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A Communal Vision

March 3, 2026

2nd Sunday of Lent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

In an old church joke, one bewildered parishioner remarks, “I don’t know why people say our parish is unwelcoming. Every time I go to Sunday Mass, I say ‘Hello’ to everyone I know!” American Catholics in our day are not great at growing community. Strangers can attend a Catholic Mass, leave without meeting anyone, and go away feeling unwelcome. And sometimes Catholics stop attending Sunday Mass and no one reaches out to them about them being gone. Now it is true that you and I are to supposed come to Sunday Mass first and foremost for God. And if I neglect God’s command to worship at Sunday Mass the fault is first and foremost mine. But look at how much the Transfiguration in today Gospel was a communal, interpersonal experience.

Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up Mount Tabor. There he is transfigured before them, allowing them to glimpse his glory which was always there but veiled. Then they see the prophets Moses and Elijah conversing with Jesus. And then they hear God the Father speak: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Hypothetically, instead of all three disciples, the Lord had the option of giving just one of them a vision. Peter would go on to have a solo vision upon a rooftop in the Book of Acts, and John receives solo visions for the Book of Revelation. But our Lord chooses Peter, James, and John to experience this vision together.

And what do they behold? Not a miracle manipulating the sun or stars. Not some abstraction words could not describe. They saw a person, their friend Jesus, in a new way. And Jesus was not revealed alone. The Old Covenant heroes, Moses and Elijah, speak with Jesus. Luke’s Gospel records that they spoke with Jesus about “his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” Even before their redemption, these Old Testament saints appear glorious, and seem to know who Jesus is and aspects of his mission. The Communion of Saints in glory is not cut off from us on earth.

And then they all were visited by a further manifestation of God. A paradoxically bright cloud overshadows them (perhaps a manifestation of the Holy Spirit). And then from amidst that cloud they hear the voice of God the Father. The Transfiguration is a communal, interpersonal experience because Jesus wills his disciples to enter into deeper relationship with the Trinity, with himself, with his saints, and with each other together.

James and John were siblings. Peter was previously their partner and coworker in the fishing business. All three men were from Capernaum and knew each other well as friends. Those whom Jesus chose to be his twelve apostles were not always total strangers. Jesus utilized the existing relationships—of siblings, coworkers, neighbors, and friends—to draw people to himself and help them grow in Christian devotion together. Jesus would do the same with us.

Our Catholic Faith is like a gold coin entrusted to us by our Lord. Will we continue to bury it in a napkin, afraid of making any outgoing effort to evangelize? Or will we invest this coin into others for a God-pleasing return? Imagine the joy of bringing another soul to Jesus Christ and his Church. Invite other people to our worship. They might be interested in attending Holy Mass or Adoration, but you won’t know unless you ask. When you see new folks at Mass, say “hello” to them in our vestibule. And when you haven’t seen someone for a while at Mass, let them know they’re missed. Invite people to our groups and events; they’re fun organizations and accomplish good work; Keep an eye on the bulletin for opportunities or ask someone how to get involved. Join and invite friends to share in these fruitful fellowships.

Our mission, yours and mine, is the Great Commission. And that mission is relational. Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” He is God the Father’s beloved Son, with whom the Father is well pleased. Please listen to him, so that more people you know may experience the priceless blessings you enjoy in Jesus Christ and his Church.

Posted in Sunday Homilies, Transfiguration | Leave a Comment »

He Is Only Asleep — Funeral Homily for William “Bill” Sarauer, 82

February 28, 2026

By Fr. Victor Feltes

One spring afternoon many years ago, Bill took a nap. Bill always took an afternoon nap and he took this particular nap seated inside of his truck. He was quietly parked at the end of the farm’s driveway as he waited alongside the country road for people to show up. That’s when he felt like, as he would say, “just resting my eyes.” Around a quarter to four, his granddaughter Amanda arrived home from school. Seeing him inside, she knocked on the truck window and kept knocking, at least three different times, but grandpa didn’t move. So Amanda not-unreasonably concluded: “He’s dead.” A call was placed to 9-1-1 and an ambulance was summoned, but before the medics could arrive on scene the truck door was opened from outside and a startled, groggy Bill nearly tumbled out. Bill was not dead. He was only sleeping.

Jesus once remarked the same thing about a 12-year-old girl. The daughter of Jairus had just died from an illness, but when Jesus arrived at the house he said the mourners, “Why all this commotion and weeping? Go, for the child is not dead but sleeping.” They mocked Jesus because they knew she was dead, but once he had them put outside he took the dead girl’s hand and said, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl rose up immediately and Jesus gave her to her amazed parents.

On a different occasion, Jesus received word that his friend Lazarus was gravely ill, but Jesus stayed put for a couple of days. Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea. … Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” So the disciples replied, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved!” But Jesus was referring to death while they thought he meant ordinary sleep, so Jesus told them clearly: “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for you that I was not there that you may believe. Let us go to him.” When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, where he had been dead four days, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man shuffled out resurrected, still wrapped in his burial cloths.

Likening death to natural sleep was not original to Jesus in the Gospels. The Prophet Daniel, for instance, foretold that “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. Some shall live forever, [while] others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.” And the 1st Book of Kings records how King David, author of our 23rd Psalm, “rested/slept with his ancestors and was buried in [Jerusalem].” The Book of Acts narrates the death of Stephen the Martyr by saying “he fell asleep,” and the New Testament epistles frequently use “falling asleep” as an image for dying. For example, St. Paul reassures the Thessalonians: “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”

Why do the Inspired Scriptures and Jesus Christ use falling asleep as an image for death? Because our death is only temporary. Under ordinary circumstances, we do not fear to go to sleep at night because we reawaken every the morning. We are not terrified to take a nap because we soon wake again, hopefully, renewed. Dying is like falling asleep because natural death is not the end for us. We are promised resurrection.

Jesus tells us a parable about ten virgins. As they await the arrival of a long-delayed Bridegroom, they all become drowsy and fall asleep. Then at midnight, the darkest hour, a cry goes out that awakens them all: “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Five are wise and have oil ready for their lamps but five are foolish and have not prepared. While the wise ones rejoice with the Bridegroom inside his wedding feast, the foolish ones are barred outside. This Bridegroom is Jesus, who warns us to be prepared for his return, “for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Bill’s family describes him as “an amazing husband” of almost sixty years and “a perfect dad.” “He was selfless, hardworking, and steady,” a “good and faithful servant.” A man of Catholic faith and prayer; not one to complain but to instead pray harder. And Bill was well-prepared to die. Daily near the end he said so. “I’m ready to go home.” Pray for Bill’s soul—to aid him wherever needed—but please also learn from his example.

Unless Christ the Bridegroom returns first, each of us is going to die. But before we fall asleep, the wise among us will prepare to meet our Lord. Practicing proper devotion toward God and our neighbors reflects us tending to the oil of our faith and flame of our love. Prioritize this care of your lamp, so that when Jesus Christ appears you will be ready and eager to greet him. Bill has died, but he is only sleeping. And one day we will reawaken with him to the Resurrection. So tend to your life’s precious lamp, the oil of your faith and the flame of your love, so that when Jesus Christ the Bridegroom comes, we may all greet each other with joy.

Posted in Funeral Homilies, Homily, Last Things, Resurrection, Ten Virgins | 1 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 »

A Manger Sign

December 25, 2025

Christmas Day
Fr. Victor Feltes

The shepherds were in the countryside keeping night watch over their flocks when an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The angel proclaimed “good news of great joy”: a baby born that day in Bethlehem, a Savior who is Christ and Lord. And the angel gave the shepherds a confirming sign: “You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Seeing a newborn baby swaddled (that is, snugly wrapped up in cloth) would not have been an unusual sight back then. As the Old Testament author of the book called The Wisdom of Solomon writes: “In swaddling clothes and with constant care I was nurtured. For no king has any different origin or birth; one is the entry into life for all…” A much stranger sight for the shepherds on Christmas would be to see a baby in a manger.

Now when I was a kid, I thought the manger in any “manger scene” was the Holy Family’s barn or shelter, but that’s mistaken. A manger is not a building but a feedbox for dry feeds, like grain, for animals to eat. On Christmas, one such manger served as a makeshift cradle. Once the herald angels had departed, the shepherds excitedly said to each other: “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place!” They went in haste into Bethlehem and found the Holy Family, with the newborn King lying in the manger.

The angel had told the shepherds “this will be a sign for you.” Seeing the child in the manger confirmed that they had found the Christ, but this Savior in the manger is a sign for us in another sense. The name of the city of Christ’s birth, Bethlehem, means “House of Bread” in Hebrew. Finding our Lord inside a box for eating grain within the House of Bread is a sign for us foreshadowing the Holy Eucharist. Jesus would go on to teach us, “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.”

God’s Son became man for a closer unity with humanity; “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The shepherds in the countryside and the Magi in a distant land were called to draw nearer to Christ at his dwelling place in Bethlehem. But Jesus offers and calls us to an even closer union with him, within this church, his dwelling place. Jesus declares, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. … Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” When Jesus teaches us to pray for daily bread he wants us to eat more than only once or twice a year. As normal food sustains our natural lives, so we need “the Bread from heaven” to sustain our spiritual lives, to remain in Christ and he in us.

Behold, as a messenger of the Lord, I proclaim to you good news of great joy: Jesus Christ, who is Savior and Lord, has come down from heaven. Born long ago in Bethlehem, he remains really present for us here today. Please allow the miracle of Christmas to produce enduring fruit in you. Return here to Christ’s dwelling place each Sunday and holy day, to adore him and receive him in his Holy Eucharist. Through his Incarnation, Jesus chose to become one of us; but through his Holy Eucharist, he wishes to remain one with you.

 

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, Nativity, Real Presence | Leave a Comment »

Born to Die & Rise — Funeral Homily for Matthew “Matt” Jaworski, 63

December 23, 2025

By Fr. Victor Feltes

In one sense, no date on the calendar is a good time for a funeral. Any day for a loved one’s funeral rites will feel off, discordant. But today, on this eve of Christmas Eve, it feels like an especially strange time to have Matt’s funeral. We will soon be marking the glorious birth of Baby Jesus — how God becomes man and lives among us. We rightly celebrate that as one of the most joyous feasts of the year. But the life and joy of Christmas seems to be stark contrast with the loss and sadness of today. And yet it may be said that Jesus Christ “was born to die.” If Jesus Christ, the God-Man, had lived without ever becoming our redeeming sacrifice, we would still remain hostages to Satan, sin, death, and suffering forever. Instead, God the Father “did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all.”

The signs of Christ’s salvific mission were there from the beginning. The very name “Jesus” (or “Yeshua”) means “God Saves.” He was born in the hometown of David the shepherd-king, at Bethlehem, from where lambs to be sacrificed at the temple came. Jesus would go on to be sacrificed as our Good Shepherd-King, at Jerusalem, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. On Christmas night, his Mother Mary wrapped his body in cloth and laid him down inside a borrowed cave. Years later on Good Friday, she would wrap his body in cloth again and lay his body down inside another borrowed cave. Jesus’ Christmas birth and Easter resurrection, these sources for our hope, did not come without difficult trials.

The first Christmas was not easy but the Holy Family was always in God’s care. Imagine being poor, being far from home, and having your first child in a place for animals. Yet Mary and Joseph carried faith and peace within them, from the words and miracles from heaven recorded in salvation history and experienced in their own lives. Jesus Christ’s young and unexpected death stunned those who knew and loved him; however, even that awful day was foreseen in heaven’s providence. God’s Beloved One was remembered and soon would rise again. Blessed were those who mourned for him and prayed for him, for they were soon comforted. Matt’s unexpected passing saddens and a day like this is always painful. But we carry faith and hope from God, for Matt—for whom we pray—and for every one of us. Though God’s beloved one must pass through Good Friday, Christmas leads us to Easter joy.

Posted in Funeral Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Nativity, Passion, Resurrection, Typology | Leave a Comment »

Our Crucified King

November 23, 2025

Solemnity of Christ the King
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Our English word “Excruciating” comes from the Latin words for “Cross” and “Torment.” The Romans did not invent crucifixion, the Persians and the Greeks practiced it first, but the Romans more widely used the method. It was an easy way to execute people very visibly, horrifically, and slowly as a warning example to others. Typically, when the Romans crucified someone, they would place a sign above the condemned person’s head to indicate why they were being killed. St. John’s Gospel records that Governor Pilate put a sign on Jesus’ Cross written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. You sometimes see the initials “INRI” atop crucifixes. This represents the Latin phrase “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum,” the charge against our Lord. That is, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” He was killed because of who he was and who he is: Jesus the Christ and the King of the universe.

Of course, the people who killed him did not believe this. They thought he was deluded or a fraud. Hence, the triple call for him to save himself and prove them wrong. The Jewish rulers sneered and said, “Let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” The Roman soldiers jeered and called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” And one of the criminals reviled him by saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” Could Jesus have saved himself from his crucifixion?

St. John’s Gospel quotes Jesus before his Passion saying, “No one takes (my life) from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” And St. Matthew quotes Jesus later declaring in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?” So Jesus possessed the power to escape the Cross, but that was not the will or plan of God, which the Eternal Son was party to from the beginning. Jesus assumes “our bone and our flesh” to achieve our reconciliation as a descendant of David, “making peace by the blood of his Cross.” Perhaps the Holy Trinity could have inspired less painful prophecies to achieve our redemption and forgiveness of our sins, but Christ’s crucifixion is what they chose. They chose this path to win our love.

Matthew and Mark’s Gospels suggests that the Penitent Thief (traditionally known as St. Dismas) had derided Jesus, too, at first. But seeing the extraordinary way Jesus acted, hearing the things he said, all while crucified, won over that man’s mind and heart. ‘This man has done nothing criminal and this is how he dies? He truly knows my suffering and this is how he lives. This is the Christ I want to be allied with.’ St. And Luke quotes him saying, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

That movement saved the man’s soul, and we enjoy the benefit of understanding Jesus Christ even better than him. St. Paul writes that God “proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Be moved by this manifestation of God’s great love. Submit to Jesus Christ as your King so that he may be your Savior and one day we may all be with him in Paradise.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Love, Passion, Redemptive Suffering, Salvation, Salvation History, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The River From The Temple

November 9, 2025

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
By Fr. Victor Feltes

This Sunday, the Church throughout the world celebrates the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, which turns 1,701 years old this year. While St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is more famous, the Lateran Basilica is the pope’s cathedral, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Rome. This is why the Lateran Basilica is called “the mother and head” of the hundreds of thousands of Catholic churches around the world. Even if we had to go forward without any of these beautiful buildings, we could still practice our Catholic Faith through celebrating the Sacraments and offering our lives and prayers to God. But for Jews during much of the Old Testament, only one building was their place for sacrificial worship and considered God’s holy dwelling place on earth. In today’s first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel is taken by an angel to that Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

Of this vision, Ezekiel writes: “I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar.” Ezekiel records that trickling water flowing through the gates of the temple and out of the city into the east, somehow becoming a river. The angel declares, “This water flows… and empties into the sea, the salt waters [of the Dead Sea], which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.” Ezekiel’s mysterious vision of this miraculous river which purifies and renews, producing abundant life, is a prophesy which finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ and his Church.

In today’s Gospel, when Jesus forcefully clears out the animal sellers and money-changers from the temple area, the Jews ask him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” And Jesus answers, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews were incredulous at hearing this and said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years and you will raise it up in three days!?” But, as St. John the Gospel writer notes in the text, Jesus “was speaking about the temple of his Body.” After Jesus had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that Christ had said this and understood its significance.

On Good Friday, when the soldiers saw that Jesus was already dead on the Cross, one of them “thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” Today, physicians affirm that the traumas of Jesus’ Passion and death could cause red and clear fluids to build up in his chest around his heart, resulting in “blood and water” flowing out when the spear was withdrawn, just as St. John witnessed. Do we know into which side of Jesus’ body the spear entered — was it Jesus’ left side or his right side?

Recall how Ezekiel saw the water flowing out in his vision: “The façade of the temple was toward the east” and “the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar.” If Jesus on the Cross faces “east” like the front-face of the Jewish temple, then water coming down from the “south side of the temple (of his Body)” would be flowing from Christ’s right side. And 2,000-year-old forensic evidence may actually confirm this detail. The Shroud of Turin, which appears more likely than not to be an authentic image of Jesus’ body in the tomb, after accounting for the image’s mirror-reflective nature, shows a wound in Christ’s right side. St. Augustine and other Church Fathers recognize flowing from Christ’s side the water of baptism and the blood of the Eucharist. In the beginning, Adam was put into a deep sleep and God fashioned a bride for him from the rib of his side. Jesus Christ on the Cross, asleep in death, has his Bride the Church fashioned from his side through his Holy Sacraments. And when the nations are one day assembled before Christ the King, for the Final Judgment described in Matthew 25, it is the sheep gathered to his right side who will be saved.

Now that trickle from Christ’s side is become a mighty river of grace; purifying and renewing, generating abundant new life in whomever and wherever it flows. Faithful Christian people and places which grow close to that river and are fed by its waters shall endure and produce good growth, healing, and nourishment. We are blessed to enjoy this beautiful church, but wherever we worship our true temple and center of grace prepared for us by divine providence across millennia is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So with awe, reverence, gratitude, and love, let us turn to him and draw near to his Eucharistic sacrifice.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Passion, Sunday Homilies, Typology | Leave a Comment »

Lifted Up & Exalted

September 13, 2025

Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross
By Fr. Victor Feltes

During their long Exodus journey, the Hebrews once again began rebelling, despising God and his servant Moses. They even sinfully complained about the Manna bread God was providing for their survival in the desert saying, “We are disgusted with this wretched food!” So God sent venomous serpents—or perhaps he merely lifted his shield of protection around their camp—resulting in many getting snakebitten and dying. So the people repented and pleaded with Moses, who prayed to the Lord. The Lord then commanded Moses to fashion a bronze serpent and affix it to a pole so that whoever looked at it would live. Moses and the Hebrews did not realize this at the time, but that bronze serpent on a wooden pole was a symbol pointing ahead to Jesus Christ who would die for our sins on his wooden Cross so that we may live.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus uses the same Greek verb to declare, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” And the inspired author notes, “[Jesus] said this indicating the kind of death he would die.” But this same Greek word for “lifted up” or “exulted” appears again later to recount Jesus’ Ascension and heavenly enthronement. The Book of Acts says, “God exulted/lifted up [Jesus] to his right hand as leader and savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” “Jesus, exulted/lifted up to God’s right hand, received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth….” This is what I want to highlight: how the first lifting up of Jesus leads to the second; his exultation on the Cross leads to his exultation in heaven.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, endured our human suffering and death, even death on a cross. And because of this, God greatly exalted him, and bestowed on him a heavenly glory above any other glory. The early Christians fully believed in Jesus’ death by crucifixion, but they did not depict Jesus on the Cross in sacred art for several centuries. This was partly due to persecution but also because crucifixion still remained so scandalous, horrific, and shameful in their culture. This Sunday, we celebrate the Exultation of the Holy Cross and I want you to behold Christ crucified. Too many are turned away from him—the God who suffered, died, and rose for them—and we see where their dark paths lead. But the message I feel moved to preach to you who have kept your eyes on Jesus and walked with him for years is to understand that our crosses lead to glory.

Each of us is going to suffer in this world and—unless Jesus Christ comes back first—each of us will taste death. But just because you suffer greatly does not necessarily mean you are being punished for doing something wrong like the Hebrews in the desert were. And suffering does not mean that you are not loved by God. (Jesus Christ was perfectly good yet God’s Beloved Son was murdered.) And when you suffer, no matter how incomprehensible or unjust the pain, realize where you are: on your Cross with Jesus Christ. Whatever you endure with him advances his mission of salvation in this world and increases your heavenly glory, for it conforms you to himself. St. Peter wrote, “Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.” Whatever may happen, let nothing deprive you of your Christian peace or purpose and never forget the incredible love that our God has for you and everyone.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Redemptive Suffering, Salvation History, Sunday Homilies, Typology | Leave a Comment »

Greet Him At His House

August 9, 2025

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Today’s Gospel is first and foremost about the Second Coming of Christ and our judgment on the Last Day. Jesus Christ, who called himself the Son of Man, said that in the End Times “the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” The Book of Revelation agrees: “Behold, [Jesus Christ] is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him… ‘Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds.’” “But of [the timing of] that day and hour,” Jesus says, “no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (The Son of God is divine and therefore knows everything, but in his humanity Jesus apparently did not know the date or was not supposed to reveal it.) Could Jesus Christ return during our lifetime? Of course. But even if Christ returns a thousand years from now we should still heed his warning to be prepared today, for we do not know the day and hour of our deaths when he will judge our souls and deeds.

Jesus’ parable about the returning master and his servants suggests another secondary interpretation. Consider the story’s details. The master has come from a wedding. He comes to his own house. He wants his servants to be there, ready to greet him. And in response he will “have the servants recline at table and proceed to wait on them.” And “should he come in the second or third watch” (when it is darkest and most inconvenient) and find them present, attentive, and well-prepared, those servants will be greatly blessed. So where is the Lord Jesus’ house to which he returns? Where does he want his servants to be present and pleased to see him? Where would he have his faithful servants rest, partake in a meal served by him, and receive his blessed rewards? This church is his house. We are his servants. And Jesus wants us to meet him here for a meal. Our Lord arrives here joyfully from a wedding. He wedded the Church to himself two thousand years ago. And the Holy Mass extends that mystery throughout time and space to here and now. Indeed, ‘blessed are those called to the wedding supper of the Lamb’ and who are here and ready to greet him.

Yet, for too many people, the precious time of Sunday Mass is an hour when they do not expect the Son of Man to come. Despite our many scheduled weekend Masses, they still do not attend. Others show up out of obligation or custom or habit, but fail to be attentive. Perhaps they do not yet believe—despite Scripture, ancient teaching, and centuries of miracles—that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. Or perhaps they do not yet realize that they are not mere spectators at Holy Mass but offering a sacrifice with the priest and the whole community, the eternal offering of the Son to the Father, through which everything united to Christ is raised up to heaven and grace and blessings are poured down to earth in return.

Be present and be vigilant. Distractions will come to anyone who is committed to regular Massgoing and daily prayer, but do not be discouraged by the times your thoughts accidentally wander. Every decision to turn your attention back to the Lord is another act of love and devotion. Sometimes those so-called distractions are actually things the Lord wants you to pray about or offer up to him. Ask the Holy Spirit and he will help you to pray as you ought, to gird your loins with reverence and light your lamps with faith and be like servants who are glad and blessed upon their master’s return from a wedding.

Posted in Homily, Jesus Christ, Last Things, Mass, Parables, Second Coming, Sunday Homilies, Unwatchful Servant | 1 Comment »

Heavenly Feasts — Funeral Homily for Angeline “Angie” Rihn, 98

July 1, 2025

By Fr. Victor Feltes

One theme in Angie’s earthly life, from the stories her family shares about her, is meals: the meals she prepared and the meals she shared. The meals on the farm with Herman and their children always began with a prayer, thanking the Lord and asking for his blessings. And her spouse would always praise her cooking with compliments, like calling it “A meal fit for a king!” On the farm, with the animals they raised and the produce they grew and often canned, there was never a need to buy any food. For holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, Angie would cook for days. Three rooms of their farmhouse a couple miles out of town would be filled with tables and chairs for guests. Angie would always have guests over for a meal. For example, her beloved grandkids could show up anytime to enjoy sharing a meal with her. As a leader in the parish Altar-Rosary Society, she headed the organizing of funeral luncheons. And with unfaltering faith, she never skipped our Lord’s feast of the Holy Mass.

Scripture often speaks of our God preparing feasts. The Prophet Isaiah foretells that the Lord God on his holy mountain will “provide a feast for all peoples of rich food and choice wines, of juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” King David pens the 23rd Psalm saying of the Lord, “You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Jesus declares to his apostles, “I confer a Kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom….” And Jesus announces “many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven….” During the heavenly visions of the Book of Revelation, an angel tells St. John “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb,” adding, “These words are true; they come from God.”

Are these prophesies about eating and drinking in the Kingdom of Heaven literally true? Jesus says in his Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied,” but that is metaphorical language. And how could we eat foods or drink drinks after death separates our souls from our bodies? But we must remember that our well-founded Christian hope is not only for an eternal afterlife for our souls but also a physical resurrection of our bodies one day. Recall how St. Luke reports that the Resurrected Jesus in the Upper Room on Easter Sunday asked, “‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.” Why does Jesus eat with his resurrected body? It was not because of hunger, for his glorified body has no need of such nourishment. He ate as a demonstration for the apostles and us that he is not a ghost or mirage but truly risen again. But then why does Jesus eat again later, as recorded by St. John, when he had breakfast with seven disciples along the Sea of Galilee? Since the fact of his resurrection was already firmly established, it appears it simply pleased him to share a meal with them. So ‘feasting in God’s Kingdom’ appears to be more than merely a metaphor.

After the Resurrection of the dead, once our souls reunite with our bodies, many will come from east and west and recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for the Lord’s promised feast. A supper not of necessity but of joy, with delights not merely from fine food and drink but from sharing the fond table fellowship of God and his friends. Angie’s delight in preparing meals reflected our Lord’s delight in preparing meals for us: at every Mass and in the world to come. Angie rejoiced to have family and friends flock to her feast like our Lord longs for us to join him for his feast, too. So pray for Angie’s soul, that she may be perfectly purified, and let us live our lives faithfully so as to be well-prepared to one day take our places at the banquet in the Kingdom of God.

Posted in Funeral Homilies, Heaven, Homily, Resurrection | Leave a Comment »

Love & Eight — The Jacob Pake & Kayla Bowen Wedding

June 22, 2025

By Fr. Victor Feltes

We read in the Genesis Creation account that it was not good for mankind to live in solitude, so God made a suitable partner for the man. “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two become one body, one flesh.” Man and woman were made for each other. Psalm 128 notes how marriage, that first blessing from the original Garden, remains visible in the world even after the Fall: “Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive around your table.” However, after the Fall, we are wounded by sin and drawn by temptation. Humanity commonly does not do as we should.

That is why St. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians reminds their divided and squabbling community what love is and what it is not. He lists eight things that love “is” or does alongside eight things love “is not.” Love is not jealous, not pompous, not inflated, not rude, not self-seeking, not quick-tempered, not brooding over injury, not rejoicing over wrongdoing. But love is patient, love is kind, it rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and love never fails. These groupings of eight are interesting because Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount lists eight beatitudes. (Some may count nine beatitudes, but the Greek indicates that the final “blessed” is an expansion on the eighth one.) These beatitudes describe Christian saints, but first and foremost they describe Christ himself.

So eight, eight, and eight — What does this have to do with how we are to love today? In Genesis, God begins creating on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. He works six days and then rests on the seventh day. That is why the Jewish Sabbath, their holy day of rest, was Saturday. Jesus Christ, who on Good Friday worked his perfect Sacrifice, whose lifeless body on Holy Saturday kept a day of perfect rest, rose again on Easter Sunday. Christians beginning in the 1st or 2nd century called that Sunday “the eighth day,” the eighth day of Creation on which Jesus Christ transforms humanity and our lives in this world. Now we have hope beyond this life, hope for blessed endless life with God. And the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus have opened access to grace, the help of God, enabling us to live and love like him.

How can we achieve and preserve true unity and harmony among us in our homes and community? This is not possible merely on our own. We must let God give us his grace which allows us to live and love like him. This is why daily prayer, weekly worship, and consistent devotion to the Lord must be top priorities for any Christian. Jacob and Kayla, draw near to him and remain with him, so that you both may live and love like him and be blessed together. Like the psalmist said, ‘Blessed are all who fear, who reverence, the Lord and walk in his ways. You will be blessed and prosper. May you see your children’s children. May the Lord bless you all the days of your life.’

Posted in Creation, Homily, Love, Marriage and Family, Sermon on the Mount, Wedding Homilies | 1 Comment »

Fly High — Funeral Homily for Elle Jo Kramschuster, 24

June 5, 2025

By Fr. Victor Feltes

Elle’s loved ones will remember many beautiful things about her. In her, seemingly contradictory personality traits are joined. Young but old-souled. A center of attention not looking for attention. Initially the quietest person in a room but who, once comfortable, becomes its biggest presence. Never an early-riser, except to see the sunrise. A world-traveler who loves being back home with family and friends the most. Elle took some twenty-two jet flights, mostly in the last five years, to places like Colorado, Texas, Dubai, or Sri Lanka. She would say, “Happiness is a flight away.” But her favorite thing was being home, having everyone together. For instance, at the annual family rendezvous in Hayward her favorite thing was waking up and everyone being there. Today, we are all gathered here to mourn Elle’s passing and pray for her soul.

Last week, Christ’s Church around the world celebrated the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. Many places marked this event last Thursday, while others transferred the celebration to Sunday. It is a bittersweet feast day. After spending forty days with Jesus after his Easter Resurrection, his disciples watch him fly into the sky until a cloud takes him from their sight, symbolizing his entry into Heaven. Jesus tells his disciples it is better that he goes. They are given assurances that he will visibly return again someday. And Jesus promises them, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Yet this time of visible separation is still a sad thing.

Jesus understands this. He knows our human loves, joys, and sorrows, for he is not only truly God but truly man. As Pope Francis wrote, “The eternal Son of God, in his utter transcendence, chose to love each of us with a human heart.” Jesus possesses “genuine human emotions and feelings like ourselves, albeit fully transformed by his divine love. … Entering into the heart of Christ, we feel loved by a human heart filled with affections and emotions like our own.” As much as you love Elle, realize that our Good Lord Jesus Christ loves her even more.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled,” he says. ‘Have faith in God; have faith in me.’ Christ is our Good Shepherd. Sweet Elle’s passing from this world is not the end of her story, any more than Jesus’ bodily Ascension was the end of his. Though she has a beautiful soul, earnestly pray for Elle, that the Lord may purify whatever remains imperfect in her so that she may ascend to glory, too. One day, the friends of God will awaken to a new and endless day, rising again in joy at having all of us together. Elle, you are loved, both on earth and in Heaven, where God’s family gathers. Happiness is a flight away. Fly high, Elle.

Posted in Ascension, Funeral Homilies, Homily | Leave a Comment »

A Christian Philosopher–Engineer — Funeral Homily for William “Bill” Hable, 87

June 5, 2025

By Fr. Aro (Arockiaraj Paristham)

“There is a time for everything. A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.” This is the time to celebrate the death of our beloved William, who is known as Bill. A man who lived a full life, pleasing God and people.

Dear brothers and sisters, we have gathered together today to say goodbye to our brother Bill, whose life has touched us all in profound ways. It is said that he was an engineer who rooted in science but he saw himself as a philosopher first. If you asked him what the time is, he would tell you how a clock worked. As we reflect on his journey, it is comforting to turn to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes in the gospel. These words offer hope in times of sorrow, pointing us toward the deep truths of God’s love and the promise of eternal life. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) In this moment of loss, we are mourning the passing of Bill, someone who meant so much to all of us especially the family members. Bill cherished spending time with his loved ones and instilled a strong sense of self-reliance in his family. Mourning is a natural response to love, when we lose someone dear, we feel the deep void their absence creates. But Jesus promises us comfort. He assures us that in our grief, God is close to us, offering His presence, His peace, and His comfort. As we mourn, we can hold on to the promise that God sees our tears and walks with us in our sorrow.

Jesus also says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) This verse reminds us that humility and dependence on God bring us closer to His Kingdom. Bill in his lifetime was simple and humble person. He always admitted his mistakes. One of his favorite quotes was “show me a person who has not made a mistake and I’ll show you a person who has not done much.” Bill may have shown us what it means to be poor in spirit, whether through acts of kindness, quiet strength, or a deep faith in God. When we are humble, we recognize our need for God, and He promises to meet us with His grace. Today, we remember that Bill now rests in the presence of God, in the Kingdom of heaven, where there is no more pain or suffering.

Jesus also says, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’ (Matthew 5:8) Purity of heart is a quality of those who seek God with sincerity, love others selflessly, and live with integrity. As we reflect on Bill’s life, we may see the ways in which he lived with a pure heart, perhaps through his love for family. Bill was known for his quiet sensitivity and steadfast loyalty, always offering support to those around him. He was a loving husband to his wife, Judy, for many joyful years. Because of his pure heart and compassion for others, and unwavering faith, now, Bill has seen God face-to-face, and he dwells in the fullness of God’s glory.

Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) Peacemaking is more than the absence of conflict; it is the active pursuit of reconciliation, love, and unity. Bill was a problem solver and he wanted his children to be problem solvers like himself. If Bill was someone who brought people together, mended relationships, or simply offered a calming presence in times of difficulty, we honor that legacy today. In the Kingdom of God, they are now embraced as a beloved child of God, resting in perfect peace. Bill will be remembered for his unwavering love and dedication to family and friends.

Let us be grateful to God for him in our lives as family or relative or a friend. Let us try to follow one of the good values that we learned from our beloved Bill which touched our lives and carry it over. Let us continue our prayer for his soul rest in peace and for the family to have comfort and hope and faith.

Posted in Funeral Homilies, Homily, Sermon on the Mount | Leave a Comment »

A Leader Like Us

May 31, 2025

Solemnity of the Ascension
By Fr. Victor Feltes

As a child in CCD class, I remember being told that a pope from the United States would never happen in our lifetimes. The common view was that having the earthly leader of the Catholic Church come from the world’s strongest superpower was something most cardinals would want to avoid. So it was quite surprising when the 69-year-old, Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was introduced to the world as Pope Leo XIV. But that concern about coming off as “America’s Pope” is probably why he only spoke Italian, Spanish, and Latin during his first public appearance.

If you’re like me, it’s surreal having so much in common with the pope. Like all of us here, he’s a Midwesterner. He speaks English without a foreign accent. He has consumed our movies, TV shows, and music and been active on social media. He has enjoyed American sports, like when he attended a White Sox World Series game. He has voted in our U.S. elections and attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. He ministered in Peru for many years but we have something in common there too. Our diocese has supported Servant of God Fr. Joe Walijewski’s Casa Hogar orphanage in Lima for several decades. Like me, the new pope has a mathematics degree. My parents and relatives come from the Chicagoland area too. And we both picked the name “Leo XIV” — this new pope was literally named after my 12-year-old cat. He has a friendly smile and a sense of humor, he’s easygoing but takes Catholic teaching and worship seriously, he sings well, and writes out homilies to help him preach clearly. You probably have personal connections to our new pope yourself, like belonging to the same American Baby Boom generation.

Of course, the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV is still very young and its substantial fruits have yet to unfold. In the first week following his election, a reporter shook Pope Leo’s hand as he passed by and asked, “Holy Father… any message for the United States?” The pope smiled, lifted his hands, and replied, “Many! May God bless you all!” It’s exciting to have a pope who probably understands us, our country and our culture, both the good and the bad, better than any pope before him. So what does any of this have to do with the Solemnity of the Ascension we celebrate today? Much! And it relates to our June celebration of the Sacred Heart as well.

The Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus Christ’s human nature into heaven. His humanity enters everlasting divine glory, symbolized by the cloud and sky. And from heaven, seated at God’s right hand, he constantly intercedes for us before the Father. Jesus Christ, being true God and true man, has a human intellect and will perfectly attuned to his divine intellect and will, knowing us and loving us all with a human heart. As Pope Francis wrote about the Sacred Heart last year, “The eternal Son of God, in his utter transcendence, chose to love each of us with a human heart.” Jesus possesses “genuine human emotions and feelings like ourselves, albeit fully transformed by his divine love. … Entering into the heart of Christ, we feel loved by a human heart filled with affections and emotions like our own.” Divine knowledge and love are eternal and we have had popes before. But the Ascension and Sacred Heart of Jesus are significant. Like a pope who intimately understands us, because he is one of us, we can rejoice that we now have a Lord in heaven, Jesus Christ, who knows us and loves us with a human heart like ours.

Posted in Ascension, Catholic Church, Culture, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Jesus’ Love Succeeds

April 18, 2025

Good Friday
By Fr. Victor Feltes

The story of Christ’s Passion is a chronicle of human failures. Simon Peter, chief of his disciples, denies being his friend three times. Caiaphas and Annas, the highest Jewish leaders, reject, condemn, and hand over their Messiah. Pilate and Herod, representing the world’s political powers, tolerate injustice, persecute, and execute the Innocent One. The mob of humanity chooses the violent rebel, Barabbas (whose name means “Son of the Father”) instead of God’s Son, the peaceful Savior.

It is poignant and fitting how our liturgy has us speak the mob’s words, “Crucify him! Crucify him! …Take him away! Crucify him!” since it was our sins too which sent Jesus to the Cross. And yet, even as we are humbled and convicted at Jesus being crucified because of us, remember that Jesus accepted humiliation, pain, and death because of his love of us.

Though we may fail, Jesus’ love succeeds. He said, “When I am lifted up from the earth I will draw everyone to myself.” He stretches out his arms between heaven and earth as the everlasting sign of his New Covenant to invite and embrace us. And from the Cross, he says, “I thirst,” because his love thirsts for you and me.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Love, Passion | Leave a Comment »

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