First Sunday of Lent

The Church gives us the temptation of Christ in the Wilderness every first Sunday of Lent. This year, we hear in two verses of the temptation from Mark's account. He was baptized, and then went to the wilderness, where we hear His was tempted by Satan. We do not know what Satan was tempting Him with from Mark's gospel (though Luke and Matthew tell us it had to do with claiming food, fame, and authority), but He successfully avoids it. Mark tells us that the wild beasts were present, and that the angels ministered to Him, showing that already the rift in creation was already being healed. Jesus begins His ministry with a call to repentance and belief in the Gospel - the good news - of God. That good news is that God loves us, and is going to save us.

We can grow so accustomed to the good news of salvation that it losses meaning - Lent is a time to stop remember just what lengths Christ took to save us. This Lent is a time for us to remember that Gospel. Like Jesus who enters this following baptism, we too should enter this 40 days of Lent preparing to live out this good news in whatever vocation God is calling us.

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

On this Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear of the faith of the friends of a paralytic. They will stop at nothing to get their friend to the Lord for healing. Jesus forgives the man his sins (which causes controversy among the scribes), but the proof of Christ's authority over sin is the healing of the paralytic. It is as if Jesus purposely used this occasion to teach about the nature of forgiveness. Jesus is God made man, but that is not what he starts with - He starts with the fact that it is a wrong thought. Later in His ministry, Jesus will give that authority to forgive sins to the Apostles. It is, of course, God who gives the authority, but it is an authority that those 'ordained' by God through the Sacrament of Holy Orders are given a share. It is not a power in the priest's humanity, but God's work through the priest. How much of a privilege it is, to be an instrument of forgiveness!

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I just started a Facebook account through my email toddpetersen @ mac.com! Feel free to add me as a friend!

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the healing of the Leper in today's Gospel, we hear the story of a man of faith. First, instead of crying out 'unclean' as we heard demanded in the first reading, he approaches and begs for healing. He recognizes that Jesus can do this healing, and in worshipping Him, recognizes Him as Lord and God. Jesus does heal the leper, and asks him not to speak of it. Instead, the former leper spreads the message, and Jesus is suddenly the one who cannot go into the city!

There are times we all are like lepers, each of us trying to hide our wounds. At times, we do not dare approach Christ and beg for healing. This leper provides a model - go with boldness, know that Christ is God and can heal us, and receive the healing. Unlike this former leper, however, we are to tell others. Jesus Christ can heal us, and even more, He desires to do so! If He heals us, how much more will he lead us to Heaven and into our true vocations!

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Our Gospel reading refers to the mother-in-law of St. Peter, and some may get this a little confused. While it is possible (and even likely) that St. Peter was married, the mere mention of a mother-in-law is not proof that he was still married as he followed Jesus Christ. Note that there is no mention of his wife - most likely because she had died. This passage does not provide proof, therefore, against celibacy. Further, note that the Church has allowed married men to be be ordained (as often the case for permanent deacons, and even for those who were married and are free to be ordained priests either because of death or because there was no sacramental marriage due to invalidity or lack of form). Once ordained, though, the man can not marry, at least without the Vatican's approval.

The rest of this passage reminds me of the people's desire to know Jesus. The faith, as seminal as it was, attracted them to Him. Yet He knew He had others to lead into faith. In our vocations, we too are invited to lead others to Christ. Do our actions and words lead others to Him?

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings speak of The Prophet who is to come. The people of Israel did not want to hear the Lord speak to them any longer - they were fearful. They were (at least at the time) listening. In the Gospel, the demoniac cries out begging that the Lord is coming to destroy him. When we hear Christ, we hear God! No longer ought we cower, for He speaks to us in love. May we be willing to hear and respond.

The second reading contains St. Paul's teaching on Christians who are serious in our desire to serve the Lord to remain unmarried - aka celibate. Due to the anxiety and divided desires that having a spouse causes, it seems best to remain celibate. With those considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, we need to seek to serve the Lord with our whole hearts.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time/Conversion of St. Paul

"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Jesus invites Peter and Andrew with these words. They leave the boats and nets behind, hearing the greater mission. He invites them to follow Him so that He can call them to a new mission, to bring others into the Kingdom of God like fishers.

In His invitation to the apostles, Jesus gives us a model of spiritual life. Like the Apostles, we are invited to reform our lives by allowing Him to reform them. But we are invited to conform to Him, to follow Him and to learn from Him. This is what formation is (as in the seminary or in preparation for vows). We are following Christ, and conforming to Him. Finally, after the reformation and conforming of our wills to Christ, we are called to transform the world.

Today could also be celebrated as the Conversion of St. Paul. In this Year of St. Paul, we should spend time in prayer in thanking God for the gift of Paul, and for his conversion. St. Paul was so opposed to Christ's followers that he persecuted them until Jesus Christ directly intervened! After his conversion, he became the most ardent of supporters and preachers. St. Paul, pray for us.