17th Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Monday - Growth of the Kingdom of Heaven

 In the course of his public ministry, the Lord employed parables to teach about discipleship, faithfulness, and charity.

Today’s Gospel contained two short parables to describe growth—growth in the kingdom of heaven.

Before we consider the parables, what does the Lord mean when he uses that phrase, “the kingdom of heaven”. The kingdom of heaven is a constant topic in the Lord’s teaching. The phrase is used over 30 times in the Gospel of Matthew. A number of the parables describe what the “kingdom of heaven” is like. So, it’s a multi-faceted idea. Sometimes the kingdom of heaven seems to be describing the body of believers, sometimes the dominion of God, sometimes the presence of God in the individual soul, sometimes all these things at once.

Today’s parables speak of the kingdom of God as a reality that experiences growth. It starts off small, even barely visible, even undetectable to physical sight, but it can grow, and grow even beyond our human expectations.

The small seed growing into a large bush big enough for all of the birds of the sky to dwell in its branches makes us think of the Church. The Lord’s mission in establishing the kingdom of heaven began with very small beginnings but encompasses all nations, all people, and all time.

So too with the life of charity in the individual soul. It often starts off small, the small seed planted at baptism, the first hearing and reception of the Gospel. And then it has the potential to bloom into a magnificent sight, as seen in the lives of the saints. We must certainly do all that we can to cultivate the life of the kingdom of heaven in our hearts. 

But also, this Gospel certainly challenges us to never underestimate the power and importance of small acts of charity and sharing the Gospel with single individuals. This is how the kingdom of heaven grows. Again look at the saints. Most of these people started off as uneducated unremarkable people, and became bright, shining, majestic souls because someone, often a parent, or an ordinary Catholic like you and me, took the time, took the risk, to share the Word of God with them.

I remember, Pope Benedict warning Catholics to resist what he calls “the temptation of impatience”, that is the temptation to insist on “immediately finding great success” in “large numbers”.  “For the Kingdom of God and for evangelization, the parable of the grain of mustard seed is always valid.”  This new modern phase of the Church’s evangelization mission is likely not one of immediately attracting the large masses from the secular world or people who have distanced themselves from the Church” to begin attending mass. 

Rather, start with your neighbor, the individual looking for God, looking for fulfillment in something more than the culture has to offer. Believe in the power of God to transform the mustard seed, and act accordingly, to build up the kingdom of heaven, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the power of God’s grace, let us bring our petitions to the Lord:

For the Church throughout the world: That she may remain faithful in planting the seeds of the Kingdom through word, sacrament, and service.

For all Christians engaged in the work of evangelization: That they may resist the temptation of impatience and find renewed hope in the slow but steady growth of God’s grace in the hearts of others.

For those who have strayed from the faith or feel distant from the Church: That through the witness of faithful individuals and small acts of love, they may rediscover the beauty and truth of the Gospel.

For those who suffer in body or spirit, especially the lonely and forgotten: That they may find shelter and hope in the branches of God’s mercy and the compassion of His people.

For the faithful departed: That the seed of faith planted in their lives may now blossom into the fullness of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

God of mercy and love, hear our prayers and give us the grace to cooperate in Your work of salvation, trusting always in Your power to transform our efforts, through Christ our Lord.

30th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Mustard seeds can change the world

The parable of the Mustard Seed reminds us how tiny acts of faith can bring about tremendous goods. An act of kindness, an act of goodness, an act of charity appears so small and insignificant, but it can transform the world. 

Consider the Church herself: A small group of uneducated Galilean fishermen and a small group of itinerant missionaries like Paul and Timothy have changed the world. She started off small, imperceptible on a global scale. Now, she has grown and reached nearly every corner of the globe. 

The Church has been foundational in the creation of educational systems. Monasteries, cathedral schools, and later, universities—like the University of Paris, Oxford, and Bologna—were established by the Church. The monasteries kept knowledge and learning alive in the dark ages. The monks applying their learning to practical problems, advanced agricultural techniques and metallurgy. They practically enabled science to emerge as a method of addressing everyday human needs.

Catholic patronage has inspired the world’s greatest art, architecture, music, and literature. The Church invented hospitals. Church Canon law laid the foundation for many principles seen in modern legal systems. Catholic thinkers, especially during the Scholastic period, have shaped Western philosophy.

The lives which have been touched by the charity of the members of the Church is beyond measure. Missionaries established schools, hospitals, farms in the poorest most undeveloped areas, uplifting local economies and advancing health and education in diverse cultures.

The positive impact of the Church in history and in human lives is incalculable. But again, we started as a mustard seed. 

But the mustard seed principle is not just for the church as a whole, it is the way of life for the individual Christian. We take small acts of charity very seriously because it is clear that this is how God wants to spread his kingdom: through small acts with great love, as st. therese the little flower would say, whom we celebrated at the beginning of the month.

We must not discount or underestimate the power of those little acts of kindness: of giving a coat to a shivering stranger, a hot meal, a listening ear, a comforting message, a prayer card, a helpful reference to a bible verse that touches upon a doubt or concern. 

The Christian who is quietly trying to bring relief to the suffering, the sick, and the lonely, is a mustard seed that God uses to transform the world. May we be faithful in this great vocation of being mustard seeds…for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the mission of the Church in all corners of the world, that her charitable work in schools, hospitals, and communities may uplift the poor, advance health, bring the love of Christ to the underserved, and the Gospel to all people.

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

For a greater respect for human life in our laws and institutions: that we may cherish, defend, and protect the most vulnerable

That all Christians may embrace their calling to bring hope, comfort, and relief to those in need. For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know God’s consolation, healing, and grace. 

For the souls of the departed, that through the mercy of God, they may experience the fullness of eternal life in His Kingdom.

Loving Father, you reveal your Kingdom in the smallest acts of charity and faith. Hear these prayers we bring before you, and grant us what we need to be faithful in bringing your love to the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

30th Week in Ordinary Time 2021 - Tuesday - Mustard Seeds of Charity

Yesterday, in the Gospel we heard of the healing of a crippled woman in a synagogue. There was a woman who had been inflicted with a crippling spirit for 18 years, and the Lord delivers her from this spirit, and she is able to stand and glorify God.

After dealing with a bit of criticism from the pharisees for performing this healing on the sabbath, the Lord immediately offers the two parables we heard today, that of the mustard seed and the yeast.

The healing miracle serves as a sort of spark for today's teaching about the kingdom of God. And it may be a bit confusing how the these two short little parables and the miraculous healing are connected. But it’s really not that hard. The kingdom of God starts out small, almost undetectable, like a mustard seed, a bit of yeast, or the healing of poor afflicted woman. 

An act of kindness, an act of goodness, an act of charity appears so small and insignificant, but it can transform the world. 

This is why Catholics must take acts of mercy, acts of charity seriously. Because this is how God wants to spread his kingdom, through small acts with great love, as st. therese the little flower would say, whom we celebrated at the beginning of the month.

We must not discount or underestimate the power, the seed, of giving a coat to a shivering stranger, a hot meal, a listening ear. This is why Pope Francis is constantly urging us to get out of our houses and out into the world to engage in the works of mercy. Couch potatoes do nothing for God. But the Christian who is quietly trying to bring relief to the suffering, the sick, and the lonely, they are transforming the world, souls are being touched, the consoling and blessing hand of God is being extended…for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the faithful of our parish may engage ever more fervently in small acts of charity with great love for God and neighbor.

That young people will be blessed with good Christian example from their parents and fellow Christians, and that the word of God might be cherished, studied, and practiced in every Christian home. 

During and following this month of October, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, Catholics may take up this devotion with renewed vigor and trust in Our Lady’s never-failing intercession. 

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 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 deceased clergy and religious, for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 - Parables, Choices, Mustard Seeds

 
One of the hallmarks of the Lord’s preaching and teaching is his use of parables. Through parables, the Lord drew upon images, ideas, and customs from the everyday life of 1st century Israel—like farming and seeds. Utilizing parables allowed the Lord to connect with his listeners, to challenge their preconceptions, and lead them to truth. The Lord’s parables are simple enough for children to understand them, yet profound enough to challenge the greatest of saints up and down the centuries.

And I say the parables are challenging because they demand, in a sense, some personal engagement, a decision, usually to change our thoughts or behaviors. 

In the parable of the good Samaritan, for example, the listener has a choice. Who do I want to be in this story? Who does God want me to be? The self-occupied Levitical priest who passes by on the other side of the road when he glimpses a man in need? Or the good Samaritan who comes to the aid of the stranger? Hearing this parable, you have a choice.

In the parable where Jesus likens the kingdom of God to the pearl of great price, the listener, again has a choice. Will I pursue the kingdom of God, the values of God as the most important thing in my life, or not? Will I allow God to order my priorities, or not?

In one of my favorite parables where Jesus talks about the different types of soil, where the seed of the Gospel is spread over those different types of soil, right?, the listener has a choice. Will I make my mind and heart receptive to the truth of God or not? Will I clear away the thorns of my earthly attractions and distractions or not?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says the “parables are like mirrors for man: will he be hard soil or good earth for the word [of God]? What use has he made of the talents he has received?” 

The parables cause us to look at our life, and to make some decisions, some commitments. Will I allow Jesus’ teaching to change me, or not?

If this is the purpose of the parables, what are the decisions and commitments and personal engagement demanded by the parables in the Gospel passage for this 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First, we hear that the kingdom of God is like a seed that seems to grow on its own, the farmer doesn’t know how it grows. And that’s true about the grace of God in our souls. God’s life in our souls, in a sense, isn’t a human achievement, but a divine work. God brings about our growth in holiness, which at times is imperceptible, like a seed growing in the depths of the earth.

On the other hand, the farmer can’t very well neglect the seed, he has to do his part. He has to water it and fertilize it. So, too, we must cooperate with that grace, by doing our part: avoiding sin, engaging in daily prayer, reception of the sacraments, engagement in good works. The first choice demanded by the parables is this: will I do the things that cause the seed to grow, or not?

And yet that part of the parable, where the seed grows on its own, myseriously, must not be discounted as well. The second choice: will we allow God to be God. Will we trust God, when we don’t really see the growth we’re expecting. Will we be patient with God?

In a sense, this parable serves as encouragement for those who think their efforts for the kingdom are fruitless. When we are tempted to think that our prayers aren’t doing any good, we need to trust, that prayer is Good. Your prayers may have helped saved the lives or saved the souls of people you’ll never meet. Don’t worry. Prayer is good. Don’t give up. 

Again the challenge, will I trust God our not. Will I persevere in prayer, and good works, and avoiding sin? Will I trust that All those rosaries. All that time spent on your knees in front of the Blessed Sacrament. All those Masses. All that effort trying to set good example for young people. Will I trust that God is bringing about growth in his kingdom. The simple challenge is: will you give up, or will you trust God?

The second parable in today’s passage is connected to this idea of trust. The kingdom of God is like this mustard seed. The seed begins the smallest of seeds, but once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants. Will I trust that in God’s hands, my small meager effort, can have a real impact in the world.

A mustard seed. This is exactly how the Church started out. A small group of uneducated Galilean fishermen. A traveling group of missionaries like Paul and Timothy. But this is how the Church has grown over the centuries. She started off small, even imperceptible in many places. Now, she has grown and reached nearly every corner of the globe.  

Pope Benedict warned Catholics to resist what he calls “the temptation of impatience”, that is the temptation to insist on “immediately finding great success” in “large numbers”.  “For the Kingdom of God and for evangelization,” he said, “the parable of the grain of mustard seed is always valid.”  This new modern phase of the Church’s evangelization mission to the secular world will not be “immediately attracting the large masses that have distanced themselves from the Church”. The right pastor, the right music ministry, the right marketing campaign, isn’t going to fill these pews.

It’s going to start small before it blossoms again. Small things with great love. Folks, to be honest, that’s why I’m open to trying new things here, like the latin mass. Because more is accomplished with a little risk and trusting in God’s grace, than doing nothing at all.

That’s why it’s so good to see parish groups like Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, the Garden Club, the Bible Study, doing something. As you might know our Legion of Mary has begun an apostolate of going out to the cemeteries to pray with people who have lost someone. It’s something. This week the Legion is also going to start setting up a table on the sidewalk on Thursday afternoons to pass out Catholic literature and rosaries and just talk with people who may have questions about the Catholic faith. Again, it’s something. It’s a mustard seed. 

So, too with our St. Vincent de Paul. They go out two by two to meet those who are asking our parish for help. Wonderful. 

“Dare, once again” says Pope Benedict, “with the humility of the mustard seed, to leave up to God the when and how it will grow.”

Folks, I am with you, I  want nothing more than to see this parish flourish. And now that COVID is lifting and we are more confident in being out in the world again, we need we need some mustard seeds. We have work to do in planting mustard seeds for the Lord. As pastor, please, if you have a mustard seed idea for the good of our parish and mission, come to me. Let's plant it. 

For in the end, a parish isn't some pious social club. It’s a farm. And farms require hard work and blisters and trust that the rains will fall and the seeds will grow…for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

17th Week in OT 2020 - Monday - The rotten loincloth and the Mustard Seed

It usually isn’t too difficult to find a connection between the first reading and the Gospel. Today, though…well, let’s see.

First we heard of the rotten loincloth of Jeremiah. A strange image, but, thankfully it’s explained for us. Israel, which was supposed to have a very close, intimate relationship with God, had been soiled by the pagan influences of Babylon. And over time, those pagan influences had caused Israel to rot.
In the Gospel, we hear parables, not of rot, but growth, tremendous growth.

So, the connection between the two readings is not too difficult to grasp after all. When we allow ourselves to be corrupted by the wicked ways of the world, there will be negative consequences, but when we cooperate with the grace of God, there will be flourishing, and that’s true whether we are speaking about personal spiritual growth, or the growth of the Church.

In many places, we’ve seen a shrinking of the Church, our neighborhood—our country. There was a lot of worldliness that crept into the life of the Church the last 50 years: forsaking of time-honored devotions, attempts to change or water-down very clear moral teachings, and let’s not even speak about what happened to the liturgy—a liturgy that facilitated tremendous spiritual growth, was made almost unrecognizable from the liturgy of the ages.

And some folks—bishops and laity alike, believe that we didn’t go far enough, if we just make the church look even more like the world, then we’ll attract young people and non-believers. But that’s never worked, and it seems to contradict the wisdom of scripture.

Spiritual growth will come when we hold fast to that which is good, and preach the Gospel as it was given to the Apostles by our blessed Lord. Pope Benedict, speaking about this current phase of the Church’s evangelization mission to the secular world. He said, it’s not about “immediately attracting the large masses that have distanced themselves from the Church”, rather, we need “to dare, once again and with the humility of the mustard seed, to leave up to God the when and how it will grow”. 

Humility is required for growth, humility which acknowledges that we may have made some mistakes the last 50 years. We may have made a few too many compromises with the secular culture. We may have failed to teach with conviction and clarity the standards of the moral life, and made the liturgy a little too much about man, and not enough about God.

May we exercise the humility needs in order to be that people the Lord made us to be, that we may be a people which spread his renown, his praise, his beauty, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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For the humility to repent of our sins, learn from our mistakes and failures, and commit wholeheartedly to the work of the Gospel.

That leaders of nations may find guidance in the Word of God for proper governance and the pursuit of justice for all.

That Christian families may be places where the Christian faith is studied, understood, observed, and cherished.

For all those who suffer illness, those in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care, and all those who despair of the love of God.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and N. for whom this Mass is offered.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all goodness, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain

January 31 2020 - St. John Bosco - Work for the salvation of souls

As we conclude Catholic Schools Week we honor a wonderful saint who in a special way was dedicated to young people, St. John Bosco, in fact is the patron saint of school children.  Like St. Angela, whom we honored at the beginning of the week, a woman of faith who worked to form the young people of her neighborhood in faith, morality, and piety, St. John Bosco was deeply concerned with the youth of his parish. Many were being arrested for juvenile delinquency, and once in prison, they learned more about crime, and would be back in jail soon after their release.

So, he worked tirelessly with the young boys in his neighborhood, providing for them a solid education and formation in the faith.  “There are three things to stay on the path to Heaven, he would tell them, “Go to confession regularly, receive Communion often, and choose a regular confessor to whom you can unburden your heart.” 

The Gospel today speaks of planting seeds. We must never understestimate the importance of planting the seeds of the Gospel in the heart and minds of others. God often relies on us to scatter the seeds, but he is the one who brings them to life. Even the smallest of seeds can grow to become great and strong.

Through his love and care, many of these young boys, not only were saved from a life of crime, many of them entered seminary and became good and holy priests.  And at least one of his boys became a saint, St. Dominic Savio.

John Bosco knew the importance of planting seeds. He would show the face of a loving father to young people who lacked good fathers. He gave fatherly advice, guidance, and catechesis rooted in the Gospel. He was even known to juggle and play games with the youth while also teaching about Jesus.

The life of John Bosco is much more than a pious story, it is a daily challenge, to do everything in our power to work for the good of souls. Don Bosco would say, “work, work, work for the salvation of souls.”  May we take up his challenge.

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During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.

For all young people who have fallen into delinquency, through their patron’s intercession, may they turn away from sin and crime, and develop a deep love for the ways of Christ.

For all those in prison, for those who struggle with addiction and mental distress, that the healing of Christ may bring them wholeness and the promises of Christ may bring them hope.

That the fire of charity may impel all Christians to work for the salvation of souls, for a spread of the Gospel, and the building of God’s kingdom of peace.

For the sick and suffering among us, for those who care for them, and for all of our beloved dead, especially X, for whom this mass is offered.