Saint Dominic

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order. The abbreviations for the order is "O.P.," Order of Preachers. We pray for all the Dominican men and women who follow the life and example of Saint Dominic. Thinking about preaching means that we are to practice what we preach, not just for priests and religious, but for all people. We are called to be an example of faith, hope, love, prayer, holiness to all of our brothers and sisters. I am blessed to have people in my life who remind of that need to practice what I preach. They don't say things in a critical way, but usually, "Did you hear what you just said?" A great reminder for all of us. I remember a news commentator who always said, "Say what you mean, and mean what you say!" If we are going to walk the walk, then we need to follow our own words as well. One of the my favorite lines from the Diaconate Ordination and I have kept those words close is, "Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach." The Church gives us holy men and women to follow their example and to pray for their intercession. As we strive to be better preachers, not just in word, but in deed, let us turn to Saint Dominic and ask his intercession! God Bless You!!!

A Faith-filled Weekend!

This weekend as we look at the liturgical calendar and our readings at Mass we are given hope and faith. On August 6, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration. It happened on Mount Tabor, where Jesus took his close disciples: Peter, James, and John. While they were there, Jesus was transfigured before them and he was seen conversing with Moses and Elijah. That was a glimpse of the glory that is to come. As one commentary states, "Christ's Tabor radiance is a kind of mirror in which we glimpse the glory that God wills to give his friends. The resplendence of the Transfiguration reveals the fullness of life destined to be ours" (Magnificat, 86). We live in a world where there is joy and sadness, accomplishments and struggles, but one thing is certain, there is a better place that awaits us and God gives us a glimpse because we live in hope and faith. In the gospel for this weekend, Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus comes out on the water to the disciples in the midst of a storm. Our Lord calms their fears by sayings, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Then, going a little further, Peter says that if it is you Lord, command me to come out to you. So the Lord invited Peter and he gets out of the boat. When he realizes what is going on he becomes afraid and is on the verge of sinking, so he cries out to the Lord for help. Jesus says, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Again, a message that calls for us to live in faith and hope. God blesses us with these great gifts and we need to pray for them each day. Pray that our hope, our faith will be strong and no matter what happens in life we know that we do not journey alone, the Lord is with us at all times, to calm our fears and assure us of the gifts of hope and faith. Have a blessed and faithfilled weekend! May that faith last forever!

Saint Mary Major!

Today we celebrate the feast of one of the four major basilicas, Saint Mary Major in Rome. The other basilicas being: Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint John Lateran, and Saint Peter's. I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful basilica in 1996 during my visit to Rome with seminary classmates. The highlight that I remember is the confessio below the main altar where there is a glass casket behind glass that contains pieces of lumber that tradition holds are from the manger. It was during the Council of Ephesus in 431 where the mother of Jesus was proclaimed as Mother of God. Pope Sixtus III erected a basilica dedicated to the honor of the holy Mother of God. It was given the title "Saint Mary Major" and is the oldest church in the West dedicated to the honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Magnificat, 74). We thank God for the gift of our Blessed Mother. He called her to be the only mother of His son and she accepted by telling the archangel Gabriel, "Be it done to me according to your word." We pray that we will always be open to the will of God in our lives and look to our Blessed Mother for her example and intercession! God Bless!!!

Saint John Vianney!

When I got home from having Mass and visiting people in Washington, KS, a community under my care, I had a message on my phone wishing me a happy feast day. This is a day to celebrate all priests because of Saint John Vianney. Not to long ago, the Catholic Church observed the "Year for Priests." During that time our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement that Saint John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, would be known as the patron saint for all the world's priests. A look at his life shows how important Saint John Vianney was and is. "After overcoming many difficulties, Saint John was ordained a priest and was entrusted with the care of the parish in Ars, France. He cared for his parish in a marvelous way by his preaching, his mortification, prayer, and good works" (Magnificat, 63). Saint John Vianney is known for spending many hours in the confessional and guiding those who came to him for healing, forgiveness, and counsel. Saint John Vianney is a tremendous example for all priests and so as we celebrate our feast day let us ask Saint John to intercede for us. May his prayers guide us to be happy, healthy, and holy priests. Saint John Vianney, pray for us!!!

Persistance is always needed!

An example of persistence comes from Matthew's Gospel 15:21-28. In this passage a Canaanite woman is calling out to the Lord. Her daughter is being tormented by a demon and she wants Jesus to heal her. The discourse between the two is quite interesting. Jesus says, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." Her response was, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." This woman was not afraid to speak her mind to the Lord. She responded to him just as he responded to her. With her response, Jesus noted that she was a woman of great faith and that her daughter would be healed. The woman did not give up, did not lose heart, but she persisted in what she believed and knew the Jesus could help her and her family. The same is true for us, we need to be persistant in our lives, in our faith, in our prayer. We cannot give up and what a blessing it is to have people in our lives who help us see what is important. I smile when I think about this because I know persistance has paid off with me. This is an example that I need to learn and take to heart. Be confident, be strong, be persistant! We cannot give up because the Lord is counting on us to continue the mission entrusted to us and He wants us to be joyful in our life and in our faith. Sounds like I need to bring this item to prayer! Persistance is worth it as we strive to live our lives and our faith to the fullest. It is always needed!!! God Bless You!!!

Psalm 51

"Be merciful, O Lord for we have sinned!" I love that phrase and I love Psalm 51. It is a very penitential psalm and it says everything we need to know. Yes, we are sinners in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus we know that mercy and forgiveness has been extended to us. I fell in love with Psalm 51 when I was in the seminary. That is the first psalm that is prayed every Friday at Morning Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. I look forward to Fridays so I can offer that psalm, praying that it will rise like incense before the throne of God. Of course, it is a great psalm to say at any time. I have it marked in the Bible that I read from and I enjoy reading the commentary because it gives us hope. This psalm lets us know of second chances. No sin is too great for God's mercy and forgiveness. Once we approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation we know that God has forgiven us. The challenge is being able to forgive ourselves. Speaking of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I have given this psalm as a penance at times, so it is a great resource to refer people too, especially if they are struggling with mercy and forgiveness in their lives. Today, in your time of prayer, pick up the Bible and read Psalm 51. Allow those words to touch your mind and heart and let God do wonders in your life because His great love and mercy knows no bounds! Have a blessed day!!!

Saint Alphonsus Liguori

This previous weekend, our parishes were blessed to have Fr. Rafael Fuentes with us for our annual Mission Cooperative. Father Rafael works in Tanzania and is a member of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. He stayed over until today and we were able to celebrate Mass this morning for the Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Speaking of religious communities, Saint Alphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer or the "Redemptorists." We pray for the Redemtorist Order worldwide as they celebrate this memorial of their founder. May they recommit themselves to living the witness of Saint Alphonsus in the world. For our part, take to heart these words of one of the commentators for today, "Saint Alphonsus was a servant and teacher of the love of Jesus Christ which requires that we take seriously the call to abandon sin and embrace the life of the Gospel without moral compromise" (Magnificat, 25). Through is own life, Saint Alphonsus set out to foster the Christian life and lead people to live the universal call to holiness. We pray for his intercession, that we may grow in our love and friendship with Christ the Redeemer, and live the call to faith and holiness to the fullest. Have a blessed day!!!