Author: admin

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I’m sure many of us remember where we were when we heard Pope John II second passed from this world, entering eternal life on April 2, 2005. 

I was a sophomore at Seton Hall University, just a few months away from becoming a Catholic. I remember being particularly moved by his life and example, perhaps most famously for his message: “Do not be afraid.”

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It was a call from the Lord that John Paul II heard from the beginning of his life.

Even when he experienced the death of his mother at 9 years old, and then his father, and then his brother. When he was left alone, the Lord said to him, “Do not be afraid.”

Or when the Nazi’s invaded his homeland, closed his university, and forced him to work in a factory. He remembered those words, “Do not be afraid.”

Or when war broke out and he risked his life entering a clandestine seminary to study for the priesthood.

“Do not be afraid.”

Or when he became a professor teaching at the only Catholic university behind the iron curtain in Lublin; when he was called to become a bishop for the persecuted flock in Poland; or when he was elected Pope in 1978…

“Do not be afraid to lead. Do not be afraid to walk into the unknown.”

Perhaps most appropriate of all, on April 2, 2005, when the Lord called him home, John Paul II must’ve felt those words echo in his soul:

“Do not be afraid, John Paul. I am with you.”

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The story of Pope John Paul II is our story, too.

There are so many things that can make us afraid – from COVID, to unemployment, rising tensions in our nation, unpaid bills, grief, loss, or an uncertain future.

But through it all, the Lord’s call echoes throughout the ages:

“Do not be afraid. I am with you. I have overcome the world.”

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May the courage of John Paul II strengthen us as we walk – unafraid – into the unknown, into a future yet to be written, confident the Lord is by our side.

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Gospel: Luke 12: 49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father, 
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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This is one of the harder Gospels to digest, but we all know it’s true: faith causes division.

For example, how many of us are pained by the fact that someone we love doesn’t believe in God?

How many parents are afraid that their children or grandchildren will drift from the faith in college, marry outside of the Church, or dabble in other faiths and spiritualities?

Even marriage can be divided along faith lines. One spouse may go to church while the other stays at home. It hurts not having your spouse understand the deepest part of you.

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As a result, faith can become like politics; it’s something we just don’t talk about, even amongst family and friends.

So, how do we live a faith-centered life without burning bridges or turning people away?

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By simply living the faith we profess. Be the first to forgive, the first to turn the other cheek, the first to serve….and the last to speak.

As Pope Francis said recently, people aren’t attracted to “Christian parrots,” people who talk about Jesus, but don’t live like him.

Rather, people are drawn to Christians who are joyful, generous, light-hearted, and honest.

May our actions give someone a reason to believe today.

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Image credits: (1) AnaStPaul (2) St. Joseph’s University (3) Sacred Heart Parish, Mother Teresa

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Gospel: Lk. 12: 39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly. 
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Have you ever purchased a lottery ticket?

The total for the Mega Millions Jackpot last night was $94 million! I’m not sure if anyone won or not, but I can give you 94 million reasons why I’m glad I didn’t.

“To whom much is given,” Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “much will be required.”

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I’m sure the Lord has just as many plans for that jackpot as the winner does, but the Lord’s plans probably don’t include a fleet of fancy cars, a new wardrobe, a bigger home, or a dream vacation.

Rather, Jesus might say to the winner the same thing he said to the rich young man, “Go, sell what you have and give to the poor (all $94 million of it!). Then come, follow me.” 

That’d be a tough, tough thing to hear. But, again, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” If you or I won the lottery, then we’d be held accountable as to how we used it.

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While we may not be monetary “winners” in that sense, we’ve all been given unique gifts and talents from the Lord, which God invites us to use in his service.

What are my strengths? And do I use them in the service of the Lord and his Church?

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While none of us woke up $94 million richer, we are all held accountable for how we spend our lives. 

Let’s make each minute count, being good stewards of our gifts and time today.

To whom much is given – strengths, talents, and faith included – much will be expected.

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Image credits: (1) Tim Botts Caligraphy (2) Detroit Free Press (3) Christianity