5th Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Friday - The failures of kings and the cultivation of sanctity

 All last month we read through 1st and 2nd Samuel. We read how in response to the Israelites crying out for a king to unite the tribes, God grants their demand. God establishes Saul, and then David. And all last months we read about their successes and failures—their faith and their sins and the implications for the newly united kingdom. 

Finishing 2nd Samuel we started the next book of the Old Testament 1st kings. And in 1st Kings we read about the reign of David’s heir, King Solomon, of his wisdom, and the building and dedication of the Jerusalem temple. Solomon’s reign would be a time of prosperity—but also—sadly—the beginning of the disintegration of the kingdom of Israel. The United Kingdom of Israel will be split into two kingdoms of Israel and Judah—and then both kingdoms be conquered by foreign powers. 

Today we heard of the first prophecy of that fracturing. Solomon’s servant, Jeroboam, encounters a prophet. And Ahijah tears his new cloak into 12 pieces, The twelve pieces represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The pretty newly minted kingdom—only two generations old, really—will be torn asunder. 10 tribes will comprise the northern kingdom and 2 tribes will comprise the southern. 

Why would God allow this division—this tearing of the cloak—this tearing of the kingdom? Much of it had to do with Solomon. Though he was known for his wisdom, Solomon was not wise enough, and relied on his own wisdom, rather than the wisdom of God. Heavy taxation and forced labor were unpopular among the northern tribes, leading to discontent and grievances. Additionally, Solomon's later years were marred by idolatry. He allowed the introduction of foreign gods and practices into the kingdom, influenced by his hundreds of foreign wives.

It is no surprise that opulence and idolatry amongst the leadership have terrible consequences on the rest of the nation. That sad story has played out in nearly every nation on earth. And there is really not much we can do about it. We are subject to political, social, and economic powers beyond our control. 

What can we do amidst all of these uncontrollable forces? What IS in our control? We can seek to be saints. And we can seek to be saints by doing what our leaders almost inevitably fail to do. Where they fall into the corruption of opulence and greed—we must cultivate personal sanctity through poverty, simplicity, temperance, and generosity. Where they fall into the corruption of idolatry and strange cults and philosophies—we cultivate sanctity through right worship of the one true God, obedience to his commands, piety, knowledge and understanding of our faith, and right judgment. Where they hoard their God-given gifts for their own sordid gain--we cultivate sanctity by using our gifts and talents for the mission of the Gospel.

We can’t control what the kings are doing—and we can barely mitigate the damage that they do. What we can do, amidst all the division and chaos in the world, is to allow our ears to be open by Jesus like the man in the Gospel today, that we may hear and obey the Word of God in all things, and likewise allow Jesus to cure our muteness, that we may speak the truth of the Gospel, to allow Jesus to heal our hearts that they may be truly alive in the Spirit for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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To God the Father Almighty we direct the prayers of our heart for the needs and salvation of humanity and the good of His faithful ones.

That all of our leaders, in the Church and in government, may be guided by Holy Wisdom and govern with just and discerning hearts.

For the conversion of all those who have fallen into serious sin, for a return of fallen away Catholics to the Sacraments, and that all young people may be protected from the perversions of our culture.

For all who are oppressed by any kind of need, that the Lord may graciously grant them relief.

For ourselves and our own community, that the Lord may graciously receive us as a sacrifice acceptable to himself.

For our beloved dead, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for X, 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 devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.

July 31 2020 - St. Ignatius of Loyola - From vanity to sanctity

Saint Ignatius was born at Loyola Spain in 1491, the youngest son of a noble and wealthy Basque family. In his autobiography, he described himself in that early part of his life as “a man given to the vanities of the world, whose chief delight consisted in martial exercises, with a great and vain desire to win renown.”

Vanity and the pursuit of renown animated his youth, but his life changed around the age of 30. For while defending the city of Pamploma from a French army, he was severely wounded in battle—his leg shattered by a cannonball.

And while he recovered, he had his great spiritual awakening. While convalescing, he read the life of Jesus and the lives of the saints.  He realized that his worldly pursuits, even though they involved courage and patriotism were to a large extent self-centered.  He saw how the Saints accomplished great deeds not for a worldly kingdom that will pass away, but for the eternal kingdom of God. He began to desire to emulate their radical poverty and humility and charity. 

And Ignatius noticed that as he resolved to imitate the holy austerities of the saints and to do penance for his sins, he was filled with a peace and happiness that he never experienced before.

Upon his recovery, he bade farewell to his family and made pilgrimage to Montserrat. He spent three days confessing the sins of his whole life. He hung his sword and dagger near the statue of the Virgin Mary as symbols of his abandoned worldly ambitions. And he clothed himself in sackcloth and spent the night in prayer. And for a number of months he lived as a beggar and practice those austere penances of the saints and attended mass daily.

After making pilgrimage to the Holy Land, then back to Rome, Venice, and Cyprus, he dedicated himself to study, that he might be able to help souls. He studied in Barcelona and then Paris, where he began to attract a small group of disciples, who took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, who would later go on to form the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits.  “Ad maiorem Dei gloriam” was their motto—“for the greater glory of God”

Nearly 500 years later, his life, writings, and deep love of the Church, continue to inspire us to put our lives in the service of God’s glory. 

Like with Ignatius, there each of us have vain pursuits which leave us empty and sad, and holy penances and holy works which would bring us such happiness and fulfillment, if we but resolved, with God’s help to complete them. May whatever we do today, be done with the intention of serving not ourselves, but the heavenly kingdom, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Priest: We unite our prayers today with St Ignatius of Loyola and with all the community of saints.  

For Pope Francis, himself a member of the Jesuit Order, for wisdom and courage as he leads and guides our Church, and that all members of the Society of Jesus may strive for fidelity to Christ in all of their ministerial endeavors. 

That all Christians may strive daily for sanctity. For a rekindling of faith for the lukewarm, hope for the despairing, belief for the unbelieving.

For the safety and success of all missionaries. 

That our young people may turn away from the empty promises of the world and from all self-centeredness, for blessings upon all Christian families, for the protection of the unborn.

That the sick and suffering may find comfort in the promises of Christ and the consolation of the Spirit.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the souls in purgatory, deceased bishops, priests, and religious, those who fought and died for our freedom, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Hear Our Prayers, O Lord, and through the intercession of St. Ignatius, help us to live for your greater glory. Through the same Christ Our Lord.

2nd Week of Easter 2018 - Thursday - Life and the call to holiness

In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about “life” 41 times: nearly as many times as Matthew, Mark, and Luke combined. Jesus says to the Samaritan woman, “the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life”.  We will hear next week Jesus say “I am the bread of life”.  And later, after raising Lazarus, he says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” And he speaks to Nicodemus about the importance of believing in HIM that we may have eternal life.

Through sin, we had lost the gift of eternal life; we were “dead in our transgressions” as Paul says.  We were alienated from God who Himself is the only source of life.

St. John Cantius spoke of how the world is busy indulging in its own madness. It is wearing itself out. It cannot endure. It passes like a shadow. It’s growing old and decrepit

Jesus by his life, death and resurrection shows that his mission from the Father is to restore us to life: “I have come that they might have life, and have it in abundance.” He has come to save us from the powers of death and selfishness, greed and lust, which are so evident in the world.

The saints, who have turned away from the world are so attractive to us because the life of Christ is flourishing within them. They have become purified of the ugliness of worldliness, and therefore magnify the beauty of the life of Christ.

Through their lives of prayer, fasting, charity, penance, they show us how to nurture, fertilize, and protect the spiritual life that comes from God.

In his new apostolic exhortation Pope Francis emphasizes how even the great saints who were drawn more to contemplation, mental prayer, silence, and meditation upon scripture were also passionately committed to the love of neighbor. Authentic spiritual life becomes evident and life giving for others.
The Holy Father echoes our Lord at the last supper who teaches how “Eternal life” consists in knowing the Father, knowing the Son, loving them, and allowing that love to lead us to the washing of feet, to self-sacrifice on the cross, to laying down your life for a friend.

May we zealously seek out Jesus, the fount of life, drink of his waters, that the fruits of his life may be evident in our own life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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God the Father was glorified in the death and resurrection of his Son. Let us pray to him with confidence.

God the Father bathed the world in splendor when Christ rose again in glory, may our minds be filled with the light of faith.

Through the resurrection of His Son, the Father opened for us the way to eternal life, may we be sustained today in our work with the hope of glory.

Through His risen Son, the Father sent the Holy Spirit into the world, may our hearts be set on fire with spiritual love.

May Jesus Christ, who was crucified to set us free, be the salvation of all those who suffer, particularly those who suffer from physical or mental illness, addiction, and grief.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

All Saints Day 2017 - Nothing matters more than sanctity

It is pretty profound that today is so important to the Church that it is a Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics to attend Mass, even when it falls on a weekday. Think about that. Why is that important?
It is not hard to understand why it is absolutely essential for us to celebrate Christmas and Easter. It is certainly in keeping with the third commandment, that all Catholics are obligated to go to Mass every Sunday. But why do we celebrate this feast day, with such solemnity, giving it such great importance, that every Catholic in the world needs to go to Church this day?

All Saints Day is a surprisingly old feast. It arose out of the Christian tradition of celebrating the anniversary of the death of a martyr. The Martyrs gave the ultimate witness to Christ, witnessing to Him with their very life, they were faithful to the very end, and so were celebrated by the Church of needing no further purification after death, and so they went directly to God in heaven as Saints.
Soon, the number of martyrs became so abundant because of the persecutions of those early centuries, that a common feast day—an All Saints Day—would ensure that all the martyrs, known and unknown, were properly honored.

But this feast day isn’t a holy day of obligation simply because it is over one thousand six hundred years old. Nor is it a holy day of because we are celebrating a select-few, a handful of spiritual heroes. I think it is a holy day of obligation because it reminds us that becoming a saint is the ordinary goal of the Christian life. The whole purpose of the Church: the purpose of baptisms, eucharist, priests and sacramental marriages, the purpose of learning our catechism, engaging in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, fasting, doing penance, going to confession, the purpose of all of the things, every action of the Church is to make saints.

The only people who go to heaven are saints. Only those who prepare their souls rightly in this life, and those who are purified in purgatory, go to heaven. And that is the whole purpose of the Church, is to help you and me, and every person who seeks God, get to heaven.

This feast reminds us, that the only thing that really matters in life, is being holy, so that we can be with God forever in heaven. You can be the richest person in the world, but if you do not become a saint, you have wasted your life. You can be the best athlete, the most talented musician, the most skilled doctor, the most famous actor in Hollywood, but if you do not become a saint, becoming the person God wants you to be, you have wasted your life.

Becoming a saint should be what we think of every day, it’s what we should worry about and strive for most. And how many of us really worry about this? Think of all the time we spend fussing about non-essentials, reputation, entertainment, physical appearance, social standing, while neglecting the most essential, our sanctity.

Non-essentials can be so dangerous because they can lead us away from God; we all know how non-essentials can lead us not to pray as we should, not to love our family as we should, not to give to our neighbor as we should, not to go to Church as we should. Non-essentials can even lead us to losing our place in heaven, forever, if we allow them to consume us.

Today we give honor to all those saints, saints we know, saints who have been canonized by the Church, and those saints who passing from this life still needing some purification are now with God. We honor them and they teach us, plead with us, to put Jesus first, to put sanctity first. On this Holy Day, we celebrate, that in the end, the only thing that matters is: do I love Jesus Christ with my whole heart, my whole mind, and am I doing everything in my power to become like Him, am I doing everything I can to be with Him and His Saints forever, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.