13th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Trusting Christ in the Storm

Yesterday we started reading from the book of the prophet Amos.

Amos was not a professional prophet but a shepherd and fig farmer from Judah. He was called by God to prophesy during a time of relative prosperity for both the Northern and Southern kingdoms. It was a time of economic growth and military success, but a time of rampant social injustice and religious corruption. The rich became richer while the poor were often exploited, and the north, especially, was incorporating idolatrous elements of the pagan Canaanite religion into their religious worship.

Despite being from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Amos primarily prophesied in the Northern Kingdom, warning the people to prepare for God’s judgement, boldly indicting kings, priests, and leaders for their failure to lead the people in the ways of God.

In today’s passage, Amos asks a series of powerful rhetorical questions to help the people understand the reason they have brought themselves under God’s judgment. Does a lion roar unless there is prey? Is a bird not brought to earth unless it is snared? So too does a city experience evil unless it has turned away from God?

Amos is pointing out a very simple cause and effect relationship between our actions and the evils we bring upon ourselves. Even though there is prosperity for a time, when a city turns away from God, there will be consequences. And Amos’ message is timeless. That cause and effect relationship is at play in every city and nation and household and parish. There may be prosperity for a time, but when family members, parishioners, citizens, priests, bishops, and civic leaders turn away from God, there will be blood, there will be hell to pay.

The good news, the message from the Gospel, is that those who trust in Christ, who are in the boat with Christ and live in close friendship with him, and trust in him, have nothing to worry about. O sure, the world will crumble, the storm will wreak havoc, but the disciples of Christ will survive the storm with their souls in tact. 

Many literally sell their souls for earthly gain, for earthly prosperity, and they, who have sown the wind, shall reap the whirlwind. But those who live with Christ as Lord, who eat his flesh and drink his blood, and follow his teachings, and seek union with him through prayer, shall withstand the storm, and bear fruit that will last unto eternity.

So don’t be afraid when you see the world going to hell. It’s often a result of evils and forces beyond your control. What you can control, is whether or not you put your trust in Christ. Trust in Him and you will experience peace in the midst of the greatest storms, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may be bold witnesses like Amos, speaking truth to power and calling all people to authentic faith and justice. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our civic and religious leaders, that they may govern with wisdom and integrity, prioritizing the common good over personal gain. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those suffering from economic exploitation and social injustice, that they may find advocates and assistance in their time of need. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our community, that we may resist the pagan influences of the world, and instead cultivate a deep and sincere relationship with God. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are experiencing storms in their lives, that they may find peace and strength in Christ, the master of wind and sea. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish, that we may be a beacon of hope and a place of refuge for those seeking God amidst the chaos of the world. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have lost hope in the face of societal decay, that they may be reminded of God's enduring presence and love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to bear fruit that will last unto eternity, living as faithful disciples of Christ in all aspects of our lives. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the loving mercy of the Precious Blood of Jesus, be close to them in their trials.

And that all those redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus may come to the glory of heaven, especially X for whom this mass is offered.

Almighty and ever-living God, You spoke through Your prophet Amos in times of prosperity and corruption, and You calm the storms through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us the wisdom and all we truly need to heed Your warnings and the courage to stand firm in our faith. Through Christ our Lord.

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024 - Death, Life, and Interruptions

 Interruptions. Most of us hate to be interrupted. We’re in the middle of preparing a meal, and the phone rings; in the middle of our prayer time, and there’s a knock on the door; making good time in our commute to work or to a vacation locale, and there’s a traffic jam; we finally have time to relax after a long day or a long week, and there’s an emergency we need to attend to. Interruptions. They are so frequently inconvenient, it’s almost comical. 

Did you notice that our Lord was interrupted in our Gospel this weekend. The Lord is on his way to heal the sick daughter of Jairus when he is interrupted by the woman with a hemorrhage. This is a common feature in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is constantly being interrupted. But one might say that the intertwining of the two miracle stories, one story of Jesus being interrupted to perform a miracle, teaches us that even interruptions are part of God’s wise providential plan for our lives, even when we are interrupted by good and holy things like prayer or caregiving.

The interruption by the woman with the hemorrhage delayed the Lord’s trip to heal Jairus’ daughter. And because of the interruption it appears Jesus arrives too late. But there is never a “too late” for God. What was originally going to be a miracle of healing became something much more—a miracle of raising the dead. The interruption became an opportunity for God’s glory to shine even brighter. 

So too with the interruptions we face. In response to those forces that are beyond our control, we need to remind ourselves of the one that IS in control, and to seek God’s will in the present, without worrying so much about the future. Interruptions of our plans are part of God’s providential plan. So, we should teach ourselves to say the essential prayer, “thy will be done” to those many little interruptions we so naturally resent and even to the big ones.

For, God does not ask us to succeed in finishing and accomplishing our enterprises, only to do our duty of being faithful to him at each present moment. Our plans and God’s plan coincide only sometimes—perhaps, rarely. As one comedian put it, if you want to give God a good laugh, tell him your plans.

Our job is to give ourselves over more and more to God’s plan—to surrender in times when we face even tragedy and death. Death, we heard about death in our first reading today. Scripture often tackles the reality of death. 

But if the resurrection of Jesus teaches us anything, it’s that God is in control and can bring about a greater good even from something as terrible as death. 

And death is a reality that each of us grapples with. Our lives are measured by time, in the course of which we change, grow old and, as with all living beings on earth, we die. Mindfulness of the limited time we have on earth lends urgency to our lives. Remembering our mortality helps us realize that we have only a limited time in which to bring our lives to fulfillment. We are to make use of the time we have been given in this earthly life to work out our salvation and to seek the perfection for which we were made.

But where did death come from? Death is a consequence of sin. As we heard in our first reading today, “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living…For God formed man to be imperishable” We would have been immune from death had Adam and Eve not sinned. God, in whose image we are made is the God and author of life. He is the Creator. He made us for living communion with Himself. Human death entered the world by our choosing death. God wanted life for us. God is pro-life. But we chose death, introducing death into creation. But, with the time we have on earth, we must choose life. For ourselves and others. 

You might say, “well if God didn’t make death” why do plants and animals die. Even nonliving things come to an end: rocks become sand after millennia of wind and waves. Even after eons stars and galaxies die. 

But human death is different than all other death. God did not make it. He made man to live forever. Death is a consequence of the fall of man, not a consequence of the creation of God. 

The first reading said, it was by the envy of the devil, that death entered the world. It was the plan of the devil to obscure the plans of God for us. And we bought into it. The sinful misuse of our God-given ability of choice brought death into the world to the delight of the devil. 

But again, God is greater than our plans and even the plans of the devil. For through Jesus Christ, death is transformed. Jesus, the Son of God, himself suffered the death that is part of the human condition. Yet, despite his anguish as he faced death, he accepted it in an act of complete and free submission to his Father's will. By his death he has conquered death, and so opened the possibility of salvation to all men.

Death is the end of man's earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers us so as to work out our eternal destiny. Will we pursue eternal life through Christ or eternal death by turning away from Him. But again, through Jesus death is transformed. For those who die in friendship with Christ, death is a simple closing of our physical eyes, that the eyes of our soul can come to behold the face of God in eternity. 

 When we have made our peace with God, and have faith that the love of Christ is greater than death, it becomes easier to remain peaceful and trusting in God in the face of those smaller interruptions. The traffic jams, the inconvenient social calls become opportunities to turn to God, to trust God in those circumstances which are beyond our control, to deepen our conviction to pursue God over our own selfish aims, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

June 28 2024 - St. Irenaeus - Apostolic Tradition and Unity with God

 

In the top middle stained-glass window in the east nave here at St. Ignatius is a depiction of St. John the Apostle consecrating two bishops: on the right is St. Ignatius our patron, and on the left is St. Polycarp. The bishop St. Irenaeus, whom we honor today, was a student of bishop Polycarp. And so he was still very close to the apostolic origins of the church. And that theme of apostolicity—that we are recipients of the faith taught by Jesus Christ to the apostles—was prominent in his writings and pastoral work.

For the time in which Irenaeus was bishop of Lyon, the gnostic heretics were threatening the unity of the Church. The Gnostics claimed to possess secret knowledge of God that was superior to the faith taught by the Apostles.  In other words, they thought they knew better than the Church.  

But good bishop Irenaeus rightly pointed out their error. For, Christianity is not a personal creation or private revelation. It’s not something for intellectuals and academics to recreate. To do so would be to deviate from Apostolic Tradition which Christ wants us to receive, believe, and live out.

Irenaeus demonstrated the importance of faithfully adhering to the true doctrine that could be traced back to the apostles through the succession of bishops, and even emphasized the authority of the Church of Rome.

Back in 2007, Pope Benedict was giving weekly catechesis on the Church Fathers. Listen to what he had to say about the great St. Irenaeus, who Pope Francis declared as a doctor of the Church in 2022. 

Pope Benedict wrote: “Irenaeus was first and foremost a man of faith and a Pastor. Like a good Pastor, he had a good sense of proportion, a wealth of doctrine, and missionary enthusiasm. As a writer, he pursued a twofold aim: to defend true doctrine from the attacks of heretics, and to explain the truth of the faith clearly.”

Unity and peace in the Church and unity and peace with God do not come from knowing better than the Church, but receiving and practicing the whole Truth, in obedience to the Word of God and Apostolic Tradition.  

May St. Irenaeus help us to foster authentic Christianity unity on earth through faithfulness to Christian Truth, that we may come to communion with God in heaven for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Let us turn to God in prayer, asking for the intercession of St. Irenaeus, as we strive to faithfully adhere to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

That bishops, priests, and deacons may be inspired by the example of St. Irenaeus to defend true doctrine with clarity and compassion, fostering unity and peace within the Church, protecting the transmission of the faith from heresy, and guiding all people to the truth of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

That those tasked with spreading the Gospel may be emboldened by the example of St. Irenaeus, sharing the faith with enthusiasm and clarity, and bringing many to the fullness of truth in Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

That those who have been misled by erroneous beliefs may find their way back to the truth of the Gospel, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the loving support of the Christian community. Let us pray to the Lord.

That scholars and theologians may approach the study of faith with humility and a sincere desire to deepen their understanding of the truths revealed by Christ, without deviating from the Apostolic Tradition. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials

That through the intercession of St. Irenaeus, we may foster authentic Christian unity and peace in our parishes, families, and communities, reflecting the love and truth of Christ in all our interactions. Let us pray to the Lord.

Almighty God, through the intercession of St. Irenaeus, strengthen our faith and unity. Help us to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, and grant us the grace to live out these truths in our daily lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

12th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Wednesday - Rediscovering God's Word and Authentic Prophets

 Almost a hundred years had passed from yesterday’s old testament reading about King Hezekiah going into the Temple, kneeling down, and pleading to God to deliver his people from the Assyrians. 

In today’s reading, now Josiah was king. His father King Amon had returned idol worship to Judah and abandoning God and His covenant. Chronicles says that Amon “did not humble himself before the LORD…on the contrary, Amon only increased his guilt.” Amon was such a bad king that his royal officials assassinated him, placing Josiah on the throne of Judah.

And unlike his father, Josiah sought to be true to the covenant, “He did what was right in the LORD’s sight, walking in the way of David his father, not turning right or left.”

And today we read how the high priest rediscovers the scriptures, and Josiah tears his clothes out of shame for how far his fathers had fallen from God. And then Josiah gathered all the people and reads the entire book to them. The king helped the nation rediscover its relationship with God and faithfulness to the covenant. He of recommitted himself and the nation to their religious obligations. So that they may know God’s friendship, his divine favor, and protection.

Josiah echoed the sentiments in today’s psalm, written by David centuries before, “Instruct me, O LORD, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them.”

In the reading from the sermon on the mount, the Lord is warning his followers to beware false prophets. 

How can we discern between authentic prophets and false prophets? In light of the first reading and psalm, True prophets point us to the faithful practice of our God-given religion; false prophets l water down the faith and seek to recreate the Church according to the principles of the world. True prophets help us to rediscover and live out the truth of Christ’s teachings, false prophets preach, what St. Paul calls, “an empty seductive philosophy.”  True prophets teach us to bear our crosses, faithfully; false prophets urge us to cast away our crosses and base our decision on feelings, pleasure, power, and wealth.

“By their fruits you will know” the false prophets. And we do know the fruits of the false prophets of our age: broken marriages, abortion, perversion, corruption in government, biblical and doctrinal illiteracy, grievously low church attendance, the dehumanization of the poor, and the loss of the sense of sin. So many rotten fruits from turning away from the authentic teaching of Christ.

Rather, Christ teaches us that we are blessed—we come to know the fullness of life—when we humble ourselves, and aim to obey all he teaches, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

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For the Church, that like King Josiah, our leaders may help us rediscover the fullness of our faith and recommit ourselves to living out Christ's teachings faithfully. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our society, that we may turn away from the rotten fruits of false teachings and instead embrace the life-giving words of Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have fallen away from the faith, that like the people of Judah in Josiah's time, they may rediscover the beauty and truth of God's word. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who are suffering, especially the poor and marginalized, that we may see Christ in them and respond with compassion and justice. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our community, that we may grow in biblical and doctrinal literacy, deepening our understanding and love for our faith. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to bear our crosses faithfully, finding in them a path to draw closer to Christ and His saving love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, may they rejoice forever in the presence of the Lamb of God, especially X….

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

12th Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Laying your troubles before God

During the reign of Hezekiah, King of Judah, in the late 8th century BCE, the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, was expanding aggressively. After subjugating various neighboring nations, Sennacherib turned his attention to Judah, laying siege to fortified cities and eventually threatening Jerusalem itself.

And what was Hezekiah’s response to this threat? Instead of cowering in fear or surrendering or engaging in a violent military solution, which probably wouldn’t have gone well anyway due to the size of the Assyrian army, King Hezekiah takes the matter to the Temple, spreads out the letter from Sennacherib, the Assyrian King, before God, and prays for deliverance. 

Hezekiah’s prayer acknowledges God’s sovereignty over all the kingdoms of the earth and God’s power over all the creations of man, contrasting the true God of Israel with the false gods of the nations destroyed by Assyria. God is not like the idols made by human hands. The living God who controls the fate of nations.

The prophet Isaiah then assured Hezekiah that God has heard his prayer and will save Jerusalem.

The climax of the story is the miraculous intervention by the angel of the LORD, who strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib’s retreat to Nineveh where he is eventually murdered by his own sons. This dramatic turn of events serves as a powerful testament to the belief that God actively intervenes in human affairs to protect His people, especially when they show unwavering faith.

This story is an example of the power of prayer and the efficacy of turning to God in times of crisis. When we are facing an Assyrian army of our own, we must turn to God for guidance and trust in God’s providence. 

Hezekiah demonstrated humility by acknowledging his limitations and seeking divine help openly. Strength lies in honestly recognizing our vulnerabilities and being open to seeking help and counsel from others and the wisdom of the scriptures and saints.  

Hezekiah righteous leadership and commitment to his faith were key factors that led to divine favor and protection. So, too, our faith matters. Our prayer matters and brings similar divine favor and protection to our loved ones and the church. 

In the Gospel, the Lord speaks of two ways: one that leads to destruction and one that leads to life. Hezekiah shows us the way of life today: trusting in God, living righteously, praying with conviction and humility, heading the wisdom of the prophets. May we follow the example of such holy ones for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may always turn to God in times of crisis and demonstrate unwavering faith in His providence. Let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may govern with righteousness and humility, seeking divine wisdom in their decision-making. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those facing overwhelming challenges, that they may find strength in prayer and trust in God's power to intervene in their lives. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our community, that we may resist the temptation of false idols and instead place our trust in the living God who controls the fate of nations. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who feel threatened or besieged, that they may find courage in the example of King Hezekiah and seek God's protection. Let us pray to the Lord.

For each of us, that we may choose the path that leads to life by living righteously, praying with conviction, and trusting in God's guidance. Let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to recognize our own limitations and vulnerabilities, and the wisdom to seek help from others and from the teachings of the saints. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, may they rejoice forever in the presence of the Lamb of God, especially X….

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 2024 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist - The prophetic role of Christians

When the Church celebrates the feast day of a saint, we are usually celebrating the anniversary of the saint’s death.  

But the Church also celebrates the days of nativity—the birthday— of three persons: Jesus, of course, on the feast we call Christmas; the Blessed Virgin Mary, on September 8th, nine months after the feast of her Immaculate Conception; and Saint John the Baptist.  

St. John the Baptist is fittingly honored and contemplated by the Church, certainly for the great role he played in salvation history. 

In the second reading from the book of Acts, we heard how St. Paul elaborated on the role of John. Paul explained that “John heralded” the coming of the Savior. His was the lone voice in the wilderness pointing others to Christ. 

In this way, John fulfilled the role of prophet. Like the prophets of old, John called Israel to repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah called Israel to “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good.” Jeremiah urged Israel, “return, faithless Israel” to the Lord, for God is merciful.  Ezekiel preached “repent and turn from your transgressions” for God desires “not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live”

And this was John’s message, repent, wash yourselves, the Messiah is coming. In this way John was prophetic, in the biblical sense. And since John was active just before and during the early part of Jesus' ministry, this makes him chronologically the last prophet. With Jesus' arrival, the need for prophets to foretell his coming was no longer necessary.

But the Church rightly teaches that every baptized member of the Church has a prophetic role in the world. Each of us in our own way are to point others to Christ. John, in a sense, is a special patron of all Christians. We are all to learn from him, and imitate him, in witnessing in word and conduct of life, that Jesus is the Messiah, and that all people are to turn away from sin and follow him.

The Baptist practiced self-denial—living in the wilderness, wearing camel's hair, eating locusts and wild honey—for himself to spiritually prepare for the prophetic ministry God planned for him. So, too, each of us does well to intentionally take on some form of Christian asceticism, as a way of being mindful and ready to do the Lord’s work. Our Friday penitential abstinence from meat or other penance is one form of that ongoing ascetism of the Christian life that fuels us and keeps us focused. 

John fearlessly confronted King Herod Antipas about his unlawful marriage. He was fearless. He was holy. He was humble. His life was centered on Christ. May ours be the same…for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 

For the Church, that like John the Baptist, we may boldly proclaim Christ in word and deed, and that all of the baptized may live out their prophetic calling with zeal and dedication.

For world leaders, that following John's example of standing up to corruption, they may be aligned with the will of God in their duties. 

That prophetic voices in our time may be heard and heeded as they call us to repentance and renewal in our personal and communal lives. 

For our parish community, that we may embrace our prophetic role, witnessing to Christ's love and mercy in our families, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

For those who face persecution for their faith, that they may be strengthened by the example of John the Baptist's unwavering commitment to God's truth. 

For all who have died, especially those who, like John, have given their lives in witness to the truth. May they rejoice forever in the presence of the Lamb of God

God our Father, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for your Son. Hear our prayers and help us to follow John's example of humility and courage as we strive to make Christ known in our world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

11th Week of Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - Sins of parents and leaders and seeking perfection

 Yesterday, from the first book of Kings, we read of the many sins of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in conspiring to have the vineyard owner Naboth killed, so they could steal his land. Today, we read how they even denied Naboth proper burial—truly despicable behavior for a king and queen.

Then we read how God sent Elijah to confront Ahab to pronounce God’s great displeasure and judgment upon him. Now, Elijah was not some stranger to Ahab. By this time Ahab knew Elijah's credentials. Ahab had enough wisdom to recognize that this was very serious, and so he humbles himself and repents. And God judged Ahab’s repentance sincere, and extended his mercy.

No sin is too great that it cannot be forgiven. God’s acknowledgement of Ahab's repentance is one of many signs throughout the Old Testament of God's mercy to a repentant sinner—even a covetous, idolatrous, conspiring, murderous, thieving king like Ahab. 

However, Elijah announces that there will still be earthly consequences for Ahab and Jezebel’s sins. Although Ahab's repentance was genuine, repentance does not erase the temporal consequences of our actions. The sins of parents can have long-lasting consequences on their progeny and the actions of leaders can have long-lasting consequences on their nation. This story serves as a lesson about the importance of righteous parenting, leadership and the enduring impact of sin.

The Word of God emphasizes the need for future generations to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors and strive for righteousness. 

In light of the first reading, the Lord’s teaching in the Gospel today carries an interesting lesson. Jesus teaches, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." Oftentimes, children learn terrible habits from their parents. The sins of parents, the fractures in their marriage, their personal vices, their acts of selfishness can have terrible ripple effects in the lives of their children—effecting how their children relate to the world, to others, and to God. 

And so the Lord’s teaching, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” means that children should strive to break the familial cycles of sin—to unlearn the sinful habits of their parents. Don’t simply imitate your biological Father, strive for the perfection of your Heavenly Father. 

The teachings of Jesus are to supersede, replace, and perfect our family’s ways of doing things, especially those behaviors which contradict the commandments of God. 

Thank God for the good holy example of good parents. But we know that there are some Ahab’s and Jezebel’s out with kids. May we set good Christian example for those children and for those Ahab’s and Jezebel’s because they can repent too. May we all seek the perfection of soul God desires for each of us through Christ, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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That during this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, all Christians may witness to the tender love of Christ through our prayer, fasting, and works of charity. 

For our young people on summer vacation, that they may be kept safe from the errors of our culture and kept in close friendship with Jesus through prayer and acts of mercy.

For all married couples, that they may be faithful to the Gospel in every dimension of their married life—and that single and celibate Christians may witness to the sacrificial, all-embracing love of Christ for all.

For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials

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