Sins of Priests

I have herd many stories about evil priests who have done others wrong. It would always outrage me as a priest. Over time, I started to realize that many times when a person is hurt by a priest, it is usually a misunderstanding or a lack of prudence. However, there are times when a priest really has done wrong. If anybody has been hurt by a priest, I sincerely apologize for the wound given. I would also make an invitation to those who have left the church because of an act by a priest. If a priest sins, or any so called "devout catholic" sins against you, why should you punish yourself by taking yourself away from the love of God? Isn't the sinner supposed to be punished? Then why deny yourself the grace of the sacraments? Is Christ to blame when someone is not Christ like? How often do we not follow the good example of our parents? Jesus knows the pain in your heart. Let Him heal that pain so you can live in peace.

God's Will, Not My Will

Have you ever noticed that when ever we focus on our own will, we always end up in a bad mood? We want what we want the way we want it. But it rarely even happens, let alone the way we want it. So we get frustrated when it does not happen. But when we do God's will, we have a peace that we can get nowhere else. So the question of the day is; "Do I want to do my own will and have a bad day, or do God's will, and experience the joy that comes from God?"

What is Love?

We have grown up in a society where love is thought of as an emotion. Our heart pounds faster when we are first infatuated with somebody and the emotions go up and we think we are in love because of that experience. Maybe we even end up marrying that person. It is true that emotions are an important part of love, but we cannot reduce love to merely an emotion. It is primarily a commitment. That is why marriage is a commitment. But a commitment to what? It is a commitment to love, honor, respect; to be there in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. That commitment requires living out the seed of love in the heart. Love must be acted out in order for it to be fulfilled, and grow, and flourish. Without the act, love dies. Imagine a marriage where the spouses never express their love for one another. It cannot stand. This is exactly what Jesus did for us. He died for us! It was the greatest act of love He could ever have done for us. In Jesus' own words, "It is finished." He fulfilled His love for us by giving His life up for us! Love must come to fulfillment. So what must we do in order to respond to the love He has given us?