Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But who do you say that I am?”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply,  “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

 

If you read all four of the gospels, it will become quite clear that Jesus’ disciples didn’t really know who he was until the very end of his ministry. This fact becomes very clear in today’s gospel. Jesus knows that the disciples lack the wisdom to recognize him, so he asks Peter, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" He responds that “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus again asks his apostles, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter quickly responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It is only Peter who recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. Peter could not know this on his own. It had to be revealed to him. Jesus tells Peter that it was not man that revealed this to him but God our Father in Heaven. It was his undivided faith in Jesus that allowed him to understand and see Jesus as the Messiah. We are also called to have this same undivided faith. Jesus calls Peter a rock because his faith is rock solid. Is your faith rock solid? Would Jesus call you Peter (which means Rock) or would he refer to you as swamp muck. Take time today to ask yourself the difficult question – Who am I? A true and honest evaluation can help you refocus your life to be more like Peter. Even swamp muck can be formed into a rock under great pressure. Try to define what you need to do to strengthen your faith and to build the rock.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, solidify my faith.

Make me a rock to build you church upon.

Make my faith strong like Peter's.

Give me wisdom to bring others to you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:18-22

 

When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

 

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?  In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”  Fox holes and bird nests are refuges where these animals can hide and find sanctuary from their enemies.  To be a disciple, we must give up the comfort of our refuge and seek the mission of God.  A true Christian is a person who is baptized with the Holy Spirit and is bound to do whatever Christ calls them to do.  We must be willing to give up our home, our family and even our friends if Christ calls us to do that.  When one of his disciples said he needed to go home and bury his father, Jesus replied, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”  The dead that Jesus refers to in this passage are those who have not seen or are not willing to see the light of true faith.  Following Christ is not easy.  He calls each of us personally to follow Christ.  Each of us will have our own unique mission different from everyone else. 

 

So why is it so difficult to follow Christ, to be his undivided disciple?  In our hearts and in our souls, we feel the calling and many of us have a deep rooted desire to follow him; however, fear and lack of self confidence in our Spiritual growth prevent us from becoming fully attached to God.  Thomas Merton said, “As long as there is any refuge where man can curl up by himself and hug some private good that nobody else is allowed to share, there remains in his heart a cranny in which the dirt of selfishness accumulates.”  If I desire something and hold that something and keep it to myself, then I cannot drink of the fruit of the Lord.  I separate myself from Christ.  I must be willing to release these things.  Jesus promises us if we release those things that are most dear to us, we will be rewarded 100 times in heaven.  Our life on earth is short; our new life in heaven is eternal. 

 

Tonight, as you reflect upon the day and recount your sins and the graces, think of the items which you cannot release.  Make a list of those things that you hoard and ask God to give you strength to release the clutch you have on these things so that you can free up your arms for his service.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

“Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. 

All that I am and all that I possess you have given me.

I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. 

Give me only your love and your grace —

with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more.”

 

Prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters In Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:1-4

 

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it.  Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them”

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, I am your humble servant.

Fill my heart with the fire of your love.

May I use this grace to help those in need.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.

 

“Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:57-66, 80

 

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:15-20

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

May I learn to be virtuous and morally sound.

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:1-5

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be  measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye."

 

It is so easy to judge somebody else and ignore our own faults. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel reading that we need to ignore the speck in your brothers eye, because you are walking around with a log in yours. We are almost blind to our own faults but see clearly the faults of others. Sometimes we are so good at judging others that we probably think this is a gift. We might not see any harm in judging others, but when we hear that someone has judged us, we get angry and hurt. Jesus tells us turnabout is fair play. How you judge others you too will be judged. Judgmentalism is so rampant in society today because we see ourselves as nearly perfect and everyone else with flaws. We want to change people and make them like us. Our own judgments become the gossip that kills the soul of others. However, we must learn to let go of the faults of others so that we can begin to see our own faults. God can see everything in us, even the things that we do not realize we do wrong. Every sin we commit is known to God. By looking inward, we start to recognize these sins so that they can be forgiven. But to see inward, we must learn to see the good in others. We must learn to have mercy and see beyond the faults of our brothers and sisters. It is so easy for us to misjudge someone. We are biased in our judgment and usually do not have all the facts. God knows all and can see all. He is the true judge and He has unlimited mercy and forgiveness. How often do you judge and condemn your brother or sister? How often do you engage in gossip about your neighbor? Whatever judgment you pass on your fellow man, you will face the same condemnation. If we forgive and forget, Christ will forgive us.  Try to work beyond the gossip and learn to praise your brothers and sisters.  To participate in gossip is to participate in scandal.  Scandal is destructive and not constructive.  We must learn to build relationships and not tear them down with idle talk.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, I pass judgment on my friends.

I see their weakness and ignore my own.

Give me the strength to see beyond my judgment

So I can see my own weakness and faults.

Give me the humility to be merciful others and

The wisdom to recognize their beauty.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:19-23

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, Your are the light of world.

You lead me from the darkness.

Give me the strength to give up my worldly possessions

For a life walking with you.

 

Yours in Christ:

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:7-15

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This is how you are to pray: 'Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'  "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus presents us with the most perfect of prayers, the Lord’s prayer. Of all the prayers we say, the Lord’s prayer is the most perfect prayer of all because it was given to us by Christ. It encompasses everything Christians should stand for. It is truly a prayer formed from the Words of God. No matter how bad the transgressions we have committed, God is waiting for us with open arms. But will he forgive us?  Jesus is quite clear in the Gospel reading.  He commands us to forgive our neighbors before we can be forgiven.  This is the ultimate sign of humility is to be able to forgive those who have trespassed against us.  We not only must we be sorrowful for our own sins, but we must also forgive those who have sinned against us.  Jesus tells us, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” We must purposefully forgive others.  Why would we expect our Father in heaven to do anything we are not willing to do.  Forgiveness is the ultimate sign of love for our neighbor.  God’s love must flow through us.  If we do not forgive our neighbors and our enemies, we stop the flow of God’s love.  When we stop God’s love, we are telling God that others do not deserve his love and compassion.  We are telling God that we are better than our neighbors and that we deserve something that our neighbors are not.  Instead. we must open our arms freely to all who need our love and compassion.  We must forgive those who trespass against us.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

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

Give us this day our daily bread;

And forgive us our debts,

As we also have forgiven our debtors;

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.”

 

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

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them.  Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

 

This same Gospel reading may seem familiar like we just heard it.  That is because it is.  It is the Gospel reading that opens up the great fast or Lent.  So why do we hear it again.  Mainly because our Lenten commitment should extend beyond Lent and Easter.  We should always be in a state of prayer, fasting and alms giving.  Why is praying, fasting and almsgiving so important? Because these are the cardinal works of a pious life. These are the pillars of a good Christian life. But when your piety becomes more about what others think then about pleasing God, your piety becomes boosting and becomes sinful. Do you pray, fast or give alms so others will feel more highly about you or do you do it for the glory of God. Many of you are active in a number of church activities and ministries. Are we involved in those activities so that others we feel good about us. Is so, Jesus warns us that we are seeking self glory and that will be the only reward we receive.  But if we do these things for the glory of God, our reward will buy us a place in heaven. The important thing is that God knows what is in our heart. He hears our prayers, he knows the things that we give up and he sees the aid we give to others. Nobody else needs to know. True piety is a loving devotion to our Lord and Savior. The greatest gift we can give God is to use the gifts that we have been given by God to further his work here on earth.  When we do this we show God our appreciation. If we use these gifts to “impress others” then we are taunting these gifts in front of others for our own glory. We will be rewarded for our efforts, not by those who we impress, but by our God in heaven.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, thank you for the gifts you have given me.

May I humble myself to use these gifts to serve you.

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:38-42

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus puts a new spin on the old Mosaic Law. He elevates the law above a level of righteousness to one that accounts for grace and love. Our purpose of earth is to bring others to the kingdom of God.  Today’s message gives us the secret.  Many of still today like to practice `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,' but Jesus tells that we must be compassionate and understanding.  Which is easier, to strike back with vengeance or to forgive someone who has struck out against you? The message in today’s Gospel reading is quite clear. Man is not to lash out against his enemy, but to be merciful and kind. To do the extra mile to bring joy and happiness into their life. 

 

So why must Jesus tell his disciples this.  In the very early days of the Jewish clans, retaliation was an issue. Clans would strike out in retaliation if one clan harmed another. The law of retaliation limited the punishment. This was considered a significant advancement in moral and ethical thinking; no punishment could exceed the crime. This was the first step in understanding mercy and kindness. But Jesus takes us much further. One must go deeper into ones heart to find true forgiveness without resentment. One must be willing to forgive and forget. He tells us that retaliation is not good, it is not kind and it is not merciful.

 

What a better place this world would be if we all practiced mercy with unconditional loving kindness. How many wars between nations were started because one person felt they needed to strike back and get even. Usually, “getting even” means magnifying the response and hurting a lot of people. When someone lashes out against us, do we seek to even the score or are we willing to let it go. Many people lashed out against Jesus and he never returned hatred with hatred. Instead, he extended his hand in love and kindness. When we retaliate against our aggressor, not only do we hurt that person, but we risk hurting others that we love. Too many times have I heard of friends who have severed their friendship because of retaliation. It is not just the two friends who get hurt, but everyone in their circle. Eventually, the friends are forced to take sides. Vengeance grows and hatred wins. Is there such a thing as just retribution? There probably is to some degree, but it must involving the loving and merciful hands of forgiveness.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

O merciful and loving Father in Heaven,

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading Luke 15:3-7

 

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance."

 

Have you ever felt like you were all alone in the world and then someone came up and put their arms around you.  At that very moment, you are overwhelmed with joy and elation knowing that someone loves you and cares about you.  Today’s Gospel reading tells us to “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.”  Jesus, in his earthly ministry, cared for and loved sinners. He sought out sinners to bring them to God.  His apostles were not righteous men, yet they became the foundation of the Christian church.  Most of the people he met were “unclean” yet he still reached out to them.  These sinners were lost in the world and Jesus put his arms around them.  He embraced them with love and compassion.  Shepherds cared very much for their sheep.  If one was lost, the sheep’s life was in danger because sheep are a community creature needing the companionship of others.  At the end of the day, God counts all his sheep to see if we are there.  He is deeply saddened when one of his sheep drifts from the flock.  But what greater joy does He have when one of his lost sheep returns to the flock.  Every one of God’s sheep is valuable.  No one sheep is more valuable than the other.  He wants not only the righteous, but the unclean.  God wants us all to join him in the kingdom of heaven, not just Catholics, everyone.  We should not only pray for our own salvation, but for the salvation of everyone.  It is important that we pray for all sinners and all who have not met Jesus.  We should pray that they find a simple path to Jesus and to heaven.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, Let your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you.

May I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to me.

Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you are merciful."

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.”

 

Gospel Reading Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:  "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.  "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.  But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

 

Today’s Gospel reading opens the true depth of the commandments. The scribes and Pharisees had distorted the true meaning of the Mosaic Law. According to Pharisees, unless I actually killed somebody, I did not violate the commandment.  It was purely a black and white law based on outward actions.  But Jesus tells us that the Commandments go much deeper than “You shall not kill.” The early Jews went to great length to expand the Ten Commandments to the point that they became a set of rituals and they believed that if you followed those rituals, you were guaranteed salvation. But Jesus tells us that we have to do much more than just follow the letter of the law, we must know and obey the spirit of the law. We must desire to be obedient to the law of God.  “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

 

The commandment “Thou shall not kill” goes much deeper than just killing someone. It really says, thou shall not hate. Before one kills, one must hate. Therefore, the sin begins as hate and grows within us. Hatred is the real sin. Our hearts are the source of our sins, not our outward actions. Jesus asks them a simple question – “How can you come to the altar with hatred in heart? How can you make an offering when in your heart you do not love?” When we offer gifts to God, we offer them out of love. To truly love God, we must free our hearts of the hatred that poisons us. We must get rid of the anger, the insults and the rage that corrupts our soul and poisons our righteousness. We must come to the altar with a pure heart and clean hands. How can you see the beauty and glory of God if your eyes are covered over in hatred and resentment. 

 

To release the anger within us, we must be willing to forgive and forget the actions which created the feelings. We must be willing to forgive our neighbors. If your heart is filled with anger, rage and hatred, ask the Holy Spirit to replace this hatred with love. If you want to see the kingdom of heaven, then you must learn to reach out in forgiveness. The kingdom of heaven is in your hands. When you extend your hands, do you extend them in friendship and love or hatred and anger?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

 

Do you ever get the feeling that Jesus was somewhat like a politician competing for office constantly being challenged by the opposing party. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is again being  changed by the establishment.  Jesus puts to bed the idea that somehow he came to abolish the Mosaic laws formulated by God in the Old Testament or that He somehow replaces the old laws. Instead he tells us, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” So what does that actually mean? Jesus wants us to live our lives not only in compliance with the Mosaic law, but also with the spirit of the law. To fulfill the law means He is here to complete what is written. We know that God gave us his only Son to save us from our sins. He gave us his son out of the pure love He has for humanity. It is this love conveyed by God that fulfills the commandments. To obey the laws is to love God. This is why disobeying the laws injures our relationship with God. Jesus tells us that, “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.” When we try to justify our sins and transgressions, we are teaching others that it is okay to sin. Not only do you damage your relationship with God, you also cause others to damage their relationship with God. He wants just the opposite. He wants us to bring the kingdom of God to others through our actions and our practices. “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God, help me to obey your commandments.

Give me the strength and courage I need to respect your law.

Give me the grace to lead others to your will.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:13

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

I do not want to waste these treasures.

May they be purified and guide all souls to heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:35-37

 

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, "How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.' David himself calls him 'lord'; so how is he his son?" The great crowd heard this with delight.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes the amazing proclamation that he is the Messiah in which they seek.  The Jews were waiting for a new King to rule over them and deliver them from the Romans.  They were looking for a King that would unite them and make them a powerful force against their persecutors.  They were looking for a King who would physically dominate their enemies.  In this passage, Jesus declares himself the Messiah, the Christ or the anointed one.  As is mentioned in the Gospel reading, the Psalms tell us that Christ is the son of David and that the Holy Spirit revealed to David that his son would be Lord of all.  This makes Jesus more than just the son of David.  How can the son be Lord over the Father?  Because Jesus is more than just the descendant of David, he truly is the son of God. 

 

When Christ came into this world, he was exposed to all the enemies of the Jews. But instead of destroying and crushing their enemies, Jesus reached out to everyone, not with a sword but with a message of love.  His message was for all of humanity.  God delivered his Son to conquer evil in the world and to set us free from our sins.  He came to tame our true enemy, Satan.  Jesus is not only the son of David, He is the son of God.  Jesus came not to dominate man, but to Lord over our hearts.  The Jews were expecting a leader who would rule by the sword, but Jesus rules by the Word of God.  Jesus ruled by establishing love and peace in our hearts.  He established that charity was much mightier than the sword.  He showed us that a kingdom based on love was more desirable then a kingdom based on fear. 

 

Jesus came into this world to show us that the love that God poured out for us is a natural response.  In a letter written in 1861, the author argued that; “Humanity believes in God as easily as it believes in the existence of matter; it prays to God quite naturally as it lives. And as to you who are not humanity, and who really find it difficult to believe, consider that we believe willingly in what we love, and rarely what we love not.” Therefore, if we truly love God, belief is natural. If we do not express our love for God, how then can we truly believe that he is the Lord God of Heaven? But there is one thing in life that has no limit to its value, one virtue that can be practiced without any need for moderation. And that is love: the love of God and the love of other men in God and for His sake” (Thomas Merton). St. Thomas Aquinas said, “There is no point at which it becomes reasonable to abate your interior love for God or for other men, because that love is an end in itself: it is the thing for which we were created and the only reason why we exist.” If we exist to love God, then loving God is natural. If loving God is “Believing in God”, then believing in God is natural. It is the things that are unnatural that are most difficult to do. Therefore, it is most difficult not to believe in God. We have to work at not believing. It is like being right-handed and trying to do things with your left. It is possible, but very difficult. How many times have you heard that a so-called atheist thanked God or blessed you when you sneezed? It is more difficult for them to remove God from their life then it is to accept God. Breathing is natural, therefore we breathe without thinking. Loving God is natural; therefore, we can love God without forcing ourselves.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God, I Love You!

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“To love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-34

 

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel!  The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

 

Today’s Gospel reading is probably one of my favorite readings. In the opening passage one of the scribes asks Jesus, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" in which Jesus replies, "The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." Have you ever just sat down and thought about these words. Wow - There is no other commandment greater than these. We are called to love and cherish what God has given us because “God is love.” “To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." In the time of Moses, God gave us the Ten Commandments. These Ten Commandments were expanded into 616 precepts of the Old Testament or the Torah. Jesus says to his people – why are you making things so complicated. All these things are good, but unless you do these things out of love, they are not sincere. There is only one important thing and that is to love as God has loved you. Everything we do should be out of love. We should not obey the commandments because they are law, but out of love for our fellow man.

 

I think that the greatest example of God’s love is a mother with child. This child was formed from the love and passion between man and woman through the grace of God. During this encounter, the three become one. This is the closest realization of the three in one mystery which is God. Man and woman pour out their love for each other and God pours out his love on them through the creation of life. When you see an expecting mother, you know that God has graced her with the greatest gift of all. It is often said that an expectant mother has a glow about her. I think it is the Holy Spirit overflowing through the creation of life within her womb. This is why life is so precious. During the union between God, man and woman, God’s love is overflowing. When life is created, God’s love pours out into the world. If you need to see God’s greatest gift, the gift of love, look in the mirror because it is you. You are life created out of the love of God. When you awaken in the morning, thank God for this gift, thank him that you are able to share the gift of your life with others; that the gift that was created between your mother and father can now share the gift of love. Before you take action on anything, ask yourself, “Is this out of love?” If not, convert what you were going to do to a gift of love. Our faith in God is our most cherished gift which we give back to him. We have the freedom to love, the choice is ours.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Oh how I love you O merciful God.

I desire to love you more and to be embraced by the Holy Spirit.

May your love overflow in me and overflow out of me.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:18-27

 

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, 'If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.' Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her." Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.  As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,  and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled."

 

In the time of Jesus, there were many factions of Jews, kind of like our various Christian Denominations of today. There were the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Esseens, to name a few. The various groups had a fundamental Jewish background, but some of the core beliefs differed between the groups. For example, the Sadducees did not believe in life after death or the resurrection. They did not have the hope of eternal life in heaven with our Lord as we Christians so deeply cherish. They did not believe in the untouchable or the unseeable. How sad it must have been to be a Sadducee believing that this life was all there was and no hope for eternity with God in Heaven.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, the Sadducees are challenging Jesus. They question him about the story of a women who marries a man and he dies before they can consummate the marriage. According to Jewish law, his brother was to take on his responsibility to make sure that she bore children. So the next brother married the woman and he died. This happened seven times. After each marriage, the brother died and she had yet to consummate the marriage. After the final marriage, she also died. So they asked Jesus, “At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus replied, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?  … He is not God of the dead but of the living.”  This is our hope and our salvation that our God is with us while we are on earth and when we are resurrected into heaven. This is the glory that was given us through the resurrection of Jesus at Easter and his eventual ascension into Heaven. Even though we have not seen nor touched Heaven, God reveals Heaven to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the formation of our belief which leads us to our faith. Without faith all we have is emptiness. Heaven is one of those mystical things that is virtually impossible to comprehend. On earth, we only see fragments of the Heaven we will celebrate after our earthly journey is finished.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Father of heaven and Earth Open my eyes to see your majesty,

Open my ears to hear your grace fall on me; and

Open my heart to feel the glory of God in his creation

For I long for the heavenly bliss and unending life with You.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon