Pilgrim Priest

Ordinary Time, 33rd Sunday (B) Ancient people couldn't depend on much. Plagues, wars, earthquakes, death, and decay all dogged their lives. The heavens above appeared incredibly stable and predictable. 

When Jesus says, "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken," what he means is that the dependable things are failing us. When everything else fails, we can still count on Jesus. His words are more dependable than heaven and earth.

A constant reminder of Jesus' dependable love for us is the gift of our guardian angel. St. Gemma Galgani could see her guardian angel. St. John Bosco was protected miraculously by a big black dog. Last month, inspired by the feast of the Guardian Angels, I wrote a song to my guardian angel. Let me sing it to you. 

(17 Nov 2024)

Going Deeper: Try singing the song for yourself. It's set to the tune Old 100th (like All People That on Earth do Dwell).

Over 13 years of homily episodes available at PilgrimPriest.us/podcast | Like, subscribe, and share us with your enemies. | Find me on Facebook and Twitter | Powered by Patrons | give through PayPal or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.

Ordinary Time, 32nd Sunday (B) Jesus is impressed not with the size of the donation; he is impressed with a generous heart. A poor widow holds nothing back; she gives God her whole livelihood.

God has blessed me with gifts, perhaps less than I had hoped. The temptation is to hoard the little I have and use it for myself. God's invitation is to be generous with what we have and trust that he will give us more.

For many Americans, time is worth more than money. Don't be afraid to be generous with time for daily prayers and Sunday Mass. At Sunday Mass, we offer ourselves and all that we have to the Father, and receive his abundant blessings. If you are generous with God, you will have some left over. Give God the chance to earn your trust.

(10 Nov 2024)

Going Deeper: The word used for "livelihood" in the Greek is bios. Read and reflect on what it means (see BibleHub.com):

Usage: In the New Testament, "bios" primarily refers to the physical aspect of life, encompassing one's livelihood, possessions, and the duration of life. It is distinct from "ζωή" (zōē), which often refers to life in a more spiritual or eternal sense. "Bios" can denote the means by which life is sustained, such as wealth or resources, and can also refer to the conduct or manner of one's life.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, "bios" was commonly used to describe the tangible aspects of life, including one's social status, wealth, and daily living. The concept of "bios" was often contrasted with the philosophical or spiritual life, which was considered of higher value in many philosophical traditions. In Jewish thought, life was a gift from God, and the way one lived ("bios") was a reflection of one's relationship with God and adherence to His commandments.

(bíos) is the root of the English term "biography," i.e. the record (account) of how we invested (or spent!) our physical lives.

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Ordinary Time, 31st Sunday (B) The first level of vocation is the Universal Call to Holiness. This means that we were made in the image and likeness of God, and God is love. We are called to allow the love of God to transform every aspect of our lives. Holiness is nothing other than living love in every aspect of our lives.

The second level is the call to love in a specific and permanent state of life. Jesus is called to be the High Priest. Priests are called to reveal Christ's love to his church. Religious live totally for God, as we all will in heaven. Married couples love one another as Christ loves the Church. Each one incarnates God's love in a unique and permanent way.

The third level is the ongoing discernment of loving God and neighbor in the practicalities of everyday life. This requires constant discernment. Fortunately Jesus is with us. Vocation is not really an equation to be solved. It is rather a call to be with Jesus and to live and love from this place of communion with Jesus. 

(3 Nov 2024)

Going Deeper: How does each level of vocation build on the previous level? What would it look like if you totally lived God's love in every aspect of your life?

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All Saints Day • Why have so many people left the Catholic Church? I think they have left because being Catholic made them less happy. It gets in the way of getting their way and having all the things and pleasures they want. 

Getting what we want only makes us happy when we have learned to want that which is actually good for us. The happiness based on having things or fun experiences is the most fleeting source of happiness. It will naturally tend towards addiction.

Are there forms of happiness that don't disappoint? The happiness of a job well done is worth a lot of discomfort on the road to success. The Greeks and Romans taught us that the ultimate form of happiness is a life well-lived, that is, a virtuous life. The culture of self-indulgence erodes community. The culture of virtue and self-control demands, and builds, healthy community. 

Above this level of happiness, there is a level that only Christians have access to. Believing Christians will come to know the warmth and light of Jesus' personal presence with them. This is the happiness of a life lived with Jesus. Christian community also reaches a new level -- being brothers and sisters in God's family. 

The Beatitudes show us that, with the right attitude of heart, the challenging circumstances around us become an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus. Even discomfort can be turned into a source of deeper happiness.

(1 Nov 2024)

Going Deeper: Are you more focused on the pursuit of happiness rooted in self-indulgence, or the pursuit of happiness rooted in self-control? How does Christian community contribute to your happiness? Have you experienced the happiness of a life lived with Jesus?

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Ordinary Time, 30th Sunday (B) Jericho often symbolizes the kingdom of this world. Bartimaeus can see with the eyes of faith that Jesus is the one he has been waiting for. He keeps calling Jesus until Jesus calls him, then he leaves everything to follow Jesus.

Jesus is leading home to the heavenly kingdom all who have heard his call and followed him. We gather at Sunday Mass to experience ongoing encounter with God's love and truth that brings us into wholeness and communion.

Jesus desires to give us emotional and spiritual healing, and eventually all physical healing. We need to keep calling on Jesus until he calls upon us: "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"

(27 Oct 2024)

Going Deeper: How do you identify areas in your life that need emotional or spiritual healing? What do you do when you have identified those needs?

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Ordinary Time, 29th Sunday (B) Stewardship is a great way of understanding the Gospel in our practical, everyday life. Christians are called to be like God. We can't possibly succeed, so the Holy Spirit gives us the power to love as God has loved us.

Consumers we are rarely grateful, because we have been trained to see the lack in our lives and to think that one more product will fix our problem. We see our value in terms of what I produce or consume or own. We see each other as competition. This is exactly where James and John are coming from. They want to grab spots at the top. Jesus says, "If you want the top spots, then you have to be willing to serve, suffer, and sacrifice."

If we are comparing, competing and complaining as consumers, then we are not living self-giving love. The Lord has already been a very generous and loving servant to all of us. We are now called to serve others as he has served us. Stewardship of Time is about quality time with God and with our family and friends. Talent are ways that you can use your gifts to bless others. Finally, Treasure is a great way to ask yourself, "Am I being generous?"

When I see how generous my parishioners are, you inspire me to be a better steward. Thank you for serving others as Christ has served us.

(20 Oct 2024)

Going Deeper: If you are a member of the Antigo Area Catholic Churches, review the 2024 Ministry Booklet and then complete the 2024 Stewardship Commitment Card online. Consider all the subtle ways you find yourself playing King of the Hill with the people around you (It's good to play "king of the raft" sometimes, especially for boys, but it shouldn't be the primary way we understand our place in the world). Are you the best at Comparing, Competing, and Complaining, or are you excited to Serve, Suffer, and Sacrifice?

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Ordinary Time, 27th Sunday (B) This weekend we kickoff our annual parish Stewardship Renewal. We ask every parishioner of the Antigo Area Catholic Churches to make at least one commitment each in the areas of Time, Talent, and Treasure. It's always good to re-evaluate our commitments. 

What can our scripture readings teach us about stewardship? Adam names the animals. He is practicing on creation so he can be ready for a bigger stewardship. God gives him the gift of Eve, his equal but whom he also names. Marriage is a shared stewardship. The two become "one flesh", sharing everything with one another, and together exercise a stewardship of God's children. Parents desire to bring their children to Jesus so he can bless them.

In standing up for marriage, God is standing up for the children. We know that many marriages to do not reflect the beauty of God's plans. God himself meets us in the midst of our struggles. Jesus came into this world and suffers with us and for us. Just as Jesus was "perfected" by his sufferings, so we become perfected in the fight with our own selfishness. Let God be the master, and be content to be his servant. Even when we are unfaithful, the Lord is faithful!

Struggles are an opportunity to grow closer to God and to one another. Marriage is a gift that is meant to be given away; it is a blessing that is meant to bless others. Our stewardship renewal is an opportunity to once again take stock of our blessings. The greatest gift God gives us is not material or spiritual blessings but the gift of one another and the gift of Himself. How blessed we are!

(6 Oct 2024)

Going Deeper: Review your stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure, and your attitude towards other human beings in your life.

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Ordinary Time, 26th Sunday (B) Many Catholics have no sense of the incredible gift they have received, nor the responsibilities that come with that gift. How would your life be different if you were able to live from your true identity as a child of God, temple of the Holy Spirit, and a part of the Body of Christ?

Traffickers deceive their victims into thinking they are loved. Then they manipulate, use and abuse them. Damascus Road Project loves trafficked women into their true identity.

On October 9, 1859, Mary told Adele Brice: "I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same. You received Holy Communion this morning and that is well. But you must do more. Make a general confession and offer Communion for the conversion of sinners. If they do not convert and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them.”

Our true identity is given so us not so that we can be better than others, but so that we can leave others better than we found them.

(29 Sep 2024)

Going Deeper: Watch or read and reflect on the Client Testimonials from Damascus Road Project. 

Thank you Patrons Joyce and Sue!

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Ordinary Time, 25th Sunday (B) The Bible and our Catholic faith teach that life begins at conception and that every child is a gift from God. Every one of us is wanted, every one of us is willed, and we each reveal something special about God. “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Many parents nowadays don't want God to give them many of these gifts. Can we recognize that we are a gift? Can we recognize that the people around us are gifts? If a family sees children as competition with Mom and Dad's needs and wants, then we will see our siblings as competition, too. Then we turn around and pay doctors and scientists or surrogate moms so we can buy ourselves a "gift." The Bible invites us see ourselves and other human lives as God does.

(22 Sep 2024)

Going Deeper: Join us for this year's pro-life speaker Wednesday, October 15th, 2024, at 7 PM at St. John's in Antigo.
Oriens 2024: A Pilgrimage Through Advent and Christmas is available for purchase now. Join me for a pilgrimage to Italy next fall. Click here to learn more.

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Ordinary Time, 24th Sunday (B) Which world religion is the true religion? You don't have to look at every religion, you just have to answer this question: Is Jesus who he says he is? Every other founder of a major religion has claimed to have a special insight or revelation from God. Only Jesus claimed to BE GOD. Most people accept that Jesus was at least a good and holy man. But that is the one thing that Jesus CANNOT be. He must be either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord.

He proves his claim not only with his miracles but also by rising from the dead. Jesus is who he says he is, and that means you are who he says you are. You are a beloved child of God and you have nothing to fear. Isaiah has a confidence that comes from trusting the God who called him. When we have this confidence, we can be generous with those around us. Because Jesus is who he says he is, do not be afraid to do what he calls you to do. 

(15 Sep 2024)

Going Deeper: Do you believe Jesus' claim to be God? How does this belief give you new confidence?

Over 13 years of homily episodes available at PilgrimPriest.us/podcast | Like, subscribe, and share us with your enemies. | Find me on Facebook and Twitter | Powered by Patrons | give through PayPal or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.