Deacon Larry Jesmer

Scripture: 1ST Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44
               2nd Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-6
               Gospel: John 6: 1-15

Most everyone knows the story of the multiplication of the loaves of bread and a couple fish to feed five thousand people on a hillside, where they gathered to hear Jesus speak. Jesus received the five loaves and the two fish from a boy, he gave thanks and distributed the bread and as much fish as they wanted.

This was an amazing thing that happened on the side of that mountain, and what we experience at every Mass is just as amazing, “The Eucharist”, the height of God’s abundance to us, giving us his only begotten Son in this Eucharist, the real presence of Jesus among us; just as real as the presence of Jesus when he gave out five ;loaves and two fish to feed five thousand people sitting on a hillside.

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17th Sunday of Ordinary TimeRead More »

“God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living…But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world and they who belong to his company experience it.” So begins and ends our first reading from the Book of Wisdom. I guess that includes you and me, for someday death will be our common experience. Despite our efforts to thwart death, the fact remains that life is a terminal illness.

For some of us, death may come with ample warning, if we are diagnosed with a terminal illness such as Lou Gehrig’s disease or certain forms of cancer. For others, death may come as a consequence for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as are the victims of traffic accidents, natural disasters, or violence.

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13th Sunday of Ordinary Time – presentedRead More »

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
Scripture:
1st Reading: Deut 4:32-34, 39-40
2nd Reading: Romans 8:14-17
Gospel; Matthew 28:16-20

I recently read a story about Mary Weaver, a protestant lady, who lived some 74 years ago. She had been a Baptist, a Methodist, a Christian Scientist, and a Holy Roller, professing that she believed in “Jesus only”.

One day she noticed a Catholic Catechism in the home of a friend. Here was her chance to find out what Catholics believe and do, and then hold all of it up in ridicule of the Church. She began to read. Slowly her hatred turned to curiosity, then to surprise, then to a desire to learn. She blurted out, “If this is what the Catholic Church teaches, then I want to be a Catholic”.

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Trinity SundayRead More »

SCRIPTURE:
1ST READING: ACTS 9:26-31
2ND READING: 1 JOHN 3:18-24
GOSPEL: JOHN 15:1-8

Today and throughout the month of May, we ask our heavenly Mother Mary to share with all of us and especially our young people her love, her willingness to sacrifice, and her unbounded generosity. Her words to the angel at the Annunciation are the model for all of us who answer the Lord’s call; “I am the servant of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word.”

Much of Jesus’ message to us obviously came to him from his mother. Take for example the words from today’s second reading from 1 John-“Children, love one another, don’t just talk about it.” Can’t you just see Mary telling this to Jesus and the neighbors children as they played about the doorstep in Nazareth?

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5th Sunday of EasterRead More »

1st Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7
2nd Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11
Gospel: Passion Mark 14:1 – 15:47

Have you ever wanted something or were waiting for something so badly that you could hardly stand it because of the excitement and heightened sense of anticipation? Well, I have, and what I remember happened a few years ago when I was around 12-13 years old.

My family decided to go on a camping/fishing trip up in the mighty mountains. I love the mountains. Plans were made , the camping stuff was assembled, the tent was aired out and re-packed, I made sure I gathered my fishing gear, and food was boxed-up for a weekend of great excitement and fun.

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Palm SundayRead More »