R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him,
“You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

There is always the danger that when we hear a song too often that we become satisfied and take it for granted. The same can happen with the Readings and Gospels we hear when we come to Mass. Perhaps this may be one of those Gospels. We have heard it so often that it no longer has any impact on us.

No one ever said the being a follower of Jesus was going to be easy!  We are not only asked to have a relationship with God, we are called and challenged to be aware and concerned about those with whom we live and work, the church community. We are to love our friends and family as we love God and ourselves. We are reminded of this when we read in the bible, how can we love God whom we cannot see and not love our brother or sister whom we do see?

Being a follower of Jesus is about relationships. Being a disciple of Jesus is about how to live my daily life in relation to others and God. It is not private thing between God and me. If I say I love God but do not take the time to be aware and concerned about around those me, then something very important is missing. If I pray, but then ignore those around me at home or in work that need my help, what is the point of me praying? Praying is not about pleasing God or making myself feel better. Prayer is about me nurturing and nourishing my friendship with God. Then, having prayed, I am asked and called to turn my attention to those around me who need my help, support and love.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus reminds that whatever we do for each other or the church, we do for Jesus Himself. Whatever we fail to do for each other, we fail to do for Jesus. The smallest gesture of love can often have the greatest of impacts.

It is often through very small unimportant deeds, actions and gestures of love, that our love for others and our faith can be seen and made visible. One poet wrote that God is the bits and pieces of every day.  We should never underestimate the power of a small gesture such as a smile, a hand on a shoulder or a kind word. These small acts of kindness are how in our daily lives we are to love God, our brothers and sisters and ourselves with all our heart, mind and soul.

This week and for weeks to come, we can make a difference.  Continue to always remember the message given to us this day.  “Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself…love one another.

Deacon Anthony Falasca, Jr., Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

This coming Tuesday, many of us will be hearing the familiar cry, “Trick or treat!” In light of both last week’s and this week’s Gospel, I should like to title today’s homily “Trick or Truth!”

For the last two weeks, the Gospel accounts tell of those who are trying to entrap Jesus with their questions. In last week’s reading we heard of the Pharisees who tried to trick Jesus into choosing whether or not to pay the census tax. Jesus confronts their trickery by affirming to repay what is owed to both Caesar and God. He tells them the truth.

In today’s Sacred Gospel account, the Pharisees are at in again; trying to trick Jesus. And once again they are in for a treat. Jesus sums up the whole law and the teaching of the prophets with unwavering truth.

As you may remember, the Pharisees taught scrupulous observance of the 613 Mosaic Laws that governed every aspect of their lives. Jesus’ response to the question posed synthesizes those 613 laws into two simple but all-encompassing statements; “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37, 39).

They are indeed silenced when Jesus asserts there is no genuine fulfillment of the Law that does not flow from love of God and love of others.

To this answer they have no defense. They tried a trick but Jesus responded with the truth. His answer is all encompassing giving what is due to both God and our fellow human beings.

In both Gospel passages, it’s not either/or; it’s both/and.

Today’s world is not much different. Even in complex and controversial issues the true answer to today’s troubling events lie in these two statements; love God and love your neighbor.

If I may ask this question, what parallels do we find between today’s Sacred Gospel account and the ills that are taking place in our country and around the world?

I recently heard a quip from a misinformed individual who stated in part that the Catholic Church is good at telling women that abortion is murder yet cares little about her and her child especially after birth. That statement is far from the truth and, in fact, is a downright lie.

The Catholic Church provides support for mothers who are pregnant and assists single, unwed, or married couples who are struggling after their child’s birth. We care for both mother and child.

Let us pose this question in light of today’s Gospel. Suppose we were to ask Jesus, “Teacher, we know you love everyone and never wish sadness or distress on anyone. Should a woman who finds herself in an unwanted pregnancy be given the opportunity for abortion as a way to happiness and a burden-free life?”

How would Jesus answer? First off, the question presupposes having to choose sides pitting one human being against another. Jesus would affirm that each person, both mother and unborn baby are children of God and therefore are due the respect, love, tenderness, and well-being given to each of His children.

Is the child the problem or collateral damage due to the situation? I’m sure He would affirm the sanctity of life for both mother and child. In short, His answer would not be either/or but both/and. Both deserve life. Both deserve happiness.

He would then enumerate the support available to pregnant and parenting mothers to assist them during these difficult times. And His answer would involve the Church; and all of us who are the Church.

Throughout the State of Ohio and here in our Diocese, the Catholic Church is one of the major support systems for a pregnant women in need. For decades, numerous Catholic social service agencies, in collaboration with faith-based and secular organizations, have assisted pregnant women in need with material resources and personal accompaniment during pregnancy and after their child is born.

The Catholic Church in Ohio assists women in need by supporting pregnant women, families, and those affected by abortion: A program called “Walking with Moms in Need” offers material resources such as clothing, food, baby supplies, and personal accompaniment to pregnant and parenting women.

Catholic Charities sponsors educational programs for expecting mothers and fathers and accompanies families into parenting and supports families with programs related to housing, food insecurity, and other needs

Project Rachel helps those, both men and women, struggling post-abortion. Every woman should be able to depend upon a community for support and the Catholic Church remains committed to woman in need.

Over thirty Catholic hospitals, providing care to millions of patients in Ohio, affirm their commitment to delivering comprehensive healthcare for women and preborn children during pregnancy complications.

Contrary to common misconception, neither Catholic religious directives nor any state law restrict Catholic hospitals from responding to pregnancy complications. Catholic hospitals provide comprehensive miscarriage care, treatment for ectopic pregnancies, and perform other life-saving measures through medical procedures in life-threatening circumstances.

In addition, our Diocese works in collaboration with other local organizations that support women and families who find themselves struggling with a pregnancy.

Moms in Need may include:

Family Members    Relatives Friends Acquaintances Neighbors

Co-workers Students

Any woman who is pregnant or parenting in difficult circumstances.

She may feel frightened, alone and unsure where to turn. We could be the support that she needs to make a life-affirming decision and avoid a lifetime of regret.

You could help save a life!

As Pope Francis reminds us, our parishes need to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.” Everyone in the parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need.

To that end, I have included information regarding resources to assist women and support the child whether in the womb or after birth in today’s bulletin. Keep that page with your important phone numbers or on a reminder board. All services are at no cost to you nor them and provide trustworthy information to help explore options so informed decision can be made about what is best for both mother and child.

Let us never be tricked into believing that abortion is a way to happiness; that gender affirming surgery or puberty blockers will make us a happier person. God made us in His image and likeness. We are not freaks of nature. He loves us just the way He made us.

Planned Parenthood and those who are pro-abortion are offering us a trick. Let us offer the unborn child and struggling mother the truth. Let us counter death with life; anxiety with courage; indifference and heartlessness with compassion and love; hurt or guilt with healing.

And let us remember; “Trick or Truth”; it’s not either/or; it’s both/and.

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

Thus says the LORD:
“You shall not molest or oppress an alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
You shall not wrong any widow or orphan.
If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me,
I will surely hear their cry.
My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword;
then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.

“If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people,
you shall not act like an extortioner toward him
by demanding interest from him.
If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge,
you shall return it to him before sunset;
for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body.
What else has he to sleep in?
If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate.”

R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives and blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

Brothers and sisters:
You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit,
so that you became a model for all the believers
in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth
not only in Macedonia and in Achaia,
but in every place your faith in God has gone forth,
so that we have no need to say anything.
For they themselves openly declare about us
what sort of reception we had among you,
and how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God
and to await his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.