Fr. Steve Mateja's Podcasts

This day we commemorate all the Faithful Departed. It is also a day that we should consider our our own deaths. There are many things we place in the way of preparing our selves and souls for death. Why? Why do we fear death? As St. Augustine has said: "I love you lord, but if I fear death, do I truly love you?" 

Ever felt lost? Deflated?  Defeated?  Empty?  Sometimes all we can say to Jesus is, "I love you, Jesus".  The Psalm reflects this sentiment this week: "I love you Lord, my strength".  All Him to be your refuge in the midst of your emptiness.

We have to focus on two things in this Gospel today: 1) what is God asking of us; and 2) what the devil is trying to do to prevent us from doing it. Ultimately it is all about trust in the Lord. 

"Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given tweet people that will produce its fruit." Jesus is talking to us. This is a gospel that Jesus is calling us out directly to live the faith more often tickly for him. We are the tenants. The father leases the Vineyard to us. The Vineyard is our life, our faith life. The father has sent his servants–the prophets, the Saints–to bring us back to the father and to help us produce fruit. He is also sent us his only son. And yet we continue to live with lukewarm hearts. We must produce fruit in our lives. This is our wake up call. 

Why can't we listen when the Father is asking us to do something? Why can't we just do His will and not grumble? It is because we don't trust Him. He has our very best in mind. We must discern which of the three spirits are at work in our hearts and respond with love to the Father's will.

This Sunday we celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross.  The Cross is a call to intimacy with God. Jesus is saying from the Cross to us: "Look up! See what I have done for you!" Yet we grumble and complain with what we have been given like those in the first reading.  Do we know the price Jesus has paid for us?

Love! What is love? St Paul speaks of love in the second reading and challenges us to love God and neighbor. But what kind of love? Our English language is so lacking in understanding of what kind of love.

St Paul challenges us in the 2nd reading to not be conformed to this world but be transformed into the life of Christ. How? Two ways: 1) we must come to know life with Jesus is more not less and 2) by entering the community of Christians who will model a transformed life.

One. Holy. Catholic. Apostolic. These are the four marks of the holy Catholic Church. These four marks distinguish us apart from every other Christian church that makes the claim they are from Jesus. Jesus founded the Holy Catholic Church,  and it is in these four marks that show he has.

The Canaanite woman in the gospel has faith. She steps outside of herself despite Jesus flat out ignoring her. She perseveres in faith for her daughters sake. Jesus wants us to do the same. We have grown far too lukewarm in our faith. No is the time to step it up and step outside ourselves.