The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

Change is in the air!  Not changes to theology or doctrine - not a chance!  But how we operate, how we think, how we live must change.  As the Synod of Synodality begins this week, we pray for openness to the Holy Spirit so that we might more fully live as the Sacrament of Unity that binds us each Sunday.

News flash #1: God's ways are not our ways.

News flash #2: God's thoughts are not our thoughts.

Sometimes these hit us hard.  We think, "Gee, I did more work than he/she did!  Why does he/she get the same pay as me?!"  But that's not how God works.  God's version of justice isn't fairness.  God's version of justice is equality.  In his infinite goodness, God looks beyond our faults and failings and instead gives us - not what we deserve but - that which he wants to give us!  And thank God for that!

And happy priesthood Sunday to Fr. John!  Thank you for all you do for the Emmaus Pastorate!

Our First Reading and Gospel this weekend have a clear message: Forgive Everyone Everything.  Period.  End of Story.  Forgive everyone everything.  If we find it hard, that's OK.  That's why we have a Savior to help us.  But if don't forgive everyone everything, we're damned.

Being a Christian and "attending" Mass aren't spectator sports.  They aren't something we simply absorb for an hour on Sundays.  We ARE Christians - all day, everyday, even while sleeping!  And we aren't called to be armchair disciples but active parts of Christ's body.  No one should simply attend Mass; we are all participants in it, even from the pews.  So what are you doing as a disciple these days?  What sacrifices are you presenting as we worship?

Jesus didn't say, "Pick up your cross."  He said, "Take up your cross."  It's a subtle difference, but the meaning is huge.  As Christians, each of us has a cross to bear, but the beauty is that we don't bear it alone.  Who's helping carry yours?  And who are you helping carry theirs?

Who is Jesus?  Do you know him?  Or do you just know about him?  Who do you say that he is?  The answers might be revealing!

"Todos, Todos, Todos," says Pope Francis.  The Holy Father has reminded us from the start of his pontificate that the gospel message was intended for "everyone, everyone, everyone,"  Just look at Jesus, who spoke to a Cannonite (a no-no then) woman in public (also a no-no back then)!  So who are you not spreading the Good News with today?

Why do we have holy days, these days that fall between Sundays when the church says we MUST got to church?  They are established because they're keys to our faith, foundations on which we profess our beliefs.  But what sets this holy day of obligation apart from others, especially the Ascension of Jesus?  It's because of Mary's "Yes" that we celebrate her on the Solemnity of the Assumption.  Because Mary said to the angel, "Let it be done to me according to your word," God honored her with sparing her a mortal death and instead brought her directly into the heavenly kingdom.  The question for us on this holy day is this: can we be worthy of such a reward?  It all starts with saying "Yes" to God!

Walking on water is like skiing.  Look where you want to go, and point your feet!

You know what happens when you listen to God?  You become transformed!  Listen!