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:

 

“I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” 

 

Gospel Reading: John 12:44-50

 

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us, “If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.”  Darkness envelopes the world through our sin and rejection of God.  Jesus came into the world, not to condemn us for our sins but to lead us away from sin.  He came to guide us to the narrow gate which leads to eternal life.  Psalm 27 tells us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”  It is through his message that we find God and we find eternal life.  Christ, the light of the world, reveals the hidden truth.  Through our faith in Christ, we can see God’s kingdom.  Through our faith the kingdom of God is revealed to us today.  Jesus makes it quite clear, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.”  Light is a necessary part of life.  Without it, there is no life.  The light of Christ not only reveals what is hidden, it also enables us to grow and be nourished in the faith.  Life would not exist without light.  Everything would die and wither away.  Through Christ, the living light shines upon us.  If we do not seek the word of God, we chose to remain in the darkness.  In the darkness, sin will consume us and we will become spiritually dead.  The light of Christ is like being kept in a small dark room and them walking out into the glorious sunlight.  When you enter the sunlight, you immediately feel the warmth of the sun and the sensation of joy overwhelms the body.  You immediately feel a sense of freedom and you are instantly revitalized.  This is the same feeling one experiences when they walk into the light of Christ.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, Show me the light and the way.

I seek you in the darkness that surrounds me.

Give me hope and salvation as I find true glory in your words.

 

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. Christ says, “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 a shepherd lives with his 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. 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 they traveled through the dessert. In the miracle of the loaves and fishes, a few loaves of bread are abundantly multiplied to feed 5000 people with an abundant supply left over. 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 super-substantial “bread of life.” Jesus offered the Apostles his body and blood at the last supper. He became the sacrificial Paschal Lamb during that Passover meal just prior to his crucifixion. His blood was placed on the souls of his apostles to strengthen and protect them.  To keep evil from entering their homes. During the Eucharist, we extend this 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. It allows us to mark the door leading to our soul to protect us from evil.  Unless you eat 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.

May the blood of the Pascal Lamb strengthen me and protect me

May it nourish my soul and give me eternal life.

Amen, Amen – I believe.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:44-51

 

Jesus said to the crowds: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:  They shall all be taught by God.  Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.  Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.  Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the final part of the discourse on the Bread of Life. Jesus tells his disciples that the Israelites were given manna from heaven when they escaped Egypt, yet they still died. The bread that Jesus offers us from God provides eternal life. Jesus claims to be this eternal bread of life. This is a claim which only God can make. Jesus says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” There is no clearer statement about the power of Eucharist. If we partake in the Eucharist, our bodies are fortified with abundant life in Christ. The Eucharist is our source of spiritual energy. The Eucharist is truly God himself which sustains us not only now, but also in our eternal life. “Amen, Amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” To deny the Eucharist is to deny the very supernatural power of God himself. To deny the Eucharist is to deny life eternal. When we accept the Eucharist, we not only accept the nourishment of the spirit, we accept the healing graces, the wisdom of God, and the courage to live in his image. To accept the Eucharist is to accept a personal and intimate relationship with Christ. When you receive the Eucharist, remember that you are truly receiving the “Bread of Life.” This is no symbolic representation, this is truly the Body of Christ, his Flesh given for the life of the world. When you receive the Eucharist, say “Amen, Amen, I believe in the eternal life granted by the Bread of Life.”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are the living Bread of Life which nourishes my body.

You are the Eucharist which provides the healing powers to strengthen my soul.

You are the life which fires the eternal flame within my soul.

Give me the wisdom and courage to believe and defend the Eucharist.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:35-40

 

Jesus said to the crowds, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day."

 

In today’s Gospel Reading, we continue the Bread of Life discourse from yesterday. Why did Jesus call himself the “Bread of Life?” The Jews understood that God promised them manna from heaven to sustain them on their journey to the promised land. Bread was the most basic staple of life. Even today, bread and grain are the food that feeds the world. We cannot live without food for very long. Bread sustains us. But what is life? Jesus clearly wants us to have something more than just mere physical existence. The life Jesus refers to is connected with God, the author of life. Real life is a relationship with the living God, a relationship of trust, love, obedience, peace, and joy. This is what Jesus makes possible for us – a loving relationship with God who created us for love with him. If we separate ourselves from Jesus, no one else can provide that kind of life and relationship. Are you satisfied with mere physical existence or do you hunger for the abundant life which Jesus offers?

 

Jesus makes three claims: i) he offers himself as spiritual food which produces the very life of God within us; ii) he promises unbroken friendship and freedom from the fear of being forsaken or cut off from God; and iii) he offers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection. Those who accept Jesus as the “Bread of Life” will be raised up to immortal life with Him when he comes again on the last day. It is time for us to experience the resurrection. It is time for us to come to the table of our Lord and be nourished by the Eucharist.  Everyone is invited to the table.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are the Bread of Life which nourishes our body and guides us to the heavenly gate.

You are the staple which gives us hope and a longing desire to find God and do his will.

Bless our lives with your love and mercy that we may share the Bread of Life with others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:30-35

 

The crowd said to Jesus: "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:  He gave them bread from heaven to eat." So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always."  Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, the Israelites want a sign so that they may believe that He is the Son of God. They tell Jesus that their ancestors were given a sign from Moses in the manna which came from heaven.  Jesus replies, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Do we not all hunger for signs from God so that we can believe? Do we not hunger for the bread of life? The Jews believed that when the Messiah would come, he would return with the manna from heaven that was hidden in the desert by Jeremiah. But Jesus claims that He is the manna from heaven; the bread of life that they are waiting for. The “bread of life” is the revelation that God sent Jesus as the sign. This was Christ’s first revelation of the Eucharist which feeds and nourishes our heart and soul. He who comes to the bread of life, shall not hunger. He who partakes of the Eucharistic meal will find eternal life. This is why the Eucharist is so important. We do not take part in some symbolic representation of the Eucharist, but actually participate in the continuing celebration of the “bread of life.” This is the abundant gift from God which never ends.  We should always long for the blessed bread of life. It should be the focus of our desires. It should be forever in our hearts. What a most beautiful and gracious sign God has given us. The Eucharist is none other than the very life of God. Do you hunger for the bread of life?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, You are the bread of life.

Your are the source of eternal salvation.

May I desire you every day of my life.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberius near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For on him the Father, God, has set his seal."  So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."

 

I think today’s Gospel reading has a special meaning as it reminds us of the importance of good dietary habits. Not necessarily of the earthly kind, but of the spiritual kind. The setting for today’s Gospel reading takes place just after Jesus fed the 5000 and he walked on water; two pretty big miracles. Jesus mystically moves about the area transporting himself to deliver his message to the people. His disciples are pretty nervous at this time. They asked Jesus, “Rabbi, when did you get here?" and Jesus replied, " Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." This response begs the question, “What are you seeking in your life?” Do you desire the nourishment of the Lord or are you seeking material goods? These followers of Jesus, the five thousand He just fed, were hungry for spiritual growth. Because they were craving spiritual nourishment, Jesus transported them with him. So I ask again, what are your desires; do you want to be transported with Christ, or do you desire things that are not important? What is it that you seek?

 

To seek God, you must believe in God. You cannot just get up one day and decide to believe and that’s it. You cannot get up and say that Jesus Christ is my Lord and somehow you’re forever saved. It’s not that simple. We must work at our faith. We must exercise our faith to keep it strong. The stronger our beliefs, the more we will need to exercise. The more we exercise, the stronger our faith will grow. A well balanced healthy diet plan includes both sound nourishment and regular exercise. If you want to get stronger in your faith and closer to Heaven on Earth, you must exercise daily. You must expose yourself to daily prayer and meditation and you must examine your conscience.

 

During lent, we started an exercise program; we committed to deeper prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We need to take the habits we formed during lent and glorify them during the 50 day Easter Season. When you get up in the morning, start the day with the prayer that Jesus taught us – the Our Father. At lunch time, be a symbol of your faith by thanking God for the daily bread that he has provided at the table. In the evening, stop – close your eyes and silence your thoughts. Reflect upon the day. Pray for the light of God to open your eyes to allow you to see what God has done for you in your actions that day. Review your day. Identify both the good things and the bad things that happened. Thank God for the good things and ask God to give you strength to fight the bad things. Choose one of the things that happened to you that day. It could be a good or bad thing – but one that is strong in your mind. Pray about that item. Give special praise to God if it was a blessing; or petition God if it was not good Christian behavior. Then, imagine tomorrow. What will you do tomorrow to make the day better; to bring the light of God into the world. Remember – it is our obligation to spread the Word through our actions and our work.

 

A Simple Prayer.

 

Most Heavenly Father

You sent your only son so we could receive the imperishable bread of life,

May we be nourished in its strength to believe in you;

May we be nourished in you to do your works;

May the fruits of our labor be satisfying and direct us to heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted."

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:1-15

 

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.  The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline."  Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.  So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."  Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Jesus has been teaching the crowds and he has developed quite a following. It was the feast of Passover and Jesus realizing that the crowd hungered, decided he needed to feed them. To test his disciples, Jesus said to Phillip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” Andrew indicated that there was a small boy with five loaves and two fish; “but what are these for so many.” Jesus takes the small insignificant amount of food, blesses the food and feeds the crowd. The abundance of his gift overflows into the crowd. After they had eaten their fill, Jesus had them gather up the fragments. They gathered twelve baskets of fragments from the five barley loaves. When we hunger and long for Christ, the same thing happens to us. The small longing to experience Christ grows into an overflowing of life. When we hunger for the Word of God, our lives are filled to excess with Christ. In this story, Jesus took the little bit they had and through the glory and power of the Holy Spirit, multiplied the bounty. They were filled until they could eat no more. Christ is the true bread of life. In Him, we find the true nourishment which satisfies our spiritual needs. The Passover was the time when the lamb of God came to protect the Israelites. Now the Lamb of God was again feeding the masses. He is the source of all we need. His generosity is unending. He has enough to feed everyone with an abundance left over. It is time to reach out to the Word of God and be nourished.  The Eucharist which we receive at Mass is a sign of his ever abundant love and generosity.  It is his outpouring that continues to nourish our souls.  This week, when you receive the Eucharist, remember God’s abundance which is continually poured out for us.  

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Christ, you are the bread of life.

You are the source of spiritual food.

Let me hear the Word of God

to the point that I overflow with the Holy Spirit.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 3:16-21

 

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of  God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear one of the most popular bible verses of all – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” God sent his son Jesus not to condemn us, but to save us from our sins. He sent his Son, to suffer and die for us so that on the third day He would rise again to save us from the fires of Hell. He came to save us from the darkness. Jesus is the eternal light that came into the world to show us the way. Because of the original sin of Adam, the gates of heaven were closed.  Because of Jesus, the gates are reopened to allow us into the kingdom of heaven.  Unfortunately, darkness still lurks in the world. Jesus tells us that “people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” This is still the case today. How many times do we hear about the evil that inflicts society. Greed and envy run rampant in businesses at the expense of the common worker. We look at the economic condition of the world today and it is not the fault of God, but the fault of the greed and lust of men.  Some would like us to think that what is happening is punishment from God, but in reality, it is purely the fault of man himself.  Poverty and hunger still have a strong grip on a large part of the world. “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.” For us to find the light, we must reveal the sins which have kept us in the darkness. To find Christ, we must be willing to dispel the things which prevent us from finding the gate. This passage is all about right judgment. We chose the things we love. We either love the darkness or we love the light. If we chose the light, we chose the glory of God. What we love is the clearest window into our soul. “But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Christ Jesus, you are gift which saves us from our sins.

You are the light which leads us to the gate.

Strengthen our will so we can find the light of God.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

 

Gospel Reading John 3:7b-15

 

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is questioned by Nicodemus about his origins.  Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be “born anew.”  It is not enough to have an earthly birth, but he must be born in the spirit of God. It is not enough to call yourself a son of Abraham but one must be born in the Holy Spirit which sweeps the earth.  Jesus says, “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  Here Christ speaks of the Holy Spirit which flows through the world.  We do not need to know where it comes from nor where it goes, we just need to hear its sounds.  We need to be touched by its grace.  Nicodemus does not believe what he is hearing.  Jesus tells him, if you do not believe the things that I witness to you, then you lack in faith.  Faith is the ability to believe those things which we do not see or cannot touch.  It is the power of faith which is given to us in our baptism which allows us to believe in God.  Because no one has gone up into Heaven, no one can have complete knowledge of God except God himself.  Because Jesus is God, He is the only one who has complete knowledge of God.  It is His witness that allows us to grow in faith.

 

In the end of the Gospel reading, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  The bronze serpent erected by Moses was raised to cure the Israelites from the bite of the dessert serpents.  Jesus, the Son of man, will be raised to save us from our sins.  Jesus foreshadows his own death and resurrection so when these events occur, the people of Israel will believe.  He tells them this so that they will have faith.  Therefore, those of us who look upon Jesus with the faith that bore out through the crucifixion and his resurrection can be “born anew” into the salvation of eternal life of God.  Jesus took on the form of man to reveal to us the hidden mystery of our eternal life.  We now can witness the power of our baptism in the Holy Spirit and the resurrection of our new life in God.  The faith which we are given in our baptism is a gift from God.  It requires nourishment and feeding or it can wither.  We must ask God to strengthen that faith and increase that faith.  Faith is not only a gift, it is a virtue.  A virtue is a good habit; something that is developed through practice.  We need the help of grace to make this faith grow within us.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, increase my faith.

Allow my faith to be renewed daily in the Holy Spirit.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 3:1-8

 

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

 

How can one find heaven with knowing heaven.  Jesus tells us today that “unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  Christ is telling us that to see the kingdom, you must know the kingdom and you cannot know the kingdom unless you know God.  Christ tells us that we become acquainted with the Kingdom of God through our Baptism.  When we are baptized, we are baptized in both the water and of the Holy Spirit.  This creates our bond to our Father in Heaven.  This bond with God is again renewed during our confirmation.  Jesus tells us that this is not an earthly bond, but a heavenly bond.  A bond we can only find through our linkage with Him.  It is this bond with our Father in heaven that creates a longing or a desire to find the kingdom.  While Jesus tells us, “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” While we cannot see God, we know he exists through his miracles, through the creation of life, and through the scriptures.  While we do not know where he comes from, we know that the Kingdom of God exists.  We should seek out this Kingdom in our life.  We should seek to create this Kingdom here on earth.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

My God, my Father in Heaven.

I know you through my baptism.

Through this baptism, I have found new life.

A new life which leads me to the Kingdom of God.

May I have the wisdom and fortitude to follow the winds of God.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"It is the Lord."

 

Gospel Reading: John 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberius. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

 

It has now been almost a week since the resurrection of Christ. Has the reality of this event started to wear off. Hopefully, we are not starting to fall back to our old ways and are still living our Lenten promises. In today’s Gospel, we hear that Peter has returned to Galilee, discouraged and probably feeling a little lost and abandoned. So what does he do?  He goes back to his old career as a fisherman, something that makes him feel comfortable, and something that he knows. He returns to his old ways. Even though Christ has already appeared to them, it sounds like they do not understand or possibly do not realize the significance of the resurrection yet. Peter and John, along with several other disciples have gone fishing. After a night of unsuccessful fishing, Jesus appeared to them on the bank. Jesus calls out to them, Children, have you caught anything to eat?” But they do not immediately recognize him. It is interesting that Christ addresses them as Children.  When we think of children, we think of people that are still learning, people who have not yet fully matured.  It is obvious that his Apostles still have some growing. Jesus educates them and tells them where to fish.  Following his instruction, the nets become over flowing. Peter now realizes that it is Jesus.  He is so overwhelmed with the reality of his revelation that he jumps into the water and rushes over to see him.  He cannot even wait for the boat to get to shore.  This is the third time Jesus revealed himself to Peter.

 

This is in contrast to the three denials of Peter the night before Jesus was crucified. Peter finally believes.  It takes three revelations to offset the three denials before Peter becomes fully aware of the Risen Christ.  How many times has Jesus revealed himself to you and you did not realize who he was? When you are in turmoil, have setbacks or disappointments, do you run to Jesus? How many times has Christ called out to us, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"  and we have not listened.  Jesus is calling us to have faith. When he calls out, we might not immediately recognize him, but we should learn to recognize his signs. Peter did not immediately recognize Jesus, but he recognized the sign. Jesus joined them on the shore and had cooked breakfast for them. He broke bread and fed them. He again nourished his disciples. He gave them the strength to believe, to become true disciples. If you need to be nourished, reflect back on your Lenten commitment. Return to your Lenten journey. It will nourish the soul.  Seek the Eucharist as it is the true source of nourishment for everlasting life.

 

A Simple Prayer:

 

Lord Jesus, you are the true Resurrection and the source of eternal life.

Increase my faith in the power of your resurrection that I may never doubt your words

Teach me and feed me so I never stray from your presence.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Peace be with you.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.  While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to  them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of baked fish;  he took it and ate it in front of them. He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was  still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus appears to the apostles. The two men were relaying their story to the apostles about seeing Jesus on the road to Emmaus and “how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread” when Jesus appeared before them. The apostles are not only frightened but troubled with what they see. They cannot believe what they see. Jesus says to them, “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Even seeing his wounds, they still disbelieved. How many times in our lives have we witnessed the wonders of God and disbelieved? How many times have we been in situations where we needed Christ and were afraid to call upon him. Even with Christ standing right before them, they doubted. “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, ‘Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem’.” Jesus has to go to great lengths to make them understand that he is not an illusion nor a ghost, that he is flesh and bones. Jesus was really present on the road to Emmaus and was really present among the apostles. He ate with them and he broke bread with them. He did this to make sure that they understood that he was truly resurrected.

 

It is through his resurrection that the scriptures are fulfilled. The apostles are the witnesses that provide the evidence that we need to believe. More importantly, it is the resurrection that defeats death and sin. It is our hope for eternal life. The cross is the narrow door to heaven. It is the pathway we must follow to find eternal life. The hope of our own resurrection gives us the strength to overcome the sorrow and despair of sin. Jesus told the apostles, “You are witnesses of these things.” The apostles were commanded to go out and spread the word. We too are called to be witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. We must go out into the world and spread the good news of the Gospels. We must go out a preach repentance and forgiveness of sins through the cross.  Through “the breaking of the bread,” Christ is revealed to us every time we go to Mass.  His real presence in the Eucharist nourishes us and leads us to the narrow gates.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, Jesus open my mind to your word.

Give me the strength to spread the word to others.

Let me be the witness to your resurrection.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them,  "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him,  "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning  and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story about the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Two of Jesus’ disciples are reflecting upon the events which had just transpired when the risen Christ joins them. Then two men do not recognize Jesus. It is obvious that the two men are saddened by all that has happened. The men have lost hope and began to feel that life has no meaning. The men reflect on the life of Jesus, his crucifixion and his death. Jesus sees the sorrow in their hearts and reaches out to them to nourish them. When they reach Emmaus, the two men ask Jesus to join them for supper. At supper, he takes the bread of life, blesses it and gives it to them. Once they received the bread, “their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” At that moment, they recognized Christ in the Eucharist.  They now know that Christ will be there anytime the Eucharist is celebrated.  They no longer need the physical Christ, because they realize that Christ is present in the broken bread we take during Communion. 

 

How many times have we let despair crush our hope? How many times have we lost sight of Christ in our lives? Today’s Gospel reading talks about the journey. No matter where we are, Christ is with us. We might not recognize his presence, but he is there. We all must journey to Emmaus. It is through the journey that we find the bread of life. The two disciples reflect, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” Christ burns within all of us when we encounter him. When we lose hope and are over come with despair, the flame dims. But when we read the scriptures and when we participate in the Eucharist, the fire of Christ burns strong within us. It is the journey which leads to the encounter. Christ has provided the Eucharist so we are never without him.  The two disciples originally saw defeat in the cross, but once they experienced Christ, the realized that he truly was the risen Lord and savior. We too must see the path which leads through the cross to life everlasting. We must be able to see the risen Christ. We must recognize Christ in our lives.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Father God, my heart burns for your love.

May I open the scriptures to all who I encounter.

May I take your message with me as I journey through life.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I have seen the Lord.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 20:11-18

 

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni,"  which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he had told her.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Mary Magdalene is seeking out Jesus at his tomb. It says that she was weeping outside the tomb and when she looked inside the tomb she saw two. The angles wanted to know why she was weeping. She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him.” Through her desire, Jesus appeared before her, but she did not recognize him.  How many times are we seeking Jesus but do not see him standing there with us?  Christ never abandons us, we abandon him.  We are called to constantly seek out Christ. Mary Magdalene was looking for Jesus and He was right there with her. Finally, when Jesus calls her name, she recognizes him. Being filled with the joy of the encounter with Christ, she goes and tells the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.” It is not enough for us to know about the Lord, but we must encounter Christ in our lives. You must experience Him when He calls your name. You must be willing to go to others and say, “I have seen the Lord.” An encounter with Christ is the very foundation of the Christian faith. To be truly Christian is to have experienced Christ first hand. It is through your faith that you can see the power of the resurrection and eternal life. It is through the eyes of your faith that you encounter the Kingdom of God here on earth. Celebrate your encounter with Christ and shout out, “Alleluia, Alleluia, I have seen the Lord!”  A true encounter with Christ is life altering.  It is through the grace of God that you encounter Christ in your life.  We have the choice to accept that grace or to deny it.  Your eyes will be opened and you will be given the light if you accept his grace.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, Father in heaven.

You are the risen Christ.

It is through you that my sins are forgiven.

It is through you that I find eternal life.

Give me the eyes of faith to see you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon