12th Week in Ordinary Time 2026 - Tuesday - Instruments of Glory and salvation

 

During the reign of Hezekiah, King of Judah, 8 centuries before Christ, the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, was expanding aggressively. After laying siege to numerous cities and conquering a host of nations, Sennacherib turned his attention to Judah, and to the city of God, Jerusalem itself.

We read today how the Assyrian King wrote a letter to the Jewish King, Hezekiah, a letter whose aim was to intimidate and to undermine his trust in God.  And the Assyrian King’s letter was aimed at creating fear and distrust: ”Do not trust your God, who says he will save you…You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all other countries: they doomed them! Will you, then, be saved?”…

This is how the enemy of God often works. The enemy seeks to undermine our trust in God, by creating fear, panic, despair, and discouragement.

But Hezekiah gives us a beautiful example of what people of faith are meant to do. Hezekiah takes this letter, and he goes up to the temple of the Lord, and he spreads the letter out before God. Hezekiah brings the actual problem into the presence of God and seeks, not just deliverance, but God’s glory.

Lord, look at this. “The kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations” and now they threaten your people. “You, Lord, have the power to save. Save us…that the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are God.”

What a beautiful model of prayer for us. Lord, here are the facts, here are the threats to my family, here are the challenges we face as a parish in our evangelizing mission. Lord, you have the power to save us. Save us, that unbelievers may know that you are God.

Notice, Hezekiah does not simply pray, “Lord, make this problem go away,” but “Lord, save us in such a way that your glory is made known.”

Of course, when we are afraid, when we are burdened, when we are overwhelmed, we should ask God for help. The Lord wants us to bring our fears and challenges to him. But Christian prayer does not stop at self-preservation. Christian prayer asks: Lord, how can even this become an occasion for your glory? How can this trial become a witness? How can this burden be instrumental in the salvation of souls?

When our challenges are surrendered to God in this way, they become a participation in the saving cross of Christ.  In this way, our crosses become ordered to the highest good, to the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the Lord who hears the prayers of his people, let us bring before him the needs of the Church and the world.

For the Church: that in times of trial, opposition, and discouragement, she may place her trust in the Lord and bear faithful witness to his saving power, and for our parish: that the challenges we face may become occasions for deeper prayer, renewed mission, and greater witness to the glory of God.

For the leaders of nations: that they may work for justice, peace, and the protection of the vulnerable.

That our young people on summer vacation may be kept safe from the poisonous errors of our culture, and that their families may be places where the faith is practiced and cherished.

For those who do not yet know the Lord, or who have lost trust in him: that through the faith, perseverance, and charity of Christians, they may come to know that the Lord alone is God.

For all who are burdened by fear, anxiety, illness, family conflict, or financial hardship: that they may bring their trials before the Lord and receive his strength and peace.

For the faithful departed: that those who carried the cross with Christ in this life may share forever in the glory of his resurrection.

O Lord, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. Hear the prayers we place before you today. Save us from fear and discouragement, strengthen us in faith, and make even our trials serve your glory and the salvation of souls. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

Homily: Jan 31 2017 - St. John Bosco - Work for the salvation of souls

Last Friday, were celebrated St. Angela Merici. How she showed heroic concern for the young people of her neighborhood—gathering together likeminded women of faith to catechize, to form the young people in morality and piety.

Today’s saint also worked with young people. He is patron of school children and juvenile delinquents. 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.”

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 become good and holy priests.  And at least one of his boys became a saint, St. Dominic Savio.

Don Bosco would say, “work, work, work for the salvation of souls.” This is a job not just for priests and religious. This is part of the vocation of every Christian. Listen to this beautiful prayer written by Don Bosco.

My God, fortunate is he who has tasted how sweet it is to work for the salvation of souls! He is not afraid of cold or heat, hunger or thirst, offenses or insults, no, not even of death. O Lord, give me crosses and thorns, persecutions of all kinds, if only I can save souls, and my own among them. Give me souls, Lord, and take all the rest. Only when I know that the devil has given up plotting against souls, shall I cease trying new ways of saving them from his deceits and snares. O Lord, I wish to make a complete sacrifice of my life to You, to work for Your glory until I draw my last breath, bearing patiently all adversities and contradictions in my work. Help me to spend all my strength for the salvation of souls.

Here is a perfect saint for Catholic schools week, who reminds us that the aim of Catholic schools isn’t to make star athletes or powerful businessmen, the aim of Catholic schools is to save souls and make saints.

Through Don Bosco’s example and intercession may we be faithful to the work the Lord has for each of us today and all days, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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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.