Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Today is the feast day for St. Peter and St Paul.

 

Jesus asks us today, “But who do you say that I am?”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19

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

 

If you read all four of the gospels, it will become quite clear that Jesus’ disciples didn’t really know who he was until the very end of his ministry. This fact becomes very clear in today’s gospel. Jesus knows that the disciples lack the wisdom to recognize him, so he asks Peter, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" In his response, Peter eludes to the popular thinking of the day; Jesus is some sort of profit or wise man. But then Jesus asks Peter a more probing question into his own faith, “But who do you say that I am?” In his response, Peter proclaims his faith in Christ,  “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It is only Peter who recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah, “the Son of living God”. So how does Peter know Jesus’ true identity for he could not have know this on his own? It was revealed to him through the grace of God. Jesus tells Peter that it was not man that revealed this to him but God our Father in Heaven. It was his undivided faith in Jesus that allowed him to understand and see Jesus as the Messiah. We too are also called to have this same undivided faith.

 

Jesus calls Peter a rock because his faith is rock solid. His faith is founded on a solid unquestioning faith in God.  Now comes the probing question for you - Is your faith rock solid? Would Jesus call you Peter (which means Rock). More importantly, “Who do you say he is?” Today, society would likely state that Jesus is irrelevant and not important.  He is not a prophet or they Son of God.  He was just a passing fad which we no longer need to follow.  So what do you believe?  Take time today to ask yourself the difficult question – Who am I? A true and honest evaluation can help you refocus your life to be more like Peter. Try to define what you need to do to strengthen your faith and to build the rock.  If your faith is weak, reach out to Christ for he has the power to take the clay and form man.  He will form your faith through your relationship with him.  To know him requires you to have a relationship with him.  To have a relationship with him you must encounter him.  You can encounter him any time in the Scriptures or in the Eucharist.  Reach out, He is there waiting.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, solidify my faith.

Make me a rock to build you church upon.

Make my faith strong like Peter's.

Give me wisdom to bring others to you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:21-29

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

 

What a scary thought.  Just because I recognize Jesus as my Lord and Savior does not mean I will make it into heaven.  Just because I go to church does not get me through the gates.  Just because I preach the name of God, does not earn me entrance into eternal life.  I can do all these things and still end up spending eternity in hell.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus is quite clear that just recognizing Him as the Messiah or even proclaiming that He is the Messiah is nothing more than a fleeting cry without any solid foundation.  Jesus talks about our final judgment and that it will take more than just a faint cry to God to get into heaven. "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” God knows when we are sincere. He knows our inner heart and our inner desires. Jesus tells us that it is simply not enough to cry out, but that we must do the will of our Father in Heaven. Our faith must have a solid footing in our lives and be a fundamental part of who we are and what we do. It must be like the house built upon the rock. That way when Satan rains down upon us and the floods of everyday life overwhelms us, our faith will remain solid. The type of foundation we construct will determine how well we can survive the hard times. Satan throws many things our way trying to divert us from our journey to the narrow gate, yet we have to be strong and face the storm.

 

Are you building your faith and preparing the way for the Truth and the Light? Is your faith rock solid or are you treading on shifting sands? We cannot wait until our judgment day to call out to our Lord for Salvation. A house built on the foundation of the rock of our faith will not be destroyed. We will have the strength to defend ourselves against evil. However, a faith built upon a weak foundation will topple in the storm. It will be easy for Satan to defeat us and pull us into his ways.  How many times have we had to face hardships trials or situations which tried the fabric of our faith? As young adults, your peers try to pressure you into situations which you know are wrong, but with a strong faith you can weather the storm. We are constantly bombarded with advertising, TV Shows and media which challenges the moral fiber of our Faith. TV programs and mass media which show adultery and sin with no consequence and glorify these actions tear away at the very foundation of your faith. We are judged by our actions, by our words and by our choices. Going to church on Sunday is just a seed.  We must grow that seed into a plant which bears fruit.  We must learn to make good choices if we are to stay of the narrow path which leads to gates of heaven.  These choices are learned actions which must be exercised daily through the teachings of Christ. Listen to His Words because “he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” will make it through the gate.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Christ, builder of my faith.

Help me build a solid foundation on your rock.

I am weak and you are strong, with your help my foundation can also be strong.

Give me the wisdom and strength to form myself to your will.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:15-20

 

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

 

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

 

In today’s society, we encounter so many false prophets.  The world tries to convince us that the Church is no longer relevant and that we can do what we want when we want with no consequence.  We even see our own government trying to force the Church to violate its own conscience.  So how do we recognize the false profits? Jesus says: “You will know them by their fruits.” The fruits of the vine are those fruits which are produced through truly righteous behavior and love for God and man. God provided us with the Holy Spirit. If we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives and live a truly virtuous life, we can avoid the false profits. False prophets try to lead us away from the church by telling you things like Mass on Sunday isn’t important or that the Eucharist really isn’t the body and blood of Christ. Once somebody starts trying to lead you away from your faith, they are a false profit. We must cultivate a strong faith to combat this evil. This faith is formed through daily prayer and by allowing the Holy Spirit to enter our souls and set our souls on fire with his love. When we receive the sacrament of confirmation, we are telling God we want to be filled with his Holy Spirit; that we want to be set on fire with His love. These fruits are nurtured through weekly Mass, through the gift of the Eucharist and through the gift of reconciliation. And most of all, these fruits are nurtured by being true to God and his graces that He pours out on us.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

May I learn to be virtuous and morally sound.

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."

 

In today’s gospel reading, we are called to, “Enter through the narrow gate”  This is the gate that enters to the kingdom of heaven.  The Gospel reading says, the road is constricted meaning that there is very little deviation from what is true and right.  We know it is not easy and, in fact, it is easier to do what is wrong and fall into the gate of destruction “for the gate is wide and the road broad...”  Unfortunately “those who enter through it are many” and give up eternal life. In our life, we must make choices between good and evil. We are constantly faced with a barrage of choices and mixed messages from our friends, from the media, and sometimes from those who we think are in charge. Evil is lurking everywhere and is trying to entice us into its snare. We need to be strong and rely on our faith to carry us through these situations and to provide the knowledge to make the proper choices in life.  I know you have seen the message, “What Would Jesus Do?”  But today’s message is quite clear, “What would Jesus want us to do?”  

 

Modern medicine has made several advances which have made life “more convenient.” There are now pills to help with high cholesterol, obesity, blood pressure, and many other aliments which we suffer because of our choices in life.  While these pills help to correct the problem, there are generally better non-pill alternatives like exercise and healthy diets which also work and lack the side effects of the pills. We chose the pills because they are easier. Likewise, medicine has given us pills that prevent birth and pills that will abort a child. These pills are also out of “convenience” because we are selfish and want to avoid the blessing that God gives us through life. We take these pills because we don’t want to be burdened with a child. The wide gate is very easy to go through and it requires no effort at all. But the narrow gate must be carefully traversed to make it through. The narrow gate is so small that we must enter on our knees.  We must humble ourselves to our master.

 

Life is not simple and we all struggle with the choices that are thrown in front us. There is not a person on earth that does not have to agonize with these types of decisions on a daily basis. Sometimes those decisions are not popular and you may lose some of your friends. But you have to ask yourself, is that person really a friend if they are leading you down the wrong path. The bible tells us that we should not “walk with the wicked” but to rejoice in the “law of the Lord.” We are called to live by the commandments that God has given us. We have to decide between the way of life and the way of death. It is much easier to make good decisions around good people then it is when you are being pressured to make bad choices while among your peers. Choosing this way of life is not easy, but it has the greatest reward – to be united with our Father in Heaven. Every night before you go to bed, you should examine your soul to decide which choices you made that day. In the morning, when you awaken in the new life of a new day, you should ask God to give you a clear map to guide you through the narrow gate. Remember, a map is not always easy to read, you must constantly be aware of the forks in the road.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Most Heavenly Father of all that is great,

Open my Heart to your ways.

Allow me to see the light that will lead me through the narrow gate to heaven.

Give me strength to avoid the easy paths that lead evil.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:1-5

 

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

 

It is so easy to judge somebody else and ignore our own faults. We are told that before we can help our brother with his faults, we must correct our own faults. For some reason we become totally blind to our own faults but see clearly the faults of others. Sometimes we are so good at judging others that we probably think it is a gift from God. We might not see any harm in judging others, but when we hear that someone has judged us, we get angry and hurt. Jesus tells us turnabout is fair play, “For as you judge, so will you be judged.” Judging others is so rampant in our society because we do not see our own imperfections, but see everyone else with flaws. We want to change people and make them like us. Our own judgment of them becomes the gossip that kills their soul. We must learn to let go of the faults of others so that we can begin to see our own faults.

 

God can see everything in us, even the things that we do not realize we do wrong. Every sin we commit is known to God. By looking inward, we start to recognize these sins so that they can be forgiven. But to see inward, we must learn to see the good in others. We must learn to have mercy and see beyond the faults of our brothers and sisters. It is so easy for us to misjudge someone. We are biased in our judgment and usually do not have all the facts. God knows all and can see all. He is the true judge and He has unlimited mercy and forgiveness. How often do you judge and condemn your brother or sister? How often do you engage in gossip about your neighbor? Whatever judgment you pass on your fellow man, you will face the same condemnation. If we forgive and forget, Christ will forgive us.  Try to work beyond the gossip and learn to praise your brothers and sisters.  To participate in gossip is to participate in scandal.  Scandal is destructive to society and not constructive.  We must learn to build relationships and not tear them down with idle talk.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, I pass judgment on my friends.

I see their weakness and ignore my own.

Give me the strength to see beyond my judgment

So I can see my own weakness and faults.

Give me the humility to be merciful others and

The wisdom to recognize their beauty.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Our Father who art in Heaven.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:7-15

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

 

The best way to encounter God is through our daily prayer.  But many of us find it difficult to pray.  We feel disorganized or don’t know what to say.  Many times we may feel like we are babbling and just can’t get focused to talk to God.  In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus gives us some great advice about prayer.  Jesus gives us the prayer above all other prayers.  A prayer so simple it is absolutely perfect.  It covers everything we need and everything we need to do when we talk to God.  The Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father is a simple prayer which establishes an intimate relationship with our Father in heaven.  It is interesting how this Gospel readings starts out, “And In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.” He goes on to tell them, “Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” God in heaven already knows our needs. We are told not to show off with prayer, but to be simple with our requests. Do not ramble, the simpler the request, the better. Of all the prayers we say, the Lord’s prayer is the most perfect prayer of all because it was given to us as a gift from Jesus. It encompasses everything Christians should stand for. It is truly a prayer formed from the Words of God. 

 

No matter how bad the transgressions we have committed, God is waiting for us with open arms. In the Lord’s prayer, we ask for so much with so few words. First, we call forth God, not as a deity but as a paternal person when we say “Our Father”. This means that we have a loving intimate relationship with God. God is the Father who protects us. We them give homage to his deity, “Hallowed be thy name.” We recognize that he is almighty. We also recognize that the kingdom of God is here among us and that it is God’s will that is important, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” We call forth the kingdom to be here with us. We should desire eternal life with God and that must begin today. You cannot wait until the last day. It is through our actions today and our fulfillment of the sacraments that leads us to heaven. We ask God in this prayer to give us all that we need to survive the day, “Give us our daily bread.” God provides all that we need to survive. But likewise, we should only ask for what we need to survive that day otherwise greed and gluttony begin to consume our lives. We thank God for providing our daily needs by being sorrowful for our sins. However, not only must we be sorrowful for our own sins, we must also forgive those who have sinned against us. Jesus says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Lastly, we ask God to be the light of our life. We ask him to lead us out of the darkness of sin and to deliver us from evil. We should say the Lord’s Prayer as often as possible. Any time you need a little help getting through the day, say the Lord’s prayer.

 

A Simple and perfect Prayer

 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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

Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts,

As we also have forgiven our debtors;

And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:43-48

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

 

Have you ever felt that overwhelming need for love? You just wanted to be hugged? Nothing says love and comfort like a good hug. When I was a little boy, I loved to crawl into my mom or dad’s lap to get a hug.  It was a place of safety and comfort. Now my dad may have squeezed a little too hard at times, but that didn’t matter – it felt good. Nothing symbolizes the true joy of love then a mother hugging her little child. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be hugged by God, to crawl up in his lap and just sit there while he comforted you and loved you? Well the good news is that God’s arms are always open and always waiting for us to make the move. We can crawl into his lap any time we want. Close your eyes and let all the cares of the world leave your mind. Imagine you are sitting with Christ in all his glory, His robes brighter than the midday sun, His grace flowing from him like the rays of light. Crawl into His lap and let His arms wrap around you. Say a prayer with Christ as He comforts you. 

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus commands us to love everyone; no exclusions allowed. To love not only our brothers and sisters, but our enemies. Those people we do not like; those people with whom we have unpleasant discourse. Jesus commands us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father …” Yes, we are commanded to love our enemies.  Such a simple request, yet such a difficult task to complete. Imagine that you are now in God’s lap, you are warm and comfortable, the joy of the Lord has made you at peace. Now invite your enemies to join you, invite those people who persecute you to sit with you in the Glory of God. Today is a good day to hug someone.  Especially someone you would not normally reach out to.  If we make peace with our enemies, then we will eliminate hatred in the world.  If we eliminate hatred in the world, there will be no more war.  Without war, the fear of oppression goes away and we can all live in the peace and joy we will experience in heaven. 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Father God, you gave us Mary as the purist example of love. 

May I live my life as she lived hers.

Open my heart so that the love of Mary can flow out into the world.

 

Pray to the Blessed Mother that she may intercede in your life.  It is Mary’s motherness that brings compassion to us. Mary is our Holy mother who looks over us. Say a Hail Mary for peace in the world. Let us seek the light of God’s glory, let us give praise to his name.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

I am back after a week with 260 youth in Atlanta Georgia at Catholic Heart Work Camp.  What a wonderful week seeing these youth commit their lives to Christ and to serve a community in need.  Today’s Gospel reading truly summarizes the spirit of the youth serving in Atlanta.  These teens walked the walk in service for Christ.

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:38-42

 

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

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus puts a new spin on the old Mosaic Law. He elevates the law above a level of righteousness to one that accounts for grace and love. Our purpose on earth is to bring others to the kingdom of God.  Today’s message gives us the secret.  Many of still today like to practice `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,' but Jesus tells that we must be compassionate and understanding.  Which is easier, to strike back with vengeance or to forgive someone who has struck out against you? The message in today’s Gospel reading is quite clear. Man is not to lash out against his enemy, but to be merciful and kind. To go the extra mile to bring joy and happiness into their life.  The people of the communities of Atlanta that were served by Catholic Heart Work Camp are a true testimony to the power of reaching out to help and be with others.  The people of Atlanta called us their Brothers and Sisters because we walked with them in their pain and did not reject them.  So why must Jesus tell his disciples this.  In the very early days of the Jewish clans, retaliation was an issue. Clans would strike out in retaliation if one clan harmed another. The law of retaliation limited the punishment. This was considered a significant advancement in moral and ethical thinking; no punishment could exceed the crime. This was the first step in understanding mercy and kindness. But Jesus takes us much further. One must go deeper into ones heart to find true forgiveness without resentment. One must be willing to forgive and forget. He tells us that retaliation is not good, it is not kind and it is not merciful. Kind and merciful is making a true sacrifice to help others when it goes against the norm.

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

O merciful and loving Father in Heaven,

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:28-34

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Oh how I love you O merciful God.

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 12:13-17

 

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion. You do not regard a person's status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?" Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at." They brought one to him and he said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They replied to him, "Caesar's." So Jesus said to them, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." They were utterly amazed at him.

 

In the time of Christ, the rulers would stamp their image on the coins signifying their control. Caesar’s image was on the coin; therefore, the coin belonged to Caesar. But who’s image is stamped on your heart. God stamps his image on our heart at the very moment we are conceived. We are “created in his image and likeness”; therefore, we belong to God. Our life is the greatest gift which God has given us and it is the most valuable thing we can give back to God. To give our life to God is to repay to God what rightfully belongs to him. But when we give our life to material wants and desires, we deny God and separate ourselves from his bounty. When someone sees you, can they recognize the face of God within you? Whose face do you portray? When we give back to God what is his; we give faith, hope and love to others. By giving to others, you are giving what belongs to God back to him. You can never adequately pay God what you owe him, but you can give him yourself, the most valuable gift that you have.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, your image is pressed in my soul and my heart.

May I honor your image and may it grow in value.

Give me the strength to do your will to others.

Give me the strength to share my faith, hope and love of Christ.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark:12:1-12

 

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?" They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is addressing a group of Jews. The purpose of this discourse is to explain the history of man’s salvation. God created the world that we live in for us. Everything he created was good, yet man found some way to corrupt the creation of God. Jesus uses the analogy of the vineyard to explain our treatment of the gifts God given us. In this story, the master provides the workers with everything they need. He provides them good stock, protection from the outside, a place to make wine and a place to store the harvest. When it is time for the master to collect but a small share of the harvest, he sends a messenger to claim some of the harvest. How do the workers repay him? They attack the messenger. This is the same thing that man did with all the messengers that God sent. But the master does not give up. Eventually he sends his “beloved son”. Humanity does not change. In response to the beloved son, they torture, beat then kill him. When asked what should the master do, the Jews respond that the master should come and punish and destroy the tenants. This is probably how we would respond if someone destroyed everything that was valuable to us.  However, this is not the behavior that our Master in heaven wants from us.  Instead of killing them, the beloved son becomes the cornerstone of our faith and our salvation. Instead of retaliating hatred for hatred, God responds with love.

 

This same message is so true even today. God gives us everything we need. He provides us with many gifts and talents. How we use those gifts reflects on how we respect the master who gave them to us. The parable tells us how God deals with the sinfulness of man. God loves us and continually forgives us. His forgiveness is limitless. No matter what we do with the gifts he gives us, God will continually be there for us. He has entrusted us each with different gifts to help in the harvest. We are free to do as we will with those gifts. Not only does God trusts us to make our own decisions, he loves us so much that he will not force us to do things that is against our will. God entrusted us with the vineyard and it is our responsibility to reap the harvest. Jesus knew that he would be rejected and killed, but he also knew that his death would not be the end. Through his death would come the ultimate glory. He knew that he would be the cornerstone of our faith and our salvation. Jesus promises us a great harvest if we submit to his will. If we use the gifts he gave us to fulfill the wishes of the master, we will be rewarded abundantly in the Kingdom of heaven.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, you are the cornerstone of our faith.

Through you we find our salvation.

You provide me with many gifts and talents.

May I use these gifts for your glory and praise.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Today begins the Month of June, the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  John Paul the Great tells us that “the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that divine heart pierced by a lancer on the cross, so that the treasures of grace would flow from it for all men.  It is an everlasting source from which every believer and the whole Church draw the ever new vigor of faith, hope, and charity.”  The sacred heart of Jesus is the culmination of the Eucharistic Meal where his body and blood unite to support the church in eternal life.  It is this life that flows from the heart through the veins of the Church that brings life to all its parts.  Please celebrate the Eucharistic with renewed vigor to go out and Evangelize our fellow brothers and sisters.

 

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 11:11-26

 

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve. The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it. They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have made it a den of thieves.” The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city. Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

 

Today’s gospel reading seems to be all over the place.  You’re probably thinking that Jesus has a little ADD or that the Gospel writer is mixing up way to many themes.  Jesus starts off cursing a fig tree, then He goes and runs off the money changers and finally He is concerned about moving mountains into the sea.  But in reality there is a very common thread sown throughout this scripture reading.  The fig tree is barren and unable to bear fruit and therefore is no longer useful.  It just depletes the nutrients from the soil that could be used to grow other trees which produce fruit.  The Jews equated the barren fig tree to spiritual decay and evil.  Therefore, removing the fig tree removed the evil from the land.  Likewise, when he reached the temple, the temple was not being used as a place of worship, but a place of deception and deceit.  The merchants were swindling the people coming to the temple and robbing them and cheating them.  The temple is suppose to be a safe place; a place where evil does not lurk.  Removing the merchants removed the evil in the temple.  Finally, the mountains represent barriers.  They are the obstacles in our life which prevent us from finding the temple.  They represent those items which separate us from God.  For those who truly have faith can say to the mountains, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea” and the mountains which separate them from God will be gone.  It is clear, that we must have faith to truly see God and when we encounter evil, it is our faith that banishes the evil from our life.  We also need to have faith to avoid those who are trying to rob our temples of our spirituality.  The temples of our souls are reserved for God.  If we fill them with material and worldly vices, the temple will become a haven for those who will rob us our eternal life.  It is through the ever abundant Sacred Heart of Jesus that we find the strength eliminate the things which rob us from our spirituality.  It is the strength we receive from his heart that we can move mountains that prevent us from truly uniting ourselves with him in his eternal glory.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, give me wisdom to destroy evil and fight off those who will rob my faith.

Give me the strength to move the mountains that separate me from you;

So I can spend eternity with our Father in heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon