5th Week of Lent 2025 - Friday - Incline your ear to his heart

 

"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.”

Our Scripture readings leading up to Holy Week continue to help us understand the various dynamics of Jesus’ passion. The passage from John’s Gospel reveals the motive for the hostility. They claimed he was guilty of the capital crime of blasphemy—the highest blasphemy possible. They claimed that Jesus wasn’t simply speaking against God—but that he was only a man, but claiming to be God. The irony of course is that He IS God. And they failed to recognize the God they were supposed to love with their whole hearts minds soul and strength when he was standing in their midst.

And Jesus even tries to make it easy for them to recognize Him: If I don’t do the works of God then I’m not. But, you’ve seen for yourself, that I do do the things that only God can do.

The logos is logical. Only God can do certain things. Jesus does them. Therefore, Jesus is God.

The Jeremiah reading reveals something even sadder about the hostility toward Jesus.

“All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.”

Jesus isn’t not only not recognized as God by strangers, but by his closest companions, those he called friends. The Jeremiah reading foreshadows of course the betrayal of Judas, the denial of St. Peter, the fact that none of the Apostles save John are there with his mother on the hill of calvary—he is abandoned by all but those who have listened to his heart.

In a week, we will be in the midst of the great Paschal Triduum. Hopefully, this Lent, you have taken time, like St. John to lay your ear to the heart of Jesus, so that your love for Him will help you to recognize his love for you in the events of his Passion and in the events of your life.

In the days ahead, take time to incline upon his breast, and bring to him those who take no time to pray, no time to understand, no time to seek Him while he may be found.

Pray that their eyes may be opened to his great love and his invitation to life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in God's mercy and faithfulness, we lift our prayers to the Lord.

For the Church, that during these sacred days she may proclaim clearly and courageously the truth that Jesus is truly God, calling all to recognize and embrace Him. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who lead nations and communities, that they may foster justice, peace, and compassion, recognizing and respecting the dignity of all persons created in God's image. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who struggle with faith or who refuse to recognize Christ’s presence in their lives, that their hearts may be opened to His truth, love, and mercy. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing betrayal, abandonment, loneliness, or chronic illness, that they may find comfort and strength in Christ, who himself endured rejection and abandonment. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that in these final days of Lent, we may draw closer to the heart of Jesus, deepening our love and commitment to Him. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead, that they may be welcomed into the eternal presence of Christ, finding peace and joy in His heavenly kingdom. Let us pray to the Lord.

Loving Father, hear the prayers of your faithful people gathered here. Open our hearts to recognize and embrace your Son, Jesus Christ, in every aspect of our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

5th Week of Lent 2025 - Wednesday - Growing hostility toward the Truth

 Our late Lenten scripture readings continue to help us understand the hostility Jesus faced culminating in his arrest and Passion. 

In the first reading from the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar becomes livid when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship the golden statue he erected. Their refusal to worship his false god leads him to rage and violence. Their refusal is not simply an afront to the King’s pagan god, but also to his ego. They refused to bow to him, to his will, to his demands, to his concept of reality. 

In the Gospel, Jesus explains to his opponents that they are trying to kill him because his “word has no room among” them. The rage of Nebuchadnezzar mirrors the hostility encountered by our Lord. 

The Jewish leaders conspire to kill Jesus because his word challenged their pride, self-righteousness, and ego. His truth exposed their spiritual enslavement to sin, and their blindness to the truth about God. "If God were your Father, you would love me”. But exposing their lack of love, they sought to silence the Word permanently. 

Genuine faithfulness to God inevitably brings believers into conflict with the values and priorities of the world. The world's prideful and self-centered systems resist the message of humility, truth, and freedom that Christ brings. 

Like Nebuchadnezzar, who demanded absolute allegiance to his concept of reality, so many in our culture today do not tolerate challenges to their worldview. Consider the rage on social media when Judeo-Christian values are promoted. 

The readings help us to understand the hostility of the world toward the truth of God, but they also offer powerful encouragement. The three young men in the fiery furnace were not abandoned; God stood with them, protecting them. Likewise, Jesus trusted deeply in the Father's presence, even when His word was rejected and He faced crucifixion. The Father vindicated His Son’s faithfulness through the Resurrection.

As we approach Holy Week, let us consider where Christ’s word may find resistance in our own hearts. May we remain faithful, even when confronted with hostility, opposition, or temptation. Trusting in God's presence, may the truth live in us richly that we may bear it witness, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in God’s steadfast presence and protection, let us present our prayers and petitions.

For the Church throughout the world, that she may courageously proclaim the truth of Christ, even in the face of opposition and hostility. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may act with humility, justice, and openness to the truth, resisting the temptation to impose self-centered agendas or oppressive ideologies. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who suffer persecution or hostility for their faith, that they may find strength, comfort, and encouragement in God’s unwavering presence and protection. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who resist the truth of the Gospel due to pride or spiritual blindness, that their hearts and minds may be opened to God’s transformative and liberating truth. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those facing challenges, temptations, or struggles in their spiritual lives, especially the chronically ill, that they may experience God’s sustaining presence and grace, enabling them to remain steadfast in faith. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our deceased loved ones, that through the mercy and faithfulness of Christ, they may enter into the joy and eternal peace of God’s kingdom. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of your faithful people. Grant us the grace to remain steadfast in your truth and faithful in your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

5th Week of Lent 2025 - Tuesday - Believing in Christ

 

Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about the importance of believing. 

Concluding his conversion with Nicodemus in Chapter 3 of the Gospel, the Lord sums up all he has explained, with these words, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

In the very last words of the 4th Gospel, St. John writes about the purpose he even wrote it: “these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

An interesting note, that in contrast to St. Paul and the other 3 Gospels, St. John never uses the noun “faith or belief”, instead, he uses the word “to believe”. Believing is always an active verb, not an object or thing that one possesses, it is an action, an ongoing relationship with the Truth revealed by God—the One who makes the truth known and the Truth himself. 

St. John even records different stages of believing in his Gospel. There are those who hear the teachings of Jesus or see his signs, yet refuse to believe. There are those who begin to believe, but don’t fully recognizing Jesus’ identity. There are those who come to believe in Jesus, but are evidently afraid to acknowledge their faith publicly. There are those who encounter Jesus and come to believe in him, and are recognized as his disciples. And there are those who will come to believe through the preaching of his disciples: “blessed are those who do not see, yet believe, the Lord announces to doubting Thomas. Do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

In today’s Gospel, the Lord teaches about what is at stake for believing in Him or not. He states to the Pharisees, “you will die in your sin. where I am going you cannot come.” Believing in the Lord or not has eternal consequences. Notice though, as he concludes his teaching today, many of those Jesus come to believe: “Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.”

Part of the Lent certainly doing penance for ourselves and our own sin, but we also pray, fast, and give alms for others. We lift up our catechumens who have begun to believe and will be baptized at Easter, but also we lift up those who fail or refuse to believe: that their hearts, and minds, and eyes might be opened. Every year on Good Friday, we offer up special prayers who do not believe in God and those who believe in Christ. 

And we commend ourselves to God—believing in Christ—we will continue to walk in his ways, and make him known in our words and actions—that others who have not seen may be believing, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the mercy and truth of God revealed in Christ, let us bring our prayers before the Father, who desires that all might come to believe and have life in Christ Jesus.

For the holy Church of God: that she may continue to proclaim Christ with clarity and conviction, inviting all people into a living and active belief in the Son of God. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all catechumens and candidates preparing for the Easter sacraments: that their journey of faith may deepen into a lasting relationship with Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who do not yet believe in Christ, and for those who once believed but have fallen away: that their minds and hearts may be opened by grace to the truth of the Gospel. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who are afraid to profess their faith publicly: that the Holy Spirit may strengthen them with courage to witness to Christ in word and deed. R: Lord, hear our prayer.

For those who suffer or are persecuted because of their belief in Christ: that they may be sustained by the hope of eternal life and the prayers of the Church. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish: that we may not only profess belief with our lips, but live it actively in our thoughts, words, and actions each day. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, the suffering, and those weighed down by sin: that they may encounter the mercy of Jesus and come to believe more fully in his healing love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the faithful departed who believed in Christ: that they may now see him face to face and rejoice in his eternal presence. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, you sent your Son into the world that we might believe and have life through him. Hear the prayers we bring today, and strengthen our faith, that we may remain in your truth and lead others to believe. Through Christ our Lord.

5th Week of Lent 2025 - Monday - Susanna and Jesus

Today we have one of the longest First Readings that we have in the entire lectionary.  It is the 13th Chapter, a long chapter, from the book of the Prophet Daniel.  It is almost 60 verses long.  It is the story of this beautiful, faithful woman, Susanna, who is falsely accused by two corrupt evil old men, who wanted to have their way with her.  Lying to protect themselves the two wicked elders seek to have Susanna put to death.

Then Daniel steps in, advocates for her: and the two corrupt judges were convicted and Susanna goes free.

As I mentioned last week, our scripture readings for the last part of Lent point not so much to Lenten penances that we are to undertake, but to Christ. They help us prepare to why Jesus suffered, the hostility toward him, and what he accomplished through his death and resurrection. 

How does the Susanna story point to Christ? Who is Christ in the story? In a sense he is Susanna: beautiful, faithful, innocent, arrested because of the words of corrupt elders. 

And though, like her, he suffers—in his case—humiliation, torture, revilement, mockery, suffering, and death—he is exonerated—vindicated by God, as Susanna was by Daniel.  His Father testifies on Christ’s behalf, as we heard in the Gospel, when Jesus is raised from the dead.

In our responsorial Psalm, we proclaimed the beautiful words of Psalm 23: “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side”.  Both Susanna and Jesus exhibit trust in the Father’s will throughout their sufferings.

In the midst of her ordeal, Susanna cried aloud to God in prayer: “O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things”. Like her, Jesus prayed to his Father throughout his ordeal, particularly in the Garden, trusting his Father, bowing to his Father’s will. 

If these final Lenten weekday readings only helped us understand and appreciate what Jesus suffered in holy week, they would be beneficial for that. But that also help us to follow his example. In the course of the Christian life we will face opposition and suffering. The carrying of our own unique personal crosses will be difficult. But in the midst of our crosses, we must turn to God and trust in God. He is at our side. 

At the end of the first reading, we heard how “the whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in him.”  Not only is Jesus foreshadowed in the Susanna reading, but his body the Church as well.  We are that assembly who now cries out, blessing God who saves those who hope in him.

May that cry of hope resound in our lives, as we unite our crosses with the cross of Christ, that we may testify in word and deed that salvation is found in him, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the Lord who saves those who hope in Him, let us confidently offer our prayers and petitions.

For the Church, may all her members remain steadfast in faith, courageously witnessing to the truth and justice of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders and judges throughout the world, that they may act with integrity, honesty, and justice, protecting the innocent and vulnerable from harm. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who suffer unjust accusations, persecution, or false judgments, that they may find strength, consolation, and vindication in Christ, who Himself endured injustice. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing difficulties and sufferings in their lives, that they may trust deeply in God's presence and providential care, recognizing His closeness even in dark times. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that during these final days of Lent, we may unite our own crosses to the cross of Christ, offering a powerful testimony of faith and hope to the world. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our departed loved ones, that they may experience the eternal vindication and joy of heaven, resting forever in God's merciful embrace. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of your people gathered here in faith. Help us to remain hopeful and trusting, knowing you walk with us always. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

5th Sunday of Lent 2025 - (Year C) - "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more"

 

This week we celebrate the last Sunday of Lent prior to Palm Sunday next week which begins Holy Week.

And our Scripture readings today raise some pretty important concepts as we prepare for the week called Holy, our Gospel particularly: the dramatic scene of Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees who have brought before him a woman caught in the act of adultery.

Firstly, notice the peculiar nature of this scenario. The woman was supposedly "caught in the very act of adultery." But adultery, by its nature, involves two people. Where, then, is the man involved? The law of Moses clearly required both parties to be held accountable. Leviticus 20:10 says, “If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.”

Yet the Pharisees have conveniently omitted one party. From the outset, it is clear that their concern is not for justice or the enforcement of God’s law, but manipulation. They are using this woman as a pawn in their effort to trap Jesus.

In asking him how he would deal with her, they try to trap Jesus between two codes of law: the Roman Law and the Jewish Law. If Jesus says, "Stone her," he violates Roman law, since only the Roman authorities held the power to sentence someone to death. Such an action would immediately label him a rebel and enemy of the Empire. On the other hand, if Jesus says, "Let her go," he openly defies the Law of Moses, discrediting himself among devout Jews as one who disregards sacred law.

This scene foreshadows an event during Jesus’ passion. After he is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane , the Jewish leaders will admit before Pontius Pilate, "We have no authority to put a man to death." They conspire to force the Roman authority to sentence Jesus to death.

In today’s case, though, Jesus masterfully turns the trap back upon the scribes and pharisees. His response: "Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone." Jesus puts the responsibility for the woman’s execution squarely on the shoulders of those who accuse her.

So Jesus has turned the tables: if THEY throw stones, they will be arrested by the Romans. If they don’t, they will appear to be claiming publicly to be sinless, which denies numerous scripture passages that remind us that before God, all men have sinned.

With their hypocrisy exposed, they are compelled to walk away. And with no accusers left, no legal plaintiffs remaining, the case collapses entirely.

At this point, Jesus turns to the woman with profound mercy, yet also clear, unwavering moral authority: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more."

Jesus’ words call the woman to repentance and a new way of life initiated by his mercy. Notice, he doesn’t explain away her sin. He doesn’t relax the very clear biblical teaching that adultery is gravely sinful. He is neither indulgent nor permissive toward sin. Yet, simultaneously, he exhibits mercy. “I do not condemn you”

And here is a great paradox that lies at the heart of the Christian way. Jesus’ absolute moral clarity about sin—“go and sin no more”--is matched by an equally absolute willingness to forgive—“neither do I condemn you”.

He doesn’t say, “Well, your circumstances were hard,” or “Who am I to judge?” No—Jesus names sin as sin. The command, “Go and sin no more,” presumes that real moral boundaries exist and that breaking them wounds not only ourselves, but others and our relationship with God.

Jesus is clear about sin and calling us away from sin because he loves us. God desires not the death of the sinner, but that the sinner might live. Jesus is not a therapist who validates our decisions. He is a savior who works to free us from sin. He intervenes and seeks to stop the cycles of sin in our lives by calling us to sin no more.

“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”. Jesus, if anyone, could have stoned her. For he is like us in all things but sin. But he doesn’t cast the stone, rather, he calls her to change, to repent, to metanoia—change your life, change your habits, turn away from sin and walk in the newness of life. He doesn’t belittle her. He speaks the truth that invites her to a new way of life. He calls to conversion and he is merciful—fully both, never one at the expense of the other.

Nowhere is this truth more fully revealed than in the Passion we are about to commemorate during Holy Week. On the Cross, Jesus doesn’t minimize sin—“Continue on in your sin, I’m just going to forgive you anyway.” He bears its full weight. And in doing so, He opens the gates of mercy to all. At the Cross, God’s justice and mercy meet.

At this point in Lent, perhaps we ourselves feel a bit like the woman in today’s Gospel. Maybe our Lenten practices have faltered, or perhaps we have even abandoned them altogether. We might feel ashamed or discouraged at our failures or shortcomings. Perhaps we have old sins that have still gone unconfessed. Yet, today, Jesus reassures us clearly: forgiveness is offered, a new beginning. Just as he did with the woman, Christ invites each to begin again, to recommit ourselves wholeheartedly to pursuing holiness in response to his merciful love.

So let us approach these final weeks of Lent with renewed resolve, embracing the fullness of Our Lord’s teaching,  committing ourselves anew to holiness, motivated not by fear or guilt, but by love—knowing deeply and confidently the inexhaustible mercy of Jesus, who continues to whisper gently but firmly to each one of us today: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more" for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 

5th Sunday of Lent 2025 - (Third Scrutiny) - Raising of Lazarus

 

Two weeks ago, we heard the story of the woman at the well.  She encountered the Lord Jesus, who said to her, “I will give you living water, which alone can satisfy”.  She represents all of us, all thirsting for God. Jesus invites all people of all time to drink deeply of the living waters of God through Him.

Last week we heard of the man born blind.  Again, he is all of us, born in the blindness of sin.  We desire to do good and avoid evil, but it’s not always easy to see clearly. Sometimes our egos and our sinful attachments are so great, they blind us to seeing how God wants us to live rightly. Jesus says to the man born blind and to all of us, “I am the light of the world.”  If you want to see rightly, let the light of Christ and His teachings enlighten you.

These stories in John’s Gospel move toward a sort of crescendo. I am living water which quenches thirst. I am the light by which you see. And today Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He’s not just water, He’s not just light. He is Life itself. And he desire that His life might animate us in this life, that it might sustain us through death, and animate us in all eternity, including the resurrection.

One of my favorite quotations from the early Church fathers is from St. Ireneus of Lyons, who said, Gloria Dei Homo Vivens, “the glory of God is Man fully alive.”  Jesus himself said, I came that they might have life, and have it to abundance. Christ died, that we may live, free from sin, full of divine life.  God’s glory, what gives God happiness, is that we are fully alive.  Conversely, what saddens the heart of God is when we allow death to reign in us at any level: physically, emotionally, or spiritually.  Sin diminishes us, God restores life.

Next, week, on Palm Sunday, we’ll come to understand the price the Lord pays to defeat the powers of death in us. But on this fifth Sunday of Lent, we’re invited to consider how the Lord commands us to live.

Today, our three catechumens present themselves for the last of the three scrutinies. They do so because they want to live and they recognize that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. So, you’ll notice in the scrutiny prayers many references to life, being restored to life and raised to life, like Lazarus in our Gospel today.

We heard in our first reading about God’s desire to free us from the powers of the grave: “I will open your graves and have you rise from them…I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land” we heard in our first reading.

Our three Catechumens will receive the gift of new life in Baptism this Easter Vigil. They have heard that same promise that God made to Israel all those centuries ago, the promise of life, and through prayer and fasting and study have opened themselves to the fulfillment of that promise in them. Thanks be to God. They have heard the Lord calling them to come out of their tombs, like Lazarus. Thanks be to God.

Why follow Jesus Christ? Why seek baptism and faithfulness to him? The promise of being raised from the dead is a pretty good reason. Living forever in God’s kingdom of peace is a pretty good reason. And it’s not just an empty promise--the promise of some delusional California cult leader.

Resurrection: it’s really the ultimate argument against anyone who says all religions are the same. No. They aren’t. Show me a member of another religion who not only raised the dead but also rose from the dead.

“I will open your graves and have you rise from them. Here the Lord is not just speaking of the promise of rising from our graves on the last day, when he returns. The grave is also wherever the powers of sin and evil and death reign in us still: an addiction, a habitual sin, an inability or unwillingness to forgive, anger and bitterness, perversion, fear of leaving behind the comfortable to follow Christ more devoutly, lack of fervor for the spiritual life…the grave is whatever limits the life of God in you. Think of laying in a grave, there is no place to move, you are constricted, unable to move, tied up, and God says, from your graves, I will have you rise up.” 

In the Gospels, we have not one story, but three stories of Jesus raising the dead. We just heard the story of Lazarus; can you think of the other two? The first one is the daughter of Jairus. Remember the little girl who died in her home when Jesus was on the way to heal her?  The second is the son of the widow of Naim.  Jesus sees the widow weeping as they brought out the body of her son, and Jesus is moved to raise him from the dead.

St. Augustine offered a spiritual reading of these three encounters with the dead.

Because Jairus’ daughter dies inside her house, St. Augustine says that her death symbolizes the sort of spiritual death that remains locked up in us—the sort of sins that poisons us from the inside: the resentments, the old grudges.  They aren’t necessarily expressed in words or actions, they just sort of fester within us, poisoning our thoughts, and our wills, and our imagination.  These are the sins we do in private—though no sin is private to God, of course. Jesus raises this little girl, just as he wants to heal us from all of our interior sinful attitudes.

Secondly, the son of the widow of Naim.  He had died and was being carried outside the house to the cemetery. St. Augustine says, he symbolizes the sins that have begun to express themselves in action.  When the interior anger and resentment, selfishness and lust bubble over in words of actions. But Jesus forgives these too.

The third person Jesus raises from the dead, his friend Lazarus.  Lazarus had been carried out of the house and placed in a tomb.  By the time Jesus gets there, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days.  His sister, famously says, when Jesus instructs them to roll away the stone that blocks the tomb, “but Lord, surely, there will be a stench.”

St. Augustine says that Lazarus in his grave, symbolizes that evil, that spiritual death, that not only has come out of the heart in words and actions, but has established itself as a habitual.  Now, the anger, the hatred, the violence, the lust, have taken root, and have become such a part of my life and my activity, that, like Lazarus in the tomb, there is a stench, and it’s affecting the people around me.  That anger, addiction, selfishness or lust now affects the well-being of the family. Neighbors begin to avoid us because of our stench.

Jesus is of course able to heal those sins too, but like the others, there must be confession, there must be acknowledgement that these sins exist in me, and that I need a savior.

May we have the humility and honesty to recognize the need to be raised by Jesus, healed by Jesus, that we may truly live with him for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

4th Week of Lent 2025 - Friday - A spotlight into the darkness of our hearts

 During the final weeks of Lent, the weekday scripture readings detail the growing hostility towards Jesus culminating in his crucifixion.  Why do Jesus’ enemies hate him so?  

Our first reading from the book of Wisdom depicts a group of the wicked-hearted conspiring to condemn a just and holy man to a shameful death. Why? What has he done to offend them so? They claim: “he is obnoxious to us” because he corrects us, he points out our violations of the law, he judges us debased. A line from John’s Gospel says, “everyone who practices evil hates the light”.   

This passage helps us to understand the psychology of those who opposed Jesus and conspired to have him killed. 

His teaching, His actions, His holiness—was like a bright, spotlight shining into the dark corners of their hearts, exposing pride, envy, hypocrisy, and corruption. Instead of responding with humility and repentance, they responded with resentment, hostility, and ultimately violence.

Yet, it would be a mistake to consider this hostility as something limited only to the historical enemies of Christ. We, too, must examine our own hearts. Are there parts of us that resist the light of Christ’s truth? Are there moments when we feel uncomfortable, even hostile, because Jesus challenges our sins, our bad habits, and our selfishness?

Lent invites us precisely into this examination, urging us to confront these hidden corners of darkness within ourselves. Rather than turning away in resentment or denial, we are called to respond with humility, openness, and repentance. When we allow the light of Christ to enter our hearts fully, we are not condemned but healed, forgiven, and restored.

As we approach Holy Week, let us pray for the grace to welcome the transforming and purifying light of Christ. Let us allow His truth to penetrate deeply, that our lives may bear witness to His holiness, compassion, and love—for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in God’s mercy and grace, we humbly present our prayers and petitions, seeking the transforming and purifying light of Christ.

For the Church throughout the world, that during this Lenten season, all members may courageously confront their personal darkness, allowing Christ’s light to heal, forgive, and restore them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all leaders and those in authority, that they may be guided by humility, justice, and integrity, resisting the temptations of pride, envy, and corruption. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing hostility, persecution, or opposition because of their faith, that they may find strength and comfort in Christ’s own sufferings and remain faithful witnesses to His truth. Let us pray to the Lord.

For individuals struggling or unwilling to confront sin and selfishness in their lives, that this Lenten season may inspire a spirit of honest self-examination, openness, and true repentance. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that the coming celebration of Holy Week may deepen our understanding of Christ’s passion and sacrifice, leading us to greater love, compassion, and holiness. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who suffer physically, emotionally, or spiritually, that the healing and comforting presence of Christ may touch their lives, bringing hope, peace, and renewal. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our deceased loved ones, that they may be welcomed into the fullness of eternal life, forever basking in the light and love of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, shine your light upon us, that we may recognize our need for your mercy and experience your transformative grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

4th Week of Lent 2025 - Wednesday - Growing opposition to the Truth of Christ

 In yesterday’s Gospel, we heard how following Jesus’ healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute Him.

There has been a change in focus of our Lenten readings. We’ve gone from readings where the Lord teaches us about the importance of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to stories of the mounting hostility toward Jesus.

He came to the attention of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem by curing on the Sabbath. For this, they began to persecute him. This means that they likely spoke against him publicly, warned the people against his teachings, and publicly discredited him as a religious authority.

But in today’s Gospel, things escalate. St. John tells us, “For this reason, the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but he also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God.”

According to the Jewish leaders, Jesus was now guilty of the greatest blasphemy imaginable: he claimed to be God. He wasn’t simply an irreverent rabbi who shirked the law about the Sabbath. Rather, from his own mouth, he claims to be one with God.

As we near Holy Week, our Lenten readings help us to understand what happened and why. They draw our attention to why he suffered and what he suffered. They shift our focus from the works that we do in our Lenten penances to the work that he has come to do: to save us from our sins. He is one with the Father who raises the dead and gives life. What to the hard-hearted Jewish leaders appeared as the greatest blasphemy is actually the most important truth because he’s telling the truth. He is the truth, and to prove it, he’s willing to suffer and die, so we can know the truth, and the truth can set us free—that we who hear his word and believe in Him might pass from death to life.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us reflect deeply on Christ’s willingness to suffer rejection, persecution, and death out of love for us. It will certainly help us stand firm in the opposition we face in the Christian life. If you can’t get to mass every day, please at least read through the daily Gospel, to grow in appreciation, understanding, and humble gratitude for what Jesus undergoes for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in Christ, who willingly embraced suffering and death out of love for us, we now offer our prayers and petitions.

For the Church, that during this Lenten season, Christians everywhere may reflect deeply on Christ’s sacrifice, growing in humility and gratitude for His redeeming love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may recognize the dignity and sanctity of human life, promoting peace, justice, and respect among all peoples. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing persecution and hostility for their faith, that they may draw strength and courage from Christ’s own perseverance in suffering and rejection. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling to believe or who have hardened hearts, that they may be moved by the truth and love revealed in Christ’s willingness to suffer and die for humanity. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, suffering, and those experiencing difficulties, that Christ’s loving and compassionate presence may bring comfort, healing, and hope. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, especially our loved ones and members of our parish community, that they may experience the fullness of eternal life promised through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, in your mercy hear these prayers and help us grow ever closer to Christ through our Lenten journey. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

4th Week of Lent 2025 - Tuesday - Healing Waters of Christ

 

Yesterday, I reflected upon how Lent is a spiritual springtime—a time of new life, spiritual healing and spiritual growth. Today, the scripture readings continue these ideas of fruitfulness, healing, and new life.

In our first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel, we encounter a magnificent vision: waters trickling forth from beneath the temple, gradually deepening into a vast river. This river brings renewal and abundant life wherever it flows, transforming even salty seas into fresh waters teeming with life. Trees lining the riverbanks flourish abundantly, their leaves serving as medicine and their fruits as nourishment.

The imagery from Ezekiel reminds us that wherever God’s grace flows, new life emerges, healing occurs, and everything it touches is renewed and restored. During this Lenten season, God’s grace can renew us, as we engage in Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

In the Gospel, Jesus brings healing and life to a man who had been suffering for nearly forty years.  The man is healed when he listens to and obeys the command of Jesus.

Just as Ezekiel’s river healed and revitalized everything it touched, Christ Himself is the living water, bringing renewal to the sick, the broken, and the despairing. Yet, just as importantly, today's Gospel challenges us to reflect upon our openness and willingness to be healed by Christ.

The man at the Pool of Bethesda represents all who have experienced long periods of spiritual stagnation or brokenness. We often remain spiritually "paralyzed" by sin, fear, resentment, or doubt. Like the man, we might find ourselves waiting passively, feeling helpless. Jesus asks the same question to each of us during Lent that he asked to the man: "Do you want to be well?" Do you want healing? Do you want restoration?

Many Christians fail to recognize their need for spiritual healing. They think. I’m fine. I’m a good person. But Lent is a time of honest self-examination, where we recognize that there are always parts of us that need healing. They way we treat strangers, they way we spend our free time, the way we react when we are stressed, frustrated, what we do when we are anxious about the future.

When we allow Christ to heal and cleanse us, something transformative occurs—not just within us, but in how we impact the world around us. Just as Ezekiel’s life-giving river spread outward, nourishing everything it touched, our healed and renewed lives extend God’s grace to others. A Christian who experiences genuine healing and renewal becomes a source of life and blessing to others.

Let us respond well to the Lord’s offer of healing this Lent, that we may become vibrant streams of Christ’s life-giving grace in the world, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - - 

 

Confident in God's desire to heal, renew, and restore, we now present our prayers and petitions with hopeful hearts.

For the Church, that during this Lenten season, she may continue to proclaim the healing and transformative power of Christ, inviting all people to experience renewal and new life, especially those who feel spiritually stagnant, broken, or discouraged. Let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders throughout the world, that they may be guided by God's wisdom and grace to foster justice, peace, and well-being, enabling communities to flourish. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who suffer physically, mentally, or emotionally, that they may experience the healing presence of Christ, who restores strength, hope, and wholeness. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our deceased loved ones, that through God's merciful love, they may experience the fullness of life and eternal joy in His presence. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, pour forth your healing grace upon us. Hear these prayers we offer with confidence and trust, through Christ our Lord.

4th Week of Lent 2025 - Monday - Spiritual Springtime

 

Yesterday, after the morning masses, I was able to enjoy some of the nice weather. So I sat outside, sipped some tea, read a book, and listened to the birds. What was also lovely to notice, was that trees are budding, flowers are starting to push up from the ground. Winter is over, and springtime, the time of new life is here. 

That is one reason why the english speaking church adopted the word Lent for this liturgical season. In latin, the season is called Quadragesima, the 40 days. But our word, Lent, comes from the old english word, Lencten, which means the time of the lengthening of days, when the sun begins to be seen more after the dark days of winter, when the elements of creation seem to wake up and new life begins to flourish again.

It is no surprise that many of our Lenten scripture readings focus on new life and new creation, for Lent truly is a spiritual springtime. Our reading from Isaiah this morning speaks of God creating a new heaven and a new earth, where infants, young men, and old are not limited by brief days, but enjoy an abundance of food and reliable shelter.

Then, in the Gospel, we encounter a royal official who experiences the power of God’s new creation directly, when Jesus heals his dying son. Christ came to bring new life not only physically, as seen in the healing of the boy, but spiritually as well.

Lent invites us dispose ourselves to the new life God wants for us. Our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help prepare the soil of our hearts, removing the obstacles of selfishness, distraction, and sin, and creating space for the seeds of grace to grow. Just as we see nature awakening and new life emerging around us, Lent encourages us to open our hearts to God's life-giving grace, allowing Christ to heal us and renew us deeply from within.

In these final weeks of Lent, let us embrace this season of renewal with openness, eagerly anticipating the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection. May our hearts become fertile ground for God’s grace, allowing us to experience the abundant life Jesus offers—life that heals, restores, and renews. Through our sincere observance of Lent, let us prepare ourselves joyfully and intentionally for the new life that awaits us at Easter.

May we be open to the divine work God wishes to do within each of us, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - -  

Trusting in God's promises of new life and renewal, let us present our prayers and petitions with open hearts.

For the Church, that throughout Lent, all Christians may open their hearts fully to the renewing power of God’s grace, preparing joyfully for the celebration of Easter. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may be guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in working toward justice, peace, and prosperity, allowing all peoples to experience new hope and abundant life. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who feel spiritually dormant or disconnected from God’s presence, that they may experience a profound renewal of faith, hope, and joy. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those suffering from illness, despair, or hopelessness, that the healing presence of Christ, who restores life, may touch them and bring comfort, strength, and renewal. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved deceased, that they may share fully in the eternal life promised by Christ, experiencing forever the joy and renewal of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, you continually bring forth new life and hope. Hear our prayers and renew our hearts, that we may live joyfully in anticipation of the Resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.

4th Sunday of Lent 2025 - The Prodigal Son and Joyful dying to self

 Today, on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, known traditionally as Laetare Sunday, we hear one of the most beautiful and beloved parables Jesus ever told: the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This story encapsulates the heart of the Gospel, revealing the Father's boundless mercy, compassion, and joy at the return of his lost child.

The Gospel today describes a son who, after squandering his inheritance on selfish pleasures, finds himself in misery and loneliness. Coming to his senses, he returns to his father, expecting rejection or punishment, yet he receives an extravagant welcome instead. The father, filled with joy, proclaims, "We must celebrate and rejoice, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found."

The father's words remind us profoundly of what Lent is ultimately about: dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ. His joy captures the essence of this Laetare Sunday—a moment of joyful anticipation as we draw closer to the celebration of Easter—a reminder that if we die with Christ we will experience the joy of rising with him to new life.

Today’s call to joy reminds me vividly of an experience from my seminary formation.

I’ve shared before how, I was able to study in Rome, Italy for about six months.  I attended classes at the wonderful Dominican School, the Angelicum; every day I was walked passed the famous Trevi Fountain and the famous Spanish steps, down the same streets of the Eternal City that saints had walked. 

In addition to our academic work, my seminary formation involved some charitable apostolic work.  I had the blessing of working alongside the Missionary Sisters of Charity at a homeless shelter, in their care for the homeless men and women of Rome.  So, every Friday morning, a few of us seminarians would walk past the Coliseum to the Sister’s homeless shelter: we would serve breakfast to homeless men, clean up after breakfast, then help the sisters do the laundry. 

Now Blessed Mother Theresa didn’t believe in modern conveniences, so the clothing and the soiled sheets and towels were washed by hand on old fashioned scrub boards.  Mother Theresa wanted the sisters to learn how to do small tasks with great love—which included doing laundry with the love of Christ in your heart.  

One sister, likely detecting my need to learn a lesson of humble service, had me scrub the baseboards with a toothbrush, teaching me to serve joyfully, even in the smallest ways.

One Friday, deep in the season of Lent, as we are now, one of the seminarians, enthusiastically asked a sister, “Sister, are you ready for Easter?” With seriousness yet unmistakable joy, she replied, “No, I still have much dying to do.” Her words struck me deeply. Here was a woman who lived every day in total selflessness—no possessions, no comforts, spending her days washing soiled sheets and caring for the homeless. If given a simple chocolate bar, she would joyfully give it away, knowing even small acts of love could bring hope to another. Yet she still said, “I still have much dying to do.” She understood profoundly that dying to self leads to rising with Christ.

Today, I stand vested in liturgical rose, the color of dawn's first light before sunrise. It symbolizes joyful anticipation—Easter’s joy is now on the horizon. This Sunday invites us to pause in the midst of our Lenten disciplines to experience joy—not simply because Lent is almost over, but precisely because we recognize the life-giving purpose behind our Lenten penances and sacrifices.

They help us to die that we might live. Like dear sister, we have much dying yet to do. But that dying is done joyfully. We do our penances joyfully because we know that they lead to life. They lead to a fuller embrace of God. 

I don’t know about you, but during Lent, it sure feels like there are more inconveniences than normal. Even those inconveniences though can be embraced joyfully because when we endure them patiently, without complaint, we are dying to self in order to live more fully for God. 

In the Eastern Catholic traditions, believers intensify their spiritual efforts as Holy Week approaches, recognizing the urgency of preparing their hearts fully for the Resurrection. Perhaps we too can intensify our commitment, recognizing that the deeper our "dying," the greater our joy will be on Easter morning.

Today’s Gospel assures us that, regardless of how far we have strayed, from our Lenten penances or even from the path of Christ, the Father joyfully awaits our return. He longs to celebrate our resurrection from sin to grace, from death to life. Like the prodigal son, may we humbly arise and return, trusting fully in God’s merciful embrace.

“Sister, are you ready for Easter?” “No, I still have much dying to do.” As we journey onward toward Easter, let us also joyfully embrace this final stretch of Lent, knowing that our dying to self will lead us directly into the joyful light of the Resurrection—for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

3rd Week of Lent 2025 - Friday - Rediscover divine love in the desert

On Ash Wednesday, we heard God’s powerful invitation through the prophet Joel to all of us: “return to me, with all your heart.”  The heart, in biblical language, symbolizes the center of the person, the whole person.  So that Ash Wednesday call to return to God with your whole heart sets a tone for the whole season of Lent. That Lent is about returning to God fully, wholly, and entirely.

Return from where? From our sins of course, from our wandering, from our cavorting with empty promises and false Gods. Sin always involves venturing into territory we should not enter.

In the reading today from the prophet Hosea, we hear again that call to return to God: “Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words ,and return to the LORD”

Hosea is the story of Israel, called to be God’s bride. Yet, instead of clinging to God her husband, she has been like an unfaithful adulteress; she allowed herself to fall into forbidden relationships with the false gods of the surrounding Canaanite culture.

So God said, “I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart.” In order to free Israel from her adulterous relationships, God would bring her into the desert. He would lead her away from those sinful attachments, that she might realize the importance of that fundamental relationship with God—that she might fall in love with God again, and allow God to love her as he wishes.

So, too, for all of us. Lent is the call to allow God to lead us into the desert—that place free from distractions and sinful attachments. There are no tv’s, no iphones, no gossiping, no casinos, no bars out in the desert.  It is the place where we are free to hear God beckoning us back into a relationship of love and trust. It is the place where we are most free to return to God with all our heart.

But we have to make use of this time, by allowing God to lead us deep, to that place where we are free to hear him. So many fail to allow God to lead them away from their distractions, they fail to enter the desert. They are like the addict who cannot imagine himself happy without his drug.

But when we trust God and let go of our attachments we come to experience such healing and peace in his presence.

In the Gospel, Jesus repeats that language, and takes it even further: “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength.”

To love God with everything, to love God with total self-abandonment, to love God utterly, completely, wholeheartedly: this is the point of Lent.  All of our Lenten penances, all of our prayer has the aim of freeing us from all that keeps us from the pure love of God.

May we accept the Lord’s invitation, that, we may be constantly drawn away from our disordered and unruly desires, that we may come to know God’s purifying love, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 

 Trusting in God's merciful love, let us humbly present our prayers and petitions.

For the Church throughout the world, that this Lenten season may draw all her members closer to God, freeing them from distractions and sin to experience His purifying love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those in positions of authority and leadership, that God may guide them in wisdom, justice, and integrity, leading nations away from conflict and toward peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who struggle to break free from sinful attachments and addictions, that during this Lent they may courageously enter the spiritual desert, finding healing and peace in God's loving presence. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the success of our parish Lenten mission this weekend, and for blessings upon our mission leader Fr. Laniaskas.

For the sick, the suffering, and the lonely, that they may experience God's comforting presence and be strengthened by His grace to persevere in faith and hope. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, especially our family members and parishioners, that they may rejoice eternally in God's merciful embrace. Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, lead us away from all that distracts us from your love. Hear our prayers and help us return to you wholeheartedly, through Christ our Lord.

3rd Week of Lent 2025 - Wednesday - Simply Obey

Summing up the entire spiritual life, Saint Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of Spiritual Directors said: “Simply Obey.  God does not ask anything else of you.” 

Saint Francis de Sales spoke about the importance of obedience because our Lord spoke about the importance of obedience, as we heard in our Lenten Gospel today: “But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

Obedience to the commandments keeps us in right relationship with God, and obedience to the inspirations of His Holy Spirit make us instruments of his grace in the world.

All of our Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving is really at the service of helping us to be more obedient to the commands and inspirations of God.  Fasting can strengthen our wills against disordered tendencies, and almsgiving flows out of that command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Prayer helps us to love God and to hate offending him through disobedience. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are like unfurling the sails of our soul, so that we can be directed by the Will of God.

Obedience is not always easy, just ask Adam and Eve and every human being that has ever lived. However, to the soul who loves God, obedience becomes a delight.

Our Lord is clear that, Obedience and disobedience have eternal consequences. Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought about a fracture with God that is felt in every human life. The Lord teaches about the eternal consequences of disobedience in today’s Gospel too, when he says, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.

Where disobedience brought about broken communion with God, Christ’s obedience brought salvation, he who was, as St. Paul says, “obedient unto death, death upon a cross”.

The Lenten journey leads us to encounter Christ and emulate Christ who is totally obedient to his Father’s will; the Sacred Heart is an obedient heart, it is the heart of one which has surrendered everything to the Holy Will. 

We cannot err in obedience to God, rather we ought to strive, as the Lord teaches to obey the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter of God’s will, as did Christ his Son for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - -  

Trusting in the goodness of our Heavenly Father, who calls us to obedient and faithful lives, let us present our prayers with humility and confidence.

For the Church, especially during this Lenten season, that all her members may grow in obedience to God’s commandments and openness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all spiritual leaders, bishops, priests, deacons, and religious, that inspired by the example of Saint Francis de Sales, they may guide the faithful toward greater obedience and trust in God. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders and all in positions of authority, that they may seek the wisdom of God and lead with integrity, justice, and a spirit of obedient service to truth and peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who struggle with obedience to God’s will, especially those battling temptation, addiction, or disordered desires, that through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, they may find strength and freedom in Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the success of our parish Lenten mission this weekend, and for blessings upon our mission leader Fr. Laniaskas.

For the sick, the suffering, and those experiencing hardship or loss, that they may obediently unite their trials with Christ’s own suffering and experience His comforting presence. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, parish, and benefactors: may they come to share in the eternal joy of heaven. Let us pray to the Lord.

Loving Father, help us always to respond with joyful obedience to your holy will. Hear these prayers we offer you through Christ our Lord.

March 25 2025 - Annunciation - Angelus Prayer (school mass)

 For many years now, the very first thing I do in the morning—before getting up and getting ready for the day, before I check my emails and text messages, before I check my calendar, before I make my breakfast, before even getting out of bed—is that I pray a prayer inspired by the feast we celebrate today. 

It is called the Angelus prayer—angelus is the latin word for An
gel—and it goes something like this: The Angel of the Lord announced to mary, that she would conceive of the Holy Spirit. And then I pray the Hail Mary. Then, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word” And then I pray the Hail Mary, and then “The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”, and then I pray the Hail Mary. And then there is a concluding portion.

But those three ideas—that the angel announced God’s plan to Mary, that she said yes, and that because of that yes, God took flesh—are three very important ideas—three ideas which are at the heart of today’s feast—and three ideas that it is very good to start your day with.

Why? For one, it is good to be reminded that God has a plan for each one of us, that we should be listening to the voices of God’s Holy Angels, and that Mary is at the heart of that plan. Secondly, it’s good to be reminded that when God’s plan is made known to us, we are supposed to say “yes” to God, God I am your handmaid, God let me be your servant in all things, in every way. And Thirdly, it is very important to recall that God really and truly took flesh—the Word took flesh—because it reminds us of who Jesus is—truly God and truly man and that we are called to be his disciples. God became one of us, so that we can become like Him.

So I invite you every day, pray that Angelus prayer. By the way, I don’t just pray it once, I pray it three times, upon waking, at noon, when the noon bells ring here at Church, and at six pm, when they ring again, they are, after all, called the Angelus bells, for that reason.

Pray the Angelus, so that your day can be infused with God’s goodness, so that you can recall the presence of the Angels, the example and goodness of our blessed mother, and that we may become more and more like Christ every day, God who took flesh that we may share in his divinity for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

3rd Sunday of Lent 2025 (C) - Burning Bush and the Fig Tree

 

Each Sunday of Lent, our first readings lead us to consider the different stages of salvation history. Last week, remember we read from the book of Genesis of God making a covenant with Abraham. And God foretold how Abraham’s descendants would go down to Egypt, and there they would become numerous, until God led them out of Egypt into the Land of Canaan, the promised land.

This week’s first reading takes places about 400-450 years later, and it has come to pass jut as God said it would: Abraham’s decedents had indeed become very numerous in Egypt, so much so that Pharoah begins killing off the little boys. Under the tyranny of Pharoah God’s people cried out for deliverance. And so, our first reading today describes Moses receiving this task from God to lead the descendants of Abraham out of slavery.

Now Moses, wasn’t a political leader or a soldier, rather he had occupation of a shepherd, an occupation so despised by the Egyptians that Egyptians would not even eat with such men. In the midst of Moses’ lowly existence, God reveals himself to Moses and gives Moses this monumental task.

And, initially, as you might expect, Moses is reluctant and hesitant. He doesn’t speak well, he’s just a shepherd, he has the respect of neither Egyptian or Israelite. But what fills Moses with confidence is when God reveals his name. From the burning bush, God reveals himself to Moses: “I am who am” in other words, “I am the One truly existent One.” The one true God is with you Moses, don’t be afraid of Egypt, don’t be afraid of your own limitations. I AM with you.

Have any of you ever had a burning bush moment? Where either at mass, or in quiet prayer, or at a retreat, or at a festival of praise, you have an undeniable experience of God’s presence. You know you are in the presence of the Great I AM. And that fills you with confidence? I know many priests who received such a grace, and they became secure in their vocation—confident in their calling—upon experiencing an extraordinary encounter with God.

To be honest, I’m not sure everyone gets those. Yes, all of us are able to encounter God in the sacraments. Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. He’s present in the proclamation of the Word. But God’s presence, in the sacraments is veiled. We know he is present through faith, but, again, I’m not sure every gets burning bush experiences in this life time. Many of us simply need to walk by faith, not by sight.

But if you have received some sort of Burning Bush experience of God, know that you like Moses have a task to fulfill. That experience isn’t just for you. You have a task to help those who haven’t to believe and to walk in the ways of the Lord. To bear fruit that will last.

So God reveals himself to Moses at the burning bush. Fast forward about 1500 years to our Gospel this weekend. And Jesus tells a parable about a very different type of plant, not a burning bush, but a fig tree.

In the parable, a landowner has planted a fig tree in his orchard, expecting fruit. After three years of disappointment, the landowner decides it should be cut down. Yet, the gardener steps in with compassion and hope, pleading for patience: “Leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you can cut it down.”

This parable was being directed to the religious leaders of the day who claimed to be spokesmen of God. Jesus was critical of them because they were not bearing fruit. They were not helping God’s people strive for authentic holiness and they certainly weren’t helping people believe that God was in their midst in the person of Jesus. So the Lord foretells how they will be cut down, like a barren fig tree, if they don’t start bearing fruit for the kingdom of God.

But, the parable is not only directed to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day of course, the parable is also directed at all of us. We were all made by God to bear spiritual fruit. St. Paul, in his Letter to the Galatians, clearly identifies these fruits as love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. The fruits of our faith hope and love are to be seen in our lives.

But, we don’t always bear the fruit we are supposed to, do we? Our struggle with sin, our laziness, causes us to bear less fruit, or no fruit. Many people, even some baptized Christians are essentially fruitless because they walk the way of the world rather than the way of Christ. Prayer has been replaced with entertainment, fasting has been replaced with indulgence and decadence. Almsgiving has been replaced with seeking happiness in material things. Repentance has been replaced with convincing themselves that they don’t need God or the Church to be good people or go to heaven.

Now, the image of the gardener in the parable reminds us that God is very patient with us. In his mercy, God gives us many opportunities to repent and believe in the Gospel.

However, The message of the parable is clear: the fig tree is not given infinite time. The patient gardner says, “we’re going to try to cultivate the ground, fertilize the tree, but if it doesn’t bear fruit, you can cut it down.”

There is a practical limit to the time that we have been given on this earth to repent and bear fruit, a window of grace. There is an urgency to Jesus’ message. It is not enough simply to go through life with an essentially dead and faithless relationship with Jesus. We are to cooperate with the gardener as best we can—to cultivate our souls—so that we can bear the fruit God desires us to bear.

So again, here is the Lenten call to get serious about prayer, fasting, almsgiving and repentance from sin. This is the cultivation God wants for us in this season.

Like Moses, we are called to move from hesitation to boldness, from complacency to action, trusting that God will help us in the path he has set before us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 

2nd Week of Lent 2025 - Friday - Repenting of our rejection of God

Throughout Lent so far, many of our scripture readings have dealt with the need to do penance and to observe the bodily disciplines of Lent—to seek that inner renewal and transformation that God wants for us in this sacred season.

Today, our Lenten readings shift in focus. In both first reading and Gospel today, we read stories of rejection.  In the first reading Joseph’s brothers rejected him and plotted to kill him.  In the Gospel, in the parable of the wicked tenants tells of the tenant farmers who reject , seize and kill, not only the vineyard owners servants but also his son.

These readings foreshadow the events of Holy Week, which is still a few weeks off, in which Jesus the Lord would be seized and killed by those who reject him.

This foreshadowing of the rejection Jesus will face in his Passion puts our Lenten journey into perspective. We do penance—we pray, fast, and give alms precisely because we have rejected Christ through sin. 

The tale of rejection goes back to the beginning when Adam and Eve rejected God’s command, thereby rejecting His plan for them and for mankind.  By rejecting God they forfeited paradise. So too, the Lord explains that for those who reject Him, “the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

Personal Sin, for which we do penance during the Lenten season, involves the humble admission that we rejected God’s truth, God’s plan, and the life God’s desires for us. 

Sometimes Christ’s teachings & the teachings of the Church are found difficult, so we reject them. The Lenten call to pray, fast, and give alms is difficult and so it is rejected. The invitation to make a good Lenten confession is difficult, so it is rejected. 

Though we have often participated in rejecting God, Lent reminds us that Christ willingly accepted rejection and suffering so that we might be redeemed. His response to our rejection was not condemnation, but mercy; not abandonment, but forgiveness. The rejected Son becomes the cornerstone of our salvation.

Today, let us recommit ourselves to this Lenten journey, determined not to reject the Son but to welcome Him wholeheartedly. Let us pray that any rejection, hardheartedness, or spiritual laziness may be transformed by Christ’s redemptive love. By confronting and repenting of our own rejections of Jesus, we prepare our hearts to truly celebrate the joy of Easter.

May our Lenten practices continue to lead us closer to Christ, who redeems our rejection with His boundless love and mercy, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - -  

Trusting in the Father’s merciful love, we now lift up our prayers, asking for the grace to reject sin and welcome Christ wholeheartedly into our lives.

For the Church throughout the world, that during this Lenten season, Christians everywhere may turn from sin and welcome Christ’s redemptive love more deeply.

For all who suffer rejection or abandonment, especially those who feel unloved or unwanted, that they may experience the healing presence and compassion of Jesus.

For families experiencing division and broken relationships, that the grace of reconciliation may overcome resentment and rejection, bringing healing and peace

For all who are burdened by illness, suffering, or despair, that they may draw strength from God who draws close to them and embraces them in their need.

For all who have died, that they may now find eternal acceptance and peace in the heavenly kingdom. 

Loving Father, hear these prayers we offer in humility and trust, through Christ our Lord.

2nd Week of Lent 2025 - Tuesday - Conversion of the Pharisee within

Do I practice my faith out of genuine love for God and neighbor, or am I more concerned about how others perceive me?

Do I judge and burden others harshly, pointing out their faults while neglecting my own need for conversion?

Have I allowed pride or self-righteousness to creep into my heart, distancing me from God and others?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sharply criticizes the Pharisees—not because they lacked religious devotion, but because their hearts were filled with pride, hypocrisy, and the desire to be praised by others. They followed the rules outwardly, yet inwardly their hearts were far from God. Lent is a season to honestly confront the ways these same pharisaic attitudes may exist within us and to courageously root them out.

Jesus highlights three dangerous attitudes among the Pharisees: hypocrisy, pride, and the misuse of authority. The Pharisees loved recognition and respect. Their actions—long tassels, widened phylacteries, and honored seats—were not motivated by love of God but by love of self. Their piety was an outward show, not inward devotion. 

Our Lenten scripture this morning challenges us to root out the Pharisee within by embracing authentic humility—humility, not merely as an ideal, but as a daily discipline.

Humility means honestly acknowledging our weaknesses and turning to God’s mercy. It means setting aside self-importance and serving others joyfully. Lent especially calls us to acts of quiet charity and unseen sacrifices, not for praise, but because we truly seek Christ’s way.

Today, Jesus invites each of us to seek the conversion of the Pharisee within—to abandon pride, to renounce hypocrisy, and to walk in humble service. For, as Jesus promises, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Only by rooting out the attitudes of pride and self-righteousness from our hearts can we truly become disciples who reflect Christ’s humble and merciful love.

May this Lent help us grow in humility and sincerity, as we learn again to walk in the humble footsteps of Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Seeking God’s will in all things, let us humbly present our petitions to our merciful Father.

For the Church throughout the world, that we may faithfully preach the Gospel not only in words but through humble and loving service.

For leaders of nations and those in authority, that they may exercise their responsibilities with integrity, humility, and genuine concern for the good of all, especially the weakest among us.

For our parish community, that during this Lenten season we may sincerely examine our hearts, rooting out attitudes of pride, hypocrisy, and judgmentalism, and grow in humble love and service to others

For the health of Pope Francis, and for all who carry heavy burdens, especially those burdened by guilt, shame, or discouragement or serious illness, that they may encounter compassionate hearts and experience Christ’s mercy and healing

For all the faithful departed, that having humbled themselves before the Lord, they may be exalted in the joy and peace of heaven, especially N.

Father, help us to humble ourselves before you and root out all that separates us from your love. Hear and answer these prayers we offer today with hearts sincerely seeking you, through Christ our Lord.

2nd Week of Lent 2025 - Monday - St. Patrick and Christ's Presence

 

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.”

This beautiful prayer was written by St. Patrick himself, over 1,500 years ago. The prayer is often called the “Breastplate of St. Patrick” at the prayer invokes the divine protection of Jesus Christ like a suit of armor.

And yet, St. Patrick is describing  something more profound than mere protection. The prayer of St. Patrick speaks of Jesus’ abiding presence with the Christian and within the Christian—that the attitudes of Christ and the virtues of Christ may animate us.

St. Patrick, who faced danger, hardship, and even enslavement, did not merely seek Christ’s help in times of need. He desired to be completely surrounded by Christ, to live in Christ at every moment.

And this is the heart of Lent: not simply asking for Christ’s help but allowing Christ to dwell in us, shaping our thoughts, actions, and desires.

In a profound way, the Lenten call to conversion seeks to strip away anything that is not of Christ so that His presence fills every part of us. Fasting and penance are not about mere self-denial; they are about making space for Christ to dwell within us more completely

St. Patrick’s words, “Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,” remind us of our Lenten mission—to conform ourselves to Christ in such a way that Christ is made known to others through us. Our faith should be visible in our words, actions, and relationships. When people encounter us, do they see Christ’s love and mercy? Do we radiate His presence through our kindness and sacrifices?

Lent is a call to conversion, not simply a season of discipline. It is a time to place Christ at the center of everything—our thoughts, our struggles, our joys.

May St. Patrick assist us through his prayers and example in seeking the transformation that God wants for us, that Christ may be known with us, in us, and through us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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As we journey through this holy season of Lent, seeking to be transformed by Christ’s presence within us, let us offer our prayers to our loving Father.

For the Church, that all her members may be clothed with the virtues of Christ, radiating His love and mercy to the world, let us pray to the Lord.

For our world, that all nations may seek justice and peace, recognizing Christ’s presence in the dignity of every human life, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who are suffering, facing hardship, or enduring trials, that they may find strength in Christ, who surrounds them in their struggles and walks with them in their pain, let us pray to the Lord.

For those preparing to enter the Church this Easter, that their hearts may be completely filled with Christ’s presence as they seek to be transformed in His love, let us pray to the Lord.

For the health of Holy Father Pope Francis, For all who are sick and suffering, that they may experience the healing presence of Christ, who walks with us in our trials.

For our departed brothers and sisters, that having sought Christ in this life, they may now rest in His eternal embrace, let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers, and in this holy season of Lent, may the presence of our Son transform us, guide us, and shine through us, for Your glory and the salvation of souls. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.