The Call to Discipleship

Posted by on

Our Christmas season has ended. We have entered Ordinary Time. There can be a tendency from the term “ordinary” to think of it as a time to lay back and relax. One might think that nothing special is going on. However, with God there is always something special. God is always at work in our lives.

The name “Ordinary Time” simply signifies that it is not one of the four other liturgical seasons; Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The word “ordinary” has a root in the Latin word “ordinalis”, which means “numbered.” We number the weeks of Ordinary Time (there are 34 weeks in Ordinary Time).

The liturgical color for Ordinary Time is green. Here, one might think of spring when the grass turns green as it begins to grow. The leaves come out in green. As flowers begin to come up from the ground, they are green. Green is a color signifying growth. Ordinary Time may be “ordinary” but it is still a time for spiritual growth.

As we begin Ordinary Time, our readings for this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) speak of God’s call for us to be his servants.

The readings begin with the second suffering servant passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, “The LORD said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory.” God wants to work through us to reveal himself to the world. God knows what we have been called for as He formed us in our mother’s womb.

Israel had strayed from God’s will. They had sinned. Many were taken away in exile. God is bringing them back from their sin. God will bring us back from our sins if we had them over to him. He will gather back to himself all who have strayed. Jesus comes to bring us back to God.

When John the Baptist sees Jesus walking by, he points his disciples to Jesus as he says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist does not identify Jesus by his name “Jesus”, or as king or the Messiah. John came to call people to repentance of their sins. Thus, John identifies Jesus as the “Lamb of God” who comes to take away our sins.

As a humble and faithful servant, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the one who ranks ahead of him. John claims no special knowledge of Jesus. In fact, he says, “I did not know him.” He knows Jesus is the one because he saw “the Spirit come down like a dove and remain upon him.”

John the Baptist may have no special knowledge of God but God still calls him to be his servant. God calls all of us to be his servants. There are many ways to serve the Lord. The question is what is God’s will for us. When we seek to do the Lord’s will for us, we find delight. God delights not in us offering sacrifices like those offered in the Old Testament. God delights in our obedience to him. Our obedience is not simply doing what God says. Our obedience is giving our lives to God in love. Do we do not do things for others because we love them? All the more, we do the same for God.

God delights when we seek him above all things.

John the Baptist came to make Jesus “known to Israel.” Paul was “called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” God brings us to his glory when we seek to do his will. God is the source of our strength. God has great plans for us (see Jeremiah 29:11).

God’s will is what is good for us. God does not demand things of us for his gain. What could God can from us for himself? God is the source of all things. God’s will for us is what is good for us. Thus, to do God’s will brings us delight. When we seek to do God’s will, He makes us a light to the nations.

“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.“

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

Video – Part I of New Series “The Greatest Gift: The Eucharist”

Posted by on

I began my new series, The Greatest Gift: The Eucharist“, yesterday with Part I. I just uploaded the video recording of the webinar and the slides to my website at http://www.renewaloffaith.org/greatestgiftpart1 .

If you view the video in the next few days, you can complete an online evaluation at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBdo2DRPfJxB0rzVtc113Gd7FM143oO9Lw5ibnO4Mmtaq1_g/viewform?usp=sf_link

You can register for the webinar for Part II on February 9th at 6:30 pm at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2GG7FoSMSPKGwsQfYuIfHA

If you have not seen my Christmas homily where I discuss the Eucharist as the Greatest Gift, you can view the video at www.renewaloffaith.org/greatestgift . You will need to scroll down the screen a little ways. You can view the text at https://blog.renewaloffaith.org/blog/?p=8774 .

I encourage you to share this with anyone you think would enjoy watching the video.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

St. Francis De Sales on Marriage and Widows

Posted by on

This is the ninth article in my series based on my reading of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales. Written 400 years ago, it is available in various translations. I am reading the 2015 version published by Ignatius Press (San Francisco) and the Augustine Institute (Greenwood Village, CO) The first article was “What Does It Mean to be Devout?” followed by “Purification in the Devout Life.” The third article was “The Devout Life – Prayer.”. The fourth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Virtues.” The fifth article was “More on the Virtues From St. Francis De Sales.” The sixth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Friendship, Fasting, and Modesty.“ The seventh article was “St. Francis De Sales on How Words Matter.” The eighth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Recreation.“

Today we come to chapters 38-41 where St. Francis De Sales discusses marriage and widows. He presents three effects of marriage . He writes, “The first effect of this love is the indissoluble union of your hearts. If you glue together two pieces of wood, provided that the glue be strong, their union will be so close that the stick will break more easily in any other part than where it is joined” (147, my emphasis). For many today the indissolubility of marriage is forgotten or ignored. When they are no longer “interested” in the relationship, it is over. Some people never get married. Where is the commitment? As to the glue that can hold man and woman together in marriage, we find in the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage). When a man and woman choose to make their marriage vows before God, God bestows the needed grace upon them. It does not mean the marriage will be easy. It does mean that God is with them.

St. Francis De Sales continues, “The second effect of this love should be an inviolable fidelity to one another. In olden times finger rings were customarily graven as seals” (148). He goes on to speak of the exchange of rings as a sign of the commitment they have made. Today the rings can be a sign to the couple of their commitment to one another. The rings can also be a sign to others of the couple’s commitment. Thus, the rings are not just a novelty. They are a sign of the couple’s covenant. The world needs signs of covenant and commitment. The world needs signs of “inviolable fidelity to one another.” Marriage is not something one ends when it is no longer appealing. It involves commitment. The couple may struggle in their relationship but, with God’s grace, they do not give up. In this way, the couple’s covenant of marriage serves as a sign of God’s covenant with us. We struggle to uphold our part but God does not give up on us. (Here is a good place to remind readers that what I write is not simply what St. Francis De Sales wrote. My writing begins with what St. Francis De Sales writes but adds to it. Neither does it include everything he says. If you want the latter, you can read the book in its entirety.)

Returning to St. Francis De Sales own words, he writes, “The third end of marriage is the birth and bringing up of children” (148). Catholics traditionally had large families. Genesis 1:28 says, “be fruitful and multiply.” This was taken to say a couple should have as many children as able. Today, a couple entering into the Sacrament of Marriage is called to be open to the birth and upbringing of children, God willing. However, they are not expected to have as many children as possible. Paragraph 2367 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and following speaking of the openness to children but with reasonable spacing of the children. One must also consider the means by wish the couple does so. The Church prohibits artificial means. Rather, the couple is to do so in “natural family planning”, making use of the natural fertility cycles of the woman. (Natural Family Planning is an extensive topic and beyond the scope of this article – for on Natural Family Planning see https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/natural-family-planning.

Properly understood, the parents are not simply called to give birth to children. They are called to be active in the upbringing of their children. St. Francis De Sales writes, “And when children begin to use their reason, fathers and mothers should take great pains to fill their hearts with the fear of God. This the good Queen Blanche did most earnestly by Saint Louis, her son: witness her oft-repeated words, “My son, I would sooner see you die than guilty of a mortal sin”” (150). Paragraph 2223 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says that parents have the responsibility for the education of their children (cf. my article “Helping Our Children be Disciples”). The Church has a vital role to play in educating child in the faith but it starts with the parents.

St. Francis De Sales goes on to say, “Saint Paul assigns the charge of the household to the woman; and consequently some hold that the devotion of the family depends more upon the wife than the husband, who is more frequently absent, and has less influence in the house. Certainly King Solomon, in the Book of Proverbs, refers all prosperity to the care and industry of that virtuous woman he describes” (151, cf. Proverbs 31). One must be quite surprised to hear St. Francis De Sales say that St. Paul gives charge of the household to the woman. That’s because we think of what Paul writes in Ephesians 5:22, “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands.” First, please read the whole passage (Ephesians 5:21-30). Next, please take a look at 1 Timothy 5:14 where Paul identifies the woman as the manger of the home. As to the father’s role, this does not mean that he has no responsibility. In fact, surveys today indicate that one of the most important factor in determining if a child will keep going to church is if the father goes. The father must set an example.

St. Francis De Sales also points to 1 Corinthians 7:14 where Paul speaks of marriage between a Catholic and an unbeliever. Today such couples often may simply ignore the difference in faith. Sadly, some will cease to practice their faith to not be in conflict over the difference of faith. Paul sees it as an opportunity for the Catholic spouse to lead their unbelieving spouse to holiness.

Before discussing widows, St. Francis De Sales speaks of how a wedding couple celebrates their wedding anniversary. He encourages the couple to include in their anniversary, confession and Communion, as well as inviting God once again into their marriage. God doesn’t just want to be part of the wedding day. God wants to be part of the marriage every day.

Now, a brief word on what St. Francis De Sales says about widows before I conclude today. He points us to 1 Timothy 5 where Paul provides rules for widows. In general terms a widow is a woman whose husband has died. Paul uses the term “widow” in a more technical sense. From this, in turn, St. Francis De Sales speaks of a vocation of widowhood. It isn’t just the woman whose husband has died. It is a woman who has already raised children. With the children beginning their own families, the “widow” dedicates herself to a life of chastity and prayer. She does not simply expect others to provide for her needs while she sits idle. She gives her life to God in chastity and prayer (see St. Francis De Sales, 153-156). Younger widows are to care for their children and remarry when appropriate.

This concludes my writing for today. I hope it has been thought provoking for you. Soon I will write one or two more articles to conclude this series inspired by my reading of the Introduction to the Devout Life.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

The Epiphany of the Lord 2023 – Homily

Posted by on

The Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (11)
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
January 8, 2023

Today we celebrate another important part of the Christmas story, the Magi coming from the east seeking the newborn king of the Jews.  We call it the Epiphany of the Lord.

They find Jesus in Bethlehem just as the prophecies foretold.  They come to do him homage, homage that is due to Jesus as our king. 

They stopped in Jerusalem and spoke with King Herod.  When Herod heard that a new king of the Jews was born, “he was greatly troubled and all Jerusalem with him.”  Herod was “greatly troubled” because a new king would be a threat to his power.  The rest of Jerusalem, well I suppose they were “greatly troubled” because perhaps they knew they had not been living as they should and if the Messiah had indeed come they would have to change their ways.

Either way Herod certainly didn’t see Jesus’ birth as the gift that it is.  Herod lied to the magi, “When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”  Herod had no interest in giving homage to Jesus.  He wanted to kill him.

I already mentioned how Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem fulfilled prophecies about the long-awaited Messiah.  The magi are the fulfillment of Psalm 72 saying “All nations say pay him homage.”  The magi, who are from foreign nations, give homage as they prostrated themselves before Jesus.  We give homage to Jesus when we genuflect before him in the Tabernacle and bow to him before receiving him in Communion.

Psalm 72 also speaks of the kings who will bring gifts and tribute to the Messiah.  Isaiah speaks of those bringing gifts of gold and frankincense.  Prophecies are fulfilled as the magi “opened their treasure and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” 

At Christmas I spoke of the gifts that Jesus gives us with the greatest gift being the Eucharist as his Body and Blood, and including the sacrifice of his life that Jesus offers for us on the Cross, and the gift of eternal life. 

What Jesus offers us is priceless in a time when darkness covers the earth.”  It brings us great joy.  From the great joy we receive, our “hearts should throb and overflow,” and nations shall walk in our light as we shine with radiance from the joy of Jesus.

How do we respond to the gifts that Jesus gives us?

The magi gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  These would have been valuable gifts of monetary value but they symbolize much more.  The gold signifies his kingship.  The frankincense symbolizes his divinity and the myrrh his death and his humanity.

Now, the magi came looking for the newborn king of the Jews.  As such, they probably had “tribute” they brought that they planned to give him.  Were the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh gifts of tribute because of his kingship, given from sense of obligation, or were they gifts of joy and gratitude.

They prostrated themselves before Jesus.  “Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts.”  As I read the phrase “opened their treasures” this week I couldn’t help but think this was not a matter of obligation for them.  They were filled with joy and responded generously with gifts.

What is your response to what Jesus has given you?  Do you give to God out of mere obligation or are you motivated by gratitude for what God has given you?

Perhaps you give financially to our parish as part of your gift.  Whatever you give as our collections have fallen is greatly appreciated.  Do you give in appreciation?  Do you ever think about how much you give?  Some people go years simply giving the same amount.  Do you think about your giving?  You can’t give more than you have.  I just invite you to think about it as you give to charity as you feel called.

Perhaps you give of your time and talent.  Maybe you volunteer in our parish in a ministry or service.  It might be volunteering at the Community Table.  It might be helping with the office with collections or stuffing envelopes.  It might be reading or singing or helping in another way.  Maybe you volunteer in the community in a way that is a corporal work of mercy like helping people have a good home with Habitat for Humanity.  However you volunteer your time and talent, do you do it out of obligation or a desire to look good or do you do it in gratitude for what God has given you?

God appreciates when you give of your time, talent, and treasure to help others.  Whether you are able or not to do this, there is something else you can give to Jesus.

He gives himself to us.  Do you give yourself to Jesus?  It can include anything I’ve already mentioned.  It can and should also include giving Jesus a place in our hearts, giving him time, not just once in a while, not just once a week but in making time for Jesus everyday in prayer.  Spending time with Jesus is a gift to him and a gift to ourselves when gratitude and love fills our hearts.

St. Francis De Sales on Recreation

Posted by on

This is the eighth article in my series based on my reading of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales. Written 400 years ago, it is available in various translations. I am reading the 2015 version published by Ignatius Press (San Francisco) and the Augustine Institute (Greenwood Village, CO) The first article was “What Does It Mean to be Devout?” followed by “Purification in the Devout Life.” The third article was “The Devout Life – Prayer.”. The fourth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Virtues.” The fifth article was “More on the Virtues From St. Francis De Sales.” The sixth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Friendship, Fasting, and Modesty.“ The seventh article was “St. Francis De Sales on How Words Matter.”

Last October (2022), I wrote a blog article called “Spending Time Away” talking about the purpose of a retreat compared to a vacation. It was on that retreat that I began reading St. Francis De Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life on which this series of articles is based.

We now come to chapter 31 of part III, which is entitled “Amusements and Recreation: What Are Allowable.” We are all called to live a devout life. The exact way we live that out can vary but a devout life is one centered on God. However, we are human. There, St. Francis De Sales writes, “We need to occasionally relax the mind, and the body requires some recreation also” (137). This is reality. It is not an excuse to sin at times. It is a call to realize our bodily needs as well as our spiritual needs. St. Francis De Sales continues, “Do not marvel then,” the Apostle replied, “if I slacken my mental efforts from time to time, and recreate myself, in order to return more vigorously to contemplation” (137, my emphasis). Yes, we need recreation but not for the sake of recreation or fun. We need recreation to better live the devout life.

St. Francis De Sales continues, “Walking, harmless games, instrumental or vocal, field sports, etc. are such entirely lawful recreations that they need no rules beyond those of ordinary discretion, which keep everything within due limits of time, place, and degree…Only one must avoid excess, either in the time given to them, or the amount of interest they absorb; for if too much time be given up to such things, they cease to be a recreation and become an occupation; and so far from resting and restoring mind or body, they have precisely the contrary effect” (137). Before continuing, I offer a caution against interpreting this as a critique of professional sports and the like. I don’t know if there was any such things as professional sports in his day. I believe St. Francis De Sales’ concern centers on how what we begin as recreation takes over our lives. I think the perfect example of this is school and community sports for kids. They have their origins in fun. When I was a kid I didn’t play on any sports teams for the simple reason that I am not good at sports. However, I knew other kids who did. The sports were extracurricular activities. They did not occur on Sunday mornings. They were scheduled to not interfere with the educational activities school is meant for. Sports are important for recreation but also for team building. They can also help build good character if they foster a proper sense of winning and losing. Today it seems sports have become what dictates the entire life schedule of some students. They are the #1 priority for some. They keep students away from church. Sports have become the idol that many people worship. By worship it is not than anyone means to treat sports like a god. It means they have made sports more important than God, breaking the commandment against idolatry.

Ask yourself what are your priorities in life outside your faith. Do they keep you from living your faith? In chapter 32 of part 3, St. Francis De Sales writes on “Forbidden Amusements”, “Dice, cards, and the like games of chance, are not merely dangerous amusements, like dancing, but they are plainly bad and harmful, and therefore they are forbidden by the civil as by ecclesiastical law. What harm is there in them? you ask. Such games are unreasonable – the winner often has neither skill nor industry to boast of, of which is contrary to reason…The only pleasure in gambling is to win, and this cannot be a satisfactory pleasure, since it can only be enjoyed at the expense of your antagonist” (138, my emphasis). Is all gaming bad? I don’t know but I know it is very bad when it becomes an addiction and takes over one’s life. I find it a sad day when one can find a game show on tv where the strategy of many is based on making their opponents “bust” and lose. Does this make all game shows bad? Not necessarily. There is nothing wrong in a fun game of trivia and knowledge done in a spirit of fun and knowledge. It is an entirely other thing when it leads us to think and/or act negatively towards our components.

St. Francis De Sales goes on to discuss how “Dances are balls are things in themselves indifferent” but can lead us to “temptation and danger” (139). Concerning such activities, ask yourself if you are doing it for fun as something enjoyable and it does not take over your life? Or does it lead down a path away from God and into sin? Moderation is always a key. Can you stop yourself when you have reached a reasonable limit?

You should also always be aware of how much time you give to such activities. St. Francis De Sales writes, “Remember how, at the same time, many religious and other devout persons were kneeling before God, praying or praising him. Was not their time better spent than yours?” (140). Do your recreational activities take too much of your time, leaving little or no time for God?

Sometimes the best thing we can do for God is not a huge thing but rather in the little daily activities of life, always putting God first. When we succeed in the little things God ask of us, He will lead us to something more (St. Francis De Sales, 142-143. cf. Luke 16:1-13).

In chapter 37 of part 3, St. Francis De Sales turns to our hopes and dreams. How much time do we think about our hopes and dreams that we have no reason to expect to fulfill in the here and now? This does not mean we should discard our hopes and dreams. God wants to lead us to a better future but we must live in the here and now. We should not spend more time thinking about hopes and dreams than we spend in the present serving God and our neighbor. We are to work for the building up of the kingdom of God but it starts in the here and now.

This is it for today. I hope these articles are helping you discern how God is calling you to live. I am almost done with this series. I encourage you to think about reading St. Francis De Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life if it appeals to you. Will every page be understood by you and have immediate application for you? Probably not (it didn’t for me) but allow the Lord to guide you. If not in reading this particular book, perhaps in reading the Bible or other material on living a good Catholic and devout life. Hopefully you are reading this very article because you want to follow Jesus.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

Beginning a New Year With Blessings

Posted by on

Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is far too important to celebrate with a single day. We celebrate Christmas for a season that lasts until the Baptism of the Lord (which falls on Monday, January 9th this year). This season include the Epiphany of the Lord (which falls on Sunday, January 8th this year). We celebrate the first eight days of Christmas as an octave. Today, January 1st, concludes this octave. As the eighth day of the Octave of Christmas, we always celebrate the Solemnity Mary, Mother of God on this date.

It is also the World Day of Peace (see Pope Francis’ Message for today). It is also New Year’s Day on the secular calendar. Honoring Mary, we think about what a blessing it was for us that she said yes to being chosen to be the Mother of Jesus. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father, we call Mary “Mother of God.” As the World Day of Peace, we seek the blessing of peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. As we recognize it as New Year’s Day, we ask for God to bless the new year.

Blessings as an important part of our faith. In today’s first reading from the Book of Numbers, The Lord instructs Moses as to how “Aaron and his sons“, the priests, are to bless the people.

“The LORD bless you and keep you!  
The LORD let his face shine upon      
you, and be gracious to you!  
The LORD look upon you kindly and      
give you peace!”

What does it mean to bless someone or something? To bless a person is to invoke God’s divine care upon the person. We ask the Lord to keep the person safe. We ask the Lord to let his face shine upon that person so they may know his love.

To bless an object is to ask God to ensure that the object reminds us of him and/or brings us closer to him. We bless rosaries so that they help our prayers be fruitful. We bless a home asking that God’s presence be known there. We bless something by invoking God’s name upon it.

We ask God to bless the new year so that peace may come upon it. In asking God to bless the new year, we should never forget him. We show our appreciation for God’s blessings by offering our praise to him. We thank God for the blessings.

As we search for peace in the midst of our Christmas season, let us turn our eyes to our nativity scene. At the center of the scene is baby Jesus. Seeing Jesus fills our hearts with joy.

The shepherds were the first to hear the “good news of great joy…For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” Filled with joy at this news, “The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.”

There, “they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed.” Jesus’ birth truly is “good news of great joy.” Well, actually it is not simply “good news.” It is the best news they could hear. 2,000 years later we continue to rejoice at the news of Jesus’ birth. Do we share the joy of Jesus’ birth with others?

Jesus’ birth changes things. As Paul writes to the Galatians, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Through this we are no longer slaves, we are children of God.

As we celebrate Christmas, we give glory and praise to God for sending Jesus, incarnate in the flesh, to save us.

Gazing up our nativity scene, and hearing the good news of great joy, we ask God to help us be like Mary who “kept all these things, reflecting them in our heart.” As we begin a new year, we ask God to bless the year in his divine love.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

St. Francis De Sales on How Words Matter

Posted by on

This is the seventh article in my series based on my reading of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales. Written 400 years ago, it is available in various translations. I am reading the 2015 version published by Ignatius Press (San Francisco) and the Augustine Institute (Greenwood Village, CO) The first article was “What Does It Mean to be Devout?” followed by “Purification in the Devout Life.” The third article was “The Devout Life – Prayer.”. The fourth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Virtues.” The fifth article was “More on the Virtues From St. Francis De Sales.” The sixth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Friendship, Fasting, and Modesty.“

How much do you think about what you say? Sometimes we get involved in a conversation and keep talking without sufficient thinking about what we are actually saying. St. Francis De Sales writes, “Physicians judge to a great extent as the health or disease of a man by the state of his tongue, and our words are a true test of the state of our soul. “For by our words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37)” (125). Our words do matter. Our words say something about we are thinking. While we might like to say, “I didn’t mean that”, the fact is we said it and that must be some reason we did.

We need to speak from both the heart and the mind. In speaking of how we talk about God, St. Francis De Sales writes, “Take care, then, never to speak of God, or those things that concern him, in a merely formal, conventional manner; but with earnestness and devotion” (126). I will express it this way. We should not talk about God in merely academic terms. Yes, we need to teach others about God but we must do it in a way that speaks from our heart and soul. We can memorize prayers without meaning but if we say them without reflecting on the words, is it really prayer?

Again reflecting on how our words matter, St. Francis De Sales writes, “The body is poisoned through the mouth, even so is the heart through the ear; and the tongue that does the deed is a murderer, even when the venom it has infused is counteracted by some antidote preoccupying the listener’s heart” (126). We should remember what Jesus says in Matthew 15:11, “It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” The words we speak say something about what we are thinking.

We might say I was just picking on them. Maybe that really is all we intended but does the person know that? Do others who hear our words know that? Do we know that? How could we not know that? If we say words often enough, even without meaning them, we might come to believe them ourselves. St. Francis De Sales writes, “but we are sure to despair those whom we ridicule” (127).

Sometimes our words are based on hasty judgments (St. Francis De Sales, 128). We must remember we are not to judge others (cf. Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37), let alone hasty judgments that are made without adequate knowledge or reflection.

When it comes to gossip, we might try to deflect our guilt by saying “others are guilty of the same fault” (St. Francis De Sales, 129). So what if they are? A sin is not determined by how many people do it. Sin is determined by its offense to God. God calls us to love. Speaking about others in gossip goes against love. When we gossip, we do well to ask ourselves why we are saying such words. It might start with concern for the poor performance of a co-worker or the sin of a neighbor but do our words do anything to help them? Or our words words of judgment and slander?

Here St. Francis De Sales writes, “It is not wrong to have doubts concerning a neighbor, but we ought to be very watchful lest even our doubts or suspicions be rash and hasty” (130-131). Why are we even talking about the person? “No surer sign of an unprofitable life than when people give way to censoriousness and inquisitiveness into the lives of other men” (St. Francis De Sales, 130). Are we failing to mind our own business? Or perhaps we are trying to deflect a conversation about our own behavior by pointing out another’s sins? In Matthew 7:3, Jesus says, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” Maybe we already notice the splinter in our own eye and we deflect the conversation so no one else does?

St. Francis De Sales writes, “He who unjustly takes away his neighbor’s good name is guilty of sin” (132). He refers to it as stealing, a violation of the Seventh Commandment, their good reputation. He continues, “Slander is a kind of murder” (132). St. Francis De Sales tells us that in slander “the devil has possession both of the slanderer and of those who listen to him, of the tongue of one, the ear of the other” (132).

One might want to point out that St. Francis wrote, “He who unjustly….” to mean that if it is true, it isn’t sin. I will respond by saying, does it need to be said? “Do not pronounce a man to be a drunkard although you may have seen him drunk, or an adulterer, because you know he has sinner; a single act does not stamp him forever” (133). People changed. For example, St. Francis De Sales reminds us that St. Paul persecuted Christians before becoming Christian himself (133).

If the person has done wrong, are we “the most proper person among those present to express your opinion” or would our silence “seem in any way to condone the sin”? Before speaking we might also ask ourselves if the person’s sin is already known publicly (St. Francis De Sales, 135). or would we be sharing private information that need not be public?

Regarding whether it needs to be publicly known or not, St. Francis De Sales writes, “it is not always well to publish abroad everything that may be true, yet it is never allowable to oppose the truth” (135). He continues, “It may be lawful occasionally to conceal or disguise the truth, but this should never be done save in such special cases as make this reserve obviously a necessity for the service and glory of God” (136). Paragraph 2489 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not the right to know it.” You don’t tell everyone everything you have done (unless it affects them, giving them a right to know it). We can ask ourselves does the truth need to be known? Am I hiding the truth to protect myself or others? You don’t have to tell others everything another person has done.

St. Francis points us to Psalm 39, reminding us to guard our ways so that we do not sin with our tongue. Perhaps the place to start is to ask ourselves do we need to say anything or are we expressing “useless words” (St. Francis De Sales, 136). We need to pray that the Lord guide our words in all conversations.

I will close here for today. I hope these articles based on my reading of St. Francis De Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life are helping you become more devout. It is the probably the most number of articles (with more to come) I have written from a single book. I think perhaps this is because the book has made me think about my own need to better live the devout life.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

Christmas Homily for 2022

Posted by on

The Nativity of the Lord (Mass During the Night)
Isaiah 9:1-6
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
December 25, 2022

You can find a video of this homily on my website page for my upcoming series, The Greatest Gift: The Eucharist at www.renewaloffaith.org/greatestgift (scroll down on that page to find the video).

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.”

Israel was being overrun by their enemies.  Many were taken away in exile to Babylon.  They lived in darkness and gloom.  God would bring them light.  God would set them free.

We live in a troubled world today.  There is war, violence, and hatred.  We come seeking light in the darkness.

God had allowed the Israelites’ enemies to defeat them because the Israelites had sinned.  This is the “yoke that burdened them.”  We are burdened by sin today.

God has a remedy for sin.  “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.”  In Jesus, “The grace of God has appeared, saving all.”

The birth of Jesus is a wonderful thing.  We celebrate it in part by giving gifts to those we love.  Most importantly, we celebrate Christmas by coming here and recalling what Christmas is all about, the gift of Jesus.

Mary was pregnant with Jesus living with her husband Joseph in Nazareth.  A census was called.  This would mean they would need to go “to the city of David that is called Bethlehem.” 

It might seem like rotten timing.  Mary is due at any time.  Who would want to travel then?  Yet, the prophecies had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.  God is in control.

Indeed, while they were in Bethlehem, “the time came” for Mary to give birth.  With people travelling for the census, “there was no room for them in the inn.”  Thus, Jesus was born among the animals as depicted in our nativity scene.  He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in the manger. 

One might expect a glorious setting for the birth of the Messiah.  This was not but it was what God intended.  I encourage you to spend some time looking at the nativity scene.  See how Jesus humbled himself for you. 

There was no room in the inn for Jesus.  Do you have room in your heart for Jesus?

Who were the first to be invited to see the newborn king?  It was not royalty.  It was simple shepherds who were the first to hear the “good news of great joy…For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”

Jesus “gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness.”  Yes, He “gave himself for us.”  The gift of Christmas is the gift of Jesus. 

Recognizing the gift, we are called “to reject godless ways and worldly desires.” 

Recognizing the gift that Jesus is should lead us to come every week.  At Christmas we celebrate the gift of his birth.  There is more. 

Why was Jesus born?  To give his life for us on the Cross so that our sins might be forgiven.  He gives us new life in the Resurrection.  Baby Jesus was laid in a manger.  A manger is a food trough for animals.  He gives us his very own Body and Blood to feed our souls for He says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51). 

Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist.  The Eucharist is the greatest gift.  Unfortunately, it is forgotten by many what the Eucharist truly is. 

It is not just bread and wine. 

To remind us of what the Eucharist is, the United States bishops have begun a three-year Eucharistic Revival.  I firmly believe this revival is critical to our future.  Knowing all that we receive in the Eucharist will lead us to come to Mass every Sunday.

To help people understand the Eucharist as the Greatest Gift, starting in January, I will be offering a series of three presentations.  The dates and times are in the bulletin. (see www.renewaloffaith.org/greatestgift)

Each presentation will be around an hour in length for a total of three hours.  I won’t talk that long today.  I offer only the briefest of summaries now.

The Eucharist is not just bread and wine.  The bread and wine are changed into Jesus’ Body and Blood.  I can’t explain how except that the Holy Spirit is invoked in the consecration.  I don’t have to know how.  I believe it because Jesus says so.  At the Last Supper, He took the bread and said This is my Body.  He then took the chalice and said, the blood of my new and eternal covenant. 

There is more.  When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for us.  How do we know this?  Because Jesus said, “This is my Body which will be given up for you…the blood which will be poured out for you. 

When is Jesus’ body given up for us?  When is his blood poured out for us?  On the Cross.  In saying these words, Jesus brings together the Eucharist and his Crucifixion.

It doesn’t end there!

If it ended in the Crucifixion, it might seem like defeat.  There is more!  On the third day Jesus rose.  In the Eucharist as the bread that comes down from Heaven, He gives us eternal life. 

When you come forth to receive Communion four words are said to you as the minister holds up the host.  Four short but very powerful words, The Body of Christ.

Your response is “Amen.”  The word “amen” does not mean thank you.  It has profound significance because the word “amen” means “I believe.” 

When you respond “amen”, it is to say I believe it is the Body of Christ.

It is Jesus we receive.  It is Jesus who gives his life for us on the Cross.  It is Jesus who leads us to the Resurrection. 

The Eucharist is the Greatest Gift given at the first Easter.  First, Jesus had to be born.  His birth is a gift.

Today, we rejoice with “abundant joy and great rejoicing” at the “good news of great joy” proclaimed by the angel, “For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”

St. Francis De Sales on Friendship, Fasting, and Modesty

Posted by on

This is the sixth article in my series based on my reading of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales. Written 400 years ago, it is available in various translations. I am reading the 2015 version published by Ignatius Press (San Francisco) and the Augustine Institute (Greenwood Village, CO) The first article was “What Does It Mean to be Devout?” followed by “Purification in the Devout Life.” The third article was “The Devout Life – Prayer.”. The fourth article was “St. Francis De Sales on Virtues.” The fifth article was “More on the Virtues From St. Francis De Sales.”

Today I begin with chapter 19 of Part III in St. Francis De Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life. He is now discussing friendship. In today’s world where some people have hundreds, if not thousands of friends, on social media, it is very important for us to consider what friendship really is. It has nothing to do with how many people have liked you on social media.

St. Francis De Sales writes, “Do you, my child, love everyone with the pure love of charity, but have no friendship save with those whose intercourse is good and true, and the purer the bond that unites you so much higher will your friendship be. If your intercourse is based on science, it is praiseworthy, still more if it arises from a participation in goodness, prudence, justice and the like; but if the bond on your mutual liking be charity, devotion, and Christian perfection, God knows how very precious a friendship it is!” (110). What do we do we talk about (what St. Francis De Sales calls intercourse) with our friends? Are you friends someone you have fun with? Are you friends someone who hang out with because of what they have? For instance, if you are high school or college, do you look for someone who has a car to be your friend? Do you pick people who throw the best parties to be your friend? Or do you pick people to be your friends who bring you closer to Jesus? Where you spend eternity may depend on who you pick as your friends.

Remember, virtues are good habits. St. Francis De Sales writes, “And Saint Thomas, in common with other philosophers, acknowledges that friendship is a virtue” (112). Good friends help us to be good people.

Yet, not all friendships do this. St. Francis De Sales writes, “They may begin with a virtuous affection, but if discretion be lacking, frivolity will creep in, and then sensuality, till their love becomes carnal: even if spiritual love there is a danger if people are not on the watch, although it is not so easy to be deluded therein” (112). What is the basis of your friendships? Are they based on worldly things or that which is good and holy (St. Francis De Sales, 112)?

When choosing our friends, we need to ask ourselves, “will this person help me be a better person.” That doesn’t mean they have to be perfect. No one is (except Jesus). Jesus ate with sinners. However, Jesus did not allow them to lead him into sin. He sought to lead them to what is good and holy. We can ask ourselves, “will this person lead me to sin or can I lead them to what is good and holy.” Here, we should caution ourselves with the words of St. Francis De Sales about the devil, “Beware of entering into any manner of treaty with the Enemy; do not delude yourself by listening to him while intending to reject him” (114). We must not allow the devil to lead us astray. That is what he has been trying to do since the days of the first sin in the garden (Genesis 3).

Choose your friends wisely. St. Francis De Sales writes, “He who has been bitten by a viper cannot heal his wound in the presence of another suffering from the like injury.” Again, this does not mean we don’t have friends who have the same struggles as us but they must desire to change too. For example, an alcoholic takes a very positive step in seeking help at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) from people who share the same struggle. However, it would not be wise for an alcoholic to hang out in a bar with friends who continue to drink.

Real friendship cannot be based on superficial texts or social media posts. St. Francis De Sales writes, “Friendship demands very close correspondence between those who love one another, otherwise it can never take root or continue…and a mutual giving and receiving of emotions” (116). Real friendship goes deeper than our external actions. Real friendship goes to the depth of the soul.

Real friends will help us “sift the sand of imperfections and reject it” (St. Francis De Sales, 116). Yes, friends accept people where they are at in life. Then, after accepting the friend, help that friend become who Christ calls them to be. A real friend does not want us to persist in sin. Jesus accepted the woman caught in adultery. He did not condemn her but He did tell her “do not sin any more” (See John 8:1-11).

Moving from friendship to other Christian practices, in chapter 23, St. Francis De Sales, discusses “bodily mortifications.” In doing so, he discusses the purpose of fasting. Fasting is not simply a penance for sin. Proper fasting leads us to Christ. Fasting should not be seen only as an obligation. We do well to see it as a sacrifice we make to bring us closer to Christ. We should not starve ourselves with long term fasting. God wants us to have healthy bodies. However, gluttony is somethings we should avoid for the good of our bodies. Proper fasting signifies our love for our Lord. When you give something up for the Lord, it should be something of value to you. If you give up something you don’t like, where is the sacrifice in that?

Moving to chapter 24, St. Francis discusses solitude. Solitude should not be rooted in a desire to escape or shun society. At times we need solitude to find our Lord. We can all benefit from some solitude. I know I very much desire times of solitude. Yet, I also believe that by living in the midst of the world, we allow God to use us to help make the world a better place. We may hate the sin that is in the world but we can love the people even in the midst of sinfulness. St. Francis De Sales writes, “The bumble bee makes no honey alone, but if it falls among bees it works with them. Our own devout life will be materially helped by intercourse with other devout souls” (122). Through good dialogue (aka intercourse” with fellow Christian disciples we can become better disciplines. We need friends who are devout.

I will end this article with a brief mention of the virtue of modesty in dress covered by St. Francis De Sales, Part III, chapter 25). Modesty involves humility. Does one dress to love “sexy”? That may lead that person into sin and it may lead others who look at the immodestly dressed person to the sin of lust. It can cause one to see the person as an object of physical pleasure rather than as a friend and a child of God who deserves to be loved as a person. It is very important to consider our modesty in dress. However, St. Francis reminds us that modesty in dress is more than a matter of sexy clothes. Modesty involves being neatly dressed. He writes, “Always be neat, do not ever permit any disorder or untidiness about you. There is a certain disrespect to those with whom you mix in slovenly dress” (124). Do not dress like a slob! Dress in a way that respects yourself, other people, and God.

That’s it for today. I will be writing more on what St. Francis offers us in the Introduction to the Devout Life in the coming weeks.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

A Great Sign

Posted by on

In our first reading today (4th Sunday of Advent Year A), the Lord offers a sign to King Ahaz. He tells Ahaz, “let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!” Ahaz can ask for any sign, no matter how great and the Lord will grant it.

What would you ask for as a sign? What do you want a sign for? Do you want a sign that tells us God is with you? Do you want a sign that tells you what God wants you to do? I know God is with me. So, I would ask for a sign to know what God wants me to do.

Is it okay to ask for a sign? I think of the story of Thomas after the Resurrection. Jesus had appeared risen to the other Apostles but not to Thomas. Thomas doubts because he has not seen Jesus for himself. As soon as he does see Jesus risen, he believes. ‘”Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”’ (John 20:29). Is it okay to ask for a sign?

In chapter six of the Book of Judges, we hear the story of God calling Gideon to serve as a “judge.” Gideon feel unworthy to serve and asked God to confirm his calling through the sign of the fleece and the morning dew. God is not offended. He grants Gideon’s request and provides the sign. We may not always get the sign we want but we can ask when our request is based on faith in God.

So why would Ahaz refuse to ask for a sign when God offers one? One might suppose that Ahaz trusts in the Lord. Thus, he does not need a sign. That is not the case. Ahaz has his own plan. The Israelites are about to be attacked by Assyria. Ahaz has his own plan. He wants his own plan to work so he can take the credit. Rather than humbly trusting in the Lord, he is being prideful.

While Ahaz refuses the sign, the Lord still offers one. “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

We continue our Advent season. Soon, we will celebrate the first coming of Jesus at Christmas. The birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecy given through Isaiah at the time of Ahaz, “the virgin shall conceive, and a bear a son.” Many prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus’ conception, birth, life, and Crucifixion. In Jesus, God enters our world as one of us and good things happen.

The circumstances of Mary’s conception came with challenges. She was already betrothed to Joseph but they were not yet living together. Yet, she was found with child. Joseph knows the child is not his for Mary and he had not had intercourse. That would indicate that Mary must have committed adultery.

Joseph could have had her stoned for this. He does not want to. He rejects the death penalty for Mary and decided to divorce her quietly. “He was a righteous man.” He wanted to do what was right. He wanted to do what God wanted.

God knew Joseph was a righteous man and would do the Lord’s will. God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream. The angel tells him that Mary has conceived “through the Holy Spirit.” The angel told Joseph to take Mary into his home and care for him.

Joseph was a righteous man. Thus, “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Together with Mary, he raised Jesus as his own son. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph became the Holy Family. Jesus would grow up and do great things for us.

It was God’s plan all along. Mary said yes to being the mother of Jesus. Joseph “did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” From their yesses to God, good things happened for us. Jesus saves us from our sins.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff