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.

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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.

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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.

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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.