31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

10-30-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear Fellow disciples, peace. 

The episode of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel describes the journey to salvation. This rich man from Jericho becomes the perfect example of a disciple of God’s kingdom. 

The first step in  his and our journey is to desire to see Jesus and to overcome all difficulties to encounter Him. His low stature (like someone I know) and his effort to climb a tree proves his desire to overcome the hindrances whatever they may be.

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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10-23-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Javier Suarez

One of the biggest mistakes in our Christian life is believing that we are good and that what we do is enough for our salvation. It is a big mistake because it makes us fall into mediocrity, and even worse it makes us assume that we have earned salvation just by being good or following some rules. This is what happens in today's gospel. We have the Pharisee who is sure that for following some laws and regulations God will reward him and save him. The problem is that for this Pharisee salvation does not depend on God but on his own life and ability to follow the rules and laws. The main thing for this man is to be faithful to the law, but this gives him a dangerous confidence since it makes him believe he is good, religious and perfect.

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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10-16-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear fellow disciples,

Jesus promises that God “will do justice on behalf of all his chosen ones, those who cry to Him day and night”. He will not delay but will answer them promptly.

What does “justice” means in relations with God? In the context of the gospel justice means the plan of God for every human being. It is the will of God that the petitioner wants to see accomplished and he/she nurture in his/her heart the desire to put it in practice.

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Have Hearts of Gratitude

10-09-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear fellow disciples,

The gesture of gratitude of the leper healed caught Jesus' attention. In fact, of the ten only one came back to say “thank you”. He was a Samaritan, in other words, he was part of the people who hated the Jews. The other nine never thought about coming back and, probably, took it for granted. It was this “enemy” of Jesus who comes back, prostrates himself and give thanks.

The narratives of miracles do not report that those healed gave thanks to Jesus or required a thank you note. Why then is Jesus impressed by the gesture of this Samaritan?

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27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10-02-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear Fellow Disciples,

To serve the Kingdom of God implies that the servant, minister, has the conscience that he or she is just a servant, a minister of God. Our decision to accept the call and embark in discipleship is free. It can't have expectations of rewards or worldly honors. "We are just servants, and have done just our duties". This is the attitude of a real servant of God's kingdom.

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Eucharistic Revival

09-25-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace!

We as the Church of Jesus Christ in the United States are about to enter a special time of grace. It is the Eucharistic Revival. A time to deepen our understanding and reverence towards the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It seems, in certain areas, that Catholics have grown cold or indifferent towards this reality. In other areas it is the exigencies of political correctness which forces on our throat a diluted religion to accommodate everyone. The risk with this is that slowly but surely we are departing from the Truth about our faith and Church.

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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

09-18-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear fellow disciples, peace.

Today’s Gospel parable in a way teaches the disciples to be dishonest. Jesus uses the fact of character or behavior deviation to show how it is necessary to be clever with matters of the Kingdom.

To crossing of arms or letting the ship run with the flow is the naive attitude of those who do not care about salvation. The disciple works his salvation [every day] with fear and trembling (cf. Phil 2:12).

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24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

09-11-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace!

In chapter 15 of Luke's Gospel, Jesus tells three parables about losing, finding, and rejoicing. The outcasts of society, the taxpayers, and the sinners approach Jesus eager to hear what he has to say. In Luke's Gospel, hearing is a sign of conversion. The Pharisees and scribes, still suspicious of Jesus, complain about him associating with sinners. So he tells them these three parables.

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23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

09-04-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace!

A decision to embrace discipleship for the Kingdom of God must be well thought through. We don’t decide to become disciples of Jesus under pressure. It is naive of us to decide without considering the consequences and implications. If we do so, disappointment will come for sure!

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22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

08-28-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear Fellow Disciples,

In Jesus’ day, a banquet was a way to show off wealth. Having a bounty of food for the guests showed that you were a person of means. They also displayed one’s social standing, especially since they were too large to hold indoors. Everyone could see who was in attendance. Important guests indicated that the host was also important. And these guests were given a good seat, so they could see and be seen.

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21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

08-21-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Dear fellow disciples

“The last will be first…”

This Sunday's parable calls attention to the danger of thinking that external practice of religion alone will save a place in heaven.

The situation of those asking the Lord to open the door to them, claiming intimacy with him is dramatic. Even more dramatic is the Lord’s answer “I do not know you or where you are from.”

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20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

08-14-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Jesus’ question “Do you think that I have come come to establish peace to earth? No, I tell you, but rather division”, can generate a lot of misunderstandings. How can we reconcile this with “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”? What about when Jesus considers Himself as humble and meek of heart?

Here Jesus establishes a clear division between those who chose justice and those who chose oppression. Those who look for their own interests and those who promote the dignity of every human person as God’s children and their brothers and sisters. Those who are moved by love and compassion and those who let themselves be moved by selfishness and greed. Those who strive to put the faith in action in a life of discipleship and those who live a superficial faith based only in the minimal practices, just as part of a check list.

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Be Alert

08-07-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Chris Nunes

Jesus calls the attention of his disciples to their need to be always alert. Especially against the suggestions of the world. It could be so strong as to convince them to renounce their commitment with the Kingdom of God.

The exigences and difficulties of discipleship can be heavy and discouraging on them and also on us. The fewer number of members in the primitive community can put in danger the success of such a great and demanding mission. Hence the importance and need to stay alert.

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