Are You “Semper Paratus” Always Ready?
A Reflection for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
The readings for this Sunday remind us that we never know when we will be called home to the Lord and that we should always be prepared and ready. Many people believe that the reading from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians was referring to the final days of the world but I feel that it is referring to the time when God will call us home to answer for our lives here on earth and how we used the gifts he provided us with.
“The Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying, ‘How quiet and peaceful it is’ that the worst suddenly happens…. it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
As I go about tending to those who are ill and as I myself advance in age I often wonder if this persons illness is the illness that will be the last one on this earth or will the person recover to live and use their God given gifts in a manner that will reward them when they are called home with these words from God “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” Matthew 25:14-30 I examine my own actions each and every day to determine if I did all I could do to help those in need of comfort, spiritual uplifting or just some companionship and conversation. Have I shared myself and the gifts God gave me with others?
During these troubling times with the downturn in the economy, war, famine, genocide and job and home losses we hear daily of the excesses that the financial institutions and corporate executives have lavished upon themselves as rewards in spite of the fact that their greed and avarice how contributed to our problems. Some even continue their excesses in spite of the fact that the taxpayer and the average citizen is paying for their bailout are suffering because of their greed. They certainly have misused the gifts that God has given them and I am certain that they will be called to answer for their misuse when they have their judgment day.
The same holds true for those government and church leaders who attempt to impose their dictates upon others, usually for financial or power gains, at the cost of many lives and suffering to so many innocent children and adults. Restrictions and laws that segregate and exclude some from equal justice are imposed that deprive people of equal rights.
This week’s readings should be a wake up call to us. We need to acquire the motto “Semper Paratus” as the way of living so that we will be ready when we are called before God to answer for how we used the gifts he gave us.
Have we shared our resources with those in need? Have we shown compassion for the aged and sick? Have we practiced discrimination or have we shown brotherly love to all God’s children?
We have been given the instructions on how we should live this earthly life by Christ in the Beatitudes He preached in the Sermon on the Mount and with His parables like the Good Samaritan.
Next week we will be celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving to commemorate the first Thanksgiving that the Pilgrims had to thank God for bringing them to this New Land or as they called it New England and the harvest they had. They had a feast and invited the natives of the area rather than exclude them because it was the natives that taught them how to survive in this new country. We, as children of God, need to embrace the custom of welcoming newcomers who come here seeking a “better life” than in their birth countries just as the Pilgrims were welcomed and helped by the Wampanoag Indians of “New England”.
We, who are all brothers and sisters in Christ and Children of God no matter what religious denomination we belong to, need to work together striving to bring about a time when ALL God’s children live in a place where they have adequate food, housing, medical care and experience justice, peace, and equality.
We need to be able to tell God we used the treasures He gave us well and they increased in worth because we did not hide them and hoard them for ourselves but used them to good advantage and shared them with others. By sharing our gifts we will be assured that when our time here is over and we are called before God we will hear Him tell us “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” AMEN
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sunday November 8th Reflection
Reflection for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Based on Readings from Kings 17:10-16, Psalm 146, Hebrews 9: 24-28, Mark 12:38-44
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
http://www.missionstsergius.org/
The themes of the readings for this Sunday are of generosity, trust keeping Faith Justice but most of all that God will provide if we but put our faith and trust in Him.
For me, this message is one that I need to hear and take considerable time to reflect upon in light of the information and events of this past week.
The first reading tells the story of the widow in the town of Zarephath to whom Elijah asked for some water and a bit of bread. The widow explained that she and her son only had a handful of flour and a tiny bit of oil with which to bake bread and when that was gone they would starve. Elijah promised that if she made a cake of bread and brought it to him she and her son would have enough flour and oil forever. True to the promise of Elijah, the flour never went empty nor the oil. The was the result of the widow trusting Elijah.
The same is true for us today if we place our complete trust in God and let him guide and lead us.
For me this teaching is one that, though difficult often to do, I need to do especially after this last week.
Not only did I receive news that the mission’s car needed some major work to be able to continue to serve the ministry I also received disturbing information regarding someone I thought was concerned for the best interest of God and His children only to find that they were only being self serving, egotistical and interested in power and self glory, which brings us to the theme of the suggested Alleluia verse, Gospel reading, Psalm and the letter to the Hebrews. “Giving of our selves for the love of God and not for our own self interests, glory, fame or wealth but for being a true servant of God to all those who are oppressed, rejected and unwanted.”
The Alleluia verse suggested for this week is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” and the Gospel begins with these words; “Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.” The Gospel goes on to tell of the poor widow who gave all she had, a few cents, as a donation to God while the rich and famous of the time mad a big issue of their large donations. Christ told his apostles; “I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had left over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on”
When I read of clergy who only are seeking power, wealth fame or glory or defraud people out of their money or who molest children I recoil and want to run as far away from them as I can get.
Sadly, I was made aware of just that kind of clerical individual this week and it troubles me deeply but I am taking the lesson of this weeks readings to heart and placing my trust in Almighty God and praying that God will lead me and inspire as to how I should proceed from this point on in my attempt to be a humble servant of God.
I also am placing my trust in God that he will inspire those people who would deny others of their rights which according to the Declaration of Independence “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. This means that two people who love each other should be allowed to marry and have the same legal protections and benefits of heterosexual married couples.
I also trust that God will provide the means for the repairs to the mission vehicle if it is His will this ministry is to continue and I have the ability to travel to all the places we have been going to in our attempt to serve God’s children. It may well be that God is telling me to cut back or even retire but I certainly hope and pray that is not the case as I have no idea what I would do to fill each day.
This ministry has been a blessing to me as it has kept me busy and filled my days with wondrous moments and such beautiful testaments to God’s infinite love for His children.
We cannot allow a few bad apples to spoil the entire barrel. There are more good and honest clergy and people in this world, I am certain, than the few bad ones that always seem to get the publicity.
Let us be faithful followers of Jesus Christ try to become “Poor in Spirit” so we can achieve eternal life with God.
Let us be willing to give our last penny or ounce of flour in the service of God for the well being of our neighbor and those who are less well off than we. That is the message and the hope I have for myself and it is my prayer for all who read my simple reflections or hear them. May God, through the Holy Spirit, guide us and lead us so that we truly reflect God’s love, compassion and forgiveness. AMEN
Based on Readings from Kings 17:10-16, Psalm 146, Hebrews 9: 24-28, Mark 12:38-44
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
http://www.missionstsergius.org/
The themes of the readings for this Sunday are of generosity, trust keeping Faith Justice but most of all that God will provide if we but put our faith and trust in Him.
For me, this message is one that I need to hear and take considerable time to reflect upon in light of the information and events of this past week.
The first reading tells the story of the widow in the town of Zarephath to whom Elijah asked for some water and a bit of bread. The widow explained that she and her son only had a handful of flour and a tiny bit of oil with which to bake bread and when that was gone they would starve. Elijah promised that if she made a cake of bread and brought it to him she and her son would have enough flour and oil forever. True to the promise of Elijah, the flour never went empty nor the oil. The was the result of the widow trusting Elijah.
The same is true for us today if we place our complete trust in God and let him guide and lead us.
For me this teaching is one that, though difficult often to do, I need to do especially after this last week.
Not only did I receive news that the mission’s car needed some major work to be able to continue to serve the ministry I also received disturbing information regarding someone I thought was concerned for the best interest of God and His children only to find that they were only being self serving, egotistical and interested in power and self glory, which brings us to the theme of the suggested Alleluia verse, Gospel reading, Psalm and the letter to the Hebrews. “Giving of our selves for the love of God and not for our own self interests, glory, fame or wealth but for being a true servant of God to all those who are oppressed, rejected and unwanted.”
The Alleluia verse suggested for this week is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” and the Gospel begins with these words; “Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.” The Gospel goes on to tell of the poor widow who gave all she had, a few cents, as a donation to God while the rich and famous of the time mad a big issue of their large donations. Christ told his apostles; “I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had left over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on”
When I read of clergy who only are seeking power, wealth fame or glory or defraud people out of their money or who molest children I recoil and want to run as far away from them as I can get.
Sadly, I was made aware of just that kind of clerical individual this week and it troubles me deeply but I am taking the lesson of this weeks readings to heart and placing my trust in Almighty God and praying that God will lead me and inspire as to how I should proceed from this point on in my attempt to be a humble servant of God.
I also am placing my trust in God that he will inspire those people who would deny others of their rights which according to the Declaration of Independence “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. This means that two people who love each other should be allowed to marry and have the same legal protections and benefits of heterosexual married couples.
I also trust that God will provide the means for the repairs to the mission vehicle if it is His will this ministry is to continue and I have the ability to travel to all the places we have been going to in our attempt to serve God’s children. It may well be that God is telling me to cut back or even retire but I certainly hope and pray that is not the case as I have no idea what I would do to fill each day.
This ministry has been a blessing to me as it has kept me busy and filled my days with wondrous moments and such beautiful testaments to God’s infinite love for His children.
We cannot allow a few bad apples to spoil the entire barrel. There are more good and honest clergy and people in this world, I am certain, than the few bad ones that always seem to get the publicity.
Let us be faithful followers of Jesus Christ try to become “Poor in Spirit” so we can achieve eternal life with God.
Let us be willing to give our last penny or ounce of flour in the service of God for the well being of our neighbor and those who are less well off than we. That is the message and the hope I have for myself and it is my prayer for all who read my simple reflections or hear them. May God, through the Holy Spirit, guide us and lead us so that we truly reflect God’s love, compassion and forgiveness. AMEN
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Defeat of Same Sex Marriage in Maine
I grieves me that the people of the State of Main have succumbed to the influx of money from bigoted people and the Mormon and RC and other right wing churches that have used to Bible to justify their bigotry. Since it is money that seems to dictate what people of those states respect, I suggest that all GLBT persons, their family and friends begin to spend their hard earned money in states and with churches and companies that respect the civil rights of ALL people.
God creates people with their sexual orientation for reason known to Him alone and we, mere fallible humans should never question what God does.
When we do we commit the gravest of sins.
All God's creation is good and has a purpose in God’s eternal plan therefore, I have to believe that GLBT person have a place in God's plan and should not be discriminated against.
Perhaps if the people of the states that have repealed the civil rights of homosexuals begin to see what the GLBT community contributes to their well being and how much money they spend to sustain the financial well being of those states they may change their minds.
In Massachusetts where the right for gay person to marry is legal, the churches have not collapsed, marriages and families have not imploded, in fact just the opposite has happened.
The time has come to step up and get involved if you believe in equality and justice. Don’t let any other state make discrimination legal. The next time it may well be that laws against mixed race marriages will be re-enacted or the right for women to vote will be repealed.
How about we try to pass a law that will allow us the right to determine who can marry who.
When any person is denied their civil rights and equality, all of society is hurt.
God creates people with their sexual orientation for reason known to Him alone and we, mere fallible humans should never question what God does.
When we do we commit the gravest of sins.
All God's creation is good and has a purpose in God’s eternal plan therefore, I have to believe that GLBT person have a place in God's plan and should not be discriminated against.
Perhaps if the people of the states that have repealed the civil rights of homosexuals begin to see what the GLBT community contributes to their well being and how much money they spend to sustain the financial well being of those states they may change their minds.
In Massachusetts where the right for gay person to marry is legal, the churches have not collapsed, marriages and families have not imploded, in fact just the opposite has happened.
The time has come to step up and get involved if you believe in equality and justice. Don’t let any other state make discrimination legal. The next time it may well be that laws against mixed race marriages will be re-enacted or the right for women to vote will be repealed.
How about we try to pass a law that will allow us the right to determine who can marry who.
When any person is denied their civil rights and equality, all of society is hurt.
Friday, October 30, 2009
All Saints Day Reflection
All Saints Day 2009
A Reflection by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
Based on the readings from: Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12
http://www.missionstsergius.org/
“These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.” These words taken from the book of Revelation or Apocalypse describe the heavenly elect or Saints. The book begins with a count of how many are among the heavenly elect. “Then I heard how many were sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel. After that I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands.
St. John, who is purported to be the author of the apocalyptic book of revelation, used a number that in the time this book was written would have been considered as beyond imagination. I consider this to mean that every person who has died in Christ is a Saint which is why I often call upon the deceased members of my family who I believe lived according to God’s will to intercede to God on my behalf. It is not just those whom the church declares as saints because they gave their life rather than deny Christ like the patron saints of this ministry, Sergius & Bacchus, or declared Saints by the church because their lives were examples of living according to the teachings of Christ like St. Francis, Mother Therese of Calcutta, St. Damien of Molokai. Others have been declared saints because of there spirituality and dedication to fulfilling their call as servants of God.
The second reading for All Saints Day comes from the third book of John chapter 3 in which we read the following; “My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.”, which tell me that if we try to live our lives in accord with the teachings of Christ, especially what Jesus called the greatest commandments; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all the Law and the Prophet depend." (Matthew 22:36-46)
The Gospel reading sums everything up by teaching us how to achieve becoming one of the heavenly elect. Often referred to as The Sermon on the Mount it says; “‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
On this feast celebrating the lives of those women and men who followed Christ’s teachings, many to the death of their earthly bodies, let us examine ourselves as to what we have done or are doing to preach PEACE.
Back in the times of another unpopular war in our nation a group known as “Hippies” went around shouting “Make Peace and love, not war” they were treated with scorn by many and labeled “Flower Children”.
What we need to call to mind is that Jesus was also treated in the same way because He preached a way of life that was not the norm. It is one thing to give one’s life for love of God or to defend your country but so many today are giving their lives in a war that has been raging for more than 35 years and is tribal in nature. As followers of Christ we need to exert ourselves to bring about peace between all of God’s children. Not only between nations, but religious denomination, neighbors, local governing officials and ALL of God’s children.
Another issue that we, as a people of God, need to give serious consideration to is equality and justice and the well being of ALL God’s children and one issue is the current debate on a National Health Policy.
My question is why should our tax dollars be used to provide a select few the finest of health coverage when so many who pay into the tax base are deprived the same kind of health coverage. Where is the justice, compassion, fairness, and equality that we as Christians and followers of Christ’s teachings are supposed to practice?
Many of those who oppose a National health policy do so because they may loose some of the profits and dividends they receive from owning stock in Insurance companies. Others oppose simply because their political party is not in control and they do not want the party in power to be able to achieve the promises that got them elected by a majority of citizens.
Again it is all about power, profit and glory and not about what is right, just, compassionate and fair for ALL people. As Christians, the glory we should be seeking is the Glory of God by living the Sermon on the Mount by caring for the poor, aged and sick.
The Saints who achieved a higher level of spirituality and favor in the eyes of God did so by giving of themselves often by dying because of their love of God or, like St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Therese of Calcutta or St. Damien of Molokai, spent their lives serving those whom society rejected.
On this feast celebrating All The Saints let us call to mind the words of Christ, “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” ( Matthew 9:13) and “‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” ( Matthew 12:7) and from the book of Zechariah 7:9 “"Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another”
On this feast commemorating those who achieved the highest level of spirituality let us commit ourselves to work harder putting into action the Beatitudes and the Corporal Works of Mercy as we live out our earthly existence in the hope of attaining eternal life with God and the Heavenly Elect. AMEN
Please consider making a donation to assist us to spread the message of God's infinite love for ALL His children. You can do so by using the PAYPAL links on our web site; www.missionstsergius.org
All Materials are copywriten (c) Franciscans of Divine Mercy
A Reflection by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
Based on the readings from: Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12
http://www.missionstsergius.org/
“These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.” These words taken from the book of Revelation or Apocalypse describe the heavenly elect or Saints. The book begins with a count of how many are among the heavenly elect. “Then I heard how many were sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel. After that I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands.
St. John, who is purported to be the author of the apocalyptic book of revelation, used a number that in the time this book was written would have been considered as beyond imagination. I consider this to mean that every person who has died in Christ is a Saint which is why I often call upon the deceased members of my family who I believe lived according to God’s will to intercede to God on my behalf. It is not just those whom the church declares as saints because they gave their life rather than deny Christ like the patron saints of this ministry, Sergius & Bacchus, or declared Saints by the church because their lives were examples of living according to the teachings of Christ like St. Francis, Mother Therese of Calcutta, St. Damien of Molokai. Others have been declared saints because of there spirituality and dedication to fulfilling their call as servants of God.
The second reading for All Saints Day comes from the third book of John chapter 3 in which we read the following; “My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.”, which tell me that if we try to live our lives in accord with the teachings of Christ, especially what Jesus called the greatest commandments; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all the Law and the Prophet depend." (Matthew 22:36-46)
The Gospel reading sums everything up by teaching us how to achieve becoming one of the heavenly elect. Often referred to as The Sermon on the Mount it says; “‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
On this feast celebrating the lives of those women and men who followed Christ’s teachings, many to the death of their earthly bodies, let us examine ourselves as to what we have done or are doing to preach PEACE.
Back in the times of another unpopular war in our nation a group known as “Hippies” went around shouting “Make Peace and love, not war” they were treated with scorn by many and labeled “Flower Children”.
What we need to call to mind is that Jesus was also treated in the same way because He preached a way of life that was not the norm. It is one thing to give one’s life for love of God or to defend your country but so many today are giving their lives in a war that has been raging for more than 35 years and is tribal in nature. As followers of Christ we need to exert ourselves to bring about peace between all of God’s children. Not only between nations, but religious denomination, neighbors, local governing officials and ALL of God’s children.
Another issue that we, as a people of God, need to give serious consideration to is equality and justice and the well being of ALL God’s children and one issue is the current debate on a National Health Policy.
My question is why should our tax dollars be used to provide a select few the finest of health coverage when so many who pay into the tax base are deprived the same kind of health coverage. Where is the justice, compassion, fairness, and equality that we as Christians and followers of Christ’s teachings are supposed to practice?
Many of those who oppose a National health policy do so because they may loose some of the profits and dividends they receive from owning stock in Insurance companies. Others oppose simply because their political party is not in control and they do not want the party in power to be able to achieve the promises that got them elected by a majority of citizens.
Again it is all about power, profit and glory and not about what is right, just, compassionate and fair for ALL people. As Christians, the glory we should be seeking is the Glory of God by living the Sermon on the Mount by caring for the poor, aged and sick.
The Saints who achieved a higher level of spirituality and favor in the eyes of God did so by giving of themselves often by dying because of their love of God or, like St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Therese of Calcutta or St. Damien of Molokai, spent their lives serving those whom society rejected.
On this feast celebrating All The Saints let us call to mind the words of Christ, “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” ( Matthew 9:13) and “‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” ( Matthew 12:7) and from the book of Zechariah 7:9 “"Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another”
On this feast commemorating those who achieved the highest level of spirituality let us commit ourselves to work harder putting into action the Beatitudes and the Corporal Works of Mercy as we live out our earthly existence in the hope of attaining eternal life with God and the Heavenly Elect. AMEN
Please consider making a donation to assist us to spread the message of God's infinite love for ALL His children. You can do so by using the PAYPAL links on our web site; www.missionstsergius.org
All Materials are copywriten (c) Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October 25th Reflection on Trusting in God
God Provides When You Believe & Trust in Him
A Reflection of the Readings for October 25 2009
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.Mission_St_Sergius.org
Today’s readings have one common theme and it is, if you trust and believe in God with your whole being He will provide all your needs. at the proper time. We are also reminded to be on guard always against the power and temptations of the evil one.
The Gospel story tells how having faith in God and believing Jesus is the son of God who came to earth to proclaim God’s infinite love, mercy and forgiveness of God and to teach us the path to salvation.
The Gospel of Mark 10: 46-52, tells the story of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, who, upon hearing Christ was close cried out for Christ to heal him. Jesus feeling the man’s faith said to Bartimaeus "Go your way; your faith has made you well." Immediately the blind beggar received his sight and followed Jesus faithfully from that day forward.
The message is a simple one and yet so many today seem to look elsewhere for help in all things.
Our human nature is so fickle that, unless we witness a miracle, we begin to question the truth of Christ’s teachings.
This brings me to the warning issued by St Paul in his epistle. “Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
One of the tools the devil uses is to have us question the truth of Christ teachings and the reality of Almighty God.
We need to be diligent in our quest to attain eternal salvation through Christ every moment of every day.
Some of those who followed Christ suffered persecutions and death, like the patron Saints of our ministry Sergius & Bacchus, in the name of Christ but many others achieved Everlasting glory by living live of compassion and charity for the poor, aged and sick. The one common factor of all who achieved sainthood was a deep and abiding faith which included worship and prayer.
Next Sunday we celebrate the feast of All Saints. All the Saints not only believed in God and the teachings of Christ but they lived them out daily in their lives. God desires us to have that same level of trust and faith in God. Our road to toward Christ is a lot easier than the martyrs but more difficult because of our societies focus on self gratification and achieving wealth and status.
The blind beggar Bartimaeus believed and trusted in God and the ability of Christ to cure him of his blindness and if we truly believe and have complete trust and faith in God like Bartimaeus all things are possible.
St. Paul reminds us that we also have to be on guard against the temptations of Satan to abandon God and seek only pleasure. The best armor to protect us from Satan’s temptations on our road of life in these times of self satisfaction and self gratification, is prayer, the Eucharist, and Faith and trust in God.
God’s promised salvation for ALL His children who believe in Him and seek God’s help to live according to the teachings His beloved son Jesus Christ as given in the Sermon On The Mount and in the Great Commandment; “Love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, mind, soul and body and love your neighbor as you love yourself”
God is compassionate, merciful, forgiving and more loving than any human can ever be.
If we trust in God as the beggar in the gospel story did, God will provide us with what we ask if it is in our best interest and will help us to achieve everlasting life for all eternity.
The ultimate message to us is; with God, all things are possible, without God we are helpless and open to attacks from the devil. Christ told us; “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.” (John 12:43-45) Let us go forth today committed to deepen our trust and faith in God and seek His guidance and strength to overcome temptations that we are faced with. Let us be more generous and compassionate toward those who are not as fortunate as we are. Let us accept each person we encounter as a brother or sister and extend to them the love. God gives to us. Let us always call to mind the words found in Matthew 7 :1-3 “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
I close with this prayer;
Almighty and merciful God, grant me wisdom and understanding and the courage to live according to your ways. Endow me with the gifts of your Holy Spirit so that I will be unto all I encounter a reflection of your beloved son, Jesus Christ. Assist me to be less judgmental of others but show the same compassion and love as Jesus did to all who approached Him. Open my heart to become more accepting of all and more generous with the gifts you have provided me with. I ask this in the name of my redeemer and savior, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit as one God now and forever. AMEN
A Reflection of the Readings for October 25 2009
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.Mission_St_Sergius.org
Today’s readings have one common theme and it is, if you trust and believe in God with your whole being He will provide all your needs. at the proper time. We are also reminded to be on guard always against the power and temptations of the evil one.
The Gospel story tells how having faith in God and believing Jesus is the son of God who came to earth to proclaim God’s infinite love, mercy and forgiveness of God and to teach us the path to salvation.
The Gospel of Mark 10: 46-52, tells the story of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, who, upon hearing Christ was close cried out for Christ to heal him. Jesus feeling the man’s faith said to Bartimaeus "Go your way; your faith has made you well." Immediately the blind beggar received his sight and followed Jesus faithfully from that day forward.
The message is a simple one and yet so many today seem to look elsewhere for help in all things.
Our human nature is so fickle that, unless we witness a miracle, we begin to question the truth of Christ’s teachings.
This brings me to the warning issued by St Paul in his epistle. “Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
One of the tools the devil uses is to have us question the truth of Christ teachings and the reality of Almighty God.
We need to be diligent in our quest to attain eternal salvation through Christ every moment of every day.
Some of those who followed Christ suffered persecutions and death, like the patron Saints of our ministry Sergius & Bacchus, in the name of Christ but many others achieved Everlasting glory by living live of compassion and charity for the poor, aged and sick. The one common factor of all who achieved sainthood was a deep and abiding faith which included worship and prayer.
Next Sunday we celebrate the feast of All Saints. All the Saints not only believed in God and the teachings of Christ but they lived them out daily in their lives. God desires us to have that same level of trust and faith in God. Our road to toward Christ is a lot easier than the martyrs but more difficult because of our societies focus on self gratification and achieving wealth and status.
The blind beggar Bartimaeus believed and trusted in God and the ability of Christ to cure him of his blindness and if we truly believe and have complete trust and faith in God like Bartimaeus all things are possible.
St. Paul reminds us that we also have to be on guard against the temptations of Satan to abandon God and seek only pleasure. The best armor to protect us from Satan’s temptations on our road of life in these times of self satisfaction and self gratification, is prayer, the Eucharist, and Faith and trust in God.
God’s promised salvation for ALL His children who believe in Him and seek God’s help to live according to the teachings His beloved son Jesus Christ as given in the Sermon On The Mount and in the Great Commandment; “Love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, mind, soul and body and love your neighbor as you love yourself”
God is compassionate, merciful, forgiving and more loving than any human can ever be.
If we trust in God as the beggar in the gospel story did, God will provide us with what we ask if it is in our best interest and will help us to achieve everlasting life for all eternity.
The ultimate message to us is; with God, all things are possible, without God we are helpless and open to attacks from the devil. Christ told us; “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.” (John 12:43-45) Let us go forth today committed to deepen our trust and faith in God and seek His guidance and strength to overcome temptations that we are faced with. Let us be more generous and compassionate toward those who are not as fortunate as we are. Let us accept each person we encounter as a brother or sister and extend to them the love. God gives to us. Let us always call to mind the words found in Matthew 7 :1-3 “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
I close with this prayer;
Almighty and merciful God, grant me wisdom and understanding and the courage to live according to your ways. Endow me with the gifts of your Holy Spirit so that I will be unto all I encounter a reflection of your beloved son, Jesus Christ. Assist me to be less judgmental of others but show the same compassion and love as Jesus did to all who approached Him. Open my heart to become more accepting of all and more generous with the gifts you have provided me with. I ask this in the name of my redeemer and savior, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit as one God now and forever. AMEN
Friday, October 16, 2009
Reflection for Sunday October 18th 2009
Being True To God as His Servant
A Reflection for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Based on readings from Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10: 35-45
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
"You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."(Mark 10:42-45)
These words from the Gospel of Saint Mark could not be any clearer but today so many who proclaim that they serve Almighty God do so by trying to appease and pander to the whims of humans beings and their political agendas, even so called followers of Jesus Christ.
St. Claude de la Colombriere, who was Canonized on 31 May 1992 by Pope John Paul II, wrote "Pious Reflections", "Meditations on the Passion", "Retreat and Spiritual Letters" and was the Spiritual director for Blessed Margaret Mary to whom Christ gave the instruction to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
St. Claude was arrested and thrown into prison, denounced as a conspirator for preaching the way of Christ rather than those of the king. He wrote: “A strange and unhappy slavery is that of a man who seeks to please other men. I vow never to do anything nor to leave anything undone because of what people think. This will set up in me a great interior peace.”
The teachings of Jesus Christ have only show distain for sins of pride exhibited by the religious leaders of His time. He preached mercy, compassion and justice for ALL people. Christ was totally aware of the human condition and our weaknesses.
In the second reading from Hebrews we hear the following words: “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who, in every respect, has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Christ showed us his willingness to forgive our transgressions when He wrote “Let He who is without sin, cast the first stone” when the priests and others were about to stone the woman caught in adultery.
Today’s Gospel is an instruction to all God‘s children, especially those whom God has called to serve as ministers of the Gospel and the Eucharist.
We cannot judge who is and who is not worthy of the love of Almighty God.
We cannot by and allow injustice to be perpetrated against any of God’s children.
We need to be a servant to God’s children just as Christ demonstrated he was a servant when he girded himself and washed the feet of the Apostles. Christ admonished the priests of His time with these words; “My house is a house of prayer but you have made it into a den of thieves” and He took pity on those who the disciples tried to push away when they sought Healing from Christ and cured them.
We are not called to make judgments as to who gains everlasting life, that is the domain of Almighty God.
We who God called to serve as His servants on earth are to proclaim the truth of Christ’s teachings and to be there to supply human comfort, counseling, compassion and direction to those who are attempting to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
We are called to serve Christ by practicing the virtues of Charity, Patience, Fortitude, Forgiveness, Mercy and above all to see all we encounter as a child of God and respect them for how God created them even though they may be different than we are.
God created all things for a reason, His reason, not ours.
It is our responsibility to discern what He created things for and to use them properly according to that use.
We need to take care of all That God created. That means we need to insure that we do not destroy the environment with willful waste of our resources but use them wisely.
Being a servant of God is not an easy task as Christ let us know when He said ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Blessed Charles de Foucald wrote a beautiful prayer entitledL: PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT in which he prayed:
Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.
Whatever you do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this.
Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. AMEN
We, who claim we love God and desire to please Him could all do well if we abandoned ourselves to serve Him as Blessed Charles did.
In Luke 16 we hear Christ tell us: “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Man.”. Let us vow to serve God as best we can which means to love one another as Christ loved us. AMEN
A Reflection for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Based on readings from Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10: 35-45
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
"You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."(Mark 10:42-45)
These words from the Gospel of Saint Mark could not be any clearer but today so many who proclaim that they serve Almighty God do so by trying to appease and pander to the whims of humans beings and their political agendas, even so called followers of Jesus Christ.
St. Claude de la Colombriere, who was Canonized on 31 May 1992 by Pope John Paul II, wrote "Pious Reflections", "Meditations on the Passion", "Retreat and Spiritual Letters" and was the Spiritual director for Blessed Margaret Mary to whom Christ gave the instruction to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
St. Claude was arrested and thrown into prison, denounced as a conspirator for preaching the way of Christ rather than those of the king. He wrote: “A strange and unhappy slavery is that of a man who seeks to please other men. I vow never to do anything nor to leave anything undone because of what people think. This will set up in me a great interior peace.”
The teachings of Jesus Christ have only show distain for sins of pride exhibited by the religious leaders of His time. He preached mercy, compassion and justice for ALL people. Christ was totally aware of the human condition and our weaknesses.
In the second reading from Hebrews we hear the following words: “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who, in every respect, has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Christ showed us his willingness to forgive our transgressions when He wrote “Let He who is without sin, cast the first stone” when the priests and others were about to stone the woman caught in adultery.
Today’s Gospel is an instruction to all God‘s children, especially those whom God has called to serve as ministers of the Gospel and the Eucharist.
We cannot judge who is and who is not worthy of the love of Almighty God.
We cannot by and allow injustice to be perpetrated against any of God’s children.
We need to be a servant to God’s children just as Christ demonstrated he was a servant when he girded himself and washed the feet of the Apostles. Christ admonished the priests of His time with these words; “My house is a house of prayer but you have made it into a den of thieves” and He took pity on those who the disciples tried to push away when they sought Healing from Christ and cured them.
We are not called to make judgments as to who gains everlasting life, that is the domain of Almighty God.
We who God called to serve as His servants on earth are to proclaim the truth of Christ’s teachings and to be there to supply human comfort, counseling, compassion and direction to those who are attempting to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
We are called to serve Christ by practicing the virtues of Charity, Patience, Fortitude, Forgiveness, Mercy and above all to see all we encounter as a child of God and respect them for how God created them even though they may be different than we are.
God created all things for a reason, His reason, not ours.
It is our responsibility to discern what He created things for and to use them properly according to that use.
We need to take care of all That God created. That means we need to insure that we do not destroy the environment with willful waste of our resources but use them wisely.
Being a servant of God is not an easy task as Christ let us know when He said ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Blessed Charles de Foucald wrote a beautiful prayer entitledL: PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT in which he prayed:
Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.
Whatever you do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this.
Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. AMEN
We, who claim we love God and desire to please Him could all do well if we abandoned ourselves to serve Him as Blessed Charles did.
In Luke 16 we hear Christ tell us: “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Man.”. Let us vow to serve God as best we can which means to love one another as Christ loved us. AMEN
Friday, October 9, 2009
YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND, A reflection for October 11 2009
You Are One Of A Kind
A Reflection for October 11, 2009
by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church New England
www.missionstsergius.org
When I was preaching a sermon on a recent Sunday one of the members of the Faith Community said to me, “You Are One of a kind” to which I replied “Is that a good thing or a bad thing”, they replied; “Very Good”.
Later I began to ponder on this exchange during the middle of my sermon which was on God’s infinite love for ALL His children. The more I pondered it the more I came to realize that indeed it is a wonderful thing that God has created each of us different.
We have unique genes which separates us from each other and from all the other members of our family. Our children are different from us in some unique way and not exactly a clone of us.
That is the wonder of God’s creation. No two things are exactly alike and for that reason we need to acknowledge and rejoice in that difference. This past week I attended a Spiritual Directors Workshop which centered on the universality of God. It asked us to find God in all things in the universe.
When we recognize the uniqueness of nature and the universe and the order of it all we can not but see the power of God.
In the first reading for this Sunday from Wisdom 7:7-11 we read the following; "I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. I esteemed her more than scepters and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing. I reckoned no priceless stone to be her peer, for compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand, and beside her silver ranks as mud. I loved her more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps. In her company all good things came to me, at her hands riches not to be numbered."
The first Reading from Hebrews 4:12-13 says; "The word of God is something alive and active."
God is alive and in every thing that exists, all things are brought into existence by and through God and all are different.
Just imagine how dull and uninteresting this world would be if every person looked and acted exactly like the other, if every flower was the exactly the same, smelled and looked and the same color. Every day was exactly like the day before. Think about the film GROUNDHOG DAY were Phil (Bill Murray) keeps repeating the same thing day after day.
God, in His wisdom knows how bored we humans can get when our lives become dull.
He also knew that without diversity we would not have developed and grown as we have but would have remained the same as the day Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden for succumbing to the temptations of Satan.
If every person were a genius in the same field we would not have the scientific advancements we have achieved. Our world would have remained as it was 13.7 Billion years ago when God brought it into being.
God gave every person uniqueness and special gifts, as we are reminded in Romans 12:4-11 “For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office; thus we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one with the other. But having different gifts, according to the grace which has been given to you” and again in First Corinthians 12 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things.... and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.”
God, who is perfection, created people different for reasons only He knows. God had a purpose for all things that he created and continues to create as this universe expands.
We need to respect not only every human person but all of God’s creation for we are all united together with each other and all that is a part of the universe. God is found in all things, even those we consider bad, if we look for God in all things.
We have no right to question God, who is perfection, but we need to be grateful that God did create us with diversity and difference. We need to glorify god for the differences He has created and not exclude anyone because they do not conform to our idea of what people should be.
We need to use God’s gifts to lift up those who are disheartened and always remember the words found in Matthew 7:10-12; “If you, then, though you are Imperfect, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”(Matthew 7:10-12) AMEN
A Reflection for October 11, 2009
by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church New England
www.missionstsergius.org
When I was preaching a sermon on a recent Sunday one of the members of the Faith Community said to me, “You Are One of a kind” to which I replied “Is that a good thing or a bad thing”, they replied; “Very Good”.
Later I began to ponder on this exchange during the middle of my sermon which was on God’s infinite love for ALL His children. The more I pondered it the more I came to realize that indeed it is a wonderful thing that God has created each of us different.
We have unique genes which separates us from each other and from all the other members of our family. Our children are different from us in some unique way and not exactly a clone of us.
That is the wonder of God’s creation. No two things are exactly alike and for that reason we need to acknowledge and rejoice in that difference. This past week I attended a Spiritual Directors Workshop which centered on the universality of God. It asked us to find God in all things in the universe.
When we recognize the uniqueness of nature and the universe and the order of it all we can not but see the power of God.
In the first reading for this Sunday from Wisdom 7:7-11 we read the following; "I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. I esteemed her more than scepters and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing. I reckoned no priceless stone to be her peer, for compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand, and beside her silver ranks as mud. I loved her more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps. In her company all good things came to me, at her hands riches not to be numbered."
The first Reading from Hebrews 4:12-13 says; "The word of God is something alive and active."
God is alive and in every thing that exists, all things are brought into existence by and through God and all are different.
Just imagine how dull and uninteresting this world would be if every person looked and acted exactly like the other, if every flower was the exactly the same, smelled and looked and the same color. Every day was exactly like the day before. Think about the film GROUNDHOG DAY were Phil (Bill Murray) keeps repeating the same thing day after day.
God, in His wisdom knows how bored we humans can get when our lives become dull.
He also knew that without diversity we would not have developed and grown as we have but would have remained the same as the day Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden for succumbing to the temptations of Satan.
If every person were a genius in the same field we would not have the scientific advancements we have achieved. Our world would have remained as it was 13.7 Billion years ago when God brought it into being.
God gave every person uniqueness and special gifts, as we are reminded in Romans 12:4-11 “For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office; thus we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and each one members one with the other. But having different gifts, according to the grace which has been given to you” and again in First Corinthians 12 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things.... and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.”
God, who is perfection, created people different for reasons only He knows. God had a purpose for all things that he created and continues to create as this universe expands.
We need to respect not only every human person but all of God’s creation for we are all united together with each other and all that is a part of the universe. God is found in all things, even those we consider bad, if we look for God in all things.
We have no right to question God, who is perfection, but we need to be grateful that God did create us with diversity and difference. We need to glorify god for the differences He has created and not exclude anyone because they do not conform to our idea of what people should be.
We need to use God’s gifts to lift up those who are disheartened and always remember the words found in Matthew 7:10-12; “If you, then, though you are Imperfect, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”(Matthew 7:10-12) AMEN
Friday, October 2, 2009
Feast of St. Francis Reflection
Peace Be With You
A Reflection for the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church New England
www.missionstsergius.org
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love."
These words from the peace prayer of Saint Francis could not be more poignant today than at the time they were first attributed to our seraphic Father, Saint Francis of Assisi whose feast day is Sunday the 4th of October.
This year we not only honor the Seraphic Father of all Franciscan orders around the world but the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Rule of St. Francis by which we all live.
There are Franciscans in the Anglican, Roman, Reformed and Old Catholic traditions.
While watching the film of the life of Saint Francis I was reminded of a another film THE GROUND TRUTH which depicts the horrors that our men and women who fight in wars face on return.
Like the young men and women of today in that film who went off to fight for their country in the belief that they were doing the right thing after 9/11, St. Francis had gone off to fight for his state and became very sick and in that sickness saw a vision of Christ. He came to the realization that war was not an answer.
Francis came back to denounce all violence and the corrupt and excessive ways of the world.
He rejected all the fineries and luxuries of the world for the simple life.
Francis then went on to restore a sense of God’s infinite mercy and love and the message of Christ peace into the world and the church of his time.
He lived off the generosity of others and on what he received for his labor, in fact it is a part of his rule that all Franciscans work for their basic needs and beg for things to continue their service to Almighty God.
After watching the film on St. Francis I revisited the film THE GROUND TRUTH, which depicts the effect war has had on the innocent youth of our nation who volunteered to serve their country in the belief that they were doing their patriotic duty after the terrible events of 9/11. The film is told in their words and the words of the parents who lost their children. Most of those in the film feel abandoned by their country especially after their child gave the ultimate sacrifice.
THE GROUND TRUTH, is a film that every person in the world should see. It will open your mind just a powerfully as the vision of Christ did for Saint Francis.
The toll of war is one that society lives with for centuries to come and if it is not addressed today by all of us it will continue to take a toll on our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I am also reminded of the song I used to sing with my students LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH written by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson in 1955 another time of an uncertain and questionable war. It has the following words; "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me, Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.”
I urge everyone, on this feast of St. Francis, to think seriously about how war and greed are destroying lives and ask yourselves what you might be able to do to bring about changes.
Ask yourself if the consequences of war are worth the toll that is taking on our future generations.
There has got to be a better way as Saint Francis concluded and just possibly, He and Almighty God are trying to tell us the same thing on this the day we celebrate his life and the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Rule All Franciscan orders live by.
Let us all say aloud the words of Christ found in John 14:27, "Peace be with you .my peace be unto you" (Luke 24:36) and call to mind the directions given in Psalm 34:14, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” And from Jeremiah 28:9 “But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true."
I end with the words from Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” and the words of Christ from the sermon on the Mount “Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be known as the Children of God.”
May the spirit of Saint Francis and His desire to bring the peace of Christ into everyone’s heart and soul fill us with that desire and draw us to action in achieving true and lasting peace among all God’s children.
AMEN
A Reflection for the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church New England
www.missionstsergius.org
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love."
These words from the peace prayer of Saint Francis could not be more poignant today than at the time they were first attributed to our seraphic Father, Saint Francis of Assisi whose feast day is Sunday the 4th of October.
This year we not only honor the Seraphic Father of all Franciscan orders around the world but the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Rule of St. Francis by which we all live.
There are Franciscans in the Anglican, Roman, Reformed and Old Catholic traditions.
While watching the film of the life of Saint Francis I was reminded of a another film THE GROUND TRUTH which depicts the horrors that our men and women who fight in wars face on return.
Like the young men and women of today in that film who went off to fight for their country in the belief that they were doing the right thing after 9/11, St. Francis had gone off to fight for his state and became very sick and in that sickness saw a vision of Christ. He came to the realization that war was not an answer.
Francis came back to denounce all violence and the corrupt and excessive ways of the world.
He rejected all the fineries and luxuries of the world for the simple life.
Francis then went on to restore a sense of God’s infinite mercy and love and the message of Christ peace into the world and the church of his time.
He lived off the generosity of others and on what he received for his labor, in fact it is a part of his rule that all Franciscans work for their basic needs and beg for things to continue their service to Almighty God.
After watching the film on St. Francis I revisited the film THE GROUND TRUTH, which depicts the effect war has had on the innocent youth of our nation who volunteered to serve their country in the belief that they were doing their patriotic duty after the terrible events of 9/11. The film is told in their words and the words of the parents who lost their children. Most of those in the film feel abandoned by their country especially after their child gave the ultimate sacrifice.
THE GROUND TRUTH, is a film that every person in the world should see. It will open your mind just a powerfully as the vision of Christ did for Saint Francis.
The toll of war is one that society lives with for centuries to come and if it is not addressed today by all of us it will continue to take a toll on our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I am also reminded of the song I used to sing with my students LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH written by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson in 1955 another time of an uncertain and questionable war. It has the following words; "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me, Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.”
I urge everyone, on this feast of St. Francis, to think seriously about how war and greed are destroying lives and ask yourselves what you might be able to do to bring about changes.
Ask yourself if the consequences of war are worth the toll that is taking on our future generations.
There has got to be a better way as Saint Francis concluded and just possibly, He and Almighty God are trying to tell us the same thing on this the day we celebrate his life and the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Rule All Franciscan orders live by.
Let us all say aloud the words of Christ found in John 14:27, "Peace be with you .my peace be unto you" (Luke 24:36) and call to mind the directions given in Psalm 34:14, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” And from Jeremiah 28:9 “But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true."
I end with the words from Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” and the words of Christ from the sermon on the Mount “Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be known as the Children of God.”
May the spirit of Saint Francis and His desire to bring the peace of Christ into everyone’s heart and soul fill us with that desire and draw us to action in achieving true and lasting peace among all God’s children.
AMEN
Friday, September 25, 2009
2 Weeks of Special Feasts
2 Weeks of Special Feasts to Reflect Upon
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church New England
www.missionstsergius.org
The coming two weeks has very special meaning not only to me, our ministry and the Franciscans of Divine Mercy but to the entire Universal Church.
Beginning with the feast of the Archangels on the 29th of September and continuing through October 7th the church celebrates the lives and memory of many important saints whose lives have given us inspiration.
On the various feast days you may want to pray for the intercession of those honored and reflect on their life and how they lived to serve God and others and, like the patron saints of our ministry, Saints Sergius and Bacchus, who were willing to die rather than deny God. I will be posting special reflections for some of these feasts but I thought a “heads up” on the forthcoming two weeks was in order.
September 29th is the feast of all the Archangels those we often hear about Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Urial and the others.
On October 1st we celebrate the life of SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX known as Therese of the Child Jesus; the Little Flower; the Little Flower of Jesus. Cured from an illness at age eight when a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary smiled at her, she became a Carmelite Nun at age 15. Therese defined her path to God and holiness as "The Little Way," which consisted of love and trust in God. This message of trust is one we all need to take to heart. Since one of my favorite relatives was also a member of the Carmelite order, I have long had a special devotion to St. Therese because of my cousin Sister Ann of Jesus who was a Carmelite.
On Friday the 2nd of October we celebrate the feast in honor of Our Guardian Angels whom God has given the task of watching over us and guide us if we seek their guidance.
Sunday October 4th is traditionally the Feast of Our seraphic Father, Saint Francis of Assisi who founded and wrote the rule by which all Franciscans live. Francis preached the Gospel of love, compassion and mercy of God and spoke out against the luxurious excesses that many of the church hierarchy were living. Francis gave up a life of wealth and prestige for one of poverty and service to the poorest and rejected of his time.
Sunday the 4th is also designated as Respect For Life Sunday which seeks to remind all of us that ALL LIFE is precious and a gift from God. All life, regardless of race, gender, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation deserves respect.
October 5th is the feast day of Saint Faustina Kowalska who received from the Lord a message of mercy that she was told to spread throughout the world. She was asked to become the apostle and secretary of God's mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and an instrument for reemphasizing God's plan of mercy for the world. Her life was based on deep humility, purity of intention, and loving obedience to the will of God in imitation of the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The message of the infinite and divine mercy and love of God is now being spread throughout the world. St. Faustina had a vision of Christ with his arms outstretched and rays of the colors of the rainbow were radiating from His Sacred Heart which we now know as the Image of Divine mercy. Our Franciscan Order is dedicated to the message of Divine Mercy.
Wednesday the 7th is the feast day of the patron saints of our ministry, Saints Sergius and Bacchus. Saints Sergius and Bacchus were lovers in a blessed committed relationship who suffered persecution and martyrdom rather than deny the love of Christ. I will be posting a reflection of there history and how they became the patrons of our ministry later this week. The 7th of October is also the feast honoring Our Blessed Mother Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary.
On each of these feast days, you may want to take a moment to reflect on the saint being honored and offer a prayer of petition asking them to intercede on your behalf to Almighty God for your special intentions and help in living your daily life in accord with God’s will as Christ taught us..
Each of these saints lives is stresses the message of the infinite and everlasting compassion, love, mercy and forgiveness of Almighty God for all His children and God’s desire for all His children to participate in and be active participants in His Mystical Body, The Church, through prayer, the sacraments and living a life that reflects Christ’s message of Love for all people regardless of their sexual orientation, race, marital status of practice of worship to Him.
May God Bless each and every one of us with the knowledge of His truth and the courage to live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. AMEN
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church New England
www.missionstsergius.org
The coming two weeks has very special meaning not only to me, our ministry and the Franciscans of Divine Mercy but to the entire Universal Church.
Beginning with the feast of the Archangels on the 29th of September and continuing through October 7th the church celebrates the lives and memory of many important saints whose lives have given us inspiration.
On the various feast days you may want to pray for the intercession of those honored and reflect on their life and how they lived to serve God and others and, like the patron saints of our ministry, Saints Sergius and Bacchus, who were willing to die rather than deny God. I will be posting special reflections for some of these feasts but I thought a “heads up” on the forthcoming two weeks was in order.
September 29th is the feast of all the Archangels those we often hear about Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Urial and the others.
On October 1st we celebrate the life of SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX known as Therese of the Child Jesus; the Little Flower; the Little Flower of Jesus. Cured from an illness at age eight when a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary smiled at her, she became a Carmelite Nun at age 15. Therese defined her path to God and holiness as "The Little Way," which consisted of love and trust in God. This message of trust is one we all need to take to heart. Since one of my favorite relatives was also a member of the Carmelite order, I have long had a special devotion to St. Therese because of my cousin Sister Ann of Jesus who was a Carmelite.
On Friday the 2nd of October we celebrate the feast in honor of Our Guardian Angels whom God has given the task of watching over us and guide us if we seek their guidance.
Sunday October 4th is traditionally the Feast of Our seraphic Father, Saint Francis of Assisi who founded and wrote the rule by which all Franciscans live. Francis preached the Gospel of love, compassion and mercy of God and spoke out against the luxurious excesses that many of the church hierarchy were living. Francis gave up a life of wealth and prestige for one of poverty and service to the poorest and rejected of his time.
Sunday the 4th is also designated as Respect For Life Sunday which seeks to remind all of us that ALL LIFE is precious and a gift from God. All life, regardless of race, gender, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation deserves respect.
October 5th is the feast day of Saint Faustina Kowalska who received from the Lord a message of mercy that she was told to spread throughout the world. She was asked to become the apostle and secretary of God's mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and an instrument for reemphasizing God's plan of mercy for the world. Her life was based on deep humility, purity of intention, and loving obedience to the will of God in imitation of the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The message of the infinite and divine mercy and love of God is now being spread throughout the world. St. Faustina had a vision of Christ with his arms outstretched and rays of the colors of the rainbow were radiating from His Sacred Heart which we now know as the Image of Divine mercy. Our Franciscan Order is dedicated to the message of Divine Mercy.
Wednesday the 7th is the feast day of the patron saints of our ministry, Saints Sergius and Bacchus. Saints Sergius and Bacchus were lovers in a blessed committed relationship who suffered persecution and martyrdom rather than deny the love of Christ. I will be posting a reflection of there history and how they became the patrons of our ministry later this week. The 7th of October is also the feast honoring Our Blessed Mother Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary.
On each of these feast days, you may want to take a moment to reflect on the saint being honored and offer a prayer of petition asking them to intercede on your behalf to Almighty God for your special intentions and help in living your daily life in accord with God’s will as Christ taught us..
Each of these saints lives is stresses the message of the infinite and everlasting compassion, love, mercy and forgiveness of Almighty God for all His children and God’s desire for all His children to participate in and be active participants in His Mystical Body, The Church, through prayer, the sacraments and living a life that reflects Christ’s message of Love for all people regardless of their sexual orientation, race, marital status of practice of worship to Him.
May God Bless each and every one of us with the knowledge of His truth and the courage to live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. AMEN
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sept. 27th Reflection DOING THE WORK OF THE LORD
Doing the Work of The Lord
A Reflection on the Readings for September 27th 2009
Numbers 11:25-29, Psalm 18, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-48
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
This Sunday’s readings have, it seems to me, a very important message for all who claim to be Christians and followers of Christ. One of the most important is found in the message of the Psalm which affirms the truth about Almighty God. That truth is that He listens to us and answers our prayers. If we put our lives in God’s hands, He will protect us and make life safe for us. There is, of course, one condition and it is, we have to live according to how Christ’s instructed us.
“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God.” (Psalm 18)
A second and even more powerful message is that by placing our measure of success in material things we are leading ourselves to possible destruction. The message found in James 5 is crystal clear, on several points.
One concerns how we gain our earthly wealth. If we have accumulated profit at the expense of others that profit will be like a fire that consumes you. It also places blame for many of the problems that our world is facing on those who live for material and financial gain without concern for those who are in need.
“Now an answer for the rich. Start crying; weep for the miseries that are coming to you. You stored up as your treasure for the last days a burning fire. Laborers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out; realize that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart’s content. It was you who condemned the innocent and killed them“. (James 5).
The third message found in this weeks’ readings concerns those who seem to feel that they speak for God and can decide who is worthy to participate in offering honor, praise and glory. .They firmly believe that their path is the only path to God and that they can decide who is worthy and who is not.
In the Gospel reading when the apostles told Jesus that they tried to stop people who were not of their group from prophesying and performing miracles in the name of Almighty God Jesus said: “You must not stop them: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck”. (Mark 9)
Lastly, the reading from numbers has a very interesting and thought provoking idea for us to ponder.
It concerns a supposition about what the world would be like if everyone was given the gift of prophesy by God. "If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to them all!" (Numbers 11)
Imagine if every follower of God had the gift of prophesy. If that were actually the case, the world might not be so quick to declare war against other nations. People would be more likely to be concerned about the needs of the poor, hungry, aged, sick, and more likely to be more compassionate and less judgmental. People would realize that a pure love between two people is a good thing not to be disparaged and condemned.
As we contemplate the messages of this week’s readings and how well we are living our daily lives in accord with them let us keep in mind what the scriptures taught us on what God expects of us.
He put us here to gain the greatest wage and wealth of all, Everlasting life in His presence.
We have been sent out into the vineyards to be the hands, feet, mouth and spirit of Almighty God and to actively wage the battle against the powers of darkness who are attempting to replace His infinite mercy, love, and compassion with hatred, discrimination, war, violence, greed and self-gratification.
The following is a prayer I offer each day as I attempt to go about my daily life humbly serving God as best I can while seeking God’s strength to improve.
O Lord, you are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer in whom I take refuge.
Almighty God, I give you my hands to do Your work; I give you my feet to go Your way;
I give you my eyes to see as You do; I give you my tongue to speak Your words; I give you my mind that You may think in me; I give you my spirit that You may pray in me;
Above all, I give you my heart that You may love in and through me all to whom I come in contact with each and every day. I dedicate myself to doing Your will in all things and to become an instrument through which You might bring about peace and harmony to all your children here on earth. AMEN (Written by Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD in 1991 for a retreat weekend)
A Reflection on the Readings for September 27th 2009
Numbers 11:25-29, Psalm 18, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-48
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus / Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
This Sunday’s readings have, it seems to me, a very important message for all who claim to be Christians and followers of Christ. One of the most important is found in the message of the Psalm which affirms the truth about Almighty God. That truth is that He listens to us and answers our prayers. If we put our lives in God’s hands, He will protect us and make life safe for us. There is, of course, one condition and it is, we have to live according to how Christ’s instructed us.
“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God.” (Psalm 18)
A second and even more powerful message is that by placing our measure of success in material things we are leading ourselves to possible destruction. The message found in James 5 is crystal clear, on several points.
One concerns how we gain our earthly wealth. If we have accumulated profit at the expense of others that profit will be like a fire that consumes you. It also places blame for many of the problems that our world is facing on those who live for material and financial gain without concern for those who are in need.
“Now an answer for the rich. Start crying; weep for the miseries that are coming to you. You stored up as your treasure for the last days a burning fire. Laborers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out; realize that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart’s content. It was you who condemned the innocent and killed them“. (James 5).
The third message found in this weeks’ readings concerns those who seem to feel that they speak for God and can decide who is worthy to participate in offering honor, praise and glory. .They firmly believe that their path is the only path to God and that they can decide who is worthy and who is not.
In the Gospel reading when the apostles told Jesus that they tried to stop people who were not of their group from prophesying and performing miracles in the name of Almighty God Jesus said: “You must not stop them: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck”. (Mark 9)
Lastly, the reading from numbers has a very interesting and thought provoking idea for us to ponder.
It concerns a supposition about what the world would be like if everyone was given the gift of prophesy by God. "If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to them all!" (Numbers 11)
Imagine if every follower of God had the gift of prophesy. If that were actually the case, the world might not be so quick to declare war against other nations. People would be more likely to be concerned about the needs of the poor, hungry, aged, sick, and more likely to be more compassionate and less judgmental. People would realize that a pure love between two people is a good thing not to be disparaged and condemned.
As we contemplate the messages of this week’s readings and how well we are living our daily lives in accord with them let us keep in mind what the scriptures taught us on what God expects of us.
He put us here to gain the greatest wage and wealth of all, Everlasting life in His presence.
We have been sent out into the vineyards to be the hands, feet, mouth and spirit of Almighty God and to actively wage the battle against the powers of darkness who are attempting to replace His infinite mercy, love, and compassion with hatred, discrimination, war, violence, greed and self-gratification.
The following is a prayer I offer each day as I attempt to go about my daily life humbly serving God as best I can while seeking God’s strength to improve.
O Lord, you are my rock, my fortress and my deliverer in whom I take refuge.
Almighty God, I give you my hands to do Your work; I give you my feet to go Your way;
I give you my eyes to see as You do; I give you my tongue to speak Your words; I give you my mind that You may think in me; I give you my spirit that You may pray in me;
Above all, I give you my heart that You may love in and through me all to whom I come in contact with each and every day. I dedicate myself to doing Your will in all things and to become an instrument through which You might bring about peace and harmony to all your children here on earth. AMEN (Written by Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD in 1991 for a retreat weekend)
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sunday Sept. 20th 2009 reflection
The Last Shall Be First
Reflection on Readings For Sunday September 20th 2009
Wisdom 2:12-20; James 3:16-18; Psalm 54:3-8; Mark 9:30-37
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine mercy
www.Missionstsergius.org
This week’s readings have a series of powerful messages for us to consider. They talk about how people who boast about how great they are, how powerful they are could very well be in danger in God’s design of things. I have chosen a few of the passages from Sunday's readings for us to reflect upon and consider how and where we, and those in the public eye, are living them.
"Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness". (James 3:16)
Where you have envy and selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice. Envy and selfish ambition, how often have we and leaders of corporation, governments and churches followed those goals? How does the scripture tell us to overcome those evil conditions in our life? By seeking God’s wisdom and live a life that is considerate of others, full of mercy for those who are suffering because of poverty, illness or who have hurt us in some way. We are told to seek out peace not vengeance.
Remember what we are told in Romans 12:18-20; “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.” In James 3 we are told “The harvest of Righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” Since we are in the seasonal time of harvest, possibly we need to work harder than ever before to harvest peace between those with whom we have had disagreements. We need to try to find the common ground to settle the petty differences that have divided all who all claim to worship the one and same Creator God, The God of Abraham, Isaac, David, Jacob and the Almighty Father of Jesus Christ.
We have sown the seeds of discontent among the seeds of peace and goodwill. Now we need to harvest peace and goodwill and leave the discontent for the weeds to be burned and destroyed.
Mark’s gospel tells the story of how the apostles were arguing about who among them was the greater. Christ knew this, as He knows all of our thoughts, words and actions, and when they got to where they were to rest, Christ gathered them together and asked what they were discussing. When no one answered, Christ sat them down and told them; “Jesus sat down and called for the Twelve to come to him. Then he said, "If you want to be first, you must be the very last. You must be the servant of everyone. Jesus then took a little child and had the child stand among them. Then he took the child in his arms. He said to them, Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me doesn't welcome only me but also the One who sent me."
Can Christ’s message to us be any clearer? If we wish to be a true leader, the first of firsts among people we need to become a servant to all. We need to have the innocence of a child that knows no anger or hatred. Hatred, violence, anger are lessons that are learned and then nurtured by people with agendas of their own.
Our only agenda in life should be to live, work and think of what Almighty God wants from us. We need to live our life attempting to emulate our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, in all of our daily lives.
We can begin doing this by examining how we relate to the issues that our family and the world are facing today. Do we judge people on how they look, their color, the church they attend, who their partner in life may be, how much money they have? We should judge them on how they are respectful of the needs of others, how they are always ready to help someone in trouble or need, by their love of Almighty God.
We live in troubled times. We hear many versions of how life is going to change for us by doing one thing or another. Politicians will be promoting their agendas over the next months all claiming to improve our lives. Television networks are all vying for our eyes claiming to be the #1 network that gives us the best news and entertainment. Advertisers tell us our lives will improve by using their product. The truth is the only way our lives will ever change is if we change them within our selves. Our lives and the world condition will only change when we begin to make a serious examination of our behavior and how closely it and our lives are being lived in relationship to Christ’s teachings. The challenge is ours alone. We can not be seeking to be the top gun but must be willing to be the servant. We need to become a servant of God, serving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and work to harvest peace among all God’s children. May God give us the Wisdom to live according to His way. May God grant us patience, compassion, forgiveness, and courage to live according to his way so that we may be welcomed into His Kingdom with open and loving arms. AMEN.
Reflection on Readings For Sunday September 20th 2009
Wisdom 2:12-20; James 3:16-18; Psalm 54:3-8; Mark 9:30-37
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine mercy
www.Missionstsergius.org
This week’s readings have a series of powerful messages for us to consider. They talk about how people who boast about how great they are, how powerful they are could very well be in danger in God’s design of things. I have chosen a few of the passages from Sunday's readings for us to reflect upon and consider how and where we, and those in the public eye, are living them.
"Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness". (James 3:16)
Where you have envy and selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice. Envy and selfish ambition, how often have we and leaders of corporation, governments and churches followed those goals? How does the scripture tell us to overcome those evil conditions in our life? By seeking God’s wisdom and live a life that is considerate of others, full of mercy for those who are suffering because of poverty, illness or who have hurt us in some way. We are told to seek out peace not vengeance.
Remember what we are told in Romans 12:18-20; “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.” In James 3 we are told “The harvest of Righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” Since we are in the seasonal time of harvest, possibly we need to work harder than ever before to harvest peace between those with whom we have had disagreements. We need to try to find the common ground to settle the petty differences that have divided all who all claim to worship the one and same Creator God, The God of Abraham, Isaac, David, Jacob and the Almighty Father of Jesus Christ.
We have sown the seeds of discontent among the seeds of peace and goodwill. Now we need to harvest peace and goodwill and leave the discontent for the weeds to be burned and destroyed.
Mark’s gospel tells the story of how the apostles were arguing about who among them was the greater. Christ knew this, as He knows all of our thoughts, words and actions, and when they got to where they were to rest, Christ gathered them together and asked what they were discussing. When no one answered, Christ sat them down and told them; “Jesus sat down and called for the Twelve to come to him. Then he said, "If you want to be first, you must be the very last. You must be the servant of everyone. Jesus then took a little child and had the child stand among them. Then he took the child in his arms. He said to them, Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me doesn't welcome only me but also the One who sent me."
Can Christ’s message to us be any clearer? If we wish to be a true leader, the first of firsts among people we need to become a servant to all. We need to have the innocence of a child that knows no anger or hatred. Hatred, violence, anger are lessons that are learned and then nurtured by people with agendas of their own.
Our only agenda in life should be to live, work and think of what Almighty God wants from us. We need to live our life attempting to emulate our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, in all of our daily lives.
We can begin doing this by examining how we relate to the issues that our family and the world are facing today. Do we judge people on how they look, their color, the church they attend, who their partner in life may be, how much money they have? We should judge them on how they are respectful of the needs of others, how they are always ready to help someone in trouble or need, by their love of Almighty God.
We live in troubled times. We hear many versions of how life is going to change for us by doing one thing or another. Politicians will be promoting their agendas over the next months all claiming to improve our lives. Television networks are all vying for our eyes claiming to be the #1 network that gives us the best news and entertainment. Advertisers tell us our lives will improve by using their product. The truth is the only way our lives will ever change is if we change them within our selves. Our lives and the world condition will only change when we begin to make a serious examination of our behavior and how closely it and our lives are being lived in relationship to Christ’s teachings. The challenge is ours alone. We can not be seeking to be the top gun but must be willing to be the servant. We need to become a servant of God, serving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and work to harvest peace among all God’s children. May God give us the Wisdom to live according to His way. May God grant us patience, compassion, forgiveness, and courage to live according to his way so that we may be welcomed into His Kingdom with open and loving arms. AMEN.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Exaltation of Holy Cross Feast Reflection
Reflection for The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Readings From Numbers 21:4-9, Philippians 2:6-11, John 3:13-17
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
“We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world”On Monday the universal church celebrates the feast commemorating the finding of the sacred cross upon which Christ died by Saint Helen about the year 325-326
According to some records it seems that not only were the High Priests afraid that someone would steal the body of Christ and claim that he had risen as He said he would they not only convinced Pontius Pilot to post guards at the tomb of Christ, but they ordered some temple workers to go out and bury the cross Christ was crucified on so that no one would ever find it. These workers did not know which cross of the three they found was the correct one so they buried them all and then covered them with mounds of stone. Years later, the emperor Hadrian had a temple built on the hill of Golgotha to honor Aphrodite. The temple was built over the place where the crosses had been buried and covered also the place where Christ’s tomb was.
Saint Helen decided that she would undertake a search for the cross after her son Constantine had related the story of his vision of the cross which told him to fly it as a sign and he would be successful in his battle.
Upon her arrival in Jerusalem the venerable Saint Helen had no visible sign of where to look because the area had the temple built on it. She instructed that the temple be destroyed especially the statue of Aphrodite. She then was drawn to the area where the pile of stones were visible after the destruction of the temple and instructed workers to dig there. Three crosses were uncovered as well as nails and other items The excavators also found a tomb which they believed might have been the actual tomb of Christ, since records indicate that Christ was buried in a rock sepulcher close to the place of His crucifixion.
St. Helen could not be sure which cross was the true cross but Saint Marcarius, the Bishop of Jerusalem, suggested that they have a gravely sick woman brought near to the crosses and hoped that if one of them was the true cross, the woman would be healed. Upon touching the last of the three crosses, she was instantly healed. Saint Helen was so overjoyed she ordered her son to have a church built on the site and a major section of the cross was placed in a Silver casing and placed in the church while another section was brought to Constantinople. The cross remained in the church in Jerusalem until 614 when the Persians plundered Palestine and took the cross to their own country. In 628 the Emperor Heraclius recovered the cross and restored it to it’s rightful place.
Tiny Pieces of the cross have been scraped off from both original pieces and have been distributed over the years, usually imbedded in a replica of Christ crucified. The amazing thing is that the original major pieces have never shrunken in size. I, myself, have had a piece of the cross imbedded in the crucifix of my rosary beads since they were brought from Rome for me by my cousin Bishop Minnahan.
As the Gospel reading of John proclaims “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.’” and the reading from Philippians reminds us that; “Jesus Christ’s state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.”Let Us Pray; Through the sign of Your Holy Cross, protect your brothers and sisters, Lord Jesus Christ, from all the temptations of the evil one and lead us to a greater love for each other as you loved us.
It was by your cross, O Christ, that you redeemed all mankind from their sinful ways and opened up the gates of heaven to all who proclaim you. May we be welcomed into your presence when our time here on earth is over to join with all the Heavenly elect. AMEN
Readings From Numbers 21:4-9, Philippians 2:6-11, John 3:13-17
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
“We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world”On Monday the universal church celebrates the feast commemorating the finding of the sacred cross upon which Christ died by Saint Helen about the year 325-326
According to some records it seems that not only were the High Priests afraid that someone would steal the body of Christ and claim that he had risen as He said he would they not only convinced Pontius Pilot to post guards at the tomb of Christ, but they ordered some temple workers to go out and bury the cross Christ was crucified on so that no one would ever find it. These workers did not know which cross of the three they found was the correct one so they buried them all and then covered them with mounds of stone. Years later, the emperor Hadrian had a temple built on the hill of Golgotha to honor Aphrodite. The temple was built over the place where the crosses had been buried and covered also the place where Christ’s tomb was.
Saint Helen decided that she would undertake a search for the cross after her son Constantine had related the story of his vision of the cross which told him to fly it as a sign and he would be successful in his battle.
Upon her arrival in Jerusalem the venerable Saint Helen had no visible sign of where to look because the area had the temple built on it. She instructed that the temple be destroyed especially the statue of Aphrodite. She then was drawn to the area where the pile of stones were visible after the destruction of the temple and instructed workers to dig there. Three crosses were uncovered as well as nails and other items The excavators also found a tomb which they believed might have been the actual tomb of Christ, since records indicate that Christ was buried in a rock sepulcher close to the place of His crucifixion.
St. Helen could not be sure which cross was the true cross but Saint Marcarius, the Bishop of Jerusalem, suggested that they have a gravely sick woman brought near to the crosses and hoped that if one of them was the true cross, the woman would be healed. Upon touching the last of the three crosses, she was instantly healed. Saint Helen was so overjoyed she ordered her son to have a church built on the site and a major section of the cross was placed in a Silver casing and placed in the church while another section was brought to Constantinople. The cross remained in the church in Jerusalem until 614 when the Persians plundered Palestine and took the cross to their own country. In 628 the Emperor Heraclius recovered the cross and restored it to it’s rightful place.
Tiny Pieces of the cross have been scraped off from both original pieces and have been distributed over the years, usually imbedded in a replica of Christ crucified. The amazing thing is that the original major pieces have never shrunken in size. I, myself, have had a piece of the cross imbedded in the crucifix of my rosary beads since they were brought from Rome for me by my cousin Bishop Minnahan.
As the Gospel reading of John proclaims “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.’” and the reading from Philippians reminds us that; “Jesus Christ’s state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.”Let Us Pray; Through the sign of Your Holy Cross, protect your brothers and sisters, Lord Jesus Christ, from all the temptations of the evil one and lead us to a greater love for each other as you loved us.
It was by your cross, O Christ, that you redeemed all mankind from their sinful ways and opened up the gates of heaven to all who proclaim you. May we be welcomed into your presence when our time here on earth is over to join with all the Heavenly elect. AMEN
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September 13, 2009 Reflection
Reasons to Love The Lord, Our God
A Reflection for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2009
Based on readings from Isaiah 50:5-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
“The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.” (Isaiah 50:5-9)
These words from the book of Isaiah foretold how Jesus Christ would be treated and how Jesus would react to the ridicule and ultimate sacrifice He would endure.
These words also should remind us that we might have to endure taunts and even rejection because of our love for God and because the way of Christ is not the way of today‘s society.
Christ taught compassion, love, mercy, and forgiveness. These are qualities that are in short supply in today’s world.
“What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (James 2:14-18)
These words of James, the brother of Christ and head of the church at Jerusalem, explain how we need to act in order to proclaim our faith. In no uncertain words they say that we live our faith by our actions.
This has been the theme of the last few weeks and a constant theme of Christ’s teachings.
Many people proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but they have blinders on towards the suffering and pain that exists all around them. If they are aware of it, they seem to have no desire to put an end to it.
Our nations leaders who for the most part claim to be Christians are engaged in discussions to make our health plans more affordable and the best in the world for all people regardless of their income yet they resist because of what it might cost or because of their party affiliations.
What happened to the idea of “Government for the people”
So many people give lip service but somehow little is really done to bring and end to homelessness, poverty, affordable medical assistance for the poor and seniors on low fixed incomes and affordable quality education for every person.
The Government can find trillions to explore space, wage wars, give tax breaks and incentives to the rich and corporations that pay their executives exorbitant salaries, often a thousand time greater than the average worker receives.
"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” (Mark 8)
These words of Christ tell us that to become followers of Christ, we must be willing to endure the crosses we are given. We must deny ourselves things that are considered luxuries so we can care for the needs of those who are poor, ill and unable to care for themselves without help.
Every day I pray to God asking him to provide me with the tools to do His work here on earth and be able to bring comfort and the sacraments to those who cannot get to church or have been told they were not wanted.
I try to spread The Good News of God’s everlasting compassion, infinite love and mercy for all His children.
God always hears our prayers, but He only answer us with what is best for us and at the appropriate time. When people who are sick, need a job or desire to sell their house or some other need ask God’s help, He hears them, but always gives them what is best for them.
Sometimes he calls the sick person home to him as the best way of ending their suffering.
It leaves us feeling sad, lonely, and sometimes angry but we need to realize that God did what was best for them. That is what it means to deny ourselves. We must accept God’s will in our lives, just as Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane pleaded “Lord remove this cup from me, but not my will, but yours be done”
Maybe if we make that prayer the qualification of all our petitions to God we will not be dissatisfied with God‘s answers to our prayers. I have found that when God deems it right He provides those things I need. My favorite poem FOOTSTEPS reminds us how God sometimes carries us when we thought He had abandoned us. God never leaves us but we often leave God out of our lives. I have learned that God needs to be a major part of our life and in a perfect world God is the center of our life.
We cannot allow ourselves to give up on God, worshiping Him and asking Him to be with us just because some have told us we are unwanted, or others try to claim that God is a myth, and still others who are supposed to represent Him have committed heinous crimes. We need to put our trust in God and love Him with all our being. Jesus instructed us with these words; “LOVE THE LORD, YOUR GOD, WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, SOUL AND BODY AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF” (Mark 12:30) Christ also said “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” God loved us so much He was willing to die so that our sins could be forgiven and we could attain everlasting life with Him forever. AMEN
All Materials are copywriten (c) Franciscans of Divine Mercy
A Reflection for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2009
Based on readings from Isaiah 50:5-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
“The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.” (Isaiah 50:5-9)
These words from the book of Isaiah foretold how Jesus Christ would be treated and how Jesus would react to the ridicule and ultimate sacrifice He would endure.
These words also should remind us that we might have to endure taunts and even rejection because of our love for God and because the way of Christ is not the way of today‘s society.
Christ taught compassion, love, mercy, and forgiveness. These are qualities that are in short supply in today’s world.
“What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (James 2:14-18)
These words of James, the brother of Christ and head of the church at Jerusalem, explain how we need to act in order to proclaim our faith. In no uncertain words they say that we live our faith by our actions.
This has been the theme of the last few weeks and a constant theme of Christ’s teachings.
Many people proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but they have blinders on towards the suffering and pain that exists all around them. If they are aware of it, they seem to have no desire to put an end to it.
Our nations leaders who for the most part claim to be Christians are engaged in discussions to make our health plans more affordable and the best in the world for all people regardless of their income yet they resist because of what it might cost or because of their party affiliations.
What happened to the idea of “Government for the people”
So many people give lip service but somehow little is really done to bring and end to homelessness, poverty, affordable medical assistance for the poor and seniors on low fixed incomes and affordable quality education for every person.
The Government can find trillions to explore space, wage wars, give tax breaks and incentives to the rich and corporations that pay their executives exorbitant salaries, often a thousand time greater than the average worker receives.
"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” (Mark 8)
These words of Christ tell us that to become followers of Christ, we must be willing to endure the crosses we are given. We must deny ourselves things that are considered luxuries so we can care for the needs of those who are poor, ill and unable to care for themselves without help.
Every day I pray to God asking him to provide me with the tools to do His work here on earth and be able to bring comfort and the sacraments to those who cannot get to church or have been told they were not wanted.
I try to spread The Good News of God’s everlasting compassion, infinite love and mercy for all His children.
God always hears our prayers, but He only answer us with what is best for us and at the appropriate time. When people who are sick, need a job or desire to sell their house or some other need ask God’s help, He hears them, but always gives them what is best for them.
Sometimes he calls the sick person home to him as the best way of ending their suffering.
It leaves us feeling sad, lonely, and sometimes angry but we need to realize that God did what was best for them. That is what it means to deny ourselves. We must accept God’s will in our lives, just as Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane pleaded “Lord remove this cup from me, but not my will, but yours be done”
Maybe if we make that prayer the qualification of all our petitions to God we will not be dissatisfied with God‘s answers to our prayers. I have found that when God deems it right He provides those things I need. My favorite poem FOOTSTEPS reminds us how God sometimes carries us when we thought He had abandoned us. God never leaves us but we often leave God out of our lives. I have learned that God needs to be a major part of our life and in a perfect world God is the center of our life.
We cannot allow ourselves to give up on God, worshiping Him and asking Him to be with us just because some have told us we are unwanted, or others try to claim that God is a myth, and still others who are supposed to represent Him have committed heinous crimes. We need to put our trust in God and love Him with all our being. Jesus instructed us with these words; “LOVE THE LORD, YOUR GOD, WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, SOUL AND BODY AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF” (Mark 12:30) Christ also said “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” God loved us so much He was willing to die so that our sins could be forgiven and we could attain everlasting life with Him forever. AMEN
All Materials are copywriten (c) Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
In Memoriam For Sen. Ted Kennedy
Memorial Reflection
It is with sadness that I write this brief reflection as a memorial to a human person with flaws like us all but a person who place the welfare of many above all his concerns.
At 2:00 AM This morning Edward M. Kennedy the premier Democratic Senator from Massachusetts was taken home to join his brothers and sisters John, Robert, Joe, Eunice, and parents in the presence of Almighty God.
A man like all of us who have flaws he did more to champion the underdog, the poor and disadvantaged than most politicians do.
He pushed through bills that improved their lot by fighting for improved wages, dignity for the physical and developmentally challenged and improved education.
He died urging the leaders of our government to pass one of the most important bills that Kennedy has pushed for, Health Care Reform for every citizen of the US.
My prayers are offered up for the repose of his soul and for his wife Vickie, his children and the entire Kennedy family who have lost their patriarch but also for the people of Massachusetts and the Us who have lost a real champion of the average man.
May His soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in eternal peace. AMEN
It is with sadness that I write this brief reflection as a memorial to a human person with flaws like us all but a person who place the welfare of many above all his concerns.
At 2:00 AM This morning Edward M. Kennedy the premier Democratic Senator from Massachusetts was taken home to join his brothers and sisters John, Robert, Joe, Eunice, and parents in the presence of Almighty God.
A man like all of us who have flaws he did more to champion the underdog, the poor and disadvantaged than most politicians do.
He pushed through bills that improved their lot by fighting for improved wages, dignity for the physical and developmentally challenged and improved education.
He died urging the leaders of our government to pass one of the most important bills that Kennedy has pushed for, Health Care Reform for every citizen of the US.
My prayers are offered up for the repose of his soul and for his wife Vickie, his children and the entire Kennedy family who have lost their patriarch but also for the people of Massachusetts and the Us who have lost a real champion of the average man.
May His soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in eternal peace. AMEN
Friday, August 21, 2009
Reflection for Sunday August 23rd 2009
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Reflection
Do You Serve The Lord Your God?
Based on the readings from: Joshua 24:1-2,15-18, Psalm 33:2-3,16-23, Ephesians 5:21-32, John 6:60-69
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD, Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
Franciscans of Divine Mercy/ Reformed Catholic Church International
"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness…. Choose this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15)
Just as Joshua challenged the tribes of Israel to chose who they desired to honor and worship, we today are being given the same challenge. Do we choose to serve those human gods of Greed, power, domination, discrimination, materialism and self-effacement or do we choose to follow the way of the son of god, Jesus Christ.
Do we choose to live our lives according to the way Jesus taught by being forgiving, compassionate, kind and generous to all God’s children, especially those in need?
Throughout all of history, one idea has prevailed; it is that there is a supreme being that governs all.
We find it in the histories of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Aztecs, Mayans, Native American Tribes, in fact every known civilization. Humans have recognized that there is something greater than themselves throughout history.
We humans have sought this greater power out, as history has shown, in every generation. They have given that acknowledgement to the sun, volcano’s, lightning and other natural and sometimes human and imaginary things. They have worship their “Gods” under the names of Ra, Zeus, Apollo, Pele the Goddess of Fire, Mercury, Aesir, and hundreds of other names.
When Almighty God made himself known with the words “"I am that I am. Here is what you must say to the Israelites. Tell them, 'I am has sent me to you.' "(Exodus 3:14) we were told who we should give honor, praise and reverence to and whom we should thank for all things.
When Jesus Christ was transfigured, God informed us clearly who Jesus was with these words; “"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:4-6).
God has told us to listen to what Jesus was telling us. To listen to the words and teachings of Jesus Christ, not some mere human individual, but Jesus the son of Almighty God. When we read the teachings of Christ, we find clear concise guidelines as to how we are expected to live our lives. These are found in the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, and in the “GREAT COMMANDMENT”, "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-30)
Could Christ’s teachings be any clearer, yet so many try to make this love and service to Almighty God so difficult by injecting a lot of man made things in the way.
The have twisted to original writings of the ancient scriptures and the writings of the apostles and early church fathers and in some cases even rejected some of them because they did not “FIT THE POLITICALY CORRECT AGENDA” of that time.
People found passages that referred to a specific kind of sin and twisted it around in order to exclude some individuals from serving God or even to participate in the worship of Almighty God.
When we choose to ignore the teachings of Christ, when we decide what God means and we judge others as outcasts and deny them the opportunity to worship Almighty God and acknowledge Jesus as the son of God and the redeemer and Savior sent by God, then we are not serving Almighty God.
Jesus, rejected no one, not even those who were to crucify him. Jesus sat and ate with those that Jewish law forbade sharing a meal. Jesus spoke with and treated women as equals.
If we believe that Almighty God created all things, and we believe that Jesus was the Son of God made man, then we cannot even think about acting like a god and making judgments that are the exclusive property of Almighty God.
We can dislike the way another person acts, we can reject their choices as not acceptable, we have the freedom to choose not to associate with some people because they seem to be breaking the commandments of God by lying, cheating, stealing, killing, committing adultery, coveting another’s wife or property and act in an manner other than that prescribed by God.
When we decide that power, money, prestige, fame, greed or sexual gratification are more important to us that living according to God’s way, we are not serving God.
We need to remember how we were taught in Paul’s letter to the Romans 14; “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” and Matthew 7; “Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.“ In James 4 we read; “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.”
The law of God is very clear, we are not the ones to judge a person because of how things appear “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” ( John 7:24, 51)
We need to judge a person by their deeds. Do they feed the poor? Do they Clothe the Naked? Do they respect and love All of God’s creatures? Do they give shelter to the homeless?
We do not have a right to deny anyone the same rights and privileges as every other citizen.
The question poised at the beginning of this reflection was, Do you serve the Lord ? You do if you live in a manner prescribed by Jesus Christ and do not make judgments according to man made decisions but only by the example and teachings given us by Christ.
“Christ went on, “This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him…Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.“
Let us serve Almighty God not only by claiming to be a Christian but by living out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. AMEN
Do You Serve The Lord Your God?
Based on the readings from: Joshua 24:1-2,15-18, Psalm 33:2-3,16-23, Ephesians 5:21-32, John 6:60-69
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD, Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
Franciscans of Divine Mercy/ Reformed Catholic Church International
"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness…. Choose this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15)
Just as Joshua challenged the tribes of Israel to chose who they desired to honor and worship, we today are being given the same challenge. Do we choose to serve those human gods of Greed, power, domination, discrimination, materialism and self-effacement or do we choose to follow the way of the son of god, Jesus Christ.
Do we choose to live our lives according to the way Jesus taught by being forgiving, compassionate, kind and generous to all God’s children, especially those in need?
Throughout all of history, one idea has prevailed; it is that there is a supreme being that governs all.
We find it in the histories of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Aztecs, Mayans, Native American Tribes, in fact every known civilization. Humans have recognized that there is something greater than themselves throughout history.
We humans have sought this greater power out, as history has shown, in every generation. They have given that acknowledgement to the sun, volcano’s, lightning and other natural and sometimes human and imaginary things. They have worship their “Gods” under the names of Ra, Zeus, Apollo, Pele the Goddess of Fire, Mercury, Aesir, and hundreds of other names.
When Almighty God made himself known with the words “"I am that I am. Here is what you must say to the Israelites. Tell them, 'I am has sent me to you.' "(Exodus 3:14) we were told who we should give honor, praise and reverence to and whom we should thank for all things.
When Jesus Christ was transfigured, God informed us clearly who Jesus was with these words; “"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:4-6).
God has told us to listen to what Jesus was telling us. To listen to the words and teachings of Jesus Christ, not some mere human individual, but Jesus the son of Almighty God. When we read the teachings of Christ, we find clear concise guidelines as to how we are expected to live our lives. These are found in the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, and in the “GREAT COMMANDMENT”, "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-30)
Could Christ’s teachings be any clearer, yet so many try to make this love and service to Almighty God so difficult by injecting a lot of man made things in the way.
The have twisted to original writings of the ancient scriptures and the writings of the apostles and early church fathers and in some cases even rejected some of them because they did not “FIT THE POLITICALY CORRECT AGENDA” of that time.
People found passages that referred to a specific kind of sin and twisted it around in order to exclude some individuals from serving God or even to participate in the worship of Almighty God.
When we choose to ignore the teachings of Christ, when we decide what God means and we judge others as outcasts and deny them the opportunity to worship Almighty God and acknowledge Jesus as the son of God and the redeemer and Savior sent by God, then we are not serving Almighty God.
Jesus, rejected no one, not even those who were to crucify him. Jesus sat and ate with those that Jewish law forbade sharing a meal. Jesus spoke with and treated women as equals.
If we believe that Almighty God created all things, and we believe that Jesus was the Son of God made man, then we cannot even think about acting like a god and making judgments that are the exclusive property of Almighty God.
We can dislike the way another person acts, we can reject their choices as not acceptable, we have the freedom to choose not to associate with some people because they seem to be breaking the commandments of God by lying, cheating, stealing, killing, committing adultery, coveting another’s wife or property and act in an manner other than that prescribed by God.
When we decide that power, money, prestige, fame, greed or sexual gratification are more important to us that living according to God’s way, we are not serving God.
We need to remember how we were taught in Paul’s letter to the Romans 14; “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” and Matthew 7; “Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.“ In James 4 we read; “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.”
The law of God is very clear, we are not the ones to judge a person because of how things appear “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” ( John 7:24, 51)
We need to judge a person by their deeds. Do they feed the poor? Do they Clothe the Naked? Do they respect and love All of God’s creatures? Do they give shelter to the homeless?
We do not have a right to deny anyone the same rights and privileges as every other citizen.
The question poised at the beginning of this reflection was, Do you serve the Lord ? You do if you live in a manner prescribed by Jesus Christ and do not make judgments according to man made decisions but only by the example and teachings given us by Christ.
“Christ went on, “This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him…Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.“
Let us serve Almighty God not only by claiming to be a Christian but by living out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. AMEN
Friday, June 19, 2009
Faith Can Conquer All Dificulties
12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Reflection
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
Mission_St_Sergius@msn.com
Based on the readings from: Job 38:1, 8-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:35-41
“From the heart of the tempest the Lord gave Job his answer.”
These words taken from the first reading for the 12th Sunday of Ordinary time are a reminder that sometimes in the darkest moments of our lives; God is actually trying to send us a message.
The reading from the Gospel of Mark is also a lesson we need to keep always in the forefront of our minds and it is that Faith and trust in God will overcome all trials if we believe. The story is of how a strong gale sprung up and the apostles became afraid that the boat was about to sink while Christ as asleep in the stern. The apostle being terrified; “woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going to drown!’ Christ woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then Christ said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?” Far too often in our lives we become afraid and feel overwhelmed by the circumstances that surround us. I certainly can relate to that feeling when sometimes I wonder if I am making a difference in peoples lives and actually doing the Lord’s work especially when people rarely respond and so few seem to respond to our plea for donations to support the work of the ministry. It is in those times that God always seems to send me a message of affirmation by either a phone call or an email message, letter or a donation arrives.
Faith in God is the strongest weapon to sustain one in times of difficulty.
Without faith we often sink into deep hopelessness and depression because we feel alone and forgotten. God never forgets any of us. God is always there if we call upon Him and He will always answer us in the way that is in our best interests even if we do not see it that way. We need to call to mind the words from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians; “The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them……therefore, we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-17) Just as the apostles feared that they were about to sink and drown in the storm because they were forgetting who was with them, we also often forget that God is there beside us if we but seek Him out in our hearts using faith as the device to call upon Him.
This past weekend I had the extreme pleasure to meet hundreds of people who seemed surprised but happy to find us at the Boston Pride Festival and loved our mission’s message of; GOD LOVES ME AS HE CREATED ME. All 800 of the stickers we had made up were gone before the day was half over. One female impersonator gave Bishop Mel and me a warm friendly embrace and a sincere “Thank You” for our message of affirmation. More than 30 people signed up to receive our weekly reflections and the Mission News Letter and many offered a small donation to help us spread the word of God’s Infinite Love for ALL His children regardless of their race, creed, nationality or sexual orientation.
With faith there is Hope. With Hope there are possibilities.
For much of my life I told people that my theme song was THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM. It still is! My dream now is for a time that every human being on the face of the earth is treated with dignity and respect. I dream of a time when all Christian faiths will once again unite as one just as the early church was one. I dream of a time when all the hierarchy treat each other as equals and focus on directing the church according to the basics Christ taught in the SERMON ON THE MOUNT and as found in the CORPORAL AND SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY and not on how much power and wealth they can attain.
I have FAITH that one day, more than likely not in my lifetime, this will happen because it is the will of God and in God’s time, He will bring it to be. We humans forget that our time is not God’s time. God often is patient and allows us to have our way as a test. The first reading for this Sunday was from one of my favorite books of the Bible, the book of Job. In fact at one time in my life it was the Book of Job that saved me from self destructing and led me back to God and my service as a Deacon, Teacher and now priest. The book tells of how God allowed Satan to test Job’s actual faith and trust in God. Job lost everything he had even his family but he never gave up on God. As a reward, God gave Job back 10 times what he had before. The message for this week is; HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE THAT GOD LOVES YOU AS HE CREATED YOU and will come when you call to Him. AMEN
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
Mission_St_Sergius@msn.com
Based on the readings from: Job 38:1, 8-11, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:35-41
“From the heart of the tempest the Lord gave Job his answer.”
These words taken from the first reading for the 12th Sunday of Ordinary time are a reminder that sometimes in the darkest moments of our lives; God is actually trying to send us a message.
The reading from the Gospel of Mark is also a lesson we need to keep always in the forefront of our minds and it is that Faith and trust in God will overcome all trials if we believe. The story is of how a strong gale sprung up and the apostles became afraid that the boat was about to sink while Christ as asleep in the stern. The apostle being terrified; “woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going to drown!’ Christ woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then Christ said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?” Far too often in our lives we become afraid and feel overwhelmed by the circumstances that surround us. I certainly can relate to that feeling when sometimes I wonder if I am making a difference in peoples lives and actually doing the Lord’s work especially when people rarely respond and so few seem to respond to our plea for donations to support the work of the ministry. It is in those times that God always seems to send me a message of affirmation by either a phone call or an email message, letter or a donation arrives.
Faith in God is the strongest weapon to sustain one in times of difficulty.
Without faith we often sink into deep hopelessness and depression because we feel alone and forgotten. God never forgets any of us. God is always there if we call upon Him and He will always answer us in the way that is in our best interests even if we do not see it that way. We need to call to mind the words from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians; “The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them……therefore, we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-17) Just as the apostles feared that they were about to sink and drown in the storm because they were forgetting who was with them, we also often forget that God is there beside us if we but seek Him out in our hearts using faith as the device to call upon Him.
This past weekend I had the extreme pleasure to meet hundreds of people who seemed surprised but happy to find us at the Boston Pride Festival and loved our mission’s message of; GOD LOVES ME AS HE CREATED ME. All 800 of the stickers we had made up were gone before the day was half over. One female impersonator gave Bishop Mel and me a warm friendly embrace and a sincere “Thank You” for our message of affirmation. More than 30 people signed up to receive our weekly reflections and the Mission News Letter and many offered a small donation to help us spread the word of God’s Infinite Love for ALL His children regardless of their race, creed, nationality or sexual orientation.
With faith there is Hope. With Hope there are possibilities.
For much of my life I told people that my theme song was THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM. It still is! My dream now is for a time that every human being on the face of the earth is treated with dignity and respect. I dream of a time when all Christian faiths will once again unite as one just as the early church was one. I dream of a time when all the hierarchy treat each other as equals and focus on directing the church according to the basics Christ taught in the SERMON ON THE MOUNT and as found in the CORPORAL AND SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY and not on how much power and wealth they can attain.
I have FAITH that one day, more than likely not in my lifetime, this will happen because it is the will of God and in God’s time, He will bring it to be. We humans forget that our time is not God’s time. God often is patient and allows us to have our way as a test. The first reading for this Sunday was from one of my favorite books of the Bible, the book of Job. In fact at one time in my life it was the Book of Job that saved me from self destructing and led me back to God and my service as a Deacon, Teacher and now priest. The book tells of how God allowed Satan to test Job’s actual faith and trust in God. Job lost everything he had even his family but he never gave up on God. As a reward, God gave Job back 10 times what he had before. The message for this week is; HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE THAT GOD LOVES YOU AS HE CREATED YOU and will come when you call to Him. AMEN
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
God Loves All People
A Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2009
Based on the readings from; Acts 10:25-26, 34-35,44-48; 1 John 4:7-10, John 15:9-17
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD,
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergious.org
Mission_St_Sergius@msn.com
“The truth I have now come to realize’ he said ‘is that God does not have favorites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.” These words attributed to St. Peter and taken from the first reading for this Sunday should bring comfort and exaltation to all who read or hear them. When we couple them with these following words from the second reading and the Gospel, we have complete affirmation of God’s infinite love for every one of His children regardless of their race, nationality, creed or sexual orientation. “My dear people let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love.” In addition “My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another, God will live in us and his love will be complete in us. We can know that we are living in him and he is living in us because he lets us share his Spirit.”
These words from the Gospel attributed to Jesus Christ strengthen the message even more; “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy is complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.”…. “I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another."
On December 25th 2005 Pope Benedict XVI issued his first encyclical as the new pope, entitled DEUS CARITAS EST which in Latin means God is Love.It matters not what Christian denomination you belong to or for that matter what religion, the main message we need to hold deep within us is GOD IS LOVE and His love is infinite.
The readings of this week are again a reminder to us of that main fact of the Christian faith. We need to keep this message always in our hearts especially when people are berating us or when we are made to suffer from discrimination or bigotry. Any person who does not love as Christ called us to do for one another is not a real or true Christian.God’s infinite and unlimited love is for every person on the face of the earth who calls to him seeking his mercy for their transgressions, seeking His relief from their pain and suffering or just giving Him the honor and praise He deserves or seeking to partake of the sacramental gifts.The only requirement that is made of us is that we keep His commandments and when Christ was asked what are the most important commandments he replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31).
Throughout the years since Christ taught the apostles and the Christian faith evolved from the Jewish faith because of Christ who told us He came to clarify or establish a new COVENANT between God and His children. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:16-18). Christ was the sacrificial lamb of the new covenant and in His sacrifice he gained for us everlasting life and assured us of God’s love. Christ made it clear whom he came to save when He said; “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13)
God extends us his endless mercy and love when we come to him with love in our hearts for Him and for our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ.That is the wonderful affirming and comforting message for this Week; God’s love is endless, infinite and unconditional to all who seek it. Let us look not on the sins of those who claim to be God’s representatives but let us seek God in ourselves and those around us by how well they exemplify LOVE in not only their words but more importantly in their deeds. AMEN
A Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2009
Based on the readings from; Acts 10:25-26, 34-35,44-48; 1 John 4:7-10, John 15:9-17
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD,
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergious.org
Mission_St_Sergius@msn.com
“The truth I have now come to realize’ he said ‘is that God does not have favorites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.” These words attributed to St. Peter and taken from the first reading for this Sunday should bring comfort and exaltation to all who read or hear them. When we couple them with these following words from the second reading and the Gospel, we have complete affirmation of God’s infinite love for every one of His children regardless of their race, nationality, creed or sexual orientation. “My dear people let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love.” In addition “My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another, God will live in us and his love will be complete in us. We can know that we are living in him and he is living in us because he lets us share his Spirit.”
These words from the Gospel attributed to Jesus Christ strengthen the message even more; “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy is complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.”…. “I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another."
On December 25th 2005 Pope Benedict XVI issued his first encyclical as the new pope, entitled DEUS CARITAS EST which in Latin means God is Love.It matters not what Christian denomination you belong to or for that matter what religion, the main message we need to hold deep within us is GOD IS LOVE and His love is infinite.
The readings of this week are again a reminder to us of that main fact of the Christian faith. We need to keep this message always in our hearts especially when people are berating us or when we are made to suffer from discrimination or bigotry. Any person who does not love as Christ called us to do for one another is not a real or true Christian.God’s infinite and unlimited love is for every person on the face of the earth who calls to him seeking his mercy for their transgressions, seeking His relief from their pain and suffering or just giving Him the honor and praise He deserves or seeking to partake of the sacramental gifts.The only requirement that is made of us is that we keep His commandments and when Christ was asked what are the most important commandments he replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31).
Throughout the years since Christ taught the apostles and the Christian faith evolved from the Jewish faith because of Christ who told us He came to clarify or establish a new COVENANT between God and His children. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:16-18). Christ was the sacrificial lamb of the new covenant and in His sacrifice he gained for us everlasting life and assured us of God’s love. Christ made it clear whom he came to save when He said; “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13)
God extends us his endless mercy and love when we come to him with love in our hearts for Him and for our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ.That is the wonderful affirming and comforting message for this Week; God’s love is endless, infinite and unconditional to all who seek it. Let us look not on the sins of those who claim to be God’s representatives but let us seek God in ourselves and those around us by how well they exemplify LOVE in not only their words but more importantly in their deeds. AMEN
Friday, April 17, 2009
Divine Mercy Sunday Reflection
Divine Mercy Sunday
A Reflection by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
“And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened”. Luke 11:9-10 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened”. Matthew 7:7-8
The above statement is found in two of the four gospels and I have chosen to use it to emphasize my reflection for this Divine Mercy Sunday which is also the anniversary of the founding of the Franciscans of Divine mercy. The readings for this Sunday have one very important point to make and that is the infinite mercy and love of God for everyone on this planet earth. Therefore it is very appropriate that this Sunday be dedicated to Divine Mercy. In the reading from 1 John 5:1-6 we hear these words : “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world:”
In Deuteronomy 6:5 we read “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Which Christ quoted when asked what the greatest commandment was in Matthew 22: 34-40 to which he added “the second is like unto it, love your neighbor as you love yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”. In John 13:34 Christ told us “A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” LOVE is the main element and LOVE is what God is. Where there is LOVE there is God and where God is there is infinite mercy and love.
So how do we show that love? We might do as those early followers did in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37 are said to have done; “for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made to every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet”. Which is one of the principals St. Francis wanted in his rules, which Innocent III approved 800 years ago last Tuesday the 14th, for the order he founded later to be known as “THE FRANCISCANS”, that they own nothing of their own and use what they receive for the benefit of spreading The Good News of Salvation and to help the poor, sick, aged and societies outcasts.
The gospel relates how Jesus appeared to the apostles and disciples who had locked themselves in a room for fear that they would be persecuted and gave them the powers which have been handed down to all priests ever since at their ordination when they are anointed “Jesus and stood in the middle, and said to them, Peace be to you. And when he had so said, he showed to them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be to you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive you the Holy Spirit: Whosesoever sins you remit, they are remitted to them; and whosesoever sins you retain, they are retained ……these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.” John 20:19-31
I often feel that the problems we have in this world are primarily due to the fact that so many do not love themselves and therefore they are incapable of loving anyone else let alone loving someone they do not know or try to get to know and understand. The troubles, strife, greed, genocide, poverty, war, discrimination that have and still cause so much grief in this world are the result of people not loving themselves and/or loving the God who created them. People look for the faults in, not only others, but themselves and dwell on them rather than on what is good. People tend to hold on to the negative things of their life rather than look at the good around them. I have seen this attitude cause people to actually be physically sick.
As followers of Christ we are called to seek out the light of God’s truth, to ask God to help us to know His will, to knock on the door of heaven and we have been told that if we doo this we will be heard, the door will be opened and what we seek we will find. That is what the infinite and unlimited Divine Mercy and Love of God is all about.
I begin each day with this prayer in the hopes that God will be light my way and let me know his will.
Prayer for God’s Infinite Love
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD, March 24th 2006
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
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 to others a reflection of your love towards them. Allow the light of your truth to flow through me towards all I encounter this day in order that they may come to know you better. I pray that all those with whom I come in contact each and every day may be brought into a closer union with you and enjoy your promise of 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
Friday, April 10, 2009
An Easter Reflection for 2009
Do Not Be Afraid, He is Risen
An Easter Reflection
By Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene
Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
An Easter Reflection
By Rev. Robert Francis Johnnene
Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.missionstsergius.org
Alleluia, Alleluia “This is the Day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118:24). “Do not be Afraid, You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified, He is not here, He has risen” (Mark 16:6). “Why do you search for the living among the Dead” (Luke24: 5 ) “He is not here, He has been raised, exactly as He had promised” (Matthew 28:6). “Rabbouni (Hebrew for teacher) ….I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18).All the above quotes taken from the four gospels telling of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ should have special meaning for us. My Favorite and one I keep deep in my heart is “Do Not Be Afraid” simply put, if you have faith in God and the promises of Christ, there is nothing in life that you need to be afraid of. By trusting in God’s will and believing that everything in life has a purpose, even the dissention, suffering, the recession or depression or events that cause separation, bickering, and even the power hungry who profess to be followers of Christ, all have their reason for being, it is up to us to attempt to learn what we can and grow from them. How foolish we mere mortals are. We allow pride, greed and envy to cloud our eyes so that we forget the message taught by Jesus in His resurrection. The message that with God, all things can be conquered, even death.
Christ not only conquered death, he conquered our sins because by His death and resurrection he brought us forgiveness. Jesus came to us from Almighty God to be the supreme “Rabbouni” teacher to us. He came to teach us the way to attain own salvation and glory. The sad thing is we all too often do not follow or listen to what he taught us. We need to affirm, as Mary Magdalene did when she proclaimed “Rabbouni” that Jesus was the ultimate teacher sent by God to make clear God‘s intentions and desires. Jesus was, is, and always will be the head of the church. He directs those who believe in Him through the Holy Spirit, “the giver of life who proceeds from the Father and the son. With the Father and the son, is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.” (Nicene Creed)We need to acknowledge our love of God by seeking the truth and living in accord with the teachings of Christ. We need to live our daily lives in the manner that Jesus instructed us. “Why do you search for the living (Jesus) among the dead? “He has been raised, exactly as He promised” Jesus is alive; he is alive in the hearts and souls of all those who have been reborn through Baptism and who faithfully live according to His instructions. He is alive in us every time we partake of the Eucharist, His body and blood given us on that first Holy Thursday. Christ is the “living Bread”. He gave himself to us so that we could carry on His work here on earth while he and the Father watch over us. On this glorious day when we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Let ALL who believe in Him and accept His call to “Come Follow Me” (Luke 18:22) work together and make a concerted effort to repair the breaches that have torn Christ’s church apart into so many segments. There is only one creator God, There is only one Jesus Christ, He established one church and one Universal faith. We are all called to be His servants, His disciples. Especially we, who have been called as shepherds to His flock, need to work with one voice just as Jesus spoke with one voice. We need to stop the exclusion of some, the name calling, seeking control and power and cone together in unity with one message, the message of God‘s infinite mercy and love for ALL His children. Let us shout, loudly. Alleluia, Alleluia, This is the Day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be Glad, Jesus Christ has risen, Jesus is alive. Alleluia, Alleluia.
May God's infinite blessings fill your heart with comfort and peace.
Christ not only conquered death, he conquered our sins because by His death and resurrection he brought us forgiveness. Jesus came to us from Almighty God to be the supreme “Rabbouni” teacher to us. He came to teach us the way to attain own salvation and glory. The sad thing is we all too often do not follow or listen to what he taught us. We need to affirm, as Mary Magdalene did when she proclaimed “Rabbouni” that Jesus was the ultimate teacher sent by God to make clear God‘s intentions and desires. Jesus was, is, and always will be the head of the church. He directs those who believe in Him through the Holy Spirit, “the giver of life who proceeds from the Father and the son. With the Father and the son, is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.” (Nicene Creed)We need to acknowledge our love of God by seeking the truth and living in accord with the teachings of Christ. We need to live our daily lives in the manner that Jesus instructed us. “Why do you search for the living (Jesus) among the dead? “He has been raised, exactly as He promised” Jesus is alive; he is alive in the hearts and souls of all those who have been reborn through Baptism and who faithfully live according to His instructions. He is alive in us every time we partake of the Eucharist, His body and blood given us on that first Holy Thursday. Christ is the “living Bread”. He gave himself to us so that we could carry on His work here on earth while he and the Father watch over us. On this glorious day when we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Let ALL who believe in Him and accept His call to “Come Follow Me” (Luke 18:22) work together and make a concerted effort to repair the breaches that have torn Christ’s church apart into so many segments. There is only one creator God, There is only one Jesus Christ, He established one church and one Universal faith. We are all called to be His servants, His disciples. Especially we, who have been called as shepherds to His flock, need to work with one voice just as Jesus spoke with one voice. We need to stop the exclusion of some, the name calling, seeking control and power and cone together in unity with one message, the message of God‘s infinite mercy and love for ALL His children. Let us shout, loudly. Alleluia, Alleluia, This is the Day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be Glad, Jesus Christ has risen, Jesus is alive. Alleluia, Alleluia.
May God's infinite blessings fill your heart with comfort and peace.
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