Dear Friends,

This weekend’s Gospel stands out as a pivotal moment that highlights the essence of faith, discipleship, and the challenge of understanding Jesus’ teachings. Since over these past few weeks we have been reading about Jesus being the Bread of Eternal Life and the challenges the disciples had with His words, I would like to make this week’s reflection about our understanding of discipleship.

To fully appreciate John 6:60-69, context is key. In the preceding verses, Jesus has just delivered a challenging sermon in which He declares, “I am the bread of life.” He elaborates that His body is the true food and His blood is the true drink, emphasizing that eating His flesh and drinking His blood are essential for eternal life. This metaphorical language shocks many of His followers, leading to confusion and even disbelief. Many of His disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that His disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this shock you? Then, what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

The difficulty of Jesus’ teaching leads many disciples to abandon Him. This verse illustrates the challenge of discipleship, which requires not just adherence to teachings but a deep, transformative faith. The abandonment of these followers highlights the separation between those who seek a superficial understanding of Jesus and those who are willing to embrace His deeper, more demanding message. Jesus’ teachings are not for the faint of heart. Resurrection does not happen without suffering and death.

This was especially true for my seven classmates and I during our five years of diaconal formation. We all have our own story on how we came to follow Jesus. What we soon discovered, perhaps like many of you, was that we were going to have to deal with the hard truths of Jesus’s teaching. Would we be able to accept them? There were many obstacles and life lessons from our formation, but the most important understanding each of us had to have was keeping our faith in our loving God, knowing throughout this journey there would be many challenges.

What were we willing to set aside to continue to follow the call? It involved learning from Jesus, imitating His life, and striving to live more like Him. It required leaving behind the comforts of daily life and putting the needs of others first. This is all part of discipleship for every follower of Christ. Being a disciple is not easy. We cannot do it on our own–Jesus knows that. That is why we have the Bread of Life–His presence, in us, to help us go out into the world and spread His message of mercy, love and forgiveness. That is why we are the Body of Christ–many members, yet one body. We need each other to help us along on our journey as disciples.

John 6:60-69 is a critical passage for understanding true discipleship involves grappling with difficult teachings and remaining committed to Jesus. It underscores the necessity of faith in recognizing Jesus as the source of eternal life and divine truth. The passage challenges believers to move beyond their surface-level understanding and engage deeply with the message of Christ.

This Gospel reading serves as a profound exploration of faith, discipleship, and the essence of Jesus’ teachings. It invites us to reflect on own responses to the challenging aspects of Jesus’ message and to reaffirm our commitment to following Him, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance and eternal life. So, I ask you, how are we going to grow in our commitment to continue being a disciple of Christ?

Peace of Christ,
Deacon Ray

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

All three readings this weekend make mention of food and wine, so it might be good to reflect on all those things that we take into our bodies that may or may not nourish us.

In the Book of Proverbs (9:1-6), the author imagines Wisdom setting a feasting table not for the wise, but the simple. It’s not so much that the wise are not invited, it’s that more than likely, they will not respond to the invitation to feast on all the God’s Wisdom has prepared. To those who are humble enough and willing to feast, Wisdom invites them to “forsake foolishness…and advance in the way of understanding.”

Perhaps what we need to come to understand is that God’s ways are not always our ways (…and to some, this is not Good News).

In Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (5:15-20), he warns us in not overindulging in wine (or any other beverage or substance) that might get us intoxicated and lead us to actions not beneficial to ourselves and others. Instead, we are to “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and inspired songs.” To be honest, this seems a bit over the top to me. However, Paul does suggest that we “give thanks to the Lord in your hearts.”

Now that, I can do.

Finally, the Gospel according to John (6:51-58) has Jesus saying, “I am the living bread come down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” How often do we truly feast on Jesus or have we become so complacent that our coming to communion is just a habit with no thought behind it? I say this because many people genuflect to an empty tabernacle after receiving the Eucharistic Bread, the Body of Christ. In a way, we become a living tabernacle, so why the genuflection? When we eat, our food becomes us (my big belly is due to an overabundance of potato chips). With the Eucharist, we are to become the Body of Christ: He whom we have received. His life is now our life, and we are called to take His life into the world. Let us fast from all those things that are detrimental to our life in Christ. Let us feast on Christ, our true life now and into eternity.

– Fr. Steve

My Good Friends,

Since returning from my Ignatian Camino back in July, I have been asked by more than a few people if I would share some more of my experience, so others may become aware of what it is to walk a Camino… so here you go…

In a nutshell, embarking on a Camino offers an opportunity for personal reflection and spiritual growth. This ancient practice of journeying on foot toward a sacred destination is rich with lessons and insights. One of the most striking aspects of a Camino is its emphasis on simplicity. Those who participate in any Camino, referred to as pilgrims, carry only what they need, leaving behind unnecessary items which adds weight to their backpacks. This stripping down to essentials allows a sense of freedom and clarity. As we walk, we realize how little we truly need, and this realization brings about a profound shift in our perspective, teaching us to appreciate the basics and to find joy in simplicity.

The physical demands of the Camino mirror the spiritual journey it represents. Long days of walking can be exhausting, and the varied terrain tests your endurance, but these physical challenges are opportunities for growth, teaching resilience and patience. Each step, taken in faith and determination, becomes a metaphor for the spiritual path, where perseverance through difficulties leads to inner strength and awareness of the spirit.

The beauty of the Camino lies in its capacity to reveal the divine in the mundane. The rhythm of walking allows for contemplation and a heightened awareness of one’s surroundings. Nature, your fellow pilgrims, and moments of silence all become channels through which God speaks. This practice of seeing the sacred in everyday experiences fosters a deeper connection with the divine and a more profound sense of gratitude.

The Camino offers a unique blend of community and solitude. Simultaneously, the Camino provides ample time for solitary reflection. These moments of solitude are precious, allowing for introspection, prayer, and a deeper understanding of oneself.

It’s a journey of discernment. The simplicity and routine of the pilgrimage create a space for listening to one’s inner voice and seeking God’s guidance. We set out with questions or uncertainties, and the Camino becomes a time to explore these, seeking clarity and direction. The act of walking itself becomes a prayer, a dialogue with God, and a means of discovering one’s path and a realization of the gift of presence. Each step taken with mindfulness becomes an act of being fully alive in the moment. This presence extends beyond the physical journey, reminding us to live fully and attentively in our everyday lives. The slow pace of walking contrasts sharply with the rush of modern life, inviting us to savor each moment and to be present to ourselves, others, and God.

At the end of the Camino, you do your best to avoid a return to everyday life. The lessons learned, the insights gained, and the spiritual growth experience can, if allowed, continue to shape one’s life long after the pilgrimage ends. Life itself is a journey, a pilgrimage where each step is an opportunity to grow closer to God and to live with greater purpose and love.

So, walking a Camino is a rich and transformative experience that touches the body, mind, and spirit. It offers profound lessons in simplicity, resilience, presence, and community, inviting us to deepen our faith and to embrace the journey of life with renewed vigor and insight. If your are considering a pilgrimage, you might begin by simply walking your neighborhood with a new awareness of your surrounding and sharing your thoughts with God!

Buen Camino!
-Fr. Zack

Dear Friends,

The story of the fish and loaves is well known, and one that is found in all four Gospels. Jesus is shown feeding a multitude of people with relatively little. The sixth chapter of John’s Gospel features a few recurring themes that all play out in our reading this weekend. Those themes being faith, providing for others, and divine intervention. This miracle underscores Jesus’ identity as the Son of God who provides abundantly for those who have faith in Him, and foreshadows the nourishment offered through Christ Himself.

The passage begins with Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee and being followed by a large crowd, drawn by his teachings and the signs he performed. This event takes place shortly after Jesus healed a man at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, further solidifying his reputation as a healer and teacher of great authority. As Jesus and the disciples see the crowds, He turns to Philip with a question that serves both to test his faith and to set the table for the miracle about to occur: “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

Philip responds estimating the huge cost required to even provide a small amount of food for the many in the crowd. How would we have responded after being asked this same question? We probably would have looked around to see who He was speaking too. Not the apostles., though. Andrew steps forward and offers a different point of view. While knowing the scale of the task at hand, Andrew alerts to Jesus’ attention a young boy who has just five barley loaves and two fish. Philip’s initial doubt highlights our tendency to focus on practical limitations, while Andrew’s willingness to bring what little he could find to Jesus shows his faith. In the presence of Jesus, even the smallest offering can be used for something extraordinary.

Jesus honored this small offering and used it to perform the miracle. When I read this, it reminds me of a few of our parish outreach ministries, especially Bikes from the Heart. Something as small as a bike can be life-changing for someone and give them the freedom and independence to move around. It can assist them in getting back on their feet.

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus’ miracles are referred to as “signs” that point to His purpose and ministry. The feeding of the five thousand satisfied the actual hunger of the crowd, yes, but it led the way to Jesus’ divinity being revealed, so that He could feed them spiritually as well.

John 6:1-15 reminds us that even in our moments of doubt or scarcity, Jesus is able to work miracles that exceed our expectations. As you reflect on this passage this week, may you find renewed faith in The One who not only satisfies our physical needs but also offers eternal life through belief in Him.

– Deacon Ray

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

Most of you know how I feel about the image of shepherd (it doesn’t speak to me) that is found in today’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (23:1-6), the Responsorial Psalm (23), and today’s Gospel according to Mark (6:30-34). As I’ve been reflecting on these readings, I’ve used the word “leader” instead of “shepherd.” If you think about it, whether we are parents or grandparents, big sisters or brothers, teachers or mentors, or even friars, we are all leaders in someway to someone. The questions that these readings invite us to consider are who are our leaders, and what makes a good leader?

As shown above we are all leaders. Recent scholarship has shown that we all learn by following the example of others (mimetic theory). We first learn from our parents and siblings in our family of origin; then teachers and classmates, then friends and those close to us. In today’s world we must also say we learn from “influencers” on social media, from politicians, religious leaders, bosses … you get the picture. As a professor of mine once said, “everything speaks to us” to which I might add, “everyone has some kind of influence on us (or not).” So, the first question you might consider this week is “who at this present time are you MOST led by?” And, to go a step further, “Whom do you lead, and how and to what?”

As to what makes a good leader, I think as Catholic Christians we are called to look to Christ. When I consider Christ, I see that He showed kindness not vengeance, compassion not indifference, mercy not cruelty, and generosity not selfishness, love not animosity. Jesus never tried to force anyone to do anything, rather He subtly called them to remember that they were made in the image and likeness of God and should live as such. He tried to unite and invite others into what He called the Reign of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. What Jesus began, we who are the church are called to live out for ourselves and continue. May the Lord give us all energy and courage to follow in His footprints.

– Fr. Steve

My Good Friends,

I’ve always heard it said from those who have participated in any Camino journey that the experience will change you. Despite being home for more than two weeks now, and while I do believe there has been a shift of some sort, it’s hard to recognize a real change within. Here’s to hoping the change will reveal itself gradually.

The following is a heavily condensed version of the reflection I already shared with my fellow pilgrims at Mass in the Cave of St. Ignatius in Manresa. I shared that for me, during our Camino, I was blessed to be amongst some very holy men. The entire Camino was a mirror of God’s grace where we did not hesitate to open up our lives to each other, both the joys and the heartaches. It was one of tightest bonds among friends I’ve ever experienced. I believe that in our hearts we were all in the presence of something extraordinary. One parishioner on our journey often said that each and every one of us were meant to be there. I am forever grateful having been in this company as we followed the footsteps of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

One of our fellow pilgrims on this Camino journey, John Tempone, has since gone home to God. I’d always recognized John’s holiness. He loved his family. He loved his country. He loved his faith and his church. I felt he loved all of us. Each and every time he received the Eucharist, he would respond with the words of St Thomas, “My Lord and My God.” He took nothing for granted and was in awe of the entire universe around him. It certainly was a blessing for us all to have him amongst us. His enthusiasm and almost childlike love of life, in spite of some terrifying experiences during his career as a highly decorated Marine to which he was exposed, he was, and continues to be, an inspiration for us all.

His joyfulness was contagious. John’s presence made this world a better place for all whom have had the privilege of knowing him. He courageously took on life allowing desolation and consolation to be his guide, allowing him always to go forward and never in despair. This was indeed my experience of John Tempone, one that will stay with me always, a truly holy man, a devoted husband, an inspiring and wise father, and loving grandfather. A humble mentor to all with a deep sincerity within.

Our Ignatian Camino retreat was meant to be an opportunity for the discovery of the presence of God in our lives. I for one was blessed to not only be walking with men like John, but with all of you. John helped us all to discover that change happens by acknowledgment, participation, and by allowing Him who loves us, to provide us with love and grace as we strive courageously in loving ourselves and each other. Godspeed my friend!

My heartfelt appreciation to you all, especially to those who helped create and organize this experience for us, for it is indeed the journey and not the destination!

-Fr. Zack

Dear Friends,

Today, we reflect on the powerful message conveyed to us in the Gospel of Mark, where we find the account of Jesus calming the storm. In this passage, we witness not only the authority of Jesus over the natural elements but also the profound lesson He imparts to His disciples, a lesson that resonates with us today. The need to have faith.

Imagine the scene: Jesus and His disciples are on a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. Suddenly, a fierce storm arises, the wind howls, the waves crash against the boat, and panic sets in among the disciples. In their fear, they wake Jesus, crying out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” How often do we find ourselves in the midst of life’s storms, feeling overwhelmed and afraid? We may face challenges, uncertainties, and trials that threaten to engulf us. In those moments, it’s natural to cry out to God, just as the disciples did. We question whether He sees our struggles, whether He cares about our suffering. We’ve all been there and Jesus was right there with us.

Barbara and I have dealt with many life’s storms together, I know you have as well. While I was in diaconate formation and feeling good about our life, we were hit with the big “C”, cancer. My beautiful wife who has never hurt a fly was diagnosed with breast cancer. My world was turned upside down. I was so upset and full of fear and I questioned God at the time, and realized I didn’t have the faith my wife did. She saw I was broken and I couldn’t do anything to help her. She looked at me and said “Well, this is another chapter of my story I can tell of my journey with Christ.”

Wow! I was taken aback. Here I was asking “why?”, and all I needed to trust and have faith in Him and everything would be fine according to His will: “Peace! Be Still!”. She was convicted in her faith in Jesus from the beginning, and through a lot of prayer, trust, surgeries and treatment, she is cancer free, Praise God! In this life storm I learned a huge lesson on how faith plays a major role in our lives as we follow Christ.

Like the disciples, we often allow fear to overshadow our faith. We forget that the One who calmed the storm in Galilee is the same One who walks with us through the storms of life today. In every trial and tribulation, Jesus invites us to trust in Him, to have faith that He is in control, even when everything around us seems out of control. Reflecting on the poem Footprints, it brings me peace knowing I am never alone. I hope you find comfort in these words as well.

Let us take heart from this Gospel and remember that no storm is too great for Jesus to handle. Let us turn to Him in faith, knowing that He hears our cries and is always ready to give peace into our lives. May we find solace in His presence and strength in His unfailing love, confident that with Jesus, we can weather any storm that comes our way.

May God bless you and keep you, now and always. Amen.

– Deacon Ray

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

My friend Antonio is one of the most patient people I know. Not only does he put up with me, but when we video chat once a week and I see how he interacts with his two-year-old son Augustus, he’s downright saintly. And if this isn’t enough, he is a gardener who starts his garden from seeds growing in pots in early spring.

When I meditate on the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (17: 22-24) “I will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot…” and then read from the Gospel according to Mark (4: 26-34) the parable of the mustard seed, “the smallest of all the seeds on the earth” I am reminded of God’s patience, and His proclivity to choose small things through which to work.

I suppose God could have chosen a mighty and strong people to be his own, but he chose the Jews. I suppose God could have chosen a rich queen from a large metropolis to become His mother, instead He chose a poor teenage girl, from a town of no importance. I suppose the Word of God could have come into the world fully grown and strong, but He became a small and vulnerable human baby. God has His reasons for choosing the small and weak. Perhaps it’s so His grace will become ever more evident. Who knows?

Most of us, in the eyes of the world are nobodies, destined to be nobodies. But in God’s eyes we are all somebodies. God has begun a good work in us, and God will see that good worked finished. All we need to do is cooperate with Him.

That mustard seed has grown into “the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” A beautiful image of what the Church at large should be (the bush denies no bird a home), and a beautiful image of what Sacred Heart parish is: a place of peace and rest to all in downtown Tampa.

Today, let us continue to grow, in patience toward one another and ourselves and in hospitality to our neighbors. In this way we will continue to cooperate with God and His good work already begun in us will bear fruit.

-Fr. Steve