Superior Priest

The Light of Christ

16APR22 (22EasterVigil). The world is dark, but that is not the end of the story. It is not a balanced war of good versus evil but a God who has conquered. Darkness cannot overcome light unless it goes out. However if it spreads and shares, it becomes even stronger and brighter. We are called to be disciples and radiate Christ. Become light in the darkness.

Stand at the Feet of the Cross

10APR22 (22Passion). The practice of the faith at times is difficult. We need to help unite all sacrifices to love of Jesus. It is always a temptation to run away like the disciples, but we are given grace to stand at the foot of the Cross. We face East looking at Jesus and Jerusalem. Red is for martyrdom/blood and Holy Spirit (correction, it is worn on 2 Sundays in the year Palm Sunday and Pentecost). INRI- Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews (IESVS·NAZARENVS·REX·IVDÆORVM).

Misery Meets Mercy

03AR22 (22cL4). Do we come as Pharisees, in Pride, or like the woman caught in adultery, in total humiliation and humility? If we come in total humility and showing God our misery then we get to encounter Jesus like the woman did with Misery meeting Mercy. “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy” (Misericordiae Vultus, 1). If we bring our misery to Mass then we can leave in peace knowing that God sees us and loves us.

Familiarity Breeds Indifference

27MAR22 (22cL4). There is a phrase that goes “familiarity breeds contempt”. When we become close to something we can take it for granted. With the Mass and the Eucharist, it may not be contempt, but I do see a lot of indifference at times. The Church has certain rules around the Eucharist to try and help us not take it for granted. Here is a good reminder of some of the things we are supposed to do. Be in the state of Grace (go to confession if we are aware of any Mortal Sins), fast an hour before receiving the Eucharist, bow at the waist when coming up to receive, make a throne with your hands (one hand on top of the other), and say “Amen” after the priest (or EMHC) says “The Body of Christ”.

Reverence of Humility and Confidence

20MAR22 (22cL3). We live in a culture of casualness. So when we talk about reverence or formalities in the Church it can seem outdated, but if we look at our country there are so many places of reverence. They are often places of death and great sacrifice. Jesus in reminding us of death calls us to repentance. In that we are called to be reverent. Moses shows us great reverence which is the combination of confidence and humility. In Mass both the penitential act and last part of the Communion rite are examples of proper reverence in humility and confidence.

Participation of the Heart

13MAR22 (22cL2). It is hard to pay attention and participate in something you don’t understand. I think a lot of people don’t understand the Mass and have a hard time participating. What is happening here is of infinite value and cannot be over learned. This is a divine liturgy that is supposed to unite us to God and the worshiping angels in heaven. So, let’s get participating.

Are You Not Entertained?

06Mar22 (22cL1). Why go out to the desert? It is a place to encounter God. A lot of our problem with not hearing God in the modern day is because we do not give him space and time to listen to him. Lent is a time to go out into the desert. One of the things Sacred Heart Community is doing to promote this silence and time in the desert, rightly orientating us to God is by celebrating Ad Orientem. I hope is a fruitful lent that makes our heart more united to Jesus’.

What is Wrong with the World Today?

02Mar22 (Ash22). What is wrong with the world today?... Me!!! Lent is not a time for New Years Resolutions but repentance. We have lots of scapegoats that we blame for problems but the only one that makes sense is ourselves.

Admonish Ourselves

27Feb22 (22cO8). We are told not to judge and in many ways we should not, however, we are supposed to judge good and evil in our life and admonish the sinner. The first sinner we need to admonish is ourselves. Remove that beam from our eye so that we can help our brothers and sisters. Lent is a great time to humbly approach God and do penance. Only in that humility do we have any ability to help our neighbor.

We are Enemies of God

20Feb22 (22cO7). I find it troubling not that ‘bad things happen to good people’ but that ‘good things happen to bad people.’ We do not live in a life of Karma or strict justice, but one of an abundant mercy that is hard to comprehend. Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. Not because he thought we were great or worthy of his love, but he made us worthy and loved his enemies (us). We also should love and have mercy the way that God loves us, making it rain on the just and unjust.