tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32196410071128234622024-03-28T08:15:31.328-04:00FrKevinEstabrookFather Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.comBlogger2408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-88891682630323626092024-03-28T08:14:00.004-04:002024-03-28T08:14:30.375-04:00Holy Thursday 2024 - Morning Prayer - Sanctifying the Hours through the Psalms<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXqDYtmot44JJ5GKUjJVpJKTcS1Q-gT9e9TVPdbfMn-fqppH3eq0DCVZ6AE1O99pqGqe7weZG3TqXaSCgANEVuzf4lXUAL2KevYDTbLPxfTrBv-Q19nyNc7ajwgrLlmFugBBLxHDwKe_XhTmOQJ3ei05ilD07_iunX_BD72wiLrFllAtJn1tQa1adx54/s2048/Monk-praying-by-CabbageVP-Photography2-2048x1833-3592660959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXqDYtmot44JJ5GKUjJVpJKTcS1Q-gT9e9TVPdbfMn-fqppH3eq0DCVZ6AE1O99pqGqe7weZG3TqXaSCgANEVuzf4lXUAL2KevYDTbLPxfTrBv-Q19nyNc7ajwgrLlmFugBBLxHDwKe_XhTmOQJ3ei05ilD07_iunX_BD72wiLrFllAtJn1tQa1adx54/s320/Monk-praying-by-CabbageVP-Photography2-2048x1833-3592660959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Over the next three days, we will gather for morning prayer. Morning prayer is one of the official prayers of the Church—it is part of the Liturgy of the Hours—official & liturgical prayers recited at fixed hours throughout the day by clergy, religious orders, and some lay Catholics. <p></p><p>From ancient times the Church has had the custom of celebrating each day the liturgy of the hours. The practice is based on the Jewish tradition of praying at fixed times: morning, afternoon, and evening corresponding to different sacrificial offerings that were offered in the Temple.</p><p>Every morning, a burnt offering would be offered in the Temple. Prayers would be offered in gratitude to God: for various aspects of daily life, such as the ability to see, freedom from bondage, and the strength to overcome weakness. Psalms would be offered, particularly Psalms of praise, like Psalm 30: “Sing praise to the LORD, you faithful; give thanks to his holy memory.” The Temple priests offered these prayers and sacrifices on behalf of the whole Jewish people and the world, just as priests today pray the liturgy of the hours on behalf of the Church.</p><p>“To the very end of his life, as his passion was approaching, at the last supper, in the agony in the garden, and on the cross, the divine teacher showed that prayer was the soul of his Messianic ministry and paschal death. </p><p>And so it is fitting for us, in these final hours of Lent, as we prepare for the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, for us to gather to offers prayers, that Jesus himself offered up to God. Psalms of praise, psalms of trust, psalms pleading God’s mercy.</p><p>Each of the different prayers and psalms of morning prayer take on special significance during Holy Week. Consider our first Psalm, Psalm 80, how it intertwined themes of redemption, suffering, and restoration.</p><p>The psalm opens with the image of God as the shepherd of Israel. During the Triduum, Jesus, the Good Shepherd leads His flock through the cross to the new life of the resurrection, he lays down his life for his sheep.</p><p>The Psalms repeated plea, "God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved," is significant. For during the Triduum, we consider how God fulfills this plea. Through Christ’s Paschal mystery—God brings back scattered humanity—humanity scattered due to sin, back into the one flock—that purified of sin—we might come to see the face of God in eternity.</p><p>The Psalm’s vivid descriptions of suffering, being fed with "tears for their bread" and being the "taunt of our neighbors," foreshadows the suffering of Jesus during the Passion, but how through Jesus—God unites himself with all those who suffer hunger, thirst, mockery, injustice. </p><p>The final verses of Psalm 80, "May your hand be on the man you have chosen", encapsulates the trust Jesus had during his Passion—trust that His Father was with him, guiding his mission—and how Christians too are to trust in God’s presence with us in our trials—trusting that the cross leads to the resurrection and eternal life. </p><p>I invite you to pray the liturgy of the hours throughout the Triduum, slowly and reflectively. The point isn’t to rush through them, but to consider how these beautiful prophecies are fulfilled by Our Lord, and how God desires to fulfill them in our lives as well, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-83371303703007619652024-03-27T08:03:00.003-04:002024-03-27T08:03:44.114-04:00Holy Week 2024 - Wednesday - Persevering in Mercy amidst Betrayal<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr-Rikez1ASOqWaOlGGR-QmYKSPS7dyQwKK6zgOru0T5MRe1XZSD-mNxx5YCjA4io-qc14ZOVdCakOIkcX7ZUMhpNX698Ze-9brvgDSBeCRR08CvtCpgJ_FV7bAuUA0p1U74dl76eCV8wWrnRcfWo-YSDuuVCIOg2JfhZId-_IbaJZoS4YqtWriq0E4Y/s730/30-Pieces-of-Silver-cropped2-730x410-1272798633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="730" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr-Rikez1ASOqWaOlGGR-QmYKSPS7dyQwKK6zgOru0T5MRe1XZSD-mNxx5YCjA4io-qc14ZOVdCakOIkcX7ZUMhpNX698Ze-9brvgDSBeCRR08CvtCpgJ_FV7bAuUA0p1U74dl76eCV8wWrnRcfWo-YSDuuVCIOg2JfhZId-_IbaJZoS4YqtWriq0E4Y/w400-h225/30-Pieces-of-Silver-cropped2-730x410-1272798633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday, the first reading from Isaiah contained the second of the four servant songs—those poetic prophecies regarding the servant of God who would extend the salvation of God throughout all the earth through his humble service. We then considered how Jesus is the fulfillment of that humble servant—especially at the last supper as he washes his disciples’ feet.<p></p><p>Today, we delve into the poignant parallels between the Third Servant Song of Isaiah and the harrowing betrayal of Jesus by Judas, one of His trusted disciples.</p><p>In Isaiah 50, we encounter the Servant of the Lord, who speaks with a voice of resilience and divine assurance. He is no ordinary servant; he is a teacher who "wakens morning by morning," attuned to God's voice, equipped to offer words that sustain the weary. Yet, this divine mission does not shield him from suffering. On the contrary, the Servant describes a path marked by humiliation and pain—struck, insulted, and shamed. Despite this, he stands unwavering, bolstered by God's vindication, facing his adversaries with a steadfast heart.</p><p>Jesus walks this path during His final days. In the intimacy of the upper room, He breaks bread with His friends, aware of the darkness looming. Here, the shadow of betrayal hangs heavily, not from a distant enemy, but from within His inner circle. Judas, one of the Twelve, chosen and trusted, turns away from the light of fellowship, stepping into the night to betray his Master.</p><p>The betrayal by Judas is not just a narrative detail; it intensifies the suffering of Jesus, injecting the poison of betrayal into the already daunting prospect of His impending passion and death. Yet, in this moment of ultimate betrayal, the true character of Jesus, like that of Isaiah's Servant, shines brightest. He does not retaliate, does not falter. Instead, He continues to fulfill His mission of love and redemption, embracing the path set before Him with unwavering resolve.</p><p>Perhaps, reading about Judas causes us to reflect upon our own experiences of ruptured friendships or even betrayal. Each of us, in our journey of faith, face moments when it is difficult to love the people around us. Yet, the lesson of God’s Servant—Christ the Lord—calls us not to dwell on bitterness or plans of retribution but to the courage of forgiveness.</p><p>The example of our Lord is not just one of passive acceptance of suffering but to an active trust in God's justice and mercy—to turn our moments of betrayal into opportunities for grace.</p><p>God’s ultimate vindication is in the extension of mercy. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”. </p><p>And may the love and mercy of Christ, who endured betrayal for our sake, heal our wounds and guide our steps in the path of peace for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - - </p><p>For increased faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. </p><p>That the grace of these holy days may touch the most hardened of hearts, and move unrepented sinners and fallen-away Catholics to return to the mercy of God.</p><p>For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.</p><p>That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.</p><p>That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-56865287051890166012024-03-26T08:14:00.006-04:002024-03-26T08:14:39.928-04:00Holy Week 2024 - Tuesday - Humble Service in the Shadow of the Cross<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAoZBUmeAQOpjVVM-ESU2cryWJ6fIGJXBxSwAT3Wy4dEDyID_Dw2ZMvpZ8JsQiCXqBKJjV-Ptnn0_RwMlnLGJpZap2AVmv43LOkm_XxOwq8lkhTRll2F2OPPn9unAw072rtO-OFqflGWrRJYQD7rUkvECi4MdUdW8_LsoNeMnaGx1S6GMfttN98Nb-CM/s1250/Christ-Washing-Peters-Feet-_Ford-Madox-Brown-967187970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1250" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAoZBUmeAQOpjVVM-ESU2cryWJ6fIGJXBxSwAT3Wy4dEDyID_Dw2ZMvpZ8JsQiCXqBKJjV-Ptnn0_RwMlnLGJpZap2AVmv43LOkm_XxOwq8lkhTRll2F2OPPn9unAw072rtO-OFqflGWrRJYQD7rUkvECi4MdUdW8_LsoNeMnaGx1S6GMfttN98Nb-CM/s320/Christ-Washing-Peters-Feet-_Ford-Madox-Brown-967187970.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Throughout chapters 40 to 55 of the Book of the prophet Isaiah are found four songs or poems, called the Servant Songs. <p></p><p>They describe how God will call forth a chosen servant to bring about his will of justice and salvation. Through his servant, God will bring about the reconciliation of all those scattered by sin, all those subject to injustice, evil, and death. And he will do so, not with the sword or violent rule, but through peace. </p><p>And while God’s servant is described as a sharp sword and a polished arrow, in our first reading today, this imagery indicates that the servant is an effective instrument of God. As a "sharp-edged sword" God’s servant will cut through falsehood, injustice, and oppression with the truth and message of God. As a “polished arrow” he will remain on target in his mission without deviation. Yet, even though, he is faith and humble, strong and effective, God’s servant will also undergo rejection and suffering in his mission.</p><p>In the Gospel, on the eve of His greatest trial, we encounter Jesus in the upper room, embodying the very essence of Isaiah’s servant. Amidst the intimacy of the Last Supper, He knows the heartbreak of betrayal and the sting of denial lurking among His closest companions. And yet, in this moment, He chooses to serve, to wash the feet of His disciples—including Judas, the betrayer, and Peter, the denier. This act, typically reserved for the lowest servant, symbolizes the entirety of Jesus' mission: a call to radical humility and sacrificial love.\</p><p>In this juxtaposition, we find the essence of our calling. Jesus, our teacher, and master, demonstrates that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not found in domination or force, but in humble service and loving sacrifice. As we will hear at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, Jesus tells us, "If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet"</p><p>In a world that glorifies power and self-interest, we are called to be servants. And this is a call to love not only in words but in actions—often in simple, unseen ways. It is a call to trust in God's mysterious plan, even when the path leads through suffering and humiliation. For, as Jesus shows us, the path of servitude is also the path to resurrection and life.</p><p>This Holy Week, we do well to reflect on the call to Christ-like trust and Christ-like service. Are there feet we are called to wash through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and service? Are there ways we have sought to assert our own will instead of submitting to God's?</p><p>Through his embrace of death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus has opened the Way to the Father. As his friends and followers, may we follow him, in humble service and acceptance of the Father’s will. May we, like the servant in Isaiah and like Jesus Himself, be lights in the darkness, leading others to the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father to the way that leads to life eternal, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - - - - </p><p><br /></p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. </p><p>That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.</p><p>For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.</p><p>That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-73619229833583216022024-03-25T08:23:00.001-04:002024-03-25T08:23:18.859-04:00Holy Week 2024 - Monday - Holy Feet of Jesus<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYwzwhLzOJVI2hgfHSv3cgDsuc6cy87bYMzch4W1w5meqtKuaL4rq9V9NLk6cwqTBUKPYGiDwmWhVdYTIZq0jfq7srV4pFQsrmf8U5UMgx1rMpcixNv868Jo9FKjU-xkU40ntQXplgMGAVNe_gxzMM8-47pnUWIuWmMQqoYidwfmj9HeGzPkPrO4y3gw/s612/christ-crucified-feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="612" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYwzwhLzOJVI2hgfHSv3cgDsuc6cy87bYMzch4W1w5meqtKuaL4rq9V9NLk6cwqTBUKPYGiDwmWhVdYTIZq0jfq7srV4pFQsrmf8U5UMgx1rMpcixNv868Jo9FKjU-xkU40ntQXplgMGAVNe_gxzMM8-47pnUWIuWmMQqoYidwfmj9HeGzPkPrO4y3gw/w400-h323/christ-crucified-feet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Throughout Lent, here at St. Ignatius we have been utilizing the Stations of the Cross of St. Alphonsus Ligouri. Several times in the course of the Stations, St. Alphonsus draws our attention to the Holy Feet of Jesus. In the 11th Station, the saint describes how they nailed Jesus’ hands and feet to the cross, and in the 12th stations the Saint prays, “By the merits of Your death, give me the grace to die embracing Your feet.” <p></p><p>These prayers remind me of how on Good Friday, we come up and venerate the cross, and if it is a crucifix, many people choose to kiss the feet of Jesus. And I always find that to be such a beautiful gesture.</p><p>There is in fact a Novena of unknown origin called the “Novena in Honor of the Holy Feet of Jesus”. The Novena begins considering how Mary and Joseph must have adored the Infant Feet of Jesus, and how the Holy Feet of Jesus carried the Good News to the poor. It contains scriptural references like how Jairus falls at the Holy Feet of Jesus to make his request, Mary sits at the Holy Feet of Jesus listening to him, and the Holy Feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross.</p><p>The Samaritan Leper who was cleansed returns to Jesus and falls facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving. At the empty tomb, an angel sits where Jesus’ feet had been. And St. Paul scribes how God has put all things under the Holy Feet of the Victorious Christ.</p><p>During Holy Week, we do well to consider his Holy Feet. These feet, which once walked on water and brought healing to the sick, are bruised and bloodied by the weight of the cross and the cruelty of the soldiers. The Lord allows his Holy Feet to be nailed to the cross out of love for us, and precious blood to spill to the earth from the wounds made by the nails.</p><p>But prior to the blood and suffering, in today’s Gospel, we stoop down with Mary of Bethany who anoints the Holy Feet of Jesus as an act of love. Mary’s act of love calls us to be lavish in showing great love in gratitude for all we have been given and forgiven. We consider what this act of anointing entailed—how she considered where those feet had tread, and where they would go in the coming days—his feet which recalled his journey thus far—the many miles he walked throughout his ministry. The feet which walked on water as a sign of his divinity. And the feet which would be pierced in sacrifice out of love. They are feet about which the very first book of the bible prophecies, when God in the Garden tells the serpent that he will strike at the heel of the woman’s offspring, but he will fatally crush the serpent’s head. </p><p>As we walk with Jesus this Holy Week, may we never lose sight of his Holy Feet. May we adore them, kiss them, and allow the precious blood that flows from them to wash over us, cleansing us of our sins and drawing us deeper into the Holy Life of God, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - - </p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. </p><p>That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.</p><p>For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.</p><p>That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><p><br /></p>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-53329016102330964752024-03-24T19:56:00.002-04:002024-03-24T19:56:10.029-04:00Palm Sunday 2024 - Lavishing Jesus with Holy Week Devotion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafTWq4D_7jdx7ar3EI-PreFIAwmKOEBz6tL6n0Tp05tkxJ-ph_s4g0qQBnzYS1TbzXpplKkU9O7FLtRhnFjyh4w851pf4uSGPgVlN4ou3PeNq1HtjPWixxscke-xu6zMK4fM9iBoBVHKH-xOP-RVwmN4hPhy9jiyjv3ZNNgSAUQPH85LUYoAV6EXcXfo/s640/Palm%20Sunday%20-%20alabaster%20jar%20anoint%20jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="640" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafTWq4D_7jdx7ar3EI-PreFIAwmKOEBz6tL6n0Tp05tkxJ-ph_s4g0qQBnzYS1TbzXpplKkU9O7FLtRhnFjyh4w851pf4uSGPgVlN4ou3PeNq1HtjPWixxscke-xu6zMK4fM9iBoBVHKH-xOP-RVwmN4hPhy9jiyjv3ZNNgSAUQPH85LUYoAV6EXcXfo/w400-h254/Palm%20Sunday%20-%20alabaster%20jar%20anoint%20jesus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> St. Mark's Passion story began with an incident taking place in the house of Simon the Leper. An unnamed woman took a jar of ointment worth 300 hundred days wages and anointed Jesus' head and feet to show her love of him. 300 hundred days wages; that jar of oil would be worth about 30,000 dollars today. She lavished Jesus with the best she had. <p></p><p>There were some who became indignant. “What a waste,” they said. Many people in the world today consider the time we give to God, a waste. Why spend on God, what you can spend on yourself. Why waste your time going to Church? Why waste your time going to confession? Why waste your time with penance, with sacrifice? </p><p>Jesus responded to those indignant with Mary: “Leave her alone. What she has done is beautiful, it is good. What this woman has done will always be remembered.” 2000 years later we continue to tell her story, and in the heart of God, her act of love for Jesus will truly be remembered forever.</p><p>The good we do for the Lord, whether it's done in secret or in public: charity for the poor, prayers of adoration, attendance at Mass, words of encouragement to the brokenhearted, these things will be remembered by God forever. Even acts of forgiveness—when we forgive someone in our hearts, someone who hurt us, when we let go of resentment, when we let go of a grudge, that is a gift of immeasurable value. </p><p>Today begins Holy Week, and it is a week filled with opportunities to give to God our best. We celebrate this week, how Our Lord gave his best, he gave his life, he gave his obedience and faithfulness to his Father, he gave the embrace of suffering we cannot fathom, he gave forgiveness and mercy to all of humanity of all ages. </p><p>What we do this week will be remembered forever. You will never regret giving God more, this week. Praying more, fasting more, sacrificing more. This could be the most powerful life changing week of your life—the week when you fell deeply in love with Jesus, when you encountered the depth of his love in all that he suffered for you. </p><p>He gave all, he sacrificed all, he gave the best he had, for us. May we do the same for Him, in our prayer, in our Holy Week fasting and penances. May we be poured out like that precious jar of ointment, like the blood poured out on the cross as an oblation to the Father, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-86811951292609778522024-03-22T08:08:00.007-04:002024-03-22T08:08:48.894-04:005th Week of Lent 2024 - Friday - The light of faithfulness to God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ1cTmz0QIPkE8OxqdPXMlIw3qhC7hXXNjdzOXcahVgOaM2O8gvrqhAGNC9IzVburuAqQX2sq4U2ZqofVIg1RwhJmjuLcKW5YkgR1BvcwGFdIZAJXXYtGOB0uflRns4gEAWYWsfB2fkl3XVZHUmxUKJMhUdI-2NUIk90dSzP0Y7yR_JDzJ-AYNCMHNMI/s800/menorah-feast-of-dedication.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ1cTmz0QIPkE8OxqdPXMlIw3qhC7hXXNjdzOXcahVgOaM2O8gvrqhAGNC9IzVburuAqQX2sq4U2ZqofVIg1RwhJmjuLcKW5YkgR1BvcwGFdIZAJXXYtGOB0uflRns4gEAWYWsfB2fkl3XVZHUmxUKJMhUdI-2NUIk90dSzP0Y7yR_JDzJ-AYNCMHNMI/s320/menorah-feast-of-dedication.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> In the 10th Chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus comes to Jerusalem on the Feast of the Dedication, which is known today as Hanukkah. The Feast of the Dedication commemorates the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple during the second century before Christ, after it had been desecrated by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus Epiphanes. The festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and the restoration of Jewish worship in the Temple. When the Maccabees sought to light the Temple's menorah—the seven-branched lampstand—they found they only had enough oil for it to remain lit for one day, but miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days—hence the celebration of light overcoming the darkness.<p></p><p>And it was on this feast, that Jesus, standing in the Portico of that very temple, declares, “The Father and I are one.” And this morning we here the reaction to his words: “The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.” And their reaction is understandable. And if anyone else besides Jesus uttered those words, their action would be justified—the punishment for blasphemy was stoning. But for Jesus, those words, were true—not blasphemy, but revelation.</p><p>And consider the significance of his revelation on the Feast of the Dedication. Just as the Feast of Dedication celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, Jesus, is proclaiming his role in bringing God’s light to the world. Just as the Temple radiates with the light of God—Jesus IS the Temple.</p><p>And just as the Feast of Dedication celebrates the importance of remaining faithful to God and persevering in the face of opposition, Jesus remains determined and faithful to God His Father, despite the hostility he faces, both in this passage, and ultimately, in his Passion which we celebrate a week from today.</p><p>One week from Good Friday, we are challenged by this reading to continue to seek purification from all that keeps us from shining with the light of God. We pray for our catechumens and candidates, for their purification and enlightenment. And then also, we a challenged to embrace faithfulness to God, like our Lord, in the face of the hostility we encounter—from the world, from the devil, from our own disordered passions and fears. </p><p>May the Light of God and the faithfulness of Jesus be seen and detected in our final Lenten penances and preparations for the sacred triduum, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - - </p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. </p><p>For those without faith, those with hearts hardened toward God, and for those searching for Him.</p><p>For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.</p><p>That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-46903655811870349332024-03-20T08:11:00.004-04:002024-03-20T08:11:30.061-04:005th Week of Lent 2024 - Wednesday - God's Truth will set you free<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4P0Z5enIcGQe68yZmV6TJ4Ok9XVcLHIyWNa2vZAxhXa12du0IR3MyN64D-KWnnfNTAtV2jbn_sZkPbnCMuZPHiP1egpdOAHCx-v6mYdNeV6R8LCQxzJXq8v98DsRXYBA3euDXf9-bjgsMC755VP9nLJKVNScWnZkzxLqZHuu1FD0Zjbpj__j1kWGLMaU/s900/shadrach-meshach-and-abednego-in-the-fiery-furnac-jacob-willemszoon-de-wet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="900" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4P0Z5enIcGQe68yZmV6TJ4Ok9XVcLHIyWNa2vZAxhXa12du0IR3MyN64D-KWnnfNTAtV2jbn_sZkPbnCMuZPHiP1egpdOAHCx-v6mYdNeV6R8LCQxzJXq8v98DsRXYBA3euDXf9-bjgsMC755VP9nLJKVNScWnZkzxLqZHuu1FD0Zjbpj__j1kWGLMaU/w400-h319/shadrach-meshach-and-abednego-in-the-fiery-furnac-jacob-willemszoon-de-wet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When told they must worship an idol or be put to death in the fiery furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, chose to remain faithful to the God. They exhibited tremendous and courageous faith in the face of suffering and death: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us... But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."<p></p><p>Their acceptance of suffering in uncompromising faithfulness to the One True God of course foreshadows the passion of Our Lord—the Lord’s uncompromising faithfulness to His Father and the mission for which he was sent. </p><p>Their story is also a powerful prefiguration of the Resurrection of Christ. Just as God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the flames, He raised Jesus from the dead, breaking the chains of sin and death once and for all. Their deliverance foreshadows our own deliverance through Christ’s Resurrection, offering us freedom not just from physical peril but from spiritual bondage—from the fiery furnace of hell. </p><p>In the Gospel today, the Lord emphasizes the freedom that comes from obedience. Jesus declares, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). </p><p>Obedience, discipleship, and faith in the revealed truth of God sets us free.</p><p>This truth is not merely an abstract concept; it is a living reality that transforms our lives. When we embrace the truth of Christ, we are liberated from the deception and confusion of the world. We are no longer slaves to our passions and desires, but rather, we are transformed to live in the freedom of the children of God, guided by God’s wisdom and love.</p><p>Why does it seem like the world is simply going to hell, these days? Because it is divorced from Truth. When we only follow the disordered desires of our fallen natures, our lives spin into chaos. When I put myself, my ego, my opinions, my perversions on the throne of heaven, we begin to reign in a hell of our own making.</p><p>Rather, we are to seek the renewal and transformation God wants for us, by taking ourselves off of the throne and becoming disciples, disciples of Truth that comes outside of ourselves, of life that is not grasped, but is received in humility. Modern man is obsessed with treading his own way, creating his own truths, determining his own moral standards. And the biblical lesson is that sort of hubris leads to destruction and self-imposed slavery every time. Rather, true freedom is discovered through obedience to the highest principal, which is not of our own creation, but is the Creator of all things, the Divine Logos, the Word of Life, who seeks the redemption of man’s fallenness, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - </p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. </p><p>For those without faith, those with hearts hardened toward God, and for those searching for Him.</p><p>For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.</p><p>That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-56929047978164604762024-03-20T08:04:00.003-04:002024-03-20T08:04:20.091-04:00March 19 2024 - St. Joseph - Guardian, Model, and Universal Patron<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GpyuRk1jCVrixDsrbq-mggrQ9Dr73OZlHZHedojUDSW_MBZscgZ-5NKi95Eup4t2010hy_1EdA5iR1ydmGObUIv4GglJZqc6-JtsLdrAqpUB-fsB0wzD7yVnFF8J0AsWOOdK4aDBZwwq7jDpIrhZF8uAIQqZvXpYgUK9NjNMzezyiqRhpQP69xTdcGU/s640/st.%20joseph%20and%20Christ%20Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GpyuRk1jCVrixDsrbq-mggrQ9Dr73OZlHZHedojUDSW_MBZscgZ-5NKi95Eup4t2010hy_1EdA5iR1ydmGObUIv4GglJZqc6-JtsLdrAqpUB-fsB0wzD7yVnFF8J0AsWOOdK4aDBZwwq7jDpIrhZF8uAIQqZvXpYgUK9NjNMzezyiqRhpQP69xTdcGU/w400-h200/st.%20joseph%20and%20Christ%20Child.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> In the midst of the season of Lent, we celebrate today the great solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. Devotion to St. Joseph stretches back to the earliest Christians.<br /><br />Depictions of St. Joseph can be found in early Christian artwork, particularly in catacombs and frescoes dating from the early centuries of Christianity. These images often portray Joseph alongside Mary and Jesus, highlighting his importance within the Holy Family.<p></p><p>The 3rd century, theologian Origen wrote about Joseph's righteousness and obedience to God. And, St. Jerome, in the 4th century, referred to Joseph’s sanctity in his commentary on the Gospel of Matthew.</p><p>The Church honors St. Joseph with a solemnity because of his importance to the Holy Family and to all of us. His example of deep faith, obedience and humility is to be imitated by all Christians. When faced with the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Mary's pregnancy, Joseph trusted in God's plan and took Mary as his wife, despite the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead. His unwavering fidelity to God's will serves as a powerful reminder to us, especially during this season of Lent, to place our trust in the Lord and follow God’s path, even when it may be difficult or unclear.</p><p>As the guardian of the Holy Family, Joseph protected Mary and Jesus from the threat posed by King Herod, and so many of the threats which face poor and vulnerable families. We often think that God must have provided some divine shield around mary and Jesus, but no, Joseph was that shield. Or we imagine that food and clothing and shelter just appeared for Jesus, but no, Joseph was the provider. </p><p>Joseph was faithful to God with the great responsibility of caring for Jesus and Mary, and he models for us the faithfulness we are to exhibit in caring for our families and the vulnerable among us.</p><p>Today’s feast reminds us that Joseph is not just a role model, but the universal patron of the Church, meaning it is always and everywhere fitting, in whatever threat we face, in whatever need we have, to “go to Joseph” . We invoke today and all days his guidance, protection, and assistance in our family challenges, in our work, in our illnesses, in our fight against evil and temptation and for our general spiritual growth. </p><p>St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us, that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - </p><p>That St. Joseph, “Patron of the Universal Church” may guide and guard our Holy Father, all bishops and clergy, religious and lay faithful from all evil and error. </p><p>That St. Joseph, “diligent protector” of the Christ Child, will help protect all children from violence and evil, especially the unborn.</p><p>That St. Joseph, “Guardian of Virgins” will help eradicate perversion and immodesty from our culture.</p><p>That St. Joseph, “Pillar of Families”, will be an example for all Christian families.</p><p>That St. Joseph “terror of demons” will help to deliver all those in sin, and all those under demonic influence, to be open to the saving mercy of Christ. </p><p>That St. Joseph “patron of the dying” will help all the dying to know the tender peace of God.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-5105939520566693222024-03-18T08:05:00.001-04:002024-03-18T08:05:11.850-04:005th Week of Lent 2024 - Monday - Susanna, the sinful woman, and the Shepherd<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSmU6p9-BVCtgH_TNQhFphSgBV01RyfU6XEpxtRdAvbi6OU8GmRgLaR1LA1wJeMv3CyYgZjVTlxQg_X90i7-c-k5ZQMYWKC9KQlklxcMDzP9yXQJ9o_DGoA54Elko_NI564gY6tTAjDzPtQJPMygCqiH2MXpfPjv76ymrmS9t0reGkOBO1rHXJkPS7UI/s1080/Psalm-23.4a-27841436.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSmU6p9-BVCtgH_TNQhFphSgBV01RyfU6XEpxtRdAvbi6OU8GmRgLaR1LA1wJeMv3CyYgZjVTlxQg_X90i7-c-k5ZQMYWKC9KQlklxcMDzP9yXQJ9o_DGoA54Elko_NI564gY6tTAjDzPtQJPMygCqiH2MXpfPjv76ymrmS9t0reGkOBO1rHXJkPS7UI/s320/Psalm-23.4a-27841436.png" width="320" /></a></div>Our two readings this morning—that of Susanna and the woman caught in adultery are linked by the beautiful responsorial Psalm—psalm 23rd—the great shepherd psalm—in which our merciful God is depicted as a shepherd who provides guidance, protection, assurance, and deliverance.<p></p><p>Psalm 23 begins with the powerful affirmation, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." In these words, we find solace in the shepherd's provision, knowing that God cares for our every need. Similarly, Susanna and the adulterous woman both experience God's provision and care in their moments of desperation. Susanna finds vindication and deliverance from false accusations, while the adulterous woman encounters the merciful forgiveness of Jesus, who protects her from the stones of condemnation.</p><p>As the psalmist declares, "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." In Susanna's story and the encounter with the adulterous woman, we witness the transformative power of God's mercy and forgiveness. Both women experience restoration and guidance as they encounter the divine presence in their darkest moments. Through the prophet Daniel and the compassionate words of Jesus, they are led on the paths of righteousness and offered a new beginning.</p><p>Psalm 23 continues with the comforting assurance, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." In Susanna's trial and the Woman Caught in Adultery's moment of condemnation, they find themselves in the valley of darkness, facing imminent danger and death. Yet, God's presence is their comfort and strength. Through Daniel's intervention and Jesus' merciful intervention, they are delivered from harm.</p><p>Finally, Psalm 23 concludes with the proclamation, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Encountering the Lord’s mercy, both women are able to begin a new life, especially the woman caught in adultery. She is invited by the Lord not to return to her former life of sin, but to “go and sin no more”—to a life in which she strives to live free of sin—as all Christians are called to do.</p><p>May our Lenten journey help us and all people to encounter more deeply the shepherding care of the Lord—in times of trial, his deliverance, in times of sin, his mercy, and the promise of eternal life with him forever, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - - - - </p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. </p><p>For those without faith, those with hearts hardened toward God, and for those searching for Him.</p><p>For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.</p><p>That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><p><br /></p>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-76451632008910098802024-03-17T12:47:00.003-04:002024-03-17T12:47:22.804-04:005th Sunday of Lent 2024 - We want to see Jesus<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bd0ASDE2Zn6SjijGNJsg5ruf85ijsLp4bYARO6KfxQ5_6QZAtLd89Xc5ZiMPm3qkBuRGpF1mUyFgzpjTRKxenAx50Iq40dXS3K-GCWzDyaHgIJVqfqCt6fqi0g9cgwB5KXy26VOvgXxh8XE5klbMOhw9wHHBMBcOGKEVKSXxmLm1fHJOOlpCd1GYe4E/s541/holy%20face2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bd0ASDE2Zn6SjijGNJsg5ruf85ijsLp4bYARO6KfxQ5_6QZAtLd89Xc5ZiMPm3qkBuRGpF1mUyFgzpjTRKxenAx50Iq40dXS3K-GCWzDyaHgIJVqfqCt6fqi0g9cgwB5KXy26VOvgXxh8XE5klbMOhw9wHHBMBcOGKEVKSXxmLm1fHJOOlpCd1GYe4E/s320/holy%20face2.jpg" width="280" /></a></div> Some Greeks arrived in Jerusalem for the Passover to render worship to God. They approached Philip and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”<p></p><p>The opening lines of the Gospel this week raise some questions: Why were Greeks, who were raised to pay homage to the pantheon of Greek gods--gods like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, and Aphrodite, why were these non-Jews going to Jerusalem for Passover? Well, these Greeks were known as proselytes, non-Jews who had come to believe in the God of Israel, but who had not yet undergone circumcision. Well, that answers who they were, but why were they there? Why…how…had these Greeks, these gentiles, these pagans, come to believe in the One True God of Israel?</p><p>Well, why does anyone convert? </p><p>I came across an internet video a few weeks ago. A young woman who is described as “A Major Protestant YouTube Star” announced in this internet video that she was converting to Catholicism.” She explains, “I did not want to be Catholic. Not only did I think Catholicism was wrong, I just didn’t like the vibe of Catholicism. I wanted to be anything but Catholic… I fought so hard to get out of this intellectually.”</p><p>So why is she converting? Well, she had been planning on going to Thailand as a Protestant Missionary, when she came across internet videos that challenged some of her preconceptions about the Catholic Church. One video she said was titled “10 Lies Protestants Believe about Catholicism.” So, to verify Catholic teaching for herself, she started reading the Early Church Fathers, and discovered, these guys were Catholic. She discovered how the Catholic Church’s teaching about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is clearly biblical. And through reading and study even became convinced of the truth of the papacy. </p><p>She, like countless souls before her, had searched for the Truth with an open mind and open heart, and found it, here, in the Catholic Church.</p><p>In today’s Gospel, the Greeks had come to Jerusalem searching for the Truth, and that search for the truth led them to declare to the Apostle Philip: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” </p><p>Their simple request reflects a universal sentiment in the heart of every human being. We want to see Jesus. We want to know God. We want to be in His presence.</p><p>Throughout my years as a priest, I have worked in the RCIA at several different parishes. We’ve had Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Southern Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, and folks raised without any religion whatsoever, even some souls who were once very vocal critics of Catholicism, who urged people to leave the Catholic Church. But their search for the Truth, their search for the face of God, had led them here, had led them home.</p><p>“Sir, we would like to see Jesus” is the reason each one of us is here today. We are here because we want to see Jesus in eternity, and in order to do that, we must be His faithful followers, now. </p><p>The desire to see Jesus, has impelled us throughout Lent to undergo Lenten penances like abstaining from meat on Fridays, fasting from non-essentials, engaging in extra prayer-time throughout the week, and offering our meager earthly treasures to help the poor. Praying, fasting, and almsgiving help us to see Jesus.</p><p>This desire to see Jesus is fulfilled when we come to Mass. We enter the church, genuflecting to the tabernacle, believing that Jesus is really here. I can go to any Catholic church or chapel in the world and see Jesus and visit Jesus in any tabernacle in the world. And at Mass, we can “see Jesus” become present under the appearance of bread and wine. </p><p>And we come to Mass every week, we follow the Lord’s teachings, we engage in penances and acts of mercy, not only because WE want to “see Jesus” but because Jesus wants others to see Him in US. The way we act, the words we utter, how we use our time, are to help others “see Jesus”.</p><p>How had the Greeks in the Gospels come to believe? How have the billions of Catholic converts throughout the millennia come to believe? News of Jesus Christ was shared with them. They had seen Jesus speaking and acting in the lives of ordinary Catholics like us.</p><p>There have certainly been some extraordinary saints who have made it their life’s work to help others see Jesus. I think particularly of the Saint we honor this weekend: the great patron of Ireland, St. Patrick. </p><p>Many of you know some of the stories of St. Patrick: Patrick was born in Roman Britain. And when he was fourteen or so, he was captured by Irish pirates during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and pagans, but Patrick, the son of a Deacon, kept his Catholic faith.</p><p>Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty years old, when he escaped slavery after having a dream from God in which he was told he could find his freedom by fleeing to the sea coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain where he was reunited with his family.</p><p>Patrick wasn’t home long, when he sensed a call from God to return to Ireland to preach the Gospel. He was trained as a priest and was ordained by the bishop St. Germanus, who sent Patrick back to Ireland as a missionary bishop.</p><p>The legend of Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland is symbolic of driving paganism from the Emerald Isle, and leading its inhabitants to Christ. And Patrick was successful because he was filled with the life and love of Christ. </p><p>The famous breastplate of St. Patrick speaks of the saint’s immense trust in the strength of Christ, but that other may encounter Christ through him: "Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me, Christ in the eye of every man that sees me, Christ in the ear of every man that hears me."</p><p>There are people in our lives who long to see Jesus, and we like the apostles, like so many saints, are called to help them to see the Lord, by patiently and clearly and zealously sharing Jesus with them.</p><p>After the Greeks share their desire to see Jesus, Jesus gives a teaching that his followers must become like grains of wheat, that die to themselves in order to truly live. The life of God cannot dwell in us if we are unwilling to die to ourselves. Christ cannot be seen in us, unless we decrease. So we must willingly pursue dying to our selfish desires, dying to the errors of the world.</p><p>In two weeks, we will celebrate again the great Paschal Solemnity of Easter the feast of new life--the new life God wants for us, but in those two weeks, we still have much dying to do. Pray more deeply, fast more assiduously, seek Jesus in the poor who need your assistance, and help others see Him, in your kindness. If you have any family members or neighbors who have fallen away from the Church, invite them to attend sacramental confession or invite them to attend our Good Friday veneration of the cross. Invite them to see Jesus. Through the dying and rising with Christ may we come to see Jesus face to face in the glorious resurrection, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-59348437112024608932024-03-15T08:36:00.008-04:002024-03-15T08:36:54.175-04:004th Week of Lent 2024 - Friday - Obnoxious to the Satanic<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhUFKMtDpHvPiSwaOegnj6ds9CYe7Pz4MLiLpzDpxlEhIGXKjDkJqFOM9_yKHQGNpA3jd0TbtK2XwW1yHGvZeUxoOtRBchxW_smcbr5z6aPI01dFWVMR8pf8jYd-WjF9rp7hK7_RwVNSI7TO0usa31_OMlgM4v71Z6FbAXxe55Si40BkvKn-K5XVIEak/s473/jesus-falls-the-first-time-3rd-station-of-the-cross-martin-feuerstein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="473" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhUFKMtDpHvPiSwaOegnj6ds9CYe7Pz4MLiLpzDpxlEhIGXKjDkJqFOM9_yKHQGNpA3jd0TbtK2XwW1yHGvZeUxoOtRBchxW_smcbr5z6aPI01dFWVMR8pf8jYd-WjF9rp7hK7_RwVNSI7TO0usa31_OMlgM4v71Z6FbAXxe55Si40BkvKn-K5XVIEak/s320/jesus-falls-the-first-time-3rd-station-of-the-cross-martin-feuerstein.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> During the final weeks of Lent, the weekday scripture readings detail the growing hostility towards Jesus culminating in his crucifixion. Why do Jesus’ enemies hate him so? <p></p><p>Our first reading from the book of Wisdom gives us a glimpse into the psychology of Jesus’ opponents. In these verses, we encounter the musings of the wicked about the just man. The wicked call the just man obnoxious, he challenges their attitudes and behaviors and ideals, his righteousness is a rebuke to their wicked ways, his relationship with God exposes their alienation from God. </p><p>In the just man, the wicked face a mirror reflecting their own iniquities. The just man walks a path of righteousness and divine trust contrasting sharply with their world of deception and malice. And so what do the wicked do when faced with this reminder of their iniquity? They plot against him: “With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him."</p><p>The plotting of the wicked mirrors the behavior of Satan in the Book of Job. Recall how Satan challenges Job’s integrity by arguing that Job is faithful only because God has blessed him with prosperity. He suggests that if Job were to face suffering, his true nature would be revealed, and he would surely curse God. Similarly, in the Book of Wisdom, the wicked test the just man, challenging his righteousness and hoping to unveil hypocrisy or weakness. They both act out of a belief that righteousness is not genuine but merely a facade maintained for personal gain or under favorable circumstances.</p><p>In the hostility towards the just man there is a clear parallel to the way Jesus was treated by His opponents leading up to the crucifixion, who are filled with the Satanic spirit. </p><p>The wicked of his day plotted against Jesus, twisted His words, and sought to eliminate Him. For the Lord Jesus, in His perfection, was a living rebuke to their hypocrisy and sinfulness. His light exposed their darkness. His Divine love and truth, exposed their selfishness and pride, which mirrors the Selfishness and pride of the Satan himself. </p><p>The Satanic spirit is constantly at work to turn hearts from justice and truth, to twist human minds so that they interpret the goodness and truth and beauty of Christ to be obnoxious. And Satan has won over many souls.</p><p>So again, our Lenten penances, are not just for ourselves. They are done in the spirit of Christ who came to destroy the works of Satan, and the hold Satan has on souls, that they we may live in the goodness, truth, and beauty of the living God. Let us be lavish in our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for ourselves and the deliverance of those bound by the lies of the Evil One, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. </p><p>- - - - </p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. </p><p>For those without faith, those with hearts hardened toward God, and for those searching for Him.</p><p>For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.</p><p>That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-74732989103237484342024-03-13T08:08:00.000-04:002024-03-13T08:08:00.703-04:004th Week of Lent 2024 - Wednesday - Divine Sonship of Jesus Christ<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MUMyaEWVDf1TAyvbzQoArChID39z_-1ulz4Liy02hif-R-HSE6yfLxxZfS63ZizfrQjDdg7K0ORy_wH59clpCj2bSxPowBm2CFSCGVfga3AhyWPmbj2f8-bD_QcouCMWoz6gAFUdpVWJQUHnSImL8OZKQ2LvG8v5JlbzOhWgPRmgUwErUYIt3k7G8eA/s900/jesus%20and%20father%20-%20trinity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MUMyaEWVDf1TAyvbzQoArChID39z_-1ulz4Liy02hif-R-HSE6yfLxxZfS63ZizfrQjDdg7K0ORy_wH59clpCj2bSxPowBm2CFSCGVfga3AhyWPmbj2f8-bD_QcouCMWoz6gAFUdpVWJQUHnSImL8OZKQ2LvG8v5JlbzOhWgPRmgUwErUYIt3k7G8eA/s320/jesus%20and%20father%20-%20trinity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Following the fourth Sunday of Lent, we read during the weekdays predominantly from the Gospel of St. John. <p></p><p>Like each of the evangelists, St. John details the miracles and teachings of Jesus, culminating in his self-sacrifice on Calvary and his resurrection. Compared to Mathew, Mark, and Luke, however, St. John often emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus, his consubstantiality with the Father, how he and the Father are united in nature, and also in their desire to save humanity.</p><p>Why did St. John convey this unique perspective? While the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, and Luke were written to explain the life and teachings of Jesus to a more general audience, including Jews and Gentiles with varying degrees of understanding of Jewish traditions, John's Gospel seems to address a community that was already familiar with Jesus' life and teachings. John’s intent was to deepen the understanding of Jesus' divine nature and to reinforce the faith of the believers. Since, John was writing a little later than the other 3 gospel writers, around the turn of the 1st century, his audience was already facing the spready of heresies about Jesus’ divine identity, prompting John to emphasize the spiritual and divine aspects of Jesus.</p><p>Today’s Gospel passage is emblematic of St. John’s high Christology, as scholars say, an example of St. John emphasizing Jesus’ divine nature and the consequences for his teaching. The passage begins with Jesus claiming to share his Father’s work—his work and his Father’s work are the same. And immediately, St. John tells us that the reactions to this bold statement were dramatic. “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.”</p><p>Jesus then doubles down, and claims that he can do nothing apart from the Father and does whatever the Father does, indicating a unity of action and will between the Son and the Father. That the Father has granted the Son authority to give life and to execute judgment, and goes so far to say that they should all should honor the Him with the same honor as they give to the Father. And then the real kicker: Jesus claims power to resurrect the dead and give eternal life.</p><p>This passage is helpful for us to understand the reasons for the hostility Jesus experiences, but also it offers several good lessons for Lent.</p><p>Lent is a time to deepen our understanding and appreciation of who Jesus is. He is the Divine Savior sent by the Father out of love for us, to do what we could not do for ourselves, save us from our sins. Jesus models perfect obedience and submission to the Father's will. And during Lent, we are called to imitate Christ's example by aligning our own will with God's and seeking to do what pleases him. Jesus emphasizes that he can do nothing apart from the Father. This reminds us of our own need to rely on God's strength and guidance, especially as we seek to grow in holiness during Lent. As Jesus speaks of the coming judgment, we are reminded of our own accountability before God. Lent is a time for self-examination, repentance, and seeking to live a life pleasing to God.</p><p>And finally Jesus' discourse highlights his authority over life and death and his role in the final resurrection. Lent is a time to focus on eternal realities and to live in light of the resurrection hope we have in Christ.</p><p>By reflecting on Jesus' divine identity and his relationship to the Father we honor Jesus as the divine Son, submit to his authority, depend on his power, and live with an eternal perspective as we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - </p><p>As the Solemnity of Easter approaches, dear brethren, let our prayer to the Lord be all the more insistent:</p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and those to be fully initiated in the coming Paschal Solemnity</p><p>For Peace throughout the nations of the world most threatened by hatred, division, and violence, for the protection of the unborn and the safety of the men and women in our armed forces. </p><p>That all families will commit themselves to fervent prayer this Lent so as to grow in greater love and holiness. </p><p>For the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of all people, especially the spiritually blind and hard of heart. </p><p>For all those who have died, for all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for… </p><p>Have mercy, O Lord, on the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in the divine mystery may never be left without your assistance. Through Christ our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-1938951120540321732024-03-12T08:24:00.002-04:002024-03-12T09:51:07.600-04:004th Week of Lent 2024 - Tuesday - Jesus the Water of Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ogodiFf_Ee6oRpk2UOPzI0KKNOK8zIjb61apjMF0piUYlXG7IARFvIc08cf1hNTF-wm60Bfsw8QBF4-HEy-e1Re_GyWwOkGIezMrPa2F_GH6BFTNhsPlAGkFLd9EWFG8zSX4cTv2TSs81hXkgrq45j8V9p1HY-ESE7BxvlcTBwy3_UuIlWpfD3W0dKY/s900/jesus-christ-water.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ogodiFf_Ee6oRpk2UOPzI0KKNOK8zIjb61apjMF0piUYlXG7IARFvIc08cf1hNTF-wm60Bfsw8QBF4-HEy-e1Re_GyWwOkGIezMrPa2F_GH6BFTNhsPlAGkFLd9EWFG8zSX4cTv2TSs81hXkgrq45j8V9p1HY-ESE7BxvlcTBwy3_UuIlWpfD3W0dKY/s320/jesus-christ-water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Yesterday, I mentioned how the 4th Sunday of Lent was a sort of dividing line in the Lenten season. During the first half of Lent, the scripture readings focus on penance, repentance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving which help us to bring our passions under control. <p></p><p>This second half of Lenten assumes that we still continue to practice Lenten penances, of course, but the scripture readings and mass orations speak a lot more about grace, life, healing, and purification. </p><p>In scripture and tradition, these spiritual realities are symbolized often by water. We hear of water in both of our readings today: water flowing out of the temple, water with healing properties at the pool of Bethesda.</p><p>Water is essential for physical life; nothing can live without it. In many biblical stories, water is a source of life and growth. Just as water nourishes, cleanses, and sustains physical life, grace, healing, and spiritual life are the divine nourishment and sustenance for the soul. This parallel makes water a natural symbol for the life-giving grace of God. Water quenches the thirst of our bodies--God quenches the thirst of our soul--we were made for him.</p><p>Water is a means of cleansing. We wash our cars, we wash our houses, we wash our bodies, with water. Water washes away dirt, impurity, and contagions. So too, it is used sacramentally, to symbolize the washing away of sin in the baptism, and we even use blessed water to purify objects and places exposed to the contagion of evil. </p><p>That water is needed by all people, in all places, and all times, reminds us of how God is needed by all people, in all places, and at all times. </p><p>Water has the power to change landscapes, erode rock, nourish dry land, and create channels of new life. Just as water can lead to dramatic changes in the physical world, God’s grace leads to significant changes in our spiritual lives and personal circumstances.</p><p>Water flows, moves, and follows a path. This dynamic quality of water makes it a symbol for the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. Just as a river follows its path, so does the Spirit guide us to the sea of God’s infinite goodness. </p><p>Water flows from the Temple in the first reading today, foreshadowing how the water will flow from the side of Christ at his crucifixion and how the waters of baptism flow from the Church to all corners of the world, but recall that it is not water in itself that has the power to save us. Water, in fact, is shown to be insufficient in the Gospel today; it is Jesus who heals, it is Jesus who saves: A reminder that the saving waters of baptism are only capable of bringing new spiritual life, because of Christ. He is the living water--whoever comes to him shall never thirst, He is the one that causes a deep well of grace within our souls to spring up to eternal life. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - - </p><p>As the Solemnity of Easter approaches, dear brethren, let our prayer to the Lord be all the more insistent:</p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and those to be fully initiated in the coming Paschal Solemnity</p><p>For Peace throughout the nations of the world most threatened by hatred, division, and violence, for the protection of the unborn and the safety of the men and women in our armed forces. </p><p>That all families will commit themselves to fervent prayer this Lent so as to grow in greater love and holiness. </p><p>For the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of all people, especially the spiritually blind and hard of heart. </p><p>For all those who have died, for all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for… </p><p>Have mercy, O Lord, on the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in the divine mystery may never be left without your assistance. Through Christ our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-35169623942383982712024-03-11T08:37:00.008-04:002024-03-11T08:37:48.338-04:004th Week of Lent 2024 - Monday - Promises of New Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ82t3XWyRV3OdCzO5u6wB7YJC6B5kSNw4g8hcPXDE2GMZzaaIwtMFwl06IKNwEYYf-V_lfjfUTeHiSKfk287wKiiSnhv52s1Twh6RDgbdzsJm7LZ3A2e6LfnGDLxR2U8QjhwVbWzaVQ6fTi1Lv9pOdU7P66qhw7LdReNBwt8GB7ddL3Si_miJ0VyXOI/s1195/new%20heaven%20and%20new%20earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1195" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ82t3XWyRV3OdCzO5u6wB7YJC6B5kSNw4g8hcPXDE2GMZzaaIwtMFwl06IKNwEYYf-V_lfjfUTeHiSKfk287wKiiSnhv52s1Twh6RDgbdzsJm7LZ3A2e6LfnGDLxR2U8QjhwVbWzaVQ6fTi1Lv9pOdU7P66qhw7LdReNBwt8GB7ddL3Si_miJ0VyXOI/w400-h209/new%20heaven%20and%20new%20earth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The fourth Sunday of Lent, yesterday, marked a threshold in this liturgical season. No longer will the weekday readings emphasize prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The Church assumes, that at this point, we have habituated these practices. Rather, from now until Holy Week, our weekday scripture readings will focus on the identity of Jesus as the Messiah, and the mounting hostility he faced leading up to his arrest and crucifixion. <p></p><p>The gospel book changes as well. Since Ash Wednesday, we’ve read from one of the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, or Luke. For the rest of Lent, we will read predominately from the Gospel of John, which presents Jesus as “the resurrection and the life”. </p><p>The promise of new life is introduced in our reading from the prophet Isaiah this morning. God announces his plan and his promise to create a new heaven and a new earth where the sufferings and sadnesses of life—caused by sin and death and evil—shall not be remembered, but will be replaced with endless rejoicing and happiness. </p><p>And then how did our Gospel reading show Jesus fulfilling this promise of new life. The weeping of the royal official over his dying son is replaced with joy when Jesus restores health to the boy. Joy is brought to the entire household. </p><p>Yesterday, on Laetare Sunday the liturgy urged us to be joyful, for all who mourn shall be made to exult. And again today, we have this connection with joy and new life. The new life available to all of us through Christ is the cause of our joy. </p><p>Joy should be evident in the life of the Christian. Even as we undergo Lenten penances, there should be joy. Because we know that our Lenten penances bring life. They are aimed at the spiritual growth of our souls, and softening hardened hearts to the life of God. </p><p>Our collect prayer this morning, too, spoke about the renewal God desires to bring about through Christ. What is the renewal God wants for you, right now, and this point in your life? Can you identify it? If not, ask God to help you identify those parts of your mind, body, and spirit that he wants to renew through Christ. And if you do know, ask for the strength to pursue that renewal, that new life. It might not be easy. Renewal might require change and breaking habits and thinking and speaking differently. But that change is good because it is the change desired for you by God. </p><p>May the joy of our salvation in Christ pierce through every darkness and lead us and those we pray for to the eternal light of Heaven for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. </p><p><br /></p><p>- - - - -</p><p>As the Solemnity of Easter approaches, dear brethren, let our prayer to the Lord be all the more insistent:</p><p>That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and those to be fully initiated in the coming Paschal Solemnity</p><p>For Peace throughout the nations of the world most threatened by hatred, division, and violence, for the protection of the unborn and the safety of the men and women in our armed forces. </p><p>That all families will commit themselves to fervent prayer this Lent so as to grow in greater love and holiness. </p><p>For the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of all people, especially the spiritually blind and hard of heart. </p><p>For all those who have died, for all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for… </p><p>Have mercy, O Lord, on the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in the divine mystery may never be left without your assistance. Through Christ our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-77378829997952806552024-03-11T08:30:00.003-04:002024-03-11T08:30:17.195-04:004th Sunday of Lent 2024 - Joyous Eucatastrophe<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2G-gTka-s8-CV-oCLKMqrUBU3B0TqQVXaYYh_GC3upDltOaZXURZIty3Nh6EhJJPoqswLsXzhdrqNqjri0nTj6U5O839K2RQvjgXqIbJq8PX3naZvOdkJTVICbWFZhIUFiT5PrhAs3JSwKBWaSn3QWAhDbpVr6utfQGehSTfOn_wACdxvHn0-itO-0c/s1600/rays%20of%20hope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2G-gTka-s8-CV-oCLKMqrUBU3B0TqQVXaYYh_GC3upDltOaZXURZIty3Nh6EhJJPoqswLsXzhdrqNqjri0nTj6U5O839K2RQvjgXqIbJq8PX3naZvOdkJTVICbWFZhIUFiT5PrhAs3JSwKBWaSn3QWAhDbpVr6utfQGehSTfOn_wACdxvHn0-itO-0c/w400-h266/rays%20of%20hope.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Some of you may have heard of the celebrated 20th century author J.R.R. Tolkien. He gained some popular notoriety a few years ago when his books, the Lord of the Rings saga and the Hobbit, were turned into very-well done blockbuster movies by the New Zealand film director Peter Jackson.<p></p><p>JRR Tolkien, you may not know, was a devout Catholic, and his faith deeply influenced his work. The Lord of the Rings is imbued with Catholic themes such as the struggle between good and evil, the importance of self-sacrifice, and the power of grace. Tolkien's heroes are often the small and humble who are called to do great things and carry heavy burdens. His world, called Middle-earth, is one that values tradition, ritual, knowledge, virtue, and a proper ordering of things.</p><p>Tolkien believed that myths and fairy stories could convey deep spiritual truths. He saw them not as mere escapism, but as a means to connect with reality at a deeper level. You’d be surprised that many young people credit Tolkien as part of their journey home back to the faith. A very good priest friend of mine even told me that he never would have entered seminary, had it not been for Tolkien’s stories.</p><p>In one of his essays, Tolkien discusses how stories can invoke real joy within us, particularly through what he called "eucatastrophe," a term he coined for a joyous turn of events that brings unexpected grace and victory over sorrow, failure, and death.</p><p>Think of that moment in Les Miserables where the criminal Jean Valjan is arrested for stealing from the Archbishop. And instead of condemning him and demanding back his silver, the Archbishop says no, take the silver, use it to begin a new life dedicated to grace. The unexpected act of mercy bought his soul for God.</p><p>Or think of those old pictures of the Allied forces, rolling in to liberate those concentration camps, and the jubilation that came after those months of starvation and impending doom. </p><p>Or a few years ago, remember, the miraculous rescue of those 33 miners trapped underground for 70 days in Chile brought the world together in a shared experience of relief and jubilation. </p><p>We love these types of stories. They exemplify what Tolkien called eucatastrophe—the triumph of goodness that we didn't see coming, which sparks profound joy.</p><p>Did you catch the eucatastrophe in our first reading today?</p><p>Our first reading today mirrors this concept. Despite continuous warnings, the people of Judah persisted in their infidelity, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and their exile to Babylon—a direct result of their defiance against God. It was a desperate situation, one they had brought upon themselves, threatening the very existence of their civilization.</p><p>But then, the miraculous turn: God moves the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to their homeland. And this of course brought profoundest joy.</p><p>The Jews knew they were lost, they were beaten, and they were totally at the mercy of their captors. They could not save themselves.</p><p>But in his mercy, and fidelity to the promises that HE had made, God saves them. Because God is faithful even when we are unfaithful and undeserving. And that is the cause of our joy. </p><p>This narrative found in Chronicles is analogous to humanity's state before Christ. We were in exile, a predicament of our own making. Despite warnings, we sinned. The ripple effects of our sins damaged our minds, bodies, and souls, deserving eternal separation from God. We deserved hell for our sins—endless sorrow of being excluded from God’s presence for all eternity, the knowledge that its duration would continue forever without possibility of rest, the knowledge that it could have been otherwise had we remained faithful, and the understanding that our punishment was entirely our own fault. </p><p>But then the joyous eucatastrophe--the greatest unexpected grace: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.</p><p>The joy of the Christian life does not come from the fact that God has freed us from our earthly sufferings—each one of us here still suffers. Evil bombards us. </p><p>Rather, the joy of the Christian life is the experience of salvation—the knowledge and understanding that we have been saved by Jesus Christ when we were deserving of hell. And from experience of salvation blossoms joy that no earthly suffering can diminish—because God’s grace pierces through those evils every time—and shows us the way to heaven. </p><p>This is why Christians can experience joy on our death beds. We’re given a diagnosis of terminal cancer, and we can still have joy because we know that God has given us the way to walk through the cancer to eternal life. We can experience joy when we have been stripped of all things, like Jesus stripped of his clothes on calvary. Because it’s not the earthly things that bring us joy, it’s the thing that can’t be taken away, our union with Christ.</p><p>And the only reason a Christian can end up in hell is because of his choice to walk away from Christ up to his final breaths—the rejection of the grace of repentance. But we know, that God reaches out to those souls all the time. He brings about eucatastrophes in their lives—unexpected graces—to help them see the light in their darkness.</p><p>And this is why our penances and prayers, during the season of Lent and throughout the year, are so important. Penances undertaken on behalf of others cause beams of God’s light to shine into the darkness of their errors and sins. Our prayers whispered to God help them hear God whispering in the depths of their hearts amidst all the noise of the world.</p><p>Christians we don’t just do penance and pray without cause, as if we would anger God if we didn’t. God uses our prayers and penances to help save the lost. And that brings us joy, doesn’t it. To know, that our prayer is powerful, our sufferings offered up, are powerful? When we offer up our sufferings in union with Christ, God works. </p><p>This is why we are to be generous, lavish, with our Lenten prayer and penance and almsgiving. People say, I don’t like to give anything up for Lent. Fine, we aren’t supposed to necessarily enjoy penance. But those things that you don’t like to do, but you do them anyway because they are the right thing to do, deepen your joy in Christ because you are united to Him in his suffering and in his saving mission.</p><p>So let us be generous in our Lenten penances and prayers, offering them up for those who have fallen away from the Church or do not yet know Christ. Our sacrifices, united to His cross, become channels of grace that God can use to work eucatastrophes in their lives.</p><p>May the joy of our salvation in Christ pierce through every darkness and lead us and those we pray for to the eternal light of Heaven for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-52074786039624228992024-03-08T08:02:00.011-05:002024-03-08T08:06:06.418-05:003rd Week of Lent 2024 - Friday - Return to God and be made whole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbyeviI3TnrK3YldlEHBuP-kzMKVjrMMjt4XjANdcISngX5a7fvVcpXlgu2AfwXg7SsrjKsxVoCJfcWp1VhyphenhyphenxBcsKLhuBce1x8gpVqh9mQx7oHlCqDg-ukeZ_wZUamT5g_Bxn78ffFa4Ek05DH8D4HQTS9k8qRXWdUhpE4HnqOmG_0hXr-BN03YpMcaA/s1024/prodigal.son_rembrandt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1024" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbyeviI3TnrK3YldlEHBuP-kzMKVjrMMjt4XjANdcISngX5a7fvVcpXlgu2AfwXg7SsrjKsxVoCJfcWp1VhyphenhyphenxBcsKLhuBce1x8gpVqh9mQx7oHlCqDg-ukeZ_wZUamT5g_Bxn78ffFa4Ek05DH8D4HQTS9k8qRXWdUhpE4HnqOmG_0hXr-BN03YpMcaA/s320/prodigal.son_rembrandt2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One of the most prevalent themes and messages of the Bible is that of returning to God. “Return to God with your whole heart” Joel says. In fact, the call to return to God is the constant call of the prophets.</span></div><p>Through Zechariah God declares, "Return to me and I will return to you.” The call to return is central to the prophet Hosea’s message, as we heard today, “Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt.”</p><p>Hosea wants Israel to recognize that it has stumbled and fallen into spiritual and moral decay due to its disobedience to God. The weight of sin has caused Israel to collapse—like a house whose roof has fallen in, or a body collapsing because it is exhausted and fatigued and sick and burdened or staggering drunk. The call to return to God is the invitation to allow God to raise you up, to restore your strength, to restore the foundations of your house, of your life, to set you back on your feet after you’ve fallen. </p><p>“I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily.” Notice that the return to God involves healing and a deepened experience of love and freedom, refreshment, renewal, and new growth. Why would we ever deprive ourselves of the benefit of returning to God to be made whole again?</p><p>In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the scribe about the great commandment to love God and neighbor. </p><p>Returning to God allows us to love as we were designed to love. God is the ultimate source of love. When we are in right relationship with Him, we are more connected to His love, which then overflows into our relationships with others. The more we abide in God's love, the more capacity we have to love others.</p><p>When we have returned to right relationship with God, the we experience His loving forgiveness and grace enables us to extend forgiveness and grace to others. It allows us to let go of resentment, bitterness, and judgment, fostering reconciliation and harmony in relationships.</p><p>Jesus exemplified perfect love through His sacrificial service. Returning to a right relationship with God aligns us with the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. When we prioritize our relationship with God, we are empowered to serve others selflessly, meeting their needs and seeking their welfare.</p><p>As we journey through this Lenten season, let us heed the timeless call to return to God with our whole hearts. Just as the prophets of old urged Israel to turn back to the Lord, so too are we beckoned to recognize our stumbling, our spiritual fatigue, and our guilt, and to seek restoration in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father.</p><p>Let us embrace this season of return as an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and growth, trusting in God's faithfulness to heal our wounds, to refresh our spirits, and to lead us into a deeper communion with Him. May our return to God be marked by a renewed fervor to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, thereby fulfilling the greatest commandment and bearing witness to the transformative power of God's love in our lives.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-29580299928908360062024-03-06T07:34:00.001-05:002024-03-06T07:34:05.298-05:003rd Week of Lent 2024 - Wednesday - The pure of heart shall see God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-65tNk9YjKs5BKtQMY_VCgXdEXuPCeJiC2UbDe4j6YNvNTdIX0wTlB5RwgLv2m8AxloYx_kJ1sJxxOC4TxVc2XPlTmw1XStcrujpxjA47a8ofgaDGm3fNhdQFkt4kzszfWgX0_ensSp9-m-dlH3vpR1-7zJt5YLn36VuUI0ZKtG9Wqm8xGZTYju3FIc/s3648/sacred-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-65tNk9YjKs5BKtQMY_VCgXdEXuPCeJiC2UbDe4j6YNvNTdIX0wTlB5RwgLv2m8AxloYx_kJ1sJxxOC4TxVc2XPlTmw1XStcrujpxjA47a8ofgaDGm3fNhdQFkt4kzszfWgX0_ensSp9-m-dlH3vpR1-7zJt5YLn36VuUI0ZKtG9Wqm8xGZTYju3FIc/s320/sacred-heart.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> In the Office of Readings this morning from the Liturgy of the Hours, there is a passage by a saint named Theophilus of Antioch. Theophilus was the sixth bishop of Antioch. Ignatius, our patron, was the third bishop.<p></p><p>Writing 30-40 years after Ignatius, bishop Theophilus has a famous letter to a pagan name Autolycus. And Theophilus is writing to his pagan friend in order to convince him to become Christian. Throughout the letter, Theophilus presents arguments and explanations to address Autolycus's doubts and objections regarding Christianity. He contrasts the moral teachings of Christianity with the vices and immorality prevalent in pagan society, urging Autolycus to embrace the moral teachings of Christ.</p><p>And Theophilus has this great quote, he writes, “If you say, 'Show me your God,' I will say to you, 'Show me what kind of person you are, and I will show you my God” Theophilus knows that striving for moral purity will help Autolycus come to grasp Christ. For Purity of heart enables us to more clearly apprehend truth and apprehend God. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God”. </p><p>This is why in our scripture readings today Moses and Jesus are both stressing the importance of following the law and following the commandments and teaching little ones to do the same. God desires that we come to behold his face. And that means striving for purity of heart.</p><p>Purity of heart involves adhering to God's commandments and living in accordance with His will. It includes refraining from sin and avoiding actions, thoughts, and attitudes that are contrary to God's standards of holiness. A pure heart fosters intimacy with God, allowing us to experience His presence. When we are in right relationship with God, our hearts are open to His love, guidance, and revelation.</p><p>"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” the Psalmist asks, “And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully."</p><p>Lenten repentance and Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving all help us to cultivate that purity of heart God wants for us.</p><p>Beloved, as we continue our Lenten journey, let us renew our commitment to lives of profound holiness and integrity—to purity of heart. Through our words and deeds shining with the light of Christ, may all peoples come to know and follow Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - - </p><p>For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.</p><p>For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.</p><p>For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ.</p><p>For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-87894629003350831672024-03-05T08:22:00.008-05:002024-03-05T09:44:10.869-05:003rd Week of Lent 2024 - Tuesday - To forgive is divine<p>Forgiveness is a profound act that holds immense power to transform not only our relationships with others but also our own hearts. It's a theme woven throughout our Scriptures, including the Lord’s parables. Forgiveness is a cornerstone of the virtuous life. </p><p>Forgiveness isn’t easy. And people often have varying motives for withholding forgiveness: When someone has been deeply hurt or betrayed, the pain they experience can make it difficult to forgive. They may feel a person doesn't deserve forgiveness or that forgiveness would let the other person off the hook or condone their behavior. Feelings of anger and resentment can be powerful barriers to forgiveness. Forgiveness requires vulnerability and openness to the possibility of being hurt again. Some people may withhold forgiveness out of fear of being hurt or taken advantage of again in the future.</p><p>This Lenten morning we read the Lord’s parable of the Unforgiving servant—a servant who had been forgiven his debt from his master, but who in turn refused to forgive his fellow servant. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VM7NqmKf02ROUx7ojYCLnteQB_J9_P0SYN5JOfRFdJ5kxHddlWgupr6cEeLY82wmvjIpjrQuuY2_HaodrvRWeoQEwrXKllnaTRMei1DfQ-_LI8jzoQLrcRyOSRzui_IekSmGx-_Es1OSNNcvfeOab3-6ofCmgTfm6q2K3KXGYgCDbZ4hT4AR9lO15O0/s1000/Forgiving%20christ%20-%20Heifman.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1000" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VM7NqmKf02ROUx7ojYCLnteQB_J9_P0SYN5JOfRFdJ5kxHddlWgupr6cEeLY82wmvjIpjrQuuY2_HaodrvRWeoQEwrXKllnaTRMei1DfQ-_LI8jzoQLrcRyOSRzui_IekSmGx-_Es1OSNNcvfeOab3-6ofCmgTfm6q2K3KXGYgCDbZ4hT4AR9lO15O0/s320/Forgiving%20christ%20-%20Heifman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What was his motive for withholding forgiveness? It’s not entirely clear—was it greed? Or simply wanting to exert power over someone he had control? Did he want to feel like the big shot? He may have simply lacked empathy or wisdom. He was perhaps so egocentric or foolish that he failed to recognize the mercy he was shown was to be practiced toward others. <p></p><p>Whatever his reason, the Lord Jesus is clear. He failure to forgive is despicable, unacceptable, and inexcusable. The measure with which we measure shall be measured out to us. Our failure to forgive will have eternal consequences. </p><p>Saint Padre Pio spoke about the difficult of forgiveness. He said, "In the course of your life, you will often find yourself in situations where you have to forgive others, even when you feel they don't deserve it. But remember, forgiveness isn't something you do for the other person; it's something you do for yourself to free yourself from the burden of anger and resentment."</p><p>Forgiveness is something you do for yourself, for the sake of your own soul. Carrying around resentment and anger is spiritually poisonous. Refusing forgiveness is unholy. </p><p>But offering forgiveness even when you don’t feel the person deserves it is a reflection of God’s own mercy because, remember, we did nothing to deserve God’s mercy. God forgave us in our most undeserving state. But it is precisely this extension of this type of mercy that Jesus calls us to. </p><p>To err is human, to forgive is divine. May take the duty to forgive with the utmost seriousness, allowing it to heal our wounds, mend our relationships, set us free to live with greater compassion and joy, and lead us to eternal life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - </p><p>For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.</p><p>For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.</p><p>For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ.</p><p>For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.</p><br /><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-11162623927556234072024-03-04T08:04:00.005-05:002024-03-04T08:04:32.371-05:003rd Week of Lent 2024 - Monday - Naaman and Nazareth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm_AKAuARQdDc7EhptZxGOCp0nDtYIRiLaBjBrLhEa4v3EwEdUWKb-ksPYp_wr6sxnnY1KPfNl8ZJKBb-trtx8tcnT6pRUXIeob9btEtnlGLbnctmxXbmnMN5gYkIlFuoarEusMIMG3jqhc9R0vA8rhZqdvFA8li5HLe4etJ4534wIQhUANbP5zqhoto/s653/naaman%20&%20nazareth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="653" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm_AKAuARQdDc7EhptZxGOCp0nDtYIRiLaBjBrLhEa4v3EwEdUWKb-ksPYp_wr6sxnnY1KPfNl8ZJKBb-trtx8tcnT6pRUXIeob9btEtnlGLbnctmxXbmnMN5gYkIlFuoarEusMIMG3jqhc9R0vA8rhZqdvFA8li5HLe4etJ4534wIQhUANbP5zqhoto/w640-h234/naaman%20&%20nazareth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> On this Monday of the third week of lent each year I’m always struck by the contrast between Naaman, who came to believe, and the people of Nazarath, who hardened their hearts toward Jesus. <p></p><p>You would expect the stories to be reversed, no? You would expect Naaman, a pagan, a gentile, a Syrian, to dismiss the strange words of Elisha. After all, he didn’t worship Elisha’s God, the God of Israel, and Naaman even visits Elisha on the word of a little jewish slave girl. It is somewhat farfetched, that a powerful general listens to such a small voice, but he does. And because of his faith, he is cleansed.</p><p>And then contrast Naaman’s faith, with the faithlessness of Nazareth. Is this an example of familiarity breeds contempt? Were the people of Nazareth so hardened toward Jesus because they had known him as a young boy? They knew his mother, and father, they didn’t appear to be special. They certainly didn’t conform to the royal family from which the Messiah would be born. But you’d at least think that someone would have been compelled by Jesus’ testimony in the synagogue. </p><p>This contrast raises important questions about the nature of faith and the barriers that often obstruct it. Naaman's openness to the voice of God, even when it came from unexpected sources, allowed him to experience the power of God's healing. In contrast, the people of Nazareth's hardened hearts prevented them from recognizing the divine presence in their midst, despite the evidence before them.</p><p>In reflecting on these stories, we are challenged to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards God's presence in our lives. Are we open to encountering God in unexpected places and through unexpected people, like Naaman was? Or do we allow familiarity and preconceived notions to blind us to the divine presence, like the people of Nazareth? </p><p>Sometimes, Catholics may become so accustomed to the rituals and practices of their faith that they lose sight of the deeper meaning behind them. Attending Mass, saying prayers, and participating in sacraments can become mere routines rather than opportunities for spiritual growth and connection with God.</p><p>Catholics have a rich tradition of Scripture and teachings handed down through the millennia. However, when we fail to engage personally with these sources, relying solely on what we’ve been told or what they remember from childhood, if we shy away from engaging with the intellectual aspects of our faith, we miss out on the depth and richness of our faith.</p><p>And even worse, constant Catholic Church teaching reminds us that all believers are called to holiness and to live lives of virtue and charity. However, complacency can leads us to neglect this call, settling for a comfortable, morally lax existence rather than striving for spiritual growth and transformation.</p><p>Rather, to combat complacency and foster growth in faith, we must cultivate a spirit of openness and humility: recognizing that there is always more to learn and understand about God and the faith. We are to strive to deepen in our prayer lives through meditation and contemplation. And we are to take seriously the call to holiness—to cultivate virtues in a heroic manner, and never settle for moral mediocrity. As we journey through this season of Lent, may we cultivate hearts that are open and receptive to God's word, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p> - - - - </p><p>That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.</p><p>For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.</p><p>That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. </p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-54526301271750100042024-03-03T12:38:00.006-05:002024-03-03T12:45:25.400-05:003rd Sunday of Lent 2024 - Cleansing of the Temple and SIOA Capital Campaign Volunteer appeal. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkeu2uf2NOBcOLuOaw9kb8HgjR9xWLjV42fyJoEvfF95FOWFgCqPMmg8Y2U6Bf2_uEiGSakkRTfhS8-cvjWik16CDHY2dibkn0RiUy1DcvdaOXm0thO4i8TgrLyyvaiRJfp7C9mKj2pt3omXnW1ZZ8xdSb7F4KT38Ij6SSjhD_McFwslXEZMiZn1Amxw/s1206/Jesus-Cleanses-the-Temple-featured-4105284679.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1206" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkeu2uf2NOBcOLuOaw9kb8HgjR9xWLjV42fyJoEvfF95FOWFgCqPMmg8Y2U6Bf2_uEiGSakkRTfhS8-cvjWik16CDHY2dibkn0RiUy1DcvdaOXm0thO4i8TgrLyyvaiRJfp7C9mKj2pt3omXnW1ZZ8xdSb7F4KT38Ij6SSjhD_McFwslXEZMiZn1Amxw/w400-h174/Jesus-Cleanses-the-Temple-featured-4105284679.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> The Jerusalem Temple held immense significance for the Jewish people.<p></p><p>The Temple was central to Jewish religious practice. God himself called for the building of the Temple and it was to serve as the dwelling place of God’s presence on Earth, particularly that inner most chamber of the Temple known in Hebrew as the “Kodesh HaKodashim”—the Holy of Holies. And of course, at the Temple sacrifices prescribed by God would be offered by the priests on behalf of the people.</p><p>The Temple was also a place of holy and religious pilgrimage—particularly for the major Jewish feast of Passover. We know the Holy Family made this pilgrimage, and Jesus in the Gospel this weekend is at the Temple during the Feast of Jerusalem. </p><p>Beyond its religious role, the Temple held immense cultural and national significance for Jews. Especially during times of foreign rule, such as Roman occupation during Jesus' lifetime, the Temple served as a symbol of Jewish sovereignty. </p><p>Jews also believed that the Temple was central to mission of the Messiah—that when the Messiah brought about the ultimate redemption of Israel and the establishment of God’s kingdom on Earth—the Temple would be the central focus of that kingdom. </p><p>Imagine the widespread shock, surprise, confusion, and anger when Jesus, believed by many to be the Messiah, enters the Temple. Instead of initiating the full realization of God's kingdom there, he uses a whip of cords to drive out the merchants, signaling not renewal but destruction of the Temple.</p><p>This event encourages us to reflect on how the temples of our bodies, minds, and souls need cleansing — be it from greed, anger, pride, or any form of sin. It invites a evaluation of priorities, urging us to seek a cleansing of worldliness so we can experience the spiritual growth God wants for us. </p><p>Just as Jesus cleansed the Temple of commercial activities and distractions, Lent is a time for Christians to examine and cleanse their own lives of anything that hinders their relationship with God. It’s a period for introspection, repentance, and conversion, mirroring Jesus' desire to restore the Temple as a place of pure worship.</p><p>Jesus' actions also call us to be mindful of our Temple, our parish Church. Downstairs here at St. Ignatius there is a Latin inscription written on the church’s cornerstone laid by bishop Schrembs in 1925. Templi in honorem sancti ignatii episcopi et martyris lapis sacer auspicalis iactus fuit" "The sacred foundation stone of the Temple was laid in honor of Saint Ignatius, bishop and martyr." Our parish Church is a Temple where the people of God gather and sacred worship is offered. </p><p>Jesus cleansing the Temple of causes us to consider how we use and care for our Temples--the temples of our body, mind, and soul and this Temple, our parish church —how we are to be responsible stewards of this place. We are to support the works of our parish, its outreach to the poor, and contribute to the upkeep of our church buildings, recognizing them as vital to our spiritual growth and nourishment, and the mission of the Church entrusted to us by Christ. </p><p>With that idea in mind, I’d like to announce officially the start of our Restoration Campaign—what we are calling “Our Spiritual Home – Our Legacy” campaign.</p><p>Our decision to move forward with addressing some of our capital needs was made after careful prayer, planning, and conducting a feasibility study. We have worked together with engineers, contractors, and the Diocese of Cleveland to assess the condition of our church and the Boulevard Building. Given that these buildings have been in daily use for almost 100 years, they occasionally require repairs and updates to continue serving as the heart of our Catholic community.</p><p>15 years ago, a campaign was held to stabilize parish finances when the parish was slated to close and make partial repairs to the roof. However, following discussions with Pastoral and Finance Councils and the Capital Project Committee, we have concluded that a capital campaign is necessary to undertake our new high priority projects.</p><p>These improvements will provide a strong and viable future for St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish and would allow us to address the following:</p><p>Repair and replace roof tiles as necessary; Fix and substitute damaged stone panels; Clean the stone panels and apply a water-repellent coating; Demolish and reconstruct the retaining walls; Restore stairs and staircases; Reseal all joints across the entire exterior; Mend and paint wooden window and door frames; Install a new roof and carry out masonry repairs on the Boulevard Building.</p><p>In response to the challenge before us we are embarking on a Capital Campaign to raise at least $600,000 to $1 million. The more we raise the more we can do.</p><p>Through this campaign, our goal is to ensure that both our church and the wider parish campus remain functional and welcoming for both the current and future generations. This initiative will be dedicated to funding the necessary improvements specifically at St. Ignatius, with all the collected funds staying within our parish. Our main focus will be on the Church, as it requires the most significant repairs. However, we also aim to address issues within the Boulevard Building if funds allow.</p><p>We acknowledge that fundraising is a challenging task, but I am optimistic about our success for several key reasons: FIRST, the vibrant spirit and enthusiasm of our parish family here at St. Ignatius of Antioch. The feasibility study showed significant support among parishioners for this campaign. SECOND, the well-known and longstanding generosity of our parish community. THIRD, the clear and evident need for these repairs. </p><p>For these reasons, and my trust in the Parish Council, Finance Council, and everyone involved with our project, I am confident that we will successfully raise the necessary funds to address our parish's immediate needs.</p><p>Today, I am here to seek your help and to encourage every adult man and woman here to contribute their time to our campaign. Our strategy includes personal outreach by fellow parishioners to explain our program to every member of St. Ignatius, particularly to those who cannot attend our planned in-person events.</p><p>To make this happen, we need your help as volunteers. We're requesting a small amount of your time—just a few hours across two weeks in March and April. The campaign is designed to be time-efficient, requiring only about a couple of hours from you each week during this period.</p><p>I will now ask the ushers to come forward to the first pew in each section and pass out the volunteer cards. When you receive a card, please take a minute to fill it out. There are also pencils for your use in the pews. Please print your name, address, email, and phone number. </p><p>No special qualifications are necessary, except your willingness to sacrifice a small amount of your leisure time—you should absolutely consider this as a component to your Lenten almsgiving—the giving of your time. We need volunteers who can assist with a variety of tasks including mailings and making phone calls to fellow parishioners. In addition, volunteers can assist in other ways throughout the campaign, such as in helping with our inperson events, writing postcards and other campaign outreach projects, like contacting our alumni. </p><p>So please, take a minute to fill out the volunteer cards. And please place the cards in the collection basket during the offertory, and we’ll get these sorted, and contact you soon.</p><p>As I mentioned last week, every family in the parish should have received an invitation to attend one of our in person events. We held one last night at the 6pm. The next one is scheduled this Tuesday, march 5 at 3:30pm, and there will be one after the 11am mass next Sunday. We’ve staggered the times for everyone’s convenience. So please, attend one of these inperson events, to lighten the load on our volunteers. </p><p>In closing, I wish to thank you for your cooperation and look forward to your attendance at one of our parish receptions. </p><p>PLEASE REMEMBER - - that the success of our campaign depends on all our parishioners working together. This is our sacred home—one that we inherited from generations of Catholics before us, and a legacy we leave to the future. We need your help and prayers to make our campaign the success we are all praying for, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-43179986582999593802024-03-01T08:45:00.002-05:002024-03-01T08:45:15.789-05:002nd week of Lent 2024 - Friday - The stone rejected becomes the cornerstone<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqwKF-9rZbZgc2MQ9sv15oG-8n_Bak0fm3q6rjFYoxt3H-5AJ4EzsTwhO3Rx0JmYC-9eVwuoT2429jmEs_TSbEn5uVIertGqZJNt9jKfWeI_lxMM2GBYkyr2cfX1C9XCvADRoJMn8u5J8XaWqSeWbskSEeNgQfVeO1jpASl_-bCr1sKa1t2cP0XSCRxs/s736/Hofmann,+Arrest+of+Christ+1858-2592705266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="736" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqwKF-9rZbZgc2MQ9sv15oG-8n_Bak0fm3q6rjFYoxt3H-5AJ4EzsTwhO3Rx0JmYC-9eVwuoT2429jmEs_TSbEn5uVIertGqZJNt9jKfWeI_lxMM2GBYkyr2cfX1C9XCvADRoJMn8u5J8XaWqSeWbskSEeNgQfVeO1jpASl_-bCr1sKa1t2cP0XSCRxs/w400-h288/Hofmann,+Arrest+of+Christ+1858-2592705266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Throughout Lent, so many of our liturgical readings point to the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus <p></p><p>On Sunday, we considered how in the story of Isaac, God saved Isaac by offering the substitute of the ram, and how this story prefigured how God saves all of us from the eternal punishment we deserve by offering up the innocent lamb—his only begotten, for the atonement for our sins.</p><p>Our scriptures this morning provide a deeper glimpse into the saving work of God. </p><p>In Genesis, Joseph is a prefigurement of the innocent lamb. He is innocent of any wrongdoing, yet he is sold into slavery by his own brothers out of jealousy and resentment. Yet, Joseph's suffering eventually led to his exaltation and his ability to save his family and the surrounding nations from famine. </p><p>In the Gospel, the Lord tells a parable which follows a similar logic to foretell what God is doing through the suffering and death that he will undergo. The killing of the innocent landowner's son by the wicked tenants mirrors the suffering and death of God’s son. Yet, the Lord foretells that death is not the end of the story. There will ultimately be justice for those wicked tenants. Just as there will be justice for all those who reject God. And the stone that the builders rejected will become the cornerstone. Jesus' suffering and death on the cross led to the redemption of humanity, offering salvation and reconciliation with God to all who believe in him—the foundation stone of the Church and the source of everlasting life.</p><p>The readings today point to where we are heading in our Lenten journey, not just Good Friday, in which Christ the stone is rejected, but also Easter Sunday, in which the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone of the Church. They help us to understand why indeed we call Good Friday, “Good”. For from it, comes our salvation. </p><p>Through the rejection, suffering, and death endured by Jesus, God brings about redemption for those who believe in him. God can bring the greatest good out of the greatest evil, and transform the death of the innocent lamb into the source of our hope, forgiveness, and new life. </p><p>In the stories of Joseph and the parable of the wicked tenants, we witness God's relentless pursuit of our salvation. Despite the darkness of betrayal, suffering, and death, God's light shines through, offering hope and redemption to all who believe in Him.</p><p>As we journey towards Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we are called to embrace the paradox of the cross—the seeming contradiction of suffering leading to salvation, of death giving way to new life. For it is on the cross that we see the depth of God's love for us, and it is through the resurrection that we receive the promise of eternal life. May this knowledge fill us with hope, courage, and gratitude as we continue our Lenten journey for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p>- - - - </p><p>That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.</p><p>For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.</p><p>That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. </p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.</p><p><br /></p>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-72047269170119180492024-02-28T07:53:00.003-05:002024-02-28T07:53:20.470-05:002nd Week of Lent 2024 - Wednesday - True Greatness<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNO2YYTR2WchR0I-pKQx-993i1eF6wTzcMEZZq5FH2BNpxbMChMhQfckgMVmlNcPZG_3ELKNY8L2e5dQJpauvrQpslvFJwy-KmeGLoeT3zvE8vjkByc2FIizXMfyNI9cbjTe-iamaQ634gNuGbWKzXynyov-WEO-yyqkyA6Hk_HeCuK4IRxrmQhrxsM/s1200/jesus_cross-701046383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNO2YYTR2WchR0I-pKQx-993i1eF6wTzcMEZZq5FH2BNpxbMChMhQfckgMVmlNcPZG_3ELKNY8L2e5dQJpauvrQpslvFJwy-KmeGLoeT3zvE8vjkByc2FIizXMfyNI9cbjTe-iamaQ634gNuGbWKzXynyov-WEO-yyqkyA6Hk_HeCuK4IRxrmQhrxsM/w400-h266/jesus_cross-701046383.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Yesterday’s Gospel ended with the words: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted”. And today, the mother of two of Jesus’ Apostles, James and John, the sons of Zebedee comes seeking an exalted position for her sons in Jesus’ kingdom. <p></p><p>It's understandable, isn't it? As a mother, she naturally desires the best for her children, envisioning a future of greatness and honor. And she has come to believe that Jesus was destined to be king. Yet, she didn’t quite grasp that Jesus was a different sort of king. </p><p>Remember, at the time, many Jews expected the Messiah to establish an earthly kingdom where he would reign as a powerful political leader, similar to the kings of Israel's past. James and John seemed pretty ready to grasp at this worldly greatness, perhaps dreaming of endless wealth, celebrity recognition, political power, and command of military might. </p><p>James and John, perhaps influenced by this expectation, were eager to seize this worldly greatness, dreaming of wealth, fame, and influence. But Jesus challenges this notion of greatness. He redefines it entirely. In his kingdom, greatness isn't about status or power; it's about service, sacrifice, and love. True greatness, he teaches, comes from giving oneself wholly to the service of others.</p><p>While some are called to positions of power, the vast majority of us are called to live out our lives in ordinary circumstances, yet infused with extraordinary love. Whether we're in leadership roles or carrying out everyday tasks, our mission remains the same: to love greatly, to serve abundantly, and to live selflessly.</p><p>The path to Christian greatness, Jesus tells us, is the path of the cross—the path of self-sacrifice and humility. We see this exemplified in the lives of the saints, who abandoned their own ambitions to serve God and others wholeheartedly. Their greatness lay not in worldly achievements, but in their willingness to die to self and live for others.</p><p>As we journey through this Lenten season, let us intensify our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Let us examine our hearts and root out any traces of selfishness or entitlement. Instead, may we be filled with the spirit of charity and self-sacrifice, following the example of Christ who gave everything for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. </p><p>- - - - </p><p>That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.</p><p>For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.</p><p>That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. </p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-36853325182801582902024-02-27T08:19:00.001-05:002024-02-27T08:19:07.140-05:002nd Week of Lent 2024 - Tuesday - Repentance and Inner Transformation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM2t03Ea1X0V-pQWCzP0RFJSesFO2-rhB9WYGiymIFiC59krjjbYbzbW8ETI_JcG-11vDqKeJAixkOAI8LhiPE5dwymXI2i2ZdNhJxskCZjK5x0GTix9quUxV3Lyh5oOga7RXNK_VbpNIl2tgEbIgJ6Edt-9JM5ZQzLRi5yFpO-cpZXSUMrGpe1v2xgE/s254/kneeling%20before%20cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="250" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM2t03Ea1X0V-pQWCzP0RFJSesFO2-rhB9WYGiymIFiC59krjjbYbzbW8ETI_JcG-11vDqKeJAixkOAI8LhiPE5dwymXI2i2ZdNhJxskCZjK5x0GTix9quUxV3Lyh5oOga7RXNK_VbpNIl2tgEbIgJ6Edt-9JM5ZQzLRi5yFpO-cpZXSUMrGpe1v2xgE/s1600/kneeling%20before%20cross.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>Throughout the season of Lent, the Church's liturgy resounds with God’s call for sinners to repent. And this morning we read from the powerful first chapter of the prophet Isaiah. <p></p><p>Isaiah chapter 1 is set during a time of great turmoil and moral decay in the Kingdom of Judah. This period was marked by political instability, social injustice, and religious idolatry—some cultural similarities perhaps, to our own day.</p><p>The chapter begins with God's accusation against the people of Judah. They are described as rebellious children who have forsaken the Lord and turned away from Him, which has resulted in the moral decay and corruption of society.</p><p>Despite the harsh accusations, the chapter also contains the call to repentance. God invites the people to "wash and make themselves clean" and to turn away from their evil deeds. God is willing to forgive and restore his people, if they genuinely repent.</p><p>Another theme of that first chapter is to turn away from empty religious ritual to a true worship of God that is demonstrated through truly just and righteous works, such as defending the oppressed and caring for the widow and the orphan. </p><p>This theme is continued in the Gospel today, where the Lord Jesus condemns the pharisees for their empty, hypocritical religious leadership. Their idea of religion was a bunch of empty show—lip service, fine garments, seats of power. But they neglected that God desires not empty show, but the transformation of hearts which is demonstrated in genuine care for people in need. </p><p>In a sense, the Pharisees rejected our deepest need, our need for a savior, the need for inner transformation that can only come through humility. </p><p>In order to not be condemned like the Pharisees, we must learn and practice humility before God. We must acknowledge our sins and our need for a savior, we must identify those parts of our lives where we have refused conformity to the heart of Christ, where we have resisted his truth and goodness.</p><p>God’s desire to save us must be met by our cooperation with his saving will—through humble repentance, right worship, detachment from sin and selfishness, and charity toward those we are able to help, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. </p><p>- - - - </p><p>For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.</p><p>For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.</p><p>For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ. And that tomorrow's Evening of Confession may be a time of profound mercy and renewal for our parish and Diocese.</p><p>For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-24036356962294188102024-02-26T08:36:00.011-05:002024-02-26T10:03:03.699-05:002nd Week of Lent 2024 - Monday - Cultivating Mercy through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMynwoQSAfU_LaoYzdZ_gMS7AHTUWMIHFJeWMCuiQyiQ8Dm6VjHuJQQpjosP9o6XBQiXfHQ1-bBgPXb1azj1T6iEdS2YJ2Ige9qmuSHYqIYdT1dFxWi8R9cJKrh3jCq_hguO48eOTgQ1fjiGOmkMSsVHR59Cszq-cICa21Ov3oFHHVaTlNJ-jLp8Jgsc/s1832/daniel%20at%20prayer%20-%20woodcut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMynwoQSAfU_LaoYzdZ_gMS7AHTUWMIHFJeWMCuiQyiQ8Dm6VjHuJQQpjosP9o6XBQiXfHQ1-bBgPXb1azj1T6iEdS2YJ2Ige9qmuSHYqIYdT1dFxWi8R9cJKrh3jCq_hguO48eOTgQ1fjiGOmkMSsVHR59Cszq-cICa21Ov3oFHHVaTlNJ-jLp8Jgsc/w224-h400/daniel%20at%20prayer%20-%20woodcut.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>Yesterday, in my Sunday homily I talked about the relationship between the first reading and the gospel reading—how the first reading in a sense prepares us for the Gospel. <p></p><p>The history, prophecies, and wisdom of those Old Testament readings prepare us and help us understand the theological and spiritual background for what we find Jesus saying and doing in the Gospel</p><p>Our First reading today is a passage from the book of Daniel, where Daniel is praying to God on behalf of the Israelites. In this prayer, he is reflecting on how Israel failed to head the warnings of the prophets, particularly those of Jeremiah and how this resulted in the seventy-year captivity in Babylon of which Daniel was subject. And we hear Daniel pleading to God for mercy—to restore Jerusalem, to restore the temple, to have compassion and mercy upon his sinful wayward children. The prayer is an acknowledgement of the righteousness of God’s judgments and Israel’s total dependence upon his mercy for Israel’s deliverance and restoration.</p><p>Consider that as the context for our short Gospel passage from the Lord Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke. The opening line is that we must become merciful as God is merciful.</p><p>Daniel pleads for mercy in the first reading, and in the Gospel, Jesus not only claims that God is merciful, but that if we wish to experience God’s mercy, we must become merciful—we must cultivate mercy.</p><p>Here the Lord touches upon one of the great themes of the season of Lent. Yes, we are engaging in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, doing penance as a way of pleading God’s mercy upon us. But those Lenten observances are meant to change us too. We want God’s mercy, but God wants us to become merciful. And those Lenten observances aim at that transformation.</p><p>Through prayer, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God—the merciful one. Praying for the living and the dead is a spiritual work of mercy. By praying for physical and spiritual good of others, including those who have wronged us, we exercise mercy. And the mercy exercised in prayer flows out into our relationships with these people.</p><p>Our Lenten fasting also cultivates mercy. By denying ourselves of certain foods and activities, we are fighting against our selfish tendencies which are opposed to mercy. Moreso, Fasting serves as a reminder of the needs of others, particularly those who suffer from hunger and deprivation. It inspires us to be more generous and compassionate toward the hungry--leading to acts of mercy such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the vulnerable.</p><p>And our Lenten Almsgiving is of course a prime example of how the disciples of Christ are to demonstrate God’s love and mercy towards all people in tangible ways. Almsgiving demands we become attentive to the needs of others and respond with compassion and kindness. </p><p>If you want God’s mercy, you must practice mercy. You want kindness, you must practice kindness. You want patience, you must practice patience. You want the goodness of Christ to be manifest in the world, you must restrain your selfishness and radiate his goodness toward all for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.</p><p> </p><p>For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.</p><p>For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.</p><p>For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ.</p><p>For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.</p><p>For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.</p><p>Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219641007112823462.post-70022279384619190762024-02-26T08:26:00.008-05:002024-02-26T08:26:58.107-05:002nd Sunday of Lent 2024 - Two Mountains, Two Parts of the Mass<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu46Fqq0F-JDMP5s460ixX8X-64zTui1NQs8erfE1rrfp4JxzkujGol2vlWygXkwHyktJWqIPPP-4JuFOG2jUNK0UZreS7hIMglKIg1P6cl-opkrI8buGg09t2LJzHVqzGPmPTUeaJgn6-w99-BbF2ZBoaeF_c6unbsGuBppNKyqeB6yI_TeWr7M9YU0k/s1144/2nd%20sunday%20of%20lent%20-%20isaac%20&%20transfiguration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1144" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu46Fqq0F-JDMP5s460ixX8X-64zTui1NQs8erfE1rrfp4JxzkujGol2vlWygXkwHyktJWqIPPP-4JuFOG2jUNK0UZreS7hIMglKIg1P6cl-opkrI8buGg09t2LJzHVqzGPmPTUeaJgn6-w99-BbF2ZBoaeF_c6unbsGuBppNKyqeB6yI_TeWr7M9YU0k/w400-h205/2nd%20sunday%20of%20lent%20-%20isaac%20&%20transfiguration.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> The celebration of the mass is divided into two main parts, the liturgy of the word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. <p></p><p>The Liturgy of the Word is a key part of the Mass where the Scriptures are proclaimed and reflected upon. The Gospel, is of course, the high point of the Liturgy of the Word, containing the words and teachings of Our Blessed Lord. As a sign of respect and attentiveness during the Gospel reading, we stand for the Gospel.</p><p>But the first reading, psalm, and second reading, are also very important. And the first reading, usually taken from the Old Testament is selected to complement and provide context for the Gospel. And it helps us to understand the history, prophecies, and wisdom in those centuries and millennia leading up to Christ. </p><p>St. Augustine has a famous saying, that “The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed.” In other words, St. Augustine, and so many of the early church fathers, were highly attuned to the ways that the Old and New Testaments interrelated with each other, and believed that key to understanding the New Testament in its fullest sense, we need to be attentive to the Old. So if we want to understand our Gospel readings each week, it is important to pay attention to the first reading.</p><p>Our First reading of the sacrifice of Isaac and the Gospel of the transfiguration this weekend for the 2nd Sunday of Lent have numerous parallels. </p><p>Both events take place on a mountain. The sacrifice of Isaac occurs on Mount Moriah, and the transfiguration takes place on a high mountain, traditionally believed to be Mount Tabor. </p><p>In both stories, there is a direct manifestation of the divine. In the sacrifice of Isaac, God intervenes to provide a ram as a substitute for Isaac, and in the transfiguration, a voice from heaven declares Jesus as the beloved Son of God.</p><p>Abraham's willingness to obey God's command to sacrifice his son Isaac is mirrored in Jesus' submission to the Father's will. Both stories highlight the importance of obedience to God, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.</p><p>Isaac was the promised son of Abraham—remember God had promised a son to Abraham from whom his descendants would become as numerous as the stars. And Jesus is the promised Son of the Father, promised through so many of the prophets—and the members of the Church are numerous to say the least.</p><p>The sacrifice of Isaac is a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The willingness of Abraham to offer his son in sacrifice, prefigures the heavenly Father’s willingness to offer his son in sacrifice for all of humanity. In a similar vein, in the sacrifice of Isaac, God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac, sparing his life. And in the case of Jesus, Our Lord took upon himself all of the punishments of sin of all mankind, the ultimate victim for humanity’s sins, sparing us the eternal punishments that we deserved. </p><p>Now there are many great lessons in both stories for us to ponder—our faith and obedience and trust need to mirror abraham’s and Jesus’. Abraham's willingness to obey God, to sacrifice something he loved deeply to achieve a greater good, serves as a model for us to trust in God's guidance and follow God’s will. The transfiguration completes the story—that when we trust and obey God as Jesus did—even going to the cross and undertaking unspeakable suffering—the cross leads to the glory of the resurrection. And the Christian life is one of gratitude to Jesus for taking our sins to the cross. </p><p>During Lent, we do well to keep these scriptures in mind. As we engage in our Lenten sacrifices, self-discipline, self-denial, and acts of charity which involve sacrifice on our behalf, we do so, with the willingness of Abraham, and the willingness of Jesus, trusting that through them God brings about a great good—our spiritual flourishing and our a strengthening in our ability to unite our sacrifices with Jesus for our sanctification and the sanctification of the world. We willingly undergo and undertake our Lenten sacrifices—our prayers and fasting and self-giving— trusting that they bring about good in us and good in the church.</p><p>Very important lessons as we consider the connection of this week’s first reading and Gospel. But now, here is bit more food for thought. Just as the first reading of the liturgy of the word foreshadows, and gives context, and helps us to appreciate and understand the Gospel, so too the liturgy of the word as a whole prepares us for what comes next in the mass, the liturgy of the Eucharist. </p><p>The Liturgy of the Word proclaims what God has done in the past, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist enables us to recognize and encounter God in the present. The Scriptures of the Liturgy of the Word serve as spiritual nourishment and instruction, to an extent, but in the Liturgy of the Eucharist we are able to encounter and receive the Bread of Life—He who IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Scriptures and the Homily, the Creed, and the General Intercessions of the Liturgy of the Word prepare us—they cultivate spiritual readiness to not only encounter and receive Jesus—but they foster a spiritual readiness for all that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist means.</p><p>Consider how our scripture readings this weekend prepare us to celebrate and receive the Eucharist. We are to celebrate and receive the Eucharist with the willingness of Abraham to obey the will of God and all dimensions of our life. We are to receive the Eucharist with the exuberant jubilation of Peter in the Gospel who says, “it is good that we are here”. We are to receive the Eucharist with the openness commanded by the Father in the Gospel, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him”. And we are to leave Mass, like the disciples descending from the Mountain, pondering the mystery of what they just experienced. The Christian life involves a pondering throughout the week…how does the Eucharist I celebrate each Sunday effect the rest of my life? How does the encounter with Jesus, the reception of Jesus in Holy Communion effect the way I am to treat people, the way I am to pray throughout the week, the way I am to give of myself in humble service. </p><p>We go out into the world—and we face tests like Abraham—trusting God is hard—and the Eucharist strengthens us to trust God when our trials are most difficult and our crosses are heaviest.</p><p>May we draw great strength, and increase in faith, hope, and love every time we celebrate Mass—because it is here that God speaks, and feeds, and enlivens us, like nowhere else, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.</p><div><br /></div>Father Kevin Estabrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05241182673874751842noreply@blogger.com0