Friday - 31st Week in OT 2017 - Prudent and Clever in our Christian Mission

In our society there are many pragmatic and clever people, and that cleverness is employed in many ways, some good, some bad. The internet, cellphones and computers help us communicate better, work faster, produce more, but they are also utilized by hackers and criminals to steal identities, cause chaos in governments, and even used by common folk to spread rumors and bully their peers. We have sophisticated weather systems to warn us of impending disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis and other natural disasters, but also instruments of war which can destroy the world. All made by very clever people.

Often cleverness, shrewdness, and skillfulness are busy working for financial and social gain, to protect ones own interests, but Jesus teaches, particularly in the Gospel today, that people of faith are especially called to use their cleverness, shrewdness, and skillfulness for others. It is not simply that we are to be other-minded, but that other-mindedness needs to be put into action.

We need to be more clever in organizing charitable activity, than head coaches of professional sports teams are in organizing victory for their franchises. We need to be more diligent in disciplining our minds and our hearts than professional athletes in training their bodies. We need to be more clever than Wall Street bankers, in storing up treasure not on earth, but in heaven.

Pope St. Leo the Great certainly put his intellectual and spiritual gifts at the service of the Gospel. He’s known as one of the best administrative Popes of the ancient Church. He labored to put down the prominent heresies of his day; he led the defense of Rome against barbarian attack, persuading Atilla the Hun to halt his path towards Rome which he was planning to plunder. His personal sanctity and pastoral care are evident from his writings and spiritually profound sermons.

He put his nearly boundless energy, compassion, and intellect in service of the Church as Pope for 21 years, one of the longest reigning Popes in Church history.

Like Pope Leo, and so many good Christians before us, let us endeavor to put an ever-greater portion of our time, talent, and treasure, our intellect and compassion, at the service of the Gospel, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Pope St. Leo and all the saints may assist the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and governing and teaching the Church to faithfully address the challenges of our times.

That our president and all civic officials will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for religious freedom and the dignity of human life.

During this National Vocations Week, we pray for an increase in vocations to priesthood and consecrated life, and that our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the godlessness of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind: that they will be fortified and blessed with the Father’s healing, light, and peace.  We pray to the Lord.

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.

Homily: Nov 10 2016 - Pope St. Leo the Great - When the facing the gates of hell...

Pope Saint Leo the great is famous for several reasons: he was certainly one of the intellectually gifted Popes we’ve ever had, he’s certainly one of the most prolific writers we’ve ever had as well, and of course he saved Rome from Attila the Hun. 

Rome had been sacked in 410, and the Roman Government was in shambles and incapable of defending the country from invaders. As Attila was making his way toward Rome, sacking city and city along the way, what was left of the Roman Senate begged Leo to dissuade the barbarian warlord from taking Rome.

Pope Leo had no army, he simply had courage and faith. So, the Holy Father rode on horseback to meet the oncoming army. Leo began to persuade Attila to turn his army away from Rome. Legend states that as Leo spoke, heaven opened and St. Peter and St. Paul with his blades appeared basically saying, “If you want to get to Rome, you are going to have to go through us.” Attila then ordered his army to turn north, away from the Holy City.

Initially, the people of Rome rejoiced and praised God. But, about six months later, the people of Rome began to come up with alternative explanations for why the barbarians had turned away. The claimed it was the old pagan gods had come to their aid, and it was the power of astrology. They were like the Israelites, who fashioned and worshiped the golden calf at Sinai.

So, Leo gathered the people of Rome together and began to preach a homily to them. He told them that the reason why you were spared the barbarian invasion is not because of horoscopes or the pagan gods, but that the One True God loves you and cares for you. Don’t look to these superstitious reasons and false gods, look to the One God.

The Gospel and the Opening prayer for this Mass both speak of how God does not allow the gates of hell to prevail against His Church. We are spared countless evils because of the love of God that protects us. Were not evil constantly being kept at bay by the hand of the Almighty, we would certainly be destroyed. From his hand, we also receive countless blessing, yet, we are still tempted at times to wonder if God is really with us.

He offers us forgiveness every day, he offers us truth every day, we have the gift of family and the brotherhood of our fellow Christians, we have clothes, food, shelter, the healing of our illnesses and the strength to endure them.  Perhaps, we sometimes struggle to see God because we do not seek Him where he is found, or adequately thanked Him the blessings which He has given us.

Like Pope Leo, filled with faith, who courageously went to face the barbarian hordes, we are to face the evils of the world firm in God’s truth. Never be ashamed of your Catholic faith, but allow it to give you strength and to help you know God’s guidance and protection for the glory of God and salvation of souls.