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Our liturgical year ends soon. Next year we will hear from the gospel of Matthew. The second reading concludes the letter to Timothy. St. Paul is near his death. He uses the sacrifice and race to send a message. Animal sacrifices were used and a libation is poured on the sacrifice to connect to the sacrifice. The sacrifice is Christ, he is in unity with the sacrifice. Christ sacrificed himself, but he can unite to the sacrifice to bring salvation. The second image of the race is to remain believers, letting our faith shape our lives. We need to be faithful to the commandments though it can be difficult. Paul knew why he was suffering and he continued to be faithful. We should pray to be faithful to finish the race. We imagine ourselves with God. In the gospel, the pharisee imagines himself with people. We wil…

I talk to you and myself, which is why I internalize the message. Lots are in the readings. One question that stayed with me is the last line. If Christ comes will I have faith, which is the gift from God. Faith is connection to God to listen to God properly. St. James said that faith is dead if without deeds. Faith allows me to hear God. Sometimes we can see God. Prayer is listening and talking to God. Faith is planted in us. How do I find out what God wants? One of my religious education kids explained parables as stories with bigger stories. We can see God as the judge in the last reading, which is not true. I hope our attitude to prayer is not God will eventually act. Prayer tells us we are not alone. Perhaps we do not listen because we want a …

This gospel is only in Luke. Lepers were expelled from towns by Moses' law. The lepers stood at a distance from Jesus. They went to the priests to show they were healed. They were believers, but Luke shows the man that returned. Luke teaches to be grateful to the Lord. We can always praise the Lord. We do not deserve but we receive. We have difficulties, but we still have things for giving thanks. In all circumstances give thanks. When we are grateful, our hearts are lighter. The opposite is true also. People appreciate our presence. Basic level of thanks is being yourself, as with the singing to the Lord as the birds with St. Francis. A second level of thanks is being a human, who say words of thanks. Human beings are priests of creation. The thid level of thanks is going to church, a perfect Thanksgiv…