April 29 2022 - St. Catherine of Siena and the Avignon Papacy

 St. Catherine’s incorrupt body is preserved in the beautiful gothic basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome.  I visited her a few times in that amazing basilica, and had the honor of attending Mass on, this, her feast day, in a small chapel behind the sacristy of the basilica from which St. Catherine would make a daily pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica to pray for the return of the Pope from Avignon.

Along with many holy faithful members of the Church at the time, the Dominican nun. Catherine was deeply concerned that for nearly 70 years, the Pope resided, not in Rome, but in the lavish palace of Avignon France. It seemed the Pope had abdicated his spiritual responsibilities for purely temporal ones.  St. Catherine wrote to the Pope and visited the Pope and pleaded with him to return to Rome for the spiritual good of the Church. She did penance, she prayed, and as I said she made this daily pilgrimage. The prayers and pleadings of the holy woman were heard by God. For, in 1377, Gregory XI’s heart was moved to return his Curia to Rome where it has rightly remained.

St. Catherine life was filled with extraordinary mystical phenomena such as visions and revelations, raptures, mystical marriage, and the stigmata, and also great works of charity: nursing the sick and comforting prisoners in jail. She received the holy stigmata on her hands, feet and heart.  Catherine, also lived many years, eating nothing, save the flesh and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.  

“Preach the Truth as if you had a million voices,” she said. “It is silence that kills the world.” What an important message as we contemplate our Easter mission to preach the risen Christ and to “speak the word of God with boldness”. 

In the Gospel for today, our Lord multiplies a few fragments of bread to feed a multitude. The Lord is able to take the meager fragments of our lives, offered to him, to accomplish miraculous things, like in the life of St. Catherine—the humble, holy third-order Dominican who moved the heart of the Pope.

Through the example and heavenly intercession of St. Catherine of Siena, may we put all the gifts God gives us into his service for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, the pope, bishops, and clergy, that they may govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd, leading the Church in the increase in faith, hope, and love.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.

That our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received. 

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

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.

2nd Week of Easter 2022 - Wednesday - Authentic Christian Belief

Belief. The word belief is found almost 100 times in St. John’s gospel. After Jesus’ first miracle, the wedding at Cana, John’s notes how the disciples “began to believe in Him.”  After the Lord cured the royal official’s son, John records how the official “and his whole household came to believe.”  

John explains the very purpose of his Gospel when he says: all these things are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”

And in today’s passage, we hear, what is likely the most popular verse of St. John’s Gospel: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

The Gospel today is clear: belief in Jesus has eternal consequences. By belief in Him we are saved from perishing. But belief is much more than intellectual assent, holding a certain fact as true in our minds. Belief needs to shape our lives, affect our behaviors, animate our decisions.

Faith however is not just holding an idea “just in case”—you know, just in case there is a God and hell is real, I’ll believe that Jesus was sort of a real important person. When St. John’s Gospel uses the word “belief” he’s talking about the very opposite of such a superficial, surface-level insurance policy. 

Belief that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God must be the fundamental orientation of our whole existence. The Christian must weigh every decision and every attitude against this belief. 

By belief in Jesus we are to seek detachment from all that would keep us from communion with God, any activity which is profane to God. Belief cries out to Jesus to save us from all that keeps us from becoming the people God made us to be. Belief seeks constant contact with the living God through the religious tenants, divine commandments, sacred rituals, and life of prayer proposed by the Church Christ Himself founded while still on earth.

We do well to examine our lives today: what is hindering Christian belief from shaping my daily life, what can I do to better cultivate Christian belief in my daily habits and routines?

May our belief in Jesus risen from the dead continue to transform all that we say and do for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, the pope, bishops, and clergy, that they may govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd, leading the Church in the increase in faith, hope, and love.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.

That our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received. 

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

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.

2nd Week of Easter 2022 - Tuesday - Learning how to learn again

 Last week, throughout the Easter Octave, we read from each of the four Gospel writers, their accounts of Jesus' resurrection, and the Lord’s post-resurrection appearances to his disciples.

For the rest of the Easter Season, we will be reading from the Gospel of John—the discussion with Nicodemus this week from chapter 3, and onto chapter 6—the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the great Bread of Life discourse next week.

In his first visit to Jerusalem during his public ministry, Jesus encountered the Pharisee Nicodemus. This encounter is quite different from the later encounters with the Pharisees, especially those of Holy Week. Nicodemus, though he is a “teacher of Israel” as Jesus calls him, takes the position of the student. Nicodemus seeks to understand who Jesus is and why he has come. And this sets him apart from the other Pharisees in the Gospel whose minds and hearts remain closed to Jesus.

There are many in our culture who treat Jesus and the Church with Pharisaical intellectual snobbery. “What could Jesus or the Church possibly have to teach me?” Even many “adult Catholics” refuse to crack open the Bible or the Catechism believing that they know it all or have nothing to gain from coming to deeper understanding of the faith. The Church is “Mater et Magistra”, Mother and Teacher, and too many of us refuse to sit in mother's lap and learn.

The Christian, however, is perpetually a disciple—a student. The Lord doesn’t want lip-service or flattery from us, he wants to teach us how to live.

The renewal that God may want for us this Easter may be to learn how to learn again: how to be open to being taught, how to encounter the timeless wisdom of Jesus in the Scriptures in a new way. 

I encourage you to read John chapter 3 today, to get a sense of this whole conversation. You’ll notice something right off the bat: as the conversation ensues, Nicodemus' remarks get shorter and shorter, while Jesus' answers get longer and longer. Recognizing who Jesus is, Nicodemus quiets down and allows Jesus to teach Him. In our daily meditation, we are to do the same. We are to open up the scriptures, and allow the Divine Word to speak to us, to teach us and challenged us, to guide and form us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, the pope, bishops, and clergy, that they may govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd leading us faithfully in the Gospel mandate.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.

That our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received. 

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

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.

Easter Octave 2022 - Friday - Catch Fish, Eat Breakfast

 

We all know the famous story in the Gospels about Jesus at the beginning of his public ministry approaching the apostles on the sea of Galilee after a fruitless night of fishing. He tells them to cast their nets into the sea and they do, and they pull in this huge catch of fish. He says, “you think that’s impressive” from now on you will be fishers of men.

We find that story in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But not John. Rather, in John we find today’s Gospel passage. Following the resurrection, the apostles spend a fruitless night fishing, but then in the morning, the risen Jesus appears on the seashore, though like the disciples on the road to Emmaus and mary Magdalene at the tomb, the fishermen do not immediately recognize Jesus. The risen Jesus commands them to cast their nets into the waters once again, and after bringing in this catch of fish, they then have breakfast with the Lord, and come to recognize him in the breaking of bread, in that communal meal.

So, while John’s Gospel doesn’t contain that explicit explanation that the disciples will be catching converts, it is certainly implied. And not only that, but the Gospel also implies what exactly the apostles were to do after catching them. They were to eat with them. They were to celebrate the Eucharistic meal, in which Christ is made known in the breaking of the bread. Catch converts, celebrate Mass with them. 

In the early Church, and in some places today, after receiving the Easter Sacraments, the neophytes, still dressed in their baptismal garb, would gather for some post-baptismal instruction and they would gather daily for mass. The pattern of today’s Gospel would repeated in their lives.

But also with the whole Church, the easter season for the whole church means a recommitment to the promises made at our baptism, a recommitment to our belief in the Eucharist, and a recommitment to the Gospel mission. This is why next week we will hear the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, which begins with the need to be born again by water and spirit, and then immediately transitioning into the bread of life discourse.

Where Lent was about emptying, Easter is about filling. Lenten penances helped us empty ourselves of distractions and sinful attachments, so that during easter we might be filled up with knowledge and grace.

In the days ahead, may we contain to be open to the ways the Lord wishes to form us as fishers of men, drawing converts to Him here at the Eucharistic table. And may these Easter days help us to cherish our faith and the sacred mysteries in which the Lord is made known for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, the pope, bishops, and clergy, that they may govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd leading us faithfully in the Gospel mandate.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.

That our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received. 

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

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.

Easter Octave 2022 - Monday - Fearful, yet overjoyed

 

When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the place where Jesus was buried, their first encounter was with an empty tomb.  

Lovingly and dutifully, they went to the tomb, Easter Sunday morning to anoint the body of Jesus—to complete the burial rites left unfinished by Joseph of Arimathea. On their way to the tomb, they wonder  “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” After all, the stone was heavy. It was large. It was truly a foreboding obstacle. It took several people to roll it into place, it was going to be more difficult to move out of the way.

Despite this obstacle, they went to the tomb anyway. They could have stayed home. They could have dwelt on the enormity of this obstacle and stayed home. What beautiful fervor, that these holy women, despite the obstacle, go to fulfill the duty of charity anyway. And it was in that experience of being faithful and dutiful and charitable that the women encountered the angel and receive news of the resurrection.

A charitable heart, a dutiful and obedient heart opens itself to receive the good news. Alleluia.

After announcing to the women that Jesus had risen, the angel tells the women to go to announce the Goodnews to Peter and the other disciples--as a sort of Apostle to the Apostles, as the early church called her. And that’s where our Easter Monday Gospel picks up. 

Receiving this commission by the angel, we heard this morning that “They went away quickly”. This reminds me of the beginning of St. Luke’s Gospel. When our Lady is told to go to her cousin Elizabeth, St. Luke tells us that Mary left in haste. When we receive a commission by an angel, we do well not to dilly-dally. 

“They were fearful and overjoyed.” St. Matthew tells us. There’s an apt description of the Christian life if I’ve ever seen one. Christians are constantly to be going into unknown territory to spread the Gospel. That’s a fearful task, and yet, we are filled with joy, knowing that we are being faithful to the work God has given us.

And again, in this experience of being faithful, despite their fear, the women have an encounter, and this time not with an angel, but with the Risen Lord Himself.

Like the holy women on Easter Sunday morning, the Church is called to be industrious in our charity, diligent in seeking the Lord, and at the same time confident that when we are faithful, God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. The Lord will take care of the heavy lifting. 

And it’s okay to acknowledge that the work of the Gospel is often fearful—to speak to strangers, to stand before kings. Notice, that the Lord himself tells them, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid how the disciples will react to this news, tell them anyway. The same goes for us. Don’t be afraid how people will react to the good news, let us tell them anyway, trusting that if there is some obstacle in their hearts, some heavy stone, God will move it, if God wills it.

Dutiful, charitable, trusting in God, may we be faithful to the spread of the Gospel and the work God has for us today and all days, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ. 

For our own community, that it may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received. 

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

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.

Holy Saturday 2022 - Morning Prayer - What is happening?

The ancient homily on Holy Saturday states: “What is happening? There is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.”

Holy Saturday is a little like the eye of a hurricane. We just experienced the intense drama of Holy Thursday and Good Friday and now we await the outpouring of joy of easter. The opening line of that ancient homily really sums it up well, “what is happening?” It’s quiet, but we know something is coming, and we know something is happening behind the scenes. 

Today is a strange day because the whole day seems to be holding its breath in anticipation of the liturgical celebration of the Easter Vigil. What should we do with ourselves? We’ll if you’re here, you’re off to a good start. I invite you to pray the other hours throughout the day. The Office of Readings containing that beautiful ancient homily, midday prayer. Pray evening prayer before coming up to church this evening. Each of these liturgical hours seems to resonate with that same anticipation.

So many of the Psalms speak of the victory that is ratified by the Resurrection of Christ, the overthrow of enemies, the defeat of sin and death, the triumph of life. 

We even had a little foretaste of Easter joy in the third of the Psalms this morning, Psalm 150, the most joyful of all the psalms, the soul praising God, busting out all of the musical instruments at his disposal, calling all of creation, everything that lives and breaths to give praise to God. It’s a great day for Psalms. 

It’s also a great day for baking, baking something sweet, something delicious to be shared with others. Bake something and give it to a neighbor. “I’m celebrating Easter, and I baked you this because I thought of you. Perhaps you’d like to join me for church tomorrow.” That first Holy Saturday was a day that was turned upside-down for the disciples, perhaps an upside-down cake is in order. 

Also, not a bad day to visit the graves of loved ones. As Christ was laid in the tomb, so have our loved ones. But, just as we await the celebration of Christ’s resurrection tonight, we await the resurrection of our loved ones. Not a bad day for visiting their graves to say, see you soon, and to offer a prayer for them.

“What is happening?” The ancient homily concludes telling us what is happening in heaven today: “The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages." Heaven is on the verge of into our world with light and glory, may we prepare our hearts to witness it, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Holy Week 2022 - Spy Wednesday - The sin of Judas Iscariot

 Wednesday of Holy week is known as Spy Wednesday because on this day Judas Iscariot made the shameful bargain with the high priests to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.  

In Dante’s Divine Comedy, the depths of the inferno are reserved for traitors, those guilty of the sin of betrayal. For Dante, the sin of betrayal is so much worse than sins of the flesh—like gluttony or lust. Opposed to the hot-blooded impulsive sins, Dante saw betrayal as cold, requiring forethought, and malice. Satan coldly sought to betray God, as did Judas. Which is why both Satan and Judas are together in hell’s lowest, coldest depths. 

I’ve read that In some villages in Poland, on this day, an effigy of Judas is throne from the church steeple, dragged through the streets and stoned, and then drowned in a pond.

Of Judas, the Lord himself said, “It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Why? Because Judas knew the truth about Jesus, but betrayed him anyway, and then went on to take his own life. The Church has never declared that Judas is in hell. But based on the Lord’s own words and the fact that Judas died apparently without repentance for his terrible betrayal and by his own hands, it is likely.

But it didn’t have to be so. Jesus died for Judas too. Salvific grace was available to him too, if he would have repented. Like all those in hell, Judas’ eternal sufferings would consist of  the pain of being excluded from God’s presence for all eternity, the knowledge that its duration will continue forever without possibility of rest, the knowledge that it could have been otherwise, and the understanding that it is entirely his own fault.”

We consider Judas’ story today, during holy week, to understand the events leading up to the Lord’s Passion, but also, that we might not make the same mistake as Judas. 

We mustn’t lead greed fester in us, allowing our sins to remain hidden, like Judas who stole from the community purse. We shouldn’t allow anger toward God fester in us. We mustn’t allow unrepentance to fester in us, for any sin, no matter how slight. 

Tomorrow begins the Great Paschal Triduum. In our great liturgical celebrations, we will consider all the Lord did, and suffered, and endured for us. He bore the weight of our sinful betrayals, our lusts, our selfishness, our greed, our pride, wishing no sinner to die, but to return to Him and live. As we contemplate his sufferings and His love for us, may our conviction for the Gospel increase, that we will look for opportunities to know him, love him, and serve him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For increased faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity. 

That the grace of these holy days may touch the most hardened of hearts, and move unrepented sinners and fallen-away Catholics to return to the mercy of God.

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.

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 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.