The BreadCast

O witness to the Truth, to the Light that has come among us, you gave your very life and death for the sake of Christ, who redeemed us in His blood, blood you shed with your Savior; you who were a pillar of iron against the whole land and against its king, you who stood so strong against the lust of the world, suffering its persecution so willingly, fortified even in death by the Lord and His promise – how can our meager lives measure up to your blessed sacrifice; how can we who are so weak of knee endure our exile so bravely? Pray for us, O forerunner of the Christ both in word and in the giving of your life, that our blood may be joined to your own and so to that of our holy Lord.

(1Cor.1:26-31; Ps.33:12-13,18-21; Mt.25:14-30) "He called in His servants and handed His funds over to them according to each man's abilities." All comes from the hand of God. Yes. Do you see this? God it is who provides any talent you possess on this earth and "God it is who has given you life in Christ Jesus." Not yourself. It is not from you any power comes. God has proven His power by choosing "the lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing," and making them strong. This is you. You are nothing; and yet you have all things in God. Brothers and sisters, "mankind can do no boasting before God." How could they? It is He who looks down from heaven and "sees all mankind"; it is He who chooses "His own inheritance." It is He who places in our hands the "silver pieces" we employ on this earth – and it is He who expects us to use well that which we have been given. To Him we must answer for all things. And if we are "industrious and reliable" in our service, it is He who will declare, "Since you were dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs." On earth as it is in heaven… If our work is done well here, it shall lead to the greater fruits, and we shall "share [our] Master's joy!" But it is always His joy to which we come and not our own. God is all things to us. "He has made [Jesus] our wisdom, and also our justice, our sanctification, and our redemption." All that we have is from Him, and without Him we could not live. And should you be resentful of so great a gift? Should you return the gift of Himself He lays before you on your table? Or should you not rather take it up, make it your own, and by it produce fruit according to the abilities He has shared with you? This is all He expects of you: that the graces He shares with you, you share with others. "In His holy name we trust." Yes, "our soul waits for the Lord" and "in Him our hearts rejoice." For He does not fail us. What He gives He does not take back: it is we who reject His love; it is He who increases the yield within us. "Brothers, you are among those who are called," and so be among "those who hope for His kindness." For His kindness shall but enrich you each day as you make His will your own and find your "boast in the Lord." Praise Him for His gifts and for His grace, for by His grace the gifts He provides become eternally fruitful in our lives. Alleluia! ******* O LORD, enrich us with your blessings as we serve you humbly in this world. YHWH, let us trust in your NAME and in your NAME alone. How can we trust in ourselves or in the riches of this world when all this is but dust? But in your hands this dust we are becomes as gold, for we become as you who are so far above this world. O make us your own, dear LORD! Help us to look to you, to wait for you, to trust in you for all things. May our tongues praise your NAME and our hands work in your service, and then, O how we shall be blessed! For truly you will be with us, and we with you. Into your joy let us come, O LORD, the joy that surpasses any joy of this earth, the grace that passes not away. Let us boast in you, that you are great and do marvelous things for those who trust in you, those who know your love. From death let us be delivered – into your House let us come. O LORD, increase your yield in us; we are but instruments of your holy love, your poor children whom you raise from the dust.

O shepherd made anew by Him who is within, Him who made us all, the Light above and beyond every soul who gave His life, His flesh as food that we might live – pray that the Lord and God of all will break through our deafness and dispel our blindness, that He will breathe His fragrant Spirit upon us and we too will be created anew, saved by His grace from the sin that has kept us from Him and thirsting for the wisdom which became your own, with which you shepherded His people apart from the things He created to His very Beauty itself, that all souls might rest in Him who made them.

(1Cor.1:17-25; Ps.33:1-2,4-5,10-11; Mt.25:1-13) "The world did not come to know Him through its 'wisdom'." "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and thwart the cleverness of the clever," says the Lord God. And in its place we find the Gospel, "the message of the cross," which is "complete absurdity to those who are headed to ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God." It is this wisdom which saves us, even as the wisdom of the world falls to dust. The wisdom of the world tells us to take our rest, to find our pleasure in the things of this life; the wisdom of God instructs us to "keep [our] eyes open" for the coming of the kingdom of God, wherein we shall find eternal rest. The wisdom of the world has only the torch to offer; like the foolish bridesmaids, it brings no oil for its lamp, for it can see nothing beyond its eyes – its immediate physical concerns are its preoccupation. The wisdom of God knows that all depends on the oil of the lamp, and so it calls us to find our souls in the Word of God, which is a flask whose contents never recede but rather increase with use and preserve the soul's burning brightly before its Creator. The wisdom of the world is "wordy," is empty rambling with no foundation in truth; God's wisdom is founded in silence, pregnant with the power and authority of all ages. "The Lord brings to naught the plans of nations; He foils the designs of peoples." What can stand that is not rooted in Him? What has purpose that is not spoken by His mouth? Apart from Him nothing comes to be or lasts. And does not the Lord thwart the ideas of the human mind most perfectly in the crucifixion of His Christ? Making "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" turns the vain strivings of men upside down and exposes them in all their emptiness. Here is my Word, He says; here is my Love. To this sacrifice does He call us all, that we might celebrate at His wedding feast and not be barred outside in the cold world. For indeed all that is of the world comes to nothing, "but the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of His heart, through all generations." And it is His design that we become children of light, shining forever in the light of His wisdom, not burning to ashes in the deceit of our hearts. In the cross all our empty words fall to naught as we are confronted with the truth of our sin and the love of our God. Thus our eyes are opened. May they remain so, fixed on this lamp which shines in the darkness of the night. By no other means will we come to know God and the meaning of our lives. ******* O LORD, let our eyes be open with the light of your wisdom that we might see your coming in the Cross of Christ. YHWH, the plans of the nations you bring to naught to show all souls where wisdom lies: it rests with you and in the Cross of your Son, for the light of our minds is dim indeed without your Word to feed it. How can we even speak of you, LORD, you who are beyond the realm of our words? We cannot determine whence we have come and do not know when our end shall be fulfilled… and so, how can we know anything? All we know is what you tell us through your Son in the love He offers. Jesus has died for our sins. This is all we need to know, LORD, for such knowledge, such faith, will bring us to your doorstep; and by the light of the Spirit we shall be able to enter in – to enter into your presence and so come to know all things by your grace and mercy. Dead are we apart from you, LORD, dead in our sin and in the emptiness of our minds. But the blood of your Son enlivens our souls that we might come to know the wisdom beyond all ages in His salvation. O may we be wed to you!

O tearful mother whose persistent cries for the soul of your son were heard in time by the Lord our God and so led to his conversion, to his becoming not only a Catholic Christian but a bishop and doctor of the Church, a saint like yourself – pray for the prayers of all mothers who cry for their wayward sons; pray indeed that all souls may turn and come to know so deeply the love of our Lord and God and the blessing upon His holy Catholic Church. Pray that all who stray, many as they are, shall be raised from the death of sin and come to the life of Heaven, where you wait with your son to welcome all his brothers.

(1Cor.1:1-9; Ps.145:1-7; Mt.24:42-51) "He will strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." Brothers and sisters, "you lack no spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Lord provides all you need, generously and faithfully. You "have been consecrated in Christ Jesus and called to be a holy people" and so "have been richly endowed [by God] with every gift," that you might fulfill the call He places upon your soul, that by His grace you might indeed be holy. And so you should realize "the favor He has bestowed on you in Christ Jesus" and "call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" to gain all the blessings the Lord God is ready to pour forth upon you. Brothers and sisters, "keep a watchful eye and [do] not allow [your] house to be broken into." "Be prepared" for the Lord's coming. Let His every gift be at work in you, that readiness will ever be yours. Do not think as the foolish and worthless servant, "My master is a long time in coming," and turn thus away from His light, sagging into the world's darkness. Such a thought brings only death and the punishment of the Lord. For never is He long in coming. Always is He present to us; ever is His Spirit here within us when we remain faithful to Him. He it is who is of life and light – it is we who grow blind to His grace and are slow to come to His eternal presence. Forsake not His gifts, which sustain us at all times. Here is cause for rejoicing. Here is the reason David sings, "Every day I will bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever" (revealing thus the newness of life which is ever upon us): "God is faithful, and it was He who called [us] to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." No more than this need we know. For this reason "generation after generation praises [His] works" and "publish[es] the fame of [His] abundant goodness." It is this which brings His praise to our throats. For indeed in His grace He has called us to be as His only Son, and of course He is faithful to His call. And so by faithfulness all is ours in the Lord, and on that Day His blessings shall be full. Remaining in His light, growing in His gifts and favors, there shall be no "wailing then and grinding of teeth" for our souls – no, "happy that servant whom His master discovers at work on His return!" ******* O LORD, let us be prepared and waiting for your coming Day. YHWH, strengthen us to the end that we might be blameless on the Day your Son returns; make us your servants, faithful and true, praising you ever for your goodness to us, and we shall be ready on the Day of His revelation. LORD, great are you and highly to be praised, for you provide all the gifts we need as we await Jesus' coming. You give us speech and knowledge, and consecrate us in the Name of your Son. May we be like Him whom you sent for our salvation, that with favor you might ever look upon our lives. As your Apostle has borne witness to your glory, LORD, so let us proclaim your greatness this day, that from generation to generation your NAME might be known and all souls be prepared for your coming Day. Let us serve you with diligence and with love, never forgetting that He whom we serve loves us more than we could ever return, remembering always that you are the Most High God who has created us in your image, in the image of your only Son.

(2Thes.3:6-10,16-18; Ps.128:1-2,4-5; Mt.23:27-32) "You shall eat the fruit of your handiwork." "Anyone who would not work should not eat" was the rule laid down by Paul among the Thessalonians. A man must earn his bread. And as on earth, so in heaven. For who shall come to the fruits of the kingdom if they are not as Paul, who has labored "to the point of exhaustion" for the sake of the reign of God? This is the "straight path" laid down for us by all the apostles: in the Lord's name we must walk "day and night." It is work which produces fruit. And what fruit will the scribes and Pharisees know? Their work is to "erect tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the saints," those who have been murdered by their forefathers. Yet they join these "in shedding the prophets' blood," thus making the tombs they erect all the more vain; yes, they shall "fill up the vessel measured off by [their] forefathers" by crucifying the Christ, the only Son of God. And this work they do shall have its fruit as well – it shall lead their souls to the gates of hell, where only the same blood they shed will save them. We will be judged according to our deeds, brothers and sisters. All is seen by God who looks upon the heart and whose eyes are everywhere. Let not your works be empty, or just so empty will be your heart, will be your place in the reign to come. Each day our souls are required of us; ever the Lord seeks fruit upon our tree. So, if you wish to "see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life," if you long to know always the blessing of God, then "walk in His ways." "Fear the Lord" who holds your life in His hands and do as He commands. Then "happy shall you be, and favored"; then the fruits of the kingdom you shall taste even here. And even the death you die and the blood you shed shall not remove this favor – by it "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" will be fulfilled in you. Amen. ******* O LORD, let us work for the life found in your Son, and not His death and so our own. YHWH, let us be blessed to walk in your way, to follow wherever you lead – to do your work in this world till the end of our days. Then we shall be truly happy, for then our fruit shall bring us unto Heaven. O LORD, let us be your fruit; let us be your handiwork, made in your image, living as your Son. If we can but imitate Jesus, laying down our lives as all your prophets and apostles have done, then we shall join their ranks in the Body of Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem. Your kingdom come, LORD. All vanity, all emptiness of heart and mind and soul and body take from us – let us be filled with your holy presence. Your kingdom within us let us know and live, breathing your Holy Spirit, bleeding as your Son… our spirits one with you and your love. Why should we be without you, LORD, when you live at our very hearts?

O guardian angel of poor children who formed them in the image of Christ, an education of body and soul you provided those most in need, those most impressionable and thirsting for the Lord's care, and led so many others in this work for the least of our brothers – pray we shall become fellow workers with Jesus in the cause of truth and teach with deep love, the greatest patience, and profound humility, the souls He places in our hands. May the desire to see all attain eternal life be that which most impels us and especially those whose responsibility is the formation of Christian youth, that all men might rejoice at the straight paths these walk to the kingdom. Your zeal despite persecution may we maintain in our call from the Lord.

O loyal subject of the Lord and of His Church on earth, though a king you did not exalt yourself but listened rather to the words of your Savior and chose to serve Him, doing His work in this world: the poor you cared for, your children you raised in the teaching of Christ, and for all those in your reign you sought true justice and maintained concern for their spiritual welfare – pray we poor souls will emulate your desire for penance and prayer, and your faithful obedience to God and MotherChurch. May we be blessed as your sons to have your wisdom in our ears, a wisdom reflective of Jesus' own.

(2Thes.2:1-3,14-17; Ps.96:10-13; Mt.23:23-26) "He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with His constancy." "Brothers, stand firm." Be not "easily agitated or terrified" "on the question of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him." This should not preoccupy your thoughts because this is not in your mind to know or your hands to control. The day and the hour are with God alone. Rather, you should pray that the Lord will strengthen your hearts "for every good work and word." This is what is in your power, and effectively accomplishing the Lord's will thus, all fear will be removed from your souls. Brothers and sisters, be not like the scribes and Pharisees, the "blind guides" who "strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!" Distracted by the details, they inevitably neglect "the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and good faith" – those for which the Lord calls us above all to be concerned. And so their vision and their actions are not whole, and they are not holy. Failing to see as God sees and to do as God does, they indeed become blind guides frittering the life of the Lord away in anxiety for external matters. Let this not be the fate of your soul. Children, know of a certain that "our Lord Jesus Christ Himself… loved us and in His mercy gave us eternal consolation and hope." We must make this hope our own. For "the Lord is King. He has made the world firm, not to be moved," and we must be as immovable as He in our faith and in our work. We should not doubt that "He governs the peoples with equity," that in fairness all are looked upon in His sight, and so, that if we strive to do His will with all our hearts He will indeed bless us. Friends, we should know that, though not complete, though He does not stand before us in final judgment yet, still it is so that "the day of the Lord is here," in our midst today. His rule has always been and has come to us in this place. And what we do now leads only to that day – the kingdom should be growing within us at all times. If we know not His justice and His constancy at work in our days, then indeed we have reason to fear and should heed the Lord's rebuke. But if we strive with Him for holiness, any fear itself will be holy and lead us only to the joy that makes "the heavens… glad and the earth rejoice." For each day we rejoice with them in the presence of our God. ******* O LORD, make us constant as you in doing good works, in dispensing justice and mercy according to your Word – and have mercy upon our own souls. YHWH, it is you who judge the earth, who come to rule all the world; your justice you bring to every man's soul, preparing him for your Day. And there is no need for us to fear if we are striving to do your will. Rather, we should rejoice at your glorious coming! O LORD, let us set our souls each day on your Word and your work, and your love and mercy shall meet us where we are and bring us soon to where you live. Even should we have to endure chastisement as the Pharisees, what should this bring us but a holy joy? For by such words of truth you make us in your image, if we but listen and respond in kind. All the world shall rejoice at your coming, dear God; let us not be blind to such wonder and glory but set our hearts on that Day, cleansing our souls of every stain of sin by your grace and mercy, by your surpassing justice. Let no woe be on us in your Day but only your consolation, only the joy of your salvation, which you offer forth even this day.