Something for you to ponder...

Click on the link...

http://forwardleadership.org/article/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-your-pastor

Getting to Holy Mass

Yesterday I was at the gym to work out.  I found myself in conversation with a young man (age 19) whose grandfather had recently passed away. I asked the young man about his grandfather and I offered my condolences and assurance of my prayers.  As we spoke I had the opportunity to discuss the issue of Mass attendance - the young man said he would like to get back to attending Mass on a regular basis.  Of course I invited him to St. Jerome's and let him know that I looked forward to seeing him on Sunday.

This brief conversation cause me to reflect on reasons why many people and especially young people have stopped attending Mass.  As I often do when I reflect on such things, I did a search of the things that others think about these issues.  I came across a series of radio broadcasts (two weeks worth at fifteen minutes each - listen to them here - Feb. 3 - Feb. 14).  Peter Herbeck, who is the presenter of these broadcasts, reflects on Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. Read what Pope Francis says at the very beginning of his exhortation:

     "The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.
      "I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”." (Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, par. 2 - 3.)

There it is!  Our lives are consumed by so many things that there is no room for God, no room for Jesus Christ! How sad!

I believe that we must respond to our Holy Father's invitation and open ourselves to an renewed encounter with Jesus Christ. The things of this world cannot and will never provide all that Jesus Christ can provide us: love, joy, & peace.  This is the purpose of the Holy Mass: to provide a place where we can experience the love, joy, & peace of Jesus Christ.  This is the reason for attendance at Holy Mass each Sunday.  AND if this IS the reason, AND if Jesus does bestow these gifts then NOTHING will stop us from attending Holy Mass each Sunday.

Next Sunday, January 12th, a special celebration will take place during the 11AM Mass: Coming Home ~ A Celebration of Healing & Hope.

When we consider the impact that Jesus had on the crowds of people that he encountered, we must realize the depth of his desire to heal the wounds, the hurts, the suffering that people carried.  He told his disciples that he came to seek and save those who were lost.  He told parables about seeking those who were lost.  When he found them or when they approached him, he healed them, he set them free from their pain and suffering.  "Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you rest," he told the crowd that gathered around him.

In our world today there are many people who feel lost and alone; many people are hurt and angry about many things, especially things related to the Church. Many people feel like they have been abandoned by the Church, again, for many different reasons.  The Church however is much bigger than the institution with which many identify themselves.  The Church is the Body of Christ, the People of God, you and I and we need one another ~ and we need Jesus.

My hope, my prayer, my desire is that everyone has the opportunity to experience, first and foremost the healing power of Jesus in the Eucharist.  We gather, not because of a set of dogmas and doctrines, but rather because of one person who desperately wants to have a personal relationship with each and everyone of us.  HE wants us to be free of all the pain and hurts that prevent us from experiencing him.

Join us at the 11AM Mass for special prayers for healing and hope so that together we can experience Jesus Christ.

Biblical Teachings on Marriage and Family. A Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family « Archdiocese of Washington

Click on the link for a really good essay on God's plan for The Family.  This is a great follow up to my homily this weekend.

Biblical Teachings on Marriage and Family. A Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family « Archdiocese of Washington

Peace & blessings

Christmas Homily

I had this thought: GIVING GIFTS REQUIRES TRUST. Think about it... what is the reason for spending time thinking about what gift you will give to the person you love? Is it not because you want that person to like and accept the gift? In order for that to happen you have to trust that he/she will like what you will give.

I stand here offering the gift of my preaching, I have to trust that you will receive what I have to say.  But what I say is more than just the message, the words I speak. In fact my preaching is about who I am as a person, about what I believe, and therefore I have to trust that you will not only accept my message, but I must trust that you will accept me - even to the sound of my voice.  When I have to preach homilies in special circumstances - when I am invited someplace to preach - often I will record myself. When I play back the recording I often catch words or phrases that are just not right. BUT, have you ever recorded your own voice and then listened to it? My thought is: “do I actually sound like that?” “Yikes, I sound like a dork!!!” I find I can’t stand listening to the sound of my own voice. So as I stand here, I think, “if I don’t like to listen to me, will you?" I have to TRUST you will listen to me, that you will HEAR my message, that you will accept what I offer.

I don’t think its too difficult to make the leap from that to say that GOD had to trust Mary would say yes when the angel appeared to her and announced that she was to be the mother of His Son.  Now we have sense that Mary was PRE-DESTINED to be the mother of Jesus - as if to say, she was the one and she had no choice in the matter. She was chosen, not me, not you, she was to be the one and there was nothing that she could do about it.  I don’t think so, I do not thing that she was pre-destined, rather she was PRE-DISPOSED! Her soul was not stained by original sin (Immaculate Conception) so that she could be a worthy vessel to carry the Son of God. She was, however, given the same gift of free will you and I have: she could have said no, but because she was not stained by original sin, she made the only logical choice: she said yes! 

Now, Luke tells us that having heard the message of the Angel - that she would give birth to a son - she responded, “how can  this be?”  This is not a question of doubt rather, it is a statement of wonder. It is as if Mary is saying, “WOW, God trusts me! How can I say NO?”  How could she possibly say no to the trust that God has for her?

I read the long form of the Gospel of Matthew with all the "this one was the Father of that one" - the genealogy of Jesus. I know it seems crazy (why is this even there?) and is often left out. In past years even I have chosen the short form option of that Gospel which begins with, “This is how the birth of Jesus happened…” Matthew starts his gospel with genealogy of Jesus because it is important on many levels - first century Jews who read it or heard it proclaimed would have understood it’s importance. For us, this Christmas it is important because it is a story of God’s willingness to TRUST his people - even when they say NO! Even when they didn't listen to Him, even when they doubted Him.

God trusts us even when we say no!

No matter what they did, God continued to trust them with the many gifts he had in store for them.  Here’s one example: Matthew reminds his listers (that includes you and I) of the trust God has for us: “David was the father of Solomon whose mother was the wife of Uriah.” Even after David made of mess of things God still remainder faithful! God’s trust never faltered.  (You do remember the story of David and Bathsheba?) 

Then of course the ultimate story of TRUST that someone would accept his gift: “Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” If anyone could have said no, it was Joseph, consider his circumstances… he could very easily said NO!  But he didn’t! HIS WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT MARY AND JESUS - becomes our blessing.  Because of the yes to God’s trust, because of Mary and Joseph we too have received so great a gift: Jesus, God’s very self.  We sing, “O little town of Bethlehem” tonight.  Think of this: what was the manger Jesus was laid in? A food trough! What does the word Bethlehem mean? House of Bread! Jesus is food, bread, He gives us Himself as the bread of life, as food. God trusts you and I with the gift of his very self, Jesus, in this Holy Eucharist…

How could we possibly say NO?

I've finally gotten around to starting the parish Facebook page - find St. Jerome Church, Tamaqua on Facebook and "LIKE" us - and "FRIEND" us!

Why is Christmas Celebrated Mainly at Night? « Archdiocese of Washington

I came across this meditation and thought you might enjoy it as I did.

Peace and blessings this Holy Season as we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.


Why is Christmas Celebrated Mainly at Night? « Archdiocese of Washington