So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. (Jn 7:43-44)

My Dear Family in Faith,

Peace be with each of you! We are getting closer to the time when we will once again observe the totality of God’s Love for us in the Triduum.  In today’s Gospel St John describes for us how as Jesus gets closer to the climax of His ministry, there is division.  After all the people had seen Jesus do throughout the three years of His ministry, there is no unity.  Some say He is a prophet, others the Christ, and still others want to arrest and destroy our Lord because of their contempt.  Their status; how they enjoyed the ways of this world blinded them to the hidden wonders of God and a recompense of holiness.  “So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.”(Jn 7:43)

         We have all had some sort of suffering, loss perhaps, and had to compensate how we live over the last three weeks.  Have we looked at this time as a gift from God?  Perhaps we could use this time as a retreat, to clean out what we have wanted to remove for quite a while, like closets, attics, garages or landscaping.  As we do, we discover what is worth keeping as well as a new way to live life.

         There are fundamentally only two choices that determine the course of our lives and the final destiny that awaits us: the choice to live for God's kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness or the pursuit of the world's kingdom which stands in opposition to God's authority and commandments. We can choose to obey God's Word and believe in His promise of blessing or we can choose to follow the voice of those who promise success and happiness apart from God's truth and laws. The Costly grace and freedom - which the Lord Jesus offers to those who embrace the cross for His sake - leads to joy and blessing in this life as well as the promise of eternal happiness with God. Cheap grace - which tries to bypass the cross for the sake of being my own master and the ruler of my own destiny - leads to emptiness and endless futility. Who do you choose to be the master and ruler of your life and destiny? Is your heart divided because of Jesus? 

         "Lord Jesus, your Gospel brings joy and freedom. May I be loyal to You always, even though it produce a cross on earth, that I may share in Your crown of victory for all eternity".

         May God’s Grace and Blessings Always be with you and yours!!  Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!!

 

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Bob

St. Clare, Houston

(1) No live-streamed Mass this morning 

(2) Weekend live-streamed Masses are as follow: Saturday 4:30 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM please tune in by visiting St. Clare website and unite with us in prayers

(3) Options for Weekly/monthly giving: (1) ONLINE (preferably), please visit:

https://www.archgh.org/ways-to-give/parish-offertory-support/

(2) Mail in your envelope, and (3) drop box at church. I’m deeply grateful for you generous support during this difficult time. Without your financial supports we are unable to sustain our ministry during this crisis.

We are ONE in Christ,

Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen