“The Lord’s way is not fair,” so the prophet Ezekiel in our first reading describes the view of the people of his day. When we have no satisfactory answer to natural or physical happenings we too may wonder about God’s way. But this reading is not about the weather or physical health. It is about spiritual well-being and our openness to living our lives in obedience to God the Father, in discipleship with God the Son, and in fellowship with God the Holy Spirit. Our human nature tends to buck the narrow yet freeing yoke Jesus invites us to put on. Is the Lord’s way not fair? St. Paul in the second reading from Philippians has the answer. God’s way is to humble himself by becoming man, then in obedience…
Today we gather in what has traditionally been called the Blue Mass to honor and pray in thanksgiving for all those, Catholic or not, who protect us and serve us in law enforcement and public safety professions, paid and volunteer, and their support staffs. They include first responders in emergencies and those who day-in and day-out, with vigilance, protect society and each of us and,when necessary, respond with action in times of special need. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""] Read Full Homily
Once again we offer our prayers and support for all those innocently caught in the harshness of natural calamities especially from hurricanes and earthquakes, violence and injustice. While the news reports on large numbers of persons affected, the truth is that the impact is one by one, one person and one family whose lives are forever changed. We have also seen once again the courage and dedication of first responders and many volunteers who at personal risk offer hope in the midst of destruction. I was especially moved by the scenes from Mexico in an area where I led a pilgrimage just last October. I can envision the beautiful countryside, including a rural church high up on a hill dedicated to St. Michael and an urban one in Puebla dedicated…
We pray today while our brothers and sisters are dealing with a series of natural calamities including Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey. While there is too much water in some places, drought is devastating in North Dakota and parts of our own state. Forest fires of great magnitude are blazing out west, the smoke from which darkens our own sky. The list could go one around the world and in people’s lives. We pray for all in harm’s way and we pray for all those offering a helping hand that they may be safe. Monday is the anniversary of the human inspired calamity in our country simply known as September 11. Ever since, our government has been trying to provide what is called homeland security. There is a tension about…
President Trump has declared this Sunday a day of prayer for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and for the national response and recovery efforts. I have authorized a special collection at the discretion of pastors which funds will go to Catholic Charities USA and to dioceses affected. Often church institutions are not eligible for government funding. Thank you for your generosity. We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in need. Simon Peter in last week’s Gospel inspired by the Holy Spirit recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus responded that no mere mortal could have told him that and then anointed Peter as the rock upon which he would build his church. In this week's reading only a short time later Peter now clearly the mortal one was something…
Our prayers go out to all those in harm’s way in Texas and Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Harvey whose devastating winds and drenching rains endanger and destroy. Our hearts are heavy at the sight and the plight of so many. May they receive the help and support they need. In the Opening Prayer in Mass for the End of Storms, we pray “O God, to whose commands all the elements give obedience, we humbly entreat you, that the stilling of fearsome storms may turn a powerful menace into an occasion for us to praise you. Amen.” It is in the midst of storms of many varieties that we must humbly admit how small we are and how dependent we are on God’s love and mercy to weather them.…
This has been another week filled with sadness, violence, and disrespect for life around the world and in our own country. We pray for all those adversely affected in any way and for reconciliation and peace. We look to our Lord Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life to guide us. He is the hope in the midst of sadness, violence and disrespect for life. With this real world background we listen to today’s Gospel which seems to have an uncharacteristic harshness to it. Of note is the reaction of the disciples to the Canaanite woman seeking healing for her daughter. Finding her annoying they said: ”Send her away.” That is not exactly a charitable reaction to a frightened mother. To put it in some perspective…
Have you ever experienced “that sinking feeling”? It is a premonition that something is not right or something bad is about to happen. Peter had that sinking feeling in the midst of a terrible storm, will we survive? Peter and the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. His reaction was not “now we will be okay. “ Instead he continued to have that sinking feeling, unsure whether he really was seeing Jesus, or was it a ghost? So he tested. “Lord if that is you; command me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” Jesus responded. Surely strengthened by a familiar voice Peter with courage stood, stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water himself. There is a lesson for us: in the midst…
In the Gospel Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain and they grasped a glimpse of the magnificence of Jesus transfigured, a precursor of the glory to come. This occurred as Jesus was on his way to crucifixion, death and resurrection which we remember on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. They occurred after the Transfiguration experience. One scholar notes that the Transfiguration in a way depicts those two events in reverse, the glory of the risen Lord to come is manifested before the persecution the Apostles would face, most of whom died martyr’s death. Both bold messages of hope centered in Jesus Christ God and man. Matthew records that the face of Jesus shown like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Another gospel uses…
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried and suddenly discovered. Out of joy the discoverer sells all he has and buys the field to preserve the treasure. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl long searched for and finally found. Its value is worth giving up everything to preserve it. These two parables are descriptions of conversion experiences for those who become disciples of Christ. For some that is a sudden discovery of the love of Christ. For others it is a journey searching for meaning in life that is found in the love of Christ. In either case it is a surrendering of ourselves to doing God’s will whatever that is and wherever that may lead us. The joy and peace that comes with the discovery…
