30th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Holy Striving

 

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”

The word translated “strive” in this morning’s Gospel is the Greek Word agonizomai, from which we get the English word agonize. The implication here is that those who seek to enter heaven must do so through struggle and strain, like a running athlete exerting himself toward the finish line, all muscles taut and giving his all in the effort.

It can’t be a coincidence that Jesus’ passion begins with the “agony” in the garden, where shows us that even he strives, and agonizes, and sweats blood, to do the Will of the Father.  

Entering heaven requires real effort on our part to conform our lives to the will of the Father and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We can’t simply slide into heaven. 

This effort takes many forms in the Christian life. First, there is the daily effort of self-denial - the small but constant choices to put God's will above our own desires. Whether it's choosing to bite our tongue rather than speak in anger, or rising early for prayer when we'd rather sleep in, these daily exercises of virtue prepare us for larger spiritual challenges ahead.

Then there is the effort of perseverance in faith during times of darkness and doubt. Just as Jesus faced his moment of agony with the words "Not my will but yours be done," we too must sometimes wrestle with God's will when it seems difficult or unclear. This is not a sign of weak faith, but rather an opportunity to exercise spiritual endurance.

There is also the effort of charity - the deliberate work of loving others as Christ loves us. This means actively seeking the good of others even when it costs us something. It means forgiving those who hurt us, serving those in need, and building up rather than tearing down. 

And perhaps most importantly, there is the effort of continual conversion - the ongoing work of examining our lives, recognizing our sins, and striving to change with God's grace. This is not a one-time event but a lifelong process of allowing God to reshape us into the image of Christ.

But let us be clear: this spiritual striving is not mere human willpower. We do not earn our way into heaven through our own efforts alone. Rather, our striving takes place within the context of God's grace, which both enables and perfects our efforts. Like branches drawing life from the vine, our spiritual exertions bear fruit only when they're energized by God's own life within us.

The narrow gate beckons us to this holy striving. Will we strive for heaven? The choice is ours, but the grace to succeed is God's gift to all who truly seek Him.

So let us embrace this blessed striving - knowing that the One who calls us to enter through the narrow gate has already blazed the trail before us, showing us not only the way, but giving us the strength for the journey for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Let us pray for the needs of the Church and the world:

For the Church, that in our daily striving for holiness, we may be strengthened by God's grace and encouraged by the example of our Lord.

For all who serve in ministries of charity, that their efforts to love and serve others may be sustained by divine grace and bear abundant fruit.

For our parish community, that we may support one another in the daily exercises of self-denial and grow together in holiness.

For all victims of war, for peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and the consolation of the suffering. May God come to the assistance of the communities and families devastated by 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 faithful departed, that having strived to follow Christ in this life, they may now enter through heaven's gate into eternal joy, we pray to the Lord...

Loving Father, hear these our prayers, and bless us with the grace to strive for holiness on our journey toward heaven, through Christ our Lord.

30th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Mustard seeds can change the world

The parable of the Mustard Seed reminds us how tiny acts of faith can bring about tremendous goods. An act of kindness, an act of goodness, an act of charity appears so small and insignificant, but it can transform the world. 

Consider the Church herself: A small group of uneducated Galilean fishermen and a small group of itinerant missionaries like Paul and Timothy have changed the world. She started off small, imperceptible on a global scale. Now, she has grown and reached nearly every corner of the globe. 

The Church has been foundational in the creation of educational systems. Monasteries, cathedral schools, and later, universities—like the University of Paris, Oxford, and Bologna—were established by the Church. The monasteries kept knowledge and learning alive in the dark ages. The monks applying their learning to practical problems, advanced agricultural techniques and metallurgy. They practically enabled science to emerge as a method of addressing everyday human needs.

Catholic patronage has inspired the world’s greatest art, architecture, music, and literature. The Church invented hospitals. Church Canon law laid the foundation for many principles seen in modern legal systems. Catholic thinkers, especially during the Scholastic period, have shaped Western philosophy.

The lives which have been touched by the charity of the members of the Church is beyond measure. Missionaries established schools, hospitals, farms in the poorest most undeveloped areas, uplifting local economies and advancing health and education in diverse cultures.

The positive impact of the Church in history and in human lives is incalculable. But again, we started as a mustard seed. 

But the mustard seed principle is not just for the church as a whole, it is the way of life for the individual Christian. We take small acts of charity very seriously because it is clear that this is how God wants to spread his kingdom: through small acts with great love, as st. therese the little flower would say, whom we celebrated at the beginning of the month.

We must not discount or underestimate the power of those little acts of kindness: of giving a coat to a shivering stranger, a hot meal, a listening ear, a comforting message, a prayer card, a helpful reference to a bible verse that touches upon a doubt or concern. 

The Christian who is quietly trying to bring relief to the suffering, the sick, and the lonely, is a mustard seed that God uses to transform the world. May we be faithful in this great vocation of being mustard seeds…for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the mission of the Church in all corners of the world, that her charitable work in schools, hospitals, and communities may uplift the poor, advance health, bring the love of Christ to the underserved, and the Gospel to all people.

For all victims of war, for peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and the consolation of the suffering. May God come to the assistance of the communities and families devastated by terrorism and war; and may world leaders work together for peace. 

For a greater respect for human life in our laws and institutions: that we may cherish, defend, and protect the most vulnerable

That all Christians may embrace their calling to bring hope, comfort, and relief to those in need. 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 souls of the departed, that through the mercy of God, they may experience the fullness of eternal life in His Kingdom.

Loving Father, you reveal your Kingdom in the smallest acts of charity and faith. Hear these prayers we bring before you, and grant us what we need to be faithful in bringing your love to the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

October 28 2024 - Sts. Simon and Jude - Zealotry and Hopeless Causes

 It is always good to reflect upon the importance and lasting impact of the Apostles.

In the Gospels, the apostle Simon was known as the Zealot. He may have been part of the political group of Jesus’ time called the Zealots who were planning to overthrow the Roman occupying force. Or he may have simply been zealous for God. In any case, Simon put aside any plans he had for himself to follow the Lord and to proclaim the kingdom of God.

St. Jude was a close relative and trusted friend of our Redeemer. Some ancient sources even speculate that Jude was the groom at the Wedding at Cana, though there is no scriptural evidence to support this. 

After the Ascension Jude took the Gospel to Mesopotamia (now known as Iraq), Libya, Persia and Turkey.

Legend has it that after winning thousands of converts, the pair of apostles were arrested in the Persian city of Suanir for refusing to offer pagan sacrifice in the temple of the sun and the moon. They explained that the sun and the moon were only creations of the one true God. They then cast out demons from the pagan idols  and two black, hideous evil spirits, began howling and blaspheming.  For exposing the idols as demons they were killed by an angry Persian mob. 

Devotion particularly to St. Jude endures to this day. It is said that among the saints whose heavenly help and intercession is sought by the faithful, second only to Our Lady, is the apostle St. Jude.  Even many non-Catholics venerate St. Jude as the patron saint of Hopeless Causes. 

The patron of hopeless causes is so popular because so many of our difficulties seem hopeless: the terminal illness, the seemingly endless cycle of addiction, the corruption of government leaders, the plights of the poor—they seem hopeless.

The Book of Jude in the New Testament is attributed to him. In it, he calls the faithful to a true Christian life of great devotion, one in which they hold fast to their faith no matter the consequences. He exhorts them to pray in the Spirit, that they might deepen their faith, hope, and love, and come to know God and His will. 

Let us learn from their examples and wisdom in turning away from earthly and selfish zealotry, in order to turn more deeply to the Lord. May we entrust our needs to them and imitate their constancy, courage, and faith, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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May Simon and Jude assist all bishops and priests to preach and witness to the fullness of the truth of the Christian Gospel.

May the holy apostles help all Christians to be strengthened in the faith, hope, and charity.

For the conversion of all who engage in false worship, for all unbelievers, and for Catholics who have fallen away from the faith, for those whose love of created things has eclipsed the love of the Creator.

That the sick, suffering, overburdened, and destitute, may know the help of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

For all who long to see the face of the Father, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - Blind Bartimaeus and Priesthood Sunday

 

Since 2003, the last Sunday of October is designated as Priesthood Sunday— an opportunity for us to reflect upon the role of the ordained priesthood in the life of the Church.  

Today we welcome Tate Johnson, a second year seminarian at Borromeo Seminary here in Cleveland, who will speak to us after communion about his own discernment and formation for the priesthood.

For the homily today, I’d like to consider the role of the priest in light of our Gospel reading---the story of Bartimaeus.  The story offers several meaningful insights relevant to Priesthood Sunday and the priestly vocation and our own call to holiness.

The story begins with blind Bartimaeus crying out to Jesus. In the course of his ministry, the priest encounters countless people who are crying out to Jesus. Many of them, like Bartimaeus, have a hard time seeing Jesus due to the challenging circumstances of their life—a crisis, an illness, a unique encounter with the evils of the world or in their own heart. 

The priest helps people see Jesus. Particularly at Mass, right? The priest has a unique role in the Church to help others see Jesus. Through the celebration of the sacraments—the priest makes Jesus present through the sacramental rituals, particularly in the changing of bread and wine into the Lord’s Body and Blood so we can see Him present in our midst. Also in the homily, hopefully, each week, I help you see Jesus in the concrete details of your life. 

One of my favorite functions in the priestly ministry is to teach OCIA. I’m always pleased to meet those souls hungering, longing to see Jesus. And in those sessions their eyes become more and more attuned to Jesus present in the Catholic Church and come to understand the invitation Jesus makes to them—to come and be changed and transformed. 

Consider another detail in the Bartimeus story. Bartimaeus longs for Jesus, but many in the crowd make it difficult for him—they tell him that he is wasting his time. Similarly, there are many forces in the world today which tell us that we are wasting our time turning to the Lord and seeking to follow Him. The priest has a role in helping members of the Church to take courage in standing up against the worldly forces that seek to silence the Church and to ensure that we never ally ourselves with those terrible powers.

As many of you know, I was appointed by Bishop Malesic as Chaplain for an apostolate called Courage International which helps men and women with same-sex attraction live faithfully the Lord’s call to follow him. Now the world tells them, ah, just give in to your impulses. But, Christians recognize that not every impulse leads to Jesus. Rather, we need to restrain and discipline those impulses that are misaligned. And priests help others break through those wordly voices. Thanks be to God for those priests who tell us the truth and encourage us. 

Next in the story, Bartimaeus runs to Jesus, and Jesus surprisingly asks, “what do you want?” It’s surprising because Jesus already knows what Bartimaeus wants and needs. Jesus can read his heart, he made him. But Jesus asks, and listens. This reflects a very important aspect of priestly ministry. Listening. Before a priest can offer words of advice, or spiritual guidance, or make decisions regarding the life of a parish, he needs to listen. I hope that when you have brought your concerns to me, you have felt listened to. 

You might not have received the answer you liked, I can’t promise that all the time, but I hope that you’ve felt that your concern was taken seriously and it was given the attention it deserved. 

But moreso, we’re not just talking about decisions about clambakes here. The priest takes concerns of the soul with profound seriousness. If you are seeking to follow Jesus more faithfully, more deeply, the priest will listen and pray for you and with you and bring your concerns to the Lord.

Finally, in the story, Jesus heals Bartimaeus.

The ministry of the priest certainly has a healing dimension. Every priest is called to dispense the healing of Jesus Christ primarily in the Sacrament of Confession and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

The Confessional is a place of the most profound healing, a healing of those wounds we inflict on our relationship with God and our fellow man through sin. Now yes, some of our spiritual wounds can be healed in other ways—our venial sins can be healed through repentance and reception of the Eucharist. But our most serious sins, our grave sins, our mortal sins, can those mortal wounds can be healed only in the Sacrament of Confession. 

When we confess our sins to a priest and receive absolution we know that a profound healing occurs at that moment—we feel lighter, we feel the weight of guilt relieved, we feel peace. And I hope that no one here is depriving themselves of the healing that Jesus is waiting to dispense to you through his priests. I hope that neither pride, nor shame, nor embarrassment is keeping you from crying out like Bartimaeus for healing. If you can ‘t get to confession on Saturday afternoons or Sunday mornings, give me a call, we can schedule something. I’m not too busy to hear your confessions, that’s why I’m here. 

Similarly, with the Sacrament of Anointing. If you are going in for serious surgery, or you’ve gotten a serious diagnosis, or you feel the effects of old age or declining health really taking its toll, all you have to do is call, and say, Father, I’d like to receive the Anointing of the Sick. For through that Sacrament Jesus gives powerful spiritual healing and spiritual strength to bear our afflictions with grace.

Recall, that every priest is also Bartimaeus, with his own blindnesses. So always please be patient with your priests, with the same patience you would want for yourself.

And recall too that every member of the Church has a priestly role, of bringing souls to Jesus, of listening to the afflicted and offering wise counsel and comfort, and seeking as best we can to be instruments of the Lord’s healing. Every soul we encounter is another Bartimaeus, who deep down longs to see the Lord.

May all priests and all the priestly people of God be strengthened in their vocations of service and holiness for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

29th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Friday - Signs of Divine Love

 

With the leaves changing colors, and the still mostly warm days and cooler nights, autumn is my favorite time of year. I made soup yesterday, because something about autumn just cries out for a good bowl of soup and crusty bread. 

Signs of autumn are everywhere: squirrels gathering nuts, pumpkins, light jackets, football games, conversations about where we will be celebrating thanksgiving.

In the Gospel today, Jesus is making his way toward Jerusalem when he comes across a group of non-believers. 

He points out how easily they forecast the weather by observing the signs—clouds and winds. But they were missing something more important than weather.

The signs of the kingdom of God where all around them: loaves being multiplied, the lame walking, hardened sinners repenting, and the good news spreading. Jesus is the sign that things were changing—not just meteorologically, but spiritually. With all these signs of God, Jesus performing  miracles left and right, demons being cast out, the deaf hearing, the blind seeing, the lame walking, the dead being raised, you’d think that people would be able to discern, quite easily, in fact, that they should take Jesus seriously.

But with all these signs many refused to believe, many refused to change their minds and their hearts, and open them up to the fact that Jesus was who he claimed to be: the Son of God come to save us from our sins.

Thankfully, 2000 years later, everyone follows Jesus as they should, right? Well, no, sadly. 

Even with the testimony of the Church---with Christians pouring out their lives in devotion to following Jesus’ teaching, feeding the hungry in soup kitchens, clothing the naked, even with so much evidence that Jesus Christ will change your life for the better, much of the world still does not believe. 

So the task of the Church is to continue to pray, and to continue to provide the world with signs and reasons to believe in Jesus, to be baptized, and follow him—signs of Divine Love—of God’s love for every person and His desire for their eternal salvation.

We are to take this morning’s words of Paul to heart, who writes, “I, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received”, and that call is to witness to Jesus Christ in word and deed, in how we treat people, in how we love each other, in the conviction with live out the teachings of the Gospel, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may live in a manner worthy of our calling, bearing witness to Christ through works of mercy and love, showing the world clear signs of God's presence among us.

For the people of the world, so often divided by ideology, that we may be reconciled with one another, addressing conflicts with wisdom and working towards peace

For those who struggle to recognize God's presence in their lives, that they may discover the signs of divine love surrounding them.

For the sick, the suffering, and those who have died, that they may experience the healing and transformative power of Christ, who makes the lame walk and brings life to the dead.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for the repose of the souls of all those who made our reception of the faith possible. 

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.

29th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Christian Stewardship

Both our readings this morning—from Ephesians and the Gospel—speak of stewardship. 

In our first reading, St. Paul describes himself as receiving "the stewardship of God's grace" – a gift given not for himself, but "for your benefit." Paul recognizes the fundamental truth that God's gifts are always given for the good of others.

Like the servant in Jesus's parable who is entrusted with distributing food to the household, Paul understood that his role was to faithfully share what he had received with others.

This is one of the great principals of the Christian Stewardship to which we are all called: the more we receive, the more responsibility we bear to share it. “Everything is interconnected” as Pope Francis has written: our spiritual gifts, our material resources, our relationship with creation itself. We are stewards not just of material goods, but of "God's varied grace" as St. Paul puts it. And what we do with these gifts effects everything else.

Jesus's parable warns us about two dangerous attitudes toward stewardship. The first is failing to be diligent. The faithful steward is praised because the master returns and finds the steward diligently fulfilling his duties. We are to be diligent in our stewardship of our time, talent, and treasure. Now of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t rest from our labors when we need to. Rest is good stewardship when it allows us to become recharged for the work that needs to be done. But rest can easily devolve into sloth if we are not careful and prudent and disciplined.

The second and more serious danger is actively abusing our stewardship – like the servant who begins to mistreat others and squander resources when he thinks the master is delayed. This servant forgets the fundamental truth that everything we have is a gift meant for service.

God has blessed each of us, physically, financially, intellectually, and spiritually. But we have been entrusted with these gifts not simply for our own well-being or our own earthly success, but for the good of others and the building up of the Church. 

In essence, Christian Stewardship is a fundamental aspect of Christian identity, it is the way of discipleship, a way of participating in God's work, a means of personal sanctification, a form of preparation for eternal life.

But again, "At the evening of life, we shall be judged” on how we used the time, talent, treasure, and grace entrusted to us. So may we be lavish in our charity, diligent in our service, disciplined in our habits, and prudent with the time we have been given for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that all her members may be good stewards of the Gospel, sharing the faith with courage and jo. Let us pray to the Lord...

For our spiritual and temporal leaders, that they may exercise their authority with wisdom and justice, always remembering that their power is a sacred trust for service. 

For the grace of prudence and discipline in our lives, that we may avoid both sloth and overwork, finding the right balance between activity and rest in service to God, we pray to the Lord...

For those who are struggling with poverty or mental illness, for the sick, suffering, homebound, victims of war, and those who will die today, that they may receive the material, emotional, and spiritual assistance they need. Let us pray to the Lord.

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 clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, that they may enjoy the eternal reward promised to the Lord’s faithful servants. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, all good gifts come from you. help us to be faithful stewards of your grace, diligent in service, prudent in judgment, and generous in charity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

October 22 2024 - Pope St. John Paul II - Witness to Hope

10 years ago, we celebrated the Feast of Pope Saint John Paul II for the first time. His feast is celebrated on the 22nd of October, the anniversary of his papal inauguration in 1978.  On that day, the new Bishop of Rome began a ministry that would change the world.

His papacy lasted 26 years, 5 months, and 17 days, the third longest papacy in history.  He traveled the world more than any Pope in history, visiting 129 nations during his pontificate. He was the first pope to visit the White house.  He spoke latin fluently, but could also converse in Slovak, Russian, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Ukrainian, English, and of course, his native Polish.  

He presided over the largest papal gathering in history—5 million people gathered in Manila for the 1995 World Day. That is, until Pope Francis 20 years later, presided at Mass with a crowd of 6-7 million. 

Pope John Paul, published the first official Catholic catechism since the Council of Trent.  He had one of the most prolific pontificates in history, publishing 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, 45 apostolic letters and 28 motu proprios.  He canonized more saints than any other Pope in history.  And. he played a decisive role in the downfall of communism in eastern Europe

The list of accomplishments goes on and on.  His personal holiness could be felt by those around him.  If you ever had the eyes of Pope John Paul II on you, you could sense his deep love for God.  He was a mystic.  His prayer life, his love for God, his devotion to the Blessed Mother infused his life, and radiated from him.

At his canonization, Pope Francis said of him that John Paul II was “not afraid to look upon the wounds of Jesus, to touch his torn hands and pierced side.”  He “bore witness” to Jesus’ mercy for us.  John Paul instituted Divine mercy Sunday and was Canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday.

In the collect we asked God that, instructed by John Paul’s teaching, “we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ”.  He was a prolific writer, yet his greatest teaching is in his witness to Christ.  At his Beatification, Pope Benedict XVI said, John Paul “remained deeply united to God amid the many demands of his ministry.” Even as he was stripped of good health in his final months, he remained a “rock of faith”.  May we learn from his example, of deeply united ourselves to God, through prayer and service, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Church throughout the world, that following the example of St. John Paul II, she may fearlessly proclaim the Gospel in every nation and culture, bearing witness to Christ's mercy in our time. Let us pray to the Lord...

For all who lead and serve the Church, that like John Paul II, they may remain deeply united to God amid their ministry, finding strength in prayer and devotion to Our Lady. Let us pray to the Lord...

For world peace and justice, that through the intercession of St. John Paul II, who helped bring down the walls of division in Europe, nations may find paths to reconciliation and mutual understanding. Let us pray to the Lord...

For young people, whom John Paul II especially loved, that they may open their hearts to Christ and respond generously to God's call in their lives. Let us pray to the Lord...

For those who suffer in body or spirit, that like John Paul II in his final illness, they may unite their suffering to Christ's cross and bear witness to the dignity of human life at every stage. Let us pray to the Lord...

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 clergy 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.

29th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Monday - Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy)

 Having concluded our reading of St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, our readings at weekday Mass will be taken from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, until the end of the month.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians was primarily corrective—addressing particular grave errors of the Galatian community.  

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, written while in prison in Rome around the year 60, is a more universal letter. It circulated among the various communities in the region of Asia Minor and doesn’t mention specific problems or controversies of any local church.  Rather, it is a profound and exalted meditation on the mystery of God’s plan to save all men through Christ and incorporate us into the Body of Christ, the Church.

We heard this morning, “God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgression, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” 

In 1980 Pope St. John Paul issued an encyclical “Dives in Misericordia”. Rich in Mercy, drawing its name from that verse of St. Paul, the encyclical focuses on God's mercy as revealed through Jesus Christ offered to all people. 

In it, the Pope emphasizes how mercy, as a fundamental attribute of God and a core element of Christ's messianic mission, restores human dignity and brings sinful man back into relationship with God.

God’s mercy offers us a fresh start. His forgiveness liberates us from the burden of guilt and allows us to rediscover our true identity as children of God. Mercy forgives us of sin and leads us away from all those forms of evil which degrade us. Moreso, the mercy of Christ reveals us to ourselves. God’s mercy, shown to us in Jesus Christ, shows us who we are meant to be. As the Pope says, “Christ reveals man to himself and brings to light his lofty calling." God's mercy reveals to us our true potential and calling.

Saved and transformed by God’s mercy, we are to be merciful toward one another. We are to practice forgiveness, active compassion, and the recognition of the dignity of every human person.  We are to engage in the works of mercy: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned. We are not only to engage in mutual service, but outdo each other in charity. 

The Church’s duty is to create a culture of mercy. May we start here in our neighborhood, in our parish, in our families and toward strangers—that the mercy of Christ which has saved us, may continue to save and transform all aspects of life and society to create a civilization of love, where mercy reigns, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that she may faithfully proclaim and embody God's mercy in all her ministries and interactions, let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may be inspired by God's mercy to work for justice, peace, and the alleviation of poverty and suffering, that all our interactions and structures may reflect the merciful love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may become a beacon of mercy in our neighborhood, actively practicing forgiveness, compassion, and recognition of human dignity, let us pray to the Lord.

For those burdened by guilt or sin, that they may encounter the liberating forgiveness of Christ and rediscover their dignity as children of God, we pray to the Lord.

That the sick, suffering, and afflicted may always know the mercy of God in the charity of the Christian Church. 

That all those who have died, through the mercies of God, may rest in peace in the hope of the resurrection, especially…

Merciful Father, hear our prayers and grant us what we truly need in order to be  living witnesess of your mercy in Christ. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - The Power of Redemptive Suffering

 Our readings this weekend come together in speaking about one of the central themes of Christianity: suffering for others—or what we often call redemptive suffering.  We say all that time that Jesus suffered for us, that he died for us.  How can we say that one person can suffer for another, that the suffering of one has an effect in the life of another? 

One of the first examples any of us experience in this life  comes from our parents.  Think of how parents cared for us as children. They gave-up on sleep to nurse us, to comfort us as infants. They gave-up precious sleep attending to our needs in our childhood illnesses. So many good parents suffer hard, long hours of work to provide for their families. We are all beneficiaries of the redemptive suffering of those who raised us, not to mention the mothers who uncomfortably bore us in their wombs and birthed us. We are born through the suffering of another. 

A second example of redemptive suffering. I was teaching third graders about the beatitudes, and we got to the 8th beatitude which mentions suffering. The Lord teaches “blessed are they who suffer for the sake of justice”.  I asked for an example, and one of the third graders said, “when you see someone getting bullied, you can go and stand-up for that person.  It might be hard because you might get picked on too.”  What a great example!  The suffering we bear when we stand up for the little guy—for the vulnerable—is another example of redemptive suffering. 

Standing up for what’s right changes things, it unleashes redemptive power, bullies back down.  As adults we stand up for what is right when we stand up for our Catholic values in the public arena, when we stand up for the “littlest among us”, the unborn. So many evils in the world today are often the result of fleeing those opportunities to stand-up for what is right. We are not called to be a “silent or inactive moral majority”, we are to suffer for the sake of justice. And again, lives are changed, lives are saved, when Christians take up this role.

Another example of redemptive suffering is that of our patron saint whose feast we celebrate this weekend

The story of St. Ignatius of Antioch is a great one. He was a Catholic bishop who lived very close to the time of Jesus. After Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus’ apostles were tasked with making disciples to continue the work of spreading the Christian faith. And St. Ignatius was one of those disciples. He was baptized and for a time learned about Jesus under St. John the Apostle, the very same apostle who laid his head on the chest of Jesus at the last supper and stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified, who ran to the tomb at the resurrection, and witnessed Jesus ascending into heaven.

So, Ignatius had one of the best teachers you could ever ask for. When he was ready, Ignatius was sent by John to continue the work of the Church in the gigantic city of Antioch, which even 2000 years ago, had a million people, meaning, it had more people than Cleveland. 

Being such an important city, the Roman Emperor came to visit Antioch, but the emperor was not a Christian, in fact, he wanted to destroy the Christian Church. So he summoned Bishop Ignatius, and demanded that he give up his faith and renounce Jesus. 

But remember, Ignatius knew that Jesus is truly the Son of God, that Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the dead. 

So, courageously, Bishop Ignatius stood up to the Emperor, and told him that there was no way he could deny Jesus, because he knew the Gospel to be true—he knew that Jesus said and did the things the Church claimed. After all, it had only happened 60 years ago. There was no denying it. Even when the emperor threatened to kill Ignatius if he did not deny Jesus, Ignatius held fast to the truth and would gladly die to prove this point, that Jesus Christ is truly God and savior of the world.  

For courageously standing up to the emperor, Ignatius was sentenced to death—to be devoured by lions in Rome, which is why our school mascot is the lion—a reminder of the courageous death of our patron—that we might have the same courage in professing Jesus.

Through his Redemptive Suffering Ignatius emboldened the Church. His letters have been read by Christians for almost as long as the Gospels. His blood, shed for Christ, no doubt strengthened all those who were being persecuted in the early Church, and he inspires all of us, to live courageously for Christ.

In our First Reading, we hear that the Messiah willingly accepts the task of becoming a suffering servant, a sacrifice for the justification, the salvation, and the redemptive of others. Through Jesus’ redemptive Suffering, each of us has received new birth as children of God. All of us, reborn in the waters of baptism—have been justified and redeemed—given another chance at heaven—through the redemptive suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel today, it is clear that the Apostles were not to keen on this idea of redemptive suffering. They didn’t think Jesus should have to suffer. They hoped that the Messiah was going to be a military leader who would cause Israel’s enemies to suffer. And they certainly didn’t think that being his follower would mean that they were going to have to suffer. 

But to be a follower of Jesus means that we, like Him, will engage in a life of sacrificial self-giving for the good of others. 

Like the apostles in the Gospel, many people in the world have a confused idea about what will make them happy and what will make them great. Greatness according to the world usually means, having the position of power, having the wealth to do whatever you want, having fame where everyone recognizes you and applauds you as you are coming down the street.  But that’s not greatness in the eyes of God.  No number of Heisman Trophies will gain you entrance into heaven. Heaven is not contingent on the number of people you have working for you, the size of your house, or your bank account. To become great in the eyes of God requires you to pour out your life in God’s service in imitation of Jesus Christ. 

Blessed are those who suffer for the sake of righteousness. Do you want heaven enough that you are willing to suffer for it? Do you want heaven for your fellow man, enough that you are willing to be ridiculed for it? Are you willing to suffering the consequences of standing up to an emperor, like St. Ignatius, or to an authority figure who is urging you to compromise your faith?

Through the intercession of our Patron, St. Ignatius of Antioch, may we respond generously to the many ways the Lord invites us to allow the power of redemptive suffering to be unleashed in our lives—prayers and penances and the acceptance of inconveniences and uncomfortable conversations and days and nights spent in charitable service—that the lives of others may be led to Jesus and transformed for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

October 18 2024 - St. Luke - Convert, Evangelist, Painter

 

Unlike the other Gospel writers, Luke was not one of the twelve apostles, or even one of the Lord’s original disciples. He was a Gentile Convert. Tradition holds Luke to have been a native of Antioch, where Ignatius, our Patron, was Bishop.

Luke's earliest mention is in the Epistle to Philemon, chapter 1. He is also mentioned, as we heard this morning, in 2 Timothy, in Colossians, where St. Paul refers to Luke as “beloved Physician”.

Before his conversion to Christ, Luke, studied medicine. We don’t know the exact circumstances of St Luke’s conversion, but in the book of Acts, Luke himself writes about joining Paul in his second missionary journey through Asia Minor, to Corinth and Macedonia.

St. Luke wrote his Gospel after the death of Paul, making it a point to interview eyewitnesses of the Lord’s ministry, death, and resurrection, from which he also gained details for his second volume, the Acts of the Apostles.

It is likely not a coincidence that Luke, the doctor, includes so many accounts of the Lord’s healing miracles not found in any other Gospel. Only in Luke do we learn of the Lord raising the son of the widow of nain, the healing of the man with dropsy, the 10 men from leprosy, a malchus’ ear during the Passion.

The relationship with Mary is the other striking characteristic of St Luke’s Gospel. If he based his Gospel on account of eyewitnesses, then his inclusion of the Annunciation, the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth and the Magnificat, the details of the Presentation in the Temple and the finding of Jesus at the Temple, could have only come from Our Lady himself.

According to ancient tradition, St. Luke was not only a physician and evangelist but also a skilled artist. He is often credited with being the first to create an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Hodigitria, which means “She who shows the way.”. The icon believed to have been painted by Luke is said to be preserved in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

Today, perhaps, meditate on some of those wonderful Marian passages of Luke’s Gospel, thank God for this man’s faithfulness, for the grace of conversion that worked in his life, that has brought so many to a deeper knowledge and love of Christ, including our ourselves, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may be faithful to their vocation to spread the Gospel in word and deed.

During this month of October, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, Catholics may take up this devotion with renewed vigor and trust in Our Lady’s never-failing intercession.

That on this feast of St. Luke, that all doctors and painters and artists may utilize their skills and gifts to serve life and goodness, and for the conversion of all those who do not follow Christ.

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 17 2024 - St. Ignatius of Antioch - Our Patron Saint (School Mass)

 Today is the Feast Day of the Patron Saint of our Parish and school, St. Ignatius of Antioch. Happy Feast Day to you all.

What does it mean that St. Ignatius of Antioch is our Patron Saint?

That St. Ignatius is our patron Saint means that St. Ignatius of Antioch, who lived almost 2000 years ago, prays for us in a special way from his place in heaven. We have a special heavenly helper—to help us become the people God made us to be—to help us overcome our trials—to help us grow in faith, hope, and love and to follow Jesus as his disciples. 

Because he is our patron, we look to his holy example and ask for his prayers and intercession 

His statue stands along Lorain Ave, at the parking lot entrance as a reminder that St. Ignatius of Antioch guards us, and prays for us, and loves us, and welcomes all those who want to grow in their faith. 

And that reminder is important, because, I bet, most of us spend very little time thinking about St. Ignatius of Antioch, the person. Even though you probably hear or say his name every day. 

The story of St. Ignatius of Antioch is a great one. He was a Catholic bishop who lived very close to the time of Jesus. After Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus’ apostles were tasked with making disciples to continue the work of spreading the Christian faith. And St. Ignatius was one of those disciples. He was baptized and for a time learned about Jesus under St. John the Apostle, the very same apostle who laid his head on the chest of Jesus at the last supper and stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified, who ran to the tomb at the resurrection, and witnessed Jesus ascending into heaven.

So, Ignatius had one of the best teachers you could ever ask for. When he was ready, Ignatius was sent by John to continue the work of the Church in the gigantic city of Antioch, which even 2000 years ago, had a million people, meaning, it had more people than Cleveland. 

Being such an important city, the Roman Emperor came to visit Antioch, but the emperor was not a Christian, in fact, he wanted to destroy the Christian Church. So he summoned Bishop Ignatius, and demanded that he give up his faith and renounce Jesus. 

But remember, Ignatius knew that Jesus is truly the Son of God, that Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the dead. 

So, courageously, Bishop Ignatius stood up to the Emperor, and told him that there was no way he could deny Jesus, because he knew the Gospel to be true—he knew that Jesus said and did the things the Church claimed. After all, it had only happened 60 years ago. There was no denying it. Even when the emperor threatened to kill Ignatius if he did not deny Jesus, Ignatius held fast to the truth and would gladly die to prove this point, that Jesus Christ is truly God and savior of the world.  

For courageously standing up to the emperor, Ignatius was sentenced to death—to be devoured by lions in Rome, which is why our school mascot is the lion—a reminder of the courageous death of our patron—that we might have the same courage in professing Jesus.

Friends, even if you don’t think of him every day, at least think of him well today, Ask St. Ignatius today to help you become the person God made you to be—holy and righteous in the sight of God, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

October 16 2024 - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque - Visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 Throughout the ages, some of the Saints have been gifted by God with visions or visitations from heaven. St. Paul is of course visited by Jesus on the road to Damascus. Legend has it that Jesus appeared to St. Peter before his own martyrdom. The book of Acts says that St. Stephen the Deacon had a vision of Jesus right before his martyrdom, and St. John the Evangelist of course, writes of his vision of heaven in the Book of Revelation. 

St. Francis famously had a vision of Jesus speaking to him from the cross in the chapel of San Damiano telling him to rebuild his Church. St. Catherine of Siena’s life was filled with visions. St. Juan Diego received a vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

In 1677, St. Margaret Mary, a Visitation nun in France, received visions of Our Lord. She writes in her diary how she plainly saw His heart, pierced and bleeding, yet there were flames, too, coming from it and a crown of thorns around it. She writes, “He told me to behold His heart which so loved humanity. Then He seemed to take my very heart from me and place it there in His heart. In return He gave me back part of His flaming heart.”

St. Margaret Mary received not just a vision, but a command. Our Lord charged her with making known the powerful devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which today has spread throughout the world. 

The message of the Sacred Heart is powerful. It is the message, that Jesus’ Heart—the heart of God—burns with love for sinners, and so he calls sinners to repent—to turn away from their sin—so that their hearts might be set afire like His. 

The message of the Sacred Heart addresses two errors of the spiritual life. On one hand, there is the temptation to see oneself as a hopeless sinner unworthy of God’s love, to see God as a task master who demands the rigid observance of the law or else he will send you to the eternal hell-fires. On the other hand, there is the temptation to explain away sin, to claim that since God’s mercy is so great, we really don’t have to put in that much effort to reform our lives: that it doesn’t really matter what we believe or what we do.

Rather, the devotion to the Sacred Heart shows us that we are loved intensely by God, his love for us is a fiery furnace. But because we are so loved, we must respond to God by seeking purification of all that is unlovable in us, the selfishness, impurity, pride, error, and hardheartedness.

May the message which St. Margaret Mary faithfully made known—the message of the love of the heart of Jesus—resound in our lives—that all of our selfishness may be burned away—that we may be set aflame with love for our fellow man and concern for his eternal well-being, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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In reparation to the Sacred Heart for all sin and all blasphemy.

For an increase in faith, hope, and love for all Christians.

That our children and young people may be kept safe from the poisonous errors of our culture, and that their families may be places where the faith is practiced and cherished.

For all those whose love for God has grown cold, who have fallen into moral laxity or despair of the mercy of God, for all souls in danger of hell, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

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 and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Gracious Father, hear our prayers, and through the infinite mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant us what we truly need, through the same Christ our Lord.

October 15 2024 - St. Teresa of Avila - Reforming the heart through prayer

 Today we celebrate the Feast of Theresa of Avila, virgin, and doctor of the Church. Together with St. John of the Cross, she labored to reform the Carmelite order which had grown worldly and lukewarm in the 16th century. And yet, before undertaking the work of reforming the Carmelite order, she first worked to reform herself.  

For many years, after her religious consecration she was herself was lukewarm about prayer. She had difficulty committing her mind and heart to prayer, especially when prayer felt so dry and arid. 

But as she learned to quiet her mind, and quiet her heart, she grew in prayer, and would become absorbed in deep contemplation. In fact, she would occasionally become so absorbed in divine contemplation, her body would spontaneously levitate. And at times, she would become so overwhelmed with divine love, it felt like the illumining grace of God would wash her soul away. 

Most of us are far from surrendering so deeply to God in prayer, but Theresa offers a wonderful starting point in the following prayer. She writes:

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.

So simple, yet, like so many simple things, so profound. It is a reminder that everything in this life including our own physical life will change, that ultimately, all things--our possessions, our health, will all slip away.  So nothing need disturb us as long as we are clinging to God.

We waste so much time worrying about things we cannot change, but true peace is discovered when we allow ourselves to experience the truth that God alone suffices. Unlike time devoted to worrying and fretting, time devoted to prayer in which we seek the face of God is never wasted.  In prayer, we surrender our life, and learn to love God as the path of life unfolds.  

St. Teresa teaches us that the true reformer first reforms themselves, and to seek God ardently by detaching ourselves from worldly anxieties through simplicity, penance, and prayer.  

May St. Teresa help us to be set aflame with the longing for true holiness, and to strive for the Christian perfection for which we were made, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis and all Church leaders, that they may lead the faithful in seeking and growing in authentic Christian holiness. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our world, often caught up in materialism and instant gratification, that it may discover the value of patience and the sufficiency of God's love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the Carmelites and all religious orders and communities, that they may remain faithful to their charisms and be beacons of God's love in the world. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who feel spiritually dry or distant from God, that they may persevere in prayer and experience the transforming power of divine love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all of us gathered here, that we may learn to detach ourselves from worldly concerns and trust more fully in God's providence. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those burdened by anxiety and fear, and for all those suffering from mental illness, addiction, or any type of illness: that the grace of Christ may console and strengthen them. Let us pray to the Lord.

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 14 2024 - St. Callistus and Christopher Columbus - God chooses the weak and makes them strong

 Often times, the Collect Prayers for the saints reflect something of their lives.  Today’s collect contained a prayer asking God to rescue us from the “slavery of corruption.” This is a reference to the fact that Pope Callistus, honored by the Church today, was once a slave.

Pope Callistus was originally born a slave in Rome in the late 2nd century.  Seeing natural intelligence in him, his slave-master appointed him to oversee a bank, but after a while the bank failed. Callistus, fearing that he would be killed due to the bank’s failure, fled Rome.  He was caught and sentenced to hard labor in the mines of Sardinia. But, as providence would have it, Callistus wasn’t in Sardinia long, thanks to the Pope, who bargained with the emperor to free many of the prisoners.

After his release, Callistus studied theology and became a deacon.  10 years later, Pope Zephyrinus summoned Callistus, to serve as his theological advisor. Callistus proved himself to be reliable and competent, and was himself elected Pope in 217. In 223, an anti-Christian riot swept through Rome, and Pope Callistus was martyred.

From slave to Pope; God works in mysterious ways. As St. Paul says, “God chooses the weak and makes them strong in bearing witness to Christ.”

We do not get to choose the details of our birth and status, but we do get to choose what we do with the gifts God has given us—our intellectual gifts, our creativity, the spiritual gifts we receive in our baptism. 

Our nation today celebrates Columbus Day. Columbus, a Catholic, utilized his genius, his curiosity and energy, to bravely venture into the unknown to explore this world. He was not motivated by greed or violence, but the desire for knowledge and to spread the Gospel. 

Christopher Columbus was not racist or imperialist or sexist or genocidal for wishing to spread Christianity to an unknown land and foreign people. And neither are we. For Christianity professes our belief in the fundamental value of every human life and a commitment to human flourishing by utilizing our God given gifts.  

We pray that the Lord may raise up countless Pope Callistus's and Christopher Columbus's, men and women of great faith, who are committed to using their gifts for the good of others, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That Catholics around the world will be ever more zealous in their preaching of the Gospel and manifesting the mercy of Christ for others.

For wisdom and mercy to guide the life of the Church, the decisions of government leaders, and the ordering of our personal lives.

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

During this month of October, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, may Catholics take up this devotion with renewed vigor and trust in Our Lady’s never-failing intercession.

For the Knights of Columbus and all who look to the inspiration of Christopher Columbus, may they continue in good works and be examples of virtue and faith.

For all victims of war, for hurricane victims and for all affected by flooding and severe weather conditions, and for those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know God’s sustaining grace.

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.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wisely trusting God

On October 11, the Church celebrates the feast day of Pope Saint John XXIII. Some of our elder parishioners may even remember Good Pope John, as he was Roman Pontiff from October 1958 until his death in June 1963.

He was known during his pontificate as “good Pope John” by the Italian people who adored him for his affection sense of humor, and sanctity. At his funeral, the phrase “Santo Subito” was chanted…”sainthood now”. When Pope Francis canonized John XXIII 10 years ago already, he referred to Pope John as a “model of sanctity.”  

Again, his sense of humor was renowned, and a number of Pope John’s quips and jokes are still told today.

In reply to a reporter who asked, "How many people work in the Vatican?", he reportedly said: "About half of them."

When a cardinal complained that a rise in Vatican salaries meant a particular usher earned as much as the cardinal, the pope remarked: "That usher has 10 children; I hope the cardinal doesn't."

Not long after he was elected pope, the rather portly Pope St. John was walking through the streets of Rome. A woman passed him and said to her friend, "My God, he's so fat!" Overhearing what she said, he turned around and replied, "Madame, I trust you understand that the papal conclave is not exactly a beauty contest."

The saint was also known for his practical wisdom. When asked how he slept at night, with all the problems facing the Church, and with all of his responsibilities he said that instead of worrying all night long, he simply prays, “It’s your Church, God. I’m going to bed! It’s in your hands now”

And there is an important lesson for us there. As Christians, we are called to do our part in spreading the Gospel, defending the vulnerable, righting injustice, being peacemakers, accompanying those with little faith or no faith, so that they might find their way to Jesus. But it’s okay to get a good night’s rest, to put the troubles of the world, and the troubles of our families, and all those things that are beyond our control, into God’s hands. 

While we must have deep trust in God, we must also do our part. In the Gospel, the rich young man approaches Jesus and says, what must I do? It is clear that we must follow the commandments of God. But what else? The Lord is clear that we must follow the Lord wherever he beckons us. For the rich young man, that meant leaving behind his wealth, and following the Lord in service and charity. The Lord Jesus was inviting the rich young man to trust him, leaving his earthly cares aside to cultivate greater holiness. 

And, the rich young man was unwilling to that, and St. Mark’s Gospel tells us that because he was unwilling to trust Jesus, the rich young man went away sad. Sadness comes when we fail to respond to those invitations the Lord gives us to follow Him for closely, especially in the way of generosity and self-giving.

I love the juxtaposition between Pope John’s practical wisdom of entrusting the needs and problems of the Church to God, one on hand, and the Lord’s invitation to do everything you can to grow in holiness on the other.

Do you sense the tension there? On one hand, entrust everything to God, and make sure you get the sleep and rest to remain healthy and in good spirits. And on the other hand, do everything you can to serve the Gospel. Trust and pray as if everything depended on God, and act, as if everything depended on you.

I think that’s tough for a lot of people, because it requires mature faith and personal responsibility. You and I have the responsibility of discerning, using our God given reason, to personally investigate what can I do, honestly. If I were to really move beyond my comfort zone and trust God, what could I do for the parish, for the poor, for the good of my fellow man, what could I do for the spread of the Gospel.

Why is it so hard? Well, many of us get swept up into our habits and routines, don’t we? So much so  that the thought of doing something different, doing something challenging or uncomfortable doesn’t occur to us. We push those possibilities out of our minds very quickly because we like things easy and predictable.  

But that is a real reason, that, like the rich young man in the Gospel, we are sadder than we need to be. We are sad because we do not trust the Lord as much as we could. The joy that we observe in the saints eludes us, because, of our fear to make the leap of faith to follow the Lord into the unknown, into the uncomfortable, and in the way of the Cross.

In the first reading, we hear the prayer of this devout soul who deemed riches as nothing in comparison with the Divine. Priceless gems, gold, are as sand, compared to the joy and goodness that God offers us and wants for us from following Christ more closely. 

This week, consider what would I do for the Lord if I was fearless. What would I do for the Lord if I didn’t care about my material possessions. 

The Lord is likely not calling any of us to the radical poverty of saint francis of assisi, but he is calling all of us to be a little less concerned about our worldly possessions and our comforts and more concerned about storing up treasure in heaven. 

On top of that, we should consider what, we like Pope St John, should leave to the Lord. What can I do, and what do I need to entrust more fully to the Lord. For therein lies greater peace and joy for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

27th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - The turn toward Christ

 For almost the rest of the liturgical year, save for the week or so before Advent begins, the first readings for weekday Mass will be taken from the letters of Saint Paul.  We started his letter to the Galatians yesterday.  In two weeks we will read his letter to the Ephesians.  We’ll have a few days of his letter to the Philippians in November, followed by his letter to Titus and then Philemon.  

To call the letters of Saint Paul “foundational to our Christian faith” is an understatement.  They shape our understanding of who Jesus is; they shape our liturgical prayers, they give us insight into the life of the early Church before the Gospels were even written.  

In today’s reading, Saint Paul gives us a little biographical information.  He says, “You heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.”  We are reminded that this great missionary once put Christians to death—he considered himself an enemy of the Church. But on the road to Damascus, in the middle of his fury, all that changed.  The Risen Christ appeared to Paul, Jesus spoke a word to his heart and let a ray of his divine light into the darkness of Paul’s mind.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”.  

From then on, Paul became an ambassador of God’s saving grace, a light of hope and mercy for sinners of all nations and races, a faithful messenger of God’s unconditional goodness.  He goes from being an extreme persecutor of the faith, to an extreme evangelist.  

As we read from the Pauline Epistles over the next few weeks, we do well to consider how God calls us to open our hearts more deeply to his divine Word and to his service.

In the Gospel we hear about another type of conversion—Martha is called away from something good to something better. The Lord points out that there is something more important than her domestic busyness. Martha’s focus on worldly matters have kept her from the deeper sharing in the Lord’s presence.

Both Paul and Martha challenge us to consider what we must turn away from in order to turn more deeply to the Lord. Our own preconceptions, our own habits, our prejudices can keep us from the fullness of life that God wants for each of us. 

May we allow the Word of God to shape us, form us, and lead us more deeply into the life of Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

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, especially victims of the hurricanes and flooding, and victims of war. 

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 2 2024 - The Holy Guardian Angels - Gratitude for Angelic Protection

 Last week Trapper Jack had a podcast titled “Three Drowning Seminarians Saved by Real Angels”. And Trapper Jack shared three stories about three seminarians, who are now priests, who claim to have been saved from drowning by their guardian angels. One of those priests is one of our own Cleveland priests.

And as I listed to the podcast, I was reminded of my own ordination reception. I was giving a little speech before dinner thanking family and friends for their support through the years of my seminary studies, and all of a sudden i got this flash of moments from my life…and realized that i needed to thank my guardian angel, too! I got flashes of from my life of moments like near car accidents, and my own memory of being in the middle of lake erie on a raft during a storm. And I got the sense that on all of those occasions, I was preserved from harm by my guardian angel. And so without my guardian angel, I would likely not have been ordained, and standing there and thanking all of my family and friends.

Thank God for our guardian angels. We will only know in heaven how many times we have been spared and saved. How many illnesses were staved off, how many accidents were averted, how many temptations were defeated, how many inspiring thoughts and ideas were evoked, how many times are hearts were moved with pity, all because of the ministrations of our Guardian Angels.

We do not think of them enough, we do not thank them enough. But today, the church thanks and honors our Guardian Angels for their faithfulness to the task given to them by God Himself—the task of doing everything in their power to help us get to heaven and becomes the servants God desires each of us to be.

Thank your angel today. And commit to calling upon your angel more frequently, and asking God to help you to be more docile to his inspirations and open to his assistance, for the glory of God and the 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.

October 1 2024 - St. Therese of the Child Jesus - Humble service, penance, mission

 In her diary, St. Therese wrote: “I ask Jesus to draw me into the flames of his love and to unite me so closely to him that he lives and acts in me.  I feel that the more the fire of love encompasses my heart, the more I shall say: "Draw me," and the more will those souls who are near to mine "run swiftly in the sweet odor of the Beloved."  

And draw her into the flames of his love, the Lord did. In the course of her short life, Therese acquired a burning love of Christ. And yet, unlike some of the other mystic saints, Therese did not experience mystical levitations or visions, that we know of. 

Rather, she was drawn into profound love through humble acts of service and the quiet, patient acceptance of suffering. 

At the age of 15, having received the blessing of faith and virtue from her parents, Therese was given permission to enter the Carmelite convent where her two older sisters had already entered.  She lived only 11 years as a Carmelite nun before dying at the young age of 26 from tuberculosis.  

And yet during that time, she developed a profound spirituality of humble service—known popularly now as “The Little Way”

In those short years in Carmel, Therese described coming to share the Lord’s deep ardor for the salvation of souls. She writes, “I experienced a great desire to work for the conversion of sinners, a desire I hadn’t experienced so intensely before.” She offered her life as a sacrifice for priests and other missionaries, offering constant penances and prayers for the sake of others. She wrote that her mission as a Carmelite, was to offer prayers and penances that would spiritually form and support  “evangelical workers who would save millions of souls”.

There are three pretty good lessons for all of us, no? To seek the sanctification of our souls through humble acts of service, patient acceptance of suffering, and doing whatever we can for the mission of the Gospel. By doing so, we, like Therese, have the opportunity to be drawn deeply in the fire of Christ’s heart, in his love, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For blessings upon the members of the Carmelite Order, and that their witness of prayer and penance may continue to draw souls closer to Christ.

During this month of October, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, Catholics may take up this devotion with renewed vigor and trust in Our Lady’s never-failing intercession. 

That the sick and the suffering may know God’s healing and know the love of God in their trials.

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.