Inspired by the Holy Spirit

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After setting up for Mass this morning, I glanced at a Catholic news headline that said, “Dublin archbishop responds to stabbing of 3 children that sparked violent riots”. Ugh! Stabbing children? Why? Why?

I clicked on the headline. Reading the article, I thought what possible reason could there be to stab little children, including a 5 year-old. I kept reading. People rioting in response to the stabbings. Why? Yes, the stabbings are an awful thing but rioting is no solution.

Unfortunately, hate begets hate. I sat in the pew praying. I asked God how are we ever going to change this.

Here I should mention I have been slowly reading a book given to me called In Sinu Jesu When Heart Speaks to Heart – The Journal of a Priest at Prayer written by an unidentified Benedictine Monk (Kettering, OH: Angelico Press. 2016.) It is the journal of a Benedictine monk beginning in 2007 who received locutions of our Lord Jesus speaking to him (at times it is the Blessed Virgin Mary who speaks to him). The journal is the recording of the words said to the monk while he is in Adoration. (I am a little over halfway through the book). Jesus speaks often about the importance of Adoration. He speaks of a renewal of the priesthood that will come from time spent in Adoration and how He will change the world.

So, when I prayed in the pew before Mass, asking how can we change this, the answer I received was to offer a Holy Hour with Adoration after Mass. I thought no one knows about it. Who would stay for it? They probably have other places to go. The idea stuck with me. So, while some of the parishioners were praying the Rosary before Mass, I got the monstrance out and put out the extra candles for Adoration. As I did so, I thought they probably were wondering if I had flipped my lid. First Friday Adoration isn’t till next week. (Little do they know that I flipped my lid a long time ago).

As one person went into the church and saw the monstrance and candles out, she came back into the sacristy and said, it’s not First Friday, right? I replied that she was right and that this was something completely unplanned and that I would explain during the homily. When the lector went to light the candles for Mass, I told her I was going to offer an unplanned time for Adoration after Mass so she should light the other candles too. Neither of them questioned me.

It actually fit with what I had already planned for my homily. Today’s first reading continues the story of Maccabees. I reminded them how we had recently read how the Greeks had overrun Israel. The Greek king ordered all the Israelites to abandon their own God to worship as he directed as their king. Many Jews did as the Greek king directed but not all. This is the story of the two books of Maccabees. Those who worshipped the false gods desecrated the altar of the Jews by offering the false sacrifices of the Greeks on it. In today’s first reading, the Jews who kept their Jewish faith have retaken the area where the altar was. They rededicated it to the one true God. This festival was celebrated for 8 days and was the first Hanukkah.

Turning to today’s gospel reading, Jesus finds people selling things in the Temple. It was supposed to be a “house of prayer” but they made it a marketplace, a “den of thieves.” Jesus restored it as a “house of prayer.” Thanks be to God.

Today many do not see our altars in Catholic Churches as sacred. Just a few weeks ago, a secular music video was recorded in a Catholic Church in Brooklyn with the musician dancing seductively around the altar. Thankfully, the Bishop responded promptly to address this (click here to see articles about it).

Then, I continued my homily by adding what I had read about the stabbing and riots in Ireland. I told them about the book I mentioned above and its call for more Adoration. I told them I would offer one hour of Adoration after Mass. They could stay if they were able but since it was unannounced, they should not feel obligated to stay if they had to go someplace else.

After Mass, there was no mass exodus as soon as Mass was over. About half of them stayed for a while with most of that half staying the whole hour.

What did we do for the hour since nothing was planned? We prayed in silence. Did it make a difference? Prayer always makes a difference. For me, just the thought of spending the hour in Adoration inspired me during Mass to preside with a strong faith. For me, the hour I spent before the Lord helped me find peace in my heart in the midst of a troubled world.

Several hours later, I began texting with a friend who had recently been hacked. Another troubled act. Why do people do this? Why don’t they put their computer skills to good use?

At some point in our conversation I told her about the stabbing and riots in Ireland and the Holy Hour. She expressed her own distress at this news. I said, “Stabbing little children is terrible but rioting in response to it serves no good. Hate begets hate. What is needed to stop the hate is love.”

She in turn responded, “Our compass is broken.”

I responded, “I don’t think that the true Christian compass is broken. They threw it out because they thought it was broken because it didn’t point the way they wanted.”

How is your moral compass? If you have drifted away from Christ, Jesus offers you two remedies. The first is the Sacrament of Reconciliation where you can confess your sins. The second is to spend some time in Adoration. (If your parish does not offer time for Adoration, then spent some time in prayer before a Crucifix at home.) Give your heart to Jesus. Let Jesus change the world by starting with you.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

The Hidden Depths of the Mass #16

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The Liturgy of the Word – The Prayers of the Faithful

Following the Creed, we conclude the Liturgy of the Word with the Prayers of the Faithful.  They are also commonly called the General Intercessions or Universal Prayer.  The priest introduces the prayers.  The lector then reads the individual petitions followed by a concluding prayer.  To each individual petition, we generally respond, “Lord, hear our prayer.”  We collectively respond “amen” to the priest’s concluding prayer.

The petitions offered are not prayers for any one person.  The intentions are those of any one person but rather those representing the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ here and across the world.  Thus, we pray for the needs of the church, for public officials, for the sick, for the dying, and for needs representing what is going on in the world, and for our own local community.  For all these needs, we pray to the Lord.

(Previous articles in this series can be found online at http://www.renewaloffaith.org/bulletinmass).

We Give Thanks

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Today we celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving. It is a secular holiday but the practice of giving thanks is very much in keeping with our faith. In fact, the word “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. We give thanks to God for what we celebrate in the Eucharist.

The origins of this national holiday go back to the early pilgrims. They left England seeking religious freedom. They could have lamented having to leave their homes there. They faced a very difficult journey across the ocean. They could have grumbled. They arrived in what would become Massachusetts late in the year. Food was scarce and they would not be able to plant seeds until spring. They could have grumbled. They could have lost their faith.

They worked hard. They kept their faith. When spring came, they planted. When fall came, they enjoyed the harvest. They did not forget God.

In the gospel used for Thanksgiving Day, we hear the story of the ten lepers who came to Jesus to be healed. He told them to go show themselves to the priest. This is something a leper was to do after they had been healed. They had not healed but they went as Jesus directed. In faith they were healed. Only one returned to give thanks to Jesus. I hope the others were thankful but perhaps they did not grasp the source of their healing. One did and he returned to give thanks to Jesus.

The pilgrims had faced great difficulty in their trip from England and in the early months after arriving in the colonies. When spring came, they worked hard as they planted and cared for their gardens. They were helped by the natives. They could have said they did all themselves. They could have focused their thanks on the natives who helped them. Certainly, they did work hard and they were right to thank the natives. In doing so, they could have lost side of God’s help. They did not. At the first Thanksgiving in the colonies, they gave thanks to God.

Do you give thanks to God?

It’s easy enough to remember to pray to ask God for help in difficult times. When your prayers are answered, do you see God’s hand in it? Do you give thanks to God?

Do you have an “attitude of gratitude”? Having gratitude doesn’t mean things always go well. Having an “attitude of gratitude” recognizes the blessings we have received and sustains us in faith through difficult times. It can change the way we look at things.

For instance, the last few days have been damp and dreary. We could complain. I know I have but we must remember that we need rain to survive. Maybe we don’t need this many rainy days but we can give thanks that we don’t have a drought. We pray for sunshine but we do so trusting in God.

When we, or a loved one, becomes seriously ill, we pray for God to help them. God is pleased that we ask for his help. However, if/when we, or our loved one, are healed, do we remember to give thanks to God?

Perhaps there is someone causing difficultly in your life. Do you pray for them? I stress “for them” because it would be easy to pray that they stop causing us difficulty. It can be harder to pray for their well-being when they cause us difficulty.

In the second reading used for Thanksgiving Day, Paul writes, “I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus.” Later in his letters to the Corinthians Paul will correct them for their sins. However, first, he gives thanks to God for what God has given them. Do you thank God for people who cause you difficulty?

What do you have to be thankful for? Do you express your gratefulness to God? Do you thank others? Life is not always easy. We must take up our crosses to follow Jesus. We give thanks to God for his help in carrying our crosses.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

Why am I Catholic?

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Why am I Catholic?

Traditionally, the answer to the question why are you Catholic was, “Because my parents and grandparents are Catholic.” Being Catholic was part of our identity. One went to church for Christmas and Easter because that’s what Catholics do it. Today we identify this as being culturally Catholic.

I was baptized Catholic as a baby because that is what my mother’s family was. We went to church occasionally and my mother made sure I received First Communion and Confirmation. Then I didn’t go again until I was 28 years old. At 28 years old I made a distinct choice to be Catholic.

Why?

Some people might say, “Why would you want to be Catholic? They have all those rules you are supposed to follow. Who believes all that stuff anyway?”

Who believes all that stuff?

I do.

In fact, it’s part of what leads me to want to be Catholic. In a world where relativism is on the rise, more and more people say there is no universal truth. I believe there is truth, a truth that transcends what you and I think. The rules are not just rules imposed by a dictator. They are what is good for us. Deuteronomy 4:1-8 tells us that other people will see us as a wise people if we live according to what God has taught us.

I choose to be Catholic not in spite of “all the rules” but because of the “rules.” I know I do not know everything. I seek the wisdom of God over the ways of the world. Please notice that I did not say the “wisdom of the world” but rather the “ways of the world.” On its own, the world lacks the wisdom I see. We receive true wisdom, along with knowledge and understanding, when we receive the Holy Spirit.

Relativism says there is no universal truth but yet so many people seem to be sure they are right. If there is no truth, then how can anyone be right?

Someone might ask you why you choose to be Catholic and have to believe “all that stuff.” I do not believe what the Catholic Church teaches because it is imposed on me. I believe it because I believe in God and see what the Catholic Church teaches as the Truth that sets us free (see John 8:32). I know that Jesus died for me and that makes all the difference. Jesus willingly laid down his life for me because He loves me (see John 15:13). So, I know I can trust him. I believe what He teaches us.

Let’s take a moment to look at a secular comparison. In the United States, people used to join a political party because the party’s platform agreed with what they thought. A person choose their own beliefs and found a party that agreed with them. They had freedom to choose what to believe. Now, I hear politicians say if you are a Democrat, then you must vote this way. The same is true for the Republicans. If you want to let a political party tell you what to believe, that is your freedom. I don’t. I choose to let God teach me what to believe. It doesn’t mean I understand everything but I do believe.

“I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.” These words come from the Nicene Creed. We are an apostolic church in holding on to what comes to us from Jesus, handed down over the centuries through the apostles and their successors. We seek to be one because Jesus prays that we are one (see John 17).

It is unity that I seek in the Catholic Church. Sadly, there is division even within the Catholic Church. If you are regular reader of my blog, then you know that I have great concern over the recent German synod in how it seeks to change church teaching. It seems they want to conform themselves to the world rather than conform themselves to Christ.

I want to conform myself to Christ.

Do you want to conform yourself to Christ or to the world?

It seems we now see politics in the removal of bishops. I pray that this is not over politics. I pray it is for the good of our Catholic faith.

It saddens me. It hurts me to see this division within our Catholic faith. It is not what God intends. It is not what Jesus prays for just before his Passion begins (see John 17).

As I wrote above, our Catholic Church is an apostolic church. The truth of our faith does not change. Our understanding of how it applies in today’s world may develop with the Holy Spirit but the truth does not change. What we teach today must be in unison with what has always been taught. This is what Pope Benedict XVI identified as a “hermeneutic of continuity.” It is this continuity that helps us understand that it comes from God. If a person offers a new teaching contrary to what has always been taught, why should we believe? Unfortunately, it seems for many the answer is because they like the new idea better. It suits how they see things.

I find it unfortunate and saddening when people wish to conform themselves to world rather than to Christ. I will end with these three verses I used in Part I of my series, Being Church in Today’s World, for you to think about.

John 15:19 – “If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.”

John 17:14-16 – “I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.  I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.  They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

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Psalm 128 begins, “Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.”

Today’s gospel speaks of the third servant who acts out of fear of his Lord.

Are these two passages in conflict? The psalm speaks of “fear of the Lord” as a good thing. The gospel passage indicates the third servant is paralyzed by his fear. It keeps him from doing the right thing. The first two servants take what their master has given and double what they have. The third servant, “out of fear” buried the one talent he had been given in the ground to keep it safe.

It is natural to be afraid of some things. Paul reminds us that the “day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” We are concerned about what the thief might steal. We might be afraid of what he will do to us.

In response to fear of the thief, we might take reasonable measures to protect our property from the thief. Or we could let the fear take over such that we never leave our homes and never let anyone in “out of fear.” This fear paralyzes us.

On the other hand a lack of fear can make us lax. We think all is safe, let our guard down and disaster happens. The devil likes it when we think he doesn’t exist. Because then we let our guard down and he can strike us down.

Being afraid of something is one time of fear. The “fear of the Lord” spoken of in the Bible is another type of fear.

Now, God is all-powerful. He could wipe us out. One only needs to think of the great flood at the time of Noah to know this. Thus, we have reason to be afraid of the Lord. This fear might help motivate some people not to sin. That has its positives. This fear might paralyze others from action.

However, when the Bible speaks of “fear of the Lord”, it speaks of another type of fear. This fear recognizes that God is not just “all-powerful.” He is also “all-loving.” When we “fear the Lord“, we recognize his greatness and we stand in “awe” of his greatness. Knowing this “awe” is the “fear of the Lord” that leads us to love God and to do what is pleasing to him.

This is what motivates the first two servants in today’s gospel. The master is going away. Before he leaves he “entrusted his possessions to them…each according to his ability.” The first two recognize the fact that he “entrusted his possessions to them” as a sign of favor. In response, they want to do what is pleasing to their master. They each go out, using what they have been given, to make more.

When their master returns he says to them separately, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.”

The third servant acted differently. He was afraid of disappointing his master. He wanted to keep safe what he had been given. So, he buried it. In effect, he did nothing with it. He did not put it to good use.

God does not want us to fear him in this way. Jesus repeatedly says, “Do not be afraid.“

God has given each of us different gifts. What do you do with the gifts you have been given? Do you use them for the building of God’s kingdom or do you hide your gifts, afraid of disappointing God? Do you recognize how God has blessed you with the gifts or are you afraid of disappointing him?

We might fear we do not have enough to make good use of the gifts. God always gives us enough to do what He asks of us. Jesus says, “For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.“

Jesus is not talking about material wealth per say. He is talking about faith. Those who have some faith, will be given more. Those who have little faith and bury it, will lose what little faith they do have.

Do not let any fear of the Lord paralyze you. Use what faith you have in God as all-loving and put your trust in him and He will provide.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

The Hidden Depths of the Mass #15

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The Liturgy of the Word – The Homily & Creed

After the readings are finished, the congregation sits while an ordained person offers the homily.  The homily is to help break open the readings and help people apply them to life in today’s world.  The homily should help us form our consciences and daily lives in accord with God’s Word.  While the homily is generally based on the readings, it may also make use of any prayers and texts for the Mass, the liturgical season, or the Eucharist itself.

At Sunday Mass, the homily is followed by the Creed.  The Creed is a basic summary of many but not all aspects of our faith.  It centers on who the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are to us and how they relate to one another.

(Previous articles in this series can be found online at http://www.renewaloffaith.org/bulletinmass).  

What’s It Going to Take for People to Realize the State of Things?

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I hope I am not sounding like a broken record that keeps repeating itself.  Last week I wrote, “What’s It Going to Take to End the Violence.”  There I said the answer laid in tears that came from the depths of our hearts. 

In my Sunday homily this week, I spoke about current events that fulfill what Jesus said in Matthew 24:3-14 would happen before his return in the Second Coming.

So, today’s question, “What’s it going to take for people to realize the state of things,” may not seem that different.  Comparing it to last week’s question, realizing the state of things is what can lead us to tears that come from the depths of our hearts.  Referring to my Sunday homily this week, recognizing that the Second Coming could happen at any moment should lead us to realize that time is of the essence.

What is the state of things in the world?

Some say things are wonderful because people have more freedoms than ever before.  The problem is what are we doing with those freedoms.  As St. Pope John Paul II said, “Every generation of Americans needs to know that freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought” (“Homily of his holiness John Paul II” during his Apostolic Journey to America. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore. October 8, 1995. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paulii/en/homilies/1995/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19951008_baltimore.html. 7.). 

Are we doing good things with our freedoms?

To answer this question, we must pray that we see the broader picture.  We must pray that we see the world not just from our limited human perspective.  We must pray that we see the world as God sees it (see 1 Samuel 16:7).

Looking at secular affairs, it seems some think the ends justify the means.  They see a good end and think they can do whatever it takes to achieve that “good” end.  For instance, Israel is now bombing hospitals in Gaza with the “good end” of ending the violence done by Hamas as its goal. 

Has Hamas committed horrible attacks of violence?  Yes.

However, that does not give Israel free rein in their response (see the sixth criteria for just war at http://www.renewaloffaith.org/just-war-theory.html).  We are talking about hospitals.  Israel says Hamas is hiding in/under the hospitals.  So what?  How many innocent people are dying in these attacks?  I have not seen numbers but I wonder if more innocent people are suffering from these attacks than Hamas.

Let us pray for the leadership of Israel and Hamas to make wiser decisions.

When candidates run for secular elections, the main method of campaigning seems to be to point out how bad the other candidate is.  Won’t it be much better if they told us their positions and their position is better.  What good is gained by negative campaigning?

Let us pray for all those running for political office, to end the negative campaigning in favor of stating the good of their own positions.

Unfortunately, political maneuvering is becoming more common in our Catholic Church.  I see this in the German synod (see Catholic News Agency’s articles on this at https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/results?q=german+synod#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=german%20synod&gsc.page=1).  There is political batter from Germany claiming the Catholic Church needs to catch up with the world while conservative Catholics write against the German synod.  Where is the truth in this?  For those who think the Catholic Church needs to catch up with the world, I do not hear arguments on how what they say is in continuity with the Bible or subsequent teaching of the Church.  I do not hear sound arguments on how what they say comes from God.  In saying the Church needs to catch up with the world, it can seem like they are putting the world before God.

What’s it going to take for people to realize the state of things? 

We need to get back to our foundation, Jesus Christ.  It is only upon this foundation that our Catholic Church will stand forever. 

We need Jesus Christ as our cornerstone.  We must not pull our cornerstone out by breaking with what God has taught for ages.  Jesus identifies himself as the cornerstone in Matthew 21:42 (cf. Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17).

For those who value “freedom” above all else and embrace relativism, is there any foundation?  Relativism says there is no universal truth.  If there is no universal truth, I don’t see how there can be any foundation.  Is “freedom” their foundation?  How can one build a future based on freedom alone?  Won’t people always be at odds with one another?

We are seeing the fulfillment of what Paul wrote to Timothy, “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.  But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:3-5).  We need to hold fast to what Jesus taught.

Jesus said, ‘Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”’ (John 8:31-32).

As I said at the beginning of this article, I hope I do not sound like a broken record, merely repeating what I have written in the past. 

Let us pray that we and all in our Catholic Church seek God’s Truth and to do his Will in all things, always remaining in his Word.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

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32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (2b)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13
November 12, 2023

Jesus presents us with this parable of “ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.”

Are you wise in the ways of the Lord?

The foolish ones did not come prepared.  They “brought no oil with them.”  They apparently thought their wait would be short and simple.

The five wise ones “brought flasks of oil with their lamps.”  They came prepared and committed to wait for the bridegroom.

Are you looking for an easy way to Heaven or are you committed to God for the long haul?

“The bridegroom was long delayed.”  They fell asleep.  When they were awakened by the news that the bridegroom was coming, the five who were foolish realized they did not have enough oil.

Do you have enough faith to persevere until the Second Coming of Jesus?

The five who were foolish asked the ones who were wise, “Give us some of your oil.”  We are called to help one another when we can but at this point, the wise virgins could not help the foolish. 

The five who were foolish and, thus, unprepared, went looking for oil.  While they were gone, the bridegroom came and they missed out.

Of course, this parable is meant to lead us to ask ourselves if we are ready for the Second Coming.

Paul and his contemporaries thought the Second Coming was going to happen very soon.  2,000 years later it is easy for us to think that since it hasn’t happened yet, there is no hurry.  We think we have plenty of time and we put off preparing. 

Things in the world are getting worse.  Just when we should realize we need to become strong disciples in it for the long haul, people slack off.  They don’t prepare themselves.  Thus, they will not be ready.

I don’t know when the Second Coming will be. 

Jesus tells us of things that will happen first (Matthew 24:3-14).

He speaks of wars that will happen first.  How many wars have there been?  Presently, we have the war between Ukraine and Russia.  We even have war in the Holy Land between Israel and Hamas.  Some worry that this war will spread across the Middle East.  I wonder if it points to the Second Coming.

Jesus speaks of famines and earthquakes that will happen first.  How many people today do not have enough to eat across the world?  How many suffer in famine? 

Earthquakes…there have been several recently.  It seems like there are more and more earthquakes.  Could these be a sign that the Second Coming is about to happen?

Jesus says, “You will be hated by all nations because of my name” (Matthew 24:9).  How many people tell us we are wrong for our beliefs?  How many try to silence us? 

Jesus speaks of false prophets that will come.  There are people today trying to corrupt what Jesus taught us.

What Jesus said will happen first has happened.

The Second Coming could happen at any moment.

Are you ready?

Will anyone be saved?

Jesus says, “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”

Before we ask if we are the ones who will persevere, first we should ask ourselves if we are living today according to what God has taught us. 

If we are not living as true disciples of Christ, we need to repent and ask God for the grace to change our ways.  When we do this, then we can ask God for even more grace that we might persevere.    

Do you know what you need to do to be a true disciple of Jesus? (see my present series of presentations, Made for Discipleship).

How are we to know?

Look at today’s first reading.  It comes from the Book of Wisdom.  It speaks of the wisdom that God offers us.  The Wisdom of God “hastens to make herself known” to us.  God’s Wisdom is “resplendent and unfading.”  It is “readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.”

The question I ask you is, “Do you seek the wisdom of God?”.

If you don’t, why not?  Do you think you know better than God?

The Second Coming could come at any moment. 

If you desire the Wisdom of God, how do you seek it out?  Do you read the Bible?  Do you seek out ways to learn what Jesus asks of you as a disciple?  Do you spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration?

In the end, we cannot save ourselves.  We are saved by Jesus willingly giving his life for us on the Cross.  His Sacrifice is a gift to us. 

Most people who identify as Christian would say they want the gift of Jesus’ Crucifixion for us.  Do you really open yourself to receiving this gift? 

Or is your life too busy to make room to receive what God offers you?  Then, how do you expect to be saved?

Jesus wants to save you. 

Even if the Second coming doesn’t happen soon, the sooner you turn your life over to Jesus, the sooner you will know his peace in your life.  The sooner everyone turns their lives back over to Jesus, the sooner things in the world will get better.

Are you even close to being ready?  What sins do you have to confess?  What are you holding on to that separates you from Jesus?

New Video – Made for Discipleship Part II

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Yesterday I offered Part II in my series, Made for Discipleship. You can now view the slides and video at http://www.renewaloffaith.org/madefordiscipleshippart2.

If you watch it in the next few days, you can complete an online evaluation afterwards at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXAxnQnVoeUvYBRr1b_DAiFWrmh2IWtAExxBGeUsicdtPnSw/viewform?usp=sf_link.

Part III will be December 7th. You can register for the live Zoom webinar at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TQLpHXVUSp6zLGxIDLg4fA.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

The Hidden Depths of the Mass #14

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The Liturgy of the Word – Daily Mass Readings
Just as on Sunday, during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter the readings for daily Mass are selected to correspond to the themes of the season. 

At daily Mass there is not a second reading unless it is a special feast or solemnity.  With six weekdays, there is much more opportunity to cover the readings.  Thus, the gospel readings for daily Mass are on a one-year cycle.  We begin Ordinary Time with the Gospel of Mark, followed by Matthew, and then Luke.  (As on Sunday, the Gospel of John is used during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter).

The first reading can be from the Old Testament or New Testament.  Unlike Sunday Mass, the first reading at daily Mass is not chosen to correspond to the gospel reading of the day.  The first reading is a semi-continuous reading of a book of the Bible.

(The previous articles in this series can be found online at http://www.renewaloffaith.org/bulletinmass.