Jesus Came Not To Abolish The Law But To Fulfill It!
Dear Brothers and Sisters, We have been speaking of love as we hear Jesus’ words from his Sermon on the Mount. Moreover, he tells us not only to love your spouse and your brother and neighbor, but to love the one who is persecuting you, or riding you. He is telling you to love your…
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Allow The Lord To Choose Where Your Light Will Shine
Dear Brothers and Sisters: I hope you were able to pick one person to love this past week, and follow through on it. In the gospel we hear Jesus continue with his Sermon on the Mount, and he speaks of a Christian’s responsibility to the world. You are the salt of the earth…you are the…
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Fortunate Are The Poor In Spirit!
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Sister Anawim used to call me to say the Mass for the Missionaries of Charity in Downtown Newark, a place you do not want to go at night. It was always a very moving experience since the nuns are so young, from every continent, barefoot, and very pious. Her name means…
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You Can Choose Not To Worry!
Dear Brothers and Sisters: John the Baptist was arrested and Jesus withdrew to Galilee; he left his small town of Nazareth and went to make his home in Capernaum. Probably it does not mean much to us but Nazareth was a small town of two hundred people and Capernaum and that area was despised by…
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This Is My Only Son, My Only Beloved!
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The gospel today speaks of the Baptism of the Lord which is part of the Epiphany of Jesus Christ –his manifestation–to the world. He was revealed in a special way even by his Father and the Holy Spirit as he began his public life. It is not by chance that the…
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The Magi Follow A Star
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The star is a message of hope. The “wise men” have an inner unrest, a longing for something better; they are on a look out for the true star of salvation, of truth, of goodness (Matthew 2: 1-12). In many ways they represent all those journeying toward Christ, you and I. …
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Mary Is Mother Of God
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I trust you had a wonderful Christmas and also some time to reflect on the wonder of Christ being born for you. It is an event that blows my mind: God became man for me, to free me from slavery, and to give me a new life. The number of people…
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The Peace Of Christ Is Not What The World Gives
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The angel said, “Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you good news of great joy that will be shared with all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you who is Christ the Lord.” He is the savior of “all the people,” not…
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Do Not Be Afraid!
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am going to visit an elderly woman today who was separated from her husband for more than twenty years and by returning to the Church in a more serious way she heard that she should go look for him. It was a miracle that she even found him. She asked…
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Do Not Complain, Brothers!
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Advent is a time of hope, of expectation, of waiting for the Lord. St. Paul told us last week to endure the weaknesses of the others; bear them, put up with them, don’t gossip about them. It is better to build him up, and to build up the community rather than…
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