“Get behind me, Satan!” – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on September 11, 2021September 11, 2021 by Deacon Joe

Is. 50:4c-9a; Ps. 116:1-9; James 2:14-18; Mk. 8:27-35

“Get behind me Satan!” These words should be on our lips to rebuke evil putting on the armor of God by calling on the name of Jesus to lift us up out of the darkness of sin, suffering, or temptation. How are we to lift up our faith? It is in the name of Jesus and through the works of God that our faith is not only lifted up as an offering but it continues to grow into holiness so we may already “walk before the Lord, in the land of the living”. Heaven can’t wait for the dead to rise when Jesus can be present to us this day among the living in holiness. When “the cords of death” encompass us and we fall into distress and sorrow we not only call upon the name of the Lord to save us but let us rebuke the source of evil with the words of Jesus, “get behind me Satan”.

Poor St. Peter, he stumbled his way to holiness in an emotional rollercoaster with Jesus. Peter and his brother Andrew are the first to be called to follow Jesus leaving everything behind. In the gospel today, it is Peter who receives the spirit of knowledge to call Jesus “the Christ”. It is here that Jesus calls Peter the “rock” upon which he will build his church. Peter is no sooner lifted up in spirit that he comes crashing down as he tries to “rebuke” Jesus. Really Peter, your first act of authority as the “rock” of the church is to turn on Jesus with the spirit of pride only to be rebuked back to reality with the words “get behind me Satan”. Peter is a great witness for us to recognize just because we are saved and belong to Jesus doesn’t keep Satan from trying to have us stumble back into sinful living.

Satan doesn’t quit on Peter and he doesn’t quit on us trying to have us stumble and fall. We can’t try to blame Satan either justifying our actions with “the devil made me do it”. Satan influenced the thinking of Adam and Eve to commit sin and he tried to influence the thinking of Jesus in the desert so we remain his target but Satan does not control us either. He is the Father of lies and that is his weapon to have us believe his lies and act upon them. In the movie “The Passion” during the agony in the Garden, Jesus is in prayer when Satan appears personified constantly speaking to Jesus to weaken his resolve but Jesus remains in prayer and stamps on the head of the serpent. “Get behind me Satan” is our way of stamping on the head of Satan and calling him out.

We see in the Mount of Olives Jesus foretelling of Peter’s denial of him three times. Peter responds as humans do “Even though I have to die with you, I will not deny you.” Tough talk but we all know how far Peter falls that very night after Jesus’ arrest denying Jesus three times as soon as Satan appears to fulfill the words of scripture, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed”. Satan doesn’t quit trying to influence us with the same efforts to have us deny Jesus and disperse the sheep of God. “Get behind me Satan” for the Lord opens our ears that we may not rebel or be put to shame for denying Jesus or the works he calls us to serve.

Yet after Jesus resurrection when he appears to Peter and the disciples, Peter is once again called to rise up and proclaim his love for Jesus three times by feeding and tending to Jesus’ sheep. In Peter we see how Jesus does not give up on Peter and he does not give up on us calling back to his mercy with love. In Peter we also learn that our faith in Jesus comes to life with the “works” of love or it is dead. Faith and works are two sides of the same coin, can’t have one without the other.

Satan influenced the church persecutors with the same concept “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed”. The chief priests and entire Sanhedrin felt that if they just did away with Jesus then his followers would disperse and the movement would be dead. The Romans who persecuted the early church had the same idea. They went after the apostles and the bishops to make a statement and bring fear to the followers but the more they killed the greater the number grew. Satan’s influence to bring terror and death only gave the people greater faith to proclaim the gospel and to take care of each other.

What about the terror and death that surrounds us, is it cause for us to disperse because we don’t see God or understand the mystery of suffering, or fear our own persecution if we speak out against the culture of death around us. Who speaks for the life of the unborn or for the persecuted Christians around the world? Do we say to Jesus, “I will never deny you” but remain silent in the face of sin? Today on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, “we never forget” the innocent in the face of evil. Never forget the influence of Satan and evil that can enter the heart to bring death. We remember them and the lives forever changed but we also recall that in the end God triumphs over evil.

One of the “Big” lies of Satan is the lie of relativity we all hear and many come to believe and it goes like this, “Truth is in the eyes of the beholder”. Jesus heard it from Pontius Pilate when he asked, “What is truth?” For Pilate it was a rhetorical question for he did not accept Jesus’ answer “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” For Pilate and for many today one person’s truth is another’s false reality but not for Jesus. Come to the truth, come to Jesus. As our famous protestant brother and writer Rick Warren wrote “Its not about you”.

How often does our thinking spiral into fears, visions filled with “what if” and our imagination goes wild with negative thoughts that distress us, disrupts our peace especially because at the moment there is no danger, no crisis, no visible enemy or is there? Could it be the enemy we call out to get behind us, that is to get away from us? This may be the moment when the unseen enemy is before us and we need to rebuke him by name “get behind me Satan!” If we think that by ignoring Satan, he will ignore us we are mistaken. He only targets our vulnerabilities even more with as many evil spirits we allow into our mind to beat us and shame us. In the moment of darkness when the “snares of the netherworld” seize upon us and we fall into distress we are to call upon the Lord’s salvation and rebuke the evil one with the Lord’s name. The Lord hears those who are brought low and comes to save us.

I have to say that almost every day I receive mail from many groups, ministries, and movements with images of Jesus coming in the poor, the hungry, the suffering seeking help to fund their projects. When you respond to one it seems we get ten times more mail from others seeking support for doing the works of God. You may have had a similar experience and it can be overwhelming to see what the need is. Your heart goes out to all of them and usually their letters come with a little gift knowing that they are investing in your generosity. It brings reality into focus not only of the struggle of others but that we cannot even count the blessings we have received from God. The truth is always before us. Jesus is always before us but we must be open to the truth. Jesus brings the truth into the world, Ephphatha, be opened!

To be Christian is to be giving of oneself with our works of faith in time, talent and treasure. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? So also, faith of itself, if it does not have works is dead.” Faith alone does not save. Faith is meant to moves us to do the works of salvation and the works of salvation create life so that in Christ death has no sting, no power, no glory for “he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive” (Lk. 20:38). That is why we not only pray for the dead but for the dead to pray for us because theirs is not a final death but a death to this body while their souls are more alive in the truth of Christ. Philippians 2:12 reminds us, “So then my beloved…work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” The evil one is at large seeking the ruin of souls. “Get behind me Satan!”

The Lord God opens our ears to hear him in his word, to touch his body and blood in the Eucharist, to walk among the faithful to follow the truth “before the Lord, in the land of the living.” Heaven can’t wait for tomorrow when Jesus makes himself present to us today. We enter the land of the living to taste and see the goodness of the Lord when we come to Jesus to wash away our sins and receive him in the Eucharist. This is that day and the hour has come to proclaim our faith in the truth of Jesus. Be renewed, and go forth to love and serve the Lord in all his works.

The Lord will bless the land we stand on and guide the path we walk that we may radiate his love and glory to the world. When we receive the Lord, we receive his mercy and faithfulness to be faithful in all our works. “Justice and peace have embraced” coming from heaven to be with us in Jesus as he appeared to the disciples after the resurrection proclaiming “Peace be with you.” God dwells in us as we receive Jesus and we enter into the land of the living freed from the stain of sin. As the song reminds us, “this is holy ground, were standing on holy ground” and the Lord will keep us along the path of holiness with ears and eyes open to his mercy and love.

“In the name of Jesus, get behind me Satan” is a powerful prayer. In it we reject Satan and all his empty lies and we embrace Jesus, the Father’s only begotten Son, united to the Trinity, the angels and saints and to the one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic church first entrusted to Peter as the first Pope, that is “Holy Father” of the church despite his faults and his past. Peter rises to embrace the works of Jesus with great faith and so are we to do. The truth is this world is about salvation through Jesus Christ. Don’t leave this world without him. Jesus saves!

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Homily The Deacon Joe

God’s work never rests! 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on July 31, 2021July 30, 2021 by Deacon Joe

Ex. 16:2-4, 12-15; Ps. 78:3-4, 23-25, 54; Eph. 4:17, 20-24; Jn. 6:24-35

God’s work never rests! “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” God is always in search of our hearts and for some of us he is working overtime. While our hearts are restless, we turn to what is in this world for answers while he keeps giving us signs of his presence. To believe or not to believe that is the question. If we believe then our “works” will reflect our faith in Jesus. Faith and works are two sides of the same person and they cannot be denied. In works is revealed the true faith of a person. It raises the question to ask ourselves, “what are our works in building up the kingdom of God?” The work starts with faith in Jesus Christ.

If the first order of business is to believe in Jesus Christ how much time do I spend with Jesus in prayer, in Mass, and in serving him through serving others? Do we see Jesus in others and/or do we seek him out through others by offering a work of faith? God’s work never rests and it comes through others as he can also work through us for the good of others. We often speak of our charity by giving to the poor, donating our time for a cause, being active in our church and all are good contributions to the capital of grace but God’s work is to see a transformation not in what we do but in who we are. God’s work never rests in bringing us closer to himself and transforming us more into his image as a light to the world. We are the work in progress.

Signs of God’s work in us begin to be seen in our daily actions as a reflection of who we are as Christians. It can be seen in such simple confirmations of our faith to others through our conversations as an act of faith to unite us to God. Growing up do you recall hearing your mom or dad or grandma or grandpa often in conversation make an expression of faith by saying “thanks be to God”, “God is good”, “God have mercy”, “have a blessed day”, “pray all goes well” to recall just a few examples? It was this little reminder that God’s work never rests and he is present in our lives the moment we call upon him. I can hear my mother’s voice saying in Spanish “si Dios quiere” (if God wills) and most often “gracias a Dios” (thanks be to God). Every conversation is an opportunity to invite God and unite ourselves and others to him “praise be to God”. Let’s keep God in the conversation and let him guide us to the Son through the Holy Spirit to his revealed truth.

Faith is not stagnant it is dynamic as God’s work in us never rests. Every day is an opportunity to work on our faith as we go forth and encounter the world. We grow in faith when we take time to live in faith, love with faith, learn more of our faith, and leave a legacy of faith. According to Stephen Covey to live, love, learn and leave a legacy are the four essential human needs of life and so we take our four essential human needs to grow in holiness connecting our humanity to God’s divinity.

To live in faith is not defined by obtaining all the pleasures of life. “In the gospel, Jesus tells the people “Amen, amen” meaning without a doubt “I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled”. This is not living in faith but seeking the “food that perishes.” The same is true for the Israelite community who “grumbled” and said that as slaves “we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread” but only to be hungry again. God lets it “rain down bread from heaven”. This is not just a foretelling of the coming of Jesus in the Eucharist but a sign that he answers our prayers and meets all our needs so that we then may “accomplish the works of God”.

To live in faith is to live in the joy and peace that only comes through Jesus. This is the first work of God that we “believe in the one he sent” to be our food “the bread of life”. He is the bread from heaven that satisfies all our needs. He is the bread we eat when we receive the Eucharist. This is the dynamic work of faith in action that “heals our infirmities”, nourishes our souls and “answer all our needs…in the bond of peace”. It comes to us as a gift from heaven through the sacrifice of Jesus. To live in faith is being in communion with Jesus that creates not only a bond of peace but the guidance through the Holy Spirit and a purpose in which to live in. God’s work of faith in us never rests in calling us to himself to believe and be saved.

To love with faith is to trust in the love of God and in his generosity. Generosity as Spinoza the philosopher would say, “If love is the goal, generosity is the road to it.” Our generosity of time, treasure, and talent defines the meaning of life. It is the bond that unites us to God for God is love. Generosity has a compounding effect for the greater good for generations to come just as evil has a compounding effect for what is bad. No act of generosity goes without a just reward from God who blesses us with the opportunity to bless others in generosity. To love with faith is the willingness to sacrifice for the love we receive and offer ourselves up to God. The greater the sacrifice the greater that love grows and no greater sacrifice of love than Jesus on the cross. God’s work of love never rests in loving us.

To learn more of our faith is to never grow tired of seeking truth from the revelation of God. Truth is not anti-science it is the science of discovery of the miracles of life that reveal to us something greater is here with us. To learn more of our faith is to keep looking for Jesus to give us more of the “food that endures for eternal life” which the Son of Man promises to give us. Lectio Divina is one way to integrate our prayer life with the word of God to learn more how Jesus is speaking to us in the moment. A word of knowledge becomes the incarnation of the word in our being to transform us more into the image of God whose work never rests in us in calling us to himself.

To leave a legacy of faith is to give “life to the world” by receiving Jesus from whom life is received to be poured out as a light to the world. It is an apostolic legacy carried on by those whose lives we touch and it begins in the home. Three words need to be spoken in all Christian homes and they are “let us pray”. Let us pray in thanksgiving, let us pray for the sick, let us pray for our needs, let us pray for the souls in purgatory, let us pray a rosary or a novena, let us pray for an answer to our prayers. Prayer opens the channel of grace for our sanctification. To leave a legacy of faith it begins with prayer and it spreads out into our world to make a difference.

In prayer we feed on the spirit of Jesus. In scripture we feed on the word of Jesus. In the Eucharist we feed on his body and blood. He is the bread of life that satisfies every hunger and thirst “that endures for eternal life”. God’s work never rests yet he invites us to rest in him when he says in Mathew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.” We cannot learn from him unless we come to him with the same meekness and humility of heart to be fed by him.

When we come to Jesus his grace provides us a peace and joy that that allows us to be content. We are content not because everything came out the way we wanted it to be, or because every prayer was answered in a miraculous way but because by the grace of God, we found God since he had been there always calling us to himself. While we rest, God is working for that day, the day our faith rests in him for our greater good. Glory to God in the highest may this be that day of true rest in God.

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Homily The Deacon Joe

4th Sunday of Lent – Rejoice, O Jerusalem!

Posted on March 13, 2021March 13, 2021 by Deacon Joe

2 Chron. 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps: 137:1-6; Eph. 2:4-10; Jn. 3:14-21

“Rejoice, O Jerusalem” “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” John 3:16 is printed in posters, cups, shirts, billboards and proclaimed by all Christian people. It stands as a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ and unity for his people and we rejoice in Laetare Sunday to be children of God. In the darkness of sin comes the light of faith bring hope into the world.

Faith and works unite as one when we act in faith and allow the works of God to be his love through us. We live in it we rejoice in it and we fulfill the works of God in it. It is in the ministry of the priesthood that accomplishes the works of God in the church. It is the works of God seen in the service of the laity coming from our baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Faith and works are not to be divided any more than our soul is to be separated from our body for we are given both to serve as one in this world.

John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses of the bible by Christians of all denominations. Human nature being what it is has in the same way created disunity among Christian people when it comes to salvation between those who profess “saved by faith alone and not by works” and Catholic faith in salvation by grace in unity with works. James 2:26 reminds us “For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead”.

Today Ephesians makes a strong argument for faith, “For by grace you have been saved though faith, and this is not from you; it is a gift of God; it is not from works so no one may boast”. Saved by grace and rich in mercy is our God who desires us to recognize how great is his love that he gave us his only Son to save us. It is clear salvation is a gift of grace from God who is “rich in mercy.” We may ask how one confession wipes away all my sins if not by the rich mercy of God. How can any of our works be considered justification for salvation since we believe in John 3:16, Jesus died in atonement for our sins that we “might not perish”? The simple answer is we don’t. An act of faith opens the gates of salvation to receive the grace of mercy from God. So where does “works” stand in salvation?

“Works” are the visible signs of God’s work in us “so no one may boast” as their achievement but give God the glory who is at work to bring salvation to the world. Salvation is a gift “though faith” visible in the works of the faithful. Anyone who claims to have “faith” gives light to their faith in the visible works of God as we surrender to him. Consider the works of Moses, Elijah, and all the great prophets and all that God accomplished through their faith and trust in God and became the “handiwork” of God “for the good works that God has prepared in advance” for them. It is our turn now as a people of faith to be the handiwork of God for the works he has prepared in advance for us “that we should live in them”.

If we live in God’s works prepared for us then we live in the light of salvation but if we turn to the “infidelity” of our own works then we live in darkness of a faith that is dead. “Infidelity to infidelity practicing all the abominations…until there was no remedy.” Does this sound like ancient medieval times or modern times? We live in a time of infidelity practicing all the abominations going from good to evil, from the sovereignty of human life to calling for the rights of abortion to end life, from made in the image of God to made in the image of genetic manipulation to create an alternative life, from God’s natural law of sexual identity to human law of identity preference, from the right to life until the end of life to the right to die at the time of my choice. Works that stand for death stand against the fidelity to God as an abomination.

Not only have we lost the commandment to keep holy the “Sabbaths” but all the other commandments are no longer the tradition of the public square. They are being held captive to remain within the walls of the church not to be seen in public not even on the walls of anything considered a wall of the State lest we be canceled for infringement on the rights of the anti-commandment culture of death. Where does freedom come from? Is it by authority of the State or by authority of God through his command of life?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jn. 1:1) We are reminded in the gospel of John that “all things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life”. Our lifeline is God and without God we are already the walking dead “in our transgressions”. If the State by the authority granted unto itself chooses the darkness of death then let us stand apart as “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn. 1:5) Take courage in that our kingdom is not of this world as children of God.

What is the remedy? Perhaps the critical question is “what is the remedy God will bring upon this world? Perhaps it has already begun as we see the hand of God amid all the crisis in the world “until the land has retrieved all its lost sabbaths.” The remedy is Jesus Christ! The remedy is a call to repentance and retrieve the “lost sabbaths” by returning to the commandments of God. The remedy is a contrite heart in confession for the times we failed to answer the call to holiness and purity of heart. The remedy is the courage to give witness to our faith in the works God desires to work through us. The remedy is more than being “called” children of God, the remedy is to be children of God by the testimony we give every day in every way as the visible sign of his work in us. As Catholics the remedy is the sacrifice of the Mass in atonement for our sins and the sins of the world.

Salvation is a gift of grace “through faith”. The gift is there but it requires action on our part and the first act is an act of faith to believe followed by the natural works that respond to our beliefs that give life to our faith and glory to God. The mystery of faith is Jesus Christ and the works of faith are the children of God who radiate the light of faith in a world of darkness. The works of faith, that is the children of God is the treasure he came to save and raise up from death into everlasting life and glory. The train has left the station since over two thousand years ago and it is making its journey calling the faithful to come aboard. The ticket to ride is an act of faith but there is work to do on the train of salvation to reach our journey’s end. The one who does not work does not eat of the bread of life.

We are reminded that the harvest is ready but the workers are few, not a good sign for this world. The faithful are becoming the silent minority as less people return to the pews. We are reminded that “Early and often did the Lord, the God of their faithers, send his messengers to them, for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets, until the anger of the Lord against his people was so inflamed that there was no remedy.” Jesus is the messenger mocked, despised for his warnings, and scoffed as a prophet then and now when we dare to speak for the truth of God.

It is not personal it is the universal battle between good and evil taking place in our times. We are called to battle for our faith, we are called to be the remedy. If not us then who? Jesus has already come to give us life and to bring about his works through us. If not now when? Are we going to witness the enemy “burn the house of God”? It is already happening in other parts of the world as Christian temples are destroyed. The “walls of Jerusalem” the city of God is being torn down because those city walls are the walls of our heart that bind us to the heart of Jesus. All “its precious objects” are the lives of the unborn, the sick, and the poor destroyed in a culture of death.

“All the kingdoms of the earth” have been given to us as an inheritance and we are his people called to go up to the city of God. Let us sing to the Lord a new song of love and devotion and give him our troubled hearts. “Laetare Jerusalem” “Rejoice, O Jerusalem” and be glad while there is still time. Mother church rejoices in the children of God and we rejoice in Mother Church to bring us the miracle of the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. The heavens rejoice with us united to our Blessed Mother Mary, St. Joseph and all the angels and saints.

Let us remember that the Church has declared this the year of St. Joseph to be with us as our intercessor. He who was the defender of the Holy Family may have been silent in the scriptures but not in his fatherhood to Jesus and spouse of Mary. Just this week in the news a Christian school is promoting that the children no longer refer to their parents as mother and father. The attack against faith enters through the back door in the form of language to change behavior only to fall into the pit of abominations. Destroy the family unity and you destroy faith.

Today in Mass is our portion of the city of God and may our “tongue” never be silenced, may we never forget the giver of life, and may our God be with us all the days of our life until we too are lifted up into eternal life. The “verdict” is in for those who live the truth “so that his works may be clearly seen as done from God.” Let us rejoice as family!

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Homily The Deacon Joe

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time – Born to be rich!

Posted on November 14, 2020November 13, 2020 by Deacon Joe

Born to be rich! This is not the traditional silver spoon babies receive at birth or the hopes received in prosperity Mega Churches of today. This is the riches from heaven. In birth God has already deposited in his servants an investment of wealth waiting to see the return on his investment. God’s investment of his riches is not an economic, social or political investment, it is a personal investment of himself in a treasure of gifts, talents, graces, and virtues.

Our treasure chest may include among others the gift of voice to sing praises to the lord or proclaim his word, the talent to build up the kingdom of God in our homes and community, the grace to comfort the sick and attend to the suffering, and the virtue of humility to honor God in our service and mission in life. We all receive our unique set of treasures in who God created us to be. All born to be rich by our active participation in salvation. God multiplies the wealth we receive in the faithful servant.

In today’s gospel the servants receive different amounts of talents. Here a talent being a set large sum of money per talent. The parable is a reminder that the time is coming when the “Master” will come and we will account for his investment in our lives. Those who are ready to give a good account with be rewarded and hear “Come, share your master’s joy.” Those who are foolish as the virgins of last week, or as the servant who “dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money” will hear “throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” Is “Papa” God being mean to his people? No “Papa” God is giving us a reminder of a reality in time, God’s time is coming when there is no more redo or “next time”, when we already made our choice and by consequence enter eternity by the choice we made.

There is a general theory that 20% of the people do 80% of the work in any group effort. Apply that to the church and it would indicate that 20% of Catholics are active participants in their faith. It is a sad indicator and warning we receive today of individual responsibility. Last week we understood from the “foolish virgins” that the wise cannot share their oil if we consider the oil as each person’s share in salvation. Each must bring their own works of salvation. Today it is reinforced with the talents understood as money that was put to work to earn more and not wasted that brings the reward or punishment. Jesus also gives the example of how in the end time two will be in bed and only one will be taken up because in the end it is all about our individual responsibility and accountability.

In the first reading we hear of the “unfailing prize” of a “worthy wife”. In today’s phobic politically correct world it might be called sexist to speak of a woman as a prize, implying some type of “trophy” wife who has all the sex appeal but it makes clear that “charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting”. Remember the expression “you won the prize” referring to having a good husband or wife? Did you win the prize? I know I did. The prize of a faithful spouse, great kids, even a blessed mother-in-law. Now you are going to go home either there will be joy and “loving hands” or grinding of teeth and choke holds.

The prize comes from being the person God created us to be with our gifts, talents, graces and virtues in fellowship with others. In this reading the woman works hard at her trade with “distaff” and “spindle”. The distaff was the stick that held the fibers to then be spun on the spindle making the thread or yarn that she “works with loving hands”. She then “lets her works praise her at the city gates”. We look to this proverb and recognize women in the workplace is as old as history. I think for the most part women still carry the stick in the home to spin the family into order.

I remember my mother-in-law when she lived, she loved to sew and of course go to Walmart to buy material. One of her hobbies to help herself financially was making throw pillows, all sizes and styles. She had her customers, family, friends and friends of family as she used the best marketing tool, word of mouth to sell her pillows. In this case she let “her works praise her at the city gates” of her front door. She was “the woman who fears the Lord” making sure her children went to church even if they had to walk to get there as a family. Faithful parenting raises a faith filled child to be a “worthy wife” or a worthy husband, “whose value is far beyond pearls.” Born to be rich doesn’t just happen it takes the active participation of a loving family to develop our God given talents.

We are not only to be faithful in small matters we are to be faithful in all matters. The Lord reminds us we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. All things matter! As children the world is simply black or white, right or wrong, yes or no. As we grow, we develop a sense that the world is more complicated and there is some gray, right when but not if, yes if but no when. Jesus is tested often by the Pharisees and Sadducees and his answers are simple, clear and unconditional. In other words, there is a clear divide and we have a choice to make. Lie or be honest, do our best or try to get by, persevere or give up, stay awake or slumber, be ready or be left behind.

I like to say that my three favorite topics are religion, economics, and politics. It is what the world considers generally taboo if you want to keep your friends. Then the Lord did say he came to bring division which happens when we stand up for all things that matter. We can stand to protect the unborn or stand idle, we can defend religious freedom or defend the separation of church and state in the public square, we can be a voice for the poor and marginalized or remain silent to oppression, we can support the environment or pass on to our children the dangers to come.

In 1776 a nation was born to be rich in freedom and justice for all. In biblical history the people of Israel asked for a king to be appointed, they sought someone to rule over them. God had set them free but God answered their request and a ruler was appointed. The people went on to become people in slavery. We often hear “Freedom is not free!” Freedom is a work of mercy we are all called to live as a nation under God. Separate God from the nation and freedom is lost. Government is no substitute for God.

The nation is divided and unity cannot exist in a cancel culture that seeks to suppress the voice of freedom. The gift of freedom does not come from economics by having enough money, or politics by being in the majority, or even religion by following all the Judaic laws for we can become legalistic and forget the deeper purpose of faith. The gift of freedom comes from God in our souls born with the riches to be free. We may squander our riches and create our own chains. We can also master the gift of our riches in our works, the works of salvation and inherit the kingdom of God. Faith is not a thought or a feeling. Faith is a connection with God.

In the parable of the talents we recognize God’s work is entrusted to us individually and collectively as the work of the church. Life in the church happens in its works of salvation for the people. Each Thanksgiving the church community comes together to offer the Feast of Sharing for the local community with a hot plate of food. It is a tradition that survives because God wills to move his people to act not only in support of feeding the hungry but to say God loves you. The faces change the mission remains. We need to be reminded of God’s love in the language that speaks to our hearts. The language of love is found in all the works of mercy. Born to be rich in mercy. Be merciful, contribute!

We are the treasure chest, what lies inside is the deposit of God’s treasure. Invest wisely!

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Homily

6th Sunday of Easter

Posted on May 16, 2020May 15, 2020 by Deacon Joe

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Ps. 66:1-7, 16, 20; 1Peter 3:15-18; Jn. 14:15-21

Faith and works unite love and justice into the one body of Christ. It is the works of the will that reveal faith as the visible sign of invisible grace given to us who seek and ask. This is the testimony of Philip in today’s reading (Acts) who proclaim Christ to the people of Samaria with visible power in the miracles he performed. How do we demonstrate the power of Christ in our daily lives?

1^st Peter in his letter calls us to testify to God’s power in us when we “suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God.” The “if” reminds us not all suffering is the will of God when evil remains in this world. The will of God comes in suffering from keeping his commandments. These works of our will call upon the “Spirit of truth” to be our Advocate when we respond with “gentleness and reverence, keeping our conscience clear”. This is our challenge to call upon the Advocate in our struggle faced with adversity.

How easy it is to fall into a battle of wills with those we love most. The impulse is to return “fire with fire” sometimes aggressively getting loud and demanding or sometimes very passive aggressive with rejection through silence and denial of our love. The human “battlefield” is what the disciples of Jesus hoped for yet Christ followed the righteous path for the sake of the unrighteous”. Our human battlefield begins within for the sake off a greater good.

Let not the peace of Christ be disturbed by what comes from without but from within for the evil one is always baiting our souls to fall again into temptation. What is from without is “dis-ease” meaning a lack of ease about what we cannot control and what wants to control us. Our power is to reject all dis-ease as from the evil one and claiming the peace of Christ he offered his disciples at his at his appearance after the resurrection when his first words were “Peace be with you”. Let our hearts not be troubled by pandemics that rise and fall taking innocent lives for even if this suffering comes into our lives the promise of the resurrection is waiting to rescue us.

In listening to a Catholic radio program, the guest was giving his conversion story from Protestant to Catholic. He concluded his story recalling how his father a Baptist “died” from a heart attack but was brought back to life in the ambulance. Later that year he asked his Father what his death experience was like. His father said it was not what he expected. To his surprise instead of seeing heaven he went to this “intermediary” place where he had to give account of his life. As Catholics we identify this intermediary place as purgatory and also the Church suffering. It suffers as it waits for justice and heaven. We fail to speak more on purgatory as is needed in our call to repentance while we battle in our time as the Church militant. This is our battlefield for justice in heaven and earth.

The battlefield is fought and won within our souls with the help of the Advocate bringing us the spirit of truth. Our battle is a sacrificial offering of our day living in the Spirit of truth called to pick up our cross and follow the spirit in faith to victory. Jesus is waiting to claim victory for us when we unite our will to his we become one body in Christ with the power of the unseen God.

In the human existence we often confuse love as forgiveness with an avoidance of consequence. Love and justice in God are both present and justice is his. A child says “I’m sorry” and expects the parent to not impose justice. Children don’t understand the value of justice and if it is not fair justice may even lose faith in love. As children of God we often come to expect forgiveness without justice but justice belongs to God and it comes with love. Dante described purgatory as the place we go to wash our baptismal robes. The “place” is a process of cleansing of sin that remains as we leave our mortal bodies and claim our promise of heaven. It is not a denial of God’s love but a perfection of our love to receive his glory as an unblemished tabernacle of our souls. It is the unity of love and justice as one. Faith unites to love as works unites to justice for faith without works is a call to death eternal. We are a people of the resurrection in faith and works for the greater good.

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Homily

Twenty-fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Posted on September 15, 2018September 14, 2018 by Deacon Joe

Is. 50:5-9a; Jas. 2:14-18; Mk. 8:27-35

Last week we focused on the need for solidarity among the poor, rich, employee, employer, nations and people. Today Jesus calls for solidarity of faithful followers. His word is spoken boldly, “my face I did not shield…I have set my face like flint.” He invites confrontation, “if anyone wishes to oppose me let us appear together…Let that man confront me.”

Generally, we don’t like confrontation and most of us were not taught the art of debate. Think back to your childhood and arguments among your siblings how you were heard. Were you all cordial to each other or did everybody simply yell louder to each other from room to room or face to face. The idea of debate in our time as seen through media is like a rowdy group of siblings yelling to drown out the other person. Everyone needs to be heard but isn’t willing to listen. Today colleges promote “safe spaces” to avoid any debate or dialogue from opposing views.

In the gospel, Jesus has just finished naming Peter the “rock” for claiming “You are the Christ” and he places him as the head of the early church. He then begins explaining the coming Passion he will undergo. Peter’s response, not wanting to confront Jesus in public takes him aside to “rebuke him” quietly. Peter takes his new authority seriously. I picture Peter taking Jesus aside and whispering, “There is no way you are going to let them do that to you and I will not allow it.” Jesus turns to the disciples and makes a public rebuke, “Get behind me Satan”. In your face Peter so that all know clearly where Jesus stands. One moment Peter is having this high spirit of elation, the next he is deflated into shame. But there is more, Jesus also lets them know how to stand with him in solidarity or against him with Satan.

Solidarity of the faithful with Jesus is to “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” These three principles in unison are the works of the faithful. The first principle, denial is self is the first work that we must do. To assist us in this work is not to focus on self but on Jesus, what is pleasing to him, what is acceptable in his eyes and as the youth would say WWJD, “what would Jesus do?” If the eyes of the soul are focused on him we realize, it is not about me, it is all about Him who I choose to abide in that we may be one as he is in the Father and in the Spirit. We seek the Lord God who “opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back” This is the first of our faith at work that is pleasing to him.

The second principle is to take up our cross. When we abide in him we take up our cross not with a sense of sorrow in our spirit because we feel denied of worldly pleasures but with a sense of joy to do his will for our life is in his will and “how good it is”. The cross we bear is to feed the hungry, shelter the poor, cover the naked. Solidarity is seen in the works of the faithful, doing the will of the Father. Unfortunately the call for solidarity is confused with the call for salvation by some separated Christian faithful. The argument is that we are saved by faith alone not by works. The intent of the argument implies that we cannot earn our salvation by merits it comes by faith in Jesus Christ. There is no meter reading to count our works and determine if we have been good enough or if our good works offset our bad works.

The Catholic Church would agree we cannot earn our salvation by works of merit but that is not the position of the church as some misinterpret. The church stands behind today’s reading, stresses the important relationship between faith and works. They go hand-in-hand as two sides of the same coin, “faith of itself, if it does not have works is dead.” Nowhere in scripture does it say that faith “alone” brings salvation. Scripture also says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21); “For I will render to every man according to his works…” (Rom. 2:6); “For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgments…?”(Heb. 10:26-27); and finally, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (Jam. 2:24). That is as clear an apologetic “rebuke” without being politically incorrect or pride fully “in your face” because it is the word of God.

The third principle to “follow me” calls upon our baptismal vows as priest, prophet, and king. Solidarity of the faithful is to stand behind the church as one body in Christ. The Mass is the summit of that solidarity in the Eucharist. To reach the summit we journey in life in the light provided by the sacraments to purify our lives and abide in holiness. We all receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we search the deep things of God. In the Mass “I confess” my sin, “I believe” in the Trinity in our personal confession of faith; then we celebrate, go forth and follow as one body in Christ.

When one part of the body of Christ suffers we all suffer and woe to those who desecrate the altar by their sin and cause scandal. That is the seriousness and the sorrow of the crisis within the church today. Failure of denial of self by priests breaking their vows of obedience and chastity willingly is a grave sin against God and in some cases a crime against humanity. “Follow me” in rebuking those responsible that the body of Christ in the church will know clearly the will of God. “Follow me” in purifying the church when it identifies those responsible who choose not to deny themselves and are no longer fit for the ministry of leading the faithful. “Follow me” in solidarity with prayer, penance, and good works in atonement calling for healing and mercy. The crisis in the church is beyond the sin of those responsible, it is a crisis of trust in the shepherd. The works of Satan in the church do not represent the voice of God, yet God remains faithful to his bride and will purify her but not without suffering denial of self, the cross, and works of purification. Faith without works is dead.

There is no fear in God in confrontation and we must fear not the confrontation with evil regardless of the source, at home, work, school, public square and in the church. We do not rebel against the church or turn back away from it we confront the evil with truth and seek mercy. The Lord is our help and we are not disgraced. We are also not alone in this battle. We have the Church Penitent and the Church Triumphant. The Church Penitent can be a source of penance for the sins of this world and the Church Triumphant can be a source of holiness for our purification. “Do not forget the works of the Lord”. When we abide in him we are the works of the Lord. He did not come to condemn the world but the world must remain faithful to the covenant and it begins with me abiding in the body of Christ. We hold a great treasure to be guarded, stay alert, keep watch, the hour is upon us and the redeemer comes in glory.

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