Loving is Caring for ALL
A Reflection for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsaergius.org

“Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations. All the commandments are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbor; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments”. (Romans 13:8 – 10)
There are two passages from the Readings for this Sunday that should guide us in how, we who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, should be judging people and making our choices about who we associate with, not only to those we meet and encounter each and every day of our life, but those who we elect into government positions where they will have the power and opportunity to make necessary changes that would help those who most need help.
In Romans 13:8-10 Paul exhorts us to refrain from getting into debt which most of us are unable to live by because of the exorbitant cost of everyday needs which can be directly connected to a couple of factors that our governing leaders could control.
One reason is the trillions of dollars spent in fighting a war against a country that did not attack us instead of putting our military might seeking the people responsible who did. This war has drained our economy and the social programs that could help the poor, disabled and aged to maintain a constant quality of live they experienced ten years ago, provide quality affordable health care for all our citizens from birth to death. Guaranteed affordable quality education to every child and guaranteed College education to those who desired it.
Over 4000 families who have lost sons, daughters, Mothers and Fathers waging this war and the resulting damage has been tremendous financial strain for years to come to all of them. Thos who returned physically or mentally disabled have received minimal assistance especially those suffering from PTSD from the trauma of the war and the horrors they experienced. Another causality of the deficit has been educational support to our returning veterans and affordable college educations for the poor and middle income families.
Another source of our fiscal difficulties and resulting debt every family, except those whose income is over $250,000 a year are the exorbitant profits some corporation have extracted and Golden Parachutes that some companies CEO’s have received due to higher than necessary prices charged for everyday necessities like Gas for transportation, fuel to heat homes and run factories that create the goods we need.
The failure of our Government leaders has resulted in high unemployment because of jobs going to countries that pay lower wages just so the corporations can achieve higher profits at the expense of the workers in this country. THIS IS NOT SHOWING LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS BECAUSE THESE THINGS HAVE HURT THE MAJORITY SEVERELY.
We also need to evaluate those who claim to be leaders of faith communities. Any faith community that turns a child of God away because of race, marital status or sexual orientation is not living the example Christ gave us. Jesus neither rejected nor turned away anyone who came to Him. He welcomed those that Jewish laws forbid Jews to mingle with. He lived by extending a welcome and showing love to ALL.
The Gospel for Sunday tells us that “, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven” yet we find ourselves constantly separating ourselves because of petty and self-serving desires that have little or nothing to do with Christ’s teachings and way of life. Just imagine if all the Christian denominations who claim to be followers of Christ were to join together with one common goal, to make this world a better place for ALL God’s children and not just the select few how much better everyone of earth would be. If Christ is with us as He tells us in the Gospel “For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.” (Matthew 18:15 – 20) there is now power or force that could overcome us. The time is NOW for us to gather together as ONE VOICE, ONE CHURCH, ONE BROTHERHOOD IN CHRIST to bring about a time of BROTHERHOOD AND TRUE LOVE that cannot hurt your neighbor. AMEN

Do You Reflect Christ’s Love?
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org


When you look in your spiritual mirror what do you see? Is the reflection cast back at you sharp and clear or are there streaks or dirty spots on the mirror?
Can you see the infinite and everlasting mercy and love of Christ being reflected back at you?
If there are streaks or spots on your reflection ask yourself what is it in me that is causing those distortions. Possibly they are there because you are not totally accepting yourself as God’s child. They could be caused because you spend too much time thinking about yourself and your needs instead of finding out how you can reach out to help others less fortunate than you.
One thing that can cause dark shadows and streaks on your mirror reflection is the distance you put between you and Almighty God. You believe in God and turn to Him when in need of a special intention such as healing or a job, but do you take time every day to communicate with him as you would with your best friend and give thanks for all he has given you?
Sometimes, just possibly, when you look in the mirror you do not recognize the person staring back at you. You need to ask why.
There is of course those times when you can see another figure behind you who seems to be calling to you. That reflection can either be the dark, frighteening and foreboding presence of Satan who is trying to entice you to reject God and live for pleasure, fame and fortune, or it might be a beautiful luminescent image that seems to glow from within which is the reflection of God, the Holy Spirit or your gaurdian Angel whispering to you to follow the path of rightousness.
Take a good look at yourself in that mirror, do you reflect the infinite love and mercy of Jesus Christ to yourself and to all you encounter on your life journey ? Do you live your live in a way that would prompt God to praise you as “My good and faithful servant”? If so your image is crystal clear and exactly what you want to envision when you look in your spiritual mirror. What you see in that mirror is how others see you and react towards you. If you live your life always striving to be kind, generous, thoughtful, forgiving, and not discriminatory of any individual, even those with whom you disagree, you are well on the way to seeing Christ in your reflection and others will see that in you.
If, however, you discriminate because God created someone with a same sex orientation, or someone has been divorced, or worse yet, that an individual is not of the same nationality, race or religious denomination as you, then your reflection is going to be full of blotches, stains and streaks and your image in the mirror needs to be cleaned up.
Jesus Christ did not reject anyone, he called and welcomed all to himself, even those who were sinners so that he could forgive them and encourage them to “Go and Sin No More” He sat at table with all political and religious persons, rejecting no one, teaching them how to attain salvation. Christ endured suffering and even death on the cross in order to free us from the burden of sin and open the gates of heaven to all. His example should have told us that to live as He instructed would not be easy and that we might be ridiculed and rejected and even have to suffer in order to be truthful and live according to God’s will.
Christ and His Almighty Father have even given us a source of strength in the gifts bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit; Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.
The secret here is, we have to seek them out and ask God to bestow them upon you.
In closing I would like to share a prayer that I say every day.
Prayer for God’s Infinite Love
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD, March 24th 2006
Almighty and merciful God, open my mind, my heart, and my soul to your infinite love. Instill within me the knowledge of your truth. Guide me in your ways in all the things I do so that I may be unto others a reflection of your love towards them. Allow the light of your truth to flow through me, towards them, in order that they may come to know you better.
I pray that all those with whom I come in contact with, each and every day, may be brought into a closer union with you and enjoy the promise of Your salvation earned through your beloved son, Jesus Christ, in His passion, death, resurrection and ascension.
I humbly ask this in the name of your beloved son, Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever unto the ages of ages. AMEN
May your spiritual reflection be crystal clear and bright and may Almighty God give you the fortitude to improve your reflection so that in it you and others see God clearly. AMEN

Anniversary Reflection

Anniversary of Ordination Reflection
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.Missionstsergius.org


On the Third anniversary of my ordination as a priest, August 15th, I reflect back on my feelings on the blessed opportunity and great challenge Almighty God has bestowed upon me.
“Your are a priest forever like Melchizedek of Old”, with these words a person goes from being a simple follower of Jesus Christ to an individual whose live is now dedicated completely to the service God and His children here on earth.
As such, you have the awesome responsibility of shepherding all God’s children. You become the hands, feet, mouth, heart and human voice of Almighty God here on earth.
You duty is to give solace and comfort to those in pain and always affirm God’s infinite love, mercy and forgiveness to all His children.
You need to always be uplifting and positive toward all even when you yourself do not feel that well. These responsibilities are to be extended to every child of God that you encounter as you go about your daily life. You need to stop thinking about yourself and focus on the needs of God’s children all over the globe, especially those who feel unwanted and rejected and in need of comfort and affirmation.
In a world that appears to be increasingly more self centered and absorbed in the material things of life and less interested in the needs of others and would rather use violence to settle disputes and differences instead of common sense, it is deeply disturbing and often seems to overwhelm you.
My heart becomes heavy when I see and hear children of God being turned away from participating in a faith community and being denied God’s gift to us, in the Eucharist because they are divorced or have been created by Almighty God with a same sex orientation.
Sadness fills me when I see dedicated men and women being denied the opportunity to serve God because they are married or worse still, just because their gender is female.
I ask myself why a person who is dedicated and has the necessary education and training and believes God is calling them to serve, be refused because of their marital state or sexual orientation. As long as they are willing to live their life in a way that would not bring dishonor to Almighty God they should be welcomed.
It saddens me and has caused much pain and suffering that some called to priesthood and the hierarchy forgot their duty and responsibility to God and failed to live their vows and damaged the trust of many. Good and faithful priests have been hurt by their actions and God’s children have become disillusioned because of what was allowed to happen.
All the titles and wealth of the world cannot raise a person any higher in the eyes of God than being a good and faithful humble servant as a priest.
We need to care for God‘s people as Christ would have cared for them. At times this can become overwhelming especially when you are handicapped by a lack or resources.
So many are hurting and I want to do so much more than I am doing and wonder if I am failing God or if my efforts are being lost because of my limitations.
I find it strange that when God has chosen to communicate with us here on earth either as himself or in the person of our Blessed mother He rarely made himself known to the rich and powerful but choose the poorest of His Children loved Him deeply and who have put their complete faith and trust in Him. St. Francis was a soldier, St. Joan a simple maiden, Juan Diego a peasant Indian, Padre Pio a simple priest, St. Bernadette a simple school girl. None of these were the hierarchy of the church. When they proclaimed what God directed them to do, they were ridiculed, scorned, persecuted and in some cases put to death. One has to wonder why God did not go directly to the hierarchy. Could it be that with their lofty titles and grandiose life styles had lost sight of God’s original intent? Could it be that they chose to use their positions of power to decipher the word of God to suite their own self interests?
I have pondered this often and I believe that this may well be the case.
To have been called by God to be a priest is a tremendous and overwhelming responsibility which I pray daily I am able to live up to. I am sure that God has called me for a special mission at this late stage of my life. I find His choice of me to be surprising and heady, filled with many roadblocks but I willing to accept His call knowing that if it is His will, He would give me the necessary things to do the task.
These past three years have been most humbling. Some of my family and friends and neighbors have rejected me because I do not agree with the rules instituted by the men who rule but in actuality have nothing to do with Christ’s teachings and the early church.
There have also been times that were spiritually uplifting and humbling you receive notes like these; “Thank you for being there in my time of crisis”, “I think the Mission is doing a great job. I wish there were something similar to it here where I live. To me the Catholic Church talks with a forked tongue as the Native Americans say”, “I read your messages and obtain a special insight into the Mass that I attend personally”, “You have more energy and compassion than even I! You give and ask nothing in return. You are indeed a follower of Jesus and Francis.” “Because of your reflections and affirming statement I have gone back to church after many years away”
I am constantly asking Almighty God to inspire me and guide me so that I may only bring honor and Glory to Him. I pray constantly that I can make a difference in the lives of those who come to me and bring them into a closer relationship with Almighty God. That is my only desire and prayer.
I recently said that we have to give ourselves over completely to God, subverting our own personal desires and putting lives in God’s hands. I believe that this is the only way that we can fully serve God. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane cried out "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Jesus gave himself over totally to God’s will teaching us to accept all God calls us to do even when it is not what you would rather do.
When I was called to be a priest, after so many years of feeling the call, and believing in my heart I was being called and being denied so many times because I had been married, too old or feeling unworthy of the call, I began to think it was not God’s will.
When, at age 71, I received the acceptance into the Franciscans and not just as a deacon which I had been ordained as in 1980, but as a priest. I accepted the call with the full knowledge that my life, as I had lived it and known, was over and I was to begin a new life, whose only purpose was to serve God with complete and total being.
I ask God to constantly lead me to where He wants me to go.
I trust He will provide me the strength, health, wisdom, means and courage to accept all that I need to do.
During this week of my Anniversary I implore each of you to pray for me and the ministry asking God to provide me with the tools necessary to reach out to all those whom this ministry is intended to reach and guide me by the gifts of The Holy Spirit to always know His will and to accept and do His will for as long as He chooses to allow me to be His humble and simple servant. AMEN

A Reflection For Sunday July 20th

What is the Root of All Evil?
A Reflection for Sunday July 20th 2008
By Rev. Fr. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org

We often hear the expression “Money is the root of all evil” and sometimes it seems that it is very true.
All we have to do is look at the current situation in the world and more explicitly in the United States and ponder if that is not the case.
In reality the root of all evil is NOT money but man’s DESIRE FOR POWER and symbols of status; greed and the seeking of great wealth to increase one’s status in the eyes of powerful people, or jealousy over losing control over people because of a loss of status in the world of finance is the actual cause of the evil that often occurs. Money is an obvious measure of one’s status, so it’s easy to confuse the two.
The actual statement from which this expression came is; “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” and is found in Timothy, 6:10. Even some Religious denominations have succumbed to this desire for money not for humanitarian use but for status and the symbols of status and power.
This past week we have seen something we have not seen since the depression in 1934, long lines of people rushing a bank to withdraw their savings because the bank had collapsed. We have also seen people loosing their homes due to foreclosure because of the practices of unscrupulous banks whose only goal was to increase their stock value and the dividends to their stockholders and obscene salaries of CEOs.
Because of the actions of the business tycoons and greedy politicians millions of our low income and elderly citizens are suffering significantly, which is most certainly an intrinsic evil.
The reading from the book of Wisdom 12 for this Sunday talks about being kind to your brothers and sisters in Christ, which is every individual on the face of the earth. “You are mild in judgment, you govern us with great lenience, for you have only to will, and your power is there. By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men” It is sad that our government leaders do not follow this kind of governing.
Kindness, Compassion, Justice, Mercy, and Charity are virtues that often seem to be in short supply in our world today. They have been replaced with the notion that we should live with the concept of “obscene salaries of CEOs”
In August 2004 Andrew Greeley wrote in the Chicago Sun Times; “The most serious spiritual problem in the country today is reckless and untrammeled greed. Greed caused the disgraceful corporate scandals that fill our newspapers. Greed is responsible for crooked cops and crooked politicians. Greed causes the constant efforts to destroy unions that protect basic worker rights. Greed has produced rash tax cuts that have given money to the rich and in effect taken it away from the poor.” Unfortunately things have not changed but only gotten worse. The oil companies continue to earn exorbitant profits which have caused the prices for gasoline and heating oil to almost double in the last year. Coupled with the fact that many of them hold the rights to explore for oil on vast tracts of land in and off shore the US that they are not using. This is an prime example of Greed causing great evil because it is hurting those who can least afford to be hurt, the poor, aged and ill.
In his comments in 2004 Andrew Greeley went on to say; “No one said during the bizarre deification of President Reagan that he taught us that greed is good and that we should feel good about our greedy country. Greed is the reason that the country is being run by the insurance, pharmaceutical, weapons and petroleum industries. Greed causes worldwide sex slavery of women and children.”
This situation has only gotten worse in the last four years.
One of the results of all this is that agencies like food banks, the Salvation Army and churches, our included, that attempt to relieve the suffering of the poor, aged and ill have experienced a great drop is their donations which have resulted in their inability to help all those who need it.
The time is now for every person who claims to be a God fearing follower of Jesus Christ to look deeply within themselves and seek the Holy Spirit’s help is making the changes necessary in ourselves to eliminate this source of evil from our mindset and help us to be more mindful of the needs of others.
Today’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans affirms that; "The Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. … and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well” from Romans 8:26 - 27
Let us rid ourselves of self indulgence and instead begin to find way to be charitable, compassionate , forgiving and most importantly, True followers of Christ by living as followers of Christ and loving, caring for our neighbor ( every human on the face of the earth) as Christ loved and cared for all He encountered. AMEN

July 13th Reflection

Do You Hear God’s Teaching?
A Reflection for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFDMission Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Reformed Catholic Church International
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans

For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me. Matthew 13:1 - 23
These words taken from the Gospel for this Sunday may very well describe the condition of our country and to the rest of the world.It would appear that we as people have not learned much since Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Romans 8:18-23 “but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.”
Throughout history the children of God have sought to find a place where they were treated with respect and dignity and acknowledged for their inner self and not for their race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, or their wealth. Even in this country that proclaims to be founded on the principal that “ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL” distinctions are made because of a persons wealth, or race, creed, marital situation or sexual orientation.
Paul begins his letter to the Romans “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature ….And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
If we are meant to please God one might ask how we do that. The answer, as far as I am concerned, is simple. We please God by first of all giving God the thanks and praise that He deserves for all He has provided us with and then we show compassion, respect, equality and charity toward all God children no matter who or where we encounter them.Just as Christ told them many things in parables the word of God is not always clear to us and often given mistaken interpretations in order to meet the popular views of the time in order to maintain wealth and power.
In today’s Gospel we hear the parable of the sower who scattered seed and some fell along the edge of the path, some on rock, some on thorns and some on fertile soil. Only the seeds that fell on fertile soil grew and bore fruit, the rest died for one reason or another. So it is with the Truth of Christ’s teachings.Jesus goes on to say in this Gospel; “Listen, anyone who has ears!…they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. So in their case this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled: You will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive. For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me.”
When we are true to the teachings of Christ and adhere to His teachings, giving Love to all God’s children as He gave Love to all He encountered, forgoing the man made rules that have caused division and suffering to so many, then and only then will we be true to Christ teachings and give honor and glory to Almighty God.The family of God need to become a true loving, compassionate, caring, family and look out for the well being of every member of the family, not just the select few who meet our standards.We need to work to end the violence, hunger, homelessness and suffering so many are encountering and find was to lift the sick, poor, and aged up so that they can enjoy some of life’s basic needs.The Gospel reading ends with these words; “Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path.”
Let us not receive God’s truth as given us by Jesus Christ and then go our way accepting only that which suites us and seek only wealth, power and material and physical pleasure, for when we do we give ourselves over to the temptations of the evil one and are in danger of loosing our heavenly reward.All God’s children are precious to Him and should be to all of us who consider ourselves followers of Christ. AMEN

Sunday, May 25th 2008, Reflection

Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
A Reflection by Rev. Fr. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans

“Jesus said, ‘No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money. ‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, or about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely, life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are we not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?” It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6: 24-34)

The reading for this Sunday is extremely clear and one that seems to have been lost on many who claim to be followers of Christ.
The message I perceive from this reading is that we need to focus our concerns on how well we are doing in acting in a manner that is pleasing to Almighty God.We need to stop worrying about things and place our complete trust in God.
In our current society many people place far more importance on what they will wear, what kind of car they should drive to impress others, and seem to care little for the needs of the poor, sick, elderly and more on their own self interests.
Yes!, we do have to make sure that our families are taken care of and are comfortable but we do not have to have those flat screen TV’s, the latest fashion clothes and houses large enough to accommodate a family of 15.
St. Francis gave up a life of luxury to live simply and to care for the downtrodden, poor , sick and outcasts of his time based on this Gospel passage.
I have been accused of being an extreme liberal because of my concerns for others quality of life. I have had my recent commentary for Memorial day challenged because I spoke of how our country, which was founded on the principal of equality for all, has lost it’s focus.
I am aware that my messages are not popular and often might make people uncomfortable because they are not candy coated but challenge us to live our lives not for the here and now, but for our eternal life with Almighty God.
To do that we have to put into action in our daily lives those qualities that Christ indicated were the way to live.
In today’s Gospel Christ tells us; “Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Recently I, my family, this ministry, Senator Kennedy and many others have been given major challenges which they have no control over like the difficulties caused by the spiraling costs of all things especially illness, gas, food, and health care.
In all these concerns I place my trust in God and that He will bring us trough it according to His plan for us and especially for the needs of this ministry.
I take the position that you worry about the things you have control over and do what you have too improve them and place in God’s hands the things He can control.
Trust in God and He will take care of you just as He cares for the all of His creation as the Gospel today relates. I believe, that if more people would turn to God seeking answers to the chaos the world seems to be in, that God will hear our cry for help and bring about change.
We need to place God first every moment of every day by living according to Christ’s teaching in all the things we do.
In some areas churches are being closed because of a lack of people attending while other churches that cater to selected passages of scripture that appeal to select segments of society and practice discrimination and bigotry because of their race are growing. This is not what Christ taught. Every person on this earth is a child of God and as such needs to be treated with dignity and respect.
Evil needs to be fought and compassion needs to be practiced. If we “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST LOVES US” we cannot do so with hatred or bigotry.
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul states, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
If we are to love like Christ loved, we have to care for others, place our hope and trust in God, not seek our own glory and self edification and luxury but show compassion, forgiveness, and generosity and most of all give to God the worship, honor, glory and praise He deserves every day of our earthly life.
We need to make God our master and be a slave to Him. We cannot cater to the tools of Satan; Pride, Wrath, Envy, Greed, Lust, Gluttony, sloth which have been called THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. Today, these sins are reflected in "environmental pollution, genetic manipulation, obscene wealth, infliction of poverty, drug trafficking, morally debatable experiments, and violation of the fundamental rights of human nature.
We need to practice; Charity, Kindness, Patience, Humility, Temperance, diligence and Chastity, which is using the gift of sex in a loving relationship and not for personal self gratification.
The problems of our world and country can be solved but we need to make God and His rules take first place.
We can start the process by doing that in our own personal life.
May God grant unto us the courage, strength and grace to make the changes necessary. AMEN

Be Proud of Being a Christian
A Reflection for Seventh Sunday After Easter
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans

The readings today are very powerful and affirming as they instruct us to be proud of being a follower of Christ, A Christian, and infer that when we are punished or ridiculed by others for proclaiming our faith and living out our faith as Jesus instructed, we should realize how much Christ loves us because He allows us to share in His suffering.
“If you can have some share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed. It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, because it means that you have the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God resting on you. None of you should ever deserve to suffer for being a murderer, a thief, a criminal or an informer; but if anyone of you should suffer for being a Christian, then he is not to be ashamed of it; he should thank God that he has been called one.” (1 Peter 4:13 - 16)
Being called a Christian is not an insult, or something to be ashamed of, it is a heavenly honor bestowed upon us by Almighty God and His beloved son, Jesus Christ.
Let us face it, in today’s society many people claim to be Christians, but when you look closely, their actions are diametrically opposite the teachings of Christ. Many discriminate and reject God’s children for reasons that are selfish or based on ignorance. People are refused participation in the worship of God because of their race, nationality, or sexual orientation or divorce. Children are refused Baptism because their parent is a single parent. This is not what Jesus taught.
If we are ashamed to live and act as Christ taught us and showed us by His actions, then we should not claim we are Christian.
If we do not have compassion for the sick, aged, homeless, and poor and reach out to help them, then we cannot claim to be a follower of Christ.
If we do not support and assist in the work of those who try to live the teachings of Christ by giving back some of the gifts God has provided us, we can not claim to be living out the message of Christ.
Being proud to be a Christian means we are not ashamed to say a prayer of thanksgiving to God before eating a meal;, even when that is in a public place.
Being proud and living out a Christian life means to be active in the ministry of Christ and worshiping God by prayer, receiving the Gift of Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist, and speaking out against injustice when ever we encounter it.
The Gospel reading from John 17:1 - 21 is the prayer Christ said in the Garden just before being betrayed and handed over to fulfill the plan of our salvation.
“Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you; and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him, let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. Moreover, eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. ….. I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now at last they know that all you have given me comes indeed from you; for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me. I pray for them; I am praying for those you have given me, because they belong to you: all I have is yours and all you have is mine, and in them I am glorified… Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us.’ While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. ….. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one… Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth… I have sent them into the world… While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. …..I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
This prayer ends with Christ asking God, His Father, to protect from the Evil one all who accept to live as Christians and commissioning us to go out into the world and proclaim God’s will by word and deed.
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
Christ not only gave us The Truth, but He was the Light that showed us the way to the Father and that was is to live out our lives in the same way Christ, St. Francis and Mother Teresa of Calcutta and all those who speak out against injustice, poverty, homelessness, and discrimination have before us.
Being proud of your Christianity is to live your life every day by being Christ centered in prayer, word, action and doing it without fear of being ridiculed for it. AMEN

Ascension Thursday Reflection

A Reflection for The Ascension of Christ
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Based on Acts 1:1 - 11, Matthew 28:16 - 20, Ephesians 1:17 - 23
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans

As we celebrate Christ Ascension to The Father let us reflect on the readings for today and what they mean to us. In the Gospel reading, Matthew 28:16 - 20, we are directed to “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.” How do we do that? We do it by living our lives every day as Christ gave us and example and directed us in His Sermon on the Mount or as we know them by, The Beatitudes.
That means we need to be aware of the needs of other, show compassion to those who are sick, poor, hungry, homeless and marginalized.
Christ also promises us that He is with us always. “Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”
Paul’s letter the to Ephesians could very well be addressed to us today for in it He is giving a blessing that asks God to sustain us and Paul also reinforces the reality that Christ was indeed the Son of God and the chosen one promised to rule the heavens and the earth.
“May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.” (Ephesians 1:17 - 23)
The first reading from The Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 relates how Jesus returned from dead and revealed himself to the Apostles and promised that they would receive the Holy Spirit to guide them and lead them. “In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and I taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. ‘It is’ he had said ‘what you have heard me speak about: John Baptized with water but you, not many days from now, will be Baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Every person who is Baptized is done so with not only water but also The Holy Spirit.
In two weeks we will celebrate that day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the miracle that occurred of their being heard in the language of people from many nations who did not speak the languages of the Apostles, attending their teachings.
Christ came to teach us the Truth and to give us the guidelines of how to live our life so that we would be pleasing to Almighty God and to distinguish the difference between God’s way and the man made rules that have nothing to do with gaining everlasting life.
When asked, Christ summed up all the Commandments or Rules with two very clear and simple ones. “Love the Lord, Your God, with your whole mind, body, and soul and love your neighbor as you love yourself” On another occasion Christ told us “Love one another as I have loved you”.
Christ loved us so much that He was willing to give His earthly life up so that we could have everlasting life and our sins could be forgiven.
Christ welcomed every one who came to Him. Christ made no distinction between race, gender or nationality. Christ was compassionate and taught us to be mindful of the needs of others.
Christ rebuked the hierarchy of the Jewish faith for their greed and their man made rules that often prevented people from offering God worship just as many church leaders do today.
Jesus told us "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:5-7)As we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension let us reflect on how well we are following the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. Are we being mindful of the needs of other? Are we speaking out against injustice? Do pray and take advantage of the Gift of The Eucharist? Do we reject discrimination because of race, Social status, nationality, sexual orientation, age, employment and other conditions that marginalize people and cause pain and suffering?
Christ’s way and being a true Christian is living our life in a way that often is in contrast to today’s society.
Christ left us with a legacy of living our life to please God so that we could claim the place prepared for us with the Father, let’s not forfeit that by rejecting His way but claim it by living as He taught us without shame, openly and proudly. AMEN

Loving Jesus is Loving God

Love of Jesus is love of God, The Father
A reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2008
Based on Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans

The Gospel Reading for the sixth Sunday after Easter is extremely plan and clear, by loving and living our daily lives in accord with the teachings of Christ we exhibit our love for God, The Father. In reading the following passage from John 14 one can not interpret it in any way except that by following Christ’s teachings we live our lives in accord with God’s desire for us.
The reading also emphasizes that when we live our lives according to the teachings of Christ we are given the Holy Spirit within us as our counselor and guide.
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John 14:15-24)
The reading also emphasizes that the Holy Spirit can not be seen but lives within us who accept Christ and attempt, to the best of our human ability to live our daily lives with love for all God’s children, with compassion for the sick, aged, lonely, hungry, homeless and marginalized.
Christ ends the message with a firm affirmation that “"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
The questions we have to ask ourselves are these; “Do we seek our God and take time to communicate with Him on a daily basis? Do we take advantage of the gift Christ gave us of His body and blood in the Eucharist regularly? Do we give back to God a percentage of the gifts He has given to us by contributing to those who are in need and to support the work of the church by tithing in time or a monetary way?
Do we speak out against injustice, violence, war, poverty and discrimination?
These are the things that Christ did when He walked this earth and showed us the way to the Father.
We need to follow His example if we wish to be welcomed into the Fathers house and claim the home prepared for us there.
The following is a prayer to invoke the Holy Spirit to abide within us and to guide and lead us every day of our life. The more one invokes the Holy Spirit, the more we feel the Spirit Christ promised working within us. May Almighty God fill us with the Spirit and shower us with His infinite mercy and love every day of our life. AMEN



Prayer to The Holy Spirit
By Father Robert Johnnene OFD
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans

O Most Holy Spirit, merciful Comforter; Come, I beseech You, and take up abode in my heart. Let my weaknesses be penetrated with your strength, so that I may always do what is right and just. Fill my heart with charity toward all I encounter. Enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts. Purify and cleanse me of all sin and sanctify my soul protecting and shielding me from the temptations that plague me. Make me truly humble that I may be pleasing to Almighty God. Instill within me an honest respect of Almighty God and all of His creations. Assist me to be an instrument of God's Word to all I encounter. Give unto me the gift of Wisdom to know and live according to God’s will. By your generous bestowing of your gifts, help me to live a holy life and grow in the everlasting love of Christ so that I may join with all the heavenly elect when my days here on earth are ended. I ask this through Jesus Christ, my redeemer and savior, who lives, and reigns with you and our creator Almighty God as one triune God, now and forever. AMEN

Reflection for Fifth Sunday of Lent

I Am The Resurrection, Do You Believe?
A Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Based on Ezekiel 37:12 - 14, Psalm 129 (130), Romans 8:8 - 11, John 11:1 - 45
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

This week’s readings are filled with hope and promise for us. The reading from the book of Ezekiel has the following instruction for us: “hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is kindness and abundant redemption” (Ezekiel 37:12 - 14).
By believing in God and living according to God’s will there is kindness and redemption for us. Notice that KINDNESS is a part of the promise. Almighty God is a God of kindness and love not an avenging God. The Gospel story tells of how Christ raised Lazarus from the dead and it demonstrates the kindness and love that Christ exhibited toward His friends. Kindness has many manifestations in life, such as caring for the poor, aged and sick; reaching out to those who are struggling with addictions and trying to help them; being responsible in life and electing individuals who demonstrate concern for those who are not as privileged as others. These are all ways to live a life that reflects God.
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said of Kindness: “Kindness and love, the most curative herbs and agents in Human intercourse are such precious finds that one would hope these balsam like remedies would be used as economically as possible; but this is impossible. Only the boldest Utopians would dream of the economy of kindness.” And the Dalai Lama had this to say about kindness: “When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.”
Our world today is so filled with bigotry, war, genocide and complete disregard for the needs of the poor, aged, sick, hungry, homeless and our environment that there does seem to be a severe lack of KINDNESS.
I believe that we need to pray the words of the Psalm for this week: Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears listen out for the voice of my pleading (Psalm 129 (130).
We need in these final weeks of Lent to turn our hearts and minds to God and plead with Him to hear our cries for relief from all the ills that are plaguing our world.
The Gospel relates how Jesus informed the disciples that Lazarus was dead: “Jesus put it plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad I was not there because now you will believe”, and that by restoring Lazarus to life people might finally believe that Christ was sent by God and was indeed the Promised One of the ages and the Son of God.
Those of us who believe and accept Christ and His teachings have received a special gift from God in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul in Romans 8 tells us: Spirit of God has made his home in you (Romans 8:8 - 11).
Every time we seek God’s help and allow ourselves to put complete trust in God we live the Hope that Ezekiel speaks of and we also are inspired by the Holy Spirit to live with a God like kindness.
Last week I spoke of how Christ was the Way, the Truth and the Light sent by the Father to open our eyes and bring us out of the Darkness of sin and ignorance. In today’s Gospel Christ says the following: “A man can walk in the daytime without stumbling because he has the light of this world to see by; but if he walks at night he stumbles, because there is no light to guide him.’ … ‘I am the resurrection. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this” (John 11:1 - 45)?
How do you answer Christ’s question? Do you believe?
Lent is a time for us to take inventory of our lives and determine what we need to do to reflect Christ and His teachings in our daily lives and to become more God like by extending Kindness toward all we come in contact with and in our responsibilities and duties because as the Dalai Lama reminds us: “Responsibility lies with each of us individually”.In today’s world there are many ills that need addressing and correcting, Many - if not most leaders, both world and church officials seem to cater to special interests and the rich and powerful and have lost site of the plight of the common individual. We as followers of Christ can make a difference by making our voices heard by our elected officials and by becoming more generous in our assistance to those in need. We can contribute a portion of the proceeds we save from our Lenten fasting to causes that are practicing kindness toward the poor, homeless, sick and aged.
Let our voice resound through our daily lives and actions with the words Martha spoke: “Yes, Lord,’ she said ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world”.
We need to keep the promise Christ makes in the Gospel story in the forefront of our daily life by showing the Kindness of God to all we encounter because then Christ assures us; “Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” AMEN

God's Light Illuminates The Dark

Let God’s Light Illuminate The Dark
A Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry


I have come into this world, so that those without sight may see and those with sight turn blind’. John 9:39

Christ is the light that brings truth and justice to all who believe, Christ came to enlighten us and to teach us the way to seek our happiness here on earth as well as to gain for us Eternal happiness.

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians he tells us: “You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light, for the effects of the light are seen in complete goodness and right living and truth. Try to discover what the Lord wants of you, having nothing to do with the futile works of darkness but exposing them by contrast. The things which are done in secret are things that it is ashamed even to speak of; but anything exposed by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated turns into light. That is why it is said: Wake up from your sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8 – 14

All around us today we see darkness and it is necessary for us to turn on the light to dispel that darkness. So how do we bring the light of truth into the world? We do it by placing our lives in God's hands and by living according to the way Christ taught us. First we have to acknowledge that every person on the face of this planet is a child of God and deserves respect, dignity, compassion and love.
I recall a quote of Mother Teresa of Calcutta who said; God told us, "Love your neighbor as yourself." So first I am to love myself rightly, and then to love my neighbor like that. But how can I love myself unless I accept myself as God has made me?( Mother Teresa)
By accepting our self as God made us and making the best of the gifts God gave us for the benefit of all our brothers and sisters in Christ, we take a huge step toward dispelling the darkness that depresses us and discourages us.

The Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday is a prayer attributed to King David. It is a prayer that, if we say it daily, can remind us of all God does for us and of how much we need to attempt to return the favor by helping those who are caught in the darkness of discontent, poverty, and illness. We need to reject the enticement of those who listen to the voice of darkness by seeking only self glorification, power, money and physical pleasure.
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He has taken me to green pastures, He has led me to still waters;
He has healed my spirit. He has led me along right paths for his own name’s sake. Even if I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff give me comfort. You have set a table before me in the sight of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, and my cup overflows.
Truly goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life. For long years I shall live in the house of the Lord. Psalm 22 (23)
Mother Teresa reminds us: “Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the Darkness”.

In the Chinese Han philosophy the world is divided into two segments, Yin (Earth) and Yang (Heaven).
Yin is depicted as black or darkness and Yang is depicted by White or light. Many also describe Yin and Yang as being Good and Bad, Day and Night, and all agree that they are in opposition to each other but also they exist in all things, just as the inclination for good and evil exist in every person which may well be that often there is a spot of black in the white and white in the black.
The concept is that people who do not know what bad is cannot know what good is. Christ clearly came to enlighten us as to what good is and how we were to act as children of God. Christ came to dispel the darkness.

Think about your favorite horror movie and how most evil things happen in the darkness.

Safety Officers tell us that having lights around our house at night is a deterrent to thieves. Light dispels darkness and fear and the light Christ brought into the world was a light of truth, justice and God's will for us.
The Gospel of John 9:1-41 is the story of how Jesus cured the blind man. It is another reminder of how Christ brings light into the world. A man born blind has lived his entire life in darkness. The story tells how after Jesus brought sight to the blind man he went to the Synagogue and how the Pharisees
claimed Christ was from Satan because he cured the man on the Sabbath “This man cannot be from God: he does not keep the sabbath” when they questioned the man's parents they replied thusly “We know he is our son and we know he was born blind, but we do not know how it is that he can see now, or who opened his eyes. He is old enough: let him speak for himself.’ His parents spoke like this out of fear of the Jews, who had already agreed to expel from the synagogue anyone who should acknowledge Jesus as the Christ.”

In my mind, not much has changed today. There are still people who refuse to acknowledge Christ and some who do select the parts of Christ's teachings that suit their own agenda but reject the most important teaching of Christ “Love one another as I have loved you”. They do not accept ALL God's children but only those that reflect their skin color, or nationality or social and political orientation.

Christ welcomed all who came to Him. Just as His father will welcome and love ALL His children even those who have wandered away like the Prodigal son's father welcomed his son who had strayed away with joy and feasting when he returned humble and sorrowful for his actions. God, Our heavenly Father, will welcome all also who return to Him with sorrow for their failures.
When the darkness is dispelled and we walk in the light of Christ, even the most difficult situations seem to have a ray of hope.
The Gospel story ends with these words “It is for judgment that I have come into the world, so that those without sight may see...........If you were blind you would not be guilty but since you say “We See” Your guilt remains.”

We have been shown the Light, the Way and provided with the Truth in Jesus Christ. This week begins with Lætare Sunday when the Church interrupts her Lenten mournfulness and instead of purple, rose-colored vestments, flowers adorn the altar and music is are used so there is a contrast between Laetare and the other Sundays of Lent is thus emphasized, and is emblematic of the joys of this life, restrained rejoicing mingled with a certain amount of sadness. The message for this Sunday is one of hope because it speaks of God's truth and the promise of finding truth in the Light of Christ.
As the light of the world, Jesus has come to enlighten people about God and show us the way to gain everlasting life. The blind man represents us and Jesus curing the man born blind represents how Jesus Teachings bring the message of God's truth to us and lights our way to salvation if we live our lives in a manner consistent with Christ's teachings.
I close this reflection with the opening prayer for this Sunday: “Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.”
The Eucharist we receive is the bread of life because the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ - which provides us with the graces - or “Spiritual vitamins”- to persevere in our journey of following the light of Christ in our daily lives.
It is not enough for us to say “I believe” but we need to also live the faith by having our actions reflect the teachings of Christ and thereby keep the light of truth bright. AMEN

Worship God In Spirit and In Truth

Worship In Spirit and Truth
A Reflection for the Third Sunday of lent
Based on the readings from: Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-8, John 4:5-42
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry


This week’s readings have so much for us to reflect upon. Each of the readings has a lesson for us to ponder and if we do so, it will open our hearts and minds so that we too will proclaim, as the Samaritans do in today’s Gospel:“Now we no longer believe because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he really is the savior of the world".
We hear Christ speaking to us on the pages of the Holy Scriptures written by those who were there at the time and their followers to whom they related them who transcribed them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. If our hearts and minds are open to the Holy Spirit speaking within us we can discern God's truth. We need to listen with open hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit speaking within us today and discern essence of truth we perceive while comparing it with the differing teachings proclaimed by the various Catholic Councils , thereby knowing God’s will for us, in this age and time, through the inspiration of the Spirit.
The Gospel story is filled with lessons, that if we were to compare them against the social and political customs of the Christ's time and today we would realize that Christ broke many taboos of His day.
The Gospel begins with Christ breaking tradition and speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well.
This was in total contradiction to Jewish Religious law. Christ tells us that He came to bring a new covenant, in other words Christ proclaimed a new way of being, of relating and experiencing God. Christ then stayed there for a period of days teaching and at the end of that time the Samaritans came to accept Him as the promised of the ages while the Religious hierarchy rejected and feared Him.

Christ is said to have proclaimed; But the hour will come – in fact it is here already – when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshiper the Father wants. God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.’(John 4:23)
The hour is now for us to turn to God who created all things, for reasons known to Him alone, and to Christ who is the light come into the world to proclaim God’s truth, and light the way of truth for us, not mans idea of truth. By allowing the Holy Spirit to enlighten us in accord with the traditions and customs of the early church and and examining the reasons behind why some rituals and customs were eliminated we might be inspired to review the concept of reviving them in today's world, like the tradition of married priests and woman deacons and same sex Holy Unions.
Paul in his letter to the Romans reminds us that “the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men.”
Christ came not for those who lived righteous lives but for those who were sinners to teach them the way, the truth and to be the light that will guide us all to eternal happiness. Christ suffered and died so that our sinfulness could be forgiven and forgotten.
The Holy Spirit is forever working today just as the Holy Spirit worked on that first Pentecost and in the guiding of the early Fathers of The Church and Patriarchs in the formative years of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I often ask God the same question Moses beseeches of God; “Moses appealed to the Lord.
‘How am I to deal with this people?” (Exodus 17: 4) when I am confronted by individuals who refuse to even consider that those who do not adhere to a singular concept of worship to Almighty God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not true Christians. I usually ask them if they believe that God created all things and the response is usually “Of course”. I then ask them if they believe that everything God created was good, to which I get the same answer. I then remind them that if God created all people then all people are children of God and, as such, their prayers and their devotions are acceptable to God assuming they are offering them to the God of Isaac, Jacob, Jeremiah, Elijah, Moses, and David in the name of Jesus Christ who God himself, in last weeks Gospel, proclaimed ““This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5)
The people of Samaria listened and believed, the woman at the well believed, Paul tells us The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. (Romans 5: 5). The love of God is the Truth and it is still being poured into our hearts if we but take the time to listen and seek the truth and desire God's infinite love.
Far too many individuals want every one and every thing to be exactly alike and they leave no room for diversity in celebrations or prayer practices. We know for a fact that diversity enriches educational experiences. We learn from experiences, beliefs, and perspectives that are different from our own, and these lessons can enrich our spiritual growth. Diversity challenges stereotyped preconceptions; it encourages critical thinking; and it helps us to develop respect for people of varied backgrounds while enriching our liturgical practices and even bring a deeper relationship in the Eucharistic Liturgy.
The Mass, Eucharistic Liturgy, is the most perfect prayer as it involves a gathering together of a faith community together to worship God, The admission our failures and the seeking of God's forgiveness for our failures, the the proclamation of the Word of God and a lesson or reflection on that word, the offerings of the people to Almighty God, proclamation of our faith in God and giving praise to God and is culminated in God giving us His beloved Son in the Eucharist and our being sent forth to live our life in accordance with Christ's teachings.
An example of diversity and how it enriches the Eucharistic liturgy is experienced yearly at the Religious Education Conference in Anaheim CA sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where every day during the three day conference, Masses are celebrated exploring the cultural traditions of Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, Filipino, Asian, and other groups. The vestments, music and prayers reflect the ethnic culture, dress and spirituality of the various ethnic groups. I have witnessed Eucharistic liturgies where dance was an intricate part of the liturgy. Jeremiah said that when Christ came “Then young women will dance and be glad. And so will the men, young and old alike. I will turn their sobbing into gladness. I will comfort them. And I will give them joy instead of sorrow”. Jeremiah 31:13) In light of this why shouldn't dance be incorporated into liturgical celebrations if it contributes to the spiritual depth of individuals attending?
All Prayer is communication with God whereby we offer thanks, petition and ourselves. At the offertory of the Eucharistic Liturgy we offer ourselves and the fruits of our labor to God in return God gives us the Bread of Life, Christ truly present in the Eucharist. For this we need to rejoice and be glad, even in this time of Lent as we reflect on the passion of Christ and what he was willing to endure on our behalf, we rejoice that God loves us so much He allowed His son to suffer so in order that we could attain Everlasting live or as Paul says: “what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.”
Let us go forth today with open minds, hearts and souls ready to listen to our hearts for the Holy Spirit speaking and guiding us on our journey toward God. AMEN

© Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus

We Are Called to Sanctification

A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent

Based on 1 Thess. 4. 1-17, 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1 – 9

By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA

Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus

www.missionstsergius.org

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry


God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification: in Christ Jesus our Lord. (I Thess. 4. 1-17 )

We are called to a life of sanctification according to the reading today from Paul’s letter to the people of Thessalonica after his departure in 51 or 52 A.D.
If we are called to a life of sanctification then we need to diligently work toward that goal.

A life of sanctification means to live in God, meaning to live as Jesus instructed us, in other words to abhor degradation, hatred, violence, prejudice and war.
The only war we should be carrying out is the war against Satan and the minions of Satan.

Looking around the world today we see the fruits of Satan’s temptations all around us. We even see it in the actions of some who claim to represent Jesus Christ.
We see it in those who minds are closed to exploring the truth and those who accept everything that is fed to them by individuals who are paid to disseminate, sometimes inaccurate, information in order to sell a product, a candidate or a special interest point of view.

Jesus said; “Seek and you will find” To seek means to explore, to open ourselves up and reflect on the historical truths, to investigate all claims that people make including claims made by those who say they are teachers of God’s word.

Holy Scripture MUST be taken in light of the times and customs in which it was written. Those who wrote the Scriptures, although under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, did so within the understanding and customs of their times. This must be taken into account when interpreting and using Scripture, especially when dealing with many contemporary issues.

We need to ask ourselves, for example, if Jesus were on earth today what role would He give to women in the church today. It is very clear to me, considering how much respect He had for the woman who faithfully followed him and their prominence in His ministry, that women would have had a much more prominent role in ministry today. The fact is that in the early early church, they did, we have reference to Phoebe and other women and the qualities a woman deacon should possess written in Paul's Epistles. We know that women had a place in ministering the Eucharist and in leading liturgies, so why are they relegated in this modern world to lesser roles?

You and I have been called by God, to live a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus. The prime teaching of Christ could not be any clearer. LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. When you love someone, you do not, under any circumstances, want to be the cause of pain and suffering. When you love someone, you try to shield them from harm. You gently advise them of their mistakes and guide them. If necessary you try to obtain healing for them. That is Love.
Last Thursday we celebrated St. Valentine’s Day, a day set aside to honor those we love. But like most things, that day has become more of a commercial venture and less about love.
If today, we had more love for all God’s creatures and children the world would not be in the mess it is in.

You and I are being called to actively live a life of sanctity, a life that reflects to all we encounter God’s infinite love. We are being called to do all within our power to bring about a change in the attitudes that are causing so much pain and suffering in this world. Every tiny thing we do that makes progress toward this call from God to a life of sanctity will bring us a deeper love for God and God will love us more and live within us thereby giving us the strength we need to continue His work here on earth.

Paul begins his second letter to Timothy with these words, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher”. (2 Timothy 1:8-10)

We must always keep in mind the revelation that is found in all the accounts of the transfiguration from God “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5)

I will end this reflection with the admission that to live a life of sanctity is not easy and to be afraid that we will not measure up to it is natural. Mother Teresa of Calcutta even had her doubts or “dark moments” as she called them but if we have faith and trust in God we can endure. Keep in mind what Christ told his apostles after God spoke on that mountain top; “Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.”. Matthew 17:7
Our message today is the knowledge that God is there for us and hears our cry and will give us the strength to endure if we but seek Him and His truth. Let us continue to prepare ourselves for the resurrection of our last days by living a life of Faith, Trust, and Godly Love for all God’s children here on earth. AMEN

First Sunday of Lent Reflection

Serve God Alone
A Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent
Based on Genesis 2:7 - 3:7, Romans 5:12 – 19, Matthew 4:1 – 11
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry


The Gospel reading for today is the story of how Christ, after fasting forty days in the desert was tempted by Satan. I really love this story because it points up the simple fact that if Satan had the chutzpah to tempt even the son of God, Jesus Christ, what makes us believe that he does not tempt every human being on the planet every day, especially people in positions of leadership and authority and those whom people admire.

Satan started off with a challenge that called on Christ’s vanity asking him to prove that he was the son of God by performing a simple miracle. ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves of bread” ’. Christ replied; ‘Scripture says: “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”.
The next challenge to Christ from Satan indicates the power that Satan has because Satan was able to transport Christ from the desert to the highest pinnacle of the temple and challenge Christ by saying; ‘If you are the Son of God’ he said ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says:
He will put you in his angels’ charge, and they will support you on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone”. Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says: You must not put the Lord your God to the test”
The next challenge was one that addressed human avarice for power and greed and the one that so many national and religious leaders throughout the ages has succumbed too. The devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘I will give you all these’ he said, ‘if you fall at my feet and worship me.’ Then Jesus replied, “Be gone, Satan! For scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.”
The Gospel ends with these words; “Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him” which is the part I like best because it tells us that if we fight the temptations that the Devil gives us we too will be watched over by God’s angels .
There are so many temptations and guises that the devil uses to entice us to turn from God. They all are summed up in what are called THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, which are:
LUST, the inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body, think how advertisers use this one to entice us to purchase all kinds of products from cars to food and medicine.
PRIDE an excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity. Here again is another ploy used by advertisers to get us to buy something and to have us have concepts about ourselves that makes us believe that we alone are responsible for and achievements we might have.
GREED, the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual and is often called Covetousness. This is a big one that has brought down many a person. It is a sin that has torn governments and religion apart and reduced good people to tyrants and demigods.
WRATH or Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for confrontation of discord. War is often the result of this sin and with war comes death and needless suffering of people who are innocent of this sin.
ENVY is the desire for others traits, status, abilities, material possessions, political or hierarchal position. This one causes much discord and often leads to some of the other DEADLY SINS.
GLUTTONY, an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires whether it is food, alcohol, power, money or sex. “Everything in moderation” is a good motto to avoid falling into this sin. Think about all the families that have been torn apart because of this sin.

SLOTH, the avoidance of physical or spiritual work or laziness is another one that creates problems for many people who are not prone to this sin. If someone is not doing their job to the best of their ability it often causes others to work harder to take up the slack. One of the manifestations of this sin is the drain it has taken on our social programs for the poor, elderly and less fortunate. We also have to examine the lack of Spiritual Work and what problems that can cause. When some people fail to does their part in supporting charitable organizations or their church, as they are called to do by God in the Beatitudes, work that would relieve hunger or spiritual enrichment has to be curtailed. There are many ministries that could do so much more if only everyone contributed their share of the work by donating time, talent or financial support.

We Christians and all who believe in the one God by what ever name called, are here to serve God.
Jesus summed it up in this one statement. “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."(Luke 10:27),
On this first Sunday of Lent I feel the Gospel reading for today from Matthew 4:1-11 is an excellent one for us to reflect upon and consider how we might avoid falling into the enticements that the Devil uses to cause us to be separated from God. Each and every one of us has sinned in the past because of one or more of these Deadly Sins but because of Christ’s Passion and Death and God’s infinite mercy we can be cleansed of the stain of our sins and move forward in our goal to serve only God. AMEN