Deacon Larry Jesmer

Scripture:
1st reading    Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
2nd reading   Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
Gospel          John 14: 23-29

In different parts of the world, the sign of peace exchanged before communion takes different forms. Americans generally like the handshake of peace and extend it to all within their reach. Kisses and hugs are also sometimes exchanged. I believe we do it all here.

Europeans are more reserved. In England, for example, a raised eyebrow or a slight inclination of the head seems enough. On the West African Coast the handshake is followed by much finger cracking; and this handshake is exchanged just by the men. In Northern Ghana, the celebrant waives his handkerchief to the entire congregation and they wave back, singing joyfully as they wave.

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6th Sunday of EasterRead More »

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

Scripture:
1st Reading: Acts 5:12-16
2nd Reading: Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Gospel: John 20:19-31

There was a preacher who didn’t know when to stop preaching. A man came up to him after the service and said, “Your sermon this morning sounded to me like the peace and mercy of God.” Pleased to hear this, the preacher made the mistake of asking the man what he meant exactly. “Well”, the man said, “it was like the peace of God because it was beyond all understanding, and it was like the mercy of God because I thought it would endure forever”.

On this Second Sunday of Easter we celebrate the truth that God’s mercy is everlasting, and our celebration of that mercy is itself a perpetual gift to the Church of our late Holy Father, Blessed Pope John Paul II, who declared this Sunday as Divine Mercy Sunday.

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2nd Sunday of EasterRead More »

Scripture
1st Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14
2nd Reading: Romans 8:8-11
Gospel: John 11: 1-45

I would like to start this morning (evening) by giving a quote that was given during a presentation by Fr. Tom Vandenberg at the Deacon Lenten Retreat last weekend. “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change”. For those who missed it; “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change”. First of all, we better watch out how we look at things, and others, If you know what I mean!!!!!!!!!

Now, let us take a real close look at Jesus in our Gospel today. How do you see Jesus? Do you see Jesus grieving the loss of a friend or the sympathy he has for Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, His friend who has died? Maybe you see Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God? Or maybe you see Jesus foretelling his own paschal mystery?

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5th Sunday of LentRead More »

SCRIPTURE; 1ST READING– JEREMIAH 1:4-5, 17-19
2ND READING– 1 CORINTHIANS 12: 31–13:13
GOSPEL– LUKE 4: 21–30

Mr. Johnson’s son Timmy, was outside shooting some hoops when one of his contact lenses popped out. Timmy spent the good part of his time outside looking for his missing lens without any luck. He went into the house and told his father that he had lost one of his lens, and he could not find it after almost an hour.

Mr. Johnson went outside and in about one minute came back into the house and gave his son his missing lens. Timmy said; “Dad, how did you find it so fast? I was on my hands and knees for almost an hour and I could not find it.” Mr. Johnson answered, “Son, you were looking for a piece of plastic. I was looking for $150.00”.

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4th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Scripture: 1st reading Isaiah 6-:1-6
2nd reading Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel Matthew 2: 1-12

Today (tonight) we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. This is the story of God’s appearance to us, becoming man and taking the name Jesus. It is also a story of three Wise Men, Gentiles, following a star to find out who this important person is. But just suppose what would of happened if it had been three wise women who came to see the Christ child?

They would have asked for directions along the way, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts. However, that is not how it happened.

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EpiphanyRead More »