A New Years Prayer
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
Almighty and merciful God we come to you this first day of the New Year in thanksgiving for the gifts you have bestowed upon us and with petitions for the coming year.
We pray, O God, that you will inspire world leaders to end the wars, violence, and genocide that have overtaken so much of this world.
We pray that those whom you have blessed with abundance will have compassion and generosity for those who are suffering from poverty, homelessness, and inadequate affordable health care.
We pray that people will stop judging others by the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, marital status or nationality and recognize that we are all brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ and children of God.
We pray that all leaders of all Christian denominations will evaluate the differences that have separated your One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church established by the chosen apostles of your beloved son and return to the fundamental truths taught by Christ.
We pray that all the children of Abraham will unite together in peace and stop the bloodshed that envelops the Middle East.
We pray for the newly elected president of the United States and his chosen cabinet will be able to turn the economy around while seeing to the needs of the poor, elderly, sick, homeless and unemployed and insure equality and justice for all the citizens of this country.
We pray that science will find cures for all cancers, ALS, Macro degeneration, Alzheimer’s, and the other diseases that deprive so many of the simple joys of life.
We pray that we will be able to be faithful to you in our service to those you bring to us and fill them with the knowledge of your infinite mercy and love and give them the hope of Everlasting life through trust and faith in you.
Lord as 2008 comes to an end and 2009 begins, we promise to strive to serve you through living our lives consistent with how your beloved son lived His life and through prayer and daily devotion to you and all your children.
May you accept our humble attempts and continue to inspire us through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We ask this in the name of your beloved son, our redeemer and savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. AMEN
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Christmas Message
A Christmas 2008 Reflection
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.Missionstsergius.org
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favor.” (Luke 2:14) “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth with whom He is Pleased. Today is born unto us a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. (John 2:14, 11) “ His name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
What a glorious gift was given to us when Christ was born in a simple stable. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords was not born in a palatial palace. He was not born in the warmth comfort of a home or inn. No, he was born in a humble stable surrounded not by nurses and doctors and relatives but only His parents,Mary and Joseph and the animals of the barn. Jesus first visitors were simple shepherds, not the elite of the world. This birth was a message to us that we should live simply. Riches, fame, and fortune are not what matters , but compassion for the marginalized of the world, love of family and friends, sharing the gifts God has given us with others and trust and faith in God are what matters.
Christ is referred to as “The Light of the World” this means He was sent to illuminate the way for us, like a brilliant beacon that guides ships away from dangerous shoals and reefs toward a safe harbor. Christ was born to teach us how to dispel the darkness of fear, doubt, hatred and anger and to find comfort in times of distress.
“God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and savior Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good “(Titus 2:11-14)
The miraculous birth that we celebrate at Christmas brought to earth God made flesh. God gave us a human image to equate to; a human being that had to endure all the human feelings, emotions, problems and joys that each of us experience on our journey of life.
Christ endured the pain of a loss of a parent and friends, He experienced the joy of a wedding of a friend. He became angry at the greed and callousness of the priests and temple employees.
Christ also told us how to live a life that would insure everlasting peace. His message was one of Love, forgiveness, compassion and generosity.
On this day that we celebrate God’s gift to us of His only son and the new promise of salvation to all his children, let us present an offering to Him that reflects the way of life He advised us to lead.
Let us begin to be more compassionate to those who are suffering from hunger, illnesses such as AIDS and cancer, poverty, substandard housing and discrimination. Let us work diligently to eliminate these ills from the world and bring about a world where every one of God’s children is treated with equality in all matters and given the same rights and privileges as every other person.
On this day that we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace let us make a concerted effort to bring peace into the world beginning with our own families, friends and neighbors with whom we might be have a disagreement. If all of us begin in this small way, we can make a huge difference. As Neil Armstrong said upon landing on the moon, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. Let us take our small step in the direction of bringing peace into our own lives which just prod others to do the same and eventually a “Virus of Peace” could envelope the whole world.
I end my Christmas message with these words of Jesus Christ and pray that the Peace of Christ will invade your hearts today and all the days of your life. God bless you and have a blessed Christmas Holiday. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church International of New England
www.Missionstsergius.org
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favor.” (Luke 2:14) “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people on earth with whom He is Pleased. Today is born unto us a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. (John 2:14, 11) “ His name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
What a glorious gift was given to us when Christ was born in a simple stable. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords was not born in a palatial palace. He was not born in the warmth comfort of a home or inn. No, he was born in a humble stable surrounded not by nurses and doctors and relatives but only His parents,Mary and Joseph and the animals of the barn. Jesus first visitors were simple shepherds, not the elite of the world. This birth was a message to us that we should live simply. Riches, fame, and fortune are not what matters , but compassion for the marginalized of the world, love of family and friends, sharing the gifts God has given us with others and trust and faith in God are what matters.
Christ is referred to as “The Light of the World” this means He was sent to illuminate the way for us, like a brilliant beacon that guides ships away from dangerous shoals and reefs toward a safe harbor. Christ was born to teach us how to dispel the darkness of fear, doubt, hatred and anger and to find comfort in times of distress.
“God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and savior Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good “(Titus 2:11-14)
The miraculous birth that we celebrate at Christmas brought to earth God made flesh. God gave us a human image to equate to; a human being that had to endure all the human feelings, emotions, problems and joys that each of us experience on our journey of life.
Christ endured the pain of a loss of a parent and friends, He experienced the joy of a wedding of a friend. He became angry at the greed and callousness of the priests and temple employees.
Christ also told us how to live a life that would insure everlasting peace. His message was one of Love, forgiveness, compassion and generosity.
On this day that we celebrate God’s gift to us of His only son and the new promise of salvation to all his children, let us present an offering to Him that reflects the way of life He advised us to lead.
Let us begin to be more compassionate to those who are suffering from hunger, illnesses such as AIDS and cancer, poverty, substandard housing and discrimination. Let us work diligently to eliminate these ills from the world and bring about a world where every one of God’s children is treated with equality in all matters and given the same rights and privileges as every other person.
On this day that we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace let us make a concerted effort to bring peace into the world beginning with our own families, friends and neighbors with whom we might be have a disagreement. If all of us begin in this small way, we can make a huge difference. As Neil Armstrong said upon landing on the moon, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. Let us take our small step in the direction of bringing peace into our own lives which just prod others to do the same and eventually a “Virus of Peace” could envelope the whole world.
I end my Christmas message with these words of Jesus Christ and pray that the Peace of Christ will invade your hearts today and all the days of your life. God bless you and have a blessed Christmas Holiday. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Friday, September 12, 2008
God's Infinite Love is For ALL
God’s Infinite Love for ALL
A Reflection for the Exaltation of the Cross Feast Sunday September 14th
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.” (John 3:13-17)
The gospel for this Sunday is a clear reminder to us of exactly how much Almighty God loves ALL His children. His love is so great that He was willing to send his beloved son, Jesus Christ, to earth in human form and subject to all the difficulties and pressures of being human even to the ultimate indignity of being persecuted, tortured and crucified just so Christ, by that action, could open the gates of heaven to ALL who desired to seek it.
Because it was by the cross that Christ redeemed the world. That is why the church commemorates this redeeming action of Jesus on this Sunday.
As adults, we sometimes feel abandoned and afraid and feel like we are being treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. We have a hard time when people criticize us for following our inner feelings even when we have discerned what we are feeling to determine if it is in accord with God’s will.
As adults the same feelings of insecurity that we felt as children raise their ugly head and we feel that everything we do is not appreciated. There are also those times when we believe that we have taken on more responsibility or a project that we are not capable of or is not actually God’s will.
We often feel sorry for ourselves; even though the crosses others have to carry are much greater than anything we have to contend with.
Even Jesus, who was fully aware of what was in store for Him pleaded with His father "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."(Matthew 26:39)
In all these insecure feelings we must always pray to God in the same way that Jesus did by asking our heavenly Father to grant to us that which is in accord with His will and not what we think we desire.
God’s infinite love for us will NEVER give us more than we are capable of enduring and, often, God has caused those He loves greatly, like His son, to endure greater suffering because God knows that our faith in Him is strong and we will be like Job, keeping our faith in spite of our difficulties.
In today’s world so many individuals and religious organizations reject and discriminate against others because they are not exactly like them. God did not create only one species or one kind of person. God created great diversity and because of His creation we have much to be thankful for because if all people, animals and countries were the same boredom would certainly have overtaken this world many millennium ago.
Christ was sent to us as an act of God’s love to make known the way to salvation.
One of the basic teachings of Christ is compassion for the downtrodden, poor and marginalized.
To me that indicates that those who have been given wealth, fame and power have an obligation to take care of those who are in need. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48)
Just as Christ set aside His human instincts to remain alive and not suffer the agony of the passion and death on a cross in order to attain salvation for ALL God’s children so too must we set aside our self interests make decisions that will benefit the greatest number of people especially those who are suffering because of age, poverty, war, discrimination and illness.
By doing this we can be assured that we are truly living in accord with God’s will and as Jesus tells us in John 17:26 that "God’s love for us is as great as the love God had for His son and that we are living in a Godly way and that God is with us. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (John 17:26) AMEN
A Reflection for the Exaltation of the Cross Feast Sunday September 14th
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.” (John 3:13-17)
The gospel for this Sunday is a clear reminder to us of exactly how much Almighty God loves ALL His children. His love is so great that He was willing to send his beloved son, Jesus Christ, to earth in human form and subject to all the difficulties and pressures of being human even to the ultimate indignity of being persecuted, tortured and crucified just so Christ, by that action, could open the gates of heaven to ALL who desired to seek it.
Because it was by the cross that Christ redeemed the world. That is why the church commemorates this redeeming action of Jesus on this Sunday.
As adults, we sometimes feel abandoned and afraid and feel like we are being treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. We have a hard time when people criticize us for following our inner feelings even when we have discerned what we are feeling to determine if it is in accord with God’s will.
As adults the same feelings of insecurity that we felt as children raise their ugly head and we feel that everything we do is not appreciated. There are also those times when we believe that we have taken on more responsibility or a project that we are not capable of or is not actually God’s will.
We often feel sorry for ourselves; even though the crosses others have to carry are much greater than anything we have to contend with.
Even Jesus, who was fully aware of what was in store for Him pleaded with His father "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."(Matthew 26:39)
In all these insecure feelings we must always pray to God in the same way that Jesus did by asking our heavenly Father to grant to us that which is in accord with His will and not what we think we desire.
God’s infinite love for us will NEVER give us more than we are capable of enduring and, often, God has caused those He loves greatly, like His son, to endure greater suffering because God knows that our faith in Him is strong and we will be like Job, keeping our faith in spite of our difficulties.
In today’s world so many individuals and religious organizations reject and discriminate against others because they are not exactly like them. God did not create only one species or one kind of person. God created great diversity and because of His creation we have much to be thankful for because if all people, animals and countries were the same boredom would certainly have overtaken this world many millennium ago.
Christ was sent to us as an act of God’s love to make known the way to salvation.
One of the basic teachings of Christ is compassion for the downtrodden, poor and marginalized.
To me that indicates that those who have been given wealth, fame and power have an obligation to take care of those who are in need. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48)
Just as Christ set aside His human instincts to remain alive and not suffer the agony of the passion and death on a cross in order to attain salvation for ALL God’s children so too must we set aside our self interests make decisions that will benefit the greatest number of people especially those who are suffering because of age, poverty, war, discrimination and illness.
By doing this we can be assured that we are truly living in accord with God’s will and as Jesus tells us in John 17:26 that "God’s love for us is as great as the love God had for His son and that we are living in a Godly way and that God is with us. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (John 17:26) AMEN
Friday, September 5, 2008
Loving is Caring for ALL
A Reflection for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsaergius.org
“Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations." "All the commandments are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbor; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments”. (Romans 13:8 – 10)
There are two passages from the Readings for this Sunday that should guide us in how, we who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, should be judging people and making our choices about who we associate with, not only to those we meet and encounter each and every day of our life, but those who we elect into government positions where they will have the power and opportunity to make necessary changes that would help those who most need help.
In Romans 13:8-10 Paul exhorts us to refrain from getting into debt which most of us are unable to live by because of the exorbitant cost of everyday needs which can be directly connected to a couple of factors that our governing leaders could control.
One reason is the trillions of dollars spent in fighting a war against a country that did not attack us instead of putting our military might seeking the people responsible who did. This war has drained our economy and the social programs that could help the poor, disabled and aged to maintain a constant quality of live they experienced ten years ago, provide quality affordable health care for all our citizens from birth to death. Guaranteed affordable quality education to every child and guaranteed College education to those who desired it.
Over 4000 families who have lost sons, daughters, Mothers and Fathers waging this war and the resulting damage has been tremendous financial strain for years to come to all of them. Thos who returned physically or mentally disabled have received minimal assistance especially those suffering from PTSD from the trauma of the war and the horrors they experienced. Another causality of the deficit has been educational support to our returning veterans and affordable college educations for the poor and middle income families.
Another source of our fiscal difficulties and resulting debt every family, except those whose income is over $250,000 a year are the exorbitant profits some corporation have extracted and Golden Parachutes that some companies CEO’s have received due to higher than necessary prices charged for everyday necessities like Gas for transportation, fuel to heat homes and run factories that create the goods we need.
The failure of our Government leaders has resulted in high unemployment because of jobs going to countries that pay lower wages just so the corporations can achieve higher profits at the expense of the workers in this country. THIS IS NOT SHOWING LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS BECAUSE THESE THINGS HAVE HURT THE MAJORITY SEVERELY.
We also need to evaluate those who claim to be leaders of faith communities. Any faith community that turns a child of God away because of race, marital status or sexual orientation is not living the example Christ gave us. Jesus neither rejected nor turned away anyone who came to Him. He welcomed those that Jewish laws forbid Jews to mingle with. He lived by extending a welcome and showing love to ALL.
The Gospel for Sunday tells us that “, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven” yet we find ourselves constantly separating ourselves because of petty and self-serving desires that have little or nothing to do with Christ’s teachings and way of life. Just imagine if all the Christian denominations who claim to be followers of Christ were to join together with one common goal, to make this world a better place for ALL God’s children and not just the select few how much better everyone of earth would be. If Christ is with us as He tells us in the Gospel “For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.” (Matthew 18:15 – 20) there is now power or force that could overcome us. The time is NOW for us to gather together as ONE VOICE, ONE CHURCH, ONE BROTHERHOOD IN CHRIST to bring about a time of BROTHERHOOD AND TRUE LOVE that cannot hurt your neighbor. AMEN
A Reflection for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsaergius.org
“Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations." "All the commandments are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbor; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments”. (Romans 13:8 – 10)
There are two passages from the Readings for this Sunday that should guide us in how, we who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, should be judging people and making our choices about who we associate with, not only to those we meet and encounter each and every day of our life, but those who we elect into government positions where they will have the power and opportunity to make necessary changes that would help those who most need help.
In Romans 13:8-10 Paul exhorts us to refrain from getting into debt which most of us are unable to live by because of the exorbitant cost of everyday needs which can be directly connected to a couple of factors that our governing leaders could control.
One reason is the trillions of dollars spent in fighting a war against a country that did not attack us instead of putting our military might seeking the people responsible who did. This war has drained our economy and the social programs that could help the poor, disabled and aged to maintain a constant quality of live they experienced ten years ago, provide quality affordable health care for all our citizens from birth to death. Guaranteed affordable quality education to every child and guaranteed College education to those who desired it.
Over 4000 families who have lost sons, daughters, Mothers and Fathers waging this war and the resulting damage has been tremendous financial strain for years to come to all of them. Thos who returned physically or mentally disabled have received minimal assistance especially those suffering from PTSD from the trauma of the war and the horrors they experienced. Another causality of the deficit has been educational support to our returning veterans and affordable college educations for the poor and middle income families.
Another source of our fiscal difficulties and resulting debt every family, except those whose income is over $250,000 a year are the exorbitant profits some corporation have extracted and Golden Parachutes that some companies CEO’s have received due to higher than necessary prices charged for everyday necessities like Gas for transportation, fuel to heat homes and run factories that create the goods we need.
The failure of our Government leaders has resulted in high unemployment because of jobs going to countries that pay lower wages just so the corporations can achieve higher profits at the expense of the workers in this country. THIS IS NOT SHOWING LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS BECAUSE THESE THINGS HAVE HURT THE MAJORITY SEVERELY.
We also need to evaluate those who claim to be leaders of faith communities. Any faith community that turns a child of God away because of race, marital status or sexual orientation is not living the example Christ gave us. Jesus neither rejected nor turned away anyone who came to Him. He welcomed those that Jewish laws forbid Jews to mingle with. He lived by extending a welcome and showing love to ALL.
The Gospel for Sunday tells us that “, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven” yet we find ourselves constantly separating ourselves because of petty and self-serving desires that have little or nothing to do with Christ’s teachings and way of life. Just imagine if all the Christian denominations who claim to be followers of Christ were to join together with one common goal, to make this world a better place for ALL God’s children and not just the select few how much better everyone of earth would be. If Christ is with us as He tells us in the Gospel “For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.” (Matthew 18:15 – 20) there is now power or force that could overcome us. The time is NOW for us to gather together as ONE VOICE, ONE CHURCH, ONE BROTHERHOOD IN CHRIST to bring about a time of BROTHERHOOD AND TRUE LOVE that cannot hurt your neighbor. AMEN
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Something To Reflect Upon
Do You Reflect Christ’s Love?
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
When you look in your spiritual mirror what do you see? Is the reflection cast back at you sharp and clear or are there streaks or dirty spots on the mirror?
Can you see the infinite and everlasting mercy and love of Christ being reflected back at you?
If there are streaks or spots on your reflection ask yourself what is it in me that is causing those distortions. Possibly they are there because you are not totally accepting yourself as God’s child. They could be caused because you spend too much time thinking about yourself and your needs instead of finding out how you can reach out to help others less fortunate than you.
One thing that can cause dark shadows and streaks on your mirror reflection is the distance you put between you and Almighty God. You believe in God and turn to Him when in need of a special intention such as healing or a job, but do you take time every day to communicate with him as you would with your best friend and give thanks for all he has given you?
Sometimes, just possibly, when you look in the mirror you do not recognize the person staring back at you. You need to ask why.
There is of course those times when you can see another figure behind you who seems to be calling to you. That reflection can either be the dark, frighteening and foreboding presence of Satan who is trying to entice you to reject God and live for pleasure, fame and fortune, or it might be a beautiful luminescent image that seems to glow from within which is the reflection of God, the Holy Spirit or your gaurdian Angel whispering to you to follow the path of rightousness.
Take a good look at yourself in that mirror, do you reflect the infinite love and mercy of Jesus Christ to yourself and to all you encounter on your life journey ? Do you live your live in a way that would prompt God to praise you as “My good and faithful servant”? If so your image is crystal clear and exactly what you want to envision when you look in your spiritual mirror. What you see in that mirror is how others see you and react towards you. If you live your life always striving to be kind, generous, thoughtful, forgiving, and not discriminatory of any individual, even those with whom you disagree, you are well on the way to seeing Christ in your reflection and others will see that in you.
If, however, you discriminate because God created someone with a same sex orientation, or someone has been divorced, or worse yet, that an individual is not of the same nationality, race or religious denomination as you, then your reflection is going to be full of blotches, stains and streaks and your image in the mirror needs to be cleaned up.
Jesus Christ did not reject anyone, he called and welcomed all to himself, even those who were sinners so that he could forgive them and encourage them to “Go and Sin No More” He sat at table with all political and religious persons, rejecting no one, teaching them how to attain salvation. Christ endured suffering and even death on the cross in order to free us from the burden of sin and open the gates of heaven to all. His example should have told us that to live as He instructed would not be easy and that we might be ridiculed and rejected and even have to suffer in order to be truthful and live according to God’s will.
Christ and His Almighty Father have even given us a source of strength in the gifts bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit; Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.
The secret here is, we have to seek them out and ask God to bestow them upon you.
In closing I would like to share a prayer that I say every day.
Prayer for God’s Infinite Love
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD, March 24th 2006
Almighty and merciful God, open my mind, my heart, and my soul to your infinite love. Instill within me the knowledge of your truth. Guide me in your ways in all the things I do so that I may be unto others a reflection of your love towards them. Allow the light of your truth to flow through me, towards them, in order that they may come to know you better.
I pray that all those with whom I come in contact with, each and every day, may be brought into a closer union with you and enjoy the promise of Your salvation earned through your beloved son, Jesus Christ, in His passion, death, resurrection and ascension.
I humbly ask this in the name of your beloved son, Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever unto the ages of ages. AMEN
May your spiritual reflection be crystal clear and bright and may Almighty God give you the fortitude to improve your reflection so that in it you and others see God clearly. AMEN
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
When you look in your spiritual mirror what do you see? Is the reflection cast back at you sharp and clear or are there streaks or dirty spots on the mirror?
Can you see the infinite and everlasting mercy and love of Christ being reflected back at you?
If there are streaks or spots on your reflection ask yourself what is it in me that is causing those distortions. Possibly they are there because you are not totally accepting yourself as God’s child. They could be caused because you spend too much time thinking about yourself and your needs instead of finding out how you can reach out to help others less fortunate than you.
One thing that can cause dark shadows and streaks on your mirror reflection is the distance you put between you and Almighty God. You believe in God and turn to Him when in need of a special intention such as healing or a job, but do you take time every day to communicate with him as you would with your best friend and give thanks for all he has given you?
Sometimes, just possibly, when you look in the mirror you do not recognize the person staring back at you. You need to ask why.
There is of course those times when you can see another figure behind you who seems to be calling to you. That reflection can either be the dark, frighteening and foreboding presence of Satan who is trying to entice you to reject God and live for pleasure, fame and fortune, or it might be a beautiful luminescent image that seems to glow from within which is the reflection of God, the Holy Spirit or your gaurdian Angel whispering to you to follow the path of rightousness.
Take a good look at yourself in that mirror, do you reflect the infinite love and mercy of Jesus Christ to yourself and to all you encounter on your life journey ? Do you live your live in a way that would prompt God to praise you as “My good and faithful servant”? If so your image is crystal clear and exactly what you want to envision when you look in your spiritual mirror. What you see in that mirror is how others see you and react towards you. If you live your life always striving to be kind, generous, thoughtful, forgiving, and not discriminatory of any individual, even those with whom you disagree, you are well on the way to seeing Christ in your reflection and others will see that in you.
If, however, you discriminate because God created someone with a same sex orientation, or someone has been divorced, or worse yet, that an individual is not of the same nationality, race or religious denomination as you, then your reflection is going to be full of blotches, stains and streaks and your image in the mirror needs to be cleaned up.
Jesus Christ did not reject anyone, he called and welcomed all to himself, even those who were sinners so that he could forgive them and encourage them to “Go and Sin No More” He sat at table with all political and religious persons, rejecting no one, teaching them how to attain salvation. Christ endured suffering and even death on the cross in order to free us from the burden of sin and open the gates of heaven to all. His example should have told us that to live as He instructed would not be easy and that we might be ridiculed and rejected and even have to suffer in order to be truthful and live according to God’s will.
Christ and His Almighty Father have even given us a source of strength in the gifts bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit; Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.
The secret here is, we have to seek them out and ask God to bestow them upon you.
In closing I would like to share a prayer that I say every day.
Prayer for God’s Infinite Love
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD, March 24th 2006
Almighty and merciful God, open my mind, my heart, and my soul to your infinite love. Instill within me the knowledge of your truth. Guide me in your ways in all the things I do so that I may be unto others a reflection of your love towards them. Allow the light of your truth to flow through me, towards them, in order that they may come to know you better.
I pray that all those with whom I come in contact with, each and every day, may be brought into a closer union with you and enjoy the promise of Your salvation earned through your beloved son, Jesus Christ, in His passion, death, resurrection and ascension.
I humbly ask this in the name of your beloved son, Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever unto the ages of ages. AMEN
May your spiritual reflection be crystal clear and bright and may Almighty God give you the fortitude to improve your reflection so that in it you and others see God clearly. AMEN
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Anniversary Reflection
Anniversary of Ordination Reflection
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.Missionstsergius.org
On the Third anniversary of my ordination as a priest, August 15th, I reflect back on my feelings on the blessed opportunity and great challenge Almighty God has bestowed upon me.
“Your are a priest forever like Melchizedek of Old”, with these words a person goes from being a simple follower of Jesus Christ to an individual whose live is now dedicated completely to the service God and His children here on earth.
As such, you have the awesome responsibility of shepherding all God’s children. You become the hands, feet, mouth, heart and human voice of Almighty God here on earth.
You duty is to give solace and comfort to those in pain and always affirm God’s infinite love, mercy and forgiveness to all His children.
You need to always be uplifting and positive toward all even when you yourself do not feel that well. These responsibilities are to be extended to every child of God that you encounter as you go about your daily life. You need to stop thinking about yourself and focus on the needs of God’s children all over the globe, especially those who feel unwanted and rejected and in need of comfort and affirmation.
In a world that appears to be increasingly more self centered and absorbed in the material things of life and less interested in the needs of others and would rather use violence to settle disputes and differences instead of common sense, it is deeply disturbing and often seems to overwhelm you.
My heart becomes heavy when I see and hear children of God being turned away from participating in a faith community and being denied God’s gift to us, in the Eucharist because they are divorced or have been created by Almighty God with a same sex orientation.
Sadness fills me when I see dedicated men and women being denied the opportunity to serve God because they are married or worse still, just because their gender is female.
I ask myself why a person who is dedicated and has the necessary education and training and believes God is calling them to serve, be refused because of their marital state or sexual orientation. As long as they are willing to live their life in a way that would not bring dishonor to Almighty God they should be welcomed.
It saddens me and has caused much pain and suffering that some called to priesthood and the hierarchy forgot their duty and responsibility to God and failed to live their vows and damaged the trust of many. Good and faithful priests have been hurt by their actions and God’s children have become disillusioned because of what was allowed to happen.
All the titles and wealth of the world cannot raise a person any higher in the eyes of God than being a good and faithful humble servant as a priest.
We need to care for God‘s people as Christ would have cared for them. At times this can become overwhelming especially when you are handicapped by a lack or resources.
So many are hurting and I want to do so much more than I am doing and wonder if I am failing God or if my efforts are being lost because of my limitations.
I find it strange that when God has chosen to communicate with us here on earth either as himself or in the person of our Blessed mother He rarely made himself known to the rich and powerful but choose the poorest of His Children loved Him deeply and who have put their complete faith and trust in Him. St. Francis was a soldier, St. Joan a simple maiden, Juan Diego a peasant Indian, Padre Pio a simple priest, St. Bernadette a simple school girl. None of these were the hierarchy of the church. When they proclaimed what God directed them to do, they were ridiculed, scorned, persecuted and in some cases put to death. One has to wonder why God did not go directly to the hierarchy. Could it be that with their lofty titles and grandiose life styles had lost sight of God’s original intent? Could it be that they chose to use their positions of power to decipher the word of God to suite their own self interests?
I have pondered this often and I believe that this may well be the case.
To have been called by God to be a priest is a tremendous and overwhelming responsibility which I pray daily I am able to live up to. I am sure that God has called me for a special mission at this late stage of my life. I find His choice of me to be surprising and heady, filled with many roadblocks but I willing to accept His call knowing that if it is His will, He would give me the necessary things to do the task.
These past three years have been most humbling. Some of my family and friends and neighbors have rejected me because I do not agree with the rules instituted by the men who rule but in actuality have nothing to do with Christ’s teachings and the early church.
There have also been times that were spiritually uplifting and humbling you receive notes like these; “Thank you for being there in my time of crisis”, “I think the Mission is doing a great job. I wish there were something similar to it here where I live. To me the Catholic Church talks with a forked tongue as the Native Americans say”, “I read your messages and obtain a special insight into the Mass that I attend personally”, “You have more energy and compassion than even I! You give and ask nothing in return. You are indeed a follower of Jesus and Francis.” “Because of your reflections and affirming statement I have gone back to church after many years away”
I am constantly asking Almighty God to inspire me and guide me so that I may only bring honor and Glory to Him. I pray constantly that I can make a difference in the lives of those who come to me and bring them into a closer relationship with Almighty God. That is my only desire and prayer.
I recently said that we have to give ourselves over completely to God, subverting our own personal desires and putting lives in God’s hands. I believe that this is the only way that we can fully serve God. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane cried out "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Jesus gave himself over totally to God’s will teaching us to accept all God calls us to do even when it is not what you would rather do.
When I was called to be a priest, after so many years of feeling the call, and believing in my heart I was being called and being denied so many times because I had been married, too old or feeling unworthy of the call, I began to think it was not God’s will.
When, at age 71, I received the acceptance into the Franciscans and not just as a deacon which I had been ordained as in 1980, but as a priest. I accepted the call with the full knowledge that my life, as I had lived it and known, was over and I was to begin a new life, whose only purpose was to serve God with complete and total being.
I ask God to constantly lead me to where He wants me to go.
I trust He will provide me the strength, health, wisdom, means and courage to accept all that I need to do.
During this week of my Anniversary I implore each of you to pray for me and the ministry asking God to provide me with the tools necessary to reach out to all those whom this ministry is intended to reach and guide me by the gifts of The Holy Spirit to always know His will and to accept and do His will for as long as He chooses to allow me to be His humble and simple servant. AMEN
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.Missionstsergius.org
On the Third anniversary of my ordination as a priest, August 15th, I reflect back on my feelings on the blessed opportunity and great challenge Almighty God has bestowed upon me.
“Your are a priest forever like Melchizedek of Old”, with these words a person goes from being a simple follower of Jesus Christ to an individual whose live is now dedicated completely to the service God and His children here on earth.
As such, you have the awesome responsibility of shepherding all God’s children. You become the hands, feet, mouth, heart and human voice of Almighty God here on earth.
You duty is to give solace and comfort to those in pain and always affirm God’s infinite love, mercy and forgiveness to all His children.
You need to always be uplifting and positive toward all even when you yourself do not feel that well. These responsibilities are to be extended to every child of God that you encounter as you go about your daily life. You need to stop thinking about yourself and focus on the needs of God’s children all over the globe, especially those who feel unwanted and rejected and in need of comfort and affirmation.
In a world that appears to be increasingly more self centered and absorbed in the material things of life and less interested in the needs of others and would rather use violence to settle disputes and differences instead of common sense, it is deeply disturbing and often seems to overwhelm you.
My heart becomes heavy when I see and hear children of God being turned away from participating in a faith community and being denied God’s gift to us, in the Eucharist because they are divorced or have been created by Almighty God with a same sex orientation.
Sadness fills me when I see dedicated men and women being denied the opportunity to serve God because they are married or worse still, just because their gender is female.
I ask myself why a person who is dedicated and has the necessary education and training and believes God is calling them to serve, be refused because of their marital state or sexual orientation. As long as they are willing to live their life in a way that would not bring dishonor to Almighty God they should be welcomed.
It saddens me and has caused much pain and suffering that some called to priesthood and the hierarchy forgot their duty and responsibility to God and failed to live their vows and damaged the trust of many. Good and faithful priests have been hurt by their actions and God’s children have become disillusioned because of what was allowed to happen.
All the titles and wealth of the world cannot raise a person any higher in the eyes of God than being a good and faithful humble servant as a priest.
We need to care for God‘s people as Christ would have cared for them. At times this can become overwhelming especially when you are handicapped by a lack or resources.
So many are hurting and I want to do so much more than I am doing and wonder if I am failing God or if my efforts are being lost because of my limitations.
I find it strange that when God has chosen to communicate with us here on earth either as himself or in the person of our Blessed mother He rarely made himself known to the rich and powerful but choose the poorest of His Children loved Him deeply and who have put their complete faith and trust in Him. St. Francis was a soldier, St. Joan a simple maiden, Juan Diego a peasant Indian, Padre Pio a simple priest, St. Bernadette a simple school girl. None of these were the hierarchy of the church. When they proclaimed what God directed them to do, they were ridiculed, scorned, persecuted and in some cases put to death. One has to wonder why God did not go directly to the hierarchy. Could it be that with their lofty titles and grandiose life styles had lost sight of God’s original intent? Could it be that they chose to use their positions of power to decipher the word of God to suite their own self interests?
I have pondered this often and I believe that this may well be the case.
To have been called by God to be a priest is a tremendous and overwhelming responsibility which I pray daily I am able to live up to. I am sure that God has called me for a special mission at this late stage of my life. I find His choice of me to be surprising and heady, filled with many roadblocks but I willing to accept His call knowing that if it is His will, He would give me the necessary things to do the task.
These past three years have been most humbling. Some of my family and friends and neighbors have rejected me because I do not agree with the rules instituted by the men who rule but in actuality have nothing to do with Christ’s teachings and the early church.
There have also been times that were spiritually uplifting and humbling you receive notes like these; “Thank you for being there in my time of crisis”, “I think the Mission is doing a great job. I wish there were something similar to it here where I live. To me the Catholic Church talks with a forked tongue as the Native Americans say”, “I read your messages and obtain a special insight into the Mass that I attend personally”, “You have more energy and compassion than even I! You give and ask nothing in return. You are indeed a follower of Jesus and Francis.” “Because of your reflections and affirming statement I have gone back to church after many years away”
I am constantly asking Almighty God to inspire me and guide me so that I may only bring honor and Glory to Him. I pray constantly that I can make a difference in the lives of those who come to me and bring them into a closer relationship with Almighty God. That is my only desire and prayer.
I recently said that we have to give ourselves over completely to God, subverting our own personal desires and putting lives in God’s hands. I believe that this is the only way that we can fully serve God. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane cried out "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Jesus gave himself over totally to God’s will teaching us to accept all God calls us to do even when it is not what you would rather do.
When I was called to be a priest, after so many years of feeling the call, and believing in my heart I was being called and being denied so many times because I had been married, too old or feeling unworthy of the call, I began to think it was not God’s will.
When, at age 71, I received the acceptance into the Franciscans and not just as a deacon which I had been ordained as in 1980, but as a priest. I accepted the call with the full knowledge that my life, as I had lived it and known, was over and I was to begin a new life, whose only purpose was to serve God with complete and total being.
I ask God to constantly lead me to where He wants me to go.
I trust He will provide me the strength, health, wisdom, means and courage to accept all that I need to do.
During this week of my Anniversary I implore each of you to pray for me and the ministry asking God to provide me with the tools necessary to reach out to all those whom this ministry is intended to reach and guide me by the gifts of The Holy Spirit to always know His will and to accept and do His will for as long as He chooses to allow me to be His humble and simple servant. AMEN
Thursday, July 17, 2008
What is the Root of All Evil?
A Reflection for Sunday July 20th 2008
By Rev. Fr. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
We often hear the expression “Money is the root of all evil” and sometimes it seems that it is very true. All we have to do is look at the current situation in the world and more explicitly in the United States and ponder if that is not the case.In reality the root of all evil is NOT money but man’s DESIRE FOR POWER and symbols of status; greed and the seeking of great wealth to increase one’s status in the eyes of powerful people, or jealousy over losing control over people because of a loss of status in the world of finance is the actual cause of the evil that often occurs.
Money is an obvious measure of one’s status, so it’s easy to confuse the two.The actual statement from which this expression came is; “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” and is found in Timothy, 6:10.
Even some Religious denominations have succumbed to this desire for money not for humanitarian use but for status and the symbols of status and power.
This past week we have seen something we have not seen since the depression in 1934, long lines of people rushing a bank to withdraw their savings because the bank had collapsed. We have also seen people loosing their homes due to foreclosure because of the practices of unscrupulous banks whose only goal was to increase their stock value and the dividends to their stockholders and obscene salaries of CEOs.
Because of the actions of the business tycoons and greedy politicians millions of our low income and elderly citizens are suffering significantly, which is most certainly an intrinsic evil.
The reading from the book of Wisdom 12 for this Sunday talks about being kind to your brothers and sisters in Christ, which is every individual on the face of the earth. “You are mild in judgment, you govern us with great lenience, for you have only to will, and your power is there. By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men”
It is sad that our government leaders do not follow this kind of governing.Kindness, Compassion, Justice, Mercy, and Charity are virtues that often seem to be in short supply in our world today. They have been replaced with the notion that we should live with the concept of “obscene salaries of CEOs”In August 2004 Andrew Greeley wrote in the Chicago Sun Times; “The most serious spiritual problem in the country today is reckless and untrammeled greed. Greed caused the disgraceful corporate scandals that fill our newspapers. Greed is responsible for crooked cops and crooked politicians. Greed causes the constant efforts to destroy unions that protect basic worker rights. Greed has produced rash tax cuts that have given money to the rich and in effect taken it away from the poor.” Unfortunately things have not changed but only gotten worse. The oil companies continue to earn exorbitant profits which have caused the prices for gasoline and heating oil to almost double in the last year. Coupled with the fact that many of them hold the rights to explore for oil on vast tracts of land in and off shore the US that they are not using. This is an prime example of Greed causing great evil because it is hurting those who can least afford to be hurt, the poor, aged and ill.In his comments in 2004 Andrew Greeley went on to say; “No one said during the bizarre deification of President Reagan that he taught us that greed is good and that we should feel good about our greedy country. Greed is the reason that the country is being run by the insurance, pharmaceutical, weapons and petroleum industries. Greed causes worldwide sex slavery of women and children.”This situation has only gotten worse in the last four years.One of the results of all this is that agencies like food banks, the Salvation Army and churches, our included, that attempt to relieve the suffering of the poor, aged and ill have experienced a great drop is their donations which have resulted in their inability to help all those who need it.
The time is now for every person who claims to be a God fearing follower of Jesus Christ to look deeply within themselves and seek the Holy Spirit’s help is making the changes necessary in ourselves to eliminate this source of evil from our mindset and help us to be more mindful of the needs of others.Today’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans affirms that; "The Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. … and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well” from Romans 8:26 - 27
Let us rid ourselves of self indulgence and instead begin to find way to be charitable, compassionate , forgiving and most importantly, True followers of Christ by living as followers of Christ and loving, caring for our neighbor ( every human on the face of the earth) as Christ loved and cared for all He encountered. AMEN
A Reflection for Sunday July 20th 2008
By Rev. Fr. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
We often hear the expression “Money is the root of all evil” and sometimes it seems that it is very true. All we have to do is look at the current situation in the world and more explicitly in the United States and ponder if that is not the case.In reality the root of all evil is NOT money but man’s DESIRE FOR POWER and symbols of status; greed and the seeking of great wealth to increase one’s status in the eyes of powerful people, or jealousy over losing control over people because of a loss of status in the world of finance is the actual cause of the evil that often occurs.
Money is an obvious measure of one’s status, so it’s easy to confuse the two.The actual statement from which this expression came is; “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” and is found in Timothy, 6:10.
Even some Religious denominations have succumbed to this desire for money not for humanitarian use but for status and the symbols of status and power.
This past week we have seen something we have not seen since the depression in 1934, long lines of people rushing a bank to withdraw their savings because the bank had collapsed. We have also seen people loosing their homes due to foreclosure because of the practices of unscrupulous banks whose only goal was to increase their stock value and the dividends to their stockholders and obscene salaries of CEOs.
Because of the actions of the business tycoons and greedy politicians millions of our low income and elderly citizens are suffering significantly, which is most certainly an intrinsic evil.
The reading from the book of Wisdom 12 for this Sunday talks about being kind to your brothers and sisters in Christ, which is every individual on the face of the earth. “You are mild in judgment, you govern us with great lenience, for you have only to will, and your power is there. By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men”
It is sad that our government leaders do not follow this kind of governing.Kindness, Compassion, Justice, Mercy, and Charity are virtues that often seem to be in short supply in our world today. They have been replaced with the notion that we should live with the concept of “obscene salaries of CEOs”In August 2004 Andrew Greeley wrote in the Chicago Sun Times; “The most serious spiritual problem in the country today is reckless and untrammeled greed. Greed caused the disgraceful corporate scandals that fill our newspapers. Greed is responsible for crooked cops and crooked politicians. Greed causes the constant efforts to destroy unions that protect basic worker rights. Greed has produced rash tax cuts that have given money to the rich and in effect taken it away from the poor.” Unfortunately things have not changed but only gotten worse. The oil companies continue to earn exorbitant profits which have caused the prices for gasoline and heating oil to almost double in the last year. Coupled with the fact that many of them hold the rights to explore for oil on vast tracts of land in and off shore the US that they are not using. This is an prime example of Greed causing great evil because it is hurting those who can least afford to be hurt, the poor, aged and ill.In his comments in 2004 Andrew Greeley went on to say; “No one said during the bizarre deification of President Reagan that he taught us that greed is good and that we should feel good about our greedy country. Greed is the reason that the country is being run by the insurance, pharmaceutical, weapons and petroleum industries. Greed causes worldwide sex slavery of women and children.”This situation has only gotten worse in the last four years.One of the results of all this is that agencies like food banks, the Salvation Army and churches, our included, that attempt to relieve the suffering of the poor, aged and ill have experienced a great drop is their donations which have resulted in their inability to help all those who need it.
The time is now for every person who claims to be a God fearing follower of Jesus Christ to look deeply within themselves and seek the Holy Spirit’s help is making the changes necessary in ourselves to eliminate this source of evil from our mindset and help us to be more mindful of the needs of others.Today’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans affirms that; "The Spirit comes to help us in our weakness. … and God who knows everything in our hearts knows perfectly well” from Romans 8:26 - 27
Let us rid ourselves of self indulgence and instead begin to find way to be charitable, compassionate , forgiving and most importantly, True followers of Christ by living as followers of Christ and loving, caring for our neighbor ( every human on the face of the earth) as Christ loved and cared for all He encountered. AMEN
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Do You Hear God’s Teaching?
A Reflection for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Reformed Catholic Church International
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me. Matthew 13:1 - 23
These words taken from the Gospel for this Sunday may very well describe the condition of our country and to the rest of the world.
It would appear that we as people have not learned much since Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Romans 8:18-23 “but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.”
Throughout history the children of God have sought to find a place where they were treated with respect and dignity and acknowledged for their inner self and not for their race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, or their wealth. Even in this country that proclaims to be founded on the principal that “ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL” distinctions are made because of a persons wealth, or race, creed, marital situation or sexual orientation.
Paul begins his letter to the Romans “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature ….And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
If we are meant to please God one might ask how we do that. The answer, as far as I am concerned, is simple. We please God by first of all giving God the thanks and praise that He deserves for all He has provided us with and then we show compassion, respect, equality and charity toward all God children no matter who or where we encounter them.
Just as Christ told them many things in parables the word of God is not always clear to us and often given mistaken interpretations in order to meet the popular views of the time in order to maintain wealth and power.
In today’s Gospel we hear the parable of the sower who scattered seed and some fell along the edge of the path, some on rock, some on thorns and some on fertile soil. Only the seeds that fell on fertile soil grew and bore fruit, the rest died for one reason or another. So it is with the Truth of Christ’s teachings.
Jesus goes on to say in this Gospel; “Listen, anyone who has ears!…they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. So in their case this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled: You will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive. For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me.”
When we are true to the teachings of Christ and adhere to His teachings, giving Love to all God’s children as He gave Love to all He encountered, forgoing the man made rules that have caused division and suffering to so many, then and only then will we be true to Christ teachings and give honor and glory to Almighty God.
The family of God need to become a true loving, compassionate, caring, family and look out for the well being of every member of the family, not just the select few who meet our standards.
We need to work to end the violence, hunger, homelessness and suffering so many are encountering and find was to lift the sick, poor, and aged up so that they can enjoy some of life’s basic needs.
The Gospel reading ends with these words; “Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path.”
Let us not receive God’s truth as given us by Jesus Christ and then go our way accepting only that which suites us and seek only wealth, power and material and physical pleasure, for when we do we give ourselves over to the temptations of the evil one and are in danger of loosing our heavenly reward.
All God’s children are precious to Him and should be to all of us who consider ourselves followers of Christ. AMEN
A Reflection for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Reformed Catholic Church International
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me. Matthew 13:1 - 23
These words taken from the Gospel for this Sunday may very well describe the condition of our country and to the rest of the world.
It would appear that we as people have not learned much since Paul wrote these words in his letter to the Romans 8:18-23 “but creation still retains the hope of being freed, like us, from its slavery to decadence, to enjoy the same freedom and glory as the children of God. From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free.”
Throughout history the children of God have sought to find a place where they were treated with respect and dignity and acknowledged for their inner self and not for their race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, or their wealth. Even in this country that proclaims to be founded on the principal that “ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL” distinctions are made because of a persons wealth, or race, creed, marital situation or sexual orientation.
Paul begins his letter to the Romans “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature ….And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
If we are meant to please God one might ask how we do that. The answer, as far as I am concerned, is simple. We please God by first of all giving God the thanks and praise that He deserves for all He has provided us with and then we show compassion, respect, equality and charity toward all God children no matter who or where we encounter them.
Just as Christ told them many things in parables the word of God is not always clear to us and often given mistaken interpretations in order to meet the popular views of the time in order to maintain wealth and power.
In today’s Gospel we hear the parable of the sower who scattered seed and some fell along the edge of the path, some on rock, some on thorns and some on fertile soil. Only the seeds that fell on fertile soil grew and bore fruit, the rest died for one reason or another. So it is with the Truth of Christ’s teachings.
Jesus goes on to say in this Gospel; “Listen, anyone who has ears!…they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. So in their case this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled: You will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive. For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me.”
When we are true to the teachings of Christ and adhere to His teachings, giving Love to all God’s children as He gave Love to all He encountered, forgoing the man made rules that have caused division and suffering to so many, then and only then will we be true to Christ teachings and give honor and glory to Almighty God.
The family of God need to become a true loving, compassionate, caring, family and look out for the well being of every member of the family, not just the select few who meet our standards.
We need to work to end the violence, hunger, homelessness and suffering so many are encountering and find was to lift the sick, poor, and aged up so that they can enjoy some of life’s basic needs.
The Gospel reading ends with these words; “Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path.”
Let us not receive God’s truth as given us by Jesus Christ and then go our way accepting only that which suites us and seek only wealth, power and material and physical pleasure, for when we do we give ourselves over to the temptations of the evil one and are in danger of loosing our heavenly reward.
All God’s children are precious to Him and should be to all of us who consider ourselves followers of Christ. AMEN
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Be Not Afraid
Be Not Afraid
A reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June is World Wide Pride Month
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
Have you ever felt afraid, unwanted and rejected? We all have at one time or another.
This weeks Gospel tells us: :"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gahanna”. Who is that? It is Satan who uses fear, rejection and the sense that you are alone to turn you against God.
There are some groups of people who have experienced some of the worst form of rejection from people because of how God created them. I am talking about the GLBT community, the handicapped, and people of color and immigrants to a new country.
The pain is even greater when the people who reject you are your parents, relatives and friends. What we must remember is that even Christ was rejected by both family, and neighbors.
I myself, have experienced rejection from family and friends because I disagree with the way churches have treated the children of God because God created them with a same sex attraction.
We must remember that we are never completely alone. Holy Scripture has many passages that affirm that. My personal favorite is; “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
Today’s Gospel also explains that God considers each of His children far more precious than sparrows whom God protects and is completely aware of their existence with these words; “So do not be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my Heavenly Father”.
We also must remember that to trust completely in, and follow Christ faithfully is to experience rejection by those who often feel they are superior because of a misguided belief they know God‘s will better than God does Himself.
Jesus Christ, The only begotten Son of God, was rejected by the chief priests of His religion and eventually sentenced to die because they feared that His teachings would undermine the faith. Christ, as we know, became the foundation stone of all Christian Religions.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone ; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Matthew 21:42) ( Mark 12:10)
If you live your life completely and faithfully as Christ instructed us you will experience rejection because what Christ taught is contrary to the popular conception of our society.
Today’s popular concept is one of self gratification, greed, and oppression of those who disagree with Christ’s New Commandment; "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34)
To love someone is to never reject them, to always forgive them, to have compassion for those in need and those that others reject.
If we believe in and follow Christ and live our life not just for ourselves but with compassion, understanding and true brotherhood for all God’s children we are living it as Christ lived His and most certainly we will be rejected by many.
We have been told “But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation' (Luke 17:25) and so too will we, who attempt to follow Christ will be rejected by our generation.
Keep in mind that everything God created, especially you, is precious and good in God’s eyes as we are told in 1 Timothy 4:4; “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving”
Do not be discouraged and feel that God does not love you, He does. AMEN
A reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June is World Wide Pride Month
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
Have you ever felt afraid, unwanted and rejected? We all have at one time or another.
This weeks Gospel tells us: :"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gahanna”. Who is that? It is Satan who uses fear, rejection and the sense that you are alone to turn you against God.
There are some groups of people who have experienced some of the worst form of rejection from people because of how God created them. I am talking about the GLBT community, the handicapped, and people of color and immigrants to a new country.
The pain is even greater when the people who reject you are your parents, relatives and friends. What we must remember is that even Christ was rejected by both family, and neighbors.
I myself, have experienced rejection from family and friends because I disagree with the way churches have treated the children of God because God created them with a same sex attraction.
We must remember that we are never completely alone. Holy Scripture has many passages that affirm that. My personal favorite is; “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
Today’s Gospel also explains that God considers each of His children far more precious than sparrows whom God protects and is completely aware of their existence with these words; “So do not be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my Heavenly Father”.
We also must remember that to trust completely in, and follow Christ faithfully is to experience rejection by those who often feel they are superior because of a misguided belief they know God‘s will better than God does Himself.
Jesus Christ, The only begotten Son of God, was rejected by the chief priests of His religion and eventually sentenced to die because they feared that His teachings would undermine the faith. Christ, as we know, became the foundation stone of all Christian Religions.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone ; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Matthew 21:42) ( Mark 12:10)
If you live your life completely and faithfully as Christ instructed us you will experience rejection because what Christ taught is contrary to the popular conception of our society.
Today’s popular concept is one of self gratification, greed, and oppression of those who disagree with Christ’s New Commandment; "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34)
To love someone is to never reject them, to always forgive them, to have compassion for those in need and those that others reject.
If we believe in and follow Christ and live our life not just for ourselves but with compassion, understanding and true brotherhood for all God’s children we are living it as Christ lived His and most certainly we will be rejected by many.
We have been told “But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation' (Luke 17:25) and so too will we, who attempt to follow Christ will be rejected by our generation.
Keep in mind that everything God created, especially you, is precious and good in God’s eyes as we are told in 1 Timothy 4:4; “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving”
Do not be discouraged and feel that God does not love you, He does. AMEN
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Pride Week Reflection
Let Us Return To The Lord
A Reflection for the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
http://www.missionstsergius.org
http://www.missionstsergius.org/Franciscans_of_Divine_Mercy/
For the mass Readings this week we can choose from Genesis 12:1-9 or Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 33:1-12 or Psalm 50:7-15,Romans 4:13-25 and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. They all have a common theme and it is one of Promise, Repentance, a God who is Faithful, Loves Justice and Fairness has Infinite Steadfast Love for ALL His Children.
Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us of God’s grace and how it will lead us to righteousness.
The Gospel emphasizes the point that with faith all things are possible. It begins with Jesus saying to Matthew “Come, follow Me” and without hesitation or any question as to why, Matthew followed Jesus and, of course, is attributed to be the writer of the Gospel.
When all the readings are taken together they give us good reason to follow Christ and in so doing, to be faithful to Almighty God who created us.
This weeks message is very powerful for many reasons. The reading from Genesis tells of the blind faith and trust in God that Abraham, whom Paul calls in his letter to the Romans, “The father of all of us”, and Sarah left friends, family and all things to follow God’s command and how they believed in His promise.
This is very fitting for this day and age when people use discrimination to justify their actions against others. Abraham, as father of all nations is acknowledged by Jews, Arabs and Christians as the source of their nations and the foundation of their faiths, yet they do not act as a loving family but as enemies toward each other. The question we need to ask ourselves is “WHY?”
A possible answer is that they do not have complete faith in God as the woman in the Gospel story had when she thought to herself "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus sensing her thoughts turns to her and says; "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.”
Absolute faith is complete trust in God, placing God before all else. That is what we need to do today just as Abraham and Sarah did. If we do this, God will, in His mercy, justice and love grant unto us what we are asking.Christ did not come to earth to lead and guide those with complete faith and trust in God, he came to let us know that no matter how we may have strayed or sinned, we can still return to God because God is a loving and merciful God who never stops loving us. We are reminded of that also in the Gospel story when Christ is challenged by the Pharisees for eating with tax collectors and sinners to which Christ replied "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
In many areas of the world this week begins what has come to be called “Gay Pride Week” and Boston is one of those cities in the US. These readings also contain a message for the GLBT community and those who discriminate against them and immigrants. Just as Abraham and Sarah left Haran, to follow God’s instruction, GLBT folks are often forced to leave family and friends and immigrants leave their homes for a better life in a country they believe is one of acceptance and hope.
We, who claim to be followers of Christ’s teachings, must leave our fears and prejudices behind and respond to the call of God to “Love one another as I have loved you”. Far too often, a break with family happens for LGBT folks under conditions that are characterized by alienation, hostility, violence and even suicide brought on by how their families and friends and peers treat them.
Even when relations are less strained, differences in experiences and ways of life can make LGBT people feel as removed from their families of origin as those who travel great distances and endured great trials to reach this country.Yet the story of Abraham reminds us that coming out of one situation and traveling into another has always been a part of the journey of faith.
Neither the difficulties nor the joys encountered during his travels where completely revealed to Abraham in advance. Similarly, our own future difficulties and joys are seldom revealed to us. Nevertheless, "hoping against hope," and sustained by "the steadfast love of God" referred to in Psalm 33:5, we, like Abraham and Sarah, come out of current circumstances to journey towards God's welcoming arms and infinite love for each of us.
Our blessings, moreover, are not only for ourselves. As God tells Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" when people "come out" to a journey chosen by God.
Hosea 6:6 reminds us “For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.” which are the same words Jesus replied to those who questioned his sitting with sinners.Let us return to God giving Him our complete faith, trust and love and live our lives as Christ instructed us by loving one another as He loved us.
Let us put an end to discrimination, rejection and alienation of those who may have different religions beliefs, sexual orientation of national roots and remember that Abraham was father to ALL Nations and therefore we are all BROTHERS AND SISTERS in Christ and children of GOD.
A Reflection for the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
http://www.missionstsergius.org
http://www.missionstsergius.org/Franciscans_of_Divine_Mercy/
For the mass Readings this week we can choose from Genesis 12:1-9 or Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 33:1-12 or Psalm 50:7-15,Romans 4:13-25 and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. They all have a common theme and it is one of Promise, Repentance, a God who is Faithful, Loves Justice and Fairness has Infinite Steadfast Love for ALL His Children.
Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us of God’s grace and how it will lead us to righteousness.
The Gospel emphasizes the point that with faith all things are possible. It begins with Jesus saying to Matthew “Come, follow Me” and without hesitation or any question as to why, Matthew followed Jesus and, of course, is attributed to be the writer of the Gospel.
When all the readings are taken together they give us good reason to follow Christ and in so doing, to be faithful to Almighty God who created us.
This weeks message is very powerful for many reasons. The reading from Genesis tells of the blind faith and trust in God that Abraham, whom Paul calls in his letter to the Romans, “The father of all of us”, and Sarah left friends, family and all things to follow God’s command and how they believed in His promise.
This is very fitting for this day and age when people use discrimination to justify their actions against others. Abraham, as father of all nations is acknowledged by Jews, Arabs and Christians as the source of their nations and the foundation of their faiths, yet they do not act as a loving family but as enemies toward each other. The question we need to ask ourselves is “WHY?”
A possible answer is that they do not have complete faith in God as the woman in the Gospel story had when she thought to herself "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus sensing her thoughts turns to her and says; "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.”
Absolute faith is complete trust in God, placing God before all else. That is what we need to do today just as Abraham and Sarah did. If we do this, God will, in His mercy, justice and love grant unto us what we are asking.Christ did not come to earth to lead and guide those with complete faith and trust in God, he came to let us know that no matter how we may have strayed or sinned, we can still return to God because God is a loving and merciful God who never stops loving us. We are reminded of that also in the Gospel story when Christ is challenged by the Pharisees for eating with tax collectors and sinners to which Christ replied "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
In many areas of the world this week begins what has come to be called “Gay Pride Week” and Boston is one of those cities in the US. These readings also contain a message for the GLBT community and those who discriminate against them and immigrants. Just as Abraham and Sarah left Haran, to follow God’s instruction, GLBT folks are often forced to leave family and friends and immigrants leave their homes for a better life in a country they believe is one of acceptance and hope.
We, who claim to be followers of Christ’s teachings, must leave our fears and prejudices behind and respond to the call of God to “Love one another as I have loved you”. Far too often, a break with family happens for LGBT folks under conditions that are characterized by alienation, hostility, violence and even suicide brought on by how their families and friends and peers treat them.
Even when relations are less strained, differences in experiences and ways of life can make LGBT people feel as removed from their families of origin as those who travel great distances and endured great trials to reach this country.Yet the story of Abraham reminds us that coming out of one situation and traveling into another has always been a part of the journey of faith.
Neither the difficulties nor the joys encountered during his travels where completely revealed to Abraham in advance. Similarly, our own future difficulties and joys are seldom revealed to us. Nevertheless, "hoping against hope," and sustained by "the steadfast love of God" referred to in Psalm 33:5, we, like Abraham and Sarah, come out of current circumstances to journey towards God's welcoming arms and infinite love for each of us.
Our blessings, moreover, are not only for ourselves. As God tells Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" when people "come out" to a journey chosen by God.
Hosea 6:6 reminds us “For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.” which are the same words Jesus replied to those who questioned his sitting with sinners.Let us return to God giving Him our complete faith, trust and love and live our lives as Christ instructed us by loving one another as He loved us.
Let us put an end to discrimination, rejection and alienation of those who may have different religions beliefs, sexual orientation of national roots and remember that Abraham was father to ALL Nations and therefore we are all BROTHERS AND SISTERS in Christ and children of GOD.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time
A Reflection by Rev. Fr. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
“Jesus said, ‘No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money. ‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, or about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely, life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are we not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?” It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6: 24-34)
The reading for this Sunday is extremely clear and one that seems to have been lost on many who claim to be followers of Christ.
The message I perceive from this reading is that we need to focus our concerns on how well we are doing in acting in a manner that is pleasing to Almighty God.We need to stop worrying about things and place our complete trust in God.
In our current society many people place far more importance on what they will wear, what kind of car they should drive to impress others, and seem to care little for the needs of the poor, sick, elderly and more on their own self interests.
Yes!, we do have to make sure that our families are taken care of and are comfortable but we do not have to have those flat screen TV’s, the latest fashion clothes and houses large enough to accommodate a family of 15.
St. Francis gave up a life of luxury to live simply and to care for the downtrodden, poor , sick and outcasts of his time based on this Gospel passage.
I have been accused of being an extreme liberal because of my concerns for others quality of life. I have had my recent commentary for Memorial day challenged because I spoke of how our country, which was founded on the principal of equality for all, has lost it’s focus.
I am aware that my messages are not popular and often might make people uncomfortable because they are not candy coated but challenge us to live our lives not for the here and now, but for our eternal life with Almighty God.
To do that we have to put into action in our daily lives those qualities that Christ indicated were the way to live.In today’s Gospel Christ tells us; “Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Recently I, my family, this ministry, Senator Kennedy and many others have been given major challenges which they have no control over like the difficulties caused by the spiraling costs of all things especially illness, gas, food, and health care.
In all these concerns I place my trust in God and that He will bring us trough it according to His plan for us and especially for this ministry.
I take the position that you worry about the things you have control over and do what you have too improve them and place in God’s hands the things He can control.
Trust in God and He will take care of you just as He cares for the all of His creation as the Gospel today relates. I believe, that if more people would turn to God seeking answers to the chaos the world seems to be in, that God will hear our cry for help and bring about change.
We need to place God first every moment of every day by living according to Christ’s teaching in all the things we do. In some areas churches are being closed because of a lack of people attending while other churches that cater to selected passages of scripture that appeal to select segments of society and practice discrimination and bigotry because of their race are growing.
This is not what Christ taught. Every person on this earth is a child of God and as such needs to be treated with dignity and respect.
Evil needs to be fought and compassion needs to be practiced. If we “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST LOVES US” we cannot do so with hatred or bigotry.
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul states, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
If we are to love like Christ loved, we have to care for others, place our hope and trust in God, not seek our own glory and self edification and luxury but show compassion, forgiveness, and generosity and most of all give to God the worship, honor, glory and praise He deserves every day of our earthly life.
We need to make God our master and be a slave to Him. We cannot cater to the tools of Satan; Pride, Wrath, Envy, Greed, Lust, Gluttony, sloth which have been called THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. Today, these sins are reflected in "environmental pollution, genetic manipulation, obscene wealth, infliction of poverty, drug trafficking, morally debatable experiments, and violation of the fundamental rights of human nature.
We need to practice; Charity, Kindness, Patience, Humility, Temperance, diligence and Chastity which is using the gift of sex in a loving relationship and not for personal self gratification.
The problems of our world and country can be solved but we need to make God and His rules take first place.
We can start the process by doing that in our own personal life.
May God grant unto us the courage, strength and grace to make the changes necessary. AMEN
A Reflection by Rev. Fr. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
“Jesus said, ‘No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money. ‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, or about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely, life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are we not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?” It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6: 24-34)
The reading for this Sunday is extremely clear and one that seems to have been lost on many who claim to be followers of Christ.
The message I perceive from this reading is that we need to focus our concerns on how well we are doing in acting in a manner that is pleasing to Almighty God.We need to stop worrying about things and place our complete trust in God.
In our current society many people place far more importance on what they will wear, what kind of car they should drive to impress others, and seem to care little for the needs of the poor, sick, elderly and more on their own self interests.
Yes!, we do have to make sure that our families are taken care of and are comfortable but we do not have to have those flat screen TV’s, the latest fashion clothes and houses large enough to accommodate a family of 15.
St. Francis gave up a life of luxury to live simply and to care for the downtrodden, poor , sick and outcasts of his time based on this Gospel passage.
I have been accused of being an extreme liberal because of my concerns for others quality of life. I have had my recent commentary for Memorial day challenged because I spoke of how our country, which was founded on the principal of equality for all, has lost it’s focus.
I am aware that my messages are not popular and often might make people uncomfortable because they are not candy coated but challenge us to live our lives not for the here and now, but for our eternal life with Almighty God.
To do that we have to put into action in our daily lives those qualities that Christ indicated were the way to live.In today’s Gospel Christ tells us; “Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Recently I, my family, this ministry, Senator Kennedy and many others have been given major challenges which they have no control over like the difficulties caused by the spiraling costs of all things especially illness, gas, food, and health care.
In all these concerns I place my trust in God and that He will bring us trough it according to His plan for us and especially for this ministry.
I take the position that you worry about the things you have control over and do what you have too improve them and place in God’s hands the things He can control.
Trust in God and He will take care of you just as He cares for the all of His creation as the Gospel today relates. I believe, that if more people would turn to God seeking answers to the chaos the world seems to be in, that God will hear our cry for help and bring about change.
We need to place God first every moment of every day by living according to Christ’s teaching in all the things we do. In some areas churches are being closed because of a lack of people attending while other churches that cater to selected passages of scripture that appeal to select segments of society and practice discrimination and bigotry because of their race are growing.
This is not what Christ taught. Every person on this earth is a child of God and as such needs to be treated with dignity and respect.
Evil needs to be fought and compassion needs to be practiced. If we “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST LOVES US” we cannot do so with hatred or bigotry.
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul states, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
If we are to love like Christ loved, we have to care for others, place our hope and trust in God, not seek our own glory and self edification and luxury but show compassion, forgiveness, and generosity and most of all give to God the worship, honor, glory and praise He deserves every day of our earthly life.
We need to make God our master and be a slave to Him. We cannot cater to the tools of Satan; Pride, Wrath, Envy, Greed, Lust, Gluttony, sloth which have been called THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. Today, these sins are reflected in "environmental pollution, genetic manipulation, obscene wealth, infliction of poverty, drug trafficking, morally debatable experiments, and violation of the fundamental rights of human nature.
We need to practice; Charity, Kindness, Patience, Humility, Temperance, diligence and Chastity which is using the gift of sex in a loving relationship and not for personal self gratification.
The problems of our world and country can be solved but we need to make God and His rules take first place.
We can start the process by doing that in our own personal life.
May God grant unto us the courage, strength and grace to make the changes necessary. AMEN
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
A Mothers Day Reflection
A Tribute to Our Heavenly Mother and all Mothers
A reflection for Mother’s Day 2008
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
The Mother's Day holiday, as observed Sunday May 11th in the United States, celebrates motherhood generally and the wonderful contributions of all mothers and women to society. It is the result of a campaign by Anna Marie Jarvis who, following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905, devoted her life to establishing Mother's Day as a national, and later an international, holiday.Throughout all of history, mothers have played one of the most important roles in society. There is an old adage that “Behind every successful man there is a woman” and this is an adage that holds true almost every time, that woman is usually the man’s mother.We know from scripture that Jesus’ mother was often in his company and suffered with him because of the rejection and ultimately the crucifixion of her beloved son. With His last breath, Christ symbolically gave His mother to all of us with these words “Woman, behold, your son! Son, Behold, your mother!” (John 19:25-27)
Mary was the catalyst for the first recorded miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast of Cana. Mary and the other women discovered that Christ has risen from the dead. It is Our Blessed Mother that often is the bearer of messages to the world from Her son and Almighty God. Her appearances at Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, Mejigore, and to Saint Catherine Laboure’ to whom the Blessed Mother displayed herself inside an oval frame, standing upon a globe, wearing many rings of different colors, most of which shone rays of light over the globe and around the margin of the frame appeared the words O Marie, conçue sans pêché, priez pour nous qui avons recours à vous, in English O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Just as Our Heavenly Mother Mary had and still has an important place in the Christian life, so to do all mothers have an important role in the future of society. The mother nourishes the child from inception to adult hood and beyond. Mothers are the first educators, set the moral guidelines and often teach the first prayers and instill a love and devotion to God.
It was twenty-one years ago, May 5th 2007, three days before Mother’s Day, that a beautiful woman by the name of Elizabeth was called home to Almighty God. She did not become famous, never made headlines, if any thing her life was very simple. Born in Ireland in 1906 her early years were anything but wonderful. She lived in fear of the British troops who roamed her country. When she was only 5 years old, she watched in horror as her mother died in childbirth while her father and uncle were arguing, drunk, in an adjoining room. Shortly after that, her father left her with another uncle and aunt while he went off to America in search of a better life. The Aunt, according to the stories told, mistreated little Elizabeth to the point she ran away to another uncle who took her in and lived with along with his young son Willie until 1913, when word came for her to come to America. She remembers arriving at Ellis Island frightened and amazed, as she gazed from the gangplank at the enormous glowing statue of a woman holding a torch on the base of which was inscribed the words “Give me your tired and your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free”
In 1929, while working in a drug store, a handsome man, Bob, who was working days as a welder and nights as a singer in the Keith Vaudeville Circuit and studying law, spotted her. They got married in September 1930 but life was not to be a “Happy Ever After” of the storybooks. Bob had a drinking problem and it caused many arguments as it often does but Betty had faith and hung in there.Through all her life’s problems, she never gave up her faith in Almighty God and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. A devotion she passed on to her son, yours truly.
The life of Elizabeth is just a regular life, it is a life that millions of woman happily do every day. They are the woman who we celebrate on Mother’s Day. My Mother and many other mothers emulate the role Our Blessed Mother gave and they, through the years, followed in Our Lady’s footsteps, giving of themselves for their children and spouses.I know that Elizabeth is in the company of Our Blessed Mother and our Redeemer Jesus Christ and that Bob my father is serenading Almighty God and all the heavenly elect with his magnificent tenor voice while Elizabeth sits proudly and appreciatively as she did every time he sang.Since my Mom had two miscarriages before I arrived, she could never understand how anyone could end the gift of life and the opportunity to be a mother. Women are more compassionate, nurturing and forgiving than most men. If women were given a greater role in the activities of the church, we might not have had the problems we have been facing in recent years. If women were allowed to be deacons or priests we probably would not have a shortage of priests and the church would be more nurturing towards individuals seeking the love of God. Mothers are less likely to reject a child because of their sexual orientation. In short, on this Mother’s Day we need to celebrate ALL Women, Mothers, Grandmothers, mothers to be, woman who may never be mothers, All Woman, for without woman, there would be no men. Without Our Blessed Mother, Jesus would not have been. This weekend, let us give woman the credit they deserve, let us try to do something special for all woman in our life. Let us make this a celebration for all women for the contributions that they have played in forming not only the Judea/Christian and other Religious faiths but also History in general.Happy Mothers Day to all mothers, your children are a gift; never let them feel unloved or unwanted. God created them and gave them to you to cherish. Protect them as best as possible, give them strong love and knowledge of how to love, forgive, and know and serve God. Love can conquer all adversity as the story of Elizabeth and Bob can illustrate, their love was stronger than any adversity they faced. Just as God’s love is stronger than any adversity any of us may face. AMEN
A reflection for Mother’s Day 2008
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/Franciscans of Divine Mercy
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Divine_Mercy_Franciscans
The Mother's Day holiday, as observed Sunday May 11th in the United States, celebrates motherhood generally and the wonderful contributions of all mothers and women to society. It is the result of a campaign by Anna Marie Jarvis who, following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905, devoted her life to establishing Mother's Day as a national, and later an international, holiday.Throughout all of history, mothers have played one of the most important roles in society. There is an old adage that “Behind every successful man there is a woman” and this is an adage that holds true almost every time, that woman is usually the man’s mother.We know from scripture that Jesus’ mother was often in his company and suffered with him because of the rejection and ultimately the crucifixion of her beloved son. With His last breath, Christ symbolically gave His mother to all of us with these words “Woman, behold, your son! Son, Behold, your mother!” (John 19:25-27)
Mary was the catalyst for the first recorded miracle of Jesus at the wedding feast of Cana. Mary and the other women discovered that Christ has risen from the dead. It is Our Blessed Mother that often is the bearer of messages to the world from Her son and Almighty God. Her appearances at Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, Mejigore, and to Saint Catherine Laboure’ to whom the Blessed Mother displayed herself inside an oval frame, standing upon a globe, wearing many rings of different colors, most of which shone rays of light over the globe and around the margin of the frame appeared the words O Marie, conçue sans pêché, priez pour nous qui avons recours à vous, in English O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Just as Our Heavenly Mother Mary had and still has an important place in the Christian life, so to do all mothers have an important role in the future of society. The mother nourishes the child from inception to adult hood and beyond. Mothers are the first educators, set the moral guidelines and often teach the first prayers and instill a love and devotion to God.
It was twenty-one years ago, May 5th 2007, three days before Mother’s Day, that a beautiful woman by the name of Elizabeth was called home to Almighty God. She did not become famous, never made headlines, if any thing her life was very simple. Born in Ireland in 1906 her early years were anything but wonderful. She lived in fear of the British troops who roamed her country. When she was only 5 years old, she watched in horror as her mother died in childbirth while her father and uncle were arguing, drunk, in an adjoining room. Shortly after that, her father left her with another uncle and aunt while he went off to America in search of a better life. The Aunt, according to the stories told, mistreated little Elizabeth to the point she ran away to another uncle who took her in and lived with along with his young son Willie until 1913, when word came for her to come to America. She remembers arriving at Ellis Island frightened and amazed, as she gazed from the gangplank at the enormous glowing statue of a woman holding a torch on the base of which was inscribed the words “Give me your tired and your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free”
In 1929, while working in a drug store, a handsome man, Bob, who was working days as a welder and nights as a singer in the Keith Vaudeville Circuit and studying law, spotted her. They got married in September 1930 but life was not to be a “Happy Ever After” of the storybooks. Bob had a drinking problem and it caused many arguments as it often does but Betty had faith and hung in there.Through all her life’s problems, she never gave up her faith in Almighty God and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. A devotion she passed on to her son, yours truly.
The life of Elizabeth is just a regular life, it is a life that millions of woman happily do every day. They are the woman who we celebrate on Mother’s Day. My Mother and many other mothers emulate the role Our Blessed Mother gave and they, through the years, followed in Our Lady’s footsteps, giving of themselves for their children and spouses.I know that Elizabeth is in the company of Our Blessed Mother and our Redeemer Jesus Christ and that Bob my father is serenading Almighty God and all the heavenly elect with his magnificent tenor voice while Elizabeth sits proudly and appreciatively as she did every time he sang.Since my Mom had two miscarriages before I arrived, she could never understand how anyone could end the gift of life and the opportunity to be a mother. Women are more compassionate, nurturing and forgiving than most men. If women were given a greater role in the activities of the church, we might not have had the problems we have been facing in recent years. If women were allowed to be deacons or priests we probably would not have a shortage of priests and the church would be more nurturing towards individuals seeking the love of God. Mothers are less likely to reject a child because of their sexual orientation. In short, on this Mother’s Day we need to celebrate ALL Women, Mothers, Grandmothers, mothers to be, woman who may never be mothers, All Woman, for without woman, there would be no men. Without Our Blessed Mother, Jesus would not have been. This weekend, let us give woman the credit they deserve, let us try to do something special for all woman in our life. Let us make this a celebration for all women for the contributions that they have played in forming not only the Judea/Christian and other Religious faiths but also History in general.Happy Mothers Day to all mothers, your children are a gift; never let them feel unloved or unwanted. God created them and gave them to you to cherish. Protect them as best as possible, give them strong love and knowledge of how to love, forgive, and know and serve God. Love can conquer all adversity as the story of Elizabeth and Bob can illustrate, their love was stronger than any adversity they faced. Just as God’s love is stronger than any adversity any of us may face. AMEN
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