The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!

Happy New Year to all of you! May you experience the blessings of the Lord in a fuller way during 2017. I will offer Mass up for each of you on New Year's Day! Peace!

The birth of Jesus ushered into the world a true Day of joy. The announcement of his coming, his presence in Mary's womb and his actual birth brought joy into the life of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Zachariah and to the shepherds. The message of the angel states it clearly: "I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David has been born for you who is Christ and Lord." The joy of his birth and life is to permeate ours as he said: "These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled."  In response to his gift of joy, we can choose to have a positive, hope-filled, joyful outlook and so bring this joy to others. Reflect on Pope Francis' words: "A Christian is a man, or a woman, of joy: a man and a woman with joy in their heart. There is no Christian without joy!...The Christian identity card is joy, the Gospel’s joy, the joy of having been chosen by Jesus, saved by Jesus, regenerated by Jesus; the joy of that hope that Jesus is waiting for us, the joy that - even with the crosses and sufferings we bear in this life - is expressed in another way, which is peace in the certainty that Jesus accompanies us, is with us."

The birth of Jesus brought into the world a new Day of peace. As the scriptures tell us, Jesus is "the Prince of Peace; his dominion is vast and forever peaceful." This too was the conclusion of the Angel's message to the shepherds: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Or as St. Paul states in Ephesians: "For he is our peace. He made the two into one, by dissolving the intermediate wall of separation, of opposition, by his flesh." At the Last Supper Jesus himself said: "Peace I leave you,  my peace I give to you. Not in the way that the world gives, do I give to you." In response to his gift of peace, we can choose to forgive from our hearts, seek reconciliation with others and live in harmony with all, recalling the beatitude that says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." The gift you have been given, give as a gift.

The coming of our Savior was the dawning of a day of light. Isaiah prophesied that "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone." In the first chapter of John's Gospel we read: "Life was in Him, and Life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it....The true Light, which illuminates every man, was coming into this world." Jesus himself would later say that he was the light of the world. What should our response be to Jesus, the Light? We are called to be children of the light, "rejecting godless ways and worldly desires and living temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age. Or as St. Paul says: "Do not conform to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, by choosing the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect." Walk in the light. Be the light.  Share the light.

With Jesus' birth is the dawning of a new day. What does that day mean for us today? The era of permanent alienation from God came to an end with the birth of our Savior. the prophetic promises of a Savior, first uttered by God to Adam and Eve and gradually expanded upon to the chosen people of Israel, became a reality with the birth of Jesus. As Savior, he ushered in the fulfillment of the Day of mercy. This mercy, manifested in the flesh of a new born child, became a lasting reality on the cross when  he died for our sins. May the words of St. Augustine illuminate further this mercy: "You would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would you have been freed from sinful flesh, had he not taken on himself the likeness of sinful flesh. You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness, had it not been for this mercy. You would never have returned to life, had he not shared your death. You would have been lost if he had not hastened to your aid. you would have perished, had he not come."

"Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven.  He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journeys end. Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together." (St. Fulgentius) God showed us the power of love, when he became one like us in Jesus. Jesus showed us the power of love through his death on the cross, when we were still sinners. We are called to show love for one another because we are sons and daughters of the Father and true disciples of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Love is the only way of life that makes our present life meaningful. It is the key that God has given us which  unlocks the doors of bondage and a life of emptiness. Live in love. Walk in love. Speak love.

"Let us open our hearts to receive the grace of this Christmas day, which is Christ himself. Jesus is the radiant 'day' which has dawned on the horizon of humanity. A day of mercy, in which God our Father has revealed his great tenderness to the entire world. A day of light, which dispels the darkness of fear and anxiety. A day of joy: a 'great joy for the poor, the lowly and for all the people'"(Pope Francis) How open are we to receive this gift of grace from the Father? Jesus is the mercy that has brought us salvation. Jesus is the light that leads us out of the darkness of sin. Jesus brings us inner peace in a world of conflict. Jesus shares his joy with  us, which enables us to rise above the sorrows of life. There is more. Jesus is the Father's gift of love that helps us to become sons and daughters of God. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Savior. For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." Like Mary, we need to recognize how blessed we are by God; from human life to a share in God's own divine life; from the many blessings we remember to those we are not aware of. Like Mary, a constant hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God should rise from within us.  Like Mary, we should desire to please God in all things, to embrace his will in our life. Though Christ was within her, she longed with expectant joy for his birth. Though Christ is within us, we too should long with anticipated joy for his coming in the present moment. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

As we approach Christmas, is there a spirit of joy within us? The imminent coming of the Messiah brought great joy into the world, into people's lives and into relationships. Joy was the message to the shepherds by the Angels. Joy erupted in the life of Mary as she proclaimed the greatness of God to her. Mary and Elizabeth shared their joy with each other and the presence of the newly conceived infant within Mary brought joy to the infant John within Elizabeth. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. But as a fruit it comes from a relationship with God. It springs forth when we realize what great things God has done for us and is doing for us. The present coming of Jesus, our Messiah, is the gift of the Father to us. We rejoice as we cry out: Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"Songs, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying yes to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying yes to a hope based on God's initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God's work and not mine." (Henri Nouwen) We are invited to keep the real focus of Christmas clearly before us. The birth of Jesus signified the beginning of our salvation. Since our salvation is an ongoing process until at last we die in the Lord, we are a people of hope. Each Christmas reminds us to be thankful for his great love-gift that brings and sustains in us this hope. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

As we enter into these last days before Christmas, let us reflect on these words from Pope Francis: "The external signs of Christmas--the tree, the lights, the carols, the gifts--invite us to welcome the Lord who always comes and knocks on our door....We are invited to rejoice in the imminent coming of our Redeemer; and we are called to share this joy with others." There are two movements in the celebration of Christmas: the conscious welcoming of Christ with joy and sharing his love with others joyfully. The second must always follow the first. Jesus comes not just to make a difference in our life through his love, but also to stir in us that desire to share his love with others. The shepherds heard the Good News of Jesus' birth, hastened to see for themselves, and then joyfully shared this message with others. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"In the anguish of my heart, I groaned aloud. All my desire is before you, Lord." Such is the prayer of the psalmist. What is the real desire of our heart at this time of the year, at this time of our life? What should that desire be? The two may be the same or different. If we are sick, we desire healing. If we are weighed down with difficulties, we desire freedom from the problems. If we are overwhelmed with so much on our plate, we desire relief. No matter the circumstances, what we desire will only give us temporary relief, until the next problem arises. Maybe we should broaden our desire beyond the tangible. Maybe if our desire is more of God in our life, then we may be better able to handle all other concerns. Advent is a grace time for us to refocus our desire for God. For when all is said and done, St. Augustine said it well: "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, my God." Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Christmas Novena: December 17-23

O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete, came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love for us and humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees in prayer and worship.

Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and forever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!

December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

December 19
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!

December 20
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

December 21
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.

December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!


Concluding Prayer every Day
Let us pray:

HAIL, and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin


At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem In the piercing cold
At that hour, I implore you, to hear my prayers and grant my desires

(mention request[s] here).

We offer this prayer to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit through the intercession of Mary and St. Joseph. Amen.

“During Advent, we are called to enlarge the horizons of our hearts, to be surprised by the life that is presented each day with its newness. In order to do this we need to learn to not depend on our own securities, our own established plans, because the Lord comes in the hour which we don’t imagine.” (Pope Francis) How attentive are we to the coming of Jesus in the present moments and events of our daily life? That unexpected phone call or chanced encounter; the name that randomly pops up in our mind or that deeper longing within. The Pope calls us to enlarge the horizons of our hearts. Isaiah in today's Mass Readings says: "Enlarge the space for your tent, spread out your tent cloths unsparingly; lengthen your ropes and make firm your stakes." There is more that the Lord desires to do for and in us. But we can put limitations by not being attentive and receptive, by having a small opening to receive the more, by being so preoccupied and self-centered. The Lord comes when we are not expecting, in ways we do not expect and in the disguise of others. Not only wait for him, but be attentive when and how he comes. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Information:
The December Mass for Men was moved from the First Saturday
to this coming Saturday:
December 17, 2016
7:30am
Bishop's House:
107 Albany Dr.
Houma, La 
Come, and bring a friend.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

The custom in those days was that a marriage was arranged. The couple was betrothed to each other (engaged). For a year they would spend apart, getting to know each other. Then the wedding ceremony would follow after that. They were not to have marital relations with one another during this year of engagement. But if they did, nothing would be said.
Sometime after the Annunciation Mary shared with Joseph that she was with child.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
Joseph knew that he had not had relations with Mary. He presumed that she had such with another man. How could he comprehend that this child was conceived by the power of God?
Being a man dedicated to God and one who truly loved Mary, he didn’t wish her harm. Divorcing her was allowed by law if there was a just reason. If he exposed that she had been unfaithful to him, she would have been stoned to death. By signing a decree of divorce and not accuse her would spare her life. Not "exposing her to shame" meant that people would think that he was the father, but somehow she displeased him.
Have we ever had situations that we felt caught: our heart says one thing but our mind says another? This is Joseph’s dilemma.
Do you imagine that Joseph prayed for guidance?
Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Was Joseph looking for a way to remain just before God and be Mary’s husband? We don’t know. But the dream confirmed in his mind that what Mary may have told him was true. Without understanding how, Joseph accepted that the conception was through the power and plan of God.
By identifying Joseph as a descendant of David fulfills the prophesy that stated that the Messiah would be of the house of David. By accepting the child as his own, Joseph is adopting him and thus brings Jesus into the Davidic line.
It was the role of the man to name the child. This solidified his role as foster father of Jesus.
The plan of God is revealed also for this child: he will save God’s people from their sins.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."

Matthew is fond of showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophetic message of the Old Testament. Here is quoting Isaiah 7:14.
"God is with us" Before leaving the Apostles Jesus said he would be with them until the end of time. He truly is Emmanuel. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
Joseph showed how righteous he was by his obedience to the word of God.                     What would we have done in the same situation? Without God, Joseph would have followed his human  instincts. Do we turn to God or follow our head?
                  

"What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language he best hears is silent love." (St. John of the Cross) This is a beautiful description of contemplation. Prayer is a form of communication between us and God. As St. John said, it is the unspoken words of silent love. It is hard for many of us just to sit in silence before God, not speaking with words, not being distracted with preoccupations, but to gaze on the face of the One who loves us and just enjoy being with Him. This love prayer is spoken not with words but with silence. The prophet tells us: "Be still and know that I am God." As we prepare for Christmas, let us enter into and embrace this silence in the heart. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"Do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead, be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may choose the will of God: what is good, pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2) The central focus of Paul's exhortation is the will of God. Do we submit to God's will for us or do we oppose it with our will? The first Adam chose the latter; the second Adam, Jesus, chose the former. Many times we reflect the way of the first Adam in our choices. How often do we not only say "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" but in reality choose what is contrary to God's will for us. Like the parable in the Gospel, we say the word "yes" but do not act accordingly. Words and good intentions do not always translate into action. If we want to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord in the present moment, we must choose the will of God in the present moment. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"Know for sure...that I am the perfect and ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the God of truth through Whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near us, the Lord of heaven and earth. I want very much to have a little house built here for me, in which I will show Him, I will exalt Him and make Him manifest. I will give Him to the people in all my personal love, in my compassion, in my help, in my protection: because I am truly your merciful Mother." These are the words that Our Lady of Guadalupe spoke to St. Juan Diego. Mary's role is to love, to exalt, to point to and to lead people to Jesus. Mary grew in love with God and shared God's love for her with others. She shows us that we have a similar task. Advent is a special time of grace, following Mary's lead, to come to a deeper encounter with her Son and to invite others to do the same. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
Why is John questioning whether Jesus is the Messiah or not? John’s understanding of what the Messiah would do was different than what Jesus was doing. He was expecting a fire and brimstone Messiah.
John knows that his time is coming to an end and he wanted to be reassured that his life was not for naught. Ever questioned whether your life had meaning, given the circumstances?

Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."
   Jesus reassures John that his ministry is actually fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Messiah, especially those of Isaiah. (; ; ; ).
Jesus is asking John to trust in the Father’s plan for him rather than in John’s own expectations.
Jesus wasn’t rebuking John for his questions but urging him to stand firm in his own conviction that he did the right thing.
How hard is that for us to trust in the Father’s plan when it is different than what we want?

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
  Jesus now affirms John’s ministry and identifies that he was truly a prophet of God. To do this Jesus cites the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the messenger who would prepare the way of the Messiah.
What is Jesus saying about John and himself? John was the prophesied forerunner pointing the Messiah out and Jesus was the Messiah whom John pointed to.
What do we apply from this passage in our own lives?

“I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf.” (Saint Juan Diego) St. Paul reminds us that God chooses the weak to confound the strong; the foolish to confound the wise. During this Advent season, we should ask the Lord to show us how to have a similar humble heart. For it is to the lowly and the humble that more easily receives the Lord.  He chose Mary, an unknown young girl from Nazareth to be his Mother. He chose the poverty of a stable to be born in. The first to hear of his birth were humble shepherds. Do we have such a heart? If so, then we are able to receive him this Christmas. If not, there is still time to prepare that humble abode for Jesus within us. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

“Mary, a virgin not only undefiled but a virgin whom grace has made inviolate, free of every stain of sin.” St. Ambrose) The gift of being conceived free from sin was God's sign of love for his Son, for Mary and for us. Adam and Eve were created free from sin but later turned away from God. Theirs was the Original Sin. Mary, by virtue of Jesus's future death and resurrection, was preserved from Original Sin and its effects, so that she may be the perfect, pure, virginal vessel in which the Holy Spirit would conceive the Messiah in her womb. This is a revealed mystery of our faith. That is one of the reasons the Angel called Mary, "Hail, full of grace"! We come into the world with Original sin and its effects. By virtue of Baptism, we are freed and reconciled to God, though, as Paul says, the Law of Sin remains within us. Mary's Immaculate Conception was the first of many privileges God has blessed her with. "All generations will call her blessed."

“No one heals himself by wounding another.” (St. Ambrose) It is so easy for us to say things that hurt another person without realizing the consequences. Guarding the tongue is a difficult task. Yet, will this not be a good way to prepare for the coming of our Lord?  If the gift of Jesus is Love Himself to us, the gift of not saying a hurtful word during this season will be a gift of love to that person and to Jesus. If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, can we be a bearer of peace and not conflict?  This will be a productive way to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus in a fresh new way as well as help the other not to be blocked by what we say. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"Prepare the way f the Lord!" This was the cry of Isaiah to the people of Israel. This was the cry of John the Baptist to the contemporaries of Jesus. This is the cry of the Church to us each Advent. How do we prepare? John called for repentance. Jesus called for repentance. Peter on the Day of Pentecost urged repentance. Why? Sin is an obstacle to the gift Jesus comes to give us, the gift of himself. Sin reflects "there was no room in the inn." True repentance prepares a manger in our heart to receive him. Sin does not allow us to even recognize him. John 1:11 "He came to his own did not accept him." Repentance leads to love. John 1:12 "Yet whoever did accept him, those who believed in his name, he gave them the power to become the sons of God." Our response to the call of Isaiah is a repentant and contrite heart and an invitation: Come, Lord Jesus, come!

"A highway will be there, called the holy way;....It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed will walk." (Isaiah 35:8-9) Advent is a journey, both externally and internally. Externally, we are on the road to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Internally, we are seeking to uproot in our heart those things which would block us from welcoming and celebrating with the Lord, when he comes afresh. At the same time, we are preparing to share with him the gifts of our love. Without the internal preparation, the external journey will make no sense. Christmas will be one day, at the end of which we are glad it is over and can't wait to take down the decorations. There was much external hype, but no lasting depth. This in not why we make the journey each year.  Instead, like the Shepherds and the Wise Men, we not only experience the Lord, but our life is to be changed. This is why he came and why he comes again. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Correction:
Because I will be out of town this weekend, giving a retreat in Pittsburgh, the December Mass for Men has been rescheduled.
New Date:
December 17, 2016
7:30am
107 Albany Dr.
Houma, La.
Come and bring a friend with you.
Thanks
Bishop

“The journey is never finished....There is always a need to restart, to rise again, to recover a sense of the goal of one’s own existence.” (Pope Francis) Advent is that new journey that we are called to begin each year. But that journey has a purpose and a goal. We are called to recognize that the Messiah and Savior has come and will come again during our journey. Our purpose is to meet him anew and in a fresh new way, so that we can arrive at the destiny he has willed for us: eternal life with him. In this journey we cannot live in the past but learn from the past. At the same time, we cannot live in the future but prepare for that future. Our journey with the Lord is in the present moment. It is here that we meet him in his revealed word, in his mysterious presence in the  Eucharist as well as in each other. How we respond to him in these encounters will determine how we will receive him in our hearts now and eternally. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

The two words we can reflect on are taken from today's Mass readings: trust in the Lord and do the will of God. Because of who God is and because of my relationship with God, I can trust that his will for me is for my ultimate good. Theoretically, that may be true. But in practice do I fully trust in his will for me? If I did, would I choose my will over his, which is what sin is? Advent is a time to confront this inner conflict between doing my will over God's. It is a time to cleanse my heart from any lack of trust in God, from vestiges of any "no" to God's will. Then, when we pray the Our Father, we will not just say the words, but fully intend "Thy will be done" in my life. For his  will is to born anew  in our  heart once more, to be the Lord  of our heart. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

On this Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle, our reflections center around his response to Jesus. Along with John, he was the first to encounter and be encountered by Jesus. He was the first of the disciples to witness about Jesus, bringing his brother Simon, to the Messiah. He was among the first disciples called by Jesus to follow him. His life was transformed by Jesus. Eventually, Andrew embraced the cross for the sake of Jesus. During this Advent season, we have an opportunity to reflect on our encounters with Jesus. Is our life still being transformed by these encounters? Is our life as a disciple of Jesus evident in our words and actions? How consciously are we witnessing about Jesus to others? What cross is Jesus asking us to embrace at this time of our life? None of this is possible without a growing relationship with Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec 3-11, 2016 First Day Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence to beg this favor...... Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.  Second Day O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of Guadalupe. Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son’s holy will always: May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Third Day  O Mary, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced by seven swords of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway. Obtain for me the strength to be a true imitator of you. This I ask you, my dear Mother. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.  Fourth Day Dearest Mother of Guadalupe, I beg you for a fortified will to imitate your divine Son’s charity, to always seek the good of others in need. Grant me this, I humbly ask of you. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.  Fifth Day  O most holy Mother, I beg you to obtain for me pardon of all my sins, abundant graces to serve your Son more faithfully from now on, and lastly, the grace to praise Him with you forever in heaven. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.  Sixth Day  Mary, Mother of vocations, multiply priestly vocations and fill the earth with religious houses which will be light and warmth for the world, safety in stormy nights. Beg your Son to send us many priests and religious. This we ask of you, O Mother. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.  Seventh Day  O Lady of Guadalupe, we beg you that parents live a holy life and educate their children in a Christian manner; that children obey and follow the directions of their parents; that all members of the family pray and worship together. This we ask of you, O Mother. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.  Eighth Day  With my heart full of the most sincere veneration, I prostrate myself before you, O Mother, to ask you to obtain for me the grace to fulfill the duties of my state in life with faithfulness and constancy. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.  Ninth Day  O God, You have been pleased to bestow upon us unceasing favors by having placed us under the special protection of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant us, your humble servants, who rejoice in honoring her today upon earth, the happiness of seeing her face to face in heaven. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

 

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
  This call is consistent with the prophetic message of the Old Testament. John adds the urgency for the need to repent: the coming of the Messiah. Later, Jesus begins his own preaching in the same vein but adds the important message: Reform your lives and believe in the Good News.

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
  Matthew wants to connect the ministry of John to that of Isaiah. Matthew also wants to show that what John is doing is fulfilling the prophetic message of Old Testament.
How does God want us to prepare the way for the Lord in our heart during this Advent season?
What do we need to repent of and change in so as to better respond to the Word of God?

John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
  These are the trappings of a prophet, who totally commits himself to do the work he was sent to do and to totally depend on the Lord even for his sustenance.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
  What was the difference between John’s baptism and the baptism inaugurated by Jesus? In one there is merely acknowledgement of sin so as to be better prepared to receive the Messiah. In the Sacrament of Baptism, there is the actual removal of sin and its effects in our life and the entering into the shared life of God. In the first, it is the effort of the individual that is central. In the other, it is the work of God that brings this about.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
  John is questioning the motives of these groups. He was aware of their self-righteousness based on their relationship with Abraham. They considered themselves the pure stock, almost above sin.
It is interesting that Jesus is going to pick up on their relationship with Abraham in his encounters with them. Jesus confronted this conviction and said: "If Abraham was your father you would have accepted me. For Abraham rejoiced in seeing me."

Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
  What fruit are you bearing in your life?
Jesus uses the same idea when he talks about a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. Or when he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
John acknowledges that he is less than the Messiah. This is not just a statement of humility but a fact in who he is and who the Messiah is; what he does and what the Messiah will do.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." What are the qualities of fire that John is emphasizing here?
Does not Jesus use the same language in the parable of the wheat and the weeds?                     What does God want of you in response to your reflection on this passage?

 

The opening prayer from today’s Advent Mass will be the point of our reflection. “Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions, and in our trials grant us your compassionate help, that, consoled by the presence of your Son, whose coming we now await, we may be tainted no longer by the corruption of former ways. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.” The questions to ask: How aware am I of the presence of Jesus and how consciously does the presence of Jesus in my life console me? Am I really awaiting his coming in the present moment and at the final moment? How attentive am I in uprooting sin in my life, so that his presence can take firmer root in me? Are these the pre-conditions to God hearing my petitions and granting me his compassionate help? Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Our life as Christians is a journey in which we encounter Jesus at different moments in different circumstances. These encounters are not initiated by us, but by Jesus, who desires to encounter us first. Thus, our encounters are not accidents, but divine appointments. How many of these grace moments have we missed, because we were not open at the moment? Advent is a new time for us to become more attentive and watchful for those encounters. Not only are we preparing to celebrate his first coming at Christmas; not only are we preparing for his encounter with us in his final or second coming. But it is our response to the present moment encounters that will matter. How we recognized, encounter, welcome and receive him in the present moment will be the key to our lasting relationship with God. Lord, let me be attentive and responsive to you in each present moment. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Lord, I do not know the amount of time I have left in this life. I do know that my life on earth will end. What matters is how I live my life now till then. I can't change my past, but I can live in the present, as if it was my last. I can live in the present moment as I desire to live eternally, namely with you. You have given us the way to do this in our daily family prayer: the Our Father. "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." By consciously choosing your will in the present moment until that last moment will prepare me to eternally be in your will. If Heaven is to be eternally in  your presence fully alive, then what better way is there now on earth to be in your presence, than doing your will. And what is your will? As the saints found out, it is love. St. Paul tells us: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do in in love in the name of the Lord, Jesus, giving thanks through  him to the Father. St. Theresa of Lisieux captured this when she said: "My vocation is love."

To be thankful cannot be limited to one day a year, just as our blessings do not happen only once a year. Everyday we receive many blessings, some of which we are not even aware of, like the air we breathe and the water we drink. Some blessings are continual and unmerited, like salvation and sharing in the life of God. But all blessings come from the hand of God as a sign of his unconditional love for us. Gratitude is the most basic response on our part. But this gratitude is to be accompanied with a life lived in relationship with God if it is to be sincere. What good is it to receive forgiveness of my sins, only to intentionally return to sin? Gratitude is expressed not in word alone but in a way of life. On the other hand, what does a lack of gratitude say about us and to the one who blessed us? Do we have a truly grateful heart or an ungrateful one each day? In all things and for all things and at all times, give thanks.

Jesus said to his disciples: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
This coming of the Son of Man can refer to the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the world or it could mean the coming of Jesus when we die. In each case there is a finality. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
Despite Noah’s words and actions, the people of his day did not put any stock into what they heard and saw. Because they did not heed the warnings and repent, they lost their lives in more ways than one. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.

The reason it is probably the coming of Jesus at the time of death and not at the end of the world is that one is taken and one is left. Even then, the one that is left does not heed the warning signs.
How many people we know have died? We know that death is inevitable. But does the death of any bring us closer to God? Does it lead us to repentance and a change of life? Or do we continue to eat, drink and be merry as if death is far from us. It is not that we are to stop living, but our life should show awareness that God may be giving us a sign to make him the center of our lives? What do you think? Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." How prepared are we at this moment? Are we living as if this would be our last night? Again, not in fear or anxiety but in readiness because we want to be with God at all times.
What do you think God wants you to do in response to his word which you just read and reflected on?
                  Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the coming of Jesus. He came and we are preparing to celebrate the remembrance of his birth. But he is coming again at the moment of our death. We are preparing to welcome him so that we can be welcomed by him. We are preparing for his second coming in glory so that we can be with him eternally.

We should not be afraid of death, since death is inevitable and an instant  in our journey. What we should be afraid  of is dying outside of relationship with God. This will be eternal. Yes, we have all sinned and deserve condemnation. But through the death and resurrection of Jesus and in the waters of baptism, we have been sent free and given new life and a new status as children of God. Even when we have fallen again and again in sin, God in his mercy has restored and renewed us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Instead of wasting our energy in fear of death, we should redouble our efforts to grow in love of God and love of others, of remaining in his presence and seeking to do his will. Because of our faith in God's tender mercy and our authentic love for him, our attitude should be that of St. Paul: "O death, where is your sting! O death, where is your victory!" We should prepare for death, not fear it. For death for the faithful means life with and in God eternally!

Thanksgiving Day Blessing Service

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader: Let us glorify the Lord who fills us with his bounty. Blessed be God for ever.

All: Blessed be God for ever.

Leader: We gather today to give thanks to God for his gifts to this land and its people, for God has been generous to us. As we ask God’s blessing upon the food we will share with our families, may we be mindful of those in need.

Reader: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus [Christ]. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. The Word of the Lord.

Reader: I will give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart.

All: I will give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart.

Reader: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, For you have heard the words of my mouth;
In the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.

All: I will give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart.

Leader: Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me.

All: I will give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart.

Leader: All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
when they hear the words of your mouth;
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord: "Great is the glory of the Lord."

All: I will give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart.

Leader: Let us pray to our loving Father as Jesus taught us:

All: Our Father…

Leader: God most provident, we join all creation in raising to you a hymn of thanksgiving through Jesus
Christ, your Son. For generation upon generation peoples of this land have sung of your bounty
we too offer you praise for the rich harvest we have received at your hands. Bless us and this food
which we share with grateful hearts. Continue to make our land fruitful and let our love for you be
seen in our pursuit of peace and justice And in our generous response to those in need. Praise and
glory to you, Lord God, now and for ever!

All: Amen

"Indeed the blessed Mary certainly did the Father's will, and so it was for her a greater thing to have been Christ's disciple than to have been his mother, and she was more blessed in her discipleship than in her motherhood. Hers was the happiness of first bearing in  her womb him whom she would obey as her master."(St. Augustine) He is reflecting on these words of Jesus: "Here are my mother and my brothers; anyone who does the will of my Father who sent me, is my brother and sister and my mother." The great grace of being the Mother of the Savior is enhanced by Mary's obedience to the Father's will in all things. Her first "fiat" at the Annunciation culminated with her silent "fiat" under the cross. In a similar way, the grace that enabled us to become sons and daughters of God is enhanced by the grace that transforms us into disciples of the Lord. Our daily "fiat", our daily "yes", to the will of God is the way we embrace this grace of discipleship. We are sons and daughters by grace and we are disciples by grace and response.

"Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, 'It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'"(Lk 19:45) Jesus was reminding the people that the Temple was sacred to God, as a place of worship in his presence, not a place for other things. By Baptism I became a temple for the abiding presence of the Lord. But to what extent have I made my temple a den of thieves by allowing sin to take root in me? Complacency towards true worship was expressed by what the Temple had become. Does not that same attitude pervade my heart when I am complacent about sin in my life? Even after Jesus made his statement in action, business as usual resumed. Is that what happens in my  own life? I go to confession but the reality of a firm amendment is short-lived as business as usual resumes. In the Temple they wrongly justified serving two masters. For the sake of my eternal salvation I cannot do the same, as Jesus so clearly warned.

Even thought the celebration of the Year of Mercy ends this Sunday, our reflection on and gratitude for God's unfathomable mercy should never end. As his mercy continues to be poured out upon us, so our awareness of his mercy should never wane. Each day we benefit from his mercy. Each day we should show our gratitude by showing mercy and compassion, forgiveness and love to others. To receive mercy but not to show mercy is to eventually close off our opening to his mercy. Mercy is not a two way street between God and me, but an extension street from God through me to others As God renews his mercies everyday, so should we. Be merciful to others as your Heavenly Father is to you is not a pious wish of God. It is his expectation and command and will be one of the deciding factors when we face God in judgment.

November Mass for Men:
Due to conflict scheduling, I had to change the Mass for Men from the First Saturday of November to this coming Saturday.
Men's Mass
November 19, 2016
7:30am
107 Albany Dr.
Houma, La 70360

Come and bring a friend! Enjoy some fellowship afterwards.

"O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your  heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary. O my adorable and loving Savior, consume my heart with the burning fire with which Yours is a flamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Your love. Let my heart be united with Yours. Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things. May Your will be the rule of all my desires and actions. Amen." (St. Gertrude the Great) To conform one's will to God's will was the model Jesus set for us in his own life. It is the key to true happiness and peace amidst all the turmoil of human life. Though it is the way we should go, it is not always that easy. For as St Paul reminds us, our will is in a state of rebellion because of the law of sin within us. The root of this sin is the "I will not" response of Adam and Eve to God's will for their happiness. When we act the same way, we sin and are out of sync with God, our true Good. On the other hand, when we consciously choose to conform our will to God's, then we will be in conformity with our true self. This is our challenge and our path to ultimate fulfillment. That is why Jesus could have inner  peace in the depth of his sufferings.

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God."
Here we have a connection with the temptation of Jesus in the desert. The focus of the question is whether Jesus is the chosen one, the Messiah of God. If he is, they implied, he would not be in this situation. God would not allow it. This was the same sticking point the devil used against Jesus in the desert temptation.
Imagine Jesus hearing this statement of mockery. What do you think went through his mind? Was he questioning his identity? Or rather did he embrace the fuller meaning of being the chosen one, the Messiah of God as the suffering servant of God?
Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."
The soldiers were aware that Pilate had asked Jesus if he was a king. They even mocked him by placing a crown of thorns on his head and a purple robe on his back and a reed in his hand, while pretending to do his homage.
What do you think Jesus was feeling as he heard the mockery intensify?
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us."
Now, one of the criminals crucified with Jesus joins in the attack. He was not interested in whether Jesus was the Messiah or not. He was only interested in Jesus performing some miracle freeing the criminal from the cross.
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
The other criminal hears the mockery of the rulers, the soldiers and the other criminal. But there is something different about him. Though he recognizes that he is deserving of the punishment, he still has a "fear of God," while at the same time he recognizes the innocence of Jesus.
This man expresses his repentance for his deeds by asking God not to physically save him but to show him forgiveness and mercy.
How often have we tried to justify ourselves rather than admit our faults and seek God’s mercy?
He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
What a powerful witness of Jesus mercy, even in the midst of his own suffering. Maybe it was the Father’s way of reassuring Jesus that he came to save the repentant sinner not the self-righteous. Here was the first fruit of his death and resurrection.
This event reaffirms what the psalmist said: God does not want the death of the sinner but that he repent and live.
This also underlines the word of God to the prophet. If a wicked man turns back to the Lord and dies, he will live forever with God.
Reflect of God’s mercy to you over the years.
From your reflections on this passage what is God saying to you?

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20) Each time Jesus knocks at the door of our heart it is a special grace moment. It is a call to initial or renewed conversion of our heart. The knock is more than a rap at the door of our heart. Jesus calls us by name with tendency and love, inviting us to the more. The desired response is that we open wider the door of our heart and joyfully welcome him in, even if our heart is not perfectly clean. He desires to share with us a banquet of love. How often we are afraid to receive Jesus in a new way because our heart has been ravished by sin and there is dark coldness within. But when Jesus comes, being the light, he will dispel this darkness, if we expose it to him rather than  hide in it by keeping our heart's door shut tight. He knocks, calls and waits for a response. If it is silence, he will depart. If it is an open door, he will enter.

In the Book of Revelation we read what the Spirit spoke to the Church in Ephesus: "Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet, I hold this against you: you  have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first."(Rev 2:3-4) The worse thing that happens in most relationships is to no longer have the zeal and fire as when we first fell in love. This is true in our relationship with God, is it not? The passion of focusing on the Other becomes tempered by self focus which amounts to sin. That is why the Spirit says: "Repent"! How fervent and consumed were we when we first encountered and fell in love with Jesus? How fervent are we now? Is our love deepening in intensity or diminishing with familiarity? Now is the time to fall in love once more with him who loves us unconditionally, even to the death on the cross. Otherwise at the end of our life he may say: "I don't know you!"

"The saints are God's holy people. The apostle Paul speaks about all those who belong to Christ as 'holy people' or 'saints.' He directs his letters to 'those who have been consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be God's holy people' (1 Cor 1:2) this sanctity is the work of the Spirit of Jesus. Paul again says:' All of us, with our unveiled faces like mirrors reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the image that we reflect  in brighter and brighter glory; this is the working of the Lord who is the Spirit' (2 Cor 3:18) As saints we belong to that huge network of God's people that shines like a multitude of stars in the dark sky of the universe." (Henri Nouwen) Are you a saint? If you are sharing in the divine life of God (in the state of grace), you are a saint. Too often we limit sanctity to those who have been canonized. But that is not true. If one is sharing in God's life before death, that one will share in God's life eternally. A saint is not perfect on earth but is striving to be perfected by sharing more full in the life of Christ. A saint is one who seeks to allow God to transform him/her into a greater lover. Be conscious, O saints, of sharing in God's life and desire the grace to respond to this great gift in gratitude.

“No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross.  No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.” (Pope St. Leo the Great) On the cross Jesus uttered a prayer to the Father which should resonate  in our hearts when we sin. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." He said to the thief on the cross besides him: "Today, you shall be with me in paradise." No matter what our sin is, no matter how often we have sinned, Jesus on the cross is there is remind us of the grace of mercy and forgiveness, healing and restoration that his death offers us. Serious sin separates us from God; the cross bridges that gap to allow us to return to the Father. Not to take advantage of this mercy is to deny for ourselves that victory that Jesus won for us on the cross. Not to repent, confess our sins and receive the healing absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, when needed, is to remain hardened to the sight of the suffering Jesus on the cross.

Christ the King Novena Prayers (Nov 11-19, 2016)

Christ, our Savior and our King, renew in me allegiance to Your Kingship.

Day 1 – I pray for the grace to place You above the powers of this world in all things.

Day 2 – I pray for the grace to obey You before any civic authority.

Day 3 – I pray for the grace to fervently bring about Your Kingdom in my family and community.

Day 4 – I pray that You will reign in my mind.

Day 5 – I pray that You will reign in my heart.

Day 6 – I pray that You will reign in my will.

Day 7 – I pray that You will reign in my body.

Day 8 – I pray that You will reign throughout all the world.

Day 9 – I pray that You will reign in every area of my life.

O Prince of Peace, may Your reign be complete in my life and in the life of the world. Christ, my King, please answer these petitions if they be in accordance with Your Holy Will…

[Mention your intentions here]

As I reflect on Your second, glorious coming and the judgement of all mankind, I beg You to show me mercy and give me the grace to become a great saint. I pray that not only will I spend eternity with You but that You may use me – a sinner – to bring others into Your Kingdom for Your glory.

Christ the King, Your Kingdom come!

St. Thomas More: A Father for All Seasons

"But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 3:11) Is Jesus truly the foundation of our life? Is he the Lord of our life? Or have we built our life on sand? Is our life in harmony with the will of Jesus for us or in harmony with what we want in our flesh? The psalmist says: "Unless the Lord builds the house, useless is the work." Any area of sin is rotten, molded material; only a life seeking virtue is worthy of the house Jesus wants to build upon his foundation. If David provided the most precious material for the Lord's Temple, what are we providing? Do we not know we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit? If we need to dig up, rip out, renovate and replace defective and rotten material, now is the time to do so before that final, major storm comes, death. A life not rooted in Jesus will not last.