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 we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  We hear in today’s Gospel reading 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. Elizabeth was thought to be barren and unable to have children, yet God filled her womb with life.  Mary womb was also filled with life, but a life that was so great that it contained what the universe could not hold.  She was pregnant with 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.  She beams with the joy knowing that she will bring a new person into this world.  Mary must have been exponentially more joyful knowing that she had the Christ child within her womb.  Can you even begin to image the joy and happiness that radiated from Mary in her state of supreme 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 too was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, radiating from Mary, embraced both Elizabeth and her unborn child allowing them to realize the significance of the child within Mary’s womb.  The Lord Jesus Christ had entered all three 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. The big question, “Is it obvious that you have the Holy Spirit within you?” Can your fellow brothers and sisters identify you as carrying Christ within your heart and soul? 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 to all we meet. We are commanded to share the gifts which God has bestowed upon us.  The greatest of these gifts is the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  We must not only take in the Holy Spirit, we must also reflect and radiate the Holy Spirit to others.

 

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:

 

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:32-45

 

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

 

In today’s gospel reading, James and John are just a little bold in asking Jesus to sit at his side in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus challenges them when he says, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" Basically, Jesus is telling James and John that their request is a little bit self serving. Even worse, this request causes conflict among the other disciples. Who would be so bold as to ask this question?  The other disciples want to know why James and John should get to sit at the right hand of the Father because the two are no better than they are. The gospel reading says that the other disciples “began to be indignant at James and John.” Jesus, feeling the tension among his disciples said to them: “but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” So what is Jesus calling us to do? We must be willing to drink of His cup and live His baptism. Jesus’ cup was one of sacrifice and servitude. Therefore, to reign in the Kingdom of Heaven, we must be willing to make great sacrifices. We must be willing to be servants to those who are least. We must be willing to wash the feet of the lowliest of mankind.

 

Jesus calls us to drink His cup. This means living a truly Christian life and making daily sacrifices. It is easy for us to glorify God when we’re in church and to do good deeds for our parents, our close friends or possibly even our siblings. But how easy is it for us to be a servant to the homeless, to the poor, to the elderly, to the cripple? Do we go out of our way to help the poor or the aging? When was the last time you worked in a soup kitchen? Jesus came to this earth not to be served, but to serve. He came to free us from the slavery of sin. He came to free us to the bonds of our material desires.  To truly be the Messiah, Christ had to be a servant to all. Are you willing to sacrifice your life to be a servant for the Lord? You need to ask the Lord to help you discern your calling; to help you understand what it means to be his servant. Ask Him to guide you in a clear direction to be his servant.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, You died on the Cross as a ransom for many.

Give me the strength and wisdom to drink from your cup, and

to live in the fullness of your baptism.

From this nourishment, may I be a loyal servant to you.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But many that are first will be last, and the last first.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:28-31

 

Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

 

What is it that we treasure most in life?  What do you place first in your life?  Christ tells us that everyone who gives up their material possessions for God will be rewarded a hundred times more when they arrive in the kingdom of heaven.  Unfortunately, it is not easy for us to give up the earthly treasures we can see for the heavenly treasures which are not readily visible to us.  Therefore, it is our faith that leads us to make sacrifices now for the treasures that await us later.  It is our hope in the eternal life that guides us to the Father.  We still must shed everything that keeps us from entering the Kingdom of Heaven.  While we may feel at the bottom of the pile, the more we sacrifice here on earth, the greater we are rewarded in heaven.  When we remove ourselves from the bondage of our material possessions, we remove ourselves from the baggage which they possess.  This transfers the power from the earthly goods to the heavenly goods. Once we release our need for the earthly goods, we gain control over these items and not vice versa.  By giving up everything, we remove ourselves from our selfish behavior.  In return, we develop a charitable heart.  A heart which allows us to give more fully of ourselves.  By giving everything away, we get it all back plus more.  This does not suggest that we will become millionaires, but that we will no longer be controlled by our worldly possessions.  

 

Jesus lists persecution as one of our rewards.  When we become like Christ, we share in the true glory of God.  Christ was persecuted and suffered for our salvation.  We must also be willing to share in the same persecution.  When we share in the burden of the cross, we help Christ burden the pain he endured for all of humanity.  We also must suffer to fully achieve the glory of God the Father in Heaven.  No earthly good or possession can equate to the peace and joy in knowing and loving God.  Christ offers us a true vision of Heaven if we are willing to make the sacrifice.  Every day you should ask yourself this simple question, “Is eternity worth it?” Your actions for that day will decide whether you chose eternity separated from God or eternity connected to God.  What is your choice?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with the peace and joy of the Gospel.

May I be filled with the knowledge of God’s personal love.

Breakaway the bonds of my worldly possessions so I can live more closely to thee.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

HELLO

wow give this a look http://www.news15de.net/biz/?employment=7343850

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading: John 21:15-19

 

"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" 

 

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

 

Jesus asks us every day the same question he asked Peter, “Do you love me?”  How do you respond to this question?  "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you."  It is easy to say we love God, but it is much more difficult to show that we love God.  To truly love God means that we have to give up our ways and follow his ways.  We have to let him dress us and tell us where to go.  Sometimes, we will have to go to places we do not want to go.  If we truly love God, then we will feed and tend his flock.  We must remember that “God is love” and his love is unconditional.  We must exhibit the same type of love for the members of God’s flock.  We must reach out our arms to all of humanity.  We cannot limit our love or do what we want to do if it is in opposition to his commandments and teaching.   We must not exclude anybody; especially those we call our enemy and those we find most difficult to love.  God’s love has been poured out to us through the Holy Spirit.  The only thing that can kill this love is our own denial and indifference to Christ and the Word of God.  It happens when we do what we want and not what God wants.  God’s love is given to us freely.  We only have to accept it.  But when we accept it, we must share it with others freely.  If we truly love God, he has only one thing to say to us, “Follow me.”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are love.

You are the love that burns within me.

May your love conquer all the things

that keep me away from you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 17:20-26

 

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."

 

I think Thomas Merton, a Trapist Monk, sums this passage up best. “There is something very special about the beatitude of heaven: it makes us resemble God, because God Himself is love. The more we love Him as He loves us, the more we resemble Him; and the more we resemble Him, the more we come to know Him. And, to complete the circle, the more we know Him, the better we love Him, and this is the eternal life that we may know Thee, the only true God, Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent” The more we want to be with God, the more we love God.  The more we love God, the more we want to be with him.  The more we love and want to be with God, the more likely we are to do his will.  The more we do his will, the closer we become and of course the more we love him.  In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is speaking with His Father the night before his crucifixion. His prayer ends with a petition to our Father to unite all Christians in one body. This is rather interesting that Jesus was praying this prayer at the hour that Christianity is being formed.  So were his prayers answered?  If we look at the Church today, it is made up of over 28,000 different denominations.  Are we united or separated?  Jesus wanted all Christians to be one with the Word, not just his disciples. So why does Jesus want us to form one body? Well it is simple, so we can all experience the love and Grace of our Father in Heaven; so we can all be in union with God together – not separate. Christ tells his disciples that not only does he pray for them, but for all the people who hear the Word of God. Jesus continually prays that we are one holy universal church open for all. Jesus wants all Christians to unite at the Eucharistic table. There can only be one truth, not 28,000 versions of the truth.

 

Yesterday I had this exact conversation with a college of mine.  He said that there are many churches who turn people away.  We are called to the altar to celebrate Christ, yet how many times do we turn away our brothers or sisters? How many times do we condemn others because they are different or because we feel we are better than they are? Christ says that his church is open to all who believe. As Christ is in the Father and the Father is in Christ, the church is also present in Christ and God. As a member of the church, that makes us a member of the Mystical Body of Christ. As a member, we must accept everyone who joins us at the table. We do not have the right to discriminate against any of God’s children. The unity of Jesus and his Father is a unity of not only love, but obedience. We too must express unconditional love and obedience to God. In doing so, we must express the same love and obedience to our fellow brothers and sisters. When we deny the Eucharistic table to a fellow brother or sister, we deny the love God has poured out for us. Love is an expression and gift given to us at birth. We know love from the very instant we are conceived. We know love because we know God. We must learn to hate. Hate is something that we learn by watching others. What do people learn when they watch you?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Christ, you prayed for the union of all Christians,

Let my prayers and my life help lead all of your lambs to the universal Christian church.

My our love help us resemble God so we can come to know God.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11b-19

 

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed.  And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.  He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”  Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

 

In today’s gospel, Jesus is teaching us about reverence and respect. How many times have we asked God for help? How many times were we in a real pickle and needed his help? How many times have we promised to do something if He would just help us out of this jam? And how many times have we got down on our knees and prostrated ourselves to thank the Lord for everything he has done for us? This is another one of those gospel readings that has multiple underlying story lines which makes this reading much deeper then it appears on the surface.  First there was no love lost between these two groups; the Jews and the Samaritans. In fact, if it weren’t for the infliction of leprosy, these two groups would not even be together.  One would expect the Jews to give thanks to God but not the Samaritan.  The second aspect of this story is that the lepers did not ask to be cured but for Jesus to have mercy on them. To have mercy means to have pity on them for they were considered unclean. Jesus, feeling their pain and suffering, told them “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” The Mosaic Law called for Lepers to be separated from everyone else and not to leave their groups. Being obedient to Christ, they got up and went to the priests as instructed. As they were on their way to the priests, their leprosy was cured. Their faith in God was expressed in their obedience to Jesus. Because of their faith, their leprosy was cured.

 

While all ten were probably extremely elated that they were cured because they could return to society; only “one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” This gratitude was a sign of the true love for the grace that was bestowed upon him. One would have expected this from the Jews but not necessarily the Samaritan. So why does Jesus talk about the Samaritan in this passage?  Because we so often judge people without truly knowing what is on their heart.  So often we classify people and instantly condemn them because of the way they look or the people they associate with.  However, only God can know what is on their hearts.  We are called to love everyone equally, no matter what their affiliation.  Also, we are called to praise God for all that he has done for use.  When he blesses us with his grace, we need to fall on our knees in thanksgiving.  This is the ultimate sign of reverence to God to prostrate oneself in thanksgiving for his mercy and kindness. Jesus says, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

 

We must always remember to be grateful for the gifts which have been given to us. If we do not thank God for his mercy, we become ungrateful. Ungratefulness becomes a sign of expectation meaning that we expect God to do what we ask. We expect him to obey our commands and do our bidding. Ungratefulness leads us to be uncharitable with our own gifts and treasures. We become selfish and become unable to express true mercy and kindness for our fellow man. This is in direct opposition to the will of God. Do you show gratitude and mercy towards your neighbor or do you become complacent and expect things?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, I want to thank you for all you have given me.

I want to thank you for your mercy which you give me unconditionally

I want to thank you for your compassion and kindness

I am afflicted and you make me clean

 

Yours in Christ

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Father, the hour has come.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 17:1-11a

 

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.  I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. "I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus lift’s his eyes to heaven and proclaims, " Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you.” What is this glory that Jesus is referring but the sacrifice He made for us on the Cross. On the Cross, God shows us how much he loves us. He loves us so much that he is willing to give his only Son to save us from our sins. Jesus honored his Father by doing the will of the Father to the point He sacrificed his life for us.  For those who are willing to make the same sacrifice, He gives us salvation and eternal life through this most wonderful act of love. Jesus was not held captive to the cross. He was able to defeat the cross through the glory of his resurrection. In the cross, Jesus saves us from our sins and he gives us eternal life, a life everlasting, a life without end. But today’s Gospel is more than Jesus glorifying the Father.  Jesus takes the time to pray to his Father that we will all become one with him as He is with the Father. He prays for our glory in Heaven. Jesus is about to be crucified on the cross and he prays for us. He prays for those that have committed their lives to the salvation that was given to us on the cross. He prays for those that believe in the Truth and the Way; that they will be united as one with the heavenly Father. This is the testament to our eternal salvation with our Lord in Heaven. When we make that commitment, we actually begin to experience our eternal life with God here on earth. That’s right, we begin to unite ourselves with God while we still live our earthly life. 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Most Holy One, You are the Truth, in you there is eternal life.

I love you with all my heart; you are my salvation.

I give myself to you, make me one with you.

Use me to fulfill your needs for I am your servant.

May my deeds glorify you so that I may have eternal life in Heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you.” 

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:29-33

 

The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

 

In today’s Gospel, the eyes of the Apostles are finally wide open.  Their beliefs have know matured to fully understand the mission of Jesus Christ on earth.  When Jesus would teach to the crowds in parables, he followed that with more detailed teachings for the Apostles so that they would be able to continue his mission on earth.  It was through these explanations that the Apostles eventually realize that Jesus is the complete truth; that He is the Son of God sent to save us.  Jesus replies to their revelation, “Do you now believe?”  Believing in God means that one must also believe in the mission and miracles that Jesus performed on earth.  It is also believing that Jesus is the “Word made flesh,” and that he is the “way and the light.”  Jesus’ time on earth has come to an end and it will now be the Apostles time to spread the good news.  He lets them know that their mission will not be easy and that they will be alone.  The tribulation of the world will attack them and try to prevent them from accomplishing their mission.  But in their belief in the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, they will find peace because He has overcome the world.  We too are given the same mission as the Apostles – to go out and spread the good news.  We are scatter into the world to be sheep amongst wolves.  When the tribulations of the world try to attach us, we need to have confidence in our beliefs because it is through Christ that we find true peace and salvation.  It is through our faith in Christ that we find the joy of the Kingdom of heaven.  To build faith, we must first exercise our beliefs.  Faith is not automatic.  Our beliefs are exercised through the Gospels and through our mission in the world.  We are all called to go forth and bring the light of God to others.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, bring me to the altar of your healing powers.

When I meet adversities and trials, give me the strength to defend my faith.

Give me the same peace and joy you shared with your Apostles.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:16-20

Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and 'Because I am going to the Father’?” So they said, “What is this 'little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is trying to teach the Apostles about his pending fate.  It is obvious from their response that they do not understand.  Jesus tells them that he will go away for “a little while” and during that the world would rejoice but that the Apostles would grieve.  The apostles are very confused by this message.  Jesus appears to be contradicting himself in this message.  He says that the Apostles will “grieve, but your grief will become joy.”  These also appear to be conflicting emotions.  How can one grieve and experience joy at the same time.  Jesus understands that their present grief will become their future joy once they realize the significance of his sacrifice.  In our own times, it is important to understand that we too will experience sorrow in anticipation of our future hope of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Christ needs to return to the Father, but he will return in the end.  During this period, some will experience sorrow for the sake of the kingdom, but others will revel in the material joy of the here and now.  They will forgo their future joy with our Father in heaven so they can experience the temporal joy of the world. Our suffering can be equated to a mother in labor.  During labor, she experience the sever pains of child birth, but immediately afterwards, she experience the elation and joy of the new life which she brought forth.  In our own suffering, we too bring forth new life.  A new life which includes unending joy and happiness.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Father in Heaven,

Give me the strength I need to withstand the suffering of this world

So I can experience the joy of the kingdom of heaven in the future.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

 

Have you ever heard it said that the truth hurts. In today’s Gospel reading, we are told that the Holy Spirit will guide us “to all truth.” Truth is not something that is created, we cannot make-up the truth. The truth is something that is; the truth is a gift from God. It is immutable and unchangeable.  He is the creator of everything and everything he creates is good. We humans try to change the Truth to fit our own will and not that of God.  We are the only ones who can turn the Truth of God into something that is bad. We are the ones who create this perception. God is the source of all Truth and we are lead to the Truth through the Holy Spirit. So how can the Truth hurt? The truth frees us from our earthly bonds, from doubts that affect our decision making process and fears that keep us from entering into a closer communion with God. So how can the Truth hurt? The closer we come to God, the closer we come to the real Truth; the realization that He is our Lord God and Savior. Through the Holy Spirit we will experience the salvation of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, the glory of his resurrection and the anticipation of his return. We should not fear the truth. The Holy Spirit is our divine connection and guide to the knowledge and wisdom of God – the Truth. We should surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and he will show us the Truth. While the sacrifice we make to join with God may appear to be painful, the real and Spiritual Truth from God does not hurt and will bring unending joy.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, show me the light of the Holy Spirit.

Allow that light to guide me to You that I may experience the Truth and the Way.

Free me of the obstacles that I create which prevent me from coming to you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“When the Advocate comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:5-11

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me;  righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."

 

Today’s Gospel reading is an extension of yesterday’s reading. Jesus has just told the Apostles of his pending crucifixion and that he will be leaving them. The Apostles are filled with sorrow at the thought that Jesus would leave them for he has only been with them for a very short time. Jesus tells them that unless he goes away, the Holy Spirit will not come to them. The Holy Spirit comes to teach the world about “sin and righteousness and condemnation.” The Holy Spirit is coming to awaken the Apostles and fill them with the joy of the Lord. The Holy Spirit will give the Apostles new strengths and powers to combat evil and sin. Jesus has just unfolded the plan of our salvation letting us know that there is hope for salvation. It is also through the Holy Spirit that we are guided to the narrow gate of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will “convict the world” meaning that the Holy Spirit is sent for everyone, not just the Apostles. We are filled with the Holy Spirit during our Baptism and we ask God to strengthen the power of the Holy Spirit in us during our Confirmation. The Holy Spirit is what sanctifies our body and makes us true children of Christ. We are all called to kindle the flame of the Holy Spirit and make sure that it shines bright within us.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with the joy of the Lord.

Come Holy Spirit, help me conquer sin and death.

Lead me along the path of righteousness so I may enter the gate to the kingdom of Heaven.

 

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 15:9-17

 

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. 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 reading, Jesus explains that his love for his people is a reflection of the love expressed in the Holy Trinity. He tells us that only in the true Christian love expressed by us can we find the true source of joy. To experience the fullness of Christian love and joy, we must be willing to make sacrifices for others. Jesus tells us, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” Our love for God is expressed in our love for others. If we are not willing to open our hearts to the needs of others then how can we know the love of God. God’s love for us is unbounded. We can never love God as much as He loves us, but we must try. We can only begin to experience the fullness of his love when we make sacrifices for others; when we have to chose someone else’s needs over our own desires. The greatest sacrifice of all is to give one’s own life for another. God showed us this love when He allowed his only son to die for us on the cross. The way of the cross became the ultimate example of true Christian love. We must incorporate the way of the cross into our own lives. We must not only be willing to burden the weight of the cross, we must also be willing to accept the ridicule that goes along with the cross. To accept the cross is to accept the will of God. “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.” It is not easy to keep the commandments and sometimes we are laughed at or made fun of for choosing to follow Christ.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, teach me to love as you have loved us.

Give me the strength to sacrifice my desires for your will.

May I experience the true joy expressed in love given for others.

 

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 greatest commandment of all – to Love - “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 during his scourging and on the cross.  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 I 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.  We are all being called to a radical form of love where we give ourselves totally to God. This type of love is sacrificial.  It is so radical a form of love that we are willing to do absolutely anything to help our fellow man, even to lose our life.  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.  When you meet a person overcome by this love, the 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."

 

What kind of fruit do you bear?  Do you bear good fruit or no fruit at all?  If we fully commit ourselves to the teachings and the message of Jesus Christ, we become servants for others.  Everything we do should be for the good of others because the fruit we produce is not of our own, but that of Jesus working in us.  Jesus tells us that the only way we can bear fruit is to be part of the vine. In other words, we must be linked to God and participate in God to share in his wisdom. If we are not producing good 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, our faith 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. We have an obligation to produce fruit for the goodness of the vineyard.  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.  We must submit ourselves to God and allow him to work in us so that the fruit we produce is for the kingdom of God.

 

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.”

 

Many of you are preparing for finals or have other serious issues weighing you down.  Jesus tells his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Jesus is saying farewell to his disciples and he understands that there are many trials that they are facing and that .  He tells them that the leader of the world is coming, but not to fear, for he is with the Father who can overcome the trials of the world.  He tells them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”  Christ is about to be crucified and the apostles will feel like they’re on their own.  Up to this point, they always had Jesus physically with them to comfort them during their times of trial.  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 ruler of the world.  But it was time for Him to leave them.  He knew that the apostles would be scared once he left because this was brand new territory for the apostles.  Up until now they always had Jesus to support them.  It’s easy to stand proud and tall when you got the big guy backing you up.  But now it was going to be up to them because was not going to be physically present next to them.  For the first time, they were going to have to defend the faith standing alone. Or will they?  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 or possibly relax, I will always be there with you even though you do not see me.  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?   If you are going through some rough times, remember, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to 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 Jesus and our Father in heaven. To love Christ is to keep his commandments and to love our neighbor is to keep the commandments. To obey the commandments given to us by the God is to love Jesus Christ and to love Jesus Christ is to love God. Likewise, to love our neighbor is to love Jesus Christ and therefore to love the Father.  During the last supper, Jesus explained the level of true love that he himself will pour out for us. If we truly love Jesus, we will strive with all our ability to keep his word. When you are disobedient or try to alter the teachings or even rationalize something contrary to his teachings, 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 God. 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.” Jesus did not come to condemn us, he came to save us from our sins. He loves us so much that He provides absolutely everything we need to get to the gates of heaven.  He provides the road map, we just need to follow.  If we decide to ignore his teaching, we will face our final judgment in front of his Father. God made us to love and to share in the love that he created for us. To know God is to know true love. The Holy Spirit, which is the love shared between the Father and the Son, 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 Jesus Christ.  This was never more evident than in last night’s Confirmation ceremony as 101 young members of the church stepped up and said Amen to gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

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 except through 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 is the door through which we must pass to get to the Father.  He tells his disciples that believing in God and knowing God comes through knowing him.  He starts out by telling them not to be troubled and to have faith.  Be not afraid and stand tall for you are followers of the one true life.  He commands this to put them at ease so that they can be prepared for the journey.  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 with us along the journey.  These troubles and trials are tests which challenge our heart.  If we are not strong and centered on Christ, we can lose hope and become discouraged.  Jesus tells us that “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 very special place for us in his house.  It is a place where we will spend our eternal life.  We need to take comfort that Christ is there to calm the waters and take on the burden of our pains.  However, we must be willing to give these things up to Christ without losing faith and hope.  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