Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Homily – 09-30-2008 – St. Jerome – Priest and Doctor

Today's feast is that of St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church. He was born at Stridon in Dalmatia around the year 340. He studied the classical authors at Rome, and was baptized there. He embraced a life of asceticism and went to the East where he was ordained a priest. Returning to Rome he became secretary to Pope Damasus. At Rome he began to translate the holy Scriptures into Latin and to promote the monastic life. Eventually he settled at Bethlehem where he served the needs of the Church. He wrote many works, especially commentaries on holy Scripture. One of his famous sayings was: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." He died at Bethlehem in 420.

The first reading today talks of adhering to what was learned and believed from infancy in the Scriptures. This is important because "all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness – so that one who belongs to god may be competent for every good work." Unless our relationship with the Word of God leads to good works of loving our neighbor – then it is pointless and ineffectual.

The gospel passage today, particularly, can be identified with St. Jerome. The Kingdom of heaven, being like a net thrown into the sea which gathers all kinds of things – good and bad – will be sorted out one day. The angels will sort out the bad and throw them out into the fiery furnace; while righteous will be saved and enjoy security and life forever! The one who can bring out of the storehouse of his experience the "new" and the "old" will be saved – will be considered balanced – will be considered righteous – will be considered meritorious of eternal life!

This, no doubt, refers, at least in part to that which came before Jesus, and that which is now because of Jesus: or to the Old Covenant and Testament, and the New Covenant and Testament.

As Catholic Christians we are called upon to be able to produce evidence that we accept and live out both covenants – in a manner which shows how the first empties into second and is the fulfillment of the first!

And so this day we pray,

Open our hearts, O Lord,

to listen to the words of your Son.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Homily – 09-29-2008 – Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael - Archangels

Today we celebrate the feast of the archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. In the words of a homily on the Gospels given by St. Gregory the Great: "We must remember that the word "angel" denotes a function rather than a nature. These holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels: and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.

Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform. Michael means: "Who is like God?" Gabriel means "Strength of God." Raphael is "God's Remedy."

Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed Michael is sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what God does by his superior power.

Gabriel, who is God's strength, was sent to Mary. He came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God's strength announced the coming of the Lord of heavenly powers, mighty in battle.

Raphael means, God's remedy, for when he touch Tobit's eyes in order to cure him, he banished the darkness of his blindness. Thus, since he is to heal, he is rightly called God's remedy."

May we this day be grateful to God for supplying power, strength and remedy to us when we need it, by means of heavenly messengers! He has always done so – and will continue to do so - for as long as we need it!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Homily – 09-28-2008 – Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last Sunday's readings very clearly pointed out to us that GOD'S WILL AND WAY OF DOING THINGS are VERY DIFFERENT FROM OUR OWN! Thank him! Thanks be to God! If we, as fallen human creatures, were responsible for orchestrating our own redemption – with all of its ramifications, regulations and rules – the project would most likely not have gotten done. And today – no one would be saved from anything – and we would not be here – we would have nothing to celebrate!

But one of us, one like us – in all things – but sin – had the power and the authority and the love necessary to put himself on the line so that the vicious cycle of selfishness could be broken: that was JESUS who HUMBLED HIMSELF – totally emptying himself of his divinity – taking on our human nature – so that he COULD NOT ONLY SHOW US THE WAY, SHOW US HOW TO USE OUR MINDS AND OUR HEARTS – BUT ACTUALLY BE THE WAY – to forgiveness of our sins – and life after death in a heaven we can just barely imagine!

The words from St. Paul's letter to the Phillippians regarding this are magnificent: "he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross!"

So, last week was GOD'S WILL AND WAY ARE BEST; this week: JESUS IS THE PERFECT MODEL OF LIVING OUT THAT WILL AND WAY- who invites us all to the same perfection, to the same holiness, to the same fullness of life that he now has.

Now he understands that so long as we are on the journey to our heavenly homeland that we will not do things perfectly – do what we perceive is God's will and way - from our own human perspective; but he did tell us that we can do things VERY PERFECTLY IF WE DO THEM FOR LOVE OF GOD THE FATHER – asking the help of the Holy Spirit – and then being willing to put that help into action when it comes. This is perfection as God sees it!

From the first reading today we see that God's Will and Way – the bottom line of all of this – is that we simply live good and virtuous lives – so that we might not die and be counted among the lost forever. Even though redemption has been accomplished – and it is available to us – we can only connect with it IF WE LEAD VIRTUOUS LIVES!: Lives filled with a desire to love God with all our hearts and to love others as we love ourselves. Those who choose the opposite path – will get the opposite verdict on Judgment Day!

The choice is yours; the choice is mine – we must wisely use the gift of free-will that God has given us and decide where we will "make the bed that we will sleep in" forever! Will it be among the virtuous; or with the evil doers?

Your ways, O Lord, make known to us; show us your paths, guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are God our Savior!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Homily – 09-27-2008 – St. Vincent Depaul

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent Depaul the founder of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentian Fathers), and The Daughters of Charity. He was born in Gascony in 1581. After completing his studies he was ordained a priest and went to Paris where he served in a parish. Later came the founding of the two orders: the first to supervise and help in the formation of priests; the second to aid Louise de Marillac and her band of Ladies of Charity in helping the poor and uneducated in Paris. Louise also became a saint.

The first reading today tells us that, in any generation of the church, we, as members of Christ's Body, the Church, need to keep our perspective. We need to follow the pattern of growth and reflection: joy in youth, introspection of old age. In all periods of our life we need to remember that we are heading towards the judgment seat of God. God wants so much to evaluate us on GOOD DEEDS DONE FOR LOVE OF HIM – whatever else we have to show him is of our own making and choosing.

Let us, with the saints, recommit ourselves today to offering God and the people he places in our midst – our brothers and sisters – the very best of our care, our respect and our loving service: and one day be invited to the eternal banquet – where there will be no more VANITY – and all will be GLORIOUS REALITY!

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Homily – 09-26-2008 – Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Friday

Yesterday we heard from Quoheleth of the classic boredom of one who seems stuck in a rut! "Look around! Nothing ever changes! The sun rises and goes down the same way every day! The rivers run to the sea but do not seem to ever fill it up! Speaking really doesn't get a message across! Seeing and hearing doesn't really satisfy! What was, will be! There is nothing new under the sun!" It seems that Quoheleth was having a "bad day!"

But then we said: maybe not! Maybe he was just summarizing the condition of the world before Jesus! Everything was stuck in a vicious circle that led to nowhere! That is precisely why Jesus, Messiah and Savior was needed and was sent. HE WOULD BE THE ONE NEW THING! who would MAKE EVERYTHING DIFFERENT!

Today in the first reading Quoheleth takes his complaint one step further: what use is toil and labor and work – who will get what the laborer profits? Certainly not the laborer – "you can't take it with you." And does it seem fair that children and others can get what is left behind? And so Quoheleth bemoans the fact that there seems to be no good reason to work!

But he is not recognizing the work of God in all of this! It is God who assigns the tasks, it is God who provides what is needed to carry out the tasks, it is God who ultimately pays a just wage, and it is God who will see that everything gets to where it is supposed to go at the end of the world!

May we see things GOD'S WAY and not ours this day! Our way is never comprehensive enough! There is no ladder tall enough for any of us to stand on to see the entire picture at one time – and thus make a proper judgment on anything! And so may we TRUST IN GOD TODAY who has the best vantage point of all – and all the power necessary to safeguard, protect, love and provide for all of our needs!

Blessed be the Lord, our Rock! We trust in you, we love you and we know that you will always give us what we need!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Homily – 09-25-2008 – Twenty-fifth Week In Ordinary Time - Thursday

In the first reading today we hear of the classic boredom of one who seems stuck in a rut! "Look around! Nothing ever changes! The sun rises and goes down the same way every day! The rivers run to the sea but do not seem to ever fill it up! Speaking really doesn't get a message across! Seeing and hearing doesn't really satisfy! What was, will be! There is nothing new under the sun!" I think this person was having a "bad day!"

But maybe not! Maybe he was just summarizing the condition of the world before Jesus! Everything was stuck in a vicious circles the led to nowhere! That is precisely why Jesus, Messiah and Savior was needed and was sent. HE WOULD BE THE ONE NEW THING! who would MAKE EVERYTHING DIFFERENT!

In the gospel passage we see Herod the tetrarch – the one who put John the Baptist to death and who would put Jesus to death – also searching for something REALLY NEW, DIFFERENT AND AUTHORITATIVE enough
to change the entire system – although he was threatened personally by one with such power! He knew there was something "different" about Jesus – and the "wanted to see him!" to find out more!

But whereas Herod's investigation of Jesus led to a tragic end; may our investigation of Jesus today – our listening to him and seeing him in this Eucharistic Celebration – be as the sun rising on us in a newer and different way; the river of his blessings running into us and filling us up exactly where we need to be filled up – and may be believe that today everything can be new and different because JESUS IS OUR MESSIAH AND SAVIOR! (In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge!)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Homily – 09-24-2008 – Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Wednesday

Our readings today tell us both as clergy and laity to depend wholly and entirely upon God for exactly what we need – no less – no more!

The Apostles were given what they needed to do their work: power and authority over all demons, and to cure the sick; the words they needed to proclaim the Kingdom. In being sent they were to take nothing with them – they were to depend entirely on him for their sustenance. And they always had exactly what they needed, as provided by God!

From the Book of Proverbs we have a related saying: God is a shield to those who take refuge in him! Add nothing to his words, lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver…Give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need…So that I may rely entirely upon the Lord for him to supply even this!

It is God who knows precisely and exactly what we each need for this day! He will provide it – IF WE TRUST HIM WITHOUT RESERVATION! And if we eat the daily bread – the Eucharist – that he places before us – on this very altar – and believe that it can help us live a life of loving self-sacrifice to our brothers and sisters in need whoever, and wherever they may be!

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Homily – 09-23-2008 – St. Pio (Padre Pio)

Today the Church remembers a very special priest – Padre Pio – the only priest in Church history who was given the privilege of bearing the marks of the Lord's Passion – the 5 wounds – the "stigmata" in his body! (St. Francis also bore the stigmata but he was not a priest – but rather a deacon).

The gospel passage today speaks of those who do the will of God as being his true brothers and sisters! Padre Pio accepted his role as bearer of the Sacred Wounds as the will of God – and counted himself, as we do – a true brother of the Lord!

Why is this "stigmata" – the imprinting of the wounds of Christ – given at all? The first reason would seem to be that it is proof positive that the Passion really did occur – and that Jesus himself experienced them firsthand. They are therefore a cause and reason for our belief in what he went through in dying for us on the Cross. The second reason would seem to confirm what St. Paul says that we must carry around in our bodies the dying of Jesus – so that we can also share in the fruits of his resurrection. We cannot get the icing – unless we also eat the cake! The third reason would seem to be Jesus' own command to his disciples that they carry their own crosses and sufferings, wounds, pains, trials, misunderstandings, injustices in order to have them transformed by his upcoming resurrection.

And so, we rejoice that a priest of our own time – who was born in 1887 near Naples, Italy; who became a Capuchin Franciscan in 1903; and who bore the stigmata of our Lord for 50 years, and then died in 1968 at the age of 81 – was canonized on June 6, 2002 by Pope John Paul II.

We ask his intercession today to help us bear whatever degree of Christ's sufferings are best suited to each of us, and assigned us by God – so that we can be rewarded both now and in eternity for our faithfulness, our devotion and our love in wanting only and always to do God's will, God's way!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Homily – 09-22-2008 – Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Monday

Part of this gospel passage today seems understandable, part not! But that is the whole point of the passage. That a light be put on a lamp stand is easily understood. That this light refers to the "mysteries of God" that he has chosen to reveal to us is also easily understood. That we must share with "others" knowledge of the mysteries – this makes sense!

The part that may not readily understood is at the end of the passage when it says "to anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." In a way this is related to the theme of yesterday's readings at Mass: God's will and ways are not ours! What is meant here – from God's perspective is: hearing the word of God (about the mysteries) without understanding leads to total loss of hearing. And it is a special kind of hearing that is called for: hearing with the aim of communicating what is heard, that "knowledge", that "word" to others.

Therefore, this passage is not "unfair" at all. God's logic is so much higher than ours, and so much more reliable and trustworthy than our own.

The first reading from the Book of Proverbs speaks of "God's way of seeing and doing things" as prescriptions on how to get along with people! deal directly and honestly with people; don't quarrel needlessly; envy no one, especially the lawless ones; be counted among the blessed of God rather than the cursed; be humble so that God will deal with you kindly, and not sternly as he will with the arrogant.

May our light (the Light of Christ) shine before others today – that they may see our good deeds and glorify our heavenly Father! Amen!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Homily – 09-21-2008 – Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Joy of Full Surrender is a revised translation in modern English of the 18th century spiritual masterpiece The Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J. who died in 1751. In it de Caussade outlines a clear cut way to experience the richness of holiness: fully surrender to God's will – and agree to see things his way! After all, he is God and cannot possibly will or permit anything that is not absolutely best for us - in the long run!
If we could try this method out –

If we could also use the gift of faith most fully that God gives us at our Baptism in order to be able to relate to him on his level – to see things his way –

If we could use the tremendous gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us in Confirmation – Divine Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge – to see clearly God's will – God's way –

And if we could appreciate the gift of the Eucharist to a greater degree and know how blessed we are to have all of the spiritual parts of us fed each time we receive Holy Communion – so that we can love better and serve better and thus more clearly experience and see the reality of God and his will in our lives –

  • then the readings for Mass today would make perfect sense! Of course! God's will and way are not only best but they are completely different
    from our own – if our own are not completely transformed by the amazing gifts that he freely offers us as outlined above!

It is those "of the world," who live according to the limited and always unfulfilling dictates of their own perspectives that have difficulty in understanding how it is better to be away from the body (dead, but alive in Christ Jesus), than to be in the body alive, yet still on journey to completion in him! We want to possess and be possessed completely by Jesus – and that can only take place after we leave this body and await our resurrection and the arrival of our new spiritual body! This is absurdity to those attached to their bodies, and their pleasures and their never-quite-satisfying pursuits!

The worldly really have difficulty with today's gospel passage. How is it justified that a person who works only an hour gets the same daily wage as someone who has worked all day long? There is reason for a lawsuit here, for sure!

These two categories of worldly folks seem incapable of understanding some deeper realities that will affect them nevertheless. On resurrection day – all will come to realize that fullness of life in Christ is better than life on pilgrimage back to him. And, thanks be to God – the last – the ones of our own era in salvation history –US - who came to faith, and belief and life in Jesus, later than everyone else, through life in his Church, will indeed get the same benefit of God's mercy, redemption, love and an invitation to the Eternal Nuptial Banquet of the Lamb as those who first believed: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the rest. Yes, thanks be to God, His will and way are definitely different and greater than ours ever could hope to be. Yet, how many are still willing to GO IT THEIR OWN WAY!?

In the end, THE CHOICE IS OURS – GO THE COURSE OF LIFE OUR OWN WAY – OR GOD'S. (If we deviate even slightly from his, then it is ours!) BUT IF WE EARNESTLY TRY to find out more and more about his will and his way – and allow ourselves to be guided by the Church, and nourished and strengthened by her sacraments – and we KEEP OUR EYES FIXED ON THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS and HIS GLORIOUS RESURRECTION – then we shall end up in the right place at the right time – and begin an amazing new life in the new heaven and the new earth – where we shall always see everything quite clearly – without having to work at it anymore at all!

Great is the Lord and highly to be praised;

his greatness is unsearchable.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Homily – 09-20-2008 – Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Saturday

Knowledge of the mysteries of God are given in two forms – directly and indirectly. Sometimes God can teach his secrets through "special classes" like he did with the Apostles; at other times he takes a roundabout way for those who need more visual and even audio aids to fully understand what he is saying. But in either case the good news is that God wants to communicate to us who he really is.

Imagine that! God revealing himself to us! But he does so so that we can know who he is, so that we can love him and serve him!

And the reward that we will get for knowing, loving and serving him will be the joys of resurrected new life! And as he explains in the first reading, it will be not just a return to life in the body as we know it – it will be a NEW LIFE – a bursting forth into a spiritual newness, with a new spiritual body and all that goes with it!

Today then let us learn more about the secrets of the mysteries of God – through the experience of his communicating to us at this Mass – and in other ways.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Homily – 09-19-2008 – Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Friday

Women have always played an important role in the reality of the Christian community. Women were close followers and supporters of Jesus and his apostles. They provided for their needs and helped them in carrying out their tasks both before the death and resurrection of Jesus and after. Jesus gave a newer sense of dignity and respect to women by being always open and receptive and appreciative of their friendship, their love and their contributions to his welfare, and that of his apostles.

Women's role in the Church – going through various stages throughout the centuries – has been enhanced to a greater degree than ever in our contemporary Church. Women now hold many offices in diocesan administration, and serve in pastoral roles in parishes. The entire Church rejoices to have the presence of such dedicated disciples of Christ.

In the first reading today, we have St. Paul reminding the Corinthians of the central belief in the resurrection of the dead (in general) and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (in particular). For if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith is in vain, and there will be no resurrection for us. Death will be the end! But he did rise, faith has validity and there is now resurrection waiting us all.

This is the gospel message that the Church is entrusted with – the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, her Lord and Savior – and all that they entail. All Christians, including priests, religious and lay leaders, both men and women have as their baptismal calling the responsibility to live as though they truly believed these things – and thus to attract others to the community of belief!

As a result of our belief and actions of loving service – when your glory appears, our joy will be full!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Homily -09-18-2008 – Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Thursday

The first reading today in a sense points back to last Sunday's celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; and the gospel passage looks forward to next Sunday's gospel passage about God's unusually generous mercy!

In the first reading St. Paul tells the Corinthians of the preeminence of the Gospel that he preaches - the gospel in which they believed. It's surpassing power and efficacy comes from God. It's content is about JESUS, the Incarnate Son of God, who died for our sins (on the CROSS OF GLORY) in accordance with the Scriptures; who was buried in a tomb; who was GLORIOUSLY RAISED to newness of life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared to his chosen apostles and to many others – and lastly appeared to me – who persecuted the Church of God – therefore making me the very least of the apostles.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that it is by the love of God and the grace of Christ Crucified and the power of the Holy Spirit that he is what he is and that he can do what he does!

In the gospel passage we see a hint of this coming Sunday's gospel passage where Jesus tells us that God's way of looking at things and doing things is so very different than man's ways! God's justice is not man's justice! God's mercy is not man's mercy – unless it is transformed by God's love! The Pharisee saw the actions of the sinful woman as presumptuous, scandalous and completely out of place; while Jesus saw her actions as loving, penitential and healing! And so he accepts her love and because he is God, forgives her sin! The Pharisee just does not see things this way! And he remains in his hardness of heart!

Thanks be to God – that his mercy and forgiveness and love are different from our own – or all of us would be in big trouble!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Homily – 09-17-2008 – St. Robert Bellarmine

St. Robert Bellarmine was born in 1542, in the town of Monte Pulciano in Tuscany. He entered the Society of Jesus and after ordination to the priesthood distinguished himself by brilliant disputations in defense of the Catholic faith. He also taught theology in the Roman College (founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits – now known as the Pontifical Gregorian University). He was elected a cardinal and became bishop of Capua. He was nearly elected pope. He did help the new pope, Paul V, solve many pressing questions in the various Roman Congregations. He died in Rome in 1621. He was named a doctor of the Church in 1930, though he was declared Venerable in 1627.

The first reading applies very much to St. Robert. "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." It was this prudence and this Wisdom that filled Robert's mind and heart as he exercised his pastoral ministry as priest, teacher and bishop! May we treasure and pray for prudence, as well; plead for the spirit of Wisdom – and it will come to us! And we all shall be able to carry out our particular function in the priesthood of Christ – as lay and ordained members of the Church!

The gospel passage reminds us that knowing about God – through prayer and teaching is one thing: but actually doing what we hear in that prayer, putting into practice the teaching is what really counts. A person who actively lives out the gospel message of Jesus will be like a person who builds his house on rock. And no matter what storms in life may come its way – it shall stand tall! And it shall endure forever! Let the spiritual houses of our souls be more firmly based on rock this day – by living more closely the dictates of the entire Sermon on the Mount – of which this gospel passage is the final paragraph!

Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. May we experience them as such as a result of our activity of loving one another as you love us!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Homily – 09-16-2008 – Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian

It is the 3rd century! The persecution of the Christians is still underway with Decius as Emperor of Rome. Fabian, the pope has died, but due to the persecutions going on, it took a year and a half to elect the new pope: Cornelius. In the interim period, a simple priest named Novatian acted as official spokesman for the Church. When it came time for the election of the new pope he thought he would be the logical choice: but he wasn't. They elected a priest named Cornelius instead.

Novatian, in retaliation, got himself ordained a bishop and set himself up as the anti-pope – he had many supporters. Novatian's chief argument and disagreement with Cornelius was that those who had lapsed from the Christian faith, as a result of the persecutions, should not ever be allowed to be reconciled. Cornelius thought that after proper confession and penance that they ought to be reunited with the Church! It was a hotly debated topic!

In a subsequent synod of Rome, Novatian and his followers were formally excommunicated. Now, a supporter of Cornelius – all along – and for the most part – was Cyprian of Carthage. He was a polished orator and politician who became a priest and then a bishop. He agreed with Cornelius that a more "Christian" approach needed to be taken with the apostatized Catholics.

Cyprian's greatest legacy was his writings, which were translated into Greek – a rarity for a Latin writer. His concerns were focused on the unity of the Church, the office of bishop, the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and the Sacraments (especially, Baptism, Penance and Eucharist).

Both Cornelius and Cyprian were martyred as a result of the continuation of the persecutions in the 3rd century!

The first reading today reminds us all that we carry about within us the dying of Jesus – so that we might also share in the newness of his resurrected life. The controversies and difficulties of the 3rd century Church and the 21st century Church reflect that same dynamic! Therefore we must embrace the gift of "dying-ness" that is given to us as members of the Church – we must value it as a treasure we hold in earthen vessels – so that we may experience the surpassing power and glory that comes from it, also as God's free and gratuitous gift!

In the gospel passage Jesus asks his Father to protect those who are chosen to lead the Church of God – to give them strength and hope in joy, in all they do. Just as Cornelius and Cyprian needed prayers of the Church of their day – so do Benedict XVI and Richard Malone and our local pastors and priests and deacons need our prayers and support! We pray for them today!

On this feast of holy martyrs we remember: those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Homily – 09-15-2008 – Our Lady of Sorrows

Today's feast – Our Lady of Sorrows – celebrates the "spiritual – white – martyrdom" of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary watched her son live a life of contradiction – that was prophesied by Simeon (as we read in the gospel passage), as she and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple when he was a baby. Simeon also prophesied how Mary would enter into that pain and suffering and contradiction – especially in her son's Passion and death on a cross - as only a loving mother could!

By the 14th century her sorrows were fixed at seven: the presentation of Jesus in the temple; the flight into Egypt; Jesus' being lost in Jerusalem; the encounter with Jesus on the way to Calvary; the Crucifixion; the taking of the body down from the cross, and Jesus' burial.

Martyrdom comes with being willing to empty one's life and will entirely for that of another – and actually going through with it – as God wills, and as he helps with grace. Sometimes this means by the shedding of blood (red martyrdom); sometimes it is without the shedding of physical blood – but rather "spiritual blood" which is no less real – (white martyrdom). Mary is Queen of All Martyrs – both red and white!

May she intercede for us today so that we might live the life of contradiction that we are called to live as members of Christ Jesus – her son, our brother! May we endure to the end – with the grace and strength that the Holy Spirit gives to those who love God no matter what color martyrdom is offered to us to live out!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Homily – 09-14-2008 – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Volumes have been and no doubt could still be written until the end of time about the exact nature of the value of the CROSS OF CHRIST! And teachings and homilies and lessons could also go on until that grand and glorious day we are all waiting for – the fulfillment of everything that happened as a result of JESUS DYING ON THAT CROSS. Today, hopefully, we can summarize it in a "bite size" of a few hundred words and about 5 minutes.

The only word that can truly be associated with the CROSS OF CHRIST is "GLORY!" "The Cross of Christ" is the "Glorious Cross of Christ!" Yes, an instrument of death – the very worst kind of capital punishment that the Roman Empire could conceive of – this instrument of death is the only one in human history to be also an instrument of LIFE! By freely and willingly and lovingly choosing to die on that Cross, Jesus transformed DEATH INTO LIFE – for himself and for all of us! By the same act he transformed all of the forces of DARKNESS INTO LIGHT – the brilliant shining light of a New Day! By the same act he transformed everything about HATRED AND ANGER AND RESENTMENT INTO LOVE – for those who want to participate in it and benefit from it! NOW WE HAVE A CHOICE – where before Good Friday – we were all doomed to death, darkness and hatred as enemies of God forever!

How could the cross therefore be anything but GLORIOUS!

St. Paul understood this perfectly! In the second reading today he says that Jesus humbled himself in an unprecedented way in order to become obedient to the point of death! EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS! Paul knew the incredible stigma that came from being sentenced to crucifixion – only the lowest of the low were nailed to a cross after being whipped and scourged like an animal! He therefore goes on to say that because of this, the Person and the Name of Jesus is exalted into and above the heavens – and that the instrument of death has taken on a whole new meaning forever! THE GLORIOUS CROSS OF CHRIST – is now our JOY, our HOPE and our PEACE! – because he has freely given us a share in its merits!

Because of it, we each now have the chance to get to heaven!

In the first reading today we read how Moses raised up a seraph snake mounted on a pole so that the people who had been bitten by a seraph snake could be healed – and they were. This quite obviously prophesied when Jesus would be raised up on a cross (as one who adopted the human form of the children of Adam who had been seduced by a snake) – and that by his death on the cross – the power of the snake would be mortally wounded – and that when we look upon him who is Crucified – we would find real solace and healing and hope! – no matter what our pain, our suffering, our distress might be!

It is very important for Catholics to remember first and foremost of all the significance of the DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS. If that did not happen, then, there would be NO REASON FOR JOY AT ALL, NO REASON FOR HOPE AT ALL – NO POSSIBILITY OF PEACE at all – for anyone, ever! The symbol of the Crucified Christ is enormously important in a Catholic church. When we look up at it, when we look upon it, when we look into it, when we pray to Jesus whose image is on it – let us each and every one SEE THE GLORY OF GOD, SEE THE GLORY OF CHRIST JESUS, SEE THE GLORIOUS SPIRITUAL LIFE AND GRACE OF THE CHURCH flowing from the wounded side of the dead Jesus on the Cross!

(So often you will see a dying Jesus on the Cross – for example the one that is in front of the altar right here - but this just does not deliver the same conclusive message as it would if he were dead). Until that moment of death, there still was a chance that he could have backed out of the whole project – and his Father would have rescued him if he asked him to. But he didn't, he went through with it! HE LOVES US SO

Perhaps this week we can think about what might be needed here at St. Ambrose so that we could always gather here "in the shadow of the GLORIOUS CROSS OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED" – our source of JOY, and HOPE and PEACE!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Homily – 09-13, 2007 – Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Saturday

Our gospel passage today is the conclusion of St. Luke's Sermon on the Plain – his version of St. Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. His point is: those who take in the word of God and let it truly affect them will have proof that God is a part of their lives by the good that comes forth in their actions – because that good will come from their hearts where goodness and God resides!

He also concludes, like Matthew, that ones who do not merely cry out "Lord, Lord!" – but those who pray and then do what the Lord has commanded them to do – who listens to God's words and acts on them – will be like the man who built his house on rock so that when the storm came the house was not shaken because it was built well!

Those who do not act on what they clearly hear are like those who build their house on the ground without a foundation – and when the river burst against it, it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed. (Perhaps Hurricane Ike is helping to demonstrate this very valid principle in Texas even as we speak!)

May the houses of our spiritual lives be built on rock – the rock of God – the rock of faith – the rock of trust in him – the rock of inviting him to reside fully in our hearts – the rock of proving our love for him by charitable actions to our brothers and sisters; so that it can withstand the breezes, the tempests, the storms, even the hurricanes that may come its way this and every day!

Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we will come to him!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Homily – 09-12-2008 – Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - Friday

Those qualified to be spiritually helpful to others are they who have been helped by God and are willing to share what they have learned. When this occurs, Jesus tells us in the gospel passage, the help we offer should not be regarded as coming from ourselves, but from God – the true teacher, the true source. Otherwise we would be like the blind leading the blind!

In the first reading St. Paul says of his preaching that he has been entrusted with a stewardship – what he gives is not his own, it is from God who is the message, and who empowers its delivery! He likens the ordeals and experiences that he has in delivering the message to all sorts of people like running a race in a stadium. He knows that he himself, in order to be a fully trained spiritual athlete, needs to stay focused on the finish line: life on high in Christ Jesus! He does and his message goes forth – and it still goes forth to this day – which is the message of Jesus himself: LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in that truth today! And let us take the experience of our life in you and let it be the basis of helping all others that you place in our path! Let it be the basis of our loving one another!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Homily – 09-11-2008 – Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - Thursday

There could not be a more perfect gospel passage for this day of national remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001. It just happens to come in the cycle of readings but it could very well have been hand selected.

LOVE YOU ENEMIES, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU, PRAY FOR THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU! This is the continuation of St. Luke's version of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In fact it is called the "Sermon on the Plain" – which again is more than coincidental on this historic day.

Jesus absolutely knew what he was saying when he said these things. He knew of the enemies that he had, the enemies that hated him, who were already in part cursing him, and who would one day mistreat him and persecute him and put him to a shameful death by crucifixion: the worst form of capital punishment known to mankind at the time! Yet he taught and preached tolerance, and non-judgment and love even for the likes of these enemies!

By doing so – by loving – by going through with his death on behalf of those who were his enemies and those of his Father – he reversed the cycle of death, darkness and hatred for those who want to participate in it! There is now a choice!

It would seem that if we do participate in this "supernatural" form of dealing with those who cause terror and bloodshed throughout the world – if our best offense is forgiveness, and understanding and LOVE – then maybe the seeming endless cycle of violence among people on this earth could be broken – and a true brotherhood could emerge.

Jesus demonstrated that the best offense and the best way to react to violence is LOVE – let's try it! – both individually and as members of families, society, country and world! We have tried it so many other ways – maybe Jesus really had something here!

In the first reading we are reminded that those who do sin against any of the brothers of Christ – who are everyone we see – sin against him! This applies to those who do violence, but it also applies to those who do violence back to them! Even when our brother wrongs us, let us see the Christ in him – and respond to that image and reality, difficult as it might be to see!

If we love one another,

God remains in us,

and his love is brought to perfection in us!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Homily – 09-10-2008 – Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - Wednesday

In the gospel passage today we have St. Luke's version of the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount. They are more basic than Matthew's and for their understanding need to be supplemented by Matthew's version. Luke simply says: Blessed are you who are poor; while Matthew clarifies "poor" by adding "in spirit." Those who are economically poor are not necessarily the ones who will possess the Kingdom of God – but the ones who have a poverty of spirit: an emptiness and a hunger and thirst for the things of God – will possess God and his kingdom!

The same goes for all parts of the beatitudes. Happy are they who do not see these as a way for material hope and comfort; but rather, as they are meant to be, for spiritual hope and comfort. EACH BEATITUDE IS IN FACT A PROMISE made by God the Father, through Jesus his Son – that will be kept – for those who accept it, endure and keep their eyes fixed on the kingdom.

The first reading today relates how Paul is telling the Corinthians that the time of the kingdom is near – and that all of their energies ought to be focused on it – rather than concerning themselves about marrying and the like. No one knew then, nor knows now when the kingdom will arrive – when Jesus will come again to establish it. Paul gave good advice for that period of Church history; but as we know, Jesus has not yet come – but the underlying concept behind the advice is still good – "even though we now concern ourselves with marriage" – our sights, our spiritual focus still needs to be, and ought to be on that kingdom that is to come! Marriage is meant to be a sign of that kingdom – and a way to help married couples and their children reach it!

Let us listen to what God has to say to us this day – and let us live lives which reflect our awareness that what we see will pass away – what is yet to come – what will be new – will last forever!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Homily – 09-09-2008 – St. Peter Claver

Our saint for today, Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit who lived in the early 17th century.
Desiring to be a missionary in the New World he was sent to Cartagena, Columbia which was a major center for African slave trade. Peter worked in an apostolate to the slaves for forty years. He devoted his energies to the spiritual and physical care of the slaves, bringing them food, medicine and other necessities. He also used interpreters and pictures to educate the slaves about Christianity and to prepare them for baptism. It is said that he baptized more than three hundred thousand by 1615.

When he was not engaged in his ministry to the slaves, Pater counseled and brought the sacraments to prisoners, prepared criminals for death, visited the city's hospitals and conducted annual missions for traders and seamen. In his last years, Peter himself became very ill and was himself treated with neglect. He was in constant pain and was very weak. Two days after greeting a replacement sent from Spain he lapsed into a coma and died on September 8, 1654.

Peter Claver was certainly one chosen by Jesus – as he chose his apostles in the gospel passage today – to bring comfort and healing and the message of hope to the very least of God's people (as they were regarded by the world). He did it with joy in his heart! He did it without judging his brothers and sisters – as we heard about in the first reading today! He did assess and judge the spiritual condition and needs of the times and the people in his care – and he acted accordingly – with respect, kindness and compassion!

May we do the same today! Peter is the patron of Africans throughout the world – especially those who are still mistreated and persecuted!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Homily – 09-08-2008 – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Nine months after we celebrated the Immaculate Conception of Mary in the womb of St. Ann, her mother on December 8 – today we celebrate her birth! Mary's vocation was to be the mother of Jesus – the mother of the Word of God, thus also, Mother of God! What an amazing privilege! And she accepted and lived that vocation generously and lovingly!

God wanted to work powerfully in her and through her – for all of us – and for our salvation. And Mary was always willing to cooperate fully – so that the Father's will would always be done. This brought her a share of deep satisfaction and rejoicing, but also a strong measure of sorrow and pain – as she watched her son live a life of contradiction – all to establish the new order, the new law, the new dispensation – in his own blood!

We honor Mary on this her birthday – we honor her as Mother of Jesus, Mother of God – but also our own true mother-in-Christ – as we all were given to her at the Cross on Calvary – with St. John representing us. She tirelessly watches over us, intercedes for us, and prays for us as she sits at the right hand of Jesus in heaven.

May we live pure and holy lives so that one day we will be with her and all of our brothers and sisters in heaven, forever!

With delight we rejoice in the Lord!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Homily – 09-07-2008 – Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

It is our second reading today which summarizes the ideas brought forth by all the readings: owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

If we spend our time and our energies on really and truly loving one another with the very love of Christ Jesus (who demonstrated quite clearly how it ought to be done): then an amazing reality takes root in us: the reality of the presence of God in a powerful way.

If God IS love (which is a dynamic activity between persons), then, when we love (when we establish that kind of activity of looking out for the welfare of others first) we experience the reality of the presence and power of God himself! We can certainly sense it – and it is remarkable!

Now loving is sometimes easy, and sometimes it is not so easy! It is easy to love those who are already lovable, and fun and easy to be with. Making sacrifices for these kinds of people is not a problem! But what about those who seem UNlovable, who are no fun at all, who are very difficult to be with for any number of reasons? Making sacrifices for these people, and loving them as Jesus himself does sometimes seems like a real problem!

But again, if we remember that in the reading to the Romans St. Paul says: owe nothing to ANYone, except to LOVE ONE ANOTHER – for the one who loves another fulfills the law – then it ought not really matter who that other person is! For, God LOVES US ALL THE SAME! And if he loves us all the same, then we are all lovable and capable of loving one another – although some, it does seem, do their best to make the process difficult both for themselves and for those who are trying to love them, including God!

In the first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel and in the gospel passage both – we have the clear cut desire of God for us to at least try to point out to errant brothers and sisters what seems obviously inconsistent with the laws of God, and the good order set forth by the Church – those things that are not compatible with loving as the sublime spiritual activity that it is!

Yes, we are the "keeper of our brothers and sisters" to a point – to the point of holding a mirror up in front of them (at times, when it is necessary) so they can see their own actions – and hopefully make a prudent decision to alter and change their behavior. When we do this, using all charity, we can help other persons to form and use their consciences correctly! The readings tell us that we have a CHRISTIAN OBLIGATION to do this – for if we don't, then we are just as guilty as they are of their transgressions and will be held accountable!

(Now this does not mean that we have to stand of street corners, preaching; or go on a crusade against immorality – but it does mean, in the ordinary course of our daily lives, if the opportunity presents itself to help a fellow human being see things more clearly and truthfully, then we have the obligation to offer them what we know of God and his ways (ways that are objective and true) ways that works for us, in particular!)

But, since the person has the freedom of will and choice to decide not to take heed of our suggestions and counsel, once we have presented our observations – then it is up to them to act on them – and we are free from responsibility for them – except for the responsibility to keep praying for them and loving them in as many ways that would still apply!

Jesus tells us in the gospel passage: where two or three are gathered in his name he is there – and their prayer – asked for in faith, and guided by the Holy Spirit – will be answered for the welfare of all others – and for themselves!

And so, if today we hear his voice, let us not harden our hearts; if today we hear his voice: let us LOVE – AS WE ARE BEING LOVED, RIGHT NOW, this very minute!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Homily – 09-06-2008 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Saturday

The argument in the gospel passage is albeit a weak one, but it makes a necessary point: Jesus subordinates the Sabbath to himself – thus subordinating the entire old Law to himself. David and his men did not enter the sanctuary on the Sabbath; therefore, the eating of the bread was not the same as breaking Sabbath rules of work…but the point remains: the whole law resides in Jesus – and the way he dealt with it and passed it on to others is what is important for us to know about and incorporate into our own lives.

The ones first chosen to pass on such teachings, and all of the teachings of Jesus, were the apostles – who – as we see in the first reading – were certainly the last of allthey were like people sentenced to death! For those who took what the apostles had to offer and lived it out: life, spiritual life, was very good – faith truly did work and paid off nicely in day to day activities; but for the deliverers of the grace of God – it was not always so easy: they were very poorly treated, they wandered about homeless, they were ridiculed, and persecuted!

However, when they were treated thus, the apostles countered with kindness, and blessing and endurance – by the working of the Holy Spirit within them.

Even in our day, the bishops of the Church can suffer persecution for saying and doing the right thing; but this ought not stop them – for they have the same commission from Christ as the first apostles: spread the faith to the ends of the earth!

May we call upon the Lord today to fill us with spiritual nourishment, and may we ask his blessings on those who deliver it!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Homily – 09-05-2008 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Friday

In the gospel passage Jesus tells us that new understandings need to be placed in new receptacles, be they cloth or wineskins. What was learned even yesterday (about anything, but especially God) can be freshly applied to today – if the container is slightly different – because we are slightly different today than we were yesterday! This is why we pray day after day – not because God changes, but because we can become more open and receptive to what he has to say to us – and we can act accordingly in a different way!

In the first reading St. Paul tells the Corinthians that the treasury of what God has to say to his people are found in the "mysteries of God" of which he is a steward. God, in an amazing act of generosity, chose to reveal himself, reveal his mysteries to us; and he appointed watchmen and guardians as well as proclaimers and transmitters of those mysteries. This should not cause any to be judged one way or another by anyone – and even if it does, our sole focus should be on the charge that has been given us to be instruments in the hands of God.

Each day – let us open ourselves more fully – to receiving a portion of the mysteries of God – in our daily Mass – that the Church portions out to us – for our spiritual nourishment, energy and motivation! Let us thank God for it – by taking it in, allowing it to make a difference in us, and then sharing it with those whom God places in our day!

The Lord delivers us because we take refuge in him!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Homily – 09-04-2008 – Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - Thursday

Let no one deceive himself, St. Paul tells the Corinthians today – if anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise!

Paul here is referring to something other than genuine wisdom; he is referring to worldly wisdom, which in this case is nothing but self-seeking craftiness. "Corinthian craftiness" was very well known in the region! So Paul says – don't be wise in this way – become a fool for the sake of Christ – become a fool as derived from the foolishness of the Cross of Christ. For this is real wisdom, this is of real value.

Instead of arguing about who is head of whom, who is important, who is the "most wise," He tells them to remember that in Christ – everyone belongs to everyone – because we are all members of the same body; and we all belong to Christ, just as Christ belongs to God his Father – and so therefore, we belong by association and by adoption to God the Father, as well!

This is wonderful news! This is the foolishness that we glory in!

The gospel passage shows Jesus calling his first disciples: James, John and Simon! They are attracted to him not just because of the work of power that he demonstrated for them, but because there was something truly wise, truly authentic, truly genuine, truly of God about him – and they wanted to find out more! He would make them fishers of men – allowing them to use their skill at searching, seeking, finding and attracting fish in a new arena of searching, seeking, finding and attracting men and women and children who are invited to become worshiping and loving members of God's family!

We too are invited to help the successors of the first bishops in their task of gathering in God's family – as we await the Day when a totally new life will begin for us all – all who belong already to each other, to Jesus and to God the Father!

To the Lord belongs the earth and all that fills it!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Homily – 090=-03-2008 – St. Gregory the Great

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Gregory the Great, only the second Pope to be named with the title "Great" – thus far in Church history (Leo I being the first). Gregory lived in the second half of the 6th century.

Gregory always had a monastic bent, and being pope was the farthest thing from his mind. However, when Pope Pelagius II died, while a junior deacon in Rome, he was unanimously elected Pope – and was appointed so by the Emperor. Gregory always was as pastoral as he could be in his episcopacy – taking to heart Jesus' words to Peter and his successors to "take care of the flock of God." He did much to provide for the needs of the poor! But he also had to deal with many civil issues because of the tumultuous times that existed in Rome.

Gregory also had a great interest in the liturgy. He wrote several Prefaces for Feasts – and he is responsible for placing the "Our Father" where we now have it in the Mass. Plainsong chant usage became so widespread in his day – that it became known as a chant with his own name attached to it: Gregorian Chant – and we still have it in our Church to this day!

But his great written works – especially instructions to bishops on how to pastor their flocks – made him eligible to be among the 4 original great Western Doctors of the Church, along with Ambrose, Augustine and Jerome.

The first reading today relates the spirit of St. Gregory the Great - in his belief that - along with St. Paul - he was not preaching himself (his opinions, his ideas, his will) but rather those of Jesus Christ the person, the person Crucified – not the concept! And that the Christ he was preaching was the very Light of the world, which reflected with the glory of God the Father, which shone on his face! Our faces too, now that we are baptized can shine with the light of Christ – when we "preach" and relate him to others as he is, and not with our own opinions, our own ideas, our own wills – when we relate him as Crucified and Risen!

In the gospel passage Jesus promises to confer a kingdom on his faithful co-workers – the Apostles sent in his name to light the world and to be its inspiration. But he reminds them that the true and faithful co-worker will be the one, who, like him, ranks himself as the lowest, and serves the needs of the rest! No doubt Gregory remembered this during his papacy. He took comfort in being but a mere servant of Jesus, finding himself more empowered by the Holy Spirit the more humble he sought to be.

Let us this day proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all we meet, to all the nations – and let us see the Light of Christ and the Glory of God the Father!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Homily – 09-02-2008 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Tuesday

The gospel passage today reminds us that Jesus was very different than other men, while at the same time being very much like them. He was like them in the humanity that he shared, but he was different in the mind and heart with which he operated his life! These were directly infused with the power of the Holy Spirit. And it was his relationship with the Holy Spirit that made it possible for him to teach what he taught with authority, and to heal all kinds of diseases and conditions.

St. Paul tells the Corinthians in the first reading that by their baptisms they too now have the mind of Christ. They have the ability to see and judge the world from God's point of view, rather than by human standards. They have the ability to access spiritual realities using spiritual terms. They have been confirmed by the Holy Spirit – they have the gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge and fortitude so that they can comprehend what the saints comprehend and they can put it into practice with courage and joy!

And so, today we are reminded that it is optional for us now to either choose the spirit of the world to be our inspiration and guide, or the very Spirit of God himself. However, we must remember, the spirit of the world will lead to perdition; while the Spirit of God will lead to the beatific vision – and endless happiness!

May we choose Life!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Homily – 09-01-2008 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Monday

Even in our own experience, what is profound and truly helpful sometimes comes from the most unexpected places and from those persons we would least expect to have anything worthwhile to offer.

St. Paul in the first reading today tells the Corinthians that he was one such unexpected resource for those who were alert! Though a message deliverer, he did it in such a way that took the spotlight off of him and placed it rather on the message – and the power behind the message. Paul was not the greatest orator – but he was a great preacher – a great instrument in the hands of God of getting his message across by demonstrating the spirit and power of God in each and every particular setting and circumstance.

In the gospel passage we see that Jesus was commissioned by his Father to bring the message of "glad tidings for the poor, liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed – to announce a year of favor acceptable to the Lord." But he was to do this – full of spirit and power – in a rather quiet and inauspicious way – so much so that most people would not even take the time to consider what he had to say, especially people in his own hometown. They saw him just as the hometown kid who came home to "show off" for the crowd. They had no idea who he really was! Nor were they interested in finding out!

Jesus told them, however, rather bluntly that they were "cutting their noses off to spite their faces" (in so many words) – they had access to one who could have helped them FIRST to achieve new levels of sanctity and holiness – but instead, they would be counted last, if at all!

The people were very angry at this and they wanted to take him and throw him off a cliff! But Jesus "passed through their midst" and went away!

May we rejoice this day in the many ways in which Jesus reveals himself to us: in the lowly, and the poor, in the needy, in the trusting, in the loving, in the caring, in those who most resemble little lambs in a flock – God's flock!

He will take care of us all! He loves us all!

He wants us all one day to come home to him to live forever!

Let us follow his lead!

Happy New Year 202

  A Happy New Year to you all! I hope and pray I am able to keep this blog up to date now that we are entering into the New Year! I would li...