Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’

 

Today we conclude our nine day Novena for Papa Benedict.  Today we say goodbye to Benedict as leader of the Catholic Church and usher in a new era.  What is this new era? Nobody knows.  That is why Benedict yesterday asked us to not only pray for him as he begins his new journey, but for the new Pope and mother church.  The world would have us believe that Benedict is the rich man in this story, but in fact, Benedict reflects the characteristics of Lazarus, a humble servant of the Lord, someone who reluctantly took on the role as Pope to lead the church through this time in her history.  God bless Pope Benedict and all he has done for the church. Today, at one o’clock central, noon mountain and two eastern, the lights will be turned out for the last time.  When the church awakes tomorrow, the Seat of Peter will be empty and the church will mourn the loss of a great leader, yet be joyfully anxious to see who her new leader will be.  Our prayers must cease for Benedict or for Holy Mother Church.

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be …

A Simple Prayer

 

O God, you loved us so much that you gave us your only son to sacrifice his life for us.

Strengthen our will so that we can live like Christ and be a sacrifice for others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:17-28

 

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve (disciples) aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left (, this) is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

 

I think that today’s Gospel reading reflects the mode of the world.  If you read the news, it seems as if the church is under attack from outside and from in.  As Benedict approaches the last days of his papacy, the attacks seem to be getting worse.  During these times of tribulation, our prayers are more necessary to help the church and Benedict stay the course.  Please continue to pray for our Shepherd.

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be …

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are so kind and merciful.

Help me to set aside my judgment and condemnation.

Help me to forgive my fellow man.

Help me to see past his sins as I too am a sinner.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are my master and my ruler.

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

I want to carry the cross which leads others to heaven

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

In today’s reading, Jesus calls us all to become a leader in the church.  As we prepare to say goodbye to Pope Benedict, remember that we too have a responsibility to help move the church forward.  Our primary responsibility is to pray for her strength and to pray for those men and women who have dedicated their lives to caring for her.  Today, we not only recall Pope Benedict, but all who serve with him.

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be …

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are so kind and merciful.

Help me to set aside my judgment and condemnation.

Help me to forgive my fellow man.

Help me to see past his sins as I too am a sinner.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, you were the servant of all mankind.

Teach me to be humble and contrite.

Teach me to love my neighbor as myself.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:36-38

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

 

We are now in the last four days of Pope Benedict’s Papacy.  Here is a man who dedicated his life to the church and to helping others. He will probably go down in history as one of teyh great church theologians.   He served as a teacher, a spiritual guide and one of the most humble servants of God.  In today’s Gospel reading, we are asked to be merciful “even as your Father is merciful.” We are told that we should not judge or condemn.  The world is busy judging and condemning this man who reluctantly took the seat of Peter to lead the church through a very trying time in her history.  We must continue to pray for him and his well being.

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be …

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are so kind and merciful.

Help me to set aside my judgment and condemnation.

Help me to forgive my fellow man.

Help me to see past his sins as I too am a sinner.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute - Novena for Pope Benedict

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. I think right now, Pope Benedict XVI is in need of a hug from all of us.  It is time for us to send out our appreciation for all he has done and all the enemies he has reached out to in the name of Jesus Christ.  When I read John 17:6-19, the priestly prayer from Jesus to his Father in Heaven, I see Pope Benedict in his words.  Please continue to pray for Benedict and the church.

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be

 

 

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:

 

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.”

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus questions each of us asking us, “Who do you say that I am?” Today is the third day of our Novena for Pope Benedict.  When we reflect on the gospel, reflect on our vision of the church, her leadership and the people who form the body of Christ.  Then I ask you, “Who do you say that I am?” In answering this question, one must consider all the works prepared by Pope Benedict during is pontificate.  During our prayers, please continue to pray that for wisdom and insight for Pope Benedict as he completes his final days as pope and transitions into contemplative life pondering on the question, “Who do you say that I am?”  

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be

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:

 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.  "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.  This is the law and the prophets."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus talks to the heart of prayer. Jesus tells us that the Father in heaven will give us what we need if we ask for it. Today is the second day of our Novena for Pope Benedict.  I pray that we continue to ask God for wisdom and insight.  We also need to continue to pray for the church as she is in this moment of transition as we continue our prayers for Pope Benedict XVI. 

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be

 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God in Heaven, you are my master.

Let me love you as I am, let me surrender myself to you.

Give me the strength to be a true disciple

Make my prayer life more bountiful and

Help me to conquer those things that keep me from you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 11:29-32

 

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.  Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment, the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

 

Today I am altering the meditation minute profile.  Instead of reflecting directly upon the gospel passage above, I am asking that we begin a nine day novena for Pope Benedict XVI.  These are the last nine days of his pontificate.  His prayers are needed to help him transition from being Peter, to being a humble servant of God.  During his pontificate, he wrote many documents, letters and books.  His very first encyclical was Dues Ceritas Es – God is Love.  Benedict reflects upon the greatest of God’s commandments – love.  We too have an obligation to express our love through prayer.  During the last nine days, I ask that while you reflect on the gospel reading, you pray the following prayers for our Holy Father.

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, help me to recognize my sinful ways.

Help me to free myself from the bonds of Satan

It is through your mercy and goodness that I am set free.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“For I was hungry and you gave me food.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.  And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

 

Today’s Gospel reading is all about the final judgment of the world and how we will be judged at the end of time.  This passage confirms three important truths about our faith. First, there will be a final judgment at the end of time; second, that Christ identified himself with everyone in need; and third, confirmation that the wicked will experience eternal separation from our Father in heaven. The good news is that Jesus tells us exactly what we need to do to sit at the right hand of our Father in heaven. We need to feed the poor, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the ill, and have compassion for those who are in prison. For those who say it is faith alone that gets you into heaven need to reread this passage.  Jesus is quite clear that we must give of ourselves to others.  Our final judgment appears to be based on our acts of charity and kindness.  The path to the kingdom of heaven lies in our works and the things that we do to help those that are in need.  We need to help our neighbor out of love for our fellow man. Salvation lies in our ability to give completely of ourselves for the benefit of our neighbors.  During Lent, we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving; the three pillars of Lent help focus us on our obligations to care for our fellow man. We are called to open our hearts and our souls to the needs of others. Through our prayers, our fasting and our almsgiving we can feed those without food or drink, we can be kind to those people we do not know, we can give to the poor so they have clothes and shelter and we can visit the sick and infirmed. These are all actions which express true compassionate love; the same type of love that Christ expressed on the cross. It is through our own unconditional love that we will be saved. Jesus told the disciples, “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are all that is good.

May I learn to help and care for others.

May my charitable acts bring others to the kingdom of God.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with  them?”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

 

Today is the first Friday of Lent.  This is a day of fasting.  But fast from what?  In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is questioned about fasting, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” Friday is the day that Lord was crucified so during Lent we fast on Fridays to remember the sacrifice that he made for us.  But the gospel refers specifically to the wedding guests.  So who are wedding guests? They are generally the closest and dearest friends of the bridegroom. Jesus refers to himself as the bridegroom and his disciples his closest friends. A wedding is a time of great celebration and joy because two are united as one. How can one fast when they are in the presence of the wedding party? How can one fast when Jesus is with them celebrating? Jesus’ disciples are hungry for the kingdom of heaven. They celebrate because Christ is with them. They do not fast from God, but seek God to enter their lives. So what type of fasting should we practice? We should fast from things that separate us from God. We should fast from our bad habits, our sinful ways and our vices. But most importantly, we should share in the hunger of those who go without food. Today is a fast day. Take time to decide what it is that you need to fast from. While you abstain from meat, think about those who do not have food for their own table. Think of those who have no shelter to live in. Pray for the poor and the hungry that they may be fed today. Today, we should hunger for God and we should hunger for peace to cover the world.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Come Lord Jesus, I hunger for your love.

I hunger for the love you poured out for us.

Help me conquer those things which keep me from you.

Help me fast from sins of my life.

 

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."

 

Today is the start of the Great Fast, Lent.  This is the start of a season of conversion and reconciliation.  It is a season for us to refocus our lives to bring us closer to God.  However; we are warned not to brag about our sacrifices.  Our sacrifices and commitments are between us and God and not a way to make us look more holy.  During Lent, we are reminded that we must pray, give alms and fast to help center our life.  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 will 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 be 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 were 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.  Lent is also a time for meditation.  Spend some time meditating on the sacrifices you are making and how they will lead you closer to God.  Take an extra five minutes after reflecting on the Gospel, to reflect on those things in your life which create barriers to heaven.  Use this time as an opportunity to reject these items or to give them up for others.  Use this time to reflect on how you can bring others closer to Christ.

 

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:

 

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 7:1-13

 

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die. Yet you say, ‘If someone says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

 

What do you think is more important – to have a clean heart or to have clean hands? Today’s gospel message is quite clear. It’s not what’s on the outside that’s important but what’s on the inside. We must have a clean heart and a clean mind if we are to be truly centered on God. The Jews were more worried about their outward appearance and not about their spiritual well being. In other words, they were more concerned about what went into their mouths then what came out. Jesus tells the Pharisees and the scribes that the true defilement is in our words and the sentiment in our hearts. Hatred and evil are born within us, deep inside our minds and our hearts. It starts in our thoughts and our desires. Our soul is the source of our hatred. If we do not purify the thoughts contained within our soul, what good is it to have clean hands. Our thoughts and desires are like the seeds of plants, the plants which eventually fill our soul. We must uproot the weeds so the good plants can grow and prosper. If we have good thoughts and desires, then we will grow good plants and our soul will flourish. If we do not tend the garden, the bad seeds will sprout into weeds which will eventually overtake the goodness in our soul. It is through the grace of God that we can kill the weeds and purify our hearts.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, master of all.

Help me to identify the sins in my life.

Give me the wisdom to recognize wrong from right

And the power to change and cleanse my soul.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Today is a sad day as we hear the news that Pope Benedict XVI will be stepping down as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church due to his age.  Instead of sending out a meditation minute, I would like for each of us to take the time to pray for him in this transition.  Pope Benedict has been a prolific Pope writing a large number of books, letters, encyclicals and documents which now form a major part of the Catholic Theological teaching base for the church.  His contribution to the church has been absolutely priceless.  As I hear the news commentators speculating on the reason and what will happen to the church, I ask that you continue to pray for Holy Mother Church and that she will discern a new leader who will continue the efforts of Pope Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI.  Pope Benedict’s two major themes of his pontificate where to reunite the church and to bring the lost sheep back into her fold through Ecumenism and Evangelization.  We need to pray that these efforts will continue under the new leader.  We need to pray for the Cardinals who will travel to Rome to elect the new Pope.  We need to pray for clear guidance and safe travels.  Lastly, we need to pray for Pope Benedict that he can live out the remainder of his life peacefully reflecting on the Jesus Christ.

 

Peace

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:1-6

 

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.  When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus returns home with his disciples to preach the Word in Nazareth. The towns people are astonished and amazed at his wisdom, but at the same time full of doubt and disbelief. One would think that his own towns people would celebrate his accomplishments, but instead they are critical of his abilities. Because of this disbelief, they are unable to open their hearts to the Good News.  In fact, they were offended by his abilities and what he was saying. Are we not the same to the people who are closest to us. The people who judge us most severely are generally our closest friends and family. And likewise, the people we are harshest to are those that are closest to us.  The people that are closest to us are the ones who have the hardest time believing in our success. They cannot believe that a carpenter, a simple man, a common laborer can be so profound in his wisdom. He is no longer just the son of Mary, but now a Rabi professing the Word of God with amazing wisdom.

 

It says that Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. Is Jesus amazed at your faith or your lack of faith? Have you become so familiar with your faith that you are no longer see the wonder and awe of our Lord. Has your religion become so boring that you have begun to ignore it? As we approach lent a week from now, it is time to renew our commitment to God and to our faith. No matter how familiar we have become with our faith, we need to renew it as if it were a brand new friend we have just met for the first time. We need to have that new found curiosity which helps us dig deeper and find out more. It needs to help lead us to a more solid foundation from which to grow. We need to find the wonder and awe that allows us to form a life-long bond with Christ.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, open my eyes to a new found relationship with God.

Let me experience the Gospels like a new found friend.

Help me inspire my curiosity so that I may grow in faith to be your servant.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"Do not be afraid; just have faith."

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43

 

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him and a large crowd followed him.  There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?" But his disciples said to him, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?" And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction." While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"  Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum" which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, we see how important faith is in our spiritual life.  Jarius, a Jewish leader humbles himself before Jesus begging for his help and the woman who is hemorrhaging, reaches out in humility to touch the clothes of Christ.  Both individuals must believe that Christ can heal them and more important, must reach out to Christ for his help.  Jesus tells then, “Do not be afraid, just have faith.”  That same message is still very true today.  Must set aside our fears and our doubts and “just have faith”.  These two women have tried everything humanly possible to overcome the afflictions, but it is only through the power and mercy of Christ that they are healed.  We as Christians should also expect Christ to help us overcome the obstacles in our own lives which prevent us from our sanctification. We are attacked from Satan from so many directions. Satan places doubt within our hearts and puts things in front of us to tempt us, to lead us away from Christ. Satan cannot force us to turn from God; it is only by the nature of free will that we do so. He places desires of the flesh and mind to trick us into falling away from his grace. He creates disorder in our lives so we lose focus on the Kingdom of Heaven.  In this reading we are given hope that God’s love will save us and bring us fully into eternal life. The afflictions which torment us should be offered up to God.  Unlike the people at the time of Christ, we can encounter Christ daily in the Sacraments and in the Word.  We can encounter Christ anytime we want.  All we need to do is reach out.  We need not be afraid, but just have faith.  We can receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation every day.  These are the sacraments of nourishment and healing.  These are the Sacraments that restore us and unite us with Christ.  We can read the Word of God and be filled with his wisdom and understanding.  Christ tells us to “just have faith” as he tells us to “arise” and get up. 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, you are the healer.

You cure my afflictions and free me from the bonds of Satan

You give me hope of life eternal.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He  replied, “Legion is my name.  There are many of us.” And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory.  Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine.  Let us enter them.” And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

 

In today’s Gospel reading we encounter a man possessed by a demon.  It is obvious that the demon is afraid of Christ and knows that Christ is God himself.  The demon tortured the man relentlessly to the point where he beat himself with stones.  The Gospel reading says that the man ran up and prostrated himself before Christ.  This demon recognizes the superiority of Christ, “Son of the Most High God”.  He feels tormented and defeated by Christ and begs him to leave him alone.  But Christ casts out the devil freeing the man from the bounds which torture him.  We too have evil spirits within us that torture us.  We have things in our lives which chain us and prevent us from truly seeing Christ for who he is.  These things restrict us from growing closer to God.  We must prostrate ourselves before God and ask him to have mercy on us so that we can be freed from the afflictions.  It is only through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit that these demons will be driven from us and sent off to drown in the rivers of hell.  This is a great time for us to identify the demons in our life and to offer them up to Christ as a sacrifice. It is a time for us to remove the demoniac road blocks and the chains that bind us to this earth.  These things in our lives that prevent us from seeing Christ hinder our journey. These are things which should become the subject of our fasting. We should also fast from those things which prevent us from walking towards Christ. During your examination of conscience, spend some time deciding which demons have inflicted your soul.  We are now almost one week away from the beginning of Lent.  The first step in preparation for Lent is to identify those things which we want to lose during Lent.  Talk the time to meditate on the demons in your life so you can be set free.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, my heart longs for you.

Free me from the bonds of Satan

So I can fully enjoy my relationship with you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34

 

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus again uses the example of the seed. He tells us “Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” Eventually the seeds of life we sow mature and must be harvested. We will all face that time when we must endure our final judgment. Once the ground is prepared, there is nothing that can be done but watch the seed grow. Jesus says, “the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.” God places a special grace within each soul. The seeds of our faith are planted in our souls and their they grow, yet we know not how. It is through the graces of God that the seeds of our faith grow within us.  It is because the Father wants us to know him, that our faith brings us to the Kingdom of Heaven. Without the grace of God, the soul is empty. God silently helps transform our soul allowing us to make decisions which help turn us to God. While God places these graces within us, we must decide to be faithful, to be loving, to be compassionate, to surrender ourselves to the will of God. These decisions are placed within us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We should pray that when the fruit of our effort has finally ripened, we are worthy of the harvest. It is only by the grace of God that we can become one with Christ and one with the church. We should ask God to give us wisdom to make good decisions and the fortitude to avoid bad decisions.

 

The parable goes on to talk about the mustard seed. This is one of the smallest of seeds yet it grows into a mighty tree. A tree so big “that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” The holy grace which was placed in our heart is like the mustard seed. It starts out small and then if we nourish it and feed it with “good”, it transforms into the large tree. The seed does not cause the transformation, but the power of the Holy Spirit given to us by God. Our heart transforms because we desire and long to be with God. Just like the seed cannot grow until it receives the nutrients from the earth, our soul cannot grow in the kingdom of God without the help of the Holy Spirit. God wants all of us to grow and become a mighty force within the kingdom of God. However, we must be willing, we must humble ourselves and we must receive the nutrients from the Word of God. We must be open to hear and see God. We also must be willing to see the need of others. We must be willing to spread our branches to provide shelter and food for those in need as the mustard tree did for the birds with its branches and its seed. You must ask yourself, “How open am I to the will of God?” How willing am I to share the graces which God has provided? When you examine your conscience, reflect on these thoughts. 

 

We are less than two weeks away from Ash Wednesday.  Now is a great time to meditate on your own harvest.  Where are you in the process?  Have the seeds of your faith sprouted, or do they remain dormant?  Have your seeds grown to point where you are now providing for others or are you still in your formation?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God, you have placed the seed of life within my soul.

Give me the nourishment and riches to make it grow into a mighty tree.

May my faith become attractive to guide others to you.

May my branches be worthy to provide shelter and food for others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon