“When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near.”

Gospel Reading Luke 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Where are you in your spiritual life? Today’s gospel reading talks about the coming of the Kingdom of God. The summer time of our life is a time of warmth and a time of growth. A time to renew our commitments and time to clean out our gardens and pull the weeds which rob us of our nutrients. It is a time to fertilize and water. It is time of preparation. When you examine your spiritual life, are the blossoms of Spring bursting open? Are you ready to accept the new life which awaits. The fruits of your labor are getting ready to come forth. Is it a bumper crop or has poor preparation led to a weak crop? We must reflect daily on the fruits of our life. We are getting ready to enter into the Advent Season. The flowers are blossoming and in about 27 days the new fruit of the vine will come forth. Take this time to prepare yourself. Commit to serious daily prayer and reflect on the fruits which are about to come forth because the Kingdom of God is near. If we do not produce good fruit now, we will die in the winter of our life.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, you have planted the seed of hope and love in my heart.

Help me fertilize and water the seed so it will produce much fruit.

May this fruit bring about the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“It will lead to your giving testimony.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“It will lead to your giving testimony.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Today’s Gospel reading is a continuation of the reading from yesterday. The Gospel tells us what will happen if we stand up for our faith. Jesus tells us, “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Is this not still true today? Are people not still persecuted for their belief in God and for following Christ? Have you ever heard someone called a “Jesus Freak.” Just try inserting Jesus into a conversation and see if it does not yield a silent pause for the other participants. Have you ever been accused of being too religious? Many of us withdraw and subdue our religious beliefs and convictions so we do not get labeled or ridiculed. Jesus says not to worry “for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” In other words, Jesus is telling us to stand tall for our beliefs because he will being standing right there with us to protect us. Jesus is calling us to be martyrs for our faith. What’s interesting is that Jesus says that you will be delivered to the synagogues and the prisons. Therefore, you will be persecuted not only by society in general, but also by people who go to church with you. He says, “You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.” This passage gives testimony to the depth of faith Christ is calling us to have. We must be willing to put it all on the line for him. We must be willing to carry big signs that say, “I am a Christian and I believe in God.” You should not hide your faith but display it for all to see. You should scream Christ when you walk down the street. And most importantly, you should have confidence in your beliefs. We are called to be living witnesses for the good news and joy presented in the Gospels. Do not be afraid of your faith. It’s ok to be a Jesus Freak. It’s cool to be a disciple of Christ.

Yours in Christ

Lord Father in heaven, I am your soldier;

Defender of the faith, martyr for the gospels.

Give me strength to bear witness to the Good News

Give me strength to withstand those who will judge me

For your name’s sake, for I am your loyal servant.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.”

Gospel Reading Luke 21:5-11 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the Jews admiring their great temple in Jerusalem. In response to their joy, Jesus begins a long eschatological discourse on the end of the world. Today’s gospel deals with the destruction of the beautiful temple in Jerusalem. Jesus tells his disciples, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” He tells them this not to scare them, but to prepare them for the events that are coming. He tells them to not be led astray that there are many out there who will try to deceive you. This same message is still as true today as it was at the time of Christ. The church is constantly under attack by society. Every time you turn around you hear another attempt to remove Christianity out of society. We can no longer have the Bible in public places; pornography is running rampant on the internet and abortion is an after-thought. Jesus told his disciples to take heed and not to be led astray. That same warning is given today. We must be careful not to follow the false prophets which are leading us to a moral decline in our society. The Jews came under attack by the Romans and the temple was destroyed. However, the faith the Jews persisted and the church surveyed. We are under attack by a society so focused on money and wealth that our temple will also be destroyed because of the weakening of the foundation. The destruction of foundation is evident in our economy and the dependency we place on these material goods.

Jesus told the Jews not to seek signs but rather to seek God's kingdom. We too must seek the kingdom of God for it is through the narrow door which leads to the kingdom that we shall all find salvation. Today’s message may appear apocalyptic, but it is actually a message of hope; a hope that is founded in the glory of the kingdom of God. Where is it that you place your hope? The things we long for are our temples. Do we long for material riches or do we long for a relationship with Christ. It is not easy to chose Christ, but the joy and the rewards are unlimited. The sadness that plagues a material desire is only compounded by the desire for more. If we turn this material desire into a spiritual desire and longing for Christ, our longing will be turned into riches that are not measurable. As we approach Thanksgiving we are called to reflect on the things we have in our lives. We should not forget to give thanks for the spiritual riches which God has given us.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you have unlimited grace and mercy.

I desire to be a faithful servant, everything I have belongs to you.

Use these possessions to help increase my spiritual wealth.

Help me to overcome my fears so that I may find the kingdom of heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael F. Marcon

“She, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“She, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:1-4 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 21:1-4), we hear the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus is sitting with his disciples when “He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; and he saw a poor widow put in two small coins.” This act was so significant that he said to his disciple, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.” So what is Jesus really telling his disciples? Today’s message is about sacrifice. Being willing to give not out of our excess but out of what we need. He is not complaining about the offerings of the rich, but celebrating the fact that a poor woman gave everything that she had. This shows a true love and trust for God. The rich offerings were from the excess of their lives, but this woman sacrificed everything of value that she had. The poor woman gave two coins, the only coins she had. She could have given just one coin, but she gave both coins leaving her nothing. Some might say that this was foolish and reckless of the woman and I would agree. Christ calls us to be reckless with our love for him. He call us to give everything we have to him. What we have to offer the Lord may look pitiful and insignificant and not of much value, but if it truly comes from the heart, if it is truly a sacrifice then that gift will be graciously accepted by the Lord.

This Sunday, we begin the season of advent where we are in preparation for the coming of the Lord. What gifts and sacrifices are you offering to prepare the way for the Lord? We often do not think of this season as a time sacrifice, but a time of celebration. However, the Christmas season has become more about material glory and wealth and less about giving to others. Christmas has become so commercialized that we forget that this is the time of year when Christ was born. We should prepare the way for the Lord. We should make straight the path which leads to his Manger. It is time for us to give not only from our excess, but from the whole of our existence. We must be willing to give everything back to God, for it all belongs to Him anyway.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, your love for me knows no bounds.

I know that all that I have is a gift from you.

I pray that I have the strength to give it all back to you.

I pray that I have the strength to give my life, my gifts and my talents back to you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“My house shall be a house of prayer.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“My house shall be a house of prayer.”

Gospel Reading Luke 19:45-48 Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

In today’s gospel (Luke 19:45-48), we see that Jesus drives the merchants and traders out of his Father’s temple telling that they have made his house “a den for thieves.” All of us are called to be temples of God. When we partake of the Eucharist we become a tabernacle for Christ and carry him with us. This gospel reading is challenging us to examine “What’s in your temple?” The true heart of the gospel readings asks the question, “What do you store up in your heart?” Are you more concerned about the material things in the world, the clothes that you wear or the car that you drive? Or, are you more concerned with what Jesus sees inside your heart, the charitable acts that you commit and the prayer time you give him. Jesus ran the merchants out of his temple and so must we drive the material desires and sinfulness out of ours. We are about to enter into the new liturgical season of Advent. The season is the preparation for the birth of our Lord. Unfortunately, this season has become less about the preparation and more about material commercialism. Christ wants us to stop and reflect upon our inner desires to make sure they are pure. He wants to lead us into a life of reflection and reconciliation where we see the error in our ways and focus our eyes on his truth and justice. There are those who would like to destroy God in your life, but do not let them in. It is time to run them out of the temple and return it to a true house of worship.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, yours is the Temple of Truth and Justice.

Help me empty the temple of those who would rob my feeling for you.

Purify my actions so that they are pleasing to you.

Cleanse my thoughts so that they are not that of the materialist.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

Gospel Reading Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

What things in your life bring turmoil or keep you from a relationship with God. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is weeping because of the pending actions of the people of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was supposed to be the center of the Jewish kingdom; the most holy city in the world. Yet the people from this city were about to crucify him. Jesus is upset because the citizens of Jerusalem are about to reject the Son of God and in turn reject God himself. Jesus came to establish the kingdom of heaven on earth, to establish joy and righteousness. He came to bring us peace, hope and the joy of knowing of God personally. He came to concur evil and defeat Satan. Jesus went to Jerusalem to be crucified not only for the sins of its inhabitants but for the sins of all the world for all of time. Being sorrowful for our sins is what leads to true reconciliation for the trespasses we cause against others. Jesus’ wept over our sins and our unfaithfulness. Our weeping leads to true peace and reconciliation not only with God but with our neighbor as well. This weeping brings about the peace which makes for lasting friendship, joy, and unity. Therefore, our sorrowfulness for our sins is a demonstration of true penance.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, you weep for my sins and my unfaithfulness.

May I learn to be remorseful for my sins to bring joy and happiness to you and your church.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“Well done, good servant! You have been faithful.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Well done, good servant! You have been faithful.”

Gospel Reading Luke 19:11-28 While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’” After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of the gold coins. This parable talks about our loyalty and commitment to God. In this first part of the parable we see that the nobleman, God, trusts his servants because he gives the servants with his wealth. The servants are to trade and barter with the riches until the nobleman returns. God has entrusted us with all his graces. In our baptism, we are filled abundantly with the grace of the Holy Spirit to live a life in the church; in our Confirmation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit to live out our faith for others; and in receiving the Eucharist, we are nourished with the body and blood of Christ to strength our ability to grow our faith. Each of us has been given a bounty of grace from which to barter and trade. These blessing which God bestows upon us are our test. When the nobleman returned he called forth his servants to see what they did with the money. The first came forward and said, “Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.” And the nobleman replied, “Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.” The second servant came forward and said, “Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.” And he said to his servant, “You, take charge of five cities.” Then the third servant came forward saying, “Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.” To which the nobleman replied, “With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.”

Through our baptism, we are all servants of God. We are all commanded to go forth and multiple and take charge of the earth to make it fruitful and bountiful. God gives us the graces we need to do His will. The kingdom of God is present among us. God has entrusted us many talents and gifts to help foster the kingdom of God here and now. If we use these gifts to help prosper the kingdom, God will repay us with a bounty beyond our comprehension. The size of our reward is based on the size of our heart. The more we do, the more we give to others, the more God entrusts upon us. Everyone who gives of his talents is repaid. But if we hoard our talents and gifts and keep them hidden in a napkin, we will be punished and lose everything we have been given. To waste the gifts which God has given us is the same as telling God that you do not love him or that we do not want him in our lives. Jesus said, “With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant.” Because of our free will, God does not force us to do anything. It is through your own desire and actions that you will become separated from God. If you do not use his gifts, you are saying I do not want to be in communion with you for eternity. By your own desire, you shall be punished for eternity.

Our reward lies in the kingdom of God. We all hope to spend eternity in the kingdom with God. Eternity starts today. Do not wait until tomorrow because it may be too late. What gifts and talents has God given you? Are you using this gifts and talents to further the kingdom of God or do you squander the gifts and keep them hidden from others? At this time of Thanksgiving, we should focus thanking God for giving us gifts to share with others.

A Simple

Oh dear Father in Heaven,

You grace me with so many gifts and talents.

Give me the strength and wisdom to use these gifts wisely

So they will bring about the kingdom of God to others.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“He came down quickly and received him with joy.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“He came down quickly and received him with joy.”

Gospel Reading Luke 19:1-10 At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

In today’s gospel reading (Luke 19:1-10), Jesus meets Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho. In the time of Jesus, being a tax collector was like being a member of the mob. Zacchaeus was a small man probably rather pompous and full of himself. He was too short to see over the crowd. His determination gave him the commitment to overcome his weakness. He was determined to see who Jesus was so he climbed up into a sycamore tree. Jesus saw him in the tree and asked to come down from the tree. Now Zacchaeus was the lowliest of lowliest and yet Christ called him. Not only did Jesus call Zacchaeus, he wanted to enter Zacchaeus’ house. Already, the gospel reading has so many lessons. Zacchaeus has to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah, Zacchaeus has to have faith, and most importantly Zacchaeus has to be humble. Zacchaeus was not just a tax collector but the chief tax collector. Therefore, he had to go amongst a crowd of people who had deep hatred for him. He had to humble himself before those who hated him. To see Christ, he had to elevate himself above the crowd. He had to elevate himself above the smallness of his sins. This was a demonstration of his faith and trust in God. What is Zacchaeus’ reward? Christ says to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” If we desire salvation, we must elevate ourselves above the crowd, we must humble ourselves and we must have faith. Zacchaeus hears the word of God and “He came down quickly and received him with joy.” There was no hesitation by Zacchaeus. The grace of God had been given to Zacchaeus through the mercy of forgiveness.

He heard the call and answered it with faith; a faith that included reconciliation. Zacchaeus agreed to pay back fourfold anything he obtained unjustly and he gave half his wealth to the poor. Zacchaeus’ repentance was not because he was rich, but because he did not share the gifts that were given to him. This same scenario is played out every day when Christ calls our name and we answer. Today’s gospel reading call us to do more than answer, we must repent. We need to be willing to restore what we have done wrong and we need to be willing to share the gifts that God has given to us. We must rise above the crowds and seek Christ in our life.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, I raise myself up to see you. Call my name and I will come.

I welcome you into my home; fill it with grace and mercy so that I can share with others.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Gospel Reading Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is on his way to Jericho when he is confronted by a blind man. The blind man, hearing the good news, cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Because of his faithful desire to “see” the Messiah, Jesus restores his site. This story has several key messages. The first is that the blind man proclaims Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David. Without physically seeing Jesus, he knows spiritually that Jesus is the Christ sent for their salvation. Secondly, the blind man is persistent in his cries for help. He does not let things get in the way of his desire to see and personally know Christ. He ignores the crowd and continues his pleas. The third message is the healing. Jesus tells the blind man, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” So why did the blind man receive his sight? Not because of his cries, but because he was persistent in his faith. The blind man asked Jesus to have mercy on him. This act of faith touched Jesus. The blind man prayed with conviction, with urgency and with persistence. He did not give up after the first cry for help. He did not succumb to the pressures of the world. While the crowd to divert his faith, he remained steadfast in his journey to Christ. We too must pray persistently, but most importantly, we must pray with conviction and with urgency. We must ask Christ to have mercy on us and to give us our sight. If we are blind to the will God, then we too should cry out, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” God will reward your plea because of your faith. We must fight off the pressures of the world to be quite and to forget Christ. We must be bigger than the crowds, for Christ desires all of us to be part y of his flock.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, let me receive my sight.

Let me see your mercy and grace.

Let me see your wonder and awe.

May I never overlook the love which you pour out for me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man"

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Gospel Reading Luke 17:26-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear prophecy about the final judgment. Christ uses examples from the Old Testament to let his disciples know that their divine judgment will come without warning. But when it comes, they will know it without a doubt. Every man, woman and child will find themselves before the judgment of our Father in Heaven. Therefore, we must be ready here and now for that final judgment. We must scrutinize our own souls so that when we are judged we will not be the one left behind. Today’s message, while a warning of the pending judgment, is about reconciliation with God. Christ gave us the sacrament of Penance so that we could right ourselves with God. The power of the sacrament of penance is to restore us to fullness of God’s grace. Penance is considered a second baptism because it renews us to our Baptismal purity. Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” Jesus is telling us that we must let go of our earthly treasures and those things that bind us to earth if we wish to experience the ultimate joy of eternal life. Jesus is telling us that we should have our eyes focused on one thing and one thing only – eternal salvation in heaven. The gate to eternal life is narrow and we can easily miss it. To help focus us on the final goal requires us to examine our conscience regularly and cleanse ourselves of the sins which bar the gate to heaven. By examining our conscience daily, we will begin to identify not only the “big” sins, but the little sins that buildup and block the path. Daily examination of conscience helps to cleanse the soul of these little burdens making it easier for us to find the righteous path. When we go to bed in the evening, we should spend time reflecting on the day. We should identify those things that separated us from God that day and reflect on those items so that you can avoid them tomorrow. We should then reflect on the good things that happened that day. Being cognizant of the things that bring us closer to Christ will help us maintain the trail heaven. And lastly, we should reflect on those items which other have done to us. Not only must we ask for forgiveness for our sins, but we must forgive those who have sinned against us. In the morning, we should thank God and ask him to give us wisdom and guidance so that we will not fall from the path of righteousness. Ask God to guide you away from the sins that you committed yesterday.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner.

Help me to avoid sin so I can join you in Heaven

Help me recognize my sins so I can avoid them.

Give me the strength I need to walk in your steps.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

Gospel Reading Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Then he said to his disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees wanting to know “when the kingdom of God would come.” The Jews at the time of Christ were busy in anticipation of some great sign that would signify the coming of the Messiah. This anticipation for “the coming” sounds much like some of the Evangelical Ministers we see on TV today. So many of them preach that the end times are near or that we are in the time of the rapture. Jesus replied, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, … For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” In other words, Jesus is telling the Jews to stop looking for signs because the kingdom of God is already here.

After responding to the Pharisees, he turns to his apostles and provides a prophecy about the next coming of the Son of Man, “For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.” Jesus is telling us to stop worrying about the next coming of the Son of God, you will have no problem recognizing it. Everyone, good or evil, will know when the Son of God has arrived. There will be no question that he has arrived. It will be like one of those unexpected thunderstorms that builds with great expectations and finally unleashes its announcement by the trumpets of thunders and lighting dancing in the ski. At this time, all the world will be judged.

Everyone who dies before the end of the world will find themselves before the Son of God. You will be judged immediately. Therefore, Jesus’ message is also one of individual preparation. Not only must we be worried about the salvation of the church, but we must be worried about our own salvation. Are you ready for your judgment? If you died today, what would Jesus think about your heart? Would it be pure or would it remain corrupt with hatefulness and concupiscence. When you examine your conscience at night, do you honestly judge your sins or are you focused on what others did to you. Pray for clarity in your examination so you can truly be sorrowful for your sins. “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” are you helping to reveal the kingdom?

A Simple Prayer

Lord, have mercy on my soul.

You are my judge and my jury.

I bow down before you sorrowful for my transgressions.

Purify my heart so I can see the kingdom of God today.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

Gospel Reading Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

In today’s gospel, Jesus is teaching us about reverence and respect. How many times have we asked God for help? How many times were we in a real pickle and needed his help? How many times have we promised to do something if He would just help us out of this jam? And how many times have we got down on our knees and prostrated ourselves to thank the Lord for everything he has done for us? The gospel starts out with Jesus traveling between Samaria and Galilee when he came upon a group of lepers. There was one Samaritan and nine Jews. There was no love lost between these two groups. In fact, if it weren’t for the infliction of leprosy, these two groups would not even be together.

The ten lepers cried out to Jesus, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” They did not ask to be cured but for Jesus to have mercy on them. To have mercy means to have pity on them. Jesus, feeling their pain and suffering, told them “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” The Mosaic Law called for Lepers to be separated from everyone else and not to leave their groups. Being obedient to Christ, they get up and go to the priests. As they went to the priests, they were cured. Their faith in God was expressed in their obedience to Jesus. While all ten were probably extremely elated that they were cured, only one, the Samaritan, was grateful. “And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” This gratitude was a sign of the true love for the grace that was bestowed upon him. One would have expected this from the Jews but not the Samaritan. This is the ultimate sign of reverence to God to prostrate oneself in thanksgiving for his mercy and kindness. Jesus says, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

We must always remember to be grateful for the gifts which have been given to us. If we do not thank God for his mercy, we become ungrateful. Ungratefulness becomes a sign of expectation meaning that we expect God to do what we ask. We expect him to obey our commands and do our bidding. Ungratefulness leads us to be uncharitable with our own gifts and treasures. We become selfish and become unable to express true mercy and kindness for our fellow man. This is in direct opposition to the will of God. Do you show gratitude and mercy towards your neighbor or do you become complacent and expect things?

A Simple Prayer

Lord, I want to thank you for all you have given me.

I want to thank you for your mercy which you give me unconditionally

I want to thank you for your compassion and kindness

I am afflicted and you make me clean

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.”

Gospel Reading Luke 17:7-10 Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus’ message is all about commitment. How many times have you heard someone say it is about giving 110 percent. Today’s message is about 110%; about doing more than what we think is expected. Jesus provides an image which we are to follow. When we are done plowing the fields, should we expect to sit at the table of God. No. We must be willing to give everything we have to God because he has given everything to us. It’s when we think that God owes us something or that we expect something in return for our labors that we fall short. There is nothing we should expect in return for our labors. If we are done plowing the field, then we should prepare a meal for him. We can never repay God for what He has given us. Man can never satisfy his debt no matter what service he provides. Therefore, we should provide service to our Lord with only the satisfaction that we can provide service to him. This is selfless and unconditional love to God. God honors the servant who is faithful and generous. We are called to be generous to our fellow man. Our generosity is God working through us for others.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, fill my hear t and soul with the desire to serve you.

Fill me with gratitude and generosity.

Make me a servant of your love and compassion.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.”

Gospel Reading Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a two-fold message followed by words of hope. The first message is dealing with leading others astray and the second message is regarding forgiveness. We all know that sinning is wrong and that “things that cause sin will inevitably occur,” but Jesus tells us that causing others to sin is even worse. This raises our sin to the level of scandal. If we cause others to sin we destroy God’s desire not only for our redemption, but for their redemption as well. If we block their way by leading them to sin, we steer them away from the resurrection and into eternal death. Jesus tells us that “It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” If we cause others to sin we are causing them to drown and then our punishment would be likewise.

As we are ordered not to lead others to sin, we are also ordered to forgive those who sin against us. If we see someone sinning, Jesus tells us not to follow their example. But if they ask for forgiveness, we are to forgive them. He tells us, “if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him;” not just one time but every time he asks you. Even if it is for the same sin several times in one day. If causing others to sin is such a great sin, then leading others to forgiveness is extremely pleasing to God. It is by our example that God rewards us. How can we ask forgiveness if we cannot forgive though who have sinned against us. So how is it possible to live both these demands from God? Hearing this message, the apostles ask Jesus, “Increase our faith!” And Jesus replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Everything is possible for those who have faith. We can perform miracles if we have faith.

There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each gift produces a different and very special grace. The gifts of understanding and knowledge lead to the virtue of faith. Therefore, by asking God to increase our faith, we are asking God to increase our awareness of the gifts of understanding and knowledge. These gifts which are placed in our soul increase our understanding and knowledge of the truth. Understanding prevents us from becoming apprehensive to the truth while knowledge allows us to be practical in the judgment about truth. These two gifts allow us to clearly see God’s truth as it has been set out before us. If we see God’s truth, then how can we lead others to sin and how can we not forgive those who trespass against us? If we see the truth and the light and yet lead others away, how condemned is our soul for we know what we are do is wrong.

A Simple Prayer

God, you have graced me with many gifts including the gifts of the Holy Spirit,

Increase my awareness of each of these gifts, but especially understanding and knowledge

So that I, by my example will lead all souls to heaven and not direct them away from redemption.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

Gospel Reading Luke 16:1-8 Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

God has blessed each of us with so many gifts and treasures. Today’s gospel reading asks us a very simple question, “How do we make use of these treasures?” The steward, who was put in charge of the estate of a rich man abused his position and likely stole from the tenants for his own glory. God entrusts us with our gifts and treasures, but we must not abuse these gifts. The steward was relieved of his duties as steward because he abused his treasures. Once he realizes the consequences of his ways, the steward returns what he stole from the tenants. We too are called to examine our life and to discern how we are using or abusing the treasures which God has bestowed upon us. Do you hoard these treasures or do you share them. Do you abuse our spiritual values and gifts? At some time in the future, we will all come before our Lord and King and be judged. Will He be happy with what you have done with his gifts? We do not want to be relieved of our position as steward because eternity is a long time to spend thinking about what we did wrong. God gave you these treasures and gifts so you could help others. You must give to others what God has given to you. You must be willing to sacrifice for the good of others. As the dishonest steward realized his errors and gave back to the tenants, we too are commanded to give back. When we give we help build the Kingdom of Heaven. Every time we share our treasures with others, we bring forth another piece of the Kingdom of God.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Christ, help me to realize my treasures and my gifts.

Give me the strength and courage to use these gifts for the glory of God.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.”

Gospel Reading Luke 15:1-10 The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. “Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us the story of the lost sheep. The parable starts out, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’” The Pharisee and the scribes were not happy with him fraternizing with “sinners.” But Jesus’ acceptance of these open sinners shows the deepness of his love and the ultimate purpose of mission on earth. He didn’t come to save the righteous, but to save the lowly. Christ reached out to those who needed him most. His mission was to bring these sinners back into His fold. Many of these people thought they we not worthy, but Christ’s message was one of forgiveness and acceptance. Christ wants all of us. It does not matter how serious the sin, Christ will always accept you back into his fold. He tells them that if a shepherd with 100 sheep looses one, would he not leave the other 99 to get the one which is lost. When you lose something and have to search frantically, do you not rejoice when you finally find it. That’s how God feels when we finally realize that our sins are wrong and we come to God for forgiveness and salvation. Gods tell his angels, “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.” Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” We are all sinners, but we are not all good repenters. As sinners, we are drawn to Christ because of his mercy and kindness. When we repent, Christ wraps his arms around us to give us that consoling warmth of his forgiving love. Christ wants all his sheep in heaven. There is not one sheep He will not fight for. He does not want us out wandering lost in the wilderness. Seek Christ and his forgiveness. Seek the Eucharist for it is the bread of life and our salvation. Seek reconciliation for it is truly a celebration with God. No matter what you have done, no matter what sin you have committed, Christ will be there to receive you with open arms and he will celebrate your return with joyous music.

A Simple Prayer

Christ, you are the light of my salvation.

You lead me to the truth and the way.

Forgive me of my transgressions which are many

Because I want to be in the protection of your arms.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells his followers that they must surrender everything to be his disciple. The gospel reading actually says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Hate seems like a very strong word. To hate our mother and father seems to be a violation of one of the Ten Commandments. But in this gospel reading the word hate means to “prefer less.” So why would Jesus use such strong language? Why couldn’t he just say you need to love God more? Jesus used this approach to signify that nothing, absolutely nothing should be held higher and with more importance than God. Everything we have belongs to God and was given to us by God. Jesus’ Father gave him a task to save us from our sins. Jesus knew that this would eventually cost him his life and he was willing to make this ultimate sacrifice for us. We too are called to sacrifice our lives for Christ. We must be willing to give all for our Lord. Jesus says, “In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is telling his disciples that the kingdom of Heaven is theirs if they are willing to make the sacrifice, all you have to do is give up everything. You must be willing to give everything to God. So what do we get in return for this sacrifice? We get eternal communion with God in the next world. We receive eternal joy and happiness that completely overwhelms the body and soul. Joy to a level that you cannot even imagine. Is that not worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Every time we hold something back; every time we compromise our morals; every time we justify our sins, we are limiting the resources we need to make it to the narrow gate to the Kingdom of Heaven. Daily sacrifice and prayer are needed to keep us focused on our journey. We should inventory our hearts every day to make sure we have what it takes to make the journey. If we are short, now is the time to ask God for the strength and courage we need to make the journey. We should reflect back on our daily lives to see if we have given everything back to Christ. What is it that we cannot let go? Once we know the road blocks, we can learn to avoid them. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can make it through the shadows of the valley of death.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, I have many riches which you have given me,

Give me the strength and the will to give these riches back for your glory.

It is through you that I will see the kingdom of heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

“Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”

Gospel Reading Luke 14:15-24 One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of the invited guests. In this parable, a man is giving a great banquet and invited many. But the guests found excuses not to attend the party. “The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’” When Christ calls us to his banquet, do we find excuses to turn away from his feast? Are there more important things in our lives then the call of God? This great banquet is the celebration of the Eucharist, the celebration of Reconciliation, the celebration of Confirmation. The banquet is all those activities which bring us closer to God. We are all invited to his table to eat the bread of the kingdom of Heaven. We are all called to celebrate with our Lord. How often do we find excuses not to attend his banquet? I’m too busy, I’ve got sports or I’ve got homework. If God invites us to know him, we should sacrifice everything we are doing so that we can accept the call. The reasons we find not to attend are just excuses to avoid this relationship. There is no good excuse to miss the banquet.

Not only are we invited to the table, but Christ tells us to “Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled.” Through our own invitation, we must bring others to the table. God does not want us to force people to come to his table, but for us to convince people that the banquet is the greatest celebration on earth and no one should miss it. We must help our fellow man make the right decision to choose Christ and follow is path. A person is compelled to come to the table through your actions, your prayers and your words. They need to see that you are living a true Christian life.

The three excuses which Jesus presented in the Gospel have great meaning. They represent the three areas of our life that we are most likely to deny the invitation. The first is in our jobs, our school life, or the activities which occupy our time outside our house. The second is the material possession which we own. Do we spend more time finding clothes to wear then we spend with God? Do we miss church because we work? The last excuse calls us to place God before family. This means that we need to invite God into the family and to be a part of our family life. God invites us into the celebration not to punish us but so that we may share in his love and compassion. As a family, we are called to pray together and to celebrate Christ together in all that we do.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, your banquet is plentiful and the table is large.

Help me find strength to find my way to your table.

Help me lead a true life to lead others to your table.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon