REVJJ

This weekend's gospel reminds us that for us to be a good tree that bears good fruit we must have a heart dedicated to God.  A good tree does not bear bad fruit.  We are all invited to reflect on our lives seeking to be the best version of ourselves for the sake of the kingdom.  Can we find the logs in our eyes?  Listen for more!

Fr. John goes five seconds over the 10 minute mark this weekend because there is so much in the gospel to talk about.  If we live half of what Jesus calls us to in the gospel----we would become living saints!!  And yes---this is what we strive for!

The gospel this weekend reminds us to look past the immediate---to hold on for the Kingdom of Heaven.  We do this by giving ourselves away---to be poor for the sake of others.  In this way we truly are missionaries and pilgrims of hope.  Will embrace the path of discipleship or try to take care of ourselves alone?

Jesus calls Simon Peter to go out into the deep waters for a catch and changes his life!!  When we let Christ into our lives he makes all things new----may we not be afraid and follow Jesus like Simon, James and John.  It will be the best lives we could ever have!!

This weekend we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord.  Mary and Joseph present Jesus to God as was the custom.  They encounter Simeon and Anna---experiencing another epiphany moment discovering who Jesus is.  This feast helps us live our faith today.  Listen to find out more!!

Each of us are anointed to carry on the mission of salvation in our world today.  Christ beckons us to adapt and change for the sake of mission.  We do not do this alone---Christ gives us the Holy Spirit and we do this together.  Will we say yes?

Fr. John interviews Lynda Cadotte, who after over 52 years of service to Catholics in Chatham, is retiring.  In this brief conversation Lynda shares how she was hired on a temporary basis which then became a life-long time of service to parishioners of all ages.  Lynda will definitely be missed!!!

This weekend we return to Ordinary Time but not an ordinary Gospel.  We visit a wedding feast in Cana from the Gospel of John--the first miracle of this Gospel.  Jesus makes what is ordinary extraordinary.  He can do this with our lives too!!  Mary guides us as she tells the servants and each of us--"Do whatever he tells you!"

This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord which is not just about Jesus, but also about us!  We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at our baptism but also the fire of God's love to help transform the world.  Do we truly understand the gift, opportunity and obligation we have to share Christ's love with perseverance, endurance and zeal?  I think this feast helps us realize this more.  May we always be humble like St. John the Baptist sharing the Good News!!

This weekend we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.  It is a reminder for us to search for Jesus in our daily lives seeking conversion, renewal and transformation so that we can be faithful and loving disciples becoming epiphany moments for others.  Let us discover the light in the midst of darkness and be light for the world!