19 March 2021 - Wednesday of the 7th week of Easter - Acts 20:28-38

     In just a few days, we will mark an end to the holy season of Easter with the celebration of Pentecost.   Today, in the continuing story of the Early Church in the Acts of the Apostles, we hear a continuation of Paul’s speech to the people of Ephesus, as he is getting ready to go back to Jerusalem where he knows he will face a lot of trials and struggles.   He informs the community leaders in Ephesus that they, too, will face opposition in their ministry.   In fact, Paul specifically says that he knows that after his departure, “savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.” Paul’s farewell to the community at Ephesus is very emotional for him.  He and the members of the community are weeping and hugging each other.  They know that they will not see each other again.  

     It is hard for me to believe that at the end of this month, I will mark 13 years as a priest.  It is harder to believe that this month marks 25 years of my arrival in Ecuador, back in May of 1996, where I served as a lay missionary for three years with the religious order the Comboni missionaries.  I can remember the first days after my arrival in the capital city of Quito experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of South America for the first time.  I remember my departure in May 1999 from all the villages where I served in the rural province of Esmeraldas in northern Ecuador.   Like Paul’s farewell in the first reading today, it was a very emotional time for me.  I remember one of the elders of the community saying that what he would remember most about me was not the many wonderful development projects I brought to the community or the distance learning high school that I started, but rather that in the midst of my struggles and challenges, I always persevered and never gave up.  I remember that sometimes I was suffering from malaria or pneumonia or another type of tropical fever, and I would be wrapped up in a big blanket in the middle of the hot tropical climate because I was shivering with sickness.  But in the midst of that, I continued my work as a missionary and never gave up.  And I saw so many missionaries around me - their perseverance and courage gave me the strength to continue on my own journey.   May all our hearts be with Paul and his compassions, united with their zeal and their missionary spirit. Let us thank Paul for his passion and enthusiasm for bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, even in the midst of struggle and strife. 

21 May 2021 - Friday of the 7th week of Easter - John 21:15-19

    As we are coming to the end of the Easter season, as we approach Pentecost Sunday, we hear the post-resurrection Jesus ask Peter three times if he loves him, to which Peter answers affirmatively.  Jesus' response to Peter is to feed my lambs, tend my sheep, and feed my sheep.  Peter's three affirmative responses of loving Jesus reminds us of the three times when Peter denied Jesus during Jesus' suffering on the way to the cross.

          It is easy to have a relationship with Jesus when he takes us to the easy, comfortable places that bring us joy and that are the places we want to go.  Yet, we know that our journey of faith consists of more than those easy comfortable places.  We are followers of Jesus in the true sense  only when we let him take us to places that we don't particularly want to go, perhaps to places where we confront our fears and are pushed beyond our comfort zone.  We are called to surrender to Jesus' love and to the will of God, to ask for the grace to live as true disciples, to be willing to say “yes” to God in the many unexpected ways in which he asks us to serve him and to serve his people.  When Peter was answering those questions of Jesus, I don’t think he realize where his journey of faith would lead him. 

     Speaking of God’s grace, I recently saw this quote from Catholic author Flannery O’Connor on the internet:  “All human nature vigorously resists grace, because grace changes us and change is painful.”  What an interesting quote.  Change is a constant in human life, isn’t it?  But change is indeed painful.  May we open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s grace.  

18 May 2021 - Tuesday of the 7th week of Easter - Acts 20:17-27

     Paul says goodbye to the community of Ephesus in our first reading today.  It is a very emotional moment for him, as Paul has spent several years preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in that community.  Paul at first encountered great enthusiasm from the Jews there as he preached to them in their synagogue. However, later, when opposition arose, he moved to the public hall where his message was heard by many.  As Paul gets ready for his departure, he makes preparations to go to Jerusalem, even though he knows that he may face violence or arrest upon his arrival there.  

      Paul was a great missionary in the years of the Early Church.  The way the faith spread throughout the ancient world reflects the zeal and enthusiasm in which Paul preached the Gospel to the people.  Today, we celebrate a great missionary to North America in the days of the French explorers - Jesuit priest Jacques Marquette.  He founded Michigan's first European settlement, Sault Sainte Marie.  He arrived in North America in 1666 as a young priest.  In 1673, Marquette and French explorer Louis Jolliet were the first Europeans to explore and map the northern portion of the Mississippi River Valley.  Marquette learned at least six different native American language dialects, which made have a very effective missionary.  He died in the year 1675 at the age of 37 from dysentery near Ludington, Michigan.  The city of Marquette, Michigan and Marquette University in Milwaukee are named after him, keeping his memory alive in the hearts of many.  Although Marquette has not been officially canonized a saint, his example of faith as a missionary speaks to us today from the 17th century.  May the spirit in which he brought the faith to the people of North America inspire us in our new evangelization today. 

prayers of the faithful - feast day of the apostles

 Lord Jesus - you call us to be your disciples - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you called your apostles to break out of their limitation and fears - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to proclaim your Good News - Lord have mercy. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

Encouraged by our fellowship with all the saints, let us make our prayers to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Father, as your Son called men and women to leave the past behind them and to follow him as disciples, we pray that you bless those whom Jesus calls as his disciples today. 

2. As your Son told his disciples not to be afraid, we pray that you bless with courage and tenacity the ministers, missionaries and church leaders who bring your Gospel message to the world today. 

3. As your Son sent out disciples to heal the sick, we pray that all of us may reach out to the sick and shut-ins and those in need of healing and reconciliation.  

4. For those who keep us safe in society - our first responders, the men and women in the military, and our medical professionals.   

5. We pray for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, especially for those souls in the process of purification in purgatory.   

Almighty God,  grant that your Church may faithfully hold and make known the faith that has come to us through the apostles.  We make these prayers thru Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. 

quote from Flannery O'Connor - God's grace

 

prayers of the faithful - Our Lady of Fatima - 13 May 2021

Lord Jesus, you the Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy.

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

Lord Jesus, you are Word of God made flesh: Lord, have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:  

PRIEST:  God graciously blesses all of humanity.  We now bring forward our needs to God with confidence:

1. That those who follow Christ may remain faithful throughout the challenges and difficult circumstances of their lives.

2. That God may grant wisdom to our governmental leaders in the difficult decisions they have to make.

3. For peace in our communities that are torn apart by violence, terrorism, anger, or conflict.

4. That we may all be peacemakers who work for reconciliation, peace and justice in our relationships.  

5. That Mary may be an example to all of us in her patience, compassion, and love.  

6. For all who have been affected by recent bad, weather, storms and tornadoes.  For continued recovery for them.  

7. We pray for the sick and the shut-in.  We pray that perpetual light may shine on all our dearly departed.

8. For those prayers we hold in our hearts.  

PRIEST: Gracious God, you bless your people with peace and justice: accept our prayers and give us your help, through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the faithful - 6th week of Easter - 12 May 2021

Lord Jesus - you proclaim your Good News. 

Christ Jesus - you are our Savior. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope. 

We present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For the Church: that, empowered by the Spirit, we may faithfully give witness to the Gospel and continue Christ’s mission of bringing hope and healing to all. 

2. For all who are awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit: that their hearts may be open and their spirits receptive to all the gifts of God.

3. For a spirit of evangelization: that we may allow the Spirit to work through our words, deeds, and relationships to draw others to Christ.

4. For the grace of wisdom and knowledge: that our hearts may be enlightened and our hope made firm in God who has called us to continue the mission of Jesus. 

5. For healing in our lives in body, mind and spirit. 

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

With Easter joy in our hearts, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.