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The Great Gift of Baptism

January 11, 2025

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
By Fr. Victor Feltes

As with the Jewish boys who received the rite of circumcision on their eighth day to enter the Old Covenant, the early Church gave the rite of baptism as a free gift for even newborns to enter the New Covenant. Unlike those of us who were baptized as babies, my friend Elena remembers her baptism from when she was nineteen years old.

She says, “Right up to the night (of that Easter Vigil in 2007), I was still partially afraid that God would strike me down when the baptismal waters touched me. I wanted so much to belong to him but half-thought that maybe he didn’t want me. I thought, ‘If he wanted me in the Church, why didn’t he have me born in a Catholic family?’” Full Christian initiation is accomplished through three sacraments: first, Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and Holy Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Jesus’ Body and Blood for transformation in Christ. Elena received all three sacraments that night, “and then after,” she says, “I could hear him in a whole new way (not like a voice but like thoughts that you know come from him). And I knew I was his and that he wanted me.”

Through baptism, by being buried and rising again from the waters, we mystically enter the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are united with him as a member of his Church, members of his Body, members of his Bride. Through water and the Holy Spirit, we are “born from above” and “born again.” We become adopted children of God the Father and new temples of the Holy Spirit. Baptism forgives all our sins, indelibly changes our souls, bestows us graces enabling close relationship with God, and makes us sharers in the mission of his Church as priests, prophets, and kings in Christ. Jesus commands us to “go… and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that [he has] commanded [us].” Baptism opens the door to the other sacraments. It is the gateway into God’s Kingdom for salvation.

Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the opportunity to ask for this sacrament. God has bound salvation to his sacraments, yet he himself is not limited by his sacraments. His Church teaches that unbaptized martyrs, catechumens seeking baptism, and those who are ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and his Church but who seek the truth and do the will of God in accordance with their understanding of it can be saved through a baptism by blood or desire instead of water. How many are saved through these baptisms of desire? We don’t know. We do know that our clear salvific mission is the Great Commission Jesus gives us.

As St. Peter preached at Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!” Ordinarily, only deacons, priests, or bishops should baptize people by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion while invoking the Holy Trinity. However, in an emergency situation, anyone can baptize; simply intend to do what the Church does when it baptizes and pour water on the recipient’s head while saying “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

This Sunday, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Though sinless, he voluntarily submits himself to John’s baptism intended for sinners in order “to fulfill all righteousness.” By his own baptism, Christ connects himself with the baptized so the baptized can be united to Christ. Once Jesus was baptized, while he was praying, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in visible form like a dove. And the voice of God the Father came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

My friend Elena recalls that after her baptism, “I had this almost euphoric joy for almost a whole year that nothing could touch. I remember some religious sisters I’d met just after my baptism warning me that would fade. I didn’t believe them, but they were right. Hard times came and it got more difficult to hold onto that joy. But I think that joy is what we’ll experience in heaven and I hold onto that hope now.” Our own baptisms may have been many years ago and perhaps we have no memories of that day at all. But the effects of baptism do not depend on our feelings. Remember who you are in Christ. The voice of the Father calls out from heaven for you to hear him: “You are my beloved one, my beloved child, and in you I delight.”

Posted in Baptism of Jesus, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Salvation, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Life Lessons From A Holy Family

December 29, 2024

Feast of the Holy Family
By Fr. Victor Feltes

The Holy Family went up to Jerusalem each year for the feast of Passover. Once, when Jesus was twelve years old, as they were leaving the city at the end of the festival, the Boy Jesus stayed behind without his parents knowing it. Whole communities would pilgrimage to and from these feasts together, so Joseph and Mary had assumed Jesus was walking with others in the caravan during that first day journeying on the road back to Nazareth. But then, perhaps when it was time to share a meal or set up camp for the evening, his parents could not find him. They would have asked all of their relatives and neighbors about the last place they had seen the boy and realized that he had not been with them for hours. Joseph and Mary would soon return to Jerusalem and find Jesus alive and well on the third day. In this difficult episode for the Holy Family, there are lessons for us today.

Jesus had the best parents in all of human history. His adoptive father was a great saint and his mother was filled with grace. And yet, one time, they lost track of their only child for three days. This shows us that sometimes we can try our hardest and things will still go wrong (at least in our own eyes). We can always choose to put forth our best effort, but we cannot control every outcome. Remember: Just because something goes wrong, even painfully wrong, does not necessarily mean that we have sinned. The Blessed Mother was sinless and yet she lost her Son.

When we are little, our parents might seem perfect. As we grow up, we are disappointed to see their imperfections. But as we advance in wisdom and age becoming adults ourselves, we better understand human weakness and limitations. This does not erase people’s flaws and sometimes grave faults, but it can help us have more mercy for people, including forgiving our parents and ourselves.

After three days, Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Jesus shows us that we can learn things even from imperfect people. Jesus’ parents were astonished when they found him, 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.” Like holy figures in the Old Testament before her, Mary questions the Lord about the things she does not understand.

Being twelve years old, Jesus was years beyond the age of reason. He must have known his parents would be concerned after he concealed his plans from them. But the Sinless One does not offer an apology. Instead, he asks them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” It is a mystery why it was God’s will for Jesus to remain in Jerusalem. Even after his reply, his parents did not understand what he said to them. But he returned home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them as he advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. Blessed Mother Mary kept this episode in her memory, remembering its stressful beginning and joyful end, and pondering its meaning in her heart.

The things which happen in our lives, like the circumstances of our upbringing or the crises that come our way, will not always make sense to us. But we can learn and grow from all these things, and become more holy families because of them, for “God works all things for the good of those who love him.”

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast Day Homilies, Finding in the Temple, Homily, Jesus Christ, Marriage and Family, Parenting, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

3 Things I Didn’t Know About Christmas

December 24, 2024

Christmas Eve
By Fr. Victor Feltes

O holy night! Christmas has come! Jesus Christ is born! Tonight we celebrate and hear the story again of his world-changing birth. And though it is a familiar story, we all still have things to learn from it. For example, do you know what swaddling clothes are? “Mary wrapped her Son in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.”

When I was younger, I didn’t know what swaddling clothes were. Maybe because “swaddle” sounded like “squalid” and I had seen the inside of messy barns, I imagined they were dirty pajamas. It’s actually an ancient and modern practice to use cloth to wrap up infants’ arms and legs tightly to their bodies. This is called “swaddling,” and babies enjoy it — it reminds them of the warm close comfort of the womb.

Another thing I didn’t know when I was younger was what a manger is. I assumed the manger was the stable because whenever someone would point out a “manger scene” what I always noticed was the big wooden barn. The shelter in Bethlehem where Jesus was born was actually more like a cave. But regardless, a manger is not a barn; it’s an animal feeding trough that holds dry feeds, like grain. So Mary wrapped up Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid him in a feed box.

These are interesting details, but why does St. Luke mention them? The details do reflect the humility of our Savior and King. Our Lord could have arranged providence instead to have himself born inside a palace with wealth, but he chose to enter into our human poverty and discomfort. But there is another reason why St. Luke notes these things: they foreshadow what would come later.

One day, decades after Christmas, assisted by another Joseph, the Blessed Mother Mary would wrap her Son’s body with cloths and lay him down inside another borrowed cave. And it is fitting that on Christmas night Jesus’ body was placed inside of a feedbox for grain, for he would go on to offer his full self as food for us, as Bread for the life of the world. It’s all connected and the beginning contains the end. Christmas leads to Holy Week, and Holy Week gives us the Faith, the Church, the Holy Eucharist.

A third and final thing I misunderstood when I was younger was when the Magi (or “Wisemen”) really arrived in Bethlehem. Having followed ‘the Christmas Star,’ I assumed they showed up on Christmas night. The Magi actually came later, sometime between forty days and perhaps two years after Christmas. We know this because Joseph and Mary did not yet have the Magi’s gift of gold to buy a sacrificial lamb for the Presentation at the Temple. And King Herod, in his attempt to kill Baby Jesus in Bethlehem, ordered the death of all the baby boys “two-years-old and under.” The Magi responded to Christ’s birth and came after Christmas. They entered the house of the Holy Family and they came with gifts.

It is good that we are gathered for this holy night. Jesus has called you here to be with him and to be with us. But like the Magi, we all are also called to respond to his birth by coming after Christmas. This is the house of his Holy Family, and we must honor and adore him, bearing for him the gift of ourselves. Jesus’ wish this Christmas is for you, and each of us need him. Christmas, Easter, the Holy Mass; the Faith, the Church, the Eucharist; the past, the present, eternity; they’re all connected here, in Jesus Christ. Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy! A Savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. So come, let us adore him!

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Nativity, The Magi, Typology | 1 Comment »

Imitate The Visitation

December 21, 2024

4th Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

When Archangel Gabriel informed the Virgin Mary that she would conceive the Son of God, the last recorded thing he told her was: “[B]ehold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Notice how the angel does not tell Mary what to do with this final bit of news. Yet soon after in response, likely encouraged by the Holy Spirit, “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.”

St. Luke records that “Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.” Luke’s Gospel contains details about the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, and Jesus’ early years which are not told in the other Gospels, including things upon which Mary “pondered in her heart.” Now how would you know what someone pondered in their heart unless they told you? This suggests that the original source for the stories in the first chapters of Luke was the Blessed Virgin Mary herself.

At the Visitation, at least four persons are brought together: Elizabeth, with John the Baptist at least twenty weeks along, and Mary her kinswoman, with Jesus who was perhaps only days old within her. Although Mary believed in what was spoken to her by the angel, she may not have known how far his words had been fulfilled. If that is the case, then the first person on earth to recognize and herald the presence of Christ Incarnate was another unborn child.

The angel never commanded Mary to make the journey, but she wanted to be there for Elizabeth. For about three months, apparently until the circumcision and naming of John eight days after his birth, Mary was there to help and support Elizabeth around the house and through her first delivery. Elizabeth, in turn, was an encouragement and help to Mary, sharing Spirit-inspired words, like “blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb,” and offering wise advice, such as whether and how Mary should reveal the news of her pregnancy to Joseph. Unborn Jesus and unborn John depended upon their mothers for life itself, yet even these little ones were helpful as well. John’s tiny leaping kicks confirmed to Elizabeth what the Holy Spirit was revealing to her, while the grace of the Son of God was mystically supporting them all. They were called to community and to help and accept help from each other. We are called to help and accept help from one another sharing community in this parish as well.

When I was in seminary, we would gather for meals at round tables in the refectory (or cafeteria). We ate from plates and bowls on top of dinner trays. Sometimes at the end of meals, my fellow seminarians would offer to take up others’ trays to the dishwasher racks. I would gladly accept the offer and thank them for it. However, occasionally when I would offer to take up other seminarians’ trays, someone might adamantly refuse. So I would ask, “How come it’s okay for you to take up my tray but not okay for me to take up yours? Come on, allow me to merit with God from doing some good deeds too!” Mary and Jesus, Elizabeth and John, were all together and helpful to each other. Christians are called not only to serve but to be humble enough to accept and even seek out kindness and help from others.

The providence and grace of God led to the beautiful mystery of the Visitation. This week, God will draw many people to our church for the first time in a long time. Joyfully greet our guests, like Elizabeth welcomed Mary. Like little John the Baptist, express excitement that they are here. Invite them to be with us and be present yourself, at Sunday Mass, as part of our Parish Council of Catholic Women or our Knights of Columbus, in the That Man Is You men’s group, at parish meals or at activities, like my next Trivia Night this January. You have nothing to lose from this, while others have much to gain. And please prayerfully consider creating community events for our parish yourself. Would you like to start a Bible study, or a Catholic video series, or a book or movie club, or host an after-Mass social? Talk to me about whatever you have in mind because I desire your rewarding work to bear much good fruit. Blessed are you who believe that the Lord could do great things through you.

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Homily, Jesus Christ, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies, Visitation | Leave a Comment »

Jesus Christ Is King

November 24, 2024

Solemnity of Christ the King
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Today’s psalm says: “The Lord is King, in splendor robed… Your throne stands firm from of old… Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed…” The Old Testament prophets agreed. Isaiah said “the Lord is our King, it is he who will save us.” Jeremiah said our God “is the living God, the eternal King.” And Zephaniah said “the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst.” At the center of human history, when Jesus Christ is born among us, he comes as King as well.

“Behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?’” And when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel!” Pontius Pilate unknowing proclaimed this truth when he had a sign placed above Christ’s head on the Cross: “This is Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” This Sunday, we celebrate that our Lord Jesus Christ is King of the universe now.

After his Resurrection, when Jesus appeared to his apostles on a mountain in Galilee, he told them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me” and he gave his Church our Great Commission to spread his Kingdom, reassuring us, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” This raises a challenging question for us: why is Jesus not visibly doing more now? All power in heaven and on earth has been given to him, so why is he not making more things happen?

His disciples wondered about this, too. Before the Risen Jesus ascended into Heaven, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” He answered, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Kingdom of God is among us, and Jesus calls us to work with him to spread it and deepen it, everywhere in everyone.

But why doesn’t Jesus just force everything to be better? As God, he is omnipotent. He has the power to do all possible things. But one thing he cannot do is to force someone’s free “No” into a free “Yes.” When Jesus returns in unveiled glory, coming upon the clouds and flanked by his angels in full-force, humanity’s time for decision will be over. That day will bring the Last Judgment and sin will no longer be given any quarter. After that, there will be only God’s Kingdom and the outer darkness. Now is the time for freely choosing.

Do we desire God’s Kingdom? Around 1000 B.C., the elders of Israel came to the Prophet Samuel asking, “Appoint a king over us to rule us like other nations.” Samuel was displeased they said, “Give us a king to rule us,” but he brought the matter to the Lord in prayer. And the Lord replied: “Listen to whatever the people say. You are not the one they are rejecting. They are rejecting me as their king.” And during Christ’s Passion, Pilate asked the crowd, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered for the mob, “We have no king but Caesar.” They were rejecting the Lord as their King. When we pray “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven,” do we really mean what we are saying?

When Pilate asked Jesus if he was a king, Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate then responds with a line which today’s Gospel reading cuts off. Pilate dismissively replies, “What is truth,” and then turns his back on Truth himself, and walks away. If you desire Jesus as your Savior, you must let him be your Lord.

Advent begins next Sunday—our annual season of preparation for the coming of the Lord. Here are three wise steps for a better Advent. First, his decrees are worthy of trust. Which of his words will you neglect no more but specifically begin putting into practice? Make yourself a short list. Second, make an Advent Confession, for a fresh beginning, a new infusion of grace. And third, pray every day, for you cannot thrive without him. The saints worked wonders in this world by following Christ and doing his will. So can you. The Lord is in your midst. He is the living God, our eternal King. And if we will let him, it is he who will save us.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Last Judgment, Last Things, O.T. Figures, Second Coming, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Do Not Fear The Ending

November 16, 2024

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

The Prophet Daniel says of the end of days, “It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress…” And Jesus foretells, “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Many Christians today regard the end times with aversion and dread. Many fear Jesus Christ as judge, as if he were coming to destroy us. And yet, at the conclusion of the Book of Revelation, in response to the One who declares, “Yes, I am coming soon,” God’s people cry out in answer, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

The early Christians saw the arrival of God’s Kingdom for us—either when we die or at Christ’s Second Coming—as Good News. St. Paul the Apostle wrote, “For me, life is Christ and death is gain!” “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” and he tells us over and over, “Do not be afraid.” There will be trials before the end, in our own individual lifetimes and in the earthly pilgrimage of the Church, but what comes after this will be much, much better.

Out of fear of escapism, we fail to reflect upon Heaven enough. Great hope comes from having something great you’re looking forward to. Imagine Heaven, where sin will be no more; no shame or temptation; no guilt or condemnation; no ugliness, decay, or corruption; no sickness or suffering; no fear or tears; no pain or death; no more crime or injustice; no more separation from God and his saints. And remember not only what evils are absent in Heaven, but also what supreme goods are found there. In Heaven, there is peace and blessings; praise and rewards; knowledge and wonders; perfection and joys; beauty, delights, and unending love; reunion with loved ones; fellowship with the saints; and complete union with God.

The Prophet Daniel foretold about the Day of Resurrection: “At that time, [God’s] people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, others to reproach and everlasting disgrace.” Sometimes Christians worry whether or not they are in that Book of Life. I do believe more of us need to be praying, going to Confession, and attending Holy Mass, but I like to reassure people by asking them this: First, what is your greatest desire? Next, what do you think is the greatest desire of a saint? If your answers are similar, then you have the desires of a saint—and that’s a very good sign.

Imagine another person just like you in every way; the same past, all the same strengths and weaknesses as you. What would you think of that person? Could you be friends with them? Do not treat yourself worse than you treat others, but love yourself like your neighbor. Be not afraid and remember that the Lord is preparing you for Heaven because God loves you.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Last Things, Second Coming, Sunday Homilies | 1 Comment »

A Proud Member of this Holy Family — Funeral Homily for Jesse LaGesse, 85

October 11, 2024

By Deacon Dick Kostner

When Father sent out the readings for today I was bewildered about the Gospel Sharon had chosen for the Mass today. Funeral homilies are supposed to direct our thoughts not to this world but to our heavenly home and the hereafter. I sent Father a text about the choices picked directed to the Holy Family saying I could not see what the readings had to do with our next life. He gave me a call and told me about the worry Mary and Joseph had about not knowing where he was and that it took “three days” before they finally found him. I have read and recited this Gospel many times in my life but I never picked up on “three days” until his call. This was to be a preview of what was to happen in the future for Mary to prepare for the death of Jesus. It is a preview of all of us to prepare ourselves to the fact that our family members will someday experience death and that we will be separated from them in body at least until our bodies are resurrected at the end of time. But the good news is that because of Jesus we are all invited to rejoin and be a part of the Holy Family for all eternity without ever being required to experience again, the loss felt when someone we love dies. Now I have given you Fr. Feltes’ interpretation of the Gospel now I will give you mine.

This story about Jesus expresses to me that Jesus was, in fact, human. He was centered on his mission of helping others learn more about scriptures and its meaning and perhaps forgot that his parents would worry about what happened to him. Lesson to be learned, we need to acquire the necessity to think and teach our loved ones about how their actions may affect those they love. If Jesus could drop the ball we too should be patient when we try to educate our young people of how their actions can and will affect those they love, and share with them your thoughts and opinions as to how this will affect lives.

The bad news is that during our earthly life we still are required to carry crosses in life as did Jesus, and Jesse, knowing that we will be separated in body from our earthly blood family and from the family of Jesus which the Church refers to as the Holy Family of God because of a one time death.

This December, I will be celebrating my 25th year of being a Permanent Deacon. It will also be my 30th year of offering to this parish the Stations of the Cross on Tuesday evenings during the Lenten season. One of the Fathers of this Parish gathering for prayer was none other than Jesse, who was the first to offer his help in carrying that cross over there as this Holy Family reflected upon the Passion and death of Jesus the Lamb of God, who was willing to suffer and die so that we could find everlasting life with Him as a member of the Holy Family of God.

I have always invited members of the parish to help by carrying the cross during our Stations when it was first introduced to us by our Father Tom, but many were too bashful to accept the invitation, but not Jess. When he and Sharon would show up he would always ask if I needed someone to carry the cross. It was his personal desire to be a partner with Jesus in accepting whatever crosses he was asked to bear to make the life of his blood family and his spiritual church families crosses easier to bear. He did this for over 25 years until his own health would not allow him to carry that cross shown over there, as he had other heavier crosses to carry before his life would end. Now he has moved up to receive his reward for all the gifts of service that he gave, not only his family but the city of Bloomer and his church, as a proud member of this Holy Family.

Long ago, I had told my wife that the cross Jess carried for years for us would be present at his funeral. If it wasn’t so big it should have been buried with him but I think maybe we who have been left, need it here, at St. Paul’s, to honor and thank him for his living with and being a active member of the Holy Family of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and the people of Bloomer. Jesus tells us the two greatest commandments to obey is love of God and love of our neighbor. Thanks Jess for living out your life in service to God, your family, and your Bloomer faith family. We will always be together with you in spirit, and please pray for us as we try to bear our crosses of life.

Posted in Finding in the Temple, Funeral Homilies, Homily | Leave a Comment »

What is Good for Us?

September 1, 2024

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Jesus said to the crowd, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Jesus speaks to the Old Covenant’s rules about the ritual purity of objects and foods. With the arrival of his New Covenant those ordinances passed away. “Thus,” St. Mark writes, “he declared all foods clean.” After carefully forming his Jewish people as a unique group set apart from the world, God lifts the burden of those purity laws to open the door to true religion for all the nations. That has led to gentiles like you and me worshipping him here together this Sunday.

So what substances should enter our bodies? Millions of Americans now use illegal drugs, abuse alcohol or prescription drugs. I can imagine someone asking: “If nothing from outside the body defiles, if God has created all things good, then how could any substance be forbidden?” Yes, all that God created is good, very good, but recall how one of his first commandments in the Garden of Eden was not to eat from a certain plant. The woman saw how that tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom, but it was not good for Adam and Eve to then eat of its fruit. Fire is another of God’s good creations, a blessing very useful for life, but misusing it can burn you or may entirely consume you.

Alcohol is a similar case; a good thing which can be harmful. Psalm 104 says God gives man “wine to gladden their hearts.” Jesus transformed water into wine at the Wedding Feast of Cana, and we know wine back then was more than just grape juice. No one put their new wine into old wineskins because the alcoholic fermentation would burst them. St. Paul even once counseled St. Timothy, “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” So alcohol is a blessing, but Scripture also describes its dangers. Proverbs says, “Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous; none who are intoxicated by them are wise.” And St. Paul taught the Ephesians, “Do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery.”

Intoxication or drunkenness carries both personal and communal consequences. Opposition alcohol’s harms was once so intense in our country that the 18th Amendment banned “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors” beginning in 1919. After almost 15 years, because of increased crime and corruption and the government’s desire for more tax revenue during the Great Depression, Prohibition was repealed in 1933. Of course, just because something is legalized doesn’t mean it’s safe, healthy, or helpful for me. For instance, smoking is highly-addictive and causes cancer but it’s legal in all fifty states. And now many places are legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana use despite its known health and social harms. Just because an activity is legal doesn’t mean we or those we love should do it.

True freedom is not unchecked license. It’s the ability to choose and do what’s right and best. Our addictions make us slaves. Consider your habits. Are their fruits good or bad? Jesus said the sins which come out of us are what defile us. Look at what comes from you because of this or that habit. What habits, then, should you moderate or abstain from entirely? St. James urges us in today’s second reading to “be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves… Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.” Accept the pruning of correction and the nourishing support of others to bear better and more abundant fruit.

Why do we freely chose to sin – to do what we know is wrong? Because it feels like a shortcut to peace and happiness. But the holes in human hearts are meant to be filled by love instead of sins — divine and neighborly love, poured out and received. Jesus calls all sinners to change but he does not expect us to achieve this change alone. Ask for his help, his grace, his inspiration and strength, “for what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?” And through the support of fellow Christians, helping each other be better, embrace Christ’s ways which bring fruitful joys without any regrets.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Culture, Homily, Jesus Christ, Salvation History, Sunday Homilies | 1 Comment »

Journeying With Jesus — Funeral Homily for James “Jim” Eder, 73

August 26, 2024

By Fr. Victor Feltes

Of all the Old Testament Psalms, the most famous is Psalm 23 by King David. King David writes, “The Lord is my shepherd,” and describes himself as a cared-for sheep in God’s flock. King David’s greatest descendant, Jesus Christ our Lord, goes on to declare, “I am the good shepherd.” However, St. John the Baptist proclaims on more than one occasion that Jesus is “the Lamb of God.” The presiding priest proclaims the same at every Mass. So Jesus Christ is both a sheep and our shepherd.

Amongst the New Testament Gospels, the most famous section may be Jesus teaching his Sermon on the Mount. And the most famous portion of the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ opening: the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… [and] the meek… those who hunger and thirst for righteousness… the merciful… the clean of heart… the peacemakers… those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.” In these blessed statements, Jesus presents a portrait of people in this world who are well-aligned with the Kingdom of God. Christ’s Beatitudes describe his Christian saints, but they also describe Jesus Christ himself.

Jesus Christ is not only our teacher and Lord; he is also our Christian role-model. And Jesus is not only our shepherd, but also a lamb who understands us. So even as we walk through sad valleys in the shadow of death, like this passing of our brother Jim, we are not afraid. Jesus is at our side, guiding us and giving us courage; he has walked this path before us.

Jesus has become one of us; was born and lived among us. St. Paul notes “it is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who is also at the right hand of God and [now] indeed intercedes for us.” Jesus is that much on our side; so much in our favor. Such is his goodness and kindness. Such is “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

He spreads a table before us. He anoints our heads with oil. His blessing cup overflows all the days of our lives. He invites us to dwell in this his house for years to come – until the day he calls each of us by name, just as he has called Jim before us. Let us pray for Jim and one another, that following our Lord we may be led to the place where we will journey no more and restful peace never ends.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Funeral Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Salvation History | Leave a Comment »

Faithful Efforts & Divine Increase

July 27, 2024

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes

In our first reading from the 2nd Book of Kings, the Prophet Elisha uses twenty barley loaves to feed a hundred people. That suggests a miraculous multiplication of five times. In our Gospel reading, Jesus Christ uses five loaves to feed about 5,000 men – a multiplication of 1,000 times. So Jesus’ miracle was 200 hundred times greater than Elisha’s. That 200 figure is interesting because of something Philip the Apostle says.

When Jesus asked him, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat,” to see what he would say, Philip remarked, “200 days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little!” What good could 200 days of work do for so many? One might ask what good are any of our labors or efforts in the face of such great problems in our world today?

Many days passed between the events of the 2nd Book of Kings and the events of the Gospels. Why did the Old Testament people of God have to work and wait, suffer and endure, for days and years, for generations and centuries, before the coming of Christ? Because it was not yet the fullness of time; things were not yet fully prepared for those greater wonders. Our redemption in Christ is preeminently the work of God but God wills that the faithful efforts of faithful people help prepare the way.

While the disciples were still wondering what to do about the problem of the hungry crowd, Andrew the Apostle told Jesus, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many?” Jesus would take those loaves, give thanks to God the Father, and distribute the loaves and fishes to the reclining crowd as much as they wanted, and they all ate and had their fill.

Consider this: in the beginning, all things were created through God the Son out of nothing, ex nihilo. Yet Jesus did not conjure food to feed that crowd out of nothing. Like at the Wedding Feast of Cana, he received what was offered to him and transformed it for both our good and God’s glory.

That boy and those five loaves and two fish are remembered to this day, in our Gospel stories on earth and even more gloriously in heaven. Jesus used that entire gift, he multiplied all the loaves and fishes offered, just like how at Cana he transformed the contents of all six of the large stone water jars which the servants had filled for him. And Jesus directed his disciples to “gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted,” filling a dozen wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which had been more than they could eat.

Even as Christians we may get discouraged, feel overwhelmed and wonder, “What good are any of my labors or efforts? What good is this for few or many?” Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that Jesus will use everything which we offer him. He will bless it, transform it, multiply it, grow it. He will use it for both our good and God’s glory, and nothing will be wasted. Remember that Jesus promises “whoever gives but a cup of cold water… to drink… [for me] will surely not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

Posted in Homily, Jesus Christ, Mulitplication of Loaves, Redemptive Suffering, Sacrifice, Stewardship, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

What did Jesus Sing at the Last Supper?

June 1, 2024

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi
By Fr. Victor Feltes

The Last Supper was a Passover meal. Jesus says so when he instructs two of his disciples, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.”

The disciples found the upper room following the sign of a water jar. At the start of Jesus’ public ministry in Cana there were six stone water jars. As his ministry comes to its climax, there is a seventh water jar. The number seven symbolizes “fullness” or “completeness” in the Bible, like the sum of seven days is the completion of one full week. At the wedding feast of Cana, Jesus changes water into wine. At the Last Supper, Jesus changes bread and wine into himself.

“While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, [and] said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many….’ “Then,” St. Mark writes in his gospel, “after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” St. Matthew recounts the same detail: “Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

This presents a mystery: what hymn did they sing at the Last Supper? Would you be curious to know what lyrics Jesus was singing on the eve of his Passion? Since the Last Supper was a Passover meal, we have a well-founded answer to that a question. For thousands of years, the Jewish people have traditionally sung Psalms 113 through 118 at the ritual Seder meal for Passover. So Psalms 113 through 118 were very likely psalms which Jesus prayed at the Last Supper.

This Sunday’s responsorial psalm consists of passages from one of these, Psalm 116. Contemplate Jesus saying these words:

“How shall I make a return to the Lord
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

Precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
My vows to the Lord I will pay
in the presence of all his people.”

Jesus is the Son of Mary, “the handmaid of the Lord.” He offers up the cup of salvation which contains the gift himself, a gift offered up to God the Father and offered up for us. The Jewish rabbis taught that all temple sacrifices would end with the coming of the Messiah or Christ except one: the thanksgiving sacrifice. In Greek, the word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” Today across the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting, the Holy Mass is Christ’s enduring thanksgiving sacrifice.

St. Luke notes how at the Last Supper, “when the hour came, [Jesus] took his place at table with the apostles and said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you…’” Jesus spoke this to the apostles yet he speaks these words to us as well. The Last Supper, the Cross, the Holy Mass are all mystically joined as Christ’s one great sacrifice for all. Jesus Christ is really present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, in his Holy Eucharist, and he eagerly desires to share this Passover feast with you.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Last Supper, Real Presence, Sunday Homilies | 1 Comment »

Three Pillars

May 26, 2024

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Sacred Scripture proclaims, “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created (us); male and female he created (us).” And our Catholic Faith teaches the divine image is present in every human person. The image of God also shines forth in the communion of human persons, communion in the likeness of the union of the Trinity’s Divine Persons among themselves. We are finite and sinful while God is infinite and perfect, yet we reflect his image and likeness in many ways: as individuals, as families, and as the Church of Jesus Christ.

Each one of us, made in God’s image, “possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone.” Like God, we can know things, choose freely, and love. Like God, we can fashion things beyond ourselves, we can enter into relationship with others and reign over Creation. One psalmist in the Book of Psalms asks God: “What is man that you are mindful of him, and a son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him little less than a god, crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, [and] put all things at his feet.” These words proclaim the glory of human persons, but also foretell the coming of Christ, who called himself “the Son of man.” Jesus Christ reveals to us that which was veiled yet always true before: God is not the solitary oneness of a single person but a unified oneness in three eternal Persons. This revelation of the Trinity opens our eyes to how the image of God is reflected among us not only individually but communally, such as in a family and as in the Church.

In the beginning, when God created the first human person, he saw that it was not good for the man to be in utter solitude. So, perhaps because it was the bone closest to his heart and core, God brought forth the woman from the man’s rib, ‘bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh.’ This is a reflection of God where, “God from God, Light from Light,” the Son is eternally begotten of the Father. God the Father lovingly gives all that he is to the Son and God the Son gives himself back as a total gift to the Father. And from this mutual self-gifting love, the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds. This is likewise reflected in marriage, where a husband and wife gift their whole selves to each other and a third distinct person can proceed.

Jesus Christ the Bridegroom founds the Church as his Bride, unites us in her and makes us fruitful, yet even though he makes us one he does not make us all the same. There are more than a billion Catholics spread across the earth. We have different strengths, cultures, and treasures, “different gifts according to the grace given to each of us.” No one of us mere creatures completely manifests the infinite goodness of God. But united together as his holy Church, our diversity of goods more fully reflects God’s glory.

God has created mankind in his image; in the image of God he has created us. So reverence each and every human person he has made, honor the holiness and fruitfulness of marriage, and celebrate the plethora of goodness present in the Church. For all of these are God’s creations, pillars of Christian civilization, and each one reflects the glory of our Triune God.

Posted in Adam and Eve, Catholic Church, Creation, Feast Day Homilies, Holy Trinity, Homily, Marriage and Family, Sunday Homilies | 1 Comment »

Holy Spirit Unites Us

May 18, 2024

Pentecost Sunday
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

Pentecost was a game changer. Just look at the behavior of the disciples before and after Pentecost. Before the descent of the Holy Spirit, the early Christians were timid and afraid. After the coming of the Advocate, they were fearless even to death. Before the death of Jesus, He said, “When the Counselor comes, whom I shall send you from the Father, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27) After the reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the disciples fearlessly bore witness to Jesus despite the cost.

Pentecost is an ongoing celebration of the gift of God’s Spirit, who is always with us, inseparable from believers. The fire that was ignited in the hearts of the disciples gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem continues to enflame in the hearts of all who have been gathered together here today. The Church is our upper room where we come together in communion of faith and love. The disciples gathered behind closed doors because they were uncertain about the future and were too frightened to publicly proclaim the risen Lord. Without a doubt, we have a lot in common with the first disciples.

Let us look at the Apostles, some of them were fishermen, simple people accustomed to living by the work of their hands, but there were also others, like Matthew, who was an educated tax collector. They were from different backgrounds and different social contexts, and they were from different names like Hebrew and Greek. In terms of character, some were meek and others were strong and excitable. They all had different ideas and emotions. They were all different. Jesus did not change them. He felt their difference and now he unites them by anointing them with the Holy Spirit. The union comes from the anointing at the Pentecost; the Apostles understand the unifying power of the Spirit. They see it with their own eyes when everyone, though speaking in different languages, comes together as one people, the people of God.

Let us focus on ourselves, and what it is that unites us, what is the basis of our unity? We too have our differences, for example, opinions, choices, and sensibilities. What unites us are our beliefs and morality. But there is much more, our principle of unity is the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that first of all, we are God’s beloved children, all the same, in this and all the differences. The Spirit comes to us, in our differences and difficulties, to tell us that we have one Lord Jesus and one Father and that for this reason, we are brothers and sisters.

Like the disciples after Pentecost, it is our job to bear witness to the Gospel. In humility, when we cooperate, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit will come alive and assist us in carrying out this mission. May God the Holy Spirit inspire every one of you until the day you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Pentecost, Sunday Homilies, Unity | Leave a Comment »

Welcoming the Holy Spirit

May 18, 2024

Pentecost Sunday
By Fr. Victor Feltes

On Pentecost, about one hundred and twenty people, including the Blessed Virgin Mary and the apostles were together in the upper room. There on this day, the third Person of the Trinity “appeared to them as tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them,” and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Yet this was not actually the first time Mary or the apostles had encountered the Spirit.

In response to Mary’s fiat, to her saying “Let it be done to me according to your word” at the Annunciation, the Holy Spirit descended to conceive the Christ Child within her. And we hear in today’s gospel how on Easter Sunday evening Jesus visited the apostles in the upper room, exhaled on them, and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” So Mary and the apostles had each received the Holy Spirit before, sort of like us on this Pentecost Sunday.

We received the Holy Spirit at our baptisms, and received him again at our confirmations, and we can always encounter him anew. Since the Holy Spirit is an infinite Divine Person we can always receive more from him. So how can we receive the Spirit and his gifts more abundantly? Here are three ways:

First, ask for the Holy Spirit and his gifts in prayer. Prior to Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples had been praying for nine days—the Church’s first novena. They prayed to receive the promised Gift of the Father of which Jesus had spoken, to be “clothed with power from on high.” The disciples’ Pentecost joy and courage, the manifested miracle of speaking many languages, and that day’s three thousand conversions won were all fruits of the Holy Spirit in answer to their prayers.

A second way to welcome the Holy Spirit is to prepare a place for him. At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descended upon him in the likeness of a dove. Offer the Holy Spirit a hospitable place to land with you. If we are combative towards a dove or simply being too noisy, the bird will not approach us or stick around for long. So renounce all hostility towards God and cultivate peace within your house that his peace may rest on you. In other words, renounce your sins and go confession, and focus more on quieting your soul and dedicating time to daily prayer.

A third way to be touched and changed by the Holy Spirit is to expect and watch for his influence. The Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost in the likeness of fire. Fire transforms everything it touches. It causes other objects to radiate heat like itself, to shine like itself, to become fire like itself. If you ask for the Holy Spirit and his gifts and you are open to his influence, watch with eager expectation for him to inspire, empower, and transform you.

Back in my college days, one afternoon I was lying on my bed praying rather apologetically to the Holy Spirit. I said, ‘Holy Spirit, you’re like the most neglected Person of the Trinity. You’re just as much God as the Father or the Son but we direct much more prayer and worship to them than you. And when we do pray to you it’s because we want something, but you’re not just some divine vending machine. I’m sorry.’ Then I heard in my mind these words: “I am gift.” Now whenever you possibly receive a heavenly message, it is wise to check its truth in light of true Catholic teaching, since God will not contradict himself. So I considered that statement seemingly from the Holy Spirit: “I am gift.”

From all eternity, God the Father gives all that he is to his Son and the Son gives himself back as a total gift to the Father. And from this mutual exchange of self-gifting love, the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to earth as a gift to sanctify and transform us so that we may participate in the life of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit rejoices to be gifted. He is gift. And when we ask for his gifts we are inviting his presence—for how could his gifts be manifested someplace where he is not? So from this I concluded the Holy Spirit does not begrudge us asking him for his great and holy gifts.

On this Pentecost Sunday, what gifts do you desire of the Holy Spirit? Pray for his powerful presence, like Mary and the apostles did. Turn away from sin and cultivate quiet peace, offering a welcoming place for the Holy Spirit to land. And watch with eager expectation for the transforming effects of the Spirit’s fiery influence.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Feast Day Homilies, Holy Spirit, Homily, Pentecost, Sunday Homilies | 1 Comment »

The Graduation Party of the Holy Family

May 12, 2024

The Feast of the Ascension
By Deacon Dick Kostner

You have heard me say many times that “Family” is God’s plan for our salvation and the key to heaven. It is through family that we receive mentorship and instruction from Jesus on how to live a life bringing us happiness in this life and the key to heaven for all eternity. As I reflected upon the Ascension of Jesus into heaven I realized that this act of Jesus was his way of telling his disciples and us that we are ready to begin our “ascension” into God’s Kingdom. It’s time for us to celebrate our readiness to begin to share the good news with others of the Gospel message that Jesus tells us will bring us to fulfillment and life with him in heaven.

It is through family that we learn that we are called to care for others more than caring for ourselves. It is through family that we humans are gifted with the ability to co-create with God in bringing about new life. It is through family that we learn to share our gifts of faith and time to help others overcome life struggles. Today we also celebrate Mother’s Day. A time when we thank our mothers for not only giving us life, but also for their gift to us of giving up their desire for time for themselves for the welfare and happiness of their children. Jesus himself refers to them when he calls his Church and Mary our mother and his followers as his brothers and sisters.

Our readings today have Jesus telling his disciples and us that we are ready to begin our ascension into heaven. He has given us his teachings and sacraments. He has instilled in us his gift of wisdom. He has adopted us as his brothers and sisters though our baptism into His Holy Family and today he tells his followers that its time for us to begin our solo takeoff to our ascension into heaven. He gives us the power to bring others into the Holy Family. The power to drive out demons and speak many languages. The power to heal the hurts of others, and to lay hands on the sick to overcome their illnesses. He promises to send his very spirit to aid us when we are uncertain or afraid. Bottom line is that today is our Graduation our license to go out into this crazy world and to love others as Jesus has loved us. We are called into service. Our compensation for this will be out of this world.

Let me share with you my “out of this world experience” I recently was gifted with, as a Deacon and as an attorney. In February Barb and I decided to take a few days off and go with some friends to Arizona. We were to fly out of Eau Claire on a early Sunday morning flight. We arrived before daylight and were directed to get our boarding passes from one of three airport attendants. We got in line with 190 other people when all at once one of the airport attendants eyeballed me and pointed out to the other attendants, “Look, that guy is my Deacon!” Everyone turned around to look at me and then she said with a smile, “ That guy is the Deacon at my Church.” One of the other attendants said to me “she needs a Deacon, I could tell you some pretty nasty stories about her.” I told him that it sounds like she needs to go to confession but that Deacons are not allowed to forgive sins but I would be willing to hear her sins but I would require a fee for only the priests do that for free. Everyone laughed and we moved on. I felt like a rock star. Jesus had given me a thumbs up for my ministry as a Deacon. But my story continues.

All 190 of us boarded the plane and I was given the isle seat on the left side of the plane and Barb had the isle seat on the right side of the plane. We were seated at the rear of the plane where the bathrooms were located. About an hour into the flight I noticed a woman walking towards me from the front of the plane. As she got closer I recognized that she was one my clients from the Sand Creek area who had just lost her husband about a year earlier and whose funeral I had attended. I had done their legal work for over 30 years. As she got closer to me she looked twice at me and then recognized who I was. She yelled out, “Dick”, and threw her arms around me and gave me a big hug. Everyone around us looked at me including Barb. After she left Barb asked me ,“Who was that?” my response was, “oh, just a client.” God gave me another thumbs up for my vocation of being a deacon whose service area extends far beyond the walls of a church altar.

I was flying high and truly humbled and the last time I felt that happy was when I had found out that I had passed the Bar exam. God gives to the Holy Family out of this world “thank yous” when he is proud of his Family Ministers. It is time folks to start our ascension into heaven knowing that it might be scary, and thinking that we are not ready, but the time clock keeps ticking, but I promise you that you will feel great when others thank you for giving of your time and ministry so that they too can experience the joy of their “out of this world” ascension experience of ascending up the stairs to heaven. And to all the Mothers of our Parish both living and deceased and on behalf of all of us here at St. Paul’s, I wish to thank you and may God bless you for your sacrifices and your mentorship of love! Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted in Ascension, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Motherhood, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

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