Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

Do you desire to see God? If so, why? That may seem like a weird question, but it is a very important question. In today’s Gospel reading, Herod the tetrarch heard about the miracles and healings that Jesus had preformed and “he kept trying to see him.” Unfortunately, his desire to seek out Jesus was not to form a relationship with him but to satisfy his curiosity. Herod had the same desire and curiosity to meet John the Baptist, but after he met him, he killed him to please others in his family. His seeking out John the Baptist was to demonstrate his own power. Who is it that you seek to know? Do you gravitate toward people of fame, power and wealth or do you seek to know God and people of God? At school or work, do you hang with people because it will elevate your status in this earthly society? It is so easy to seek out the popular crowd and to be with them. However, does this crowd lead one toward Christ or away from Christ? If you want to be united with God, then you should seek out people who are godly people. We should associate ourselves with people who express God’s love and truth. You, yourselves should be an expression of God’s compassion towards others. Allow the grace of God to fill you with the faith and courage one needs to follow the godly crowd and not necessarily the popular crowd. We should seek out the meek, the poor, the merciful, the hungry for these are the people who will inherit the Kingdom of God. We should seek out those who also seek God. Seeking these people is the same as seeking out the Kingdom of Heaven.

A Simple Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is you that seek.

I seek you not for your power, but for your grace and mercy.

I seek you not for your popularity, but because you are the source of new life.

May I be godly and lead others to you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Follow me.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

What were you doing when Jesus called out to you, "Follow me." Jesus calls each of us by name to follow him. Matthew rose to the challenge and became one of the twelve. We too are called to leave the comfort of our normal everyday lives to become Disciples of Christ. There is not one person on this earth who has not been called to serve. Are you ready to be one of his disciples?  You might be saying to yourself that I am not worthy of his calling.  But if not you, then who?  Jesus called forth Matthew, a tax collector and a sinner.  In the days of Jesus, the tax collectors were considered some of the most evil and corrupt men on earth as they would pilfer and steal from others. The tax collector was put on par with the thieves and prostitutes. They were the worst of individuals.

So why would Jesus call Matthew? He was not like other apostles called into service. In fact he was probably strongly hated by the townspeople in the village he lived. Matthew was chosen because he experienced the salvation shared through the grace of God. The simple command “follow me” was all Matthew needed to abandon his sinful ways and become a true disciple of Christ. Matthew became a loyal and dedicated servant of Christ at such a simple request. So why would Matthew become an apostle? Matthew, a greedy tax collector, must have realized after simply experiencing the presence of Christ in his life that the treasures of the Kingdom of God were far greater than the treasures he pilfered from the local Israelites. Jesus did not have to tell Matthew any long parable or convince him to be an apostle. He just simply looked into his heart and said, “Follow me” - two words that must have translated into “You’re forgiven” or “You’re loved.” Two words completely changed the life of Matthew forever.  It was this inner grace from God that completely changed Matthew’s life.

After Jesus called Matthew into service, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. Matthew’s calling opened the door for other sinners to come to God. However, the Pharisees were not happy that Jesus would sit and break bread with such men. They say to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus hearing their complaints responds, “Those who are well do not need a physician,  but the sick do.” Jesus came not to heal the righteous, but to heal the sinners. We are all sinners, and yet we are all called into service to spread the word of God. There is no sin so great that you cannot repent and become a missionary for Christ. In two words, Jesus healed Matthew. In two words, Jesus can heal you too.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, our Savior and Light, I hear your calling to “Follow me.”

Give me the strength and wisdom to let go my sinful life so I can follow you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

News Flash – Jesus rebukes Mary, his own mom – or does he?  In today’s gospel reading, it might appear that Jesus is rebuking his family. His family comes to see him but because of the crowds they cannot get near him. He is told of their desire to see him, but Jesus responds, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” There is no doubt that Jesus loved his mother very much, but today’s message helps us understand the depth of the relationship we should seek with God. He is calling all of us to be one of his siblings. God never intended humans to be alone. In the beginning when God created man and he was alone, God saw that was not good and Adam was lonely. To respond to this solitude, God created a companion for Adam. Man formed a relationship with woman. In today’s gospel, God is telling us that while the relationship with your family is important, it is nothing unless that relationship is centered on God. Only through your relationship with God can you elevate your earthly relationships. All relationships should include the communion with God.  To be in communion with God, we must be will to participate in the Word.  We must willingly allow God to take control of our life and lead us to Him.

Being a good Christian is more than following the Ten Commandments, it is about establishing a relationship with God and making him head of your family. Today’s gospel challenges us to take the relationship deeper by elevating the importance of that relationship. By making your relationship with God the most important relationship in your life, we commit to a relationship of love. Any relationship founded on true love includes trust, commitment, loyalty, kindness and compassion. If we have this type of relationship with God, it will flow down into our other relationships. It will become the foundation for all relationships we form on earth. Every relationship you form on earth should mirror your relationship with God. Your relationship with other men and women should be Christ centered. The relationship should mirror the relationship you would have with Christ.

A Simple Prayer

My Heavenly Father, I love you and cherish you.

I desire a relationship with you.

May all my relationships mirror the one you desire from me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lamp stand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story about the parable of the lamp. In the days of Jesus, lamps were the only means to see in the darkness. If you needed to work at night, you would need a lamp to get around. The lamp became the means to reveal what was hidden in the darkness.  In the darkness, we should seek out the lamp to become enlighten.  Once we become enlightened, we too will become a beacon of light for others.  God gives each of us many graces and gifts which help define who we are. These graces help light up the darkness not only in our own lives but in those around us. Our lamp helps us reveal who we are. Do you allow your gifts and talents to be revealed to others? Jesus tells us, “For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,  and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.” These truths that we have about ourselves will someday be revealed no matter how much we try to hide them. God is all knowing and knows what we try to hide. You cannot keep anything away from him. This not only includes the gifts which we have been given, but also the sins which darken your soul. You should use the light of God to illuminate and reveal those things which prevent you from journeying to God. Do not cover up the light, but let it shine bright for others to come see. Your light is a gift, reveal it to others so that those who enter may see the light.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you are the Light of World.

Fill my heart and my soul with the wisdom and truth of the light.

May your light guide eliminate the darkness in my life,

And lead me to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 8:1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and  infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

Jesus’ mission was to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God; to open our eyes and our ears  to the message of our Father in heaven.  So often we hear the stories of the twelve men who dedicated their lives to God.  But in addition to the Twelve, Jesus was joined by a number of women who dedicated their lives to his mission.  They not only gave of their time but they gave from their coffers.  All people, both men and women, were given the call to follow Jesus.  He called the rich and the poor, the clean and the unclean.  These people not only dedicated their lives, they dedicated their resources to provide the support for Christ on his mission.  When Christ calls us to spread the good news, He is not only calling us to bring ourselves, we must be willing to bring all our resources to help bring people to Christ.  These women dedicated their lives and their resources to support the mission of Christ.  We must be willing to commit everything to the mission of God because nothing is more important than bringing forth the Kingdom.  We must remember that everything we have, all our riches, all our treasures are a gift from God.  How we use these treasures is how we thank God for giving them to us.   

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, I hear your calling.

May my soul be set on fire so I have the strength to give everything I own.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest  Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Gospel Reading: John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Yesterday was the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross where we see celebrate the sorrow of the cross.  Today we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.  We see in today’s Gospel reading that several people are at the foot of the cross including Jesus’ mother Mary.  Jesus looks out and sees her at his feet.  He knows that she is sorrowful, but her presence is comforting to him in this painful time.  Today’s reading is rather short, but extremely comforting to the reader; especially after the turmoil that is going on around us. Not only does Jesus refer to his mom, he refers to the “disciple there whom he loved.” Many bible scholars have suggested that Christ’s church is his beloved disciple; and therefore, Jesus would be speaking directly to us from the cross. Jesus looks down upon us to provide what we need to make it through the any situation no matter how much pain and sorrow it brings upon us. Not only is he there to help us, but he sends his mother to our side to look over us. The best source of love and compassion is the love and compassion of a mother. In her sorrows, we find joy and happiness.  Jesus asks her to behold us.  When we are sorrowful, when we feel defeated, there is nothing better than the arms of your mother to make you feel better.  Jesus gave us his mother to help us in our time of need to reach out and comfort us. We see this throughout history in the visions of Mary.  When Mary has appeared to her children, she has always been comforting with extreme compassion. As we reflect on the ongoing turmoil in world and even here in our own backyard, we should thank the blessed mother for protecting us and caring for us through this storm.  We should thank her for wrapping us in her arms and her mantle. 

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, through the cross we have found the door which leads to eternal life.

You gave us your life and now you give us your mother to hold us and comfort us.

May my life be worthy of the sacrifice which you made for me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“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.”

Gospel Reading: John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

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.” But it also tells us that God sent Jesus to us not to condemn us, but to save us from our sins. He sent his only son to be the light and the way, to be the guide who leads us to the narrow gate.  He sent his only Son, to suffer and die for our sins and on the third day He would rise again to save us from the eternal fires of Hell. Jesus is the light that came into the world to show us the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. God sent his son to be our beacon so that we might be saved.  Jesus is the example which will lead us to eternal life.  By leading a life imaging the life of Christ, we develop a virtuous habit which helps perfect our soul.  Christ burdened the cross to free us from our sins so that we might find eternal life with his Father in Heaven.  He does not condemn us for our sins, but frees us from our earthly bonds which can lead us to the fires of Hell. To find Christ, we must be willing to imitate his life and ultimately his sacrifice.  This is what it means to lead a virtuous life. 

A Simple Prayer

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

You are the light which leads us to the gate.

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

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

How many times have we faced misfortune.  Sorrow overcomes us and it becomes difficult to coup with the grief.  Currently our brothers and sisters north of Houston and in central Texas are suffering from the wild fires.  The normalcy of our lives are disrupted and worry begin as we try to make sense of the situation.  Jesus responds to our needs and helps us through our fears.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus reached out to the lady who lost her son.  The Gospel says that Jesus was “moved with pity.”  As we suffer in life, Jesus feels our grief and reaches out to help us.  Jesus does not like us to have sorrow in our lives.  If we reach out to Christ, he will comfort us.  He will relieve the death in our lives and fill us with life.  We must be willing to look to him for our security.  He will restore our lives.  Through him we will restore our lives.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you are the life of the world.

Through you we find comfort and security.

Give me the strength to offer up my suffering.

Give me the strength to find security in you touch.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” 

Gospel Reading: Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, "He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Today’s Gospel reading is all about coming to Christ and coming to know Christ.  A Roman centurion had a slave who was very dear to him and also very near death.  The centurion was obviously not Jewish and would have been discouraged from even caring about the Jews.  So it was unexpected that he would come to Christ for a Jewish person, a person who was his slave.  Yet he had the courage to overcome the ridicule and possible retaliation from his own people to help this lowly servant.  This centurion was more concerned about the slave then he was about his own honor and dignity among the Roman elite.  He elevated the value of the servant above him when he asked Jesus to cure the slave.  As the centurion approached Jesus he said to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.”  This is an outright sign of humility.  He recognized who was the greater person.  We too must accept humility before we can accept help from the Lord.  We must recognize our unworthiness, our sinfulness before we can truly open our hearts to the Lord.  Jesus responded to this demonstration by saying, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”  This is the same response we get when we humble ourselves before Christ.  The door to salvation is right in front of us and humility is the key which opens the lock and lets you in. 

No matter how “unworthy” we are, Christ will always come to help us if we accept our unworthiness.  What the centurion did was brave because he had to step out of the norm.  We too must be willing to be Christian when it is not popular.  It is easy to be Christian at church or at religion class, but how easy is it to be a Christian at school or at work or when you’re out with your friends.  Can you be a Christian when you’re dating?  This is when humility comes through.  This is when you demonstrate to Christ your worthiness for him.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, I am not worthy of your help for I am a sinner

But say the word, and let my servant be healed.

Increase my faith so I can stand true even when it is not popular.

Yours in Christ:

Michael Marcon    

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Can a blind person guide a blind person?”

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:39-42

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

We are all called to be disciples of Christ.  As a disciple of Christ, your job is to proclaim the liturgy of the Word and to lead others to Christ.  How can you proclaim what you do not know?  In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus questions his disciples, “Can a blind person lead a blind person?”  He is telling us that we must not only read the Scriptures, but we must study the Scriptures.  We need to know the message of God and know what God teaches us through his message.  This does not mean that you need to memorize Scripture passages, but that you must know the meaning of message.  Once we know the meaning of the message, we must learn to live the message.  By living the message, are we not teaching others?  St Francis of Assisi tells us to preach the Gospel daily and if necessary to use words.  Jesus is telling us to get trained so that by our own lives we can lead others.  We need to remove the “beam” from our eyes which blinds us so that we can clearly see the message of Christ.  Once we have done that, our example will lead others to the message.  When we teach the Scriptures, we must not judge our fellow man or use the Scriptures to condemn.  When we condemn others through the Word of God, are we not placing ourselves above others.  Each of us is a sinner and is no better than the next.  We are each a gift from God who loves us unconditionally.  When we teach the Scriptures, we must teach with unconditional love and compassion.  The message we give through our actions and our words should lead others to the banquet table.

A Simple Prayer

God, open my eyes to the Scriptures.

Allow me to be a instrument of our love and compassion.

Allow me to become your disciple.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“They shall name him Emmanuel,  which means “God is with us.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-23

Today is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.  When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,  which means “God is with us.”

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear both the genealogy of Christ and the commitment of Joseph. So why do we need to know our genealogy? It helps us understand who we are and where we come from. We hear that Jesus is a direct descendant of Abraham, the Father of God’s chosen people and of the house of David, the King of Israel. This genealogy fulfills the Old Testament scriptures which promised that a descendant of the house of David would come to save us from our enemies. The linage presented in Matthew confirms that Christ is the promised Messiah, the Son of Man sent to save us. But it is not only about knowing where we come from, it is also about knowing that God has called us to do special things. Joseph has just found out that Mary is pregnant with Jesus and being a just man and not wanting to shame Mary, he resolves to divorce her quietly. But an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When he woke up he did as he was commanded by the angel. This story has two great messages. The first message is the willingness of Joseph to obey the will of God. His fiancé is pregnant and they are not married. How embarrassing that would be for his future wife to be pregnant and they are not married. Yet Joseph listened and obeyed the angel of God. The second message, which is more subtle in this Gospel reading, is the faith and trust of Mary. Mary also has to trust in God and have faith that he will take care of her and provide for her. In the time of Christ, Mary would likely have been stoned or cast out of the community. This was a huge commitment by both. Mary, through the power of the Holy Spirit, was able to go to Joseph and trust that he would be there to take care of her.

We too are called to be obedient to the will of God no matter what he asks us to do, no matter how embarrassing, and no matter how uncertain the outcome. The Holy Spirit comes down upon us and gives us many gifts wrapped in strange packaging. We are called to use those gifts to spread the word of God, to make way for the Kingdom of God. We are also called to have great trust and faith in God. We need to trust that he knows what he is doing. In our daily lives, it is so easy to get caught up in the materialistic aspects of “All I want is…” when I should be saying yes to the angel of God when he calls. We should be willing to take the time to reflect on the gifts which God has given us and give him thanks and praise for these gifts are given to us freely without any expectations of return. We should reflect on our talents which were given to us by God. We should decide whether we are using our gifts how God intended us to us them. We must be willing to sacrifice the material gifts that we receive for the spiritual gifts which are wrapped up in the paper of the Holy Spirit. We should celebrate the family that we have and blessing that we were given. We should celebrate the gift of Christ in our lives. Once we accept these gifts from God, we can truly appreciate the other material gifts which we receive.

A Simple Prayer

God, you give me more graces than I deserve. Give me the strength to use those gifts to your satisfaction.

May I have the obedience of Joseph and the faith of Mary to use the gifts which you have given me.

Your son was the greatest gift of all for he came to forgive us our sins; may I also forgive those who sinned against me.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:  “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.  For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

Today's message is quite clear, those that suffer on earth will be rewarded in the Kingdom of God. Those who sacrifice everything for God and give up all the earthly items will find a special joy in heaven. I have heard many a preacher say that someone must be blessed because they are rich or that they have a good job. Not that these people cannot be blessed, but this implies that those who have nothing are being punished by God. Today’s gospel reading tells us something quite different. The truly blessed people are those who have found God and have absolutely nothing. Those are the people who one would expect to be the soured at their position in society. Christ tells us that if you are poor on earth, you will be rich in heaven; or, if you had a sad life on earth, you will have a very happy life in heaven. We will all suffer and experience some degree of pain, suffering, sickness, and even death. Some people appear to be burdened with an abundance of pain and suffering. At times we may think that a dark cloud is just sitting over our head. Why does God allow us to suffer? Why must people be poor and homeless? We are called to have faith in God and offer this suffering to him. This offering transcends earthly happiness and allows us to reach a spiritual happiness in the kingdom of heaven.

We have all seen people who absolutely nothing, yet they laugh and have fun. They are content with what God has given them and they take satisfaction in their simple lives. Why are they not sad? The word Beatitude literally means happiness. True happiness comes from the suffering. Are you really happy if you are given everything? Do we not get bored with material things to only want more? Then we become bored with this stuff and want even more. Is that really happiness? How long does that brand new IPod or Xbox keep you happy? True happiness is found in the Beatitudes. This message is really trying to tell us that the poor are not held captive to material things and therefore can see the things that bring true happiness. They can see the Kingdom of God because their site is not blinded by greed for earthly materials. To find true happiness in heaven, we will need to empty our lives of those things that prevent us from seeing God. This is why we are asked to fast, pray and give alms. During this time, we separate ourselves from the earthly things and allow our souls to unite with God in Heaven. These are things we typically do during lent; however, we are called to live Lent year round, not just during the Lenten season.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, I desire to find your happiness,

Give me the strength to separate myself from the earthly things that keep me from you.

I hunger for your love.

May my suffering allow me to see you more clearly.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:12-19

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.

In today’s gospel reading, we see that Jesus has called forth from his disciples a group of twelve.  Jesus spends all night in prayer and discernment with His Father in heaven before selecting the twelve men who would become the first leaders of the Church.  It says that he named them his Apostles.  The word apostle means somebody who tries to persuade others to share in an idea or cause. These twelve men became the chief spokesperson for Christ.  You would think that he would call forth the rich, the wealthy and the politically connected.  But instead he calls forth the ordinary, the poor, the laborers and fisherman to be his Apostles.  The job of the twelve was to go forth and invite the people of Israel to be Disciples of Christ. Eventually the twelve would be sent beyond the borders of Israel and bring Christ to the entire world. These twelve Apostles were given special gifts of the Holy Spirit to help them form the Church and grow it into the vessel which it has become today.  These twelve men became the very foundation from which the church was built.  However, the church is not complete.  We too are called to be disciples of Christ.  He calls us by name to help spread the Word of God to the world and to continue to foster and build the Church.  We are all graced with the Holy Spirit to lay down our worldly belonging and sacrifice the comfort of our own homes to go out to bring others to his banquet.  As we are filled with the Eucharist, we are called to bring the Eucharist to others so that they too can be filled with the body and blood of Christ.  It is easy to say “I can’t,” but God gives us the strength to say “I will” through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  If we seek Christ, we can be healed of the things that torment us.  Seek Christ and touch him for the power will come forth to strengthen you and heal you.

A Simple Prayer

Most heavenly Father, I reach out to you for your healing power.

Inflame my heart so I can go out and spread the Word of God.

I am here Lord, take my life and do with it as you will.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers an d Sisters in Christ:

“Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:6-11

On a certain Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

In today’s Gospel reading, the scribes and the Pharisees are watching Jesus with hatred in their hearts to see if He heals a man with a crippled hand on the Sabbath. Jesus asks them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Jesus is challenging the Pharisees and scribes to extend their thinking beyond the words and look for the deeper meaning of the commandments. The commandment, Keep Holy the Sabbath Day, is all about salvation and saving and not about abstinence from work. If someone is ill, then we should reach out to render aid. The intention of the Sabbath is to “do good” and to “save life” and not allow humanity to die in sin. Jesus calls the cripple man forward and says to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He extended his hand and it was healed. When someone is hurting or needing help, the first thing that comes to mind is out stretched hands. When a child needs his parents, they approach them with outstretched hands. As we go through life, many people extend their hands for help; the poor, the homeless, the weak, and the injured. Do you deny them aide or do you reach out to help them? The Sabbath Day is a day of rest so we can recharge our life, so we can reflect on the aliments which cripple our souls. This is also a day we should honor God for all the healing graces He has provided to us. What better way to say thank you then to extend the same grace to someone else who is in need. Not only is the Sabbath a day for you to extend your arms to ask for forgiveness from your sins, but it is a day for you to embrace someone else who has extended their arms in need. The sad part about today’s Gospel is that the Pharisees and scribes did not recognize the good that Jesus provided. Jesus not only cured this man’s hands, he also cured this man’s soul. They were so wrapped up in hatred and envy that they missed the true meaning of today’s message. The Sabbath is a day of healing and we are called to be healers of men. The Sabbath is a day of salvation and we should walk with our hands extended to embrace the Lord.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, I extend my arms to be healed.

May your saving grace flow through my body.

Transform me into your servant so I can heal others.

Give me the strength to help the poor and the weak.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?”

Gospel Reading: Luke 5:33-39

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” And he also told them a parable. “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the  skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins. And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is being challenged by the scribes and the Pharisees. These people were generally very legalistic and believed in the literal meaning of law. They said to Jesus, “The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.” Fasting was a major part of the Jewish lifestyle so why was Jesus letting his disciples avoid fasting? Jesus replied, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” So what is Jesus really trying to tell the disciples? The disciples of Jesus were feasting in the presence of Christ. Now was not the time to fast, but the time to celebrate because in the near future he was going to be taken away from them. Jesus explains this in a parable about placing new wine in old wine skins. If you place new wine in old skins, the fermenting wine will cause the wine skin to burst. New wine needs to be placed in new skins. Jesus is trying to explain to the disciples that there are times when old traditions are appropriate and times when we need to let the new traditions begin. This relationship/discipleship with Jesus was new and exciting. Jesus filled them with the Holy Spirit and they were alive. Why would you fast when you’re feasting on the Holy Spirit? While there is nothing wrong with old traditions; new traditions can be just as rewarding. This also goes for fasting and feasting; there is a time to fast and a time feast. When we walk with Christ we are feasting in his presence, but when we need to atone for our sins, it is a time to fast.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit so I can feast in your presence.

Help me to find your presence in my prayers and my fasting.

May you become a tradition in my life which frees me from the bonds on sin.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Peter?  You’re in your own boat minding your own business when along comes God.  Of all the people He could pick, He picked Peter.  He climbs in his boat and now Peter has an up close and personal seat with Christ.  When Jesus is preaching to the crowd, Peter has the best seat in the house.  From this story, you know that Peter must be special.  Now Peter is also probably tired and weary.  He has been up all night fishing and hasn’t caught a thing.  He was busy putting his nets away when Jesus asks him to go out and try again.  Peter must of thought to himself, “Is this guy crazy, I’m ready to go home and go to bed and this guy wants me to dirty my nets again!”  He tells Jesus, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing!” But somehow he is touched by Jesus’ words and does as he commands. The net is lowered and becomes so full that the net is breaking at the seams. The nets were so full that Peter needed help to bring in the catch. Finally, when the catch is brought into the boats, the boats are so full that they began to sink. In his amazement, Simon falls to his knees and says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” And Jesus’ replied “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.”

How often does God call us into service, yet we find excuses to ignore him.  When we encounter Christ in our lives and He asks us to be His servant, our first response is to reject his request either out of fear, insecurity or doubt. But once we abandon our fear and follow His commands, we find that our reward is more abundant than we could imagine. Our nets are full and we need help bringing in our catch. At that point, we are so excited about the catch that we do not realize that our boat is on the verge of sinking because we do not know how to handle this new fragile faith. We do not know how to handle this new found fulfillment. Our faith is so fragile. It is easy to get discouraged either because you have been overloaded or because you do not know how to handle the cross you have been given. But if you follow Christ, He will take care of you. Even though the boats were overload, they made it safely to shore.  He will make sure that your boat stays afloat even in troubled waters. The more we grow in faith; the easier it is to follow Christ. But not only must we follow Christ, we are asked to lead others to his way. We are call to be “fishers of men.”

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, fill my heart with your compassion and love.

May I learn to use this love and compassion to lead others to you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon