November 24 2021 - Vietnamese Martyrs - Christ is near us in our trials

 An estimated 130,000 Catholics were martyred in Vietnam between the 17th and 19th centuries. And the tortures suffered by the Vietnamese Catholics are among the worst recorded. Their limbs were hacked off joint by joint, their flesh was torn off with red hot tongs, they were drugged, caged, and exposed to many indignities. They were commonly branded on the face with the words “ta dao,” which means “sinister religion”

One of the Vietnamese martyrs, St. Paul Le-Bao-Tihn wrote a letter describing his imprisonment and torturers, “I, Paul, in chains for the name of Christ, wish to relate to you the trials besetting me daily, in order that you may be inflamed with love for God and join with me in his praises, for his mercy is for ever. The prison here is a true image of everlasting hell: to cruel tortures of every kind—shackles, iron chains, manacles—are added hatred, vengeance, calumnies, obscene speech, quarrels, evil acts, swearing, curses, as well as anguish and grief.”

But then St. Paul Le-Bao-Tihn goes on to explain the faith that sustains him, “But the God who once freed the three children from the fiery furnace is with me always; he has delivered me from these tribulations and made them sweet, for his mercy is forever. In the midst of these torments, which usually terrify others, I am, by the grace of God, full of joy and gladness, because I am not alone—Christ is with me.”

This conviction of the closeness of Christ and the promises of Christ sustained him, and no doubt, so many of the martyrs. 

In the Gospel, the Lord explains how his followers will be led before kings and governors because of my name… we’ll be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends…and hated by all.” What will sustain us in all of our trials is that same conviction that filled St. Paul, St. Andrew, and the Vietnamese martyrs, the nearness of Christ and confidence in his promises. 

This is why it is important to practice daily prayer, regular study of the catechism and the scriptures, frequent reception of the sacraments, in order to cultivate that rock-like faith that sustains us in times of trial and temptation. Superficial faith will not sustain us. Rather, we need to draw near to Christ often throughout the day, and in times of peace, so that we may know his nearness in times of trial, in times of temptation. But if we are constantly turning our face away from him, how can we hope to see his sustaining gaze of love when our faith is tried?

St. Paul Le-Bao-Tihn wrotes, “In the midst of this storm I cast my anchor toward the throne of God, the anchor that is the lively home in my heart.” May we cultivate that faith in god, that hope in God, that love for God that will be an anchor in the storms of our life, that we may preserve our souls for eternal life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the sanctification of the Church, that bishops and priests be granted courage to preach the Gospel in its fullness.

For the sanctification of families, that the Word of Jesus may be studied, cherished and practiced in every home.

For all who have fallen away from the sacraments, may they repent of their sins and desire the life that can only come from you.

For peace and refreshment to all who prepare to gather for the Thanksgiving Holiday, bring safety to travelers, and protection from all disease.

For comfort to the sick and suffering, charity and care to the destitute and down-trodden, and courage to the fearful. 

That the Lord welcome into his kingdom all the faithful departed, those whose names are written in our parish necrology, all clergy and religious, and 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.

November 24 2020 (School Mass) - St. Andrew Dung-Lac - Faith or Fear

 From one perspective, Jesus’ warning in the Gospel today could be kind of frightening. Standing on the foot of the beloved Jerusalem Temple the Lord shouts out, “everything you see here, all these costly stones and votive offerings will be destroyed. And not only that, there are going to be wars and violence and earthquakes and floods and famines and persecutions and plagues”. Kind of frightening, no?

And yet, Jesus isn’t trying to be frightening, rather, he’s trying to be comforting. All these terrible events he says are going to happen. Do not be terrified, he says. Do not be terrified, by these things. For the past few months, we’ve been living through one of these plagues Jesus was talking about. A plague, is a disease that sweeps through the population. 

And over the past few months I’ve met two types of people. People who are full of fear and people who take Jesus at his word here, who allow their love for Jesus Christ to cast out fear that is repeated over and over on the 24-hour news cycle and on the internet. Two types of people: the fearful and the faithful. 

The fearful are full of sadness, and they feel like prisoners, and they have been led to violent riots and vehement anger toward their fellow man. Their fear leads to anger, their anger leads to hate.

And the faithful are full of peace, and they are working to make the world brighter for others. During this plague, the faithful, take reasonable precautions not to get anybody sick, but they are not allowing fear to keep them from pursuing what is most important in life. Goodness, holiness, and peace.

Today the Church celebrates a group of Christian martyrs who experienced some of the most terrible and gruesome tortures in the whole history of the world. They were hated by their government, persecuted by their own people because of their faith in Jesus. Despite the persecution and the torture, they radiated peace and forgiveness and trust in God. And because of their courageous faith, Christianity is flourishing in Vietnam. Where there was once fear and hatred, now their faith and peace.

When we choose faith over fear God does amazing things—he performs miracles. Put your faith in Jesus throughout all the terrible events of life. And you will know a freedom and a peace that the fearful cannot even imagine. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself. 

To all of our school families and teachers and staff, please know of my prayers, that your thanksgiving gatherings may be filled with the peace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

For the sanctification of the Church, that bishops and priests be granted courage to preach the Gospel in its fullness.

For the sanctification of families, that the Word of Jesus may be studied, cherished and practiced in every home.

For all who have fallen away from the sacraments, may they repent of their sins and desire the life that can only come from you.

For peace and refreshment to all who prepare to gather for the Thanksgiving Holiday, bring safety to travelers, and protection from all disease.

For comfort to the sick and suffering, charity and care to the destitute and down-trodden, and courage to the fearful. 

That the Lord welcome into his kingdom all the faithful departed, those whose names are written in our parish necrology, all clergy and religious, and 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 prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.