St. John Neumann, whose feast we celebrate today was a true and dedicated disciple of the Lord and an Apostle in the one line of succession. He was of German-Czech parentage and emigrated to the United States in the early 19th century. Though small in stature physically, he became very tall in stature spiritually for the benefit of the newly born American Catholic Church. He became bishop of Philadelphia and did much to establish parishes and schools (100 parishes and 80 parochial schools). He established the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia to help teach in the crowded schools. He wrote two German catechisms. He completed the unfinished cathedral in Philadelphia. He was also a member of the Redemptorist Order – and served as General of the order with headquarters in Baltimore.
Jesus began his public ministry with the proclamation: "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." John Neumann, no doubt, made this his own motivation and proclamation: "Look and see, Jesus is here!" was his cry! "He is here in the newborn Catholic Church in America. He can make all the difference in your lives – as he has for centuries for others!" Look, see, believe!
And just as those who were not of God did not accept what Jesus had to say, so too, the first reading today tells us that those who do not accept what the true leaders of Church (bishops and priests) of any day - have to say - also are rejecting the very person of Jesus – and are declaring themselves not of God – or anti-Christ!
May we this day allow the gospel of the Kingdom to be preached to us, so that cures and blessings and benefits can be ours as God the Father intends them to be! May the Light of Christ's words be our guide this day!
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