THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT "Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, ![]() One of the realities in life is death. Everyone will die one day. But death is a scary prospect, not knowing exactly what will happen to us; also not being ready to die. There are four certainties about death that lead us into oblivion: no one knows HOW he/she will die, no one knows WHEN he/she will die, no one knows WHERE he/she will die and no one knows WHAT will lead him/her to death. Perhaps, medically doctors can predict. It is only a suggestion! The certainty is still beyond our domain. In our second century we live in a culture of death: caused by abortion, suicide, homicide, wars and the current coronavirus pandemic. Due to this, we are even afraid of one another. We are all observing social distancing. Indeed death is real! However, death, in our Christian life, is not an end in itself but a transition from this terrestrial world to the celestial abode. There is the hope of new life. A life of eternity. What we should be concerned about is that, if I die where will my soul be, in the Kingdom of the Father or hellfire? In our first reading the Prophet Ezekiel uttered the oracle of God to the Israelites that, ”I am going to open up your graves and raise you up.” This was a message to motivate them that a time will come they will be lifted from their current devastating slavery and captivity in the exile of Babylon. Their waywardness (sin) plunged them into this unpleasant situation. It was a promise of liberty and forgiveness for them. Sisters and Brothers in Christ, whenever we sin by disobedience we live in exile in the guilt of our conscience. It’s as if there is no life in us because obliteration takes hold of us. This is the death we experience and it takes only God to raise us up. In this Lenten season go to the throne of mercy (sacrament of reconciliation) to seek for newness of life. (Call the Central Office to make an appointment.) Paul, in the second reading, encourages that there is a future resurrection and an unending glory for those who remain loyal to God and His son Jesus Christ. If we live in the spirit and in the righteousness of life we will be eligible for the resurrection won by the suffering and death of Christ. As we approach Holy Week there is the need to make resolutions, commitments and let go our old ways. In our gospel reading Jesus gives evidence that He has power over death by bringing Lazarus back to life. If we place our hopes and trust in Him, especially in this scary situation of this COVID-19, He is going to save and preserve us against it. As human beings, we must know that death is knocking at our doors every day, so every moment of our lives should be one of preparation and readiness. The Psalmist says, “I trust in God and my soul trusts in the word of the Lord.” This should be our priority and focus in life. It is in His resurrection that we have new life. There is a hope for you regardless of your sins. Take advantage of this in this season of Grace. Remember this; it is a strong and ardent faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ that give us the eyes to see death through the lens of hope! Safer Home...PRAY... Keep the Faith. You are on my mind ... Still praying for you.... see you on Facebook live. Fr. Emmanuel THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT “Sin is a blindness of the spirit, which prevents us from what is most important, from fixing our gaze on the love that gives life. This blindness leads us little by little to dwell on what is superficial, until we are indifferent to others and that what is good.” ![]() Unfortunately, our world has become too used to sin to the extent that we glorify and justify our evil actions and thoughts. We live in a world of blindness where we have lost not only our purpose but also our paths and destination. There are confusion and deceit all over. We can't even differentiate between what is real from that which is fake. Things have been mixed up. We determine situations based on our own judgments and perceptions (ideas) without resorting to the mind of God. To guard against this spiritual and moral blindness it is only God who can give us a proper vision in body and soul when we obey His instructions. I think it is needful especially in this COVID-19 pandemic. In our first reading when God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to choose from among his sons one who would be the second King of Israel, he failed with the number of times he decided because he was blinded by his own judgment and perceptions (ideas). But God chose the unlikely candidate, David, the shepherd boy and the youngest son amongst his brothers. The message is, ”Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Dear ones in Christ, in life, to make the right decisions and choices, relying on our own judgments and ideas is insufficient (they are deceitful), but if we would resort to the vision and the mind of God (ever sure and does not fail) we will never regret it. It is this vision of God which is described in the second reading as the light. The blindness of our sins makes us darkness but whenever we succumb to the mind and vision of God we become the children of the light. This makes us produce every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. We learn by doing what is pleasing to God but not what is pleasing to our parochial interest. Our Gospel reading gives us the paradox of blindness. Jesus and His Apostles went to Jerusalem to partake in the feast of Tabernacles and he met a blind man who asked for help. Jesus acting out of His divine kindness and mercy gave him a sight to prove that “He is the light of the world.” (John 8:12) He gave the blind man not only a bodily sight but also the sight of Faith, that is why the healed man finally said, “I do believe, Lord.” And he worshiped Him. This means we need the grace and revelation of God to progress in our spiritual sight. Our honest and humble approach to the sacrament of reconciliation can definitely take away our blindness for us to have the right sight in life. In this season of grace (Lent) grab every chance to ”see.” The real beauty of life is your sight. Jesus can clean your dirty lenses for you... run to Him! Your life will never be the same. Keep your social distances... PRAY... Keep the Faith. Let’s meet on Facebook live. Fr. Emmanuel THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT "As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus' thirst...He knows your weakness. ![]() One of the realities in life is that no one is without a challenge. Individuals have a challenge, families have a challenge and ultimately, every society has one. Now our challenge in the globe is the notorious novel coronavirus named COVID-19. The rate at which it is spreading to infect people and taking innocent lives is becoming alarming, creating fear and panic in our world today. But in the midst of devastating circumstances where do we go? It is almost coincidental that our first reading has a similar situation where the Israelites found themselves in stressful and frustrating circumstances as they were without water to drink and to give to the flocks. Moses led them to cry unto the Lord for answers to their issues. Indeed, as usual, God did not fail them, but gave them solution to their predicament by asking Moses to strike the rock with his staff. Water flowed to give them refreshment and to restore their peace and happiness to continue their journey. Beloved family of God, in the wake of this pandemic, which is the enemy of humanity, we need to go down to our knees to employ every available tool of prayer to cry unto the Lord for a cure, healing, divine protection and deliverance. There is nothing impossible with God. He will not fail us. We need faith, trust and hope. Our Psalmist says, “Come, let us bow low and do reverence; kneel before Yahweh who made us!”- Psalm 95:6 Paul, in the second reading, insists on faith and hope. He echoes, ”Hope does not disappoint.” - Roman 5:5. Hoping against hope that God will hear our cry and save us from this dreadful disease, let us remain resilient and unrelenting in our spiritual approach to this battle with coronavirus as we take every precautionary measure as well. In the gospel reading, Jesus was in an interaction with a Samaritan woman which seemed to be awkward. Samaritans and Jews had barriers, boundaries and ”no trespassing” amongst them. This is because the former don’t believe in angels, spirits and resurrection as against the faith principles of the latter. But the irony of this is that they have the same ancestors (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) and one God. Jesus Christ breaks and removes those barriers, boarders and “no trespassing” to bring fraternity and unity amongst them. This enkindled and renewed the fire of faith in them. In the insurgence of this coronavirus pandemic there are barriers, boundaries and “no trespassing” created: since almost all social and religious events have to be suspended and cancelled. We are restricted from greeting and hugging even our dear ones. The consequential effect is creating fear and panic in people; as well as breaking family and relationship ties all over.
But Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I think Jesus is the only one who can break all of these and bring us together as one. So be inspired to understand the acronym COVID-19 as Christ Over Virus, Infections and Death. Remember, Joshua 1:9, “I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Do Not Be Afraid! Just take PRECAUTIONS and PRAY!! You are still in my prayers as I say private Holy Masses... Be each other’s keeper. I love you all! Fr. Emmanuel THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT "Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life ![]() Life comes with changes and transformations. In the season of lent, we are invited to confront certain things that need to be changed or transformed in our life. But it is one of the most difficult decisions to make in life when we have become very comfortable with it: good or bad. With the leap of faith and unrelenting trust in God it is possible to be transformed. Just take a determined step! Abram, in the first reading had to take the hardest decision in life by moving from his comfort zone (his native land) to an unknown place. Because he trusted and had faith in God he obeyed His instruction, hoping in His promises even though he wasn't sure and certain of the future. This was a massive transformation of his entire life. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, like Abram, God is calling you to make a decision and maybe a resolution in your life. There are certain behaviors, attitudes, characters, perceptions, etc. that are hindering your faith as a Christian; you need a transformation for the better. In our case, we are always looking for assurances, better options available, certainties in life. Indeed, Christianity is not about doing what pleases you, but rather doing the will of God in your life. This is what made Abraham great... Think about this... Your life must be transformed! As we allow transformation to take place in our lives, Apostle Paul admonishes us in the second reading to bear our hardship for the sake of the gospel. We are not to trust in our own merits but on the grace of God, hoping in the immortality and the Resurrection of Christ. We must be thankful to God for calling us to holiness. Jesus is transfigured in the gospel to strengthen our hopes that if we rely on God the Father and do his will God will give a testimony of His approval and love for us. In this Lenten season make a decision and resolutions in your life. Be determined to become a better version of yourself as a Christian. Remember God has a plan for you. Open up to than plan! Meditate and reflect. Just pay attention and listen! Jesus is calling you to offer your TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE to build our parishes. Please take Time and Talent sheet and see where you fit. ”It takes volunteering to make our parish what it is.” - Mike Baier Think about this. Love you. See you in Church. Fr. Emmanuel THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.” ![]() As we celebrated Ash Wednesday, the ashes reminded us that we are dust and unto dust we shall return. This encouraged us to humbly make contrition of our sins and hurriedly seek for God’s mercy and forgiveness. But sin, in our 21st century contemporary society, has been denied, camouflaged, psychoanalyzed and repressed; giving a justification to accepting it and not to confess it. The usual misleading perception is, “We don’t really sin...we rather make mistakes in judgment.” I think this is a temptation of hypnosis! To take such scales from our eyes, the Lenten season offers us the golden opportunity to look at such temptations, sin and the consequences. During this period, we are challenged to die to sin so that we may rise again to new life in Christ. It gives us a time that reminds us of the human journey of fall and redemption. In Lent we reflect on themes like temptation, sin, guilt and forgiveness. The first reading highlights ”Original Temptation,” symbolized by the eating of the forbidden fruit. This story of the first sin committed by Adam and Eve focuses on the choice God gave them. The fundamental choice was to live for God, to be dependent upon and obedient to His will. Their faithlessness led them to sin. Beloved in Christ, temptations are part of our condition as human beings. It is a temptation when we attempt to serve our inordinate desires from within ourselves. There are also temptations posed by the world and the people around us. In all of these, there is a choice to make. As Christians, we need to rely on the faithful word of God. Although we are tempted and often succumb, God’s grace provides the way of salvation for us. Paul, in the second reading, admonishes that sin is never a private affair affecting only you. When we sin all our relationships are affected: our inner self, God, family and friends, nature and the world we live in. He compares human sin and it's consequences to Christ's salvific action and it's restorative effects on humankind. Though we sin, we still enjoy the rehabilitation of the grace of God as we open up to Him. So the Psalmist presents our acknowledgement of our guilt before God, ”Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.” - Psalm 51 The Gospel reading teaches us about the ”desert experience” of fasting, praying and soul-strengthening as a spiritual journey that enabled Jesus to confront temptation successfully and to preach the good news. As Christians, to overcome our temptations, we need to confront our evil tendencies with prayer (regularly going for Holy Mass). You have to seek reconciliation and do your penance frequently. Develop a habitual meditative attitude of reading the Word of God. Learn to share what you have with others. Grow in holiness in prayer, offer humble service, give alms and help those in need. Remember, God has not given up on you yet. He is still working and walking with you. You are never alone. Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere (COFFEE). Think about this! Whooo Hooo! Winter is gradually ending. Are you ready for the Spring? See you in church. Love you. Fr. Emmanuel |
Fr. EmmanuelFr. Emmanuel hails from Ghana and is passionate about the Gospel and bringing the love of Christ to all people. He speaks several languages, enjoys soccer and cooking, and loves St. Francis of Assisi. Archives
April 2021
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