St Theodore Catholic Church Gonzales California

St Theodore Catholic Church Gonzales California "Announcing the Gospel of Christ and celebrating the Mysteries of God in Gonzales and Chualar Canyon since 1893.

09/07/2026

A Disturbing Sin

Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

“Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:10-11

This is a very disturbing passage. Over and over again we find that the scribes and Pharisees acted with much intentional and calculated malice. Here they were looking for anything they could try to accuse Jesus of doing. And what do they find they can accuse Him of? They witness Him doing a miracle on the Sabbath day. And they act as if this is a sin on the part of Jesus. Seriously?

The reason this passage is so disturbing is because those who were the religious leaders of the time were clearly only interested in themselves, and Jesus was getting in the way of their self-importance. He was becoming more popular and respected than the scribes and Pharisees and they were filled with envy.

One important point to learn from this passage is that the sin of envy leads us to irrationality and foolishness. This sin blinds us and leads us to think and say foolish things. This is what the scribes and Pharisees did. Who in their right mind would “accuse” Jesus of doing something as good as healing on the Sabbath? Only those who have become blind by envy.

Though this passage is disturbing, it should hopefully become disturbing in a helpful way. It should be an opportunity for each of us to look at our own lives and to examine the relationships we have. Do you see envy present in any of those relationships? Do you see yourself acting and thinking in an irrational way at times towards this person or that?

Reflect, today, upon any tendency you may have to be like the scribes and Pharisees. Know that their actions were included in the Scripture to teach us about this ugly sin we sometimes struggle with. Let the disturbing part of it motivate you to work toward freedom from envy in your life.

My miraculous Lord, I do want to be free of the sins of pride, envy and jealousy. Help me to see these in my life, to repent of them and to replace them with Your mercy and love. Jesus, I trust in You.

09/06/2026

Reconciling with Another

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.” Matthew 18:15

This passage above offers the first of three steps Jesus offers to reconcile with someone who has sinned against you. The steps Jesus offers are as follows: 1) Speak privately to the person. 2) Bring two or three others to help with the situation. 3) Bring it to the Church. If after trying all three steps you are not able to reconcile, then Jesus says, “…treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.”

The first and most important point to mention in this process of reconciliation is that we should keep the sin of another quiet, between them and us, until we have sincerely tried to reconcile. This is hard to do! So often when someone sins against us, the first temptation we have is to go forth and tell others about it. This may be done out of hurt, anger, a desire for revenge, or the like. So the first lesson we should learn is that the sins another commits against us are not details we have a right to tell others about, at least not at first.

The next important steps offered by Jesus do involve others and the Church. But not so that we can express our anger, gossip or criticism or to bring them public humiliation. Rather, the steps of involving others are done so as to assist another in repentance, so that the person in error sees the gravity of the sin. This takes humility on our part. It requires a humble attempt to help them not only see their error but to also change.

The final step, if they do not change, is to treat them like a Gentile or tax collector. But even this must be understood properly. How do we treat a Gentile or tax collector? We treat them with a desire for their continued conversion. We treat them with continued respect, while at the same time acknowledge that we are not “on the same page.”

Reflect, today, upon any relationship you have that requires healing and reconciliation. Seek to follow this humble process given by our Lord and continue to remain hopeful that the grace of God will prevail.

Lord of true healing, give me a humble and merciful heart so that I may reconcile with those who have sinned against me. I forgive them, dear Lord, just as You have forgiven me. Give me the grace to seek reconciliation in accord with Your perfect will. Jesus, I trust in You.

09/05/2026

Scrupulosity

Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Luke 6:1-2

Talk about being petty! Here the disciples were hungry, they most likely had been walking for some time with Jesus and came upon some wheat and picked it to eat as they walked. And they were condemned by the Pharisees for doing this very normal action. Did they really break the law and offend God by picking and eating this grain?

Jesus’ response makes it clear that the Pharisees are quite confused and that the disciples did nothing wrong. But this passage does give us an opportunity to reflect upon one spiritual danger that some fall into at times. It’s the danger of scrupulosity.

We do not know if this is the case, but if one or more of the disciples struggled with scrupulosity and then heard the Pharisees condemn them for eating the grain, they may have felt immediate remorse and guilt over their actions. They would have started to fear that they were guilty of breaking God’s command to keep holy the Sabbath. But their scrupulosity has to be seen for what it is and they have to recognize the trigger that tempted them toward scrupulosity.

The “trigger” that tempted them is an extreme and erroneous view of the law of God as presented by the Pharisees. Yes, God’s law is perfect and must always be followed down to the last letter of the law. But for those who struggle with scrupulosity, the law of God can easily become distorted and exaggerated. Human laws and human misrepresentations of the law of God can cause confusion. And, in the Scripture above, the trigger was the arrogance and harshness of the Pharisees. God was not offended in any way by the disciples picking and eating grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees, therefore, were attempting to impose a burden on the disciples that was not from God.

We, too, can be tempted to look at God’s law and will in a scrupulous way. Though many people do the opposite (are too lax), some do struggle with worrying about offending God when He is not offended at all.

Reflect, today, upon your own struggle with scrupulosity. If this is you, know that God wants to free you from these burdens.

Lord, help me to see Your law and will in the light of truth. Help me to shed all misconceptions and misrepresentations of Your law in exchange for the truths of Your perfect love and mercy. May I cling to that mercy and love in all things and above all things. Jesus, I trust in You.

09/04/2026

New W**e into New W**eskins

Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

“No one pours new w**e into old w**eskins. Otherwise, the new w**e will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new w**e must be poured into fresh w**eskins.” Luke 5:37

What is this new w**e? And what are the old w**eskins? The new w**e is the new life of grace we have been blessed with in abundance and the old w**eskins are our old fallen natures and the old law. What Jesus is telling us is that if we wish to receive His grace and mercy in our lives we must allow Him to transform our old selves into new creations and embrace the new law of grace.

Have you become a new creation? Have you allowed your former self to die so that the new person can rise again? What does it mean to become a new creation in Christ so that the new w**e of grace can be poured into your life?

Becoming a new creation in Christ means that we live on a whole new level and no longer cling to our former ways. It means that God does powerful things in our lives far beyond anything we could ever do by ourselves. It means we have become a new and fit “w**eskin” for God to be poured into. And it means that this new “w**e” is the Holy Spirit taking hold of and possessing our lives.

Practically speaking, if we are made a new creation in Christ then we are properly prepared to receive the grace of the Sacraments and all that comes our way through daily prayer and worship. But the first goal must be to become those new w**eskins. So how do we do this?

We do it by Baptism and then by intentionally choosing to turn from sin and embrace the Gospel. But this general command from God, to turn from sin and embrace the Gospel, must be very intentional and lived daily. As we make daily practical and intentional decisions to turn to Christ in all things, we will discover that the Holy Spirit suddenly, powerfully and immediately pours the new w**e of grace into our lives. We will discover a new peace and joy that fills us and we will have strength beyond our own ability.

Reflect, today, upon whether or not you are truly a new creation in Christ. Have you turned from your former way and shed the shackles that bound you? Have you embraced the new full Gospel and do you daily allow God to pour forth the Holy Spirit in your life?

Lord, please do make me a new creation. Transform me and renew me completely. May my new life in You be one that continually receives the full outpouring of Your grace and mercy. Jesus, I trust in You.

09/02/2026

Desiring Jesus Always

Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. Luke 4:42

What a beautiful act of affection and love for Jesus. Here, Jesus was with the crowds at sunset and spent the entire night with the people curing them and preaching to them. Perhaps they all got some sleep at some point but it may have happened that Jesus was up with them all night.

In this passage above, Jesus went away to be alone at daybreak just as the sun was rising. He went to pray and simply be present to His Father in Heaven. And what happened? Even though Jesus had dedicated the entire last evening and night to the people, they wanted to be with Him some more. He was gone for a short time to pray and they immediately went searching for Him. And when they found Jesus, they begged Him to stay longer.

Though Jesus had to move on and preach to other towns, it is clear that He made quite an impression with these people. Their hearts were touched deeply and they wanted Jesus to stay.

The good news is that Jesus can now stay with us 24/7 today. At that time, He had not yet ascended to Heaven and therefore was limited to being in one place at a time. But now that He is in Heaven, Jesus can live in all places at all times.

So what we see in this passage above is the desire that we should all have. We should desire that Jesus remains with us 24/7 just as these good people desired. We should go to sleep with Him on our minds, wake praying to Him and allow Him to accompany us throughout every day. We should foster the same love and affection for Jesus that the people had in this passage above. Fostering that desire is the first step to allowing His presence to accompany us all day every day.

Reflect, today, upon your desire or lack of desire to be with Jesus always. Are there times when you prefer He not be there? Or have you allowed yourself to have this same affection for Jesus seeking His presence in your life always?

My Ever-Present Lord, I desire that You be present in my life all day long every day. May I always seek You and always be attentive to Your presence in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.

09/01/2026

Demons are For Real

Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” Luke 4:34-36

Yes, it’s a frightening thought. Demons are for real. Or is it frightening? If we look at the whole scene here we find that Jesus is clearly victorious over the demon and casts him out without allowing him to do the man any harm. So, truth be told, this passage is far more frightening for the demons than it should be for us!

But what it does tell us is that demons are real, they hate us and they desire deeply to destroy us. So, if that’s not frightening it should at least make us sit up and pay attention.

Demons are fallen angels who retain their natural powers. Though they turned from God and acted in complete selfishness, God does not strip away their natural powers unless they misuse them and we turn to Him for help. So what is it that demons are capable of? As with the holy angels, demons have natural powers of communication and influence upon us and upon our world. The angels are given the care of the world and our lives. Those angels that fell from grace now try to use their power over the world and their power to influence us and communicate with us for evil. They have turned from God and now they want to turn us.

One thing this tells us is that we must constantly act in a discerning way. It’s easy to be tempted and led astray by a lying demon. In the case above, this poor man had so cooperated with this demon that it took full possession of his life. Though that level of influence and control upon us is quite rare, it can happen. What’s most important, however, is that we simply understand and believe that demons are real and they constantly try to lead us astray.

But the good news is that Jesus has all power over them and easily confronts them and overpowers them if we but seek His grace to do so.

Reflect, today, upon the reality of evil and the reality of demonic temptations in our world. We’ve all experienced them. They are nothing to be overly frightened about. And they should not be seen in an overly dramatic light. Demons are powerful, but the power of God easily triumphs if we let Him take control. So as you reflect upon the reality of evil and demonic temptations, reflect also on God’s desire to enter in and render them powerless. Allow God to take command and trust that God will conquer.

All-Powerful Lord, when I am tempted and confused, please come to me. Help me to discern the evil one and his lies. May I turn to You the All-Powerful One in all things, and may I rely upon the powerful intercession of the holy angels You have entrusted to me. Jesus, I trust in You.

08/31/2026

Meeting Christ in Others

Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” Luke 4:24

Do you ever feel that it’s easier to talk about Jesus with a stranger than with those closest to you? Why is that? Sometimes it is hard to share your faith with those closest to you, and it can be even harder to let yourself be inspired by the faith of someone close to you.

Jesus makes this statement above after He had just read from the Prophet Isaiah in the presence of His kinfolk. They listened to Him, were somewhat impressed at first, but quickly came to the conclusion that He was nothing special. In the end, they were filled with fury at Jesus, drove Him out of the town and almost killed Him right then and there. But it wasn’t His time.

If the Son of God had a hard time being accepted as a prophet by His own kin, so also will we have a hard time sharing the Gospel with those close to us. But what is far more important for us to consider is the way we do or do not see Christ in those closest to us. Are we among those who refuse to see Christ present in our family and those we are close to? Do we tend, instead, to be critical and judgmental to those around us?

The truth is that it’s much easier for us to see the faults of those closest to us than their virtue. It’s much easier to see their sins than the presence of God in their lives. But it is not our job to focus in on their sin. It’s our job to see God in them.

Each and every person we are close to will, no doubt, have goodness in them. They will reflect the presence of God if we are willing to see that. Our goal must be to not only see it, but to seek it out. And the closer we are to them the more we must focus in on the presence of God in their lives.

Reflect, today, upon whether or not YOU are willing to accept the prophetic voice of Christ in the people all around you. Are you willing to see Him, acknowledge Him and love Him in them? If not, you are guilty of Jesus’ words above.

Lord, may I see You in all those with whom I relate each and every day. May I constantly seek You out in their lives. And as I discover You, may I love You in them. Jesus, I trust in You.

08/30/2026

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Matthew 16:23

This was Jesus’ response to Peter after Peter said to Jesus, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you” (Matthew 16:22). Peter was referring to the coming persecution and death that Jesus had just predicted in his presence. Peter was shocked and concerned and couldn’t accept what Jesus was saying. He couldn’t accept that Jesus would soon “go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised” (Matthew 16:21). Thus, Peter expressed his concern and it was met with a strong rebuke from Jesus.

If this were spoken by anyone other than our Lord, it might be immediately concluded that Jesus’ words were too much. Why would Jesus refer to Peter as “Satan” for expressing his concern about Jesus’ well-being? Though this may be hard to accept, it does reveal that the thinking of God is far above our own.

The fact is that Jesus’ pending suffering and death was the greatest act of love ever known. From a divine perspective, His willing embrace of suffering and death was the most awesome gift God could give to the world. Therefore, when Peter pulled Jesus aside and said, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you,” Peter was actually allowing his fear and human weakness to interfere with the divine choice of the Savior to lay His life down for the salvation of the world.

Jesus’ words to Peter would have produced a “holy shock.” This shock was an act of love that had the effect of helping Peter to overcome his fear and to accept the glorious fate and mission of Jesus.

Reflect, today, upon any way that you find yourself resisting the call to sacrificial love. Love is not always easy and oftentimes may demand great sacrifice and courage on your part. Are you ready and willing to embrace the crosses of love in your life? Furthermore, are you willing to walk with others, encouraging them along the way, when they, too, are called to embrace the crosses of life? Seek strength and wisdom this day and strive to live by the divine perspective in all things, especially suffering.

My sacrificial Lord, I love You and pray that I may always love You in a sacrificial way. May I never fear the crosses I have been given and may I never dissuade others from following in Your steps of selfless sacrifice. Jesus, I trust in You.

08/29/2026

Sharing in the Master’s Joy

Saturday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’” Matthew 25:23

This is a story about two things. First, it’s a story about the fidelity we are called to have in this life to the service of the will of God. Second, it’s a promise of Jesus’ fidelity back to us, both here on Earth and, ultimately, when we meet Him at the time of our death.

What a blessing it would be to hear Jesus say those words to us upon the completion of our lives here on Earth. “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come, share your master’s joy.” This begs the question, if you were to die today, what would our Lord say to you? If you are not immediately confident that in His mercy He would say these words above, then today is a good day to make some changes in your life.

A good spiritual practice is to live today in such a way that we are consciously preparing for that glorious meeting with Jesus. What “responsibilities” has He entrusted to you in this life and what are you doing with them? Are you seeking to place all your gifts at the service of the Gospel and the spreading of charity? Are you diligent in giving of yourself to God and His holy will? Hopefully there is no hesitation in your answer. If there is, this is a sign that God may want more of you here and now.

One of the biggest problems we can struggle with in this world is the temptation to seek worldly satisfaction here and now, at the expense of building up Heavenly treasure. But why? Why seek momentary and superficial satisfaction here and now and risk losing eternal joy?

Reflect, today, upon the ultimate goal that you should have in life. This is the goal of being fully prepared for that glorious encounter with our Lord as you pass from this life to the next. Heaven may seem a bit intangible right now, but when the time comes to meet Jesus face to face, it will not be intangible in the slightest way. Instead, you will immediately be made aware of every detail of your life here on Earth. Your fidelity, day in and day out, or the lack of fidelity, day in and day out, will become either the source of your eternal joy or the source of eternal regret.

Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You and Your holy will. Free me from selfish and momentary goals in life so that I can seek to serve You only in the way that produces joy to Your heart. Help me to keep my eyes on Heaven and to daily prepare for that eternal meeting with You. Jesus, I trust in You.

08/28/2026

The Oil of Charity

Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

“‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’” Matthew 25:11b-12

What a frightening and sobering experience that would be. This passage comes from the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Five of them were prepared to meet our Lord and the other five were not. When the Lord came, the five foolish virgins were off trying to get more oil for their lamps, and when they returned, the door to the feast was already locked. The above passage reveals what happened next.

Jesus tells this parable, in part, to wake us up. We must be ready for Him every day. And how do we make sure we are ready? We are ready when we have plenty of “oil” for our lamps. The oil especially represents charity in our lives. So, the simple question to ponder is this: “Do I have charity in my life?”

Charity is more than just simple human love. By “human love” we mean an emotion, feeling, attraction, etc. We can feel this way toward another person, toward some activity or toward many things in life. We can “love” to play sports, or watch movies, etc.

But charity is so much more. Charity means we love with the heart of Christ. It means that Jesus has placed in our hearts His own merciful heart and we love with His love. Charity is a gift from God that enables us to reach out to and care for others in ways that are far beyond our own abilities. Charity is divine action in our lives and it is necessary if we want to be welcomed to the feast of Heaven.

Reflect, today, upon whether or not you can see the heart of Jesus alive in your own heart. Can you see Him acting in you, compelling you to reach out to others even when it’s hard? Do you say and do things that help people grow in holiness of life? Does God act in you and through you to make a difference in the world? If the answer is “Yes” to these questions, then charity is certainly alive in your life.

Lord of perfect love, make my heart a fit dwelling place for Your own divine heart. Let my heart beat with Your love and let my words and actions share in Your perfect care for others. Jesus, I trust in You.

Address

125 Center Street
Gonzales, CA
93926

Opening Hours

Monday 2pm - 6pm
Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
Wednesday 2pm - 6pm
Thursday 2pm - 6pm
Friday 2pm - 6pm

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+18316753648

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