Conversations with you

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.  Mathew 2:14 Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus.  In today's Gospel reading we see Joseph following the will of God to do everything to protect his family.  Today's society is no different today than it was 2000 years ago, we are still trying to destroy the nucleous of the family.  The devil is developing new ways to accomplish this.  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton prophesied this back in the 1800's that the devil would come through a black box, that black box has developed itself over time from the television to now the box that let's the world into your home, the internet.  We are not able to control what is produced but we are able to control what comes in.  We are desensitizing our children to human suffering and then we wonder why we have children who do not care for the well-being of the people around them.  The parents of Jesus had...

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this?  For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”   Luke 1:18 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”  Luke 1:34 Mary set out in those daysand traveled to the hill country in hasteto a town of Judah,where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  Luke 1:39-40 Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. Luke 1:56 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Luke 1:57 Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:  Luke 1:67 This week's daily Gospel's come from the Gospel of Luke and are rich in the history of Christmas.  In these daily readings we are given the canticle of Zechariah and the canticle of Mary, which form the morning and evening prayer for the Liturgy of the Hours.  Place yourself in this story and travel with Mary, fr...

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”   Luke 1:18 Often we doubt the power of God because we feel we do not we have the power or ability to carry out God's plan.  We need to believe that God is in control and his plan will be carried out with or without us.  We are the ones who limit the power of God to do the things in our lives that accomplish the good in the world.  Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior.  Advent just like Lent is a time of sacrifice to prepare our hearts.  What are you doing to celebrate Christmas and the gift of Jesus?   Grant me the grace to make the most of this time of anticipation for your arrival at Christmas, Lord. My faith rests in you, my hope looks toward spending eternity with you. Help me grasp the value of time in the face of eternity.   Maranatha Come, Lord Jesus Changing minds, Moving hearts ...

John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.  John 5:35 I love the light that the Saints reveal as the true Salvation of Jesus Christ.  Just as the sun shines through the window showing the dust on a sill, so does the light of the Saints shine through our lives showing the dust that has accumulated on our shelf reminding us of the sin that exists in our lives.  The Saints are a true example of what our lives will be when we turn ourselves over to God.  The same as Jesus' time as it is today, people refuse to believe in his coming and prefer to live in the darkness of sin.   I find it so interesting that John sent his followers to Jesus to ask if he was the Messiah, when just a short time prior John watched as Jesus approached and he said 'I am not worthy to loosen the straps of his sandals'.  John knew he was the Messiah but he wanted his followers to believe and truly understand who Jesus was. ...

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30 The conversation that the Angel Gabriel had with Mary is a conversation we need to have in order to build our faith and trust in God. Know that God knew you before you were born, you have always had favor with him. We need to respond in the same way Mary did, 'May it be it done to me according to thy word'. Luke 1:38. And when we say "it" we are referring to God's will in our life. God yearns for you 'he calls you by name' John 10:3, he asks us to follow him in the same way he asked the Apostles. Each one of us has a mission on this earth, each one is unique and solely assigned to you, but through sin we get lost and lose our way. Pray to God that he guide your thoughts and actions to be in accord with his will for you. It is no easy task to do the will of God, but always remember nothing is impossible for God if only you let him be your source of love and charity to spread throughout you...

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Luke 5:21 To believe that God has the power to heal is a hard concept to truly understand. What is required to truly be healed? Faith, you need to have faith in God that he can heal you and shower you with his mercy. The prophets foretold of a Messiah that the blind would see, the deaf hear, and the lame walk. Isiah 35:5-6. So many people in today's world get blinded by the materialistic version of Christmas and lose the true meaning. People put so much into the buying and giving of gifts that Christ is forgotten.   I love reading stories about healing performed by followers of Christ who also have the faith to believe they can heal. St. Paul healed the cripple in Lystra or St. Peter and St. John heal the cripple on the way into the temple. They also had the faith that through them God will heal. To have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move...