A messaage for Peace in 2017

 A Resolution for Peace On Earth, 

A Reflection for January 1 2017

By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFM

Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus

Order Franciscans of Mercy

www.orderfranciscansofmercy.org

www.missionstsergius.org

As we prepare to make our resolutions for the New Year 2017, how about we try this one on for size?

I based this reflection on the words to a once very popular prayer/song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” written and copy written in 1955by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson. 

In this time of world turmoil and after one of the most contentious elections in history which has left our country seemingly divided, I feel we need to focus on the issues that have been tearing nations, churches and people apart and make a resolution to do our part to change the direction the world seems to be headed

Every day the news is filled with reports throughout the world, of strife, conflicts over territory and in some countries genocide, poverty, and starvation caused by Religious intolerance.

A radical group of individuals calling themselves Muslims are causing innocent people, especially Christians to suffer and die all over the globe as I mentioned in the Christmas Message.

These individuals are so far away from being true Muslims than Heaven is from Hell and I believe they are minions of the Prince of Darkness.

The Islamic Faith does not tolerate the slaughter of innocent people; in fact it specifically forbids it.

The true followers of the Islamic Faith worship the same God as Christians and Jews, the God of Isaiah, Abraham, Moses, Isaac, David the Father of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Did not Christ Himself say “Let those among you that is without sin, cast the first stone” We all are sinners to one degree or another; we need to acknowledge that and be repentant for our own misdeeds and assume we are better than the others.

We need especially to turn too God and ask him to inspire world leaders to find a way to bring about peace on earth, Good will toward all person, and end to poverty, injustice, homelessness, hunger and guide researchers to find cures for Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, HIV/Aids, and all the other depilating diseases that devastate so many lives.

The words of this wonderful prayer/song are very poignant.   It not only makes a request but it points out that it all must start with each of us individually; “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” This is a lesson to us that we cannot wait for others to set the ball in motion; we need it to begin within ourselves. 

We need to make a move in our own lives to settle any disagreements we might have with members of our own family, friends, neighbors or employees. 

If each and every person would work toward the goal of peace in their own live the result would be like a snowball rolling down a very steep hill, it would keep building and growing larger and faster as it traveled along.  Each individual action would cause a similar reaction from others and it could spread throughout the world.

The second line in this message written in 1955 is also powerful as it directs us to the source of all peace; “Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father.”  In order to achieve any kind of lasting and meaningful peace we need to turn to the source, Almighty God.  We need to place Him at the center of our lives and live according to the way His beloved son, Jesus Christ instructed us.  We need to look around us and be thankful for the gifts we have been given and stop grumbling about the things we think we need.   We need to come to the realization that we are all children of the same God and therefore brothers and sisters of each other as the prayer/song explains; “brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.”

As we contemplate what kind of resolution we are going to make to change our lives in this new year I suggest that each of us place this as number one and that we make sure that we keep this resolution even if all the others are forgotten as the year progresses; “Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now, With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.”.

Peace is not something to be wished for, it is something one has to work hard to achieve.  If these words “ Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!” are to ever be realized we all have to work together to make it a reality. 

We cannot be satisfied as long as there is one child of God that is being oppressed because social or economic status, suffering discrimination for any reason, dying because of lack of proper food or medicine, homeless due to inadequate affordable housing, or being violently murdered over drugs or gang disputes.  As children of God and followers of Jesus Christ we are called to live the Gospel message not just preach it.

Let us resolve to begin this New Year with one single purpose, to do our part in bringing about changes that will make the prayer/songs words a reality.

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!  AMEN

I am also adding the prayer of the seraphic father of our order and all the Franciscan orders, Saint Francis which helps us to understand the things we need to do to achieve a true and lasting peace.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. AMEN

May God fill each and every one with an abundance of His mercy, infinite love and grace throughout the new year and grant you the courage and strength to do what is necessary to bring about changes on this planet so that there will be a new beginning for all and a time of peace and reconciliation.

New Year 2017 Reflection

A Christmas Homily

A Christmas 2016 Reflection

By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFM

Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Order Franciscans of Mercy

Reformed Catholic Church

www.Missionstsetgius.org

www.orderfranciscansofmercy.org

 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,and peace to men who enjoy his favour.”(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 by 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 saviour 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.

Christ 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, unemployment,  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. I

f 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 might prod others to do the same and eventually a “Virus of Peace” could envelope the whole world.

Pope Francis has focused his attention on the hope that comes to us at Christmas which is a different kind of hope a reliable and visible hope because it is founded on God; The Pope noted how hope often refers to “that which is not in man’s power and which is not visible,” something “beyond our strength” that we cannot see.

He said “However, Christ’s birth, inaugurating the Redemption, speaks to us of a different hope, a reliable, visible and comprehensible hope, because it is founded on God, Christ entered the world and gave us the strength to walk with him: God walks with us in Jesus and to walk with Him towards the fullness of life gives us the strength to be in the present in a new way, though laborious. This hope is a certainty that we are with Christ on the way to the Father”

Pope Francis explained.; “This hope, which the Child of Bethlehem gives us, offers a goal, a good destiny to the present, the salvation of humanity, beatitude to the one who entrusts himself to the merciful God.”

The Pontiff suggested that we ask ourselves, “Do I walk with hope or is my interior life stopped, closed? Is my heart a closed drawer or a drawer open to hope, which has me walk with Christ, and not alone?”

The Holy Father then turned to the Christmas crib, saying it transmits hope and that each of the people represented there are “immersed in this atmosphere of hope.”

Let us pray that this Christmas brings this special kind of hope, to the many displaced persons, exiles and refugees from the continuing violence and war in the Middle East and all the poor, homeless, unemployed who have lost a place to live and lie their head just as the Infant Jesus had no place to lay his head except a feeding troth for farm animals. Let us pray that the hope that the Pope spoke of lifts up all the lonely elderly in nursing homes, hospices and shut-ins who are often alone and feel deserted.

May all who now are suffering receive the necessary humanitarian help to overcome the rigors of winter and find hope in a brighter day.

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)

Christmas 2016 Show

Homily for 4th Sunday of Advent

4th Sunday of Advent 2013 Reflection

By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFM

Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Order Franciscans Mercy

Reformed Catholic Church

Link to Franciscans Web Site: www.orderfranciscansofemercy.org

Link to All Reflections TV Shows; http://www.youtube.com/user/RevBobJohn

Link to Mission Web Site: www.missionstsergius.org

Readings from Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

 

The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent indicates how powerful the child in the womb of Mary was. The force of the Holy Spirit so emanated from the child in Mary’s womb that John the Baptist who was in Elizabeth’s womb jumped with joy.

We must remember that Mary accepted the will of the Lord in spite of the possiblilty that in doing so she could be stoned to death.

How accepting are we of God’s will?

That is the lesson and the question we need to examine this last Sunday of Advent before we celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ next Sunday December 25^th.

Throughout all of history the Church has strongly encouraged the faithful to follow the example of Mary and give birth to Christ again in their hearts and through their actions and spiritually through prayer, reconciliation and partaking of the Eucharist.

Mary answered God’s call because she had hope and that is what we need to have according to Pope Francis;

In the Pope’s advent message he said; “For the great human family it is necessary to renew always the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope! This is the horizon that makes a good journey, Let us rediscover the beauty of being together along the way: the Church, with her vocation and mission, and the whole of humanity, the people, the civilizations, the cultures, all together on the paths of time.

The Blesses mother Mary serves as a “model of this spiritual attitude, to this way of being and of journeying in life.”

Although she was just a “simple girl,” she “carried in her heart the hope of God,” In her womb, the hope of God took flesh, became man, and made history: Jesus Christ.”

Mary’s song of praise in the Magnificat “is the canticle of the People of God on the journey, and of all men and women who hope in God, in the power of his mercy.” Said Pope Francis.

Let us be guided by her, she who is mother, she is our mother and knows how to lead us. Let us be guided by her in this time of waiting and active vigilance.”

We are reminded of the words of St. Francis concerning the birth of Christ; “We give birth to him through holy works, which should shine forth as an example for others. How holy and dear, pleasant, humble, peaceful, lovable and desirable above all things it is to have such a brother and such a son, our Lord Jesus Christ!”

As we go through life often times we are faced with problems or trials that we would rather not have to deal with. I find that some of life’s most difficult times are lessons sent by God to lead us toward the place he desires us to be or tests like those Job had to endure as proof of His complete trust and love of God.

St. Franics is telling us that when we love God with a sincere heart we give birth to Christ spiritually especially when we accomplish deeds that manifest Christ’s teachings to the world, like feeding the poor, giving shelter to the homeless, visiting the sick, and praying for the well being of others.

What would have happened, I often wonder, if Mary did not have trust and hope in God and had told Gabrial “You have got to be kidding?  

“You want me to bring forth a child without being married?” “No Way!” “I could get stoned to death as a harlot”

It is with complete hope and faith in God, The God that Mary knew from the Hebrew Scriptures, that Mary accepted God’s invitation even though it could create a very heavy burden for her.

So let us follow Mary as Pope Francis suggests, and as St. Francis often told his brothers and sisters and put our hope and faith in God that he will make our lives better if we offer him the gift of our trust, hope and love this Christmas and tell God “Not our will but your will be done unto us according to your word”  AMEN

 

4th Sunday of Advent 2016

Gaudete Sunday 12112016

Homily for 2nd Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent

December 4, 2016

By Rev. Bob Johnnene OFM

Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Order Franciscans of Mercy

Reformed Catholic Church

www.missionstsergius.org

www.orderfranciscansofmercy.org

Based on Reading froms: Isaiah 11:1-10,; Psalm 72, Romans 15:4-9, Matthew 3:1-12

“The Lord will come to save all nations, and your hearts will exult to hear his majestic voice” the words are the Entrance antiphon for the Second Sunday of Advent.

The opening prayer for this Sunday is asking that nothing may hinder us from receiving Christ with joy.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

We do not make people feel comfortable when we are constantly chiding them for things that they have no control over.   We do not make people less sad when we tell them that they are unwanted in God’s house not for having committed a grievous sin like murder, robbery, or cursing Almighty God, but for being true to how God created them.

Recently Pope Francis in a statement to Polish Bishops had the following comment; “transgenderism is similar to genetic modification and the nuclear arms race, both of which are technologies designed to destroy creation. Both of these abominations, as well as transgenderism, represent blatant sinful acts against Creator God, " Pope Francis did clarify his statement about transgender being an abomination by saying this;  "These people must be accompanied as Jesus accompanied them," said Francis. "It's one thing if a person has this tendency and also changes sex. It's another thing to teach this in school to change mentalities. This is what I call 'ideological colonization. In addition, teaching the "gender theory" in schools is one of the threats that spark a "world war against marriage." When asked how he would minister to Catholics struggling with their gender identity or sexual orientation, he said he would not abandon them because this is what Jesus would do.

The Pope also acknowledged that the issue of transgender Catholics is a problem of morality which must be resolved. However, he cautioned that the issue must always be addressed with God's mercy and "within the truth."

Sadly, what Pope Francis evidently does not know is that his statement and other statements that the church has made about GLBT persons has generated violence and even death against Gay, lesbian, and Transgender individuals.

Some of the Roman Bishops who have spoken out in favor of GLBT persons need to open the pope’s eyes that when the pontiff makes a statement like the one he made it reinforces the mentality of those people who are homophobic and they feel justified in their acts of violence and bigotry.

The Roman Church also bans and has fired people who teach scientific facts, as I do, that God creates people with their sexual orientation and that some people are born with the body of one gender but the overriding chromosome that controls their inner feelings and mind is making them feel like the opposite of what their body is this has a scientific name, “Dysphoria”.

The Roman church throughout history has often refused to acknowledge accepted scientific facts and now they refuse to accept that people are born with a homosexual orientation, or that in the process of their creation some genes did not evolve so an individual might have the outward physical form of a male or a female but their psychological mind and even their external actions are those of the opposite sex their bodies carry. This refusal of accepting majority scientific findings is just like their refusal to accept the finding of Galileo and persecuted him.

True they repented hundreds of years later for that and all the other many sins that the hierarchy of the church committed in the name of God.

That did not make Galileo’s life any easier while he was alive and if a few hundred years from now they decide that they were wrong and indeed God does create people with their sexual orientation or that some individuals are born with the physical appearance of one sex but their seminal self and their anatomic sex are of the opposite sex, making them feel that the reflection they see in a mirror has a very strong disassociation from who they are and it is usually, accompanied by a kind of shock, confusion, or mental jarring. They have a strong, gut-level sensation that whoever is behind the mirror is not them that everything thing is wrong and surreal, they feel like their life is a mirage, alien, unreal, and very distant, giving them persistent discomfort about their assigned sex and its usual gender role; the Mental inner feeling may become apparent in childhood or not appear until adolescence or adulthood. Individuals may attempt to live as members of the opposite sex and seek hormonal and surgical treatment to bring their anatomy into conformity with their belief. Being Transgender is not the same as transvestism.

Just as the churches apology for refuting Galileo’s scientific findings did not help him during his life their awakening to scientific fact about homosexuals and transgender persons in the future will not help those who are being persecuted and often murdered now.

In this year proclaiming and honoring God’s infinite mercy we need to realize that children of God are hurting now !

People are starving now and  they need comfort now

Those who are dying from lack of food, living in housing that is inadequate or being discriminated against and abused because they are homosexual or transgender need to find the comfort of God’s love from those of us who claim we love God and Jesus Christ.

The Gospels are full of stories of how Jesus reached out to the poor, lame, lepers, the “unclean” the non-Jew and the eunuch. He did not withhold His love and healing from anyone if they believed and desired to follow Him, .

He did not reject someone because they were not of the Jewish faith. No! He reached out to all people.

Our second reading reminds us that a day to the Lord could mean a thousand years and a thousand years like a day.

For us, God’s children and the brothers and sisters of Christ, we are here to do God’s work in our time; we are here to make changes in our time. We need to evaluate how we treat others like Christ would have treated them.

Do we accept all as Christ did, or do we discriminate because we are self-righteous and think that our lives are exactly how everyone else should live theirs?

The second reading also tells us that God wants NOBODY to be lost.

Have we answered the call “Come follow me” as Peter and Andrew did, and began living our lives according to the directions Christ Gave us in the Beatitudes and with the words “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself”

Do we do for our neighbor what we want done to us?

These are questions we need to ask ourselves during this Advent season as we prepare to celebrate the wondrous birth of Our Savior especially this week when we celebrate the Immaculate Conceptions of Our Lady on Thursday.

God ordained that she be born free of the stain of original sin so that her womb would be a pure vessel for His son to be conceived from.

Let us look to Our lady for guidance as to how to conduct our lives and ask her to intercede to her beloved son on our behalf that we become more open and accepting of others. That we live our life daily in a way that brings honor and glory and praise to Almighty God by consoling all those who are suffering and in need that we meet on our daily journey of life. Amen

2nd Sunday of Advent Dec 4, 2016