Fr. Michael Rodriguez

Easter, Baptism and Faith

DVRodriguez2021-04-26T08:33:41-04:00

All the Gospels of the Easter Octave clearly have in common Our Lord's call to faith. This is of great significance. Christ exhorts us to truly place our faith in His passion, death and resurrection. In fact, with two words we can easily summarize the Church's focus during the Easter Season: Baptism and Faith. By Baptism we die and rise with Christ. What overcomes the world is our faith. A great danger is for the world to contaminate, and thereby overcome, our faith. To fight against such danger, pray for a lively faith and a greater devotion to Holy Communion. Know [...]

Easter, Baptism and FaithDVRodriguez2021-04-26T08:33:41-04:00

The Crucified One Is Risen

DVRodriguez2021-04-12T08:17:49-04:00

The Apostles give witness to the Resurrection, but they speak of Christ as our Pasch who is sacrificed. If one is looking for easy living and good times with Jesus - one will not find Him. We must seek Jesus of Nazareth who was Crucified. This is the Easter Message proclaimed by the angel. We make steps in faith by drawing near to the [glorious] wounds of the Risen Lord. Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer your thankful praises!

The Crucified One Is RisenDVRodriguez2021-04-12T08:17:49-04:00

The Holiest Week of the Year

DVRodriguez2021-04-12T15:28:40-04:00

The Passion and Death of Our Savior makes this week the holiest of the year. Holy Mother Church has us listen to the Passion narrative as told by each of the evangelists. After all, there is nothing more conducive to eternal salvation than to think—every day—upon the pains which Jesus Christ suffered for love of us. How can sin ever reign in such a soul? Be truly Catholic by observing this week as the holiest of the year. Make the extra effort to pray, fast, and offer sacrifices. Above all, make the resolution to live your life for God (more so [...]

The Holiest Week of the YearDVRodriguez2021-04-12T15:28:40-04:00

Regocijar por las Cruces que Dios Envía

DVRodriguez2021-03-29T05:35:28-04:00

En medio de la Cuaresma, la Iglesia nos llama a regocijar. Pero no se trata de un gozo que viene de los placeres de los sentidos, sino de un gozo del alma que es fruto del Espíritu Santo. Es un gozo cuaresmal que brota del seguimiento de Cristo y no existe aparte de la Cruz. Pues para seguir verdaderamente a Cristo, El mismo nos dice, hay que cargar nuestra cruz. Es decir, negarse a sí mismo y morir al egoísmo. Cargar bien con la cruz trae alegría, paz y gracia. Solo la cruz alimenta el amor De Dios como leña el [...]

Regocijar por las Cruces que Dios EnvíaDVRodriguez2021-03-29T05:35:28-04:00

Jamás Jesús Sin La Cruz

DVRodriguez2021-03-28T11:32:51-04:00

El ser humano existe para adorar a Dios. Para verdaderamente adorar a Jesús - es decir ofrecerle nuestro cuerpo, mente y corazón - tenemos que adorar a su santísima cruz. ¡Jamás Jesús sin la cruz! La cuaresma es tiempo para crecer en nuestro amor por Jesús y por su cruz. Tener un amor por la cruz de Cristo significa cargar con nuestra cruz todos los días. Debemos ser guiados por el ejemplo y la sabiduría de los Santos.

Jamás Jesús Sin La CruzDVRodriguez2021-03-28T11:32:51-04:00

You Exist For God

DVRodriguez2021-03-28T05:09:29-04:00

You are on this earth to praise, reverence and adore the Lord your God. You are on this earth to serve God - not yourself. Think about this and act on it. Let us praise and reverence God in HIs infinite perfections. God is immutable. God is omnipresent. God is eternal. Blessed art Thou o God, worthy to be praised and glorified forever.

You Exist For GodDVRodriguez2021-03-28T05:09:29-04:00

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends You

DVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Today, the Church calls those who have been in sorrow to rejoice. This joy is not one connected to pleasures of the senses, but is a fruit of the Holy Ghost which brings great peace and tranquility of soul. It is a spiritual joy that comes from following Christ. It is a lenten joy that does not come without the Cross. It is a joy that comes through much pain and sorrow, yet it endures (unlike the passings joys of the senses). The Cross alone nourishes our love of God. So rejoice and be glad when God favors you with one [...]

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends YouDVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Never Jesus Without His Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

We must always adore Christ - that is at the center of our holy religion. We just die to our self love and offer Him our body, mind and heart. Yet no one can truly adore Christ without adoring His holy Cross. Our love of God is weak because our love of the Cross is weak and our rejection of the Cross all too frequent. Attachment to the world and love of self are so strong in us, that we must unceasingly strive to purify ourselves by fasting, prayer and almsgiving. This is the only way to grow in our love [...]

Never Jesus Without His CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

Amar y Aceptar a la Cruz

DVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:20:22-04:00

La voluntad de Dios es vuestra santificación. ¿Qué es lo que nos santifica? ¡La Cruz! Jamás la cruz sin Jesús, ni Jesús sin la cruz. No somos más santos porque en vez de aceptar a la cruz, la rechazamos. Pero si soportas tu cruz con valentía, te llevara al cielo. La Cruz nos asemeja a Jesucristo. La Cruz es la causa, el alimento, y la prueba del amor. La Cruz produce para quien la lleva un peso inmenso de gloria en el cielo. Hay que rezar por la gracia de aceptar y amar a la Cruz.

Amar y Aceptar a la CruzDVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:20:22-04:00

Pray to Accept and Love the Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00

Without the Cross, there is no growth in holiness. If we eliminate the Cross, we eliminate Christ. The sign of the Cross is a most terrible weapon against the devil. And yet the Cross remains a scandal and stumbling block - even for very devout Catholics. In theory, we praise it; but in practice, we lose courage, complain, and run away as soon as the possibility of suffering arises (just think how Mass and the public practice of our faith have recently been cancelled). The Cross is precious because: [1] It make us resemble Christ. [2] When well carried, it is [...]

Pray to Accept and Love the CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00