One Small Bite

If you live in the Northeastern corner of the United States you are probably aware of Lyme's disease. One small bite from a deer tick the size of the tip of a pen can change your life for the worse. In our spiritual life skeptical cynicism can function in the same way. Just think of the serpent's tactic in the garden, "Did God really say that? Ahhh that's not true, you won't die....."

One of our friars had a sad encounter with a young man in our Newark neighborhood: "Hey there officer, I know that you're an officer. I know what you're about, officer." "I'm a Catholic priest!" "Whatever, officer..." Somehow skeptical cynicism was blinding that young man from encountering reality. Only God knows how he got that way.

We all have blind spots which are often rooted in hurts and wounds (not to mention the skeptical cynicism so prevalent in our modern times). Today would be a great time to pray and ask for the healing power of the Lord to open our eyes to reality. Maybe the person we would rather avoid is a loving instrument waiting to deliver a blessing from God.

+ Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
Yonkers, NY
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HolyHaiku 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 14:13-21

God always provides

He sends needed nourishment

now through His people

Matthew 14:13-21

When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” [Jesus] said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

#HolyHaiku #Matt14

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Loving One’s Enemies (Matt 5:43-48)

God has many enemies; the atheist who mocks him, the agnostic who is indifferent and the lapsed that is worldly minded. Each in their own way has marked themselves against God. Yet God in return loves them and asks the same of us in return. We who have fewer enemies and whose enemies are less passionate and less violent are called to imitate God. Our hearts, like his, are meant to become a wide open space where even our enemies can come and take refuge.

Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

+ Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
Sacred Heart of Jesus Friary
Ft. Worth, TX
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Four CFR Sisters Make Final Vows

Catholic New York recently ran the story:

story and pics found here.

Carmel God's Garden

From the garden of Eden to the parables of Jesus, the Bible is filled with spiritual references to agriculture. On today's feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we remember the prophet Elijah and the meaning of the word Carmel: God's Garden...

The true prophet (based on Matt 7:15-20)

In order for a tree to bear good fruit its foundation needs to be nourished by water, sunlight and the right temperature. If not its days are numbered. In order for a prophet to be found true his foundation needs to be nourished by humility, forgiveness and purity of heart. If not his days are numbered as well and his life becomes nothing but smoke, soon ready to disappear.

+ Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
Sacred Heart of Jesus Friary
Ft. Worth, TX
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HolyHaiku 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 13

You reap what you sow

starts with small seeds of the Word

in time it will grow

#HolyHaiku #Matt13 (readings found here)

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Mt 5:38-42 Surrender

True security, according to the Gospel, occurs through surrender. Everything belongs to Jesus; our bodies, minds, and hearts but also our desires, opinions and preferences. There is nothing that belongs to us. The sooner we embrace this the freer we become. The freer we become the easier it is to let go of everything and return it to its rightful owner.

based on Matthew 5:38-42:

 

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."

+ Father Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, CFR
Sacred Heart of Jesus Friary
Ft. Worth, TX
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Politics and the Virtue of Patriotism

The month of July calls to mind so many wonderful memories: beautiful summer weather, 4th of July fireworks, cookouts with the smell of barbecue, family reunions, freedom and the year 1776. I also think about powerful symbols such as the American Flag (and The Star-Spangled Banner), the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell, the President and his White House.

Living in New York, how can I forget the Statue of Liberty?!

July is a time to give thanks to God for all that is good in the USA. There are a plethora of Biblical passages which teach us that Heaven is our true homeland. Before all else, I am a Catholic, a Christian, a Son of God, a believer and follower of Jesus... Keeping that truth in mind, we are then called to love the land where we are. The virtue of Patriotism is simply a love for one's country. There is another plethora of Biblical passages (and examples from Church history) which teach us to be, in the words of the dying St. Thomas Moore,  "the King's good servant, but God's first".

July is a time to pray for the USA. Like an Old Testament prophet I must cry out that there is a pile of evidence that we are losing our way as a country. Politcal spin and influential cultural trends have had their effect on so many of us. Time to return to the LORD!

The month of July now calls to mind the dictator it is named after: Julius Caesar. Let's learn a lesson from history and take note of the depravity which toppled the great Roman Empire. We are more comfortable with conservative vs. liberal, right vs. left rather than right vs. wrong.

In all our confusion where can we turn to know the truth? What still unites us? In what ways do my opinions clash with what God has revealed? July is a time to pray...

+ Fr. Luke M. Fletcher, CFR
Yonkers, NY
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HolyHaiku Saints Peter and Paul

 

Saints Peter and Paul

began to build Christ's Church

Two foundation stones

#HolyHaiku

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HolyHaiku Corpus Christi Sunday

God's hidden presence

visible in the monstrance.

Imitate, show Christ!

#HolyHaiku

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