Fr. Steve Mateja's Podcasts

Father Steve offered the traditional Latin Mass (TLM) on May 6, at old Saint Mary’s Greektown. He preached on the reality we have lost our fervor and adoration for the holy Eucharist because we have downsized the office of the priesthood. Here at the TLM the priesthood is elevated to a lofty beautiful level, because it is the hands of the priest that brings us the holy Eucharist. 

There is so much uncertainty in the world, but we know that Jesus is risen.  St. Peter had so much uncertainty in his life--he went back fishing after seeing the Risen Lord.  Now Jesus forgives him on the shore.  Why did Jesus choose St. Peter?  Because he could humble himself before God!

Today is the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena.  Fr. Steve speaks on friendship with the saints and each other, as well as the model of St. Catherine was for us to demand more from Holy Mother Church!  

Jesus' words to Catherine on the Priesthood:

The reverence you pay to [priests] is not actually paid to them but to me, in virtue of the blood I have entrusted to their ministry. If this were not so, you should pay them as much reverence as to anyone else, and no more. It is this ministry of theirs that dictates that you should reverence them and come to them, not for what they are in themselves but for the power I have entrusted to them, if you would receive the sacraments of the Church….

So the reverence belongs not to the ministers, but to me and to this glorious blood made one thing with me because of the union of divinity with humanity. And just as the reverence is done to me, so also is the irreverence, for I have already told you that you must not reverence them for themselves, but for the authority I have entrusted to them. Therefore you must not sin against them, because if you do, you are really sinning not against them but against me. This I have forbidden, and I have said that it is my will that no one should touch them. (116)

Why did Jesus choose the Sunday after Easter to have his celebration of Divine Mercy?  Why not Palm Sunday?  

{16min onward is renewal of Baptismal promises}

Esto Fidelis usque ad mortem et tibi dabo Coronam Vitae--Remain Faithful and I will give you the Crown of Life.

That is the promise Jesus offers to those who love Him.  If you have met Him, know what He has done for you, and why He did it they we will ESTO FIDELIS...remain faithful! Just as John did.  

Happy Easter!  He is Risen...Truly He is Risen!

Why? Why did Jesus choose to die on the Cross on Good Friday?  To redeem us?--great but what does that mean?

Once we know, let's now live our faith as St. John the Beloved Disciple did.  

Why would Jesus do this? All of it? That's the question we're going to explore this entire Holy Week--why?

And then examine the why through the eyes of St. John, the Beloved Disciple.

How would you repsond?