tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69496644554413857592024-03-15T18:10:43.220-07:00A Catholic Priest in Mississippi This is a blog of homilies, reflections, and photos from a Roman Catholic priest serving in the Diocese of Jackson in the state of Mississippi. Currently, I am the pastor of Holy Savior in Clinton and Immaculate Conception in Raymond. I also serve as Vicar General of the Diocese. Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.comBlogger6018125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-87300154379136660022024-03-15T14:07:00.000-07:002024-03-15T14:07:45.352-07:00prayers of the faithful - 31 March 2024 - Easter Morning<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Introduction - We rejoice that this is the day the Lord has made. God’s love reaches out to all of us today on Easter morning. By Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, he has conquered sin and defeated death. A new life has dawned, as God’s love survives sin and overcomes death. Jesus has shown us the way to the Father. May the promise of the resurrection fill us with hope and lead us to eternal life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, you are the risen Christ.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus, you were anointed by God with the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, you will come again to judge the living and the dead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Filled with joy by the promise of the resurrection, we bring our prayers to God with hope and trust:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. That by our mercy and compassion we in the Church may raise our brothers and sisters out of their pain and suffering, sharing the good news of the risen Christ with them, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. That the peace that Christ brings may extend to the nations of the world, filling their hearts with justice and healing, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For all who entered the Church at the Easter vigil Mass yesterday evening, that they may grow in love of the Lord as they live as children of the light, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For all who suffer from illness, hunger, isolation, or neglect, that their burdens may be lifted by Christ’s continuing mission in the world, we pray to the Lord. 5. For the sick and shut-in, for all who cannot be at Mass with us today, that they may feel our love and prayers reaching out to them, we pray to the Lord. 6. May our Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and work of charity continue in our daily lives in the joyful Easter season, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: God of creation, out of love, you have given us your only begotten son and you have raised him from the dead. We make our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, for he is our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-22020223031700043832024-03-15T14:06:00.000-07:002024-03-15T14:08:00.695-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Easter Vigil Mass - 30 March 2024<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Our joy on this holy night gives us the confidence to place our trust in God for all things. Let present our prayers for our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For the holy Church, that by word and example, we may always proclaim the glory of the resurrection of the Lord in the midst of our lived reality, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. That the peace that God has willed from the very moment of creation may grow in our hearts, in our families, in our community, and in the whole world, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For the newly baptized and the newly initiated members of our Christian family here and throughout the world, that they may grow in our new life in Christ Jesus, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For Christians around the world, that our faith in the resurrection may lead us to seek true unity in Christ, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For all of us gathered at Mass this evening, that just as Christ was raised from the dead, that we too might live in newness of life, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: God of love and mercy, you raised your only begotten son from the dead to eternal life with you. Raise us out of sin and death into new life with you. We present our prayers to you this evening through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-5405861226150102512024-03-15T14:05:00.000-07:002024-03-15T14:05:33.675-07:00 Bulletin reflection - Easter Weekend - 30 March 2024 and 31 March 2024 <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Easter has arrived! It is wonderful to celebrate Holy Week and the Easter season as a community of faith. I want to welcome all of you to Mass this weekend, especially our out-of-town guests and family members. I have enjoyed journeying through the Lenten season with all of you as we have explored the theme of gratitude. I have enjoyed praying the stations of the cross on Friday evenings and the Lenten meals we have had together as a parish faith community. We look forward to a joyful Easter season together as we celebrate Easter weekend and as we journey toward the celebration of Pentecost.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The disciples tried to make sense of what they encountered in the empty tomb on Easter morning. We must make sense of the resurrected Christ in the reality of our lives and our world, especially with all the confusing messages and noise that we hear in our secular world. We are called to live out the reality of the resurrection in our lives each day. Our celebration of the Easter season will help us make sense of this reality. Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-77711085713186343632024-03-15T14:03:00.000-07:002024-03-15T14:04:08.749-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Holy Thursday - 28 March 2024<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Introduction: We begin the Paschal Triduum this evening, the three-day remembrance of Christ's passion, crucifixion, and resurrection. We are called to remember how Christ’s life ended here on earth, in triumph disguised as defeat. This evening on Holy Thursday we hear how Jesus gave his disciples a model for the mission of the Church, as he came to them as a servant on his knees to wash their feet. May Jesus’ lesson be a model for us as proclaim his passion, death, and rising to the world. May we continue to be of service to our neighbor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Penitential rite - Priest</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, you washed the feet of your disciples.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus, you gave us the Eucharist as the everlasting memorial of your light and life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, you summon us to your table of reconciliation and peace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Animated by the love that Jesus shows humanity as he washed the feet of the disciples and commanded us to do likewise, we turn to God with our needs and the needs of the world:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For the Church, that with love and compassion, we may serve those in need just as Jesus served his disciples at the Last Supper, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. For those who are suffering in pain, in grief, or from want, that their burden may be lifted through God’s mercy, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For all who dedicate their lives to both ordained and lay ministry, that they may be renewed in mind and spirit as they serve God’s mission, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, that our prayers to God be united with their prayers, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For our faith communities of Holy Savior and Immaculate Conception, especially for those who will be received into the Church on this upcoming Easter weekend, that our participation during these holy days renew in us our mission to serve one another, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: God of the eternal covenant, you so loved the world that you gave us your only son to live for us, to die for us, and to guide us to you. We ask that you inspire us to serve one another. We make our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-71905226439697485402024-03-15T14:02:00.000-07:002024-03-15T14:02:18.356-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of Holy Week - 27 March 2024 <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you reach out to us in our brokenness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus - you bring us that hope of our faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you call us to conversion and renewal. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">PRIEST: In faith and trust, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father as we journey with Jesus during Holy Week: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. That God will lead us to forgiveness and healing in our live. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. For those who are struggling on their journey of faith, that our commemoration of Holy Week touch their hearts and encourage them on their journey. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For our first responders, for our medical professionals, for veterans, and for the men and women serving in the military. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For our sick and shut-in: that God’s love will renew them and strengthen them and bring them healing in body, mind, and spirit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life. And for the souls in a process of purification in purgatory. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">PRIEST: With humble hearts, we present these prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-32559046769592186462024-03-15T14:01:00.000-07:002024-03-15T14:02:31.580-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of Holy Week - 26 March 2024 <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you call us to reconciliation and healing . </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus - you bring us hope. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you call us to conversion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In faith and trust, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father as we commemorate Holy Week: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. That our journey of faith will inspire us to reach out to others in spiritual and corporal works of mercy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. That we will work toward forgiveness and healing in our own lives and in our community. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. That we in the Church may be witnesses to the truth and freedom of our faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For healing for the sick and the shut-in, for those in the hospital, hospice, and nursing home. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. That God will strengthen all our families in faith, hope, and love. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With humble hearts, we present these prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-23098323895616411082024-03-15T13:58:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:58:50.783-07:00 30 March 2024 - Easter Vigil Mass - Mark 16:1-7 - Exodus 14:15—15:1 - Isaiah 55:1-11 - Baruch 3:9-15 and 32--4:4<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The liturgy of the Easter Vigil Mass is symbolized by the darkness of the night. The darkness represents the darkness in the world, the darkness in the universe, the darkness in our human hearts. But there is power and hope in the darkness as a light is struck. The darkness is broken by Christ the light. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The symbolism of a light in the midst of darkness speaks to us at our Easter Vigil mass. As the Easter fire spread throughout our community with the lighting of our individual candles, as the Easter proclamation is sung while the Paschal candle came front and center in the church, we saw how the light of Christ enters our world. The light that God sends into the world is present in different ways that we hear in our readings tonight. God sent his light into the world when he created it. He lit the way for the people of Israel to be liberated from slavery and oppression. God sends us life giving water to refresh us and bring us new life through the message of the prophet Isaiah and through the passion, death, and resurrection of his Son.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tonight, we celebrate the Easter mysteries in a special way with our catechumen and our candidates who are entering the Church and whole will received first Holy Eucharist for the first time. This is an exciting evening for all of us as we celebrate our Catholic faith and the resurrection of our Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From the beginning of time, human beings have searched for meaning and for something greater than themselves. The search can bring us some wonderful, unexpected joys. But, unfortunately, that search can also lead us to some dark, foreboding places as well. Tonight, we know that this search that we undertake as Catholics is to lead us to only one place: to the salvation, redemption, and new life that we have in our Lord. The saints have accompanied us on our journey this evening and we invoke their presence through the litany of saints. The saints are here in their prayers and intercessions, uniting with us around the altar of the Lord on this joyful night. With us tonight are saints who accompanied Jesus during his earthly journey – John the Baptist, Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and Mary of Magdala. With us tonight are saints who were preachers of the word: Paul, Francis of Assisi, and Pope John XXIII. With us tonight are holy men and women who lived their faith in the reality of their world: Teresa of Avila, Benedict, and Elizabeth Ann Seton. We unite our prayers with those of the saints and we ask for their continued help on our journey.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Easter Vigil mass fills our hearts with joy tonight with the light of the paschal candle, the smell of the incense and the sounds of the bells, the joyful Easter hymns sung by the choir, and the Gospel message of Christ’s resurrection, of the ladies who come to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body only to find the tomb empty. The stone has been rolled back from the entrance to the tomb. Jesus has risen! May the joy of the Easter season that fills our hearts help us remove those stone that are holding us down. Tonight is not an end. As we continue our journey through the Easter season in the upcoming weeks, may we continue to allow the Easter mysteries to convert our heart and live in our daily lives. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-90644729828435097002024-03-15T13:53:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:53:56.871-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Palm Sunday - 24 March 2024<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Lord Jesus - in your words and actions, you reveal your Father’s love - Lord have mercy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus, in your passion and death, you emptied yourself for our sake - Christ have mercy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, in your resurrection, you have been given the name that is above every other name - Lord have mercy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: In our commemoration of Palm Sunday, we give voice to our needs and the needs of our brothers and sisters, relying on the Lord for help, confident that the Lord will answer our prayers:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For the universal Church, that we may boldly testify to our faith and work tirelessly to carry out Christ’s mission, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. That peace may flower in the Holy Land, the Middle East, and Ukraine, spreading to the ends of the earth, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For all who welcome the Lord into their lives with devotion and praise, especially those who will enter the Church on Easter weekend, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For an end to the death penalty. We pray for all those in our correctional system and for those who have been affected by their crimes. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For all of us who will be participating in the liturgies of holy week, that our participation may strength our commitment to carry our crosses and assist others with their crosses, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: God of compassion, your son turned to you again and again in order to obey your will in the midst of his pain, suffering, and death. Give us the grace to accept your will and to carry our crosses. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-91798366779284187362024-03-15T13:52:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:52:24.475-07:00 Bulletin Reflection for Palm Sunday - 24 March 2024<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This weekend, we commemorate Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. We have been journeying with Jesus during Lent since our commemoration of Ash Wednesday. We have been with Jesus in the silence and solitude of the desert, starting and ending our masses at Holy Savior in silence on our knees. Lent is a special time for us, different than the other times in our liturgical year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Holy Week is a very special time for us Catholic, the culmination of our liturgical year. While our secular world has all kinds of other celebrations going on, with sporting events and proms and other social activities, while we have work and actives in our busy lives, it is important for us to make time to journey with Jesus during Holy Week. The events of Holy Week that commemorate his passion, death, and resurrection are called to penetrate our hearts and make a difference in our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We invite all of you to join us for our liturgies this upcoming Holy Week, especially the Triduum of liturgies on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil. Holy Week is a great opportunity for us as a community to celebrate the mysteries of our faith together. Blessings - Father Lincoln.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-65184158528651562422024-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:50:28.709-07:0029 March 2024 - homily for Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion - John 18:1—19:42<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As we listen to the Passion from the Gospel of John today, we can only imagine the uncertainty and fear that Jesus’ followers felt. We have been journeying with Jesus during the forty days of Lent. Many of us have been praying the stations of the cross each Friday, commemorating that Jesus died on a Friday. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On the day that Jesus’ day, many of his followers had fled in fear. His followers had seen Jesus perform miracles and had seen him heal the sick. He had heard him speak of himself as the life and the resurrection (John 11:25). However, now they saw him die an agonizing death on the cross. Jesus was crucified as if he were a notorious criminal. His followers had placed their hope in the future in him. In the midst of the chaos and violence of Good Friday, his followers seem to have forgotten his promise to come back to them. They felt lost, directionless, and abandoned. Yet, in John’s Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples before he commences his passion: “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the reality of life, we can feel different emotions: anger, frustration, confusion, despair, abandonment, isolation, desperation, and weariness. At times we may have felt lost and directionless like many of Christ’s followers on Good Friday. The promise Jesus made to his followers echoes in our hearts today on Good Friday: I will not leave you alone. I will come to you. At times, these promises may feel very far away from our reality. But Jesus’ promises are always there with us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We are called to have hope today on Good Friday, even though this is the day of Jesus’ death. In the death of Christ, in the cross of Christ crucified, the goodness of God reaches out to us: the hope of resurrection and the hope of new life. Good Friday is not the end for us; there is still hope to come. In Good Friday, the moment of death is at the same time a moment of new life. This hopeless moment was the moment when eternal hope was given. This terrible moment of injustice was at the very same time a moment of God’s grace. This moment of excruciating suffering guaranteed that suffering would end one day, once and for all. This moment of sadness welcomes us to God’s eternal joy. The capture and death of Christ also purchases for us life and freedom. This is a solemn and serious day, but it paves the way for Easter joy.</span></p><div><br /></div>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-33762909481101925902024-03-15T13:47:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:47:24.947-07:0028 March 2018 – Holy Thursday – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - John 13:1-15<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When I was serving as pastor at St James up in Tupelo, Riley Manning, the religion reporter for the Tupelo Daily Journal, sent me an email, inquiring about Lent and Holy Week from a Catholic perspective. He asked: For those who may not know, what is Holy Week and why is it important?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In answering that question, I paraphrased a quote from Pope Benedict XVI, who stated that during Holy Week, we Christians reenact, relive, and share in the mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Pope Benedict said, that in many ways, the events of Holy Week tell us what our faith is all about. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We commemorate Holy Thursday today in the start of the Triduum of Holy Week. One event of significance we have in the Holy Thursday liturgy is the establishment of the Eucharist for us as followers of Christ. Paul tells us the simple and profound words of Jesus during the Passover that he celebrates with his disciples: “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In those words, Jesus gives us the gift of the Eucharist and the mandate that goes with it as well. Paul goes on to say: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Perhaps it is the washing of the feet of the twelve representatives of our community of faith, representing Christ’s disciples, that helps explain to us what the Eucharist should mean to us and how we are to live out the spirit of the Eucharist in our lives. At his first Holy Thursday mass as Pope, Pope Francis, made headlines all over the world. Normally, the Pope celebrates Holy Thursday at one of the major basilicas in Rome, either St Peter or St John Lateran. The pope usually washes the feet of 12 priests during the mass, symbolizing the 12 apostles. However, instead, Pope Francis visited a youth prison for the Holy Thursday celebration, washing the feet of 12 inmates, which included 2 women and 2 Muslims. That was the first time that women had ever been included in the foot washing ceremony on Holy Thursday as celebrated by a Pope. This evening, we will have the foot washing of 12 representatives of our community of faith. Yet, all of us present today should feel Jesus washing our feet. Perhaps some of us feel resistance in our lives of faith right now. Perhaps we are resistant to have Jesus wash our feet just as Peter was resistant. Perhaps we don’t want Jesus to wash our feet, to give himself to us, to let him be a servant for various reasons. Perhaps we want our independence, to live according to our own laws and the laws of man rather than the laws of God. Perhaps we don’t want to admit that we need to healed or saved or washed. Or perhaps we don’t feel worthy. Perhaps this year during Holy Week, God is calling us to name that part of ourselves that we need to surrender to him, that we need Jesus to love and to embrace, to wash and to clean. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus gives us a mandate in the Gospel as he washes the feet of his apostles in a show of servanthood: to follow his model and to do for our brothers and sisters what Jesus has done for us. The Gospel tells us that Jesus loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. We are to love in the same way. As Jesus washes our feet today, we are to feel love and gratitude in our hearts . The way we approach the Eucharist and to live out the Eucharist, both today and everyday, is to flow out of that love and gratitude.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today we enter into the three days of liturgies before Easter – it is called the Triduum. As we celebrate Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday together as a community of faith, let us see these three liturgies as a single prayer in our final preparation as we enter into the redemption and salvation of humanity as we commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-87368162770949092212024-03-15T13:43:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:43:45.356-07:00 27 March 2024 - Wednesday of Holy Week - Gregory of Narek - Matthew 26:14-25<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Gregory of Narek was born in Armenia in the middle of the 10th century. After the death of his parents, Gregory and his older brother were raised by an uncle who had them educated at the Narek monastery where the uncle was a monk. Gregory entered the monastery and was ordained a priest in 977. Gregory served as a professor of theology, writing a mystical interpretation of the Song of Songs and a long mystical poem called the Book of Prayer.” He died in the early 11th century and was buried within the walls of the Narek monastery in Turkey where he had spent his life. In 2015, when the world commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire, Pope Francis concelebrated a Mass at the Vatican with the Patriarch of the Armenian Church, declaring Gregory of Narek a Doctor of the Church.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We honor Gregory of Narek today in the middle of Holy Week as we get ready to celebrate the Triduum starting tomorrow. Yesterday, at the Chrism Mass, the priests of our Diocese renewed their promise of obedience to the Bishop. As I made the choice yesterday at Mass to continue to be obedient to him, I thought about the different choices we make in life. We make good choices that bring us closer to God, but we also make bad choices that turn away from God and lead us astray on our journey. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In today's Gospel, Judas betrayed Jesus after he shared a meal with Jesus and the rest of his disciples on the Jewish holidays. Yet, Judas knew in his heart that he would deliver Jesus into the hands of those who wanted to kill him. Judas is an example of choosing to go down the wrong road and abandoning the faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jesus, as the Son of God, could have demanded that people serve him. But Jesus came to serve others, not to be served. Tomorrow, on Holy Thursday, we will remember how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, an action usually performed by a slave or a servant. Jesus came to serve and to help others, which is so different from the attitude that Judas had, how he would betray his friend for his personal gain.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As we commemorate Holy Week this week, let us remember all those things we need to get rid of so that we will be more like Jesus, who came to serve, and less like Judas, who betrayed Jesus and thought of his own gain.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-17533173348864863502024-03-15T13:39:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:47:45.665-07:00 26 March 2024 - Tuesday of Holy Week - John 13:21-33 and 36-38<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As we commemorate Tuesday of Holy Week, the same day that we celebrate the chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle in downtown Jackson, we hear from John’s Gospel about the ways that both Judas and Peter betray Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We may think of the ways that we have betrayed Jesus, our family, and our loved ones. We break bread with Jesus in the Eucharist and receive him into our lives in that special way, but then we turn our back on Jesus when we live out our lives in ways that are contrary to the values of our faith. We go to confession to turn away from our sins and promise to do better with the help of our faith, but then we go and commit some of the same sins that we have just confessed. Let us pray that we, like Peter, may weep bitterly for all the wrongs we have done and all the good left undone. Let us pray for conversion and renewal. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-76510647006356434522024-03-10T16:53:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:50:49.092-07:0024 March 2024 – homily for Palm Sunday – Cycle B – Mark 14:1 - 15:27 - Mark 11:1-10<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Way back on February 14, on Ash Wednesday, we started our journey with Jesus in the desert for 40 days. That was more than a month ago. Now that we are one week away from Easter Sunday, we are close to the end of our journey. We Catholics know that Lent is a special time of the year for us, a time of repentance, renewal, and conversion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Today, at the beginning of Mass, we heard from the Gospel of Mark about Jesus entering the city of Jerusalem on a humble colt. The crowd welcomed Jesus into the holy city like he was a triumphant conqueror. The crowd was astonished at the majesty of his presence. Yet, a short time afterwards, Jesus enters into his passion and death on a cross. As he carried his cross, as he died this humiliating death, the crowds saw his appearance as lowly and humble, in contrast to his triumphant entrance into the city. Jesus became the object of public derision. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> On Palm Sunday, as we commemorate our annual entry into Holy Week, we commemorate this paradox, these dual aspects of our faith. On Palm Sunday, with the reading of Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem and with the reading of the passion, there is both triumph and rejection. With Jesus nailed to the cross, there is both death and a promise of rebirth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> There were two different types of people that welcomed Jesus into the holy city of Jerusalem. Some of them waved palms and shouted “Hosanna in the highest;” they were expecting a Messiah who would bring power. might, and military glory to the nation of Israel. However, others in the crowd were looking for someone who would bring them a new-found hope in the midst of desolation and despair. They wanted a Messiah who would understand their lowliness, who would bring healing and refreshment to their bodies and souls, a Messiah who would be with them in their misery and suffering. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Which group are we with? Are we willing to wave the palm branches this morning, seeing hope and new life and encouragement in the midst of our Lenten journey, in the midst of what is weighing down our hearts?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Palm Sunday presents us a paradox. It would be easy to try to simplify it, to not wrestle with the paradox in our minds. We started Mass today by recalling the moment when Jesus was most accepted by the public as he entered the city of Jerusalem. Then, we turned abruptly to the Passion, to his public betrayal and public failure. While the laws of man condemned Jesus, the law of God raised him up and the mind of God never left his side. Jesus stays the course throughout his passion, even with all the internal and societal pressures that are weighing him down on this journey, that are wanting to bring him failure. Thankfully, we know that the end of Holy Week will bring us hope and resurrection. As we celebrate Palm Sunday today and trace Jesus’ journey every step of the way during Holy Week, may we sense God’s presence with us on our own journeys, with everything that is weighing us down. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-57543382028284642142024-03-10T16:52:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:52:08.327-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Friday of the fifth week of Lent - 22 March 2024 <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Lord Jesus, you call us out of our complacency. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus, you are the Messiah, the son of God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads us to new life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: We place our trust in the Lord, that God will hear our voices as we call out to him in supplication with our needs, the needs of our neighbor, and the needs of the Church: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For God’s holy Church, that we may loosen all that binds us to sin and death, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation and new life to those in darkness. We pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. That the nations of the world may put down their weapons of destruction. May we all work toward peace and justice. We pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For those who suffer with addiction mental illness, and depressions, that they may find the strength and courage in their journey, we pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For those who will enter the Church on Easter weekend and for our children and youth preparing for the sacraments. For the new life and the blessings they will receive from Christ, we pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. That we may reach out in mercy and understanding to those who are constrained by sin and hate, we pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. We pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Merciful God, you give us hope in the midst of despair and you bring us light in the darkness. We make our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-5214672995425895692024-03-10T16:51:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:51:03.707-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the fifth week of Lent - 21 March 2024<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you are the Word of God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus - you are our Savior. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you are the beloved Son of the Father. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: As we place our hope and trust in God’s mercy, we pray for our needs and the needs of our brothers and sisters: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For the members of the Church, that we may reach out to share Christ’s Good News with others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. For the leaders of the nations of the world, that they be attentive to the needs of the people they represent, we pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. That we may pray for Christian unity. May all Christians find common ground to work together and to help bring God’s kingdom to fruition. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For a reverence and respect for human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death, especially for the unborn and the vulnerable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For our parish community, that we may bear witness to God’s grace through our prayers and our ministries. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our intentions spoken and unspoken. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Merciful God, as we turn to you in our needs, we humbly ask you to grant them according to your will, through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. </span></p><p> </p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-64541348082448741042024-03-10T16:49:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:49:41.772-07:00Prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent - 20 March 2024 <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, you bring healing into our lives. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus, you summon the sinner to repentance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, you call us out of darkness and into light.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Every day, the works of the Lord are made visible by our faith. As we place our trust in God, we now turn to him with our needs, the needs of our neighbor, and the needs of the Church:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For the Church, that the light we shine upon the world may spread the love of Christ to all God’s children, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. For all who live in the darkness of war, violence, and poverty, that they may find hope in the light of Christ, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For those in our RCIA program who will be entering the Church on Easter weekend. That they may recognize the grace of God at work in their lives. We pray for our youth preparing for confirmation. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. That the new life we see in nature in the springtime may be reflected in the renewal of our mission in the world, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For healing for our sick and shut-ins. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Lord of light and love, we pray that you may ever guide us on our way. We make our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-89264910986783677152024-03-10T16:47:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:48:05.692-07:00prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the fifth week of Lent - 19 March 2024<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you are the Word of God made flesh. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus - you are our Savior and redeemer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you are the beloved Son of the Father. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Let us place our hope and trust in God’s love as we pray for our needs and the needs of our neighbor: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For the members of the Church, that we may reach out to share God’s redeeming love with others. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. For the leaders of the nations, that they be attentive to the needs of their people they represent, we pray to the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. That members of different Christian traditions and people from different religions work together for peace and justice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For a reverence and respect for human life. May we reach out to the poor, the prisoner, and vulnerable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For our parish community, that we may bear witness to God’s grace through our prayers and our outreach. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our intentions spoken and unspoken. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Priest: Merciful God, as we turn to you in our needs, we humbly ask you to grant them according to your will, through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. </span> </span></p><div><br /></div>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-47771312039147176442024-03-10T16:35:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:35:40.381-07:0022 March 2024 - Friday of 5th week of Lent - Nicholas Owen - Psalm 18<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> In England, during the reign of Elizabeth I, Catholics were forbidden to practice their religion. Starting in the year 1585, it was considered treason, punishable by death, if a man in England had been ordained a priest abroad. Thus, priests needed places to hide. Nicholas Owen was originally from the city of Oxford in England. He was a stone mason and carpenter by trade. He became one of the first English Jesuit lay brothers. From 1588 to 1605, Owen travelled around England constructing hiding places in safe houses where priests could hide. During the evening and night he worked on his own, carving concealed rooms out of stone walls or out the ground. Only Owen and the home’s owners knew the location of these secret rooms. During the daytime, Owen would work as a carpenter in the house in order to keep this secret from others. He was arrested in 1594 with a Jesuit priest; despite torture, he would not give the names of any other Catholic priests. He was released when a wealthy Catholic paid a fine for him. He is believed to have engineered the escape of Father John Gerard from the Tower of London in 1597. He was arrested again in 1606, at which time he died of torture. He was canonized a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Catholic Martyrs from England and Wales. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> We hear in the psalm today; In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice. The psalmist calls the Lord his rock, his fortress, and his strength. The Lord hears our cries and the Lord gives us strength and courage to endure the trials and tribulations of this world. I think of the struggles and challenges that I faced as a missionary overseas. I think of all the struggles and challenges of the prison ministry. Sometimes these trials and struggles seem overwhelming. Yet, in our faith, we endure. I think of Nicholas Owen and the martyrs of faith, of what they endured. May their intercessions help us in what we face. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-68756995231798767972024-03-10T16:34:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:35:54.390-07:0021 March 2024 - homily for Thursday of the 5th week of Lent - Genesis 17:3-9<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In our reading from Genesis today, God makes a covenant with Abraham and with his future generations. At the end of the reading, it states that “God also said to Abraham: ‘On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.’” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> One of the things that draws me to the pilgrimage of St James in Spain is the history of that pilgrimage. It started in the early 9th century when the remains of the St James the Apostle were rediscovered in northern Spain by a hermit seeing a light shining in a cave. Some of the roads and bridges that I hike along on the pilgrimage route were constructed by the Romans more than 1,000 years ago. Some of the churches that I visited are also that old. Sometimes, as I am walking along the trail, I stop and can almost hear the footsteps of the millions of pilgrims who traveled that route in faith before me over the centuries. Just I followed in the footsteps of those many pilgrims who traveled those roads before me, we follow in the footsteps of Abraham and his descendants, in the covenant he made with his people. We may ask ourselves: Are we adhering to the spirit of that covenant? Are we fulfilling the purpose God intended for us as his people? </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-77510450018057194402024-03-10T16:31:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:36:09.892-07:0020 March 2024 - homily for Wednesday of the 5th week of Lent - Sister Catherine Spalding - John 8:31-42<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Catherine Spalding was born in 1793 to a Catholic family in Maryland. Her family moved to Kentucky when she was 3 years old. After her mother died and her father abandoned the family, she and her siblings moved in with her and aunt and uncle. At the age of 19, in 1813, Catherine entered a newly formed religious order for women in Kentucky named the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Catherine became the superior of that order. Although the original intention of the order was education, and they founded many schools and orphanages, they also worked as nurses and did other charitable works. During an outbreak of cholera, the sisters displayed great courage in caring for the sick. Some of the sisters from this order founded the Catholic school in Yazoo City in our Diocese named St Clara academy. Some of these sisters who served in Yazoo City died of yellow fever and are buried in the cemetery there. Sister Catherine Spalding was particularly devoted to the orphanages that the order founded. She died on March 20, 1853. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> In the Gospel today, Jesus’ words today reflected a division between those Jews who believed in him and who tried to follow his teachings and those who wanted to destroy him. Jesus sometimes spoke in language that confounded and confused the people. He spoke about the people being set free, but they cannot get beyond the surface of the words, thinking that God had already set the Jews free in their liberation from slavery in Egypt. We listen to words, we try to understand them, but sometimes we hear them from our own perspective, not in their true context. I think of how the word “fear” is used in Jewish scripture. We hear the word “fear” in our 21st century modern American mentality, and we think of how we are scared and afraid of something, afraid of punishment or violence or retribution. But to the Jewish mind, fear of God meant to have awe and wonder and respect for him. Let us open our mind and hearts to God. Let us try to learn the original intent of the word of God, of how it speaks to us today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-64617196440015464232024-03-10T16:28:00.000-07:002024-03-10T16:32:15.681-07:0019 March 2024 - homily for the solemnity of St Joseph - Blessed Marcel Callo - Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a<p><span style="font-size: large;"> In the 2018 Synod of Bishops dedicated to youth and young people, several saints were cited who were exemplary witnesses of faith for our youth. One saint named as such was Marcel Callo, who was born in France in 1921, the oldest of 9 children. At the age of 13, he started work as a printer’s apprentice. He grew up as a devout Catholic and tried very hard to live out the values of his faith. At the age of 20, he became engaged to young woman, hoping to build a life together, but when France was occupied during WWII, he was sent to a forced labor camp in Germany to work in the weapons plant. At the work camp, he found a place where Mass was clandestinely offered on Sundays. The weekly Eucharist strengthened him to care for his friends in the camp. Marcel organized Christian workers together to build a simple community of good human living. After living in different camps and prisons, he was transferred to the Mauthausen concentration camp where he suffered from diseases and malnutrition. He died on March 19, 1945, on the solemnity of St Joseph, at the age of 24. He was beatified by John Paul II in 1987, and continues to be a patron for young men and women who seek to live Christian lives as laypersons, to build Christian community, and make their daily lives a joyful witness of the life of Christ.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Just as Marcel Callo is a great example of faith for us as a member of the community of saints, St Joseph also stands out for us a great example of faith. Joseph’s role in Jesus life is celebrated each year in our celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas time. As we listen to the Gospel today about Joseph protecting Mary and obeying God’s will for him and his family, it might be interesting for us to learn that for much of the history of the Church, Joseph was not paid very much attention. However, now we celebrate Joseph as the spouse of Mary on March 19 of each year, and we also celebrate Joseph the Worker on May 1. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Especially during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I like to point out to many men that St Joseph is a wonderful example for all Christian men, especially in his role as father, husband, worker, and man of the community. We do not know a lot of details about Joseph, but we do know that he was a man of faith, a man who nurtured Jesus and who helped bring him up in the traditions of the Jewish faith. As we celebrate St Joseph today, may his example give us encouragement in our own journey.</span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-46762050105011222582024-03-07T09:33:00.000-08:002024-03-07T09:57:45.297-08:00Prayers of the faithful - 9 March 2024 - Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent <p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you have the heart of a servant. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Christ Jesus - you call us to unity with God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus - you are journeying through the desert for 40 days. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: We now bring our prayers to God in trust and hope, as God brings us his mercy and compassion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For all Christians, that we may continue our Lenten journey in faith and holiness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. That we may be obedient to God even when God’s will challenges us and when his will is difficult to follow. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. That all Christians may strive toward unity and collaboration. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For the people in need in the Diocese of Jackson, particularly the sick, those looking for work, those feeling lost in life, and those battling addictions and mental health issues. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. For all who have gone before us in faith, for their entry into eternal life. For the souls in purgatory. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the people of Ukraine and the holy land who are in the midst of war. For peace throughout the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For healing for the sick and shut-in. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: God of mercy and compassion, you give new heart to your people: Hear the prayers we make in faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-53191554104680292542024-03-07T09:26:00.000-08:002024-03-07T10:01:03.325-08:009 March 2024 - Homily for Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent - Hosea 5:15-6:6<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Born at the end of the 14th century, Frances of Rome desired to enter the consecrated religious life, but her parents convinced her to marry a young relative. She and her sister-in-law desired to have a lifestyle of prayer and helping the poor, and they did so with their husbands’ blessings. With time, she had children, but still reached out to the poor, especially in the time of a great plague in Rome. She and her sister-in-law used a lot of their financial resources to help the sick during the plague, to the point of opening part of her home to care for the sick and to begging door to door to ask others for help. She founded a society of women who reached out to the poor but who did not take consecrated religious vows. She continued to live with her husband until the time of his death, living the remainder of her life with the women of that organization and caring for the poor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In our first reading today, the prophet Hosea offers a penitential prayer on behalf of the people. The people fear receiving punishment from God, as they feel abandoned by him. Hosea tells them that they must truly repent, that their repentance cannot be superficial. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As we hear the message from the prophet Hosea today and as we are presented the example of prayer and mercy in St Frances of Rome, may we continue our practice of our Lenten disciplines as we look at the ways God is calling us to repent and change and reach out to others. </span></p><p><br /></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949664455441385759.post-87765853010784397082024-03-01T05:25:00.000-08:002024-03-01T05:25:55.032-08:00Prayers of the faithful - 17 March 2024 - 5th Sunday of Lent<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Introduction: On this final Sunday of Lent before Palm Sunday, we hear of Jesus spending time with his disciples in the days of the Passover feast before his death on the cross. During these last weeks of Lent, Christ continues to call us out of our harmful habits and from all that separates us from God, offering us new life. As the Lord meets us in his holy word and in the Sacrament of Eucharist today, let us open our lives to him in a special way as we continue our journey during Lent. Please kneel in silence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest - Penitential rite</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lord Jesus, you continue your journey to the cross, Lord have mercy. Christ Jesus, you are the Messiah, the son of God, Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads us to new life, Lord have mercy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: We place our trust in the Lord, that he hears our voices as we call out to him in supplication with our needs, the needs of our neighbor, and the needs of the Church:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1. For God’s holy Church, that we may loosen all that binds us to sin and death, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life to those in darkness. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">2. That the nations of the world may put down their weapons of destruction. May we all work toward peace and justice. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3. For those who suffer with addictions, that they may find the strength and courage to break through those terrible bonds. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">4. For those adults who will enter the Church on Easter weekend and for our youth preparing for confirmation. For the new life and blessings they will receive from Christ. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">5. That we may reach out in mercy and understanding to those who are bound tightly to sin and hate, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. We pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for our intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Priest: Merciful God, you give us hope in the midst of despair. You bring us light in the darkness. You give us new life in our death. We make our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. </span></p>Father Lincolnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12267030047734312955noreply@blogger.com0