3rd Sunday of Easter "Going Fishing"

   

Audio Podcast: Homily 3rd Sunday of Easter

The readings this weekend have the common theme of the lamb, who was slain and those who would suffer for Jesus, the Lamb of God.

In the first reading, the court officers brought the apostles in and made them stand in front of the Sanhedrin and the high priest, who questioned them and reminded them they had strict orders to not to preach in the name of Jesus. He said, “Yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood on us”. Peter and the apostles boldly replied, “We must obey God and not man. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had Him killed by hanging Him on a tree.” The apostles reminded the Sanhedrin, the court officers and chief priest that they were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. The Sanhedrin ordered them to once again stop preaching in the name of Jesus, and the Apostles rejoiced in having to be found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of His name.

The second reading speaks about a vision John the Apostle saw of heaven. He saw and heard many angels who surrounded the throne of God as well as the living creatures and elders singing in unison, “Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” We know that Jesus is the “Lamb who was slain” on the cross. And now at Mass, we join the angels and saints in singing and praising the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice becomes present here on the altar.

In the Gospel today, we have a resurrection appearance of Jesus, that occurred several weeks after Jesus rose from the dead. You may recall on Easter Sunday, He appeared to the Apostles in the upper Room, while St. Thomas was absent. Then after Jesus departed and Thomas returned, he did not believe the other apostles and said he would need to touch the nail marks in His hands and side to believe. But the following Sunday, He appeared again to the Apostles and this time Thomas was present. Thomas then touched the wounds in His hands and side and he believed.

Peter and some of the Apostles didn’t know what to do since Jesus had risen from the dead, so they decided to do what they were familiar with, to go fishing. After all, Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen by trade before following Jesus. After fishing all night long, they caught nothing. But when Jesus appeared to them on the shore, He told them to cast their nets off the right side of the boat, but fishermen normally would never cast their nets off the right side. It was not a good technique when fishing. They didn’t recognize Jesus, but threw the nets off the side of the boat resulting in catching 153 large fish. They obviously counted each fish to know how many they had caught.

I would like to pause for a moment and tell you a fishing story. On my senior class’s Skip Day, I caught the largest fish I ever caught without a fishing pole or even a fishing net. The Skip Day was approved by parents and the school and seniors would pick a getaway place to go to have fun. My class decided to go camping and fishing at Cedar Bluff Reservoir, near Wakeeny in western Kansas. In Kansas most people use a fishing pole when they go fishing. But in the time of Jesus, fishing business owners used large nets to throw off the side of the boat to catch a good number of fish at one time. On the Senior Skip Day, I never brought a fishing pole or a net. A friend and I decided to walk along the shore of the lake and there right in front of us was a large dead fish in the water. I took the fish out of the water. We surmised the fish recently died by getting hit by a boat. We brought the large fish to the dam store and I told a fish tale. I told the owner I had caught the fish. He weighed and measured it, and said it was the largest fish “caught” that year so far at Cedar Bluff Reservoir in May of 1981. So its true, I caught a fish without a fishing pole and without a net, but it was easy to “catch” since it was already dead. To be a good Christian, we always need to tell the truth even when it comes to fishing stories. The point is, the apostles were telling the truth, when they said they caught 153 large fish and were not tell a fishing tale. In fact, it was a miracle, because Jesus placed the fish in the spot where He told them to cast their nets.

Now back to the Gospel, once on shore, Jesus had prepared some baked fish, He cooked on a charcoal fire. After eating breakfast with them, Our Lord asked Peter the same question three times, “Peter, Do you love me?” But why would Jesus ask Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Jesus wanted to give Peter the opportunity to make up for the three times Peter denied Him. At the Last Supper, Peter had told Jesus, “I will die for you?” But Jesus said, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

I am not a Greek scholar, but I had several Greek classes. I was told the first two times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” He used a Greek word for love that meant, “Brotherly love”, which is sacrificial love such as a brother loves another brother or as a husband sacrificially loves his wife. But the third time Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” The Greek word for “love” was changed, not to mean “brotherly love”, but “unconditional love”, which means to be willing to die for Jesus. It would go something like this the first two times Jesus asked Peter, “Peter, do you love me as a brother and friend?” “Peter, do you love me as a brother and friend?” And then the third time, it would be as though Jesus, said, “Do you love me unconditionally, to even lay down your life for me?” This would have cut Peter to the heart, because at the Last Supper he told Jesus, “I will die for you.”, but then the same night denied knowing Him three times. Our Lord told Peter to feed His lambs, to tend His sheep, meaning Peter would be the chief shepherd of God’s flock, the lambs by feeding them with the Eucharist and sound doctrine.

Just as Jesus was the Good Shepherd and lamb who was slain, so Peter would also be the shepherd of the Church and lamb that was slain. Our Divine Lord then revealed that Peter indeed would die for Him, as He said, to Peter, “Amen, Amen I say to you, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go”, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.”

34 years after Jesus ascended into heaven, in the year 67 AD a great persecution broke out in the city of Rome. Its believed the Emperor Nero’s men purposely set houses on fire to blame the Christians. And if Christians were caught by the Romans, they would be crucified on the outskirts of the city to cause fear among them. Most Christians fled Rome in great numbers but some stayed. Peter fled and when he was outside of the city, Jesus appeared to him carrying a cross. Peter asked Jesus, “Quo Vadis Domine?” “Where are you going Lord?” And Jesus responded, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Peter realized he was abandoning the Christians who remained in Rome, so he returned to Rome and was captured. Peter was crucified upside down, because he said he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner of Jesus. Peter was crucified on Vatican Hill, which today it believed to be the exact spot St. Peter’s Basilica was built.

This fulfilled the words of Jesus, who said, “Amen, Amen I say to you, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.” He would stretch out his hands on the cross. Peter first pope was martyred.

Popes, bishops, priests and lay faithful have suffered and died for Jesus through the centuries. In fact, 29 popes would be martyred and 8 popes were murdered. The reason why cardinals wear a red hat, is because its a reminder, one should be willing have their blood spilled for the Church. In England the bishops, the priests and the people had to sign an oath of fidelity to the King of England, who declared himself head of the church and if they refused, they would be killed. Most bishops and priests signed it, but some bishops and priests didn’t including Bishops Thomas More and John Fischer and the priest St. Edmond Campion, refused to sign it and martyred for the faith.

In conclusion, I would like to tell you, I have a gift for you. Its a symbol of the early Christians. I will give you a hint. Its not the Willie Wanka chocolate bar. It’s not a gold ticket that will get you entry into the chocolate factory. But the item inside can take you to a new and beautiful place, a paradise. But you must be willing to do all that is asked of you. To avoid sin, to practice your faith. To embrace difficulties. To be faithful to Jesus. The enclosed gift, if you use it properly, will give you wisdom in making decisions, hope when you are sad, comfort in difficulties, to help you forgive when you are hurt, to be sorry when you done something wrong, and it will be sweeter than any candy the “Candy Man” can give. The item in this bag will help you to love as Jesus loved. He said, “There is no greater love, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”, which is what Peter, many popes, bishops, priests and lay people did as martyrs. I will give you one more hint, what is in this bag is what Christians through the centuries cherished so much, they were willing to die for it, and it would be there ticket to heaven.

During this month of May, let us daily pray the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask Her to help us to always be faithful to Jesus and when we get to heaven, we will see the lamb who was slain and sing with the angels and saints and the Virgin Mary, “Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.”

Click image or link for Song: "Going Fishing, Not Just A Wishing"

 

April 29th - St. Catherine of Siena

 

 “Love one another, as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” In a very special way St. Catherine of Siena, whose memorial we celebrate today, loved her neighbor, by laying down her life, for her friends. She laid down her life spiritually, as she was persecuted by her family, took vows of a Dominican tertiary and so, did severe mortifications and penance for the conversion of sinners, worked with the poor and sick, courageously wrote letters and visited with kings, priests, cardinals and popes to draw them closer to Christ, and to help them to do God’s will. All her life, she willingly suffered spiritually and physically for the sake of Christ, her spouse.

Catherine’s mother, whose name was Lapa, had 25 children. Catherine was the youngest. As a little girl, while going up or down the stairs, she would kneel on each step and recite a Hail Mary. When six years old, on her way back from seeing her older sister, she stopped in her tracks staring towards the sky. She beheld Our Lord seated in glory with St. Peter, St. Paul and St. John. Our Savior smiled upon her. He extended His hand to bless her and from that moment on Catherine was entirely His.

As a child, Catherine cared about prayer and solitude, only mingling with other children in order to share her devotion. When she was 12, her parents urged her to devote more care to her personal appearance, and so to please her mother, she had her hair dressed up, and was decked out in the latest fashion, but soon discontinued. Even though, her parents sought a husband for her, she said she would never marry, and so cut off her golden brown hair. The family persecuted her by continuously scolding her, and forcing her to do menial work, day and night. Because she loved privacy, her parents would not allow her to be alone. She bore all these trials with patience. Later in her writings called “The Dialogue”, she said that God had taught her to build in her soul, a refuge in which she could dwell peacefully that no tribulation could ever disturb her. Her father realized it was useless and permitted her, to do as she desired. She kept her small room shuttered, dimly lit, gave herself to fasting and prayer, took the discipline, and slept on boards. She received the habit of a Dominican tertiary and increased her mortifications. She had celestial visions and consolations, but also was subject to fierce trials. She had the most degrading temptations, while loathsome figures enticed her. She passed through long intervals of desolation, in which God seemed to have abandoned her.

On Shrove Tuesday in 1366, during a carnival in Sienna, while praying in her room, our Savior appeared to her, with His Blessed Mother, and a crowd of heavenly host. Taking Catherine’s hand, Our Lady held it up to Her Son, who placed a ring upon it, and espoused Catherine to Himself. The ring remained visible to her, but invisible to others. The spiritual betrothal ended her years of solitude, and she went out seeking the salvation of others. She nursed many, and brought about many conversions in hospitals. She took cases, which were most difficult and repulsive. Her exterior life in no way interfered with her union with Jesus.

Often in church, and especially after receiving Holy Communion, she would be rapt in ecstasy. And while in prayer, she was seen levitating. Her friends and followers would call her “mama” and she frequently read their thoughts and knew their temptations. While many thought her a saint, others, even from her own order, thought she was a hypocrite.

As a plague broke out, she continued to care for all, and buried them herself. She also visited prisons, and helped those to be executed to make their peace with God.

Once while praying in the church of St. Christina, while looking at a crucifix, suddenly, five blood rays came forth, which pierced her hands, feet, and heart, causing acute pain. The wounds were visible to her alone, but after her death, became visible.

She often spoke with familiarity, to kings, bishops, cardinals and popes. For example, she called Pope Gregory XI, “my sweet baboo”. She appealed to the pope to begin a crusade to free the Holy Sepulcher, from the Turks, and convinced the pope, who had been living in Avignon to return to Rome. And under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, she dictated a book called “The Dialogues of St. Catherine”.

Even though she suffered long from an illness, her emancipated face, always had a smiling expression and so she suffered joyfully. She had a stroke in 1380, and died 8 days later at the age of 33. She was canonized in 1461 and proclaimed a doctor of the Church in 1970.

Although her life was filled with many mystical experiences, she was a down to earth woman, lived a holy life, laying down her life, for the sake of others, and so loved others as Jesus loved her. “O St. Catherine, angelic virgin, mystic of the incarnate word, you who loved Jesus and Mary with all your heart, help us too lay down our life for our brothers and sisters. Help us to love Jesus and Mary, as you, and teach us to pray, that we too may become saints.”

April 28th - St. Louis de Montfort

 

Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Louis Marie De Monfort. Born in France in 1673, he was the oldest of 8 children. During his college days, he became aware of his call to the priesthood. At the end of his ordinary schooling, he began his studies of philosophy and theology. During that time, he enjoyed listening to stories from a local priest, about a missionary priest, who would go from city to city preaching. And then decided he wanted to be a missionary priest, who would do likewise, by going about preaching from city to city.

Five months after his ordination to the priesthood, in November 1700, he wrote: "I am continually asking in my prayers for a poor and small company of good priests to preach missions and retreats under the standard and protection of the Blessed Virgin.”

This eventually led him to form a group of religious priests called, the Company of Mary. About the time he started the group of priests, he met Marie Louise Trichet, a young 19 yr. old woman who would co-found a women’s religious order called the Daughter’s of Wisdom. She and her sisters would serve the poor and sick for many years.

Frustrated with local bishops, who didn’t want him to preach in their diocese, he made a pilgrimage to Rome, to ask Pope Clement XI, what he should do. The Pope recognized his vocation and told him to go back to France to preach as an Apostolic Missionary.

For several years, he preached in missions from Brittany to Nantes, and his reputation as a great missionary grew. He became known as "the good Father from Montfort". At the city of Pontchateau, he attracted thousands of people to help him build of a huge replica of Calvary. This turned out to be one of his greatest disappointments. On the night before it was to be blessed, the Bishop, forbid the completed structure of Calvary to be blessed because the King of France did not want it to be built. On receiving this news, St. Louis told thousands of people who waited for the structure to be blessed, "We had hoped to build a Calvary here; let us build it in our hearts. Blessed be God."

As he continued to preach from town to town on devotion to Mary and the many sermons on the Holy Rosary, he converted thousands of people. His devotion to Mary was so great he added “Marie” to his middle name.

Pope John Paul II took his motto, “Totus Tuus”, from St. Louis De Montfort, who said we should belong totally to Jesus through Mary.

Once when he was traveling on a boat, he asked passengers, who were singing obscene songs, to join him in praying the rosary. Twice they made fun of him, but eventually they prayed the rosary with him on their knees, and listened to his sermon afterward.

Worn out by hard work and sickness, he finally came in April 1716 to Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre to begin the mission, which would be his last. During the mission, he became ill and died on April 28^th, 1716. He was 43 years old, and had been a priest for only 16 years. Thousands gathered for his burial in the parish church, and very quickly there were stories of miracles performed at his tomb.

During his life, he wrote several books on devotion to Mary and about the Rosary. They are True Devotion to Mary, the Secret of Mary and the Secret of the Rosary.

Today, let us remember to pray the Rosary every day, and pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary asking for Her favors, knowing that She is a good Mother, who will help us in all our needs. And if we have the opportunity, may also read some of St. Louis De Montfort’s books so, that we may come to know more about Mary and truly love Her as we ought.

2nd Tuesday of Easter

 

 “The wind blows where it wills and you can hear the sound it makes, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it goes.”

With these words, Jesus teaches Nicodemus, the Holy Spirit is invisible and imperceptible, by the senses. We cannot know how the Spirit begins, or how it ends, but we only hear, of its effects by externally seeing, what it does. It is no wonder than that one cannot understand it. The Holy Spirit is heard by in the wonderful effects and conversions brought about, by His invisible grace, and secret inspirations. Heroes from the Old and New Testament such as Samson, and St. Paul were transformed into new men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Today, the Holy Spirit continues to blow where it wills, in the secret of the hearts of men.

The Holy Spirit continues to form men and women to become saints. He brings about the conversion of ordinary people through ordinary circumstances. Often times we judge people by their exterior actions, but really have no idea how the Holy Spirit is working in their lives, changing their heart, moving them to do works of charity, inspiring them to love their neighbor and forgive those who have hurt them. In silence, the Spirit is moving as it wills.

Let us pray, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church. May She intercede on behalf of the world and the Church, that Her spouse, the Holy Spirit, will enlighten the pope, cardinals, bishops, priests to help them bear witness to the truth of the Gospel and may the Spirit bring about a new Pentecost in the Church, raising up religious brothers and sisters and ordinary men and women laymen to help bring about a springtime of faith in the Church, clearing away the dross and bringing about those, who are willing to lay down their lives for the truth in the midst of darkness and evil.

St. Mark - April 25th

 

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Mark, the evangelist. Even though Mark was one of the four gospel writers, he wasn’t one of the 12 apostles. He was a companion of St. Peter. It is believed, he spoke with Peter to obtain information which he would include in the gospel.

Mark accompanied St. Paul and St. Barnabas on St. Paul’s first missionary journey. Mark and Barnabas were relatives. After a sharp dispute between Paul and Barnabas, Paul took Mark with him to Cyprus.

Each of the four gospel writers is portrayed by an evangelist symbol. St. Mark’s symbol is that of the winged lion, because his gospel begins with the roar of a lion as John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord.

Mark's mother was a prominent member of the earliest group of Christians in Jerusalem; Peter came to her house when he was released from prison. The house was a meeting-place for the brethren, "many" of whom were praying there on the night Peter arrived from prison (Acts 12:12-17).

There are some traditions about St. Mark, we don’t know whether they are factual or not. For example: Some believe Mark was one of the servants at the Marriage at Cana, who poured out the water that Jesus turned to wine (John 2:1-11). Mark is also said to have been one of the Seventy Apostles sent out by Jesus (Luke 10); It is believed, he was the servant who carried water to the house where the Last Supper took place (Mark 14:13); Some thought he was the young man who ran away naked when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:51-52); and the one who hosted the disciples in his house after the death of Jesus, where He appeared after His resurrection.

St. Mark is often called the founder of Christianity in Africa, because he was the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. It is believed that he performed many miracles during his life while in Egypt. He is said to have appointed a bishop, three priests, and seven deacons there. Mark left Egypt for a time, and upon his return he attempted to persuade the people to turn away from their traditional worship of the Egyptian gods.

They resented him for trying to turn them away from their gods, and accused him of being a magician since, he worked so many miracles. In 67 AD, they captured him while he was offering Mass. After which, they killed him by dragging him through the streets. They tried to burn his body. Afterwards, Christians removed his body from the ashes, wrapped it, and then buried it within the church they had built.

Today, as we celebrate the feast of St. Mark, let us strive to proclaim his gospel, by bearing witness, through our life of virtue in imitation of Our Lady of all Virtues, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Divine Mercy Sunday

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This weekend is the Feast of Divine Mercy. In the Gospel today a good number of important things occurred. First. Jesus appeared to the 10 apostles, without Thomas, who was absent at the time. He showed them His hands and feet and side. Second. Jesus breathed on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” This action empowered the Apostles to forgive sins through the sacrament of Confession.

After Jesus departed, Thomas arrived and declared He will not believe Jesus came unless He sees the nail marks in His hands, feet and side. Now a week later, Thomas is with the other 10 when Jesus appeared again. Although the doors were locked, Jesus stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” and then He told Thomas to put his finger in the wounds in His hand and in His side. And then Thomas makes His famous statement declaring the divinity of Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Thomas bears witness to the physical presence of Jesus and His divinity. Jesus is God! It was really Him and not a ghost, not an apparition and not only a spiritual presence. He and the other apostles experienced Jesus in His resurrected body, which is a physical body that can be touched. But how could someone with a physical body enter a locked room?

The resurrected body of Jesus had what is called subtility, which means a physical resurrected body can pass through a solid substance like a door or a wall, and yet its a real physical body. At the General Resurrection, we will also get a new resurrected body and will have subtility and be able to pass through physical walls and substances, even though we too will have a physical body.

This is also true with regard to the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is not only the spiritual presence of Jesus. Its His body, blood, soul and divinity. His entire human and divine natures are present in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist is the resurrected and living body of Jesus. Not a hunk of flesh, but a person. We can’t have a relationship with a hunk of flesh, but a person. When we receive Holy Communion, Jesus passes through our body and we become one with Him.

There is a Catholic tradition where some people in their heart will say the words of St. Thomas when the Host is elevated above the altar, “My Lord and my God!” declaring our faith in the presence of Jesus, who is God in the Eucharist.

Today’s feast of Divine Mercy points to the importance to the sacrament of Baptism, Confession and the Holy Eucharist. But let us first look at the devotion originated.

In February of 1931, Sr. Faustina, a Polish nun, had an apparition of Jesus, which is different than how Jesus appeared to the Apostles. Our Lord was dressed in a white garment. He held one hand raised-- in blessing and the other hand touching his garment at his chest. From the point on his garment two rays of light emanated (one red and the other white).

Jesus said, “Paint a picture according to the vision you see and with the signature, ‘Jesus I trust in You!’ I desire that this picture be venerated first in your chapel and then throughout the whole world.” Later Jesus explained, “The rays represent the Blood and Water which gushed forth from the depths of my Mercy when My agonizing heart was pierced on the cross. The pale rays symbolize the water which cleanses and purifies the soul: the red rays represent the blood, which gives new life to the soul.” Today, we come to understand, the white rays represent baptism, and the red rays represent the Eucharist as fonts of mercy. The Divine Mercy picture we have in the church is the image Jesus wants venerated, especially on the Feast of Divine Mercy.

Jesus asked Sr. Faustina that the Sunday after Easter be celebrated as a Feast of Mercy. Jesus promised those who go to confession and receive Holy Communion would obtain a complete remission of all sin and all punishment due to sin.

A cardinal of Poland- in charge of the devotion-- said the Lenten confession is sufficient for the requirement, and if not currently in mortal sin.

Another priest from Poland, Canon Rozycki, came to the conclusion that the extraordinary grace promised by Jesus on the Feast of Mercy is a gift of grace equaled only by the grace of Baptism. Therefore, on Divine Mercy Sunday, our soul becomes like it had been at the moment it was baptized and after receiving Holy Communion, if we would die, we would go straight to heaven.

The soul of a man who was away from the Church for 50 years and comes to Confession and receives Holy Communion on this weekend and the soul of a person who regularly confesses on a monthly basis, have the same results today. Their sins are forgiven, and the punishment of their sins are forgiven and so their souls become like they were at the moment of baptism and if either would die immediately after receiving Holy Communion, they both would go straight to heaven.

When we dip our hand into the holy water font, and bless our self, we can obtain the forgiveness of our venial sins. And when we receive Holy Communion, our venial sins are also forgiven. This shows that God grants special graces to us through holy water and the Eucharist. Baptism washes away original sin, personal sin and the punishment due to sin. And the effects of Holy Water after baptism can wash away venial sin.

Jesus asked Sr. Faustina that the Sunday after Easter be celebrated as a Feast of Mercy and be preceded by a novena beginning on Good Friday. Our Lord told St. Faustina, #699, “On that day, the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.”

So the Divine Mercy devotion goes beyond the forgiveness of venial sins. When we receive Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday, the punishment of all sin is washed away as well. So all purgatory time is eliminated.

This feast was established by Saint Pope John Paul II in 2000 and is now the Sunday after Easter every year. With regard to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Sr. Faustina saw an angel about to execute God’s punishment on a city. She prayed for mercy but her prayers were without effect. Then suddenly she heard this prayer, “Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.” which caused the angel to lose its power to punish the city. It was later revealed to Sr. Faustina, the reason why God was going to punish the city, was because of the sin of abortion.

With this prayer, as well as the prayer, “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us, and on the whole world”, it’s called the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Jesus said, “Say unceasingly this chaplet. Anyone who says it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as a last hope. If the most hardened sinner recites this chaplet even once, they will receive grace from my infinite mercy. I want the whole world to know my infinite mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in my mercy.” Jesus also said, “I desire the confidence of my people. Let not even the weak and very sinful fear to approach me, even if their sins be as numerous as all the sand of the earth all will be forgiven in the fathomless pit of my mercy.”

Today, when we receive Holy Communion, if you are in the state of grace and if you have went Confession sometime during Lent up to today, all of your sins will be forgiven and the punishment due to your sins will be forgiven and your soul will become like it was at baptism. What an incredible gift God is given to us this weekend. Let us give thanks to God for His infinite, abundant and unfathomable mercy. O Mary, Mother of Mercy, thank you for interceding for us to obtain God’s mercy.

Easter Saturday

In the Gospel today, we see how difficult it was for the apostles to believe the witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. First, they fail to believe Mary Magdalene, who had seen the Lord near the tomb. Then they failed to believe to the two men who were on the road to Emmaus and their account of how Jesus revealed the scriptures to them and how Jesus vanished from them at the breaking of the bread, the 2^nd Mass. The apostles failed to believe them.

Try to recall the last time you told someone something, that you were certain was true and they did not believe you. How did you feel when they did not believe you?

First, you would be upset because they don’t take your word for what you are saying. Then you may become angry because they discount what you are saying as though it’s not true. Finally, you may wonder what kind of friend are they if they don’t believe what you are saying. Are they failing to believe what you are saying, out of pride? Or could be a lack of faith on their part and if it is a lack of faith, we should have pity on them, rather than become angry with them.

St. Mark tells us: “But later, as the Eleven were at table, He appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised.”

Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and hardness of heart. He also rebuked them for their lack of faith when He walked on the water and calmed the storm. Back when He was with them long before His crucifixion, He had told them if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains.

Hardness of heart is something that prevents one from seeing what is true. It is not open to the truth, because the heart is not seeking the truth, but rather wallowing in circumstances from the pain and emotional distress of Jesus’ death.

Jesus wants them and us to go beyond the darkness of life’s experiences, and open our heart to the truth, that He is with us and loves us because He rose from the dead.

May the Virgin Mary, the woman of great faith, help us to always be open to seeing Her Son in the midst of our daily lives, most especially in the difficult and dark moments, because He said, I will always be with you.

Easter Friday

 

The apostles went to Galilee because Jesus told them to go there. They were expecting to see Him, and were likewise expecting to be clothed with power from on high. Until these things would happen, Peter and the disciples decided to go fishing.

The apostles had been fishing all night and caught nothing. But when Jesus told them to throw out their nets, they caught 153 fish. Like true fisherman, they counted each fish, one by one, so they could tell others, how many had been caught.

Immediately, when the nets were filled with fish, John recognized the Lord. He said, “It’s the Lord!” Peter’s reaction is a bit humorous. He put on his cloak and jumped into the water to go and meet Jesus on the shore.

Much to their surprise, Our Lord had been cooking breakfast for them. He gave them baked fish to eat. They were probably hungry and tired-- since they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing.

All of the apostles knew beyond doubt, that they were not responsible for catching the fish. It was the Lord who told them to throw the nets over the side of the boat. They had fished all night and had caught nothing. They come to understand, they would become an instrument of the Lord--- catching something other than fish.

Just as Jesus would use the apostles to catch a large number of fish, so Our Divine Lord would use the apostles to catch, not fish, but men and women, who would become His followers. Today, let us pray that we will recognize the Lord and jump into the water of our faith--- and follow the Lord, so that we too may become fisher’s of men.

Michigan Catholic Woman Claims Dramatic Miracle

 

Michigan Woman Claims Dramatic Miracle

 https://youtu.be/WvT8hsmCC2E

Easter Thursday

 

 What would we do, if a deceased friend had been buried for three days, and suddenly they stood near us for everyone in the room to see?

First, we would think that we are seeing things. Then we would wonder if what we were seeing was a ghost. In order to prove it wasn’t a ghost we would have to touch them and perhaps watch them eat something, because a ghost would not have a body nor could it eat.

When Jesus suddenly appeared to the apostles in the upper room, the Gospel states, “they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.” But what they were seeing wasn’t a ghost. It was the real body of Jesus. Not just an apparition or a spiritual image. But rather, His entire person, His resurrected body and soul--- stood before them.

In order to prove He wasn’t a ghost, He encouraged them to touch Him, and to let them watch Him eat something. He said, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”

When He showed them His hands and feet, they were overcome with joy and were amazed. Then He said, “Have you anything here to eat?” at which time, they gave Him a piece of baked fish. He took it and ate it in front of them.

By seeing the wounds in His hands, touching His body, and watching Him eat; they came to understand it was really Jesus, whom they knew, and loved, and not a ghost.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to hundreds of people. And 40 days after His resurrection, He went to heaven on a cloud.

Today, many believe Jesus is physically present only in heaven. But this is not true. Yes, Jesus is physically in heaven, but Jesus is also, physically on earth, in a very unique way.

The same Jesus, who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday; who ascended into heaven; who has wounds in His hands and feet and side the apostles touched; who appeared to His Mother Mary, to Mary Magdalene, is the same Jesus, who is now really and truly present in the Eucharist, and whom you will receive today in Holy Communion.

In the Eucharist, many people think they are receiving only the spiritual presence of Jesus, but this not correct. Some treat the Eucharist-- as though it were only bread-- and that Jesus is in the bread. But this not what the Church teaches. Jesus is not in the bread. He is not only spiritually present, but is physically present in the Eucharist. What appears to bread and tastes like bread, is not bread at all. What was the bread-- has totally and completely changed into the entire person of the risen Christ. The Church describes the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist by stating, He is present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. This does not mean only His body, only His blood, only His soul, and only His divinity. Rather, this is a way to describe His presence, as wholly and entirely present.

The Eucharist is not a hunk of flesh. Rather, Jesus is really truly sacramentally present in the Eucharist, totally and completely, just as He appeared to the apostles. He is fully present in His human nature and in His divine nature in His resurrected body.

Today, when you hear the words, “The body of Christ,”-- imagine and believe, for it is truly the resurrected Jesus, who will truly stand before you. Listen to Him, perhaps you may hear Him say, “Peace be with you!”

Easter Wednesday

 

 “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”

Today’s Gospel presents one of Our Lord’s resurrection appearances on Easter Sunday. Having lost all hope, because Jesus, in whom they had placed their trust, had been crucified and was now dead, the two disciples were making their way toward Emmaus.

With eyes downcast, the met a traveler along the road began to walk with them. Not recognizing the traveler, as Jesus, they began to discuss with Him what had happened in Jerusalem. With great sadness and discouragement, they speak of Jesus in the past. They said “We had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel.” & (He) was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and the people.” The reality of His death caused them to say, “He was”.

After Our Lord interpreted for them the Scriptures, which referred to Himself, and how it was necessary, that the Christ would suffer, and enter into His glory. Jesus then acted as though He was going a different direction, but the two disciples, said to Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”

Our Lord had no plans to leave them. He wanted them to ask Him to stay, with them.

And “While He was at table, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them.” It was at the breaking of the bread, within the context of Mass at “the Eucharist” when their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.

During times of tragedy and suffering, do we not, do the same? Aren’t’ our eyes downcast, and we are saddened as we feel like the one, whom we trusted is no longer with us? But in reality, Jesus is beside us, encouraging us, and giving us hope. When we feel abandoned by God, it is then that Jesus is nearest to us. He is always at our side, and desires to fill our heart with the fire of His love. Even though we feel as though He is not with us, we should do as the two disciples, and say to Jesus, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”

When we come to Mass, do not our hearts burn within us, as the Scriptures are opened for us? At the breaking of the bread, at the consecration, do we not also realize, He is with us in the Eucharist, and has not left us, as orphans?

In the Eucharist, our eyes are opened to His love for us. In the Eucharist, He takes away our discouragement, and gives us hope. In the Eucharist, He gives us courage to face life’s difficulties. And when we receive Holy Communion, we will cry out with His Mother Mary, Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord, for He remembers His new and everlasting covenant, given to us the Last Supper, and here today at the Mass.

Holy Tuesday Pentecost

 

In the first reading Peter had just received the gift of the Holy Spirit with the other apostles and the Virgin Mary in the upper room and now Peter is not afraid to proclaim the truth. He said, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” And also said Jesus rose from the dead.

The Baltimore Catechism states that when we commit a mortal sin renew the Passion of Jesus in our time and participate in the crucifixion of Jesus. We all help nail Jesus to the Cross and after He has died we take the lance and stab the dead body of Jesus and gaze upon it as blood and water gush out. We all participated in the death of our Savior.

Have you ever stood up and told someone to their face that he or she has done something seriously wrong? Its like standing outside an abortion clinic and telling the person who is going inside, “Stop what you are doing! You are going to kill your son or daughter. Please let us help you to allow your child to live.” Or its like telling a drug dealer. “Stop dealing drugs, you are helping to make young people addicted to drugs and ruining their lives.” Or a priest standing before a congregation like Fr. Boor who looked out over the crowd and said to the immodestly dressed women, “Ladies you need to wear modest clothing, you look like a bunch of hookers.”

When we are confronted with our sins, if we cooperate with God’s grace, we will repent of our them and ask God forgiveness and then change our life.

Today, let us pray that God will give all mankind the grace to repent of all sins and come to Jesus to receive His infinite mercy. And may Mary our Mother, whose Heart was pierced at the foot of the Cross, so that the thoughts of hearts may be revealed, cause an out pouring of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus to boldly proclaim the truth to help people live lives in accord with the Christian way.

Tuesday of Easter

 

 In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and much to her amazement discovers two angels sitting there. One angel sat at the feet of where the body of Jesus had been laid and the other at the head. Can you imagine seeing two angels in a tomb? First of all, it would be scary to go all alone inside of a tomb and early in the morning, no one would expect to find two angels sitting there.

The angels said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She responds, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid Him” Certainly, they would have known why she was weeping. After all, they were sent there by God to help her discover that Jesus had risen. Yet they wanted her to recall that Jesus had said He would rise on the third day. However, she had not yet understood that Jesus had risen. Mary Magdalene turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize Him. Perhaps, she failed to recognize him for several reasons. First, she wasn’t expecting to see Him alive. Second, her eyes may have been filled with tears—such that it would have been difficult to see clearly who was standing there. Third. Our Lord would have looked different, because now He had a resurrected body.

Our Lord lovingly asked the same question as the angels. He said, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Who are you looking for?” She thought Jesus was the gardener of the cemetery, and so, she said, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take Him.”

Can you imagine, a frail woman offering to carry the body of a dead man? There is no way she could not have carried the body of Jesus herself. Yet, she had spoken with her heart and not with her mind; because all she was thinking about--- was the One she loved.

When Our Risen Lord, spoke her name, “Mary!”, it was then-- Mary Magdalene finally recognized Jesus. She was very familiar with the way Jesus said her name-- because she was a friend of His. Ever since Our Divine Lord forgave her many and very grievous sins, she followed Him whenever it was possible to do so.

Until Jesus forgave her sins, Mary most likely was the worst of sinners. However, once forgiven, she become a faithful disciple, and even stood at the foot of the Cross. Because she had been forgiven much, she in return--- loved Him much.

It was most likely for this reason; Our Lord appeared to her first. He didn’t first appear to Peter, the head of the apostles, or to the other apostles, but to Mary Magdalene. And then He asked her to announce to the apostles, that He had risen, and was going to His Father and their Father.

Today, after we come forward to receive Holy Communion, and then return to our pews, let us silently close our eyes and listen to Jesus—who will be within our heart.

And perhaps, we may hear, Our Risen Lord call us by name---- because we desire to love Him as Mary Magdalene loved Him, by being a faithful disciple, —even to standing at the foot of His Cross.