In the Encyclical Mediator Dei, Pope Pius XII states that it "is not a cold and lifeless representation of the events of the past, or a simple ... record of a former age. [The liturgical year] is rather Christ Himself who is ever living in His Church. Here He continues that journey of immense mercy which He lovingly began in His mortal life ... with the design of bringing men to know His mysteries and in a way live by them. These mysteries are ever present and active" (III Divinum Officium et Annus Liturgicus, II Cyclus Mysteriorum).

Dear friends,

In John's Gospel Jesus says: "In my Father's House there are many dwelling places...and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be." (John 14:2-3) Prior to His Passion Jesus gave out conditions for Discipleship: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me." (Mathew 16:21)

The Catholic Church not only ranks its members in a hierarchy, but its buildings too. Not every large and impressive church is a cathedral, and not every small local church you attend Mass at may be a parish.

Dear friends,

Wise people say, "Those who do not forgive break the bridge on which they have to pass." This is because everyone needs forgiveness. In response to Peter's question, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?"Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." (Mathew 18:21-22)

I said in an article a few weeks ago that Auxiliary Bishops are bishops of their own dioceses; however, the "titular dioceses" these bishops belong to no longer have any jurisdiction over a geographical area or any people.

Dear friends,

We are called to a life of Holiness.

Holiness as a noun means "the state of being holy." It is "a life of holiness and a total devotion to God" (Definition from the Oxford English Dictionary). Holiness is an essential attribute of God, and it reflects His perfect and unblemished nature. Literally speaking, living a holy life means that the Christian is set apart, reserved to give glory to God. It is a life of discipline, focus, and attention to matters of righteous living.

Immediately after recalling Jesus' Last Supper, [Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC) of the Second Vatican Council] speaks of the Eucharist in Augustinian terms. For Christians, taking part at the Lord's table means being "instructed by God's word and ... nourished ... [giving ] thanks to God"(cf. SC, 48) ... The Eucharist is the sacrament of the Kingdom that is to come. It is the Bread for the journey that leads us to our heavenly homeland, until that blessed day when "God will be all in all" (1 Cor 15:28).

Dear Friends,

One fascinating Biblical story for me in the Old Testament is that of the burning bush, where Moses met God in a mysterious way (Exodus 3:1-12). The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were facing a real crisis in Egypt, where they were forced to live in slavery. It was not easy for anyone to speak about God nor to experience His presence in suffering. However, while in exile shepherding his father-in-law Jethro's flock, Moses saw the bush on fire which was not getting consumed; he became curious about it, saying, "I must turn aside to look at this remarkable sight. Why does the bush not burn up?"

The Church has two types of public prayer it offers to God on behalf of all the world: the Holy Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer.

Dear Friends,

In one of my past reflections, I concluded that Prayer is a conversation between two persons, and for us, it is a Father-child relationship. We pray not because we want to convince God to do what we want. Prayer is an act of faith and must be done consistently. There are times when we pray for one week and expect miracles. We go to confession once and expect never to be tempted again. But God usually works like a farmer, not like a magician.

Last week we looked at the 24 different Catholic Churches united under the Pope, but what is a "pope?" Also last week, I said Phoenix was a rare example of one city having two cathedrals, but why is that? This can all be explained by exploring the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago, in anticipation of our Parish Day celebrations, the Deacons, Dave and Chito, in their weekend preaching, reflected on the role of Mary in our Christian life, and with them we prayed, placing ourselves and our Parish under the maternal care of Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On the following Thursday, July 16, which was the actual feast day of OLMC, I remember beginning my reflections with the words, "The best experience I have ever had in life was in the hands of a woman !... And that woman was my mother"

Most people, when they think of or refer to the "Catholic Church," are speaking of the Latin or Roman Church, but often forget that while the Latin Church is by far the largest one, there are actually 24 separate churches of the Catholic Church, The other 23 are referred to as the Eastern Catholic Churches, with the Latin Church being the sole Western Catholic Church.

Dear Friends,

The gift of listening is irreplaceable in our journey of faith. The priest Eli finally understood that the Lord was calling the youth (Samuel), and he said to him, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." - 1 Samuel 3:8-9. God continues to call people, and only those who are attentive can hear Him. Hearing is different from listening. We must learn to be silent before God. In silence God speaks to our hearts.

For many Catholics, one of the most recognizable liturgical orations is the Collect for Corpus Christi, also used at the conclusion of Benediction: "O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption, Who live and reign ... " This prayer asks the Lord Jesus to allow us, members of the Church, to revere the Eucharist so that we may "always experience in ourselves the fruits of [his] redemption."

Dear Friends,

Our OLMC Parish prayer before Sunday Masses and Holy days of obligation begins with the words, "My parish is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly if I am. It will be holy if I am .... "

Yes, this is true, and it is realizable if each and every one of us who are already members of the faith Community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel makes an effort to be more welcoming and more open to accepting other people, prays with them and for them, and seeks God's grace so that we may all go to heaven.

This weekend, our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its establishment as an independent nation with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Though the writers of the Declaration were not Catholic, many of the ideas espoused in it of what a nation should be find their home in Catholic thought.

Dear Friends,

As we celebrate 250 years of Independence and existence of the United States of America, allow me to wish each and everyone a blessed, peaceful, happy and fulfilling Independence Day Anniversary. May this auspicious celebration promote equality, uplift human dignity, and empower the lives of all people to align with God's Kingdom which is established not by coercion but by the gentle authority of humility, righteousness, and peace.