3rd Week of Easter 2026 - Friday - Eucharist and Supernatural Life

Last week, remember, we read through the Lord’s conversation with Nicodemus in which Jesus speaks of supernatural and spiritual rebirth. Through baptism, we are born again through water and the spirit. What is spiritually dead in us is brought to new life, and not only that, but God’s supernatural grace raises—elevates—our human nature. The intellect is elevated by grace to know God not merely by natural reason, but by faith. The will is elevated enabling us to love God with charity, which is far beyond merely natural love or moral goodwill. 

Through baptismal grace we share in God’s own life and are now capable of acting in a way ordered to the ultimate supernatural end: union with the Trinity. Human nature, left to itself, cannot attain the beatific vision. No amount of natural intelligence, moral discipline, or sheer human effort can reach it. But through baptism, our earthly life can culminate in heavenly life.

But, in the Gospel today, Jesus explains that for the supernatural life to be sustained in us, we must eat supernatural food. “Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you.” The Eucharist sustains the supernatural life begun at baptism. 

When the body is deprived of food it languishes and dies; and it is the same with the soul. The Eucharist does not merely symbolize supernatural life; it actually communicates it, because it is not ordinary bread but the living Christ himself. “I am the bread of life”, says the Lord. 

The Eucharist nurtures the deepening of supernatural life. Every time we receive the Eucharist, we are offered a greater share and participation in the life of God, for the Eucharist strengthens the theological virtues. It nourishes faith, because in Holy Communion we entrust ourselves to Christ’s word and presence even when hidden under sacramental signs. It nourishes hope, because the Eucharist is a pledge of future glory, a foretaste of heaven. It nourishes charity, because the life of God is one of love—self-sacrificial love, and in the Eucharist, we become what we receive, says St. Augustine—the very Christ who gave himself as a ransom for many.

Like medicine that strengthens the body weakened by illness, the Eucharist strengthens the soul against spiritual disease—enabling us to withstand the assaults, temptations, and lies of the enemy.

 St. Cyprian, writing in the early third century, says Christians imprisoned and tortured for the name of Christ received from the hand of the Bishop the sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord, so they would not yield to a Roman prosecutor and deny their faith. Before going on trial, they pleaded, “Give me Communion, so I’ll be able to resist.” From the very beginning of the Church, this was the reason Holy Communion was brought to the Christians in prison, that they could be strengthened in their persecution and temptations.

Whenever you present yourself to receive the Eucharist, do so with openness to be strengthened in the Christian life, fortified against sin, desiring to grow in the life of the spirit, in faith, hope, and charity, in the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, for the mission of the Church, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

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By offering His Body and Blood for us, Jesus reconciles the world to the Father. Therefore, we present our needs to God with confidence.

That the outpouring of charity in Christ’s Eucharistic Self-Sacrifice will become manifest in all of the Church’s activity in the world, in all marriages, in all of our business relations, family relationships and  daily encounters, in our care for the downtrodden and most vulnerable; among friends, strangers, and enemies.  

For Catholics who have fallen away from the Eucharist, that they may know the grace of sincere repentance and return to the table of the Lord.

That all of God's children may have sufficient bread for their physical life and the Bread of Life for their spiritual life. 

That those who have died may share the eternal life that Jesus promised to those who feed on the Bread from Heaven. 

Gracious Father, hear our prayers. Nourish us continually with your Son’s presence in the Eucharist, and grant us the grace to lead others to this divine source of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Holy Week 2026 - Tuesday - Judas' sins against faith, hope, and love

 

Three characters have three different responses to Jesus in the Gospel today. John, the beloved disciples lays his head on Jesus’ chest.  Peter, confesses his desire to follow Jesus even unto death, but at the sight of the cross flees in fear.  And Judas, with betrayal in his heart goes into the night. 

Sometimes we are like John: we have moments of great intimacy with Jesus, of deep prayer and unshakable love for the Lord.  Of all the apostles, it is John who stands at the cross with the Blessed Mother. 

Sometimes, we are like Peter: we can be so pious and enthusiastic one moment, saying, “Master, I will lay down my life for you”, and then the next moment, when discipleship becomes difficult and costly, we are running away in fear.

And then sometimes we are like Judas: rejecting the light and slinking off into the darkness—to sin.

We’ve have all been like Judas, from time to time, in some form or another. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, we betray him often for so much less, a moment of passing pleasure, a juicy morsel of gossip, a resentment allowed to grow into hatred, greed for money and material things that keep us from charity towards the poor.

What led Judas to betray the Lord?

Unlike the other disciples that called Jesus “Lord,” Judas never used this title for Jesus and instead called him “Rabbi,” which acknowledged Jesus as nothing more than a teacher—nothing more than a human teacher. While it is never stated explicitly, it seems that Judas failed to make the leap of faith—that Jesus was God.

When the synoptic gospels list the Twelve, they are always listed in the same general order with slight variations. The general order indicates the relative closeness of their personal relationship with Jesus. Despite the variations, Peter and the brothers James and John are always listed first, which is consistent with their relationships with Jesus. Judas is always listed last, indicating his lack of love. Not to mention Judas' scoffing complaint when Mary anoints the Lord's feat with oil from the alabaster jar.

Third, Judas was consumed with greed to the point of betraying the trust of not only Jesus, but also his fellow disciples. He put his hope in mammon.

Judas lacked faith, hope, and love. And so do we, every time we sin.

Christians, rather, are to be animated by faith, hope, and love—what we call the three theological virtues. We are to practice faith, that he is God, and center our lives in worship and obedience to Him. We are to practice hope, putting our trust not in money, or created things, but in Him to save us and fulfill us. And we are to practice love—laying our ear next to the heart of Jesus, like John the beloved, through daily and frequent prayer.

Faith, hope, and love. The three theological virtues unite us with the life of God. As we enter into the most sacred three days of the Church year—the sacred triduum—may our faith, hope, and love increase, that as Jesus, the Lord, journeys to the cross for our salvation, we may journey with him, uniting our lives to Him, entrusting our souls to Him, for the glory of God and 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, that she may remain close to the heart of Christ, faithful in worship, steadfast in hope, and radiant in charity, let us pray to the Lord.

For those preparing for Christian Initiation at Easter: for the grace to follow Christ through death into new life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who flee the cross out of fear, for those whose faith is weak, for those who have placed their trust in wealth, success, pleasure, or other passing things, for those trapped in serious sin, resentment, greed, or betrayal: for God’s grace to touch theirs and the most hardened hearts, let us pray to the Lord.

For all who suffer, especially the poor, the anxious, the lonely, and the sick, that they may find comfort in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and be aided by the charity of His disciples, let us pray to the Lord.

For the faithful departed, that having hoped in Christ in this life, they may now share forever in the joy of His Resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, you call us to remain with your Son in faith, hope, and love. Hear the prayers we place before you, and draw us ever more deeply into the mystery of His saving Passion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

4th Week in Ordinary Time 2023 - Wednesday - February Hope

 Back on the first day of August we celebrated the feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the great moral theologian who wrote extensively on the virtues. God made us to be virtuous. And so St. Alphonsus teaches, “It is part of the love of God to acquire and to nurture all the virtues”. And so effort is to be given to obtain the virtues, grow in the virtues, and strengthen the virtues. 

The virtues are like muscles in the body, and athletes will tell you that if you want to strengthen a particular muscle, you have to focus on it intentionally. So, St. Alphonsus encouraged that each month we focus on one particular virtue. 

In January he recommended working on the virtue of faith. In February we move on to the second theological virtue, the virtue of hope. 

Faith, hope, and love, the theological virtues are the foundation of a solid relationship with God and the Christian life. And so you’ll never advance in the Christian life without solid hope.

Simply, the theological virtue of hope means to trust that God will be true to his promises. Trust is very difficult for a lot of people. We speak of trust issues. Instability in the family life and the increase in divorce have wounded a lot of people’s ability to trust. Global instability shakes our sense of security. Changes in the church, constant changes to the liturgy, church leader’s weak moral guidance, and betrayal by church leaders have caused many to lose their trust. 

But hope, hope is vital, because change and chaos are inevitable. And hope helps us to remain rooted in the promises of God which do not change. This is why the symbol for hope is an anchor, hope anchors us to solid ground, the solid ground of the promises of Christ—that believing in him, following him, eating his flesh and drinking his blood, carrying your cross with him, laying down your life for him, leads to eternal life.

Christ is our hope. And when you are solidly anchored to Him and His promises, you will have peace and tremendous strenth "in your struggle against sin" as Hebrews puts it today. When you build your house on the solid rock foundations of his teachings, your house will stand the inevitable storms of life. 

St. Bernard of Clairvaux said: “Place all your hope in the Heart of Jesus; it is a safe asylum; for he who trusts in God is sheltered and protected by His mercy. To this firm hope, join the practice of virtue, and even in this life you will begin to taste the ineffable joys of Paradise.”

Strengthen hope this month by meditating often on Christ’s promises found in the New Testament. Meditate on the goodness of God, the heart of Jesus who would never deceive you, who has conquered sin and death and promises eternal life to those who follow him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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To God the Father Almighty we direct the prayers of our heart for the needs and salvation of humanity and the good of His faithful ones.

For the holy Church of God, that the Lord may graciously watch over her, care for her, and aid her in her mission.

During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.

For an increase in the virtue of hope, especially for the hopeless and despairing and for hardened sinners.

For the sick and suffering among us, for those who care for them, and for all of our beloved dead, especially 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

18th Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Wednesday - Make our faith great

 Earlier this week I spoke about virtue. How virtue is like a muscle: to exercise it will strengthen it, to neglect it will cause the virtue to weaken.

In the Gospel today, the Lord praises the faith of the Canaanite women. Faith. Faith is a virtue, one of the theological virtues. And like all the virtues, the virtue of faith is a muscle that needs to be practiced in order to be strengthened.

And this virtue is a powerful conduit for God to work in our lives, as He did in the life of the Canaanite woman. Her great faith was a conduit for healing in her family. There are a number of healings in the Gospel that come through the faith of others. And, if you remember, the gospel writers tell us that Jesus did not perform many miracles in his hometown because of their lack of faith.

So, if faith is a muscle, a virtue—how can we strengthen it, that it may become a more powerful conduit for God to work in our lives and in our families?

Firstly, Pray daily for great faith, especially by praying the Mass and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently. In the words of the father of the demon possessed by in Mark’s Gospel, pray, “Lord help my unbelief”

Secondly, Hear, read, study, share, and practice God’s Word daily, for St. Paul tells us faith “comes through hearing, and what is heard is the word of Christ”

Thirdly, assemble with other Christians who encourage your faith and help you deepen your faith. The book of Acts tells us how the early Christians, “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.”

Fourthly, you have to cut out sin. Sin is like injecting poison into a healthy muscle. Venial sin will weaken the muscle, mortal sin will kill the muscle. It might look like it’s alive for a while, but it will die. Many Christians who have failed to confess their mortal sins, are in state of dying faith. 

From time to time, I meet folks who say they are going through a crisis of faith: they can’t see God working in their life, they doubt God’s plan. And quite often, come to find out: they don’t pray, they don’t read and meditate on the scriptures, they don’t come to mass, they don’t confess their sins, they aren’t involved in their parish.

Well of course you are going through a crisis of faith, you’ve allowed faith to wither. And like a neglected muscle, it will take some time to rehabilitate withered faith. But there is no magic wand for faith to become strengthened again. It requires effort on your part and real reliance on the transforming grace of God.

But when faith is rekindled and strengthened, spiritual sight will return, what was dead is brought back to life, and God’s grace once again begins to animate one’s life. Lord make our faith strong, make our faith great again, help our unbelief, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the pope, bishops, and clergy may be filled with constancy in teaching and living out the Gospel, and that our parish may bear witness with great confidence to our life-giving faith in word and deed.

For Bishop-elect Michael Woost who will be consecrated bishop this week, for blessings upon his ministry as auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Cleveland.

That politicians and government officials may protect religious freedom, promote virtue, and look to the law of Christ to guide their work for the good of nations and the human race, and for a rekindling and strengthening of faith.

For all those who experience persecution for the sake of the Gospel, that they may be sustained in their faith, and bear fruit for the salvation of souls.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection, especially N. 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 desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

Holy Week 2021 - Tuesday - 3 Responses to the Cross

 Each of the Gospels relate scenes from the night before Jesus died.  On this Tuesday of Holy Week, we are taken to the table of the Last Supper, where Jesus predicts his death and his betrayal.

Three characters have three different responses to Jesus. John, the beloved disciples lays his head on Jesus’ chest.  Peter, confesses his desire to follow Jesus even unto death, but at the sight of the cross flees in fear.  And Judas, with betrayal in his heart goes into the night.  

Sometimes we are like John: we have moments of great intimacy with Jesus, of deep prayer and unshakable love for the Lord.  Of all the apostles, it is John who stands at the cross with the Blessed Mother.  

Sometimes, we are like Peter: we can be so pious and enthusiastic one moment, saying, “Master, I will lay down my life for you”, and then the next moment, when discipleship becomes difficult and costly, we are running away in fear. 

And then sometimes we are like the silent Judas, rejecting the light and slinking off into the darkness—to sin. 

We’ve have all been like Judas, from time to time. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, we betray him often for so much less, a moment of passing pleasure, a juicy morsel of gossip shared on social media, a greed for money and material things that keep us from charity towards the poor.

How will we ever overcome our fear of the cross like Peter? How will we finally overcome those moments, when we, like Judas prefer darkness and sin to faithfulness and trust?

First, we must ask the Lord to increase our faith. Faithfulness to Jesus must become more important than anything else—any earthly pleasure, relationship, or activity. Pray to the Holy Spirit for faith. For Peter’s faith does not truly become rock-like, until the descent of the Spirit on Pentecost.

Secondly, practicing fasting,  abstinence, mortification, acts of humility, and acts of mercy, not just through Lent but throughout the whole year, increases our hope. Our hope is not in the passing things of earth, but in the promises of Christ. As hope increases our fear of the cross decreases. So, small sufferings and humiliations prepare us for willingness for sacrifice in larger things, and increase our hope for life eternal. 

Thirdly, we must like John, lay our heads on the chest of Jesus in daily prayer.  In prayer, our love for Jesus in increases. If you are not putting your ear next to Jesus heart, how can you learn to love him and love others as he loves? Getting serious about prayer, especially fervent devotion to the Mother of Jesus, like St. John, will help increase our love.

Faith, hope, and love. The three theological virtues unite us with the life of God.

As we enter into the most sacred three days of the Church year—the sacred triduum—may our faith, hope, and love increase, that we may have the courage to journey with Jesus to the cross, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That God may be pleased to grant all necessary graces to the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. 

That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.

For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.

That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.

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

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.

November 22 2019 - St. Cecilia - Courage of the Martyrs

When we celebrate the feasts of the martyrs, like St. Cecilia, we do so for a number of reasons. First, to give thanksgiving and praise to God. We join our lives to theirs through this act of divine worship. For the martyrs came to altars just like ours. They thanked God for the salvation of their souls just like we are doing. And from this altar they received the body and blood of Jesus that nourished their souls, that helped them to love Jesus so much that they were willing to die for Him.

Secondly, we celebrate the martyrs for their example of courage. As we’ve been reading through the Maccabees this whole week, these acts of heroic faith echo through the centuries, inspiring us to be faithful when we are tempted, setting good example for young people, that their lives may be ordered to seek after that which is most important, a vibrant relationship with God that directs the whole of their lives.

And of all the virtues of the martyrs it is certainly their courage that we seek to emulate. C.S. Lewis
wrote that “Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” If we are to practice any of the virtues of the Christian life: faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, and fortitude, we need courage to practice any of them.

We need courage to have faith: to believe that God exists even though we have no empirical proof of his existence, to believe in he testimony of the apostles that Jesus is risen, we need courage to believe that we are truly forgiven of our sins. We need to have courage to hope, that amidst all the chaos and evil in the world, the goodness of Christ will triumph. We need to have courage to love, to go beyond self-preservation and self-interest and caring for others, looking to their needs instead of only our own.

Courage is needed for the Christian Life, and the martyrs like Cecilia, remind us of that, and pray from their place in heaven, that we may be courageous when our faith, hope, and live are tried.

While Cecilia was imprisoned and being tortured for her faith, she continued to speak of the saving Gospel and to sing God’s praises. She is known as the patron saint of musicians, because by her courage her life became a powerful song of witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May her prayers and example aid us in having courage in the face of all trial for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope and all bishops and priests may lead the church in the courage practice and proclamation of the saving Gospel of Christ.

That parents may be models of courageous faith for their children, and center their family life on the Gospel through worship, prayer, and charity.

For members of our parish faced with temptations and trials, that they will choose faith and know the strength and peace of God.

That through the intercession of St. Cecilia, in thanksgiving for our parish musicians, that their lives may be blessed as they develop and share their talents for the glory of God.

That Christ the Good Shepherd will draw close to all who suffer, the sick, the needy, victims of injustice, and the dying.

We pray in a special way during this month of November for all the faithful departed, for those whose names are written in our parish book of the names of the dead, all deceased members of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, and our deceased family members and friends, deceased clergy and religious, those who fought and died for our freedom 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.

October 4 2019 - St. Francis of Assisi and the Crucifix

During the period of his life in which he experienced great spiritual awakening, St. Francis would go to the old ruined chapel of San Damiano to pray. In that dilapidated oratory still hung a Byzantine wooden crucifix, painted in red, gold, and black, depicting  not the tortured Christ of later art, not with the crown of thorns, but a glorious halo, and with the large, open, eyes of the Crucified gazing back upon the faithful, showing his wounds, perhaps as an invitation to imitate him in his Passion, that we too may experience his glory.

We know well the story of how Francis heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him from that crucifix, “Francis, Go repair my Church, which as you see is falling completely in ruin.” And how Francis first, took the words literally, but then went on to bring great renewal to the Church this his life of poverty, penance and evangelization.

Lesser known, perhaps, are the words that Francis spoke back to that crucifix, which contain a summation of his desire to serve the Lord, a prayerful petition for the grace he needed to be faithful to his calling: “Most High glorious God, bring light to the darkness of my heart. Give me right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity. Give me, Lord, wisdom and discernment, so I can always observe your truth and Holy Will.”

Francis experienced a profound out-pouring of God’s love when he gazed upon the crucifix, and desired to respond in kind, with a sacrificial love that embraced suffering for the good of the Church.
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world,” we heard in Paul’s words to the Galatians this morning. Francis, like Paul sought that perfect-identification with and imitation of the crucified one who suffers for our salvation. And Like Paul, St. Francis would go on to bear the marks of Jesus on his body, signs of his union with Christ in his willingness to suffer for the Gospel.

May Francis assist us in embracing the cross, in seeking the right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity of the Christian life, the wisdom and discernment to observe God truth and Holy Will for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis on this his patronal feast, for the grace to bring renewal to those parts of the Church which are crumbling—a renewal of true faith, where faith has diminished or been corrupted.
For blessings upon all members of the Franciscan Orders, for vocations and that their witness may bring renewal to the Church.
For hope for the despairing and all those who suffer.
For the grace of perfect charity to fill our hearts for those in need.
That all God’s Holy People will be filled with the wisdom and discernment needed to know and obey God’s Holy Will.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
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 of Easter 2018 - Thursday - What does it mean...

40 days ago, we celebrated the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus on Easter Sunday.  And 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended to the right hand of his Father in heaven.  Traditionally, the Feast of the Ascension, a holy day of obligation, was celebrated today, as Ascension Thursday.
In most of the dioceses of the United States, including Cleveland, the liturgical feast has been transferred to the following Sunday.

So we have a few extra days to ponder along with the Apostles in the Gospel today: “What does this mean that he is saying to us, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"

We do well to ponder these questions, to ask, what meaning does the Ascension of Jesus have to my life? How is my life to be different because of it? How can I help others come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this event in salvation history? What impact does it have on my Christian faith? On my Christian Hope? On my Christian Love?

Jesus’ Ascension should fill us with deep joy. For it is a sign of his victory, his faithfulness to the mission given to Him by His Father. It is a sign that his earthly mission of saving souls and starting Church was complete. He did it!

This event impacts our Faith: because of his Ascension, the Lord is not bound by time and space, he is not limited by geographical distance, we do not have to travel to Galilee to know the closeness and presence of the Lord Jesus.

The Ascension fills us with Hope. That he goes to prepare a place for us, as he promised. I can really HOPE to be with God in heaven, because the faithful son, has gone there to prepare a place for us.
And the Ascension should fill us with deep love: love for God for His mighty works, for the revelation of His goodness, for the blessings that flow from it.

For as we heard earlier this week, the Lord ascends to heaven, so that the Holy Spirit might be sent upon the whole Church. So the Ascension enables us to be filled with the supernatural burning charity of the Holy Spirit.

Tomorrow is nine days until Pentecost. The Apostles gathered for nine days of prayer, after Ascension Thursday, with the blessed Mother, before they received the gift of the Spirit—this was the first novena. We do well to join with them, in the Pentecost novena (praymorenovenas.com), as a way of honoring the Ascension and disposing ourselves to the Gifts that come through God’s Almighty Plan, for the building up of the Church, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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

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

For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all Christians, and for all who are persecuted for the faith.

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.

2nd Week of Lent 2018 - Monday - Lent is a season of Hope

Over in the Academy last week, I was talking about the theological and cardinal virtues. Alongside the western wall here at St. Clare, the theological virtues, faith hope and love, and the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude, are depicted symbolically in our stained glass windows.

I’d like to speak this morning about the virtue of hope. Hope is depicted so often in Christian symbology as an anchor, as it is here, on one of our stained glass windows. The anchor was an early Christian symbol commonly found in the Roman catacombs as a symbol of the hope we have in the promises of Christ. Imagine you are a first century Christian taking refuge in the catacombs: three of your close friends have just been thrown to the lions or burned at the stake, or crucified and set ablaze as torches at one of Emperor Nero's garden parties. The anchor is a symbol that amidst the storms and uncertainties and suffering, Christ is our anchor, Christ is our hope.

Letter to the Hebrews speaks of hope as an anchor: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

Hope helps us to remain anchored in the truth, anchored in reality. Lent is a season of Hope. The ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us of the all too real reality of suffering and death, the result of sin, but it is a day of hope, the ashes are placed on the head in the sign of the cross, an expression of our hope to be saved from sin and purified from sin through Lent.

Yesterday’s Gospel, for the second Sunday of Lent, is filled with hope. Jesus’ glory was revealed in dazzling display on the Mount of Transfiguration. This was to give his disciples hope, that though he would suffer and die, the cross was not the defeat of God, but God’s defeat of sin and death.
I thought of this image of the anchor of hope today, in light of our readings today, in which we find Daniel confessing his sins and the sins of Israel to the Father in the first reading, and which speak of the Father’s forgiveness and our need to forgive in the Gospel.

The Virtue of Hope is discovered between two vices: the vice of despair and the vice of presumption. Despair claims that my sin is so great, God will never forgive me. Presumption claims that it doesn’t matter what I do, I am assured of salvation, so I don’t have to make any attempt to amend my life.

True Christian Hope is rooted in the truth, that Yes, God is full of grace, mercy and forgiveness for the sinner, but as sinners, like Daniel, we are called to confess our sins, and show mercy and forgiveness, as the Lord teaches in the Gospel. “For if you do not forgive, the Father will not forgive you.”

May our Lenten practices help us to grow in authentic Christian hope which leads us to acknowledge and confess our sins, amend our life, forgive others and lead others to the fountain of God’s mercy, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That those despairing of God’s mercy and those presumptuous of God’s mercy may come to know and practice authentic Christian Hope.

That those preparing for baptism and full Christian initiation at Easter may be strengthened in Faith, Hope, and Love through the Church’s prayer and witness.

For the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of February, that those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption. We pray to the Lord.

That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence.

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

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy.

Homily: Monday - 4th Week in OT 2017 - Realization of what is hoped for

Our first reading today is the concluding 8 verses of Hebrew chapters 11. Hebrews 11 is a special chapter, it has been called “the Bible’s great chapter on faith.” For Hebrews 11 begins with that beautiful definition of faith: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the conviction of the truthfulness of God’s Word, it is staking our lives on his promises, and manifesting in our lives that his promises are real.

After giving this powerful definition of faith, Hebrews 11 gives a sort of roll call of characters—highlighting the great men and women of faith from Israel’s history: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, and Moses.  Our passage today begins saying that if he had time, the author could how faith was heroically manifested in the lives of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel.

God did amazing things through their faith, toppling enemy kingdoms, closing the mouths of lions, turning back foreign invaders, raising the dead.

Whenever we celebrate a saint’s feast day, you know how I love to go into some detail about how faith was lived heroically in the life of the saint. That tradition of meditating on the great characters of faith is evident right here in scripture itself. We’re to be mindful of these great figures because they inspire and challenge to us; they help us to trust that when we respond generously and courageously to the invitation of faith, God does mighty things.

After listing those well-known characters and stories, our passage this morning spoke of “the others”—the nameless faithful, who are known simply for their faith.  Since Hebrews is addressed to those early Jewish converts to Christianity, the mockery and scourging endured certainly could refer to the Maccabean martyrs or the prophet Jeremiah, who was mocked, scourged, beaten, and repeatedly imprisoned. The passion of Our Savior certainly is evoked, as are the sufferings endured by St. Paul. Recall how this letter was written first to those converts who were experiencing similar trials.

Faith is not always easy. How easy it is to doubt God’s providence, particularly when we suffer. How easy it is in the moment of temptation to belittle the importance of faith. But if this chapter teaches us anything, and if the lives of the saints teach us anything is that obedient reliance on God during times of trial can accomplish mighty things.

May our faith be strong this day; may the faith of those heroic men and women from the scriptures and the saints impel us to offer our lives as living sacrifices to the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

That Christians everywhere may grow in the practice of the virtue of faith, firmly believing and living all that God has revealed.

That Christians everywhere may grow in the practice of the virtue of hope, enduring their trials and temptations trusting in the promises of God.

That Christians everywhere may grow in the practice of the virtue of charity, manifesting God’s love through concrete acts of service and compassion to those in need.

For all those who doubt the existence of God, for all those who despair of God’s love, for all those who have fallen away from the Church, for all those who have fallen into mortal sin, for the healing and conversion of all hearts in Christ.

During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.