Weekly Chit Chat

Well it seems reading various blogs out there that there is many of us in the same boat. As those you know my parish currently has not parish priest. We have a retired priest coming in Sundays to do mass. So where does leave us, well up the creek but I also think we have manifested our own issues at this parish. As many other parishes we are not drawn together on Sundays to pray and to learn the word of the lord and get closer to Christ. No it is a social club that is at times it seems interrupted by a mass which to some people have become a nuisance and interrupts their social time.
Sad but true not just my parish but many out there. It also seems if the poor priest tries or attempts to make the church a place of worship and spiritual enrichment the powers that be get him chased out as unable to lead the congregation. Yes sad but true and it seems that those of us who want to get something out of mass and have some instruction and learning from the church's teachings are left out in the cold. I have started to debate whether or not to stay at this parish. I do like the people for the most part and I extremely like the ethnic background to keep Hungarian traditions and language alive and enjoy the Hungarian events but mass should be holy mass not the interruption of weekly chit chat.
The only thing that does hold me back is that many churches are the same. It is really hard to find a parish where mass is the focal point of the parish along with learning the word.

The Sunday Reading

First Reading - Jer 1:4-5, 17-19

4. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. And before you went forth from the womb, I sanctified you. And I made you a prophet to the nations.”
17. Therefore, you should gird your waist, and rise up, and speak to them everything that I instruct you. You should not have dread before their face. For I will cause you to be unafraid of their countenance.
18. For certainly, this day, I have made you like a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and a brass wall, over all the land, to the kings of Judah, to its leaders, and to the priests, and to the people of the land.
19. And they will make war against you, but they will not prevail. For I am with you, says the Lord, so that I may free you.”

Psalm - Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15-17

R. I will sing of your salvation.
1. Of the sons of Jonadab and the former captives. In you, O Lord, I have hoped; do not let me be brought to ruin forever.
2. Free me by your justice, and rescue me. Incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
3. Be a God of protection and a place of strength for me, so that you may accomplish my salvation. For you are my firmament and my refuge.
4. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, and from the hand of the unjust and those who act against the law.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
5. For you, O Lord, are my patience: my hope from my youth, O Lord.
6. In you, I have been confirmed from conception. From my mother’s womb, you are my protector. In you, I will sing forever.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
15. My mouth will announce your justice, your salvation all day long. For I have not known letters.
17. You have taught me from my youth, O God. And so I will declare your wonders continuously.
R. I will sing of your salvation.

Second Reading - 1 Cor 12:31—13:13

31. Brothers and Sisters: Be zealous for the better charisms. And I reveal to you a yet more excellent way.
1. If I were to speak in the language of men, or of Angels, yet not have charity, I would be like a clanging bell or a crashing cymbal.
2. And if I have prophecy, and learn every mystery, and obtain all knowledge, and possess all faith, so that I could move mountains, yet not have charity, then I am nothing.
3. And if I distribute all my goods in order to feed the poor, and if I hand over my body to be burned, yet not have charity, it offers me nothing.
4. Charity is patient, is kind. Charity does not envy, does not act wrongly, is not inflated.
5. Charity is not ambitious, does not seek for itself, is not provoked to anger, devises no evil.
6. Charity does not rejoice over iniquity, but rejoices in truth.
7. Charity suffers all, believes all, hopes all, endures all.
8. Charity is never torn away, even if prophecies pass away, or languages cease, or knowledge is destroyed.
9. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part.
10. But when the perfect arrives, the imperfect passes away.
11. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understood like a child, I thought like a child. But when I became a man, I put aside the things of a child.
12. Now we see through a glass darkly. But then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I am known.
13. But for now, these three continue: faith, hope, and charity. And the greatest of these is charity.

Gospel - Lk 4:21-30

21. Then he began to say to them, “On this day, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
22. And everyone gave testimony to him. And they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth. And they said, “Is this not the son of Joseph?”
23. And he said to them: “Certainly, you will recite to me this saying, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ The many great things that we have heard were done in Capernaum, do here also in your own country.”
24. Then he said: “Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25. In truth, I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elijah in Israel, when the heavens were closed for three years and six months, when a great famine had occurred throughout the entire land.
26. And to none of these was Elijah sent, except to Zarephath of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
27. And there were many lepers in Israel under the prophet Elisha. And none of these was cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.”
28. And all those in the synagogue, upon hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29. And they rose up and drove him beyond the city. And they brought him all the way to the edge of the mount, upon which their city had been built, so that they might thrown him down violently.
30. But passing through their midst, he went away.

Catch-Up!

Better write a bit of what is going on with me or those few of you who do visit might think the Sunday reading is an automatic upload!
Lots of internal struggles and at times turning my back on Christ but now at the end of it all I turn back and I am begging for forgiveness to help on the road. Certainly the Lord does work in mysterious ways and at times selfishly I am upset that the detours he has thrown at me on the road are numerous and difficult in the end when I reflect I appreciate and have learned from these detours but boy there are a lot. Do the rest of you also find this?
I ave also during the asking of forgiveness and praying for forgiveness find an inordinate amount of peace. Really at times the journey is not only a long and winding road but the emotions on the road are like the pendulum of a clock.
Now on to the parish. Still no parish priest. Father E keeps going like the energiser bunny and does the Sunday mass but even he thinks this is past ridiculous in the amount of time that we have no parish priest. Today we are having another youth mass 4th one on 3 months as opposed to the 4 in the past 2 years. I as some of you know maybe do not appreciate the guitar at mass but I do think the youth have to be involved. For this mass again changes all the time as it was moved ahead a week. I had suggested to every ones amazement to put a clip in the weekly events read at the end of mass. I told them though the effort to run a youth mass is great it is always the same 5-8 kids there. If we get one more out because a parent saw the advert or a grandparent then we have won! So finally a suggestion of mine gets enacted.
Truth be told there is still a small handful who think they are running the Vatican within the parish. I told my wife that I think these people are actually thinking they help in their own little minds and hearts but do not understand what and how they should be doing things.
I know I keep praying constantly for a new parish priest and I am hoping one comes soon. I really want one who will try to get some faith classes going and other things like that because I am starved for this and even though the Internet has a lot of wonderful info on it and people, it still would mean a lot to mean to be able to sit with a priest to learn from.
So there you go my catch up! Take care and God Bless all of you!

The Sunday Reading

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading : Ne 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Ezra brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all the children who could understand what was being read. It was the first day of the seventh month. Ezra read the book before all of them from early morning until midday in the square facing the Water Gate; and all who heard were attentive to the Book of the Law.
Ezra, the teacher of the Law, stood on a wooden platform built for that occasion and to his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hasbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was in a higher place; and when he opened it, all the people stood. Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God; and all the people lifted up their hands and answered, “Amen! Amen!” And they bowed their heads to the ground.
They read from the Book of the Law of God, clarifying and interpreting the meaning, so that everyone might understand what they were hearing.
Then Ezra, the teacher of the Law, said to the people, “This day is dedicated to Yahweh, your God, so do not be sad or weep.” He said this because all wept when they heard the reading of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go and eat rich foods, drink sweet wine and share with him who has nothing prepared.
This day is dedicated to the Lord, so do not be sad. The joy of Yahweh is our strength.”

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
(cf John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 12:12–14, 27 (or 1 Cor 12:12–30)
As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, form one body, so it is with Christ. All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit to form one body and all of us have been given to drink from the one Spirit.
The body has not just one member, but many.
Now, you are the body of Christ and each of you individually is a member of it.

Gospel: Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Several people have set themselves to relate the events that have taken place among us, as they were told by the first witnesses who later became ministers of the Word. After I myself had carefully gone over the whole story from the beginning, it seemed right for me to give you, Theophilus, an orderly account, so that your Excellency may know the truth of all you have been taught.
Jesus acted with the power of the Spirit, and on his return to Galilee the news about him spread throughout all that territory. He began teaching in the synagogues of the Jews and everyone praised him.
When Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been brought up, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Jesus then unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind; to free the oppressed and announce the Lord’s year of mercy.”
Jesus then rolled up the scroll, gave it to the attendant and sat down, while the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he said to them, “Today these prophetic words come true even as you listen.”

The Sunday Reading

First Reading - Is 62:1-5

1. For the sake of Zion, I will not be silent, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest, until her Just One advances in splendor, and her Savior is kindled like a lamp.
2. And the Gentiles will see your Just One, and all the kings will see your Renown One. And you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will choose.
3. And you shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4. You will no longer called Forsaken. And your land will no longer be called Desolate. Instead, you shall be called My Will within it, and your land shall be called Inhabited. For the Lord has been well pleased with you, and your land will be inhabited.
5. For the young man will live with the virgin, and your children will live with you. And the groom will rejoice over the bride, and your God will rejoice over you.

Psalm - Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10

R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
1. Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2a. Sing to the Lord and bless his name.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
2b.Announce his salvation from day to day.
3. Announce his glory among the Gentiles, his miracles among all peoples.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
7. Bring to the Lord, you natives of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honor.
8. Bring to the Lord glory for his name. Lift up sacrifices, and enter into his courts.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
9. Adore the Lord in his holy court. Let the entire earth be shaken before his face.
10. Say among the Gentiles: The Lord has reigned. For he has even corrected the whole world, which will not be shaken. He will judge the peoples with fairness.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Second Reading - 1 Cor 12:4-11

4. Brothers and Sisters: Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit.
5. And there are diverse ministries, but the same Lord.
6. And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone.
7. However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial.
8. Certainly, to one, through the Spirit, is given words of wisdom; but to another, according to the same Spirit, words of knowledge;
9. to another, in the same Spirit, faith; to another, in the one Spirit, the gift of healing;
10. to another, miraculous works; to another, prophecy; to another, the discernment of spirits; to another, different kinds of languages; to another, the interpretation of words.
11. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one according to his will.

Gospel - Jn 2:1-11

1. And on the third day, a wedding was held in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2. Now Jesus was also invited to the wedding, with his disciples.
3. And when the wine was failing, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
4. And Jesus said to her: “What is that to me and to you, woman? My hour has not yet arrived.”
5. His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6. Now in that place, there were six stone water jars, for the purification ritual of the Jews, containing two or three measures each.
7. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the very top.
8. And Jesus said to them, “Now draw from it, and carry it to the chief steward of the feast.” And they took it to him.
9. Then, when the chief steward had tasted the water made into wine, since he did not know where it was from, for only the servants who had drawn the water knew, the chief steward called the groom,
10. and he said to him: “Every man offers the good wine first, and then, when they have become inebriated, he offers what is worse. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
11. This was the beginning of the signs that Jesus accomplished in Cana of Galilee, and it manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Baptism of Christ

A friend was kind enough to pass this on. I found it wonderful so I am passing it on as well, it as about the Baptism of Christ,

A sermon by St Gregory Nazianzen, The Baptism of Christ


Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptised; let us also go down with him, and rise with him.

John is baptising when Jesus draws near. Perhaps he comes to sanctify his baptiser; certainly he comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake and in readiness for us; he who is spirit and flesh comes to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water.

The Baptist protests; Jesus insists. Then John says: I ought to be baptised by you. He is the lamp in the presence of the sun, the voice in the presence of the Word, the friend in the presence of the Bridegroom, the greatest of all born of woman in the presence of the firstborn of all creation, the one who leapt in his mother's womb in the presence of him who was adored in the womb, the forerunner and future forerunner in the presence of him who has already come and is to come again. I ought to be baptised by you: we should also add, "and for you," for John is to be baptised in blood, washed clean like Peter, not only by the washing of his feet.

Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with him. The heavens, like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as to an equal, bearing witness to his Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honour to the body that is one with God.

Today let us do honour to Christ's baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity, as now you have received – though not in its fullness – a ray of its splendour, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

The Sunday Reading

1st Reading : Is 40:1-5, 9-11

Be comforted, my people,
be strengthened, says your God.
Speak to the heart of Jerusalem , proclaim to her
that her time of bondage is at an end,
that her guilt has been paid for,
that from the hand of Yahweh
she has received double punishment
for all her iniquity.
A voice cries,
“In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh.
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley will be raised up;
every mountain and hill will be laid low.
The stumbling blocks shall become level
and the rugged places smooth.
The glory of Yahweh will be revealed,
and all mortals together will see it;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”
Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion ,
lift up your voice with strength,
fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem
and announce to the cities of Judah :
Here is your God!
Here comes your God with might;
his strong arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and here before him is his booty.
Like a shepherd he tends his flock:
he gathers the lambs in his arms,
he carries them in his bosom,
gently leading those that are with young.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10.
(11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
The Lord will bless his people with peace.

2nd Reading: Tit 2:11-14, 3:4-7
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life and worldly greed, and to live in this world as responsible persons, upright and serving God, while we await our blessed hope – the glorious manifestation of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus. He gave himself for us, to redeem us from every evil and to purify a people he wanted to be his own and dedicated to what is good.
But God our Savior revealed his eminent goodness and love for humankind and saved us, not because of good deeds we may have done but for the sake of his own mercy, to the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit poured over us through Christ Jesus our Savior, so that having been justified of his grace we should become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Gospel: Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were wondering about John’s identity, “Could he be the Messiah?” Then John answered them, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is coming will do much more: He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. As for me, I am not worthy to untie his sandal.”
Now, with all the people who came to be baptized, Jesus too was baptized.. Then, while he was praying, the heavens opened: the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the bodily form of a dove and a voice from heaven was heard, “You are my Son, this day I have begotten you.”

Happy New Yaer!

Happy New Year to all those who happen by my humble blog. Certainly has been an interesting year and another year of ups and downs ahead. Certainly my journey back into the faith continues and I certainly have a lot to do and a lot of growing and accepting ahead of me.
I was able to go see our former parish Priest Father B at his new parish. First it was great to see him and he was very happy to see myself and my wife. He has a very old parish about an hour and fifteen minutes from us. It is down in farm country but at one time was a very vibrant Hungarian parish. He hopes to revive it as much as he can as they have not had a parish priest for about 7 years. Just travelling priests coming down on Sunday's to hold mass.
Father B took us on a tour of the church and it is beautiful with beautiful stained glass windows with all the Hungarian Saints depicted on them. Also as Father B pointed out there is a cemetery there at the parish and apparently it is the only recognized Hungarian Cemetery outside of Hungary. We are hoping to go back and take in a mass on a Sunday.
While there we found a wonderful bakery that seems to be a mix of the various ethnic peoples in the region and we were able to get some Hungarian bread and sausage there along with some wonderful Polish pastry and we were served by a wonderful lady from the former East Germany. All in all it was wonderful day.
Father B went into long explanations when we talked about why he left and of course he was curious how the parishioners were digesting his abrupt departure. Of course we all know it was not abrupt he had put in for the transfer and was granted permission from the Bishop's involved to move. We just have not been sent a priest yet. He went through the politics and the thinking of those in power among the lay people. I did tell him that I see it in action and it is sad to see that even though these people may think they are helping they are in fact contributing to the end of our parish both spiritually and financially. Hopefully when the new priest comes he can somehow help the parish out to survive for a long time.
We did attend the New years gala at our parish and truthfully it was very well done and really a great value for the money. Great food and we met new people and made new friends. At the end of the day it was very good.
As for resolutions all I can say is I will do more to grow spiritually this year because there is this yearning in me that is demanding this of me. As to what happens around me I guess I have to accept more of this happening for a reason which is much more deeper and beyond me that I can truly recognize or appreciate at the moment.
For all of you Happy New Year and may God Bless you all!

Sunday Reading

Epiphany of the Lord

1st Reading : Is 60:1-6
Arise, Jerusalem , shine, for your light has come.
The Glory of Yahweh rises upon you.
Night still covers the earth and gloomy clouds veil the peoples, but Yahweh now rises and over you his glory appears.
Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes round about and see: they are all gathered and come to you, your sons from afar, your daughters tenderly carried.
This sight will make your face radiant, your heart throbbing and full; the riches of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.
A flood of camels will cover you, caravans from Midian and Ephah..
Those from Sheba will come, bringing with them gold and incense, all singing in praise of Yahweh.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.
(cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

2nd Reading : Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6
Brothers and sisters, you may have heard of the graces God bestowed on me for your sake. By a revelation he gave me the knowledge of his mysterious design, as I have explained in a few words.
This mystery was not made known to past generations but only now, through revelations given to holy apostles and prophets. Now the non-Jewish people share the Inheritance; in Christ Jesus the non-Jews are incorporated and are to enjoy the Promise.

Gospel: Mt 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem , in Judea, during the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem . They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the east and have come to honor him.”
When Herod heard this he was greatly disturbed and with him all Jerusalem . He immediately called a meeting of all high-ranking priests and the scribes, and asked them where the Messiah was to be born.
“In the town of Bethlehem in Judea,” they told him, “for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, the one who is to shepherd my people Israel..”
Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem with the instruction, “Go and get precise information about the child. As soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I too may go and honor him.”
After the meeting with the king, they set out. The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again. They went into the house and when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshiped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.
In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way.