Tag: christianity

Listening to God: Insights from Saint Paul’s Conversion

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
It’s hard to listen to God when you already know what you want him to say.

Greetings on this the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Readings: Acts 22:3-16; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; Mark 16:15-18

Meeting Jesus

Today’s gospel portion is the Conversion of Saint Paul. Paul prayed and preyed (request, devour). Who was he listening to? What was guiding him?

Today is one month since Jesus was born. How has meeting Jesus at Christmas changed your life?

One month since Christmas. Did you hear the Lord’s voice?

In the name of God, Saul was a busy boy:

  1. persecuted this Way to death.
  2. binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.
  3. bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well.
  4. breathing murderous threats.
  5. he was there praying.

All the while he was most sure that he was zealous for and praying to God.

Bears repeating: At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.

We might want to take a step back.

Holy Intercessors

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.”

A holy man given an assignment filled with danger… But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.”

So Ananias obeyed the Lord and went to see this despicable man Saul. Even to call him brother.

Intercessors in Haiti

So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Because of the hope we have in Jesus.

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.

What is it we pray for?

Saul had one prayer. After conversion, Paul had a different prayer. The second prayer was superior. But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

It can be said we often tell God what we want, how God is to provide it and when we expect it. You know, like Saul. But once we decide to LISTEN instead, its a whole other story.

Instead, we are asked to give what will help others, provide what is missing and expect only the benefit of the divine love for us and our peoples. Maybe we have to stop telling God what we want and listen to what he offers.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012525.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Hear the Heartbeat of Your Beloved

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic

Hear the heartbeat of your beloved

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hebrews 7:25—8:6; Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17; Mark 3:7-12

Personal Note

Sorry no blog post yesterday, crazy day. BTW, any feedback on this new very truncated, brief and staccato writing style for the reflections? Always experimenting….

Central Gospel Message

as presented by our gospel acclamation verse today…

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.

and from the first reading…

Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.
It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled.

and from the Gospel portion today (people coming from all over the region, far and wide)…

He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.

Reflection

Confidence. Have confidence in the living God who saves us from all manner of problems. Not just problems, but actual alignment and harmony with the divine love. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. Press upon him.

I often ask couples to relax in a certain way. Taking turns, not to fall asleep, not to be aroused, but to place your ear upon the chest of your beloved to hear, really hear, their heartbeat. The exercise completes when the heart rate is at its slowest. For science buffs, quantum observer effect is a way to describe it. My observing your heartbeat, changes you. It is a certain type of reception. Intimate without Eros. It is the same with the Lord.

Our Promise Back

With all the promises the LORD makes for his human family, we/you/I make a promise back… Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012325.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Understanding the Meaning of the Sabbath

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Making a path, rubbing grain to live

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: Hebrews 6:10-20; Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c; Mark 2:23-28

Picky, Picky, Picky

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

Path and Grain

They made a path while picking the heads of grain. This phraseology is unique to the gospel of Mark even as the story is common between the three Synoptic gospels).

Jesus said of David, David was in need and he and his companions were hungry. Although the Show Bread should only to be consumed by the priests (who lawfully eat), he nevertheless shared it with his companions.

And Jesus didn’t have a problem with it.

Sabbath Chains or Sabbath Freedom

The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.

It is clear this story is as much active today as in the time of Jesus.

In what ways have we turned the Sabbath, the Temple and the Worship into chains of oppression? We do it otherwise the story would not be in sacred scripture.

The disciples picked a path and the grain (in moderation and for good purpose) in a like way to David. And they were justified.

AI Overview – search was “theology unlawful and valid”

I love AI – amazing stuff. The problem the gospel story is expressing is the problem of understanding lawful and unlawful with valid and invalid.

In theology, particularly within the Catholic tradition, “unlawful” and “valid” are distinct concepts, meaning an action can be considered “valid” (producing the intended effect) even if it is performed in an “unlawful” or “illicit” manner, meaning it was done outside of the proper procedures or by an unauthorized person; essentially, the act itself is considered to have taken place, but it may not have been done correctly according to the established rules.

It’s time again to realign our lawful and valid concepts with proper intentions: Sabbath rest.

Caveats

The entirety of the observation is in regards to the rest of the Sabbath. REST. REFRESHMENT. CARE. SAVING BALM. It is not merely a memorial of the creative acts of God and appreciation of His benevolence. Those things are true, yes. It is the SABBATH actions of Jesus that rephrases the question. He goes beyond to describe Sabbath work: love, raising up, giving life, right judgment and honor (see study on the gospel of John here: ).

Gospel of John Outline – FinalDownload

Jesus approves this message.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Discerning Fasting: A Reflection on Relationship with Jesus

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic
Feast or Fast?

Greetings on this the Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hebrews 5:1-10; Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4; Mark 2:18-22

Not so Fast

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. Jesus’ disciples did not yet have a fast.

From the gospel of Luke: The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same; but yours eat and drink.

We always have to be careful and not try and discern the thoughts and motivations of others as sport. Sometimes we must discern as a necessity.

What were they thinking?

Here is the NABRE commentary on this topic of fasting.

Can the wedding guests fast?: the bridal metaphor expresses a new relationship of love between God and his people in the person and mission of Jesus to his disciples. It is the inauguration of the new and joyful messianic time of fulfillment and the passing of the old. Any attempt at assimilating the Pharisaic practice of fasting, or of extending the preparatory discipline of John’s disciples beyond the arrival of the bridegroom, would be as futile as sewing a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak or pouring new wine into old wineskins with the resulting destruction of both cloth and wine (Mk 2:21–22). Fasting is rendered superfluous during the earthly ministry of Jesus; cf. Mk 2:20. See: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?22=#49002022

Sorrow

“Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

Presence

When in the presence of Jesus there is cause for Joy. When we are right with God, fasting is superfluous. It is the case that when we prepare to be in Jesus’ presence fasting is in order. This is one of our Season of Lent practices, to fast.

My Inventory Question

Here is how we can take on the question of fasting.

  • How is my life with Jesus? Is it a joyous and peaceful relationship? Then don’t fast.
  • Is my relationship with Jesus and others filled with contention? Then consider fasting and confession.

This is an over-simplification of the question of fasting. But it is quite useful place to start.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012025.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Understanding the Baptism of the Lord

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, christmas

Greetings on this the The Baptism of the Lord
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Every Nation

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.

Baptism of Jesus

After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”

Baptized and Praying

This is how Jesus is revealed fully divine and fully human. Jesus modeling our best self: baptized in his love and praying to God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit expressing themselves together. “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Please to share with you, Brothers and Sisters. With you.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011225.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

The Observer Effect: Love’s Transformation

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, christmas
Jesus’ Essence and Action

Greetings on this the Thursday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 4:19–5:4; Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17; Luke 4:14-22

Summary

Beloved, we love God because he first loved us. A better translation is We love because he first loved us.

What is love? Love is both a noun and a verb for you English majors so you don’t get annoyed with my reflection.

Love is a person and cannot exist without a person (as essence and action).

  1. There are persons A and B.
  2. A loves B.
  3. And you remove A you do not have “loves B” you simply have B.

Love then describes the nature of the relation between A and B, unidirectional, reciprocity is not assumed, we simply are saying A loves and A loves B. A can also love C and D and E.

Then we can say love is an expression of relation A unto B AND love is an essence of A. A possesses love essentially otherwise it cannot give love. Noun and verb.

What about B?

In quantum physics we talk about the observer effect. Observing is not passive without effect. Observing (measuring) actually changes the object fundamentally. Thus new meaning to the phrase: We love because he first loved us. The very observation (deliberately weak description) of the divine person upon us alters us. And since we are observed from the beginning of time, we can say with confidence, we are made in the image and called to the likeness of God. We are built to love ‘B loves A, too’ but not forced to love.

Receiving Love

If Object B is actively changed by the Subject A, why is there a need for trust (faith)? Because the origin of love by nature desires the nature of love to be reciprocal not consequential. So while it is impossible to be defined without the Subject A (God, if you missed it – B has it’s origin in A), A and A loves B, yet enforces no reciprocity. Or if you prefer, love is the only real response to love.

Extreme Example for contrast

God loves the Evil One. God imprinted love within the Evil One. The Evil One, by choice, rejects both his own essence, and the call of reciprocity of that essence. He is self-tortured by his very nature in contradiction to his own will. He spends his ‘time’ shielding himself from love and attempting to remove the urge to reciprocate. Awful stuff.

Reflection

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. In our gospel portion today, Jesus affirms the love of God for us and the not simply passive observations but the active observer effect. Jesus, as man, experiences (by free will) the Love of God and describes his reciprocity many times in sacred scripture. Here he describes the effects on the person of B (me = B).

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Personal Reflection

Human love is both simple and complicated, yes? How many people across time and cultures have written, sang, philosophized about love? A Ba-zillion, rough guess. But in faith we do simplify the the reality thus:

We were made by Love (noun), we were made in love (verb) and we are called to reciprocate love (noun – essence and verb – action).
Mic drop. AI says this phrase is good but needs expansion. Really? Literally just borrowing from the current colloquial terms. Eek!

If I had a mic right now…. I’d drop it.

Let this be your prayer today: Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled [in B me] in your [in A me] hearing.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010925.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Exploring a New Way of Life After Encountering Jesus

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, christmas
The ways of life change with an encounter with the Lord

Greetings on this the Monday after Epiphany
Readings: 1 John 3:22–4:6; Psalm 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Summary

Yesterday in the gospel portion the Magi having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Another way. A different way. A changed way. These days between the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord, we too having encountered Jesus, are challenged to go a new way. The gospel portions this week speak to this new way. Ways we can imitate Christ in accordance with our time, talent and resource.

  1. Monday (today) – The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry. [Jesus] He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.
  2. Tuesday – The Feeding of the Five Thousand. He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.”
  3. Wednesday – The Walking on the Water. “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.
  4. Thursday – The Rejection at Nazareth (begins with his mission statement). The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
  5. Friday – The Cleansing of a Leper. “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
  6. Saturday – Final Witness of the Baptist. [John speaks in regards to Jesus] So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.

Reflection

The mini summary of the gospel portions this week (from Epiphany to Baptism) can be thought of as a road map. A new way.

How can we imitate Jesus this week?

  1. Monday – Proclaim the gospel by our actions. Aiding the sick in some fashion.
  2. Tuesday – Feed the hungry.
  3. Wednesday – Have courage. encourage others to face life with hope.
  4. Thursday – In our own way declare the Spirit is upon us and we are anointed to likewise.
  5. Friday – Make the outcast clean. The ostracized welcomed.
  6. Saturday – Realize (in the end) it is Jesus who empowers and provides. Our egos cloak the Lord from being seen by others.

Personal Reflection

This very week is our journey home again. A renewal because of a renewed encounter. And wonderfully on Sunday next, a heartfelt renewal of the Baptismal promise. For those in Christian formation, the promise ahead made present!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010625.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Christmas Reflections: The Sacred Heart and Divine Love

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, christmas
Sacred Heart of Jesus

Greetings on this the The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Readings: 1 Jn 2:18-21; PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13; Jn 1:1-18

Summary

Combining 1 John and Gospel of John: But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God.

Reflection

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.

The Word was from the beginning. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

In these few short sacred writings we can begin to understand divine love.

  1. Love is from the beginning. It is our foundational attribute. It is our origin.
  2. Love is present among us in a way that we can most relate to us – as like us.
  3. Love gives of itself where we can say confidently: We are made in the image and called to the likeness of God.
  4. This is the grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The response to all our hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The relief from our grief, sadness and miseries.

Love. Love is the Divine Response.

Personal Reflection

The Octave of Christmas draws to an end and the celebration of the Christmas season continues with Joy in the remembering the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord. So we approach a sort of revelation. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

The Lord loves me. Exactly me and all the ‘you-mes’ there are!
The Lord made us by Love, for Love and to live in Love.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

The Holy Innocents: A Call for Awareness and Change

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, christmas

Greetings on this the Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Readings: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2; Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18

Summary

No reflection that focuses on mistakes should start without the promise of redemption. We face our errors with courage because we are encouraged to be in right relation with the Lord.

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

Franciscan Media Reflection

The Holy Innocents are few in comparison to the genocide and abortion of our day. But even if there had been only one, we recognize the greatest treasure God put on the earth—a human person, destined for eternity, and graced by Jesus’ death and resurrection (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/holy-innocents/).

Reflection

The Feasts of the Holy Innocents and the Feast of the Holy Family this year are side-by-side in our liturgy. It is as deep of a contrast and comparison there can be. The lust of power overwhelms the families of the vicinity of Bethlehem.

  • Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.
  • He [Herod] ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.
  • Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod.

This wasn’t the first time. Moses was also forced into exile until the Pharaoh who sought to kill him was dead. And again, during the actual exile event of the Assyrian occupation, A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

The fate of children at the bent of an aggressive person. But not just person, professions, industries and marketing. This is true of nations with territorial ambitions. Who cannot tremble at the prospect of World War III as Europe is living in the shadow of Russian ambitions.

All worldly affairs under their control ordered to their own benefit and enrichment of material wealth at the expense and at the cost of the lives of children, the holy innocent ones.

Personal Reflection

When I serve at the altar for Mass at the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, I pray for conversion of souls. For women courage and encouragement to face the future, for the babies an end to exile, for the practitioners an awakening to the truth and for the repentance of those who gain materially from the profit they seek.

Medical health and well-being cannot be fruitful with lies and misdirection. It must be founded on truth, even when the outcome is not what I prefer. It is the same for all those who aggressively seek their alliance, advantage and accumulation.

This day of holiness, let us weep with Rachel, and at the same time hold fast to the promise given by Jeremiah.

Thus says the LORD: Cease your cries of weeping, hold back your tears! There is compensation for your labor— oracle of the LORD—they shall return from the enemy’s land. There is hope for your future—oracle of the LORD— your children shall return to their own territory.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122824.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Celebrating the Birth of Jesus: A Christmas Reflection

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, christmas

Greetings on this the The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Mass during the Day
Readings: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18

Summary

Merry Christmas! The Savior is born!

and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.

Reflection

Today we memorialize and celebrate the birth of Jesus. During the octave of Christmas – an eight day celebration – we recall our universal need for the divine presence. Today we marvel of this innocent baby, his mother and Joseph, Pater Putativus (Step-Father).

Through the week

  1. Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
  2. Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
  3. Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
  4. Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
  5. The prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
  6. John [the Baptist] testified to him and cried out.
  7. Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God The Octave Day of Christmas.

We celebrate as a family, united as adopted children of God.

Personal Reflection

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Our journey of faith is to allow our mind of faith to flow into our heart of faith. Jesus has come and it is a wonder in our eyes.

A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
For today a great light has come upon the earth.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122524-Day.cfm

Friends

Chag urim sameach! Happy Festival of Lights! My Jewish friends celebrate tonight as well.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry