August 29 2025 - The Passion of Saint John the Baptist - The Precursor

St. John the Baptist plays a prominent role every year in our Advent preparations for Christmas. John is the great preparer, proclaiming “Prepare Ye, the way of the Lord.” John is a precursor or forerunner for the Lord in a number of ways.

The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that John would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” So, John’s very conception and birth were oriented to his role as Jesus’ herald.

John’s ministry of preaching and baptism prepared people for Jesus’ ministry. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I…he will baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire”

Today, we read the Gospel of John’s martyrdom. In his martyrdom, he foreshadows Christ’s own suffering and death. Just as he heralded Christ’s birth, he also precedes Him in dying unjustly at the hands of corrupt rulers.

The Old Testament prophets foretold how a Precursor would precede the coming of the Lord. Speaking through Malachi God said, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” Jesus himself references this prophecy about John as the forerunner.

St. Augustine, whose feast we celebrated yesterday, spoke about John as the forerunner and precursor. Augustine wrote, “John was the voice, but the Lord is the Word. John is a friend, but the Lord is the Bridegroom. John was placed at the frontier of both Testaments: he pointed out the coming Christ, and by dying before Him, he was His precursor in death.”

So it is clear, through scripture and the Church Fathers that God made John the Forerunner, but WHY? Why did God choose to act this why? He didn’t need a forerunner, yet he chose to arrange salvation history in this way.

All throughout salvation history, God prepares before He acts. Before the Flood, God prepared Noah by warning him and telling him to build the ark. Before the giving of the Ten Commandments, the people were to prepare themselves through consecrations, washing, and abstaining. Before David is made King, Samuel is sent to anoint David. Before serious judgments like the Babylonian exile, God sends prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel to call Israel to repentance.

God gives us a chance to ready ourselves, to turn our attention to the activity of God. God is no doubt preparing each of us right now for something later. God prepares us for heavy crosses by sending us little ones first. God prepares us to teach the faith, by giving us opportunities to learn it ourselves. God prepares us for acts of generosity, by blessing us with good things now, so we can give them away later. God prepares us to be the saints of the 21^st century, by drawing us to honor the saintly witnesses of those who have gone before us.

May we prepare well for all that God has in store for us, through repentance, and study, and gratitude for our blessings, and readiness to serve his Holy Will for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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With trust in God’s great providence, we entrust our needs for the good of the Church and the world.

For the Church: That, like St. John the Baptist, she may always prepare the world to receive Christ by proclaiming the truth with courage and humility.

For world leaders and rulers: That they may govern with justice and integrity, and not follow the example of Herod who shed innocent blood, but instead protect the dignity of every human life.

For those who suffer persecution or injustice: That, they may remain steadfast in faith and know the consolation of God’s presence.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: may they know God’s strength and peace and the assistance of the Christian people.

For our beloved dead, especially those who bore witness to Christ in their lives: That, like John the Baptist, they may rejoice to behold the Bridegroom in eternal life.

God our Father, you sent St. John the Baptist as the forerunner of your Son, to prepare a people fit for the Lord. Hear our prayers and prepare us by your grace for the glory of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.

 

 

November 22 2024 - St. Cecilia - Consolation and Challenge of the Gospel

 

Our first readings at Mass this week have been taken from the Book of Revelation. On Wednesday, we read of John’s Vision of the Heavenly throne room filled with angels and saints singing God’s praises. A thousand years before St. John was born, the prophet Ezekiel had a similar vision at the beginning of his life as a prophet—a vision of the throne room of heaven with God seated on the throne surrounded by heavenly creatures.

In today’s reading, John is handed a scroll and told to eat the scroll. Here is another parallel to Ezekiel. Ezekiel, was handed a scroll by an angel and told to eat it and that the scroll would be sweet as honey, but sour to the stomach.

What’s going on here?

First of all, these parallels with Ezekiel indicate the importance of John’s visions. Just as Israel needed to take Ezekiel’s prophetic messages seriously, now the Church needs to take John’s messages seriously. So the message of the Book of Revelation is to be taken very seriously.

And like Ezekiel’s prophecy, John’s Revelation is both Sweet and Sour. Sweet in that it contains consolations, sour in that it communicates challenge.

It is consoling to read in the Book of Revelation how God is aware of the challenges of being a Christian in the world. He knows the hostility the world has for the Gospel—he knows the sufferings we endure for being a follower of Jesus. And the message of the book of Revelation is that God is going to deliver his people from the hands of the wicked. But that’s also a word of warning to the wicked, isn’t it. You better align yourself with God. You better repent, before it is too late.

The scroll is sweet, the message of the Gospel is consoling because it promises eternal life, but it is also sour and bitter, because the Gospel tells us that we, like Jesus, must take up our own crosses and follow him.

Today the Church celebrates an early Roman martyr: St. Cecilia. St. Cecilia was a life-long Christian, she loved Jesus more than anything. But living in a time of Christian persecution, Cecilia was arrested and sentenced to death by beheading. The legend states that her executioner failed at beheading her multiple times. And as Cecilia lay dying in her cell for three days, she sang God’s praises. In pain, as she lay dying, she and praised God.

She accepted the bitterness of the Gospel because she knew that believing in and following Jesus leads to eternal life. And that sweet message of salvation consoled her so much, that she was filled with song and praise as her earthly life ended, knowing that heaven awaited her.

We honor St. Cecilia today, knowing that she teaches us to deepen our hope in the promises of Jesus—that those who die with Him as Lord will be raised to everlasting life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Let us bring our prayers and petitions before God, whose Word is sweet and consoling, yet challenges us to take up our cross and follow Christ.

For the Church, that she may faithfully proclaim the message of the Gospel, sweet in its promises and challenging in its demands, and guide the faithful to eternal life.

For leaders of nations, that they may align themselves with God’s justice and promote peace, reconciliation, and respect for human dignity.

For all those who suffer persecution for their faith in Christ, that they may be strengthened by the example of the martyrs and remain steadfast in their hope of eternal life.

For all who are sick, lonely, or in pain, that they may find consolation in God’s promise to deliver His people from suffering and bring them eternal peace.

For all the faithful departed, that they may share in the sweet promise of eternal life with Christ, especially those who bore witness to Him through suffering.

God of eternal sweetness and truth, you call us to embrace both the consolations and the challenges of the Gospel. Hear our prayers and grant us the grace to persevere in faith, hope, and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

 

July 3 2023 - St. Thomas, apostle - Following Christ

Poor Saint Thomas the Apostle!  Whenever his name is heard, one tends to think of a skeptic, a doubter.  We even call people “doubting Thomas’s”.  But, there is much more to consider about this apostle than his one moment of doubt, just as there is much more to know about Peter than his denial of the Lord.  

Before his moment of doubt, when the Lord received news of the death of Lazarus, he exhorted his apostles to follow him to Bethany, which would bring them dangerously close to Jerusalem.  On that occasion Thomas said to his fellow disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Thomas’ readiness to follow the Lord anywhere, even unto death, shows us what mature Christian discipleship looks like. Christians are to follow Jesus wherever he goes—we are to unite our destiny with his, no matter the consequences. And even if those consequences are dire, to be united with Christ brings life, as we heard St. Paul write to the Romans in the Second Reading yesterday, “ If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” Death with Him is better than life without Him. 

After seeing and touching the resurrected Jesus and acclaiming “My Lord and My God” there are no further scriptural accounts of St. Thomas. However, stories from the 3rd and 4th centuries tell of Thomas’ apostolic and missionary activity in modern day Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan and labors in India where he was martyred.

The story goes that a pagan indian king, upon meeting the apostle, immediately put great trust in him and hired him as a royal architect.  Because of this, St. Thomas is the patron saint of architects. The king put at Thomas’ disposal the great wealth of his treasury for planning and building the new royal palace.  But Thomas donated the entire sum to the poor, telling the King, that this way he builds a greater palace in heaven.  The king would have put Thomas to death for this, but the king received a heavenly apparition, the king’s dead brother appeared and testified to the reality and glory of the heavenly palace.  

Thomas was martyred, however, when he converted the king’s many wives to Christ and persuaded them to remain abstinent because Christian marriage is between one man and one woman.  

The Apostle Thomas rightly and boldly passed on Christ’s teaching concerning the moral conduct of his followers even though it would bring about the king’s wrath.  Thomas the apostle shows us the courage to which Catholics are called.  The courage and willingness to follow Jesus anywhere: In front of kings and judges and presidents, the boldness to speak the truth of Christ no matter the consequence. 

Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, like Thomas closely peering at the wounds of Jesus, helps us to withstand caving to the growing trends of secularism and immorality in our society. Like Him may we faithfully proclaim Christ as Lord and God to all nations, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Church during this time of Eucharistic Revival: for more fervent belief in the Lord’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, and that the Eucharist may help us die to sin and live more fully for God. 

As the United States celebrates our civil independence this week: we pray that our nation may be united by God’s Spirit, guarded from terror, observant of God’s Holy Laws, and vigilant against threats to our freedom, peace, and well-being. May the Wisdom of God guide our government leaders and legislators, families, businesses, civil institutions, and all of our domestic affairs.

That during this month of July dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus: we may grow in gratitude for the gift of our salvation and more zealous for souls. 

For all of the sick and afflicted, and for our deceased family members, friends and fellow parishioners, for our deceased servicemen and women, for all the poor souls in purgatory and for…

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.

September 28 2022 - St. Lawrence Ruiz - The life offered to God

Saint Lawrence Ruiz is the first canonized Filipino martyr.  He was born in Manila around the year 1600 to a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, who were both Christians.  As a young boy he was educated by Dominican priests and served as an altar boy.  He became a professional calligrapher, transcribing documents in beautiful penmanship, and he was a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary.  He married and was a devoted husband and father of two sons and a daughter. He was a man of faith.

His life took an abrupt turn when he was unjustly accused of murder.  The threat of arrest led Lawrence to flee his home.  He sought asylum with several Dominican priests who were going to Japan to do missionary work.

As God’s mysterious providence would have it, Lorenzo along with the missionaries were arrested shortly after arriving in Japan. Catholics were being persecuted heavily in Japan at that time, and those who professed the Catholic faith, especially missionaries, were being jailed by the Japanese government, subjected to unspeakable tortures in attempt to force them to renounce their faith. Those who refused to apostatize were sentenced to death by the Japanese.  

As he faced his persecutors, St. Lorenzo said, “If I had a thousand lives to offer, I would offer them to God. So, do with me as you please."  He was killed by being hung upside down and exsanguinated. 

The world thinks (many Catholics think) that the purpose of life is escape a fate like St. Lorenzo’s—to do anything we can from being arrested, tortured, and murdered for our faith. But we must offer our lives to God no matter what that means.

The life offered to God might mean a long life, surrounded by grandchildren—helping your family to become strong in the faith. It might mean being the victim of a false accusation, like St. Lorenzo, and then tortured for your faith. It might mean to have the hatred of the worldly powers bent on your demise. But, the martyrs show us that offering our lives to God, whatever that means, will always bring about a greater good. 

The Courage of the Martyrs comes from a passivity, an acceptance, and surrender to the Holy Will of God. And that’s something that every Catholic is called to imitate no matter our state in life or our circumstances. Surrendered to God, the slave becomes free, the poor becomes rich, the weak becomes strong in bearing witness to God, the crucified becomes an instrument of grace. 

May the martyrs help us to seek and surrender to the Holy Will of God with courage and love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That religious indifference and hatred in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.

For the transformation of all attitudes which lead to war, violence, racial hatred, and religious persecution.

For the conversion of Atheists, hardened sinners, lapsed Catholics, and the conversion of all hearts.

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 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.

2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said: "What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors." 

At the point of death, the second brother said: "You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying."

After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so,

and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words: "It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again." Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said, "It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life."

Jn 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me."

June 01 2022 - St. Justin Martyr - Seeking Truth and Holiness

 

The story of St. Justin’s conversion is well known.  

Justin was born around the year 100 in the Holy Land, and was the son of pagan nobles, so he was not raised in the faith.  But he was very well educated, studying poetry, history and science, and he was deeply schooled in the ancient Greek philosophers, but the Truth of God eluded him. 

One day, Justin was walking by the sea near Caesarea and there he met an old man.  And they began to walk and talk together about philosophy and truth. When the man revealed himself to be a Christian, Justin argued vehemently against Christianity. But finally the old man curtly cut him off, saying "You are a mere dealer in words, but no lover of action and truth; your aim is not to be a practiser of good, but a clever arguer, a cunning sophist." And when finally Justin put the question to the old man: "Where then is truth?" the old man replied, "Search the Scriptures and pray that the gates of light may be opened to you, for none can perceive and comprehend these things except God and His Christ grant them understanding."

Justin writes about what happened when he took up thr old man’s challenge: “A fire was suddenly kindled in my soul.  I fell in love with the prophets and those who loved Christ.  I reflected on all their words and found this philosophy alone was true and profitable.”

The old man, a simple Christian, was able to point this young person, Justin, with his superior education, to the Truth---to not love just words, words, words, but action, truth, goodness, and beauty.

Saints are not just born saints. They encounter Truth and goodness and beauty in the witness of the Church first. You don’t have to have a doctorate in theology to win converts, you just have to practice the good and tell the truth when it is your turn to tell it.

That old man set Justin on the path of holiness. And yes, Justin would certainly go on to use his tremendous intellectual gifts in service of the Church. Justin was one of the greatest apologists of his time: defending the faith against its enemies and explaining the faith for believers. 

In Rome, he was arrested for practicing Christianity.  Before the judge, Justin was asked, "Do you think that by dying you will enter heaven and be rewarded?" "I don't just think so," the saint answered. "I am sure of it!"  He was given the opportunity to renounce the faith and save his life; instead he defended the faith and clearly explained it, with his dying breaths.  He was put to death as a martyr by beheading along with six of his students, five men and one woman, in the year 166.

There are times when each of us will be called upon by God to defend our faith and clearly explain the faith.  In the early days of the Church, God chose Justin to spread the truth of the faith. He fearlessly defended the gospel of Christ before the powers and principalities and rulers of the day.  Through his prayers may we be bearers and defenders of the Christian faith to all we meet, witnessing to the saving power of Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

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For openness to the Holy Spirits gifts, that we may be always bold and clear in spreading and defending the Gospel.

That the faith of the martyrs may give us courage in times of persecution.

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept close to the truth and heart of Jesus.

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, for the deceased priests and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.

December 29 2021 - St. Thomas Becket - The bloody Octave of Christmas

 

Within 4 days of Christmas, we have the celebration of St Stephen, martyred for the faith, St. John the Apostle, not martyred, but excruciatingly tortured for the faith, we have the slaughter of babies, on the Feast of the Holy Innocents yesterday, and then today, we have the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, a bishop of England who was assassinated on his Cathedral steps. It is almost as though the red poinsettias decorating the sanctuary and the church witness to the blood shed by those who love him.

Can’t we just sing cheerful Christmas carols for a few days? Why does it have to be so bloody? 

These bloody feast days following Christmas are a shocking reminder of the world’s hatred of the one born on Christmas. For it is clear that Jesus came to this world, ultimately to die. 

There is a little debate whether his crib, the manger of Bethlehem was made out of wood or stone. If wood, it reminds us of the wood of the cross; if stone, it reminds us of his tomb. His swaddling clothes which would bind his arms and feet as a baby point to his arms and legs bound to the cross, and to the linen shroud that would wrap him tightly at his burial.

The blood of the Christmas octave also reminds us that many of us too will share in Christ’s lot. This world hated Christ and had “no room for him.” Nor does it have room for us. The blood of martyrs stretches down through the centuries in testimony to the world’s hatred for authentic disciples of Christ and the truth they propose.

During the octave of Christmas, we celebrate our savior, we draw near to him to adore him, and worship him, and hold him close, that we may have the strength and courage and willingness to suffer for him, to exert the energy needed to pursue the sanctification of our souls for him.

Thomas Becket, when those four knights with swords drawn approached him in his Cathedral said, “I am ready to die for God.  I am ready to die for the defense of justice. I am ready to die for the freedom of the Church. Would only that my lifeblood might purchase Her peace and freedom”.

Where did he get that courage and readiness? He loved Christ more than anything. May we do the same. For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring forth now our prayers of petitions.

That the joyful celebration of our Savior’s birth bring renewed conviction for Christ’s truth to the Pope, all bishops, clergy, and lay faithful.

That our President and all leaders of nations may protect and promote religious liberty for all. 

For Christians who are persecuted throughout the world, especially those who face martyrdom, that they may have a faith that is constant and pure.

For those oppressed by hunger, sickness or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body. 

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

November 24 2021 - Vietnamese Martyrs - Christ is near us in our trials

 An estimated 130,000 Catholics were martyred in Vietnam between the 17th and 19th centuries. And the tortures suffered by the Vietnamese Catholics are among the worst recorded. Their limbs were hacked off joint by joint, their flesh was torn off with red hot tongs, they were drugged, caged, and exposed to many indignities. They were commonly branded on the face with the words “ta dao,” which means “sinister religion”

One of the Vietnamese martyrs, St. Paul Le-Bao-Tihn wrote a letter describing his imprisonment and torturers, “I, Paul, in chains for the name of Christ, wish to relate to you the trials besetting me daily, in order that you may be inflamed with love for God and join with me in his praises, for his mercy is for ever. The prison here is a true image of everlasting hell: to cruel tortures of every kind—shackles, iron chains, manacles—are added hatred, vengeance, calumnies, obscene speech, quarrels, evil acts, swearing, curses, as well as anguish and grief.”

But then St. Paul Le-Bao-Tihn goes on to explain the faith that sustains him, “But the God who once freed the three children from the fiery furnace is with me always; he has delivered me from these tribulations and made them sweet, for his mercy is forever. In the midst of these torments, which usually terrify others, I am, by the grace of God, full of joy and gladness, because I am not alone—Christ is with me.”

This conviction of the closeness of Christ and the promises of Christ sustained him, and no doubt, so many of the martyrs. 

In the Gospel, the Lord explains how his followers will be led before kings and governors because of my name… we’ll be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends…and hated by all.” What will sustain us in all of our trials is that same conviction that filled St. Paul, St. Andrew, and the Vietnamese martyrs, the nearness of Christ and confidence in his promises. 

This is why it is important to practice daily prayer, regular study of the catechism and the scriptures, frequent reception of the sacraments, in order to cultivate that rock-like faith that sustains us in times of trial and temptation. Superficial faith will not sustain us. Rather, we need to draw near to Christ often throughout the day, and in times of peace, so that we may know his nearness in times of trial, in times of temptation. But if we are constantly turning our face away from him, how can we hope to see his sustaining gaze of love when our faith is tried?

St. Paul Le-Bao-Tihn wrotes, “In the midst of this storm I cast my anchor toward the throne of God, the anchor that is the lively home in my heart.” May we cultivate that faith in god, that hope in God, that love for God that will be an anchor in the storms of our life, that we may preserve our souls for eternal life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the sanctification of the Church, that bishops and priests be granted courage to preach the Gospel in its fullness.

For the sanctification of families, that the Word of Jesus may be studied, cherished and practiced in every home.

For all who have fallen away from the sacraments, may they repent of their sins and desire the life that can only come from you.

For peace and refreshment to all who prepare to gather for the Thanksgiving Holiday, bring safety to travelers, and protection from all disease.

For comfort to the sick and suffering, charity and care to the destitute and down-trodden, and courage to the fearful. 

That the Lord welcome into his kingdom all the faithful departed, those whose names are written in our parish necrology, all clergy and religious, and X for whom this mass is offered.

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.

November 22 2021 - St. Cecilia - Sacred Music and the New Song of the Martyrs

All throughout the scriptures God’s people are known for making music.  After escaping from the Egyptians and crossing the Red Sea, the people of Israel sang a song exulting the Lord for delivering them from their enemies. Singing was certainly part of Israel's formal worship in both tabernacle and temple. The Psalms bear rich testimony that in joy and sorrow, in praise and lament, the faithful raise their voices in song to God—making music on lutes and harps, and pipe instruments, even with loud clashing cymbals. There’s certainly a time and place for music like that! 

Our Lord in the Gospels is recorded as singing hymns with his disciples on their way to Mount Olivet, after the Last Supper. A recessional hymn following the first Mass.  

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, telling them, “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…”

In the book of the apocalypse, the saints of heaven are depicted standing around the throne of the Lamb, singing. 

We celebrate today the feast of the patron saint of musicians, St. Cecilia. Legend states that after St. Cecilia was arrested and imprisoned for her faith, she was tortured for days. But throughout her gruesome tortures she sang to God, she sang God’s praises. 

I think of Cecilia’s beautiful music as she faced her martyrdom in contrast with Psalm 137 which, depicts the Jews being so distraught, so anguished due to their physical separation from the Jerusalem temple, that they hang up their hearts. They are so overwhelmed that they could not bring themselves to song when their Babylonian captors request a song of zion. 

But, St. Cecilia was able to sing in the face of death, and this is certainly a characteristic of the Christian saint. Because of Christian faith and hope, faith in Christ’s victory over death, hope in eternal life with him and the resurrection, we are able to sing even in this valley of tears.  

St. Augustine describing the Christian life once said, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.”  The Christian witnessing to the victory of Christ over sin and death is to be a song which resounds to all corners of the world.  Whether in good times or in bad, in times of suffering, or in times of joy the Christian life is to be a hymn to God. For Christ’s victory over death, enables us to sing alleluia—God is victorious—even in the face of our own martyrdom. 

Several of the Psalms proclaim: “sing a new song unto the Lord”, well, the Christian is able to sing that new song, even in the face of gruesome martyrdom because we know that death does not get the last word, death does not silence the witness of the Church, for it did not silence Him.

The Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium explains that there are two purposes for sacred music: "the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful."

Beautiful Sacred Music, reflects the beauty and holiness of God, engaging our human emotions, imaginations, and wills. We make beautiful music because God is beautiful, and we sing songs of lamentation to more deeply express our guilt or our suffering.

And yet, sacred music is also a sacramental like sacred art and architecture, the miraculous medal, or holy water. Music expresses our faith but also opens us up, disposes us, like the other sacramentals, to the grace of God, by pointing us to the transcendent. Sacred music has been successful in stirring the hearts of hardened atheists to recognize that there is something beyond the material, beyond the self.

The Church is blessed by her sacred musicians who help us to worship God in spirit, truth, goodness, and beauty. Through the intercession of St. Cecilia, may the entire Church, through all her trials and joys, sing to God the new song of adoration for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

August 10 2021 - St. Lawrence deacon and martyr,

 Last night, at the latin mass, we celebrated the vigil mass of St. Lawrence. So great was the reverence and respect for this holy saint, deacon, and martyr of Rome that he had his own vigil mass. In fact, prior to the council, for the vigil of Lawrence, the priest wore the purple vestments, for yesterday would have been a day of fasting and abstinence: to prepare for today’s feasting! The romans loved St. Lawrence! Last night, with the Young Adult Club, we did not fast, rather, we had a barbeque in honor of St. Lawrence. Those who know the story of Lawrence’s martyrdom detected the connection.

As a deacon in Rome, Lawrence was in charge of the Roman Church’s treasury, and had the responsibility of distributing alms to the poor.  When Pope Sixtus was arrested and killed, Lawrence knew that he would be next—he sold all of his personal possessions and gave them away to the poor widows, orphans, and beggars of Rome.

When the prefect of Rome heard this, he imagined that Church must have a considerable treasure hidden somewhere in the city.  He ordered Lawrence to bring the Church’s treasure to him.  So, Deacon Lawrence gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned and widowed persons.. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasures of the Church.” 

In great anger, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was to be slowly roasted alive upon an iron grill.  Lawrence however was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flame. He even joked.  I'm done on this side! Turn me over” Hence, last night’s barbeque. 

In fact, at his vigil mass, a passage from the book of sirach is read, which describes God’s faithful one being saved by God from the flames. “From many dangers you have saved me, from flames that beset me on every side”

Before his death he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith might spread all over the world. On today’s feast we read from the Gospel, where the Lord tells us that the grain which falls to the ground and dies bears fruit for the kingdom. St. Lawrence certainly is that holy grain, who dies for the Lord, who, after 1700 years, continues to bear fruit for the kingdom, in inspiring us to love and care for the poor, to give witness to the Gospel with our lives, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Christians persecuted for the faith may be courageous in their witness to the saving Truth of Christ. And that the witness of the martyrs may never be in vain. 

That all Christians may grow in their awareness of and charitable attentiveness to the needs of the poor in their midst.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.

July 20 2021 - St. Apollonaris, martyr - Witness matters

 My final year of college seminary, I was able to spend a semester studying abroad in the Holy City of Rome.  Not only were we able to soak up the culture, piety, and religious history of Rome, but we were able to travel to many of the other important cities to Catholicism, at least in Italy.  

Our Church architecture professor took us to the city of Ravenna, known for its beautiful mosaics and ancient churches.  In the Cathedral of Ravenna, behind the altar is a beautiful mosaic of that city’s first bishop, the saint whom the Church celebrates today, Apollinaris.  Apollinaris was a disciple of the Apostle Peter and was famous for the gift of healing.  In fact, that’s what started to get him into trouble.  

Sent by Peter to Ravenna, Apollonaris began preaching in the town. A certain, Roman Tribune impressed by the man, welcomed the new bishop to his home. The tribune brought the bishop to the bed of his blind son who Bishop Apollonaris immediately healed.  The Tribune and his family converted on the spot, and even offered their home as the new headquarters for the bishop. 

The faith flourished in Ravenna in the 26 years Apollonaris was Bishop there, until the Imperials had enough of him. He was imprisoned and tortured, exiled after he miraculously survived his tortures, including being plunged into boiling oil. He continued to win converts even in exile, so he was captured and imprisoned again, and finally beaten to death in the year A.D. 79. 

Whenever we celebrate the martyrs, we are challenged by them in a number of ways.  Would I have the strength of faith to witness with my life?  But also, the perhaps more pressing question, do my words and deeds mark me as a Christian?  Do I make people like the Roman Imperials concerned because souls are becoming Christian or taking their faith more seriously because of my efforts?  

Now the beautiful ancient churches and famous mosaics of Ravenna were not fashioned for about 400 years after the martyrdom of her first bishop. But without men like Apollonaris there wouldn’t have been Christians in Ravenna whose great great grandchildren would go on to build those churches and mosaics. What we do in this life matters. The example of our faith and the perseverance through difficulty matters. 

May the Martyrs preserve us, inspire us, and strengthen us for the witness and work God has for us in our own time, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Our Savior’s faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us praise him in remembrance of them:

The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, may we have a faith that is constant and pure. 

The martyrs followed in Christ’s footsteps by carrying the cross, may we endure courageously our earthly trials and all the misfortunes of life.

The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, may we be helped by their prayers to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of July: That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests. We pray to the Lord.

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

June 02 2021 - Sts. Marcellinus and Peter - The powerful witness of the Roman Martyrs

 When I celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation last week, I was so impressed that all four of our confirmandi chose martyrs as their patron saints: Dymphna, Sebastian, Cecilia, and joan of arc are all martyrs. 3 of them are early roman martyrs like the saints we honor today, Saints Marcellinus and Peter.

Marcellinus was a priest, and Peter was an exorcist. For the faith, they were arrested and imprisoned. They were so successful in converting their fellow prisoners, that the Roman authorities didn’t want to risk a public execution, lest their deaths inspire even more conversions. So Marcellinus and Peter were taken to a forest in the middle of the night, forced to dig their own graves, and beheaded. However, one of the soldiers was so moved by their courage, that he converted to Christ, and told the Church where Marcellinus and Peter were buried, so they could be properly venerated.

The emperor Constantine, the first Holy Roman Emperor who ended the persecutions, had a church built over the spot of their martyrdom.  

2000 years later, young people, like our newly confirmed, still look to the martyrs of the early Roman church as inspiration for living out the Christian faith. 

Why? No doubt, their courage in the face of hostility is perennially inspiring. All of us face some sort of adversity, and the martyrs show us what courage looks like, they show us that courage is possible, withstanding adversity, persevering throughout an earthly trial is possible. 

Their love for Jesus Christ and the Church is also contagious. When I think of the martyrs, I think, I want to love Jesus, I want to love the Church, that much. I want to be equipped with those same “weapons of righteousness” as St. Paul calls them. To be able to stand up to kings and judges, and to set good example for those of weaker faith. I want concern for souls and conviction for the truth of the Gospel to be my highest priority. 

I encouraged our young people to learn the stories of their confirmation saints well, to be able to share their stories with others. Because the stories of their witness are so powerful, they are contagious. The martyrs aren’t relics of the past that we’ve failed to discard, the Roman martyrs are ever-ancient, ever-new, just like the Church, just like Christ.  

And following them, they lead us to Christ who is "Rex et caput martyrorum"—the king and head of martyrs. For the martyrs ultimately lead us to love and imitate Him—who testified to the love of the Father, by the embrace of his bloody Passion and death.

May Marcellinus and Peter and all of the martyrs of the Roman Church help us to courageously confess Christ in our own day and place, remaining true to Him in word and deed, loving Him with all of our heart, mind, and strength, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For openness to the Holy Spirits gifts, that we may be always bold and clear in spreading and defending the Gospel.

That the faith of the martyrs may give us courage in times of persecution.

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept close to the truth and heart of Jesus.

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, for the deceased priests and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

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.

2nd Week of Lent 2021 - Wednesday - Can you drink the chalice?

 In yesterday’s Gospel, the Lord condemned the Pharisees for seeking to sit upon the chair of moses—the exalted position of power and authority. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted”.

Today, the mother the Apostles, James and John comes seeking an exalted position for her sons in Jesus’ kingdom.  

She wants greatness for her sons, as any mother would.  So there is something commendable in her words, she wants the best of her children, and she has come to believe that Jesus was destined to be king.  Yet, that belief is a misunderstanding of what the Messiah’s kingship means and entails.  

James and John seemed pretty ready to grasp at it the worldly greatness, perhaps dreaming of endless wealth, celebrity recognition, political power, and command of military might.  

Jesus, however, defines “greatness” very differently.  Greatness comes from giving, and service, and sacrifice. Whoever wishes to be great must become a slave, he says.  Greatness comes not in possessing the esteem of men, but in serving others with one’s entire life.  

It is good to strive for greatness.  But, again, whose version of greatness do you strive for, the world’s or Christ’s?  The royal road to Christian greatness is the cross.  The Christian should strive for great sanctity through great self-sacrifice.  The greatness of the saints is found in their ability to die to their own ambitions, and to pour themselves out abundantly in service to the kingdom of God.  

Jesus promises that James and John would drink of the same cup he would drink—the cup of torture and death for the salvation of souls.  James was the first of the Twelve to drink the cup of Christ when he was beheaded in Jerusalem by Herod Agrippa about ten years after the Lord’s death.  And although John was the only apostle to die a natural death, this was not before experiencing great hardship and exile.  One could say John lived a martyr’s life even if he never died a martyr’s death.

This morning, Bishop Malesic offered a simple reflection. His excellency wrote, “Jesus said to James and John that following him is not easy.  It has a cost.  Jesus asks them: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”  The chalice that Jesus is referring to is the cup of rejection and suffering.

Sometimes, doing the right thing is difficult.  Just ask Jeremiah the prophet in our first reading.  He was thrown into a pit because he spoke the truth to people who did not want to hear it. 

To follow Jesus will always entail a bit of pain, sometimes even a great amount of it.  Can we drink of that chalice?  Can we afford not to?”

Through our Lenten observances, may those attitudes of entitlement and self-preoccupation be conquered within us, and may we drink the chalice of self-sacrifice,  service, and love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.  

 

For profound renewal for the entire church during this Lenten season. 

That parents will help their children seek the priorities of the Christian Gospel over all else, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.

For the protection of the unborn and respect for all human life. 

For generous giving for the needs of the poor, the hungry, the homeless, those who are sick, especially for victims of the coronavirus and serious seasonal illness, for the unemployed, victims of natural disaster, terrorism, war, violence, and human trafficking, and for those most in need.  

For our beloved dead and all the poor souls in purgatory.

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.

February 23 2021 - St. Polycarp and the many fruits of Prayer

 

We have many great saints whose feasts days fall within the Lenten season.  Today is the feast day of saint who was born just about 40 years after the death of Jesus. His name was Polycarp, and he was the bishop of a place called Smyrna, which is in the modern-day country of Turkey, not too far from Ephesus, where St. John took Mary to live after Jesus’ death and resurrection. In fact, Polycarp was a student of one of the apostles, of St. John.

In the middle column of stained glass windows here in the eastern narthex is a series of scenes from the life of our Patron St. Ignatius of Antioch. And In the top window, there he is with St. Polycarp kneeling at the feet of St. John the Apostle, as he reads his Gospel. Polycarp and Ignatius were ordained bishops by St. John—and each sent to their respective dioceses—Ignatius to Antioch and Polycarp to Smyrna.

Ignatius and Polycarp continued to correspond after their ordination.

Ignatius begins his epistle to the bishop of Smyrna praising Polycarp’s rock-like faith, the blamelessness of his life, and then encourages him to press forward in the race of the Christian life and to work for the salvation of all people. “In all circumstances be “wise as a serpent,” and perpetually “harmless as a dove”, Ignatius tells Polycarp, quoting our Lord in explaining to his disciples how they must deal with the worldly.

Then Ignatius tells Polycarp, give yourself to unceasing prayer, asking for more wisdom than you already have. A bishop must be a man of unceasing prayer and wisdom. While a bishop must certainly be out in the streets preaching the Gospel, administering his diocese, setting good example for his flock, a bishop must be a man of unceasing prayer seeking God’s wisdom always. 

This is good advice for all of us, too. Our Lord in the Gospel today, tells us that we must be people of prayer, who go to our inner rooms, shutting the door to the distractions of the world, and praying to the Father in secret. It is in that secret prayer that we will derive much strength and wisdom in dealing with all the challenges of our vocations. And in prayer, the word of God, as we heard in the first reading, waters our soul like the gentle rain, bearing fruit. In fact, Polycarp's name means "many fruit", no doubt, fruit cultivated through prayer.

St. Polycarp, like our patron, Ignatius, would go on to be martyred for the faith--the greatest of the fruits cultivated in his spiritual life--the courage to give that ultimate witness--becoming a fruit that nourished the church and continues to nourish us to this day. While he was bishop, at the age of 86, a violent persecution broke out in Smyrna against the Christians. Christians were being forced to give up their faith or face death. Because he was a bishop, Polycarp was arrested.  He was led directly to the roman judge, who ordered him make sacrifice to a pagan God and commit blasphemy. 

Some of his Christian friends had urged him to make the sacrifice in order to save his life.  But, Polycarp responded, “for 86 years I have served Jesus Christ, and he has never abandoned me.  How could I curse my blessed king and savior.” So refusing to give up his faith, Polycarp was sentenced to be burned alive.

No doubt, it was through his prayer, that made his love for Jesus stronger than the flames of his martyrdom. In fact, descriptions of his martyrdom claim that, as Polycarp prayed during his execution, the fire created a sort of dome around him, and instead of his flesh burning, his body was like bread baking in an oven, like gold a silver in a furnace, he began to radiate the light of God. And a sweet fragrance like burning incense filled the place.

May we like Polycarp, cultivate a love for the Lord through prayer that is stronger than any earthly flame, a prayer life that sustains us in all of our challenges and duties, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.

For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence. And for all victims of the coronavirus and their families.

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. Through Christ our Lord.

February 05 2021 - St. Agatha - Chastity and Martyrdom

 Saint Agatha is one of the great virgin martyrs honored by the early Roman church. She was martyred in the brief but ferocious persecution of the emperor Decius, whose own reign lasted only two years, 249 to 251. Prior to Decius, much of the persecution, was local and sporadic throughout the empire, even with periods of general tolerance toward Christians. 

But, in 250 AD, Decius issued an imperial decree requiring all citizens of the empire to offer a sacrifice to the Roman Gods, renounce the Christian faith in front of a Roman official and obtain a certificate called a libellus proving they had done so. Many Christians publicly rejected their faith by offering the sacrifice; some bribed the public official to obtain the libellus.  

Saint Agatha was a beautiful Sicilian woman who had consecrated herself to Christ—to be His bride—to spend her life in his prayerful service and consecrated virginity.

When she refused the romantic advances of a pagan man, he turned her into the authorities. Since she would not offer the pagan sacrifice, she was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually killed. The popular legend states that her gruesome torture involved the cutting off of her breasts. St. Peter is said to have appeared to her and healed her wounds. She was then put over hot coals and roasted, but an earthquake saved her from the fire. 

For these reasons she is both patron saint of breast diseases and also invoked as a protector from fire, like volcanic eruptions in her native Sicily.

In the Gospel about the beheading of John the Baptist, we see the world’s hatred of the saints is nothing new. For speaking out against the corruption and sexual sins of the royal court of his day, John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. 

Throughout the ages, the Church has been hated for teaching God’s vision for marriage and sexuality and chastity. St. John the Baptist, St. Agnes, St. Anastasia, St. Lucy, St. Charles Lwanga, St. Maria Goretti in our own modern day, were killed for this reason. 

Christians today are surrounded by innumerable pressures to forsake the faith, to make compromises with the world, to embrace errors repugnant to the teachings of Christ. And in this increasingly perverse and degenerate age, it is likely the Church will be increasingly opposed and more ferociously mocked and attacked for teaching the Truth, even from within the ranks of the church, even perhaps by members of the hierarchy. But woe to the faithful if we flee from this task. For the Truth of the Gospel does not change, especially due to the whins of the world. For Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So we do well to increase our devotion to the great martyrs, that we may have the courage to witness clearly and teach clearly and embrace the inevitable sufferings that follow, that the power of Christ and the love of God may shine in our lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of February: for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded. Let us pray to the Lord.

Through the intercession of St. Agatha and the holy virgin-martyrs, for an increase of reverence for the virtues of chastity, purity, and modesty and for greater respect for the dignity of the human body and all human 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

February 1 2021 - St. Ignatius of Antioch (EF) - Crowned with Many Crowns of glory

About 300 years after the death of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the archbishop of Constantinople, the golden-tongued St. John Chrysostom gave a stirring homily about the martyred bishop, which can be accessed for free on the internet, if you have the means, I highly recommend reading it.

St. John begins his homily with a funny even surprising little analogy. He says, Entertainers—theater producers and hosts of athletic competitions and the like—put on frequent and constant entertainments to show off their wealth and to show good will to their acquaintances. In the martyrs, God has done something similar. In the martyrs, God shows the power of his love and grace, in transforming weak and ordinary people, into powerful witnesses of the Gospel. And unlike the theater and athletic competitions of his day, which were limited to just men, Chrysostom says, “both maidens and women, and men, both young and old, and slaves, and freemen, and every rank, and every age, and each sex” are called forth by God for the noble purpose---the contest, he calls it—of the Christian life.

Then, St. John goes on to say that Ignatius of Antioch was so successful in this contest, he won so many crowns he doesn’t know where to begin. He says, “just like when you go into a field and there are roses and violets and lilies and spring flowers, you don’t know where to look, “coming to this spiritual meadow of the mighty works of Ignatius” he doesn’t know where to begin. 

He begins, though, with Ignatius’ selection as bishop of Antioch. Ignatius was crowned by he was crowned by the Apostles, selected as bishop of Antioch by one of the original twelve apostles. The top stained glass window of the eastern transept, shows Ignatius and Polycarp kneeling before St. John the Apostle, as they are being made the bishops of Antioch and Ephesus respectively. 

To be chosen as a Bishop is a great honor, but Chrysostom notes that being chosen as Bishop by the Apostles was an honor greater still. The Apostles knew what the job demanded. Ignatius fulfilled some very specific Apostolic qualifications, like those set forth by St. Paul in his letter to Titus, when he writes “A bishop as God’s steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents.”

And this leads to the second and third crowns. Ignatius won the crowns of being a competent bishop of a humungous diocese, boasting a population of about a million people. And not only a humungous diocese, but the see that was once presided over by the Prince of the Apostles, St. Peter himself.

Another crown, won by Ignatius is evidenced in his writings. In his letters, written to the various Churches visited on the way to his martyrdom in Rome, Ignatius exhorts Christians over and over to hold fast to the Apostolic faith taught by the faithful bishops.

And, finally,  while each of the other crowns and accomplishments of Ignatius were blessings to the Church, it is in the crown of martyrdom, that truly echoes through the ages. 

For anyone who might ever doubt that the Lord truly rose from the dead: the martyrdom of Christians like Peter, Paul, and Ignatius is proof that the Lord is truly risen. “For in reality, writes Chrysostom, “ [martyrdom] is the greatest proof of the resurrection that the slain Christ should show forth so great power after death, as to persuade living men to despise both country and home and friends, and acquaintance and life itself, for the sake of confessing him, and to choose in place of present pleasures, both stripes and dangers and death. For these are not the achievements of any dead man, nor of one remaining in the tomb but of one risen and living.

Martyrdom is therefore encouragement to every Christian, and proof for every non-believer, to forsake the world and to live for Christ who is truly risen. 

Not only today, therefore, but every day, writes John Chrysostom, let us go forth to blessed Ignatius, plucking spiritual fruits from him. His holy example is a perpetual treasure, a spring that fills us with blessings, with boldness, nobleness of spirit, and much courage, in witnessing to Christ in our own lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

December 29 2020 - St. Thomas Becket - 850th Anniversary of Martyrdom

 From his youth, Thomas Becket was a good friend of King Henry II, and it was the King who nominated Thomas as archbishop of Canterbury.  But when the King began to overstep his authority and infringe upon the Church, Thomas opposed the king. Like Herod, in yesterday’s Gospel for the Holy Innocents, the king was filled with fury, and shouted “who will rid me of this turbulent priest?”  Four of his knights took these words literally, and killed the archbishop in his own cathedral.  

Today is the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket. I was surprised to see in my news feed this morning, President Trump issued a proclamation today in honor of today’s saint, and offered some pretty poignant words. ““Thomas Becket’s death serves as a powerful and timeless reminder to every American that our freedom from religious persecution is not a mere luxury or accident of history, but rather an essential element of our liberty. It is our priceless treasure and inheritance. And it was bought with the blood of martyrs.”

Freedom is not a mere luxury or accident of history. I couldn’t have said it better myself. And I think the president touches upon the connection with this martyr’s death and Christmas.

For our salvation, our reconciliation with God, doesn’t just happen. It’s not an accident. Salvation comes through a savior, born into history, who makes choices and decisions, and suffers. In a sense, Thomas Becket and the Martyrs are living out the spirit of Christmas in their martyrdom. 

Sacrificed everything, opposing the wolves which seek to invade the fold of our shepherd. The Spirit of Christmas, lived authentically, leads us to witness to the one born on Christmas. It pits us against the spirit of the world, the spirit of darkness, which seeks to overcome the light of Christ. 

Thomas Becket, when those four knights with swords drawn approached him in his Cathedral said, “I am ready to die for God.  I am ready to die for the defense of justice. I am ready to die for the freedom of the Church. Would only that my lifeblood might purchase Her peace and freedom”.

Again, to quote our president, “A society without religion cannot prosper. A nation without faith cannot endure — because justice, goodness, and peace cannot prevail without the grace of God”

May we like St. Thomas Becket allow the grace of God, the grace of Christmas, to transform and animate our lives, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring forth now our prayers of petitions.

That the joyful celebration of our Savior’s birth bring renewed conviction for Christ’s truth to the Pope, all bishops, clergy, and lay faithful.

That our President and all leaders of nations may protect and promote religious liberty for all. 

For Christians who are persecuted throughout the world, especially those who face martyrdom, that they may have a faith that is constant and pure.

For those oppressed by hunger, sickness or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body. 

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

November 30 2020 - St. Andrew the Apostle - Bravely Beginning Advent

 

On this first weekday of Advent, we honor the apostle first-called by the Lord. The celebration of the Feast the Apostles outranks the Advent weekday celebration, for, without the Apostles faithfully fulfilling their mission we wouldn’t have Advent, would we? Yet, we can still ask, what lessons particularly for Advent, can we learn from this courageous martyred apostle?

Though Andrew was of Jewish heritage, his name Andrew, comes not from a Hebrew word, but a Greek word: andreios, meaning “brave”, “manly”. The Apostle Andrew bravely followed Christ, bravely spread Christ’s Gospel, and bravely witnessing to Christ in martyrdom.  

Tradition says that he preached the Gospel in Patras, a city on the northwest coast of Greece’s Peloponnesian peninsula. He was met with great hostility by the governor of Patras, a man by the name of Aegeas. After imprisoning and torturing the apostle for preaching against the pagan gods, Aegeas promised great honors to Andrew, if he would forsake his Christian faith and offer the pagan sacrifices. Andrew responded: “the honors you offer me have no value in my eyes, because they are temporal and pass away; the tortures you threaten me with, I despise, for the same reason; but you, Aegeas have to fear torments which last forever, if you do not abandon your idols, and recognize Jesus Christ for the true and only God, and worship Him as such.”

Andrew’s courageous words recalls the promise of Our Lord in the Gospels, who said, “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake. When they deliver you up, do not be afraid…”

How are we called to practice Apostle-like ‘courage’ this advent? We’re certainly called to fortify ourselves against all of the secularizing influences of this upcoming month which seek to remove Christ from Christmas.  

But also, we are certainly called to ‘bravely’ enter into the spirituality of this season, to not be afraid to put aside worldly matters in order to seek after heavenly matters: to fill our Advent days with devotions, scripture reading, and good works.

After refusing to offer the pagan sacrifice, Andrew was crucified on the X-shaped cross. Hanging on the cross for two days before he died, he continued to preach the Gospel. Despite our crosses, we are called to bravely preach Christ this Advent, to prepare our souls to meet Him. 

Like Andrew we are called to leave behind the old life of earthly concern, in order to preach the Good News of Christ to the ends of the earth, to seek our joy not in earthly honors and riches, but in our faithfulness to the end. 

May the intercession and example of Saint Andrew grant us courage for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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

That through the courageous witness of the Christian Church, Our Lord will bring hope to the hopeless and joy to the joyless.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

That Christ may heal every disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and bring peace to the suffering.

For the deceased of our parish, family and friends, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God, as we await the advent of Christ your son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in  his praise. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

November 18 2020 - Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul

On June 29 every year we celebrate the feast of the martyrdoms of Saints Peter and Paul. Today’s feast commemorates the dedication of the Roman Basilicas built in their honor: the basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican in the year 350 and the dedication of the basilica of St. Paul in 390.  

Both of these edifices now stand very near the places where it is traditionally believed Saints Peter and Paul were martyred. Peter, we know, was said to have been crucified upside-down in the Circus of Nero, located on the mons Vaticanus, the Vatican Hill. Paul, was martyred outside the walls of the ancient city, at a place now called the abbazia delle tre fontane, the abbey of the three fountains, called such, because it is said, that when Paul was decapitated, his head bounced three times, from which, springs of water began to flow.

Each were buried near the place of their martyrdom. Again, Peter in a roman cemetery on Vatican Hill. And Paul, in a Roman Necropolis outside the ancient walls, in the tomb of a devout roman Noblewoman named Lucilla. 

When Christianity was eventually legalized in the Roman Empire, basilicas were built over the burial places of these two foundation stones for the Church. Though pilgrimage to their tombs was already occurring before the edict of Milan. Christians in fact risked imprisonment in order to make pilgrimage to pray at the tombs of Peter and Paul. 

Neither of the original basilicas still stand, in fact St. Paul’s has been subject to numerous fires. The new basilica of St. Paul’s was consecrated by Pius IX in 1854 and St. Peter’s Basillica was consecrated on this day, November 18 in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII—the altar of St. Peter’s basilica standing directly over the burial place of the apostle.

We can certainly see homages to these two great basilicas in the architecture of St. Ignatius, and yet, we aren’t really celebrated architectural achievement today, are we? Rather, the entire Catholic world today celebrates these two buildings in Rome,  in order to show our honor to the Apostles, and to remember that we belong to a Church that spans the entire globe, several millennia, which is built on the apostolic foundation. 

In an age where so many are tempted to sever themselves from the past and from authentic Church teaching, this feast is an important dimension of our Catholic faith. We unite ourselves to the great efforts of the apostles, to the millions of Catholics who have suffered persecution for our faith, for the efforts of missionaries and evangelists and teachers who have spent their lives passing on our faith, without whom we would not be here today. 

May our lives continue to be built upon the apostolic faith, courage and strength of Peter and Paul. May the love for the Lord which animated their lives animate ours, that we may serve him generously, if not heroically, like them, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the purification of Holy Church, that the Pope and Bishops and clergy may be filled with Apostolic Zeal, and that all the Christian faithful may discover and nurture their spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church.

For those who have left the Church, for those who have grown lukewarm, for those in mortal sin, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For the healing of all those afflicted with physical, mental, emotional illness, for those in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care, those struggling with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today.

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.

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.

 

June 29 2020 - Sts. Peter and Paul - Honoring their glorious martyrdoms

We celebrate today the martyrdoms of two of the greatest human beings who have ever lived: St. Peter and St. Paul. 

Peter was killed very near to where his basilica now stands on the Vatican Hill in what was then a Roman Circus named after the Emperors Caligula and Nero. As his executioners were preparing to crucify him, Peter gave them one last dying wish which delighted the sadistic executioners. Even though his sufferings would be greatly multiplied, Peter asked to be crucified upside down, as he didn’t consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same manner as our Lord, .

At the end of St. John’s Gospel, is the story where the Lord asks Peter three times, “Peter, do you love me”, then tend my sheep, feed my sheep.  The Lord then says, “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands.”  And Peter did stretch out his hands on a cross because he loved the 

Lord more than anything else.  And now Peter is with the Lord forever in heaven.

St. Paul was slain for Christ, also in Rome, legend says, on the same day as St. Peter.  Because Paul was a Roman citizen, the law said he could not be crucified.  So he was dragged out the south gate of Rome and was decapitated at a place called Aquae Salviae.

Where they started out was dramatically different from where they ended. Peter was a Galilean fisherman. Paul, a rabbinical student, who was initially convinced that Christians were heretics, and needed to be eradicated. Both experienced tremendous conversion as their love and conviction for Christ became the primary motivators of their lives. Paul, for example, even from prison, makes spreading the Gospel, his primary task.

I love reading the Scriptures pertaining to these two men, for God shines through their human weaknesses and doubts and brings about tremendous courage in their lives—courage enabling them to do tremendous things to build up the infant Church, courage which led them to give the ultimate witness.

God chose these men to build up the Church and witness to the saving faith in their day, and God chooses us to do the same.

May we know their intercession, and remember always their example, that we, like them, might be poured out like a libation in service of the Gospel, that we may profess always and everywhere that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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The Lord Jesus built his Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. In faith let us pray.

The Lord prayed that the faith of Peter would not fail, may the Lord strengthen the faith of His Church and protect her from all dangers.

The Lord appeared to Peter after his resurrection and appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, may he make us steadfast proclaimers of his resurrection.

The Lord called Peter, a fisherman, to be a fisher of men, may he raise up new vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.

The Lord mercifully forgave Peter’s denials, may he have mercy upon all sinners, and all those who suffer illness or any other need.

The Lord gave Peter the keys of the kingdom, may the gates of that kingdom be open to all who trusted in Christ’s mercy while still on earth, especially the deceased members of the Yurick & Hodock families, for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, graciously hear the prayers of your pilgrim Church on this great Solemnity and grant our prayers of petition through Christ, Our Lord.

June 03 2020 - St. Charles Lwanga and Companions - Courage to preserve chastity

To many of us the name of the Ugandan Martyr Charles Lwanga is unfamiliar.  But, he is well-known and revered in much of tropical Africa as a patron saint of young people. Personally, I’ve grown increasingly devoted to this Courageous Saint over the past few years.

Uganda only began to be evangelized in the early to mid-1800s by the Society of Missionaries of Africa, known as the White Fathers because of the white cassock they wore. The earliest converts were soon preaching the Gospel in places inaccessible to the White Fathers. Charles Lwanga was among the early converts, and was a servant in the royal court of the Ugandan king, King Mwanga, who ruled in the south eastern part of the country.

Mwanga was a violent ruler and a pedophile who forced himself on the young boys and young men who served as his pages.  Following the violent death of the leader of the small Christian community within the court, Charles Lwanga took the leadership of offering Christian instruction within the community. When King Mwanga tried to force himself on these young men, Charles tried to serve as their protector, encouraged the young boys to preserve their chastity. For refusing the advances of the King, they were arrested and burned to death on June 3 by royal decree.

Charles and the 22 Ugandan martyrs are such valuable witnesses in a time where young people are increasingly at risk of falling to the perversions in our culture, and for all those who seek to practice Christian chastity in this over-sexualized age.

In that powerful reading from 2 Maccabees we hear of the unshakeable faith of the righteous young men. In the face of death, death by a king, they placed their trust and hope in God and in eternal life that can come only from Him: “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the God-given hope of being restored to life by him”

In the face of temptation, and when faced with threats from the world to compromise the Gospel, may we take courage in our hope of eternal life, that those who remain faithful to God in this life, will receive the great reward of glory in eternity, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the witness, sufferings, and death of the  martyrs may bring about rebirth of Christianity and civilization, in those places where faith and morals have diminished.

Through the intercession of St. Charles Lwanga, patron of youth, may our young people be protected from the perversion of our culture and be infused with virtue.

That religious indifference in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and for The Smigovsky & Kermes Family, 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.

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FIRST READING          2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14
It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.
One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said:
"What do you expect to achieve by questioning us?
We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors."
At the point of death he said:
"You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life,
but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever.
It is for his laws that we are dying."
After him, the third suffered their cruel sport.
He put out his tongue at once when told to do so,
and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words:
"It was from Heaven that I received these;
for the sake of God's laws I disdain them;
from him I hope to receive them again."
Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage,
because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.
After he had died,
they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way.
When he was near death, he said,
"It is my choice to die at the hands of men
with the God-given hope of being restored to life by him;
but for you, there will be no resurrection to life."


RESPONSORIAL PSALM           124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
Anima nostra sicut passer erepta est de laqueo venantium.

R./ (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Had not the Lord been with us–
When men rose up against us,
    then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R./ Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
    over us then would have swept
    the raging waters.
R./ Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
    and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.
R./ Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.


ALLELUIA          Matt 5:3
Beati pauperes spiritu, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


GOSPEL          Matthew 5:1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."