Blog Post 01-06-2025 The Lord is my God ….

 

Many years ago, in prayer, The Lord asked me to allow Him to take over my will and my life, I said yes. On Friday [01-03-2025] while praying Psalm 35 the Lord reminded me “I am your salvation.”

God fill my heart with Your light. May I always acknowledge Christ as my Savior and be more faithful to His Gospel, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. May I reflect Your Grace in my life, the life You gave me.

Thank You Lord for all that has been and all that will be. I love You.

 

May God Be Praised.

Blog Post 01-05-2025 The Epiphany of the Lord

Today we remember the Magi bring their gifts to the Baby Jesus. Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J. Director of the Vatican Observatory said this about the Star of Bethlehem which guided the Three Kings. “We can see the star. We can’t see Jesus. We can see the star. We can’t see God. We can see something in the universe that is beautiful and seemingly eternal. And to know that that’s not God, but something pointing us to God, is very encouraging.”

 

Jesus is the fulfillment to the ancient longing for a Messiah, a Savior, a King of cosmic proportions: “Every nation on earth will adore you Lord, every nation on earth will adore you, Lord!”  In 1960 the musical “Camelot” based on a 1958 novel, “The Once and Future King.” 

 

One of the songs in the musical was “Camelot”, and the final stanza is: “… there’s simply not A more congenial spot, For happily-ever-aftering, Than here in Camelot.”

 That song tries to answer our deepest longings, to be loved and to live happily ever after.

The Epiphany is the real answer to our deepest longings and desires, as we celebrate the Manifestation of the Lord, The Epiphany of the Lord.  Let’s take a few minutes to reflect on “The three gifts of the magi [they] are a Gospel unto themselves: gold, the precious basis of the world’s economies; frankincense, the fragrant resin burned in the temple as an offering of prayer; myrrh, the expensive plant extract used as medicine & for the embalming of royalty.”  [Connections, 1/03/2021]

The Magi were seeking the Way, the Truth and the Life.  They found the answer in Jesus.  They represent the journey, the journey that each of us takes. 

There are two places in the Gospel where Jesus is called King, one when the Magi visit and the other when Jesus is crucified. Today we recall the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh may we also reflect upon the wood of the Cross upon which our salvation rests.

May God Be Praised.

Blog Post Homily Cycle I 01-04-2025.

 

At today’s Salesian Saturday we will discuss “How do I Get Ready to Receive God’s Grace?” After our 30 minutes discussion there will be Eucharistic Adoration for one hour.

Homily

In our Gospel today two of John’s disciples hear John say, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew was one of the two who followed Jesus, and he went to Simon Peter [his brother] and said, “We have found the Messiah.”

Our Gospel Alleluia verse reminds us that God has spoken to us through the Son. Loving the Son invites us to pray inside the Trinity [Father-Son-Holy Spirit]. Many of us can remember where we were when we heard the news of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Can we recall a profound moment in our relationship with Jesus? You and I have answered the call to follow Jesus, so today we should spend some time reflecting on the “awful* grace of God,” we experienced when we fell in love with Him. [*awful in ancient Greek meant awe-inspiring or awesome]

May God Be Praised.

Blog Post 01-03-2025 The Christmas Season is a Time to Think about Time.

 

Terrance Klein reflected, “The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said that while we must live life forward, we only understand it backward. We see more in reflection, even from a great distance perhaps especially from a great distance—than we did when we were in the moment, when we were eagerly rushing toward whatever life had placed before us.”

 

St. Francis de Sales offers us this advice, "Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day."

Many things could be said about time, the Christmas Season gives us pause to reflect on what time means to us and how we use the time we are given here on earth.

 

May God Be Praised.

Blog Post 01-02-2025 A Reflection on The Eucharist

St. Damien of Molokai said, "Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the most tender of friends with souls who seek to please Him. His goodness knows how to proportion itself to the smallest of His creatures as to the greatest of them. Be not afraid then in your solitary conversations, to tell Him of your miseries, fears, worries, of those who are dear to you, of your projects, and of your hopes. Do so with confidence and with an open heart."

Thank God for the gift of the Eucharist.

 

May God Be Praised.