March 17 2021 - St. Patrick - Let us be Christians like those of Rome (Ut Christiani Ita Et Romani Estis)

 A few years ago, I was able to travel to Scotland with a priest friend. We visited a number of Scotland’s holy sites: like the tomb of St. Margaret of Scotland, the 15th century Rosslyn chapel, and St. Andrew’s Golf Course…and a couple whiskey distilleries…

One memorable site was the Church of St. Patrick in the old part of Edinburgh. Across the façade of the Church, was a latin saying from St. Patrick himself, that I had never heard of before: Ut Christiani Ita et Romani Estis. Let us be Christians like those of Rome. 

This saying was written in latin, Patrick’s native language: for remember Patrick was not a native Irishman, but the son of a roman Briton, born in what is the modern day village of Norton in the English county of Northamptonshire. And he didn’t speak even an early form of English, for he lived in Brittania prior to the Anglo-Saxons bringing their language to the British Isles. So he spoke the language of Rome. And not only the language, but Patrick is saying here, Ut Christiani Ita et Romani Estis, let us practice the form of Christianity as practiced in Rome. The Creed of the Roman Catholics, the liturgy of the Roman Catholics, the deference to the Roman Pope, and the courage of the Roman Catholics—the courage of the Roman martyrs.

When Patrick, as a missionary bishop, brings Christianity to pagan Ireland, with the polytheistic celtic pagan religion, he was bringing Roman Catholicism being practiced in Rome to the Emerald Isle. And I make this point today, because there is a modern tendency, as there has been in many points in history, to reshape Christianity to fit our modern ideals, to make Christianity conform more with, let’s say, the modern American secular culture. But that’s not the Christianity of Patrick, that’s not the Christianity we have inherited from our ancestors, that’s not the Christianity that was practiced when this parish was founded. 

In the Gospel today, we hear our Lord speaking about His obedience to the Father: “I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.” Even the Lord, the second person of the Trinity made flesh, bows his human will to the will of his heavenly Father. Being a Christian always means bowing the will to something bigger than us. And St. Patrick and all the saints are always wonderful models of that surrender and obedience and celebration of that higher will, not something reshaped in our own image, but something that seeks to shape us in His.

May our Lenten observances help to humble our earthly pride, and help us to be Christians like those of Eternal Rome, on the Rock of Peter, that we, like the great missionary bishop St. Patrick, may bring the true faith into every corner of the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

For Holy Father Pope Francis and all the bishops, that they may preach with conviction the fullness of the Roman Catholic faith. 

For an increase in faith for the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity.

That the Church might be delivered and protected from all spirits of error, heresy, schism, and unbelief.

For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.

That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.

That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.

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

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.

June 9, 2020 - St. Columbkille - Light your light shine before others

My first parish assignment as a newly ordained priest was to St. Columbkille parish in Parma. St. Columbkille is Scotland’s most revered saint and, in Ireland, he is honored second only to St. Patrick. A missionary, St. Columbkille is credited with taking Christianity to Scotland.

Born of royal bloodlines on both his mother’s and father’s side in County Donegal in northern Ireland on December 5, 521, his proper name was Colum MacFehlin MacFergus. The name Colum means dove. As a young boy he spent much time in church and soon the suffix “cille,” the Gaelic word for Church, was added to his name. He was called “Colum-cille”—Dove of the Church.  Sometimes, he goes by the name St. Columba of Iona, not to be confused with St. Columban, or the St. Columba who was a Spanish virgin in the 7th century.

Columbkille spent the first fifteen years of his priesthood working among the poor in his native Ireland and became famous for his works of charity and preaching. He also spent time as a scribe, copying the Scriptures. The great illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, is attributed to St. Columbkille.

Tradition asserts that there was a bit of a feud between Columbkille and St. Finian over the ownership of a particular manuscript, and the feud got so heated that Columbkille had to leave Ireland. Columbkille left Ireland in 563 with twelve fellow monks, and landed upon the Scottish Isle of Iona, where he established a monastery which served as a base for his evangelizing mission. He spent the next 34 years establishing churches and schools, and staffing them with many disciples who were attracted by his ardent penance, fervent prayer, sincere preaching, and deep confidence in God. Columbkille died in 597 and is honored as the Patron of Scotland.  He is a patron of poets, bookbinders, and a co-patron of Ireland.  And you can still visit the Iona Abbey, on the Isle of Iona, off of Scotland

Columbkille and the saints exemplify our Lord’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: we like them are to shine with the light and life of Christ, so much so, that when people meet us they glorify God. They see the good works we do, they hear our speech, and they think, there is a person connected to God, this is how you are meant to live life.

Sometimes we are ashamed of appearing too Catholic, too fervent about our faith, but the saints stop caring about that, they stop making excuses, they stop holding back, and give all of themselves to God. And in doing so, they become lights which draw others to God.

May St. Columbkille help us to give to God more generously, to consider how we can give more of ourselves for the building up of the Church, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the preaching and teaching and charitable works of the Church will inspire all people to seek to practice the beatitudes of Christ.

That those in public office may govern with wisdom, put an end to all political corruption, and work for a society of authentic justice and peace with special care for the most vulnerable.

For an end to oppression, racism, hatred, addiction and injustice. For the healing of all the sick.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, for a strengthening of marriages, for all single people who strive to follow Christ, and for the grace to utilize our spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church.

That those who have died may share in the joy of life-everlasting; for our deceased family members, friends, and fellow parishioners, for all the poor souls in purgatory for Bishop George Murry, bishop of Youngstown and for Paul Becker, for whom this Mass is offered.

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.

May 31 2018 - Feast of the Visitation - Pro-life witness of the Gospels

On the final day of this Marian Month of May, we celebrate the joyful feast of the Visitation, a celebration of life.

For me, today’s Gospel is one of the great Pro-Life passages from scripture. We heard today, John dancing and leaping in the womb of Elizabeth like David joyfully dancing before the Ark of the Covenant when he first encounters his unborn cousin, Jesus, only days old in the womb of Mother Mary.

John is a powerful pro-life model for John recognizes that Jesus was truly human from the moment of his conception. Some might claim that it is “above their paygrade” when human life exists. But Scripture and modern science show that human life begins at conception. And we therefore have a duty to reverence it, to protect it, to rejoice over it.

Mary, too, is a powerful pro-life figure. For even with the great burdens she now faced, she goes in haste, to help the pregnant, elderly, Elizabeth. Mary is a pro-life model for us all, showing us that we even with all the burdens we face, we are all to have a special care for pregnant mothers, especially pregnant mothers in difficult circumstances. We are to devote to them our time, talent, and treasure in helping them nurture and bring-forth life.

Mary would also stay with Elizabeth until the birth her baby, accompanying her through childbirth, and through those difficult days as a first-time mother. Mary reminds us to have a special care for mothers and children throughout pregnancy and afterwards as well.

I reflect on the pro-life dimension of this scripture in light of the terribly sad news of Ireland’s vote to overturn its pro-life laws. Only one in three citizens of Ireland voted to protect life. The other two-thirds join the many Americans who see abortion as a solution, as a way of empowering women, as a way to riches and happiness.

But as St. Theresa of Calcutta often taught, “It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you live as you wish… The greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion, which is war against the child. The mother doesn't learn to love, but kills to solve her own problems. Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want.”

May the heavenly intercession of St. John, St. Elizabeth, and Holy Mary help restore reverence and care for human life, especially the protection of the unborn. May they help us witness to the Gospel of Life for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
 
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That the leaders and members of the Church my fulfill with joy their calling to proclaim, celebrate, and serve the Gospel of Life.
That God may protect all unborn babies, and keep them safe from the scourge of abortion, and for the safety and welfare of all pregnant mothers, and that all mothers and fathers will know the assistance of the Christian Church in nurturing and raising their children.
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

Homily: March 17 2017 - St. Patrick - "Put out into the deep"

A millennium and a half after his life and death, St. Patrick continues to be a saint with many devotees.

He was born in Roman Britain and when he was fourteen or so, he was captured by Irish pirates during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and pagans but Patrick turned to God and wrote his memoir, The Confession.

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain and was reunited with his family.

Not long after reuniting with his family, Patrick sensed a growing calling to return to Ireland to preach the Gospel. He was trained as a priest and was ordained by St. Germanus, who sent Patrick back to Ireland as a missionary bishop, like St. Paul.

Like the Lord instructed in the Gospel, Patrick “put out into the deep water” of Pagan Ireland. He preached for 40 years and converted the Emerald Isle to Christ.

The famous breastplate of St. Patrick speaks of the saints immense trust in the strength of Christ, which we do well to emulate: "Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Such trust in Christ, union with Christ through prayer, imitation of Christ’s suffering is necessary as we are called to spread the Gospel amidst the growing Paganism of modern culture.
The Lord’s words “put out into deep waters” is a call to every Christian, no matter their state in life, to take up the missionary mandate of the Church: to reach out to those who do not have faith, to reach out to the poor and suffering, and to not be afraid to witness to the truth of the Gospel in the public sphere and the political realm.

Where are the deep waters in your own life? Who are the fish that seem just out of reach? A fallen away family member? An angry neighbor? Who needs to be invited back to Mass…to the Confessional…to speak with the priest about an annulment…who needs to be gently confronted about an addiction or unchaste behavior?

Today, May Christ be within us, before us and beside us, and help us to be faithful to the work he calls us to, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - -For those gathering in celebration of St. Patrick today, for their safety and sobriety, and that their festivity may be spared of debasement, and be for the greater glory of God.

For the spread of the Gospel and reevangelization of the Irish people and for all those who have fallen away from the Church.

That St. Patrick may be for the entire Church an example of missionary zeal and trust in the Lord.

That civil leaders will use their authority to protect the dignity of human life and the well-being of the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, those who suffer from discrimination, and the unborn.  We pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation or illness: that the tenderness of the Father’s mercy will comfort them.  We pray to the Lord.