Reflection for Sunday in the Octave of Corpus Christi

The ultimate Mystery.
Hey, do i know You?

“While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”

Memories, happy ones, are a wonderful thing. We remember that family picnic, our grandparent’s house, graduations, First Communions, that wonderful trip to Florida or Wildwood, our wedding day.

The best part of our memories is the people, those with the gleaming smile, the tender words, the comforting touch. We come across a scent, some food – that special item mom or dad, grandma or grandpa prepared and memories flood back.

One of our hopes is that we might re-experience those moments, relive them with the same level of joy, expectation, happiness, and fun we experienced the first time around.

The best thing would be if those who are no longer with us, whether because of distance, or because they have been called home to the Lord, might rejoin us once again. As faithful Christians we know that one day we will be reunited those we love in the heavenly kingdom, but that seems not enough.

Our real desire is for living memory. This is different from far off memories, fading experiences that seem too distant. We don’t want to be distant, we want to live in those moments, make them last forever.

Jesus knew this longing for living memory, so He did something about it. He created a living memory – a new reality that we are part of every day. That living reality is found in our Holy Communion, the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the principal sacrament-mystery of the Church. It is not just something we do, nor is it just a distant memory re-performed. It is Jesus coming among us just as He is. We know Him in Communion and we are part of Him in a living memory.

Communion is Jesus joining us together – those with us today, those hundreds of miles away, even people we’ve never met, all in His body and blood. The Eucharistic celebration of faith is where we meet and say: “Yes, I know You Lord. Yes, I know you, my brothers, sisters, my family, and my friends, all who rejoice in being part of Jesus and having Jesus as part of them.”

Bible Study for Trinity Week
  • 6/3 – John 1:1-18 – Lord Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, True God and true man, grant us the grace to accept and recognize You and the tremendous love that motivated all You have done for us.
  • 6/4 – Isaiah 55:8-9 – Father, You are beyond our knowledge and understanding, yet You have revealed Yourself to us because of Your great love. Grant that we may not consider You as a mystery to be solved, but rather as love to be accepted.
  • 6/5 – 1 Corinthians 13:12 – Lord Jesus, Your revelation of God’s love motivates us to climb up and reach for You. Grant that our lives may be marked by work for Your way so that we may one day see and embrace You in heaven.
  • 6/6 – John 5:18 – Lord Jesus, You are the Son of the Father, and God come among us. Grant that we may never fail to proclaim this truth even in the face of persecution.
  • 6/7 – 1 John 3:2 – Holy Spirit, lead us to heaven. Fill us with Your gifts. Keep us in the way of the gospel.
  • 6/8 – 1 Corinthians 2:10 – Holy Spirit, carry us ever to the hights of joy and happiness promised to those who proclaim Christ and abide in His Holy Church.
  • 6/9 – Deuteronomy 4:35 – Lord God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — we praise You as we stand in awe of the tremendous love and grace that has regenerated us; brought us to knowledge of You.

Pray the week: Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost!

Reflection for the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

Can you explain?
Ummmmm, maybe?

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”

It is amazing that on the day we consider the greatest mystery of mysteries – the Holy Trinity, we are confronted with the Jesus’ command to go and do the most simple and straightforward of things – baptize.

We recall from catechism class that anyone can baptize. In an emergency, any person can take some water, pour it over a person’s head, and with the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” they have baptized that person.

In ages past, this was quite necessary. Unfortunately, many children died shortly after being born. People were caught up in wars and other tragedies. Christians in many places were the subject of persecution and martyrdom. Healthcare, safety, and religious freedom were a far cry from what they are today. Still to this day, every Christian has the right and duty to baptize when necessary.

Today’s Christians in the Middle East, North Korea, and China still baptize in emergencies, in prisons, whenever and wherever necessary. Soldiers in harms way baptize their brothers and sisters. Healthcare workers baptize in urgent situations.

In baptizing, in this simple act, we join the newly baptized to the Holy Trinity, to this great mystery, and to the Christian community.

The key is that in baptism, in regeneration into people of God, we come to recognize that our wisdom and intelligence are not enough. We realize that we are participants in God’s life. We must listen to and understand God’s mystery as a child would; accepting God’s greater wisdom.

Jesus praised His Father in saying: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.”

We cannot explain the mystery of the Trinity. We can however explain what He has revealed to us and what we have accepted in baptism as His children. It is this simple fact: The Father loves us so much that He offered up His Son so that we might have eternal life. He loves us so much that He gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to sustain, instruct, strengthen, and enlighten us; to join us together.

That’s a mystery we can all explain – love, A.K.A. God.

Bible Study for Pentecost Week
  • 5/27 – Romans 8:9 – Holy Spirit, thank You for Your presence in my life and Your wonderful gifts that join me to Jesus. Grant that I may remain free from the allures of the world remaining loyal to His word.
  • 5/28 – 1 Peter 1:4 – Holy Spirit, grant that Your presence in my life may continuously draw me to the goal of eternal life.
  • 5/29 – Romans 1:4 – Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of holiness so that I may draw ever closer to heavenly perfection.
  • 5/30 – Genesis 1:2 – Holy Spirit, Creator blest, continue to create me anew each day. Grant that I may ever honor and preserve Your creation as a good steward.
  • 5/31 – John 3:5-6 – Holy Spirit, I praise and honor You for the gift of regeneration, begun in me at baptism. Grant that my life may ever be consistent with my baptism and regeneration.
  • 6/1 – 1 Corinthians 6:11 – Holy Spirit, without You in my life I would be without hope. I praise and honor You for the gifts of regeneration, justification and sanctification.
  • 6/2 – Titus 3:5 – Holy Spirit, grant that I may live the life I have been called to by Jesus who saved me. May everything I do be drawn from free gift of salvation You began and sustain in me.

    • Pray the week: Holy Spirit, pour out Your gifts upon us to do Your work in the world.

    Reflection for Pentecost Sunday

    The Father, the Son, and Who?
    I really dislike fill-in-the-blanks…

    “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”

    In preparing the bulletin this week I came across a picture. The image of God the Father and of Jesus. The third frame showed and empty picture frame. Above it says Father, Son, and Who? Our automatic reaction is to fill in the blank. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The empty picture frame is filled up with the picture of a dove or a flame, like the tongues of flame that came to rest on those in the upper room. The picture complete, we feel a sense of completeness. But are we done?

    Truly, the Holy Spirit filled those in the upper room. They burst out onto the balcony above the street, and Peter gave the very first homily. The Apostles were filled, and so we think the blank is filled. The Spirit is in the picture frame; the bishops are there to lead our faith journey. Aren’t we set? They were committed, committed to the mission that Jesus passed onto them. Committed to filling in the blank. Isn’t that enough?

    We often think that God will take care of everything. Certainly He will. He fills the blanks in our lives. But God also needs us to fill in the blank space. Jesus needed the Apostles to step up, to follow the instructions He gave them, to go out into the world and preach the Word, to baptize, to proclaim salvation through the forgiveness of sins.

    Jesus calls us to the same mission. He needs us to do exactly those things. To do what the Holy Spirit prompts us to do. To fill in the blanks.

    God Has taken care of the courage, energy, and determination we need. As He empowered the Apostles through the gift of the Holy Spirit. He empowers us through our baptism and confirmation. The Holy Spirit is more than an empty frame. The blank is filled in by those called to do God’s work in the world.

    Consider those picture frames. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Then fill in the last picture frame with a picture of you. Don’t just put a dove in the frame and walk away satisfied. Put a picture of yourself in there because every Christian must fill in the blank. The Holy Spirit fills us. The dove won’t do God’s work or carry our Jesus’ instructions. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit for a reason. He gives us all we need to do His work.

    Bible Study for the Seventh Week of Easter
    • 5/20 – Matthew 16:24-26 – Lord Jesus, grant that as we compete on the playing field we keep our true goal before us, knowing that nothing is more valuable than who we are before Your eyes.
    • 5/21 – Exodus 4:2-4 – Lord God, You have placed skills and abilities in our hands. Grant that we may use them in service to You; declaring and displaying the significance of Who Your are.
    • 5/22 – Matthew 25:14-30 – Lord, we are Your athletes. Everything we have, every talent and ability, comes from and belongs to You. Grant that we may use them to advance Your kingdom and bring You glory.
    • 5/23 – Romans 12:1 – Lord Jesus, grant all be offered in a spirit of worship toward You. May our life be a spiritual act of worship, set apart and pleasing to You as we offer You all we are — our bodies, our minds, our hopes, our dreams — as a living sacrifice.
    • 5/24 – Mark 4:1-20 – Lord Jesus, we continually see examples of athletes who connect, who score, who hit the home run, who strive for victory. Grant that we may take up your Word and strive on to victory. Keep us strong in faith so that we may not drop the ball or quit.
    • 5/25 – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – Lord Jesus, You have drawn us together in one team. We need each other to succeed. Draw us together in Your Holy Church so that in our given positions we may declare and display the significance of Your one team.
    • 5/26 – Philippians 3:13-14 – Lord Jesus, we fall into error. Grant that we may seek forgiveness for our errors so that we may effectively move forward with the things You have prepared for us. Grant too that we may forgive generously so that we may retake the playing field better prepared for victory.

    Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that we may compete, play, and live in Your joy.

    Summer Events for Youth – Acolyte Retreat

    “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve” — Matthew 4:10

    The Central Diocese of the PNCC Acolyte Retreat will be held from Tuesday, June 26th (noon) to Friday June 29th (noon) at the download our registration form, healthcare form, schedule, and rules.

    Financial support for attendance will be available. You may contact Deacon Jim with any questions. You may also contact the retreat directors Fr. Joseph R. Cyman, Fr. Gregory Mludzik, or Fr. Mariusz Zochowski.

    Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter

    I know it hurts
    But, be joyful and celebrate; it’s for your own good…

    “I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely.”

    The game is over. You’re sore.

    Today’s Gospel reminds us that we are to be joyful. How do we combine a spirit of joyfulness and our temporary pain? Is there anything in sports that might help us be Jesus’ joy to the world?

    One athlete who, in light of eternity, always thought her God-given abilities in sport were “kind of a dumb gift”. For years she wished she had been given a gift to play an instrument or to be good at public speaking so that she could easily reach out to others with God’s love. Then one day she discovered a ministry that uses sports to share the love and life of Jesus with people around the world. It seemed like a perfect fit. In her heart, she felt like God was telling her, “Look, here is what I’ve been wanting you to do with the gift I have given you!” All of a sudden, what once seemed like a “dumb gift” now seemed like an incredible gift that God had purposed all along. It was a gift that gave her joy and brought Him glory.

    For her, and for us, the sports field is a sacred place where we experience life with God; life within our faith community. In play we shine brightly for Him.

    God desires that we live joyful lives and that we bring His joy into all we do. We can and must celebrate God, our salvation, and have great joy at the same time.

    As Christians we do all as a means to declare and display the significance of Who He is – even in our temporary aches and pains.

    As we live our daily lives, playing sports, exercising, working, teaching, being family, neighbors, and friends, let us consider what it means to worship God through all those avenues. Let us consider how in doing all this we, like that one athlete, bring God’s joy to the world.

    In the film Chariots of Fire, athlete Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian says, “I believe God made me for a purpose: China. But he also made me fast! And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” These words reflect his attitude, which revealed a holy competitiveness. He felt at joyful and at peace using his God-given ability to run fast in worship of God.

    Don’t let worship be just about singing, music, or sitting in church. Let worship be the joy filled way we approach all we do, and how we show God’s joy in all we do.

    Bible Study for the Sixth Week of Easter
    • 5/13 – Psalm 139:13 – Lord Jesus, grant that we may be thankful for Your gift of life and the sacrifice of our mother’s who have carried us with love.
    • 5/14 – Genesis 4:1 – Father, thank you for the gift of marital love. Grant that those whose lives are founded upon mutual love and respect may choose to share those gifts by bearing and raising children.
    • 5/15 – Luke 1:41 – Lord Jesus, our children are formed with the potential for loving You. Grant that parents may bring their children before You, teaching and raising them within Your Holy Church.
    • 5/16 – John 16:21 – Lord, grant that all men and women may see the gift of children as a joy and blessing. Grant that we may diligently support and defend life at every stage.
    • 5/17 – Psalm 131:2 – Lord Jesus, we find comfort in our mother’s arms. Grant that we may see, through her love, the love You have for us.
    • 5/18 – Exodus 20:12 – Lord God, grant that we may honor our parents. May we always be found to have respect and love for them doing all in our ability to care for them.
    • 5/19 – Proverbs 6:20 – Father, You have blessed us by giving our mothers the graces to love, care for, and teach us. May we be found attentive to their instruction so that we may receive the blessings that flow from that instruction.

    Pray the week: Lord Jesus, bless my mother with Your graces and gifts. Lead her to eternal life with You.