June 28 2024 - St. Irenaeus - Apostolic Tradition and Unity with God

 

In the top middle stained-glass window in the east nave here at St. Ignatius is a depiction of St. John the Apostle consecrating two bishops: on the right is St. Ignatius our patron, and on the left is St. Polycarp. The bishop St. Irenaeus, whom we honor today, was a student of bishop Polycarp. And so he was still very close to the apostolic origins of the church. And that theme of apostolicity—that we are recipients of the faith taught by Jesus Christ to the apostles—was prominent in his writings and pastoral work.

For the time in which Irenaeus was bishop of Lyon, the gnostic heretics were threatening the unity of the Church. The Gnostics claimed to possess secret knowledge of God that was superior to the faith taught by the Apostles.  In other words, they thought they knew better than the Church.  

But good bishop Irenaeus rightly pointed out their error. For, Christianity is not a personal creation or private revelation. It’s not something for intellectuals and academics to recreate. To do so would be to deviate from Apostolic Tradition which Christ wants us to receive, believe, and live out.

Irenaeus demonstrated the importance of faithfully adhering to the true doctrine that could be traced back to the apostles through the succession of bishops, and even emphasized the authority of the Church of Rome.

Back in 2007, Pope Benedict was giving weekly catechesis on the Church Fathers. Listen to what he had to say about the great St. Irenaeus, who Pope Francis declared as a doctor of the Church in 2022. 

Pope Benedict wrote: “Irenaeus was first and foremost a man of faith and a Pastor. Like a good Pastor, he had a good sense of proportion, a wealth of doctrine, and missionary enthusiasm. As a writer, he pursued a twofold aim: to defend true doctrine from the attacks of heretics, and to explain the truth of the faith clearly.”

Unity and peace in the Church and unity and peace with God do not come from knowing better than the Church, but receiving and practicing the whole Truth, in obedience to the Word of God and Apostolic Tradition.  

May St. Irenaeus help us to foster authentic Christianity unity on earth through faithfulness to Christian Truth, that we may come to communion with God in heaven for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Let us turn to God in prayer, asking for the intercession of St. Irenaeus, as we strive to faithfully adhere to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

That bishops, priests, and deacons may be inspired by the example of St. Irenaeus to defend true doctrine with clarity and compassion, fostering unity and peace within the Church, protecting the transmission of the faith from heresy, and guiding all people to the truth of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

That those tasked with spreading the Gospel may be emboldened by the example of St. Irenaeus, sharing the faith with enthusiasm and clarity, and bringing many to the fullness of truth in Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

That those who have been misled by erroneous beliefs may find their way back to the truth of the Gospel, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the loving support of the Christian community. Let us pray to the Lord.

That scholars and theologians may approach the study of faith with humility and a sincere desire to deepen their understanding of the truths revealed by Christ, without deviating from the Apostolic Tradition. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials

That through the intercession of St. Irenaeus, we may foster authentic Christian unity and peace in our parishes, families, and communities, reflecting the love and truth of Christ in all our interactions. Let us pray to the Lord.

Almighty God, through the intercession of St. Irenaeus, strengthen our faith and unity. Help us to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, and grant us the grace to live out these truths in our daily lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2nd Week of OT 2020 - Friday - Apostles and Bishops and Us

The calling forth of the Apostles is a fitting scripture reading for us to reflect upon, particularly in light of yesterday’s news that Bishop Perez has been called forth by the Holy Father to be the next Archbishop of Philadelphia.

The word Apostle, comes from the Greek, Apostolein. Which means “to send”. We can see the English word “post” in there, like a postage stamp is used to send things, or a post office, a place where you send things, or simply to post, is “to send” something.

An apostle is first summoned by Christ. He is called from the world. He is called from the greater number of disciples. He is summoned to have a special intimacy with the Lord and to receive a special mission. In the case of the Apostles during the earthly ministry of Jesus, the Lord gives them a special mission of preaching and driving out demons. They are to do what he has done, what they have seen and witnessed him doing. In a sense, he’s already gone before them, showing them that the task is possible.

In their preaching, they shall use the words that they have heard him using, calling sinners to repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand, to turn away from their sins, to change their ways, that their lives may better reflect the values of God.

And they are to engage in spiritual warfare with the powers of darkness, driving away the entities and attitudes and forms of spiritual slavery through the power of God, the power given to them from God himself.

Having spent time with the Lord, having received their marching orders, the Lord then sends them out into the unknown. There they will encounter hostility, as he has encountered it. They will have to answer questions, make decisions, speak words some—many—are not willing to hear—helping them break from the sinful habits of the past in order to prepare for a future with God.

At the age of 32, St. Francis de Sales, whom we honor today was ordained a bishop. For 20 years, he labored zealously for the conversion of the Calvinists, administrated his diocese, and also found time to write his spiritual opus, The Introduction to the Devout Life, which hasn’t gone out of print in 400 years.

We certainly invoke the intercession of the bishop St. Francis and all those apostle saints and bishop saints, for Bishop Perez, called forth from Cleveland to fulfill the Apostolic mission within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. We recognize that we too, in our own way, are called to be with the Lord, that we may preach and drive out demons in the unknown territories of our lives. May we receive all the help we need from God for that purpose, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all members of the Church may live out their baptismal call with greater conviction and faithfulness, and turn to the Lord in their sins with sincere contrition.

For Bishop Perez, for the churches of Philadelphia and Cleveland, for our future bishop, whomever he may be, for faithfulness to the Apostolic mission.

For the safety of all at the March for Life today, and that the witness to the dignity of human life may bring about greater protection for the unborn and conversion to the Gospel of Life.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

May 14 2019 - St. Matthias - Apostolic Church

“I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.” What does it mean that the Church is Apostolic?

Firstly, it means that the Church was and remains built on "the foundation of the Apostles," We are heirs to that original mission given by Jesus to the Twelve apostles—to preach, to teach, to cast out demons, to baptize, to forgive sins. We are the fruit of their faithfulness.

Secondly, that the Church is Apostolic means that the Church, with the help of the Holy Spirit dwelling within her, keeps and hands on the “deposit of faith” entrusted to the Apostles by Christ. The content of the faith is guarded and passed on by the Apostles.

Thirdly, that the Church is Apostolic means that the Church continues to be taught, sanctified, governed and guided by the apostles until Christ returns through their successors, the bishops.

That third dimension of Apostolicity is rooted in the election of St. Matthias whose feast we celebrate today. Matthias was the first to be appointed Apostle after the death and resurrection of Jesus. And as the Church continued to grow, the number of Apostles needed to shepherd the Church also grew.

The apostolic ministry continues unbroken from the apostles to every Catholic bishop throughout history.  Hence we believe, as the Catechism states, that "the bishops have by divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the Church, in such a way that whoever listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises them despises Christ and him who sent Christ."

Jesus governs the Church through his faithful bishops. To be a Christian is to look to and follow the leadership of the apostles, the bishops, who are a of mark of guarantee that the Church remains faithful to the teachings of Jesus.

We live in an age that mistrusts authority, that seeks to forget the past and work for a future fashioned simply according to our own ideas. But this is not Christianity. The Christian recognizes the importance of being faithful to what has been received by God. That Christian truth doesn’t simply change according to the whims of each generation.

We pray for our Bishop and for all bishops, the successors of the Apostles, that they may be faithful in teaching, governing, and sanctifying the Church, handing on the “deposit of faith” which enables us to follow Christ without error for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May we join the Holy Apostles in our prayer for the world and the Church.

As the Apostles witnessed to the Resurrection of the Lord, may we be his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world.

For the bishops, the successors of the apostles: That they may be courageous in stirring up the flame of faith and defending the Church from error.

For all of the sick and suffering, especially victims of natural disaster, poverty, and addiction, may they be comforted and supported by God’s healing love. We pray to the Lord.

For all who long to see the face of the Father, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. We pray to the Lord.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

February 22 2019 - Chair of St. Peter - More than a piece of furniture

Reading through the parish histories, I came to discover that for its beauty and grand architecture St. Ignatius of Antioch is sometimes called the “Cathedral of West Blvd.”, I even had that printed on my business cards. And yet, there is only one cathedral in the diocese, in any diocese. For the cathedral is the church in which can be found the “cathedra” the seat of the bishop, symbolizing his authority as chief shepherd of the diocese. Bishop Perez has authority to teach, govern, and sanctify in this diocese because he is a successor of the Twelve Apostles, and has been appointed to sit in the cathedra of Cleveland by the one who sits in the Cathedra of Rome—the Chair of Peter.

Today’s feast celebrates that the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ has a chair in which Christ’s Vicar will sit until Our Lord returns. The Bishop who sits on the “cathedra” of Rome has a very important mission, not only to the Christians of the city of Rome, but to the entire People of God. He is the successor of the Apostle Peter to whom the Lord entrusted the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

He has the power to bind and loose, to enact laws for the good of the People of God to which they will be held accountable on judgment day.

A lot of people think that they can have Jesus without His Church. But the earliest Christians attest to Our Lord’s desire for his disciples look to the authority of the Pope. Peter the Rock is to be a source of unity for the Church--a remedy for the division toward which we always tend.

So, this feast day, is less about furniture, and more about the grace of God that helps us to remain united to Christ and to love each other, so that we can know the healing that comes from Christ, the strength to withstand temptation, the grace of repentance, and the courage to work always for the spread of the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Successor of St. Peter, our Holy Father Pope Francis, that he be strong in his mission and strengthen the whole Church in faith, we pray to the Lord...

For all bishops, that they grow in union with Peter, share the zeal of Paul, and lead us by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord...

For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through Faith taught by St. Peter and his successors.

For the conversion of all people to Christ, for those who reject the Faith, for those who have fallen away from the Church, for those who mock and persecute Christians, for hardened and unrepentant sinners, we pray to the Lord.

For the sick and the dying, the poor and the oppressed, and all victims of war, violence, and the selfishness of their fellow man, that they may experience the peace and presence of Christ, we pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Father, We rejoice in the call to belong to the Church, to believe in the Gospel, and to be united with the successors of your Apostles. Answer our prayers and increase our fidelity to the Gospel. Through Christ our Lord.

Homily: Nov 18 2016 - The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul

On June 29 every year we celebrate the feast of the martyrdoms of Saints Peter and Paul. Today’s feast commemorates the dedication of the Roman Basilicas built in their honor.

Peter, the unrefined fisherman whom Jesus named the rock on whom the Church is built, and the educated Paul, reformed persecutor of Christians, Roman citizen and missionary to the Gentiles.  Peter, that Pillar of Unity for the Church—the rock of the Church; and Paul, who underwent untold sufferings for the love of Jesus Christ and the spread of His Gospel. Different in many ways, and yet, united by their faith and love for Jesus Christ.

A major similarity in their faith journey was their journey’s end: both, according to tradition, died a martyr’s death in Rome—Peter on a cross and Paul beneath the sword. Their witness and their courage shaped the early Church, and believers have prayed at their tombs from the earliest days.  Today, the tomb of St. Peter lies about 100 meters directly below the main altar in St. Peter’s basilica, and the remains of Saint Paul are also underneath the main altar of the basilica of St. Paul.

Making a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Rome began at an early time in the Church.  Pilgrims came to Rome when it was still illegal to practice Christianity to adorn the tombs of the martyrs. The two great pilgrimage sites were exactly as today—the tombs of St. Peter upon the Vatican Hill and the tomb of St. Paul off the Ostian Way, at the southern extremity of the city.

The Basilica of Saint Peter stands on the hill of Rome called Mons Vaticanus in Latin, across the Tiber river from the traditional seven hills of Rome. It was at the order the Emperor Constantine that the first basilica was built around the year 350 which stood for a 1000 years before the Popes began making plans for a new basilica in the 15th century. Bernini’s colonnade stretches out like a mother’s arms to gather the 7 million people who make pilgrimage to St. Peter’s every year.  The basilica’s main altar stands directly over the tomb of St. Peter. It is the largest church in the world and probably the most easily recognized due to its magnificent dome, also directly over the Apostle’s tomb.

The Basilica of Saint Paul, also built at the order of Constantine, outside the city walls, is located where St. Paul’s body was buried after he had been beheaded by Nero.

The entire Catholic world celebrates these two buildings in Rome, to show our honor to the Apostles, but also to remember that we do belong to a Church that spans the entire globe, several millennia, which is built on the apostolic foundation.

In an age where so many are tempted to sever themselves from the past, and from authentic Church teaching, this feast is an important dimension of our Catholic faith. We unite ourselves to the great efforts of the apostles, to the millions of Catholics around the world, to the countless souls who have gone before us and to those who will come after, that we may be faithful to all the Lord commands, that we may serve him generously and courageously, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.