1st Week of OT 2021 - Friday - The power to forgive sins

In just the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we learn a lot about Jesus. He is the one of whom the ancient Jewish prophecies foretold, rising up out of the waters of baptism, we learn he is the beloved Son of the Father, in the desert, we learn that he is in opposition to the powers of Satan,. Walking by the see of Galilee, he is the caller of disciples. In Capernaum, he casts out demons and cures the sick—even drawing near to lepers—the outcasts, the unclean.

Today’s reading begins just the second chapter of Mark, and something new is discovered about the Lord—he claims the authority and power to forgive sins. Again, imagine you knew nothing of Jesus or Catholic theology. Here is this man claiming a power that only belongs to God—the ability to look into a man’s heart and release him from the burden of guilt. 

Guilt and shame can be paralyzing. An act committed in a moment of selfishness, or in a period of greed, can haunt a person, especially as the impact of one’s sin begins to be realized. For sin often has ripple effects that cannot be predicted. An act of evil can bring ruin to not just one’s self, but one’s family or one’s nation—and the burden of that guilt can lead a soul to such crippling despair that life begins to lose it’s meaning. And in a sense it should—because evil is contrary to life. It’s contrary to the meaning of life and the purpose for which we are made. Evil is always a stifling of our potential—what could have been if we were less selfish. 

And no matter what we do, we cannot release ourselves from the debt of sin. For every sin is an offense against God, a violation of a divine command. So only God can forgive sin. Hence the connection with paralysis in the Gospel today. Sin brings a paralysis of soul, in which we cannot walk in the freedom God wants for us. 

And for Jesus of Nazareth to make this claim to this group of scribes who knew very well that only God can forgive sin, caused them to believe that he was blaspheming. And if he were only a human, they’d be right. 

But the Lord can forgive sin, he does forgive sin; he cures the paralysis of soul that allows us to walk in the freedom of the children of God. There is no burden of guilt so heavy, that cannot be forgiven when humbly confessed, hence the feeling of levity as we walk out of the confession, we literally feel lighter, when we sincerely confess our sins. Who wouldn’t want that?

And yet, many are afraid of the confessional, or refuse to enter the confessional. And perhaps that’s why this Gospel begins with the paralyzed man being brought to Jesus by four friends. Sometimes it takes a number of good Christians, speaking the truth, praying, witnessing the power of the Lord to heal and relieve guilt, to bring a hardened soul to repentance, to lead them to Jesus in the Confessional, to the Lord continues to forgive sins through his priests.

May we humbly repent of our sins, and take up the duty of being good friends to the hardened, perhaps even paralyzed sinners in our life, to lead them to the mercy of Jesus for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church and deliverance from the evils of the enemy.

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 liberation of those bound by evil, those committed to sin an error, those oppressed or possessed by evil spirits, and for the conversion of the hardest hearts.

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.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

1st Week in OT 2019 - Friday - Spiritual Paralysis and the March for Life

The Gospel of the healing of the paralytic is one of those passages that Christians really take to heart and shapes Christian identity. We Christians are to be like the friends of the paralytic: to not only bring others to Jesus, but to go out of our ways, even in dramatic fashion to bring others to Jesus. The friends in the Gospel  climb the roof and lower the paralytic down—that’s how dedicated they were, that’s how much they cared.

Each one of us would do well to think of someone in our life who just seems paralyzed—they are paralyzed because they do not know the healing and love of Jesus Christ. And we should be bringing that person to Jesus in our prayer every day, and asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in how else we are called to bring that person to the Lord.

This morning in our nation’s capital tens of thousands of Christians and people of good-will are marching for those who cannot march for themselves. They are bringing the unborn to the popular consciousness and the consciousness of our politicians to bring about a change of heart. They are marching to bring a national tragedy to an end—an embarrassment to history--the legal allowance to murder unborn babies because they are unwanted by their parents. In a sense, they are marching to heal a national paralysis—the inability to get up and do what is right—to protect innocent life—they are bringing the paralyzed to Jesus, and may they be blessed and protected for their efforts.

Spiritual paralysis can afflict every one of us—when we allow the attitudes and errors of the world to keep us from doing what is right, when we allow spiritual sloth to keep us from prayer, fear to keep us from reaching out to those in need, preoccupation with worldly endeavors to keep us from pursuing the works of God.

May we be committed to bringing others and bringing ourselves to the healing of Jesus, that He may raise us up to walk in the ways of righteousness, justice, goodness and peace, 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.

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.

That the March for Life in Washington D.C. will help to transform our culture and inspire many to adhere 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

2nd Week of Advent 2018 - Monday - Advent Love

As I mentioned last week, the four candles of the Advent wreath traditionally represent the four Advent themes of hope, love, joy, and peace. The second candle symbolizing Christian Charity has now has been lit. So, this week we meditate on the love infusing this beautiful season—the love of God which transforms us to love others.

In the fourth century, Saint Augustine wrote, “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.”

In the Gospel, we see Christian love beautifully illustrated in the companions of the paralyzed man. Aware of their friend’s misery, they use their hands and feet to overcome obstacles to bring their friend to the Lord.

To grow in Advent charity, our eyes, ears, hands, and feet are to be placed in greater service of God, greater service of those in need. We are to become that 2nd Advent candle, shining with good works, works of charity. As the Lord teaches, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Pope Benedict XVI wrote his first encyclical on Love. Love, which is not a sentiment, not an emotion, but an action which seeks the healing and the wholeness of others. My favorite line from any papal encyclical in the past 20 years, and probably the only line from a papal document I can quote from memory comes is this: “Love is the light—and in the end, the only light—that can always illuminate a world grown dim.”

Whose dark world will you make brighter today? Whose paralysis will you bring to the Lord? How will you be a true loving friend today, by bringing someone to Jesus in your words and deeds? Who needs the use of your hands, feet, eyes, and ears?

May our love increase, and may the light of Christ’s love be evident in us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

For an increase in charity among the Christian people, that we may be cleansed of every vain and selfish desire in order to become instruments of the love of God.

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

For all the sick and suffering, the homeless, the unemployed, those suffering from addictions, and anyone in any kind of distress.

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

O God, you 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.

Monday - 2nd Week of Advent 2017 - What does love look like?

Inside our school entrance is a lovely advent wreath, and written on the wall behind the Advent wreath are the words: “Advent is a time for hope, love, joy, and peace”. Hope, love, joy, and peace, as I mentioned last week are the four Advent themes symbolized by the four advent candles.

The candle for love now has been lit as we have entered the second week of Advent. So, this week we meditate on the love infusing this beautiful season—the love of God which transforms us to love others.

The scriptures, songs, and prayers of Advent aid us in recognizing God’s love. How does the old Advent hymn go?  “O Come, O Come Emmanuel to ransom captive Israel.” God comes in the flesh to set us free from the captivity of sin because he loves us.

From love we were made, by love we were made, for love we were made, and Advent helps us to open our hearts to a God who longs to set us free from sin and selfishness.

God wants to see the deserts and parched lands of our souls bloom and flourish, as we heard from the prophet Isaiah. He wants “the eyes of the blind opened, the ears of the deaf cleared; the lame leaping like a stag, the tongues of the mute singing.” In the Gospel, Jesus causes a paralyzed man to walk and pronounces his sins forgiven. Jesus is born in Bethlehem to put an end to the reign of paralysis, the imprisonment of sin. Why? Because he loves us, and made us, not for the misery and paralysis and imprisonment of sin, but for the freedom and fullness of selfless love.

Recognizing God’s love, we in turn are compelled to spread that love. As St. John writes, “since God loved us, we ought to love one another.”

In the fourth century, Saint Augustine wrote, “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.”

May our Advent devotions open our hearts ever more deeply to the love of God that we may love others in return for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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

For an increase in charity among the Christian people, that we may be cleansed of every vain and selfish desire, in order to become instruments of the love of God.

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

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

For Pope Francis prayer intention for the month of December, “That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.”

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.

Homily: Monday - 2nd Week of Advent 2016 - Friend of the paralyzed

Of the four weeks of Advent, the first week is characterized by hope, the second by love, the third by joy, and the fourth by peace.

So this second week of Advent , we reflect on God’s love for us, our love for God, and the love we are to practice towards others.

We hear that word, ‘love’ used so often today, in so many different contexts: I love chocolate ice cream, I love classical music, I love my dog or cat or pet canary. Sometimes the word love means really enjoying an activity, “I love canoeing” or having strong positive feelings about a thing or person, “I love my grandma”.

Love of money, love of pleasure, love of fame, love of power, can become something very dangerous for my eternal soul.  Love of ice cream can change, if I eat a gallon of it and get sick.

But when Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor, he spoke of love in the truest sense.  True love is not just a feeling or emotion that changes.  When Jesus uses the word love he’s talking about something very unselfish.  He’s talking about something that led him to lay down his life—self-sacrifice for the good of another is the stuff that true love is made of.  Self-sacrificial love is certainly something all Christian spouses are called to practice towards each other, and for the person serious about growing in holiness, self-sacrificial love is something to be practiced towards all.

The Gospel teaches us an important lesson about love today.  God’s love seeks to free us from paralysis, most importantly the paralysis of sin—the fear, the envy, the selfishness, the hurt that keeps us from loving as we are called to love.

And, once freed from paralysis, we are meant to exercise the sort of activity characterized by the friends of the paralyzed man, who bring him to Jesus. We are freed from paralysis in order to bring the paralyzed to Jesus. We are freed from sin in order to bring the sinner to Jesus.

Each of us knows someone who is in desperate need of the merciful healing of Jesus.  Like the men in the Gospel, God invites us to be friend to the paralyzed and to make that extra effort in bringing family and friends who have fallen away or lost their faith back to the Sacramental life of the church.  Think of and pray for three or four people today who you are being called to “love” in this unique way—in going extra mile to invite them to be freed from their paralysis through the encounter with the mercy of Jesus Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.