Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)                   

Thursday, October 28th    Lk. 6: 12-16   Feast Day of the Apostles St. Simon and St. Jude… “Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles.”

• In today’s readings, St. Paul has this to say to the Ephesians and now to us. “Brothers and Sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the Holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.”
• Let us cherish, protect and strengthen our Faith passed on to us from the Apostles!

ON THE VIRTUE OF FAITH by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

“BE ON GUARD, STAND FIRM FOR THE FAITH, BE COURAGEOUS, BE STRONG. YOUR EVERY ACT SHOULD BE DONE WITH LOVE.” (I CORINTHIANS 16: 13-14)

What is the virtue of faith? It is a theological virtue that unites us with God in whom we believe, in who He is and in what He says through the Word of God, through the Magisterium, and the person of Peter, who is the Pope. A shorter definition, indeed easier to memorize is: “Faith is believing in God without seeing Him.” Faith, together with hope and charity, are infused within our souls in the moment of Baptism. However, like a tiny seed planted in the ground, faith must be cultivated, otherwise it can wither and die.

BIBLICAL VERSE.  A very graphic Biblical verse, worthy of deep meditation or better yet contemplation is Saint Peter walking on the water, sinking, and then being lifted up by the hand of Jesus. (Mt 14:22-33) One of the principal reasons why Peter actually sank in the waves was that he lifted his eyes from the eyes of Jesus to look at the waves. This can be applied to all of us! When we fix our gaze on the loving eyes of Jesus then our faith, as well as our hope, remain firmly rooted, if you like anchored! However, once worldly values lure us in the wrong direction and actually seduce us, then we—like Simon Peter—start to falter in our faith and eventually sink in the waves of our own sinfulness.

Therefore, may we make a firm commitment and fight to be strong in the faith by striving to have Jesus always present to us in all times and places. As the Greek poet expressed it, quoted by Saint Paul: “In Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO FAITH IN THE MODERN WORLD?  

Related to the topic of faith, we should then ask and respond to this question, what are the major obstacles to faith in the modern world in which we live? There are many, but we would like to highlight a few:

1. LACK OF FORMATION IN THE FAITH.  Often many have a very weak faith because their parents never made a concerted effort to teach and live the faith for their children. Parents must be the first teachers of the faith; they promised this on the day of the Baptism of their child. They should teach their children both by word and example.

2. LACK OF PERMANENT FORMATION. As in the life of any professional, a permanent process of formation is demanded. Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Writers—all must be constantly updating and upgrading their practice and profession; if not, they could lose their job. Likewise, as followers of Christ our formation process should be perpetual, up until the day the Lord calls us. We can never get to know and love God enough!

3. DISTRACTIONS AND WORLDLINESS.  Today there are many distractions and worldliness that can pull us off the straight and narrow path that leads to salvation. Jesus says that the path that leads to perdition is wide and spacious and many choose that path; whereas the path that leads to salvation is narrow and there are few who find and follow it.

4. PRIORITIES.  Also, without a serious cultivation of the faith, other things become our priority over God. However, our God is a jealous God who will take second place to no person, place or thing.

5. SIN.  Finally, one of the major obstacles towards growing in our faith would be SIN. If we give in to sin and allow sin to be our master, then our faith can diminish, wither, dry up and perish!!! Then we actually become slaves to our sinful desires and passions.

Now let us move in the opposite direction and respond to how we can bolster our faith and become the means by which others will come back to their faith, grow in their faith, and like us, become apostles to bring even more back to the faith.

1. PRAYER.  Every time we pray we are growing in our faith. Actually, prayer is an act of faith because we are praying to a God whom we do not see. Servant of God, Father John Hardon. S.J. made this observation with respect to faith. He noticed that most of those who once had the faith and lost it, did so due to a lack of prayer or the abandoning of prayer. Let us make a strong decision and a concerted effort to strive to grow in prayer every day.

2. SOLID SPIRITUAL READING.  Saints have been converted by reading—as in the case of Saint Ignatius of Loyola who read the lives of the saints after his injury in the battle of Pamplona. Ignatius exclaimed: “If Francis can do it, so can I; if Dominic can do it, then so can I.” Why not decide to bolster your faith on a daily basis by applying yourselves to good spiritual reading; you might even start by reading the lives of the saints! Read a little every day. They indeed were the heroes of God, men and women of extraordinary faith! To learn about them is to acquire new friends who will inspire you and help you on your journey to heaven!

3. ACCEPT TRIALS LIKE SIMON PETER.  When God sends you some trial or tribulation why not accept it and call out like Simon Peter who was sinking in the waves: Lord, save me! Jesus did save him, and at the same time gently rebuked him with the words: “O man of little faith!” God actually sends you trials to strengthen your faith, like Job in the Old Testament and Peter in the New! He will never abandon you!!!

4. EUCHARIST: THE BREAD OF LIFE.  It must be said that the frequent and worthy, as well as fervent reception of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, is by far one of the most powerful means to grow in our faith. “As the deer yearns for the running waters, so my soul yearns for you my God.” (Psalm 42:1) May the words of the Psalmist motivate us to grow in faith by growing in our hunger for Jesus truly present in the Eucharist!

5. SHARE YOUR FAITH WITH OTHERS.  It is interesting to note that when we share material things, we end up poorer. Not so with spiritual gifts and treasures. The contrary is so! The more we give and share our faith with others, the more our own faith is enriched! Therefore, be open to opportunities that God places in your path—persons that you can share your faith with. Many do not have faith and may never have faith for this simple reason: no one has been ready and willing to share their faith with them. As the Prophet Isaiah expresses it: “Blessed are the feet that bring the good news.” (Is 52:7)

The last words of Jesus before He ascended into heaven were: “Go out to all nations and teach all that I have taught you; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Behold, I will be with you always until the end of the world.” (Mt 28:19-20) Indeed to be a follower of Christ is to be a missionary, always looking for times, places and circumstances to share the Good News of salvation. May Our Lady who said YES to God in the Annunciation, and then went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth so as to bring the Good News to her, be our inspiration to know our faith, love our faith, grow in our faith, and be zealous to share our faith with the whole world.

Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)                             

Wednesday, October 27th    Lk. 13: 22-30   “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” 

• What we need is spiritual nourishment to build up and maintain our strength to enter through the narrow gate. Fr. Ed calls them the five M’s. They only work if put into practice!

MEDITATION, MASS, MERCY, MISSION, MARY! by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

If you can strive to live out these five “M’s” in your life, no doubt, you are on the Highway to holiness. The five M’s: Meditation, Mass, Mercy, Mission, and Mary!

In our brief exposition we will strive to offer a short explanation of each and every one of the letters that starts with M—alliteration! Easy to remember: Meditation, Mass, Mercy, Mission, and Mary! Ready, set, go!

1. MEDITATION.  As followers of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, an indispensable quality or aspect of our following of the Lord is that of daily MEDITATION. In the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father, we pray: “Give us this day our daily Bread…”  After fasting forty days and forty nights, the devil tempted Jesus who was hungry to change stones into bread. Jesus responded to this temptation quoting from the Old Testament: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” (Deut 8:3)

Jesus emphasized the proper priorities or hierarchy of values that we must embrace. The mind which is nourished by the Bread of the Word of God prevails over the physical bread that sustains the body. Physical bread terminates in the stomach to be digested; the Bread of the Word of God, in the mind to be absorbed in Truth! Let us make a concerted effort and a determined determination to find time on a daily basis to meditate upon the Word of God. If possible, let us follow the invitation of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: “To make the Hour of Power!” Daily meditation on the Word of God will communicate to your person light, peace, joy, and a keen awareness that the Lord is walking with you during the course of the day. “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” (Psalm 23:1)

2. MASS.  Underneath the firmament of heaven, while traveling as pilgrims toward our eternal homeland that is Heaven, there is no greater prayer on earth than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is the Divine rainbow that connects Heaven with earth. It is the cross of Christ that connects us to the Heavenly Father. It is the renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary. Jesus offers His Precious Blood and His five wounds to the Eternal Father for the salvation of the entire world. In every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the entire Paschal Mystery is accomplished. That is to say, in every Holy Mass this happens, in a mystical and invisible, but very real way—the Sacrifice of Calvary, the Passion and death, but also the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As often as possible, and according to circumstances in our life and our specific vocation, we should make an effort to attend and participate in Holy Mass, fully, actively and consciously. If we are in the state of sanctifying grace, then we should hunger for the Eucharist, the Bread of life. “As the deer yearns for the running streams, so my soul yearns for you, O Lord.” (Psalm 41:1) The fervent, frequent, faith-filled reception of Holy Communion is the greatest act that a human person can carry out this side of Heaven! Our sanctification and salvation, as well as that of the world at large, depends on Holy Mass and fervent Holy Communions! Let us tap into this infinite reservoir of grace right now!

3. MERCY.  What is MERCY? It is nothing less than the Infinite Love of God forgiving the sinner. According to Saint Faustina, Pope Saint John Paul II, and the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Mercy is the greatest attribute or virtue in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Often a huge roadblock in our journey to holiness is a certain pride disguised as a lack of forgiveness. Often almost unaware, we cling to resentments in which we have not fully forgiven someone. This serves as a true roadblock and obstacle in our itinerary to holiness. It might even be that we hold on to a resentment or grudge against God for something that He allowed to transpire in our lives. Or perhaps some person hurt us, and we have not fully forgiven that person. Maybe we have failed in one way or another and we are unwilling to forgive ourselves and seek forgiveness from God through the Sacrament of Confession. When we truly learn to forgive, we set the captive free; and the captive who is set free is our own miserable self!

4. MISSION.  From Baptism, all are called to be true missionaries. Anointed as priest, prophet, and king, the Sacrament of Baptism empowers us with a triple mission. As priestly people we offer sacrifices for our sins and those of the whole world. As kings we learn to serve as Jesus teaches us: “The Son of man has not come to be served, but to serve and give his life in ransom for many.” (Mt 20:28) Then as prophet, we are all called to preach and spread the Word of God by word and by example. Furthermore, the last words of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint Matthew are: “Go out to the whole world and teach them all that I taught you. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And behold, I am with you always, even until the end of the world.” (Mt 28:19-20)

In the quiet of prayer, beg the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind to discern and follow the specific way or ways in which you can spread the Word of God and proclaim the Kingdom. All of us are called to be passionate and fiery missionaries. If we love Jesus, then we should love what He loves most—the salvation of immortal souls. With an aching Heart Jesus proclaimed: “I have come to cast fire on the earth, and I am not at peace until that fire is enkindled.” (Lk 12:49) As a missionary, may you cast fire and start a conflagration!

5. MARY: THE MOTHER OF GOD, THE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, AND OUR LOVING MOTHER. It is interesting, the order or juxtaposition of this exposition. Indeed, Mary lived out to the fullest extent possible these first four M’s: Meditation, Mass, Mercy, and Mission. Hence, she can assist us to live them out most efficaciously!

1) MEDITATION.  Twice in the Gospel of Saint Luke in Chapter 2, Mary is presented as a model for meditation. After the visit of the Shepherds, the Evangelist states that Mary pondered these things in her heart. The word ponder means to meditate, to ruminate (the way a cow chews the cud), to reflect seriously upon these happenings related to Jesus. Then about twelve years later, when the Child Jesus was found in the Temple after three days of sorrowful search, once again Mary pondered these events in her Immaculate Heart. Hence, Mary serves as a contemplative model of meditation for all of us!

2) MASS.  When Our Lady appeared in Mexico (Guadalupe), France (Lourdes), and Portugal (Fatima), unequivocally she asked that a Church be built. Why? So that people would go frequently to these sacred places where Jesus is offered to God the Father in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the salvation of immortal souls. Pope Saint John Paul II asserted that in every celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Mary is present, just as she was present at the foot of the cross on Calvary, as Jesus offers Himself as the sacrificial Victim for the salvation of the world. (Jn 19:25-27)

3) MERCY.  Among the many mystical and poetic titles given to the Blessed Virgin Mary is that of MOTHER OF MERCY. In fact, one of the greatest spiritual literary masterpieces ever written on Mary, exalting Mary’s sublime virtue of mercy is “The Glories of Mary” by Saint Alphonsus Liguori. This unique, classic spiritual masterpiece comments on one prayer—the Hail Holy Queen. In this beautiful prayer recited at the end of the Holy Rosary, we pray: “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope…” Saint Alphonsus asserts that no one should ever fear approaching Mary because Mary is pure MERCY!!! She is the shortest, quickest and most sure bridge to the merciful Heart of Jesus. In our battles to conquer our pride and resentments, Our Lady is a most efficacious means and intercessor!

4) MISSION.  Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary motivates our hearts, filling them with the fire of the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to others and bring others to Christ—both! For that reason, one of the greatest Missionaries in the history of the Church, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pointed out with accurate precision: “Mary was the first Missionary of Charity.” Why? Because in the Mystery of the Visitation, Mary went in haste to bring Jesus to Saint Elizabeth and Saint John the Baptist in her womb. Therefore, let us humbly implore Mary as Missionary that through her most powerful prayers she would ignite in our hearts a fiery and passionate desire to set all—every person on fire with love for Christ!

In conclusion, friends in Jesus and Mary, let us strive to live out the spiritual alliteration of the 5 M’S: MEDITATION, MASS, MERCY, MISSION, and MARY! If carried out with energy of will, intelligence, and perseverance, with God’s grace we will have entered on the super-highway to Heaven. Let us push the pedal to the metal and reach our eternal goal!

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)    

Tuesday, October 26th    Lk. 13: 18-21   “What is the Kingdom of God like? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.”  

• Truly, Baptism is like the mustard seed planted in the garden that flourishes into a large bush that the birds of the sky can come and dwell in. For the graces and gifts we receive through Baptism, we share with others as we live out our faith by our witness to Christ in our good thoughts, words and deeds towards our neighbor.
• Today let us thank the person(s) who brought us to this great Sacrament of Initiation. Let us recount the graces of our Baptism in the article inspired by Fr. Ed.
• Then let us prayerfully pray over how to live out our baptismal promises through the Prayer to be Merciful by St. Fasustina Kowalska. Use this as an Examination of Conscience. Jesus said: “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36)

Part One: BAPTISM: BEING BORN IN THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Part Two: PRAYER TO BE MERCIFUL by St. Fasustina Kowalska

PART ONE: BAPTISM: BEING BORN IN THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The melodious song of chirping birds, the fragrant redolence and aroma of Spring flowers, the majestic soaring of eagles on high, the blossoming of dazzling red roses, the sky radiant with the hand-stroke of a multi-colored rainbow, the transformation of the caterpillar into the majestic Monarch butterfly, the awakening of the world with sunrise and the closure of the day with sundown—all of the above are manifestations of beauty and triumph!

Considering all the glorious array of nature’s beauty that dazzles the eye, none can be compared to the sublime graces that flow from the Sacrament of Baptism! For lack of formation and sufficient catechesis, few have the keen awareness of the fact that Baptism should be the happiest day in the life of man and woman on earth.

INVISIBLE REALITY, BUT INDEED REALITY!  The extraordinary graces that flow from Baptism are not captured by many for lack of understanding, but also, not perceived because these graces—countless graces—are invisible. They are not perceived by the human eye, but only through the eyes of those with an authentic faith! Let us pray that we will be among the select few who truly have eyes of faith! Like the blind Bartimaeus, let us cry out to the Lord:  “Lord, I want to see!”

Let us read and meditate upon the Sacrament of Baptism according to what one of the most authoritative sources has to say about this Sacrament—The Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway of life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and the word.”(Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1213)

OUR SECOND BIRTHDAY: CELEBRATE IT!!!  All of us who have had the grace, privilege and blessing from God to have received the Sacrament of Baptism, should investigate and ascertain the exact date of our Baptism. Then with this knowledge, every year we should celebrate that day. How? First, we should attend Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion with faith, fervor and fire! Second, we should spend some time in private prayer rendering abundant thanksgiving to God for the great gift that He has given to us of our Baptism. Then, every year bring out the ice-cream, cake and candles and celebrate the Anniversary of our Baptism with family and friends. We have to learn how to celebrate the glorious, spiritual peak-experiences in our lives. Our Baptism is one of those spiritual peak-experiences!

Therefore, let us set forth a categorical list of the many astounding graces that we received on the day that the priest poured water on our forehead and pronounced these words that radically changed our lives. Those words were:  X_____Name:  “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Transform this wonderful list into a prayer, a Litany of thanksgiving to God. May the words of the Psalmist echo in our hearts! “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; eternal is His mercy.” (Ps. 136: 1)

THE MULTIPLE GRACES THAT FLOW FROM THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

1. ORIGINAL SIN.  As a result of the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we enter the human family with the stain of Original Sin—only Jesus and Mary are excluded! Baptism washes our soul from this moral stain and transforms our soul into radiant beauty, as white as the snow!

2. GOD THE FATHER. With Baptism there is a real entrance into a profound relationship with the Eternal Father. True! We become sons and daughters of God, truly sons and daughters of the Eternal Father. What joy should fill our hearts!

3. GOD THE SON. Our relationship with Jesus through Baptism transforms Him into our Older Brother. If anyone asks you if you have an older brother, your response should be in the positive: “Yes! Jesus is my older brother!”  What a privilege!

4. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. The third Person of the most Blessed Trinity becomes powerfully present with Baptism. Yes! The Holy Spirit becomes our intimate Friend! This being said, by maintaining the grace of God in our soul, we are never alone because the Holy Spirit is there to be our intimate Friend who leads and guides us on straight paths.

5. BLESSED TRINITY.  As a follow up and conclusion, with Baptism we are transformed into living Tabernacles of the Blessed Trinity. The three Persons live together in the very depths of our soul: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In all truth, we become living icons of the Triune God who lives and breathes within our souls!

6. FAITH.  In Baptism, God instills in our soul the theological virtue of Faith. Defined: “Faith is the intellectual virtue in which we believe firmly in a God, and all that He teaches through the Church, even though we do not see this God.” Lord, strengthen us in faith!

7.  HOPE.  The second theological virtue received with Baptism is that of Hope.  Defined: “Hope is the theological virtue in which we place our trust in God, even in the midst of severe tribulations and sufferings.” Jesus, I trust in you!

8. CHARITY.  The greatest of the theological virtues, as well as of all the virtues, is that of Charity. This virtue has a double dimension: the vertical and the horizontal. Defined: “Charity is the virtue by which I love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength” (the vertical—go up); then, I love my neighbor as myself for love of God” (the horizontal— go out).

9. THE FOUR MORAL/CARDINAL VIRTUES: Justice, Temperance, Prudence, and Fortitude. These virtues facilitate in us the practice of virtues that we need to live out our daily walk with the Lord Jesus.

10. THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  God’s graces and gifts pour down upon us like an enormous deluge. With Baptism, God instills in our souls His Gifts, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The first three perfect the intellect – Counsel serves as a bridge between the intellect and the will – the last three perfect our will. Marching in, here they are:  1. Wisdom, 2. Knowledge, 3. Understanding, 4. Counsel, 5. Fortitude, 6. Piety, 7. Fear of the Lord.

11. FREEDOM FROM THE DOMINION OF THE DEVIL.  In the celebration of Baptism, the minister administers a minor exorcism against the devil and his seductions and pomps.

12. UNION WITH OUR NEW FAMILY: THE CHURCH.  With Baptism, we are introduced into a new family—the family of the Catholic Church.  Jesus is the Head and we are the noble members of His Mystical Body, the Church. This family consists of the Church Triumphant, the saints in heaven; the Church Militant, the soldiers of Christ fighting the good fight on earth; and the Church Suffering, the souls in Purgatory! What an extensive and great family!

13. SANCTIFYING GRACE.  Once baptized, the soul is imbued with sanctifying grace. Meaning? The Baptized soul in grace has a deep friendship with God; grace is what makes us truly pleasing to God.

14. OPENS THE DOOR TO THE OTHER SACRAMENTS.  Once Baptism is received, then at the appropriate time, each baptized person can prepare to receive the other Sacraments. Of paramount importance, of course, is the preparation and reception of the Most Holy Eucharist: the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus our Lord, God and Savior!

15. INHERITANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE.  If we persevere in living out the abundant graces that flow from the Sacrament of Baptism, then the final and ineffable reward is that of ETERNAL LIFE—to be with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Mary, the angels and saints forever in Heaven!

Spend some time in silent prayer, slowly meditating upon this long list of blessings that you received on the day of your Baptism. Profusely abound in thanksgiving for God’s love and generosity. Then live out your Baptismal Promises and strive to become the saint that Jesus has called you to be: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt. 5: 48)

PART 2: PRAYER TO BE MERCIFUL by St. Fasustina Kowalska

Jesus said: “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36) Use this prayer as an Examination of Conscience…

Prayer to be Merciful (from Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul by Faustina Kowalska #163)

O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy.

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy – if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer – if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even where I cannot reach out physically.

O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things.

Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)                             

Monday, October 25th  Lk. 13: 10-17  “Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.”

We know what Jesus did, He cured the woman of her infirmity on the spot! Can you imagine her standing upright, looking at Jesus with eyes full of wonder and awe, moving about freely glorifying God??? What JOY!!!

And all the synagogue leader could do was criticize and pass judgment on Jesus!

What about us? How compassionate are we for the sufferings of others? It is easy to recognize another’s physical disabilities and be sympathetic. But what about the mental, emotional or spiritual disabilities of others? Likely we are less sympathetic and more judgmental—like today’s synagogue leader.

There is an American proverb: “Never judge a man until you’re walked a mile in his shoes.” Likely, if we had time to talk with people and hear their life stories, we would have understanding and compassion towards them, and great gratitude to God for all He has spared us!

This meditation by Fr. Ed is for all of us who have so much to be grateful for!!!

CONSOLE, CONSOLE MY PEOPLE by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The Prophet Isaiah gives us excellent advice when he says: “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” (Is 40:1-2)

Saint Paul in his letter to the Corinthians reiterates the same theme of consolation, using the word encouragement:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in all our afflictions so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.” (2 Cor 1:3-5)

Saint Paul highlights the ultimate source of consolation and joy, and that is God alone, with these words: “Rejoice in the Lord: I say it again: rejoice in the Lord.” (Phil 4:4)

In humble thanksgiving for God’s consolation in our lives, may we in turn be a consolation to others. The essential thrust of this message is the calling that we have to strive to be a source of consolation to others, but most especially to those with whom we live and share our lives. Remember the adage: “Charity begins at home.”

The following is a list of five concrete ways that we can be a source of consolation to others in imitation of Jesus, the Good Samaritan on the highway of life’s journey.

1. FERVENT PRAYER FOR THE DESOLATE.  

At home in our family, when we see somebody with a sour, depressed, discouraged look, the devil can tempt us to be cold, mean, distant, or even sarcastic with that person.  Nothing could be worse! The first thing we should do is to offer a fervent prayer to the Holy Spirit so that “The Consoler”—the Holy Spirit Himself will move them from desolation to consolation. This is true compassion and love. Apply the Golden Rule! “Do to others what you would like them to do to you.” In those dark, dreary and down moments, we all would be more than happy to receive a fervent prayer from a loved one.

2. A KIND WORD OR TWO. 

Our prayer will often move us to action! Before Pentecost, the Apostles prayed and fasted with the Blessed Virgin Mary and received a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Then they were moved to action, to preach the Word of God to the ends of the earth. (Acts 2:1-12) For somebody who is down in the dumps, we must learn how to say words that are kind, words that are uplifting, words that are edifying, words that are anointed with consolation. A few examples of consoling words: Is there anything I can do to help you today?… May God bless you today… Peace be with you… Jesus and Mary love you very much… You are in my prayers and thoughts… You are very precious in the eyes of the Lord… The Father has you in the palm of His hand and nobody can snatch you from Him. Such words of encouragement can be of incalculable value for someone passing through the dark tunnel of life. Think of other words or expressions that can be a source of consolation to others and use them! Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you! The reverse is also true, sometimes we offer consolation by simply listening to someone in distress, without saying anything, or trying to fix anything. A listening heart is balm to a suffering heart. 

3. A KIND PHYSICAL GESTURE. 

We have a composite nature—both body and soul. Saint Paul challenges us to glorify God in our bodies. For someone experiencing great interior darkness, a physical gesture of kindness can help pull them out of the dark pit. Examples: a firm handshake, a pat on the shoulder, or if they are your spouse a gentle and loving embrace and kiss—all of these gestures and many others can communicate consolation to the desolate heart. Most likely the most famous Parable ever preached by Jesus was the Parable of the Prodigal Son, or we might even call it the Parable of the Merciful Father. (Lk 15:11-32) Imagine the desolate son returning home after squandering all he had on loose living. Likely the son is returning in a state of desolation, maybe even fear and trembling. However, the Father upon seeing his wayward son runs to embrace him, weeping copious tears of joy. Most surely the embrace and tears of the Father fill the Prodigal Son with immense consolation. Let us learn and derive much fruit from this excellent teaching of Jesus the Lord. May we be slow to anger and quick to forgive!

4. A RADIANT SMILE. 

Only human beings are capable of making the gesture that we call a Smile. Most of us would agree that sadness and a frown are contagious. A party can be ruined by one party-pooper who drags a long face into the festivities. However, the contrary is also true. A joyful face and radiant smile can also be contagious. We have all experienced this: someone smiles at us and we feel within us an irresistible pull to reciprocate and smile back. Or perhaps we are the one giving a radiant smile and are rewarded with a broad smile in return! More important, a smile and laughter are inexpensive gifts we can offer to the desolate, those who are going through their own valley of tears. It can lighten the load they carry. Take their minds off their troubles for the moment, make them feel less helpless and hopeless. The saints are unanimous in the fact that joy expressed in a joyful countenance and smile are among the most evident signs that we are indeed followers of Christ and intimate friends with the Holy Spirit.

5. OUR LADY: OUR LIFE, OUR SWEETNESS AND OUR HOPE. 

Noticing someone in a dark pit of despair, why not turn to Our Lady and pray the Hail Holy Queen for that person. Then talk to them about Our Lady’s sorrows! First, Our Lady lost her beloved husband, the good Saint Joseph. Even more devastating was the fact that she lost her only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only that, but she witnessed the cruel and painful death of her son as she beheld His crucifixion, suffering and death. However, Our Lady also experienced the immense and overflowing joy of the Resurrection! Helping someone think about Mary, look at a beautiful painting or image of Mary, say a prayer to Mary, can be the key that helps the person in desolation to experience once again joy in the Lord! Our Lady expressed this in the Magnificat: “My soul rejoices in God my Savior.” May Our Lady’s prayers and presence turn their desert into a flourishing and blooming interior Garden! May Our Lady, the Mystical Rose, allow her celestial fragrance to permeate and penetrate their entire being, and ours as well!

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)              

Sunday, October 24th Hebrews 5:6 “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Today let us honor priests and the priesthood by remembering those priests in our lives who have brought us closer to Jesus, the Eternal High Priest, as our beloved Lord and Savior, and the Friend who will never fail us… as Fr. Ed so often reminds us!

THE DIGNITY AND VOCATION OF PRIESTS by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Jesus said: “The Harvest is rich but the laborers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers.” (Mt 9:37-38) Essential to the extension of the Kingdom and the salvation of souls is the Sacrament of Holy Orders, that we call the priesthood.

One of the greatest priests in the history of the Church, who spent close to forty years in the Parish of Ars, spending from thirteen to eighteen hours on a daily basis in the confessional reconciling souls to God, commented on the indispensable presence of the priesthood. This was Saint John M. Vianney, known as the Cure of Ars (1786-1859). This saint knew the extraordinary value of the priesthood: “A good shepherd, a pastor after God’s heart, is the greatest treasure which the good Lord can grant to a parish, and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy.”

Let us listen to the exact words of the Cure of Ars and then translate them into the application in our spiritual lives. Some of the words and quotations of the Cure of Ars are overwhelming in depth and beauty, yet of the utmost simplicity. Let us read and meditate and then apply:

“O how great is the priest! If he realized what he is he would die… God obeys him: he utters a few words and the Lord descends from Heaven at his voice, to be contained within a small host. Without the Sacrament of Holy Orders, we would not have the Lord. Who put him there in the tabernacle? The priest. Who welcomed your soul at the beginning of life? The priest. Who feeds your soul and gives it strength for the journey? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, bathing it one last time in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest—always the priest. And if the soul should happen to die (as a result of sin) who will raise it up, who will restore its calm and peace? Again the priest. After God, the priest is everything. Only in heaven will he fully realize what he is.”

Following will be a brief commentary on all the sublime functions the priest carries out so as to glorify God in heaven and for the salvation of the souls on earth.

If there is no priest, then there is no Holy Mass; if there is no Holy Mass, then there is no consecration of the Sacred Host; if there is no consecration of the Sacred Host, then there is no Holy Communion; and if there is no Holy Communion, then there is no Sacramental Presence of Jesus. That means that we become spiritual orphans. We become like a ship without a port, an arrow without a target, a scout without compass, a dog without his master. We wander through life aimless and with no clear purpose.

The same great Saint made the following observation. In all the key spiritual moments in our lives, who is present? Baptism? Usually it is the priest whom God uses as the instrument to transform the child into a son/daughter of God. Confession? It is only the priest who is the means by which we are reconciled to God through the outpouring of the Blood of the Lamb that cleanses our soul and conscience of the sin and guilt that weighs us down so heavily. Finally, we can experience true peace of soul! First Holy Communion? It was the priest who celebrated Holy Mass, confected the Eucharist and gave us the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus the Lord.

Confirmation? It was the Bishop, who has the fullness of the priesthood, who confirmed us by which we were fortified with the presence of the Holy Spirit, ready to be soldiers of Christ to both spread and defend the faith. What about Holy Matrimony? It was most likely the priest who sat down explaining the sublime vocation of Holy Matrimony, the importance of being faithful until death do we part, and the importance of being open to life and bringing forth children into the world, so that one day they will be eternal citizens of Heaven. And if we were married in a Nuptial Mass, it was celebrated by the priest.

Anointing of the Sick? It is the priest that we spontaneously call when we see our grandmother, mother or father, or any person’s health so seriously declined that they might die. It is the priest who anoints them with holy oil by which they are strengthened to fight the good fight and unite their sufferings to the sufferings of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Death and burial? Who is present at the Funeral Mass praying for our loved one who has passed away and gone to be judged by Jesus, who will come to judge the living and the dead? We all must pass through the gateway of death and pass from the realms of time into eternity. It is the priest, acting in the person of Christ while celebrating Holy Mass, who offers the Victim, Jesus to the Father for the purification and salvation of this immortal soul.

Family problems? When family problems set in, who is it that the family has recourse to as a means to work through these tangled, intricate and knotty problems? Frequently it is the person of the priest who comes to mind. The priest becomes the listener, the sounding board, the counselor, as well as the consoler, to save the family from capsizing and sinking into the depths of sadness and oblivion! It is the priest who like a human sponge, absorbs all of their problems in his heart and offers them to Jesus, the Eternal priest for their healing and salvation.

Sorrows and sufferings of all sorts? When sorrows, sufferings, contradictions, and depression visit our homes and hearts, who is it that we seek out for answers to problems that seem beyond the realm of solution? It is the priest! It is the priest who listens to the problems. It is the priest who opens up his heart to hear and understand. It is the priest who is called to the ministry of compassion. Exactly what does this word compassion mean? Compassion means the willingness and the ability to suffer with those who suffer.

Listening? Who is the one we seek out to listen to our inner anguish and agony, because we know others either do not know how to listen or they simply do not want to listen attentively. It is the priest whom we seek out to be heard, to be listened to, and to be understood. How true this is! Often we might come to the priest overloaded with moral, emotional, spiritual baggage that we know not where to dump and so be alleviated from this burdensome weight. Then the priest receives us and invites us to be open and bare our hearts and reveal our tortured consciences.

Listening and healing. How often this is the scenario! We unload all of our baggage and the priest is simply there to listen. We weep, cry, complain, get angry, blurt out nonsensical ideas in our anguish and confusion. And the hands on the clock fly by—already 50 minutes, and then an hour has flown by! The poor priest has barely opened up his mouth to say a word! After this session of unloading, we get up renewed, energized, with healing and hope. Overflowing in gratitude, we tell the priest thanks a million times for having been of great help to resolve these—so to speak—impossible problems! And he barely said a word!

Prayer? How often have we felt totally overwhelmed with life’s problems that seem to be a mountain in size and weight? We want help and we know only God can help us. Who then is it that we turn to with faith and trust to intercede on our behalf and to pray for us so that this problem will be resolved or at least so that we can cope with the problem better? It is the priest. The priest becomes the intercessor or the mediator for us between heaven and earth.

Our Lady. Let us then turn to Our Lady who is the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, the Mother or all mankind, but especially she is the Mother of priests. Let us beg Our Lady to place her mantle of love and protection and comfort over all priests so that they would be protected from the fiery darts of the enemy, also that they would be protected from the devil of discouragement. Let us beg Our Lady to pray for priests that they would strive with all of the energy in their minds, hearts and souls to conform themselves to Jesus the High and eternal priest. May Our Lady’s prayers help them to recognize Jesus as High and Eternal priest—how lofty and sublime—but also that Jesus is very close to them as their best Friend in time, and He will be their best Friend in heaven for all eternity.

Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA