Blog Post 11/12/2023 – Wisdom a precious gift.

Wisdom a precious gift.

 

“Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.  She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.”  [Wisdom 6:12-16] Jesus told his disciples this parable:

 

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus told this parable “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise…. stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

 

Christ taught us parables and those parables offer us Wisdom, they do not help us work our way up the ladder of success.  Christ’s wisdom contained in His Word teach us how to be good and how to increase good in ourselves and in our world.  Christ is the Wisdom we should seek and the Wisdom we should share.

 

Time is a gift that God gives us to discover God’s wisdom and Learn the things of God. Jesus reminds us to be prepared for His Kingdom, the wise prepare.

 

 

 

May God Be Praised.

 

Blog Post 11/11/2023 - Veterans Day

 

Veterans Day

Today’s blog was posted at 11:00 am (rather than the usual 7:00 am) because the armistice to end hostilities of W.W. I  went into effect at the 11 hour, of the 11 day of the 11 month, and it was originally called Armistice day.  It was renamed Veterans Day, and we thank God for our Veterans and their families for the liberties we enjoy.

In the Gospel of Luke [17:11-12] , Jesus heals ten lepers, yet only one returns to give thanks.  The men and women our nation honors today deserve our gratitude and our thanks because they fought - fought for all of us.  On Veteran's Day we honor those who live among us who have served in the defense of our country.

Many veterans sacrificed physically and psychologically while defending our country and preserving the principles that upon which America was founded.  There are currently more than 17 million veterans, we can pray for them and thanking God for their service for our nation.

I offer this Blessing for our veterans,

“Bless O Lord, those who have fought in the defense of our nation.  Give us the grace to reach out to them in gratitude for their service and may their commitment and sacrifice inspire all of us to work together to realize Your Kingdom.”  Amen.

 

And I offer this Prayer for our Nation: “Loving God help us to serve those who are shunned or eschewed; guide our civic leaders; bless our nation; and bestow Your grace upon our elected officials and anoint them with the desire to foster the common good.”  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]

 

 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us.

St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

“Tune my spirit to the music of heaven.”  [St. Brendan the Navigator]

 

May God Be Praised and your day be Blessed.

 

             

 

 

Blog Post 11/10/2023 - Forgiveness

 

Forgiveness

 

For a few moments reflect on what George Herbert (1593-1633) wrote, “He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.”

 

Forgiveness is fundamental to spiritual growth.

 

 

May God Be Praised!

 

N.B.  Tomorrow’s blog will be posted at 11:00 am because the armistice to end hostilities of W.W. I  went into effect at the 11 hour, of the 11 day of the 11 month.

Blog Post 11/09/2023 Homily Cycle I – Offered at OLPH.

 

Homily Cycle I – Offered at OLPH.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Constantine I, the first Christian Emperor gave to the Church.  It became the official residence of the Pope, on November 9, 324 Pope St. Sylvester I.  Today the Pope’s official residence since the 17^th century is Castel Gandolfo on Lake Albano south of Rome, The Vatican Palace.  However, Pope Francis lives in the Vatican guesthouse.

This feast holds great significance in the life of the Church, it reminds us that the Lateran Basilica is the place where the Church as a whole finds its foundation and unity.  It was the site of five Ecumenical Councils and is the “mother and head of all churches of Rome and the world.”

The Lateran Basilica is unique and each one of us has a unique role to play in the life of the Church, in particular in spreading the Gospel message to the world.  Foundational to that mission is the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.  The Eucharist is where we encounter the real presence of Christ, for spiritual nourishment and for the Grace to strengthen us.

 

The Lateran Basilica is the Pope’s episcopal seat, like St. Catherine’s in Allentown is for Bishop Schlert.  These physical structures point to the  more important; the spiritual center of the Church and for us Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

May the Grace of this feast day inspire us to deepen our love for the Church and our commitment to live as faithful disciples of Christ.

 

May God Be Praised.

Blog Post 12/08/2023 Advent a Time to “Listen”

Advent a Time to “Listen”

Reflect upon this story, “Lullaby & good night … ” as we begin Advent.  [From The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci in Connections]

Every evening she could hear the newborn baby in the apartment next door cry and cry.  The parents put the baby in the crib and the baby cries for a long time; the exhausted parents clearly are oblivious to their child’s crying or are at a loss for what to do. 

 

She prayed for guidance, what can I do, more importantly what should I do?  Speaking to the parents might make what is just an annoying situation worse. 

She decides to sing; she can hear the baby, so the baby can hear her.  Every evening when the mom and dad put the baby in, she sings lullabies … talks softly to the baby; through the walls the baby is comforted, hearing the invisible friendly voice helps the child fall asleep peacefully. 

Christ speaks to us in Advent and in Ordinary time in ordinary ways and with many ordinary voices.  Listen carefully to the lord this Advent and be “prepared” to share Christ’s compassion, comfort and peace in ordinary daily activities with kindness and selflessness.

 

May God Be Praised.

 

Blog Post 11/08/2023 - Advice When Praying

 

Advice When Praying for an Hour, a Half-Hour or Five Minutes

 

St. Francis de Sales said, "If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master's presence. And even if you did nothing during the whole of your hour but bring your heart back and place it again in Our Lord's presence, though it went away every time you brought it back, your hour would be very well employed."

 

When you pray focus on the Lord, and as deSales says if your mind wanders, simply bring it back to the Lord.

 

May God Be Praised.

Blog Post 12/04/2023- Advent a Season of Hope

Blog Post 12/07/2023  Advent a Season of Hope

 

Lord of All Hopefulness 

 

 

at the break of the day, 

 

 

 

 

 

at the noon of the day, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at the eve of the day,

 

 

 

 

 

 

at the end of the day. 

Take a few minutes and quietly listen to “Lord of All Hopefulness:

 

May God Be Praised.

[Lord of All Hopefulness Traditional Irish Tune Lyrics by Jan Struther, 1931]