Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus calls us to be radical in our observance of the commandments, that we live nt only the letter but the spirit of the law. Why? So that we may have a share in the Kingdom of Heaven, that kingdom that is so glorious "eye has not see, ear has not heard, nor has it even dawned on the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him". But we must choose - God our Heavenly Father loves us and desires our salvation, but He lets us choose. Do we follow in love, or do we sin in hate. There is the possibility of forgiveness while there is breath, and so we turn to the Lord when we have sinned.

What does this mean for those considering a vocation - the same! We must choose, submit ourselves to God in responding to a vocation, and love Him. The Lord is good, and He gently invites us to follow Him.

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

We are to be salt and light... Just as salt preserves and enhances flavor, we are to preserve the morality of God, and enhance the culture around us with the awareness of God. We are to let the light of Christ, the light of the world, shine forth from us, shining into the darkness of the world still in the grips of sin, and lead others to Christ. We preach Christ Crucified, a message of utter simplicity, and complexity - Christ who saves us by His cross, because of his love for us!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

His name shall be Jesus... What is in a name? The Angel announces to St. Joseph that the child conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary is by the Holy Spirit, and that His name will be Jesus - God Saves. Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity not only is "God with us" Emmanuel, but is the reminder that God longs to save His people. His purpose, is His name.
Few of us are so blessed to have our names reveal our vocations. But the Lord, all the same, calls us my our names. More than an unique identifier, He gives us an unique purpose in life. Like St. Joseph, we are invited to accept Jesus and Mary into our lives, and like him, may we live our vocations out!

Christ the King, 2010

Jesus Christ is our eternal priest and universal king, and the time is coming when He will submit His kingdom to our Heavenly Father. When that time comes, will we be in alignment with Christ, and be submitted with the rest of creation, or stand outside, grinding and wailing our teeth. This good thief in today's Gospel provides a model - he submits himself to Christ, and while his prayer is to simply be remembered, he finds forgiveness and peace.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel this weekend, Jesus Christ explains that marriage is a earthly institution, that people marry here, but in Heaven it will not be so - they will be like the angels. Not a merely sentimental statement, Jesus is most likely referring to the fact that the angels exist to praise and worship our Heavenly Father, and they are not created through procreation. This helps us find 'ends' (the philosophical reason) of marriage, unititive and procreative, are for here, and helps us to understand why the Lord would call some men and women to celibacy: as a witness of the way we shall all live in heaven. As we look at the seven brothers in Maccabees, we hear of their faith in the Resurrection, knowing that to break the law to continue to live (at least for now) has eternal consequences. Let us live aware of heaven, and make our decisions in the light of eternity.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are unprofitable servants, who have done only what we were obliged to do. This is a statement of submission, of recognition that we are only doing what the Lord has commanded us in faith. St. Timothy is asked by St. Paul to 'stir into flame' the gift of the Spirit given him at ordination - a spirit of power, and love, and self-control. Habakkuk is told to write down the vision of peace that is coming, a vision in which he is to place his hope.

The theological virtues - faith, hope, and love - mark our lives. By living them out, we can be assured that we will avoid pride, despair, and fickleness in all that we do. These virtues are gifts that the Lord builds in us, and increases in us whenever we use them.

Our Lady of Sorrows - Stabat Mater Dolorosa

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. Praying the Stabat Mater Dolorosa is especially appropriate today.

At the cross her station keeping
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing
now at lenght the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother highly blessed,
of the sole-begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
'whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother's pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
she beheld her tender Child
All with scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation,
saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O sweet Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord.

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all our sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live.

By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine;

Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away;

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
by Thy Mother my defense,
by Thy Cross my victory;

While my body here decays,
may my soul Thy goodness praise,
safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.

Assumption 2010

The Blessed Mother is assumed into Heaven, body and soul. It is only fitting, as the most perfect vessel for the Incarnation of Christ, having been prepared from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception. It is not of her own accord, but rather because she said yes to the Lord.



(Icon of the Dormition - the Eastern Churches' term for the Assumption - calling to mind her 'sleeping' and being taken into Heaven. Note that Christ her Son is at her side, along with the Apostles.)

Sometimes, one considering a vocation, forgets that God not only loves those who follow Him, but He takes care of them. He shows His love of the Blessed Mother by honoring her thus, and he will take care of us, too.

Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

A life focused on possessions leads to a life lived apart from God. The barely veiled greed of a brother feeling slighted is the opportunity for the Lord to teach His followers to avoid greed. He shares a parable of a man so out of reality that he thinks that his bountiful harvest is all his work - with no reference to God, his workers, builders, or servants. God calls him to task.

Many people reject priesthood or religious life because of fear of the loss of possessions. Yet, as we hear this weekend, we must realize that it is God who has given all to us, and we leave it to others when we go... so we focus on what is eternal and truly important: That which is of God!

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus, the true Good Samaritan who comes to our aid as God-made-man, shows us what it means to love our neighbor. In this famous parable, He uses the persona of a Samaritan, a person that the Jews would have at best looked down upon, as an example of virtue in the treatment of a man caught and left for dead be robbers. The Samaritan treats and binds that wounds, places the man on his own beast, and takes him to the safety of the inn, promising to repay whatever amount is needed over and above what he had given. His heart was moved with compassion on seeing the man, and he chose to act.

Christ has saved us, and binding our wounds, has brought us to safety. Are we willing to follow His example, and help others who have falling to the robber?

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary time

The harvest is ready, laborers are few. We are to beg the Master of the Harvest for laborers. Without them, the harvest will be lost. But it is not just the laborers in the field charged with a duty. Perhaps we should look at the harvest like of old: when all had their proper role! There were drivers, harvesters, etc, but just as important were those providing rest, food, and drink. Everyone had their role, and when all fulfilled it, the harvest was brought in quickly and safely.

The Harvest is ready - and we are being called ourselves to help, each in our own way. May we pray for many more to help with the harvest, know our role, and work as we ought.

Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2010

Love and forgiveness - one leads to the other... We hear of the woman, full of contrition, who pours her heart to the Lord as He reclined at table at a dinner thrown by a pharisee. It is interesting to note the only three people specifically mentioned - Simon, Jesus, and the woman. Simon judges the woman and Jesus - thinking that He cannot be a prophet because He allows the woman to touch Him. The woman comes and cries over her sins and bathes His feet, wipes them, and anoints them. She humbles herself. Jesus tells the story of forgiveness, implying that this woman would be more thankful because she understood the un-payable debt that she carried - without any human way of paying it. She just simply loves - and the Lord forgives. He does not dismiss her as a sinner, nor dismiss her sin.

May we love the Lord, and come to Him aware of sin, but more importantly aware of the forgiveness He gives.

How to build a better priest

Fr. Barron has long been a outspoken preacher of the truth. In an interview entitled How to build a better priest at USCatholic.org, he really presents a powerful vision of the priesthood. Read the entire interview!

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Jesus gives a new commandment - love one another. While it sounds easy enough, those that try to love find how difficult it truly is. Love, after all, is a choice, a decision of the will, not a feeling. We must act not in accord with our feelings, but with the truth and the will...

"Vianney" By St. Luke Productions

Last night, I had the profound grace of viewing the play Vianney by St. Luke Productions. It was beautiful, simple, moving, and uplifting. If it is in your area - go!
In addition to being able to see the play, I was able to meet and speak with the actor, Leonardo Defilippis. (Actually, I was given the honor to introduce him, too.) He is a good man, very faithfilled. Please pray for his strength as he continues to perform the play during this year for priests. May his performance continue to be used by God to move the hearts of the faithful, and to encourage those who have responded and will respond to a call to the priesthood.

Third Sunday of Easter

How quickly we can forget! Today's Gospel Passage begins as Peter announces that he is going to go fishing. After two previous resurrection appearances of Christ, Peter returns to his former life. Despite fishing all night, they catch nothing. Christ appears on the shore, with breakfast prepared (He who had not fished had plenty, those who had tried had nothing). He calls them to cast to the right side. It is as if they will have no success without Christ, and for good reason - they were to be fishers of men. After breakfast, Christ pulls Peter aside, and three times asks him for a profession of love. Peter clearly does not understand until the third time - the three-fold denial is undone by this three-fold profession. Jesus Christ invites him to follow Him.

We might have an experience of Christ, but how quickly we are to return to 'normal'. But if it is of God, we really cannot go back. We are called, just like Peter, to confess our sins and profess our faith, to follow Christ, and to cast our nets wide. When we do, we need to be prepared for the miraculous catch Christ will give us!

Easter Exultet

Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is truly raised, and we are given the hope of eternal life!

Enjoy this piece, the Exultet!

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

My dearest friends,
standing with me in this holy light,
join me in asking God for mercy,

that he may give his unworthy minister
grace to sing his Easter praises.

Deacon: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Deacon: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Deacon: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right
that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.


For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal Father!

This is our passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

This is the night
when first you saved our fathers:
you freed the people of Israel from their slavery
and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night
when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin!

This is the night
when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night
when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?
Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.

O happy fault,
O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!

Most blessed of all nights,
chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead!

Of this night scripture says:
"The night will be as clear as day:
it will become my light, my joy."

The power of this holy night dispels all evil,
washes guilt away, restores lost innocence,
brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth
and man is reconciled with God!

Therefore, heavenly Father,
in the joy of this night,
receive our evening sacrifice of praise,
your Church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the Morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star,
who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on all mankind,
your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.

Palm Sunday, 2010

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we call to mind how Christ enters His own people with cries of acclamation, only to have those cries drowned out 4 days later with cries to crucify Him. We have the beautiful Passion given to us. We could spend our lives memorizing the passion, but let it not be a mere academic pursuit - it needs to transform our hearts. As we look upon Christ crucified, may our hearts cry out with praise, know that here is love made real for us as the God who is made man for us pours His life out. Lord, may the rocks cry out if I cannot praise you!

Third Sunday of Lent

We never know the time when the Lord will call us. Just as the Lord called Moses from the burning bush, He may be trying to call us. Just as the Galileans of the unfortunate 18 killed by a falling tower, our time here on earth could come to a quick end. Whether good or evil, it matters not. God works on His time, not ours. For us who wish to be with Him for eternity, that means we must always be prepared and produce the fruit that the Lord requires.

Second Sunday in Lent

The second Sunday of Lent, we hear the passage of the Transfiguration. Some hold that the transfiguration occurred shortly before the Passion, which makes sense. Jesus reveals His glory to the apostles Peter, James, and John. It prepared them for the 'scandal' of the Cross, the humiliation and extreme pain of crucifixion. They may not have understood at the time of the transfiguration, or even during the Passion, but certainly after the Resurrection, they were able to reflect on it as Christ's way of showing them who He truly is, encouraging them to a faith.

On of the principals of the Christian life is that we keep returning in prayer to the episodes when Christ is revealed to us, to understand at a deeper level. St. Peter provides that model, and when we follow it, we will find the grace to follow the Lord even in the darkest of days.