Limitless Forgiveness

From Matthew 18:21-19:1, "Peter approached Jesus and asked him, 'Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times'". Just think, if we could only forgive people seventy-seven times, how many of us would be out of forgiveness? Thankfully, forgiveness is unconditional. Forgiveness is a gift that cannot measured and no limits placed on it. It is a tremendous experience when we can forgive someone. That is when true peace and reconciliation takes place. As a priest told me one time, "The one person that we find hard to forgive is ourselves". We need to pray everyday for the grace of forgiveness. Being able to forgive others and being able to forgive ourselves. Yes, we are all sinners in need of God's mercy and forgiveness, and it is unconditional. We have shortcomings, limitations, faults and pfailings. Our human weaknesses cannot hold us back when it comes to forgiveness and we cannot hold back forgiveness when it comes to ourselves. A lesson that I can take to heart as I write this blog because I have found that to be true over the years but forgiveness is very much needed to allow for growth and peace. Let us spend time with this gospel and allow the word of our Lord to touch our lives and hearts in a special way. When it comes to forgiveness, Jesus is the ultimate example. Have a blessed day!!!

Solemnity of the Assumption

A Happy and Blessed Feast day to you!!! We pray that Our Blessed Mother will intercede for us and guide us with her maternal love and care. As Pope Benedict XVI writes, "Precisely because Mary is with God and in God, she is very close to each one of us. While she lived on this earth she could only be close to a few people. Being in God, who is actually 'within' all of us, Mary shares in this closeness of God". Our Lady "knows our hearts, can hear our prayers, can help us with her motherly kindness. She always listens to us and, being Mother of the Son, participates in the power of the Son and in his goodness. We can always entrust the whole of our lives to this Mother" (Magnificat, 184-85). Like the Resurrection and Ascension, the Assumption of Mary gives us all hope because we believe in the life of the world to come. Let us trust in Our Blessed Mother's intercession and prayers because she is with us at all times! Have a Blessed Feast!!!!

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

The Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a saint for our time. He gave of his life on August 14, 1941 so that another would live. The ultimate sacrifice of laying down ones life for ones friends. It is also appropriate to celebrate this memorial so close to the Solemnity of the Assumption because Saint Maximilian had a great love and devotion to our Blessed Mother. As one commentary stated: "Saint Maximilian, sustained by his deep love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, found courage in Christ's cross to lay down his life for a fellow concentration camp prisoner" (Magnificat, 169). Even the Collect spoke of Saint Maximilian's "burning love for the Immaculate Virgin Mary and with zeal for souls and love of neighbor". Truly a great example for us!!! May we seek Saint Maximilian's intercession as we grow in our love and devotion for the Blessed Mother and for the love of neighbor. Have a blessed day!!!

Will It Ever End?

At some point things as we know it will come to an end. Revelation tells us about the new heaven and new earth that is coming but no way to rush it. Everything goes according to God's plan. In the first Book of Kings, 19:4-8, Elijah was ready for it all to be over. As the passage begins, "Elijah went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death, saying: 'This is enough, O Lord! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers'". Each time the angel of the Lord came to him and tapped him on the shoulder urging him to eat for the journey would be long. Even though Elijah wanted to give it up the Lord would not allow it and the prophet went back to his mission. Jesus is the bread of life that sustains us in our journey of life and faith. With our ups and downs, peaks and valleys, it is easy to ask, "Will it ever end"? We know that God gives us the grace and strength we need to continue the journey until a time He sees fit! Let us go forth, renewed by the bread of life, to live our faith and continue the mission at hand! God Bless Our Journey!!!

Called to Serve!!!!

That is a wonderful title to think about, "Called to Serve." When I was in the vocation office for the Diocese of Salina, Kansas, I used that title as the theme for the office. No matter what our vocation in life is: married life, single life, priesthood, religious life, we are called to serve. Our main vocation is "Discipleship" and that means service. Jesus mentions service in the gospel for today, John 12:24-26, "Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me". Today, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. In my homily for Mass, I highlighted the call to service and spoke about the three tiers of Holy Orders: Deacon, Priest, Bishop. Those who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders are called to serve and be an example of service to others. We pray for our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons- Transitional and Permanent, who live the call of service in the Church and their respective communities. May we always be open to the call of service and follow the example of the holy men and women who have gone before, like Saint Lawrence, as we continue to build up the kingdom of God in our midst. Have a blessed day!!!

Saint Dominic

The Church remembers today the founder of the Dominican Order, Saint Dominic. The abbreviation for the men and women that follow the charism of Saint Dominic is "O.P." which stands for, "Order of Preachers". As this commentary states, "Saint Dominic took delight in God's word of truth and preached it with zeal in the face of heresy and division. His Order of Preachers has continued his work of proclamation nourished by prayer and study from his day to our own" (Magnificat, 104). Preaching the word of God needs to be a constant in our daily lives, especially in the world and society in which we live. The truth is being distorted and there are people trying to tear down foundations that have been in place for centuries. We need to take a stand and not be afraid to speak up and proclaim the Good News to a people longing for faith, hope, and love. Let us follow the charism of Saint Dominic in our lives and not be afraid to preach the Gospel, not just with words, but with our very lives! Saint Dominic, Pray for Us!!!

Saint Cajetan

Today, I am using the memorial of Saint Cajetan. His is a name that catches your attention. I also think fondly of a teacher that I had in the college seminary and even in theology when I took Spanish, Fr. Cajetan White, OSB. Father Cajetan passed away some years ago but I always think of him when this feast day comes around so I chose to use the formularies for Mass. As the Ordo says, "Cajetan, +1547; from Venice; co-founded (1524) with Gian Pietro Carafa (later Pope Paul IV) the Theatines (today the Congregation of Clerks Regular [C.R.]), who number about 200 religious; devoted to reform, prayer, and ministry, especially to the poor and the sick" (Ordo, 173). Another source said that Saint Cajetan was a man of prayer and a lover of neighbor. These were great qualities for this saintly priest and they can be our qualities as well. We need to be people of prayer and love our neighbor as ourself. May we work to grow in this beautiful gifts and be assured of the divine assistance that we need to live them to the fullest. Saint Cajetan, Pray for Us!!!