Heart to Heart

JMJDFC

Program 15 - January 30, 1997

Welcome to our fifteenth 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 Novacki, OP, will you please read the Scripture for today from St. Mark: [Mk 4:21-25]:

Jesus said to the crowd: "Is a lamp acquired to be put under a bushel basket or hidden under a bed? Is it not meant to be put on a stand? Things are hidden only to be revealed at a later time; they are covered so as to be brought out into the open. Let him who has ears to hear Me, hear!" He said to them another time: "Listen carefully to what you hear. In the measure you give, you shall receive, and more besides. To those who have, more will be given; from those who have not, what little they have will be taken away."

Thank you Father.

Isn't it wonderful how Our Dear Lord teaches us the things we need to know to gain our salvation. In just under 100 words our Lord gives us many insights, once we understand them, they will bring us great peace, joy and redemption besides. These words are the answer for many different events which arise in our lives each day.

So often we are reminded that we should read the Bible. We should listen to the words of Scripture each and every day if we want to be sure of staying on the path to salvation. How true it is that these reminders are for the good of our souls. The reading today from Mark's Gospel is a wonderful example. It doesn't need to be a long reading. Just a paragraph or two will give us something to apply to our lives. If we don't know how to handle a situation, we should go to the Bible and ask our Lord to speak to our heart. He will give us the answers if we are open to them. Remember though, God will give us His answer, it may not be the answer we want to hear. Are we ready to do His will instead of ours?

These words Mark quotes from our Lord, "Is a lamp acquired to be put under a bushel basket or hidden under a bed? Is it not meant to be put on a stand?"

As a Dominican who realizes that we celebrated the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday, these words speak to me of him. When he was a student, his classmates would tease him by calling him a dumb ox: Being a rather large person and not speaking very much, his fellow students felt this to be very appropriate. His only defender at the time was a saint himself; St. Albert the Great. Saint Albert's response to these unlearned pupils was that one day St. Thomas would be heard around the world. We know today that not only was he heard around the world, he is also being heard by future generations. You may recall that the Mass of Corpus Christi was written by this so called dumb ox. Many hymns for Eucharistic Adoration, many prayers, books and papers explaining the faith are credited to St. Thomas. Today he is known as a Doctor of the Church. What a shame it would have been if he had reacted to these uncharitable persons and turned inside himself. If he had hidden his "light under a bushel basket or hidden under a bed."

St. Thomas was indeed meant to be put on a stand to give light to all those around him. Think of how he must have felt at the name calling and the other actions that certainly must have affected him deeply. He had feelings and emotions yet he followed the example of Jesus Who "stood before His accusers and opened not His mouth." St. Thomas quietly allowed them to ridicule him without offering a defense. It was in humility and with a deep love of God that our brother accepted all that was heaped upon him. As St. Thomas followed the example set by the Lord, we have both our Lord and St. Thomas to lead the way. Our prayer should be that we too could follow their lead and stand before our accusers without offering a defense. Please pray for me to gain that grace as well. If we could follow this recommendation in all situations, our redemption would be guaranteed.

St. Mark also quotes Jesus saying, "Things are hidden only to be revealed at a later time; they are covered so as to be brought out into the open." What a consolation this statement is for us.

When we talk about being accused, it also includes those times we find ourselves misunderstood. The times we say one thing and the people around us seem to hear something different. Maybe we feel they didn't hear at all or maybe they heard only a part of what we said and jumped to conclusions. It goes the other way as well, how often do we react to things people say or do without taking the time to consider things from God's point of view. In these lines that St. Mark gives us from the Lord, we may hear Him telling us that it's okay. These things that are hidden will be revealed at a later time. Not when we want them too but when God decides it is best for all those involved. His time, not ours. Knowing that God will, in the future allow full knowledge to be granted, should bring us peace and joy if our motives are pure. We don't need to defend ourselves since Jesus will be the one to come to our aid. Jesus knew the Will of the Father and knew with certainty that God would come to His aid. St. Thomas knew that God was his defense and we should know the same. Patience is a virtue.

From St. Mark again, "Let him who has ears to hear Me, hear!" Our Lord was trying to get our attention with this statement. Of course, unless a person were deaf, they were able to hear the words which came from our Saviors lips. Here though, He is attempting to remind us that often, we use our ears, yet we don't really hear. The words seem to pass in one ear and out the other. Jesus wants us to take His words into our hearts and ponder them there. We should try to make His words our own and put them into practice. Listen, and offer a prayer to understand what impact these words of our Master should have upon our lives. Trust God to reveal all things to you in time when you need to know and understand.

This listening is so important that Jesus, according to St. Mark, say at another time, "Listen carefully to what you hear." Jesus then went on to tell us, "In the measure you give, you shall receive, and more besides." This phrase can be a blessing or a curse. If we look at our brothers and sisters with love and attach the better thought to their actions, we too will be seen by God in that light: with love and a desire to do what is best, even if we fall short very often. However, if we judge using standards that are strict and negative, God will see us by that light, He will judge strictly and harshly. Jesus emphases that this measure will even be added to, which means that the more charity we bring to situations, the more charity God will use in our regard. This is what we should strive for in all things. Look at everyone through eyes of love then God will view all we do through eyes of love as well.

The last statement we hear from Jesus in the Gospel today is: "To those who have, more will be given; from those who have not, what little they have will be taken away." This line is another blessing or a warning. If we have truly lived our lives for God and attempting to do His Will, we will find the talents and graces multiplied - this is a blessing. However, if we think we are doing good, yet only choose to do our own will, we will lose what we think we have. Thank God He has placed holy people in our lives to help us in this regard. A good spiritual director is very important in helping us to sort out where we are on our spiritual journey. At this point I can only speak for myself; there are many times I feel more secure allowing my director to make decisions. When it comes to the natural realm as well as the spiritual, he is the only one I can turn to in order to be certain that decisions are based on God's Will and not mine.

Even when I feel my director is wrong, if I still follow through on his advice, God honors that and everything things turn out right. Obedience is very important in the Eyes of God.

Speaking of obedience, Fr. Joseph Griffin, OSFS, is being obedient to his superior and not doing any spiritual direction. He is however, hearing Confessions and with the help of God's grace will be back to duty shortly. He has asked me to thank you for all your prayers and asks that you continue to keep him there. Also, he has kept us in his prayers as well.

Rose S. is requesting prayers for her daughter and her friend Fr. Roman.

Diane asks for prayers for her daughter Jenn and I ask for my daughter Jen as well. Both girls are having heart problems.

Rose D. requests prayers for Mary and her family situation.

JoAnne asks for prayers for a friend who is going through a difficult pregnancy.

If you have a prayer request, please call us at 215-743-8332.

We are still 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 letter we received from the Cardinals office, assuring us of his prayers for our ministry, will be included in the booklet.

While I am restrained from asking you for money, I must let you know that we need funds if we are to continue on the air. Your help is greatly appreciated. The form to request tax exempt status requires a $450.00 fee be paid in advance. There is also the air time which must be purchased. We pray that the messages we have brought to you have touched your soul and allowed you to grow in your love for God. Mother Angelica asks that you place her between you gas and electric bills, I would ask that you place us between your phone and water bills. The only sponsors we have are your generosity. We offer a special "thank you," to Joyce who has sponsored this weeks program.

Thank you for your prayers and contributions. Please don't be concerned about the amount you send. If everyone who listened to this broadcast sent in $1.00 each month, we would be assured of being on the air for a long time to come. We are looking now for people to sponsor our air time for the month of March.

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. 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.

You may want to mark February 8, 1997, on your calendar. 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 free of charge. You may want to make a donation that night before you leave. Music for part of the evening will be provided by, "Turning Point," the band which performs the "O Lumen," for this program. 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. I'll be on hand to greet and meet you from 7:00pm until 9:00pm.

For those who love the Blessed Mother and St. Therese: The Little Flower, and also like to travel have I got a deal for you.

Just a reminder about another 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.

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.

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.

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.