Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Today is the Feast of St Andrew the Apostle, the First Called and brother of St. Peter.  Tradition has it that St. Andrew was the very first Apostle to answer Jesus’ call.  Reflect today on his desire to serve Christ above all others.

 

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

 

Gospel Reading Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

 

If you silence your mind and listen intently to today’s Gospel, you can hear God’s calling.  He’s calling you by name to follow him. He’s calling YOU to be “fishers of men.” Christ called two fishermen, Peter and Andrew, to follow him and “At once they left their nets and followed him.” He called James and John who were fishing with their father and “immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him” There was no delay in their response to his call.  The responded immediately trusting that Jesus would take care of them.  What is your response to his call? Did you say yes or are you waiting for a better time when it doesn’t interfere with your life. Jesus chose those who were willing to follow him and help him spread the Word of God to his people. These men were not special people, they were ordinary common fishermen.  Probably not well kept and they had meager clothes.  They did not dress like the priests and Rabbis.  They probably smelled a little as well.  They would probably have been the least likely of people who you would stop and listen to their message.  They were not well educated individuals accustom to giving theological talks. They were not Rabbis who knew the scriptures inside and out. They were common people just like you and I. They were people who decided to commit their life to spreading the Word of God. God takes ordinary people and helps them do extraordinary things. Jesus is the light of the world. We are called to share that light through our actions, our practices and in everything we do. We are to lead others into Christ’s nets so they too can become men of God. We are to express the joy and happiness of Christ so that others desire nothing else but to be his children. Ask yourself these simple questions. Do my actions lead people to or from Christ? Am I willing to answer the call to be a leader for Christ?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God, I hear you calling, but I am weak.

Fill me with the strength to be a beacon for Christ.

Help me to be a witness to the Good News of the Gospel.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” 

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 20:21-28

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."

 

Today’s Gospel reading is the third part of the apocalyptic message we have been hearing for the past couple of days.  In the message, Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and warns the Jews that “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand.”  In this story, Jerusalem is punished because she has broken her covenant with God.  So what message does that have for us today?  Catholic tradition states that Israel represents the church.  The church that survives the devastation of 70 AD is referred to in the Bible as the New Jerusalem.  Therefore, out of the destruction of Israel, a new church rises from the ashes.  This New Church is baptized in the glory of Christ.  Jesus tells us, “They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”  The chosen people are no longer the Jewish Nation but includes all of humanity – “the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”  At this time, the Gentiles, who did not belong to the Jewish faith are now made part of the church.  Every living human being is made part of the new church.  This is the good news; this is Christ telling us that the church is open to everyone. 

 

The last part of the passage foretells of our own day of judgment. “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”  All of us will die and all of us will be judged by the Son of Man.  This Day of Judgment will either be a sad day or joyful day for us.  At your day of judgment, will Christ praise you for your labor or punish you for your wickedness.  The hope of salvation is placed in our souls at birth.  We have a natural desire to be good and want forgiveness.  We all hope for eternal life; however, we do not all do what is necessary to achieve eternal life.  We must be sorrowful for our sinfulness and beg Christ to have mercy on us.  We do not want to end up like the old Jerusalem, destroyed by the armies, but like the new church, raised in the glory of Christ.  During this advent season, we should prepare the way for Christ.  We should clear the trail to let him into our lives.  Most of us think of Lent as a time of reflection and penance, but we should take the opportunity during Advent to do the same.  This year raise a new church in your soul, stand erect and raise your head because Christ the King is coming.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, I am the New Jerusalem; let me stand tall and erect.

Give me the strength to raise my head so I can face my judgment.

Help me prepare the way of the Lord in my soul.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:12-19

 

Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

 

Today’s Gospel reading is a continuation of the reading from yesterday. The Gospel tells us what could happen if we stand up for our faith. Jesus tells us, “They will seize and persecute you  …because of my name.” Are people not persecuted for their belief in God and for following Christ? Does it seem like the government, which is suppose to protect our freedom of religion, slowing taking it away.  Have you ever heard someone called a “Jesus Freak.” Just try inserting Jesus into a conversation at school or outside a church setting and see if it does not yield a silent pause from the other participants. Have you ever been accused of being too religious? Many of us withdraw and subdue our religious beliefs and convictions so we do not get labeled or ridiculed. Jesus says not to worry “for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.” In other words, Jesus is telling us to stand tall for our beliefs because he will be standing right there with us to protect us. Jesus is calling us to be martyrs for our faith. What’s interesting is that Jesus says that you will be delivered to the synagogues and the prisons. Therefore, you will be persecuted not only by society in general, but also by people who go to church with you. He says, “You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.” This passage gives testimony to the depth of faith Christ is calling us to have. We must be willing to put it all on the line for him. We must be willing to carry big signs that say, “I am a Christian and I believe in God.” You should not hide your faith but display it for all to see. You should scream Christ when you walk down the street. And most importantly, you should have confidence in your beliefs. We are called to be living witnesses for the good news and joy presented in the Gospels. Do not be afraid of your faith. It’s ok to be a Jesus Freak. It’s cool to be a disciple of Christ.

 

Yours in Christ

 

Lord Father in heaven, I am your soldier;

Defender of the faith, martyr for the gospels.

Give me strength to bear witness to the Good News

Give me strength to withstand those who will judge me

For your name’s sake, for I am your loyal servant.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:5-11

 

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”  He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’  Do not follow them!  When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”  Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the Jews admiring their great temple in Jerusalem. In response to their joy, Jesus begins an eschatological discourse on the end of the world. Today’s gospel deals with the destruction of the beautiful temple in Jerusalem. Jesus tells his disciples, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone ...” He tells them this not to scare them, but to prepare them for the events that are to come. He warns them to stay true and not be led astray that there are many out there who will try to deceive them. This same message is still as true today as it was at the time of Christ. The church is constantly under attack by society. Every time you turn around you hear another attempt to remove Christianity out of society. We can no longer have the Bible in public places; pornography is running rampant on the internet and abortion is nothing but an after-thought to many. Just yesterday, the Association of Pediatricians recommended that the Morning After Pill abortion pill be made available over the counter for all women, even underage teenagers indicating that 57 percent of teenage pregnancies end in a live birth.  We are being led to believe that a child born to a teenager is how bad.  Jesus told his disciples to take heed and not be led astray. I pray that you take that same warning today. We must be careful not to follow the false prophets which are leading society through a moral decline.  We must resist the temptation to go with the flow and stand up against the atrocities which try to rob our soul of eternal life with our Father in heaven.  The Jews came under attack by the Romans and the temple was destroyed. However, the faith of the Jews persisted and the church surveyed. Today, we are under attack by a society so focused on money and wealth that our temple will also be destroyed because of the weakening of the foundation. The destruction of the foundation is evident in our economy and the dependency we place on these material goods.

 

Jesus told the Jews not to seek signs but rather to seek God's kingdom. We too must seek the kingdom of God for it is through the narrow door which leads to the kingdom that we shall all find salvation. Today’s message may appear apocalyptic, but it is actually a message of hope; a hope that is founded in the glory of the kingdom of God. Where is it that you place your hope? The things we long for are our temples. Do we long for material riches or do we long for a relationship with Christ. It is not easy to chose Christ, but the joy and the rewards are unlimited. The sadness that plagues a material desire is only compounded by the desire for more. If we turn this material desire into a spiritual desire and longing for Christ, our longing will be turned into riches that are not measurable. As we approach Thanksgiving we are called to reflect on the things we have in our lives. We should not forget to give thanks for the spiritual riches which God has given us.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you have unlimited grace and mercy.

I desire to be a faithful servant, everything I have belongs to you.

Use these possessions to help increase my spiritual wealth.

Help me to overcome my fears so that I may find the kingdom of heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:1-4

 

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus is sitting with his disciples when Jesus saw some wealthy people making an offerings to the church.  He also noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins, all the money that she had.  This act was so significant that he said to his disciple, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” So what is Jesus really telling his disciples? Today’s message is about sacrifice. Being willing to give not out of our excess but out of what we need. He is not complaining about the offerings of the rich, but celebrating the fact that a poor woman gave everything she had. This shows a true love and trust for God. The rich offerings were from the excess of their lives, but this woman sacrificed everything of value that she had. The poor woman gave both coins, the only coins she had. She could have given just one coin, but she gave both coins leaving her nothing. Some might say that this was foolish and reckless of the woman and I would agree. Christ calls us to be reckless with our love for him. He calls us to give everything we have to him. Not just 10 percent or even 50 percent, but 100 percent of what we have must be given to God.  What we have to offer the Lord may look pitiful and insignificant and not of much value, but if it truly comes from the heart, if it is truly a sacrifice then that gift will be graciously accepted by the Lord.

 

This Sunday, we begin the season of advent where we are in preparation for the second coming of the Lord. What gifts and sacrifices are you offering to prepare the way for the Lord? We often do not think of this season as a time sacrifice, but a time of celebration. However, the Christmas season has become more about material glory and wealth and less about giving to others. Christmas has become so commercialized that we forget that this is the time of year when Christ was born. We should prepare the way for the Lord. We should make straight the path which leads to his Manger. It is time for us to give not only from our excess, but from the whole of our existence. We must be willing to give everything back to God, for it all belongs to Him anyway.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, your love for me knows no bounds.

I know that all that I have is a gift from you.

I pray that I have the strength to give it all back to you.

I pray that I have the strength to give my life, my gifts and my talents back to you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 19:11-28

 

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’” After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

 

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of the gold coins. This parable talks about our loyalty and commitment to God. In the first part of the parable we see that the nobleman, God, trusts his servants because he gives the servants his treasures. The servants are to trade and barter the riches until the nobleman returns. God has entrusted us all with his graces. In our baptism, we are filled abundantly with the grace of the Holy Spirit to live a life in the church; in our Confirmation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit to live out our faith for others; and in receiving the Eucharist, we are nourished with the body and blood of Christ to strengthen our ability to grow in faith. Each of us has been given a bounty of grace from which to barter and trade. These blessing which God bestows upon us are our test.

 

Through our baptism, we are all servants of God. We are all commanded to “go forth and multiply” and take charge of the earth to make it “fruitful and bountiful”. God gives us the graces we need to do His will. The kingdom of God is present among us. God has entrusted us with many talents and gifts to help foster the kingdom of God here and now. If we use these gifts to help prosper the kingdom, God will repay us with a bounty beyond our comprehension. The size of our reward is based on the size of our heart. The more we do, the more we give to others, the more God entrusts upon us. Everyone who gives of his talents is repaid. But if we hoard our talents and gifts and keep them hidden in a napkin, we will be punished and lose everything we have been given. To waste the gifts which God has given us is the same as telling God that you do not love him or that we do not want him in our lives. Jesus said, “With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant.” Because of our free will, God does not force us to do anything. It is through your own desire and actions that you will become separated from God. If you do not use his gifts, you are saying I do not want to be in communion with you for eternity. By your own desire, you shall be punished for eternity.

 

Our reward lies in the kingdom of God. We all hope to spend eternity in the kingdom with God. Eternity starts today. Do not wait until tomorrow because it may be too late. What gifts and talents has God given you? Are you using this gifts and talents to further the kingdom of God or do you squander the gifts and keep them hidden from others? At this time of Thanksgiving, we should focus thanking God for giving us gifts to share with others.

 

A Simple

 

Oh dear Father in Heaven,

You grace me with so many gifts and talents.

Give me the strength and wisdom to use these gifts wisely

So they will bring about the kingdom of God to others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 19:1-10

 

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”  And he came down quickly and received him with joy.  When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,  “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”  But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

 

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus meets Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector from Jericho. In the time of Jesus, tax collectors were a group of people who took advantage of the local citizens robbing them of their money and belongings.  In addition, Zacchaeus was a small man probably rather pompous and full of himself. Because of his nature, he was curious about this man named Jesus, but unfortunately he was too short to see over the crowd. His determination to meet Christ gave him the commitment to overcome his weakness. He was so determined to see Jesus that he went as far as climbing a tree. Now Zacchaeus was the lowliest of lowliest and yet Christ still called him. Not only did Jesus call Zacchaeus, he wanted to enter Zacchaeus’ house. Already, the gospel reading has so many lessons. Zacchaeus has to recognize that Jesus as the Messiah, to have faith, and most importantly to be humble. Zacchaeus was not just a tax collector but the chief tax collector. Therefore, he had to go amongst a crowd of people who had deep hatred for him. He had to humble himself before those who he had cheated and robbed. To see Christ, he had to elevate himself above the crowd; he had to elevate himself above the smallness of his sins. This was a demonstration of his faith and trust in God. What was Zacchaeus’ reward? Christ says to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house…  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” If we desire salvation, we must elevate ourselves above the crowd, we must humble ourselves and we must have faith. Zacchaeus hears the word of God and “received him with joy.” There was no hesitation by Zacchaeus. The grace of God was given to Zacchaeus through the mercy of forgiveness.

 

He heard the call and answered it with faith; a faith that included reconciliation. Zacchaeus agreed to pay back fourfold anything he obtained unjustly and he gave half his wealth to the poor. Zacchaeus’ repentance was not because he was rich, but because he had not shared the gifts that were given to him. This same scenario is played out every day when Christ calls our name and we answer. Today’s gospel reading call us to do more than answer, we must repent. We need to be willing to restore what we have done wrong and we need to be willing to share the gifts that God has given to us. We must rise above the crowds and seek Christ in our life.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, I raise myself up to see you. Call my name and I will come.

I welcome you into my home; fill it with grace and mercy so that I can share with others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 18:35-43

 

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.  They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is traveling between cities when he is confronted by a blind man. The blind man, hearing the good news, cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” Because of his faithful desire to “see” the Messiah, his site is restored. This story has several key messages. The first is that the blind man proclaims Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David. Without physically seeing Jesus, he knows spiritually that Jesus is the Christ sent for their salvation. Secondly, the blind man is persistent in his cries for help. He does not let things get in the way of his desire to see and personally know Christ. He ignores the crowd and continues his pleas. The third message is the healing. Jesus tells the blind man, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” So why did the blind man receive his sight? Not because of his cries, but because he was persistent in his faith. The blind man asked Jesus to have mercy on him. This act of faith touched Jesus. The blind man prayed with conviction, with urgency and with persistence. He did not give up after the first cry for help. He did not succumb to the pressures of the world. While the crowd tried to divert his faith, he remained steadfast in his journey to Christ. We too must pray persistently, but most importantly, we must pray with conviction and with urgency. We must ask Christ to have mercy on us and to give us our sight. If we are blind to the will of God, then we too should cry out, “Lord, please let me see.” God will reward your plea because of your faith. We must fight off the pressures of the world to be quite and to forget Christ. We must be bigger than the crowds, for Christ desires all of us to be part of his flock.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, let me receive my sight.

Let me see your mercy and grace.

Let me see your wonder and awe.

May I never overlook the love which you pour out for me.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 17:26-37

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.”  They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear prophecy about the final judgment. Christ uses examples from the Old Testament to let his disciples know that their divine judgment will come without warning. But when it comes, they will know it without a doubt. Every man, woman and child will find themselves before the judgment of our Father in Heaven. Therefore, we must be ready here and now for that final judgment. We must scrutinize our lives and our own souls so that when we are judged we will not be the one left behind.  If we bind ourselves to the treasures that are here on this earth, then these treasures will be our end.  They will fade and rot away.  But if we bind ourselves to the kingdom of heaven, our treasure will be eternal life with our Father in heaven.

 

Today’s message, while a warning of the pending judgment, is about reconciliation with God. Christ gave us the sacrament of Penance so that we could right ourselves with God. The power of the sacrament of penance is to restore us to the fullness of God’s grace. Penance is considered a second baptism because it renews us to our Baptismal purity. Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” Jesus is telling us that we must let go of our earthly treasures and those things that bind us to earth if we wish to experience the ultimate joy of eternal life. We should have our eyes focused on one thing and one thing only – eternal salvation in heaven.

 

The gate to eternal life is narrow and we can easily miss it. To help focus us on the final goal requires us to examine our conscience regularly and cleanse ourselves of the sins which bar the gate to heaven. By examining our conscience daily, we will begin to identify not only the “big” sins, but the little sins that buildup and block the path. Daily examination of conscience helps to cleanse the soul of these little burdens making it easier for us to find the righteous path. When we go to bed in the evening, we should spend time reflecting on the day. We should identify those things that separated us from God that day and reflect on those items so that you can avoid them tomorrow. We should then reflect on the good things that happened that day. Being cognizant of the things that bring us closer to Christ will help us maintain the trail heaven. And lastly, we should reflect on those items which other have done to us. Not only must we ask for forgiveness for our sins, but we must forgive those who have sinned against us. In the morning, we should thank God and ask him to give us wisdom and guidance so that we will not fall from the path of righteousness. Ask God to guide you away from the sins that you committed yesterday.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner.

Help me to avoid sin so I can join you in Heaven

Help me recognize my sins so I can avoid them.

Give me the strength I need to walk in your steps.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 17:20-25

 

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”  Then he said to his disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees wanting to know “when the kingdom of God would come.” The Jews at the time of Christ were busy in anticipation of some great sign that would signify the coming of the Messiah. This anticipation for “the coming” sounds much like some of the Evangelical Ministers we see on TV today. So many of them preach that the end times are near or that we are in the time of the rapture. Jesus replied, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, … For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” In other words, Jesus is telling the Jews to stop looking for signs because the kingdom of God is already here. After responding to the Pharisees, he turns to his apostles and provides a prophecy about the next coming of the Son of Man, “For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.” Jesus is telling us to stop worrying about the next coming of the Son of God, you will have no problem recognizing it. Everyone, good or evil, will know when the Son of God has arrived. There will be no question that he has arrived. It will be like one of those unexpected thunderstorms that builds with great expectations and finally unleashes its announcement by the trumpets of thunders and lighting dancing in the ski. At this time, all the world will be judged.  

 

Everyone who dies before the end of the world will find themselves before the Son of God. You will be judged immediately. Therefore, Jesus’ message is also one of individual preparation. Not only must we be worried about the salvation of the church, but we must be worried about our own salvation. Are you ready for your judgment? If you died today, what would Jesus think about your heart? Would it be pure or would it remain corrupt with hatefulness and concupiscence. When you examine your conscience at night, do you honestly judge your sins or are you focused on what others did to you. Pray for clarity in your examination so you can truly be sorrowful for your sins. “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” are you helping to reveal the kingdom?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, have mercy on my soul.

You are my judge and my jury.

I bow down before you sorrowful for my transgressions.

Purify my heart so I can see the kingdom of God today.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19

 

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 when we were in a 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? The gospel starts out with Jesus traveling between Samaria and Galilee when he came upon a group of lepers. There was one Samaritan and nine Jews. There was no love lost between these two groups. In fact, if it weren’t for the infliction of leprosy, these two groups would not even be together.

 

The ten lepers cried out to Jesus, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” They did not ask to be cured but for Jesus to have mercy on them. To have mercy means to have pity on them. 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. While all ten were probably extremely elated that they were cured, only one, the Samaritan, was grateful. 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 the Samaritan. This is the ultimate sign of reverence to God to prostrate oneself in thanksgiving for his mercy and kindness. 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

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.”

 

Gospel Reading Luke 17:1-6

 

Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”  And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a two-fold message followed by words of hope. The first message is dealing with leading others astray and the second message is regarding forgiveness. We all know that sinning is wrong and that “things that cause sin will inevitably occur,” but Jesus tells us that causing others to sin is even worse. This raises our sin to the level of scandal. If we cause others to sin we destroy God’s desire not only for our redemption, but for their redemption as well. If we block their way by leading them to sin, we steer them away from the resurrection and into eternal death. Jesus tells us that “It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea...” If we cause others to sin we are causing them to drown and then our punishment would be likewise.

 

As we are ordered not to lead others to sin, we are also ordered to forgive those who sin against us. If we see someone sinning, Jesus tells us not to follow their example. But if they ask for forgiveness, we are to forgive them. He tells us, “if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him;” not just one time but every time he asks you.  Even if it is for the same sin several times in one day.  If causing others to sin is such a great sin, then leading others to forgiveness is extremely pleasing to God. It is by our example that God rewards us.  How can we ask forgiveness if we cannot forgive though who have sinned against us.  So how is it possible to live both these demands from God? Hearing this message, the apostles ask Jesus, “Increase our faith!” And Jesus replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Everything is possible for those who have faith. We can perform miracles if we have faith.

 

There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Each gift produces a different and very special grace. The gifts of understanding and knowledge lead to the virtue of faith. Therefore, by asking God to increase our faith, we are asking God to increase our awareness of the gifts of understanding and knowledge. These gifts which are placed in our soul increase our understanding and knowledge of the truth. Understanding prevents us from becoming apprehensive to the truth while knowledge allows us to be practical in the judgment about truth. These two gifts allow us to clearly see God’s truth as it has been set out before us. If we see God’s truth, then how can we lead others to sin and how can we not forgive those who trespass against us? If we see the truth and the light and yet lead others away, how condemned is our soul for we know what we are do is wrong.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God, you have graced me with many gifts including the gifts of the Holy Spirit,

Increase my awareness of each of these gifts, but especially understanding and knowledge

So that I, by my example will lead all souls to heaven and not direct them away from redemption.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.  The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome. This is not St. Peter's, but it is the Pope's cathedral. Also called the Church of Holy Savior or the Church of St. John the Baptist, it was the baptism church of ancient Rome.

 

“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 2:13-22

 

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the cleansing of the temple. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for the preparation of the Passover. When he arrives in the temple, he finds the traders and money-exchanges have made the house of the Word of God a marketplace. So why would Jesus care if the temple became a marketplace? The temple was a place where people would come to worship God, to pray and to reflect upon the Word of God. Just think about how difficult it would have been to pray with all these distractions. In addition, the temple would have become overwhelmed with the smells of wild animals and their droppings. The putrid odors would have distracted from the reverence and beauty of the Temple itself. The house of God had become defaced by the market place. Jesus cleansed the temple of those things that defiled it. We too are called to purge our own temple, our body of those things that defile us. For many of us, our body has become a market place consumed by the worldly treasures.  It has become defiled with the stench of envy, greed, gluttony and lust.  We allow ourselves to become contaminated with things that distract us from prayer.  Our body is a temple and must be kept clean and pure. It is time to cleanse our souls, our hearts and our minds. Purifying our body is an important process of preparing us for our own death and resurrection. We need to be diligent in keeping our own souls pure and clean. This is done through inward reflections and an examination of our own conscience. Most importantly, it is done through Reconciliation and Penance and ultimately receiving the Eucharist – the Word which became Flesh.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, help me to recognize that my body is a temple of God.

May my faith and love for you help keep it clean and purified.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10

 

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus addressed this parable to them."What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, "Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep." I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.  "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, "Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost." In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us the story of the lost sheep. The Gospel reading starts out with two very different groups – the righteous and the not so righteous.  The Pharisee and the scribes were not happy with Christ fraternizing with “sinners.” But Jesus’ acceptance of these open sinners shows the deepness of his love and the ultimate purpose of mission on earth. He didn’t come to save the righteous, but to save the lowly. Christ reached out to those who needed him most. His mission was to bring these sinners back into His fold. Many of these people thought they were not worthy, but Christ’s message was one of forgiveness and acceptance.

 

Jesus continues the discussion with the woman who lost a coin.  The big question is would you really search for a lost penny.  It really doesn’t make sense that someone would spend the time to search the house for the lost coin.  One could conclude that one lost soul is not worth the effort, but God still spends the time to find us and bring us back to his fold.  He never gives up on us and he rejoices when we find him. Christ wants all of us. It does not matter how serious the sin, Christ will always accept you back into his fold. He tells them that if a shepherd with 100 sheep looses one, would he not leave the other 99 to get the one which is lost. When you lose something and have to search frantically, do you not rejoice when you finally find it. That’s how God feels when we finally realize that our sins are wrong and we come to God for forgiveness and salvation.

 

When one of us repents and changes our way, God will “rejoice …because I have found the coin that I lost” and “there will be rejoicing among the angels.” Heaven celebrates every time we convert our ways and follow the way of Christ.  We are all sinners, but we are not all good repenters. As sinners, we are drawn to Christ because of his mercy and kindness. When we repent, Christ wraps his arms around us to give us that consoling warmth of his forgiving love. Christ wants all his sheep in heaven. There is not one sheep He will not fight for. He does not want us out wandering lost in the wilderness. Seek Christ and his forgiveness. Seek the Eucharist for it is the bread of life and our salvation. Seek reconciliation for it is truly a celebration with God. No matter what you have done, no matter what sin you have committed, Christ will be there to receive you with open arms and he will celebrate your return with joyous music.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Christ, you are the light of my salvation.

You lead me to the truth and the way.

Forgive me of my transgressions which are many

Because I want to be in the protection of your arms.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-33

 

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?  Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’  Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?  But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.  In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells his followers that they must surrender everything to be his disciple. The gospel reading actually says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Hate seems like a very strong word. To hate our mother and father seems to be a violation of one of the Ten Commandments. But in this gospel reading the word hate means to “prefer less.” So why would Jesus use such strong language? Why couldn’t he just say you need to love God more? Jesus used this approach to signify that nothing, absolutely nothing should be held higher and with more importance than God. Everything we have belongs to God and was given to us by God. Jesus’ Father gave him a task to save us from our sins. Jesus knew that this would eventually cost him his life and he was willing to make this ultimate sacrifice for us. We too are called to sacrifice our lives for Christ. We must be willing to give all for our Lord. Jesus says, “In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is telling his disciples that the kingdom of Heaven is theirs if they are willing to make the sacrifice, all you have to do is give up everything. You must be willing to give everything to God. So what do we get in return for this sacrifice? We get eternal communion with God in the next world. We receive eternal joy and happiness that completely overwhelms the body and soul. Joy to a level that you cannot even imagine. Is that not worth the ultimate sacrifice?

 

Every time we hold something back; every time we compromise our morals; every time we justify our sins, we are limiting the resources we need to make it through the narrow gate to the Kingdom of Heaven. Daily sacrifice and prayer are needed to keep us focused on our journey. We should inventory our hearts every day to make sure we have what it takes to make the journey. If we are short, now is the time to ask God for the strength and courage we need to make the journey. We should reflect back on our daily lives to see if we have given everything back to Christ. What is it that we cannot let go? Once we know the road blocks, we can learn to avoid them. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can make it through the shadows of the valley of death.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, I have many riches which you have given me,

Give me the strength and the will to give these riches back for your glory.

It is through you that I will see the kingdom of heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”

 

Gospel Reading Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of the invited guests. In this parable, a man is giving a great banquet and invited many. But the guests found excuses not to attend the party. One said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it” and another, “I have purchased five yoke of oxen” and another, “I have just married.” When Christ calls us to his banquet, do we find excuses to turn away from his feast?  Are there more important things in our lives then the call of God?  This great banquet is the celebration of the Eucharist, the celebration of Reconciliation, the celebration of Confirmation. The banquet is all those activities which bring us closer to God. We are all invited to his table to eat the bread of the kingdom of Heaven. We are all called to celebrate with our Lord.  How often do we find excuses not to attend his banquet? I’m too busy, I’ve got sports or I’ve got homework. If God invites us to know him, we should sacrifice everything we are doing so that we can accept the call. The reasons we find not to attend are just excuses to avoid this relationship. There is no good excuse to miss the banquet.

 

Not only are we invited to the table, but Christ tells us to “Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled.” Through our own invitation, we must bring others to the table. God does not want us to force people to come to his table, but for us to convince people that the banquet is the greatest celebration on earth and no one should miss it. We must help our fellow man make the right decision to choose Christ and follow is path. A person is compelled to come to the table through your actions, your prayers and your words. They need to see that you are living a true Christian life. In this year of Faith, we are called to evangelize those who are around us; to bring them into the fold.  The three excuses which Jesus presented in the Gospel have great meaning.  They represent the three areas of our life that we are most likely to deny the invitation. The first is in our jobs, our school life, or the activities which occupy our time outside our house. The second is the material possession which we own. Do we spend more time finding clothes to wear then we spend with God? Do we miss church because we work? The last excuse calls us to place God before family. This means that we need to invite God into the family and to be a part of our family life. God invites us into the celebration not to punish us but so that we may share in his love and compassion.  As a family, we are called to pray together and to celebrate Christ together in all that we do. 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, your banquet is plentiful and the table is large.

Help me find strength to find my way to your table.

Help me lead a true life to lead others to your table.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon