12 February 2023 - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Introduction: Today, we continue to hear Jesus teachings from the Sermon on the Mount.  Like the disciples who gathered with him on the mountaintop to hear his teachings, let us open our hearts to Jesus in today’s Mass as he comes to us in word and in Sacrament.  

Lord Jesus, you have come to fulfill the law and the prophets. 

Christ Jesus, you bring us new life. 

Lord Jesus, you teach us to keep God’s laws with all our hearts. 

Priest:  As we are reminded today of the wondrous things God has prepared for us, let us confidently bring forth our prayers to our heavenly Father, presenting our needs and the needs of the world: 

1. That the Church, led by Pope Francis and all the bishops, may guide us according to the spirit of God’s law, we pray to the Lord. 

2. For all who enforce and interpret the law, that through their efforts, they may seek to bring true justice for all members of society, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For all married couples, that they may work to nurture their marriages through good times and bad, and sickness and health, become a sign of Christ’s love for us, we pray to the Lord. 

4. For all who suffer in relationships that are broken or painful, that they may find the support they need, we pray to the Lord. 

5. For all Christians, that we may walk in the law of the Lord and seek God with all our hearts, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.  For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit, we pray to the Lord.  

7. For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Priest: Merciful God, we ask that you teach us in your wisdom and guide us in your law.  We present our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.   

12 February 2023 - Bulletin Reflection - 6th week in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

       Having gone on pilgrimage many times, especially to the Camino of Santiago in Spain, I love reading different books on pilgrimage. Reading a book entitled Pilgrimage: The Modern Seeker’s Guide, I came across this wonderful quote: ”We don't work the mystery of life; we let the Mystery work us."  Yes, the mystery of God and the mystery of life are not things we can force in our lives.  They are not things we control.  The mystery of God is at work in us through the grace of God, but we cannot mandate it.  Yes, we are called to be open to the mystery of God in our lives and we are called to respond to that mystery. But the mystery of God is not something we will completely understand.  This is good to remember as we hear a very challenging Gospel message today that is a part of the Sermon on the mount from the Gospel of Matthew.  

        Last week, we hear the Bishop’s appeal for the Catholic Service Appeal.  This week we have the collection for the appeal.  I know a lot of you have given through the appeal materials you received in the mail.  We thank all of you for your generosity to the Diocese and to our parish.  If you have not given to the Catholic Service Appeal yet, we ask you to pray and reflect about your contribution.   Have a blessed week everyone.  Father Lincoln.   

Events at Holy Savior parish in Clinton, Mississippi this Week - Wednesday February 1 and Friday February 3

This is to remind everyone that we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction this Wednesday, February 1, since it is the first Wednesday of the month. Father Lincoln will also be hearing confessions during this time, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Also, we will honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus at our Daily Mass on Friday, February 3, at 8:30 am, honoring the First Friday devotion. We will have the blessing of the throats on Friday in honor of St Blaise on his feast day as well. We will also have breakfast in McGing hall following Friday Mass - bring a dish to share.

Blessings to all of you - I hope you will join us.

QUOTES ON THE EUCHARIST From the Saints and Early Church Fathers and Mothers

Last week, I did a presentation on the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the RCIA class.  I am also studying the Eucharist and the formation and the strengthening of Eucharistic community through the Mathis liturgical leadership program at the University of Notre Dame.  As a part of my presentation to the RCIA candidates and catechumens last week, I compiled some quotes about the Eucharist from some of the saints and the Early Church Fathers and Mothers. The saints have so many profound insights to share with us from their teachings and their writings.  I thought I would share these quotes with you in our Flocknote email reflection this week. These quotes are a great way for us to reflection upon the Eucharist as a mystery of our faith. Blessings to all of you - have a blessed week.  Father Lincoln.  

Origen of Alexandria (c. 185 - 254)

We give thanks to the Creator of all, and, along with thanksgiving and prayer for the blessings we have received, we also eat the bread presented to us; and this bread BECOMES BY PRAYER A SACRED BODY, which sanctifies those who sincerely partake of it.(Against Celsus 8:33)

You see how the ALTARS are no longer sprinkled with the blood of oxen, but consecrated BY THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST. (Homilies on Joshua 2:1)

St. Athanasius (c. 295 - 373)

You shall see the Levites bringing loaves and a cup of wine, and placing them on the table. So long as the prayers of supplication and entreaties have not been made, there is only bread and wine. But after the great and wonderful prayers have been completed, then the bread is become the Body, and the wine the Blood, of our Lord Jesus Christ….Let us approach the celebration of the mysteries. This bread and this wine, so long as the prayers and supplications have not taken place, remain simply what they are. But after the great prayers and holy supplications have been sent forth, the Word comes down into the bread and wine -- and thus is His Body confected. (Sermon to the Newly Baptized, from Eutyches)

St Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274): “The Eucharist is the sacrament of love: it signifies love, it produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622): “When the bee has gathered the dew of heaven and the earth’s sweetest nectar from the flowers, it turns it into honey, then hastens to its hive. In the same way, the priest, having taken from the altar the Son of God (who is as the dew from heaven, and true son of Mary, flower of our humanity), gives him to you as delicious food.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407): “It is not the man who is responsible for the offerings as they become Christ’s Body and Blood; it is Christ himself who was crucified for us. The standing figure belongs to the priest who speaks these words. The power and the grace belong to God. ‘This is My Body,’ he says. And these words transform the offerings.”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386): “Since Christ Himself has said, ‘This is My Body,’ who shall dare to doubt that it is his Body?”

St Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941): “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.”

St Augustine (354-430) “What you see is the bread and the chalice; that is what your own eyes report to you. But what your faith obliges you to accept is that the bread is the body of Christ, and the chalice is the blood of Christ. This has been said very briefly, which may perhaps be sufficient for faith; yet faith does not desire instruction.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)  “We cannot separate our lives from the Eucharist; the moment we do, something breaks. People ask, 'Where do the sisters get the joy and the energy to do what they are doing?' The Eucharist involves more than just receiving; it also involves satisfying the hunger of Christ. He says, 'Come to Me.' He is hungry for souls.”

12 February 2023 – Homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Matthew 5: 21- 37

    Often, in our Sunday readings from Scripture, we hear a story or a parable that really strikes us, that captures our imagination, or that touches our heart. Last Sunday, Jesus told his disciples: You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of world.  Those images of salt and light appeal to our imagination and speak to us on many different levels. But, today, we have a very different situation. This Sunday we are struck with some very complex readings that are not warm and fuzzy. Today’s readings are not easy to wrap our minds around. 

       Think of something simple and commonplace that we do every time we worship together as Catholics. At weekend Mass, we have a procession that leads us into the church. We often think of the procession as you the faithful in the pews rising from your seats and singing an entrance hymn as the priests, servers, and lector process into the sanctuary. But we can see the procession in a different light.  We can see the procession truly beginning with all of us getting up on Sunday morning and getting reading to come to church. Sometimes our mornings are hectic and stressful; sometimes they are calm and comforting. We get up in the morning , we shower, we get dressed, and we eat breakfast. Some of us may sit in silence or pray in order to get ready for mass. Then, we come in our cars, some of us coming from different towns and counties in the Jackson area, making our way to church. Do we see ourselves in procession to church as we leave our homes and get ready? Do we see ourselves in procession to the church when someone cuts us off in traffic or when someone is rude to us or when we are having a stressful day?

       As we think about that, let’s look at the refrain in today’s psalm: Blessed are those who follow the law of the Lord. That sounds so simple. As Christ’s disciples, we probably all want to follow God’s law, but we know that it isn’t always easy. We learn God’s law, we start following it by the way we initially understand the law, and as we grow in our faith, our understanding of the law penetrates our hearts.  I think about my time in seminary. I pride myself in being a good student, and I can honestly say that in seminary, I gave it my best shot; I did very well academically and in the formation process. Yet, I can remember the very first Sunday mass I did on my own, a Sunday morning mass at St Richard in Jackson. After I processed into the church, took my place at the presider’s chair, and saw about 500 faces looking back at me, I started to panic. I thought: How did I think I could do this? Fortunately, I got through that mass just fine. Yet, over time, even to this day, I continue to grow in my understanding of the mass and grow in my love of the Mass day after day as I continue my journey of faith as a priest. As I celebrate the Mass almost every day as a priest, it continues to penetrate my heart in different ways.  That how it is supposed to be with God’s law.  As we journey in faith, we are called to grow in our love and understanding of his law. 

      In the Gospel today, Jesus doesn’t throw out the law, but rather brings nuance and fullness to God’s law. Jesus speaks out in opposition to a strict legalistic interpretation not only of God’s law, but also of how we understand God operating in our lives. The Pharisees knew about God’s laws against things like adultery, murder, and false witness. They knew the letter of the law, but they created clever interpretations and loopholes which kept these laws from penetrating their hearts. Jesus calls us to a new life in him each day, not just one time in the waters of baptism, but in our new life in Christ that is renewed in us each day in which God's law continues to convert our hearts. Jesus envisions a world where we proclaim God’s kingdom in the here and now, in which we love our neighbor and reach out to our enemy, in which we work toward strong marriages and stable families, in which joy and peace are proclaimed to all.  Jesus calls us to strive toward perfection under God’s law as we journey in faith each day. Jesus proclaims that he has come to fulfill his Father’s law, knowing of the salvation and redemption we will achieve through his death and resurrection.  

      We are called to grow in our understanding of God’s law, to allow it to penetrate our hearts, to be blessed by God's law under which we live out our faith.

10 February 2023 - Friday of the 5th week of Ordinary Time- Genesis 3:1-8, Mark 7:31-37

       Our lives and our human senses can be opened up in different ways.  In our first reading from Genesis, the serpent seduces Eve, resulting in both Adam and Eve eating of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, with their eyes and minds being opened to shame and embarrassment. In the Gospel, there was another kind of opening up: the opening up of the ears of the deaf man through Jesus’ command.  The deaf man was filled with joy when his speech and hearing were restored. The people who witnessed the healing of the deaf man were filled with wonder, saying "(Jesus) has done all things well; he makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Adam and Eve were punished for their disobedience, being driven from the garden. God’s justice and mercy are the themes of our readings today. 

      We can open up ourselves to good things on our journey of faith, things that will help us and encourage in our faith.  Or, conversely, we can open up ourselves to temptations or things that will take us off our journey of faith, things that will weaken our faith.  What I see in a lot of young people, and adults as well, is that they think they can fool around and experiment with things, things they know they should not be doing, thinking they are not dangerous and that they will not lead to an addiction or negative consequences. However, like Adam and Eve being seduced, we can be seduced and tricked into things. Doing things that will educate us in the faith, forming our conscience in the teachings of the Church, and practicing devotions of our faith and being an active part of our faith community are all things we can do to help us be open to the good things of our faith, while helping us resist temptation.

9 February 2023 - Prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the fifth week of Ordinary Time

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.  

9 February 2023 - Thursday of the 5th week in Ordinary Time - Psalm 128

     I remember how my professor in seminary who taught courses on the Old Testament, Dr Richard Lux, told us not to forget to preach on the first readings and the psalms from time to time. We hear a very interesting psalm refrain today from psalm 128: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” I don’t think we appreciate the way the Jewish people would have interpreted the word “fear.” To them, fear does not mean being afraid of punishment or retribution from God, but rather having a healthy respect for him. So what are some learnings we can take away from this psalm?  

First, fearing the Lord means to be in awe of his holiness, to give him complete reverence and to honor him as the God of great glory, majesty, and power.  For example, when God revealed himself to the Israelites at Mount Sinai with thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and with the loud blast of a trumpet blast, they trembled in awe and wonder.  

True fear of the Lord and respect for him calls us to faith. True fear of the Lord calls us as disciples of Christ to place our faith and trust in him alone for salvation. Think about the reaction of the Israelites after they had crossed through the Red Sea on dry ground and saw the destruction of the Egyptian army by God. In response, they feared the Lord and put their trust in him. They grew in their faith in God.  

Also, fear of God calls us to greater obedience. If indeed we fear God, we will desire to follow his law, to live according to his holy word, and to turn away from sin. In the book of Exodus, on Mount Sinai, God inspired fear in the Israelites so that they would learn to turn away from sin and to obey his laws. 

As a missionary, I was attacked several times by feral dogs that roamed the streets of our village. Thus, such dogs are something I fear to this day. I am afraid of being attacked by them and getting hurt by them. I do think of fear of God in the same way. I don’t fear being attacked by God like I was attacked by a feral dog, but I am in awe of his power and might, as the creator of the universe.  

8 February 2023 - homily for Wednesday of the fifth week in ordinary time - Genesis 2:5-9, 15-17

     When God put his breath into human beings from the clay of the earth, he breathed life into humanity and showed them how to take care of his creation. The holy season of Lent starts two weeks from today, in which repentance and turning away from our sins is a major theme. As our first reading from Genesis tells us today, man could eat the fruit of any tree of the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That tree can be likened to the many opportunities that are presented to us in life. Of those opportunities, God asks that we not choose evil. We know this in our hearts, but in the reality of daily life, it is not always easy to resist temptation. It is not just a theory, but a complicated lived reality. God’s unconditional love for us is always there, calling us to turn to the Gospel and to turn away from sin. God’s love is there for us even in the midst of our sins. 

     As we think about the complicated reality we face in our daily lives here on earth, we celebrate St Jerome Emiliani as the saint of the day. As a young man in 15th century Italy, he was a military commander in Venice in charge of a large fortress and a large number of soldiers. However, the fortress was captured by their enemies, putting Jerome in chains in a prison. At the time, God had not been a part of his life. God did not fit into his life and into his value system in which he put his values in the strength of his command and his army. However, finding himself as a prisoner in a dungeon, he let go of his worldly values and found God. After his escape from prison, he studied for the priesthood. Yet, soon after, Venice was hit with the plague and famine. In the midst of the suffering that he saw, he had a special place in heart for the children and youth who were left abandoned and orphaned.  Even after contracting the plague himself, he devoted his efforts to caring for the poor and the abandoned, establishing hospitals, orphanages, and a shelter for prostitutes. His group of priests became a religious order named the Clerks Regular of Somasca.  Jerome Emiliani died at the age of 56 after contracting an illness from the sick patients under his care. He was canonized in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII. He is the patron saint of orphans and abandoned children and youth.  We unite our prayers with his prayers today. 

8 February 2023 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 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. 

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

Prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the fifth week of ordinary time - 7 February 2023

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 and vulnerable in a special way. 

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

1. For peace: that God will inspire those working to for peace throughout the work, especially in Ukraine and other places torn apart by war.  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, in their school actives, and in their times of fun and pleasure.  

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

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

7 February 2023 - Tuesday of the 5th week in Ordinary Time - Genesis 1:20-2:4a

      The first readings from yesterday and today present to us the story of creation from the first chapter of Genesis. Today, we hear about the creation of the fifth and sixth day, which completes God’s creation of heaven and earth. God rests on the seventh day, making that day holy. In reflecting on today’s reading, in recent years we have interpreted it as a responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation, realizing the impact we human beings can have on the environment. Rather than good management and good stewardship of God’s creation, we as human beings often seek domination, control, and exploitation of the earth’s resources for our own benefit. All of creation is put into our human hands to supply our needs; yet, we must realize that we are only one part of creation, that a mutual interdependence exists between all of creation on earth.    

     In an address to the youth in the Philippines in 2015, Pope Francis stated this: “Respect for the environment means more that simply using cleaner products or recycling what we use. These are important aspects, but (it’s) not enough. We need to see, with the eyes of faith, the beauty of God’s saving plan, the link between the natural environment and the dignity of the human person… As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil, and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.” From mighty galaxies to the sub-atomic particles, there is a seamless garment of creation; we human beings should serve as stewards of creation in a holistic way that will benefits our entire ecosystem here on earth. As we discuss global warming on a national level and a global level, as each family makes decisions each day that affect the environment, it gives us a lot to think about. 

3 February 2023 - Friday of the 4th week of Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you bring us the loving compassion of the Father. 

Christ Jesus - you gather the lost to yourself. 

Lord Jesus - you show us the way to salvation. 

PRIEST: God is especially attentive to those in need.  So, in confidence, let us address God with our needs, the needs of our brothers and sisters, and the needs of the Church:

1. For the Church: that we may be a model of forgiveness and mercy to all, providing a witness to God’s love to the world, we pray to the Lord. 

2. For our governmental leaders: that they may be guided by the ideals of justice and mercy in the laws they enact and enforce, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as we commemorate the first Friday of the month. 

4. For reconciliation and healing for those whose lives are trapped in a cycle of anger, vengeance, or revenge, we pray to the Lord. 

5. For those who are estranged from family members or friends, that they may be ever ready to welcome them back into their lives, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For healing for the sick in body, mind, spirit. For the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life.  We pray to the Lord. 

7 For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord. 

PRIEST: As we pray for the grace to trust in God even when we turn away or wander astray, we present these prayers through our Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

Prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of 4th week of Ordinary Time - 1 February 2023

Lord Jesus - you proclaim the kingdom of God. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to justice.

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

Priest: Ever-faithful God, trusting in your loving care for all people, we bring these prayers to you with faith and hope: 

1. For Christians throughout the world, that their faith may support them as they strive to live as Christ taught.

2. For our government leaders: that they will pursue justice, truth, and the communal good in the light of God’s laws and commandments.

3. For all those who work for peace and justice in our world, that they may see good results in their work.

4. For an end to terrorism in the world, and for healing of all hatred and division.

5. For our Holy Father’s Intention for February: For parishes:
We pray that parishes, placing communion at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need.

6. For the sick and shut-in, for those in the hospital, hospice, and nursing home. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.

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

Priest: We offer these prayers, gracious God, trusting in your care as we gather around your altar. We know that you will answer our prayers in ways that are best for us. With grateful hearts we pray in Jesus’ name, for he is our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

31 January 2023 - prayers of the faithful - 4th week in ORDINARY TIME

Lord Jesus - you meet us in our reality. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us hope and encouragement. 

Lord Jesus - you are the beloved Son.  

Priest: As disciples of Christ, let us bring our prayers before the Lord who saves us: 

1. For the prophets of today, who challenge us in our modern reality, that they may have divine help in spreading the message of justice and truth. 

2. For those who are grieving loss in different ways in their lives, may they find hope and encouragement in their faith.  

3. For those who have died recently, and all the faithful departed, that they may dwell in the Lord’s house forever. 

4. For our Catholic and public schools, for all of our teachers and educators who help our children and youth in the learning process. For all our children and youth, for a good spring school semester for them. 

5. For our first responders, for medical professionals, for the men and women serving in the military, for missionary who spread the Gospel message. 

5. For all our prayers and our needs, which we remember in the silence of our hearts.  

Priest: O God our shepherd, you gently lead your people by your hand: hear the prayers we make and graciously answer them, through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen. 

prayers of the faithful - the presentation of the Lord - 2 February 2023 - Thursday

Lord Jesus, as a child, you were presented in the Temple. 

Christ Jesus, you grew up in holiness. 

Lord Jesus, you are the son of God and son of Mary. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

PRIEST: On this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we join with the prayers of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as we present our prayers and ourselves to the Lord:

1. For the whole Church: that inspired by the Holy Spirit

with wisdom and knowledge, we may follow the example of Simeon and Anna in making Jesus and his mission known to the world.

2. For all the children of our world, that they may be loved and cherished by their families and by the societies in which they live.

3. For all who live under the constant threat of violence and the shadow of war, that all people will turn from violence to peace. We pray in a special way for a stop to violence and crime here in the Jackson metro area. 

4. For all the children, youth, and adults who are preparing this year for their First Holy Communion and to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, that they will always keep Jesus at the center of their lives.

5. For all who are grieving or afflicted and for those who are sick or suffering in any way.

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

PRIEST: Heavenly Father, you have given us Jesus your Son as the light of the world. May we always walk in his light and live by his truth. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN. 

5 February 2023 - 5th Sunday Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Introduction:  Christ calls us to be a light shining in the darkness of the world.  He calls us to the salt of the earth, to bring a distinctive flavor and characteristic to our society.  May this message today penetrate our hearts, our words, and our actions. 

Lord Jesus - you are a light shining in the darkness.

Christ Jesus - you are the Beloved Son of the Father. 

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and our Redeemer. 

Priest: As we hear the call to discipleship in the Gospel today, let us bring our prayers to our Heavenly Father in faith and hope:

1. For our Holy Church, may we be a light shining in the darkness. May we respond selflessly and compassionately to those in need, we pray to the Lord. 

2. That nations around the world may take special care of the oppressed and the marginalized, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For doctors, nurses, paramedics, and all medical professionals, for all who minister to the sick and injured, that they may be blessed in their work, we pray to the Lord. 

4. That our parish and our Diocese be a light to those in darkness, we pray to the Lord. 

5. For victims of war, terrorism, and violence in our community and throughout the world, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For those suffering in despair, may they be comforted and given hope, we pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Priest: God of light and hope, as we turn to you in confidence, you are attentive to our prayers and loving in your care for us.  We present these prayers through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.   

Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 5 February 2023

     Today, on the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, a few week before we start Lent, we hear a part of the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel, as Jesus describes what we should strive toward in our life of discipleship: we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As disciples of Christ, we are to bring flavor and light to the world around us. Jesus calls us to be a light in the darkness of our world. He calls us to change the flavor of our world, to bring a perspective of faith no matter where we are in our lives. 

     This Sunday, February 5, we mark the anniversary of the death of Father Pedro Arrupe, who had been the Superior General of the Jesuits for many years, from 1965 to 1983. He is considered the “second founder”of the Jesuits based on the huge impact he had on that religious order. This is a quote of his that really touched me: “In life, have but one desire, only one — to love Jesus Christ with all your soul.  Let that be the one fixed idea of your entire existence.” In respect to today’s Gospel, I see that we can be a true light in the world only if we have a personal relationship with Jesus and only in our lives are centered in him.  Then, and only then, can we pass the light on to others.  

     We will hear the Bishop’s audio message for the Catholic Service Appeal today.  Through our contribution to the Catholic Service Appeal, we can be a light in the world.  Have a blessed week everyone.  Father Lincoln.  

 

Reflection for the day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children - January 23, 2023

Sunday was the anniversary of the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision. January 22. But because that day fell on a Sunday, our annual day of pray for the legal protection of unborn children is being transferred to Monday, January 23. The Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision legalized abortion in this country. From a lawsuit brought the Supreme Court by the state of Mississippi, that law was overturned. Abortion contradicts the Gospel of life that it is an essential and foundational belief of our Catholic faith.

In seminary, one of the textbooks that we used in our course on Peace and Justice was entitled Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret. Why should Catholic Social Teaching be such a secret if it is such an essential part of our faith, if it so fundamental to what it means to be Catholic?

The starting point of Catholic Social Teaching is the value of the human person, recognizing that we are all made in God’s image and that we are all redeemed by our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are all precious and unique as human beings. Our value is rooted in who we are as human beings, not by what we do. All of our Church’s social teaching begins with and builds upon the foundation of human dignity.

 As part of this holistic view of human dignity, our Church teaches the value of human life as a seamless garment from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Our human dignity is threatened not only by legalized abortion and euthanasia, but also by such policies that allow cloning, embryonic stem cell research, genocide, torture, racism, the targeting of non-combatants in acts of war and terrorism, and the death penalty. As Catholics, we cannot pick and choose what we believe in regard to the dignity of human life. The Catholic Church teaches that which was echoed in the message of the prophets of the ancient Israel: that the measure of any society is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person, particularly the poor and the most vulnerable in society, including unborn human life.

Even though the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision was overturned, we still have a lot of work to do as a society. Sometimes we feel that our Catholic belief come under attack when we profess them in our words and our actions. However, we should not fear professing to the world what we truly believe in the Gospel of Life. Jesus was not afraid to answer the Pharisees’ criticism, to stand up to them and tell them what the kingdom of God is all about. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to empower us, to give us the courage to stand up for what we belief, even if it seems so at odds with what is popular and acceptable in our secular society. May we truly live out the Gospel of Life in our lives.

Let us pray:

Most precious Lord, you dwelt within the womb of your dear mother, sanctifying the womb, and elevating the dignity of all human life. We pray today for the full legal protection of every unborn child. We pray that every heart that supports abortion will be changed so as to experience the freedom that comes from living in God’s truth. May we offer to you this day: all our sufferings and sacrifices to help atone for every violation against human dignity, especially those committed through acts of abortion. Please bring healing, hope, and freedom to all. Mother Mary, pray for us and for our country. Jesus, we trust in you. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, AMEN.

Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln.

31 January 2023 - St John Bosco - Tuesday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 5:21-43

     The Saint we celebrate today in John Bosco, who was born in Sardinia in 1815.  While a youth in Turin, Italy, Bosco was encouraged to become a priest so he could work with youth.  He was ordained to the priesthood in 1841.  His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan in Turin.  He instructed him in preparation for receiving First Holy Communion. He then gathered young apprentices together and taught them the catechism. After serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, Bosco opened the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy patrons contributed money for this endeavor, enabling him to provide two workshops for the boys, teaching them shoemaking and tailoring skills.  He became renowned for his ministry to youth, gathering other young priests together in this work and under the encouragement of Pope Pius IX, he founded the religious order of the Salesians in 1859, and later founded an order of Salesian sisters to work with girls.  He is one of the patron saints of children and youth, especially youth who are struggling in life.  

   We hear in the Gospel today how the crowds recognized Jesus’ power to heal.  Among those who came to healing was Jairus, the synagogue official, who wanted Jesus to heal his daughter, who was at the point of death, and the woman who was afflicted with hemorrhages for many years. Jesus had compassion for those who were suffered and afflicted who came to him for help, just as St John Bosco had compassion for those children and youth he saw who were struggling and suffering.  May their example inspire us to also reach out to those in need around us.  

5 February 2023 - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Isaiah 58:7-10

    We hear a well-known, short Gospel message this morning, with two vivid images of what we are to be as disciples of Christ.  We are to be the salt of the earth, to season the earth with our presence as Christ’s disciples. We are also to be a light shining in the midst of the darkness, turmoil, and instability of our world. When I read today’s Gospel, I wondered: What would these images mean to the people of Jesus’ day?  

      In the ancient world, salt was a highly valued commodity. The Romans had a saying: "There is nothing more useful than sun and salt."  In Jesus’ day, people connected salt with purity because it came from what they considered the purest of things, from the sun and from the sea.  They believed it was salt that kept the seas pure. Salt was also one of the most basic offerings the people offered up to the gods, as Jewish sacrifices were offered with salt. So when Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth, he calls us to be an example of purity, to exercise that purity in all aspects of life: in our speech, our conduct, and our thoughts. In our modern world, we have refrigeration and many different methods to preserve foods, but in the ancient world, salt would have been the most common way to preserve food. As the salt of the earth, Christians can have an influence on life and on society in the way salt serves to preserve food, in defeating corruption and bad influences, in making it easier for others to turn to what is good.  St Pope John Paul II challenged the youth on World Youth Day in 2002: “As the salt of the earth, you are called to preserve the faith that you receive and to pass that faith on to others. Your generation is being challenged in a special way to keep safe the deposit of faith.” John Paul II connects this to our baptism, by stating: “The salt which keeps our Christian identity intact even in a very secularized world is the grace of baptism.”  As the salt of the earth, we are called to truly care about the world, to care about its well-being: to bring the joy of Christ to others, to open up the world to Christ’s message, to bring our Christian values and moral principles to our world, making a contribution to the development of our culture and society. 

      Just a sprinkling of salt transforms a piece of meat. Likewise, a pinch of salt from our souls can add flavor to the lives of hundreds, or even thousands. Just as salt adds flavor to food, so the life of a Christian adds flavor to the lives of others by showing them the light of God.  I love this quote by Canadian philosopher, theologian, and educator Jean Vanier: “We are not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.” Yes, being light and salt in our world is truly possible, truly attainable in those little ordinary things we do in life. 

    It is worth reflecting upon how our other readings call us to be light and salt. Isaiah calls us to “share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and (do) not turn your back on your own….Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday”  Rev James Stewart, a renowned preacher from the Church of Scotland, states this: “The greatest threat to Christianity is not communism, atheism, materialism, or humanism. It is Christians trying to sneak into heaven incognito without ever sharing their faith, without ever living out the Christian life as salt of the earth and light of the world.”  Let us be salt.  Let us be light. 

     These are great readings today to hear as we have Bishop Kopacz introduce the Catholic Service Appeal this year.  We will listen to an audio message from him.  

3 February 2022 - Friday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time - Hebrews 13:1-8

      We come to our last reading from the letter to the Hebrews today in our daily Mass. We have been hearing from Hebrews for the past several weeks. Next week, in our daily Masses, our first readings will come from the book of Genesis.  

       As I reflected upon our readings from the letter to the Hebrews, I thought about how letter writing has become a lost art in the modern world.  Things like Facebook, Instagram, texts, phone calls, and emails have almost made letter obsolete. Especially when I lived overseas as a missionary, I used to write a lot of letters a lot, but now I rarely send a letter.  

        This last part of the letter to the Hebrews gives a lot of practical advice. We may ask ourselves how we welcome the stranger or reach out to the prisoner, how we give thanks for what we have in life, how we help the oppressed and marginalized, and how we remember and give thanks for those who passed down the faith to us. To that last point, a good friend of my mom’s contacted me several months into the pandemic. She now lives in Texas. She was my sponsor when I entered the Church back in 1992 in California. She was a co-worker of my mom’s at the public library where they both worked. She was incredibly kind to my mom when my mom had breast cancer.  It is so wonderful to be able to be in contact with someone who had a key role in my life of faith.  And I give thanks for her. 

        I want to close by mentioning St Blaise, the saint we celebrate today. His feast day is connected to the traditional blessing of the throats with candles, one of the beloved devotional traditions of our faith.  St Blaise, a bishop in Sebastea, Armenia, was martyred in 316, only 5 years after religious tolerance was granted to Christianity in the Roman Empire. During the religious persecutions that still raged there even in this era of supposed tolerance, Blaise hid out and lived as a hermit in solitude and prayer. Legend has it that as Blaise was captured, but when he was being hauled off to prison, he came upon a mother and her young son. The young son was choking on a fish bone lodged in his throat.  At Blaise's command, the boy coughed up the bone and his life was saved.  After repeated beatings and torture for refusing to worship foreign idols, Blaise was beheaded and has long been remembered as a martyr of our faith. We will now offer the traditional blessing of throats in honor of St Blaise.  

         

2 February 2023 - Homily for the Feast of Presentation of the Lord - Friday – Luke 2:22 - 32

      As we place our emphasis on Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our Christian faith, perhaps it is easy for us to forget that Jesus was raised in a devout Jewish household. Mary and Joseph faithfully observed all of the prescribed rituals and obligations of their Jewish faith. Forty days after Jesus’ birth, the Holy Family made the journey to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the prescription of the Jewish law that obligated them to present Jesus to God. This law stated that “every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord."  As prescribed by law, Mary and Joseph presented the sacrificial offering of two turtledoves.

         Conscientiously and lovingly, Mary and Joseph observed the Jewish faith traditions of their ancestors, even though these traditions demanded considerable sacrifice of them to make the arduous journey to Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph taught Jesus well, as he carried out these Jewish faith traditions throughout his adult life and ministry, interpreting these traditions in the light of his identity as the Son of God. 

         We note that for the Holy Family and for Jesus, there is no contradiction between their commitment to the prescribed Jewish rituals and their personal spirituality and personal relationship with God.  As integral members of the Jewish faith community, the faith of Mary and Joseph was grounded in the ritual traditions of the Jewish people, rituals that sustained the community for generations. These same rituals sustained the Holy Family as they passed on their Jewish faith to Jesus. 

         In our society, people often see a tension between being religious in a ritualistic sense and being spiritual, in devoting ourselves to the pious practices of our faith and obeying the laws of God in practicing social justice and in reaching out to our neighbor, to the poor, to the oppressed.  May we follow the example of the Holy Family that we celebrate today on the feast of the presentation of the Lord. May we have a balance faith that follows all of God’s laws and commandments in the reality of our lives.  

Prayers of the faithful - feast of the presentation of the Lord - 2 February 2023 - Thursday

Lord Jesus, as a child, you were presented by your parents in the Temple. 

Christ Jesus, you grew up in holiness. 

Lord Jesus, you are the son of God and the son of Mary. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

On this Feast day of the Presentation of the Lord, we join with the prayers of Jesus, Mary and Joseph ,presenting our prayers and ourselves to the Lord:

1. For the whole Church that, inspired by the Holy Spirit with wisdom and knowledge, we may follow the example of Simeon and Anna in making Jesus and his mission known to the world.

2. For all the children of our world, that they may be loved and cherished by their families and by the society in which they live.

3. For all who live under the constant threat of violence and the shadow of war, that all people will turn from violence to peace. We want to pray in a special way for a stop to violence and crime here in the Jackson metro area. 

4. For all young people who are preparing this year for their First Holy Communion or to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, that they will always keep Jesus at the center of their lives.

5. For all who are bereaved and for those who are sick or suffering in any way. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. 

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

Heavenly Father, you have given us Jesus your Son, the light of the world. May we always walk in his light and live by his truth. We make these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN. 

 

1 February 2023 - Wednesday of the 4th week of Ordinary Time - Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15

   We have been hearing from the letter to the Hebrews in our daily masses these past several weeks. Today’s message from Hebrews tells us to look at the pains and sufferings that we have in our lives, but that we should not be discouraged by these experiences, nor should we take them lightly. The Hebrews saw their trials and sufferings as a form or punishment or rejection by God, but, the author of Hebrews advises them to approach these trials instead as a form of discipline or training, not as retribution from God. 

      Throughout the history of Christianity, humans have wondered why God would allow us to suffer if he was omniscient and all-powerful.  The great medieval Catholic philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas outlined two criteria for human suffering.  First, he asserted that humans suffer when we are not able to be who we ought to be, when we are not able to realize our full potential.  Second, we suffer when we are kept from the desire of our hearts.  Notice that Aquinas does not list physical pain as a necessary component of human suffering.  According to Aquinas, God allows us to suffer because it brings us closer to our full potential and to the desires of our heart, even if it doesn’t seem that way at first. An interesting idea for us to ponder.  

     I always enjoy when we have our readings from the Letter to the Hebrews in our Daily Masses.  It is perhaps a rather neglected book of the Bible, but has such a great richness and depth upon which we can reflect.  

24 January 2023 - prayers of the faithful - 3rd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - You call us to be missionary in spirit. 

Christ Jesus - You bring us hope. 

Lord Jesus - You bring us Good News. 

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

1. For Pope Francis: that God will renew him, bring healing to him in his poor health, and help him lead the Church to greater service, love and unity. 

2.  As we celebrate St Francis de Sales in this week of prayer for Christian unity, we pray that we may cooperate and collaborate with Christians everywhere to proclaim the Gospel and to work for peace and justice.  

3. For all who are called to bear prophetic witness: that their witness to the truth may touch hearts and be an opportunity for deeper conversion for all God’s people. 

4. For our elected officials: that the Spirit will guide them in addressing the issues of violence, injustice, and poverty, and to work more diligently for those who are oppressed or forgotten by society. 

5. For healing of families and communities: that those touched by violence, anger, division, or addictions may heal and reconcile and be brought to wholeness. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our heart:

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

prayers of the faithful - feast of the conversion of St Paul - 25 January 2023

Lord Jesus - You call us to a life of discipleship. 

Christ Jesus - You as the son of the living God. 

Lord Jesus - You call us to be missionary in spirit. 

Priest: In company with St Paul and all the community of saints, let us confidently turn to our merciful Father with our prayers:

1. For Francis our Pope, Jospeh Kopacz our bishop, and all Church leaders, that they will strengthen us in the apostolic faith. 

2. For the leaders of all the nations, that they will strive to protect the Church from persecution and harassment.

3. For all who are suffering for who they are or for what they believe, that they will find strength in the Lord, who is at their side.

4. For all who are sick or housebound and for those

who have died recently, that they will know Christ's saving love.

5. For our Christian community, that apostles, prophets, and teachers will build us up as the Body of Christ. 

6. For all who are in distress, that they may place their trust in God who rescues the poor and shelters all who seek refuge.

Priest:  God of saints and sinners, by the power of the Holy Spirit, St Paul bore courageous witness to the death and resurrection of your Son. Hear our prayer for your blessings, that we may be more faithful witnesses to the truth of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, both now and for ever. Amen. 

26 January 2023 - prayers of the faithful - third week of ordinary time - St Timothy and St Titus

Lord Jesus - you call us to discipleship. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim the kingdom of God. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us healing and strength. 

As we honor St Timothy and St Titus today from the Early Church, we now present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That our Church would be renewed with the Holy Spirit working within us as individuals and as a community, making us dynamic witnesses of Christ’s Gospel.

2. That the Gospel of life would motivate our words and our actions, helping us to reach out to the vulnerable in society. 

3. That all of us may be more missionary in sprit, reaching out to our brothers and sisters in need. 

4. That we would take steps in striving toward Christian unity, working in collaboration with all our Christian brothers and sisters outside of the Catholic faith.  

5. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for the souls in purgatory.  

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

We make our prayers out of faith and obedience through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

Prayers of the faithful - Friday of 3rd week in Ordinary Time - 27 January 2023

Lord Jesus - You are the son of the living God.

Christ Jesus - You are our savior and our redeemer. 

Lord Jesus - You nourish us with your body and blood. 

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

1. For the Church: that we may hear God’s call to discipleship and seek first the kingdom of God in our lives. 

2. For the grace of freedom: that we may know freedom of mind and heart so that we can serve those in need around us, free from the expectations and demands of society.

3. For all who strive to hear the call to discipleship: that God’s word may touch their hearts and guide them into a deeper knowledge of God. 

4. For all who feel impelled to violence: that the Spirit of God will calm their anger and help them recognize each person as a child of God. 

5. For all who are recovering from natural disasters and winter weather: that God will protect them from further harm and guide them to the resources that they need to recover. 

6. For the prayers in the silence of our hearts:

We present these prayers with humble hearts through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.

Reflection on the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 29 January 2023

    In the era in which the Beatitudes were written in Matthew’s Gospel , there was a lot of discrimination and oppression being experienced in the Early Church. In those days, the definition of a saint was someone who was martyred for the faith. Persecutions were common for those who followed Jesus in the centuries before Christianity became officially recognized as a lawful religion in the Roman Empire. Living out the Beatitude of bring persecuted for the sake of righteousness was a big part of daily life for the early Christians. Today, increasingly, Christians around the world are being persecuted for the faith. Here in modern America, opposing the death penalty and abortion, having a sacramental view of marriage between a man and a woman, and declaring human life as beginning at conception can bring about derision and persecution in our own lived reality. Jesus gives us the courage to proclaim his Gospel and his values in our words and our actions. He calls us blessed when we have the conviction to proclaim to the world what we believe. In that way, we are blessed. In that way, we are lights in the world, in the way we dialogue with the world and give voice to the values of the Gospel. May all of you have the courage and strength to live out the values of the Gospel in your daily lives. Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln.  

29 January 2023 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Introduction: God’s word reaches out to us today in the weeks of Ordinary Time before we begin the holy season of Lent.  As we contemplate the rich message of the Beatitudes today, may our hearts be open to the ways God’s grace is at work in our lives.  

Lord Jesus - you call us to holiness.  

Christ Jesus - you bless us in the midst of our lived reality. 

Lord Jesus - you are the word of God made flesh. 

Priest; Let us now come in faith and confidence to the Lord, that the Lord will hear our prayers and be attentive to those in need:

1. For God’s holy Church, that its teachings may give us hope and that our ministry may give support to those in need, we pray to the Lord. 

2. For the leaders of the nations, that they may find peaceful ways to settle conflicts and disagreements.  We pray for those places that are torn apart by war, terrorism, and violence, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For those struggling with addiction, depression, and mental illness, for their families and loved ones, we pray to the Lord. 

4. For teachers and school administrators, for all those who help educate our children and expand their natural curiosity. We pray for our Catholic and public schools, we pray to the Lord. 

5. For those who are unable to join us at Mass today due to age, illness, or disability, that they may know the goodness of the Lord through our Church and through relatives, friends, and neighbors, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord. 

Priest: As we hear Christ bless us in the Beatitudes today, we come to you O heavenly Father with our prayers and concerns, which we present through your Son, for he is our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 2nd week in Ordinary Time - 20 January 2023

Lord Jesus, you bring us hope.  Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus, you bring us joy.  Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you call us to renew our spirits.  Lord have mercy.  

Priest - The Lord raises up those who are bowed down.  Let us bring forward our prayers to God with confidence.

1. For all religious leaders, especially Pope Francis and Bishop Joseph Kopacz,  that their own faith may be genuine and sincere and an example for their flock. 

2. For Christians everywhere, that they may be merciful and generous in spirit.  

3. For those who are struggling and suffering in life, that they may place their trust in God and feel encouragement in their faith. 

4. For those who grieve.  For those faithful departed whom we remember in the depths of our hearts.  May God give us comfort and hope in our grief.  

5. For those who have been affected by natural disasters and the winter weather.  

6.  For the sick and shut-in.  For those in the hospital, hospice, and nursing home.  

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

Priest -  Lord, you support those in sorrow or pain: help us in all our needs as we make our prayers through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the faithful - 19 January 2023 - 2nd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you preached the Good News in word and action, Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus, you reached out to the poor and the suffering. 

Lord Jesus, you bring us your Father’s love. 

PRIEST: My brothers and sisters, let us now bring our prayers to God, who is our help and our refuge. 

1. For Christians who are attacked and criticized for their faith and who are suffering persecution, that they may hold firm in the face of every trial. 

2. That our Church leaders and governmental leaders may lead the people in the message of the Gospel of life, respecting human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.  

3. For the grace to support and reach out to those who are depressed or suffering from mental illness or who are turning to addictions, may we help them in their time of need.  

4.  For all who struggle with illness, of mind or body or spirit, that their way of the cross lead them to a deeper faith and may their feel the presence of Christ accompanying them.  

5. In this week of prayer for Christianity unity, we prayer that all Christians throughout the world may come together in unity and solidarity to help others and to proclaim the Gospel.  

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. 

7. For those prayers we hold in our hearts today, and for all the prayers offered in today’s mass.  

PRIEST:  O Lord our God, your love reaches out to us in the reality of our lives.  Come to our help, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

prayers of the faithful - 2nd week in Ordinary Time - 18 January 2023

Lord Jesus - you are our priest, prophet, and king. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to be your disciples.  

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and our Redeemer. 

Priest: Ever mindful that Jesus is always there for us, we now present our prayers to God with faith and hope: 

1. For all the members of Christ’s body and for the Church, that we may be faithful witnesses to the light of Christ in the world. 

2. For the leaders of this world, that they learn to listen for the voice of God as they lead the people in God’s wisdom and truth. 

3. For our first responders, for our medical professionals, and for the men and women serving in the military, that God may keep them safe and give them courage in their service. 

4. For the Gospel of Life, that we may respect human life and God’s creation in our words and our actions, and we pray that all children, born and unborn, may be protected in law and welcomed in love.

5. For our Holy Father’s Intention for January 2023: For educators
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.

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

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, may we hear your voice and open our hearts to your will. Please help us to use our gifts and talents to love and serve others. We make these prayers through your son, for he is our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the faithful - 2nd week of Ordinary Time - 17 January 2023

Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. 

Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary.

Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh. 

Lord God of wonder, as we reflect upon we you reveal yourself to us in your son, we bring our prayers to you this evening: 

1. For all who seek to follow Christ, we pray that we may follow him more closely each day.  

2. For for healing and wholeness for those afflicted in body, mind or spirit.  

3. For all married couples, that the Lord may bless them in their joys and their struggles, in their children, family members, and friends. 

4. For more love and kindness in the world, for a great sense of thanksgiving and gratitude.  

5. For an end to all violence in our homes and in our communities. 

6. For our children and youth, may the Lord continue to lead them and guide them in their studies and activities this school year.  

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

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

29 January 2023 - Beatitudes - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 5:1-12A

     A lot of simple things can bring us happiness on one level or another, such as blowing bubbles.  Yet, there is just one problem with that kind of happiness, as it just lasts a moment.  We may want to hold onto a bubble, but the moment we reach out  touch it, poof, it bursts.  Or when we cannot reach the bubble in time, it bursts anyways when it hits the ground.

      We can compare some of the happiness we reach for in life to the short time a bubble lasts. Sometime the happiness we try to grasp for in life is out of reach or we just can’t get to it in time. Or, there are times when we think we have happiness in the palm of our hand, and the bubble suddenly bursts, much to our surprise, and that happiness is gone. 

      What are some of the things people chase in their search of happiness, putting them above everything else? It could be money, food, pleasure, career advancement, material possessions, or being popular with friends or co-workers. It’s not that these things are bad in themselves. Many of these things bring us a lot of pleasure. They can be very positive and life-giving for us when not taken to the extreme. But if we make any of them our priority and see them as the key to happiness, then we’ll be disappointed.

       Jesus knew that people often look for happiness and fulfillment in the wrong places. In the beatitudes, he even suggested that we might be happy or blessed if we were poor in spirit, mourning, merciful, hungry for righteousness, or persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Why would Jesus suggest that? We don’t usually look at those things as bringing us happiness.

       When we’re poor in spirit, when we are dependent on God, it is easier for us to trust in God for what is important in life. When we are poor in spirit, we don’t rely on our wealth or possessions or the values of the secular world for happiness. When we’re poor in spirit, we can then turn everything over to God, making God the true foundation of our lives.

       When we mourn, when we cry in the midst of our sadness and our struggles, we put our trust in God to comfort us and to ease our pain. In our mourning, in the trust we put in God, we have the opportunity to unite our sorrows to the sufferings that Christ endured in his passion and journey to the cross.

        When we hunger for righteousness, we are better able to understand that there are many levels of hunger beyond our physical hunger for food. We hunger for justice, for meaning, and for a deeper personal relationship with God. As we recognize our physical hunger for food and the other hungers we have, we can then understand that the most basic hunger we have as human beings is a spiritual hunger to connect with God in our lives here on earth. Only God can satisfy this hunger that’s an essential part of our human condition. 

       When we’re merciful, when we show mercy to others, then we can truly appreciate the mercy God offers us as a freely given gift. God gives us this gift of mercy, waiting for us to respond, to accept it, and to pass this mercy on to others.

       When we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, by strangers, by neighbors, or even by our family and friends, we realize what a true friend we have in Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ is a companion who never leaves us. He is always there for us in good times and bad times, in our persecutions and our joys.

        All of us want to find happiness in life, isn't that true?  But we shouldn't waste our time chasing bubbles for a happiness that doesn’t last, for a happiness that doesn’t matter in the long run. We should look to God.  God is our true source of happiness.

27 January 2023 - St Angela Merici - Friday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time -

     Earlier this week, on Tuesday we commemorated the feast day of St Francis de Sales, who with Sister Jane Frances de Chantal, he helped found the Sisters of the Visitation in 1610.  I worked with some Sisters of the Visitation from the country of Chile when I served as a missionary in Ecuador.  I have a lot of respect for that congregation and their work. St Angela Merici, the saint we celebrate today, was born in 1474, a century before St Francis de Sales.  She was also a very ground breaking and influential figure in the Church in her era, having the distinction of founding the first “secular institute” and the first teaching order of women in the Church.  When we see the influence Catholic sisters and consecrated Catholic lay women have had in Catholic schools and in the field of education throughout the centuries, we can better appreciate the contributions of Angela Merici.  

    Being orphaned as a child, she had a lot of obstacles to overcome in her life.  She joined the third order Franciscans as a young woman, but later, at the age of 60, with 12 other women, she founded the Company of St. Ursula, which was named for a patroness of universities in medieval Europe.  This Company of St Ursula constituted a new way of life, of single women consecrated to Christ and living in the world rather than as nuns in a convent. These women did not live in community, wore no special clothing, and made no formal vows, so it was quite different from living the life of a nun. Four years after her death in 1540, the rule of life that Angela wrote for this group of women was approved; it prescribed for them the practices of chastity, poverty, and obedience. 

     We hear about seed scattered on different types of soil in our Gospel today, of how God’s word is received in different ways.  We give thanks for those people throughout history such as Angela Merici who have provided fertile soil for God’s word and who are great examples of faith for us.  

26 January 2023 - Thursday - Feast of St Timothy and St Titus - 2 Timothy 1:1-8

      Yesterday, we celebrated the feast of the conversion of St Paul. Today, we celebrate two of Paul’s compassions: Timothy and Titus. Timothy served as the administrator of the important community of Christ's followers in Ephesus, while Titus served the Church in Crete. In the beginning of his second letter to Timothy, St Paul recalls the importance of the Holy Spirit in the gift of our faith, as well as how our faith has been passed down to us, with Timothy being greatly influenced by the faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.  

      The faith of our fathers and mothers, of our grandparents and our ancestors, lives on in our faith today. I would bet that many of us at Mass here today would testify that we have had our lives of faith greatly influenced by the faith of our parents and grandparents.  We see how the elders of our parish influence the faith of our younger members. This aspect of our faith has not changed very much since the time of Paul, Timothy, and Titus. 

        St Paul exhorts Timothy to stir into flame the gift of God that he has received, telling him, “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control.” Truly living our faith with enthusiasm and zeal, discerning the will of God for us, and trying to follow God’s will: this is what it means to stir into flame the gifts and the blessings that God has given to us. 

        Our lives of faith are not always easy as we all have our ups and downs in life. Sometimes, it is difficult to have joy and enthusiasm on our faith journey. Some days, maybe going through the motions is the best we can do. Paul, Titus, and Timothy suffered hardship and persecution on their journey, but their steadfastness and the grace of God kept their faith alive and helped them persevere on their journey.  May the faith of our fathers and mothers, may the faith of the great missionaries such as Paul, Timothy, and Titus, stir the flame of faith within us, keeping it alive and vibrant. 

25 January 2023 - feast of the Conversion of St Paul - Acts 22:3-16

      In the history of our Catholic faith, perhaps no faith conversion has had greater consequence than that of St. Paul’s. Paul had not been ambivalent toward the Church before his conversion. We hear him testify very honestly about his faith journey throughout his letters in the New Testament, including the reading we hear today. To the contrary, it appears that Paul was never ambivalent about anything in life, as he had actively persecuted the Church prior to his conversion. At the very least, Paul stood by while Stephen was stoned to death in the days of the early Church. Paul may have even thrown some of the stones himself that killed Stephen. But Paul was converted and transformed in an astonishing way. It was God who changed him, not Paul on his own. Through Paul’s transformation, the history of Christianity was transformed as well. We can say that Paul’s conversion also transformed the history of the world. Today’s feast celebrates Paul’s conversion and transformation.  

       We might wonder what would have happened if Paul’s conversion never took place, if he had remained a zealous jew and had continued to persecute the Church, never converting to the way of Jesus and not expanding the Gospel message to the Gentiles, not going on his missionary journeys. Without St Paul’s conversion, the world itself, not just the Church, would be a very different place than it is today. Perhaps if it was not for Paul, Christianity would have remained confined to Israel and may not have expanded throughout the Roman Empire. We will never know.  

      As we celebrate Paul’s conversion today, let us think about all the ways we still need conversion in our own lives.  Let us pray with St Paul for the conversion of our brothers and sisters. The conversion of our lives and our hearts. 

24 January 2022 - Memorial of St Francis de Sales - Tuesday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time - Psalm 40

     Francis de Sales was born in Savoy region of Europe in what is now southeastern France in 1567 to a wealthy family.  In that era, Europe going through a lot of turmoil and division in the years after the Protestant Reformation. His family hoped he would become a lawyer, for which he studied in the university, but he felt called to serve God in the Church. After his ordination to the priesthood, he was appointed to serve as a priest in the region around Lake Geneva in Switzerland, a center of Protestant Calvinism, not the easiest place to serve as a Catholic pastor. He later was named as Bishop of Geneva in 1602. He traveled around the region on foot, living in poverty and often being threatened by the population that was hostile to Catholicism. 

      I think of the refrain we hear proclaimed in the psalm today: “Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.”  Francis de Sales listened to where God’s will was guiding him in a very challenging reality. With Sister Jane Frances de Chantal, he helped found the Sisters of the Visitation, a group of religious sisters who were to practice the virtues that Mary exemplified in her visit to her cousin Elizabeth: humility, charity, and piety. Francis de Sales had a strong sense of identity in his Catholic faith and in his priestly vocation. He was named as Doctor of The Church in 1877 and as the patron saint of educators, journalists, and writers.     

        Francis’ writings on holiness and spirituality have a great influence on our faith, even today. Here is one wonderful quote from him: “It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy, but those who have the greatest courage, the greatest generosity, the greatest love, who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves, and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping.” St Francis de Sales, pray for us. 

Reflection on Word of God Sunday - 22 January 2023

      Back on September 30, 2019, on the memorial of the great Scripture scholar St. Jerome, Pope Francis announced that each year on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we will celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God in our Church’s liturgical calendar. The Pope’s intention is that through this celebration, Catholics will grow in the study, learning, and love of Holy Scripture.  

      I look at myself as a priest, at how the Word of God is at the center of my life in so many ways. In the homily that I present at the Mass, which I spend a considerable amount of time preparing, I as a priest am asked by the Church to reflect upon the Word of God that is proclaimed at Mass.  We look at the crisis of faith that is present in the United States and in many parts of the world today. Many people used the pandemic as an excuse to walk away from the faith or to disengage from the Church.  Perhaps getting back to the Word of God as a central part of our faith journey is one of the ways of reengaging people with our Catholic faith. Pope Francis has called all of us to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus, no matter where we are on our journey. Meeting Jesus in Sacred Scripture is an essential way we encounter him, for which there is no substitution. 

     A good way to increase the role of the Word of God in our lives is to read Sacred Scripture on a daily basis.  Many people have followed a popular podcast this past year that encourage them to read the Bible in a year. Attending some of the daily Masses or reading the Scripture readings for daily Mass is a great way to increase the place of the Word of God in our lives. Blessings to all of you as we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God this weekend.  Father Lincoln.