5th Sunday of Easter 2024 - "Apart from me you can do nothing"

 Back on the 4th Sunday of Lent, I shared some insights from the celebrated 20th century Catholic author JRR Tolkien, the author of books like the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. I shared how Tolkien believed that fairy tales and myths have been so powerful throughout the centuries because we love stories of good conquering evil. We love when we hear a story of an unexpected joyous turn of events—where grace and goodness triumph over sorrow, failure, and death. We love tales of courage and self-sacrifice.

And the Christian story is so compelling and joyous because it is the ultimate tale of the triumph of Good over evil, and it actually happened. Through the self-sacrifice of Christ, God has brought sinful humanity from the brink of ultimate defeat—the loss of our souls forever—to share in the victory of Christ. And again, the Christian story is not just a man-made myth or a fairy tale—Christ is truly risen.

Well, this last week, I celebrated mass with our school children. And I shared with them how since I was a young boy, I have enjoyed reading stories and watching movies like those written by Tolkien. How in his first book, called “The Hobbit”, this unlikely character Bilbo Baggins goes on a long journey with a group of long-bearded dwarves to recover a magical treasure from the clutches of an evil dragon named Smaug. The journey was treacherous and the dragon was formidable, but in the end Bilbo succeeds in recovering the treasure, not because he was physically stronger than the dragon, but because he and his friends were courageous and they used their minds to outwit the evil beast.

And I brought up the story of Bilbo and the dragon, because Tuesday was the feast day of St. George. And you may know that there is an ancient legend where St. George overcomes a dragon. According to the Legend a dragon was terrorizing a village, demanding tribute of trinkets and livestock, and when the villagers ran out of treasures and animals to appease the dragon, the cruel creature demanded the blood of a princess. So, the valiant Christian solider George, comes to the maiden’s rescue and courageously goes to face the foul and dangerous beast—slaying it with his mighty lance. 

St George has been venerated by the Church for 1700 years. Churches, Kings, Cities, States, Countries, and Beatles have been named after George. Pope Francis whose birthname is Jorge is named after the great saint. For not only courageously confront a literal dragon, at least according to legend, he also stood up to the Roman Emperor Diocletian.  Around the year 303 George was martyred for courageously refusing to renounce his Christian faith and offer sacrifice to the Roman gods.

St. George is always a wonderful saint to celebrate. For he models for us courage in defended the weak and the poor from the powers of evil, and that courage witnessed in standing up to the Roman Emperor—proclaiming with his life that Jesus Christ is true God, and that eternal life is obtained by becoming Jesus’ disciple.

St. George is also an important saint to invoke and emulate as we face our own dragons. Each of us face our own dragons, don’t we? Dragons such as selfishness, impulsiveness, laziness, resentment, disordered desires and ideas, foolishness. Dragons that want us to cower in fear instead of sharing the Gospel. Dragons that demand the tribute of our time, talent, and treasure instead of giving them to God.

But George’s story is so powerful because it is a reminder that when the life of Christ is within us, dragons can be defeated. 

Tolkien wrote that we tell legends and fairy stories to children not to prove the existence of dragons. Children, he wrote, know that dragons are real. Those stories help children learn that dragons can be defeated. 

And St. George triumphed over the dragon through the power of goodness, courage, and self-sacrifice. George’s life is a reflection of our Lord’s own triumph—his crucifixion and resurrection are the ultimate triumph of goodness over evil. Jesus has defeated the greatest of dragons—saving all of humanity from the clutches of Satan. And the Lord’s work isn’t done. For he wishes to continue to slay powerful dragons in the world through us—to bring deliverance and peace through us. 

But the great dragons of our own time cannot be defeated apart from Christ. “Apart from me you can do nothing,” he teaches in the Gospel this weekend. So, we must remain attached to Christ through constant prayer, and adherence to church teaching, and the sacramental life, and moral righteous living, and works of charity.

Now, the secular world foolishly believes that it can defeat the evils afflicting humanity without God. But biblical illiteracy, separation from the Church, dismissal of Church teaching, all allow the dragons—like war, perversion, broken families, drug epidemics—to multiply, despite our best efforts.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen, writing on the topic of war, points out that the secular institutions can issue peace treaty after peace treaty, but unless individuals put an end to the civil war within their own souls—where we pridefully oppose the goodness and holiness that God wants for us—humanity will continue to be afflicted with war and the greed and injustice that lead to war. Unless our own dragons are dealt with by the power of Christ—we will have no hope for real peace in the world. 

But, so many of the Saints bear testimony to the transformation that comes through union with Christ and the good we can do when united to Him. St. Paul in our first reading, went from being a passionate anti-Christian, a hunter of Christians, an agent of the great dragon, to a passionate and courageous preacher of Truth--one who suffered for Christ and his saving Gospel.

The conversion of St. Paul is a reminder that we should pray and work for conversion of those who are hardened toward Christ and his Church. For if Paul can experience conversion, anyone can, by the grace of God. We exclude no one from the call to conversion. And likely, the most effective means of the conversion and spread of the Church, is when we are more deeply united to Christ in the humble works of charity, in sharing the gospel calmly, patiently, but of course, honestly. 

What can I do this week, to draw closer to Christ so to bear fruit that will last? What dragons in my own mind and heart, have I been too lazy or afraid to allow Christ to conquer? 

How do we know we remain in him? If we keep his commandments and love one another. May we be generous in our faithfulness and in our love for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

8th Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Monday - "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

 

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

One of the great concern many priests and probably many of you have is that fewer and fewer people seem to be concerned with this question: young people, our family members, over 80% of Catholics who aren’t even going to Church on Sundays anymore. What happened? What changed?

It’s certainly one of the symptoms of the secularism and materialism of our age: this indifference to eternity. Many ask questions  like, “what must I do to get into Harvard, what must I do to be a famous athlete, what must I do to make my first million by the age of 30?” Maybe, many people do not even have a driving question.

This man in the Gospel today, he had this driving question. So much so, notice, St. Mark tells us, that he runs up to Jesus, he falls to his knees, to ask this question. 

Perhaps so few are asking about eternity because so much information is available at our fingertips now. People figure, well, when the time comes to start asking ultimate questions, I can just look up the answer on the internet. Perhaps, they are so caught up into the trivial, they don’t even think to concern themselves with what comes next.

Or, perhaps, they have thought about eternity, and instead of turning to God for answers, they’ve concluded that, well, eternal life is a guarantee, everybody goes to heaven.

And that would make things everything easier. Rich, poor, religiously devout, religiously neglectful, everyone goes to heaven. I’ve come across this belief among many Catholics. 

But this answer is at odds with what Jesus teaches in the Gospel. There are a lot of things that can keep us from heaven. “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” And that’s just one situation. Read through the Gospels, and note how many times Jesus uses the word “unless”. Unless you do this, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. “Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” “Unless you are born again by water and the holy spirit, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood” and so on.

The young man went away sad in the Gospel, because the Son of God told him that unless he gave up his love of possessions he couldn’t go to heaven. Many refuse to ask that ultimate question, what must I do to inherit eternal life” because they are unwilling to face that “unless”. For some people, it’s just easier to provide their own answer, write their own Gospel—an anti-Gospel—where can have your cake and eat it to, where you can have heaven without having to change anything about yourself on earth. I’m already perfect is the great anti-Gospel of our age. Because why would you need God if you’re already perfect?

In a few days we begin the great season of Lent, a time for us to acknowledge what in us, in our attitudes and behaviors and attachments need to be given up, in order to be perfected by God. The world is confounded by this, those who already believe themselves perfect, can’t imagine why we would do penance. But God work through our penances to bring about a change of heart for those who live the anti-Gospel, that all hearts may come to long and seek the life that can only come from Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For “an immediate end to the hostilities in Ukraine, for a restoration of peace and for the safety of all Ukrainian citizens. And for the Ukrainian community in Northeast Ohio, that their friends and family members in their beloved homeland be kept out of harm’s way.”

That the upcoming season of Lent may be a time of profound renewal for our parish and the Church as we engage in the penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

For the conversion of those who reject the Gospel, for grace to break through to hearts hardened toward God, for the protection of young people from the errors and perversions of our culture.

For those who struggle because of addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, inclement weather, or ongoing trials of any kind.

For the dead, for all of the souls in purgatory, and for X, for whom this Holy mass is offered. 

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

2nd Week of Advent 2020 - Friday - The many responses to Jesus

Throughout the Gospels, we see many different responses to the Lord and his call to conversion. Some, like the Apostles, drop everything they are doing to follow Jesus—they put their earthly business on hold, even walking away from it entirely, in order to follow Jesus. Some, fall at his feet to be healed by him, some climb trees to see him, some go to extreme lengths to bring others to him, like the men who lower their friend through the roof to get near him.

And then some, we know question him, try to trap him in logical arguments, and try to prove him wrong, to be a fool or liar or a madman. Some, of course, will seek to silence him and conspire against him to put him to death, as they know that his truth is a threat to their worldly power. In the Gospel today, we hear how some called him a drunkard and a glutton, seeking to discredit him.

For the most part, the name of Jesus has spread to every corner of the earth. And as it was in the Lord’s own day, so, too now, there are many responses to him. Some, recognize his truth and make his Gospel the guiding principal of their lives. Some worship him and seek him wholeheartedly and prayerfully, and strive to bring others into his presence. Some wrestle with him, like Jacob wrestling with God, they are aware of his teaching, but they just don’t want to submit; they are seeking the truth but still haven’t arrived there yet. And then, like those in the Gospel, some mock him, seeking to discredit him, so that they can ignore his teaching, and go on with their lives.

We are nearly two full weeks into the holy season of Advent, and our scripture readings challenge us in a way, to consider how we are responding to Him, to promise of His return, to the call to prepare our hearts, our minds, and our souls for Christmas. Are we taking the Lord’s call to repentance seriously, or are we dismissing it, thinking we know better, so we don’t have to change? 

For many in our world, the beginning of Advent has made absolutely no difference in their spiritual lives. Sure they are shopping more, and putting up decorations of Santa and reindeer, but, their preparation from Christmas is entirely secular. For them Christmas is not about Christ, it’s about make-believe, trying to capture or evoke some emotion. Santa becomes a sort of pagan god of winter, rather than a Catholic saint who did everything he could to point others to Christ. 

We do well to examine our response to the Advent call of Christ. Are we running toward him, are we running away from him, are we standing idly, lazily, dismissingly? 

May we, alert and with lighted lamps, hasten to meet him, to know him, love him, and follow him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Holy Father, all bishops and priests, religious and laity may shine with the Light of Christ’s love for the lost and despairing.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

For those who have fallen away from the Church, who have become separated from God through error and sin, for those who reject the teachings of Christ, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

That our young people will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or illness: may they experience the healing graces of Christ. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

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.

November 16 2020 - St. Margaret of Scotland - Reflecting Divine Goodness

A few years ago, at the encouragement of a priest-friend of mine, I made pilgrimage to Scotland. I stayed near a place called Queensferry, named after Queen Margaret, whose feast is today. The place was named after the saintly queen because she was devoted to offering free passage across the river Fife to pilgrims traveling to the great shrine of the Apostle St. Andrew, whose x-shaped across adorns scotland’s flag. 

The patron saint of my first parish assignment, St. Columbkille, also had a connection to Scotland, having set up a monastery on the Scottish isle of Iona, after having been exiled from Ireland. 

I was immediately fascinated by the history of Christianity in Scotland, and yet, also saddened. Though Catholicism flourished in Scotland for centuries, particularly because of the efforts and sanctity of St. Margaret, the county has become catastrophically secular and anti-Catholic, no doubt due to the insidious efforts of Scottish Freemasonry. Around every corner there seemed to be a Church defaced and an ancient monastery beyond repair. St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, formerly one of the world’s great Catholic cathedrals has been nearly stripped of its Roman art and statuary. Monasteries even predating Queen Margaret by centuries, have been ransacked and left to crumble of the Scottish reformers. So throughout my pilgrimage, I offered continual petition to St. Margaret, for Scotland’s reconversion.

Wife of the King and mother of eight children, Queen St. Margaret’s sanctity was clearly seen in her compassion, energy, and commitment to the relief of the suffering poor in the midst of the extreme political and social upheaval of her day. She was a reflection of divine goodness, as we prayed in the Collect, to her family and country. Each day the saintly queen served food to the poor and even washed their feet before she herself would take a meal. She had a great devotion to the Sacrament of Confession—seeking to correct her faults and develop heroic virtue. Throughout the day, she knew the importance of taking breaks from her duties as queen, wife, and mother, in order to pray and to read scripture. She knew the importance of keeping her eyes set on heaven, lest she get too wrapped up in the things of the world. In the midst 

What a wonderful model for all of us, and a powerful intercessor to turn to, as our own nation faces, once again, tremendous secularizing anti-Catholic forces. May seek to follow her holy example and know the benefit of her saintly intercession that we too may reflect divine goodness to all we meet for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Church in Scotland, that her members may continue to resist the forces of secularism and heresy and be strengthened in their witness to the saving Gospel of Christ.

For those who have fallen into error, for Catholics who have grown lukewarm in their faith, for those who have left the Church, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

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 God’s special favor, healing 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.

October 9 2019 - St Denis and the Rise of Militant Secularism

On my pilgrimage to Europe this last summer, I had the opportunity to drive past Notre Dame Cathedral. It was about a month after the great fire that destroyed the iconic spire of the Paris Cathedral. I remembered watching video of the fire and shedding a tear or two, at the destruction of the glorious edifice built in honor of Our Lady.

Early reports stated that the fire was set accidentally, but the event certainly raised our attention to the numerous church fires and vandalisms around Paris that proceeded it.

On the façade of the Notre Dame Cathedral, not destroyed by the fire, there is a statue of a headless bishop, holding his severed head. That bishop, was the first bishop of Paris, who had been a missionary sent from Italy to spread the faith in the city of Paris in the mid 3rd century, before it was even called Paris, it was called “Lutetia Parisiorum” by Julius Caesar.

Paris, at the time was filled with different pagan religions, and St. Denis was so successful in the conversion of the Pagan Parisians, that Pagan leaders conspired against Denis.  Denis was arrested and sentenced to death by decapitation.

Even so, St. Denis was not done preaching the Gospel.  According to legend, once decapitated, he stood up, picked up his severed head from the dirt and walked about 4 miles north, preaching a sermon the entire way.  A basilica was built at the spot where he finally collapsed and died. That basilica—the basilica of Saint-Denis—is among the recently vandalized churches around Paris.

One report of the vandalisms spoke of a “militant secularism” spreading throughout France. This secularism seeks to sever itself from its Christian past, by propagating hatred toward the Church. There is certainly no guarantee that an age of martyrs, like that in which St. Denis lived, won’t return again. For the old pagan gods are being replaced by new pagan gods and they are arriving with a vengeance. And sadly, the militant secularism is welcomed by many Europeans who have fallen away from their Christian roots. Church attendance in France is abysmally low. Only 5% of Catholics attend Mass in France.

French and European Catholics certainly need the courage and perseverance of St. Denis in this increasingly secular age, as do we. For to become severed from the truth and practice of the Catholic faith is to be severed from life itself. We invoke St. Denis and of course, Our Lady, we fast and pray, for the grace we need to be the Christ-light in the darkness, bearers of the truth of the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For all Christians facing persecution for the faith, that their sufferings may bring about the conversion of hardened souls to Christ.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October, “that the breath of the Holy Spirit may engender a new missionary ‘spring’ in the Church.

For the purification of Holy Church from all error and heresy, especially among those who preach and teach.

That all hatred for the Church may be replaced with love for Jesus Christ and the peace that comes from his Sacred Heart.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

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

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.

29th Week in OT 2018 - Friday - Pointing out signs of God

When St. John XXIII convoked the Second Vatican Council the modern world was in cultural chaos. Western Europe since the eighteenth century Enlightenment had been growing more secular. The world was changing in dramatic ways: technologically, politically, economically, and ideologically. Good Pope John discerned the need for the Church to be able to address these changes, and to do so, he said that the Church had to take in account the “signs of the times” in order to show where God was at work and where human society was leaving God behind.

Jesus in the Gospel today spoke of “signs”…the signs of his time. He pointed out that his contemporaries were very good at discerning some signs, but they seemed oblivious to others. His contemporaries could easily forecast the weather by reading the signs, but they were missing something more important than weather which was happening in their midst. The signs of the time were all around them: loaves being multiplied, the lame walking, hardened sinners repenting, and the good news spreading. Signs were pointing to God-in-their-midst, and yet they hardened their hearts to Him, they looked away from Him.

Similarly today, even amidst all the tragedy, natural disaster, political turmoil, and sickness in the world, we see miracles, healings, restored relationships, Christian joy, fellowship, all which come through Christ. Catholics pouring out their lives in teaching the young, feeding the hungry in soup kitchens, clothing the naked, so much evidence if we take time to look and listen for the work of God. 

Some of our contemporaries do turn a blind eye to the signs of God. Yet, some are waiting for us to point God out for them—to take them by the hand and very patiently, as if to a young child—point out how God is working all around them.

Each of us has someone in our lives who God wants us to take by the hand, with all gentleness and humility, and with patience as St. Paul says in our first reading. If Christians cannot be gentle and humble with unbelievers there is something wrong with us.

As. St. John XXIII called us to be attentive to God’s presence in the changing, chaotic modern world, may we help to lead unbelievers to the true, good, and beautiful signs of God’s unchanging Word for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That our Church leaders may be instilled with genuine Faith, Hope, and Charity and help all people of the world to grow in those virtues.

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.

That our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the evils of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

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.

November 16 2017 - St. Margaret of Scotland - A pilgrim's reflection

I’ve been awaiting this day for several months. Last summer, I was able to make a pilgrimage to the land of St. Margaret of Scotland. It was my first time visiting a former Catholic country, a country in which Catholicism flourished for centuries, particularly through the efforts and sanctity of today’s saint, but which has become catastrophically secular and anti-Catholic.

It was traumatic for me to see not only closed Churches, by defaced Churches and ancient monasteries beyond repair. St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, formerly a great Catholic Cathedral had been clearly stripped of much of its Roman art and statuary. Monasteries, which predate Queen Margaret by centuries, and also many which she helped to establish had been ransacked and left to crumble by the Scottish reformers. The pilgrimage was very sad at times. But, the petition for the reconversion of Scotland was a perpetual prayer throughout my trip.

I particularly prayed at the places where St. Margaret is still honored by the Scottish Catholics. I stayed near a placed called Queensferry, named after Queen Margaret, where she established a ferry offering free passage across the river Fife for pilgrims traveling to the great shrine of the Apostle St. Andrew.

Wife of the King and mother of eight children, St. Margaret’s sanctity was clearly seen in her compassion, energy, and commitment to the relief of the suffering poor in the midst of extreme political and social upheaval. Sadly, visiting Scotland now is also a reminder how the work of the saints is undone by evil which roots itself in men’s hearts. That is a danger not just in Scotland, but every land.

But I believe rediscovering the holy lives of the saints, turning to their intercession and striving to follow their example helps to win back lost territory for Christ, if not simply the territory of our hearts and minds and souls.

St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland could have indulged in the luxuries of the royal court, and as queen, had any earthly desire satisfied.  But she first and foremost sought to become a saint, and she teaches us to do the same, for the Glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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We pray for the Church in Scotland, that her members may continue to resist the forces of secularism and heresy and be strengthened in their witness to the saving Gospel of Christ.

For those who have fallen into error, for Catholics who have grown lukewarm in their faith, for those who have left the Church, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

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 God’s special favor, healing 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.