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Forgiveness Is the Key to Open Heaven
Forgiveness Is the Key to Open Heaven
Today, through a beautiful parable, Jesus is highlighting why a Christian should be repeatedly forgiving the offenses done to him. The parable starts by saying "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king." This king is enormously rich. "A huge amount" in v. 24 is literally translated as "ten thousand talents," which is equal to seven hundred and fifty-five thousand pounds of gold! This servant is pleading for more time to pay back the loan. V.27 says, "Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan." The loan of such an enormous amount is written off! This resembles the mercy of our Heavenly Father. He writes off all our sins and offenses!
"A much smaller amount" in V.28 is literally translated as "a hundred denarii." A denarius was the normal daily wage of a laborer. Therefore, a hundred denarii when compared to 755,000 pounds of gold is nothing! The mercy of God is without any limits. He forgives all our sins. And so, a Christian has to forgive all the offenses done to him. At the end of the story, we see the servant in prison and being tortured for NOT forgiving! If you don't forgive, then you will find yourself in prison/in bondage and being tortured!
Offenses leave us with inner wounds. Inner wounds are more painful and will take more time to heal. But still, let us keep in mind that there is no wound that God cannot heal. Inner healing needs more time and so we need more time to forgive the offenders. Let us take strong willful decisions that we will forgive, and then in due time we will be able to forgive the other.
If we can forgive unconditionally, then we will enjoy absolute freedom as children of God. It is these forgiving and loving deeds of mercy that help us to be blessed and to enjoy peace.
Forgiveness is a heavenly gift that God has already put into our hearts. It is also a sacred duty. Always take these gifts and put them into practice towards our brethren. Don’t think that when you forgive others you become less before others; you become greater! Forgiveness is the key to open heaven. That’s how Jesus opened heaven for us. When He was crucified, He looked down and saw his offenders and Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father to forgive them, "because they do not know what they are doing." We shall ask the Good Lord to give us a heart like His to forgive others unconditionally. Make our hearts like Thine. Be blessed and always be a blessing to others.
With love and prayers,
Fr. Charley
Forgiveness Is the Key to Open Heaven
Today, through a beautiful parable, Jesus is highlighting why a Christian should be repeatedly forgiving the offenses done to him. The parable starts by saying “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king.” This king is enormously rich. “A huge amount” in v. 24 is literally translated as “ten thousand talents,” which is equal to seven hundred and fifty-five thousand pounds of gold! This servant is pleading for more time to pay back the loan. V.27 says, “Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.” The loan of such an enormous amount is written off! This resembles the mercy of our Heavenly Father. He writes off all our sins and offenses!
“A much smaller amount” in V.28 is literally translated as “a hundred denarii.” A denarius was the normal daily wage of a laborer. Therefore, a hundred denarii when compared to 755,000 pounds of gold is nothing! The mercy of God is without any limits. He forgives all our sins. And so, a Christian has to forgive all the offenses done to him. At the end of the story, we see the servant in prison and being tortured for NOT forgiving! If you don’t forgive, then you will find yourself in prison/in bondage and being tortured!
Offenses leave us with inner wounds. Inner wounds are more painful and will take more time to heal. But still, let us keep in mind that there is no wound that God cannot heal. Inner healing needs more time and so we need more time to forgive the offenders. Let us take strong willful decisions that we will forgive, and then in due time we will be able to forgive the other.
If we can forgive unconditionally, then we will enjoy absolute freedom as children of God. It is these forgiving and loving deeds of mercy that help us to be blessed and to enjoy peace.
Forgiveness is a heavenly gift that God has already put into our hearts. It is also a sacred duty. Always take these gifts and put them into practice towards our brethren. Don’t think that when you forgive others you become less before others; you become greater! Forgiveness is the key to open heaven. That’s how Jesus opened heaven for us. When He was crucified, He looked down and saw his offenders and Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father to forgive them, “because they do not know what they are doing.” We shall ask the Good Lord to give us a heart like His to forgive others unconditionally. Make our hearts like Thine. Be blessed and always be a blessing to others.
With love and prayers,
Fr. Charley
House Blessings
Fr. Charley has been blessing our parishioner’s homes this summer. The blessings are a wonderful way to dedicate your home and family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. If you would like to have your home blessed, please contact the parish office.
Fr. Charley blesses homes
If your brother sins against you…
If your brother sins against you...
Today's first reading is from The Book of Ezekiel. The Lord makes it clear that the prophet should be the guide of the people of Israel. If the prophet fails to warn a sinner, then he will be held responsible for that sinner.
In today's second reading, the Letter to the Romans, Saint Paul concludes that love is the fulfillment of the law. He makes it very clear that one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Today, we should take all the three readings as one single unit. Jesus made it clear that he has come not to call the righteous but the sinners (Matthew 9:13). In fact, in Matthew 18:14 Jesus says, "It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."
Today's message could very well be derived from the prominent question and answer in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis 4:9, "Then the Lord asked Cain, 'where is your brother Abel?' He answered, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?'"
Yes... I am my brother's keeper! I should be responsible for his life. Today’s Gospel is all about how to bring back the lost brethren. Jesus is trying to tell us that our brother must not be lost by us anytime but always to bring him back to a love relationship.
Jesus came into this world to bring back the lost one, not looking for the righteous ones or good ones.
We are here to express our relationship to God, but God is concerned about our relationships with each other. Matt.18:20 says "When two or three are gathered for my sake, there am I in the midst of them." When we are mutually connected, God is there. Therefore, God’s relationship with us and our relationships with others are interconnected.
According to St. Augustine of Hippo, "If someone has done you injury and you have suffered, what should be done?" You have heard the answer already in today's scripture: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone." If you fail to do so, you are worse than he is. He has done someone harm, and by doing harm he has stricken himself with a grievous wound. Will you then completely disregard your brother's wound? Will you simply watch him stumble and fall down? Will you disregard his predicament? If so, you are worse in your silence than he in his abuse. Therefore, when any one sins against us, let us take great care, but not merely for ourselves. For it is a glorious thing to forget injuries. Just set aside your own injury, but do not neglect your brother's wound. Therefore "'go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone,' intent upon his amendment but sparing his sense of shame" (Excerpt from Sermon 82.7).
Love and prayers,
Fr. Charley
Dedication to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Have Mercy on us…
As we know my dear brothers and sisters, this month (June) is specially dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus—Friday 16th is the Feast Day. On that day at 12 noon we will dedicate our homes to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will pray the dedication prayers to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at home as well as in our Parish Church right before the Holy Mass on Friday. We shall offer all our houses and families and our Parish to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus that day. Please remember that His Heart is the most powerful Heart to accept us always under any conditions and circumstances of our life. Because He is full of mercy, love and compassion, He will never abandon us.
Dedication to the Most Secret Heart of Jesus
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, now we gather before You to dedicate each one of us to You. We believe and proclaim that You are the King and Master of our homes and our Parish. We dedicate all those who are living in this Parish/home. Whenever they go out and come in, You keep them safe in Your hands. Protect them from all the dangers of the world. Protect them from sudden death and from all the natural and unnatural calamities. Keep our hearts always clean and pure. Lead us not into temptation. If anybody has been in the state of sin, give him the chance to repent and come back to you as soon as possible. Please show mercy and love towards us always and at every time. May all those who have passed away from this family enjoy Your everlasting life in Heaven. Give us also the chance to be with You in Heaven after our life here on earth. All these prayers and dedications are lifted up to You, through the Most Holy Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Have mercy on us (3 times)
Immaculate Heart of Mary: Pray for us
Saint Joseph: Pray for us
Mary, Queen of the Universe: Pray for us
Mary, Help of Christians: Pray for us.
Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, Make our hearts like Yours.
May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus protect us and keep us safe always within His heart.
With gratitude, love and prayers,
Fr. Charley
First Communion
May God bless our precious children who received their First Holy Communion on Easter Sunday! May they always recognize the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and deeply love this most holy sacrament. Please continue to pray for them:
Aaron Alvarez-Velazquez, Theodore Grilly, Alexandra Hawkes, Mia Homan, Cruz Laney, Victoria Salazar, and Olivia Virone.
A special thank you to the parents and Ms. Christine Dennis, their catechist, for preparing them for this special occasion!
Susan Turner
New Members via RCIA at the Easter Vigil
WELCOME to OUR FAITH FAMILY!
It is with great joy that we welcome Ashley Haynes, Diane Self, and Paul Jilani into the Church at this most holy time of year through the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. Please pray for them as they continue their journey of faith!
Susan Turner
Confirmation
Congratulations to our young people and those from St. Mary of the Visitation who received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Raica at the 10 o’clock Mass on Saturday, April 1. Please pray for them and all youth as they continue their journey of faith. They are: Jayci Cloys, John Dempsey, Gregory Ebelhar, Matthew Hammer, Emily Huddleston, Jayleena Laney, Anthony Torres, Marli Waldon, Gabriel Carrillo, Thomas Custodio, Aubrey Dithmer, Burke Jones, Thomas Kruza, George Mullins, Mark Olin, and Victoria Quintero. God bless them! Thank You!
Susan Turner