Jesus' body and blood about to be sacrificed would spare the life of all who come to faith in Christ.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on June 6, 2015.

Even though Jesus commands his disciples to "make disciples" themselves, to baptize, and to teach, they have doubt.  Perhaps because Jesus understands their human weakness, he promises to be with them in this work.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 30, 2015.

Jesus understands the difficulty that men have in giving up their focus on material wealth. Instead he wants us to share that wealth with those in need demonstrating our love for one another.

Recording is of the 10:00 am Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 25, 2015.

Jesus spoke of the Spirit itself as "living water" which believers receive. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the disciples were to carry out their mission of evangelization to the world.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 23, 2015.

Sending the disciples "into the world", Jesus blesses them with the truth so that they can begin their mission of evangelization.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 16, 2015.

The avenue for remaining in the love of Christ is clearly defined: "Keep my commandments" and "Love one another as I love you".

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 9, 2015.

Jesus as the "vine" and believers as the "branches" was an effective image for communicating the idea that believers must "remain" in Christ. The branch must "bear fruit" which means professing faith in Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God to other, as well as loving one another.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 2, 2015.

I referring to himself as the "good shepherd" Jesus defines his relationship with his "sheep" which is as intimate as his relationship with the Father.  His commitment is "I will lay down my life for the sheep".

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on April 25, 2015.

The importance of believing in Jesus  is contrasted to understanding. At this point, they did not yet understand the Scripture.

Recording is of the 9:00 am Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on April 5, 2015.

With the empty tomb, God shows himself definitively in salvation history as the God of the living, inviting all believers into the newness of life offered in the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

Recording is of the 7:00 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on April 4, 2015.

There are numerous differences found in John's Passion narrative as compared to the other Gospels.  They all intensify our meditation in this foundational mystery of our faith.

Recording is of the 7:00 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on April 3, 2015.

In Mark's version of the Passion, Jesus' true identity as the Messiah and the Son of God is most truly recognized in his suffering and death.  In fact, in Mark's view, Jesus is best understood as the "suffering" Messiah.

Recording is of the 10:30 am Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 29, 2015.

Jesus explains his impending suffering with the grain of wheat metaphor, and then concludes, "I am troubled now.". This leads to the rhetorical question, "Father save me from this hour?"

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 21, 2015.

Today's story of Jesus healing the man born blind is a miracle.  The miracles point to his divine glory. Jesus indicates that sin plays no part in this particular man's blindness from birth.  It serves a higher purpose "so that the works of God might be made visible through him."

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 14, 2015.

Today's Gospel is about the cleansing of the Temple of Jerusalem.  Jesus is notably upset with the use of the Temple area to buy and sell animals. In closing the story, John notes the use of symbolism by Jesus to liken his body to a Temple.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 7, 2015.

One of the more notable features of the Transfiguration is the presence of God's voice in the narrative. His command to "listen to him" is understood as the totality of the Good News of the Kingdom of God that Jesus came to proclaim.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on February 28, 2015.

Jesus heals a leper. Mark provides virtually nothing of what Jesus was preaching to the people.  We hear instead about his healing actions.  These actions seem to constitute his teaching, and most significantly, establish an important aspect of his identity.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on February 15, 2015.

An important assertion is made in this Gospel. While Jesus' deeds are truly amazing and astonishing, it is his words that also communicate the Good News of the Kingdom of God.  Both Jesus' words and deeds left an impact on those he touched in his public ministry.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on February 7, 2015.

Today's Gospel is John's account of the call of the first disciples.

Recording is of the 10:30 am Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on January 18, 2015.

The details offered about the boy Jesus suggest that Mary and Joseph, by providing a rich and reverent family life, were instrumental in Jesus' growth and strength.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 27, 2014.

Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus offers us Joseph's perspective on the events that transpired.  Joseph is a "righteous man" who cares for his wife, pregnant without human relations. Through a dream he learns of the conception and is instructed as to the name which will be given. He further learns that this fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah which confirms Jesus' divine identity: "God is with us".

Recording is of the 10:00 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 24, 2014.

Gabriel reveals to Mary how the conception and birth of Jesus fulfills the "prophetic writings".  As the season of Advent draws to a close, "all nations" wait in eager expectation for the celebration of the birth of Christ and remain ever vigilant for his return.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 20, 2014.

John the Baptist clarifies that "he was not the light, but came to testify to the light". His ministry was to "baptize" the people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. In this way, John the Baptist laid the framework for the celebration of Advent to this very day.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 13, 2014.

John points to a clear distinction between hiimself and the coming Messiah. John's baptism merely cleanses one from sin, but Jesus comes to purify us for God's holy presence.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 6, 2014.

Jesus' command to his original Apostles applies to Christians of all ages, since by our baptismal call we are the "servants" and "gatekeepers" of the Lord's house.  We, too, are challenged to remain alert and "Watch!" for the coming of the Lord at the end time.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on November 29, 2014.

Today's Gospel presents Jesus describing scenes of chaos and calamity that would happen as a precedent to the coming of the Son of Man to redeem the world.  He closes with a positive thought that if we see the coming we should raise our heads in anticipation of our redemption. 

Recording is of the 10:00 am Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on November 27, 2014.