Mass Readings and Reflection for March 18th 2026

First Reading: (Isaiah 49:8–15)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 145) "The Lord is kind and full of compassion".

Gospel: (John 5:17–30)

Reflection:
Rich scripture readings today. God has not and will never abandon us. Through the prophet Isaiah, we hear a question that touches the very core of human love: “Can a mother forget her child?” Even if such a thing were possible, God declares, “I will never forget you.” These words are meant especially for those who feel forgotten, those weighed down by suffering, loss, or unanswered prayers.

Like Israel in exile, many of us have moments where we ask: Where is God? Does He see my pain? Does He hear my cry? In those moments, it is easy to conclude, like Zion, “The Lord has forsaken me.” But today’s reading corrects that fear. God is not absent; He is present, even when silent. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. What we see as delay, He sees as perfect timing.

The Gospel deepens this truth. Jesus reminds us that the Father is always at work. Even when nothing seems to be happening, God is working, giving life, bringing healing, preparing something greater than we can understand. Just as the Father raises the dead, so too the Son gives life. This means that no situation is beyond God’s power, not even the darkest moments of our lives.

We must also remember that sometimes God allows difficulties not to destroy us, but to reveal His glory. Just as in other parts of the Gospel, suffering can become the place where God’s power is made visible. What seems like an ending may actually be the beginning of something greater in God’s plan.

So what are we called to do? We are called to trust, to pray, and to surrender. This is not easy. In pain, we are tempted to give up, to lose faith. But the example of Christ shows us the way: “Father, not my will, but yours be done.” When we entrust everything into God’s hands, even our suffering becomes a path to grace.

Therefore, be consoled. Even if you have lost someone you love, even if your prayers seem unanswered, even if you feel alone, God has not abandoned you. He sees you. He knows you. He is working in ways you cannot yet understand. And in His time, His glory will be revealed.

Hold on to this truth: God has not forgotten you, and He never will.

Amen 🙏 

Driving Test

 

Joke 😃

 

Man Paralyzed for 38 Year

 

War and Public Opinion Are Important

When a nation goes to war, public support is everything, and controlling the narrative becomes just as critical as controlling the battlefield. 

Right now, our government at home doesn’t seem to have that advantage. You can see the frustration showing, even from the president and his war secretary, as the messaging slips out of their control. A lot of name calling these days. 

Do you think it will get better, or is the narrative already lost? 

Drop a comment.

Joe Kent Resignation today March 17th 2026

Breaking Development: Joe Kent Resigns

Today brings a striking development: Joe Kent has resigned from his national security position, reportedly in opposition to the war with Iran.

For context, Joe Kent is a former Green Beret and intelligence officer who later entered politics, aligning himself with an America First foreign policy approach that has often been skeptical of prolonged foreign wars. His resignation marks one of the first high-profile breaks from within national security circles over this conflict.

If confirmed in full, this move signals something deeper than routine disagreement, it suggests that even inside the system, there are fractures forming over the direction of this war.

Below is his letter of resignation:

March 17th 2026

Director of National Intelligence

National Counterterrorism Center

President Trump,

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.

I cannot, in good conscience, support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

I support the values and foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, and 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

In your first administration, you understood better than any modern president how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasem Soleimani and by defeating ISIS.

Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that, should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq War, which cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.

As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times, and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife, Shannon, in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.

It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.

Joseph Kent
Director, National Counterterrorism Center

Mass Readings and Reflection for Tuesday, the 17th of March 2026.

First Reading: (Ezekiel 47:1–9, 12)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 46)

Response:
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Gospel: (John 5:1–6)

Reflection

There is a painful reality in many societies: people often appear only when someone has died. At funerals, you see crowds, relatives, friends, acquaintances, many claiming closeness to the deceased. Yet the question remains:

Where were they when the person was alive and suffering?

• When they were sick

• When they were hungry

• When they could not pay their bills

• When they felt abandoned

Many people live with a silent cry:

“I have no one.”

This is exactly the cry of the man in today’s Gospel:

“Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool.”

For 38 years, he lay there, ignored, overlooked, forgotten.

• Did he have family?

• Did he have friends?

• Where were they?

Even those who came to the pool were focused only on themselves.

He truly had no one… until Jesus came.

A Living Message

Today, many people still carry that same cry:

• The sick in hospitals with no visitors

• Prisoners abandoned and forgotten

• The poor who cannot access opportunities

• The unemployed despite qualifications

• The misunderstood, judged, and rejected

• The lonely who just need someone to listen

They all say:

“I have no one.”

A Call to Action

The Gospel is not just about what Jesus did.
It is about what He wants to do through us.

Can you be that someone?

• Someone who helps

• Someone who listens

• Someone who shows up

• Someone who cares

Let God reach others through you.

• Be the one who visits

• Be the one who feeds

• Be the one who supports

• Be the one who listens

Because sometimes, the greatest miracle is not dramatic healing,
it is simply presence.

A Word of Hope

And if you are the one suffering…
If you feel abandoned…
If your heart says, “I have no one”…

Remember this:

Jesus sees you.
He knows how long you have been waiting.
And He will come.

“Rise… take up your mat… and walk.”

Do not lose courage.
Do not give up.

Is America Asking for Help In Iran?

Three weeks into the war with Iran, President Donald Trump has asked allies and major oil-dependent nations to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries roughly 20% of the world’s traded oil.

So far, the global response has been mixed but largely reluctant. Many countries are avoiding direct military involvement.

Global Responses So Far

❌ Countries rejecting military participation

Several U.S. allies have declined to send warships or join a combat mission. These includes:

• Germany – Rejected military involvement, arguing the conflict was not a joint NATO decision.
• Spain – Opposes the war and previously denied U.S. forces use of bases for attacks on Iran.
• Italy – Declined participation in a military coalition. Meanwhile the Prime Minister there is a supposedly a good friend of Trump. 
• France – Has avoided joining a combat operation, preferring defensive shipping protection.
• Australia, Canada, Norway, Japan – Reportedly unwilling to join militarily.

Many governments say they want to avoid escalating the conflict.

Countries considering limited or non-combat support

Some nations have not fully rejected involvement but are pushing for limited roles.

• United Kingdom – Discussing a multilateral plan and possible mine-hunting or defensive support rather than combat operations.
• Denmark – Suggests a cautious European role focused on de-escalation.
• France and European partners – Exploring escort missions to protect commercial shipping rather than join the war.

Countries undecided or silent

Some major powers are evaluating the situation or staying publicly neutral.

• China – Holding talks with Iran but has not committed to a U.S. coalition.
• South Korea – Reviewing legal and strategic implications before deciding.
• Japan – Considering its position but has not joined militarily.

Why Many Countries Are Hesitating

Several factors explain the reluctance:

1. The war was initiated without a broad coalition
Many governments say they were not part of the decision to strike Iran.

2. Risk of regional escalation
Direct naval involvement could trigger attacks on foreign ships or bases.

3. Economic and political risk
Oil markets have already surged nearly 40% since the strait was disrupted.

4. NATO complications
Some leaders argue the alliance never approved a joint mission.

The Strategic Importance of the Strait

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy routes:

• About one-fifth of global oil trade passes through it.
• Major importers include China, Japan, South Korea, and India.
• Any disruption can affect global oil prices and shipping security.

In short:
Three weeks into the conflict, the United States is struggling to build an international coalition. Most allies are declining combat roles, some are considering limited support, and major powers like China remain non-committal.

Stay safe 🙏 

A Riddle

 

Mass Readings and Reflection for Monday March 16, 2026

First Reading: (Isaiah 65:17–21)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 30)

Response: I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up. 

Gospel: (John (4:43–54)

Reflection:

The joy of new things is the kind of joy that the prophet describes in the first reading from the Book of Isaiah.

God tells His people:

“Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth.”

At that time, Jerusalem had been destroyed. The people had suffered exile and slavery. They had lost their homeland, their temple, and their dignity. But God promised them something extraordinary:

He would make everything new again.

No more weeping.
No more suffering.
No more lives cut short.
People would build houses and live in them.
They would plant vineyards and enjoy their fruits.

God was promising restoration, hope, and renewal.

But this message is not only about ancient Jerusalem. It is also about us.

God wants to make us new.

During the season of Lent, God invites us to let go of the old self, the person we used to be in sin. The person who lies, quarrels, gossips, cheats, or refuses to forgive.

Lent is the season when we begin the process of becoming a new creation.

Saint John captures this same idea in the Gospel when the royal official believes the word of Jesus even before seeing the miracle. His faith begins a transformation not only for him but for his whole household.

Faith makes life new.

Lent prepares us for the great moment of Easter, when we celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. In a spiritual sense, we also rise with Christ as new people.

But here is the important question:

Do we truly want to become new?

Sometimes we are comfortable with our old habits. We say:

“This is just who I am.”
“I have always been this way.”

But God does not accept that limitation. God sees something better inside us. He sees the person we can become.

Look at nature after the rain. Dry trees grow fresh leaves. Brown grass becomes green again. Everything becomes alive.

In the same way, God wants our hearts to become alive again.

So during this season of Lent:

• Let the old anger die.

• Let the old lies die.

• Let the old jealousy die.

• Let the old selfishness die.

And allow God to create in you a new heart and a new spirit.

When people meet you after this Lent, they should say:

“Something has changed.”
“This person is different.”
“I see a new person.”

Friends, have the courage to accept the new life that God wants to give us.

Because the new person God creates in us will always be better than the old one you leave behind.

Amen.

Have a wonderful week