19th Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Jesus reveals his identity and mission

The four Gospel treat the notion of Jesus’ identity in different ways. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus appears very guarded about his identity as the Messiah and the Son of God. For example, when he asks the disciples that famous question, “who do you say that I am?” and Peter replies, “You are the Messiah”, Jesus warns the disciples not to tell anyone about him. Again, after healing the leper, Jesus tells the leper, “tell no one who I am, but go and show yourself to the priest.”

The Gospel of John takes Jesus’ identity to the other extreme. In John, he is very clear about his identity, saying things like, “I and the Father are One.” "…he who has seen me has seen the Father…". Jesus says, “I AM the Good Shepherd, I AM the Bread of Life, I AM the resurrection and the Life, I AM the way, the truth, and the life.”

Matthew takes a different approach from Mark and John. In Matthew, Jesus doesn’t try to hide his identity, nor does he boldly explain it. Rather, he gives subtle hints. He teaches people how he is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, and he also subtly reveals his identity through the many miracles Matthew records. In Matthew, Jesus feeds the multitudes by performing a miracle, he walks on water, he heals multitudes of sick people, he casts out demons. In Matthew, Jesus performs works that no human could possibly do.

Today’s Gospel takes place a few verses after the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top, where Matthew clearly records the voice of heaven proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”
Through all of these signs and actions, Jesus’ disciples came to believe that he was the Messiah, the Son of God, who came to save us from our sins.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus performs another one of these miracles that no one could possibly do, as a way of proving his divine identity. Who could possibly predict that the next fish pulled out of the sea would have money in its mouth, and not only that, but he would predict the exact amount, and not only that, the amount would be the exact amount of money for the temple tax.

Jesus not only proves his divinity here, but also his mission, he comes to pay the price for our sins, that we may have eternal life. His very name, too, Jesus, which in Hebrew means, “God saves” reveals his identity and mission.

We offer this Holy Mass as a way of giving Eucharistic thanks for our redemption, deepening our faith in Him, and proclaiming to the world that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That all Christians may be deeply committed to the spread of Christ’s Gospel.

For the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of August that any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

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, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, 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.

August 10 2018 - St. Lawrence of Rome - Laughing in the face of death

Today’s saint was a deacon of the Church of Rome in the mid 3rd century.  It’s hard to imagine the situation of the Church in Rome during the persecution, which lasted from 64 A.D. to 313 AD. We're talking about a state sponsored persecution lasting longer than America has been a nation. 

Earlier this week we heard about how the Roman Emperor Valerian passed a decree that Christian worship was forbidden unto death and that everyone was now forced to practice the pagan religion of the state.  And then, a second decree, a year later in 258 AD, that simply and coldly ordered all bishops, priests, and deacons be put to death. 

The Pope, Bishop of Rome, Pope Sixtus II, was arrested and killed on August 7th 258 AD. Today’s saint, the Roman Deacon Lawrence was arrested and killed four days later. Lawrence, like Sixtus is mentioned in the Roman Canon, the first Eucharistic prayer.

As a deacon in Rome, Lawrence was in charge of the Roman Church’s treasury, and had the responsibility of distributing alms to the poor.  When Pope Sixtus was arrested and killed, Lawrence knew that he would be next—he sold all of his personal possessions and gave them away to the poor widows, orphans, and beggars of Rome.

When the prefect of Rome heard this, he imagined that Church must have a considerable treasure hidden somewhere in the city.  He ordered Lawrence to bring the Church’s treasures to him.  So, Deacon Lawrence gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned and widowed persons. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasures of the Church.”

In great anger, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was to be slowly roasted alive upon an iron grill.  Lawrence however was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flame. He even joked,  "I'm done on this side! Turn me over” Among many other things, Lawrence is a patron saint of Comedians.

This feast’s Collect Prayer asks God to help us love what Lawrence: He loved serving the Church, He loved the poor, he loved the Lord. Because of his great love, he was able to have such courage in the face of death, even to laugh in the face of death.

May we, like St. Lawrence be filled with love for all that God loves and order our lives to reflect that we are made for a life beyond this life for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may grow in their awareness of and charitable attentiveness to the needs of the poor in their midst.

That Christians persecuted for the faith may be courageous in their witness to the saving Truth of Christ. And that the witness of the martyrs may never be in vain.

For the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of August that any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

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, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, 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.

August 7 2018 - St. Sixtus II and St. Cajetan - Trusting God at all times

The Church honors two saints today, separated by more than a thousand years.

In the third century, the Roman Emperor Valerian ordered that Christians had to take part in the state religious ceremonies. He also forbade them from assembling for Christian worship, threatening with death anyone who was found to disobey the order.  St. Sixtus II was Pope during this terrible time.  And for nearly a year Sixtus functioned as Pope, administering the Church. He famously worked to resolve a conflict with certain Eastern churches over the rebaptism of converted heretics.

In August of 258, Emperor Valerian issued a far crueler edict.  It simply and coldly ordered that all bishops, priests, and deacons be put to death. On August 6, 258, Pope Sixtus II and four deacons, were seized while celebrating Mass in the Catacombs of Callistus in Rome.  They were beheaded that same day.

Over a thousand years later, the Lord raised up a priest, a tremendously compassionate heart. He had been consecrated to the Blessed Virgin by his parents. Caitano, or Cajetan, as we call him, lived a life of great austerity and charity toward the poor. He was a mystic. His charity and prayer seemed to impress heaven itself: Our Lady appeared to him and allowed him to hold the child Jesus. He founded a religious order known as the Theatines to care for the impoverished sick and dying.

Sixtus and Cajetan, two very different saints, and yet, both imitating Our Lord. In the Gospel, we hear of the Lord walking on water, and commanding Peter to do the same. Yes, Peter sinks into the sea, and requires rescue from the Lord, but for a moment he walked on water, just like the Lord. The Lord said that we, his followers, would perform works just like his, miraculous works, works of charity, acts of great courage, and our suffering would be like his as well.

Many Christians settle for mediocrity while the Lord is actually calling us to walk on water with Him. The Collect prayer for St. Cajetan beseeches God for the ability “to trust God at all times”, to trust Him when he calls us out of the comfort of the boat, out of the familiar, out of ingrained habits and routines, out of mediocrity, out of our vices, to love the sick and the poor more, like St. Cajetan, to witness with Courage to the truth of the Gospel even when we will be persecuted, like St. Sixtus, to walk on water like St. Peter.

The Lord longs to do great things in us, with us, and through us. Through the intercession and example of the saints, may we come to trust Him at all times in order to cooperate with His Holy Will, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Pope Francis and all bishops and clergy may lead the Church by example in witnessing to the truth of the Gospel with courage and living the Gospel with charity and perseverance.

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, especially for the protection of the unborn.

For the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of August that any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for 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