31st Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Friday - Cunning Missionary Disciples

Early on in the pontificate of Pope Francis, God rest his soul, the pontiff began to focus his teaching on a particular aspect of our faith—that all Christians are called to be missionary disciples. We find the phrase already in one of his first apostolic exhortations back in 2013—Evangelium Gaudium—“On the Proclamation of the Gospel in the World Today”. 

The entire people of God are called to proclaim the Gospel. Evangelization is the task of the Church—she is an agent of evangelization. “In all the baptized, from first to last,” he wrote, “the sanctifying power of the Spirit is at work, impelling us to evangelization… In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.” And we live out that identity of being missionary disciples in our faithfulness to Jesus in whatever part of the world or society we find ourselves. 

In the first reading today, St. Paul talks about his particular calling to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul describes how God has called him to bring the Gospel to places where it has never been brought before. 

And there is an important dimension of missionary discipleship as well. Each one of us is called to bring the Gospel to places where it has not currently taken root. And where might that be?

We must certainly ensure that we are bringing the Gospel to our own minds and hearts. We are to be faithful to Jesus in every dimension of our lives. Christ is to be the center of our professional life, our leisure time, how we use our minds, how we use our words, how we use our bodies. We are to develop skills to be used in God’s service. 

But also in our relationships—with family, friends, and strangers. Recognize where the Gospel could be stronger in those relationships—where the peace of Jesus, the kindness of Jesus, the charity, and self-sacrifice of Jesus is to be imitated and lived out. 

In the Gospel, the Lord tells a parable about cleverness. The worldly are often very clever in pursuing their ends and their goals. Well, Christians need to be clever too in working for God. We are to exercise ingenuity, creativity, and cunning in our missionary discipleship. 

We need to be more clever in organizing charitable activity than head coaches in organizing victory for their franchises. We need to be more diligent in disciplining our minds and 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. We need to be more dedicated to the Gospel, than world-class musicians and artists are in developing and pursuing their art.

We aren’t to just give God our leftovers, but our very best. Just as God made each of us unique, there are places and people to whom God is calling us uniquely to bear the Gospel. And we are to do so with courage and fortitude and patience and wisdom like that which St. Paul and so many of the saints show us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may endeavor to put their time, talent, treasure, creativity and energy into serving the mission of the Church. Let us pray to the Lord.

That our young people may be blessed to be raised in faith filled homes, that they may be protected from the evils of our culture, and be granted a firm knowledge of their vocation to holiness. Let us pray to the Lord.

That Christ the Good Shepherd will draw close to all who suffer, the sick, the needy, victims of injustice, and the dying.

We pray in a special way during this month of November for all the faithful departed, all deceased members and benefactors of our parish, our deceased family members and friends, deceased clergy and religious, those who fought and died for our freedom 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.

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2025 - The cost of discipleship...and what is gained

 

From now to the end of the liturgical year, our second readings will take us through each of St. Paul’s letters to individuals. So, starting today with St. Paul’s shortest letter, the one-chapter epistle to Philemon, over the next few weeks until Advent, we’ll then read from the apostle’s letters to St. Timothy and finally St. Titus. Today is the only day in the three-year cycle of readings that we read from Paul’s letter to Philemon. So, we should spend some time with it, shouldn’t we?

Around the year 60, Paul was arrested and imprisoned in Rome. Imprisoned with Paul was a slave who had been arrested for running away from his Master. The slave’s name was Onesimus. Imprisoned together, Paul got to know Onesimus; he shared the Gospel with him, baptized him, and formed him in the Christian Way. When Onesimus’ prison sentence had concluded, he was to return to his master, named Philemon, to whom Paul composed the letter we read from today. In this letter, Paul urged Philemon, who himself was a Christian, to free Onesimus from his bond of slavery, and allow Onesimus to return to Rome to assist Paul in his ministry.

This 2000 year old letter is an important testimony to the Christian belief in the equal human dignity of all persons—and the equality and unity of the baptized. 

According to the law of the land, Onesimus was Philemon’s legal possession. But, Paul urged Philemon to recognize that Onesimus was more than a possession, he was a brother. “Do what is proper” Paul urged Philemon: release him.

Now, consider what Paul was asking Philemon to do. Paul was urging Philemon to change his way of thinking and to give up something that he valued. Paul’s request was going to cost Philemon something. Philemon would have to change his lifestyle, change his household, change the way his family operated. Philemon no doubt relied on people like Onesimus. And now Paul was asking him to give something up that he relied on—to sacrifice comfort, societal norms, and his own preferences for the sake of the Gospel and because it was the right thing to do.

Paul knew that this request was going to be difficult—and costly to Philemon—but Paul made this request because it was the right thing to do.

In the Gospel this weekend the Lord speaks of how following him is costly to us--the cost of discipleship. Unless you give up family, you cannot be my disciple. Unless you carry the cross, you cannot be my disciple. Unless you renounce all of your possessions, you cannot be my disciple.

Discipleship has a cost—a cost from each of us. No one can pay it for you. It’s yours. Your responsibility. Your sacrifice. 

This is a hard message for us. Just like it was a hard message when Jesus taught it back then. St. Luke tells us in today’s passage that great crowds were following Jesus. A great number of people were with him. Moms and dads and kids and grandparents all walking together.

But then Jesus turns around and faces them, and addresses these moms and dads and kids and grandparents and says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

This crowd of families just like you were walking with Jesus, but he says, if you want to follow me any further, if you want to follow me to my ultimate destination, it’s going to cost you something, something dearly. Your loyalty to family needs to come second, from here on out. Oh, by the way, your very life too, your impulse of self-preservation. You have to be willing to embrace the cross, to endure crucifixion—suffering and death. 

At this point in St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem. He was walking toward Jerusalem, on a sort of death march toward his Passion. And did any of these people end up following him there? Were any of them crucified with him on Calvary? Nobody, except two thieves. Not anyone from this great crowd, not his most beloved disciple. Some stood and watched and wept. But Jesus went alone, where fallen humanity was too fearful to go.

It’s not until after his resurrection when it finally clicked for us—when we understood--when the courage to follow Him unto death was truly bestowed upon us. 

Why should I give-up family loyalty and material wealth in order to follow him? Because it leads to resurrection and life everlasting. We don’t lose hope and turn away from God when we are presented with our crosses because we know God brings about tremendous good through them. Joy and life and profound transformation are discovered when we are faithful. When we go beyond our comfort zones to engage in the works of charity and to share the Gospel, when we resist temptation and willingly do penance—lives are transformed—minds and heart are filled with glory and light. We see it over and over in the lives of the saints.  St. Clare, left the luxury and wealth of her home, she left her family, despite their opposition, in order to devote her life to Jesus through radical poverty, like that of St. Francis. 

Ordinary people—transformed—filled with glory—because they were willing to follow Jesus when it cost them something. 

If the practice of the faith isn’t currently costing you something, you might not be heading in the direction the Lord is trying to lead you. And if that’s the case, pray for courage, pray for strength, ask him to help you, ask him to lead you where you are to fearful to go, if it be the will of God.

Because when you trust him, and follow him beyond your wants and fears and ingrained habits and prejudices and plans for your life, you will gain so much more: freedom, joy, blessing and life everlasting for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

21st Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Tuesday - Seeking Holiness - (Opening School Mass)

 

Welcome, everyone to our first school mass of the new school year. 

One of the most important things that we can do together as a Catholic school is to gather for Mass.

At Mass, we listen to the sacred scripture—readings from the bible—the Word of God—in which God speaks to us. And we celebrate the Eucharist—the sacrament of the altar—in which bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. 

In the first Scripture reading today, St. Paul talks about the great effort he has undergone to bring the Gospel to a place called Thessalonica. St. Paul had undergone a journey of thousands of miles to travel to Thessalonica. Remember, St. Paul began his journey in Jerusalem, where Jesus died and rose again. And he desired with all his heart to bring the good news of Jesus’ saving death and resurrection to people all over the world. So he journeyed on foot and by sea, through mountains, through country filled with bandits and murders, areas plagued with disease, to places that he had never been before, to share the Christian faith with the world. He nearly died, many times on this journey. He was arrested. He was beaten. He angered people who did not want to believe in Jesus. But he did so because he believed the spreading the Gospel was the most important thing he could do with his life.

And why did he believe that? Because he had met Jesus. And he understood that believing in Jesus, and following Jesus, and learning from Jesus, and changing our lives to become like Jesus by becoming holy like Jesus, was the most important thing any of us can do. 

This is why we have a Catholic school. This is why we have a beautiful catholic church. Because believing in Jesus and following Jesus and changing our lives to become like Jesus by becoming holy like Jesus is the most important thing any of us can do. 

In the Gospel passage today, Jesus himself talks about becoming holy. Jesus was talking to a group of Pharisees—a group of people who thought they knew all about becoming holy. They thought that you become holy if you dress like a holy person dresses. And Jesus says, no, being holy isn’t just a game of dress-up. Holiness is not play acting. You don’t becoming holy by what you wear on the outside, but by what you change on the inside.

Jesus said, if you only wash the outside of the cup, but ignore the inside, you still have a dirty cup. It’s the same thing with people. Catholics believe that we must allow Jesus every day to clean our minds, and clean our hearts, and clean our choices—to change our selfishness into generosity, our pride into humility, our fear into courage, our hate into love.

Throughout the school year you will be coming to mass every week, you will be learning about the message of Jesus during your school days. Really listen to Jesus’ message and consider each day how that message is meant to change your minds and your hearts and your attitudes and the way that you treat people. And as you take Jesus’ message to heart, you will find him dwelling there---for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Please respond to each of these petitions, “Lord hear our prayer”

As we begin a new school year, we pray that God may bestow gifts of wisdom and understanding upon our students, and that teachers may share their knowledge with gentleness, diligence, and patience.

May the message of Jesus be taken to heart, may it transform us, and guide us in the ways of true peace.

We pray for our families, that the peace of God may dwell in them—for parents who struggle with many challenges—that God may give them strength.

We pray for our nation—that God’s word may guide our government leaders—and help them to work for true and lasting justice and peace.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: may they know God’s strength and peace and the assistance of the Christian people. 

For the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, and all of the souls in purgatory: may they share in the joy of life-everlasting with the Risen Lord. 

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.

11th Week in Ordinary Time 2025 - Friday - What do I treasure?

 Today’s scripture readings challenge us to ask ourselves, “What do I treasure?” “What do I value most?” “Do I treasure the things of this world or do I treasure the things of God?” “Which do I treasure most?”

In the first reading, it is very evident where St. Paul’s treasure lies.  

St. Paul enumerates his sufferings for the spread of the Gospel: dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from fellow Jews, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers instigated by false Christians; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, frequent fasting, cold and exposure, daily pressures, all for the sake of the Gospel. 

St. Paul suffered not to build an impressive resume.  When he’s listing off all that he suffered, he’s not complaining.  Rather, he embraced all of these sufferings  because he treasured the Gospel above all else, and desired to share that treasure with others.

 ‘What do I treasure?’ St. Paul highlights an important connection. What we treasure can be equated to what am I willing to suffering for? What will I go out of my way for to obtain? 

St. Paul reminds us that heaven is obtained not by sitting idly, but by embracing the cross. Broad is the way and wide is the gate that leads to destruction. Meaning, we attain heaven and eternal life, not simply by doing what is easy all the time. Oftentimes we will need to fight against our fallen nature, our slothful nature, the part of us that just wants to relax and self-indulgent. Jesus says we need to “strive to enter the narrow gate”. 

Effort is needed to pray, to fast, to do penance, to engage in the works of charity, and spread the Gospel. 

St. Paul, then, is a great model for us, a model most necessary for us at every age, lest we excuse ourselves from the necessary work of the Gospel, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

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Let us place our needs and the needs of the world before our heavenly Father.

For the Church: That all the baptized may treasure the Gospel above every worldly good and, like Saint Paul, willingly embrace the sacrifices needed to proclaim Christ to every nation.

For the nations and their leaders: That those entrusted with authority may govern justly, defend human dignity from conception to natural death, and foster lasting peace among peoples.

For the grace to treasure the things of God: That we may resist the lure of worldly comforts, strive each day to enter through the narrow gate, and devote ourselves generously to prayer, penance, works of charity, and the spread of the Gospel.

For the sick, the suffering, the poor, and the afflicted: That all who bear heavy crosses may unite their trials to Christ’s Passion, receive comfort and healing, and be supported by the charity of the Christian community.

For the faithful departed: That those who have died in Christ may inherit the eternal treasure of heaven and rejoice forever in the presence of God.

O God, source of all true riches, hear the prayers we bring before You, and grant that, treasuring Your kingdom above all, we may share its everlasting joy. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

6th Week of Easter 2024 - Wednesday - Evangelizing lessons from St. Paul in Athens

 Paul's proclamation of the gospel in Athens contains lessons for our evangelizing today.

Normally, as he did in Philippi, it was Paul’s custom to go to the synagogues to preach to the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles there. But not in Athens.

In Athens, Paul, in the manner of the Greek Philosophers, goes to the public square. He does not wait for people to come to church, as we may be inclined to do, but rather goes out in search of the lost like the Good Shepherd. 

Convinced of the truth and necessity of the Gospel, Paul is not afraid or ashamed to engage strangers in matters of faith, despite the unfamiliarity and even strangeness of the Christian message to the people with whom he is talking. Instead he does his best to explain and defend his beliefs. 

Notice, when Paul is invited to speak, he finds something positive to say about the sincere religious striving of his audience. He looks for common ground. He meets them where they are with the truth of the Gospel, as Bishop Perez liked to say—even affirming something true in their religion that he can use as a starting point for sharing the gospel. That’s a great strategy. We can affirm what is true in Islam and Hinduism and Buddhism and the Protestant denominations. What’s true is true. And that can be a starting point.

So Paul tailors his approach to his Pagan audience. He acknowledges that they are deeply religious. They pray, they worship, they engage in devotional practices. They are mindful of the gods in their daily lives.

But then he introduces the truth that there are in fact not a multiplicity of gods, but a single All-powerful Creator God who has sent his son as Savior. 

Paul quotes the Pagan poets—again meeting people where they are—yet, he corrects his audiences mistaken ideas about divinity. 

He then explains the necessity of repentance and tells them the sober truth about future judgment. He boldly asserts Jesus Christ, though he surely knows that this assertion will cause many Greeks to scoff. Finally, he is not discouraged when only a few receive his message. With evangelical fortitude, he sets out for his next mission, in the city of Corinth

Important lessons no? Don’t be afraid to engage strangers. Meet them where they are. Seek to understand them and what they believe. So you can lead them from that place to the fullness of truth. Don’t be afraid to assert the need to seek the truth revealed by God in Christ—the need to repentance. After all, the very first word of the Lord’s own public preaching, was “repent and believe.”

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That the ordained and all members of the Church throughout the world may be a more visible sign of the love of God for humanity, calling all people to new life and communion with Him; and that our parish may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ and his tender love for sinners and for the poor

For those who do not believe in God and for those who have fallen away from the Church.

For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all Christians, and for all who are persecuted for the faith.

For the sick, the suffering, those in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care, for the underemployed and unemployed, for the imprisoned, those with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, that the Spirit of Consolation may comfort them.

For the deceased members of our families, friends and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all those who fought and died for our freedom.

O God, who 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.

January 26 2024 - Sts. Timothy & Titus - "God did not give us a spirit of cowardice"

Following the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul yesterday, today we commemorate two of Paul’s closest co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord: Saints Timothy and Titus.  

Sometimes, when we think of St. Paul, we think of him single-handedly converting Asia Minor and Greece, but not so. Paul had friends, coworkers, companions. 

On his second missionary journey, Paul recruited young Timothy from his native town of Lystra in Asia Minor. Timothy received training as an apostle as he accompanied Paul. 

The book of Acts, chapter 16, tells us “Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him…As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” Later, Paul sends Timothy on important apostolic missions to Thessalonica, another to Corinth. And when Paul was imprisoned for his witness to Christ, Timothy stayed at Paul’s side, until he was sent to Ephesus to be Bishop of that place.

Titus was a gentile disciple and close friend of Paul, also accompanying and assisting Paul in his missionary activity.  Titus was with Paul at the Council of Jerusalem, and when Paul was having trouble with the community at Corinth because of community division, erroneous faith and rampant immorality, Paul sent Titus bearing his letter to the Corinthians, and Titus embraced them with the love of the true pastor’s heart.  This was probably one reason, why Paul felt so assured at naming Titus bishop of Crete, which was also riddled with error. He too would be martyred--beheaded by his adversaries in Crete in AD 97.

As they shared in the missionary activity of the Church, Timothy and Titus now share a feast day, reminding us all that we share our work in the vineyard of the Lord, and we are to draw courage from their examples. As we heard in Paul’s second letter to Timothy: “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.”

What is that holy work that I would do for God if I weren’t afraid—afraid of hardship, afraid of the judgment of the worldly, afraid of suffering? What fears or worldly vices are keeping me from drawing strength from God, from being filled with his holy power and divine love? What do I need to say no to, in order to say yes to God? To draw upon the image from the Gospel, what are the mustard seeds that I am called to plant, so God can bring about flourishing in the Church?

Through the holy example and heavenly intercession of Saints Timothy and Titus and the whole communion of saints, may we know the strength that comes from God in bearing our own share of hardship for the Gospel, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That our bishops in union with the Pope, may share a profound zeal for faithful preaching and teaching, stirring up the flame of faith in the life of the Church. Let us pray to the Lord.

That our parish may build up missionary disciples equipped for working together for the spread of the Gospel. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the conversion of all hardened sinners and all persecutors of the faith and those in error, that the Lord may touch their hearts and remove the blindness from their eyes. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have suffered as a result of violence or abuse, all of the sick and suffering, especially victims of natural disaster, poverty, and addiction, may they be comforted and supported by God’s healing love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. Let us pray to the Lord.

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 Ordinary Time 2023 - Friday - I do not do the good that I want

 With piercing insight into the human experience, St. Paul wrote about the Christian’s ongoing struggle with sin. It is a struggle we all face: most of the time, we know what we should do, we recognize the desire to do it, yet we frequently fail. There is a glaring discrepancy between our intentions and our actions, a moral disconnect. 

The reason for this disconnect—is that even though we are baptized—we still experience the effects of fallenness. We continue to wrestle with the agitations of sin—with the frailties and inclinations to sin experienced by all the descendants of Adam. 

Baptism brings the forgiveness of sins. The guilt of sin is remitted in baptism, but concupiscence remains. We are reborn as children of God, but the memory of the old man remains, and not just the memory, but some of his frailness, so that by struggling against it, sanctity and virtue might be produced in us.

Christians sin. And we admit that. It’s the first step of Christianity: admitting I’m a sinner in need of a savior. That admission begins every time we gather for Mass.

Yet, admitting our sins doesn’t mean justifying our sins. We are to make no provision for the flesh. We are to root out sin as best we can, with God’s help, through sacraments, and sacramentals, with examinations of conscience, penances, fasting, and mortification. But when we fall under the influences of the flesh, which is nearly inevitable for most of us, we repent. We go to confession. We beat our breast before God. We do penance. 

We must also not allow ourselves to become too discouraged over sin. We are weak. And that doesn’t cause God to love us any less. Yes, there is a failure to rely on God’s grace when we sin. But, the sooner we recognize that, the sooner we can repent and try again. This time, maybe with our pride put in its place.

Humility about our own sinfulness also produces patience with others. Humility leads us to extend the same patience with others—in their sins—that we would want for ourselves, as the Lord says, “the measure with which we measure, shall be used against us.”

When we humbly and sincerely approach the mercy of God, we begin to experience the freedom, joy, and peace that comes from God for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may know the grace of sincere repentance and seek to grow in virtue and the fruits of the spirit.

That young people be inspired to respond generously to God’s call to sanctity, and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

For all the sick and suffering, and for all those in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care, for all those who will die today, for their consolation and that 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 family, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious of our diocese, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. 

God of mercy, hear our prayers, ease the sufferings and comfort the weakness of your servants, and bring us to eternal life, through Christ our Lord.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023 - Transformed by the renewal of your mind

 

I’ve shared before how, when I was a teenager, I went through a phase where I was not very interested in our beloved Catholic faith. I had stopped going to church, and became immersed in some real secular ways of thinking. I started to buy into the idea that religion had nothing to offer, that science and politics were the answers to humanity’s problems. I began to read Marx and Freud and was watching a lot of entertainment in which religion, particularly Catholicism was derided and mocked. 

“Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”. Our age, as you might know, is very antithetical toward religion. Mockery of religion, the bible, the church, the priesthood pervades so much of the media. And it’s relentless. The mockery and contempt for religion is found in so many classrooms, workplaces, political rhetoric, media, pop songs and movies, internet forums. And hearing this preacher, break open this scripture passage from St. Paul late one night, helped me to realize that I had bought right into it: this idea which is still very prevalent that religion was not part of the solution, but part of the problem.

But, the idea that the world can fix itself without God is foolish. Just look at what happens when God is driven out of society, politics, science, not to mention the classroom: you get concentration camps, weapons of mass destruction, torture, human trafficking, mental illness, broken families, crime, and self-destruction through drugs and alcohol.  

When we conform ourselves to the world—we are swallowed by the world and our light dims, our minds are dulled, and our wills are weakened to the point where we just go along with the fallen corrupt human system because it’s easier. 

Rather, the way of Christ is the way of transformation and healing. Which is why in the Gospel when Peter tells Jesus to abandon the cross, Jesus says, “Get behind me Satan, You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Funny how, thinking as “human beings do” always leads away from the cross. 

Why does Jesus call Peter Satan? Because Satan does not want mankind saved. Satan does not want mankind transformed. Satan wants us enslaved while thinking that we are free. Satan is the great enemy: he wants you chained to your sins, trapped in cycles of sin and depravity. He wants you to hate, and resent, and manipulate, and abuse. He wants to see all that is holy in you, all that is a reflection of the goodness of God trampled upon. You wants you using your bodies in degrading ways, he wants your minds atrophied, and your wills broken to give-in to every one of his temptations. Satan loves when we abandon religion for science for politics, when we worship anything but God. 

Satan wants us to settle for fallenness, but God wishes to raise us up, which is why St. Paul says renew your mind that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. 

What does it mean to renew your mind? The Christian is to always be about the business of seeking to know, understand, and interpret the world through the lens of the Word of God. The Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the writings of the saints, must be the interpretive lens, the filter, the hermeneutic, to understand all things, and to shape and guide and inform all of our decisions. And if we arrive at some conclusion contrary to the Gospel—well we have not thought and prayed and studied long enough.

Satan is hard at work, creating division—turning man against brother—Christian against Christian—undermining right religion, frustrating domestic tranquility, spreading terrible confusion—duping even Christians to embrace attitudes and behavior which is repugnant to the word of God. But, as I said a few weeks ago, God chose us to live now, in the year 2023, in the midst of this nearly-all pervasive Satanic spirit—to show the world another way, the way—To show and to witness, to follow and to suffer for the one who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me.”

The Catholic of 2023 must be a bullwork of right faith, who pursues the true, the good, and the beautiful in opposition to the error, corruption, and ugliness of the world. The Catholic of 2023 must take up the cross and follow Christ—no matter the hostility or pressure from the Satanic spirit. You are chosen for this. You and I were made for this.

We are called to be the great transformers of the world, but we must first let God and his will transform us. Read the Bible. Study the Catechism. In fact, you should study your faith to the highest capacity of your intellect. In other words, if you can grasp high school theology, you should study high school theology. If you can grasp college or graduate level or doctorate level theology, then you should. Our minds have tremendous capacity for the Truth. But if all you do is fill your mind with the garbage on tv and the internet, your life, and mind, and wills, and bodies will suffer for it.

We have a wonderful new Bible Study starting up in a few weeks on Monday nights. But every day, you need to seek the renewal of your mind. Every day learn something new about your faith. I’ve been a priest for 15 years. I have two masters degrees in Theology, a bachelors in philosophy, and I promise you cannot exhaust what there is to learn about God and about our faith. Likely, the thing that is keeping us from the daily renewal God wants for us is laziness and fear of the cross. 

So, in the name of Jesus Christ, rebuke Satan, just like Jesus did in the Gospel today, rebuke any attitude, any fear, any habit, that is keeping you from the renewal and the transformation God wants for you, for therein lies joy, freedom, peace, and the fullness of life for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

6th Week of Easter 2023 - Wednesday - Meet people where they are

 Paul’s preaching in the Areopagus of Athens is a definitive moment in Paul’s evangelizing mission. 

The people of Athens were not jews, of course, nor were they atheists—they worshipped a multiplicity of gods. Paul calls them a “deeply religious people” for religious observance permeated every aspect of Athenian daily life. If you went to the marketplace, there was a little altar there at the entrance where you would make a sacrifice to Minerva, the goddess of commerce.  If you wanted a child, you made a sacrifice to Diana, goddess of fertility.  If you were going to war, you would make a sacrifice to Mars, god of war.

For the Athenians, if you wanted good health, protection, healthy babies, financial stability, you better keep the gods happy. In fact, in the first reading, we hear that the Greeks even had an altar to an unknown god, just in case they missed one.  

So Paul stands in the Areopagus, and gently but ardently tries to teach them about the one true God, responsible for creating and sustaining all things.  And you don’t have to go far to find him.  For in him we live and move and have our being. And in fact, the One True God became man. Of course he’s speaking about Jesus. And Paul, assures the Athenians Jesus provided confirmation of his message by his resurrection from the dead.  At the mention of the word ‘resurrection’, Paul’s audience is spontaneously divided into two camps.  Many people scoffed at him, but some were open to hearing more about this Resurrected Messiah.   

Paul certainly gives us a model for preaching to non-believers. Meet them where they are with the truth of the Gospel. Go out to them. Seek to respectfully understand what they value, their religious aspirations and practices and gods. Be respectful. But also demonstrate the fullness of truth of Christ. And invite them to consider it. You want proof about Christianity. Let me tell you about the proof: the saints, the miracles, the unity, the spiritual fruits, the deliverance from demons in Christ’s name, the endless works of charity inspired by the Gospel. Now some, like those in Athens will scoff, but some will be open to hearing more. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his apostles, “the Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth.”  The gift of the Spirit enables us to glorify God in our words and deeds, and to lead people to the Truth about Jesus. In fact, the Spirit leads us to people SO THAT we can lead them to truth. 

Don’t be afraid of those conversations with strangers. Take genuine interest in people—in their beliefs, their traditions. Be friendly. Learn their vocabulary and values. Meet them where they are. Again, we literally see Paul going into a place where sacrifice was offered to pagan Gods to speak to people about Jesus. That’s something for us to imitate. May the Holy Spirit who fills our lives, use us to lead others to the Truth of Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That all bishops, priests, catechists, and parents may be faithful in preaching and teaching the saving Gospel of Christ.

For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all Christians, and for all who are persecuted for the faith. For those who do not believe in God and for those who have fallen away from the Church.

For all priests, that they may be ardent yet gentle preachers and faithful stewards of the sacred mysteries. For the sanctification of all priests: for the endurance to remain faithful to their calling amidst so many challenges, and for an increase in vocations to the ordained priesthood.

For the sick, the suffering, those in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care, for the underemployed and unemployed, for the imprisoned, those with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, that the Spirit of Consolation may comfort them.

For the deceased members of our families, friends and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all those who fought and died for our freedom.

O God, who 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.

June 29 2022 - Sts. Peter and Paul - Teachings, Examples, Mission, Martyrdom

Before the reform of calendar, Saints Peter and Paul were celebrated over the course of three days here at the end of June with the Vigil of Peter and Paul on June 28, the Feast of Peter and Paul on June 29, and the Commemoration of St. Paul on June 30. A fitting tribute, as Peter and Paul are two of the greatest men to have ever lived.

The prayers and readings of those three days are now consolidated into one feast, today’s, in which we celebrate their teachings, their examples, their mission, their martyrdom, and their heavenly intercession.

The Collect asked God to help us follow their teachings, may the Church, in all things follow the teachings of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. The Christian Church is forever shaped by the teachings of these two saints. 

In the first reading, we heard of Peter, having willingly suffered imprisonment for the Gospel, being set free by God’s angel. From there we know, the prince of the Apostles would travel to Rome to proclaim the Gospel and minister to the Roman Christians. I remember visiting the church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome, the Church of St. Peter in Chains, and seeing the chains that bound Peter and were broken by the angel.

In the second reading, we heard of Paul writing to Timothy from his prison cell in Rome. Paul, no doubt having heard of Peter’s rescue from prison, speaks of how the Lord will rescue him too, only not by breaking his physical chains, but by raising him from the dead and delivering him to the eternal kingdom of heaven in the resurrection. Paul’s hope in resurrection is fill our hearts daily.

In the powerful Eucharistic Preface for this day, we proclaim God’s providence which fills us with joy at the celebration of Peter and Paul: “Peter, foremost in confessing the faith, Paul its outstanding preaching, Peter, who established the early Church from the remnant of Israel, Paul, master and teacher of the Gentiles…and so, each in a different way gathered together the one family of Christ; and revered together throughout the world, they share one Martyr’s crown.”

These two saints are examplars of missionary zeal. Their lives became centered on gathering souls to Christ. Not storing up treasures on earth, not gaining earthly fame, not living the comfortable life, not simply allowing life to pass them by as they awaited death. They went out to gather souls out of love for Christ. And that love was confirmed by their willingness to suffer a martyrs death for Christ.

May the love and zeal of Peter and Paul always animate us; may we know their heavenly assistance in being faithful to our share of the Church’s mission, in gathering souls to Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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The Lord Jesus built his Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. In faith let us pray.

The Lord prayed that the faith of Peter would not fail, may the Lord strengthen the faith of His Church and protect her from all dangers.

The Lord appeared to Peter after his resurrection and appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, may he make us steadfast proclaimers of his resurrection.

The Lord called Peter, a fisherman, to be a fisher of men, may he raise up new vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. 

The Lord mercifully forgave Peter’s denials, may he have mercy upon all sinners, and all those who suffer illness or any other need.

The Lord gave Peter the keys of the kingdom, may the gates of that kingdom be open to all who trusted in Christ’s mercy while still on earth, especially…

Heavenly Father, graciously hear the prayers of your pilgrim Church on this great Solemnity and grant our prayers of petition through Christ, Our Lord. 

5th Week of Easter 2022 - Tuesday - Facing fears for the kingdom

In second Corinthians, Paul says: “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked”. The events in the acts of the apostles reading today, being stoned—almost to death-- while preaching in Lystra, is probably the stoning he was referring to. 

How easily we give up when we face resistance. We give up on a prayer commitment because we find ourselves more tired than we expected. We give in to temptation because it's just easier to give in than to fight it. Sometimes we don't get involved in a church endeavor because of the sacrifice it entails.

But, slander, rejection, physical assault, the threat of death did not stop the apostles. After being stoned almost to death, you might expect Paul to relax his mission. But Paul gets up, brushes himself off, and goes to preach in the next town. 

And then, amazingly, heroically, after preaching in Derbe, Paul returned to Lyrstra, probably still bruised and aching from the stoning—maybe with a broken rib, a split lip, not to mention the memory of the anger and hatred spewed at him. 

We avoid talking about our faith because it might create an awkward silence, Paul faced death over and over again for the Gospel.  

“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” Some of us won’t bear a single hardship, let alone many. Lord have mercy on us.

Sorry Lord, too much work. I gotta watch my summer baseball. Lies, we tell ourselves to avoid hardships. But our lives our sadder for those lies, less joyful, because they keep us from the meaningful work God desires for us. 

What are the hardships I avoid? What are the lies I tell myself to avoid those hardships? What are the secret fears that I have failed to bring to the Lord which leads me to justify those lies?

“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid,” the Lord says in the Gospel. Why is the Lord so concerned about our anxiety and fear? Because they keep us from life, they keep us from carrying our crosses and facing those hardships for the work God wants for us, and thus deprive us of the sanctity and joy God has in store for us. 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid,” means doing our part to face those fears, to overcome those anxieties, and allowing grace to do the rest.

We place our hands confidently in the hands of the Lord today, trusting him to help us face our fears, to shed light upon our self-deceits, to give us courage and fortitude for the work of the Gospel, 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.

7th Week of Easter 2021 - Monday - Did you receive the Holy Spirit?

For a few weeks, I’ve been preparing a number of our young people for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which we’ll celebrate Sunday at the 11am Mass. And I’ve been encouraging our youth to ensure they are praying every day with their Confirmation in mind—praying to be strengthened in the gifts of the holy spirit and the fruits of the holy spirit. I asked them to examine their lives and ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify the Spiritual Gifts that he wants them to grow in: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, fear of the Lord. And to examine their lives and identify the fruits of the Spirit that seem to be lacking: patience, joy, fortitude. And after considering what is lacking, to pray that as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation they may be strengthened in these gifts.

During his third and final missionary journey, Paul visited Ephesus.  And there he found a group of believers who seemed to be missing something.  He pinpointed the problem by asking, “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?”  They gave the surprising answer that they had never even heard that there is a holy Spirit.  They had never received the Christian Sacrament of Baptism, and therefore they had never received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

What caused Paul to ask them if they had heard of the Holy Spirit?  Though they believed that Jesus was the Messiah, likely, what was missing was the sort of activity that should mark a Spirit-filled group of full-fledged Christians.  Remember, by this time, Paul had visited and established many communities.  He would have seen the gifts of the Spirit at work, with his own eyes: prophesying, speaking in tongues, healings, mighty exhortations, Christians teaching the faith, speaking words of knowledge and understanding.

So immediately Paul baptized them and laid hands on them, and the outward signs of the Spirit began to manifest: speaking in tongues and prophecy.  These are among the many charismatic gifts of the spirit listed by Paul in his letters.

If Paul were to visit a typical Catholic parish today, he’d find in most places the Holy Spirit at work: he’d see the gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fear of the Lord; he’d see the fruits, patience, joy. He’d see the charismatic signs: those with the gift of encouragement—strengthening those with wavering faith, he’d see those with the gift of teaching, passing on the faith and correcting error, he’d see those with the gift of mercy assisting the suffering.

As we prepare for Pentecost this Sunday, we’d do well, like our confirmandi, to pray for an increase in the spiritual gifts, the fruits of the spirit, the charismatic gifts, in our own lives, and in the life of our parish, that Church may continuously be built-up, and faithful in her mission of being sent out to preach the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Let us pray to our Heavenly Father, confident that He is generous to those who call upon Him with faith.

For our young people preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend—that they may open their hearts to the gifts God has in store for them. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our President and all elected government representatives, may the Holy Spirit grant them wisdom and guide them to promote domestic tranquility, national unity, respect for religious freedom, and a greater reverence for the sanctity of Human Life. Let us pray to the Lord.

Like the apostles gathered with Our Lady in the Cenacle, may the Church grow in Marian devotion this month, especially in devotion to the Holy Rosary. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those experiencing any kind of hardship or sorrow, isolation, addiction, or disease: that they may know the peace and consolation of the Good Shepherd. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and for …for whom this mass is offered. Let us pray to the Lord.

Gracious Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrim Church, grant us your grace and lead us to the glory of your kingdom, through Christ Our Lord.

 

January 26, 2021 - St. Timothy and Titus - The harvest is abundant, the laborers few

 Following the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul yesterday, today we commemorate two of Paul’s close co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord: Timothy and Titus.  Today’s two saints give us a glimpse of life in the early church: zeal for the apostolate, devotion to Jesus, and the deep bonds of friendship that sustained them.

Timothy was Paul’s dearest disciple.  St Paul calls him, his beloved child, devoted to him “like a son to his father.”  Biologically, Timothy was the son of a jewish mother and a pagan father. Paul, however, was spiritual father, to Timothy: directly instrumental in Timothy’s conversion from paganism.  

When Paul visited the city of Lystra, Timothy, about twenty years old, joined him and went on to assist Paul in the establishment of the major Christian communities. Timothy also stayed with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment. Timothy himself was later imprisoned for spreading the Gospel, and as bishop of Ephesus was martyred, clubbed to death by a mob for protesting against the orgiastic worship of the goddess Artemis.

Titus was also a close friend and disciple of Paul, also accompanying and assisting Paul in his missionary activity.  Titus was with Paul at the Council of Jerusalem, and when Paul was having trouble with the community at Corinth because of community division, erroneous faith and rampant immorality, Paul sent Titus bearing his letter to the Corinthians, and Titus embraced them with the love of the true pastor’s heart.  This was probably one reason, why Paul felt so assured at naming Titus bishop of Crete, which was also riddled with error. He too would be martyred—he was beheaded by his adversaries on Crete in AD 97.

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” The dynamic between Paul and Timothy and Titus show us how the Lord often attracts laborers for the harvest. A devout Paul, dedicating his life to the Gospel, willing to suffer for it, begins to attract spiritual sons, who are willing to do the same.

Our task then is clear. To be like Paul for the Timothy’s and Titus’ of the next generation. To live the faith so admirably that it becomes attractive to Pagans and unbelievers. To suffer for it, to show the value of the Gospel in contrast to the empty promises of the world. Our job is not to save the planet, or our nation-state, or our economy, but to save souls, not to secure a comfortable place in the world, but to build up treasure in heaven. Sure, it’s no sin to go fishing every once in a while, but certainly never to the serious neglect of our duty to become fishers of men.

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That our bishops may be courageous in stirring up the flame of faith and defending the Church from error.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that young people may live in faith-filled homes where the Gospel is cherished, studied, and lived-out. 

For the grace to set good Christian example, and to courage to share the faith with non-believers and the lapsed.

For all of the sick and suffering, for the grace to unite their sufferings with Christ and to know His consolation and peace.

For our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. We pray to the Lord.

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

November 18 2020 - Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul

On June 29 every year we celebrate the feast of the martyrdoms of Saints Peter and Paul. Today’s feast commemorates the dedication of the Roman Basilicas built in their honor: the basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican in the year 350 and the dedication of the basilica of St. Paul in 390.  

Both of these edifices now stand very near the places where it is traditionally believed Saints Peter and Paul were martyred. Peter, we know, was said to have been crucified upside-down in the Circus of Nero, located on the mons Vaticanus, the Vatican Hill. Paul, was martyred outside the walls of the ancient city, at a place now called the abbazia delle tre fontane, the abbey of the three fountains, called such, because it is said, that when Paul was decapitated, his head bounced three times, from which, springs of water began to flow.

Each were buried near the place of their martyrdom. Again, Peter in a roman cemetery on Vatican Hill. And Paul, in a Roman Necropolis outside the ancient walls, in the tomb of a devout roman Noblewoman named Lucilla. 

When Christianity was eventually legalized in the Roman Empire, basilicas were built over the burial places of these two foundation stones for the Church. Though pilgrimage to their tombs was already occurring before the edict of Milan. Christians in fact risked imprisonment in order to make pilgrimage to pray at the tombs of Peter and Paul. 

Neither of the original basilicas still stand, in fact St. Paul’s has been subject to numerous fires. The new basilica of St. Paul’s was consecrated by Pius IX in 1854 and St. Peter’s Basillica was consecrated on this day, November 18 in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII—the altar of St. Peter’s basilica standing directly over the burial place of the apostle.

We can certainly see homages to these two great basilicas in the architecture of St. Ignatius, and yet, we aren’t really celebrated architectural achievement today, are we? Rather, the entire Catholic world today celebrates these two buildings in Rome,  in order to show our honor to the Apostles, and to remember that we belong to a Church that spans the entire globe, several millennia, which is built on the apostolic foundation. 

In an age where so many are tempted to sever themselves from the past and from authentic Church teaching, this feast is an important dimension of our Catholic faith. We unite ourselves to the great efforts of the apostles, to the millions of Catholics who have suffered persecution for our faith, for the efforts of missionaries and evangelists and teachers who have spent their lives passing on our faith, without whom we would not be here today. 

May our lives continue to be built upon the apostolic faith, courage and strength of Peter and Paul. May the love for the Lord which animated their lives animate ours, that we may serve him generously, if not heroically, like them, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the purification of Holy Church, that the Pope and Bishops and clergy may be filled with Apostolic Zeal, and that all the Christian faithful may discover and nurture their spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church.

For those who have left the Church, for those who have grown lukewarm, for those in mortal sin, for their conversion and the conversion of all hearts.

For the healing of all those afflicted with physical, mental, emotional illness, for those in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care, those struggling with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests 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.

 

22nd Sunday in OT 2020 - "Do not conform yourself to this age"

Well, St. Peter has gone from hero to zero pretty quickly, hasn’t he? Last week, the Lord was extolling Peter’s faith: “You are Peter, the rock, and upon this rock I build my Church.” For Peter’s faith, he is chosen as prince of apostles. He and his successors would be given the powers to loose an bind, to teach, govern, and sanctify Christ’s holy Church. The faith and leadership of the head of the Church would impact profoundly the faith of the members.

But this week, just a scant seven verses later in Matthew’s Gospel, the Lord refers to Peter as Satan: “Get thee behind me Satan. For thou art an obstacle to me.” One can hardly imagine a more stern and bone-chilling rebuke…not a very good first day on the job for the first Pope. Peter you have become a stumbling block, an obstacle to the will of God, to the mission of God’s son. You are obstructing God as Satan does. It doesn’t get much worse than that.

Why does the Lord rebuke Peter so sharply? When the Lord explains how he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die, Peter reacts not with trust or faith, not with openness to God’s will, but out of something that is pitiful and cowardly and fallen about the human condition, “For thinking has human beings do,” the Lord says. There’s something in us, in all of us, that left to its own devices, if pressed and tried, obstructs the will of God himself. 

It’s in us. It’s in all of us. A part of us that gives-in to pressure all too easily, a part of us that caves when obedience to God requires a little bit of effort. We see this all the way back in the garden of Eden. At the foot of the tree—Eve begins to cave when faced with temptation. She struggles, recalling the warning of God—but she gives into that voice uttering empty promises that her own will, her own strength, her own plan, could bring her happiness. And she caved.

So, too with Adam. But with Adam, we see even less of a struggle. When presented with the forbidden fruit from the hands of his wife, we don’t even see an argument. We don’t see Adam calling to mind the command of God and the consequences for sin: “Do not eat of the tree,” God says, “or else you will die”. Adam caves without resistance. How pitiful! And yet, that weakness is in every single one of us.

Paul had this human weakness in mind in many of his letters, particularly in today’s reading. When St. Paul was preaching to the Romans—he knew he was bringing to the Gospel to a…strong-headed people—people who valued strength, honor, patriotism, and hard-work. But, Paul also recognized a great weakness in this people. The Romans loved conformity. They believed that the way to spread and work for the spread of the Roman Empire and the glory of Rome—was through conformity to the Roman gods and the Roman values.

Paul knew, that if the Romans were to accept the Christian Gospel—they would be faced with tremendous pressure from their fellow Romans. And, Paul knew about worldly pressure. After all, he was once a persecutor of his fellow Jews who accepted Christ. Paul knew that Romans would experience, likewise, tremendous hostility for accepting Christ.  And so Paul dares to write, as we hear in his epistle today, “Do not conform yourselves to this age”. 

While some of those Roman virtues align just fine with the Gospel, the attitudes of the prevailing culture frequently oppose the values of God. That’s true for ancient Rome, and it’s true for 21st century America. Yes, there are wonderful American values that align with the Gospel: the defense of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Respect for your fellow man. Free speech. Freedom to obtain and defend private property. A disdain for corruption on all levels. Desire for justice and care for the oppressed. An attempt to live peacefully amidst many competing and contrasting values. Wonderful.

So, when Paul warns the Romans--urges the Romans—do not conform yourselves to this age—he’s not saying that they cannot have any role in Roman society, or that they have to abandon what is good in their culture. No. But, he is saying that in his age and every age there are cultural values and practices contrary to the way of Jesus Christ. You will not find a nation, state, county, or town in perfect conformity with Christ’s teachings. And so Christians, need to be extremely careful that they do not adopt the anti-Christian ideals surrounding them like the winds of the sea of Galilee. 

What guidance does Paul offer for Christian to resist these pressures? “Renew your minds” he says.  “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

The Christian must seek to know, understand, and interpret the world and make moral choices with a mind renewed by the teachings and grace of Jesus Christ. The Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the writings of the saints, must be the interpretive lens, the filter, the hermeneutic, to understand all things, and to shape and guide and inform all of our decisions. This is what Paul means by “putting on the mind of Christ”—to think, to chose, to act, as Christ in the world. 

And if we arrive at some conclusion contrary to the Gospel—well we have not thought and prayed long enough.

When we allow ourselves to be guided and informed by the word of God—we become like Peter walking on water, Peter exalted by the Lord—made a prince of the Church—a stable rock for his friends, his brethren, his family. A rock of faith against the instabilities and chaos of the world. But when we turn from the truth, and allow fear, pressure, worldly error to shape our actions—we become stumbling blocks for the building-up of the Church, and the saving mission of Christ. 

The Satanic spirit which tempted Eve and overwhelmed Adam, which led Peter to think and speak with human error, which pervaded ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, and Rome seeks to possess us, to possess our nation, parish, and families. And it’s relentless. It is found in classrooms, workplaces, political parties, television stations, pop songs and movies, internet forums, and it has even infiltrated the Church in many places, as it has in the past. So the Christian must be on guard. Always. “Be Sober and Alert,” St. Peter says in his New Testament letter. “For the Devil is prowling like a roaring lion, looking for souls to devour. So resist him by being solid in your faith.” 

We can see Satan at work, creating division—turning man against brother—Christian against Christian—undermining right religion, frustrating domestic tranquility, spreading terrible confusion—duping even Christians to embrace attitudes and behavior which is repugnant to the word of God. 

But, as I said two weeks ago, God chose us to live in the year 2020, with all the confusion, in the midst of this nearly-all pervasive Satanic spirit—to show the world another way, the way. To show and to witness, to follow and to suffer for the one who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me.”

The Catholic of 2020 must be a bullwork of orthodoxy—of right faith—and a fountain of right practice, who pursues the true, the good, and the beautiful in opposition to the error, corruption, and ugliness of the world. The Catholic of 2020 must take up the cross and follows Christ—no matter the hostility or pressure from the Satanic spirit. You are chosen for this. You and I were made for this. May we be faithful to this great responsibility for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

13th Sunday in OT 2020 - Dead to sin and living for Christ

Last week, we reflected  upon St. Paul’s treatment of original sin in his letter to the Romans: how Paul traces all the evil and sin and suffering in the world back to the sin of Adam. Because of sin, suffering wreaks havoc throughout human history; we can see sin’s effects all around us. Just yesterday, a young boy in our own neighborhood, on west 100th, was shot in a driveby shooting—in the brokenness in our families, our addictions, the moments where we lose control of our tempers, our arrogant refusal to ask for forgiveness when we’ve made mistakes and our arrogant refusal to grant forgiveness when we should.

After identifying the origins of sin and death, Paul, spoke last week about the remedy for sin and death. Do want healing for your mind and your soul? Do you want peace with God? Do you want eternal life? Do want any hope of justice—or a just society in this world? Turn to Jesus Christ. Believe and follow Jesus Christ. Though death entered the world through one man, life is available through another.

In this week’s reading from Romans, Paul explains how we can actually receive that remedy, that saving grace, new life: we must die to ourselves and rise through the waters of baptism. We must stop living for ourselves and put an end of sin; after all, that’s what got us in trouble in the first place.

In that first generation of Christians, baptism was such a critical point. Adults and whole families would prepare months for baptism, receiving instruction in the Christian faith. They’d learn and take to heart what it means that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, that he died for us and is risen and will come again to judge our souls. What does it mean to follow him? They’d study the scriptures and the teaching of the Apostles. They would renounce the old gods, the gods of the world, of Rome and Egypt. And they’d renounce their false idols: promising I will no longer make money or pleasure or power my ultimate aim, I will live first for God in Jesus Christ.

Yes, baptism meant membership in a community of like-minded believers, but baptism meant a real change of one’s behaviors and beliefs. Making a break with the sinful past, with those attitudes and behaviors which contradicted the teachings of Christ. And it meant a new beginning of embarking on a new mission where living the Gospel and spreading the Gospel was now to be life’s most important task. It meant striving to engage in the works of mercy as often as possible.

So, in today’s reading, Paul is not so much addressing those who were preparing for baptism, but those who have already baptized, like most of us here today. He writes, “Don’t you know that we who were baptized” were baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ, so that we might live in newness of life? Paul wants the already baptized to reflect upon what baptism entails—how their new identity in Christ is meant to shape and direct everything they do. Paul wants Christians to recognize that something which was dead in them is now alive and is able to accomplish mighty wonderous things.

And yet, Paul also recognizes that baptism isn’t magic; it does not take away our free will. The powers of sin and death are always going to be trying to take back control—the devil is always going to be trying to win his territory back. And we need to remain vigilant and exert tremendous effort to live consistently with our baptism.

“You must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus” he says. There’s your thought for when you wake up in the morning, dear Christians, to wake up, and say, I am dead to sin and living for God.

Centuries later, Pope Saint Leo the Great would give special post-baptismal instruction to the new Christians of Rome, saying "Christians, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God's own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God."

Never forget, he says. Recalling that we are baptized should bring joy when we are sad, direction when we are confused about what path to take in life, and strength when we are tempted. A powerful way to fight off temptation is to recall our baptism.  To say to ourselves, “wait, I’m a Christian, I’m not supposed to do that; I’m not supposed to talk like that. I’m supposed to act like Christ.”

During Ordinary Time, one of the spiritual practices that ought to be incorporated into our ordinary day to day life, is to recall our baptism, to recall our Christian dignity, and to ask God, what does my baptism demand of me today? What does mean to be a good Christian neighbor? What does it mean to be a good Christian grandparent? What does it mean to do business as Christian, or to date as a Christian, or use the internet as a Christian, to control my temper when I am angry, to control my eyes when I am lustful, to practice Christ-like humility when I want to be the one in change or the center of attention? What are the powers of death and evil which are trying to creep back into my life?

Until we make Christian faith, hope, and love the primary motivators in our life, there will be something missing in our relationship with God. We won’t get what we need out of going to church, we won’t consider daily prayer to be all that important. Why pick up the bible and read, if tv and sports and video games and gossip and shopping are more important?

Put God before all other allegiance. “Whoever loves father or mother or son or daughter more than me” is not worthy of me. Even family, that most precious relationship, is to be secondary to fulfilling one’s duties as a Christian. But whoever loses his life for my sake, who puts all the sins and vices and coldness and selfishness of our fallen natures to death, shall receive a newness of life that changes everything it touches.

Before leaving Church today, we do well to consider deeply, what needs to be put death in me? Where is the Holy Spirit urging me to live more fully for Christ? For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

12th Sunday of OT 2020 - The sin of Adam and the Grace of Christ

After many months, Lent, Easter, and the Feasts of Pentecost, Holy Trinity, and Corpus Christi, we have returned again to the Sundays of Ordinary Time, called such, for we focus not on any Extraordinary, major event from the life of Christ or major dogma contained in our creed, but on how the grace of God is meant to animate the ordinary aspects of our life.

For the remainder of Ordinary Time, all the way until the end of November we will read extensively from the Gospel of Matthew, and until mid-September we’ll read from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. Matthew and Paul will be our spiritual directors, helping us to open our minds and heart to the grace of God in the ordinary circumstances of our lives.

And since we’ll be spending so much time with them, I’d like to say a word about Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul’s letter to the Romans is a great masterpiece of theology, a clear, thorough, and systematic presentation of the Christian faith. Profound enough for an ordinary Roman to be intrigued by the Christian faith, and clear and systematic enough that an ordinary Roman could understand it. The Letter doesn’t tell a story, like the Gospels, which follow a narrative structure. Rather it unpacks the theological implications of Our Lord’s incarnation, saving death, and glorious resurrection. What does it mean for the Church, for saints and sinners like us, that Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

If you’ve never read Paul’s letter to the Romans from beginning to end, this is a perfect time. Reading the letter in its entirety will help you internalize Paul’s message and teaching. Every Christian at least once in our lives should read the Bible in its entirety, not necessarily straight through from Genesis to Revelation, but at least each book of the Bible in its entirety, some time in your life. Speaking of the ordinary life of the Christian, reading the Bible should be part of our Ordinary Lives, our every day lives.

A day shouldn’t go by, where we don’t read something of God’s Word. Even if it’s just a single paragraph that you read and ponder throughout the day, God’s Word will ground you, and enlighten your path in these chaotic times. God’s word helps us to understand our reality and understand ourselves. It helps us to put our priorities in order. It guides our actions, and helps us to have a rightly ordered mind and heart, and it increases our hunger and thirst for the righteousness described in its pages.

In today’s second reading, Paul seeks to explain one of the most important questions ever, a question that philosophers and theologians, mystics and poets and ordinary folk have grappled with, since the moment we gained the ability to ask such questions: why is there suffering in the world? Why do we suffer? Why do people die in earthquakes and plagues, and through famine. Why do families, and nations become divided and go to war? Why do innocent babies suffer. Why do children seem to turn on their parents, why do parents neglect their duties to their children. Why are peoples subjugated and enslaved to satiate the greed and lusts and pride of those in power?

The different world religions all attempt to answer that question. St. Paul, once the student of the great Jewish Rabbi Gamaliel, and now a convert to Christ, a believer that Christ Jesus is risen from the dead, seeks to answer that question in his letter to the Romans: why is there suffering? And he does so, drawing upon his Jewish roots and his new-found Christian faith. He traces the suffering of the world all the way back to Adam and Eve and he shows that the solution to the suffering, salvation from suffering, comes through the New Adam and His Church, the New Eve, the new Mother of the saved.

Where did suffering come from? According to Genesis, there was a time before suffering, when Adam and Eve lived in a state of friendship with God. In the garden of Paradise, Adam and Eve walked in harmony with God in the cool of the evening in easy fellowship. Their minds and wills were effortlessly attuned to God’s mind and will, the way friends are naturally attuned to one another. Adam and Eve’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs were met through their friendship with God; they were without suffering.

But then, as St. Paul explains in our reading today, “Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death.” Prior to sin, our inner life and outer life were ordered according to the will and mind of God. But turning our will against God through sin, nearly everything about us became disordered. We desire too much of what we don’t need: money, power, and pleasure; and too little of what we do need: prayer, good works, obedience, patience and peace. Human life, which was meant for immortality and grace, becomes disordered toward mortality and selfishness. From that disorder arises all the suffering and war  of the human race.

St. Paul having identified sufferings origins, then identifies sufferings remedy. Though death reigned throughout the generations of Adam because of the sin of the one man, through the gracious gift of another man, Jesus Christ, death is defeated, humanity is reordered to God and we are saved of suffering and death.

Yes, death and disorder continue to wreak havoc in the lives of the members of our human family. Just turn on the news, right? But what the news does not often report, the most miraculous and marvelous activity in our world today: how Jesus Christ continues to transform lives, how the grace of God overflows into the members of the Christian family, the body of Christ, the Church. The news, for the most part does not report how faith in Jesus Christ transforms the lives of ordinary people, enabling us to overcome what is fallen in us, what is perverted in us, what is selfish in us.

Turn on the news, you will find one story after another of division along political, racial, national and international lines—the effects of fragmentation in the human family, to effects of death and greed and corruption. You want proof of original sin, turn on the news. But open the bible, read St. Paul, study the lives of the saints and you’ll find a different story. Had we spent more time cultivating the grace of Jesus Christ, how different the nightly news would be.

So, if the 24-hour news cycle won’t report it, our task, is clear, Our Lord is clear in the Gospel today: shout the Good News from the rooftops. Christian grace can overcome all transgression. You want to build a society of peace, turn to Christ. You want to overcome the division in your family? Turn to Christ. You want to overcome your fallen tendencies—your lust, your pride, your selfishness? Turn to Christ. Shout it from the rooftops.  Because the news won’t report it and our politicians won’t acknowledge it.

On this Father’s Day weekend, many of us our so grateful of the faith of our Fathers, our Fathers who have been instrumental in our reception of the faith. And yet, perhaps too we think of all those fathers in the world today, maybe the fathers of our grandchildren or nephews or neighbors who want little or nothing to do with the saving faith—who have forgot their most important job, to help their children become righteous.

Ordinary Time is a wonderful time to pray and fast for those fathers, and to look for opportunities to call them to action—to take up, once again, the mantle of being a leader—a faith leader--for the sake of their families and for the future of our society. For only a house built on the solid foundation of Christ, can ever hope to withstand the intense and destructive winds of the world. If you truly care about these Fathers, call them back to the Faith, back to church.

Where will you find the words to say? Ponder the Scriptures. This week, turn to God’s word and ponder it every day. Ask God to enlighten you. Ask God how His holy word can help you in the concrete, ordinary circumstances of your life, with your ordinary sins, and your serious sins, with the ordinary drama and trials of your family, and the serious ones. If he is quiet, ask him all the more, in the words of the psalm today, “Lord, in your great love, answer me.” Revive my heart, enlighten my mind, transform me by your grace, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

7th Week of Easter 2020 - Wednesday - Consecrated in the Truth

The final section of John’s Gospel right before the Passion is a prayer that Jesus offers to the Father.  Scholars call it “The High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus.

We heard the beginning of this prayer yesterday. Jesus prays for his disciples because just as he is going to suffer in his Passion, they are going to suffer in their mission to spread the Gospel.
In today’s Gospel passage, the Lord’s High Priestly Prayer continues; the Lord continues to pray for his disciples. And what does he pray for today? “Father, keep them in your name, that they may be one as we are one.” The Lord prays for their unity, their unity with God and their unity with each other. On the night before he died, Jesus was praying for us, for our unity. Our unity in the truth of the Gospel, the truth that comes from God: “Your word, father, is truth…consecrate them in the truth” he prays. To be consecrated, is to be set apart from the rest. To be consecrated in the truth, we are set apart from the rest of the world that is divided due to error and hard-heartedness and pride that thinks they know better than God.

When Jesus speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit, he calls the Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” The Holy Spirit, whose descent upon the Church we celebrate in a few days, is the greater unifier of the Church, and He unifies us to believe the truth, live the truth, and profess the truth, of the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit will always help us to believe the truth, live the truth, and profess the truth. If we let Him.

You may have noticed that in the acts of the Apostles, St. Paul is giving a sort of farewell address as well. And in the passage from Acts today, St. Paul speaks about unity and truth, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them.”

Nothing causes disunity like the perversion of truth. Nothing draws disciples away from the unity of the Church like the perversion of truth. St. Paul even recognizes that there are sometimes people within the Church who pervert the truth. “So be vigilant” he says. Hold fast to that which is good. Have the same mind as Jesus Christ.

Truth isn’t determined by a majority vote, it’s not determined by Twitter, Fox News or CNN. The truth of how we are to live, how we are to conduct ourselves, comes from God. “Your word, father, is truth.” So we read the Scriptures, and re-read them, and re-read them that we might conform to the truth found within them. We read and study our catechism, and re-read it, and re-read it, to more deeply understand the truth explained in it. Because the truth is the only hope we have, the Truth which sets us free from our self-destructive tendencies, the truth which illuminates our path in troubled times, confused times, and dark times. May we be consecrated in the truth, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Let us pray to our Heavenly Father, confident that He is generous to those who call upon Him with faith.

For Pope Francis, and all the bishops: may they rightly lead the Body of Christ in the fullness of Christian truth. And that the Holy Spirit may guide the Holy Father in choosing a new bishop for the diocese of Cleveland, a bishop who is convicted of the Truth!

For our President and all elected government representatives, may the Holy Spirit grant them wisdom and guide them to promote domestic tranquility, national unity, respect for religious freedom, and a greater reverence for the sanctity of Human Life.

That the power of Christ’s resurrection may overcome all oppression, prejudice, hatred, addiction and injustice. For those most profoundly impacted by the coronavirus, for the healing of all the sick. For those who selflessly labor for the good of others, for the safety of first responders and medical care workers, police and firefighters. For the protection of all those who serve in our nation’s military, and for all wounded servicemen and women, for all those widowed and orphaned because of war.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and for Jason & Lucille Morely for whom this mass is offered.

Gracious Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrim Church, grant us your grace and lead us to the glory of your kingdom, through Christ Our Lord.