First Friday Holy Hour - January 2022 - Impelled by the Sacrament of Love

 At mass this morning for the feast of St. Raymond of Penyafort, I reflected upon how the love of Christ filled St. Raymond’s life. The “The love of Christ impelled” him, as St. Paul says in the epistle for today’s feast. 

The saints are animated by the love of Christ. The love we are to have for Christ impels us out into the world to share the Gospel, to work tirelessly for the spread of the kingdom, to make us ambarssadors fo Christ as Paul says, to seek reconciliation with God and conversion from our vices, to bear our crosses for the salvation of souls. But not just the love we have for Christ, but the love Christ has for us impels us.

When we recognize how deeply we are loved by Christ, that changes everything. Christ loved us so much that he died for our sake. But moreso, God wants you to know how much you are loved.

The Christmas season, which we conclude in a few days, is certainly a reflection of how deeply we are loved. the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold for you and for me.

But also, the Eucharist, which we gaze upon and adore upon the altar during this holy hour is the Sacramentum Caritatis, the sacrament of love, the gift that Jesus makes of himself revealing his love for us. 

By the Eucharist, Jesus wants to show his love for us in the concrete situations of our present life. He wants you to know his love for you, on this cold January evening, with the challenges and sorrows of your life. He wants you to know his love for you with all the challenges the church is facing, all the challenges our country is facing, all the challenges are families are facing—his love is revealed in the Eucharist.

Here is Emmanuel—God-with-us, right here, in this 100 year old church, in this impoverished neighborhood, in a culture that is growing increasingly numb and ignorant to his presence. 

When we recognize his love for us, we are better equipped to share his love with us, to draw others to this font of love. May the time we spend in adoration, and the prayers we offer in holy devotion, impel us to great works of charity, and help us to know Christ’s love for us always, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

January 7 2022 - St. Raymond of Peñafort - Impelled by the love of Christ

 I have a fond affection for today’s saint, Raymond of Penyafort. He was always invoked by our seminary teachers of canon law, as he is the patron saint of canon lawyers. 

St. Raymond was a truly gifted Dominican priest, who lived about 800 years ago. He was born into the Spanish nobility and had an excellent education.  By age 20 he was teaching philosophy; by the age of 30 he had doctorates in both civil and church law. In his early 40s he joined the Dominicans about a year after the death of their founder, St. Dominic.  About a decade later, he was summoned to Rome by Pope Gregory IX to serve as the Pope’s personal confessor.  While in Rome, the Pope gave him the task of bringing together for the first time, in one volume, all of the laws and decrees of the popes and church councils.  For this, St. Raymond is known as the Father and Patron saint of Canon Law.

At age 60, Raymond was appointed an Archbishop, though he became sick and resigned in hopes of getting some peace.  But, peace in retirement Raymond would not receive.  At age 62, he was elected as head of the Dominicans.  Raymond worked hard, visited on foot all the Dominican Communities, and reorganized their constitutions.

In his last 35 years, (by the way, did I mention St. Raymond lived to be 100?), he promoted the study of Hebrew and Arabic, so that the Dominicans in Spain could preach the Gospel to Jews and Muslims.  He encouraged St. Thomas Aquinas, one of his contemporaries, to write an explanation of the faith to help missionaries in their work.

St. Raymond is a wonderful saint to honor and reflect upon in the Christmas season. “The love of Christ impels us” as St. Paul says in the epistle today, speaking of how charity transforms the lives of the saints, directs and animates them. Why would a man devote all those decades of his life to tireless service, if not for the love of Christ—the love he had for Christ, and more importantly the love Christ has for him.

When we recognize how deeply we are loved by Christ, that changes everything. One gets the impression, that many Catholics these days have not allowed the love of Christ to penetrate their inmost being. 

The Christmas season ends this Sunday, with the baptism of the Lord, but with the time left, let us ponder deeply the love of Christ present at Bethlehem, present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the love of Christ which is to fill our minds and spirits for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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For faithfulness to the laws of God and the precepts of Holy Church, and that through the intercession of St. Raymond, all civil lawyers and canon lawyers may practice law with integrity and for the good of souls.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, that many young people may respond generously to the Lord’s call to ordained and consecrated service.

For conviction and courage in our own role in the Church’s evangelization mission.

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