Dear Parishioners,
Last week, we saw Jesus going into the desert to be tempted by Satan. We, too, are not immune from temptation as we all know. Recently Pope Francis offered some insights worth repeating. He said that temptations stem from our passions and the interior wounds we carry from original sin. He said, “It is curious, temptations have 3 characteristics — it grows, it infects, and it justifies itself. It grows: it begins with tranquility and grows. Jesus himself said this when he spoke about the wheat and the tares (weeds). The wheat grows, but also the tares that were sowed by the enemy. And temptation grows; it grows, it grows… And if somebody doesn’t stop it, it will surround everything.”
“And so when we are in temptation, we do not hear the Word of God. We do not understand it. Temptation closes us in, it cuts every capability of foresight, it closes off every horizon, and brings us to sin.”
“When we are in temptation, only the Word of God, the word of Jesus, saves us. To listen to that Word that opens up for us that horizon. He is always to teach us to flee from temptation. And Jesus is great because he not only makes us flee from temptation, but gives us more confidence.”
And while the devil tries to close us in and enslave us in sin, Christ comes to free us from that prison with his Word. As we continue our Lenten observances and draw closer to the Word (Jesus), may we experience the liberating joy God offers us.
- Fr. Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Temptation
Dear Parishioners,
Today’s Gospel tells us about Jesus being tempted three times by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). At the end of the day, the score was Jesus 3, Satin 0. Jesus resisted the devil the same way we can. First, he was not ambushed because he knew the tempter would come. And so do we.
Second, Jesus centered his strength in his identity with his heavenly Father, never letting the claims of his baptism fail from his memory. And so it can be with us.
Jesus prepared his heart by storing up knowledge of the scriptures, caring for his soul as well as his mind on God’s word. What do we store up in the pantry of our heads and hearts? What material are we meditating upon and from which we will draw on in the moment of temptation? If all we have to draw upon is sports trivia, the latest gossip, or financial projections, we are in trouble. Those are just junk food to the soul.
But if we follow the way of Jesus, then we too can say, “Away from me, Satin!” And sure enough, defeated, Satin and his temptations will leave us… in a hurry.
- Deacon Robert
Today’s Gospel tells us about Jesus being tempted three times by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). At the end of the day, the score was Jesus 3, Satin 0. Jesus resisted the devil the same way we can. First, he was not ambushed because he knew the tempter would come. And so do we.
Second, Jesus centered his strength in his identity with his heavenly Father, never letting the claims of his baptism fail from his memory. And so it can be with us.
Jesus prepared his heart by storing up knowledge of the scriptures, caring for his soul as well as his mind on God’s word. What do we store up in the pantry of our heads and hearts? What material are we meditating upon and from which we will draw on in the moment of temptation? If all we have to draw upon is sports trivia, the latest gossip, or financial projections, we are in trouble. Those are just junk food to the soul.
But if we follow the way of Jesus, then we too can say, “Away from me, Satin!” And sure enough, defeated, Satin and his temptations will leave us… in a hurry.
- Deacon Robert
“There is an urgent need to recover a correct perspective
on life as a whole. The correct perspective is that of
eternity, for which life at every phase is a meaningful
preparation. Old age too has a proper role to play in this
process of gradual maturing along the path to eternity. And
this process of maturing cannot but benefit the larger
society of which the elderly person is a part.”
~ Blessed John Paul II, Letter to the Elderly, 1999
Friday, February 28, 2014
Let Us Not Worry So Much
Dear Parishioners,
“We have so much; they have so little. Yet we worry so much; they worry so little.”
These were my thoughts after my recent visit to Haiti where I was several weekends ago. I went down to visit a parish to see about partnering with St. Guillaume in the town of Lachapelle in the diocese of Gonaives. This poorest of all the countries in the western hemisphere truly makes a person so appreciative of the many blessings we take for granted in the U. S. Decent public transportation is non-existent. People either walk for miles and miles, get a ride and sit on benches and the rails of pick-up trucks (15–20 passengers), or pile on a motorcycle. I saw a family of 5 on one motorcycle. Water has to be carried to homes, and other supplies are carried in large containers balanced on the heads from the marketplace to the home. Electricity and phone lines are scarce, unemployment is high, and some of the roads are barely drivable. Still the people have great joy, hope, and faith. We can learn a lot from this mostly Catholic country.
When we find life difficult, it would be good to remember today’s words from Isaiah (Isaiah 49:14-15). Even though a mother’s love is strong and persevering, God’s love is even more enduring. He will never forget us. Jesus echoes this sentiment in the gospel (Matthew 6:24-34) when he reminds us while God cares for the birds of the sky and the wild flowers in the field, He cares even more for us and will watch over us. So let us not worry so much.
- Fr. Carl
“We have so much; they have so little. Yet we worry so much; they worry so little.”
These were my thoughts after my recent visit to Haiti where I was several weekends ago. I went down to visit a parish to see about partnering with St. Guillaume in the town of Lachapelle in the diocese of Gonaives. This poorest of all the countries in the western hemisphere truly makes a person so appreciative of the many blessings we take for granted in the U. S. Decent public transportation is non-existent. People either walk for miles and miles, get a ride and sit on benches and the rails of pick-up trucks (15–20 passengers), or pile on a motorcycle. I saw a family of 5 on one motorcycle. Water has to be carried to homes, and other supplies are carried in large containers balanced on the heads from the marketplace to the home. Electricity and phone lines are scarce, unemployment is high, and some of the roads are barely drivable. Still the people have great joy, hope, and faith. We can learn a lot from this mostly Catholic country.
When we find life difficult, it would be good to remember today’s words from Isaiah (Isaiah 49:14-15). Even though a mother’s love is strong and persevering, God’s love is even more enduring. He will never forget us. Jesus echoes this sentiment in the gospel (Matthew 6:24-34) when he reminds us while God cares for the birds of the sky and the wild flowers in the field, He cares even more for us and will watch over us. So let us not worry so much.
- Fr. Carl
“Christians know that suffering cannot be eliminated, yet it can
have meaning and become an act of love and entrustment into
the hands of God who does not abandon us; in this way it can
serve as a moment of growth in faith and love.”
~ Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei, 56
Friday, February 21, 2014
The Extra Mile
Dear Parishioners,
I’m not sure where you are today or what the past week, month, or year has done to all your cherished dreams. I do know this… the One who died and rose again walked the first mile to Pilate’s court and the second mile to Calvary to show us the way of love is the way of life. I do know this… first and second mile Christians have gone through the furnace of difficulty, being forced to face all kinds of spiritual, physical, and relational challenges.
What if today you believed you could turn the other cheek, give generously, and go the extra mile? What if today you challenged yourself to follow Jesus, and in so doing, discover the way of love is the way of life? What if today you did just that?
- Deacon Robert
I’m not sure where you are today or what the past week, month, or year has done to all your cherished dreams. I do know this… the One who died and rose again walked the first mile to Pilate’s court and the second mile to Calvary to show us the way of love is the way of life. I do know this… first and second mile Christians have gone through the furnace of difficulty, being forced to face all kinds of spiritual, physical, and relational challenges.
What if today you believed you could turn the other cheek, give generously, and go the extra mile? What if today you challenged yourself to follow Jesus, and in so doing, discover the way of love is the way of life? What if today you did just that?
- Deacon Robert
“Society as a whole must defend the conceived child’s
right to life and the true good of the woman who can
never, in any circumstances, find fulfillment in the
decision to abort.”
~ Pope Benedict XVI, address to the Pontifical
Academy for Life, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 14, 2014
True Lasting Happiness and Joy
Dear Parishioners,
In today’s world, we value intelligence, initiative, hard work, talent, appearance, popularity, power, and money. Now these are not bad things as long as we use them for good. However, more important than all these things is wisdom. The Book of Sirach says, “Immense is the wisdom of the Lord.” (Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37) St. Paul tells us that “God has revealed this wisdom to us through the Spirit.” The wise man or woman knows “what God has prepared for those who love him” even if “eye has not seen, ear has not heard.” Knowing the infinite love, power, and mercy, the wise person realizes that true lasting happiness and joy can be found only in God. Jesus and Sirach both say the key to wisdom is found in God’s commandments. However, Jesus goes further and reminds us that commandments without the spirit behind them is not enough. The Pharisees kept the commandments, but didn’t have the right attitude. That attitude is the attitude of love of neighbor as well as love of God. That will bring us the holiness we need to enter the kingdom of God.
- Fr. Carl
In today’s world, we value intelligence, initiative, hard work, talent, appearance, popularity, power, and money. Now these are not bad things as long as we use them for good. However, more important than all these things is wisdom. The Book of Sirach says, “Immense is the wisdom of the Lord.” (Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37) St. Paul tells us that “God has revealed this wisdom to us through the Spirit.” The wise man or woman knows “what God has prepared for those who love him” even if “eye has not seen, ear has not heard.” Knowing the infinite love, power, and mercy, the wise person realizes that true lasting happiness and joy can be found only in God. Jesus and Sirach both say the key to wisdom is found in God’s commandments. However, Jesus goes further and reminds us that commandments without the spirit behind them is not enough. The Pharisees kept the commandments, but didn’t have the right attitude. That attitude is the attitude of love of neighbor as well as love of God. That will bring us the holiness we need to enter the kingdom of God.
- Fr. Carl
“The future of humanity passes by way of the family.”
~Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, 86
Friday, February 7, 2014
You Are The Light Of The World
Dear Parishioners,
Last Sunday, 40 days after Christmas, we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Simeon there referred to Jesus as “a revealing light to the Gentiles…” The feast also used to be known as Candlemas Day as the candles to be used during the year were blessed on that day. So light, as embodied by Jesus, was the prevailing theme of the day.
This week’s gospel (Matthew 5:13-16) continues the theme of light as Jesus tells his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” Jesus is telling his disciples and us that we should reflect him to the surrounding culture. If we are faithful to Jesus, people should see that we are different from others—that Jesus has made a difference in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah (Isaiah 58:7-10) gives some suggestions as to how we can do that. Feed the hungry; shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked. In short, we are to do what we can for those who are in need. Then we can bring some light and joy into a world that badly needs it.
- Fr. Carl
Last Sunday, 40 days after Christmas, we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Simeon there referred to Jesus as “a revealing light to the Gentiles…” The feast also used to be known as Candlemas Day as the candles to be used during the year were blessed on that day. So light, as embodied by Jesus, was the prevailing theme of the day.
This week’s gospel (Matthew 5:13-16) continues the theme of light as Jesus tells his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” Jesus is telling his disciples and us that we should reflect him to the surrounding culture. If we are faithful to Jesus, people should see that we are different from others—that Jesus has made a difference in our lives. The first reading from Isaiah (Isaiah 58:7-10) gives some suggestions as to how we can do that. Feed the hungry; shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked. In short, we are to do what we can for those who are in need. Then we can bring some light and joy into a world that badly needs it.
- Fr. Carl
“Give us the grace - When the sacredness of life
before birth is attacked, to stand up and proclaim that
no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life.”
~ Pope John Paul II, Homily, October 7, 1979
Friday, January 31, 2014
The Presentation Of The Lord
Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate a joyous moment in the early days of our Lord’s earthly life (Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40). There is the holy couple, Mary and Joseph, Simeon the sage, and Anna the prophetess of God, all brought together by the presence of the infant Christ. He is in their midst, and because he is touch-ably, beautifully among them, their lives overflow in worship and joy.
That is why we are here today. We gather in this place where the scriptures are read, the word proclaimed, and the sacraments given, to say with one voice that God is among us. In Christ, God is beneath us and over us, behind us and before us, with us and within us. Live in His presence always, and we all will find new joy in living.
- Deacon Robert
Today we celebrate a joyous moment in the early days of our Lord’s earthly life (Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40). There is the holy couple, Mary and Joseph, Simeon the sage, and Anna the prophetess of God, all brought together by the presence of the infant Christ. He is in their midst, and because he is touch-ably, beautifully among them, their lives overflow in worship and joy.
That is why we are here today. We gather in this place where the scriptures are read, the word proclaimed, and the sacraments given, to say with one voice that God is among us. In Christ, God is beneath us and over us, behind us and before us, with us and within us. Live in His presence always, and we all will find new joy in living.
- Deacon Robert
“Human life must always be defended from its
beginning in the womb and must be recognized
as a gift of God that guarantees the future of humanity.”
~ Pope Francis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)