Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:1-4

1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; 2 and behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 3 And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to the people."

Who do you cry out to when you need help? In today’s Gospel reading, a leper reaches out to Christ for help. Because of his faith, he was healed of this disease which inflicted his body. A leper was considered untouchable and was not to interact with other people in the community. They were outcast because of their uncleanliness. Their bodies were covered with open wounds and their body would slowly wither away. If they came close to someone, the leper would likely be stoned to prevent them from coming near. Jesus did the unthinkable, he felt the pain of this man and reached out and touched him. Because of this man’s humility, he was cleansed. He reached out for help and Jesus purified him both physically and spiritually. The message is simple, no matter how spiritually unclean we become, Christ is always there for us. If we approach Christ with humility, he will reach out and touch us. There is nothing we can do that would prevent God’s love and mercy from healing our wounds.

This Gospel reading not only calls us to reach out to Christ when we need help, but we must also be like Christ and reach out to help others in need. If we see a leper approach us, we must reach out and extend the love of God. We must never turn our back on someone in need. The Holy Spirit within us empowers us to reach out with the love and compassion that Christ did for this leper. We are called to accept the rejected, care for the mistreated, and love the untouchable. If we shun these people, we shun Christ and separate ourselves from God.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, I am your humble servant.

Fill my heart with the fire of your love.

May I use this grace to help those in need.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“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.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:21-29

21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.' 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; 25 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. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; 27 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it." 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Have you ever built a sand castle on the beach? You pack the sand in your bucket, you tamp it and then flip it over to reveal a sand structure. You build walls and little towers. Dig moats around the castle to protect it from the ragging the waters. But no matter how diligent you are at building the sand castle, it always crumbles. The sand castle crumbles because there is no foundation and the structure is weak. If our faith is formed like the sand castle on the beach, it may appear grand, but in reality it is weak and easily destroyed. Jesus tells us that we must build our faith on a solid foundation. Otherwise, when the trials come, our faith will crumble. How do you form a good foundation? By seeking out Christ in the world; by finding good and seeing the glory of God in the creation that has been set before us; by making sacrifices for the benefit of others; and by committing your life to the salvation of others. Humility is the key to a good foundation.

Jesus makes it quite clear that we have to do more than preach. It is not enough to be able to say that “I prophesied in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and did many mighty works in your name.” We do not need to keep a score card. If we do these works for our own benefit, then we are not really doing the work of God. We must be willing to humble ourselves and wash the feet of those around us before we will be able to see the kingdom of heaven. It’s one thing to memorize the Bible, it’s another thing to live the Bible. So often we are criticized because we cannot cite chapter and verse. The scribes could recite the scriptures from memory and were quick to let you know their proficiency. But the real issue is, can I truly live out the chapters and verses of Christ. When you face God, will you brag about the things that you did, or will you humble yourself before God and ask for his mercy. Is your life formed like the grand sand castle on the beach only to be destroyed by the first big wave that comes along? You must examine your inner soul to see the true foundation of your faith.

A Simple Prayer

God, you are the one true foundation of faith.

It is only in your glory that my house should be built.

Give me the strength and wisdom to live out your words,

To know what is good and what is bad.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:15-20

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus provides a strong warning regarding our spiritual direction, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” St. John Chrysostom says that a false profit is someone who appears to be virtuous but in fact is not, and thereby misleads other into evil. A person who truly preaches the Word of God sows faith, hope, and love where a false profit sows division, separation, hatred, resentment, pride, and sensuality (Galatians 5:16-25). Therefore, one who tries to separate us from the teaching of the Church and the true Word of God is considered a false profit. Jesus also goes on to indicate that anyone who purposefully deceives us to lead us away from His teachings is destined to eternal damnation. St. Peter warns that “in times past there were false profits and among you today there are also false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1). Isaiah warned against the dangers of falsehood: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).

So how do we recognize the false profits? Jesus says: “You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit.” The fruits of the vine are those fruits which are produced through truly righteous behavior and love for God and man. God provided us with the Holy Spirit. If we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives and live a truly virtuous life, we can avoid the false profits. False prophets try to lead us away from the church by telling you things like Mass on Sunday isn’t important or that the Eucharist really isn’t the body and blood of Christ. Once somebody starts trying to lead you away from your faith, they are a false profit. We must cultivate a strong faith to combat this evil. This faith is formed through daily prayer and by allowing the Holy Spirit to enter our souls and set our souls on fire with his love. When we receive the sacrament of confirmation, we are telling God we want to be filled with his Holy Spirit; that we want to be set on fire with His love. These fruits are nurtured through weekly Mass, through the gift of the Eucharist and through the gift of reconciliation. And most of all, these fruits are nurtured by being true to God and his graces that He pours out on us.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, may the fruit of my vine be faith, hope and love.

May I learn to be virtuous and morally sound.

Please fill my soul with the Holy Spirit so that I will produce good fruit.

Help me to reject the false profits and those that try to lead me away from the church.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:57-66,80

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." 61 And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name." 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Today we celebrate John the Baptist. John is the crazy guy who ate locus and wore animal skins and had untamed hair. He was probably a rather frightening person and didn’t smell very good either. Yet this lowliest of people was the first to recognize Christ. He leapt in the womb of Elizabeth when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, came to visit. John was blessed with an abundance of grace from the very moment of his conception. He stood his ground and did not cower when others challenged him. He was the one who proclaimed the coming of Christ. He made ready the path for Christ and baptized him. He was the first to recognize that Jesus was the messiah. And he was the first to sacrifice his life for the kingdom of heaven.

John the Baptist had one mission in life and it started when he was in the womb. His mission was to lead others to Christ and the kingdom of heaven. So what fueled John’s passion. John was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. His body was completely consumed by the Holy Spirit. He had surrendered himself and gave up all his earthly possessions to live in Christ. This made his faith come alive. We know that people flocked to see John the Baptist and he had a very large following even though he didn’t dress very well. People could see the Holy Spirit in him and the power God’s mercy upon him.

When we sacrifice our lives for Christ, we too are filled with the Holy Spirit. When you are doing something good for someone else, when you make an unselfish sacrifice for someone else, do you not feel the power of the Holy Spirit within you. The joy of Christ fills your soul when we do good for others. Our reward for our sacrifice is to experience the joy of the kingdom of heaven today. Every day we make a sacrifice for Christ, we experience the kingdom of heaven. Each and every day we commit our lives to Christ, we are renewed in the Holy Spirit. We are renewed with the faith, hope and love of God’s unending grace. John was willing to make that sacrifice every day of his life. We are called to live the life of John the Baptist. We are called to make an unconditional commitment to God no matter what the consequences. We are called to lead others to the banquet table.

A Simple Prayer

My God in Heaven, you have sent so many before me as an example of your love.

May I learn to live with the faith and hope exemplified by John the Baptist.

May I be willing to give it all for the kingdom of God which is before us.

May your outpouring of grace give me the strength to be your witness to others.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“ For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:1-5

1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

How easy it is to judge somebody else and ignore our own faults. Jesus tells us that we need to ignore the speck in your brothers eye, because you are walking around with a log in yours. We are almost blind to our own faults but see clearly the faults of others. Sometimes we are so good at judging others that we probably think this is a gift, when in fact it is a curse. We might not see any harm in judging others, but when we hear that someone has judged us, we get angry and hurt. Jesus tells us turnabout is fair play. How you judge others you too will be judged. Judgementalism is so rampant because we see ourselves as nearly perfect and everyone else with flaws. We want to change people and make them like us. Our own judgments become the gossip that kills the soul of others. We must learn to let go of the faults of others so we can begin to see our own faults. God can see everything in us, even the things that we do not realize we do wrong. Every sin we commit is known to God. By looking inward, we start to recognize these sins so that they can be forgiven. But to see inward, we must learn to see the good in others. We must learn to have mercy and see beyond the faults of our brothers and sisters. It is so easy for us to misjudge someone. We are biased in our judgment and usually do not have all the facts. God knows all and can see all. He is the true judge. Yet he is has unlimited mercy and forgiveness. Often we judge and condemn. We will face the same condemnation we impose on others. If we forgive and forget, Christ will forgive us.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, I pass judgment on my friends.

I see their weakness and ignore my own.

Give me the strength to see beyond my judgment

So I can see my own weakness and faults.

Give me the humility to be merciful others and

The wisdom to recognize their beauty.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:19-23

19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; 23 but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

How many times have we heard it said that we should save up for a rainy day or that we need to save for the future. Jesus talks to us today about building treasures in our life. Today’s Gospel reading should be titled, “You can’t take it with you.” Jesus tells us the obvious, the material treasures that we build on earth cannot go with us to heaven. However, this is only half the story. In fact you can take some of the treasures you build on earth with you. The spiritual gifts which we form on earth follow us to heaven. Unfortunately, so do the sinful gifts which attach our lives. While our money will rot on earth, the treasures we build in our soul will last for eternity. What treasures do you store in your heart? Do you allow greed, hatred and selfishness to consume your soul or do you build compassion, love and kindness. Christ says that the eye is the lamp. Do you see into the light or do you see the darkness. When we look into the world, what is it that we desire? - the latest X Box or WII, the most expensive clothes, a new car or the latest electronic gadget. Is your mind consumed with the material aspects of this world. These types of treasures can weigh us down and create darkness in our souls. We must be able to release these material items and replace them spiritual treasures. You must be willing to sacrifice your time for others. Do you go out of your way to help those in need? Are you willing to give all that you own to God? The simple litmus test is – do you desire the Eucharist more than anything else on earth? Would you chose Mass over an Astro’s game, a soccer game or some other activity you are involved in. As soon as Christ comes second, you have filled your heart with darkness. What is first in your life, God or you?

A Simple Prayer

Lord, Your are the light of world.

You lead me from the darkness.

Give me the strength to give up my worldly possessions

For a life walking with you.

Yours in Christ:

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:7-15

7 "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13 And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus presents us with the most perfect of prayers, the Lord’s prayer. One of the three pillars of good Christian Life is a focus on prayer and prayerful life. It is interesting how this readings starts out, “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” He goes on to tell them, “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” God in heaven already knows our needs. We are told not to show off with prayer, but to be simple with our requests. Do not ramble, the simpler the request, the better. Any time you think that you need something, it should always be preceded with “If it is your will, …” Of all the prayers we say, the Lord’s prayer is the most perfect prayer of all because it was given to us by Christ. It encompasses everything Christians should stand for. It is truly a prayer formed from the Words of God.

No matter how bad the transgressions we have committed, God is waiting for us with open arms. In the Lord’s prayer, we ask for so much with so few words. First, we call forth God, not as a deity but as a paternal person when we say “Our Father”. This means that we have a loving relationship with God. God is the Father who protects us. We them give homage to his deity, “Hallowed be thy name.” We recognize that he is almighty. We also recognize that the kingdom of God is here among us and that it is God’s will that is important, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” We call forth the kingdom to be here with us. We should desire eternal life with God and that must begin today. You cannot wait until the last day. It is through our actions today and our fulfillment of the sacraments that leads us to heaven. We ask God in this prayer to give us all that we need to survive the day, “Give us our daily bread.” God provides all that we need to survive. But likewise, we should only ask for what we need to survive that day otherwise greed and gluttony begin to consume our lives. We thank God for providing our daily needs by being sorrowful for our sins. However, not only must we be sorrowful for our own sins, we must also forgive those who have sinned against us. Jesus says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Lastly, we ask God to be the light of our life. We ask him to lead us out of the darkness of sin and to deliver us from evil. We should say the Lord’s Prayer as often as possible. Any time you need a little help getting through the day, say the Lord’s prayer.

A Simple and perfect Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts,

As we also have forgiven our debtors;

And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation: Do you pray with joy and confidence? The Jews were noted for their devotion to prayer. Formal prayer was prescribed for three set times a day. And the rabbis had a prayer for every occasion. Jesus warns his disciples against formalism, making prayer something mechanical and devoid of meaning, with little thought for God. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he gave them the disciple’s prayer, what we call the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer. This prayer dares to call God “our Father” and boldly asks for the things we need to live as his sons and daughters.

It is through the gift of the Holy Spirit that we can know God personally and call him “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). We can approach God our Father with confidence and boldness because Jesus Christ has opened the way to heaven for us through his death and resurrection. When we ask God for help, he fortunately does not give us what we deserve. Instead, he responds with grace and favor and mercy. It is his nature to love generously and to forgive mercifully. When he gives he gives more than we need so we will have something to share with others in their need as well.

God is kind and forgiving towards us and he expects us to treat our neighbor the same. Do you treat others as they deserve, or do you treat them as the Lord would treat you with his grace and favor and mercy? Jesus’ prayer includes an injunction that we must ask God to forgive us in proportion as we forgive those who have wronged us. Ask the Lord to free your heart of any anger, bitterness, resentment, selfishness, indifference, or coldness towards others. Let the Holy Spirit fill you with the fire of his burning love and compassion and with the river of his overflowing mercy and kindness.

“Father in heaven, you have given me a mind to know you, a will to serve you, and a heart to love you. Give me today the grace and strength to embrace your holy will and fill my heart with your love that all my intentions and actions may be pleasing to you. Give me the grace to be charitable in thought, kind in deed, and loving in speech towards all."

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

1 "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16 "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Why is praying, fasting and almsgiving so important? Because these are the cardinal works of a pious life; these are the pillars of a good Christian life. But when your piety becomes more about what others think then about pleasing God, your piety becomes boosting. Do you pray, fast or give alms so others will feel more highly about you or do you do it for the glory of God. Many of you are active n a number of church activities and ministries. Are we involved in those activities so we can check off a confirmation requirement or so that others feel good about us. Jesus warns us about self-seeking glory and that it will not buy us a place in heaven. He tells us that it is better to do these things and nobody know about them. The important thing is that God knows what is in our heart. He hears our prayers, he knows the things that we give up and he sees the aid we give to others. Nobody else needs to know. True piety is a loving devotion to our Lord and Savior. It is through the gifts that we have been given by God that we show God our appreciation. If we use these gifts to “impress others” then we are taunting these gifts in front of others for our own glory. We will be rewarded for our efforts, not by those who we impress, but by our God in heaven.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, I am your servant, may everything I do be for you.

Instill in me a faith which is on fire and a hope which is unending.

May my actions be for your glory and not the glory of others.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:43-48

43 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus tells us, "You have heard it said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Now why would God ask us to love our enemy. It's just not fair. If someone is mean to me, why can't I be mean back? If someone makes fun of me, why can't I make fun of them? It's really rather simple – where does the retaliation stop. Eventually, strong words become sticks and sticks become stones and before you know it, whole families and sometimes communities end up hating one another. God has given us many graces; one special grace given to all of us is the grace to forgive. Love is the fire extinguisher which puts out the fire of our enemy. Kindness and mercy will always triumph over evil. God commands us to be loving and to love our enemies. When we sin against God, are we no better than our enemies? And yet God forgives us and continues to pour out his love for us. If God can forgive us, then we must forgive and love our enemies if we are to image God. It is difficult to forgive an enemy, but it is also the most rewarding thing you can do. Try it, you'll like it. You definitely feel better.

A Simple Prayer

Most Heavenly Father, I have a temper, please help me control it.

When my tongue is loose, please help me restrain it.

Give me the strength to love my enemy as you love me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“If any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:38-42

38 "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.

Which is easier, to strike back with vengeance or to forgive someone who has struck out against you? The message in today’s Gospel reading is quite clear. Man is not to lash out against his enemy, but be merciful and kind. In the very early days of the Jewish clans, retaliation was an issue. Clans would strike out in retaliation if one clan harmed another. The law of retaliation limited the punishment. This was considered a significant advancement moral and ethical thinking; no punishment could exceed the crime. This was the first step to understanding mercy and kindness. But Jesus takes us much further. One must go deeper into one heart. One must be willing to forgive and forget. He tells us that retaliation is not good, it is not kind and it is not merciful. What a better place this world would be if we all practices mercy with unconditional loving kindness. How many wars between nations were started because one person felt he needed to strike back and get even. Usually, “getting even” means hurting a lot of people. When someone lashes out against us, do we seek to even the score or are we willing to let it go. Many people lashed out against Jesus and he never returned hatred with hatred. Instead, he extended his hand in love and kindness. When we retaliate against our aggressor, not only do we hurt that person, but we risk hurting others that we love. Too many times have I heard of friends who have severed their friendship because of retaliation. It is not just the two friends who get hurt, but everyone in their circle. Eventually, the friends are forced to take sides. Vengeance grows and hatred wins. Is there such a thing as just retribution? There probably is to some degree, but is it not better to respond with love.

A Simple Prayer

O merciful and king God,

Fill our hearts with your love and kindness so that it may overflow into all that we meet.

Give me the strength to forgive those who have wronged me.

Let humility and kindness be my retribution for those who have wronged me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:27-32

27 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. 31 "It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

What is our ultimate goal in life? Hopefully it is to achieve eternal life in heaven with God. Yet we do things that separate us from God. Today’s words appear rather harsh. Do you think that Jesus really wanted us to cut off our hands or pluck our eyes out. If this was so, the world would be full of blind people with no hands? Jesus uses this approach to let us know that we must separate ourselves from the things that will separate us from eternal life. We must learn to remove ourselves from situations that cause us to sin. If we cannot separate ourselves from the things that cause us to sin, then we are separating ourselves from God. These decisions are not easy and Jesus knows that. How big a sacrifice are you willing to make to get into heaven?

Many times we try to rationalize or justify our actions because we didn’t actually commit the sin. Jesus makes it rather clear in today’s reading. It is not just the action, but all the things that lead up to the action. Many times I hear people say “It’s okay if I read the menu as long as I don’t order.” Jesus tells us that reading the menu is just as wrong as ordering. Once I desire the action, I have committed the sin. In addition, Jesus tells us that anyone who leads someone to sin or anyone who supports the sin, is the real sinner. After reading today’s Gospel, one might conclude that it will be difficult to get into heaven. I think the reading gives hope. Jesus tells us that we must recognize all the things that keep us from entering the kingdom. If we recognize these things, we are enabled to avoid these things. If we avoid these things, then the path to heaven is much easier. This is why it is important to examine your conscience every night. It is important to reflect upon the day to realize not only the actions you committed, but also the things that you committed in your heart. You must ask the tough questions like who did I cause to sin. You must not justify the sins you committed, but recognize them as the evil they actually are.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, help me to make my eyes and hands worthy of you.

Give the strength and wisdom to recognize the sins of my heart.

Make me aware of the times that I lead others to sin.

I want to bask in your so I can live a life which leads to the narrow gate of heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:20-26

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; 26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.

Today’s Gospel reading opens the depth of the commandments. The scribes and Pharisees had distorted the true meaning of the Mosaic Law. Jesus tells us that the Commandments go much deeper. The early Jews went to great length to expand the Ten Commandments to the point that they became a set of rituals and they believed that if you followed those rituals, you were guaranteed salvation. But Jesus says we have to do much more then follow the letter of the law, we must know and obey the spirit of the law. “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” The commandment “Thou shall not kill” goes much deeper than just killing someone. It really says, thou shall not hate. Before one kills, one must hate. Therefore, the sin begins as hate and grows within us. Hatred is the real sin. Our hearts are the source of our sins, not our outward actions. Jesus asks them a simple question – “How can you come to the altar with hatred in heart? How can you make an offering when in your heart you do not love?” When we offer gifts to God, we offer them out of love. To truly love God, we must free our hearts of the hatred that poisons us. We must get rid of the anger, the insults and the rage that is within us. We must come to the altar with a clear heart. To release the anger within us, we must be willing to forgive and forget the actions which created the feelings. We must be willing to forgive our neighbors. If your heart is filled with anger, rage and hatred, ask the Holy Spirit to replace this hatred with love. If you want to see the kingdom of heaven, then you must learn to reach out in forgiveness. The kingdom of heaven is in your hands. Do you extend that hand in friendship and love or hatred and anger?

A Simple Prayer

Lord, I have anger in my heart; anger which has grown into hatred.

Help me release this anger and fill my heart with love and compassion.

It is through your example that I will learn to love my neighbor.

Give me the wisdom to see you will and not mine.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:7-13

And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. 9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, salute it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

We are called to preach for "the kingdom of heaven is at hand". So what is the kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of heaven is the reign of God on earth through us. Each and every one of us is a creator of the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heavne is every man and woman who has committed their life to Christ. Every day we pray, every day we give without repayment and every day we fast for our Lord Jesus Christ, we help reveal a little more of the kingdom of heaven on earth. In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us that "You received without cost, give without cost." God has given us so much. He gave us the bounty we receive each day. He gives us nourishment for our minds and our souls. He gave us His son who died for our sins. Now we are called to give back without any expectation of return. We are called to live and preach the gospel every day without any expectation of reward. In fact, we might even be ridiculed for preaching the word. The gospel may bring sorrow, but in the end you will experience the joy of eternal life with God. Our first call is to serve God in heaven. If we expect material gain for our efforts, how can we bond with God? We have been chosen to bear witness to the Gospels. Live them daily.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, God of heaven on Earth,

Nourish me and give me strength to preach your Gospel.

Let me want not for your glory is all I seek.

Let me be a living testament to your Word.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

What does it mean to lose your saltiness? Salt was a very important seasoning during these times. Salt prevented food from going bad and spoiling. It kept your food pure. The salt would penetrate the meat and prevent bad things from growing on it. So if we lose our saltiness, what will keep us pure? What will penetrate our soul to prevent evil from taking over? We are called not only to be the salt of the earth to help preserve and purify our soul, but the souls of others. We are the most important spice on the rack. Without salt, we would die to the way of the Lord. We must share the Word of God; we must purify and preserve.

Jesus also tells us that "We are the light of the world.” What does it mean to be “the light” of the world? Similar to the salt, lamps were the only source of illumination in darkness. Without the lamp, our house would be dark and we could not see the way. We do not light the lamp and hide it, but we let the light shine through so all can see. Jesus calls us to “Let our light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” With our light shining bright, we can lead God’s people through the darkness of evil and sin. If we are given the light, then we must give others light so they do not stumble on their journey to heaven.

Salt must not lose its power to purify and the lamp must not lose its light. We are each called to purify and guide; to provide a clear example of a life with Christ. Our faith provides the fuel for lamp and our commitment to God provides the saltiness. If we do not illuminate others by our actions and our examples, we are not doing the work of God on earth.

A Simple Prayer

Oh mighty Jesus, You gave me salt and you gave me light.

I do not want to waste these treasures.

May they be purify and guide all souls to heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven"

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12a

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

Do we not all seek to happy? It is a natural desire placed in all humans. We all want to be happy. Today’s Gospel reading is the beginning of Jesus’ sermon on the mount. He is talking to the masses telling them who will ultimately be the happiest in heaven. If we have to sit down and define what it takes to be happy, I would venture to say that the list that Jesus described in his sermon would not be at the top of our list. Poor, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst would not be words used to describe the good life. But yet Christ tells us that these people will ultimately experience the greatest joy in heaven because they have humbled themselves on earth. Christ is telling us that these people are absent greed and envy and fill their lives with simple things that truly express God’s joy in their lives. Their lives are open to God’s glory. Jesus calls for us all to be merciful, pure in heart and to be a peacemaker. We are called to forgive those who have trespassed against us. We are called to forgive those who want to hurt us. We must strive to make peace with our fellow man. Many of us will be persecuted for our beliefs and our actions. Our friends and peers will make fun of us for the decisions we make. But Jesus tells that kingdom of heaven is for those who make the ultimate sacrifice to live truly by the Word of God. The beatitudes reassure us that those who sacrifice the most on earth will ultimately be that happiest in heaven. Do you hunger and thirst for the spirit of God? Blessed are you who do.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, Teach me to be humble.

Lead me down the path of righteousness.

Lead me to everlasting peace and happiness.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength"

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-34

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; 33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question.

In today’s story, we hear about a man who eagerly seeks the truth. He listens to the words of Christ and hears in them the revelation of God. He seeks to learn and know God more fully. In seeking the truth, Jesus tells him that he is approaching the kingdom of God. What does the man seek? He is seeking God and God is love. According to Jesus, love is the most important commandment. We must love God and we must love our neighbor. To love God is to love ones neighbor. This scribe now knows the path to the kingdom of God. He knows that he must love as God loves us. This love goes beyond simple infatuation or causal flirting. It is a total commitment of self to others. This is a love that requires me to set aside my own wants for the betterment of others. The more we know and understand God, the more we experience God’s true love. “God so loved the world that he gave his only son” (John 3:16). Jesus reduced the whole of the Bible into these two simple commandments – love God and love neighbor. God wants us to love as he loves. God knew us and loved us before we were conceived in the womb. God is love and everything God gives us is out of his love for us. Our only response to his unlimited generosity and grace can be our love for him. We demonstrate our love for him through our love for our neighbor. If one does not truly love their neighbor then one does not truly love God. If we look at the last nine of the ten commandments, we see how Christ has summed these up into one commandment. To violate any one of the commandments is to allow hatred to enter ones heart. Love is a natural gift given to us by God, but man must learn to hate. Hatred is not a natural gift but something we inherited from our ancestors. Unfortunately, hatred is like learning to ride a bike, it is something we never forget. We must defeat hatred by allowing God’s love to grow within us. It is our faith and hope in promises made by God that allows our love for him and our neighbor grow. Today, make the extra effort to find only God’s beauty and love in our neighbors.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God of heaven and Earth, you command me to love you and neighbor.

Strengthen my hope and faith so I might know your love more deeply and fully.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"He is not God of the dead, but of the living."

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:18-27

18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 19 "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no children; 21 and the second took her, and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 and the seven left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife." 24 Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."

The Sadducees came to Christ to try to trick him. They did not believe in heaven or hell or the concept of life after death. Jesus identifies the source of the problem; the Sadducees want to limit the power of God. They restrict the almighty power of God. Because they cannot reason the idea of the life after death nor the concept of the resurrection, this must not be possible. The sacred mysteries of God are beyond human reason. Jesus identifies our God as a living God for a living people. The promise of life after death is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit and in the sacred scriptures. Our faith is constantly challenged. A person can have difficulty with the revealed truth of faith for these truths are above our ability to reason. These are the great mysteries that are presented to us through the sacred word of God. The Holy Trinity, life after death, the Eucharist are all great mysteries beyond our comprehension. We need to approach these items with the humility that true faith demands. God has revealed everything to us; we just do not fully comprehend what he has revealed. On earth, we can only begin to taste the fruits of heaven and eternal life. We must have both faith and hope in life everlasting. Christ came to reveal the resurrection. Her came to show us the glory of life after death and fulfillment of God promise to man. Through this revelation, we must believe in life after death; a life in which we are all joined as one body with our Father in heaven. We will no longer be tied to the bonds of earthly marriage, but united in heavenly marriage with bridegroom.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ strengthen my faith and give me hope in life everlasting.

Give me the strength to believe in the sacred mysteries.

Give me wisdom to understand the Sacred Scriptures.

Allow me to accept the Word of God without doubt.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Give to God what belongs to God"

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:13-17

13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to entrap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a coin, and let me look at it." 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." 17 Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at him.

In the time of Christ, the rulers would stamp their image on the coins signifying their control. Caesar’s image was on the coin; therefore, the coin belonged to Caesar. But who’s image is stamped on your heart. God has stamped his image in us when we were conceived. We are created in his image; therefore, we belong to God. Our life is the greatest gift which God has given us and it is the most valuable thing we can give back to God. To give our life to God is to repay to God what rightfully belongs to him. But when we give our life to material wants and desires, we deny God and separate ourselves from his bounty. When someone sees you, can they recognize the face of God within you? Whose face do you portray? When we give back to God what is his; we give faith, hope and love to others. By giving to others, you are giving what belongs to God back to him. You can never adequately pay God what you owe him, but you can total give him yourself.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, your image is pressed in my soul and my heart.

May I honor your image and may it grow in value.

Give me the strength to do your will to others.

Give me the strength to share my faith, hope and love of Christ.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon