33rd Week in OT 2018 - Monday - Jesus, Have Pity on Me (nursing home mass)

Has anyone ever tried to convince you that faith is a waste of time? Has anyone ever tried to convince you that you are wasting your time praying, wasting your time calling out to Jesus? Have you ever felt that God had more important things to do than listen to your prayers?

Well, in the Gospel today, the blind man calls out to the Lord as he makes his way towards Jerusalem. “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” And the people rebuked the blind man. “Stop wasting your time”, Jesus has more important things to do than waste his time on a blind beggar like you.
As the crowd tried to silence this man’s calls to Jesus, what does Jesus do? He stops everything and orders that the blind man be brought to him. And because of the man’s faith, his prayer for sight is granted.

Sometimes we are tempted to believe that Jesus doesn’t have time for us, or that our prayerful petitions are getting lost amidst all of the prayers being lifted up to God. But, the Gospel today reminds us that Jesus hears our prayers. In fact, seated at the right hand of the Father in eternity, he literally has all the time in the world for every one of our prayers.

Every petition made to God in faith is heard by God and answered according to what God deems is best for us.

A few years ago, Pope Francis taught a group of young people the five-finger method of prayer. Our hands have five fingers, and those five fingers remind us of what and who we should prayer for every day.

1.) The thumb is closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you. They are the persons easiest to remember. To pray for our dear ones is a "Sweet Obligation."

2.) The next finger is the index. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others. Always keep them in your prayers.

3.) The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the governors and those who have authority. They need God's guidance.

4.) The fourth finger is the ring finger. Even though it may surprise you, it is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those plagued by problems. They need your prayers.

5.) And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.

Each of us are to be the blind man in today’s Gospel, crying out to the Lord in faith, despite all the voices telling us we’re wasting our time, bringing to the Lord the needs of the world, the needs of the Church, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - -
 
We bring to God our prayers of petition

For our families and friends and our loved ones, that we may be ever more united in the bonds of faith and charity. We pray to the Lord.

That all teachers of the faith, and teachers of young people, may be servants of goodness and truth.

That our President and all civic leaders may govern in the spirit of righteousness, justice, and peace.

That our Holy Father and all bishops and priests may lead the Church in absolute faithfulness to the Gospel.

For the weak, the poor and afflicted, the sick and the suffering, and the dying, that they may be consoled by the healing light of Christ. And that our beloved dead may come to enter the gates of heaven, especially Sony Bobick for whom this mass is offered, we pray to the Lord.

And for ourselves, that in our weakness and blindness, the Lord may have pity on us. We pray to the Lord.

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.

October 22 2018 - St. John Paul II - Totus Tuus

In 1929, just 17 days short of his 9th birthday, the young Karol Wojtyla — the future Blessed Pope John Paul II — entered his house during the afternoon. His parents were very pious, and young Karol was accustomed to see his father — a strong soldier in the Polish army — praying on his knees on their parlor’s hardwood floor. That day, when the young Karol saw his father praying, he saw his dad’s knees bathing in a pool of tears.

“What’s wrong, Papa” the young future Pope asked his father. “Karol, your mother has died!” was his father’s answer. His mother had Emilia died in childbirth.

The eight year old ran out of his home to the local parish Church, which was actually right across the street from the Wojtyla apartment home. He entered the Church and ran up the aisle of the Church to a kneeler in front of a statue of Mary.  Tearfully, he said to her: “Blessed Lady, I don’t know why God took my mother home at the time he did. But I do know one thing: YOU are my mother now!”

Blessed Pope John Paul’s devotion to the Blessed Mother deeply impacted his life, his priesthood, and his papacy.  When he was made bishop of Krakow, he took as his episcopal motto the words: Totus Tuus ego sum, which is latin for “I am completely yours.”  The motto “Totus tuus” was taken from a prayer by Saint Louis Marie de Montfordt: "Totus tuus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt. Accipio te in mea omnia. Praebe mihi cor tuum, Maria." "I am completely yours, and all that I have is yours. I take you for my all. O Mary, give me your heart"

Jesus, from the cross, told us to Behold his mother. We seek to “do whatever he tells us” and so this is why we turn to Mary’s guidance and holy example, that our hearts may become more like hers in her love of Jesus and faithfulness to God’s Divine Will.

[Maggie’s Place Mass:] In this place dedicated to motherhood, all mothers and all those who assist them in the care of their children do well to place themselves under the guidance and protection of the Mother of Jesus. Mary is the mother who has endured the greatest of sufferings, and she will always help mothers who turn to Her to endure their own sufferings in union with Jesus. She will always help mothers who turn to her to raise their children to know Jesus and to follow his teachings.

[Nursing Home Mass:] Mary stood at the cross as her son suffered and died for our salvation. She was the instrument through which God brought Christ Our Salvation into the world. So any grace, any healing we need, we do well to turn to Mary. She will always help us to experience the healing of God in our illnesses, and the peace of God in our suffering.

During this month of October especially, we do well to take up her Holy Rosary, as Saint John Paul II did so many times in his life, to pray the rosary for peace, for healing, for the conversion so many souls are desperately in need of.

Through the intercession of Saint John Paul who entrusted himself, his priesthood, his papacy and the Church to Mary, may we place that same trust in her, who bore the Christ child, who nurtured Him through childhood, who at the Wedding at Cana told the servants to “do whatever he tells you.” Mary, Mother of the Church, Mother of all Christians, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - -
 
That through the teaching, preaching, and pastoral care of the Church all Christians will grow in their devotion to and imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  We pray to the Lord.

That through Immaculate Mary, Queen of Peace, hatred, violence, and cruelty will cease in the world.  We pray to the Lord.

For those trapped in the downward spiral of sin, that the hope offered through the Incarnation of Christ in the womb of the Blessed Virgin will bring them new life in the Spirit.  We pray to the Lord.

That Mary’s maternal care and heavenly intercession will raise us to the moral greatness befitting true children of God.  We pray to the Lord.

For blessings on all expectant mothers, newborn infants, and young families.  We pray to the Lord.

That from the moment of conception all children will be preserved from bodily harm; for the overturning of unjust laws that permit the destruction of innocent life; and that the minds of all may be enlightened to know the dignity of every human life.  We pray to the Lord.

For all those who have died, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for [intention below], for whom this Mass is offered.  We pray to the Lord.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May we walk always as children of light, and bear the light of faith for all to see, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
- - - - - -

That Pope Francis and all Bishops and Clergy may humbly and faithfully pass on the Gospel of Christ in all its fullness.
That young people may be kept safe from the poisonous attitudes of the world and that they and their families may be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus and his Church.
For the conversion of hardened sinners, those who have fallen away from the Church, and for an increase in virtue for all peoples.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom and for Tony & Betty Kuhel for whom this Mass is offered. We pray.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

12th Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Remove the speck from your own eye first (Nursing Home Mass)

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches many lessons about the attitudes and actions that Christians need to practice: we need to pray, fast, give alms, we need to forgive if we wish to be forgiven, we need to be willing to make peace with our brother, and be willing to suffer for the Gospel.

We heard from the part of his sermon today where Jesus teaches his followers about judging others, the tendency to condemn what needs to change in others without willingness to acknowledge what needs to change in ourselves, criticizing others while letting ourselves off the hook for similar behavior.

If we are to live and witness to the Gospel successfully, the Gospel must be rooted in our hearts. We are to practice what we preach, to be extremely patient with those who fail, to avoid any semblance of moral hypocrisy.

So how are we to “remove the specks from our own eye” as the Lord teaches? Before getting into bed, it is an indispensable spiritual practice to examine our conscience in light of God’s commandments and the moral virtues.  To ask ourselves a series of questions about the choices we made, the attitudes we displayed, the words we chose to speak.

Did I treat the waitress, the cashier, the custodian, the nurse, my roommate, the stranger in the hallway, with the patience, the respect, the gentleness that is befitting a Christian? Did I hold my tongue when I was tempted to spread that juicy piece of gossip? Did I pray enough? Where did I waste my time on frivolous pursuits? Where did I fail to control my tongue, my eyes, my heart today?

Many of us put off the daily examine or engage in it with minimal effort because we are afraid to discover just how far from Christ-like love we’ve been.  Faithfully examining our conscience takes real humility—the humility to admit that my heart has a long way to go. But without humility there can be no growth in the spiritual life.  And if we are not growing spiritually, it is likely that we are stagnating, perhaps even rotting on the vine.

The Lord is always challenging us to grow in holiness, through the perfection of the virtues.  May we cooperate with the grace of conversion he desires for each of us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - -
 
That all Christians may practice the humility mandated by the Gospel mercy.

For all those who suffer from violence, war, famine, extreme poverty, addiction, discouragement, loneliness, and those who are alienated from their families.  May they know God’s mercy and be gathered to the eternal kingdom of peace. 

For all those who suffer illness, and those in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care, that they may be comforted by the healing light of Christ. 

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 for Eli and Cora Perish Cole, for whom this mass is offered

11th Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Turning the Other Cheek (Short Homily for Nursing Home Mass)

“When someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.”  This teaching of Jesus was counter-cultural back then, and it is counter-cultural now. The world would say, when someone slaps you on the right cheek, slap them back, harder, get them back, teach them a lesson so they never think to slap you again.  Rather than responding with vengeance, Christians respond to violence as Christ did. Remember, during his Passion, as he was beaten and mocked by Roman Soldiers, he offered his sufferings to the Father for our salvation.

To turn the other cheek, sounds like weakness, it sounds like foolishness.  Our abuser might continue to slap us, they might continue to take advantage of us.  But the way of forgiveness, the way of peace, transforms weakness into a strength that glorifies God and witnesses to Jesus who is Prince of Peace. So when we are hurt, by a neighbor or someone in authority over us, we must resist the impulse to immediately retaliate with a violent word or action. We must remain calm when things don’t go our way.

Instead of returning “evil for evil”, we are to return “good for evil”. This not only stops the cycle of violence, but allows God to reverse and transform it.  Injury suffered with forgiveness will be rewarded in eternity. Christians should stand against injustice, especially toward the most vulnerable, but never out of vengeance or malice toward the perpetrators of violence..

Through our Eucharist today, may our hearts be opened to ever-deeper faithfulness to Christ’s Way of Peace, his way of transforming love for the glory of God and  salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - -
 
That all Christians may be faithful to Christ’s way of mercy.

For all those who suffer from violence, war, famine, extreme poverty, addiction, discouragement, loneliness, and those who are alienated from their families.  May they know God’s mercy and be gathered to the eternal kingdom of peace. 

For all those who suffer illness, and those in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care, that they may be comforted by the healing light of Christ. 

For the response 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 for Ken Cole, for whom this mass is offered