You Are The Salt of the Earth
A Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2011
By Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD, Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Divine Mercy Franciscans
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish, Franklin, MA
www.missionstsergius.org
“You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste what can make it salty again”, Our Gospel reading began with these words and they are more than worth pondering over.
Think about the attributes of salt. Without salt most foods are bland and have little taste. Salt is an essential part of our body. Our tears and sweat are salty. Salt can melt ice and when mixed with certain chemicals can cause and explosion. When Christ tells us that we are the salt of the earth he means that without us, the world would be bland and tasteless.
The Gospel goes on the tell us that salt when it looses its flavoring ability; “is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people's feet.” Like salt, if we loose our flavor for God we become worthless as disciples of Christ and messengers of God‘s love.
The next passage of the Gospel proclaims; “You are light for the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The meaning of this passage is very clear, you can not hide your faith and trust and love of God from other but you need to be proud and wear your faith like a badge of honor.
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians explains that he is not a great orator nor did he use mystery and high faulting language but simply explained the truth of Christ’s message and God’s love for all His children. He explains that he came with fear and trembling and with the full recognition of his weakness and his failings. In other words he recognized that he was a simple human being that God picked out to proclaim the Good news of Salvation to all he encountered.
He did not use Great theological, philosophical and psychological language but the simple language and Christ’s words to let people know that Christ came for Everybody on the face of the earth.
Paul makes it clear that we can not depend on human knowledge and man made rules and regulations to earn the kingdom of heaven but we need to listen to that inner voice which is usually the Holy Spirit, guiding us and leading us to a deeper knowledge and love of God.
We need to put complete faith and trust in God and continually ask God to assist us in getting to know , love and serve Him and to have the courage and the strength to “Let our light of faith shine brightly for all to see”
We have to be like Salt and give a wonderful flavor to our message of God’s power, love, mercy by letting the light of our faith in God shine forth every day having our daily actions emulate the Beatitudes that we heard last week and the Great commandment Christ gave us; “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law of the Prophets hangs on these two commandments.”
We must always remember that; “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
Remembering this we can always have the courage and not be afraid to let our Faith and love of God shine forth like a beacon to keep away the darkness and despair that often can overtake people who have lost their faith or who have never known the Good News of Salvation that Christ earned for us.
We can be the spice of life and a beacon of faith to lead others to the promised land of everlasting life in heaven with the creator and all the heavenly elect. AMEN
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Sunday January 23rd Reflection
How would You Answer Christ‘s Call?
A Reflection for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2011
BY Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus/ Divine Mercy Parish
www.missionstsergius.org
Based on Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10 - 17, Matthew 4:12 - 23
Today’s Gospel is the story of Christ calling the first apostles to follow him and how they dropped everything on the spot to do so. It had me wonder firstly on how I, or any one in this the twenty first Century would respond to Christ’s call and secondly what was it about Christ that common men left everything to follow a very poor carpenter. A hint might be found in the words of the prophet Isaiah from the first reading for this Sunday “in days to come he will confer glory on the Way of the Sea on the far side of Jordan, province of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.”; and from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that explains what Christ was teaching those first followers and continues to call us to do. “I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice.”
The Gospel story tells us ;“From that moment, Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’. …‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men’…He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.”
Repeatedly, week after week, we hear how Christ fulfilled all the prophecies that foretold of the coming of the messiah, this week is no different. The prophet Isaiah refers to the one to come, Christ, as “a great light” one that will bring those who walk in darkness into the light.”
Christ did indeed bring light into a world full of darkness and gloom, not unlike the world we live in today.
In order for that light to break through Christ had to take on the pain and suffering of rejection and doubt and ultimately die the ignominious death of a criminal on the cross just so we could achieve the forgiveness of our sins and transgressions and have the opportunity to gain eternal life free of pain and suffering.
Christ began by exhorting all to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand”
Today, in a world where there is more emphasis on worldly things and less emphasis on living according to the teachings of Christ and giving God a portion of our daily time, we need to reflect on what Christ brought to us and how he instructed us to live.
The light that Christ brought wiped away the darkness that enveloped the world by showing us that Love of God and love and respect of each other and all God created was the way to live.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians could also be speaking to those of us who live in the world today “I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice.”
Over the centuries that divides us from the time of Christ to this twenty first century there have been many changes made to the words of Christ. Man has taken the simple message of Love, charity, Compassion, and forgiveness that Christ preached and added changes including, the correct language to use, the best was to worship God, who you have to obey, and who can and who can not consider themselves worthy to call on God and Worship him.
Through the years these man made rules and regulations have divided the Church that the apostles formed based on the teachings of Christ.
Many of the disagreements that have split the Universal church apart have little to do with Christ’s teachings but who is in control and sadly, obtaining power, wealth and often a life of luxury.
In my opinion events of recent years like speaking out in favor of a return to allowing married priests and the ordination of women as deacons, as they were in the time of Paul or possibly to allow properly trained women to be elevated to the Order of Presbyter. Is The Holy Spirit attempting to awaken us to greater possibilities of serving God and his ever enlarging flock.
There are so many people who are hearing the call “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people” but are being denied that opportunity because they are married or are women.
In their attempts to heed the call of Christ and God they turn to other denominations that have examined the history of the church past and even recent events in Europe and realized that many of above rules and rites like same sex Holy Unions did exist in the early church and in recent times married men from Anglican and Lutheran churches have been received into the Roman church and in a rare case, I grant you, in the 1970's Ludmilla Javorova and several other Czech were women ordained in the Roman Catholic Church to serve needs of women imprisoned by Communists in the belief the Communists would not suspect the women were Catholic priests.
Virtually all Protestant denominations, as well as the reformed Jews, have women serving as priests, ministers, or rabbis.
The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism acknowledges the action of the Holy Spirit in other denominations (Ch. 1, Art. 3); and states "Whatever is wrought by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our separated brothers and sisters can contribute to our own edification." (Ch. 1, Art. 4).
It would seem that Catholicism has something to learn in our journey toward true ecumenism.
With so much dissention and strife in this world, with poverty, hunger, and war claiming so many lives we need to return to the ways Christ instructed.
We need to let His light illuminate the road we will travel, and use the truth of His teachings as our roadmap to bringing about a time of brotherly love and Christian unity.
Only by eliminating those man made regulations that have divided the Christian Faith will we will again gather together as one united faith community in service to the God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and be living out the great commandments proclaimed by Christ “Love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as you love yourself".
We begin by accepting ourselves as God made us and accepting the diversity that God created for purposes know to Him alone. e are all children of God, Jew or Gentile, Greek, Italian, Irish, Spanish or German, all are created by God and are His children, let us respect each other and love each other as Christ instructed.
Let us not shut out the light that Christ brought to the world but let us allow the Holy Spirit, the enlightener, to open us up to think beyond the status quo and realize that Christ challenged the norm of His day so we may well have to challenge the norms of today.
Let us actively seek to find ways to, as St Paul advised to the Corinthians, “make up the differences that separate us”, and seek a way of unifying the entire Mystical Body of Christ.
I close this reflection with the words of Pope Benedict XVI who ended his statement this week on Ecumenism with these words “May his example (St. Paul’s) be an encouragement for everyone to accept the Word of salvation and to translate it into daily life, in faithful discipleship of Christ."
AMEN
Divine Mercy Parish is a Faith Community of the North American Old Catholic Church Franciscans of Divine Mercy.
Pax E Bonum, Peace and all Good.
Recalling Padre Pio's most famous words: "Pray, Hope and don't worry"!
I remain a humble Servant of God,
Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish
Franklin, MA
www.missionstsergius.org
A Reflection for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2011
BY Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus/ Divine Mercy Parish
www.missionstsergius.org
Based on Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10 - 17, Matthew 4:12 - 23
Today’s Gospel is the story of Christ calling the first apostles to follow him and how they dropped everything on the spot to do so. It had me wonder firstly on how I, or any one in this the twenty first Century would respond to Christ’s call and secondly what was it about Christ that common men left everything to follow a very poor carpenter. A hint might be found in the words of the prophet Isaiah from the first reading for this Sunday “in days to come he will confer glory on the Way of the Sea on the far side of Jordan, province of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.”; and from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that explains what Christ was teaching those first followers and continues to call us to do. “I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice.”
The Gospel story tells us ;“From that moment, Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’. …‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men’…He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.”
Repeatedly, week after week, we hear how Christ fulfilled all the prophecies that foretold of the coming of the messiah, this week is no different. The prophet Isaiah refers to the one to come, Christ, as “a great light” one that will bring those who walk in darkness into the light.”
Christ did indeed bring light into a world full of darkness and gloom, not unlike the world we live in today.
In order for that light to break through Christ had to take on the pain and suffering of rejection and doubt and ultimately die the ignominious death of a criminal on the cross just so we could achieve the forgiveness of our sins and transgressions and have the opportunity to gain eternal life free of pain and suffering.
Christ began by exhorting all to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand”
Today, in a world where there is more emphasis on worldly things and less emphasis on living according to the teachings of Christ and giving God a portion of our daily time, we need to reflect on what Christ brought to us and how he instructed us to live.
The light that Christ brought wiped away the darkness that enveloped the world by showing us that Love of God and love and respect of each other and all God created was the way to live.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians could also be speaking to those of us who live in the world today “I appeal to you, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to make up the differences between you, and instead of disagreeing among yourselves, to be united again in your belief and practice.”
Over the centuries that divides us from the time of Christ to this twenty first century there have been many changes made to the words of Christ. Man has taken the simple message of Love, charity, Compassion, and forgiveness that Christ preached and added changes including, the correct language to use, the best was to worship God, who you have to obey, and who can and who can not consider themselves worthy to call on God and Worship him.
Through the years these man made rules and regulations have divided the Church that the apostles formed based on the teachings of Christ.
Many of the disagreements that have split the Universal church apart have little to do with Christ’s teachings but who is in control and sadly, obtaining power, wealth and often a life of luxury.
In my opinion events of recent years like speaking out in favor of a return to allowing married priests and the ordination of women as deacons, as they were in the time of Paul or possibly to allow properly trained women to be elevated to the Order of Presbyter. Is The Holy Spirit attempting to awaken us to greater possibilities of serving God and his ever enlarging flock.
There are so many people who are hearing the call “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people” but are being denied that opportunity because they are married or are women.
In their attempts to heed the call of Christ and God they turn to other denominations that have examined the history of the church past and even recent events in Europe and realized that many of above rules and rites like same sex Holy Unions did exist in the early church and in recent times married men from Anglican and Lutheran churches have been received into the Roman church and in a rare case, I grant you, in the 1970's Ludmilla Javorova and several other Czech were women ordained in the Roman Catholic Church to serve needs of women imprisoned by Communists in the belief the Communists would not suspect the women were Catholic priests.
Virtually all Protestant denominations, as well as the reformed Jews, have women serving as priests, ministers, or rabbis.
The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism acknowledges the action of the Holy Spirit in other denominations (Ch. 1, Art. 3); and states "Whatever is wrought by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our separated brothers and sisters can contribute to our own edification." (Ch. 1, Art. 4).
It would seem that Catholicism has something to learn in our journey toward true ecumenism.
With so much dissention and strife in this world, with poverty, hunger, and war claiming so many lives we need to return to the ways Christ instructed.
We need to let His light illuminate the road we will travel, and use the truth of His teachings as our roadmap to bringing about a time of brotherly love and Christian unity.
Only by eliminating those man made regulations that have divided the Christian Faith will we will again gather together as one united faith community in service to the God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and be living out the great commandments proclaimed by Christ “Love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as you love yourself".
We begin by accepting ourselves as God made us and accepting the diversity that God created for purposes know to Him alone. e are all children of God, Jew or Gentile, Greek, Italian, Irish, Spanish or German, all are created by God and are His children, let us respect each other and love each other as Christ instructed.
Let us not shut out the light that Christ brought to the world but let us allow the Holy Spirit, the enlightener, to open us up to think beyond the status quo and realize that Christ challenged the norm of His day so we may well have to challenge the norms of today.
Let us actively seek to find ways to, as St Paul advised to the Corinthians, “make up the differences that separate us”, and seek a way of unifying the entire Mystical Body of Christ.
I close this reflection with the words of Pope Benedict XVI who ended his statement this week on Ecumenism with these words “May his example (St. Paul’s) be an encouragement for everyone to accept the Word of salvation and to translate it into daily life, in faithful discipleship of Christ."
AMEN
Divine Mercy Parish is a Faith Community of the North American Old Catholic Church Franciscans of Divine Mercy.
Pax E Bonum, Peace and all Good.
Recalling Padre Pio's most famous words: "Pray, Hope and don't worry"!
I remain a humble Servant of God,
Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish
Franklin, MA
www.missionstsergius.org
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Feast of Epiphany 2011 Reflection
HOMILY FOR FEAST OF EPIPHANY 2011
By Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus & Divine mercy Parish, Franklin, MA
www.missionstsergius.org Email: DivineMercyParish@msn.com
The Dictionary defines EPIPHANY as; an appearance, to show forth, to manifest.
All these meanings explain the feast we celebrate today January 2 rather than January 6th this year.
The Epiphany of Our Lord is the day in which we celebrate Almighty God’s eternal plan of Salvation. This particular feast is one of the oldest celebrated by the universal church.
Often it is known as Three Kings’ Day
As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church.
The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ.
The gifts they are said to have presented represented the Kingship of Christ (Gold), The Son of God (Frankincense used as an offering to God) and Myrrh which was used to dress the mortal body of those who died thereby proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few.
This is a time of focusing on Christian brotherhood and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often created separations between God’s children.
God’s children are separated from the Sacraments and members of a family because they do not conform to the desires of others. It doesn’t matter that they live a good life not hurting others, being generous and forgiving of the hurts inflicted on them.
Today many who proclaim to be believers of Christ’s teaching try to exclude people for proclaiming their love of God because they have been divorced or God created them with a homosexual orientation. They use passages from scripture to try to justify their positions. Unfortunately they use translations out of context. Nowhere in scripture did Jesus ever preach or say anything about homosexuality. In three of the Gospels we read these words; “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”(Luke 10:27; Mark 12:30;, Matthew 22:37) which Jesus is said to have proclaimed.
At this time of the Church year, we are called to reflect on the truths found in the teachings of Jesus.
We are called to heal in the same way that Christ healed.
In the last few days I personally have experienced the healing power of God when one gives their life over to God with complete trust that God will provide and do what is best for you.
By forgiving those who have done us wrong, by being generous to those in need, by having compassion for those who are ill.
As anyone who has ever undergone an operation knows, healing takes time, it does not happen over night but if we work at it each and every day healing will occur.
In today’s world, there are many ills that need to be healed.
We need to address the separation between the haves and the have-nots.
All around the globe, even here in the United States, people are going without proper nutrition because they cannot afford to buy groceries and their necessary medicines.
People are living in unsanitary conditions because they cannot afford decent housing.
We need to look around and find those who need help, the aged, the parentless children, the struggling faith community that needs some financial assistance to develop programs or repairs or just to pay the rent for their worship space such as our ministry which struggles daily.
If we open our eyes and hearts we can all find a way of discovering, within ourselves, the message of this feast of Epiphany.
We can put the message of Christ’s coming to work here on earth now.
By Baptism we have been called to be the hands, heart and soul of Christ, we are called to be copartners in His promise, His disciples living His message and the message of Christ’s Glory shining through us.
Let us all now affirm that we will increase our commitment to the love of God and His beloved Son and Our Blessed Mother by making a new resolution to live our faith by, not only words, but by action.
I close with the alternative opening prayer from the liturgy of the feast of Epiphany.
Father of light, unchanging God, today you reveal to men of faith the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.
Your light is strong, Your love is near; draw us beyond the limits which the world imposes, to the life where Your Spirit makes all life complete. We ask this through Christ our lord and savior.
Amen.
By Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus & Divine mercy Parish, Franklin, MA
www.missionstsergius.org Email: DivineMercyParish@msn.com
The Dictionary defines EPIPHANY as; an appearance, to show forth, to manifest.
All these meanings explain the feast we celebrate today January 2 rather than January 6th this year.
The Epiphany of Our Lord is the day in which we celebrate Almighty God’s eternal plan of Salvation. This particular feast is one of the oldest celebrated by the universal church.
Often it is known as Three Kings’ Day
As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church.
The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ.
The gifts they are said to have presented represented the Kingship of Christ (Gold), The Son of God (Frankincense used as an offering to God) and Myrrh which was used to dress the mortal body of those who died thereby proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few.
This is a time of focusing on Christian brotherhood and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often created separations between God’s children.
God’s children are separated from the Sacraments and members of a family because they do not conform to the desires of others. It doesn’t matter that they live a good life not hurting others, being generous and forgiving of the hurts inflicted on them.
Today many who proclaim to be believers of Christ’s teaching try to exclude people for proclaiming their love of God because they have been divorced or God created them with a homosexual orientation. They use passages from scripture to try to justify their positions. Unfortunately they use translations out of context. Nowhere in scripture did Jesus ever preach or say anything about homosexuality. In three of the Gospels we read these words; “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”(Luke 10:27; Mark 12:30;, Matthew 22:37) which Jesus is said to have proclaimed.
At this time of the Church year, we are called to reflect on the truths found in the teachings of Jesus.
We are called to heal in the same way that Christ healed.
In the last few days I personally have experienced the healing power of God when one gives their life over to God with complete trust that God will provide and do what is best for you.
By forgiving those who have done us wrong, by being generous to those in need, by having compassion for those who are ill.
As anyone who has ever undergone an operation knows, healing takes time, it does not happen over night but if we work at it each and every day healing will occur.
In today’s world, there are many ills that need to be healed.
We need to address the separation between the haves and the have-nots.
All around the globe, even here in the United States, people are going without proper nutrition because they cannot afford to buy groceries and their necessary medicines.
People are living in unsanitary conditions because they cannot afford decent housing.
We need to look around and find those who need help, the aged, the parentless children, the struggling faith community that needs some financial assistance to develop programs or repairs or just to pay the rent for their worship space such as our ministry which struggles daily.
If we open our eyes and hearts we can all find a way of discovering, within ourselves, the message of this feast of Epiphany.
We can put the message of Christ’s coming to work here on earth now.
By Baptism we have been called to be the hands, heart and soul of Christ, we are called to be copartners in His promise, His disciples living His message and the message of Christ’s Glory shining through us.
Let us all now affirm that we will increase our commitment to the love of God and His beloved Son and Our Blessed Mother by making a new resolution to live our faith by, not only words, but by action.
I close with the alternative opening prayer from the liturgy of the feast of Epiphany.
Father of light, unchanging God, today you reveal to men of faith the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.
Your light is strong, Your love is near; draw us beyond the limits which the world imposes, to the life where Your Spirit makes all life complete. We ask this through Christ our lord and savior.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thanks For The Miracle
Thank you for a real miracle that your prayers have brought about according to my doctors.
I went into the hospital believing that my chest would have to be opened up in order to remove the enlarged and possible cancerous remaining ( the right gland was removed in 2003) left thyroid gland.
I awoke to a relatively small scar on my throat with a drain to be told that when they opened me up they found that the gland, the size of a grapefruit, had not actually entwined any of the other vital organs like the lungs, vocal cord, and arteries that the ultrasound, MRI and CAT scan had shown but had actually pushed all of them away allowing for the surgeons to dissect the enlarged gland to remove it, without the much larger and more dangerous opening of the chest, by dissecting it.
The two surgeons, floor doctor and nurses were even more surprised by how rapidly my vital signs and recovery were allowing me to be able to be home days earlier than originally believed to write this message of thanks to you for it was most certainly your prayers that made this happen.
I do have a list of restriction and DO NOT DO's for the next 3 weeks and Because of the size of the gland I will not have the biopsy results for about a week to know if they will follow up with some radiation if the gland had any cancerous cells that might have “escaped” or if the were all encapsulated within the gland.
I am under order NOT to drive or have too much “action for at least a week until I see the doctors on January 5th to have the stitches or what ever is closing up the slit in my throat.
I feel that this operation was a message from God to allow me to inform you again, with a real life experience, about the power of prayer and putting your trust in God. As we are taught in Matthew 19:26 “with God all things are possible.”
Always remember, Prayer is the most powerful of all medicines when coupled with complete trust in God.
Thank you for your prayers and concern, you are all a super blessing to me from God.
PS: if you wish to continue to receive the reflections, newsletters and other news of our ministry and the Franciscans of Divine Mercy PLEASE send an EMAIL to the new mailing address for our Parish, DivineMercyParish@msn.com to be added tto our mailing list as I am consolodating all mission activities correspondance into the new parish email address and having you sendan email from that address makes it much easier than my retyping the more than 400 address that receive mission email.
May Almighty God fill your heart with happiness, Peace and all Good. Recalling Padre Pio's most famous words: "Pray, Hope and don't worry"!
Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
A Faith Community of the NAOCC
Franklin, MA
www.missionstsergius.org
I went into the hospital believing that my chest would have to be opened up in order to remove the enlarged and possible cancerous remaining ( the right gland was removed in 2003) left thyroid gland.
I awoke to a relatively small scar on my throat with a drain to be told that when they opened me up they found that the gland, the size of a grapefruit, had not actually entwined any of the other vital organs like the lungs, vocal cord, and arteries that the ultrasound, MRI and CAT scan had shown but had actually pushed all of them away allowing for the surgeons to dissect the enlarged gland to remove it, without the much larger and more dangerous opening of the chest, by dissecting it.
The two surgeons, floor doctor and nurses were even more surprised by how rapidly my vital signs and recovery were allowing me to be able to be home days earlier than originally believed to write this message of thanks to you for it was most certainly your prayers that made this happen.
I do have a list of restriction and DO NOT DO's for the next 3 weeks and Because of the size of the gland I will not have the biopsy results for about a week to know if they will follow up with some radiation if the gland had any cancerous cells that might have “escaped” or if the were all encapsulated within the gland.
I am under order NOT to drive or have too much “action for at least a week until I see the doctors on January 5th to have the stitches or what ever is closing up the slit in my throat.
I feel that this operation was a message from God to allow me to inform you again, with a real life experience, about the power of prayer and putting your trust in God. As we are taught in Matthew 19:26 “with God all things are possible.”
Always remember, Prayer is the most powerful of all medicines when coupled with complete trust in God.
Thank you for your prayers and concern, you are all a super blessing to me from God.
PS: if you wish to continue to receive the reflections, newsletters and other news of our ministry and the Franciscans of Divine Mercy PLEASE send an EMAIL to the new mailing address for our Parish, DivineMercyParish@msn.com to be added tto our mailing list as I am consolodating all mission activities correspondance into the new parish email address and having you sendan email from that address makes it much easier than my retyping the more than 400 address that receive mission email.
May Almighty God fill your heart with happiness, Peace and all Good. Recalling Padre Pio's most famous words: "Pray, Hope and don't worry"!
Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
A Faith Community of the NAOCC
Franklin, MA
www.missionstsergius.org
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Restoring Justice a Reflection for Nov. 14th
33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2010
A Reflection based on readings from
Malachi 3:19-20A, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, Luke 21:5-19
By Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
http://www.missionstsergius.org/
The readings for this Sunday seem to be preparing us for the coming season of Advent from the first readings admonition; “The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. … But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.”; and the final Gospel reading where Christ is telling those around him at the Temple of Jerusalem the following; “ Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed. Those around him poised this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’ Take care not to be deceived,’ Christ said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.” ….. “You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.”
This week is International Restorative Justice Week which means that this is a week dedicated to restoring Equality and Justice to all the nations of the world by putting an end to torture, bigotry, hatred, and all the injustices that plague our societies today.
Recently we have seen and heard of so many young people who have either taken their lives because of being bullied or have suffered beatings and in a few cases death by people who felt that they were superior or that their beliefs were the correct one. Many of these young people were persons whom God created with an orientation toward those of the same sex or homosexuals.
Christ’s message of the Gospel tells us that if we have faith and put our trust in God we can overcome any injustices.
People who have been the victims of bullying or those who have had any violent act committed against them may well think that the end is near. Survivors and victims of crimes often have feelings of denial, fear, anger, vindictiveness. Often they do not understand why the crime happened to them, and are often unable to forgive. But we MUST forgive just as Christ did when he hung on the cross and proclaimed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”
It is true, many who commit the violent acts especially one of prejudice and hatred do so because they have been taught this by bigoted and people ignorant of God’s teachings.
All too often the victims of prejudice, hatred and violence are often overlooked and forgotten about but the trauma that they experienced lives forever in their mind and heart and gives them fear often deep enough for them to believe that their world has ended.
During this International Restorative Justice week and in fact every day of the year we are called by God to bring hope to hopeless victims. Giving people the knowledge of God’s infinite love and mercy and a spiritual well being can bring comfort and help to people in pain, As it says in our first reading from the prophet Malachi, “Those who have knowledge and faith (Fear) in God the sun of justice with its healing rays.” There is something each of us can do to advance this process of justice and equality for all as promised in the Declaration of Independence of the United States, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In doing so, we can be carried through suffering to glory along with Jesus. And we will be living out the final words found in Psalm 97; “You that love the LORD, hate evil will be delivered out of the hand of the wicked.”
This is a time not of endings or finality but of hope and a time to begin to turn away from accepting violence and hatred and turning to being a loving and caring child of God who extends the kind of love Christ exhibited toward all who came to him. This is a time to become open and affirming toward all God’s children regardless of their nationality, race, gender, marital status or sexual orientation. Every person on the face of this earth is a child of God and deserves to have dignity, equality and justice and the freedom to live without fear. Let us make this our goal for the coming season of Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Our redeemer and Savior. Let us work hard to restore Justice to ALL God’s children all over the globe. AMEN
A Reflection based on readings from
Malachi 3:19-20A, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, Luke 21:5-19
By Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
http://www.missionstsergius.org/
The readings for this Sunday seem to be preparing us for the coming season of Advent from the first readings admonition; “The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. … But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.”; and the final Gospel reading where Christ is telling those around him at the Temple of Jerusalem the following; “ Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed. Those around him poised this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’ Take care not to be deceived,’ Christ said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.” ….. “You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.”
This week is International Restorative Justice Week which means that this is a week dedicated to restoring Equality and Justice to all the nations of the world by putting an end to torture, bigotry, hatred, and all the injustices that plague our societies today.
Recently we have seen and heard of so many young people who have either taken their lives because of being bullied or have suffered beatings and in a few cases death by people who felt that they were superior or that their beliefs were the correct one. Many of these young people were persons whom God created with an orientation toward those of the same sex or homosexuals.
Christ’s message of the Gospel tells us that if we have faith and put our trust in God we can overcome any injustices.
People who have been the victims of bullying or those who have had any violent act committed against them may well think that the end is near. Survivors and victims of crimes often have feelings of denial, fear, anger, vindictiveness. Often they do not understand why the crime happened to them, and are often unable to forgive. But we MUST forgive just as Christ did when he hung on the cross and proclaimed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”
It is true, many who commit the violent acts especially one of prejudice and hatred do so because they have been taught this by bigoted and people ignorant of God’s teachings.
All too often the victims of prejudice, hatred and violence are often overlooked and forgotten about but the trauma that they experienced lives forever in their mind and heart and gives them fear often deep enough for them to believe that their world has ended.
During this International Restorative Justice week and in fact every day of the year we are called by God to bring hope to hopeless victims. Giving people the knowledge of God’s infinite love and mercy and a spiritual well being can bring comfort and help to people in pain, As it says in our first reading from the prophet Malachi, “Those who have knowledge and faith (Fear) in God the sun of justice with its healing rays.” There is something each of us can do to advance this process of justice and equality for all as promised in the Declaration of Independence of the United States, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In doing so, we can be carried through suffering to glory along with Jesus. And we will be living out the final words found in Psalm 97; “You that love the LORD, hate evil will be delivered out of the hand of the wicked.”
This is a time not of endings or finality but of hope and a time to begin to turn away from accepting violence and hatred and turning to being a loving and caring child of God who extends the kind of love Christ exhibited toward all who came to him. This is a time to become open and affirming toward all God’s children regardless of their nationality, race, gender, marital status or sexual orientation. Every person on the face of this earth is a child of God and deserves to have dignity, equality and justice and the freedom to live without fear. Let us make this our goal for the coming season of Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Our redeemer and Savior. Let us work hard to restore Justice to ALL God’s children all over the globe. AMEN
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Knowledge is a tool
Knowledge is a tool – unless a tool is used to build or repair it is of no use. So I want to share with you knowledge I have gained with respect to spiritual growth over this past year: and it is my Christmas gift to you. May it enrich you and help bring you closer to God.
The goal of every Christian is to reach the stage of enlightenment. Enlightenment opens the soul to the awareness of the God-life everywhere, to the holiness of life, to the connectedness of the universe, to the realization of the Oneness of creation. It is a consciousness that makes morality and maturity possible, but it alone is neither maturity nor morality. Union with God is not the perfection of oneself, nor a badge of excellence. Union with God is a realization of the living presence of God everywhere, in me, around me, above me, below me. “Before me and behind me, to me right and to my left,” as the Irish mystics have said.
Union with God is not a static state which, once achieved, crystallizes the soul into one arrested, unending moment of illumination suspended over life. On the contrary, life is life. It does not freeze at any time, under any conditions. Life goes on whatever our consciousness of God, and we with it. We go on struggling with life. We go on growing into our awareness. We go on struggling to be worthy of the awareness in which we now walk. And we fail often.
Life is simply not about perfection, because perfection is not something that life offers. Our bodies do not develop into some ultimate state and then become fixed into some eternal form. Scientists tell us that all the protein molecules in our bodies change every six months. Every six months we are made new again, not superficially different perhaps, but new. Nor do our souls reach a static state. Every day we make our souls new again. Everyday we rethink old decisions and make new ones. We grapple and struggle and distort and repent over and over again. Every day of our lives we grow a little more into God or a little more into self.
Contemplation and prayer has something to do with the way in which we chose to grow. It is possible to give ourselves over totally to the satisfaction of the self. We can crave and hoard and accumulate and demand respect from the rest of the world until our lungs ache from screaming inside and our hearts echo our own hollowness. We can cling to the worship of self forever if we chose. We can spend our whole selves on ourselves, selfish and small as the topic may be. Our culture not only supports a concentration on the self alone, it encourages it. Getting it all and keeping it forever is the banner under which many march to the cemetery. But there is another choice
We can choose to grow beyond the self that is the shrine to the idols of the day. We can struggle to put down the notions that choke our souls in the name of pseudo-superiority: notions that women are invisible and that men are superior, that foreigners are out steal our jobs, that nature and all it offers is for our satisfaction alone, that people with different life choices are evil and destined to burn in hell.
To be in enlightened we must live in sync with the mind of God, in tune with the rest of the human race and in touch with the weakness our own souls, those places where the love of God breaks in to fill up what we ourselves do not have. Growth is not simply about avoiding sin, whatever we know sin to be as we move from stage to stage in life. Sin, in fact, may be the very thing that brings us to enlightenment.
When I am most angry, I know best my need for peace. When I am most arrogant, I realize how puny my bravado. When I am most unyielding, I know how isolated is my strength. Growth, real growth, is about discovering that God stands by, waiting to consume us. If and when we ourselves can ever cease to consume every moment, every person, every event and every experience for ourselves, God can prevail in us.
To be enlightened it is necessary to set out every morning to grow into more than I was when I began the day by growing into the consciousness of the silent God so great within me.
Peace and Blessings!†Bishop Gerry Clements, OSB
Saturday, May 1, 2010
April Mission Financial Report
Mission Sts. Sergius &Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Parish Financial Report for April 2010
Balance as of March 31, 2010
Negative $3186.00
Income for April 2010
Personal Donations $150.00
Memorial Masses 25.00
Wedding Pre-Pay $300.00
Total Income April $475.00
NEW BALANCE before expenses as of April 30, 2010
NEGATIVE $2711.00
EXPENSES
Parish Financial Report for April 2010
Balance as of March 31, 2010
Negative $3186.00
Income for April 2010
Personal Donations $150.00
Memorial Masses 25.00
Wedding Pre-Pay $300.00
Total Income April $475.00
NEW BALANCE before expenses as of April 30, 2010
NEGATIVE $2711.00
EXPENSES
Gas/Oil/Transportation $ 80.00
Auto Insurance 120.00
Auto Inspection Sticker 29.00
Postage 10.00
Office Supplies /Printing/ Ink 27.50
Phone/Fax/Cell/DSL @ 33 % $ 79.85
Web Site Domain Name 15.00
Liability Insurance for Pride Festival $ 50.00
Unity Candles for Upcoming weddings $ 42.50
Auto Insurance 120.00
Auto Inspection Sticker 29.00
Postage 10.00
Office Supplies /Printing/ Ink 27.50
Phone/Fax/Cell/DSL @ 33 % $ 79.85
Web Site Domain Name 15.00
Liability Insurance for Pride Festival $ 50.00
Unity Candles for Upcoming weddings $ 42.50
Total Expenses $453.85
New Balance as of April 30, 2010
Negative $3163.85
Donations Received From
Donald Ramieri, Mr. & Mrs. Jancek, Denise Mujica, Paul Bonner, Les Yamagata
New Balance as of April 30, 2010
Negative $3163.85
Donations Received From
Donald Ramieri, Mr. & Mrs. Jancek, Denise Mujica, Paul Bonner, Les Yamagata
Please consider a donation by using your credit/Debit Card and the PayPal Donation links found on our web site.
WWW.MISSIONSTSERGIUS.ORG
Or
send donations directly to the Mission's Bank Account.
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus,
Or
send donations directly to the Mission's Bank Account.
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus,
c/o Middlesex Savings Bank
830 Washington Street, Holliston, MA 01746
830 Washington Street, Holliston, MA 01746
All Materials are the copy write of (c) Franciscans of Divine Mercy
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