September 29, 2012 – John 1:47-51

Nathanael asked him, “Where did you come to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree, before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel.” Jesus answered, Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things that these.” And he has said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Today is the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Father Patrick Fitzpatrick relayed that his confirmation name is Michael. Michael is the patron of Toronto. St. Michael is the saint who defended God in war in heaven. St. Gabriel, which means God is Mighty, is the second angel of God. St. Raphael, which means God Heals, is the third angel. He said that Guardian Angels are not only for children but for adults as well. In the gospel, Jesus was called  Rabbi, the Son of God, and the King of Israel. Father Patrick mentioned a song phrase “I believe in Angels. I’ll cross that stream, I had the dream.” His prayer was “May our Guardian Angels protect us. Amen.” 

September 28, 2012 – Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 / Luke 9:18-22

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven;

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;

A time to kill and a time to heal;

A time to break down and a time to build up;

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn and a time to dance;

A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace and time to refrain from embracing;

A time to seek and time to lose;

A time to keep and a time to throw away;

A time to tear and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence and time to speak;

A time to love and time to hate;

A time for war and a time peace.

What gain have the workers from their soil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time, moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their mind, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist but others Elijah, and still others that one of the ancient prophets has arisen. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, The Messiah of God.” He sternly ordered and commended them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priest and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Father Ernie DeCicio said that it is only by walking with Jesus and having a relationship with Him with our faith that we will know who Jesus is. Jesus wants to bring us peace and joy.

September 27, 2012 – Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 – Reflections of a Royal Philosopher

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they continue to flow. All things are wearisome; more than one can express. The eyes is not satisfied with seeing, or the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See this is new?” It has already been, in the ages before us. The people of long ago are not remembered, nor will there be any remembered of people yet to come by those who come after them. 

Father Dan Donovan said that the Book of Ecclesiastes is the Book of Wisdom. Live into old ages, see children succeed. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” which means refrain or repeating. Nothing is done in vain.