If my name is ever brought up.... It is impossible to do so without my family, or my community.  I am weak, but with all of them in Christ I am strong.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

This year I wasn't on stage, but I was chaperoning my group from the Bronx.... Still somehow I came out in the paper.  I just found it to be a funny occurrence.

Read the article about the New York Catholic Youth Day from this year HERE.... http://cny.org/stories/Youth-Day-Pilgrims-Called-to-Witness-Gods-Mercy,13978

- The Symbol
- All is Love

Animated Music Video
The purpose of this song and video is not to explain what the "New Evangelization" is but rather to artistically express how this ministry of using Hip Hop contributes to this mission of sharing the Gospel of Christ in modern culture.

Read the full set of lyrics HERE

And if you want to learn more about exactly what the New Evangelization is, I suggest reading this from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops(USCCB) - www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/

- The Symbol
- All is Love

FINALLY IT'S HERE!!!

It took some time, but here is the short film entitled "Merciful" that I was blessed to direct and collaborate my brand all is love with Every Step Matters (E.S.M.) Ministries in order to create.  Find our more about Every Step Matters through my brother Kode Redd's website at:  www.KodeRedd.com/ESM

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves... Thanks be to God for the work that has been entrusted to me here in the Archdiocese of New York otherwise I wouldn't have even known when my son's First Communion was (If you know anything about the story you'll understand what I'm saying.... God makes a way.)

First Communion is the best day as a Catholic parent... The day your child truly receives our God Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament.... The day your child fully becomes a living tabernacle.  As I spoke to Christian about how he was a tabernacle and asked the first time for his blessing and prayer are my personal favorite pictures that Janet captured.

Fernando Rielo said to keep a picture of your first Holy Communion always by your bedside so that you may always remember that first moment of receiving our Lord.  These pictures are historic, and today I am filled with the greatest gratitude.

#TheJoysOfFatherhood

- The Symbol
- All is Love

The lyrics in the above image are in the first verse of my song "Divine Intervention" off of the Golden EP that I released in 2014 (I provided the Soundcloud link to listen below).

I have been reflecting all day after coming out of morning mass upon the meaning of The Ascension for my own life and for all of our lives. The first thing that comes to mind is a story I shared with a really good friend of mine last night who is currently going through a difficult time.

When my son Christian Morel was still in his mother's womb and I was 17 years old about to turn 18 it was a crazy and difficult time; me and his mother of course weren't married, and I had just graduated from high school so I really financially could not provide for this child soon to be born.  It was at this time I was really close with a particular religious sister(a nun) who spoke with me to give some guidance as we prepared for the birth of my son.  In a conversation she said something like this... "Parents usually say 'I don't want my child to suffer' or 'I don't want my child to go through what I went through' and although it is quite natural and noble as a provider, caregiver, etc. it is not completely in line with the complete Christian message." She continued to say "Christ in his love for us still doesn't take away all of our obstacles and/or pains because in order to follow him we each one of us has to pick up our own crosses.  He teaches and shows us that the way to heaven is through him, and through the embracing of these sufferings, while still enduring and offering up to the Father through him. The goal of a parent then is not to take away the sufferings in the path of their children, but rather to teach and equip them with the tools necessary for them to face these sufferings."

I had shared this story with my friend last night because he was currently experiencing grief due to a tragic separation from someone who he cares about dearly, and had expressed to me his worry for this person not being able to provide for themselves or child in this separation.  It was in that moment I was given the grace of understanding to connect his situation to this conversation I had over 7 years ago.

Today as I went to mass, the story returned and I realized that this is the Ascension.  It is God leaving us and inviting us into the mystery of his passion, death, and resurrection.  If he had stayed around, in some ways we would never be given the opportunity to teach and lead.  Christ knowing our mistakes and failures in the ascension still entrusts us with the great mission to "Go and make disciples of all nations."

So here we are 2,000 plus years later and I reflect on history I think how if Christ Jesus never ascended, perhaps there wouldn't be the mistakes and scandals of many church leaders; or there would still be one undivided church on earth.  Perhaps even, there would be no debate upon doctrinal teachings or anything of the sort; no questions on homosexual unions or if Christ would permit contraception or abortions.

I also think about this... If the Church is the body of Christ; and Christ body is now ascended into Heaven - would that mean that the Church in itself is "in Heaven"....

In the end I realize this.... The ascension for my life is the invitation to Sainthood.  Yeah we make mistakes and fall because of our humanity, however Jesus still gives us the mission to "Go!"  The ascension is our own personal entry to becoming not only "employees" of the most high God, but also to become in a sense "Franchise owners".... We distribute only one product which is the word of God Jesus - The Gospel good news that we have a God who loves us and we become that love to the world.

Without the ascension we are not fully able to become love as God is.

I'll end this in prayer with the words from the first verse of this above song....

"This is Divine Intervention, not an act of aggression
though they're mad like pro lifers at Obama's election
They debate like Baptists towards priestly confessions
The only reason that I rhyme is 'cuz Christ has ascended
So when I kick a flow it's just a modern progression
Of the Universal Church - Apostolic Succession
I just gotta be a Saint - not die as some legend
This young boy from the Bronx giving love to my brethren."

Heavenly Father make these words a reality in our lives, and may we truly become aware to the mission and calling; the vocation you have for each and every one of our lives.  Thank you for trusting us to lead and teach through action and word, and thank you for the opportunity to love as you love.  May we always be in union with you and your Church oh Lord, so that we may experience the true joy of the Heaven you live in.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

- The Symbol
- All is Love

I don't know about you guys, but I have fell short of what I am called to so much in my life... And in many ways still do 'til this day.  But I trust the sacrifice of Jesus will keep drawing me closer and closer despite it all. Amen.

- The Symbol
- All is Love