Assumption 2024 - Imploring Mary's Heavenly Intercession

 In a little discourse on the Assumption of Mary, the great doctor St. Alphonsus Ligouri opines that “it would seem just that the holy Church, on this day of the Assumption of Mary to heaven, should rather invite us to weep than to rejoice, since our sweet mother has quitted this earth, and left us bereft of her sweet presence…”

Many of us here, have experienced the end our mother’s earthly life, and no doubt, there were tears shed. And justly so, for the passing of the woman who nurtured us, fed us, bathed us, taught us and consoled us is cause for tears.

And on this day of the Assumption, it would seem that we would be sorrowful, that both heaven and earth would be sorrowful. That we would don earthly purple vestments, and fast in grief at the anniversary of our spiritual mother’s earthly life.

But Alphonsus goes on, he says, “ But no, the holy Church invites us to rejoice. The official entrance antiphon for the Assumption says, "Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival in honor of the Virgin Mary at whose Assumption the Angels rejoice....” For, “What child wouldn’t rejoice, although separated from his mother, if he knows that she is going to take possession of a kingdom?”

Today is the celebration of Our Lady, entering that blessed country, heaven. The Queen takes her place at the right hand of the King, where she continues to exercise a very important role in the dispensation of grace. 

Our Scripture readings point emphasize her unique role as loving queen of heaven. In the First Reading, we read of the woman of heaven, crowned with twelve stars, as a queen embracing the Christ child in love. The Psalm spoke of a queen charitably turning her ear to the people of the father’s house. And in the Gospel we read of Mary going in haste to the charitable assistance of her kinswoman Elizabeth.

Mary is assumed into heaven and crowned as Queen by the Holy Trinity--the Queen who continues to turn her ear to the needs of God’s people who cry to her in our need. Her assumption does not mean an absence from the needs of humanity, rather, since she is now closest to God in heaven, she is close to us as well—close enough to hear our every plea, and to bring that petition to the throne of God.

Today is a marvelous day to consider the importance of a vibrant Marian devotion. Each day, we do well to turn to the heavenly intercession of Our Queen—to bring to her our needs, the needs of our family and friends, the needs of our nation, our leaders, the needs of the Church, the needs of the sick and the poor, the needs of the unevangelized to be open to the word of God, and the needs of those who have turned away from Christ in sin and error.

Our Lady is the most powerful intercessor, and not a day should go by where we do not seek her aid by imploring her intercession. But especially today. Today is a day for honoring our Lady, on the day that she is brought closer to God than she ever was before in order to be brought closest to us as our most powerful intercessor. Blessed Mother, assumed into heaven, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that like Mary, we may always be ready to serve others in their need and bring Christ to the world, and for an increase in Marian devotion among all Christians, that we may daily seek Our Lady's aid and strive to imitate her virtues. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all leaders in government and public service, that they may be guided by wisdom and compassion in their decision-making, and for the renewal of our nation and our world, that under the patronage of Mary, we may work towards a society of justice, peace, and reverence for all human life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the unevangelized, that, their hearts may be opened to receive the Good News of salvation, and that those who have turned away from the faith, through Our Lady's prayers, may rediscover the joy of a relationship with Christ and His Church. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, the suffering, and the poor, and for those who mourn: may they find comfort in Mary's maternal care and her assumption into heavenly glory. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the dead, especially our departed family members and friends, that they may share in the glory of the resurrection, as foreshadowed by Mary's assumption. Let us pray to the Lord.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

May 3 2024 - Sts. Philip and James - Calloused Knees

 As Apostles, both Philip and James were both called by the Lord. They were witnesses of the Lord’s ministry—his teaching and miracles—his passion and death. Both were witnesses of the Lord’s resurrection. Both received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Both continued to preach the Gospel—Andrew in in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria—and James in Jerusalem. And both were martyred for the Lord.

I’d like to consider this morning a passage I found from the 4th century bishop Eusebius regarding the Apostle James. Again, James remained in Jerusalem. The Acts of the Apostles relates that it was James, as the head of the Jerusalem Church, who oversaw the First Council of Jerusalem.

But Eusebius relates some powerful details about James spirituality and role. Eusebius records how James spent long hours in the Temple of Jerusalem: “…he was in the habit of entering alone into the temple, and was frequently found upon his knees begging forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard like those of a camel.” 

How very priestly, no? Falling to one’s knees and begging forgiveness and behalf of others, especially those who reject Jesus and continue in sin and unbelief. Priests pray--they intercede--on behalf of others.

James, known as "James the Just" due to his exceptional virtue and righteousness, embodied a life of priestly prayer and intercession for his people. Not just ordained priests, but all of the baptized are priestly people. James' witness challenges us to consider our own commitment to prayer, especially for those who are lost or have turned away from God.

As Christians, we are called to be a priestly people, following the example of Christ, the great High Priest, and his apostles like James. This means not just praying for our own needs, but continually lifting up to God the needs of the whole world, even those who persecute and reject the Gospel. Like James, we must be willing to spend long hours on our knees, interceding with love and fervor.

James' devotion was so great that his knees became calloused like a camel's from his many hours of prayer in the Temple. What a striking image of persistence and self-sacrifice! It reminds us that prayer is not always easy or comfortable. True intercession requires spiritual endurance— willingness to push through dryness, distractions and discouragement—in order to plead for God's mercy.

And James prayed not in some hidden place, but in the Temple itself, at the very heart of Jewish religious life. In the same way, our prayer must be not a withdrawal from the world, but a priestly entrustment of the world to God. We pray from within the "temples" of our daily circumstances, lifting our families, our communities, our places of work, and our society to God's throne of grace.

Finally, James' martyrdom reminds us that our prayer and baptismal priesthood is to be configured to the Cross. Eusebius also wrote about James’ martyrdom, that “…he was thrown from the pinnacle of the temple, and was beaten to death with a club.” His place of prayer was the place where he was configured to Christ in his loving intercession, in his redemptive suffering, and in his glorious martyrdom. 

As we honor the Apostles we heed their examples that we may participate more fully in Christ's ongoing work of redeeming the world, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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 blessings upon all the former parishioners of old Saint Philip and James here in Cleveland, especially those who have made their home here at St. Ignatius.

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. 

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. 

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

October 17 2022 (school mass) - St. Ignatius of Antioch - Powerful Prayers of the Righteous

 Today is the Feast Day of the Patron Saint of our Parish, St. Ignatius of Antioch. Happy Feast Day.

What does it mean that St. Ignatius of Antioch is the Patron Saint of our parish?

That St. Ignatius is the patron Saint of our parish, means that we venerate and honor him in a special way, we look to his holy example and ask for his prayers intercession in a special way.

Every day, when I cele
brate Mass, before I ring the bell and process into the sanctuary, I look up at the crucifix, and I ask for the prayers of four very important saints. I say, “Holy Mary, Mother of God: pray for us; St. Joseph: pray for us. St. John the Evangelist: pray for us. St. Ignatius of Antioch: Pray for us.”

I ask for Mary’s prayers, because she is our heavenly queen and mother, and Jesus told us to take her as our mother. I ask St. Joseph for his prayers because he is the patron of the whole church. I ask St. John the Evangelist for his prayers, because he is the patron saint of Cleveland. And I ask St. Ignatius of Antioch for his prayers, because he is the patron saint of our parish.

I ask for their prayers every day, for one, because the bible says that the prayer of a righteous person has great power. It is very advantageous and beneficial for us to make good friends with holy people. They help us to be better followers of Jesus. And their prayers are very helpful to us.

As you grow older and wiser you come to realize how much we need God’s help. We need God’s help in order to follow Jesus as we should. We need God’s help in order to be as patient as we should, loving, kind, courageous, and strong against the devil’s attacks, strong against temptation. It is a very foolish person who thinks that they can get to heaven on their own, that they can make it in life on their own. We need help.

And God loves giving help to us, especially through other people, and most especially through his heavenly saints.

The fact that you are students at St. Ignatius of Antioch school means that God has arranged your lives to be here. And he has given you a powerful intercessor, a powerful helper to assist you in growing in . faith and holiness. Why should you ask St. Ignatius for his help and his prayers every day? Because God wants you to. And God has help that he wants to give you through him, if you would but ask for help.

St. Ignatius, help us to love the Church and to be devoted to the building up of the Church as you were, as bishop of Antioch. And help us to willingly accept hardships and sufferings like you, in order to help others know and love Jesus. St. Ignatius, help us to be faithful when our faith is under attack. St. Ignatius of Antioch, help us to be courageous like you in spreading the Gospel. St. Ignatius of Antioch, your righteousness makes you a powerful intercessor for this parish, obtain for us the graces we need to be faithful in our mission to make disciples of all nations. St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

 

December 28 2017 - Feast of the Holy Innocents

Historically, Herod was well known for his cruelty. He was believed to have engineered the death of a rival prince. Fearing the schemes of his own sons who Herod believed to be planning to usurp the throne, he had them executed as well. Caesar Augustus, who was no stranger himself to murder and intrigue, was said to have commented that, “I would rather be Herod’s dog than his son.”

Knowing his paranoia and cruelty, it is not surprising that Herod felt threatened by the rumor of the birth of the promised Messiah in Bethlehem. If these rumors were true, such a revelation meant the end of Herod and his dynasty. When he was unable to discover the identity of this child, we heard today how Herod ordered all the young children in the region around Bethlehem to be killed.

Herod’s extreme brutality and grasp for power at the threat of the loss of his throne reminds us of the many “Herods” throughout history—those who stop at nothing to safeguard their own personal kingdoms. 

Cruel King Herod represents all the powers that stand against Christ. Yet, when we are honest with ourselves we must admit that hostility to Christ exists not just out in the world, they lurk within us all. There are parts of ourselves that want nothing to do with Christ: they are the parts of us that resist conversion.

Yet this feast is not focused on the hostility of Herod, but on the witness of the innocents. The Lord Jesus, who was born in order to die for others, begins his life with others dying because of him. Those young children slaughtered by Herod are counted amongst the ranks of the glorious martyrs, whose blood is shed in witness to the Lordship of Christ.

The sacrifice of the Holy Innocents was not in vain. From heaven, no doubt they pray for us now. They pray for the conversion of the Herod’s of our modern day, who put innocent life to death. And, they pray for our conversion as well, especially those parts of us that resemble Herod’s hostility to holiness. They pray that our “Herodness” may be changed into holy innocence, that the darkness in our world may be converted to light, that error may converted to truth, and cruelty be converted to compassion, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the witness of the Church may help all nations come to believe in the Lordship of Jesus.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice and honesty, and for the reversal of any law which permits or leads to the destruction of innocent human life, and that God may protect all unborn babies, and keep them safe from the scourge of abortion, we pray to the Lord.
For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life and a strengthening of all marriages in holiness.

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

May 12 2017 - St. Pancras the Martyr - Conversion, Happiness, Intercession

Saint Pancras was born in Phrygia, a kingdom in what is today west central Turkey, around the turn of the 4th century. He is also known by the names Pancritas and Pancratius. Pancras was orphaned at an early age and was taken to Rome by his uncle, Dionysius. The two of them converted to Christianity after meeting some Christians there.

Pancras lived during the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who we know mounted some of the fiercest persecutions of the early Church. And so converting to Christianity during this period was highly dangerous. And it wasn’t long before he was arrested and beheaded, perhaps on the same day as Saints Nereus and Achilleus, whose feast days are also today. Pancras was only 14 when he was beheaded, and so was one of the early patron saints of teenagers.

That’s about all we know of the life of St. Pancras. In 514 Pope Symmacus erected a Basilica in his honor. And in 672, Pope Vitalian sent his relics to the Northumberland in England. And through the centuries devotion to Pancras grew, many healing miracles came through his intercession. His powerful intercession and “glorious prayers” are mentioned in the Collect prayer.

Three lessons for us:

One, His conversion came through the influence of faithful Catholics. We never know how the Lord will use our simple faith to raise up saints. We do well to share our faith because people are craving an authentic relationship with God, even though at times they don’t act like it. And God will use us to draw them to Himself.

Two, Pancras converted and was martyred as a teenager. We need to share our faith with clarity and patience especially to those at such a tender age—when the ways of the world compete for their loyalty. Don’t be afraid to challenge them. Pope Francis recently said to teenagers: “there is no app for happiness”, meaning, he challenged their absorption with technology, in a clear, compelling, but loving way. And we shouldn’t be afraid to do the same.

Three, the intercession of the Saints, is powerful. Just because you currently don’t have a devotion to St. Pancras, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one. Devotion to the early martyrs will not only strengtrhen your own faith, but bring great graces.

May our devotion to St. Pancras, Achilleus, Nereus help us to stand firm and to persevere in sharing the faith and living the faith for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Our Savior’s faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us off our prayers.

That our parish may grow it bearing witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ.
May all teenagers and young people, through the intercession of St. Pancras, avoid all worldly allurements and have a faith that is constant and pure.

For those who hold public office and those who assist them in promoting the common good.
For those who travel by sea, land or air, for captive and all held in prison.

The martyrs followed in the footsteps of Christ by carrying the cross, may all those enduring the misfortunes of life know endurance and peace, especially the sick and the dying.

For the dead...

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.