Gospel Reflections for the Third Week of Advent 2024 (Year C)

Sisters and brothers in Christ, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes during his Sermon on Mount. The Beatitudes are a roadmap to live a blessed (happy) life because we are living for God and for others, and not for ourselves. In essence, we are living the Great Commandment to love God and love our neighbors.

In today's Gospel, Elizabeth, in speaking with her cousin Mary, gives us a preview (if you will) of the Beatitudes when she said, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." When we pray, we talk with God. When we talk with God, He helps us to discern His will for us. When we listen and trust His will for us, we are truly blessed (and happy) in the same way that John the Baptist was happy and leaped in his mother's womb upon being in the presence of the Lord.

This is the joy that permeates our being when we believe and trust in God. It is the joy that we will experience on Christmas because God is with us. The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. We believe in the Incarnation, the greatest love story in the history of mankind.

[Saturday of the Third Week of Advent (Yeas C) - Lk 1:39-45] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, for the past 3 years, I have been praying the Surrender Novena in preparation for the memorial of the Incarnation and in anticipation of Jesus' Second Coming.

Praying the Surrender Novena this year has given me a different perspective on Mary's Fiat, her "Yes" to God, as we read in today's Gospel from Luke. In her Yes, the Blessed Virgin Mary surrendered every thing - mind, body, soul, and spirit - to God. That is something that we all have a hard time doing because the idea of surrender, as we understand it, means weakness, and we do not want to be seen as weak.

However, when we surrender ourselves to God, it does not mean that we are weak. Rather, it is a sign of strength and power when we are able to let go of what we want to do and follow what God desires for us, which is always so much better than whatever it is that we want. Why? Because God desires what is good for us and no one knows better than our Father in heaven who created us and breathed His life into us.

For this reason, I have tremendous admiration and respect for our bishops and priests because they are always ready to follow where God, through the Pope or bishop, needs them to go to shepherd His flock.

[Friday of the Third Week of Advent (Yeas C) - Lk 1:26-38] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, when we compare the Annunciation of Jesus' birth by the angel Gabriel to Mary and that of John's birth to his father, Zechariah, we see that Mary responded with wonderment while Zechariah doubted. and was struck "dumb" (he could not speak).

As I reflected on this, I am reminded of the Scripture verse from Romans 2:6, which Saint Paul tells us that God judges us according to our deeds, which stems from our life experiences. In the case of Mary, she was a young girl who wondered but her faith never wavered. On the other hand, Zechariah, who was a priest (a learned man of faith), doubted what the messenger of God told to him, saying: "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

This is the same with us in our spiritual life. As adults, I would say more is expected of us from God because we have a well-formed intellect and reason to know Jesus and enter into a relationship with him compared to a young child. Therefore, like Zechariah, if we do not believe in his words when he shares the Good News with us, then it will be a millstone around our neck.

Let us then humble ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to help to believe and trust in the words of God so that we may grow in faith, hope, and love. 

[Thursday of the Third Week of Advent (Yeas C) - Lk 1:5-25] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's Gospel, the angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph and said to him, ". . .do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home."

In Joseph, we have a man with a gentle heart, a forgiving person, a humble and obedient man of faith, and someone who wills the good of another, in this case Mary, even if he felt that he had been wronged. (Of course, he learned from angel that he was not wronged: "it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.")

In the same way that Mary gave her "Yes" to God, in his own quiet way, Joseph have his Yes to God with his actions - "he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home" - can cared for Jesus and Mary with faith, hope, and love. There is a quiet strength in all of us when we humble ourselves before God and become obedient to His will for us. God blesses us abundantly just as He blessed Joseph and Mary.

Finally, what is in a name? Well, as Fr. Doug Jeffers reflected in his homily this morning, Emmanuel means "God with us" and Jesus means "God saves." These names invite us to reflect on the Incarnation (O come, Emmanuel) and the Passion of our Lord for our redemption, and what it means for us not only during Advent but every day of our lives: HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE.

[Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent (Yeas C) - Mt 1:18-25] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, from the genealogy of Jesu Christ, we learn that, while we do not have control over who our ancestors were, we can make changes in our own lives so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.

One of the things that I share with engaged couples who come to us for marriage preparation is, appreciate their families of origin because, for better or for worse, they made them into the people they are today. However, as they prepare to enter into the covenant of marriage, receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, and start their vocation as husband and wife, they have the opportunity to shape their relationship with the help of the Spirit in the best version of each other and their marriage.

This is important for us to understand because our past does not define us. Rather, our past presents us with the wisdom and opportunity to transform our future, with the help of God, into what we desire it to be. The O Antiphon today reminds us of this: "O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!"

With God, we do not have to fear our past because He gives us hope to live a good today for a better tomorrow.

[Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent (Yeas C) - Mt 1:1-17] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, today's Gospel reminds me of this verse from the Book of Job: "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” (1:21)  Moreover, Job asked us this question: "We accept good things from God; should we not accept evil?" (2:2).

As hard as it may be for us to hear this, but it is not our place to question God like the chief priests and the elders question the authority of Jesus.. We are to be humble and obedient as we discern God's will for us in our lives. Humble to know that His will for us is better than the plans that we make for ourselves because we trust that He desires what is best for us. Obedient to have the courage to come and follow Jesus even if it makes us uncomfortable because we walk by faith, not by sight.

How can we do this? To be humble and obedient? Through daily prayer and receiving the Sacraments - especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation - regularly. When we commit ourselves to praying daily, to spending time in conversation with our Father in heaven, not only will he reveal His will to us but He will also grant us the strength to come and follow Him. We will then follow Him with joy because our hope is in the Lord and He grants us his peace.

Sometimes, we can be like the chief priests and elders and overthink things with God. and, thus, stop Him from revealing to us His will for us. Therefore, it is important for us to pray daily, receive the Sacraments regularly, and go throughout our day asking ourselves, "Where was God in that moment?" or "Lord, here am I. I have come to do your will."

[Monday of the Third Week of Advent (Yeas C) - Mt 21:23-27] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, on the THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, we light the Shepherd Candle, a symbol of JOY in a penitential season because we (like the people who were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ) eagerly await the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the GOOD SHEPHERD, who comes to save us.

We might wonder how can we feel JOY in our life if we are facing difficulties or challenges? A married couple who is having problems in their marriage or a family with a sick loved one, how can they feel JOY? It is the same way that we can feel PEACE in our life in the midst of the chaos and uncertainties of life, our HOPE is in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint Paul put it so beautifully in his letter to the Philippians, today’s Second Reading, saying: "The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the PEACE (might I add HOPE and JOY) of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

In other words, our JOY comes from our Father in heaven, in our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and not the circumstances in our life. This is why the Father sent his only Begotten Son, so that we may have life and have it abundantly - filled with HOPE, PEACE, and JOY. And so when life gets us down, turn to our Lord Jesus Christ with HOPE and he will raise us up for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Rejoice in the Lord always! REJOICE!

[Third Sunday of Advent (Year C) - Lk 3:10-18] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

Gospel Reflections for the Second Week of Advent 2024 (Year C)

Sisters and brothers in Christ, today is the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross. This is from today's Office of Reading, From a spiritual Canticle by Saint John of the Cross, priest:

"Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross. . . The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it.."

As we heard in today's Gospel, John the Baptist came to lead the people of God on the path of salvation repentance for the forgiveness of sin. He even called our Herod for his sinfulness, yet the people did not listen to him. Herod even had him beheaded. Repentance requires us to turn away from a life of sin and turn to God, but the people did not want to listen to John the Baptist.

Then, Jesus came to lead us to salvation through the narrow gate that is his Cross upon which he was crucified, suffered, and died for our sins to redeem us. As Saint John of the Cross wrote, to know Jesus, to come and follow him, means suffering because we die to our old self and habits. It is a process is painful but it purifies and sanctifies us so that we can come to know Jesus better. Therefore, let us not be afraid to suffer for Christ through his Cross.

[Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Year C) - Mt 17:9a, 10-13] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, today's Gospel reminds me of when Jesus said, "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" (Lk 12:49). Do we just go "through the motions" with our faith or do we respond to God with intentionality and fervor? Is our generation like the generation in Jesus' time - indifferent. . . "[we] played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn"?

God teaches us what is for our good, yet we do not want to listen to him. He leads us on the way that we should do, yet we want to di things our way. Our Lord promises that if we would hearken to his commandments, then our prosperity would be like a river, yet we do not want to follow his commandments. Saint John wrote that "those who follow [the Lord] will have the light of life," so why would we not want that light of life for ourselves and for our loved ones? That is what Jesus desires for us.

As we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, and await his Second Coming, let us be intentional in the practice of our faith in words and actions. Let our faith be the well-spring from which we are people of hope and love. When we do, the light of life, which is Jesus Christ himself, will shine brightly in us and we can set the world on fire with the love of God.

[Friday of the Second Week of Advent (Year C) - Mt 11:16-19] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, today is the FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE.

In both Gospel options for Mass today, we hear the story of the Annunciation and Visitation from the Gospel of Luke. At the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin Mary, "full of grace", received a message from the angel Gabriel.  In response, Mary gave her Fiat (or yes) to God, saying: "“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

In the Visitation, we hear that Mary made haste to see her cousin, Elizabeth, in the countryside. The news from the angel Gabriel was so wonderful, so great that Mary had to share it. In a way, John the Baptist was already heralding the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his mother's womb because we hear Elizabeth exclaimed: "And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy."

As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we are reminded that Mother Mary continues to lead all of us - beloved sons and daughters of the Father - to her Son our Lord Jesus Christ. The appearance of Our Lady to San Juan Diego led to the conversion of millions to the Catholic faith. Mary continues to lead countless souls to her Son.

We are called to imitate Mother Mary and lead others to Christ, and she is there to intercede for us and help us with our mission. It can be a daunting challenge but, as the angel Gabriel said, "Do not be afraid. . ." Therefore, let us not be afraid but have faith and trust in God and find strength in the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of Mother Mary, to say to our Lord Jesus Christ: "May it be done to me according to your word."

[Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Year C) - LK 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, as I vest for Mass, there is a prayer for each item that I pray as I put them on - the amice, alb, cincture, stole, and dalmatic. As I put on the dalmatic, I pray: "Lord, you have said that your yoke is each and your burden light. Grant that I made be able to bear it as to obtain your grace."

It is such a beautiful prayer (all of them are) and reminds me that my life, as Saint Paul puts it, is Christ's. This pray finds its origin in today's Gospel in which Jesus says to us: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

After a long day's work or a long work week, whenever I put on my vestment and pray these prayers, I feel a weight being lifted and I know immediately that God is carrying whatever burden it is that is weighing me down. In that moment, I take a deep breath and fill my lungs with the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, who rejuvenates and refreshes me - mind, body, soul, and spirit.

I get this feeling every time I am at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is why I would encourage folks that, if they are able, then go to Mass daily, receive our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, and be renewed and restored.

[Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent (Year C) - Mt 11:28-30] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of the shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to go after the one lost sheep. Then, he asks the questions, "What is your opinion?"

My snap judgment would be to say, "why would the shepherd leave 99 sheep to go after 1 lost sheep? It does not make sense to sacrifice the many for one." Then, a thought comes to my mind, "what if I am the 1 lost sheep? Would I not want the shepherd to come find me?" Of course, I would!

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, we are the sheep of his flock. Christ "feeds his flock" with his Body and Blood in the Eucharist, which we receive at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. "In his arms he gathers the lambs" and entrust us to the care of his one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Jesus is able to go after the 1 lost sheep because he trusts that the remaining 99 sheep would not go astray. He trusts that the 99 would stay together, support each other, and protect each other. That is what we are called to do for each other as sisters and brothers in Christ - stay together, support each other, and protect each other.

To love one another as God loves us (and commands us to do for each other) is to will the good of another. We are free to live lives of holiness because God loves us and wills our good. In a marriage, the wife is free to become the best version of herself because she is secured in the love of her husband. In the same way, a husband is free to become the best version of himself because he is secured in the love of his wife. They are like the 99 sheep, which allows Jesus, through them, to go after the lost sheep.

Therefore, sisters and brothers in Christ, let us live lives of faith, hope, and charity because, when we secured in God's love for us, it frees us to be instruments of God to go after the lost sheep and bring him/she home to Jesus' loving embrace.

[Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent (Year C) - Mt 18:12-14] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, today is the SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, a holy day of obligation, and so we vest in blue for Mother Mary.

However, our Bishop has dispensed us of the obligation to go to Mass today. However, like me, if you are able to go to Mass today for Mother Mary, then please go to Mass.

On Saturday morning, I was asked to lead my brother Knights in the recitation of the Holy Rosary at the Knights of Columbus - Texas State Council Mid-Year Meeting. The Holy Spirit moved me to prepare this introduction of the season of Advent and the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary to share with those present. 

This is the short reflection that I shared before leading the Holy Rosary:

"The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary are the story of Advent.  It is the story of Mary giving her “Yes” (her Fiat) to God and becoming the first Tabernacle.  Mary’s “Yes” made the Incarnation the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  God enters into our human history to save us from sin and death.  As we pray the Joyful Mysteries, let us reflect on the great mystery of the Incarnation, the hope, peace, joy, and love of God this Advent, as we prepare our hearts to receive our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this Christmas."

[Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Year C) - Lk 1:26-38] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia 

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, on the SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, we light the Bethlehem Candle, a symbol of PEACE and preparation for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the PRINCE OF PEACE.

What is the PEACE of Christ like? For me, it is the straight path through the peaks and valleys along the winding roads of life. It is trusting God in the midst of a chaotic world because Jesus Christ is the reason for our HOPE. The PEACE of Christ is knowing that there is a better tomorrow and that whatever difficulties and challenges we face in life, they too shall pass.

Nothing robs us of Christ's PEACE in our lives more than sin and unforgiveness. Sin separates is from the love of God and, when our heart is restless (as St. Augustine wrote) it is not at PEACE. Moreover, unforgiveness disturbs our PEACE because we cannot ask God to forgive us our trespasses when we cannot forgive those who trespass against us (as we say in the Lord's Prayer).

This is the message that "John [the Baptist] went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. . ." When we are reconciled with God and with one another, the PEACE of Jesus Christ reigns in our hearts because our Lord will come and say to us, as he said to the apostles in the upper room: "PEACE be with you."

[Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) - Lk 3:1-6] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia 

Gospel Reflections for the First Week of Advent 2024 (Year C)

Sisters and brothers in Christ, one of the things that we were taught in Diaconal Formation is to "train" our replacements in the ministry that we are involved with. This frees us to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to where God is leading us next.

This is Jesus' message in today’s Gospel when he summons the Twelve, prepares or trains them "to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness," and then he sends them out to do what he needs them to do to share the Good News with others.

We are called to do the same with our Catholic faith, particularly for parents who are the leaders of their domestic church, their family. One of the greatest legacy that parents can leave to their children in their Catholic faith, because their Catholic faith will help them face the joys and sorrows of life with faith, hope, and trust.

With Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we will never feel alone or abandoned. Why would we not want to share this hope with others so that they might feel the love of God through faith.

[Saturday of the First Week of Advent (Year C) - Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, Jesus asks us a very important question in today's Gospel: “Do you believe that I can do this?” For the blind men, to believe that Jesus could heal them is to believe in their hearts that Jesus is who he claims to be - the Son of God. They believe with faith that Jesus is the Son of God and that he can heal their blindness and so, when he touches their eyes, he says "Let it be done for you according to your faith," and heals them of their blindness. Their faith in God, in His Promises, and their belief in His healing powers restore their sight.

Jesus came with signs and wonders to those who have faith to see them and hear them. The question for us is, what would our answer be if Jesus were to ask us, "Do you believe that I can do this?" Is our faith in God where it needs to be to respond to Jesus and say, "Yes, Lord, I believe you can heal me according to your will." If it is not, then this season of Advent is a blessed time to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with our Lord and our God who loves us and desires what is best for us.

Like the blind men, may our eyes of faith, clouded by life's experiences, be restored during this season of hope, peace, joy, and love as we await with joyful hope the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and give God praise and thanks for the gift of the Incarnation. As so, with hope, we turn to our Lord Jesus Christ truly present in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church - particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation - so that our faith is restore and we can lead others to Jesus.

[Gospel for Friday of the First Week of Advent (Year C) - MT 9:27-31] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, Jesus asks us a very important question in today's Gospel: “Do you believe that I can do this?” For the blind men, to believe that Jesus could heal them is to believe in their hearts that Jesus is who he claims to be - the Son of God. They believe with faith that Jesus is the Son of God and that he can heal their blindness and so, when he touches their eyes, he says "Let it be done for you according to your faith," and heals them of their blindness. Their faith in God, in His Promises, and their belief in His healing powers restore their sight.

Jesus came with signs and wonders to those who have faith to see them and hear them. The question for us is, what would our answer be if Jesus were to ask us, "Do you believe that I can do this?" Is our faith in God where it needs to be to respond to Jesus and say, "Yes, Lord, I believe you can heal me according to your will." If it is not, then this season of Advent is a blessed time to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with our Lord and our God who loves us and desires what is best for us.

Like the blind men, may our eyes of faith, clouded by life's experiences, be restored during this season of hope, peace, joy, and love as we await with joyful hope the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and give God praise and thanks for the gift of the Incarnation. As so, with hope, we turn to our Lord Jesus Christ truly present in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church - particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation - so that our faith is restore and we can lead others to Jesus.

[Gospel for Friday of the First Week of Advent (Year C) - MT 9:27-31] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, as with any relationship, certain actions are required by those in the relationship for it to grow and thrive. I cannot merely say that I am in a marital relationship with my wife and not fulfill my responsibilities as a husband - to love my wife, to help her get to heaven, to support her in any way I can.

It is the same in our relationship with God, through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit. We cannot merely say that we know of Jesus, we must be intentional in growing our relationship with our Lord and our God, not only in words but through our actions, namely discerning his will and following it.

Jesus is very adamant about this in today's Gospel, saying: ""Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." He explains, saying: "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. . . And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand."

Going back to my marriage analogy, the vows that a man and a woman make on their wedding day get their meaning when they are lived out by the couple as husband and wife. We find meaning and purpose in the words of God when we not only hear them but follow them in our daily lives.

This is important for us hear and follow Jesus in this life so that we are prepared to follow him in life-everlasting. And so, this Advent season, let us prepare ourselves to receive our Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts and lead others to an encounter with Jesus so that they, too, may come to know Jesus intimately through their own personal relationship with him.

[Gospel for Thursday of the First Week of Advent (Year C) - Mt 7:21, 24-27] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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My sisters and brothers in Christ, Jesus' Sacred Heart is "moved with pity" for love of us. We are "the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others" whose image of God in us is distorted by sin. Jesus came, and is here present with us today, to heal us of our afflictions but we must be willing to come to Jesus and be healed by him.

Over the past couple of months, I have been meeting and talking with spouses who either want a divorce or their spouse wants a divorce.  In all of the cases, the other spouse is not willing to come "to the table" and talk about it. It is a very difficult situation to find oneself in. My heart is moved with pity for them and so I pray for them and their marriages. In the same way, Jesus cannot heal us if we are not willing to turn to him out of humility and with contrite hearts.

However, we do are willing to turn to Jesus in our time of need, we will find that he is waiting for us with open arms, especially his Real Presence in the Eucharist. This Advent season, if you are hurting in any way, or you know someone is hurting in any way, come to Mass and be in the loving Presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Abide in his Sacred Heart and allow Jesus to come to you, love you, and embrace you in such a way that will make you whole again. That is all Jesus wants, to heal us and restore us to wholeness.

[Gospel for Wednesday of the First Week of Advent (Year C) - Mt 15:29-37] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, we learn two important lessons from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in today's Gospel. Lesson #1 is to rejoice in the Holy Spirit.  Lesson #2 is give praise to the Father, Lord of heaven and earth. These two lessons are important because they remind us that we depend on God and everything we have - our time, talent, and treasure - is a gift from our Father in heaven.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we took our goddaughter and nephew to see "Moana 2". After we left the theater, our nephew thanked us several times for taking them to see "Moana 2" (our goddaughter did as well). There was a "childlike" genuineness to how he said it that made me realize that he was grateful for more than us taking him to the movies but for spending that time with him and his sister, and that warmed by heart.

I think this "childlike" gratefulness is one of the things that we adults have lost in our relationship with our heavenly Father. We are too focus on our own accomplishments and achievements that we forget that we could not have done any of it if not for the grace of God. The gifts of our time, talent, and treasure are from God and we are but stewards of these gifts. And so, it is important for us, during this season of Advent, to give God praise and thanks for His greatest gift to us - his Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the same way that the disciples were blessed to see and hear from Jesus, we are blessed to hear the Word of God and receive the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. Let us share this tremendous gift with others and invite them to come to Mass with us this Advent season as we prepare for Christmas and the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[Gospel for Tuesday of the First Week of Advent (Year C) - Lk 10:21-24] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

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Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today's Gospel, we hear these familiar words spoken by the centurion: "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed."

Familiar because during Mass, when the priest raises the Body and Blood of Christ and says, "Behold the Lamb of God, behold him to takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb." We respond with, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

In our response, we confess two things. First, we are not worthy to receive the Eucharist; however, out of love for us. our Lord Jesus Christ gives of himself - Body and Blood - for us. And so when we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we remind ourselves of our much God loves us and we strive to live a life worthy of His sacrifice on the Cross for us and our salvation. Second, we believe in the healing power of the Eucharist to heal us - body, mind, soul, and spirit. There is no other healing more powerful than the Eucharist and so we come to Mass to receive Christ's Body and Blood and be healed.

Finally, the Eucharistic Prayers and our responses during Mass are so beautiful. I would encourage everyone to listen attentively to the Eucharistic Prayers as they are being proclaimed by the priest (in persona Christi) and respond with intentionality and faith, hope, and love. And when the Body and Blood of Christ is raised up by the priest, I would encourage everyone to gazed upon the Eucharist  and allow Jesus to fill our hearts with his love.

[Gospel for Monday of the First Week of Advent (Year C) - Mt 8:5-11] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

. . .

My sisters and brothers in Christ, on the FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, we light the Prophecy Candle to remind us that our reason for HOPE is same reason for the season: our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

We have HOPE because Jesus is present yesterday and today and tomorrow. We have HOPE because God entered into human history in the INCARNATION to save us. We have HOPE because Jesus is present to us today in the EUCHARIST at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We have HOPE for tomorrow because Jesus promises to be with us until the end of the age.

Advent is a season of waiting and preparation. As we wait for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we also prepare ourselves for his Second Coming. We must be "vigilant" and pray unceasingly to keep our hearts from becoming "drowsy." This is how we keep Christ in Christmas for ourselves and our families. Advent helps us to keep the true meaning of the Christmas in our hearts and gives us the strength to share the hope, peace, joy, and love of Jesus with others, even in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season around us.

[Gospel for First Sunday of Advent (Year C) - Lk 21:25-28, 34-36] #gospelreflection #Catholic #diakonia

Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (11/25/2024)

Worthy Chapter President and Brother Knights,

I bring you greetings from our State Chaplain, Bishop Mulvey, who I will see at the Mid-Year Meeting in Dallas next weekend.

This past Sunday, we celebrated the great feast of Christ the King. As we end the liturgical year with Christ the King and start the new liturgical year with Advent, let us ask ourselves the following questions. Is Christ the King in our lives, in our families, and in all that we do? If not, then, like we do every new year, let us make new liturgical year resolutions to make Christ the King in our lives. How can we do this?

In her wisdom, Holy Mother Church gives us the season of Advent to prepare ourselves to receive Christ as King in our hearts. While the world around is busying itself with the "hustle and bustle" of the Christmas season that, for them, ends on December 26th, let us Catholics not take for granted the season of Advent to help us prepare ourselves for Christmas. If it is not already a tradition in our families, then let us put out of Advent candles and light up each candle for the four Sundays of Advent.

The first purple candle is the Prophecy Candle. The reading of the Old Testament (Jer 33:14-16) reminds us of the HOPE of the coming of the Lord, a Savior who redeems his people:

The days are coming, says the LORD, 

    when I will fulfill the promise 

    I made to the house of Israel and Judah.

In those days, in that time, 

    I will raise up for David a just shoot ; 

    he shall do what is right and just in the land.

This candle reminds us that no matter the challenges in our lives, there is always HOPE and so we put our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The second purple candle is the Bethlehem Candle, we prepare ourselves to receive the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts and help bring peace in our families and community because he is the Prince of Peace (Lk 3:1-6).

A voice of one crying out in the desert:

    “Prepare the way of the Lord,

        make straight his paths.

    Every valley shall be filled

        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

    The winding roads shall be made straight,

        and the rough ways made smooth,

    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

How can we bring peace in our families? It is said that religion and politics should not be discussed at family gatherings, particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is also said that the art of public discourse is lost in our society. And so we ask ourselves, how can we be instruments of peace by rising above our ideological differences and sow seeds of peace, not division, especially in our families?

The rose (or pink) candle is the Shepherd's Candle that we light on Gaudete Sunday, reminding us that even in the midst of a penitential season, we can still experience the joy of the birth and coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Zep 3:14-18a).

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

        Sing joyfully, O Israel!

    Be glad and exult with all your heart,

        O daughter Jerusalem!

Our society desires to keep the spirit of Christmas throughout the rest of the year in the same way that we Catholics desire to keep the joy of Christmas throughout the year. And we can by being rooted in our faith because the joy that we experience in Jesus Christ is supernatural and cannot be found in anything of this world but in our Father in heaven who loves us.

The third purple candle is the Angel's Candle and it reminds us of the great love that God has for us for He so loved the world that He sent his only Begotten Son (Lk 1:39-45).

Blessed are you among women, 

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me, 

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

At Christmas, we celebrate the single most greatest moment in the history of mankind - the Incarnation. God becomes man and dwells among us because He loves us. For us, love starts with forgiveness. Can we forgive ourselves and see ourselves as God sees us - beloved sons and daughters? We can forgive others? In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. . ."

And so, the challenge for us is to be instruments of hope, peace, joy, and love in our families, parish community, and society. The season of Advent gives us the opportunity to invite Baby Jesus into our hearts and transform us and our families. We who are created in the image and likeness of God. We who God thought of us before he formed us in our mother's womb. God could have come to us in any way He wanted, yet He chose to be born of the Virgin Mary. Through his Incarnation, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ sanctified life from conception to natural death and the family.

Since we will not see each other again until January 2025, I wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving, a peaceful Advent season, and a joyous Christmas season. Also, a blessed Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God (also know as New Year's).

Vivat Jesus!

Here is a link to my previous report from the Chapter meeting in August:

• Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (10/28/2024) https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/10/knights-of-columbus-austin-chapter.html 

Deacon Phúc’s challenges for all Knights for the month of November

• PERSONAL & FAMILY: Invite / bring someone who has not been to Mass in a long time to Christmas Mass with you and your family and walk with them..

• COUNCIL: Help our pastors this Advent and Christmas season by being instruments of hope, peace, joy, and love at our parishes.

Homily for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B - 11/10/2024)

Good afternoon. The two widows from today’s readings teach us an important lesson about the theological virtue of love, or charity, which is to “love God above all things. . . and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God” (CCC 1822). The Catechism states that “[charity] upholds and purifies our human ability to love, and raises it to the supernatural perfection of divine love” (1827). We see this in the stories of the two widows. Like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who “died out of love for us” (1825), the two widows gave everything they had out of faith and trust in God the Father in heaven, that He would take care of them and their needs. In other words, their “human ability to love” is raised to “supernatural perfection of divine love.” Moreover, in the stories of the two widows, we realize that the “fruits of charity [are]. . . joy, peace, and mercy. . .” (CCC 1829).

As we heard from the Second Book of Kings, the widow from Zarephath believed the prophet Elijah when he said to her, “Do not be afraid. . . For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry. . .’” Can you fathom being in her predicament? There is a drought in the land and she is barely scraping by to feed herself and her son. Just listen to what she had to say to Elijah, “I was collecting a few sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” That was how dire her situation was and, yet, she responded to Elijah’s request for a “little cake” with charity. Scripture tells us that “[she] left and did as Elijah had said.” The Lord God rewarded her faithfulness and capacity for love and, in His mercy, He took care of the widow and her son for “[she] was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.” Truly, the “fruits of charity [are]. . . joy, peace, and mercy. . .” (CCC 1829).

Moreover, in today’s Gospel, the widow who “came and put in two small coins worth a few cents” into the treasury believed what Jesus had to say about dependence on God. Recall that in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed, saying: “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. . . Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. . .” Jesus continued, saying: “If God so clothes the grass of the field. . . will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?. . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. . .” Christ wants us to “seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness. . . Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil” (Mt 6:25-34). For this reason, Jesus had this to say to his disciples about the poor widow: “she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

The poor widow had faith in God and trusted that He would take care of her and her needs in the same way that He took care of the widow and her son in Zarephath in the time of Elijah. Once again, truly, the “fruits of charity [are]. . . joy, peace, and mercy. . .” (CCC 1829). Their faith in God and the trust they had in His divine providence freed them to give generously of themselves for love of God and their neighbor. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once said that "no one is so poor that he cannot give something." This, my sisters and brothers in Christ, is the important lesson that we learn from the stories of the two widows. They were poor but they were not so poor that they could not give something - one to the prophet Elijah and the other to the treasury. You see, “each one [of us] has received a gift” from God and He calls us to “use it to serve one another as good stewards of [His] varied grace” (1 Pt 4:10). The widow in Zarephath made Elijah a “little cake” from whatever little flour and oil she had left. The other widow gave “all she had, her whole livelihood” while others contributed from “their surplus wealth.”

We are all stewards of God’s gifts of time, talent, and treasure, which He gives to us abundantly. With the gift of time, we “count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart” (Ps 90:11) because we recognize “that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life” (Ecc 3:12). There is no greater good than to set aside time for love of God and our neighbor out of love of God through the corporal works of mercy. With regards to the gift of talents, God gives to each of us according to our abilities (Mt 25:15). He calls us to use our talents to serve Him by serving others in His Church. When we do, God will bless us even more abundantly (Mt 25:29) because God explores “the mind and test the heart, Giving to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds” (Jer 17:10). Lastly, with regards to the gift of treasures, Jesus warns us “not [to] store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . . But store up treasures in heaven. . . For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:19-21). That is precisely what the theological virtue of love, or charity, is and, more importantly for us, where the treasure of our hearts should be: to “love God above all things. . . and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God” (CCC 1822).

We cannot outgive God when it comes to His gifts to us of time, talent, and treasure; however, we can use those same God-given gifts of our time, talent, and treasure to give our all, not our surplus, back to God. As we enter into this blessed season with Thanksgiving in a couple weeks and Christmas next month, we have opportunities to give generously of our time, talents, and treasure and become sharers in our parish’s mission to serve those most in need in our community. Here at Saint Albert the Great, we have the opportunity to give to our neighbors through the Giving Tree or sign up to serve our neighbors at the food pantry or volunteer to serve our neighbors at our annual Feast of Grace. Like the widows, we can all give something. When we do, we experience the “fruits of charity. . . joy, peace, and mercy. . .” (CCC 1829) in our lives. 

. . .

Gospel (Mk 12:38-44)

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,

"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes

and accept greetings in the marketplaces,

seats of honor in synagogues, 

and places of honor at banquets.

They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext

recite lengthy prayers. 

They will receive a very severe condemnation."

He sat down opposite the treasury

and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. 

Many rich people put in large sums.

A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,

"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more

than all the other contributors to the treasury. 

For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,

but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,

her whole livelihood."

Homily for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B - 11/3/2024)

Good afternoon. St. John of Avila said that what “pushes our hearts to love of God is considering deeply the love that He had for us. . . he who loves, gives himself with everything he has, until he has nothing left to give.” Jesus gave everything he had for us when he was crucified and died on the Cross as expiation for our sins (1 Jn 2:2). When we gaze upon the Cross, we are reminded that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (Jn 3:16-17).

In his encyclical, titled “He Loved Us,” Pope Francis wrote that “[once] our hearts welcome the love of Christ in complete trust. . . we become capable of loving others as Christ did, in humility and closeness to all” (203). Moreover, Pope Benedict XVI said that “the person of Jesus and his whole Mystery embody the unity of love of God and neighbor, like the two arms of the Cross. . . In the Eucharist he gives us this two-fold love, giving himself, because, nourished by this Bread, we love one another as he has loved us” (Angelus, 11/4/2012). And so, sisters and brothers in Christ, our response to the love that God has for us is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. . .” (Dt 6:5) and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mk 12:30-31).

The challenge for us is, can we truly love the God we cannot see, if we cannot love the neighbor we can see? The neighbor can be someone we have never met in person because our only interactions with them is through one of the social platforms. It could be a homeless person that we encounter that makes us uncomfortable. The neighbor could be a co-worker or a fellow parishioner that we have a difficult time working with together. It could even be one of our family members with whom our relationship is strained. The neighbor could also be parents who have strained relationships with their adult children who have fallen away from the Church.

Saint John the Evangelist wrote with much insistence that if “anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:20-21). When Saint John wrote this, I believe he was recalling that time, after the Resurrection, when our Lord Jesus Christ had a heart-to-heart conversation with Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. After Peter had denied Jesus three times before his Passion and death, Jesus asked Peter three times, “. . .do you love me?” Peter answered Jesus each time, saying: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” For each of Peter’s confessions of love, Jesus showed him how to truly love him by loving his neighbor, instructing Peter to “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” And so we ask ourselves, can we love the neighbor we can see so that we can love the God that we cannot see and be able to respond as Peter did, saying, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you”?

The Good News is, we can! By living a sacramental life and tapping into the graces of the Sacraments that we have received, especially the Eucharist. When we tap into the graces of the Sacraments, through prayers and fasting, we learn from God how to focus our “sacramental vision” so that we can “look at each other not only with our eyes, but with the eyes of God, which is the gaze of Jesus Christ. A gaze that begins in the heart. . . that goes beyond appearances and manages to capture the deepest aspirations of the other: waiting to be heard, for caring attention, in a word: LOVE” (Angelus, 11/4/2012). Therefore, my sisters and brothers in Christ, “our best response to the love of Christ’s heart is to love our brothers and sisters. There is no greater way for us to return love for love. . . [because] Love for the brothers and sisters of our communities. . . is a kind of fuel that feeds our friendship with Jesus. . . [and] may well be the best. . . way that we can witness to others our love for Jesus Christ” (Francis, 167, 212).

God loves us, Jesus saves us, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us so that we can respond to God’s love in how we love our neighbor. Over the past several weeks, we have been doing a Message Series on Generosity and were given opportunities to love the God that we cannot see by loving the neighbor that we can see. For example, last weekend, we had the opportunity to be sharers with Bishop Vasquez in the mission of the Diocese of Austin through the Catholic Services Appeal (or CSA). Now, if we ever needed a reason to give generously to the CSA, then here it is. . . Fr. Michael O’Connor, who we love and are inspired by his faith as he carries his cross courageously in times of health problems. The CSA supports priestly vocations and seminarians, two things that are near and dear to Fr. Michael’s heart, along with the John Paul II Residence for Priest, where he was able to live for a while after he was diagnosed.

This weekend, you have the opportunity to reach out to fellow parishioners, sisters and brothers in Christ within our parish community who are in need of our help. After Mass, please stop by the pastoral care table to find out how you can use your God-given talent to help someone in need. My wife and I have been helping with Communion Services at a senior living community in North Austin for over ten years now. It continues to be one of the most rewarding ministries for us to be able to minister to the residents there and bring our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist to them. Also, at the pastoral care table, you have the opportunity to sign up to do a holy hour in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for Fr. Michael. This prayer vigil for Fr. Michael will be next weekend - Nov. 8-10. My wife and I have already signed up for the prayer vigil. I invite you all to prayerfully discern joining us. Together, let us lift up Fr. Michael in prayers, as well as help those in need of pastoral care in our parish family.

. . .

Gospel (Mk 12:28b-34)

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,

"Which is the first of all the commandments?" 

Jesus replied, "The first is this:

Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, 

with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these." 

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.

You are right in saying,

'He is One and there is no other than he.'

And 'to love him with all your heart,

with all your understanding,

with all your strength,

and to love your neighbor as yourself'

is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,

he said to him,

"You are not far from the kingdom of God." 

And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (10/28/2024)

Worthy State Deputy, Worthy Past State Deputy, Worthy Chapter President, and Brother Knights,

I bring you greetings from our State Chaplain, Bishop Mulvey. He was the keynote speaker at our  Deacon Convocation on October 5th. It was good to see him and catch up with him. Please keep Bishop Mulvey in your prayers as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

I also bring you greetings from our Associate State Chaplin Fr. Chen. As you may know, his father, Mr. Kun-Ming Chen, went home to our Lord and was laid to rest on October 26th. Please continue to pray for the repose of his soul and for consolation for Fr. Chen and his family. Here is the link to Mr. Chen's obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/port-lavaca-tx/kun-ming-chen-12025541.

I want to share with you all a little bit about living a Sacramental Life, which was the topic of the last Cor meeting and the title of one of the “Into the Breach” videos. Grace is a gift from God that allows us to take part in His divine life through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus, in the Holy Spirit. Sacramental grace prepares us for spiritual warfare, especially the Sacrament of the Eucharist. When we go to Mass, it is like stepping out of the battlefield and into the castle of the King. There, we are strengthened and encouraged by the word of God. We are nourished by Lord Jesus Christ with spiritual food. And then, we return to the battlefield refreshed, equipped, and strengthened by grace. Therefore, GO TO MASS and bring your family with you.

As Catholic gentlemen, fathers, Knights, and leaders of our families, the "domestic churches," we should lead our families to the Sacraments. When we were baptized, God freed us of original sin. We become His adopted sons and daughters, We become the many parts of the One Body of Christ, the Church. And, not only does Jesus calls us, but he commissions us to carry out the mission of the Church, to go forth and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20). It starts with our families, the "domestic churches," because (as Saint John Paul II prophetically said) as the family goes, so goes society, so goes the world.

Therefore, as Catholic gentlemen, fathers, Knights, and leaders of our families, we must carry out the responsibilities of the three offices of our Lord Jesus Christ: Priest, Prophet, and King. As Priests, we are called to sacrifice for our family and lead them in prayer and to the sacraments. This is can challenging for us as men but, with God, nothing is impossible and so we tap into the graces of the Sacraments that we have received. As Prophets, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our families and teach them Gospel truths and the teachings of the Catholic Church that we hold to be true. If we do not, then the world will lead our children astray and away from God and the Church. 

Finally, as Kings, we are called to virtuously leading the family in words and actions. Our State Deputy shared that he and his wife have an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. Let us learn from their example and have active roles in the lives of our children and grandchildren. A grandfather came up to me after Mass on Sunday and shared that he had been away from the Church for many years. It was his grandchildren that brought him back to the faith and not he wants to participate in the life of the parish as much as he can. This is why recruitment is so important for our Order. It is to welcome men to the Order, help them be part of a community of faithful believers, and walk with them as they grow in their faith and take part in the life of the parish.

We have a wonderful opportunity to bring our families to Mass this Friday for All Saints Day (Nov. 1st - a holy day of obligation). Then, All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd) is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and pray for the souls of the faithful departed in our families. Beautiful traditions of the Church that helps us to grow in our faith and reminds us that we are not alone, we have our family here on earth, but we also have the Communion of Saints in heaven.

Vivat Jesus!

Here is a link to my previous report from the Chapter meeting in August:

• Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (8/26/2024) https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/08/knights-of-columbus-austin-chapter.html 

Deacon Phúc’s challenges for all Knights for the month of November

• PERSONAL & FAMILY: Home altar for deceased loved ones and pray for them through the month of November.

• COUNCIL: Sons in the Son: Restoring our sonship through consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe https://www.kofc.org/un/en/who-we-are/our-faith/sons-in-the-son.html. Sign up for this 40-Day of Reflection from Nov. 2nd to Dec. 12 and do this consecration with your families.

Finally, you are invited to attend the upcoming ACTS Retreat for men, sponsored by St. Louis King of France. here is the link for more information: https://st-louis.org/acts.

Also, here is a resource for women, published by the State of Texas, and is available on the Texas HHS web-site: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/women-children/a-womans-right-know. The book is called, "A Woman's Right to Know."