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.

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.

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.