PADRE'S PULPIT

NEW WEBSITE

2006-02-17T18:09:00.000-05:00

NEW HOMILY SITE: www.padregio.com
All my homilies, audio & text, will now be posted at that site.

6th Ordinary B 2006

2006-02-10T12:44:00.000-05:00

UNTOUCHABLE?

“My fellow lepers, I am one of you now.” Those are the words of Blessed Damien of Molokai after 12 years of serving those afflicted with the disease of leprosy in the 19^th century. During that time, a decree stated that all lepers were to live apart from society forever on the island of Molokai. One of the concerns of the local Church was the spiritual care of these exiled souls. The Bishop didn’t dare send priests under obedience because to be sent to Molokai meant no return and inevitable death. However, Blessed Damien volunteered to minister to these poor souls. He freely went to Molokai, and ministered to these souls despite the pungent odors and horrific sights. After 12 years of service, Blessed Damien took the pulpit and began his homily, “My fellow lepers, I am one of you now.” Four years later, Blessed Damien finally died of leprosy in the year 1889.

In the Gospel, as well as, the first reading, we hear about the disease of leprosy. Leprosy is an infectious disease which attacks the “skin, mucous membranes, peripheral nerves, bones, and internal viscera, producing various deformities and mutilations of the human body, and usually terminating in death.” Due to the infectious nature of the disease, lepers were exiled and mandated to live apart from society. Despite the fact that lepers were untouchable and outcasts, Jesus reached out to them. In the Gospel, Jesus touched a leper and healed him of his disease. Jesus was not afraid to touch and cure those deemed untouchable or outcasts by society.

In one sense we were all outcasts. Adam and Eve by their original sin in the Garden of Eden made humanity untouchable. We were all outcasts and out of communion with our Heavenly Father. However, God loved us so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus Christ to stretch forth his hands to heal us. God became one of us to save and heal all of us as spiritual lepers! By our baptism, we like the leper in the Gospel were cleansed and restored to health. After baptism, when we fall into personal sin, we still can be cleansed of our spiritual leprosy in the sacrament of confession. In fact, any and all sins can be forgiven with humble and contrite hearts. No person is untouchable! In fact, did you know that after Blessed Damien contracted leprosy he would go to confession by yelling out his sins from the shore to a priest on the boat. Talk about humility! Blessed Damien knew the importance of confessing personal sins and the need to be cleansed!

Blessed Damien eventually became one of the lepers while serving them. May we always remember the great love that God has for us in becoming one of us to save and heal us from our spiritual leprosy of sin.

5th Ordinary B 2006

2006-02-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

Couch or Cross?

Couch or Cross? Knowing this is Superbowl Sunday, I am hesitant to ask that question knowing that many will be found sitting on couches this evening. Yet, I am not concerned as to where we will sit to watch the big football game but rather where we might spiritually find ourselves all too often. Spiritually, are we very comfortable, lounging on a couch or are we living out our faith, moving into action, and embracing the cross? Couch or cross?

The Gospel paints a great picture of moving into action and not getting too comfortable. First of all, we hear that Peter’s mother n’ law was sick and Jesus restores her to full health. She would have been within her rights to relax and take it easy after being healed. Yet, she immediately gets up and proceeds to wait on her guests. She embraced the cross and not the couch. We are then told that Jesus rose early the next morning and went off by himself to pray. He didn’t lounge around in bed but rose early to pray. His disciples found him and then approached him stating that the crowds were looking for him. Jesus gave an interesting response. “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” In other words, Jesus was not about to get comfortable in a certain town but rather realized it was time to move on to preach the good news to neighboring towns. Jesus’ was literally heading towards the cross, which he fully embraced for the salvation of all.

Couch or cross? Where do we find ourselves? I recently spoke with a man who attended the March for Life in D.C. and then shared his experience with a friend. The friend, puzzled as to why people would march in defense of unborn life, said to the man, “well, if it’s God's will that Roe v. Wade should continue then so be it.” I mention that statement because it is a common attitude that is very dangerous. What that man was basically saying is, ‘I can sit back and be comfortable with the current situation because God wants things this way.’ However, what that man failed to understand is the basic fact that God doesn’t will evil but tolerates man, with a free will, to make good or bad choices. Furthermore, God expects us all to work to end evil in our land for the salvation of souls. Can you imagine if Jesus took that approach and said, ‘Too bad for the human race, they are stuck in their sin.’ Can you imagine if our country took that attitude with slavery? Can you imagine if the world took that attitude with Hitler and Nazi Germany? That’s difference between embracing the couch and taking up the cross. The couch allows us to sit back and let immorality continue in our day while the cross demands that we move into action with the hope that things can and must change for the better.

This weekend, I pray that we are inspired by the Gospel to move into action. Peter’s mother n’ law moved into service after she was healed. Jesus rose early to pray and then journeyed towards the cross as he traveled to nearby towns. May we also move into action as we embrace the cross, not the couch!

4th Sunday Ordinary B 2006

2006-01-29T13:46:00.000-05:00

Large and in charge!

Large and in charge! That would be a great way to sum up our first reading as well as the Gospel this week. Large and in charge!

In the first reading, we see how prophets were used to speak the word of God. It is interesting to note that if a prophet presumed to speak words that God didn’t command, God said “they shall die.” God was clearly large and in charge as he spoke through his prophets. The prophets in turn recognized the authority of God and the responsibility to speak God’s word faithfully and courageously.

In the Gospel, Jesus is also large and in charge. As a divine person, the second person of the Trinity, Jesus had authority. Even the demons recognized Jesus as the “Holy one of God.” The diabolical never can stand the presence of holiness so they cry out for Jesus to leave them alone. Jesus was large and in charge and sent the demons back to where they belonged. The crowds recognized a new authority in Jesus as well. “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” Of course, the religious leaders were puzzled at this new authority and stated, “What is this, a new teaching with authority?” Nonetheless, Jesus had divine authority and was large and in charge.

This is a great weekend to reflect on the proper authority of God and who really is large and in charge in our life. Every leader has a sense of authority but at the foundation of that authority they must possess the humility to recognize who is large and in charge. One might ask, 'By what authority does a priest change bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ?' 'By what authority does a priest forgive the most serious of sins in a confessional?' Quiet simply, left to themselves, priests have no authority. Yet, it is God who bestows upon his priests a certain authority to carry out priestly functions. Teenagers might ask, ‘who is my mom or dad to tell me I can’t stay out later?’ Quite simply, parents, working with God, brought us into this life and thus have been granted certain authority by God as parents.

One of the major problems we have in our modern society is that leaders have lost their sense of who is large and in charge. Many have forgotten that their authority is limited and comes by way of a gift from above. Those who try to separate God from the State would do well to read our Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Our rights come from the authority of the Creator!

God is large and in charge! May we all never forget that our very lives, gifts and talents come from God. May we never forget who truly is large and in charge!

33rd Anniversary Roe v. Wade: January 23, 2006

2006-01-23T20:02:00.000-05:00

The Land of Make Believe
“…Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord (John 20.”

Many of you might remember the children’s show, ‘Mr. Roger’s neighborhood.’ Mr. Rogers would inevitably call upon Mr. Trolley to come by and then we would all be taken to the ‘Land of Make Believe.’ In the Land of Make Believe we were introduced to characters such as King Friday, Queen Sara, Prince Tuesday, Henrietta Pussycat and X the Owl. The Land of Make Believe was a way to escape reality and enter the land of imagination.

In the Gospel we just heard, Jesus brings the Apostles to reality. In many ways they were in the Land of Make Believe in the upper room and couldn’t recognize Jesus. . Jesus brings them to reality by inviting them to look upon his wounded hands and side. Jesus showed them the reality that he was not a ghost but had truly risen and was in their midst.

Today, our modern society is trapped in the Land of Make Believe. Far too many avoid reality on the issue of abortion. Just as Jesus did, we need to point to the truth and the reality of the situation. Jesus woke the Apostles up by showing them his hands and side. We also need to wake this world up by showing society the victims. Modern technology combined with science clearly can show us an unborn baby’s hands, fingers, feet, etc… very early on in the womb. Ultrasounds can give the world a window to the womb! Some argue that the unborn baby is simply a fetus or embryo, not fully human. Yet, science quickly reminds us that a fetus or embryo is simply a stage in the development of a human being. There are hundreds of teens here tonight at this mass. Teenagers, are you fully developed and done growing? No, you were once a zygote, an embryo, a fetus, a newborn, a toddler, now a teenager and soon will be a young adult, and finally a senior citizen! Those are simply stages of development, all of which are fully human with a God given dignity and value!

We need to face reality and see the need to protect the children in the womb. The choice to destroy the most innocent of human beings can never be acceptable. We need to show the reality that there are always alternatives such as adoption, financial and other forms of assistance so that no woman ever feels that her only choice is to have an abortion. Over 40 million babies have died since Jan 23, 1973 and that means millions of women are hurting physically, psychologically and emotionally from the pain of abortion. We need help them face the reality of the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus that awaits them. Did you know the woman, coined ‘Roe’, Norma McCorvey, is pro life now? She has seen the reality and come out of the Land of Make Believe. Listen to her words:

"I am Norma McCorvey. I became known as Jane Roe on January 22, 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court released the Roe v. Wade decision which created a woman's "right to abortion". I am now a child of God, a new creature in Christ; I am forgiven and redeemed. Today I publicly recant my involvement in the tragedy of abortion. I humbly ask forgiveness of the millions of women and unborn babies who have experienced the violence of abortion…(March 23, 1997).”

Allow me to close by bringing us all out of the Land of Make Believe and showing the horrific reality of the situation for those of you born after 1973. I would like to invite the first row of teenagers to come forward and leave a space after ever 2^nd person. That 3^rd space represents a classmate that should have been here today. One in three children is aborted and that fact alone should move our youth into action. In the name of choice, some of your classmates are not here today. I pray that by your own pro life convictions each of you will help our future generations face the truth and reality. May you all be blessed with the graces needed to be strong leaders and bring our nation out of the Land of Make Believe!

3rd Sunday Ordinary B

2006-01-21T16:57:00.000-05:00

REPENTANCE

Norma McCorvey saw the need for it!
Sandra Cano saw the need for it!
Dr. Bernard Nathanson saw the need for it!
Jonah and the city of Nineveh saw the need for it!
James, John, Simon Peter, Andrew and every saint thereafter, saw the need for it!
REPENTANCE!

The first reading mentioned the repentance of the city of Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah. Due to their disobedience, Nineveh was going to be destroyed by God. However, after listening to the prophet Jonah, the people of Nineveh by their actions, not simply words, repented. In the Gospel, Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to also change their ways and follow him in a more radical way. In fact, even after the initial call to follow him, all the apostles needed to repent later on in life.

Repentance is a good theme for this weekend as we draw close to Jan. 23, 2006, the 33^rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the legalization of abortion in the United States. In fact, the first three people I mentioned at the beginning of this homily all played a vital role in legalizing abortion. Yet, those three same people have since repented and changed their ways. All three now work diligently in the pro life movement.

Dr. Bernard Nathanson was a co-founder of NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League),
group instrumental in the foundation of abortion in the US. Yet, listen to his words now.

“We in NARAL were in the business of coining slogans principally for the media…we
scattered catchy slogans for them…to use….in their stories. Slogans like ‘reproductive rights’, freedom of choice,’ pro choice.’ For many years we’ve known then to be hollow and meaningless. They’re just catchy and, essentially, without substance.”

Norma McCorvey is the woman coined as ‘Roe’ in the original landmark decision of 1973. Yet, Norma has also repented and changed her belief. Here’s her pro life words.

Finally, Sandra Cano, the woman coined, ‘Doe’ in the Doe v. Bolton case, which followed Roe and legalized abortion for all nine months, also has changed her tune. Here’s what pro life Sandra Cano now says.

"I am Sandra Cano. I became known as Mary Doe when the U.S. Supreme Court released Roe v. Wade's companion decision, Doe v. Bolton, which allowed abortion for virtually any reason. I am against abortion; I never sought an abortion; I have never had an abortion. Abortion is murder. For over twenty years, and against my will, my name has been synonymous with abortion. The Doe v. Bolton case is based on deceit and fraud… (National Memorial for the Unborn, March 23, 1997)”

Repentance! Dr. Nathanson, Norma McCorvey, and Sandra Cano all repented and now are pro-life! Thousands of pro lifers will march in Washington tomorrow on that dreadful anniversary to call our nation to repentance. 33 years later, no unborn child or mother is safe in our country. Legalizing abortion has only taken the precious lives of over 40 million unborn babies. Millions of women have been hurt physically, psychologically and emotionally all in the name of ‘choice.' As a people of hope we must look to the future and believe in the spirit of true
repentance. May our nation adopt that same spirit of repentance that moved Nineveh to see the error of her ways and avoid destruction!

2nd Sunday Ordinary B

2006-01-13T13:40:00.000-05:00

Behold the Lamb of God!

If you were to start a franchise sport’s team, what would you name it? The current NFL playoffs are giving us a look teams with strong animal names, such as, bears, panthers, broncos or colts. Our local team in New England is a noble Patriotic name while, our Bishop’s favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, represents a hardworking profession. Usually, teams are named after a strong or courageous animal, profession or group of people. Could you imagine naming a team the Lambs?

That name might seem odd for an athletic franchise but that was the title for the 2^nd person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. Guys, imagine if you introduced one of your friends as a lamb? Yet, that’s exactly what happens in our Gospel account. John the Baptist saw his cousin, Jesus, approaching and he told his followers, “Behold the Lamb of God…” Lamb of God might seem odd to call another man but John the Baptist was right on the money with that title!

In order to see why John the Baptist’s reference was so brilliant we need to rewind to the Old Testament. In Exodus 12, the people were instructed with regards to the Passover to “…take some of the blood (of a lamb), and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them (9).” Further on in verse 13, they were told that the “the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.” The blood of a lamb on two wooden doorposts was the sign by which the faithful would be passed over or saved from the angel of death. Jesus’ blood marked the wood of the cross and by his blood we are all passed over or saved from death. We don’t have to run out to sacrifice lambs and mark our doors with their blood to be saved. Jesus’ one sacrifice for all time now marks the New and Everlasting Covenant!

My brothers and sisters, every time we participate at Mass, we acknowledge Jesus as the Lamb of God. At Mass, the priest elevates the host and cries out as John the Baptist did, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” When we attend Mass, we stand at the Cross and behold the Lamb that redeemed the world. By the saving work of Jesus, we are saved from sin and death. We still will die and most likely continue to fall into sin. Yet, we now have a way out and a great hope by the blood of the Lamb!

A lamb might not be the most ferocious or strongest of animals. A lamb might not be the most intimidating name for a sport’s team. Yet, may we always remember that it was the Lamb of God that won the greatest victory ever. “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”

Epiphany 2006 B

2006-01-05T16:23:00.000-05:00

La Befana

“La Befana comes at night, in tattered shoes, dressed in the Roman style, Long live la Befana!! She brings cinders and coals, to the naughty children, to the good children, she brings sweets and lots of gifts.” La Befana is the Italian story of an old lady who lived at the time of Jesus’ birth. Apparently, the Magi were on route to find the Christ child and along the way they stopped at the old lady’s house to ask if she knew where the baby might be. However, La Befana was so busy with housework that she sent them away. Later on she felt bad for her lack of cooperation and tried to find the Magi to assist them. Unfortunately, she never found the Magi and as a result also never found the Christ child. The story states that every eve of the Epiphany La Befana continues her search, stopping at every house to give gifts to children, hoping that one is the Christ child.

La Befana comes from the word “Epiphany”, the Solemn Feast we celebrate today. La Befana was so busy that she never found the Christ child. The Magi, on the other hand, found the child Jesus after searching diligently for the child by way of a star. The three kings found the king of kings! Furthermore, after presenting Jesus with three gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh, they returned another way home. Herod wanted to know the location of this new king and having been warned to avoid the evil King Herod, they took another way home.

Today, so many people are searching for Christ! Yet, some people are so busy and preoccupied with worldly matters that they have no time to discover Christ! Work, sports, and various other worldly distractions have kept many from finding Christ. The Magi teach us that no matter who we are in this world, searching for Christ, the Truth, should be our number one priority.

As Catholics we don’t have to look too far to find Christ. Our eyes of faith remind us that Christ is present every time we enter Church and attend Mass. Jesus is always with us in the Eucharist. Sadly, so many are too busy to make time to search for Jesus and discover where he is found. Secondly, after discovering Jesus, like the Magi, we need to take the right way home. In other words, after been nourished by the Eucharist, we should do all we can to avoid evil and sin on route towards our final home.

2006 is a great opportunity to search for and discover Jesus in a deeper way in the Eucharist. La Befana missed the moment to find Christ because she was too busy. May we all, like the Magi, search for, discover and adore Jesus as we avoid evil and journey towards Eternal Life.

Mary, Mother of God 2006 B

2005-12-31T13:57:00.000-05:00

Returns!

Returns! Tis the season for returns! Perhaps this Christmas you received some gifts that need to be returned. Maybe you received clothing that was the wrong size. Then again, perhaps it was the right size but we have broadened our horizons so to speak! Perhaps, you didn’t like the style of the gift or maybe you received duplicates of an item. The list could go on as to why a gift might need to be returned!

This weekend on the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, returns are a fitting theme. After the fall of Adam and Eve, we were out of communion with God and humanity needed to return to Him. We were all in need of reconciliation with God. The original gift of innocence was tainted by original sin and thus we needed to return to God! God asked a simple, humble virgin to conceive the Savior of the world thus becoming the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. In one great act of obedience and surrender, Mary, with her ‘yes’, began God’s plan of salvation and inevitably our return to God. It was clearly Jesus who redeemed humanity by his death and resurrection but today we pause to recall that Mary’s Fiat began God’s awesome plan of salvation and our return to Him.

Today, as we start this New Year of 2006, resolutions are on many minds. Yet, the greatest resolution we can make this year is to resolve to follow God’s will in our lives. Perhaps this past year we struggled with particular sins or became spiritually lazy. Certainly we all struggle with our relationships with others. Is there still some forgiveness that needs to be given towards others? This past year might have been one of many questions, doubts, or even fears. Perhaps we even became angry with God due to suffering or even a death of a loved one. The past is the past and we are called to look to the future. Perhaps we still need to return to God as we begin this New Year. We can recommit ourselves and resolve to do better this year. The sacrament of reconciliation is a great way to return to God and receive the great exchange of our sins for His mercy and grace! May this New Year be one of many blessings and graces as we all strive to return to God as we draw closer to him in the merciful sacrament of confession.

Christmas 2006 B

2005-12-24T11:55:00.000-05:00

Always Winter, Never Christmas?

“Always Winter, Never Christmas” If you have read C.S. Lewis’ book, ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ or viewed that same story now on the big screen, you might recognize that phrase. ‘Always Winter, Never Christmas.’ The Chonicles of Narnia: ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ is the story of four children who enter another world by way of a wardrobe. Upon entering the world of Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythological creatures, they realize there is a major problem. The ‘white witch’ has cursed the world of Narnia so that it remains, ‘always winter, never Christmas.’ In other words, it is always cold, dark and bitter with little joy or hope to be found. ‘Always winter, never Christmas!’

Never Christmas? Obviously, today we gather on this Solemn Feast to acknowledge that today is, in fact, Christmas! Today we pause to give God perfect worship for the gift of his Son, the Christ child who has entered our world. The 2^nd person of the Trinity, Jesus, entered our cursed world of sin and death, to set us free and save us from our sins. Today, humanity has cause to rejoice for a Savior has been born on this Christmas day!

Always winter? Is it always cold, dark, bitter, with no joy or hope? As much as some ‘white witches’ or ‘grinches’ have tried to silence Christmas traditions, they have failed! No, it’s not always winter! There’s hope because Christ is alive in many hearts! Let me give a few examples.

The last four years during the Christmas season, the Village of Wellington, Florida has displayed a menorah but no nativity. Reverend Tim Bumgardner of the Palm Beach Worship Center made a request each year for a public nativity scene but no action was had. On Dec. 13^th of this year, after Reverend Bumgardner acquired the legal services of the Thomas More Law Center, the Village Council unanimously voted to include a nativity alongside the menorah. Reverend Bumgardner told the crowds, “Leave up the menorah, recognize our wonderful Jewish community…. but put up the nativity. It is Christmas time in America”.

Just this past month, Ridgeway Elementary School in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, tried to change the traditional Christmas hymn, ‘Silent Night’ to ‘Cold in the Night’ for their Winter Program. Apparently, ‘Silent Night’ was too Christian. Ironically, the Winter Program allowed classroom decorations of Santa Claus, Kwanzaa, menorahs, and even La Befana (an Italian Christmas witch). Listen to these lyrics from Cold in the Night. ‘Cold in the night, no one in sight, winter winds whirl and bite, how I wish I were happy and warm, safe with my family out of the storm.’ A poor lonely soul freezing to death…how depressing! Fortunately, after many phone calls and emails, they changed their Winter Program and restored ‘Silent Night’ in its’ originality!

Finally, I found this next one amusing! In Austin, Texas, Lowes displayed a banner stating, ‘Now Here! Fresh Cut Holiday Trees.’ Yet, under the English was a Spanish ad, saying, ‘Ahora Aqui! Arboles Navidad recien cortados’, translated, ‘Now Here! Fresh Cut Christmas Trees.’ To Lowe’s credit, they did make a statement saying, “The product signs inside Lowe's stores have always said ‘Christmas trees,’ though an outside banner did not. To ensure consistency of our message and to avoid confusion among our customers, we are now referring to the trees only as ‘Christmas Trees.’”

It’s not always winter! As cold, dark and bitter as some are trying to make this season, Christians are fighting back to preserve our traditions and the true meaning of this season! As a people of hope, it’s not always winter! In fact, not only is today Christmas, but might I be so bold to say, everyday is Christmas! Obviously, we celebrate Dec. 25^th every year as the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet, if Christmas is the Solemn Feast in which God came among us in the flesh, then everyday is Christmas. As Catholics, we believe that at Mass, the bread and wine truly and really become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. God is among us! Just as God the Son became small that first Christmas as a baby so Jesus is present in the consecrated Host at every Mass. Every time we participate at Mass, we celebrate the reality of Christmas that God is with us in the flesh! Everyday is Christmas in that sense!

Always winter, never Christmas? Absolutely not! As Catholics, we would do far better to say, ‘Always Christmas, never winter! In other words, as we go forth into our world to proclaim that God is with us, we bring hope to a world sometimes trapped in winter or darkness. In closing, the other night our youth went Christmas caroling at a nursing home. It was truly an inspiring night for both the residents, as well as, our young people. One of the residents beckoned me to her wheel chair and said, ‘Father, this is happiness.’ Yes, to bring the joy of Christmas and the good news that God is with us to others, is happiness! My brothers and sisters, I leave you with a greeting from a Christmas card I received from a college student. “Because a Child was born that holy night so long ago…because He came to pay sin’s price…because He loves us so…because He is the greatest gift the world will ever know…our hearts rejoice at Christmastime and always!” Yes, our hearts do rejoice today and always because we have a Savior! In light of that awesome redeeming reality, I say without any hesitation or apology, Merry Christmas!

4th Sunday Advent B 2005

2005-12-16T20:18:00.000-05:00

Sons of Adam, Daughters of Eve

Recently, the C.S. Lewis story of the “Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” hit the big screen. This film from the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ is a must see! I saw it this past week and plan on taking the youth of our parish as well. I will refrain from explaining the whole movie but I would like to point out an interesting aspect present throughout the story. Four children enter through a wardrobe into another world called Narnia. Narnia is inhabited by various types of talking creatures but none are human. Thus, when these creatures encounter the 4 human children they are puzzled as to what they are.

When the youngest girl, Lucy, entered Narnia she met a faun (1/2 man & 1/2 goat) named Mr. Tumnus. Mr. Tumnus said to Lucy, “Excuse me--I don't want to be inquisitive--but should I be right in thinking that you are a Daughter of Eve?” “My name's Lucy,” said she, not quite understanding him. “But you are--forgive me--you are what they call a girl?” asked the Faun. “Of course I'm a girl,” said Lucy. “You are in fact Human?” “Of course I'm human,” said Lucy, still a little puzzled.

The youngest boy was asked by the white witch or ‘Queen’, ‘…what are you?” Are you a great overgrown dwarf that has cut off his beard?” “No, your Majesty,” said Edmund, “I never had a beard, I'm a boy”. ‘A boy,’ said she, ‘do you mean you are a Son of Adam?’ These 4 children were known as daughters of Eve and sons of Adam. C.S. Lewis was a convert to Christianity and his literary works, especially ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ are full of Christian symbolism.

Sons of Adam and daughters of Eve! In the Gospel today we heard the account of the Annunciation in which the angel Gabriel was sent to inform Mary that she would conceive a son and name him Jesus. All of creation awaited Mary’s ‘Fiat’ or ‘yes’ to usher in salvation! Mary’s act of obedience has fittingly given her the title, the New Eve. Mary undid the disobedience of Eve and by her ‘yes’ to God, paved the way for the New Adam, Jesus Christ, to enter our world.

This 4^th week of Advent we would do well to ask ourselves why Jesus was born on Christmas day? Why did he freely choose to become a small baby and enter our world? The answer is found in our identity as sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. As such, we are loved by God but we also are reminded of our sinfulness. The original sin of Adam and Eve was wiped away at our baptism but personal sin continues to plague us all daily. As sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, we are reminded that we live in a fallen world. People get hurt, sick, suffer and even die. I was reminded of that the other day when my mother called me to tell me that my little sister was in a serious car accident. Another driver lost control of her car in bad weather and then glided into my sister’s lane. My sister’s car was totaled but thanks be to God, she was physically alright. That’s what a fallen world looks like! Things aren’t perfect and we entrust every day to God. On a side note, afterwards the one thing that was still intact in the car on the rear view mirror was her rosary beads from Medjugorie. God was with her!

As sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, living in an imperfect world, we remain weak and continue to battle sin. Yet, the New Eve, Mary, by her ‘yes’ has given the world hope in the birth of her son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we approach Christmas this week as sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, may we humble ourselves to confess our sins and see the need for a Savior!

3rd Sunday Advent B 2005

2005-12-09T18:54:00.000-05:00

Prepare for the gift!

It is always interesting to observe the various styles of Christmas shopping. Some people are early bird shoppers and most of their shopping might be done by the end of summer. Others wait until last minute, usually finding themselves on Christmas Eve as the stores are literally closing. Then of course, in our computer age there is always the possibility of never entering a store and doing it all on the internet. It is this latter type of shopping that I am starting to prefer. I do like to shop at various stores but I prefer on line shopping because I can research the items carefully before purchasing them. I love to find the best deals, the best value, and the best product for the right person. I love to make the preparations to get best gift possible for someone.

I thought of shopping preparations in light of this week’s Gospel. Once again, we encounter the fearless preacher, John the Baptist. John has attracted the crowds and the religious leaders of his day. In our Gospel today, the Pharisees are puzzled by his identity. They asked him, “Who are you?” John simply replied by stating who he was not. “I am not the Messiah.” Then they ask him, what are you? To that question, John responds that he is not Elijah, nor the prophet, but rather a voice crying out in the wilderness! John is the voice to prepare all listeners for the Word made flesh! John came solely to make straight the path to God by pointing to the Way, Jesus Christ. John made the preparations for the greatest gift offered to humanity!

On this 3^rd Sunday of Advent, we are asked to make preparations for that same gift. God is moving our hearts to make preparations for his Son, Jesus Christ this Christmas. Increasing prayer time, talking to God, is a great way to make preparations for the child Jesus. Perhaps a daily visit to Church to spend some quiet time in the midst of the hustle and bustle of these days could help! Attending daily mass if your schedule allows might be another way to make preparations for the Christ child. Cleansing our souls in the sacrament of confession is a great way to make room and preparations for Jesus this Christmas. Finally, giving of our time and talents towards others will help us prepare for the gift of Jesus.

Preparations! Perhaps some of us make the preparations before shopping for gifts for our loved ones. Yet, we all are called to make the preparations this Advent as John the Baptist did for the greatest gift of Jesus. May we open our hearts and welcome the baby Jesus within our souls by making the proper preparations.

Immaculate Conception 2005 B

2005-12-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

"...blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS!"

Yesterday, in preparation for this homily, I asked my sister, Beth, if she could give me an example of someone with a difficulty communicating with other people. She looked at me and immediately said, “Kaelie!” At 6 months old now, my niece, Kaelie is full of noises ranging from little girly coos to hulkish grunts! She makes lots of noises but can’t communicate, by word what exactly she wants. She makes just a lot of sounds that either make us laugh or move us into action very quickly! I also thought of the teacher on Charlie Brown. What was up with that teacher? The teacher always sounded like she had marbles in her mouth as Charlie and his classmates would respond, ‘yes Mam.’ She also put forth a lot of jumbled sounds!

On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, as I prayed upon this homily and the readings of the day, the thought struck me that the “Hail Mary” prayer is just a lot of sounds or words, unless it always contains the heart of the prayer. At the heart of the “Hail Mary” is the sacred name of ‘Jesus.’ Without the holy name of Jesus, the first and latter part of the Hail Mary makes no sense and might as well be a bunch of sounds.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you…” Mary, being full of grace, makes no sense unless we understand why she needed to be full of grace. Mary was preserved from original and all personal sin so she could be a holy and pure vessel to conceive Jesus. Mary was created and existed for Jesus!

“…Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb…” Mary is just another woman unless she is the handmaiden of the Lord, the chosen daughter of Zion to bring forth the Savior of the world. Her womb is literally a holy tabernacle for nine months!

“Holy Mary, Mother of God…” The very title, Mother of God, is founded upon the Divinity of Christ. Mary can’t begin to be called the Mother of God without the reality that Jesus is the 2^nd person of the Trinity and thus a Divine person.

Finally, “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.” Mary’s prayers and intercession only are efficacious due to the saving work of Jesus. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus, no prayers would help any of us sinners.

True devotion to Mary always leads to Jesus. The ‘Hail Mary’ is centered on the holy name of Jesus because without it, the words would make no sense and amount to a bunch of sounds. This feast of the Immaculate Conception gives due honor to our Blessed Mother as the chosen pure vessel. We pause this Advent to honor our Blessed Mother but we continue on our journey towards Christmas to prepare for the birth of her son, Jesus. May we continue to go to Jesus first and foremost but always do so through Mary, our Immaculate and Blessed Mother.

2nd Sunday Advent 2005 B

2005-12-04T13:43:00.000-05:00

Back where HE belongs!

A father, desiring to read his new magazine, was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby, who wanted to know what the United States looked like. He tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby, and said, ‘Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country.’ After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map perfectly put together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.’

This 2^nd week of Advent we heard about the precursor to Christ, John the Baptist. John was a fearless preacher of repentance with a faithful mission of preparing hearts for the coming of Christ. John never shied away from delivering the tough message even if it meant publicly calling King Herod to task for the sin of adultery. Why did John live out in a desert, eating locusts and wild honey and clothed in camel’s hair? Why did John continue to preach God’s law even when his life was in danger? The answer is very simple. Jesus! John existed to prepare the hearts of all for Jesus. He would decrease to the point of martyrdom so that Christ could increase!

Our world could learn a great deal from John the Baptist. John was not afraid to judge actions as right or wrong and called things as he saw it as he preached God’s moral law to the public. John the Baptist reminds us that Advent is first and foremost a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. We are preparing to recall the day on which salvation entered our world on that first Christmas. That’s what Christmas is all about!

Little Shelby was able to put that magazine picture of the US together by first putting Jesus back where he belonged. Our nation also is learning to put Christ back where He belongs if she wants to flourish. We are starting to reclaim this reality in our nation. While some in modern society would prefer us to call the Christmas tree a holiday tree, others are raising their voices in protest. This past week, the Washington Times reported that a ‘U.S. House Speaker told federal officials that the tree on the West Lawn of the Capitol will be renamed the ‘Capitol Christmas Tree.’” In the past it was called the ‘Holiday Tree.’ More and more stories of people reclaiming the original meaning of Christmas are surfacing.

The battles will probably continue to wage over public displays of nativity scenes unless we add pink flamingos. 'Merry Christmas' might still get replaced by Happy Holidays in stores. (The easy way to deal with such stores to simply not shop there! Watch how fast they cave in to the almighty dollar!) Yet, if we raise our voices like John the Baptist and call things for what they are in reality, we can begin to change hearts. Advent is the time for us to prepare for the great Solemn Feast of the birth of Jesus! May we be as fearless as John the Baptist this Advent in preparing hearts for the reason for this season, the coming of Christ! Perhaps if we are courageous enough to put Jesus back where he belongs, our beloved country will get back on track!

1st Advent 2005 B

2005-11-25T16:18:00.000-05:00

CRACKED POTS!
On this first week of Advent, I discovered a very fitting story about a man carrying two water containers. “A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. ‘What are you ashamed of?’ ‘I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts,’ the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

The first reading from Isaiah, states “…O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.” This reading reminds us as we start Advent that we are clay continuously being formed by the potter, our Heavenly Father.

The above story also reminds us that as clay formed by the potter, we can sometimes be cracked pots! We are cracked pots that constantly need our Lord’s healing hand. In the midst of these imperfections we can grow in a great virtue, humility!

First of all, by recognizing our imperfections, we will remain dependent on our Heavenly Father and continue to allow him to form us. The best way to humble ourselves is through frequent confession. When we humble ourselves to admit our sinfulness and receive the mercy of God in the sacrament of reconciliation, we will be healed spiritually.

Secondly, when we humbly look at our own flaws we will be less critical of others. We are called to fraternally correct others, especially if they are endangering their own salvation or others. Yet, we should always take a long hard look at our own faults first and see if our own house needs cleaning.

Finally, like the water pot, we should realize that God can still work through our imperfections. The cracked pot only saw the negative aspect that ½ the water was delivered. The water bearer pointed out that he used that imperfection to bring forth new life of flowers. We also should look at the good that God can work through our imperfections. That should give us tremendous hope in the midst of our flaws.

My brothers and sisters, we are all cracked pots in many ways! In humility we admit our sinfulness and in charity, we seek to always improve. Yet, it is our hope this Advent, that in the midst of our imperfections and flaws, our Heavenly Father will continue to use us for greater good.

Christ the King 2005

2005-11-13T16:36:00.000-05:00

Kingship!

Many of you may remember the animated film called the Lion King. There is a particular scene that I would like to focus on for today’s homily. After the death of his father, Simba the little lion cub is confused and is trying to plan his future. As he contemplates, a baboon by the name of Rafiki comes on the scene and tells Simba that he is confused because "you don't even know who you are." Simba replies "And I suppose you do?" Rafiki responds, "Yep, You are Mufasa's boy.” Rafiki then takes Simba to a nearby river to show him that his father Mufasa is still alive. He tells Simba to look in the water and tell him what he sees. Simba responds, "that's just my reflection." Rafiki insists, "No. Look harder!" As Simba looks in the water more closely, he then sees the image of his father, King Mufasa. Rafiki then makes the point, "See. He lives in you."

I like that point for all of us today on the Solemnity of Christ the King. Christ the King lives in each of us in a very real way! At Baptism, we were anointed with Sacred Chrism as Priest, Prophet and King. In other words, we share in the Kingship of Christ. We belong to the Heavenly Kingdom of the King of Kings!

In fact, today at Mass, Jesus the King will live in us in a very special way. Every time we attend and participate at Mass, we have the opportunity to have Jesus enter into our soul. At Mass, Jesus comes to us on the altar to give us his very body and blood. In other words, when you come forward to receive the Eucharist, you receive the very life, the body and blood of Jesus Christ the King.

Of course, the waters can sometimes get muddy. We can sometimes bend over and look into the water and see a distorted image of ourselves. That muddy image is sin. The good news is that the sacrament of confession cleans the soul and that image is restored. Jesus Christ is truly the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May we make Jesus truly our King by listening and obeying every one of his sacred words. Jesus said that if we listen to his voice, we belong to the truth. May we always remain in the Truth and make Jesus the King of our lives.

33rd Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-11-11T13:58:00.000-05:00

Spiritual Millionaire?

Who wants to be a millionaire? Perhaps you have seen the famous game show, “Who wants to be a millionaire?” The game is played by a contestant who has 30 seconds to select the correct answer out of four to a question asked by the host, Meredith Vieria. The prize money for the first question begins at $100 and then increases as the contestant advances with correct answers. Along the way to a million dollars, the contestant has the use of ‘lifelines’ to help with a tricky question. The contestant can ‘call a friend’, narrow the four answers to a ‘50/50’ or ‘ask the audience’ for help with the question at hand. Since the questions get more difficult as the money increases, it is very rare that someone wins the million dollars.

This weekend, in light of the Gospel, perhaps we could ask a similar question. Who wants to be a spiritual millionaire? Jesus tells the parable of three servants who were each entrusted a certain amount of talents (money amount). The first two servants doubled their talents and proved themselves as reliable and responsible stewards of their Master’s goods. However, the last servant buried the original amount of one talent and thus never increased his amount. The master had some harsh words (“You wicked lazy servant!”) and eventually casts him outside of his estate for failing to be wise and increase his talent.

Who wants to be a spiritual millionaire? A spiritual millionaire is someone who possesses abundant graces by loving God and neighbor. St. Francis of Assisi and Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta are perfect examples of Catholics who were dirt poor but spiritually millionaires! They lived lives in total communion with God and perfect love for the poorest of the poor. We are challenged this weekend to grow in grace by increasing our love for God and neighbor. Are we striving to increase in love for God and neighbor or have we buried the virtue of charity?

It isn’t always easy to grow in charity. At times our love for God can weaken through lack of prayer or attendance at Sunday Mass. Loving neighbors can be even more difficult! Fortunately, when we encounter such difficulties, like the Millionaire game show, we also can use lifelines along the way to help us increase our love. A 50/50 might not be the best way to govern our lives but certainly calling a friend could help us grow in love. Perhaps a friend needs a listening ear or we ourselves need counsel. A great audience to ask for guidance in increasing love would be the Church. In fact, a great lifeline to grow in love is to bring our own weaknesses to the sacrament of confession. When we acknowledge our own sins and seek to change, then we grow in love. The greatest lifeline to grow in love is the Mass. When we participate at Holy Mass, we receive love personified, Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist! The Mass is a great means to become spiritual millionaires!

At the end of this great game, the reward might not be a million dollars. However, in the spiritual life, the reward is far greater and lasts for all eternity. If we seek to become spiritual millionaires, full of God’s grace, we will one day live forever in the Heavenly Kingdom, the greatest reward for life well lived.

2005-11-05T14:42:00.000-05:00

SPECIAL PREPARATIONS!

This past Monday night, Halloween, I was fortunate to be able to visit with my parents in Westerly. There weren’t many trick or treaters but, nonetheless, we were prepared with enough candy. We had enough candy for “Woody”, the cowboy from “Toy Story”, “Jason” from Friday the 13^th and even twin “Darth Vaders.” We were well prepared and, in fact, had too much candy leftover! Personally, I try to stay away from candy and prefer healthier treats. I was telling a dear friend in the gym that if people gave out protein bars, I would even dress up and go out! Nonetheless, while home, I did make special preparations for a first time trick or treater this year. My little niece, Kaelie, dressed up as a monkey, with just her precious baby face with big blue eyes showing. I made special preparations for and gave her a special trick or treat bag with banana baby food inside.

Special preparation! The Gospel this weekend is all about making special preparations. Jesus tells the story of ten virgins who went out at night to meet the Bridegroom. It is worth noting that all ten had lamps with oil and all ten slept a little while waiting for the delayed Bridegroom. However, Jesus refers to five of the ten as foolish for their lack of special preparation. Five of them were wise enough to bring extra oil flasks in case of a delay in the Bridegroom’s arrival. Yet, the five foolish brought the bare minimum and ultimately paid the consequence for their lack of preparation. In the end, while searching for more oil, they missed the arrival and were shut out of the wedding feast.

The lamps in the Gospel were symbols of faith and the oil is a symbol of works or good deeds. The lamps were useless and dead without oil. Thus, as St. James reminds us, professing a faith without putting it into action is dead. Today, we are challenged to ask whether we are prepared to meet the Lord. Are we just doing the bare minimum to get by? Obviously, we are asked to attend Mass every week but that is the bare minimum of our actions. We are expected to go to confession at least once a year if we are conscious of serious sin. Yet, that rule is the bare minimum. Are we making special preparations to meet the Lord? Are we going above and beyond the minimum to deepen our relationship with the Lord?

If we want to know and love someone in a deeper way, we spend more time with that person. The same is true with our relationship with God. If we go above and beyond the minimum, visiting Church throughout the week to spend time in quiet prayer is a good idea. If we want to go above and beyond the minimum we can frequent the confessional more often and have our sins washed and the grace of God poured forth. There are countless ways to increase our knowledge and love of Jesus by going above and beyond the minimum. Are we making the special preparations now to meet the Lord when it is time to enter the wedding feast?

Allow me to close with this latest report that after our first weekend of youth basketball games our three new teams obtained three victories! Our young athletes have practiced and prepared for weeks and it paid off this weekend. What a great lesson for our lives. May we practice our faith and put into action that faith we profess. Ultimately, it is only by the grace of God that we will enter Heaven. Yet, the grace of God increases our faith and hopefully moves us into action to love God and neighbor. When the time comes to meet the Bridegroom, may we all be ready and welcomed into the wedding feast of eternal life.

31st Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-10-29T15:32:00.000-04:00

Trick or Treat?

“Trick or treat?” Tomorrow night, many of you will hear the doorbell sound and you will be greeted by little cherubs, screaming, “trick or treat!” Halloween or perhaps better stated, “All Holy Eve”, the night before All Saint’s Day, a holy day of obligation, is upon us. Perhaps we can ask ourselves a question this year. Are we tricking or treating other people?

The Gospel gives us a good account of some groups in Jesus’ day that lived their lives as a big trick! Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Scribes for their hypocrisy. They lived lives of hypocrisy, not practicing what they preached. The Pharisees were great at barking orders but never lifted a finger themselves. They would widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels to make sure they looked the part. They loved special honors and seats at banquets and titles, such as ‘Rabbi’, but lacked the authenticity to deserve such honors. Jesus was so outraged by the Pharisee’s and Scribe’s hypocrisy that in this chapter 23 of the Gospel of Matthew, he calls them hypocrites six times, blind guides twice and blind fools once. Take that to prayer next time you think we aren’t called to judge one another’s actions! The Pharisees and Scribes lived lives of hypocrisy, pretending to be something they were not in reality. Their lives were one big trick of pretending to be something they weren’t, in reality, by their actions.

Trick or treat? This weekend as we approach Halloween and more importantly, the All Saints Holy Day, we are challenged to examine whether we are tricking or treating other people by our actions. Are our actions hypocritical at times by tricking people into thinking we are something that we really are not or are we treating others to the grace of God? This is a great question for those in some role of authority or leadership.

This is why Jesus told the crowds they had but one Father, Teacher and Master. All other leaders are simply called to reflect the perfection of God as Father, Teacher, and Master. As a father, priest, teacher or any other leader, are we tricking others by hypocritical actions or are treating them to the grace of God. If a Christian parent professes to be Catholic but then fails to attend weekly Sunday Mass, they trick their children into thinking that Sunday Mass is optional. If a spiritual father, a priest, promises obedience but then dissents from the very Church he promised that obedience, he tricks souls into thinking they belong to a ‘cafeteria’ Catholicism, in which we can pick and choose what doctrines we like or dislike. If a teacher is employed in a Catholic school but pushes a relativistic agenda on their young impressionable students, they trick them into possibly denying the existence of absolute truth.

Trick or treat? When our lives come to an end, will they have been lives tricking others with hypocrisy or treating lives to the many graces from our Merciful Father? May we all strive to be authentic leaders and truly treat others entrusted to us to the many graces awaiting them as they journey towards the Eternal treat of the Heavenly Kingdom.

30th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-10-21T18:12:00.000-04:00

Trot no longer on empty!

Baseball season is just about complete and the Red Sox have closed up shop for a few weeks now. Yet, I stumbled upon some inspiring words from the Red Sox right fielder, Trot Nixon in an interview on a Christians Athlete web site (www.fca.org). Trot Nixon said the following:

“I wanted to win a World Championship more than anything in my life, not only for myself, but also for the organization, the city, my father, my mother and for my two boys and my wife. But quite honestly, after we won, I was sitting in the living room watching TV, and it was probably about four o’clock in the morning, and I just sat there and said, “Is that it? Is that all it was?” And some people will say they can’t believe I’m saying this, but I delighted in it so much that when we won it, that was it. It wasn’t like it was going to be a 24-hour party, or that I was going to be getting a World Series trophy every single day. That was it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love our fans to death, and when we’re out in the streets and they’re congratulating us and shaking our hands—I was very appreciative of that. But while sitting there by myself I was like, “Was that it?” There was that emptiness. That’s the emptiness I’ve been talking about that people try to fill. It’s Jesus Christ who fills that void in our lives.

In the Gospel this week, Jesus is asked to state the greatest commandment of the Law. Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Jesus masterfully simplified the entire Law into first, loving God with our whole being and secondly, loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Trot Nixon realizes that the void in our lives can only be filled with Jesus. In other words, if we truly want to be happy in this life then we need to love God with all our heart, mind and soul. When we love God totally then that love overflows into loving our neighbor and ourselves, made in the image and likeness of God.

There is a tendency to look at the commandments as negative precepts from God. “Thou shall not do this and thou shall not do that!” Notice I said the commandments and not suggestions! The commandments are like the owner’s manual of a car. Every car needs particular instruction to run properly. Since God made everyone of us, he knows what it takes for us to run properly. For example, God commands that we keep holy the Sabbath day. The Sabbath became Sunday for Christians after Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday. The Sabbath is the day in which we as Catholics keep the day holy by worshipping God and receiving the great gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. If we choose in our free will to ignore that invitation to worship the Lord, we will slowly become empty and eventually run out of gas. As religious beings made by God, a void has to be filled! As Trot Nixon said best, ‘It’s Jesus Christ who fills that void in our lives.’ Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

29th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-10-14T19:07:00.000-04:00

God's First!!!

‘I die the king’s good servant but God’s first. Those infamous words came from the lips of St. Thomas More just before he was executed for defying King Henry VII. King Henry VII had a serious problem in that he had not acquired a male heir to this throne. Henry’s solution to the problem was to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and marry a new wife, Anne Boleyn. Henry, a Catholic king, wanted the Pope to recognize his divorce but when he refused, Henry soon declared himself, ‘Supreme Head of the Church in England.’ Since, Thomas More was a faithful Catholic, as well as, Lord Chancellor to King Henry, he was thrust into a difficult situation. Henry demanded that Thomas sign the oath of supremacy, swearing his allegiance to him over the Pope. St. Thomas More remained obedient to God and the Church by refusing Henry’s request and thus was beheaded by order of the King. At his execution, St. Thomas More stated, “I die the king’s good servant but God’s first. Coincidentally, there’s a great film called, A Man for All Seasons, which depicts Thomas More’s conflict with King Henry very accurately.

The story of St. Thomas More’s fidelity to God fits the Gospel well this weekend. The Pharisees and religious leaders tried to trick Jesus with a question. “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” If Jesus said yes, he would have been accused of idolatry, breaking Jewish law. If Jesus said no, he would have been accused of disobeying Roman law. They thought they had Jesus tricked until he drew their attention to the image on a coin and replied masterfully, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, ‘Caesar's.’ “At that he said to them, ‘Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’” In other words, give to Caesar what has his image and what belongs to him but give to God what has his image on it.

What has God’s image on it? In the book of Genesis, “God said: ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’ Give to God what is made in his image and likeness! Jesus reminded his audience that we are called to give God that which has been made in His image, our very lives, loving him with all our heart, mind and soul.

Certainly we are called to obey those God has put in authority. Thomas More was a faithful Chancellor to King Henry VIII. However, when Henry’s rules conflicted with God’s law, those rules became null and void to obey. Perhaps this is why Pope John Paul II declared St. Thomas More the patron saint of lawyers and politicians. Civil leaders are reminded, especially Christians, that God’s law must reign supreme.

This is a serious problem in our modern culture of death. Our nation was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles so ‘thou shall not kill’ should be very clear to most minds. Yet, some of the most intellectual people can’t seem to understand this basic truth! You might have seen the Providence Journal this past Friday, Oct. 14, 2005. ‘Dr.’ Pablo Rodriguez, recovering from a serious car accident last February, stated, ‘I want to do surgery, do abortions, do everything that I was doing before...I never thought that I would miss the work this much.’ For Pablo and many others, especially local politicians, God’s law to respect His smallest of creations, unborn children, comes after the precious law of the land. Amazingly, Pablo has been given a 2^nd chance, surviving the serious accident, but he has chosen to once again use his hands for killing rather than healing! The good news for the unborn is that his wrist and fingers are still injured!

My brothers and sisters, we are called to respect all life from conception to natural death and educate this world so that our laws may reflect the Divine and natural law. We continue to obey civil laws but in the end, may we all be able to say, I died God’s faithful servant above all else!

28th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-10-08T11:52:00.000-04:00

Clothing Problem?

Many of you may have read the fairy tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Hans Christian Andersen’s tale is of a king who was so fond of clothes that he had a new coat for every hour of the day. Two con artists arrived in town to take advantage of the king’s fetish by offering to weave the most beautiful suit possible. They never took one hand to the thread and instead told the king that the cloth was invisible but only so to the unintelligent. The king and everyone within in his kingdom bought the lie for fear that they would be viewed unintelligent thus, would be unfit for office. In fact, the whole conspiracy continued only until a little boy pointed out the obvious that the emperor had no clothes on! His clothing or lack of clothing, was a problem!

I thought Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale in light of the Gospel we just heard. Jesus told the story of a king who sent his servants to invite many guests to his son’s wedding banquet. However, the guests, refusing to attend, ‘ignored the invitation, went away one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.’ As a result, the king had his servants go out and invite the good and bad alike to attend the banquet. Yet, the story has an interesting ending when a man attends the banquet dressed improperly. His clothing was a problem! “The king said to him, “My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?” You might be shocked to hear that the man was cast out of the banquet for not having the proper dress. Yet, the whole point of Jesus’ story is that many are invited, good and bad, but few in the end are chosen or properly prepared to attend the banquet. Both the Emperor in Andersen’s tale as well as the invited guest in the Gospel had clothing problems!

This weekend, I am not interested in our physical attire and what we have decided to wear to Church, though we should always strive to dress accordingly when we attend Mass. Yet, more importantly, we should examine our spiritual attire and discern whether or not we have a spiritual clothing problem. Are we properly spiritually dressed or lacking the proper attire? In other words, are our souls clean and ready to attend the Banquet of the Eucharist prepared every time we attend Mass and eventually the banquet awaiting us in Eternal Life?

At baptism we received the so called spiritual wedding garment, cleansed of all sin. Unfortunately, after the age of reason, all of us have in some form stained that garment. Smaller, venial sins hurt our friendship with God but we still remain in His grace. However, the larger or mortal sins, if we are culpable, cut us off from God’s grace and jeopardize entrance into the Eternal Banquet. That is why it so important if we are aware of any serious sins in our lives that we make the effort to go to the sacrament of confession to have our spiritual garments / souls, cleansed and made white again.

One of the big problems in the Catholic Church currently is the low attendance at Mass on the weekends. About 30% attend Mass every weekend in New England. That means, 70% of healthy and physically able Catholics in NE are objectively, in a state of serious sin, jeopardizing entrance into the banquet prepared for all eternity. 70% of Catholics in NE have a spiritual clothing problem and need their spiritual garments cleansed in the sacrament of confession. Unfortunately, like the emperor in Andersen’s tale, many people have convinced themselves that they are perfectly alright despite the reality of the terrible situation at hand.

My brothers and sisters, we have the opportunity to prepare for the banquet set before us at Mass and the Eternal Feast that awaits us. Unlike the emperor in the fairy tale or the guest in the Gospel who erroneously thought they were properly dressed, may we, in humility, recognize the need to have our spiritual garments cleansed as we look to the wedding banquet ahead!

27th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-10-01T18:54:00.000-04:00

IOU!
Many of you might recall the game show, Wheel of Fortune. Contestants are asked to spin the wheel and if they successfully land on a cash amount they pick a letter. However, to acquire a vowel, the contestants must buy the vowel. This week, we would do well to pick three vowels to burn this Gospel into our minds. IOU!

Jesus tells the chief priests and elders an allegorical story about a landowner who hired tenants to care for his vineyard. The landowner sent his servants, his collection agency, to pick up the produce from the harvest. However, the tenants not only refused to give the payment they owed but proceeded to kill, beat and stone the servants. Finally, when the Master sent his son to collect, they decided, out of greed for the inheritance, to even kill him. Jesus told the story in reference to the past prophets that were beaten or killed for speaking the Truth (see Uriah killed by a sword (Jer 26:23), Jeremiah was fettered (Jer 20:2) and Zachary was stoned (2 Chr 24:21)). He also predicted his own fate as the Son of God, who would be rejected and killed.

IOU! The tenants owed the landowner what was due to him but they refused to give. This weekend, we owe God as well! We owe God our love and respect. One of the best ways to show him that love and respect is by attending Mass as we do every weekend. Sometimes people think that by going to Mass, we do God a favor. Yet, when we participate, out of pure love for God, he does us the favor by bestowing his grace and mercy upon us.

IOU! We owe God love and respect for the gift of our lives! In fact, we owe one another love and respect as well. Our society unfortunately has substituted the word love for lust and respect for life, especially the most innocent unborn babies, is minimal! We owe ALL of God’s children our love and respect!

IOU! We owe God and our neighbors love and respect. This weekend, may we be faithful tenants of the vineyard entrusted to our care and show God and neighbor the due love and respect owed!

26th Sunday Ordinary C

2005-09-25T17:39:00.000-04:00

A turn for the worse…a change for the better! In the midst of all the pennant races in baseball, that could apply to several teams. However, it also could sum up this week’s Gospel account about two sons who were asked to work in their father’s vineyard. A turn for the worse…a change for the better!

The father asks his two sons to go out and work in his vineyard. The first son immediately says no but later changes his mind and does, in fact, work. He made a change for the better! However, the other son replied yes but then never went to the vineyard to work. In other words, he lied and disrespected his father! He took a turn for the worse! Jesus used that story to drive home the point that sinners can change for the better, while those convinced of their own self righteousness, can easily turn for the worse! He hit the chief priests and elders right between the eyes with that little story!

Today, perhaps we also have been hit between the eyes after hearing Jesus’ words. If we are honest, we can easily fall into the attitude of the son who said yes but never did what was expected. How about a few examples?

A priest or religious make promises of obedience to the Bishop and his successors upon ordination. Since the Bishop is a representative of the Church, that obedience obviously extends to the Pope and the Church’s teachings. Yet, all too often, a priest or religious uses their position, via a pulpit or Catholic University to dissent from Church teachings on faith and morals. In other words, they have said, Yes, Jesus, we promise obedience to your Church but then they go off and disregard that promise, leading souls astray with their personal agendas.

A Catholic parent, at their child’s baptism, promises to ‘bring her / him up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.’ Yet, all too often many parents promise to raise their child in the faith but then fail to bring those same children to Church over the years. Actually, since this Mass is the first class for our confirmation students, allow me to hit closer to home. Every year, our 10^th graders receive the sacrament of confirmation, promising to be witnesses of the faith, but then barely find their way back to Church. As Catholics, at baptism and confirmation, we say yes to God but all too often we fail to work in his vineyard!

Finally, perhaps there’s no better example of this hypocrisy when it comes to respecting life. Every week as Catholics we profess our faith and proclaim God is the Author and Creator of all. As Christians, we believe in the Incarnation when Christ took on flesh and lived in the womb for nine months. Yet, a recent study showed that 65% support some form of direct abortion. Of course, our civil leaders pave the way for this thinking as they also claim to worship God the Author and Creator of all life, and then turn around and work to destroy the most innocent and smallest of lives! Hypocrisy at it’s best!

My brothers and sisters, the good news is that we can and must change for the better. A turn for the worse in the end might have disastrous eternal consequences. May we continue to ask the Lord for His mercy, as we do at every Mass, so that by His grace we may continue to change for the better!

25th Ordinary Time A 2005

2005-09-16T14:06:00.000-04:00

American IDLE?

Are you an American Idol? I am sure many of you have heard of the popular TV show, American Idol. Week after week, contestants sing their hearts out, hoping to advance to the very end when they are crowned the new American Idol. However, I am playing on the word ‘idol’ this week and would rather reflect on the word spelled, ‘idle.’ Are you an American idle?

Jesus tells the story of a landowner who hired workers to tend his vineyard. After hiring many workers as various points throughout the day, the landowner stumbles upon a group that has been idle all day. At that moment, the merciful landowner invites the idle crowd to work for a short time and still get the exact wage of the ones working all day long. At first glance this doesn’t seem to be just. However, the very point of this parable is that God, the ‘landowner’ is free to distribute his grace to whomever and whenever, he wishes. Our God is generous!

The generosity of God is a clear lesson taught in the parable of the landowner and hired hands. Yet, there’s a group that needs further discussion and reflection upon. While it was very generous of the landowner to invite the idle group to work in his vineyard, we can’t overlook the fact that they were still idle for awhile. In other words, they were just standing around, doing nothing! One of the reasons is that no one gave them any work to do. However, another reason might be they never sought any work to perform. It’s that latter reason we need to learn from in this parable.

Are you an American idle? In other words, do you stand around idle and let others do the work? Children can at times be idle and not help out around the house. Perhaps, it is easier for children to let one of their siblings or their parents do all the work? Married couples, clergy, religious, etc… all can be guilty of idleness on a daily basis. Yet, there are many who aren’t idle.

This weekend is Catechetical Sunday in which we recognize the many volunteers who have decided to give generously of their time to teach the Catholic faith to our parish children. Thank You! You have decided to step forward and not be idle while children are in spiritual need.

Our nation has recently suffered a natural disaster at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. Many people have stepped forward to physically to help those in need. We in New England still can help and not stand idle by giving generously of our resources. This weekend we will have a special 2^nd collection to help victims of Hurricane Katrina get their lives back together.

My prayer is that through the disaster of Hurricane Katrina we will as a nation learn to be generous towards those in need. On particular group in our nation is crying out for all of us to help. The innocent unborn babies that are constantly under attack by the ‘champions’ of choice, demand that we don’t remain idle. We have a moral obligation to pray, write and speak on behalf of the little ones in the womb. We just might be judged by our Heavenly Father on what we did for the most innocent of human beings. Are we idle Americans?

We can’t stand idle as Catholics with a mandate from our Lord to go into his vineyard and work for souls. Whether we have been active in our faith all along or we are just getting started, the wage will be the same for all in the end. What we must keep our eyes fixed upon is the glorious reward of Eternal Life that awaits all the faithful laborers!

24th Ordinary A 2005

2005-09-12T08:47:00.000-04:00

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness! That is the message of the Gospel this week. Allow me to first tell you a story about forgiveness. It is a story of a woman named Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family harbored Jews during World War II. As a result, the Nazis placed them in a concentration camp in Auschwitz, Poland. While there, Corrie was subject to insults and mockery by one of the Nazi soldiers. Every time she and her sister were led to the showers, this soldier would mock and degrade them. She eventually watched her own sister die in that concentration camp. The face of that soldier and the horror of that camp remained etched in her mind. Corrie, fortunately, survived and later was invited to give a talk on forgiveness in Germany. While speaking on forgiveness, she noticed this soldier in the audience. He did not recognize Corrie Ten Boom, but she certainly remembered his face. She had hoped to avoid him afterwards but he approached her after the talk and said, ‘a fine message…how good it is to know, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the ocean.’ Allow me to quote the words of Corrie Ten Boom as she responded to this soldier, who had repented of his crimes.

“And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one outstretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. ‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart.”

Forgiveness!!! That is a story of forgiveness, rooted in the Gospel we heard today. We just heard Peter ask Jesus, ‘if my brother sins against me, how many times must I forgive him” As many as seven times?’ You have to love St. Peter! Perhaps he had his own brother, Andrew, in mind or a cousin and thought, ‘seven times isn’t so bad!’ Maybe he had forgiven 6 and ½ times already and figured the next time he could wind up and deliver a knuckle sandwich towards his brother! No way! Jesus replies, ‘I say not seven times, but seventy seven times.’ In biblical language the number seven stands for an unlimited amount. That means Peter had to forgive his brother each and every time he asked for mercy! In case Peter didn’t get the message, Jesus tells the story of a Master who forgave his repentant servant. That servant then goes forth and has the same opportunity to deliver mercy and pardon to a fellow servant. However, instead of being merciful, he refuses forgiveness! How arrogant, prideful and ungrateful he was!

We pray this Gospel every time we say the ‘Our Father.’ ‘Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ Now, the first part is rather easy. ‘Forgive us our trespasses.’ Every time we confess our sins, express our sorrow and seek to change, we can be forgiven by our Heavenly Father. That’s easy for all of us who make frequent confessions. If we haven’t been to confession in awhile, that’s a problem in itself. However, for the most part, asking our Father for pardon is easy.

The second part isn’t always so easy! ‘…as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ Now here’s the challenge. Can we go forth and deliver the same mercy shown to us by Our Father towards others? Trust me, this isn’t easy! We need grace to forgive our enemies! It is a challenge and it requires grace from above to do so!

Wedding homily

2005-09-12T08:44:00.000-04:00

Wedding Homily Sept. 3, 2005

Married Couples can learn from the RED SOX
As I thought of what to say today, I recalled some of the things Kristin and Ian mentioned in our meeting a couple of days ago. They spoke of the great love you have for one another and how they have known each other for 16 years, dating for 6 of those years. They mentioned how much they have been through together, especially the loss of your grandparents and Ian’s father. Kristin even described their relationship in a ‘nutshell’ saying that ‘they were made to be best friends because they’re so alike.’ However, they mentioned something else that stuck with me afterwards. Tomorrow, they’re going to the Red Sox game prior to your official honeymoon! So, I figured, being a Red Sox fan like the two of you…why not offer 3 things we can learn from the Red Sox.

1. Enjoy this moment and every moment afterwards…it’s been a long time coming! As you know it was 86 years before the Sox won the World Series last year. The two of you have known each other for 16 years and have dated for 6 of those years. This day has been a long time coming and today you become one in Christ! Value your time and enjoy this day and everyday as husband and wife!

2. Be different! The Sox are certainly different in their appearance! Whether it’s Manny with the wild hair, Damon with the beard and long locks, Millar with gold locks, or Trot’s hat that looks like it hasn’t been washed since his little leagues days, they are a cast of characters. Seriously, the word ‘holy’ or ‘sacra’, means different. ‘Sacra’ is in the word sacrament. The two of you will become one in Christ and as such will have a special grace present in your marriage. That’s why it’s so important to get married within the Church before a priest to receive the sacrament of marriage. Ironically, it’s the couple that gives the sacrament to each other. I am simply here to witness the sacrament as a priest. That seemed to bring peace to Kristin’s parent’s last weekend. There were actually 2 other priests slated to this wedding. Due to extraordinary circumstances, they weren’t able and I am pinch hitting. When I spoke with Kristin’s parents last weekend after Sunday Mass, they immediately said, “Don’t go anywhere, don’t let anything happen to you!” I am here and ready to witness this beautiful event! Be different than much of the world and let your love grow as you witness to the great sacrament of matrimony.

3. Never give up! It might have been the bottom of the ninth, down by one run and 2 outs from playoff elimination but the Sox came back to not only win that infamous game 4 against the Yankees but then went on to win the series and eventually the World Series. Kristin and Ian, don’t ever give up! You have so many good times ahead together and God willing, with many children. Yet, you both know there will be tough times as well. There’s a special grace in your marriage that will help you persevere and always be victorious! Be patient with one another and let your love grow abundantly.

Ian and Kristin, today you come before the Lord to be united as husband and wife. My prayer is that the love that has brought you this far will grow abundantly, as you, and God willing, your future children, live together in and for Christ as one.

22nd Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-08-27T16:03:00.000-04:00

One week left?What if you had only one week to live? That question has been on my mind this past week in light of a gentleman I recently met. This man’s mother called the rectory and asked if I would visit her 40 yr. old son. I made the pastoral visit and discovered that this man was told by his doctors he had terminal lung cancer with only one month to live. However, only a few days later, during my second visit, he informed me that his doctor told him he only had about a week left due to cancer spreading even faster. As you might imagine, our discussions have been on preparation for his death and the promise of eternal life.

In the Gospel today, Jesus informs his disciples that “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” In other words, Jesus was aware of his approaching death. He wasn’t terminally ill but he knew his death was imminent. Of course, St. Peter, steps forward to speak but this time, he inserts his foot in mouth. “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” Peter didn’t want to hear anything about a fast approaching death of his Lord. At that objection, Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Those are key words as we reflect on the question of death.

We are challenged to think as God does not as human beings do. In other words we are asked to put on the mind of Christ when pondering death. What if you only had one week to live? Hopefully we would have the mind of Christ to believe that death would not have the final word. That is why Jesus told his disciples that he would suffer and die, but then rise! If we have the mind of Christ, we face death, knowing that there’s hope of eternal life. That’s why Jesus called Peter, Satan, an accuser or tempter. Peter was an obstacle to the glory that would come through Jesus rising from the dead, only after he first suffered and died.

What if we only had one week to live? I imagine we would get our spiritual houses in order fast. We don’t know the day nor the hour when we will be called home. Yet, we have the time now to prepare and use our personal sufferings and crosses to strengthen us. We have the time now to clean our souls through frequent confession. We have the time now to fall in love with our Lord in the Eucharist. A friar once asked St. Francis of Assisi while he was cultivating a garden, “What would you do if you suddenly learned that you were to die at sunset today?” Francis replied, “I would finish cultivating my garden.” In other words, Francis was always prepared to meet the Lord. May we always be prepared to meet our Lord in the Eucharist here at Mass and eventually on that final day we are called home.

20th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-08-19T17:58:00.000-04:00

A QUESTION of IDENTITY

On a hot summer day in 1941, an alarm sounded throughout a concentration camp in Auschiwitz, Poland. One of the prisoners had escaped and, as a result, cell-block 14 was called to stand at attention for three hours. The following day the fugitive still had not been found so they stood in the scorching heat once again. Finally, as was the policy, ten men were chosen form cell-block 14 to die for the one who had escaped. One of these ten cried out, ‘Please, I have a family, a wife, children, please not me.’ At that moment, another man from that cell-block, stepped forward and said, ‘I want to take the place of this man.' At that a Nazi soldier asked, ‘Who is this Polish pig?’ St. Maximilian Kolbe responded, "I am a Polish Catholic priest, I am old and want to take his place." The Nazi soldier conceded and St. Maximilian Kolbe was martyred for the faith.

Who do you say I am? Maximilian Kolbe was faced with the question of identity on that hot summer day. ‘I am a Catholic Priest’ was his simple response. In the Gospel this weekend, Peter was faced with a question of identity about Jesus and then himself. After hearing what the public opinion was on his identity, Jesus asks his disciples, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ St. Peter steps forward with the correct answer and states, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus’ identity was revealed but Peter’s identity was revealed at the same time. Jesus stated, ‘…so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.’ Peter’s identity was revealed in relation to Christ and the Church. From that moment onward, Simon becomes Peter, the Rock upon which Jesus’ Church would be built.

This a crucial point to reflect upon this weekend in light of a growing secular society. St. Maximilian Kolbe revealed his identity as a Catholic priest. In other words, he revealed who he was in relation to Christ, the one High Priest and His Church. St. Peter’s identity was seen in relation to Christ and the Church as well. So, we are challenged to see our own identities in relation to Christ this weekend.

I stand before you at this pulpit as rather young man, named ‘John’. Yet, by baptism I became a child of God and through priestly ordination I was configured to Christ to act in his person, sharing in the ministerial priesthood. In other words, the title, ‘Father’, before my name, indicates my identity as a Catholic priest. My identity is revealed in relation to Christ and His Church. Recently, the Providence Journal did a story on a renegade group called ‘Rent-a-Priests.’ One of the ‘former’ priests of this group was quoted as saying, “Everyone called me ‘Father,’ but I was never going to be one.” Yet, a Priest is a ‘father’ to so many in his parish as he seeks to represent Christ.

Every Catholic married couple should also see their identity in relation to Christ. When the two become one in a Catholic Church, they are married in Christ. In fact, the total sacrificial love of Christ for His Church is the model for every Christian marriage. The Catholic couple is called to see their identity in relation to Christ and His Church.

We all should see who we are in relation to Christ and His Church. Whether we are priests, deacons, religious, married or single, we all have a relationship with Christ and His Church. By baptism we all have become children of God, claimed by Jesus Christ for the Church. The goal in this life is to live that baptismal call out in each of our vocations. This weekend, may we all answer the question ‘Who is Jesus?’ but go further and ask, “Who am I in relation to Jesus and His Church?”

20th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-08-18T12:45:00.000-04:00

How great is your FAITH?

How great is your faith? That question has been on my mind this past week. Last weekend, at the invitation of a good friend, Fr. Jim Mason, I preached a retreat for about 30 seminarians from the Sioux Falls Diocese at Broom Tree Retreat Center in South Dakota. Certainly there were many moments throughout the weekend in which we all grew in our faith. Yet, personally, that question has been on my mind after hearing the witness story of Fr. Mason’s older sister, Marianne. Marianne was an OB GYN and did volunteer medical missionary work in Guyana, South America. In 1998, while Marianne came to the people’s aid there, her own 2 year old daughter, Danielle, contracted the E-coli infection. After flying to Miami and days on a life support machine, little Danielle died in Marianne’s arms. That alone was tragic. Yet, just a couple years later and tragedy struck again. Her other daughter, Nicole, was diagnosed with a massive brain stem tumor at the age of 6. After grueling treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, little Nicole died in Marianne’s arms, just one month shy of 7. However, after the loss of both daughters, Marianne still had one thing left…FAITH! Listen to these words of faith from Marianne: “They’re in a better place right now. It’s my goal to get there, too, and to lead my life in a way that will happen.” Every now and then you meet people in this life that leave you in awe. Experiencing the strong faith of Marianne Mason did just that to me.

That’s faith! I have been thinking of her witness story, especially in light of the Gospel account this weekend. A Canaanite woman approached Jesus and begged him to help her daughter. Some liberal scholars think that this woman put Jesus in his place. Yet, on the contrary, Jesus tested her faith. After seeing her persistent and strong faith, Jesus said, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." The woman in the Gospel never gave up and kept her faith even in the most difficult moment.

Marianne Mason has maintained her faith in Jesus even after the tragic loss of her only 2 children. “O woman, great is your faith!” Though her daughters weren’t physically healed on earth, they are without a doubt in Heaven as two little saints praying for Marianne and all of us. I wonder what most of us would do if faced with similar circumstances? Would are faith be great? I often hear people tell me that a friend or family member has stopped going to Church because of a tragic loss or event that has occurred in their lives. I wish those who have lost their faith in such circumstances could hear Marianne’s witness story! Sometimes we think we have it so bad in this life and then we meet someone who is literally at the foot of the Cross. The difference is those who have kept their faith know that the Resurrection came 3 days after Calvary! That’s what having great faith is all about!

This weekend, we ask ourselves, how great is our faith? Tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Assumption. We would do well to recall the great faith of Our Blessed Mother. She stood at the foot of the Cross as the crowds mocked, insulted and jeered at her only Son. In the midst of the darkness, Mary had faith! Mary is a model for all of us as the cross enters our own lives. How great is your faith? That is a question we are invited to bring to prayer. May we always keep our focus on the bigger picture of Eternal life as we ask the Lord to increase our faith.

18th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-07-30T16:13:00.000-04:00

Hungry Never Again!

The following words are from Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta:

“…One night a man came to our house and told me, "There is a family with eight children. They have not eaten for days." I took some food with me and went. When I came to that family, I saw the faces of those little children disfigured by hunger. There was no sorrow or sadness in their faces, just the deep pain of hunger. I gave rice to the mother. She divided the rice in two, and went out, carrying half the rice. When she came back, I asked her, "Where did you go?" She gave me this simple answer, "To my neighbors; they are hungry also."

The Gospel of the multiplication of loaves touches upon the issue of hunger. When the Apostles inform Jesus that the crowds are hungry, he simply tells them to ‘give them some food’ themselves. The Apostles point out the obvious that a crowd of 5000, not counting the women and children, couldn’t be fed with just 5 loaves and 2 fish. Nonetheless, Jesus took the little they had and performed a great miracle in feeding the 5000.

Certainly the issue of hunger has always been around. People during Jesus’ time as in our modern society continue to suffer from hunger. Jesus tells us the same thing he told his disciples, ‘you give them some food’ yourselves. Thus, we are called to help the poor and hungry by giving of our own resources. However, physically giving is only one aspect of charity. We also are called to give spiritually to those in spiritual hunger.

To those who are ignorant in the faith, or perhaps in error, we are called to give them some spiritual food to eat. Children are always in need of more Christian education and guidance. Just bringing them to Mass every Sunday would be a great start for most Catholics these days! Parents have an obligation to raise their children in the faith. One parish mother recently told me that after her 3 year old daughter and she had a lengthy bed time conversation about Jesus, the little cherub wondered if she could take a picture of Jesus if he showed up that night in her room. Their wheels are always turning and they are always eager to learn!

Allow me to close with another Mother Theresa story:
“A few weeks ago, I picked up a child from the street, and from the face I could see that little child was hungry. I didn't know how many days that little one had not eaten. So I gave her a piece of bread, and the little one took the bread and, crumb by crumb, started eating it. I said to her, "Eat, eat the bread. You are hungry." And the little one looked at me and said, "I am afraid. When the bread will be finished, I will be hungry again."

My brothers and sisters, may we continue to give others food to eat, physically and spiritually, so that perhaps the words, “I will be hungry again’ will be scarce.

17th Sunday Ordinary A 2005: One wish!

2005-07-23T16:50:00.000-04:00

JUST ONE WISH!
You might have heard the following humorous story but it is worth repeating this weekend: “An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that the ‘accidents of evolution’ had created. ‘What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!’ he said to himself. As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned and saw a 7-foot grizzly charge towards him. As he quickly ran up a path, he tripped and fell to the ground. The grizzly bear was right on top of him with its’ right paw ready to strike when the Atheist cried out, ‘Oh my God!’ Time stopped, the bear froze, the forest was silent and even the river stopped moving. As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, ‘You deny my existence for all of these years; teach others I don't exist; and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Now you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?’ The atheist replied, ‘it be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as Christian now, but perhaps you could grant me one wish and make this bear a Christian?’ ‘Very well,’ said God. The light went out, the river ran again and the sounds of the forest resumed. The bear dropped his right paw.... brought both paws together...bowed his head and spoke: ‘Lord, thank you for this food which I am about to receive.’

One wish! That atheist wanted just one wish! In the first reading, God grants Solomon one wish. Interestingly, Solomon didn’t wish for a ‘long life for himself, for material riches, or even the life of his enemies.’ Rather, as a young leader, he wisely saw the need to possess an understanding heart. He asks God to grant him the ability to judge his people and to distinguish right from wrong.

We would do well to ask ourselves what we would have asked God to grant us in that situation. Certainly, many in our society would have jumped at the chance to live a longer life, possess riches, or even have revenge on one’s enemies. Yet, Solomon is an example for all of us to follow in asking for an understanding heart to be able to judge those in our care, distinguishing right from wrong. It is also worth noting that judging right from wrong is a not only a gift from God but an essential quality of any leader. Our culture loves to tell the Church or others in leadership to not judge moral actions. Yet, while we don’t judge the state of souls, we must distinguish right from wrong for the sake of souls.

I will close with a timely example of a leader in need of the quality of judging right from wrong. Recently, President Bush nominated Judge John Roberts Jr. to the Supreme Court. Judge Roberts is a fellow Catholic who I am sure looks to God for understanding as he is called to judge right from wrong. Yet, many in our culture have immediately protested this nomination because of he clearly calls right from wrong, especially with life issues. Of course, the champions of death, Planned Parenthood and Naral, are fuming over this nomination because Judge Roberts might actually protect the life of innocent babies in the womb. Imagine, a judge that sees unborn babies as fellow human beings to be respected? Imagine, we might have a judge to join a couple others on the Supreme Court to see marriage between a man and woman as the fundamental fabric of society? Imagine, we might have a judge who will sit on the Supreme Court and recognize that there’s actually a higher court that gave him his very life? This weekend, may we pray for all those in leadership, especially judges that they, like Solomon, will be able to distinguish right from wrong.

16th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-07-16T15:08:00.000-04:00

Wheat & Weeds...WHY?

“One day a woman said to St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars in France, 'my husband has not been to the sacraments or to Mass for years. He has been unfaithful, wicked, and unjust. He has just fallen from a bridge and was drowned - a double death of body of soul.' The Cure answered: ‘Madam, there is a short distance between the bridge and the water, and it is that distance which forbids you to judge.”

In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus challenged the crowds who were convinced of their own righteousness while looking down upon the ‘sinners.’ He uses the example of a crop, consisting of weeds sown among the wheat, to drive home the point that the good and bad are called to coexist in this life. However, the obvious question still remains…WHY?

Why must the weeds and wheat grow together until harvest time? Why must the wicked coexist with the good people? Wouldn’t it be much easier if the weeds were eliminated to make life easier for the wheat? I have arrived at three conclusions as to why the wheat and weeds are called to coexist until harvest.

First of all, the weeds or wicked among us, can become wheat! In fact, some of the greatest saints were the biggest sinners before they had a conversion of heart. Ss. Paul, Mary Magdalene, St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, and various others lived wild lives before they had a spiritual conversion. This is why, St. John Vianney told that woman there was a short distance between the bridge and water. Her husband could have repented in those last seconds and been counted among the wheat. While we are called to judge right from wrong, we can’t judge the state of one’s soul. The proper attitude should be one of prayer, that all souls will enter eternal life.

Secondly, the wheat can easily become weeds. There is the old saying, “if not for the grace of God, there go I.” We should be very careful if we think we are all set and have reached a comfortable point in the spiritual life. If not for the constant grace of God and our faithful response to that grace, each and every one of us could become the biggest of sinners. If we are honest, we all are sinners and need constant washing in the sacrament of confession. Before we point the finger at another person, perhaps we should ask ourselves when the last time we saw the inside of a confessional!

Finally, as difficult as it might be to live among immorality, that challenge can strengthen us in many ways. Obviously, we know bad company can corrupt good morals. Thus we should be careful to always have the proper focus when evangelizing. Yet, there’s an interesting line in the Gospel we might have missed. Jesus said, ‘While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.’ The weeds were sown while everyone was asleep! Many people have been led astray or fallen away from the faith because others have fallen asleep or become spiritually lazy. We have a great challenge to reach out to help others who have been led astray. Living in tough times can help us become the next saints.

This weekend, as the wheat and weeds coexist, may we not get discouraged or frustrated but rather reach out to help others, all the while being strengthened by the grace of God!

15th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-07-08T14:05:00.000-04:00

MERCY BABY!

This past week on my day off, I was able to play the role of babysitter for my 7 week old niece. Overall she was a very good girl as she slept during breakfast, prayer time in Church and even a little back home. I fed and changed her, even managing to put the diaper on the right way! After a couple of hours, she started to cry but that’s when I used the secret weapon! My sister left me the Divine Mercy Chaplet on CD. Amazingly, when my little niece hears the repetitive words, ‘for the sake of his sorrowful passion…have mercy on us and on the whole world’, put to music, she calms down and goes to sleep. The sacred words touch and penetrate her ears to give her peace!

In the Gospel today, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. The seeds fall on various types of ground and then either are destroyed or grow. The seed represents the Word of God that falls upon many ears. Some ears never hear the Word of God or lose interest right away. Others have an initial conversion or joy but then fade away over time. Sadly, many ears hear the Word of God but then due to bad influences or vices, they abandon it all. The goal is for the Word of God to take root and then move believers into action for the sake of the Kingdom.

My little niece heard the sacred words and she soon was at peace. As God’s children we also are called to hear his sacred words so we also might live in peace. The Word of God has the ability to change our lives if we allow it to penetrate our souls. Frequent confession and the Eucharist are two great means of grace to make sure we allow the Sacred Word of God to remain within us. The temptations and even set backs will continue to occur in the spiritual life but by the grace of God, nourished by His Sacred Word, we can produce fruit 100, 60 and 30 fold!

14th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-07-03T08:50:00.000-04:00

God's Ladder!
This past week my 5 year old cousin, Antonia, visited my family in Westerly. During the visit, her mother, Maureen shared an inspiring story with all of us. One day while Maureen was driving, Antonia cried out, ‘look!’ Maureen asked Antonia what she was pointing to in the sky. Antonia replied that she could see God’s ladder. She went on further to say, ‘God told me he is coming down his ladder to take Great Grandpa’s soul to Heaven.’ The amazing thing is that Antonia had never actually met her great grandpa because he died long before she was born. Maureen, trying to discern this little one’s mind, asked why she couldn’t hear God’s words like Antonia. Antonia responded, ‘only people with little ears can hear him.’

As you might imagine, I was in awe after hearing that amazing story. Aware of this week’s Gospel, I immediately knew what my opening story would be this week! Jesus prayed to his Father, ‘Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise andthe learned you have revealed them to little ones.’ How true that is! The great mysteries of the Faith are difficult for all of us at times. Yet, it always seems the simple little ones seem to make the most sense out of the profound.

This 4th of July weekend, we rightly recall the great freedom and independence we have as a nation. However, freedom is a misunderstood word these days. Modern society seems to think freedom means we can do whatever or whenever we want. For many, freedom is viewed apart from any rules or laws that govern humanity. Yet, Jesus said, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (Jn 8:31-32).” In other words, true freedom is found in seeking the Truth, remaining faithful to God’s word and being dependent upon God’s grace. Perhaps that is why Jesus praised his Father for revealing sacred mysteries to little ones instead of the wise and learned. Certainly there have been and are many wise and learned people that live very holy and faithful lives. However, such people possessed the necessary ingredient of humility. Little ones recognize their dependence on God and humbly ask for help to understand Truth. All too often, arrogance accompanies a prideful wise and learned person. A simple look at some modern leaders, whether they are politicians or theologians, might help understand why Jesus preferred little ones over the wise and learned!

This Independence weekend, we recall the proper dependence we need to have on God. By becoming little and humbling ourselves before God, may we experience true freedom as sons and daughters of God as we prepare to one day be carried up God's ladder!

13th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-06-24T16:09:00.000-04:00

The Radical Call!

He grew up in a small town in a catholic family and even served Mass as a young child. In his teen years he drifted away from the faith and soon found brawls, booze, and everything else that came with the high school party scene. In 1993, as a freshman in college, having just joined a fraternity, he achieved the ‘high’ G.P.A of 1.9 and was awarded academic probation for his accomplishment! That same year, he lost a high school buddy, stabbed in a fight outside a pool hall and his heart was soon filled with revenge. However, his heart soon softened after he attended a spiritual retreat, which was encouraged by his parents and local pastor. The grades soon went up, faith was restored and the religious vocation to follow Christ in the spirit of St. Francis was discovered. Fr. Juniper Mary Sistare is currently a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, who just this past week, was sent to the Honduras to do mission work for the Lord.

As I prayed upon the Gospel this weekend, I thought of my younger brother, Fr. Juniper Mary Sistare and his radical transformation to become a priest and missionary for Jesus Christ. Jesus words this weekend are not easy ones to say the least.

"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”

Obviously, Jesus obeyed his own parents on earth and expects each of us to render the proper respect and obedience to those in authority over us. Yet, Jesus clearly states that the condition for discipleship is to place family and friends, after the divine will of God. The ideal is for the will of the family, especially parents, and the will of God to be in conformity.

My own brother loves his family very much. He longs for his home visits, which amounts to 2 weeks out of the year. Yet, he also recognizes the conditions of being a disciple of the Lord. Father, mother, brother, sister, NIECE and all else dearly loved, must always come after the will of God. God has called my brother to a radical life of poverty for the sake of the Kingdom of God. That radical call has led him to the South Bronx and now the impoverished land of the Honduras to bring the Gospel to others less fortunate than us. Yet, Fr. Juniper is at peace with that call because he is following Christ.

My brothers and sisters, in each of our vocations, the Lord is calling us to follow him in a deeper, more radical way. We continue to love and respect our family and friends, but Jesus clearly reminds us this weekend, that they must come after the Lord himself if we are to be serious disciples. In the end, we are all following the ultimate call to be saints. By the grace of God and the strength of the Eucharist, may we all reach the shores of Eternal Life as we follow Christ in a more radical way!

12th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-06-19T09:20:00.000-04:00

No Fear!

No fear! On this father’s day, we would do well to look at the courage of several spiritual fathers, the 17^th century North American Jesuit Martyrs. The North American Martyrs, sent to bring Christianity to Native Americans in the New World had no fear!

Rene Goupil, was tomahawked for making the sign of the cross on the brows of the children he was catechizing. Rene Goupil had no fear!
Isaac Jogues was tortured and in the process had his fingers chewed off. He later escaped, went back to France and then was granted to still say Mass without his fingers. He returned to the mission but was soon tomahawked to death. Isaac Jogues had no fear!
Anthony Daniel offered Mass in a Huron village when the Iroquois tribe attacked. Anthony Daniel, during the attack, ran around baptizing the Huron people he had been catechizing. In the process, he was pierced with arrows and then thrown into a Church with Hurons, as the Iroquois set the Church afire. Anthony Daniel had no fear!
John DeBrebeuf and Gabriel Lalemant had their hands cut off, red hot hatchets applied to their bodies, and finally cauldrons of boiling water poured on their bodies. A contemporary wrote, "There was no part of his body that was not burnt, even his eyes, for the villains had forced burning embers into the sockets." Both men had no fear!

The North American Martyrs had no fear because they believed in the words of today’s Gospel. Jesus said to his Apostles, “fear no one.” “…do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…” Jesus assured his Apostles that their Heavenly Father watched over them and every hair on their head was counted. For some of us that might not be a lot of hairs to count! In all seriousness, Jesus prepared the Apostles for their own persecution and eventual bloody martyrdom. However, in the midst of those persecutions, Jesus assured them that their Heavenly Father would watch over and protect them.

The North American Martyrs were physically harmed and eventually killed for proclaiming the Gospel. Yet, their soul couldn’t be killed. They had no fear because they believed their Heavenly Father was with them throughout their trial. They believed that no matter what happened to them here on earth, so long as they remained faithful to Jesus, their Heavenly Father would welcome them home.

We all have fears! Yet, we are challenged to put our trust in our Father’s providence and cast away our fears. We might not be at risk to be tomahawked to death, but in a world of terrorism, violence has still led many to be afraid. There are also the fears of the unexpected ranging from a new job or school to the death of a loved one. Of course, there are the ongoing phobias in the world. This might be shocking but did you know I used to be afraid of public speaking? The Lord took care of that phobia and I haven’t been quiet since!

On this Father’s Day, we rightfully honor our fathers for their providential care. However, we also look to our Heavenly Father and recall that he is always with us as we persevere in faith and have no fear as we strive towards Eternal Life. This weekend, as we pray the ‘Our Father’, may we truly cry out from the depths of our hearts as children to our loving and merciful Father.

11th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-06-11T16:13:00.000-04:00

Baptism of my niece, Kaelie Jilliana Kennedy

What can she see? That’s a question that I and many others have pondered this past month as my niece, Kaelie, has become more aware of her surroundings. Some say she can see objects 8- 10 inches away. In that case, large heads making funny faces has been her entertainment! Personally, I have witnessed Kaelie looking upward, staring around, and then making a peaceful smile. Perhaps she sees angels? We may never know what she sees at this point in her life but perhaps we can ask a slightly different question. What do we see today?

The Gospel states that Jesus saw the crowd as sheep in need of a shepherd to feed and care for them. Sheep can be viewed in many ways, pending the eye of the beholder. For example, a butcher looks at a sheep and sees mutton, meat to sell. A garment manufacturer looks upon a sheep and sees wool. A wolf sees his next dinner as he gazes upon sheep. Yet, a Shepherd simply sees a sheep to guide, care for and feed.

What do we see today? As we participate in Kaelie Jilliana’s baptism, what do we see? Any human being would recognize Kaelie as a newborn infant. Many in the world would see Kaelie as just another cute baby. Her own family and friends would see her more personally as a daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, cousin, and of course, NIECE! Yet, as Christians, understanding the significance of the sacrament of baptism, we should see her first and foremost as a child of God. Today, Kaelie Jilliana becomes a Christian, a follower of Christ.

The Rite of Baptism is full of symbolism to help us see Kaelie become a Christian. Kaelie will first be signed on her forehead with the sign of the cross. Every time we enter Church we make the sign of the cross with holy water to remind ourselves of our own baptism and identity as a Christian. Soon after, Kaelie will be washed with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That washing will remove the stain of original sin of our first parents. At that moment, the life of our Triune God will dwell within her and Kaelie will be in full communion with the grace of God. As a new daughter of God, she will be claimed by Jesus Christ as his very own. That reality will be demonstrated by the anointing on the crown of her head. Why the crown? Kaelie will share in the kingship of Jesus Christ, possessing a royal dignity, configured to Christ. I’ve been telling her she is a princess for the last month so Kaelie has absolutely no problem with royalty! Finally, the white garment placed upon her signifies the purity she now possesses in Christ.

Interestingly, the name Kaelie, of Gaelic origin from which the name, ‘Kathy’ and ‘Katherine’ is derived, means ‘keeper of the keys’ as well as, ‘pure’. Jilliana is of Latin origin meaning youthful. So, we truly have a ‘pure youth’ before us! Beth and Michael named Kaelie after two friends of the family who died at early ages. Kathy Warner was tragically killed in a car accident and her daughter, Jill Gaccione died of leukemia. There’s so much meaning in this little one’s name but we must always remember that she is first and foremost a Christian! What do you see? I pray today, witnessing this beautiful baptism, as Christians, we all will see a child of God, a fellow Christian.

What does Kaelie see? We may never know what she sees at just one month of age. However, it is my hope that through Michael and Beth’s love and guidance, along with family and friends, especially the Godparents, Kaelie will see herself and others as children of God. ‘Princess’ Kaelie Jilliana Kennedy, from this day forward, may you always live as a child of God and live forever with Him in the life to come.

10th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-06-03T16:49:00.000-04:00

'Who, me?'

‘Who, me?’ That would be a great title for the Caravaggio masterpiece, The Call of St. Matthew, found in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. In this beautiful painting Jesus, with St. Peter, points to a central figure, surrounded by a group of tax collectors at table. That key figure is St. Matthew who points to himself as to say, ‘who, me?’ His other hand, interestingly, is still on the money.

In the Gospel today, the call of Matthew is much brief. Jesus simply walks towards him and says, ‘follow me.’ Matthew listens and soon is found eating at table with Jesus. Regardless of the details of the conversion, Matthew needed to do three very important things with this new call.

First, he needed to acknowledge the call. Jesus clearly called and targeted Matthew to follow him. Matthew hesitates in the Caravaggio painting, sort of saying, ‘who, me?’ Yes, you Matthew! You are called to follow Jesus and become a leader of the Church. Matthew needed to first acknowledge that no matter how unworthy he might have been, Jesus was calling him.

Secondly, Matthew needed to take his hand off the money! Matthew needed to detach himself from his old way of life. Matthew needed to walk away from being a tax collector and now begin a new life in Christ. While the temptation to fall back to old ways probably remained, Matthew persevered and followed Jesus to martyrdom.

Finally, after acknowledging the call and detaching himself from the material goods, Matthew needed to get up and go! Jesus called Matthew to follow him. In other words, Matthew needed to move into action! He wasn’t called to sit there at the table but to get up and work for the salvation of souls!

Our personal call to holiness within our respective vocations work the very same way. First, Jesus calls each of us to a state of life, a particular vocation. Whether that call is to marriage, holy orders, religious life or the single life, we are all called to holiness. We need to first acknowledge that call by listening to the Lord in prayer. It’s easy to point to ourselves and say, ‘Who, me?’ Yet, the Lord calls us despite our human weaknesses and waits for our acceptance.

Secondly, we need to detach ourselves from those things that will prevent us from following the Lord wholeheartedly. We need to let go of our vices and follow Jesus’ call to holiness. Regular confession is the best way to detach ourselves from sin and vices. Jesus was very clear in today’s Gospel in saying he came for sinners not the righteous.

Finally, we need to move forward. Within all our vocations, there’s always work to do for the Lord. We can’t be found sitting idle while souls are in need of our help. Whether by our words or actions, we are called to go forth and work for the Lord.

This weekend, may we listen attentively to Jesus’ call to holiness and go forth, nourished by the Eucharist, to work for the Lord!

Corpus Christi 2005 A

2005-05-28T16:24:00.000-04:00

EUCHARISTIC LOVE

LIFE: Love Is Forever Eucharistic! I thought of that little acronym in light of this great Solemnity of Corpus Christi we celebrate this weekend. On this day we focus on the great gift of the Eucharist, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a time to reflect on the true meaning of love found in the Eucharist.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus doesn’t mix words and gets right to the point with his listening audience in the synagogue. Remember, it is forbidden to consume the blood of an animal. Yet, Jesus states that if one wants Eternal Life, they must eat his body and drink his blood. In fact, he states on the contrary, if you do not eat his body and drink his blood, you will have no life within you. As a result of that teaching, the Scriptures record that many of his disciples no longer followed him. However, Jesus taught without compromise and never stated he was peaking metaphorically or symbolically. He taught very clearly on the necessity to eat his body and drink his blood so as to enter eternal life.

What exactly is Eucharistic love? We don’t have to look much further than the Cross for a definition of Eucharistic love. Eucharistic love is all about sacrifice. Eucharistic love is about laying down one’s life for the good of another. Eucharistic love is founded in the very words of Jesus himself. “This is my Body, given for you.” This is the cup of my blood, the blood of the New and Everlasting Covenant, it will be shed for you...” At the heart of Eucharistic love is the word, sacrifice. Jesus’ love was Eucharistic as he sacrificed his life for our sins.

Our modern society is in desperate need to understand the true meaning of love. In many ways, Jesus’ words have been reversed and twisted. Jesus says, this is my body and blood for you so that you might have life. The world says in order that we might live longer, others must die. Sounds crazy but that’s exactly what embryonic stem cell research, abortion, and euthanasia sell to the masses. ‘This is my body, my life, and my right!’ One of the tiniest stages of human life, an embryo, must die so handicapped or ailing people can live longer. The nation is in the middle of a battle on this issue as many Catholic civic leaders, including our RI boys, think it’s perfectly fine to destroy the smallest human lives so others might live longer. In the case of abortion, the tragedy is that the woman usually feels like she has no other choice. The fears, confusion, and stress overwhelm millions of women and all too often they are led astray by Planned Parenthood and other pro abortion groups to think that the only choice is for their baby to die so they might have a better life. All that follows is a long life of sorrow and mourning when the reality settles in. Nonetheless, mercy and forgiveness need to always be offered to men and women affected by abortion so the horror doesn’t continue.

LIFE: Love is Forever Eucharistic. True love seeks out the best interest of another, from the tiniest unborn child to the terminally ill or elderly person. True love follows the example set by Jesus as he sacrificed for the good of all humanity. True love is founded on the sacred words of Jesus, “This is my Body, given for you.” My brothers and sister, true and authentic LOVE IS FOREVER EUCHARISTIC and always gives LIFE!

Trinity Sunday 2005 A

2005-05-21T15:44:00.000-04:00

CHILDLIKE!!!

As St. Augustine was walking the beach one day, he pondered the mystery of the Holy Trinity. He was talking to himself: ‘One God, but three Persons. The Trinity is three Persons, yet we do not believe in three Gods but one God. What does it mean? How can it be explained?’ as he continued along the beach, he saw a little boy on the beach. The child had dug a small hole in the sand and with his little hands he was carrying water from the ocean and was dumping it in the little hole. St. Augustine, curiously asked, “What are you doing?” The child replied, “I want to place all of the water of the ocean into this hole.” Once more St. Augustine asked, “But is impossible for all the water of this ocean to be contained in this little hole?” The child, an angel in disguise, replied, “If the water of the ocean cannot be contained in this little hole, then how can the infinite Trinitarian God be contained in your mind?”

This weekend on this Solemn Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, we pause to reflect upon this great mystery. Every week we profess to believe in One God while remaining three distinct persons within that one united Godhead. Though the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is a great mystery we can grow in our knowledge and love of our Triune God as St. Augustine certainly did throughout his life. However, there’s an important ingredient we need if we attempt to grow closer to the Trinity. That necessary ingredient in called HUMILITY! In other words, we need to become like little children, becoming once again small in the sight of God.

That thought came to me this past week as I have been head over heels in love with my new baby niece. My sister, Beth and her husband, Michael had a baby girl this past Sunday, May 15, 2005 and named her Kaelie Jilliana Kennedy. I was fortunate to be there at the hospital as Kaelie was introduced to our family for the first time. This little munchkin has had me wrapped around her finger ever since! I have enjoyed cuddling her but also watching all the little moves, facial gestures, stretches, yawns and even little whimpers she makes. I already spent an hour in Babies R’ Us searching for the perfect little dress for a princess. In fact, observing this precious little gift has led me to think about our relationship with our Triune God. In many ways, we are like little babies in the sight of God. We long for security and protection as we rest in the loving arms of God. We also can have our temper tantrums and cry when things don’t go our way. In the midst of all our cries, yawns, and moves, God is there to hold and support us.

This weekend, we are called to become like little children and allow God to lead and draw us closer to himself. One of the biggest problems in our world is pride has kept people from reaching out towards God. Humility allows us to draw close to God by becoming small in his sight. May we all grow in humility and become like little children in the presence of our Almighty but loving Triune God.

Pentecost 2005 A

2005-05-14T12:28:00.000-04:00

Steady the Course!

On this Solemn Feast of Pentecost, I would like to share a great article by Fritz Wenisch from the religion section of the Providence Journal Sat. May 14, 2005. In the article, Mr. Wenisch invites us to imagine being one of the survivors of an airplane crash in the middle of the wilderness. He states, “The weather is predicted to turn cold in two or three days, and all of you will freeze to death unless they are rescued soon. Frantic efforts are made to contact someone -- anyone -- through a portable radio transmitter, to no avail. After the first night, however, two people claim to have reached an aviation tower at an airfield on a nearby island and received word that a three-hour walk into a northeasterly direction will lead to a shore point to which a rescue vessel has been dispatched. A caravan of people ensues. Two hours into the trek, however, following complaints about how difficult the path has become, the two guides assert that the original message recommended a northwesterly direction; the caravan changes course. Half an hour later, after new complaints, the leaders announce that the boat is to be reached in the southeast, and the procession makes a 180 degree turn. The zigzagging continues. How long will it take you to realize that the self-appointed guides likely never did receive a genuine message?”

Mr. Wenisch’s article illustrates the role of the Church as the pillar and foundation of Truth. The Church is called to keep steady the course to the shores of Eternal Life! The Feast of Pentecost is a perfect time to reflect on the consistency of the Church’s teachings on matters of faith and morals. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon the Church to keep steady the course. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the first Bishops of the Church, so they might go forth to forgive sins and keep steady the course ahead. In Gen. 2:7, God breathed into the nostrils of man to make him a living being and so likewise, Jesus breathed upon the Apostles, giving them spiritual life, to be the first leaders of his Church. There were probably those in the early Church that complained that the road was too rough. Ten of the twelve Apostles were killed for their faith. St. John was exiled and thousands of Christians were slaughtered in massive persecutions in the first 300 years of the Church. Heretics tried to change doctrinal teachings of faith and morals and it wasn’t long before secular powers, new world religions, plagues, and even inner corruption threatened the Church. Nonetheless, the Spirit empowered the Church to keep steady the course!

Just like survivors of a plane crash looking for direction to safety, so the Church is led by the Spirit to reach safe ground. However, unlike the mixed messages and inconsistent truths that the survivors received, the Holy Spirit gives clear and consistent guidance upon the Church. As self–appointed guides (dissident Catholic ‘theologians’) continue to cry for a change in direction on matters of faith and morals, the Church obediently listens to the Spirit and keeps steady the course. To quote Mr. Wenisch once again; how long will it take you to realize that the self-appointed guides likely never did receive a genuine message?” How long will it take our modern ‘self-appointed’ guides to realize they are zigzagging away from the Truth? The very reason the Church has survived for 2000 years is because Christ sent the Spirit to keep steady the course ahead. Just as those survivors were dependent on true direction for their safety, so the Church is dependent on the Spirit to reach Eternal life.

This weekend, may we rejoice and give thanks to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We truly have an advocate and guide to help us as a Church keep steady the course on the way towards salvation. ‘Come Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love.’

7th Sunday Easter 2005 A

2005-05-08T09:54:00.000-04:00

Belonging!

As many of you know, Cardinal Ratzinger, our new Pope Benedict XVI, ordained me to the diaconate in 1999 at St. Peter’s Basilica. Reflecting upon that diaconate ordination has led me to recall words of my seminary rector, Archbishop Timothy Dolan. It was just days before the diaconate ordination, when our families and friends gathered in the seminary chapel for a College Mass. Archbishop Dolan welcomed all our visitors and then told all present, especially parents, about a particular moment in the ordination when we would go face down on the cold marble floor of St. Peter’s Basilica, in an act of dying to oneself. He then informed the parents that as we rose from that position to be ordained, we would no longer belong to them but to the Church. As you might imagine, the moms were on the verge of tears as they accepted the reality that their sons had given their life totally to God and His Church. Obviously, clergy don’t lose their parents at ordination but they do belong first and foremost the Church, whom they are called to serve.

Belonging is an important concept to reflect upon after hearing the Gospel today. In Jesus’ priestly prayer, the theme of belonging is prevalent. Jesus spoke of how his disciples belonged to his Father and how the Father gave them to him. “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me…” He would later pray to his Father, ‘they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine…’ The disciples belonged totally to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

As Disciples of Christ we also belong to God first and foremost. In fact, at our baptism we were adopted as sons and daughters of God, claimed by Christ as his very own. That’s why we should take great consolation in the Gospel words that Jesus said he is praying for us. We belong to him and as a result he is watching over and protecting each of us in prayer.

Secondly we all belong to families. Today we are mindful of our mothers, from whom we received the great gift of life. We give thanks to Almighty God for our families, especially our parents, living or deceased. May we never stop praying for each member in our families as we strive to enter Eternal Life together!

Finally, we should also remember that we belong to a larger family as well. We belong to the Church. Jesus prayed that we might be one and founded his Church upon St. Peter, the rock. Therefore, since Jesus and the Church are one, we belong to both Jesus and His Church. Unfortunately many people think they can belong to Jesus but attack and persecute the Church. St. Paul found out first hand as Jesus told him prior to his conversion that it was He whom he was persecuting as he ordered Christians executed. To belong to Christ means to belong to the Church, our Mother. It also means we should belong to Mary, the Mother of the Church. It is worth pointing out that Mary was present with the Apostles, the early church, in prayer as they awaited the Spirit. We should have a deep love and devotion to Mary, our Blessed Mother.

My brothers and sisters, today, we are aware of belonging to a great family. We belong to God and we recall the great blessing he gave us in our families, especially in our mothers. May we all have a great sense of belonging within our families, especially within our parish family as we journey towards the Heavenly Kingdom, where we wish to belong forever.

Ascension of our Lord 2005 A

2005-05-06T13:30:00.000-04:00

Obligation or opportunity?

Do we view this Solemn Feast of the Ascension as a holy day of obligation or a holy day of opportunity? Obligation or opportunity?

Obviously, it is true that this Feast of the Ascension is a holy day of obligation. We are obligated to attend Mass today as we are obligated to attend Mass every Sunday. Yet, I propose that we go deeper in our understanding of Mass and see this day as a day of opportunity.

The Feast of the Ascension was an opportunity for the disciples of the Lord Jesus. They had the opportunity to receive the gift of the Spirit because Jesus ascended to the Father. In this way, Jesus could remain within them always.

We also have an opportunity to get ready for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The feast of the Ascension points to Pentecost. We have the opportunity today on the Ascension to prepare and be ready for the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.

Secondly, we have the opportunity to receive the Lord Jesus today, as we do at every Mass, in the Holy Eucharist. We have the opportunity to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus and come into communion with him today. We have the opportunity to receive grace, the very life of God, here at this Mass on the Feast of the Ascension!

Finally, we have the opportunity to refocus. The Feast of the Ascension allows us to refocus and see where we are heading. Jesus returned to the Father so he might send the Holy Spirit. However, he longs for all of us to be with him again in Eternal Life. The Ascension reminds us that this life is a pilgrimage towards Heaven. We aren’t made to live on earth forever but rather to live in Eternal Life with the Holy Trinity and all the angels and saints.

My brothers and sister, today is a holy day of obligation and we have chosen wisely by taking the time to worship our Risen Lord. Yet, we would far better by seeing this Feast of the Ascension as a holy day of opportunity. May we see this holy day as an opportunity to be ready for the Spirit, receive grace in the Eucharist, and to refocus, looking towards our final home.

6th Sunday Easter A 2005

2005-04-30T16:59:00.000-04:00

Not Orphans!

He lost his mother at the age of nine. At the age of twelve, his older brother died at the hands of the scarlet fever. When he was twenty, upon arriving home, he found his father dead on the floor. My brothers and sisters, John Paul II for all practical purposes was an orphan, experiencing the death of his entire family by the tender age of twenty. He would later tell a friend that he ‘never felt so alone’ after the death of his father. Yet, John Paul II soon realized that he was not alone.

Jesus told his disciples that he would not leave them orphans. After the Resurrection and prior to his Ascension to Heaven, Jesus reassured his followers that, though he would physically be apart from them, he would remain with them always. This presence would be manifested in the coming of his Spirit, the other advocate he asked the Father to send. Jesus promised that we will never be orphans because God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will always be with us.

John Paul II was not alone after the loss of his immediate family because he believed God was still with him. That belief would enable him to persevere, enter seminary and ultimately become the great Pope he was for 26 years. God is always there for each of us as well. Jesus has sent the Spirit so we will never be orphans.

As we enter the month of May, we would do well to recall another advocate always ready to help us. Jesus gave us the command from the Cross to behold his Mother. That’s exactly what we do in love and obedience when we honor our Blessed Mother. We go to Mary and ask her to intercede and help us by bringing us closer to Jesus. In fact, any true devotion to Mary will always lead one to Christ.

Today, our children will present flowers to Mary and crown as Queen of Heaven and Earth. However, as we honor her as Mother, we ultimately give praise and worship to God for creating such a perfect masterpiece in Mary.

Our children will also receive scapulars today. The promise of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel that one who wears the scapular will enter Eternal Life on the Saturday following one’s death points to the mercy of God. It is worth noting that the scapular is not magic! By wearing the scapular we pledge ourselves to remain in God’s grace by obeying his commandments, praying the rosary and frequently receiving the Eucharist and Confession. A life of fidelity and holiness is a prerequisite to the scapular. In fact, the scapular was originally used to protect religious habits from dirt. Interestingly, the scapular protects us spiritually from the dirt of sin. The devotion of the scapular leads us to know, love and serve Christ in a deeper way.

We are not orphans! Jesus has sent the Spirit to remain with and in us always. He also has given us his Mother to love and honor as he himself did on earth. May we all draw close to Jesus through Mary as children of God, striving to live forever in Eternal Life.

5th Sunday Easter A 2005

2005-04-24T10:51:00.000-04:00

Vicar of Christ!

‘The Pope’s Enforcer’ (BBC), ‘God’s Rottweiler’ (CBS & ABC), ‘Cardinal No’ (CNN), and a ‘Hardliner’ (CBS) are some of the labels the world, specifically, the media has placed upon our new Holy Father. This has been a month of many emotions with sadness at the death of John Paul II, great joy at the election of Pope Benedict XVI, and now perhaps some frustration at the ignorance of those in the media, especially fellow Catholics who attack their own Holy Father. I mention these labels because we need to be very clear about WHO the Pope is. We all know Pope Benedict XVI is Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. I was actually ordained a deacon by Cardinal Ratzinger in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome so as you might imagine I am overjoyed at this news! Yet, we need to go deeper and see WHO he is in relation to Christ and the Church.

Jesus stated in the Gospel today that he is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Notice, Jesus didn’t say he was one of many ways, another truth or one type of life. Jesus clearly stated that he is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life.

This all brings us back to Pope Benedict XVI and who he is in relation to Christ and the Church. My brothers and sisters, the Church teaches that the Pope is the successor of St. Peter and as such is the Vicar of Christ. If the world wants a title or label for Pope Benedict, they can start with ‘Vicar of Christ.’ A Vicar is one who stands in for or acts for another. Therefore, Pope Benedict XVI has been chosen by the Holy Spirit, elected by the College of Cardinals, to stand in for Christ on earth. This is why Jesus named Simon Peter the rock upon which he would build his Church. Jesus gave the Church the office of the papacy so we might be united in faith and so the gates of Hell would never prevail against the Church. Pope Benedict XVI has been elected as the chief Shepherd on earth to lead the Church to the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict XVI’s Episcopal motto is “co-worker of the Truth.” He explained this motto in his book, Milestones:

“Despite all the differences in modality, what is involved was and remains the same: to follow truth, to be at its service. And because in today's world the theme of truth has all but disappeared, because truth appears too great for man, and yet everything falls apart if there is no truth.

The world, especially the usual Catholic dissenters who grab 5 minutes of fame, will continue to throw their pop shots, placing labels on our Holy Father. Yet, Pope Benedict will remain the Vicar of Christ and faithfully serve the Church as Supreme Pontiff by safeguarding the teachings of Christ. Thus, teachings on faith and morals will never change. The long wish list of changes that so many dissident Catholics want will not occur because they are contrary to the teachings of Christ. Many want our teaching on abortion, euthanasia, a male only priesthood, sanctity of marriage, homosexuality, etc…to change and conform to the lies of the world. Yet, the Pope has been called by Christ to be his Vicar, safeguarding his teachings and leading souls to the Truth.

My brothers and sisters, the Church is on a pilgrimage towards Eternal Life. Jesus gave the Church the papacy to guide this ship to the shore in the midst of the storms of life. May we obediently listen to Pope Benedict XVI and continue to strive towards the Way, the Truth and forever enjoy Eternal Life!

4th Sunday Easter A 2005

2005-04-17T11:52:00.000-04:00

Fed, Led & Protected

St. John Vianney, a 19th century French Priest, was on his way to his new assignment in the small town of Ars, when he saw a small group of children up ahead. This new priest, searching for the small town of Ars, stopped and asked the children, “which way to Ars?” A small boy stepped forward and pointed the way to Ars. St. John Vianney then replied, “You have shown me the way to Ars, now I will show you the way to Heaven.” From the moment John Vianney arrived at Ars, he never stopped doing just that. Whether it was the 16 hours a day hearing confessions, teaching catechism to the youth, or running the orphanage next door, John Vianney never stopped pointing the way to Heaven! Not surprisingly St. John Vianney or the Cure’ of Ars as commonly called, is the patron saint of parish priests!

Cure’ or Pastor both mean one thing; Shepherd! Shepherds always did at least three things. They fed, led and protected their flock. They led the flock by their familiar voice through the gates to green pasture. They obviously fed their flock. I am not sure what sheep eat in addition to grass, but I am sure they fed them sheep food from time to time. Finally, they protected their flock from thieves and wild animals. In fact, apparently it was common for shepherds to sleep across the gate of the sheepfold to make sure no danger entered.

John Paul II fed, led and protected the flock! At his funeral, the millions shouted, “Santo Subito” (Saint now)! That exclamation comes from all ages who watched John Paul II feed, lead and protect the Church faithfully for 26 years a Pope. He fed the flock with teaching after teaching in his many encyclicals, exhortations, letters, etc… He led the Church in faith and especially morals as he battled the culture of death. In fact, he led by example as his personal witness on the value in suffering became, in many ways, his last homily. Finally, he protected the Church by safeguarding the deposit of faith. That is what every Pope is called to do. That is why it is pointless for the media and others to suggest that doctrinal changes pertaining to faith and morals will take place. The Pope is called to safeguard and defend the teachings of Christ, not change them.

My brothers and sisters, these are exciting times. Yet in the midst of the excitement and perhaps, anxiety, may we trust that the Holy Spirit will give us a Pope that will feed, lead and protect the Church. Pray this week that the Cardinals will aided by the Spirit to elect a holy and faithful Pope.

3rd Sunday Easter 2005 A

2005-04-08T14:21:00.000-04:00

'Do Not Be Afraid'

“Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. ... Open wide the doors for Christ (John Paul II, Oct. 22, 1978).” Those are the words of the beloved John Paul II during the homily at his installation Mass as Pope. John Paul II has written extensively on so many topics and served the Church wholeheartedly for 26 years as Pope. Yet, those words, ‘do not be afraid’ will undoubtedly be one phrase many will associate with our departed Pope. Do not be afraid!

Those are fitting words to reflect upon as we continue to hear about the appearances of the Risen Lord to his disciples in our Easter season Gospels. The road to Emmaus account that we just heard mentions that two disciples were looking downcast. They were trying to discern all that had happened in previous days about the Christ. Low and behold, Jesus, unrecognizable in his glorified state, appears and walks with them. They had doubts, questions and fears and Jesus begins to open the doors to them by interpreting the Scriptures. Their hearts were burning so much within that they asked him to remain with them. Jesus obliges and ‘breaks bread’, at which their eyes are opened. Their fears and doubts are cast aside after Jesus speaks the Word of God and offers the Eucharist.

Do not be afraid. Those words spoken by John Paul II are words to reflect upon this weekend. Perhaps, like the disciples on route to Emmaus, we are also looking downcast these days. Perhaps, at the news of the death of John Paul II or events in our personal lives, we are looking downcast in doubt or fear. Do not be afraid!

The way out of doubt and fear is the same way that the disciples experienced. Listen to the Word of God and let your hearts burn within you. Allow Jesus to open the doors of your heart as you prepare to receive the Eucharist. The experience of the disciples on their way to Emmaus is the same experience we can have each week at Mass. When we come to Holy Mass, we hear the Word of God in the first reading, psalms, second reading and finally the Gospel. We behold the Lord ‘breaking bread’ when the bread and wine become His Body and Blood on the altar. We have the awesome opportunity to have the same experience of the disciples and then having our fears cast aside by knowing Jesus is with us.

This weekend, may we listen to the words of John Paul II and be not afraid. Furthermore, may we truly believe Jesus is with us in Word and especially, in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Be not afraid, our Risen Lord is with us every step of the way as we journey towards our final home!
Allow me to close with the words of Cardinal Ratzinger in his homily at John Paul II’s funeral.
“We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that he sees us and blesses us.” Be not afraid, John Paul II is interceding for the Church now from the Father’s house!

2nd Sunday Easter A: Divine Mercy Sunday

2005-04-03T09:42:00.000-04:00

Mercy of John Paul II

"It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called 'Divine Mercy Sunday.” Those are the words of John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000. On that day John Paul II declared the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. It is very fitting that we remember John Paul II, our beloved Pope, who passed away, yesterday, April 2, 2005, on this Divine Mercy Sunday. Let’s look at how the word, 'mercy', is defined in Webster’s Dictionary.

1. compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender

2. a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion
3. compassionate treatment of those in distress

Compassion towards offenders or those in distress seems to a good working definition. The Gospel today gives us a look at compassion towards someone is distress and doubt. There is an apostle in distress! After the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his apostles so they might believe in the Resurrection. They all come to believe until we come to doubting Thomas, who said, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Thomas wanted first hand proof by physically touching Jesus’ hands and side. Jesus appeared and allowed Thomas to feel the marks of his hands and wound in his side. Thomas, in distress, is shown compassion by Jesus and Divine Mercy is manifested. Then we get one of the best proofs for the Divinity of Christ. Thomas drops to his knees and cries out, “My Lord and My God.”

Mercy calls us to have compassion on offenders. John Paul II has truly been a great example of mercy in that respect. He taught us that we need to have mercy towards the hardest of criminals. Immediately we might call to mind a notorious murderer. Certainly justice is needed by means of punishment that fits the particular crime. However, we are called to be compassionate and merciful in that punishment. Our Holy Father led by example as he visited and forgave the man who shot him back in 1983. The Catechism of the Church urges us to have mercy on the matter of the death penalty and thus has stated that “the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity 'are very rare, if not practically non-existent."

Mercy means to be compassionate towards those in distress. Our nation has failed miserably when it comes to displaying mercy towards the vulnerable of society. Our Holy Father has constantly called our nation to task on offenses against innocent human life, from conception to natural death. John Paul consistently called the world to have mercy towards the most vulnerable in the womb. John Paul II, even in his last days, urged our nation to have mercy towards Terri Schiavo. He consistently taught that food and water, even artificially, is to be maintained. Mercy is not letting a woman starve to death for 13 days! Mercy was actually shown by three children praying outside the hospice where Terri stayed, as they attempted to bring a cup of water to Terri. Our ‘merciful’ nation arrested those three children and slapped handcuffs on them! Cardinal Renato Martino, a top Vatican official, said, “We are against the death penalty, and that was practically a death penalty that was inflicted on her…That was not a natural death. It was an imposed death. When you deprive somebody of food and water, what else is it? Nothing else but murder.”

This weekend, we recall the Divine Mercy that our world, nation, and all of us desperately need. We would do well to look to our beloved Pope that has passed from this world to return to the Father’s house. May we look to his example of mercy and go forth to show that mercy in the world. It was said that as John Paul II was dying and the crowds, especially young people, gathered to pray, he said, ‘I have looked for you. Now you have come to me. And I thank you.’ Rather, THANK YOU, John Paul II for your awesome witness of fidelity and holiness, always reflecting the mercy of our Heavenly Father.

Easter 2005 A

2005-03-26T11:42:00.000-05:00

This is Part 2: Camera on!

Allow me to begin this Easter homily with a portion of a letter I discovered a great Catholic web site called, ‘Catholic Exchange.’ The letter comes from a Catholic man who is in a Georgia state prison. It reads:

I just got back from watching The Passion of The Christ. Let me tell you, that movie was just awesome, awesome, awesome! I have often used my imagination to picture what our Lord had to endure and many times I have tried to describe in detail to other people the torture and pain of His Passion, but nothing prepared me for that movie. I don’t have a weak stomach, but I was nauseous because I was thinking about the sins that I have committed and how it should have been me getting beaten like that. I have no idea what suffering is!I found the movie to be scary and beautiful at the same time. On my way back to the dorm, I heard one guy telling another guy that the movie didn’t end right and that Mel Gibson must be going to make a Part 2. I told him, “This is Part 2” and I pointed at the moon in the sky and said, “The camera is on.”

“This is Part 2…the camera is on!” If you saw the Passion of the Christ you may recall that it ended with our Lord departing from the tomb. Many have suggested prequels or sequels after the film but perhaps that prisoner said it best. “This is part 2…the camera is on!”

Part 2 began immediately after the Resurrection and the camera was on the Apostles and others. Today we heard how the ‘camera was on’ Mary Magdalene as she discovered the empty tomb and ran to Peter and John. The camera was on Peter and John as they had a foot race to the empty tomb. The camera was on the other Apostles as they, one by one, ending with doubtful Thomas, believed in the Resurrection. In other words, Part 2 is our faith in action, founded upon the belief that Lord has risen! The camera was on the Apostles and early Church as they went forth to proclaim that Jesus Christ has risen and destroyed sin and death forever.

Today, the camera is still on as it films our response to the Resurrection of Jesus. Do we truly believe that suffering, death and sin no longer have power over us? Do we believe that Jesus Christ is alive and is the Lord of Life? If so, then our lives should reflect that belief and that is what Part 2 is all about. Part 2 is our lives in action to proclaim Jesus is Lord! People will still suffer and die during this earthly life. We will still be frustrated with our daily sins and vices. Yet, we believe that by our Lord’s Resurrection, suffering, sin and death do not have the final say. We have the hope of Eternal life now.

That prisoner said it best when he acknowledged that he is playing his role in Part 2. The camera is on all of us as we continue to repent of our sins, draw closer to the Risen Lord and strive towards Eternal life. On this Easter Sunday, may we all truly believe that Jesus Christ is alive, especially in the Eucharist, to help us put our faith in action! The camera is on…live the Resurrection!

Good Friday: March 25, 2005

2005-03-24T16:52:00.000-05:00

Cup of Suffering

Upon ordination, a newly ordained priest might receive from his family, relatives, friends or perhaps even a fellow priest, the gift of a chalice. I was very fortunate to have received such a gift from my family. Living in the same neighborhood as Pope John Paul II for five years, I was further blessed to have the Pope be the first to offer Mass with this chalice, thus consecrating the sacred vessel.

On this Good Friday we would do well to reflect on a chalice or cup. Certainly the chalices used at Mass are beautiful and elegant but the cup I speak of today is of another sort. In the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus was about to be arrested, Simon Peter is ready to move into action with his sword. Many of us can possibly relate with Peter as perhaps we would be tempted to do the same thing in the face of injustice. Yet, Jesus stops Peter and says, “Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?” The Apostles had heard of this cup before. When James and John, at the request of their mother, wanted to sit on the right and left of Jesus, Jesus asked them, ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My cup you will indeed drink… (Mt 20:22-23).” What is this cup that Jesus was given by the Father? What is this cup that Jesus prayed might pass if it be the Father’s will? What is this cup that the James, John and the other Apostles would be asked to drink from? The cup of suffering!

Jesus fully embraced the cup of suffering he received from His Father. The physical beating and scourging, the weight of the heavy cross, the crown of thorns pressed into his sacred head, nails pounded into his hands and feet, and the final humiliation of crucifixion all were part of this chalice. Jesus fully embraced the cup of suffering because he knew the redemptive value it would produce. The Apostles would also soon taste the cup of suffering as ten of them would be martyred in brutal ways for their faith in Christ. St. John took a sip of the cup of suffering as he faithfully stood at the cross on Good Friday but would later fully experience the cup of suffering as he was sent into exile. The Apostles did indeed drink of the cup of suffering but only after the Master drank first. Jesus drank the cup of suffering so suffering and death would not have the final say for us. Jesus drank the cup of suffering so that our suffering could be united to his and thus, have redemptive value.

Today, we are painfully aware that suffering in part of this earthly life. All of us will be asked to drink of the cup of suffering. Two examples come to mind of people currently drinking from the cup of suffering.

Pope John Paul II continues to suffer at the hands of Parkinson disease as he struggles to breathe these days. Pope John Paul II has been given a cup of suffering that he has fully embraced as he continues to be a witness of perseverance to the Church. He is teaching the world a lesson on the dignity and value of the human person even in the weakest stages of life. It’s worth mentioning that Jesus carried out his greatest act, salvation, in his physically weakest moment. So, in many ways, Pope John Paul II is giving the Church a great witness at a point in which he is extremely physically weak.

Terri Schiavo also has been asked to drink from the cup of suffering for the past 15 years. Terri’s suffering has now increased due to the fact, that after 15 years, Terri has had her feeding tube removed at the request of her ‘husband’ and by order of the courts. In fact, this whole case should sound very familiar after hearing the account of our Lord’s Passion. The courts and some politicians have all played the role of the Sanhedrin, Pilate and Herod as they have decided that it would be better for an innocent person to die. There are also those, like the Vatican, local bishops, various clergy, President Bush, the Governor of Florida, politicians, various leaders and even some young children, arrested for attempting bring a cup of water to Terri, playing the role of Simon of Cyrene and Veronica, who stepped forward to help our suffering Lord on route to Calvary. Certainly it isn’t hard to pair our Blessed Mother, who endured the death of her Son, to Terri’s family who are desperately trying to save her life. Yet, despite their best efforts, the culture of death marches on and Terri continues to drink from the cup of suffering.

Unfortunately, she is drinking from this cup because she lives in a country that quotes skewed laws of the land over the Divine law to not kill innocent human life. Let there be no confusion here! Terri was not dying before the feeding tube was removed. That is why the Pope has stated, “ …death by starvation or dehydration is, in fact, the only possible outcome as a result of their withdrawal. In this sense it ends up becoming, if done knowingly and willingly, true and proper euthanasia by omission.” Terri can still open and close her eyes, laugh, and respond to commands. Yet, the value of her life has been judged useless by some powers that be because they see no value in suffering. Perhaps through Terri, as well as, through her family’s witness, the world may come to see the dignity of every human life, even in its’ weakest moments.

My brothers and sisters, we all will be asked to drink from the cup of suffering because it is part of this life. This Good Friday may we behold the wood of the Holy Cross and gaze our eyes upon the suffering servant and be reminded of the redemptive value of suffering and the dignity of each and every innocent human life from conception until natural death.

Palm Sunday 2005 A

2005-03-17T15:09:00.000-05:00

Palms of Love

"What kind of palms will we place before Jesus?"
In today’s Gospel, we heard of many people placing palms and cloaks before Jesus as he processed into Jerusalem. This morning here’s a question for all of us…
What kind of palms will we place before Jesus?
I am not speaking of palm branches but the palms of our hands.
What kind of palms will we place before Jesus this Holy Week?

Will we place palms of anger?
These are the palms that the crowd waved in praise of our Lord and then soon turned into palms clenched in anger and hatred. Within a week’s time their shouts changed from a joyous, Hosanna, to an angry, Crucify him! These palms of anger were also what led Barrabas to commit murder.

Will we place palms of indifference, cowardice & sloth?
These are the palms that Pilate attempted to wash in his cowardice. He knew what the right thing to do was, but he decided to follow the crowd. He was ‘personally opposed, but…’ You know how that line goes… we hear it all the time in modern day political circles that are afraid to take a stand for the unborn.

Will we place palms of greed?
These are the palms of Judas that betrayed our Lord for 30 pieces of silver. The greatest tragedy of Judas was but that he despaired and didn’t turn to the Lord after he had fallen. God’s mercy and forgiveness would have been there for him had he asked for it.

Will we place palms of pride, envy & jealousy?
These are the palms of the pharisees, chief priests, saducees and scribes, who pointed at the Lord and said he is a threat to their power and therefore, must die. The problem with pride is the "I" in the middle. They were close minded and heard hearted, always focusing on themselves.

Will we place palms of lust, slander & gossip?
These are the palms of the soldiers. This may be a stretch, but if we look at their actions (stripping of Jesus’ garments, crowning of thorns, spitting, mocking, etc..) we may see that we do the same thing when we lust, slander and gossip. When we view others as objects for our pleasure we strip them of their dignity as children of God. When we tear down our neighbor to build ourselves up we strip them of their good reputation.

If we are honest, we will see these palms in our own lives. They may be small but they are probably there. WE are sinners!!! We have palms of sin, but fortunately there is another kind of palm.

The palms of love!
These are the palms of love that were nailed to a tree as sacred blood flowed forth from them. These are the palms that were stretched forth on a Cross for our palms of sin.
By these palms of love of our Lord and Savior we can have our palms of sin washed clean in the sacrament of confession.

My brothers and sisters, this is Victory week!!! Holy week is Victory week!!! Good Friday is ‘good’ because by the Cross of Christ, death and sin have been crushed. The palms of love have won for us the victory over sin and death. This Holy week, may we place before Jesus our palms of sin so that His palms of love may wash them clean and we may have new life.

5th Sunday Lent A 2005

2005-03-17T15:06:00.000-05:00

Remember me at the altar!

In the late 4th century as St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, lay on her deathbed in Italy, her other son expressed hope that she be brought to North Africa, their homeland, for burial. However, Monica intervened and told Augustine, "Bury my body wherever you will; let not care of it cause you any concern. One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be."

I love that story of St. Monica and St. Augustine because of the great hope it gives us all. Monica believed in the power of praying for the dead, especially at the altar during Mass. As death knocked at the door, Monica believed in Eternal life. Obviosuly as a canonized saint, Monica, as well as Augustine, are both in Heaven. Death was not the end but a beginning for both of them.

The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead should also give us great hope. Do you know the shortest line in Sacred Scripture? Jesus wept. At the death of his friend Lazarus, Jesus, the 2nd person of the Trinity wept. If Jesus cried, we certainly can shed a tear or two at times. Yet, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead to show that even death had no power over him. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life!

Perhaps you love repeats. The New England Patriots seem to know all about repeats. I personally like repeats of ‘Everybody loves Raymond.” I don’t know if Lazarus liked repeats or not but he would have to experience a repeat. Lazarus was raised from the dead, back to a mortal life but that meant he would have to one day die again so as to enter Eternal Life. Obviously the raising of Lazarus from the dead was an extraordinary and supernatural event. We will all die once and once and then be judged. That is why we don’t believe in reincarnation. We will not come back as another person, horse, ant, or any other creature. We will die once and then meet our Creator!

Death is a fact of life. None of us can escape it and sometimes it comes unexpectecly. However, we are reminded by the Gospel today that death is not to be feared. Death is the opportunity to live forever in Heaven in perfect beatitude. It is only through death that we can enter eternal life. St. Monica’s words remind us all that we can help those who have gone before us. When we come to Mass, the priest offers a specific intention for a departed member of the faithful. We can all present our loved ones in prayer to the Father and ask the Lord to take our departed brothers and sisters to Himself. In other words, remember your loved ones at the altar. We are called to believe in the power of intercessory prayer at Mass.

My brothers and sisters, death has no power over us anymore. Jesus, by his death and Resurrection has conquered sin and death once and for all. As we journey towards Holy Week and Easter, may we remind ourselves of the power of the Passion, Death & Resurrection of Jesus.

4th Sunday Lent A 2005

2005-03-05T10:21:00.000-05:00

C.P.R.
‘Are you OK? Are you OK?’ That is how C.P.R (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) begins. If you have been trained in C.P.R., the first step is to establish whether or not the person is conscious by shaking the person and asking, “Are you OK?” If there is no response than mouth to mouth breathing and chest compressions begin. However, the first step is asking, ‘Are you OK?’

I thought of that question asked in C.P.R after praying upon the Gospel for this fourth week of Lent. The blind man certainly wasn’t physically OK. He was physically in darkness but Jesus, the Light of the World, heals his sight. However, the blind man wasn’t the only one who needed help. The Pharisees, religious leaders of the day, were not OK. Unfortunately, unlike the blind man, they thought they were OK and didn’t need help. In fact, in their self righteousness, they point the finger at the blind man as a sinner as well as Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They could see and were OK physically, but spiritually they were not OK. They were spiritually blind and in need of conversion!

Today, we should ask ourselves if we are OK? If we aren’t OK, then maybe we need C.P.R. I’m not talking about physical mouth to mouth resuscitation or chest compressions but rather spiritual aid. Spiritual C.P.R. is ‘Communion, Prayer, & Reconciliation.’ Those three spiritual aids give us life.

Jesus said whoever eats my Body and drinks my Blood has life within them. Communion gives us the very life of Jesus and nourishes and strengthens as a result. Prayer is the ongoing conversation, speaking and listening to God as we seek to always do his will. Finally, the sacrament of reconciliation has the power to bring a soul in sin to full communion with God. In fact, if we are conscious of any serious sin present in our lives we should always be reconciled first before receiving Holy Communion. Prayer prepares us for both sacraments as we humble ourselves before our merciful and Eucharistic Lord.

This weekend, we are called to ask ourselves if we are OK. The honest and humble person admits that they need God and his grace daily. The Pharisees were so convinced of their self righteousness that they were spiritually blind and rejected Jesus. May we be more like the blind man who had the humility to seek healing and as a result recognize Jesus as the Light of the World.

3rd Sunday Lent A 2005

2005-02-25T17:40:00.000-05:00

JESUS IS WATCHING!

I discovered this little story; “Late one night, a burglar broke into a house he thought was empty. He tiptoed through the living room but suddenly he froze in his tracks when he heard a loud voice say: “Jesus is watching you!” Silence returned to the house, so the burglar crept forward again. “Jesus is watching you,” the voice boomed again. The burglar stopped dead again. He was frightened. Frantically, he looked all around. In a dark corner, he spotted a bird cage and in the cage was a parrot. He asked the parrot: “Was that you who said Jesus is watching me?” “Yes,” said the parrot. The burglar breathed a sigh of relief, and asked the parrot: “What’s your name?” “Clarence,” said the bird. “That’s an odd name for a parrot,” sneered the burglar. “What crazy person named you Clarence?” The parrot said, “The same crazy person who named the Rottweiller Jesus.”
Jesus is watching you! My brothers and sisters, that means Jesus knows everything about us. There are no secrets or things hidden from Jesus. In the Gospel today, while Jesus was resting at a well, a Samaritan woman came to fetch water. After a brief discussion, the woman says to Jesus, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.’ However, there was a little matter that needed attention first. Jesus told her to go call her husband and then come back. She quickly responds that she doesn’t have a husband. That’s when Jesus reveals her sin. You can imagine her surprise when Jesus tells her she has had 5 husbands and, the one she is with now, is not her husband! There was no hiding that from Jesus! He knew of her sin and before she can receive the living water from Jesus, she must first be reconciled of her sin. Hopefully, we can assume she got her act together!
Jesus is watching us! That reality should actually be a consoling thought. Jesus is watching and protecting us every day. However, it should also remind us that we can’t hide anything from him, especially sins. Jesus knew the sins of that Samaritan woman and so he also knows each of our sins. However, Jesus invites us to drink of the living water, his mercy in the sacrament of confession. In fact, before we receive Holy Communion, if we are conscious of any serious sins, we should be reconciled. The Samaritan woman was welcome to receive the living water Jesus spoke about, but only after she was first reconciled.
This Lent, we have the opportunity to face our sins and do something about them. Jesus offers us his mercy and forgiveness in the sacrament of confession. May we humble ourselves this Lent to be prepared to receive the living water Jesus desires us to drink.

2nd Sunday Lent 2005 A

2005-02-19T16:40:00.000-05:00

SACRIFICE!

This past week, my brother, Fr. Juniper, shared the following story during one of his mission talks. (I have paraphrased the story since I can’t remember ever detail). A priest asked a little boy, Johnny, ‘Who do you love the most?’ Johnny replied, ‘My dog.’ The priest then asked Johnny, ‘How much do you love your dog?’ Johnny stretched out his arms and said, ‘this much.’ The priest then told Johnny to look up at the crucifix behind the altar and said, ‘Jesus’ arms are outstretched too!’ ‘Do you love your dog that much Johnny?’ If you really love your dog that much, then prove it by giving up that party after Mass, give up your favorite foods, your clean bed, your family and friends. Give up being a little boy Johnny to become a dog. You won’t be able to talk, play or eat like a little boy. You can live as a dog, eating dog biscuits and living in a kennel. Johnny lowered his arms, shook his head and said, ‘I don’t love my dog that much.’ ‘Well, Johnny’, said the priest, ‘Jesus loves you that much that he became one of us.’

This might seem like an odd story for the Gospel we just heard of the Transfiguration of our Lord. Yet, the theme of SACRIFICE connects that little story and the Transfiguration. Jesus sacrificed the glory he had with his Father in Heaven and humbled himself to become man. Jesus maintained his divinity but took on a human nature so he could suffer and die for us. On Mt. Tabor, Jesus transfigures before Peter, James and John to give them a preview of the glory to soon come. However, before they could obtain that glory, they would all have to first suffer and die to share in that glory. Jesus would lead the way as they went down the mountain to go up Mt. Calvary. At Calvary Jesus offered the greatest sacrifice by laying down his life for our sins. Though only John remained at the foot of the cross, we know the others, minus Judas, persevered and eventually, after much suffering and in fact, persecution, they all shared in the glory of the resurrection.

Sacrifice! The very word means, ‘to make holy.’ In Latin, Sacra means holy and ficio means to make. In other words, sacrifice means ‘to make holy.’ Jesus offered the one sacrifice for all time. That one sacrifice makes the Church holy. The Apostles, following their Master’s lead, sacrificed their lives for the early Church. Today, we are called to offer sacrifice as well. Lent is a perfect time to sacrifice and to be become holy. We are reminded to sacrifice by adding prayer time, offering alms, and fasting in various ways. Yet, we have the opportunity to share in the one sacrifice of Jesus every time we come to Mass. When we participate at Mass, we offer our intentions and share in the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Mass is the re-presentation of the one sacrifice of Calvary. We have the opportunity each week, and perhaps even daily, to kneel at the foot of the Cross and offer our intentions to Jesus.

This weekend, as we continue our journey of Lent, may we keep our eyes on the Glory of the Resurrection. Yet, may we never forget that suffering and sacrifice will come first. May our Lenten sacrifices help us persevere and keep our eyes fixed on the glory of eternal life awaiting us all!

1st Sunday Lent 2005 A

2005-02-12T22:07:00.000-05:00

Same ol’ tricks!

Same ol’ tricks! That is the best way to describe the devil’s actions throughout salvation history. The same ol’ tricks!
Our first reading is the temptation in the Garden of Eden. The devil tempts Eve to eat from the forbidden tree of knowledge. Let’s look at the three statements of the devil to Eve. Satan first gets them to doubt God. “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” Satan begins the attack but first casting doubt over what God really commanded.
Secondly, the devil tempts them to test God. If they eat the fruit, he mocks God’s assurance of death and tells them, “You certainly will not die!" In other words, he’s telling them to put God to the test. Finally, the devil tempts them to think they will be like God. “No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is evil.” Satan tempts them by falsely leading them to believe they will be like gods.
Our Gospel today recounts the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Here the devil is up to the same ol tricks! Once again the first temptation is to cast doubt. “If you are the Son of God,command that these stones become loaves of bread.” The devil begins with the word, “If”. In other words, Jesus you might not really be the Son of God, so prove it by turning these stones to bread. However, Jesus, knowing exactly who He is, reminds him that man doesn’t live on bread alone! Secondly, the devil tempts Jesus to test God. “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. Jesus again defeats Satan by using Sacred Scripture and reminding him that, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’ The final temptation is once again to power but at a price! The devil said, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” In other words, I will make you powerful if just worship ME, not God your Father. Jesus, being the 2nd Person of the Divine Trinity and already all powerful, drives him away with Scripture, “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”
The same ol’ tricks! The devil hasn’t changed his tune throughout history and especially these days. First of all, look at the temptation to doubt God! He always begins by casting some doubt in the minds of his victims. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Did God really heal that person? Does God even exist? Satan loves to tempt us to doubt truth so we will be vulnerable to falling.
Secondly, the devil often gets people to test God. You certainly will not die! The devil likes to get people to think they will live forever here on earth and to treat life as if it’s one big party with no consequences. You won’t die! The temptation sound like this: Don’t worry about missing Mass week after week, God will understand. You don’t need to confess your sins to a priest. You are a good person and don’t have any sins to confess, after all you haven’t killed anyone. Besides, hell is just an imaginary place. You won’t spiritually die! The lies go on and on and the truth is we can spiritually die through mortal serious sin.
Finally, Satan loves the ultimate temptation of power. You will be like gods, all powerful, if you just worship me. Now, the devil doesn’t right out and say that but many serve him without consciously knowing it. For example, a politician claiming to be a Christian can be tempted to run for office, supporting abortion. We all can be tempted to be all powerful, thinking we are like God. Humility is the best defense against that temptation. In other words, the humble person says, there is a God and I am not Him!
This weekend, we remember that temptation is a part of life. The devil is a reality but his temptations are the same ol’ tricks. Fortunately, we have the same ol’ answer to defeat him. By the power of our Savior Jesus Christ, we can defeat the devil’s temptations and persevere towards our final home.

Ash Wednesday 2005 A

2005-02-08T16:19:00.000-05:00

Bone Church

While Rome is certainly known for her magnificent basilicas, she also hosts some very peculiar churches. Such is the case with St. Mary of the Conception, or as many of my fellow classmates called it, the bone church. We called it the bone church because about 4000 Capuchin monks are buried in the church’s crypt. However, unlike many burial places where the remains are hidden, these bones are visibly used in a decorative manner. For example, one dark eerie room has deceased monks on the wall and you when you come to the end of the line, you can read, “What you are now, I once was; what I am now, you will be.”

“What you are now, I once was; what I am now, you will be.” On this Ash Wednesday as we begin our Lenten season we are reminded of our mortality. Today, as ashes are signed on our foreheads, we will hear the words, “remember man, you are dust and to dust you will return.” When we hear those words we should remind ourselves of that fact that we will die one day. We are not made to live here on earth forever but rather, God willing, live forever with God in Heaven. Death and even suffering, is the road to Eternal Life.

Our mortality hopefully will urge us to constantly seek repentance. Lent is a perfect time to examine our consciences and see if there are any sins that need to be confessed. We are constantly reminded through tragic world events like 9/11 and the recent Tsunami disaster that life can sometimes be cut short. That reality should encourage us all to be prepared to meet our Lord when he calls us home.

This Lent we are asked to make sacrifices through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We can add spiritual works or readings to help us draw closer to Christ. We can take advantage of our parish events like adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays closing with Stations of the Cross and Benediction or the study course on the Passion of Christ on Thursday evenings. Of course, making use of the sacrament of confession and, if possible, attending daily Mass, are wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth. This Lent is an opportunity to enter into the Passion of Our Lord. May we all use these 40 days wisely and, conscious that we are mortal, draw ever closer to our merciful Lord Jesus this Lent.

5th Sunday Ordinary A

2005-02-05T09:55:00.000-05:00

FLAVOR!

On the feast of St. Blaise, Feb. 3rd, I visited the elementary school of Our Lady Of Victories in Woonsocket to bless the young children’s throats with two crossed candles, seeking the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. A couple of years ago, a friend brought back a special candle from Dubrovnik, Croatia. This particular candle is twisted together at the bottom and then forms a ‘U’ Shape at the top, to fit around the neck. Of course, the kids were in absolute awe when I showed them this candle. However, one little boy took the prize with his comment. As he saw this candle, he yelled out, “hey, that looks like the thing on the football field!” He was of speaking about the goal posts, which field goals are kicked through. Needless to say, we all had a good laugh.

That little boy brought a little humor to the room that day. He added a little flavor and excitement for everyone. He added a little spice and joy at that moment. He also gave me a great beginning to my homily on this Superbowl Sunday. Jesus tells his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world and that…light must shine before others” In other words, Jesus tells his disciples that they are called to be like salt and add flavor to the world. They were called to be like lights and set the world on fire with the love and joy of Jesus.

Jesus asks us all to do the same thing today. The world needs a good jolt and kick start to be renewed in Christ. People have become lethargic and complacent in the faith. A recent study in our diocese showed that only about 25-30% of Catholics in RI go to Mass weekly despite God’s commandment to honor the Sabbath. Many Catholics need to wake up and be reenergized! Some lights have grown dim and now need to be rekindled. We are called to be those lights to others in the midst of darkness. We are called to be like salt and add some flavor in people’s lives. Jesus asks us to be faithful disciples and to go forth to share his joy and love with others.

It’s interesting to note that when a lighted candle touches another candle, it doesn’t lose its’ flame but only adds fire to the other wick. This weekend, may we be faithful lights, reaching out to rekindle the flame in those who might be in darkness. May we, like that little boy, be salt and add flavor to other’s lives with the joy of Christ.

4th Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-01-28T19:20:00.000-05:00

BOAST in the LORD!

The New England Patriots are back in the Superbowl! No doubt, most of us in New England are excited and anxious to watch them play the Eagles shortly. Even if one doesn’t like the Patriots one would have to admit that the Patriots play as a team and never seem to claim credit as an individual. In fact, there are many great players but I recently discovered a quote by the kicker, Adam Vinatieri, which goes even further on giving proper credit.
"What soothes me when I go out to try to kick a game-winning field goal is I know He's standing right next to me and He's helping me," said Vinatieri. "A lot of times you feel like you're on an island as a kicker, but it's always nice to know there's somebody there that's with me one hundred percent of the way."
(http://www.connectionmagazine.org/2002_02/sp_vinatieri.htm)

Adam Vinatieri acknowledges the presence of God while getting ready to kick another game winning field goal! He could easily said, “It is all me and the team is lucky to have a great kicker like me!” However, he points to God and acknowledges that God is there with him. Of course, as good as Adam is, we know he has missed a couple field goals here and there. We aren’t robots or puppets that God controls with a remote control or strings. He respects our free will and human abilities. However, we know God is there even in those moments of failure to pick us back up.

St. Paul told the Corinthian community that “whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” He reminded the people of Corinth that those in pride, thinking they are something, will be reduced to nothing. He encourages them to be humble and give credit to God, boasting only in the Lord. In our Gospel today, Jesus teaches the crowds the Beatitudes. Blessed are the meek! Blessed are the humble that give proper credit to God for his many blessings in our lives. Boast in the Lord only!

We all love to boast at times! New Englanders can easily boast about the Red Sox as well as the Patriots this year. We can be tempted to boast about our own achievements. Perhaps you have a great job or even recently got a raise. Perhaps you have lost a lot of weight on a new diet. Perhaps as a student you are getting straight A’s. Perhaps, as an athlete you are very popular and are catching the eye of fans and coaches. The list is endless on human achievements and should always aim to be the best we can be in all we do. However, the question remains whether we are pointing to the source of those blessings. Do we acknowledge God’s presence in the midst of our successes?

We should be grateful for the many blessings we have in our lives. These recent cold temperatures hopefully have stopped us to think about those who might not have a home or the heat we enjoy. The sacrifice of our troops overseas now and in the past, hopefully stops us to be thankful for the freedom and safety we enjoy everyday in the USA. The recent Tsunami tragedy hopefully stops us all to pause and be thankful for the lives we still have and the families and friends still in our midst. In fact, I hope we all stop this month of January, the month of the Roe v. Wade 32nd anniversary, and give thanks to our parents for the gift of life, which God and they gave us! Anyone born after 1973 should be extra thankful, over 45 million of your generation has never been born due to the legalization of abortion.

We have so much to be thankful for! God has blessed us so much and continues to remain with us, even in dark times. May we never stop thanking God and giving him the proper credit for our success in life. If we boast, remember to only boast in the Lord and his many graces bestowed upon us.

3rd Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-01-22T09:03:00.000-05:00

CHANGE: Roe No More

Allow me to begin with a quote from Norma McCorvey, the Jane Roe of Roe v.s. Wade, from her web site, “roenomore.org.”
"I had a reputation to protect, after all. As the plaintiff in the infamous Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, my life was inextricably tied up with abortion. Though I had never had one, abortion was the sun around which my life orbited. I once told a reporter, "This issue is the only thing I live for. I live, eat, breathe, think everything about abortion."
However, on that same web site she follows that quote by saying,
“I'm one hundred percent sold out to Jesus and one hundred percent pro-life," I like to say. "No exceptions. No compromise."
In fact, Norma has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court to reevaluate the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade.
“Now we know so much more, and I plead with the Court to listen to the witnesses and re-evaluate Roe v. Wade,” said McCorvey, who worked in abortion facilities and said she’s seen firsthand “the horrific nature of abortion and its devastation to women and girls."
That’s what I call change! Norma, who never had the abortion, was used as a pawn in the Roe v. Wade case to legalize abortion. However, Norma has changed in her thinking on the matter and is now 100% pro life! She had a change of heart because she met Christ! It’s time that our nation listens to Norma and other women whose loves have been damaged because of the lie of abortion.

The Gospel this weekend touched on change in the lives of four Apostles. Two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and James and John, met Jesus and their lives were changed. Jesus called them to follow him 100% and they immediately followed the Lord.

That’s the very simple and direct message this weekend. We are called by Jesus to follow him 100%. We all are called to different vocations. Some are called to follow Jesus within the married life, others within Holy Order, some as religious and others within single life. Regardless of our vocation, Jesus calls us all to a life of holiness, following him 100%.

Everyday we are called to change and transform our lives following Christ more and more. That personal daily conversion then calls us to go forth and change the world. This weekend we recall the sad 32nd anniversary of Roe v.s Wade. Violence and death have grown in number as the culture of death continues to spread. Yet, we can never give up or become discouraged by the immorality around us. The presence of evil should move us to be on the offensive, not the defensive, to work for change. This past week, I joined Fr. Mike Woolley, Mr. Larry Poitras, (Principal of Good Shepherd School in Woonsocket), and about 25 students for a pro life rally at the RI State House. There were lots of youth there and that fact alone should give us great hope for the future!

My brothers and sisters, Norma McCorvey changed because others reached out and helped her meet Jesus. Now Norma is working to make a change in our country. May we pray that by our faithful witness to the Gospel of Life others may meet Christ and eventually, this great nation of ours will be a true culture of life.

2nd Sunday Ordinary A 2005

2005-01-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

Minister of Defense: Pointing to Jesus

I am sure football is on the minds of many New Englanders as the Patriots begin the playoffs, striving to win another Superbowl. The following quote is from a former NFL player, Reggie White, who died on Dec. 26, 2004 at the age of 43. Reggie was nicknamed the "Minister of Defense", a very appropriate nickname for a big defensive player who loved the Lord.

"There are some people who say Christianity is for wimps, but people can say what they want... As far as I'm concerned, being a Christian makes you more of a man. Jesus was the bravest, toughest man who ever walked on the face of this earth. Before he died on the cross, he could have snapped his fingers and everything would have been over. But he chose not to do that and instead, died a painful death to pay for our sins.”

I share those words of Reggie White as an inspiration for us all this weekend. Certainly with some of the recent juvenile antics by some professional athletes, we need powerful and inspiring words like Reggie’s. We all need to realize that there are athletes like Mr. White that point to Jesus and put their faith first.

The Gospel paints a great picture of John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus walking towards him, revealed to the crowd, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.’ In other words, John, though very popular with the crowds, pointed to Jesus rather than himself.

Today, we are called to be like John the Baptist and point to Jesus. Our world so desperately needs to look to Jesus. Morally we are in tough shape in our country. Sadly, this Saturday, Jan. 22nd, marks the 32nd anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade case, which legalized abortion. Since 1973, there have been over 46 million abortions performed, around 1.4 million a year in the U.S. Many innocent lives have been taken in the name of ‘choice’ and ‘reproductive rights.’ Many women have been hurt by the lies the pro-abortionists, like Planned Parenthood, have sold.

Our country needs to turn to Jesus for mercy and forgiveness. ‘Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!’ Behold the Savior who offers his mercy and forgiveness for the sin of abortion. Behold the Lamb of God who said, ‘This is my body given for you.’ Notice he offers his life for us and doesn’t say this is my body, my choice, my right to do whatever I want at another’s expense. Jesus’ love is self sacrificial, always at the service of another. Behold the Lamb of God, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

We are challenged this weekend to lead many to the Truth by pointing to Jesus. May we faithfully proclaim the Gospel of life and like John the Baptist point to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

Baptism of the Lord 2004 A

2005-01-07T16:30:00.000-05:00

NEW LIFE!
I can still remember the night I found out! I went home to Westerly to have dinner with my parents, sister and brother-n law. I knew something was up because there was a gift on the kitchen table for my sister, Beth. We sat down and my parents said that Beth had some big news. She then went on to tell me that her husband, Michael, and she had bought a house in Westerly. Of course, I was excited to hear that she was going to stay in our hometown. However, there was bigger news! Beth then handed me a card that read, “Congratulations, Uncle Father John.” My jaw dropped and I nearly fell out of my seat. Then it hit me, I was an uncle and I would soon have a little baby in the family! I instantly saw myself shopping at Toy’s R’ Us! We were all filled with joy and in fact, my only complaint was that it had to take nine months. She is now in her 5th month so we’re in the homestretch now!

I mention this cute little story so along with your own baby stories can agree with me on the joy of new life! My family has had such joy since the great news of new life! New life brings joy!

Today, we complete the Christmas season by celebrating the baptism of our Lord. Jesus, the second person the Trinity and without sin, didn’t need baptism to wash away any sin. However, he humbled himself and allowed John the Baptist to baptize him, beginning his public ministry. In fact, Jesus was baptized not to be personally sanctified but to sanctify the water for our baptism. Our baptisms are a washing from sin and thus a celebration of new life! Baptism is all about new life and the joy that should follow!

We would do well to reflect on the sacrament of baptism as we begin this New Year. Baptism is all about New Life, a new beginning. Just as we received new life through our parents, so we spiritually were born to new life by our Mother the Church. Baptism washed away the original sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. We then became adopted sons and daughters of God, claimed by Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Finally, we became members of the Catholic Church, our Mother on this pilgrimage towards Heaven, where a place awaits all of us.

Baptism is all about new life and the joy that should follow. We should be full of joy, knowing that we are children of God, claimed by Jesus to live forever in Heaven. This weekend may we all be full of joy knowing that by our baptism, an invitation has been granted to all of us. May we respond to this invitation with lives of joy and fidelity as we persevere in God’s grace towards Eternal Life.

Epiphany 2004 A

2005-01-01T10:42:00.000-05:00

Gift given, greater gift recieved!

I would like to begin this Epiphany homily with a story that you probably will never hear from most media. My dad heard the story on a talk radio show and I soon discovered the actual account from Sgt. Mark Francis, a U.S Marine in Iraq. Sgt. Francis had asked for toys for the Iraqi children and many Americans sent them over by the box. On each patrol through the city, they took as many toys as would fit in their pockets and hand them out as they could. The kids would run off with the toys to show them off as if they were worth a million bucks. On one such patrol, a lead security vehicle stopped in the middle of the street, which is not normal and very unsafe. As the following vehicles began to inquire over the radio, the lead vehicle reported a little girl sitting in the road and said she just would not move. The command vehicle told the lead to simply go around her. The street was wide enough to allow this maneuver and so they waved to her as they drove around. As the vehicles went around her, Sgt. Mark Francis saw her sitting there with her arms clutching a little bear that they had handed her a few patrols back. Feeling an immediate connection to the girl, Sgt. Francis radioed that they were going to stop. The rest of the convoy paused and he got out the make sure she was alright. The little girl was scared and concerned, but there was warmth in her eyes toward Sgt. Francis. As he knelt down to talk to her, she moved over and pointed to a mine in the road. Immediately a cordon was set as the Marine convoy assumed a defensive posture around the site as the mine was destroyed in place.

A gift given, a greater gift received! That would be a great way to summarize the story we just heard. Many Americans through our US soldiers gave toys to Iraqi children. Yet, the greater gift was given to the soldiers that day. A gift of a toy to a little girl but a greater gift was received by our troops, lives saved.

That would be a good way to summarize the Feast of the Epiphany as well. Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are presented by the Magi to baby Jesus. However, the Magi received a greater gift that day. They along with the entire world received Jesus, our Savior. They gave precious gifts, but they received the greater gift of Salvation.

Today, as we begin our New Year, we also are called to give a gift. Each year we make new resolutions. However, a great way to start the year is to surrender ourselves to God. In other words, we should give the gift of ourself to Jesus and let him transform our lives. In giving of ourselves, we will receive the greater gift of Jesus. In fact, that’s exactly what happens when we participate at Mass. We present ourselves to God and we receive the greater gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. Whenever, we surrender to God and give of ourselves, we will always receive the greater gift.

On this Feast of the Epiphany, may we, like the Magi, present gifts to Jesus. However, may we never lose sight of the greater gift that we receive in return, the gift of a Savior. A Gift given, specifically the gift of self, is desired but a greater gift is received, Salvation!

Holy Family 2004 A

2004-12-26T08:49:00.000-05:00

H-O-L-Y

On this Feast of the Holy Family, I thought of a way to define HOLY. HUMBLE, OBEDIENT, LIFE-LONG YES. In fact, if we look at each member of the Holy Family, we will see the word HOLY lived out perfectly.

HUMBLE: Humility is the opposite of pride, which places ourselves above God and others. A humble person places God first, neighbors second and oneself last. Joseph was a humble man as he always placed the will of God first and his loved ones before himself. His love and protection for Mary and the Christ child is a perfect example of putting others first. You can bet living with two perfect people, Joseph became a humble man! Mary praised God when she visited her cousin Elizabeth and said, “He has looked with favor upon his lowly servant.” Mary saw herself as a servant handmaid of the Lord first and foremost. Of course, Jesus came to serve and not be served. Christmas reminds of the great humility of Jesus, humbling himself to become man!

OBEDIENT: Obedience isn’t always easy! However, in the midst of difficult situations, all three members of the Holy Family displayed obedience. Poor Joseph never seemed to get a good night’s rest! Time after time, an angel comes to him in a dream and tells him to rise and take Mary and Jesus elsewhere. However, St. Joseph obeyed the Lord by taking Mary and the baby Jesus out of Bethlehem and to Egypt, eventually to settle in Nazareth. At the Annunciation, Mary, faced with a supernatural, mysterious pregnancy obediently states, ‘Let it be done unto me according to thy word.’ Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, was obedient to human parents, Joseph and Mary. What a great example for all children, who are called to obey their parents! Jesus obediently did the Father’s will even unto death on a cross. He agonized in the garden of Gethsemane but he obeyed the Father’s will.

LIFE-LONG YES: All three lived for God their entire life. Faith wasn’t a passing phase or quick fix to a problem but a life-long commitment to God. All three members of the Holy Family gave their Yes to the Father their entire life. Christmas masses are always so packed but then attendance drops soon afterwards. Our faith is not lived out once or twice a year but life long!

My brothers and sister, this day after Christmas, we have a great model for all our families. The Holy family is our example of what it means to be HOLY. Humble, Obedient, Life-Long Yes is the goal in this life for ourselves and our families. This Christmas season, may we kneel before the Nativity scene and see the definition of HOLY. May we all strive to be HOLY as Joseph, Mary and Jesus were and one day live forever with them in Eternal Life.

Christmas 2004 Year A

2004-12-23T16:59:00.000-05:00

SANTA'S PRAYER

Allow me to begin this Christmas homily with a prayer, entitled “Santa’s Prayer”, which I recently discovered.
Santa's Prayer (Anonymous)
The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed, But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed. "Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight. There's much work to do and my schedule is tight. I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky, Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly. I will visit each household before the first light, I'll cover the world and all in one night. With sleigh bells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof, Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof. To get in the house is the difficult part, So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart. My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes. The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes. I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track. I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.
I can do all these things Lord, only through You,I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do. All this is to honor the birth of the One, That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob, Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

“All this is to honor the birth of the One, That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.” That line from ‘Santa’s Prayer’ sums it all up! ‘All this is to honor the birth of the One!’ AMEN! Preaching Christmas homilies is always challenging because the Gospel readings change from Mass to Mass. However, one thing remains constant throughout every Gospel reading. Everything and everyone points to the birth of Jesus! The Angels, Shepherds, Magi, Mary and Joseph all lead us to the birth of Jesus. ‘All is to honor the birth of the One, that was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.’

The ‘Santa prayer’ is very appropriate, especially for our modern day. “Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job." There are some in our day that would like all religious significance taken out of Christmas. We have heard some suggest not using ‘Merry Christmas’ as a greeting but rather Season Greetings or Happy Holidays. Nativity scenes have been banned in some cities while Menorahs and Islamic stars and crescents are allowed. A public high school canceled the viewing of A Christmas Carol, because Tiny Tim’s ‘God Bless us, everyone’ raised the question of religion in public school.

However, despite these examples, Christ can’t be taken out of Christmas. They can write ‘xmas’ but they will never truly ‘x’ out the birthday boy! Almost all Christmas traditions lead to Christ. For example, we all love Santa Claus because we immediately think of the big man’s generosity to give gifts. Yet, Santa Claus comes from Saint Nicholas, a Catholic Bishop of the 3rd Century who was known for his generosity, tossing pouches with gold coins through the windows of needy people in his town. In fact, the idea of stockings came from the old tradition that Saint Nicholas left his first gifts of gold coins in the stockings, hung by the fire to dry, of three poor girls who needed the money for their wedding dowries.

The Christmas tree and wreaths which most cities love to place on display, are symbols of immortality, resiliency, longevity. The Christmas tree symbolizes the Jesse Tree. Jesse was the father of King David, a lineage that the Christ Child receives his earthly ancestry. The tree was Christianized in the 4th century during the reign of Emperor Constantine. Christians emphasized the tree pointing heavenward, reminding all to seek out heavenly rather than earthly treasures.

Lights and candles symbolize Christ as the Light of the world. Angels don’t seem to be a threat to modernists yet they forget angels were the ones to announce the birth of Christ. Stars, whether on the top a Christmas tree or not, remind us all of how the Magi found the Christ child.

Candy canes, abundant this time of year, were originally made to remind people of Jesus. Either way you hold it, the candy cane points to Jesus. Upside down the cane becomes a ‘J’ for Jesus, and right side up, a shepherd’s staff for Jesus the Good Shepherd. The white stands for the purity of Jesus while the red stripes his blood.

Finally, as we approach the year 2005, know that even the calendar year points to the birth of Christ!!! 2005 A.D. means two thousand years after the year of our Lord!

‘All is to honor the birth of the One, That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.’ All these great Christmas traditions point to and should lead us to Jesus. Christ can’t be taken out of Christmas because there are far too many traditions alive in our day. Many might ignorantly celebrate these traditions but the hope is these traditions through our witness, might lead them to the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ. In fact, our whole meaning of life is to know, love and serve the Lord here and forever in the next. That’s why, though we recall Christ coming among us as a baby, we also celebrate his coming to us every week in the Eucharist at Mass. Every week is a Christmas in that sense! Is their room at the Inn of your soul for him each week? If the Inn has been crowded or even closed for awhile, open the doors for Christ to come in.

Allow me to end with my own little poem that sums this all up:
“So wait for Santa and decorate the trees,
but let us never forget to drop to our knees,
cause the reason for the season is but one,
the birth of Jesus our Savior, God’s Holy Son.”

4th Sunday Advent A 2004

2004-12-18T16:45:00.000-05:00

The Silent Saint!
Here’s a good trivia question. Can anyone state one quote by St. Joseph? Mary beautifully said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” She also obediently accepted God’s will by stating, “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” There are other wonderful quotes of Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptist and various other biblical characters. Yet, can you think of one quote by St. Joseph? NO? Not even one?

St. Joseph never was recorded as saying one word in Sacred Scripture! Obviously, St. Joseph wasn’t mute and did speak during his life. However, there are no recorded words by him. Yet, we still know lots about him. Today’s Gospel states that he was a ‘righteous man’. He was obedient and faithful to the Law. In fact, obedience seems to be his trademark. After the angel spoke to him in a dream and revealed that he was to take Mary into his home, St. Joseph did what was commanded. We also know that he was a carpenter and obviously a dedicated father and husband. We know about St. Joseph, but not necessarily by his words, but rather his actions.

What a great lesson for all of us this Advent. St. Francis of Assisi once said that we are to preach and sometimes use words. In other words, we are called to lead by example. St. Joseph spoke by his actions. We are called to also speak by our actions. Obviously, I am proving to everyone right now as I preach this homily that we sometimes need to speak and use words to convey a message. Yet, our actions can be just as powerful.

For example, every week, we profess to believe in the forgiveness of sins. We can profess that week after week but I would dare say that by our actions of going to confession regularly, we actually preach a strong message to those close to us. Think of little children who observe their parents going to confession. The parents can tell them how important the sacrament of penance is but when they see first hand, mom and dad actually going to confession, a powerful witness is provided.

Mass is another great example. We all know that one of God’s commandments is to keep holy the Sabbath. We also know that the great gift of the Eucharist is offered at Mass. We can tell everyone we meet that we are Catholics. Yet, the greatest witness to our faith is actually living the faith by going to Mass every week. Again, think of little children who observe their parents going week after week. They are watching a homily in action that Mass is important. They are learning that Sunday is a Sacred and family day! Sadly, some poor children are not getting a good example by their parents. The parents will answer for breaking their baptismal promise one day!

St. Joseph was a righteous, obedient and faithful saint! We know this to be true not by his words but by his actions. May the same be said about all of us one day. May we speak with words but also never forget to speak with our actions!

3rd Sun Advent A

2004-12-10T13:06:00.000-05:00

Expectations!
Expectations! Tis the season for expectations! Preconceived ideas & notions! If you’re Christmas tree is already up, then perhaps gifts are starting to pile up underneath! Many of us try to guess what is inside these gifts! We all have expectations of what we think is inside or not inside these gifts! There are, of course, our favorite ways to figure out what is inside these gifts. Some of us merely look at the size of them. Usually we judge bigger ones to be something special but that’s not always the case. Then of course there is the weight test. How heavy is a certain gift? Our eyes open wide for those! Finally, we have my favorite, the shake it test. That tells you right away if it’s clothes or not! Expectations! Today, we need to look at expectations, not so much of material gifts but of the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. We have that great gift present every time we come to Mass, in the Blessed sacrament of the Eucharist.
In the Gospel, we hear of Expectations! Many had expectations of who they thought the messenger of the Christ would be. John the Baptist was expected to be a certain way. However, I assure you, he did not fit the bill of the messenger or precursor the people expected. That is why Jesus asks the people, “What did you go out to the desert to see?” What were you expecting my messenger to be like? Dressed in camel hair, John wasn’t entering a fashion show anytime soon. John wasn’t interested in impressing others. John came to prepare the way for Jesus and call people to repentance. One of the main targets of this message was King Herod. King Herod was living with his brother’s wife, in an adulterous relationship and John called him to task for that action. John was not what the people expected. Furthermore, if they couldn’t accept the voice, then don’t think they would accept the Word, Jesus Christ!
Many had expectations of what the Messiah would be like. That is why John tells his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the long awaited Messiah, the Son of God. Some early Church Fathers speculate as to why John had them ask Jesus this question. They said it wasn’t that John didn’t know who Jesus was, because remember, he pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God. Instead, these early Fathers speculate that John was actually detaching himself from his disciples so they would follow Jesus. John would decrease as Jesus would increase. Humility!!! Jesus tells them to go to John and tell them what they have seen. The blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the dead are raised to life! Nonetheless, they all had expectations of what the Christ would be like.
Today, let’s look at the expectations we can sometimes put on Jesus. Many have preconceived ideas and notions of what Jesus should be like. Let’s look at some expectations people have made Jesus into these days.
The first is what I call the Band Aid Jesus! A Band Aid covers a wound. It patches up a cut or scrape. Jesus certainly healed people and performed miracles. However, Jesus is not primarily a healer! He is not first and foremost a miracle worker. Many people make Jesus into just that. They only come to him when they need to be healed or someone else needs to be cured. That is not who Jesus is primarily. In fact, if that is the way we see Jesus, we may be disappointed in the end. If we are not healed, we then consequently may question God as to why it didn’t happen. We don’t know God’s will!
Then there is the PC Jesus. This is the Jesus of the couch and not the Cross. This is the Jesus who can be spoken of only when he is popular. A perfect example of this was Sept 11th. Many people, thanks be to God, came to God for answers. However, we don’t come to Jesus only when he is popular. We need Jesus each and everyday! PC Jesus is the Jesus that doesn’t challenge or rock the boat. We can stay comfortable in our sin, no matter how serious they may be.
Now, the third is my own weakness. I am often tempted to take this type of Jesus. I call it the Terminator Jesus. You all know that the Terminator was a movie in which Arnold Schwarzenegger wiped out almost everyone, creating mass destruction. How tempting it is to want a Jesus who would do just that with our enemies. Jesus, wipe out all the big sinners! Wipe out all our enemies so we can be at peace! However, Jesus is a God of compassion and forgiveness. He is a God of mercy and thus no matter how tempting it may be to want wrath and vengeance, that’s not what Jesus is about!
Ok, final expectation. This one requires a little knowledge of an Italian expression: “Basta Cosi” Jesus. (basta cosi, means, that’s enough). For example, in Italy, a waiter may ask if you want more pasta, you could say, basta cosi, that’s enough. Many deal with Jesus this way. That’s enough. Basta Cosi Jesus! This can take on two extreme views of Jesus. The first is a lax view. I call this the seasonal Jesus. We only take Jesus in our life at Christmas and Easter. This is very popular at this time of the year, Jesus comes out with the decorations and when we are done, he goes back on the shelf. Jesus is for every moment of our lives, not just Christmas or Easter seasons! The other extreme is the ‘woe is me’ Jesus. My sins are too big for Jesus. I am too big a sinner for him. That is dangerous thinking, because one drop of the blood of Christ can forgive the biggest and ugliest of sins! One drop! No sin is too big for Jesus. If there is anyone here today and is struggling with a sin, what greater gift to give Jesus this Christmas, than your very soul washed clean in the sacrament of confession (which we have available here at St. Leo’s everyday, twice a day!)
OK, would the real Jesus stand up! Who is Jesus first and foremost? Jesus is a Savior! Jesus means God saves! Jesus came to save us from our sin. All we are left to ask is, from what? No matter who we are, we all have sins. Perhaps they are small or maybe they are bigger ones! Nonetheless, Jesus came to wash those sins away. Finally, why did this Savior come? Jesus came as a baby only to grow up and die on a Cross and then Rise from the dead, for one reason. Jesus came to save us from sin so we might have life eternal. May the remaining weeks we have left in Advent, be a time in which we will see Jesus as our savior. May we expect a savior this Christmas and keep our eyes fixed on eternal life prepared for each of us.

Immaculate Conception

2004-12-07T19:21:00.000-05:00

BLAME GAME!

The blame game! That’s how it all began between man and woman. We just heard the account of the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve. Adam failed in his responsibility to protect his wife and as a result, Eve, tempted by the devil, disobeyed God. Immediately upon questioning, Adam states that it was the woman’s fault that God gave him. Adam’s so bold he blames both Eve and God himself for giving Adam the woman. Then it’s Eve’s turn to take responsibility but she decides to blame the serpent. Everyone blames someone else instead of taking the responsibility for their own actions. That’s what we call the blame game!

Sin and blame continue throughout salvation history and continue in our day. However, smack in the middle of it all, someone has taken the responsibility unto himself. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died and took our sins upon his shoulders. He without sin took on our sins for the salvation of the world. Jesus through obedience undid what the first man did through disobedience. However, for it all to take place, God chose a woman to bring about the plan.

That holy and pure vessel of God’s love and mercy is our Blessed Mother, the New Eve. Mary was conceived in the womb of St. Ann without the stain of original sin. God created a pure and spotless human being to be the first holy tabernacle to contain his Divine Son, Jesus Christ. We have the hope of eternal life because God sent in the fullness of time his Son to be born of Mary, a pure and spotless Virgin, immaculately conceived.

On December 8, 1854, Blessed Pius IX, the pope of that day, spoke these words:
“We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary at the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin, has been revealed by God, and on this account must be firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful."

As we journey through Advent towards Christmas, we pause to honor Mary, our pure and holy Mother who gave birth to the Divine Savior, Jesus Christ. Mary, Immaculate Conception…pray for us sinners now, during this Advent season and at the hour of our death, Amen.

2nd Advent A 2004

2004-12-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

'TUTTI'
‘Tutti’! That is the great Italian word used to refer to ‘everyone’, ‘everything’ and ‘all’. Tutti! For example, if you couldn’t decide what to put on your pizza you could say ‘tutti’, everything! Today, I could greet all of you and say, ‘Buon Giorno Tutti!’ Tutti is a great Italian word that also fits the message of John the Baptist.

St. John the Baptist didn’t speak Italian but he certainly made his voice heard. John was the precursor to Christ, called to prepare the way of the Lord. He was a fearless prophet sent to proclaim the message of repentance. In fact, John didn’t limit his message of repentance to just one group. John the Baptist preached to each and everyone the need to repent. John the Baptist preached to tutti!
John preached the message of repentance to crowds of people. However, there were a couple of groups he singled out. As we heard in the Gospel today, John was at odds with was the Pharisees and Saducees. We often hear Merry Christmas, or the more secular greetings like Happy Holidays and Season Greetings. However, John wasn’t very politically correct and had another greeting for the religious leaders of his day. Brood of vipers! John called the corrupt religious leaders to repentance by addressing them as snakes with no fruit or works to show for their faith. John the Baptist never aimed to tickle ears but rather remained faithful to the message of repentance, even for the religious leaders.

As we know, John also challenged King Herod, a political leader. John had no problem telling Herod that he was in an adulterous relationship and he needed to repent. John was only concerned for the good of Herod’s souls and remained steadfast, preaching the message of repentance to Herod. By the way, those sermons cost John his life after Herodias requested John’s head on a platter.

Finally, John preached the message of repentance to himself. John knew that if he was to preach to others the need to be prepared, he would first have to repent. That is why, John says, ‘one mightier than I will come.’ John knew his place before the Christ. John knew that he was merely the voice of the Word to come. John knew that he would have to decrease so Christ would increase. John preached repentance to himself!

This advent, we would do well to ask St. John the Baptist to help and intercede for all of us. We may be asked to call religious leaders, political leaders, fellow family members, and friends to repentance. However, like John, may we also take a good look at ourselves and see where we are in relation to Christ. May we have the fortitude of John the Baptist to preach repentance to all, ‘tutti’, but also the honesty to call ourselves to the same task.

1st Sunday Advent: Year A 2004

2004-11-27T18:01:00.000-05:00

ARE YOU READY?
I once heard the following humorous story: “On the outskirts of town, two boys sat down by a big oak tree in a cemetery and began to fill up a bucket with nuts. Out of sight, they began dividing the nuts, “One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me,” they carried on. However, a couple dropped and rolled toward the cemetery fence. Meanwhile, another boy was riding along the road on his bicycle and heard the voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate and sure enough, he heard, “One for you, one for me…One for you, one for me.” “Oh my, it’s Satan and Jesus dividing souls at the cemetery.” He immediately jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the corner he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. “Come here quick,” said the boy, “you won’t believe what I just heard. Satan and Jesus are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls.” The old man replied, “Beat it kid, can’t you see it’s hard for me to walk.” However, the boy insisted and the man hobbled to the cemetery. As the two of them stood by the fence they heard, “One for you, one for me…One for you, one for me.” The old man whispered, “Boy, you’ve been tellin’ the truth. Let’s see if we can get a closer look.” Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse. Finally, they heard, “One for you, one for me…and one last one for you. That ’s it! Now let’s go get those nuts by the fence, and we’ll be done.” Let’s just say both the boy and the old man never moved so fast!
In the Gospel this 1st week of Advent, Jesus gives us a similar scenario. He states with regards to the end times, “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” We should be careful to not be too literal in our translation but Jesus makes the point to his listening audience to be prepared and stay awake.
Certainly we should never lose sight that we were meant to live forever with God in Eternal Life. However, he respects our free will and allows us to accept or reject his great gift of salvation. We shouldn’t live in fear and trembling but we should always make sure we are prepared to meet him. Obviously, we will all die and experience a personal judgment. However, there is another encounter we should always be prepared for. Every week we come to face to face with Jesus in the Eucharist. Are we prepared? Are we awake and ready to welcome him into our souls?
Confession is a great way to clean the soul and be prepared to welcome Jesus into our souls. In the sacrament of confession, we have the awesome opportunity to encounter the mercy of God and be forgiven of any and all sins with a contrite heart.
Prayer is another great way to prepare to meet Jesus in the Eucharist. Spending time listening or speaking with Jesus helps us develop our friendship with him. The more we come to know and love him in prayer, the more prepared we will be to meet him each week. In fact, I once heard a priest propose during Advent that for every dollar we spend Christmas shopping we could spend a minute in prayer with Jesus. If you’re not a big spender than increase the prayer minutes per dollar. The point is to give more spiritual, than material, focus to the season. Perhaps we could even dedicate a certain amount of time in prayer for each person we buy for this season. Imagine the spiritual benefits spending quality time with Jesus?
My brothers and sisters, we have the great opportunity to meet Jesus today here at Mass. May we be prepared this Advent season to meet Jesus at Mass, especially Christmas Day and ultimately, be ready to meet him on the final day.

Thanksgiving Day 2004 C

2004-11-24T11:30:00.000-05:00

Thanks for Broccoli?
“A 4-year-old boy was asked to give a prayer of thanks before Thanksgiving dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles. Then he began to thank God for the food.
He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then he paused, and everyone waited and waited....
After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked,"If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?"

I don’t know if you’re thankful for broccoli or not but we are expected to have an attitude of gratitude towards Jesus. In the Gospel today, ten lepers, outcasts of society, were healed by Jesus. Yet, only one of the ten returned to give the proper thanksgiving after being healed.

On this Thanksgiving we all have so much to be thankful for. We are thankful for our merciful God and the gift of Faith. We are so blessed to have loving families, friends and the very gift of life. We thank God for the shelter, clothes and food each and everyday. Perhaps, like the little boy mentioned earlier, you aren’t thankful for broccoli. However, we all should be thankful for one food in particular. We give thanks to God for the food from Heaven, the Body and Blood of Jesus, that heals and strengthens us.

Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has designated this year as the Year of the Eucharist. How fitting it is then to pause and give thanks for the great gift of Jesus in the Eucharist this Thanksgiving. The very word, ‘Eucharist’ means ‘thanksgiving.’ Every time we come to Mass, we have the opportunity to be in the very presence of Jesus and receive him into our souls. May we always be found returning to Jesus to give thanks for the abundant blessings bestowed upon us and our families. May each of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving and may we all continue to give thanks to Almighty God for his love manifested in the Eucharist.

Christ the King Year C 2004

2004-11-20T18:20:00.000-05:00

King of Kings!
Children’s Mass

You might all recognize the following beginning to a song from a famous movie.
"I'm gonna be a mighty king so enemies beware! …I'm gonna be the mane event like no king was before. I'm brushing up on looking down. I'm working on my ROAR! …Oh, I just can't wait to be king!"
The Lion King was about a little lion cub, Simba, soon to become a king. Yet, hopefully you can see from just those lines that he had the wrong idea of what it meant to be a King.

The Gospel account of the Crucifixion seems to be an odd one to hear on this Solemn Feast of Christ the King. Yet, between two criminals on a cross, Jesus is crucified and reveals many aspects of His Kingship.

First of all, Jesus is a King that doesn’t necessarily cry out, ‘enemies beware’ but rather love and pray for your enemies. After the crowd called for his crucifixion and after the soldiers inflicted the most severe torture ever, Jesus looked towards the crowd and cried out, ‘Father, Forgive them!’ Jesus is a King of Mercy and forgiveness for all those who seek it.

Secondly, Jesus is not a King what looked to be the ‘mane event’ or center of attention. Jesus is a humble king that was barely recognizable as a King. Think about it! He was born in poverty in a stable and lived a simple life with barely a place to rest his head. He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, His crown was a crown of thorns and his throne was a cross! By human standards, Jesus didn’t look like a King and certainly never sought to be the main event or center of attention.

Finally, Jesus is a King that came to serve and not “look down” on others. When the repentant criminal asks Jesus, ‘remember me when you enter into your Kingdom’, Jesus replies, ‘today you will be with me in Paradise.” Jesus came to serve and not be served. He came to save sinners so that we might live forever with Him.

This Feast of Christ the King challenges us to see that true leadership and power is in serving, loving and putting others first. Jesus is the King of Kings but his Kingdom is not of this world. The repentant criminal discovered true Paradise, the Heavenly Kingdom, by accepting the love and mercy of Christ the King. This weekend, may we, as his loyal subjects, also turn to Jesus, the King of Kings, and seek to enter his Kingdom.

33rd Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-11-12T18:51:00.000-05:00

Sleep, Eat & WORK!!!
This was one of those busy weeks in the parish. We had the usual schedule of events plus four funerals. Needless to say when I arrived home in Westerly on Wednesday night for my overnight, I was looking forward to some relaxation. Of course, that was short lived when Dad informed me that he also the next day, Veteran’s Day, off and how good it was that I was home to help rake, blow, and chop leaves. In fact, I even had the opportunity to chop wood as a bonus! So the day off became a nice work party of quality father-son time. There’s always work to do when Dad is home!

Working is the theme of the 2nd reading we heard today. St. Paul instructed the Thessalonians to imitate him and the leaders by working and keeping busy. Apparently, there were some who were acting disorderedly by not working but all the while having no problem feeding their bellies. St. Paul reminded them, “that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.” That is a good rule of thumb and it might get those who don’t like to lift a finger to get moving. It certainly is enough of a threat to get me moving!!!

Obviously to have the energy to work we need two basic ingredients. We need plenty of sleep and we need to eat enough of the right food. In our daily life, if we don’t get enough sleep and rest we will be too tired to work effectively. Similarly, we need to eat not only enough food but also healthy food to work well. Spiritually this works the same way!

This is the year of the Eucharist and we should see how prayer and the reception of the Eucharist help us work more effectively for Christ. Prayer, especially before the Eucharist is the necessary quiet time and rest to gain our peace. If we expect to do any spiritual work, teaching, counseling, evangelizing, etc… then we need to have a source of strength. The Eucharist is the very heart of our Faith. Without the strength and nourishment of the Body and Blood of Christ, we will have a difficult time being active in our faith. When we receive the Eucharist, we receive the greatest gift offered to us on earth, the life of Jesus. That life nourishes us to go forth and work for the Kingdom of God.

This weekend may we be built up as one Body to go forth and actively work in the name of Jesus. However, before going forth, may we worthily receive the Eucharist to be nourished and strengthened in Christ.

32nd Ordinary C 2004

2004-11-07T11:26:00.000-05:00

Don't be SADUCEES!!!
Since baseball might still be on most of our minds with the recent Red Sox World Series Championship, allow me to begin this homily with a fitting story. “Two ninety-year old men, Moe and Sam, have been friends all their lives. It seems that Sam is dying, so Moe comes to visit him. “Sam,” says Moe, “You know how we have both loved baseball all our lives. Sam, you gotta’ do me one favor. When you go, somehow you’ve got to tell me if there’s baseball in heaven.” Sam looks up at Moe from his deathbed and says, “Moe, you’ve been my friend many years. This favor I’ll do for you.” And with that, Sam passes on. It is midnight a couple nights later. Moe is sound asleep when a distant voice calls out to him, “Moe....Moe....” “Who is it?” says Moe sitting up suddenly. “Who is it?” “Moe, it’s Sam.” “Come on. You’re not Sam. Sam died.” “I’m telling you,” insists the voice. “It’s me, Sam!” “Sam? Is that you? Where are you?” “I’m in heaven,” says Sam, “and I’ve got to tell you, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.” “Tell me the good news first,” says Moe. “The good news,” says Sam “is that there is baseball in heaven.” “Really?” says Moe, “That’s wonderful! What’s the bad news?” “You’re pitching Tuesday!”
Jesus wasn’t asked if there was baseball in Heaven, but he was asked another question about marriage. The Saducees, who didn’t believe in the Resurrection, attempted to trip up Jesus with a question about marriage and Heaven. Jesus replied by simply stating, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.” Jesus in one sentence reminded his audience that marriage is for earthly life and reaffirmed the reality of the Resurrection of the dead.
We need to reaffirm our belief in the Resurrection of the dead. Every Sunday we state that belief in the Creed we profess together. “We believe in the Resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.” We must always be careful to not be like the Saducees. They didn’t believe in the Resurrection and so they were SAD-U-CEE!!! That’s a little play on words, but it drives home the point of their attitude with a disbelief in the Resurrection.
We should long for the Resurrection and Eternal Life! When we look at the issues discussed during the recent election, we are reminded that we are a fallen world longing for Heaven. Poverty, Healthcare, better education, taxes all aggravate our daily lives. War is a reminder that we long for the eternal peace that only the Kingdom can provide. The of course there are the moral issues that remind us how crazy this world has become. Our country debates whether or not to destroy innocent life or to protect it! We are living in a scary science fiction movie right now with embryonic stem cell research and cloning! Lord, deliver us from such nonsense! We should long to enter Eternal Life!
Yet, we can’t become discouraged by modern society. If we truly believe in the Resurrection we should make every effort to make sure we are going that direction. In other words, we should always remain in God’s grace by avoiding sin, especially serious sin. If we fall, we ca get back up with confession. We also should be joyful. If we truly profess to be in life everlasting, we should walk this earth in joy. Regardless of the suffering and pain that comes our way, we must always remember the great prize awaiting us all.
A place in Heaven has been set aside for each of us by our baptism in Christ. Is their baseball in Heaven? I have no idea but I do know that St. Paul told the Corinthians that "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” In Heaven there will be no more pain, suffering, sin but only complete perfection. We will not miss anything and everything we ever wanted. May we not be Saducees but rather true believers in the Resurrection of the dead by our words and especially our actions.

31st Sunday Ordinary C

2004-10-29T18:19:00.000-04:00

Costumes
This Halloween night you might have some little visitors, screaming trick or treat, at your door. It is always interesting to see what the popular costumes are each year. Superheroes, monsters, witches, princesses and various other costumes are usually seen. However, something tells me that this year there might be a few Johnny Damons, Big Papis or other Red Sox players at your door. An awesome World Series championship will certainly bring out the Sox ball caps and jerseys! Halloween is a good time to speak about our true identity.

In today’s Gospel, a man named Zacchaeus was so eager to see Jesus that he climbed a sycamore tree to get a good view. Interestingly enough, Zacchaeus is described as short in stature, a chief tax collector, a wealthy man and a sinner. Yet, when Jesus discovers him in the tree, he tells Zacchaeus to come down so he might stay at his house. It is in this encounter and after Zacchaeus repents that Jesus reveals Zacchaeus true identity. He declares that Zacchaeus is a descendant of Abraham. In other words, Zacchaeus belongs to the family covenant made between God and Abraham, truly a child of God.

Halloween is a time in which many of us put on costumes and pretend to be someone or something that we really are not. However, our true identity is that of a child of God. By our baptism, we are adopted sons and daughters of God and as such are in the New and Everlasting Covenant. Yet, sometimes we pretend to be someone or something very different than a child of God. We profess to be Christians, followers of Christ, but sometimes through our human weakness and sin and act contrary to that identity. The Good news is that Jesus invites us to cast off the costumes and masks to become who truly are called to be.

Halloween originated from what was called ‘All Hallows (Holy) Eve’. This is the evening before All Saints Day. Ultimately, we are all called to enter Heaven and be saints. How fitting it is then today that we discover our true identity as children of God and strive to be saints one day in Heaven. Enjoy Halloween but never forget or lose your number one identity as children of God.

30th Sun. Ord C

2004-10-29T15:06:00.000-04:00

JH Syndrome!
Little Jack Horner, Sat in a corner, Eating a Christmas pie. He stuck in his thumb, And pulled out a plum, And said, "What a good boy am I."
This is what I will call, for the sake of this homily… J.H. Syndrome! Jack Horner Syndrome. "What a good boy am I."
In the Gospel we have a perfect candidate for the JH Syndrome! The Pharisee is so convinced of his own righteousness, that he might as well blurt out, "What a good boy am I!" Did you hear him this morning? “Thank God I am not like rest of humanity…especially this tax collector next to me!” He actually addresses his prayer to himself, not to God. Prayer is supposed to be a conversation between two friends, God and us. He prays to himself, ‘Thank God I am not like the rest of humanity’, especially the tax collector next to him! By measuring himself next to the tax collector, he was able to convince himself that he had it all together. "What a good boy am I!" Next to this guy, I look pretty good! However, measuring himself next another human being was the biggest mistake he could have made. As a result, we have blatant, outright, ugly pride! In fact, this is why Jesus addressed this parable. He was addressing it towards those who think they are righteous and also think they are better than the next person. Thus we have the perfect candidate for J.H Syndrome, the Pharisee. "What a good boy am I."
In the other corner we have the tax collector exhibiting humility. Tax Collectors were known to be the worst of sinners in the time of Jesus. In fact, St. Matthew was a tax collector before he followed the call of Jesus. However, it is the tax collector, the worst of sinners, who prays with his head bowed to God, “Be merciful to me, a sinner.” That is a very different prayer than the Pharisee.
The question for all of us today is do we have JH Syndrome? That is a question that only we can decide for ourselves. We are called to take a good look at ourselves and see if we think we have it all together and perhaps think we are better than everyone else. However, much of the world seems to have this JH Syndrome. How many times do we hear about pro-abortion politicians and celebrities hailed as heroes. "What a good boy am I." They just happen to promote and support the killing of innocent children on the side! They just happen to enact laws or support laws that destroy the most innocent of human beings. "What a good boy am I." We are all sinners and this is the first act of honesty we have to make.
Now the second problem is when we gauge ourselves next to other human beings. This was the problem the Pharisee had. When we compare ourselves next to other human beings we can make ourselves look real good! Especially if we pick out some big sinners! The problem here is that the moral standard has been lowered! Things that would have shocked us thirty or forty years ago have become commonplace today. Abortion, contraception, Embryonic stem cell research, drunkenness, divorce and remarriage (without any annulment), young couples living together before marriage (cohabitation), etc.. All these things would have shocked us years ago but now the standard has been lowered. This is called the frog in the pot problem. Take a frog and place it in a pot of water. Slowly turn up the heat and the frog will sit comfortably in the pot until it cooks to death. The world has become desensitized and very comfortable with sins of the day.
We can see the problem of JH Syndrome but what is the solution? The first is to gauge ourselves in comparison to God. What we need to do is see God as the standard. We need to see God and his commandments as the standard by which we are to measure ourselves. When we set God and his ways as the standard then we humble ourselves and like the tax collector pray, “Be merciful to me a sinner.” Aware of sin through a good examination of conscience we can always turn to the great sacrament of confession. In that sacrament of mercy, we are humbled and receive the grace of God to grow in holiness. We are called to be honest with ourselves and recognize that we are in fact, sinners in need of God’s mercy. In that honesty we will be humbled before God and we will be one step closer to Eternal Life.

29th Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-10-16T15:22:00.000-04:00

Chin-up II

A couple of weeks ago I had the 9:30 am children’s Mass and called the children to the front to preach to them about the virtue of Faith. I told them that to have Faith means to keep your chin up because the Focus always is towards Heaven. One of these little munchkins, Matthew, took me very seriously and held his chin up for the remainder of the Mass. His mother noticed this and informed him that it was alright to put his chin back down for awhile. Matthew listened to his mom, put his chin down and accidentally hit his chin on the pew. He looked at his mom and said, ‘Awww, Father was right, we need to always keep our chin up!’

I mention this cute story in light of the first reading today. Moses doesn’t have to keep his chin up but he does need to keep his arms up, holding his staff. (Let’s hope my little buddy doesn’t take this one literally!). Moses and the Israelites were in a tough battle with Amalek and as long as Moses kept his arms raised, the Israelites had the better of the fight. However, Moses’ arms grew tired so Aaron and Hur supported his arms to keep the upper hand. In other words, fraternal support is the key to the victory in the midst of battle.

What a great lesson for all of us today. We all need fraternal support. We all get tired and at times need people to help us persevere as we press on towards the Victory. Spiritually we are certainly in the midst of a battle. We can easily grow complacent or very tired at times. Perhaps our faith is being tested through persecution, suffering, illness, or even the death of a loved one. We need the support of family and friends to help us in the midst of trials.

At this Mass we will ask the confirmation candidates to make a promise of commitment to remain faithful this year as they prepare for such an important sacrament. They have been supported by their parents and friends since baptism and soon will make the mature decision to live their faith as public witnesses of the Gospel. However, they will need the on going support from their parents and friends throughout the year, as well as, afterwards. In return, they will receive gifts of the Holy Spirit to help hold the tired arms of so many others I need.

Our faith is all about sharing the Good News with others. Jesus never intended the faith to be kept to ourselves but rather to be shared, building up the body of the Church. There are so many people that are tired and need fraternal support to persevere. As we begin this designated year of the Eucharist may we go forth, strengthened by the Body and Blood of Jesus, to build up the Church. May we be the support that so many seek as we all await our share in the Victory of Eternal Life.

28th Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-10-12T18:08:00.000-04:00

REUNIONS!
This past Friday night I attended my 15 year high school reunion in Westerly. As you might imagine some jaws dropped when I walked through the door in a Roman collar. "Wow, what happened to you?" However, in the end I was very happy I went. Everyone had tremendous respect for my vocation and the night offered great opportunities to minister. I was able to speak to some classmates that I barely spoke with in high school. I also had some great conversations about faith and life in general. It was a wonderful opportunity to see some dear old friends that I hadn’t seen in 15 years.

I mention reunions in light of the Gospel this weekend. Unfortunately, only one of the lepers healed in the Gospel returns for a reunion with Jesus. Ten lepers were healed but nine of them decided to not return and thank Jesus for the miracle worked. Only one leper had the gratitude to reunite with Jesus and give him the proper thanksgiving.

This is a great message for all of us today as we gather here at Mass. Every week or perhaps daily if your schedule allows, we have the opportunity to reunite with Jesus. In other words, every time we come to Mass, we have the chance to return to Jesus and give thanksgiving. In fact, the word ‘Eucharist’ means ‘thanksgiving.’ When we come to Mass we thank God for the gift of salvation won for us by the Death and Resurrection of his Son. The gift of the Eucharist is offered to us so we may come into communion with Jesus.

Unfortunately, we have a big problem within the Catholic Church as a whole. It would be safe to say that only 30-40% of Catholics attend Mass weekly. That means more than ½ of those baptized Catholic are not returning to thank Jesus weekly for the blessings bestowed upon their lives. We all have been healed like the lepers. We have been washed clean of original sin in baptism and have probably have been cleansed of sin in the sacrament of penance. Jesus invites us to come to him weekly to thank him for being cleansed. May we all recognize the great gift of the Eucharist and truly give thanks to God each and every day. Thank You Jesus.

27th Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-10-03T21:03:00.000-04:00

Children’s Mass: CHIN-UPS

Many of us have our favorite exercises to keep us fit and in shape. Perhaps you like to do sit-ups to firm the abdominals or maybe push-ups are your thing. I thought of an exercise that, personally, I find difficult but still see the need to perform when I go to the gym. Chin-ups! Attempting to hoist our bodies up and over a horizontal bar isn’t always fun but nonetheless is a great exercise for our backs. Chin-ups are fitting to mention this weekend as we look at the virtue of FAITH.

The Apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith in the Gospel this weekend. Jesus responds by saying “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree,'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.” In other words, faith is to believe and cast all our doubts aside. Faith is having the certitude that God loves us and is always with us as we journey towards Heaven with our chins up! Faith is keeping our chins up!

I thought of a little way to remember what FAITH means. Focus Always Is Towards Heaven! In other words, if our focus always is towards Heaven, we will have our chins up! We all have our bad days and can easily get annoyed or frustrated in the midst of life’s problems. Yet, faith illumines our minds and softens our hearts to remember that better times are ahead. Even if we lose a loved one to death or a dear one is suffering from a serious illness, Faith reminds us to keep our chins up and look to Heaven for guidance. If we have our focus on Heaven and seek God’s assistance, the darkest times can’t prevail over us.

This weekend, may we all keep our chins up and look to the foretaste of Eternal Life. Today at Mass as you look towards the altar in faith, Behold the Lamb of God! We are called to keep our chins up and remember that God is always with us, especially here at Mass. Faith tells us that Jesus is truly present, body, blood, soul and divinity, to receive into our souls. If our Focus Always Is Towards Heaven, then we will certainly increase in our FAITH and draw closer to Jesus.

26th Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-09-26T13:54:00.000-04:00

BBQ anyone?
A pastor in Louisiana, whom I studied with in Rome, posted the following announcement in his parish bulletin this weekend. The announcement reads:
THINKING OF BBQ: Cooler weather and football season are upon us and for many of us that means BBQ time on Sunday. Everyone loves a nice BBQ and get-togethers with friends and family. However we cannot let our BBQs and gumbos and fish fries take the place of Sunday Mass. If you know of anyone who prefers BBQ to attending Holy Mass on Sundays, feel free to remind them that Our Lord will be happy to allow them to BBQ for all of eternity. The only difference is that they will be the ones on the grill.

The Gospel about the rich man and Lazarus isn’t as blunt as my friend in Louisiana, but Jesus certainly makes it clear that Hell exists. In fact, we might be a little shocked about how the rich man found himself in such a hot spot! Did you notice that the Gospel didn’t say the rich man committed any sin that resulted in his misfortune. It wasn’t necessarily a sin of commission that got him in trouble but what we call a sin of omission. In other words, it was what he didn’t do that put him there. Specifically, he neglected and ignored Lazarus, who was in dire need of help. This isn’t a very easy Gospel to hear this weekend but we should take Jesus message seriously.

We should always examine our consciences to see if there are sins of commission. Perhaps, there are things that we have done that need to be brought to the confessional to receive the forgiveness and mercy of Jesus. At the beginning of Mass we pray the Confiteor and say, “…that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do.” What we have failed to do are called sins of omission. We should look to see if there are areas that we have been neglectful. Most people immediately think of financial assistance but it is possible to neglect other needs of people.

A great example for Catholics is the spiritual needs of others. Children are always in need of spiritual assistance. We can start with unborn children. What have we failed to do for them? Have we failed to speak for those with no voice? Have we failed to vote pro life at election time? Election time brings out many issues like poverty, foreign relations, education, taxes, etc… However, without your basic right to life, none of the other issues make any sense! All the other issues hinge upon your basic right to exist and then help the betterment of that life. Do you think the people in Nazi Germany were concerned with any other issue than the basic right to life? We also should make that the number one issue for the 1.3 million babies who are neglected each year.
We also should look to our children right here in our midst. They are parents, relatives, teachers and priests to help them spiritually. Woe to the priest or teacher that doesn’t present the Truth of the Gospel to these little ones! It is easy to skirt the tough issues and be everyone’s friend. Yet, priests and teachers are called to feed the faithful and not spiritually neglect the flock. Parents should be aware of their awesome responsibility as well. I have had children tell me they can’t go to Mass because their parents won’t take them. That’s called spiritual neglect! Another glance at today’s Gospel might give us all a wake up call!

We all need to be aware of our sins of omission. This weekend may we acknowledge not only the sinful things we have done but also the things we have failed to do. In doing so, may we draw closer to Jesus and those he sets in our paths as we strive to enter Eternal Life.

25th Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-09-19T13:02:00.000-04:00

RIVALRIES!
Coca Cola & Pepsi, McDonalds & Burger King, Stop and Shop & Shaws Supermarkets, all are great rivals. Perhaps fresh on the minds of many New Englanders is one of the greatest rivalries, the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees! Rivalries are part of life, especially in the sports world.

Jesus reminds us with regards to rivals that “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Rivals over food, sports, or other daily items can be healthy competition. However, in the supernatural life there is no room for rivalry with God. If we try to serve God and mammon (worldly riches) we will love one and hate the other. In other words, we must choose to serve Jesus and follow his teachings 100% or choose to follow the gods of the secular world. We are called to serve God and receive abundant grace or choose worldly riches and eventually be miserable.

This weekend is Catechetical Sunday and our teachers have all chose to serve God by passing on the faith to our parish children. Thank you! Each of them is living out their baptismal call to pass on the faith to others. Our parish children will benefit immensely from their sacrifice and commitment in instructing our little ones.

Dear parents, I would like to thank you for enrolling your children in our catechetical program. At baptism you promised God to raise your children as Christ taught us by keeping God’s commandments. Catechism is necessary for your children to know, love and serve God as Christ taught us. However, no amount of class time can ever replace the awesome gift offered at Mass every week. God clearly commanded to honor the Sabbath day, Sunday. Every Sunday we all have the free will to choose to obey or disobey God. We can choose to hear the Word of God and receive the awesome gift of the Eucharist or not. If we accept, a life of grace is at our hands. If we reject God, we miss out on all the graces He wants to bestow and we slowly spiritually die.

This weekend, may we all renew our commitment to follow God and take our promises seriously. May we also pray for all our parents, catechists and students as they choose to follow Christ and draw closer to his eternal wisdom.

24th Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-09-10T16:49:00.000-04:00

Missing Children
One of the many summer jobs I had while I was in college was that of a lifeguard at a family beach in Charlestown, RI. I spent four years soaking up the rays and of course, keeping a watchful eye on the swimmers. Many of you might be asking, ‘what was the number one emergency I encountered on a weekly basis as a lifeguard?’ Rescuing swimmers in distress would have to be tops, right? No! Perhaps, first aid and tending to broken arms, cuts and scrapes, like we learned in the training course? Not really! Oh, it would have to be clearing the water after a shark sighting? Just in the movies folks, not in RI! So what is the number one emergency that I experienced those four years? Missing Children! A frantic parent would come running to the chair, stating that he/she can’t fine their little cherub. At that point our routine drill would begin, alerting the staff while the lifeguards checked the water. The staff would patrol the beach occasionally giving patrons a description of the missing munchkin. Almost every time, the kid would be either a ½ mile down the beach or playing behind some rocks! Missing children, a big part of beach life-guarding!

In the Gospel today, Jesus spoke about a missing child, as well as, a missing coin and sheep. All three images are designed to illustrate the mercy of our Heavenly Father. The most obvious of the three driving home that reality is the parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus addresses that parable to the crowd to explain that even the biggest sinner is loved and invited to return home to the Father. The Father wants no missing children and will stop at no cost to bring them back. In fact, did you notice that while the Prodigal Son was heading back, it was the Father who ran to the son!!! You would think that the son would have run to the Father after being away for son long! No, the Father embraces, kisses, places a robe, ring and sandals back on his son. He restores his dignity as his son and welcomes him back home! The Father doesn’t want any missing children!

That’s good news for us! We all are sinners and in need of God’s mercy daily. If we have ever been spiritually lost and have returned, we know what that love and mercy feel like. If you have always remained close to God then you also need to be careful to not be like the older son in the parable. He couldn’t accept the fact that his brother had returned. In fact, he says to his father, ‘when your son returns…’ Did you catch that? When your son, not my brother. He was so jealous that he cut off all ties with his own brother rather than rejoice that he was found. That is a big danger within the Church. We should always be ready to welcome any and all sinners seeking repentance. After all, we could easily fall in our own weak human nature. St. Francis once said, “I am the greatest sinner in the world.” His brothers were all stunned by this, and one of them replied, “Father Francis, you know that’s not true. You’re not the greatest sinner in the world. There are people who commit murder; you’ve never done that. Others steal, cheat, commit every other sin that there is, and you don’t do those things. How can you say that you are the greatest sinner in the world?” And he said, “Oh my brother, if you only knew me, you would know that I would commit every single one of those sins and much more if the grace of God did not hold me back.” We all need the grace of God daily!

When I left life guarding and later was ordained a priest, one of the neighbors of the beach, Vinny, sent me a photo of myself with fellow lifeguards. He had printed on the top of the photo, “Saved lives, now saving souls.” Well, I never saved a life while life guarding but I’m trying to save souls as a priest. In fact, we all should mercifully seek to save souls for Christ! Jesus came to call sinners and find the lost. This weekend may we also have that same merciful attitude to reach out and embrace those seeking to find their way back to our Heavenly Father.

23rd Ordinary Year C 2004

2004-09-04T15:34:00.000-04:00

Father first!!!

"Francis, repair my church." St. Francis, after hearing those words in prayer, thought that meant to literally rebuild the Church he was praying in and so he took fabric from his father's shop and sold it to get money to repair the church. Pietro Bernadone, his father, was angered by what he viewed as a waste of money. In a fit of rage, Pietro dragged Francis before the bishop and in front of the whole town demanded that Francis return the money and renounce all rights as his heir. The Bishop kindly told Francis to return the money, assuring him that God would provide. Francis, obediently, not only gave back the money but stripped off all his clothes, which his father had given him and before the crowd that had gathered he said, “Pietro Bernadone is no longer my father. From now on I can say with complete freedom, ‘Our Father who art in heaven.’”

That story at the beginning of St. Francis of Assisi’s life is shocking but certainly is appropriate in light of the tough words found in the Gospel this weekend. Jesus tells the large crowds following him, ‘If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Jesus makes it very clear that to follow him means to do so 100% with no attachments. Obviously, we are called to love and, in fact, honor our father and mother. We must love our neighbors as Jesus often reminded his audience. However, our love for our Father in Heaven must be first and foremost in everything we do.

Francis loved his father but saw God the Father as the top priority. Francis heard the call to follow Christ, specifically, by serving the poorest of the poor. Many of you already know that my own brother, Fr. Juniper Mary, is a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal. He serves the poorest of the poor in NY and has taken the vow of poverty. Fortunately, my parents were supportive of his decision to do so and didn’t throw a fit like Francis’ father, Pietro Bernadone. However, every now and then I hear some parents say they wouldn’t want their son to be a priest or their daughter to be a religious sister. How sad! Here’s a newsflash for all baptized Christians. When we were baptized, God adopted each of us as his own. In other words, parents give their children to God at baptism so that they may discover what He has called them to be in this life. The priest at baptism, as he makes the sign of the cross, says, ‘I claim you for Christ.’ Of course, everyone is smiling because they think it’s so cute. However, the reality is that child was just claimed by Jesus to follow him in whatever vocation he/she has been called. Married couples must obviously tend to each other’s needs as well as any children they have. However, the family must have God at the center and must seek to follow Christ 100%.

This weekend, regardless of our vocation, Jesus calls all of us to follow him unreservedly. We all are invited to follow Christ in a deeper way and be better disciples. May we, like St. Francis follow Jesus and in doing so, rebuild the Church and, in fact, the world with God’s love.

22nd Sunday Ordinary Time C 2004

2004-08-28T10:08:00.000-04:00

Wanna Talk About Humility!

"I wanna talk about me, Wanna talk about I, Wanna talk about number one, Oh my me my, What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I seeI like talking about you, usually, but occasionallyI wanna talk about me (Toby Keith: I Wanna Talk About Me)."

If you listen to country music, you may recognize the above lyrics from the song “I Wanna Talk About Me’ by Toby Keith. This might shock many of you but I’ have been known to play one or two Toby Keith CD’s as I drive along in my car. Ever notice how good you think you sound when you’re the only one singing along with the CD player in the car? Nonetheless, I quote that song about who a guy who’s girlfriend or wife only wants to talk about herself, while he would like a little attention on himself instead. Well, this Sunday, there’s a great lesson on humility that reminds us to put ourselves last and ultimately, God as number one!

In fact, the book of Sirach gets things started for all of us by stating, “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” Jesus, goes a step further and tells a parable about taking the lowest place at a banquet rather than a place of honor. Jesus reminds us that “every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Jesus reminds us what true humility looks like, placing others before ourselves.

The blessing of being humble is we become full of joy eventually. Think of Bl. Mother Theresa and the humility she always displayed. That humility of placing God above all filled with her JOY. In fact, if you want JOY, place Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. That spells JOY and that’s the ingredient to grow in humility.

My brothers and sisters, the good news is that we have been invited to a great banquet here at Mass this Sunday. We take our rightful places on our knees before the Lord of Lords and humble ourselves in his presence. 'Lord we are not worthy to receive you’….but we humble ourselves now to come into communion with you at this banquet so one day we may be exalted and go to a higher place, Eternal Life!

21st Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-08-21T12:23:00.000-04:00

Heavenly Entrance
Allow me to begin this week with a little humor courtesy of a little story I discovered. “A priest died and was waiting in line at the Pearly Gates and ahead of him was a guy who was dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter addressed the man, “Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?” The man replied, “I’m Joe, a taxi-driver from Noo Yawk City.” Saint Peter consulted his list, smiled, and said to the taxi-driver, “Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” The taxi-driver entered Heaven with his robe and staff. The priest was next so he stood tall and shouted, “I am Fr. Smith, pastor of Saint Joseph’s for the last forty-three years.” Saint Peter consulted his list and said to the priest, “Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” “Just a minute,” said Fr. Smith. “That man was a taxi-driver and he received a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?” St. Peter quickly replied, “Up here, we work by results,” says Saint Peter. “While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed.”
This is just one of the many cute stories about entering the ‘Pearly Gates.’ However, most of them fall short of the reality that Jesus brings to light in today’s Gospel reading.
Jesus says, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” A narrow gate is probably not what many of us think when we think of entering Heaven. Many think we all are going to Heaven regardless of the way we live our lives now. However, Jesus drives home the point that many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. Furthermore, look at Jesus’ reply to those who said they ate and drank in his presence and heard him teach in the streets. Jesus replies, 'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' This hardly sounds like a ‘no questions asked’, ‘easy walk in the park’ entrance into Eternal Life. In fact, Jesus is reminding us all that how we live now will have consequences later.
Jesus wants us to prepare now by living in communion with him daily. Many may be tempted to think, ‘we ate and drank in your presence’ and heard your Word at Mass. That’s the minimum we are asked to do each week! Jesus commands us to go forth after hearing his Sacred Word and having been fed with His Body and Blood. We are called to develop our relationship with Jesus throughout the week through prayer. In our daily conversation with him we come to know him more and more. We are called to live out our faith, making a difference by bringing our Christian values into society.
A life lived in communion with Christ and living out our faith will be the best preparation for entrance into Eternal Life. Ultimately, it is by God’s grace that any of us will enter Heaven, but now is the time to tap into that grace so we may enter the narrow gate and recognize our Savior Jesus Christ.

Solemn Feast of the Assumption 2004

2004-08-13T11:57:00.000-04:00

FAITH!
Faith! That’s the word I would use to sum up the past weekend I experienced, witnessing the wedding of my younger sister, Bethany. Her entire relationship with Michael from the initial marriage proposal before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle to the actual wedding ceremony was chock full of faith! Sixteen priests and one deacon processed in for the Wedding Mass, while many Franciscan brothers and sisters were also in attendance. A crucifix was blessed prior to the wedding vows and inscribed on their rings were the words, ‘Together as One in Christ.’ Faith! That’s what Bethany and Michael possess as they begin a life together in Christ. Faith!

Faith is also the virtue that best describes the Gospel account of the Visitation. Mary sets out in haste to visit her pregnant cousin, Elizabeth. Mary, also pregnant, traveled a great distance in faith! The entire conversation between Mary and Elizabeth is one of faith! Elizabeth believes in what she can’t see visibly. For starters she sees what so many in our society can’t seem to see; a child in the womb! She recognizes the gift of life within herself and within the womb of the Blessed Mother. Elizabeth also saw that this child in the womb was no ordinary child. “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She recognizes the fruit of Mary’s womb as the Lord Jesus, the Savior to be born. Elizabeth believed in what she couldn’t visibly see! Mary and Elizabeth had faith!

Today’s feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother, Body and Soul into Heaven, is all about faith! Mary, conceived without the stain of original sin and full of grace, could only go one direction at the end of her earthly life. Mary was assumed Body and Soul into Heaven. This Feast challenges us to have faith. Believe in life eternal. Believe in what can’t be seen, the promise of eternal life for those who are faithful!

Do you believe in Eternal life? If so, our lives should reflect that belief by always remaining in communion with Jesus. So many Catholics break that communion by skipping Mass on Sundays or holding moral beliefs at odds with the Church. However, in doing so, those same Catholics jeopardize their call to eternal life. Faith! We need to pray for the virtue of faith these days. In the end, it really doesn’t matter how much money we have or how many degrees acquire. If there’s no faith, we are spiritually poor and foolish! Faith is the ingredient to press on towards Eternal Life. May we imitate our Blessed Mother and pray for the same faith that brought her to the Glorious Assumption!

19th Sunday Ordinary: Year C

2004-08-13T08:46:00.000-04:00

Get Your Own Dirt!
I discovered this little story: One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him. The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost." God listened very patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this, let's say we have a man making contest." To which the scientist replied, "OK, great!" But God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam." The scientist said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt. God just looked at him and said no..no...no , You Get Your Own Dirt!
God is the Creator of ALL!!! Each and Every human being, every animal, plant and living creature! Even the dirt!!!! He created it all!!!! This is the most fundamental principle that every human being must grasp, God is the Creator of all!!!! In fact, here’s a reality that everyone will face at one point in their life: There is a God and I am not Him!!!! So, if God is the Creator, where does that leave us? Stewards of His creation!
The Gospel today speaks of the Master of the House and placing stewards or servants in charge. God is the Master of the House and each of us has been placed in some way in the role of steward. What house are we stewards of? Are we faithful and vigilant or unfaithful and neglectful stewards? Let’s look at some houses and see if we are faithful stewards or not!!!
The Church, the house of God! We are all called to be stewards in someway of God’s house. Our Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ on earth, the capo, the successor of St. Peter (an unbreakable link!) with the gift of infallibility to guide the pilgrim Church on her journey home. Bishops, priests, and deacons are called to be stewards of the Church, working in union with the Pope. They are called to be faithful stewards who must preach in and out of season the Gospel message, regardless of public opinion! As faithful stewards, they must bring the love and mercy of God to the sacrament of penance and offer the Holy Sacrifice of Calvary so the flock may be fed with the Body and Blood of Christ. Religious are stewards of God’s house, as well, by constantly reminding us all that we are moving to towards the Heavenly banquet. By their lives of poverty, chastity and obedience they keep our focus on the life to come.
All of you are stewards of this house!!! We are all constantly called to live out our baptism and build up the Body of Christ, the Church. That means we are called to go forth, as we say at the end of Mass, Go in peace! We are called to renew this world and order it back towards the Creator! We have been entrusted with much and much is expected from the Creator!
The family, the Domestic Church or House! Every parent is called to be stewards of God’s children. Husband and wife are called to care for one another but also be stewards of these little gifts God has given you. At baptism, they were claimed by Christ’s own and thus, every parent acts as a steward of Christ’s child. That means, first and foremost, a relationship with Christ needs to be nurtured for every child. Let me get specific, it is a scandal and absolute neglect of this stewardship when a child is kept from coming to God’s house. Parents promise at baptism they will raise their children in the Catholic faith. That means, first communion should not be last communion! I am saddened when a child tells me he or she didn’t make it to Mass. I know they can’t drive so who’s not being the faithful stewards? The domestic Church, the family is also called to educate their children in the faith, as well as, make sure they are educated in a catechetical program. Children are also called to be stewards of their parents. When our parents get older it is our turn to care for them. Much is entrusted to the family and much will be expected.
Finally, even more specific, our own house: the temples of the Holy Spirit! Each and everyone of us are called to be stewards of our souls. At baptism we became temples of the Holy Spirit, made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, we are called to take care of ourselves physically and spiritually! We can’t neglect our physical needs nor should we neglect the spiritual needs. When we need to be cleansed, we bathe! When we are spiritually dirty, we go to confession. When we are hungry, we eat and when we are spiritually hungry we have the Body and Blood of Christ for nourishment.
We are called to be stewards of these temples of the Holy Spirit, as well as others! Here’s the real problem today! Many of these recent moral dilemmas could be solved if people would just stop and realize the fundamental basic principle that God is the Creator and we are his stewards. Look at this stem cell or cloning problem: God is the Creator, but yet scientists, politicians and others in the world sound just like those in our opening story, “we don’t need you! “We can clone and do all sorts of creative things, get lost God, get lost Church.” Guess what, God isn’t going anywhere and neither is His Church! We really aren’t all that far removed from this story, are we?
Have you noticed these are always paved with good intentions? Stem cells from embryos will cure people and In vitro fertilization will help couples have children. Great intentions, but they also destroy human lives in the process. Why is it when humans create human life they destroy one in the process? God creates out of nothing, using man and women to bring forth human life. Man creates and an embryo, a human life, has to die in the process! God designed the way human life is to be created, not man. We are not called to create life in petri dishes! That’s how we end up with multiple embryos that are frozen or destroyed. The Church has been right all these years! She has said, don’t create humans in petri dishes, but we went ahead and now we have frozen embryos that are discarded or used in stem cell research to cure others. Some say, “Well, they’ll only be discarded and will die anyway.” Here’s a newsflash; we all are going to die one day. Should we let doctors kill us now so they can have our organs? No, because we all have a dignity that is to be respected as human beings made in the image and likeness of God.
We have to stop playing God! Enough is enough! He is the Creator and we are his stewards. The only question that now remains is…will we be faithful and vigilant stewards or unfaithful and neglectful ones?

18th Sunday Ordinary 2004 C

2004-07-31T15:15:00.000-04:00

Spiritually Rich!

I discovered the following story of a fisherman named Aaron. “Aaron, walking home with his eyes half-closed one evening after a hard day's work, was dreaming of what he could do if he were rich. As he walked his foot struck against a leather pouch filled with what seemed to him to be small stones. He picked up the pouch and began throwing the pebbles into the water. ‘When I am a rich man,’ he said to himself, ‘I'll have a large house’, as he threw another pebble into the river. He threw another one and thought, ‘My wife and I will have rich food and many fine things.’ Aaron went on in that manner until just one stone was left. As Aaron held it in his hand, a ray of light caught it and made it sparkle, realizing that is was a valuable gem. He had been throwing away the real riches in his hand, while he dreamed of unreal riches in the future.”
That story is relates well with the 2nd reading and our Gospel for this 18th Sunday in Ordinary time. St. Paul reminds us to ‘think of what is above, not of what is on earth.’ Jesus tells the story of the rich man who let greed consume him and stored up his entire harvest. Both readings drive home the point to have the right focus! Focus! Aaron the fisherman was focused on imaginary riches and missed the real riches right in the palm of his hand. The rich man in the Gospel was focused on his harvest and let greed consume him. Both had the wrong focus with regards to riches and wealth.

Today, we need to examine our focus. Do we see the real riches in our hands or are we preoccupied with other worldly riches? Are we so consumed with wealth that we have failed to share blessings with others less fortunate? What is our focus?

In Jesus Christ we all are so rich! I’m not speaking of our savings account or size of our houses. By baptism we are rich in grace! The very life of God was poured forth into our souls at Baptism. Even if we fall out of that grace through serious sin, we can become rich again! The Sacrament of Penance puts to death ‘the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.’ When we participate at Mass and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, we can become rich! Sanctifying grace given through the many sacraments are our means to become spiritually wealthy. Confirmation makes us rich in grace to go forth and witness to our faith! Anointing of the sick enables the ill to become rich! Holy Orders allows deacons, priests and bishops to become spiritually rich! The sacramental grace of Marriage makes husbands and wives wealthy! We all have the opportunity to become spiritually wealthy if we have the right focus!

This weekend, may we all have the correct focus to see the abundant graces present in our lives. Furthermore, may we all have the focus to go forth and share these blessings and graces with those less fortunate than us. May we all have the spiritual focus to become rich in Christ!!!

17th Ordinary C 2004

2004-07-29T08:53:00.000-04:00

5 Finger Prayer
An altar server from my former parish, St. Leo’s, recently sent me the following prayer, ‘The Five Finger Prayer.’ Allow me to paraphrase this prayer and even make a couple of additions. ‘The Five Finger Prayer’ begins with your thumb, the finger closest to you. You begin by praying for those closest to you, our families and friends. Next, move to the pointing finger and remember those who are called to point others in the right direction, teachers, doctors, clergy, etc.. The next finger, the tallest finger, reminds us to pray for those who are positions of high authority, the president and other leaders. The fourth finger, the ring finger, is the weakest of the five so we are reminded to pray for the weak, the ill, and the suffering. I would like to add prayers for all marriages and families at this point, since this is the ring finger! We certainly need to pray for marriage these days! Finally, the tiniest finger reminds us to pray for ourselves since that is what we are in relation to God, tiny. Allow me to appropriately add another group here as well. We need to remember the tiniest in society, the unborn babies. Pray for those precious little gifts from God, the unborn. The ‘Five Finger Prayer’ is a creative way to pray for all groups of people. However, in the end, whether we pray the ‘five finger prayer’, the rosary, or another form of prayer, we are reminded this weekend to pray!

Our first reading is a great example of intercessory prayer. Abraham intercedes for the immoral city of Sodom by asking the Lord to spare them punishment if there are 50 innocent people. The Lord is patient and accepts his prayer. However, Abraham goes further and begins a sort of spiritual auction with the Lord. He begs the Lord to spare the city if there are 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally 10 innocent people found. In the end, though God listens and accepts Abraham’s prayer, Sodom is destroyed because there weren’t even 10 innocent people to be found. God was ready to spare the sinful city of Sodom but others, namely more than 10 citizens of Sodom, never repented. Others, with their free will, interfered and blocked that prayer from being answered!

The Gospel reminds us to pray as well. The disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus then teaches them the ultimate prayer, the ‘Our Father.’ There are so many great petitions within that prayer, especially, ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.’ We might pray and not always seem to get an answer or response to our prayers. Notice, I said it would ‘seem’ that we don’t get answer. We can ask for whatever we want but if it isn’t in accord with God’s will, we might be disappointed. The ‘Our Father’ is a great prayer because we ask for ‘Thy will be done.’ We must trust that even if we don’t get what we specifically requested, God gives us exactly what we need.

Prayer isn’t always easy and can be a struggle at times. Nonetheless, we are called to be faithful to prayer and spend time with our Lord. ‘Lord teach us how to pray.’ May we all be found in prayer these days and allow the Lord to teach us how to pray. Whether it is a ‘five finger prayer’, a rosary, or other form of prayer, may the Lord find us in his presence asking for his will to be done in our lives.

16th Ordinary C 2004

2004-07-29T08:52:00.000-04:00

Sit @ the Master's Feet!
"Our lives become so busy
we're always on the run
yet things could be so easy
if we only listened to the Son
so, stop, pause, pull up a seat
choose the better part and sit at the Master's feet."

That was one of the first little rhymes that I composed three years ago at St. Leo’s. That rhyme was fitting then as it is today since we have the same story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel today.

Mary and Martha are presented in the Gospel today as representatives of prayer and work. “Our lives becomes so busy, we’re always on the run.” Martha was a busy body! She was running around getting things ready and serving Jesus. In fact, when her sister, Mary, doesn’t help her, Martha appeals to Jesus to tell Mary to get busy. However, Jesus puts everything into the proper perspective. He reminds Martha that she is anxious about many things and Mary has ‘chosen the better part.’ In other words, Mary ‘stopped, paused and pulled up a seat.’ She chose the better part and sat at the Master’s feet!

Obviously, we need to work and serve others. That’s precisely why Jesus said Mary chose the ‘better’ part. Work and service are still a part of life but in order to function and do that work properly we need to have the strength to do so. That source of strength is sitting in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. However, we can become so busy that we don’t take the time quiet time to be in his presence. That’s the beauty of Mass every week. We take the time to gather as a family to hear the Word of God and be in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. In other words, we ‘stop, pause, and pull up a seat, choosing the better part and sitting at the Master’s feet.’ Allow me to also close with the invitation to come and visit Jesus in the tabernacle during the week. We are very blessed to have the Church open from about 7am to 4pm every day. If you are in the area or near another Catholic Church, stop in and make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament.

Our lives will always be busy because there’s always work to do. However, may this weekend be one in which we prioritize our lives and place prayer and quiet time with Jesus as our number one priority.

“Our lives become so busy
we're always on the run
yet things could be so easy
if we only listened to the Son
so, stop, pause, pull up a seat
choose the better part and sit at the Master's feet."

15 Ordinary 2004 C

2004-07-29T08:49:00.000-04:00

Good Samaritan
St. John Vianney was traveling to his new assignment in the small town of Ars, France when he lost his way. Along the way, he met a few boys and asked them for directions. One of them pointed the correct way to Ars and the new pastor said, ‘You have shown me the way to Ars, now let me show you the way to Heaven.” Upon arriving in that small town, St. John Vianney showed his parish the way to Heaven by offering daily mass, teaching catechism, overseeing an orphanage and hearing confessions for over 16 hours a day. In other words, St. John Vianney showed his parish the way to Heaven by loving God and loving his neighbors with all his heart.

Today’s Gospel is the infamous account of the Good Samaritan. Jesus tells this story to answer the question of who is our neighbor. The priest and Levite professed to love God but put limits on which neighbors they would love as they walked by the helpless man on the side of the road. The Samaritan truly loved God and as a result reached out to his neighbor in need. If we profess to love God then we must love each and every person created in His image and likeness. In other words, we must love everyone!

Our modern society loves to place limits on who is considered our neighbor and whether they should be loved or not. The unborn are a clear cut example of a group that is neglected and at times, not seen as a neighbor. This weekend we are challenged to see that the tiniest life in the womb is in fact, our neighbor and as such, deserves respect and love. We also know that sadly, in addition to the unborn there are many others in our day who are neglected and not loved as they should be. May we go forth and love God above all and love ALL our neighbors as we love ourselves.

14th Sunday Ordinary C

2004-07-29T08:47:00.000-04:00

St. Joan of Arc: The journey begins!
“Rev. John A. Sistare, sent to proclaim the Gospel in the Diocese of Providence!” Though those words were proclaimed three years ago by the vice rector atop the Gianicilum Hill in Rome at the North American College farewell banquet, they have been burned into my memory forever. Ordained a priest for only a year, I was sent from my studies in Rome to the Church of St. Leo the Great in Pawtucket. Having only been to one or two Pawsox games in my lifetime, Pawtucket was unchartered territory for this Westerly native. Three years at St. Leo’s confirmed that God’s hand was at work in my life as I touched many lives and brought souls closer to Jesus. However, this past May, on Ascension Thursday, God called Fr. Sistare once again to go forth. It was on that day, that I received the phone call from a priest personnel board member that Bishop Mulvee would like me to go to St. Joan of Arc in Cumberland. Once again, I had been sent, following the will of God in my life.

Sent! That’s a great starting point as I begin the journey here at St. Joan of Arc because it is the theme of today’s Gospel. 72 other disciples were sent forth by Jesus to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was at hand. They were given strict instructions to go forth without money bag, sack, sandals and to eat what was before them, curing the sick. (Just for the record, I did come with a little cash in my wallet, a few bags of clothes and boxes of books, but I did leave my sandals home and, as you might expect from an Italian, I will have no problem eating what is set before me! However, in all seriousness, the mission is the same for the 72 and every priest sent forth today. We must proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I am excited to begin this mission here at St. Joan of Arc. It was difficult to leave so many dear friends at St. Leo the Great, but my departure was a reminder that God has a plan for all of us and we must always be ready to respond. God has called me from Rome to St. Leo’s to St. Joan of Arc for a reason and I pray that in time we will all see his Divine plan at work. “Sent to proclaim the Gospel in the Diocese of Providence.” Yes, I have been sent to proclaim the Gospel in the Diocese of Providence, specifically to OUR parish, St. Joan of Arc! Let’s pray for one another as we begin this journey together, allowing Jesus Christ to transform our lives as he draw us closer to himself.

12th Sunday Ordinary C 2004

2004-06-20T17:06:00.000-04:00

Father’s Day: St. Leo's Farewell homily
As I prayed about how to begin this farewell homily I decided that a little humor using a child’s quote would be fitting. One of my highlights of the day is to see the kindergarteners as they line up, preparing to go home for the day. This particular day one of the little boys asked me, “Father, when you grow up, are you going to be Jesus?” I should have told him I working on the growing up part these days! Then just last week, a two year old after Mass said to me, “Bye Bye, Jesus!” Both of those children’s statements touch on a question of identity.
“Who do you say that I am?” The Gospel today was a question on the identity of Jesus, the one High Priest. Jesus knew the majority opinion was confused and divided as to whom he was. Jesus, not concerned with public opinion, poses the question to his disciples. “Who do you say that I am?” St. Peter steps forward and hits the nail on the head. You are ‘the Christ of God.’ Peter answered correctly but didn’t quite understand what that identity encompassed. Jesus then went on to explain that he must suffer, be rejected, killed and then rise on the third day. That was his identity as Savior, to die and save humanity.
“Who do you say that I am?” Today is all about identity! A priest is called to be the visible image of Christ as he shepherds his flock. In other words, a priest is called to be a spiritual father! “Who do you say that I am?” I pray that after three years here at St. Leo’s most of you could say I have been a ‘father.’ My kindergarten friends remind me of that title every time I walk in their rooms as they cry out, ‘father.’ ‘Padre’, the Italian for father, has been a favorite of mine as I walk through the schoolyard. However, in the end it is simply a title, a word before my name. My prayer is that I have given meaning to that word, ‘father’, and I have backed it up in my actions in serving all of you.
Adding daily confessions twice a day, increasing Eucharistic adoration to every Friday, moving the tabernacle to the center of the Church, and administering the other sacraments have all been an attempt to be a father in leading people to the mercy and love of Jesus.
Leading teenagers to Youth 2000, Steubenville East, directing the Living Stations of the Cross, and even teaching the 10th grade CCD classes, have all been an attempt to be a father, bringing teens to Jesus.
St. Jerome once said a priest should be “a lamb in the confessional and a lion in the pulpit.” I have roared once or twice from this pulpit. Please know that whether I used humor or fiery zeal, it was always an attempt as a father to present the Truth and feed all of you with the Sacred Word.
Offering adult education in a two -year Catechism class, attending the monthly senior citizen gatherings, and even working part time for Showcase theatres bringing many to the Passion of the Christ film and then offering a follow up study course, was my attempt to increase our love and knowledge for Jesus Christ.
Teaching in the school, being a chaplain to the kindergarten, training our altar servers, coaching basketball, all were attempts to be a father to our school children.
Even the not so obvious of dressing like the incredible Hulk at Halloween, taking on the gigantic Harlem Rocket’s basketball team, and even planting a tomato garden, were all attempts (I repeat: attempts!), to be a father in showing the human side of the priesthood.
Who do you say that I am? I pray my dear brothers and sisters of St. Leo the Great that though I am young enough to be your child or even grandchild, you can all say that I have been a ‘father’ to each of you. Allow me to close this farewell homily with an infamous writing by J.B. Henri Lacordaire, OP, entitled, Thou Art a Priest Forever.
To live in the midst of the world with no desire for its pleasure...To be a member of every family yet belonging to none...To share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets; to heal all wounds...To daily go from men to God to offer Him their petitions...To return from God to men to offer them His hope...To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity...To bless and be blest forever. O God, what a life, and it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for making my early years of priesthood memorable. Thank you for allowing me to be a father to so many you! Farewell St. Leo’s, but not for long, God willing, not for long!

Corpus Christi 2004 C

2004-06-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

St. Gianna Beretta Molla..pray for us!
On this feast of Corpus Christi, allow me to begin this homily by telling you about one of the newest saints of the Church. St. Gianna Beretta Molla was the 10th of 13 children in a very faithful Catholic family. Her family would often attend daily mass and prayed the rosary every evening. She was very active in her faith, belonging to a group called Catholic action, a lay group called to spread Christian values throughout society. Gianna became a pediatrician and soon married Pietro Molla. When Gianna was pregnant with her fourth child, it was discovered that she had a tumor on her uterus, which was pressing on her baby in the womb. The doctors suggested terminating the pregnancy but Gianna said, "If you must decide between me and the baby, have no hesitation: choose -- and I demand it --the baby, save him." Gianna further stated, "Yes, I have prayed so much in these days. With faith and hope I have entrusted myself to the Lord... I trust in God, yes; but now it is up to me to fulfill my duty as a mother. I renew to the Lord the offer of my life. I am ready for everything, to save my baby." Seven days after she gave birth to Gianna Emmanuela, Gianna died.

‘I renew to the Lord the offer of my life.’ The above story of St. Gianna Beretta Molla beautifully compliments this Feast of Corpus Christi. Today we recall the great gift of the Eucharist, the one sacrifice of Calvary, in which Jesus offered his life for all of us. ‘This is my Body, which will be given up for you.” “This is my blood…shed for you.’ Those sacred words of Jesus sum up his mission of the cross. Jesus offers his whole life to the point of death so we might live forever. St. Gianna imitated her Savior as she laid down her life so her child might live.

‘I renew to the Lord the offer of my life.’ This Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi invites us all to spiritually renew ourselves to the Lord. Jesus gives us his very body and blood and in return asks that we surrender and offer ourselves to him completely. The past, present and future can sometimes keep us from completely surrendering to Jesus. Allow me to once again quote St. Gianna with regards to the past, present and future.

"As to the past, let us entrust it to God's Mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment.” My prayer for all of you is that you live holy this present moment and one day be saints in the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father.
Dear 8th graders, listen to those words of St. Gianna. ‘Entrust the past to God’s Mercy.’ The past is history and all the experiences you have had to this point have shaped each of you to make you who you are today. For better or worse, entrust that past to God’s mercy. We can’t change the past but we can entrust it to God’s infinite mercy!
Entrust the ‘future to Divine Providence.’ Many of you may be worried or even afraid of what lies ahead in high school or future events. Do not be afraid! God has had a plan for each of you from the moment he formed you in your mother’s womb. Remain close to Jesus and let the future and God’s plan unfold for you.

‘Live holy the present moment.’ This very moment as we gather here at Mass is holy. We have the opportunity today to allow Jesus to renew and transform our lives. Today, Jesus invites us all to live in the present and receive his Sacred Body and Blood. If we remain in him and remain faithful to him in the Eucharist, eternal life awaits us all.

Dear 8th graders, this graduation is special to me as I join all of you with heavy hearts as we leave St. Leo’s school together. Fr. Kiley correctly told the students on Olympic day that when I finally leave this world, they will bury my heart at St. Leo’s school. So many family, faculty and friends have helped you and I reach this point in our lives. However, don’t let today be a goodbye but rather a ‘see ya later.’ In fact, just the other day on retreat you all heard a song entitled, ‘Friends’, by a Christian music artist named Michael W. Smith. Allow me to quote his words; ‘friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them.’ Yes, we will remain friends forever if we allow the Lord Jesus to be the Lord of all our lives. My dear brothers and sisters, "As to the past, let us entrust it to God's Mercy, the future to Divine Providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment.” My prayer for all of you is that you live holy this present moment and one day be saints in the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father.

Trinity Sunday 2004 C

2004-06-10T17:11:00.000-04:00

Trinitarian Obedience!

It’s now been a week since the double bomb was dropped on our parish. Last weekend, it was announced that both Fr. Kiley and I have been re-assigned by Bishop Mulvee to new parishes. As you might expect this week has been one of much explanation, especially to our school children. However, I think this is a great time to learn a valuable lesson, regardless whether we are young or old, a parent, priest or child.

This Trinity Sunday is a good time to reflect on obedience. Obedience is perfectly illustrated in the Blessed Trinity and therefore is the model and example for all of us in our lives. All three distinct persons of the Trinity are equal yet, the Father sends the Son and the Son in perfect obedience comes to do His Father’s will. In fact, St. Paul to the Phillipians (2:5) states, “Jesus was obedient unto death, death on a cross.” Obedient to the will of the Father, Jesus ascends to Heaven and the love between the two sends forth the Holy Spirit. Today’s Gospel states, “He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears.” The word ‘ obedience’ comes from the Hebrew word; shama, Greek; hupakouo, and in Latin, oboedire, meaning, to hear or listen to. The Holy Spirit listens to or obeys the Father and Son, whom the Spirit speaks on behalf of. All three equal and co-eternal distinct persons of the Blessed Trinity are obedient to the will of the other and the fruit of that obedience is love and life.

It would an understatement to say the parish is shocked or even a little sad or upset about last weekend’s announcement. However, consider this week damage control as I propose we look at obedience today. We must continue to pray for understanding, especially of the notion of obedience. On June 24th, 2000, Fr, Sistare placed his hands in Bishop Mulvee’s hands, as did Fr, Kiley back in 1966, on June 4th with the ordaining prelate of the time. Both of us were asked by the Bishop, “Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?” “I do’ was the response and must remain the response to this very day. In other words, when the Bishop decides that it is time for a priest to move on to another community, obedience is the bottom line.

We all have to exercise obedience in our own lives. Children must obey their parents, teachers, and all with authority over them. Even as adults, we might have a boss in the workplace we are called to obey. It doesn’t matter if you’re the President of the United States or even the Pope, obedience must always be given to our Triune God. My prayer for this parish is that by our obedience, we may experience perfect love and life. The Trinity is obedient to one another and so we are called to do the same in our own lives. May we always remain obedient as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and may we experience a growth in love and life as a result.