31st Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - The humble attitude of Christ

Today's reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians is one of the most beloved passages in the New Testament—Paul's Christological hymn. 

The hymn focuses on Christ—his pre-existence as the co-equal eternal Son of the Father, his incarnation, his humble self-emptying, and his saving death on the cross. Paul uses this hymn to teach the Philippians about humility, urging them to emulate Christ's attitude in their relationships with one another. True Christian unity depends on each member of the community sharing the humble mindset of Christ, who was obedient to the Father's will.

How are we called to embody this Christ-like humility? First, like Christ who "did not regard equality with God something to be grasped," we must let go of our need to always be in control--or to prove your opinion correct. This might mean listening more than speaking or admitting when we've made a mistake rather than defending our pride.

Second, as Christ "took the form of a servant," we too must seek opportunities to serve, especially in ways that might seem beneath our status. This could mean being the first to volunteer for unglamorous tasks, helping a colleague even when we're busy, or quietly doing household chores that no one notices.

Third, following Christ's example of being "obedient unto death," we are called to persevere in doing good even when it costs us. This might mean caring for other people despite our own fatigue, remaining patient those with whom we disagree, or standing up for truth even when it makes us unpopular.

In Holy Communion today, we approach the one who empties himself that we may be full of life. As St. Augustine said, to receive Holy Communion worthily we must seek to become what we receive—not one who grasps at power, but one who seeks to serve.

Jesus makes of himself a total offering, a total gift of himself for the good of others, and every Christian must strive to make that the animating force of their life. This certainly involves seeking conversion from pride to humility every day. 

Let us pray for the grace to empty ourselves as Christ did, that we may decrease so He may increase in us. May we, like Christ, become bread broken for others, poured out in loving service to all we meet for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For unity in the Church, faithfulness to right teaching, detachment from worldly vices, courage in the Church’s evangelizing mission, and humility in all of our interactions and relationships.

May citizens of our nation today take seriously the responsibility of voting. May our election system be free from corruption and may its integrity be defended. May civility prevail in all of our political affairs and may those with differing political views may work together for a good, just, and righteous society. May our most sacred liberties be protected, especially the right to life.

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

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance, and that Christians will be instruments of God’s mercy for all those in need.  

We pray in a special way during this Month of November for all of the faithful departed; for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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

1st Week of Ordinary Time 2022 - Wednesday - Marking our days with prayer

 

On Monday, we heard Jesus begin his public ministry with powerful words of preaching. Yesterday, we heard Jesus take on the powers of hell, casting out a demon from a possessed man in the Capernaum synagogue. Today, we heard of Jesus healing, not just an individual, but a whole town. We’ve had quite a display of Jesus divine power and authority. 

After his very busy first day in Capernaum, presumably Jesus goes to sleep, like any ordinary man. For Mark tells us that he rose, again, presumably, he rose from sleep, but what a beautiful foreshadowing of the resurrection. He battles the powers of evil, sleeps, and rises early in the dawn. Kind of like Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter, where Jesus definitively defeats the powers of evil on the cross, sleeps the deepest sleep of death in the tomb, the rises in the early morn on Easter Sunday.

Christians reading Mark’s Gospel, those who already know the end of the story, would pick up on this foreshadowing. But imagine you are hearing this story for the first time. Who is this man, who fishermen leave their livelihood immediately to go and follow, who demons claim to know as “The Son of God”, who can miraculously cure an entire village of people, before retiring for the night and then rising early to pray.

And why is he praying. If he is the Son of God, to whom is he praying? Given this stunning display of power, how humble he must be, to speak and act with divine authority, but then go and kneel down in a deserted place to pray to God in heaven. 

Mark’s Gospel will depict Jesus praying on several occasions. Prayerful communion with his heavenly Father will also mark his ministry. Though he is God, the second person of the Trinity, Jesus shows how he seeks—prayerfully seeks—to do the will of his heavenly Father. He is subject to the Father, he obeys the Father, he prayerfully agonizes over the father’s will in the garden of gethsemane, but he remains faithful to his Father, always.

By his example, he teaches us that prayer must mark our days and our deeds too. We, like him, to do well, beginning the day with prayer, rising at dawn, or whenever we awaken, and immediately turning our hearts and minds to heaven. We like him, need to seek quiet deserted places throughout the day to seek guidance and refreshment. In those moments of temptation, agonizing over difficult decisions, we must pray fervently. And on our crosses, in moments of suffering, we, like our Lord must pray, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the preaching and teaching and governance of the Pope, Bishops, and clergy may be free from all error and imprudence, and be a source of constant strength and guidance for the 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.

That frequent prayer will mark the lives of every Christian, as we seek to do the will of the heavenly Father. 

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.

2nd Week of Lent 2021 - Tuesday - Humility, humility, humility

Yesterday, we considered four commands given by the Lord to his disciples: Be merciful. Stop Judging. Stop condemning. Forgive.

Today’s Gospel can be boiled down to one commandment: be humble. 

Humility is the very first of the beatitudes preached in the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Being humble, being poor in spirit, is the first step in beatitude, in holiness. 

When St. Augustine was asked to name the three most important virtues, he gave an interesting answer. The first he said is “humility”, the second he said is “humility”, and third he said is “humility”

The Lord’s own humility is beyond our comprehension. He chose to be born in a stable at Bethlehem. As a baby, he was a Refugee in Egypt. He lived in the obscure village of Nazareth. He had the menial job of a carpenter. During His public ministry, he had nowhere to lay His head. As Isaiah foretold: "He was spurned and avoided by men, a Man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity". He allowed himself to be misunderstood, mocked, arrested, beaten and tortured. He humbled Himself even to death on a cross, the death of a slave.

St. Francis of Assisi said: “Everyday, Jesus humbles Himself just as He did when He came from His heavenly throne into the Virgin's womb; everyday He comes to us and lets us see Him in abjection, when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar. He shows Himself to us in this sacred bread just as He once appeared to His apostles in real flesh.”  

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Our Lenten task certainly, then, is to identify those ways in which we exalt ourself, and imitate and practice the humility exalted and commanded by the Lord.

We are to give alms without the blowing of trumpets, pray behind closed doors, and fast without show. We are to shun the spotlight, turn away from seats of honor, and take up the washbasin to wash the dirty feet of our neighbor, and to do so without hope of earthly repayment or notoriety. We are to be broken, shared, and poured out like ordinary bread and ordinary wine. We are to seek the shattering of our earthly pride and seek forgiveness from God and our neighbor who we have wronged.

May this Lent help us grow in humility, by decreasing our instincts of self-aggrandizement and self-promotion, that we might truly learn to love and serve others for their own sake, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

That our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving may humble our earthly pride and bring about conversion and renewal within the Church.

For all those preparing to enter into Christ through the saving waters of Baptism and those preparing for full initiation this Easter, may these final Lenten weeks bring about purification from sin and enlightenment in the ways of holiness.

For those who have fallen away from the Church, who have become separated through error and sin, for those who reject the teachings of Christ, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or illness: may they experience the healing graces of Christ. 

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

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy.

26th Sunday in OT 2020 - The Humble Self-Emptying of the Son of God

Our second reading is one of my favorite passages in the entire New Testament and one of the most precious texts in our Christian Tradition: the second chapter of St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. It’s not exactly clear from the English translation, but this passage contains one of the earliest Christian hymns in existence: a song about Christ—his incarnation, death, and exaltation.

The hymn starts with the Son of God in heaven prior to his incarnation. For remember, the three persons of the Trinity existed from all ages. And so the hymn begins with explaining how God the Son was humble before the Father from all ages. And then it speaks of the Son’s incarnation—his self-emptying, taking on our frail humanity, taking the form of a slave: Jesus’ humble, obedient death on the cross. Then it speaks of the Son’s Exaltation: the son, who humbled himself unto death, is exalted by God the Father. So that his name—the name of Jesus— is made known throughout all the earth, at which every knee shall bend.

Scholars believe that Paul didn’t actually compose this hymn himself. Rather, scholars believe that the hymn predated Paul’s letter. At that’s pretty profound, since Paul’s letter to the Philippians was written about the year 55 AD, just about 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. So, the earliest Christians, before even any of the Gospels were written, were already singing about how Jesus’ humility led to his exaltation. 

Humility appears, over and over, to be the Lord’s favorite virtue. The Son willingly humbles himself to the will of his father and takes human flesh to save us from our sins. He is born not in a palace, but in a humble stable. He lived in the obscure village of Nazareth. He had the menial job of a carpenter. During His public ministry, he did not lord the fact that he was God over his disciples, rather, he slept on the same desert ground as they, the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head.  He took his meals with the outcasts, laid hands on the lepers.  And He allowed himself to be scourged, and mocked, and put to death as a criminal. Jesus’ humility is beyond comprehension.

Why does Paul include this profound early Christian hymn in his letter? Well, he explains why. In the Church is going to be built up and preserved from sinful division, if the Gospel mission is going to be successful, Christians, must possess the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. What attitude? Well, the attitude that is on display in the hymn. Humility. Practice, practice, practice, toward one another and toward non-believers, humility.

“Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.” Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves. Well, that’s a different way of going about life than our culture proposes, isn’t it? Treat the waitress as if she’s more important than you. Treat your neighbor as if he’s more important than you. Treat the janitor, the trashman, the homeless beggar, as if they are more important than you. Serve them. Wash their feet. Feed them. Visit the prisoner.

Humble service is to be the hallmark of the Christian, and that is in great contrast to the way of the world. Treat the slave the same as a king? Serve both as if you were serving Christ himself. Quite different from the athlete worship, the politician worship, the Hollywood actor worship, the wealthy elite worship, of our culture.

One of the famous lines of John Milton’s Paradise lost has Satan, the devil, standing before God and saying, “non serviam”, the latin for, “I will not serve”. Satan is like the son in the gospel today, who initially gives the impression that he will serve, but in the end, refuses.  Jesus, on the other hand, says I have come not to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.  

Jesus’ humility is in striking contrast, to the pride of Lucifer.  Lucifer, created as an angel of great intellect and beauty desired to be higher in heaven, he wanted to take God’s place, he did grasp at godliness.  Satan wanted to Lord power over the other angels and over creation, so he led a rebellion against God and God’s faithful angels.  Of course there was really no contest, Satan was cast out of heaven, he fell like lightning.  But, in his malice, Satan tempted Adam and Even in the garden with that same sin.  He told them that they could not be happy unless they grasp at the fruit, they couldn’t be happy unless they grasp at godliness for themselves, instead of humbly submitting to God’s plan. And he tempts each one of us with that same sin: grasp at happiness, even if it means ignoring the commandments of God.

Rather, Jesus shows us another way. Instead of grasping at godliness from a tree, just humbly submits to the Divine Will on a tree. Happiness comes not in sitting in the seat of power, but taking the place of the humble servant. There can be no exaltation, no resurrection, no eternal life, without humility.

So, practically, how is God calling you to practice humility, to imitate the humility of Jesus? Well, that’s something you need to personally pray about, isn’t it? Each of us needs to allow the holy spirit to illuminate those parts of our life which are governed by pride. For pride is often a blind spot until someone points it out. And the Holy Spirit is ready to help us identify: where have I been prideful? In what relationships, in what interactions, in what pursuits am I refusing to serve God? Am I seeking to only serve myself, am I seeking to be served instead of serving?

These week, the Church celebrates the feast of one of the great saints of humility, St. Therese the Little Flower. Here is a young religious, born in obscurity, like Jesus, who dedicated her life to doing small things with great love. For sharing with us her spirituality of humble service, she is now honored as a doctor of the Church—meaning she has something to teach all Christians, of all places, of all times—and offers us an important remedy for our sins.

In her autobiography, St. Therese wrote, “I applied myself above all to practice quiet hidden little acts of virtue; thus I liked to fold the mantles forgotten by the Sisters, and sought a thousand opportunities of rendering them service.” She does something, a lot of somethings, with great love, knowing that they are pleasing to God. She knew she would likely not get any earthly credit for what she was doing. No one would like be able to trace the hidden acts of love back to her, and yet, she knew God saw them, and that is the way to holiness.

God smiles upon those small acts of love, which puts the needs of others before our own. And through those acts of charity, God can enflame our hearts with a burning love and heavenly joy that nothing else in the world can provide.

What a wonderful week to practice a thousand little acts of kindness. And if not a thousand. How about a dozen? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could return to mass next week, knowing that you did a dozen hidden acts of love, that only God could see. Try it.

As we come forward today to the receive the Eucharist, we recognize Jesus who has emptied himself—who has so humbled himself to become food that is gnawed and digested.  But he does so, that we may be strengthened in holiness, that we may emulate his own self-emptying and humble service to the Father. May we become what we receive, to quote St. Augustine: Eucharist, humbly broken and poured out for others, humbly offered to the Father, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

31st Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Putting on the mind of Christ

Throughout the week, our first reading will be taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul’s short four chapter letter to the Philippians, can easily be read in one sitting.

Philippi, in northeastern Greece, was a city of some importance located on a major trade route of the Roman Empire. Reading through this letter, you can tell that Paul has a special place in his heart for the Christians of Philippi.  And this makes sense, because according to the book of Acts, Philippi is the first Christian community established by Paul in Europe.

This letter is neither a treatise on systematic theology, like Paul’s epistle to the Romans, nor is it a practical, moral letter answering many specific questions and local problems, like I Corinthians.  Rather, Philippians is a pastoral, personal letter in which Paul expresses his love for the Philippians, his confidence in their progress in holiness, and his joy that the Gospel is spreading.  And he writes all this while in prison in Rome where he was awaiting death.

We will hear Philippians most famous passage tomorrow, Paul’s Christological Hymn—the song of Christ’s self-emptying---that Christ emptied himself and took the form of a slave and died on a cross.
But, today’s passage is like a mini-introduction to the hymn—Paul exhorts the Christians to, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.”  The “mind” they are to adopt is the “mind” or “attitude” of Jesus who humbled himself to the point of death on the cross, which will be sung about in the following verses. The servant-attitude of Christ isn’t just for some members of the community, but all of them.

Then he writes, “Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves”. This sort of humility was certainly counter-cultural for the Philippians, as it is today. In the Roman empire, one’s place in the imperial pecking order was of great concern. One was expected to pursue higher status with great ambition, willing to prove that you are better than the people and the classes below you.

“Compassion” and “mercy” were signs of weakness. The cultural attitude was to regard yourself as better than others and treat them that way.

Rather, Paul, instructs us to adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ in all things. Look for opportunities to practice compassion and mercy. Hold banquets for the poor and the outcasts, as the Lord instructs in the Gospel.  Do not worry about where you stand in the social order, in the eyes of your neighbors and coworkers. Rather, pour yourself out like Christ in service, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may seek to imitate Jesus in his charity, compassion, self-sacrifice, and witness to the Truth.

That those seeking political office tomorrow on Election Day will use their political influence selflessly to serve Christ’s kingdom of justice and peace..

That all Christians may be dedicated to the works of mercy, especially in serving the needs of the most vulnerable.

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance.

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

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

Palm Sunday 2018 - The Mystery of God's Love

Joy and Sorrow. Excitement and Numbing Frustration. Praises and Lamentations.

Holy Week, and Palm Sunday in particular, is filled with many contrasting emotions.

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, he is met with such exuberance. Riding on a donkey like King David entering the Holy City, they thought him to be the royal Messiah who would once and for all bring victory over the enemies of Israel. The itinerant preacher, the miracle working son of the carpenter is greeted like a prize fighter, a military hero, a conquering king.

But then Hosannas are replaced with calls for his crucifixion.

Why? What happened? How were shouts of joy transformed into demands for death?

God’s love happened! But God's love was quite different from how it was expected, as it often is!

The Jews expected the Messiah to bring about their deliverance by the sword. But Jesus came not simply to bring political advancement for a particular people, but for the salvation of all people, of all nations, of all times.

Hosanna’s turned to calls for crucifixion when Jesus revealed that he was not the hero fallen humanity wanted, he was the hero fallen humanity needed. He is the bitter medicine we refuse to take, the uncomfortable truth we need to humble ourselves in order to believe.

The liturgy of Palm Sunday, “teaches us that the Lord has not saved us by his triumphal entry or by means of powerful miracles (Pope Francis).” Salvation comes at a price, and that price is the cross.

To quote William Penn: No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.

Salvation is found not in crushing one’s enemies through military might, but by the power of forgiveness and self-emptying on a cross. Salvation comes not from one more politician promising utopia or the military conquest of a warlord; it comes from self-emptying, from humility, from the mercy of God.

A few years ago Pope Francis explains how Jesus conquers through the cross, and we too must follow him in embracing the cross. Francis says, “God’s way of acting may seem so far removed from our own, that he was annihilated for our sake, while it seems difficult for us to even forget ourselves a little. He comes to save us; we are called to choose his way: the way of service, of giving, of forgetfulness of ourselves. Let us walk this path, pausing in these days to gaze upon the Crucifix; it is the “royal seat of God”.  to learn about the humble love which saves and gives life, so that we may give up all selfishness, and the seeking of power and fame. By humbling himself, Jesus invites us to walk on his path. Let us turn our faces to him, let us ask for the grace to understand at least something of the mystery of his obliteration for our sake; and then, in silence, let us contemplate the mystery of this Week” for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

2nd Week of Lent 2018 - Tuesday - Imitating the Lord's humility

When St. Augustine was asked to name the three most important virtues, he gave an interesting answer. The first he said is “humility”, the second he said is “humility”, and third he said is “humility”

Our Lord stressed humility, telling us that we must become humble like little children or we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. After exposing the pride of the Pharisees, in the Gospel today, he teaches, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

The Lord didn’t simply teach humility, he lived humility. The divine Word, emptied Himself and was born a human babe in a poor stable at Bethlehem. As a baby, he was a Refugee in Egypt. He lived in the obscure village of Nazareth. He had the menial job of a carpenter. During His public ministry, Jesus had nowhere to lay His head. Paul writes to the Philippians, “He humbled Himself even to death on a cross, the death of a slave.”

St. Francis of Assisi said: “Every day, Jesus humbles Himself just as He did when He came from His heavenly throne into the Virgin's womb; everyday He comes to us and lets us see Him in abjection, when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar. He shows Himself to us in this sacred bread just as He once appeared to His apostles in real flesh.”

The Lenten journey is one of humility.  We began Lent sprinkling our foreheads with ashes while hearing the words, “Remember man, you are dust, and to dust you will return.”  If our Lenten observances of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are to help conform us to Christ, they certainly will help us grow in humility.

We are to give alms without the blowing of trumpets, pray behind closed doors, and fast without show. We are to shun the spotlight, turn away from seats of honor, and take up the washbasin to wash the dirty feet of our neighbor, and to do so without hope of earthly repayment or notoriety. We are to broken, shared, and poured out like ordinary bread and ordinary wine.

As the Lenten Eucharistic preface states: the Father wills that our self-denial should give Him thanks, humble our earthly pride, contribute to the feeding of the poor, and so help us imitate Him in his kindness.”

May this Lent help us grow in humility, by decreasing our instincts of self-aggrandizement and self-promotion, that we might truly learn to love and serve others for their own sake, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving may humble our earthly pride and bring about conversion and renewal within the Church.

For all those preparing to enter into Christ through the saving waters of Baptism and those preparing for full initiation this Easter, may these final Lenten weeks bring about purification from sin and enlightenment in the ways of holiness.

For those who have fallen away from the Church, who have become separated through error and sin, for those who reject the teachings of Christ, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or illness: may they experience the healing graces of Christ.

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

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy.