33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2010
A Reflection based on readings from
Malachi 3:19-20A, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, Luke 21:5-19
By Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
http://www.missionstsergius.org
The readings for this Sunday seem to be preparing us for the coming season of Advent from the first readings admonition; “The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. … But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.”; and the final Gospel reading where Christ is telling those around him at the Temple of Jerusalem the following; “ Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed. Those around him poised this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’ Take care not to be deceived,’ Christ said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.” ….. “You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.”
This week is International Restorative Justice Week which means that this is a week dedicated to restoring Equality and Justice to all the nations of the world by putting an end to torture, bigotry, hatred, and all the injustices that plague our societies today.
Recently we have seen and heard of so many young people who have either taken their lives because of being bullied or have suffered beatings and in a few cases death by people who felt that they were superior or that their beliefs were the correct one. Many of these young people were persons whom God created with an orientation toward those of the same sex or homosexuals.
Christ’s message of the Gospel tells us that if we have faith and put our trust in God we can overcome any injustices.
People who have been the victims of bullying or those who have had any violent act committed against them may well think that the end is near. Survivors and victims of crimes often have feelings of denial, fear, anger, vindictiveness. Often they do not understand why the crime happened to them, and are often unable to forgive. But we MUST forgive just as Christ did when he hung on the cross and proclaimed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”
It is true, many who commit the violent acts especially one of prejudice and hatred do so because they have been taught this by bigoted and people ignorant of God’s teachings.
All too often the victims of prejudice, hatred and violence are often overlooked and forgotten about but the trauma that they experienced lives forever in their mind and heart and gives them fear often deep enough for them to believe that their world has ended.
During this International Restorative Justice week and in fact every day of the year we are called by God to bring hope to hopeless victims. Giving people the knowledge of God’s infinite love and mercy and a spiritual well being can bring comfort and help to people in pain, As it says in our first reading from the prophet Malachi, “Those who have knowledge and faith (Fear) in God the sun of justice with its healing rays.” There is something each of us can do to advance this process of justice and equality for all as promised in the Declaration of Independence of the United States, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In doing so, we can be carried through suffering to glory along with Jesus. And we will be living out the final words found in Psalm 97; “You that love the LORD, hate evil will be delivered out of the hand of the wicked.”
This is a time not of endings or finality but of hope and a time to begin to turn away from accepting violence and hatred and turning to being a loving and caring child of God who extends the kind of love Christ exhibited toward all who came to him. This is a time to become open and affirming toward all God’s children regardless of their nationality, race, gender, marital status or sexual orientation. Every person on the face of this earth is a child of God and deserves to have dignity, equality and justice and the freedom to live without fear. Let us make this our goal for the coming season of Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Our redeemer and Savior. Let us work hard to restore Justice to ALL God’s children all over the globe. AMEN
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ash Wednesday Reflection
Ash Wednesday Reflection 2010
by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
www.missionstsergius.org
The first reading for Ash Wednesday is from Joel 2:12-19 and it encourages us with the following words, “The Lord says, Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your heart Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.”
Do not tear your clothing or cover yourself with ashes but tear your hearts instead. What we are being told here is that we need to open ourselves up to being more compassionate and caring. We need to change our ways from being selfish and greedy and open ourselves up toward more generous and forgiving.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. With these words God is telling us, in no uncertain terms, that he is not out to inflict vengeance and condemnation upon us but is very merciful and forgiving. Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence, pray, “Spare your people, Lord! Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners” I understand the last sentence to indicate that as priests of God we should never allow those who do not accept God or Jesus Christ and His teachings to dictate to us how we should think and behave. So many people laugh and talk about what church leaders of all denominations have done or preached in the name of God and remark how that does not seem to be what Christ had to say. I have heard many say about religious leaders “They talk the talk but they do not walk the walk” meaning of course they preach the words but their actions are the exact opposite of the teachings.
If we but begin to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and work to bring about justice and peace to all the people of the earth then we have the following promise from God that; “The Lord’s Promises Restoration, Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land. The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations.”
The second reading of the day comes from Matthew 6:16-21 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Again we are promised a reward for living our lives without seeking out special recognition from other and living our life for God’s recognition. The passage goes on further to instruct us on how we should perceive our possessions. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Everything we do in this live should be directed toward our Eternal life and not toward this fleeting existence on this earth. This is brought very clearly to focus when we receive the sign of the cross on our forehead with the words “Remember, you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” This life is not an everlasting one, we are here only for a short time and it is what and how we live our life here on earth that will determine how our eternal life will be.
There are so many opportunities to serve God according to Christ’s teachings in this world today. The guide I personally use for what I need to do is found in the Corporal Works of Mercy which tell us to; Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Shelter the homeless, Visit the sick, Visit those in prison, and Bury the dead. These are the criteria by which God will judge us. We will not be judged by how many rosaries we say or how many times we go to church but by whether or not we practiced these actions for the sake of all God’s children and not just for our own personal recognition.
In Matthew 25:34-39 Christ makes this clear when He tells us “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me, I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
On this Ash Wednesday let us allow the ashes to remind us of the briefness of our time here to build up our heavenly treasure and the frailty of our nature and attempt as much as possible to become a fervent follower of Christ and child of God by our actions in His honor. Let us work fervently to seek a lasting peace and brotherhood between all of God’s children and not be the cause of friction and dissent but of compassion and forgiveness. Let us put our words into action and let our actions speak louder than our words. We are the masters of our destiny here on earth. God has given us the directions all we need to do is follow them. Christ made clear the will of the Father, He clarified the teachings of the Old Testament and gave us the New Covenant now all we have to do is realy live our daily life by it. AMEN
by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
www.missionstsergius.org
The first reading for Ash Wednesday is from Joel 2:12-19 and it encourages us with the following words, “The Lord says, Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your heart Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.”
Do not tear your clothing or cover yourself with ashes but tear your hearts instead. What we are being told here is that we need to open ourselves up to being more compassionate and caring. We need to change our ways from being selfish and greedy and open ourselves up toward more generous and forgiving.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. With these words God is telling us, in no uncertain terms, that he is not out to inflict vengeance and condemnation upon us but is very merciful and forgiving. Let the priests, who minister in the Lord’s presence, pray, “Spare your people, Lord! Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners” I understand the last sentence to indicate that as priests of God we should never allow those who do not accept God or Jesus Christ and His teachings to dictate to us how we should think and behave. So many people laugh and talk about what church leaders of all denominations have done or preached in the name of God and remark how that does not seem to be what Christ had to say. I have heard many say about religious leaders “They talk the talk but they do not walk the walk” meaning of course they preach the words but their actions are the exact opposite of the teachings.
If we but begin to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and work to bring about justice and peace to all the people of the earth then we have the following promise from God that; “The Lord’s Promises Restoration, Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land. The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations.”
The second reading of the day comes from Matthew 6:16-21 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Again we are promised a reward for living our lives without seeking out special recognition from other and living our life for God’s recognition. The passage goes on further to instruct us on how we should perceive our possessions. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Everything we do in this live should be directed toward our Eternal life and not toward this fleeting existence on this earth. This is brought very clearly to focus when we receive the sign of the cross on our forehead with the words “Remember, you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” This life is not an everlasting one, we are here only for a short time and it is what and how we live our life here on earth that will determine how our eternal life will be.
There are so many opportunities to serve God according to Christ’s teachings in this world today. The guide I personally use for what I need to do is found in the Corporal Works of Mercy which tell us to; Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Shelter the homeless, Visit the sick, Visit those in prison, and Bury the dead. These are the criteria by which God will judge us. We will not be judged by how many rosaries we say or how many times we go to church but by whether or not we practiced these actions for the sake of all God’s children and not just for our own personal recognition.
In Matthew 25:34-39 Christ makes this clear when He tells us “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me, I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
On this Ash Wednesday let us allow the ashes to remind us of the briefness of our time here to build up our heavenly treasure and the frailty of our nature and attempt as much as possible to become a fervent follower of Christ and child of God by our actions in His honor. Let us work fervently to seek a lasting peace and brotherhood between all of God’s children and not be the cause of friction and dissent but of compassion and forgiveness. Let us put our words into action and let our actions speak louder than our words. We are the masters of our destiny here on earth. God has given us the directions all we need to do is follow them. Christ made clear the will of the Father, He clarified the teachings of the Old Testament and gave us the New Covenant now all we have to do is realy live our daily life by it. AMEN
Friday, February 12, 2010
God's Love, Greatest Love of All
God’s Love, The Greatest Love of All
A Reflection for Saint Valentines Day
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (1 Corinthians 13:4)
February 14th had always been celebrated by the church for centuries as the day to honor the three Saint Valentine’s but in 1969 it was removed from the church’s official calendar. It is still extremely popular as a commercial holiday set aside to give special recognition to your loved ones.
According to history St. Valentine was a priest in the Roman Empire who helped hide and save persecuted Christians during the reign of Claudius II, was thrown in jail and later beheaded on Feb. 14. There is supposed to be another St. Valentine who was the Catholic bishop of Terni and was also beheaded during the reign of Claudius II. According to some historians there was a third St. Valentine who secretly married couples when marriage was forbidden in Africa and was later beheaded. The one common factor for all the St. Valentines is that they lost their heads over love. Possibly that explains why so many men and women seem to loose their heads when they think they are in love.
There was also a conventional belief in Europe during the middle Ages that birds chose their partners in the middle of February. Thus the day was dedicated to love, and people observed it by writing love letters and sending small gifts to their beloved. Legend has it that Charles, duke of Orleans, sent the first real Valentine card to his wife in 1415, when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. (He, however, was not beheaded, and died a half-century later of old age.)
These words from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians sums up what love really is “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud” It is not the sexual or physical attraction that counts, but the deeper spiritual actions one puts forth toward others. Mother Teresa put it nicely when she would tell people “Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.'' - Mother Teresa
Christ, himself, told us that love was the greatest commandment, Love of God and Love of your neighbor. Today the word love is far too often confused with sex and nothing could be further from the truth. When two people are deeply in love, yes sex is a means of sharing and expressing that love and in the case of heterosexual couples of creating a physical expression of their love in children. But for true love to blossom and bloom there has to be understanding, honesty, trust cooperation and devotion. Both parties have to be willing to give 100% of themselves to the other.
Galatians 5:22 reminds us that love is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and therefore it is a special gift that comes from Almighty God “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”, (Galatians 5:22) and like all gifts from God it should not be taken lightly but appreciated and used in accordance with God’s intentions. Take special not of the gifts that follow love and its placement as the first gift.
On Saint Valentines day (even though the Roman church no longer celebrates it as a feast day) let us show our love for God’s children by doing more than sending a special greeting to a few friends and lovers, but put into actions that show all our love for God and for all God’s children by voicing our indignation for the actions of governments and individuals who promote hatred, bigotry, discrimination and violence. Let’s speak out in favor of funding for quality affordable health care for all, adequate affordable housing, affordable quality education for every child. “The Lord is waiting for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who seek his help”. (Isaiah 30:17-19) “But love your enemies, do well to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:35) these words from Luke even advise us to love our enemies and one way to show that love is to pray for them. Pray that God will open their hearts to find solutions to the things that have caused the discord.
I close this reflection for Valentines Day with this prayer from 2 Thessalonians 2 : 16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” AMEN
May Almighty God’s infinite and abundant love overflow within your hearts and out onto all those with whom you come in contact with.
Have a Blessed St. Valentines Day.
A Reflection for Saint Valentines Day
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (1 Corinthians 13:4)
February 14th had always been celebrated by the church for centuries as the day to honor the three Saint Valentine’s but in 1969 it was removed from the church’s official calendar. It is still extremely popular as a commercial holiday set aside to give special recognition to your loved ones.
According to history St. Valentine was a priest in the Roman Empire who helped hide and save persecuted Christians during the reign of Claudius II, was thrown in jail and later beheaded on Feb. 14. There is supposed to be another St. Valentine who was the Catholic bishop of Terni and was also beheaded during the reign of Claudius II. According to some historians there was a third St. Valentine who secretly married couples when marriage was forbidden in Africa and was later beheaded. The one common factor for all the St. Valentines is that they lost their heads over love. Possibly that explains why so many men and women seem to loose their heads when they think they are in love.
There was also a conventional belief in Europe during the middle Ages that birds chose their partners in the middle of February. Thus the day was dedicated to love, and people observed it by writing love letters and sending small gifts to their beloved. Legend has it that Charles, duke of Orleans, sent the first real Valentine card to his wife in 1415, when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. (He, however, was not beheaded, and died a half-century later of old age.)
These words from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians sums up what love really is “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud” It is not the sexual or physical attraction that counts, but the deeper spiritual actions one puts forth toward others. Mother Teresa put it nicely when she would tell people “Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.'' - Mother Teresa
Christ, himself, told us that love was the greatest commandment, Love of God and Love of your neighbor. Today the word love is far too often confused with sex and nothing could be further from the truth. When two people are deeply in love, yes sex is a means of sharing and expressing that love and in the case of heterosexual couples of creating a physical expression of their love in children. But for true love to blossom and bloom there has to be understanding, honesty, trust cooperation and devotion. Both parties have to be willing to give 100% of themselves to the other.
Galatians 5:22 reminds us that love is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and therefore it is a special gift that comes from Almighty God “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”, (Galatians 5:22) and like all gifts from God it should not be taken lightly but appreciated and used in accordance with God’s intentions. Take special not of the gifts that follow love and its placement as the first gift.
On Saint Valentines day (even though the Roman church no longer celebrates it as a feast day) let us show our love for God’s children by doing more than sending a special greeting to a few friends and lovers, but put into actions that show all our love for God and for all God’s children by voicing our indignation for the actions of governments and individuals who promote hatred, bigotry, discrimination and violence. Let’s speak out in favor of funding for quality affordable health care for all, adequate affordable housing, affordable quality education for every child. “The Lord is waiting for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who seek his help”. (Isaiah 30:17-19) “But love your enemies, do well to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:35) these words from Luke even advise us to love our enemies and one way to show that love is to pray for them. Pray that God will open their hearts to find solutions to the things that have caused the discord.
I close this reflection for Valentines Day with this prayer from 2 Thessalonians 2 : 16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” AMEN
May Almighty God’s infinite and abundant love overflow within your hearts and out onto all those with whom you come in contact with.
Have a Blessed St. Valentines Day.
Friday, January 1, 2010
A New Decade Reflection
A New You In the New Decade
A Reflection for the New Year and New Decade by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
In the movie and Broadway musical “La Cage aux Folles” which focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a nightclub featuring female impersonator entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction. Albin has a scene where he is sitting in front of a mirror and sings a song which begins with these words; “I am what I am I am my own special creation. So come take a look”. The song ends with these words; “There’s one life, and there's no return and no deposit; One life, so it's time to open up your closet. Life's not worth a damn 'til you can say, hey world, I am what I am!"
I wonder how often we, as Christians or any other religious denominations of just simple folk take a good hard look in the mirror of our life and admit to whom they really are.
I thought that we, as Christians, might want to begin this new Decade by checking ourselves out in the mirror of life and looking at the reflection that is staring back at us.
In the book of Exodus of the Old Testament when Moses asks who it is that is speaking to him a voice replies; "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14) In the Hebrew or Aramaic language the word is; אהיה אשר אהיה, pronounced Ehyeh asher ehyeh which is the common English translation of the response God used when Moses asked for His name. It is one of the most famous verses in the Torah Hayah means "existed" or "was" in Hebrew; "ehyeh" is the first person singular imperfect form. Ehyeh asher ehyeh is generally interpreted to mean I am that I am, though it more literally translates as "I-shall-be that I-shall-be."
My thoughts today have to deal with the concept that every one of us need to face that mirror and look deeply at the reflections asking ourselves , “Who we really are” and while we are at it we also need to as ourselves ; “Do I see God within me and do I reflect God to others by my actions?”
Do you see, in your reflection, the infinite and everlasting mercy and love of Christ being cast back at you?
If there are streaks or spots on your reflection, what is it that is causing those distortions?
Possibly, it is because you are not very open to accepting yourself as God created you with your gifts as well as your imperfections. Perhaps you do not accept how God created you with your sexual orientation or your height, eye color, hair color or other natural and biological parts.
Maybe you spend too much time thinking about yourself and your needs instead of finding out how you can reach out and help others less fortunate than you.
One thing that can cause distortions in you reflection is the distance you put between you and Almighty God. You say you believe in God and you do call on him when times are tough but you do not take time every day to talk with him like your best friend and give Him thanks for all he has given you.
There is of course those times when you can see a figure that is dark and foreboding and frightens you.
That of course is the evil which has been able to penetrate your inner self through temptation and a loss of your love and trust in God.
The reflection you see might be a beautiful luminescent image that seems to glow from within which is the reflection of God and the Holy Spirit abiding within you.
Each of us needs to take a good hard look at ourselves in that mirror of our life and see the real us. Just as Albin does in La Cage aux Folles we need to feel proud of who we are and what we are because we are who God created us as.
Ask, “Do I reflect the infinite love and mercy of Jesus Christ to all I encounter on my life journey?
Do I live in a way that would prompt God to praise me as “My good and faithful servant”?
We are honest with ourselves what we see in that reflection is how others see you.
Sure we have faults and have made mistakes, after all we are human and not perfect as only God is perfect, but if we strive to be kind, generous, thoughtful, forgiving, and not discriminate against any of God’s children, even those with whom you disagree, you are well on the way to seeing Christ in your reflection and others will see the God within you.
Christ’s life and example has shown us that to live as He instructed would not be easy. We might be ridiculed and rejected and even have to suffer in order to be truthful and live according to God’s will.
God has 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, for us, is to seek them out and ask God for them.
Everyone needs to know who the real us is, just like Moses needed to know who was telling him what to do and the people of Israel would want to know from Moses who the commandments came from. No matter what role we play in our daily life, we need to allow people to see and know the real person otherwise they are following a false image.
How often have we been devastated when a person we believed in and trusted turned out to be other than what we thought? In the last decade, we have seen many instances of that. Politicians, Church leaders, government officials, bankers, investment specialists all have turned out to be other than what they seemed to be. Because of that, many people were hurt and devastated.
I know I am far from perfect and have made many mistakes in my life and hopefully I have learned from them and used them to become a better person. I never intentionally sought to hurt anyone and if I did, I have tried to make amends or at least asked forgiveness. As I have said before, God did not make us perfect but He does expect us to try to achieve that state of being.
The saints are those who have achieved that state of being or have came the closest like St. Francis, Mother Therese of Calcutta, Brother Roger of Taize, even though he is not an official Saint, he was highly respected by all the religious denominations who sent representatives to his funeral.
Like Albin in the musical we need to be able to proudly say; “Hey world, I am what I am!" with this added to it; “I am who God created me as and I love who I am and I love God”
In closing, I would like to share with you a prayer I offer to God every day;
Prayer to The Holy Spirit
By Father Robert Johnnene OFA
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 becoming an instrument of God's Word to all I encounter.
Give to me the gift of Wisdom to know and live according to God’s will.
By 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 our creator God, now and forever. AMEN
A Reflection for the New Year and New Decade by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
In the movie and Broadway musical “La Cage aux Folles” which focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a nightclub featuring female impersonator entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction. Albin has a scene where he is sitting in front of a mirror and sings a song which begins with these words; “I am what I am I am my own special creation. So come take a look”. The song ends with these words; “There’s one life, and there's no return and no deposit; One life, so it's time to open up your closet. Life's not worth a damn 'til you can say, hey world, I am what I am!"
I wonder how often we, as Christians or any other religious denominations of just simple folk take a good hard look in the mirror of our life and admit to whom they really are.
I thought that we, as Christians, might want to begin this new Decade by checking ourselves out in the mirror of life and looking at the reflection that is staring back at us.
In the book of Exodus of the Old Testament when Moses asks who it is that is speaking to him a voice replies; "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14) In the Hebrew or Aramaic language the word is; אהיה אשר אהיה, pronounced Ehyeh asher ehyeh which is the common English translation of the response God used when Moses asked for His name. It is one of the most famous verses in the Torah Hayah means "existed" or "was" in Hebrew; "ehyeh" is the first person singular imperfect form. Ehyeh asher ehyeh is generally interpreted to mean I am that I am, though it more literally translates as "I-shall-be that I-shall-be."
My thoughts today have to deal with the concept that every one of us need to face that mirror and look deeply at the reflections asking ourselves , “Who we really are” and while we are at it we also need to as ourselves ; “Do I see God within me and do I reflect God to others by my actions?”
Do you see, in your reflection, the infinite and everlasting mercy and love of Christ being cast back at you?
If there are streaks or spots on your reflection, what is it that is causing those distortions?
Possibly, it is because you are not very open to accepting yourself as God created you with your gifts as well as your imperfections. Perhaps you do not accept how God created you with your sexual orientation or your height, eye color, hair color or other natural and biological parts.
Maybe you spend too much time thinking about yourself and your needs instead of finding out how you can reach out and help others less fortunate than you.
One thing that can cause distortions in you reflection is the distance you put between you and Almighty God. You say you believe in God and you do call on him when times are tough but you do not take time every day to talk with him like your best friend and give Him thanks for all he has given you.
There is of course those times when you can see a figure that is dark and foreboding and frightens you.
That of course is the evil which has been able to penetrate your inner self through temptation and a loss of your love and trust in God.
The reflection you see might be a beautiful luminescent image that seems to glow from within which is the reflection of God and the Holy Spirit abiding within you.
Each of us needs to take a good hard look at ourselves in that mirror of our life and see the real us. Just as Albin does in La Cage aux Folles we need to feel proud of who we are and what we are because we are who God created us as.
Ask, “Do I reflect the infinite love and mercy of Jesus Christ to all I encounter on my life journey?
Do I live in a way that would prompt God to praise me as “My good and faithful servant”?
We are honest with ourselves what we see in that reflection is how others see you.
Sure we have faults and have made mistakes, after all we are human and not perfect as only God is perfect, but if we strive to be kind, generous, thoughtful, forgiving, and not discriminate against any of God’s children, even those with whom you disagree, you are well on the way to seeing Christ in your reflection and others will see the God within you.
Christ’s life and example has shown us that to live as He instructed would not be easy. We might be ridiculed and rejected and even have to suffer in order to be truthful and live according to God’s will.
God has 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, for us, is to seek them out and ask God for them.
Everyone needs to know who the real us is, just like Moses needed to know who was telling him what to do and the people of Israel would want to know from Moses who the commandments came from. No matter what role we play in our daily life, we need to allow people to see and know the real person otherwise they are following a false image.
How often have we been devastated when a person we believed in and trusted turned out to be other than what we thought? In the last decade, we have seen many instances of that. Politicians, Church leaders, government officials, bankers, investment specialists all have turned out to be other than what they seemed to be. Because of that, many people were hurt and devastated.
I know I am far from perfect and have made many mistakes in my life and hopefully I have learned from them and used them to become a better person. I never intentionally sought to hurt anyone and if I did, I have tried to make amends or at least asked forgiveness. As I have said before, God did not make us perfect but He does expect us to try to achieve that state of being.
The saints are those who have achieved that state of being or have came the closest like St. Francis, Mother Therese of Calcutta, Brother Roger of Taize, even though he is not an official Saint, he was highly respected by all the religious denominations who sent representatives to his funeral.
Like Albin in the musical we need to be able to proudly say; “Hey world, I am what I am!" with this added to it; “I am who God created me as and I love who I am and I love God”
In closing, I would like to share with you a prayer I offer to God every day;
Prayer to The Holy Spirit
By Father Robert Johnnene OFA
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 becoming an instrument of God's Word to all I encounter.
Give to me the gift of Wisdom to know and live according to God’s will.
By 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 our creator God, now and forever. AMEN
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Saints Sergius & Bacchus
Patron Saints of Mission
Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
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