Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-56

 

During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

 

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  We hear in today’s Gospel reading the joyful story of the Mary’s visit to see Elizabeth. Both Mary and Elizabeth, through the miracles of God in Heaven, are with child. Elizabeth was thought to be barren and unable to have children, yet God filled her womb with life.  Mary’s womb was also filled with life, but a life that was so great that it contained what the universe could not.  Mary is the person who prepared God’s dwelling place on earth.  She was pregnant with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior; God incarnate. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and the fully human God of Heaven and Earth. She became the window through which God became incarnate to man. An expecting mother is normally glowing with the elation that she has new life within her womb.  She beams with the joy knowing that she will bring a new person into this world.  Mary must have been exponentially more joyful knowing that she had the Christ child within her womb.  Can you even begin to image the joy and happiness that radiated from Mary in her state of supreme motherhood? We are told that when Mary entered Elizabeth’s house, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb (John the Baptist) leapt with joy as he too was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, radiating from Mary, embraced both Elizabeth and her unborn child allowing them to realize the significance of the child within Mary’s womb.  The Lord Jesus Christ had entered all three lives. Mary proclaimed, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”  She is the window through the light of world shines forever.

 

Because of her dedication and her most perfect response to our Father in Heaven, she became the vessel through which God enters this world.  She becomes the living Ark of the Covenant.  She must completely accept and commit herself completely to God before God can enter her womb.  She becomes the most perfect model for us.  It is through our yes, that God will enter our souls.  It is by the example of Mary that we know that God can enter into our lives.  We too are filled with this same Holy Spirit through our baptism. The big question, “Is it obvious that you have the Holy Spirit within you?” Can your fellow brothers and sisters identify you as carrying Christ within your heart and soul? To have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us is one of the greatest graces God bestows upon us. We should be excited and sing out that we have God present within our souls. It is our job, through our actions, our words and thoughts to radiate outward the Holy Spirit to all we meet. We are commanded to share the gifts which God has bestowed upon us.  The greatest of these gifts is the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  We must not only take in the Holy Spirit, we must also reflect and radiate the Holy Spirit to others.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the World, Thank you for filling my heart with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for allowing me to be a vessel of your love and joy.

Give me the strength to share this love and joy with others so that they too may know you as I know you.

 

Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:32-45

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

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

to live in the fullness of your baptism.

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:28-31

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"What God has joined together, let no man put asunder"

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:1-12

 

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom was, he taught them. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away." But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.' `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder." And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. And he said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is again challenged by the Pharisees.  The message today talks not only about the fundamental purpose of man, but the need for man, both male and female, to be united.  God did not create man to be alone but to have a partner.  So significant is this union, that God says that the two shall become one.  In the beginning when God created man, he created them both male and female.  They were one being and then God extracted Eve from Adam.  Why? Adam would have a companion like him, while at the same time complimentary to him.  Through marriage, male and female are reunited in the bond that God had created when He made first made man.  The two should become inseparable.  Are there couples that when you think of one, you can’t help but think of both?  This is what God has in mind.  To put it simply, the indissolubility of marriage is not something that the church made up but is part of the natural law that God gave us from the beginning of time.  Man, both male and female, naturally needs to be united.  This is why when we date, we are seeking a partner, someone who we could spend the rest of our life with.  Someone who we should be willing to totally give ourselves to with no expectations in return.  If the relationship is all about “me” and not about “you”, then this is a relationship inconsistent with the natural plan of God.  The ultimate union we seek is a union with our Father in Heaven.  Our earthly relationship is to mimic our heavenly relationship.  Our heavenly relationship is about serving and being in communion with God.  This union goes to heart of the purpose of man.  Man is suppose to be rooted in the personal and total self-giving of himself to his spouse.  This same spousal relationship becomes the true model of man to each other.  The church is the bride and Christ is bridegroom.  Christ sacrificed everything for his bride.  We too are called to sacrifice everything for our bride.  We are called to give unselfishly with nothing expected in return.  God calls us to live as a spouse for all of mankind.  Once we understand our true spousal nature, we begin to see and experience the kingdom of heaven here and now.  We begin to understand the relationship we will experience in our eternal life.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are the Bridegroom

You sacrificed everything for me and my sins.

You defeated Satan and brought us eternal life.

Give me the strength to be the Bridegroom.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ

 

“Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 9:41-50

Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. “Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”

How bad do you want to have eternal life?  Jesus presents some pretty tough challenges in today’s gospel reading.  The value of good works centers on our charitable acts of love.  Helping our fellow man no matter who he is will in no way jeopardized our ability to get into heaven.  However, causing others to sin or leading them away from God is the gravest sin of all.  When we lead others from God, we are directly employed in the service of Satan.  Satan’s goal is to lead us away from Christ.  So when we lead others away from Christ, we are pleasing Satan.  Today’s Gospel reading takes us much deeper.  It is easy to see that causing others to separate themselves is a grave issue, but what about our own salvation.  To what length must we be willing to go to avoid sin?  If sin is what separates us from God, then we must be willing to separate ourselves from what leads us there.  Just like a doctor must sometimes take drastic measures to save a patient’s life.  We must be willing to take drastic steps to avoid sin.  Jesus is telling us that we need to look for the root cause of our sins and like a doctor take action to save the body.  Does this mean to literally cut off your hand our dig out your eye?  No, it means we need to take serious action on anything that cause us to sin.  Jesus says we need to purify ourselves.  We need to be salted with fire.  In ancient times, salt was a way to purify and the fire represents the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is telling us that if we have sin within our lives then we need to purify ourselves with the salt of the Holy Spirit.  We need to open our hearts to let the Holy Spirit cleanse us and remove those parts of our lives which lead us to the fires of Hell “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”  The worm is the agony and remorse we will feel if we are separated from God and the fires are the torment we will feel while serving eternity in hell.

 

Where do you want to serve eternity.  Our actions today, determine the outcome of our eternal life.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are the salt which purifies my mind and body.

You send the Holy Spirit down upon us to heal us the sins which separate us.

Fill me with your grace and love so I can find true love with you in heaven.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“No one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-40  

 

John said to him, "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us.

 

What is it that Jesus is trying to tell the Apostles in today’s Gospel?  For some reason, John thinks that the only people who can “cast out demons” are the twelve.   In other words, only the twelve should be able to deliver the message of God.  Christ warns the Apostles that they are not the exclusive messengers of God. That anybody who is delivering the message of God is working for God and not against him.  This message is as true today as it was 2000 years ago.  How many times have we heard that if you’re not (fill in the blank), then you’re not really Christian.  Under this scenario, we try to establish ourselves with an exclusive relationship with God.  That somehow God only favors us and nobody else.  This establishes an elitist relationship.  God came to save everyone, not just a small group of select people.    Jesus says that all people who work in the name of God will not be able to speak evil of him.  We should rejoice in the fact that others are delivering the message of God and no we do not have the exclusive relationship with him.  When someone decides to combat evil in the world that person glorifies God; when someone does a good deed, they do a good deed for God; and when someone avoids sin, they reduce the pain that Christ encountered on the cross.  So why were the Apostles upset?  They were upset because they wanted the exclusive relationship with God.  They did not want to share God with anyone else.  This may have been due to envy, to jealousy or even pride.  There is no doubt that the Apostles loved God, but they let these other character traits overcome their goodwill.  To truly project love onto our neighbor, we must be willing to abandon our own desires.  Envy and pride can defeat the love that we want to give.  We should never be upset at others for delivering the message of God.  In fact, we should be encouraging others to deliver the message “for he that is not against us is for us.”  Pope Benedict and now Pope Francis reached out to all who profess the Gospel to be united as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church  united in the same message that Christ was delivering in this Gospel 2000 years ago.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, heavenly Father;

I suffer from pride, from envy and sin.

Forgive me for my weaknesses.

Give me strength to overcome them

so that I may convey your love to others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Everything is possible to one who has faith.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 9:14-29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.  He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so." He said to them in reply, "O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me." They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth.  Then he questioned his father, "How long has this been happening to him?"  He replied, "Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith." Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!" Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, "Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!" Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, "He is dead!" But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, "Why could we not drive the spirit out?" He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer."

 

Do you have things that inflict you?  Are there sins in your life that have possession over you?  In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about the power of faith and prayer. A father has brought his son to be freed from a demon which possesses him. But before the boy could be healed, the father must demonstrate that he believes in power of God. In response to the father’s doubt, Jesus replies, “If you can!” Jesus lets the father know that the doubt he possesses is what keeps his son from being healed. The father submits to Jesus saying “I believe.” Because of his strengthened faith in God, his son is healed. We too must be willing to submit completely to Christ to conquer the demons in our life. Unfortunately, we let doubt come between us and Christ. It’s like when Peter tried to walk on water. It was his faith that allowed him to walk on water, likewise, it was his sudden doubt that caused him to fall into the water. The sea was troubled and Peter was overcome by a sudden lack of faith. Our lives are a lot like the troubled sea. There are many things that attack our faith and try to drive a wedge between us and God. Doubt is one of the strongest tools that Satan has to separate us from God. It is through our faith in God that we share in the true power of God. Faith is a gift from God. When our faith is weak and we have doubt, we must be willing to fall on our knees and ask God to strengthen our faith. If we allow doubt to grow, the doubt will continue to eat at our faith. Jesus told his disciples the reason they could not dispel the demon was because it required prayer. Prayer is communication with God. It is our link to our Father in Heaven. Prayer is not just words, but actions as well. The disciples were trying to cure the boy on their own. However, it is the power of God Almighty that gives us the strength. When we try to conquer our troubles without God, we set ourselves up for defeat. God is our power and our strength. With him on our side, we can conquer anything.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God in Heaven, everything is possible with you.

I believe, help my unbelief.

Give me strength and wisdom to conquer my doubt.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Gospel Reading: John 21:15-19

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are love.

You are the love that burns within me.

May your love conquer all the things

that keep me away from you.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: John 17:20-26

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Christ, you prayed for the union of all Christians,

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19

 

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 of 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. 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:

 

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.  "I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.  It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:16-20

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Father in Heaven,

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:12-15

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

 

Have you ever heard it said that the truth hurts. In today’s Gospel reading, we are told that the Holy Spirit will guide us “to all truth.” Truth is not something that is created, we cannot make-up the truth. The truth is something that is; the truth is a gift from God. It is immutable and unchangeable.  He is the creator of everything and everything he creates is good. We humans try to change the Truth to fit our own will and not that of God.  We are the only ones who can turn the Truth of God into something that is bad. We are the ones who create this perception. God is the source of all Truth and we are lead to the Truth through the Holy Spirit. So how can the Truth hurt? The truth frees us from our earthly bonds, from doubts that affect our decision making process and fears that keep us from entering into a closer communion with God. So how can the Truth hurt? Last night it became abundantly clear how the truth hearts.  I was teaching the RCIA Class to a group of young kids mostly in elementary school.  I told them when we sin, we are telling God that we don’t love him, that we are choosing not him.  This 4^th grade girl said, “You mean I can’t still love God when I sin?” and a tear formed in her eye.  Boy did the truth hurt, maybe me more than her.  I then gave her the great hope, that if we are sorry for our sins, we are telling God that we want to reunite ourselves with the truth.  A big smile formed on her.  While the truth may hurt, it can also be the source of our greatest joy. The closer we come to God, the closer we come to the real Truth; the realization that He is our Lord God and Savior. Through the Holy Spirit we will experience the salvation of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, the glory of his resurrection and the anticipation of his return. We should not fear the truth. The Holy Spirit is our divine connection and guide to the knowledge and wisdom of God – the Truth. We should surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and he will show us the Truth. While the sacrifice we make to join with God may appear to be painful, the real and Spiritual Truth from God does not hurt and will bring unending joy.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

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

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

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

 

Gospel Reading: John 16:5-11

 

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

 

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

 

A Simple Prayer

 

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

Come Holy Spirit, help me conquer sin and death.

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

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:26-16:4a

 

Jesus said to his disciples:  "When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. "I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the Apostles that they must bear witness to him. He tells them that he will send forth the Holy Spirit “who proceeds from the Father” to help them. The Holy Spirit is called forth to protect the Apostles so that they can complete their mission on earth. The Holy Spirit becomes the strength that reinforces their will. He tells them that their mission is not easy and that they will be kicked out of their own churches because they followed Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit that they will develop the faith that they need to defend their beliefs. We too are called to go forth and proclaim the church. The Holy Spirit comes down upon us and gives us the strength that we need to spread the Word of God and the peace of Christ. But today’s Gospel goes even further to say that the word of God should not be forced upon people. Jesus said to the Apostles, “the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” Violence is not service to God. Unfortunately we still have many fanatics in the world today still raising a fist in the name of God. We must be very careful to never raise a fist or condemn as part of our preaching. Our job is not to condemn but to spread the love and joy of Christ.

 

A Simple Pray

 

Come Holy Spirit, give me strength and wisdom to preach the word of God.

Let my actions and my words be worthy of your mission.

May peace and harmony be the result of my efforts.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 14:6-14

 

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him,  “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

 

I am sure that at some time in our lives we have all asked the question, “Where in the world is Heaven?” Or possibly, “How do I find heaven?”  The Apostles want to see the Father because the Father is heaven.  But Jesus tells them, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”  Heaven is standing right before them and yet they do not see it.  Ancient tradition has heaven in the skies and hell down below.  These concepts of heaven and hell were taken from ancient mythology.  In reality, heaven and hell are both here on earth and are all around us.  Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth and the light that he will lead us to heaven on earth.  John’s gospel tells us that the earth is darkness and that Jesus comes to bring us the saving light.  Heaven is right here right now.  We find heaven when we find Jesus.  Jesus is the compass that will direct us to where we want to go.  “A highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it.” (Isaiah 35:8)  When we direct our lives toward Jesus, we find heaven and we find the light.  We are building the kingdom of heaven on earth in our actions or charity and love for our fellow neighbor because “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do”.  Why wait until tomorrow to experience the joy that the Lord Jesus Christ can bring to you today.  In your daily activities, you are called to evangelize and bring Christ out to others.  We have the responsibility to lead others to the way, the truth and light.  When we bring others to Christ in our works, we fulfill our mission on earth.  Our judgment day occurs every day.  As we examine our souls, we judge ourselves; we make sure that we are worthy to walk along the Holy Way.  Which highway are you on?  Jesus has lit the way; he wants to draw you into his arms.  He wants you to bring the people you encounter everyday along with you.  Today’s Gospel gives us the good news that we do not have to wait to find heaven, that we will find heaven in him and through him.  More importantly, we can bring the kingdom of heaven to everyone we meet.  Rejoice, today for the Lord Jesus Christ is among us.  His salvation is today.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Most Glorious Risen Christ,

Fill my life with your saving grace.

Help me find the way and identify the truth.

You are my way, my truth and my light.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon 

Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.” 

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-11

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

 

Why does Jesus ask us to abide in his love?  What have we done to deserve the love that Jesus has given us? Jesus promises us everlasting life with His Father if we follow his commandments.  He tells us quite simply; if we obey his commandments, then we are honoring Jesus; and if we honor Jesus, then we honor his Father.  Jesus is talking about the same love that He and his Father share.  We are all being called to a radical form of love where we give ourselves totally to God. This type of love is sacrificial.  It is so radical a form of love that we are willing to do absolutely anything to help our fellow man, even to lose our life.  Is there any more joyful and merciful love than the love God expressed in giving us his son.  This is a joy only someone who has committed their life to Christ can understand.  Our love for him is a response to the love he poured out for us.  Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”  This joy abounds in those who truly love Christ.  This joy is a joy so deep that honest open unconditional love bubbles to the top.  When you meet a person overcome by this love, the person radiates joyful and merciful love.  Everything they do, they do for the joy of the Lord.  What will it take for you to commit your life to this unconditional love and joy?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, may I radiate the joy and love you showed to the world.
Inflame my heart with love for you and your ways.

Give me the strength to be charitable and compassionate.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon

 

Meditiation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 15:1-8

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.  Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

 

What kind of fruit do you bear?  Do you bear good fruit or no fruit at all?  If we fully commit ourselves to the teachings and the message of Jesus Christ, we become servants for others.  Everything we do should be for the good of others because the fruit we produce is not of our own, but that of Jesus working in us.  Jesus tells us that the only way we can bear fruit is to be part of the vine. In other words, we must be linked to God and participate in God to share in his wisdom. If we are not producing good fruit, we will be removed from the vine and cast into the fire for a branch cannot survive without the vine. The house of God is the vineyard of the Lord. Many people rejected Christ and by rejecting Christ, they separated themselves from the vine. If we are not connected to the vine, our faith will dry up and die. But Jesus also warns us that if we are connected to the vine and produce no fruit, we are not fulfilling our obligations. We have an obligation to produce fruit for the goodness of the vineyard.  It is not enough to just be a member of the church, one must also produce good works. Some people argue that faith and belief in Christ is enough. Christ clearly tells us here that faith is not enough. It is not enough to just be members of the church. If we receive the nourishment from God, we should use that nourishment to feed others. The graces that we have been given should be turned into nourishment for others. The last point that Jesus makes in this passage is that if we are not producing enough fruit, then our vine needs to be pruned to better our yield. We need to get rid of those things in our life which deplete us and prevent us from reaching our maximum output. God will take care of the vine, we just need to produce the fruit.  We must submit ourselves to God and allow him to work in us so that the fruit we produce is for the kingdom of God.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, you are the vine and I am the branch.

Prune my branches so I may yield much fruit.

May my fruit be bountiful to those who starve.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael F. Marcon