Weekly Clergy Devotions

 

 

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time       …AND WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? (Second part)

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Psalm. 90.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Mt. 5:3.

From the Catholic Social teaching: 

The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable:

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers:

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected–the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Solidarity:

We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice.1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.

Care for God’s Creation:

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of Gods creation.
This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

Publication No. 5-315, USCCB Communications, Washington, D.C., ISBN 1-57455-315-1

Fr. Robinson Aza

 

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time C

Are you being Martha or Mary in your life. Are you concerned about many things is your life, being hectic and unfocused? Or are you Mary in your life, are you focused on the one thing that is necessary, God? We need to find our center as Catholics, the thing that needs to be the center of our lives, that is our relationship with God.

Our focus, our concentration is being distracted by all the things happening around us every day. Our attention is being grabbed by all of the shocking and outrageous behavior of those around us who do not understand or even know God. Crazy things are happening all the time these days and we keep getting better and quicker ways of finding out about them with the technology that is at our disposal. How about putting these aside for a while, break out a Bible, a rosary, a good Catholic book and center our focus on the one thing that really matters, our relationship with our Creator, Redeemer, and our Sanctifier. We will be all the better because of it.

Deacon Bill Watzek

 

14th Sunday Ordinary Time July 3, 2022

“The peace of the Lord be with you always” are the words of the presider you hear at every Eucharist,  to which  the response is, “…and with your spirit.” In today’s Gospel of Luke we have clear invitation to bring that peace of  Christ to the world.  

   What, however, do we mean by the peace of Christ?  When the scriptures use the word “peace” it is used in four different senses.  First, in a military sense as peace being the absence of war between nations. Thus we say, “The nation is at peace.”  The second is in a more personal sense to indicate a feeling of personal well-being so we say, “I am at peace with myself.”

Thirdly, in the scriptures, the word peace is used to indicate “right relationship” with God and ourselves and so we say, “I am at peace with God.” The last and fourth sense of peace is with God, neighbor and self which is what is meant by the “peace of Christ”.

   This is what Jesus meant when he said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you,” the words from St. John’s Gospel that are repeated at every Mass before the Rite of Communion.  This peace is nothing else than the realization of God’s kingdom on earth which is the relationship we seek with God; and the kingdom we prayer for in the Lord’s Prayer.

   It is this peace that Jesus instructed his disciples to carry into their world in their day. It is also the peace that Jesus instructs us to carry into our world today as we hear in Luke’s Gospel.

   It sounds  like a daunting task but it is achievable to be instruments by which the peace of Christ is to be extended to every individual and every nation on earth. We bring this peace to the world through our own Christian vocation in life as a single person, married, religious, deacon or priest.  

   About eight years ago I read Dr. Phil Mc Graw’s book entitled “Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World.” The first half is a cautionary characterization of the “evil” people who exist in our world for themselves alone and he calls the Baiters. These are: Backstabbers, Abusers, Imposters, Takers, Exploiters and Reckless people. The world is filled with them and we need to be discerning as to who they are in our lives.  

   The second half of the book is about being the most authentic person you can be, which is the opposite of the baiters, given our role (or vocation) in life.  He has “codes” as how to develop the necessary attitudes, values, beliefs and skills to be the best person we can be and how to negotiate the best tools for enhancing our lives; and bringing peace not only to ourselves but to the world through our relationships with one another.

   There is even better news than Dr. Phil’s Life Code.  We have both our own “Life Code of the Gospel” together with the Eucharist.  We know that Jesus gave us this Eucharist as his pledge of peace and food for the journey in our troubled world.  He gave us his peace that we might be instruments to go forth and share it with the rest of humanity.

                   “The peace of the Lord be with you always.”

Fr. Adam Forno

 

Emergency Numbers during Summer Vacations.

It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to the security of yourself and the ones you love. A quick call to animal poison control can save your pet. Having a plumber’s number nearby can help prevent any flooding if you have a pipe leak.

Being prepared with emergency phone numbers on hand in an urgent situation can make all the difference. An emergency numbers allow us to do a call to contact local emergency services for assistance.

Now, since many of us are somewhat familiar with 911, I will not go into detail about that number. Today I want to suggest some biblical numbers of verses that could help us in any familiar or personal spiritual emergency that we may face. Here are some emergency bible numbers for you meditation during summer or anytime:

Leaving on a trip? Psalm 121, in danger? Psalm 91, upset John? 14, weak? Psalm 18: 1-29, lonely? Psalm 23,

sinned? Psalm 51, worried? Matthew 8: 19 -31, anxious? Phil. 4:4-9, unhappy? Col. 3: 12-17, depressed? Psalm 27,

lack of faith? Exodus 14, others unkind? John 15, need courage? Joshua 1, need direction? Psalm 73: 21-26,

seeking peace? Matthew 11: 25-30, labeled an outcast? Romans 8: 31- 39, struggling with loss? Luke 15,

struggling financially? Psalm 37, discouraged with work? Psalm 126.

“Remember that I commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord, your God, am with you wherever you go” Joshua 1: 9.

Fr. Robinson Aza

 

Trinity Sunday

Issuing out of last week’s celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, and the end of our 50 days of Easter, we celebrate two feasts before fully settling into Ordinary Time with today’s Feast of the Trinity and next week’s Corpus Christi—the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Talking about the Holy Trinity makes preachers quake. Theologians warn us that you really cannot talk about the Trinity for more than three minutes without falling into heresy. A priest once said that if you deny the Trinity you lose your faith and if you think too much about the Trinity you lose your mind! Even some of the great Catholic-Christian minds over the centuries have attempted to preach about the Trinity and explain the mystery of Three Persons in One God.

Take for example, 5th century St. Augustine who ultimately wrote in his work entitled “On the Trinity”: “Spend your life trying to understand it, and you will lose your mind; but deny it and you will lose your soul.” St. Patrick from that same century used the simple image of a three-leaf clover to explain the Trinity in relationship to itself. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, in his Summa Theologiae, writes that the human person is made in the image of God because of the ability to know and love; and that constitutes the very persons of God. The Father speaks the Word who is the Son, and in loving each other the Father and the Son breathe forth the Holy Spirit. St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits in the 16th century, used the example of three notes forming one musical sound. Other great minds used the image of water as: liquid, ice and steam as one.

There is a modern day interpretation from Indian Jesuit Anthony de Mello. De Mello was an Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist. He was spiritual teacher, writer, and public speaker, de Mello wrote several books on spirituality and hosted numerous spiritual retreats and conferences. He tells this story: Two brothers grew up. One became a missionary priest. The other became a very wealthy business man. The priest went to Asia to preach God’s Word and there he suffered a life of poverty and hardship. The other brother did well in life and occasionally communicated with the brother.

Then one day the priest died and went to heaven and the Lord said, “Welcome to my Kingdom– it is yours forever.” Several years later the rich, successful brother died and he too appeared in heaven and the Lord said” Welcome to my kingdom, it is yours forever.” When the younger brother heard this he simply exclaimed: “Isn’t that wonderful!!!!”

Remember the priest who once said that if you deny the Trinity you lose your faith and if you think too much about the Trinity you lose your mind. Don’t fret over a theological explanation of the Blessed Trinity. The joy of Trinity Sunday is not in defining a mystery but in realizing that we are never alone. We are never not connected because we share in a union, a communion, a community, a family where in mystery God dwells among us.

Father DeMello wrote that we do not need more words about God. We need a taste of God. Words are especially inadequate when we talk about the Trinity because our words fail. So as we hunger for a taste of God, today’s feast celebrates what has been the experience of Christians from the beginning. That is the taste and experience of God as Father/Creator/Mother/Parent together with the Son/Redeemer/Brother and the Holy Spirit/Advocate/Sanctifier who is the love that binds them and us together.

Friends, we will never fully understand or explain the Holy Trinity because it is a mystery, What we need to know is that when we reach our final destiny with God and one another we will, like the younger brother in de Mello’s story, say: Isn’t that wonderful!!!!”

Fr. Adam Forno

Pentecost

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, dwells within each of us as Baptized and Confirmed individuals.The Holy Spirit is also active within the Church at large, guiding it to be a beacon of truth and light for those who dwell in darkness.The fact is, however, God never imposes His will upon us.For the Holy Spirit to be active within our lives we must take active participation with Him in the gifts that He gives us.We accomplish this through an active prayer life, reading Sacred Scripture and the frequenting of the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession.What is the results of doing these things one might question?I am glad that you asked.The results of cooperation with the Holy Spirit are the “fruits” of the Holy Spirit which the Bible tells us are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.I do not know a single person who could not use a bit more of one or more of these qualities.

May we all become more familiar with the person of the Holy Spirit within us as to become filled with the gifts and graces that He alone can give us.When we allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit we will become better evangelizers and call all those around us to faith if not by our words then by the “way that we love one another!”

Deacon Bill Watzek

God’s Forgiveness Has No Limits

On many occasions, we say “naturally” we are all sinners, or no one is exempt from sin. Before such statements, we must be careful; although we know that we are all tainted by the original sin committed by our first parents Adam and Eve and by an inclination to sin. That does not mean that we should justify ourselves as if sins were something very natural. Although sin makes us weak and distances from God and our neighbor. However, on the other hand, forgiveness and reconciliation make us strong and bring us closer to the infinite love of God; a love that has no limits. “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.In this season of Lent and the penitential services that we offer our parishes help us to reconcile with God and with those we love, to be able to freely say and live that phrase that we pray daily in the Our Father, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespasses against us.” Forgiveness is the key to living free from the shadow of sin.

A small practical guide, Heart of the Father Ministries, will help us to meditate in a simple way about what is forgiveness and why should I forgive? Let us see:What is forgiveness?

-Is choosing love over revenge.

-Is a decision, not a feeling. We decide to forgive; God changes the heart.

-Is an expression of the freedom God has given us.

-Forgiveness means giving up your right to hold on to an offense.

-Forgiveness changes our hearts, even if it does not change the person who hurt us.

-Forgiveness turns injury into compassion.Now, why should I forgive?

-Because you have been forgiven.

-Forgiveness is the very essence of the Father’s love.

-Forgiveness releases us from the chains of the past and from the inner torment.

-Forgiveness releases you to take your life back and also brings peace and overwhelming joy. The joy of knowing that God will forgive me just as I forgive.Let us continue to pray without giving up so that one day we can eradicate the stain of hatred and sin from our lives, being instruments of peace and love, and always putting our trust in God.

“What is impossible for man is possible with God.” Mt 19: 26.

Fr. Robinson Aza

Friends, for years the Catholic Faith Community of Christ Sun of Justice, on the campus of RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) in Troy, N.Y., would send out a wonderful reflection across the Diocese of Albany on the opportunities of Lent. What follows below is offered for our communal Lenten journey here at St. Joan of Arc.

Since we are called to pray, fast and give alms during the Lenten Season I suggest you read each of the 24 lines below slowly and meditate on them. Check off the lines that speak to your need to spiritually “fast” and empty yourself from those attitudes that deter you from “feasting”; and living out the Paschal Mystery — the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus in your life — more fully. I found a minimum of eight opportunities for me to reflect on this Lent 2022.                                                                                                                    

4th Sunday OT Cycle C

Were you reminded of a church wedding you attended when you heard the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians (12:31 -13:13) in today’s readings for this Fourth Sunday in Ordainary Time (Cycle C)? This passage to be one of the most popular scriptures engaged couples pick for their wedding ceremony. This reading is as much a part of the ceremony as the rings and the unity candle.

However, whether we are married, single, widowed, struggling in or yearning for a relationship, separated or divorced St. Paul’s lyrical eulogy of love is for each of us; because it is the absolutely essential element of our Catholic Christian life.

Also today’s gospel is an excellent example of how people reacted to the preaching and presence of Jesus when there was no love in their hearts but only suspicions, jealousy, resentment, anger and rage. It reminds us that life without love is deadly.

Something, however, seems to be missing from Paul’s “litany of love.” It is not a bit romantic at all. There is no tone of soft music, glowing candles, moonlit-night, roses, sparkling champagne, diamond rings, hugs or kisses. St. Paul replaces romance with reality in this list of love’s ingredients. This is why his description of love as the “still more excellent way” has endured for over twenty centuries.

His love is built on the rock of reality instead of the shifting sands of sentimentality or the unreliability of infatuation. People who establish and maintain their relationship with St. Paul’s practical principles have a solid head start at loving each other “until death do them part.”

And what does Jesus say about love? He says little about it in Matthew, Mark and Luke. He simply says in Matthew, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (22:37- 40)

It is only in John’s gospel that love receives the full attention it deserves. “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”. (3:16).

There Jesus tells us, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you so you should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:34-35)

There we learn the best lesson of love, namely, that love depends not on words that describe it but on the actions that guarantee it. Jesus teaches us this lesson when he says “No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (Jn 15:13). In the First letter of John the author confirms it: “Children, let us love not in words or speech but in deed and truth.” (1 Jn 3:18)

So if today the words of love spoken by Paul in the second reading remind you of a wedding you attended, remember that while Paul may have the most popular portrait of love, love is perfected when we take words of Jesus seriously and put them into practice.

Fr. Adam Forno

 

Called To Be Prophets.

Today our meditation has two very important elements in the first and second reading. These elements are a call to be prophets at all times and places and to use the spiritual gifts received to give glory to God by serving and loving our brothers and sisters. Let us see when we were given this gift of being a prophet. Friends, these gifts began at the first moment when we received the sacrament of baptism through the words of the priest in the anointing after baptism, “As Christ was anointed priest, prophet, and king, so may you live always as member of his body, sharing everlasting life.” The question that rises in our call to be a prophet is precisely, what does it mean to be a prophet? The English word prophet is derived from Greek prophetes, “one who speaks before others”; almost always denotes one who communicates divine revelation, to call, and speak aloud. The prophet is also a person called to be a witness of God to proclaim the good news, “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me and woe to me if I do not preach it! (1 Cor. 9, 16) We hear the clearest interpretation of the mission of a prophet in the voice of the priest or deacon when at the end of each Eucharist he says, “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord”, “go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” My friends, the people around us, in the places we visit or work, provide us with good opportunities to talk about the wonders of the Lord, everywhere. Therefore, our call is to bear witness to God’s love here and now. How? Using and activating the gifts, we have received through the sacraments. We can find the second moment in the second reading in the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians in regard to the spiritual gifts, such as an expression of wisdom: faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophesy, discernment, and interpretation of tongues, “but one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.”

We must remember that God has given us all a special gift, for the common good. In summary, let us ask God to allow us in this New Year to be the prophets who live and practice love and mercy with our families and in our communities in all seasons. May the Holy Spirit guide us to always have a generous heart and the will to serve. We must remember that God has given us all a special gift, for the common good. Blessings to all.

Fr. Robinson Aza

Baptism of the Lord

In the 2010 movie The Kings’ Speech we meet Prince Albert the father of present day Queen Elizabeth. Albert has had a stuttering problem since his earliest memory. He has tried every doctor and therapy to correct this impediment but to no avail. It has a tremendous impact upon his self-esteem. One day his wife discovers a therapist named Lionel, who ultimately helps Albert in a most creative, fun, challenging and humorous way to cope with, and overcome to some degree, the stammering. This is done by confronting the inner voices that cause his voice to stammer.

As the movie reveals, and history attests to, Albert’s elder brother David abdicates the throne upon the death of their father King George V. David is in love with the American socialite Wallace Simpson who seeks to divorce her second husband to marry him. With that intention David relinquishes the throne and Prince Albert is called upon to be King and takes the name George the VI. Influenced by his low self esteem, as related to his stuttering, he is overwhelmed at the magnitude of his duties at that time in history. He is horrified in having to address the people of England and its territories about the impending Second World War in which they will find themselves engaged due to Hitler’s occupation of Poland. Lionel assists the new King in delivering this first and most powerful message of unity in the face of war.

What was striking about the film, for me, was the power of the voice. Namely, the power of his father’s overbearing, critical and debasing voice that no doubt contributed to Albert’s stammer; and the power of Albert finding his own voice freed, in most part from his stammering, and his ability to reassure a nation.

Today on this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord we hear the voice of the God the Father proclaim “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” This voice of our heavenly father is a confirmation that the divinity and humanity of Jesus are one. In his first appearance at his baptism Jesus immerses himself in humanity as he goes down into the waters of the Jordan. He does not need the baptism of repentance that John offers, but he insists that it be done. There Jesus finds his voice, in response to the father’s voice proclaiming his “yes” to his humanity and his oneness with us. He is one of us, the suffering servant chosen by the Father to renew the covenant of God with us.

Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 (optional second reading today) presents this beautifully in the first reading as the answer to our longing: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit.”

God speaks from heaven this day because Jesus needs to hear the voice of his Father. Jesus though divine is on a human journey. His mother has told him the extraordinary events surrounding his birth and he has read and re-read the scriptures and at times recognized himself as the One.

At his baptism Jesus now steps out into public ministry—finding his voice—but does not have the next three years scripted. Remember he is like us in all things except sin. He enters the waters fully human and rises up to hear the words of his Father rejoicing in him.

Friends, any baptism is a celebration of love and a visible sign of God’s embrace. There is no mistaking God’s love here in the baptism of Jesus as it bursts forth through the heavens and the voice proclaims: This is my Son, the Beloved. That word “beloved” evokes a myriad of deeply human emotions. We all yearn to have a beloved and to be the beloved. For many this experience seems far from reach. Today’s scripture readings, however, teach us that our yearning has been fulfilled.

If God loves us so much why do we sometimes feel disconnected? If God loves us so deeply as to enter into human history through his Son Jesus, then why do we sometimes feel so lonely?

Take a few moments right now, having already come to Church today to celebrate this feast, and reflect on how God speaks to you through someone who loves you as God loves you unconditionally. And when you emerge from your thoughts, in your mind’s eye following Jesus who emerges from the Jordan, claim your heritage as beloved sons and daughters of God in Jesus Christ— and finish your brief reflection saying to yourself “I, too, am the beloved of God.”

Fr. Adam

 

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mary, in the movie The Nativity, is protrayed as a 14 or 15-year-old girl from Nazareth who is a Jewish teenager and virgin of her day. She is forcibly engaged or (betrothed) to Joseph perhaps out of her family’s need to secure a future against the background of oppression under Roman occupation.

Mary, now engaged, may not be in love with Joseph. She may have been attracted to a younger man closer to her own age. Joseph’s generous spirit, however, does touch her heart.

When the angel announces to her that she will soon conceive Mary finds herself in psycho-spiritual chaos. She does not know how this can be since she has not had relations with a man.

And since she was told by the angel that her cousin Elizabeth would have a child in her old age Mary travels to visit her. She is both seeking a word of confirmation from an older, wiser woman and wishing to offer her support staying with Elizabeth for three months.

That Mary went in haste, halfway across the country, to make this visit to Elizabeth is a clear sign of Mary’s generosity and goodness. And through the light of the Holy Spirit Elizabeth confirms Mary’s privilege as the mother of the long-awaited Messiah.

The fact that both Elizabeth and Mary had this divine intervention is a reminder that our own lives too are a gift of God. It is from this understanding that the Church takes its position on all issues related to human life.

At some moments in our lives we, too, may recognize the hand of God. Maybe at the point when we finally decided who would be our partner in life or even felt a vocation to special service in the church.

Maybe it was at the birth of a child, a change in job circumstances or the death of a parent where we experienced the work of God. Maybe it was a moment in prayer, the grace of a sacrament, advice in the confessional, wise words from a friend or relative at a critical moment. It was Elizabeth’s words to Mary that confirmed and affirmed her in embracing this awesome task of bringing forth Jesus the Savior into the world.

This is testimony that God is always working within us for our good; and that God can help us through times of trouble knowing that our troubles are part of that drawn-out gestation which is our life here on earth.

That was Mary’s experience. Even though her teenage mind could not fathom this great miracle it was in faith that she answered God’s call and offered her “fiat.” This was her “yes” to do God’s will once she found an affirming word from Elizabeth. Yet her troubles were not over.

When she returns to Joseph, and is showing herself as several months pregnant, he is humiliated and outraged and does not know what to do. Joseph, by law, can divorce her or have her stoned to death for adultery.

Then an angel comes to him in a dream to confirm that he is to be the foster father of this child. He is to be the child’s protector and nurturer. With tender compassion towards Mary Joseph now understands and begins to touch her heart. Mary begins to see that Joseph does love her because he honors and respects her. Joseph now shares in this awesome task of bringing forth the Savior.

I think many times over each of us comes to a crossroads in our lifetime wondering if we should proceed with a certain challenge in our work, our relationships, perhaps health care options or other issues facing us and our families. We need someone to come along and confirm God’s will for us just as Elizabeth and Joseph confirmed for Mary her unique role in the history of salvation.

Who has that person(s) been for you? Who has offered you a confirming word and supported you, affirmed you, loved you when you most needed the inspiration and encouragement?

The affirmation of my family, friends, parishioners, spiritual director and confessor have often helped me to recommit myself to the challenges of the priesthood I so cherish.

So who has been that person(s) who have supported you on your journey of life and faith? Give it some thought. Perhaps it has been a family member, spouse, friend, neighbor, confidant, relative or co-worker.

With that in mind let us take some time before Christmas Eve to offer thanks to God for those in our lives who offer us an affirming word as did Elizabeth and Joseph to Mary. It is because of them, who confirm and support us, that like Mary we too can say “nothing is impossible with God.”

Fr. Adam Forno

The Synod on Synodality

Pope Francis has invited the Churchacross the globe to the Synod on Synodality which is a two-year process of listening and dialogue that began in dioceses across the world Sunday, October 17th.This Synod, which follows in the wake of the Church’s “renewal,” proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task.By reflecting together on this journey God’s people, the Church,
will be able to learn through its experience which processes can help us to achieve three Synod objectives: Communion,Participation, and Openness to Mission.

BishopGerald Barbarito offered an opening Mass the before the Synod beganon the 17th and his office will be proposing ways in which as a diocesan church we can contribute to this process of discernment toward the objectives of this Synod.

There is a prayer that is attributed to St. Isidore of Seville (560-636), which has been traditionally used at Councils and Synods for hundreds of years. The following version was specifically designed for the Church’s Synodal journey from 2021 to 2023 and can be prayed throughout the Synod.

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together
to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.


Fr. Adam Forno

 

Christ The King

The gospel reading today seems a bit strange for celebrating the kingship of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

The rulers of the Jews were mocking Jesus as was Pilot who put the inscription above Jesus stating that He was the King of the Jews. The only one who recognized Jesus as a true king was the criminal who saw that Jesus was innocent, and something more than a man when he rebuked the other criminal and asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His Kingdom.

When we think of a king who is raised up and enthroned we usually do not think that he is raised up on a cross, but this is how our King was treated. However, through the blessing of the Resurrection, the cross now becomes the symbol of His triumph! The symbol of the crucifix now adorns our churches and homes as a reminder of what God has accomplished for us in His passion death and resurrection, our very salvation. Who would have thought that an instrument of torture and death would become a symbol of triumph over death itself! What a genius God is using a symbol of death to triumph over death and to make it now a symbol of eternal life!

So as we reflect on the Kingship of Jesus today, the King of the Universe, the King over all that exists we are compelled to ponder the love that God must have for us, giving His beloved Son to us not only as a sacrifice for our salvation but also that food from Heaven that satisfies our spiritual hunger as well. Amen

Deacon Bill Watzek

 

Live in Hope

We, as Christians are called to live in hope; because better times will come. Friends, from the perspective of the gospels, it is what we call, “Good News”; and although the Gospel of this Sunday sounds a bit dark, but it is not;
It is an invitation to be prepared and alert at all times, because our Lord will come clothed with great power and glory. Now, someone could ask, why this is so confuse. According some commentators, we need to realize brothers and sisters that in the scripture, Mark is usually referred to as this evangelist’s “apocalypse” because its theme, symbolic language, and images.

What Jesus is here is announces that cosmic disturbance will herald the universal realization of God’s kingdom on earth. This means that the forces that these lights and signs exert over earth or represent in various religious-forces that are greater than human but lesser than divine power- will be shaken. This exhortation compares Jesus’ disciples to servants of a household whose master left them in charge (God’s creatures) until he returns. He reminds his followers, (that include us)that their mission is to watch constantly for his coming, that is, to live like he will come back this evening, or this midnight, in covi time or not, or drawn tomorrow, or tomorrow morning.

May the Advent season that is just around the corner help us to review our relationship with God, with the Church, and with our brothers and sisters so that we definitely get infected with the virus of love, faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

“But of that day or hour, nor one knows, neither the angles in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

 

Fr. Robinson Aza

In 1934 German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) continued his ministry underground and eventually became involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler. He was imprisoned for two years and hanged in 1945 for his role in the plot.

His writings, which have had considerable influence on postwar ethics and theology include The Cost of Discipleship (tr. 1948), Prisoner for God: Letters and Papers from Prison (tr. 1953) and Ethics (tr. 1965).

In a 1933 in a sermon to fellow believers Bonhoeffer was asked, “Where are our dead?” and “Where will we be after our death?” These are appropriate questions as we honor our faithful departed this month of November and perhaps our not-so-faithful departed.

As his text Bonhoeffer chose the Book of Wisdom (3:1-9) which is so familiar to us at funeral Masses. It affirms that our dead are at peace and at rest in the hand of God. God’s peace means the battle is over; that there is refreshment for those whom life has made weary. It means security for those who have wandered through this life unprotected. It means a home for the homeless and dignity for those who had theirs stolen by injustice, violence or the apathy of those who could have made a difference.

“They are in peace” helps those who mourn and grieve over fallen soldiers. “They are at peace” encourages the parent of a child who died too soon. “They are at peace” brings some comfort to those who survive acts of hatred and ethic cleansing as they wonder how so many in the world can be uncaring or not mark their passing.

As the Church, insisted Bonhoeffer, it is our responsibility to hold out this assurance of peace when people question death and dying. Indeed the Church exists in order to answer those questions. If it did not know the answers, and if it failed to speak them, then the Church would be little more than a gathering of the hopeless. But that is not the Church. On the contrary, the Church is a people of unshakeable hope — a hope, as St. Paul points out in his letter to the Christians in Rome, that does not disappoint, because it is founded in the love of God, whose mercy for sinners knows no bounds.

At times, however, even the most unshakeable hope harbors a little doubt about those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. As if to anticipate these worrisome wonderings, John the Evangelist assures us that the risen Lord Jesus rejects no one. He further insists that Jesus doesn’t lose any one of us. Rather all are gathered into him through his cross. There, in that moment when life meets death and emerges victorious, we are assured that we shall one day share in that same victory.

The fact that Bonhoeffer could share such an attitude about death in the midst of the atrocities being perpetrated upon the innocent by the Third Reich, attests to his faith and summons forth our own. Therefore, we do not ask “Why,” “When” or even “How” in the face of death. We simply ask “Where?” and we are assured they are in peace. A German proverb affirms this fact of our faith: “Those who live in the Lord never see one another for the last time.”

Fr. Adam Forno

 

Today we will talk a little about the vocation of service and about those who are ready to help our brothers and sisters when their lives are in danger or when they need to be helped, not only physically but also spiritually.

All of us at some point in our life have gone through a situation where our health or our lives have been at risk and we need the help of someone to assist us. Well, these men, women and institutions that are dedicated to helping those who have an emergency are called first responders. Who are they and what do they do? Do they have a particular mission?

A first responder is a person with specialized training who is among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency; such as an accident, natural disasters or terrorism. These people are trained properly when they are responding to a critical situation. Friends, a first responder is somebody who cares for others, who is responsible for the protection and preservation of life. Our deep gratitude and prayers are for those who dedicate and risk their lives for us.

On the other hand, there are also people who dedicate their entire lives helping others in the spiritual concerns, and the care of souls; I call them “spiritual first responders”. They are our priests who dedicate their lives in servicing and assisting God’s people, administering the sacraments for the salvation of souls and giving Glory to God for the gift of life, faith and love.

Now, where do they come from? We can find the first clue in the scriptures. Let’s see: “Although, in truth, all the holy people of God share the royal priesthood in Christ, nevertheless, our high priest, Jesus Christ, chose some disciples who in the Church will carry out, in his name, the priestly office for the good men. He himself, sent by the Father, in turn sent the Apostles throughout the world, to continue without interruption his work as Teacher, Priest and Pastor through them” (homily of ordination) It is in the reading from the letter to the Hebrews that we have heard this Sunday that vocations chosen by God come from our families, “Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” Hebrews 5:1-6. It is therefore in the family, which is the nucleus of every society, the domestic church, where men and women emerge to help us when our physical and spiritual integrity is at risk and need assistance.

My friends, in this month of October which very soon will end, was dedicated to prayer, for the veneration of the Mother of God through the recitation of the Holy Rosary. Also, we learned about angels and the life of saints, missions and vocations. Therefore, it is a great opportunity to pray and support our children and youth in their call to service and vocation. Let’s not be afraid to speak to them and invite them to reflect and pray for their future vocation. Keeping these thoughts in mind, perhaps in your home there is potentially a first responder or there is a potential minister of God, called to the priesthood or religious life. We do not know, but God does. The Church is calling you to support and pray for them. Let us pray to Saint Joseph, that by his intercession, he allows us to be good testimonies of love and service for our children and young people in a world that needs men and women of good Heart and goodwill.

In that regard we could continue building the kingdom for the salvation of souls and God’s Kingdom, too, Amen.

Fraternally in Christ our Lord.

Fr. Robinson Aza

Certain images have been burned deep into our memories. I remember where I was when Fr. Connors announced on November 22, 1963 over the PA system of our parochial grade school that President JFK was killed by sniper fire. I  did not even understand what sniper fire meant at thetime. I went home and was glued to the TV; and in the days that followed, watching the funeral, I remember John-John’s salute to his deceased dad. How sad!

While I was in graduate school at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and leaving lunch on January 28th, 1986 on the way to Latin class it was announced that the space shuttle Challenger exploded with the astronauts aboard. Tragic!

On September 11, 2001 when I was preparing for the 9 a.m. Mass my staff called me to the rectory to watch on the TV the assault on the first World Trade Tower. The hours and days that followed came with searing images of unimaginable suffering.

These are only three examples of the suffering that many of us as Americans have in our mind in addition to the personal, familial, community and global suffering we have endured. What is the point of all this suffering? If God is so good why are we subjected to so much pain? It is a question asked throughout the ages. Many of the answers are found within our own religious tradition. Suffering is punishment for sin. It is a trial to test the grit of our virtue. Suffering is an opportunity to strengthen our inner being or, as we find in the Book of Job, it is a mystery beyond our comprehension. Are we satisfied with such answers?

Our scriptures today do not bring much comfort as well. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the servant was actually afflicted by God. The passage from Hebrews says that Christ too was tested. Then in the Gospel, two of Jesus’ closest companions are told that they must drink the cup of suffering that he drinks. These pictures do not offer a very consoling message.

Was God really “pleased” to “crush” the servant of whom Isaiah spoke? Or did God allow the servant to be crushed so that others might somehow be saved? Likewise, the author of Hebrews says that Christ, the great high priest, was tested so that we might receive mercy and find grace. In these readings, one person suffers for the sake of others. Is that really fair? Is that the message placed before us today?

The message of these first two readings has little or nothing to do with the why of suffering. Rather, they focus on the value that might be derived from it. This theme is developed in the Gospel. James and John realize how privileged they are to be numbered among Jesus’ closest friends, and they seek the glory that they presume accompanies such privilege.

Much to their surprise Jesus offers them a share in his own cup of suffering. They are told that the way to exercise authority over others is through service to them. Jesus’ words should alert us to the reversal of perspective that following him so often requires. If discipleship and leadership are to be understood in a new way, perhaps the same is true for suffering.

“Offering for sin” or “tested in every way” or “give one’s life as a ransom for many”—this is not the kind of theological language that we normally use today. We do, however, understand unselfish service, the willingness to risk one’s life for another and commitment to others beyond the call of duty. In such circumstances a heavy price is usually exacted, even though we might not give a second thought to the suffering involved.

Suffering of various kinds and intensities explodes in the life of every human being. We cannot stave it off regardless of how innocent we may be. If we are to be true followers of Jesus we will have to learn how we might use it to accomplish something good. When we make this decision, we might find ourselves saying, “Take my arm and lean on me, let me help” — “I will not retaliate” — “The anger and violence will stop with me” – or — “I will do whatever I can so that no one else will have to endure what I have endured.” The grace of God helps us see that there can be a point to suffering.

Rev. R. Adam Forno

Friends, for the first time the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion have jointly warned of the urgency of environmental sustainability, its impact on poverty and the importance of global cooperation.

Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby urge everyone to play their part in ‘choosing life’ for the future of the planet. Here is a summary of the full text:

In a joint statement, the Christian leaders have called on people to pray, in this Christian season of Creation, for world leaders ahead of COP26 this November. The statement reads: ‘We call on everyone, whatever their belief or worldview, to endeavor to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behavior and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us.’

The joint declaration strikes a clear warning — ‘Today, we are paying the price…Tomorrow could be worse’ and concludes that: ‘This is a critical moment. Our children’s future and the future of our common home depend on it.’

The three Christian leaders spoke against injustice and inequality, saying: ‘We stand before a harsh justice: biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and climate change are the inevitable consequences of our actions, since we have greedily consumed more of the earth’s resources than the planet can endure. But we also face a profound injustice: the people bearing the most catastrophic consequences of these abuses are the poorest on the planet and have been the least responsible for causing them.’

The statement calls on people to:

• Pray for world leaders ahead of COP26

• For individuals: To make meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the planet, working together and taking responsibility for how we use our resources

• For those with far-reaching responsibilities: To choose people-centered profits and lead the transition to just and sustainable economies

As a people of faith, here at St. Joan of Arc, may we join our prayers and actions with all who seek ways to be responsible stewards of the earth that has been entrusted to us by our Creator-God. Our first course of action is in sharing this message with your extended family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues and other people of good will. As the statement notes: ‘This is a critical moment. Our children’s future and the future of our common home depend on it.’

For the full text go to: press.vatican.va and search for the joint statement.

For more information on the United Nations COP26 go to https://ukcop26.org

Fr. Adam Forno

Every Mass is a Welcome Blessing

When we come to mass, something beautiful and unique takes place at that moment, and it is that God is wel-coming us and giving us his love and mercy. It happens specifically when the priest says, “The Lord be with you”. In this greeting we are invited to open the door of our heart to the Lord to receive His blessings and grace. That encounter with God in the Eucharist is as well a great opportunity to shut down doors like: Evil thoughts, unchas-tity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance and folly (Mark 7: 21-21.) Those behaviors disturb our lives and our relationship with our creator and with our brothers and sisters. So what could we do?

In today in the book of the prophet Isaiah (50:5-9a) we can find some practical clues that will help us. By praying we can receive God’s blessing, for example: Opening our ears that we may hear his voice and message, trusting that God will come to our aid and believing that He never will put us in shame. Why? Because he is near to those who want to receive this blessing in freedom. Therefore, friends our prayers and actions this coming week after each Eucharist will be like Peter’s answers, “You are the Christ”. Christ wants to welcome you and bless you if you seek and open the door of you heart to Him. Allow Jesus to transform you here and now. Blessing in Christ our Lord.

Fr. Robinson Aza