December 23 2024 - Silence and Acclamation

  

Two days before Christmas, today, we hear in our Gospel, Zechariah breaking his silence at the birth of his son, John. “Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.”

The Christian life oscillates between silence and acclamation. On one hand, Christians do not dread silence, we welcome it. Our Lord himself had many moments of quiet prayerful solitude in which he conversed with his Heavenly Father. God is met in silence. Each day, we need periods of silent prayer. Psalm 46 commands, “be still, and know that I am God.” Our culture doesn’t understand silence, and consequently misunderstands the meaning of Christmas. 

But we know, that we must quiet down our lives in order to make room for Christ.

On the other hand, Christmas marks an end of the silent night of Advent, leading the Church to jubilant and joyful acclamation that a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord. Like God loosening the tongue of Zechariah, Christmas loosens our tongues to sing carols and joyful songs and to proclaim that Christ is born.

With the hours of Advent we have left, we do well to enter into the silence, to quiet ourselves, in order to prepare a place in our heart to celebrate with new enthusiasm and joy, the birth of Christ the Savior. Be generous with the silent time you give to God, you will not regret it.

In our noisy and frantic world, cultivating silence may feel unnatural, putting down the technology and noise that is so omnipresent these days. Yet, turning this stuff off and entering into quiet, allows us to perceive God’s gentle whisper which we long to hear. Consider carving out a time each day to sit quietly, even if only for a few minutes, focusing solely on the presence of our Creator. Silence is not a void, but a sacred room of encounter. It grants us the clarity to hear God’s guidance, the peace to surrender our troubles, and the courage to live more authentically our Christian calling. As we move from waiting to rejoicing, let holy silence shape our hearts, opening us to the true gift of Emmanuel—God with us—for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

Let us bring our prayers before the Lord who hears us in every stillness and in every song.

For the Church: That the People of God may find moments of holy silence in prayer and contemplation, preparing our hearts for the proclamation of the Good News. 

For leaders of government: may they work to protect and promote the common good, especially for the marginalized and vulnerable, with humility and reverence for the dignity of every human life.

For families and communities burdened by secular noise, stress, materialism or conflict.

For those struggling to believe in God’s presence or who feel distant from Him:

That, like Zechariah, they may experience God’s power breaking into their lives and freeing them to speak and live the truth of the Gospel.

For the sick, the lonely, and the grieving: That in contemplation of Christ’s coming, they may find comfort and the strength to trust in God’s loving plan and to receive the healing only God can give.

For all who have died, for our deceased family members, friends, fellow parishioners and benefactors, that they may rejoice forever in the heavenly kingdom, especially…

Heavenly Father, You speak to us in the quiet of our hearts and invite us to echo Your goodness with words of praise. Hear the prayers we have voiced today. Guide us from the silence of Advent into the joyful song of Christmas. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

June 24 2020 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist - From muteness to proclamation

John has always had a place of very high esteem, his birthday was celebrated liturgically already in the 4th century. The Baptist therefore has the unique honor of being the only saint in heaven whose birthday is celebrated liturgically alongside of Our Lord and Our Lady. In fact, in the eastern church, his conception is celebrated as well, nine months prior to today, on September 24.

John was praised by the Lord himself, when he said, “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John”. 

Here at St. Ignatius, the statue of the baptist stands above the entrance to the old baptistry on the east wall of the church. He is dressed on the camel’s hair of the prophet, as he dressed during his ministry of preparing repentant souls for the advent of Christ.

In the Gospel for his feast, we hear today of his birth and circumcision and also his mysterious naming. His father Zechariah had been struck dumb for not believing the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement that he and his wife in their old age would conceive this child that would be especially consecrated to God. Zechariah’s tongue is loosened about verifying that the child’s name was John.

Today, we are to identify with this crowd of people huddled around Zechariah who were amazed and took these events to heart, contemplating just happened. The mute man, who was unbelieving, was able to speak again, in a sense, because he learned his listen, he finally allowed the good news to sink in. He verified the Gospel in his heart and with his life, and that changed him, it healed him.

So too with us, our muteness in preaching the Gospel, our fear of witnessing, can be healed, if we let it, if we seek to grow in faith. In a sense, to grow in faith is to grow in one’s willingness to witness to the working of God in one’s life.

Why is John the Baptist great? Because unlike his father, John bursts on to the scene preaching God’s word. He’s leaping for joy in his mother’s womb in response to Jesus. And that joy and conviction over the priority of faith is not hindered by fear of what others think of him. He’s willing to don camel’s hair and eat locusts in order to get people’s attention. He understands the importance of decreasing his ego, that Christ may increase in his life and in the world.

May the glorious events of the birth of John, loosen our lips, instill our hearts with joy, increase our faith and our willingness, like him, to preach the saving message of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

- - - - - - - -

That the Holy Spirit may guide the selection of a new bishop for Cleveland, that he may be a man of  wisdom, of deep Christian faith, hope, and love.

For the protection of the unborn, and that people of goodwill will work together to enshrine the protection of the unborn in law and in the hearts of all.

That our fears of witnessing to the Gospel may be replaced with conviction and Christian joy.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster,  those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, all victims of abuse, especially children, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.

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, for the repose of the soul of Dennis Dentzer, 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 24 2018 - To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death

Today's Gospel is the Canticle of Zechariah, also called the "Benedictus" because of its opening line in Latin, “Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel”—“Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel”. This song of thanksgiving is prayed every day in the Church's Liturgy of the Hours, as part of the Church’s morning prayer.

The Benedictus is fittingly proclaimed today, on Christmas Eve morning Mass, for is the prayer of the faithful, hopeful soul, Zechariah who  anticipates the rising sun of God just about to break over the horizon of the history of Israel. Zechariah, sees in the birth of his son, John the forerunner, a sign of hope, that the Messiah must be coming soon. And in his Canticle, Zechariah celebrates how the good things God was doing in his family were part of God’s larger plan for Israel and for the salvation of the human race. What is our Canticle? Could we sing a similar song? Do we have the eyes of faith to see how God is working in our families, to save the souls of our family members, to use our family members as his instruments for his plan for human salvation?

Zechariah recognizes that his son John is the “prophet of the Most High” who will “go before the Lord to prepare His way”. But, aren't we all called to do the same, especially in the context of our family gatherings this Christmas: to be prophets pointing to Christ. How does God want to loosen our tongues to proclaim His praises in the context of our families, like he did to Zechariah?

The Lord certainly desires “to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death”, in our world, and in our families. And he wants to do so through us. May we bring the light, the joy, the beauty of his saving birth, into our Christmas gatherings and celebrations today and always, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - -
Rejoicing in the Lord's nearness, we raise up our prayers of petition.
 
May Christ, the Wisdom which comes from the mouth of God, guide us in knowledge and love.

May Christ, leader of the House of Israel, bring protection to all of the oppressed.

May Christ, the Root of Jesse, come to the aid of nations and leaders of nations to walk in the ways of peace.

May Christ, Key of David, free all those captive to sin.

May Christ, the Morning Star, enlighten those who dwell in the shadow of death.

May Christ, King of the Nations, be the desire of the entire human race.

May Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, bring comfort to all those who suffer and who mourn, and for the deceased priests of the diocese of Cleveland, for whom this Mass is offered.

December 19 2018 - Already and not yet

The third week of Advent is characterized by joy. We began the week, lighting the 3rd candle of the Advent wreath, donning the rose colored vestments, and singing, “Gaudete in Domino Semper, Rejoice in the Lord Always, For the Lord is near.”

Our joy is similar to that of Manoah and his wife. Not only did the angel announce that Manoah’s wife would bear a son after years and years of barrenness, but that child, Samson, would be especially consecrated to the Lord, and would begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines.

Our joy is similar to the sentiment of the psalmist: trusts that the Lord is a rock of refuge, who knows that God will give him strength to fulfill his life’s purpose.

And our joy is similar to that of Elizabeth and Zechariah. God intervened in their lives as well to bring an end to decades of barrenness, decades of shame. To an even greater degree than Samson in the first reading, their son, John, would be especially consecrated to God, and be filled with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous. What could bring greater joy to these parents?

And yet, our joy is greater still, because of the nearness of God. The Eucharistic Preface since Sunday and up until Christmas proclaims that “already we rejoice at the mystery of His Nativity”. Christ has already been born into history, and for this we “already rejoice”, yet we reflect upon these wonderful Advent scripture passages, that our understanding of the miracle, the impact of the incarnation, may deepen. And as our understanding and wonder and awe deepen, so too does our joy.

The O Antiphon for December 19 speaks of Jesus as the “Root of Jesse” who is a sign for people, before whom kings are silent, and to whom the nations make their supplications: “come to deliver us, and tarry not”.

We pray that we may know times of Advent silence, we may be fervent in our Advent supplications, and pray that the Lord will deliver us from all that keeps us from knowing him, loving him, and following him, and experiencing the joy of his presence in our minds and hearts, 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 God may bring the faithless to believe in His Son and increase the faith of those struggling to believe.

For all expectant mothers and for those who struggle with barrenness and infertility, that God may grant them strength and grace.

That children and young people may seek to be consecrated to the Lord in word and deed and become instruments of Christ’s Truth and Love.

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.

June 24 2018 - The Nativity of John the Baptist - Birthdays, Bridges, and Boldness

When the Church celebrates the feast day of a saint, we are usually celebrating the day of the saint’s death. For example the feast of Aloysius Ganzaga earlier this week was on June 21, because June 21 is the anniversary of the saint’s death: June 21, 1591. 

But the Church also celebrates the birthdays of three people:  Jesus, of course, on the feast we call Christmas; the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8th, and today, June 24, the birthday of Saint John the Baptist. 

3 months ago, on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, as the Christ child became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Gabriel announced that Elizabeth, who had been barren throughout her long life, had through the grace of God become pregnant, six months prior. After the annunciation, Mary would travel in haste to the hill country to assist Elizabeth in her pregnancy, and we know the story well, of John the Baptist leaping for joy in his mother’s womb as Mary approached.

In some traditions, John’s conception is celebrated nine months prior to today. Just as Mary’s conception, the Immaculate Conception is celebrated nine months prior to her birthday and Jesus’ conception, March 25, is celebrated nine months prior to his birthday on Christmas.

The Church’s commemoration of John’s birth is ancient--today’s solemnity going all the way back to the 4th century.  But the exaltation of the birth of John goes back even farther, to the lips of Jesus himself, who says “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John.” We exalt John’s birth because Our Lord exalted John’s birth.

The Virgin Mary too, must have rejoiced over John’s birth. We know that Mary was present for the delivery of John. She was there to care for Elizabeth, to help her, in her old age, to safely deliver John, and she no doubt rejoiced with Elizabeth and Zechariah over the baptist’s birth.

So it’s good for us to celebrate as well, so good, in fact, that as you’ve noticed, if this feast day falls on a Sunday, it replaces our normally scheduled Ordinary Time Sunday mass—Ordinary Time Green is replaced by Festive White (and gold, perhaps).

St. Augustine wrote to the Church about this feast in the 5th century. He wrote: “The Church observes the birth of John as a hallowed event. We have no such commemoration (for anyone else besides Mary and Jesus)…so, it’s significant that we celebrate the birthday…of John. This day cannot be passed by. And even if my explanation does not match the dignity of the feast, you may still meditate on it with great depth and profit.” So even if my homily today is less than exceptional, each of us should still meditate on its lessons.

John’s great vocation was to point to Jesus, to proclaim, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Augustine, saw John pointing to Jesus even in the events surrounding his birth. Listen to how Augustine holds the birth of John and the birth of Jesus side-by-side: “John is born of a woman too old for childbirth; Christ was born of a youthful virgin. The news of John’s birth was met with incredulity, and his father was struck dumb. Christ’s birth was believed (by Mary, by shepherds, by the magi…and was heralded by angels.)…John was a voice that lasted only for a time; Christ, the Word in the beginning, is eternal.”

Christians have a special devotion to John, as I mentioned because Jesus himself exalted John, but also because John reminds us of our Christian vocation to point to Jesus with our lives. So I’d like to draw out a few short lessons for us to ponder.

Elizabeth conceived John after a long period, a lifetime, of barrenness. Most everyone thought, as Augustine mentioned, she was “too old” for childbirth. But this miraculous event reminds us we are never too old for God to bring new life in us. Biological age is not a hindrance to the work of God. God is not limited by our old age, only by our refusal to allow Him to work, our failure to cooperate with His grace. Places of barrenness, spiritual barrenness, creative barrenness, even physical barrenness can be brought to life when they are brought to God. So today’s feast reminds us that God always wants to work in the barren parts, to bring about new life for his purposes.

Secondly, as we heard in today’s Gospel there was some incredulity concerning John’s birth, even John’s father, Zechariah was slow to believe. But John the Baptist was proof that God was still at work, his plan, his promises were coming to fulfillment.

We live in a time of incredulity. Our culture treats the Holy Scriptures, the commandments, our Catholic faith as irrelevant, outdated, and therefore valueless.

But just as John was proof that God was at work, so we need to be proof.  John was bridge who helped people cross from unbelief to belief. So, too, we must become bridges to help people cross from unbelief in God to communion with Him. We do this by sharing our faith generously and clearly.

We do well to share the stories and lessons of our faith with children and grandchildren, share with them what being Catholic means, why it’s important. Don’t be afraid to share with them the stories of the scriptures and the saints. Tell them about Padre Pio, tell them about Francis of Assisi, tell them about Mother Theresa and Theresa of the Child Jesus. Teach them about the foolishness of Adam and Eve in the garden and to be weary of the cunning serpent who makes false and empty promises. Don’t be struck dumb and silent like Zechariah, but loosen your tongues.

John, we know grows up to be the great herald of Christ, crowds were coming to him to be baptized. But he didn’t start surrounded by crowds of people all flocking to listen to him. He started off in the wilderness. A solitary voice crying out in the wilderness. So we too mustn’t be afraid to proclaim Christ when it seems like no one is listening. If John can proclaim Christ in the wilderness, then so can we.

Finally, John’s personal motto must become our own. He says, I must decrease, that Christ may increase. Each of us have a lot of decreasing to do, and I’m not simply talking about waistlines. Our egos need to decrease, our notions of self-importance and entitlement, our ambitions for doing our own will over doing the will of God. Lot’s of decreasing to do.

Today let us renew our faith in the ability of God to bring new life to barren places and barren souls, let us commit to being bridges for the incredulous to come to believe in Christ even when it seems like we are proclaiming Christ in a wilderness or to a brick wall, and let us commit to the penance and prayer that will enable our egos to decrease that the goodness of Christ and the presence of Christ may increase in us and in the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Homily: Feb 2 2017 - Feast of the Presentation - Songs of Light

There are three canticles from the infancy narratives of Luke Gospel which are recited every single day by the Church as part of the liturgy of the hours.  Some of you might pray the hours along with the priests and religious who are obligated to offer these prayers daily.

The first canticle was sung by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his Son, John the Baptist. Every morning, in the liturgy of the hours, the Church recites the Canticle of Zechariah who sang of the longing for the light of Christ to dawn upon the world. Every morning, the Church turns to the light of Christ, to guide us, to scatter the darkness in our lives, to enlighten our minds and hearts.

The second canticle from the infancy narratives is the Canticle of Mary. The Church lovingly prays Mary’s Magnificat every day during evening prayer.  Carrying the Christ child within her, the light of Christ within her, she bursts forth into this song of joyful praise of God. In reciting the Magnificat daily, the Church recognizes that each Christian, carrying the light of Christ within them through baptism, has been called to be an instrument of God’s saving grace, just like Mary, and to know the joy of the indwelling presence of God.

We heard the third canticle as part of our Gospel today, sung by Simeon, when 40 days after his birth, Joseph and Mary brought the Christ child to the Temple.  Simeon’s Canticle is prayed at the very last hour of the day in the Church’s Night Prayer.

“Now you let your servant God in peace, your word as been fulfilled.” Simeon sings this song recognizing that our lives our only complete when we have gazed upon the Son of God. Notice, too, that Simeon holds the Christ child in his arms, as he recites his canticle, as if presenting Jesus to the world.

We are to turn to the light of God at the beginning of every day, we are to carry the light of God within us in order to be the people he made us to be, and we are to present that light to the world, calling all people to recognize Christ as Savior. Only by living in his light can we achieve life’s purpose. What good is life to us without Him!

In 1997, St. John Paul II designated the feast of the presentation as world day of prayer for those in consecrated religious life. So we will offer prayers for the consecrated religious who are such a great light in the Church. May we join them in responding more devoutly today to the Lord’s invitation to turn away from all darkness toward the light, to bear that light, and to present that light to those in darkness, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 - - - - -



For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord…

For those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be a consecrated person that they may experience the support of the Church as they continue their growth in holiness. We pray to the Lord…

In gratitude for the consecrated religious who have served this parish and our diocese, for an increase in vocations to the consecrated life. We pray to the Lord…

During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.

Homily: December 19 2016 - Quiet and Faithful Waiting

We return to one of the important Advent themes today: the patient waiting of God’s faithful ones. In the first reading we heard of Samson’s mother and father waiting for a child. They remind us of the Jews enslaved in Egypt, or the Jews captive in Babylonian exile, who waited and waited for deliverance—the faithful remnant who trusted that God would be faithful to his promises of salvation.

Zechariah and Elizabeth, too, had waited and waited for a child, even to the point where Elizabeth had been disgraced for her barrenness. At that time, remember, that children were considered as great blessings from God, and to experience barrenness was considered a curse.

Yet, the times of barrenness, the times of waiting, are not so much curses, as opportunities for God to test and strengthen our faith. In times of waiting, God purifies us of superficial desires, and increases our desire for the one thing that really matters: salvation, union with God.

I think the purification that waiting brings is seen in the punishment Zechariah undergoes for his doubt. When the angel announced that he and his wife would conceive, Zechariah initially doubted. Because of his doubt, the angel prescribed a punishment or a penance. Zechariah doubted the Word of God, so he himself was struck mute. But his muteness was medicinal. During those nine months, as he saw his wife show signs of pregnancy, he would ponder again the word of God, to renew his trust in it.

Muteness, silence is one of the wonderful aids for growing in holiness. This 4^th Week of Advent which is characterized by peace should be a quiet week, a week of reflection, pondering the promises of God, treasuring God’s word, like Mary, in our hearts.

This is a good week to make an extra visit to the adoration chapel, to schedule extra quiet time with the Scriptures. To put away the superficial distractions in order to focus on the one thing that matters most. To nurture a peace and calm and quiet akin to the silent night on which Christ is born.

Such silence, quiet, and peace will help us treasure Him above all else, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.