Homily – September 16, 2010 – Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian

+ Today we celebrate the feast of two third century bishops and martyrs: Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian. Cornelius was reluctantly elected 21^st pope at a time when papal ascension was a quick death sentence: the Roman persecutions were still going on in full force. This was also a time of schism and apostasy. Novatian even went so far as to set himself up as anti-pope. But he called a synod of bishops to confirm himself as rightful pontiff. He had the support of St. Cyprian of Carthage. Cornelius welcomed back those who had apostasized during the persecution of Decius (without having to rebaptize them – which was another bone of contention at the time). Cornelius was finally exiled in 252 by Roman authorities to punish Christians in general who were said to have provoked the gods to send plague against Rome. He was martyred in 253. Interestingly, a document from Cornelius shows the size of the Church in Rome during his papacy: 46 priests, 7 deacons, 7 subdeacons and approximately 50,000 Christians.

St. Cyprian, who supported St. Cornelius, was born to wealthy pagan parents, taught rhetoric and literature and became an adult convert in 246. He was ordained a priest in 247 and Bishop of Carthage in 249. As a writer he was second only in importance to Tertullian as a Latin Father of the Church. He was involved in the great argument about if and how apostates were to be readmitted to the Church. He believed, as Pope Cornelius did, that they should be, but under stringent conditions – and without having to be rebaptized. During the persecutions of Valerian he was exiled in 257, brought back to Carthage and then martyred in 258. Both he and Cornelius are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

Both Cornelius and Cyprian are examples of very close friends of Jesus – successors to the Apostles – who, knowing they were consecrated in the truth – spared no part of their lives or ministries in proclaiming and defending that truth – even to the point of giving their own lives in witness to it! And they were greatly rewarded with the martyr's crown! The first reading tells how they, like us, hold the treasures of the Gospel in earthen vessels, in human bodies which enables the surpassing power of God to shine forth from them. We thank Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian today for allowing themselves to be such vessels – and we pledge to the Lord our willingness to do the same – with his help, with his grace and with his love!

Blessed be the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction.

Homily – September 15, 2010 – Our Lady of Sorrows

+ One week ago today we celebrated the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today we celebrate a very important aspect of her life: the spiritual martyrdom that she was called to endure. Any parent knows that being an integral part of their childrens' joys and sorrows, successes and failures, triumphs and tragedies goes along with the job of being parent. But for Mary it was particularly intense because her son was also the very Son of God, he was pure goodness sent into a cold and dark world to redeem it, he was called to be love in the midst of hate.

As Simeon foretold he would be a sign of contradiction his whole life long, and Mary would, in witnessing it all, be wounded in her own heart continually. The seven chief sorrows of Mary have been recorded as: 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.

Though Mary's joys were also a part of her life: the Annunciation, the Nativity of Jesus, the Adoration of the Magi, the Resurrection of Jesus, the Ascension of Jesus, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, her Coronation in heaven - they must be understood as counterparts of her sorrows.

In the end, though, they confirm the very message of redemption: that the Cross of Suffering, the Cross of Christ's Suffering, (a feast which we celebrated just yesterday) can now be transformed into a Cross of Victory and Triumph because Jesus also rose from the dead!

And so today we celebrate today Mary's sorrow, but also her triumph – and also our own participation in this dynamic. With her prayers our sadness can be turned into joy as well – we can count on it!

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary; without dying you won the martyr's crown beneath the Cross of the Lord.

Homily – September 14, 2010 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross

+ Today's feast – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – celebrates the finding of the True Cross of Christ under a Roman landfill by the emperor Constantine's mother, Helen, and the subsequent dedication of a basilica built by Constantine on the site of the Holy Sepulcher and Calvary on September 14, 335. It is also known as "Holy Cross Day." There are other legends as to the actual reason behind the feast but this one seems most credible.

No matter the origin, the true single simple message for the feast is: salvation comes through Christ's death on the cross. Just as in the first reading Moses lifts up the bronze serpent in the desert to save the people from death, so Christ allows himself to be lifted up on the cross in order to save us and bring us to eternal life.

Last Sunday we talked about the fact that distributing mercy is what God does best. The Cross of Christ's death is meant to be for all time an unmistakable symbol of that mercy won, effected and ready for distribution. If Christ did not die on the cross then we would die in our sins and never see life forever with God. But he did die; he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness, humbling himself and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son – so that whoever believes in may have eternal life. May our belief in the death and resurrection of Christ be strong today: and may every day be a "Holy Cross Day" – as we ever keep before us the image of the great instrument of both death and life; defeat and triumph; darkness and light: THE EXALTED CROSS OF CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD AND KING!

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world!

Homily – September 13, 2010 – St. John Chrysostom

+ St. John Chrysostom was born in 347 at Antioch. His father died when he was young. He was then raised by a very pious mother. Being well educated the boy studied rhetoric under Libanius one of the most famous orators of his day. He became a monk, a preacher and priest for a dozen years in Syria. While there he developed a stomach ailment that troubled him the rest of his life. It was for his sermons that John earned the title Chrysostom (meaning "golden-mouthed"). They were always on the point, and explained the Scriptures with clarity, and they sometimes went on for hours. He reluctantly became a bishop of Constantinople in 398, which involved him in imperial politics. He criticized the rich for not sharing their wealth, fought to reform the clergy, prevented the sale of ecclesiastical offices, called for fidelity in marriage and encouraged practices of justice and charity. He later became Archbishop and Patriarch of Constantinople. He revised the Greek Liturgy. Because his sermons advocated a change in their lives, some nobles and bishops worked to remove John from his diocese. He was twice exiled and banished to Pythius. He died on the road in 407 of natural causes. He was a Greek Father of the Church and proclaimed Doctor in 451.

As bishop and preacher, John Chrysostom championed what St. Paul was talking about in the first reading: peace-filled unity in the Holy Spirit as the goal of Christian life. There is one Body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. While at the same time there is a diversity of roles in building up the body of Christ: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers all having the goal of bringing the Body of Christ to full stature one day! The gospel passage speaks of seed sowing and growth. The seed of the faith was planted in John Chrysostom and it grew magnificently because he surrendered to God's will entirely to become the episcopal plant God had in mind. John planted other seeds – and they grew because his hearers were open to something new being introduced into their lives – a new thing that would lead to their eternal salvation more surely! We thank God that John was faithful to his calling; we ask John's prayers today to keep us faithful to ours – to keep us united in faith, in the bond of peace, and producing a hundredfold of blessings for our world this day!

Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will!

Homily – September 12, 2010 – Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ The theme of our celebration today is the extravagant mercy of God. The one thing that God likes to do most is to show us a father's love and shower us with mercy – a lot of times even before we ask for it. We can count on the fact that he understands us completely – inside and out – with our true weaknesses, limitations, and sinfulness – and that all he requires for the unleashing of oceans of mercy upon us –is a sign of willingness to admit that we are in need of it. God will not force anything upon us – not love, nor mercy, not forgiveness. But if we want it – he is right there with it.

The people of the first reading – God's own people of the Old Testament times – were so absorbed in themselves that a lot of them probably did not even know that they were sinners; others maybe knew, but at that point didn't care; others would be obstinate to the very end. Moses had his hands full just holding back the hand of God's justifiable wrath – reminding him that he is a God of mercy – and that the distribution of mercy is what he did best.

What was it that made God so angry with them as to consider even withholding mercy? The only answer I can come up with is that it was a double sin against faith and charity – as these two always go together. Those whose faith is very weak also have a great deal of difficulty "getting out of their own way." They need to hang onto something, so they hang on to their own selves and their own egos. The one motivating good in their lives is themselves. This goes against the first commandment, and is also a sin against faith; making themselves a god, they displace the real God and have faith in no one but themselves; thereby they also, steal charity – goodness and good works that others are entitled to - because they want to satisfy themselves. This sounds a great deal like the people Moses was dealing with. But even this people could erase all of that selfishness by sincerely asking God to have mercy on them and to forgive them.

St. Paul in the second reading tells us that he was a very great sinner. He was persecuting the church and trying to stamp it out at its origins. But the grace and mercy and forgiveness of Christ came upon him in a powerful way – like a great flash of light – and Paul was never the same. His life turned from one of self-service and righteousness – to one of amazing surrender to God's will and grace so that charity could prevail – the charity that is life in Christ – life in the Church.

May our faith and our charity increase this day because we consciously seek God's mercy, love and forgiveness – he is so very willing to accept our sorrow and contrition and help us transform them into a life of living for and loving others alone. We have the wherewithal – the graces, the love and even the material resources to share - so that others who are in need – no matter where they are in our lives, or in the world – will have what God wants them to have – using us and our outstanding generosity!

Homily – September 10, 2010 – Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Friday

+ The blindness spoken of in today's gospel passage is in reference to the teachings of Jesus. Until the disciple has his eyes opened by the teachings of Jesus, then he remains blind and is in no position to be guiding others in a moral or ethical sense. The "plank" referred to in the passage is the concept that Jesus insists on of sharing possessions with others. Those who compromise in this area may see other people's errors along these lines in an exaggerated way. Remove the plank – share your possessions and your experience of being loved by God – and you will see all things clearly – and you will be able to truly and reliably help others not to fall into a pit!

The first reading today is full of Pauline imagery that is well-known and helpful to all disciples of Jesus. I preach the gospel because I am compelled to do so and woe to me if I do not preach it. Although I am a free agent, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. Run the race in the stadium so as to win. Train yourself spiritually to win the race. And remember to stay the course or else you yourself may be disqualified at the end of the tournament – after having helped others along. These are powerful statements made by Paul. They are about true discipleship – they demonstrate the clarity of his vision of Christ and his commands – and there is evidence that there is a great love as a driving force behind it all – the love of Christ which impels him to strain on to the finish line! Paul was "once blind, but now he sees;" may any of us who are experiencing spiritual vision deficiencies find in the true, absolute and uncompromising teachings of Jesus and his Church the divine light we need to make our spiritual vision work properly.

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

Homily – September 9, 2010 – St. Peter Claver

+ St. Peter Claver was among the first Jesuits. He was born in 1581 at Verdu, Catalonia, Spain. He was a farmer's son. He was very bright and studied at the University of Barcelona. He entered the Jesuits at age 20. Ordained a priest, he was influenced by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, a humble Jesuit doorkeeper for forty years at the Jesuit school at Majorca, to become a missionary in America. But first he ministered physically and spiritually to slaves when they arrived in Cartegena (along the southern shore of Spain) converting a reported 300,000 of them and working for humane treatment on the plantations. Then he organized charitable societies among the Spanish in America similar to those organized in Europe by St. Vincent de Paul. Peter said of the slaves, "We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips." He died September 8, 1654 at Cartegena of natural causes. In 1888 he was canonized by Pope Leo XIII.

The gospel passage today was part of St. Luke's Sermon on the Plain – as compared with St. Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. It is the summary of some of the most obvious and poignant of Jesus commands to demonstrate discipleship. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Do to others as you would have them do to you. This is no doubt what inspired St. Peter Claver to minister to the slaves. This no doubt was the message that the slaves themselves needed to hear from Peter. This is also the message that we need to hear today – as sometimes it is difficult to say and do the right thing in the face of opposition – especially when the opposition are those closest to us.

If we don't do these things, however, St. Paul tells the Corinthians in the first reading, and we mistreat one another physically, mentally or spiritually then we are sinning against Christ who dwells in the ones we are hurting. Our goal is to be conscious of the fact that we all exist in God's very love, in his very heart, with his very power to do good and to love others ingrained in us by our baptisms. This ought to make loving easy – and the perfection of it a foreseeable conclusion for us.

Guide us, Lord, along the everlasting way – a way whose path-light is powered by good deeds well done out of love for God and one another – (today we remember) after the example of St. Peter Claver!

Homily – September 8, 2010 – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

+ Today's celebration of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary is as humble and unassuming as she was. It was only after the church Council of Ephesus in 431 – when Mary was designated as true "Mother of God" that devotion to her spread far and wide in the Western Church. And among the remembrances of the life of Mary, no doubt, was the fact of her birth – though it was always quietly remembered and celebrated. It is not certain where she was born; some say Nazareth, others Jerusalem. But no matter where it was it was a special birth. She, who would give birth to the savior of the world, entered the world to prepare the first tabernacle of flesh for the living God – her womb - for the Son of God. And his greatness would reach to the ends of the earth – and he would be peace for those who wanted to participate in peace!

It was holy Joseph who would take Mary later as his wife – having found her with child of the Holy Spirit. To Joseph the angel announced that her son would be named Jesus for he would save his people from their sins: and he shall also be called Emmanuel, a name which means "God is with us."

The hallmark of Mary's life was obedience to the will of God; as was the hallmark of Joseph's. This too must be the hallmark of any who call themselves Christian – being baptized into the very life of Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.

The final stages of preparation for the arrival of such a Messiah and Redeemer began the day that Mary, daughter of Joachim and Anne, was born.

With delight we rejoice in the Lord who has been good to us – through a humble maiden of Nazareth!

Homily – September 7, 2010 – Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Tuesday

+ The simple message from our readings today is that the ministry of Jesus and his Apostles and their descendants and helpers is one of healing and reconciliation. There was a sure and certain power coming from Jesus, as he walked the earth, that was easily recognizable, and so many came from all around to hear him, to be near him, to be healed by him. Those who were healed no doubt led a life of balance and equanimity afterwards. They knew how to deal with injustices when they came up in their own circles. They applied divine insight to legal matters – but not always. St. Paul had to remind the Corinthians to do this, as they were sometimes slow to make the connection between the gifts they had been given by God and real life.

May we make that connection today and everyday. Let us take the fruits of this Mass and apply them to the real concrete situations we find ourselves in. The Eucharist we receive will be all the encouragement and power we need – if we allow it to be so. God wants so much for us to help him transform the world into a glorious kingdom – may we let him use us today!

I chose you from the world, that you may go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

Homily – September 6, 2010 – Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time - Monday

+ We can see in the gospel passage that Jesus is all for doing what is right, at the right time, no matter who is watching. He cures the man with the withered hand and deliberately cures him knowing that it would enrage the Pharisees present. The man is cured and the said Pharisees are enraged – and Jesus sighs!

In the gospel passage St. Paul does not have it so easy either: something right ought to have been done at the time that something wrong occurred, especially since the people involved were newborn Christians having the Holy Spirit freshly dispensed upon them: the case of the man who was living with his step-mother as in marriage was not handled appropriately by them. The Corinthians thought they were exercising their newfound "freedom of the children of God" by allowing this corner to be cut: but both Jews and Gentiles did not allow for such immoral concubinage. Therefore Paul has to remind them that he himself is present in spirit in their deliberations and that the man must be expelled (excommunicated) from the Christian community and delivered to Satan so his body can be purged, before the coming of the Son of Man so that perhaps his soul can be saved. (This gives rise to a kind of living purgatory that is possible for the good of the recalcitrant). Paul tells the Corinthians that their boasting was inappropriate – and that the real cause for boasting: the Holy Spirit of Truth and Right-living that is within them - should always be given priority. It is like new yeast that must leaven new dough in the new dispensation of Christ's reign – a dispensation of sincerity and truth.

May we today be such leaven wherever we go – may the reign of Christ ripple and spread forth because of the small acts of sincerity and truth that we administer today to all we meet!

Lead me in your justice, Lord.

Homily – September 5, 2010 – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ Among the things that we need to pray for daily is spiritual (or divine) wisdom! It is a gift of the Holy Spirit – especially intensified at our Confirmations – but it needs to be "stirred into flame again," not only at every Mass we attend, but also every day in prayer. "To see things and understand them the way God does" – holy wisdom – is indeed a very important and useful gift. (And those who do not have or use the gift properly can end up with a distorted view of everything – for example, scientists who promulgate theories of the origins of the universe devoid of the presence and activity of God).

But as in any other gift God gives us – this one too is not for our own private use or fame or glory – but is rather for the good of others – those he has placed in community life with us, in the Church to which we belong. Therefore, to pray daily for an increase and rekindling of wisdom can only be a good thing so as to give us an insightful edge on the nature of things and how to get along with one another more compassionately, lovingly and self-sacrificially.

One of the insights, however, that wisdom gives is that, even though we live in the community of the world, and of our families, and of our Church – we are responsible first of all for our own salvation: "we can save the whole world," Jesus tells us in another place, "and lose our souls." The gospel passage today relates what Jesus thinks about the whole thing: UNLESS YOU RENOUNCE ABSOLUTELY ALL POSSESSIONS (including the material, the psychological, the emotional, the intellectual, the familial – relationships with people: including your own family) YOU CANNOT BE MY TRUE DISCIPLE AND YOU WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM prepared for you!

This is very clear, and seems very cold; but actually it is far from it. It is when one really and truly jumps entirely into the pool of Christian discipleship that everything is immediately given back – only they now seem entirely different; there are no more "claw marks" of grappling on them, there is no more excessive compulsion and need to control and manipulate, there is no more selfishness and self-centeredness. The true nature of things becomes very clear! And so, what is left is the ability
to enjoy not only relationships with people, including family and parish, but also the beauty and verity of all of God's creation and everything in it, and Christian service that is made now so much easier. And here, the playing field is also leveled – we look at everyone, of every socio-economic class as our true brother and sister – as St. Paul urged Philemon to do with the slave Onesimus in the second reading today. EVERYTHING IS BRAND NEW ONCE WE SURRENDER OURSELVES COMPLETELY INTO THE HEART OF GOD!

He will accept your love and then ask you to prove it by loving the brothers and sisters that he has placed with you in this world. But that will be easy – because you will truly believe at that point that they really are indeed your brothers and sisters!

Yes, pray daily for the gift of Divine Wisdom – for it is the grace of God shining on you so that you can see everything and everyone clearly – even the laws of physics, even the law of human helpfulness!

God bless you!

Homily – September 3, 2010 – St. Gregory the Great

+ One week ago today we celebrated the feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the four original Western Doctors of the Catholic Church. Today we celebrate the feast of another (later this month we will celebrate the feast of yet another: St. Jerome; the feast of St. Ambrose, the last of them, of course is celebrated in December).

Gregory is only the second pope in all of church history, thus far, to be called "The Great" – Leo I was the first; but John Paul II of our own day might be the third and the latest. Gregory was the first pope to be a monk and was one of the papacy's most influential writers. His Pastoral Care, which defined the ministry of bishop as one of shepherding souls, became the textbook for bishops of centuries after.

Gregory was son of a Roman Senator, who entered the service of state as a young man – becoming prefect of Rome, but in 573 he sold his extensive properties – including his own house which he turned into a Benedictine monastery – and founded six other monasteries in Sicily. He distributed much of his wealth to the poor. The next year he entered his own monastery and was distinguished for his austere lifestyle. Although only a junior deacon he was unanimously elected to the papacy when Pope Pelagius II died in 590. He had a difficult time as pope because of the breakdown of civil order, but was committed to the spiritual and ecclesiastical concerns that were part and parcel of being pope. He continued to have great concern for the poor – and saw to it that local churches throughout the known world took on the project of seeing to the needs of the poor. He is said to have sent Augustine (not of Hippo), with forty other monks to England in 569, later making him archbishop of Canterbury.

Given his own monastic background, Gregory was a strong promoter of monasticism and of the liturgy, especially of its music. His favorite was a collection of plainsong chants that became identified with his own name: Gregorian chant. Many prayers in the Mass and in the Divine Office are attributed to Gregory. His writings were more practical than theoretical and more derivative than original. But he was such an effective synthesizer, especially of the work of Augustine of Hippo that he came to be included in 1298 with Ambrose, Augustine and Jerome among the four original Western Doctors of the Church. St. Gregory the Great died in 604, in Rome, of natural causes. Today, September 3 marks the day that he ascended the throne of St. Peter and became pope – in 590.

The gospel passage today was chosen well for the feast: "let the greatest among you be as the youngest" – St. Gregory the Great considered himself "the servant of the servants of God" (especially as he was only a young deacon when he was elected pope). Gregory knew that since Christ is truly greatest – any greatness a human being could possibly have comes from total and utter surrender to him and his desires for us. The first reading reminds us also of the humility needed to be a monk, a preacher, a Christian, a pope – we do not preach ourselves- but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as slaves for the sake of Jesus. It is only then that our light – which is his light – can shine in the darkness – which is knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.

Christ, be our light – this day – and all the days of our life!

Homily – September 2, 2010 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Thursday

+ We have wonderful readings today! The first reading speaks of the one who is truly wise: the one who desires to be wise in the eyes of God rather than in the eyes of the world. Worldly wisdom usually has little to do with real wisdom – but rather craftiness and political correctness and nowadays a watered down version of truth so that it can apply to the greatest number of people, regardless of its true nature and essence. The reading reminds us that no one of us ought to boast about really wise thoughts that might be in our minds: they are gifts from God, and all we can do is thank God that we have the sense to accept the gift and have a willingness to use it!

The gospel passage demonstrates how Peter sizes himself and his wisdom up (even of his fishing business of which he considered himself somewhat of a professional) next to Jesus with his wondrous overriding miraculous powers – of knowledge of catching fish. Peter defers to Christ and realizes that anything Jesus would tell him to do would be OK by him, and that in comparison, he himself was nothing but a sinful man who didn't even belong in his company. But Jesus' response was to reassure Peter that his humble response was indeed the correct one – and that he was interested, very interested in using Peter's professional skills in "catching men" from now on! Peter thought that was a great idea, dropped everything, even the nets in his hands, and he followed Jesus!

May we this day bravely size ourselves up next to Jesus, realize our humble relationship with him, but welcome any ideas that he has in using our talents and professional skills for the good of others; and then cooperate with all our hearts in doing so. This is being truly wise, with a wisdom that will lead us into everlasting life one day – when all has been said and the work has been done!

Come after me, says the Lord; and I will make you fishers of men.

Homily – September 1, 2010 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Wednesday

+ When we hear a gospel passage such as the one we just heard read it is easy for us to wish that we were there "at the time of Jesus" – to accompany him on his journeys, to observe him caring for the sick and sinful, to perhaps have him perform one of his acts of mercy and healing just for us – because we were there, when he was there!

But we must always remember – that, the way things were planned, and are working out – it is always "the time of Jesus!" Jesus is God – and God's life and love and ministrations are "eternal" – which means they are "time-less" – they are just as easily sought after and applied today as they were two-thousand years ago.

This is good news for you and for me! Jesus has therefore traveled to our town, proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God! And for those who look outside themselves, who live for others, who seek and place the Kingdom above everything else – we can hear his gospel message clearly, and confidently approach him with our special requests.

We just need to always remember that it is God whom we seek, God whom we find; God who seeks us, God who finds us, and while God's ministers can plant the seeds of faith and charity in us, it is only God who can cause the spiritual growth. No man gets credit for doing that! We are all then God's co-workers, as St. Paul tells the Corinthians, God's field, God's building! God is in charge of the entire project. We can only be worthless servants – who are exalted because we stand in right relation with God – as hopeful children!

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own! They will produce good works abundantly, by the life of God stirring within them!

Homily – August 31, 2010 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Tuesday

+ What made Jesus a great prophet is that he spoke with a different kind of authority – a quiet authority, a genuine authority, an authentic authority – obviously based on something very valid, very true, and very reliable. And that, of course, was the will and words of God his Father. He was those will and words, so he, therefore, was very "believable." Jesus' power over unclean spirits was almost an afterthought – of course, the Spirit of the Living God would have power over any lesser spirits – especially, destructive ones.

But Jesus was not just a great prophet, who also did marvelous things: he was also Son of God whose act of self-sacrifice to the point of death on a Cross brought about the greatest miracle of them all: the true, authentic and genuine forgiveness of sin. For us, who have accessibility to the Sacrament of Penance, we sometimes take for granted the fact that our sins – that which really and truly chokes and even kills the Divine Life within us - can truly be forgiven by God. All God requires is that we be truly sorry for them, that we confess them to a priest of his Church, and do penance for them as assigned by him. But we ought never to take so great a blessing for granted. Without Jesus' sacrifice there would be no forgiveness, and we would have been enemies of God – forever – never having the possibility of living forever with him after our deaths.

The first reading today tells that it is the Spirit of God who not only takes our sins away in the confessional, but also gives us the very power to believe that it can be done in the first place. Our natural minds can only take us so far. They can never bring about the required forgiveness of the great Sin against God, and other lesser sins. But the supernatural power of God's own Holy Spirit can do all things related to our reconciliation both with God, with the Church and with ourselves.

May we rejoice today in the fact that the great prophet, risen in our midst, is also the great Savior and Reconciler of our souls with God.

Blessed be God forever. Amen.

Homily – August 30, 2010 – Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time - Monday

+ So many times we hear this gospel passage and understand the lesson Jesus is teaching: those who are good, and speak truth are sometimes rejected by the people closest to them – but when it actually happens, it is not all that easy to experience. No one likes to be rejected or ridiculed, or taken to the top of a cliff with the intention of being thrown off. But, if one truly is doing what one has been called and empowered by God to do, then the strength will be there to do whatever that entails – until the very end.

St. Paul in the first reading today tells how he came "with fear and trembling" among the Corinthians to announce to them God's design to be active in their lives. They would recognize it as coming from God, because what they would hear would not be any worldly wisdom or clever political turns of phrases meant to bedazzle them with talk of God. But it would really be God talking to them, through the human instrument of Paul, who knew he was weak and told them so. He would tell them of Christ Crucified – not a popular approach to an intellectual group of people.

But in doing this, Paul, like Jesus, like so many anointed preachers throughout the ages since would bring glad tidings to the spiritually poor, bring freedom to spiritual captives, and recovery of sight to the spiritually blind, letting the spiritually oppressed go free. And these are the ones trapped, blinded and oppressed by the sinfulness of their lives. The Cross of Christ Crucified sets sinners free! And this is not foolishness at all!

May we today allow ourselves to be set free of any encumbrance that sin can apply to our lives – so that we can live the day with great joy – as we go about helping Jesus set as many as we can free to do the same: by our ministry of compassion and helpfulness to them – and by encouraging any and all we come upon to use the great sacramental system of the Church -which Jesus gave us to tap into his love, his mercy, his forgiveness and his peace!

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor!

Homily – August 29, 2010 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ The opening prayer for Mass today focused on God's many gifts: "every good thing comes from you, Almighty God!" Among those good things are late summer flowers, fresh farm produce, and the last days of summer vacation. Surrounded by such abundance and bounty and beauty, it is easy to trust in God's "constant care and protection" – also a phrase from that same opening prayer.

Today's readings suggest the proper attitude of those who have received so many gifts: HUMILITY! This humility has nothing to do with "groveling before the Almighty," but is instead a certain "down-to-earth-ness." The root of the words "humble" and "humility" is "humus": meaning "earth." A humble person is "earthy!" The true activity of the virtue of humility keeps us from reaching beyond ourselves, from excessive, unfounded pride; from lording it over others and thinking that rules just don't apply to us, no matter what our social or economic position might be. Humility reminds us of our oneness with the less fortunate – "the poor, the cripple, the blind, the lame" – whom Jesus commands us to invite to our tables. THE TRULY HUMBLE PERSON KNOWS THAT EVERYTHING IS GOD'S GIFT!

Of course, humility is not a highly treasured characteristic in our culture. How can we possibly "get ahead" if we don't exalt ourselves? It is only right that I should sit at the places of honor at fancy corporate banquets – I have certainly "earned" the right. Yet Jesus reminds us once again that God's standard of success is different from the world's – in fact, it is the opposite. The second reading gives us a taste, though, of the heavenly glory we stand to inherit when we are willing to set aside earthly standards and earthly fame: we will inherit "the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels [and saints] in festal gathering."

May we pray for the gift of humility daily – especially the greater among us, the ones with larger responsibilities. May we conduct our affairs with holy detachment, expansive love and "earthy" humility so that we may be able to appreciate and rejoice in the "proverbs of the wise," have the "mind of a sage" and have a place reserved for us in the new and eternal Jerusalem!

Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart!

Homily – August 27, 2010 – Sts Monica & Augustine

+ As we celebrate the Feast today of two saints of the fourth century: a mother, St. Monica of Tagaste, North Africa (modern Algeria); and her son, St. Augustine, also born in Tagaste – we reflect upon the powerful impact these two had and continue to have in the history of the Catholic Church.

In his youth Augustine led a wild life. There is no other way to describe it. He lived with a Carthaginian woman from the age of 15 through 30 and was familiar with all of the distasteful and addictive habits of youth. He fathered a son whom he named Adeotadus, which means the gift of God. He was taught rhetoric at Carthage and Milan, Italy. After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, be became a Manichean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, saying basically that the material world was evil, and the world of the intellect and mind was good. This, of course, is not true: both are created good. This philosophy featured a lax moral code, and so a summation of his thinking at this time comes from his Confessions: "God, give me chastity and continence – but not just now."

Augustine finally broke with the Manicheans and was converted by the prayers of his mother, St. Monica; and the help of St. Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, who baptized him. On the death of his mother he returned to Africa, sold his property, gave the proceeds to the poor and founded a monastery. Thus he became a monk, a priest, a preacher, and later the Bishop of Hippo in 369. He founded religious communities, fought the heresies of the day including: Manichaeism, Donatism, and Palagianism. He oversaw his diocese during the fall of the Roman Empire to the Vandals. Because of the insight and clarity and obvious divine origins of his writings he was declared Doctor of the Church – one of the four originating Western Doctors (who included also Ambrose, Jerome and Gregory). His later thinking can be summed up in a line from his writings: "Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you." This is one of the most profound sentences in all of theology! St. Augustine died in the year 430 at Hippo.

St. Monica, the beloved mother of Augustine, who prayed thirty years for his conversion, was raised in a Christian family but given in marriage to a bad-tempered, adulterous pagan named Patricius. In addition to praying so long for Augustine, she prayed too for the conversion of her husband, who did convert on his deathbed. She died in 387. A pillar of power is the example that St. Monica gives to anyone who is intensely praying for the conversion to God of anyone for any reason! God hears each and every prayer – and sometimes it becomes a "second vocation" in life to pray for those who are "difficult cases." Monica's ceaseless prayers yielded one saint: one of the greatest in all of Church history; and no doubt a very grateful citizen of heaven, who almost missed the boat except that his good wife just would not give up on him!

Our first reading today reminds us that if we love one another, for the love of God, for his sake, then he will live in us, and we will be able to experience the reality of God as he is in himself! This is the experience that drew St. Augustine to conversion: the reality that God is so beautiful, and wonderful and marvelous and true – that he could not imagine life without a very close relationship and friendship with him. The gospel passage relates the tender story of Jesus giving back to a grieving mother a son whom he raised from the dead for her. Jesus raised St. Augustine from a kind of spiritual death – and because his mother prayed and begged for his life for a very long time – he was given back to her – so that he could do God's amazing will in his life and she could die in peace – having fulfilled his will for her.

With all my heart I seek you, Lord, let me never stray (again) from your paths!

Homily – August 26, 2010 – Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time - Thursday

+ Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come. These two phrases come from the gospel passage every year on this day, and I always get the same reaction when preparing the homily: it's
still August, barely, and already this reading makes us think of the first two Sundays of Advent which are not for another four months – when we consider the second coming of Jesus, as the first part of that season's introductory period!

But, on the other hand, it is always, a good time to hear about the second coming of Jesus – because it really could happen at any time – at all! Hopefully, each and every year, if we have tried to follow along with the spiritual growth program that the parish tries to provide, we will be that much better prepared in case it happens, today. And if we have supplemented this by our own increase of personal prayer, study, reflection and sharing of our faith with others – then we will be even more prepared.

But if we have learned the absolute necessity of translating all the prayer and reading, and worship and rosaries, and confessions and time spent in the Adoration Chapel (next door) (next to St. John's Church) – into selfless, loving service to others who are in need: a real concrete getting out of ourselves and our comfort zones and actually volunteering to help in any number of ways, in any number of venues including our own church and parish – then we will really be ready!

Happy the person the Lord finds "watching in action'- the action of helping someone else who has a true need at that particular time…he will be welcomed into the joy of the Lord forever………but the lazy ones will find out what wailing and grinding of teeth really means! It's up to us!

Make your pastor proud of you because of your faith and good works, like St. Paul was so pleased with the Corinthians at the outset of his relationship with them because of their amazing Christian faith, witness, but most of all practice!

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

Amen!

Homily – August 25, 2010 – St. Louis, King of France

+ St. Louis was son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. He was king of France and Count of Artois at age eleven; his mother ruled as regent until he reached 22, and then he reigned for 44 years. Louis IX made numerous judicial and legislative reforms, promoted Christianity in France, established religious foundations, aided mendicant orders, propagated synodal decrees of the Church, built leper hospitals and collected relics. He ruled France at a time of great cultural achievement, symbolized in the building of great Gothic cathedrals, and the development of universities. He was personally a deeply religious man – becoming himself a Trinitarian tertiary. Before his reign as king, he married Marguerite of Provence at age 19, and was the father of eleven children. He supported Pope Innocent IV in war against Emperor Frederick II of Germany. He led two Crusades and died on the second one, contracting typhoid fever, on August 25, 1270 at Tunis. His relics were placed in the Cathedral of St. Denis in Paris, but destroyed during the French Revolution.

Our readings today tell of the life-dynamic of St. Louis, King of France. It was a Christian life-dynamic through and through. He lived the gospel command to love God first with all one's might, and then our neighbor as one's self.
It is in loving others, and only in loving others, providing for their needs, protecting them, caring for their wounds that we prove our love for ourselves and God. Isaiah prophesied about Jesus who would release prisoners and break every yoke, clothing the naked and being loyal to your own. Light would rise when one does these things in the name of God! The same goes for those followers of Jesus who renew their strength and produced guiding light daily by loving selflessly after his example and with the grace to do it that he gives.

St. Louis, King of France, may we imitate your life-giving Christian ways; may we tend the poor, minister to the rich and bring about the glory of the one true Kingdom that will last forever – the reign of Jesus Christ, the one eternal King!

Homily – August 24, 2010 – St. Bartholomew

+ St. Bartholomew, whose feast we celebrate was either the Nathanael of the gospel passage or he wasn't; which means that either we know at least something about him; or else we know nothing at all - other than the fact that he truly was one of the Apostles of the Lord – as his name is always listed among the twelve close friends of Jesus.

If he is Nathanael then he was a close friend of St. Philip who was originally a disciple of St. John the Baptist, but later became an Apostle of the Lord at Jesus' invitation. And Nathanael is always mentioned in connection with Philip. It was Philip who brought Nathanael / Bartholomew to Jesus as we read in the gospel passage today. Jesus was impressed with Philip's find and remarked on his humility and innocence. Jesus told him that he would see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man (indicating the vision he would see when he suffered a martyr's death for him).

Bartholomew may have written a gospel, but it became lost; it is mentioned in other writings of the time. He may have preached in Asia Mino, Ethiopia, India and Armenia, leaving behind assorted writings and local tradition says it was Bartholomew.

In any event we celebrate the feast today of one of Jesus' best friends – handpicked to be the spiritual foundation of the Church of which we are members today. We too are called to be friends of Jesus, friends of one another in Christian community, and friends with all in the world who need our witness, our prayers and our gospel of hope, especially in the difficult times in which we live. May we spend the day giving ourselves for God!

Your friends make know, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom!

Homily – August 23, 2010 – St. Rose of Lima

+ St. Rose of Lima is the first canonized saint of the Americas. Born in Lima, the capital of Peru, she was baptized Isabel de Flores. An Indian maid was struck by the infant's beauty and declared in a phrase that is still common in Spanish, that she was "como una rosa" ("like a rose"), and her mother agreed that this is how she was to be known. As an adolescent Rose took Catherine of Siena as her model, not only for her mystical experiences, but also for her acts of severe penance. She was so devoted to her vow of chastity that she used pepper and lye to ruin her beautiful complexion so she would not be attractive to men. She lived and meditated in a garden, raising vegetable and making embroidered items to sell to support her family and help the poor. She became a Dominican tertiary in 1606. She was a mystic, a visionary and received the invisible stigmata. She suffered from assorted physical and mental ailments. She was the founder of social work in Peru – thus, all in all making her a fitting candidate for sainthood in the Church. She died on August 24, 1617 at Lima of natural causes at age 31. She was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671.

 

The readings today fit the saint. St. Rose of Lima made the Lord her entire boast. She never wanted to take credit for any of the good works that were accomplished through her. Her humility was outstanding and God visited her in person to bring her joy and consolation in her trials. Rose found in Jesus, his Church, in her ministry to the poor the treasure that is the Kingdom of God. And she willing "sold everything" she had to "buy the treasure" to "buy the pearl of great price." May we today value highly and deeply the amazing treasure we have in our restored relationship and friendship with God. The reconnected relationship that now makes our eternal salvation possible. And may we do all in our power today to preserve and protect this relationship – moving away from anything and anyone that would interfere with it.

St. Rose of Lima pray for us, as we share in your discovery of a great treasure!

Homily – August 22, 2010 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ Perhaps a very valid and burning question is: considering the state of the world, considering the state of the Church, considering what justice demands: LORD, WILL ONLY A FEW BE SAVED? This is most definitely a "loaded question" and a serious one! More appropriately the question might read: LORD, WILL I BE AMONG THE ONES WHO ARE SAVED ON THAT LAST DAY?

Jesus, in the gospel passage, wisely does not answer the question directly. He does not say: YES, or NO! Because, he actually doesn't really know! Since, we each cooperate in our own salvation – the final tally is still very much up in the air. It is up to us in the final analysis to either seek "the real way, the real truth and the real life" or not! Strive to enter through the narrow gate: Jesus advises in the gospel passage -
which is only for the spiritually disciplined and strong – this includes those who have "endured trials because of their faith." Being in the right place at the right time at the end of our lives will not guarantee us entrance into the kingdom (just shouting Lord, Lord, here I am! will not be enough); but being a humble person, who tried to live the best he could, a life of prayer / action / joy for others will lead straight to the fore-gate of God's throne!

Therefore, being "strong enough" as Jesus would have it, means being willing to accept our utter weakness and total dependence on God for everything we need to live our lives. And then, to live outstanding lives in the service of God! When we acknowledge ourselves as weak, it is then that we are truly strong to do his will!

The second reading today tells us the discipline that is needed to form us in our spiritual weakness. Weak does not mean incapacitated! Weak simply means it can only be God's wisdom and will and ways that can make us truly strong enough to battle our way through this world's wiles (and there are so many of them out there beyond these walls), and strengthen our drooping hands and weak knees, guiding us along straight paths, where our disjointed feet may be healed – so that we may honor God and give him glory by the lives of holiness and helpfulness that we lead!

All nations are invited to salvation – not "just a few" – as our first reading tells us; but these same nations must present themselves before the Lord with docility, humility and openheartedness and willingness to be formed and disciplined by a loving Father – just as we must. We are all called to holiness - and when we demonstrate that we are beginning to truly be holy people, then God will be glorified as is his due, and we will be that much closer to attaining our place with him as a community of love, justice and peace residing deep inside his amazing heart!

God bless you!

Homily – August 20, 2010 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux

+ St. Bernard of Clairvaux is an enormously large saint in the Catholic Church: he was one of the greatest monastic leaders and theologians in its history. He has sometimes been referred to as "the last of the Western Fathers of the Church." Born to an aristocratic family near Dijon, France, he became a monk at age twenty-two at a poverty-stricken, reformed monastery at Citeaux, located a few miles from his family's estate. It had the strictest monastic Rule of the time. He persuaded about thirty of his relatives and friends to join him there. Three years later he was made abbot of a new foundation at Clairvaux, a post he would hold for the next thirty-eight years. At first, and by his own admission, he was too strict on the monks, but later relented. The monastery prospered, establishing other foundations in France, Britain, and Ireland. By the time of his death there were some seven hundred monks at Clairvaux alone.

In spite of his commitment to a life of solitude and seclusion from the world, Bernard was extremely active in the affairs of the Church. He secured approval for the new order of Knights Templar, whose Rule he had written, dedicated to supporting the Crusades and to the care of the sick and of pilgrims. He was involved in Church politics, always defending the Holy See in Rome. He preached against heresies. He wrote classic treatises such as On Loving God. His best known work is his eighty-six sermons on the Canticle of Canticles (The Song of Songs in Scripture), which ranged from reflections on the practical life of a monk to the mystical union between Christ the bridegroom and the Church as the bride. He was also influential in promoting devotion to the humanity of Christ and to the Blessed Mother. Bernard died in 1153, was canonized in 1174 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1839.

The readings today fit well the feast: Sirach speaks of one who is practiced in the law (of God) who will come to wisdom: which will in turn nourish him with the bread of understanding, will hold him up when his spirit is drooping, will fill him with joy and gladness, giving him an everlasting name as an inheritance. The gospel passage is from the priestly prayer of Jesus who prays for his Apostles and their helpers who would go out and down throughout the ages to make known the will and ways of God – for the sanctification of souls and the glory of the Father. When they have done this, they will share in the reward and joy that God has prepared for them as faithful servants and friends of his Son.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us this day, that we may revel in the Lord's gift of wisdom, and labor for the good of souls – including our own – just as you did!

Remain in my love, says the Lord; whoever live in me and I in him will bear much fruit!

Homily – August 19, 2010 – St. John Eudes

+ John Eudes was a farmer's son, born in 1601, who attended the Jesuit college at Caen, France at age 14. He joined the Congregation of the Oratory of France, studied at Paris and was ordained a priest in 1625. He ministered to plague victims. He was also a missionary and preacher working well over 100 missions. In 1637 he published The Life and kingdom of Jesus in Christian Souls which went into sixteen editions in his lifetime. For him Jesus is the source of all sanctity and Mary is the model of the Christian life. He also promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart and urged the establishment of a feast day – which was not approved in 1765. It was a time of weak religious practice among Catholics and of poorly educated, weakly motivated and unvirtuous diocesan clergy. He tried to establish a seminary in Caen, but was met with opposition within his own order. So he left the Oratorians and founded a society of diocesan priests, without vows, calling it the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists). These priests were dedicated to the formation of new diocesan priests in seminaries. Six seminaries were established in France for this project by 1670. He also founded a religious society of women, the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge, under the Rule of St. Augustine and dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Mary. It was intended to provide a refuge for former "women of the streets" who wished to rehabilitate and to do penance. John Eudes died at Caen on August 19, 1680, was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1925.

With St. Paul of the first reading today, John Eudes, in humble adoration comprehended the riches of the glory and the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit alone to do God's work and will. And Jesus himself in the gospel passage tells how he reveals to simple, humble priests like John Eudes, what is truly important in life, and he provides strength for the accomplishement of the Father's will, with his own grace, for God's greater glory!

St. John Eudes pray for us!

Homily – August 18, 2010 – Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - Wednesday

+ We have two powerful and instructive readings today: the gospel passage is about God's way of thinking that does not always correspond with man's; the first reading is about God's way of thinking that does correspond with man's.

In this first reading: God himself, through the Prophet Ezekiel, relates his extreme displeasure at shepherds who are interested only in themselves and not the sheep. Woe to such shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! You have fed off their milk, worn their wool and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but your lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd and became food for all the wild beasts. But thus says the Lord, I am coming against these shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put an end to their shepherding of them. And I myself will look after and tend my sheep! This I will do by sending my own Son as Chief Shepherd; and he will send his best friends to do this shepherding until the end of time. This kind of logic, reasoning and thinking of God's is easy for us to go along with! Now, it is still the task of the shepherds of the Church to be faithful to their calling and ministry: TO PUT THE FLOCK FIRST, RATHER THAN THEMSELVES! THE FLOCK AND ALL OF ITS NEEDS, ALWAYS FIRST!

The gospel passage is about God's generosity and mercy and the distribution of his graces and benefits: even to those who come by it rather late in the history of salvation! The parable, however, goes against human reasoning; and the modern American work ethic: "if I work harder and longer, then I should get more, and I should get mine first." But God, the employer, says: No! I choose to bring the last up first, and to give them the benefits of a full day's work: I choose to give them the fullness of redemption as surely as I would give it to those who for centuries have chosen my will and cooperated in their salvation! And this, thanks be to God, is how all of us receive salvation: we are the last on the scene: but we have it as good as those who were walking right along with Jesus, and listening to his words, and eating the bread that he provided! It is wonderful: God's way of thinking – it is wonderful when ours corresponds with it; and it is wonderful when it doesn't!

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want!

Homily – August 17, 2010 – Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - Tuesday

+ The message of the readings today is quite clear – those who pile up for themselves riches both in ego and in material wealth – are bound to be forgotten by God for all eternity. Those who say: Look at me! Am I not like a god! Look at all that I have produced by my wisdom and intelligence; look at all that I have traded for and procured! But the Lord says to such a man: No, you are not a god, you are a man – and you shall die an unpleasant death and not inherit the good things that I have promised my children.

And in the gospel passage, Jesus says to his disciples that it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. In the same passage, he reminds them that when God is superior in the lives of his children – and when such children give up all that they possess to receive all and only what God wants them to have – then they will be truly rich – they will be truly blessed – they will be the last in the view of the world, who are truly first in the Kingdom of heaven.

May we today – be poor in spirit – poor in our egos, poor even in our pocketbooks – so that all that matters to us is Christ and his reign, Christ and his gifts, Christ and the life he has to share with us!

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich so that by his poverty we might become rich!

Homily – August 16, 2010 – St. Stephen King of Hungary

+ St. Stephen of Hungary lived between the years 975 and 1038. He united and Christianized the Magyars, who had settled in Hungary at the end of the ninth century. He was baptized Stephen at the age of ten when his father became a Christian. He married at the age of twenty and succeeded his father as leader of the Magyar people two years later, in 997. He consolidated his political power over rival leaders and established Christianity as the religion of his country. Pope Sylvester II gave him the title of king and a crown in 1000, when Hungary became a nation. By then he had already founded various dioceses and monasteries, the most famous of which was the primatial see of Eszterhom and the monastery of Pannonhalma. He reduced the power of nobles, abolished tribal divisions and reorganized political structures, thereby forming the Hungarians into a single kingdom. He imposed a narrow and strict form of Christianity on the nation as well. He was devoted to the poor and often distributed alms to them in disguise. After his death in 1038, miracles were attributed to him at his tomb.

Our readings today speak well of Stephen's Christian life. As Moses governed the people of Israel and urged them strongly to love God with all their might – so did Stephen to the people of Hungary. Just as the parable Jesus told in the gospel passage shows the reward of those who take the gifts that God gives them and uses them for his glory and the welfare of his people – so too did Stephen use his talents as political and religious leader for the glory of God and the welfare of the people of Hungary.

Blessed indeed is the man who fears the Lord, and does what is pleasing in his sight for the glory of God – and the good of all people!

Homily – August 15, 2010 – Solemnity of the Assumption

+ Today we are in the height of summer and we pause to celebrate a feast of the Virgin Mary. We celebrate "the gathering of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the harvest of salvation." Christ her son was the "firstfruits" of this glorious company, as we heard in our second reading. Today's feast recalls that his Blessed Mother shared from the very moment of her death in that same fullness of life that she witnessed on Easter Day – and her body and soul rose from this earth to take its place beside her Son, the King of the Universe. Today's feast is ecumenical in its reach, as well: Orthodox Christians celebrate Mary's Dormition, or "falling asleep," while many Protestant communities honor Mary today as "Mother of the Lord." Our Roman Catholic tradition, however tells us on the other hand, that Mary actually died and not just fell asleep; and, of course that Mary is not just the Mother of the Lord (that is "Jesus the Man"), she is truly Mother of God – as his Divinity - his being Son of God - cannot be separated from his being also Son of Man at the same time. And so, if she is Mother of the Man, she is also Mother of God.

Most importantly, we will hear in our preface before the Eucharistic Prayer in just a few moments: Mary is the image of the Church; where God has taken her, we (who are the Church – the Mystical Body of her Son) hope to follow. This is no simple wishful thinking, but this hope is based on the promise obtained by the reality of the redemption wrought by Jesus her Son in his death and resurrection – just so that we could be with him and her and all the saints and angels forever in our Father's House!

O Mary, our Mother – splendorous woman, clothed with the sun, having the moon beneath your feet – pray for us all, now and at hour of our deaths, so that we may enjoy your company in that great experience of living in God's heart forever!

God bless you!

Homily – August 11, 2010 – St. Clare of Assisi

+ St. Clare of Assisi became a friend of St. Francis of the same town after hearing him preach. Her father was a count and her mother a countess. On Palm Sunday in 1212, her bishop presented Clare with a palm, which she apparently took as a sign. And with her cousin Pacifica, Clare ran away from her mother's palace during the night to enter religious life. She eventually took the veil from St. Francis at the Church of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi, Italy.

Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) at San Damiano, and led it for 40 years. Everywhere Franciscans established themselves throughout Europe, there also went the Poor Clares, depending solely on alms, forced to have complete faith on God to provide through people. This lack of land-based revenues was a new idea at the time. Clare's mother and sisters later joined the order, and there are still thousands of members living lives of silence and prayer.

Clare loved music and well-composed sermons. She was humble, merciful, charming, optimistic, chivalrous, and every day she meditated on the Passion of Jesus. She wanted very much to give her own life like the Franciscan martyrs of Morrocco did in 1221, but she was restrained. However, once when her convent was under attack she displayed the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance at the convent gates, and prayed before it, and the attackers left; the house was saved and the image of her holding a monstrance became one of her emblems. Her patronage of eyes and against their problems may have developed from her name which has overtones from clearness, brightness, brilliance – like healthy eyes. Toward the end of her life, when she was too ill to attend Mass, an image of the service would display on the wall of her cell; thus the patronage of television. She was ever the close friend and spiritual student of Francis, who apparently led her soul into the light at her death!

The readings for today's Mass are certainly well chosen for the feast: Clare ever strained for the greatest goal of life on high with Christ Jesus, her Lord. God was her entire inheritance, therefore she did not need the wealth of an earthly inheritance from her father. And from the gospel: those who give up everything to follow Christ – especially in Clare and her Ladies case – in silence and prayer - will inherit a large number of brothers and sisters and eternal life besides. May we today and perhaps each day, imitate Clare and her Ladies and spend some time silence and in prayer – simple, open prayer of abandonment to the will of God – and see what happens!

Homily – August 10, 2010

+ Today we celebrate the feast of one of the most famous martyrs of the Roman Church: St. Lawrence. On August 6 of 258 Pope Saint Sixtus II and six deacons were beheaded in Rome, leaving Lawrence, also a deacon as the ranking Church official in Rome. While in prison awaiting execution Sixtus appeared to him and reassured Lawrence that he was not being left behind, they would be reunited in four days. This gave him an opportunity to disperse the material wealth of the church before the Roman authorities could lay their hands on it (while hiding valuable church documents). On August 10, Lawrence was commanded to appear for his execution, and to bring along the treasure with which he had been entrusted by the pope. When he arrived, the archdeacon was accompanied by a multitude of Rome's crippled, blind, sick and indigent. He announced that these were the true treasures of the Church. Later, as legend has it, Lawrence was killed on the gridiron – where he is said to have told his executioners to turn him over because he was done on the one side. There is another tradition, however, that Lawrence was beheaded in the fashion of the other deacons and the pope on August 10. In any event, Lawrence became an outstanding example of martyrdom: the living expression of today's gospel passage: the grain of wheat that must die in order to produce much fruit, one who loses his life in order to find it, one who hates his life in this world to preserve it for eternal life. He certainly was honored by the Father in heaven; but also by the Church on earth. Five basilicas were dedicated to his memory in the city of Rome alone.

Our first reading tells us that when we have to do something great for him, God multiplies the graces we need – he strengthens us beyond what we can even possibly imagine – so we can do his will. He wants us to be cheerful in our obedience – and joyful in our share of the crosses of life. Then we can be assured of the richness of his eternal blessings as the just reward for our labors on his behalf!

Homily – August 9, 2010 – Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - Monday

+ The short gospel passage today has two themes: the announcement again of Jesus' upcoming death and resurrection – which he constantly keeps in his own mind, and now wants to somehow get fixed in the minds of his disciples. These were necessary things for him to go through in order for us to be released from the spiritual prison that we all were confined to by sin.

The second is both the humility involved and the proper rendering that is involved in dealing with rightful civil government. Since Jesus was not entirely a citizen of this earth, he really did not have to pay the tax, technically – but, because "he became one like us" to free us from the prison of sin – he consented to pay the tax "as a foreigner" would. Thus Jesus shows his humility and willingness to give to Caesar what was rightfully his for the common good of society.

May we today, keeping our eyes fixed on heaven – where our treasure is – where the vision of the likeness of the glory of the Lord (from the first reading) resides: give everyone what is their due: beginning with God, then our brothers and sisters in the Christian community, then everyone else including those who govern us by right!

God has called us through the Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ – let us revel today in that glory that dwells within us!

Homily – August 8, 2010 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ Our gospel passage today is a continuation of last week's passage about "storing up treasure!" The man in last week's story that Jesus told, piled up his treasure in earthly storage bins, very large ones – thus thinking himself well-off, safe and "in good shape" for years to come. But God demanded his life that very night, asking – so now, you foolish man, who is all of this stored up wealth going to go to? The point was that we need to make our treasure where it matters most to God – and that is with him! Today the theme continues: do not be afraid little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom – what an amazing treasure that is! Place your heart here, in mine, he says and your treasure will be secure not only through this life, but well into the next! No thief can reach it here, or moth destroy it; the storage containers cannot wear out here!

"The one condition, however, to place your treasure here, in my heart, is complete and total detachment from the things of the world, so that you will have to live on complete and total trust in me: this trust is called faith: the faith of Abraham (of the second reading today). Abraham lives in my heart, and so can you!" [This does not mean that you cannot own things, but they must not own you, and you must be ready to give them up at a moment's notice – to drop it all when the Lord calls you – (which as our gospel passage tells us can be any time at all) - so that you can reach out for your treasure with open hands and hearts in heaven! Closed fists clawing on material goods will not get anyone anywhere when the Bridegroom comes knocking on the door!]

God, you have chosen us to be your own possession, your own people, your own children! We are fortunate beyond all imagining having you as our Father! May we this day, and the days of the coming week: open our hands and our hearts, and set our goal on seeing your Face one day, fix it there, keep it there – keep this desire above all other desires – so that we may not have anything at all to fear – in this life - or when the next one begins!

May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you!

Homily – August 6, 2010 – The Transfiguration of the Lord

+ As our preface for today's Mass, that we will hear in a few minutes, tells us: the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, in the presence of the Apostles Peter, James and John was meant to prepare them for the shocking reality of his crucifixion. Jesus would really be killed on the cross, he who was their friend, their master, their teacher. Jesus knew they needed something powerfully bright and memorable to think back on when the blackness and bleakness of Good Friday finally arrived.

Jesus also was transfigured – demonstrating the fullness of his risen glory – for us as well, so that we can endure our own "Good Fridays" – of any degree – we would have the promise of transformed glory to remember as well.

This transformed glory is not just promised to us as individuals, but to us together as a united community of faith: the Church. Then entire Church is to be strengthened by promised glory – when it goes through rough times – like it is today; and then, led to that glory by the life of grace and goodness available to all.

Just as the transfiguration showed a resemblance of Jesus to fullness of light and life; so too our life in his light shows our resemblance to him as Lord, God and Brother – and that is our goal: for the Father to look down on us, and see Jesus!

The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth!

Homily – August 5, 2010 – Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

+ Our gospel passage today is almost comical. St. Peter first gets is very right, and then he gets is very wrong. First he answers the question that Jesus poses as to "who people say I am" by being inspired by God the Father to say: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I am sure this response surprised Peter as much as it did Jesus and the rest of the disciples.

Then a few minutes later, when Jesus tells the disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem to suffer greatly and be killed and then rise again on the third day: Peter hearing only what he wanted to hear blurted out: God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you. At which point Jesus turned around and blurted out: Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do. But Peter was a human being, and so he thought that way; and what is more, for that moment, perhaps Satan did speak to Jesus through Peter, just as he spoke to him in the desert during the three temptations. Jesus' reply here was the same as it was then – Get away from me, Satan! I freely choose to do what I am doing, and I will do it til the very end: until I am resurrected from the dead, after being killed on a cross!

This Peter, this human, who later was filled with the Holy Spirit, and became the true head of the one Church founded by Christ – is a model for us – who at one moment can be filled with God's graces and strengths and can do great things for him; but seemingly at the very next moment can be weak, unfocused, quite contrary and not a very pleasing asset to the Christian community!

But, it is nice to know that God loves us in both instances, and he understands us in both instances, and he offers his love and peace and forgiveness in both instances! We are his children!

Homily – August 4, 2010 – St. John Mary Vianney

+ We celebrate the Feast today of the Cure of Ars. John Mary Vianney was born to a farm family in Lyons, France in 1786. In his youth he taught other children their prayers and catechism. He had little education and was not a good student but in 1815 he was ordained a priest. His second assignment in 1818 was the parish of Ars-sur-Formans, a tiny village near Lyons, which suffered from very lax attendance. In his parish at Ars, John Mary began visiting his parishioners, especially the sick and poor; he did penance for his parishioners and lead the people by example. He had great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He had the gifts of discernment of spirits, prophecy, hidden knowledge and of working miracles. Though he only got about 3 hours of sleep a night, these hours were often disturbed by the attacks of envious evil spirits. Crowds came to hear him preach, and to confess their sins because of his reputation with penitents. By 1844 there were 20,000 pilgrims a year to Ars. John Mary Vianney spent 40 years as a parish priest in that tiny village of Ars – which has certainly been on the spiritual map ever since. He died August 4, 1859, and was canonized May 31, 1925 by Pope Pius XI. In 2009-10 he was held up as the focal point of the Year of the Priest – and named patron saint of all priests – by Pope Benedict XVI.

Our first reading reminds us that as Christians, priests and lay, we must call things as we see them and help lead the sinner back to a virtuous life – if only by simply pointing out error. If we do – then we shall have done our duty! What happens to the sinner is up to him! But he must always know there is a place for him to come home to and repent and be forgiven by God and the Church. The gospel passage reminds us of the ever-present need for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life: the harvest is rich, but laborers are few – in fact very few in this day and age: we pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers into the fields – those especially who have the generosity, the heart and the love of St. John Mary Vianney!

Homily – August 2, 2010 – Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - Tuesday

+ We have two wonderful scripture readings today to reflect on: the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah tells us in a very poetic kind of language how delighted God is that his errant people have opened a way for him to return to their hearts so that he can in fact come back to them; and in return they will be welcomed once again back into their own lands – from which – out of justice God expelled them, because of their sins. How often has God had to expel himself from our lives because we just didn't want him being there? But, he is so willing to come back to us, when we once again turn back to him and open the door of our hearts to him!

The gospel passage from St. Matthew is powerful indeed. A Canaanite woman – an outcast from the Israelite community – and therefore a gentile – asks for healing for her daughter who is tormented by an evil spirit. Knowing full well that he will grant her request, Jesus nonetheless tests her faith and says in effect: you are a gentile and are asking a healing that is reserved for the people of Israel – it is not right to take food for the children of God and throw it to dogs! This seems a very harsh and insulting thing for Jesus to say: but the woman passes the test by simply saying– in faith, in fact with great faith: Please, Lord, even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters! Jesus, in hearing this response, is highly impressed and greatly relieved that someone is able to use faith in its proper way and allow it to bring blessing and healing into their life. May we today use our faith rightly – we who are not outcasts (unless we have made ourselves such) but children of God; may we ask for what we think we need, but rely on God to give us what we truly do need – for this day!

As the responsorial psalm refrain tells us: the Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock!

Homily – August 2, 2010 – St. Peter Julian Eymard

+ Saint Peter Julian Eymard grew up in a poor family during the anti-clerical, anti-Catholic aftermath of the French Revolution. He entered the seminary against his family wishes and withdrew later due to an illness that he never really recovered from. But later he returned to the seminary and was ordained on July 20, 1834 in the diocese of Grenoble, France. He joined the Marist Fathers on August 20, 1839. He was a friend of St. John Mary Vianney. He became superior of the Society of Mary in 1845. In addition to his strong Marian devotion, he also had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and founded new religious societies: the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856 and Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in 1858. His vision of priests, deacons, sisters and lay people dedicated to the spiritual values celebrated in the Mass and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament anticipated many of the renewals brought about by both the first and second Vatican Councils. Peter died in 1868.

Our gospel passage today reminds us that we are branches on the vine that is Christ. The divine life that flows through the veins of these branches is the life of the Eucharist. And anyone who is devoted to the Eucharist will have abundant life and produce much fruit, and will also share the love and protection of the Mother of Vine – the Mystical Rose herself: The Blessed Virgin Mary.

May our devotion to the Eucharist, and to the Blessed Mother Mary increase today as a result of honoring Marist Father Peter Julian Eymard.

 

 

Homily – August 1, 2010 – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ Our readings today have that "Jacob Marley / Ebenezer Scrooge kind of twist" about them. In "A Christmas Carol," Jacob Marley tells Ebenezer Scrooge that his greed is forging chains that will bind him to this earth. "It is a ponderous chain!" – as Dickens describes it. This indeed is a stark reminder to those who are attached only to their wealth: especially material wealth. All the readings today call us to store up treasure in the one place that really matters most – with God! If we try to hold on to our wealth in this life, if we become so attached to that which we think we deserve, we can be sure that it will weigh us down – like Jacob Marley's ball and chain - and make us unable to accept the light burden of Christ.

Unless we become detached from our possessions, the readings warn us, we will be unable to accept the gift of salvation. And what a tragedy that would be – both theatrically and in real life.

We need to stand with open hands, and minds and hearts - always ready to receive and share the graces that God, in Christ, offers us through the Holy Spirit. This is the simple but difficult message that we hear in these scripture passages today, and it is also the message that we see played out every day in our world, where so many are living in want. Today, in a special way, as we are fed in the celebration of this Eucharist, let us also call to mind the command that we have from the Lord, to share our wealth, to share what we have with others – who are truly in need! It is never too late to put our Christianity into practice – until the last chime: and then it truly will be "too late" – and we will be held accountable for any possible good deeds NOT DONE! Let us "share the Christmas Turkey" while we still can!

Homily – July 30, 2010 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Friday

+ It is so very true that "familiarity breeds contempt!" Even Jesus had his problem with this dynamic. Another way to say it is: being unable to see the "forest" because of the" trees." Sometimes we can be looking directly at something, and think we know exactly what it is – but are unable to know it at all – or to actually see what we are looking at.

Today it is easy for us to point a kind of judgmental finger at the folks in Jesus' hometown and say: he was right there in front of you, that little boy who grew up into a man is the real Messiah – why can't you see it? why can't you see him? why didn't you pay attention to him more closely after he left home?

Well, it is just as easy today to point fingers at one another and say: did you not see him? he is right here in our midst - we have looked right at him when we see the poor and the needy, the challenged and the lonely, the sick and the imprisoned – but we too fail to see him.

Among the very important things that Jesus asked us to remember about him it is that he himself is present "in the least of the brothers and sisters" – and unless we see him there, sense his presence there and help him there – then our own eternal salvation is in jeopardy. And this is a fact!

May we today see Jesus truly present here in his Word, in his Sacrament and in our actions of loving and serving others (the least of his brothers and sisters) in his Name.

Homily – July 29, 2010 – St. Martha

+ Today we celebrate the feast of St. Martha who was sister both to Mary and Lazarus. We recently heard in a gospel passage how Mary "chose the better part" when Jesus came to visit their home – "better part" being her close attentiveness to Jesus at his feet. But, this does not preclude Martha's attentiveness to him in a similar way "from the kitchen" – where she was preparing a wonderful meal for them to eat together. What woman in the kitchen does not know exactly what is going on in the rest of the house?

But today, we remember Martha for another reason as well – a distinction that Mary did not share in. It is Martha, we hear in the gospel passage who proclaims her belief in "resurrection from the dead" for those who die in faith, at which time Jesus uses the opportunity to proclaim that he, himself, is the resurrection and the life – and that whoever lives and believes in him will never die. This is one of the central statements that Jesus made – all at the prompting of Saint Martha, at the occasion of the death of her brother Lazarus.

Jesus raised her brother Lazarus from the dead as a sign of what he said about being the resurrection and the life; to show his true power over death. For a short while anyway the family was reunited until they all died their natural deaths again! And now they, like all of us – wait for the general resurrection when we will rise from our graves and receive our just deserts from God – if we have been good and faithful to the end: life with God on high; if we have not, a place reserved for us as well, where God is not.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Homily – July 28, 2010 – Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - Wednesday

+ Our gospel passage today is about "finding" and "selling" - finding something really valuable, and selling all in order to be able to buy it.

The most valuable thing there is in the whole world is our life in God. Nothing can surpass this treasure, this pearl of great price. It is one of the greatest discoveries in the world that anyone could make: I LIVE IN GOD, GOD LIVES IN ME! not near me, nor beside me, nor behind me nor even over me: but IN ME, deep in my soul; and I live not near him, beside him, or behind him or under him: but DEEP IN HIS HEART!

Now if this "life" is the most valuable, then the price has to be great as well: "life in God" is a big-ticketed item. But some great news is that God himself has already paid for most of it for us! By the Death and Resurrection of his Son, Jesus, that life in God can really and truly be ours. However, the balance needs to be paid for by us: we have to cooperate in our attainment of this life in God:
we have to sell what we have, and buy the field, buy the pearl, by ridding ourselves of everything
that might be contrary to that life, or the cause of its eradication from within us. We do this by setting our heart on God, his will, his way and then offering him fitting service and praise all day long. It's both as easy and difficult as that: setting our heart on God and then doing things his way, all the while offering him loving service and praise.

O God, my strength, your praise will I sing; for you are my stronghold, my merciful God! I will praise you today; and I will help you in any way I can to do your work of healing and transforming the world – let it begin with me!