Letter From Deacon Max

Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan man to tell us the answer to the
question: Who is my neighbor? The answer we learnt in our Catechism Class is
Everybody. Our neighbor is anyone God has placed in our surroundings, that is,
we are to see every other person as our neighbor. But today we learn that the
answer Jesus gave is somewhat different. A neighbor, according to Jesus, is
someone who shows compassion to another in need. It makes no difference who
that could be. Jesus wants us to show compassion – irrespective of who the helper
or the person in need may be. It is a question of us actively being a neighbor to
others, not based on their race, nationality, occupation, gender, skin color,
personality but based on need. Simply put, the question of “ Who is my neighbor?”
is not WHAT or WHO is our neighbor but for us to go and BE a neighbor.
Questions for Small Group:
1. When have you gone out of your way to help a stranger in need?
Deacon MaxJuly 17, 2022/ Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 2

Summer Vacation

I am away this week on a trip to the Passion  Play in Oberammergau, Germany. This trip
was something I planned to do in the Summer  of 2020, but the play was cancelled for the first
time in decades, and thanks be to God, was rescheduled for this summer. I’m excited to travel with my mother and with a pilgrimage group to experience this ancient town production, centered on Our Lord’s Passion, which I’ve heard is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I’m grateful for this time of travel and refreshment. 

Summer is a time of vacations and renewal. Many of our hard-working staff and
volunteers, some of whom have not been on vacation in several years, are taking time off this
summer. That is one of the reasons why our activities are the church are slowed down at this
time. I would have loved to have a Vacation Bible School, and a few more summer youth
activities, but I decided that everyone needed a break. Thanks for your understanding, and I
hope that all our parishioners are able to have some vacation time. As we have many summer
visitors to the Poconos, we never stop in our welcoming atmosphere every single weekend.
Thank you to all staff and volunteers! Thank you as well to Deacon Max, Msgr. Bergamo,
Fr. Polednak, and Fr. Jaime for covering while I am away! That being said, coming up in August are several activities that you don’t want to miss. Back by popular demand,

I am going to conduct a Summer Bible Study on the Book of Revelation on Wednesday nights in August, starting on Wednesday August 3 at 7 pm in the church. All are invited and there is no need to sign up. We will also Live Stream the Bible studies. This time, we will cover 4 to 5 chapters per session so as to cover the entire book in a month. Also, you don’t want to miss our Family Picnic which will be on Sunday August 21 starting at 12 pm. There will be activities for kids and families; and I hear there will be “Dunk The Deacon” as well! Also, the Knights of Columbus are planning a baseball outing at the end of the summer. Please stay tuned for the date and bus information. Mark your calendars for the delayed Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on Saturday September 10.
In the coming weeks, there will be invitations to register your kids for Faith Formation,
RCIA, and Fall activities which are right around the corner. This upcoming fall, we are
planning to relaunch and renew in a big way our children’s ministries! In addition, there will be
various opportunities to step up into service. Please stay tuned! With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

“Live and Learn” Week Five:

Influence others, and don’t try to change them!

          Happy July 4th! Today we conclude our June message series. We’ve talked about basic life lessons, or processes of decision-making, that successful people learn, whether in their personal life, in their professional life, or in their spiritual life. Week 1 was: “Know yourself so to be yourself.” Week 2: “Embrace short-term pain for long-term gain.” Week 3: “Be the hero,
not the victim.” Week 4: “Life works from the inside out.” You can always catch the encores of our messages by going to our website, and scrolling down to past messages. To conclude, we are looking at how we can influence others. Most of us from time to time have desired to change another person. It could be your spouse’s habits, or your kids’ bad behaviors, or the way a coworker does his job that is the wrong way to do things. We think
sometimes that our influence is so great that we can actually change other people’s character faults. However, our problem is that if the other person often doesn’t change, that leads us to become angry, frustrated, or doubt ourselves. An important life lesson is to understand the difference between influence and change. You and I cannot change someone; we can only influence them to change. Successful people don’t fall into the trap of thinking we can change other people; but on the other hand, our influence can be much greater than we sometimes think. 

For this week’s message, read 2 Samuel 12:1-13. After David commits adultery and murders Uriah, the prophet Nathan is given the task to confront David with his sin. Rather than try and change David, Nathan gets David to “trip over” the truth and discover the terrible deed he has done. This is a lesson that successful people learn. Rather than trying to change people, they allow people to make their own choices and decisions, and then allow them to experience the consequences of those decisions. Notice Nathan’s wisdom, how he influences David so that he is more inclined to choose himself to change for the good. If you’ve been trying to change somebody in your life, in the present and the past, this week recognize that you can’t do that. Instead, this week instead focus on influencing them. Questions for Small Groups:

1. How did the prophet Nathan influence David?
2. When have you been successful at influencing someone to change? What did
you do?
3. When has someone influenced you to change? How were they successful?
4. Who is someone in your life you would like to see change? What would it look like for you
to influence them instead of trying to change them?
5. As we wrap up this series, which message most impacted you? What is your biggest
takeaway of the series?

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

“Live and Learn” Week Four

Live Your Life from the Inside Out

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This series has been all about life lessons that successful people learn, whether from years of experience, mistakes and failures, misfortune, or sudden moments of insight.  I wish I learned these lessons when I was younger! If we embrace these processes of decision-making, they will bring success to our personal lives, our professional lives, and our spiritual lives.  In week one the lesson was: “Know yourself so to be yourself.” In week two, we said: “Embrace short-term pain for long-term gain.” Last week the lesson was this: “Play the hero, not the victim.” If you’ve missed any of the past messages, you can always go to our website and scroll down to access the encores on our YouTube channel.

             The bottom line for today is simply this: successful people learn that life works inside out.  Our “inner life” drives all the externals of our lives. If your inner life is solid, the external will take care of itself. So, decide to make your internal life a priority over your external.  Today’s lesson goes against what our culture teaches us. So often we desire something that looks good on the outside, but it’s useless, because on the inside, it’s broken or wounded or immature. Our culture tells us that happiness will be gained from our social media branding, or our popularity, or our money and possessions. Get that position or that job, and you’ll be satisfied on the inside. Go on that vacation, and that will solve all your problems at home.  When your get married, your relationship problems will go away.  In the long run, nothing on the exterior works unless it is accompanied by change in our inner life, that is, what’s going on in our minds, our hearts, and our inner spirit.

In the Gospels, Jesus often points out the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees.  In  Matthew 23:23-28, we hear Jesus’ condemnation of them for their inner life not being matched with their actions.  Jesus says: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity.  But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.  Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.  You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

For Christians, and Catholics in particular, we’ve typically been raised to think at times that our faith is all about the externals. We tend to think that if we do our religious duty, fulfill our obligations, and scrupulously obey God’s commandments, all that matters is our external behavior. True religion, however, is about life transformation, and this happens on the inside.  Jesus calls his disciples us to be changed and transformed from the inside out.  This happens over the course of our lives, with the help of God’s grace. Certainly it involves our external behavior and actions, but not these alone. 

In turn, our personal happiness is an “inside job!” We are the always the masters of our own happiness, no matter what!  We can look for ways to truly be refreshed, renewed, grow on the inside.  As in today’s Gospel, when we focus on our mission in Christ, in following him and growing in discipleship, we can’t go wrong. One thing that will always renew us is prayer, and a commitment to daily prayer. I know that when I don’t pray, I will feel irritated, anxious, or empty in my daily tasks, but when I carve out regular time for prayer, I always feel renewed and refreshed in spirit. This week, commit to seeking life transformation from the inside out, and committing or recommitting to the calling that God has given to you.

Questions for Small Groups:

1. What was Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees?
2. What are the ways our culture overemphasizes the external at the expense of internal health? 
3. Jesus tells the Pharisees to clean the inside of the cup? What does he mean by that metaphor?
4. What refreshes and your heart and inner spirit?  What would it look like for you to better care for the internal you?
5. Christianity is about changing from the inside out, but often is seen has just following laws or behavior modification. Why do you think that confusion often occurs?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Live and Learn” Week Three

Play the Hero, Not the Victim

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we celebrate Father’s Day, as well as the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ.  It was my father who always insisted that we his sons go to church. Certain things about my father made a deep impression on me as a kid.  He was always a lector and Eucharistic Minister from the time I was young, and so his example of service on the altar was always there for our family. Another example is the fact that even though my father cannot sing at all – he is completely tone deaf – he always tries to sing!  This is often quite funny, but his “singing” in a way also inspired me to always participate more seriously in Mass and entering into worship and active participation. So, my father was a “hero” in these not so small ways!

In this June message series, we are looking at several life lessons or decisions that successful people make, whether it’s in their professional life, their personal relationships, or their spiritual life. Today we are looking at another life lesson. We all can think of people who tend to act like victims, and you just wish they would just do something about their problem.  All of us have been like this from time to time; instead of doing something about our problems, we complain. We focus on what we can’t do, and this never improves the situation. Other times, whether we know it or not, we have focused on what we can do. In turn, we see God open doors or help us.  There are times that God waits for us to act before he supplies what we need. We might be tempted to make excuses for all the things we don’t have in those different situations, whether it’s time, stuff, or lack of talent and ability, but when we resist that temptation and do what we can do, our situation always gets better!      

In this Sunday’s Gospel Reading for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, we hear St. Luke’s description of Jesus famous miracle of the multiplication of the loaves (Luke 9:11-17).  The disciples complained that the 5000 would not have enough food, but Jesus instead tells them to do what they could do – simply to organize the crowd and sit them in groups of 50.  The result is miraculous: They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets (Luke 9:17). 

You may be facing a difficult situation right now at home, at work, or in school.  What can you do?  Here’s a list of possible actions: Make the phone call – Make the big asl – Submit the proposal – Apply for the job – Quit the job you hate – Have the hard conversation – Have any kind of conversation – Call your son – Call your daughter – Call your parent – Send the e-mail – Buy the ring and make the proposal – Cut off the engagement – Make the appointment for help – Learn about the illness – Go into recovery – Move forward – Get more information –  Go back to school – Gain the skill. 

May we have the courage to not focus on what we can’t do, but instead do what we can, and see God provide the rest. Questions for Small Groups:

1. Why do you think that Jesus told the apostles to give the crowd some food? Why did Jesus tell the apostles to have the groups sit down in groups of 50?
2. Reflect on a problem you are facing.  What would it look like for you to offer something small or little to him so he can take your little and multiply it?
3. Read Luke 9:17.  What does this say about when we offer little things to God? What little bit can you offer to God so that he can take and multiply it? 
4. Why is prayer so important when it comes identifying the resources you don’t need?
5. From the list above, what is one action you need to take?

With blessings,

Fr. Reiclen

“Live & Learn” Week 2

Short-term pain leads to long-term gain.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This is the second week of our June series that is about certain lessons successful people all come to know in their lives. These five lessons, behaviors, or decision-making processes that we’re talking about in this series are discovered by people in various ways – perhaps by their own lived experience of success, failure, or misfortune; or perhaps by a sudden insight that brings new blessings to their professional lives, their personal lives, or their spiritual lives.  Last week we looked at the lesson of knowing yourself, in order to be yourself.  Successful people don’t waste their time trying to be a different person than who they’re designed by God to be!  When we get to know ourselves, we can live from our strengths – those gifts and talents that give us passion and energy, because that’s how God made us.   

Today’s lesson follows from last week.  From an early age, we’ve all experienced times of pain that led to something good. We admire our mentors or family members who embrace pain to bring about a long-term gain. Yet, we hear the expression, “No pain; no gain,” and that perhaps makes us cringe. Perhaps it reminds us that sometimes, honestly, we tend to avoid or put off pain or discomfort we know is necessary, so to reach a milestone or goal we want to achieve.  For example, it could be about taking the first steps to lose weight, or having a tough series of conversations with your spouse or co-worker in order to improve your relationship.  Embracing short-term pain is necessary in order to cope in a healthy way with an addiction or bad habit.  It is also necessary for us to get to the next level in something we are good at.  Few elite athletes, for instance, find long-term success just based on their elite genetics.  The best athletes, no matter how gifted they are, also work harder than everyone else.  The hardest part can be to mentally prepare ourselves to embrace short-term pain for long-term gain.  The mental preparation can be helped by faith and by prayer, as well as the reminder that the pain is only temporary.   

This week, read Romans 5:1-5, the Second Reading that we heard on this Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Notice that Paul has a peace that comes from faith and grace.  This leads him to say that he can boast in his afflictions!  His afflictions help him to cultivate endurance, then proven character, then ultimately a hope that does not disappoint. This week, may we pray for the grace of courage to endure short-term pain, with the hope of long-term gain.  We are not alone!  God who is One in Three, a Communion of Divine Persons, grants us the desire and the grace to do so.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Paul says he boasts of his afflictions. When have you boasted about your afflictions or your pain?  Why does Paul say he boasts of his afflictions?
2. Read Romans 5:1. Why does Paul say he have peace?  How can that help us when suffering in difficult times?
3. React to this statement: The only way to grow your character is through difficulty?
4. Why is it only a proven character can have hope?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Live and Learn” Week 1

Know yourself so you can be yourself.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we begin a new series for the month of June. It is said that the fool learns by experience, but at least he learns. From time to time, we have all been unproductive or counterproductive in decision-making, experienced negative thought patterns, and made poor decisions. However, rather than repeating failed behaviors and thought processes, successful people are able to recognize and rise above their failures to make permanent positive decisions they'll never regret. During this series we will identify some behaviors and thought processes of successful people.

Today, on this Pentecost Sunday, we will look at how successful people live out of who God created them to be. In other words, “know yourself so you can be yourself.” Think about hard life lessons that you have learned from experience. It often takes time and experience for us to truly learn and embrace our own natural abilities and personality. For myself, it took me years to embrace my own introverted personality. On the Meyers-Briggs personality assessment, I am an “INTJ.”  For years, I felt the pressure from others to pretend to be a person that I’m not. In American culture, there is constant pressure on introverts toward what Susan Cain, the author of the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (New York: Crown, 2012) calls the “Extrovert Ideal” in our society. Introverts are 30% of the human population, and contrary to the opinion of many people, introversion is actually an inherited genetic trait that doesn’t change. In other words, we are born this way!  Introverted children, from preschool onwards, are constantly pressured in our school system, media, and virtually all activities to come out of their shell, to grow out of their shyness, to take on the personality traits of extroverts. I’ve experienced this pressure as a pastor and parish priest – often, the expectation that people have of their Pastor is that he is highly extroverted and derives energy from being around people. That is not who I am!  The Extrovert Ideal is put on display constantly in media, Hollywood, and in politics as the guiding personality trait of leaders and successful people in general.  When I read Cain’s book, it was one of several reminders to me that I can still be a successful leader as an introvert – in fact, I can ONLY be successful when I live and act as the person God created me to be, and not pretend to be someone else.

My friends, we are all created by God with our own unique gifts and talents. Often we can fall into the “comparison trap” of wishing we had gifts, talents, abilities, or opportunities we don’t have, all while neglecting our own giftedness and our own unique opportunities.  This week, pray with the Second Reading we heard at Mass this weekend, 1 Corinthians 12:3-13.  Our students who are to be confirmed this Sunday are gifted, called, and sent. On this Pentecost Sunday, may we all be reminded of our own unique giftedness.  Don’t try to be a person who you are not!  Instead, as Matthew Kelly often has said, be “the best version of yourself!” This week, pray to the Holy Spirit to enliven your mind and heart into these efforts.  Questions for Small Groups:   

1. Read aloud 1 Corinthians 12:11.  What does this tell us about our gifts and abilities?  Why does that matter? 
2. What do you do better than most people? What comes easy to you? 
3. In what ways can you use your gifts and talents to serve others or to build up the body of Christ? 
4. Are there any gifts you have been given from God that you are neglecting? 
5. On a scale of 1-5, how well are you using your gifts and abilities to serve others?  What is one way you could leverage your gifts and abilities better? 
6. What would it look like for you to invite the Holy Spirit into your efforts?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

7^th Sunday of Easter.  

Love Is Shown In Unity.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             On this Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer, we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.  In our parish, we have many “wins” to remember and celebrate this past year. We celebrate that post-COVID, many people have returned to ministry, and behind the scenes, staff and volunteer leaders are working more efficiently than ever, as we have established “infrastructure” of layered leadership.  We have welcomed over 100 new parishioners this past year, and we celebrated the Sacraments with numerous adults and children. Our in-person attendance at Mass increased 15% this past year, and we continue to have one of the best experiences of online Mass in our area, engaging hundreds of people each week. We held a successful mini-Capital Campaign, “Christ Our Light,” an ongoing project that is helping to improve the necessary sound and lighting for this outreach; and various volunteer ministers have stepped up, including our musicians, leading us in worship each week. Our various adult organizations in the parish – the Columbiettes, Knights of Columbus, Seniors, Focolare – conducted various successful events, including the 2^nd Annual Light the Night in December; and our organizations were often the face of our church in the community, working alongside our Partners in Mission in various ways. Our Faith Formation program grew in the number of children for the first time in six years, and congratulations to Marybel Sigler who is completing her first year as Faith Formation Coordinator for her excellent leadership.  St. John’s Youth Ministry is celebrating 12 graduating seniors who are going off to new adventures. Then there is the successful launch of Small Groups, under the leadership of Kathy Fisher and the facilitators of eleven adult groups meeting throughout Lent and Easter, and the tremendous spiritual energy that this program has brought to our parish.  I cannot be grateful enough for the amazing work of the Holy Spirit in our parish, and your cooperation with God’s grace in our midst! Thank you!

We are a diverse community of different languages and cultures, young and old, rich and poor, united in the name of Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of love!  When we want to know how to love, we look to God who is love; and today in the Gospel (John 17:20-26), Jesus tells us that there’s a standard for love. It’s very simple.  It’s a person. It’s himself; and the great lesson he shows us today is that love seeks union.  Love is measured by unity.  First, he points to his union with the Father.  Jesus and the Father are one.  Then he points to his union with each one of us.  Isn’t that amazing?  Jesus is telling us that we can have a relationship with the Father. We are created for God; only in God will our hearts finally be at rest.  As St. Augustine famously put it, “You have created us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” 

There’s more. Jesus says something that should make us do cartwheels in the aisles of this church.  He says: Father, they are your gift to me.  Who is he talking about? Each one of us. – Christ sees each one of us as a gift!  Christ receives each person as a gift; and he asks the Father that the very love of God might dwell in us.  Through Christ, the very life of God is within us.  Because of all that, Christ can ask us to live united to him and to each other. It’s his love that enables us to do that. It’s his power that enables us to do that. 

Christ calls us to be saints; a saint is someone who is united to Christ, and in Christ, is united to others through faith. He calls us to witness to the world that he is alive, that he is not just an idea or a nice picture in a Bible.  He is real!  Our best witness to that is the unity that comes from love. May we at St. John’s continue the work that Christ has given us – to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. May we continue to witness to Christ by our oneness with God and with one another.

Love,

Fr. Reichlen

6^th Sunday of Easter. 

God Dwells Within Us!

Dear brothers and sisters,

The spring months are filled with so many blessings, aren’t they?  Last week we celebrated our children who received First Holy Communion.  In the past several weeks, many of our young people who grew up in our parish are celebrating college graduations, and in a few weeks, our high school seniors will be celebrating a major milestone of their lives as they graduate and embark on new journeys.  In addition, we are celebrating the baptisms of many children in the spring and summer months, and the weddings of many couples like Danny and Kailyn who were married last weekend here at St. John’s!  The mystery of our life is filled with joyful milestones that we should celebrate and cherish, and these encounters are moments of significance, where we can fulfill God’s purpose and plan for us. 

God is with us!  The Gospel passage we heard at this weekend’s Mass (John 14:23-29), from the Last Supper, reminds us of one of the great mysteries and secrets of our life as Christ followers.  When we are baptized, God himself, the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, actually comes into our souls and takes up residence there.  Jesus says to us about the Holy Trinity, concerning God’s life within us: We will come to him and make our dwelling with him (14:23), “him” being all people who receive God into their hearts and souls in faith and in baptism.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus ascended back into heaven fifty days after his resurrection?  Why didn’t he stick around?  One answer is that he wanted to be closer to us; he wanted to be able to dwell deep within our hearts, beyond earthly limits.  If Christ had not “gone to the Father,” he would have remained limited by time and space, as he was during his earthly life; but since he now dwells body and soul in heaven, he can be present to each one of us at all times, through the Holy Spirit. 

Since the three Persons of the Trinity share the same nature, where one is, all three are; but for the sake of our understanding, the Church has long attributed God’s presence within our soul especially to the Holy Spirit, the most hidden of the three Persons of the Trinity, whom we are preparing to welcome in the coming Solemnity of Pentecost.  Tradition calls the Holy Spirit the “sweet guest of the soul.”  He is the Gift that brings all gifts, given to us through Christ’s generosity on Calvary.  The anointing with chrism at baptism reminds us that at that moment the Holy Spirit brought God to dwell within us, to be our intimate friend. 

The Holy Spirit is like our own personal trainer, but instead of honing our physique, he hones our capacity to love like Christ, our virtue and holiness, our hearts.  The Holy Spirit, Jesus reminds us, will teach you everything (John 14:26).  So, to all students young and old, I remind you that our “training” as disciples never ends!  May we pray this week especially for our children and youth, that they live as life-long trainees or students of Jesus, guided by the “sweet” tutelage of the Holy Spirit within us.  As we gather for celebrations and parties in this season, may we remember that God is with us! 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Brand New” Week 5

Our Ultimate Hope

Dear brothers and sisters,

Congratulations to our children this weekend receiving First Holy Communion!  God is certainly doing something new in your life! May God continue to bless you today and always, and may God bless our parents, families, and teachers for their dedication and commitment to God’s love and love for one another! 

This weekend we finish up our Easter series. We love the brand new – a brand new shirt, a brand new toy, a brand new car.  We’ve been saying that our longing for the new is rooted in a longing for Christ, who is making us into a New Creation.  We’ve looked at ways that this happens – how God wants to give us a new mind, a new spirit, a new heart.  Today as we wrap up the series, we are looking at our expectations for new things coming our way, as we are being made new.  We hear in the prophet Isaiah: Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out, quenched like a wick (Isaiah 43:16-17).  God reminds the Israelites, who are in exile, of what he has done in the past, by liberating them from slavery in Egypt, and rescuing them from the power of Pharaoh and his army. The Lord God in his might and power created a path in the Red Sea to rescue his people.  He’s reminding them of who he is, and the power he has. 

Strangely, then, the Lord says this through the prophet: Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not (Isaiah 43:18). There’s a temptation to think that God ONLY acts in the past. God is saying here to not confine his power or his working merely to the past and past remembrances. He continues: See, I am doing something new!  Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers (Isaiah 43:19). ZGod is saying, “Pay attention!  You may not notice it immediately, but I’m doing a new thing here and now!” It’s our job to see it, to be on the lookout for it. The God who can make rivers flow in the desert, can certainly bring newness to your life.

Is there a part to your life where you feel stuck, where you want to move forward but you don’t know how?  Our job is to be on the lookout for what God is going to do. Just as in the Book of Revelation (21:5) as we hear at this weekend’s Mass, we hear similarly God’s promises in Isaiah: See, I am creating new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered nor come to mind.  Instead, shout for joy and be glad forever in what I am creating.  Indeed, I am creating Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight (Isaiah 65:17-18).  This is God’s promise to us, and God always fulfills his promises! 

God is doing something new in your life, here and now, and always. Our job is to be on the lookout, to spot it, and to go where God is giving blessings to us. Maybe it’s to bring your marriage or your relationship to your kids to a whole new level.  Maybe it’s to make an impact on the world in a whole new way. Maybe it’s simply what is going on in your mind, your spirit, or your heart.  May we see what God is doing and then go to find blessing! Questions for Small Groups:

1. Who are some people you know are stuck in the past?  Why are people tempted to stay there? 
2. On a scale of 1-5, how much do you trust and believe God to bring about a new thing in your life?  Why do you answer as you do? 
3. Why are we tempted to think God only worked in the past but won’t work in the present? 
4. Read aloud Isaiah 43:19.  Where do you want a new thing to happen but need God to make a way in the wilderness or a river in the desert? 
5. What one lesson have you learned or change have you made as a result of this series?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Brand New” Week 4

New Heart

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Happy Mother’s Day! In this Easter series, we are exploring our longing for the new.  We all like new things, whether it’s brand new gear, a brand new car smell, or anything else – the brand new gives us a fresh start. That longing for the new is a gift from our Creator, who wants us to always find newness in Christ.  We are a New Creation, but we have to live it out AS IF IT WERE REALLY TRUE! A new mind has faith and trust in God instead of doubt, worry, self-criticism, and negative talk. A new spirit bears fruit in our words, attitudes, and actions – fruit of love, joy, kindness, generosity, joy, and peace. 

             This week is about a new heart that God wants to give us. In the Scripture, the “heart” is not our emotional life, but the core or executive center of who we are. In other words, the Bible describes the heart as our will – really what we want and what we desire out of life. What is wrong with our hearts? In our hearts, sometimes we can be conflicted in decision making, indifferent about problems around us, cynical about people, bitter about broken dreams, full of anger or malice toward others, jealous toward others, self-centered, or manipulative. We can often seek how we can get our way, instead of asking how we can bring about the good. 

God wants to give us a heart that’s centered on doing good – loving God, and loving others.  God says to the ancient people of Israel: I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). This prophecy was given during the dark period of the Exile.  The people were in exile because of their pursuit of idols and wealth, instead of trusting God.  They were seeking their own ways, instead of God’s ways, and as a result their hearts were heavy.  A heart of stone is cold, closed down, isolated from people, seeking its own way.  A heart of stone is heavy.  In contrast, a heart of flesh looks to bring good to others.  A heart of flesh looks to do God’s will by loving God and loving others. A heart of flesh is single-minded instead of conflicted.  A heart of flesh is pure. 

             How, then, do we receive a new heart?  First, we have to state that we want it!  This takes some honesty about what ways we are tempted to have a heart of stone.  What honestly is in my heart?  Second, we need to be willing to surrender our will, and our heart, to God’s heart. Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane – “not my will, but yours be done.”  In the next 24 hours, pray to God, “Not my will, but yours be done.”  If we in total honesty can’t do this, simply say, “God, I WANT to WANT your heart!”  Sometimes the DESIRE TO DESIRE is itself a prayer!  In short, if we are vulnerable before God, he can give us a new heart! 

Questions for Small Groups:

1. The heart was defined as our executive center. What are your thoughts on that definition of the heart? 
2. Different maladies or problems in our heart were mentioned; which one do you feel like you need to root out?
3. Read aloud Ezekiel 36:26.  When are the situations that you can have a heart of stone?  Why does that ultimately not work for us? 
4. What would it look for God to give you a new heart? What would it be like to have a heart of flesh?
5. What would it look over the next 24 hours for you to do God’s will and not your will?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Brand New” Week 3

New Spirit

Dear brothers and sisters,

             In this Easter series, we are exploring our longing for the new. We all like new things!  The new things in our life eventually get old, and we have to replace them.  God wants us to always find newness in Christ, and as we’ve been saying, we can become a New Creation in Christ!  Last week we looked at taking on a new mind, new ways of thinking. Today we are looking at a new spirit of love, joy, kindness, generosity, joy, and peace.

             All of us have an inner “spirit” that integrates our body, mind, and heart – this includes our personality and our habits, our way of looking at life, how we interact with others, and our decision making.  What kind of spirit do you have? How would others describe your spirit?  Are you generous or thrifty, kind or cold, angry or peaceful, envious or satisfied?  Paul reminds us this: I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate (Romans 7:15). We are sinners, and our lesser selves want to satisfy our desire for newness in worldly ways.  For example, if you struggle with compulsive shopping, you may be constantly fighting with that stimulation and thrill that comes from buying and spending.  We all have tendencies of doing things we don’t want to do. As we talked about last week, there’s constantly in our soul a fight between the flesh and the spirit. 

How, then, do we live this newness in Christ? The answer is living the life of the Holy Spirit in our words and actions.  Paul says to the Romans:  If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you (Romans 8:11). The Risen Christ has won for us a New Spirit – and the Holy Spirit is already in us through faith and baptism!  We are marked with this reality, and no matter what we do or do not do, the Spirit dwells within us in the grace of the Sacraments, with our own personal inner spirit.  However, the Holy Spirit can remain inactive and not acknowledged, like a muscle that is not exercised. If we first acknowledge and believe this reality as true, then we are closer to living it! A life of sin is death, but being led by the Holy Spirit within us brings life.  Paul continues: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” (8:14-15).  Paul is saying that you do not have to be a slave to fear anymore.  Our lesser sinful selves live in fear, especially fear of punishment. Living as adopted children means we live in love instead of fear, and we have an intimate relationship with God as a loving Father, instead of as a slave master. 

Being made new in Christ involves, of course, inviting the Holy Spirit within us to bear fruit, cooperating with the life of the Holy Spirit to be more and more integrated and made whole in our own inner spirit, by our daily habits and actions that will grow our “Spirit muscles” over time and change us.  Paul says to the Galatians: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  We all want the fruits of the Holy Spirit, to integrate all of these fruits into our own inner spirit, our inner being. This week, spend some time on the verse from Galatians. Which one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit do you most need or most want?  Bring this to prayer, journal about it, and put it into practical habits. Over time, you will see God working new things in your life!  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Describe someone you know that has a joyful, peaceful and/or generous spirit. 
2. Describe someone you know that has a negative, fearful spirit. 
3. Your spirit integrates all other parts of the body, mind, and heart.  The spirit then guides us towards a way of seeing life, towards a way of making decisions and interacting with others.  What are some words (positive or negative) that describe your spirit?  
4. Our flesh and our spirit are constantly battling.  Describe how your flesh and spirit battle each other in a particular situation.  Who wins?  How often? 
5. Read Galatians 5:22-23. Which fruit of the spirit do you need or want the most?  How will you work on that this week?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Brand New” Week 2 a New Mind

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Last weekend on Easter Sunday we began a NEW message series that is all appropriate for our times. No matter who we are, we all love new things, and that longing for the new is a gift from God. The resurrection changes the whole course of history, and because of the power of Christ’s resurrection available to us, we can be renewed and become a New Creation in Christ, the old passing away. How does this specifically happen in our lives? Paul gives us concrete advice about the first steps of renewal: Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). Paul is saying that our renewal in Christ starts with our mind. What is your daily “inner dialogue?” Our thoughts and unique patterns of thinking are often the starting point of why our growth in Christ is slowed down or even stuck.  Perhaps for you it’s the “comparison trap.” You’re always looking with jealousy at your siblings, friends, coworkers, or neighbors.  Perhaps you’re stuck in a way of thinking where you put yourself down.  Your negative self-talk is part of your struggle with anxiety or depression.  Maybe your life is filled with so much “busyness” that it holds you back from being able to just enjoy the moment. Maybe you find yourself in a constant state of worrying about many things: money, your aging parents, or your kids’ wellbeing.  You might constantly struggle with negative thoughts of sadness or anger.  All these things can be mental blocks to being renewed by Christ, and all of these thought patterns, even if what has caused them is not our fault, come from “the world.” 

             Paul also speaks about the battle in the world between the flesh and the Spirit: For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit.  The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6). Think about this: we live in a world full of multitasking. We are constantly trying to do multiple things at once, and some are better than others at this.  For instance, if you try to text while driving (please don’t – it’s illegal) you won’t be focused on the road. We can’t be focused on both the flesh and the Spirit at once.  In these verses, Paul is portraying, on the one hand, the power that the flesh can have over our lives, versus the power of the Spirit. The flesh includes all our worldly desires and motivations, whether it’s for sex, power, popularity, or success. The Spirit, unlike the flesh, is rooted in God.  Paul is saying that the mind governed by the flesh leads to death, but the mind guided by the Spirit leads peace. For example, none of us want to be governed by a mind that’s consumed with worries about money or popularity – this thinking leads us to a kind of death.  To be clear, our “fleshly” desires aren’t all inherently bad – they just have to be governed, disciplined, and controlled by a Spirit-filled mind. 

             If you don’t think you don’t need to have your mind renewed in Christ, think again!  All of us have mental blocks, big or small. Take time this week to identify the toxic ways of thinking that inhibit our renewal in Christ. Write them down, bring them to prayer, and read out loud Romans 8:5-6.  Having a greater awareness of this will help us to kindle a greater desire for a renewed mind, and the abundant life and peace of Christ that comes with that.  No matter how young or old, we can all have a new mind, governed by the Spirit! 

Questions for Small Groups:

1. What are some ways people in society conform to the world? How about your friends? 
2. What are some common toxic habits of our minds?  Which one of these habits is most troubling for you: the comparison trap, negative self-talk, gaining worth from money/stuff/looks/power?
3. “The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” What habits in your life need to change to allow the Spirit to govern your mind?  What would be the benefits of having your mind governed by the Spirit? How would it affect your daily life? 
4. When Paul says the “flesh,” what do you understand that to be?  What’s the danger in it (since “a mind governed by flesh is death”)? 
5. Do you really believe a mind governed by the Spirit will bring you peace?  In your dream scenario, what does that peace look like? How would your life be different?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Palm Sunday: “Seriously,

Why Do Some People Have to Die?”

Dear brothers and sisters,

             We enter once again into the most holy week of the year. You are invited to enter the city of Jerusalem with Jesus, to sing “Hosanna,” to dine with him at the Last Supper, to stay and keep watch with him at Gethsemane, to follow the Way of his Passion to Calvary, and then to experience the shocking joy of the Empty Tomb. Join us this week for Holy Thursday Mass at 7 pm, Good Friday services at 3 pm (Stations of the Cross) and 5 pm (Commemoration of the Passion), and Easter (Solemn Vigil Saturday beginning at 8 pm; Easter Sunday at 8 am, 10 am, and 12 noon). 

As we said last week, suffering and death is the greatest problem for our faith. The gap between our understanding, and God’s thoughts and ways, is no greater than when we confront the stark reality of suffering, death, and grief.  Last I checked, the death rate is 100%!  Death is part of life, and we will all face loss which deeply affects our life stories.  For me, it was the loss of my brother, 30 years ago this year. On March 6, 1992, my youngest brother Aaron, along with another little boy named Paul Shafer, drowned in the pond behind our house. Aaron was 3 and Paul was 4. 

Jesus of Nazareth died in the prime of his life. According to Luke’s Passion Story as we hear this Palm Sunday, he was an innocent victim. It doesn’t seem fair. Uniquely in Luke’s account, after Jesus’ death,the centurion who stood by the cross cried out, “This man was innocent beyond doubt” (Luke 23:47).  In a certain sense, Jesus is NOT “innocent” – he IS truly the Son of God, and he got what was coming to him. On the other hand, we can question whether he had to die. He leaned into his death; he didn’t shy away from it. Ultimately, we believe that the Cross is Glory. The paradox of the Cross is God’s ultimate answer to suffering and death in the world. There is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday.

             We know the end of the story. In Luke, we ALSO hear the unique account of the two disciples walking away from Jerusalem, on the road toward a little village called Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).  This is my favorite “appearance narrative” in the Gospels. These two disciples, feeling downtrodden by apparent defeat and loss, meet the Risen Jesus on their way.  They don’t immediately recognize him.  Their hearts are set afire when their eyes are opened, and they finally recognize the impossible made possible. This story reminds us to bring our whole hearts to God in prayer and in sharing with others. Pray the Psalms. Join Small Groups. 

Notice that the story of Emmaus ends with the Eucharist. At the Eucharist, these great mysteries of our faith, Christ’s death and resurrection, are recalled each and every week.  The Mass is not just a memorial meal – it’s an active participation where we truly enter this great Mystery.  As we face so much uncertainty in our lives at this time, you are challenged more than ever to renew a commitment to Sunday Worship.  Make active participation at Weekend Mass the top of your priority list for each week, and you will see that you and your family will be positioned to receive many blessings!  Our hope is in the eternal banquet of heaven, where there is no more suffering, pain, and death. The Eucharist is our foretaste of that great banquet. 

My friends, we know the end of the story. Jesus in the Resurrection is our ultimate hope. If I don’t see you next weekend, I wish you a blessed Easter! 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Seriously, God?” Week 6

Seriously, Pain Is a Problem.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             In this series we’ve been looking at various obstacles or roadblocks in our relationship with God. These gaps between our understanding and God can be powerful opportunities to grow and mature in our spiritual life.  We’ve looked at when God says “no;” when God seems to be absent; when bad leaders abuse their authority; and when daily irritations get in our way and God seems uncooperative. 

             Today we are looking at one of the biggest obstacles to faith: the problem of pain and evil in the world. How can a God who is supposedly all good and all powerful allow pain and suffering in the world? It seems on the surface to be an argument against Christianity. Pain and suffering exist in the world, so therefore God is either not all good, or not all powerful. Either way, because pain exists, the Christian God is therefore false. Many people believe this, and it’s not just philosophical but personal, because we all experience pain. 

In chapter 5 of Seriously, God? the authors speak of three ways that God can bring good out of evil.  The first is about discipline and correction. A child who does something destructive is disciplined by his parents to learn a lesson.  The “pain” for children is as simple as the discipline of your daily routine. The same is true for adults: for example, when your body is out of shape, you may avoid the pain of the gym, but you know exercise is good for you.  Pain can bring us discipline to form our character.

             The second way is for the good of others. How often our best mentors have experienced pain in their life that grants them understanding, empathy, and wisdom to share with other people. For example, a person undergoing a divorce may be surprised by the help and empathy that many others can share with him or her, because they have also undergone the painful process of divorce. This underscores the power of Small Groups.

             The third way God allows pain is to prepare us for the perfect joy of heaven.  We can see pain not as a problem, but rather as a process. The greatest Christian teacher of this reality is St. Paul. Paul, having experienced much suffering himself, said to his fellow missionaries: “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).  This life is ultimately a time of preparation for heaven. In another place Paul reminds us: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).  When pain comes, instead of asking “Why God is this happening?” we can rather ask, “What are you doing in me, and what do you want me to do and to become?” Questions for Small Groups:

1. Think about an encounter you’ve had with serious pain — emotional, physical, psychological, financial, or any other.  How did you respond to that pain?  Did God play a role in your response?  If so, what was it? 
2. In this chapter, the authors explore three ways that God brings good out of evil—specifically, out of pain.  Share a story from your own life about how pain or hardship helped you correct your life’s course in some way — what the authors call a disciplinary purpose of pain.  What good thing(s) came of the pain?  Did you recognize God working through this experience?  If so, in what way? 
3. A second way the authors show that God works with our pain is for the good of others.  Share about a time when you believe God used your pain to bring about something good for someone else.  What is your takeaway from that experience?
4. The authors write that the third way God uses pain for our good is to help us grow and mature to live in the place of perfect joy that is heaven.  Tell about an experience of pain that helped you grow toward being a better person.

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Seriously, God?” Week 5

When God Gets In Our Way

Dear brothers and sisters,

             We’ve been talking about various issues that can be a roadblock in our relationship with God.  Today we are talking about everyday occurrences that lead us to grumble and complain – making dinner, staff meetings, car trouble, homework, chores, and so much else. This can be about the messiness of family life, especially with kids; and it can also be exasperated based on your personality – so if you are very particular about your environment and things being out of place, any slight change can drive you crazy. The consequences of our everyday annoyances can be that we miss out on God’s blessings. In the Book of Exodus, for example, the People of Israel are constantly grumbling, and they fail to fully grasp the great wonders God is doing in their midst.  As a parent, you may be so frustrated with the lack of attention that your kids give to the sacrifices that you make for them.

             The question is whether we can discipline ourselves to come back to a posture of receiving blessings from God. Notice that in Exodus, Moses complains to God, but the Israelites complain about God. One way to discipline ourselves and to correctly posture ourselves before God is the practice of gratitude.  If we are grateful and thank God constantly for his blessings, we will be more attuned to participate in his blessings.  A daily examination, rooted in thanksgiving, also helps us to see more clearly the “gaps” or the problems where God can provide blessing in the right time, so that we can participate in the miracle when it comes.  For example, if you are looking to purchase a house, or if you have financial difficulties, you have your part to play; but God can and will provide and his time. Faith can give us an expectant hope instead of a grumbling, complaining heart. It’s about changing our mindset. 

             When we are irritated and tempted to complain, may we instead turn to God in gratitude and expectation – counting the specific blessings he has already given us, and hopeful that he will continue to bless us and provide for us. During this Lenten season, may we repent of the times that we’ve grumbled and complained about God being in our way. Questions for Small Groups:

1. Share about one experience when you thought you had the right plan in place but still experienced obstacles to achieving your goal(s). Were you aware of God in that experience?  If so, what did you think God was doing? Looking back, do you see anything differently now? 
2. In the book Seriously, God? the authors write, “God isn’t interested in making your life easier. God isn’t interested in making your life more comfortable.  That’s often our goal, but not God’s.  God does want to give you rest.  God does want you to live in joy.  God can bring you comfort and grant you peace.  But there are no times in Scripture when Jesus teaches, ‘And when you pray, say, ‘Heavenly Father, make my life easy and comfortable’” (pg. 83).  What does this mean for how you approach your life, your dreams, your goals, and your priorities?
3. When you are frustrated by obstacles to achieving something, are you more inclined to get angry and rail against God or to complain to God? How do you think you arrived at that kind of response? Do you want to change it? How might you? 
4. What is one favorite takeaway from this chapter for you? Why is it compelling, or how has it helped you grow spiritually?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Seriously, God?” Week 4

Seriously, Those People Are In Charge?

March 19, 2022

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This Lenten series has been all about various ways when life doesn’t make sense.  We’ve said that (1) it makes sense that God doesn’t make sense; (2) we can grow to know God’s thoughts and ways, because they are revealed in the Word and in Jesus Christ; and (3) we can’t confuse life not making sense with God not making sense. We have used this Lenten series as an opportunity to launch Small Groups – and thank you to the eleven groups and 115 people who are meeting weekly, both in person and online! I see and hear from you the spiritual excitement in our church which is so refreshing and reviving to our parish family at this time!  We are making plans to continue our Small Group ministry after Easter and beyond – so if you missed your chance to join Small Groups for Lent, we will have new opportunities soon! 

             This week, we reflect on leadership. All of us have experienced good and bad leadership from coaches, bosses and managers, PTA presidents, scout leaders, homeowner association presidents; and then there is government leadership and leadership in the Church. Perhaps we don’t always think this way, but when we see who God allows to be in leadership positions on any level, we can question God. If we don’t question God, instead we might question our involvement in this organization or party, or our involvement in the Church, because of bad leadership that God has supposedly allowed. 

             We first acknowledge the human temptation to use power and responsibility badly, because of fallen human nature and free will. God allows people to misuse power, money, and influence, and anybody who has authority and influence over others can be tempted to misuse or neglect that authority and influence.  We recognize that this is nothing new; there has been corrupt leadership in the Church and in societies in every time and place throughout history.  Yet this is no excuse for bad leadership. I said to parishioners in 2018, in the wake of the PA Grand Jury report on clergy abuse, that this is NOT the time to defend the institution of the Catholic Church! 

If you think about it, we all keep a “list” of bad leaders in our minds, from presidents to popes to people we have personally known and were on the receiving end of their bad influence. We recognize feelings of helplessness, anger, and shame because their behavior or negligence. We bring this to prayer and reflection.  However, we may also sense a call to action.  We can recognize that if we have any influence whatsoever, we are “leaders” who can make a difference, even if you are 80 years old!  We can all grow to make a difference in the Church and the world, calling out corruption and abuse, and stepping up to replace those bad leaders! I see this hunger in young people today.  Even though teens and emerging Gen Z in their early 20’s are not as religious as older generations, they do have a spirit of activism that gives me hope. 

Let’s all pray that God raises up new leaders for this generation: leaders like Moses and Daniel, like St. Patrick, St. Ignatius, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Oscar Romero, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and many other leader-saints whom God has called throughout history to bring justice and grace into this world. Questions for Small Groups:

1. Are you one of the people in charge of something or some people?  What is it like?  How does that leadership role intersect with your relationship with God?
2. We all have experienced frustrations, impatience, and even anger at someone in charge at one time or another.  Share about one instance of your own frustration with someone in leadership.  What would you rather that leader have done or understood?
3. Why do you believe God allows the wrong people to sometimes remain in power?
4. What has been your personal response to the revelations over the last two decades of terrible abuse of power among the clergy and other Catholic Church leaders?  How have these truths changed your understanding of the Church, of God, and of your personal relationship with the Church? 
5. What is one favorite takeaway from this message for you?  Why is it compelling, or how has it helped you grow spiritually?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Seriously, God?” Week 3:

When God Lets Us Down.

March 13, 2022

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This Lenten series is all about when life doesn’t make sense. We’ve said that it makes sense that God doesn’t always make sense, because God’s ways are not our ways. However, we can grow to learn God’s ways, because he has revealed himself to us in his Word and in Jesus Christ. We can’t confuse God not making sense with life not making sense.

             This week we are talking about the moments when you may feel God has let you down.  Beyond when God says “no” as we spoke about last week, there are often “storms” in life when we might feel that God is not present.  He has abandoned us, or he’s not answering our prayers.  You may have been angry at God or walked away from church, because there was a moment in your life in which you felt this way.

             As I’ve said in the past, when crisis occurs, it’s best not to immediately cry out “Why, God?” Instead, we can affirm in faith THAT God is with us. Here’s another suggestion: after those storms occur, rather than asking God, “Why?” instead change the question to “What,” as in, “What are you doing in my life at this time, God?” Over time, we can discover God’s purpose and plan, because God IS active in our lives!

             One Scripture passage that illustrates this idea is Jesus’ Calming of the Storm (Mark 4:35-41). You can read in depth about this passage in Chapter 2 of the book Seriously, God?.  A few points: in the midst of the storm, Jesus is sleeping, and this is the only place in the entire Bible that mentions anything about Jesus being asleep! In the midst of a storm, don’t be afraid to “wake up” God and make your request known! Second, notice that Jesus directly orders the storm to be quiet.  In the midst of the storm, the best thing always to do is to put yourself in a posture of stillness.  Sometimes God may calm the storm, and sometimes he may calm the storm in you!  Step away, go for a walk or close the door, and pray. Just taking a few minutes to be still can make all the difference. 

             This week, reflect on the moments in your life when it seemed that God was absent and let you down. Ask God in prayer WHAT, if anything, you learned about him or about yourself in those times. Maybe, like Jonah, the “storm” is a way to bring you back to God.  Maybe, like the Apostles, it’s not clear at first what God is doing, but instead there is an invitation to deeper faith and trust. Questions for Small Groups:

1. Are you in the midst of a storm right now — emotionally, financially, spiritually, or physically?  What questions are you asking God about your situation? 
2. When have you been through a storm in the past?  Did that experience open your mind and heart to how God is present in your life?  If not, why do you think that didn’t happen?  If so, what did you discover about God?
3. Has a storm in your life ever taught you about what is truly important to you?  Do you think those things are equally important to God?  Why or why not? 
4. If what is truly important to you are things that you think God doesn’t want for you, what do you think you should do about this situation?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

First Sunday of Lent. 

“Seriously, God?” Week 2:

When God says “No.”

March 6, 2022

Dear brothers and sisters,

             There are many times in our life when we may question God, the Bible, or people who represent the Church. Today we will look at the idea that sometimes God says “no” to us.  It can seem to some people that God is always a “God of NO.” Maybe you prayed and prayed, and God never answered in the way you desired. Maybe you’ve felt in the past that none of your prayers were answered. 

             There are many reasons why God may say “no,” but we will look at two major ones. The first reason is to protect us. Like parents protecting their children, sometimes God knows what paths will lead us to danger, and he says “no” to guard us from harm.  Second, sometimes God wants to redirect us.  God may close a certain door, so as to open another door!

             God gives us free will to love him back. If we do not choose to love him, it’s our choice. In the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve, or first parents, in reading this passage you might question why God plants the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the first place, of which he forbids them to eat the fruit (Genesis 2-3).  It’s not that God “plants” temptation. It’s about the reality that God gives us free will – otherwise we’d be like robots. The tree, in a sense, is about the choice – the tree stands in the middle of the garden, and truly in the middle of the relationship between God and our first parents, representing the choice to obey God or not. 

             We may not feel like God is protecting us or redirecting us; instead, we might have given up on prayer because we just don’t think it works. God is not a divine ATM that gives us always what we ask for, and it’s often about perseverance. Sometimes the “no” causes us to question, reflect, and discern more deeply our own intentions.  Sometimes the “no” is really a “wait,” or a “not yet.” It might be about seeking and eventually discovering God’s time and God’s place, which is always the best time and place.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Before today, what did you think of the idea or belief that God answers prayers?  Share an experience that led you to your view on this. 
2. Has hearing this message changed your understanding or beliefs? In what ways? 
3. Have you experienced a no that you believe came from God? What was your response?  How did the situation turn out for you in the end? 
4. Is there an evil you don’t want your children to know?  What is it?  How does this help your understanding of how God is working in your life when you receive a no? 
5. What is one favorite takeaway from this message for you?  Why is it compelling, or how has it helped you grow spiritually?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Seriously, God?”

Week 1: Introduction

February 27, 2022

Dear brothers and sisters,

In 2018, I had a crisis of faith. A series of events occurred that left me demoralized, questioning, angry, unsure, and honestly wondering whether to leave my position – not just my position as a pastor and priest, but to leave the Catholic Church in general. The first major event was a conflict in the church that I didn’t see coming and I wanted no part of. I was exhausted and shocked, in my naivety, to realize that some people who step up into church leadership are broken people who perhaps should not be in the roles they are in.  The second was something I did see coming, but it was still disgusting and angering beyond belief – the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report on clergy sexual abuse.  I knew many of the priests on that list for the Diocese of Scranton; a few were even friends and mentors. I don’t expect any pity from people, but people have no idea what it’s like to walk around with a clerical collar, as people in public snicker at you because they think you are a child molester. This is on top of the great anger that many of us have, because of the crimes and injustices committed and lack of concern for abuse victims. 

Today we begin a new preaching series that is all about our struggles with faith: a friend’s child dies; a parent gets a cancer diagnosis; your spouse loses their job.  Sometimes life and God’s plan don’t make sense, and we end up feeling hurt and angry.  In “Seriously, God?” we will explore the denial, doubt, and betrayal we experience when we face hardship and life not making sense. While those experiences can drive us further away from God, they can also be opportunities to lean in and learn more about him. Even the heroes of the Bible – such as Abraham, Moses, David, and the Apostles – experienced situations that caused them to misunderstand God. Their stories show us that the problems of life do not have to crush our faith.  Instead, if we “lean in,” we can develop a deeper faith.  The series is all about overcoming some of the typical objections to trust in God, so we can deepen our relationship with him. 

Our series for this Lent is also accompanied by a book, also entitled: Seriously, God? by Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran (Ave Maria Press, 2022). You are most welcome to purchase a copy of the book and follow along.  Our Small Group participants have received a copy of the book already.  In this introductory week, we are underscoring three principles. First, it makes sense that God doesn’t make sense. God’s ways are not our ways. Second, when we have those times that God doesn’t make sense, they are opportunities to lean in.  Third, we can’t confuse life not making sense, with God not making sense.

There could be numerous times in our lives and reasons why we ask the question, “Seriously, God?” (by the way, it’s meant to be a kind of rhetorical question – in Mexican Spanish, for example, people might say, “¿De veras, Dios?”)  How can you “lean in” to crises when God doesn’t make sense? One suggestion is to approach it relationally.  God provides for us often through our friends and loved ones, and this is one of the reasons why we promote Small Groups.  Many of our friends and loved ones have given up on God or church, and yet they are still seeking answers. One caution for all of us: be careful not to say to people, especially those who don’t believe in God, that everything is “God’s will.” Not everything is God’s will!  However, God can use every moment for his glory and for our good. 

Questions for Small Groups:

1. Is there a singular struggle or even that nudged you toward learning more about God? 
2. What do you remember most clearly about your childhood experience of religion?  What did you believe about God as you were growing up?
3. What questions do you now want answered about God?
4. Has anyone in your experience provided responses to your questions that seem adequate?  What made those answers seem right?
5. What do you think of each of the three principles that the authors ask you to keep in mind we begin this series? 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Hooked” Week 3:

Boldness in Sharing Our Faith

Dear brothers and sisters,
Followers fish! Evangelization is simply telling people who don’t have a relationship with Christ, the Good News that God so loved the world, he gave us his Son. We use the metaphor of fishing, because Christ called the Apostles to be fishers of men, using the same skill and patience as professional fishermen that they already had, to bring people into a relationship with him. In this series, we’re thinking and praying for our
friends, family, coworkers, or classmates who don’t have a church home. The strategy is simple: to invest in that person, and invite them to weekend Mass here at St. John’s. We want the experience of weekend Mass to be an irresistibly welcoming experience for the unchurched. Our motivation to do it is simply about love, because as we said last week, Jesus brings healing and transformative power to our lives. Does your love for another person impel you enough to share your faith with them?

This week, read Acts chapters 3 and 4. In Acts chapter 3, we hear the story of the healing of a cripple in Jerusalem, after Peter prays over him in the name of the Risen Christ. For this act, Peter and the other Apostles are arrested and put on trial by the Jewish religious leaders. Peter testifies at the trial that it is in Jesus’ name and power that this act of healing occurred. The leaders then ask Peter and the others to stop teaching in Jesus’ name, but Peter responds to them, “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

Upon Peter’s release by the authorities, the young Christian community gathers together in prayer. In their prayer they praise the Sovereign Lord, who created heaven, earth, and sea, and who long ago planned to
send his Son; and that it was part of God’s great plan that the rulers of the day would reject Jesus Christ. The Apostles and those gathered are grateful to be a part of this great plan of God, and they are amazed that they’re playing a role in something so much bigger than themselves! Then they pray: “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29). They will not be afraid of the threats of the authorities; instead, they will act with boldness!

My friends, you may not think that you can have much of an impact in sharing faith. Even little prayers and little acts of kindness and love can have eternal significance! Think about it: we don’t “have” to share our
faith – we GET to share our faith! We’re part of something bigger and better than ourselves! This week, pray for the grace of BOLDNESS to go out and share our faith. Our Lenten series Seriously, God? begins next week,
the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. All parishioners are invited to invite somebody to church beginning next week!

Questions for Small Groups:
1. Have you been investing in one person? How have you invested? Have you had any opportunities to invite them to Church?
2. How can sharing our faith help us to grow in boldness?
3. How does bringing other people to Jesus bring significance to our lives?
4. What are your thoughts and feelings on being a part of what almighty God is doing?
5. What threats concern you when it comes inviting others to come to know Jesus? How does the prayer of the apostles help you to overcome those threats?

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

“Hooked” Week 2:

Our Motivation for Sharing Faith.

February 13, 2022

Dear brothers and sisters,

               The Church has traditionally used the metaphor of fishing to explain our evangelization efforts.  Evangelization is simply sharing our faith, introducing people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s it.  Christ didn’t promise his first followers wealth or education or skill or popularity.  He promised them simply that they’d become fishers of men. Followers fish!  Our strategy is simple: to invest and invite.  We go fishing together as a church – we promise with uplifting music, inspiring messages, and welcoming ministers, to create an irresistible experience of the weekend Mass that will attract the unchurched person, young or old, to encounter and follow Jesus Christ.

               Today we want to look at the motivation for sharing our faith.  Why is this something that’s so important?  In our culture today there’s a popular mentality, even among believers, that most people are going to heaven.  If most people are saved, why bother to share faith?  There is a heaven and a hell, and although Jesus warned his disciples of the wide road that leads to destruction and to choose the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13), certainly God desires that all be saved (2 Peter 3:9).  Theologians have debated through the centuries how people can actually choose hell. C.S. Lewis has said, for example, that the doors of hell are locked from the inside.  This debate and this motivation is not our focus, because it brings us into theological discussions (for example, how many people are there in hell?) that cannot be fully answered and lead us off track.  Our focus, instead, should be on bringing people to a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ here and now. 

               To glimpse an example of Jesus’ power available to us on earth, we’ll look at the episode of Jesus healing the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12). At the beginning of this scene, Jesus had just come back to his home in Capernaum, and people heard about it; it was so crowded in front of his house that nobody could get into the door.  This is an important reminder for our evangelization efforts: most people liked Jesus! Notice that four men are carrying the paralytic (2:4).  It’s a team effort, and because the crowd was in the way and these guys couldn’t possibly get to Jesus, they had to be tenacious and innovative, opening up the roof of Jesus’ house to lower their friend down on a mat. They didn’t give up, because they loved their friend so much!  We can ask ourselves: do we love people enough that we’ll lead them to Jesus?  Jesus is moved not by the paralytic’s faith, but by his friends’ faith (2:6)!  Then the scene shifts to the scribes and religious leaders (2:6-8).  Even though they oppose Jesus in this story, they are correct that nobody has the right to forgive sin except God! Jesus senses their objection, but he nevertheless heals the paralytic: “Rise, pick up your mat, and go home!” (2:11), demonstrating his authority to forgive sins.  As a result, all are amazed (2:12). 

               My friends, we bring people to Jesus because they need healing, like this paralytic.  Think about the one person you might be investing in and inviting to church right now.  On the one hand, we all need heaven, but right now in our lives, we need an encounter with Jesus Christ who can transform us. Who is that person in your life who needs Jesus Christ’s healing power?  Do you love them enough to share faith?  In the end, love is the motivation.

Questions for Small Groups:

1. Who is the one person you are investing and inviting in?
2. What difference can Jesus make in the life of the person you want to get to Church?  What ways do they need Jesus for healing?
3. Why does your relationship with Jesus matter? Where have you seen it make a difference in your life?
4. What obstacles do you face when it comes to investing and inviting?  How can you overcome them?
5. What action will you take this week to invest and invite in the one person you have identified?
6. How can you approach going to Mass differently, in light of the fact we team together to create in irresistible environment for outsiders?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Hooked” Week 1: Followers Fish!

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Why are you a Christian? Why are you a Catholic Christian now as an adult?  For most of us it’s because our parents raised us this way.  Perhaps as a teen or an adult somebody invited us.  Perhaps something attracted you to our Catholic Faith or to St. John’s specifically.  Perhaps something happened in your life that led you back to church. 

             There’s nothing wrong if we have selfish reasons for following Christ.  The Apostles did too; perhaps being a disciple was more about status for them, to be known as a follower of the local popular rabbi.  That’s what got them started as Christ followers, but it didn’t stop there.  In this series we’re going to talk about certain strategies for being fishers of men.  It turns out that we are all perfectly positioned to attracting followers of Christ. 

             This calling is out of obedience to Christ. In Matthew 28:16-20, the passage we call the Great Commission, the Risen Christ says to the Apostles: Go and make disciples of all nations (v. 19).  Jesus is passing the torch onto his disciples and to the rest of us.  Although there are hints of it all through Jesus’ life, this is the first time that Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness, and eternal life went from being a local vision to a world-wide vision.  In Luke 24:48, Jesus says to the disciples: You are witnesses.  In Acts 1:8 it’s the same thing; it’s the power of the Holy Spirit from on high that drives the Apostles’ witness.  In John 20:21, the Risen Christ says: As the Father has sent me, so I send you.  There can be no doubt that our calling to share faith comes from God’s own heart! 

             What does sharing the Gospel look like?  I wasn’t raised as a Catholic to give much importance to sharing faith, and many of you weren’t either.  Through the years I’ve been challenged and amazed at various people I’ve met who share their faith so naturally, whether it’s at work or at school.  You might think: “I’m divorced, I’m too old, I have no kids, I’m introverted;” and we think that these things hold us back from sharing our faith.  However, it’s the opposite!  We are perfectly positioned to meet people around us, because of who we are!  People in the pews have a special advantage that “church people” like priests and deacons don’t have, because you can influence people at work, at school, at the gym, or among your family, places where church people can’t reach! 

We want our strategy to be simple – invest in friendships, and eventually invite them.  Your friendships can pave the way to influence someone for Christ.  Jesus gives us a mandate to go and make disciples.  We can be obedient to him by becoming “fishers of men.”  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Why did you choose, as an adult, to be a Christian Catholic?  What is your agenda?
2. Who invited you back to church or inspired your faith as an adult?  Thinking about that person, what unique platform did that person occupy in your life that enabled him or her to influence you?
3. How would your life be different if you had never heard anything about Jesus?
4. How do you feel about the idea that Christians are “fishers of men?”  Have you ever evangelized to anyone?  How did it go?
5. Some of your greatest failures, weaknesses, or tragedies can be your “unfair advantage” to evangelizing to someone else.  Talk about how you can use your unique platform to inspire someone else’s faith.
6. Make a list of potential people in your sphere of influence that might need a church home.  As you pray for them, what is one strategic step that you could take that might eventually lead to an invitation to St. John’s?

*This week, write a letter to the person who most inspired your faith as an adult, thanking them for having the courage and love to tell you about God.

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“The Secrets of Every Happy Family”

Week Five: 

Forgiveness in the Family

Dear brothers and sisters,

             We conclude our series on the family with one of the hardest topics of all. We’ve all had things happen to us that require forgiveness, especially within our families. Some things are small, but some are big and serious. We’ve been hurt, cheated, or abused.  We hold onto hurts for years or even decades after the fact.  Honestly, it can feel good to hold a grudge, because holding grudges give us ownership over a situation that we can’t change or control. We even desire revenge, and we’ll fantasize in our head about exactly how we will get our revenge.  We retaliate in passive aggressive ways, or we simply give the “silent treatment” for a time.  If somebody owes us a debt, our first thoughts are about how they need to repay us!  If we forgive them, we might think we’re letting them off the hook. We might even know for sure that we are right, and the other person is wrong! We think that if the person doesn’t ask for forgiveness or doesn’t deserve it, why should we bother? 

             We know, however, that this doesn’t work in the long run. Revenge and retaliation doesn’t really give us satisfaction. We need go no further than the example of Christ. We hear in Scripture: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with a blessing (1 Peter 3:9). We know this is hard.  Again, we hear: But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:20-23). Jesus left us this example when we suffer in pain or anger because of what someone else has done. It is perhaps the hardest aspect of being a Christian, but the most practical as well. 

             Here are three things for helping us to forgive. First, we can try to empathize with a person, not denying what they did, but trying to place ourselves in their shoes.  We’re not approving of the behavior; we’re trying to come to a better understanding. We do so, again, because of what Jesus did for us! For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus understands our sinful human condition, but he nevertheless suffered and died for us. 

             Second, we can relinquish the pain to God through prayer. This can sound cliché, but it’s a step we must take to surrender to God. Jesus modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane, surrendering his will to his Father. With humility, we need to go to God and relinquish our hurt to him. This step may take years. Of course, we may forgive but we don’t forget.  There are consequences to past hurts. You may need to walk away from relationships or take some additional steps needed to free yourself from anger and bitterness. 

             Third, we can anticipate God’s response.  Remember that God will deal in his time with any injustice! Paul says to the Romans: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19). Another translation here says, “Vengeance is mine.” We might be tempted to skip the first two steps and jump to this one (!), but if we pour out empathy and practice surrender, we can have confidence that God will do the rest. Questions for Small Groups:

1. Share about a time when someone did you wrong. How did you respond?  Are you prone to dreaming about the “perfect revenge encounter?”
2. Are you a grudge-holder or do you let things go easily? If you hold a grudge, how does that work for you? What are some of the reasons you do not forgive someone in your family?
3. Read 1 Peter 2:20-23. In the example of Christ, what do we do if we’ve been wronged?
4. According to the 3 steps of forgiveness, we must empathize with our offender, relinquish our hurt to God, and then wait for God to avenge us.  When it comes to family, which of these is the most difficult step for you? Do you trust that God will handle it (read Romans 12:19)?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Secrets of Every Happy Family”

Week 4: Prayer and the Family

Dear brothers and sisters,

             A happy family has a love between spouses that is passed down into respect and honor for children, and then is passed down from generation to generation. We know, however, that sin confuses things. In this series thus far, we’ve talked about the role of the father to offer blessing and encouragement over his children, and how mothers, who so often are simply present and are not appreciated, should be honored and respected in a particularly strong way.

             Today we are going to talk about the importance of prayer in the family.  If families are completely honest, they probably do not pray nearly as much as they want to.  There are many reasons for this, but behind the busyness and craziness, we should be reminded that we all have a spiritual enemy who is doing everything to prevent our families from praying, because he knows that prayer will bring blessings, and even happiness and success, into our lives.  Praying in the family can be a “spiritual battle,” but it’s worth it not to give up, and even to expect difficulties coming your way when you set out! In the Book of Deuteronomy, the Lord says to Moses and to the people of Israel: Therefore, take these words of mine into your heart and soul.  Bind them on your arm as a sign, and let them be as a pendant on your forehead.  Teach them to your children, speaking of them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up, and write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates, so that, as long as the heavens are above the earth, you and your children may live on in the land which the LORD swore to your ancestors he would give them (Deuteronomy 11:18-21). God is saying to the Israelites that he wants to be present and known in family life.  God and prayer cannot just be a once per week thing, but it can be integrated completely into our routines and daily lives! 

Here are 9 suggestions for how you can bring prayer into your home:

1. Commit to weekend worship at Mass. Commit to bringing kids to church. Kids may fight against you, but the fight is worth it. Nothing substitutes for weekend worship, and the committed example of parents is a hugely positive influence for their children. 
2. Prayer before meals, at home and even when at a restaurant. This reminds families that God is the source of all blessings!
3. Prayer at bedtime. You might already do this with little kids, but also pray with big kids too! 
4. Formal family prayer time. This could be praying the Rosary together, or reading together the readings for Mass. Kids will act out, but it will leave a lasting impression.
5. Pray together in the car. Kids can’t go anywhere, so take advantage! 
6. Post Bible verses around the home. To know God’s Word is to know Christ! 
7. Play Christian music at home or in your car. Music is a universal language that can lift up our hearts to God! We love it when we hear little ones singing Praise and Worship! 
8. Have spiritual books or prayer materials around the house. I guarantee that kids will look at it (when their parents aren’t looking … )
9. Pray especially when things are going bad, like during or after a big fight, or if somebody is sick. This is a very hard one, but it’s very powerful and important. 

How can you integrate family more deeply into your family life? Remember the old quote from the Rosary Priest Fr. Patrick Payton: “The family that prays together, stays together.” Prayer is powerful! Questions for Small Groups:

1. Growing up, did your family pray together?  If so, how?
2. Of the suggestions on praying together as a family, what do you already do?
3. Of the suggestions on praying together as a family, which one or two would you like to integrate into your family life?
4. Why is it important to integrate prayer and faith into the regular activities of the family?
5. Do you agree that it is a spiritual battle to bring prayer into families? Why or why not?
6. What is the best way for you to integrate prayer into your family?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Secrets of Every Happy Family”

Week 3: the Presence of the Mother

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This is the third week of our January series that is all about family life.  Really, the “secret” of every happy family is not a big secret – it’s about relationships full of sacrificial love, high on honor and respect, and a support that is passed down to the next generation.  Yet we all know that many things complicate life, including the reality of sin.  Last week we talked about the unique role of fathers to give “the blessing,” that is, to communicate his delight to his spouse and children.  This is a spiritual role of fathers that even Jesus needed to hear from his Heavenly Father. We are created with a deep longing and need in our hearts for the love of our fathers.

             Today we are speaking about the unique role of the mother. We need not look farther than the relationship between Jesus and his Mother. In the Passion according to John, Jesus has been abandoned by almost everyone, except the Blessed Mother, a few other women, and St. John, who tells us this: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”  And from that hour the disciple took her into his home (John 19:25-27). Here, we see the unique role of the mother and the proper relationship everyone can have with their mother: it’s the mother’s presence. Because moms probably already know they play this unique role, at least intuitively, sometimes they can have the hardest time caring for themselves.  We almost always expect that moms are around – they are simply present. It’s all the more reason to honor them! Note also that as Jesus was on the cross, his lungs were filling with fluid, and it took every ounce of energy to speak.  With his last words, he chooses to speak to and honor his Mother. Jesus is giving Mary to us as a spiritual mother, but humanly, Jesus is making sure she’s taken care of when he’s gone. All of us, in turn, have a duty to honor our parents. 

             Moms, know that your presence matters, especially in times of pain and suffering for kids!  Your presence has a power different than any other member of the family.  All of us are called to honor and respect our mothers, and this duty of honoring our mothers never stops!  Some people have a mother who is a widow or sick; and some have lost mothers. Some mothers struggle heroically as single parents. Today and always, may we honor and pray for our mothers! 

Questions for Small Groups:

1. What was your relationship like with your mother growing up?  How has it changed over the years?
2. What are your thoughts that the mother communicates presence and care as a major role in the family?
3. Was the mother in your family of origin respected and honored?
4. What happens when a mother is not respected by people in the home?  What is your responsibility to make sure the mother in your family is respected and honored?
5. Read aloud John 19:25-27.  What do you imagine Jesus felt in the moment he saw his mother standing by the cross? What do you imagine Mary was feeling as she stared at her son on the cross?
6. What is your relationship to Mary as a spiritual mother?  Do you think of her in this way?  Why or why not?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Secrets of Every Happy Family”

Week 2: Fatherhood and Blessing

Dear brothers and sisters,

We all come from a family; maybe you’re raising kids right now, or you have grandkids.  The secret of any happy family is really no secret – it’s about a loving and nurturing environment for the next generation. We know that there’s a gap between the ideal and the real, but we shouldn’t give up. This series is all about bringing love and healing into our family lives.

             Today’s topic is about fatherhood. The most important thing any father does is to provide approval and blessing in the life of his spouse and children. There’s something in us that desires our father’s approval, and if we don’t have it, it shows. In Scripture we see the importance of a father’s blessing in several passages. For example, in Genesis we find the story of Isaac’s blessing over his sons. Esau is the older son, but Jacob, the trickster, “steals” his older brother’s blessing by putting on a disguise. We hear this: As Jacob went up to kiss him, Isaac smelled the fragrance of his clothes. With that, he blessed him, saying, “Ah, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field that the LORD has blessed! May God give to you of the dew of the heavens and of the fertility of the earth, abundance of grain and wine.  May peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you; be master of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you” (Genesis 27:27-29). This passage demonstrates several important points for all fathers. The embrace of the father is important; the embrace imparts the father’s authority.  The father also speaks a blessing. Sometimes, we think things but don’t say them, and it’s important for fathers to speak out what they think to their children.  Here, Isaac’s blessing speaks value and praise upon his son in specifics, mentioning abundance for the son and his life.  We should notice the specific giftedness of our kids and encourage those gifts. Isaac also speaks of a vision for his son. Fathers should tell their kids that God has a great plan for them, and that God blesses them in their endeavors! 

             Fathers: blessing and praising your children can go a long way.  Speak words of blessing into their lives. It’s never too late to do so. Yet even the best fathers fall short of our ultimate desires, and that’s okay. Even if you’re not a father, think about it: we all have a desire to please someone outside ourselves, and that deep desire points to something more. C.S. Lewis in his classic book Mere Christianity says, “Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger; well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim; well, there is such a thing as water.  Men feel sexual desire; well, there is such a thing as sex.  If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”  

One of our deepest desires is for approval. That desire ultimately points to our Heavenly Father, who says in today’s Gospel to Jesus and to us: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).  Perhaps your earthy father fell short of the ideal. Remember that all of us, no matter what, have the approval of our Heavenly Father. We are his beloved daughters and sons.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Who is someone who has encouraged you or communicated their confidence in you?
2. How would you describe your father? What kind of relationship do you have or did you have with him?  What attributes of the blessing do you think you received from your father?
3. When it comes to blessing the next generation, which of the aspects of the blessing mentioned come easiest to you? Which ones are most difficult?
4. Do you find it easy to call God your Father? Why or why not? 
5. How do the imperfections of our father lead us to the love of the perfect Father?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Secrets of Every Happy Family”

Week 1: Families Matter!

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Happy New Year! We are beginning a new series on this Feast of the Epiphany that’s all about the family. We all come from a family. Why do families exist? They are the building blocks of society. They are God’s way of bringing the next generation into this world, and forming the next generation.  Through family, we first begin to live in relationships; and in our families, we can learn to encourage and support other people in love.

             What does the “ideal” family look like? Ideally, a couple discerns together, without any outside pressure, that God intends them to be together. Paul says to the Ephesians: Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:22). Husbands should imitate Christ, who sacrifices his life for his Church. Wives do the same: Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:25). The wife is laying down her life for her husband; there is a mutual sacrifice between spouses. Out of that love, flows love for children.  The standard for children is high, both in terms of discipline and correction, and in the standard of encouragement and affection. Children out of love would then respond like this: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord (Colossians 3:20). Kids might fight and argue, but there would always be forgiveness and healing because there is love. As children mature, they would become friends with their parents, and as children become adults, they would pass on the love that they received. The “secret” is not really a secret!  It’s simply a love that flows from generation to generation. It’s not that complicated, at least in the ideal.

             However, we know that there is a gap between the ideal and the real. Any number of hurts and wounds can limit love. At any point, sin can complicate things. When we see that gap, there is a temptation to become cynical and bitter, and even give up.  Sadly, cynicism about family is saturated into our culture.  For example, look at modern family sitcoms, which seem to settle for less, and even give up on the ideal family life. 

As Christians, we don’t have that option of giving up on the ideal, on working toward the reality of what God created, because God did not give up on us!  We fight for it in imitation of Christ!  We see that in the Old Testament, because of sin, most families were pretty dysfunctional.  In the course of time God sent his Son, fighting for the ideal.  Despite the reality of sin, when we commit to our families, we are reflecting what God is doing in the world!  God is revealed in Christ as our Father, and when we commit to love our families, we are committing to building God’s Kingdom in the world. 

As we begin this series, we are invited to commit to love our family members, and to pray for our families. Pray specifically for the grace to persevere to fight for the ideal, as God perseveres with us. We know that with families it’s going to be messy.  In the end, we know it’s worth it, even if we have to sacrifice our pride and humble ourselves.  This week, think about the family situations we come from, and the families we live in now.  There are lot of mixed emotions. How can we fight for a happy family life? Questions for Small Groups:

1. What is one of your favorite childhood memories? Was there anything about your family of origin that made it unique?
2. Do you maintain relationships with your family of origin? Is this a struggle or does it come fairly easily?
3. Do you agree there is a temptation to become bitter about our families? Why or why not?
4. Read Ephesians 5:22 to 5:25.  What does it communicate about having a happy family?
5. What do you hope your children or the next generation in your family experiences that you did not experience?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Feast of the Holy Family.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
 

Dear brothers and sisters, 
On behalf of our parish staff, I wish you and your families a blessed Christmas and
New Year! It’s been a very difficult year to say the least. I personally want to thank St.
John’s Leadership Team: Deacon Max, Analia, John, Lorraine, and Ana, for their leadershipand work for the parish. I thank the Parish Staff, including Bettianne, Marybel, Heather, Vinny, and Cody. I thank Maria our bookkeeper, Judy our Youth Ministry leader, Noel our Coordinator of Music Ministry, and Kristin our head decorator. I thank all parish ministers and volunteers, old and new. Our parish is a big family, and we cannot be what we’re called to be, without one another. Thank you!

We are pleased to be able to celebrate a Volunteer Brunch this year! We are
scheduling the event for Monday January 17 after the 9 am Mass, on MLK Day. Please
RSVP by calling the Parish Office. 

We celebrate the New Year with the feast of Mary, Mother of God, with Masses on December 31 at 4 pm, and Saturday January 1 at 10 am. There will be no confessions on New Year’s morning. Then we begin our January series on the Feast of the Epiphany, “Secrets of Every Happy Family” at all weekend Masses next Saturday evening and Sunday. This five-week series will look at some basic elements of happy families from a faith perspective. 

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. We gaze upon the manger, contemplating that the Son of God entered into our story. As difficult as our lives may be, God is with us! In today’s Gospel reading, we get a glimpse of the life of the young Jesus. He was obedient to Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51). Think about that – the Son of God was obedient to his human parents. Even though we celebrate the Blessed Mother and St Joseph as great saints, they were still human beings who lived and died. The Son of God humbled himself and showed us a path that we may follow. The word “obey” is related to the word “listen” – they come from the same root. To obey is to listen.

This New Year, may we obey God by listening to God, in order to experience the
direction and peace that he desires for us. I pray for all of you that God may bestow many blessings this New Year 2022 and beyond!
 

Love,
Fr. Reichlen

“Your Best Yes” Week 4:

Say “Yes” to Relationships

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This Advent season, we have been talking about the busyness of our lives. Whether you love the holidays or hate them, all of us have limited time and resources. Advent and Christmas are a microcosm of life, because our lives are an endless menu of choice and options. We need a strategy for a successful 2022 and beyond, and the strategy we’ve been proposing is discernment. Discernment is a process of decision making.  When life gives us the option of several good choices, we choose between the greater good and the greatest good.  Discernment is choosing where we can have the maximum impact on our world and on those around us. We’ve talked about spiritual discernment before God, who wants us to see life as a gift. God desires to be intimately involved in our decisions. We’ve talked about our capacity to choose, and to sometimes say a firm “no,” so that we can then say our best yes.  Beyond that, we talked about discernment that is rooted in love.  Repentance is growing to align our thinking, our heart, and our actions more and more with God’s love and God’s desire for us.  Last week, we talked about the habit of loving people, by practicing kindness and sharing with those in need. 

             By the way, thank you so much for your donations of winter coats and blankets to the Bushkill Outreach and to Valor. We are collecting those items this weekend. Thank you as well to all those who helped with Light the Night last weekend! It was an amazing success, and it was so beautiful to see various groups and organizations in our parish family working together!  You have brought the Light of Christ into our lives and into our community this year in an amazing way!

             To finish up this series to prepare for Christmas, today we are talking about relationships.  This week, read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. The Christmas story is all about people who said “yes” to God, and then acted within their relationships.  However, there is more to the Christmas story than people following God’s direction and simply being good.  If you think about it, we reduce our faith sometimes to a simple idea: “be good” (i.e., have you been naughty or nice this Christmas?)  If we reduce our faith like this, we actually miss out on the true message. Many Catholics, sadly, think that to get to heaven, you simply have to be a good person. The truth is that we can’t get to heaven on our own! Heaven is a gift from God, and this point is at the heart of the meaning of Christmas. 

At Christmas, we celebrate the fact that God did the most radical thing possible to rescue the human race from sin and death. He sent his Son! Christmas celebrates the fact that God entered into our human story in the most radical, and messy way possible. In the Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent this year, we hear the story of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Previous to this scene, Mary literally received Christ, as announced by the angel Gabriel. Then, she literally shared Christ with her cousin by undergoing a long journey while pregnant. 

Unlike all other religions, Christianity says that we do not have to earn our way to heaven.  God has done the work for us!  We cannot earn salvation on our own anyway.  The one thing we can do is share our faith.  This week, pray about your relationships with family and friends, especially those who are far from church or from God.  If it is appropriate, share with them the gift of Christ!  Specifically, if you’re going to be here in the Poconos this Christmas, you can invite family and friends to Christmas Masses this year.  We are passing out Christmas cards which list our Christmas Mass schedule. 

If I don’t see you, I wish you and your families a blessed Christmas this year! 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Your Best Yes”

Week 3: Loving People

Dear brothers and sisters,

               This Advent Series has been all about finding a strategy or plan to make decisions and life choices, not just in the busy Christmas season, but throughout our lives. We’ve said that the holidays are a microcosm of our whole life, because life is an endless menu of choices and decisions.  The choices we make every day, whether we know it or not, determine the direction and quality of our lives.  So, this series is about the strategy of discernment in decision making for a successful and abundant life in 2022 and beyond.  God wants to be intimately involved in our life choices, and our best “yesses” in life always include prayer. All of us have the capacity to choose, and we can choose to say “no” in freedom.  A firm “no” will often precede our best “yes.” Most importantly, Christian discernment always is always rooted in love.  Last week we talked about love of God.  Repentance means “change of mind” that leads to a change in heart, and ultimately to a change in behavior; and if we are going to be rooted in God’s love, we will grow more and more in our lives towards our minds, hearts, and behaviors being aligned with God’s will and God’s desire for us.  

               Today we are talking about loving people. In Jesus’ famous interaction with a scribe in Jerusalem, he masterfully teaches us the principle that we cannot separate the love of God from the love of our neighbor (Mark 12:28-34). This is sometimes called the Greatest Commandment and it’s why it’s part of our mission statement as a church: Love God, Love People. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ teaching is presented differently (Luke 10:25-37). First, Luke presents this teaching much earlier in Jesus’ public ministry. Second, it’s the scholar of the law, and not Jesus, who actually responds to him and gives the teaching. Third and most importantly, the scholar then asks Jesus a provocative question: “And who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29), which then gives Jesus the opportunity in his reply to teach the famous Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).  To put it simply, Jesus teaches us, by the example of how the Good Samaritan cares for the robber’s victim, that “our neighbor” is EVERYBODY, specifically everybody who is in our daily path. The scholar wants to find a loophole to suggest that “my neighbor” includes only people of one’s own choosing, such as only fellow Jews. Jesus is saying that we don’t get to choose who to love – we are called to love everybody and anybody who is in front of us!

               My friends, there are many times where we are inconvenienced by the interruptions of other people in our daily tasks. This happens to me almost every day.  Most often, the people who interrupt us are the people closest to us – our spouse, kids, parents, other family members, close friends, or coworkers.  On the one hand, we can and must sometimes say “no” to them. On the other hand, God may actually be using the people closest to us, to teach us to grow in love. I often reflect that we do not get to choose every day who we are called to love. We are called to BE CHRIST FOR ALL and SEE CHRIST IN ALL. Think about it: if we cannot love the people around us, how can we love God or love the poor?  This can be the toughest part of our daily discernment, because other people can so easily drain our limited time and resources. Thus, how to best love others must be part of our discernment strategy.  How can I best grow to have a heart for the people around me in my daily choices? 

As a practical means to Love People, I invite you next weekend (December 18-19) to make a donation of Coats and Blankets for our St. John’s Youth Ministry Coat and Blanket Drive. All donations will go to our Partners: the Bushkill Outreach, and Valor. Thank You!

Questions for Small Groups:

1. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the most), how bothered and angry do you get when people interrupt your daily routine asking for help? 
2. How do you feel about the statements “You cannot love the poor until you love the people in front of you?” and “You don’t get to choose who to love?” 
3. Read Luke 10:25-29. Why is the scholar’s question “And who is my neighbor?” (10:29) provocative? 
4. Read the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). How is Jesus teaching in this parable that we are called to love everyone in our daily path? 
5. Do people around you tend to drain your time and energy? In what practical ways can you strategize to use your limited time and energy to love the people right in front of you? 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

2nd Sunday of Advent.

“Your Best Yes” Week 2:

Repent/Surrender
 

Dear brothers and sisters,
This series is about preparing to give to God, and to give to ourselves, the gift of the best “yes” we can this Christmas. In the busy-ness of the season, we need a strategy to prepare our hearts, and last week we talked
about the strategy of discernment. Discernment is about asking the help of the Holy Spirit to make positive, life-giving choices for the greater good. Discernment is rooted in God’s love. In the next three weeks, we will
look at our best yes regarding loving God, loving others, and the call to make disciples. This is not just about preparing our hearts during this busy season for Christmas, but about how to say our best yes all throughout
the year, and throughout our lives. 

This upcoming week we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Masses will be held on December 7 at 7 pm, and December 8 at 12 noon and 5 pm). Mary was prepared by God in the womb of St. Ann to make the most perfect and profound “yes” to God in human history. When the angel Gabriel encounters her, she says this: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your
word” (Luke 1:38). She surrenders to God completely. None of us can say yes in an absolute perfect way like Mary, because unlike Mary our decisions and choices are clouded by sin. In prayer and discernment, we can
learn to surrender more deeply. In the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we hear about repentance. Repentance is a word that may have negative connotations for some people, but it simply means “change of
mind” or “change of thinking.” Often times, God is gently nudging us to make a positive yes. Perhaps we are resisting God’s call outright. Many times, we’re saying to God, “Yes, but not yet.” We make excuses for delaying our response to God’s call, or to change our thinking.

Is God calling you to a big decision that you’re resisting? Perhaps it’s about marriage, or about a career, or about your college choice. Perhaps it’s a gentle nudge to consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious
life. Perhaps it’s about getting back on track with a lifestyle choice or with your prayer life. Perhaps it’s your next step in discipleship. What’s holding you back? This week, we are invited to bring repentance into our
prayer, to align our minds and our thinking with God’s, and to surrender to God, just as Mary does.

Questions for Small Groups:
1. What do you want for Christmas or out of Christmas?
2. When was the last or recent time you could feel God nudging or directing you towards a specific
decision? How did you respond?
3. Read aloud Luke 1:38 – Mary proclaims she is God’s servant and will do whatever he wills. What are
your reactions to this verse?
4. On a scale of 1-5 (with 1 being very little surrendered, and 5 being completely surrendered), how
surrendered are you to God’s will for your life? Why do you answer as you do?
5. What is a decision big or small that you are wrestling with? What would it look like for you to invite God
into that decision-making process?

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

First Sunday of Advent. “

Your Best Yes”

Week 1: Discernment

Dear brothers and sisters,

           Our culture tends to jump into Christmas mode the day after Halloween, often sending us into an exhausted frenzy. However, the truth is that we have limited time and resources to prepare for Christmas, on top of dealing with normal life issues that don’t go on hold, just because the holidays are here.  In this series, we will look into the pressures of the Christmas season, and explore how to handle the season with the lasting peace and joy of Christ.  We will also view Advent as a model how to make positive decisions throughout the rest of the year, as well.

This week as an introduction we are talking about discernment. Discernment is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure;” or “an act of perceiving or discerning something.” In our spiritual life, discernment is about listening to the Holy Spirit. As a spiritual director for a few different people, I try to help those under my direction to learn the art of spiritual discernment. Spiritual discernment is about listening to Holy Spirit, reading the Scripture, being attentive to the movements of consolation and desolation in one’s heart, and hearing God speaking through others, especially through the authority of the Church.  It is an art that takes practice, and it cannot be done alone. Discernment is ultimately about seeking God’s help so to choose the greatest good for our lives – not just choosing between good and bad, but between “greater” and “greatest.”

This time of year can be a prayerful time even in the midst of the busyness of the season. This week you are invited to renew a commitment to your prayer life to prepare for Christmas. In your prayer time and/or in the context of Small Groups, first pray, and discern, how spiritually “free” you are right now. Perhaps you are overwhelmed, and perhaps there are areas of your life where you feel chained down by something. Paul says to the Galatians: For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love (Galatians 5:13). We can ask ourselves whether we are free in Christ, and if so, whether our freedom used for the service of others and not just ourselves.  Read also Galatians 1:10: Am I now currying favor with human beings or God?  Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Our “yes” can sometimes be about pleasing people, rather than pleasing God. Prayer and discernment help us to know the difference. 

My friends: we each have God-given gifts and talents; we all have demands placed on our lives.  We all must say “yes” or “no” to numerous decisions, big and small, each day. This whole series is all about the gift of making our best yes, not just in preparation for Christmas, but throughout our lives. 

Questions for Small Groups:

1. What does your schedule or busyness say about your life? How is your schedule currently impacting your emotional and spiritual health?

2. When in life do you feel the freest? When do you feel most enslaved?

3. Read Galatians 5:13.  Thinking about the areas of freedom in your life, do you use that time to serve anyone else or just to serve yourself?

4. Read and discuss Galatians 1:10.  Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?

5. What are some of the “best yeses” you’ve had in your life?  How can you repeat those?

6. This Advent, what are a few ways that you can prepare your heart for Christmas? How will this be different than last year?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Christ Our Light” Impact Weekend. 

Help us to witness to Christ Our King here in this place!

St. John’s Parish Mission:

Love God, Love People, Make Disciples

Parish Vision: To both welcome the unchurched in the Eastern Pocono Region and beyond, and to nourish and challenge all current church members, by forming leaders and by creating an irresistible weekend experience at the Church of St. John

Dear St. John’s Parish Family,

             On behalf of our Parish Staff, I wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving! This weekend we celebrate that Jesus Christ is our King, and we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives, and in our parish family. In the past several months, as our church and our society slowly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are truly hopeful for the future.  I have been greatly encouraged seeing more and more people returning to weekly worship at St. John’s, and we joyfully welcome over 100 new families that have registered in our parish family in the past year! In addition, we are actively rebuilding ministries and building structures and processes that will continue to build up our parish to usher in God’s Kingdom in this little part of the Poconos.

While the pandemic has caused an unprecedented interruption in our lives, it has also presented some amazing opportunities. As you may know, back in March 2020 when churches were shut down, we scrambled and pivoted toward Live Streaming of the Weekend Mass that reached out to parishioners as well as non-parishioners, in line with our Vision and Mission. Though collections were understandably reduced, we managed to purchase and install the technology needed for Live Streaming, continued to make payments on our mortgage and maintained a balanced budget, all thanks to your generosity! 

We are looking to complete new capital projects to support our Mission. During the next year, we want to enhance both our in-person and streaming by taking advantage of newer technologies to improve the sound and lighting in the church. A list of these improvements are posted at church and on our website.  Once these projects are completed, additional projects will be planned with remaining funds.  Realize that capital projects often cannot be funded only from weekly collections. That is why we decided to run a Mini Capital Campaign “Christ Our Light” to fund these necessary capital improvements.

If you have not received a pledge envelope, they can be found in the back of the church.  Even if you are unable to make a financial gift, please return the envelope with an expression of your prayerful needs and support. You can drop off your response envelop in the collection basket at church, or return it by mail.   While I realize this is a time of great economic hardship, I humbly ask you to prayerfully consider committing to a financial gift for our parish projects.  Any amount, however small, is most appreciated. If you are unable to give financially, know that I am grateful for your gift of presence in our community. 

Thank you for reviewing this letter and for your prayerful consideration about how you can support our parish.  Please know that you and your families remain in my daily prayers, and I humbly ask that I remain in yours.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Reichlen

33^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

“Confessions of a Control Freak”

Week 4:

We Can Let Go of Always Being Right

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This is the fourth and final week of this message series which has been about surrendering our control issues to God. If we can let go, just a little bit, of grasping onto the things we try to control, then the quality of our lives, and the quality of our relationship with God and others, will improve. The bottom line of this series is “Let go, and let God.” 

             We end the series today with the topic of our control issues when it comes to our opinions, ideas, and decisions. We can grasp onto our own sense of self-righteousness to the point that we hurt ourselves, other people, and even oppose God. Our self-righteous attitudes may be about anything, but today we see an increasing tide of ideology that is corrupting our hearts – topics like religion and politics that people often try to avoid. Perhaps at your Thanksgiving dinner there are some things you can’t talk about without getting into a fight!  Never in my lifetime have I personally seen people so divided as they are right now, to the point where decades-long friendships are ended, careers are ruined, families are separated, and people are walking away from church and God. It begins with a kind of cascading fear that leads to greater tribalism and greater isolation, so often expressed in rage and anger. Neither is this issue just about politics and religion. It has to do with our desire to be justified. We think we know better – we know better than our coworkers how to do this project; we believe we know better than our classmates how to compete in sports, or how to best raise kids. We all want to be right, and we will go to great lengths of self-deception to prove we are right, even when there is plenty of evidence that says otherwise.

             Today’s readings are about the end of the world. In the First Reading we hear the Prophet Daniel’s prediction of the end, which includes the coming of the Archangel Michael and the resurrection and judgment of the living and the dead. Daniel says about the end: It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress (Daniel 12:1). Then Daniel says: But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever (Daniel 12:3). In other words, those who are wise in the ways of God will stand out.  We do not know the day or the hour of the end, but we are called to be ready, by striving for wisdom in our lives. The good news is that we often discover wisdom from our defeats and failures, when many of our self-righteous ideas and decisions ultimately don’t pan out.

You’ve probably heard it said that the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. We can vote away taxes, but not death! As Christians, there is nothing more fundamental than having faith and hope in the end, a faith and hope in the mercy and judgment of Jesus Christ, that conquers all fear. This week I invite you to the venerable tradition of memento mortis – to pray about the reality of death! Pray about how you want to be remembered.  What legacy do you want to leave in this world? Do you truly want to be remembered as the person who thought himself always right?  Faith can conquer all fear, and humble surrender to God’s grace can overcome selfishness and pride! Questions for Small Groups:

1. Do you tend to be self-righteous about your own opinions or ideas? Why do you think this way?
2. In the past few years, have you lost friends or separated from family members because of politics or ideology?  What role, if any, did you play in this separation?
3. Have you made decisions that affected others, where you thought you were right but turned out to be wrong?  Have you learned from those bad decisions?
4. If we let go of our self-righteousness, what would that look like?  How would your behavior change? 
5. Does thinking about death help you to counter self-righteous pride when it comes to your ideas and opinions?  What legacy do you want to leave behind?    

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

32^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

“Confessions of a Control Freak”

Week 3:

We can let go of a clinging attitude

toward money and possessions

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This has been a very powerful series that has been all about surrender. We all have control issues over one thing or another: cooking or cleaning; driving or working; health and fitness; saving or shopping; scheduling or planning; or how you raise your kids. Two weeks ago, we talked about how some of us try to control our self-image, and last week we talked about the issue of trying to control others.

             Today we’re going to look at control of a huge and important area of our lives: money and possessions. With money, we can do anything we want. We can provide security for our loved ones, and we can have any comfort and pleasure that we desire.  On the other hand, we fear losing control when we don’t have money. You know this if you’ve ever experienced poverty or struggled to make ends meet. Maybe you’ve found yourself in debt in the present or past, and you know what it’s like to have no control. A bad experience in the past can shape our attitude in the present, in ways that are perhaps not aligned with God’s will.

             Money is powerful. We can try to control money in the present moment by spending, while we control money for the future by saving.  Either way, money brings power that we want to have.  It’s not a matter of how much we have. It’s our attitude toward money that matters – it’s how we’re holding onto it. We can either cling onto it with a clenched fist, or we can be open.  This doesn’t mean we have to give all of our money away and live in poverty!  It’s about an attitude of the heart.

             In the first reading we hear today at Mass, the Prophet Elijah, during a time of drought and famine, encounters a poor woman in the town of Zarephath who is destitute (1 Kings 17:10-16). He asks her for bread and water, and she tells him that she is at the point of starvation; she was about to prepare the last bit of food she has for her and her son, and then they will die. Here’s how Elijah responds to her: “Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.  For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’”  She left and did as Elijah had said (17:13-14).  She trusted the word of Elijah and followed his instructions. The result is this: She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah (17:15-16).  She was open to God’s guidance and instruction, and she and her son did not go hungry. Her openness and trust were blessed by the Lord.

            My friends, even if we don’t have much in terms of money or possessions, we can still let go of our clinginess. Over and over in the Gospel narrative, Jesus warns his disciples that our stuff is the number one thing that can compete with God in our hearts. If we have control issues regarding money, we can learn to let go, especially through the habit of intentional giving! It comes down to trust. Questions for Small Groups:

1.  On a scale of 1-5, how much are you a control freak about money?  One means it is

not a problem at all, and 5 means you are a total control freak. Why do you answer as

you do?

2. Has there ever been a time where you felt powerless because you didn’t have

enough money? When was that? How does that impact your attitude towards money

now?

3. When do you find it easy to give? When do you find it to be a challenge? 
4. How does giving money to God show our faith and trust in him?
5. When have you given money away and been glad you did?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

“Confessions of a Control Freak”

Week 2:

We can surrender trying

to control people.

Dear brothers and sisters,

                                               In this series, we are talking about the ways that we try to exercise control various things, and how we can begin to let go.  When we learn to surrender control, just a little, we can better our lives, and our relationship with God. It all comes down to trust.  Last week we talked about trying to control our self-image. When we “let go and let God” in worrying about our self-image, we can find healing and freedom in Christ. 

Today we are talking about a huge issue for many people: attempting, and succeeding for a time, in controlling other people. We can do this in subtle ways with anyone in our life.  Spouses can do this, one to another. Parents can do this to children, or sometimes children with their parents.  This can happen in various work relationships, or with teachers, coaches, or friends. I have heard of one mom who described herself as a “control monster” in making even the smallest decisions on behalf of her children.  

In trying to control people, we can sap the joy out of our relationships, and we might even be trying to replace God! So, how can we relinquish control? When it comes down to it, we can either control or love – we can’t do both! The first step is bringing into our thinking and our prayer our obedience to God’s most fundamental commandments. In today’s First Reading we hear a passage that is so important, that Jewish people recite it twice each day: “Hear, O Israel!  The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.  Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6).  Jesus, in responding to the scribe as we heard in today’s Gospel passage (Mark 12:28-34), says that this is the greatest commandment, followed by, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:10).  As far as we know, Jesus was the first rabbi to ever make the connection between these two laws – these two sum up all the other laws. This is why Love God and Love People are part of our church mission statement!  It’s profoundly simple but never easy.  If we really do so with all our hearts, we will be right with God and with the people around us! 

The second step is to review whether our thinking, speech, and actions line up with this great double command.  We can be great leaders, coaches, or parents, but we are not God!  God has a unique calling for each of us, and the message today is not about “letting go” from our responsibilities in some carefree way.  Parents, for example, have a great responsibility to nourish and care for their children, but all parents must eventually release their children to God and to the world. This is really a spiritual act of trust that can be extremely hard and heartbreaking, especially if we see the people we love fall short time and again. As leaders, we will make mistakes and poor decisions, but if we constantly come back to loving God and loving people, we can release that control.  Letting go is trusting that God has all our best interests in mind.  Confront control, by surrendering those relationships to God. 

1. Would you describe yourself as a person who controls others, or do you tend to be controlled?   
2. What is the greatest commandment?  See Deuteronomy 6:1-9. 
3. How can ‘You love your neighbor as yourself’?
4. Do you believe God has a unique plan for you, that is different than anyone else?  Why or why not? 
5. What does it mean to surrender a relationship to God? How do you do it and not control it?  Is there a relationship you need to surrender to God?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Confessions of a Control Freak” 

Week 1:

We can surrender our control of

a false self-image.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Today we kick off a new fall series that is all about surrender. Think about it: we are all control freaks, in some way or another! “Surrender” is a word with many negative connotations, but in our relationship with God in faith, surrender is more than just a positive thing – when it comes to our faith, it is absolutely necessary. Unlike our previous series which involved concrete action steps each week, this series is going to be more spiritual.  We will look each week at a different way we all can be control freaks in our lives, and how to surrender more deeply to God. 

             To kick off this series, we are going to look at our self-image. Do you carefully control and edit your image and profile on social media? Do you try to compete with your peers or members of your family in popularity or attention? This is not necessarily something done only by young people who are still seeking out their identity and self-worth. Moms, dads, grandparents, senior citizens, priests, can all get caught up in the “comparison trap” of how we’re measuring up with others in our peer group or social circle; and on top of that, we can all subtly look for approval or attention from others as a way to boost our own self-worth. 

             Think about it: a true Christian is not popular. At the root of our seeking approval or desire to be popular, there is often a hidden fear, or even pride. In Mark 13:13, Jesus says: You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. So many of us may want to obey God, but we still seek “popularity” in subtle ways.  The search for popularity can lead us to selfish fear, and pride that only hides low self-esteem and lack of happiness. My friends – our faith can only help us to heal and dispel these lies we tell ourselves!  This week, pray over whether you are a control freak when it comes to your self-image. Perhaps give up the ways that you “feed” that false image by your social media habits, your spending habits, or your interactions with others.  Give up those things – if Facebook, for example, is feeding this false self-image, try “fasting” from it for a while.  Then, seek freedom and surrender through God’s Word. Questions for Small Groups:

1. Do you consider yourself to be a control freak when it comes to what others think of you? On a scale from 1-10, how tightly are you holding on to your image? Name a few ways that you attempt to control your image or control what others think of you.
2. In what area of your life are you most tempted to try to control what others think?  Is it a social circle?  Work? Around other parents or grandparents?  Why?
3. Controlling our image may come down to two things – fear and pride.  What are you afraid of when it come to your popularity? What is the biggest source of pride in your life?
4. Read Mark 13:13. What do you think about the idea that a true Christian cannot be popular? Read James 4:4. How does our friendship with the world put us in danger with our faith?
5. Choose a verse that you can read every morning that will dispute the fact that you need to be liked or popular in order to feel loved and valued. Here are some choices: Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 29:25; 1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 6:26; Romans 12:2.

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

“Next S.T.E.P.S. Redux”

Week 6:

When We Share Our Faith, Our Faith Grows.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This weekend concludes our fall series that has been all about going deeper in our faith.  What Next STEPS are you considering in your faith journey? Today’s topic is scary for Catholics, because we were not brought up to really share our faith with others.  It’s something Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses or other Christians do, but not Catholics. I invite you to think about the power of invitations. Think about your life: there is that person who introduced you to your spouse, or the person who helped you find your first job, or the person who invited you to your first AA meeting or any other major life-changing choice? 

We might think that inviting other people to church is weird or scary, or even rude.  However, as disciples of Christ we want to grow to share God’s perspective on all things, and one thing that Jesus makes very clear in the Gospels is that God has a heart for those who are far from him! During your prayer time this week, read Luke 15:1-7, the story of the Lost Sheep. Jesus teaches us in this parable, that God cares more about the one lost sheep than the 99 others in the flock.  God values and cares about the lost, and moreover, God wants us to join in the search!  Imagine that you are at Dorney Park, and one of your three children gets lost in the park.  You would be entirely focused on that one lost child. That is how God is, and God desires that we play an active role, and share God’s perspective and God’s concern.     

             In order to put this into practice at St. John’s, we invite all parishioners to adapt a simple strategy called “Invest and Invite.” Many people, including myself, are hesitant to talk about our faith because we don’t want to be put in an uncomfortable position, for example talking about faith to strangers on the bus.  You don’t need to be put into an uncomfortable position.  However, every one of us can invest in one person in your life who is struggling, confused, angry, depressed, and maybe doesn’t care about God or church. Take that person to coffee or dinner, and when the opportunity comes, invite them to church. Our hope at St. John’s is to create a culture where that one person can be welcomed on the journey to discipleship.  This is what all churches should do, and this kind of cultural shift won’t happen in Catholic churches unless all parishioners play a part! Is God calling you to the step of Sharing faith with others?  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Tell about a time when someone invited you to do something that you really enjoyed doing.  Or tell about a time when you wouldn’t have done something unless you had received an invitation, but you appreciated the invite? 
2. If you ever invited someone to church or to one of our parish group meetings, tell about how that invitation went?  If not, what prevents you from inviting others? 
3. How do we know that God values those who are not coming to church? What are we to do about this? 
4. Who is that one person that you will invest in?  Share that name with your small group and how you will invest in that relationship.  Your group can revisit this topic in the future and hold you accountable. 
5. How important do you think the “timing” of your invitation is?  What’s a good time to invite someone?  When do you see those opportunities?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

“Next S.T.E.P.S. Redux”

Week 5:

Tithing or giving.  In giving we can grow closer to God.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This preaching series is all about following Jesus, and the promise that taking your next step in discipleship will make your relationship with God better, and therefore make your life better.  Recall that we heard in the beginning of the series, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). The step we are talking about this week is no doubt the scariest for most people to take, but it also can yield the greatest fruit in our lives.  The Old Testament norm was that the people tithed 10% of their income and produce, and they gave it to God. The word “tithe” means literally “give 10%.” I sometimes remark that the New Testament norm for giving is 100%, because Jesus gave his life for us!  Let me make it clear, however, that I’m not asking our parishioners to tithe 10%. Many people are struggling financially, today more than ever.  What I am challenging people is to think about their giving in terms of their relationship with God, and the promise that disciplined giving will enhance your life. 

This week, read in your prayer time a passage from the Prophet Malachi, Malachi 3:6-12.  Notice in this passage the Lord’s claim that people are robbing Him, not because they are stealing from the collection basket, but because of their passive neglect of the ancient Biblical command to tithe.  Second, the Lord calls the people to “put me to the test” and see both blessings poured out upon the people, and protection over their livelihood as well, when they give!

      In recent years as I have preached this subject a little more boldly, I’ve heard lots of stories of people who have taken this step of more generous giving.  They have experienced blessings, like gaining control of their finances, elimination of credit card debt, and new financial peace and security.  Maybe this is the step God is calling you to take right now – maybe even to try it out for a short period of time, say three months.  Remember that it doesn’t have to be 10% right away, and ultimately it is about worshiping God!  It’s not about our giving to a need, but about our need to give, in response to God’s generous love for you.  The following questions can be used as a reflection for Small Groups:

1. When it comes to money and finances, what are your hopes, dreams and goals?  Where do you want to be with your finances? 
2. Do you like talking about it or avoid it?  Are you a saver or a spender?  How would you describe your attitude towards money?  How was that attitude formed? 
3. The tithing and giving step can be the scariest step to take and yet do the most to grow our faith.  What are your thoughts on that statement? 
4. Read Malachi 3:10.  What tone of voice do you imagine God saying those words? 
5. What are your thoughts on the statement: Prayer does not invite God into our finances; giving does. 
6. What is the greatest obstacle to you to giving as described in Malachi 3? 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

Next S.T.E.P.S. Redux Week 4:

Engage in A Small Group

Dear brothers and sisters,

In this Fall Series, we are reintroducing to our parishioners the acronym STEPS as a clear, simple, and accessible means for any Catholic, young our old, to grow deeper in their faith.  This week we are really casting a vision, a vision for something that is not yet present here at St. John’s, but something we are actively planting seeds for the future.  Today more than ever people are lost – spiritually, emotionally, even physically – without companions on the journey who can guide them. COVID has brought this grave problem in our society to the forefront, as people were forcibly isolated for many months, and many are still feeling the effects of that isolation – depression, anxiety, loneliness, mental distress, lack of hope, and even thoughts of suicide. As we come out of COVID, people desire connection, and the Church has a great opportunity to provide something that society is not necessarily offering.   St. Paul writes to the community of the Thessalonians, “With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us” (1 Thes 2:8). The idea of engaging in a Small Group is a Christian idea and a Biblical idea.  However, of the five STEPS of discipleship, this may be the hardest sell for many Catholics who have no experience of what a Small Group is about.  We hear today in the First Reading, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:17). Think about it: we apply this principle in many different activities, from weight loss to AA to parenting groups, yet in the Church it has sadly been lost for the most part. Often in a big church such as St. John’s, where we are constantly welcoming new people while others move away, people can easily get lost or even leave, because they crave a smaller community, and their needs are not provided for.  The priest, deacon, and Parish Staff cannot possibly meet the needs of everyone!  Small Groups are ideally a place where our big church gets small, where members feel comfortable being vulnerable and supporting one another. In the process, Small Groups become “schools” for discipleship. The vision for Small Groups is centered on three core values.  First, they are about prayer.  Small Groups are not just fellowship groups or groups centered on some activity.  Everyone in the group should be given an opportunity to pray, if they wish.  Second, Small Groups are about authenticity. They are confidential, so that people can be comfortable enough to just be themselves, to come as they are.  This entails building up trust.  Third, Small Groups are ideally about commitment. When the group forms, no bigger than 10 to 12 people, they commit to one another, because successful relationships need presence.

We envision in the future forming Adult Small Groups for moms, dads, married couples, seniors, and different language groups in our diverse community, like Spanish, Polish, French, Tagalog, and more!  We envision options for Small Groups either in people’s homes, or online.  One idea is that Small Groups in our community would form in each of the big developments in our area, such as Saw Creek, Pine Ridge, PMLE, Ranchlands, Tamiment, Winona Lakes, CCP, Great Bear, Lake of the Pines, etc.  The Good News is that our Faith Formation and Youth Ministry are already modeling Small Groups in an amazing way! We are in the third year of a Small Group format for Faith Formation, and it’s gotten rave reviews!  Parents know that our kids, who love to talk and share, are dragging their parents to church each week! 

In the meantime, please feel free to form your own Small Group! We already have a regular adult prayer group called “Word of Life,” which is a part of the international Catholic movement called Focolare.  We also have an active Spanish Prayer Group, an active Men’s Group, and a few other groups that are looking to reconnect in the future, such as our Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have a Small Group, let us know!  The reflection and questions I provide in the Parish Bulletin each week are meant to be used in Small Groups, to make it easy to facilitate and lead a discussion.  All that a facilitator needs to do is lead with a prayer, read out loud the Bulletin Message for the week, and lead the discussion with the questions provided. Here are this week’s questions for Small Groups:

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how attracted are you to the idea of a Small Group?  Do you have any reference point for Small Groups?
2. How would you define authenticity?  Why is that important for a healthy group?
3. What comes up in your schedule that keeps you from possibly committing to a group?  How could you put those things aside to make a Small Group a priority?
4. What would it look like for you and members of a Small Group to become “dearly beloved” friends?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

We are starting the Next STEPS Redux Series. Please review the attached flyers that

offer more details. One is in English/Spanish and the other is in English/Polish

26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

Next S.T.E.P.S. Redux Week Three:

Christ Calls Us to Serve.

Dear brothers and sisters,

During the course of this series, we’re looking at how we’re all called to go deeper in faith. Being a life-long follower of Jesus Christ is not as complicated as we can make it out to be. STEPS is a simple but profound teaching tool to challenge all of us, whether young or old, to take our next step in faith. Following Christ is about direction, not perfection. This week we are speaking about Service. Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” We heard this same word last week in James 4:7, but the verse from Ephesians suggests a different focus – submission not to God but to other people. “Submission” in our everyday life to other people might seem insulting to our egos, because it can sound like we are called to be weak, or a doormat. However, think about your life. In family life, in the sports field, or at work, think about how many times we already leverage and use our time and energy for the benefit of others. Let’s call this, “mutual submission.” All of us do this in any family or workplace. However, we don’t usually have God in mind when we do so.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus points out that there are those outside of his circle of disciples who were serving others, those who are aligned with his teaching and way of life. He then says, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41). Even a small act of service will make us feel rewarded!  Some of us have a servant’s heart and are always thinking about others. Others, if we are honest, like to be served.  How do we develop a deeper servant’s heart? The idea of “mutual submission,” that is, leveraging what we have for the benefit of someone else, challenges us to think first about others. Think about this: we can begin to develop a servant’s heart by making the habit of asking one simple question, “How can I help?” This one simple question can change the dynamic of our homes and offices. Sometimes we’re afraid to ask that question because we fear taking on more than we can handle, or we fear being taken advantage of.

However, we must remind ourselves constantly that we serve “out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21). Jesus himself modeled for us “mutual submission.” This week, imagine applying this principle at home and work, and how that could be the life-transforming step you’re called to take at this time. Questions for Small Groups:

1. What does the word “submission” or “submit” mean to you?
2. The principle of mutual submission described in Ephesians 5:21 is sometimes difficult to do in our lives.  Why do you think it’s so hard for us to be submissive to others? What would it look like for you to submit to your boss, employees, husband, wife, kids, or friends?
3. What do you have that you can leverage for the benefit of someone else at work, at home, or at church? How will you do that this week?
4. How do you currently serve your family and friends?
5. Are you serving in a ministry here at St. John’s, or in another setting outside the church?  If not, why not? If so, what’s your ministry and how has it impacted your life?
6.  

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

We are starting the Next STEPS Redux Series. Please review the attached flyers that

offer more details. One is in English/Spanish and the other is in English/Polish

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

“Next S.T.E.P.S. Redux” Week 2:

Practicing Prayer and the Sacraments is about Listening to the Voice of the

Good Shepherd.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             We are excited to reintroduce this series and this acronym to our parish. These STEPS are all about finding direction in our life – direction that Jesus wants to give us. They are not about burdening us with doing more stuff, or about checking off an obligation, but they are about life change. Following our Lord Jesus can change our lives for the better! Today we are talking about Practicing faith through Prayer and the Sacraments.  Prayer is not simply about talking to God, but it’s about conversing with God. A conversation involves both talking and listening. For today’s reflection, I invite you to read the Gospel of John, chapter 10. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  Being a shepherd was and is a hard job, because sheep are dumb animals. It’s messy, tiring, and possibly dangerous. Like all shepherds try to do, Jesus wants to provide for us four things: direction, protection, provision, and rest for his sheep.  Jesus calls his sheep by name (John 10:3-4), and even dumb sheep recognize and follow the shepherd’s voice. He keeps his sheep safe from the wolves. He knows where to find the green pastures for us to be nourished. He guides our souls to find rest from our labors. 

To pray effectively, there are two things we are invited to do. First, we sharpen our ears to hear God’s voice, by reading and getting to know God’s Word, especially the Gospels.  The Bible is God’s Word, speaking to us today! I always try to have a Bible, or an app on my phone with Scripture in front of me, when I’m praying.  Second, we learn to pray by practicing it regularly! Most of us are beginners at prayer, and the hardest thing to do can be carving out time of silence into our schedules.  By listening and learning to recognize and discern God’s voice, in daily quiet time, with a Bible at hand, we can grow in prayer. Think about it: Jesus wants to give us direction, protection, provision, and rest, and we are challenged to carve out the time to recognize his voice and respond. Is “Practicing Prayer” one of the STEPS that God is calling you to right now in your life?  Once again, I invite you to discuss in small groups – among family, friends, spouses, co-workers, or a church prayer group – the following questions:

1. Prayer is defined as a conversation with God.  What are your thoughts on that statement?
2. Shepherds provided direction, protection, provision and rest for the sheep.  Of those listed, what do you need Jesus to provide for you right now?  
3. Do you believe that God still talks and directs his people and that if you listen to God you will hear from him?  Why or why not? 
4. Read aloud John 10:3-4. What does this say about the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep?  What vision does it paint for our relationship with Jesus?
5. Do you have a problem that you are trying to solve or emotional situation you are facing that you can bring to Jesus in prayer? 
6. What will you do this week to strengthen your conversation with God? 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

We are starting the Next STEPS Redux Series. Please review the attached flyers that

offer more details. One is in English/Spanish and the other is in English/Polish

24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

“Next STEPS Redux”

Week One:

Jesus calls us all to take the

Next Step in following him. 

Dear brothers and sisters,

            This week, as we kick off various Fall activities in our parish family, we are reintroducing a concept that I first preached about three years ago: S.T.E.P.S. This series is an outstanding introduction to the culture that we’re trying to cultivate at St. John’s, where all church members are challenged to grow deeper in their faith.  Our next step in our faith is never easy, but it should be both clear and accessible to everybody! Whether you are a life-long Catholic, recently returning to the practice of your faith, or coming to faith for the very first time, this series is for you. So often we Catholics make the call of discipleship too complicated and muddled. We’ll offer what has been described as a “heap of Catholicism” that can be very intimidating and confusing for people who want to grow deeper in their faith.  We’ll tell people, for instance, to take this class, or watch this video, read the Catechism or this list of books, or to pray this list of prayers, to come to a deeper faith.  We make people “jump through hoops,” that is, a list of seemingly arbitrary rules that they must follow, for example sponsor letters for potential Godparents, or a list of requirements for Confirmation. On top of that, all the priest ever asks for, week after week, are a list of mundane and nagging requests, for example, “Buy a raffle ticket;” “Sign up to volunteer at the Parish Picnic,” or “Remember about the Holy Day of Obligation.” All of these things may have some merit behind them, but none of them by themselves get to the heart of the matter, in terms of growing in our faith.

            Jesus never gave us a list of obligations to check off from a list, but he did frequently ask one thing to people: “Follow me.”  So, what is a disciple? Simply put, a disciple of Jesus Christ is a life-long follower, or a life-long student of him!  In this series, we will look at the five major steps, based in the Gospels, which Jesus himself calls his followers to take: Serving in ministry or elsewhere, Tinthing and giving; Engaging in a Small Group; Practicing prayer and the Sacraments; and Sharing faith.  God can draw a person closer to him through any step, at any time.  It’s important to note even though S.T.E.P.S is an acronym, the steps are “fluid” and can occur in any order, often cycling around in various ways and in different times throughout one’s life. 

Each week, I will share a series of questions that I encourage you to use in some small-group format: maybe at your dinner table, or among friends, or any other way.  Our hope is that sometime in the future we will organize parish small groups. For this week’s introduction, read James 2:14-18, today’s Second Reading, which reminds us of the connection between faith and works.  We cannot earn our salvation; we cannot earn a relationship with God.  God already loves us first, no matter what we do. Following these STEPS, then, is not a condition for being a disciple of Jesus, but it is a confirmation of a relationship with him. Taking your next step is a reflection, in your life, of his loving call.  This week’s questions:

1. Do you like to keep to-do lists?  Do you tend to view your relationship with God as a to-do list or something to check off the list?
2. Do you believe that the 10 Commandments are confirmation of a relationship with God, not conditions for one?  Why or why not? 
3. What steps can you take to framing your relationship with God in the context that he already loves you? 
4. Which STEPS have you already taken: Serving, Tithing, Engaging in a Small Group, Practicing prayer, and Sharing your faith?  What one area has done the most to grow your faith?  Why is that?
5. Which of these STEPS do you believe is your next step on your faith journey? 

With blessings,

Fr. Reiclen

We are starting the Next STEPS Redux Series. Please review the attached flyers that

offer more details. One is in English/Spanish and the other is in English/Polish

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Jesus gives us Hope on our Journey.

A few announcements. 

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Labor Day weekend is upon us, and this weekend traditionally marks the end of the summer months and the beginning of the school year.  Welcome to those visitors among us for this last extended weekend of vacation time before we enter into the Fall.  Here in PA our students have already started school, and we extend to all students, parents, teachers, and school administrators many prayers and blessings as they begin this new school year, facing once again much uncertainty. May God bless you this year!  We can’t be grateful enough for the preparation and sacrifices of parents, teachers, school workers, and school administrators of our Notre Dame Catholic Schools, as well as our East Stroudsburg School District family.  Thank you, and please know that St. John’s keeps all of you in our prayers! 

Every new school year, no matter what is going on in the world, is a time of hope for new beginnings and a fresh start. To all kids and students, I give YOU a challenge: be disciplined, study hard, and set goals for yourselves.   What do you want to accomplish this year, either in your academic studies, or in sports, or in applying for college?  What kind of person do you want to be like by next June, besides being six inches taller (maybe)?  Perhaps your goals are in sports, or music, or theatre, or dance, or all of the above!  Write down your goals in a journal!  I also challenge you also to make your faith and important part of your year.  Prayer can only help you to achieve your goals!  Making the sacrifice to worship with us at weekend Mass can only help you to grow into the best version of yourself!  Serving in some form or another is also an amazing way to grow – serving not just to add something to your resume, or because your parents make you, or because you are fulfilling requirements for school, but because you’re called by God.  What step is God calling you to take this year, to grow as a disciple?  All kids and families are reminded that next Sunday September 12 is our Faith Formation kickoff – go to our website to register your kids – and Sunday September 19 at 6 pm is our High School Youth Ministry kick-off.  Invite your friends! 

We are excited next week to kick of our Fall Season here at St. John’s.  Next weekend, September 11-12, we will launch our Fall Series “Next S.T.E.P.S. Redux.”  Parishioners who have been around for a while recognize this acronym, because we did this same series three years ago and have shared it previously with parishioners and students. A disciple of Jesus Christ is a life-long student or learner.  I love this acronym, because it reminds us that we never stop growing in our faith, whether we are life-long Catholics or people who are just beginning (or beginning anew) their faith journey. Come next weekend to find out what the acronym stands for!  Each week of the series, there will be something special going on here at the church, so I invite you to come with an open mind and heart each week, and to mingle with us outdoors as various staff and ministry leaders will be present.  It will be our chance for our entire parish family to take that next step as lifelong followers of Jesus.  Also, be sure to invite a friend, either in-person or online!

Also, to kick off next weekend, we will memorialize the 20^th anniversary of 9/11 in a special way.  We remember as a country that we have faced in the past great tragedy, and with the help of God we have and we will move forward.  So many of our parishioners’ families have memories of that tragic day and its aftermath, and it’s important that we never forget, especially those who lost their lives.  We remember and acknowledge all our military personnel, all firefighters, police, health care workers, and the family and friends of those who lost their lives.  To all those who have worked in the great City of New York on that day or in the years since, making NYC the greatest city in the world, neither 9/11 or COVID cannot stop you!   You will rise again!

My friends, today’s Gospel reminds us that our Lord Jesus goes out of his way to meet us on the road.  Just as he encountered in today’s Gospel story a man who was deaf and opened his years, saying in Aramaic “Ephphratha,” “Be opened!” so too he desires to open our ears to hear his voice, to hear his calling, to hear the cry of our neighbor in need. Jesus always gives us hope on our journey. May we hear him speaking to us today!

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
“Jesus Wants Hearts, Not Hypocrites.”

Dear brothers and sisters,
God cares more about what happens on the inside of our lives than what happens on
the outside: he wants our hearts. This is what he is trying to explain to the Pharisees, and to all his disciples, and to us, in today’s Gospel reading. It is quite possible to appear perfectly Christian on the outside, while being perfectly selfish on the inside. We can go to Mass regularly, avoid obviously lewd or sinful behavior in public, say prayers so that others will notice – we can do all those things exteriorly, while constantly entertaining evil thoughts and
self-centered desires in our hearts. That kind of divided life, which is called hypocrisy, cannot last. As the old saying goes, unless we live according to what we believe, we will soon start believing in accordance with what we live. In other words, as Jesus puts it elsewhere in the Gospels (cf. Matthew 6:21): where our hearts are, there our treasure is. True followers of Jesus Christ can never be satisfied with merely exterior piety; we can never consider ourselves superior to others just because our sins are less visible. This is what the Pharisees did, and it blinded them to God's love; in fact, it tragically turned them into enemies of God. True religion has exterior manifestations, certainly, but they are meant to flow from and give expression to the experience of the heart. The heart is the place where we decide for or
against our conscience, for or against God’s will. Our friendship with Christ, and the purpose, strength, and vigor that flows out of that friendship, depend on our inner allegiance to him; looking like goody-two-shoes on the outside can never substitute for that. Jesus does not care what we look like to others; he cares about who we really are. That is what we should care about too. (adapted from www.epriest.com).

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

“Eucharistic Amazement”

Week 5:

Faith is hard because it involves commitment.

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This week we conclude our summer series on the Eucharist.  Why do we do what we do, when we come to Mass, when we serve in a ministry, when we serve in the community in whatever role? We’ve learned in the course of this series that Jesus himself is present at every Mass, feeding us on our journey.  We get to participate in the redemption of the world, as we participate fully, consciously, and actively in the Eucharist, both in our external responses and song, and internally by our attention and prayer.  We cannot earn our salvation; thus we shouldn’t see Mass as a mere obligation to check off; however, by participating in the Eucharist, we are growing in faith and trust in Jesus the Bread of Life, who feeds us on our life journey. Last week, we learned that our bodies matter, because we are the flesh of Christ in the world, and thus we strive in the struggles of this life to “give birth” to Christ, as we are fed each week by the Body of Christ in Holy Communion.  We should be striving to become the best version of ourselves, and to close the gap between the faith we profess inside the church walls, and how we live our lives outside the church walls.

To conclude this series, in today’s Gospel we hear about the final reaction of many people in the crowd to Jesus’ teaching.  He has said that he is the Bread of Life, that whoever feeds on him will never hunger or thirst (6:36). Then, he raises the stakes by saying that he gives us his flesh for the life of the world (6:51); and “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you” (6:53).  He’s literally talking about eating and drinking his own flesh and blood!  As a result, many people walk away from this teaching.  Recall that they are in the synagogue in Capernaum, and John tells us: Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” (John 6:60). Then later John tells us:

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him (John 6:66). This is shocking if you think about it. The Bible is not hiding the fact that many of Jesus’ followers walked away from him! 

My friends, people are always going to walk away from religion and faith. All of us know people who have walked away from the Church – family, friends, and coworkers – and it breaks our hearts, especially parents who have tried to raise their kids in the practice of the faith. There are various reasons why, and they are not all bad reasons, because the Church and church people have always played a big part in why people walk away.  Some have because of scandal and hypocrisy; some have because of a bad experience with a priest or church person.  Some just realize that they are no longer believers; and some simply get out of the habit of faith.  Some have found nourishment and fellowship in Evangelical or Pentecostal Christian churches that they didn’t find in the Catholic Church, which I always find very sad because none of these churches actually believe in what the Bible clearly teaches – that Jesus is really, truly present in the Eucharist! Nobody ever said that faith is easy.  It’s not as complicated as we sometimes think – faith is incredibly simple in a way – but the commitment is not easy.  There are those in our congregation who are “grumblers” and wonder why Father Reichlen has made the changes he has in the past few years.  I remind them that it’s about your kids and grandkids!  One statistic that should shock you is this: only 10 percent of baptized Catholics under 50 years old practice their faith, in any meaningful way. Honestly, I believe that nothing else matters than this, and how we respond should be our number one priority as a church.

This week, make a commitment to faith. Commit to weekly worship with your family.  Register at St. John’s Parish by going to our website: www.churchofstjohn.com. Get married in the Church – call me at the Parish Office to begin the process.  Bring your kids or grandkids to sign up for Faith Formation on our website.  Commit to a future involvement in a church ministry. Like Peter, I choose every day to do my little part as pastor here in this local place, by committing this parish, and my life, to evangelizing and welcoming the unchurched, as our parish Mission and Vision clearly state – see the front cover of the bulletin!  I choose to say like Peter, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God (6:68-69).”  You are invited to join us here in this work, by doing your little part as well! 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Solemnity of the Assumption.

“Eucharistic Amazement” Week 4:
We are Redeemed Body and Soul
 

Dear brothers and sisters,
This is the fourth week of a summer series, in which we are looking at why we do what we do, when we come to the Eucharist, serve in ministries, and love our neighbor. Jesus feeds us as he fed the crowd of the 5000. He feeds us in faith, in our spiritual life, by prayer, by his Word, and physically, in the Eucharist. We cannot earn our salvation, but the “work” of liturgical worship at Mass, is about participating in the mystery of our redemption, where we grow in faith and trust. God deserves our worship, and nothing substitutes for physically coming to church, participating in Mass, and receiving him in the Eucharist, when we are able do so.

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into heaven, which is always held on August 15th. It’s a feast that normally would not be on a Sunday, and it happily interrupts our hearing in the Sunday Gospel of John chapter 6, the Bread of Life discourse, which we will conclude next week. We believe that sometime after the Resurrection, in the early decades of the Church, Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul. The Eastern Orthodox church teaches and believes that Mary never actually died but fell asleep. Why do we believe something that is not recorded in Scripture? Well, it’s a logical consequence of the Incarnation. It only makes sense that she who was the chosen vessel to bring the Son of God into the world, she who shares the same DNA as the Son of God, would share in the hope of the Resurrection. Jesus was physically raised to heaven. Like Mary, we have hope in New Life, where we will be redeemed body and soul. Because the Son of God became man, we human beings in our fallen state have hope for sharing in divine life.

Because of this, our bodies matter. Our religion is not one where we’re trying to escape our bodies. Yes, we hope that our resurrected bodies will ideally be young, free of disease and decay. Yet our bodily habits matter, especially the ways we strive to grow in virtue, in our thoughts and deeds. We are given free will in this life to make virtuous choices, day by day, on our way to heaven. There are things that we must do bodily, like exercising, eating well, and sleeping well. A doctor’s intervention may help us to do these things well, but
nothing substitutes for our daily habits. Along these same lines, sometimes people ask whether we can celebrate the Sacraments remotely. Why can’t we celebrate Confession, for example, over the phone or anonymously on the Internet? The reason is that nothing substitutes for the personal connection of brothers and sisters in Christ gathering in Jesus’ name, face to face.

Along these same lines, nothing substitutes for the companionship of a person who is the hands and feet of Christ for one’s neighbor. Whether it’s a visit to a senior citizen, or teaching, or coaching, or parenting, there is a value in a face-to-face connection that cannot be fully substituted by Zoom or even a phone call. All of us have learned this to some extent during the past year and a half. 

My friends, this week, do something bodily for God. Go for a Rosary walk. Visit your neighbor or family member. Serve the poor. These actions matter – we’re glorifying God who feeds us his spiritually, and physically, with his Precious Body – that we may become more like him. St. Augustine famously described the moment at Mass when the consecrated host and chalice are lifted up by the priest, after which it is no longer bread or wine, but the Body and Blood of Christ, “Behold what you are, become what you receive.” We see Jesus in the Eucharist, broken and shared, and we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, so that we can see Jesus and be Jesus in the world! That is our calling as disciples!
 

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

“Eucharistic Amazement” Week 3

Jesus Feeds Us Both Spiritually and Physically

Dear brothers and sisters,

This is the third week in which we hear in the Sunday Gospel Reading from John chapter 6, the “Bread of Life” discourse. We’ve said that as we gradually come back to church and return to the Eucharist, it’s important to more deeply understand why we do what we do. Thus far we have heard the familiar miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves in which Jesus satisfied the hungry crowd. We said that in the Eucharist we get to participate every Sunday in that same miracle – it’s Jesus’ New Passover, in which he redeems the world through his death and resurrection. We are called to full, conscious, active participation in the Eucharist. Last week, we saw that the crowds followed him to Capernaum, and they lacked understanding – plus, they were still hungry for bread. Jesus leads the crowd – and us – away from their empty stomachs, toward 

greater understanding and faith in him. We argued that in coming to church, we are not earning or working for our salvation, which we cannot do by our own efforts. Instead, in coming to church, or serving in a ministry, or in loving our neighbor, we are growing in faith, faith that Jesus the Bread of Life will always provide for us on our life journey.

Today we hear the continuation of the dialogue between Jesus and the crowd, in the synagogue inCapernaum. Recall that the passage from Exodus 16 about the Manna in the Desert was probably being read in the synagogue that day, as Jesus teaches the crowd. Jesus has called people to faith in him – and faith will give the crowd more than a lifetime supply of bread – the promise of faith is that we will never “hunger” or “thirst,” but share in “eternal life,” and being raised up to God, to heaven, on the last day (John 6:40). Today, like the ancient Israelites who complained against God and against Moses, the crowd at Capernaum murmurs and complains against Jesus (6:41-42), who has just described himself as the Bread of Life that has come down from heaven. The crowd see this man in front of them, a human being in flesh and blood, and they think they know him. In other passages in the Gospels (for example Luke chapter 4), Jesus is rejected by his hometown, the people at Nazareth who saw him grow up, raised by Mary and Joseph. Like them, sometimes our attitude about God and church can breed a kind of “familiarity” that leads to indifference, boredom, or even resentment.

Responding to the crowd’s murmuring, Jesus goes a step further in an amazing way. Up to this point, if you think about it, we can take “Bread of Life” to mean something merely spiritual. In other words, Jesus teaches us to “feed” on him spiritually through faith, and it’s in faith alone that we have the promise of living forever. Then, Jesus ups the ante and says this: Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my FLESH for the life of the world (John 6:49-51). In the passage that follows (6:52-59), Jesus makes it crystal clear that he’s talking about his own physical flesh, the meat on his bones! Jesus doesn’t just feed us spiritually – he feeds us PHYSICALLY, on our faith journey.

My friends, the point today, that Jesus feeds us not just spiritually but physically, has always been controversial. Different Christian churches and denominations have different views of the Eucharist, but Catholic teaching is a literal interpretation of Jesus’ own words here. In response, we should reflect in our reception of the Eucharist. Do we receive the Eucharist with “reverence,” that is, preparing our souls to receive the Precious Body of Christ? This means perhaps first going to Confession, or getting married in the Catholic Church. During this time when there is a global pandemic that seems to never end, I completely understand that many folks cannot yet come to church, because they are immune-compromised, or they have young children,
or their work schedule conflicts with Mass, or they are homebound. I suggest that you have a “battle plan” or routine to receive the Eucharist at least once in a while. The Eucharist is God’s great gift to humanity, and we get to feed on Jesus, both spiritually and physically. The hope in store for us is eternal life! Don’t take for granted this immense gift!

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Eucharistic Amazement”

Week 2
In the Eucharist, we come to faith in Jesus who wants to nourish us.

Dear brothers and sisters,

This is the second week in which we hear from the “Bread of Life” Discourse of the Gospel of John chapter 6. As we begin coming back to in-person worship at weekend Mass, it’s important to more deeply understand why we do what we do when we gather for the Eucharist. Why do we have liturgical ministers? Why do we have to go to Mass, according to the Bishop? Last week to kick off this series, we talked about how in the Eucharist, we get to participate in Jesus’ redemption of the world. Jesus’ Real Presence is greater than any celebrity, any sports figure, even the Pope, because in the Eucharist, we actively participate in the redemption ofthe world!

Today’s Gospel reading continues the story of John 6. Jesus has performed the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves, satisfying the hunger of the 5000. They are amazed at Jesus’ miraculous power, and they want more. Jesus then comes to Capernaum, his home base. The big crowd then gets word of where Jesus is, and they go to Capernaum too. However, they’re not prepared – they want him to do that miracle again, and feed their hunger. Jesus, in Capernaum, is in the local synagogue (we know this from later in the story – see John 6:59), and there he begins to teach. Most likely, what is being read in the synagogue that day is the story of the Manna in the Desert, which we heard in today’s First Reading (Exodus 16). This is a story in which the People of Israel grumbled against God and Moses for not providing food for them, and as a result, God gives them this mysterious substance that appears on top of the sand every morning – manna – which they can eat.

Jesus takes this opportunity to lead the crowd, and us, from their physical hunger and lack of understanding, to faith in him. Jesus is the true Bread of Life, and the “provision” never runs out! We are often like the crowds who ask Jesus, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” (John 6:28). The people there have just gone to great effort to follow Jesus – they’ve worked hard, and they want something in return from this prophet and miracle worker they’re following! We too are sometimes like this in our relationship with God. Sometimes we’re merely looking to please God by our correct behavior, and in turn, when we sin and disobey God, we feel shame and separation from God. Even worse, when we do everything “right” and still don’t get
what we want, we can get angry with God. We give into a common like, that we need to earn God’s favor by our works alone. 

Jesus answers the question of the crowd with a strange answer: “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent” (6:29). This is strange for Jesus to say, because we don’t associate “work” with “belief.” Jesus is turning the crowd’s attention away from their hungry stomachs, to himself. The people still don’t understand; they’re looking for another miracle or “sign,” a lifetime supply of bread. That’s when at last Jesus says to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (6:35).

My friends, in coming to church we are NOT doing so to merely earn God’s favor, to check off our obligation to follow the rules. In fact, we can’t do anything on our efforts alone to earn God’s favor anyway! God freely gives us his love always. So why do we come to Mass ever week? We come to church to be nourished by the Bread of Life. We are on the journey of life, and on that journey we need spiritual nourishment! In the active practice of our faith, we are being provided for. Jesus desires that we come to faith in him, the Bread of Life, who alone can fully satisfy our souls.

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
“Wise Guys and Prophets” Week 1:
God’s Ways Are Not Our Ways
 

Dear brothers and sisters,
Today we begin our first summer message series that will last 5 weeks. In this first series, we are going to look at a few Bible figures and books, and how their messages can be applied to our life today. The Bible is really a library of God’s Wisdom through the ages. The Bible is neither an exact history nor a mere collection of myths and stories, but rather a collection of different genres of text: prose, poetry, historical narrative, wisdom literature, prophecy, and more. We believe that the Bible is inspired – that means that God himself speaks to us through the Scripture. That’s why I am so passionate about Bible study, because when people learn to love God’s Word, they come to know and to love Jesus Christ, the living Word.

In the course of this series we’ll look at the First Reading at Sunday Mass. Today, we’re looking at the Book of Job. Job is not actually a historical figure. The Book of Job is written by an anonymous author who tells us a kind of “morality tale” centered around the person of Job and his family. At the beginning of the story, in chapters 1 and 2, we learn about what happens to Job – he is a wealthy man with the blessings of children, livestock, and land, and God allows Satan to take these things away. Job never curses God, but he mourns his lowly state, and during the course of the Book of Job, we are introduced to three of his friends who offer comfort but also debate and challenge him as he laments what has happened to him. Most of the Book of Job is a kind of “Wisdom Literature”
written as poetry. In today’s reading from chapter 38, the Lord finally enters the story. The Lord’s voice comes from the “storm” or literally, “whirlwind” (Job 38:1); and the Lord promptly reminds him that Job is a human being and was not present when he created the world! In other words, Job has extremely limited knowledge of how things actually work.

The overall message of Job is that we human beings have limited knowledge of God, and this is especially true regarding evil and suffering in the world. Contrary to the trope found in other parts of the Bible that “if you follow the Lord and his commandments, you will find blessings,” in Job, the message is more complex. Sometimes bad things happen to us, and we don’t understand why. We follow God and strive to do his will, but we still experience misfortune, brokenness, and death. Like Job, true wisdom is found in coming to a deeper faith and trust in God. As Christians, we take this a step farther, because of the Cross. In suffering, we can actually find redemption because of Jesus Christ! This week, make an attempt to “offer up” suffering when it comes your way in any form. When we give over our suffering to God, we can grow closer to him.

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Half Truth Week 5
“God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
 

Dear brothers and sisters,

This is the fifth and final week of our series Half-Truth. In this series, we’ve been confronting several popular half-truths in our culture when it comes to faith and religion. To close out the series, today we will confront the popular saying: “God will not give us more than we can handle.” This is true if we mean that God always provides his love and grace; and that God is in control of the world. It is also true to say this, if we mean that God will always be with us.

The whole truth, however, is that God often gives us more than we can handle. He does so for a few reasons: so that we will return to his presence, depend on his power, and grow in our faith and trust in him. Perhaps this has been present in the past year because of COVID-19. In the past year or so, perhaps you have faced the recent “storm” of sickness, or the loss of a loved one, or the loss of work or change of work, or homeschooling your kids, or the lack of ability to see your friends and family. We can’t know WHY God allowed a global pandemic to occur, or any suffering for that matter, but we believe THAT God is with us, and has a plan for each of us!

To reflect on these points, read Mark 4:35-41, the Calming of the Storm, which is next Sunday’s Gospel reading. As you read the passage, engage your imagination. What do you hear? What do you see or smell? What phrases or words stick out to you? Notice that the disciples accuse Jesus of not caring about them! We may accuse God of that sometimes too. Notice also how the disciples react when they witness Jesus’ power in calming the storm.

The whole truth is that there are going to be moments in our lives where we simply feel overwhelmed. When we’re overwhelmed, we may tend to dive into work, or overeat, or withdraw, or escape into a hobby or relationship that will ultimately not satisfy our souls. In those moments when we feel overwhelmed, imagine instead if we turned wholeheartedly to God and his grace. God desires that we learn more and more to rely on his presence and power, as we grow ever deeper in faith and trust, as his life-long disciples.

Questions for Small Groups:

1. When you are feeling overwhelmed, are you most likely: to work harder and longer, go eat, ask for help, go somewhere peaceful and hope it goes away, or do something fun?
2. Do you agree that we tend to pray more when we are facing major problems, and tend to forget about God when life is going well? Why do you agree or disagree?
3. What has been your most recent storm?
4. The disciples obeyed Jesus, but still found themselves in a huge storm. Why is it important to know that sometimes we can experience a storm even though we are aligned with God’s will?
5. The disciples get to see Jesus’ power because they went through the storm. What is their reaction? When have you seen God’s power displayed through a storm?

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

“Half-Truth” Week 4:

Holy Communion is ‘just a symbol.’

Dear brothers and sisters,

This is now the fourth week of a message series in which we are looking at a few major “half-truths” that are popular in our culture, when it comes to faith and religion. This weekend celebrates the truth that Jesus is really, truly present in the Holy Eucharist – his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Today’s “half-truth” is prevalent among many people who are otherwise believers and followers of Christ. What we believe as Catholics regarding the Eucharist is not something that all Christians believe, and sadly, the majority of baptized Catholics do not understand or fully believe the whole truth regarding Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist.

This Sunday June 6 at 3 pm, it is all appropriate then that we celebrate First Holy Communion at a special weekend Mass for our children and their families! Next weekend (Sunday June 13 at 3 pm) we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for our youth who have been preparing this year. Our teenagers every
year learn certain definitions, and one of them is the definition of what a Sacrament is, according to Church teaching. We define a Sacrament in this way: “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.” Thus, a Sacrament is something Jesus gave to us, as a way to give us grace. A Sacrament is a sign or a symbol, and like any sign, each Sacrament points to something else. Sacraments, specifically, are physical signs that point to a divine reality; they each show in a specific way what God wants to do for our souls. For example, Baptism washes away Original Sin; thus, the key sign of Baptism is water.

Holy Communion which we receive each week is meant to be a sign or symbol of God’s desire to nourish our souls. Just as your body needs food and nourishment, receiving Holy Communion reminds you that your soul needs nourishment as well. In that sense, Communion is a symbol of what God is doing. However,
Communion is more than a symbol, because Jesus says, “This is my Body” (Mark 14:22). Importantly, the Eucharist was instituted at a Passover Meal, and the Apostles would have understood that Jesus was instituting a New Covenant; and that he was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He saw himself as the new Passover Lamb. Just as a person had to eat the lamb in the old Passover so as to benefit from God’s grace, so in the New Covenant one has to eat the Lamb in the new Passover.

Scripture: Mark 14:12-16; 22-26. Questions for Small Groups:

1. What have you been taught about Communion? What do you remember being taught as a child? What
have you learned or read as an adult?
2. The Church teaches that Holy Communion is Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Do you believe in
this teaching? What makes it hard to accept?
3. According to the Scripture passage from Mark’s Gospel, what steps did Jesus take so that he could
celebrate the Passover meal with his apostles? What do these steps tell us about the importance of the
meal?

4. Read again verses 22-24. What are Jesus’ exact words? Why does this reinforce that the Eucharist is not just a symbol? At the first Passover, God directed the Israelites to do five things, which are listed
below. How does Communion continue to fulfill these actions?
A. choose an unblemished lamb
B. sacrifice the lamb
C. spread the blood of the lamb on the home as a sign of the sacrifice
D. eat the flesh of the lamb
E, keep the Passover as a day of remembrance forever

5. What are your thoughts on this idea? Every day we take food and drink into our bodies and turn it into
our own flesh and blood. If we can do this through physical means that God established, then can Godthrough supernatural means turn the bread and wine into his Body and Blood?

6. What can you do this week to appreciate Jesus’ Presence in the Eucharist or to answer questions about his Real Presence?

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen

“Half Truth” Week 2''

I don’t need a Church to

have a relationship with God!

Dear brothers and sisters,

A half-truth is a statement that has some element of truth in it, but because it is partly wrong, it expresses a whole lie. During the course of this message series, which coincides with some major feast days of the Church, we’re going to refute certain half-truths that are popular in our culture, when it comes to faith and religion.  We kicked off this series last week, saying that there is only one way to God, not many – the person of Jesus Christ. Who do you say that Jesus is?  All of us are challenged to believe what he says about himself: I am THE Way, THE, Truth, and THE Life (John 14:6).

This weekend we celebrate the birth of the Church at Pentecost, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  I am one of seventeen cousins on my father’s side of the family, including myself and my three brothers.  The majority of my cousins were raised Catholic, but today out of all of us, only I and one of my brothers is raising his daughter Catholic and practices his faith.  The rest are all raising their families without any religion at all. Sadly, the reality today is that almost all churches are shrinking.  A recent national poll showed that for the first time ever, less than 50 percent of American adults belonged to a church (or synagogue, mosque, etc.) I’m certain that many of you can tell very similar stories in your families too.  People have given up on the Church for many reasons: hypocrisy, scandal, bad experiences, and many other personal reasons.

Now many of the unchurched or “de-churched,” if they were raised Christian or Catholic, still actually profess belief God or in Jesus.  However, there is a large group who simply do not believe that they really need a church to connect with God, and again, there are many reasons for this.  This is a half truth – we CAN connect with God outside of church through nature, or music, or in our private prayer. Jesus is present wherever we pray in his name!

However, the whole truth is this – the Church is God’s chosen instrument to bring Christ to the world! There are many reasons why this is true. We need the Church in order to learn about Jesus, and to receive the gifts of the Sacraments. Every year around this time, we celebrate the next generation receiving First Holy Communion and Confirmation, along with the joyful moments of baptisms and marriages. Second, we need the church to be a visible sign that God invites everyone into a relationship with him. One characteristic of our welcoming community of St. John’s is that we are multi-cultural. We have church members from dozens of countries almost every continent, except Antarctica and Australia, as far as I know!

Third, we need the Church because God has given each of us different gifts and talents, and we all need the help of others to grow in our faith! This week, read 1 Corinthians 12, where St. Paul speaks about the Body of Christ, and the spiritual gifts given to us. When you read this passage, words and phrases may stick out for you. We all have gifts and talents, given by God, that are meant to be exercised, so that the Body is built up! The Church was, is, and will always be, God’s plan for us to connect with him! May we all exercise our gifts to build up the Body.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. What reasons do you have to love the Church? What good things has the Church done for you?  What makes it difficult for you to love the Church?

2. Paul lists some spiritual gifts in the reading. What gifts do you believe you might have?  How can use the gift to serve in the church?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. How does Paul describe the Church? What does this tell us about our need for the Church?

4. If a friend asked you why you are involved in Church, how would you respond?

5. What does it mean to stay committed to the Church despite its faults and failures?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

7^th Sunday of Easter.

“Half Truth” Week 1

There are Many Ways to God!

Dear brothers and sisters,

A half-truth is a statement that includes some element of truth; the statement might be partly true, but in leaving out the rest of the truth, it brings about a deception. The half-truth often leads us to embrace a whole lie. Today, on this 7^th Sunday of Easter, we begin a new five-week series that will take us through the great late-Spring feast days of the Ascension, Pentecost, Holy Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi. In this series we will confront popular misconceptions and errors in thinking that our culture believes. As we celebrate in these weeks the Ascension, Pentecost, the Trinity, and the Eucharistic Body of Christ, we will explore each of these truths of our faith.  The goal of this series is to show some popular misconceptions that they refute, including the following: “There are many ways to God;” “All religions are the same;” “You don't need a Church to connect with God;” “the Holy Eucharist is just a symbol;” and last, “God won't give you more than you can handle.”

To kick of this series, we’ll reflect on at a “half-truth” that is a popular belief in our culture, that there are many ways to God.  It is true to say this, IF we mean that many religions contain some element of truth, or that we can learn in some way from them. It is also true to say this if we mean that we can experience God in many ways. The WHOLE truth, however, is that God has only given us one way to him: the person of Jesus Christ! That is why Jesus says, “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life.  No one goes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). 

The philosopher Peter Kreeft writes, “Christianity is not a system of man's search for God but a story of God's search for man. True religion is not like a cloud of incense wafting up from special spirits into the nostrils of a waiting God, but like a Father’s hand thrust downward to rescue the fallen. Throughout the Bible, man-made religion fails.  There is no human way up the mountain, only a divine way down. If we made the roads, it would indeed be arrogant to claim that any one road is the only valid one, for all human things are equal, at least in all being human, finite, and mixtures of good and bad. If we made the roads, it would be as stupid to absolutize one of them as to absolutize one art form, one political system, or one way of skinning a cat. But if God made the road, we must find out whether he made many or one.  If he made only one, then the shoe is on the other foot: it is humility, not arrogance, to accept this one road from God, and it is arrogance, not humility, to insist that our manmade roads are as good as God’s God-made one” (excerpts from Fundamentals of the Faith, pp. 74-80.  San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1988). 

Scripture Reading: John 14:1-14. Questions for Small Groups:

1. People in our culture will say there is no one true religion because there are many ways to God. Why do you think that thought is appealing to people in our culture?  What is your reaction to that thought?
2. Read aloud John 14:6. What is your reaction to Jesus’s statement?  
3. Read aloud John 14:7-9. What tone of voice do you imagine Jesus using in response to Phillip’s question? What does Jesus’s response to Phillip tell us about how we get home to God?
4. How do we maintain a humility and respect for other faiths, while clinging to what Jesus said about himself?
5. Since Jesus is the only way back to God, how should that inform our efforts to reach friends, family members and co-workers who are unconnected to God?  
6. Who is someone you know that does not know Jesus personally, who does not know Jesus is the way, the truth and the life?  What can you do this week to invest in him or her?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Happy Mother’s Day!

Dear brothers and sisters,

All mothers love their children.  I’d wager to guess as well, that most mothers feel that they fall short at being a mother, at least from time to time.  Some of you mothers may feel inadequate some of the time, and some of you may feel that you’re falling short, or even failing, all of the time. 

Well if you’re reading this message, chances are that you’re in church on this Mother’s Day weekend because you love Jesus Christ too, and you want to follow him more closely.  You may or may not believe, at least to some degree, that true joy – the “complete joy” that Jesus speaks about in today's Gospel, the joy that our hearts yearn for – cannot be found apart from our friendship with Jesus Christ.  Some of you love Christ with a mature, deep, passionate love.  Some of us love him sincerely, but we still resist his will in some areas of our life.  Some of you may feel inadequate because of past choices you’ve made, or bad habits that you’ve formed, and certain things weighing down on your conscience that affect your relationship with God.

Whether our love of Jesus is mature, or whether we’re still on the way to mature discipleship, there’s one danger that we all have to watch out for: thinking that we can do it on our own!  Our culture teaches us to “be you” and to strive to be completely self-sufficient.  We can tend to measure success by whether we’re achieving more than the people around us.  Then, when it comes to loving God who is the source of true, deep, lasting joy, we can sometimes convince ourselves that we can do it all by ourselves too.  We might think that the right “technique” or the right effort will propel ourselves into holiness.  However, this is not true – the strength and nourishment for our discipleship path doesn't come from ourselves; it comes from God!  In fact, we can only love God as he should be loved, if we first experience his love for us!  This is what St. John means in today's Second Reading: “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

Mothers – it’s the same for you!  You can’t do it on your own, and you don’t need to do it on your own – you have the loving embrace of others, including your Church family.  May all mothers know God’s blessing and encouragement for them today and always!  May all husbands, children, and grandchildren express often, in words and deeds, their love, gratitude, and support for their mothers!  We thank you mothers, and we love you!  You’re not alone!

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Remaining Connected to Christ!

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This is the fifth and final week of our Easter Series, in which we’ve talked about the extraordinary power of the Resurrection, a power that’s available to us in some surprisingly ordinary ways. We’ve talked about the power of coming together as a team, and how this is something we don’t always think about when it comes to our faith. When we come to church with the same attitude as the early Church did, with a shared mission and vision that’s clear and simple, and a desire to make church not about “me” but about that mission, then we will grow in our own faith, and attract others. We also talked about the power of words spoken into our lives, and the practice of reading AND applying the Word of God to our daily lives. Some people think that Bible study is something that Catholics don’t do, but this is wrong – when we grow in both knowing and applying God’s Word, we gain access to God’s power!  Perhaps we feel intimidated by the Bible or even ashamed that we know so little about it – but remember that faith and discipleship is a lifelong journey, and we take one step at a time!  Last week, we talked about the power of service. When we step out of the pew and serve in Jesus’ name, it’s amazing what can be accomplished.  Serving in the Name of Jesus is about us doing the ordinary, and God doing the extraordinary through us; and when we do so, we’re taking part in God’s great plan of restoring our broken world, no matter big or small our actions. 

             To bring this Easter series to an end, this weekend we’re talking about one last ordinary practice that taps us into the power of the Resurrection, and it’s the simplest of all but also the hardest.  When I was a teenager and young adult, I would hear my evangelical Christian friends speak about a “personal relationship with Jesus,” and I was turned off.  “Catholics don’t talk like that!” I thought.  We Catholics are taught about good order when it comes to our relationship with God – it’s about dutifully receiving the Sacraments, going to Mass, obeying the commandments, but it’s not necessarily “touchy feely” stuff like some other Christians have it. 

I heard it said recently that there’s a difference between being a believer in Christ, and being a follower.  Think about it: even the devil believes in Christ! To be a follower of Jesus Christ means more than just “good order” in our religious duties.  To be a follower of Jesus Christ means more than having received the Sacraments, or have gone to Catholic School, or anything in fact that we’ve done by our own efforts in the past or present!  Yes, our good deeds matter, but not as we might think – we’re not earning God’s favor, but participating in his love.  Today’s Second Reading sums it up: “Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18). Our faith is about word and deeds!  It’s not just about saying that we are a Catholic or a Christian, but also about how that’s reflected in our lives.

John goes on to tell us: “His commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him (3:23-24). “Remain in him” is the daily measuring stick.  Whether we are at home by ourselves, or on the phone, or shopping, or on vacation, or at school or work, the way we measure that we remain in him, is examining our words and deeds.  Are they in line with Christ’s love, or not?  John tells us finally: The way we know that he remains in us, is from the Spirit he gave us (3:24). Are we Spirit-filled in our words and deeds?  Our personal relationship with God is not necessarily about good feelings – it’s about something deeper, which is listening to and discerning the Holy Spirit within us. When we grow in this simple concept in every moment of the day, consciously and mindfully “remaining” in Christ, then we will access the Holy Spirit within us, and our life will move beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary. Questions for Small Groups:

1. Have you ever been approached by a Christian who asked you about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?  How did you react? 
2. Have you ever thought about yourself or other family members, that they are “good Catholics” just because they received all the Sacraments and go to church?
3. What’s the difference, in your mind, between the “good order” of following religious duties, and “remaining in Christ?” Does this challenge your thinking?
4. Read 1 John 3:18 out loud.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how are you doing with loving God and others in both words and deeds?
5. What’s your biggest take-away from this series? 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

4^th Sunday of Easter. 

Week 4: Service to Others

Dear brothers and sisters,

             During this Easter Season we’ve been talking about how the Resurrection Power of Jesus Christ, can transform our lives from the normal ordinary patterns that we tend to settle for, to something more – to something extraordinary. Today is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday, because we hear in this Sunday’s Gospel reading an excerpt from John chapter 10, the “Good Shepherd Discourse.” Today is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We pray that young men answer the call to imitate Jesus the Good Shepherd, in order to serve extraordinary lives as priests and pastors. We also pray today for all who aspire to serve the Church in a role of leadership and service – including many of you who are serving or have served on our parish staff, in Catholic schools, in various volunteer positions, and in “mission” outside the walls of the church, in our community and beyond. Service is a step in discipleship (remember the acronym STEPS), and it could be your Next Step! Jesus Christ came to this earth as a servant, not as a king; and we, his lifelong followers, are going to be challenged to develop a heart of service, during the course of our discipleship path. After the Resurrection, the rag-tag group of followers whom we call the Apostles were transformed – from immaturity, fear, lack of education, and lack of direction and purpose in their lives – to bold witnesses who went out and then transformed the world in the name of Jesus Christ.  In answering Christ’s call to service, we can have that same experience of life transformation too.

             In the past few months here at St. John’s, we have lost several parishioners to COVID, and other parish leaders who have decided to move out of the area, including some generous long-term volunteers. One of the hardest things here in the Poconos is the constant effort of “hellos” and “good-byes” because of the transient nature of our area – we are always here making an effort at building community, and it’s not easy.  However, there lies an opportunity – an opportunity to constantly call forth people to service. The Church is meant to be a place where people step up and serve as the hands and feet of Christ, and bring life change and transformation to the lives of others.  When we grow with a heart of service, our faith grows as well! 

We are working on making St. John’s an irresistible environment where the unchurched feel the attraction to become church members, where church members feel the call to step up out of the pews and become ministers, and where ministers are being formed into leaders.  Right now, COVID has limited our ministry and mission opportunities, but it has created new ones!  This is where you come in!  We are visioning our church to be both “100 percent in-person” and “100 percent online” and not just offer Live-Streamed Mass, but many other opportunities to engage people of all ages, including opportunities for adults to connect in Small Groups, and online Faith Formation and Children’s Programming. 

This weekend, we are calling forth all parishioners to be part of this effort. We’ve noticed, for example, that teenagers are really good at running our cameras and operating our Powerpoint slides on our Tech Team, and I’m sure there are many other teens who are willing to step up!  You parishioners are a significant part of our future vision as a church of “growing disciples who are growing disciples.” We would be honored that you would share your time, your talents, and your presence, and we hope that a deeper connection here could deepen your faith and your ties to others.  If you might feel the call to serve, if you have any questions, or just may be interested in a “try out” of a ministry with no strings attached, visit our website, www.churchofstjohn.com, call our Parish Office at 570-223-9144, or email us at stjohnch29@gmail.com. We are excited to hear from you!

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

The Power of Words and

Applying God’s Word to Everyday Life!

Dear brothers and sisters,

             In this Easter series we’ve been saying that the Resurrection is the most extraordinary event in history, and as amazing as that is, there’s more. The power of God who raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, in our lives, in some ordinary practices. Our lives were never meant to be merely “ordinary.” Last week, we talked about the power of teamwork when it comes to our faith. The early Church was united in God’s purpose for them – to witness to the Resurrection – and because of that, they were blessed with God’s favor and attracted others.

             Today we are speaking about the power of words. When I was a child I learned the saying, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” This saying is COMPLETELY FALSE! We all know from experience that a positive word, especially in our youth, can build us up and lead us in a positive direction, while a negative word can be a wound that we bear well into adulthood.  Parents, coaches, teachers, and bosses have great power with their use of words, both positive and negative. The same is true for Church leaders and teachers of religion. We can build up or we can tear down.

             This is one of the reasons why I as a pastor always encourage others to read the Bible, the Word of God. When it comes to our faith, we Catholics have a bad reputation for not reading the Bible. Perhaps the Bible was something that older generations, at times, were not encouraged to read or study. Perhaps you feel intimidated because you feel you lack enough knowledge and you don’t know where to start.  My friends, the Bible is God’s Word!  We believe that Jesus Christ is the Living Word, and in a sense, Jesus is present when we read and study God’s Word.  Not only that, but there is a power of Jesus’ blessing and favor, when we strive to apply the Word to our everyday life.

In today’s second reading, we hear the first letter of John, who tells us: The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:3-4). In other words, we can have an intellectual knowledge of the Bible, but not actually live it.  There’s a difference between knowing about Jesus Christ, and actually obeying him in our everyday lives!  There are many people who claim to be a believer in Jesus, but unfortunately that belief is not reflected at all in how they live.  John goes on:But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him (1 John 2:5).  The word “to keep” is extremely important here. When we keep something, we hold onto it and consider it precious. We do everything possible to not lose it or prevent it from being stolen. “Keep his word” is a very simple concept, but certainly not easy!  This is where daily prayer and reflection come in, and allowing the Word to transform our thinking, our speech, and our behaviors and actions. On the other end of that transformation is God’s perfect love! Questions for Small Groups:

1. When you were a child or teen, do you remember any moment when a parent, coach, or teacher offered you an encouraging word of advice that affected your life, or the direction of your life?  What was that like?
2. Have you had a negative experience of “words:” in slander, gossip, or in angry or hateful speech? 
3. Do you regularly read and study the Bible? If so, has this habit affected your life in a practical way?  If not, what’s holding you back from making Bible reading part of your regular prayer life? 
4. Read 1 John 2:5 out loud. What does “keep God’s word” mean for your everyday living, at this time in your life? 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Working Together as a Team!

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Happy Easter!  I hope that you had a joy-filled celebration of Easter Sunday last week. If you’re back in church this week again, we’re glad you’re here! Last week we spoke about the Resurrection as the most extraordinary event in history, and the same power of the Resurrection is available to us in our lives, in some ordinary practices, as we will be discussing in the next several weeks. Our lives were never meant to be merely “ordinary” – in our relationships, or our work or school, or in our experience of church. 

             Many of you could give a testimony about the power of teamwork – perhaps from your experience of team sports, or putting on a musical or theatre production. Ironically, many of us did not grow up with this same experience of church. Church was and is, sadly, an individualized experience for many people, or something that is kept behind “closed doors” of one’s household or inner experience. I know of many people who come to church by themselves, without their spouse or children.  On top of that, because of COVID things are even more individualized – “church” is in our house or bedroom, on the screen of your phone or tablet; or in-person it is socially distanced without the normal fellowship we expect and desire. Elbow bumps don’t really substitute for hugs! 

             Today’s Gospel reading from John is relatable to our COVID experience of this past year, and it reminds us of two things. First of all, it reminds us that God breaks through our isolation with a Spirit of peace, mission, and mercy. That first Easter night, the disciples were hiding in fear, and the door was locked, but Jesus came into their “quarantine” and showed them his wounds; then he said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:20-23). We call the Second Sunday of Easter “Divine Mercy Sunday.” The Risen Jesus extends his mercy to the world for all ages, sending the Apostles out of their isolation, on a common mission. Second, today’s Gospel reminds us that we need support and encouragement of others. Doubting Thomas was not present on that first Easter night.  He had to see to believe, but he would not have been present, if not for the urging and convincing of his friends. On that second encounter, with the invitation of his friends, Jesus himself opened the eyes of doubting Thomas – “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). 

             My friends, we cannot live our faith on our own. We are part of a family of faith, which includes the staff, ministers, and all of you who invited friends and family to church last week. It includes all of you who contribute generously to our offertory to support our parish mission. It includes everyone, near and far, who are united with us in prayer, even if you haven’t stepped foot in church in a while. At the Easter Vigil we welcomed 10 new members into our parish family.  Last week at our in-person Masses, we had over 600 people present, even with all COVID restrictions still in place. Online, we had around 2000 engagements between Facebook, YouTube, and our website. As we look forward to COVID restrictions being further lifted in the coming weeks and months, we are beginning the task of rebuilding many of our ministries in church, and growing new ministries. All of us can have a role to play!  May we stand together with God’s help, to make our church anything but ordinary! Questions for Small Groups:

1. Have you had the experience of working together on a team? What was the setting, and what role did you play?  How did it help you achieve success?
2. Growing up, was your experience of church individualistic? Were you actively engaged in the life of your parish or Catholic school, and if so, did that help you grow in your faith?
3. Have you experienced Jesus’ presence breaking into your isolation during this time of COVID, or have you shared Christ with others who have been isolated? 
4. How might you be called to take part in the “teamwork” of St. John’s parish family?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Anything but Ordinary!” Week 1

Dear brothers and sisters,

Happy Easter! On behalf of our Parish Family of St. John’s, I wish you and your families a blessed Easter Sunday! Among all the holidays of the year, Easter is the most important for our faith. When it comes down to it, our faith rests on the testimony of the empty tomb – that Jesus, who came into our broken, divided, messy world, suffered an agonizing death, but on the other side, he brought new life! This is our ultimate hope as believers! What we are experiencing right now in our world is anything but ordinary. ALL OF US have been impacted and even shaken out of our ordinary routine because of COVID-19. Many of us crave ordinary routines in life that keep us going. If we haven’t already reestablished ordinary routines, then we crave for them and long for the stability and peace of mind that they give us.  On the other hand, ordinary routines can get boring.  Ordinary routines can even hold us back, because we rely on them so much, that they keep us from making the important life-changing decisions that we are perhaps called to make.

             Jesus Christ was anything but ordinary! Nobody was ever left “bored” by Jesus, when he walked on this earth, teaching and healing.  Jesus was extraordinary, but not just for his presence among the crowds and in his ministry among the people of Galilee and Judea, but for fulfilling his mission to die and to rise again, to pay the price for our sins, so that we may have eternal life! Easter celebrates the most extraordinary event in history! Because Jesus rose again to eternal life, we can conquer death in all the ways death comes at us.  This is where our faith becomes relevant in our lives right now, affecting how we view ourselves and others, our attitudes, and all of our choices and actions.  Like Mary Magdalene, Christ meets us even in our sorrow and grief, revives our broken hearts, and empowers and equips us as his followers, to go and announce the Good News.

             At St. John’s we strive to be a church for those who don’t like church, a place where people who otherwise don’t consider themselves religious people, find welcoming.  We also want to be a church where all parishioners feel that they are not just passive consumers, but active participants and contributors in a movement – a movement to announce the Good News, and are being challenged to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ! Easter celebrates the most extraordinary event in history, that has the power to change our ordinary lives. In our world today, there is a lack of hope, and the church, among all organizations and institutions in our community, has a unique message of hope, and countless opportunities to make a difference and bring life transformation to people’s lives.  As Christians, we have survived plagues, wars, schisms, and persecutions in the past, and we will continue to thrive in the future, if we stick together in our common mission. 

             I offer many thanks to our parish staff, musicians, ushers, decorators, tech team, and other volunteers who help our parish continue our mission to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples.  In this Season of Easter and Spring of 2021, we look forward to the celebration of the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation for our students, an exciting “Home Mission Trip” conduced by St. John’s High School Youth Ministry, graduations and other celebrations, and the rebuilding of many of our church ministries, as COVID restrictions are gradually lifted.  We also have in store a few new initiatives that we will be excited to share with all parishioners.  You are invited to join us “on the road” – to register at our parish (www.churchofsjohn.com) and to be part of a movement to change the world, one person at a time. Christ is Risen!  He is Truly Risen! 

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen, pastor

“Needy” Week 5: Our Need to Die to Ourselves

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Spirituality 101 is this: there is a God, and it’s not you.  It’s helpful to repeat this over and over again!  God as a Creator is sufficient in himself, but we as created beings have needs.  Spiritual maturity and health is about recognizing those needs; just as if we neglect our physical needs we will suffer, if we neglect our spiritual needs, then we will suffer in our spiritual lives.  Loving and caring for others, as we’ve said, rests on love and care for ourselves.  We have a need for God, and a need for people.  We have a need for healing, because in this fallen world we’ve been beaten up in various ways, including by our own sinful choices.  We have a need for finding the right rhythm between work and rest.

             Taking care of our needs prepares us for the ultimate step: we need to die to ourselves, so as to give back to others, and give back to God.  In Matthew 16, Jesus takes the Apostles away to a small northern town, Caesarea Philippi, and asks them, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter professes faith in him, that he is the Messiah; however, when Jesus then predicts his Passion, Peter rebukes him, and Jesus then tells him that he is thinking as human beings do, and not as God does.  After this exchange, Jesus says: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-25).  Denying yourself doesn’t mean denying our legitimate needs; it means denying that we are the center of the universe!  We need to move away from our self-centeredness and put God at the center!  Denying oneself in this sense, precedes daily discipleship, following Jesus daily; and the promise in doing this is that we will actually find life!  Jesus goes on: What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  Or what can one give in exchange for his life? (16:26).  We often settle for much less than “the whole world,” but we still put that one or another thing above Christ.  Whoever puts Christ at the center – instead of themselves – on the other side of that death to self, is true life, and future glory. 

             What’s that one thing that you have to die to, in your life?  For many people there’s one major issue.  It could be pride, or the need to control, or ambition and recognition, or money.  We all need to die to that self-centered obstacle that is forfeiting our life with God!  This is the test of our lives – a complete surrender to God, becoming the person God wants us to be, and trusting in God’s promise of future life and glory.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Describe a time in your life where you made a sacrifice and it paid off with a big reward. You looked back and were glad you made the sacrifice.
2. Read aloud Matthew 16:26.  What are you tempted to pursue at the expense of your soul?
3. What do you need to die to or let go of?  How can you place God more at the center of your life?
4. How do we tell the difference between meeting our needs, and when we need to deny ourselves?
5. What about this series have you found most helpful?  What is the biggest change you need to make?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Needy” Week Four: Our Need for Healing

Dear brothers and sisters,

             We began our Lenten series by talking about Spirituality 101: there is a God, and it’s not us.  Because we are the created, we have needs.  We’ve talked about our need for God to help us tend to our needs; and our need for soul-satisfying work, balanced with soul-satisfying Sabbath rest.    

Today we’re going to talk about our need for healing – healing for physical wounds, and healing for wounds in our hearts and souls.  In Mark 2:1-11 we hear the story of Jesus’ healing of the paralytic who was lowered down by his friends into the roof of the house where Jesus was staying, in order to access him.  Jesus sees their faith, and he says, “Child, your sins are forgiven” (2:5).  The scribes then question Jesus for this apparent blasphemy – because only God can forgive sins!  Jesus understands their thoughts and says to them, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?” (2:9).  This is a hypothetical question – and for Jesus, to forgive and heal our hearts is actually much harder.  In fact, Jesus had to die on the Cross to do so.  Nevertheless, in this moment in his ministry, Jesus physically heals the paralytic, as he does repeatedly in the Gospel narrative. 

Jesus came not just to heal our bodies, but to heal our broken hearts and sin-stained souls.  No matter who we are, we have all fallen short of God’s glory.  We need to be honest about our wounds in the past and in the present.  Yes, we may have unhealed wounds from our past life which were not our fault at all, from abuse, neglect, or misunderstanding.  Our sinful choices in the past and present also have hurt our hearts and souls.  In this time of COVID, we might have had time for deep self-reflection.  Do we have certain attitudes or tendencies to anger, or childish immaturity?  Perhaps we’ve put it off for too long, and we need to seek forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession.  Perhaps we need to seek therapy or counseling, and there is no shame whatsoever in seeking this kind of help.  Jesus wants to help us: to acknowledge and identify those hurts and wounds, and to take steps to find healing.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Do you have clearly identifiable wounds on your heart or do you find it difficult to identify how you need healing?
2. Read aloud Mark 2:9.  Why do you think it is easier for Jesus to heal a person’s body than heal his or her heart and soul?
3. Do you ever have the experience of feeling like a little child?  If so when does that happen?  Or do you tend to feel strong negative emotions that rationally you know are disproportionate to the situation?
4. When was the last time you remember having your feelings hurt or were misunderstood or criticized by others?
5. Is there someone you need to forgive from your past or present, so you can open yourself up to Christ’s healing?
6. When was the last time you went to the Sacrament of Confession?  Is this an action step you need to take to bring healing to your heart?

With blessings, Fr. Reichlen

“Needy” Week Three: The Need for Work and Rest

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Spirituality 101 is this: there is a God, and it is not us.  We are the created, and therefore we are needy.  We’ve talked about meeting our legitimate needs in legitimate ways.  Like an unhealthy person who doesn’t get medical help, if we don’t take care of our needs, we will grow unhealthy, whether it’s in our physical, emotional, or spiritual lives.  Last week we talked about the deepest need of our heart and soul – our need for God – and meeting that need through prayer. 

Today we will look at the rhythm of our lives, which involves work and rest.  This rhythm is established by God in creation; according to Genesis chapter 1, God created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh day.  Psalm 127 says this: Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build.  Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch (v. 1).  So any of our plans for “building,” whether it’s building a new house, our job or career, or any work or efforts that we do in life, is good for nothing if we do not bring God and invite God into our work.  The next verse says: It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, to eat bread earned by hard toil – all this God gives to his beloved in sleep (v. 2).  This verse is incredibly important for our modern world, even pre-COVID.  All the work that we do is in vain, if we’re anxious, and exhausted, and “in toil” about our work – and God wants to pour rest into our souls!  After doing the Lord’s work day by day, we need to rest.  This involves a few different things – first, having “play” inserted into our lives.  Think of your pets who have no care in the world, or enjoying time with your young children or grandchildren.  Playful activities remind us that we are all children of God, no matter what age we are and what our responsibilities are!  Second, we need to systematize rest – to work hard to plan rest into our daily, weekly, and annual schedules.  In my own schedule, I’ve found it essential that I have a healthy daily time for recreation (reading a book, exercise, etc.), a weekly day off from church activities and church people, and annual time for a retreat and for a vacation.  Plan these things in your life!  It’s essential more than ever in this difficult time.  All of us should build in daily “divergence” for activities that refresh and restore our souls; weekly time to “withdraw” in some way; and annual time to “abandon” our ordinary routine.  No matter how simple these activities are, and how much they may be upended and altered because of COVID, we need to do them in order to live healthily and best love God and others.   Schedule them this week!  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Read aloud Psalm 127:1.  What would it look like to bring God into your work so you don’t work in vain?
2. What are one or two things that refresh and restore your soul?
3. What do you usually do on your days off?  How do you withdraw weekly?
4. Read aloud Psalm 127:2.  Would you say you are able to enjoy the fruit of your work or do you live anxiously?
5. What can you do on a regular basis to introduce more playfulness into your life?
6. Do you have a plan to abandon annually?  If so, what is it?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

        2^nd Sunday of Lent.  “Needy” Week Two: Our Need for God

Dear brothers and sisters,

             Spirituality 101 is this: there is a God, and it is not you.  Because we are the created, we have needs.  Ultimately, we can only love our neighbor as ourselves, when we first meet our own needs well.  Today we’ll look at our need for God, which is our greatest need.  We have a “God-sized” hole in our hearts!  This might just seem like a pious thought that you expect to hear from church.  For most of us, we don’t necessarily wake up every morning thinking about God.  Instead, we’re probably thinking about coffee, or breakfast, or what we have to do for the day.  Often, we get numb to thinking about our need for God because our sinfulness, or simply because of the busy-ness of life. 

             In order to grow in our thinking about our need for God, we’ll look at Psalm 63 which says: O God, you are my God – it is you I seek!  For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, in a land parched, lifeless, and without water.  I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.  For your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise you!  I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.  My soul shall be sated as with choice food, with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you!  I think of you upon my bed, I remember you through the watches of the night.  You indeed are my savior, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.  My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.  Notice how this Psalm, which I often read in the morning as part of the Liturgy of the Hours, is filled with a number of images and emotions.  This psalm relates our need for God to our physical needs: our need to quench our thirst when we are in a place without water, and our need to satisfy our hunger.  God satisfies our souls us not just with “junk” food, but with “choice” food.  The Psalm makes us think of places where we encounter God: in the wilderness, or inside a breathtakingly beautiful cathedral sanctuary, or simply in our bed at night.  Above all, this Psalm is a prayer of joyful praise to God – notice the gesture of lifting one’s hands in praise – and a prayer of desire to experience God’s upholding protection and to be filled with the Divine Presence.

             From this Psalm, I suggest a few takeaways.  When you get up in the morning, say out loud: “God, I need you!”  In church we’ve often sung the song “Lord I Need You” by Matt Mayer.  Maybe play this song or other Christian music when you pray.  Have a special place where you go to meet God, both ordinary and routine, and out of the ordinary.  The routine place for me is my “prayer chair” next to my bed where I can watch the rising sun.  The out of the ordinary places for me include retreat houses I visit, or some hikes in the mountains.  Make sure that part of your prayer includes praising God, and notice your posture too – sometimes we can stand, or kneel or even prostrate ourselves, or sit in quiet contemplation.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. Why do think we can find it so easy to forget about our need for God?
2. Read out loud Psalm 63:1.  Have you ever felt this type of intense need for God?
3. What is your physical posture in prayer? Should you consider improving your posture during prayer? For example, do you need to kneel more at prayer or would it help you to do a prayer walk or simply to sit when you pray.
4. Where do you go to pray? What places do you find are better for you to connect with God and support you in prayer?
5. What do you do during your time of prayer? What do you use to aid you in prayer?
6. What needs do you bring to God most often in prayer?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

“Needy” Week 1: Learning to Love Yourself First

Dear brothers and sisters,

             In this time of COVID-19 and great stress and burden for so many people, it may be revealed more clearly than ever that we need God, and that we need others.  We can’t live life on our own!  Because of our fallen nature, all of us will be tempted at times to selfishness, and as we kick off our Lenten series, we want to look at a subtle way that our neediness can express itself in our lives, by our lack of self-care.  To kick off this series, we recognize a simple truth, that there is a God, and it’s not us.  We are the created, and God is the Creator.  Logically then, as created beings we have basic needs – needs like food, water, and rest.  Spiritual maturity requires that we face our needs and meet them in a healthy way.  If we deny our physical needs, then we will suffer and become chronically unhealthy; and the same is true for our spiritual needs.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we want to grow to learn, more and more, how to meet the needs of our soul, in a healthy way. 

In the Gospel of Mark, as Jesus approached his Passion, he has one positive encounter with a scribe of the Jewish Law; we hear: One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well [Jesus] had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”  Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel!  The Lord our God is Lord alone!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.’ (Mark 12:28-31).  Jesus masterfully sums up all the commandments of the Jewish Law in a simple and profound way, and the two-fold commandment to Love God, and Love People, given by Jesus, is the mission of the church.  Notice that Jesus says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  It’s necessary to love ourselves first, to truly love others!  It’s like when you get on an airplane, and the flight attendant gives the instructions for putting on a mask in case of an emergency.  The flight attendant always instructs passengers to first put on their own masks, before helping the people in the seat next to them, even their own children.  If we are honest, many of us don’t tend to think of our needs first – we either have a “tough guy” attitude that somehow tending to our own needs is weak, or we have a “nurturing” attitude that our role as a provider or nurturer always means that we have to chronically sacrifice ourselves and our own health, in order to serve and help our loved ones.  Both attitudes are based in a false humility that is rooted in pride.  The truth is that if we learn how to meet our own needs well, we will be better able to love God and to love others. 

             The bottom line of our Lenten series is this: there is a God, and it’s not us.  We are the created – and therefore we have needs.  May we learn to take the responsibility to take care of ourselves – and that this is, in fact, a spiritually mature thing to do.  Questions for Small Groups:

1. On a scale of 1-5, how good are you at self-care?  Why do you answer as you do?
2. Do you agree or disagree that your ability to love others will fall to your ability to love and care for yourself?  Does it feel selfish to meet your needs first?
3. How could you be better taking care of yourself?  What legitimate need do you tend to neglect?
4. Is there a legitimate need you are tempted to meet in an illegitimate or immoral way?
5. If you observed someone you loved, taking care of themselves in the way you care for yourself, would you be concerned?  Why or why not?

With blessings,

Fr. Reichlen

Dear brothers and sisters,

             This upcoming week we begin the Season of Lent, a 40-day spiritual journey that unites us as Catholics on a common path, as we prepare once again for the joyful celebration of Easter.  Our Message Series for Lent 2021 is called “Needy,” and it’s about how God has created us with basic needs outside of ourselves.  Our hope is that our Lenten preaching and prayer is a timely and uniting experience during this ongoing season of difficulty for our Church and society.  Although we may be scattered, we are spiritually united in these 40 Days of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving with a common purpose – to follow Christ more deeply in this time, and in this generation.  Invite a friend to participate with us at all weekend Masses and Lenten devotions!  Please see the attached parish Lenten schedule.

Thank you to staff, ushers, musicians, and the Tech Team for your ongoing efforts both in-person and online!  You are “essential workers” helping us to safely provide for the spiritual needs of our parish, as well as to continue our parish mission.  As we go forward into 2021, we are planning for the future, and we need your help with all these ministries!  Please call the Parish Office to volunteer!

One thing becoming clear to me, is that the work of the Church in the months and years ahead will involve a lot of healing.  There are many in our parish and community who are struggling in various ways, and we as a parish want to bring the healing power of Jesus Christ to as many as possible.  I think about and pray for people every day who have not been around the parish in a long time, many parishioners who have suffered directly or indirectly from the effects of COVID-19, and those who have lost loved ones during this time.  We will be announcing some specific healing efforts in the months ahead. 

Also, thank you for your generous financial support to St. John’s!  I remind parishioners that our church has a total mortgage to the Diocese of Scranton that stands at about $1.4 million, which includes accrued interest.  For a long time, payments were not made, but thankfully we currently have an agreement with the Diocese for 0% interest and forgiveness on the interest equal to every payment we make on the principal loan.  Thanks to parishioners, we will most likely be able to make an annual payment this year, and typically our Finance Council decides on this at our spring meeting.  We will keep parishioners updated.  I feel that debt reduction is a priority for our future, and it’s not possible without your help. 

Also, if you have not done so, please consider making a donation to the Diocesan Annual Appeal, which supports our local Catholic Schools, Catholic Social Services, seminarians, retired clergy, and the Office for Parish Life.  As of this week, St. John’s is just above 50% of our goal this year – please help us make that goal! 

Happy Valentine’s Day, and blessings for all married and engaged couples! 

Fr. Reichlen    

“Defining Moments” Week 5

Responding to the New Things God is Doing!

Dear brothers and sisters,

           In this series for the New Year, we’ve been talking about the power of specific moments in our lives, and how “defining moments” – short experiences brimming with meaning – are important for our relationship with other people, our world, and our God. God uses defining moments to connect with him, to better understand ourselves, and to help us love other people. At this time, we all hope in
2021 for something new – something new in our country, and in our life situation, especially in our hope for an end to COVID. We believe that God is always doing something new – we just have to be on the lookout for what that is! Notice the story of the Burning Bush: Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of  the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed (Exodus 3:1-2). Think about it: at this point, Moses could have just run away  from this spectacular sight of a burning bush, but God required his cooperation; God required that Moses respond. And Moses said, “I will turn aside and see this great sight, why is the bush is not burnt.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here am I” (Exodus 3:3-4). Moses made a decision – God required Moses to turn aside,
and then listen to God’s voice; and eventually to cooperate with the mission God is going to give him. It’s the same thing with us. So often, we can be either stuck in the daily routine of life without awareness of God speaking to us and doing something new, or we can be held back by past wounds and dwell too much on the past. We can learn from the past, but we shouldn’t live there – it is behind
us! On the other hand, God’s Word always gives us hope for something new: Behold, I will do something new! Now it springs forth, do you perceive it? I make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:18-19). Moses would not have known at the beginning of his story what God was up to, but Moses responded. May we do the same. 

Questions for Small Groups:

1. What are some moments God used in the past to help you start a new season of life? How did God get your attention?

2. What are some new things you would like God to do for you in the coming year? What needs to be refreshed in your life because it is old or stale?

3. When have you seen God’s power move in your life in the past? How might this indicate what he wants to do for you in the future?

4. Are there any past moments that are holding you back from a new or fresh start? Are you holding onto some past hurts or critical messages that God wants you to let go of?

5. Read aloud Exodus 3:1-4. How can we prepare to be like Moses and turn aside from what we are doing when God is trying to get our attention?
 

With Blessings,
Fr Reichlen

“Defining Moments” Week 4

Moments of Challenge!

Dear brothers and sisters,

           Moments are important in our lives; and we’ve said that “Defining  Moments” are short experiences brimming with meaning. This week we are talking about moments when we are stressed or stretched to our limits. Moments of challenge that are out of our control sometimes happen very quickly, like sickness or sudden tragedy. In the Old Testament, the Book of Ruth offers an example of a big moment like this. The story begins with Naomi who has two sons who get married, but immediately we hear that Naomi’s husband dies, and then her two sons die. Ruth is one of Naomi’s daughters-in-law. In this culture, being left as a widow likely meant poverty and little hope for survival. We then hear: Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband” (Ruth1:8-9). The women have a moment of decision: one of them does go back to her mother’s home, but Ruth  Says: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). When unexpected challenges come, we can be tempted to be impulsive and think first of ourselves, but Ruth remains focused on her own priorities, especially on the people in her life, and her loyalty to Naomi. Faced with challenge, Ruth resists the temptation to forget her own priorities. Then in chapter 2 we see that Ruth perseveres. Naomi takes Ruth back to her hometown of Bethlehem; And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor” (Ruth 2:2). At that time, farmers left a certain amount of the harvest in the fields for the poor, but for those who gathered the leftover grain, it was very dangerous. The poor were and are always potential victims of rape or violence. Ruth doesn’t give up, and it turns out that the owner of the field she visits is a man named Boaz. It then turns out that Boaz is a relative of Naomi. The rest of the story is about Ruth’s encounter with Boaz, and how he acts as a “kinsman-redeemer,” which means he takes the responsibility to marry Ruth and help Naomi. In the end, because of Ruth’s perseverance, God eventually blesses both Ruth and Naomi, and moreover, they become part of an even greater plan. Ruth marries Boaz and has a son named Obed … the father of Jesse, the father of David (Ruth 4:17). From the line of King David comes Jesus Christ. Thus, Ruth teaches us that in moments of challenge, we can keep our priorities; we can persevere in trust; and that somehow, God is working out his great plan of redemption in our lives. Questions for Small Groups:

1. What are some moments of challenge (big or small) that have defined your life?
2. Ruth’s moment of challenge forced her to choose between two main priorities: herself and her family. Do you
agree with Ruth’s decision to remain loyal to her mother-in-law? Why or why not?
3. What keeps you going in the midst of challenge? How can you grow a greater resolve to persevere through
life’s challenges?
4. Does it offer you comfort or hope to believe that God is working out his plan for redemption through our
moments of challenge?
5. After hearing this message, will you try to approach any current or future challenges differently?
 

With blessings,
Fr. Reichlen