Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

The Red Corner of Fr. Luis

Looking for Jesus for the wrong reasons

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 19, 2021 - 08:55

 

 

Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings. 

 

In today’s Gospel (John 6:22-29) Jesus chastises the crowds for seeking him for the wrong reasons: they had tried to make him king, now they were following him because he was some kind of celebrity, able to feed thousands with a few loaves of bread. Our world is too easily impressed by the cult of all sorts of celebrities, and I ask for the wisdom to be aware of the motivation of my decisions. Am I really seeking what lasts in my relationships, or am I only after what is frivolous but will soon perish?

It is clear that Jesus does not bring what people want, he brings what his people need.

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 16, 2021 - 09:14

Good morning, happy Friday, and many blessings.
 
We come now to one of the most familiar stories in the gospels – Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-15). Part of its familiarity can be perhaps attributed to the fact that it is a story recounted in each of the four Gospels. The story however is simply memorable in its own right. We all sit back in wonder when we hear of this miracle, wondering exactly when and where the fish and the loaves were multiplied.
 

Our faith in Jesus also comes with a responsibility.

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 16, 2021 - 09:12

Good morning, happy Thursday, and many blessings.
 
Today Gospel (John 3: 31-36) weaves together a variety of images of earth and heaven. John talks about the person who is “earthly” and who speaks of “earthly things.” Then John writes that the One who comes from heaven reigns above all. Of course, John is writing about Jesus.

John reiterates that Jesus is “the One above all.” Jesus testifies to the truth. However, John also writes that no one accepts Jesus’ testimony! However, if we do believe in Jesus and accept His testimony, we certify that God is trustworthy.

We live in God's new world when we love, when we love others and we love God.

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 16, 2021 - 09:09

Good morning, happy Wednesday, and many blessings.
 
John 3:16 is the most well-known Bible verse of them all. But at the same is “probably the most distorted verse in the New Testament.” It is a verse that is commonly misunderstood.
 
God loves the world, loves each one of us, loves me. This is the whole message of Jesus, expressed in his words and embodied, directly, or indirectly, in the whole of his life. Am I convinced of this myself?
 

Being born again is a direct result of faith in Jesus, through His death and resurrection.

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 16, 2021 - 09:05

Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings.
 

When I let the Good Spirit guide me, life takes on a new dimension.

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 12, 2021 - 11:55

Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings.
 
In today’s Gospel (John 3:1-8) Nicodemus approaches Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and also a ruler of the Jews. He did not want the Jews to know that he wanted to talk with Jesus. Thus, Nicodemus decided he would approach Jesus at night. Hopefully, the darkness would help him be anonymous! 

I am left with the image of Jesus preparing breakfast for his friends

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 9, 2021 - 09:28

 

 

Good morning, happy Friday, and many blessings.

 

Our Christian calling is fourfold: listen to His word, accept His word, follow His word, and spread His word

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 8, 2021 - 11:04

 

 

Good morning, happy Thursday, and many blessings.

 

In today’s Gospel (Luke 24:35-48) Jesus is keen to reassure his friends that he is not a ghost, but the same one as before, though in a new state. The strongest proof of this identity are his wounds, a clear sign that ‘that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day’. Yet they are also signs that ‘repentance and the forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations.’ Death and life are closely linked, yet life has the last word.

 

Where there is sadness and despair, Jesus comes bringing hope and understanding

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 7, 2021 - 11:24

 

 

Good morning, happy Wednesday, and many blessings.

 

Luke (24:13-35) is an absolutely masterful storyteller, and his retelling of the Emmaus Road encounter on Easter day surely ranks as one of the great short stories in the Bible.  There are two most important points which come out in the story, but it is an infinitely richer story than that so I want to talk about some other aspects before I get to those two main points.

 

Mary Magdalene is also the Apostle of the resurrection

Submitted by holyroodchurch on April 6, 2021 - 13:30

 

 

Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings.

 

Today we celebrate the feast of Mary Magdalene, whom Pope Francis calls the Apostle of the apostles: she was the one sent by the Risen Jesus to announce the Resurrection to the Apostles. I reflect on the important role this woman was given by Jesus, and on the role of women in the Church today. I thank God for all the women who helped me know Jesus better, and pray that the Church finds ways of giving women their proper place in her ministry and leadership structures.

 

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Ministry at the time of Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevent, cure and accompany

Now we have to shape what some have started calling; The Church at Home. Although I keep asking myself; What do those who do not have a home do? For this reason, at the same time, I am declaring today in our Holyrood Church a Lenten day of prayer, fasting and reading the Bible in the Time of the Coronavirus.

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