Archive for January, 2026

The Light of Christ

January 24, 2026

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Easter Vigil is the greatest Mass in the Church year. Not only is it the first celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, that night we typically also welcome new folks into Christ’s Catholic Church. If you have never attended an Easter Vigil, I eagerly invite you to experience its beauty at least once. My favorite liturgical moment in the entire year is probably the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

The Easter Candle is blessed and lit from the blessed Easter Fire outside and then carried into the darkened church. The deacon holds that candle in the doorway and chants “The Light of Christ.” The people reply, “Thanks be to God,” and then the priest lights his small candle from the Easter Candle. The procession continues to the center of the church and the proclamation is chanted again (“The Light of Christ” … “Thanks be to God”) then the altar servers light their candles with the Easter Candle’s light. Those servers then light the candles of the congregants, who then light the candles of their neighbors, and so on, until everyone’s candles are lit. The proclamation is chanted for a third time, before the altar, the people respond, and then the Easter Candle is placed in its holder beside the ambo and all the lights in the church are turned on. That night begins in darkness. But then the light of Christ, the light of our Faith, enters in. Our light comes from his light, and we help one another’s candles to be lit.

In today’s first reading, we hear Isaiah foretell a prophesy about the region of Galilee in Northern Israel: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing….” Today’s Gospel affirms that Jesus fulfills that prophesy: “When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea… that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. …And from that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’” Next we see Jesus calling others to follow him. He invites the fishermen Simon and Andrew, James, and John, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They were called to remain close to Jesus, to learn from him, love him, and serve him, and to draw others to Christ and help those people remain in Christ. That is our calling too. To be lit by his light and help in lighting others.

How can you remain close and aflame with Christ? First, Jesus gives us his Sacraments. Faithfully, consistently, commune with him through his Holy Eucharist. And reconcile with him (as needed) through his Sacrament of Penance. Next, learn from Jesus. Listen to him speak through his Inspired Scriptures, the Bible. Listen to him speak through his Holy Church, particularly in the Catechism and (in another sense) through the writings of his saints. Also, spend time with Jesus in prayer. Pray with others (your spouse, your kids, your friends) but also pray alone, here at church and at home, not only speaking but also devoting time to let him speak. And unite with Jesus through Christian service, not only for your household but for our spiritual family, the Church. In these and other ways, you can stay brightly lit by Jesus Christ’s light and help to share his precious light with others.

Posted in Homily, Jesus Christ, Mass, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Momentous Memories

January 18, 2026

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

In this Sunday’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist remembers the experience that revealed Jesus Christ to him. John declares, “The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ … The reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John recounts how after baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. … Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

John the Baptist was Jesus’ relative and their parents (at least Mary, Elizabeth and Zachariah) had known each other. And in last Sunday’s Gospel reading, John at first refused to baptize Jesus, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Yet John remarks twice in today’s Gospel, “I did not know him.” In what sense did John not know Jesus? Perhaps, since they had lived separate lives for many years, John did not recognize him about whom his parents had presumably spoken until Jesus introduced himself. Or perhaps, as St. Augustine suggests, John knew certain things about Jesus but not others—specifically, that Jesus was the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, whom it was John’s mission to reveal.

The other three Gospel accounts of Jesus’ baptism likewise note the Holy Spirit’s descent in the likeness of a dove, but they also mention how the voice of God the Father was heard speaking from heaven while John does not. Mark and Luke record those words from heaven as “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” while Matthew records the words slightly differently: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Maybe these are just equivalent expressions, since either statement implies the other. Or, maybe Jesus heard the proclamation one way while those nearby heard it differently, like later at Pentecost when those in the crowd heard a simultaneous proclamation in different languages.

But why doesn’t John’s Gospel include the voice of God the Father speaking at Jesus’ baptism? Maybe the author reasoned that that detail was already sufficiently established by each of the earlier Gospels. (For instance, John’s Gospel does not include Jesus saying “this is my Body” at the Last Supper like Matthew, Mark, and Luke; but John does share the Bread of Life Discourse, in which Jesus says the Bread he will give for us to eat is really his flesh.) Or maybe the author of John’s Gospel did not want to invite any misunderstanding about when God the Father spoke the Eternal Word, his Son. The Sonship of Jesus did not begin on the day of his baptism (as some “adoptionist” heresies claimed); he is eternally begotten.

Yet however much John knew before Jesus’ baptism or whatever words he heard from heaven, after beholding the Holy Spirit come down and land upon Jesus, John the Baptism knew that Jesus Christ was the one whom he was sent to proclaim and make known. That core experience of St. John the Baptist was a powerful support for him in times of hardship thereafter. When he sat in Herod’s dungeon and faced a martyr’s death, remembering what he himself had seen and learned strengthened him through his trials. The same can be said of St. Paul the Apostle. His encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus changed the course of his life forever. Even as Paul suffered emotional burdens and physical deprivations, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments, he could return to that momentous memory and be renewed to joyfully endure in his God-entrusted mission.

What have been your core experiences of the Lord our God? How has he reveal to you his goodness, love, and power? Those personal experiences remain real and true and they’re memories for you to revisit for your inspiration, consolation, and strength—and you should. If you cannot recall any such occasions in your life, I invite you to pray to Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist, and St. Paul the Apostle to be gifted these precious and powerful experiences, for whoever asks receives; and whoever seeks, finds; and for whomever knocks, the door will be opened.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist, St. Paul, Sunday Homilies, Supernatural Phenomena | Leave a Comment »

A River of Life

January 12, 2026

Baptism of the Lord
By Fr. Victor Feltes

When you think of the Jordan River, you maybe imagine a broad and impressive body of water, but you could toss a rock from one bank of the Jordan River to the other. Yet, unlike the many streams and rivers flowing through our green countryside, the Jordan River is one of very few which pass through that mostly arid land. This is the body of water Jesus chose for his baptism; a humble river of life flowing through a desert. Joshua had led God’s Old Covenant people into the earthly Promised Land through this river. Jesus, the new Joshua, leads God’s New Covenant people into the true Promised Land through his holy baptism.

Jesus did not need John’s baptism for himself. John the Baptist perceived this too and tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” But Jesus insisted, so John relented, “to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus is baptized not to be made holy by the water but to make the water holy, so that this most plentiful substance upon the face of the earth could be used in Christ’s gateway sacrament all throughout the world. Jesus was baptized to allow us to be united to him through baptism.

The water, the decent of the Spirit, and the voice of the Father all reflect effects of Christian baptism. Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan reflects what occurred for you and me when we were baptized. Through baptism, our souls were cleansed, the grace of the Holy Spirit was imparted to us, and we were acknowledged as a beloved children of God. Perhaps we take these things for granted: that sins can be forgiven, that the divine can dwell within us, that we can be more than mere slaves to the transcendent God of the universe, that we can be treasured sons and daughters of God. We must remember and appreciate these things, for things that go unappreciated can be neglected to our loss.

The Jordan River flows about 150 miles on the eastern border of Israel, south from the Sea of Galilee down into the Dead Sea. These bodies of water present a spiritual allegory. They symbolize a spiritual reality. The Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake full of life. Its water pours out into the Jordan River, and this river flows through the desert to bless its shores with life. But these waters ultimately descent 700 vertical feet down into the Dead Sea, to the lowest place on earth, where it has no place else to go. So there the water sits, evaporating away in the heat, leaving behind trace amounts of salt, which overtime causes the Dead Sea be extremely salty, permitting no plants, fish, or other visible life to live. The pure waters from above, received through the holy stream, bear no life in that recipient. Likewise, the sacraments offer grace from above, through a stream of living water, but in the unrepentant soul they bear no life.

If you are in grave sin, for God’s sake, for your sake, and the sake of those around you, repent and be reconciled to God through his Sacrament of Confession. On Saturday, I had the pleasure of celebrating the first Confessions of our second graders. They were a bit nervous beforehand, but afterwards when I asked them how they felt they answered: ‘Good! Great! Awesome!’ Besides the joy of a cleansed soul and conscience, something that Confession gives is a new beginning, the strength and focus to begin anew. Jesus desires for his graces to flow through you as a fruitful blessing in this spiritually-arid world.

The words of Isaiah in our first reading point to Christ, and you are in Christ because of your baptism. So Isaiah’s inspired words are spoken of every soul in a state of grace: Thus says the Lord: “You are my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you… a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement [and darkness.]”

You might not be called to cry out or shout, making your voice heard in the streets, breaking this and crushing that. But Jesus wants to use you as his powerful instrument to work transforming good in this world. The Lord is still quietly saving souls through his faithful ones, who receive his graces and pour them forth. Cooperate with him for this; for him, for yourself, and for the good of many.

Posted in Baptism of Jesus, Christian Perfection, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies, Typology | Leave a Comment »

The Embarrassments of the Magi

January 3, 2026

Feast of the Epiphany
By Fr. Victor Feltes

How often do you feel awkward or embarrassed? I think the Magi felt that way repeatedly in today’s Gospel story.

Who were the Magi? Ancient civilizations east of Israel (such as the Persians and Babylonians) bestowed upon their men of learning the title “Magus.” The Magi we commemorate this day (traditionally identified as Saints Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) apparently studied the heavens—a useful skill for tracking the rainy seasons and deciding when to plant and harvest. The visionary Jewish Prophet Daniel, six centuries before Christ, had served as a wise man in Babylon. Perhaps he left behind instructions about the star to watch for as the signal of the Messiah’s birth.

Some speculate the Star of Bethlehem was a comet, others say it was a supernova, but given the clues in the text and in history the best explanation suggests it was a planet seen in some unique position relative to the other lights of heaven. This is plausible because the ancients regarded the planets as ‘wandering stars’ moving across the fixed constellations. The word “planet” comes from the Greek word for “wanderer.” But whatever sign the Magi beheld, it convinced them a new heir to the Jewish throne was born. So they packed valuable gifts and traveled far from their homeland to honor this newborn king.

St. Matthew records, “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.’” But there was no newborn king be found there; at least, no baby in Herod’s household descended from King David, as the Jewish scripture prophesies required for the Christ. This surprised the Magi and perhaps they doubted themselves. “Did we misread the stars? Was the wisdom we were following merely a myth? Did we come all this way for nothing?” But then there was a new ray of hope.

“Herod called the Magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.’” After their audience with the king, they set out on the short journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. “And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them…” This was a sign reconfirming their mission, and “they were overjoyed at seeing the star…” The star somehow “came and stopped over the place where the child was. …And on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

This house in Bethlehem was far humbler than Herod’s great palace. And if even the Magi were not embarrassed to lay face down upon that lowly floor, it must have felt awkward for the Magi to present the luxury gifts they had brought to this needy family. Rather than incense or gum resin, the Holy Family could have gotten more use from blankets, baby clothes, or a goat. But this seeming mistake was providential. The Magi’s gift of gold would come in handy later when the Holy Family was hiding away in Egypt. And besides that gold for a King, the other gifts of the Magi were prophetically symbolic: frankincense, used in temple worship, for a High Priest and Deity; and myrrh, used in Jewish embalming, for a Savior born to die and rise.

“And [then the Magi,] having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, …departed for their country by another way.” Did the Magi share this dream with the Holy Family before departing? If not, how did St. Matthew ever learn of this detail? Regardless, if the Magi recognized a warning of danger in this dream, they may have felt mortified again that their visit to Bethlehem may have placed a target on the Holy Family’s backs. The Magi’s mission had announced in Jerusalem the birth of Christ, but it also led to the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt and Herod’s massacre of the innocents. Yet even Herod’s freely-chosen evil was foreseen by God, who received the souls of his Holy Innocents as martyrs for Christ and fulfilled what was foretold through the Prophet Hosea: “Out of Egypt I called my Son.”

We do not know what this new year ahead holds for us. And like the Magi, sometimes our honest efforts will produce experiences of awkwardness and embarrassment, problems and seeming failures. But even if we don’t always know what we are doing, the Lord knows what he is doing. So strive to please and serve him, and never give up on your life journey’s mission. For just as he did with the Magi, the Lord will incorporate all of our faithful efforts into his great providential story.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, The Magi | Leave a Comment »

How Did St. Luke Know?

January 1, 2026

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
By Fr. Victor Feltes

At the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel greeted Mary using an exalted title, saying “Hail, highly favored one! The Lord is with you,” Luke records that the Virgin Mary “was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” Nine months later, after the visit of the shepherds at Christmas, today’s Gospel reading says “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” And then twelve years after that, when the boy Jesus was found in the temple and he said, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Mary did not understand what Jesus said to them, but Luke records “his mother kept all these things in her heart.” Mary pondered, reflected on, and all kept these things in her heart. That raises a question: how did St. Luke know these facts to include them in his Gospel?

Did Luke have mystical visions? Did God infuse him with hidden knowledge? That is not how St. Luke describes how he wrote his Gospel. He writes: “Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.” So St. Luke investigated, he did research for his Gospel, and probably interviewed first century eyewitnesses to the events he records. How would folks naturally come to know what Mary pondered, reflected upon, and kept within her heart? By her telling people. That is why some call the early chapters of Luke’s Gospel “The Memoirs of Mary.”

When people pick up praying the Holy Rosary for the first time, their focus tends to be on saying the right words and tracking the beads. But as they get more experienced and comfortable, their focus can shift toward each of the mysteries, and contemplate their deeper meanings and implications. Is it any surprise that the Holy Spirit would providentially promote into history’s most popular Marian devotion the pondering, reflecting upon, and holding in our hearts the events of salvation history? The Holy Rosary is a transforming contemplation with Mary upon the great things God has done.

Besides praying more Rosaries this year, I suggest more contemplation at the end of each day. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the victories and failures from the day, to give thank and praise and ask pardon and new strength. Such daily self-examinations (or examens) are recommended by saints for spiritual growth. And as one year ends and a new year begins, I suggest devoting some time to pondering like Mary. Reflect upon the past year and consider the year ahead, holding in your heart all the good things which are yours in Christ.

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Rosary, St. Luke | Leave a Comment »