St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Friends,

This last Sunday was a red letter day, when our House of Representatives passed the Health Care Reform Bill.  It was a nasty political fight, but I truly believe that the American people deserve a reform of our medical practices.  One poll surveyed Californians and found that 25% lacked adequate health care and at the same time, we spend more on health issues than any other country in the world.  …  I readily admit that there are some problems with this new reform, but these can be fixed as we go along.  One very important factor for me is the moral issue.  The wealthy, our legislators and most middle class people are covered with adequate health insurance.  But one out of four Californians are in dire straits when we need medical coverage.  That is a moral issue.

During these last few days before we celebrate the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, let us keep in mind all of our sisters and brothers who are living in sub-standard conditions.  The poor are suffering with Jesus during this holy season.  We join them in their pain and pray for healing of body, mind and spirit.

I invite you to join us in church for these sacred days when we remember how much Jesus loved us, even to death, death on a cross.

Peace,

Fr. John

Friends,

What does love look like?  St. Augustine said that love has the hands to help other.  Love has feet to hasten to the poor and needy.  Love has eyes to see misery and want.  And love has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others.

I like that quotation, and it made me think about love in my life.  It is so easy to say: “I love you.”  However, love is demanding, and you have to pay a price for love.  St. Paul reminds us about the demands of love.  “Love is kind and patient; never jealous, boastful, proud or rude.  Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered.  It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that other do.  Love rejoices in the truth but not in evil.  Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting.  Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13)

Love is the key to all of the teachings of Jesus.  He summed up all of the hundreds laws of the  Bible into two precepts.  “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your mind and with all your being, and you shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

Love is what makes the world go round.  Love is the glue that keeps us together here at St. John’s.  Love pushes us to be a positive force in our neighborhood, in our church and in our world.  Lent is a perfect time to ask ourselves: “How can I improve my love-life?”

Peace,

Fr. John Maxwell

Friends,

In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the example of a fig tree.  The master came looking for figs and found none.  The gardener tried to feed and pamper the tree for three years and still no fruit …  This a parable about you and me.  God has blessed each one of us with wonderful graces.  God is going to expect that we produce good fruit.  However, we can waste our talents, and God will have to cut us down and make firewood.

During Lent, the scripture asks us what sort of fruit we are bearing.  Are we bearing any fruit at all?  Are we doing something for our neighbor?  Remember we love God 100%, and we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  We have all sorts of chances to share our resources with others: now the terrible earthquake in Chile and the on-going disaster in Haiti.  We have lots of homeless people right here in El Cerrito and Richmond.  We have relatives who seek our forgiveness and reconciliation.  We have sick and elderly people who would love a visit or a phone call …  These are our fruits.  Lent is a perfect time to really produce good fruit.

Peace,

Fr. John