Beads of Joy Blog II (2025)

The Divine Purpose of Marriage A Reflection on Mark 10:1-12 Jimmy & Kenia's Wedding on September 14, 2024 at St. Mary of the Cataract in Niagara Falls, New York. In Mark 10:1-12, Jesus offers profound insights into God's original design for marriage. While the Pharisees approach Jesus with questions about divorce, Jesus redirects the conversation to focus on what marriage was meant to be from the beginning. Jesus points to Genesis, reminding us that "from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.'" This beautiful imagery speaks to the intimate union that marriage creates—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. In God's design, marriage forms a new, unified whole from two distinct individuals. The phrase "what God has joined together" reminds us that marriage has a sacred dimens...

A Treasured Guide !! To Heaven's Most Loved Prayer "The Secret of the Rosary" As a devout Catholic, always seeking to deepen my Marian devotion, I found St. Louis de Montfort's "The Secret of the Rosary" to be nothing short of a spiritual revelation. I have enjoyed, shared, and given away countless hundreds of copies of this most blessed book through the years. This 18th-century classic offers profound insights that speak directly to 21st-century hearts yearning for authentic connection with Our Blessed Mother. A Spiritual Treasury St. Louis De Montfort's passionate conviction that the Rosary is among Heaven's most powerful spiritual weapons resonates throughout this work. He presents this devotion not merely as a series of repetitive prayers but as a profound meditation on the life of Christ through Mary's eyes. Trust me when I say, soon it will be your favorite as well. What distinguishes this work is how de Montfort balances theological depth ...

The Joy of Freedom from Sin A Reflection on Mark 9:41-50 As I reflect on Mark 9:41-50, I'm struck by the profound invitation Jesus offers us – not just to avoid sin, but to embrace a life of spiritual freedom and purpose. Though Jesus uses strong imagery in this passage, I see beneath it a message of hope and liberation. When Jesus speaks of removing whatever causes us to stumble, I understand he's inviting us to imagine a life unburdened by the things that hold us back from full communion with God and others. What appears at first as sacrifice reveals itself as the doorway to profound freedom. By releasing our grip on harmful patterns and temptations, we make space for something far more beautiful to flourish. I'm encouraged by Jesus' promise that even small acts of kindness – like offering a cup of water to a disciple – will be rewarded. This reminds me that a life free from sin's entanglements allows us to focus outward, to notice others' needs and respond wi...

The 15 Promises of Our Lady: To Those Who Pray The Rosary A Reflection on the Blessed Mother's Pledges to the Faithful Beyond the traditional indulgences bestowed upon those who Pray The Rosary lies a profound spiritual treasury revealed through divine interaction. When Our Lady appeared to St. Dominic and later to Blessed Alan de la Roche, she imparted not merely encouragement but solemn promises - a sacred covenant between Mother and children. These fifteen promises stand as beacons of hope and assurance for the faithful who embrace this venerable beloved devotion. Throughout the Church's history, no non-liturgical prayer has received such extensive papal affirmation and magisterial endorsement as the Holy Rosary. Its profound spiritual efficacy has been proclaimed by pontiffs through the ages, establishing it as a cornerstone of Catholic devotional life. As we contemplate these promises, we are reminded of the Second Vatican Council's profound teaching on the Blessed V...

Jesus' Boundless Healing Power A Reflection on Mark 9:38-40 In Mark's Gospel, we find a powerful moment that speaks volumes about Christ's healing power. As I reflect on Mark 9:38-40, I'm struck by how this gospel reveals not just Jesus' power to heal but the expansive nature of His compassion. In this scene, John approaches Jesus saying, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus responds with remarkable openness: "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us." What strikes me most about this encounter is how it reveals Jesus' primary concern for healing rather than institutional boundaries. The unnamed exorcist was bringing freedom and wholeness to suffering people - and doing so in Christ's name. For Jesus, this was cause for celebration, not conc...

 Humility: Be Like Jesus In a world that often celebrates self-promotion and personal achievement, the virtue of humility stands as a quiet yet powerful counterbalance. Drawn from the very heart of Jesus's teachings, true humility offers us a radical reorientation of our priorities and perspectives. The essence of humility can be captured in a simple yet profound philosophy: J-esus first. O-thers second. Y-ou last. Live the Life of J.O.Y. This isn't meant to diminish our worth but rather to align our hearts with the One who "did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). When we examine Jesus' life, we see humility embodied perfectly. The Creator of the universe was born in a stable. The King of Kings washed His disciples' feet. The Lord of all chose to submit Himself even to death on a Cross. His was not a life seeking prominence, but one lived in perfect service to His Father's will and to the needs of others. Humility is not self-degradation ...

Self-Sacrifice and True Greatness A Reflection on Mark 9:30-37 In Mark 9:30-37, we encounter two profound moments that reveal the heart of Jesus's mission and the nature of his kingdom. Jesus first takes his disciples aside to share something deeply personal and urgent: he will be betrayed, killed, and rise again after three days. This second prediction of his Passion is more detailed than the first, emphasizing the human betrayal aspect. Yet the disciples don't understand and are afraid to ask. This moment of divine revelation meets human confusion, showing how difficult it was for them to grasp that the Messiah's path led through suffering rather than worldly triumph. Then comes the revealing question: the disciples had been arguing about who among them was the greatest. Their focus on status and hierarchy directly contradicts what Jesus has just shared about his coming self-sacrifice. The juxtaposition is striking - while Jesus speaks of giving himself completely, they c...

Wake Up! Your Life Begins Now: The Ultimate Choices You Can't Ignore Time is rushing past us like a roaring river, and in its relentless flow, we're all facing the most urgent question of our existence: Why are we here? Right now, as you read these words, your eternal destiny hangs in the balance. This isn't just another philosophical discussion to ponder leisurely – this is about where you'll spend forever. Think about it: In a hundred years, your smartphone will be dust. Your achievements will fade into forgotten history. Your bank account will belong to someone else. Everything we chase, everything we accumulate, everything we pride ourselves on – gone in an instant. But you? You will still exist. The real you – your soul – will be more alive than ever. Let's cut through the noise and face the stunning truth: The meaning of life isn't found in our possessions, our accomplishments, or even our earthly relationships. These things are temporary, like morning mis...

Healing the Boy with Seizures A Reflection on Mark 9:14-29 Let me share a reflection on Mark 9:14-29, a scripture that resonates deeply with my personal experience watching my grandmother struggle with epilepsy. When I read about the father bringing his seized son to Jesus, memories flood back of my childhood, watching my grandfather tenderly care for my grandmother during her seizures. The Gospel describes the boy falling to the ground, foaming at the mouth, and becoming rigid – these clinical descriptions leap off the page for me because I witnessed similar moments with my grandmother. I can still see my grandfather's strong yet gentle hands holding her, protecting her from harm as the seizures took control of her body. The desperate father in the passage brings his son to Jesus' disciples, but they cannot heal him. I understand this desperation for help, having seen my own family navigate the challenges of epilepsy. When Jesus arrives and the father pleads "if you can d...

Mercy, Love, and Transformation in the Sunday Readings A Reflection on: The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time And how all 3 Readings Connect: 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2-22 (David spares Saul's life a 2nd Time) 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 (The Resurrection Body) Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 (Love For Enemies / Judging Others) The Liturgy of the Word today (7th Sunday in Ordinary Time) weaves together a profound tapestry of divine mercy and transformation, calling us to embrace a radical way of living that mirrors Christ's own example. As I reflect on these readings, I see how the Lord gradually reveals the path to becoming more like Him through concrete actions and spiritual transformation. In the First Reading, we witness David's extraordinary act of mercy toward Saul. Despite having the perfect opportunity to end his persecution by taking Saul's life, David chooses to honor the Lord's anointed one. This moment transcends mere political wisdom; it demonstrates a deep unde...

The Chair of St. Peter: A Testament to Apostolic Succession and Papal Authority On this February 22, 2025, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, a commemoration that extends far beyond the veneration of a physical artifact to embrace the profound theological and historical significance of papal authority in Christian tradition. This feast day invites us to contemplate the extraordinary continuity of leadership that has guided the Church for two millennia, beginning with Christ's divine mandate to Peter. The Biblical Foundation The foundation of papal authority rests firmly in Scripture, particularly in the pivotal exchange recorded in Matthew 16:13-18. Here, after Peter's confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus responds with the momentous declaration: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." This divine appointment...

Peter's Inspired Declaration of Jesus A Reflection on Matthew 16:13-19 The scene at Caesarea Philippi marks one of the most electric moments in the Gospels. Here, in this pagan city dominated by temples to false gods, Jesus poses the question that echoes through the centuries: "Who do you say I am?" In that charged moment, it's Peter who steps forward with a declaration that would change history: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." This wasn't just a lucky guess or clever deduction – as Jesus himself points out, this knowledge came directly from God the Father. It's a moment of divine revelation breaking through human understanding. Jesus's response to Peter is equally momentous: "You are Peter (Petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church." The wordplay in Greek is beautiful – Jesus transforms Simon's identity, giving him a new name that defines his role in God's plan. The fisherman becomes the foundat...

The Cross or the World No Room for Both When Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, I've come to understand something profound. His words echo through time with crystal clarity: "Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27). When we are carrying our cross and following after Jesus as He has commanded us to do, we can't carry, hold, or focus on any worldly possessions, titles, wealth - nothing but Jesus. Think about that image for a moment. With our hands gripping the rough wood of our cross, there's simply no way to simultaneously clutch at earthly treasures. Our arms are already full with this sacred calling. This isn't just a beautiful metaphor - it's a living reality that Jesus invites us into daily. I've realized that this is exactly why Jesus designed discipleship this way. The very act of carrying our cross forces us to release everything else. We can't chase after status while bearing this...

Reflecting on Jesus' Call to Self-Denial and Cross-Bearing A Reflection on Mark 8:31-9:1 At the heart of today's gospel Jesus is making one of his most challenging statements: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." This comes right after Peter had rebuked Jesus for predicting his own death and resurrection. The imagery of "taking up one's cross" would have been especially stark to Jesus' original audience. In their world, crosses weren't decorative jewelry or metaphors - they were brutal instruments of execution that people were forced to carry to their own death. Jesus is essentially saying that following him requires being willing to die to our own desires, ambitions, and even our very lives. What makes this scripture particularly powerful is the paradox Jesus presents: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it....

Jesus the Messiah and The Way of the Cross A Reflection on Mark 8:27-33 Today's gospel captures one of the most pivotal conversations in Jesus's ministry. Picture the scene: Jesus and his disciples are walking toward Caesarea Philippi, and He asks them that earthshaking question: "Who do people say that I am?" After hearing various answers – John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets – He turns to them directly: "But who do you say that I am?" Peter's response, "You are the Christ," is a moment of divine inspiration. It's like a light suddenly switched on. Here's Peter, a simple fisherman, grasping a truth that many learned religious scholars of the time missed. This wasn't just book knowledge – it was a truth revealed to him by the Father. But then comes the hard part. Jesus begins to teach them about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter, still riding high from his moment of insight, takes Jesus aside and begins ...

Symbolic Healing ...of the Blind Man in Bethsaida A Reflection on Mark 8:22-26 This particular miracle is unique in Mark's gospel because it's the only healing that happens in two stages. Jesus first puts saliva on the man's eyes and lays hands on him, after which the man sees people "like trees walking around." Only after Jesus lays hands on him a second time does the man's sight become fully clear. This two-stage healing carries rich symbolic meaning. It can be seen as a metaphor for the gradual nature of spiritual understanding - how we often come to see and understand divine truth not in an instant, but in stages. The first touch gives partial sight, much like how our initial encounters with spiritual truth might be blurry or incomplete. The second touch brings complete clarity, representing deeper spiritual maturity and understanding. The location is also significant - Bethsaida was where some of Jesus' disciples were from, including Philip, Andrew, a...

The Art of Never Being Bored A Life Filled with Purpose "Find what you love and love it to pieces." When I heard these words from 103-year-old Dr. Gladys McGarey, they resonated deeply with my own life experience. Her wisdom doesn't stop there – she emphasizes that the "Three L's" are the key to a happy, long life: Life, Love, and Laughter. These elements, she insists, fuel passion and make every day exciting. At 60, I can attest to the truth of her words, as I've never understood the concept of boredom, having discovered and nurtured my true passions through these very principles, for all these decades. I remember the countless times my five children would come to me with that dreaded phrase: "I'm bored." Standing in a house filled with toys, video games, and endless possibilities for creativity, these words would always perplex me. "Are you kidding me?" I'd respond, gesturing to the abundance of entertainment surrounding th...

Discerning the Spiritual Bread A Reflection on Mark 8:14-21 As I reflect on today's scripture from Mark's Gospel, I'm struck by how Jesus responds to his disciples' misunderstanding about the bread. This interaction reveals something profound about spiritual blindness and the gradual nature of understanding divine truth. When the disciples worry about having only one loaf, they're fixated on material concerns – much like their spiritual predecessors who questioned whether God could provide in the wilderness. Yet here they are, having just witnessed two miraculous feedings! The parallel to Exodus is unmistakable – the Lord who provided manna in the desert is the same Lord who stands before them in the boat. What draws my attention particularly is Jesus's series of probing questions. "Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?" This echoes powerfully through Scripture – from Isaiah's prophecy (6:9-10) to Jeremiah's lament over I...

  My Father's Legacy of Wisdom We were at a Business Show in the Armory in Staten Island, NY. We Won 3rd Place for my Unique Booth. Back in grade school, when asked to write about my superhero, I chose my Dad. Today, decades later, that choice still rings true - he was and remains my greatest hero, my wisest teacher, and my cherished friend. Growing up it was an extraordinary privilege to be working side by side with my dad, then I went into business with him. And for twenty years he gave me a gift that I cherish more deeply with each passing day. Our daily conversations and shared experiences built not just a father-son relationship, but a profound friendship grounded in mutual understanding and respect. Dad had this extraordinary way about him that I was lucky enough to witness firsthand. Coming from poverty himself, he achieved remarkable success but never - not once - forgot where he came from. This wasn't just something he talked about; it showed in everything he did and...