Sunday - June 1, 2014 - The Ascension of the Lord - Following Christ

Gospel mt 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

 

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord; this is the moment when our Lord returned to His heavenly throne seated at the right hand of the Father.  However, before our Lord departed from this world He left His disciples the Great Commission to go out into the world baptizing, proselytizing,  and proclaiming his word.  Today’s celebration may seem odd to some because they might think; “Why do you celebrate the moment that your God has left you?”  In other words some would believe that we, the followers of Christ, have been abandoned by our God.  But the faithful Christian knows that this could not be further from the truth.  There is a place in the holy land called the Dome of the Ascension, and it is in this place that ancient tradition teaches our Lord ascended into heaven.  In this chapel there is a stone which contains a footprint of our Lord; this footprint truly stirs in the hearts of the faithful, hope in following were He has gone.  Our Lord has not abandoned us but instead has shown us the way to our heavenly home.  Therefore, be inspired brothers and sisters and go out into the world leading your coworkers, friends, family, and even complete strangers to Him and His bride the Church in which the Holy Spirit abides.  For our Lord is truly with us always strengthening us by His Word and Sacraments; and giving us hope even in the midst of adversity and trials.  Have no fear; rid yourselves of doubt; and follow in the footsteps of our Risen Lord!  Blessings. Fr. Steven    

May 25, 2014 - Sixth Sunday of Easter - "The Spirit of Truth"

Gospel jn 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.”

Have you ever heard of a conspiracy theory?  For example, one conspiracy theory is that there are certain celebrities and world leaders that are part of a secret society determined on world domination.  According to this notion they want to establish a “New World Order” in which they will have power and authority over all people.  Well to that I say, nonsense!  Brothers and sisters do you not know that the “order” of Heaven and Earth has already been established by our heavenly Father and is being guided today by the Holy Spirit: the Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, the Paraclete; our mediator, intercessor, comforter, and consoler. It is God who will dwell within our hearts and guide our every word and deed if only we accept the Spirit of Truth.  And what is Truth? God is Truth! And what did God command of us? To Love without limits!  This is the new world order of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Our Lord in His great Mercy wants all His flock to experience the magnificent design of God; a harmony and peace that can only be established and maintained by LOVE!  Brothers and sisters do not fall for the trappings and lies of the enemy; do not be afraid of falsities and conspiracy theories; open your hearts this day and receive the Spirit of Truth and let yourself and the world be conquered by LOVE!  Blessings. Fr. Steven        

Sunday May 18, 2014 - Fifth Sunday of Easter - The Way, The Truth, The Life

Gospel jn 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, AI am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.”

 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”

Today’s Gospel from St. John, on this Fifth Sunday of Easter, is a passage that I often use at the funeral Masses for our dearly departed loved ones.  It is a passage that is meant to bring us comfort and consolation that our Lord’s promises will be fulfilled if only we follow Him (who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life) with obedient hearts.  You see belief in our Risen Lord is much more than words that proclaim our Faith; belief in our Lord is a way of life!  In our every action we profess our Faith in Him; who showed us the Way of the Cross, professed Truth without ambiguity in His every action and interaction, and promised eternal Life to those who remain in His love!  Sisters and brothers are your hearts troubled by the uncertainties of this fallen world?  Do you allow the stresses of work, family, or finances to steal your peace?  “Do not let your hearts be troubled” take up your cross with joy this day and follow the Way that He has shown us, place in your heart this day the Truth that God will not and does not abandon His flock, and set your mind, heart, and soul on the great promise of eternal Life that awaits those who obey His word and trust in Him!  Live out your faith today, live your faith intensely; don’t just talk about God, be an instrument of His love and mercy: forgive and be forgiven.  Blessings. Fr. Steven