5/14/2013 – Wednesday of 4th week of Easter – Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

        Through our reading in the Acts of the Apostles this morning, we know that Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as one of the apostles.  Matthias was chosen before the descent of the Holy Spirit, but this choice was not made by Jesus, but by the other 11 apostles.  Tradition has it that Matthias was sent to spread the Gospel in Ethiopia and that he died a martyr.  Tradition has it that the remains of Matthias are located at the Abbey of St Matthias in Trier, Germany, having been brought there by Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine.  These remains were rediscovered there in the 13^th century, at which time the abbey became a popular place of pilgrimage. 

        We have been challenged by Pope Francis and Pope Benedict to a new evangelization.  We hear this term “new evangelization” so often that some fear that it would become a trite cliché or mere slogan.  As I understand it, though, through this new evangelization, we are to try to build up our own faith and then evangelize our own corner of the world, especially those of us who live in the traditionally Christian countries where our faith is coming under attack by the secular elements of our society and where a lot of people are no longer believers.

         Paul and the apostles like St Matthias faced many unknowns and many challenges as the preached the Gospel throughout the world.  We are faced with many challenges as well as we bring the message of the Gospel to our modern society.  May we be inspired to live in the spirit of the Early Church and energetically witness to our world.

4/24/2013 – Wednesday of 4th week of Easter - Acts 12:24-3:5A

        We are in the middle of the Easter season – this is now the 4^th week of Easter.  The Easter season ends on May 19 with Pentecost, which is just before the school year ends for all of you.  We have been hearing readings from the Acts of Apostles during these past few weeks in the Easter season.  Just last week we heard about the stoning of Stephen, in which a man named Saul was a participant, and then heard about Saul’s persecution of many of the followers of Jesus.  Then, Paul has a great conversion and he becomes very involved in the Christian community.  Today, we hear how Saul and Barnabas were preaching in the church, and were chosen by the Holy Spirit at work in the community to go to a special mission to Cyprus.  Saul will later be known by the name Paul, the great missionary in the Early Church who spread the Gospel of Jesus to so much of the ancient world. 

         The reading said that God’s word continued to spread and grow, but this happened because of the work, zeal, and enthusiasm of men like Barnabas and Saul.  I know that some of you worked in the Hilltop program this passed weekend.  When I met you all for dinner on Saturday evening, I heard many of you telling me how hard you worked, but also about how enthusiastic and excited you were about help others and about serving God in this way.  And I know that a lot of you are very excited about your trips this summer to St Louis and to Jamaica as a part of Catholic Heart Work Camp.  As young followers of Christ, your enthusiasm and love for God will touch many hearts.  God gives us our gifts and talents for a reason, and it is important for us to use our gifts to serve God and to serve our brothers and sisters.

         I know that some of you will be going away to college next year.  I know that all of you are looking forward to the summer and to the different activities you will be involved in.  For the seniors – know that the Catholic faith that nurtured you here at St James Catholic Church will always be a part of who you are.  Know that the love that this community has for you will always be at your side.  This is our last Wednesday night youth mass this school year.  I have enjoyed having these past few youth masses with all of you this year.