Saturday, January 31, 2026

1 de febrero de 2026 - IV domingo del tiempo ordinario - Mateo 5:1-12

Hoy escuchamos a Jesús proclamar las Bienaventuranzas en el Evangelio de Mateo, al comienzo del Sermón del monte. Es interesante profundizar en el significado de las Bienaventuranzas. Veo las Bienaventuranzas como un misterio de la fe. No es fácil comprender su verdadero significado. Las Bienaventuranzas declaran dichosos or felices a los pobres de espíritu. San Agustín lo interpretó como una referencia a quienes son espiritualmente humildes. “Pobre del espíritu" significa ser dependiente o necesitado, una posición de absoluta dependencia de los demás. Cuando Jesús se refiere a los pobres de espíritu en este contexto, describe a alguien que, en su humildad, reconoce su dependencia de Dios. La esencia de la humildad es lo opuesto al orgullo espiritual. Así que la primera clave para ser dichoso, según Jesús, es reconocer la propia dependencia espiritual de Dios.

Jesús proclama los bienaventurados a los que lloran. Cuando lloramos, experimentamos el dolor de la pérdida. Podemos lamentar nuestro pecados, nuestros sufrimientos, y la pérdida de quienes han fallecido. Jesús proclama que los que lloran serán consolados. La promesa de consuelo es escatológica; se cumplirá en los últimos tiempos, cuando los seres queridos que hemos perdido en este mundo resucitarán, cuerpo y alma, y ​​estaremos con ellos por toda la eternidad, en la vida eterna con Dios. El Libro del Apocalipsis dice: "Enjugará Dios toda lágrima de los ojos de ellos; y ya no habrá muerte, ni habrá más llanto, ni clamor, ni dolor; porque las primeras cosas pasaron." Ese tipo de felicidad es la felicidad suprema.

Lo que les he presentado es una reflexión teológica sobre las Bienaventuranzas. Pero, ¿qué relevancia tienen las Bienaventuranzas en la vida diaria?

En primer lugar, las Bienaventuranzas nos invitan a reconocer la importancia de Dios en nuestra vida y la importancia de depender de Él. A veces, podemos alejarnos de la fe. Estamos muy preocupados en la vida diaria. Dios puede quedar relegado afuera de nuestra realidad diaria. Cuando enfrentamos muchos desafíos o dificultades, podemos reconocer que necesitamos a Dios y lo invocamos en nuestra necesidad. Podríamos reflexionar sobre la realidad de nuestra vida de oración y nuestra relación con Dios. El mundo secular considera que una vida independiente y cómoda es una bendición Pero, la mayor bendición y felicidad en la vida es entregarse completamente a Dios y confiar en Él.


Segundo: Las Bienaventuranzas nos llaman a tener un foco singular en la vida: un foco en Dios. Jesús desea que tengamos una devoción y una actitud centrada en el reino de Dios en nuestra vida presente, y también en el reino de Dios que nos espera en la vida eterna. El Evangelio no es algo que hacemos en nuestro tiempo libre ni algo que abandonamos cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles. No debemos vivir nuestra fe ni dedicar tiempo a la Iglesia solo cuando no hay otros conflictos. Dios nos pide que hagamos sacrificios por nuestra fe, que tengamos hambre de él. Jesús quiere que estemos tan centrados en la alegría del reino de Dios que él nos ofrece. Podemos preguntarnos: ¿Qué deseamos tanto que estamos dispuestos a renunciar a absolutamente todo para obtenerlo, incluso a nuestras vidas?

Tercero, las Bienaventuranzas nos llaman a una vida de empatía y compasión. San Óscar Romero, mártir de la fe de San Salvador, afirmó: “Hay ciertas cosas en la vida que solo se pueden ver a través de ojos que han llorado." Cualquier persona de buena voluntad puede comprender intelectualmente el dolor y el sufrimiento de los demás. Pero es algo diferente unir sus sufrimientos con nuestros sufrimientos y con los sufrimientos de Cristo. Pues, podemos ver el dolor y el sufrimiento de los demás con el corazón, no solo con los ojos. No solo necesitamos hablar sobre injusticia. Necesitamos tener acciones de justicia en nuestra vida de fe.  ¿Cómo podemos ayudar a quienes sufren con nuestras acciones, no solo con palabras?

Las palabras de las Bienaventuranzas De Cristo nos recuerdan que este mundo es solo transitorio, que no es nuestro hogar eterno. Lo que tenemos aquí en la tierra no debería definirnos en la última instancia, ni representa lo que es duradero. Jesús nos recuerda en las Bienaventuranzas que nada en este mundo puede satisfacernos verdaderamente. Solo Cristo puede.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

8 February 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 5th Sunday of ordinary time - prison ministry

Priest - Penitential rite 

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

Christ Jesus - you dispel the darkness of sin. 

Lord Jesus - you light our path to God’s eternal kingdom. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

Priest: Isaiah promises us that God will hear our prayers when we reach out to those in need. Let us now pray for our needs, the needs of our brothers and sisters, and the needs of the world: 

1. That we in the Church may shine Christ’s light in the world through our works of charity and mercy. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our elected officials may work together to reduce hunger, homelessness, and oppression. We pray to the Lord. 

3. We pray for the sick and the afflicted as we commemorate world day of the sick this upcoming Wednesday. May they feel God’s healing presence in their lives. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For the men who are studying the Catholic each Saturday and who are preparing for entry into the Catholic Church. May the Lord bless them on their journey of faith. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For those who have been affected by the ice storms and the cold winter weather. For those without power or water. For the linemen and workers who are helping them recover. We pray to the Lord. 

6. That our community of St Michael the Archangel may be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We pray for all of our communities ministries and activities that reach out to those in need. We pray to the Lord. 

7. That the Lord continue to accompany our children in their studies and their school activities. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For the prayers we hold in silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: God of light, you sent your son to us as the light of the world. Hear the prayers we make today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

8 February 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 5th Sunday of ordinary time CYCLE A

Introduction: In the winter months, where light can sometimes be in short supply, we heard Jesus tell his disciples that they should shine their light for all the world to see, that we should not hide the light of our faith. May we think about ways we can spread the light of Christ to others. May we bring the light of our faith to the dark and gloomy corners of the world.

Priest - Penitential rite 

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

Christ Jesus - you dispel the darkness of sin. 

Lord Jesus - you light our path to God’s eternal kingdom. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

Priest: Isaiah promises us that God will hear our prayers when we reach out to those in need. Let us now pray for our needs and the needs of our brothers and sisters: 

1. That we in the Church may shine Christ’s light in the world through our works of charity and mercy. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our elected officials work to reduce hunger, homelessness, and oppression. We pray to the Lord. 

3. We pray for the sick and the afflicted as we commemorate world day of the sick this upcoming Wednesday. May they feel God’s healing presence in their lives. 

4. For the catechumens and candidates in our OCIA program. May the Lord bless them on their journey of faith. We pray to the Lord. 

5. On World Marriage Day, we ask for a blessing for all married couples living out the sacrament of holy matrimony, especially those couples celebrating significant anniversaries this year. We pray to the Lord. 

6. That our parish community be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We pray for all of our parish’s ministries who reach out to those in need. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For our children, youth, and college students. May the Lord continue to accompany them in their studies and their school activities. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For the prayers we hold in silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: God of light, you sent your son to us as the light of the world. Hear the prayers we make today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

8 February 2026 - bulletin reflection for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This weekend, Bishop Kopacz celebrated World Marriage Day in the Cathedral in downtown Jackson, recognizing couples in our Diocese who live out the sacrament of holy matrimony and who are recognizing significant wedding anniversaries this year. This upcoming week on February 11, we commemorate the world day of the sick, with the theme this year: “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing the pain of the other.” The Samaritan shows love by caring for the suffering man who fell into the hands of thieves, highlighting the importance of love of neighbor. Love of neighbor needs concrete gestures of closeness, through which we enter into the suffering of others, especially those who are ill. Pope John Paul II established the world day of the sick in 1992. May we remember the sick and our married couples recognizing significant anniversaries in our prayers this week. Father Lincoln. 

8 February 2026 - homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time CYCLE A - Isaiah 48:7-10 - Psalm 112 - Matthew 5:13-16

We heard the beginning of the sermon on the Mount last Sunday in Jesus’ proclamation of the Beatitudes. Today, Jesus continues the core of his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount with the striking images of light and salt. 

The prophet Isaiah sets the tone of our Gospel today by calling us to a special fast: releasing those that are bound unjustly, setting free the oppressed, and breaking off the yoke. We do those things, according to Isaiah, when we share our bread with the hungry, reach out to the afflicted and the homeless, and clothing the naked. When we do that, light will break forth from us like the dawn. Our light does not break forth from us to bring ourselves praise and glory, but rather to bring others to the Lord, to assist those in need, and to bring God’s justice to the world. 

Jesus gave the sermon on the mount on a hill looking over the Sea of Galilee. His original audience would have been the simple hard-working people of Ancient Israel. Some of them would have been fishermen like Peter, James, and John. This was not an important part of the Roman Empire. They did not have powerful positions in society. What would they have thought by Jesus calling them the salt of the earth and the light of the world? As modern day disciples, how are we call to be salt and light in the world today? 

In Jesus’ day, before refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food and to keep it from spoiling. Salt also enhances the flavor of food. But if salt loses its power to preserve and if it loses its flavor, it is of no use. When Jesus says that we are to be the salt of the earth, he means that we have the task here on earth to preserve and give flavor. We are to preserve the life of God’s grace that Jesus has brought to the world. We are to give flavor to people’s lives. Just as salt enhances the quality of food, we as salt can enhance the quality of others’ lives. Life becomes tasty and full of flavor when it contains the salt of Jesus, Through Jesus’ word, through his loving kindness and benevolence, and through his mercy and forgiveness, we can add flavor to the lives of the people. Jesus needs disciples who will live out his Gospel values and who bring these values to others, manifesting his kindness, love, and compassion. Jesus says that if salt loses its taste, “it is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” We need to remember that as we live out our lives of faith each day. 

In a world mired in a lot of darkness, hurt, and pain, being a light might see like an impossible task. However, we must remember that we can be a light in the world only through Jesus, who is the true light, and who instructed his disciples to go to all nations and peoples and to bring his light to them. From those first simple followers of Jesus who went out two by two as missionaries , the light of Christ spread from those first disciples  to all the ends of the earth. This light continues to spread today. This is our mission, whatever our state in life. We are to let the light of Christ shine through us wherever we go and whatever we do. We are to do this by living out our faith as best we can, by putting our faith into action, especially loving our neighbor as Christ loved us. 

We often see ourselves as being a light in the world and being the salt of the earth in terms of evangelization. But we also need to see it in terms of justice and mercy. Echoing a message that is similar to the message of the prophet Isaiah today, the psalmist states that “the just man is a light in darkness to the upright.” According to the psalmist, this light shines when one is gracious, merciful, and just.

Jesus uses this symbolism of light and salt right after he preaches the Beatitudes in the sermon on the Mount, which we heard in last weekend’s liturgies. We live the Beatitudes when we are salt and light. We bring flavor and light to people when we live as disciples of the Beatitudes. How are we being light and salt to the other other members of our families, to our classmates, our friends, our co-workers, and our fellow parishioners? Do we bring light and salt to the needy, the afflicted, and the suffering? 

I received a letter from a man in the quick bed area of the prison about two years ago. It is the worst of the living areas of the prison; it is a place that is ruled by gang members and where drugs and violence are the daily reality. It is hard for me to visit the men living in those quarters. They often feel isolated, lost, and forgotten. This man was asking for a visit from the priest, for me to bring him a Bible and a rosary.  On the back of the letter, in big bold print, he wrote: “Communion Desperately Needed.” We need communion in two forms: communion in Christ in the Eucharist and communion with our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, the Church. I had told that story to my classmates in the Notre Dame program, and one of my classmates, Bob Dunn, who is the Diocesan Director of Public Policy, used that story in coming up the name of the podcast that he hosts in conjunction with Parable Magazine, Finding Communion. In our communion with Christ, we will find that support we need to be light and salt in the world. 


Wednesday, January 28, 2026

6 February 2026 - Paul Miki martyr and companions - homily for Friday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time - Sirach 47:2-11

Many Americans probably associate the city of Nagasaki, Japan with the second atomic bomb that was dropped there in WWII. However, three and a half centuries before the dropping of that bomb, Brother Paul Miki, a native of Japan and a Jesuit brother, was killed with 25 other Catholics as martyrs for the faith on a hilltop overlooking Nagasaki in the year 1597.  This group of martyrs was quite diverse as it included priests, brothers, doctors, catechists, artisans, servants, old men, and children.  hey were united by a common faith, a love for Jesus and his Church. In many ways we can see Paul Miki and his companions as prophets to their native land, witnesses to the faith who were not afraid to preach the Good News of Jesus, no matter what the consequences would be in their lives.

At daily mass for the past several weeks, we have been hearing the story of David from the 1st and 2nd books of Samuel. Today, in our last readings about David at daily Mass, we hear from the book of Sirach. That book contains a section which praises the great leaders of Israel’s history, from which we hear about David today. David was an historical king in Ancient Israel, but just like the stories of our heroes that get passed down in our secular world, it is hard to distinguish legend and myth from fact. For example, Sirach extolls David’s courage, stating that he battled lions and bears, whether that really happened or not. David had a great reputation for courage and bravery, but the accounts of his flaws, weaknesses, and mistakes are also found in Sacred Scripture as well. What stands out in our reading from Sirach today is not just David’s strengths, but also his humanity and his love for God. All of us can also turn away from God and make mistakes, but like David, we are called to repent, to receive forgiveness, and to turn back to God.  We can turn away from God due to our own will and our own desires, straying from the path of faith. God’s love for his people calls out to us today in the story of David. God also calls out to us today in the Eucharist, as he provides us food and nourishment for our journey.  God calls out to us in a special way in the devotion we have to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which we celebrate on the first Friday of each month and which we will honor in the litany at the end of Mass today. God always calls us back to him in repentance and conversion. He forgives us for our sins in our contrition when we turn back to him and make amends. In the story of David today, let us find solace and comfort in God’s love and compassion for us.  

6 February 2026 - Prayers of the faithful for Friday of the 4th week of Ordinary time

Penitential Rite: 

Lord Jesus - you love us with your Sacred Heart. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us your Father’s love and compassion. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to peace and justice.  

Priest: As we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of the month, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For the Church, that all who believe in the risen Lord and his Sacred heart may follow him faithfully. 

2. For our Diocese and for our parish community, that we may see the Lord in the signs he has left us, giving us new life in our baptismal promises and nourishing us in the Eucharist. 

3. For all who are in need, that those with plenty may act with compassion in serving their brothers and sisters in Christ with justice.

4. For all who are sick or suffering and for those who are close to death, that Jesus, the risen Savior, may give them grace and strength. 

5. For the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life. For the souls in the process of purification in purgatory.  

6. For all who are affected by the cold winter weather. 

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

Priest: God our Father, increase in our minds and hearts the new life we share with Christ. We ask our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

5 February 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Thursday of the 4th week of Ordinary Time

Penitential Rite: 

Lord Jesus - you reach out to the broken hearted. 

Christ Jesus - you are our savior and our redeemer. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life. 

Priest: With humble hearts, we now present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Kopacz will lead us to greater holiness on our journey. 

2. That will grow in our love of the Eucharist and live out the values of the Eucharist each day on our journey of faith. 

3. That we will reach out to the poor and the suffering through works of mercy. 

4. That those who have passed through gates of death may gain entry to eternal life. 

5. That those who are broken, suffering, or afflicted receive healing in body, mind, and spirit. 

6. That our faith will lead us to engage in a new evangelization that will reach out to the lost sheep and to those who have left the Church. 

7. For the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life. 

8. For those still recovering from the storms and the cold winter weather. 

9. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts today. 

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

4 February 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Wednesday of the 4th week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you are the rock of our faith. 

Christ Jesus - you reach out to us in love and mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you forgive the sins of the contrite. 

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

1. That all believers may be like Mary, saying yes to the invitation we receive from God. 

2. That we may have hope in the face of any fears we have. May God's faithfulness free us and strengthen us. 

3. For parents who are expecting a child, that they may know God's presence and strength as they await the birth of their child and that their children be healthy and strong. 

4. For those who are facing oppression and injustice in their lives, that God will help them experience justice and dignity. 

5. For all who are isolated and alone, particularly those who are homebound or in nursing homes, that Christ may fill their emptiness and open our hearts to reach out to them. 

6. For our deceased loved one and family members, for their entry into eternal life.  

7. For healing for the sick and the afflicted in body, mind, and spirit. 

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

Priest: As we give thanks for the blessings we have in life, and as we face our challenges with our trust in God’s providence, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.

5 February 2025 - homily for Thursday of the 5th week in Ordinary Time - 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Father Pedro Arrupe was a priest from the Basque region of Spain who served as the Superior General of the Jesuits from 1965 to 1983. He is considered the second founder of congregation of the Society of Jesus based on the impact he had on that religious order. Trained as a medical doctor as well as a priest, he was stationed in Hiroshima, Japan in 1945 at the time of the nuclear bombing there at the end of the second world war. He used his medical training to attend to the wounded and the dying there after the bombing. As the superior of the Jesuits during the implementation of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, he had this to say: ”If we speak a language no longer appropriate to the hearts of people, we speak only to ourselves because no one will listen to us or try to understand what we say.” He was a strong advocate for justice and for the social teachings of the Catholic Church. He once said this: "To be just, it is not enough to refrain from injustice. One must go further and refuse to play its game, substituting love for self-interest as the driving force of society." He resigned as superior of the Jesuits in 1983 after he suffered paralysis from a stroke. He died on February 5, 1991. His cause for sainthood was opened by the Jesuits in 2018 when he was declared a servant of God. I remember seeing exhibits related to him in the sanctuary of Loyola in the Basque Country in Spain when I stayed there for a month praying the 30 day Ignatian spiritual exercises in the summer of 2019. I was impressed by his leadership of the Jesuit order in a very tumultuous time in the Church right after the Second Vatican Council. 

Our psalm today is not from the book of psalms, but rather from the first book of Chronicles from the Old Testament. We have been hearing a lot of psalms recently that have been traditionally attributed to King David. Today’s psalm is a powerful prayer of praise by King David to God. He acknowledges God's supreme greatness, power, glory, majesty, and sovereignty over everything in heaven and earth. It states that riches and honor come from God. He gives thanks to God for his everlasting rule and ability to give strength to all people. It is good for us to praise God and give him thanks in our prayers.

4 February 2026 - St John de Britto - homily for Wednesday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time - Psalm 32

John de Britto was born into an aristocratic family in Portugal in 1647. Inspired by the famous Jesuit missionary to Asia, St Francis Xavier, de Britto joined the Jesuit religious order at the age of 15 with a desire to become a missionary. He traveled to southern India as a missionary in 1673 where he was given the name Arul Anandar in Tamil, which means ”filled with grace.” He gained many converts to the Christian faith. He was imprisoned in 1684 by governmental officials in India and returned to Portugal several years later.  He returned to India in 1690 with 24 more missionaries. He was executed in 1693, due to anger about the converts he was bringing to the Christian faith. He was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947. He is an example of faith for all of us in our evangelization efforts for his courage and perseverance in bringing the Gospel message to the people of India. 

In a psalm attributed to King David, we hear today: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. In a verse from psalm 32 that is omitted in today’s reading, it states: “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3–4). Our guilt can crush us. God wants us to be contrite for our sins, to make amends for what we have done, to repent and turn away from our sins, and to try to resist temptation. In my different ministries over the years, I have worked with individuals who are trying to deal with substance abuse addictions, and even in their guilt and remorse, it is so difficult for them to leave those addictions behind and to resist temptation. May we open our hearts to God’s mercy and forgiveness. 


3 February 2026 - Prayers of the faithful for Tuesday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time

Penitential Rite - 

Lord Jesus - you are the Lamb of God. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to follow you with devotion and sincerity of heart. 

Lord Jesus - you form us as the Body of Christ here on earth. 

Prayers of the faithful - 

Priest -  Brothers and sisters, let us now present our needs to the God of love and mercy: 

1. That Pope Leo XIV and all our Church leaders lead us to be examples of Christian hospitality and compassion.  

2. That our governmental officials lead us in justice and hope.  

3. That by their words and actions, our parents and teachers may lead our children to Jesus, the Lamb of God.

4. For the elderly and all who are lonely. That they may know our support during these dark winter days. 

5. For the sick and the afflicted. For those who need healing in body, mind, and spirit.  

6. For those who have died recently, and for all our faithful departed. That God who delivered Jesus from death may raise them too. 

Priest -  God our creator, you hear our cries: grant our petitions according to your will that we make through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen. 

3 February 2026 - St Blaise - homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 5:21-43

Today, February 3, is the feast day of St Blaise, the day we traditionally have the blessing of the throats that is a popular tradition in the Catholic faith on this day. We had the blessing of the throats at our masses over the weekend. Blaise was martyred in the year 316 in in Armenia where he served as Bishop. Tradition holds that as Bishop, Blaise worked very hard for the spiritual, physical, and overall well-being of his people. He fled his city during a time of terrible persecution. When Blaise was found hiding in a cave, he was captured by hunters and hauled off to prison. On his journey to prison, a mother approached Blaise with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command, the child was able to cough up the bone. This is why we have the blessing of the throats in honor of St Blaise on his feast day. Blaise was beheaded when he refused to worship foreign idols.  We honor St Blaise today for the example of faith that he passes down to us. 

A synagogue official comes to Jesus to get help for his sick daughter in our Gospel today. At the same time, a woman also comes to him for help, as she had been sick for many years, having received no relief from the doctors. This woman reaches out to Jesus, believing that touching his cloak will bring her relief. Both of the synagogue official and the sick woman were bold and courageous in reaching out to Jesus. They reached out through barriers, fears, and any inadequacies they felt. Ultimately, they reached out in faith. So often our fears can hold us back and immobilize us. The synagogue official’s fears are brought to reality when he is told that his daughter has died.  Yet Jesus’ response to this synagogue official is the same response he gives to all of us: “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” The Buddhists have a saying: “A journey of 10,000 miles begins with one step.” Sometimes having faith starts with that one little step, to step out of the darkness. That’s all it takes to begin the process. Just one step. 

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

1 February 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time - prison ministry

Penitential rite: Priest: 

Lord Jesus - you raise up the lowly. 

Christ Jesus - you restore the sight of the blind. 

Lord Jesus - you bless the poor in spirit. 

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: With humility of heart, we bring our prayers and the prayers of our brothers and sisters before the Lord. Let us ask for God’s blessings for all in need:

1. That we in the Church may give witness to the Beatitudes and lead others to the values of our faith. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For those in positions of power and authority. May they reach out to those who hunger and thirst for justice, peace, and righteousness. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For our seminarians and our deacon candidates and for all who are discerning a vocation. May they feel the Holy Spirit leading them and guiding them to God’s call. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For those who struggle to forgive. For those who struggle to be merciful. That God will open their hearts and their lives. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the sick and the dying. For those who mourn and grieve. May their faith be a comfort to them. We pray for all of our loved ones and family members who are sick and afflicted. We pray to the Lord. 

6. That God will encourage us in the hope of our faith. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. For the souls in purgatory. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord. 

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

1 February 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Introduction: In the sermon on the mount from Matthew’s Gospel today, we hear Jesus proclaim the Beatitudes. This message may seem like a radical departure from our conventional way of thinking. May we ask God for the grace to realign our ideals and our values and work toward the fulfillment of God’s eternal kingdom. 

Penitential rite: Priest: 

Lord Jesus - you raise up the lowly. 

Christ Jesus - you restore the sight of the blind. 

Lord Jesus - you bless the poor in spirit. 

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: With humility of heart, we bring our prayers and the prayers of our brothers and sisters before the Lord. Let us ask for God’s blessings for those in need:

1. That we in the Church may give witness to the Beatitudes and lead others to the values of our faith. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For those in positions of authority. May they reach out to those who hunger and thirst for justice, peace, and righteousness. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For our seminarians and our deacon candidates and for all who are discerning a vocation. May they feel the Holy Spirit leading them and guiding them. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For those who struggle to forgive and for those who struggle to be merciful. That God will open their hearts and their lives. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the sick and the dying. For those who mourn and grieve. May their faith be a comfort to them. 

6. That God will encourage us in the hope of our faith. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. For the souls in purgatory. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord. 

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

1 February 2026 - bulletin reflection for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

It is hard to believe it is already the month of February. We will start the holy season of Lent in just two and a half weeks. In two weeks, we will have the first English speaking ACTS retreat in our Diocese, with some men of our parish attending. I will be serving as the priest-spiritual director at the retreat and Chris Callegan and Matt Weisenberger will be serving on the retreat team. (I had started a Spanish ACTS retreat program when I served as pastor up in Tupelo.) It is exciting to finally get this retreat program in the Diocese, with our parish taking the lead. I am grateful for all the men in the parish who signed up for the ACTS retreat. The retreat will conclude with Mass at our parish on Sunday, February 15. This retreat program will be a great addition to our parish and to our Diocese. Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln. 

1 February 2025 - The Beatitudes - homily for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time Cycle A - Matthew 5:1-12A

We hear Jesus proclaim the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel today. It is always interesting to delve into the meaning of the Beatitudes, as Christians throughout the centuries have discussed what this Scripture passage really means to them in practical terms. I think of how the Prime Minister of Great Britain Winston Churchill described Russia in a 1939 radio address: “I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” That is how I see the Beatitudes, as essential a mystery. It is certainly not easy for us to wrap our minds around their true meaning. 

The Greek word makarios that is used in the Beatitudes is translated into English as “blessed”, but perhaps a better English word would happy or fortunate. The Beatitudes declare as happy those who are poor in spirit. St. Augustine saw this as a reference to those who are spiritually humble. The Greek word ptōchos that is used for the “poor” here literally means to be dependent or needy, a kind of poverty that places us in a position of absolute dependence on others.  When Jesus refers to the poor in spirit in this context, he describes someone who in his humility recognizes his dependence on God. The essence of humility is the opposite of spiritual pride. Thus, the first key to being happy, according to Jesus, is recognizing one's own spiritual dependence of God. 

When Jesus proclaims happy are those who mourn, he describes the person who laments the sufferings and the sins of our present life and who laments and mourns those who have died. In our mourning, we experience the pain of loss. We can lament our own sinfulness and the sinfulness of others, our own sufferings and the sufferings of others, and the loss of those who have died. Jesus proclaims that those who mourn will be comforted, a promise of comfort beyond the sufferings of this life. 

Jesus proclaims happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, that they will be fulfilled. Jesus looks to those who yearn for justice and holiness, in being in right relationship with God. Unfortunately, we often look out at the world and see many injustices and a lack of holiness. For that we thirst. 

The promises that Jesus makes to his disciples in the Beatitudes are eschatological, meaning that they will be fulfilled in the end times. Jesus proclaims that those who mourn will be comforted in the end times, when the loved ones we’ve lost in this world will be raised up, body and soul, and we will be with them for all eternity, body and soul in eternal life with God. As the book of Revelation states, “every tear will be wiped away, there will be no more mourning or crying or pain anymore, because Christ will make all things new.”  That's the kind of happiness, that is the ultimate happiness, that Jesus is describing for us in the eight Beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, the happiness of God’s kingdom. 

What I have presented to you today is a theology reflection on the Beatitudes, of what they mean spiritually to us as disciples of Christ. But what is the relevance of the Beatitudes in daily life? How can we live out the spirit of the Beatitudes in our daily reality? 

First, the Beatitudes call for us to recognize the importance of God in our lives and the importance of being dependent on him. Sometimes, we can stray from the faith or get off track. With our busy lives, we are pulled in many directions; sometimes our relationship with God can get pushed aside. When things are going great in life, we might not see the relevance of God as much. We we have a lot of challenges or struggles, perhaps that is when we recognize that we need God and call upon him in our need. We might reflect upon the reality of our prayer life and our relationship with God. While the secular world sees an independent comfortable life to be a blessing, the ultimate blessing and happiness in life is to surrender completely to God and to put our trust in him. 

Second, the Beatitude call us to have a singular focus in life: a focus on God and our faith. Jesus desires us to have a single-minded devotion and focused attitude on the kingdom of God in our present life, but also in the kingdom that awaits us in eternal life. The Gospel is not something we do in our spare time or something we give up on when things are tough. It is the sort of thing we would rather die for than abandon. We should not live out our faith or make time for Church only when it is convenient and when there are no other conflicts. Many in modern world have been overtaken by complacency. Instead, God asks us to make sacrifices for our faith, to hunger for him. Jesus wants us to be so focused on the joy of the kingdom he offers, so that riches, acclaim, comfort, and earthly happiness are not tempting in the least. We can ask ourselves: What do we desire so much that you are willing to give up absolutely everything to obtain it, even our lives?

Third, the Beatitudes call us to a life of empathy and compassion. St Oscar Romero, who was martyred by the military while serving as Archbishop of San Salvador, stated: “There are certain things in life that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” Any person of goodwill can intellectually relate to the pain and suffering of others. But it is something else to unite their sufferings with our sufferings and with the sufferings that Christ endured. Then, we are able to see the pain and suffering of others with our heart, rather than our eyes. A friend of mine stated he wanted to start a podcast to discuss those issues of injustice and oppression that plague our society today. He wants to do so with very noble intentions. Yes, it is good to discuss those things in the public forum and to bring attention to them, but what are we actually doing about it? How are we reaching out to people who are suffering in our actions not just in words? How do we unite our sufferings with their sufferings to help build up the body of Christ through concrete intentions and actions? 

The words of the Beatitudes that Christ proclaims remind us that this world is only transitory, that it is not our eternal home. What we have here on earth should not ultimately define us, nor does it represent what is lasting. Jesus reminds us in the Beatitudes that nothing in this world can truly satisfy us. Only he can. Although our sufferings may appear at first to be without benefit, if it helps us to depend more on God, to focus on what really matters, and to grow in empathy, how can it be anything but a blessing? 

Sunday, January 18, 2026

30 January 2026 - Friday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time - Psalm 51

In our psalm today, we hear a raw and honest look at repentance. This psalm is written from the perspective of King David after his confrontation with the prophet Nathan regarding his sins with Bathsheba. The psalm reveals the depth of David’s remorse and sorrow and the scope of God’s mercy. In a verse we do not hear in our psalm today, the psalm starts out by saying:  “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.”

David doesn’t give any excuses for what he has done. He doesn’t try to put the blame on someone else or something else. He puts himself before God’s mercy. David knows that only God's mercy and compassion can reach the depths of his failure.

We have the sacrament of reconciliation in the Catholic Church to offer us God’s mercy and forgiveness when we sins. It is important that we are contrite and remorseful for our sins, to repent and to turn away from our sins. May we avail ourselves of God’s love and mercy. 

30 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Friday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you are our savior and our redeemer. 

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

Lord Jesus, you forgive the sins of the contrite. 


Priest: Lord God of mercy and love, as you reveal yourself to us in your incarnate son, we bring our prayers to you this morning:


1. For Pope Leo XIV and the leaders of our Church. For wisdom and courage. 

2. May we deepen our awareness of our responsibility to care for the earth in a spirit of good stewardship. 

3. For healing within churches. That God will help us work together as the body of Christ. 

4. For families who are experiencing struggle and brokenness. That God will guide them through difficult times, 

5. For all who are recovering from natural disasters and who are experiencing harsh winter weather. That God will give them courage and strength,. 

6. For greater attention to God’s Word: that we may recognize the words of scripture as sources of spirit and life. 

7. For the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. 

8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts today. 

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

28 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Wednesday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you are the savior of the world. 

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

Lord Jesus, you are lamb of God. 

Priest: Lord God of mercy and love, as you reveal yourself to us in your incarnate son, we bring our prayers to you this morning:

1. May we Christians manifest the Good News in our lives, our families, and our workplaces.

2. May we work together to build the kingdom of God here on earth in our service to others. 

3. For the gift of discernment. That we may discern where God is calling us in our lives. 

4. For all teachers, catechists, and preachers of God’s word. That God will inspire them with words that will renew the faith of others. 

5. For those whose lives are broken by anger or violence. For hearing and wholeness. 

6. For all who struggle with emotional and mental illness: that they may come to know a time of God’s favor. 

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

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

28 January 2026 - homily for Wednesday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time - Thomas Aquinas - Mark 4:1-20

Today, we commemorate the memorial of St Thomas Aquinas, one of the great theologians and thinkers of the Catholic faith, Born in the year 1225 near the city of Naples, Italy to a noble family, he disappointed them by joining the Dominican order. Due to his sharp intellect, he ended up studying at the renowned University of Paris, where his professor and mentor was the important theologian Albert the Great. He later retuned to the University of Paris to teach. He pioneered the use of the Greek philosophy by synthesizing it in Christian theology,  Aquinas used the power of reason to demonstrate that God and the universe could be understood by reason guided by faith. Beside his many well known works of theology, he is also the composer of several important Latin hymns, including O Salutaris Hostia and Pange LIngua. The Summa Theologica written between 1267-1273, was intended to be a textbook for students of theology. Written in a question and answer format, it covers topics such as God, creation, human nature, Christian morality, Jesus, and the sacraments of the Church. Aquinas died in 1274. He was the fifth person to be named as a Doctor of the Church, having received that distinction in 1567. 

We hear a familiar parable in the Gospel today, of a sower sowing seeds in different types of ground. We may be able to identify with this parable in different stages in our lives. At times, God’s word seems to fall in our lives and take root easily, but at other times, it seems as though God’s word has been snatched up from our lives like birds grabbing seeds off the ground. Just as Thomas Aquinas dedicated his life to the study of theology and God’s word, may God’s word be a constant presence in our lives of faith. 

27 January 2026 - homily for Tuesday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time - St Angela Merici - Mark 3:31-35

Jesus is in the midst of his ministry in today’s Gospel. He is at work in his ministry and in his proclamation of God’s kingdom. Perhaps his mother and his family are concerned for his welfare.  Perhaps they want to make sure that he is ok and well taken care of.  Yet, Jesus knows he needs to be occupied with his Father’s work, so he declares that his true mother and his true brothers and sisters, are those who do the will of his Father in their lives. 

St Angela Merici is the saint we celebrate today. Born in 1474, she was a 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 appreciate the contributions of Angela Merici. She was orphaned as a child and faced a lot of obstacles in her life. She joined the third order Franciscans as a young woman, but later, at the age of 60, with twelve other women, she founded the Company of St. Ursula, which was named for a patroness of universities in medieval Europe.  The 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 St Angela wrote for this group of women was approved; it prescribed for them the practices of chastity, poverty, and obedience. 

27 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Tuesday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time

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 incarnate. 

Priest: Lord God of wonder and awe, as you reveal yourself to us in your incarnate son, we bring our prayers to you this evening:

1. That we in the Church may recognize our identity as members of the Body of Christ. 

2. May we be more open to the Holy Spirit in our lives and be willing to nurture and develop the gifts that the Spirit has given us. 

3. That we may work together with evangelizers and missionaries to proclaim the Gospel message to the world. 

4. For a greater openness to God’s word and to the message it brings us. 

5. For first responders, veterans, the men and women serving in the military, and medical professionals. 

6. That those who are struggling may find peace in their hearts. 

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

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

29 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Thursday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you the Prince of Peace. 

Lord Jesus, you are the Son of God and Son of Mary: Christ. 

Lord Jesus, you are Word of God made incarnate. 

Prayers of the faithful:  

PRIEST:  God graciously blesses us in his love and mercy.  We now bring forward our needs to God with confidence:

1. For Pope Leo XIV and the leaders of our Church. For our elected officials.  For wisdom and courage.

2. That we may be better stewards of the earth’s resources, recognizing all of  God’s creation as gifts to us. 

3. For those who are in hospice and those who are dying. May they feel God’s loving embrace. 

4. For peace for those parts of the world torn apart by war and violence. 

5. For the men and women in the military. For our veterans. For our first responders. And for our medical professions. 

6. For all who are sick or afflicted. May the light of Christ lead them out of darkness and into healing and wholeness. 

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

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

29 January 2026 - homily for Thursday of the 3rd week in Ordinary Time - Mark 4:21-25

Baptisms are one of the most joyful occasions I celebrate in my life as a priest. In the baptismal rite, the godparent lights a candle for the child being baptized from the paschal candle, representing how the light of Christ that is being passed on to the child through the sacrament of baptism and through the promises and commitment that the parents and godparents make on behalf of the child. The baptismal rite explains that this light is entrusted to the parents and grandparents in order to be kept burning brightly in the life of the child. 

We are called to be the light of Christ in the darkness of the world. We have the light of Christ burning inside of us. We can choose to keep this light burning.  We can pass on this light to others. Or we can extinguish the light and keep it hidden from the world.

We may face a lot of challenges and struggles in our lives that try to keep the light of Christ away from us.  Yet, it is up to us to keep it burning brightly. May we never forget that task that is entrusted to us.

Friday, January 16, 2026

17 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the Saturday of the first week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring us the joy of the Gospel. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to repentance. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to conversion. 

Priest: We now present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Kopacz, and all of our Church leaders. That God will lead them and guide them in their roles as shepherds. 

2. That we may have a deeper connection with Christ through both the joys and the sufferings in our lives, so make present God’s loving plan for us. 

3. For the healing of racism and prejudice in society. 

4. That all of us may care for God’s creation in our daily lives and do what we can to protect planet earth. 

5. For peace. That God will turn our hearts away from violence. That we may work together to end violent crime and warfare. We pray for Beth Israel Synagogue and their healing and recovery process. 

6. For the sick and the afflicted. For healing in body, mind, and spirit. 

7. For the ACTS retreat today we are having for our team members. We pray that we feel the presence of the holy spirit with us today. 

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

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


17 January 2026 - homily for Saturday of the 1st week in Ordinary time - St Anthony of the Desert - Mark 2:13-17

Earlier in the week, we commemorated the feast day of Paul the Hermit, one of the first Desert Fathers. Today, we commemorate the most celebrated of the Desert Fathers: Anthony of Egypt, who was born in the middle of the 3rd century. St Athanasius of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church and Patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt, wrote a biography about St Anthony of Egypt, which made him a very popular figure in the Early Church. Anthony sold his large inheritance at the age of 20 and moved to the solitude of the desert. The movement of the Desert Fathers exemplified the way these early Christians felt called to live out the simplicity and silence of their faith in a time when the Church was becoming a bigger part of society. It reminds all of us how important our prayer life is to our faith, how we are called to find quiet reflective moments in our prayer life where we will encounter God in a profound way.

Anthony was called to a particular way of life in his vocation as a follower of Christ. Today, we hear Jesus calling Matthew, a tax collector, to be his disciple. Jesus’ association with the tax collectors and sinners, those deemed unclean, shocked the sensibilities of those who followed the letter of Jewish law.  In calling Matthew to be one of his disciples, Jesus chose one of the unlikeliest of men – a tax collector whose profession was despised by the Jewish people.  When Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for the company he kept, he explained how he sought out those in the greatest need.  Jesus is like a physician. He healed people on spiritual & psychological levels, as well as on the physical level. We all need to open up ourselves to Christ’s presence and to the healing he brings to our lives. 

We are here today gathered for Mass on this Saturday morning as a part of the ACTS retreat team. We are here as part of our preparation to put on the ACTS retreat in February. I am very edified by the faith I see all of you living out in your lives if faith. I am edified by the commitment you are making to be a part of the ACTS team. We have been all called to do this by God. It is important for us to feel Jesus accompanying us in the ACTS retreat in everything we do every step of the way. It is Jesus who will live in us as we do his work and service. 


Thursday, January 8, 2026

25 January 2025 - bulletin reflection for the 3rd week in Ordinary Time

This week we start Catholic Schools week, recognizing the importance of Catholic education is our Diocese and in our Church. I had been an administrator and teacher of two Catholic schools in Ecuador and taught for a year in a Catholic elementary school here in the United States as well.  However, I also taught for four years at a public high school in Greenville and still have a current teaching license in the state of Mississippi, so I recognize the importance of both our Catholic schools and public schools in society and in the lives of our families at our parish. While I recognize the importance of our Catholic schools here in the Jackson metro area, I also recognize the importance of the religious education program and youth group at our parish. We celebrate and recognize all these things this week. Blessing to all of you - Father Lincoln. 

25 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time CYCLE A

Introduction: In our Gospel today, Jesus calls his disciples to come and follow him. As Jesus also calls out and asks us to follow him, we commemorate Word of God Sunday dedicated to the proclamation, study, and celebration of God’s holy word. Jesus words call out to us today to a deeper commitment to our faith. May the word of God inspire us to enter our life of discipleship more deeply. 

Priest - penitential rite - 

Lord Jesus - you call us to proclaim God’s kingdom to the world. 

Christ Jesus - you unite us in God’s love. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life. 

Prayers of the faithful - 

Priest: United in our faith, may we bring our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world in our prayers today:

1. That we in the Church reach out in mercy to those caught up in poverty, neglect, or injustice. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That the world leaders work together to life the yokes that burden those who are marginalized and oppressed. We pray to the Lord. 

3. As we commemorate Catholic Schools Week, we pray for our Catholic school students, teachers, and administrators. We also pray for all of our public schools. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For the men and women in the Church in consecrated religious congregations, that God will continue to bless them in their vocations. We pray to the Lord. 

5. This upcoming week, we commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We remember those who lost their lives in the Holocaust during World War II. May we work to change hearts that are filled with anger and hatred. We pray to the Lord. 

6. As we conclude the week of prayer for Christian unity, we pray that members of all Christian denominations may work together as disciples of Christ. We pray to the Lord. 

7. That the Lord continue to bless our children, youth, and college students in their studies and in their school activities. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For missionaries, catechists, and all who proclaim God’s word in the world. We pray to the Lord. 

9. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: As your son Jesus Christ calls us to follow him, we ask that you answer our prayers according to your will. We present our prayers through your son, who is our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

25 January 2026 - homily for 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Ordinary Time - 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

At last weekend's Masses, our second reading from the very beginning of the first letter to the Corinthians, St Paul told the people of God in Corinth that they had been sanctified in our Lord Jesus Christ, that as such they have a calling to holy, and that they should always call upon the name of the Lord. Yet, in the midst of their life of discipleship as individuals and as the Body of Christ as a community, we hear today of the many divisions that exist in that community in a continuation of that letter. Many of the members of that community had lost sight of the important of Christ in their lives of faith and instead focus on the human leaders they were following in the Church. Two of the biggest problems that the Corinthians faced were price and selfishness. Those are often problems we also can face on our own journey of faith. 

Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were leaders in that community who tied to bring the people together and to get them to follow the Way of Jesus. Those ministers were united in the same mind and purpose. In his life and ministry, Jesus himself did not operate out of price and selfishness. His entire life was dedicated to sacrifice and service and following the will of his Father, which ultimately led to his journey to the cross for our salvation. 

Paul ends today’s reading by stating that he was entrusted to bring God’s message that would not empty the meaning from the cross of Christ. Jesus’ death on the cross is not some romanticized version of God’s love for his son and for us. The omniscient God allowed his beloved son to be put under human power, to be killed violently on the cross, defying human reasoning and human logic. St Paul goes on to say that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.

The power of God is not manifest in military might or great shows of power. The power of God is manifest in genuine acts of self-sacrificial love.  To the ways of the world, this might look foolish or meaningless, but that is the power of the cross of Christ. 

This Sunday concludes our commemoration of the week of prayer for Christian unity. This week of prayer for Christian unity started in January 1908 in the Atonement Franciscan Convent of the Episcopal Church, in Graymoor in the Hudson Valley of New York. This week of prayer was led by Father Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White, who later converted to Catholicism. This week of prayer for Christian unity was recognized in the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XV in 1916, extending this week of prayer to the universal Catholic Church. 

The theme for this year comes from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body, and one spirit, just as you are called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4)  These words of St. Paul see the unity of the community of believers as a vocation, a calling by the Holy Spirit. This unity requires conversion of heart, which is not possible without openness to reconciliation and healing. This unity is linked to hope and practiced in communal support, by embracing diversity while maintaining communion. This also means the we are willing to accept the diversity of gifts exercised in ministry, the goal of which is building up unity for the whole. This unity is guided by a mutual search for truth in a spirit of communal love.

For a lot of the time I have been a priest, I have been involved in ministerial associations in the towns where I have served, where the pastors of the various churches get together for fellowship and support and to work together in the proclamation of God’s kingdom. Unfortunately, we do not have this in Clinton, but I have a lot of contact with the different minsters who serve out at the prison and with the prison chaplains. I get a lot out of my collaborations and my conversations with them. 

It is important for us to continue to pray for Christian unity. However, it is important to practice concrete actions in striving for Christian unity as well. 

I wanted to mention that this Sunday is also Word of God Sunday, as declared by Pope Francis in 2019, a time when we at to celebrate the word of God as a living presence in our lives. As this homily shows, delving deeply into God’s word show how relevant his word is in our lives of faith in the modern world. 


Tuesday, January 6, 2026

18 January 2026 - bulletin reflection for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

We have now concluded the Christmas season and are now in the days of ordinary time before we start the holy season of Lent later in February. This week we commemorate the week of prayer for Christian unity. We are called to work with other Christians in those areas that are common ground. We also commemorate the national Martin Luther King Jr holiday and the day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children on the anniversary of the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision. Thus, there are a lot of theme and topics that grab out attention this week in the midst of our busy schedules. There are many facets of our faith that are important to us. Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln.  

18 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A - prison ministry

Penitential rite - priest - 

Lord Jesus - you are the holy servant of God. 

Christ Jesus - you give us new life. 

Lord Jesus - you are the light of the nations. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

Priest: Let us call to mind our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world in our prayers today as we open ourselves to do the will of our heavenly Father: 

1. That we in the Church be a light to the nations and a sign of God’s love and mercy in the world. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our evangelization efforts and proclamation of God’s kingdom reach the ends of the earth. May we the Catholic community proclaim the kingdom of God to all here at CMCF.  We pray to the Lord. 

3. That all Christians may work together for Christian unity. We pray to the Lord.  

4. That we may work to promote the dignity of every human life as we commemorate the day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children this upcoming Thursday. We pray to the Lord. 

5. As we commemorate the Martin Luther King Jr holiday this week, may we work together to advance the values he stood for in our society. We pray to the Lord. 

6. May we who are gathered for Mass today respond willingly and joyfully to God’s call in our lives. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For our first responders, for the men and women in the military, for our veterans, and for our medical professionals. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For all of our loved ones. For our children, spouses, and family members. May they feel our love and prayers reach out to them. 

9. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For those who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Glorious God, as your son gave witness to your justice and mercy, teach us to give witness as well. We make our prayer through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

18 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time CYCLE A

Introduction: As we concluded the Christmas season, we now return to Ordinary Time. We heard from the John the Baptist during the holy season of Advent. We hear from John again in today’s Gospel as he gives testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God. When we receive the Eucharist at Mass, we also testify to Jesus as being the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. May these words resonate with us today and everyday on our journey of faith. 

Penitential rite - priest - 

Lord Jesus - you are the holy servant of God. 

Christ Jesus - you give us new life. 

Lord Jesus - you are the light of the nations. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

Priest: Let us call to mind our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world in our prayers today as we open ourselves to do the will of our heavenly Father: 

1. That we in the Church be a light to the nations and a sign of God’s love and mercy in the world. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our evangelization efforts and proclamation of God’s kingdom reach the ends of the earth. We pray to the Lord. 

3. That Christians of all denominations work together for Christian unity. We pray to the Lord.  

4. That we may work to promote the dignity of every human life as we commemorate the day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children this upcoming Thursday. We pray to the Lord. 

5. As we commemorate the Martin Luther King Jr holiday this week, may we work together to advance the values he stood for in our society. We pray to the Lord. 

6. May we who are gathered for Mass today respond willingly and joyfully to God’s call in our lives. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For our first responders, for the men and women in the military, for our veterans, and for our medical professionals. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For those who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Glorious God, as your son gave witness to your justice and mercy, teach us to give witness as well. We make our prayer through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

18 January 2026 - homily for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time cycle A - John 1:29-34

This weekend, we break from our readings in Matthew’s Gospel, which we will primarily hear from in this year’s cycle of readings on Sundays, to hear an account from John’s Gospel today. Last Sunday, we heard Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism as we celebrated the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Today, we hear John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus. John’s Gospel does not directly describe Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Instead, John the Baptist announces that he knows that Jesus is the Son of God.

John the Baptist uses two titles for Jesus. He calls Jesus both the “Lamb of God” and the “Son of God.” With these titles, John the Baptist identifies Jesus’ ultimate purpose to the world: to redeem humanity. John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus distinguishes John’s baptism from the Baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. While John baptizes the people with water, Jesus will baptize them with the Holy Spirit. John explains that the purpose of his baptism was to make Jesus known to Israel.

In preparing the way for Jesus and in making him known to the world, John the Baptist shows us what discipleship is all about. In our baptismal promises, we are called to make Jesus known to the world by our words, by our witness, and by our actions.

It is important that we Catholics see baptism as the first sacrament of initiation into the faith and a sacrament that is necessary for our salvation. The Catechism states: “Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all Baptism cannot be repeated” (CCC, no. 1272). 

In our Catholic view of baptism, this sacrament can only be received once, since it enacts a permanent change within us. This spiritual mark is also called a character, which St. Augustine likened to distinctive brandings impressed upon soldiers and slaves during Roman times to signify the commander or owner to whom they belonged. Baptism marks us permanently as belonging to Christ, whose image we bear.

One reminder of our baptismal promises that we can make during the day is the sign of the cross, which we should see as a prayer in itself. When signing ourselves in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we recall our identity as God’s sons and daughters first bestowed upon us at baptism. In the sign of the cross prayers, we invoke God’s aid in our journey toward God’s eternal kingdom. We are always to be mindful of the graces given us at baptism and recall the presence of the Trinity within us each time we make the sign of the cross.

I remember that after showing a movie about a saint to the inmates, one of the prison ministry volunteers was very upset about the movie we showed, saying it was inappropriate because it showed the saint struggling with his temptations and his weaknesses. We are very mistaken when we think that a saint was a perfect person who never did anything wrong and never had faults and weaknesses. By virtue of our baptism in Christ, we are all called to holiness. And because of our diverse talents, challenges, and circumstances in life, we all find different ways to grow in holiness. This call to holiness is not for the select few, nor should it be viewed as an unattainable ideal.  St. Pope John Paul II writes: “. . . this ideal of perfection must not be understood as if it involved some kind of extraordinary existence, possible only for a few ‘uncommon heroes’ of holiness. The ways of holiness are many, according to the vocation of each individual…The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction. It is also clear however that the paths to holiness are personal and call for a genuine “training in holiness,” adapted to people’s needs…” 

May our baptismal promises challenge us to live a life of holiness, to live out the values and ideals of our faith each day. 



Sunday, January 4, 2026

23 January 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Friday of the 2nd week of Ordinary Time

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. 

Priest: 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 the sick and the 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 greater 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. 

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

Saturday, January 3, 2026

23 January 2026 - Friday of the 2nd week in Ordinary Time - 1 Samuel 24:3-21

We hear our continuing story from the first book of Samuel today. In today’s reading, David has the opportunity to kill King Saul, his nemesis, as Saul enters the cave where David is hiding. Saul is intent on killing David himself when he enters that cave, as he sees David as his rival. The mercy that David showed Saul when he had the chance to kill him is remarkable, a contrast to the revenge, vengeance, and vitriol we have seen in society in recent years, especially in the realm of politics and social media.  So many in our modern world today would not have the discipline or compassion to show the restraint that David showed in cutting off the end of Saul's garment and then pointing out to Saul that he could have easily killed him. Even if David had not confronted Saul and had simply allowed him to walk out of the cave unharmed without saying anything, God would have known the truth. In the end, it is the Lord who judges us, who knows our motives and our desires. It is easy to show kindness to our friends, family members, loved ones, and those who are kind to us, to pray for them, but not so easy toward our enemies. 

Marianne Cope was the oldest of 10 children. She was born in Germany in 1838 and was brought to New York state as a baby by her parents. Her parents struggled in the US, so Marianne quit school after 8th grade to work in a factory to help her family. Despite the challenges she faced, she entered religious life in 1862 as a Franciscan sister. She taught in German-speaking Catholic grade schools and became a school principal. Later, she and her order opened some of the first hospitals in that area of New York state. When she was the superior general of her order, she was asked to send some of the sisters to serve in ministry in Hawaii with the lepers. Not only did she send 6 sisters, but she went herself.  

Sister Marianne and her Franciscans sisters worked in two hospitals, they opened a home for the daughters of lepers and a home for women and girls on the island of Molokai when Father Damien was living out his last days after coming down with leprosy himself from his ministry with the lepers. Sister Marianne nursed Father Damien in his last dying days. She and the Franciscan sisters continued Father Damien’s ministry on Molokai.  She stayed on that island 30 years until her death in 1918.  She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, three years after Father Damien was canonized. Sister Marianne’s life and ministry stand as a testimony of faith for all of us. May we unite our prayers with her prayers today.