Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-56

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Today’s gospel is the joyful story of the Mary’s visit to see Elizabeth. Both Mary and Elizabeth, through the miracles of God in Heaven, are with child. Mary’s womb contained that which filled the universe, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and the fully human God of Heaven and Earth. An expecting mother is normally glowing with the elation that she has new life within her womb, but Mary had God in her womb. Can you just image the joy and happiness that radiated from Mary in her state of motherhood? We are told that when Mary entered Elizabeth’s house, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb (John the Baptist) leapt with joy as he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, radiating from Mary, embraced both Elizabeth and her unborn child. The Lord Jesus Christ had entered all three of their lives. Mary proclaimed, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

We too are filled with this same Holy Spirit through our baptism. Is it obvious that you have the Holy Spirit within you? Can your fellow brothers and sisters identify you as carrying Christ? To have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us is one of the greatest graces God bestows upon us. We should be excited and sing out that we have God present within our souls. It is our job, through our actions, our words and thoughts to radiate outward the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to share the gifts which God has bestowed upon us and the Gift of the Holy Spirit is one that was given to us freely and we must share freely.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the World, Thank you for filling my heart with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for allowing me to be a vessel of your love and joy.

Give me the strength to share this love and joy with others so that they too may know you as I know you.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 15:12-17

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

In today’s Gospel, we learn the new commandment that God has given us – “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” We are called to “lay down one's life for one's friends.” So what kind of love is Jesus talking about? Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die to save us. God loves us unconditionally with no strings attached. He loves us no matter what we do or how great the sin we commit, He still loves us. He asks of us to have this same love for one another. We must unconditionally love everyone. To love one another unconditionally, we must be willing to make sacrifices even to the point where it hurts. Jesus proved this unconditional love for us on the cross and we must also express our love for our fellow man in the same way. We are called not only to love the people that we know, but also those people we do not know. This type of love would be greater than the love between two best friends or even the love between a husband and wife. We are called to love those people who it is difficult to love. The truest expression of love would be to make a sacrifice for someone who is difficult for us to like. To truly love is to give everything we have to offer to someone else in need. God made this sacrifice with his son for our redemption. That's what Jesus meant when He said, “This I command you, love one another.”

A Simple Prayer

My Dearest Lord, Oh how I love you.

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

May my love be unconditional and without bounds.

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

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.”

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

Why does Jesus ask us to abide in his love? What have we done to deserve the love that Jesus has given us? Jesus promises us everlasting life with His Father if we follow his commandments. He tells us quite simply; if we obey his commandments, then we are honoring Jesus; and if we honor Jesus, then we honor his Father. Jesus is talking about the same love that He and his Father share. Is there any more joyful and merciful love than the love God expressed in giving us his son. This is a joy only someone who has committed their life to Christ can understand. Our love for him is a response to the love he poured out for us. Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” This joy abounds in those who truly love Christ. This joy is a joy so deep that honest open unconditional love bubbles to the top. This person radiates joyful and merciful love. Everything they do, they do for the joy of the Lord. What will it take for you to commit your life to this unconditional love and joy?

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, may I radiate the joy and love you showed to the world. Inflame my heart with love for you and your ways.

Give me the strength to be charitable and compassionate.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 15:1-8

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

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

A Simple Prayer

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

Prune my branches so I may yield much fruit.

May my fruit be bountiful to those who starve.

Yours in Christ

Michael F. Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading John 14:27-31a

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

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

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, may the your peace fill my soul.

May the joy of knowing you revive my life.

Give me the strength to stand tall in my faith.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 14:21-26

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

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

A Simple Prayer

Most heavenly Father,

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

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

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

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”

Gospel Reading (John 14:1-6)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples the he is “the way and the truth and the life.” So what does this really mean. He is telling us that there is only one way to eternal life and it is through him. We must understand that it is Jesus who teaches us the one and only truth and by following his truth, we find our way to the one true life. He tell his disciples that believing in God and knowing God come through knowing him. He starts out by telling them not to be troubled and to have faith. This he does to put them at ease with their final destiny. We are told to take solace in Christ and in God. But no matter how hard we try to avoid trouble and despair, we all eventually encounter situations which are hard to deal with. We all face trials in our life which put us to the test. During these times, many of us will feel alone and even abandoned. Christ wants us to know that we are never abandoned and that he will always be there for us. These troubles and trials can make us lose hope and become discouraged. Jesus says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” We need to know that Christ is preparing a place for us in his house. We need to take comfort that Christ is there to calm the waters and burden our pains. However, we must be willing to give these things up to Christ. We must be willing to let go and trust in Christ that he has prepared a place for us in his Father’s house. We cannot find the way unless we trust in Christ. It is only through our total abandonment that we will find heaven. It is through our commitment to Christ that we will find the way, the truth and the life which has been promised to us in our baptism.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, prepare the way that I may find your Father’s house.

Give me the hope of everlasting life in heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 12:44-50

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

Darkness envelopes the world through our sin and rejection of God, but Jesus came into the world to bring us the light to free us from our sins. He came not to condemn us to eternal darkness, but to bring us into eternal light. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that those who reject him, judge themselves. By rejecting Jesus Christ, one rejects the very truth of our existence. One denies the reason why God created us. God created us in his image and likeness. He created us to be in communion with him. To reject him, separates us from him. We are no longer in communion with God. To be in communion with Christ is to be in communion with eternal life. He came to guide us to the narrow gate which leads to eternal life; “The Lord is my light and my salvation” (Ps 27). It is through Jesus Christ’s message that we find God and we find eternal life. Christ, the light of the world, reveals the hidden truth. Through our faith in Christ, we can see God’s kingdom. Through our faith the kingdom of God is revealed to us today. Jesus makes it quite clear, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.” Light is a necessary part of life. Without it, there is no life. The light of Christ not only reveals what is hidden, it also enables us to grow and be nourished in the faith. Life would not exist without light. Everything would die and wither away. Through Christ, the living light shines upon us. If we do not seek the word of God, we chose to remain in the darkness. In the darkness, sin will consume us and we will become spiritually dead. The light of Christ is like being kept in a small dark room and them walking out into the glorious sunlight. When you enter the sunlight, you immediately feel the warmth of the sun and the sensation of joy overwhelms the body. You immediately feel a sense of freedom and you are instantly revitalized. This is the same feeling one experiences when they walk into the light of Christ.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, Show me the light and the way.

I seek you in the darkness that surrounds me.

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

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 10:22-30

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

In today’s Gospel reading, the Jews are again asking for faith. They ask Jesus to talk to them in plain English. Well, maybe not English, but in plain Aramaic. Jesus responds by telling them, I can’t make it any more plain. He does miracles and preaches with authority and wisdom and they still do not recognize him as the Messiah. The people who “know” Jesus, recognize him through his works and his words. Like a good shepherd, his flock knows him, and Jesus knows them. He promises those that know him and follow him “eternal life, and they shall never perish.” Because of their faith and commitment to Jesus, they are saved from the eternal fires of hell. Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against the evil that lurks in the world. They become easy prey to the wolves and can easily get lost. This is why a shepherd lives with his sheep. He lives with them so that they will know and recognize his voice. Jesus dwelt among us so we would know and recognize his voice. The shepherd protects his sheep from the dangers of the world. He guides them to safety when evil lurks. He leads them to the best places for feeding and the best streams for drinking. The sheep come to recognize the voice of their shepherd and heed his call. We too are like the sheep in the field. If we have no shepherd, we become easy prey to forces which can destroy us. Sin and Satan easily enter our pasture and rob us of our eternal life. Christ not only protects us from the evil of Satan, he also leads us to the best of places where we can feed on the "word of life" and drink from the "living waters" of his Holy Spirit. The sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear. He will lead them to the best of places – everlasting peace, joy, and fellowship with God and his people.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you are my shepherd.

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

Lead me to the pastures of eternal life.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“I am the good shepherd.”

John 10:11-18

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. He tells us that “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He is telling us that he is willing to lay down his life for the salvation of the world. The purpose of the Good Shepherd is to bring all the sheep of the world into one fold not just the Israelites. He states that he “other sheep that do not belong to this fold.” So who are these sheep. They are you and I. The folk does not just include the Israelites, it includes everyone in the world. Jesus’ mission extends to every flock no matter what their background. He desires us all to be one under one shepherd. He also cautions us against the hirelings. The hirelings are hired men who “see the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.” The hirelings are those who are out for their own glory and not the glory of God. Their will is weak and when danger approaches, they quickly cower and retreat. The shepherd on the other hand is willing to continually sacrifice himself for his sheep. The Good Shepherd goes out looking for all the sheep to be one flock. There are many false leaders in the world today including maybe some of our friends or possibly our ideals. We must make sure that we are listening to the one true shepherd. The one who laid his life down for us. We do not want to be associated with hirelings. They do not lead us to the gate but scatter us among the winds. The lead us away from the kingdom of God.

Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” Jesus says that he knows his sheep. He knows his sheep by name and more importantly, his sheep know him. All a good shepherd needs do is call the sheep and they know his voice and they come running. When Christ calls your name, what do you do. He knows you, but do you know him? When he calls your name, do you remain wondering in the field or do you come to the shepherd? If we do not know his name, then we are easy prey for the wolf. The wolf scatters those who are not under the protection of the shepherd. We know God when we know the Gospel.

A Simple Prayer

Lord you are the Good Shepherd who keeps watch over us.

Give me the ability to hear you call my name.

Give me the strength to be a member of your flock.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 6:52-59 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

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

A Simple Prayer

Amen, Amen – I believe.

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

May it nourish my soul and give me eternal life.

Amen, Amen – I believe.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 6:44-51

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

Has anybody ever asked you, “Why you receive the Eucharist” or “Where is it written about the power of the Eucharist?” In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the final part of the discourse on the Bread of Life and the revelation of its significance in our salvation. God so loved us that he emptied himself and became human. In his humanity, he came more closely linked to our own humanity. To extend his abundant love for us, Jesus gave us the Eucharist. Why? Jesus tells his disciples that the Israelites were given manna from heaven and yet they still died, but the bread that Jesus offers us from God provides eternal life. Jesus claims to be this eternal bread of life. This is a claim which only God can make. Jesus says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” There is no clearer statement about the power and mystery of the Eucharist. If we partake in the Eucharist, our bodies are fortified with abundant life in Christ which becomes our source of spiritual energy. The Eucharist is truly God himself which sustains us not only now, but also in our eternal life. “Amen, Amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” To deny the Eucharist is to deny the very supernatural power of God himself. To deny the Eucharist is to deny life eternal. When we accept the Eucharist, we not only accept the nourishment of the spirit, we accept the healing graces, the wisdom of God, and the courage to live in his image. To accept the Eucharist is to accept a personal and intimate relationship with Christ. When you receive the Eucharist, remember that you are truly receiving Jesus Christ himself, the eternal “Bread of Life.” This is no symbolic representation, this is truly the Body of Christ, his Flesh given for the life of the world. When you receive the Eucharist, say “Amen, Amen, I believe in the eternal life granted by the Bread of Life.”

A Simple Prayer

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

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

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

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

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 6:35-40

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

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

Jesus makes three claims: i) he offers himself as spiritual food which produces the very life of God within us; ii) he promises unbroken friendship and freedom from the fear of being forsaken or cut off from God; and iii) he offers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection. Those who accept Jesus as the “Bread of Life” will be raised up to immortal life with Him when he comes again on the last day. It is time for us to experience the resurrection. It is time for us to come to the table of our Lord and be nourished by the Eucharist. It is only at the Eucharist, that one can be nourished with the body and blood of Christ. Everyone is invited to the table no matter who you are.

A Simple Prayer

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

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

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

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 3:16-21

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

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

An example of the darkness in the world is the ongoing religious strife. Just last Sunday Osama Bin Laden was shoot and killed due to his religious extremism. While I am not here to judge the justification of this action by the men that killed him or to deny it necessity, but I feel that our response to this event would not find favor in light today’s Gospel. Celebrating the unnatural end of anybodies life is sinful. Instead of celebrating his death, we should be saddened by the unnatural ending of the human dignity within the man. We should be saddened by the fact that his life had to be taken and that we had to take this action to preserve the human dignity of others. We should pray for God to have mercy on his soul and those of his followers who inflict the same terrorism in the world. Jesus asks us to love our neighbors and most importantly our enemies. We are not to celebrate his death, but be deeply saddened by his life. We should have the same response that Blessed John Paul the Great had to the person who shot and almost killed him. We should reach out with compassion to the human dignity of the man no matter how grave the sins of the man. Our response to situations like this truly defines our true Christianity.

A Simple Prayer

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

You are the light which leads us to the gate.

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

And gives us the strength to love our enemies.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

Gospel Reading: John 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

I am sure that at some time in our lives we have all asked the question, “Where in the world is Heaven?” Or possibly, “How do I find heaven?” The Apostles want to see the Father because the Father is heaven. But Jesus tells them, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” Heaven is standing right before them and yet they do not see it. Ancient tradition has heaven in the skies and hell down below. These concepts of heaven and hell were taken from ancient mythology. In reality, heaven and hell are both here on earth and are all around us. Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth and the light that he will lead us to heaven on earth. John’s gospel tells us that the earth is darkness and that Jesus comes to bring us the saving light. Heaven is right here right now. We find heaven when we find Jesus. Jesus is the compass that will direct us to where we want to go. “A highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it.” (Isaiah 35:8) When we direct our lives toward Jesus, we find heaven, we find the light. We are building the kingdom of heaven on earth right now, today. Why wait until tomorrow to experience the joy that the Lord Jesus Christ can bring to you today. Our judgment day occurs every day. As we examine our souls, we judge ourselves; we make sure that we are worthy to walk along the Holy Way. Which highway are you on? Jesus has lit the way; he wants to draw you into his arms. Today’s Gospel gives us the good news that we do not have to wait to find heaven, that we will find heaven in him and through him. Rejoice, today for the Lord Jesus Christ is among us. His salvation is today.

A Simple Prayer

Most Glorious Risen Christ,

Fill my life with your saving grace.

Help me find the way and identify the truth.

You are my way, my truth and my light.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

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

Gospel Reading: John 3:1-8

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

How can one find heaven without knowing heaven. Jesus tells us today that “unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Christ is telling us that to see the kingdom, you must know the kingdom and you cannot know the kingdom unless you know God. So how can we come to know the kingdom? We become acquainted with the Kingdom of God through our Baptism. When we are baptized, we are baptized in both the water and the Holy Spirit. It is in this sacrament that we are united to our Father in Heaven. This bond with God is again renewed and strengthened during our confirmation. Jesus tells us that this is not an earthly bond, but a heavenly bond. A bond we can only find through our linkage with Him. It is this bond with our Father in heaven that creates a longing or a desire to find the kingdom. While Jesus tells us, “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” While we cannot see God, we know he exists through his miracles, through the creation of life, and through the scriptures. While we do not know where he comes from, we know that the Kingdom of God exists. We should seek out this Kingdom in our life. We should seek to create this Kingdom here on earth.

A Simple Prayer

My God, my Father in Heaven.

I know you through my baptism.

Through this baptism, I have found new life.

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

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

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon