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We’re Called To Follow Jesus Together

January 20, 2024

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Imagine four teenagers growing up in the same small town. They’re seniors in high school and play on the same varsity football team together. What are the odds of all of them going on to play and eventually being inducted into the Hall of Fame? The odds are tiny. Not many players are drafted by the NFL and fewer still get their names enshrined at Canton, Ohio. This scenario would require an incredible concentration of athletic talent emerging in the same place at the same time.

In today’s gospel, as Jesus passes by the Sea of Galilee, he sees two brothers, Simon and Andrew, casting their fishing nets into the sea. When Jesus says, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men,” they abandon their nets to follow him. Walking along a little farther, Jesus sees James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending their nets in a boat. Jesus calls them too and they leave to follow him. What were the odds of these four, young, uneducated men, living and laboring together in the same small seaside town, going on to become some of the Church’s greatest saints?

Was this all arranged through divine providence? Had God been gently guiding the course of history to prepare for the day of their calling by Christ? Or, can Jesus do great works with anyone who answers his call? Yes and yes. “God works all things for the good of those who love him,” preparing, and calling, and making them fruitful when they follow him. Look at the Prophet Jonah. Just one day’s preaching in an enormous city accomplished the people of Nineveh’s repentance, delivering them from destruction. Had God been preparing the Ninevites’ minds and hearts for that day, or did God graciously empower Jonah’s words? Yes. God prepares to do great things with us in our free cooperation with him.

There is another interesting reflection found in the calling of Simon, Andrew, James and John. These four fishermen already knew each other. They were coworkers in business together, two pairs of biological brothers, and familiar friends. These future-apostles began as Jesus’ disciples already sharing close relationships with one another. Not all twelve apostles knew each other before they followed Jesus, but they came to know each other very well. And when Jesus would send them out on missions he did not send them out alone, he sent them two by two. Jesus understands that such community and friendship is important for Christians to support each other and grow together.

Consider again the Prophet Jonah. At first, he fled alone from doing God’s will. And then, from the dark depths, he feared to die alone. Reluctantly, he came alone to preach at Nineveh, yet he still refused to forgive and pray and hope for the Ninevites’ salvation. After Jonah’s dreams were dashed (that is, when the Ninevites were not destroyed) he became angry and wished to die alone. Imagine if Jonah had had a Christian friend accompanying and supporting him. Someone to caution him to do God’s will. Someone to comfort him as he faces death. Someone to challenge him to forgive his enemies. Someone to encourage him to see the goodness in his own life and in other people. Jonah could have greatly benefited from having a companion like that.

Jesus knows Christian friendship and fellowship helps us become saints together. So cultivate such community. If you lack it, pray for it and actively pursue it. Reach out to people, have phone or video chats, invite them out to lunch, or have them over for coffee. Find fellowship in “That Man Is You,” or with our Knights of Columbus, or in our parish ladies’ group. Stick around after Masses to chat with people in our vestibule. If you see someone new at church, please make them feel welcome. Christ calls every one of us and plans to make us fruitful as we cooperate with him, but it is unlikely Jesus is asking you to follow him all by yourself. He calls us to follow him together.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Jonah, Saintly People, St. Andrew, St. John the Evangelist, St. Peter, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

His Stations of the Cross — Funeral Homily for Roger “Andy” Anderson, 91

January 14, 2024

By Deacon Dick Kostner

The Trailer of the Story of Human Life: Producer God- Actors- Andy, Jesus and Us. We lost a great member of the Holy Family on the Feast of the Holy Family. He was a quiet person in Spirit but a wonderful mentor for us in teaching us how to live a full life of happiness living out and experiencing the Stations of the Cross, of Life. Andy loved attending Mass with his faith family and loved attending our Stations of the Cross during our Lenten Season. He understood the directive from the Father that the doors to heaven are only unlocked for those who experience in their lives the Passion and Death of Life in our lives. So I thought he would like me to share with you what I saw as his personal Stations of the Cross:

The First Station: He is condemned to Die. We all know that at some point we must experience death of our body. Andy knew this but he never complained to anyone I know that this should stop us from enjoying life with our family, friends and God. He enjoyed every day that he was allowed to care for his family, friends, gardens, and lawn and never willingly failed to give thanks on Saturday Evenings and First Friday Liturgy with his Parish family.

The Second Station: He accepts and carries the Cross. Earthy life requires us to bear our crosses. Andy experienced many crosses in life from divorce to replaced knees, to bladder cancer, to death of friends, and yes family with the death of his wife Carol, and son Michael just prior to his passing. One of the greatest crosses one has to carry in living a long life is having to bury ones friends and family. I remember Father Hugh telling me at his 90th birthday party, when he had just been told he was dying, that one of the hardest things he had to experience in living so long was the fact that he lived so long that he had to be there to comfort and bury all of his dying friends.

The Third Station: The First Fall. As we grow older our bodies begin to fall apart. Andy was not a person who would ask for help. It was not in his nature to expect anyone to come to his aid he would just do the best he could to get along even when things were hurting. Most of us, like Andy, do not want anyone to know we are having problems. That’s why God gifts us with family, friends, and spouse. These special people know better then we do what is best for us. I remember Carol sneaking over to ask if I would mow his lawn for him while he was recuperating from his cancer treatments as she was suffering herself with her rheumatism, this I gladly did without his knowledge.

The Fourth Station: Meeting His Mother. I remember when I would get hurt the first person I would run to for help was my mom. Andy was a person of faith and knowing he was a prayerful person I would guess that the first person he would pray too for help and support when he found out that he was dying was our heavenly mother Mary. I witnessed many times Andy praying the rosary with his parish friends before Mass began. Mom’s don’t want their children to experience pain and suffering even when they are not the cause of the suffering and pain.

The Fifth Station: Simon helps Carry the Cross. Andy did not want to ask for help but friends and neighbors don’t need to be asked. Many times when Andy was not able to complete tasks his friends and neighbors knew that this would bother him. I witnessed his neighbors removing snow, fixing railings and painting things that needed attention, as well as raking and removing leaves when he was unable to do the same. He might not of been blood family to us but he was still thought of as being family.

The Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Stations: He falls two more time, is comforted by “Veronica’s”, Speaks to the Women and his friends, and is Stripped of his Garments. Andy continues to get worse and is cared for by Paul and Michelle at their home. He receives the Sacrament of the Sick by his Pastor, Holy Communion weekly by the Deacons and Deacon wives, and prayed for by his Parish Family. The illness progresses and he is now in need of 24 /7 care requiring him to be moved to the nursing home.

The Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth Stations: The Cross and his Body become one for him, on the Feast of the Holy Family he Dies, and he is taken down from the Cross and Duried. His journey has ended and his Spirit is now able to meet in person Jesus, Mary and Joseph along with Carol, and other saints and friends he spent his life with and who he will spend eternity with.

Andy and Carol were not only our neighbors but our friends. Barb and I were able to witness their marriage on Christmas Eve in 1989. Both of them wished to have that special day as their wedding anniversary day. Last year Barb and I with the assistance of Fr. Chinnappan, had a Mass said for the two of them as our Christmas present to them. The good news is that This Faith Family will be able to continue to experience the Anderson’s presence in spirit as members of God’s Holy Family at every celebration of the Holy Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. So, On behalf of this assembly of Holy Family and friends I would like to wish Andy and Carol a Happy Easter Sunday and Anniversary! We all hope to see you in heaven after we complete our own “Stations of the Cross”!

Posted in Funeral Homilies, Homily, Passion, Redemptive Suffering | Leave a Comment »

The Middle Man

January 13, 2024

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

God calls every individual to build a close relationship with him. Time and time again, the Bible narrates the call of God: to Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many others. In the New Testament, we have the call of Mary at the Annunciation, the call of Peter and his companions at the lake, the call of Matthew the Tax Collector, the call of Paul and others. God called them and they responded to him by sacrificing everything to obey his invitation.

In our relationship with God, and other people, we may need someone to connect one person to another to get through an issue. In my culture in marriages, there is a middleman who plays a very important role between two families about to come together Sometimes, to buy an important property like a piece of land or a used car, there is also a need for such a middleman. The role of middlemen ensures a cordial interaction between the two parties who are coming together in a new relationship.

In the first reading from the book of Samuel, we saw the old priest, Eli play the role of a middleman to connect the little boy, Samuel to Yahweh. In the first chapter, Hannah, the mother of Samuel had promised to dedicate her son to the Lord’s service. (1st Sam 1:11) Yet Samuel never knew anything about the Lord, therefore the person of Eli had to tell him how to connect with the Lord. Eli played his role as a middleman very effectively and the boy Samuel discovered the Lord.

In the gospel today, John the Baptist played the same role of a middleman to connect Andrew to the Lamb of God, and, through Andrew, Simon Peter. John instructed them to make them know Who was among them: John the Baptist identifies the Messiah in Jesus and tells his disciples that He is the Lamb of God. He also encourages them to be the followers of Jesus. These disciples in their turn invite others to come to be with Jesus on his mission.

We see people who have set out to play the role of Eli and John the Baptist in the lives of others. In the first place, the parents must play this very important role for their children. I can remember how my parents and my grandfather used to hold my hands while going to Church every day. Today, I see myself as a Catholic priest.

Apart from parents, we also have teachers, leaders, advisers, priests, and so on who are placed to be the Eli and the John the Baptist of our time. Many of us have guided engaged couples and been sponsors at baptisms. The very big question is: Do you direct the little “Samuels” placed under your care properly? Do you point out the Lamb of God? When we have played our roles well, it is left for God to know what to do with the boy Samuel and for the Lamb of God to know how to change Simon’s name.

God’s call is a gift and this call is given to every person. We must respond with readiness to work for him. He has called people to be missionaries, preachers, teachers, and office workers, builders of families, social workers, nurses, and persons who could be his instruments of peace. Are you listening to His call? Are you listening to the “Eli” or the “John the Baptist” that God has placed in your life?

Posted in Eli, Homily, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Witnessing to Christ

January 13, 2024

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

St. John the Baptist once saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ …I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. …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.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

John was not afraid to acknowledge Jesus Christ before others. John said, ‘I am not the Messiah, I am not Elijah, and I am not the prophet of whom Moses spoke.’ But he affirmed, “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord!”’ And John proclaimed Jesus as one far greater than himself, acknowledging him as the Son of God. St. Vincent de Paul observed, “Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.” John the Baptist is humble because he maintains the truth about himself and acknowledges the truth about Jesus.

John is humble and, standing in the truth, is willing to fraternally correct others. He admonishes those in the crowds, Pharisees and Sadducees, tax collectors, soldiers, and even King Herod, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” He corrects them because he loves them. If John had hated them he would have turned his back on them like Jonah did the Ninevites, hoping to see them destroyed. If we love someone, we will warn them of grave dangers to their body or soul.

Sometimes John the Baptist, when witnessing to others, shared his own spiritual experiences. John’s ministry and message were not his own inventions. He speaks of how he received his mission to baptize from heaven and testifies to what he beheld when he baptized Jesus. God still gives us signs and messages and works new miracles among us today.

Later, as John the Baptist was standing with two of his disciples, he watched Jesus walking by and said again, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” In the Old Covenant, lambs were sacrificed to atone for sins and to celebrate communion with God. John calls Jesus the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. So those two listening disciples (that is, Andrew and likely John the son of Zebedee) follow Jesus, who turns and asks, “What are you looking for?” They reply, “Rabbi, (teacher), where are you staying?” And Jesus welcomes them, “Come, and you will see.”

So they went and stayed with him that day, and came away convinced that Jesus is the Christ. Andrew went to his brother Simon saying “we have found the Messiah” and brought him to Jesus. The next day, Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow me.” Philip then went to his friend Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) and persuaded him to “come and see” Jesus of Nazareth too. When his future apostles encountered Christ they happily invited their friends and family members to come and know him better.

So what lessons have we received from St. John the Baptist and Jesus’ first disciples? To humbly acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and the great things he has done in you and for you. To be unashamed to acknowledge Christ before others. That if you love a person, to tactfully alert them to grave dangers to their soul. (They might not listen to your loving appeal, but it is better to warn someone unfruitfully than to regret never making the attempt.) To share your own spiritual experiences, visions, and miracles, showing others that God is personally active in our world today. And to invite your family members and friends to come and see Jesus, encountering him in private prayer and the Gospels, and most especially with us here in his Church.

Posted in Baptism of Jesus, Homily, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies, The Apostles | Leave a Comment »

Lessons from the Magi

January 7, 2024

Feast of the Epiphany
By Fr. Victor Feltes

The city of Bethlehem was the birthplace and hometown of King David, the place where the sheep offered at the Temple were raised, a place whose name means “House of Bread.” There is where the Magi found Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Lamb of God, and the Bread that came down from heaven. The Magi came from the east, perhaps responding to some sign the Prophet Daniel had foretold centuries before during his Babylonian Captivity. They 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.”

King Herod and all of Jerusalem heard about this and Herod took the rumor seriously. He asked the chief priests and the scribes where the Christ (or Messiah) would be born. They answered with the prophesy of Micah: “in Bethlehem of Judea.” So King Herod sent the Magi to search there, using them as his unwitting spies. The Magi found the home of the Holy Family and showed homage to Jesus with his mother Mary, presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; gold for our King, frankincense for our Priest and God, and myrrh, an ancient-world embalming resin, for him who would die and rise again.

Now the town of Bethlehem is only a two hour walk from Jerusalem, but there is no record of any others who heard the rumor going there in search of the infant Christ. If they had gone and asked around, some locals would likely know the shepherds who had joyfully proclaimed the birth of the Messiah on Christmas night. “All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds,” so it would have left an impression. With a little grace, an encounter with Jesus and his Holy Family would have been found by anyone who had bothered to look. The Magi traveled hundreds of miles to find him yet many priests and scribes neglected to go a mere six miles. In your life, beware of practicing your Christian faith so feebly that you forego making the simplest sacrifices in service of Christ. Consider what simple steps—in prayer or with the sacraments, in penance or in study—you could take in this new year to draw closer to Jesus Christ.

Matthew’s gospel tells us that “having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the Magi] departed for their country by another way.” Recall again how Bethlehem was not far at all from Jerusalem or from Herod’s nearby palaces, so it seems the Magi had this dream before departing from the Holy Family. If the Magi had sensed that the Holy Family were in danger they would have warned them before embarking for home. The Magi either informed them, or — not sensing danger — did not.

Maybe they did warn the Holy Family of possible danger but Joseph and Mary simply did not know what to do next. Sometimes, even when trying our best, we won’t know what to do. Trust the Lord to guide your way. If the path you choose is important in God’s plan he will help you go in the right direction. Previously, when Joseph had been about to make a mistake by separating himself from Mary, God sent him an angelic message in a dream. Here again, “when [the Magi] had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, [and] flee to Egypt…’” God is supremely brilliant and resourceful. He can send you signs if you need them but, to receive God’s promptings, cultivating a heart which is open to God’s will (like St. Joseph’s was) is essential.

What if the Magi were told in the dream not to return to Herod, and perhaps even mentioned this to the Holy Family, without anyone perceiving the active threat which Herod posed? That too would contain a valuable lesson for us. If the Magi obeyed God before fully understanding his purposes, through trusting him and following his instructions their lives were saved from Herod’s sword and the Holy Family had time to escape.

Jesus Christ and his Church teach us many things about what we must or must not do, or what we should or should not do. People can be challenged by and may not yet fully understand Catholic teachings about the Sacraments, human sexuality, the beginning and end of human life, social justice, or other topics. There are good reasons behind all these teachings and it is good to explore them by researching and asking questions to understand them better, but there will be times in your life when you are called to be faithfully obedient even before you fully understand. The obedience of the Magi served Christ and likely saved their lives. Your obedience to God will bless you as well, and more than you may realize.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Epiphany, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Sacrifice, Sunday Homilies, The Magi | Leave a Comment »

Let Us Be Like the Magi

January 6, 2024

Feast of the Epiphany
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

Today we celebrate the feast of Epiphany. The word epiphany means revelation or manifestation. This feast is the revelation of God’s love for his people in the birth of Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel: God is with us. For centuries, the prophets had proclaimed God’s love for his people, and now that love has been revealed to his people. God himself has been born into the world as a human child. He is with us, close to us in each moment, sharing his life with us. Jesus came into our human condition to seek out what was lost, and to bring us back into union with God and to himself. This is the good news for everyone: no one is excluded. Today’s psalm makes this clear. “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”

In the gospel, we see two kinds of people. On the one hand, the Gentile ‘Magi from the East’ seek out the newborn king of the Jews to do him homage. On the other hand, Herod and his court seek the Messiah not to do him homage but to destroy him. Let us focus our attention on the Magi; the actions of the Magi in the presence of Jesus give us a beautiful example of divine worship. The Gospel tells us: “They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Their first gift was gold. Among ancient people, gold was regarded as the king of metals. It was therefore the ideal gift for a king. The Magi gave Jesus all their love as pure, solid, lasting, and purified from selfish motives. They wanted to love Jesus with all their heart and mind. Their love was sincere. The second gift was frankincense. Ancient people used incense in their religious worship. The aroma and smoke, spiraling upward to heaven, spoke to them of gods and divinity. The gift of incense, therefore, is a symbol of the divinity of Jesus. It tells us that Jesus always had the nature of God but became a man and appeared in human likeness. The magi adored Jesus as God. Even today, we use incense in the liturgy as a sign of worship. We incense the gospel in which Jesus is present, the altar representing Christ, and the gifts of bread and wine on the altar, which will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The third gift was myrrh. Myrrh was used to prepare the dead for burial. Later in the Gospel, we see that the women brought myrrh to the tomb of Jesus. This gift of the Magi made an ideal symbol of human vulnerability and foreshadowed the Lord’s death. Jesus experienced sorrows, joys, fears, frustrations, loneliness, and all human emotions. He was like us in all things but sin.

The Magi also teach us how to proceed on our journey. They do not return the way they came, which would have taken them back to Herod. Their experience of being with Jesus has enlightened them. They have an inner light, a new gift of discernment and wisdom. When we meet Jesus and worship him, we do not have to return to Herod, back to the darkness, fear, and selfishness of our past and our sinful nature. The Lord gives us the grace to walk a new way. It is the way that is love: love of God and love of our neighbor.

Just as the Magi did, let us prostrate ourselves before the Lord, offering him our love, praise, and gratitude. Our “gold” is everything we have, all that we possess, and all that we consider most precious; we offer it all to him. Our “frankincense” is our prayer, devotion, zeal, contrition, thanksgiving, and all our petitions. Our “myrrh” is our sacrifices and sufferings which we offer in union with Jesus’ Passion, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. We know our gifts are imperfect and they certainly seem meager as we set them before him. However, his humility as he reveals himself before us as a poor, helpless infant strengthens our humility, and therefore makes us bold enough to give whatever we have, knowing that our every gift comes from his generosity to us.

Posted in Chrisitian Virtues, Christian Perfection, Epiphany, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Sunday Homilies, The Magi | Leave a Comment »

Family is the Gift of God

December 30, 2023

Feast of the Holy Family
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. By celebrating the Sunday following Christmas as the feast of the Holy family, the church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for inspiration, example, and encouragement. We know very little about the life of the Holy Family through the Scriptures. They speak of the early years of the Holy Family, including the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the flight into Egypt, the finding of Jesus in the temple, and their life at Nazareth. However, we certainly know that they were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God.

Every human family is in God’s Plan. We know that in the book of Genesis, from the time of creation, God did not want man to be alone but created the human race as a family. The readings of today also speak of the family as a gift of God. The book of Sirach tells us about the obligation of parents towards their children. It reminds us of the first parents who were created in the image and likeness of God. It explains the close bond that exists between God and man. It teaches that children must learn from their parents about the love of the Lord and the precepts received from God. Parents must set a good example to their children. In turn, children must carry out their duties to God, to their parents, and to their fellow human beings.

The Second reading of today reminds us of the centrality of love. We are the children of God. In addition to our own family, we also belong to God’s family. We are all brothers and sisters to each other of our common Father and we share his life. There is then an obligation for all of us to care for each other.

The Gospel today tells us how Mary and Joseph offered the Child Jesus in the temple and returned to Nazareth to live a life of poverty. The earnings of Joseph as a village carpenter may not have been high. They willingly accepted the simple ordinary life in a remote village, living in harmony, observing the laws prescribed, visiting the temple and synagogue, and living an exemplary life. They accepted God’s will and were ready to accept the suffering and pain that came along the way. They are for us a true example of what family life should be like here on Earth.

The feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about our families too. The main purpose of the feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families. It is a good time to remember the family unit and pray for our human and spiritual families. We also take this feast to reflect on the value and sanctity of the family unit and to evaluate our own family life. We must ask ourselves what we are doing to promote the family within our own cultures, neighborhoods, and communities.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Marriage and Family, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

God’s Holy Family of Saints

December 30, 2023

Feast of the Holy Family
By Deacon Dick Kostner

Today we celebrate the Holy Family the mentor of “Patience.” I like many Americans suffer from the illness I call “Patienitus” an illness that attacks those who demand results in conquering life struggles and challenges not tomorrow but rather right now- before any suffering can occur. Oh I know the rules of nature that God is not governed by “time” as we know it and you will hear me say “…remember God does not wear a watch like we wear” because God has no beginning nor end. But I also know that God has no limitations so God can speed things up or slow things down, if he so desires.

Today’s Gospel tells us the story about the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple as was required by the Law of Moses and two old people of faith Simeon and Anna who believed in the coming of Jesus and were awaiting his arrival to meet him before they died. They knew God is not governed by time but they also knew that their age was getting up there and I am sure they worried that they would die before they could meet Jesus and the Holy Family. They were beginning to show symptoms of coming down with “Patienitus.” But their faith held strong and they were finally blessed with meeting the Holy Family. Simeon and Anna knew the vaccination for not getting “Patienitus” was faith in God. God did not speed up their prayers to meet Jesus rather God just extended their life span so that they could witness their prayers being answered.

We live in troubled times. As a Parish family we continue to meet and offer our prayers to God together as a family asking for help for ourselves and help and direction for the welfare of our children and friends. But we sometimes wonder if God is really listening to our prayer petitions. The world needs divine help now not sometime in the future. We need Jesus to come to us now before we loose are freedoms, and before we just give up and that’s when we are most likely to become a disciple of the evil one who is working very hard to destroy our faith that God will always be there for us.

You have heard the saying, “Only death and taxes are certain.” Well I learned a new certainty at my Deacon Education session a few weeks ago. The priest speaker said it is a certainty that as followers of Christ we must experience suffering before we are able to be admitted into heaven. He also said that we all expect that maybe we can get a pass but that cannot happen. Even Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering might pass, but then he ended his prayer with saying “but not my will but the will of the Father be done.” We need to remember to include that phrase in all our prayers for relief from suffering. No one, not even Jesus or Mary escaped the certainty and need for suffering as a requirement to enter into the Kingdom of God.

This is when we need to ask for help from the saints like Simeon and Anna who were growing old waiting to see in person, the Redeemer of the world, who would bring light to the darkness we experience during our journey to join Jesus and the Saints in the land of light. Mary and Joseph did not know what their experience would be like raising the Son of Light before their trip to the Temple with Jesus. But, God gifted them with the presence of two special people who shared with them a look into the future by sharing communications they had received from God on what life would be like raising the Son of God in a very troubled world.

The gift that God gave the Holy Family is also given to us as a member of the Holy Family, and that is the gift of faith. Faith that God has us covered even though things may seem hopeless, and time is running out for us to see in person our friend and redeemer, Jesus. Remember that Jesus has many faces and many bodies in people we call Saints who are members of the Holy Family who are living with and praying with us, and for us, every day.

No Jesus does not have a watch to keep track of time, but he does give us members of His Church to guide and support us here and now who will reveal to us our future life as Simeon and Anna did for Jesus and Mary. Let us remember today to give thanks to God for allowing us to become a member of the Holy Family and join them in prayer and thanksgiving celebrating our faith that Jesus is present with us for support and waiting for a hug from his brothers and sisters of faith.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Marriage and Family, Patience, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

From Creation to this Cradle

December 24, 2023

Christmas, the Nativity of the Lord
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Before all time’s beginning,
before creation’s making,
was our Lord, who is living.

Omnipotent, all-knowing,
unlimited, all-loving,
the self-existent Being.

This eternal deity
was not solely unity,
but divine community.

Father and Son, self-giving,
Spirit from both, proceeding,
Trinity, ever-living.

Though God could not be more great,
goodness loves to propagate,
so he opted to create.

The Lord said, “Let there be light,”
“earth” and “sky” and “day” and “night,”
“man” and “woman” in his sight
and in each did he delight.

Blessing us was his concern,
gifting gifts we did not earn,
minds to know and hearts to yearn
so we’d love him in return.

Like all things, he made us good,
yet, as God, he understood
human beings sadly would
freely choose to sin;
distaining the divine,
disturbing our domain.

Dissolution, desolation.
Division and dismay.
Despair and death.

Behold how in our world and lives,
sins stab and slice and scar like knives.
But our Lord lowers his lifeline,
a long thread throughout our timeline.

After the Flood and Babel’s tower,
God’s plan was launched with Abraham.
Summoned by the Higher-Power,
he journeyed to the Holy Land.

God vowed to him to give that earth,
to bless all peoples through his name,
and cause his barren wife to birth
a boy who would extend his fame.

Isaac was that wondrous son,
received back as from the dead.
His sacrifice was left undone;
as God supplied a ram instead.

(Note in Abraham’s descendants,
the Messianic lineage,
persons presenting precedents
repeated on the Gospel page.)

Next, from Isaac, Jacob came,
and suffered much from sinful deeds.
To “Israel” God changed his name,
and through twelve sons a kingdom seeds.

This tribe then west to Egypt fled
and grew up becoming many,
until from slavery God led
to “the land of milk and honey.”

For this nation, God appointed
from Bethlehem to kingly throne,
shepherd David, God’s anointed,
one with a heart after his own.

He was betrayed, mistreated,
but overcame each enemy.
God pledged there’d always be seated
a true son of his dynasty.

King Solomon, the peaceful one,
built with wisdom beyond compare
God’s temple in Jerusalem
for everyone from everywhere.

Isaiah’s prophesies foretold
and his consoling words record
how every nation would behold
salvation from our bridegroom Lord.

Then Babylon’s empire came
and took the Jews captive by sword.
But God removed his people’s shame
when to their homeland he restored.

These ups and downs had set the stage
for one night prepped thousands of years.
Between the old and current age,
the Son of God on earth appears.

It’s simple for our little ones,
the way in which our Savior comes.

A stable full of yellow hay?
Kids see a perfect place to stay.

Tiny Jesus is in his box,
asleep beside the sheep and ox.

His mom and dad on Christmas day,
as still as statues, kneel and pray.

That manger scene lit by a star
draws friends to Christ from near and far.

Our children lack experience
but maintain pure, sweet innocence.

They see with awe and gentle joy
our God become a baby boy.

Now that you and I are older,
we recognize complexity;
what Christ’s parents had to shoulder,
the burdens of humanity.

Joseph and Mary were displeased
when turned away from that hotel
and then unpleasant odors breathed
while giving birth where livestock dwell.

Stress-filled was that nativity,
mixed with their joys, feelings of dread,
as they combatted poverty
and unseen forces wished them dead.

The way of Christianity
is not promised to be easy,
but life with Christ, our deity,
has mercy, grace, and great beauty.

Our little ones are right in this,
though much in our world is amiss,
it’s right and wise to reminisce
on Christmas Day and feel great bliss.

Now to conclude, let us review:
God’s great goodness is real and true,
an ancient love that’s ever new
and through Christ’s birth comes into view.

So come to Mass — yes, please do!
His family’s less when lacking you.

Posted in Creation, Feast Day Homilies, Holy Trinity, Homily, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, Joy, Nativity, O.T. Figures, Redemptive Suffering, Salvation History, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The Divine Master Plan

December 23, 2023

4th Sunday of Advent
Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

On this last Sunday before Christmas, the Liturgical readings speak about the preparations that God made for His Son to be born among us, and one of us. We wait for his coming into the world and into our lives. During this advent, we have been thinking of Mary bearing Jesus in her womb. We remember Jesus growing silently and invisibly in Mary’s womb.

The first reading from the second Samuel, speaks of King David, the peace and comfort he had found in Jerusalem, and how he wanted to build a temple for the Ark of God. The Lord spoke to Nathan the prophet and told him that David did not need to be in charge of everything, but was reminded that God himself had been with him every step of the way to peace. God himself will take care of his house, like everything else that David had succeeded in doing. We too, are not in charge of our successes, we should let the Lord lead us and prepare us for the work in his house.

In the Second reading, St. Paul reminds us that each one of us is the temple of God. Through his teaching, God makes known to us His mysteries. God spiritually prepares the minds of the believers who hear the proclamation of Jesus. It is Jesus who revealed God’s mystery that was kept secret for centuries and which has now been revealed to His people.

In the Gospel, Mother Mary is described as “full of grace,” filled with God’s favor and graciousness, something which she has in no way earned. God prepared her to be a worthy dwelling place for His Son. At the same time, Mary exercises her right to freedom of choice. A request was made of her and she freely responded with a wholehearted “Yes!” “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.” Mother Mary’s “Yes” changed the world. Her obedience to God’s call changed the lives of all of us.

Obedience is not popular in today’s world. When people want to be independent, obedience is understood wrongly: the word obedience is associated with weakness. True obedience requires courage because it can involve going against social expectations. When Mary said yes and desired that God’s will be fulfilled in her, a great event took place in history. The Son of God took human nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin. The Angel had told her that it would be the savior of the world. He would be the King but the nature of kingship was not clear to her. However, she understood one thing clearly: the person whom she would carry in her womb would change the world.

With courage and generosity, we need to say “yes” to God. True obedience comes from the choice we make to follow God’s will. We need the courage to be obedient because sometimes it can go against social expectations. True obedience also aims at putting oneself in the service of God.

We need to learn God’s plan for our lives. The Good News in today’s Scripture message is not only that God is making provision for the salvation of His people, but also that He has a plan for each person. In many cases, our work for God seems rather ordinary, but each ordinary task that we carry out fits into God’s plan in a way that we cannot yet understand. God desires not only the skill of our hands and talents but also the love of our hearts. The Babe in the Manger reminds us of what God has done and is still doing for us. What are we doing for Him in return? Let us show our gratitude to God by living as true followers of Christ.

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Christian Perfection, Homily, Sunday Homilies, Trust | Leave a Comment »

Do Whatever He Tells You

December 18, 2023

3rd Sunday of Advent
Dcn. Dick Kostner

Today we celebrate “Rejoice” Sunday Take notice of the pink candle on our Advent wreath. We are getting close to celebrating the birthday of Jesus the “Light” of the world. We celebrate this birthday by decorating a tree with bright lights overshadowing the darkness we experience in the world we live in. For this Deacon, the fact that I was called to preach on this Sunday, displays the fact that God does have a sense of humor for he knows how much I like to be vested in bright pink. Usually this happens only twice a year but this year I will be gifted with this color for four Masses instead of only two.

As people faith we are very much aware of how dark it is living in this world. How can we be joyful always as St. Paul calls us to do in our Second Reading? How can we be joyful when our loved ones are dying or seriously ill? Or joyful about the cost of living, or being laid off or fired from our job? Or joyful that crime is at an all time high with people not caring about the rights or feelings of others? Or, to put it bluntly, what is joyful about this world going to hell in a basket?

The answer is easy. Nothing! That’s the point of our readings this Sunday. There is nothing great about what our readings refer to as “darkness.” Darkness is a part of the world that we live in. No I am not saying that there is no good in this world and that God does not love this world. It was through the love of our Creator that we were gifted with the birth of a new King and a new world or Kingdom where “darkness” cannot exist. A world gifted with a light so bright that evil darkness cannot sneak in. One of the revelations I received while studying to get my masters degree in Pastoral Studies was that we do not have to wait for death to occur to witness and partake in the Kingdom of God for it shows its presence within our present world.

We are surrounded with darkness in this world, that is why Jesus made the statement that his Kingdom was not of this world. The new Kingdom, the new world of Jesus is a place of love and respect. It is a place where sin and darkness cannot exist. And guess what? All of us have been given an invitation to become a citizen of this new Kingdom by its King. All of us have been given the mission of being a light shinning in the darkness of a world heading for the dark city scripture calls “Gehenna”.

How do we get to shine bright and experience the new Kingdom of God? Well, we can’t shine if we are dirty so we need to get cleaned up. Jesus gives us the necessary soap and water to accomplish this task. He gives us Sacraments to not only clean us up but also also provide us with the battery power to make our light shine bright. Jesus also gives us the help and support of his faith family to help us not only get clean but to stay clean so that our light will maintain its brightness.

We only have a short time to get ready for the Christmas Party of light. We are called to be the lights of Christ which will decorate the tree of everlasting life and let the Kingdom shine through. We have in our Parish many mentors of light both living and deceased that will help us be a bright light so pray for their help. Are we ready? We might think we are not ready but that’s OK. Jesus himself maybe felt he was not ready for public ministry when his mother asked him to perform his first miracle of changing water into wine to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage for a young couple. But his mother knew better and he gave in to her wishes. It is here that Mary gives us the key to the Kingdom of God when she proclaims to the servants and to us “Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you.” St. Paul and St. Peter likewise also maybe felt they were not the right people to take on being the light of Christ, but they gave it a try, and look how bright the Kingdom of God got from their acceptance of the challenge to help light up the world.

It’s our time now to make a decision on whether we will join other parish family members this Christmas, on becoming one of the lights on the Christmas tree to present to Jesus on his birthday, of the tree of life in the Kingdom of God. It is a matter of life and death on how we will proceed as a follower of Jesus. The bottom line folks is for us to listen to the words of Mary, and “Do whatever he tells you.”

One of my most blessed gifts of ordination is when on a dark and scary night of darkness I, as a Deacon of Christ, am able to provide to my people of Bloomer at the Easter Vigil, the light of salvation, by proclaiming for all the parish to see “THE LIGHT OF CHRIST!”

Posted in Culture, Homily, Joy, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Silence in the Sacred Liturgy

December 18, 2023

3rd Sunday of Advent
Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

According to the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal,” which are guidelines on the celebration of the Holy Mass, it is recommended that silence be observed on five different occasions during Mass. Those moments are:

  • In the beginning and at the penitential rite
  • At the start of certain prayers when the priest says, “Let us pray”
  • After each of the Scripture readings
  • After the homily
  • After all have received Communion

Thirty seconds of silence would be an appropriate time for each of the above. Let us look at each of those times we are invited to be silent during the Mass.
First, we called to be silent before mass begins. We need some time to recollect ourselves to enter into prayer. The church encourages us to come to the church at least five to ten minutes before mass and sit in the presence of the Lord in silence, offering the family, near and dear ones in the hands of the Lord. During this time, the silence must be practiced in the church, in the sacristy, and the vesting room, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred celebration devoutly and fittingly. If we cultivate silence, we will hear the voice of the Lord.

The next place of silence is during the Penitential Rite. We all are invited to take a movement of silence to call to mind our sins. That is, we acknowledge our unworthiness to be in God’s holy presence. We prepare ourselves to take part in the Holy Eucharist before praying together to the Confiteor or the “Lord, have mercy.”

The words “Let us Pray” are followed by a period of silence. This prayer is commonly called the “Collect.” The priest “collects” the thoughts, intentions, petitions, and prayers of every one of us, who have been collected from our homes for this celebration of Mass. This moment of silence helps us to focus our worship on Christ. The priest is a mediator between God and man and brings all our petitions to God.

We are directed to have a brief movement of silence after readings. This allows all of us to ponder on the Word spoken so that the Word of God can seep into our being.

Once again, we are invited to be silent after the Homily, which is the time when a priest or deacon explains the readings and teaches us how to live in the light of the gospel. The readings and the homily contain advice, an exhortation, or an admonishment; we can ask the Lord how it applies to our lives. The period of silence is a time when the Lord can make alive and active the word of God in our hearts. We need only to ask him for this: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

After Communion is another opportunity to be silent. It is a time to offer our prayers of Thanksgiving to the Lord for having fed us with his very self in the holy Eucharist. We can ask the Lord to fill us with his love, to help us love our brothers and sisters, to help us see the world as he does. We can give him thanks for the great blessings he has given us.

Finally, even after the Mass, we are invited to be silent inside the church out of respect for those of us who would like to pray after mass. Those of us who would like to talk with our friends and family members may kindly move the gathering area and spend our time there.

Specific periods of silence are recommended by the Catholic Church to encourage us to have internal and external silence for all the participants at Mass. It can be a challenge to be silent, internally and externally. Indeed, silence at mass is an active, not a passive disposition. Achieving this silence is worth the effort because it helps us to be fully attentive to the Holy Spirit.

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

Repentance & Humility

December 10, 2023

2nd Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

The season of Advent is a time of grace for us. It is a time of grace given to us to prepare our hearts so that we are ready to receive Christ at Christmas. Advent is a time of grace to remind us that Jesus is the reason for Christmas. We have just heard the beginning of the Gospel of Mark, which reminded us of the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled in John the Baptist. “Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. The voice of one crying out in the desert. Prepare the way of the Lord make straight his paths.” (Mark 1:2-3)

The call to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord is urgent and strong. The voice of the prophets calls out to us today; make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God. We tend to avoid the message and the urgency of the prophets. For thousands of years, people have been saying that the Lord will come, but it has not happened. Why should I bother about his coming? St. Peter tells us why in our second reading today. What looks to us like “delay” is divine patience; He “delays” only because he sees our need for repentance. For Him, a thousand years are like one day. Whether He comes in one day or a thousand years, the prophetic message remains the same.

John the Baptist gives us two essential elements of our Advent preparation: repentance and humility. When he appears in the desert, his main message is the proclamation of “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. This shows us that sin is the main obstacle to a proper welcoming of the Lord. We cannot, on our own, do anything about the problem of sin, but when we repent, we deliberately turn away from sin and express our sorrow. This opens the way for the Lord to restore us. The great sacrament of repentance is Confession. In the season of Advent, we should prepare the way by making a thorough, thoughtful, prayerful examination of conscience and then make a worthy Confession.

Humility is the other lesson we learn from John the Baptist. A powerful preacher and forceful witness, he is at the same time an extraordinarily humble man, well aware that he was not worthy even to stoop before the Messiah and loosen the thongs of his sandals. We are even less worthy than John the Baptist and are called to humble ourselves before the Lord. When we do, we welcome the voice of the prophets who call us to repentance, and we open our hearts to the Lord’s power to heal us and care for us. When we acknowledge our dependence on God and dedicate time to be alone with him in prayer, He can speak to our hearts and change them from rough and rugged to smooth and open. As we continue to prepare for the Christmas festivities, let us prepare space in our hearts for the birth of our Savior by taking time in prayer and by repenting of our sins.

Since we are blessed with this Advent time of mercy, we should want to receive as much grace as we can from God. The Lord has no limits on what He can grant to us; it is we who put limits on what he wants to give us. The Lord is waiting to receive you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to take you in his arms and hold you close to his heart.

Christmas will lack its full meaning if we do not prepare in our hearts a way for the Lord. It is in our hearts that we need to make a straight highway for God. It is the valleys of sin in our hearts that are to be filled with God’s mercy and healing, and the mountains and hills of pride in our hearts that are to become low.

Posted in Homily, Humility, Repentance, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

A Little Time Remains

December 10, 2023

2nd Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Unlike the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Mark’s Gospel does not start with stories of Christ’s Nativity. This gospel begins with the ministry of St. John the Baptist. John’s mission was to “prepare the way of the Lord (and) make straight his paths.” In ancient times, before a king or emperor would journey to a region, his heralds or messengers would be sent out ahead of him to announce how people were to prepare for his coming. One practical part of these preparations was to improve and repair the roads; filling in the potholes and smoothing the ruts, clearing branches and removing rocks. Isaiah the Prophet speaks of a herald crying out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together…”

Of course, this readying of the way for the Lord is not done with shovels and wheelbarrows on country roads. St. John the Baptist, the “voice of one crying out in the desert,” preaches conversion and washes people with a baptism of repentance as they confess and renounce their sins. The way of the Lord we must prepare passes through ourselves.

This Advent is a season to prepare for the God, but time is running short. Christmas is coming. Because December 25th falls on a Monday, this year’s Advent is the shortest-possible length of days. The good news is that now is not too late. An unfaithful life can still be reformed. A sacramental Confession can still be arranged. Delayed good deeds can still be done. A life of daily prayer can begin today. There is still some time remaining for you; before Christmas, before Christ’s Second Coming, and before the end of your earthly life.

This world and its people are broken and we can see many sins and evils. Imagine how much better our world would be if everyone sincerely turned to Jesus. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I doubt that everyone will do so, but the ongoing conversions of you and me to Christ can bless our families, friends, and neighbors, joyfully transforming the world around us for the better.

And here is some more good news… Even if not everyone turns to Christ, just as this Christmas, December 25th, is coming no matter what we do, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped. St. Peter writes of how our Lord’s patience, his wish that none should parish but all come to repentance, has permitted the world to continue to our day. God does not tire of waiting; since for him “a thousand years is like one day.” “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief… and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.”

We are encouraged to do our part to prepare a highway for God, lowering mountains and hills, smoothing rough lands and valleys, within ourselves and in our society. But Scriptures declare how at his coming “the mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” (Psalm 97:5) “The eternal mountains are shattered, the age-old hills bow low, along his ancient ways.” (Habakkuk 3:6) “The mountains melt under him… like wax before the fire, like water poured down a slope.” (Micah 1:4) “The earth melts when he lifts his voice.” (Psalm 46:6)

Our returning Lord will not allow the sins of the world to go on forever. When his Kingdom fully comes, God’s will shall be fully done, on earth as it is in Heaven. So when you witness the many evils caused by misused human freedom, do not grieve as those who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Mourn as the blessed, whom Jesus promises will be consoled. (Matthew 5:4) “According to his promise, we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, (and always be) at peace.”

Posted in Christian Perfection, Culture, Homily, Jesus Christ, Last Judgment, Last Things, Repentance, Salvation History, Second Coming, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The Fearfulness & Faithfulness of Mary & Joseph

December 8, 2023

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
By Fr. Victor Feltes

After our first parents ate the forbidden fruit, when they heard the sound of God walking about in the Garden of Eden, they hid themselves among the trees. The Lord God called to Adam and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Did Blessed Mary the New Eve or St. Joseph her husband ever feel afraid? Indeed, Scripture records several such occasions.

In today’s gospel, at the Annunciation the Archangel Gabriel comes to Mary saying, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you!” “But she was greatly troubled at what was said…” Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’”

Later, when Joseph learned of Mary’s unprecedented pregnancy, he either suspected her and feared she was unworthy of him, or he believed her and feared he himself was unworthy of her and this holy child. “Since (Joseph) was a righteous man and not wanting to expose her to shame, (he) decided to divorce her quietly.” Such was his intention when an angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”

After the birth of Christ and the visit of the magi, Joseph was told by God’s angel in dream to flee with Mary and Jesus into Egypt. Once the murderous King Herod had died, the angel told Joseph in another dream to return to the land of Israel. “But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee” and resettled his Holy Family in the town of Nazareth.

In another episode from the Gospels, when Jesus was 12 years old Mary and Joseph lost track of him during their family pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover. They found him on the third day engaging with the religious teachers at the temple. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

That’s four incidents of fearfulness in Mary, Joseph, or both, which are clearly referenced in the Gospels. What are we to make of this?

Jesus Christ had holy parents on earth. At this Mass we celebrate how Mary was sinless from the moment of her Immaculate Conception and full of grace throughout her life. Joseph her husband was a righteous and virtuous man. However, both Mary and Joseph sometimes experienced fear. This shows us that feeling fear is not the same as sin or lacking in faith.

Realize and remember that faith is not primarily a feeling. Though it is nice when our feelings line up with our beliefs, sometimes they won’t match. You can believe one thing while feeling something else and still choose to act faithfully. For example, you can believe that commercial air travel is safe. Perhaps you have seen the data showing that flying compared to other modes of ground-based travel is, mile-for-mile, safer by far. When the moment comes for you to board your important flight, you might feel natural anxiety. But if you get on that airplane anyway, your faith in flight is on display. You trust in the pilots, in the aircraft, and in what you know, and this trusting faith enables you to reach your good destination.

Mary had such trusting, loving faith in Joseph. One night, her husband woke from sleep and told her he had received another message from God’s angel in a dream; they were in danger from King Herod and must quickly escape to Egypt. Mary had not beheld Joseph’s dream, but whatever she was feeling she trusted him and took the flight with him into Egypt, and her acceptance of this hard thing enabled their salvation.

Mary also had trusting, loving faith in God. St. Elizabeth praises her faith at the Visitation. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth cries out, “Most blessed are you among women… Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled!” Years later, during Jesus’ public ministry, a woman in a crowd called out to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed!” Jesus replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” The Blessed Virgin Mary can be called “most blessed among women” because of her enduring faithfulness — she hears God’s word and keeps it.

It is essential that we not only hear God’s word but also faithfully obey it. Jesus declares, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven.”

Mary and Joseph loved and trusted God and each other, and God loved and trusted them to raise our Lord. Their faithfulness on earth is now rewarded with heavenly glory. God has entrusted them with shares in the spiritual care of his people on earth today. St. Joseph is the patron and protector of the entire Church, and St. Mary is the spiritual mother of every Christian. Ask Mary and Joseph to pray for you and ask Jesus to give you his grace to be always faithful despite whatever you might feel. For faith in Christ is not so much about feelings but about loving and trusting Jesus enough to be faithful to him.

Posted in Adam and Eve, Blessed Virgin Mary, Chrisitian Virtues, Christian Perfection, Courage, Faith, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Saintly People, St. Joseph | 1 Comment »

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