Heart to Heart

JMJDFC

Program 9

Welcome to our broadcast of Heart to Heart. We are in the studio today and will be available to take your phone calls. If you live in the south Jersey area you may dial 962-8178 or from any other area 1-609-962-8178. Also, you may write to us at: Heart to Heart, P. O. Box 11431, Philadelphia, PA 19111-0431.

Father Michael, will you please read a passage for us from the Gospel according to St. Luke [Luke 1:5-25]

"In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly class of Abijah; his wife was a descendant of Aaron named Elizabeth. Both were just in the eyes of God, blamelessly following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. They were childless, for Elizabeth was sterile; moreover both were advanced in years.

"Once, when it was the turn of Zechariah's class and he was fulfilling his functions as a priest before God, it fell to him by lot according to priestly usage to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. While the full assembly of people was praying outside at the incense hour, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was deeply disturbed upon seeing him, and overcome by fear.

"The angel said to him: 'Do not be frightened, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son whom you shall name John. Joy and gladness will be yours, and many will rejoice at his birth; for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He will never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. Many of the sons of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. God Himself will go before him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just, and to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed.

"Zechariah said to the angel: 'How am I to know this? I am an old man; my wife too is advanced in age.'

"The angel replied: 'I am Gabriel, who stand in attendance before God. I was sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. But now you will be mute - unable to speak - until the day when these things take place, because you have not trusted my words. They will all come true in due season.' Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, wondering at his delay in the temple. When he finally came out he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision inside. He kept making signs to them, for he remained speechless.

"Then, when his period of priestly service was over, he went home.

"Afterward, his wife Elizabeth conceived. She went into seclusion for five months, saying, 'In these days the Lord is acting on my behalf; He has seen fit to remove my reproach among men.'"

Thank you, Father! This is a bible story that we have heard many times in the course of our lives. The question of Zechariah to the angel, always reminds me of the question that our dear mother, Mary asks the angel. Zechariah states, "How am I to know this? I am an old man; my wife too is advanced in age." Mary, our blessed Mother asks, "How can this be, since I know not man?" Many people feel that they both ask very normal questions. Yet, Zechariah seems to be punished by the Lord pretty severely: becoming mute. Mary is given the explanation that the power of the Most High will over shadow her.

The reason for the difference in God's response can be found in the heart of the questioner. Mary is wondering about the method God will use to perform such a tremendous feat on her behalf. Zechariah looks at his situation and questions how this is even possible. The words may appear very similar from these great people, but God judges beneath the surface. Our Heavenly Father looks into the very depths of our hearts, at the motivation behind the words.

A pro-life message can also be seen in this exchange between Gabriel and Zechariah. Gabriel tells us that St. John, "will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb." The proof of this is in the scripture that tells us of his leap "in the womb for joy." If this child in the womb were just a clump of cells, without a soul, how could he be "filled with the Holy Spirit?"

God is so good to us that all the answers we need are in the Scriptures. If only we would take our questions to God in prayer; then trust Him to provide all we need to achieve our salvation. Isn't that what seemed to upset Gabriel, that Zechariah did not trust in the words spoken to him on God's behalf? "I am Gabriel, who stand in attendance before God. I was sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. But now you will be mute - unable to speak - until the day when these things take place, because you have not trusted my words. They will all come true in due season." For us, trust and faith are even more important. Jesus was the last Word God the Father spoke. This means that instead of angels speaking with us on a regular basis, most of us must depend on the Word spoken in the Scriptures to speak to our hearts. God did not abandon us. He wants us to gain more merit as we travel toward our eternal goal - Him. The more we trust and use the gift of faith, the greater will be our reward.

Advent is the period of preparation within the church where we await the coming of Jesus, just like Mary: Also, as Zechariah awaited the birth of St. John the Baptist. Many people don't realize that Advent is to be observed in the same fashion as Lent. [For the many people who questioned their sacristans about the pink candle this week - the sacristans were correct. Many times in the midst of our sufferings, we call on God to grant us some relief; a vacation, so to speak. Since God knows our needs better than we do, He allows for this break to fall on the third Sunday of both Lent and Advent. The pink candle is a reminder of the rejoicing that will take place in the end, but it is not to signify the end itself. We go back to purple for the fourth week. A white candle can be added in the center of the wreath for Christmas.]

Advent is a sacrificial period of waiting for the King of the World to assume His reign. In order for us to follow the message, sent out by St. John the Baptist, we must repent and be reborn. This is a period of time in which we should take stock of ourselves and our motives. We are called to make straight the way of the Lord within ourselves. Remember, when we are called to judgment, we will be standing alone before the throne of God. God will know all the thoughts and inner desires of our hearts. He will not be swayed by convincing arguments, to see things from our point of view. He will see things in the light of truth, from the very foundation of our nature. Even the little things that we think won't matter are very important in the sight of God.

[Comments from Father Michael about how to make a good Advent preparation. Comments from Dottie about the sacrifice of Christ in the act of the Incarnation.]

We are planning the reception of the members of St. Martin de Porres Young Dominican's Chapter into the Dominican Family. This special event will include Mass, the ceremony of reception for about sixteen youngsters, ages nine to seventeen: and a banquet. This banquet will be a fund raiser to provide continued air time for the "Heart to Heart" Radio Ministry. Live music will be provided at the banquet by, "Turning Point." The Young Dominican's are working on a chastity play to perform for you. Your presence at this banquet would mean a lot to all of us.

Joining us for this special occasion, will be Father Michael Novacki, OP, Father Joseph Allen, OP, the Provincial Promoter for St. Joseph Province. Father Joseph Griffin, O.S.F.S, from the De Sales Spirituality Center is hoping to be with us. Please keep him in your prayers as he recovers from a heart attack. Mr. Joe Veltri from "My Jesus Mercy Ministries," a Dominican, as well as the members of the band, "Turning Point" will be on hand at the banquet to greet you. All of us look forward to meeting you. Cardinal Bevilacqua has extended his regrets. Due to prior commitments he will not be able to join us for this special day. He has assured us of his prayers for this ministry.

Our banquet will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Church, in Philadelphia, on January 26, 1997, at 1:00pm. An insight has been given that some of you may be concerned about the weather in January. Please trust in the Lord's goodness to us and know that the weather will be fine for our banquet. The cost for this banquet will be $20.00 if you register before January 15, 1997. After that date, the cost will be $25.00. If you can join us for this very special occasion: Mass, reception ceremony, and dinner, write to us. If you need a ride, we may be able to arrange one for you.

We are preparing a booklet to commemorate our first banquet and we will be able to accept your ads. The requested donation for an ad is: $25.00 for a quarter page; $50.00 for half a page; and $100.00 for a full page. The ad can include a message and/or picture or memorial to your loved ones. Our mission at "Heart to Heart" is: "All for the glory and honor of God: and the salvation of souls." Your purchase of an ad will enable this ministry to continue. The deadline for ads will be January 2, 1997. The letter we received from the Cardinals office will be included in the booklet.

In addition to marking your calendar for January 26, 1997, you may want to mark February 8, 1997. This date will provide you with a family night out. Our Lady of Calvary, on Knights Road in Philadelphia, is the location for a chastity dinner and dance. Refreshments, hot dogs, soda, coffee, etc. will be provided. You may want to make a donation that night before you leave. Music for the evening will be provided by, "Turning Point." This is a great opportunity for your family to spend some quality time together in a safe environment. It will also allow pre-teens, teens and young adults to meet others who believe that chastity before marriage is important. That's February 8, 1997, a chastity dinner and dance at Our Lady of Calvary, Knights Road in Philadelphia. Call us at (215) 743-8332 for further information.

Just a reminder about our other fund raising effort. We have a beautiful picture of the Blessed Mother and Pope John Paul II in a loving embrace. This picture is beautifully framed and glass covered. Everyone who sends in a donation will have their name entered into a drawing for this picture. The drawing will take place at the banquet following the January 26th ceremony. The winner will be announced on the air January 30, 1997.

Another endeavor we would like to undertake is to make home visitations within the Delaware Valley area. If you would like us to visit you or someone you know, please give us a call. Also, we could use some volunteers for various projects we would like to begin. If you have some time on your hands and would like to put that time at our Lord's disposal, drop us a line or give us a call. God rewards everything we do for Him and for our brothers and sisters in Him.

The financial donations you make to this program may be tax deductible; the IRS has given us eighteen months to file our application. I have been assured that we are tax exempt by the IRS agent due to the works we have undertaken of evangelizing and assisting those in need. Please make your tax deductible donation to "Heart to Heart." May God reward you, my brothers and sisters, for the assistance you give to keep this program on the air.

My dear brothers and sisters, it is very easy to become discouraged when you reach out using a radio program. There is no way to tell if the message that is presented is being received and accepted. Your comments, whether by phone calls or notes are the only way we have of knowing that someone is listening. If any of the messages presented on this program have touched you, please let you know. If we are wasting our time and yours, we would like to know that also.

To make a comment, a donation, ask a question or bring up a subject that you would like discussed on this program, write to us at: Heart to Heart, P. O. Box 11431, Philadelphia, PA 19111-0431. You may call us at (215) 743-8332. Beginning with January, we can announce the sponsors of the particular programs we air. The name of the person who contributes towards a program or month can be announced as the sponsor, if they so desire. A contribution of $45.00 will sponsor half a program while $90.00 will sponsor the entire program. To sponsor a full month, multiply the number of Thursdays in the month you choose by $90.00. Please assist us by your prayers and donations.

Those of you who were planning to attend the Patricians meeting at my home tonight, please take note that the meeting is canceled. There is a medical situation which requires attention. Please forgive any inconvenience.

Prayers have again been requested by Mrs. Hockel on her husbands behalf. Please keep his medical condition in your prayers. Also, keep all the youngsters from St. Martin de Porres Young Dominican Chapter in prayer as they prepare for their very special day. Keep one another in prayer as well. God will reward you for your charity.

God willing, we'll be with you again next week at 2:15pm. Remember: God's power is in your hands when you pray the Rosary. May God bless you and protect you.

Father, will you please grant our listeners a blessing?

May the blessing of Almighty God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit fill your hearts with peace, joy and happiness now and forever. In the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.