Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Matthew 5: 1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 
He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Last year, around this time, a parishioner texted me: 

“Father, please keep my friend and her husband in your prayers. They had a house fire and are now homeless. They are very faithful people. After losing everything, she texted me the lyrics to the song, ‘Goodness of God.’ You should listen to it.”

“I love you, Lord,” the lyrics go, “for your mercy never fails me. All my days, I’ve been held in your hands. From the moment that I wake up until I lay my head, I will sing of the goodness of God… You have led me through the fire. In the darkest night, You are close like no other.”

“Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

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How can someone lose everything in a house fire and still sing of the “goodness of God”?

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They are the type of person who’s blessed in today’s Gospel. 

This word, blessed – in Greek, markarios – describes a joy that is self-contained; untouchable. It is completely independent of the joys and sorrows of life. It can neither be taken away nor destroyed.

It’s the type of stillness, inner peace, which Jesus promises to his followers. “No one will take your joy from you,” he says in John’s Gospel.

A change in weather, a change in fortune, a collapse in health, or a fire that consumes your home can steal the “happiness” the world offers. But nothing can take Christian joy away because it’s rooted in Christ.

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Imagine that type of joy. 

Regardless of what each day brings, there’s a stillness within; a feeling that all will be well; a comfort knowing Christ is with you and will never let you be tried beyond your strength.

We invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts now, asking for that type of joy – a peace – which Christ alone gives and no one can take away.

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Image credits: (1) Dreamstime.com (2) American Psychological Association (3) YouVersion Bible App, X.com

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Gospel: John 19: 31-37

Since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, 
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken 
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first 
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, 
they did not break his legs, 
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, 
and immediately blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; 
he knows that he is speaking the truth, 
so that you also may come to believe.
For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:
Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The crucifixion of Jesus Christ creates a scene of both gore and glory. It encompasses two mysterious truths: the mystery of human suffering and the even greater mystery of divine love.

Crucifixion was the most brutal form of execution in the ancient world. Those who were crucified did not die because of blood loss caused by the nails driven into their flesh; they died by suffocation.

A man would hang upon the cross for as long he could push himself up with his legs, lifting his chest for a desperate draw of air. Once a person became too exhausted to push anymore, he’d suffocate under his own weight, arms spread open in surrender. 

This is why the Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two men hanging next to Jesus; the Jewish feast of Passover was near and they needed to move on. Those criminals would’ve died within a matter of minutes.

The Lord, however, had already passed from this world. A soldier pierced his side to confirm, “it is finished.”

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Here we find the source of the Sacraments, the love of God literally poured out as blood and water.

From the earliest days of the Church – and certainly in John’s Gospel – Christians understood the water flowing from Christ’s side to be the font of baptism. The blood, the font of Eucharist. 

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him and I shall raise him on the last day,” the Lord promises.

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But the Lord’s death on Calvary was also seen in the context of marriage.

In the 4^th century, Saint Augustine noted that the flow of blood and water recalls the union between a bride and her groom on their wedding night. Thus, the Cross becomes the fullest expression of Christ’s love for his bride, the Church.

There he gives himself away – arms spread open, embracing all of humanity, washing us clean. 

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On this Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we recall that most sacred moment when the Lord, “loved us and gave himself for us.”

What else are we to do, but, “give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures forever.”

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Image credits: (1) Michael Corsini, Catholic Artist (2) Christ Crucified, Diego Velazquez (3) Christian Pictures Blog

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2 Timothy 2: 8-15

Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
But the word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
together with eternal glory.
This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.

Remind people of these things
and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.
This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God,
a workman who causes no disgrace,
imparting the word of truth without deviation.

The Word of the Lord.

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Imagine receiving a letter from a loved one in prison. They’re writing, not to update you on their status or on what life is like in chains; rather, they’re writing to encourage you to do the very same things that caused them to be imprisoned.

You’re in the prime of your life. You don’t take your own freedom for granted. Nor do you have any desire to live behind bars. And yet, they say to you, “Do not be ashamed of me; rather, do what I have done.”

Who among us would listen?

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Such is the feeling Timothy has in our first reading.

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Paul is literally chained to the arms of a Roman soldier, awaiting his execution. One of his final acts is to write to his “spiritual son,” Timothy, whom he ordained a priest. Paul knows that Timothy is struggling in his faith and ministry, so he writes to encourage him.

First, Paul appeals to his character. Then he reminds Timothy of his roots; both his mother and grandmother were Christians. Then he reminds him of his priestly ordination. And for his closing argument, Paul reminds Timothy that Christ is alive … and in touch. 

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,” he says. “Such is my Gospel for which I am suffering… But the word of God is not chained… Remind people of these things… Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace.”

Paul understood that the burden of the Gospel was laid on his shoulders, but that his time was coming to an end. The yoke of ministry had to be handed on… and Timothy was among the “chosen” to share it.

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Such is the case for each of us today.

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There remain many in our world who’ve never heard the good news of the Gospel. Others have either misheard or misunderstood. People long to know the truth – that God loves us as we are and has saved us. As Paul says, “If Christ is for us, then who can be against us?”

Like Paul and Timothy, are you willing to share the yoke of the Gospel? And, if so, how do you share it – not simply in words – but by the way you live your life?

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Image credits: (1) Truthout (2) Paul in Prison, Rembrandt (3) Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope