Conversion is for everyone, not just a select few. "No one can serve two masters: he will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Mt 6:24). "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Mt 10:37). These passages share a common theme, one made explicit in the first commandment: there is only one God, and there can be no others. This past weekend, many heard about the need to place God as our highest priority. We cannot worship creatures, or the goods of creation, in place of the Creator — to do so would be folly. Yet so many in the world choose some good as their god, organizing their lives around it while other, more important goods suffer. God sets the world aright when He dethrones the idolatry, ruin, sin, vice, and death of this age, and establishes a new kingdom with Jesus, the slain Lamb, seated on His throne of glory. We cannot serve the King of the universe and still worship other gods. So what is to be done with the other idolatries and gods of the age? They are to be rendered moot, trampled underfoot, or refashioned as tools to worship the one true God. Those who worshipped or fell prey to the errors of vice and sin are called to turn their backs on their former way of life and turn once more to the Sun that never sets — Light from Light, true God from true God. Jesus' public ministry began with a call to repentance: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mk 1:15). He then went about healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, and casting out demons. The new order was established because the true Sovereign had come to reign. Conversion, repentance, and new life in Christ were the hallmarks of the Church's work; her authority was demonstrated by her readiness to bring life to the downtrodden, hope to those in despair, and life to those forsaken in death. To meet the Christian evangelist was to meet Christ through him, and by him, to be called to transformation.

Someone told me recently, “Father, it’s almost May… don’t you think you should take down your Christmas decorations? I’ve got two hours—I’ll help you.” I replied, “I was waiting for Christmas in July, but okay…” It’s easy to be offended when we are called out. But the real question is whether the words are meant to cut us down or build us up. They didn’t say, “Father, you’re lazy—take them down.” They said, “Father, it needs to be done—let me help you.” That is the spirit of today’s reading from Acts. Peter’s words cut them to the heart because he says of Jesus: “You crucified Him.” Our sin put Him there. But Peter does not leave them in shame. He says, “Repent and be baptized.” His words are not meant to destroy, but to heal. The same is true of the Gospel. Sometimes the truth cuts us to the heart—but only so healing can begin. Jesus is the divine surgeon who cuts in order to cure. In today’s Mass we meet Jesus the Victim and Jesus the Gate. He is the Victim because of our sin. Every nail, every wound, is mine and yours. When we look at the cross, we see the cost of sin. But He is also the Gate, because from His wounds flows mercy. The heart we pierced has become the doorway to life. Through Him we pass from death to life, from sin to freedom, and receive life in abundance. So what must we do? The same answer given in Acts: repent and begin again. Turn away from sin. Be made new. Lay down the old life and receive the new. And this is not only once. Every day is a call to conversion. Every day we begin again. The Gospel may cut you to the heart—but that is where healing begins. Enter through the Gate, and let the Divine Physician make you new.

H—He is risen, the Lord of Life, the stone is rolled away A—Alive in glory, yet veiled in mystery, our Eucharistic King Lives! L—Lamb once slain, whose sacrifice we celebrate in these sacred mysteries, brings forth life! L—Light from Light, bursting forth from the tomb, illuminating the darkness of sin and death. E—Emmanuel still among us, hidden in the Eucharist, the risen Christ - our Daily Bread! L—Life everlasting flows from His pierced side, U—Unbloody sacrifice, yet the same Calvary, where heaven and earth meet in this sacred mystery. J—Joy sounds through the world: the Resurrection is our hope in every Mass. A—Alleluia is our song, the song of the redeemed, echoing the victory of the empty tomb. H—Hidden yet truly present, the Risen One abides with us—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—until the end of the age. He is Risen! Hallelujah!

A video I’ve revisited over the years. Especially poignant as we head towards the passion. https://youtu.be/gJUJpWI4xDk?si=kkuTN2tx_PQw2PJe

I want to thank you all for your continued prayers for Jeremy. He is brave and still fighting! After listening to Father Fleming’s homily last night, my New Year resolution is to daily be aware and thankful of God’s Grace in my life. Wishing you all a blessed and healthy New Year. This is a post from Jeremy’s social media