Two Sundays ago, we began the proclamation of John’s Bread of Life gospel discourse. And it begins with Jesus feeding five thousand people. Their physical hunger was something Jesus felt compelled to alleviate - simply out of love.

John’s gospel describes the scene on that grassy hillside… “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also, as much of the fish as they wanted. they had their fill, more than they could eat.”

Notice how Jesus gave them an abundance of food. Jesus gave the people more than they needed. That’s what Jesus does for us in the Eucharist. He gives us an abundance of himself. He gives us an abundance of grace. He gives us an abundance of love. Are you open to receiving abundance from Jesus in the Eucharist?

In John’s gospel, Jesus sends his disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, to their home base in Capernaum. And like lost sheep – the same crowd followed Jesus to Capernaum. Our Gospel today picks up there with Jesus addressing the crowd in Capernaum as he says, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

And that, sisters and brothers, was a fair question from the people standing in the crowd listening to Jesus in Capernaum that day. Jesus had not yet given himself to his closest disciples at the Last Supper in the form of bread and wine. Yep, fair enough… But… this same skeptical question it is NOT a fair question from people living on our side of Jesus’s historical moment on earth. We know the full story – they did not.

Recent studies reveal when Roman Catholics in America hear John’s Bread of Life discourse in Chapter 6 proclaimed – and Jesus telling the crowd "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever… 30 percent say “thanks be to God” for the Eucharist! 70 percent say “whatever”.

This is why there was a National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis. The USCCB, our Bishops of the United States went “all-in” by encouraging and sponsoring the National Eucharistic Congress. A Eucharistic Revival to build up the faith of the 30 percent, and to evangelize the 70%!!

Over the past 20 centuries, the Church has “spoken of” Jesus’ Bread of Life truth through words and symbols. And those 55,000+ people at the National Eucharistic Congress over five-days were blessed to witness many beautiful Eucharistic words and symbols. Today I am going to focus on just one,

A show of hands…raise them high… How many of you have watched some or all of “The Chosen”? AMEN! For those that are not familiar with The Chosen, The Chosen is the largest donation-based crowd-funded media project (TV series) of all time. Season-1 was first released in 2017. Season-4 just concluded. Season-5 is in production. And there is planned to be eight seasons.

The Chosen is a historical drama based on the life of Jesus and those who knew and followed him. The series shares an authentic look at Jesus' revolutionary life and teaching. The Chosen has impacted the world globally – in ways and degrees the creators could have never imagined! This global response is solid proof the world deeply hungers for Jesus Christ. Do you have a hunger for Jesus? He is always here to feed you abundantly with the Eucharist!

The creation of The Chosen is an amazing story. The Chosen was the outcome of an unlikely partnership between an Evangelical Protestant and the president of a Mormon-owned streaming video company. Then add in the “secret sauce” (so to speak), at the time – the rather unknown actor that plays Jesus so beautifully in the Chosen - Jonathan Roumie.

Jonathan Roumie’s story itself is an interesting look at how the Holy Spirit works within people’s daily life. His father was born in Egypt and his mother was born in Ireland. An interesting story in and of itself – to be sure! Jonathan Roumie was baptized in the Orthodox Church. He and his family became Roman Catholic during his childhood. It’s evident the Holy Spirit had something to do with all this!

Back to the National Eucharistic Congress…. One of the most powerful moments for many – Johnathan Roumie’s keynote appearance on Saturday evening. 55,000+ people with eager and open hearts, all focused on what was about to be said. What a blessing if each and every Catholic in America could have been in Lucas Oil Stadium that evening!

Ah, but wait… You can be there virtually! It’s as simple as clicking HERE to begin your National Eucharistic Congress virtual experience. It’s that quick and easy! 

Just like that you are transported to Lucas Oil Stadium – the evening of Saturday July 20th. And you will have your virtual seat at the National Eucharistic Congress. You will join 55,000 other Catholics: Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, and the laity from all over the United States. For the next 16 minutes - turn the lights down, turn the volume up and you will first get a little update from Jonathan Roumie on The Chosen. And then, through Johnathan Roumie proclaiming our gospel today, and next Sunday’s gospel, experience the love Jesus has for each of us in the Eucharist. Watch and listen to your savior speaking to you through a very blessed man named Jonathan Roumie

Some people have asked me about the theme of the National Eucharistic Congress. It’s a clear message I’m 100% convinced comes directly from God. Eucharistic Revival is needed now! And revival is impossible without repentance!

Sisters and brothers, we first are called to Repent!! Both as individuals and as the Church. Then, and only then will we find the healing and Eucharistic revival we so desperately need as individuals, as a nation, and as a global community of God’s children.

I will close with a beautiful quote from Saint Maximilian Kolbe. “If angels would be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason… Holy Communion. (The Eucharist).
AMEN

The Most Holy Trinity, perfect unity of Father – Son – and Holy Spirit. Indeed, a mystery. And my homily today makes no attempt at decoding the mystery! . But there is NO mystery in being obedient and responsive to the Most Holy Trinity in our lives!

In our gospel today resurrected Jesus gives four specific directives to the eleven apostles: Go and make disciples of all nations, Baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Four directives,
(1) Go! –
(2) make disciples –
(3) baptize – and
(4) teach.
They eventually did. But their obedience to these Most Holy Trinity directives – delivered by Jesus took time and effort on their part.

Just ahead of our gospel today – Matthew’s Easter morning gospel narrative mentions several Most Holy Trinity directives, starting with Most Holy Trinity directives delivered from the angel that opened the tomb of Jesus. The angel directed Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to “(1) Go quickly and (2) tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. And behold, he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him.” The angel’s directive to the two Mary’s was specific and stated with urgency. GO QUICKLY and TELL!

We know the two Marys were obedient and responsive to the Most Holy Trinity’s directives spoken through the angel because Matthew then tells us “They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy – and ran to tell his disciples. Jesus met them and (gave the next Most Holy Trinity directives to them), (1) Go and (2) tell my brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see me. Again, the Most Holy Trinity directives are to Go and Tell. Through other’s being open and responsive to the Most Holy Trinity, the Apostles are told - your time to become activated disciples of your rabbi – Jesus has arrived!

We know the two Mary’s were obedient and responsive to the Most Holy Trinity’s directives spoken through risen Jesus because in our gospel today Matthew tells us “the eleven disciples (indeed) went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them (through his directives to the two Marys’).” The eleven were obedient and responsive to the Most Holy Trinity speaking through the two Mary’s. “(And) when they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. They doubted?! Why did our gospel writer Matthew include this small but powerful statement?

We are here today worshiping. Yet to some degree – most of us here are in some ways also “worshiping doubters”! There are as many reasons for doubt as there are people here today. But the common thread of doubt often is rooted in lack of personal encounter with the Most Holy Trinity. Lack of personal encounter is typically the fruit of indifference or disobedience to the Most Holy Trinity. Unfortunately, indifference and disobedience to the Most Holy Trinity is in our human nature. The root of this indifference and disobedience being original sin and effects of on-going sin.
What does indifference and disobedience to the Most Holy Trinity look like? Some examples…
• Choosing anything else over attending Mass on Sunday’s or Holy Days of obligation.
• Choosing to dimmish the importance of the sacraments of the Church in our lives.
• Parents minimizing the need to raise and teach their children in the Catholic Faith.
• Disregarding the need for focused personal prayer time.
• And not taking the time to read scripture.

These examples of indifference and disobedience to the Most Holy Trinity are personal encounter spoilers! And yet we often wonder why we lack personal encounter with the Most Holy Trinity?!

As the month of Mary (the month of May) draws to a close, let’s look to Our Blessed Mother Mary’s obedience and response to the Most Holy Trinity. She sets beautiful examples of obedience and response for us to follow.

We first hear of Mary’s obedience and response to a proposal from the Most Holy Trinity delivered to her by the angel Gabriel. When she responded, “let it be done to me according to your word”, she allowed the Most Holy Trinity to use her for His purpose. Her obedience to the directive of the Most Holy Trinity was an expression of her desire to help God carry out His plan. Even if she didn’t yet comprehend it. Even if she had no idea where it would lead her.

Mary’s yes to the Most Holy Trinity changed the course of human history. If not for Mary’s obedient “yes” response, our salvation would not have come to fruition! Mary’s obedience and response to the Most Holy Trinity did not just transform history forever. It also transformed her from being a simple girl in the unknown little village of Nazareth, to receiving the highest honor possible on earth, being the Mother of God’s son! All because she heard the call of the Most Holy Trinity, and she obediently responded! Mary didn’t understand the Most Holy Trinity’s plan when she obediently responded. But she accepted it anyway. Her example is the very definition of faith.

The question we should ask ourselves: Are we ready and able to be obedient and responsive to directives from the Most Holy Trinity like Mary was? Are we ready to be like Mary and trust the Most Holy Trinity with our life and future!?

33 years later, Mary was the first person to publicly declare obedience and response to the emerging public Ministry of the Most Holy Trinity (through Jesus) when at the wedding in Cana she directed the wine steward “Do whatever Jesus tells you.” For over 2,000 years our gospel today has been declaring how to properly respond to the Most Holy Trinity. Do whatever the Most Holy Trinity tells you! And remember, the directives of the Most Holy Trinity often come from people or situations sent to us by the Most Holy Trinity! And some of those people and situations can be difficult! Or even at times – through angels!

Mary’s obedience to the Most Holy Trinity teaches us obeying the Most Holy Trinity requires sacrifices and sometimes very hard choices. When you sense the Most Holy Trinity has delivered you a directive, take some time to discern it. And if it feels right and good – to the best of your ability, be obedient and respond to the Most Holy Trinity! Be a seeker of the ways the Most Holy Trinity desires you to encounter the grace and love that is waiting for you
AMEN!

Click the image below for an interview on the Triduum.

Out of the four gospels, Mark is the shortest. There is an urgency in Mark’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus. He doesn’t spend any more time or words than are necessary to move the story along. When we (hear or) read Mark’s Gospel it’s good to pay careful attention to the details he includes with the few words he uses.

Who is this “to the point” gospel writer Mark? Longstanding tradition tells us that Mark the evangelist is the “John Mark” mentioned in the twelfth chapter of Acts of the Apostles. He was a companion of Paul and Barnabas. Mark is referenced many times throughout the letters of Saint Paul. The Gospel of Mark is considered by some to be St. Peter’s Gospel as tradition holds that Mark essentially served as a scribe – recording the teachings and recollections of Peter.Think of Mark’s words as being a window into the mind and heart of Peter.

In our gospel today Mark notes this encounter Jesus had with a leper. Mark was not there. Rather Mark briefly describes Peter’s eyewitness account to him when he writes. A leper came to Jesus And kneeling down begged him and said “If you wish, you can make me clean” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand Touched him And said to him “I do will it – be made clean”

Mark’s description of what Peter told him is short and to the point. And Mark uses a very important key word in recounting Peter’s eyewitness account – “pity”. Unfortunately, our English word “pity” doesn’t fully capture the emotion of the original Greek word Mark used to describe Jesus’s heart at that moment. Mark, our careful author, uses the very long and meaningful Greek word – splanchnizomai (splanhkh-nidze'-o-mahee) to convey Jesus’ feelings. The English translation of this very long and complex Greek word is “pity”. Mark would probably appreciate the brevity of the English word “pity”. But in reality, the English translation of Mark’s original word is a rather “pitiful translation” .

When Mark chose his original word to describe Jesus’ response to the leper, he was using a specific word to describe what Peter had described to him. Mark is emphasizing Jesus was “moved deep within his gut”. This wasn’t just sadness for the leper (awe…poor guy). Rather, the word Mark used reflected Jesus’ deep, intense, emotional response to the leper’s request.

We all know Jesus performed miraculous physical healings. And the people at that time could see the results and were amazed! For many – seeing these miraculous healings opened their heart to God. But what about those healings that couldn’t be seen by others? The healing of wounded souls.

Certainly, the leper in our gospel today suffered physically. But Jesus could certainly also see what no one else could see – the contrite heart of the leper. Jesus certainly had pity for the leper’s physical condition – most any decent person would! But Jesus had splanchnizomai (splanhkh-nidze'-o-mahee) for the leper’s soul.

2 We know the leper came to Jesus with great humility. He was on his knees and begging! We can conclude it was very likely he came to Jesus with a contrite heart! And the leper’s contrite heart was his gateway to Jesus healing him. When we approach the sacrament of confession with a truly contrite heart, our pride and desire for self-sufficiency become completely humbled – just as they did for the leper.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines contrition as “sorrow of the soul and detesting the sin committed with the resolution not to sin again”. Contrition is the act of putting love of God above love of self wants and desires. The Catechism also teaches that contrition is necessary for the sacramental grace of confession to flow. And the fruit of that grace comes in the form of healing – healing of the soul. And a healed and healthy soul is foundational to a healthy mind and body.

When the leper came to Jesus and begged him, “If you wish, you can make me clean”, Jesus would certainly have known the state of the leper’s soul – just as Jesus knows the state of our souls as we walk in to receive the sacrament of confession. Jesus knew there was contrition in the lepers heart. And there was also courage in the form of surrender within the leper’s heart.

For most people approaching the sacrament of confession there is also a degree of courage at play, especially when it comes to seeking forgiveness for repetitive sins. Especially when those repetitive sins have been in a “rinse and repeat” cycle for perhaps decades! Coming forward to surrender sin indeed takes courage because the surrender process – is a process that ultimately is going to lead to change! Change is hard for most people.

In the gospel today – reading between the lines of Mark’s brief recounting of the story from Peter, it’s a fair assumption the leper was surrendering his sins to the Lord when he kneeled and begged Jesus “If you wish, you can make me clean”, physically and spiritually. And what was Jesus’s emotion at that moment? Splanchnizomai (splanhkh-nidze'-o-mahee). Jesus was “moved deep within his gut”, not simply because of this man’s leprosy of body, but because of leprosy of his soul. A leprosy we all share. Original sin. And in our fallen state, our unexplainable desire toward on-going sin.

That extremely deep level of pity Jesus had for the leper comes from love. The same love Jesus has for each one of us, broken as we are…
Physical ailments
Mental ailments
Spiritual ailments

Any and all ailments presented to Jesus with a truly contrite heart are no longer ailments. Rather, they are opportunities for Jesus to heal us – by doing His will, In his way, in his time.

AMEN

Welcome to the fourth week of Advent. Are you prepared for what comes next? Christmas Eve this evening! This has certainly been a short Advent season. Actually, this year – the 4th week of Advent is just a few hours! 2023 has been the shortest Advent possible. Only 22 days – the longest is 28 days. Could anyone here use another six days to get ready for Christmas? The next “shortest” Advent will be in 2028. So you have plenty of time to prepare for that one!
In our gospel today the angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible for God.” Well, if you’re not finished with your Christmas shopping by now, I’m pretty sure you are very close to an impossible situation! Start praying for some divine assistance!

And for those of wondering – does this Mas “count” as Christmas Mass? No. Let me repeat that just a little slower – nooooooooo. This is Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent!

Advent is a season of preparations. Note I said preparations – plural. Actually, three preparations.

First, Advent is a time to recall and prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ historical first coming. We hear in our gospel today how this was put into motion when Mary heard the angel Gabrial say to her “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” And then she “sealed the deal” with her response – “May it be done to me according to your word.” At that moment – Mary freely joined her will to the will of God and the world was changed forever! Advent is our time to prepare for the celebration of the birth of our savior – joining us in our humanity, Emanuel – God with us.

Second, during Advent we also prepare for the future when Jesus returns – his second coming. Early in Advent – we heard Jesus say in the gospel of Mark “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.”

And third, during Advent, we also prepare ourselves. We prepare our souls to receive God as infant in a manger. We prepare our souls to receive Jesus at his second coming. And many people miss this next part – we prepare our souls to receive God when our time here on earth comes to its conclusion. This third preparation may not be as obvious as the first two. But all three Advent preparations are intended to have a heavenly ripple effect in our daily life – every day of the year.

This ripple is the Holy Spirit’s desire to move us beyond our current version of self – moving us in joyful and positive ways that last well beyond the Christmas season. This Holy ripple desires to move us ever closer to being activated joyful disciples of our rabbi – our teacher – our savior – Jesus Christ.

We indeed celebrate Jesus’s birth in a very special way because our savior is Emanuel – God with us. And God is with us abundantly and always! Christmas is our moment to surrender all our struggles to a little baby lying in a manger.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, born to teach us how to love – forgive – and be merciful to every person we meet – may we stand watchful and ready for the Son of God to be revealed in all his glory and abundance

One of my favorite contemporary Christmas songs was recorded by two very different men from two very different generations; a duet by Bing Crosby (74) and David Bowie (30)– way, way, way back in 1977 for Bing’s Crosby’s TV Christmas special (on CBS). Some of you know this song – yes? If not, you can watch how America saw it – Christmas 1977 – on YouTube.

Their duet starts with singing the “Little Drummer Boy” together. Then David Bowie breaks into a new song – “Peace on Earth”. Here are the lyrics of “Peace on Earth” – they are very powerful.

Peace on Earth – can it be?
Years from now, perhaps we'll see?
See the day of glory
See the day, when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on Earth – can it be?
Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can
I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He'll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on Earth – Can it be? (pause) – Can it be?

So here is the back story on the (then) new song “Peace on Earth”. The “Little Drummer Boy” – was Bing Crosby’s final song choice for his Christmas special. And when 70’s Glam Rock star David Bowie walked into the London television recording studio wearing a bright red wig, red lipstick, and full facial makeup – 40’s crooner Bing Crosby was in shock! And when Bing Crosby informed David Bowie they would be signing “The Little Drummer Boy” together, Bowie refused! He told Bing Crosby he hated that song! The producers panicked! They went to the music director for help.

In less than an hour, the music director of the show wrote the lyrics, music, and arrangement for “Peace on Earth”. This process normally could takes weeks. To be completed in an hour – most people in the music business would say – that was impossible!

While “Peace on Earth” was being written David Bowie removed the red wig and make-up. And as you will see if you watch the YouTube video, he cleaned up quite well.

That day Bing Crosby and David Bowie created one of the most iconic Christmas duets in history. It is truly beautiful! Sadly, just a few weeks later Bing Crosby passed away. He never saw his last Christmas special on TV.

Sisters and brothers, people who think and live very differently – can work together – for the greater good.

Nothing will be impossible for God. Can it be? Yes, it can! AMEN

We belong to many things. We each belong as members of our families. We each belong as members of this parish. Perhaps you belong to an organization? We each belong as citizens of our local community – our nation – and the world. And we each belong to God!

Each of these groups we belong to has certain expectations, some written, some unwritten. When Jesus refers to the coin with Ceasar’s image, Jesus is clarifying the Jewish people’s belonging to Roman rule. Jesus respects their right to govern when he says, “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar”.
In the gospel today Jesus is uncomplicating an age-old debate. Jesus is reinforcing the fact that we each belong to some forms of civic duties. And he is pairing that belonging directly with our spiritual belonging.

As human beings – we are the only creatures created by God with rational souls. And because of this we have certain responsibilities. God makes those responsibilities quite clear throughout scripture. The Church makes those responsibilities clear through her teaching and traditions. The cornerstone of the foundational teachings and traditions of the Church is this, we were each uniquely created by God – to belong to God. Did anyone here create their soul? (raise your hand if you did)

We were created by a God that loves each of us more than we can fully comprehend. And here are three proofs of this statement.

• First, as I mentioned, God created us as the only creatures on planet earth with a rational soul. We are the only things God created that can distinguish between fact and opinion, fact and fiction. We are the only things God created that can judge what is true and false and make rational decisions.
• The second proof of God’s love for humanity, God gifts each of us with free will to accept his love – or reject it.
• The third proof of God’s love for humanity, God’s love is always at the ready to forgive our rejections

To clarify this a bit further, our family dog Sophie passed away about two years ago. She was the smartest dog I ever met. She actually knew people by name. There was logic at work within her. But like all other animals other than human beings, Sophie was not capable of rational decisions.
If I were to ask St. Francis – did Sophie have a soul, he would say – absolutely! St. Francis said, “animals have the same source as himself.” Meaning – from a Franciscan spirituality perspective, all things were created by God. And St. Francis would also say each thing created by God – belongs to God in its own unique way.

The unique way of human beings? We are the only creatures created by God capable of seeking God’s forgiveness and giving the gift of forgiveness to others. When we seek God through the gift of forgiveness and pass on that gift to others, we are giving to God – what belongs to God - our heart, our love, our soul. Isn’t that what forgiveness is all about? Giving back to someone – what belongs to them in the first place! Especially when it comes to matters of the heart and love.

Jesus willingly gave back to God what belonged to God as he allowed his crucifixion and death to proceed. Jesus “sealed the deal” of our belonging to God for all eternity . Jesus gave his life – for the life of his bride – the Church. And he gifted his new bride with a dowry, a dowry of belonging. And what does that dowry of belonging look like?

As Catholics we are gifted with the seven sacraments. Seven gifts that affirm our belonging to God. Seven gifts established by Jesus for his Bride the Church. Seven gifts established for each of us. Baptism – Confirmation – Holy Communion – Confession – Marriage – Holy Orders – Anointing of the Sick
Through the seven sacraments Jesus established we confirm our belonging to God. Some sacraments are single events establishing our belonging to God.

• Baptism removes the guilt and effects of Original Sin. The newly baptized are brought into initial belonging to the Church.
• Confirmation perfects our baptism and brings us the graces of the Holy Spirit that were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. The confirmed are brough into a deeper relationship and deeper belonging with the Church.
• Marriage – intended by God as a lifelong union between a man and a woman for procreation and mutual support and establishment of God’s little domestic churches. A married man and woman are to belong to each other and to God in a unique way– creating a triple bond of belonging, husband – wife – God.
• Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles. There are three different orders (or dimensions) of belonging to God in this way. The episcopate (bishops). The priesthood and the diaconate.

• Holy Communion – the reception of Christ's Body and Blood is the source and summit of belonging that sanctifies us and helps us grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ
• Confession – also known as the Sacrament of Penance and the Sacrament of Reconciliation re-establishes our belonging to God when we have strayed from God through sin
• Anointing of the Sick – or Last Rites is administered both to the dying and to those who are gravely ill or are about to undergo a serious operation, for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength. This sacrament attests to a life of belonging to God and the desire to be with God in the life to come

A life lived belonging to the sacraments is indeed a life lived – repaying to God – what belongs to God.
AMEN

A Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!” Was her call out to Jesus a demand or an invitation?
People tend to have a certain demanding nature. We want what we want, and we want it now. Here is an example: some of us can recall the “olden days” of the internet – way back at the turn of the last century, and the spinning hourglass – waiting for something to load on to your screen. It was just the way it was back then. But as time passed, Internet consumers demanded faster networks and faster computer processing. And what do we likely say to ourselves these days if it takes more than two or three seconds to load a page on the internet? Come on! We demand a near immediate response!

Another example: over the past decade or two a growing number of people abandoned their Catholic faith – why? Some demanded music they liked. Some demanded less formality. Some demanded better preaching. Some demanded a church where they could come when they pleased without a sense of guilt for not regularly attending. And in the process, their faith journey path was adjusted to meet their demands.

Back to the Canaanite woman from our gospel today - the disciples of Jesus wanted nothing to do with her. What was behind their attitude? For centuries Canaanites were considered the enemy of Israel. They were pagan idol worshipers. They worshiped false gods. They practiced human sacrifice. They were well known for their deviant activities. That’s why the disciples told Jesus, “send her away, she keeps calling out after us.” The disciples interpreted this pagan woman calling out as unworthy and demanding.

At first Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. And when he finally did speak to her, he responded harshly when he said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

Within their short conversation I believe Jesus is checking out her intent. Is this Canaanite woman making a demand? Or is she inviting Jesus’ help through perhaps a small seed of faith? When She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters” Jesus said to her in reply “O woman, great is your faith! – Let it be done for you as you wish”, and the woman's daughter was healed from that hour!

Faith is never demanding - Faith is always inviting. When Jesus recognized her genuine faith - Anything became possible. Yes, even for this woman that lived within a culture of death and deviance from the one true God - she had faith in Jesus. Perhaps her faith was no bigger than a mustard seed. Yet the measure of faith God gives as gift – even as small as a mustard seed – can pack a mighty result!

The Catechism defines faith as “a personal free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed.” That is how the Canaanite woman approached Jesus.

Faith is a grace that brings us into a personal, loving union with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This grace enables us both to hear the Word of God and to grow God’s presence in our hearts. A personal faith says, “I believe in God.”

Through persistence the Canaanite woman gave her heart to Jesus. Maybe it was as small – like the Grinch’s heart, and at that moment it certainly grew! She began her personal relationship with the true God. God not only speaks to us through our response to his gift of faith, God also gives us the grace to respond. Faith is a free, human response to something bigger than ourselves – God!

Faith believes with conviction in a message. This message of faith is found in Scripture and Sacred Tradition and is transmitted to us through the Church. Can someone have faith without the Church? Of course, they can! Just look at the Canaanite woman from our gospel today. Even within the awful culture she lived in – God gifted her with faith. But can faith grow without the Church? Very unlikely!

How does a child develop in math skills – reading skills – other skills? The process takes investment from parents, children and education institutions. Eventually a child seeks more from math than 1+1=2. Eventually a child seeks more from reading than “see the dog run.” Eventually a child may become interested in music or athletics. Children know that developing these skills requires faith in others and education institutions to help them develop into something more. Yet when it comes to Church, the world is full of adults that as children or teens stopped seeking more! Somewhere along their journey – the gift of faith they were given at baptism went dormant. Each story is unique. Yet each story has the same potential – increased faith! Here is the beautiful thing about faith, it can be rehydrated! It can be restored – no matter the story.

If Jesus recognized the tiny bit of faith in the Canaanite woman, he sees faith in every one of us – YES?!

From tiny mustard seed – to faith that can move mountains, Jesus is fully aware of our individual situations – just as he was with the Canaanite woman. Jesus works with us where we are at! And what is the rehydration that most certainly restores and grows faith? Prayer! As we heard in our first reading - God will make us joyful in his house of prayer, and this worship space is our house of joyful prayer!

You may have heard or read about a new prayer opportunity on the horizon here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a weekly “open” prayer hour here in our worship space. Every Tuesday evening starting September 5th at 6:30pm you are invited to come as you are. Come any time during the hour. Depart at any time during the hour. Come to rehydrate – restore – and grow your faith seeds.

The prayer hour will begin with ten minutes of quiet followed by the Rosary. Then more quiet time followed by a short reflection on the upcoming Sunday gospel. The prayer hour closes with 15 minutes of quiet prayer.

Sometimes the best prayer is simply being present, simply sitting quietly and allowing the quiet and prayers of others to just wash over us – to heal us – to rehydrate and restore our faith. Maybe that is every week? Maybe on occasion? Ask God – he will let you know what you need! Fr. Dave’s follow-up article in this week’s bulletin explains more about our parish prayer hour. Please give it a read.

In closing, the beautiful thing about faith? It’s rehydrated and restored with prayer! And we all can pray!
AMEN

The message Jesus delivered to the Jewish crowds was difficult for them to hear and understand. The message I just read is difficult for many of us to hear and understand. The Eucharist has been a divisive subject since the beginning of Christ’s church. And yet the Eucharist has also been a unifying subject since the beginning of Christ’s church. How can something so dividing also be so unifying? Because human nature longs for Truth. Capital T truth. God’ Truth.

And what is the Capital-T Truth of the Eucharist? Think of the Eucharist to the Mass as the sun is to our solar system. Our sun is at the center. Every planet in our solar system orbits around the sun. At Mass, the Eucharist is at the center. All other parts of the Mass orbit around the Eucharist. And just as there is no possibility for life on earth without the power of the sun, there is no possibility of life within the Mass without the power of the Eucharist.

There was a time in human history when people didn’t believe the sun was the center of our solar system. That was the belief until just under 600 years ago – not that long ago really. At that time Nicolaus Copernicus – a Polish astronomer and mathematician proposed that Earth and other planets revolve around the sun. Copernicus shifted the well-established astronomical beliefs of several thousands of years from subjective truth – truth based on opinion or best guess, to objective (actual) truth – truth based on scientific principles. This little review helps us understand how a truth not fully understood does not change the fact of the objective (actual) truth.

For example - can anyone here explain why gravity is the universal force of attraction acting between all matter? I looked it up and I still don’t understand it – but I know it is true. Most of us believe than when we walk out the doors of church today, we are not going to float up into outer space. We have faith our feet will remain firmly on the ground. Even though we can’t explain it, we believe it – because we see something called gravity at work every day.

Very few people can scientifically explain gravity. Most people simply have complete trust and confidence in gravity. Complete trust and confidence IS the definition of faith.
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No one here can fully explain the process of how ordinary bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. The Church calls the process transubstantiation of the Eucharist. This remains one of God’s great mysteries! Because it is a mystery does that make it any less true?

There are a good number of Catholics here at Mass today that simply do not believe the true presence of Jesus (body and blood) is here with us today in the Eucharist. Mostly I suppose because they can’t explain it from a scientific perspective. And they don’t have sufficient faith in the words of scripture to simply accept what Jesus tells us in the gospel today. Many Catholics go through the motions of receiving the Eucharist simply because that’s what Catholics do.

It is within Catholic churches all over the globe where Catholic communities gather to respond to God’s invitation to join in the Eucharist and open themselves to the love of God by receiving Jesus in the Eucharist through faith.

Every celebration of the Mass is an action of Christ the High Priest offering himself through an ordained priest to his Mystical Body – which is the Church – which is each end every one of us.

Perhaps this can be best explained this way. Jesus is two natures – human and divine – yet one person. Jesus is a who – not a what! When Jesus is present in the consecrated Eucharist, he transforms two what’s - ordinary bread and wine – are the what’s, they are transformed into the who. The King of the Universe!

The word Eucharist simply means thanksgiving. And in our gospel today Jesus makes it very clear why we should be thankful when he says “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever!” If you struggle believing this, your personal subjective truth (little-t truth) does not change the objective (BIG-T) Truth that Jesus gives us in the gospel today.

In the Eucharist the whole of Christ is truly present – body, blood, soul, and divinity under the appearances of bread and wine. The glorified Christ who rose from the dead is with us – just as surely as the planets in our solar system orbit around the sun. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.

You might be saying to yourself, sounds interesting Deacon Rod – but I need scientific proof. Eucharistic miracles. The Vatican has approved 153 Eucharistic miracles since the time Christ was crucified until now. The approval process is detailed, scientific, and definitive. Some are quite recent. For example:

In Oct. 2006, a parish in Mexico held a retreat. During Mass, two priests and a religious sister were distributing communion when the religious sister looked at the celebrant with tears in her eyes. The Host that she held had begun to dispense a reddish substance. The local Bishop asked one of the scientists who researched other Eucharistic miracles and his team to conduct scientific research. After several years of study, the research concluded:

“The reddish substance analyzed corresponds to blood in which there are hemoglobin and DNA of human origin. The blood type is AB. This matches other modern day Eucharistic miracles and also matches the blood type found in the Holy Shroud of Turin.”

This presumed Eucharistic miracle is pending final approval from the Vatican, which is a very long and detailed process

How can something so dividing also be so unifying? One word - Truth (capital T truth). And that Truth is… indeed, the Eucharist is a who – not a what!

Because there is a lit candle above our tabernacle - through faith I know we are all in the presence of the King of the Universe!!

For those of us that are able, please join Fr. Dave and I as we kneel for a few moments out of respect and recognize we are indeed in the presence of the King of the Universe! He is God. We (the collective we) are not.

AMEN

We live in a very split society – even within the Church. Left vs. Right. Right vs. Left. No wiggle room. No compromise. Enemies to the end! But then how do we swallow the pill Jesus gives us today in the gospel when he says “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus would also say these days “Pray for those who persecute my Church”. And I will add – pray for those that disagree with you.

You might wonder, who is persecuting the Church in our time?I’m going to zero in on one place of many these days. A place where future Christians are being persecuted. Our state capitol! 

There was a time not so long ago when I was proud to be born – raised – and raising my family here in Minnesota. The following quote from Archbishop Hebda in the February 9th Catholic Spirit helps explains why I no longer feel that way. Archbishop Hebda said, “The PRO Act is part of the most extreme abortion legislative agenda in Minnesota history, allowing for abortion for any reason and at any time without regulation. How disturbing that a pre-born child whose heart is beating, who can feel pain, and who may even be viable outside the womb Is treated with such disdain.” Distain meaning - unworthy of consideration.

The new abortion law in Minnesota is unbelievably disgusting to me. But add on top of it - Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Williams and the other five bishops in the state of Minnesota’s handwritten letter to lawmakers opposing this pro-abortion legislation received no response from the Governor’s office. It appears the governor’s office does not feel the 22% ofMinnesota residents that are Catholic - are worthy of consideration and respect?

Every time I give any part of this mess thought, my blood pressure shoots up to unhealthy levels in an instant! Why?Because I believe abortion is fundamentally wrong. And yes – the Catholic Church believes abortion is fundamentally wrong!Abortion breaks a fundamental commandment God gave to Moses 15 centuries ago! God does not change. Societies do.

With God’s commandments slowly removed from the public square and public schools over the last 50 years, a growing number of people in our society have no idea what God’s Ten Commandments are. And a growing number of people look at God’s Ten Commandments with disdain - unworthy of consideration.

The Minnesota Senate vote on this new abortion bill – it passed by ONE VOTE! 33 State Senators voted with respect for God’s Law. 34 did not. And this, sisters and brothers is why voting in our elections is so very important! One vote DOES MATTER!

WWJD was a popular acronym some years back. WWJD – what would Jesus do about this mess we find ourselves in?

Jesus lived at a very interesting time. He lived in a region that was under the rule of the Roman Empire. Roman law and customs were imposed on God’s chosen – the Jewish people. They paid unjust and burdensome taxes to Rome. Roman pagan idol worship surrounded their daily life. Roman religion was in direct opposition to the faith and traditions of the Jewish people. And to top it all off, Herod Antipas – the governor in Jesus’s region of Judea was not supportive of his own Jewish people. Hewas all about protecting his self-interests. And for any of us that are sitting here thinking “What about separation of church and state?”, a question for you. Is the gospel of Jesus worthy of consideration in all aspects of life – or not? Or is the gospel to remain within these walls? Yes or NO?

How did Jesus respond to all the darkness pouring out from within the society he lived in? Jesus did not agree with darkness and evil, and Jesus offered no resistance to one who is evil. He loved his enemies. He prayed for those who persecuted him!

God created us with free will. Why? Because without free will – we cannot love. St. Thomas Aquinas explains the love Jesus describes in the gospel today so simply. “To love means to consistently will and choose the good of the other.” In other words – to help them love what God loves! And what does God love? The good of every single human being he created! Yes, even those that consider us unworthy of consideration. Yes, even those on the opposite side of the abortion debate. 

The darkness that is overtaking our world can’t stand the “good” within this definition of love! These dark forces are trying to spin our call to love into a justifiable reason to hate. Hate for those that disdain God. Hate for those that disdain the Church. Hate for those that disdain us!

Nowhere in the gospels or Church teaching will you find that we are to agree with those that disdain God – the Church – or itsmembers. BUT Jesus clearly states we ARE to offer no resistance to one who is evil. We are to love our enemies. We are to pray for those who persecute us.

Just as in Jesus’s time and especially throughout the nearly four centuries that followed, Christians had a rough time. They were persecuted by their governments. They were hated by their neighbors. In some cases, they were hated even by their families. Yet they persevered and changed the world!

And how did they change their world? They became true children of our heavenly father. They became activated disciples of his Son Jesus – the Christ. They came to understand and BELIEVE God makes his sun rise on the bad and the good. God causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. And that if they loved only those who love them, they would have no recompense with God. They understood where Jesus was leading them - to be perfect, just as their heavenly Father is perfect.

And if you are thinking this all sounds like a very difficult thing to do, you are right - it is! In fact, to be perfect, just as our heavenly father is perfect is impossible to do if we fail to love our enemies, and if we fail to pray for those who persecute us.

As we approach Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent this coming week, lets’ do what St. Paul inspired the people of the early Church to do in his letter to the Romans – “conquer evil with good!”

Let us pray for Governor Walz and pray for those House Representatives and State Senate members that voted for the new Minnesota abortion law. In your prayers – will the good forthem and pray they become open to the Holy Spirit in their life. And then trust God will work within your love

AMEN

The Angel of the Lord said to Joseph, “do not be afraid.” What is fear? Fear is defined as a temporary loss of perspective. Fearful loss of perspective is the most repeated response to God and his angels throughout all of scripture. Some bible scholars put the count as high as 500 times!

Fear can present itself to us in two main categories. First, that animal instinct fear we all have deep down inside us. Fear of things we see or sense that generates our human “FIGHT” or “flight” responses. And then there is spiritual fear. Fear of things beyond our physical senses.

Here is a little story about animal instinct fear I experienced as a kid – 5,6,7 years old. It was one of those “run for your life” kind of fears that I shared with my four siblings when we visited my Great Aunt's farm. Every time we pulled up the long driveway and were ready to get out of our station wagon… Oh, for those of you too young to know what a station wagon was… They were like SUVs, only way bigger inside – and with lap seat belts no one ever used. OK, back to my story… so every time we arrived - we knew her crazy rooster was lurking somewhere in the farmyard. It was one of those roosters that had crazy looking feathers on top of its head – like some kind of ceremonial head dress which only made our fear all the worse!

And when that inevitable time came to exit the station wagon our collective fears were at max alert! We became like little soldiers jumping out of an armored personnel carrier in battle! GO! GO! GO! The five of us ran for our lives trying to reach our defensive strong hold – the porch! And over time I realized I didn’t have to be the fastest, and I just didn’t want to be the slowest! That was usually our youngest brother

The Greek word for “fear” is the phobos, or phobe. My homily today could be titled “confessions of an Alek-Toro-phobe.” That’s a person that fears chickens

Now of course as I stand here telling you this story so many years later, my fear of the rooster seems a bit silly, it really wasn’t proportional to the actual danger. I don’t think that rooster ever got close enough to peck me or my siblings. He always seemed a bit overwhelmed by having too many moving targets to choose from

My rooster story is a good example of what fear can do to us. Fear often distorts reality

Spiritual fear is equally vulnerable to distorted reality! Spiritual fear often prevents us from growing closer to God. Spiritual fear can minimize our perception of God’s love and purpose for us. Spiritual fear can keep us from moving beyond our faith journey comfort zones. Spiritual fear can prevent us from giving up self-control and fully trusting God. Spiritual fear can at times be based on an unrealistic perception of God’s rath verses his love for each of us.

Healthy Fear isn’t something to be ashamed of, ignored, or condemned. Healthy fear is an emotion created by God. When have healthy fear - we slow down, we become cautious. we pay attention, and we become planful. However, unhealthy fear can cause us to “freeze in place” physically – mentally – or spiritually.

What are some examples of unhealthy spiritual fear? There is fear of sharing our faith story with others. There is fear of telling people we are a practicing Catholics. And these days there is an increasing fear of standing up for Christian moral values, even within families!

When we experience spiritual fear it’s the perfect time to pray and ask, Lord, is this healthy spiritual fear? Is my thought or lack of action - helping me or hurting me? Am I preventing myself from being the best version of myself, that version you created me to be? Is my fear an act of loving you? Or is my fear being used as tool of the enemy to keep me from growing closer to you?

Living in unhealthy spiritual fear is EXACTLY where “the fallen angel” Lucifer and his legions want us to “freeze in place” for our entire life! Frozen and bound in a place of spiritual fear that eventually evolves into spiritual indifference and spiritual laziness. Over time unhealthy spiritual fear often leads to living in a place where God’s light does not exist. A place where God’s goodness is no longer perceived. A place where distorted and destructive spiritual fear exists for all eternity. And that place is by definition - HELL

Jesus came into our world, Immanuel. God with us. God with us to rescue us from spiritual fear that binds our fallen nature to the ways of spiritual darkness and sin! Jesus came into our world as light sent from God. And what does light do to darkness? Light absolutely DESTROYS darkness! Think about what happens when you enter a very dark room and flip on the light switch?! The darkness instantaneously vanishes! Boom – darkness is destroyed! AMEN! We know this, yet our sinful human nature too often fears “turning on our spiritual light”. And sometimes that fear is bigger than our fears darkness itself.

When Joseph awoke from his dream, he could have simply shrugged it off. Rather he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him – and took his wife into his home. His spiritual light switch was firmly in the ON position!! Joseph had NO fear! There was no second guessing! Only trust and obedience! Thank you, Saint Joseph!

Are we each ready to wake from our spiritual fears this Advent and do as the Lord commands us? And how do we find out what the Lord commands us to do? This last week of Advent is a great time to simply ask the Lord! Find moments in your day where you can tune out from the busyness and cast all spiritual fears aside. Turn to the Lord’s light that joined our humanity on Christmas, a light for all the world to experience!

In closing, let us offer a prayer of intercession to St. Joseph
Saint Joseph - help rid us of our unhealthy spiritual fears as we prepare for the coming of our Lord and savior! AMEN

Self-righteous people are certain of their superiority, and they have an exaggerated sense of their importance and abilities. Living a life of self-righteousness is about as far from Jesus’ way of life as anyone can get.

It’s interesting that in our gospel today Jesus uses a story about a self-righteous man to teach the self-righteous. Jesus presents this group of self-righteous people in the gospel with an unlikely example of a righteous man. A tax collector! In Jesus’s day tax collectors were often corrupt and known as friends of the occupying Romans.

In this bold lesson Jesus is trying to grab the attention of those he is addressing. Jesus makes it obvious the tax collector doesn’t concern himself with how others will see him when confesses to God from the heart “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” The tax collector knows what people think of him. But he looks beyond how others define him. He defines himself in front of God and no one else. And he defines himself as a repentant sinner.

So how do you think other people define your relationship with God? Self-righteous? Righteous? Or simply indifferent? I have a question for each of you. How do you think others perceive you as they witness how you live and worship? Perhaps as a self-righteous “know it all” like the Pharisees? Perhaps they perceive you praying something like this; “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of my family – neighbors – and co-workers, greedy – dishonest – adulterous. I come to Mass (when I have time). I go to confession once a year (some years). I fast on Fridays during Lent (I like to go to all you can eat fish fries). I don’t have time to volunteer at church (I’m too busy). I donate a few bucks a month to the church (when I remember to do it).

Or do others perceive you as a righteous person seeking God’s mercy? Or do others perceive you as indifferent, someone they see at Mass on occasion, and someone they see living a life counter to the teaching of the gospels.

No matter your reason for being here today, let me describe where you are. You are in the most Holy place in Hastings! Let me say this again. You are in the most Holy place in Hastings! This is an awesome and undisputable Truth!! (Capital “T” truth!). There is no other place in all of Hastings like this! You are on Holy ground in a way that no other place in Hastings can be, or even tries to be. This is the only place where God comes to encounter with his people in Hastings. And he does so in the Eucharist!

People can and do experience God in many ways. In the beauty of nature – certainly! Within the awe of holding a newborn baby – absolutely! Within the peace that comes from forgiveness and reconciliation with a spouse or good friend – yes! Within the spiritual awakening that comes from reading scripture! Amen! And yes, God blesses out protestant brothers and sisters with many holy experiences.

I know some Catholics come to Mass for the experience of good music – being in community – or to hear great homilies but are indifferent to the Eucharist. They don’t give it much thought. It’s just something Catholics do.

But what we have here in this church is much more than experience with God. Here we have ENCOUNTER with God. And we encounter God on Holy Ground in a way that no other church in Hastings can because at this very altar, and only at this very altar in Hastings, God comes down to join us in our humanity through the Eucharist! The Eucharist is the living God. MUCH more than a mere symbol or remembrance!!! And here is the really incredible and beautiful thing that happens here – and only here in Hastings. We join in God’s divinity, a gift he offers each of us in the divinity of the Eucharist! There is no valid “Plan-B” that somehow magically transforms heavenly experiences into heavenly encounters other than in the Eucharist! God is present within us in the Eucharist as Jesus established at the Last Super.

And for those of you that are not disposed to receive the Eucharist, God offers you the “Eucharist of desire”. Please join your brothers and sisters coming up at communion time. Come with your arms crossed and receive a blessing. There is immense grace that comes from within desire and blessing!
Everyone who believes in the mystery and power of the Eucharist is a temple and sacred vessel of the Holy Spirit to be sent into the world, bringing the good news of this miraculous mystery of the Eucharist to others we encounter. Why does God want us to do this? A quote from Dr. Scott Hahn explains it. “The Eucharist is THE encounter with He who does not will anything but MERCY and HEALING.” Our world needs mercy and healing – yes!? God comes in the Eucharist to heal and build the family of God for every soul in Hastings – Vermillion – Hampton – New Trier – Cottage Grove – Prescott – and beyond. We all need the Eucharist. Most people just don’t know it yet!

And who’s responsibility is it to educate them and those indifferent souls sitting here with us today, that God is truly present in the Eucharist. It’s not just Fr. Dave and I !! We are each called to be disciples of Christ that help lead people to experience the miracle of the encounter. Again, in Hastings that Eucharistic encounter takes place right here and only here!

Our former Auxiliary Bishop - Andrew Cozzens, now Bishop of the Crookston Diocese Is leading a national Eucharistic Revival. Over the next three years you will be hearing more about it and you will have opportunities to take part in both parish and Archdioceses activities. Some of you may even attend the first National Eucharistic Congress in nearly 50 years that will take place in Indianapolis in 2024.

As we look around at our world these days, we don’t have to look far to be concerned about something. Actually – many something’s! Jesus knew what we would be up against in 2022! And he knew it’s going to take spiritual strength and courage to navigate the difficulties ahead. Self-righteousness won’t help. Indifference will be disastrous. But the spiritual wisdom and strength of the humble righteous that is sourced from the Eucharist, you will have the trust relationship with God that makes any and all things possible!

In closing - I offer this prayer for all of us here today and for all of Hastings and our surrounding communities

Heavenly Father - May we all soon join together at the altar of the Eucharist, to fill this house of the Last Supper with humble and righteous souls, disciples all, seeking to build the kingdom of God in this place - in our time. COME HOLY SPIRIT! AMEN

In our gospel today Jesus says, “For many I tell you will attempt to enter - but will not be strong enough”. You might be saying to yourself, I’m a good person! That’s “good enough”, right? Well, here is one of the problems with this line of thinking. Who is defining your “good enough”? You or God?
God created all things good. Our souls were created good. Even Lucifer the fallen angel was created good, and he still thinks he is good. All the fallen angels that followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God were created good, and they still think they are good. So much for self-defined “good enough”!
We often see ourselves through a very different lens than others do. It’s in our sinful human nature to give ourselves an abundance of credit for being “good enough”. A fog of self-defined “good enough” impacts our culture every day. The fog of being passive. The fog of allowing what happens in life just happen. The fog of simply accepting what others do no matter how much damage it causes. Hey, that’s on them not me!

So, what happens when that fog of self-defined “good enough” moves in and takes over an entire culture? The culture slowly begins to reject God’s grace and love. And over time the fog of “good enough” eventually disregards God.

How does our self-defined “good enough” stack up against Jesus’ model for a holy life? Jesus clearly points out in the gospel today (paraphrasing a bit) “Some who view themselves as good, will be last”.

Way back in the Old Testament God gave Moses rules and laws for God’s chosen people to help the people respect God’s loving supremacy. And within all the rules and laws documented in the Old Testament book of Leviticus God gave Moses the key to it all - six different times. Six different times God gave Moses six little simple words to give to his people. “BE HOLY, AS I AM HOLY”. Notice God doesn’t say “Be good and that’s good enough”.

There is a BIG difference between “good enough” and Holy. Being “good enough” is a self-set limit on the desire to know, love, and serve God. An example: coming to Mass only when it’s convenient. Some people convince themselves that’s “good enough”. Rather, being Holy means COMPLETE devotion to God. Some people attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. This is their #1 priority. All other activities revolve around that priority, even when they are traveling away from home. Trust me, God will never relate occasional weekend Mass participation as being Holy as God is Holy! If you consider coming to Mass on occasion “good enough”, do you actually believe you will pass through the narrow gate?

The Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen said some 60 years ago “Too many people get credit for being good, when they are only being passive. They can never make up their minds about anything”.

What Fulton Sheen is saying - They can no longer see beyond the fog of self-defined “good enough”. They no longer care to understand God’s divine will for them.

Sisters and brothers, our culture these days embraces a “good enough” fog. And it seems like there is no way to clear the air. Ah, but there is! We need to convince ourselves being “good enough” is NOT good enough! We need to become Holy enough! “Holy enough” seeks and follows God’s divine will. “Holy enough” scatters darkness! “Holy enough” changes cultures!

The Old Testament describes in detail a repetitive pattern of what we are experiencing these days. God blesses his people and their leadership and for a time they live as God directs. For a time, they strive to be Holy as God is Holy. They strive to seek God’s will. But eventually they begin to rebel against Gods divine will and live more and more as they desire. They slide from being Holy and living within God’s will, into a lifestyle of “good enough”. “Good enough” becomes the norm for their culture. They passively live in a fog of self-righteousness and self-will, eventually and inevitably sliding into evil practices. Living in total darkness. Totally separating from God’s divine will.

What would God say about our culture today? Is the Unites States striving to enter through the narrow gate? Is Minnesota sstriving to enter through the narrow gate? Is Hastings sstriving to enter through the narrow gate? Are you striving to enter through the narrow gate? Or is everything “good enough” these days?

In the gospels Jesus is very clear when he says, “Go therefore 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”. To fit through the narrow gate this is what you need to do! This probably feels a bit overwhelming, so where do you start? Go therefore and make disciples of your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors! How? By teaching them all you know about the Catholic faith. And if that is very little, then learn more! There are countless ways to do that these days. If you need some help or advice on what you can do, see Fr. Dave, myself, or Laura Stierman our Director of Evangelization
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And please - when you go out from within the walls of this church, show others what being a follower of Jesus means in your life! And through the grace of God, YOU will begin to dispel the fog of “good enough” within your circle of influence! YOU will begin to raise our culture into living Holy as God is Holy.
Sisters and brothers this is how you will enter through the narrow gate… Not by saving yourself, but by helping save others!! The more people you help enter and pass through the narrow gate in your lifetime, the wider the gate is opened for you!!

So, how do you get the courage, strength, and wisdom to move forward on your faith journey - setting “good enough” aside and becoming Holy as God is Holy? Simple - ask the Holy Spirit to help you! Let’s do that right here and now… Repeat after me – and let’s raise the roof with our voices!

Holy Spirt (Holy Spirit)
Help Me! (Help Me)
Help Others! (Help Others)
To be Holy (To be Holy)
As You are Holy (As You are Holy) AMEN!

Jesus said to his disciples: “When he comes, the Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth.” The truth Jesus is speaking to his disciples about are the truths the Holy Spirit will reveal to them over time. And that’s how our faith journeys unfold. Over time.

And just like Jesus’ disciples, if we were told everything that was going to take place in our life - It would be too much. We couldn’t bear it. By God’s design, life is a process of revelation that takes time.

If the Holy Spirit touched each of our hearts here and now and tried explaining the full mystery of the Holy Trinity - the relationship between Father – Son - And Holy Spirit, all one God - yet three distinct and separate persons, it would indeed be simply too much for our human minds to comprehend. And that’s why we often hear the Holy Trinity described as a “mystery”. But the three persons of the Holy Trinity do not hide from us. They are in plain “sight”. Within the sight of our soul.

Each person of the Holy Trinity deeply desires relationship with us. And there’s something deep within us that desires relationship with the Holy Trinity. Something draws us to Mass, the sacraments, and prayer. Gift given to us by the Holy Trinity out of pure love.

So why do Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity and teach that there is one God in three persons, Father – Son – and Holy Spirit? Because the revealed truth of the Holy Trinity is at the very root of Christ’s Church. Christ himself revealed the trinitarian truth to his first disciples – the Apostles. How do we know this with absolute certainty? Through their statement of faith known as The Apostles Creed. The word “Creed” comes from the Latin word Credo which means “I believe”. And 11 of the 12 Apostles gave their life defending their Creed.

Imagine for just a moment Jesus has long since ascended into heaven. Pentecost has taken place some years ago. The Holy Spirit has removed all fear from the Apostles. The Apostles are out changing their world - teaching what Jesus taught them. And they are facing countless questions and criticisms about what they are doing and why. As the Apostles are trying to keep it all together and teach the people with “one voice”, they needed a way to publicly demonstrate their unity by pledging what they believed. They needed a brief and clearly written statement defining their common language for defining the Christian faith. They created “The Apostles Creed”.

The Apostles Creed opens with their belief in the Holy Trinity - “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit” The apostle’s made it very clear Jesus taught and showed them - there is only One God, who is present to mankind in the mystery of three persons, Father – Son – Holy Spirit.

As the first three centuries of the Church unfolded, the “mystery” of the Holy Trinity as stated by the Apostles in their creed led some bishops and early theologians of the Church to try de-mystifying the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Ultimately those efforts chiseled away at some of the truths taught by the Apostles 300 years earlier.

In the year 325 the leader of the Roman Empire – Constantine understood the importance of the Apostle’s Creed as he proceeded through his ancient “RCIA” process to become Catholic. Constantine understood a unified understanding of the Holy Trinity was critical to the survival of the Church. To resolve this Trinitarian confusion within the early Church. Constantine called the first ecumenical council of the Church in 325 AD. This was the first gathering of ALL the bishops of the world. They gathered in a city named Nicaea near the southwest coast of the Black Sea in modern day Turkey. The Holy Spirit was with them as they created the profession of faith we use at Mass known as Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed is ancient and has preserved the faithful from a variety of theological errors and heresies for over 1,600 years. As we profess our faith after my homily with the Nicene Creed, listen for how deeply the Nicene Creed is rooted in the mystery and truth of the Holy Trinity, One God, Three persons Father – Son – Holy Spirit.

Over the past few decades’ secular society - those people with no spiritual basis to their life have viciously ramped up attacks our Catholic Church and her foundational Creeds. They promote their secular world view with its own trinitarian Creed, the Creed of “individualism”. The trinity of Me – Myself – and I. And over the past few years the most secular education now teaches our children and grandchildren there is no God. there is no truth other than self-truth and self-identification. Today more than ever in history we are each called to strengthen our resolve as Catholics and openly share that resolve within our circles of influence!

You are probably saying to yourself something like “o way I’m getting involved - too risky!” So how do you eliminate the risk factor? Simple - have daily conversations with each person of the Holy Trinity. The first person - God the Father. Simply just talk with God like Jesus did. Ask your “pappa” what he wants you to do every day. Second person - Jesus the only Son of God. Simply thank Jesus for his sacrifice on the cross. because he did that for you! And ask Jesus to open your heart for opportunities to learn more about his teaching. Third person - the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit for the courage and wisdom to do those things Gods calls you to do, especially those things that feel unconformable or risky.

We make choices many times every day – forks in the road. The Holy Trinity. Father – Son – Holy Spirit. Or, the Trinity of individualism. Me – Myself – and I. How do we gain the courage and strength to choose wisely? The same way the Apostles did. Jesus said to his disciples, “When he comes, the Spirit of truth (the third person of the Holy Trinity), he will guide you to all truth!” Indeed, our helper is the Holy Spirit! So when is the Holy Spirit coming? How about we ask him to come right now!!

Repeat after me - Come Holy Spirit! It’s that easy!    AMEN

“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” We might feel a little envious of Thomas today. He was able to see Jesus “in the flesh”. Why we don’t we get the same opportunity? Or do we? Perhaps just from a different perspective.

After the resurrection, the disciples of Jesus were sharing their stories with people just like us. People that had not experienced Jesus “in the flesh”. Yet they came to believe! And many believed to the point of giving their life as martyrs rather than denying what they heard. As Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”.

This new Christian religion grew from a few dozen followers in 30 AD to over 6 million by the time Constantine made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire in 313 AD. Then to more than 30 million over the next 50 years! The Bible stories these early Christians heard over those first 350 years were far from “fresh”. To put 350 years in perspective, it’s like us hearing about the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock. Interesting story but probably not life changing. Did millions of people become Christians just because of some good stories?! No! There was more to God’s plan!

Our Catholic religion is not purely a Bible church like some of our protestant friends. Some base their religion solely on what they read in the Bible. That’s known as “Sola scriptura”, Latin for “by scripture alone”. Meaning some protestant denominations believe the Bible is the sole infallible source of Authority for Christian faith and practice.

The Catholic Church certainly agrees with mainstream protestant denominations that Scripture is a “standard of truth”. But not THE only Truth (capital T). As Catholics also have the binding authority of:
• Authentic Apostolic succession
• Dogmas
• Doctrines
• And Sacred Traditions of the Church

The earliest Christians had no written New Testament. By scripture alone?! Doesn’t work! There was no New Testament. They were living it - Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, etc. Scripture as we know it wasn’t complete until the early fifth century and that came about through several hundred years of Church councils - Catholic bishops and popes affirming over time what we know as scripture today.

When Jesus says in our gospel “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” what he is saying also saying is - blessed are those who trust in the authority, wisdom, and teachings of My Church!

Thomas said “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” When Thomas saw and touched the resurrected Jesus, yes, he believed! And then responds to Jesus “My Lord and my God!” Thomas is the first person to acknowledge the divinity of resurrected Jesus!

As Catholics we too can touch the nail marks (so to speak) of the resurrected Jesus and believe! And we do so through his Bride – the Church. There we will find the nail marks Jesus offers for our examination to help us believe:
• Church Dogmas
• Doctrines
• And Sacred Tradition

First nail mark - Catholic Dogmas, divinely revealed Truths. Did you know there about 250 infallibly declared dogmas of the Catholic Church? Many protestants as well as a good number of Catholics get all worked up when they hear the words “infallibly declared dogma”. A couple of quick examples of Catholic infallibly declared dogma:
• God is eternal
• God’s knowledge is infinite
o And the last two infallibly declared dogmas a and check the dates on these
▪ Mary’s Immaculate Conception declared by Blessed Pius the 9th in 1854
▪ And the Assumption of Mary declared by Pope Pius the 12th in 1950 - 72 years ago!

There have been no additional infallibly declared dogmas of the Catholic Church made by our current pope and his five predecessors! I bring this up to demonstrate the stability of Catholic Dogmas. Indeed, dogmas are nail marks we are encouraged to examine! Google them!

Second nail mark - Catholic doctrine, all Church teaching in matters of faith and morals.

Third nail mark - Catholic Sacred Tradition, the active work of the Holy Spirit. Sacred Tradition is the life of the Church, those things outside of scripture that we believe as Catholics.

This Sunday is a great example of Scared Tradition, Divine Mercy Sunday. Nothing in scripture about this! Rather, in a series of writings from an uneducated Polish nun in the 1930’s who became known as St. Faustina. In obedience to her spiritual director, she wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording revelations she received about God's mercy from Jesus. In her revelations our Lord called for a special feast day to be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. Today is that feast day. Divine Mercy Sunday was named by Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000, not as infallible dogma, or new Church doctrine. Rather as Sacred Tradition. Why?

The Lord expressed His desire for this feast in His very first revelation to St. Faustina. He told her “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.

Our God is indeed a God of Mercy! God absolutely understands human pain and suffering, through the human pain and suffering Jesus experienced on the cross. Our God heals suffering through mercy, Divine Mercy. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Holy Spirit guide us on our path to seeking your Divine Mercy and believing. Jesus, I Trust in You!
AMEN

Our gospel message today Is perhaps the most challenging of all. It seems our sinful human nature leads too often us to the exact opposites of what Jesus teaches.

• Love your enemies
• Do good to those who hate you
• Bless those who curse you
• Pray for those who mistreat you

It seems there is an uncontrollable force within us that says… “Nah! It’s so much easier, and sometimes more fun to blame “them” for all their problems”. Take a look around. Hey, we’re all here today! Where are “they”? Those people are supposed to be here too!

Oh yah – I forgot…

• Stop judging and you will not be judged
• Stop condemning and you will not be condemned
• Forgive and you will be forgiven

What Jesus teaches us today MUST be just WAY TOO HARD! Because many of us try and try, and it seems nothing really changes in our heart. Yet I know there are some here today truly wanting to change how they have been responding to challenging people. And something in the gospel just sparked that voice in your head again! “Yes - it’s time to change!” And you said to yourself “But it seems ‘I’ fail every time ‘I’ try and change” Note the word “I”. “I” is typically a head thought vs. a heart thought. Jesus has a response to your “I”. “Apart from me you can do nothing!!!”

The Good News… Jesus sent an advocate to help us change. An advocate is someone who comes alongside us. The Greek word for advocate is Paraclete (you all know that word!). That Greek word Paraclete is the Holy Spirit! And In John’s gospel he uses the word “Counselor” to describe the Holy Spirit.

I recently watched a Billy Graham sermon from 1983. Billy Graham said “It’s impossible to understand the Bible - Christian living, or the structure of the Church - without understanding something of the person and the work of the Holy Spirit”

He also said “Scripture teaches (The Holy Spirit) is a person, not an agent or mere influence. He’s GOD! The Holy Spirit is not some thing. he is someone! The work of the Holy Spirit is to make you ALIVE!”

Amen Reverend Graham!

Well then Alive to do what? To receive and grow in the fruits of the Holy Spirit! In St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he reveals nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• And Self-control

The Holy Spirit wants to come along side each of us. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us how to tap into these fruits. The Holy Spirit rejoices in Christ teaching and wants to nurture these nine fruits within each of us! The Holy Spirit is absolutely overjoyed to with walk alongside you on our faith journey.

The Holy Spirit wants to teach us to pray. To pray for those who mistreat us or a member of our family! To pray for those who steal from us. Perhaps there are people in your life that stole your reputation by making false statements? The Holy Spirit wants to teach us to pray for the good of people that think differently than we do. What a gift the Holy Spirit wants to give us!! The gift of desire to pray. To pray for those who seem incapable or unwilling to love us back. To pray for those we perceive as impossible to forgive.

The Holy Spirit wants to open doors and create opportunities for us. How can we learn to offer our other cheek if we are never struck? How can we learn to love our enemies If we never have an enemy? How can we learn to forgive If nothing is ever taken from us?

Yes, Luke’s gospel today is difficult! In fact, everything in Luke’s gospel today is impossible on your own.

So how do you invite your Advocate, the Holy Spirt into your life? Four suggestions for success:

• Repent of your sins – ALL of them!
• Ask the Holy Spirit for the spiritual strength and fortitude to have a good and complete confession – and soon!
• By faith receive Jesus in the Eucharist as often as possible.
• Your savior came to rescue you.
• His altar is your “eternal” lifeboat.
• Obey the teaching of Jesus in all things.
• Refrain from “cafeteria Catholicism” – picking and choosing what “feels” best for you.
• Fully embrace the wisdom of Christ’s bride – the Church. Allow Jesus to be your Master.
• Set aside self wants and desires.
• Die to self and rise with Christ into a joy filled new life

Are you ready to be truly ALIVE in the Holy Spirit?! Focus on these four things and the Holy Spirit will open new doors for you, and close others. At first you may not understand the changes. Trust me, some of the changes will hurt at first! But over time the Holy Spirit will reveal why the changes were needed, and you will be grateful for them.

The Holy Spirit is waiting for you - here and now. Let’s open this door together by praying three simple words together. Repeat after me - Come Holy Spirit! Come Holy Spirit! Come Holy Spirit! AMEN!

Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete (gow-day-tay) Sunday - also known as Rejoice or Joy Sunday. Today Father Dave’s vestment is rose, and the rose advent wreath candle has been lit! The Third Sunday of Advent is indeed a time of joyful expectation. Christmas is coming!

n the gospel today The crowds asked John the Baptist “What should we do?” The tax collectors asked John the Baptist “What should we do?” The soldiers asked John the Baptist “What should we do?” As we now find ourselves in this third Sunday of Advent, are you asking yourself the same question? What should I do? Or maybe the better question is, what should I stop doing to make time for Jesus in my life this Advent?

As we prepare celebrate Jesus entering our world, we remember that Jesus joined us in our humanity! He came to teach us - by being like us - in everything but sin. Emmanuel means “God with us”. God came to us within the Son to teach us how to be like him. Yet how many times in any given day do we put ourselves above God?

Society screams at us! You can do it on your own! Reliance on others shows weakness! Figure out what is best for you! Survival of the fittest! Our society has become spiritually blind, leading people ever deeper into the darkness of individualism. When will our society tire of their spiritual blindness? I don’t believe that can happen until Christian’s tire of playing both sides of the fence! Why would society change if they see most Christians bouncing back and forth over the fence and doing many of the same things they do!

How many Christians get sucked into our society’s consumer-based concept of Christmas that starts earlier and earlier every year? Some retailers start putting out Christmas items in October. Some radio stations start playing non-stop Christmas music in early November. And how does this early and elongated “Christmas Season” impact us? For many people The early start dilutes and distracts us from the true meaning of Christmas.

In two short weeks we welcome the Light of the Universe into our world. Jesus intentionally joined us to experience “humanity” just like we do - Birth Life Death And within his human experiences Jesus revealed to the world his true purpose. Resurrection!

In reality, baby Jesus came bearing a gift for each of us. The gift of Hope. The gift of forgiveness of our sins. And the gift of life beyond death. Jesus’s gift provides each of us opportunity. Opportunity to share in what God always intended for us. Everlasting joy. Everlasting happiness. Everlasting peace.

Advent is indeed a season of expectation. On this third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (gow-day-tay) Sunday, indeed, let us rejoice! In just 14 days we encounter “The REAL reason for the season”.

We know the celebration of Christmas, The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But the liturgical season of Christmas is not just Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! The liturgical season of Christmas continues well beyond Christmas Day.

First there is the Octave of Christmas. Eight days where the liturgy of the Church “stands still” in time, repeating the solemness of Christmas for eight days.

Then there is the Twelve Days of Christmas, made famous by a song from the 16th century. The song reminds us there is an extended time of Christmas celebration between Christmas Day and Epiphany, where the Church recognizes the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world, and where the Church recalls the Three Kings coming to Jesus to offering their gifts.

Some of you asked me last year why the Christmas decorations stayed up after Epiphany. Most people these days aren’t even aware, there is additional Christmas tradition known as the Forty Day of Christmas which takes us up to the most ancient of all Feasts in the Church, so ancient in fact it may well have started with the first-generation Christians! It’s recalling The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. It’s the time when Mary, 40 days after giving birth to Jesus would have gone to the Temple for ritual purification. It’s also the day when the presentation of the Lord at the Temple is celebrated, recalling when Simeon recognizes Jesus as the Light of the world. Then our worship space Christmas decoration come down!

You can see how society has Christmas flipped - or front end loaded so to speak. When in reality the Church’s celebration of Christmas is not a “one day and done” holiday. There is great RICHNESS that follows Christmas Day. I encourage you to give the Church’s calendar consideration this Christmas, and be filled with expectation for the rich traditions of your Church. Be filled with EXPECTATION beyond December 25th this year!

This morning I’m going to begin with a confession of sorts, call it confessions of a “convert”. I have been Catholic for a long time now, coming up on 40 years in December. And like many relationships. my relationship with the Church was NOT love at first sight! But I was the guy that Jesus speaks of when he says, “whoever is not against us is for us”. And that was my Catholic faith “footing” for the first decade I was Catholic. For many years I was a cafeteria Catholic, picking and choosing what I liked or agreed with, setting the rest aside. Not that I disagreed with the Church, looking back It was more so I just didn’t understand it.

As Moses said to Joshua in our first reading “Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!”, the Spirit of understanding. And through the grace of God, and my heart being more and more open to God’s grace, over time I came to love our Roman Catholic Dogmas, Doctrines, and traditions. And that is the power Jesus speaks of today. The power of not being “against” the Church enabled even this smoldering little amber of faith, into a burning flame in the hands of the Holy Spirit.

We each experience our own faith journeys, but we all share some common paths. We each have our detours, delays, joys, sorrows. Revelations, encounters with the Holy Spirit, spiritual dry periods, and encouragements from good people along the way. Each day is an opportunity to walk with God on our journey and receive God’s grace, or an opportunity to walk away from God and be drawn deeper into sin. In the gospel today Jesus tells us;
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off
If your foot causes you to sin, cut if off
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out
Thanks be to God Jesus does not literally want us to do these things! Rather Jesus wants us to know how sin significantly throws us off the opportunity path God has planned for each of us. A path of sheer goodness. When we become ensnared within the slavery of sin Jesus wants to lift us up on his shoulders and gently bring us back into his sheep fold of freedom and peace. Yet how many times we jump back over the fence and go it alone. Off we go again on a self-guided “walkabout”. Many times headed right back to that sinful place Jesus rescued us from. And that’s how powerful original sin is. Sometimes we just can’t resist it. Sometimes we just like it!

We live in a time with perhaps more sin attractions than ever before. And many of them are technology related in some way. Perhaps rather innocent looking at first, what harm could there be in a “smartphone”? Can’t be that bad, nearly everyone on the planet has one! But these things often become a bottomless pit that leads to sin very quickly.

Let’s look at what we are facing these days. Email, a massive time consumer for many people, especially work email. And it seems everyone at work has to “CC” (carbon copy) everyone, which just makes the problem worse. If you work in a culture where CC’s over run your time every day, try praying to the Patron Saint of reducing email carbon copies . That would be Saint Francis of a CC (Assisi.) 

And then, there is Texting. I don’t even know where to start with that bottomless pit! But I absolutely do know this, God did not create us to communicate with our thumbs and for me - fingers! Enough said!

Another pit of technology darkness can be misuse and over-use of social media. Social media can too often become self-indulgence, self-promotion. look at me! And then if I don’t get a bunch of “likes”, Ahhh, my day is ruined!! Sure its fine to send a few photos to friends and family, post about special occasions - family milestones, vacations, etc. I even post a little One Minute Homily on weekdays. But some people can’t resist spending hours every day on social media.

The last and deepest-darkest technology pit I’m going to discuss this morning Is how these little devices have easy access to is internet pornography. The Devil loves that almost every male on the planet now has easy fingertip access to the self-destruction of pornography. Not only self-destruction, but also one of the primary marriage destroyers over the past 25 year or so. And rest assured, the Devil jumps for joy when he sees a young boy discover the porno trap!

And all this technology “stuff” is with us 24x7. It follows and finds us wherever we are! But here’s maybe the biggest problem of all. All these examples are sucking up people’s time, time God gives us to do know him. And these technologies are slowly killing off the art of face-to-face human interaction and communication - where we encounter God in others!

So let’s put Jesus words from the gospel in today’s terms. If your hands take you to private and isolated places where the desire of your eyes causes you to use technology to go places you know you should not go, ask our Blessed Mother to help you. Pray a “Hail Mary” every time you are tempted! Every time! She will help you. If your fingers and thumbs are distracting you from the people and things that are truly important in your life, walk away from these sources of distraction at certain times each day. Put your device in “timeout”.

Jesus is saying something very definitive in the gospel today. We are called to know the heart of God our Father. And in our times, the Devil has a full and tight grip on distractions. He freely uses technology as a distraction, a distraction to lead us away from God - often into a place of sin. Because sin distracts us from knowing the heart of God.

To modernize what Jesus says today - whoever AND WHATEVER causes one who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him, or better for this very expensive little technology device - if a great millstone were put around his neck, or a rock was duct tapped around your smart phone, tablet, PC, or laptop If technology causes you to sin. Symbolically throw it into the Mississippi River! AMEN!

Click here for the Gospel reading.

So what does this large crowd following Jesus really look like? About five thousand men. Well, I’m sure many were married and brought their wives and children. So this crowd in total is more like 10-15 thousand people! Imagine over half the people in Hastings gathered in a tight group so they can see and hear Jesus. As Jesus and his disciples are sitting down on the hillside to rest, his disciples must be thinking “How are we going to manage crowd control this time!?” Then Jesus said to Philip “where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” I can picture Jesus giving Phillip a little smile when he answers, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little”. Perhaps Jesus gave Andrew a quick glace and there was a moment of uncomfortable silence. So Andrew feels compelled to say…something/ You know that feeling. And Andrew fills the silence in that moment and says “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what good are these for so many? Jesus calmy and confidently knows, hey I got this! And he gives instructions to the disciples, have the people recline.

The disciples have no idea what to do next. But they certainly must be full of anticipation. This is not Jesus’ disciples first gig with a crowd of people. But this is a huge crowd! The disciples are seeing this situation from their human perspective. They are seeing an overwhelming situation unfolding and are seeking worldly solutions. Phillip knows how fruitless it would be for them to “throw money” at the problem, because they simply don’t have that kind of money. And even if they did, where could they buy enough food to feed so many people? There aren’t and fast-food options at the base of the mountain!

So from a logical human perspective, this entire situation seems absurd! But Jesus is about to show everyone he has options way beyond logical human perspectives. His options include miracles. Extraordinary and astonishing solutions - directed by the actions of God himself, through his Son.
Our human nature longs for miracles. We live in an age hungry for extraordinary events. Hollywood knows this. Movie producers know that tapping into that hunger from deep within our hearts “sells tickets”. People want to see and experience miracles, weather that be a “Miracle on Ice”, or “A Miracle on 34th Street”, or hundreds of other “miracle” themed movies. Why? Because there is only one explanation for a miracle. And miracles validate that one thing many people deeply hope for. That indeed God is real !!

I have experienced and witnessed miracles in my life. I am sure many of you have firsthand experience with miracles too. And what do we do with those miraculous experiences? We bring them to the surface of our hearts every once and a while and remind ourselves, wow! God is real. But then we are soon back into our daily routines.

Wouldn’t it be awesome to experience a miracle once a week? How about every single day?! In just a few minutes we will witness and receive a miracle. A miracle that happens in this very place each and every day. A miracle Jesus gave to his apostles as a perpetual provision for our lifelong journey toward Heaven. This miracle has been taking place every day for 2,000 years. And this miracle is constantly and perpetually taking place around the globe
24 hours a day
7 days a week
365 days a year

And people ask, why has God abandoned us?! Oh, he has not abandoned us! The better question is, why has our society abandoned God?

In a 2019 Pew Research poll seven out of ten Catholics believe the bread and wine are mere symbols of the body and blood of Jesus. 70% !!! Why have 70% of Catholics abandoned one of the most foundational teachings of the Church? Why do only 3 out of 10 Catholics these days believe through the miracle of transubstantiation: ordinary bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus - while the appearances of bread and wine remain?

At the last supper Jesus gave his Apostles very specific instructions:
This IS MY BODY
This IS MY BLOOD
Jesus said DO THIS. Jesus didn’t say remember this as a SYMBOL - like an old worn-out picture. Jesus gave us the sacrament of the Eucharist as his actual body and blood. Spiritual food for our life-long journey on earth - weather you choose to believe this or not, it remains TRUE.

And this also remains true. Our life journey will have an unpredictable and unavoidable end. At the end of our journey, for those who lived life lukewarm to Jesus’ love and teaching - picking and choosing Church teaching as they see fit, they will experience “purgation”, a cleansing of the soul that leads to perfection prior to entering heaven. In the state of purgation, the soul knows it is not in Hell and it is not yet in Heaven…and it knows why!

One way to explain this, its kind of like going on your “bucket list” trip, that trip you have been waiting your entire life for. You get to the boarding gate at the airport, and you see “DELAYED” pop up on the flight schedule screen! Something is holding you back from departing for that wonderful destination you have been planning to experience. And no matter how upset you get about the delay; you can’t make the delay go away. But you can choose to cooperate with it.Trust me, there are NO souls lukewarm for God’s love in heaven, because then heaven would no longer be heaven!

Yet so many people reject Jesus’s love that he offers each day in the Eucharist. Jesus’ gives us God’s love through the miracles of the sacraments. the sacraments Jesus entrusts to the Church for our benefit. That’s how Jesus wants to prepare us for a direct flight to heaven with no delays!

What would it have been like to witness the miracle of loaves and fishes, to be fed by Jesus himself?
Well, you are about to witness the miracle of the Eucharist. You are about to be fed by Jesus himself!
And for those who struggle believing this… pray for the grace to believe!

Click here for the Gospel reading.

In our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about the “big event”. A noise like a strong driving wind! Tongues of fire! Speaking in different tongues! Proclaiming the mighty acts of God!

But this isn’t the first time the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit appears in scripture. The Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Old Testament just under 100 times! And the Holy Spirit is mentioned number of times in the Gospels prior to Pentecost also.

In our gospel today John notes. it is “that day”. It’s evening of the day we know as Easter Sunday when the resurrected Jesus stands in their midst for the first time. The first thing Jesus says to those hiding disciples locked in a room “Peace be with you”. And notice he says it twice “Peace be with you”. Why does Jesus emphasize peace? Because his disciples are very afraid. They fear for their lives.

I am sure they are thinking about their last three years. How Jesus taught them so much. How they witnessed so many miracles - many more than what we read in the gospels. Yet they were so racked with fear because of what they witnessed over the past 2-3 days. They must be thinking to themselves. how could so much, go so wrong, so quickly?

Have you ever experienced something going so wrong, so quickly? Perhaps a sudden and unexpected job loss. Perhaps the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one. Perhaps an unexpected diagnosis. You ask yourself - how could so much, go so wrong, so quickly?

We know these examples could go on and on. My point is, most of us have experienced the same kind of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety the disciples of Jesus were experiencing “that” evening - before Jesus appeared in the locked room with them. Many of us have faced situations we had absolutely zero control over.

In in my mind’s eye when I look within the walls of that locked room, I see the eleven plus other followers of Jesus - intensely experiencing human emotions we all experience when we have no control over a situation. And what does Jesus immediately bring into that locked room? His peace. And then within these first moments on “that” evening the resurrected Jesus Breathed on them and said to them Receive the Holy Spirit.

You may be thinking, how does this encounter the disciples had with the resurrected Jesus over 2,000 years ago affect me? If you are a baptized and confirmed Catholic, you have received that same breath of the Holy Spirit - at your baptism and at your confirmation.

Think back to the day you received the sacrament of confirmation. You stood before a bishop or priest And they said “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”. You responded “Amen”. And then the bishop or priest said “Peace be with you”. And much like the disciples did not fully understand what receiving the Holy Spirit “that day” truly meant, many confirmed Catholics don’t fully understand the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit they were given “that” day. The gifts of Wisdom, Understanding. Counsel, Fortitude. Knowledge. Piety. and fear (respect) of the Lord.

For many - their gifts from the Holy Spirt remain a dormant seed to this day. But - the beauty of a dormant seed - It’s still alive! And very capable of producing fruit, if it is nurtured properly. A dormant seed is an opportunity waiting to happen.

And St Paul tells us what kind of fruit is produced from an actively growing Holy Spirit seed – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, And Self Control. To live a life with this Holy Spirit fruit at the table each and every day - WOW!

Just like the disciples received a “mega dose” of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and their dormant spiritual seeds began to flower, grow and spread, Jesus calls each one of us to the same growth through the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, And Confirmation. Our Holy Spirit seed is fed and nurtured by the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, each time we receive him.

And where does the Holy Spirit desire to guide each baptized and confirmed person? To live as Jesus taught – and become his disciple. Disciples that encourage and help develop other disciples!

Today as we recall the Holy Spirit coming into the hearts of the disciples, pray for the Holy Spirit to nurture the Holy Spirit seed you received at confirmation, no matter how long ago that was. Ask the Holy Spirt to show you your path to God’s purpose for your life. And tomorrow ask the Holy Spirt to show you your path to God’s purpose for your life. And the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Trust me, the Holy Spirit will respond to your request and nurture your Holy Spirit seed - because the Holy Spirit desires each of us to experience Christ’s peace.

Let us open our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit Pentecost 2021 by invoking the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, come!
AMEN