Today’s Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051522.cfm

“Heaven is real; it’s my inheritance, and because it’s real, I can walk through this world in a different way than I would have otherwise.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.”—Old Axiom

“The greatest desires of you heart are far more than you could ever hope for. God has something like that for you.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“Satan cannot offer you anything real. The only thing Satan can do is to take something God gives us, and make a parody of it.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“It’s tempting to settle for the parody—to settle for something much less in this world.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Acts 14: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14?21

St. Paul is on his first missionary journey with Barnabus

“If you’re gonna be Christian, you’ve got to be strong. And part of my job and our job for each other is to strengthen each other to renew our hope in heaven.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Acts 14: 22

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14

“Through many tribulations, we must enter the Kingdom of God.”

The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis

https://www.cslewis.com/uk/books/paperback/the-great-divorce/9780060652951/

Homework:

Read Revelation 21 & 22:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/21

“12,000 stadia is 1500 miles.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Revelation 22:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/22

“Heaven is beyond anything you can imagine. And what the world wants to do is offer what only God can give us—it wants to give us a cheap imitation. And if you and I don’t live Easter…if we don’t have that city set in our hearts, I promise you you’ll fall for the counterfeit.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

End of the book of Revelation, there are two cities:

The Heavenly Jerusalem and Babylon

Babylon doesn’t look ugly—it looks amazing, because it imitates Jerusalem.

“If you don’t have your homeland in your heart, you’ll fall for the imitation. You’ll stop walking; you’ll give up.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

St. Francis de Sales (paraphrased): Picture the most beautiful place you’ve ever been in your life. Imagine it’s bright as can be—it’s beautiful. But imagine that at the same time, there is a night sky, with a billion stars overhead. Then, he says, imagine the saints—how perfect their joy; their perfect love for each other. No more pain, no more crying.—Fr. Brian paraphrasing St. Francis deSales' image of heaven

“In heaven, Brothers and Sisters, there will be perfect love and perfect communion. We’re going to be there together someday. It’s worth waiting for. If you don’t think about that enough, you’re going to fall for earthly things.”

Back to Acts 14:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14?21

“They’re preaching the Gospel and telling people that it’s going to be hard. And, the only way you’re going to endure those tribulations is if you really know He can give you your heart’s desires.”

G.K. Chesterton: The Ballad of the White Horse:

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1719/1719-h/1719-h.htm

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1160501.The_Ballad_of_the_White

Horse

“And there was death on the Emperor

And night upon the Pope:

And Alfred, hiding in deep grass,

Hardened his heart with hope.”

“If you have the hope of heaven, you can get through anything.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“Jesus, I believe in the Resurrection. I look forward to the life of heaven and the world to come. Jesus, I hope to be there someday, for all of eternity, in perfect love, and perfect joy, and perfect communion. Jesus, I believe, but I forget. I forget about it all the time, and this world drags me down, and I settle for less. Jesus, today, set our hearts on heaven and on the Resurrection, and harden our hearts with hope.”

—Fr. Brian Larkin

Interpreting the Cross | Fr. Brian’s Homily for Mother’s Day | 5.8.2022

5/8/2022

Mothers

“Good Shepherd: Are you calling me to give my life for you?”


John 10: Good Shepherd Sunday usually dedicated to vocations

“I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Romans 8:

“I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”

Fr. Gawronski: Mandarin: The word for “goodness” is based off an image of a woman holding a child

“What’s better in society than a woman holding her son or daughter? That’s what goodness is.”

“Thank God today for mothers and for the feminine heart, which brings receptivity into this world. Mothers, you have a heart that we men don’t have. It’s different. You bring something to all of us that we so desperately need. And our society today doesn’t like that—it wants to undermine that.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Regarding Abortion:

“Isn’t it ironic how [hands off my body] undermines the words of Christ?” 
“This is my body, which will be given up for you.”—Fr. Brady Wagner

“We’ve got to convince the hearts and minds of those in the world around us that true goodness in life—true fulfillment, true happiness, is not when someone says, ‘This is my body. I can control my life.’ It’s when Jesus says, “This is my body, which will be given up for you.’ Mothers, thank you for doing that for us.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“Moms: Your job as Christian women is to interpret the Cross for us—your sons and daughters.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“At the center of the Church’s heart, there are two hearts: the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And it is no accident that both of those hearts are wounded.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“We are called to fight for life.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“There are a lot of hurt people who do not know how to interpret the Cross.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“Pothane mothane” = “To suffer is to learn.”

“Pothane agapane” = “To suffer is to love.”

Hans Urs von Balthasar, speaking of Mary from the book, “The Christian State of Life:” 
https://books.google.com/books?

“She is so pure and loving she needs no cloister to remain undefiled by the world. Wherever She goes, she brings purity, love, and heaven with Her. Her love is its own cloister.”

“Moms, what you do in this hard world, and what you’re called to do more and more—Moms, you’re called to be more like the Blessed Virgin Mary.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“The world doesn’t follow God because it doesn’t understand the Cross.”—Fr. Brian Larkin


“Mary loved, so a sword pierced her soul.”

“If you love with the kind of love that God wants us to have, you will suffer.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“Perhaps there is nothing more incomprehensible and supernatural in Mary’s life than this: that she does not die with her son. For in fact, she lives by the Son, no less than He lives by the Father. The Father in the Holy Spirit encompass her and keep her supernaturally erect while she is deprived for three days of the center of her soul—Her Son.”—Hans Urs von Balthasar

“We do not use the weapons of this world. Mary conquers with her Immaculate Heart—she conquers with a love that suffers. What could be better than that?”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“If any of you has ever been involved in an abortion, you are loved by God, and there is mercy, and there is forgiveness. And the two hearts that reign in our church—the hearts of Jesus and Mary—they have born your sufferings, and they love you.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“Today, may we be more like Mary. Do not be as afraid of the cross, but surrender to it. That kind of love will convert the world.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

The Discomfort of Failure | Fr. Sean's Homily | 3rd Sunday of Easter | 05.1.2022

Today’s Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050122.cfm

“Failure is Not Final.”—Fr. Sean Conroy

“Jesus, I go to confession over and over again for the same sins. I’m still struggling with gossip. Or Internet use. Or pride and vanity. And I come to confess them, but I feel like a failure. I hope this doesn’t cripple you to the point that you no longer pursue the Lord. Because, your failure is not final.”—Fr. Sean Conroy

“How could it be that He [the Messiah] falls? How could it be that he seems like a total failure, and then he dies?” “The good news is that that failure was not final.”

—Fr. Sean Conroy

“Through Jesus’s resurrection, he shows us that death—failure—is not final.”

—Fr. Sean Conroy

John 21: Epilogue to the Gospel of John

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/21

Meant to be seen as parallel to Luke 5:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/5

6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.”

7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,

10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”d

11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything* and followed him.e”

“Three years later, after the death of Jesus, and the Apostles don’t know what to do, so they return to their normal way of life. Jesus appears on that same shore, and tells them to cast their net to the other side of the boat.” —Fr. Sean Conroy

They caught 153 fish, which St. Jerome speculates was the total number of known species of fish during that time.

John 21: The net does not begin to tear. This symbolizes that The Church will not go astray under the guidance of Peter.

Peter jumps out of pure joy and swims to Jesus on the shore.

“You will deny me three times.”—Christ to Peter, on the most important night of Christ’s (and Peter’s) life. Peter, despite being handed the priesthood on the night of the last supper, still walks away. However, he did not allow his struggles and his weaknesses to become what defined him, but his profession in Jesus and love for Jesus.”—Fr. Sean Conroy

“Your sins do not define you. Our failures are not final. Despite our wounds, weaknesses, and struggles, Jesus, we still love you. And if it’s still not enough, I’ll say it once….twice….three times.”—Fr. Sean Conroy

“Failure becomes a necessary precondition to receive God’s grace. If it weren’t for our weaknesses, would we surrender everything to Him?”—Fr. Sean Conroy

“The fact that God loves us as we are is what defines us.”—Fr. Sean Conroy

“Jesus, as we turn to you today, we come to you with gratitude, for saving us—for loving us. In thanksgiving for always giving us a second chance…a third chance. To recognize that our failures are not final. So with St. Peter, we also pray, ‘Lord, you know everything, and you know that we love you.’”—Fr. Sean Conroy

Today’s Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/reading...

“Mercy creates a community.” Fr. Brian Larkin

Blaise Pascal: “There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous.”

https://kidadl.com/quotes/blaise-pasc...

“I want to invite you into being that saint. I want to invite you into that freedom of knowing that you are a sinner who is loved.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

John 20: 19: “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20

2 reasons you lock the door on your life:

1. "Because you have a sin in your life that you have to hide from everybody. Maybe you feel you even need to hide it from God. It isolates us, and keeps us from actually loving each other."—Fr. Brian Larkin

2. "Maybe some of you don’t know that you’re sinners."—Fr. Brian Larkin

“But Jesus breaks in, and that’s the good news. No door can keep His resurrected presence out.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Psalm 107:15–16

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/107

“Let them thank the LORD for his mercy, such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam. For he broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron.”

“The good news of the Gospel is NOT that you got your act together, and that you conquered your sin, and therefore God Loves you. The Good News of the Gospel is that the love and the mercy of God cuts through chains, and in your isolation and shame, brokenness and aloneness, the love of God can break through those doors.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“Jesus Christ didn’t have to die on a cross, but it was fitting. Christ went to such lengths so you would have no doubt how much you are loved.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“Lord, I believe—help my unbelief. Help me to know tonight, to the depths of my soul, that your mercy could be even for me.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

……………………….

2nd Homily: The Christian Community: Maybe some of you don’t know that you’re sinners.

“What created our church was love on a cross. We love each other because we are sinners who are loved. We know that we’re sinners who have been redeemed.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/lif...

“You do not need to go on lying to yourself and your brothers as if you were without sin. You can dare to be a sinner.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“What binds us together is that I don’t deserve the love of God. I don’t have my act together as a priest. I don’t. I am a sinner who does not deserve the mercy of God, and that’s what binds us together. When you hide that truth from each other, what happens is the world outside does not believe the good news of redemption, because you and I pretend to be perfect.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“I know what everybody wants—it’s the same thing I want. I want to be close to people. I want to have deep, abiding friendships here at Lourdes and St. Louis, and I want to have people in my life who know me and love me, and, brothers and sisters, be in a church of mercy, which means that you and I are no longer locked in those rooms with our sins.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“When Christ breaks into that room of yours, the doors open.”…”The question for us is will we let that mercy of God live in us? Will our church be a place where men and women can dare to be sinners? Where we can be who we really are? Where we can let down our masks and stop pretending that we have it all together, and we can rejoice, because every one of us is a sinner who has been loved and redeemed.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

You can find great consolation in this: Moses was a murderer. David was an adulterer who also murdered Bathsheba’s husband. They were horrible sinners who were loved. And so are you and I.

Readings from Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord's Supper:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041422-supper.cfm

Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041722.cfm

Washing of Feet:

John 13: 1–17

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/13

Origen says Christ washes his disciples’ feet to make them beautiful. He also says the Apostles are going to be the first witnesses of the Gospel. So, in accordance with the prophecy (below), Jesus washes the feet at the Last Supper.

Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!”

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/52

“Beauty evokes desire.”—Fr. Brian

Balthazar (paraphrased): “If we don’t have beauty in our faith, we might know it’s true, but it doesn’t move our hearts, it doesn’t transform us.”
http://ccalouisville.org/blog/seeing-the-form-of-glory-von-balthasars-theology-of-beauty

Luke 24:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24


Greek word: Léros = nonsense

https://biblehub.com/greek/3026.htm

The Easter Vigil:

https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/triduum/roman-missal-and-the-easter-vigil

The Easter Candle is the only light in the church as the Vigil begins.

“The Light of Christ” 
…. Response: “Thanks be to God.”

“The servers and the priests light their baptismal candles, and the flame spreads, and the church is lighted by a light that seems sacred and otherworldly. That is an image for us.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“The Gospel story is not like a physical science, and God does not want it to be that way. What God asks of us is not to prove things, but to be witnesses.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“….We need someone who is a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

“What happened in my life is I couldn’t see the light of Christ. …What I saw was someone else’s candle. When the Resurrection of Christ touches you, brothers and sisters, it puts the light of God into your soul.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“I was so blessed when I was 19 years old. I had no interest in religion, but I had seen my mother’s candle. I had seen the light and joy of the Gospel inside of her. The light was spreading.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“You know what the best proof of Christianity is? It’s Christians.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“People don’t come to Christianity because of an argument. It’s Christians. When Christians are joyful, and they’re kind, when they walk in this world, and they know that they belong to the next; When they don’t hate other people; When they are not self-righteous; When they are humble; When they worship something greater than themselves; Christians are living gospels—They are the best proof of Christianity. Unfortunately, the best argument against Christianity is also…Christians. …When that happens, the flame dies.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“You are called to be a witness. To be a person who walks through this world with joy. If you do that, there’ll be a song on your lips. If the Resurrection touches your heart and your soul, there will be a song on your lips wherever you go.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

St. Augustine: “What does it mean to sing with jubilation? It means to be unable to express in words or to verbalize the song that sings to you in your heart.” 
https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/sing-to-the-lord-a-new-song/

“If ever there was a day to sing with jubilation, it is today.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“I never would have been a Christian if it wasn’t for people like you. But I met people who have the light of Christ in them. And somehow, by the grace of God, I joined them.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“Jesus, today, you have broken my chains. You have brought me to the joy of eternal life. Lord, you have freed the world from sin and death. You have opened the gates of heaven. Lord I know that all of us, if we are to be witnesses, we have to have that song on our lips, and Lord, I know the world will think we’re crazy, but Jesus, may we sing anyway.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

April 10, 2022

Fr. Brian Larkin


This week’s Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041022.cfm


The Lord’s Prayer:

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/our-father

“You and I are not like other people; we are bought by the blood of Christ.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

Holy Land:

Topography & landscape

St. Jerome calls the Holy Land the “5th Gospel.”

“I thought that going to the Holy Land would limit my imagination… but was wrong. When you go to the Holy Land, it’s as if your faith is brand new.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

House of Caiaphas:

https://www.holylandsite.com/house-of-caiaphas

Mount Calvary:

https://holy-land-tours.com/gordons-calvary-the-garden-tomb/

Steps of Jesus

https://abcnews.go.com/International/holy-stairs-believed-climbed-jesus-prior-crucifixion-unveiled/story?id=62331625

Jesus spends most of his life up in Galilee, then moves to the Jordan River, then moves to the Dead Sea, which is the lowest place that’s above water, on earth. That’s where Jericho is. Luke 19, Jesus heals a blind man and encounters Zacheus. Then, he starts climbing. He keeps telling the same parable over and over, about a king who has been away and who is returning.

The parable of the Talents:

Matthew 25: 14–30

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25

Messiah: Means, “The Anointed One,” but it refers to the great king whom God would send to make all things right.


Are you the Messiah?

“Jesus keeps avoiding the question.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

“They’ve been climbing, and you have to imagine the energy of the crowd. He’s making his way to Jerusalem, and the crowds are following, and everyone is wondering if he is The One. On Palm Sunday, he doesn’t just acknowledge that he’s the King, he shouts it from the rooftops. ‘If they don’t say it, the very rocks will cry out.’” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“Jerusalem is the symbol of your soul.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“Today, the Lord comes to reign as king in Jerusalem, which is your soul. Jesus couldn’t have said it any louder.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

Zecheriah 9:9 “When the Messiah comes, he will come humbly, riding on a donkey.”
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/9

Palm Sunday is the fulfillment of that prophesy.

“It’s like a king who left his city. Today, he comes back.” —Fr. Brian Larkin


“Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
Psalm 118: The Psalm that is sung at the coronation of a king. This is the chant they sing when a king receives his crown.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118

“I have surrendered my soul at times to different rulers besides you. I’ve surrendered my soul to false gods, to egoism and vanity, to jealousy, to avarice and lust and pride. Lord, I’ve surrendered myself to these things. The reason Jesus enters Jerusalem, brothers and sisters, and for all of us today, …is because your Savior desires to reign in your soul. But, the way he does it—He does not ride into Jerusalem on a war horse. He does not come with a conquering army—he will not force you. The way the Lord gains his kingdom is by humility and suffering. And that’s what He’ll do for you.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“Your task is to allow Him to cast out every other ruler that reigns inside of you. That there would be no one and nothing that rules inside your soul except Jesus.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Zechariah 9:

“Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem!

Behold: your king* is coming to you,

a just savior is he,

Humble, and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/9

“That prophesy was written for you.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“Lord in every soul today, ‘thy kingdom come, thy will be done.’” —Fr. Brian Larkin

5th Sunday of Lent | Identity, Shame, & The Healing Power of Confession | Fr. Sean Conroy by Lourdes Denver

The Prodigal Son: Jn 9:1-41

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/reading...

Homily 1:

Basic Message of Reconciliation

“The Good News that you have a place at the Father’s table.

If you don’t know that, this is the good news of Christianity.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

Origen’s 2nd commentary of Leviticus 2:

“Even to the end of the world, the day of reconciliation is today.”

https://www.google.com/books/edition/...

The story of all christians is a story of slaves and sons. Today is the day of reconciliation. Today, you belong in the Father’s house.”—Fr. Brian Larkin

Homily 2:

“God has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

2 Corinthians 5: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corint...

Pliny the Younger: The story of the slave who has become a freed manhttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/philemon/0

Today's Sponsor: N.T. Wright: Paul (Book)

https://www.audible.com/pd/Paul-Audio...

Onesimus=Useful (Latin name)

“I, Paul, an ambassador, and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. Formerly, he was useless to you. But now, he is indeed useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you—sending my very heart.“

Luke 15: When the son turns back, he takes a risk

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/15

Josh Garrells’ song, “At the Table: “There will always be a place for you at my table.” https://open.spotify.com/track/0CuihK...

“The good news of Jesus Christ is a Father is seeking after you.” —Fr. Brian

“You don’t have to have your act together. The prodigal son returns to the father’s house in tatters.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“In the father’s house, the father tells them put the best robe on him. The best robe in the house is the father’s, and he puts it on his son. This is the good news.”—Fr. Brian

2 Cor. 5: 17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come.”

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corint...

“Christianity is not about forgiveness; it’s about divine adoption.” —Fr. Brian

“The Mission of the Catholic Church is a ministry of reconciliation.”—Fr. Brian

“The most joyful part of being a priest is watching slaves come home. That’s our mission.”—Fr. Brian

2 Cor. 5:20

“We are ambassadors for Christ. Got making his appeal through us.”—Fr. BrIan

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corint...

“I believe in a life of selflessness, and I am selfish.

I believe in a life of forgiving others, and I hold grudges.

I am someone who believes in humility and chastity, and all these different things, and I have broken every rule that God has given me. And He has made me an ambassador of reconciliation.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

“You and I don’t glory in our sins, but we reveal that you and I were slaves who became sons and daughters, that’s when people come home.” —Fr. Brian Larkin

3rd Sunday of Lent Deacon Tom: True North & Continual Metanoia

Exodus 17

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/17?3

The Miracles of Water

Exodus 7: 14–25:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/7

Moses’s Staff turns the river to blood

Exodus 14: Crossing the Red Sea, dry shod

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/14

Miracles of food:

Manna from Heaven & quail in the evening

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/16

Israelites still mistrust the Lord, and death follows in the desert.

Joshua leads the Israelites to the Promise Land across the River Jordan

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/joshua/0

The Woman at the Well & the Living Water:

John 4: 4–42

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4

The longer Christ talks to the woman, the more her tone and attitude change—it becomes a metanoia for her to hear that Christ is the “Living Water.”

“Maybe our own personal metanoia is minimal, but important if you want to ‘get where you’re going.’” —Deacon Tom Uschold

Deacon Ernie McNally, of Camden, NJ

Experienced a major metanoia in his life, and transformed his life from a legalistic manner to a holy one, through his 20-year dedication to the diaconate. His funeral visitors exceeded 5 hours, such that, they had to turn some of the people away. He had only made a minor change—a few degrees—and it was a few degrees enough to shock his children at the funeral turnout.

“We also need to keep adjusting and repenting, having metanoia, so that we are making sure that we are spending time in prayer, asking God how we follow him more closely. How we put our lives into His hands.” —Deacon Tom Uschold