26th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024 - The Holy Archangels and the protection of the little ones

 

When we recite the Nicene creed every Sunday, we profess God as the Creator of “all things visible and invisible.” 

The visible part of creation is of course that which we can detect with our eyes—with our senses--He created the water, the earth, the stars, the planets, the rocks, the plants, the animals, and us. All that which can be seen with the naked eye, with a microscope, with a telescope, or with a scientific instrument can be traced back to the creative act of God. 

The “invisible” part of creation refers to the nonmaterial, the creatures of pure spirit, known as angels. The Catechism says, “The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scriptures usually calls ‘angels’ is a truth of faith.” Angels really exist. They aren’t just metaphors. The angels were created by God as much as you and me.  

And who are the angels?  “As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal (that means God calls each of them by name) and immortal creatures” and as the letter to the Hebrews puts it “ministering spirits” because “With their whole being the angels are servants of God”.

How many angels are there? The number of angels is nearly countless and they are arranged in a heavenly hierarchy. We mention the different ranks of angels in our Eucharistic prayers which reference the Angels, archangels, thrones, dominions and powers, cherubim, seraphim, principalities, and virtues. 

As servants of God, they assist God in the orchestration of heaven and the physical universe, including God’s care for us. At the time of our birth, each of us was assigned a particular angel who is always at our side—called our guardian angel. We celebrate the feast of the guardian angels on October 2 every year. 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 and to live out our faith boldly.

I bring up the angels today because today on the liturgical calendar, September 29, is the feast of three very important archangels. We do not know the names of our guardian angels, but we do know the names of Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael whose names are recorded in Sacred Scripture. 

All Angels are ministering servants of God, but these three Archangels were entrusted with very special missions—missions that were so important that God wanted us to know about them.

It was an unknown angel that announced the message of the birth of Samson, but it was the Archangel Gabriel who announced the incarnation of the Son of God. Everyone of our guardian angels work to drive back the darkness of evil in our lives, but it was the Archangel Michael who was placed by God as Prince of the Heavenly army who drove Lucifer and the rebellious angels out of heaven. Many angels bring healing, cheer, inspiration, and protection, but it was the Archangel Raphael who brought healing to the blind Tobit and accompanied Tobias on his special journey.

Praying for protection and the defeat of evil, strength, and healing are common prayers. Daily we should be praying for these things for ourselves and others.  And in the course of our prayers, it is very good to invoke the Holy Archangels. After all, God told us about them so that we can call upon them. We call upon St. Michael so that satan may be driven away from our midst. We call upon St. Gabriel in our mission of spreading the Gospel in word and deed. And we call upon St. Gabriel to bear God’s healing to those most in need of it.

Every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday morning, here at St. Ignatius after the final blessing at Mass, we offer the so-called Leonine prayers which include the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. The St. Michael prayer was composed by the Pope himself, Pope Leo XIII, after the holy Pope had a terrifying vision of the demonic forces gathering against the church at the beginning of last century. 

For, Pope Leo XIII lived in a time when Masonic, godless, anti-clerical, anti-church forces were congregating in Europe, spreading not only error, but physical violence toward Catholics. And so he composed the St. Michael prayer, which was to be invoked for the protection of the Church from the corrupt and the wicked. 

In the Gospel today, the Lord Jesus speaks of those who are so corrupt and so wicked that they lead little ones astray. Instead of leading people to God like the angels, and protecting them from evil like the angels, the wicked leads souls away from God.  Our culture today, in many ways, is bent on the corruption of young people. For the last sixty years especially, we have seen countless Catholic youth being led astray, rejecting religion,  embracing the moral perversions of the world and living without Jesus as Lord. 

So, to turn the tide in our culture, but more importantly to win back souls, it is good for us to call the angels to our side, to invoke their help. God has involved them in salvation history, and he will continue to involve them in answer to our prayers. 

Call upon the angels to help parents, especially, protect their children from the corrupting influences in our society. If you have children our grandchildren, ask God to strengthen their guardian angels to help protect them, and assist them in leading holy lives. Invoke the angels of the little ones to help guard them against the evils that bombard them on the internet, in the media, and in many schools and universities. Pray that the angels may bring healing to those who have been scandalized or corrupted. 

And pray daily, that powerful prayer to St. Michael: St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, o prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all of the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. For the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

25th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Humbling seeking what we truly need

 There is a common theme in our readings today. It was subtle in the Old Testament reading, and only slightly more explicit in the Gospel. It involves trust, trusting in God.

In the reading from Proverbs, this humble soul makes a heartfelt prayer to God requesting only the things he believes are essential for living a righteous and fulfilling life: “Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need, lest, being full, I deny you.” Notice the two things he asks for.

The first request is for personal integrity. The speaker asks God to keep dishonesty and deceit away from him. This reflects a desire to live truthfully, both in words and actions, avoiding the moral corruption that comes with lying. 

Dishonesty erodes our integrity. Lying often involves shifting blame or avoiding accountability, which prevents learning from mistakes. It leads to isolation—becomes no one trusts a liar. Falsehood brings separation from God—who is Truth itself. Small lies can lead to larger deceptions, gradually desensitizing individuals to wrongdoing. Once lying is rationalized, it becomes easier and easier to justify larger sins. This humble request to be kept from falsehood is fundamental to living a blessed life. 

The second request is about material wealth. The prayer asks for a balanced provision—neither extreme wealth nor extreme poverty. Each of those extremes come with their own sets of temptations and challenges. Rather, the prayer asks for just enough for sustenance. This is akin to asking God for our “daily bread” as Jesus taught his disciples in the Lord’s prayer.  

Both requests—the request for integrity and for daily bread—entail a trust that the Lord will provide what he needs.

In the Gospel, Jesus sends out the twelve with just enough for their mission. And notice, he sends them out to preach and cure and cast out demons, without any form of material support: without food, without money, or even a change of clothes.  But he did equip them spiritually for their mission. Having spent powerful, life changing time with Jesus—hearing his teaching, witnessing his divine authority in the miracles he performed, he equipped them with Faith and the Word of God. 

Similarly, in pursuing our vocation to holiness and our share in the mission of the Church —in living a blessed life on earth that leads to beatitude in heaven—we do well to seek only what we truly need: the grace of living honest humble lives, the grace to trust that the Lord equips us sufficiently for the task before us. 

May we entrust our needs to the Lord today—for all that we truly require for holiness and for heaven, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That all members of the Church may strive for personal integrity and holiness, living truthfully in word and deed.

That those in positions of authority may govern with honesty and justice, rejecting deceit, corruption, and working always for the common good.

That those experiencing poverty or abundance may avoid the temptations associated with their circumstances, and that we may seek only what we truly need, trusting that the Lord equips us sufficiently for our mission and supporting one another in faith.

That those who are burdened by illness or hardship may find comfort in God's provision and the support of the faithful community.

That the departed may be received into God's eternal embrace, especially…

Heavenly Father, we entrust our needs to You, confident in Your loving providence. Hear our petitions and grant us what we truly need. Through Christ our Lord.

25th Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - The Adelphoi of Jesus

 Family ties were of the utmost importance in Jesus’ day, as they continue to be in our time to some degree.

In the Gospel today, we hear how during the course of his public ministry, the Lord Jesus was approached by his mother and those whom our english translation calls his brothers, though the Greek word in Luke’s Gospel is adelphoi, which could also refer to Jesus’ other relatives, like cousins and uncles and even close family friends, coworkers, neighbors, and members of ones religious community, as we use it today, when we use the word brethren. 

When, Jesus’ adelphoi show up, it would have been pretty much expected for him to stop what he was doing and go out to meet them. And yet, the lord takes the opportunity to teach: “My mother and my adelphoi are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” In other words, there is a bond deeper than even biological ties—the bond between those who strive to do the will of God. The Lord foreshadows here the bond—the unity –of the baptized. 

Through Baptism—Christians enter into a supernatural bond with God and one another—a bond of those who have God as Father and Jesus as brother. The Church is the family of God.  To quote Pope Francis, “The Church is not an organization born out of an agreement between some persons but the work of God—the supreme act of love on the Cross, The Church is born of God’s desire to call all men and women to communion with him, to friendship with him, even further, to participate as his children in his very divinity.” 

This deeper bond of the baptized, the family of God, challenges us to look beyond earthly relationships—and find our deepest identity as children of God. This unity is not just symbolic but calls for a real commitment to live in communion with one another, supporting and loving each other as true brothers and sisters in Christ. It calls us to forgive, to be merciful, and to be self-giving, just as Christ has shown us. As members of this divine family, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love in the world, extending that love to all we meet, especially those in need. In this way, we live out our identity as God’s children, bound together not by blood, but by grace.

We do well to pray for a strengthening of the bonds among Christians, to pray for one another, that we may love God and each other, responding to the word of God with generous hearts, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For all Christians, that through the grace of Baptism, we may be strengthened to live in communion with one another, forgiving, being merciful, and witnessing God’s love to the world. 

For families, that they may be places where the love of God is experienced and shared, and that they may grow in holiness, reflecting the unity of the family of God, 

For those who feel isolated or estranged from their families, that they may find comfort and belonging in the Church, the family of God, and be drawn into a deeper relationship with Christ,  .

For the sick, the poor, the lonely, and all those in need, that we may extend the love and compassion of Christ to them, and work to build a world where all are treated with dignity and respect, 

For the deceased members of our families and parishes, that they may rest in the eternal peace of God’s kingdom.

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.

September 23 2024 - St. Padre Pio - The tribunal of mercy

 Padre Pio lived a truly remarkable life filled with many amazing mystical phenomena. 

He could bilocate, that is, he could appear at two places at once, hundreds of miles apart. He could heal people like Our Lord, in the Gospels. Laying his hands on the sick, they would be immediately healed. He could even heal with his prayers. 

And of course, Padre Pio had the mystical stigmata, the wounds of the Lord’s crucifixion in his hands.

Why did God give Padre Pio these strange and marvelous mystical phenomena? One reason was for Padre Pio’s own sanctification. God chose him to bear a share of the cross in a unique way, to merit grace for his own soul and the souls of others.

Another significant aspect of Padre Pio’s life was his tireless ministry in the confessional. He would spend hours upon hours each day hearing confessions, sometimes for up to 16 hours, bringing countless souls back to God through the mercy of Christ. He called the confessional a 'tribunal of mercy,' where sinners were invited to experience the transformative power of God’s forgiveness. 

For Padre Pio, the sacrament of confession was not just about seeking forgiveness but about healing and conversion. He believed that every confession was an opportunity for a soul to experience a deep inner transformation, moving from sin and selfishness to holiness and communion with God. Sacramental confession allows penitents to acknowledge their faults and weaknesses, receive God’s grace, and be strengthened to resist future temptations. Regular Sacramental Confession is key step in the Christian’s ongoing journey toward holiness.

Padre Pio’s long hours in the confessional were a reflection of his deep love for souls and his commitment to helping people experience the mercy of God. In Sacramental Confession we see the heart of Christ’s mission: the salvation of souls through mercy. 

May we seek that same flowering of holiness which blossomed in the life of Padre Pio through prayer, acceptance of our sufferings, the confession of our sins, and by extending mercy in generous and heroic ways for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that, following the example of St. Padre Pio, she may be a beacon of Christ’s mercy to all who seek forgiveness and healing . And that priests may imitate the tireless dedication of Padre Pio in their ministry of reconciliation, bringing the love and compassion of Christ to all penitents.

For all Christians, that we may embrace the sufferings and crosses in our lives as opportunities for holiness, trusting that God’s grace will sanctify us and strengthen us to do His will.

For those who are sick and suffering, they may experience healing, both physical and spiritual, and be comforted by the presence of Christ in their trials. 

 For all who have fallen away from the faith, that through the mercy of God and the prayers of St. Padre Pio, they may be led to conversion, reconciliation, and a deeper relationship with Christ.

For our parish community, that inspired by Padre Pio’s life of prayer and devotion, we may grow in holiness, seek God’s will in all things, and extend His mercy to others.

For all the faithful departed, that through the mercy of God they may be welcomed into the fullness of eternal life.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord. listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you, and through the intercession of St. Padre Pio and all the saints, grant us what we truly need. Through Christ our Lord.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - The guiding light of wisdom

 

Wisdom runs throughout our Scripture readings today like a golden thread. That shouldn’t surprise us—God’s wisdom can be discovered in every passage of Scripture. It’s a wisdom that helps us order our lives.

This weekend, we’ve heard from the book of Wisdom in our first reading. In our second reading, St. James wrote about "the wisdom from above." And in the Gospel, our Lord teaches us about getting our priorities straight, which is the essence of wisdom. Wisdom helps us order our lives by setting our priorities in line with God’s will.

In the season of Advent, we sing that beautiful hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The second verse is all about wisdom:

"O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go."

Why are we singing about wisdom in Advent? Because during Advent we are preparing for the coming of Jesus. And Jesus is the fulfillment of the biblical idea of heavenly wisdom. St. Paul writes, "Christ the Power and Wisdom of God. "He came down from heaven to teach us how to live and how to get our priorities straight. He shows us how to order our lives according to what matters most in God's eyes.

In the first reading, the book of Wisdom describes a group of wicked people who refuse to be taught. A just man—wise and learned—tries to instruct them about the law of God and the path of righteousness. This wise teacher is of course a foreshadowing of Jesus centuries later. But how do they respond? They respond the same way Jesus' enemies will respond to him. They call him obnoxious and plot to kill him. Their minds are so disordered, so attached to their errors, that they reject the wisdom that would lead them to goodness.

Imagine that. A wise, holy teacher comes to guide them, and instead of listening, they plot to kill him. God forbid any of us who call ourselves Christians should become so hostile to God’s wisdom that we close our ears and hearts to it.

This passage from the book of Wisdom is one of my favorites because it reminds me to stay open to wisdom, especially when I’m tempted to react emotionally or irrationally. If I feel myself resisting wisdom, I know I need to pause, reflect, and be careful with my words and decisions.

This passage also helps me see the world for what it is. Humans have an unfortunate capacity to find wisdom obnoxious. It’s a spiritual disease, one of the worst. Why? Because authentic wisdom is always good. It always points us to what is right and true.

We also see that there’s a big difference between wisdom and human opinion. Human opinions are often rooted in personal bias and emotion rather than in truth and reflection. The fool, Scripture says, "takes no pleasure in understanding" because he is more interested in voicing his own thoughts than seeking insight. Wisdom, on the other hand, seeks truth and growth, pointing us to what is truly good.

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, one of the characters offers the famous advice: "To thine own self be true." But that’s actually bad advice—both in the play and in life. The character who says it, Polonius, is a fool and a hypocrite, and he ends up getting killed for his foolishness. Scripture tells us, "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool" (Proverbs 28:26). Being true to yourself might sound good, but it can lead you down the wrong path if your heart isn’t aligned with God’s wisdom.

Instead, the Bible repeatedly stresses the need to trust in God’s wisdom, not in our own understanding. As Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Polonius’ advice assumes that we are already morally complete. But the truth is, we are in constant need of growth and transformation. Our lives need to be centered not on ourselves, but on God.

In fact, Jesus tells us, what?  "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself. He doesn't tell us "be true to yourself and your feelings", no, he says, if you want to go to heaven, you must deny yourself. On this side of eternity, our minds, emotions, and desires aren’t fully in conformity with the wisdom of God. That’s why we need to root ourselves in faith, trust, and the teachings of Christ. We must question our impulses and measure them against the wisdom of God and the teachings of the Church.

In our second reading, St. James reminds us that jealousy, ambition, and other sinful behaviors are disordered. He points out that our conflicts and struggles often come from failing to live by God’s wisdom. When our passions go unchecked, we lose sight of what truly matters.

Finally, in today’s Gospel, the disciples are caught in a foolish argument. They’re debating about which one of them is the greatest. Jesus calls them out for their foolishness and tells them that true greatness isn’t about status or power. Greatness is found in becoming the greatest servant, in being like a child—humble, teachable, and open to learning.

So, how do we grow in wisdom, the kind of wisdom that helps us order our lives and get our priorities straight?

First, seek wisdom in prayer. Wisdom comes from God, and as James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). Make it a daily habit to ask for wisdom, especially when faced with difficult decisions. If you’re struggling with family drama, bad habits, or life decisions, ask God for the wisdom to navigate those challenges.

Second, immerse yourself in Scripture. The Bible is God’s wisdom revealed to us. Regularly reading and reflecting on Scripture helps align our thoughts and desires with God’s will. Let the Word shape your mind and guide you in discerning truth from error.

Finally, seek wise counsel. Surround yourself with holy Christians who have their priorities straight. Why was shakespeare's Hamlet, so confused and filled with existential dread? He surrounded himself with fools, like Polonius, who told him simply to follow his feelings.  Rather, Christians are to associate with fellow Christians who are filled with wisdom. There are members of our parish who possess the gift of discernment. Get to know one another, and help each other stay on the path of wisdom.

Wisdom helps us order our lives according to God’s priorities. It guides us toward what is truly good, and when we seek it through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel, we grow in our faith and in our ability to live righteous lives. May we seek wisdom daily and trust in God’s guidance.

September 20 2024 - St. Andrew Kim - Christian in word and deed

 Saint Andrew Kim was the first native-born Korean priest, and he was beheaded for the faith. He, and St. Paul Chong Hasang with their 111 companions were martyred over the course of many years, but were canonized together by Saint John Paul II in 1984. 

The first Christian missionary arrived in Korea in the late 1500s, but for centuries, Catholicism was seen as a threat to Korean customs and traditions. The Korean government opposed the spread of Christianity, and in 1801, 200 Catholics were martyred by the government. 

St. Andrew Kim was from a Korean family who suffered under those persecutions. But inspired by the courageous witness of those martyrs, he became devoted to the Gospel. In 1844 he was ordained a deacon, then a year later, he was ordained as Korea’s first native-born Catholic priest. He traveled throughout Korea and visited various Catholic communities, teaching, mostly at night the faith and celebrating the Sacraments. He was arrested for trying to sneak missionaries into the country, he was tortured over the several months, and then finally killed, at the age of 25. 

Andrew wrote to his fellow Christians the following words: “We have received baptism, entrance into the Church, and the honor of being called Christians. Yet what good will this do us if we are Christians in name only and not in fact?”

Andrew Kim understood that being a Christian isn’t simply about identifying with a label or belonging to a community. It is about living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ in everything we do.

He calls us to ask ourselves: Are we truly living out the grace of our baptism? Are we allowing the Gospel to shape our actions, our choices, and our relationships? Being a Christian “in fact” means that our faith is not just something we profess with our lips, but something we embody in our daily lives—especially when it is difficult, unpopular, or even dangerous to do so. 

We may not face the same physical persecution as St. Andrew Kim and his companions, but in a very sense, we owe it to him to take his challenge to heart—striving to be Christians not only in name, but in our witness, our love, and our commitment to living the Gospel fully and courageously for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For all Christians facing persecution for the faith, that their sufferings may bring about the conversion of hardened souls to Christ.

For the members of St. Andrew Kim parish and the good Korean Catholics of our diocese, that they may continue to be a blessing to our local Church.

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.

24th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Quit playing games with God

 

There is a famous book on human psychology, published back in the 1960s called Games People Play.  The book isn’t talking about board games like monopoly or trivial pursuit, or children’s games like hop-scotch or kick the can.  The book explains the often selfish and manipulative "games" adults play with each other in their interpersonal relationships. Think of a boss who throws tantrums in order to get his employees to do his bidding, or a beautiful woman using her physical attributes to get what she wants. 

We even play games with ourselves: the little lies we tell ourselves in order to justify certain behavior.  “I’m so stressed, I deserve to eat an entire carton of cookie dough ice cream. Or, I had such a hard day, I deserve to have six whiskies.” Or think of the way we point out people’s flaws so we can justify not associating with them, or helping them.  

In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about playing games with God.  He describes the behavior of his generation, as a bunch of children playing games in the street instead of taking the word of God seriously. Instead of heading the preaching of John the Baptist, they claim he is possessed by a demon. Instead of heading the preaching of Jesus, they claim he is a drunkard and a glutton. They create a lie about Jesus, and then believe that lie so they don’t have to change their behavior. 

In our own time, we often find ourselves playing these same games with God. We might rationalize our actions or decisions by telling ourselves, "God will understand," or "It’s not that big of a deal." We make excuses to avoid confronting the hard truths about our lives, our relationships, and our spiritual commitments. Just like the people in the Gospel, we create distractions or false narratives to justify staying in our comfort zones, rather than embracing the call to conversion and growth.

But what if we stopped playing these games? What if we approached our relationship with God and our fellow human beings with honesty, vulnerability, and genuine openness? Jesus calls us to a life of authenticity, where we no longer hide behind excuses or manipulate others for our own gain. To drop the games, the masks, and the excuses, and to encounter Him with open hearts. He invites us to face the truth about ourselves, even when it's uncomfortable, and to grow in genuine love and compassion.

Remember, God sees through our games and loves us anyway. He longs for us to come to Him as we truly are, with all our flaws and struggles. In doing so, we open ourselves to His transforming grace and find the deep peace and joy that come from living in truth and love.

Only when we stop making excuses and face the truth of the Gospel can we experience the fullness of the life God desires for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may be a community of authenticity and truth, rejecting manipulation and embracing genuine love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may set aside political games and work honestly for the good of all people. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling with addiction or unhealthy behaviors, that they may find the strength to face their challenges without excuses. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may grow in honesty and vulnerability in our relationships with God and one another. Let us pray to the Lord.

That the sick and the poor may know the compassion and charity of the Church and the closeness of God in their afflictions.

For those who have died, that they may be welcomed into the fullness of God's truth and love in eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, hear our petitions. Grant us what we truly need to pierce through the hardness of our hearts, so that we may live in the fullness of the life of Christ. Through the same Christ our Lord. 

September 17 2024 - St. Robert Bellarmine - Learning and Virtue

 The Opening Prayer for the Mass referred to the Bishop Robert Bellarmine’s wonderful learning and virtue.

Regarding his learning: even as a youth in Tuscany, young St. Robert was devoted to studying Church History, the Fathers of the Church, and Scripture, He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1570, a time when the Church needed to address her teaching in light of rapidly spreading Protestant heresies.

St. Robert became a professor at what is now the Jesuit-run Gregorian University in Rome and his lectures there became the basis of his most famous work, his three-volume Disputationes de Controversiis Christianae Fidei adversus hujus temporis Haereticos—“Disputations Concerning the Controversies of the Christian Faith Against the Heretics of This Time” containing the lucid and uncompromising explanation of Catholic doctrine in light of errors of his day. He served as a theologian to the pope and published two important catechisms

Regarding his virtue: when he was made a Cardinal by Pope Clement VIII, St. Robert insisted on living a simple life rather than embracing the privileges he could have enjoyed.  He abstained from luxurious meals, and gave away many of his possession to clothe the poor.   

Bellarmine understood that if he were to combat the overwhelming heresies during the time of the Reformation, he would need to be guided by the powers above. It was for this reason that Bellarmine had an undying devotion to the Virgin Mary.  Each Saturday the saint would fast in her honor, and devoted every morning to the recitation of the Office of the Blessed Virgin.

Pope Pius XI said that  “Saint Robert Bellarmine is to be numbered among the greatest men in the history of the Church, whom God in His providence has endowed with exceptional learning and sanctity to teach the truths of the Catholic Faith and defend its integrity against the attacks of the heretics.”

Here was a man totally dedicated to Christ and His Church.  He is an example of the wise man in the Gospel who built his life on the solid rock of the Gospel because of his desire for heaven and to help others get there, too.

St. Bellarmine wrote: “if you are wise, then know that you have been created for the glory of God and for your eternal salvation.  This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.  If you reach this goal, you will find happiness.  If you fail to reach it, you will find misery.”

Through his intercession and that of Our Lady to whom he was so devoted, may we develop the learning and virtue God desires for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that like St. Robert Bellarmine, we may be steadfast in defending and explaining our faith with clarity and conviction, and that theologians and teachers of the faith, may be blessed with wisdom and virtue as they guide others in understanding Catholic doctrine. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those in positions of authority, that they may follow St. Robert's example of humility and simplicity, using their roles to serve others rather than seeking privilege. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling with doubts or questions about their faith, that they may find clarity and renewed commitment to Christ and His Church, and that all of us may build our lives on the solid rock of the Gospel. Let us pray to the Lord.

That the sick and the poor may know the compassion and charity of the Church and the closeness of God in their afflictions.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, we bring these petitions before You on this memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine. Through his intercessions grant us what we truly need to keep our hearts fixed on the glory of Your kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

September 16 2024 - Saints Cornelius & Cyprian, Martyrs - Instruments of mercy, peace, and unity.

 During a particularly violent persecution of the Church, led by the roman emperor Decius in the year 250, many Christians, in order to save their lives, submitted to the imperial mandate for citizens of the empire to prove their loyalty to empire by offering incense to the Roman Gods.

This imperial mandate was designed to root out Christians. For by this time, the empire knew well that Christians could not commit this act of idolatry. 

Some Christians, tried to get around the mandate by bribing authorities to obtain a document which stated that they had offered such sacrifices.  But that document till said, basically, “I deny Christ”. It’s still a public act—still an act of apostasy.

As the persecutions died down, the question arose: can these apostates be readmitted to communion? After all, the denied Christ publicly, through public documentation. 

So, in the year 251, Pope Cornelius, whom we honor today, called a synod in Rome. After hearing from his bishops and theologians, he declared that, yes, the apostates could be restored to communion, as long as they underwent what he called “the usual medicines of repentance”.  He affirmed that through penance and firm purpose of amendment, a sinner could be readmitted to Communion again. 

Pope Cornelius was supported in this pronouncement by many bishops, but especially St. Cyprian, the most important bishop in North Africa, and one of the most important theologians and writers of the time.

All these centuries later, we are still in possession of a letter written by Cyprian to Pope Cornelius. Listen to these words: “My very dear brother,” he wrote, “we have heard of the glorious witness given by your courageous faith. On learning of the honor you had won by your witness, we were filled with such joy that we felt ourselves sharers and companions in your praiseworthy achievements. After all, we have the same Church, the same mind, the same unbroken harmony. God’s merciful design has warned us that the day of our own struggle, our own contest, is at hand. By that shared love which binds us close together, we are doing all we can to exhort our congregation, to give ourselves unceasingly to fastings, vigils and prayers in common. These are the heavenly weapons which give us the strength to stand firm and endure; they are the spiritual defenses, the God-given armaments that protect us. Let us then remember one another, united in mind and heart. Let us pray without ceasing, you for us, we for you; by the love we share we shall thus relieve the strain of these great trials.”

Cyprian was right, that, both he and Pope Cornelius would face their own day of struggle, as Cyprian called it. Both were martyred when the persecutions flared up again. But Cyprian gives good advice for all of us, in the time that we have, to make use of the “heavenly weapons which give us strength”—fasting, prayer vigils, and prayer in common. 

Through the intercession of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian may we encourage one another through all the trials we face, and bear witness to all whom we are called to forgive, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope and all the clergy may be effective instruments of mercy, and for the grace and strength to seek out the lost, last, and least.

That through the intercession of the martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.

For an end to government corruption and politically motivated violence, and all forms of greed which breed hatred and war.

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.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - "The Cross is a mirror"

 

On the liturgical calendar, September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Even though the feast (is replaced by our celebration of the vigil for Sunday/was yesterday) I’d like to focus on the cross a bit, after all, we hear about the cross in our Gospel, where the Lord tells us that  whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

A little girl at the funeral yesterday, seeing all the crosses and crucifixes here at St. Ignatius asked her father, “why are there so many Jesus’ in this church.” Our church is adorned with many crosses for a reason. Saint John Paul II called the cross THE symbol of Christianity. Most of us marked ourselves with the sign of the cross upon entering the Church today, we began mass with it, we’ll end Mass with it.  Essentially, every time we Catholics pray, we begin and end our prayer with the sign of the cross. Many of you have crosses throughout your homes, perhaps in your bedrooms—so that the cross is the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning. 

All types of people where crosses around their necks, from bishops to baseball players to musicians.   The priest holds his arms in this shape during the Eucharistic prayer.  

Worn around our necks, adorning our homes and churches, beginning and ending our prayers, the cross is not a good luck charm, it is a reminder that by the cross we are saved. As is sung on Good Friday every year, “Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.”

St. Anthony of Padua in a sermon on the cross said: “You cannot better appreciate your worth than by looking into the mirror of the Cross of Christ; there you will learn how you are to deflate your pride, how you must mortify the desires of the flesh, how you are to pray to your Father for those who persecute you, and to commend your spirit into God’s hands.”  

Let’s consider his words in depth. Firstly, St. Anthony called the cross a mirror in which you can appreciate your worth. The cross is proof—a visual reminder--that God believes that your soul and mine are worth dying for. Jesus willingly embraced the cross, taking upon himself the weight of all of our sins because we are worth something to God. God believes that saving our souls from hell is worth suffering the greatest suffering. And he wouldn’t believe that unless he loved us more than we love our own children, friends, and family—with love beyond all telling. So the cross is a mirror in which we can see our worth to God.

Secondly, St. Anthony says looking at the cross deflates our pride. How so? Well, again, it shows us that God’s ineffable love. It humbles us to fully realize how much we are loved, and how much Jesus suffered. His willingness to suffer puts our willingness to suffer—and often our unwillingness to suffer—to shame.  Many of us are willing to suffer for even those who are good to us, but Jesus suffered for all, including the most despicable, the most perverse, the most wicked, the most obstinate of sinners. So, the cross humbles our inflated pride.

Next, St. Anthony says looking at the cross show us how we must mortify the desires of the flesh. What does that mean? Contemplating Jesus’ embrace of suffering on the cross, reminds us of the need to practice self-denial as well, turning away from indulgence and the pleasures of the flesh in order to pursue the higher calling—the will of God. St. Anthony is echoing Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

The self-denial that Jesus is talking about here, which every Christian must pursue, involves voluntarily giving up personal desires, comforts, and preferences in order to follow God's will more closely, grow in virtue, and resist the temptations of sin

We are to detach from any worldly comforts and pleasures that distract us from their relationship with God, especially those pleasures that are expressly forbidden by the Word of God and the teaching of the Church.

This is one good reason why it’s good to have a cross in your bedroom. If the cross is the first thing you see upon waking up, it’s a reminder that I’m in this life not just to pursue my own wants and desires, but the will of God, which will likely involve turning away and saying “no” to a lot of things today, so that I can more fully say “yes” to God.

Next, St. Anthony says that the cross shows us how we are to pray to the Father for those who persecute you. The Gospels tell us that the Lord prayed for his persecutors from the cross. He prayed for everyone responsible for his crucifixion—the romans, the jews, and all of us as well. He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. 

We do not really comprehend how terrible are sins are—the damage that they do to our minds and souls and to one another. Every sin wounds us. Every sin wounds our relationship God. And every sin wounds our relationship with others. And most of us choose not to really think about the terrible wounds our sins inflict. But we’ll hold grudges against others for smaller slights than we commit, won’t we? We’ expect others to forgive us, we expect God to forgive us, but we’re really quick to trash talk those who we perceive as threats to us. 

Well, the cross is a reminder that we are to pray for those who threaten us, for those who commit injustices against us and our families and nation. The cross reminds us to pray as Jesus prays, to forgive as Jesus forgives. Instead of carrying around anger over the injustices we encounter, it is better for us to pray, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Lastly, St. Anthony says, the cross shows us how to commend our spirits into God’s hands. The cross shows us to practice another thing that many of us are not very good at: trusting God. In his final breaths, jesus said, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit”.

To "commend" means to entrust or place something in the care of another. Jesus deeply trusted his Father, even from the cross—that his cross, his suffering, his death, would bring about the supreme good. Jesus was fully aligned with the Father's will, even when it involved death. And the crosses that we put in our homes and churches, whenever we make the sign of cross, remind us of the daily trust, the daily faith, we are to cultivate and practice. 

In the week ahead, I invite you, as a spiritual exercise, to spend 10 minutes meditating upon a crucifix, considering how it is a reminder of God’s love for you, how is calls you to deflate your pride, mortify your desires, pray to forgive others, and entrust yourselves for fully to the will of God, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

September 13 2024 - St. John Chrysostom - Aflame with love for souls

 While studying civil law, today’s saint detected God calling him to something more. He initially entered monastic life, but discerning that the life of a monk wasn’t quite his calling, John was ordained a deacon and then a priest for the Church of Antioch where he had been born—our Antioch, where our patron, St. Ignatius had been bishop about 200 years prior. 

As a young priest, it was evident that, St. John Chrysostom possessed quite gift for preaching. His bishop asked John to dedicate himself to preaching throughout the diocese, and so for the next twelve years St. John preached and taught on virtually every book on the bible. One writer puts it, “The pulpit was his throne, and he adorned it as much as any preacher of ancient or modern times.” 

St. John’s reputation as a preacher and teacher led, against his will, to his election as bishop of Constantinople, the seat of the empire, which was, at the time, a moral cesspool.  So Bishop St. John began to preach once again, fueled by love for souls, he courageously called the people to reform their lives—to bring their lives in conformity with the Word of God.  Much of this call for moral reform was directed at the imperial court. 

His focus on the imperial leaders drew the scorn of the empress who was leading a very depraved life and setting a terrible example to the people.  Once, when he preached on the story of Jezebel, the empress took it as a personal insult. So, she began to conspire against John.  She found an ally in the patriarch of Alexandria who was also threatened by John, and had John deposed on trumped up charges and forced into exile.  

The people, however, loved their bishop. And so, he was brought back to Constantinople, where he continued to condemn moral depravity and the vanities of the aristocracy and the imperial court.  The powers-that-be were not pleased and sent the bishop again into exile, into such harsh conditions that he would not return. The old, exiled bishop died on September 14, 407

Today we read from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, in which the Apostle appeals to all Christians to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience”. St. John Chrysostom is a wonderful example of a Christian striving to live in a worthy manner, worthy of the name Christian—a Christian, who like Christ, are called to witness—that salvation from sin comes from Christ. Today’s saint said, “There is nothing colder than a Christian who does not seek to save others.”

So may we be aflame with the love that impelled our Savior to the cross, the love that fills his holy saints for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

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That the bishops and priests may be men of sound doctrine, and courageously preach the Gospel in its fullness. We pray to the Lord.

That government leaders around the world may carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for freedom and the dignity of human life.  We pray to the Lord.

For the grace to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, to love our neighbors and enemies and those who persecute us, and to share the truth of the Gospel with all.  We pray to the Lord.

For all those who share in the sufferings of Christ—the sick, the sorrowful, and those who are afflicted or burdened in any way, especially those effected by hurricanes and storms.  We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray to the Lord.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

23rd Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Marriage, Celibacy, and Sept 11

 After spending a third of his letter addressing abuses and divisions within the Corinthian community, St. Paul turns to questions from the community or other areas of concern which had been reported to him.

Today’s passage is from a section dealing with Marriage and Virginity. It appears that there was considerable confusion about these topics. On one extreme, you had members of the community who were still abiding by the perverted sexual norms of the surrounding culture—Paul addressed these sins in the first part of his letter. On the other extreme, you had members of the community who were claiming that since Christ was coming soon, everyone needed to remain celibate and married people needed to practice total abstinence. 

While St. Paul recommends that those with the charism for perpetual virginity and celibacy should undividedly devote themselves entirely to the Lord, St. Paul also calls Christian marriage good. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul well develop the theology and sacramentality further teaching that sacramental Christian marriage is a sign, reminder, and expression of Christ’s union with the Church.

Paul’s approach of calling both celibacy and marriage good illustrates the beautiful unity-in-diversity of the Church. Celibacy, consecrated virginity and marriage can point to Christ. All Christians no matter their state are called to holiness.

The Lord’s teaching in the Gospel today, aren’t simply meant for priests and nuns, but for all Christians of all places of all times. All are to practice the beatitudes by cultivating poverty of spirit, mournfulness for sin, perseverance during trial, detachment from worldly riches, fame, and earthly pleasure. 

23 years ago today, our nation suffered a horrific terrorist attack resulting in the death nearly 3000 people. In the aftermath, Congress passed a bill requesting that the President designate September 11 as Patriot Day. 

Today, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments throughout the world; flags are also encouraged to be displayed on individual American homes. Additionally, a moment of silence is observed to correspond with the attacks, beginning at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

In a world full of such tremendous moral ugliness and disregard for human life, the task of the Christian is the same as it has been in every age, to cultivate holiness of soul that points others to Christ, to preach Christ and him crucified, for He is our only salvation and hope, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That through Our Lady, Queen of Peace, terrorism and war, and the cheapening of human life may be brought to an end.

That our civil representatives may use their authority to lead and build our nation in godly ways.

For all those who harden their hearts toward God, for those who have left the Church, for all those in serious sin, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, 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.

23rd Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Dealing with divisions gracefully

 Thanks to St. Paul’s extensive correspondence with the Corinthians, we are better informed about the church at Corinth than probably any other first-century church. In 1 Corinthians in particular, Paul treats a wide range of issues affecting the community of believers, including disunity, food offered to idols, sexual sin, and class divisions at the communal celebration of the Eucharist.

This morning, we read how the Corinthian Christians were not only quarrelling among themselves, but they were also turning to the secular courts to resolve their problems. And this was problematic for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Corinthian court system had a widespread reputation of corrupt judges given to bribery, and the Christians coming to court were availing themselves to this system of corruption. Secondly, the Corinthians were failing to follow the Lord’s direct teaching on this matter. If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately, if that doesn’t work, bring other a few fellow Christians to help mediate. If that doesn’t work, bring it to Church authorities. 

So, Saint Paul urges the Corinthians to deal with their problems internally, making use of the gifts of wisdom and justice within the Church. Instead of turning to the corrupt institutions of the world to solve our problems we are to learn to rely on God.

Now, Christians, are not expected to be totally free from disputes and disagreements; life is complicated, after all—men of good will can disagree about reasonable things. 

But we are to guard against our disagreements becoming ugly and infected with worldly malice. Rather, even the way we deal with disagreements is to be done gracefully, patiently, charitably. The world should be able to point to the Church and say, “See how they love one another, look how they forgive each other, look how they are patient with one another.”  

Jesus came to unite a humanity divided by sin—he came to reconcile us to God and to one another and heal the wounds of sin and division.  The new family of God’s children, the Church, is to live in unity and peace. And, it’s no coincidence that our Gospel this morning is the calling of the twelve apostles. The apostolic teaching, the authority of the bishops, is to be a source of unity for us. Unholy disunity and division occurs when we stray from the Apostolic Faith.  

But when strive to fulfill our vocation to unity, adhering to the faith, practicing patience, charity, and mercy, we become beacons of eternal salvation.

With the help of God’s grace, may we work for unity today, healing the wounds of sin and division among us, pointing out to all who dwell in the darkness of sin and unbelief to the light of Christ, our salvation, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may always strive for unity and resolve our conflicts with wisdom, patience, and love, reflecting Christ's reconciling work in the world. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our Pope, bishops, and all Church leaders, that they may guide us in the apostolic faith and be instruments of unity within the Body of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may grow in our ability to forgive one another, to show mercy, and to seek reconciliation when conflicts arise. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those in the legal profession, that they may work for true justice and be guided by moral integrity in their practice. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all Christians experiencing division or discord, that they may find peaceful resolutions through prayer, dialogue, and adherence to Christ's teachings. Let us pray to the Lord.

That the sick and the suffering may know the strength and consolation of the Holy Spirit in their afflictions. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have died, especially members of our parish community, that they may be united with Christ in the eternal peace of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrimage Church, grant us what we truly need to remain faithful to your Son in all things. Through Christ Our Lord.

September 9 2024 - St. Peter Claver - If you can't feed 100 people, then just feed 1

 In the age of the explorers and conquistadors, many young men left Europe for the Americas in order to seek out a fortune. Peter Claver, a young Jesuit priest, rather, left his native Spain, to build up treasure in heaven, in Cartegena, a port city in modern day Columbia. The Collect prayer refers to Peter Claver as “a slave of slaves” for he ministered to the African slaves who were brought there to work in the fields and the mines. 

When the slave ships entered the port, Peter Claver would board the ships to care for the sick and malnourished. And when the slaves were herded to the slave-market, Peter, would bring them medicine, food, bread, and other items that would help them survive in this new land.  

With the help of interpreters, he gave the slaves basic instructions in the faith; he assured them of their human dignity and the salvation that awaited them in God's kingdom.  During the 40 years of his ministry in Columbia, it is estimated that Claver baptized more 300,000 slaves.  

Peter Claver remarked more than once how it took everything in him at times to go down into the disgusting conditions of the slave-ships filled with filth and stench.  He reminds us that true loving service isn’t always pretty, neat and clean—we might even experience revulsion at the conditions in which the destitute live.  But loving service means being faithful to the duties of mercy despite our personal feelings.  

On this Memorial we read from Matthew 25, the Lord’s teaching on the final judgment, a reminder that service of those in need is never a waste of time. In each slave, to whom he ministered, Peter Claver ministered to Christ himself. And for this, he is counted among the blessed. In the words of Mother Theresa: "At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me.

We might not be called to enter into the filth of slave-ships, but we are certainly called to enter into the lives of others to help someone other than ourselves today. Again, in the words of Mother Theresa, “If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

May we use the time we have been given today, to serve Christ in those who suffer, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may be diligent in bringing the truth and goodness of the Gospel into every sphere of society.

For an end to slavery, human trafficking, and all forms of inhumane oppression; and for the protection and respect of all human life.

For those whose lives are marked by suffering, illness, or grief, that they may find hope in the promises of Christ.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N., for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrimage Church, through the intercession of St. Peter Claver and all the saints, grant us what we truly need to remain faithful to your Son in all things. Through Christ Our Lord.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - Gospel of Mark, Healing of Deaf Man, Year of Mission

 Last Sunday, we resumed the continuous Sunday Gospel readings from Gospel of Mark from which we’ll be reading until November. Especially if you’ve never done so, I’d recommend sometime in the next week or two reading through the entire Gospel of Mark. With only about 11,000 words and the average adult reading speed being between 175 and 230 words a minute, it would take about an hour. An hour: to read one of the most important texts not only of our faith, but to civilization.

By reading it in one sitting, you will get a more cohesive understanding of Our Lord and Savior’s  ministry and salvific mission. Mark's Gospel is structured in a way that builds momentum. So, reading it straight through will help you appreciate the urgency of Jesus’ message. And yet, Mark does not shy away from the fact that following Jesus, becoming his disciple, has a cost. And so you will also gain a deeper appreciation of how the disciples struggled and learned to follow Christ. 

Mark highlights both the human emotions and the divine authority of Jesus, and so an uninterrupted reading will give greater insight into the mystery of the Incarnation—how Jesus is fully human and fully divine.

Coming to Sunday Mass every week, without missing, you will still only get a portion of Mark’s Gospel. So, if you’ve never read the Gospel straight through, there are lessons from Our Lord that you may never have heard before.

So, give yourself the gift of an hour reading through the Gospel of Mark in the upcoming week or so, you won’t regret it—it will deepen your faith, your hope, and your love.

The healing of the deaf-mute man in this Sunday’s Gospel is a great story in itself, and also within the broader themes of Mark’s Gospel. It highlights key aspects of Jesus' mission and His identity. 

Throughout Mark's Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as the Messiah who brings about the Kingdom of God through his words and deeds. He is a man-of-action who backs up his teachings with miraculous works illustrating how Jesus has come to open us to the life of the kingdom of God. The healing of the deaf-mute man demonstrates how Jesus opens us—he opens our ears, he opens our mouths, he opens our hearts to the life of God—he has come to save us from those maladies which keep our minds, bodies, and spirits from the life God wants for us.

In the First Reading, we heard a prophecy of Isaiah, which foretold how the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind and clear the ears of the deaf.  And St. Mark’s Gospel narrates so many healing miracles to prove that point—that Jesus Christ is the long awaited Messiah. 

And yet notice where this miracle took place. The location of Jesus’ miracles is always significant. In today’s passage, he has left his headquarters in Capernaum, and even the surrounding villages of Judea. He has crossed the sea of Galilee with his disciples and has crossed to the eastern side of the sea of Galilee. This is significant i because it shows Jesus extending His ministry beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles. Jesus is the Messiah not just for the Jews. Jesus fulfills God’s promise to bring salvation, not just to Israel, but to all people, of all places, of all times.

As the deaf man’s ears are opened, so too are the spiritual ears of all who follow Jesus. For Jesus helps us to hear God—to know that we are God’s beloved children, and that we have a God-given mission.

I’d like to consider how this Gospel has particular significance in this particular moment in Church history—during this final year of the Eucharistic revival, this Year of Mission

The deaf mute’s healing in this passage begins with Jesus' direct and intimate physical touch, as He places His fingers in the man’s ears and touches his tongue. This physical encounter mirrors how Jesus comes into real intimate contact with us, through the Eucharist. At Mass, we hear his words, we gaze upon his body and blood, and we physically receive Him. 

And just as Jesus opened the ears of the deaf man, the Eucharistic encounter opens the hearts and souls of Catholics to our vocation to holiness and our vocation for heaven. Additionally, the Eucharist brings us healing. St. Ignatius of Antioch, our patron, called the Eucharist, the medicine of immortality. The Eucharist is medicine, it brings healing that nothing else in the world can bring, because the Eucharist is Jesus the healer, the bestower of the salve of salvation. 

The healed man’s transformation—going from being deaf and mute to hearing and speaking—foreshadows the transformation that we undergo when we allow ourselves to be healed by Christ in the Eucharist. 

In the Gospel story, Jesus addresses both the man’s physical need (his inability to hear and speak) and his deeper need for restoration. In the Eucharist, Jesus fully gives Himself to us, fulfilling the deepest hunger of the human heart—the hunger for God—to know God, to know that we are loved by God. That’s probably something that many of us take for granted, yet it’s something that much of the world is starving for.

And that leads us to Mission. The encounter with Jesus, the healing he works in us, the deepening of our union with him, the transformation he brings about in us, isn’t just so that we can stand around being holy, but the Eucharist propels us into the world to invite others to that fount of healing, transformation, and communion. The Eucharist renews us, but then sends us forth to be Christ’s hands, feet, and voice in a world that is spiritually deaf and in need of hearing the Good News. 

So again, I invite you to read through the Gospel of Mark, in the upcoming days. It is a wonderful Gospel for this Year of Mission. It will deepen your faith, helping you to understand and experience more deeply the One who gathers us week after week around his table—to heal us, form us, and send us out for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

22nd Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Overcoming Spiritual Immaturity

Throughout First Corinthians Paul addresses division.  Immediately after the letter’s greeting in chapter 1, Paul urges the Corinthians to be free of division that they may be united in the same mind and the same purpose—living according to the wisdom of Christ crucified. And this requires real spiritual maturity.

But then in this morning’s passage, Paul explains how the Corinthian church remained frozen in this state of immaturity which was evident due to their may divisions, and he compares them to infants incapable of eating solid food due to their failure to put division and factionalism behind them. 

In chapter 3 here, Paul is addressing a division based on what appears to be different schools of theological thought. The Corinthians apparently claimed that there was some fundamental division between Paul, Peter, and this good and faithful teacher named Apollos. And so they were breaking into factions. And these factions made it look like the Church itself was a fractured worldly institution. And to an outsider, why would you want to join just another fractured worldly institution?

Christian division not only keeps us from working together and loving one another, it is bad for the mission. And if we are not fulfilling our mission, then we are being unfaithful to Christ. 

Now there are some modern Christians who are willfully engaging in this sort of factionalism. And it’s to the detriment of the mission. 

But Paul’s words today are a challenge to all Christians of all times to address their own spiritual immaturity. It might not be willful factionalism. But essentially, we must all address that spiritual immaturity which is marked by selfish and prideful behaviors, a shallow understanding of the faith, a weak commitment to the mission of the church, and an avoidance of the cross. 

 Maturity, in contrast, involves an openness to spiritual growth, no matter the effort it demands, perseverance in faith, unity, love, humility, and the virtues. Christian maturity is primarily about becoming more like Christ—who embraces the cross in the desire to please and serve His heavenly Father above all else. 

Paul’s concern for the Corinthians wasn’t simply to belittle them, but to help strengthen them in the faith. For if they could not get passed these infantile quarrels, how could they bear the cross when it was time to truly witness to the faith in the face of trial? Until they put away the infantile, they would not bear the fruit of the Spirit—the love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control born from the Holy Spirit.

We do well to spend some real honest time considering our own spiritual immaturities, asking the Holy Spirit to help us confront them, so that we, like St. Paul and the saints, may be sources of unity in the Church, and effective instruments for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that all her members may strive to live in unity of mind and purpose, rejecting division and factionalism, so that we may faithfully witness to the love of Christ. 

For our leaders, both in the Church and in society, that they may be guided by the wisdom of Christ and work for the common good, promoting peace, justice, and unity among all people. 

For our parish, that we may seek to put aside any selfish or prideful behaviors that cause division, and work together in love to fulfill the mission of Christ, especially in service to the poor and marginalized. 

For all those who are suffering, especially those burdened by violence and conflict or illness, that they may experience the healing presence of Christ and find peace in His love and unity in His Church. 

For the faithful departed, that they may be welcomed into the eternal peace of Christ and share in the fullness of His resurrection.

Presider: Gracious Father, hear these prayers that we offer with faith and humility. Grant us the grace to grow in spiritual maturity, united in love and service, that we may bear witness to Your kingdom and glorify Your name. Through Christ our Lord.

Labor Day 2024 - Vocation to work (Laudato Si)

 For over a century, Americans have celebrated Labor Day on the first Monday in September. This national holiday was established in the 1880s for two reasons: to mark the irreplaceable role of the American worker in making this country prosperous and strong; and to have time to attend speeches and events on the spiritual and educational aspects of work, the worker and the good that comes from work.

The orations and scripture readings we use today are from the votive Mass for the Blessing of Human Labor.

In 1981, Pope John Paul II issued an encyclical titled “Laborem Exercens”—On Human Labor.  Laborem Exercens is just one encyclical in the long line of Catholic Social Teaching by our Popes in modern times. Holy Father Pope Francis has touched upon the topic in a number of his writings.

In his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis writes, “We were created with a vocation to work. The goal should not be that technological progress increasingly replace human work, for this would be detrimental to humanity. Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfilment…We need to remember that men and women have “the capacity to improve their lot, to further their moral growth and to develop their spiritual endowments”. Work should be the setting for this rich personal growth, where many aspects of life enter into play: creativity, planning for the future, developing our talents, living out our values, relating to others, giving glory to God.”

Becoming the people God made us to be involves work, often hard work. This includes the work of our profession, but also, the other efforts that each of us are called to make in cultivating our families, neighborhoods, communities, and parish. The work of spreading the Gospel especially, along with the works of charity—the corporal works and spiritual works of mercy—involves cultivating all those different gifts and talents with which God has blessed us.

So we mustn’t bury our talents, our hide our lights under bushel baskets out of fear or laziness. As Saint John Paul II taught, “by enduring the toil of work in union with Christ crucified for us, man in a way collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity”.

May this Labor Day be a day of rest for workers, but also a day of blessing in which we all consider how God is calling us to more fruitful work, in which come to discover the many ways God has blessed us in order to be a blessing for others, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That all Christians will work together in harmony for the building up of the Church and the spread of the Gospel

That our young people, especially those at risk of disengaging from society, may come to discover the fulfillment found in work and self-sacrifice.

For the unemployed and underemployed, and that all who work may receive a just reward for their labors.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, those who have supported us by their work, those who fought and died for our freedom, for all of the souls in purgatory and for X, for whom this mass is offered.

Gracious Father, you created us in your divine image, hear our prayers, and grant us the help we need to work always for your Holy Will, through Christ Our Lord.  

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024 - The remedy for pharisaical externalizing

 Having completed five weeks of readings from the Eucharistic Discourse of chapter 6 of St.  John’s Gospel, we return this Sunday to the Year B continuous reading of the Gospel of Mark.

The last time we read from Mark’s Gospel was back in July, when we read from chapter 6 of Mark, how the Lord had sent the apostles on a missionary journey of healing and preaching, and afterwards, he invited them to a deserted place to pray and rest. So, St. Mark told us how Jesus and the apostles went off to  deserted place, but all these people from the town followed him, and his heart was moved with pity because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Now in chapter 7, this week, the Lord has left the deserted place and has gone back to work when he encounters a team of Pharisees and Scribes—these men who claimed to be the shepherds of Israel. And these guys were more like wolves-in-sheep’s clothing. 

Unlike John the Baptist who humbly pointed out the Son of God to the people, the scribes and pharisees were basically doing the opposite. They were so blinded by their pride and their greed that they were acting as obstacles to God, rather than helping people prepare the way for Him. 

And so, the Lord is going to has some pretty challenging words for these guys. He calls them hypocrites—sinners who refused to acknowledge their sins and their need for God. And there’s a big difference in the Gospel, isn’t there, between sinners who repent and those who refuse to repent. Sinners who come to Jesus and beg for mercy are shown mercy. But the pharisees and scribes, these guys, were sinners who refused to acknowledge their need for Christ.

Often, we find the Lord berating the Scribes and Pharisees for worrying so much about appearances, about externals, rather than dealing with the glaring issues in their souls. 

Psychologists call this ‘exteriorization’…it’s when things are not well inside, so you spend your energy—inordinate amounts of energy— trying to control the things around you. I sometimes see this in my ministry in people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Every little thing about the funeral has to be controlled and planned and perfect—every flower petal, every funeral song, every family member has to be standing in the right spot. So many of our addictions (to technology, shopping, substances) come from that same impulse to externalize.

But what’s needed in times of grief, chaos, and confusion, aren’t all these attempts to control external realities, what is needed is the opening of the mind and heart to God—who is the only real source of healing and peace. He’s the only one who can calm the inner storm—the pain and the sadness from wounds of loss. 

When externalization becomes a habit, or a lifestyle, it causes real problems for individuals and families. When those unresolved inner conflicts are allowed to fester, they can turn into real emotional disorders that can sap the joy from life and turn into rage or depression. Wounds from our childhoods, wounds of rejection or jealousy that we don’t bring to Lord for healing, can cause us to rot from the inside out. Some people are not happy unless they are controlling other people, and that is a real soul sickness.

And that is the very soul sickness the Lord has diagnosed in the Pharisees and Scribes, and this is why the pharisees and scribes were failures as religious shepherds—out of pride they refused to acknowledge their moral disorders and their need for God to heal them, and spent all this time and effort worrying about and enforcing human traditions.  Not that human traditions are bad—but it’s foolish to worry about these things when our souls are in danger of hell. 

Today’s Gospel is an important Gospel because in it the Lord is stressing the importance of getting your priorities straight. No matter what you are going through, you need to make sure that your soul is right with God. God is waiting to relieve our guilt. But we have to acknowledge our sins and bring them to God.

This is done primarily in the Sacrament of Confession, the great unutilized Sacrament these days. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, if it has been more than a few months since your last confession, make a good thorough examination of conscience and get in the box. I have guides printed out back by the confessional for this purpose containing a list of sins that should be confessed, just like the list of sins Jesus offered in the Gospel today: “unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance”

Unconfessed serious sins are not only an obstacle for grace, not only do they jeopardize our eternal salvation, but they damage to our minds, bodies, and souls and relationships. They impact our relationship with God, and so they impact every other relationship. 

The Lord takes sin seriously because he loves us so deeply. He died to save us from them, not just sin in general, but the very sins we commit in this life. And so we should welcome any opportunity to overcome sin that we are given. 

Like the bronze serpent in the desert, God has given us the sacrament of Confession to relieve our guilt, and to experience the transforming love of Christ for sinners. Confessions are available here at St. Ignatius from 3:30 to 4:30 every Saturday, and Sunday morning after the 9am mass. Pope Francis said recently that the Sacrament of Confession is a sacrament of joy because through it you are able to encounter the Father’s love, “as children who run to receive the Father's embrace. And the Father lifts us up in every situation”

But even outside of the confessional, we do well to bring our resentments, fears, failings, challenges, stresses to God every day in prayer, so that our hearts may remain open to the help that can only come from him.

May the Lord deliver us from our pharisaical tendencies and lead us to the fountain of grace and mercy where he wishes to restore our souls, bring healing to our minds and bodies, and grant us peace and the fullness of joy for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.