Posts by Jerry DeMelo Jr.
Marriage – The Devil is in the Details
Satan’s Original Three Temptations Matthew documents the first temptations by the devil when Jesus was led into the desert after His baptism. (Mt 4:1-11). Jesus was hungry, so the tempter suggested He command that stones become loaves of bread. Then the devil transported Jesus from the desert near Jericho to the Parapet of the Temple…
Read MoreWhat Should I Do – Discernment Thoughts
Ask and You Shall Receive Discerning God’s will can be complicated when someone is not engaged in a moral decision. Most moral decisions are relatively easy. What would Jesus do? Go, and do likewise. Other decisions are more difficult. Do I take this job or another? Should I move to another location and be far…
Read MoreSolemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: God Continues to Guide His Church Today
The Council of Jerusalem In 50 AD, as documented in the Acts of the Apostles, we learn about the first council of the church. There, at the Council of Jerusalem, the issue presented for consideration was whether circumcision was required of a person to become a disciple of Christ. Proponents of circumcision were centered primarily…
Read MoreNo Slave Is Greater Than His Master: “Judas and the Eucharist”
Slaves Who Become Friends Today’s Gospel appears simple at first blush, but it is not. When Jesus had washed the disciples ’feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are…
Read MoreJudas Does the Work of Satan
If salvation History is like a movie … it is a theatrical masterpiece! A Spiritual Battle from the Beginning As the camera crew begins to film, we see Adam and Eve content in a garden. They want for nothing. Satan, who wanted to be like God the most High, enters the scene as a serpent.…
Read MoreBe Perfect as God is Perfect
Can I Ever Be Perfect? YES. Jesus confirms that perfection is attainable by uttering the command. To believe otherwise, is to suggest that Jesus commands the impossible. Perhaps it helps to look at ‘how’ Jesus defines perfection by looking at the context of today’s Gospel. Let’s summarize: • You shall love your enemies. • You…
Read MoreOne Man Feeds 4000, But Another Man Made It Possible
Starting At the Beginning Some bible scholars begin their reflection of Jesus feeding the four thousand by observing, comparing, and contrasting a prior event where Jesus fed 5000. There is merit to such a comparison but, if so limited, it misses a great human story. I would suggest that this second feeding story begins three…
Read MoreThe Call of Samuel and John the Baptist
God’s Call When He Chooses, But Our Environment Matters Today’s first reading describes God’s call of a young Samuel as he faithfully ministered to the Priest Eli. At that time, when a young Levite ministered to priests in the sanctuary, nearby accommodations were made available for that purpose. So it was, that Samuel was at…
Read MoreJohn the Baptist – Penance or Exultation
Whoever Has Two Coats Jesus declares that John the Baptist was the greatest of prophets born of woman. (Lk 7:28). John understood the will of God for those who came to him. -Whoever has two coats should share with the one who has none. -Whoever has food should do likewise. -Tax Collector, stop collecting more…
Read MoreEveryone Has a god – A Follow Up
The “Wisdom” of St. Paul Last month while preparing my monthly reflection for this ministry, I shared insights from St. Paul’s discourse on the existence of God in Rom 1:16-25. We saw then, the evidence for God is so clear in His creation, that no one has an excuse for continued disbelief. Furthermore, if a…
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