22nd Week in Ordinary Time 2023 - Tuesday - Nazareth vs. Capernaum

 For the first nine weeks of Ordinary Time, the weekday Gospel readings are taken from the Gospel of Mark. And then for about 12 more weeks, the Gospels are taken from Matthew. From now until the end of the liturgical year, we read from the Gospel of Luke. 

Yet, we don’t start with chapter one of Luke’s Gospel, for those are read throughout the advent and Christmas seasons. So we begin at the beginning of Our Lord’s public ministry, about 30 years after his birth, in Luke chapter 4.

And chapter 4 begins with the Lord in Nazareth, the place where he grew up, and he enters the synagogue on the sabbath, reads from the prophet Isaiah, basically claiming to be the fulfillment of the Messiah prophecy, and is then driven to the edge of the cliff by the townsfolk and almost killed. 

Today, the Lord comes to another synagogue, to the town of Capernaum, about 25 miles to the northeast. It’s the sabbath again, so perhaps only a week has gone by. 

And again he teaches. But, unlike the people of Nazareth who were filled with fury, the people of Capernaum were filled with astonishment. And then he performs an exorcism. 

In an atmosphere where Jesus is accepted and believed and listened to, demons are driven out. Where he is rejected, man allows the demons to remain in control, and push Jesus to the edge of their lives.

The task of the Christian is to bring Jesus into the lives of the peoples of our world, into their families, and homes. Will they reject him, like they did at Nazareth, or will they accept him and allow him to cast out their demons like in Capernaum? Well, we don’t find out until we are faithful to our task of bringing him into the synagogues of their lives. But we can’t be afraid to bring Jesus into someone’s life because the reaction might be a Nazareth and not a Capernaum. 

Nor can we give up on someone just because a demon shows up that is initially hostile. We must spend enough time with folks where we give Jesus the time to cast the demon out. 

There’s certainly some missionary instruction in today’s Gospel, and some of us are called to be missionaries. The missionary mustn’t be afraid of demons, rather, the manifestation of the demon is a sign that the Lord wants to cast it out. When the demon bares its teeth and calls for Jesus to be silenced, you don’t run away. You rebuke that demon in the name of Jesus, and pray for it to be cast out. Then the healing can begin, and the conversion to Christ.

And that’s true in our own life, when an old demon, an old temptation, bears its teeth, remain calm, and pray for the Lord to cast it out.

May our lives, our parish, our neighborhood be places where the Lord is encountered and believed, may his authority over the powers of darkness cast out demons and bring the light of faith, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For a flourishing of spiritual gifts needed for the missionary work and evangelizing mission of the Church.

For all those afflicted with demons, those who are overwhelmed with the Spirit of the World, that, through the ministry of the Church, they may know the cleansing power and mercy of Christ.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to practice Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families. 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom; and for N….

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

22nd Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Tuesday - A tale of two Galilean towns

 For the first nine weeks of Ordinary Time, the weekday Gospel readings are taken from the Gospel of Mark. And then for about 12 more weeks, the Gospels are taken from Matthew. From now until the end of the liturgical year, we read from the Gospel of Luke. 

Notice though, that we didn’t begin with Luke Chapter 1, we’ve skipped already to chapter 4, and that’s because those first four chapters of Luke are the infancy narratives and we read through those chapters throughout advent and Christmas. 

Our Ordinary Time reading of Luke begins with the beginning of the Lord’s public ministry.

Had we not celebrated the memorial of The Passion of St. John the Baptist, yesterday, we would have heard how the Lord’s public ministry began with rejection. He comes out of the desert, having fasted for 40 days, filled with the spirit, he goes to Nazareth, opens the scroll, begins to read how the prophecies of old are now being fulfilled in their midst, and he is driven out of town by his townsfolk, and they attempt to hurl him over a cliff.

So, today, we hear that the Lord decided to take his ministry to Capernaum—a distance of about 25 miles, the distance from downtown Cleveland to Akron or Madison. . Perhaps a week had passed since Nazareth. For the rejection at Nazareth took place in a synagogue on a sabbath, and today’s passage, which immediately follows, takes place, again, in a synagogue, on a sabbath. And the reaction to his teaching couldn’t have been more drastic.

Instead of rejection, like there was in Nazareth, in Capernaum there is astonishment, miracles, healings, and exorcisms. He is not driven to the edge of town, he is welcomed into a home in the heart of town, to the home of Simon, who will be later named Peter. A tale of two cities, a tale of two responses to Jesus—to his Gospel.

The reader of the Gospel is presented with an immediate choice: do I want to be like the people of Nazareth or the people of Capernaum. Do I drive Jesus from my midst through my sins and hard-heartedness, or do I welcome him and his Truth and become open to the healings and miracles and deliverance that he brings.

The people of Nazareth claimed to know him but really did not. Their familiarity had led them to contempt. People of faith, even life long Catholics, however, know a secret, that we can constantly rediscover Jesus anew, if we are honest in our spiritual lives, and welcome him deeper into the recesses of our lives and hearts.

Throughout the remainder of Ordinary Time, reading through St. Luke’s beautiful Gospel, may we allow the Lord to challenge us, teach us, heal us, and deliver us for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the flourishing of spiritual gifts in the universal Church and our parish, for the sanctification of our parishioners, the conversion of the faithless, and the grace to be not just hearers of the word but doers of the word. 

For an end to indifference to the Gospel, to God and human dignity in our government & educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to practice Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families. 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

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

1st Week of Ordinary Time 2022 - Friday - Good Christian Friendship

 On Wednesday, we read from St. Mark’s Gospel how the Lord healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. The whole town began to gather at his door, and he began to heal them and cast out demons. The Lord then embarked on a short tour around the towns and villages of Galilee doing the same. 

In today’s Gospel he has returned to his home base, in the fishing village of Capernaum, where he began to preach from the stoop of his doorway.  

While he preached, these men wanted to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus to be healed.  Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they climbed up onto Peter’s roof, opened up the roof above him, and lowered their paralyzed friend down through the hole in the roof.  Peter I’m sure let out a long sigh at that point…

The Lord reveals something profound about himself in this encounter. That not only does he have the power to cure paralysis, he has the power to look into a man’s heart and forgive his sins. Something, only God can do. He is God. And this healing miracle serves as a sort of Theophany—in which God reveals Himself. To those who are paying attention—Jesus reveals he is God incarnate in the midst of his people.

While this Gospel passage certainly reveals something about Jesus’ identity and mission, I’m always deeply impressed by the four men who climb Peter’s roof in order to bring their friend to Jesus.

These four men, in a sense, foreshadow the Church, who will have the mission of bringing souls to Christ. In my hometown, there is a Christian community called the Friends church, and they take very seriously this duty of bringing their neighbors to church with them. And they have been wildly successful, and have had to expand their church multiple times.

If only the Catholics in my hometown were as good of friends as the Friends.

The Christian has the duty of being like those four friends in the Gospel, working together. Notice it’s not just one person, a lone wolf, but four people, working together to bring their friend to Jesus.  We are to be good friends who go to serious lengths. When’s the last time you climbed a roof, done something kind of risky, in order to bring someone to Jesus. Christians are to take risks to help people encounter Jesus. 

We need to be good friends, and we need good friends. Not people who will keep us out too late on Saturday night so that we are too tired to go to Mass on Sunday. Or people who will introduce new vices into our lives. But friends who will encourage us in holiness. 

But we need to surround ourselves with the sort of friends that would go to the length that the four men did in the Gospel, to break through a roof in order to bring their friends to Christ.  True friends care about your eternal soul, not just having a good time or enabling your sinful habits. A good friend will tell you when you’ve been selfish and need to go to the Sacrament of Confession.  

May we be good Christian friends, may we know the help of good Christian friends, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church and deliverance from the evils of the enemy. And that Christians may work together in bringing the spiritually paralyzed to Christ.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, and that married couples may be generous and faithful in raising children according to the law of Christ and his Church. 

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, those facing religious persecution, immigrants and refugees, those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

1st Week of Ordinary Time 2022 - Tuesday - The end of the devil's reign

 From now until the beginning of Lent on March 2, our weekday Gospel readings will be taken from the Gospel of Mark.  

Without skipping any passages we’ll make our way from chapter 1 through chapter 10—beginning with the commencement of the Lord’s public ministry, which we heard yesterday, through his transfiguration and the first predictions of his Passion.

I love Mark’s Gospel and once memorized and could recite the order of the stories of Mark. Mark, being the shortest Gospel, it can be read in a single sitting without too much effort. And often it was read in its entirety to the early Church. So if you’ve never read Mark from beginning to end these are good days for such a practice.

In today’s Gospel passage we see one of the major themes of the Gospel on display, Jesus in confrontation with the powers of hell. 

“Have you come to destroy us?” asks the demon. “Why yes, yes he has”. 

The Lord’s appearance, his public ministry, marks the beginning of the demise of the kingdom of satan established at the fall of adam and eve. Satan’s rebellion against God led man astray and into sin, causing man’s disfigurement by sin, a darkening of his intellect, a weakening of his will, and a diminished unity of body and soul, a worst of all, death. 

And not only does Jesus come and challenge the devil’s claim on mankind, he signals the end of the devil’s reign through a series of exorcisms and miracles that will culminate in the ultimate victory of the cross.

This powerful drama plays out on the pages of the Gospel of Mark, but it is also meant to play out in our own lives.

During Ordinary time, the Lord wishes to march again into our lives, as he marched into the synagogue in Capernaum, and muzzle and bind and cast out the devil’s that plague us. Ordinary Time is anything but ordinary, for the Lord  works powerful miracles of deliverance as we seek to conform our lives to his teaching and open the ordinary dimensions of our lives to his grace.

May we cooperate fully, for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For the liberation of those bound by evil, those committed to sin an error, those oppressed or possessed by evil spirits, and for the conversion of the hardest hearts.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - The priority of the spiritual over the physical

 

Imagine, with you, that you are peter, james, john or Andrew in the Gospel today. Now mind you, this passage is very early on in the Gospel of Mark. You’ve known Jesus for less then a week. You may have heard something about him being called the Lamb of God by out preacher out in the desert, but you aren’t really sure what that means. He’s told you that he’s going to make you a fisher of men, but you don’t really know what THAT means. He’s indicated he needs a place to stay, so you’ve invited him to come to Capernaum, your home town, and just this morning, he did the most amazing thing you ever saw: he walked into the town synagogue, and a demon began hissing and cursing at him, and called him the Holy One of God. He then commanded the demon to be silent, and cast it out, amazing everyone present.

Leaving the synagogue you go to Peter’s house, and Jesus does something else you’ve never seen. He heals Peter’s sick bed-ridden mother-in-law. Then at sunset, his fame having spread throughout the region because of the exorcism, droves of sick people come to him, and he heals them too and drives out even more demons. Who is this person?

I bet it was quite difficult for Peter, James, Andrew, and John to sleep that first night: replaying the scenes of the preceding day, the anguished haunted faces of the demon possessed becoming serene, the deathly ill suddenly regaining health. Questions bouncing around in their head, possibilities for the future. What’s going on here? What does he want from us? Is there a limit to his ability to heal? What’s tomorrow going to bring?

You finally drift up to sleep, and upon waking, He’s gone. Where is he? Where’s the miracle man. Everyone goes out to look for him. He has a lot to answer for, and there will be, no doubt, more people demanding healing. 

And then he says something surprising: he says, let’s get out of here. No more healings today. Because that’s not why I’ve come. I’ve come to preach.

Your first thought might be “come from where?” He’s from Galilee, we’re in Galilee. He speaks with the accent of Galilean. Again, what is he talking about. And what does he mean? Where has he come from? And how is preaching more important than casting out demons and healing the sick? What could be more important than that?

If the first great question in the Gospel of Mark is “who is this person?” The second, is certainly, “how is preaching more important than healing the sick?” How is preaching a greater priority than curing people who are dying? If he has the power to do that, why doesn’t he do that?

Here the Lord intimates the priority of the spiritual over the physical. Preaching the truth of the Gospel is more important, it is the reason he has come. To “preach” in St. Mark’s original Greek is the Greek word “kérussó”—to preach, to proclaim, to herald, to announce, to establish through his Word—the kingdom of heaven. This is the priority: to preach and establish the kingdom of God for the conversion of those held sway by the kingdom of darkness. And in the end, that is everybody. To preach and invite all people of all places and all times to conversion—to faith and new spiritual life though him. 

All those healing miracles, while yes, they show us the love that God has for all the physically sick, they indicate God’s love for the spiritually sick, all of us. Moreover, all those physical healings symbolize on the physical level what Jesus has come to do on the spiritual level. The healing miracles—the healing of the mute, the blind, the deaf, and the leper—are physical analogues of what he’s come to do spiritually. He has come to heal the spiritually mute—those unable to speak the Word of God due to ignorance or fear; he’s come to heal the blind—those who do not see God at work in the world, and those who do not see the dignity of the human person; he has come to heal the spiritually deaf—those who turn a deaf ear to the truth of God and the call of the poor; and he has come to heal the spiritual leper—those who have contracted the deadly spiritual malady of sin that has separated us from God.

Why is there a priority of the spiritual over the physical? Because the spiritually dead will be separated from God for ever. While those who are reborn by grace, those alive in the spirit—they will remain united to God forever, even though they may experience physical death, they will live forever.

Hence the importance of maintaining and nourishing our spiritual lives. Repenting of sin and confessing our sins. Receiving the bread of life, the Eucharist. Engaging in prayer and good works and spreading the Gospel even when there is a physical price to pay for these things. For the spiritual takes priority over the physical.

In less than two weeks, we will begin again the holy and penitential season of Lent, the time of the Church year for identifying those habits, attitudes, behaviors, and attachments that keep us from living for Christ. We identify the physical pleasures and comforts that, however good, we fast from and abstain from, to remember that in this earthly life, I am not meant to live for the physical and the earthly, but to pursue the spiritual and the heavenly. 

I think it is so important for us to be immersed in the history of the apostles and saints and martyrs, because we encounter, in the holy ones, men and women, of every race and age, who have recognized the need to live for God. The apostles imprisonment and  torture to preach the Gospel, and counted it a joy to persecuted for the sake of the name of Jesus. The martyrs of the early Church, like St. Ignatius who when offered the opportunity to save his physical life by offering a tribute to a pagan god refused, as it would violate the first commandment? Would you die for the first commandment. What does it profit a man to preserve his earthly life, or gain the whole world, but lose his soul?

In the martyrs and the saints, the Lord takes very weak and very ordinary people and transforms them into heroes of our faith, again to show us, the importance, the priority of the spiritual over the physical. So much so that Paul, as we heard in the second reading today, counts all things as loss—woe to me, if I do not prioritize the preaching of the Gospel over all else…for if I don’t preach it, I don’t have a share in it. If I don’t preach it, I don’t have a share in it. That line should cause us to do some serious reflection on our priorities, no? If I don’t preach the Gospel, I don’t have share in it. Does my life, do my words, do my actions, does my lifestyle, speak of—does it preach—the Gospel of Christ? Does the way I act in public and private stem from and point to the Gospel?

Paul hints at the radical nature of Christianity. Radical, not meaning not crazy or irrationally zealous, like it’s sometimes used, but radical coming from the word radix which means, root. Christianity requires reorientation to God all the way down to the root of our human nature. Again, this is why Paul, imprisoned, sentenced to die, having spent his remaining days preaching the Gospel, so transformed by grace, is able to say, it is no longer me, but Christ, who lives in me. 

When faith is prioritized over all else, it shapes and changes and transforms all else, into the work of Christ—preaching and establishing the kingdom—just as he did 2000 years ago, he continues this work, through us for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

1st Week of OT 2021 - Wednesday - "For this purpose have I come"

 “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” Imagine you are peter, james, john or Andrew. You’ve followed Jesus to Capernaum and seen him exorcize a demon and begin to perform these miraculous healings. He’s told you that he’s going to make you fishers of men, but you don’t really know what that means. You don’t quite understand where this whole thing is going yet, and he tells you that we’re not just going to stay here in Capernaum, we are going to proclaim the Gospel to the surrounding villages and all of Galilee—this is the reason I have come, for this purpose, to proclaim this kingdom all throughout this land.

Your first thought might be “come from where”? He speaks with the accent of Galilean, he’s still in Galilee. So where did he come from? The Lord knows that the small band is probably not quite ready for the whole truth, so he hints that he has come from heaven. This little phrase hints at the preexistence of the second person of the Trinity with the Father—it hints at the Lord’s divine nature. He has come. He has arrived. So the reader of the Gospel of Mark, hearing it for the first time, would be asking along with the disciples, “who is this guy?”

The reason why he has come is to “preach” to proclaim—the Greek word is “kérussó”—he has come to herald, to announce, to proclaim, and to drive out demons. To preach the kingdom of god and to release people from the kingdom of darkness. 

The truth of the Gospel is preached to enlighten the minds of the people so that the demons can no longer maintain their hold. Because the devil lurks and takes roots in error and lies. But like his combat with the devil in the desert, the devil’s lies and power are overcome by truth and obedience to God. 

Again, ordinary time means putting this stuff into practice in the ordinary circumstances of our lives. So, we continue to ponder and meditate upon the identity of Jesus with the apostles, we continue to listen to his truth, allowing his truth to weaken and cast out the errors and lies of the enemy which have taken root in our life. Where have we made allowances for sin and selfishness? Where have we allowed worldliness to take priority over pursuing the things of God? Where am I obstructing the flowering of sacramental grace?

For this has he come, to preach the Gospel to us, and to cast out demons in us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church and deliverance from the evils of the enemy.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For the liberation of those bound by evil, those committed to sin an error, those oppressed or possessed by evil spirits, and for the conversion of the hardest hearts.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

22nd Week in OT 2020 - Wedneday - Welcoming Jesus into your home

Yesterday, we heard how the first thing Jesus does upon coming to Capernaum for the first time, in that first stage of his public ministry, he goes to a synagogue and casts out a demon. And so I reflected upon how the Lord desires to use us for that same purpose, of praying for those we come across throughout the day, praying for their deliverance of any demons or any evil they might be wrestling with in their lives. Also, I spoke of the need to place blessed and holy objects in your own home, to protect it from evil—holy objects, like crucifixes and images of our lady, to remind you to avoid evil. 

Today, we hear how after casting out the demon, the Lord makes his way to the home of St. Peter’s mother in law. Jesus enters a home—he enters many homes throughout his ministry. Again, one of the reason it is good to have those holy images and objects in our homes, is to have those constant reminders that we need to welcome Jesus into our homes. His presence should be felt there, by those who visit, in the way that we act and the way that we speak in our homes. 

When the Lord enters the home of Peter’s mother-in-law, he immediately brings healing and peace. So, too, when the Lord is a resident in our home through faith, the home is transformed. Constant arguments between family members, homes devoid of family prayer, are sure signs that Jesus needs to be welcomed more deeply into the home. For a Christian home is to be a refuge from the chaos and evil out in the world. 

The Lord later speaks of the home built upon the solid rock foundations of his teaching—it is able to withstand the winds of chaos and the calamities. 

Jesus would use the home of St. Peter’s mother-in-law as his headquarters, no doubt planning his ministry, his sermons, his visits. So too, the holy Christian home becomes a center for evangelization, where the members of the family plan together how they, as a family, will spread the word of God out in the world. They will pray together, study God’s word together, in order to be guided, inspired, and emboldened. 

The Lord stands at the door and knocks at the doors of many homes, but many in our culture, many swept up in worldliness, refuse him entry. So let us make homes for him and invite others to do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

That Christian families may pray together, study the word of God together, and encourage one another to grow in virtue and holiness. 

For an end to indifference to God and human dignity in our government and educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes.

During this month of September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, we pray for all those who grieve, and that we may grieve sufficiently for our sins.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

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

3rd Week in OT 2019 - Tuesday - The family of Jesus

At the end of chapter 3 of Mark’s Gospel, we hear of Jesus’ relatives coming to Capernaum. Have they traveled from Nazareth to become his disciples? Not exactly. Mark tells us, they came “to seize him”.

For the ancient Jews, as for many non-Western cultures today, an individual existed only as part of an extended family unit, whose authority-structure, obligations, and customs governed every aspect of life. Any action by an individual was a reflection on the whole family, and any breach of family-honor could be met with severe discipline. Since Jesus’ foster-father, Joseph, was presumably no longer alive at this point, Jesus’ uncles and senior cousins would have considered him under their charge and answerable to them for his conduct.

And so, Jesus’ relatives come to Capernaum to bring him home. From their perspective, Jesus should be back in Nazareth making tables and chairs, not associating with throngs of sick and demon-possessed people, not to mention arousing the hostility of the religious leaders. Their action was probably motivated by a desire to protect him. They probably thought he was out of his mind, maybe even possessed by some evil spirit.

Pointing out his disciples and saying, “here are my mother and my brothers” would have been shocking in the cultural context of first-century Judaism. But it is an early indication in Mark’s Gospel of a principle that becomes clearer and clearer as the Gospel progresses: all earthly ties take second place to the kingdom of God.

Jesus isn’t rejecting his biological family, here. But, if they wish to claim membership in the kingdom of God, they will have to accept His Gospel, they will have to accept Him as Lord and Savior in order to be included in the family of the Church. And many of them do. Jesus’ “adelphoi” the Greek word for cousins and relatives, are mentioned in the book of Acts, gathered in prayer with Mary at Pentecost.

We who believe in Jesus and are baptized are not merely his followers, we are his family. For he has established the new covenant family of God—whose members are united in a bond of love and faith and loyalty and grace that is stronger than any blood relationship. The bonds of this new family are not severed, but endure, even death.

“Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” The absolute priority in the heart of Jesus is to do his Father’s will. May at be ours as well, for the Glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That Catholics may live out their baptismal call with ever greater conviction, faithfulness and joy.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

 That our parish families and the families of all of our school children will be places where the Christian faith is believed, followed, taught, and cherished.

For the students, teachers, staff, and alumni of St. Ignatius School and all of our Catholic Schools.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

1st Week of OT 2019 - Tuesday - Binding Evil Spirits and Liberating Captives

On the first weekday of Ordinary Time yesterday, we heard the call of the disciples.  Jesus’ call of his first followers is followed by his first miraculous work in Mark’s Gospel: an exorcism—reminding us that Christ has come to do battle with Satan, to dismantle the powers of darkness, and to unbind those who are bound by evil.

This whole drama takes place while Jesus is teaching in a synagogue. And this demon begins to disrupt Jesus, the works of the devil disrupt, hinder, thwart the work of God. The demon is called an “unclean spirit”. Why are they called “unclean”? “Unclean” is an Old Testament term for a person or thing that is ritually defiled and therefore prohibited from taking part in worship. A demon is an angel that has been cast out of heaven due to its refusal to worship God. And the unclean spirits seek to separate us eternally from the worship of God as well.

“I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” The unclean spirit claims hidden knowledge of Jesus’ identity, a frequent tactic of the demons in the Gospel. But if it intends to catch Jesus off guard, or to gain some control over him, their attempt is futile. For Christ commands them ”Quiet!, phimōthēti” one of the coolest Greek words, literally, “be muzzled”. Imagine leather straps binding, muzzling, the mouth of an ox. Having been muzzled, the unclean spirit shows one last act of defiance by convulsing the man, but helpless before Jesus’ word of command, the demon departs.

Day two of Ordinary Time, and we get a glimpse of the battlefield. Jesus has come to drive out the unclean from our lives, all that defiles human dignity and to restore us to the right worship of God, that we may worship and live “in spirit and in truth”. We do well to study God’s word and study  our catechism: so much uncleanness is cast out when we are exposed to and believe God’s truth. And most likely the undisciplined parts of our egos need to be muzzled, in order to be brought under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord also desire to use us as his instruments for binding evil in the world, for setting captives free. May we be ambassadors of his truth, his goodness, his power, and his love today for all we meet, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That the preaching and teachings of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be a source of strength and guidance for the Holy Church.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For the liberation of those bound by evil, those committed to sin an error, those oppressed or possessed by evil spirits, and for the conversion of the hardest hearts.

That the March for Life in Washington D.C. this Friday will help to transform our culture and inspire many to adhere to the Gospel of Life.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

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