3 March 2022 - Friday after Ash Wednesday - Isaiah 58:1-8

      In our reading from Isaiah today in the days of Lent right after Ash Wednesday, we hear about fasting, about repenting for our sins, about wearing sackcloth and ashes to publicly declare the desire to repent and change our hearts. We all just received ashes on our foreheads this past Wednesday, as we were told to turn away from sin and to believe in the Gospel. Yet, that smudge of ash on our foreheads does not matter much if we do not practice peace and justice in our lives.  Isaiah suggests that we sharing our food with the hungry, help shelter the poor and the oppressed, and clothe the naked as a part of our fast, in the practice of peace and justice.  

     I have heard some people mock our Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and good works.  However, these Lenten disciplines are there for a reason.  They are what God desires of us. Hopefully, these disciplines will work hand-in-hand to change our hearts, to change our lives, to change our actions. On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis asked us to engage in a special day of prayer and fasting due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Europe.  

     As we begin our Lenten season, may we find disciplines that change our lives and help us live out the values of our faith that we proclaim. May our fasting and our Lenten rituals not become hollow and empty for us.  It is easy to hide behind empty words. May our Lenten practice really change and convert our lives. 

2 March 2022 - homily for ASH WEDNESDAY - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

     We welcome all of you to Mass today at the beginning of the holy season of Lent on Ash Wednesday.  Two years ago, most of that time period of Lent was spent during the first year of the pandemic.  Last year, we here in the Jackson area had a bad ice storm where most of us could not leave our houses all during the whole week.  We were completely iced over here on our hill, and I could not even get down our parish property.  If you are like me, we are all really looking forward to a good Lent this year.  We are so glad you are with us today. 

      The three central acts for the devout Jew in they way he lived out his faith were prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The only fast actually laid down in the Mosaic law was that of the Day of Atonement, which Jews now celebrate during Yom Kippur.  However, in later Judaism, the practice of regular fasting was common. The Pharisees also fasted regularly as a part of their practices.  For Jews in Ancient Israel, almsgiving often went to the anawim: the widows, the orphans, and the strangers in their land.  They were consisted of the poorest and most neglected and most vulnerable in society.  And prayer - we all know how central that is to Jewish life.  

      For Christians, too,  these three Pilars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving are all proper to the Lenten season. All three can profitably be incorporated in some way into our lives during these six weeks.  In our Gospel from Matthew today, which we always hear at the beginning of Lent, we hear Jesus talk about these practices that are central to the season of Lent.  We are not to do them for show or for outward appearance or in a spirit of righteousness.  We are to do them as actions of faith between us and God.  These actions will help us in conversion and renewal on our own journey of faith.  These actions are also to help others and to be a witness to others.  In that spirit, our collection today on Ash Wednesday will go toward our outreach programs here at St Jude.  

      In our homilies this season of Lent, we will highlight the importance of expressing gratitude and giving thanks in our lives, something that does not seem to be emphasized very much in our secular world today.  One of my favorite quotes about gratitude comes from German Dominican priest Meister Eckhart, who was born in the middle of the 13th century.  Meister Eckhart very famously wrote: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”  We will be having gratitude quotes and reflections on gratitude sent out to all of you each week during Lent. We will also encourage you to pray the examen prayer each evening, reviewing your day and giving thanks to the Lord.  On this first day of the holy season of Lent, it might be good for all of us to pray to God in gratitude and thanksgiving in our own words and our own style, thanking him for our many gifts and blessings.  That would be a wonderful, positive way of starting this holy season today.  

Oración del Papa Francisco por la paz en Ucrania:

Dios, Todopoderoso, querido Padre de todos: Unidos como hermanos, te pedimos hoy la paz en Ucrania, que sufre un dramático momento de tensión. Que todas las acciones e iniciativas políticas estén al servicio de la fraternidad humana y no de los intereses partidistas. Que esa tierra vea florecer la fraternidad y supere las heridas, los miedos y las divisiones.

Te presentamos, Señor, con confianza y humildad,  nuestra preocupación por la situación en Ucrania, que afecta también a Europa y más allá. Tú que nos enseñaste que a la diabólica insensatez de la violencia  se responde con las armas de Dios, con la oración y el ayuno, ten piedad de nosotros, aleja la guerra y demás violencias malignas   y permítenos llegar a soluciones aceptables y duraderas a esta crisis, basadas no en las armas, sino en un diálogo profundo. Reina Virgen María, esperamos tu maternal intervención  para que el mundo acoja la paz, preserva al mundo de la locura de la guerra. Amén.

VIII Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario. - 27 febrero 2022 - Lucas 6:39-45

     Este fin de semana, antes de que comencemos la temporada santa de Cuaresma este miércoles con la conmemoración del miércoles de ceniza.  Este domingo, escuchamos una porción del sermón de la llanura del Evangelio de Lucas. Jesucristo proclamaba el sermón a sus discípulos en frente de la muchedumbre.  Hemos escuchado del sermón de la llanura tres domingos. Las Bienaventuranzas del sermón de la llanura fueron una de las lecturas sobre las que reflexionamos en nuestras sesiones de escucha sinodales.  Vamos a tener esta sesión en español después de la misa esta tarde en el centro parroquial.  El domingo pasado, escuchamos a Jesús decirnos que amemos a nuestros enemigos, que pongamos la otra mejilla y que no juzguemos para no ser juzgados. Pero, este domingo, escuchamos a Jesucristo decirnos que debemos mirar nuestras propias fallas y errores antes de criticar a nuestro hermano. El mensaje que recibimos de Jesucristo es que la crítica no es mala en sí misma, sino que debe ser una crítica constructiva y positiva. 

F. No debemos juzgar a nuestro hermano como una humillación o por nuestra propia justicia, sino ayudar a nuestro hermano en nuestra corrección de él, haciéndolo de una manera útil. 

G. Sin embargo, al mismo tiempo, no podemos ignorar la forma en que nosotros mismos necesitamos cambiar, transformarnos, arrepentirnos y crecer. Como dice Jesús, no podemos ignorar la viga en nuestro propio ojo.  En el sermón de la llanura, Cristo dijo que demos orar por nuestro enemigo.  En el mundo, muchas persona quieren la retribución por su enemigo, no quieren el perdón o la reconciliación.  Pero, eso no es una parte de los valores de nuestra fe católica.  Queremos la misericordia de Dios por nuestro amigos, por nuestras familiares, por nosotros mismos.  Pero, no queremos la misericordia de Dios por nuestros enemigos.  

     En lugar de mirar para juzgar a nuestro hermano y ver sus faltas, tal vez donde realmente debemos mirar es en las formas en que nosotros mismos debemos cambiar. Seamos dueños de nuestras propias vidas y dejemos de intentar cambiar a los demás. El sacerdote jesuita Padre Antonio de Mello decía: “Cuando yo cambio, todo mi mundo cambia”. No solo eso, cuando nosotros mismos cambiamos, es probable que otras personas también cambien. Pero, aunque ellos no cambien, nuestra actitud hacia ellos no será la misma. Tenemos que mirar a nuestros propios corazones. Una vez más, para citar al padre Anthony de Mello: “La actitud lo es todo”. Sí, nuestra actitud lo es todo, no la actitud de la otra persona.  Nuestra propia transformación y renovación son cosas a las que podemos abrirnos, para permitir que la voluntad de Dios nos transforme, nos convierta y nos renueve.

      Me gusto mucho la oración de la serenidad que los programas de 12 etapas utilizan, como los alcohólicos anónimos.  Esta oración tiene el espíritu del Evangelio este domingo. Esta oración está escrito por el teólogo protestante Reinhold Niebuhr: 

Dios, concédeme la serenidad para aceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar, el valor para cambiar las cosas que puedo cambiar y la sabiduría para conocer la diferencia.

Viviendo un día a la vez, disfrutando un momento a la vez; aceptando las adversidades como un camino hacia la paz; aceptando, como lo hizo Jesús, este mundo pecador tal y como es, y no como me gustaría que fuera; creyendo que Tú harás que todas las cosas estén bien si yo me entrego a Tu voluntad; de modo que pueda ser razonablemente feliz en esta vida e increíblemente feliz Contigo en la siguiente.  Amen.

prayers of the faithful - seventh week in ordinary Time - 25 February 2022

Lord Jesus - you call us to carry our crosses. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to stand up for our faith. 

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and our Redeemer. 

We present our prayers to our Heavenly Father: 

1. For the Church: that we will live as a Eucharistic people, giving and sharing of ourselves, as Christ continually does for us, so that all may have life. 

2.  For all missionaries, for the sacrifices they make to spread that Gospel message, and for those throughout the world who are persecuted for their faith.  

3. For peace in the world, especially in the countries of Ukraine and Russia.

4. For our children and youth: as they continue their journey throughout the school year, may they be safe and may they feel God accompanying them through their ups and downs.  

5. For the Gospel of Life: may all profess the dignity of human life in their words and actions, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. 

6.  For those who feel separated from God and for those who have not returned to the Church yet during the pandemic: May they feel a welcome home back in their parish and in the Church. 

7. For the sick and shut-ins and for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.  

8. For the prayers we hold in our hearts.  

We present these prayers, heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

prayers of the faithful - 7th week of Ordinary Time - 24 February 2022

Lord Jesus, you call us to simplicity of heart.

Christ Jesus, you call us be a light in the world.

Lord Jesus - you call us to trust you.  

As Jesus calls us to have faith, let us present our prayers to our Heavenly father:

1. We pray that in moments of fear, doubt, and despair, we will recall the word of the Lord and place our trust in his love and goodness.

2.  We pray for Pope Francis, Bishop Kopacz and all our Church leaders, that they be inspired by the Spirit to be a brave and trusted navigators of our Church. 

3. We pray for those who are unemployed or those seeking new work,  that the Lord may lead them and guide them in their vocation.

4. For our first responders, our medical professionals, and the men and women in the military.  For their safety and in thanksgiving for their sacrifices.  

5. For peace between Ukraine and Russia.  

6. For the sick and the shut-ins - for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.  

7. For those prayers we hold in our hearts today.  

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your loving help and guidance through the storms of life. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  Amen.

24 February 2022 – Thursday of 7th week in Ordinary Time – Psalm 49

      We hear a very interesting psalm this evening, which proclaims to us: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of God is theirs. We have heard this phrase before, “poor in spirit,” as it is one of Jesus’ proclamations in the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel. But what does it really mean to be poor in spirit?  I associate it with humility, in putting God first in life, in being dependent upon God. Being poor in spirit means that you are willing to disassociate from anything that takes you away from the Kingdom of God. When some people hear the term “poor in spirit,” some people might think it to be a pejorative term, but in reality, I think it is anything but that.  Think of the rich man who put his possessions first, who was sad because he saw those possessions as being important and essential to his life, who would not let them go in order to enter God’s kingdom.  Being poor in spirit means being willing to walk by faith, willing to take risks in our life of faith.   If we are poor in spirit, we truly hunger and thirst for God.   I wonder if we are truly poor in spirit, if the kingdom of God is ours.  

prayer - Catholic Foundation meeting - 23 February 2022

      Lord God, we come to you today in the midst of our journey, as a week from today we enter into the holy season of Lent.  We give thanks for the men and women who serve on the Board of the Catholic Foundation, for all their hard work to help guide our Foundation and to strengthen our Diocese, our parishes, our schools, and our ministry programs.  

      In all that we do, give us the hope and the desire to fulfill our mission here to serve the people of God in the Diocese of Jackson. 

      As we meet together today both in-person and virtually,  we ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit for wisdom in the decisions we make. In the name, of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, AMEN. 

Reflection for Wednesday, 23 February 2022 - FLOCKNOTE

       Ash Wednesday is a week away.  As I am writing this reflection, I am looking forward to riding on our St Jude Mardi Gras float with other St Jude parishioners in the Brandon Mardi Gras parade this upcoming Friday.  Celebrating Mardi Gras was not a tradition that I celebrated as a child and youth in Chicago and southern California, but I embrace this wonderful tradition now in my adopted state of Mississippi.  Mardi Gras started as a tradition to have one last celebration before the start of the weeks of penance and fasting, of using up all the rich foods so that they would not be around as a temptation.  

    With Lent a week away, it is a good time for us to think about what practices we are going to apply in our lives during the holy weeks of Lent.  We are going to highlight the practice of thanksgiving and gratitude in our lives here at St Jude during Lent.  We will be highlighting gratitude all throughout Lent in our liturgies and in our reflections.  We should also think about the practices of prayer, giving things up, and reaching out to others in how we propose to live out these holy weeks of Lent in our lives.   

      In our synodal listening sessions in our Diocese that we have had here at St Jude these past several weeks, we reflected on three passages from Luke’s Gospel: the Good Samaritan, the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Plain, and the Road to Emmaus.  We reflected on these Scripture passages with our youth, with our adult parishioners, with our Hispanic parishioners, and even with the Catholic inmates at the state correctional facility here in Pearl.  We all bring our own experiences, our own personalities, and our own point of view as to how we interpret Sacred Scripture and how Scripture interacts with our lives.  As we reflected with these faithful Catholics at these synodal sessions, I heard many reflect upon the ways we should reach out to the poor and the needy to society, upon how we can reach out to our own parishioners, upon how we can get more of our parishioners back to Mass, and upon how we can foster greater respect and understanding of the Eucharist.  Those insights give us a lot to think about, both as individuals and as a community of faith.  Perhaps it would be fruitful to reflect upon these same things as we prepare for the holy season of Lent.  

Reflection for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time. - 27 February 2022

This weekend, right before we start the holy season of Lent this Wednesday, we hear a portion of Jesus’ sermon on the plain from Luke’s Gospel.  We have heard from the sermon on the plain three weeks in a row.  The Beatitudes from the sermon on the plain were one of the readings we reflected upon in our synodal listening sessions.  Last Sunday, we heard Jesus tell us to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek, and to judge not lest we be judged.  But, then today, we hear Jesus tell us that we need to look at our own faults and our own failings before we criticize our brother.  The message we get from Jesus is that criticism is not bad in itself, but that it should be constructive, positive criticism. We are not to judge or brother as a putdown or out of our own righteousness, but rather to help our brother in our correction of him, doing so in a helpful way.  Yet, at the same time, cannot ignore to way we ourselves need to change, transform, repent and grow.  As Jesus puts it, we cannot ignore the beam in our own eye.  

Change, transformation, repentance, and growth are at the heart of our Christian lives; they are also at the heart of the holy season of Lent that will begin this upcoming week on Ash Wednesday.  With the challenges we have had these last two years during Lent, I am so excited about our Lenten season this year and all that we are hoping to offer as a parish.  I am praying that our current challenges will not impede these Lenten plans.  We will be emailing you a schedule for all of our Lenten activities.  We encourage you to attend the stations of the cross and our Friday fish fries, to journey with us on a virtual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to show gratitude and thanks to others, and to join us for special moments of prayer during Lent.  We have had a lot of different challenges these past two years.  Things have not been the same and we are not sure what “normal” is anymore.  However, with faith, hope, and humility, we will journey together with Jesus during this holy season of Lent.  Blessings to all of you - we will see you all at Mass on Ash Wednesday!  Father Lincoln.  

prayers of the faithful - feast of the Chair of Peter - 22 February 2022

Lord Jesus - you built your church on the apostles.  

Christ Jesus - you call us to holiness. 

Lord Jesus - you are seated at the right hand of the Father. 

PRIEST: The Lord Jesus built his Church on the apostles. United with them, in fidelity to the Gospel's teaching and way of life, we present our needs to God.

1. For the Successor of St. Peter, our Holy Father Pope Francis, that he be strong in his mission and strengthen the whole Church in faith. 

2. For all bishops, that they grow in union with Peter, share the zeal of Paul, and lead us by the grace of the Holy Spirit. 

3. For all who are persecuted for their faith.  For those who have given up their lives for the faith. May we be faithful when we are ridiculed or insulted for practicing our religion. 

4. For a return to Mass for those who have not returned during the pandemic.  We pray that all return to strengthen our Church and to strengthen our faith.  

5. For all children, born and unborn.  For loving families, loving communities, and loving communities of faith to help them grow in obedience and love.  

6. For the poor and the oppressed, for those who live in war torn parts of the world, for our communities experiencing crime and violence.  

7. For the sick, the dying, and all the deceased, that through the intercession of the apostles, they may experience the light of the Gospel. 

8. For the prayers we hold in our hearts. 

PRIEST:  Father, as rejoice in the call to belong to the Church, may we be united with the successors of your Apostles. We make our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

Prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time - 23 February 2022

You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.


You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.


You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: My dear sisters and brothers, as we place our trust in God’s care, let us bring forward our intentions to our heavenly Father: 

1. For Pope Francis, that he may continue to encourage and challenge all the faithful as he leads us and guides us as our Pope. 

2. For peace throughout the world, especially between Ukraine and Russia. For all our local communities that are experiencing crime and violence. 

3. For all believers— that our trust in God’s providence may grow each day. 

4. For people who suffer from depression, mental illness, and addictions, that they may receive the help they need.

5. For all who are sick, that they may be healed by Christ, through the Church. We pray especially for those suffering because of COVID-19 — that God may comfort them. 

6. For those who have died, that they may share the salvation won by Christ. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts.  

Priest: Faithful God, we rejoice in the mercy you show your people: hear our prayers, that we may always give you glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

20 de febrero de 2022 - séptimo domingo del tiempo ordinario - ciclo C - Lucas 6:27-38

      En el norte del país de Chile se encuentra el desierto de Atacama, uno de los ambientes más secos y más duros del mundo.  El desierto de Atacama es también un lugar de gran riqueza mineral, con una gran cantidad de minas ubicadas allí. El 5 de agosto de 2010, hubo un colapso en la mina San José de oro y cobre en el desierto de Atacama, que atrapó a 33 hombres a casi media milla bajo tierra. Afortunadamente, este grupo de mineros estaba encabezado por un líder valiente, su capataz Luis Urzúa, quien reconoció la gravedad del accidente. Urzúa se hizo cargo de esta situación desafiante, organizando a los mineros para su supervivencia a largo plazo.  En lugar de entrar en pánico y reaccionar de forma exagerada, ayudó a sus hombres a afrontar mentalmente la crisis. Él oraba con los mineros también. Él hizo mapas detallados del área para ayudar con el esfuerzo de rescate y coordinó con los ingenieros en la superficie. Cuando los mineros finalmente fueron rescatados 69 días después, el 13 de octubre, el capataz Luis Urzúa fue el último hombre en ser rescatado. Se mantuvo tranquilo y calmado bajo presión, simplemente comentando "Ha sido un turno un poco largo".

     El capataz de estos mineros chilenos atrapados mostró un liderazgo extraordinario en un momento de gran crisis, ganándose la lealtad y el amor de los mineros. Sin embargo, esto no es nada comparado con el liderazgo que ejemplifica Jesucristo, cómo desafió las expectativas y enseñó al pueblo a ver a Dios de una manera nueva.  Como sus discípulos, Jesucristo quiere que hagamos cosas que pueden parecer imposibles: poner la otra mejilla, no tomar represalias contra alguien que nos hace daño, amar a nuestros enemigos, no juzgar a los demás, y orar por aquellos que nos atacan.  Esto es lo que Jesús espera de nosotros como sus discípulos, eso lo sabemos, pero también sabemos que hacer esto es muy difícil en la realidad de la vida.  El Evangelio este domingo termina con Jesucristo diciéndonos algo aún más extraordinario: ser perfectos como nuestro Padre que está en los cielos es perfecto. Jesús nos desafía a esforzarnos por alcanzar la perfección, a vivir los valores del reino de Dios lo mejor que podamos en la realidad de la vida, a vivir el propósito de Dios para nosotros aquí en la tierra, aunque nunca alcancemos esta perfección.

      En la primera lectura del primer libro de Samuel, escuchamos que David practicó la misericordia y el perdón con el rey Saúl. El rey Saúl se dispuso a matar a David, celoso del amor que el pueblo le tiene a David, pero entonces David tiene la oportunidad de matar al mismo rey Saúl. David muestra compasión y misericordia cuando podría haberlo matado con retribución y venganza. Tenemos otros numerosos ejemplos de cristianos que han seguido la enseñanza de Cristo que se encuentran en el Evangelio este domingo. Una tarde de 1944, en la Francia ocupada por los alemanes en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Pierre-Marie Théas, el obispo de Montauban, habló en su catedral contra la persecución de los judíos y la deportación de los franceses como trabajadores forzados.  La noche siguiente fue arrestado por los soldados alemanes.  El obispo fue enviado a un campo de detención en Compiègne, Francia, desde donde la mayoría de los prisioneros fueron transportados a campos de concentración en Alemania a su muerte.  El obispo Théas fue encarcelado con protestantes, judíos, no creyentes, y jóvenes trabajadores de la resistencia.  Cuando algunos prisioneros le pidieron por su ayuda pastoral, el obispo predicó sobre el perdón, sugirió que deberían orar por sus captores.  Esto provocó la indignación de los otros prisioneros. El obispo Théas les respondió: “Amigos míos, no puedo proclamar nada excepto lo que dijo el Señor: Amen a sus enemigos. Ni mas ni menos." El obispo Théas fue liberado del campo de concentración después de diez semanas y regresó a su parroquia. Después de la conclusión de la guerra, se convirtió en el primer presidente del movimiento por la reconciliación y la paz llamado Pax Christi. Este grupo, destinado al principio a trabajar en la reconciliación entre los países de Francia y Alemania, fue reconocido por el Papa Pío XII como un Movimiento Católico por la Paz oficial. Hoy, esa influyente organización, Pax Christi Internacional, declara que su misión es “transformar un mundo sacudido por la violencia, el terrorismo, la profundización de las desigualdades y la inseguridad global.”

       Hoy, vemos personas que usan su influencia y poder de maneras diferentes.  Algunos usan el poder para impresionar a otros y vivir un estilo de vida lujoso. Algunos políticos usan su poder para ayudar a sus amigos y para obtener beneficios personales, en lugar de trabajar por la justicia.  Algunos usan el poder para oprimir a otros, para vengarse.  Otros usan el poder para intimidar a otros y arremeter contra otros con ira y despecho.  Sin embargo, vemos a otros usando el poder de acuerdo con las enseñanzas de Jesucristo, realizando actos de bondad, buscando la reconciliación y el perdón, trabajando para resolver la violencia y el odio, escuchando a nuestro prójimo  y tratando de encontrar puntos en común.

    Este domingo, el Bueno Nuevo de Jesucristo contiene una sabiduría que a menudo es muy diferente del mensaje que recibimos del mundo. Si los cristianos no vivimos este mensaje y lo proclamamos al mundo, entonces no vamos a tener este mensaje en el mundo.

25 February 2022 – Friday of the 7th week in Ordinary Time – James 5:9-12

      Our reading from the letter of James today comes near the end of the letter in the form of encouraging words and advice that James has for the faithful.  A lot of the advice James gives can be easily translated to our modern world. James talks about patience and tolerance today, advising us that we should not judge and grumble against our brothers and sisters.   That is one of the most common things I hear in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, that we lack patience in our modern world and that we very easily get angry at others.  When we look at the road rage and accounts of violence in the news, we see how prevalent this anger is in our modern world.  It is easy to criticize someone, especially when we are looking in from the sidelines and aren’t putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes. One of the points of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy is that beyond the works themselves that help others, these acts are to convert our own hearts and transform our own lives.   James holds up the prophets as good examples for us to follow.  That is why I see it as being very beneficial on our journey of faith to learn about the saints, both the official saints who have been canonized by the Church as well as the “unofficial” saints, as their journeys of faith and their virtues can be such great examples for us as well.   Lord, give us the patience and perseverance to do your will.  Lord, help us to try to understand our brothers and sisters instead of just criticizing and complaining. 

24 February 2023 – Wednesday of 7th week in Ordinary Time – James 4:13-17

      Today’s Letter of James tackles the subject of arrogance in our lives, of how we often eschew the humility God calls us to by thinking we have control of our lives and of the future. We often take our health for granted when we aren’t having any problems, until an illness or affliction strikes us without notice or warning.  When we get sick or lose a job or when a crisis strikes us or a loved one, then we understand how we are not in control of what the future brings. 

      When I think of humility, I think of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, who served as Archbishop of Chicago from 1982 until his death in 1996.  Chicago’s priests can be a very difficult group to deal with, but Bernardin was very beloved by both the priests and the people in this very important Catholic Archdiocese here in our country. Cardinal Bernardin’s humility can be seen in the works he undertook as Archbishop: being a voice in the Catholic-Jewish dialogue, bringing Liberal and Conservative elements in the Church in America together in the Catholic Common Ground Project, speaking out against nuclear proliferation, and speaking about the pro-life movement in a way that tried to bring different elements of the Church together.  In a book about Saints that I read, written from the perspective of Protestantism, Bernadin is noted as one of the great pastoral leaders of the 20th century and a man who one day could become a saint in our Church.  May the Lord help us to emulate the humility that Cardinal Bernardin exemplified in his life.  May it lead us to confront the arrogance and selfishness that can take over our lives.

22 February 2022 - homily for the Feast of the Chair of St Peter - Matthew 16:13-19

    We just heard this announced by Jesus at the end of today’s Gospel according to St Matthew, as Jesus tells Peter that he will be the rock upon which he builds his Church: “I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

     Today, we celebrate the Chair of Peter.  It is not the actual physical "chair" that we celebrate today, but rather Peter the Apostle and his function within the group of apostles and within the early Church, how Peter became the first Pope.  I think back to the time when Pope Francis was elected Pope in 2013.  When the news of Benedict's resignation made news, I was approached by a couple of reporters in Tupelo where I served as pastor of St James Catholic Church.  I was asked about the impact that the Pope has on our local parishes here in Mississippi.  And he indeed has a great impact.  Where some Protestant denominations are very loosely structure in terms of hierarchy, our pope is a very active leader who has a very real role in the lives of Catholics. 

       Just last Saturday here in the Diocese of Jackson, we had a Mass celebration at the Cathedral of St Peter in downtown Jackson to award Bishop Chanche medals to lay people who have made significant contributions to our parishes, our Diocese, and our community in general. We honored Michael, Stacy, and Owen Wolf from here at St Jude with the Bishop Chanche Medals in honor of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Jackson. These medals connect us to our Diocese, to Bishop Kopacz and to the Bishops who have served here, and to our Cathedral of St Peter.  May we pray for Pope Francis and Pope emeritus Benedict XVI in a special way today. 

20 February 2022 - 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - CYCLE C - 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 - Luke 6:27-38

      In the north of the country of Chile lies the Atacama desert, one of the driest, most isolated, most harshest environments in the world.  The Atacama deserts is also a place of great mineral wealth, with a lot of mines are located there.  In August 5, 2010, there was a collapse at the San Jose copper-gold mine in the Atacama desert, which trapped 33 men almost a half a mile underground. Thankfully, this group of miners was led by a courageous leader, their foreman Luis Urzúa, who immediately recognized the seriousness of the accident. He took charge in this challenging situation, organizing the men for their long-term survival. Rather than panicking and over-reacting, he helped his men cope mentally with the the crisis. He prayed with the miners and told them to have faith in God that they would be rescued.  He made detailed maps of the area to help with the rescue effort and co-ordinated closely with engineers on the surface. When the miners were finally rescued 69 days later on October 13, foreman Luis Urzúa was the last man to be rescued. He remained cool and calm under pressure, merely remarking “It’s been a bit of a long shift.” 

       The foreman of these trapped Chilean miner showed extraordinary leadership in a time of great crisis, earning the loyalty and love of his men.  However, this is nothing compared to the leadership Jesus exemplifies, how he defied expectations and taught the people to see God in a new way.  As we are Jesus' disciples, he wants us to do things that might seem impossible: turning the other cheek, not retaliating against someone who wrongs us, loving our enemies, not judging others, and praying for those who attack us.  This is what Jesus expects of us as his disciples, but we know that following these teaching is very challenging in the reality of our lives. Our Gospel ends today with Jesus telling us something even more extraordinary: to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.  Jesus challenges us to strive toward perfection, to live out the values of God’s kingdom as best we can in the reality of our lives, to live out God’s purpose for us here on earth, even though we will never achieve this perfection.

      In our first reading today from the first book of Samuel, we hear of David showing great mercy and forgiveness to King Saul.  Saul had set out to kill David, jealous of the love that the people had for David, but then David had the opportunity to kill King Saul himself.  David showed compassion and mercy when he could have killed him in retribution and revenge.  We have other numerous examples of Christians who have followed Christ’s teaching found in today’s Gospel.  One evening in 1944, in the German occupied France in the middle of the second world war, Pierre-Marie Théas, the Bishop of Montauban, spoke in his cathedral against the persecution of Jews and the deportation of French men as forced laborers. The following night he was arrested by the Gestapo. He was sent to a detention camp at Compiègne, France from where most prisoners were transported to concentration camps in Germany. Bishop Théas was imprisoned with Protestants, Jews, non-believers, trade unionists, and young resistance workers. When some prisoners asked him to minister to them, he preached about forgiveness, suggesting that they should pray for their captors. This provoked outrage from his fellow prisoners.  Bishop Théas replied to them: “My friends, I cannot proclaim anything except what the Lord said: Love your enemies. No more, no less.”  Bishop Théas was released from the concentration camp after ten weeks, returning to his Diocese.  After the conclusion of the war, he became the first president of the movement for reconciliation and peace named Pax Christi. The group, aimed at first mainly to work on reconciliation between France and Germany, was recognized by Pope Pius XII as an official Catholic Peace Movement.  Today, that influential organization, Pax Christi International, declares its mission is "to transform a world shaken by violence, terrorism, deepening inequalities, and global insecurity.”  

      Today, we see people using their influence and power in different ways.  Some use power to impress others and to live a lavish lifestyle.  Some politicians use their power to help their wealthy friends and to make personal gains, rather than working for justice and looking out for society as a whole.  Some use power to oppress others, to gain vengeance or revenge.  Others use power to bully others and to lash out at others in anger and spite.  Yet, we see others using power according to the teachings of Jesus, by performing acts of kindness, by seeking reconciliation and forgiveness, by working toward a resolution to violence and hatred, by listening to the other and trying to find common ground. 

      We are called to share God’s love with others in light of Christ’s radical message, but sometimes, something holds us back.  Perhaps there is a certain fear or memory or hurt or resentment that is keeping us from becoming the person God wants us to be, from embracing Christ’s Good News.  With those things weighing us down, it can be difficult to love, to forgive, to help others in the way God is calling us to do so.  It is definitely hard letting go sometimes. When we are mad at someone or when we are overwhelmed by emotions of fear or resentment, our motives can get out of wack. Not only do we hurt other people in the process, but we damage our faith and spirituality.  That can take us far away from the values of our faith.   The anger and hatred that we can harbor in our hearts can destroy us faster than any disease or any weapon.  Jesus knew this very well.  It is easy for us to water down Christ’s message in order to make it easier for us. Our Gospel message today contains a wisdom that is often so different from the message we get from the world. If we Christians don’t live out this message and proclaim it to the world, then it won’t be heard at all. 

18 February 2022 - prayers of the faithful - sixth week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.

With faith and hope, we bring our prayers to our heavenly Father:

Priest: We bring our prayers to the God of compassion and love, who is rich in mercy.

1. For an end to war and violence, especially in our local communities where there is a lot of crime, and between Russia and Ukraine. 

2. For people who need healing and wholeness and their lives — that they may forgive and make peace.

3. For those who are battling addictions, for those struggling with depression and mental health issues.  For wholeness and healing.  

4. For the gift of compassion — that we may treat others as we wish to be treated. 

5. For those are sick, at home, in hospital, and in the nursing home.  For healing body, mind and spirit.  

6. For our loved ones and family members who have entered enteral life.  For the souls in purgatory.  

Priest: God of love and compassion, looking lovingly on your people and grant us your gracious help, through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever.  Amen.

Bulletin reflection - St Jude Catholic Church - 20 February 2022 - 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - CYCLE C

      As we commemorate the 7th week in Ordinary Time this weekend, I realize that we are only a week and a half away from Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the holy season of Lent.  Since Ash Wednesday can occur in the time period between February 4 and March 10, the March 2 date of Ash Wednesday is a bit late for us this year.  We have a lot of exciting things planned for Lent this year at St Jude, so please stay tuned. We will hand out our Little Black Book Lenten devotions at Mass next weekend.  One activity we will have during the weeks of Lent this year will be our Spanish classes, which will begin this upcoming week.  More information about the Spanish classes are found elsewhere in the bulletin.  

     Last weekend, we heard the beginning of Jesus’ sermon on the plain from Luke Gospel, which is also one of the Scripture readings we are reflecting upon in our synodal listening sessions.  Jesus directs these teachings to his disciples.  Last weekend, we heard the Beatitudes from the sermon on the plain.  This weekend, we hear teachings that constitute the crux and challenge of what it means to be a disciple of Christ: to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek, to give to those who ask, to do unto others, to lend without expecting repayment, and to judge not lest we would be judged.  In our words and actions, in the everyday moments of our lives, we are challenged to live out these teachings with kindness, love, and mercy. The teachings from the sermon on the plain are certainly not warm and fuzzy if we take them seriously.  They are certainly not always easy to implement in our. everyday reality.  

      We are so glad that all of you are part of the St Jude community.  We hope that you will join us for the synodal listening session for adults this Sunday at 9:15 in the parish hall, a time of listening and dialogue, a time to envision where the Holy Spirit is leading us and guiding us as a parish and as a Church in the 21st century.  Blessings to all of you.  Father Lincoln.  

16 February 2022 - Wednesday of the 6th week in Ordinary Time - James 1:19-27

     This week and next week we hear from the Letter of James in our first readings at Daily Mass, a wonderful letter that give us so much profound advice and instruction, especially in how we are to live out our faith in our daily lives.  Today, we hear about one of the main points of the letter of James, about putting our faith into action. Father Nick mentioned in his homily yesterday the psalm refrain from yesterday’s Daily Mass: “Blessed the man you instruct, O Lord.”  Today, some of the instruction that comes from James tells us to "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.”  I am sure that has been good advice in any era, but it seems so relevant to us today.  Think of how in social media, we see a post made out of anger, where others are attacked or called out. 

     Think of how in an email or a text, words can see so impersonal and harsh, they can seem much more angry and attacking than we can intend them to be.  However, we all know, it is so easy to send out that email or text without even thinking of how it will be received. We priests can even get caught up in all of this.  It is not just the laity.  And we don’t think of the harm, destruction, and violence our words and anger can inflict.  In a term that Father Jim has used, we don’t realize how we have weaponized our words, our emails, and our texts. In our presentation yesterday and today, Father Jim has talked a lot about listening and dialogue.  We live in a world today where we don’t want to listen. Many don’t even know what dialogue is anymore.  Some many in society think that they are right and that they don’t have to listen and don’t have to dialogue.  How can we change and influence that aspect of our culture?  

     What we are doing in the synod in our Diocese says a lot.    I recently saw a post on the internet from a Diocese of Scotland about their synodal process.  A young adult from that Diocese wrote that he was concerned about how the comments from the synodal sessions are going to be compiled. He stated that they realized that compilation of the responses was necessary, but he worried about the responses reaching someone in the Church who could do something about them. Yes, the people want their voices heard.  However, this young adult stated that he saw it as important to attend the synodal sessions, as he hoped that these synod sessions could have an impact on the Church in general and on the local level, too. 

      As I mentioned, James is such a wonderful practical letter.  As we hear from James these next two weeks in our daily Mass, it will give us a lot of God advice upon which we can reflect. 

Prayers of the faithful - sixth week in Ordinary Time - 16 February 2022

Lord Jesus - you call us to faith. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to hope. 

Lord Jesus - you are seated at the right hand of the Father where you intercede for us.  

With faith and hope, let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For our governmental leaders: that God will give them wisdom in addressing the issues that challenge society, free them from self-reliance, and inspire them to work for the common good. 

2. For an end to violence and the exploitation of the poor: that God will raise up those who are exploited in work places or who are caught in human trafficking and heal their wounds, and lead them to a new life. 

3. For all who are grieving: that those who have lost loved ones, their health, or their employment, may know the presence of God who wipes away all tears and who brings light into every darkness. 

4. For our children and youth, may they feel God’s presence leading them and guiding them through life, and may the Lord accompany them through their studies and school activities this academic year.  

5. For the synod on synodality in our Diocese, in our nation, and throughout the world, that the Spirit will renew the Church as we listen to one another and strive to bring forth God’s reign in our communities. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. 

God of love and mercy, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

17 February 2022 - Thursday of the sixth week in Ordinary Time - James 2:1-9

        This week, we are hearing from the letter of James in our first readings in Daily Mass.  While most of the letters of St Paul in the New Testament were written to specific communities in the early Church, the letter of James was a universal letter written to all believers. James addresses issues of living out our faith as disciples of Christ, especially this issues of living the values of Christ’s Gospel through our works and actions. It is interesting in our world to see how people are treated so differently by others based on who they are and their status in society.  I remember once when I was in Milwaukee in seminary.  For spring break, I had taken the Greyhound bus up to Winnipeg to visit some friends.  When I returned, it was about 4:00 in the morning; I was waiting at the bus stop to catch one of the city buses to take it to the seminary. I guess I looked pretty disheveled, because a van pulled up to me and a couple of young adults got out, offering me a sack lunch and a ride to the homeless shelter where I could spend the night.  This van was working for an agency that reached out to homeless people.  They assumed that I was a street person or homeless person hanging out on the streets because I had nowhere else to go. Hopefully, all are welcome in our community of faith no matter who they are.  Hopefully we treat everyone with the dignity and respect that God expects of us. The Lord has a special heart for the poor, for those going through different circumstances in their lives, for those who struggle to make it in our Lord. We are called to hear the cry of the poor as well. 

Prayers of the faithful - sixth week of Ordinary Time - 15 February 2022

Lord Jesus - you call us to faith.

Christ Jesus - you call us to holiness. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to works of action. 

With faith and hope, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For the Church: that the power of Christ’s resurrection may give us vision and perspective for our lives and the courage to live for God each day. 

2. For growth in faith: that we may recognize our need for God in every part of our lives and deepen our trusting reliance upon God, who provides all that we need for life and wholeness. 

3. For new sight and insight: that we may not be blinded by comfort or privilege to the struggles and suffering of others

4. For discernment: that we may see beyond the false answers of consumerism and prosperity and recognize that we will only find the true fulfillment of our hungers and desires in God. 

5. For all who are persecuted or suffering for their faith: that they may have the strength to bear the burdens of the day and be convincing witnesses of the new life given by God. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence in our hearts.  

Lord, we thank you for the blessings we have in life.  We thank you for your grace that helps us meet our challenges.  We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

18 February 2022 – Friday of 6th week in Ordinary Time – James 2:14-24, 26

     We have been hearing from the letter of James this week in our first readings.  Faith and works are the subject of today’s reading from the letter of James. We might not see the connection between faith and works as a controversial topic amongst Christians, but indeed it has been. Faith is more than an intellectual assent, it is more than just placing our trust and hope in God.  James says that faith includes action and doing.   Even though we do not have works come out of faith to justify our faith or to prove our salvation,  our good works are to flow out of our faith like fruit growing from a tree that is tended properly, that is nourished and developed.   A person who lovingly trusts God, who is obedient to God, who has faith in God, will overflow with good works in his life.   God does not just want superficial sacrificial offerings; he also wants our obedience and our trust.  

      When a penitent comes to the sacrament of reconciliation, the priest confessor is to give him a penance to do.  Often, I assign a good work coming out of his faith.  Sometimes, I ask a child to do a chore around the house that he doesn’t normally do if the sin involved the relationship with a parent or other member of the family.  Sometimes I ask the person to do a random act of kindness for a friend or family member or even a stranger to make amends for what he did.   Our good works are to flow out of faith, but also they reinforce, compliment, and develop our faith.  Indeed, you could say that faith and works naturally go together. 

15 February 2022 - Tuesday of 6th week in Ordinary Time - Mark 8:14-21

      Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod, Jesus warns his disciples in the Gospel.  So often the disciples don't understand what Jesus is talking about.  They wonder if he is talking about bread.  We also might miss his point, or we might focus on some surface issue or some issues on the fringes on his main point.  Jesus points out that being able to feed them was not a problem, taking note of his miracle in multiplying the bread and the fish. 

       The leaven of the Pharisees is found in their pride and scrupulosity, in the way that they place more importance on a strict, rigid adherence to the letter of the law.  Yet, at the same time, they violate the spirit of the law.  The Pharisees try to mold God and their approach to religion into what they themselves rather than being open to the will of God.  We might have a tendency to do same thing in our lives of faith.   We might be busy telling God how to be God, trying to tell him what commandments we should be following, barraging God with words in our prayers rather than being open to listen to him.  

      We have the leaven of the Pharisees.  Jesus also refers to the leaven of Herod.  This could be making an idol of our material treasures and wealth, of being attached to pride and selfishness.  Those are the things that Herod clung to in his power and arrogance.  We need to be careful of many things on our journey of faith. May we not fall into temptation.  May our hearts and prayers be set on the Lord rather than the things of this world. May we not fall into the trap of having a rigid, distorted concept of God.

13 de febrero de 2022 - VI Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario - Las Bienaventuranzas del Sermón de la Llanura - Lucas 6:17, 20-26

         El sacerdote franciscano Ricardo Rohr es un escritor espiritual católico muy popular. En su libro Cayendo hacia arriba: él escribió lo siguiente: “Siempre me he preguntado por qué la gente nunca quiere poner un monumento de piedra de las Bienaventuranzas en frente de los edificios del gobierno,” como lo hacen con los Diez mandamientos.  Como cristianos, conocemos muy bien los diez mandamientos y son relativamente fáciles de entender, como honrar a nuestro padre y nuestra madre y no robar.  Pero, tal vez no le demos el mismo honor a las Bienaventuranzas, ya que no son tan sencillas ni tan comprensibles. Las Bienaventuranzas son bendiciones que Jesús proclama, pero ¿cómo puede ser una bendición tener hambre, ser pobre, llorar y ser odiado por los demás?  Esas cosas parecen al contrario de las cosas que vemos como bendiciones. Tal vez las Bienaventuranzas nos ayuden a mirar nuestra vida del discipulado de una manera que nuestro mundo secular no permite.  En nuestro servicio de reconciliación del Adviento aquí en nuestra parroquia, usamos las Bienaventuranzas como una estructura para abordar nuestro examen de conciencia para prepararnos para la confesión. Me pareció muy útil, ya que no es la forma normal en que examinamos la conciencia. 

      Podemos mirar la primera bienaventuranza: bienaventurados los pobres. En un mundo secular que parece valorar la riqueza material más que cualquier otra cosa, donde la riqueza material puede usarse como un ídolo, las Bienaventuranzas desafían esa suposición. En el espíritu de Bienaventurados los pobres, podríamos preguntarnos si somos lo suficientemente humildes como para no valorarnos por nuestras posesiones materiales, para depender únicamente de Dios y no de nuestras riquezas materiales. C. En medio de nuestra riqueza material y toda la tecnología y el conocimiento que tenemos, ¿podemos admitir que no tenemos todas las respuestas y que Dios es más grande que nosotros? En un mundo donde nuestra riqueza material a menudo nos da la arrogancia y el orgullo de pensar que nunca nos equivocamos y que la otra persona siempre tiene la culpa, ¿podemos admitir nuestros errores y asumir la responsabilidad en lugar de tratar de culpar a alguien o algo más?

        Somos bienaventurados cuando somos pobres, cuando lloramos, cuando tenemos hambre, cuando los demás nos odian o nos excluyen o nos insultan. Esas situaciones describen momentos en los que somos expulsados ​​de la zona de confort, cuando somos empujados a los limites. A menudo, esas situaciones son difíciles o desafiantes, pero a menudo son tiempos de gran crecimiento y enriquecimiento.  Las Bienaventuranzas desafían aquellas cosas que asumimos como el fundamento de nuestra cultura y nuestros valores.  Es bueno para nosotros ser desafiados a veces: desafiados en nuestra comodidad y en nuestra complacencia. Los ancianos sabios que tenemos en la sociedad son los que nos ejemplifican las Bienaventuranzas. No son las ricas estrellas de telerrealidad o las estrellas del deportes. Los que ejemplifican las Bienaventuranzas no son los que atraen la atención. Las Bienaventuranzas describen a las personas humildes y sin pretensiones que tranquilamente viven los valores de la fe.

        El 12 de marzo de 1622, cinco españoles y fueron consagrados santos por el Papa Gregorio XV. Los primeros cuatro anunciados como santos ese día son figuras muy famosas en la Iglesia que fueron aclamadas y honradas:: San Ignacio de Loyola, Santa Teresa de Ávila, San Francisco Javier y San Felipe Neri. Todos se preguntaban quién sería el quinto santo. Finalmente, el quinto santo fue nombrado como Isidoro. Mucha gente pensó: el único Isidoro que conocemos es Isidoro, el obispo de Sevilla. Pero, Isidoro de Sevilla había sido honrado como santo muchos siglos antes. Sí, este Isidoro es diferente, un pobre granjero de Madrid nacido en el siglo XI, alguien que fue desconocido para casi todos de su época. Los padres de Isidoro eran tan pobres que no podían mantenerlo financieramente en su niñez, por lo que fue enviado cuando era joven a un hombre muy rico cerca de Madrid en España como trabajador.  Isidoro vivió una vida muy humilde como trabajador, orando constantemente y asistiendo a misa todos los días. Amaba a los pobres y a los animales.  En el espíritu del milagro de Cristo de la multiplicación de los panes, Isidoro hizo un milagro de la multiplicación de la comida cuando alimentaba a toda una bandada de pájaros hambrientos con una pequeña porción de comida.  La santidad cotidiana de Isidoro lo incluyó en este grupo de santos ilustres que fueron canonizados el mismo día de 1622. En su sencillez de espíritu, San Isidoro Labrador ejemplifica el espíritu de las Bienaventuranzas. La santidad nos habla con tanta fuerza como esos otros santos famosos.

        Sí, las Bienaventuranzas son desafiantes. Ciertamente no son fáciles de entender. Pero las Bienaventuranzas nos desafían en el buen sentido. Nos desafían a vivir los valores del Reino de Dios.

Prayer service - Diocese of Jackson Chancery Office - The Beatitudes from the Gospel of Luke

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER SERVICE

OFFICE OF VICAR GENERAL 

14 February 2022 

10:00 AM ZOOM 

The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Plain from the Gospel of Luke:

(Jesus) stood on a stretch of level ground
with a great crowd of his disciples
and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:
            

“Blessed are you who are poor,
 for the kingdom of God is yours.
            Blessed are you who are now hungry,
 for you will be satisfied.
            Blessed are you who are now weeping,
 for you will laugh.
            Blessed are you when people hate you,
 and when they exclude and insult you,
 and denounce your name as evil
 on account of the Son of Man.
 Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

1. Lord, we thank you for all the gifts that you have given us. Help us to recognize that all we have is yours and to find ways to give your gifts to all those around us, for your sake. Let us pray to the Lord: 

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

2. In a secular world that often defines people by material possessions and social status, may we humble ourselves  not to value or define ourselves or others by material possessions.  May we center our lives and our identity on God and the values of his kingdom.   Let us pray to the Lord: 

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives.

3. We know that you are moved by the suffering of your people. Open our hearts to the suffering around us, so that we will be moved to offer comfort and encouragement and to receive it from your hands. Let us pray to the Lord:

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

4. We are often tempted to respond with anger when someone wrongs us. Give us the strength to respond, instead, with patience and forgiveness to the slights of others. Let us all work together to bring about reconciliation and healing in our families and in our communities.   Let us pray to the Lord:

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

5. Lord, we know that you were able to satisfy the hunger of your people as they wandered in the wilderness. Help us to recognize that you are the only source that will satisfy all the desires of our heart. Let us pray to the Lord: 

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

6. Like the ungrateful servant in the Gospel story, we are not always willing to pass on God’s great mercy to those who offend us. Help us to keep in mind all the many ways we have been forgiven so that we will never refuse to forgive those who wrong us. Let us pray to the Lord:

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

7. Like Martha, we are often anxious about things that are not the important things in life. Help us to focus all of our attention on you as Mary did so that we can learn to know you better. Let us pray to the Lord:

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

8. We know that the only way to bring peace to our troubled relationships is to treat our enemies and our adversaries as if they were our family. Open our hearts to see that we are all brothers and sisters, children of the one God, our Father. Let us pray to the Lord:

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

9. We are sometimes afraid to do what is right because we fear ridicule or rejection. Even as adults and as Christians, we can still be influenced by peer pressure and social media. Help us to have the courage to follow you regardless of what those around us may do or say. Let us pray to the Lord.

R: Lord, let us live out the spirit of Beatitudes in our lives. 

Example of Isidore the farmer

12 March 1622

Canonized on the same day as: St Ignatius of Loyola, St Francis Xavier, St Teresa of Avila, and St Philip Neri.  

13 February 2022 - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Plain - Luke 6:17, 20-26

Franciscan priest Richard Rohr is a very popular Catholic spiritual writer. He has run the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM since the 1980s.  In his book Falling Upwards: A Spirituality Through the Two Halves of Life, he wrote the following:  “I have always wondered why people never want to put a stone monument of the Eight Beatitudes on the courthouse lawn,” like they do for the Ten Commandments. As Christians, we know the ten commandments very well and they are relatively easy to understand, such as honoring our father and mother and not stealing. But, perhaps we do not give the same honor to the Beatitudes because they are not as straight forward and not as understandable.  The Beatitudes are blessings that Jesus proclaims, but how can it be a blessing to be hungry, to be poor, to weep, and to be hated by others?  Those things seem to go against things that we see as blessings, don’t they?  

Maybe the Beatitudes help us look at our life of discipleship in a way that our secular world does not allow.  In our Advent reconciliation service here at St Jude, we used the Beatitudes as a structure to approach our examination of conscience to get ready for confession.  I found that to be very helpful, as it is not the normal way I examine my conscience. Take the first Beatitude: blessed are the poor. In a secular world that seems to value material wealth more than anything else, where material wealth can be used as an idol, the Beatitudes challenge that assumption.  In the spirit of Blessed are the poor, we might ask ourselves if we are humble enough not to value ourselves by our material possessions, to depend solely upon God and not our material wealth.  In the midst our material wealth and all the technology and knowledge we have, can we admit that we do not have all the answers and that God is greater than us?  In a world where our material wealth often gives us the arrogance and pride to think that we are never wrong and that the other person is always to blame, can we admit our mistakes and take responsibility rather than trying to blame someone or something else?  

Think of these situations described in the Beatitudes: when we are poor, when we weep, when we are hungry, when others hate us or exclude us or insult us. Those situations describe times when we are thrown out our comfort zone, when we are pushed or stretched. Often, those situations are difficult or challenging, but they are often the times of great growth and enrichment.  Perhaps the Beatitudes challenge those things that we assume to be the foundation of our culture and our values.  And it is good for us to be challenged sometimes, isn't it?  To look at what we believe and what we stand for in a critical way.  Perhaps  challenge our comfort and our complacency.  Perhaps we don’t quite know what to make of the beatitudes, even though we are familiar with them from Sacred Scripture.  Perhaps the wise elders that we have in society are the ones who exemplify the Beatitudes to us.  They are not the rich reality stars or sport stars that we see on TV.  Those who exemplify the Beatitudes are not the ones who bring attention and accolades to themselves, who think that they speak for others and who think they have it all figured out.  The Beatitudes describe the humble, unassuming individuals who quietly go about living the values of the faith in their lives.  

On March 12, 1622, five Spanish men and women were made saints by Pope Gregory XV.  The first four announced as saints that day are very famous figures in the Church who were acclaimed and honored even during their own lifetimes: St Ignatius of Loyola, St Teresa of Avila, St Francis Xavier, and St Phillip Neri.  Everyone wondered who the fifth saint would be.  Finally, the fifth saint was named as Isidore.  Many people thought: the only Isidore we know is Isidore, the Bishop of Seville, Spain who was a great theologian and scholar from the 7th century.  But, Isidore of Seville had been honored as a saint many many centuries earlier.  Yes, this is a different Isidore, a poor farmer from Madrid who was born in the 11th century, someone who was unknown to just about everyone outside his small circle during his lifetime  As a youth, Isidore’s parents were so poor that they were unable to provide for him financially, so he was sent as a youth to a rich landowner near Madrid, Spain to work as a laborer.  Isidore lived a very humble, holy life as a farm laborer, praying constantly and going to daily mass. He loved the poor and loved animals. In the spirit of Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, Isidore worked a miracle of the multiplication of food when he was able to feed an entire flock of starving birds with a small portion of food.  On another occasion, Isidore shared his small ration food with a large group of beggars, with the food being enough to satisfy their hunger.  Isidore’s everyday holiness included him in this group of famous saints who were canonized on the same day in 1622.  In his simplicity of spirit, Isidore the Farmer exemplifies the spirit of the Beatitudes.  He holiness speaks to us as strongly as those other famous saints.  

     Yes, the Beatitudes are challenging. They are certainly not easy for us to understand.  But the Beatitudes challenge us in a good way.  They challenge us to live the values of the Kingdom of God.  

Bulletin Reflection - 13 February 2022

      As I am writing this reflection for the bulletin on Thursday evening, I am getting ready for our first synod reflection session on Friday, February 11 after the 11:00 am Mass. We will also have synod sessions this upcoming Wednesday at 6:30 pm and Sunday February 20 during the Sunday school time at 9:15 am. The youth will also be participating in the synod sessions at 5:00 pm on Sunday February 20 as well. We hope that you will find the time to go through the synod process with us, as we want your individual voice to be heard and we want the voice of our parish to be heard as well.

     I am excited that we will have a lot going on during Lent this year, something for everyone. Lent is such a wonderful time of the year. With Lent being hampered in a big way the past two years, we have our fingers crossed that things can get back to normal, at least somewhat to normal. We are hoping to have our fish fries back this year after the stations of the cross on Friday evenings, which the Knights are looking forward to very much. So, mark your calendars for March 2 with the start of Lent with Ash Wednesday. We are hoping for a very blessed Lenten season this year.

      Our Diocese celebrates World Marriage Day this weekend. We celebrate with all of the couples from St Jude who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. We also will be celebrating the Bishop Chanche awards next weekend, with Owen Wolf receiving the youth award and Michael and Stacy Wolf receiving the adult award.

     Blessings to all of you. Have a good week. Father Lincoln.

Reflection on the Holy Family - month of February

       Our Church has different feast days and different liturgical seasons. Our Church dedicates the month of February to the Holy Family. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is the model of virtue for all Christian households. In these challenging times, both the challenges of the pandemic and the challenges of a society that is become more secular, when families are no longer valued and are disintegrating, it is of paramount importance that we emulate this virtuous family.

       The Holy Family lived out what the Church calls the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. Cardinal is the Latin word for “hinge.” All of the other virtues hinge around these four virtues. The higher theological virtues of faith, hope, and love are the fruit of the cardinal virtues.

         Mary, Joseph, and Jesus intentionally and repeatedly chose the good through the virtue of prudence, they treated each other with respect in the virtue of justice, they endured trials and difficulties in the virtue of fortitude, and sacrificed their own desires for the good the other in the virtue of temperance.

       Mary and Joseph had faith in the promises of God to deliver his people. They had hope that all God had promised would be fulfilled. Through their love of God, Mary and Joseph obediently followed what God had ask of them. The Holy Family is our model for the virtuous life in our marriages and families. We need to be striving to develop these same virtues. The cardinal virtues are the foundation for all of the other virtues. We must build a solid foundation on these virtues in order to grow in all the others. Husbands and wives must daily strive, and with mutual support, grow in virtue to build a strong, holy, and healthy family.

      Virtues are absolutely essential for marriages and families to thrive. A virtue is the habitual and firm disposition to do the good. The Latin root of the word is virtus, which means “strength” or “power.” Growing in virtue is a lifelong task to strengthen our willpower to choose what is best and right even in the most difficult of circumstances.

      Let us unite our prayers with the prayers of the Holy Family:

      Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love exhibited in your own family in Nazareth.

      Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with the virtues of faith, hope, and love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

       Joseph, foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, instill in us the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Keep our family safe from all harm and attacks from the evil one. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

        Holy Family of Nazareth, through your surpassing virtues and the example of family life, make us one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace, mercy, and forgiveness in our home. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials we sometimes experience. May we always have Jesus at the center of our hearts and home. Amen.

         Blessings to all of you. Have a blessed week. Father Lincoln.

9 February 2022 - prayers of the faithful - fifth week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to wisdom. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us hope.  

Lord Jesus - you are the son of the Father. 

In faith and hope, let us now bring our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For all who are discerning God's call or beginning a new commitment: that God will free them from fear, guide them along the path to life, and help them to trust that God will provide all that they need.

2. For greater trust: that we may rely upon God’s love and providence as we enter the deeper waters of vocation, marriage, parenting and employment

3. For an ever-deepening conversion of heart: that God’s Spirit will help us discover our misdirection, guide us in practicing the teachings of Christ, and lead us to faith, hope, and love,  

4. For all those in the RCIA process: that they may receive the Gospel message as a word of life and grow in their knowledge and love of God

5. For all who feel unwelcome or unworthy before God: that God’s unconditional love may heal and free them so that they may live in the freedom of the children of God. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. 

We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

Prayers of the faithful - fifth week of ordinary time - 8 February 2022

Lord Jesus - you come to us in the midst of our reality. 

Christ Jesus - you give us strength and courage. 

Lord Jesus - you reach out to the poor in spirit. 

Out of our humble hearts, let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For peace: that God will inspire those working to reduce tension in Eastern Europe and in Ukraine.  For peace in justice in our communities. For respect and understanding in situations of conflict. 

2. For those who are struggling with mental illness, depression and addiction.  For those having a hard time getting through the tough cold dark winter months.  For all affected by the harsh winter weather.  

3. For all who are ill: that God will heal the sick and help our healthcare providers. 

4. For all who have died: that they may share fully in the new life of the resurrection and live with God forever. 

5.  Four our children, youth, and college students.  May they see God’s presence in the studies and in their times of fun and pleasure.  

With joy and hope, we present these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

6 February 2022 – Mass at Millsaps college - homily for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Luke 5:1-11

       We all have different experiences of God in our lives and different images of God that come from our minds and our imaginations.   When I served at St Richard parish in Jackson as a new priest, the students made handmade prayer cards with the prayer of St Richard of Chichester on the back for Catholic schools week. The prayer cards showed the different ways the children see God.  One prayer card that really enchanted me was drawn by a 4th grader, showing a tiny cardinal flying in the sky above the mountains.  Like many people, I often see God in the beauty of nature, so to me this was a wonderful image of God’s glory.  But the image of a bird flying through nature also brought to my mind how small I can feel in comparison to the all-powerful God who created us.  Our readings today call us to take a look at our feelings of unworthiness and insignificance that we might experience in our faith.  

     The calling Isaiah receives to be a prophet involves a vision he had.  Isaiah sees God on a throne high in the heavens, with choirs of angels praising God and the glory with which God fills the earth. In the midst of God’s glory, Isaiah feels unworthiness, seeing that any words coming from his mouth as not being worthy of God.  An angel swoops down to Isaiah’s lips with a burning coal to purify his lips and his words. Even though Isaiah feels unworthy, God still calls him to be a prophet, showing the confidence God has in him.     

      Then, in today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters Simon and his companions as they are washing their nets. He tells Simon: “Put out into the deep water – let down your nets for a catch.”  Yet, Simon explains that he and the other fishermen had worked all night, having caught nothing. We wonder: Does Jesus know something that the fishermen don’t know?  But they trust Jesus and obey his command to lower their nets.  They bring up an abundance of fish, enough to tear their nets to shreds and sink their boats. Having come up empty the night before at the same place, they have a catch beyond all imagining.

      Simon Peter is overwhelmed by what has happened, he feels unworthy to receive such a blessing from God.  And we might ask ourselves: Do we have preconceptions and rigid expectations about God that limit the way God works in our lives, hindering us on our journey?  Simon Peter cries out: “Depart from me Lord; I am a sinful man.”  We are indeed sinful; we can feel limited and insignificant if dwell on our identity as created beings, on our struggles of faith and trust.

      Sometimes, our view of God becomes distorted, even though we think we are backing up that view with our experiences and what we read in Scripture. For example, when I was a missionary in Ecuador, many of the youth there had a great fear of God, seeing God as a powerful being who would punish them and seek retribution. B. Yet, when the Scriptures talk about fearing God, it's in the sense of having respect and reverence for God. Our experience of God is to lead us to peace, joy, and wonder, not feelings of shame and unworthiness.  The cross, Christ's suffering and passion, and our call to obey God: these are essential truths of our faith, but they must be connected to the salvation and redemption we receive from God through Christ. 

        In order to understand the feelings Isaiah and Simon express in our readings, perhaps it's not really shame they are feeling, but rather humility in their attempt to determine where they stand in the reality of God. When we come face-to-face with God's holiness, we are confronted with our human weaknesses and limitations.  Perhaps Isaiah and Peter truly understood how they pale compared to the bright light of God. The humility that we are to feel in God's presence can be a very good thing if it helps us to be more open to God’s love and his presence. Isaiah’s humility and feelings of awe from his vision of God in heaven allow him to answer God’s call, as he says: “Here I am God, send me!” 

        Simon Peter and the fishermen obeyed Jesus in casting their nets.  And what about us: Is there deep water out there where we need to cast our nets beyond our expectations, beyond our comfort zone and familiar surroundings? Is God calling us to cast out our nets somewhere in order to bring up the wonders that God has waiting for us?   Are we open to using our imagination and to freeing our minds to truly see the ways God is present in our lives? Perhaps in our humility, we will find the courage to take that chance.

Readings - Catholic funeral

First reading - Isaiah 25:61, 7-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” Pause and look up at the congregation. Then say:

The Word of the Lord.

Psalm 23

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side

With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

2nd Reading - Romans 6:3-9

     Brothers and Sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.  For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

The Word of the Lord. 

Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. 

The Gospel of the Lord