Father Fernando’s Reflections
- Apr 08, 2018
Best known as “Doubting Thomas Sunday”, this “eighth day” redoubles the sense that Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is outside of time, an eternal event. The Gospel relates the Easter evening appearance and the subsequent appearance to his disciples a week later. He returns to meet the previously absent Thomas. It is an object lesson for the Apostle and, through him, to all of us. Blessed are we who will not see, touch or hear the Lord and yet
believe! The Resurrection of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit have profound effects on the early Church and the quality of people’s lives baptized into that community. The Acts of the Apostles relates a way of life, though short-lived, that reflects beautifully the sentiments of the first letter of Saint John. With God’s grace nothing is impossible! Happy
Easter.
Apr 01, 2018
- Mar 25,2018
This Sunday begin our traditional Holy Week celebrations. This year we rely on the accounts of Saint Mark’s Gospel to proclaim the Paschal Mysteries surrounding the Passion of the Christ. “Palm Sunday” is a roller coaster ride from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to the depths of Christ crucified and dead. Each succeeding day, each Biblical reading, offers insights and inspiration for this most holy week in the Church Year. Thank you for making time to be a part of these celebrations.
The daily morning Masses: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday offer a view into the remaining intimate moments of Jesus’ life on earth. There are no morning Masses for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each of these days is reserved to the Paschal Triduum: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Death, and finally the The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter. Then Easter Sunday!
In times past, the bishop and clergy would gather on Thursday of Holy Week morning for the Chrism Mass. Clergy and laity now celebrate this Mass a few days before Holy Week at an evening service. The Holy Oils are blessed and priests renew their priestly promises before the bishop. These oils are then returned to each parish and presented at the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
Our many and varied liturgies and their rituals enrich our understanding and faith in the Resurrection of the Christ. Make as much as possible of this week to deepen your faith. Blessings!
- Mar 18 , 2018
The appearance of Greeks – perhaps Hellenic Jews or even pagans – prompts from Jesus a spectacular teaching and a divine manifestation of God the Father. No one will be excluded from the revelation and the new covenant in the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. The law and the prophets will now be exalted and fulfilled in Jesus’ Paschal Mystery. The HOUR has come and is already here: Christ, the universal savior of the world!
God will draw near to the heart of man through Jesus and bring us salvation. Heart will teach heart beyond anything words might accomplish. This is a covenant in the Body and Blood of Christ.
- Mar 11 , 2018
Again we are given “rich texts” from Scripture. It’s hard to choose the thread of thought for me. Perhaps, grace and mercy are from the Lord! We look to the works of God in the word of Jeremiah, to discipline but to rescue and reestablish as well. As many times as the temple was destroyed, the worship was reestablished to the glory of God. In Jesus, Nicodemus can see the light of a brighter future – one where pain and sorry are relieved in the mystery of the Son
of Man, lifted up like the bronze serpent, for all to see and be saved.
Mar 04, 2018
God’s love is relentless, He cares for his chosen ones and disciplines them beyond any other nation. As with Israel, so with the New Israel, the Church of Christ, God places before us life and death. The stark reality of Christ crucified and immolated as a sacrificial offering for us draws us closer and closer in the Lenten readings. Though the outward signs of trouble may be evident in the life and ministry of Jesus, the deeper meaning of his pending suffering and death are not all that will be understood, evey by the disciples. Chastised a little, they and we are greatly blessed. The weight of the commandments are now born by Jesus on the cross for all of us. In him we obey, not out of fear, but for zealous love of God.
- Feb 25, 2018
The Transfiguration of the Lord figures in Lent every year according to the cycle. This year it’s the Gospel of Mark. Tradition or Bible research tell us this Gospel is the recollections of St. Peter the Apostle as recorded or relayed by Saint Mark. Like James and John, Simon Peter is an intimate witness and key “spokesman” of the Transfiguration. Although tongue-tied and terrified, Peter managed to be hospitable, and hoping for inclusion is the august company of Jesus, Moses and Elijah. In fact, he seemed to be looking for a long visit. That was not to be. The grandeur of God’s presence and favor in our lives can prove a distraction from the “business at hand”. Like Abraham, Jesus is busy about the work of God, whatever the price. Can we say the same for ourselves?
Our ultimate hope is in the Lord’s faithfulness to his destiny. It is by his sacrifice and resurrection that we are justified before God. For, who can be against us? (St. Paul to the Romans)
- Feb 18, 2018
Mark’s gospel is the shortest description of the Satan’s temptations in the desert. In short order they are resolved. In the wake of John the Baptist’s imprisonment, Jesus boldly appears and proclaims the kingdom of God. He calls to repentance of sins and belief in the gospel (“the good word or good news”).
Saint Paul recalls both the story of Noah (in first reading) and the significane of Jesus’ Paschal Sacrifice. It is more than just a dying and rising to new life. It is a transformation of life through death in the mystery of the glorious resurrection. It is a new gift meant for both the living and the dead. Paul gives us a glimpse into the meaning of the words in the Creed, “he descended in hell.” It is a visit, in the spirit, by Jesus “to preach to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient”. Is there yet hope for those who turned from God in this life?
The Gospel of Mark centers again on a miracle cure—leprosy! It is the curse of ages and taken very seriously in the Jewish community of the time. Jesus cuts across all barriers and cures the man from the desire of his divine heart to do good. Though Jesus would wish to remain obscure about this, the man publicizes it everywhere to everyone. How can the Gospel be contained! Alleluia! Today is our last Sunday for an “Alleluia” at Mass until Holy Saturday night. Let us approach Lent with praise and thanksgiving!
- Feb 4, 2018
The Gospel of Mark begins with a “day in the life of” Jesus. Jesus has gathered his disciples, teaches and exorcises demons (works on the Sabbath!), amazes people, and continues his works into the late evening. Drudgery,duty or calling, Jesus leads the way. The burdens of Job, the obligations of St. Paul are ultimately the work of God in Christ Jesus. We take on our burdens and the Gospel, if not with delight, at least with the certain hope that we are doing what is right and just on behalf of the kingdom of God – with the help of Jesus. Rest will come in the end, when Jesus calls us to his side forever.
- Jan 27, 2018
The words of Jesus are effective and relay the will of God the Father. He fulfills the prophecy of Moses as one who sent by God to speak for God and make manifest his divine kingship over all humanity (Deuteronomy). He is the Son of God! People follow him and demons defer to him (St. Mark). There is none other like Jesus. Our life in Christ should affect our entire existence, body, soul, mind and spirit (St. Paul to the Corinthians). We are to be attentive to him. “A new teaching with authority.”