The above passage embraces the basic principle of the whole Mosaic law of Israel and is a cornerstone of faith. It is used as the opening words to the Shema (‘Hear’), a prayer central to Jewish piety. A rabbi once shared that this most well - known verse of the entire Torah is the first verse taught to the children as they learn to speak and the last verse recited with loved ones on their death-bed:
​

​Jesus used these words as he proclaimed the greatest of all commandments and confirmed them as the foundation of the law of God.  During the Second Sunday of Lent, we heard proclaimed that, as the Lord Jesus was transfigured in front of the leaders among the Apostles, God the Father said from heaven, “this is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”


During this third week of Lent, let us listen to God, hear His voice and do what He says to follow the two great commandments – First, Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength and the second as important as the first, to love your neighbor as yourself. This week spend some time, Be Still, hear His Voice, listen to Him. In this sacred time and into the future, what are you being asked to do in service to God and one another? 


Lenten Blessing, 
Fr. John

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

During these difficult times seen throughout the world, such as the devastation caused by the global pandemic with human tolls of life, health and well-being, suffering in our country caused by natural disasters and moral and civil unrest and the violence and oppression seen around the world, it is hard to watch and see others in pain. And, if pandemic restrictions, distance, our time constraints and our finances prevent us from serving others in these areas of great need, remember:


Through His ministry and the Cross, Jesus taught us to serve. When we reach out to the sick and offer comfort, we serve; when we visit a lonely friend or person socially in need through FaceTime, Zoom or other virtual means, by safe-distancing or by a written note, we serve; when we console a family who has lost a loved one by calling, writing to them, having a Mass or prayers offered up for them, we serve; when we provide for the poor in whatever their need by offering our time, money, food and extra clothing, we serve; and when we give encouragement or caring by offering a simple smile seen through our masked covered face by shining eyes, or by extending a slight wave of our hand, or by providing a few words of support and love, we serve.


Let us offer this prayer…

Spirit of God, ignite our faith, hope and love into new actions of service each day.  Amen


​Lenten Blessings and His Graces,
Fr. John

During this first week of Lent, we begin our journey in the wilderness to deepen our relationship with the Lord by coming face to face with our sinfulness. We reflect on our desires examine our motives, adjust our priorities and evaluate our interactions.

To help, God gives us one of the greatest tools along with those of fasting and almsgiving -- the gift of prayer. Prayer is the vehicle of communication and conversation with our God. St. Teresa of Avila, the “Doctor of Prayer,” said that this unique gift involves relationship not an exercise of technique or method. Jesus taught us the “Our Father” to bring us into relationship with the Divine and to help us initiate and maintain a more intimate bond with the Triune God. 

He designed this prayer as a “how to” model for relationships, involving six petitions. Three petitions concern God and three concern us and neighbor, perhaps structured after the two great commandments (“Thy name, thy kingdom, thy will, give us, forgive us, deliver us”). We are told to seek God, God’s kingdom and God’s will through prayer first, and then we are taught to address our needs.  

To accomplish the changes of heart and deeds needed, we search to unite with God as all good works flow from this union. We begin our search for this reconciliation in the wilderness.