MY WORLD

I'm back!!!!

2010-07-08T16:16:00.008-04:00

Hi Folks,

I know I have taken a hiatus of about 7 months and lots has happened these past few months in my life that has kept me from blogging. Hopefully I will be able to post on my blog more frequently. So to keep you up to date here are a few things that have happened since I last posted:

December 2009-- Had a wonderful Advent/Christmas Seasons with my first time celebrating at St. Francis and also presiding the first time at the Christmas Midnight Mass. Also had the wonderful oportunity to celebrate my niece's first Christmas.

January 2010-March 2010--My pastor had a nasty fall and broke his ankle severely. Since he had to be out for some weeks it gave me the taste of running a parish on my own.

April 2010--Had my first taste of celebrating all the services during the Triduum and of course the highlight was baptizing, confirming, and welcoming new members to our church community for the first time at the Easter Vigil.

Three of the friars of my province were ordained priests. One of them being a dear friend of mine and it was a great honor to witness his ordination but also to preach at his First Mass.

May 2010--Officiated at my sister's wedding. It truly was an honor to celebrate this wondeful sacrament with them. Of course a good old Portuguese reception followed and we all went home content with good Portuguese food in our system.

June 2010--A great Jubilee celebration on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of my province. A wonderful celebration at our mother church in NYC with a beautiful Solemn Mass and a great reception afterwards.

Well, I hope you are enjoying your summer and I hope to be back soon.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2009-11-25T12:59:00.003-05:00

I would like to wish you and your families a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving. I am truly grateful for you and for the many blessings God has given me. Below is the Friar's Corner that I wrote for last weekend. Enjoy!

“Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom his world rejoices who from our mother’s arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.” I’m sure that this first verse from the popular hymn, Now Thank We All Our God, sounds familiar to you. It’s a beautiful hymn of thanksgiving to God and a hymn that is usually sung at the Thanksgiving Day Mass. It’s hard to believe that this Thursday we will gather around our tables with family and friends to enjoy a wonderful feast. Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite holidays because of it’s simplicity. There are no pressure to buy gifts or prepare for weeks but instead it’s simply a gathering of loved ones, to enjoy a nice meal and more importantly giving thanks to God for the wonderful blessings that he has bestowed upon us. I believe more than ever we need a holiday like Thanksgiving in our country. We live in a time that everyone seems so busy that families no longer sit together for a meal and converse, families don’t realize the blessings they have in their lives.

As the unemployment rate increases and the economy just doesn‘t seem to be getting stronger, it’s becoming more difficult to be giving thanks but there is so much to be thankful for. We should ask ourselves and our families the following questions before we begin our Thanksgiving meal. What am I thankful for? What challenges have been sent my way that has made me a stronger person? Do I see the small “miracles” that occur around me each and everyday? Am I grateful for the people that are place in my life that truly love me?

I know in my own life I’m so thankful to God for my vocation of being a priest and a Franciscan. Which has given me opportunities to serve him in ways that I can’t imagine. I’ve had many challenges in my life that at the time I wish I wasn’t going through them but I know it made me a stronger person that can help others from my experiences. I’m blessed by the brothers in my community, the people that I minister to and my family and friends who give me so much love and support. So as I sit with my family around the table (with the delicious food that my mom has put so much love into) I will truly be grateful for another year of blessings that he has bestowed upon me and my family this past year.

May you and your families and friends have a blessed Thanksgiving and may we
“give thanks to you, O LORD, with all of my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple.” (Psalm 138)

Love,
Fr. Phil

Priesthood Sunday

2009-10-25T23:01:00.005-04:00

The following is from the Friar's Corner column that was published this weekend in the parish bulletin.

Today, in every parish in our country we are celebrating Priesthood Sunday. It’s a day to celebrate all the priests that have made an impact on our lives. A day to say “thank you” to these men who each and everyday give themselves completely to God and his church. Now I’m not saying this because I’m a priest myself (even though it does help to understand what it is to be a priest in today’s society). I’m speaking on my own experience of the priests that were present to my family and I who have been present on different occasions in our lives. It could have been those joyous occasions of celebrating a baptism or marriage. Could have been those occasions that are as difficult as the priest gave the last rites to a dying family member or blessed their casket as it was brought into the church.

What is it to be a priest? A priest is to be a man that is in love with God. A man that spends his time in prayer He is a man that is a “father” to those he ministers to. He gives them consolation and peace. He also challenges them to love God and neighbor. He gives them a hug in times of sorrow and joy. He is there to welcome the new members of the church community by the sacrament of baptism. He hears their confessions and gives them the peace of being forgiven. He celebrates the Eucharistic feast in which his “children” are fed forever. He brings man and woman together in front of God and his church to create the bond that will bring them together until “death do us part.” He anoints the sick and comforts them in their hour of need. This is the priest that represents not his own priesthood but he shares the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. In everything that he does it is to bring the love of Christ to all those that he encounters.

On May 12, 2007, I celebrated my “First Mass”, at my home parish. Of course this was an overwhelming experience. The day before I was ordained a priest and now here I was returning as a priest to the place where I was baptized, received First Communion and Confirmation. The place where I would gather with my family every week to celebrate Mass. In this place where I met friends and enjoyed many festive moments at parish events. Here I was coming back to preside for the first time at my “First Mass”. As communion was finished being distributed I returned to my chair and the choir began a hymn that was personally composed for this grand event. I would like to share with you the verses of the song. “Thank you, my Lord for your peace and love. For all that you have done for me: for the great happiness of being a priest today; the vocation that you have given me. Each day that passes I ask for strength from your grace. For your love, your kindness; that you have always given me strength to follow my journey in walking on your way. On this my journey searching your way, I sense your love. Always stay by my side! Many times do I say ‘thank you’. Thank you my Lord!”

On this Year for the Priest and Priesthood Sunday I truly give God thanks for all that he has given me. I thank him for this beautiful vocation to the Priesthood that even in my two and half years I have seen him working great things in my life. I also thank you my dear brothers and sisters. You are my support on this journey. You have truly welcomed me with open arms and for this I’m ever grateful. Let us thank God for the beauty of the Priesthood and let us encourage our young men to pursue a life of peace and joy in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Love,
Fr. Phil

Friar's Corner

2009-10-13T06:20:00.001-04:00

It was hard to believe when I turned the page on my calendar that right there in bold words it read “October”. Even though the summer went too quickly, I do enjoy this time of year. I love the beautiful color of the leaves, the brisk cool weather, and just the beauty of change from one season to the next. Even though it seems so natural for mother nature to change it’s not as easy for us to change. I know that when a new superior comes to the scene if that might be at our workplace, our schools or even at our church community we worry about change. What are they doing? We always did it that way? What’s wrong with the way that it’s been done?

Even though we don’t care for change, it’s good for us. In my religious community we don’t usually stay in a place for very long and it’s always difficult to leave a ministry both for the friar and the faithful that the friar ministers too. Even though it’s difficult, there is a wisdom behind this practice. It’s good for the friar to not be attached to a ministry and for the people to be exposed to different styles of being led to God.

This leads to reflect on how have we changed. We all need to change, it makes us grow especially in our faith journey. Are we still working on our bad habits? Do we have any desire to break away from them? How are our prayers lives coming along? Have they become stagnant? Are we so stubborn in our prayer lives, that we refuse to spice it up a little bit. As Emeril Lagasse, a well known American chef (born and raised in my hometown) says in his program, when he adds spice to his dishes, “BAM!!” We need to “BAM!!” our prayer lives that constantly need change. We need to be open to different prayer models. Are we open to constructive criticism? Even though we might not see are own faults, we need to be open to others who can give us an objective opinion on what needs to be changed in our lives. I know this can be difficult because we tend to be proud even if we are not prideful people, it’s not always easy for someone to tell us our own faults.

So my dear brothers and sisters as we enjoy this beauty of autumn with it arrays of change and color may we always be open to change and to the betterment of ourselves especially when it comes to our spiritual lives. Also as we continue to celebrate Mary in a particular way this month may she intercede for us. O Virgin Mother give us the grace to do the will of your son and if there is anything in our lives that keeps us from completely loving him let us be aware of that and be given the strength to let go and to change from ways that are not holy to a sanctified life. We ask this in your son’s name who lives forever with the Father and his Holy Spirit. Amen.

Love,
Fr. Phil

Solemnity of our Holy Father Francis of Assisi

2009-10-04T09:49:00.003-04:00

The homily that I delievered for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Happy feast day!

Throughout all Franciscan churches and chapels throughout the world the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi is being celebrated. I believe that St. Francis of Assisi is a saint that is known by many people even including non Catholics. Unfortunately St. Francis at times is portrayed as a bird bath. Francis was a man beyond loving the animals and creation even though it was a part of who he was. He was a man that made such an impact that 800 years later there are men and women who profess his way of life.

Who is this little man who lived in Assisi so many years ago? As I shared in my Friar’s Corner last week, he was a man that loved to party and spend his father’s money, who was a merchant in town that sold exquisite fabrics. Francis dreamed of being a soldier but instead was captured during the fight in the neighboring town of Perugia. He returned to Assisi in which he became very ill and was bedridden for many months. After these incidents he began to search for spiritual meaning in his life. One of his most intimate moments was at the church of San Damiano in which the cross that was over the altar spoke to him and said, “Francis, go and repair my house, which as you can see is falling into ruins.” Francis began brick by brick rebuilding the church but God was calling him to rebuild not the building but the church itself. After his dramatic scene in the courtyard of the bishop’s residence in which he strips himself of his clothes to symbolize that he no longer belongs to the world but to God. Francis begins to live a life devoted to God in a manner of simplicity. His radical way of life began to attract followers; which in the beginning began with a few brothers that grew to hundreds and by his death thousands were professing this life of the poverello.

What can we get out of this man that professed this way of life so many years ago? I believe St. Francis did not just speak to those so many years ago but he speaks to us directly today. I think of the wonderful classes that are being held on Mondays nights in our parish. Classes that make us aware of the injustices that are being done to our brothers and sisters and to our planet. Francis cared so much of God’s people that he would do anything for them even care for the leopards that he despised so much in his early life. He appreciated creation and saw how God was present through it.

We as a society still are not doing enough to save our plant that has been given to us as a gift from God and are not doing enough to protect the dignity of the human person. We can also learn Francis’ prayer life. In the second reading from St. Paul to the Galatians he says, “Brothers, may I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” St. Francis definitely boasted of the cross of Christ. He at the end of his life was reminded constantly by the passion of Christ as he himself bore the wounds of Christ that he received on Mount La Verna as he was in deep contemplation with our lord.

There is a beautiful prayer that is attributed to Francis that was to believed to be prayed originally before the crucifix at San Damiano. “Most high, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, so that I may carry out Your holy and true command.”

My dear brothers and sisters may we always give praise to our Most high and glorious God who goes beyond our imagination of what God is. May we pray constantly that we are not led into the darkness that is not from God but to be true to our selves and to others. To lead lives that are full of truth and to follow the truth that only God can give us. May we bear always the correct faith that the church gives us. The faith that should nourish us constantly and the faith that we pray each and every person we encounter will share in that same true faith that we hope to embody. May we have hope in our risen Lord who died for our sins and have given us a share in his resurrection. May we not fall into despair as those that have no faith but to have hope in a God that is ready to bestow his mercy upon us and give us his consolation and peace. May we have perfect charity in which we love others as Christ would bestow his love on those that he met. May not anger enter into our hearts but may they be hearts that bleed out of love as Christ bled on the cross because he “laid down his life for his friends.” May we have that sense and knowledge of our faith. May we not become ignorant that we fall from following God completely and truly by the commandments that he gave us. May they not be commandments that becomes a rule book but let them become commandments of love in which we know that if we are faithful to them then we become closer to him that we should desire more completely.

St. Francis of Assisi intercede for us and as Psalm 16 states, “Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast to my lot.”

Friar's Corner

2009-09-29T14:19:00.003-04:00

Next weekend is a special weekend for Fr. Mike, myself, and all our Franciscan brothers and sisters throughout the world. We will gather together in different churches and chapels to commemorate the passing of Francis of Assisi and his entry into heaven with a transitus service, blessings of animals and Solemn Masses. It truly is a great celebration for us as friars since St. Francis of Assisi is our founder and also for the church at large because of the impact that he left on this earth.

Francis, the son of Pietro di Bernadorne and Pica Bourlemont was born in Assisi and was baptized Giovanni after John the Baptist but the father always referred to him as Francesco because of his great interest in all things French and did not appreciate the association of Giovanni (John) to a religious leader. Francis grew to be a man that enjoyed hanging out with friends, appreciating the beauty of the ladies of the town, throwing grand parties and also wanted to be a great soldier. In 1201 he joined an expedition to Perugia but was captured. He returned to Assisi and in 1205 became very ill. After these incidents he began his journey of converting from his old ways. His most intimate encounter with God was at the church of San Damiano where the image of Christ on the cross was made alive and spoke to Francis in these words, “Francis, go and repair my house, which as you can see is falling into ruins.” Francis thought these words were referring to repairing the actual church but God was calling him to great things.

After Francis was touched by the words from Matthew 10:9 which Jesus tells his disciples, “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.” Francis was attracted to a way of life in which he had no possessions. By the end of his first year he had 11 followers. Where they went out in two throughout the world to live out the gospel message. In 1209, St. Francis and his followers went to Rome to meet with the pope to get approval for his way of life. The pope did not immediately give him permission but after having a dream of Francis holding the basilica of St. John Lateran (the cathedral of Rome). The pope saw this as a sign of greatness and he granted him permission.

Today in the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), 15,000 friars minister in parishes, hospitals, schools, soup kitchens, and the list goes on ministering to our brothers and sisters in Christ in the name of the gospel that we profess. May we follow that great example of St. Francis of Assisi to truly preach the gospel and live out as humble and obedient servants. "Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name. Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures.."(Canticle of the Sun).

Love,
Fr. Phil

St. Joseph of Cupertino

2009-09-18T13:20:00.002-04:00

Today in the Franciscan liturgical calendar we celebrate the Memorial of St. Joseph of Cupertino. He is one of my favorites. A simple but humble and prayerful friar. Below is a clip of the movie The Reluctant Saint. Enjoy!

Feast of the Holy Cross

2009-09-14T09:49:00.000-04:00

Friar's Corner

2009-09-14T07:45:00.002-04:00

This weekend we kick off the year for religious education. It will be great to see the children return from their summer break into our parish center to continue their studies of the faith. Of course it will be great for me since it’s my first year here at SFX this will give me the opportunity to meet the children and share the faith with them. Next Sunday on September 20th we will be celebrating in our church Catechetical Sunday. This year’s theme will be “Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word.”

What a great theme to focus on! To put emphasis on the Word of God which truly nourishes us every time that it is read and proclaimed. Unfortunately, Catholics tend to still shy away from the bible and believe it’s something that only the clergy should be reading. Yes, we do have the understanding that the Church interprets scripture but this shouldn’t prevent us from reading, meditating and even at possible join scripture groups to really go in deeper into what the word is saying.

In Dei Verbum, the Vatican II document on Sacred Scripture states in paragraph 21 that, “For in the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven meets His children with great love and speaks with them; and the force and power in the word of God is so great that it stands as the support and energy of the Church, the strength of faith for her sons, the food of the soul, the pure and everlasting source of spiritual life. Consequently these words are perfectly applicable to Sacred Scripture: "For the word of God is living and active" (Heb. 4:12) and "it has power to build you up and give you your heritage among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32; see 1 Thess. 2:13).”

Sacred Scripture is truly the “food of the soul.” We are reminded constantly that we are fed by the Eucharist and how true that is but we also need to realize that the word is as important because it does feed us. Every time that Sacred Scripture is proclaimed, God is made present and speaks to us. We need to be opened and be fed by the word that constantly give us the nourishment we need for the spiritual journey.

I would encourage the catechists of our parish as they begin this new year to be lovers of the word. Bring the word into your discussions with your students. You don’t have to make it “boring” but to bring it alive into acting out the characters that are read in the scripture. At my last assignment we had a wonderful practice that was done at every class, meeting, or any kind of parish function which was called the “Question of the Week.” A scripture passage (usually the gospel) would be read from the previous Sunday’s liturgy and then the question would be read and then those present were invited to ponder what the scripture meant to them. It was such a beautiful practice because throughout the week the parish would focus on the scriptures.

My brothers and sisters we need to understand that the scriptures are not to end at Mass but we should bring them into our everyday living. How can we get our young people excited about the scriptures if they don’t see it in ourselves. So I wish all our parishioners that are involved in our religious education program a blessed and fruitful year and let us proclaim the Word of God with love, truth and sincerity always.

Love,
Fr. Phil

Blessed Theresa of Calcutta

2009-09-05T06:30:00.002-04:00

Follow more closely the Gospel....

2009-09-02T15:33:00.004-04:00

On this anniversary of my Solemn Profession, I wanted to remind myself of the vows that I professed. I ask that you pray for me and my all Franciscan brothers that we live out the same zeal that St. Francis lived out each and everyday of our lives.

To the praise and glory of the Most Holy Trinity! I, Brother Philip Pacheco, led by divine inspiration, desire to follow more closely the Gospel and footprints of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the presence of the assembled brothers, placing my hands in yours, Brother Robert, with firm faith and will I vow to God the Father, holy and almighty, to live all the days of my life in obedience, without anything of my own, and in chastity.

I promise to observe faithfully the Life and Rule of the Friars Minor, confirmed by Pope Honorius III, according to the Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor.

Therefore, with all my heart, I entrust myself to this brotherhood, that through the working of the Holy Spirit, the example of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the intercession of our Father Francis and all the Saints, and with the help of my brothers, I may, in the service of God, the Church and humankind seek the perfection of charity.

Friar's Corner

2009-08-30T22:58:00.002-04:00

I had the blessing a couple of weeks ago to officiate at my cousin’s wedding. It truly was a joyous occasion. First for me to be able to officiate at my cousin’s wedding and to spend some time with family, which is always turns out to be a grand old time. As my cousin and his new wife begin their journey as husband and wife it led to reflect on commitment. Here is this young couple committing their lives to each other for the rest of their days. It truly is such a beautiful act but unfortunately there is much that is against them. We live in a society that has lose it’s sense of a commitment. We just have to look around and it becomes very real. We see how the numbers of those getting married have dropped, men and women not entering priesthood and religious life and even in the workforce it’s common for people to have a few different positions in their lifetimes where at one time it wasn’t uncommon to see a person work in the same company most of their working life.

Why has this become a reality in our society? Why don’t people have that sense of commitment anymore? It could be many things. I believe some of the reasons that have caused this is that we have sugarcoated everything that we do when it comes to our young people. We really haven’t taught them to be proud and to persevere in what they choose to do. We even got to the point in some school systems to frown upon correcting paper in red ink because it might upset the child. Parents don’t parent anymore but instead want to be their children’s friends. My brothers and sisters we need to stop the INSANITY! We really need to challenge our young people to be the good and faithful citizens and Catholics that they are called to be. We need to instill in them a sense of belonging and responsibility. To let them know that it’s good to commit to something. Yes, we shouldn’t rush into commitments and I would strongly suggest to anyone that is ready to make a commitment to truly discern their decision.

We have to come to the realization that commitment is good! That it gives the person a sense of accomplishment and pride in what they have persevered. I know in my own life that it was quite a big step for me to commit myself to a vowed life of poverty, chastity and obedience in the ministerial Priesthood. I know that it will not be easy and some days will come with it’s many challenges but I know there is so many blessings that comes along with this life that I gave over to God and his church. It also gives me an opportunity to freely give myself to those in need.

So my dear brothers and sisters, when you feel that you want to abandon ship let us look at the example that Christ left us. Here is a man that knew he had a mission. He was to teach, heal, and become the sacrificial lamb. He put himself last especially on that Good Friday as he carried his cross to Calvary and he committed himself to those he loved so much that they no longer be slaves to sin but freed from it so that they can gain eternal life.

So let us continue on this journey in the sense of perseverance and let us be the good and faithful servants we are called to be.

Love,
Fr. Phil

May God who begun this good work...

2009-08-29T20:55:00.006-04:00

This video was done for the Archdiocese of New York. Truly a powerful video. Have you invited someone to think about the Priesthood?

Year of the Priest

2009-08-18T22:47:00.003-04:00

I found this image done for the Year of the Priest. I thought it was pretty cool and I would like to share it with you. Please continue to pray for me and my brother priests that we always do God's will and bring souls to God.

Friar's Corner

2009-08-18T22:45:00.001-04:00

On August 3rd at 9:15 p.m. my family and I received a wonderful gift from God. Isabella Lucia Faria was born into the world weighing 7 lbs 11 ounces and 20 inches long. Isabella Lucia is my first niece and I instantly became a proud uncle for the first time especially after I saw her beautiful picture as it was sent to my cell the evening that she was born. I would have never imagined that this little precious gift from God would make such an impact on my life. Of course I couldn’t wait to see this beautiful child in person, so the following day I had to make the trip to Fall River, Ma. and see for myself the beauty that I saw in that picture.

As I entered the hospital room and saw Isabella in my sister’s arms my heart was overflowed with joy. I could hardly wait to pick her up and hold her in my arms. As I sat in the chair and little Isabella Lucia was brought to me; I instantly looked at her beautiful head which was covered with an abundance of hair, her cute little nose, her upper lip as it was pointed up to the heavens, the little chubby cheeks that I couldn’t resist in laying my fingers against, that I was reminded how our God is an awesome God. Here I was sitting in a hospital room just looking at this child and through this child God reminded me how much he loves me. How much he cares for us and the complete trust that he puts in us as he gives us his beautiful creation.

Pope John Paul II in his 1985 encyclical “Dominum et Vivificantem” in paragraph ten states, “At the same time, the Holy Spirit, being consubstantial with the Father and the Son in divinity, is love and uncreated gift from which derives as from its source (fons vivus) all giving of gifts vis-a-vis creatures (created gift): the gift of existence to all things through creation; the gift of grace to human beings through the whole economy of salvation. As the Apostle Paul writes: "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us." (Romans 5:5)

How true that statement is in my life on how God’s love that is always present and how it is made present through creation such as through the little child that I call my niece and how this gift has made God ever present.

This brings to mind on how many times I have ignored the gifts that God provides to me each and every day. It could be the good health that I have, the roof that is over my head, the wonderful family and friends that are in my life who give me so much love and support. I should even be thankful for the challenges that come my way. Even though it’s not easy to ever be given challenges I know in the end I do grow from the experience.

My dear brothers and sisters, if we haven’t truly acknowledged the gifts that God has given you, now is the time to really reflect and appreciate the things and situations that have been given to us out of love. I like to end this Friar’s Corner with the refrain from the song Awesome God, “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love, Our God is an awesome God.”

Love,
Fr. Phil

Happy Feast of St. John Vianney

2009-08-04T09:56:00.001-04:00

Welcome Isabella Lucia

2009-08-04T06:21:00.002-04:00

My niece Isabella Lucia Faria was born around 9 p.m. last night. She is 7 lbs 11 ounces and 20 inches long. I'm truly a proud uncle. My sister is doing well and can't believe she's the mother of this beautiful baby girl. Thank you all for your prayers and I'm sure once I get more pictures I will be posting them.

Friar's Corner

2009-08-04T06:17:00.002-04:00

At the time of this writing I just came back from my third visit to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. I was naïve enough to think that one visit to the DMV I would be able to accomplish in getting a drivers license and registering my vehicle. How wrong I was! Going through different lines, paying all kinds of fees and spending an incredible amount of time just waiting that I realized that I’m not as patient as I thought I was.

I think this is due to the instant results that I expect each and every day. I begin my day with a cup of coffee that I get in a couple of minutes, my newspaper is always expected to be there early in the morning, I surf the net on my speedy broadband network and don’t expect to wait very long when I load up videos or download programs. I know that this mentality of instant results does not always exist in all societies. This became a reality when I spent five years as a seminarian in Italy. Where the attitude is that life is too short and it needs to be savored. Of course I eventually stopped fighting this mentality and went along with the crowd but once I arrived back here in the USA I went back to my old ways.

What a society we would live in if we were just more patient with each other and with ourselves. How many more smiles we would encounter as we approach the counter for a particular service. The friendly waves to let us go by when we are waiting to exit a parking lot, not feeling rushed when we truly need a listening ear when things are going wrong in our lives.

If you were to look up the word “patience” in a dictionary you would find several definitions. I found the following appropriate of what I find is patient, “quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.”

In my last Friars Corner column I mentioned about appreciating the “quiet days” of summer. Just reflect on how we feel after a summer that we took it easy and how we tend to be more “patient” with the slow pace of life. If we can work on our patience then we won’t be easily irritated when things don’t go our way (even if we encounter rules that seems to be made up as we reach the DMV counter). When we become patient then we can truly live out the commandment that Christ left us, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (Jn 13:34)

So my dear brothers and sisters as we continue on this journey which at times can be difficult and challenges us let us remind ourselves of the song Charlie Chaplin composed, “Smile”, “You must keep on trying, Smile, what's the use of crying,
You'll find that life is still worth-while, If you just smile.”

The Feast of the Porziuncola

2009-08-01T11:28:00.001-04:00

Friar's Corner

2009-07-18T22:10:00.001-04:00

The dog days of summer are here and especially as New Englanders we look forward to this time of year. After a long and cold winter we gather together with family and friends around our picnic tables as we enjoy our typical summer treats such as burgers, watermelons, ice cream and the list goes on. We also use this time do take some time away from our hectic schedules. We use this opportunity to either go on a trip that we have saved for or just stay around the house to get some R and R or work on house projects. Whatever we do this summer things do slow down a bit. The days are longer and it just seems we have a bit more of time on our hands. How could we truly utilize this great season of summer?

The song, Sacred Silence comes to mind as I think of these summer months. In the refrain of this beautiful song we hear these words; “Sacred silence, holy ocean, gentle water, washing over me. Help me listen, Holy Spirit, come and speak to me.” As we go through these days of summer and find ourselves in the quiet moments of the season, are we truly listening to the sacred silence? Are we listening to the beauty of creation around us? Are we listening to the beauty of the ocean as it hit’s the sand? . The gentle breeze that goes through the trees as it whispers a beautiful sound in our ears. The grand mountains that reaches to the heavens as it speaks of it’s beauty through our sense of sight.

We go through life at such a fast pace that we truly lose the sense of what’s going on. We truly forget that God is speaking to us through the creation he has created. We can become too busy with our work, family obligations, internet, Facebook, blackberries and the list goes on. The season of summer is the time that we stop and refrain from these areas and truly appreciate these moments to truly listen.

Pope John Paul II said, “"How could we not feel surrounded by the love of God who opens before us the book of nature and invites us to read there the signs of his presence and tenderness? Far from daily life, which is often frantic and unfortunately sometimes alienating, in this delightful mountain spot we have the opportunity to rediscover the grandeur of God and man in the beauty of creation, and we are invited to achieve a fuller harmony with the Artisan of the universe."

Now is the time for us to truly take back our precious time of silence. Let us not fall into a society that constantly steals our time away from us and convinces us that the silence is just a waste of time. What is a waste of time is if we don’t truly give our minds, souls and body rest. They just become exhausted and we will not be able to use the gifts that God has given us to its fullest potential.

So enjoy these upcoming weeks of the summer and let the “Holy Spirit come and speak to me.”

Love,
Fr. Phil

Happy Birthday America

2009-07-04T06:03:00.002-04:00

Happy Independence Day. I'm thankful for the United States of America for the great opportunities it provides for us. I truly love the USA. God bless America! Thank you to our troops for truly sacrificing their lives to protect our freedom.

My Lord and My God

2009-07-03T10:04:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T05:49:00.001-04:00

To my dad and all dads a blessed Father's Day!

Feast of Corpus Christi

2009-06-14T08:16:00.000-04:00

St. Anthony of Padua

2009-06-13T10:20:00.002-04:00

St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I ask you to obtain for me the favors that I seek.

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.
O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was full of sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be held in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever by yours.

Congratulations Fr. Jose Carballo

2009-06-04T13:51:00.002-04:00

Fr. Jose Carballo has been re-elected to lead the 15,000 friars of the Order of Friars Minor for the next six years. My World congratulates his Most Reverend and wishes him all the best as he leads the order.

Happy Pentecost

2009-05-31T08:23:00.001-04:00

2009 American Idol

2009-05-22T09:21:00.001-04:00

Our Lady of Fatima

2009-05-13T07:01:00.001-04:00

Thanksgiving for my 2nd Anniversary to the Priesthood

2009-05-12T08:08:00.003-04:00

Father, unworthy as I am, you have chosen me to share in the eternal priesthood of Christ and the ministry of your Church. May I be an ardent but gentle servant of your gospel and your sacraments. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer: Roman Missal

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T07:43:00.002-04:00

Dear God, on this day that we honor mothers, may we draw strength from the mothers who went before us. May we remember Jochebed, mother of Moses, who gave her son over to God's prvidence when forces that threatened him were beyound her control. May we remember the mother of Mary, Saint Anne, who helped her daughter learn an openess to God's will. May we remember Saint Monica, who suffered an abusive spouse and her son's poor choices, but lived to see her child return to God. Most of all we remember Mary, though she watched her child suffer and die she saw his resurrection and glory and was in turn glorified by him. May our mothers imitate the same love that Jochebed, Saint Anne, Saint Monica and Mary had for their children. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

We will miss you

2009-04-26T07:37:00.004-04:00

Bea Arthur died yesterday in her home in Los Angeles. She is one of my favorite actresses that brought many laughs especially in her roles as Maude and Dorothy on the Golden Girls. Bea may you rest in eternal peace.

Pope's Message to the Franciscans

2009-04-22T07:03:00.002-04:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Franciscan family!

With great joy I welcome you all at this happy and historic occasion that has gathered you all together: the eighth centenary of the approval of the "protoregola" [monastic rule] of St. Francis by Pope Innocent III. Eight hundred years have passed, and those dozen friars have become a multitude, scattered all over the world and now here, by you, worthily represented. In recent days you have gathered in Assisi for what you wanted to call the "Chapter of Mats" to recall your origins. And at the end of this extraordinary experience you have come together with the "Signor Papa" [Lord Pope], as your seraphic founder would say. I greet you all with affection: the Friars Minor of the three branches, guided by the respective Ministers General, among whom I thank Father José Rodriguez Carballo for his kind words, the members of the Third Order, with their Minister General; the Franciscan women religious and members of the Franciscan secular institutes, and knowing them spiritually present, the Poor Clares, which constitute the "second order."

I am pleased to welcome some Franciscan bishops, and in particular I greet the bishop of Assisi, Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, who represents the Church of Assisi, the home of Francis and Clare, and spiritually, of all the Franciscans. We know how important it was for Francis, the link with the bishop of Assisi at the time, Guido, who acknowledged his charisma and supported it. It was Guido who presented Francis to Cardinal Giovanni of St. Paul, who then introduced him to the Pope and encouraged the adoption of the Rule. Charism and institution are always complementary for the edification of the Church.

What should I tell you, dear friends? First of all I would like to join you in giving thanks to God for the path that he has marked out for you, filling you with his benefits. And as Pastor of the Church, I want to thank him for the precious gift that you are for the entire Christian people. From the small stream that flowed from the foot of Mount Subasio, it has formed a great river, which has made a significant contribution to the universal spread of the Gospel. It all began from the conversion of Francis, who, following the example of Jesus "emptied himself" (cf. Phil 2:7) and, by marrying Lady Poverty, became a witness and herald of the Father who is in heaven. To the "Poverello" [little poor man], one can apply literally some expressions that the apostle Paul uses to refer to himself and which I like to remember in this Pauline Year: "I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And this life, I live in the flesh, I live by faith of the Son of God who has loved me and given himself for me" (Gal. 2:19-20). And again: "From now on let no one bother me: for I wear the marks of Jesus on my body" (Gal 6:17).

Francis reflects perfectly the footsteps of Paul and in truth can say with him: "For me, to live is Christ" (Phil 1:21). He has experienced the power of divine grace and he is as one who has died and risen. All his previous wealth, any source of pride and security, everything becomes a "loss" from the moment of encounter with the crucified and risen Jesus (cf. Phil 3:7-11). The leaving of everything at that point becomes almost necessary to express the abundance of the gift received. A gift so great as to require a total detachment, which itself isn't enough; it requires a entire life lived "according to the form of the holy Gospel" (2 Tests, 14: the Franciscan Sources, 116).

And here we come to the point that surely lies at the heart of our meeting. I would summarize it as follows: the Gospel as a rule of life. "The Rule and life of the Friars Minor is this, to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" this is what Francis writes at the beginning of his Rule (Rb I, 1: FF, 75). He defined himself entirely in the light of the Gospel. This is his charm. This is his enduring relevance. Thomas of Celano relates that the Poverello "always held himself in the heart of Jesus. Jesus on the lips, Jesus in his ears, Jesus is his eyes, Jesus in his hands, Jesus in all the other members [...] In fact finding himself often traveling and meditating or singing about Jesus, he would forget he was traveling and would stop to invite all creatures to praise Jesus" (1 Cel., II, 9, 115: FF115). So the Poverello has become a living gospel, able to attract to Christ men and women of all ages, especially young people, who prefer radical idealism to half-measures. The Bishop of Assisi, Guido, and then Pope Innocent III recognized in the proposal of Francis and his companions the authenticity of the Gospel, and knew how to encourage their commitment for the good of the Church.

Here is a spontaneous reflection: Francis could have also not gone to the Pope. Many religious groups and movements were forming during that time, and some of them were opposed to the Church as an institution, or at least didn't seek the Churches' approval. Certainly a polemical attitude towards the hierarchy would have won Francis many followers. Instead, he immediately thought to put his journey and that of his companions into the hands of the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Peter. This fact reveals his true ecclesial spirit. The little "we" that had started with his first friars he conceived from the outset inside the context of the great "we" of the one and universal Church. And the Pope recognized and appreciated this. The Pope, in fact, on his part, could have not approved the project of the life of Francis. Indeed, we can well imagine that among the collaborators of Innocent III, some counseled him to that effect, perhaps fearing that his group of monks would end up resembling other heretical groups and pauperisms of the time. Instead the Roman Pontiff, well informed by the Bishop of Assisi and Cardinal Giovanni of St. Paul, was able to discern the initiative of the Holy Spirit and welcomed, blessed and encouraged the nascent community of "Friars Minor."

Dear brothers and sisters, eight centuries have passed, and now you have wanted to renew this gesture of your founder. You are all sons and heirs of those origins, of that "good seed" which was Francis, who was conformed to the "grain of wheat" which is the Lord Jesus, died and risen to bring forth much fruit (cf. Jn 12:24). The saints propose anew the fruitfulness of Christ. As Francis and Clare of Assisi, you also commit yourselves to follow the same logic: to lose your lives for Jesus and the Gospel, to save them and make them abundantly fruitful. While you praise and thank the Lord who has called you to be part of such a great and beautiful family, stay attentive to what the Spirit says to it today, in each of its components, to continue to proclaim with passion the Kingdom of God, the footsteps of your seraphic father. Every brother and every sister should keep always a contemplative mood, happy and simple; always begin from Christ, as Francis set out from the gaze of the Crucifix of San Damiano and from the meeting with the leper, to see the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters who suffer and bring to all his peace. Be witnesses to the "beauty" of God, which Francis was able to sing contemplating the wonders of creation, and that made him exclaim to the Most High: "You are beauty!" (Praises of God Most High, 4.6: FF 261).

Dear friends, the last word I would like to leave with you is the same that the risen Jesus gave to his disciples: "Go!" (cf. Mt 28:19, Mk 16:15). Go and continue to "repair the house" of the Lord Jesus Christ, his Church. In recent days, the earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region has severely damaged many churches, and you from Assisi know what this means. But there is another "ruin" that is far more serious: that of people and communities! Like Francis, always start with yourselves. We are the first house that God wants to restore. If you are always able to renew yourselves in the spirit of the Gospel, you will continue to assist the pastors of the Church to make more and more beautiful the Church's face, that of the bride of Christ. The Pope, now the same as then, expects this of you. Thank you for coming! Now go and bring to all the peace and love of Christ the Savior. May Mary Immaculate, "Virgin made Church" (cf. Greetings to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1 FF, 259), accompany you always. And may my Apostolic Blessing, which I cordially impart to all of you here present, and the entire Franciscan family, support you as well.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T08:41:00.000-04:00

Good Friday

2009-04-10T08:38:00.000-04:00

Holy Thursday

2009-04-09T16:43:00.001-04:00

Monday of Holy Week

2009-04-06T09:19:00.002-04:00

How would you feel if you were living in exile, your nation was ruled by foreign kings, and your capital city lay in ruins?

That was the situation of the Israelites living in Babylon after Jerusalem fell in 587 b.c. And those are the people to whom this passage was first addressed. It’s the first of what scholars call the “Servant Songs,” because in it, God promises to restore his people through his special servant.

Who was this mysterious servant? We are told that he would be God’s chosen one and that the Holy Spirit would rest on him. What’s more surprising, he would not be a conquering hero but he would work humbly, “not making his voice heard in the street.” He would favor the weak. He would not “snuff out” the broken. And he would bring “the victory of justice” not just to Israel but to the whole world (Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7).

As we ponder Jesus’ passion and death, we can see that Jesus himself is the servant the prophet spoke of. Jesus spent his whole life pouring himself out as a servant, humbling himself so that he could lift us up. Consider: When Judas came to betray him, Jesus spoke respectfully and called him “friend” (Matthew 26:50). After the Romans scourged him, humiliated him, and nailed him on a cross, he prayed for their forgiveness (Luke 23:34). And instead of condemning the repentant thief, he promised him: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (23:43). He never stopped giving, never stopped loving.

Think about all the situations you encounter where you are challenged to take on the forgiving and compassionate attitude of Christ. When a close friend acts in a way that totally contradicts your values. When you love and care for someone, but they reject you. When you are ridiculed for doing the right thing. Our fallen human nature is simply not able to handle situations like these. And that’s exactly why we need Jesus. Only he can mold us into servants. Only as his mercy melts our hearts will we accept the grace to show mercy to the people around us. Then we will become like Jesus, the humble, gentle Servant of the Lord.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Saturday of the 5th week of Lent

2009-04-04T10:48:00.001-04:00

Friday of the 5th week of Lent

2009-04-03T15:43:00.002-04:00

The Jewish leaders had to admit that there was actually some good in Jesus.

He was awakening sincere faith in many people, and was even convincing sinners to return to God. But now he made a statement they just couldn’t stand for. He had already called himself the “Son of God,” which was troubling enough. Now he claimed he was equal to God! Picking up rocks, they closed in on Jesus, intending to silence his blasphemy once and for all.

If we were faced with this situation, we might want to look for the easy way out. But Jesus responded directly to his attackers: “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” (John 10:32). Jesus wasn’t trying to show off his miracle-working power; he just wanted them to see the Father’s love. He wasn’t trying to claim any glory for himself, either. All he wanted to do was give glory to his Father.

Nor would we ever wish to deny Jesus. How could we possibly keep quiet about him? He is the one behind all the works of mercy that the church does around the world. He is the one behind every word of love, reconciliation, and hope that we speak. It is Christ himself who gives us our strength. It is only because he has touched our hearts, taken away our sins, and filled us with his Spirit that we can minister his love and provision to others.

To keep our witness strong, we too need to be connected to the Father. We should always strive to put our relationship with him above everything else in our lives. This is the only way we can continue to receive his inspiration, power, and grace. Then, when our faith is challenged, we can respond with the one thing that will convince a skeptical heart: the love of Jesus. When others see Christ in our words and actions, they will be drawn to him, and they will know that he is the answer they have been looking for.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Thursday of the 5th week of Lent

2009-04-02T06:55:00.002-04:00

If you had to wait a long time for something, even for something important, would you have the patience of Abraham and Sarah?

When Abraham was seventy-five years old, God first promised to make a great nation spring from him, even though he was childless (Genesis 12:1-4). Now Abraham is ninety-nine, Sarah is ninety, and God is telling them to get ready! Then, at just the right time, Isaac is born, and from him and his descendants come God’s chosen people, Israel.
Some waiting is filled with eager expectation, like anticipating the visit of a close friend after many years’ absence. However, having to wait for something that we really want can be distressing, especially if we’re uncertain if or when it will happen. We may grow restless, anxious, and doubtful, or feel trapped and impatient. But when we let these feelings get the better of us, we’re like a bird that madly hurls itself against the bars of its cage—we only make the problem worse.

Waiting on the Lord isn’t supposed to be an exercise in frustration; it’s an opportunity to exercise our faith! Take Abraham as your model. Abraham put his trust in God and saw beyond his circumstances, believing that God could accomplish whatever he promised. We have inherited that promise, which God fulfilled for us by raising his only Son from the dead. Nothing is impossible for him. But as Abraham’s story shows, sometimes the impossible takes a bit longer!

What are you waiting for right now? Perhaps you’ve been praying for someone who is in a desperate situation with health or finances, or perhaps you are in such a situation yourself. Perhaps you’ve been praying for the conversion of someone who is far from God. If you have done what you can, trust God to do the rest! You may not see what you’re looking for right away, but that doesn’t mean that God has abandoned you. He is at work even now, forming you more deeply during this time of waiting. He knows what is best for you. Abraham and Sarah are proof that no matter how long you have to wait, God’s time is always the appointed time!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Wednesday of the 5th week of Lent

2009-04-01T06:57:00.002-04:00

What goes through your mind when you hear Jesus say that if you remain in his word you will know the truth, which will set you free?

What does it mean to “remain” in his “word”? Could it mean memorizing Scripture or frequent reading of the Bible or perhaps being part of a Bible study group? At one level, this is certainly true. How can we abide in something unfamiliar to us? But Jesus is calling us to something that goes much deeper than a general familiarity with the Bible or a superficial understanding of what he taught and said during his earthly ministry.

To remain, or abide, in Jesus’ word means moving from the external to the internal and letting his word penetrate our hearts. It means keeping his promises in the forefront of our minds and keeping his presence on our hearts so that we can surrender to him and be formed into his image. It means accepting and building up the good in us so that evil has no room to dwell—no room to “abide.”

We know that there are obstacles to abiding in Jesus’ word, things that have to go if we want to remain in his presence. That’s why we need to be alert for any sin or evil in our hearts and say no to anything that would lure us away from his presence.
But even more than just turning away from sin, we should be sure to celebrate and enhance the good that God has placed within us. If you feel moved to take on an act of kindness, do it. If you have an opportunity to give someone an encouraging word, go ahead—because in your heart you’re doing it for the sake of Christ, and that moves you more deeply into his word and commands.

It’s the little things that we do during the day that keep us rooted in Jesus, not just the huge, dramatic decisions we make from time to time. That’s how intimately involved in our lives Jesus is. So remain in him today, and watch to see the blessings that will flow.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Tuesday of the 5th week of Lent

2009-04-01T06:53:00.002-04:00

Though holy doctors have uncovered many mysteries and wonders, and devout souls have understood them in this earthly condition of ours, yet the greater part still remains to be unfolded by them, and even to be understood by them. We must then dig deeply in Christ. He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures: however deep we dig, we will never find their end or their limit. Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides. For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ, "In Him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God." The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them, unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exterior labors, and unless it first receives from God very many blessings in the intellect and in the senses, and has undergone long spiritual training. The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it.

meditation: St. John of the Cross

Monday of the 5th week of Lent

2009-03-30T11:46:00.002-04:00

Imagine how Susanna must have felt.

She was known as not only beautiful but godly, a true treasure to her husband. But when two corrupt elders accused her of adultery, her servants immediately believed them. Not only that, even her family accepted the accusations. None of her friends stood with her, either. Only Daniel saw her virtue and worked to prove her accusers wrong.

How affirming Daniel’s belief in her must have been! How good it must have felt to have someone believe in her! So consider this: If Daniel was this passionate in his belief in Susanna’s character, how much more will Jesus stand with us when Satan, the “accuser of our brothers,” tries to wear us down (Revelation 12:10)? Jesus sees the good in us, not just the bad. He doesn’t fall for the malicious whispers of the devil. He can see through Satan because he has already defeated him on the cross, making a “public spectacle” of his conquered foe (Colossians 2:15).
We all have days where it seems we are under attack, either from outside or inside. Maybe something we said was misunderstood, causing people to question our motives. Maybe we made a big mistake and we can’t stop replaying it in our minds. Or maybe we are just feeling downcast and having trouble looking beyond our shortcomings. When you hear voices like these tearing you down, remember who you are: a child of God, who always looks at you with love, pride, and affirmation. He will always stand with you. He will always speak words of encouragement to you. He will always turn aside the accusations of the devil—always!

The next time you feel misunderstood or think you can’t be forgiven, look to the Scriptures and see what the Lord says about you. Remember that in Christ, you are free from all condemnation (Romans 8:1). Remember that you are the apple of your Father’s eye (Psalm 17:8). With God’s word behind you and his presence within you, you can be completely assured that you are worth far more than what the devil or your circumstances may want to tell you!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Sunday of the 5th week of Lent

2009-03-29T08:37:00.000-04:00

Saturday of the 4th week of Lent

2009-03-28T20:05:00.001-04:00

God gave the prophet Jeremiah a challenging mission.

The nation of Judah was being threatened by Babylon. About one hundred years earlier, God had miraculously delivered Jerusalem from another enemy, Assyria (2 Kings 18–19). Cocky about their special status as the chosen people, Jeremiah’s contemporaries were looking for prophetic assurances of deliverance. Instead, Jeremiah gave an unpopular message: You are being punished for your infidelity. Surrender to this enemy, or things will go even worse for you.
No wonder the powers that be tried to silence Jeremiah first by threatening him, then by putting him in the stocks, and finally by throwing him down a well!

Clearly, Jeremiah is a prototype of Jesus, “a trusting lamb led to the slaughter.” Jeremiah prayed, “To you I have entrusted my cause,” and this is echoed in Jesus’ words on the cross: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Jeremiah 11:19,20; Luke 23:46).
Yet there is an important difference. From the depths of his anguish and frustration, Jeremiah cried out to the Lord: “Let me witness the vengeance you take on them” (Jeremiah 11:20). In stark contrast, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jeremiah sought to be delivered from his adversaries, but Jesus willingly surrendered to his enemies so that they could be saved! Only unconditional love could motivate such an attitude.
Because his love is unconditional, Jesus’ sacrifice is all powerful. It makes possible the forgiveness and transformation of God’s enemies, of all of us who have ever set ourselves against God or turned away from his love. And the power of that love is not limited to Jesus alone. It is the same love that God wants to give us, a love that will empower us to forgive those who have hurt us.

Today, come to Jesus with a repentant heart. And bring him the hurts that still fester, the people you can’t quite bring yourself to forgive. Jesus lives in you. He loves you, and he loves your worst enemy. He wants to release this transforming love to set both of you free.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Friday of the 4th week of Lent

2009-03-27T11:46:00.001-04:00

Let us beset the just one. (Wisdom 2:12)

This passage could easily be read as a prophecy about Jesus. He was indeed the “just one” who reproached the Jewish authorities for “transgressions of the law.” He was tortured and put to a “shameful death” for calling God his Father (Wisdom 2:12,19-20). But when it was written, about 200 b.c., its author was referring to Jews living in Egypt who faced persecution from the king. When you think about it, this passage paints a pretty realistic picture of what faithful people of any era may be up against.

Jesus said that a disciple who gives up everything to follow him will receive many blessings—along with “persecutions” (Mark 10:30). Darkness always rebels against the light, and the holiest people, while beloved by many, are often targets of some of the worst hatred and slander. St. Agnes refused to marry a Roman noble, choosing instead to remain a virgin, and was mocked and killed for it. St. Benedict was almost poisoned by monks who refused to accept his fraternal correction. Even Blessed Mother Teresa was ridiculed for her devotion by some secular authors!

Not many of us have to worry about being openly mocked for our faith. Nor should we go seeking out such persecution. However, we can try to have the attitude of the saints. They didn’t worry about what other people were thinking, because they were too busy trying to please God. Jesus told us that “a city set on a mountain cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Well, we’re on the highest mountain of all—the mountain of God’s mercy. And God wants us to let that mercy shine through us!

Sometimes being virtuous means speaking out when we see something wrong. Sometimes it means holding our tongues and praying silently. But most of all it means bringing God’s presence into every situation, even into places where we might face hostility. The Holy Spirit will gladly show us just how loudly—or softly—we should witness to Christ. If we just plant the seeds of his love around us, we have done our part. He will be with us no matter what kind of reaction we receive.

Thursday of the 4th week of Lent

2009-03-27T11:39:00.001-04:00

Annunciation of the Lord

2009-03-25T09:46:00.001-04:00

Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent

2009-03-24T06:58:00.002-04:00

Ezekiel’s words today can fill us with great hope.

He describes a river flowing from the Temple—a river whose waters give healing, life, and fruitfulness to everything it touches. What is amazing is that Ezekiel received this vision during a time of national calamity for the Jews: Jerusalem had been overrun by the armies of Babylon, and the Temple lay in absolute ruin. How could this once-glorious building ever become the source of such marvelous, miraculous healing?

We could ask the same question about the way things looked on Good Friday. Jesus, a rabbi from Nazareth, had been hailed just a week earlier as the One coming in the name of the Lord. Yet here is his bloody body hanging lifeless from a cross. How could anything good possibly come from such a wasted scene?

The answer is the same in both cases: God is all about resurrection and restoration. For the Jews, that meant the reestablishment of Jerusalem as the city of God and the Temple as the place from which all of his blessings and mercies would flow. And for us, that promise of restoration means that the blood that Jesus shed has become a never-ending stream of forgiveness and healing. It means that just as Jesus rose victorious on Easter, we too can rise up from the death of our own sins and be brought into the joy and freedom of a personal relationship with Almighty God.

Just as God gave Ezekiel a vision of the future for Jerusalem, he wants to give us a vision for our lives and for the life of the church. He wants to reveal his ways to us—personally, in our hearts, not just theoretically and in our minds. He wants to show us that he has wonderful plans for our lives.

None of us should resign ourselves to being bound in sin or left to wander in a valley of fear or anxiety. The river of God’s healing is still flowing. It flows to us from the cross every time we look to it for power over sin. It flows from the church every time we celebrate the sacraments. And it flows from our brothers and sisters when we open ourselves to their love.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Monday of the 4th week of Lent

2009-03-24T06:57:00.001-04:00

I am about to create new heavens and a new earth. (Isaiah 65:17)

"I am with you always, to the close of the age". These words of Jesus assure us that in proclaiming and living the Gospel of charity we are not alone. Once again, during this Lent .. he invites us to return to the Father, who is waiting for us with open arms to transform us into living and effective signs of his merciful love.

meditation: Pope John Paul II

Sunday of the 4th week of Lent

2009-03-24T06:55:00.001-04:00

Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent

2009-03-21T10:47:00.001-04:00

Listen carefully to the way Jesus described these two men as they went to pray in the Temple.

The Pharisee “spoke his prayer to himself,” boasting of his life of sacrifice and discipline. You can just see him patting himself on the back, saying, How good I am! How far superior to that miserable tax collector there behind me! (Luke 18:11-12).

By contrast, Jesus portrays the tax collector as praying out of genuine sorrow for his sin. He wasn’t driven by any sense of self-satisfaction or pride in his accomplishments. On the contrary, he seems to have recognized that nothing he did on his own could ever make things right. Instead, he simply confessed his desperate need for divine mercy: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

These two characters offer us a concrete illustration of God’s words to the prophet Hosea centuries earlier: “It is love that I desire, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). God wants our love and affection before he wants our obedience. No amount of sacrifice or good deeds can make us pleasing to him, only a heart that is open to Jesus and the salvation he won for us on the cross. The things we do are very important to God, but on their own they can never make us right with him.

Where the Pharisee revealed a boastful self-reliance, the tax collector showed a humble willingness to turn to God in repentance and trust. If we want to “go home justified” (Luke 18:14) like the tax collector—that is, if we want to know the freedom of a living relationship with God—all we have to do is put aside self-reliance and place our faith in Jesus and the atonement he has already won for us. It may sound like a tall order, but if we spend time with God in prayer and Scripture reading, if we let his word penetrate our hearts, it will happen almost naturally. We will come to know God—and ourselves—far more deeply, and we will begin to love God in a new and intimate way. Then, spurred on by this love, we will happily devote ourselves to building his kingdom and sharing his love with those around us.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Friday of the third week of Lent

2009-03-20T07:02:00.000-04:00

Solemnity of St. Joseph

2009-03-19T07:03:00.001-04:00

Wednesday of the 3rd week of Lent

2009-03-19T06:55:00.002-04:00

"Take care...not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen." (Deuteronomy 4:9)

The experience of the Father’s love urges Christians to give of themselves to others, obeying a logic of service and solidarity in openness to their brothers and sisters. The arenas in which the Church through the centuries has borne witness to God’s love in her word and action are vast.
Still today we see immense areas in which the work of Christians must bring to bear the charity of God. New forms of poverty and the pressing questions which trouble many hearts await a concrete and appropriate response. Those who are lonely, those on the margins of society, the hungry, the victims of violence, those who have no hope must be able to experience, in the Church’s loving care, the tenderness of the Heavenly Father who, from the very beginning of the world, has kept every individual in mind in order to fill each one with his blessings.

meditation: Pope John Paul II

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Lent

2009-03-19T06:52:00.001-04:00

Bon Voyage Holy Father

2009-03-16T19:37:00.002-04:00

We wish the Holy Father safe travels as he heads out tomorrow on his apostolic trip to Africa.

Monday of the 3rd week of Lent

2009-03-16T10:26:00.002-04:00

Now I know that there is no God … except in Israel. (2 Kings 5:15)

Naaman came to Israel just wanting to be healed, but he left knowing God. At first, his approach was purely pragmatic and intellectual. He reasoned: “I have a problem, and there is a prophet in Israel who can help me with it.” What happened along the way that made the difference? The answer is at once both simple and profound: Naaman met God.

Naaman’s conversion shows us that the process of conversion is ultimately a result of God’s power, not just our own logic and seeking. Naaman’s reason told him that the waters of the Jordan River were no different than the rivers in Damascus. In fact, there was nothing special about the Jordan at all. He was offended that Elisha would not even come out to speak with him.

However, when Naaman stepped out of the river, something more than scales and sores fell off of him. Years of accumulated sin and hardness of heart were washed away by an explosion of God’s power and love. Naaman came out a new man, realizing that there was only one true God, and that this God was a force to be reckoned with.

Elisha’s faith and wisdom in this story teach us an important lesson as well. He wasn’t worried about what he would say to Naaman or how he would say it. He was more interested in getting Naaman into a position where he could be open to God’s miraculous work.

This should give us hope as we try to evangelize our friends and family members. We don’t need to have a specific script or perfect game plan that will win someone over to the Lord. We just need to love them, speak the truth to them as best we can, pray for them, and invite them to join us at a Bible study or Mass or prayer meeting. Just be faithful to doing your part, and let God do the rest!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Sunday of the 3rd week of Lent

2009-03-16T10:25:00.000-04:00

Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent

2009-03-14T17:31:00.000-04:00

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story that shows how deeply our heavenly Father wants a relationship with us. Jesus explains how a son runs off with the family inheritance, and then wastes it all on worldly pleasures. But to the son’s astonishment, his father is filled with compassion and joy when he unexpectedly decides to come home. The father doesn’t ask any questions, nor does he care how his money was wasted. All he wants is to know that his son is safe and sound.

The father in this story is not quick tempered or incredulous at his son’s arrival. Instead, he rewards him with a robe, a ring and shoes, and even a steak dinner. What a contrast to the scorn, harshness, and apathy the young man experienced when he struck out on his own, separated from his father. You can just imagine the son echoing the psalms that night after supper: “The Lord has delivered me from the pit. He has surrounded me with love and compassion” (Psalm 103:4).

Our heavenly Father wants us to experience this same joy and peace; he wants us to return to him no matter how badly we have messed up or how far we have drifted away from our faith. When we decide to turn our lives toward him, our Father leaps with joy! The wasteful son’s father could have welcomed his son begrudgingly, but instead he was “filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Can you imagine your heavenly Father running toward you and embracing you firmly? Can you imagine him being so overjoyed at your return that he actually kisses you?

Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of the universe is so quick to forgive us when we turn to him in repentance? Whether a past experience has left you with a heavy burden of guilt, or a bad habit has kept you from experiencing God’s love, you can trust that God is still on your side. He still has a wonderful plan for your life. All you need to do is come back home to him. So in prayer today, make the same decision that this young man made. You’ll be amazed at how quick the Lord is to welcome you back!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Friday of the 2nd week of Lent

2009-03-13T07:01:00.001-04:00

What would you do if the president of a successful business gave you control of his corporation while he went away on an extended vacation?

Once you got over the shock, wouldn’t you work hard to make the company as profitable as possible—if only to impress the boss? Stewardship of God’s vineyard is an even higher honor. It’s hard to imagine how anyone entrusted with that honor could misuse its privileges and turn against the owner. Yet this is the problem that Jesus addressed in this parable.

History has shown us more than once that when religious leaders fail at their calling, everyone in the church suffers. Yet rather than judge those in leadership, we would probably do better to consider the challenges they face. How tempting it can be just to go with the flow rather than take firm moral stands! Often overwhelmed by the amount of work they have, they might feel as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. They know they must listen to the Spirit, but the demands of so many other people and tasks can sometimes drown out the “still, small voice” that speaks in prayer and Scripture.

If we keep the stresses of religious leadership in mind, we may be less inclined to criticize those whom God has called to care for his people. Sure, we may be able to recite examples of bishops’ and priests’ failings. But instead of condemning them, let’s support them and pray for their peace and protection.

Perhaps the next best thing we can do to support our church leaders is to live the Christian life as fully as we can. Imagine the good it can do to the hearts of our leaders to see ordinary people living out the gospel in a way that transforms lives. That more than anything else can lift their spirits and reassure them that their work is worthwhile. Together with our leaders, let’s be fruitful members of the kingdom of God so that the church will be a bright light, drawing all men and women to the love of Christ.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Thursday of the 2nd week of Lent

2009-03-13T06:56:00.001-04:00

Wednesday of the 2nd week of Lent

2009-03-13T06:53:00.001-04:00

Deny
oneself
Carry
one's cross
To follow
Jesus Christ
If you are ashamed of the Cross of Jesus Christ
he will be ashamed of you before his Father
Love
the Cross
Desire:
crosses
contempt
pain
abuse
insults
disgrace
persecution
humiliations
calumnies
illness
injuries
May Jesus prevail
May his Cross prevail
Divine love
Humility
Submission
Patience
Obedience:
complete
prompt
joyful
blind
persevering

Meditation: St. Louis de Montfort

Tuesday of the 2nd week of Lent

2009-03-13T06:51:00.002-04:00

Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord. (Isaiah 1:18)

If most problems come from unforgiveness, we can understand why Jesus emphasizes forgiveness to an extreme degree. When Peter suggested to Jesus that we should forgive seven times, he was correct. (Mt 18:21) Seven in the Bible stands for an indefinite number of times, so Peter was saying we should forgive indefinitely. This is the correct answer but not the correct emphasis. Jesus proclaims we should forgive "seventy times seven," indefinitely times indefinitely. (Mt 18:22) Jesus further emphasizes forgiveness by saying God's kingdom is a matter of forgiveness and those who do not forgive are handed over to torturers. (Mt 18:23, 34) And when the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus told them to pray they be forgiven as they forgive. (Mt 6:12) This means prayer will hurt rather than help us if we do not forgive. This is the only point in the Lord's prayer on which Jesus commented. He reiterated: "If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you." (Mt 6:14-15) Jesus insists on forgiveness. We must pass on the forgiveness He has given us by the shedding of His blood on Calvary

Meditation: Father Al LauerLenten

Monday of the 2nd week of Lent

2009-03-09T20:00:00.001-04:00

Lent is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation. An acquaintance of mine recently shared an experience that shows the beauty reconciliation can bring. Mrs. Winston's story begins with an automobile accident that nearly claimed the life of her 35-year-old son, Robert.

After seven weeks of daily visits to the hospital and many "life and death" complications, it looked as if Robert was going to survive. Despite the hardship, Mrs. Winston, a gentle, spiritual woman, was quick to be positive about her situation. She believed in the power of prayer and was confident God was healing her son. "The doctors, the nurses--they were the Lord's instruments, and they were good instruments," she said. "The people at the hospital were all as nice as they could be," she said. Then with hesitation, she added, "except for a problem I had with one nurse." She continued to explain the incident. Robert had been in the hospital a long time, and his mother was hoping he could leave to attend their family reunion. "Well, I asked this nurse about it, and she just blew up at me," she said. "The nurse called my request 'unreasonable,' and said there was 'no way' the doctors would approve it." Mrs. Winston, a soft-spoken woman in her 60s, was shocked and hurt by the woman's cold response. "I couldn't understand why she was so nasty," she said. Another nurse who witnessed the encounter added, "Ignore her, she's just temperamental."

When Mrs. Winston went home, she couldn't forget the incident. She returned to the hospital the next day and the same nurse was in her son's room. She called her aside and said to her, "I think a great deal of you and the other nurses here." She then went a step further. "I don't think I have ever done anything to hurt you or offend you. But, if I have, I apologize." She continued to tell the nurse that she didn't understand what provoked her angry tone. "I hugged her and told her how much we appreciated her work with Robert." "Well, she just melted," Mrs. Winston said in her soft southern voice. "It seems she was going through some hard times, and it hadn't been a good day." As I listened to her story, I thought about how others might respond to the rude nurse. Some might report the incident to the woman's supervisor; some might reply in the same tone the nurse used; and, some might vindictively walk away and wish the woman a flat tire on her way home. Then, there are rare souls--such as Mrs. Winston--people who inspire us to reach for the Christ within us and to treat others with love and compassion. I reflected on her wonderful example. She put aside her anger and pride and offered forgiveness. Christ invites each of us to reconcile with those who hurt or disappoint us. It is a call to forgive the stranger who cuts you off in traffic; the family member who has been a bit "too honest"; and, the ex-spouse who may continue to drive you crazy.

After Mrs. Winston left my home I wondered why this acquaintance had shared such a personal story. She had come to my home on business --to repair my washing machine. Then, as I reflected on it, I knew why our paths had crossed. She was bringing a wonderful example of how to deal with hurt in our lives. This Lent, take the big step. Surrender any "eye for an eye" notions and pray for help in learning to love and forgive the way our Lord taught us.

meditation: http://www.ewtn.com/

Sunday of the 2nd week of Lent

2009-03-08T07:24:00.000-04:00

Saturday of the 1st week of Lent

2009-03-07T14:39:00.002-05:00

Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

Have you ever watched a movie about a superhero and wondered how they lived through all those adventures? They get shot at, blown up, fall from twenty stories, and still finish without a scratch. We may think of today’s Gospel in the same way we think about these stories—as pure fiction or, at best, unreasonable exaggeration. But you don’t have to be Superman to love your enemies. It really is possible for an ordinary human being to do it.

So how can we do it? With a dose of reality and a lot of divine grace.

Unlike superheroes, we don’t heal so easily. That’s the dose of reality. We may even want to forgive someone, but their actions have left scars on our hearts, and those scars don’t go away by themselves. We may have been devastated by a heartbreaking divorce, the loss of a job, or a loved one’s untimely death. Perhaps we were abused, rejected, or betrayed by someone we trusted. To one degree or another, we all carry these kinds of wounds.

We may have resigned ourselves to carrying these wounds around, and we may even think they are just part of life. But the truth is, these scars can block our ability to love as Jesus asks us to. And here is where the divine grace comes in. If something is holding us back, Jesus wants to set us free from it, whether it happened last week or twenty years ago.

How can you begin to experience Jesus’ healing power in these painful areas of your life? Try sitting quietly in prayer, imagining him sitting next to you. Tell him about what may be hurting you. Be open and honest, and tell him why you feel the way you do. Look into his eyes, and see the love and compassion there. Then, listen in your heart. You may sense Jesus comforting you or guiding you or taking away the pain from the past. Don’t worry if you think it’s just your imagination. That’s how God works sometimes. He will use anything to restore you and make you whole!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Friday of the 1st week of Lent

2009-03-06T16:13:00.001-05:00

HOW TO FAST

Fast from judging others;Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from apparent darkness;Feast on the reality of light.

Fast from pessimism;Feast on optimism.

Fast from thoughts of illness;Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute;Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from anger;Feast on patience.

Fast from worry;Feast on Divine Providence.

Fast from unrelenting pressure;Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from negatives;Feast on positives.

Fast from complaining;Feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility;Feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness;Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from anxiety;Feast on hope.

Fast from yourself;Feast on a silent heart.

meditation: http://www.ewtn.com/

Thursday of the 1st week of Lent

2009-03-05T13:07:00.004-05:00

How often have you been faced with a challenge that you have tackled through the sheer force of your own will and strength, as if you were a pillar of self-reliance?

From our first years, we are taught to approach life this way, and while that’s a good thing, it can lead us to forget how much we need God. The temptation is to live as if we are in a closed universe, not dependent upon anyone else. Could this be the reason we sometimes fail?

The Book of Esther teaches us that we are not alone, and that we should never feel as if it all depends on us. As her prayer reveals, she believed that God really does guide us and give us wisdom to deal with difficult situations. Sometimes he answers with unmistakable miracles. But at other times, he helps us through more subtle, natural means. In Esther’s case, God used the love of a husband for his wife to save the Jewish people from extermination. This is one example of how his guidance can come to us in the whisper of a gentle breeze or in the words of a trusted friend.

While it is true that God wants to give us good things and to help us as we navigate through life, it is also up to us to entrust our lives to him with complete reliance on his goodness and providence. Esther humbled herself before God in faithful surrender as she prayed, “Help me, who am alone and have no help but you” (Esther C:14). She did not expect a miracle but knew that God would work through her. She prayed that God would give her courage to speak the words that she would need.

The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take Esther as your model. Stop and pray. Ask God for what you need, and listen to your heart. Take the advice of the writer of Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not” (Proverbs 3:5). Expect him to speak to you clearly, truthfully, and peaceably (James 3:17). Don’t stay stuck in a rut; stand with confidence on his word and move forward. As you follow the path that seems the best to you, you will undoubtedly meet Jesus along the way.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Wednesday of the 1st week of Lent

2009-03-05T13:01:00.001-05:00

Tuesday of the 1st week of Lent

2009-03-03T21:54:00.002-05:00

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name… .

Lord, you are my King and God. I praise and adore you. I am your child and you are my everlasting Father. Right now, I want to come before your throne to honor you and praise you for your holiness. Father, help me keep my mind fixed on you and my eternal destiny.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven… Father, everything in heaven and on earth is yours. And that includes my heart. I want to do what you want me to do. I want to say only the words you give me to say. I want to go only where you will lead me. Father, fill me with the grace I need to build, brick by brick, the kingdom of God inside the city of man.
Give us this day our daily bread… . Father, you know I need you! I need your Bread of Life to live and to love, to learn and to grow. I cannot take a single breath without your grace. I hunger and thirst for you. I hunger and thirst, too, for more people to come to know you. Many are thirsty, but don’t even know it. Help me be an icon of your love for humanity. May my life help create a hunger and thirst for you.

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us… Father, I need your mercy and forgiveness. I also need your help to forgive the people who have hurt me. Father, set me free from the pain of wounded relationships, especially those wounds that have caused me to develop an unhealthy outlook on life. Widen my heart, Lord! I want to reveal your mercy to the world.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil… . Father, help me to avoid all occasions of sin. Give me the wisdom I need to avoid situations that put me at spiritual and moral risk. Open my eyes to the subtle temptations of the evil one, and give me the strength to say “no” to his deceptions.

meditation: The Word Among Us

Monday of the 1st week of Lent

2009-03-02T14:09:00.002-05:00

"I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:40)

It is not enough for us to say: "I love God," but I also have to love my neighbor. St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God and you don't love your neighbor. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live? And so it is very important for us to realize that love, to be true, has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is not true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me. It hurt Jesus to love us. We have been created in His image for greater things, to love and to be loved. We must "put on Christ" as Scripture tells us. And so, we have been created to love as He loves us. Jesus makes Himself the hungry one, the naked one, the homeless one, the unwanted one, and He says, "You did it to Me." On the last day He will say to those on His right, "whatever you did to the least of these, you did to Me, and He will also say to those on His left, whatever you neglected to do for the least of these, you neglected to do it for Me." When He was dying on the Cross, Jesus said, "I thirst." Jesus is thirsting for our love, and this is the thirst of everyone, poor and rich alike. We all thirst for the love of others, that they go out of their way to avoid harming us and to do good to us. This is the meaning of true love, to give until it hurts.

meditation: Mother Theresa

Men want to be Franciscans

2009-03-01T15:04:00.002-05:00

The New York Post published the following article by James Fanelli titled, "Out of the frying pan into the friary." The article is about men considering being a Franciscan after seeing the Franciscan vocation ads in the NY subway.

Out of the frying pan, into the friary.
Forty-five New Yorkers who have lost their faith in the flailing economy want to put their trust in God - and are responding to subway ads to become friars through a Midtown-based Franciscan community, the Holy Name Province. To pursue a life of charity, they'll have to give up the rat race - and also money and sex.
"I thought it was speaking to me," said George Camacho, 29, a Flushing, Queens, resident who saw one of the 1,000 "BeaFranciscan.org" ads on the subway.
The NYU graduate, who rents the basement of his parents' home, was laid off as an on-air promotions producer for PBS in June.
"Getting laid off, it forced me to reflect," he said. "What do I really want to be doing with the rest of my life?"
Camacho was one of an unusually high number of recruits this year, said the Rev. Brian Smail, the Catholic community's vocation director. At its peak, the community had 1,022 friars in 1965. Today, its membership is only 372, and the average age of friars is 68.
About of a third of the 45 callers - those who met the order's basic requirements and expressed a true interest after the initial conversation with Smail - were sent forms to fill out. They include a doctor and a public-school teacher. A couple of women even inquired (sorry, men only).
Two men who expressed interest were unemployed.
"Given what has happened with the economy, I think it has led to a lot of self-reflection among people about what is important in life," said Smail, who joined the order in 1992 after working 15 years at a bank in Boston. "They realize there are limits to the system that everyone is playing into."
The subway ad poses the question, "Day shift? Night shift? How about a life shift?"
In the past, Holy Name Province recruited through Catholic newspapers and parish bulletins. But the 108-year-old community's thinning ranks brought about the innovative marketing strategy.
"Our target audience are younger working men, guys who were thinking of making a change in their life," said Smail, whose group also advertises on Facebook.
Since his initial call, Camacho has attended a retreat at headquarters - a friary at West 31st Street - to hear first-hand accounts of life as a brother. Now he is deciding whether to pursue a path in the group, a period known as discernment.
"I need to make the most of however many years I have left," he said.
All ordained members take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, give away their possessions, and live together in a friary.
Michael Reyes, 33, was a senior programming analyst climbing the corporate ladder at The Reserve Fund when he joined the community in July. His office was only a block away from the Midtown friary, and he got to know the Franciscans at Masses.
When Reyes submitted his resignation, his boss "didn't actually buy it and thought I was hiding that I was going to another corporate job. He was asking for a counter offer."
Reyes now lives in a friary in Boston, where he teaches computers and works with the elderly.
"So far in my eight-month journey, it's been a wonderful experience. I couldn't ask for more," he said.

Sunday of the first week of Lent

2009-03-01T08:36:00.002-05:00

Picture Jesus feeling driven, compelled by the Spirit, into the desert. Imagine him feeling the need to endure a grueling fast in which he endured extreme hunger, thirst, and loneliness. Why did he have to do this?

Today’s second reading may give us some clues. St. Peter tells us that Jesus was “put to death in the flesh” so that he could live “in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Of course, Jesus was always in complete union with the Spirit, but his time in the desert gave him a taste of the death and life that he would experience on the cross. We too have the opportunity to have a death and life experience this Lent. More than just “a removal of dirt from the body,” our time in the desert can bring us closer to God as we too die to the flesh.

Traditional practices like giving up our favorite food or television show require more self-discipline. Trying harder to control our temper or being more generous with collection basket donations can make us more aware of the Lenten season. They can create a disposition that allows us to experience the connection between “offering it up” and moving deeper into the fire of the Spirit.

In the desert, Jesus was out of his comfort zone. He had to be listening in the silence of the lonely wilderness. Stepping deeper into the desert can bring us closer to Jesus. We set ourselves up to be more attentive in listening to what God is speaking by carving out quiet prayer times. As you share time in the desert with Jesus, let the angels minister to you as they did for him. Expect to come to know an intimacy with God you have not reached before in your life. This love then compels you to do everything, including giving up your favorite food, with a fervor that speaks of what Jesus found in the desert during those forty days.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

2009-02-28T12:10:00.002-05:00

The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners? Luke 5:30

Villagers in a distant community in Fiji gathered for an elaborate ceremony of apology. Teh apology was offered to the relatives of a British missionary, Rev. Thomas Baker, who was with eight Fijian followers was killed and eaten in 1867. The residents believed thta since that event, their community has been cursed. This was their third apology, but unlike the first tow, it was offered not in an isolated ceremony but in the presence of Baker's family. They hoped the face-to-face encounter would do the trick.

We all have been hurt, mistreated or taken advantage of. It is part of the human condition. But what we do with the experience is what counts. Healing doesn't harbor resentment but offers forgiveness. By not forgiving, we carry a self-inflicted curse that robs us of our peace of mind, spiritual well-being and even physical health. Forgiving those who have hurt us is not usually easy, but it remains essential to growth and vitality.

meditation: Extraordinray Lives--Fr. Thomas Connery

Friday after Ash Wednesday

2009-02-27T11:38:00.001-05:00

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed. (Isaiah 58:6)

We must always remember what God tells us in Scripture: "Even if a mother could forget the child in her womb" - something impossible, but even if she could forget - "I will never forget you."

And so here I am talking with you. I want you to find the poor here, right in your own home first. And begin love there. Be that good news to your own people first. And find out about your next-door neighbors. Do you know who they are?

I had the most extraordinary experience of love of neighbor with a Hindu family. A gentleman came to our house and said: "Mother Teresa, there is a family who have not eaten for so long. Do something." So I took some rice and went there immediately. And I saw the children - their eyes shining with hunger. I don't know if you have ever seen hunger. But I have seen it very often. And the mother of the family took the rice I gave her and went out. When she came back, I asked her: "Where did you go? What did you do?" And she gave me a very simple answer: "They are hungry also." What struck me was that she knew - and who are they? A Muslim family - and she knew. I didn't bring any more rice that evening because I wanted them, Hindus and Muslims, to enjoy the joy of sharing.

meditation: Mother Theresa

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

2009-02-26T16:09:00.002-05:00

If anyone wishes to come after me … (Luke 9:23)

Don’t you find it amazing that Jesus Christ, the all-holy Son of God, would give us, mere mortals, a choice? He won’t force us to follow him; he calls us.

But what is this choice? Is it a choice to live a life of continual suffering, of “taking up our cross” day after day by passively accepting whatever trials come our way in the hopes that God will accept us? Not at all. The real choice is to follow Jesus and accept whatever that decision entails. It’s a choice to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who longs to pour his love into our hearts every day. It’s a choice to believe that with him we can overcome any obstacle, challenge, or difficulty that rises up—internal or external.

Here, at the beginning of Lent, God is asking us a simple question: Who is Jesus? Is he just a good man, perhaps even a prophet, whose example we should follow? Or is he the Son of God who became man so that we could become sons and daughters of God? Is he a strict judge ready to condemn every sin? Or is he the Lamb of God who laid down his life so that we could be freed from sin and transformed into his very image and likeness?

Centuries before Jesus, Moses told the Israelites that obeying God was a life-or-death issue. Moses knew the difference between walking through our days with the Lord and going it alone. Today, Jesus wants to open our eyes to this difference. He wants to tell us that if we choose him day after day, the possibilities for our lives will be endless. We won’t be living as “mere mortals” anymore. We will have access to all the grace and power of Almighty God! We will be able to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable, and to overcome the insurmountable. It may be costly. There may be suffering and difficulties along the way, but we can be confident that as we stay close to Jesus, he will be very close to us!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Be Reconciled to God

2009-02-25T10:52:00.004-05:00

The Diocese of Fall River has done this video on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Will you come back and be reconciled to God?

Ash Wednesday

2009-02-25T08:10:00.002-05:00

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God… . Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:20; 6:2)

Now. Today. This very moment. This is a time of unfathomable grace and favor from heaven. Believe it or not, Ash Wednesday is not meant to be a day for focusing on our sinfulness. No, it’s an opportunity to focus on heaven. True, Paul is exhorting us to be reconciled to God—but not in the sense of a command so much as in the sense of a joyful invitation. Right now, God’s favor is upon us, and he is inviting us to come and receive his grace.

God has never stopped pursuing us. Throughout Israel’s history, he was always at his people’s side, offering them his mercy, his wisdom, and his protection. All they had to do was turn to him. When they did, miracles flowed. And when they turned away, trouble ensued—but he was always there, calling them back through his prophets. Finally, when the time was ripe, he sent his Son to redeem the whole world and to be with us always.

Today, try to recall the many times when God has reached out to you in the past. Maybe just one line in a homily struck you with renewed force. Or perhaps a friend called you just when you needed someone to talk with. Each of these is an invitation from God for you to come to know him better. And today is another one of those opportunities.

“Now” is the time of God’s favor. It’s a never-ending “now,” an invitation that lasts until the end of time. As you read these words, God is calling you and asking you to open your heart. If you feel blocked by past failures or sins, today is the day to let go of them and believe that his love can overcome anything!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Archbishop Dolan named Archbishop of New York

2009-02-23T07:01:00.002-05:00

It truly is a happy day for the Archdiocese of New York. Pope Benedict XVI this morning named Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwalkee to be the next Archbishop of New York. New York truly will be blessed with such a great man. As a student in Rome, I've heard many good things about the Archbishop as being a kind and gentle soul. Congratulations Archbishop Dolan!

New York Archbishop announced tomorrow???

2009-02-16T13:34:00.002-05:00

Well folks, it looks like we could hear news from Rome about the new Archbishop of New York as early as 6 a.m. EST tomorrow according to Whispers in the Loggia. It should be interesting. Stay tuned.

You are My God!

2009-02-14T12:25:00.001-05:00

What a great gift we have in the Eucharist. Come and let us meet our God in the Eucharist.

The Catholic Church

2009-02-14T09:40:00.000-05:00

Unbelievable

2009-02-13T14:26:00.002-05:00

Boston College a beautiful campus located on Chestnut Hill is dealing with a controversy. Should a Catholic college have religious art portrayed throughout their campus? First of all, I think it's absolutely crazy that anyone would be even reporting this nonsense. Second, I applaud Boston College which has been criticized in the past for not having crucifies in their classrooms to standing up and not be ashamed to remind all that this image of Christ crucified has deep meaning for us as Christian believers. It reminds us that this sacrifice has freed us from bondage of sin. So let us stand up America and let us not put up with those that want to now even tell us what we should hang up in our Catholic institutions.

The next Archbishop of New York

2009-02-13T14:15:00.003-05:00

The following is a post from Whispers in the Loggia. If this is true I believe that Archbishop Dolan will be wonderful for New York.

Earlier today, Paolo Rodari -- the well-sourced Vatican correspondent for the Italian daily Il Riformista -- called the New York appointment for the archbishop of Milwaukee, 59 year-old Timothy Dolan.Given Rodari's keen reputation for accuracy, the report is significant; following in full is an English translation of the scribe's (Roman) noontime dispatch:
The announcement should arrive shortly. And it regards the name of the successor of the Cardinal-Archbishop of New York, Edward Michael Egan. According to leaks collected by Il Riformista, Benedict XVI has decided on Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee. Among other names who could've been chosen are the archbishop of Hartford, Henry Mansell, the archbishop of Atlanta Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Newark John Myers and that of San Juan, Roberto Gonzalez Nieves.Dolan, 59, a Missouri native, has been in Milwaukee since 2002. Part of the American episcopate would've preferred a prelate of greater impact, to counter the new team in the White House, seen by many as unfavorable to Catholics. But the Vatican has preferred to maintain the type adopted previously in other similar cases: a bishop of a very pastoral profile with a soft touch.In his headline, Rodari led with his close, writing that the reported choice would signal a "soft line against Obama" on Rome's part.Nine days after the initial Newsmax.com report from Rome sent up a veiled tip pointing to the highly-regarded Milwaukee prelate -- a media star, priesthood guru and former rector of the Pontifical North American College -- Dolan faced the cameras last weekend, telling the Packerland press that "anytime there's kind of a major see that opens, what have we seen Washington, Baltimore, Detroit, now New York, my name for some reason comes up. I'm flattered."I have to say," he added, "I find myself sort of saying, ‘I don't know where all of this is coming from, and there's sure not much I can say.’ But all I do is just keep going to work each day and trusting in the Lord."

40 things in a life of a Portuguese child

2009-02-02T19:11:00.003-05:00

This was sent by my cousin. For all those who shared in the great Portuguese culture you will totally relate. My favorite one is number 7. Enjoy.

01.You have at least one relative who wore a black dress every day for an entire year after a funeral.

02.You spent your entire childhood thinking what you ate for lunch was pronounced "sanweesha."

03.Your family dog understood Portuguese.

04. Every Sunday afternoon of your childhood was spent visiting your grandparents and extended family.

05. You've experienced the phenomena of 150 people fitting into 50 square feet of yard during a family cookout.

06.You were surprised to discover the FDA recommends you eat three meals a day, not seven.

07.You thought killing the pig each year and having torressmos, morcella, linguica and a hanging dead pig from the ceiling was absolutely normal.

08.You ate sopa de covos for dinner at least three times a week, and every Sunday.

09.You grew up thinking no fruit or vegetable had a fixed price and that the price of everything was negotiable through haggling.

10.You were as tall as your grandmother by the age of seven.

11.You thought everyone's last name ended in a vowel.

12.You thought nylons were supposed to be worn rolled to the ankles.

13.Your mom's main hobby is cleaning.

14.You were surprised to find out that wine was actually sold in stores.

15.You thought that everyone made their own bread.

16.You never ate meat on Christmas Eve or any Friday or that matter.

17.You ate your salad after the main course.

18.You thought Catholic was the only religion in the world.

19. Your were beaten at least once with a wooden spoon or broom.

20.You thought every meal had to be eaten with a hunk of bread in your left hand.

21.You can understand Portuguese but you can't speak it.

22.You have at least one relative who came over on the boat.

23.All of your uncles fled to America to not20go to the war in Angola or they went to the war in Angola.

24.You have at least six male relatives named Tony,Frank, Joe or Louie.

25.You have relatives who aren't really your relatives.

26.You have relatives you don't speak to.

27.You drank wine before you were a teenager.

28.You were pinched under the arm in church by your mother.

29.You grew up in a house with a yard that didn't have one patch of dirt that didn't have a flower or a vegetable growing, or a grape vine covering it.

30.Your grandparent's furniture was as comfortable as sitting on plastic. Wait!!!! You were sitting on plastic.

31.You thought that talking loud was normal.

32.You thought sugared almonds were common at all weddings.

33.You thought everyone got pinched on the cheeks and money stuffed in their pockets by their relatives.

34.Your mother is overly protective of the males in the family no matter what their age.

35. There was a crucifix in every room of the house,

36.You couldn't date a boy without getting approval from your father. (oh, and he has to be Portuguese)

37.You called any pasta "shpargett"

38.You dreaded taking out your lunch at school

39. Going out for a cup of coffee usually meant going out for a cup of coffee over Tia's house.

40 Every condition, ailment, misfortune, memory loss and accident was attributed to the fact that you didn't eat something.

Don Bosco

2009-01-31T07:01:00.001-05:00

Angelicum

2009-01-07T15:06:00.002-05:00

This video is on the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. This is where I studied Theology. I have many good memories from my days at the Angelicum. If you ever want to study in Rome, consider going to the Angelicum.

Religious Life; it's a beautiful thing

2009-01-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

Going to church is good for you.

2009-01-05T14:50:00.002-05:00

NY Times
For Good Self-Control, Try Getting Religious About It
John Tierney
December 30, 2008

If I’m serious about keeping my New Year’s resolutions in 2009, should I add another one? Should the to-do list include, “Start going to church”? This is an awkward question for a heathen to contemplate, but I felt obliged to raise it with Michael McCullough after reading his report in the upcoming issue of the Psychological Bulletin. He and a fellow psychologist at the University of Miami, Brian Willoughby, have reviewed eight decades of research and concluded that religious belief and piety promote self-control.
This sounded to me uncomfortably similar to the conclusion of the nuns who taught me in grade school, but Dr. McCullough has no evangelical motives. He confesses to not being much of a devotee himself. “When it comes to religion,” he said, “professionally, I’m a fan, but personally, I don’t get down on the field much.”
His professional interest arose from a desire to understand why religion evolved and why it seems to help so many people. Researchers around the world have repeatedly found that devoutly religious people tend to do better in school, live longer, have more satisfying marriages and be generally happier.
These results have been ascribed to the rules imposed on believers and to the social support they receive from fellow worshipers, but these external factors didn’t account for all the benefits. In the new paper, the Miami psychologists surveyed the literature to test the proposition that religion gives people internal strength.
“We simply asked if there was good evidence that people who are more religious have more self-control,” Dr. McCullough. “For a long time it wasn’t cool for social scientists to study religion, but some researchers were quietly chugging along for decades. When you add it all up, it turns out there are remarkably consistent findings that religiosity correlates with higher self-control.”
As early as the 1920s, researchers found that students who spent more time in Sunday school did better at laboratory tests measuring their self-discipline. Subsequent studies showed that religiously devout children were rated relatively low in impulsiveness by both parents and teachers, and that religiosity repeatedly correlated with higher self-control among adults. Devout people were found to be more likely than others to wear seat belts, go to the dentist and take vitamins.
But which came first, the religious devotion or the self-control? It takes self-discipline to sit through Sunday school or services at a temple or mosque, so people who start out with low self-control are presumably less likely to keep attending. But even after taking that self-selection bias into account, Dr. McCullough said there is still reason to believe that religion has a strong influence.
“Brain-scan studies have shown that when people pray or meditate, there’s a lot of activity in two parts of brain that are important for self-regulation and control of attention and emotion,” he said. “The rituals that religions have been encouraging for thousands of years seem to be a kind of anaerobic workout for self-control.”
In a study published by the University of Maryland in 2003, students who were subliminally exposed to religious words (like God, prayer or bible) were slower to recognize words associated with temptations (like drugs or premarital sex). Conversely, when they were primed with the temptation words, they were quicker to recognize the religious words.
“It looks as if people come to associate religion with tamping down these temptations,” Dr. McCullough said. “When temptations cross their minds in daily life, they quickly use religion to dispel them from their minds.”
In one personality study, strongly religious people were compared with people who subscribed to more general spiritual notions, like the idea that their lives were “directed by a spiritual force greater than any human being” or that they felt “a spiritual connection to other people.” The religious people scored relatively high in conscientiousness and self-control, whereas the spiritual people tended to score relatively low.
“Thinking about the oneness of humanity and the unity of nature doesn’t seem to be related to self-control,” Dr. McCullough said. “The self-control effect seems to come from being engaged in religious institutions and behaviors.”
Does this mean that nonbelievers like me should start going to church? Even if you don’t believe in a supernatural god, you could try improving your self-control by at least going along with the rituals of organized religion.
But that probably wouldn’t work either, Dr. McCullough told me, because personality studies have identified a difference between true believers and others who attend services for extrinsic reasons, like wanting to impress people or make social connections. The intrinsically religious people have higher self-control, but the extrinsically religious do not.
So what’s a heathen to do in 2009? Dr. McCullough’s advice is to try replicating some of the religious mechanisms that seem to improve self-control, like private meditation or public involvement with an organization that has strong ideals.
Religious people, he said, are self-controlled not simply because they fear God’s wrath, but because they’ve absorbed the ideals of their religion into their own system of values, and have thereby given their personal goals an aura of sacredness. He suggested that nonbelievers try a secular version of that strategy.
“People can have sacred values that aren’t religious values,” he said. “Self-reliance might be a sacred value to you that’s relevant to saving money. Concern for others might be a sacred value that’s relevant to taking time to do volunteer work. You can spend time thinking about what values are sacred to you and making New Year’s resolutions that are consistent with them.”
Of course, it requires some self-control to carry out that exercise — and maybe more effort than it takes to go to church.
“Sacred values come prefabricated for religious believers,” Dr. McCullough said. “The belief that God has preferences for how you behave and the goals you set for yourself has to be the granddaddy of all psychological devices for encouraging people to follow through with their goals. That may help to explain why belief in God has been so persistent through the ages.”

Christmas at St. Thomas

2009-01-03T19:24:00.002-05:00

Some pictures taken at our family Christmas Eve Mass.

WELCOME 2009

2009-01-01T08:54:00.002-05:00

Wishing you and your families a happy and blessed 2009.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-24T11:52:00.002-05:00

Fourth Tuesday of Advent

2008-12-23T16:59:00.002-05:00

The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12)

Quite a lot can happen to us when we hear or read the Scriptures. As this passage points out, the Scriptures have the power to pierce even to the deepest part of our hearts and minds. They can uncover our sin and lead us to repentance. They can cut away what is excess “baggage” in us, pruning us so that we can bear even more fruit for the Lord.

But the Scriptures do more than cut us or pierce us. They can “sharpen” us as well! God’s word has the power to make things clearer to us, helping us to see the world more as it really is and as God intends it to be. They can help us to grow sharper in our awareness of who we are and what’s going on inside of us. And that kind of sharpening only makes us more effective in drawing closer to the Lord. As the psalmist prayed, “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye” (Psalm 19:9).

Conversely, if we are not reading the Scriptures, we run the risk of our minds and hearts growing dull. We risk losing our heavenly perspective, thinking and acting primarily with an earthly perspective. We miss out on the privilege of being led by the Lord and end up going our own way instead. Ultimately, without the input of God’s word in Scripture, we risk losing sight of Jesus, for as St. Jerome said: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

Given all that is at stake, it’s no wonder that the church urges us to take up the word of God! Especially in this year dedicated to Scripture and to the writings of St. Paul, let’s make sure that we are letting God’s word sharpen us and give us clarity about our lives and the world around us. Let’s make sure that the Scriptures are cutting away all that stands between the Lord and us. May we all come to know just how “living and effective” his word can be!

meditation: The Word Among Us

Inspiring

2008-12-22T10:08:00.002-05:00

I came across this on www.whispersintheloggia.blogpsot.com. It's truly an inspiring video. Enjoy.

Fourth Monday of Advent

2008-12-22T09:32:00.002-05:00

For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." 1 Peter 2:6

Come, O King and desire of all nations! Like a cornerstone, you are the foundation of unity. Help us to put aside whatever divides us from one another. Bring peace to our divided, anxious world.

Meditation: Advent-Christmas Devotions, Keith McClellan, OSB

4th Sunday of Advent

2008-12-21T10:48:00.003-05:00

The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty Savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in His love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals. (Zephaniah 3:17)

The reading from Zephaniah expresses in poetic language the boundless love God has for each of us. In some translations the words say "God will exult over you!" It is surely God’s desire that someday we will all be with Him in heaven. No matter what happened before, God is ready each moment to show us this love. The words of Zephaniah and our celebration of Christmas should bring us to a deeper awareness of how profound is God’s love for us.

meditation: http://www.ewtn.com/

FROM THE PULPIT

2008-12-21T10:46:00.001-05:00

In My Fair Lady, Audrey Hepburn plays Eliza Doolittle and at one point in the movie she sings, “words! words! I’m sick of words!” We often hear the motto, “talk is cheap.” In this Sunday’s gospel and in the first reading, God does speak. He speaks through Nathan to King David. Then he speaks through the Archangel Gabriel to Mary. As I have mentioned many times before and I again will say it, “Preach the Gospel always and use words if necessary.” God’s word always has meaning and power behind them. God’s words in Hebrew, dabar, is always active and effective, bringing about our salvation. God’s whole plan of salvation is an ongoing annunciation.

In the first reading, God promises to David that his kingdom will last forever. Little did David know what this would entail that the son of God, Jesus Christ would be the successor to David’s throne.

God’s reign will no longer go by possession of land but by “the obedience of faith as we heard in the second reading. This is captured in the fiat of Mary in the gospel, her “yes.” While the saving plan and work belongs to God, a human response is always offered. David and Mary never envisioned what God would have in store for them. David and Mary response was a humble and willing response. They knew it was overwhelming but they knew that God could do great things through them.

If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans. We see in the Gospel that by Mary’s “yes” her plans were changed around. Mary had felt called early on to serve God through consecrated virginity, which meant not having children.

This is the reason behind her comment to the angel: "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" That comment would have made no sense if she were planning on leading a normal married life with St Joseph, her fiancée.

Life as a virgin consecrated to God was what she had envisioned for herself and planned for. But then the angel came along and changed those plans. God often does the same thing with us.

Like a good coach, he pushes us out of our comfort zone so that we can reach our full potential as Christians.

There are three ways especially in which God tends to disrupt our plans.

First, when we are really busy and don't' want any interruptions he brings us into contact with someone who needs help.

Second, we suddenly discover that certain popular and fashionable behaviors or activities (which we would like to follow) are actually against Church teaching, that they cause damage to us and to others.

Third, when we are really tired, fed up, or angry, our conscience - like the angel Gabriel in today's Gospel passage - sends us a message saying that we really need to keep working, or to do a little extra work, or to be extra patient with someone, or to hold our tongue.

These are three common ways that God disrupts our personal plans in order to invite us to be partners in his plan of salvation. It’s hard for us to let go and let God but we must realize it will make us better people for it. If we just continue to move in our old habits than how can we really grow in our spiritual lives. For example a toddler who begins to walk puts alot of trust in their parents that will be okay but if that child doesn’t trust their parents then the child will have an extremely difficult time in walking.

During this Mass, let's ask God for the grace to respond generously to those disruptions, as Mary did, especially during the Christmas season, so that our part in God's plan of salvation is sure to get done.

3rd Saturday of Advent

2008-12-20T10:04:00.002-05:00

What was King Ahaz thinking? The prophet Isaiah had invited him to ask anything of God, but he turned it down! The truth is he was shaking in his boots—or sandals.

Two formidable nations, Syria and Ephraim, had joined forces to threaten Jerusalem, and Ahaz couldn’t see how he or his kingdom would survive. So when Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem’s enemies would fail and, not only that, be destroyed, Ahaz wavered. It just seemed too illogical. In an attempt to bolster his faith, Isaiah even offered a sign from the Lord. But Ahaz declined, hiding behind an appearance of humility and deference.

What happens next teaches us a lot about God. Did he strike Ahaz down in anger or frustration? Did he relent in his promise to protect Jerusalem? No! Isaiah had offered a sign “deep as the nether world, or high as the sky” (Isaiah 7:11), and God went beyond these parameters and promised the impossible: A virgin would conceive and bear a son (7:14). It was a completely unexpected and miraculous sign that would signal salvation and eternal liberation from their enemies.

You may be facing some difficulties today. Maybe a child of yours is in trouble; you might have lost a close friend or be out of work; you or a loved one may have a terminal illness. What stands against you may seem formidable, and you may not know how to get through it. But don’t hesitate to ask God to intervene! He wants to show you that he is with you, walking beside you in your struggles.

Will your sign be exactly what you expect? Maybe, but maybe not. Ahaz’ sign surely wasn’t! You may wish that an enemy of yours would simply disappear, but God may turn the situation around and give you wisdom and strength that you never knew you had. You may want to see an interior struggle get resolved right away, but God may want to draw you closer to him as you work through it day by day with his help. God’s ways are mysterious sometimes, but you can always trust that his answer will lift you up and meet your deepest needs.

meditation: The Word Among Us

3rd Friday of Advent

2008-12-19T13:25:00.002-05:00

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land (Jeremiah 23:5)

You, O God, are the fountain of justice and mercy. Fill us with your wisdom and compassion. Make us senitive and discerning, that we might do our part to fight injustice, poverty, and misery in the world.

mediation: Advent-Christmas Devotions, Keith McClellan, OSB