Saturday, September 14, 2013

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings


Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 132





Reading 1
EX 32:7-11, 13-14
The LORD said to Moses,
“Go down at once to your people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt,
for they have become depraved. 
They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them,
making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it,
sacrificing to it and crying out,
‘This is your God, O Israel,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’
“I see how stiff-necked this people is, ” continued the LORD to Moses.
Let me alone, then,
that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. 
Then I will make of you a great nation.”

But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying,
“Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt
with such great power and with so strong a hand? 
Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
and how you swore to them by your own self, saying,
‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky;
and all this land that I promised,
I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.’” 
So the LORD relented in the punishment
he had threatened to inflict on his people.

Responsorial Psalm
PS 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19
R. (Lk 15:18) I will rise and go to my father.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. I will rise and go to my father.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. I will rise and go to my father.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. I will rise and go to my father.

Reading 2
1 TM 1:12-17
Beloved:
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry. 
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. 
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 
Of these I am the foremost. 
But for that reason I was mercifully treated,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example
for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel
LK 15:1-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
So to them he addressed this parable.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”

Then he said, 
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them. 
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need. 
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger. 
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father. 
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him,
and was filled with compassion. 
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. 
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began. 
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing. 
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him. 
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns,
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours. 
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’”

Or
LK 15:1-10
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
So to them he addressed this parable.
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one
would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it,
she calls together her friends and neighbors
and says to them,
‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’
In just the same way, I tell you,
there will be rejoicing among the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”

Friday, September 13, 2013

Power Prayer

Power Prayer 


   Came across this tonight and it started me to think if I really have ever said this in prayer. When this is said in prayer you truly do open yourself and expose yourself. I must admit this is something I need to do and must do I think to fully understand His Will. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may we ask so we may be changed. 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Prayers Needed

Prayers Needed


   Today fire spread on the boardwalk of Seaside Park and Seaside Heights.  This area was devastated almost a year ago for Sandy and was just starting to rebuild the areas. I ask that we pray for those who's businesses have been lost and that they are able to once again pick up the pieces and rebuild. 
Until tomorrow, God Bless, and always keep those in need in prayer. 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Simple Message

Simple Message


 Sometimes a simple message is all we need. I felt that today being 9/11, a day of remembrance that a simple message of God was called for. May all those who lost their lives and those of the people they loved forever be in our hearts and in our minds. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and say a prayer today. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

9/11 Never Forget

9/11 Never Forget


   For many people, 9/11 forever changed their lives and the landscape of a nation. Those who lost their lives in the Towers, in the Pentagon and in Shanksville will never be forgotten.  Many people were heroes on that day and for the days and months and even years later. It has left a mark so deep in a nation that time will never erase nor should it be forgotten. Yes, we move on but a piece of our hearts were left on that day. 

   I ask for each and every one of us to take the time and bow our heads and pray for those lives who were lost, for those who lost some one and for a nation who still needs healing. May God forever watch over our Nation and may Peace forever be on our minds and hearts till we see it throughout the world. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may we never forget but remember those who lost their lives. 

Monday, September 9, 2013

The Middle - Bebo Norman



The Middle - Bebo Norman


 I have listened to this song about 50, if not more, times since last week. I do not think a song has hit me soul the way this has. It has helped me understand a feeling that lies so deep that I just did not understand what was going on inside me. I was not able to understand a sadness, a loneliness that comes washing over me and almost knocks we down like a crashing wave against the rocky path along the shore line. I do not know if I am going to fully be able to explain this but I feel that its the only way I can get to understand it myself is by sharing it. 

   First, as always the video and lyrics are below but I do not know if it would be better for you to read my thoughts first then listen to the song or the other way around. The way Bebo Norman sings the song is with such gut wrenching feeling and that is how it feels inside. I hope you understand more of where I am coming from after reading this and understand that the process of me discerning the Priesthood is not a decision that has come easy or is new for me. I have had this stirring in my soul over the years and even back to my childhood. However I must admit that I have not dove so deep into this discernment ever before. It was just fleeting thought that come to light and I continued with living a life of the world and thought I could never be a man that could put on a collar and be worthy of it. I can not deny that inner spirit that is leading me to a deeper and more fulfilling life with the Trinity and the Church. The struggle comes from me wanting to serve God in the manner according to His will and not mine. I do not want to turn the wrong way and head down the path that is not His Will anymore. I want to surrender my life to not my will but His will. Normally surrendering means losing to me but here I gain a life of never ending graces and love. Isn’t that what we all want in the end? A life that was filled with love, grace and joy? I know that God will never Love me any less or more then right at this moment but when we are doing His will, there is that inner peace, that transforms the rest of your life. 

     God has found me each and every time in my life. It doesn’t matter where I was. If I was running from Him or just waiting for Him in the church, He found me and always drew my thoughts to Him each and every time. I could not hide from Him. Not Physically, Not Mentally, Not Emotionally and Not Spiritually. At times I think that I acted the way I did to see if He really would come after me. Would this be the time where He didn’t try to get me to turn back and just throw His hands up and give up? It was never the case. I can’t say that we didn’t have our fights and that He didn’t point my errors and sins out .Yet, after all that it always came to the point where I was down on my knees saying I am sorry and crying because I know how I hurt Him. 

      There are times when mass is over and people are just starting their way out of the church and as I genuflect I start to feel sad that I am leaving. At times I just want to stay. I do not want to go at all. Then as I place my fingers in the Holy Water and do my last blessing and my last look at the Alter and Jesus, I want to just run to the alter and never turn my back and leave. I know I may sound crazy and it is not all the time but more often then not, this is the case. Same with adoration at times. I don’t want to leave, I just want to close my eyes and wake again to be in the presence of Jesus. When I start these feelings I look around at others leaving and wonder am I the only one who feels this, please not let me be the only one? Its not that I want to stay to leave the world or that my life is unhappy because it is not the case. I am blessed with the life I have been given. I have had some amazing people in my life and still have some amazing people in it. I am not running from one life to another to avoid anything but I feel stuck between two parts and that makes me feel like I am in the middle. The middle between a life in the church as a lay person, working in and for the  Faith and that of the Honor and Blessing of becoming a Priest. There are times where my head spins from this life. The amazing life I have had and the unyielding love of the Trinity, the Faith and the Church. I am not looking for freedom from the world or freedom from a faith but maybe freedom from the chains that bind me from making that step from the middle to a life of meaning. I feel that for me, that life of meaning is coming from a life within the Church in one form or another. Meaning for me is holding the Light so others may see and come back to the Trinity, the Faith and Church or help them along the way to a deeper relationship. I want God to use me as His vessel to help with the message of Salvation. That to me is a meaning for me in this life. 

      I feel that there is a new life for me that is further along on the path and that I need to step out from staying that safe course from walking right in the middle and venture out. Sometimes when I think I am ready to do this I pull back because I do not know if I am really ready for it. If I am strong enough? If I am making the right choice?Then, Am I right in thinking Who I am in this life and if I know who God and I see who stands before Him after all these years of this life that I have created and destroyed. Looking in the mirror sometime I do not know the man who is looking back at me. There was a life that I once dreamed of and now, that life is not a life I desire or want. Maybe we are not to know the person who we see at times? Maybe that means we are becoming less of us and becoming more of who are to be in this life. I know the man I am to be is not the man I see now. I am becoming the man but not that man yet. 

     Some people in my life know what I am thinking about but it is very few and I have not been this open about it at all to anyone really. I recently said that it is like a secret I am keeping. I am not ashamed of what I am thinking or afraid what people may say to me about it but yet I keep it tuck down inside and hold onto it tightly so it wont get out. Those who do know are supportive in their own way and say that I will figure it out and all will be ok. I wish I had that same thought. I don’t see the struggle decreasing but increasing. There is an internal storm that rages at times and all I can do is hold onto the life I am living and stand in the middle till it passes and hope that it will settle and peace will come. In that peace, I will find the answer that God has written on my soul. 

      Please do not get me wrong that I am in constant turmoil because its not the case. I struggle, yes, but I know the life I have is blessed by many people and God is there with Jesus and Holy Spirit waiting for me to work this all out and become the man I am to be. The man God created me to be. I feel so blessed that this is my struggle because it is a win win. I do not lose a life but gain a life of salvation either way. I will not lose a life that I desired because what I ultimately desire is a life worthy of redemption. 

      I hope that if you feel that you are in the middle know that you are not alone. I feel that at times but that is because I choose to keep this as a secret for a while and what I did was to deprive my soul of prayers by the people I care about. Tell people who you know will offer up prayers for you to understand the will in your life. The wisdom to come to you to make the choice. It is in those kinds of prayers where we are open to the Spirit to move us and not our own intentions. I pray that I made sense in sharing what is going on and that if you feel you are in that “Middle” of who you are and who you are to become that you know prayers are being offered up for you always. Pray for me as I will pray for you all. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may we forever evolve to the man or woman God created for us to be.   





It's as if You could find me anywhere
That I could go, to try to hide my thoughts from You
But just like some runaway I'm leaving here
With half a mind that hopes of getting caught
So we can just drive home in the dark
Where we'll let our, our feelings fly
They'll cut like shame to break me down again
Until there's nothing left but for me to tell You I'm, I'm sorry
But I don't wanna go home now
Stuck here in the middle alone now
Everybody's singing their song now
But I'm still reeling
I'm not trying to run away from
This beautiful life I've been given
I'm not looking for freedom
Maybe just a little meaning here in the middle
It's as if there's a world uncovered by
The break of day all these miles away but for a better view
Of what's left in the aftermath of all these years
It's just so hard to know who I am in You
So I don't wanna go home now
Stuck here in the middle alone now
Everybody's singing their song now
But I'm not ready for this
I'm not trying to run away from
This beautiful life I've been given
I'm not looking for freedom
Maybe just a little meaning here in the middle
Alright, everybody says I'll be alright
Everybody says it's a good fight
I'm not seeing it now
All I know is I swear this
It feels a little more like a secret
And I don't know if I should just keep it
To myself, but my love, my love
I don't wanna go home now
Stuck here in the middle alone now
Everybody's singing their song now
But I'm still reeling
I'm not trying to run away from
This beautiful life I've been given
I'm not looking for freedom
Maybe just a little meaning here in the middle
Here in the middle, here in the middle
Here in the middle, yeah, here in the middle


Sunday, September 8, 2013

Our Lady

Our Lady


Today is the Blessed Mother's Birthday. May we all honor Her today and everyday of our lives. May She always be a blessing to us all and forever live in our hearts so Jesus will always have a Home in our Hearts.

Until Tomorrow, God Bless, and may Mary forever cover us with Her Mantle.