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. She says to the angels, “They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him.” Through her desire to be with Jesus, he appears before her. What is interesting is that she does not recognize him. It is not until he cries out her name that she recognizes him. How many times are we seeking Jesus but do not see him standing there with us? Jesus Christ never abandons us, we abandon him. We are called to constantly seek him out. 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 the risen 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 Jesus Christ is the very foundation of the Christian faith. To be truly Christian is to have experienced Jesus 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 Jesus and shout out, “Alleluia, Alleluia, I have seen the Lord!” A true encounter with Jesus Christ is life altering. It is through the grace of God that you encounter Jesus 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

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ

“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”

Gospel Reading: John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over;

so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Depending on when you are reading this email, Lent may now be over. The end of Lent marks the beginning of the celebration of the Triduum. Triduum literally means three days. We begin the Triduum with Holy Thursday and the Last Supper. In today’s Gospel reading, we are told about the washing of the feet. Jesus demonstrates pure humility to the apostles. A Jew would never have washed the feet of another. This task was reserved for the house servants. The Gospel says that Jesus stripped himself and then bowed down before each of the apostles and washed their feet. He did this humiliating act even knowing that one of them would betray him and the rest would abandon him. Jesus tells the apostles, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” Jesus is telling the apostles that they too must lower themselves to the level of servant to others to truly live in the spirit of Christ. We must be willing to empty ourselves and take on the form of servant. We must be willing to wash the feet of others, even those who are going to trespass against us. Christ tells us that he came into this world not to be served but to serve others. We too are put on this world to serve others and to lead them to the kingdom of God. Christ gives us the ultimate example of humility and in the next days he will give us the ultimate example of love and mercy. Please make the effort to celebrate all the ceremonies throughout Holy Week. Through these celebrations, we form a deeper understanding of the humility, love and grace which God has poured out for our undeserving souls. Can you imagine having your feet washed by the Son of God? This is what happens every time we open ourselves up to be a servant for others.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you washed my feet in my baptism and purified my soul.

Help me to humble myself so I can be a servant for others.

Give me the grace to be truly compassionate to those who would trespass against me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation MInute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.'" The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."

“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. The Gospel says that the Apostles were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” IN their reply, they recognize or acknowledge Jesus as Christ and Messiah. But Judas’ reply is slightly different, he refers to Jesus as Rabbi or Master. Judas was given 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave, yet he refers to Jesus as Master. Judas represents all of us who sell out the Word of God for earthly treasures. How many times have we become slaves to earthly desires only to be mastered by them. We want and desire the latest in fashions, the most expensive cars, the most glamorous clothes, the latest in electronic gadgets and at the same time turn our backs on Jesus Christ. Jesus tells the Apostles, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” It is okay to have nice stuff, but only to the degree that it does not become the master of your life. We must not sell out to the earthly treasures which are created through lust, greed and vainglory. Instead, we should find glory and happiness in our service to the Lord. Everything we have is a gift from God. If we treat those gifts as solely belonging to us, we deny the gifts that God has given us. It is prudent for us to realize where our true treasures lie. Not on this earth but in the heaven we await and long. In our prayers, we should foster a desire for heaven and recognize who brings us to that narrow gate. We get into heaven through the shepherd and not anyway else. By fasting, we recognize that the earthly things are not what’s important and those things that we give up do not master us. When we give our treasures to others, not only do we break our dependent bond on these items, we open the door to heaven for others through our generosity. It is still not too late to make an impact before Lent is over. What earthly treasures have become your master? It is time to give up these for the kingdom of heaven.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God in Heaven, I raise my eyes to Passion of Christ

I know that he suffered for our sins.

I know that through my sins I betray him.

Give me the passion to avoid sin and to be his servant.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation MInute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial.”

Gospel Reading: John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

In today’s Gospel reading, it is six days before Passover and Jesus is having supper with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Mary took some very expensive oil and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The gospel reading says, “the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” Mary takes the most precious thing that she owns and uses it to honor Jesus. She puts herself at the feet of her Lord to show how much she truly loves him. She does not hold back the extravagance of her love for him. The sweetness of this gift is not only presented to Jesus, but the fragrance that spreads through the room is shared by all. We too are called to give the most precious things that we own to God. We are now in the last week of lent and Jesus has entered Jerusalem. The crowds are excited to see Jesus because of the miracles that he has performed, but others are plotting to kill him. Jesus is entering your house this week. How did you welcome him? During season of Lent, we are called to let Jesus in to our heart. Have you opened the doors to your soul and given him extravagant gifts of love and joy? Like the fragrance of the oil, does your love for God also fill the room with the sweet smelling fragrance of unconditional love?

In today’s gospel we also see two counter movements afoot. First, Judas is mad at Mary for what she did. Judas says to Christ, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?” The gospel reading tells us that Judas says this not because of his concern for the poor but because of his own greed. What treasures do you hold back from Christ? Has greed held you back from your commitment to Jesus Christ. During lent, we are called to pray, fast and give alms. Judas was not truly committed to Christ, therefore, his greed for money controlled him. Eventually money will be his demise. This is why he sold out Jesus in the garden. Judas lost track of prayer, fasting and almsgiving for the material riches of this earthly world. The second counter movement is the plot of chief priests to kill not only Jesus, but Lazarus as well. Why Lazarus? Because he is a symbol of miracles of Jesus. He is converting people to become disciples of Jesus Christ. We are also called during Lent to evangelize and bring others to God. Lent is a time to learn to shed off those earthly desires and to take up a cross with Christ even to the point where it hurts. It is not too late. Renew your commitment this last week. Make extra efforts to attend mass on Thursday and Friday. Attend reconciliation service. Be prepared for the eternal life which Jesus brings to us on Easter. Lent is a time to form habitats which hopefully will prepare us for the kingdom of heaven. Be ready to celebrate Easter with all the extravagance that Mary celebrated with Jesus during that meal.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, may my love for you be extravagant.

May I the will to offer all that own.

Because everything I have is a gift from you to me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“I am the Son of God.”

Gospel Reading: John 10:31-42

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?" The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God." Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, You are gods"'? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, "John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true." And many there began to believe in him.

For years we have heard the Passion of Jesus. Every Easter we hear the story of Jesus during the last 24 hours before His crucifixion. But have we become desensitized to the real suffering that Christ faced on that day. Over the next week, we should keep the Passion at the forefront of our thoughts. The Passion should consumed your thoughts. “He suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified and was buried” – but why? In today’s Gospel, the Jews want to stone him and Jesus says to them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” Why do they want to stone someone who is doing good? In the images of the Passion, we see Jesus in total agony, his sorrow is heavy with the cross he is about to carry. When he is scourged, we see the flesh ripped from his body because of our sins. Jesus is taking a lashing for every one of our sins; for my greed, my gluttony, and my lust. As you reflect on each of your sins, Jesus is struck again and again. As the whip of your sins tear through his body, his human flesh is ripped away exposing the spiritual nature of his inside. As Jesus is tortured for our sins, you see the pain and agony in his face. But when the scourging is done he rises up and opens his arms to hold you knowing that he has freed you from death.

The light of the Holy Spirit comes shining through the gashes in his body. Because of my weakness, he takes the cross; he takes my cross and carries it to Calvary. There, I drive nails in his hands and feet. Again, the agony of my sinfulness is heavy on his face. I raise him in the air like a flag on pole and there in his total nakedness, his total abandonment he looks down at me and says, you are forgiven for I love you. “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) Jesus wraps himself around me and his blood covers me. His blood protects me. Jesus came to this world to bring us the Father. He did miracles so we would know that He is the Son of God. He healed the sick and brought people back from the dead. Yet the Jews could not see that this “man” was the true son of God. At this time, they did not know the Passion; they have not witnessed the ultimate glory of God. However, in response to his great works, they accuse him of blasphemy. They wanted to punish him by stoning him. Jesus turned to God for his protection.

It is difficult for us to see and accept all the glory God pours out for us. We doubt what we see with our own two eyes. It is difficult for us to see the miracles that God performs every day. We refuse to see the Holy Spirit as it descends into our souls. Yet we cannot deny the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on that cross. Know that he is looking down on us and forgiving us of our sins. The agony and torture he faced that Friday, the blood and sweat that poured from his body was done for our sins. Are you going to stone him or are you going to ask for his undying mercy at the cross? This coming week is Holy Week. Spend extra time examining your conscience. Go through your sins. Open your mind and accept that Jesus is the Son of God. Believe in his Word for the Word became flesh to save us from our sins. If we can see Christ in his sufferings, we will then realize the depth of his love for us.

A Simple Prayer

“Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ!”

Praise be to you for your miracles,

Praise be to you for your agony,

Praise be to you for your suffering, and

Most of all – Praise be to you for your cross.

Yours in Christ and in the Cross

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”

Gospel Reading John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

We are but one week away from the beginning of the Holy Triduum. Lent is a long journey through an inward reflection of our faith. You may have fallen on the path when it got rough or even stumbled on the stones that were obstructing your way, but hopefully you never lost site of the goal – Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Lenten Journey is like a 12 hour car ride. When you start out in the morning, you’re refreshed and excited about the trip. As you start down the road, the trip becomes monotonous and you start asking the question, “Are we there yet?” or “How much further until we get there?” Then, just when all hope seems to be fading, you get a glimpse of your destination. You become revitalized. You’re refocused on getting to your target. The same feelings can happen during Lent. Sometimes we get weary on our journey or we get tempted to divert from our path. But if we keep focused on the path, we will get to our destination. Take today to reflect back on your Lenten commitment and renew your vows before Holy Week begins.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Jews, “Whoever keeps my word will never see death.” Our path is the Word. Believing in the Word will take us to the cross, through the cross and into the resurrection of new life. “You do not know him, but I know him.” To know him, we need to complete our journey, we need to make it to the resurrection. The journey is not easy, but it is worth the effort. “Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” We too will be able to rejoice in the Word of the risen Jesus. We will celebrate the Easter of our redemption. God made a promise or covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:3-9). He promised to be his God and the God of his descendants. He gave Abraham the land of Canaan . But God said to Abraham, “You and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”

We are called to keep the Word, to live the Word to fulfill our journey to Jesus the Christ. Jesus is the life giving Word that will set us free from the bondage of Sin. We are called to share the Word at the last supper, to rejoice in the crucifixion and celebrate the resurrection. “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself.” (John 12:32) After we betrayed Jesus, after we scourged him for our sins, after we drove nails through his hands and feet, after we hung him on the cross in his full nakedness, after we crowned him with thorns to strip him of his dignity and after we ran a sword into his side so his blood would be spilled on the earth, he asked God to have mercy on us for we know not what we do. Through his resurrection, we are drawn to believe in him and his glory. In his resurrection he has defeated our sin; he has freed us from the bonds of slavery. We now know the true mercy of our Father. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

A Simple Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, fill my soul with the Word of God.

May the fire in my soul lead others to your Word.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”

Gospel Reading: John 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father." They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" So they said to him, "We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me."

Why is sin so alluring. It’s that mistress that captivates us into a life of slavery. Sin burdens our life and prevents us from spiritual growth. Sin also blinds us from knowing and bonding with God. Jesus tells us, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is questioned by those who believe in him. They ask Jesus, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?” The answer is simple, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.” We make ourselves slaves to sin and to the material world. Our wants, our desires can become the master who keeps us from the freedom we experience through God’s love and mercy. When it becomes our will and not His, we fall prey to the lures that trap us into the bondage of sin. Jesus tells us that “slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.” To free ourselves from slavery, we must submit to God’s will. We are rewarded for our faithfulness with eternal life with our Father in heaven. Jesus defeated sin on the cross and defeated death through His resurrection. He gave his life so that we too could experience eternal life in heaven. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. He was whipped and beaten for our sins. According to St. Bridget of Sweden, Christ took over 5,400 lashings for our sins. In these actions, he releases us from the bonds of slavery. All we need to do is to submit to his will. Through the gift and power of the Holy Spirit, we can chose to renounce sin and walk with Christ. We can chose to be a disciple of Christ. A disciple is one who listens and follows the Word of God. We must humble ourselves and open our hearts to his love and mercy. Once we do this, we become truly free from the bonds of sin and the material world.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, make me a disciple of your love and mercy.

Free me from the bonds of sin and the material world

So I may share your love and grace with others.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above.”

Gospel Reading John 8:21-30

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come." So the Jews said, "He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?" He said to them, "You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world." They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him." Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is calling us to believe that he is our savior. To not believe in him is to die in our sin of disbelief. In the Gospel, we hear that many people came to know Jesus and came to believe in him. However, some of the so-called righteous leaders doubted Jesus was the Son of God. They doubted his divinity. We are called not only to be “good people,” we are also called to believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus tells the Pharisees; “Where I am going you cannot come.” So where is Jesus going that the Pharisees cannot come. He’s telling them that he is about to join his Father in Heaven so he can rise in the Glory of our salvation. It’s not that Jesus doesn’t want them to join him at his Father’s house. It’s just the opposite; he wants them to join him. But to join him, they must believe. It was through their sins and their refusal to accept Jesus, that they barred the door to heaven, not Jesus.

Jesus goes on to enlighten the Pharisees, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but only what the Father taught me.” He gives them the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He tells them what they need to know to follow him. I AM is the Word made Flesh. The Word will lead us into the light. If we do not follow the Word, we sin against God. The very nature of Sin is that it takes us away from God and from everlasting joy. Sin separates us from the all knowing, all loving, and all merciful. This behavior is foreshadowed in Genesis. What happened when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden? He hid himself from God. He removed himself from the merciful love of God. God didn’t hide from Adam; Adam hid from God.

To fail to recognize Jesus and where he came from is to remain in a state of spiritual darkness. But if we believe in Jesus and his teachings, then we walk in the joy and light of God's truth. We are provided many opportunities in life and many of these opportunities do not ever return. Each and every one of us is given the opportunity to know and to accept Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. We make the decisions to either accept or reject the invitation. Life on earth is limited and we will not be given an infinite number of opportunities to see the light. How we live life on earth has everlasting consequences on our eternal soul. We should take advantage of the grace of God which has been given to us. Who knows when this will be our last opportunity. During this lent, have you followed through on your commitments? Have you sinned against your fellow brothers and sisters, or have you lead them to know and believe in Christ. Are you willing to join Jesus on the Cross so that we can rise up in the Glory of God. Do not worry if you have not been faithful to your Lenten promise. This promise is between you and God. Do not be discouraged by your inactivity, but be encouraged by the loving and merciful God we pray to.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, open my ears and my eyes so I can see and hear your words.

Open my heart so that I can take up my cross and follow you to Calvary.

May I have the temperance and fortitude to live out the resurrection.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Gospel Reading: John 8:1-11

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."

How easy is it for us to find fault in others and to condemn them for their sins. Today’s Gospel reading is about forgiveness and compassion. We hear the story about the lady who was caught in the act of adultery. The Pharisees wanted to stone her as it was written in the Mosaic law. But Jesus replies, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” The Pharisees begin to reflect on their own conscience and realize that they too are not free from sin. The Pharisees left one by one leaving only Jesus and the woman behind. Jesus asks her, “Has no one condemned you?” And she replies, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” How many times do we walk in the shoes of the Pharisees; quick to judge and condemn and extremely resistant to forgive. Jesus is telling the Pharisees it is okay to judge, but only if you are without sin. It is so easy for us to find fault in others, to find those things that they do wrong. When we find fault in others, we should use that opportunity to look inward, to determine what sins rest on our own souls.

Adultery was a very serious crime in the days of Jesus yet He does not condemn her. He does not even judge her. Instead He gives her a simple commandment, “go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” Jesus could have condemned her for her actions, but instead, He forgives her. The grace of forgiveness is much greater than condemnation. Forgiveness causes us to reflect on our own sinfulness. When we forgive, we reach out to others to help release them from the bonds that hold them to their earthly desires. Forgiveness and condemnation are a battle between the grace of God and the will of man. We believe that condemning others will make us look better, but it does just the opposite. When we condemn others, we are really saying that we are better than those that we condemn. It keeps us from seeing the gates to heaven. But forgiving others frees us to receive the mercy of God.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God in Heaven, I judge others unfairly.

I condemn them while I myself am a sinner.

Fill me with the grace I need to forgive them

so that they will build the strength to sin no more.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”

Gospel Reading John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, "Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from." So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, "You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

What does it mean to know Jesus the Christ? In today’s Gospel reading, the people of Jerusalem questioned Jesus about His origins. The people of Judea built up so much hatred that they wanted to kill him. “And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?” Jesus tells the people that they know who he is, but they refuse to accept Him as the Christ. He tells them that they can’t know him because they have not accepted him. He comes to reveal God to the world, the God that they cannot see or touch. Jesus knows God because he is God. Jesus knows the Father because he is from the Father. He brings the message, the word forth into this world. He is the Word that became flesh. Jesus knew that He would upset the people of Jerusalem and that they would try to kill him. Even under these conditions He was willing to deliver the message of God with no fear about what would happen to him. Jesus knew that the message of God would entail suffering and sacrifice. To know Jesus the Christ is to know that we must face suffering and sacrifice. We too have to make tough decisions. Everything we do becomes a choice between God and not God. There is not one decision we will make in life that will either lead us toward or away from God. Many times fear of condemnation from others keeps us from making the right decision. The fear of being hurt or being rejected has great power over us. We must overcome these weaknesses and stay focused on God. Fear is the greatest weapon of Satan. If he causes us to fear rejection in the world, then he has won our souls. But God gave us the grace through our internal conscience to know right from wrong and the ability to know the truth and the ability to fight Satan. He also gives us the strength through His grace to chose the right decision. After Jesus delivered his message, the people of Jerusalem wanted to arrest him, but nobody could lay a hand on him. It was not “his hour” and therefore his Father protected him from the crowds. We too are saved by the sacrifice of Christ. He came to show us that when we chose him, we chose eternal life. Nobody can touch us if we chose God. It is only through Him that we have access to eternity. We must desire to know Christ because to know Christ is to know God. And to know God, to love God and to desire God is to truly want eternal life.

A Simple Prayer

Lord of heaven and Earth, open the gates of my heart.

Fill me with the hope and desire to walk with you.

Give me the strength to carry my cross no matter the cost.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“For the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, bear me witness that the Father has sent me.”

Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. “I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks his opponents a very simple question – How can you believe in the Father and not in His son? They continually demand signs that demonstrate that he is the true Messiah. He tells them that John the Baptist has borne witness and for a while they believed, but their faith was weak. And then Jesus tells them, “But I have testimony greater than John’s.” Jesus came to do great deeds and to bring the world into his fold. The miracles and his teachings demonstrated his great works. These works helped heal the lame and bring faith to the weak. They bore witness to the Father that sent him. Yet, the majority of the Jews could not see his divinity. Jesus says that “the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.” His coming has been foretold over the centuries through the word of God revealed to their ancestors. Jesus tells them not only does John bear witness but that the scriptures bear witness to his coming. If we do not open our hearts to the miracles of Christ, how can we ever open our hearts to the Word of God. Christ preformed so many miracles, cured so many people, yet the signs were not enough. Even today God shows us so many signs and hundreds of little miracles and yet we still find it difficult to believe in the power of God. We are still unwilling to turn our lives completely over to Christ. Our walk toward Christ is never easy and at times we may stumble and fall and at times we may have doubt. But all we need to do is look around us to see the signs that have been provided to us in the glory of life. It is these miracles that are all around us that bear witness to the power of the Messiah. It is these miracles that makes the Word of God alive within us.

A Simple Prayer

Father in Heaven, as I walk the journey of life I witness many trials.

Give the prudence and wisdom to hear the Word of God.

Open my heart so I may bear witness to Christ.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“My Father is working still, and I am working.”

Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because He not only broke the Sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes it quite clear that he is the Son of God sent to give us life. Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, amen, (or in some translations Truly, truly) I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also.” Jesus not only claims to be the Son of God, but has demonstrated His great power by healing the sick and freeing people from the demons that possess their lives. Jesus even raised a person from the dead to show the people of Israel that he has power over death. But most importantly, Jesus tells us, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.” If we desire eternal life with God, then we need to commit ourselves to the word of God. Jesus tells us that the day is coming when “all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.” When you face your judgment, where is it that you want to go? The decisions we make today will decide our eternal fate. It is up to you. Lent is a time to refocus our path and to give our life to God. Jesus sets the example. He tells us that “the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing...” This is what he expects of us. He expects us to follow the example set by Christ. He tells us that we must be willing to sacrifice our lives for others. New life comes to those who yield to the way of Christ.

A Simple Prayer

Father God, you sent your son as my example.

Give the strength to follow his way.

Fill me with your grace so that I may be a servant to others.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Look, you are well; do not sin anymore.”

Gospel Reading: John 5:1-16

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of a man who is seeking the healing living waters. All he needs is to get to the pool and he will be healed. What he eventually realizes is that Christ is the true healing water because we are ALL born of the living waters of Christ. Christ pours out his eternal love for all mankind. From Christ flows the river of life, poured out in word and in sacrament. The living waters heal the deepest of our wounds. “To the thirsty I will give a gift from the life-giving waters.” (Rev 21:6) If you are thirsty for the love of God, his water is plentiful. Christ is the living, healing water who cured this man. If we cannot get into the water, we cannot be healed. We must want the water of life. The more we experience the water of life, the more committed to God we become. We may stumble on our journey, but God is always there to heal us for our fruit will never wither.

If you want to get well, you will need to “Rise, take your mat, and walk.” Walk to the water that flows from Christ, the water that gives life to every living creature.

A Simple Prayer

Jesus, thank you for saving me and setting me on this journey toward heaven.

During this season of Lent, help me give into the river, let the river push me into a deeper relationship with you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon