Time for my hermitage

December 28, 2020 3:00 am

Dear Friends,

Today starts my time for my individual retreats. In the forest, a tiny hermitage in the middle of nowhere, but close to Carmelite Fathers in Drzewina near Gdańsk.
You remember from the Program how important it is time for us. Also, priests need an extraordinary time only for us: for Our Lord and me; time to reflect and listen to Him.
Please keep me in Your prayers that I will serve You and lead You when Our Lord wants You to be lead.
I will be back with my homilies from the 14 of January.

Keeping You in my heart and prayers
with a blessing

Fr. Jay

Present Him to the Lord.

December 27, 2020 3:00 am

“When the days were completed for their purification  according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” (LK 2: 22)

God unconditionally loves us, and whatever we received, we received from Him. When we are grateful, when we surrender everything to Him, we express our love to Him. Like Mary and Joseph, we can “present to the Lord” our children (especially when they have their own problems with faith), our families and friends, jobs and finances, and all our activities. We want to be close to the Lord and be with Him, connected and united in all our lives.

“In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” (Gospel Acclamation)

To the end

December 26, 2020 7:35 am

“You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” (MT 10: 22)

We have no idea when “the end” will happen, so probably the only way to “endures to the end” is to reach every end with endures: end of the day, end of the training, end of the conversation, end of the getting up punctually, etc. We want to be on time—someday in the future, able to make 50 push-ups—maybe in 3 years, emotionally very stable—we dream about it, but we do not create any vision, we have no real motives and no strategy what to do today. The lack of “endures to the end” starts with no vision for the begging. Collins called it “start with the vision of the end,” we call it in our Programs—stop correcting your spouse—start with crystal clear vision for yourself: what kind of spouse you want to be for your spouse, take extreme ownership for your relationship, love your spouse unconditionally and “whoever endures to the end will be saved;” God will help him/her in everything.

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD: the LORD is God and has given us light.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The time came for her to have her child.

December 25, 2020 3:04 pm

“While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” (LK 2: 6-7)

The time came for Elisabeth, and now “the time came for Our Lady to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.” And this is the most important moment in the history of humankind—God becomes human. At this moment, whatever is human was accepted by God’s nature and was sanctified. Our love and gestures, marriages, and our children, friends, and neighbors—all kinds of natural relationships become special, full of grace and dignity. Our rituals, so normal and natural, can bring more love than we can imagine because our bodies and nature can communicate the love we received from God.

“I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The tender compassion of our God.

December 24, 2020 3:00 am

“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (LK 1: 78-79)

“The tender compassion of our God”—this is how God looks at us. He is full of understanding, compassion, and mercy; He is full of love. Never upset, never angry, never wants to punish us or reject. If people think this way, it is only their projection; this is how “those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death” think about God. This is how they see this world. Our Lord comes “to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.” (Gospel Acclamation).

When the time arrived

December 23, 2020 3:30 am

“When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son.” (LK 1: 57) 

Everything has its own time because we were created by God, Who knows perfectly “when the time arrives.” From our perspective, something takes too much time, sometimes came too early. Fortunately, God is in charge, and we are perfectly protected. It needs our patience for ourselves and others; God spent 30 years at home with His parents even though His mission was urgent. God perfectly knows when the time arrives.

“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!” (Gospel Acclamation)

Mary remained with Elizabeth.

December 22, 2020 3:00 am

“Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.” (LK 1: 56)

Many of us had the same experience—staying with someone to protect, to help, to encourage, bring hope, or to be. It is an extraordinary moment; we were away from our homes, missing our families, but at the same time doing something important. Our Lady, also expecting, gives us an example of how important it is to be conscious and watchful where it is a place for me to serve and see somebody in need more than me.

“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!” (Gospel Acclamation)

What was spoken by the Lord would be fulfilled.

December 21, 2020 3:00 am

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (LK 1: 45)

God the Father sent His Son to remind us how much we are loved, where our destination is, and the best way to reach heaven. Whatever Our Lord said, it was always about His Father’s love and that only love can fulfill our lives. When we learn from Him how to love, we will grow in love all our lives, and at the end, we will see God, Who is Love, in heaven.

“O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!” (Gospel Acclamation)

You have found favor with God.

December 20, 2020 3:00 am

“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’” (LK 1: 30)

This is how God sees us: always with favor, always with love, and always next to us help and protect. It is important for couples to trust each other, know how much we love, and how much we can do to make our lives more beautiful and happier.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Standing at the right of the altar of incense.

December 19, 2020 3:00 am

“Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.” (LK 10: 11) 

The angel of the Lord was “standing at the right at the altar.” Elisabeth and Zachariah “were righteous in the eyes of God,” and the things should be done rightly. We are also invited to do things right as husbands and wives, as parents and friends. We know what is right: being a giver, not demander, respect, and be gentle and protect time for us. Do it right and do it right now 🙂

“O Root of Jesse’s stem, the sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!” (Gospel Acclamation)