Who is blind? (4th Sunday Lent homily)

 

Credit: Masterfile

Of all the people in the Gospel who couldn’t see,

only one was healed.

It was he who, without question or delay,

simply went and did as the Lord said.

Everyone else tried to analyze, argue or deny.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t try to understand.

Some questions we ask help us to see;

There are others we ask that aim to delay choosing.

So often, there comes a point when we know:

no more delays—just go!

When I was 19, I left the Catholic Church,

And joined another church. I came back 10 years later.

Over that time, I had questions,

I debated and wrestled—and that was right.

But, there came a moment, and I remember it vividly.

It was during Lent: as I drove home from work one day,

past a Catholic church, I heard the question in my head:

“What holds you back?” And I knew: “Nothing, Lord.”

A day or two later,

I went to confession for the first time in 10 years.

So, how about you? Are you holding back, or delaying,

on something you know the Lord wants you to do?

For a lot of us, that’s how we handle the sacrament of penance;

That is to say, we hem and haw and put it off.

It’s no great mystery why that happens.

Not many of us want to admit our sins,

especially to another human being.

Maybe we get discouraged,

Or we rationalize, I’m doing pretty good.

Just so you know; priests go through the exact same thing.

Again, the blind man could have had all the same feelings.

Did you notice, he didn’t ask to be healed?

Maybe he’d gotten accustomed to his situation or given up hope.

It amuses me to imagine him arguing with Jesus:

“Hey, what’s with this messy mud on my eyes?

Can’t you heal me without that?”

That makes me laugh, 

because sometimes I have conversations like that:

“Do I really have to do it this way?”

Instead, he simply went and did what the Lord asked.

He, and he alone, was healed.

So—for the sacrament of penance—just go!

We have confessions Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday!

Check the bulletin.

As Mass began today, we prayed the words of Isaiah:

“Rejoice…”

But wait, Lent is about self-denial—

what are we rejoicing about?

Well, consider the blind man in the Gospel.

After the Lord put clay over his eyes,

and sent him to the pool:

what might he have been thinking?

I don’t know, but: if he felt certain he would be healed, 

would not his heart have swelled with hope?

Would he not have raced to that pool? 

Well then, the same for us:

Even as we pray, and confront our sins,

and ask God to help us change,

You and I really can be sure

God will forgive and heal us.

Here at this Mass, some among us can’t wait to be baptized.

They’re racing to the pool! In a moment, 

I’m going to invite you to join me in praying for them, 

for God’s help on the rest of their journey.

Meanwhile, the rest of us can—in confession—

Go back again to the pool of Jesus’ healing forgiveness.

And, when we share the Eucharist at Mass,

We are the blind man who can now see.

We come to worship the one who healed us.

It's not about them, it's about you (Sunday homily)

 These readings are about heaven and hell.

Let’s start with heaven.

In the first reading, Moses asks to know God’s Name. 

He wants to draw closer to God. 

After all, Moses and God’s People had been in slavery 

for over 400 years. 

The stories of what God did in Abraham’s life, 

in the lives of Isaac and Jacob and Joseph, were all distant memories. 

Perhaps even God himself seemed very distant. 

In Hebrew, names are more than just what someone is called.

They express the essence of who someone is.

When God tells Moses he is “I AM WHO AM,” 

he is revealing his true nature, 

that he is the One who truly and fully exists.

By responding this way, God is being very intimate with Moses,

And encouraging Moses’ desire for that intimacy.

Notice that: God WANTS US to know him this way!

This intimate union with God is heaven.

That is what heaven is.

So, whatever else you imagine heaven to be,

First and last, it is complete closeness with the Blessed Trinity.

And please remember: God wants this for us.

You and I don’t talk God into this; he’s talks US into it.

The problem is never God’s want-to, but ours.

You and I never have to change God’s mind. 

It is our mind, our lives, that need to change, 

and God is always at the door our heart, 

you and I only need to invite him in.

At the beginning, I mentioned hell. Where does that fit in?

Well, that’s what Jesus is warning against in the Gospel. 

Unless you and I repent, he says, we will all likewise perish.

He doesn’t mean natural death, but spiritual death.

And, one of the escape routes we choose to avoid a serious question

is to focus on other people – instead of ourselves.

Jesus says: don’t focus on whether those Galileans were sinners.

That’s a way to avoid thinking about the really hard question:

My need to change.

Our Lord Jesus points to a fig tree yielding no fruit.

God is patient – vastly more patient than you and I are.

In fact, this is actually one of the major reasons 

people don’t believe in God; 

because they say God is too slow to act, to bring justice.

“Why does God wait?” people ask. 

Still, don’t presume on God’s patience.

Jesus said it: give the tree some time; but: 

if it doesn’t yield fruit, cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?

There’s nothing fruitful about looking at others and saying,

“Oh yeah, she’s a fruitless tree!”

Ask yourself…about yourself.

The Gospel – the Good News – Jesus brings us 

is what he, as God, told Moses so long ago: 

He is True Life, and he invites each of us to be fully alive with him.

There is always an invitation, as there is right this moment, 

to become that life-bearing, fruit-giving friend of God!

Take advantage of this Lent: of many opportunities for confession;

of the opportunity to turn back to Jesus.

The Power of 'No' (Sunday homily)

 Let me repeat something that is so simple we may miss it:

Lent is all about conversion. 

That’s the point of self-denial, of taking more time for prayer, 

and of giving away money or things to others.

You and I don’t fast and pray and give things away

In order to gain more of God’s love;

He already loves us as much as he possibly can.

We also don’t do these things for a show.

The only point is the extent to which this helps our own conversion.

And note that: Lent is about our own conversion; 

it’s not your job to convert her, or him.

Even in the family: true conversion has to be me choosing it for me.

Focus on your own conversion, and let that be your witness.

So we start with humility.

In the first reading, the faithful Israelite must confess:

My father was a nobody. My ancestors were slaves.

We didn’t set ourselves free – God did it.

In fact, everything we have comes from God.

And in the Gospel, even Jesus the Lord humbles himself.

But perhaps the main thing we might notice

in the Gospel is the power of a single word: NO.

How much you and I need to learn the power of saying “NO”:

No to temptation; No to all the tasty and enjoyable things 

that are too important to us;

“No” to all the distractions and short-term things 

that so fill our thoughts, that we fail to focus on the distant horizon.

This is really hard. But it’s an essential part of our Lent.

We know this, because Jesus himself did it. 

He went into the desert and fasted.

He said “No” to pretty much everything – 

food, drink, entertainment, other people’s company –

before he launched on his great mission of our salvation.

He did it, without needing it, to be in solidarity with us.

And thus he makes clear how much you and I DO need it.

Notice we began Mass with the sprinkling of holy water.

Remember that Lent is also about preparing for baptism, and – 

for those of us who have been baptized – 

about renewing and reclaiming it.

[And I might mention, at this Mass, we have some folks 

who are preparing to be baptized in six weeks. 

Today we acknowledge them as the “Elect” – 

meaning, they are chosen by God to enter into the new life of baptism. 

And we have others who were baptized in other communities, 

but now wish to be part of the fullness of the Catholic Church.

It is the grace of their baptism that urges them to this! 

And we want to pray for them along the next steps.]

Recall that when you and I were baptized, 

The deacon or priest asked three questions;

And we, or our parents, gave three renunciations. 

We said “No” to Satan; 

“And all his works?”

“And all his empty show?”

And notice, Jesus is tempted by the devil after 40 days.

That means his struggle with evil corresponds to Holy Week.

Good Friday represents the devil seeking to kill him,

Perhaps because he would not bow down to him.

When you and I learn the power of “No” when it’s needed,   

We gain the power of a true “YES” when that is needed!

YES to being truly generous with ourselves and our time and our stuff.

YES to trusting God with peace and calm.

YES to going deeper and farther, 

the way Peter stepped out of the boat, 

and walked – albeit briefly – on the water.

So if you want to take something away from this homily,

Take a simple word. That word is “No.”

Use this Lent to learn how to say that word and mean it:

A “No” to the stomach, a “No” to the eyes, and a “No” to the ego:

So you and I can receive the fullness of God’s life.

That’s a good way to make Lent fruitful, don’t you think?

The hardest fast (Sunday homily)

 Everyone knows that Ash Wednesday is this week, right?

And we all know that those 18-59 are obliged to fast 

on Ash Wednesday – and on Good Friday. 

That means one full meal and two snacks if you need them.

And, we all know that the focus of Lent 

is on repentance and self-denial: 

that’s why we pray more seriously, and look to be more generous, 

and we choose to give things up.

Allow me to point out: the hardest fast is not from food.

It is from words.

The words you and I speak.

And the words we listen to. 

Fewer words mean more silence.

What happens if you die right now? (Sunday homily)

 Lent begins in two and a half weeks. 

For the next three Sundays, 

you and I will hear from Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, 

from chapter 15, where he talks about resurrection.

This is a great transition to Lent.

Let’s recall what we believe as Catholics.

At the moment our life in this world comes to an end, 

you and I will immediately face Christ as our judge.

We call this the “particular judgment.”

And in that moment, Christ will weigh our faith: 

did we respond to his grace? Did we obey his commands? 

Did we repent of our sins and turn to him for mercy?

And then, one of two things will happen.

If you or I die without God’s friendship, having rejected his grace; 

refused to change, or, perhaps gave mere lip service, then what? 

Remember what he said: “Not everyone who cries, ‘Lord, Lord!’ 

will enter the Kingdom.” 

And they will say, “but look what we did in your name!” 

And Jesus will say, ‘Depart from me! I never knew you!’”

So, if that’s where any of us are in that moment before Christ, 

then we will go to hell, precisely because we refused the grace 

and the conversion of our lives that would prepare us for heaven. 

On the other hand, if we “die in God’s grace and friendship,”

As the catechism states it (Paragraph 1030), 

then we enter into heaven. 

But at that point, you and I may need some further brushing-up, 

so that we are truly ready for heaven. 

This is what purgatory is.

If you and I make this life a time of conversion, 

of breaking bad habits, of self-denial, 

we will not need much from purgatory.

Here’s a prayer that you may want to pray each day:

“Lord, send me here my purgatory.” 

The point Saint Paul wants to make is simple:

Do not make the mistake of thinking this life is all there is.

You and I are meant to live forever.

Moreover, our bodies are not just something 

we throw away or leave behind. 

We will have our bodies back in the resurrection.

So Lent is coming, and we have a few weeks to gear up.

Since I mentioned purgatory, that’s a good way to understand Lent: 

You and I are seeking our purgatory here and now.

Our sacrifices, penances and extra prayers are tools, 

in service of what Lent truly is about:

Conversion. Change of heart. Change of life. Getting ready for heaven.

The origin of Lent is that it was a time of intense preparation 

for those who were going to be baptized at Easter – 

and that is why they fasted, and prayed intensely, 

and examined their lives so closely.

And for those of us who have been baptized,

Lent is our time to re-embrace our baptism.

So, notice: at Easter you will be asked to renew those vows.

It's not a mere ritual; it’s a very solemn moment.

So, Lent is near. It’s time to get ready.

You should have seen by now 

we will have a Eucharist-focused Mission in two weeks, 

leading into Lent. 

It will also be a lead-in to an opportunity for all of us 

to focus particularly on the Holy Eucharist during Lent. 

There will be many opportunities for prayer and reflection.

I want to issue everyone in the parish a challenge:

Let’s make this the best Lent you’ve ever had.

I’m asking that we all unite in that desire – 

and help each other make it happen.

Here’s some simple but serious homework:

First: now is the time to think about your plan for Lent.

And, second, I ask everyone to begin praying that this Lent 

will indeed be a powerful time of conversion for our parish family. 

Pray for yourself, your family, and for each other. 

Let’s pray for our St. John Paul Family to experience conversion.

Five easy ways *everyone* can answer God's call (Sunday homily)

 I bet this has happened to you.

You put new lights – brighter lights – into your kitchen, 

and then, you look and grimace: hmm, that floor doesn’t look so good! 

Or, it’s the bathroom, and you look in the mirror! Hmm, not so good!

That’s when you turn down the lights!

Something like that – yet far more transcendent – 

happened to Isaiah in the first reading, to Paul in the second reading, and to Peter in the Gospel. 

The intense reality of who God is 

illuminated for them the disturbing reality of their own lives.

Isaiah said: "Woe is me, I am doomed!

Paul said, “I am not fit to be called an apostle,

because I persecuted the church of God.”

Peter said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

Now, perhaps you can think of a moment 

when you experienced something like this. 

I recall being on an airplane 

and it suddenly went very bouncy-bouncy, 

and I intensely wished I’d gone to confession.

My prayer was something like Isaiah’s.

But please notice, however disturbing this experience is, 

it is a mercy – it is a grace!

Would it have been better had Isaiah not woken up?

Would Paul have been better off not converting?

Notice also, in each case, this searing of their consciences 

preceded Isaiah, Paul or Peter being sent with a mission.

Please remember this whenever someone asks you 

to pitch in or take on a project.

You might want to answer, no, ask someone else.

But what God really wanted to hear was Isaiah’s, “send me!”

There are a lot of individual tasks that make up our faith-family.

We all rely on people to organize different things.

By the way: sometimes people notice a change, and ask, 

why did that change? Why did that go away? 

Often the answer is, we need help to organize it.

And there really is something for everyone to do.

The overall mission is clear. You and I are witnesses of Jesus.

We are his messengers.

Being sinful and weak doesn’t disqualify Isaiah, Paul or Peter.

But they all needed conversion.

And for everyone who wonders, when will someone revive things?

Don’t wait for someone else. Answer like Isaiah: “send me!”

How do you do that? How is that accessible to absolutely everyone?

I’m going to give you five things everyone can do.

First: everyone listening to me can pray.

If you and I reach the Kingdom, 

we’re going to be stunned by how much tired, persevering prayer 

held this world together like spiritual duct tape.

Prayer doesn’t have to take hours of our day.

Start each day with the morning offering.

If you drive to work, turn off the radio 

and pray the Rosary or Divine Mercy chaplet.

You’ll be a more patient driver, I prophesy!

Pause periodically – just for 10 seconds! – and remember God.

Second, everyone can say, “I believe in Jesus!”

Our little children can say that. 

Our oldest, tired-est parishioners can say that.

You don’t have to be a theologian. 

But it is our lives that make our words credible.

That leads to third: like Peter, Paul and Isaiah: seek conversion.

Ask, and God will light up what needs to change.

Fourth and fifth:

The early Christians won their world by their love.

They were generous and forgiving.

Everyone can give something. 

And everyone, sooner or later, faces the choice to forgive.

That’s what it is: not a feeling but a choice:

To let go of that wrong and give that to God.

Imagine how Paul felt to be embraced 

by the Christians he tried to kill!

What if they had refused?

So, there you have it: five ways everyone can answer the call.

Pray. And say. Convert. Give. And forgive.

The Light of the World (Presentation Homily)

 Today’s feast is celebrated every year, 

but it only falls on Sunday every once in a while. 

The formal name is the “Presentation of the Lord”;

Another name is “Candlemas,” because of the candles of course.

But why candles?

On one level it’s kind of obvious: 

Jesus comes to the temple, and he is the Light of the World.

But let’s you and I drill down on that, shall we?

When Jesus was born, he looked like any other baby.

When the Apostles met him, they encountered a man like them.

Jesus ate and drank, he worked and got tired and had to rest.

Then, on one occasion, 

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain, 

and he was, quote, “transfigured” before their eyes.

The Gospels say that he was brilliantly bright.

The apostles fell to the ground; 

maybe the sight scorched their eyes?

In other words, in that moment,

they saw, as much as human eyes could see, 

what it really means to say Jesus is “the Light of the World.”

 

You and I don’t dare stare at the sun – it sears our eyes.

And yet Jesus, our Lord, is vastly more luminous,

more full of power and fire!

All the suns and stars and galaxies are but a little candle next to him!

When we say, “a Light for revelation” came into the temple…

Realize how intense and awesome that Light truly was!

If the sun in our sky could somehow enter this church,

maybe that gives a sense of it.

But consider what happened in the temple that day.

God chose not to give that kind of sign.

Instead, it was the eyes of faith – Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna – 

That saw the Infinite Light of Jesus.

And that’s how it works for you and me.

This is as good a time as any to remind you that it’s time 

to make our own commitments to the Catholic Ministries Appeal.

By now you should have gotten a mailing about it.

 

You know the projects it pays for:

Caring for our retired priests;

Caring for the poor and needy;

Supporting a Catholic presence in prisons, hospitals and colleges;

Supporting our seminary and our vocations programs, and more.

There are cards and envelopes in the pews, if you need one.

Your pledge, like one candle, may not seem like much,

But united to Christ and all our candles, it is a bright light!

There’s something else here, and it has to do with Jesus’ priesthood.

The first reading describes the Lord coming to purify the temple, 

and to offer a pure, all-powerful sacrifice worthy of God.

This is a foreshadowing of what would happen on Good Friday;

And what is made present in every single Mass.

It is not too strong to say that right here, right now, we are there.

Every single Mass, you and I are there, 

with Jesus, offering himself as the Lamb of God.

So: are you and I like most people in that temple that day,

Ho-hum, nothing special?

Or, are do we see as Simeon and Anna, recognizing the Lord is here?

I know, you might be frustrated because you try, 

yet with kids and diaper bags and the cares of daily life,  

it seems impossible to do more than to “get through” Mass.

If that’s you; if you’re harried and hassled, my word for you is this:

Just be here and trust Him.

His light is here, and he will shine on you, in you, and it’ll happen.

Not in a day; not on our timetable; but in his time.

Present yourself to the Lord and let him accept that offering.

But you’ll be a glorious saint one day. He’ll do it, not you.

Or, maybe you’re here, and you think, boring!

I don’t like this music; this homily is no good!

I don’t like the people sitting around me…

My answer is: you’re right: everything is awful!

Twelve years ago, I made a trip to the Holy Land.

And I was able to offer Holy Mass at Calvary! At the Empty Tomb!

As far as Mass goes, on this side of heaven, that’s as good as it gets.

Still, you know what? 

People were coming and going, it was crowded and often rushed.

Before you know it, we had to move on to the next stop.

I will never forget that trip to the Holy Land, and yet:

Right here, right now, it’s every bit as real and holy,

because the Light of the World, Jesus our High Priest,

Comes here at every single Mass and fills this temple with his glory.

And whether that light fills the temple of your life is up to you.

Jesus' Liberation (Sunday homily)

 Jesus chose this Gospel passage to announce: he is the Messiah.

That’s what he did in that synagogue that day.

People were waiting for something like this.

It must have been an electric moment.

Notice what Jesus identifies as the heart of the Gospel:

Liberation. Redemption. Freedom.

But what does that mean?

He is not speaking primarily about political freedom.

Jesus never organized a demonstration or circulated a petition.

Political freedom and activism are very worthwhile – 

but they were not Jesus’s starting point. 

Jesus focused on changing lives.

If you are poor, what counts as good news?

Maybe having that threat of no heat, no water, no home, go away?

A week’s groceries is good news.

Even better news is that you aren’t treated as “less than”; 

that you are treated with dignity; you matter.

Would it shock you to hear that there are people 

who don’t come to Saint Henry or Our Lady of Good Hope or Saint Mary, 

because they aren’t sure they’ll be welcome?

They don’t know if their clothes are nice enough.

They aren’t sure they know anyone who is here.

 

So if you want to bear “good tidings,” think about people 

who may not feel welcome in “our” circle – and change that.

Who are the “captives” to set free? Lots of people.

What about folks who need alcohol – too much?

Or people hooked on food? Or sports, or work? 

How about addiction to the Internet? 

Either to the latest news or gossip or outrage 

on Facebook and Twitter;

or to dark materials on websites

you don’t want anyone else to know you look at.

How do we get free from these addictions?

Only Jesus Christ can set us free.

Only he can give you and me the strong enough “want to,” 

to be willing to change what needs to be changed, 

to confess our sins without holding back,

and be willing to ask another human being to help.

Alcoholics Anonymous originated something called the Twelve Steps. 

And the first step goes like this:

“We admitted to ourselves that we were powerless over alcohol – 

that our lives had become unmanageable.”

People in AA recite that, and the rest of the Twelve Steps, 

to one another in regular meetings.

A lot of people are captive precisely because 

they aren’t ready to take that first step. 

How does this work?

The obvious starting place is the Sacrament of Confession.

After that is looking for people we trust who we can talk to.

Jesus wants to set people free. 

He asks you and me to be the face of that liberation;

To be the hands that help lift people out of the prisons of their shame.

I am convinced that lots of people – here, listening to me right now –

could experience that freedom, 

if only they are willing to open up to another human being and say,

“I need help. I’m addicted to…” fill in the blank.

“And I need a partner to hold me accountable and help me get free.”

How does this work?

Well, we have about four hours of confessions each week.

We priests are happy to meet you there.

But after that, the task is for each and every one of us.

Are you ready for a friend or family member to come to you?

Ready to say, I’ll listen; I won’t judge or reject you?

I’ll keep my ears wide open and mouth tight shut?

Twelve-step groups are all around for alcohol.

For people dealing with drug and pornography addiction, 

there are meetings around Dayton and Cincinnati,

along with online resources.

These Twelve Step resources are one tool to help,

Along with prayer, confession and Christian fellowship.

There are things we can do to be set free – if you are ready.

In the first reading, when Ezra was reading God’s Word to his People, they were crying! 

Why did they cry?

Because they realized how far they were, in their lives, 

from what God had for them.

But remember what Nehemiah said: “Do not be saddened: 

because rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength.”

Jesus coming to be with us, to bring us complete forgiveness, 

and to give us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us – that is our joy. 

Sadness? Because we’ve missed out? 

Because of what enslaves us and others? Absolutely.

But replace that sorrow for sin with rejoicing for mercy!

Christ forgives! Christ liberates! Christ is with us to set us free!

Catholic Ministry Appeal (Sunday Homily)

 As you know, this time of year we revisit the Catholic Ministries Appeal. 

And Archbishop Schnurr prepares a homily and sends it out, with the option of playing an audio.

The Archbishop leaves it up to the priests 

whether to play the audio or not. 

My preference is to take his message and present it in my own homily. 

All the good parts that follow are from the Archbishop! 

If you don’t like anything that follows this introduction, that’s my fault!

Salvation history tells the story of God’s unfailing love for us. 

From the first moment of creation, with His loving, outstretched hand, 

God began to put order into the chaos of nothingness. 

After the heavens and earth came into being 

and were filled with the manifold wonders of creation, God paused. 

He looked at what He had made and saw that it was very good. 

Man and woman, created in God’s own image and likeness, 

stand at the pinnacle of creation, 

and it is to man and woman 

that God entrusted the care of all He had made. 

Even after the Fall, when all hope for mankind 

and the world seemed lost, God did not abandon His creation. 

Rather, He began, little by little, to guide it back to Himself, 

to restore what had been lost by sin. 

God’s greatest desire is that we should all experience 

the same fullness of life and love 

which was His gift to mankind at the beginning of time. 

Looking toward the coming of Jesus as Messiah, 

Isaiah proclaims, as we hear today, “The Lord delights in you.” 

He has made us for Himself, and as the bridegroom 

gives everything for his bride, so does God give everything to us. 

He delights in us and wants us to have all 

that is necessary for our salvation. 

Furthermore, God has made us stewards of all His creation, 

and He calls us to use everything at our disposal for the good of others – 

thereby sharing in His work of redemption. 

Saint Paul points out, each of us has something to contribute. 

The Holy Spirit, poured into our souls at Baptism 

and strengthened and sealed by the grace of Confirmation, 

nurtures the gifts and talents 

which God entrusted to us from the first moment of our conception. 

The Holy Spirit enables those talents to bear fruit. 

The gifts God gives us are meant to benefit one another. 

You and I need each other. 

This is the sign that is the Church: 

Jesus did not merely create an individual relationship with each of us; 

he created His Body on earth, and calls us to be part of Him.

A temptation exists to think that my contribution 

may not be significant, that I don’t really have much of a role to play 

within the seemingly limitless expanse of God’s work of redemption. 

But you and I really know that isn’t true. It’s an excuse. 

As you see at wedding feast at Cana, God gives abundantly. 

But notice: you and I have to be willing to cooperate. 

Maybe Jesus would have granted the gift of wine 

without Mary coming to him – but that’s not how it happened. 

You and I have to be ready to cooperate. 

So the connection to the Catholic Ministries Appeal is obvious. 

Every donation to this annual archdiocesan collection 

supports various parts of God’s work of redemption 

which none of us can accomplish on our own. 

The ministries supported by the CMA assist the most vulnerable, including the hungry, sick, imprisoned, the hospitalized and the marginalized members of society.

The funds raised through the CMA 

provide for the formation of seminarians, our future priests, 

who make God present to us through the sacraments. 

They also support our retired priests who continue to minister 

to the People of God in this archdiocese and beyond.

Archbishop Schnurr thanks you for your support for the Catholic Ministry Appeal, and so do I. 

Our family of parishes has been very generous over the years,

and with your help again, we can continue 

to combine our small, personal contributions together 

to make a big difference together.

Jesus stands with you (Baptism of the Lord homily)

Today we recall when Jesus showed up 

on the banks of the Jordan River and asked to be baptized.

We might wonder, first: why did he do this, 

and second, why is this important to us? What does it mean?

John was baptizing people as an act of repentance. 

They were confessing their sins along the way.

So: they were, in a sense, going to confession.

The shocker is to see the Lord Jesus get in that line.

Jesus puts himself squarely with us, in our situation. 

He does not hesitate at all.

This is also about Jesus showing himself as the new Adam.

The first Adam rebelled and failed to keep God’s law, 

and that set the whole, sorry story of human history in motion. 

Here, Jesus does the exact opposite.

This Adam is obedient. He fully does his Father’s will. 

And, most astounding, Jesus accepts the punishment for sin 

that otherwise was due to Adam and the rest of us.

So, when Jesus came to be baptized, he accepted 

his vocation as the faithful Son, the new Adam, the Messiah.

So, notice this: Jesus never says, there’s no need to change.

Jesus never offers a path bypassing the Cross.

Now: what does this have to do with you and me?

When you and I were baptized, we became one with Jesus.

So, the question is, will you respond to God as Jesus did?

Will you embrace the life you have been given?

Will you take up the Cross? Will you be a witness to Jesus?

Maybe you never gave much thought to your baptism. 

Think about it now. 

At a certain point, each of us must decide 

to make the commitment of baptism our own. 

So, in case it wasn’t clear, this is why I sprinkled you with Holy Water. 

And, in case you never realized it, 

when we recite the Creed in a moment, 

you and I are confirming our baptism.

Something else happens when we are baptized.

Saint Paul said we become “heirs of hope of eternal life.”

When Paul calls us “heirs,” that is no metaphor.

Children not only inherit all the stuff their parents owned, 

they inherit all that their parents are.

When children are conceived and born, 

What do people say? “You have your mother’s eyes!”

“You look just like your daddy!”

And as we grow to adulthood, like it or not, we become a lot like them.

So, to be “heirs” with Jesus, means that when the Father said, 

"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,”

He didn’t only say it to Jesus. He said it to you and me, too!

That’s what the Father said – of you – when you were baptized.

It is what he says every time you and I go to confession.

Each of us has moments of doubt.

Maybe you are single and wondering, what does God have for me?

Are you called to be a priest or in religious life?

Or you are married

and you despair of ever being a good enough parent. 

Every mistake is always on your mind.

Perhaps you are a young person, and you hate being asked, 

“what are you going to do with your life?” Because you have no clue!

In recent years, many people have been “coming out” 

and saying, “I’m gay,” or “I’m trans” and the like. 

So many of us don’t know how to react. 

There is a much broader problem: 

more and more people simply do not know who they are. 

Many, many people don’t know what it means to be a child of God.

And by that, I mean, a God who relates to us 

and acts in our lives and wants you and me to know him.

A lot of the anger and alienation in our society is a product of this:

that people who were created to be loved, are starved for love.

Sooner or later, each of us will meet a family member or friend 

who says he or she can’t relate comfortably with the opposite sex.

Some, who are say they don’t know if they are male or female.

Don’t dismiss them. Don’t mock them! Walk with them. 

And tell them:

Jesus got in line with you! He takes up your cross with you!

The Holy Spirit wants to come down on you!

You and I cannot resolve all the confusion of our times.

But we can remind people: You are a child of God.

'What does it mean to be a faithful Christian?' (Epiphany homily)

 Let me start with a straightforward question:

“What does it mean to be a faithful Christian?”

If you were pressed to answer, what would you say?

Maybe someone would say, you receive your sacraments.

Or, you go to Mass faithfully and go to confession.

Or, you give to charity and the church, you live a good life.

Or some combination of the above.

These are good answers, but incomplete, 

especially if people end up talking about following rules 

or checking off items on a to-do list.

Here’s the answer I propose to you:

To be a Christian is to be another Christ;

And I want to put a big, bold line under the word “be” in that sentence.

This isn’t just a matter of things we DO.

Rather, it’s all about who and what you and I are:

It is what you and I become, 

which happens only with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany.

Epiphany represents the first 

revealing and sending-out of the Good News of a Savior, 

of God coming into the world to set a longed-for change in motion. 

On Christmas we were given the present,

On Epiphany, we tell everyone, “Look at the great gift God sent me!” 

This brings to mind the startling words of St. Athanasius: 

“God became man so that men might become God.”

Epiphany – with the arrival of foreigners to venerate the child King – 

is when this astounding news began to be revealed to the world.

Now, someone might find those words shocking. 

After all, isn’t that what the devil wanted? To be God?

Here’s the difference.

Satan wanted to kick God out of heaven.

What God wants is to have us join him and be united to him.

So when God offers you heaven, it’s not a sin to accept!

So back to my opening question: 

What does it mean to be a faithful Christian?

It’s about who we become. Little Christs. 

People filled with the light of Christ, changed by it, 

made pure, made new, made heavenly.

There’s a film that plays on TV this time of year, 

you’ve probably seen it, called “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

At one point, the hero George is trying to woo his wife-to-be, Mary.

He romantically offers to lasso the moon for her.

And then he says, “you could swallow it, and it'd all dissolve, see? 

And moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes, 

and the ends of your hair.”

Am I the only one who, hearing that, thinks of the Holy Eucharist?

God gives us, not the moon, but “true Light from true Light.” 

He literally gives himself to us, holding nothing back.

What happens when we receive God fully, not fighting him?

If there is a challenge or an “action item” here, how about this?

In this new year of our Lord 2025, pray and think about 

how you will let that heavenly light penetrate you, change you – 

and to shine out of you.

Let’s you and me think about our life as a Christian, 

not in terms of “doing,” although that is important – 

but rather, in terms of WHO YOU ARE, and who we WILL BE.

You surely have noticed, I speak often about confession.

Confession is the sacrament of conversion.

And what many don’t realize is, sin isn’t just something we DO.

It’s about what you and I are becoming.

If I lie, once, twice, five times, over and over…

At some point, it’s what I am. I am a liar.

Confession is that essential step of opening up to let God change us.

It is the first step admitting, I can’t do this on my own.

You’ve also heard a lot about change: the life of our parish – 

our three parishes coming together – is all caught up in change.

That, too, is a process of conversion.

You’ve been very open, and that is a huge part 

of any success we’re experiencing.

But remember, the essential point of all we’ve been doing 

is to become a family of believers who are powerful witnesses.

The Catholic Church of 2025 can’t just wait for folks to show up.

Part of the conversion we ask for is to be witnesses.

It’s not mainly about the right words, or memorizing explanations.

Yes, knowing our Faith is important.

But the witness that attracts others is how genuinely you and I live it. 

So that brings us back, not merely to what we do – 

but what and who you and are becoming, by God’s grace.

Jesus came into the world to show you, me, and everyone 

what it means to be not twisted and broken, but fully alive in God. 

Truly free, not enslaved by sin and habit.

Full of grace; full of life. Full of heaven. Full of God. 

“God became man so that men and women might become God.”

So, the daily choices we face? That’s how we sort it out: 

These things don’t get me there. 

But other choices help me become more like Jesus. 

Maybe I’ll seek those more.

Who do you want to be? What will you do to get there?

God's Face (Christmas homily)

 

I know everyone over 50 remembers the “Charlie Brown Christmas.” 

Does everyone under 50 remember seeing it?

The premise is simple: poor Charlie Brown is wandering around, 

trying to figure out the “true meaning of Christmas.”

Watch the program yourself to see how it ends.

But I’m going to give you my answer.

This past Sunday we heard these words in the psalm:

“Lord…let us your face, and we shall be saved.”

Now, that’s an interesting expression, for two reasons.

First, to state the obvious, God is pure spirit: 

What can it even mean to speak of God’s “face”? 

I don’t know, but that leads to my second point: 

Many times in the Bible, God says, as he said to Moses, 

you can’t look at my face; 

it will be so overwhelming you will die!

In many other passages, people are AFRAID to see the face of God.

So, imagine praying these words in the psalms, all those centuries?

Asking God for something to SAVE us, 

what everyone feared would bring death?

In fact, most translations soften and say, 

“make your face SHINE” on us. 

But think about that. Is that really enough?

What does a child do, instinctively? Look toward mom or dad.

Whenever I baptize a child, and I hold that child later, what happens?

The baby looks at me, doesn’t recognize me, and BOO HOO!

Would you be content to have your beloved look at you, 

but you don’t look back? See what I mean?

So, Saint Jerome, relying on the Greek version of the Psalms, gives us, “SHOW us your face.”

If you became distant from someone, if you didn’t know someone, 

or if you feared you had offended someone, isn’t that what you’d need?

“SHOW me your face.” You’d know where you stood.

But the biggest problem remains: 

God is Spirit, what does “face” even mean?

Nine months ago was March 25, that was the day, 2024 years ago, 

when Mary conceived, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A child, just a few cells at first, began to grow in her womb.

God had planned for this, and ensured she was without sin – 

immaculate – as the Mother of his Divine Son; the Mother of God!

Today is when Mary brought forth that child. He was born.

And for the very first time in history, humanity saw His Face!

Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, and then so many more!

Only Christmas fulfills the longing of that psalm.

There’s a prayer to the “adorable Face” of Christ. 

That doesn’t just mean, oh, what a beautiful baby, 

although of course Jesus was!

No, it is literal. Jesus is God. Therefore, his Face is the Face of God.

Pope Benedict had a powerful insight about this.

He asked, why was it God’s plan to become a baby?

Because He wanted us not to be overwhelmed.

Who is ever afraid of a baby?

Mary and Joseph washed and kissed and comforted God’s Face, 

when Jesus, the God-Man was only a baby, then a boy, then a man.

Veronica wiped the Face of God on the way to Calvary.

At the tomb, on the Day of Resurrection, 

Mary Magdalene was heartbroken, 

but Jesus called her name: she saw his Face!

You might ask, when do you and I see his Face?

We will. But why not now?

If the God-Man had remained here on earth in his Body,

He’d be only in one place at a time, like the rest of us.

So, maybe this Christmas, he’d visit, oh Bangkok Thailand.

How often do you think, under that system, Jesus would visit Dayton? 

And since multiple millions would crowd here, 

what would your chances be?

Now do you understand why Jesus created the Most Holy Eucharist?

It’s not the only reason, but: 

in every church, in every Sacrifice of the Mass, 

just as God in a sense could say – and did say through the Holy Spirit, of Mary’s womb, 

“This is My Body; this is My Blood” – 

so your very ears hear Jesus say, at each and every Mass!

“This is My Body; This is My Blood…given for you!”

You and I have not been denied anything!

There are so many things, so wonderful about Christmas.

But this is the meaning: God has a Face. He shows it. And we are saved.

True Joy (Sunday homily)

 The keynote of this Sunday, called Gaudete Sunday, is “joy.” 

As you may have noticed, the word “joy” or “rejoice” 

showed up in the readings and the opening prayer.

(And that’s the rationale for rose-colored vestments.)

So, this may seem an odd time to bring this up, but:

Many people feel awkward admitting that

they don’t feel particularly joyful at this time of year.

If you lost someone you love – as we all did, in losing Father Jim! – 

or if you are facing a health crisis, as many of us are, 

or your finances or your family are in chaos,

it can be very hard to feel cheerful or happy, 

no matter how many Bing Crosby or Taylor Swift songs you hear.

That leads to a key point:

Joy is not the same thing as being cheerful, or happy or “up.”

Cheerfulness and being excited and having big smiles are wonderful.

And it’s actually a small but powerful thing you and I can do, each day: 

Smile, say please, and thank you, and be patient.

Don’t get huffy; pray a decade of the Rosary while you wait.

But to make the main point: the Joy we are focusing on today

is not merely an emotion or a mood.

And I’ll give you a powerful example of this that I will never forget.

Many years ago, I was called to the hospital to visit an elderly woman; 

I’d visited her before and now, I pretty much knew, this was the end.

When I entered the room, I was stunned: 

there was probably 15-20 people in that hospital room, 

and that’s not easy to do.

And everyone was praying. “Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary…”

Her husband of 60 years was sitting at her side, holding her hand.

Rosemary, in the bed, was leading the prayers!

At a certain point, her voice became a whisper.

Then her husband Don fell silent, and then we all did.

And it became obvious: she was gone from this world.

And right away, Don broke the silence saying,

“I’m heartbroken, but I’m joyful.”

The heartbreak needs no explanation.

But let me explain add some background for Don’s joy.

Don always credited his bride for leading him to Jesus Christ.

Don’s faith was and is uncomplicated but profound.

He’s with us, in another parish, and just celebrated 100 years!

Both he and Rosemary knew – and taught their family –

that with their hearts centered on Jesus, 

closing her eyes to this life meant opening them to Glory!

That is Joy, beyond mere emotion and an up mood.

So…

Some of us are very blessed: things are going really well.

However, some of us are facing pain in our bodies, 

or far worse, in our families and relationships. 

We are grieving, or we are facing a frightening unknown. 

You don’t have to apologize for not being cheerful –

And please, let’s not put anyone on the spot that way, OK?

But you can be joyful.

It’s OK to keep things simple and low-key.

Another reminder: we have confessions every day this week but Friday.

If you are taking part in our “Walk with One” project, 

this is a good week to connect with a family member or friend.

If you want quiet time to pray, 

remember our churches are open each weekday for private prayer.

A great way to be quietly joyful is to do as John the Baptist said:

If you have an extra coat, give it away. Be fair. Be content.

Above all, remember our Creator isn’t far away.

He chose to come not just near us, but to become one of us.

He chose the human path from conception, to birth, to death, 

and to eternal life.

He chose our heartbreak. And that is joy.

What really is our hope? (Sunday homily)

 The keynote of Advent in general is ETERNITY.

The keynote of this Sunday in Advent is HOPE.

One of the things we Christians exist to do – 

and which you and I must often do for each other – 

is to remind each other that we are created 

not just to exist for a short time, but for eternity.

Think about the dreams and ambitions people have. 

So many of them go far beyond the horizon of this life. 

Look at Elon Musk, who is creating electric cars and 

satellite communications and building rockets to go to Mars. 

Or consider the dream that most people have: 

to meet that special someone and build a family. 

If you marry at, say, 25, maybe by 60 you’ll have a few grandchildren; 

but will you live long enough to see their grandchildren? 

One of the most powerful testimonies to our being made for eternity 

comes at funerals. Why are people sad? 

That sorrow only makes sense because we want more; we expect more.

The nature of love is such that we cannot accept any time limit. 

Again: you and I are made for not a limited existence, but for eternity.

So far, so good. But a far bigger question remains: 

What is that Eternity? What will you and I be like?

Very often, TV shows or movies depict that eternity 

as just a continuation of this life. 

If you like golfing here, you’ll spend eternity golfing there. 

I think that’s meant as a joke, but still: is eternity really 

just this world, repeated forever? Is that actually what we want?

This is why God came into the world, becoming one of us.

The whole point of the Incarnation – which fulfills 

all the promises of the Scriptures – was to give us, 

not some vague promise of eternity, 

but rather, something very specific to hope for and to aim for.

Eternity isn’t just more of the same, forever. 

Eternity is being united with Jesus: to be like him, and to be with him, 

and all the other people who he draws to himself.

The prophet Baruch was speaking to the people of Jerusalem 

when they were at a low point. 

They’d been conquered, their lives wrecked, and their hope destroyed; 

and worst of all, they knew they’d come to this sorry state 

because they’d ignored the voice of God.

Baruch tells them: you need not give up! 

God can change us and make us alive with his glory.

One of the worst temptations many of us face is this: 

to think that we really can’t change, that our sinfulness is just built-in, 

and we’re not going to overcome anger or gluttony or sloth or lust. 

These next two weeks there will be lots of extra confession times 

at our three churches. 

The real point of the sacrament of penance 

is not only to take away the guilt of our sins.

That is only worthwhile if we also receive the grace to change.

And that is what the Prophet Baruch, and John the Baptist, 

want you to know: you can change! 

God will take away the reproach of sin and give you glory!

As I said a moment ago, the task each of us has 

is to be living signs of hope to each other. 

Why should we change, why bother? 

Because you and I have not some vague hope, but a very specific one: 

God came to dwell with us, becoming one of us, 

giving his life to the fullest measure, for us: that’s what the Cross is! 

And he came back from the dead to show us eternal life, 

as well as to prove he wasn’t leaving you and me behind.

Do you believe you are eternal? 

Do you believe Jesus wants you with him, in that eternity? 

That is our hope. Live it! 

And, again, extra confessions are available the next two weeks.

It's all about Eternity (Sunday homily)

A lot of people say this season of Advent 

is about preparing for Christmas, but that’s not really on the mark.

Advent is about what is “behind” Christmas.

Advent is about what Christmas is about.

Advent is about Eternity.

Saint Paul tells us “to be blameless in holiness 

before our God and Father 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.”

The opening prayer said, 

“Grant your faithful…the resolve to run forth 

to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming…”

And clearly, the Gospel is not talking about Christmas Day!

So, why do we have these prayers and readings 

in the weeks before Christmas?

The answer is that both Advent and Christmas are a reminder 

that this world – however solid and permanent it may seem – 

is transitory.

And, even if this billions-year-old earth goes on for billions more years, 

you and I will certainly not.

Eternity is ever-present.

Most of us get behind the wheel and drive here and there. 

Very routine.

I recall a very ordinary trip down I-75 on a rainy day. 

I thought I was being reasonably cautious. 

In an instant, my car was spinning out of control!

By the grace of God, I somehow got my car – doing several 360s – 

across 3 lanes, and it came to rest in some tall grass on the roadside.

No injury; my banged-up car was driveable. 

The one word I repeated over and over 

was not something rude, but “Jesus, Jesus!”

That was a reminder of just how close eternity is.

And that is what Advent is: a reminder of the very same thing.

Eternity is closer than we realize.

As real as all this is around us, 

Eternity, while hidden, is infinitely more real.

Now, that might provoke a question:

If Eternity is so much more real than what we usually call “reality,” 

why is it hidden from view? 

I’ll answer that with a question to parents.

Moms and dads, are there not realities you are happy 

to keep your young children from experiencing, for now?

Do you not seek to keep those realities “hidden”?

Does that mean those realities are not real?

Now: God keeps Eternity hidden from us for a different reason: 

not because it’s a harsh reality, but because when we meet Eternity, 

the time for preparation and conversion has ended.

That time to get ready for Eternity is now. 

It is a mercy that God gives us this time.

Let me reiterate: Advent is not “about” preparing for Christmas.

Rather, Advent and Christmas are both about Eternity.

Which leads me to say this.

Some of us have, over the years, 

implored everyone to save Christmas for Christmas;

but I am, here and now, raising the white flag! 

Instead, I’m proposing something not so difficult and ultimately more important. 

As people around us celebrate Christmas, 

help them realize what Christmas truly means.

Many people want to domesticate Christmas, make it tame.

It’s just a nice story. It’s just about the “good feels.”

It’s about romance, or about being more pleasant than you really are.

That version of Christmas is safe – but it is empty.

You and I have the next few weeks, when it’s all Christmas, Christmas, 

to bear witness: Eternity is real and we will all face it.

There is no reason to die from fright.

Instead, be ready. You and I were made for Eternity.

There’s a TV channel promoting its movie lineup promising, 

“The Best Christmas Ever”!

No: the best Christmas ever will be when Jesus finds us ready.

Maybe you saw the postcard we sent, 

inviting each of us to look around for family or friends 

who could use that reminder.

During this time of remembering Eternity, 

maybe there is someone you want to include?

There’s a live Nativity at Good Hope next weekend: invite someone!

There are opportunities for prayer and reflection, 

and there will be extra confessions scheduled during December. 

Bring someone along!

Helping bring the Kingdom (Sunday homily)

 This feast of Christ the King was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925. 

This was the time in which communism had taken power in Russia 

and was threatening Europe; 

Mussolini and his Fascist party 

had been in power in Italy for several years; 

and two years earlier, 

Hitler had tried the first time to seize power in Germany, 

and had published his manifesto for Nazism. 

The pope knew the times, and knew that the world 

needed to be reminded: Jesus Christ is the only rightful king!

Pope Pius said the following when he declared this feast: 

…manifold evils in the world 

were due to the fact that the majority of men 

had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives; 

that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics: 

and…as long as individuals and states refused to submit 

to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect 

of a lasting peace among nations. 

Men must look for the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ.

It’s just as true today as nearly 100 years ago.

Communism and fascism may seem remote, 

but there are new “isms” that seek to dominate.

You can lose your job 

if you say that men and women are uniquely made for each other – 

that that reality is the essential meaning of marriage.

There are young women who are losing the ability 

to compete fairly in sports 

because of the anti-science ideology that claims

male and female aren’t matters of science, but personal belief.

So, the task of speaking the truth continues.

The world needs its true King just as much as it ever did.

Someone will say, but we live in a representative republic, 

made up of people of all religious beliefs. 

That’s true. And you and I have the same right 

to propose values and visions for our nation as anyone else.

Remember, in our country, the real rulers 

aren’t the President and Congress, governor and legislators and judges; 

“we the people” are sovereign. 

So, Pope Pius’ words are really directed to you and me. 

And that means that each and every Catholic 

has a grave duty—a grave duty, I repeat—to do the following things:

1) To be well informed as we reasonably can, as citizens.

2) To speak out and use our gifts to persuade.

3) To be registered to vote, and to then to cast our votes at every election.

4) And, when we vote, to cast our votes consistent with Christ’s Law.

Some will say, but look what Jesus said to Pilate: 

“my kingdom is not of this world.” 

Jesus’ kingdom does not originate in this world, 

because it originates in heaven. 

But Jesus clearly came from heaven to bring his Kingdom here.

He calls you and me to be his hands and voices here.

Jesus told us, 

that when we stand before him, on the Last Day, 

he will separate to both sides of him, 

those who showed mercy, and worked for justice, 

and those who neglected to do so.

While the establishment of his universal Kingdom 

depends on more than any one of us, 

each of us has the power to let him be king in our own lives.

Do Jesus reign over my thoughts? 

Or, do I let bigotry and vengeance find place in my mind and heart?

And, if Jesus is king in our hearts, 

how can worry and fear find a place there?

Is Jesus king over our computers and our TVs? 

Or are there places we go online that dishonor him and his creation?

Let me offer some practical things that can help.

Displaying images of Jesus in our homes can help us remember.

And coming regularly to confession 

Helps us put good intentions into action.

To quote Pope Pius a final time: 

“When once [we] recognize, both in private and in public life, 

that Christ is King, society will at last receive 

the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, 

peace and harmony.”

Don't be frightened, be ready! (Sunday homily)

 When we hear words like these from Jesus, it can be frightening.

We wonder what he is saying, what this is about.

Is he talking about the end of the world? 

Or is he talking about something else?

This Gospel is actually about many things at once.

But at the center, always, is the Cross.

Think of the two thieves. They were the same.

Neither had any worthiness.

One repented and the other rejected.

And that’s the whole story.

If the thought of the end of this life frightens you,

then come stand at the Cross, with repentance and faith, 

and you’re as right as you can be!

How you and I do that is through the sacraments.

Baptism and confirmation, confession and Holy Communion: 

these bring the power of the Cross into our lives, 

and bring us back to the Cross to have God’s abundant grace.

The rest of Jesus’ words are also pretty straightforward.

He’s saying, no matter what happens, 

even if the stars fall from the skies! Jesus is the Rock.

Of course, people want signs. They read books and listen to podcasts, 

they pay out big money for people to give them the “secrets.”

There’s no need for any of that. All you need are the sacraments. 

Come to him with repentance and faith.

I just told you the “secret.” No charge!

Pope Benedict used to explain that when we talk about Jesus’ coming, 

we might do better to call it the completion of his coming.

Jesus isn’t absent. He’s here!

But his presence now is very polite: he’s hidden and, if you will, quiet.

Jesus speaks, but softly. 

He’s not booming out, silencing every other voice, as is his right as King.

At a certain point, time will end. His coming will be complete. 

And then, all will indeed fall silent before Him.

As a boy, I sometimes dreaded Dad coming home. 

Why? You know why: because I’d behaved badly.

But the good news is, Jesus gives us something my Dad couldn’t give us.

We couldn’t talk to him during the day: cell phones didn’t exist!

And my dad probably wouldn’t have wanted us to call him at work.

But our Father in heaven gives you a cell phone:

It’s called confession.

Don’t dread, don’t worry, don’t fear.

Yes, confession can be intimidating.

I don’t like confessing my sins to another priest!

But then, it’s also embarrassing to go to the dentist, 

and he sees that I haven’t been flossing.

I can guess it’s awkward for spouses to face each other 

when one or both has messed up.

But if there is one truth that is universal, 

it is that all humans need to change. 

Not just those other people: you and I need conversion, too.

Second universal truth: changing other people is a mistake!

Me changing me is hard enough: I can’t possibly change others.

But oh, we try and try.

Maybe because we’d rather avoid the hard work of changing ourselves, 

and instead, blame other people for not letting us change them.

The sharpness of these readings is meant like the teacher 

clapping her hands to silence the class, to listen.

Jesus is saying: this part of the story doesn’t go on forever.

Wake up! Be ready!

And right now, and here, everything we need to be ready is offered.

Don’t be afraid; be repentant. Be ready.

The widow and the 'venture of faith' (Sunday homily)

The Gospel we just heard poses a very simple question, 

but it cuts deep, right to our very core: 

how much are you and I willing to give to Jesus Christ?

It’s not necessarily a matter of money. 

The widow in the Gospel didn’t just give a donation. 

As Jesus said, she gave everything she had to live on. 

She put everything on the line.

How much will you and I put on the line?

Saint John Newman, the great English protestant 

who became Catholic, gave a sermon one time 

in which he posed a similar question. 

He asked, what have we Christians ventured; that is, put at risk? 

He adds: “I really fear…that there is nothing we resolve, nothing we do, 

nothing we do not do…which we should not resolve, and do, and not do, 

and avoid, and choose, and give up, and pursue, 

if Christ had not died, and heaven were not promised us.”

So that’s the question to ask ourselves.

What can you and I point to in our choices, in our lives,

that really is different, because we follow Jesus?

I think of couples who accept greater sacrifice 

in welcoming more children. 

And still others who might earn less money 

because they try to focus more on family.

We hear a lot of criticism and cynicism about people in business.

But surely there are many businesspeople who make decisions 

which the rest of us never know about, that sacrifice profit.

Our young people will certainly face peer pressure and mockery 

when they choose a path of self-denial and integrity.

Let me tell you a secret: you can have a crowd around you, 

with several loud voices taunting you. 

The ones who remain silent? 

They’re watching to see if you have any backbone.

And don’t be surprised if later, very quietly, 

they tell you, you did the right thing. 

Don’t expect them to speak up. But know you made a difference.

So, back to St. John Henry Newman’s question.

What do you and I put at risk for Christ?

What will we lose if Jesus ends up not being who we believe he is?

The widow put it ALL on the line for faith in God.

At this moment, I really think I’m in the way; 

I’m interrupting a conversation 

which is really between each of us, and Jesus himself. 

He’s the one who makes the invitation:

Come, follow me – and Peter and Andrew, James and John 

left their nets; their livelihood; everything they had.

Jesus speaks to you as only he can. 

He has prepared your life and given you your gifts. 

What will you answer?

The frame and the purpose (Sunday homily)

 A few years ago, I recall seeing a neighbor rebuilding his garage.

He’d knocked down the old one and started a new one.

And I noticed how hard he worked to get the frame just right.

Or else it wouldn’t stay standing.

The first commandment our Lord mentions: put God first.

That’s the frame. It keeps the rest of our life upright.

It helps us stand firm when the winds of pressure or desire blow hard.

We’ve all been in situations where someone said, 

we have to compromise.

Our politicians make that excuse 

for cutting corners with the Constitution or with the moral law.

In our personal life, we make compromises.

As a priest, I am frequently tempted to put the work I do first,

and I’ll pray later. 

If a priest can be tempted to do that, how about you?

The second commandment gives us purpose. What are we for?

You and I are here to make a difference in others’ lives.

As each year goes by, I learn a little better

just how self-centered I can be.

Think of a baby. He points to his mouth and says, “feed me!”

She points to her diaper and says, “change me!”

I’m always amused to see how kids think mom is a coatrack.

Somewhere along the line you and I recognize that

God didn’t give us our talents, our time, and treasure, just for us.

We discover the satisfaction of helping others is like nothing else.

Look: we can get cynical and negative. 

The politics right now don’t help.

But here’s a choice you have, whatever else is going on.

You can choose to marinate in all that fretting and fighting.

Or, you can choose to add some joy to another person’s life.

It is as simple as opening a door, 

or letting someone else out of the parking lot first.

If you’re online getting burned up about…all that stuff,

Then put down the phone! Do something else.

Don’t worry: those people online will argue just fine without you!

A funny thing happens when you start 

making little, extra efforts at kindness and calm.

It spreads to other people. 

And in time, it turns into a habit of helping. 

It becomes who we are.

And when you look back on the day, 

the griping and the sourness doesn’t matter as much.

Let me say a couple of things about the election.

Be sure to cast your vote, if you haven’t already.

And I encourage you to keep these commandments, 

both of them, in mind when you do.

When we have the results, a lot of people are going to be unhappy; 

and truth to tell, some of the others are going to think, 

“Good, they should be unhappy!”

Maybe each of us can resolve – 

Now, before you and I know the results – to be gracious?

And no matter who wins, the frame and the purpose remain unchanged.

God is God; not the government, and not whoever is elected.

And the day after the election, 

there will still be people needing a helping hand.

The truth about Hallowe'en & All Saints (homily)

 

Apologies to Harold Ramis, his great cast and fun film

Let’s spell out a few key points about this feast.

First. There is a lot of nonsense spoken about Hallowe’en, 

which is part of this feast. Hallowe’en means the eve, 

or “e’en” of All Hallows, which is just another way of saying, All Saints. 

So maybe you saw someone claim that we Catholics 

dressed up a pagan holiday and turned it into this feast. 

Not true. 

The fact that a pagan holiday was on or around Nov. 1 is meaningless.

If you do more research, 

you’ll discover there were pagan holidays all year long! 

You can’t pick a day that doesn’t have some pagan association.

That’s why, therefore, you see the same claim made 

about Easter, Christmas, Candlemas, Assumption, 

and lots of saints days as well.

So, the pagan holiday associated with Oct. 31? It was in Ireland.

The first celebration of All Saints on November 1? 

That was in Rome, when Pope Gregory III 

dedicated a chapel to All Saints.

Why’d he pick Nov. 1? Maybe because that’s when it was finished?

But no, he wasn’t thinking about pagans in Ireland!

Let’s stop being on the defensive about Hallowe’en and All Saints.

There’s nothing wrong with wholesome fun. 

But the main point was and is the saints.

That is my second point: Halllowe’en and All Saints are about grace.

Grace is God’s own life and love, poured into our lives, 

to make us like God.

All Saints – including the eve, Hallowe’en – 

exists to celebrate God’s success stories.

What would it say about Jesus’ plan to become human, go to the Cross, found the Church on the apostles 

and send them out in the power of the Holy Spirit, 

and 2,000 years later, and there wasn’t much success?

Like, we maybe got one saint a century, we’re up to 20! Woo hoo!

No! We have in the shared memory of our Church, 

the names of tens of thousands of saints. 

We don’t even know for sure, because so much information was lost.

We have stories about many of them,

But for others, we have but a name and the barest details,

Such as Saint Christopher and St. George.

With Saints Valentine and Cecilia, 

we may have multiple saints jumbled together.

But that makes sense: a boy in the 3rd century 

was named for a saint from the second century, 

and the boy becomes a saint too!

Isn’t that why you name a child after a saint?

There are places named for saints because there was a church, 

but now that’s just a pile of stones. No one knows any more about it.

All that is left is the memory, but what a memory!

They remembered God’s grace and that memory lives on.

Of course, there are vastly more saints 

who we will not know about until we, ourselves, 

become saints and join them.

Just a note here about All Souls, which comes on November 2.

That is the day for the “faithful departed,” meaning: 

for those who weren’t necessarily finished products, 

as it were, in this life, but who have certain hope – 

I repeat, certain hope – of victory.

If you didn’t know this before, hear me: 

everyone who enters Purgatory will be a saint. Without exception.

Purgatory is the saint-finishing school, and our prayers help.

Now, a final point, about the way this day of grace is being falsified.

Surely you notice that lots of celebration of Hallowe’en 

isn’t about good, but about evil. 

Not about the saints, but devils and other ominous things.

It’s not about heaven, but about hell.

So much so, that many people avoid Hallowe’en.

And that’s a shame because, again, it’s about Heaven, not hell.

Don’t be fooled. 

Of course, the devil would want to change the subject to himself! 

Every time God fills another human being with light, forever, 

is a scalding defeat for the enemy. He hates it!

God wants friendship and love, the devil wants fear and pain.

I am asking all of us to work together to change the subject back:

Hallowe’en and All Saints are about God’s grace changing us.

There’s nothing wrong with having fun with scary stories,

But just remember, to be a friend of Jesus – to be a saint – 

is to have nothing at all to be afraid of.