May 2 2025 - St. Athanasius - Light of Truth or Darkness of Error

 

For the past two weeks of the easter season, we have been reading from the acts of the apostles. We’ve heard Peter preaching in the streets of Jerusalem, and Peter and John being arrested for preaching about Jesus Christ, and how the Church began to grow as thousands and thousands of people began to believe that Jesus Christ truly rose from the dead and by believing in Him we might have eternal life.

As the Church began to grow in those early centuries, the successors of the apostles, the bishops of the Church continued to preach and teach and lead the Church in Jesus’ name. Sadly, there arose preachers and teachers who did not hold fast to the teachings of the apostles. 

Writing just a few decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. Paul wrote about divisions in the Church in places like Corinth and warned the Church about deviating from the teaching of the Apostles. To depart from apostolic teaching about Jesus meant preaching a different Christ—worshipping a false notion of Christ.

Fast forward three hundred years. The Christian faith spread from Jerusalem, through Asia Minor and Greece, into Europe and Africa. With Church growth also came division. Christians, even bishops did not heed the warnings of Paul.

Things got so bad that the Roman emperor, Constantine I, who wasn’t even baptized, merely a catechumen on the road to baptism, called all the bishops of the world together in a place called Nicaea, to deal with a particularly pernicious error called Arianism, which claimed that Jesus was not God, merely a creature like us. 

And at this Council, the Council of Nicaea, one of the most important figures was today’s saint, St. Athanasius. St. Athanasius reminded the bishops, many of whom had become Arian, to hold fast to the teaching of the apostles—that Jesus Christ is truly God in the flesh, who became man, so that we can be rejoined to God. 

Athanasius, only a deacon at the time, stood up to those in error and defended the truth about Jesus Christ. Now, he made a lot of enemies because of this. After the council, Athanasius was made the Bishop of Alexandria, and his enemies would see to it that he was exiled 5 times. But even from exile, he continued to teach the fullness of the truth about Jesus Christ.

What you believe about Jesus Christ matters. Will you believe the truth about him or error? Will you allow the light of truth to fill your minds rather than the darkness of error?

May St. Athanasius help us to believe rightly, that we might walk rightly in the light of the truth, the light of Christ, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Inspired by the courage and fidelity of St. Athanasius, we present our prayers to our Heavenly Father.

For the Church and her leaders, for teachers of the faith, theologians and catechists, that they may steadfastly proclaim the fullness of truth about Jesus Christ, faithfully teaching the Gospel received through the apostles.

For the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals as they prepare for the conclave and the papal election that they may elect a Pope with courage and conviction to defend and teach the Catholic faith.

For unity within the Church, that divisions and errors may be healed through the power of the Holy Spirit and the faithful witness of believers.

For those who struggle with doubt or confusion about their faith, that the Holy Spirit may lead them into the fullness of truth revealed in Christ Jesus.

For those who suffer persecution for their commitment to Christ, and for all of the sick and suffering.

For God’s departed servant Pope Francis, and for the faithful departed, that having embraced the truth about Christ in this life, they may enter into the eternal light and peace of God's kingdom.

That during this month of May dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, all people may come turn to her example of faith and know her heavenly intercession.

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers. Strengthen our faith and deepen our love for your Son. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 6 2023 - Transfiguration - Jesus Christ is God and King

This week I watched a brilliant little film with a priest friend of mine. Neither of us had heard of it before, and so we gave it a chance, and it was pretty good. It was called “The Coldest Game”. The movie takes place during the Cold War between America and Communist Russia on the very eve of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962. The main character, this American math professor and former international grand master chess champion is tapped by the US government to represent the united states in a chess match against the soviet world champion. 

As the movie progresses, the math professor realizes that there’s more going on than a game of chess. He discovers that the government agents who brought him to the tournament are using this trying to gain intelligence from a Russian spy regarding the soviet’s intentions with their ballistic missiles equipped submarines off the coast of Cuba.

I wasn’t around in 1962, but historians tell us that the Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war—which would have basically meant annihilation for the human race.

And, this math professor realizes what is at stake. H was around when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during world war ii—and the great threat nuclear war poses for our planet.

For many who grew up in the 1950s and 60s and throughout the Cold War, the threat of Nuclear Conflict was constantly looming. The basement for this church was a bomb shelter, we still even have the bomb shelter sign on the church exterior. The anxiety over nuclear annihilation was felt by many. 

The Church over the past 60 years has worked to diminish the possibility of nuclear war through her teachings and in her diplomatic activity. And thanks be to God there were treaties signed between the US and Russia to limit the possibility of nuclear war, like the one limiting intermediate-range ballistic missiles like those at play during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Sadly, due to Russia’s supposed lack of compliance with the that treaty, the USA has pulled out as well. Several other nations have access to nuclear weapons.

Why do I bring any of this up on the feast of the Transfiguration? Because amidst all of the anxiety inducing chaos and corruption and war and the threats of war right now, what is revealed in the Transfiguration is that Jesus Christ is God, and God is in charge. And that if the world wants peace, it needs Jesus Christ, to acknowledge that He is the beloved Son of the Father, and that we must listen to Him. The Feast of the Transfiguration is like a combination of Trinity Sunday and Christ the King. Because the Transfiguration celebrates that Jesus Christ is God and King.

In the book of the prophet Daniel we read of how God, the Ancient One, sits on his throne, “His clothing bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire.” And how does Matthew describe the Lord Jesus’ transfiguration? Jesus takes his disciples up the mountain, like the mountain upon which God sits as King enthroned in his Holy Temple, “And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” Jesus Christ is God. The great prophets Moses and Elijah attend to Him as servants around his throne. 

And this Truth is so vital for us to remember. Which is why St. Peter in his epistle writes how the Church must draw great strength from the Transfiguration. “You will do well to be attentive to it,” he writes, “as to a lamp shining in a dark place.”

Why? St. Peter knows, God knows, how our earthly journeys involve a lot of darkness. Sometimes, it seems like our earthly journey is nothing but darkness. There are periods of history which are darker than others—dark because the light of faith is obscured and eclipsed by the world. And we need the light of faith—faith that Jesus Christ is God and we must listen to Him.

There are dark and filthy philosophies at work in our society which are succeeding in corrupting minds and hearts—hardening hearts against God and the Truth of the Christian Gospel. Darkness pervades this neighborhood and this city: real moral decay caused by faithlessness, so many turning to drugs instead of turning to God. Jesus Christ is not enthroned in the hearts of many people in this neighborhood. He has been dethroned in the hearts of many people who were baptized in this very church. 

And perhaps that dethronement occurred as a result of scandal, or mediocre catechesis, or the corrupting influences in modern society, but part of our enduring parish mission is to assist souls in making Jesus Christ King of their hearts again or for the first time. 

And that mission is facilitated by the light of faith shining more brightly in each of our lives. Each one of you are sharers in the mission of this parish. It’s no accident you are here. Because you are chosen by God for a share of the mission of shining the light of faith in this very dark time in history. 

And so I’m asking you to consider, what would it look like if you allowed the light of faith to shine a little more brightly. What would it take for the light to shine more brightly in your life? 

I have a couple of recommendations. 1) If you are able, come to mass on a weekday or two. When we are gathered together in prayer, our individual lights become a bonfire. 2) Come to Eucharistic Adoration at least once a month on Saturdays or on First Friday evenings. 3) Increase the number of times per year you are going to the Sacrament of Confession—it will dissipate the smoke of Satan in your life. 4) Friday is a day in which all Catholics are bound to do some act of Penance. Get serious about that. Abstain from meat on Fridays if you are able. 5) Say grace before every meal, in private or public. 6) Meditate on Scripture every day. A day should not go by without meditating on the Truths of God contained in God’s Word. 7) Put a crucifix in your house so it can be seen by anyone who visits. 8)  Begin and end every day with prayer: a prayer in the morning asking God to guide your day, to fill your day with His light, and then pray the hail mary; and then a prayer at the end of the day, before laying down to bed, in which you make a brief examination of your conscience and repent of your sins and thank God for the blessings. And then pray the hail mary, or the hail holy queen. 

If it feels like the darkness is encroaching in your life, increase the light by strengthening your faith. Pope Francis writes, “Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey.”

In the beautiful and faith-filled words of Pope Benedict: “in spite of all darkness God ultimately triumphs in glory. Faith, which sees the love of God revealed in the pierced heart of Jesus on the Cross, gives rise to love. Love is the light—and in the end, the only light—that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working. Love is possible, and we are able to practice it because we are created in the image of God. To experience love and in this way to cause the light of God to enter into the world.” For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

December 13 2022 - St. Lucy, virgin & Martyr - Let there be Light!

 Light. Light features prominently in our faith. The first thing God created was light. God’s first words in the Bible are “Let there be light”. 

Psalm 119 describes God’s word as a light for our feet and a lamp unto our path.

Isaiah foretells of a time when the people walking in darkness will see a great light; when upon those living in the land of the shadow of death, light shall dawn.

Psalm 27 says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear”? 

Light. Light enables us to see. It helps us to avoid the dangers which would lead to our demise.  “All things become visible when they are exposed by the light” St. Paul says. We are to walk by the light of God which enables us to avoid deadly sin and make our way to the unapproachable light of heaven. 

Light enables us to detect what is Good, what is True, and what is beautiful. By God’s light, we can see what is good and what is bad for us. By God’s light we can see what is true and what is erroneous. And By God’s light we can detect the many facets of his beautiful creation. Light enables us to behold the beauty of created things, for God has poured his beauty into Creation, and gives us light to appreciate. Ecclesiastes says, “The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.”

Light is also utilized by the Church in her liturgy. Candles are light on the altar for the celebration of holy Mass, so that we can see the mysteries we are celebrating. The paschal fire and the paschal candle are lit at easter time to symbolize the new creation of Christ’s resurrection. And light is used during Advent, our Advent Candles are lit on Advent Sundays to help us prepare well for the celebration of Christ—the light who comes into the world at Christmas. In the Gospel of John begins talking about Light, that John the Baptist himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light: that the true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.”

Today we celebrate St. Lucy. Her name, Lucy, Lucia, comes from the latin word “Lux” which means, light of course. Her life was filled with the light of Christ. In the saints, the Lord’s teaching that his followers are to be the light of the world, is fulfilled. The Lord’s light shined in the life and soul of St. Lucy. 

Even when she was struck blind as part of her tortures for following Christ in a time of persecution: Lucy was still able to see. The light of Christ truly enabled her to walk by the light of faith, not simply by sight of the physical eyes.

We all need the help of the saints in order to be like those wise virgins in the Gospel who keep the light of their lamps ready for the Lord's return.

There is a beautiful and simple prayer called the St. Lucy prayer that goes like this: 

Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our day…for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petition, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That Advent repentance and devotion may prepare us rightly for Christmas joy.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  

For the conversion of those who reject Jesus and His Church, those who have fallen into serious sin, and those who have fallen away from the Church. 

Through the intercession of St. Lucy, we pray for all those who suffer blindness and eye disorders, and for safety from accidental loss of vision, and for all of the sick and suffering.

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

Almighty ever-living God, who brings salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.

21st Week of Ordinary Time 2022 - Friday - Eternal Consequences and the Light of Faith

 

Chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel contains the Lord’s final teachings prior to the beginning of his Passion. In it we read two parables—the parable of the 10 virgins and the parable of the talents. The chapter concludes with the Lord’s teaching on the great judgment—the eternal separation of the sheep and the goats.

These are some solemn teachings. They all speak of consequences.

The wise virgins are allowed into the banquet feast, while the foolish are shut out. The wise stewards who invest the talents with which they’ve been entrusted are praised by the master when he returns and welcomed into joy, while the foolish steward is called wicked and lazy and useless by the master; he is thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. And then of course the great judgment. For engaging in the works of mercy: feeding the Son of Man when he appeared as a stranger, clothing him, visiting him in prison, they shall inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, while others, are called goats, and for neglecting the works of charity, they are ordered to depart from the Son of Man, they are called accursed, and sent to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and the fallen angels.

The teachings of the Lord Jesus have consequences—eternal consequences.

Like all 10 virgins at the beginning of today’s parable, all Christians are given a lamp of grace. In the baptism ritual, a candle is handed to the newly baptized and the priest tells them: “receive the light of Christ. You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts. When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.”

This post-baptismal instruction is clearly inspired today’s Gospel. The light of Christ, the light of faith is given to us in baptism, and wisely it must be kept alive by practicing the pillars of our faith: right belief, sacraments, obedience to the commandments, and prayer. Without all four of those, we foolishly allow the light of faith to become extinguished.

Sadly, we all know of Christians who appear to have allowed their lamps to become extinguished, or whose flame is but a bare flicker, in danger of the next wind, the next sin, blowing it out. We have a duty to them to help rekindle the light, by leading them to the truth of Christian doctrine, the grace of the sacraments, the right practice of the moral teachings, and a vibrant prayer life—especially to relight extinguished flames through the Sacrament of Confession.

We do not know the day nor the hour when the Bridegroom will return or our earthly life will come to an end. May the Lord find our souls persevering in his grace, with the flame of faith alight and blazing, for the glory of God and salvation of souls

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For the flourishing of spiritual gifts in the Church and in our parish; and for the grace during this month of August to practice the virtue of humility in all of our relationships and interactions. 

For our young people in these early days of the school year, and for their teachers: that the Word of God might be cherished, studied, and practiced in every classroom and home. 

That politicians and government officials may protect religious freedom, promote virtue, and look to the law of Christ to guide their work for the good of nations and all peoples. 

For those beset with any sort of trial, illness, or burden: that the Lord will build up his strength within them and assist them in their needs. 

That those who have died may share in the joy of life-everlasting with the Risen Lord, especially the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the souls in purgatory…

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.

25th Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Lumen Fidei - Light of Faith (Nursing Home Mass)

In the Gospel, Jesus stresses the importance of allowing the light he gives us to shine forth for others to see.

The idea that God’s word light is found throughout Scripture.  Psalm 119 says, “God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to my path.”  Light, pushes back the darkness so we can see.  As young children, many of us had night lights in our room.  There’s something very comforting about a little light shining in the darkness.

Pope Francis’ first encyclical back in June of 2013 was called Lumen Fidei, on the light of Faith.  Its opening line, “The light of Faith: this is how the Church’s tradition speaks of the great gift brought by Jesus.” 

The light of faith helps us to avoid the dark errors of sin and to walk the path of righteousness.  But also, by the light of Faith we come to know about God and we come to know about ourselves. 
The Pope writes, “The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence.” Faith helps us to understand the confusing matters of our life, by helping us see from the perspective of God. Even our human suffering is made comprehensible by faith.

Sadly, our modern culture seeks to remove faith from every conversation. Faith in God is treated as a relic from the past, young people are not being formed in the faith, and so the darkness of sin begins to corrupt every human institution: healthcare, politics, the educational system.

 Therefore, as the Pope writes “There is an urgent need,” “to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.”  “An urgent need” he says, like Jesus, to not hide the light of faith under a bushel, living by faith, gathering to practice our faith, spreading our faith in word and deed.

May we walk always as children of light, and bear the light of faith for all to see, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That Pope Francis and all Bishops and Clergy may humbly and faithfully pass on the Gospel of Christ in all its fullness.
That young people may be kept safe from the poisonous attitudes of the world and that they and their families may be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus and his Church.
For the conversion of hardened sinners, those who have fallen away from the Church, and for an increase in virtue for all peoples.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, 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 Tony & Betty Kuhel for whom this Mass is offered. We pray.
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.