Saturday 24th Week of Ordinary Time

 The Sower Lk. 8:4-15

Some hearts work very well. 

And others do not. 

Some have too much cholesterol 

While others have valve problems

Or need a bypass. 

These hearts are on life support 

And limit what a person can do. 

It is the same with our souls. 

Some are very open to God’s Grace. 

While others accept God’s Grace but do not nurture it. 

Or others are shallow and let the world and it’s ways take root instead. 

While others choke off the grace of God with anxieties and worries. 

God is always sowing His grace in our souls,

But our souls must be prepared and open to receive it 

If want want it to bear fruit in our lives. 

 Friday 24th Week of Ordinary Time 

Assisting the Church Lk. 8:1-3

Jesus and His disciples were assisted by 

Many people such as Mary Magdalene and Joanna

And others. 

This made it possible for them to preach the Gospel

And spread the Kingdom of God. 

Sometimes what one does may not get the headlines. 

But the work that is done behind the scenes in the Church

By the Faithful,

Make the Headlines possible. 

That The Gospel is Good News,

And that the Kingdom of God is at hand. 

Thursday 24th Week of Ordinary Time

 Cornelius and Cyprian

We may think there is confusion in the church nowadays 

But it is nothing compared to the time of Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian. 

Both of them addressed false teachings in the church. 

Both of them were exiled by the Roman Emperor 

And shed their blood for the Faith. 

It is not easy being a Pope or a Bishop at anytime. 

His is why we pray for them in every Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. 

Because they face challenges that most people never know of. 

Our Lady of Sorrows

Mary's sorrows did not start at the foot of the cross. 

They began when there was no place at the inn. 

They continued when Herod's soldier came to take the life of her child. 

They did not stop when she had to immigrate to a foreign country. 

They culminated at the foot of the cross. 

Because of her sorrows, we know that she understands our sorrows. 

Because she stood at the foot of the cross 

we know that she will stand with us in our crosses. 

She did not stop loving God in the Face of sorrow and suffering. 

She stood her ground at the foot of the cross. 

Through Her sorrows, 

she shows us how not to lose Faith or stop loving God in our sorrows. 

The Exaltation of the Cross

The True Glory and Exaltation of the cross that we celebrate is……..

the victory of life over death, love over hatred, selflessness over selfishness, 

obedience over disobedience, 

and holiness over sin. 

We do not embrace the cross because we love suffering but because of the transformation that takes place through it when we unite our sufferings with those of Christ. 

The Cross of Christ transforms suffering from despair to hope. 

From death to life

Our suffering and cross as painful as it may be does not defeat us when we unite it with the suffering and cross of Christ. 

This is the true glory of the cross of Christ. 

Suffering and death does not defeat us but is transformed into new life. 

Therefore with Christ, We too can glory in my Cross for We am not defeated. 

But are victorious over our suffering and death. 

God Bless 

Fr. Patrick 

Monday 24th Week of Ordinary Time

 Monday 24th Week of Ordinary Time 

Feast of St. John Chyrsostom 

“You cannot pray at home, like you can at church, where there is a great multitude; where exclamations are cried out to God as from one great heart, and where there is something more: the unions of minds, the accord of souls, the bond of charity, the prayers of priests.”

           St. John Chrysostom

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

  Faith and Works

Throughout the history of Christianity there has been a debate about the relationship between faith and works.

The Church in her wisdom has always tried to hold faith and works 

together.

We are not saved by our works or what we do.

We do not earn our way into heaven. 

Rather We are saved by faith.

Saved by our Faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.

And all those who believe in Him have Eternal Life. Jn. 3:15

But how do we know we have Faith?

Just because a person says, “Lord, Lord!”

Does that mean they have Faith?

Just because we come to Church

Does that mean we really have Faith?

Maybe we come to Church for other reasons. 

One cannot see or touch faith, 

but our works are the visible sign

Of what we believe. 

And that is why St. Paul can say that we are saved by faith. Eph. 2:8

and Jesus can say that God will repay each man according to his deeds.Mt. 16:27

As St. James says,

Show me your Faith without works,

And I will show you the Faith that underlies my Works. James 2:14-18

Faith welcomes strangers. 

Faith feeds the hungry and clothes the naked. 

Faith visits those who are sick and in prison. Mt. 25: 31-46

Actions speak louder than words,

And our Faith speaks loudest when we put it into practice. 

Christians have argued about the Faith for centuries. 

Maybe instead of arguing about what we believe,

Maybe the world would be a better place if we just put our Faith nto practice.

And then just maybe the world will believe what we say!