Are We Afraid Of Battle?
5th Sunday After Pentecost 2020
In the Gospel Christ condemns unjust anger and asks us to love our enemies. Will we shirk this duty as a soldier who refuses to go into battle? In the Epistle St. Peter writes that we should be merciful and in return we will receive mercy.
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Invincible Weapons
In the Gospel we learn that we are tied together because the man is cast in prison and his wife and children are sent there with him. We also see the mercy of God and the consequences of not showing mercy to one another. The Epistle reminds us that we are engaged in a spiritual battle and need to use our heavenly arsenal to wage war on the devil and his minions. Prayer is key and the desire for holiness is a sure sign of victory.
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Put On The New Man
19th Sunday after Pentecost 2019
Beginning with the words of the Introit we are given peace in the midst of whatever tribulations we experience. St. Paul in the Epistle tells us that by Baptism we are no longer in sin and must live a new life of grace. All previous lying, stealing and refusing to work must be abandoned. Our new life should reach to the control of anger so we only use it when necessary and for good reason. This state of grace is seen in the Gospel as represented by the wedding garment. Without this we cannot be saved. With grace we can show our gratitude to God and rejection of sin, even venial sin.
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Love Of God And Neighbor
5th Sunday after Pentecost 2019
The Church begins our sanctification now with the reminder that our love of God is shown by our love of our neighbor. This is so important that Our Lord instructs us to delay even prayer and public worship so we can first reconcile with our brother when necessary. How we do this requires prayer, reception of the sacraments and a generous response to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost. By this we turn our hearts and affections from this world to the invisible treasures of heaven.
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Salvation Of The People
19th Sunday after Pentecost
The Introit tells us that God is the salvation of His people and anyone can call upon Our Lord and be converted. The Epistle teaches us about the need to control anger and not let it be excessive. It is also part of the teaching that one must be angry when it is justified in the case of an evil situation. Christ directed the parable in this Gospel to all of us. As being part of the Mystical Body of Jesus we are subject to persecution in a similar way to our Head who offered Himself on the cross for our sins.
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Help Us, We Are Perishing!
4th Sunday after Epiphany 2017
We must settle all disputes we have with our neighbor before we come to the Eucharistic table and to love and care for the souls of our neighbors, whether or not we like them personally.  St. Frances de Sales who had a bad vice, that of an extreme temper, re-channeled the energy from that vice towards the teaching of the faith to thousands.  He wrote the Introduction to the Devout Life and is known today as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Teachers of the Faith.  St. Martina underwent unbelievable torture because she would not renounce her Faith and pay tribute to false gods as demanded by the Emperor.  How many of the saints have shown us similar acts of heroic virtue and steadfast Faith in the history of the Church and what do we give in return?  It is a question we must ask ourselves if we are to be true followers of Christ.  We are then taught of the importance of Faith through today’s Gospel reading where the disciples are caught in a storm with heavy waves which tossed their boat to and fro, threatening to sink it.  The disciples desperately awoke Jesus from His nap begging Him to save them.  He in turn rebuked them for their lack of Faith since He was aboard the boat and would not let harm come to them. Â
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The Results of Pride
10th Sunday after Pentecost 2015
The Gospel for this Mass warns us of the catastrophic results of pride. Firstly, God does not hear the prayers of the proud man. Secondly, pride leads to hatred of God and neighbor, due to our inordinate love of ourselves. We should think often of our death and judgment, especially when we are tempted to the sin of pride. How beautiful it is to see someone accept humiliation with a smile. Everything that happens to us comes from God. Even the evil in the world is permitted by Him for our good. Our Lord endured humiliation to serve as an example for us to follow.
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Distinguishing Truth From Error
4th Sunday after Easter 2015
Why is the month of May dedicated to the Blessed Mother? The practice began by the efforts of a Jesuit priest of the 18th century in Rome, who dedicated the youth of his time to the Virgin Mary. By devoutly reciting the Rosary during this month we will remain under her protection as well. The instruction of this Epistle urges the practice of the great virtue of patience to combat unjust anger. The virtues and gifts of the Holy Ghost which we possess allow us to hear the word of God and to recognize the false teachings of the world. We want to express our faith in the Resurrection and assert our trust.
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The Hymn of Charity
Quinquagesima Sunday 2015
We are judged primarily by love. This Epistle for today tells us that charity removes anger and evil thoughts. Although anger can be justified and good, it can also be inordinate and sinful. We must be patient with others, but especially with ourselves. When they fall, those who are full of pride become impatient with themselves. The humble thank God even for allowing them to fall to teach them how dependent they are. We should petition God for our needs with all patience, knowing that God will answer our prayers in His own good time. We must have a constant resolution to reject our sins and even our imperfections.
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