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We suddenly find ourselves in very uncertain times. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic increasingly affects us, I ask you to join me, Deacon Mike, our Religious and our staff in praying for those who are ill, their loved ones, the healthcare professionals caring for them, and all who are working tirelessly to reduce the suffering caused by this virus.

We get a glimpse into the ways of God and the contrast between darkness and light. This sets the stage for today’s Gospel. Rather than rejoicing that the blind man has been given the gift of sight, he is accused of sin as if he was to blame for his blindness. Many in Jesus’ time considered blindness to be God’s curse.

Why is water so important to us? Your body uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate its temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Because your body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it’s important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. One of the enlightenments of our journey through Lent is the recognition of Christ’s humanity. When we see Christ tired and thirsty, human as we are, we also see our salvation and Savior and are thus empowered to seek forgiveness for our weaknesses, failures and sins.

As we are all aware, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been making headlines as an increasing health scare throughout the world these past two months. As a result, the Diocese has received calls and e-mails regarding specific guidelines for how a parish should respond.

We have now begun the season where discipline plays a role in our journey. Lent, Holy week, and the Easter Triduum can sometimes drain us emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Jesus’ temptation in the desert strengthened Him for His ministry. I am sure Jesus was tired, hungry, and worn out during His forty days of prayer and fasting. Sound familiar?

This weekend is PLEDGE SUNDAY for the Annual Catholic Appeal throughout the Diocese of Trenton. Each year the Bishop seeks the support of all members of the Diocese to further the work of our ministries.

“Earth lost a beautiful human being today but we gained a prayer warrior in Heaven.” I invite you to pray for Deacon Jim’s family during their time of grief and sorrow. May he rest in peace. Amen.

As we continue through the dark days of February, we long for more days of sunshine and we sit with great anticipation for those shiny rays to trickle in. Our Scriptures keep talking about light, and it really feels like we need it.

Today we celebrate The Feast of The Presentation of The Lord. This feast is known as the Feast of Encounter in the Eastern Church where it began. In 1997, Pope John Paul II instituted a World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life attached to this feast.

What does it mean to be called a disciple of Christ? Does it mean that you have to be more than you think you are capable of being? Can you imagine what the Apostles must have felt when Jesus asked them to leave their families and follow Him and that He would make them fishers of men? The Apostles chose to follow and preach the light of Christ to people who, at times, had divisions amongst themselves.

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) We hear these words at every Mass as the Host and Chalice are raised for all to see. That verse is so familiar that it doesn’t shock us, but it should.

Today The Church celebrates the Solemnity of The Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the Season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord’s second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His Baptism in the Jordan.

Today, we celebrate The Epiphany of Our Lord. We hear the Gospel words of future hope calling us to see the guiding star of the Spirit in our lives. Let us take time for a well deserved rest, to pray, and to reflect on the spiritual journey that begins in this New Year. Like the Magi, we may need to chart a new path on our quest for deeper spiritual meaning for our lives.

By celebrating the Sunday following Christmas as The Feast of The Holy Family, The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement. They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God.

Wherever God places us is where we live out our divine call. Advent is a time in which we prepare for the two comings of Christ. We remember at first, as a child; and anticipate His second at the end of time. Today, Joseph is at the center of our Gospel. He was to live out his divine call in this plan of salvation. Today he is a specific recipient of God’s promise, and given consolation and peace in the knowledge of Scripture being fulfilled.

This day has been traditionally called Gaudate Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday, marked by the contrasting rose candle on the Advent wreath and vestments. In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist sends one of his disciples to ask: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

Behold the Lord will come! John the Baptist knows that God is preparing something very great, something for which He is to be the instrument; and He himself points in the directions that the Holy Spirit shows Him. We know much more now about what it was that God had in mind for humanity. We know about Christ and His Church because we have sacred Scripture and the sacraments. We have hope for the salvation of our souls because the doctrine of salvation has been perfectly marked out for us.

Happy New Year! Those attuned to Church Liturgy know that the First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new Church Liturgical Year.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of The Universe. This marks the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. On this day, we contemplate the Kingship of Jesus, our Redeemer. Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 to remind Christians that their allegiance was to their spiritual ruler in heaven as opposed to earthly supremacy claimed by dictators at that time. In our day, we need this reminder that our first allegiance must be to Christ the King, especially as we face many temptations in life.

The sky is falling! The end is near! In today’s Gospel, people admire the Temple’s magnificence as Jesus looks on. He then predicts: “All that you see here, the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” By the time Luke records these words from Jesus the event He’s referring to has happened. It would be natural then for Luke’s audience that now the end is near! But Luke wishes to separate the Temple’s destruction from the end times and Christ’s return.