22nd week after pentecost 2023 (EF) - Monday - Last EF Mass at St. Ignatius of Antioch

 A reading from the epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians

Brethren, I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. 

A continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

[At that time], the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

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As I have shared, it has been a great honor being able to celebrate the Extraordinary Form with you these last few years.

And I couldn’t think of better readings for our final Extraordinary Form mass than the ones God’s providence has provided for us today. For they contain wonderful lessons for the future.

In all of life’s challenges, joys, blessings, crosses, losses and successes, we must give to God what belongs to God. We must love God with our whole, heart, mind, soul, and strength, obey his commandments and cultivate the divine life within us. Only when we give to God what belongs to God will we possess the strength of faith needed to face life’s challenges, not to mention the great challenges the Church will inevitably face in the coming days. When we give to God what belongs to God we receive so much more than we give, for God is not outdone in generosity. We receive peace, patience, fortitude, and courage.

Here is a vital lesson for the discouraging times in which we live. That no matter what, no matter the losses we experience, even the loss of cherished things, we must never stop rendering to God what belongs to God, especially love, worship,
and obedience.

The epistle also contains a vital lesson. Having witnessed the faith of this community over the past few years, I can echo those words of St. Paul in the epistle: “Brethren, I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” There is great hope for the Church of Cleveland, God has begun good work in your souls—the spark of supernatural faith has already been kindled. Continue to fan it into flame, protect it from worldly influences, and the attacks of the enemy, especially from discouragement. 

I don’t know about you, but while some parts of the Church seem to be falling asleep, there are also parts of the Church which seem to be waking up. And that’s exciting and wonderful. 

I do not know how much I will be able to assist with the remaining Latin Masses in the Diocese, but please know that this community has left an unforgettable mark on my heart, and you will be in my prayers often. And this is my prayer, to echo, again, St. paul in our epistle this evening, that your love may increase ever more and more” for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

29th Week in Ordinary Time 2023 - Friday - I do not do the good that I want

 With piercing insight into the human experience, St. Paul wrote about the Christian’s ongoing struggle with sin. It is a struggle we all face: most of the time, we know what we should do, we recognize the desire to do it, yet we frequently fail. There is a glaring discrepancy between our intentions and our actions, a moral disconnect. 

The reason for this disconnect—is that even though we are baptized—we still experience the effects of fallenness. We continue to wrestle with the agitations of sin—with the frailties and inclinations to sin experienced by all the descendants of Adam. 

Baptism brings the forgiveness of sins. The guilt of sin is remitted in baptism, but concupiscence remains. We are reborn as children of God, but the memory of the old man remains, and not just the memory, but some of his frailness, so that by struggling against it, sanctity and virtue might be produced in us.

Christians sin. And we admit that. It’s the first step of Christianity: admitting I’m a sinner in need of a savior. That admission begins every time we gather for Mass.

Yet, admitting our sins doesn’t mean justifying our sins. We are to make no provision for the flesh. We are to root out sin as best we can, with God’s help, through sacraments, and sacramentals, with examinations of conscience, penances, fasting, and mortification. But when we fall under the influences of the flesh, which is nearly inevitable for most of us, we repent. We go to confession. We beat our breast before God. We do penance. 

We must also not allow ourselves to become too discouraged over sin. We are weak. And that doesn’t cause God to love us any less. Yes, there is a failure to rely on God’s grace when we sin. But, the sooner we recognize that, the sooner we can repent and try again. This time, maybe with our pride put in its place.

Humility about our own sinfulness also produces patience with others. Humility leads us to extend the same patience with others—in their sins—that we would want for ourselves, as the Lord says, “the measure with which we measure, shall be used against us.”

When we humbly and sincerely approach the mercy of God, we begin to experience the freedom, joy, and peace that comes from God for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may know the grace of sincere repentance and seek to grow in virtue and the fruits of the spirit.

That young people be inspired to respond generously to God’s call to sanctity, and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

For all the sick and suffering, and for all those in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care, for all those who will die today, for their consolation and that 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 family, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious of our diocese, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. 

God of mercy, hear our prayers, ease the sufferings and comfort the weakness of your servants, and bring us to eternal life, through Christ our Lord.

October 23 2023 - St. John of Capistrano - From prison to priest

 After a thorough education in law, at the age of 26, John of Capistrano became governor of the Italian city of Perugia.  After war swept through his region of Italy, John went to his enemies to broker peace, but his enemies threw him into prison.  But there, something remarkable happened.  He experienced a deep conversion to Christ. 

As a result of his conversion, around the year 1406, John entered the religious life as a member of the Franciscan Order, itself already 200 years old.  

After his conversion, Friar John became one of the greatest preachers of the 15th century.  He was instrumental in the conversion of many heretics and many who were obstinate to the faith. He truly believed that there could be no lasting human society unless first and foremost Christ was enthroned as King, and those principles which Christ came to teach were embraced.

He also spoke about the importance of all of the baptized to lead lives of holiness.  Listen to his words: “those who are called to the table of the Lord ought to glow with the brightness that comes from the good example of a blameless and praiseworthy life.  They must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice.  Their upright lives must make them the salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of the human family. The brightness of their wisdom must make them the light of the world that brings light to others.  Jesus declared ‘You are the Light of the World’! Now, a light does not illumine itself. But instead it diffuses its rays and shines all around upon everything that comes into its view.  So must it be for your glowing lives.”

In the Gospel for today’s memorial, there Lord makes three invitations, but those invitations are met with excuses. Many of us have our own secret excuses we make to the Lord who invites us to greater holiness. The saints urge us to trust the Lord, to stop making excuses, that we may come to experience the life God wants for us. Our excuses are prisons, keeping us from the freedom and joy of the Children of God.

St. John of Capistrano: an example to us all, of our vocation to holiness. As we draw near to the table of the Lord to be fed with His Body and Blood, let us seek to be that light of the world which draws all men to Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For unity in the Church, faithfulness to right teaching, detachment from worldly vices, generosity in the works of charity, and courage in the Church’s evangelizing mission. 

Through the intercession of St. John Capistrano, that the imprisoned may come, like him, to conversion to Christ, and seek a life of holiness.

For all victims of war, for peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and suffering, and healing for those whose lives have been tragically disrupted. May God come to the assistance of the communities and families devastated by the horrors of terrorism and war; and may world leaders work together for peace. 

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know God’s consolation, healing, and grace.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Graciously grant our petitions, we beseech thee, O Lord; may your grace sustain us always in your service, through Christ Our Lord.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023 - Caesar, God, and Issue 1

 The Lord was born into a very contentious political situation 2000 years ago. Much like our own day there were several political factions in the kingdom of Israel.  One of the groups was known as the Zealots.  Today, if someone called you a zealot it would mean that they possess a great passion for some subject or issue.  Well, the Zealots of the 1st century were passionate about their national and religious identity. They wanted to overthrow the Roman occupying force; for the Zealots saw the Romans as idolatrous and immoral tyrants who needed to be run out of Israel, for God had given the holy land to the Jewish people, not to the Romans.

Politically opposite the Zealots were a group of Jews called the Herodians—the party of King Herod. Herod was part-jew and part-pagan. He wasn’t very religious, his court was filled with grave immoralities. Herod was in many ways the puppet of the roman emperor.  Rome said jump and Herod asked, “how high?” The Herodians would do anything to stay in power, even to betray their country, religion, and people.

A third group we hear about a lot in the Gospels were the Pharisees known for their strict, scrupulous observance of tradition. And it was the Pharisees who were really running the religious show in 1st century Judea. The Pharisees were willing to go along with whoever was in power as long as they retained the freedom to practice their religion as they saw it. For the majority of the Pharisees, religion was a façade. They wanted religious authority for the purpose of control and financial gain. 

In the Gospel today, we heard how the “Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus”. Why would they do such a thing? The Lord exposed their deception. The Pharisees wanted to appear to be these holy religious authorities, but Jesus exposed their lie—that they were more concerned about appearances than actual holiness.

So the Pharisees plotted and conspired with their political enemies, convincing the Herodians that Jesus was a threat to them as well. Do you see the irony? The pharisees who claimed to be concerned about holiness and religious purity join forces with this group of morally and religious lax Jews. 

So, these strange bedfellows approach Jesus, and they call him “Teacher”—brash hypocrisy, as they don’t really come to Jesus to learn from him, but to trap him. Then they say to him, “Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Now, there were a number of taxes Jews had to pay.  We hear elsewhere in the Gospel about the temple tax: the tax the people had to pay to support the temple and the priests of the temple.  And they had to pay the census tax: a tax most Jews resented paying, as it financed the roman occupying force. St. Matthew, remember, before he followed Christ, was a tax collector, a jew who collected the census tax on behalf of Rome.

So this question posed to Jesus about taxes was a real loaded question. It seemed that no matter how he answered the Lord was going to make a political enemy of one of these groups.

So, you can see the consequences of Jesus’ answer.  If he said no, the Herodians would report him to the Roman authorities for encouraging insurrection. If he said yes, the Zealots would condemn him for being an enemy of the nation of Israel, and the Pharisees would condemn him for a being an idolater. It appeared to be the perfect trap.

And then Jesus the teacher gives his answer.  And the Lord’s answer is how we Christians understand our relationship to whatever civic authority is over us. 

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God”.  It’s an amazing answer, demonstrating that religious truth runs deeper than political alliances. The Lord’s teaching here demands that each individual be honest about what we really owe to God and what we really owe to the government. You and I have a personal responsibility to live up to the demands of justice. 

Do we owe religious worship and unquestioning obedience to civil authorities or to politicians or political parties? No. What if they demand it? Double no. 

Christians are to be neither Zealots, Pharisees, or Herodians. We aren’t to overthrow the government and make the Pope king, as the Zealots might propose. We aren’t to compromise our faith for political expediency like the Herodians. Nor are we to withdraw totally from worldly affairs like the Pharisees, lest we wake up one day with our freedoms stolen by fascists and tyrants. 

Now, the Lord is not saying that God and Caesar are equal. As Christians, our first loyalty is to God. And as long as we don’t have to compromise that first loyalty, we are to justly give to Uncle Sam his due, as my grandfather used to say, for providing for our domestic security, paving the roads and whatnot. Justice demands obedience to Caesar as long as Caesar does not demand we violate objective morality or right religion.

We are also to participate in civic life as justice demands. Pope Francis said, “We need to participate (in civic life) for the common good.” He said, “Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern." 

Moreso, the nation needs our prayers and our example of holiness and virtue. Our first president George Washington held that without religion, liberty could not be maintained.  He said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable.”  

We are being good Christians when we engage rightly in civic life. Sometimes that involves simply paying our taxes, and sometimes that involves demanding political accountability if those taxes are being misused or if government corruption is evident. Sometimes, our church leaders, even need to rally us, as our bishops are doing in regards to Issue 1, this November. In this case they offer very clear instruction that Catholics must vote No on issue 1 this November, in defense of the unborn, and to protect parents’ rights against the infringement of Caesar.  

This week, we received from the bishop some yard signs, regarding issue 1, which I've put around church property. Extra signs are available at the church exit. Feel free to put one up in your yard.

I’ve been asked about the legality of placing the signs on church property. While churches are prohibited by law from publicly supporting or opposing individual candidates for elected office, we are not prohibited from supporting or opposing political issues. So our yard-signs, provided by the diocesan bishop, who is well aware of the law, are not criminal; they are the least we can do to oppose this attack on life and liberty, especially in light of some of the propaganda out there which is serving to confuse voters. 

“Faithful citizenship”, promotes Gospel values in the public sphere, opposes unjust laws and policies which violate human dignity, opposes government corruption, and works to safeguard liberty against tyranny. 

In this holy Mass, we give to God what belongs to God, our prayers, petitions, praises, obedience, and divine worship, may what we do here overflow into every facet of our lives, that we may live in righteousness, justice, goodness, and peace, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

October 20 2023 - St. Paul of the Cross - The Cross is the School of Love

 The saint we honor today was born the son of a wealthy merchant near Genoa Italy, in 1694.  He received his early education from the Capuchin Franciscans.  As a young boy he was marked with great sanctity.  Not only did he excel in his studies, but he was deeply reverent, and devoted to prayer, especially the Holy Mass.  Shortly before his confirmation, he had a miraculous vision: the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Him wearing an all-black habit.  This became the habit of the religious order he found later in life, called the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, known today as the Passionists.  

When he was 26 years old, Paul had a series of prayer-experiences which made it clear to him that God was inviting him to form a community who would live an evangelical life and promote the love of God revealed in the Passion of Jesus. It was his life-long conviction that God is most easily found in the Passion of Christ.

“It is very good and holy,” today’s saint said, “to consider the passion of our Lord and to meditate on it, for by this sacred path we reach union with God. In this most holy school we learn true wisdom…love is a unifying virtue which takes upon itself the torments of its beloved Lord. It is a fire reaching through to the inmost soul.”

The Cross is the school of love—how much God loves us, and how our lives are to be redeemed, transformed, and transfigured by imitating that love and growing in that love. Love requires self-donation, love requires daily sacrifice, love requires forgetting ourselves in order to give ourselves more fully to others—there is no greater love than for one to lay down his life for a friend. 

In our moments of weakness and failure, it is easy to grow discouraged and to lose hope. That’s why in our sinfulness it is so important to meditate on how much we are loved by God. He didn’t die for the perfect, he died for us. He embraced us in our most unlovable state. Meditating on the cross of Christ, then, is to be a key which opens up and transforms our hearts and makes them more like the one who embraced the cross for our salvation. 

The love Christ showed on the cross is, as the first St. Paul—St. Paul of Tarsus—wrote in our first reading this morning, is a love which surpasses all knowledge. God’s love surpasses our human understanding, if you think you understand God’s love—his love is greater still. But also, seeking to grasp and experience God’s love is more valuable than any other knowledge we can gain in this earthly life. “More precious than gold, than fire-refined gold” is the law of God’s love. The psalmist is not just speaking poetically here, but rather, calling us to realign our priorities—to seek to truly value God’s love over everything else. 

May the Passion of Jesus Christ be ever in our hearts. May we meditate often on the cross of the Savior, and encounter “the breadth and length and height and depth” of God’s love for us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

For unity in the Church, faithfulness to right teaching, detachment from worldly vices, generosity in the works of charity, and courage in the Church’s evangelizing mission. 

Through the intercession of St. Paul of the Cross, we pray for the spiritual good of the Passionist Orders—and that all members of the Church may be more deeply conformed to the Cross of Christ.

For all victims of war, for peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and suffering, and healing for those whose lives have been tragically disrupted. May God come to the assistance of the communities and families devastated by the horrors of terrorism and war; and may world leaders work together for peace. 

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know God’s consolation, healing, and grace.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Graciously grant our petitions, we beseech thee, O Lord; may your grace sustain us always in your service, through Christ Our Lord.

 

 

27th Week in Ordinary Time 2023 - Friday - The day of the Lord is coming

 We read today from the very short book of the prophet Joel.  The Book of Joel is only four chapters long and can easily be read in a single sitting, yet his message is profound, and as relevant as ever.

Joel prophesied in Judah, in Jerusalem, around the year 500, after the return from the Babylonian exiles.

Though they had just returned from exile, Joel tells the people, don’t get too comfortable; getting too comfortable, too complacent, too familiar with worldly ways is how we got in trouble in the first place.  So, Joel calls for fasting and penance and all-night prayer vigils—to gather in the house of the Lord, with the elders: sound the alarm; blow the trumpets…why? Because the day of judgment is coming.

Joel goes on to described the calamities and natural disasters which are only a foreshadowing of the eternal suffering that awaits those who fail to repent—those who exclude God from their lives.

You got to love these prophets. They keep us rooted in reality—the reality that we must maintain the priority of faith. That more important than any of our earthly endeavors is the orienting ourselves to God, preparing for eternity, being vigilant against worldly distractions. Why? Because there are eternal consequences if we don’t. 

“The Lord will judge the world with justice” we sang in our Psalm. 

Again, some relevant ideas there. The nations are sinking into the pit they have made for themselves—including our own nation—sinking fast. And God sits ready to judge with justice. But amidst that, the Psalm explains how the faithful soul is still found giving thanks to God, declaring his wondrous deeds, rejoicing and exalting in God, and singing his praise.

The faithful soul is not prone to discouragement. We know the world is falling apart, and we are not discouraged, because that’s the way of things. How do you know if you’re soul is prepared? The world falling apart doesn’t bother you that much. You’ve confessed your sins, your heart is oriented toward God, and that gives the faithful soul an immense freedom from fear. As things fall apart we can still sing God’s glories, and thank God for his blessings. 

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste” the Lord says. Of all the kingdoms of the world, there is only one that will survive: the kingdom of God. Though the mountains may fall, and nations crumble, the Lord promises peace and eternal life to his faithful ones.  Confident and trusting in the Lord amidst all the chaos of our lives, may we be found faithful today in his service for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That hearing the call to repentance preached by the Church, all men may turn away from their sins to the mercy of Christ.

For peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and suffering, and healing for those whose lives have been tragically disrupted. May God’s peace the communities and families devastated by the horrors of terrorism and war.

That our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.

27th Week in Ordinary Time 2023 - Wednesday - Are you angry because God is merciful?

 Yesterday, we heard how Jonah was sent by God to announce the destruction of Nineveh—because of their sin and depravity, the city of Nineveh would be overthrown. But upon hearing this, the Ninevites repented en masse—120 thousand people from the peasantry to the nobility repented with fasting, sackcloths and ashes. And the last verse we heard yesterday, said that God, seeing the repentance of the Ninevites withdrew his threat of city-wide destruction.

And you’d think that Jonah would be pleased at the great loss of life that was averted because he faithfully carried God’s message. But today we heard how Jonah was displeased that God withdrew his threat. Remember, the Ninevites were sworn enemies of the Jews. He wanted to see these people wiped out, and so he enthusiastically carried the message of doom, and he became angry because of his narrow vindictiveness. Jonah did not wish the Lord to forgive the Ninevites, but to eradicate them.

In response to Jonah’s anger, God responds with a parable about the gourd plant: Then the LORD said, “You are concerned over the gourd plant which cost you no effort and which you did not grow; it came up in one night and in one night it perished.” 

God’s response to Jonah reminds me a lot of the parable of the workers in the vineyard. “Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Whoever said that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are different Gods has never really read the Bible that closely. Jonah was faithful in this instance of carrying the message, but he did not understand the heart and mind of God.

To Ezekiel, God says, “Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?” God desires that the most wicked repent and experience the life of goodness and the life of grace—the life of belonging to the order of his kingdom.

In the Gospel, the Lord teaches his disciples to pray that God’s kingdom be made manifest. St. Paul says "The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." And so when we are praying the Lord’s prayer, we are praying for God’s righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of all people, of all places. 

For there can be no real lasting peace without repentance and faith in God. So, in praying for the kingdom, we are praying for repentance to fill the hearts of those who are not living according to the standards of God’s kingdom—the standard of Jesus Christ—whose very first words in the Gospel—are repent and believe, the kingdom of God is at hand.

Let us pray and fast and do penance for those whose hearts are hardened to the kingdom and labor for their repentance, and let us rejoice when hearts are converted, and faith is ignited for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That hearing the call to repentance preached by the Church, all men may turn away from their sins to the mercy of Christ.

For peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and suffering, and healing for those whose lives have been tragically disrupted. May God’s peace the communities and families devastated by the horrors of terrorism and war.

That our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.

27th Week of Ordinary Time 2023 - Tuesday - Repentance: Choosing the Better Part

 Every year we hear this passage from the prophet Jonah on the first week of Lent, 7 days after Ash Wednesday.  The repentance of the Ninevites is one of the most dramatic responses to the call to repentance in the entire old testament: a city of about 120,000 people all come to repent the nobility, the peasantry, show signs of their repentance by fasting, covering themselves with sackcloth, and sitting in ashes. 

We begin Lent on Ash Wednesday doing the exact same thing—with fasting and the imposition of ashes on our foreheads.  And throughout Lent we undertake practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—visible and external signs of our internal sorrow for our sins.

Repentance is a pre-requisite for new spiritual life. In order to turn more fully to God we must turn away from what is disordered in our lives. That might be a disordered attachment to created things, disordered ways of speaking with people, or judging them in our minds. It might be disordered behaviors—where we spend our time selfishly indulging bodily pleasures. 

The Christian is to always be about the business of turning away from disorder toward Christ. Yet, the way of perfection also include turning away from what is good, to what is better.

In the Gospel, Martha is busy about doing the housework. That’s great. Housework is good. However, her housework caused her to miss out on something better, something that her sister Mary chosen—the better part—giving her full attention to Jesus. Yes, there are times when we are called to do manual labor, housework, chores, our earthly business. But, we must not get so wrapped up in the things of the world, that we miss out on that something better—that someone better.

Now being mindful of Jesus while we do our earthly activities is also good. We can fulfill our earthly tasks contemplatively and meditatively—being mindful of God as we fold socks and cook dinner is good. But we cannot allow our earthly tasks to consume us—to the point where we are not praying as we should each day—in quantity and quality of prayer.

The Ninevites give us the sort of attitude we should have toward all of our earthly things—lavish repentance in order to focus, like Mary of Bethany—on what matters most—the divine will and presence of God—for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That hearing the call to repentance preached by the Church, all men may turn away from their sins to the mercy of Christ.

For peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and suffering, and healing for those whose lives have been tragically disrupted. May God’s peace the communities and families devastated by the horrors of terrorism and war.

That our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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 10 2023 - St. John Leonardi, Priest - Patron of Pharmacists

 St. John was born in 1541 in the Tuscan town of Lucca Italy. Before entering seminary, trained for 10 years and apprenticed to become a pharmacist and became certified to practice the trade. But the young pharmacist had an attraction to the priesthood that he could not deny. And so he entered seminary for his theological and priestly training. 

After his ordination in 1572 Father Leonardi dedicated himself to works of mercy, especially in hospitals and prisons. The example and dedication of his work attracted several young laymen who began to assist him in his charitable works. He and his followers established a new congregation of diocesan priests called the clerks regular of the mother of God.

Father Leonardi and his Clerks Regular spread devotion to the Mother of God and the 40 hours devotion, and also the importance of the frequent reception of Holy Communion. 

As a consequences of their holy work, the Clerks provoked great political opposition from the civil authorities in Lucca (imagine that!), and Father Leonardi was exiled from his hometown for almost the entire remainder of his life.

But during exile, Leonardi took his work to Rome where he became friends with St. Philip Neri, who became his spiritual director and held him in high regard for his high qualities of firmness, good judgment, and entrusted John with delicate works. In keeping with the spirit of the Catholic Counter-Reformation launched by the Council of Trent, John Leonardi and his congregation sought to deepen the knowledge and practice of the faith among clergy and lay catholics. 

In a letter written to Pope Paul V, St. John Leonardi stressed the universal call to holiness for Catholics of all walks of life, but urging the Father that priority be given to the training of Pastors, as authentic reform in the Church must begin with those who communicate the Gospel to others. 

St. John was tasked with overseeing the reform of several monasteries, and also founded a seminary for the training of foreign missionaries which became the present day college for the propagation of the faith.( cf. Collect: DEUS, qui beátum Joánnem Confessórem tuum ad fidem in géntibus propagándam mirabíliter excitáre dignátus es…)

John died at the age of 68 from influenza contracted by tending to his brothers stricken by the disease raging in Rome at the time. He has been held in such high regard that Pope Leo XIII had his name placed in the Roman martyrology. His relics are enshrined in the Church of Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome which continues to be served by his Clerks Regular.

What a priest’s priest! And to imagine, he was 10 years into training for another profession before entering seminary. I know of several priests here in Cleveland who have followed a similar path. They trained as nurses, lawyers, chefs, engineers, CPAs, who felt the call, and answered it, thanks be to God. Countless lives have been touched, countless souls have been led to Christ because this pharmacist answered the call to priesthood and to holiness. May we too heed God’s call to serve his Holy Will, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 

That Pope Francis and all Bishops and Clergy may humbly and faithfully pass on the Gospel of Christ in all its fullness. 

That young people may be kept safe from the poisonous attitudes of the world and that they and their families may be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus and his Church, and if called, may they respond generously to a priestly or religious vocation.

Through the intercession of St. John Leonardi, we pray that all pharmacists may use their training for God’s glory, always respecting the dignity of every human life.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, for peace in Israel, and an end to war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to live the call of Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families. 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

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.

EF Readings

A reading from the second epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians

Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. Rather, we have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by the open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even though our gospel is veiled,* it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves* but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of [Jesus] Christ. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged;* rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

A continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke

At that time, the Lord appointed seventy[-two]* others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag,d no sack, no sandals;e and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023 - Winemaking and the art of goodness

About six years ago, I had a funeral for a long-time parishioner of St. Clare in Lyndhurst, one of my previous parish assignments. His name was Lenny Giuliani, and when I met with the family to plan the funeral, I learned that Lenny had been a winemaker. Making wine wasn’t his profession, but a hobby that he took very seriously; his family called him the “Einstein of Wines” because he was extremely scientific in perfecting his wines. His daughters brought me a few bottles of their father’s wine and suggested that I try them before the funeral. Not the morning of the funeral, of course. But they told me that their father loved constructive criticism, and they’d like to know my honest opinion at some point. 

So, a few days after the funeral, I opened his bottle of red, a blend of several different grapes noted on the label. And I’m no connoisseur, but I could tell that I was drinking something special, the culmination of a life’s work, a work of art. 

Maybe it’s because I’m half Italian, but I believe good food and good wine are works of art. And Lenny’s wine was certainly artfully made. He developed these wines, painstakingly, and shared the fruits of his labors with family and friends. And for that, the world was blessed. In this digital age, when we are tempted to spend our waking hours, are so-called “free time” in front of screens, we probably need to be a bit more like Lenny. To produce something, with our hands, with our minds, that can be given away to bring some joy in this increasingly joyless world. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop as proverbs says. And so a hobby, a craft, and, and art offered up to God can be a wonderful means of avoiding the near occasion of sin, and can bring something to the world.  For our readings focus on how we use our time, how we spend our life—how we use the time we’ve been given…to be a blessing to others…or not.

In today’s First Reading Isaiah explains how the Lord had prepared Israel to be a fine vineyard—that was supposed to yield the highest quality grapes. God had given Israel the Law, the Torah, he had delivered the Israelites out of the slavery of Egypt, and placed them in the promised Land, he had sent them prophets to help them be his holy people. And yet, what did they do with those blessings? what did they do to the prophets? 

Rather than yielding the lush, juicy grapes of faithfulness, justice and peace, Israel had produced wild sour grapes of infidelity, false worship, ignorance of the scriptures, and injustice toward the poor. And so Isaiah was voicing God’s displeasure to Israel, hoping they would repent, but also to help them understand the consequences of their infidelities. 

Shame on Israel, right? Well, how about us? Examining our own lives, do we find the good fruit of peace, justice, faithfulness, and joy, or the sour fruit of turbulence, selfishness, ignorance, and crankiness? Probably a bit of both, right? The Word of God challenges us to ensure we are doing everything in our power to yield good fruit. To trim back and uproot the rotten vines, lest they takeover our vineyards—our souls. 

Chronic crankiness, bitterness, and selfishness, are typically that we’ve not trimmed back the bad vines as we should—they are often signs of self-absorption rather than self-donation. And so they are indicators that there is more of our life that needs to be handed over to God, likely by devoting more time to prayer, fasting, spiritual reading, meditation on the scriptures, and engaging in the works of mercy. As soon as we detect them, we should be on the lookout for habits and attachments that we need to turn away from, because they do not give us spiritual life. To allow them to remain, is to reject God’s plan for us. 

The Gospel Parable of the Tenants also highlights the twisted logic of sin by which we reject God’s plan for his vineyard.

In the parable, we hear of these wicked tenants who reject the vineyard owner’s servant and then reject and kill the vineyard owner’s son. And the Lord Jesus tells this parable to the chief priests and elders as a way of illustrating that they have not only rejected the prophets by twisting the Jewish faith in a number of ways, they were also rejecting the vineyard owner’s son—the Son of God—in the rejection of his teachings. And this is one of the parables that the Lord explains there are going to be serious eternal ramifications for this sort of behavior and lack of faith. 

This parable from the lips of the Lord himself is like flashing neon lights urging these guys to repent and believe in the Son of God. God is not pleased with what you have been doing with his vineyard. Sour grapes are rampant. Time to make some changes for the kingdom of God is at hand.

And again shame on the chief priests and elders, right? Well, again: how about us? We see baptized Christians forsaking the faith, and acting like they might catch on fire if they stepped into Church. Amongst the Protestants heresy has spread like wild-fire—they’ve lost the eucharist, the priesthood, confession, sacramental anointing—some of them don’t even practice baptism anymore. And many Catholics fall away from the Church when they start acting like Protestants—Cafeteria Catholics who pick and choose which teachings they’ll adhere to like choices in a buffet line.

Just like the tenants rejected the vineyard owner’s son, there are some wicked tenants in the Church right now, there are always are, there always have been, and there always will be until the Lord’s return. We just better not be one of them, by holding fast to revealed truths—to the teachings and traditions received from the apostles and the practices which deepen the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

And also, to not give into despair when it seems like the wicked tenants are having their way. The Holy Spirit protects the Church. And the Gospel will be proclaimed until the Lord’s return. Until then…

“Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,” Paul tells the Philippians. “Then the God of peace will be with you.” St. Paul of course was pointing to his own tireless labors in the vineyard of the Lord for the spread of the Gospel. The saints are always our teachers, they show us how ordinary people can become extraordinary blessings for the world. How the fruits of the spirit can become lush and abundant when we cultivate the vineyards of our souls.

Ordinary things, small acts of love, truly can transform the world. Like Lenny Giuliani, perfect an artform that can bring joy to others: that can be with paint brushes, food, drink, car repair, professional advice, music, generosity, kindness, teaching, healing, compassion, writing, works of mercy. And then sharing that art, that craft with a neighbor can be an opportunity for a grace-filled conversation. A craft, or a moment of genuine concern, given in kindness, is likely more efficacious in catching souls then hours debates on the internet.

Become artists of goodness, prayer, hospitality, scripture. Become artists of self-donation, artists of Catholicism, lights in the darkness. 

October 4 2023 - St. Francis of Assisi & the Wolf of Gubbio

 In the Italian town of Gubbio, some 130 miles north of Rome, sits the church of San Franesco della Pace — the Church of St. Francis of Peace.” 

The church is large and old, and its white stone exterior is nondescript. Walking inside, you’ll find an inscription in the stone above the main entrance. It reads “dedicated to God and Francis, the peace bestower.” And next to the inscription is a carved image of a wolf.

The Church is built on the spot where, according to legend, St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226) made a peace pact with a wolf that had been terrorizing the town of Gubbio.

Back in the early 13th century, 800 years ago, a ferocious wolf began to stalk the countryside surrounding the town looking for food, preying on woodland creatures, but soon he began to prey on livestock. And then, his hunger brought him closer to town. He began to attack the villagers if they dared to venture outside of town. The ferocious wolf’s reign of terror gripped the townspeople with fear. Eventually, it got so bad that no one would even dare step outside the walls of the city. 

A friar from the neighboring town of Assisi heard about the attacks and traveled to Gubbio to meet with the wolf. Legend has it, the wolf rushed at the friar, teeth bared, ready to attack. The friar made the Sign of the Cross, and suddenly the wolf slowed, and became docile. He laid his head in the friar’s hands.

The friar spoke to the wolf gently. He called him “Brother Wolf.” He scolded the wolf for terrorizing the town and for killing so many people, but offered the wolf deal: If the wolf promised to never again attack any person or animal, the townspeople of Gubbio would feed him and make sure he never went hungry again.

And the wolf agreed. The friar, of course, was St. Francis.

Legend has it the wolf lived near Gubbio for another two years. He would peaceably go from door to door, and the townspeople would feed him. And when the wolf died of old age, the townspeople mourned him.

The story teaches us a few things. Firstly, the power and love of God and the cross of Jesus Christ works to bring order in our lives. St. Francis was not a magician or a professional animal tamer. His life was filled with the love of God, and thus he was able to become an instrument of God’s peace. 

But Francis did not become an instrument of God’s peace overnight. It came through prayer, penance, forgiveness, gentleness, humility, turning away from the ways of the world, in order to follow Jesus Christ. Again, he wasn’t a magician, rather, he became like Jesus by imitating Jesus in being devoted to the will of God. 

May we follow his example, and know the power of his intercession, that we may be instruments of God’s peace in calming the ferocious wolves in our world, by being filled with the life of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For Holy Pope Francis on this his patronal feast, for the grace to bring renewal to those parts of the Church which are crumbling—especially, 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.

October 2 2023 - Guardian Angels

Today the Church honors our Guardian Angels, those angels appointed by God and assigned to us to guard us. Psalm 91 speaks of our guardian angel when it says “God commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go.” So, today we honor those angels who are ever at our side to “to light and guard, to rule and guide.”

It is good for us to honor them with a liturgical feast, simply for their goodness and devoted servants of God Most High. To honor them is to honor God for having made them. Their great dignity and splendor shows how infinitely great God is.

We also honor them in gratitude for all they do for us. Our Guardian Angels protect us from harm, both physical and spiritual, including warding off demons who wish us ill. They strengthen us against temptation. That little voice that encourages us to remain faithful to God is often our guardian angel. They embolden us to do what is right, to live out our faith boldly and confront obstacles. 

They intervene miraculously to save us from trouble, and physical accidents, even fatal ones. If we are alive right now, it is likely that our guardian angel has saved us from harms that we will only discover in eternity. 

Simply by their existence they remind us of our dignity. God believes that we are so worth protecting he assigns us an angel guardian. As St. Jerome puts it, “The worth of souls is so great that from birth each one has an angel assigned to him for protection.” And Jerome echoes here our Lord’s teaching in today’s Gospel, that the little ones have been assigned angels who stand always before the face of God.

Our angels act as intercessors who bring our requests to God, as they themselves behold the face of God directly. 

They assist us in moving toward the Good, understanding Truth, and perceiving beauty. They help us use our reason to pursue virtue, they serve as teachers, enlightening our minds to perceive God’s precepts, strengthen our minds against error, and move our imaginations away from perverse things to holy things. 

They truly aid in our salvation, reminding us that our ultimate goal is the beatific vision of God. As St. Augustine suggests “As, then, they see, so shall we also see; but not yet do we thus see.”

Whenever we have anything difficult to do, a difficult conversation with a fallen away sinner, a difficult duty in our Christian life, facing a grave temptation, we should call upon the assistance of our guardian angels, for God has committed them to assist us and committed us to their care. 

Now our angels love us and guard us even when we are oblivious to their aid. But turning to them consciously and devotedly, we can derive greater aid from them. As we heard in our reading from Exodus: “ If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.” We must choose to heed the voice of our angel.

May we always be defended by their protection and rejoice eternally in their company for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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In gratitude to God for our Guardian Angels, may we be attentive to their inspirations, and through them be kept safe from sin, and faithful to the works of mercy.

May we, like the angels, practice purity in both mind and body, and be guarded from every temptation to sin.

For special angelic protection for our police and fire fighters, first responders, and military who keep us safe from threats to our lives and freedoms.

May the sick know the assistance of the angels in their illness and suffering.

May the angels who stand ever before the face of God, help us increase in that never-failing hope of coming at last into God’s presence.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our benefit, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, may our prayers rise like a pleasant fragrance before you and be brought to your altar on high through the hands of your holy angels. Through Christ Our Lord.