Pilgrim Priest

First Sunday of Lent (Year C) Jesus journeys from a mountain-top experience of God through the desert of temptation into the Promised Land. Transfiguration–Death–Resurrection: this pattern repeats in the Bible and in our lives. What is Jesus’ secret to survive the desert? He never stops listening to God’s voice. Even when all he can hear is the Tempter, Jesus is repeating to himself the words God has spoken. Don’t forget what God has said. Keep repeating to yourself what God has done for you. Lent is a time to face the desert. Fill your heart with the Word of God. Keep listening to God’s Word. (14 Feb 2016)

Point to Ponder: What words or experiences has God given you in the past that let you know He was with you?

Point do Discuss: Satan loves to tell me I am alone, even though I am never alone. The Devil knows where we are weak and keeps attacking us in the same places. Ask a friend about the lies Satan uses against them.

Ash Wednesday. Lent isn’t exactly a favorite season for most of us. Why do we give up meat on Friday? Because Jesus died on Friday, and we are asked to make a small sacrifice for love of Jesus. Once upon a time the church went vegan; now we are only asked to abstain from meat. You can do more if you want to, but you shouldn’t do less.

God loves us and we love God. We find happiness when we are embraced by God. The Devil hates us and will do anything to separate us from God. He has two basic tactics:

* Attract us away from God with shiny things, girls, popularity, power and fun.

* Repel us from God with threats, fear, and intimidation.

Lent is about realizing that only God can make me happy, and I’ve started letting things get in the way of my relationship with God. What fears are causing me to run from God? What is attracting and distracting me from God? Reach past the distractions and reach for God. He’s already reaching for you.

(10 Feb 2016)

Point to Ponder: When have I felt God’s embrace? What did it feel like?

Point to Discuss: Discuss with a friend the sacrifices you have planned for Lent. Will they really bring you closer to God?

Ordinary Time, 5th Sunday (Year C)

Mercy: More kindness than justice deserves. Isaiah, Paul and Peter encounter God’s mercy. Then they are sent to be missionaries of mercy to others. The Year of Mercy instituted by Pope Francis is about both receiving mercy and offering it to others. You are part of a big church doing these works of mercy all over the world and here at home. Through the Bishop’s Appeal you become part of works of mercy throughout our whole diocese.

The Bishop’s Appeal is just one of many ways we can be part of the whole church’s mission of mercy. But it’s not enough just to give money and let someone else do the work. All of us are called to receive mercy and to show mercy. How is God calling you to be a missionary of mercy?

(7 Feb 2015)

Going Deeper:

Learn more about the “Faces of Mercy” Bishop’s Appeal for 2016

Pray the Missionaries of Mercy prayer for our parishes this Lent:

Ordinary Time, Fourth Sunday (Year C)

God is patient, God is kind….

Jesus does not seek his own interests,

He is not quick-tempered, He does not brood over injury,

God does not rejoice over wrongdoing

but rejoices with the truth.

Love reveals the nature of God. Love is the ultimate power in the universe, stronger than money, fear, even death. Love conquers all but is conquered by none. Love is like the “Force” from Star Wars: Love is what gives the Christian his power. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. Love has no “dark side”: It can only be used for good. The dark side we call lust or selfishness. Unfortunately, we often say love when we mean its opposite, the very enemy of love. “I love pizza” means it makes me feel good. “I love you” often means: “You make me feel good. I want to get something out of you.” That isn’t love!

Love means “I want what is best for the other.” Love is sacrifice. This is why chastity is so important. Our love for another can be twisted up with our own selfishness. Chastity helps us turn towards self-giving and away from the selfish side. Every Christian is called to follow the example of Jesus: I am patient, I am kind… I need a good Confession! This passage is the standard to which every Christian is called. Let God love you, so you can love others.

The family is meant to be a cradle of love: Love is the mission of every family. Love is also the mission of every Christian parish. The Religious Education program and our Catholic school are partners with the parents in their mission of teaching children. The world thinks we shouldn’t have to sacrifice, but Christians know that love is sacrifice. The sacrifices that go to building families, parishes and Catholic schools show true love. Love never fails.

(31 Jan 2016)

Point to Ponder: Do you really believe that love is stronger than money, fear or death?

Point to Discuss: Read Should we send our kids to Catholic School? by Father Joe Krupp. Discuss the points he makes with your spouse or a friend.

Ordinary Time, 3rd Sunday (Year C)

We are the poor, the captives, the oppressed and the blind. It is to us that Christ is announcing the good news of God’s merciful love. For a Christian it’s not enough to be a good person. Every Christian is called to be Christ-like. How can we fulfill our impossible mission?

Through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit allows priests to forgive sins. It also fills every Christian and allows them to do the impossible. Catholics march in Washington and minister when their bus gets trapped in snow. Catholics pray for the dead and make every night special. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we continue Jesus’ mission.

Mass reminds us: The Body of Christ. You are sent: Go announce the Gospel of the Lord. God is already lining up people for you to minister to. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you ready for the mission.

(24 Jan 2015)

Point to Ponder: When has the Holy Spirit worked through me?

Point to Discuss: Talk to another Christian about Jesus’ mission. What would the world look like if every Christian took Christ’s mission seriously? Do you know any Christians who do?

Ordinary Time, 2nd Sunday (Year C)

Jesus works his first miracle — at a wedding feast, of all places. Marriage goes right back to the Garden of Eden. Through Marriage, human beings cooperate in creating life. God wants to rescue marriage from the corruption of sin. Enter the virtue of Chastity. Chastity treats yourself — and every other person — as a priceless gift of God. If you’re not married, assume there’s never consent. If you are married, treat your spouse like a human being. Brothers, fellow men, you are the ones who have the job to protect these boundaries. Protect your future spouse, your future family, your gift of love. Chastity is like a banana peel. It protects the gift inside. When you marry, the chastity you have been living protects you both.

This is the first wine, the wine of natural marriage. Jesus gives us a new wine which is the Sacrament of Matrimony. A husband and wife are like icons: they reveal the love of God. God loves us so much, He desires union with us. Marriage foreshadows the union of Heaven. So does the Mass, which allows us to become one flesh with Almighty God. Open your heart to receive the God who loves you.

(17 Jan 2016)

Point to Ponder: From whom did you learn about the true meaning of love?

Point to Discuss: If you are married, talk to your spouse about the idea of being an icon of the Trinity. Is your union with each other helping you grow closer to God? If you are not married, talk to Jesus about his love for you. Is your union with Jesus helping you grow closer to others?

 

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Year C)

Today we take a step back from the Christ Child in order to meditate on the Holy Family. The family is a gift that comes from the heart of our Heavenly Father. We don’t so much define family as receive God’s gift of family. The Holy Family can teach us what the family is all about.

In our first reading we see Hannah who is suffering from infertility. She pours out her grief to the Lord and promises that if she receives a son, she will give him back to God. This reveals to us the deep truth that children are a gift from God. But it also reveals that we are a gift that is made to give. Man cannot find himself except in a sincere gift of self (GS 24). We are made in the image and likeness of God who is love. Love is a gift; to love is to give yourself away. So we can only truly find ourselves when we give ourselves away.

Some think of marriage like a contract: we get to know somebody, use them for a trial period, and then decide to sign on the dotted line. But marriage is not a contract, it is a covenant. It is total gift of persons to one another. Marriage, sexuality, and children are all part of the same total gift of self. You shouldn’t choose one without the other two; they all belong together.

So look at the Gospel now and it makes much more sense. Jesus already knows that he doesn’t belong to His parents. God has given him to his parents, and they will have to give him back again. Yet he is obedient: he makes a gift of himself to his parents. All must learn the law of the gift. Housework is easy when you make a gift of yourself; housework is hard when you try to keep yourself. We have to all learn to make a gift of ourselves.

* If you want to be happy, give yourself away.

* If you want your family to be happy, give your children away.

None of us truly owns ourselves. We are a gift given by God. We find happiness when we learn to give. A holy family is a family that has learned to give generously. May your family be a holy family.

(27 Dec 2015)

Point to Ponder: “Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.” (Gaudium et Spes 24, cf Luke 17:33)

Point to Discuss: Prayer this Prayer of Dedication to the Holy Family:

Let us pray,

O Joseph, guardian and protector of the Holy Family, pray for us that through the example of your holy obedience all who dwell here may be guided in their daily work and journey of faith.

O Mary, Our Mother, through you Christ made his home with us on earth and sanctified the life of our homes. Pray for us that we may grow in holiness by your example of compassion and merciful love.

O Jesus, we set before you now our trials and joys. Look graciously upon this home, that it be dedicated to your Holy Family

in peace, faith, and the example of your merciful love. Protect us both here and away, and welcome those who have gone  before us into your heavenly home.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) There’s been a lot of darkness this year: Terrorist attacks, people getting shot by police, airplanes crashing, floods, climate change…

This may seem like a bad place to start a Christmas homily, but there is plenty of darkness in the Christmas story too: an unplanned pregnancy, homelessness, refugees from political turmoil. But we don’t notice the darkness in the manger scene because we are looking at the Light of Christ.

Jesus is not afraid of the darkness. He is not afraid of the darkness in our world; he is not afraid of the darkness in your family; he is not afraid of the darkness in your life. In spite of the darkness, God still wants a relationship with you. God has bent down to meet us.

Think of all the love God pours out for each of us every day, and he gets so little back. All Jesus is asking for is our love in return. Just like we need to say Thank You for the gifts we have received, so we need to share love back to God for what we receive. Receive the love of God and share it.

When you look at the light, you no longer notice the darkness. God does not promise to take away our struggles but to be there with us: Emmanuel. God is with us always; every day is Christmas. Train your eyes to see God’s love in the humble forms all around us. A relationship with God begins now and ends in eternal life. Christmas is not only Jesus’ birthday, but ours as well: Happy Birthday, dear Jesus!

(25 Dec 2015)

Point to Ponder: How much do I really want God to be part of my everyday life?

Point to Discuss: Where have you seen light in the midst of darkness? Talk to someone about a positive story you read or experienced this past year.

 

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)

For three weeks now we have been preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ. I think most of us would have to admit that we really don’t expect Christ to visit our home. It’s too small, quaint, or maybe just not ready – cluttered and perhaps embarrassing.

But wait – Jesus was born in a stable! He doesn’t mind the smell. In fact, all he really needed was a little humble corner. Advent is not about getting your house fixed up, but rather becoming humble enough to receive the humble king. There are three things we must do:

* Be humble. Like the little town of Bethlehem.

* Be obedient. God wants to do great things with your life; He wants to come and dwell with you. Obedience says “yes” to God’s plan.

* Be generous. Mary does not just receive Jesus, she also shares Him.

When you go to a party, do you welcome the guests like Elizabeth did? You will be welcoming Jesus in the person of your guests. When you attend a party, do you bring Jesus along with you like Mary does? Then you will bring joy, and find joy.

I visited an establishment Friday night for a drink and a fish fry. As I ate and drank, you could see the buzz. People started coming over to me and asking religion questions. I tried as best I could to be like Mary and share the love of Jesus with each person. At the end of Advent, let us imitate Mary in being humble, obedient, and generous. It’s time for Christmas parties: Eat, Drink, and be Mary.

(20 Dec 2015)

Point to Ponder: Is your home humble enough for Jesus?

Point to Discuss: What would it look like to “bring Jesus with you” to a Christmas party? Talk to your spouse or a friend about that.

Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

At the start of Advent I shared tips to avoid “the anxieties of daily living.” My Advent has been full of anxiety. The days have been very packed. I wish I could say I have been peaceful and joyful these past two weeks; but far from it! I got no presents wrapped, no cards sent, and no decorations put up. And now our readings are saying “have no anxiety at all” and “Rejoice.” How is that even possible after the Advent I’ve been having?

If the first two weeks of Advent have taught me anything, its that I can’t do it on my own. But that’s OK, because the Bible doesn’t tell me, “Rejoice, you have it all together.” I’m not supposed to rejoice in myself. I rejoice in the Lord. I need a savior. Whatever you’re going through won’t last for ever. We can rejoice that Jesus is coming soon. We don’t have to save ourselves, we just have to be ready for our Savior.

How do I get ready? John the Baptist gives us three pieces of advice for being ready for Jesus: Be generous, Be honest, Be humble. That will be enough. God will do the rest. The best news is that that our Savior is eager to see you:

The Lord, your, God, is in your midst, a mighty savior;

he will rejoice over you with gladness,

and renew you in his love,

he will sing joyfully because of you,

as one sings at festivals.

Did you have any idea God was so excited to see you? You make God’s heart sing! God rejoices in You. We need a savior, and He’s closer than ever. Rejoice!

(13 Dec 2015)

Point to Ponder: How have you felt your need for a Savior this Advent season?

Point to Discuss: Advent is more than half over already. Talk to your family about the daily decade of the Rosary or anything else you are doing for Advent. What have you noticed?