Reflection
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May 9 - 6th Sunday in Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love." From today's Gospel, Jn 15, 9-17.
The word love is mentioned 20 times in today's readings. Although non-Catholics may not see our Church as a love-focused church, our readings today remind us that we very much are. The love of the Father for Jesus and for us, Jesus’ love for the Father and for us, Mary's love for Jesus and for us, and the disciples’ love for Jesus, for each other, and for others. We are called to live in this community of love. Jesus wants us to "remain in His love".
Jesus will love us regardless of our sins. He showed us that on the cross. Today's Gospel specifies more concretely what it means to remain in His love. "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,". Which commandments is Jesus referring to? Moses shared with us the 10 Commandments, Jesus affirmed the Commandments and gave us the Beatitudes to assist us in seeing that love is at the heart of our laws, and it is not always easy to do.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn. for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt 5: 3-12).
The Beatitudes “shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations.” (CCC1717). With all the challenges of our present time, what an opportune time for us reflect on the Beatitudes. Perhaps we may do better with some beatitudes than others, but let us not be discouraged with the times we may not have been merciful or peacemakers, but instead reflect on the times that we were given the graces to live any of the beatitudes fully. How fruitful was our prayer life during those times? What was our sacramental life like? How can we get back to that?
On this Mother’s day, a day about expressing love and appreciation to our earthly mothers let us also reflect on the Beatitudes our mothers lived out in their lives. Which Beatitudes does/did she still need some help with? Let us pray in thanksgiving for our mothers, for their love, and ask for our Mother Mary’s intercession for their continued growth in holiness. If she is in heaven, let us ask her to pray for us, that we may grow in holiness. If your family situation is messy and you do not find yourself on the best terms with your mother, ask our Mother Mary to join you in praying to Jesus for this intention. Mary is no stranger to difficult situations. She loved Jesus so much she stood by Him even while He carried his cross beaten and bleeding. In Christ Jesus, through Mary, let us remain in His love.
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May 2 - 5th Sunday in Easter
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.” From today's Gospel, Jn 15, 1-8.
Spring is a time where nature is more evident than in the winter, where most things around us are either dead or cold. We see the separation of leaves from their branches during autumn, and not too long after they hit the ground do they start to dry up and perish. Just like the leaves die when removed for their source of life, similarly, Jesus tells us without Him there is no life. We are called to be in union with Christ and with each other through Christ, like the branches on a tree or, in Jesus’ example a vine, and to bear fruit.
We are different and unique, but at the same time united through Baptism to form part of the mystical Body of Christ. St. Paul emphasizes this unity we must find through our Baptism, “One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”(1 Cor 1:12-13). As believers in Christ, we are united to Him and to each other. And this call for unity is not an abstract idea founded on an existential question of “being,” but a reality of “becoming.” We are called to be in union with Jesus so that we can become more like Him. Our union with each other through Him is for our fulfillment and for the good of the Kingdom of God. “Indeed, let this be clearly understood, especially in our days, fathers and mothers of families, those who are godparents through Baptism, and in particular those members of the laity who collaborate with the ecclesiastical hierarchy in spreading the Kingdom of the Divine Redeemer occupy an honorable, if often a lowly, place in the Christian community, and even they under the impulse of God and with His help, can reach the heights of supreme holiness, which, Jesus Christ has promised, will never be wanting to the Church.” (Mystici Corporis Christi, Pope Pius XII 17).
“For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another.” (Rom. 12: 4-5). By living out our faith together, we bring others to know Jesus. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” (1 Cor 12). We may each have been given different charisms, while different they are all important. “To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.” (1 Cor 12: 7-11). These charisms are graces, not for ourselves but meant to build up the whole Church (CCC 951).
In choosing to be holy and use our God-given gifts, we bear fruit and build the Kingdom of God. This is not meant only for Sundays in church, though it should be nourished there through the Sacraments and our communities, but for every day. Just as we are the Church, we are also the Kingdom, united to and in Christ. We bring the Kingdom of God with us everywhere we go. What does the Kingdom of God look like to you? What would it look like for a group of people to reflect Christ? Our churches should be a reflection of the Kingdom of God. But what is a kingdom without its people? During this time of re-starting parish group gatherings, let us go forth with the joy we receive in remembering the goodness of God. Let us share that goodness with others both in our parishes and in our communities both inside and outside the Church. Let us remain remain in Him.
As we are preparing our hearts for Pentecost, we invite you watch and reflect on the following video: The Spirit and Our Lady. Click here. -
April 25 - Fourth Sunday in Easter
"A hired man, who is not a shepherd...sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away...this is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep." From today's Gospel, Jn 10, 11-18.
The Catholic Church was founded as and continues to be a missionary Church. With the love of the Father Jesus fulfilled His mission on earth by dying on the cross and opening the doors of Heaven to us. When Jesus ascended to Heaven He left us the Holy Spirit and sent us out on a mission to make disciples out of all the nations.
Our mission is rooted in love. Jesus chose love and fulfilled His mission. We are called to do the same. As imperfect beings, we experience frustrations and disappointments at times, but the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to be able to love our neighbor when it is difficult. With the Holy Spirit, we are more willing to die to our pride, detach from our leisure time, and be courageous in inviting others to friendship. The Holy Spirit can help us fulfill our mission on earth. The Holy Spirit is given to us at baptism, and we are encouraged to ask for more grace from the Holy Spirit. Our mission is feasible and can be very fulfilling.
"In all my years in corporate work, nothing is more rewarding than leading my small [faith sharing] group, which I do for free!" a man named Dave shared in a ministry leaders group gathering last weekend. In a more profound, more authentic way, Dave felt fulfilled in ways that money and status cannot fulfill us. Each human being was created to love God and each other, and in this way, build the Kingdom of God on earth. Dave was living out the mission and bringing others to come to know Jesus by accompanying them on their faith journey. He was following the footsteps of the Good Shepherd from today's Gospel and fulfilling his God-given purpose. Instead of running away from a difficult situation like the hired man, he chose to stay and help the sheep.
God gives us the freedom to choose every day to be like the hired man or, like Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We can choose to be afraid of dying to our wants and do nothing, or we can be courageous and live as if all we need is God and choose to love God and each other. After all, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear." (1 John 4:18). By choosing to love, we are not thinking about producing or achieving a specific quota, as we might experience from our job or in our culture. Instead, by choosing love, we affirm our identity as a missionary people and part of God's flock.
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April 18 - Third Sunday in Easter
"Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." From today's Gospel, Lk 24, 35-48.
We all miss having in-person gatherings where we can see each other and hug each other. Physical touch is an integral part of the human experience; a way we communicate that can also be appreciated in today's Gospel when Jesus says to His apostles, "touch me and see." He wanted them to believe; He wanted to continue His relationship with them.
In our own lives, the Lord also wants an intimate relationship with us. Let's look at some Scripture passages where we can see this desire for intimacy: "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27). Jesus wants us to be able to recognize His voice when He speaks to us. Think about the people whose voice you recognize, perhaps your family members, close friends, colleagues. We have come to know the sound of their voice due to the amount of time we have spent with them. Jesus already knows us but wants us to know Him. He wants us to put in those hours of prayer, silence and listening so that we can build our relationship with Him. The Lord wishes for us to be so close to Him that we can take refuge with Him, next to His heart. The Lord provides that safe space where we can be ourselves, fully vulnerable. It is up to us if we chose to allow ourselves to be that vulnerable. Just as our close friends and family, He wishes to be in our home, in our personal space. He is always there waiting for us to let Him in, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, (then) I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20) Perhaps there was a time in your life where you did let Him in; what was that experience like for you? What keeps you from opening the door now?
Each time we go to Mass we are given the opportunity to open the door. By receiving Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we experience Him in the most intimate, the closest way we can while on earth. "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you… Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (Jn 6: 53,36), with these words we can recognize that Jesus wants us to be one with Him. Earlier in that passage, Jesus had used a word translated into the Greek, "esthio," which means to eat. When his apostles were confused about what that meant, Jesus used a different word translated into the Greek, "trogo," which means to chew. Jesus wanted to make sure his followers knew that we literally have to consume His body. This idea was challenging for many of his followers to accept, and they "returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him." (Jn 6:66). Jesus wants us to go beyond a superficial unity with Him, not just to chew on the Eucharist, but He wants a Holy Communion with us. To be in union with Jesus, we must exercise our faith. "A lack of faith on the part of the person eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ cannot change what these are, but it does prevent the person from obtaining the spiritual benefit, which is communion with Christ." (USCCB The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist). When we receive the Eucharist we are consuming the Consecrated Host physically, but do we consume it spiritually and break down any barriers keeping us from opening the doors of our soul, heart, and mind to Christ?
As Jesus Himself says, "…without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Nothing. Just like a vine provides nourishment to its branches, so Jesus nourishes us with His Grace through the Eucharist. His Grace wakes us up in the morning, helps us get to work, and get back home safely. More than that, His Grace allows us to do the more challenging things in life, such as to forgive, love an enemy, and wait patiently. It is through these more challenging actions that others can come to know Jesus. We may be the only way a person will come to know Jesus. If we are not actively seeking to grow closer to the Lord, we will help fewer persons come to know the Lord. Fewer persons coming to know the Lord means fewer adult Catholics, fewer Catholic children, a smaller generation of Catholics for the future Church. Our internal disposition to the Lord's love on a Sunday morning affects the greater Church, affects the Church our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will experience. Imagine the vibrant, loving Church and peaceful society we could have if we all intentionally opened ourselves to receive more of the Lord's Grace during Holy Communion, starting with this Sunday's Mass.
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April 11 - Divine Mercy Sunday
Sunday of Divine Mercy
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” From today's Gospel, Jn 20, 19-31.
Jesus is resurrected, Alleluia! To us Catholics, Easter is not just a holiday that comes once a year; it is a way of life, a daily celebration of God's love for us on the cross. As we conclude our Easter octave on this Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus institutes the sacrament of Reconciliation which is a great gift to the Church via the vocation of the priesthood. Jesus instituted the priesthood on Holy Thursday and further blessed the vocation and us by giving the apostles the Holy Spirit in an extraordinary way.
At the moment Jesus breathed on the apostles He gave them authority to forgive sins in His name. In that moment of the Gospel of John, John uses a particular word for "breath" that is very meaningful. The Hebrew word is "Ruah." "Ruah'' is specifically used to signify the breath of God that gives life. Other times Ruah is used in Scripture include when God formed Adam in Genesis and when God brought new life to dry bones in Ezekiel. That same life-giving breath was breathed onto the Apostles by Jesus in today's gospel. Likewise, the gift of life is exactly what we receive through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To be reconciled with God is to be given another chance at life with Him. This is, after all, what Jesus won for us on the cross and what we celebrate during Easter. Jesus died on the cross for us to reconcile us with the Father so that we may have eternal life with Him.
Many people usually wonder, "why do we need to go to confession and be reconciled if Jesus already died for our sins?" which is a great question. The answer lies in the fact that we still have the gift of free will, which means that although Jesus has bought us our freedom from sin, we must exercise that freedom. To choose sin is to choose separation from God, and separation from God leads to death. When we continue to sin, we injure our relationship with God and injure our soul. The truth is, as humans, we sin every day and not all of our decisions are holy. "If we say, 'We are without sin,' we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing." (1 John 8-10). Like any injury, if left untreated, it can get worse, "Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul's progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin." (CCC 1863).
Let us also remember Jesus' words, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have come not to call the righteous to repentance but sinners" (Lk 5:32). The confessional is like a field hospital, where through the priest acting in persona Christi we can receive proper treatment for our soul. We might enter the confessional injured and not in perfect communion with Christ, but when we partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will exit the confessional renewed by Him and in Him, "The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship" (CCC 1468).
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, let us remember that Jesus awaits us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Let us pray in thanksgiving for the mercy God continually shows us and for a more profound love for Him, the Sacraments, for our priests, and our Church.
We hope you have a blessed Sunday. Here's a video you can watch with your family today: Jesus, I trust in You. This video features the Divine Mercy Chaplet guided through breathtaking footage from Martin Jernberg, which helps us to experience the beauty and breadth of the world and the Catholic Church with whom and for whom we are praying. Click here.
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Easter Sunday
The Resurrection of the Lord
"Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead." Jn 20, 1-9.
"Where is the body?" This was the first question those who rushed to the empty tomb asked. Today is a special day in our Church; it is the feast of all feasts, the solemnity of all solemnities. The day Christ resurrected and gloriously fulfilled the promises God made to His creation. Today not only is the tomb empty, but the cross is also alone. These two realities are fundamental to our celebration as well as our journey of faith. The cross is real, and so is the empty tomb; let us rejoice and transition with the Lord from crucifixion and death to resurrection.
As we begin this Easter season we are encouraged to celebrate, eat sweets and rejoice in the resurrection. Let's reflect today on how Jesus' Resurrection is real in our lives. It is possible for us to only focus on the suffering of Lent and become victims of our sorrows, and this is not to undermine our suffering, as with suffering there can be sanctifying grace by which we can come closer to our Lord. Yet we are called to be joyful and to "Remain in His love." (Jn 15:9). We are a people of the resurrection.
A joyful Christian is the product of a heart open to the Lord, a person who can transition from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. For example, our martyrs who in their sorrow and death found the Easter joy of Christ. A young saint that stands out for refusing to deny his faith to save his life was St. Jose Sanchez del Rio in Mexico. In a note to his family he wrote, "I am sentenced to death. At 8:30 p.m., the moment that I have desired so, so much will arrive.". Witnesses have said that while he was being tortured to death he shouted "Long live Christ the King! Long live Holy Mary of Guadalupe!" This is what will make the difference in how we live our lives. Will we choose to be victims or martyrs? Do we choose to die for one another and embrace the cross just like our Lord did? "This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father." (Jn 10:17-18)
Happy Easter! Let us remember that Lent is a season, and it is over. Now let’s rejoice in this new season of Easter! Because we are an Easter people, so just like we often invite Jesus into our brokenness when we need His consolation and council, today, let us invite Him to become our joy. Let us make our Lord not only the Jesus of our sadness and brokenness but the Jesus of our joys and blessings. And as the reality of this world cannot be changed, it is in our hearts that we can change things with the grace of God. And we end this reflection with a simple question that only you can answer in prayer, where is the Risen Christ in your life?
He is Risen! Alleluia!
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Sunday Reflections provided by the Archdiocese of New York - Office of Adult Formation
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Holy Week Reflections
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
“You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Jn 18:1—19:42.
Saint Bruno is credited for saying, "The Cross is steady while the world turns." Today is a day where this Cross is more evident than any other day of the year. Christians and non-Christians know this day as Good Friday. Jesus once said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”(John 15:13) and His sacrifice on the cross was that act of love. This divine act of love opened the doors of heaven to each one of us. This is the day Jesus spoke of in the famous verse of John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." The Cross represents love, redemption, sacrifice, and Truth.
On this day, we can ask ourselves just as Pilate did, "What is truth?". An answer is not recorded in this Gospel passage. Yet we can read in John's Gospel, "Sanctify them in truth, Your word is truth" (John 17:17). Jesus's word in the New Testament is our Truth. His whole life is our model for Truth and goodness.
As persons who belong to the Truth we are called to follow Jesus and testify to the Truth. You may be asking yourself, "But how"? To decipher that answer, we can firstly reflect on our actions. As people of faith we must form our thoughts about what is true and real by reading the Scriptures and praying for the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. But, what happens when we judge what is good, right, and true by our experiences, the opinions of others, and society's values? What do we do when these conflict with one another? Who do we turn to? As Catholics, we have the gift of the Church, established by our Lord. We can turn to the Church, the Body of Christ, to help us discern the issues of our day in the light of Divine Revelation and Sacred Tradition.
In some way or another, we are all influenced by our modern culture, and our perception of what is true, real, and good is not perfect. There has always been a spiritual struggle between the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God, and there always will be until the end of time. For example, during this time we can be confronted with finding our stance on different circumstances that are often showcased as good by the media, such as the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, civil marriages, and more situations. Knowing that these challenges will be with us throughout our lifetime, let us invest time in getting to know the Lord in the Scriptures. Let us take advantage of the richness of our Church and learn more about Divine Revelation and our Sacred Tradition.
On this Good Friday, let us resolve to stand firm and defend the Truth of our Faith. When we experience a difficulty where we are tempted to "water down" the Truth of our Faith or turn our back on it, let us remember the steadiness of the Cross and seek to imitate it.
Holy Thursday
Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Jn 13:1-15.
In the Fioretti, a collection of short stories and popular legends about St. Francis of Assisi's life, we can learn of a time he attempted a 40 day Lenten fast as a serious attempt to imitate Christ. "St Francis so refrained from eating out of reverence for the fasting of the blessed Christ, who fasted forty days and forty nights without taking any material food;" (Fioretti, Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word). St. Francis maintained his fast from Ash Wednesday until Holy Thursday. On Holy Thursday his brother friar came to meet him as he had asked him to. He hadn't eaten or drank anything until his brother friar came to meet him. In his presence, he ate half of a loaf of bread. "With that half loaf he kept from himself the poison of vainglory" (Fioretti). Vainglory is defined as excessive or ostentatious pride, especially in one's achievements; vanity (Merrian-Webster).
Of course, our first reaction can be of surprise; why would he break his fasting when he was so close to achieving his goal? Aren't we seeking to imitate Christ perfectly? We are, and we should! However, when we turn our spiritual life into a set of goals, we are missing the point. St. Francis understood one thing as a fruit of his fasting, it wasn't about himself, or a test to prove how long he could endure something, nor a self-help practice to help him become a better person, but it was about Christ and His love. St. Francis recognized that vainglory could hinder our growth in holiness. He didn't want to be at the same level of Christ, who is true God and true man. By finishing a perfect 40 day fast, St. Francis' pride might have caused him to overlook the fact that he was still a man full of flaws. He was not trying to be Jesus' equal but to grow closer to Him. We are called to focus on honoring God, recognizing His goodness and love, and allowing God to mold us into who we were created to be.
Understanding why St. Francis would stop short of a goal to ensure his humility can help us to understand Peter's initial response to Jesus washing his feet. Peter, in his humility, did not deem himself worthy of having his feet washed by Jesus. At face value, it is the proper response, the master would not wash the feet of a servant, or in our time, the boss would not get the intern coffee. Jesus, however, shows us another way when He washes the feet of the disciples, and Peter shows us how to respond graciously as well. When Peter replies, "...then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.", it may seem silly at first, but upon further reflection, this is the proper response to being cleansed by God. We have a similar encounter with Jesus at every Mass when we say, "Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed". In saying those words, we, like Peter, humbly express our unworthiness before the Lord and yet our willingness to be healed by God should it be His will. Likewise, God's connection using simple gestures to heal and cleanse us also shows how Jesus intends us to serve each other. Jesus shows us that we are called to serve as He has served no matter our status in life. He tells us this plainly in today's gospel, "If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow so that as I have done for you, you should also do."
As we enter this Triduum and immerse ourselves into the Lord's passion, let's place ourselves at the table with the apostles and allow Jesus to wash us completely of our sins so that we can follow Him to Heaven. Our journey is not about proving our goodness but loving God and one another as He has loved us. Letting Him be the savior and the Lord of our lives.
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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel." Jn 12, 12-16.
The most common meaning for the word "hosanna" is from the Hebrew language meaning "Save, please." It was a plea to God for help. In today's Gospel we read, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," in this way the word hosanna takes on a different meaning, one of triumph instead of despair. Instead of shouting "Save, please," the people are saying that salvation is here. Jesus, the Son of David, has made His entrance as our King. (Pope Benedict XVI: Jesus of Nazareth Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection).
The procession we read of today is a very rich Scripture passage. Let's analyze some of the actions that are taking place. "Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields" (Mk 11:8). By spreading leafy branches, they were re-enacting the words of Psalm 118: "The LORD is God and has enlightened us. Join in procession with leafy branches up to the horns of the altar" (Ps 118:27). This Psalm is "a thanksgiving liturgy" used during the "procession of the king" (USCCB footnotes Psalm 118). The people that were following Him and those in Jerusalem were recognizing Jesus as the King. We continue to read that "Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mk 11:9). In this way Jesus is being welcomed as their Messiah, the one who will save them. We read that the procession was meant to be held up to the "horns of the altar" (Ps 118:27). The horns of an altar would be found on each corner of the altar (Lev 27:2). The procession was meant to culminate at the altar. At this altar the thanksgiving sacrifice called the todah would be held. The todah was a sacrifice offered by someone who had been greatly blessed by God, especially if they were spared from a life-threatening danger. We can see this expression of rescue earlier in the Psalm: "I was hard pressed and falling, but the LORD came to my help. The LORD, my strength and might, has become my savior" (Psalm 118: 13-14). For us, God's people, the life-threatening danger from which Jesus saves us is sin and death.
The todah offering consisted of a meat, bread (Lev 7:11-15), and wine (Num 15:8-10). The offering that Jesus would make days later was at the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, where He offered the bread and wine, and on Good Friday he would offer his body and blood on the cross, completing the offering as the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God. Similar to how the todah was an offering of thanksgiving, the Eucharist too gives thanks to God. The Eucharist, coming from Eucharistia meaning thanksgiving, is a form of the todah. Every Sunday when participating in the sacrifice of the Mass we are joined to Jesus' perfect sacrifice. We offer our “todah” giving thanks for our salvation won for us by Jesus' Passion.
On this Palm Sunday and every Mass, with a greater understanding of the significance of the Eucharistic offering, let us rejoice that the Lord is King and has saved us. In offering Himself for our eternal salvation He has saved us. May our hosannas reflect that change in meaning from "help me!" to "thank you Lord, You are here, and You are my Savior" yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
The Archdiocese of New York is offering confession in all Parishes throughout the entire Archdiocese of New York, as well as the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, on Monday, March 29, 2021, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM in preparation for Easter. Find a parish near you: https://archny.org/parish-finder/
Today we conclude the journey of rediscovering our faith with THE SEARCH. Here is the last episode: Why a Church? How do I access this man who lived 2000 years ago? How do I live this call of love? We uniquely encounter the love of God in His Church. But really? The Church?
The SEARCH guides you through the great big story of everything, as astrophysicists, psychologists, neuroscientists, artists, chemists and professors all point to one big conclusion: Jesus Christ, and the Catholic Church. Gather together with your family, parish ministry group, or friends and begin this search! Click here.
Fifth Sunday of Lent
"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." From today's Gospel, Jn 12:20-33.
As Catholics, this time of Lent is an invitation to come closer to our Lord, to "return to Him with all our hearts" (Joel 2:12). We often hear similar messages encouraging us to grow in relationship with Christ. A common response to these scripture messages is to nod. Today we will do something different, we will go beyond the nod and reflect on what it means to return to God. To return to Him is to first detach from the things of this world whether they be material things or feelings and attachments that this transient life offers. Yet since we are living in this world to detach from it is not an easy task. It will require a firm attachment to something else. Better yet, someone else: Jesus. Additionally, we will need to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus for the attachment to hold, continually speaking with Him and sharing our deepest thoughts, desires, and pain with Him.
Due to sin, we are not fully the person God created us to be; we are flawed. The detachment process is often not quick and straightforward, especially since it will take us some time to discern those things from which we need separation.
Getting closer to Jesus requires following His example, dying to ourselves. It may sound drastic, some may say dramatic, but this is how we come to be at the heart of the Gospel. There is no other way. By uniting ourselves to Jesus, the source of salvific power and grace, will we be able to detach from those things that keep us farther from Christ and be able to die to ourselves. Just as we hear in today's Gospel, the grain must die so that it can be fruitful, so in our lives, we submit ourselves to the same death, a spiritual death that will bring fruit to the world. You may be asking yourself, "Why should we die spiritually?". By dying to our desires and wants, we love the Lord and each other more perfectly. Only in this way can we fulfill the two greatest commandments we have been given for this earth that will allow us to be reunited with our Lord after this life.
Let us take these days of Lent to pray and reflect on this. You may find Cardinal Merry del Val's Litany of Humility helpful for this discernment process.
Our Lord is a Father with a tender heart. Dying to ourselves, like everything else in our spiritual life, is a process. God is patient with us and wants to hear from us. Yet let that not be an excuse to procrastinate on this vital part of our faith journey. Let us not delay, but take advantage of this Lenten season to "Think of what is above, not of what is on earth" (Col 3:2).
Fourth Sunday of Lent
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" From today's Gospel, John 3:17.
One of the biggest truths to someone believing in God, the Creator of the world, is that He wants to free us from sin and save our soul for all eternity. However, in order to live in this truth we first need to acknowledge the value of our life.
"Man is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself" (Gaudium Et Spes, Pope Paul VI). "God imprints on humanity the mystery of that communion which is the essence of his interior life. Man is drawn up into the mystery of God by the fact that his freedom is subjected to the law of love, and love creates interpersonal communion" (Meditation on Givenness, St. John Paul II). We are made for communion with Him and with each other Our purpose in this life is extremely meaningful. We were created to love, to love our Creator, and to love each other.
There may be a time in our life where we may question the value of our life with the transient way of modern life. The devil will try to tempt us into not believing how much we are worth in the Lord's eyes. We should strive to fight this temptation and remember that "Each person carries within himself an inestimable value. He receives this worth from God" (A Meditation on Givenness). Created to be God's masterpiece, in His image, He wants to share eternity with us and save us from sin. He does not want to save us because He needs us or because He is getting something out of it; on the contrary, His only interest is to love us eternally.
As we are approaching Holy Week, let us become like a baby in the womb. Just as a baby is entirely dependent on his/her mother to survive, so do we need our Lord to survive. Let us make God vital in our lives. He is the person who strengthens us. He is our ultimate salvation, and His grace is a beautiful gift that invites us to grow closer to Him each day.
Third Sunday of Lent
“I have food to eat of which you do not know.” From today's Gospel, Jn 4, 5-42.
One of the most known aspects of Lent is fasting. During this season, the Church invites us to fast as a way of growing closer to the Lord. By limiting our food intake, we exercise self-control which helps us with the impulses of the flesh and to grow in holiness. Spiritually, we make more room for the Lord and continue to learn to rely on Him. The grace of seeing the Lord as our sustenance for life is what we hope to attain during Lent.
While we also abstain from meat on Friday and from other things we may have given up, there is one food that we are encouraged to eat more of during the Lenten season; this is the Body of Christ. By following the guidance of our Mother Church and praying the Mass at least weekly, we become stronger believers. "Jesus said to them, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you'" (John 6:53). Imagine how much holiness we consume when we receive the Eucharist. The creator of the world becomes one with us in the flesh and spirit. Our entire selves are transformed!
We might be tempted to think: "I don't think I am transformed at every Mass," perhaps that is because the effects can sometimes be subtle, like becoming more loving, more patient, or being able to fast with more discipline. It takes time to recognize a change. Some of you may be thinking, “I know someone who goes to Mass every day, but this is not reflected in their interaction with others.” In those cases, we may not see what the Lord is doing in that person from our perspective, but that doesn't mean He isn't working. With that said, it is very important for us to continue to open ourselves up to receive more of His grace. Our Lord longs for us to be in a relationship with Him. "The Eucharist is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ, and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1325). Let's dig deep and release anything that keeps us from trusting Him, and let's worship Him for His goodness and love.
The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is a mystery of our Catholic faith. The act of transubstantiation itself is hard to comprehend, and sometimes to accept. To believe that God comes down to earth to become a piece of bread at every Mass! We need faith to believe it. It is worth taking that leap of faith. The effects of the Eucharist on us believers are countless. It is impossible to recognize all the different ways that Jesus works in our lives by receiving Him in the Eucharist, and yet He does. This Lent, let us approach the Eucharist even more. Maybe we have questions about the Eucharist or the Mass; we encourage you to bring those to your pastor and to prayer. We may have questions about why our lives are one way and not another; let's not be afraid to ask the Lord in prayer after receiving Him in the Eucharist the next time we go to Mass. The Lord will answer us.
February 21
Second Sunday of Lent
"And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them." From today's Gospel, Mk 9:2-10.
And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
“From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.” This is part of the Litany of Humility written by Cardinal Merry del Val. To read the entire litany click here. If you pray this litany it is nearly impossible not to feel a sting from deep within, almost as if our very being is rejecting the words. It is as difficult, or possibly more challenging, than understanding the cross because it also invites us to desire things beyond our human nature. If you spend a few minutes grasping each petition you may find yourself asking: “How can someone be joyful while being forgotten, set aside, or go unnoticed?” And the answer is found in today’s Gospel:Jesus came into the world not to gain fame or recognition, but to highlight the love of the Father through the greatest sacrifice of love on the cross.
Our ultimate goal as Christians and members of the mystical body of Christ is to be transfigured through the grace of the Holy Spirit. If we persevere in prayer, take courage, believe in the Lord’s sovereignty, and open ourselves to become vessels of God’s mercy the Lord will transfigure us. Only through this inner transfiguration will we be able to “be forgotten, set aside, or go unnoticed”, not because we are asking to be less important but because we allow God to take the spotlight. We can see this in the words of St. Paul “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me” (Gal 2:19-20).
How are we making the way for God to take over the things we do? Are we allowing His grace to come into our lives? Let us continue to ask for the grace of God, for He is always willing to give more of His grace. Just as we open our physical gifts from a friend and acknowledge the gift and the gift giver, we are also called to respond to the Lord. Let us acknowledge His grace and accept it as His children. This is how our faith is strengthened and how the Lord can transform the world through us. Just like Jesus’ transfiguration strengthened the faith of the apostles, so will His work in our lives strengthen our faith. Additionally, His work through us will help others come to know Him. Full of hope, let us continue to allow His grace in our lives and pray for the humility to become who we are called to be for the sake of the Kingdom.
February 21, 2021
First Sunday of Lent
“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan.” From today's Gospel, Mk 1:12-15.
Today we will start by bringing to mind the image of the crucified Christ (if you have a crucifix nearby we invite you to take a few moments to contemplate it). Among all the questions we may have when it comes to the crucified Christ, the most common one may be: “Why?”, “Why did God become man to suffer and be crucified?”, “Why would someone willingly accept such a death?”, “Why would someone undergo the pain and the rejection?”. For many of us it may be difficult to accept that the answer can be simplified to one word – love. God sent his Son to die for our sins out of love. Christ accepted the cross out of love for you. It wasn't imposed, it wasn't forced upon Him, He chose to accept it and embraced it to fulfill God’s promise of salvation.
Jesus calls us to pick up our cross daily and follow him, how can we grow in love to accept our cross? A good first step is to accept the desert, just like Christ did. When Jesus was in the desert He chose to remain in it, and He chose to pray and not give into temptation. For us, not having the full divinity of God, it is challenging to endure the difficulties of this desert that is our Lenten journey. Perhaps we have chosen to give up a specific show or food we enjoy. Let’s dig deep and think about how we can love the Lord better starting with this Lent? What is keeping us from spending more time in prayer? What is keeping us from trusting Him? Trust may be a tall hurdle for us. Do we trust His will with our ill family members and friends? Do we trust that He wills what is best for us (even if what is best for us right now is difficult and painful)? Take a few moments to reflect on these questions. That struggle that has come to mind, take it to prayer, perhaps your Lenten desert will look different this year.
Let us choose not just to go into the desert but to open the doors of our hearts, minds, and souls, and allow the Lord to transform us and strengthen our faith, so that this Easter we be fuller, holier versions of ourselves, that radiate the Lord’s love and bring many others to come to know Him. Our beloved Cardinal shared on his Facebook page this past Ash Wednesday, Lent is a “journey from the outside to the inside, and back outside...It starts with outside as we’re marked with ashes that’s the external, an outside sign of our sense of repentance for our sins. It moves from the outside to the inside, as it takes root in our heart with prayer, and our sacrifices and our self-denial that we’re aware of internally. Then it moves back to the outside in acts of charity and generosity and selflessness and sharing.” Just as Jesus’ loving act was not for himself but for others, so ours should also be. Let us not give into the temptation of isolation. Let us use the gifts of technology for good, by continuing to reach out to others with a phone call or video call to see how they are doing. You may think of new ways to give to others. After all, shouldn’t our loving Lenten sacrifices be more than just for ourselves, and its effects last more than 40 days
February 14, 2021
“If you wish, you can make me clean.” From today's Gospel, MK 1, 40-45.
Fear is not a new thing these days. In fact, fear has become part of our daily lives. Our surroundings are full of fear, each time we step outside we feel afraid, perhaps subconsciously if not consciously. We wear our masks as a way of protecting ourselves and others from possible infection Can it be possible that even before this pandemic, death was a threat to our lives just as much as today? The answer is: yes. The threat to our life and to humanity as a whole from the beginning of time has been sin.
Let’s take a look at today’s Gospel story of the leper. The leper who left their quarantined area to see Jesus, risking being punished for doing so, told Jesus “If you wish, you can make me clean.” He acknowledged Jesus had the ability to do so, he expressed his faith in Him. In that same affirmation of faith, he was surrendering what the future of his life would look like to this possibility of Jesus choosing to cure him. You may be asking yourself what the leper has to do with sin? “It is possible to see leprosy as a symbol of sin, which is the true impurity of heart that can distance us from God. It is not in fact the physical disease of leprosy that separates us from God as the ancient norms supposed but sin, spiritual and moral evil.” (Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, Angelus on 15 February 2009). As we approach Lent, it is important to ponder the things that may be deadly to our souls such as resentments, grudges, and anything that can cause us to sin. What are those spiritual illnesses that we have exposed ourselves to? And how are we seeking the Lord’s healing hand? Just like when we go to a doctor and need to tell the doctor where it hurts, so we also need to tell Jesus those parts in need of healing. We need to give Him access and permission to work in us. Let us follow the example of the leper and affirm our faith in the goodness and power of the Lord and say “if you wish, you can make me clean”. What a wonderful way of exercising our free will.
Our Lord wishes to make us clean! This is a given, but do we wish the same? If so, then we must be ready to have Him remove the aspects of our lives that may be hurtful to let go of. In doing so we will be made free, we will have more peace in our daily lives and more joy as well. When we say that we want to be made clean we surrender to the Lord’s will. In this process we don't choose what stays and what leaves in our life, but trust that God has a reason. We are also invited to accept the things we cannot change at this moment, those that may not be easy to face. If you find yourself in a place where it seems like nothing is going well it may be a struggle to trust Him. Yet that is part of our Christian calling, we are called to trust in His bigger plan for our own salvation. Just as we read in Scripture “For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands give healing” (Job 5:18). In our prayer today, let us ask the Lord, “What is the gift that you want me to receive through my reality Lord? How do you wish to make me clean?”
February 7, 2021
"He told them, 'Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.'" From today's Gospel, Mk 1:29-39.
The excitement of a new year lies in the idea that a new year brings an opportunity to start fresh. Of course, with the new year there is a natural tendency to set new goals, to commit to change and improve ourselves. We do this because we have hope, hope of a better life and of renewal. This year it may be difficult to be hopeful because of the news of our present time. We hear bad news from various media sources and sometimes it gets a little old not to mention discouraging, despite the resolutions we may have set for ourselves. Today’s Gospel message reminds us of the Good News, the news we can count on.
Jesus knew His purpose in this world and faithfully followed it. He came to preach the good news, and to fulfill the prophecy of the long-awaited Messiah. He came to heal the people on earth and give them eternal life. Yet Jesus’ mission did not simply end when He ascended to heaven. He is still with us now to heal us and fill us with hope. His desire to heal us and offer us eternal life does not change with the happenings of our world. No matter the headlines and bad news, Jesus is still our best news.
Jesus cares about our problems. It may sound impossible to believe that Jesus will care for you out of all the people in this world, but He does! Our Lord knows you personally and intimately. He knows your dreams, your goals, your fears, and all the desires in your heart. Jesus knows you by name, and just like more than 2000 years ago He wanted to reach out to every person in the villages He visited, He also wants to reach out to each one of us today. Let us intentionally embrace the Good News, and let’s hold on to the love of God, especially in these times. Remember St. Paul’s words to the Romans, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 38-39).