Holy Week 2025 - Tuesday - Greed, Grace, and the Glory of the Cross

 

When Jesus announced that one of his disciples would betray Him, the 12 were befuddled. How could one of their own be responsible for betraying the master? Each of the apostles had their flaws, of course. Some were a bit hotheaded or slow to understand Jesus’ mission and identity. But, who would willingly and knowingly place their own will in competition with Christ’s? No one would be that arrogant, would they?

The Apostle Judas was likely a very capable young man. He was given a position of some importance, to carry the money purse. He was trusted by his fellow apostles. He had been sent out, by Jesus, just like the others: to heal the sick and cast out demons and preach repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of God. He was trusted, loved, he was called “friend” and “brother.” 

How did Judas go from trusted apostle to committing the worst of betrayals?

Yesterday, we heard how Judas objected to the extravagant display of affection for Jesus, when Mary anointed the Lord’s feet with expensive oil and dried them with her hair. The oil, Judas explained, could have been sold for much and the money given to the poor. St. John tells us, his objection was not because Judas actually cared for the poor, but because he was a thief—he stole, he was greedy.

Was Judas always a thief? Did Jesus call him as an apostle knowing his tendency to skim a little something for himself? It could be. Jesus after all called Matthew a tax collector. Tax collectors were known for extortion.

Or was Judas becoming a thief a slow descent into corruption through a series of justifications—giving-in to one weakness after another.

If it can happen to an apostle, it can happen to us. And it probably already has. During holy week, we aren’t meant to point fingers at Jesus’ enemies and say, thank goodness I’m not like them. Rather, this week, we point our fingers at ourselves, we beat our breasts as Jesus goes to the cross, knowing that it is our fault, our fault, our most grievous fault.

And yet, he goes to the cross for you and for me out of love.

Judas’ greed is contrasted in the Gospel with the lavish love of Christ—which is evident not in lip-service. He doesn’t simply tell us he loves us. He shows us. He suffers for us. Judas stole from the poor, Jesus dies for the poor. Judas betrayed his friend, Jesus dies for his betrayers.  

Unlike Judas, however, in these final days of Holy Week, we acknowledge our need for a savior with ineffable gratitude that is meant to change us to become more like Christ. May we respond as we should to the unmerited grace of redemption for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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As we journey with Christ to the cross, let us bring our prayers before the Father, trusting in His mercy and seeking the grace to follow Jesus with integrity and love.

For the Church throughout the world: that during these sacred days she may lead all people to deeper repentance and a more faithful following of Christ, who gave himself up for us. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our Bishop, priests, and all of the faithful who will gather this evening for the Chrism Mass, and that the Charity of the Church of Cleveland may overflow like precious oil.

For those who, like Judas, have wandered from the path of truth through sin or scandal: that they may encounter the mercy of Christ and return with contrite hearts to the love of God.Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling with greed, dishonesty, or selfishness: that the example of Christ’s sacrificial love may inspire true conversion and generosity. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the poor, the forgotten, and the betrayed: that they may know the compassionate love of Christ, who suffered for them and never abandons them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those preparing to be received into the Church at Easter: that they may be strengthened in faith and filled with love for Christ who calls them his friends. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead: that through the mercy of Christ who died for all, they may be raised to new and eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord.

God of mercy, in your Son Jesus you have revealed your love even to those who betray and abandon you. Hear the prayers we offer in humility and gratitude, and grant us the grace to walk more faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Through Christ our Lord.

 

1st Week of Lent 2025 - Monday - Almsgiving and our Eternal Judgment

 

At the election of a new Pope, the Cardinals of the Church gather in the Sistine Chapel whose walls and ceilings are adorned with some of the most beautiful frescos in the world—painted by the Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo in the late 1530s.  After serious prayer, the Cardinals walk towards the altar to cast their vote for the new Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Church of God. Above that altar is a depiction of the Second Coming of Christ and the final and eternal judgment by God of all humanity, the scene we just heard in the Gospel, “The Last Judgment”.

The Cardinals are reminded by that great biblical scene that their vote must not be motivated by selfishness or ambition, for they will face Christ as Judge on that final day, and will have to answer for the choices they made.

Holy Mother Church presents us with this scene on this Monday of the first full week of Lent, as we just read the Lord’s own teaching on our judgment. And he does not simply announce the fact that we will be judged by God, he is clear about the criteria: when I was hungry you fed me, when I was naked you clothed me.

Lent is a time for examining our conduct, our lifestyle, and our motivations. And the criteria for that examination must include the criteria set by the Lord himself. How do you treat people? How do you treat the poor?

We prayed in our collect prayer this morning, “convert us, O God our savior.” A vital dimension of the conversion the Lord wants for us is for each of us to seek to serve God more faithfully by serving those in need.

We are to seek conversion from avarice and greed that clings to possessions and wealth in order to share our goods more freely. Sometimes we hesitate to give because we worry we won’t have enough for ourselves, but we are to seek conversion from this form of anxiety and fear. We are certainly to seek conversion from any indifference which blinds us to the real needs and sufferings of others. We are to seek conversion from our pride which views ourselves as more deserving of material goods than others.

And with the Gospel in mind, we are to seek conversion from those attitudes and vices because they are detrimental to our immortal souls. Unwillingness to give alms, to participate in the works of mercy speaks volumes about the state of one’s soul.

So may we cultivate the generosity and concern for the poor praised by Christ Our Lord and Judge for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Confident in God’s desire to dispense mercy, let us offer our prayers and petitions for the Church and for the world.

 

That all Christians may dedicate themselves this Lent to deeper prayer and practical works of mercy, so that our witness may bring hope and compassion to those who suffer.

For Genuine Conversion of Heart for all people: That we may turn from the vices of greed, indifference, and pride, and instead cultivate generosity, trust in God’s providence, and heartfelt concern for our brothers and sisters in need.

For the Poor and Vulnerable That those who are hungry, homeless, or struggling in any way may find compassionate assistance among the faithful, and that they may experience the love of Christ through our concrete acts of mercy.

That all who have died, trusting in God’s mercy, may come to behold the face of Christ the Eternal Judge and receive the reward of eternal life, especially N…

Merciful God, You call us to ongoing conversion and to recognize Christ in the poor and needy. Hear our prayers, and grant that, guided by Your Spirit, we may grow in compassion and generosity, so that on the day of judgment, we may be found among those who have loved and served Him in our brothers and sisters.

19th Week in OT 2019 - Friday - Love and Marriage

A few years ago, already, in 2016, Pope Francis issued a document on the topic of “Love in the Family” called Amoris Laetitia, latin for “The Joy of Love”. Love, authentic love, brings authentic joy.

Pope Francis offered this document on the issues of marriage and family because marriage and family matter.  Doing what it takes for a healthy marriage, having a God-centered family, raising children according to the law of Christ, these things matter for the future of civilization and the salvation of souls. The Pope said, “The welfare of the family is decisive for the future of the world and that of the Church.”

We are seeing in our own day how faithless, disordered relationships, rampant promiscuity and unrestricted sexual license bring so much brokenness, so much sadness. When men and women seek marriage for selfish reasons, disaster ensues. They bring hurt to themselves and particularly to their children.

Any priest who has worked on marriage annulments can attest to how selfishness, stunted maturity, attachment to worldliness, unwillingness to forgive, poor communication, secular notions of happiness, all effect marriage negatively.

This is why the Catholic Church takes what the Lord teaches in the Gospel this morning very seriously. Where many of the Christian denominations water down, change, or simply ignore this teaching, the Catholic Church sees this morning’s Gospel as pivotal for civilization’s survival and our faithfulness to the Gospel.

Not all are called to Christian marriage. Some are called to celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of God. Some need to work on the selfishness in their hearts before seeking to enter into marriage, for marriage, as you know, requires great selflessness.

For those who are living the Christian life in an “imperfect manner” as the Pope calls it: those living together outside of marriage, those only civilly married, those divorced and remarried outside of the Church, Pope Francis explains that “following the divine pedagogy”, that is the teaching of Christ, “the Church seeks the grace of conversion for them”, the Church seeks to help people remedy their lives.

Pope Francis concludes Amoris Laetitia with these words: “May we never lose heart because of our limitations, or ever stop seeking that fullness of love and communion which God holds out before us.” Each of us are certainly called to a life full of love. May each of us strive for that Christ-like love and self-sacrifice which brings joy and life to the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may seek to be faithful to the Lord’s teachings and commandments concerning marriage and the family, that Christian families may be filled with love and joy.

For all married couples, that they may be faithful to the Gospel in every dimension of their married life and give all an example of God’s ever-faithful love.

That the children of our parish and school may be blessed to know the grace of faith-filled families, that they may be shielded from the sins and errors of our culture.

For Pope Francis and for all the bishops and clergy of the Church: that they will be faithful to the preaching the truth of the Gospel especially in the face of secular pressure and persecution.

That the sick, lonely, elderly, homeless, widowed, and all those experiencing trials or suffering of any kind may be strengthened by God’s love and know His comfort and peace.

For those who have died, for all deceased spouses; that they may know the eternal peace and joy of the kingdom of heaven.

4th Week of Easter 2018 - Thursday - Go where you've been SENT

On the evening of Easter Sunday, the risen Jesus said to us: "As the Father has sent Me, so I send you" (Jn 20:21), echoing the words He spoke after washing the disciples feet at the last supper, as we just heard in our Gospel, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send, receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Jesus is the “sent one”, come not to do His own will, but the will of the one who sent Him. So, too Christians, are “sent ones”, following the model of Jesus the master.

The Father sent the Son to reveal His love for the world. In the same way, we are sent to reveal the Father's love.

The Father sent the Son to preach the good news of liberation and restoration to the poor. We likewise, are sent to preach the freedom and wholeness found in Jesus Christ.

The Father sent Jesus to destroy the devil's works. We too are sent to attack the gates of hell and to crush Satan and his empty works under our feet.

The Father sent Jesus to do good works and heal the sick. We, whose lives have been healed, by Christ, our sent out to bring that same healing to the soul-sick.

The Father sent the Son to die and rise; we are sent to die to ourselves, take up our cross daily, and share in Jesus' resurrection.

Christians don't do their own thing or go their own way, this would be selfish. We go where we are sent. We go to the highways and byways and even to the ends of the earth. We are sent out of comfortable complacency into hardship and challenge. We are sent to do the dirty jobs no one else wants to do. We go to the sickest, the poorest, the most repulsive, even to those who do not appreciate us, even to those who hate us on account of Him, as bearers of the mercy of Christ, because to them we have been sent, and we are to do so cheerfully, joyfully, patiently, gently, without grumbling, without resentment, without fear. And when we do go, we find, Christ has arrived before us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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God the Father was glorified in the death and resurrection of his Son. Let us pray to him with confidence.

God the Father bathed the world in splendor when Christ rose again in glory, may our minds be filled with the light of faith.

Through the resurrection of His Son, the Father opened for us the way to eternal life, may we be sustained today in our work with the hope of glory.

Through His risen Son, the Father sent the Holy Spirit into the world, may our hearts be set on fire with spiritual love.

May Jesus Christ, who was crucified to set us free, be the salvation of all those who suffer, particularly those who suffer from physical or mental illness, addiction, and grief.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "Time is on my side"...or is it?

There is a story about a couple of demons were having a conversation about the Devil's favorite day. One demon said, I think the devil's favorite day is Halloween, for the little children dress up like monsters and murderers, we get them to play cruel pranks, and revel in the darker aspects of reality, so Halloween is the devil's favorite day. Another demon said, no, I think the devil's favorite day is “Monday”, who likes mondays? Mondays cause people to curse God, it’s a return to hard labor after a nice rest. So Monday's are the devil's favorite days. A third demon said, the devil doesn't have a favorite day, he has two. His favorite days are yesterday and tomorrow.

With yesterday, the devil can draw you into dwelling on your past. He can get you to think of the people who have hurt you in the past, he can cause you deep regret over your past misdeeds, he can make you think that since you wandered far from God in your past, you'll never find God again.
Satan loves yesterday, but he also loves tomorrow, because he causes people to think that the important changes they need to make in their lives can be made tomorrow, the sins they need to repent of can be repented of tomorrow, the people they need to help can be helped tomorrow.
If the devil can get us to focus on yesterday and tomorrow, that will keep them from following Jesus today.

I tell this little tale because each of our readings this weekend have to do with how we use the time we have been given: each of the scriptures contain references to “time”. Jonah is to announce to the Ninevites that they have a short time in order to repent and convert from their wickedness. St. Paul writes to the Corinthians that their time is running out. And our Blessed Lord's very first words in the Gospel of Mark, his inaugural address is about Time, “This is the time of fulfillment...repent and believe in the Gospel.” There is a sense of urgency in our readings.

During Ordinary Time, the Church reflects upon how we use the ordinary moments of our day—how we are to reflect the virtues and love of Jesus in the ordinary events and circumstances and times of our lives.

Based on the story, it seems that the devil likes to tell us lies about our relationship to time. He likes when we are stuck in the past, focusing on past sins, past hurts. He likes to keep family members focused on actions from the past, that we should focus on sins of the past.

The devil urges us to keep mental lists of the ways people hurt us in the past. Sadly, I think spouses do this sometimes. Very unhealthy, get rid of those lists. If your spouse did something foolish or selfish in the past, have an adult conversation with them if it really felt like a betrayal. If there is an ongoing addiction or something, that's different. Help your spouse get the help they need. But past misdeeds, like forgetting a birthday, or doing something embarrassing in public, shouldn't be used as ammunition to one-up someone in an argument.

So the devil likes to tell us lies about the past, but he also tells us lies about the future. Since the devil particularly hates the time that we give to God, one very common lie is that “you are too busy to pray, you don't have time to pray.” He does everything he possibly can to prevent us from praying...he gets us to think about the groceries that need to be purchased, the lunches that need to be made for the kids, the home-improvement projects that you've been putting off for three years.

One of the devil's great victories on his campaign against prayer, is getting people overly attached, even addicted to their iDevices. Many people do have less and less time to pray because they are overly consumed with social media and video games. There certainly is less time in the day when you spend an hour checking your Facebook feed and the pictures of cats on Instagram.

The devil does everything he possibly can to prevent us from praying...but Jesus teaches us the opposite. In the Garden of Gethsemene, Jesus implores his disciples, “Rise and pray, that you should not enter into temptation.”

Another lie the Devil tells us about the future is that we have plenty of time to repent of our sins. He might tell us that our sins aren't that serious, that we don't need to go to confession, that we can get ourselves right with God some other time. He’ll tell a lie like, “You are too busy to go to confession.”
Jesus, in fact, teaches the opposite, “you know neither the day nor the hour” he says, that you will face your judgment, so repent now, go to confession now. If we are guilty of a serious sin, we have an obligation to go to confession as soon as possible. Back in the 1960s the famous rock band, the Rolling Stones, recorded the hit song, “Time is on my side, yes it is” Well, I think Jesus and St. Paul would certainly say, “no, it’s not.”

Another lie that the Devil tells us about time, and this is a big one, one that keeps us locked in very selfish modes of thinking and acting. The lie he gets us to tell ourselves is that “My time belongs to me.” He makes us feel that it is a grievous burden when people make demands on our time, that I'm to use my time in whatever way I want, “thank you very much”.

We heard St. Paul tell the Romans last week that their bodies, through baptism, become temples of the holy spirit. Our bodies as Christians do not belong to us; and by extension that means our time doesn't belong to us. We are given time by God to become as holy as we possibly can, to fulfill God's will to the best of the ability, to order our lives according to his wisdom and his Holy will. But Christians, our time does not belong to us. We're on the clock, we're on the job, and what we do with our time, determines how we will spend our eternity.

After announcing that the time of fulfillment is at hand, that we are to repent of our sins, what does our Lord do in the Gospel today? He puts the apostles to work. To be a member of the Church, whether you are 3 or 93, a priest, widow, married person, or child, means to use the time we have been given for the work of the Gospel, catching souls for Christ.

We accomplish this primarily through our good example: they shall know they are Christians by our love, as the old spiritual goes, and by generously sharing with others the stories and lessons and truths of our faith.

Our profession, our hobbies, our leisure activities, all of these things are secondary to our primary work of using our time for God's purposes not our own, working out our salvation by overcoming our sinful tendencies and helping others to do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.