December 21 2020 - Christ, the Rising Light

  

Throughout the church year, we do not read very often from the Song of Songs, yet this book has been the favorite of many great Saints.  The Song of Songs has been called “the Great Love Story between God and the Soul”, yet, it is the only book of the Bible that never once mentions the name of God.  But when you read it, with the eyes of faith, you find God everywhere, in the symbolism of this book’s poetry and song-like dialogues.  

Song of Songs is a series of love poems about a Bride and her Groom.  The traditional Jewish interpretation identifies the Groom as the God and the Bride as the people of Israel.  It’s no surprise then how early Christian interpreters saw the Song of Songs fulfilled by Jesus—in his love for the Church. Saint Paul refers to the Church as the Bride of Christ several times.  

In just a few short verses, we realize that the Bride and Groom in the Song of Songs are passionately in love.  And so, what an appropriate reading for Advent, no? For as two lovers joyfully anticipate being in each other’s presence, calling out to each other, speaking their desire for each other, so the Church joyfully and passionately awaits Christ: “Hark! my lover–here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.”

He rises over the mountains, much like the rays of the morning sun. Which is why, in the O Antiphon for today, the Church calls out to Christ, “O Oriens” O Rising Sun, O Radiant Dawn, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. On this, the darkest day of the year, the day of the winter solstice, the Church announces Christ as the rising light.  

I hope your advent preparations have helped you encounter this God who loves you.  I hope you have encountered Him as light that pierces through the darkness of your life.  Each of us have struggles, anxieties, darkness.  The relationship with Christ may not eliminate the darkness from your life, but in Christ we encounter the light shining in the darkness, a love which accompanies us amidst all of our worldly trials. So we must look for him and listen for him especially in the darkness and quiet of prayer!

Rejoice, the Lord, our Lover is coming to meet us. Let us open our arms and hearts to Him for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That those in the darkness of error and faithlessness may be enlightened by the light of Christ through the witness of the Church

For the protection of the unborn, and the overturning of all laws lacking respect for the dignity of human life.

That those struggling with winter depression or addiction may find light and peace and joy in Christ.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

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

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. 

September 2020 - First Friday Holy Hour - The wedding Feast and Eucharistic Adoration

Weddings are a recurring theme in the Gospel. The Lord’s first miracle recorded in the Gospel of John takes place at a wedding—the wedding at Cana—where the Lord transforms water into an abundance of wine. And, as we heard in this evening, the Lord compares his ministry—his dining with tax collectors and sinners—to a wedding feast. He is the bridegroom—and can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?

The Lord’s original audience would no doubt have picked up on the messianic undertones of the all of this wedding language. The age of the Messiah, the long awaited for final stage of human history, when the Lord’s Messiah would usher in the definitive kingdom of God—is scripturally linked to the wedding feast. Through the work of the Messiah, the Lord God would provide for his people rich food and choice new wines—juicy rich food and pure choice wines.

So, the Gospel reading certainly helped the early church understand their place in history. This is the age of fasting. In the words of the Lord, “the bridegroom has been taken away”—he has ascended to the Father’s right hand. And so, we fast and do penance and prepare our souls for the bridegroom’s return. We are to be like those wise virgins who await the bridegroom with lighted lamps, waiting to be welcomed in the wedding feast. 

And yet, at the same time, the bridegroom is already here, isn’t he? We are already fed with the rich food and choice wine, of the Eucharist. At holy Mass. This is why the Church fathers speak of the Mass as a foretaste of heaven. Already we sit at the banquet table of the lamb. Already we are fed with the rich food from heaven—the Eucharist. And already we are able to mystically experience and celebrate the joining of the bridegroom to his bride—the Church—when we participate at Mass.

And when we come to Holy Hour, and adore the Blessed Sacrament—we are able to glimpse the Bridegroom—with joyful anticipation—like the Bride in the Song of Songs—who rejoices at the sight of her lover right standing at her window. “Here he stands behind the wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattices. My lover speaks; he says to me, Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come!” The bridegroom of the Song of Songs says, “the flames of true devotion are a blazing fire. Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away.”

This night, we gaze upon the bridegroom. May he set our hearts afire with the flames of true devotion—flames that cannot be drowned by worldliness or selfishness or the floods of worldly anxiety. We kneel, and adore, and await his return where he will arrive, not simply under sacramental signs—but in the fullness of his glory…for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

July 22 2019 - St. Mary Magdalene - To love and be loved by Christ

Three Years Ago, during the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis raised the liturgical celebration of St. Mary Magdalene from the rank of a memorial to a rank of a feast. And I think this is the first time that I personally have the honor of celebrating the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene.

The letter promulgating the feast explains the Holy Father’s decision: “The decision is situated in the current ecclesial context, which calls upon us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of women, the new evangelization and the greatness of the mystery of divine mercy. It was St. John Paul II who dedicated great attention not only to the importance of women in the very mission of Christ and the Church, but also, and with special emphasis, to the peculiar function of St. Mary Magdalene as the first witness of the Risen Christ and the first messenger who announced to the apostles the resurrection of the Lord. This importance remains in today's Church – as shown by the current commitment to a new evangelization – which seeks to welcome, without distinction, men and women of any race, people, language and nation, to proclaim to them the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to accompany them on their earthly pilgrimage and to offer them the wonders of God's salvation. St. Mary Magdalene is an example of true and authentic evangelization, that is, an evangelizer who proclaims the joyful central message of Easter. The Holy Father Francis has taken this decision precisely in the context of the Jubilee of Mercy to stress the importance of this women, who shows great love for Christ and was very dear to Christ"

Beautiful words for us to reflect upon today.

Up and down the centuries Mary Magdalene has been called the Apostle to the Apostles. She wasn’t one of the twelve apostles, of course, and she is not regarded as a bishop at any point by the Church, but she is called Apostle to the Apostles as the first witness who saw the risen Christ, and as the first messenger who announced the Lord’s resurrection to the Twelve Apostles; as the Opening Prayer stated: God’s Son “entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the great joy of the Resurrection.”

In raising the rank of St. Mary Magdalene’s feast, the Holy Father certainly wants this feast to inspire us to consider our own role as apostles, evangelizers, joyful proclaimers of the Lord’s resurrection. And the letter of promulgation roots that identity in that two-fold realization: showing love for Christ and being dear to Christ. As the Song of Songs sings so sweetly: I belong to my beloved and my beloved belongs to me

On one hand, as we grow in love for Christ, we want to tell people about him—to tell people about our beloved, shouting it from the rooftops.. Mary Magdalane’s life was change by the Lord, she loved him deeply—not romantically, as some of the Hollywood movies would put it, but a love that changes us to our core.

On the other, we come to realize in the Christian life, that we are dearly loved by Christ. The experience of being loved is what changes us. We want to adhere to the moral life, we want to do great things for the Lord, because we are loved, and want to present our best selves, to the God who loves us.

The life that is changed by love is the most powerful instrument of evangelization, thereby making St. Mary Magdalene one of the greatest saints of the Church, a model for us all, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That women of faith may continue to bless the Church through their sharing of spiritual gifts.

For all women trapped in sin, especially, for the deliverance of all women from prostitution.

That young people may, through the intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, be preserved from evil, and discover the great joy of loving and being loved by Christ.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of human trafficking, natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for the unborn, 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 all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Hear Our Prayers, O Lord, and through the intercession of St. Mary Magdalene, free us from all that keeps us from the love of Christ. Through the same Christ Our Lord.

December 21 2018 - The light of God's love

Throughout the church year, we do not read very often from the Song of Songs, yet this book has been the favorite of many great Saints.  The Song of Songs has been called “the Great Love Story between God and the Soul”, yet, it is the only book of the Bible that never once mentions the name of God.  But when you read it, with the eyes of faith, you find God everywhere, in the symbolism of this book’s poetry, and song-like dialogues.

Song of Songs is a series of love poems about a Bride and her Groom.  The traditional Jewish interpretation identifies the Groom as the God and the Bride as the people of Israel.  Early Christian interpreters understood the Groom as Jesus and the Bride as the Church.  Especially in light of Saint Paul who refers to the Church as the Bride of Christ several times.  In just a few short verses, we realize that the Bride and Groom in the Song of Songs are passionately in love.  If you wish to more deeply encounter the love God has for you, meditate with the eyes of faith, on the Song of Songs!

The Song of Songs is very appropriate for Advent.  For as two lovers joyfully anticipate being in each other’s presence, they call out to each other, they speak their desire for each other, so the Church joyfully and passionately awaits Christ.

Hark! my lover–here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.

He rises over the mountains, much like the rays of the morning sun. Which is why, in the O Antiphon for today, the Church calls out to Christ, “O Oriens” O Rising Sun, O Radiant Dawn, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. On the eve of the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, the Church announces Christ as light.

I hope your advent preparations have helped you encounter this God who loves you.  I hope you have encountered Him as light that pierces through the darkness of your life.  Each of us have struggles, anxieties, darkness.  The relationship with Christ may not eliminate the darkness from your life, but in Christ we encounter the light shining in the darkness, a love which accompanies us amidst all of our worldly trials. This light is so powerful, that even in the midst of darkness, we are able to cry out with St. Paul, “death, where is thy sting?” Darkness may be present, but it has no power over the Christian who walks in the light.

Rejoice, the Lord, our Lover is coming to meet us. Let us open our arms and hearts to Him for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.
That those in the darkness of error and faithlessness may be enlightened by the light of Christ through the witness of the Church
For the protection of the unborn, and the overturning of all laws lacking respect for the dignity of human life.
That those struggling with winter depression or addiction may find peace and joy in Christ.
That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
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.

December 21 2017 - Winter is past!

On this darkest day of the year, the first day of winter, we hear a surprising message from the Song of Songs: “winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth”.  Those of us who live in Northeastern Ohio know that the snows are just beginning, the flowers won’t be seen for several months. Yet, the Church proclaims that because the Lord is near, it is a day of spiritual springtime, a time of new growth, a time where light begins to appear again.

The Gospel reading as well is full of life and vibrancy: the pregnant Virgin Mother going in haste to visit her once barren cousin Elizabeth, the baby John the Baptist leaping in his mother’s. There is singing, there is the joyful expectancy of the two mothers, there is praising of God.

These readings remind us of the importance of walking by faith. Naturally, it may be cold and the darkest day of the year.
Supernaturally, however, our hearts can be burning, on fire with love for God  as the light of Advent shines ever more brightly. Some people experience a deep depression this time of year, as the sun is seen less and less. Christians, though are called to rejoice in spite of the darkness of the world. We turn our faces to the light of the true sun. The O Antiphon speaks of Jesus as the Radiant Dawn, Splendor of eternal life, and Sun of Justice.. Christ is our light precisely because he saves us from the cause of our most crippling depression, sin, which brought darkness to our minds, and separation from God.

Today, may we bask in the light of our coming savior through our prayer and charity towards those in need, may we bring his light into the dark corners of the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That those in the darkness of error and faithlessness may be enlightened by the light of Christ through the witness of the Church

For the protection of the unborn, and the overturning of all laws lacking respect for the dignity of human life.

That those struggling with winter depression or addiction may find peace and joy in Christ.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

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