R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
He said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

The first day of October is a wonderful feast – the feast of Saint Therese, the Little Flower. The adoration chapel at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is dedicated to the Little Flower, and many of the faithful at Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Saint Anthony of Padua parish have a devotion to the Little Flower.

And this past Friday, September 29^th, was the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. And Monday, October 2^nd, is the feast of our own Guardian Angels, who personally guard us along our way. The entire month of October is dedicated to the choirs of angels. Be aware that these heavenly realities, namely the angels, minister in our favor all the time even though we don’t always think about this. Pray this month in a special way to your own guardian angel and to the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.

This month of October also begins in Rome, Pope Francis’s synod of bishops under the title of For a Synodal Church, Communion, Participation, and Mission. This synod was begun two years ago and is unique in that it involves also the consultation of priests, deacons, laity such as you, and religious. The Pope has listened to the Catholic Church throughout the entire world so that he could better be aware of how he can more effectively preach the Gospel of our Savior to the four corners of the world.

“What is the Holy Spirit asking the Church to do today?” is the big question. Consider for a moment, the parable of the two sons from today’s gospel, just proclaimed. The first son represents those who repent and change. He changed his mind. The second son was a liar and a hypocrite who used nice words but did not practice. This is what the synod must do as the Church throughout the world, both clergy and people: address society as both you and I know it in practice. Really, with this synod, both Pope and people must figure out in our crazy world what is really the will of God and act upon it. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Both sons from today’s gospel parable are in each and every one of us … Words are cheap, and it’s easy to say, “Yes,” but then do nothing about it. Such an approach is hypocritical and a lie. The first son, however, though he strongly resisted, did change and did the will of his father.

As we offer the Mass today on this day on which we commemorate the triumphant resurrection of Christ this Sunday, let us praise our Heavenly Father. And let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us the graces we need to overcome our own resistance, and to do the will of God in our life. Ask also Mary the mother of the Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and Saint Anthony who you also fondly know, to help you each do the will of God in your life.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

Thus says the LORD:
You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!”
Hear now, house of Israel:
Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,
it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed,
and does what is right and just,
he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die.

R. (6a) Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;
in your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also for those of others.

Have in you the same attitude
that is also in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

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.