Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 17:20-26

 

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you  have me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."

 

“There is something very special about the beatitude of heaven: it makes us resemble God, because God Himself is love. The more we love Him as He loves us, the more we resemble Him; and the more we resemble Him, the more we come to know Him. And, to complete the circle, the more we know Him, the better we love Him, and this is the eternal life that we may know Thee, the only true God, Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent” (Thomas Merton).

 

Today’s Gospel reading (John 17:20-26) is the completion of Jesus prayer to His Father the night before his crucifixion. His prayer ends with a petition to our Father to unite all Christians and have us be one body. This is rather interesting that Jesus was praying this prayer at the hour that Christianity was first born and we Christians today are more separated than ever. Jesus wanted all Christians to be one with the Word, not just his disciples. So why does Jesus want us to form one body? Well it is simple, so we can all experience the love and Grace of our Father in Heaven; so we can all be in union with God together – not separate. Christ tells his disciples that not only does he pray for them, but for all the people who hear the Word of God. Jesus continually prays that we are one holy universal church open for all. Jesus wants all Christians to unite at the Eucharistic table. We are called to the altar to celebrate Christ, yet how many times do we turn away our brother or sister? How many times do we condemn others because they are different or because we feel we are better than they are? Christ says that his church is open to all who believe. As Christ is in the Father and the Father is in Christ, the church is also present in Christ and God. As a member of the church, that makes us a member of the Mystical Body of Christ. As a member, we must accept everyone who joins us at the table. We do not have the right to discriminate against any of God’s children. The unity of Jesus and his Father is a unity of not only love, but obedience. We too must express unconditional love and obedience to God. In doing so, we must express the same love and obedience to our fellow brothers and sisters. When we deny the Eucharistic table to a fellow brother or sister, we deny the love God has poured out for us. Love is an expression and gift given to us at birth. We know love from the very instant we are conceived. We know love because we know God. We must learn to hate. Hate is something that we learn by watching others. What do people learn when they watch you?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Christ, you prayed for the union of all Christians,

Let my prayers and my life help lead all of your lambs to the universal Christian church.

My our love help us resemble God so we can come to know God.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 17:11b-19

 

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth.  Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."

 

Today’s gospel reading is an extension of yesterday’s message. Yesterday we learned that Jesus’ mission on earth was to glorify his Father so that we could be with the Father. Jesus glorified God through his crucifixion and resurrection. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls upon God to protect his disciples. He prays to his Father, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.” Jesus tells his Father that He protected them while He was on earth. But now that Jesus must leave this world, He asks the Father to protect those who have dedicated their lives to Him. Jesus’ sole purpose on this earth was to glorify God his Father and to bring His lambs to the narrow gate.. Jesus prayed for the protection of his disciples so that they could also glorify the Lord and be one with Him. This prayer of protection is extended to us if we believe in the Truth and the Light of World. The Word is the Truth and the Word became Flesh for our salvation. Jesus wants us to be united as one body with God in Heaven and the Holy Spirit. As Jesus is just hours away from being scourged for our sins and hung on the cross, his not only agonizes about his coming fate, but that his followers will be protected and united with Him. He demonstrated a greater concern for our well being then for his own. This expression of love is extended to us through his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Even in our betrayal of Christ, He asks that we be protected. All we have to do is give our heart to the Lord so that we can see the Truth and know the Word. We are asked to give our life to God and to allow Him to use us to do his will. As we do his deeds, we become filled with the Holy Spirit and become united with Christ. Where is God leading you? Take up your cross and follow for he is the salvation which gives eternal life.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, I surrender my heart and soul to your will.

Use me as you see fit. May my life be pleasing to you.

God, give me the strength to be your servant and to do your will.

 

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading:  John 17:1-11A

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.  I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. "I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus lift’s his eyes to heaven and proclaims, " Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you.” What is this glory that Jesus is referring? It is the sacrifice He made for us on the Cross. On the Cross, God shows us how much he loves us. He loves us so much that he is willing to give his only Son to save us from our sins. Jesus honored his Father by sacrificing his life for us. He gives us salvation and eternal life through this most wonderful act of love. Jesus was not held captive to the cross. He was able to defeat the cross through his glory of the resurrection. In the cross, Jesus saves us from our sins and he gives us eternal life, a life everlasting, a life without end. But today’s Gospel is more than Jesus glorifying the Lord, Jesus takes time to pray to his Father that we will all become one with him. He prays for our glory in Heaven. Jesus is about to be crucified on the cross and he prays for us. He prays for those that have committed their lives to the salvation that was given to us on the cross. He prays for those that believe in the Truth and the Way; that they will be united as one with the heavenly Father. This is the testament to our eternal salvation with our Lord in Heaven. When we make that commitment, we actually begin to experience our eternal life with God here on earth. That’s right, we begin to unite ourselves with God while we still live our earthly life.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Most Holy One, You are the Truth, in you there is eternal life.

I love you with all my heart; you are my salvation.

I give myself to you, make me one with you.

Use me to fulfill your needs for I am your servant.

May my deeds glorify you so that I may have eternal life in Heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:16-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and 'Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this 'little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is trying to teach the Apostles about his pending fate.  It is obvious from their response that they do not understand.  Jesus tells them that he will go away for “a little while” and during that the world would rejoice but that the Apostles would grieve.  The apostles are very confused by this message.  Jesus appears to be contradicting himself in this message.  He says that the Apostles will “grieve, but your grief will become joy.”  These also appear to be conflicting emotions.  How can one grieve and experience joy at the same time.  Jesus understands that their present grief will become their future joy once they realize the significance of his sacrifice.  In our own times, it is important to understand that we too will experience sorrow in anticipation of our future hope of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Christ needs to return to the Father, but he will return in the end.  During this period, some will experience sorrow for the sake of the kingdom, but others will revel in the material joy of the here and now.  They will forgo their future joy with our Father in heaven so they can experience the temporal joy of the world. Our suffering can be equated to a mother in labor.  During labor, she experience the sever pains of child birth, but immediately afterwards, she experience the elation and joy of the new life which she brought forth.  In our own suffering, we too bring forth new life.  A new life which includes unending joy and happiness.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Father in Heaven,

Give me the strength I need to withstand the suffering of this world

So I can experience the joy of the kingdom of heaven in the future.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

 

Have you ever heard it said that the truth hurts. In today’s Gospel reading, we are told that the Holy Spirit will guide us “to all truth.” Truth is not something that is created, we cannot make-up the truth. The truth is something that is; the truth is a gift from God. He is the creator of everything and everything he creates is good. Only we humans can turn the Truth of God into something that is bad. We are the ones who create this perception. God is the source of all Truth and we are lead to the Truth through the Holy Spirit. So how can the Truth hurt? The truth frees us from our earthly bonds, from doubts that affect our decision making process and fears that keep us from entering into a closer communion with God. So how can the Truth hurt? The closer we come to God, the closer we come to the real Truth; the realization that He is our Lord God and Savior. Through the Holy Spirit we will experience the salvation of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, the glory of his resurrection and the anticipation of his return. We should not fear the truth. The Holy Spirit is our divine connection and guide to the knowledge and wisdom of God – the Truth. We should surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and he will show us the Truth. While the sacrifice we make to join with God may appear to be painful, the real and Spiritual Truth from God does not hurt and will bring unending joy.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, show me the light of the Holy Spirit.

Allow that light to guide me to You that I may experience the Truth and the Way.

Free me of the obstacles that I create which prevent me from coming to you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“When the Advocate comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation.”

 

Gospel Reading: 16:5-11

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me;  righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."

 

Today’s Gospel reading is an extension of yesterday’s reading. Jesus has just told the Apostles of his pending crucifixion and that he will be leaving them. The Apostles are filled with sorrow at the thought that Jesus would leave them for he has only been with them for a very short time. Jesus tells them that unless he goes away, the Holy Spirit will not come to them. The Holy Spirit is to teach “the world concerning sin and righteousness and condemnation.” The Holy Spirit will reveal and awaken the Apostles and fill them with the joy of the Lord. The Holy Spirit will give the Apostles new strengths and powers to combat evil and sin. Jesus has just unfolded the plan of our salvation letting us know that there is hope for salvation. It is also through the Holy Spirit that we are guided to narrow gate of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will “convict the world” meaning that the Holy Spirit is sent for everyone, not just the Apostles. We are filled with the Holy Spirit during our Baptism and we ask God to strength the power of the Holy Spirit in us during our Confirmation. The Holy Spirit is what sanctifies our body and makes us true children of Christ. We are all called to kindle the flame of the Holy Spirit and make sure that it shines bright within us.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with the joy of the Lord.

Come Holy Spirit, help me conquer sin and death.

Lead me along the path of righteousness so I may enter the gate to the kingdom of Heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:26-16:4a

 

Jesus said to his disciples:  "When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. "I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the Apostles that they must bear witness to him. He tells them that he will send forth the Holy Spirit “who proceeds from the Father” to help them. The Holy Spirit is called forth to protect the Apostles so that they can complete their mission on earth. The Holy Spirit becomes the strength that reinforces their will. He tells them that their mission is not easy and that they will be kicked out of their own churches because they followed Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit that they will develop the faith that they need to defend their beliefs. We too are called to go forth and proclaim the church. The Holy Spirit comes down upon us and gives us the strength that we need to spread the Word of God and the peace of Christ. But today’s Gospel goes even further to say that the word of God should not be forced upon people. Jesus said to the Apostles, “the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” Violence is not service to good. Unfortunately we still have many fanatics in the world today still raising a fist in the name of God. We must be very careful to never raise a fist or condemn as part of our preaching. Our job is not to condemn but to spread the love and joy of Christ.

 

A Simple Pray

 

Come Holy Spirit, give me strength and wisdom to preach the word of God.

Let my actions and my words be worthy of your mission.

May peace and harmony be the result of my efforts.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:12-17

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."

 

In today’s Gospel, we learn the new commandment that God has given us – “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” So what kind of love is Jesus talking about? Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die to save us. God loves us unconditionally with no strings attached. He loves us no matter what we do or how great a sin we commit, He still loves us. He asks of us to love one another unconditionally. To love one another unconditionally, we must be willing to make sacrifices even to the point where it hurts. Jesus proved this unconditional love for us on the cross. We are also asked to commit to the way of the cross.

 

We are called to not only love the people that we know, but also those people we do not know. This type of love would be greater than the love between two best friends or even the love between a husband and wife. We are called to love those people who it is difficult to love. The truest commitment would be to make a sacrifice for someone who it is difficult for us to like. To truly love is to give everything we have to offer to someone else in need. God made this sacrifice with his son for our redemption. That's what Jesus meant when He said, “This I command you, love one another.”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

My Dearest Lord, Oh how I love you.

Give me the strength and courage to love others as you have loved me.

May my love be unconditional and without bounds.

May the Grace of the Holy Spirit flow through me to others so that can be an example of God’s love.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.  "I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.  It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus explains that his love for his people is a reflection of the love expressed in the Holy Trinity. He tells us that only in the true Christian love expressed by us can we find the true source of joy. To experience the fullness of Christian love and joy, we must be willing to make sacrifices for others. Jesus tells us, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” Our love for God is expressed in our love for others. If we are not willing to open our hearts to the needs of others then how can we know the love of God. God’s love for us is unbounded. We can never love God as much as He loves us, but we must try. We can only begin to experience the fullness of his love when we make sacrifices for others; when we have to chose someone else’s needs over our own desires. The greatest sacrifice of all is to give one’s own life for another. God showed us this love when He allowed his only son to die for us on the cross. The way of the cross became the ultimate example of true Christian love. We must incorporate the way of the cross into our own lives. We must not only be willing to burden the weight of the cross, we must also be willing to accept the ridicule that goes along with the cross. To accept the cross is to accept the will of God. “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.” It is not easy to keep the commandments and sometimes we are laughed at or made fun of for choosing to follow Christ.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, teach me to love as you have loved us.

Give me the strength to sacrifice my desires for your will.

May I experience the true joy expressed in love given for others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:1-8

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.  Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that the only way we can bear fruit is to be part of the vine. We must be linked to God to share in his wisdom. He tells us that if we are not producing fruit, we will be removed from the vine and cast into the fire for a branch cannot survive without the vine. The house of God is the vineyard of the Lord. Many people rejected Christ and by rejecting Christ, they separated themselves from the vine. If we are not connected to the vine, we will dry up and die. But Jesus also warns us that if we are connected to the vine and produce no fruit, we are not fulfilling our obligations. It is not enough to just be a member of the church, one must also produce good works. Some people argue that faith and belief in Christ is enough. Christ clearly tells us here that faith is not enough. It is not enough to just be members of the church. If we receive the nourishment from God, we should use that nourishment to feed others. The graces that we have been given should be turned into nourishment for others. The last point that Jesus makes in this passage is that if we are not producing enough fruit, then our vine needs to be pruned to better our yield. We need to get rid of those things in our life which deplete us and prevent us from reaching our maximum output. God will take care of the vine, we just need to produce the fruit.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are the vine and I am the branch.

Prune my branches so I may yield much fruit.

May my fruit be bountiful to those who starve.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael F. Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

 

Gospel Reading: 14: 27-31a

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Christ is saying farewell to his disciples. He tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Christ is about to be crucified and the apostles will be on their own. Up to this point, they always had Jesus with them. The apostles were about to lose their security blanket. Jesus was like that parent with the little child tightly wrapped around his leg for security. They clutched on tightly to Jesus as he was their protection from the evils in the world. But it was time for Him to leave. He knew that the apostles would be scared once he left. This was brand new territory for the apostles. They always had Jesus to support them. It’s easy to stand proud and tall when you got the big guy is in front of you. But now it was going to be up to them. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Maybe it should really say be calm, because I have made the turbulent waters calm. He gives the gift of peace to calm their souls because the sea they are going to sail upon is very rough. He can provide the same calming grace if we just accept the peace which he offers us. This is the peace and joy we experience when we stand tall for our Christian beliefs. How do you feel when you defend your faith. Do you cower back or do you stand tall knowing the peace and joy of Christ is with you?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, may the your peace fill my soul.

May the joy of knowing you revive my life.

Give me the strength to stand tall in my faith.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 14:21-26

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, "Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.  "I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit  whom the Father will send in my name  he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us about the meaning of love. He tells us what it truly means to love someone. Love is an action out of respect for Christ and for God. To love Christ is to keep his commandments. To obey Christ is to love Christ and to love Christ is to love God. During the last supper, Jesus explained the level of true love that is about to be poured out for all of humanity. If we truly love Christ, we will keep his word. When you are disobedient to the teaching of Christ, it means that you do not truly love him and honor him. Many times we try to debate his teachings or to rationalize his commandments. We make up excuses why it’s okay to do something that we know is wrong. This is the same thing as trying to deceive Christ. When we try to deceive someone, we are telling them that we don’t really love them. Christ tells us, “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.” Christ did not come to condemn us, he came to save us from our sins. However, if we decide to ignore his teaching, we will have to face our final judgment in front of his Father. God made us to love. To know God is to know true love. The Holy Spirit allows us to grow in the experience of God and his unlimited love. There is nothing more fulfilling then the love poured out by God for us through Christ.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Most heavenly Father,

Send down your Holy Spirit to inflame my heart and soul.

Make me a servant of your love through my words and my actions.

May I never forget the love which you poured out for me.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 13:16-20

 

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.  From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.  Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us our mission. He tells us that we are all important messengers of God. He tells us, “no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Jesus lets his disciples know of their importance and that they will become the light of world. His disciples will also have followers and those too will have followers. Throughout church history, the responsibility has been handed down to all Christians to spread the light and be beacons of Christ We are all called to spread the Word of God and to lead his sheep to the narrow gate. But he also tells his disciples that someone “who ate my food has raised his heel against me.” Jesus tells his disciples that not only is it important to spread the Word of God, it is also important love everyone, even those who would deny you. Being a missionary for Christ is not easy. It means being rejected and even betrayed. But the reward is eternal life. You have been sent many messengers in Christ’s name. If you received them, you received Christ. If you received Christ, you received God. To receive God, is to receive eternal life. What greater gift could we give somebody then eternal life in heaven. Go forth and spread the Word. Give somebody the gift of eternal salvation.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord have mercy on my soul.

Give me the strength to share the Word of God.

Allow me to become a shepherd leading other to Christ.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 10:22-30

 

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.  And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are  not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.  No one can take them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.  The Father and I are one."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, the Jews are again asking for faith. And Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are  not among my sheep.” Jesus speaks of a faith that comes from within. He tells us that his true believers hear his voice and they follow him. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against the evil that lurks in the world. They become easy prey to the wolves and can easily get lost. This is why the shepherds live with their sheep. The shepherd protects his sheep from the dangers of the world. He guides them to safety when evil lurks. He leads them to the best places for feeding and the best streams for drinking. The sheep come to recognize the voice of their shepherd and heed his call. We too are like the sheep in the field. If we have no shepherd, we become easy prey to forces which can destroy us. Sin and Satan easily enter our pasture and rob us of our eternal life. Christ not only protects us from the evil of Satan, he also leads us to the best of places where we can feed on the "word of life" and drink from the "living waters" of his Holy Spirit. The sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear. He will lead them to the best of places – everlasting peace, joy, and fellowship with God and his people.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are my shepherd.

You will guide me through the evil which lurks in this world.

Lead me to the pastures of eternal life.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Whoever enters through me will be saved.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10

 

Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.  So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

 

Do you hear the Lord our God calling your name? In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that He is our shepherd, that it is through Him that we will enter into the Kingdom. When the Good Shepherd calls our name, we are to respond. He is called the gatekeeper, the one that protects us. The Good Shepherd is there to protect us from evil. As the Psalm tells us; “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” (Psalms 23:1-4). We are at peace when we are with the Lord. The Shepherd protects his flock at all costs. The good shepherd loves his flock so much that he puts himself between sheep and harm to protect them.  Jesus loved his flock so much that he gave his life that we might be saved. The Lord is our shepherd; he is our protector and even though evil is all around us, he will keep us safe. When the Lord calls, we should come. When he opens the door to let us in, he will comfort us. It is the Lord Jesus who feed us, who provides us with the nourishment me need live. If we stray from the flock, he will seek us until he finds us. Today, you should thank God for protecting us.

 

God has given each and every one of us a gift for a purpose. If we try to lead one of our brothers or sisters astray, then we become a wolf and not a sheep. If we enter the flock through mischievous means and not through the gate of our Lord, we will be denied access to heaven. We are called to come into a right relationship with him. Our unending desire for his righteousness should be so strong, that our faith in him is evident to others in our daily actions, that our walk and talk should exemplify our true Love for God. It is through our example that people from all walks of Life will come running to the Gatekeeper to be a member of his flock. To seek the protection of his rod and staff..

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are my Lord and Shepherd,

Keep me safe in your flock and shelter from evil.

Lead me to your bounty; it is you I seek for nourishment.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?"  Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you.  Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.  Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven.  Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,  whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, the Jews are scandalized over Jesus’ words saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” This idea was very difficult for the Jews to accept at the time of Christ. Today, it is also difficult for many of our Christian brothers and sisters to accept. Catholics are the only group who truly believe that the Eucharist meal is the body and blood of Christ.  Christ is pretty clear about what he wants us to do.  It is not a symbolic representation, but the actual body and blood of Christ. By participating in the Eucharist, we are obeying the will of God. The blessing and breaking of the bread is referred to many times in the Gospels as well as in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, the manna from heaven nourished the Jews as the traveled the dessert. In the miracle of the loaves and fishes, a few loaves of bread are abundantly multiplied to feed 5000 people with excess. These events were to help the Jews understand Jesus’ claim that He is the Bread of Life. “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” We should be seeking the superabundant “bread of life.” Jesus offered his apostles his body and blood at the last supper. He became the sacrificial Paschal Lamb during his crucifixion. His blood was placed on the souls of his apostles to strengthen and protect them. During the Eucharist, we relive the Paschal Supper and are given this same superabundant life through the body and blood of Christ. The same bloodshed for us at the crucifixion is given to us in the Eucharist celebration. Unless you east the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, you have no life in you. When you approach the Eucharist, think about the abundant life you are about to receive. Think about the eternal life which you are accepting. Remember that the mark of the Paschal Lamb will be placed on your soul.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Amen, Amen – I believe.

Amen, Amen – Nourish my soul.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon