Bishop O'Connell invites us to join him in praying for our country for the next nine days.  You can find the novena prayers here.

4 PM        115                  4

6 PM          76                18

8 AM          81                  8

10 AM        83                18

12 PM        86                16

2 PM          30                plenty

     We had six more people this weekend.  The number of people was more evenly distributed among the 6 PM, 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM Masses.  The 4 PM remains near capacity.  Surprisingly, the 8 AM had the second fewest spots because many individuals attended.

     I saw a number of new people.  So, I assume that some have chosen to stay home because of the increase in COVID-19 cases.

     Manchester had 19 new cases on Saturday and 5 on Sunday reclaiming its position ahead of Berkeley.  I'm pleasantly surprised to see that Lakewood's new cases are way down.  In both these days, Manchester had more new cases per capita than Lakewood.  While I try to keep us up-to-date, I can't predict surprises.

     You've probably heard that NJ's new cases have been steadily rising.  However, Ocean County's new cases have been declining.  I find the wild fire analogy helpful.  That is, we can get wild fires under control in many areas.  Yet, if we do something reckless, a flare-up can occur.

     Yesterday, I planned to run five miles.  But I felt so strong, that I ran 6.5 miles at 7:59 per mile.  I've only run that fast at that distance once before on December 26, 2018.  The difference was the temperature.  It was 48F, cold enough that I didn't overheat.  In fact, I ran faster in order to stay warm.  The weather was conducive to exhilarating running.

     We heard the commands to love God and neighbor yesterday.  The spiritual environment we occupy impacts how we follow these commands.  If we watch the secular news for extended periods of time, we might get depressed and fearful.  If we watch suggestive or violent shows, we become desensitized to violations of the 6th and 5th commandments.  If we imbibe the deep truths presented on EWTN or Formed, then we become more open to the love of God and more ready to love our neighbor.  If we thank God for our blessings and petition Him for all our needs and concerns, then we'll be more connected to Him and more ready to be surprised by His love.

     Thanks for all the feedback to my Friday Flocknote e-mail.  Most were grateful for the clarification I provided regarding the Pope's comments on civil unions.  A couple continue to oppose the Church's teaching on marriage.  One was upset that I criticized Pope Francis.

     These are very strange times we live in.  Pastors are in the no-win situation of having to explain strange things happening at the Vatican when the secular media reports on them.  I usually avoid discussing the strange things when the secular media ignores them.  They upset me nevertheless.  If you've never heard of anything strange that Pope Francis has done until now, then thanks be to God.  I've not been so fortunate.

     I remind everyone that our primary allegiance is to God.  We are to love Him first with our entire being.  Then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Jesus has established our Church in a particular way.  The Pope is His Vicar and the visible sign of unity in our Church.  Popes are also fallible human beings.  Just recall Galatians how St. Paul corrected St. Peter to his face.  All popes make mistakes.  Most of those mistakes go unnoticed.  Good popes repent of their sins and apologize for their mistakes.  Pray for Pope Francis and his advisors as they figure out how to deal with this debacle.  Pray for the cardinals who have a responsibility to advise the Holy Father.  Keep in mind that Jesus promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail against the Church.  God will protect the Church even as He allows the Church's members to sin and make mistakes.  We place our hope in God.

     

     I can't keep up with all the news in the Church and in the world.  So, I rely on trusted sources.  The National Catholic Register has an update on the Pope's comments here.

     I've noticed a few people wondering if we're in the End Times because of all the strange things that have happened this year:  dancing hurricanes, killer hornets, a plague, wild fires, an earthquake, tornadoes, social unrest, and scandals.  We are in the End Times, but this may not be the End.  Ever since Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, we've been in the End Times.  But we will not know it's the End until it's thoroughly obvious.  I just started reading the Book of Revelation.  So, I'll address this topic again another time.  But I do want to offer a few ideas now.  First, our parish's patron saint, St. John the Apostle, often had multiple meanings for the verses he wrote in his gospel, letters, and Revelation.  So much of the Bible applies to the past, present, and future.  The book of Revelation can help us navigate these seemingly apocalyptic times.  Apocalypse means Revelation.  What is Jesus Christ revealing to us now?  How can we apply His public revelation to our present time?

     One of my trusted sources is Robert Royal who founded The Catholic Thing.  I find him to be insightful, humble, and prophetic.  In his latest contribution here, he observes that our times are apocalyptic.  Read his short speech to get a sense of what he means.

     On the feast of St. John Paul II, Judge Amy Coney Barrett was approved by the senate committee.  She goes before the entire senate today.  The good news I want to highlight is that a faithful Catholic woman has chosen to love God, love her husband, and love seven children.  And she has also been able to serve well in the field of law, loving her neighbor.

     Who does God call you to be?  How can you love Him more?  How can you know Him more?  How can you serve Him better in this world by loving your neighbor?  Are you ready to be happy with Him forever in Heaven?

God love you,

Fr. Jim