Monday, October 31, 2016

October 31 - Weekday in Ordinary Time

+ When we hold a banquet, the Lord instructs us to invite those with the “inability to repay you.”

For we need to experience a love that is not self-serving;

we need to love without expecting some gain in return.

The “solace in love” we hope to have through our “participation in the Spirit, is predicated on such gratuity.

This, of course, opens wide the possibilities – the greater majority we will minister to today will have no means of “financial” or “material” recompense for us – but we can ask them to pray for us and our intentions – and be assured that heaven will shower down abundant blessing both on us and the one praying for us.

What a marvelous dynamic and living system the Holy Spirit has set in place!

We revel in its reality and power for good.


In you, O Lord, I have found my peace. 

Sunday, October 30, 2016

October 30 - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ Last Sunday we have Jesus telling the story of the Pharisee and a tax collector. It was the tax-collector who went home justified because of his sincere, humble God-centered prayer asking for mercy and forgiveness; rather than the Pharisee whose prayer was not a prayer at all, but rather a rambling verbal pat of himself on his back for all the precise religious observances that he so faithfully kept!

Today, to emphasize the point, St. Luke adds a second gospel passage to back up the first: this time dealing with the chief tax-collector: Zacchaeus, the short little man who climbed up a tree to get a better view of Jesus, and to have a fitting podium from which to invite Jesus to his house for dinner. Jesus accepted the invitation! “Come down from that tree, Zacchaeus – let’s go eat!”

Of course, the Pharisees and the crowd gathered around the tree were mumbling: “He even goes and eats with sinners!” But Zacchaeus to qualify his invitation, to show his good will and to counteract the Pharisees said: Lord, now that I am right here in your presence, and see my own lowliness, I will give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone – which tax collectors were notorious for doing – I shall repay in four times over. Jesus smiled at Zacchaeus and to the crowds and said: Today salvation has come to this house…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

My brothers and sisters: we must not ever count ourselves out from among the convocation of sinners on this earth; for if we do we are at the same time counting ourselves out of redemption, salvation and eternal life with God. There is not one among all the peoples on earth who is not a sinner – more or less – no one. There are some who are quite less, but there are also some who are quite more!  Maybe you know a few of each! Either way – it is because of our sinfulness that the Blood of Christ’s reconciliation applies to us, forgives us our sins and makes us eligible for eternal life.

Do not get me wrong: I am not encouraging anyone to sin to “stay qualified” for the “big prize” at the end of life. NO! But I am saying that we all find ourselves sinning on occasion and we must at that point seek the mercy and forgiveness of God: primarily in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).

Sadly, this is the most unused “golden treasure” of the sacramental system. In the first reading today from the Book of Wisdom we see everything put in perspective: before the Lord the whole universe is as a grain from a balancing scale, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth, but this same Lord has mercy on all, because he can do it, and he does it, he overlooks people’s sins that they may repent. For you love all things that are, and spare all things, because they are yours. Therefore, rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing that they may abandon their evil deeds and believe in you, O Lord, and find eternal life!

With a God who loves us so very much and who shows us the most power of his being (not in creating vast universes) but rather in his bestowal of mercy – it would behoove us to beat our breast like the tax collector last week and say: “O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!” He will be merciful and then he will say “now let’s go to your house and have dinner,” like he said to Zacchaeus today!


God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Friday, October 28, 2016

October 28 - Sts. Simon and Jude

+ We celebrate the feast of two apostles today: Simon and Jude.
Simon was called the Cananean, and the Zealot because of his zeal for the Jewish law, but was neither from Cana nor a member of the Zealot Party. Like all the apostles he was a convert, he being trained by St. Peter, the Apostle. He evangelized at least in Egypt and Mesopotamia, if not other places. He was a martyr for the faith but there are differences of opinion as to where that took place.

Jude was son of Cleophas, a cousin of Mary who stood with her at the foot of the Cross of Christ, and who anointed Christ’s body after his death. He is the brother of St. James the Lesser. Being a cousin of Jesus, Jude was reported to have looked a lot like him. He may have been a fisherman before he was called to be an apostle. Jude wrote the canonical Epistle named for him. He preached in Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia with St Simon. He was a healer and an exorcist. He could exorcise pagan idols, which caused the demons to flee and the statues to crumble. His patronage of lost or impossible causes traditionally derives from confusion by many early Christians between Jude and the traitor Judas Iscariot; not understanding the difference between the names, they never prayed for Jude’s help, and devotion to him became something of a “lost cause.”

It is important for us to remember that the very existence of our faith and our religion today stands firmly on the faith and faithfulness of the twelve chosen by Jesus and their unfailing commitment to remain close friends of his, doing what he asked them to do, evangelically, especially in the face of certain death. We too are called to live our lives and give our lives as intimate friends of Christ – for the spiritual and even physical welfare of others.
Strengthened by this Eucharistic meal – as were Simon and Jude – may we be willing to bring the gospel message to everyone we meet today, one way or another!


Their message goes out to all the earth.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

October 26 - Weekday in Ordinary Time

+ Wonderfully powerful readings today at mass.  A continuation from yesterdays “grace of subordination.”

Today the question is: what makes us “strong enough” to “enter through the narrow gate,” as St. Luke exhorts us to do in the gospel passage.

The clue is in Christ’s promise: “Some are last who will be first.”

What makes them “first”?

Could it be their being obedient to the deepest desires of their own hearts – an obedience that unfailingly lead them to do “the will of God from the heart.”

This, dear friends, is PERFECT OBEDIENCE – doing the will of God from the heart.

And it is not difficult at all to accomplish – or else the Lord would not have asked us to do it. Simply whisper to yourself that you would like to live this day “heart to heart” with the Divine Lord, Master, but Healer and Friend. He cannot and does not refuse such a request.

Then ask the Holy Spirit to give you tips and hints throughout the day as to what that particular will is at any given moment: simply whisper: “Holy Spirit, what is the Father’s will for me for this moment and the next several” and voila – if you cooperate, you will be moved and led and find yourself engaging is very pleasant and energizing experiences – even though they may have been mundane and routine just beforehand.

His yoke is easy and his burden is light indeed.

The gate may be narrow but the experience of pass through it seems enormous because of the sanctifying grace of God coming from the Pierced Side of Christ that washes through you as you pass the portal!

God be with you this day! May the Holy Spirit grant you peace, joy and hope this day – and lead you safely along the path he will mark out for you for the day!

Amen.


Monday, October 24, 2016

October 24 - Weekday in Ordinary Time

+ These readings today are enormous in the simplicity of their universal scope.

Whatever is menial, puny, insignificant – this can expect to eventuate into the Kingdom of God.

Why?

Because it permits the greatness of God to make something out of littleness. (Look for example at what he did by sending his Son into the world as a tiny, little, relatively insignificant little baby boy, born in a stable with animals as his birthing-attendants).

This is called the magnificent “grace of subordination” – and this is what “makes the world go round!”

The splendor of the Church is such freely lived entrustment.

Nothing glorifies God more than for something of no consequence to rely on divine mercy to become identified with God himself.

Wow! This is huge! It means that there is HOPE for ALL OF US! relatively insignificant creatures that we are. Everything we think, say and do can be salvific is we constantly, cooperate in uniting our wills and intentions with God’s.

We may be little but we are gigantic in the sight of God when we do this: and the lowly truly are and can be exalted to the heavens.
Remember the tiniest mustard see can become a large bush where birds can come and nest.

And remember that a little yeast goes a long way in a glob of dough!

So too, we are meant to produce abundant fruits of peacemaking, healing and joy-giving especially as we are fed with its source directly at this Mass and the Holy Communion that we will consume later.

Wow! What a life, O Christian! What a partnership we have with the great God of heaven and earth. And how pleased he is when we let him use us entirely and completely! What JOY, HOPE and PEACE it produces deep within our souls!

Amen.


Sunday, October 23, 2016

October 23 - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ The tax collector, completely aware of the enormity of his sin,
and therefore, of his sin, and therefore of his unworthiness, beats his breast and prays, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

Where does he get the confidence to do this?

His experience of limitation and failure has led him, not to despair, but to depend.

He remains certain that there is something beyond “every evil threat” and that the Lod will rescue him.

Maybe it was his sin that jogged his memory of the promise of Sirach: “The Lord hears the cry of the oppressed. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.”

This is why the formerly unspeakably sinful Paul can say without boasting: “From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me.” For “whoever humbles himself / herself will be exalted.” And this goes for anyone and everyone running for any kind of position of responsibility and trust – like being President of the United States.

The candidate who most resembles the meek, humble, good heart of Christ the Lord is the candidate to vote for – the one who least resembles it is the one to flee from – but pray for his/her conversion to the Lord and to life, love, joy and peace! Prayer can move mountains, and fill in valleys!

Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.


Friday, October 21, 2016

October 21 - Weekday in Ordinary TIme

+ The hypocrite is one so obsessed with self-made preconceptions that he becomes desensitized to sincerity; to tenderness, to genuine self-sacrifice.

His hardened heart prevents him from judging what is right.

Christ present in “the present time” moves us to live with humility, gentleness, patience.

We remain attentive, not to our self-will but to the one “who is over all and trough all and in all.”

St. Paul urges the Ephesians and he urges us to live this way – in a manner worthy of the call we have received: it is the absolute and unprecedented gracious gift of God that allows us to even dare to approach a life of peace, being the wretched, sinful people we are – being born of Adam’s stock – and still having some tinges and taint of the base earthly predispositions in us – even though the power of the Resurrection is greater than the pull downward. We can always look and reach up to God and he will rescue us and save us! Always!

The earthbound want to read simply and only the signs of the weather, etc.; but the true disciple hones in on the spiritual climate that still engulfs and suffocates us: especially in this day and age – and in this country – in this world. The spiritual sign of the times says: HALT! TURN EAST! TURN TO CHRIST! REFLECT! REPENT! AND CONFESS YOU SINS before it is too late – before it is too late! For Catholic at this time: bi-monthly confession even of venial sins is essential to keep the grace pices open wide and flowing – for when the Day arrives – we will need pipes that are a slick and smooth as can be – in order to receive the fullness of the reward God has in store for our faithfulness, docility and childlikeness.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.


Thursday, October 20, 2016

October 20 - St. Paul of the Cross

+ Today as we celebrate the feast of St. Paul of the Cross we begin by contemplating a youth, Paul Danei, a native of Ovada in Genoa, Italy. He spent a brief time in the military, but left to devote himself to prayer.

When his uncle, a priest, left Paul a significant inheritance on the condition that he would marry, Paul forfeited the inheritance, taking only his uncle’s breviary.

At the age pf twenty-six, while still a layman, he conceived the rule of a new order, the Passionists.

Living a life of mortification and poverty, the Passionists take a fourth vow to proclaim the Passion of Christ.

“Bury yourselves…” Paul wrote, “in the heart of Jesus crucified, desiring nothing else but to lead all men to follow his will in all things.”

Paul died in 1775.

Living buried in the heart of Christ means being rooted and grounded in love – so that we might be filled with the fullness of God. St. Paul prays that the Ephesians be thus rooted and grounded that they may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be thus filled with all the fullness of God.

And who would not want to live their day – full of God’s love and grace, and gentleness, kindness, caring, compassion and forgiveness?

In the gospel passage Jesus tosses out a two-sided coin for us to ponder – I wish the fire of my heart, my love, my peace would be ablaze in all the world; but when it first arrives it was apparently cause the opposite effect as men, women and children will have to pause what they are doing and seriously consider whether they want to be filled with the light, warmth and joy of his real peace, or whether they want to continue to bask in the phony light of their own artificial worlds and contrivances – coping techniques.

This will cause family rifts and divisions as some begin to choose Christ and the good life, while others still languish in indecision or no decision at all.

In our day and age, in this country with its political tumult and chaos, the time has arrived – if there will be any peace on earth at all – to choose to follow the banner of Christ whole heartedly, or the banner of Satan, no heartedly. The choice is a critical one, and essential one, but an easy one for those who turn and face the East, those to turn to Christ so that he can gaze at them, with his all-embracing, merciful forgiveness just waiting to be released at our word of contrition: it is that easy, it is that difficult! We must pray for the grace for this cooperation to take place for ourselves, for our loved ones, for those we don’t even know and for all in the political process that will determine the fate of civilization.

I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him!


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

October 19 - The North American Martyrs

+ Today we have readings that challenge us to be the men and women of faith that we are called to be, that is our purpose for our very existence, and all of which helps upbuild the Kingdom of God as was foreplaned from all eternity.

Of ourselves we can do absolutely nothing, not a thing – but cooperating fully with God’s plan and purpose we can do extraordinary things even though they may look common and ordinary – or even more spectacular if what we do awakens faith and love in other people.

In the first reading we see St. Paul telling the Ephesians that he has access by God’s divine grace and willing it – of the very mysteries of God – for dissemination among the Gentiles who were called along with the Jews to be recipients of redemption and reconciliation.

Paul felt the awesome but o so joyful duty to proclaim the arrival of the kingdom of grace and peace and love and justice and truth and beauty – and he proclaims that any who ask for it can have the exact same access to bolden their speech and confidence by faith in action.

The gospel Jesus shows Jesus telling us that for those who have been given a deeper glimpse into the mysteries of God for sharing with others – more will be required: such as was required of St. John DeBrebeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions (the North American Martyrs). But that God’s grace and love would always be sufficient: these were true sons of St. Ignatius – who surrendered everything to God and was given just enough love and grace for the moment! And who could ask or desire or dream for more than that. “When you need it, you got it!”

So let us in a Jesuitical way today thank God for the sacrifices of the North American Martyrs – and ask their prayers that in this day in age we can stand up boldly, speak confidently yet peacefully – and preach by our actions that there is One God – and that he Love us Unconditionally – and is ever urging us on the finish the fight of faith – which will blossom into an eternity of bliss with him and all others who make it across “the bridge” on that Last Day!

Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.  


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

October 18 - St Luke

+ In Revelation 4:6, four beasts give endless praise before the throne of God: a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle.

Tradition hold that these signify the four Evangelists.

Luke is the ox, the symbol of strength and sacrifice.

His Gospel opens with the priest Zechariah who “was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense” (1-9).

In the Temple, Zechariah encounters the angel Gabriel, who heralds the birth of his son, John the Baptist.

Gabriel goes next to Mary to tell her that she will conceive and bear “the Son of the Most High” (1:32).

A tradition dating to the 6th century makes Luke the first artist to have painted the Virgin Mary.

Our entrance antiphon today from the Prophet Isaiah magnificently proclaims the beauty upon the mountains that the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation are.

These were Jesus feet, these were St. Luke’s feet, these can be our feet today – feet that follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus announcing the arrival of the new kingdom of God.

In the second reading St. Paul is telling Bishop Timothy that it is only Luke who stands by him now – the announcing of the gospel separates the men from the boys – and Luke turns out to be a man among men – a physician who understands the entire person: made up of a feeble and wavering mind, an often times broken down body, but a spirit that can soar like an eagle.

It is this entire person that the Lord wants to visit, lay hands on and heal – mind, body and spirit. The parable of St. Luke are classic and wonderful to behold, including one of the most awesome and powerful of all: The Prodigal Son. God is ALWAYS READY to receive back anyone who comes to their senses and decides to head home. He runs to meet us, to pamper us and throw us a big party.

Jesus in the gospel passage indeed is the primary announcer of peace! Peace seeks peace – and often times causes a challenging situation – until hearts and minds are changed, reconciled and welcomed into the heart of the Prodigal Father.

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.


Monday, October 17, 2016

October 17 - St. Ignatius of Antioch

+ The third bishop of Antioch in Syria, Ignatius suffered martyrdom in the Roman Amphitheater around 107.

As he traveled under armed guard from Antioch to Rome, he wrote to the Christian brethren, unambiguously proclaiming the apostolic Faith.

For Ignatius, Christ is “my God” and “truly born of the Virgin.” The Eucharist is “the flesh of Christ” and the “medicine of immortality.”

Unity is paramount: “as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop.”

Of Ignatius’ seven letters, Blessed John Henry Newman declared, “It is hardly too much to say that almost the whole system of Catholic doctrine may be discovered at least in outline…in the course of them.”

The first reading today tells us the God brought us to life with Christ, and seated us with him in the heavens. This is already a foregone conclusion, so long as we remain steadfast, bearing our specifically given God sent burdens and never lose hope of eternal glory and our place in it.

There is a spirit at work in the disobedient – but an o so more powerful Spirit at work in the obedient – whether it is to the bishop as members of a parish or diocese – or to legitimate authority figures set in place by God above us – to rule and guide us in becoming more fully not only members of society, but simultaneously children of God.

The gospel passage reminds us point blank that storing up earthly treasure will end in doom for this storer, but those who store up their treasure in heaven – the stockpiling of good deeds done for love of God and his people, our brothers and sisters – then barns in heaven will not be big enough to contain the fruits of the generosity of our hearts.

Human life is not about us – it is about giving glory to God, being instruments of peace on earth – by our example of placing our priorities correctly – above the clouds in the beatific life of God – that awaits us eagerly.

St. Ignatius of Antioch who got and proclaimed this message – pray for us!


Sunday, October 16, 2016

October 16 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ We have insightful and useful readings at Mass today. So many times we ask ourselves: “Is it really worth it, the struggle and the sacrifices that we feel called to make, but knowing that our human frailty can get in the way of fighting the good fight?

The answer that the Lord provides today is: “Yes” “Yes, it is worth the struggle” because the entire outcome of a contest of faith could literally depend on our willingness to “keep our hands raised (in prayer) to God.”

Now just as Moses became weak, in his humanness, and thought he could not hold up his arms and hands any longer: it was Aaron, his brother and Hur, who sensed the urgency of the matter and action and placed Moses where they could support his arms and hands.

Thus, demonstrating how God provides just the right people, (our brothers) in the right place at the right time – so that the drama of salvation can be carried out according to God will and plan and not our own.

In the same vain of persistency: we see St. Paul telling Timothy to proclaim the word: keep your hands raised in blessing, and teaching, in correction, in encouraging for righteousness: whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Timothy – the ordained bishop – was to convince, reprimand, encourage his flock through all patience and teaching.

We are called upon to have the same persistence in our prayer and in our actions for others. We are all our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. If not us, then who?

In the gospel passage from St. Luke – we see Jesus saying the exact same thing: be persistent: PRAY ALWAYS! ALWAYS, WITHOUT BECOMING WEARY! Pray in your mind, pray in your words, pray in your songs, pray in your worship, prayer in your works and deeds of charity and loving service to the sheep! PRAY IN YOUR HEART! and untold graces will flow forth from you to others! It will flow into and cleanse this world in which we live, which is currently in dire, dire straits. Our persistent, hands up raised prayer, is its only salvation!

It is FAITH that he Lord wants to find when he comes again: FAITH in ACTION, FAITH IN PRAYER, FAITH IN DEEDS!

Then he will say to us: Come, good and faithful servant, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world: for you loved God, you loved me, and you proved it by persistently, consistently and unconditionally loving your brothers and sisters – with the same love that I have for them.


Well done, good and faithful servant!

Thursday, October 13, 2016

October 13 - Weekday in Ordinary Time

+ Jesus speaks words of woe to those who take away “the key of knowledge”:

“You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” This is a primary example of unbridled mean-spiritedness. This is unconscionable. This seems to be prevalent in our American society today.

What saves us from succumbing t this? Actively living the memory that we have been blessed “in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” Counting our blessings is not only for when you can’t sleep; but it for any time of the day as well when we overdue to re prioritize our thoughts, words and deeds. The good thing is that we can “start our day over again” any moment we want to.

“Jesus chose us to be holy and without blemish,” “In love he destined us for adoption to himself.” Let us enter into this grace, bask in it and then radiate the joy and peace it produces to all those God will put in our path this day!

God chose us for our particular life and work before the foundation of the world – and he empowers us to do every dot and tittle of it!

Amen.



Wednesday, October 12, 2016

October 12 - Weekday in OT

+ Timely and challenging readings for today’s mass.

We hear the “woe” Jesus speaks to the Pharisees and the scholars of the law whenever we forget that we “belong to Christ.”

That belonging makes us want to crucify our fleshly understanding and “follow the Spirit.”

The evidence of our belonging to Christ is our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If the channels for experiencing deeply these fruits of the Spirit are not clean, pure and completely open – then we are missing out on so much consolation, energy and joy.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is there for us to have Christ Himself roto-root out all the rot in our souls, our minds and our hearts – and to flush us through with the amazing flood of sanctifying – life-giving waters of grace and peace.

May we avail ourselves of this marvelous aid to our life of total peace and commitment to sharing that same peace with others. As someone’s mom once said: you can’t give what you don’t have. May we be poised as possible to give the people the Lord puts directly in our path all we can possibly give them – from lived experience of tenderness, mercy and forgiveness!

The Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. May we just be just today! Amen.


Tuesday, October 11, 2016

October 11 - St. John XXIII

+ Our first reading today states that “for freedom Christ set us free.”

+ John XXIII was born Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli, the third of thirteen children, to poor Italian sharecroppers.

After the seminary he studied in Rome on scholarship.

He served as a secretary to the bishop in Bergamo, and as a diplomat for the Holy See.

At the age of seventy-six, he was elected in 1958 as a supposed “interim pope.”

Three years later he called the bishop together in ecumenical council to address the Church’s mission to the modern world. The Second Vatican Council convened on October 11, 1962.

John died the next year. “I live by the mercy of Jesus,” he had said, “to whom I owe everything and from whom I expect everything.”

And everything is what St. John XXIII got: he obtained as a free gift the “freedom Christ set uss free for” so that we never again need submit to the yoke of slavery to sin.

St. John thought of himself primarily as a sinner in whose mercy and love he rested and found his comfort daily – and this moved him to give himself entirely to God and the Mystical Body of his Son Jesus – he gave the alms of his life to all in need – and the ramifications of the Second Vatican Council that he called are still being unfolded and unfurled.

Those abiding by its spirit will be made clean – those who don’t won’t be.

The choice is always our, but St. John and all the angels and saints are rooting for us to make a right, good and salvific decision!

Thanks be to God – the word of God is living a effective able to discern reflection and thought of the heart!

Amen.


Monday, October 10, 2016

October 10 - Weekday in Ordinary Time

+ Our first reading today states that “for freedom Christ set us free.”

He will not force us to believe in him.

Similarly, “no sign will be given” if people presume that the marvel of a miracle will convince them to believe in Jesus Christ.

There is something greater than Jonah here,” the gospel of Luke proclaims.

Only when we expect something greater than what we can imagine or plan does faith in Christ make sense.

Freedom leads to that conviction.

And so today: reach not only for the stars but beyond them: reach for the glory of God, life in the new heaven and the new earth, and perfect union of mind and heart with all saved and redeemed brothers and sisters.

And pray to be but a humble instrument in bringing in the lost sheep! After all we can be then answer to their wildest dreams and desires of their hearts!

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





Sunday, October 9, 2016

October 9 - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ The theme of our readings today is the unparalleled generosity of the Lord to those who are willing to go to him, ask for healing, and then follow his instructions in the healing process.

Sometimes Jesus cures an afflicted person instantaneously, other times he does not – not that he cannot, but rather there are many lessons that can be learned from the act of restoring health that he has chosen in each particular case – and he invites us to learn them, and not for ourselves but so that we can help others who may be afflicted with similar maladies.

And so the lepers of today’s gospel passage in order for them to be cured needed to “go and show themselves to the priests.” It was in the action of actually walking step by step on the way to the priests that they were cured.

But only one of them “realized it” – and “returned glorifying God in a loud voice, and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” Then the received from Jesus the overflowing measure of peace that an encounter with him deep in a grateful heart could produce.

The first reading shows how Naaman in the Old Testament was asked to “go down to the Jordan and plunge into the Jordan River seven times.” Naaman thought this to be an odd requests but he did it!  Perhaps the number seven represented the seven gifts of the spirit that were especially going to be given for obedience to the command in order to be healed.

I, for one, in my own case have experienced a real death to self and the overpowering healing hand of God upraising me to a newness of life – and after a cleansing healing that played out by my being obedience to heath care professionals, religious brothers, and so many people praying for my journey through the birth-canal into a fullness of life that I had never known before. I am deeply grateful and profoundly humbled by God’s gracious goodness to me.

Yes, God is willing to change us and heal us whether we suffer from a serious disease of illness or just a big dose of what is called bad choices in life – he is always ready and willing to give us a second chance at beginning a new chapter and glorious chapter in life – the last chapter – where all the characters being now readied and fully developed to this point can allow the show to begin as planned all along.

Yes, in all circumstances, especially when he offers healing, give thanks, for this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus.

Amen.
Alleluia.




Thursday, October 6, 2016

October 6 - St. Bruno

+ Bruno was born in 1030 in Cologne, Germany. He was educated in Paris and Rheims, France and ordained to the priesthood around 1055.

He taught theology and one of his students later became Pope Blessed Urban II. Bruno presided over the cathedral school at Rheims from 1057 to 1075. He criticized the worldliness he saw in his fellow clergy.

He opposed Manasses, Archbishop of Rheims, because of his laxity and mismanagement and he became chancellor of the archdiocese.

Then following a vision he received of a secluded hermitage where he could spend his life becoming closer to God, he retired to a mountain near Chartreuse in Dauphiny in 1084 and with the help of St. Hugh of Grenoble, he founded what became the first house of the Carthusian Order.

He and his brothers supported themselves as manuscript copyists.

Bruno became an assistant to Pope Urban II in 1090, and supported his efforts at reform. Retiring from public life, he and his companions built a hermitage at Torre, where, in 1095, the monastery of St. Stephen was built. Bruno combined in the religious life the eremitical and the cenobitic; his learning is apparent from his scriptural commentaries. He died in 1101 of natural causes and is buried in the Church of St. Stephen.

In the first reading today we see the life of the monk reflected as a continual search for the fuller and deeper meaning of the Word of God, and knowledge of him who is the very Word of Life.  St. Paul encourages the Philippians, all monks and us to consider as rubbish all that is not about discovering who Jesus is and how to have a full and mature relationship with him!

In the gospel passage Jesus tells those who are doing so that it will not be easy, but that the effort will be greatly rewarded – and the joy that comes from full knowledge will be beyond anything imaginable.

May we, like the monks of old, spend a great deal of time, directly and indirectly, seeking God and reveling in each and every little thing we find out about him! Let it make a big difference in the smallest details of our lives!

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.




Wednesday, October 5, 2016

October 5 - Weekday in OT

+ Powerful readings today in our weekday Mass.  The first reading speaks of the recognition that grace effects in the baptized.

Filled as we are with the Holy Trinity at Baptism, we can hone in on other recipients of the same gift – and this, whether they be circumcised or uncircumcised – Jews or Gentile converts.

The necessary law of circumcision as a sign of covenant for the people of God of the Old Testament – has now been superseded by the sign of the New Convent which is the Blood of Christ.

Those baptized into his Mystical Body are welcomed no matter how their bodies are configured at birth.

Good news for us!

The awesome fact and reality that begins to exist from the moment of our baptisms is that we are truly adopted sons and daughters of God – and that he dwells deeply in the tabernacles of our hearts – very real tabernacles in our very real heart and soul.

Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God in our tabernacles when he taught them to pray: Father, hallowed be you name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread / and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

This is the perfect prayer, the perfect channel of connect to the Most Holy Trinity itself, a go-to encounter whenever we are in need of a Father’s doting, tenderness, compassion, mercy, humor and good will.

Yes, thanks be to the Redemption brought about by the Death and Resurrection of the wondrous God/Man Jesus Christ – we have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters, through which we cry: Abba! Father!



Tuesday, October 4, 2016

October 4 - St. Francis of Assisi

+ Widespread heresy, scandals among the clergy, and a decline in attendance threatened the Church of St. Francis’ day.

The son of a rich cloth merchant, Francis converted to a life of prayer in his early twenties.

In a dream, God told him, “Go and repair my church, which, as you can see, is in ruins.”

Francis began rebuilding the crumbling structure of San Damiano.

But his great work of renewal was the new form of life he embraced in 1208.

His radical poverty and passionate preaching drew five thousand men to the Friars Minor in the next twelve years.

Francis died in 1226 in Assisi, and was canonized just two years later.

But wait, there is more to tell – the hidden story – the pre-story to Francis’ rebuilding project was the fact that God first rebuilt and transformed Francis into a poor and humble servant – from inside out – through afflictions of mind, body and spirit;

in fact, he rebuilt Francis into the image of him that he always had in mind that was beyond the wildest imaginings of the rich young knight from Assisi.

After being rebuilt, Francis was ready to take his marching orders from Christ his True King and Lord – and the overflowing river of peace onto the Mystical Body of Christ flows into our very day!

And now we – are called to be instruments of peace, and joy and hope – to a world just awaiting renewal, regeneration and rebirth.

Yes, Lord, we are here, we are ready, we are willing – use us as you will as poor, humble slaves!

Guide us, Lord, along the everlasting way!



Monday, October 3, 2016

October 3 - Weekday in Ordinary TIme

+ The Samaritan traveler “who treated with mercy” the half-dead man on the road is the epitome of a “neighbor.”

Maybe he was once half-dead himself and got tended to with similar compassion.

To be “a slave of Christ” is to see in suffering other the half that is still alive, and to reach out to them with rescuing tenderness.

Who will the Lord place in our path today to reach out to, who will need the touch of our smile, or good words, our laughter, our tears, our joys , our suffering with them.?

We will know them when we see them – and then the time has arrived for grace/action!

Let us be generous of heart, compassionate and merciful – like Jesus, like the Father.

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. And you will be regenerated and renewed forever.


Saturday, October 1, 2016

October 1 - St. Therese of Lesieux

+ St. Therese of Lisieux was indeed born to a very pious middle-class French family in 1873 at Alcon, Normandy, France – indeed both her father and her mother are now canonized saints themselves. All four of her sisters became nuns. At 8, Therese was cured from an illness when a statue of the Blessed Virgin smiled at her. She was educated by Benedictine nuns of Notre Dame du Pre and confirmed at age eleven.  

Just before her 14th birthday she received a vision of the Child Jesus (especially his Holy Face); she immediately understood the great sacrifice that had been made for her, and developed an unshakeable faith. With the aid of Pope Leo XIII whom she contacted personally, Therese, joined the Carmelites at Lisieux in April 1888 and took her final vows on September 8, 1890 at age 17. Due to health problems resulting from her ongoing fight with tuberculosis, her superiors ordered her not to fast.  

Therese became novice mistress at age 20, and at 22 was ordered by her prioress to begin writing her memoirs and ideas, which material would turn into the book “The Story of a Soul.” Therese defined her path to God and holiness as “The Little Way” which consisted of child-like love and trust in God – in it she taught that the very simplest and meanest of tasks done for pure love of God can indeed save a soul somewhere in the world who is in need of prayer at that moment. She espoused a spirituality that was for everyone – not just the clergy and nuns, the educated and the sophisticated.  

Anyone can be a saint so long as they live forthright, honest, open, transparent lives of faith and trust in God: as any child of a loving father would do.  

 These simple writings qualified her to be named Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II. Therese died in 1897 of TB; many miracles were attributed to her; and she was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. She made a well-known promise before her death: as long as there are any souls to be saved, I will let fall from heaven a shower of roses (something for them to reach out to for their salvation). 

The greatest in the Kingdom of heaven are the childlike: we must all turn and become like little children – doing everything we do for others because we love our heavenly Father - to find our place in our heavenly homeland. 

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...