May 2 2025 - St. Athanasius - Light of Truth or Darkness of Error

 

For the past two weeks of the easter season, we have been reading from the acts of the apostles. We’ve heard Peter preaching in the streets of Jerusalem, and Peter and John being arrested for preaching about Jesus Christ, and how the Church began to grow as thousands and thousands of people began to believe that Jesus Christ truly rose from the dead and by believing in Him we might have eternal life.

As the Church began to grow in those early centuries, the successors of the apostles, the bishops of the Church continued to preach and teach and lead the Church in Jesus’ name. Sadly, there arose preachers and teachers who did not hold fast to the teachings of the apostles. 

Writing just a few decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. Paul wrote about divisions in the Church in places like Corinth and warned the Church about deviating from the teaching of the Apostles. To depart from apostolic teaching about Jesus meant preaching a different Christ—worshipping a false notion of Christ.

Fast forward three hundred years. The Christian faith spread from Jerusalem, through Asia Minor and Greece, into Europe and Africa. With Church growth also came division. Christians, even bishops did not heed the warnings of Paul.

Things got so bad that the Roman emperor, Constantine I, who wasn’t even baptized, merely a catechumen on the road to baptism, called all the bishops of the world together in a place called Nicaea, to deal with a particularly pernicious error called Arianism, which claimed that Jesus was not God, merely a creature like us. 

And at this Council, the Council of Nicaea, one of the most important figures was today’s saint, St. Athanasius. St. Athanasius reminded the bishops, many of whom had become Arian, to hold fast to the teaching of the apostles—that Jesus Christ is truly God in the flesh, who became man, so that we can be rejoined to God. 

Athanasius, only a deacon at the time, stood up to those in error and defended the truth about Jesus Christ. Now, he made a lot of enemies because of this. After the council, Athanasius was made the Bishop of Alexandria, and his enemies would see to it that he was exiled 5 times. But even from exile, he continued to teach the fullness of the truth about Jesus Christ.

What you believe about Jesus Christ matters. Will you believe the truth about him or error? Will you allow the light of truth to fill your minds rather than the darkness of error?

May St. Athanasius help us to believe rightly, that we might walk rightly in the light of the truth, the light of Christ, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - - - 

Inspired by the courage and fidelity of St. Athanasius, we present our prayers to our Heavenly Father.

For the Church and her leaders, for teachers of the faith, theologians and catechists, that they may steadfastly proclaim the fullness of truth about Jesus Christ, faithfully teaching the Gospel received through the apostles.

For the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals as they prepare for the conclave and the papal election that they may elect a Pope with courage and conviction to defend and teach the Catholic faith.

For unity within the Church, that divisions and errors may be healed through the power of the Holy Spirit and the faithful witness of believers.

For those who struggle with doubt or confusion about their faith, that the Holy Spirit may lead them into the fullness of truth revealed in Christ Jesus.

For those who suffer persecution for their commitment to Christ, and for all of the sick and suffering.

For God’s departed servant Pope Francis, and for the faithful departed, that having embraced the truth about Christ in this life, they may enter into the eternal light and peace of God's kingdom.

That during this month of May dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, all people may come turn to her example of faith and know her heavenly intercession.

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers. Strengthen our faith and deepen our love for your Son. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

August 13 2024 - Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus - Pope and reconciled anti-Pope, martyrs

 We celebrate two saints today: Pope Pontian and the reconciled anti-Pope, Hippolytus, both of them martyrs. 

Hippolytus was part of a schismatic group which became separated from Rome over a theological controversy. In 217, Pope Callixtus decreed that Christians who were excommunicated due to serious sins of adultery and apostasy could in fact be readmitted to Holy Communion through Confession and penance.

Hippolytus opposed this decree and was elected anti-Pope by like minded individuals. Hippolytus remained in schism through three pontificates including that was Pope St. Pontian who was elected in 230. 

Well, in 235, a new Roman emperor, by the name of Maximinus launched a violent campaign against all Christian leaders. Pope Pontian was arrested, and the emperor didn’t care who was pope or anti-Pope, Hippolytus was arrested too. Both were exiled to work in the mines of Sardinia.  

Amidst the suffering and hardship of the mines, Hippolytus renounced his schism and papal claim and was reconciled to the Church by Pontian. Both men then succumbed to the harsh conditions of imprisonment, and their remains were transported for burial in Rome, where they were recognized as martyrs and saints of the Church.

People make mistakes—intellectually, theologically, morally. Groups of people make mistakes and fall into error.  The story of Hippolytus shows us that even very well meaning people can find themselves on the wrong side of the truth, and that just because they have a lot of support, doesn’t mean you are right. Just because a fervent group of people raises you up, doesn’t mean you are right.

Thanks be to God Hippolytus came to recognize that he was in error or else you would have died rejecting the authority of the true Pope, whom Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ gave authority to teach and lead the Church.

No doubt St. Pontian was instrumental in Hippolytus’ conversion—offering up his prayers, his sufferings, and conversing with Hippolytus, witnessing to the truth of the Gospel. 

Pontian for us is a model of evangelization, that we like him are to witness, to pray for, and to do penance for those who have fallen into error. And Hippolytus is a sign of hope for us, that even an anti-Pope can return to the truth through the grace of God and the witness of the Church.

May these two saints inspire us and aid us in our daily task of remaining faithful to the truth of Christ, and making use of the time we have been giving for witnessing to the truth, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

For the Church, that she may always be a beacon of truth and reconciliation, welcoming back those who have strayed with open arms and compassion. Let us pray to the Lord.

For Pope Francis and all Church leaders, that they may lead with wisdom, humility, and courage, especially in times of controversy and division, and for theologians and teachers of the faith, that they may remain faithful to the Church's teachings and humbly submit to proper authority. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have left the Church or are struggling with their faith, that they may find their way back to the fullness of truth, For the grace to recognize and correct our own mistakes, intellectual, theological, or moral, with humility and openness to God's truth. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may be instruments of evangelization, offering our prayers, sacrifices, and loving witness to bring others to Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all those who suffer illness, temptation, discouragement, and those Christians facing persecution, that they may be strengthened by the witness of the martyrs. 

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers, and may the example of the saints inspire us to be instruments of Your peace and reconciliation, to stand firm in times of trial, and to offer our lives in service to Your Church and the spread of the Gospel, through Christ our Lord.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - The bread of supernatural life

 Last week we began a five-week liturgical cycle of reading from chapter 6 of St. John’s Gospel beginning with the account of the miraculous feeding of the 5000. 

This crowd of people must have been tremendously excited after witnessing and benefiting from Jesus’ miracle. They had already followed Jesus out into the wilderness because of his reputation as a great preacher and his ability to cure the sick. But feeding five thousand people with a few loaves was a miracle on a whole other level—levels of magnitude greater than the miracle working prophets of the Old Testament. 

In response to the miraculous feeding, the crowd, as we heard last week, wanted to make Jesus their king. After all, he would be able to satisfy all their material needs—that’s a pretty good quality for a king to possess.  

But Jesus doesn’t stick around for a coronation; he retreats, for his kingdom is not of this world. Nonetheless, the crowd follows him—they want more from him. And to their delight, Jesus explains that he does intend to feed them. As God fed their ancestors in the desert, as we heard in our first reading, Jesus promises that whoever comes to him will never be hungry. He will provide for their hunger, he will provide for their thirst.

What a promise! And yet, six chapters into John’s Gospel, we know that there must be something else coming because a pattern has already emerged in John’s Gospel. While the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke record many miracles, John records only six. The miracle of multiplication in John’s Gospel is the 4th miracle, the first three being the changing of water into wine at the Wedding at Cana, the healing of the Royal Official’s son, also at Cana, and the healing of the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda. And following those miracles, Jesus gives some sort of teaching, a teaching of who He is—and why He is here—and His mission, is about much more than gaining popular adulation in order to claim earthly kingship.

After the Wedding at Cana, Jesus teaches that he’s not just another party goer who enjoys a jug or two of wine. Rather, he is the beloved Son of the Heavenly Father sent by the Father to speak words of everlasting life. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.” He’s on a mission where the stakes are not about temporal pleasures and frivolity—this mission is about life and death—eternal life or death.

After the second and third miracles, Jesus gives another teaching. He teaches again about his relationship with His Father, and that he has been sent to do the work of the Heavenly Father which is a matter of life and death. And then he echoes the teaching he gave after the first miracle, “whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.”

So, following the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, the attentive reader of John’s Gospel will intuit that there is going to be another teaching—and likely one about some very serious eternal realities. In fact, in the original Greek of St. John’s Gospel, this is absolutely clear. 

For the Greek New Testament has two different words for “life”. Bios and Zoe. Bios is natural life, biological life, the physical life of plants, animals, and humans. But Zoe—Zoe is the word for supernatural life—the life of God, the life of the spirit. In today’s passage, when Jesus says, I am the bread of life, which word do you think he uses? Zoe, of course. Εγω ειμι ο αρτος της ζωης. I am the bread of supernatural life. 

Just like he did after the first three miracles, Jesus identifies himself with the life of God. He is sent by the Father to be food for us—and not just food that keeps our bodies alive—food that will keep our souls alive. 

Yes, of course, God is concerned with our physical needs—and if the world were a little more in conformity with the God’s kingdom—there would be a lot less physical hardship on everybody. But in the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus teaches about a reality more vital than even our physical needs. 

Now most people in our modern world say, there IS NOTHING more important than our physical life. Food, drink, shelter, medicine, without these, our frail bodies cannot survive. But Jesus teaches that there IS something more important than even physical life.  For it’s one thing for your body to die, it’s another thing for your souls to be separated from God for eternity. 

Now even a lot of Christians, these days, have fallen into some serious error. They claim that since God is all-loving everybody goes to heaven. So it doesn’t matter if you pray, or if you go to church, or get baptized or confess your sins, or receive the eucharist. But these are grievous errors that keep us from the life God desires for us—the life he sent us Son to be offered up as a sacrifice in order to obtain.

Rather, Christians must witness to the reality of man’s need for the bread of eternal life no matter what our foolish culture posits. This is why St. Paul writes in our second reading, “I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart, they have become callous.”

St. Paul is saying that the corruption of a non-Christian society is the result of shallowness in their thinking—futility of mind. One translation puts it, “empty headed thinking”. The depravity, corruption, and disorder in our surrounding culture comes from ignorance—often willful ignorance, hardened hearts and callousness—regarding the things of God. There is a lot of empty-headed thinking about God these days, even among members of the Church.

But our task in the Lord, is to witness by word and deed—through formal teaching and by good example and charitable works—that God calls us to a new way of life in Christ. God feeds us with the Bread of Life that we may have new life in Christ for eternity, and that is to be evident in how we speak and act and how we treat people.  Through the Bread of Life we are brought into Communion with the One who is life, the one who desires the flourishment of humanity and provides the means for that flourishment, in this life and the life to come, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

29th Week in OT 2019 - Tuesday - Empty, seductive philosophies

Since last Wednesday, we’ve been reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It’s a short letter, only four chapters; you can read the whole thing in 10 minutes.

Like most of Paul’s letters, Colossians is divided into two parts.  The first two chapters make up the first part.  They are theological and doctrinal.  The second part, which we’ll read tomorrow, begins the practical application.  And the two parts are connected: the Christian life is comprised of both right belief and right action.

The need for right belief is why Paul gives such stern warning today: “See to it that no one captivates you with an empty, seductive philosophy, according to the tradition of men, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.”

We know all too well how the world seduces Christians away from Christ and away from the Church. And that “seduction” often begins with errors, false beliefs, philosophies contrary to the teachings of the Church. The error begins in the mind and then effects the way of life.

For Paul, right doctrine and right action are inseparable. Christianity opens the mind and heart to what is truly pleasing to God, and the Christian, knowing what is good and pleasing, acts accordingly. Caritas and Veritas, love and truth are inseparable—they are the two faces of the same gift that comes from God. As Augustine said: “nothing conquers but truth, and the victory of truth is love.”

In the Gospel, we hear of the Lord’s naming of the Twelve Apostles. The Apostles and their successors, the bishops, are integral in the Lord’s plan for the Church. They are to safeguard us in the Truth. In the great diversity of peoples and nations, they, by their teaching and preaching are to labor to help us remain united to Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. They, like good shepherds, are to fight off the wolves and thieves that seek to steal the sheep from the flock.

So we certainly commit to assisting the bishops with our prayers and penances, and to do our part in reclaiming for Christ all those who have fallen to the empty, seductive philosophies of our day by our own preaching and living of the saving Gospel of Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
- - - - - - -

For Bishop Nelson Perez, and all the Bishops and Clergy, that they may lead the Church in Spirit and Truth and in faithfulness to all that Christ teaches.
For those who have strayed from the flock of Christ, for those who have fallen to the empty, seductive philosophies of the world, for their return to the life of grace.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
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.

6th Week in OT 2019 - Be on guard against leaven

Throughout Mark’s Gospel, the disciples are consistently misunderstanding Jesus’ teachings, they are slow to understand who He is, and the implications of His presence with them.

St. Mark records the disciples failure to understand Jesus’ parable of the sower. After Jesus calms the storm on the sea of Galilee, they question “Who is this guy, who even commands storms”? They were completely baffled by Jesus when he later walks toward them on the water. And Jesus lumps the disciples in with the Pharisees who do not understand his teaching about purity and the tradition of the elders.

Today, Jesus is aware of their anxiety over only having one loaf of bread. Jesus then warns them to guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. The Pharisees consistently are filled with doubt, hardheartedness, failure to fully believe in Jesus. All these things, Jesus warns will cause you to be spiritually blind, like the Pharisees, to His true identity, to His mission, to His power. And Herod? We heard of Herod’s adultery, his ego, and permission to murder John the Baptist. The leaven of Herod is the moral cowardice, the violation of the moral law which blinds us to the truth of Jesus’ law of Love.

Jesus says we must guard against these things. We must guard against the things that cause us doubt and hard-heartedness toward the Gospel, and also the breaking of the moral law. Popular culture bombards the senses with error and examples of moral error. Whenever we turn on the television or go on the internet we must guard ourselves from anything that will cause hardness in us toward the Gospel. Whenever we have conversations with non-believers or Christians of weak or compromised faith, we need to be on guard toward error.

How many Catholics live together before marriage because that’s what the culture expects? How many don’t go to Mass because of the culture’s attitude toward religion? How many young Catholic college students lose their faith because of the errors and morals of the college campus? How many parents fail to teach their children to pray, to confess their sins because of prevailing culture attitudes?

Be on guard! We guard our minds and hearts from the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod by studying the faith, studying the word of God, studying what the Church teaches and why she teaches it. And by coming to Mass and recommitting to Jesus that our faith may be strong, that we may be courageous in the face of hostility and temptation, that we may keep the word of the Lord in all things, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - - -
 
That the bishops of the Church will act as true prophets through their faithful teaching, their courageous witness, and their self-sacrificing love. We pray to the Lord.

That government leaders around the world may carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for freedom and the dignity of human life.  We pray to the Lord.

For the grace to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, to love our neighbors and enemies and those who persecute us, and to share the truth of the Gospel with all.  We pray to the Lord.

For all those who share in the sufferings of Christ—the sick, the sorrowful, and those who are afflicted or burdened in any way, especially those effected by hurricanes and storms.  We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray to the Lord.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

December 07 2018 - St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor - God works through intermediaries

Throughout Advent, we are confronted with quite an interesting dimension of God’s plan for human redemption: God works so often through intermediaries. He works through angels, angels who bring the announcement of his will. He works through Zechariah and Elizabeth, and John the Baptist proclaiming the coming of Christ. He works through Isaiah the prophet preparing the minds and hearts of God’s people to ready themselves, to put their trust and confidence in the goodness of God and his care for the poor in spirit. God works through a sinless virgin, literally coming into the world through her.

Again, we celebrate another wonderful Advent saint, who himself was an intermediary through whom God worked to bring souls to himself. For it was through the preaching and teaching and personal holiness and integrity of life of St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan, that God worked to bring the fallen soul of St. Augustine back to himself. Augustine wrote in his Confessions how he had fallen into the foulest and most wicked of lifestyles, his mind corrupted with worldly error and vice.

Augustine describes anguish, in fact, hearing the words of Ambrose—anguish because Augustine began to recognize the errors of his ways, his arrogance. Through Ambrose, Augustine claims that God pierced his heart with his love. Powerful. Ambrose we know wasn’t the only intermediary in Augustine’s life. Augustine’s mother, St. Monica, shed a lifetime of tears and countless prayers for her wayward son.

Each one of us here today is able to profess the Catholic faith because that faith was shared with us by others. For many of us, it was our parents who gave us the gift of faith. Priests and religious sisters and catechists, too, strengthening our faith. Brother and sister Christians, through their own lives of holiness, inspiring us to be more selfless and humble. We all have a part to play in sharing the faith, and we must never underestimate the value of solid preaching and teaching and good Christian example.

It was because that Ambrose had cooperated with the grace of God in his own life, forming his mind through study of Latin, Greek, rhetoric, philosophy, literature, and of course sacred scripture, that he was able to be such an effective intermediary, a powerful instrument of evangelization.

Advent challenges us to prepare the way of the Lord in our minds and hearts, making straight the paths of our own life, that Christ may travel them, to brings souls to himself for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
- - - - - - -

We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That the teaching and preaching of the Pope and all bishops and clergy will be founded firmly upon the full truth of the Word of God.

That all those who wander in error, far from the Gospel of Christ, may be led through the preaching and example of the Christian people to the fullness of faith.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.

 That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.

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

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

25th Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Lumen Fidei - Light of Faith (Nursing Home Mass)

In the Gospel, Jesus stresses the importance of allowing the light he gives us to shine forth for others to see.

The idea that God’s word light is found throughout Scripture.  Psalm 119 says, “God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to my path.”  Light, pushes back the darkness so we can see.  As young children, many of us had night lights in our room.  There’s something very comforting about a little light shining in the darkness.

Pope Francis’ first encyclical back in June of 2013 was called Lumen Fidei, on the light of Faith.  Its opening line, “The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus.” 

The light of faith helps us to avoid the dark errors of sin and to walk the path of righteousness.  But also, by the light of Faith we come to know about God and we come to know about ourselves. 
The Pope writes, “The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence.” Faith helps us to understand the confusing matters of our life, by helping us see from the perspective of God. Even our human suffering is made comprehensible by faith.

Sadly, our modern culture seeks to remove faith from every conversation. Faith in God is treated as a relic from the past, young people are not being formed in the faith, and so the darkness of sin begins to corrupt every human institution: healthcare, politics, the educational system.

 Therefore, as the Pope writes “There is an urgent need,” “to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.”  “An urgent need” he says, like Jesus, to not hide the light of faith under a bushel, living by faith, gathering to practice our faith, spreading our faith in word and deed.

May we walk always as children of light, and bear the light of faith for all to see, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
- - - - - -

That Pope Francis and all Bishops and Clergy may humbly and faithfully pass on the Gospel of Christ in all its fullness.
That young people may be kept safe from the poisonous attitudes of the world and that they and their families may be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus and his Church.
For the conversion of hardened sinners, those who have fallen away from the Church, and for an increase in virtue for all peoples.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom and for Tony & Betty Kuhel for whom this Mass is offered. We pray.
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.

January 2 2018 - Sts Basil and Gregory - "Who is Jesus?"

“Who are you?” was a question posited to John the Baptist in the Gospel today. Many of the Jews of Jesus’ time were eagerly awaiting the Messiah, and when they heard John preaching with such gravitas and in the prophetic style, they asked him “Who are you?”

“Who are you?” was certainly a question in the forefront of everyone’s mind when they met Jesus, when they saw him performing miracles, teaching in the synagogue with authority, driving money changers out of the Temple, confounding the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus even asked his own disciples the question: “Who do you say that I am?”

During the Christmas season, I think every man, woman, and child is challenged to answer the question: who is Jesus? Who is this child born of the Virgin? “What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?”

How we answer that question determines the course of our life. Was Jesus really God in the flesh? Was he just another baby born into poverty? I think many people today question if Jesus was real at all, believing that he is just another character from myth like Zeus, Apollo, or Hercules.

Division in the Church arose in the 4th century over Jesus’ identity. When, the Arian Christians denied that Jesus was consubstantial with the Father, denying the fullness of Jesus’ divinity, saints, like St. Basil and St. Gregory, whom we honor today defended the Apostolic teaching and that of the early Church councils, using the philosophical language of the day.

For us, the faithful, to engage our own culture with similar clarity, is extremely important. We are to assist the confused, those who have been deceived by the errors of the world, those who mock the faith, those who do not take Jesus’ identity seriously, the family members who don’t think skipping mass is that big of a deal.

We are to engage the spirit of the anti-christ, as St. John called it in our first reading, by proclaiming the truth of Jesus clearly, passionately, patiently, consistent with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith.

Saints Basil and Gregory came to such clear conviction through a life of prayer and study. They studied the scriptures, they studied the Church fathers, and they prayerful sought the Lord in silence and contemplation.

Through prayer, study, the intercession of the saints, and the help of God’s grace may we, as St. John says, “remain in Christ, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming,” for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - - -
 
That the witness of the Church may help all nations come to believe in the Lordship of Jesus, and that our Bishops and Priests might have the courage to proclaim the truth amidst the errors of the world.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For the healing of families divided by sin and selfishness, for a strengthening of all marriages, that young people may be formed to have deep and authentic faith.

For those oppressed by hunger, sickness, addiction, or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body.

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

December 7 2017 - St. Ambrose - Drinking deeply of the Word of God

In his biography, the Confessions, St. Augustine details his conversion from heresy to orthodoxy, from vice to virtue. For years Augustine wandered from one strange philosophy to another, even into strange Gnostic cults like the Manichaeists.

The great turning point in Augustine’s life was during his stay in the northern Italian city of Milan. There he heard the preaching and teaching of the holy bishop St. Ambrose. Ambrose, by living an exemplary life worthy of Augustine’s admiration, was able to attract Augustine to the truth and goodness of the Christian Gospel.

Each one of us here today is able to profess the Catholic faith because that faith was shared with us by others. For many of us, it was our parents who gave us the gift of faith. Augustine came to the faith through the many tears shed and prayers offered by his mother Monica and being exposed to the truth in the preaching and life of a holy bishop. We all have a part to play in sharing the faith, and we must never underestimate the value of solid preaching and teaching and good Christian example.

In order to share the truth we must be grounded in the Word of God. St. Ambrose, as bishop, urged his priests to dedicate their free time to reading and studying the scriptures. Listen to Ambrose’s advice to his priests: “Drink, then, from Christ, so that your voice may be heard….He who reads much and understands much receives his fill.  He who is full, refreshes others.”

Advent is truly a time for all of us to drink deeply from Christ. For all of us are called to refresh others, to bring others to Christ in our own way. But we cannot give what we do not have. Unless we have drunk deeply, we will draw from an empty well.

Sit with the scriptures open upon your lap in a quiet place every day. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” the Lord teaches in our Gospel today.  To reflect upon the prophets and the words of Our Lord is to open our minds, and hearts, and our souls more deeply to Christ, who longs to come to us and make his home in us with His Father, that we may share his light, his love, and his truth for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - -
 
We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That the teaching and preaching of the Pope and all bishops and clergy will be founded firmly upon the full truth of the Word of God.

That all those who wander in error, far from the Gospel of Christ, may be led through the preaching and example of the Christian people to the fullness of faith.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.

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

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant tha the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

Tuesday - 6th Week of Easter 2017 - Spirit of Truth, Pillar of Fire

Throughout the New Testament the third person of the Holy Trinity is revealed by many different names and titles.

He is of course called the Holy Spirit. We read in the Acts of the Apostles how those gathered in the Upper Room were “filled with the Holy Spirit”.

He is called Comforter, Counselor, Advocate. All three titles are translations of the same Greek word, Parakletos from which we get the word “Paraclete” That title is found in today’s Gospel.
St. Paul in Romans calls him “Spirit of Life”; the Holy Spirit imparts the life that Jesus died to win for us.

This Sunday and in today’s Gospel, he is called the “Spirit of Truth.” Jesus promised that, after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit would come to “guide you into all truth.”

Many times in the Gospels, the apostles seem confused about the words of Jesus, they don’t seem to comprehend his words. But after Pentecost, after they received the Spirit of Truth, they are preaching, teaching, explaining, and helping people understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
This is one of our tasks, this is part of our mission, this is the work of the Holy Spirit, to guide others to truth.

Because the Spirit has been given to the Church and has enlightened her teachings, we are able to discern the foolishness of the ways of the world; how the ways of the world lead to destruction and separation from God.

Just as God gave the Israelites the pillar of fire to escape their slavery in Egypt, to guide them through the treacherous desert, to light their way in the darkness wilderness with all of its pagan ways, the fire of the Holy Spirit has been given to the Church to guide us through the darkness of the ages.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, helps us convince—convict—the world about the error of sin and not believing in Jesus. He helps convince us to turn away from some of the sins that still linger in us, the destructive habits, the behaviors and attitudes that tear down relationships instead of building them up. He helps us show how Christianity, though not popular with the world, is attractive to those who yearn for truth and righteousness.

Over half a million adults became Catholic at Easter this year. The Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the Church, through the faithfulness of Catholics like ourselves, drew them, guided them to the truth of Christ.

May we continue to cooperate with the Spirit’s work to convict the world, and cooperate more fully by being bearers of truth always for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - -

That all bishops, priests, catechists, and parents may be faithful in preaching and teaching the saving Gospel of Christ.

For the healing of divisions caused by heresy, moral and doctrinal error among Christians.

For those who do not believe in God and for those who have fallen away from the Church.

For the sick, the suffering, those in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care, for the underemployed and unemployed, for the imprisoned, those with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, that the Spirit of Consolation may comfort them.

For the deceased members of our families, friends and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all those who fought and died for our freedom.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.