Superior Priest

Politics, Peace, and the Path to Holiness

11May25 (25cE4). We are called to hear the voice of Jesus—not with our ears alone, but with our hearts. His voice does not sound like the noise of politics or media; it speaks through peace, truth, and love. We follow Him not into comfort or power, but into the cross—into sacrifice, charity, and holiness. We hear His voice in Scripture, in the Church, in the Eucharist, and in our vocation to love. On this day especially, we give thanks for our mothers—biological and spiritual—who reflect Christ’s love by giving of themselves for others. Let us continue to listen, to follow, and to live as lights in a world that needs His peace.

Candles, Crosses, and the Hope of Resurrection

10May25 (25BuchFuneral). Homily from my uncle Stephan’s funeral. We gather at funerals with a threefold purpose: to pray for our loved one, to support one another in grief, and to celebrate a life given in love. We come as a people of hope—not in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. His resurrection gives our sorrow meaning and our prayers power. As Christians, we are called to live like candles: giving light by giving of ourselves. Even in grief, we are reminded that our final hope is not in this world, but in the mercy of God and the promise of eternal life.

From Failure to Faith: Following Christ Like Peter

4May25 (25cE3). We, like Peter, often fall short—but Jesus still calls us to follow Him. In today’s Gospel, Peter is reconciled by love and commissioned to serve. His story reminds us that discipleship isn't about perfection but humility, mercy, and renewed love. Whether in priesthood, military service, or daily life, true leadership means putting others first. Christ meets us where we are and invites us to deeper trust, deeper love, and the cross that leads to resurrection.

What Animates Our Life?

17Apr25 (25Thursday). This is an AI generated summary, enjoy if anyone reads this… On this Holy Thursday, we reflect on the Passover and the Eucharist as the spiritual food that sustains us on our journey toward heaven. Like the Israelites who ate in haste, we too live as people in flight—not made for this world, but for the promised land. The priesthood and the Eucharist, both instituted by Christ, remind us that leadership is about service, not power. We see this echoed in the Marine tradition of “leaders eat last,” where those in authority care for their people before themselves. Though it’s not always lived perfectly, the principle is clear: charity must animate all we do. The washing of the feet calls us back to that core of Christian service—to feed, to lead, and to love, even when it costs us.

Attraction and Fear

9Feb25 (25cO5) The stars and mountains remind us of God. An encounter with his grandeur and our smallness. It should draw us to him and humble us to be afraid of him. He wants us to be purified and put out into the deep. God can make all things happen if we trust him.

Suffering Well

2Feb25 (25Presentation). There is a lot of suffering to be had at Marine training in Bridgeport, CA Mountain Warfare Training. This suffering is not an absence of God but an opportunity to grow closer to him. Help us to be like candles that give off light (charity) and lose our life for Jesus’ sake. Darkness can not overcome the light.

Science Seeking Truth

5Jan25 (25cEpiphany). Science and faith are often thought to be opposed in this modern world. That is just not the case. One who seeks truth, seeks Jesus Christ. May we always seek Jesus Christ and know him in the great revelation and security of the Holy Catholic Church.

Conflict and Obedience in Family

29Dec24 (24cFamily). Families bring some of the greatest joys and difficulties in life. The Holy Family may be perfect and without sin, but still experiences the conflict of family. Jesus’ response is obedience. Obedience to Mary and Joseph, which is ultimately learning obedience to the Heavenly Father. We learn obedience to God through obedience to our earthly parents and our mother, the Church. Also, spouses please remember that the most important person in your life, after God, is your spouse.

Christmas Bread

25Dec24 (24Christmas). Family traditions are important to form what is important about the season. My Grandmother also gave our family this beautiful poem about Jesus to meditate. Lastly was born in a manger (feeding trough), born in Bethlehem (House of Bread), He declares He is the Bread of Life, and says that we much eat His Flesh. He came to be present to us and he continues to do so in the Most Holy Eucharist.

JESUS

 

Manifest Infirmity, wondrous Humility,

in which all the greatness of God lay hidden:

He is both great in the nature of God

and small in the form of a servant.

But His greatness is not diminished by His smallness,

nor His smallness overwhelmed by His greatness.

He Himself with the Father and the Holy Spirit precedes all spans of time,

but on this day, issuing from His mother,

He stepped into the tide of the years.

 

* * * * *

 

He who made man, was made Man;

He was given existence by a mother whom

He brought into existence.

He finds no room in the inn, but

He builds a temple for Himself

in the hearts of those who believe.

Unspeakably wise, He is wisely speechless;

filling the world, He lies in a manger.

He is wrapped in swaddling clothes,

but He gives us a garment of immortality.

John the Baptist baptized Christ, the Giver of Baptism,

in waters made holy by the One Who was baptized.

 

* * * * *

 

In Him we see our God made visible,

and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see.

He came to pay a debt He didn’t owe

because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

Such is the love of our God!

Then let us be kindled with love,

that we may come to His eternity!

 

By Marie E. Barfknecht (1926-2019)

Be With Mary This Christmas

22Dec24 (24cA4). God wants Obedience out of love and not fear. Mary’s obedience of love brought about salvation to the world. Use the great gift of the Rosary this Christmas time to meditate on Jesus’ life with Mary and learn to love obedience to God with Mary.