Bringing Jesus to the World

Let’s consider the gifts that make us uniquely “Catholic” and the responsibility that comes along with these gifts.

In addition to the teaching authority of the Church, and the Sacraments, our rich tradition and ritual, the single most important part of “Being Catholic” is our belief in the “Real Presence” and our participation in the Eucharist.

But the Eucharist isn’t just a solitary personal experience with Jesus, the Eucharist calls us into full “Communion” with the “Word” and communion with the “Body of Christ” (all of us) every time we receive this incredible gift.

The call into full “Communion” is a challenge not just to internalize Jesus, but to bring Him to the world. In receiving the Body and Blood of Christ (as He clearly stated He wants us to) we are filled with His presence, His grace, mercy and love; and fully share in His presence here on earth. This is way beyond a “personal” experience. It is a share of the Divine experience of God Himself. Eucharist is a gift of incredible generosity beyond our comprehension.

Yet just like with any gift, we are called to express our thanks by how we receive it and how we use it.

• How am I changed by the grace of this sacrament?
• How do I use the gift of Eucharistic grace in my life?
• How do I bring the real presence of Jesus to the world I live in?

Upon your next “Amen” at communion when you turn away from the altar and turn toward the world, consider this unique gift of Catholicism and the power of Jesus?loving presence. You are now challenged just as the first apostles were: to bring Jesus the world.

Deacon Andy Cirmo

“Christ Is Risen Allelulia, Allelulia”

Today we praise and honor our Lord Jesus Christ who in His glory has risen from the Dead and opened the gates of heaven. On this day traditionally we all do something special to celebrate the new ?springtime of our faith? the new life given to us all by the incredible mercy of God who sent His only Son to die for our sins and to rise to bring us new life.

We wear our nicest clothes to Church. We buy flowers for mom and grand mom. We gather as family and friends to celebrate a meal together and follow ethnic customs and foods like in our case the butter lamb, cassata (cheese cake) etc. Again, like I challenged you at Christmas: if you don’t have any family Easter customs, now is a perfect opportunity to start some. Easter is a fresh start, a time of new beginnings, a transition time from the darkness into the light.

Jesus this day began appearing to His disciples almost immediately from the road to Emmaus to the Upper Room and almost always addressed them with His statement ?Peace Be With You?. He began to challenge them to become a ?Resurrection People?, that is: to recognize Him, to believe the unbelievable, to begin to proclaim the inconceivable and to live their faith.

So too our challenge is to become a “Resurrection People”:

- To welcome Jesus into our lives in the Eucharist

- To recognize Jesus in others

- To be and bring Jesus to others

- To bring peace, mercy, and love to all

- To be a source of the new Evangelization

Peace! And as my Dad would tell us in Italian: Buona Pasqua! (Happy Easter)

Deacon Andy Cirmo

630-416-3325 x 772

www.worksofacatholicwriter.com

I know I’m commanded to spread my faith and I want to do that for the Lord. But sometimes I worry and fret about how to do it. Do I need to do something dramatic like stand on a street corner with a bull-horn? Is it ?good enough? to be a Christ-like example to my family? I believe ?YES!

 And it’s more than ?good enough.

But I still need to think about it and be very conscientious. I ask myself….what can I do to show my children and wife the face of Christ today? Can I suggest that we pray together more often? Just once a week? One thing I did tell my college age daughter, who is struggling with her faith, is that I love her and pray for her every day. I also mailed a rosary to her. So staring in my family has been a very comfortable place to start to be Christ in the world – which is to EVANGELIZE!

Lent is a time for prayer, alms giving and sacrifice, yet Jesus Himself tells us that we should do these things humbly, with purity of heart and without seeking recognition. The season calls us to a ?change of heart; not just for these 40 days but for the rest of our lives. Lent calls us to change the priorities of our lives away from things of this world which block our path to Jesus and turn toward prioritizing those things that do.

As Catholic Christians we have the opportunity all our lives but especially in Lent to quietly inspire those around us, whether family friend or co-worker by how we approach times of stress, trial and temptation; those ?desert times with love and trust in His will.

Try this: When confronted with that (difficult person) at work or in your private life; with that (difficult but necessary decision) with no resolution in sight; or with (repeated temptation) because of our weakness or pride; pause and pray to yourself: ?Be With Me Lord.

I’ve always been amazed at how the little things we do are noticed when we least expect it. What we do and what we say in the routine as well as the exceptional situations of our daily lives is noticed. St Francis told his followers ?preach the gospel always…use words if you must.

Deacon Andy Cirmo, ancirmo@wowway.com

630-416-3325×772 www.worksofacatholicwriter.com

After Epiphany (the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem) Herod had them followed in order to have this baby King killed. But scripture tells us that they “Returned Another Way”. I’m sure that as they returned to their lives these first “evangelists” took back a message of humility; and their hearts were changed.

As Lent is now upon us the challenge is to enter this period of preparation for the passion, death and resurrection of Christ and then to also Return To Our Lives Another Way.

Please Join Me in This Lenten Evangelization Challenge which returns us to the roots of our Catholicism instead of, or in addition to, giving up something:

• Participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least twice
• Attend Mass (the Eucharistic Celebration) at least two additional times (Saturday mornings?)
• Visit the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at least two times, alone or with a friend or family

Reconciliation and Eucharist are at the core of what it means to be a uniquely “Catholic” Christian. And change of heart (“Metanoia”) this Lent will be the result of us opening our hearts to the power of these two incredible gifts. Our Lenten journey should focus on moving our hearts closer to Jesus by changing them, by sharing in His cross, by opening our hearts to be open vessels to receive the incredible gift of these sacraments. And that gift is His sanctifying grace.

Make this Lenten Journey one of “Metanoia” and starting this Lent “Return to Life Another Way” as a shining example to everyone in our lives.

Peace,

Deacon Andy Cirmo (ancirmo@wowway.com)

TRADITIONS   (THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF VALUES)

EVANGELIZATION STATION

This past Sunday on the feast of the Holy Family, upon sharing in my homily some of our family Christmas traditions and their history a number of people came up to me after Mass to ask about them and to share theirs. It was enjoyable to hear of so many different traditions small and large that people celebrated. Many holiday traditions are those of ethnic origin passed down from generation to generation involving foods and prayers, but not all. Some were traditions involving special activities that families had just enjoyed repeating every holiday. The smiles and the joys of recollection on the faces of many of the older parishioners I met deeply validated the value of these activities for me. So I’d like to make this observation and challenge to all parishioners:

Evangelization begins at home. No matter what your family structure is, creating, maintaining and eventual passing on of the fond memories of traditions and shared spirituality to your children and theirs is a powerful way to spread the good news of salvation.

The ethnic tradition of abstaining from meat on the Christmas vigil in final preparation for the birth of Christ is a powerful one to pursue indeed. But for New Years or Easter if you don’t currently have any memorable traditions please develop your own; and do so as an opportunity to evangelize your family members as well as guests. A special prayer said, a collection of canned goods for the poor as a host gift, the reading of the nativity story, the lighting of a candle by each person with best wishes for others, an empty chair at the table in prayer for those who will go hungry that night. The message is “do something special” to reinforce the spiritual meaning of Christmas or New Year or Easter and pass it on to later generations. This little act of family evangelization and the deep memories created will be an important building block of the spiritual values that your children and their families will embrace and spread to others for years to come.

Dn Andy Cirmo
www.ancirmo@wowway.com
630-416-3325 x 772

A Catholic’s Prayer for Leading People to Jesus Our Father, our creator, our shepherd, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and your Holy Spirit through the Immaculate Heart of Mary give us you wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety and fear of your awesome power and love. Keep our hearts and minds humble and contrite so our bodies and souls are worthy of being your servants overflowing with peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control.

By our actions more than our words, may we lead other to Jesus as living invitations to:

• Treasure the Sacraments of your Holy Catholic Church,
• Find joy by living with your Divine Mercy in a state of sanctifying grace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
• Delight in Holy Communion with you, knowing we actually receive your body and blood, soul and divinity in the form of bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Eucharist,
• Reverently adore your real presence in the Blessed Sacrament and cherish time alone with you in prayer,
•  Truly understand your words in the Bible,
• Live lives of service as your children under the direction of the teaching office of your Church,
• Love our Blessed Mother Mary as she tenderly brings deep peace as we choose to surrender everything we have in order to experience the ultimate security and success in life: trusting Jesus, knowing souls who do so are destined to spend a bliss filled eternity with you in heaven.

You are our light and salvation, grant us through the intercession of all your Angels and Saints the ability to see and live your truths as taught by your Holy Catholic Church. Give us the wisdom to love what we see and the guidance to do what we hear so that we walk in your ways today and all the days of our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE CHALLENGE:

Lord Christ, You have no body on earth but ours, No hands but ours, No feet but ours. Ours are the eyes through which your compassion must look out on the world. Ours are the feet by which you may still go about doing good. Ours are the hands with which You bless people now. Bless our minds and bodies, That we may be a blessing to others.

St. Theresa of Avila

How are your feet doing? Are they running from place to place without a moment’s peace? Slow down and take a moment to use your hands to make a meal for that family in need. Rake the leaves for your elderly or injured neighbor. Place your hands together in prayer to thank God for all the gifts he has given you.