Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time - 2023

The Beatitudes are seen as a summery of the Jesus' teaching; an outline or index of the gospel. In anticipation of what is to come, this Sunday's gospel invites us to spend some time reflecting on the Beatitudes.      Often you will here it said that if God is loving, kind, and merciful why is there so much suffering in the world? In the Beatitudes Jesus does not deny the presence of problems in the world rather he shows how believers will triumph in the midst them.       To understand how our daily challenges can be called blessings we need to enter into the school of the Holy Gospels where the Holy Spirit unveils this mystery for us.      The following is an example of taking a Beatitude deeper into the gospel.  .

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. Mtt. 16:24-27

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask Him.” “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her. Martha replied, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land."

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:14

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."

Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus replied, “This is the work of God: to believe in the One He has sent.” So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us this bread at all times.” Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe. John. 6:28

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents. Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him. >>> But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me.’ >>> So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. >>> The master summoned him and declared, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ In his anger, his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. That is how My Heavenly Father will treat each of you, unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matt. 18:21

"Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God."

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child to stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Mtt. 18:1

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you . . . . . if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them . . . . . love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. Mtt. 10:16

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Third Sunday Ordinary Time - 2023

This year, in the Diocese of Hamilton the third Sunday of Ordinary Time will once again be observed as the Sunday of the Word of God - "Bible Sunday".   Pope Francis, issued "motu proprio" on September 30, 2019, the Feast of Saint Jerome, instituting the annual observance of the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time as "Sunday of the Word of God", devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God. Pope Francis describes it as a day dedicated to the Bible to help the Church (quoting) “to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world,” For more information go to the Hamilton Diocesan web site. >>LINK<<

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Second Sunday Ordinary Time - 2023

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and remain on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1.29-34) Baptism * Sacrament of Baptism * Baptism with Fire * Baptism In the Holy Spirit. Born Again * Sacrament of Initiation * Grace of Renewal These are terms often used when discussing the subject of baptism. How are they different?  There is an interesting account in Acts of the Apostles which refers to different baptisms.  While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Ephesians 19:1 At this time, the Jewish practice of ritual washing's was common and they were symbolic of different things taking place. For instance, John's baptism represented a persons repentance and wholehearted intention to be faithful to the practice of the Law and the Prophets. Following the first Pentecost experience, the followers of Jesus continued to use the ritual of baptismal washing, but now it was symbolic of something new. Repentance, conversion, and a life of faith in Jesus was understood to be the work of the Holy Spirit, entering one's heart, and empowering their faith. Hence Paul's question, "... did you receive the Spirit when you believed?"  A true, living faith in Jesus is not simply a matter of one liking what they hear and deciding to accept it and follow it. That is why St Paul acclaims in First Corinthians,  "... no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." 12:3 Perhaps a new take on Paul's question might sound like this; "... have you fully embraced the Spirit, given you, when you were baptized?" Pope John Paul II, speaking of infants, young children, and even adults who received baptism in the Church, points out that the Holy Spirit is truly given, yet, potentially, needing to be awakened and lived out fully. This awaking to the Holy Spirit is what is referred to by Baptism In the Holy Spirit, or the Grace of Renewal.  I have explored subject in detail in a thirteen part series called, Baptism In The Holy Spirit. Link to this series is listed to the right on >>> PAGES: Special Series Index Page. PRAYER FOR GRACE: Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

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The Epiphany Times Three - 2023

During the Advent / Christmas cycle of the year 2021, in this blog we reflected on the Three Comings of Christ. The 1st being His Incarnation, His 2nd is the Day of Judgement and His 3rd is now, each time a person is baptised into the life of Christ. Now let us look at these Three Epiphany's of Christ. We commonly think of the Epiphany as that one event in Christ's life where the Magi, led by a star, make their way to see him and offer him gifts fitting a new king. However, the Catholic liturgy considers the Epiphany to be threefold, the visit by the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus by John, and the Miracle of the Wine at the Wedding in Cana. The Greek word, "epiphaneia", was used to signify the coming of a king or emperor. It was also used for the self-manifestation of a god or for his miraculous intervention; this later, likely the original use of the word. A popular use of the word “epiphany” today means a sudden discovery, something finally seen and recognized, the beginning of understanding; we say, “ah, now I see, now I understand!” "I just had an epiphany". The word "insight" comes to mind here. Let us stay with this notion for now. Many people these days have abandoned the practice of belonging to a church. They say they are spiritual but not religious and do not need the structures of church membership to be a good person. It is true that everyone is spiritual for that is how God created us, a physical being with a spiritual soul. However to simply claim to be spiritual is to leave out one important thing - it is religious practice that connects spirit to the physical, so that it can bear fruit in the world. An apple tree without branches is just a stump. The people at the time of the Epiphany were both spiritual and religious. Where they were having difficulties was with which religion, which religious practice? Who best to sort out this complicated question than God Himself. The Epiphany is God showing in himself as the true religious way for all to see. ( ... now I see, now I get it, so this is the truly spiritual manifest in the truly religious practice. And oh what confusion we people are capable of creating. So the work that began with these three Epiphany's continues to unfold even as we speak.  Do you get it? Do you understand? How is your "epiphany experience" unfolding? Here is where true spirituality enters the discussion - true spirituality happens when we become seekers, searching for Him the One who will tell us in person who he is. As seekers our gifts to offer are open hearts and minds in search of "insight" and understanding - people with a dynamic spiritual/religious practice seeking a personal encounter with Jesus. Just as true spirituality does not tell God who he is, likewise true religion does not make up how God is to be served, God himself has come to show us how he wants us to worship and serve him. So we need to belong to the Church that Jesus established as his way of gathering us around himself for instruction.

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