus laid his hands on them. This is also the feeling you will get after participating in reconciliation. The burden of your sins is removed from your shoulders and now this energy can be redirected at love and serving instead of fighting the sin.

A Simple Prayer Lord Father, I am a sinner in bondage. I have a fever which afflicts my body. If you lay yours hands will be freed from sin to do your service.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

What do you do when Christ calls?

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“I know who you are, the Holy One of God." In today’s gospel (Luke 4:31-37), Jesus is teaching his disciples in a synagogue in Capernaum. While teaching to the crowd, a man possessed by an unclean spirit confronted Jesus saying, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Jesus told him, “Be silent, and come out of him!” At his command, the demon left the man. This passage, while very short, has a number of messages. First and foremost, we should understand that the demon knew that Jesus was the “Holy One” the Son of God. Not only did he know Jesus, he knew that Jesus had the supreme authority to cast him out. Jesus did not have to call anybody else to come to his rescue or to lend him aid. It was by his authority alone that the demon was cast out of this man. The word of Jesus was the word of God because Jesus was the Word made flesh. I assume that there is no question that Jesus is almighty and all powerful and that he is the “Holy One”, but do you recognize Christ when he is calling you? What do you do when Christ calls your name? Do you ignore his call? How can you ignore the call of God when even the lowly demon obeyed him? God calls us to his side, to give up and be freed from sin. He calls us to abandon our lives for his. We should be submissive to God and heed his call. We should come running to his altar with us as the sacrifice. We should be willing to sacrifice our life for him. We should accept the supremacy of God and obey his commands. We should become the message which God calls forth.

A Simple Prayer Lord, you are the supreme ruler, You are God of all. Call my name and I will come to be your servant For your word is my authority.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon