Look with the Eyes of the Soul - Reflection Ascension Sunday

The Acts of the Apostles is written to Theophilus. No one knows who Theophilus was; but, there was a later Theophilus. He was the Bishop of Antioch (second century) and considered one of the early church’s great apologists.

He wrote this (paraphrased): 

If you say, "Show me your God," think about this:

If you look with the eyes of the body then you will perceive only earthly objects whether white or black, well-proportioned and symmetrical or dis-proportioned and awkward…

The appearance of God is ineffable and indescribable; and, cannot be seen by eyes of flesh. All have eyes; but in some eyes are blinded and they do not see the light of the sun.

But if you look with eyes of the soul that it is when we are able to behold God. God is seen by those who are enabled to see Him when the eyes of their soul are opened:

For in glory God is incomprehensible, in greatness unfathomable, in height inconceivable, in power incomparable, in wisdom unrivaled, in goodness inimitable, in kindness unutterable.

Most men have the eyes of their soul blinded by their sins and evil deeds.

The reason I share these words of the early apologist is today’s scriptures. For some reason, some do not follow the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel.

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Instead they only baptize in the name of Jesus. The reasoning, the apostles were not baptized this way. Nowhere does it say the apostles baptized this way.

It is claimed, the words of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew were made up when priests and monks were hand writing the Bibles in the early church to match the sacrament.

Yet, Catholics and most Christian do baptize in the Trinitarian formula not just in the name of Jesus as found in the Acts of the Apostles.

First, it is what Jesus tells us. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you.

Second, it is a baptism just like Jesus’. When Jesus was baptized by John, the Trinity was present. “The Son is baptized, the Father speaks, and the Spirit descends.”

Even in the Acts of the Apostle when the Deacon Philip baptized the people of Samaria, Peter and John were sent there to pray and lay hands on them for they had only been baptized in the name of Jesus and not yet received the Holy Spirit.

And, Jesus promised his followers they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit. 

Those who say the early church baptized only in the name of Jesus seems to have forgotten that Act of the Apostles.

The Church baptizes in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit because is has always been led by the Holy Spirit to followed Jesus’ instructions. It is found even in the earliest Church manual, the Didache, written before the Bible. 

It is believed to have originated before most of the Gospels were written. The earliest portions issued by an Apostolic Council of the twelve headed by Peter and James at the Church in Jerusalem. These early instructions outlined a Trinitarian Baptism and the Eucharist.

There were also other Christian Churches other than the Roman Catholic Church. The Coptic Church states that their church began in 50 AD, when the Apostle Mark became the first Pope of Alexandria. They baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Thomas Christian of Kerala India (Malabar Christians) can trace their Church to the Apostle Thomas. These Christians ecclesiastically, liturgically, and linguistically represent one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world. They baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Yet, despite all these truths, many will look for God with eyes of flesh blinded by sin. If the eyes of your soul are open, as the angel said, then why are you standing there looking at the sky?

The Church looks with the eyes of the soul at Jesus’ words, follows his instructions, and believes his promise. Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. And, behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.

In glory God is incomprehensible, in greatness unfathomable, in height inconceivable, in power incomparable, in wisdom unrivaled, in goodness inimitable, in kindness unutterable.

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way your live your life and love one another. Amen.

Social Distancing - Homily 6th Sunday of Easter

In the Acts of the Apostles is the story of Philip. This was not Philip the Apostle; this was Philip the Evangelist. This Philip was the Deacon.

In the first part of chapter 8 of Acts, we are reminded of the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, and the severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem. The Christians were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 

As the early Christians practiced social distancing, the apostles remained in Jerusalem.

This was at the time Saul was trying to destroy the church by entering house after house; dragging out men and women to put in prison.

Yet, even those escaping persecution shared the Gospel wherever they went. Philip went to city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah.

When the people heard Philip, they paid attention to his words and signs. Unclean spirits were cast out and people were cured.

Philip introduced the people of Samaria to the way of Jesus. It was a way of living, loving, and relating to one another new to them. Philip baptized them in the name of Jesus. There was great joy in the City of Samaria.

Philip shared the way of Jesus, a relationship built through Christ Jesus to God.  

And, Jesus teaches there is one more person in this relationship.  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth…”

When the apostles heard the good work done by Philip, they sent Peter and John to pray for them, because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Philip only baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus. Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

This is about relationship. Philip teaching relationship in the way of Jesus: living, loving and relating to one another differently than the world teaches.  Jesus teaches us the relationship of the Holy Trinity. It is the most divine relationship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is the most precise loving, living relationship there is.

God is relationship. The way of Jesus is living, loving and relating on earth as it is in Heaven, in God.

Think about relationships. The people we tend to love are not just the people who loved us, but people who loved what we love and care about what we care about. It makes love easy, natural, and life-giving.

One place to find this place in others is the common need most people have for hope. The result of hope is joy.

Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope and do it with gentleness and reverence.

This is the secret of sharing the Gospel. It is the way Philip spoke. Pursued and persecuted for his faith in Jesus Christ, Philip had hope and shared why he had hope. The people were filled with joy.

Here we sit, a few inside the Church, wearing mask, practicing social distancing, and sanitizing our hands. Some are outside in cars watching on Facebook coming for communion. Some are home watching and will share a spiritual communion.

We have one thing in common: hope. The reason for hope as believers is Christ in our hearts. Today, the world is looking for hope. To have a relationship with God, the Holy Trinity through Jesus Christ is the promise of hope. The result of hope is joy

Even as we practice social distancing don’t forget your relationship with God. Don’t forget the living and loving relationship we have with others.

Be good, be holy, and preach the Gospel by the way you live your lives and love one another. Amen.

A Heart that Savors God – Homily on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. She is the patroness of our Parish, what a wonderful patroness she is.  

Our Lady appeared to three peasant children (Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco) on a hillside in Fatima, Portugal, and gave instructions.

They were not anything different from what the church teaches. None of her instructions contradicted the teachings of the word of God that came to us as Jesus Christ. The message she gave was for the times they lived in and times to come.

Mary instructed them to pray the Rosary to bring peace to the world and an end to war; pray for the conversion of Russia; and do penance. And that God wanted the world to have a devotion to Her Immaculate Heart.

The message of Fatima is important now as it was then. Pray the rosary, pray for peace, pray for the conversion of sinners, and do penance. And, have devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

On the 100^th anniversary of Fatima, P. Francis said ‘the children’s encounter with Our Lady was an experience of grace that inspired their love for Jesus. Mary led them to savor God as the most beautiful reality of human existence.”

That is the promise found in Jesus words, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Simple children heard the message and lived it. They lived lives of unwavering faith.

Great things can come from people of simple unwavering faith.

Today, in these trying times, listen to the words of Jesus and the message of Our Lady.

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Pray the rosary, pray for peace, pray for the conversion of sinners, and do penance. And have devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Don’t just listen the words, contemplate them, gnaw on them, consume them, make them part of us, and then act on them.

Pope Benedict wrote “The heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than anything that can come against us.”

(Friends) strong is the Immaculate Heart of Mary? She must be the example for our hearts open to God.

At Fatima, Our Lady declared “My Immaculate Heart will triumph!” In that have unwavering faith. The heart open to God is stronger than any disease or pestilence; pandemic or plague; violence or war.

Our Lady taught the children to pray. One prayer was this: My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You! Amen.

A heart that savors God is a most beautiful reality of human existence.

Be good, be holy, and pray for each other. Amen.

A While to be Silent - First Friday Homily - May 1, 1010

(Readings)

We live in unusual times and want explanations. Some things are accepted; some are not.   

Some things are ironic. Saul of Tarsus was set to the home of Judas on Straight street.  

Some things are hard to understand. The Corona Virus is spread by social contact. Prevention limits work, school, and gatherings (no public mass, no sharing of the Eucharist).

Solitary confinement is harsh medicine. It’s considered a severe punishment. It’s not a restful stillness, but of anxiousness and sorrow. Despite these rules of social distancing; in our area cases are increasing at rates higher than others. It seems people don’t believe what is said about the Covid 19 virus.

Yet, we ask why God is doing this. People want explanations. Is it punishment; a warning sign?

Maybe, it’s a time of lament; a time to ask “why;” perchance, a while to be silent, look at our lives, and to pray. Perhaps, it’s a time to be still and know God.

Possibly, it’s like the time the Lord gave Saul.

He was going down the wrong path believing it was God’s work. The Lord gave Saul a time of solitary confinement. In this time of quiet, Saul prayed and the Lord set him straight.

Ananias laying hands on him, said “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately the scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized…”

Moving beyond self is the answer Jesus gives. Listen to His words.

“Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. My Flesh is true food.  My Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.”

People tend to believe in themselves and not the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

In this time of Solitary Confinement away from the real presence, the Lord has sent us to be healed.

Sadly, not all will be healed; but in this time of lament, Christ is opening the eyes of many.  

Amen

Time for a U-Turn - Homily 3rd Sunday of Easter

Facebook Live Video

I would like to tell you about a U-turn.  (thanks Jenaye Hill for the inspiration).

Two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem on the Sunday of the resurrection talking about everything that was going on.

That discussion was probably intense. The gospel says they were conversing and debating as they traveled.

Jesus comes to walk with them and asks what they are talking about. With that question, the disciples stopped and became depressed.

Cleopas turned and looked at Jesus. Not recognizing him, he said “Man where have you been not to know the things that have happened in the past couple of days?”

Jesus answered, “What sort of things?”

The two disciples were traveling down the road to their home in Emmaus from Jerusalem. It was probably a road they had taken many times. It was a familiar road. It was a well-traveled road.

Yet, they were lost. They were sojourning in misery, abiding in disappointment. They were returning home to the place they were at before they knew Jesus.

They felt separated from Christ Jesus. God had left them.

That may have been some of what they debated. They missed Jesus. They were scared; so, they had left Jerusalem to return home.

Maybe they debated on who was the advocate (the Paraclete) Jesus promised. Would He open the doors to Jesus’ kingdom?

Instead, Jesus showed up to open their hearts and eyes. Jesus didn’t let it happen right away. He decided they needed to make a U-turn. 

He wanted them to learn something. The disciples had been told before by Jesus of all the events that were to happen; but, they had not believed. So as they walked along, He interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.

He wanted them to learn to trust God's promises.

At the end of the day, the two invited Jesus to eat with them. When Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them; their eyes were opened and they recognized him.

They made an Emmaus road U-Turn (thanks Jenaye Hill for the inspiration).

Their eyes were opened before the apostles. Not being disrespectful to any priest but Jesus opened their eyes before he open they eyes of the priesthood He had just established.

Since they didn’t have cellphones, Facebook, Instagram, or twitter, they ran back to tell the apostles.

A lovely lady I know does not use social media so almost every week I get a message asking “is mass open this week?”

She wants to come to mass and feels lost without it; but, she is not lost. She knows where she wants to be and waits for the Bishop to open the doors.

Watching this, you’re probably not lost; but, many might have heads down feeling dejected or disappointed because of everything going on. Some may feel Jesus has left us abandoned.  

This pandemic is making a time of abiding quiet and isolation. This is a time of sojourning. It is a time many might fail to trust in God’s promises. For many, belief has become weak.

It is time for an Emmaus road U-turn.

At this time (more than any other time many have experienced) we must dwell in hope. It is a time to open hearts and eyes to realize we have been ransomed be the precious blood of Christ.

This pandemic is like the Emmaus road; so, walk with Jesus. He will open our eyes because faith and hope are in God.  Thank God for U-turns.

Be good, be holy, and preach the Gospel by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen.

Divine Mercy Sunday.

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday.

Facebook Live - Divine Mercy Sunday at OLF

In the 1^st letter of St. Peter this truth is shared.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope…

His great mercy is the compassion, love, and forgiveness shown to us sinners by the one who has power to punish us.

Most of us learn about mercy from our parent. All the things as children, teenagers, and even adults we’ve done; they love us and forgive us.  

Friends through Jesus Christ, we are the adopted children of God. Through Jesus Christ, God’s loving mercy overflows on us; from that comes Hope.

Even in this time of everything going on around us, pandemic, quarantine, being separated from the Eucharist and community; because of Jesus Christ’s love and sacrifice for us, there is hope.

Trust in Jesus and his endless Mercy.

St. Faustina wrote: When I see the burden is beyond my strength, I do not analyze and probe; but, run like a child to the heart of Jesus.

The world promotes doubt: but, look and see the miracles around us.

Run like a child to the heart of Jesus. Put our finger in the nail marks. Place our hands in the wounds on his side. Feel the blood and water which gush forth for the salvation our souls.

In this time with everything going on around us, run to Jesus, offer an act of contrition, perform a spiritual communion.  And say, “Jesus I trust in you.”

Not just on this Divine Mercy Sunday, but every day. Amen.

Something in Common - Homily Easter Sunday

(My first Easter reflections Easter 2015 - Repeat)

Facebook Live: Easter Sunday at SL

Alleluia This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia - Happy Easter.

It was still dark and they ran to the tomb - Mary, Peter, and the disciple Jesus loved. Peter was older and maybe a litter heavier so didn't get there first: but, he was the first to go in and found the tomb empty, the burial cloths rolled up. Then the other disciple went in: They saw and believed but they didn’t understand.

But the Gospel does not include the next verse.  “Then the disciples returned home.”

They just returned home. It doesn’t tell us what they believed, did they believe the body was stolen or that Jesus had risen?

This is the Gospel of John, the disciple Jesus loved. John saw and believed and then he writes, they did not understand. They just returned home.

The disciples loved Jesus. They followed him and hung on every word, every miracle, and teaching. Most of the time, they didn’t get it. They believed in him but they didn’t always understand him.

We have an advantage and something in common with the disciples.

The advantage, we don’t have to see to believe. We celebrate Easter Sunday because we do believe. We believe because we have the Gospel. We know what he experienced: celebrations, betrayal, abandonment, pain, suffering and death. We know the passion of Christ from Palm Sunday to His crucifixion on Good Friday.

We believe because we know what’s after the empty tomb. So today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate His resurrection.

Now, the part we have in common - so many don’t understand. This Sunday morning, Christians throughout the world will celebrate his resurrection then simply return home.

We believe, but, do we understand? Do we simply return home?

Returning home is not always a good thing. I’m not talking about the house of wood or brick but what is in our heart. The old saying home is where the heart is. Where is your heart?

I’m about to say ugly words about the heart - home; some are built with anger, prejudice, bias, and the self-centered aspects of human life.

We can all know those places - We find ourselves there sometimes.  It is that old yeast we are to get rid of according to St. Paul. It is found in those with lukewarm  faith. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

Those who say the Lord will never forgive them for what they have done. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

Those who say God spoke to them and everyone else is wrong. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

Those who say, God doesn’t love Muslims or Hindus or Buddhist or Atheist or Homosexuals or anyone who is different. They believe but don’t understand. They’ve gone back home.

People don’t understand, Jesus died for all of us and for all of our sins.

People don’t understand, His promise of eternal life is for all who believe. People don’t understand the tomb being empty means He is alive in the world, for all of us.

Christ is not distant and impersonal. Christ forgive all our sins and hears all our prayers.

We do believe but do we understand that Christ is with us and loves us no matter who our priest or preacher is; or, how we live our lives; or, what sins we have. 

How do we understand - know our faith. How do we understand - know Jesus. How do we understand - know His love.

Believe and understand, prepare your home:

Today and every day, Christ lives and He cares for us. Today and every day, Christ lives and He is close to us. Today and every day, Christ lives and He offers us a relationship real and personal. 

Pope Francis explains it in words I love, “Christ, the everlasting today of God.” My friends, this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.

Be good, be holy, and preach the Gospel that we believe. Amen

The Walk - Homily Palm Sunday

Today the Gospels tell of Jesus’ experience during the time we call Holy Week. It begins Jesus riding victoriously on a colt into Jerusalem. Then the Gospel of Mathew continues with betrayal, the last supper, the agony in the Garden, the arrest of Jesus, his trial, and crucifixion.

The Gospel tells us of

•      Jesus who knows what is to come.
•      Jesus understanding it is for the good of all.
•      Him realizing and accepting the Father’s will.
•      The human Jesus and the divine Christ.

It is also the story the people who walked with Jesus and their human failures. Judas Iscariot falls prey to greed and for 30 pieces of silver, betrays Jesus with a kiss. Peter falls to his fear. “My faith will never be shaken.” And he denied Jesus three times. 

Twelve people, Jesus’ disciples and friends are put to the test. All failed by human weakness. Watch & pray you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Today, we can all relate to their test during this time of isolation & quarantine.

I’m lucky to be quarantined with 2 of my 3 grandchildren; a 6 y.o. and a 19 m.o. boys. This is gratifying, consoling, and terrifying. In quarantine, I’ve discovered the 19 m.o. thinks closed doors are to open and contents pulled out, heights are to climb, and punishment is overcome by curling up on Poppy’s lap with a kiss.

I worry a trip to the store brings sickness home. I’m concerned about social distancing at mass. Will I cause my grandchildren or my children or my wife or mother to get sick? I’m tested because Christ called me to follow him. We are put to the test.

Friends, this time is not unique it has been repeated over the years: Plagues, pestilence, wars, oppression and persecution that brings no priest, no mass, no Eucharist, and absence of community.

All of this is part of the story of those who walk with Jesus

Jesus tells us in the Gospel, all of you will have your faith shaken. The Church is tested. Faith undergoes trial. The Gospel is challenged.

In times of no Eucharistic meal; prayer, faith, and devotion to Christ Jesus prevails. When there was no priest to minister, the faithful share prayers, the gospel, and community even in the smallest groups.

The Church (the body of believers) has passed the test fighting fear, greed, laziness, and human weakness with a devoted belief in the Gospel and Jesus Christ, prayer and undying faith.  

This quarantine has many of us feeling deprived. This Holy Week realize this: We are not deprived. Christ Jesus died for our sins. He died for our salvation.

We are not deprived Easter, because He rose from the grave in the promise of eternal life.

During this crisis, when we question God, question one’s self, do I walk with Him: Am I ready to die with Him?

As we pray that God in his mercy takes this cup from us, remember God’s mercy is all around us.

God’s mercy is in the health care workers who sacrifice so much taking care of the sick and dying. His mercy is in the people working to provide food, necessities, and protection. God’s mercy is found even in our leaders whose hearts are open to Him.

God mercy is doing what we should be doing. Ask God’s mercy for our community and the whole world in our prayers and devotions.

More than ever this crisis in the world calls us to be good and holy people, praying for God’s mercy, and for the time we can come together again. 

Amen.

To See - A Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Lent

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I am not blind. Yet, if today I became blind, how would I take it? How would any of us react if suddenly we were cut off from something so familiar and natural?

Many would feel they were suddenly all alone, suddenly despondent, and suddenly isolated from the familiar. Many have been blinded by the isolation and quarantine this pandemic requires of us. Especially when it is happening during lent, the time of preparation for Easter. 

We are told about a little about this isolation in the Gospel today. Jesus and his disciple came upon a man blind from birth, the disciples ask Jesus who has sinned that he was born blind? 

Jesus said, neither he nor his parent have sinned, it is so the works of the LORD can be made visible through him. Friends, think about those words.

In this time of fear and anxiety this illness has brought to so many - Politicians are pointing fingers. Countries are pointing fingers. You have sinned. You have sinned. You have sinned. As Christina believers, we know that God, the Father who sent the Son, Christ Jesus, is not vengeful; but, He is looking to us to make the works of the LORD visible in the world.

In the past few days, I have seen stories of priest carrying a monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament about in their community, praying for the safety and protection of their community and all the people:   In Louisiana, New York, and all across our country and countries across the world. In the past few weeks, I see priests posting masses on Facebook and YouTube. I see reports from all across the world of priests and religious putting themselves in peril ministering to the sick and dying.

I see the works of the LORD in the Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals caring for the sick. They need the protective equipment and they need prayer. Many armed themselves with prayer and ask for our prayers. I see the works of the LORD in the ministries in our community, sharing Christ’s love in little ways that are so necessary.

I see because of Jesus’ words, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus spat on the ground, made some clay, and smeared it on the blind man’s eyes. He told him to go and wash in the fountain of Siloam (which means Sent). Today, Jesus sends us into the world to bring the light of Christ to those who are having difficulty seeing. Just as Samuel anointed David as God’s chosen one to lead the people of Israel, we have been anointed by baptism. That baptism washed away the blindness. By our baptism we are sent.

In this time of darkness, we have the light of Christ. We are sent with that light in us..

The man born blind said to the Pharisee “he opened my eyes. And they threw him out.” The truly blind were those who would not see the truth about Jesus. It is true even today. During this many will cry LORD, LORD. But, after, the world is still going to throw us out. For some, eyes will be opened. Eyes will be opened by our faith, our prayers, our little acts of love, and sharing which is the works of the LORD made visible in the world..

I am not blind. But, if today I became blind I still have the light of the world.

Wash your hands, pray, and ask for forgiveness. Make an act of spiritual communion. Share the light of Christ.

Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel to those around you by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen

A Little More & They Will Stone Me - Reflection 3rd Sunday of Lent

A Little More & They Will Stone Me

Lord why did you call me to this ministry. As a Deacon I am to bring the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world. I am to be a servant to those in need, bringing God’s love. It seems sharing that love is getting harder. Agape is love by doing and giving self to the other. But today, agape is hard to share.

Today, one of the things making it harder is the COVID-19 virus. The Bishop of our Diocese canceled all masses and many other things.  Today, something I said in love, explanation, and response to the concerns and confusions caused by this decision; triggered someone to attack with ugliness and vitriol.

It came from the confusion and challenges this COVID-19 is presenting to our worshipping community.

But it is not a new enemy. There was confusion and challenges within the Israelites causing them to grumble against Moses. And, Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? A little more and they will stone me!”

If you are bewildered by mass cancelations and other actions by the Church, remember these things about the decision.

First, this decision was made to slow the spread of the virus.

Our healthcare system needs time to ramp up. Our president has reached out to private industry to work and to help protect the people. In their response they are developing faster, speedier, and more trust worthy testing. Also, a new testing protocol is being developed and put in place to allow more people to be tested.

Our country is a country of richness and greatness. But our political system has problems. The same bill that would give billions of dollars to help fight this battle was stifled when biased legislators hid funding for abortions in the bill.  They took a bill seeking to save lives and used it to disguise funding to end far more lives.

In other countries the virus spread rampant because of lack of controls. In this country locations the virus has hit hard in places that ignored controls that were in place. Controls were ignored because many felt the virus could not happen here.

The decision was made to slow the spread of the virus.

Second, the decision was made to protect the vulnerable.

Our churches are graying. Our attendance is elderly. Our priests are older and many are sick. In many communities of faith, the parishioners and minsters are the most vulnerable.  The most vulnerable are the elderly and those with compromised immune systems (the cancer patient, the diabetic, etc). These people seek the comfort of the church. Those that love these vulnerable ones come to pray for the ones they love.

The ones who would carry the virus into the church community are those who do not know they have been exposed.

We pray to God for protection; but, God has given man the wisdom to protect the vulnerable from things such as this with medicines, devices, and also with wise decisions.

This decision was made to protect the vulnerable.

Third, this decision is hard for a Bishop to make. It is hard for the faithful. It was a necessary decision. It is a decision even the Pope had to make.

This is lent, the time we are reminded of the crosses we must bear. We are asked to make sacrifices. This is one of the greatest sacrifices a faithful Catholic can be asked to make. As Catholics in a great and free country we know we will once again be able to return to the Eucharist. Yet there are many in the world who never know the Eucharistic table.

Bishop Malone says it best. “May this separation renew in us a deep and profound hunger for the Lord whose body, blood, soul and divinity draw us even closer to Him who we adore.”

What shall we do?

First is God’s command - Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

Set aside a daily holy hour. Read scriptures, pray the rosary, pray for your church, community, family, and all suffering from the impact of this virus. Then be still and contemplate the scripture, prayers, and open your heart to what Jesus wants of you.

Be a spiritual leader in your family. Pray with your spouse, siblings, and children. Read the bible together. You can go to the USCCB website and down load the daily readings. http://www.usccb.org Set apart a special time to pray the rosary with family and children. Say morning prayers, evening prayers, and bless your meals.  Like washing our hands, this something we have always been told to do, but don’t do well.

Watch mass over live Facebook feeds from the Diocese, your local church, or view the mass on EWTN.  This is the Facebook live feed to the Diocese of Shreveport’s Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. Sunday mass is at 9:00 am and daily mass at 7:00 am.  https://sjbcathedral.org/cathedral/webcast 

Most of all do not lose hope. Phone a friend when you need someone to pray with you.  Send a message to your Priest or Deacon; tell them you are praying for them and if you need a visit and prayer, if possible they will come.

Lord why did you call me to the ministry of Deacon.  Then I read what the gospel says, “Many more became to believe in Him because of his words.”

In this time of need, be good, be holy and preach the gospel of His words by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

If You Choose - Homily 6th Sunday OTA

readings - 021620

I may hurt some feelings today. My feelings were hurt when I read the gospel and thought of how guilty I am of sin. It was sin I chose to commit by what I have done or I have failed to do.

Some will be mad because they are Christians but they choose how they live by their personal standards of what is a sin.

It may hurt your feelings to know everyone is a sinner. A sinner is giving this homily.

My niece and her husband go to a large non-denominational church. It has free form preaching. The worship music is closer to pop music than traditional sacred music. People will go there just to be seen. 

My niece sees someone unrepentant at Church and gives them the “stink” eye. Her husband says, don't do that, you're at Church.

Yes, we are all sinners, sometimes even at Church.

A while back, I read about a person who had returned to the Catholic Church after attending one of these non-denominational churches. At the non-dom church he attended a men’s group discussing adultery. But the problem was in that group each man chose his definition of the sin of adultery.

One said to look at another woman with lust was adultery. 

One justified adultery through OT scripture pointing to the patriarchs with multiple wives and concubines. He was loyal to his wife and his mistress; he was not sinful. 

Another felt that since he had been baptized and born again, he could commit adultery because he was forgiven.

Our hero tried to be heard but was not. He spoke to the group leader. He went to the pastor and asked it to stop these error filled teachings; but, the pastor said the Church had no confirmed doctrine on adultery.

If you choose not to follow God’s commandments and fail to hear God’s Word there is no doctrine. So, a lot of Churches fail to teach what is sin.

Then, I look at myself. I preach we are to love one another and to preach the gospel by the way we live our lives. I preach to be good and to be holy. Things good Catholic Christians should strive for in their life. But, sometimes preaching the gospel requires us to point out sin.

Our Lord God Creator gave us a list of sinful things. Ten Commandments that are God’s guide to how we are to live our lives.  If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you shall live. Trusting God is to love God with all your heart.

Today, Churches teach all kinds of things. They even break the commandments that are given for God alone: I am the Lord God, take no strange gods before me Do not take the Lord's name in vain. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

They do this by recognizing abortion, transgenderism, and gay marriage. They tweak truth, right, and justice to reveal a puppet god they control. Churches and ministers have made money, wealth, and possessions more important than anything else.

That is sin.

I heard the story this week of a elderly person in a nursing home who received a letter from a Church that said they were going to dismiss her membership because she was not keeping her pledge tithes.

That is sin.

Some Churches recognized gay marriage and allows it for their pastors.

That is sin.

Most say, we will never sin that way and then everyday, we forget the rest of the commandments. The world says it is normal. Our laws make it legal. The world says it is wrong to identify sin as sin.

Jesus goes on to say, Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

Remember, we preach the Gospel by the way we live our lives. The way we live our lives is that which is truly in our hearts. We cannot hide our true selves. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

Friends, the Church is for sinners. It is our spiritual hospital. It is the place we come to realize what is wrong with us and to remedy that through a deeper loving relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and with each other. 

Jesus tells us to love one another, even the sinner; but, Jesus tells the sinner to go and sin no more.

And when we fail to admonish sin, we allow it to creep into our world and even into our faith. We justify it by Jesus’s love. But, changing God’s truth is not from God. Jesus said I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. None of these commandments will pass away.  

Church should not be about changing Jesus’ words to suit the strange gods in this world today. The modern world frowns on religion. The world frowns on being told they are sinners by other sinners.

As we draw closer to Lent, realize how far our sins have allowed us to fall away from that relationship with Christ. Look at our lives over the past week or month or years see how many times we have forgotten God the Father by ignoring the commandments.  As we realize we have not always been good and holy, repent, go to confession, and do penance.

Maybe I hurt your feelings. Mine was hurt when I realized how guilty I was of sin. Sin I chose to commit by what I had done and what I had failed to do.

Do not be afraid to say something when sin creeps into our world and into our faith. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ 

That is what it means to be good, and to be holy, and preaching the gospel by the way you live your life and love one another.