Over the course of the weekend, we could see a strong bond has formed among them and witnessed the mindset of the candidates transformed. They learned more about God and themselves. Now they see God as a friend to whom they can turn during their most difficult times or just as a friend to talk to about anything in general.
The John 6 Crossings #15 weekend had one of the largest classes yet with thirty one candidates, including ten from North Carolina and five from Rockland, NY.
Over the course of the weekend, we could see a strong bond has formed among them and witnessed the mindset of the candidates transformed. They learned more about God and themselves. Now they see God as a friend to whom they can turn during their most difficult times or just as a friend to talk to about anything in general.
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Ever watch a marathon? Despite all the entrants, there is always just one winner (ok, two or more if you consider the many categories – men’s, women’s, wheelchair, etc.). There are many who train just as hard as the eventual winners, sacrificing so much… and join even though they know that they have no shot at all at winning any of the official prizes
“Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.”(Luke 6:19)
We all have experienced many trials in our lives, significant or otherwise. Some are light but some are so heavy that they can take a toll on our mental, emotional and spiritual state of well-being. We all try to balance the hectic lives that we live with demanding jobs, marriage and relationships, financial and moral obligations, extended family and friends, health issues, loneliness, etc. and we find it harder and harder to find the peace and happiness that we crave. People try to find that elusive happy state by pursuing the worldly things in life only to find in the end that these are not the answer. That has been my journey. Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen
Think about it...3 times a day, 365 days a year...that's more than a thousand times every year we pray that little prayer. That's a lot of blessing and a lot of gratitude. But can you imagine sitting down at the table and saying, "I'm disgusted with this wretched food"? The Bible calls the Jews a stiff-necked people. That means stubborn or hard-headed. They had been in the desert a long time and maybe manna wasn't exactly tasty. But can you imagine telling God that you're disgusted with it? Before I was rediscovered by my Lord through this community, I consider myself a Catholic rooted in weak faith. For a long time, much of what I did was limited to lip service, far and distant from an honest service to God. A major part of the change that has redirected my journey back to the Lord is a clearer understanding of the Scripture.
When the subject of “ecumenism” comes up there are many aspects in interreligious dialogue that need to be kept clear. In our desire for openness and unity we can easily gloss over the precise differences as well as similarities that have to be made when we dialogue about relationships with other religions. The relationship we may have with our Protestant Christian friends is different from that with our non-Christian friends. In every day interaction in business or chance meetings, the subject of religion rarely comes up; and business is conducted between parties that are not aware of the other person’s religious affiliation. But when families and children begin to talk about a religious or spiritual relationship, the conversation changes. This is especially true in the case of a marriage between a Catholic and non-Catholic. The experience I have had as a priest has led me to the conclusion that religion can often be a cause of division instead of unity. Deep sensitivity is necessary when arranging a marriage between a Catholic and a non- Catholic. In today’s society and culture, it is often easy to identify what is important to a person based on what they choose to represent on the exterior of their body. For example, one can often indicate a person’s favorite sports team by the hat they are wearing or by the logos on their clothing. This alone can help others to see whom a person follows or takes pride in. Although sports teams and fashion designers can easily be represented on one’s body, how easy is it to represent that we are followers of Christ? It’s not like everyday you see hundreds of individuals wearing hats and clothing that represent Jesus or Christianity. It’s often rare to find this in an everyday crowd. Perhaps fear of ridicule or persecution may stop people from openly representing their faith through their exterior - but why fear representing what is most important to us?
This Sunday's first reading reminds us that we should be willing to accept correction from those who are in authority over us so that we too may be able to correct those who are under our authority. Going further, as we minister to others, we too should be willing to be ministered to. Love of neighbor should be our first consideration when we confront and correct others, as emphasized in the second reading. The Gospel gives us an outline on how to confront and correct in a gentle spirit (Gal 6: 1), and forgive within and even outside the confines of community life; for as we are reconciled with one another, our prayers will be heard by our Father in heaven.
"For I will refresh the weary soul; every soul that languishes I will replenish." (Jer 31:25)
Before my renewal, my life had been plain, empty and without depth. Though I am blessed with a loving family, something seemed to be missing in our relationship. Sunday Mass is the highlight of our weekends, however, during those endless Masses, I find the scripture readings as well as the homily difficult to grasp. Oftentimes, I become restless and inattentive to the word of God. “For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Cor 3:9)
This is a testament of our Lord’s love and humility, that He considers us as His co-workers. By making us His co-workers, He treats us with equality in all our efforts to be part of what is currently referred to as the new evangelization. It does not matter how long we have been in the community, or what position we hold, or what ministry we belong to, or what our educational background or professional achievement is. “For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another.” (Rom 12:4-5) |
To nurture and promote the love of the Gospel of Christ.
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