7th Week of Ordinary Time 2025 - Tuesday - Childlike humility and embrace of trials

 

Today we read the familiar Gospel passage of the disciples arguing about who will be the greatest in Jesus’ kingdom, but it is clear that their idea of greatness is far from God’s. True greatness in God’s eyes isn’t about attaining a seat of power, status or privilege. Rather, true greatness involves becoming like a little child before God—true power involves becoming a servant to every one. "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."

 Why does Jesus redirect the attention of the disciples to the posture of a child?

 A child does not approach the world with calculated strategies to rise above everyone else; instead, children living trustingly secure in the care of those who love them. By inviting us to become like children, Jesus teaches us that His kingdom values humility, tenderness, and simplicity of heart.

 Moreover, Jesus spells out that the path to true greatness is marked by service, not by accolades. Being “first” in His kingdom means pouring ourselves out for others—looking for ways to uplift, comfort, and accompany those in need.

 In the first reading from Sirach, God’s Word also makes it clear that we will need to embrace hardships to become the people God made us to be. We will have to practice patience, conflicts, hardships, and personal sufferings. “Prepare yourself for trials…in fire gold is tested,”

 Together the readings speak of a purification that is needed. We are to purify ourselves from the un-childlike behavior—the power grabbing, the attempts to live independently from God. And we are to embrace the purification the Lord sends us through our trials. True Christian greatness grows from a heart purified by adversity and shaped by a servant’s love. When we let go of self-centered ambition, fear of suffering for the sake of goodness, but truly trust the Lord in them, and seek to become “the servant of all,” we become truly great in God’s sight for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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With humble hearts, we turn to our loving Father, and we present our needs for the Church and the world.

For the Church: That all her members may seek to leading lives marked by humility and service rather than worldly ambition.

For leaders in society and government: That they may put aside selfish interests and seek the good of the most vulnerable, serving their communities with honesty and compassion

For those who face trials and hardships: That, like gold refined in fire, they may grow in faith and hope through their struggles, trusting that God is with them and working for their good. And for Holy Father Pope Francis in this time of serious illness.

For our parish community: That we may actively seek ways to serve, uplift, and comfort those in need, especially the lonely, the sick, and the marginalized

For our deceased loved ones and all the souls in purgatory: That they may be welcomed by the Lord and share in the fullness of His Kingdom, especially N.

Heavenly Father, hear these prayers and answer them in your mercy, for we make them through Christ our Lord.

Feburary 21 2025 - St. Peter Damian - Two wolves (school mass)

 There is an old Cherokee tale about a grandfather telling his grandson about the battle that takes place within each of us.

“My dear one,” said the grandfather” there is a battle within each of us between two wolves: The first wolf is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other wolf is good. It is: joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a moment and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee replied, “It depends on the one you feed.”

This simple but powerful story beautifully illustrates the struggle between good and evil inclinations within the human heart—something that the Church’s saints knew all too well. St. Peter Damian, whose feast we celebrate, spent his life recognizing the reality of these “two wolves” at war within him. Even as a brilliant thinker, writer, and monk, he acknowledged his own capacity for what he called “evil passions.” Rather than letting the “evil wolf” grow stronger through selfish desires, he chose the path of mortification and disciplined prayer, seeking to “feed” virtues like humility, obedience, and compassion.

St. Peter Damian fasted, prayed, and even undertook physical disciplines—not because he believed his body was evil, but because he wanted to train his heart to pursue what is good. He understood that the mind and body influence each other. By curbing his worldly impulses and offering small sacrifices to God, he directed his energy toward holiness rather than vanity.

In art, he is often depicted with a leather strap or whip to symbolize his desire of restraining the evil wolf---restraining and purifying his desires, so that the “good wolf”—love of God, fidelity, and charity—might flourish.

For us, the example is clear: we all face a daily choice of which “wolf” to feed. Will we indulge anger, greed, and pride? Or will we practice prayer, generosity, and kindness? St. Peter Damian’s life reminds us that true holiness is not an accident; it requires active cooperation with God’s grace and a decisive effort to nurture virtue over vice. Through prayer, study, asceticism, and works of mercy, we starve those destructive tendencies and allow the “good wolf” to thrive, leading us closer to Christ and deeper into the fullness of His love for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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As we celebrate the feast of St. Peter Damian—bishop, monk, reformer, and Doctor of the Church—we turn to God in humble prayer, asking for the grace to follow his example of holiness and service.

For the Church: That, inspired by the lives and writings of the saints, all members of the Church may grow in holiness and strive for ever greater fidelity to the Gospel.

For religious communities and monastic orders: That they may continue to be beacons of prayer, self-discipline, and service, modeling for all believers a life consecrated to God.

For all who suffer from insomnia or other ailments that disrupt rest and peace: Through the intercession of St. Peter Damian, may they receive the grace of healing, trust in God’s presence, and relief from their burdens.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life: That those called to serve may respond generously, offering their lives for the mission of Christ.

For the sick, the lonely, and those in need: that they may be open to the healing and strength that comes from a relationship of deep faith in God. And we pray in a special way for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in this time of serious illness.

For our deceased loved ones: That they may behold the Lord fully in the eternal light of heaven, seeing Him face to face and rejoicing in His presence.

Almighty God, you raised up St. Peter Damian as a model of holiness. Hear our prayers, and grant us the grace to follow his example of prayer, penance, and zealous love for your people.

6th Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Wednesday - Gradual healing of spiritual wounds

 In yesterday’s Gospel passage, we heard how the apostles failed to understand Jesus’ identity. They seemed to suffer from real spiritual shortsightedness—their faith is lacking, their ability to trust him is lacking because of their unwillingness to see who is really is.

That account of the disciples’ spiritual blindness is immediately followed by the passage we read today—that of a miraculous healing of a blind man. It is as if St. Mark is saying that if you find yourself sympathizing with the disciples, unable to see Jesus for who he really is, Jesus is willing to heal you, he wants to heal you.

The healing of the blindman at Bethsaida is unique among the miracles recorded in the Gospels, because this healing is gradual. After laying his hands on the man the first time, the man only achieved a partial recovery. He couldn’t tell the difference between people and trees. It’s only after the second time that Jesus touches the man that his sight is restored.

The man’s gradual recovery symbolizes the slow and often difficult process in Mark’s Gospel of opening the disciples’ eyes to understanding Jesus’ identity and mission--like the gradual receding of the waters after the flood in our first reading.

Spiritual blindness is often overcome in stages. Faith is gained gradually. A person who has wandered in darkness their whole life often can’t withstand a full blast of divine light. A person lost in the labyrinth of atheism or religious apathy might only come to Christ gradually, through gradual doses of Gospel truth. For this reason, we must be very patient with unbelievers—because they may be in a very fragile stage of that gradual healing of their spiritual vision.  

All too often Christians give up on evangelizing because we don’t see immediate results. But what does today’s Gospel teach us. Not even Jesus always got immediate results. Healing often takes time. Seeing the seed of truth flourish into a tree of faith takes many waterings and lots of prayer. St. Paul acknowledges that true sight may only be recovered in eternity. “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.”

So too with our own sins. Some sins are only overcome through multiple encounters with God’s mercy—where we allow the light of God to penetrate more and more deeply into our souls, our psyches, our wounds, our hardness of heart.

Patience is needed in the spiritual life for ourselves and for others. But as our sight is gradually restored, we see Christ more clearly, we begin to see ourselves and our neighbor more clearly, how God sees us, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the Lord who gradually opens and heals our hearts, let us offer our prayers for ourselves and for the world.

For the Church: That all believers may grow in the knowledge of Christ each day, overcoming spiritual blindness through persistent prayer, study of the Gospel, and acts of charity.

For all who struggle to recognize Jesus as Lord: That they may receive the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit, and that our patient witness will help their faith grow in God’s time.

For those who evangelize or serve as missionaries: That they may remain steadfast when results seem slow, or when they endure suffering in Jesus’ name.

For the sick, the lonely, and those in need: that they may be open to the healing and strength that comes from a relationship of deep faith in God. And we pray in a special way for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in this time of serious illness.

For our deceased loved ones: That they may behold the Lord fully in the eternal light of heaven, seeing Him face to face and rejoicing in His presence.

Presider: Heavenly Father, you heal our blindness and open our eyes to your truth, often in gradual and gentle ways. Hear these prayers we bring before you and grant us the patience and perseverance we need to deepen our faith in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

6th Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Tuesday - Are your hearts hardened?

 

Our scripture readings this morning highlight the importance of turning away from sin and trusting in the Lord.

In the account of Noah, we recall a moment in history when humanity’s wickedness had reached such a level that the Lord was “grieved” in His heart. Yet, among the corruption, Noah stood out for his faithfulness. He obeyed God’s command to build an ark, trusting that divine justice and mercy would prevail.

Our sin not only displeases God, it can lead to our ruin. But, like the purification God enacted through the waters of the flood, God desires to flood us with purification, that we may be free from our self-destructive ways, and live in a relationship of renewed trust. Like Noah, we need to trust that God desires to rescue us from sin, so that a new life of holiness might flourish.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus similarly warns His disciples to “guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Leaven, or yeast, is a small ingredient, yet it permeates an entire batch of dough. Jesus uses it as a metaphor for the subtle power of sin and spiritual corruption. The Pharisees, with their hypocrisy and pride, and Herod, with his worldly ambitions and moral compromise, represent two faces of sin that can deteriorate and distort our relationship with God.

Both Noah’s story and the Lord’s  warning highlight the seriousness of sin and the need to do something about it. Much like Noah had to build and enter the ark to escape the destructive waters, we are called to take deliberate steps to rid ourselves of sin’s influence. This often requires self-examination, repentance, and vigilance. The Lord asks us, “Are your hearts hardened?”.

Signs of a hardened heart might include a failure to empathize with the suffering of others, a resistance to acknowledge one’s personal faults or accept guidance, holding on to grudges, bitterness about past hurts, unwillingness to reconcile, spiritual apathy, and habitual sin without remorse.

Ultimately, guarding ourselves against sin—against the “leaven” that corrupts—means living in humble obedience to God’s will. We examine our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, uprooting what leads us away from God and replacing it with virtue, prayer, and a heart open to grace and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Seriousness about uprooting sin and selfishness allows us to experience the fullness of life the Lord desires for us, a life marked by spiritual integrity, peace, and a deeper union with Him for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - 

 

With hearts open to God’s grace, let us offer our prayers for ourselves and for the world:

For the Church: That she may always guard against spiritual corruption, proclaiming the Gospel with humility and integrity, and guiding the faithful to turn away from sin and trust in the Lord’s mercy.

For leaders in our society and world: That they may resist the “leaven” of pride and ambition, serving the common good with honesty and compassion, and promoting justice for all people.

For those trapped by sin or harmful habits: That, they may respond to God’s call, trusting that He desires to rescue them from the flood of destruction and lead them to a life of holiness.

For the sick, the lonely, and those in need: that they may be open to the healing and strength that comes from a relationship of deep faith in God.

For all who have died: That they may receive the fullness of life promised by Christ, especially N.

Heavenly Father, you call us to trust in your saving power and turn away from whatever leads us from you. Hear our prayers, and grant us the grace to guard our hearts from sin, living in humble obedience and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

February 17 2025 - Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order - Following Christ Wholeheartedly

 Can you imagine seven prominent men from some cultured, prosperous city, like New York or Washington D.C. banding together, leaving their homes and professions, and going into solitude for a life devoutly given to God?   

That is precisely what happened in the prosperous city of Florence in the year 1240.

The seven holy founders of the servite order withdrew to the deserted slopes of Monte Senario where they built a church and hermitage and lived a life of incredible austerity.  It is written that Our Lady appeared to them while they prayed.  She told them that she had chosen them to be her servants and that she wished them to wear the black habit and follow the rule of St. Augustine.  So they donned the habit and became The Order of Friar Servants of Mary, also known as the Servites.  From that mountain top, the order spread throughout Italy.

Community members combined monastic life and active ministry.  In the monastery they led a life of silence and prayer, but also engaged in parish ministry, preaching and teaching.  

The Servites came to the United States from Austria in 1852, settling in New York and Philadelphia.  The seven founders were canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.  

The Church is in perennial need of men and women with the courage to leave their former lives behind in order to serve and witness.

Now, not all of us are called to leave our jobs and go live up on a mountain. Rather, we are all called to consider what we do need to leave behind in order to engage more deeply in prayer and service. None of us are exempt from this call, none of us so prominent or so important to society that we shouldn’t be considering what we need to withdraw from, in order to draw more closely to Christ. 

In the Gospel, the Lord promises, “everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” May we learn to trust the Lord more and more in this call to detach from the world, in order to follow him wholeheartedly and grow in communion with the Divine, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Though his actual birthday is on February 22, today is the federal observance of the birthday of our nation’s first president George Washington.  

And, as our first petition this morning, I’d like to read one of the prayers Archbishop Carroll offered at George Washington’s presidential inauguration.

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of the United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the Church: That all her members may courageously follow Christ’s call to deeper prayer and service, leaving behind whatever distracts from the Gospel

For those discerning religious life and vocations of special consecration: That, inspired by the example of those who have given up worldly honors to serve God, they may respond boldly and trustingly to the promptings of the Holy Spirit

For the sick, the lonely, and those in need: That they may encounter Christ’s healing love through the compassionate support of others

For our beloved dead: That they may inherit the eternal life promised to those who follow Christ wholeheartedly.

Almighty God, you call us to lives of prayer, detachment, and service. Hear our prayers, and grant us the grace to follow you ever more faithfully. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

5th Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Wednesday - Achieving inner integrity

 There appears to be a bit of a contradiction in our readings today. In the first reading, for eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, God say, the consequence is death: “the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die”.

On the other hand, the Lord Jesus, speaking to a crowd says that “nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person”. Nothing you eat can corrupt your soul.

How do we reconcile what God says in the first reading and what he says in the Gospel? Well, in the first reading, it was not the fruit itself that was somehow spiritually poisonous. It was not as if this was some mystical fruit that had the power to corrupt man’s nature. What was spiritually deadly, wasn’t the fruit, rather, what was spiritually deadly was the decision to disobey God. And that decision is made in the soul, from within.

As the Lord explains in the Gospel, “from within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Our decisions--—our deliberate actions—matter. Our use of our free will has spiritual consequences. When we use our free will to act in accordance with the divine will of God, we grow in virtue—we habituate ourselves to what is good—to goodness itself.  The Catechism says, “The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God…The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good. The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love.(CCC 1803-1804)”

On the other hand, when we misuse our freewill to act in discord with the divine will, contrary to the purpose for which we were made, our souls are corrupted—we are habituated toward what is harmful to our minds, bodies, heart and soul. Choosing evil allows the powers of death to continue to pervert our natures meant for divine life. 

Even with the help of grace, the example of the saints, the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, our life is a constant battle. One of the great lines out of Vatican II reminds us, “Finding himself in the midst of the battlefield man has to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God’s grace, that he succeeds in achieving his own inner integrity.”

But inner integrity and sanctity can be achieved through effort, through faithfulness, through love. May we allow the victory of Christ to achieve victory in us today, in our decisions, our deliberate actions, in our struggle to do what is right, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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With confidence in God’s grace and a desire to grow in virtue, we bring our prayers before the Lord.

For the Church: That she may faithfully teach and inspire all people to choose good over evil, and to live in accord with God’s divine will.

For those in positions of leadership—civil, religious, and community leaders:

That they may govern and guide with integrity, promoting what is just and right, and resisting the corruption of selfish or sinful motives.

For all who struggle with temptation or with persistent sins: That they may be strengthened by God’s grace and the support of the Christian community, and find the courage to choose the path of virtue.

For those who have been hurt by their own or others’ misuse of free will: That God’s healing mercy will restore them, renew their hope, and guide them toward forgiveness and reconciliation.

For those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit: That the Lord will bring them comfort, and that our loving actions may be a sign of God’s care and compassion in their lives.

For our beloved dead: That they may be granted eternal rest and behold the face of God in the heavenly kingdom.

Merciful Father, you have given us the freedom to choose good and the grace to follow your will. Hear the prayers we offer you this day and help us to grow in holiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

February 10 2025 - St. Scholastica - Those who love more can do more

 

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Scholastica twin sister of St. Benedict.  

Benedict was studying in Rome when he heard God calling him to devote all of his life to serving God. He organized several communities of monks who also felt called to religious life.  The most famous of Benedict’s monasteries was at Monte Cassino, in Italy.  

His sister, Scholastica also felt called to the religious life, and the two siblings helped each other start a community for religious women about five miles south of Benedict’s monastery.

Because they were so dedicated to their holy way of life, they were only able to visit together once a year, and only for a short while, for they both had to return to their communities according to their rule of life.  

One year, they met at a residence half way between their two communities to spend the day praying and  speaking of God and the spiritual life.

When Benedict said he had to return to the monastery, Scholastica begged him to stay and talk awhile longer. Benedict refused, saying that his rule required that the monks be in their monastery at night. Heartbroken, Scholastica folded her hands, put her head on the table, and quietly wept and prayed. As she prayed, a storm began, so terrible that no one could venture out. "What have you done?" Benedict exclaimed to his sister. She explained that since he had refused the favor, she had turned to God instead, and God granted it. Benedict and Scholastica continued their conversation and prayer until morning.  And then both returned to their monastery.

Three days later, Scholastica died, and Benedict found himself grateful for the power of her prayers to direct the weather, even if it was against his will. 

During my recent trip to Florida, I found myself invoking Scholastica for better weather than the grey January cold sweeping the state. The sun did peek through the clouds a few times.

In his account of the story of Benedict and Scholastica, St. Gregory the Great said, “Since God is love, then surely he can do more who loves more.”  Scholastica, due to her great love for God and family was able to do something truly miraculous, but when we are motivated by love, we are able to do things beyond our normal inclinations.

We are able to help calm the storms of people’s lives and lead them to the peace of God. 

May St. Scholastica pray for us, that we may be animated by the love of God and neighbor for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the intercession of St. Scholastica, who was filled with love for God and neighbor, let us bring our prayers before the Lord.

For the Church: That all parishes and religious communities, may be places of deep prayer, holiness, and service to God

For siblings and families: family members may support one another in faith and grow together in God’s grace. 

For those suffering through storms—whether physical storms or the storms of life: That they may find calm and hope through the loving intercessions of the saints and the nearness of God. 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for all the souls in purgatory, and for N….

Loving Father, You granted St. Scholastica the gift of deep prayer and unwavering trust in Your love. May her example inspire us to seek You with all our hearts, that we may live lives of holiness and charity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025 - Put into the deep waters

 

When the new millennium began, Pope John Paul II wrote a letter to the Church and used the words of Jesus to Peter from today’s Gospel as its title.  In latin, they are “duc in altum”—“put out into the deep”.  

You might imagine Peter’s confusion or perhaps rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath, when Jesus, a carpenter, spoke those words to him, telling Peter, a professional fisherman,  how to do his job.  Peter and his crew had just fished all night and had just finished cleaning all of their equipment when Jesus instructed Peter to cast his net into deep waters.  

Even though it contradicted his professional sensibilities, trusting his master, Peter cast out into the depths of Lake Gennesaret, and catching so many fish, they had to call for another boat to bring them all in.  

In his uncertainty, he placed his deep trust in the Lord, and that made all the difference.  Pope John Paul II, aware of the many challenges the Church faced at the turn of the millennium, failing economies, impending wars, a culture becoming bent on instant gratification and materialism, he called upon Christians just like the Lord did to Peter, to cast out into the deep.  

If we are going to remain faithful amidst all of these worldly pressures, temptations and challenges, we must seek to be ever more deeply converted to Christ, to love him ever more deeply, to drink deeply of the Holy Spirit.

He had offered the same message when in Saint Peter’s square in 1978 in the opening address of his pontificate, he said, “Do not be afraid to Open wide the doors of your heart for Christ.”  Cast out into the deep, open wide the doors. 

Saint John Paul knew the importance of the Christian having the courage to enter the deep waters of prayer and service. 

He wrote how Christians must seek to meet Christ in prayer not only in imploring his help when things aren’t going our way, but also in thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listening and ardent devotion “until the heart truly 'falls in love'".  Prayer is a deep ocean, and most of us only like to get our feet wet. 

But we are called to plunge into the deep, where we don’t just speak to God, but we hear him and experience Him calling us by name. In those deep waters of prayer, we experience healing, emboldening, guidance, challenge, and union with Christ.

If we are only praying when we want something, if we only treat God like he’s Santa Clause, then we will never really fall in love with Jesus.  Rather, the Holy Father calls us to a deeper prayer life: time set aside every day for adoration and contemplation and listening.

In another sense, those words, “put out into the deep” is a call to every Christian, no matter what their state in life, to take up the missionary mandate of the Church. We are to put out into the depths, into the unknown, to bring in the catch of fish. 

What are the deep waters for us?  For many of us, no doubt, it is into the lives of family members who have left the practice of the church and to our neighbors.

And these places, it might seem foolish to our sensibilities, like Peter, the expert fisherman, being directed to cast into waters he had already fished. To those whom we have declined our invitation Church months or years ago, we do well to try again periodically. After all, you’ve been praying for them, no? God has been working in their lives, right? Maybe they weren’t ready in the past, but they might be ready, now! Your inclination might be to dismiss them, but the Lord hasn’t stopped working to open them to the way, the truth, and the life.

This week, prayerfully consider, “what are the deep waters that you are calling me to fish, Lord? Who are those fish swimming deep down in the depths, that I am being called by God  to try to reach?”

In the first reading, we heard of the call of Isaiah. The Lord certainly had a job for that would have been contrary to his sensibilities: to preach to his own people that their sins were so great that there would be consequences if they did not return to God with all their heart. But he said, “Here I am Lord, send me!”

 Recall, too,  that it was after the hot coal had been touched to his lips that Isaiah was prepared to be sent by God to preach. God said to him, “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” 

God wants to touch the hot coal of his mercy to our lips as well. Being vigilant and serious about removing sin from our lives makes us, like Isaiah, more effective in going to the places God wants to send us and speaking the words God wants us to speak. If it’s been a few months or more since the hot coal of the confessional has touched your lips…it’s time! Make a good, thorough examination of conscience and a good confession. The diocesan-wide evening of confessions returns this year on Wednesday March 19th. Most parishes in the diocese, including ours, will welcome the faithful from 5-8 pm. 

The call to cast into the deep is the call to trust the Lord. Trust the Lord. He knows better than you. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what you are capable of with his help. No one who truly trusted the Lord was ever disappointed. Let him forgive your sins and let him send you.

The same Jesus who called Peter to the depths is calling you—calling you to deeper prayer, deeper surrender, deeper mission. You may feel unworthy, as Isaiah did. You may feel unequipped, as Peter did. You may feel like you have tried and failed before. But the Lord is not asking for your perfection—He is asking for your faith. He is asking you to trust Him enough to go where He sends you, to try again, to open your heart fully to Him. The Lord does not abandon those who trust in Him. And He will not abandon you. Put out into the deep, open wide the doors of your heart, and you will see the power of God at work in your life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

First Friday Holy Hour - February 2025 - Christ is the same yesterday, today, forever

Since the conclusion of the Christmas season, the ordinary first readings from weekday Mass have been taken from the letter to the Hebrews. The letter was written to Christian converts from Judaism. For embracing Christ, they had been expelled from their synagogues, shunned by their families, and now also experienced persecution for being Christian in the Roman Empire. 

The letter seeks to embolden those who were wavering in their faith or tempted to return to their old way of life. 

Much of Hebrews focuses on deep theological truths that serve to embolden the Jewish Christians—how Jesus is our eternal High Priest, the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, and the one true mediator between God and man. 

Today’s passage comes from the final chapter of the letter, and pivots from theological excursus to practical morality, showing that true faith is not just a matter of theological understanding but must be lived out through brotherly love, hospitality, compassion, sexual purity, detachment from material goods, and trust in God’s providence.

The passage concludes with the powerful affirmation: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This declaration ties back to the earlier chapters of Hebrews, which emphasize: Christ’s eternal priesthood and the unchanging nature of God’s promise.

And in doing so, this passage bridges the doctrinal and practical. After spending so much time explaining who Christ is and what He has accomplished, but this passage reminds us that knowing Christ should change how we live.

Similarly, as we gather for Eucharistic adoration, adoring Christ for his sacrificial self-giving for us, we recall that we are called to go forth and live out that love—showing hospitality, caring for the suffering, embracing purity, and trusting in His providence.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." He is our foundation, our strength, our constant companion. In the stillness of this Holy Hour, let us ask Him to transform us, that we, like Him, may love more deeply, to serve more generously, to live more faithfully. May this time set our hearts afire with the desire to make His presence known in the world, so that through us, others may come to know the One who never forsakes or abandons His people, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

4th Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Friday - Kindness and Courage (school mass)

What wonderful scripture readings we read today in which we hear God calling each of us—no matter our age or situation—to be kind, to stand up for what is right, and to trust that He is always with us. 

In the first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we hear about “brotherly love” and “hospitality.” In other words, God calls us to care for others, to be welcoming and to treat people with respect. You never know when your acts of kindness might help someone who feels alone or afraid; an act of kindness can change someone’s day, or even change someone’s life. 

In the Gospel, we hear a sad story about King Herod and John the Baptist. John was brave and told the truth about what was right and wrong. But King Herod, wanting to look good in front of his friends, ended up making a terrible choice and had John killed. This shows how dangerous it can be when we care too much about impressing others or doing the popular thing instead of the right thing. Even though John suffered, he stayed faithful to God until the end.

Again, these stories teach us something important: no one is too young or too old, too small or too ordinary, to do what is right. Our challenges are a lot like John the Baptists: do we stand up for a classmate who’s being teased? Do we share with someone who’s lonely or help a friend in need? When we do these simple acts of love, God’s power is unleashed, his light shines in the darkness, his love and goodness is made known--the love and goodness and light of the Heart of Jesus.

But acts of goodness, kindness, and generosity require real effort and real courage. But these are the great deeds God calls us to. May God help us, and may the saints inspire us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in God’s constant presence and His call to do what is right, we bring our needs and the needs of the world before our loving Father:

That we may show brotherly love and hospitality, welcoming others with kindness and respect, and reflecting God’s goodness to everyone they meet.

For leaders of nations and communities: That they may make wise, courageous decisions that seek the common good, resisting any temptation to compromise what is right for the sake of popularity or power.

For all who suffer injustice or feel alone: That they may experience God’s loving care and be protected from discouragement.

For those preparing for the Easter Sacraments: may God’s Word help them experience the grace of daily conversion and the joy of the followers of Christ.  

For the sick, the suffering, and those facing difficult choices: That they may trust in God’s presence, find healing, and receive the compassionate support they need from friends and caregivers.

For our faithful departed: That they may rest in God’s eternal peace, alongside the saints who inspire us to live with courage, generosity, and love, especially N. 

Heavenly Father, You teach us through Your Word to be kind, courageous, and welcoming. Hear our prayers and strengthen us each day to do what is right, sharing Your love in all we do. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

February 5 2025 - St. Agatha, virgin martyr - God chooses the weak to shame the strong

 

For the feast of the virgin martyr, St. Agatha we read from st. paul’s letter to the Corinthians in which St. Paul explains that God’s ways often defy human logic and expectation. God choses the foolish, weak, lowly, and despised of the world, to shame the worldly wise, strong, and powerful.

The virgin martyrs like Agatha, Agnes, Anastasia, Cecilia, Barbara, Ursula, Philomena, Kateri Tekakwitha, Maria Goretti, were not rich and power women in the eyes of the world. They were considered foolish, weak, lowly, and even despised. But God chose them, to witness and teach the world what is truly important.

Saint Agatha was a beautiful Sicilian woman who had consecrated herself to Christ—to be His bride—to spend her life in his prayerful service and consecrated virginity.

When she refused the romantic advances of a pagan man, he turned her into the authorities. Since she would not offer the pagan sacrifice, she was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually killed.

This woman, who witnessed to her Lord with her life, is now remembered and honored 1800 years after her death. Children and churches have been named after her. Statues of her have been venerated by countless souls.

In St. Agatha, we see the profound truth that God delights in using the small, meek, and unassuming to accomplish great things. Her witness stands as a luminous reminder that our age,  or social standing do not determine our ability to serve Christ. What is required is faithfulness, courage, and a willingness to embrace God’s call, no matter the cost.

Like Agatha, who gave her entire being to the service of the Lord, we too are called to see beyond worldly measures of success or worth. When we entrust ourselves wholeheartedly to the Savior, in any place we find ourselves—at home, at work, in our parish, or within our families—God can use us to spread His love, protect the vulnerable, and witness to the transforming power of grace.

Today, inspired by St. Agatha’s radiant example, let us pray for the courage to fully entrust ourselves to the Lord—to serve him any way we can, anyway that he calls us to serve Him. Wherever you find yourself, prayerfully entrust yourself to God’s will, put yourself at His disposal even if that means suffering to bring about a greater good, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Let us bring our prayers before God our Father, who delights in raising up the lowly and humble for His purposes, as we honor the witness of Saint Agatha:

For the Church: That all Christians may remain faithful to Christ and courageous in witnessing to the Gospel in every circumstance.

For the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized: That God, who chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, may empower and protect them, granting them justice and hope through His grace.

For consecrated women and men: that they may bear witness to God’s love through their vows, inspire others to deeper faith, and be faithful signs of Christ’s presence in the world.

That St. Agatha, patron saint of breast cancer patients, may bring healing and strength to all those who suffer disease or illness.

For our departed brothers and sisters: That they may enjoy the fullness of eternal life in the company of all the saints.

Heavenly Father, You reveal Your power by choosing the weak and lowly. Hear our prayers. And through the intercession of St. Agatha, strengthen us to persevere in faith, and make our lives a reflection of Your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4th Week of Ordinary Time 2025 - Tuesday - Fall at the feet of Jesus

 Throughout the Gospels, we read of many different reactions to Jesus:

Some, like the apostles, left everything to follow him. Some, drew near to him for miracles, but walked away when it came time to abide by his teachings. Some reacted with downright vehemence, tearing their garments in anger.

In today’s Gospel, St. Mark describes a number of reactions to Jesus. 

Jairus, a man of considerable eminence, approached Jesus and fell at His feet, asking in faith for him to heal his daughter. In the incident that followed, when Jesus asked who had touched him, the hemorrhaging woman also approached and fell at his feet, her faith a conduit for healing. Then we heard of the he servants of Jairus’ household. They approached with little faith, doubting Jesus possessed the power necessary to save the little girl. 

In highlighting these different reactions to Jesus, we are challenged to consider how we are reacting to him. Maybe there were points in our life when we’ve reacted like the people in Nazareth, wanting to silence Him by all means necessary. Maybe, now, after coming to faith, we fluctuate. There are moments where we fall down at his feet in worship like Jairus, when we reach out to the hem of his garment to be healed like the woman with the hemorrhage, but sometimes, even after encountering him over and over, working miracles, delivering souls from evil, we still doubt he has the power to save us. Our faith fluctuates. Why?

Our faith fluctuates for many reasons—perhaps because we rely too heavily on our own strength, or we fear entrusting certain areas of our lives to the Lord. But the stories of Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman show us that we do not need perfect faith to encounter Jesus; what we need is the humility and courage to turn to Him, however uncertain we may feel.

Notice that He does not scold or reject anyone who approaches Him, even with faltering faith—He responds with compassion and healing. 

Like Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhage, or task is to recognize our need for Jesus, and to fall at his feet asking for help. So often, we continue to commit the same sins over and over, or we fail to see real spiritual growth because we do not ask for help. It’s okay to admit even that you are unfilled in life. Ask God for help to find fulfillment. Maybe it’s your routine that needs to change, maybe simply your outlook. But the Lord will help you find fulfillment, if you turn and ask for help.

Today, let us commit ourselves anew to drawing near to Christ, trusting that He can do what we cannot do for ourselves, and allowing His power to transform our lives for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Confident that Jesus meets us with compassion when we turn to Him in faith, let us bring our needs and the needs of the world before our loving Father:

For the Church – that all believers may draw near to Christ with humble and courageous faith, trusting in His power to guide and heal us.

For world leaders and those in authority – that they may look to the Gospel for wisdom in fulfilling their duties and serving the common good

For those struggling with doubt or wavering faith – that they may, like Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman, find the grace to place their trust in Jesus’ transforming love.

For the sick and those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit – that, by approaching the Lord in prayer, they may experience His healing presence and compassionate care.

For all who have died, especially N. that they may be welcomed into the fullness of life and peace in God’s kingdom.

Heavenly Father, receive the prayers we offer this day. May each of us, with humble hearts, draw close to Your Son for healing and deliverance. Grant us the faith to trust in His power to save us, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

February 3 2025 - St. Blaise - May the Lord deliver you

 

I remember one year, a school teacher joking that every after the annual St Blaise throat blessing she would get some sort of sore throat. And I would joke back, just think how bad the sore throat would have been without the blessing! And consider this: do you have a sore throat right now?” “No” she answered. “Then God delivered you from the illness, just as we prayed”.

“Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may the Lord deliver you from every disease of the throat.” 

Deliverance is a common message in scripture. In the Book of Exodus, God delivers his people from slavery. Through his chosen instrument, the young shepherd boy, David, God delivered his people from the Philistines, when David slew Goliath. God delivered Daniel from the Lion’s Den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the fiery furnace. 

In his own public ministry, the Lord Jesus delivered countless people from illness and demon possession. He rescued the apostles from the terrible storm on the sea of Galilee, and the multitude of people from hunger when he multiplied the fish and loaves. God delivered Paul and Silas from prison, and sent an angel to deliver Peter and the apostles from prison as well. 

Notice, that in each case God’s people are already suffering: Daniel is in the lion’s den, the paralytic is already paralyzed, Peter is already in prison. 

Rather than shielding us from all suffering, God chooses to deliver us from our suffering to help us draw closer to him, to recognize that He is our salvation. 

This is most evident in our salvation in Christ. In our sinful state, we are to recognize that Jesus Christ alone is our salvation. The life of faith begins when we recognize that. We are lost without him. Lord, deliver us. 

He even taught us to pray, “deliver us from evil”. In the course of this life, we will continue to experience many forms of suffering and evil. But we learn to turn to God in those times to deliver us, to provide the help that can only come from Him. In this way, God has transformed our suffering into an avenue of grace, growth, and salvation.

May we form that habit of turning to the Lord for help in all of our troubles, especially our sinfulness, opening our minds and hearts to his grace, and experiencing the transformation he desires for us, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church: That she may faithfully proclaim Christ as our Deliverer, leading all people to trust in His power to set us free from sin and every form of spiritual bondage. Let us pray to the Lord…

For all who hold public office: That they may follow God’s example of deliverance by working tirelessly to liberate the oppressed, promote justice, and protect the vulnerable in society. Let us pray to the Lord…

For those enduring trials and hardships: That they may never lose hope but turn to the Lord in their suffering, trusting in His saving hand to deliver, strengthen, and transform them. Let us pray to the Lord…

For our members of our parish: That we may be instruments of God’s mercy, offering prayers and support for those who suffer, and bearing witness to the power of God to deliver and save. Let us pray to the Lord…

For the sick and suffering, especially those with ailments of the throat: Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, may the Lord grant them healing, relief from pain, and renewed strength of body and spirit. Let us pray to the Lord…

For the faithful departed: That they may be delivered from every bond of sin and welcomed into the fullness of life and peace in God’s eternal kingdom, especially N. Let us pray to the Lord…

God our Deliverer, You have shown Your mighty power throughout history, rescuing Your people from danger, sickness, and sin. Hear our prayers this day. Help us to turn to You with unwavering faith in times of trial, that we may always experience Your transforming grace. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

February 2 2025 - Feast of the Presentation - 5 years after COVID and the Light of Faith

 As I began preparing to write my homily this weekend, I was trying to recall the last time we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation—Candlemas--at the weekend masses. Eventually, I had to look it up, and realized why I was having a hard time remembering. The year was 2020, when February 2 fell on a Sunday, and a lot was on our mind that year. Already in February 2020, news of COVID deaths were being reported in Asia, the middle East, and Europe, though, I think at that time, we were still calling it “the China-Virus”. On February 2, 2020 there were only 11 COVID cases reported in the United States. The first COVID death in the US wouldn’t be reported until February 29, 2020, but anxiety was certainly growing among us, and conflicting news reports. Theories of the virus’ origin were already starting to circulate, and speculations of how our government would handle things, but we were still some time away from “fifteen days to slow the spread”. 

So, the last time we celebrated this particular feast together, at the weekend masses, we were bracing ourselves for facing the unknown. We gathered in the light of Christ, lighting our Candlemas candles, facing a dark horizon, an incoming storm—having no real knowledge how the global pandemic would unfold. 

Yet, we gathered. And that light, the light our Candlemas candles symbolize—was so important, wasn’t it?

Now, maybe, for some, the light of faith flickered in those ensuing months, as church doors were locked. Perhaps, for some, the light of faith was extinguished.  After all, for many parishes, weekend mass attendance has still not recovered.

To some people, church leaders seemed to fail us precisely when we desperately desired access to the sacraments. 

For some, the flame of faith flickered due to the convenience of live streamed masses, leading them to question the need to return to physical attendance. Some, out of caution for their own health or for other vulnerable persons, the risk of gathering for mass continued to be a deterrent. Some continued to exercise great caution, even after the bishops encouraged us to return to Mass. 

Some, sadly, began questioning the value of even gathering for Mass, and simply haven’t returned.

But here we. And the Lord has seen through the darkness of that particular point in history, to light our candles once again, thanks be to God.

And now, our task, once again, is to consider, how the Lord calls us to bear the light of faith brightly and spread that light to others. 

Sharing the light of faith with others is an act of love and concern for their souls. It is an act of love and it is our Christian duty. 

We are to be so faithful to this task of sharing the light of faith, that at the end of the day when our head hits the pillow, we are able to echo the words of Simeon in the Gospel today, “Now you let your servant go in peace, your word has been fulfilled”. In other words, I can sleep in peace, knowing that I have done what I could today to bear the light of faith and share the light of faith to those I encountered, to those I have been called by God to seek out.

The very first encyclical of our Holy Father Pope Francis, all the way back in 2013 was about the light of faith.  Its opening line, “The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus.”  The light of faith helps us to avoid the dark errors of sin and to walk the path of righteousness.  But also, by the light of Faith we come to know about God and we come to know about ourselves.  

The Pope writes, “The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence.” Faith helps us to understand the confusing matters of our life, by helping us see from the perspective of God. Even our human suffering is made comprehensible by faith. 

I don’t know about you, but, my faith really wasn’t shaken during that whole COVID mess. Because faith, being a follower of Jesus, isn’t about not having to face darkness, rather it’s about knowing how to continue walking toward God despite the darkness. 

With the light of faith diminishing in many corners of the world, the Pope writes “There is an urgent need,” “to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.” The urgent need to spread the light of faith, means to help others understand the importance of faith—the importance of walking a Christ’s disciples, of recognizing him, again as Simeon says, as “the Lumen ad revelationem gentium---the light of revelation to the nations of the world. Because if that light dies out, we’re all in trouble. Francis says, the Church “depends on the fidelity of witnesses chosen by the Lord for this task.”

And you and I, brothers and sisters, have been chosen for this task, to be like Simeon, and Anna in the Gospel today, who is bursting with joy in speaking to people about the Christ child. So this feast is a reminder and an opportunity to renew our commitment to share the light of Christ with those whose candles may be flickering or unlit. Every act of Christian charity, every time we encourage someone to pray, better yet, every time we pray with someone who is struggling, encouraging them in their suffering with words of faith, is an act of faithfulness to God that helps spread faith.

At every Mass too the Lord desires to strengthen our Faith, when encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, in which Pope Francis writes, “faith finds its highest expression”. “The Eucharist is a precious nourishment for faith: an encounter with Christ truly present in the supreme act of his love, the life-giving gift of himself.”

May our faithful encounter with the Lord’s self-giving act of love, help us to carry from this place the joyful certainty that our faith not only sustains us but also has the power to transform lives—as we seek the fulfillment of our lives through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.