28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wisely trusting God

On October 11, the Church celebrates the feast day of Pope Saint John XXIII. Some of our elder parishioners may even remember Good Pope John, as he was Roman Pontiff from October 1958 until his death in June 1963.

He was known during his pontificate as “good Pope John” by the Italian people who adored him for his affection sense of humor, and sanctity. At his funeral, the phrase “Santo Subito” was chanted…”sainthood now”. When Pope Francis canonized John XXIII 10 years ago already, he referred to Pope John as a “model of sanctity.”  

Again, his sense of humor was renowned, and a number of Pope John’s quips and jokes are still told today.

In reply to a reporter who asked, "How many people work in the Vatican?", he reportedly said: "About half of them."

When a cardinal complained that a rise in Vatican salaries meant a particular usher earned as much as the cardinal, the pope remarked: "That usher has 10 children; I hope the cardinal doesn't."

Not long after he was elected pope, the rather portly Pope St. John was walking through the streets of Rome. A woman passed him and said to her friend, "My God, he's so fat!" Overhearing what she said, he turned around and replied, "Madame, I trust you understand that the papal conclave is not exactly a beauty contest."

The saint was also known for his practical wisdom. When asked how he slept at night, with all the problems facing the Church, and with all of his responsibilities he said that instead of worrying all night long, he simply prays, “It’s your Church, God. I’m going to bed! It’s in your hands now”

And there is an important lesson for us there. As Christians, we are called to do our part in spreading the Gospel, defending the vulnerable, righting injustice, being peacemakers, accompanying those with little faith or no faith, so that they might find their way to Jesus. But it’s okay to get a good night’s rest, to put the troubles of the world, and the troubles of our families, and all those things that are beyond our control, into God’s hands. 

While we must have deep trust in God, we must also do our part. In the Gospel, the rich young man approaches Jesus and says, what must I do? It is clear that we must follow the commandments of God. But what else? The Lord is clear that we must follow the Lord wherever he beckons us. For the rich young man, that meant leaving behind his wealth, and following the Lord in service and charity. The Lord Jesus was inviting the rich young man to trust him, leaving his earthly cares aside to cultivate greater holiness. 

And, the rich young man was unwilling to that, and St. Mark’s Gospel tells us that because he was unwilling to trust Jesus, the rich young man went away sad. Sadness comes when we fail to respond to those invitations the Lord gives us to follow Him for closely, especially in the way of generosity and self-giving.

I love the juxtaposition between Pope John’s practical wisdom of entrusting the needs and problems of the Church to God, one on hand, and the Lord’s invitation to do everything you can to grow in holiness on the other.

Do you sense the tension there? On one hand, entrust everything to God, and make sure you get the sleep and rest to remain healthy and in good spirits. And on the other hand, do everything you can to serve the Gospel. Trust and pray as if everything depended on God, and act, as if everything depended on you.

I think that’s tough for a lot of people, because it requires mature faith and personal responsibility. You and I have the responsibility of discerning, using our God given reason, to personally investigate what can I do, honestly. If I were to really move beyond my comfort zone and trust God, what could I do for the parish, for the poor, for the good of my fellow man, what could I do for the spread of the Gospel.

Why is it so hard? Well, many of us get swept up into our habits and routines, don’t we? So much so  that the thought of doing something different, doing something challenging or uncomfortable doesn’t occur to us. We push those possibilities out of our minds very quickly because we like things easy and predictable.  

But that is a real reason, that, like the rich young man in the Gospel, we are sadder than we need to be. We are sad because we do not trust the Lord as much as we could. The joy that we observe in the saints eludes us, because, of our fear to make the leap of faith to follow the Lord into the unknown, into the uncomfortable, and in the way of the Cross.

In the first reading, we hear the prayer of this devout soul who deemed riches as nothing in comparison with the Divine. Priceless gems, gold, are as sand, compared to the joy and goodness that God offers us and wants for us from following Christ more closely. 

This week, consider what would I do for the Lord if I was fearless. What would I do for the Lord if I didn’t care about my material possessions. 

The Lord is likely not calling any of us to the radical poverty of saint francis of assisi, but he is calling all of us to be a little less concerned about our worldly possessions and our comforts and more concerned about storing up treasure in heaven. 

On top of that, we should consider what, we like Pope St John, should leave to the Lord. What can I do, and what do I need to entrust more fully to the Lord. For therein lies greater peace and joy for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

29th Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Friday - Responding to the Signs of the Times

 

Earlier this month we celebrated the feast day of Pope St. John XXIII, good Pope John, who, much to the surprise of the Cardinals and Bishops and the rest of the world, convoked an ecumenical council—the Second Vatican Council.

The Holy Father detected great changes in society such as rapid technological development, the development of the working class, changes in women’s role in society, and the gradual disappearance of colonialism. In the Papal Bull calling the Council, Pope John wrote about the Church’s need to pay attention to the “signs of the times”. He wrote, “We renew our confidence in our Savior who has not left the world he redeemed. Instead we make our own the recommendation that one should know how to distinguish the signs of the times (Mt 16:4) and we seem to see now in the midst of so much darkness a few indications that argue well for the fate of the Church and humanity (sec. 3).”

After the death of Pope John, the new Pope, Paul VI, also continued this idea, that the Church needed to pay attention to the signs of the times in order to effectively speak to the world in the midst of all of these changes and challenges. 

In the Gospel today, the Lord Jesus remarks that his contemporaries are adept at forecasting the weather by reading the signs, but they were missing something more important than weather, which was happening in their midst. Signs of God’s presence were all around them: loaves being multiplied, the lame walking, hardened sinners repenting, and the good news spreading. But with all these signs many refused to believe.

Similarly today, even amidst all the political chaos, natural disaster, war, and sickness in the world, God is present. There are miracles and healings, restored relationships, souls trapped in cycles of destructive behavior being freed through faith in Christ, Catholics pouring out their lives in teaching the young, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, so much evidence—if we take time to look and listen—of the presence of God. 

And yet, there are dark clouds on the cultural horizon, that the Church also needs to read and respond to. The rise of artificial intelligence, sexual immorality and gender confusion being imposed on young people, war mongering, unnecessarily risked national security, the threat of the use of nuclear arms, rampant, rampant corruption on every level of politics, the negligence of the media, the rise in the popularity of communism and atheism and witchcraft and the occult, the scientific community being compromised by financial and political interests. 

The Church has the duty to point to God, but she also has a duty to call souls to turn away from evil, and to call men of good will to work against the tides of evil. In fact, one could argue that the Church is being faithful to her mission when she is actively and publicly combatting evil, for the Lord said, the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church. 

The darker the world becomes, the more worldly evils provide reasons for unbelief, the brighter the Church need to shine, the clearer the Church needs to teach, and manifest God’s goodness through works of charity, providing hungry souls with reasons for belief for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For those who have fallen into error, for Catholics who have grown lukewarm in their faith, for those who have left the Church, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

That our young people may will turn away from the evils of our culture in order to pursue the goodness of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

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

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.

October 11 2022 - Pope St. John XXIII - Aggiornamento

 Pope Saint John XXIII was canonized along with Pope Saint John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday in 2014. 

He was called “good Pope John” because he was beloved by the Italian people; he was dearly affectionate and had a good sense of humor.  The phrase “Santo Subito” – “sainthood now” was chanted at his funeral. Pope Francis referred to Pope John XXIII as a “model of sanctity.”  He is a model of holiness not just for the bishops and Popes of the Church, but for all of us.

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was the first born son of poor, sharecroppers in the small Italian village of Sotto il Monte near Borgamo in northern Italy. Following his ordination in 1904, he served in increasingly challenging ecclesiastical assignments. He studied canon law; he served as a diplomat in the second World War, and helped save an estimated twenty-four thousand Jews. 

Though, many of the Cardinals thought John was going to be more of a “caretaker Pope”—Pope John helped resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, and shocked the church and the world when he called for a Second Vatican Council—not so much for the purpose of condemning the errors of the day, like previous councils, but for the purpose of Aggiornamento…letting in some fresh air to the life of the Church. Pope John XXIII set a tone for the Council when he said, “The Church has always opposed… errors. Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity.” No doubt, Pope John was an influence on our current Pontiff, Pope Francis. 

Pope John promoted dialogue with the Orthodox as well as with Protestants; he was the first Pope to meet the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury. He also encouraged positive relations with Muslims, Jews, and men of good will around the world.  

Pope John also set an example for all Christians in performing the works of mercy—he, like John Paul, Benedict, and now Francis, would leave the walls of the Vatican in order to visit the imprisoned and the sick. 

In his last encyclical in 1963, one of his most famous, called Pacem in Terris, Peace on Earth, he urged all people to think not just of themselves, but work for the common good, paying great attention to the less fortunate members of society, that as members of the universal family of mankind, we need to work together to attain our flourishment. 

For those of you who might be a little disheartened by the current state of politics, I encourage you to read that encyclical, to let some fresh air into your mind and soul

And yet, in the words of that great encyclical, Peace on Earth—which man throughout the ages has so longed for and sought after—can never be established, never guaranteed, except by the diligent observance of the divinely established order. Yes, humanity must work together for peace, but peace is only obtainable by faithfulness to God.

Strengthened by the example of Good Pope John’s holy life, taught by his words of preaching, may we aspire to work together for the spiritual flourishing of all mankind, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Holy Father Pope Francis, that the saintly Popes may intercede for him and obtain for him great graces in his pontificate.

That government leaders make work together to safeguard and promote authentic human rights, especially the right to life; and that the temporal order may be ever-more infused with the goodness and truth of God.

That during the month of October dedicated to the Holy Rosary, we may be strengthened in devotion to Our Lady and trust ever-more in her maternal intercession. 

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all the poor souls in purgatory, and N. for whom this Mass is offered.

For all victims of war, For hurricane victims and for all affected by flooding and severe weather conditions, and for those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know God’s sustaining grace.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish; for all of the poor souls in purgatory and for N.

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.

29th Week in OT 2018 - Friday - Pointing out signs of God

When St. John XXIII convoked the Second Vatican Council the modern world was in cultural chaos. Western Europe since the eighteenth century Enlightenment had been growing more secular. The world was changing in dramatic ways: technologically, politically, economically, and ideologically. Good Pope John discerned the need for the Church to be able to address these changes, and to do so, he said that the Church had to take in account the “signs of the times” in order to show where God was at work and where human society was leaving God behind.

Jesus in the Gospel today spoke of “signs”…the signs of his time. He pointed out that his contemporaries were very good at discerning some signs, but they seemed oblivious to others. His contemporaries could easily forecast the weather by reading the signs, but they were missing something more important than weather which was happening in their midst. The signs of the time were all around them: loaves being multiplied, the lame walking, hardened sinners repenting, and the good news spreading. Signs were pointing to God-in-their-midst, and yet they hardened their hearts to Him, they looked away from Him.

Similarly today, even amidst all the tragedy, natural disaster, political turmoil, and sickness in the world, we see miracles, healings, restored relationships, Christian joy, fellowship, all which come through Christ. Catholics pouring out their lives in teaching the young, feeding the hungry in soup kitchens, clothing the naked, so much evidence if we take time to look and listen for the work of God. 

Some of our contemporaries do turn a blind eye to the signs of God. Yet, some are waiting for us to point God out for them—to take them by the hand and very patiently, as if to a young child—point out how God is working all around them.

Each of us has someone in our lives who God wants us to take by the hand, with all gentleness and humility, and with patience as St. Paul says in our first reading. If Christians cannot be gentle and humble with unbelievers there is something wrong with us.

As. St. John XXIII called us to be attentive to God’s presence in the changing, chaotic modern world, may we help to lead unbelievers to the true, good, and beautiful signs of God’s unchanging Word for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That our Church leaders may be instilled with genuine Faith, Hope, and Charity and help all people of the world to grow in those virtues.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

That our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

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

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.

Homily: Oct 11 2016 - Pope Saint John XXIII - Aggiornamento

Pope Saint John XXIII was canonized, along with Pope Saint John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday in 2014. Since October 11 fell on a Saturday that year and on a Sunday last year, this is the first time many of us have the opportunity to celebrate the feast of this great 20th century pope.

He was called “good Pope John” because he was beloved by the Italian people; he was dearly affectionate and had a good sense of humor.  The phrase “Santo Subito” – “sainthood now” was chanted at his funeral. Pope Francis referred to Pope John XXIII as a “model of sanctity.”  He is a model of holiness not just for the bishops and Popes of the Church, but for all of us.

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was the first born son of poor, sharecroppers in the small Italian village of Sotto il Monte near Borgamo in northern Italy. Following his ordination in 1904, he served in increasingly challenging ecclesiastical assignments. He studied canon law, he served as a diplomat in the second World War, and helped save an estimated twenty-four thousand Jews.

Though, many of the Cardinals thought John was going to be more of a “caretaker Pope”—Pope John helped resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, and shocked the church and the world when he called for a Second Vatican Council not so much for the purpose of condemning the errors of the day, but for the purpose of Aggiornamento…letting in some fresh air to the life of the Church. Pope John XXIII set a tone for the Council when he said, “The Church has always opposed… errors. Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity.” No doubt, Pope John was an influence on our current Pontiff, Pope Francis.

Pope John promoted dialogue with the Orthodox as well as with Protestants; he was the first Pope to meet the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury. He also encouraged positive relations with Muslims, Jews, and men of good will around the world.

Pope John also set an example for all Christians in performing the works of mercy—he, like John Paul, Benedict, and now Francis, would leave the walls of the Vatican in order to visit the imprisoned and the sick.

In his last encyclical, one of his most famous, called Pacem in Terris, he urged all people to think not just of themselves, but work for the common good, paying great attention to the less fortunate members of society, that as members of the universal family of mankind, we need to work together to attain our flourishment.

For those of you who might be a little disheartened by the current state of politics, I encourage you to read that encyclical, to let some fresh air into your mind and soul.
Strengthened by the example of his holy life, taught by his words of preaching, may we aspire to work together for the spiritual flourishing of all mankind, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.