Free Mustard Seeds

In chapter 7 of the gospel of Mark, we hear Jesus criticize some of the Pharisees & Scribes with words first delivered through the prophet Isaiah, "this people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, in vain do they worship me."  This reflection looks at the intimate and transformational power of the worship of God that Jesus speaks of in John 4:23 "The hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship Him."

Bishop Fulton Sheen once said, "the greatest love story of all time is contained in a little white host."  This reflection takes a close look at the famous "bread of life" discourse of Jesus in the Synagogue in Capernaum.  We're meant to live in this love story, to be renewed in it day in and day out, and most spectacularly, by the Eucharist.  No matter what is happening in our lives, world and even Church...through the Eucharist Jesus continues to strengthen us to share the very conviction of St. Peter who said to Jesus in the midst of great turmoil, "to whom shall we go...you have the words of of eternal life."

Many a time we've heard the famous passage from Psalm 34:9 "taste and see the goodness of the Lord."  Powerful words indeed...inviting us to LIVE for God's glory, imbued with God's presence.

A visit to His hometown synagogue in Nazareth left Jesus amazed at the lack of faith among the people.  His desire for us, is that our faith would be what keeps us in contact with His presence enabling us live with substance.

Beginning a new assignment at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Detroit, Fr. Patrick shares his personal testimony and invites the listeners into the experience of tasting the saving love of Jesus anew in their lives by taking the time to record their own personal testimonies...

Baptism plunges us into God, filling us with God's Holy Spirit and making us, as St. Peter describes "a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)  In this verse we can see a biblical root for the teaching that we are baptized "priest, prophet & king".  This reflection touches on the priestly and kingly dimensions of Christian life, and then focuses on the prophetic dimension of the Christian life. 

After Original Sin, Adam went from divine intimacy with God to hiding from God; afraid of His voice and filled with fear, tension, shame and division.  The price paid for our healing was the cross, the debt we owe is love...

At the last supper, Jesus gave the Church the gift of the Eucharist and the priesthood.  We take a look at how the Eucharist really becomes the body and blood of Jesus today, why He continues to give us this gift, and what happens in us as a result of this gift.   

Our understanding of who God is, what God is like and how God sees us has a profound impact on the way we live.

On Ascension Sunday, we look at the big picture of the Ascension, how shortly thereafter the Holy Spirit would flow forth in the New Covenant at Pentecost.  We look at the flow of God's love in the design of Motherhood.  We consider the hour at hand in the days leading up to Pentecost and God's invitation to more...

The love of Jesus sets us FREE.  Filled with His love, our souls become furnaces of divinely powerful love that flows through us and out to others.  Free in His love, we have His peace & power to set the captives free. 

At St. Ignatius Catholic Church on the final day of a signs & wonders filled ministry trip to the Cayman Islands with Patrick Reis of Encounter Ministries in partnership with Pastor Felix Manzanares of Journey Ministries, testimony is given of the wonders God worked throughout the week, including the miraculous growth of Naomi's leg, who shares her testimony.  Jesus is the Vine & we are the branches, truly able to do the works He did, and "even greater works than these" said Jesus. (Jn 14:12)  To BELIEVE that is FAITH, the first step to unleashing the mighty power of the gospel! To see amazing footage of Naomi's Miracle, visit:  https://youtu.be/1Akl124_Qbs

On Good Shepherd Sunday, and World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we consider the vocation, the call, the God has given all of us:  to live as disciples of Jesus, sons & daughters of God, in a life of divine love that leads us to live in holiness.  When we fully embrace our primary vocation, we are ready to embrace our secondary vocation:  the stable plan/state of life & special path God will lead us down as we live the life of discipleship he's called us to.

At a holy hour with young adults, a brief reflection on Jesus, the Good Shepherd who loves to roll away the stone...

At a Palm Sunday Holy Hour with Young Adults, the gift of the Lord's offer to fall in love with Him amidst the gift of Holy Week is reflected upon.

While revealing what the New Covenant would be like through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord tells us "I will place my law within them and write (also translated engrave) it upon their hearts."  So deeply does the Lord want to impress his love into our lives, so deeply...that we can confess we've been cut to the heart, and transformed for His glory, by His love!  

In the story of Jesus healing the man born blind (John 9), we consider the gift of spiritual sight that is faith and what life is like in His supernatural light.

It was love that led Jesus to cleanse the temple, it was love that led Jesus to be consumed on the cross for us.  The Lord reveals to us that "God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29).  Come...allow yourself to be consumed by Him.

In the Transfiguration of Jesus, we hear of the divinity of God shining forth from Jesus.  In our baptisms, this very divine life of God is poured into us.  Sin prevents us from allowing God's divine life of love to blaze forth in our lives.  A MERCIFUL invitation from Jesus awaits us..."ask me to reveal your sin to you, so you can be healed of it."

At St. Andrews in Rochester, the foundational conviction of Unleash the Gospel is considered:  the Church in the Archdiocese of Detroit is resolved to obey the Holy Spirit and be made by him a band of joyful missionary disciples.