Archives for November 2015

From the Pastor – November 22, 2015

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. […] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Cor. 15:20-21,25-26) How many times have we gazed at a crucifix and seen that inscription: “I.N.R.I.” We know it means something about Jesus being “King of the Jews,” even if we don’t remember that it comes from the first letters of the Latin inscription meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum.  The key is understanding what’s behind that inscription. Is it just a “mocking” inscription provided by Pontius Pilate? Was it placed there to enrage the Jewish Sanhedrin? Or … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – November 15, 2016

“Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God.” (Heb. 10:11-12) Every Sunday, something important happens in our parish.  The event is centered on the “Paschal Mystery.” What is the Paschal Mystery?  Simply put, the Paschal Mystery is the suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  When the Jews were slaves in Egypt, God told them to slaughter a lamb in the evening twilight and to place its blood on the two posts and the lintels of their houses.  Seeing the blood, the Lord would “pass over” their homes in striking down the first-born of the Egyptians, and they would be released … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – November 8, 2015

A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents [into the treasury].  Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mk 12:42-44) The description of the treasury here shows how the people supported the Temple at the time of Jesus as they had since the building of the temple 960 Before Christ (B.C.).  The First Temple in Jerusalem was built by Solomon, and it stood from the time of its completion in 960 B.C. until it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.  After the Babylonian captivity, construction began on a new temple – … [Read more...]

From the Pastor – November 1, 2015

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mk 5:1)   The Nine Beatitudes are the roadmap to happiness, holiness, and Heaven.  They sound so wonderful, but they stand in stark contrast to the path that the world tell us will make us happy.  We should listen carefully to Jesus: The world tells us that happiness is found in wealth. Jesus says, rather, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.” The world tells us we’re happy when we don’t have anything to worry about.  “Don’t worry, be happy.  Prozac Nation!”  Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn”: blessed are those who are saddened by the suffering and sinfulness they witness in the world. The world tells that that strength and power make us happy.  … [Read more...]