Father Ed Broom, OMV, serves as Associate Pastor at St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Religious Order, Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and was ordained by Saint John Paul II in St Peter’s Basilica on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed is a Retreat Master and teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction. He is the author of three books: From Humdrum to Holy, Total. Consecration to Jesus through Mary through the Mysteries of the Rosary and Road Map to Heaven, A Catholic Plan of Life.
SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST AND THE PRIESTHOOD
On the front cover of the book In Sinu Jesu, Our Lord and Savior Jesus is depicted at the Last Supper. With bread in one hand and the sign of blessing in the other can also be seen an Apostle resting on His shoulder: the person of Saint John the Evangelist. On the table in front of both Jesus and Saint John is a chalice.
This Biblical artistic scene portrays in a graphic version two Sacraments that were instituted in the context of the Last Supper: the Sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist, as well as the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Both are intimately interconnected. Without the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the Holy Eucharist cannot exist. The Cure of Ars expressed this truth more or less in these words: “No priest, no Mass; no Mass, no Consecration; no Consecration, no Real Presence of Jesus; no Real Presence of Jesus, no Holy Communion, and we become spiritual orphans.”
In order for the Church to exist and function fully, the Priesthood is not secondary or an accessory or ornamental, rather, the Priesthood is essential. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all, both laity as well as those endowed with Holy Orders, to pray for more priests, but not simply quantity, rather to pray for holy priests, those endowed with the Sacrament of Holy Orders who are sincerely striving to attain holiness of life.
People depend directly on the grace of God, but the grace of God emanates and pours forth through the vessel of the Priesthood. God can work even through a poor or mediocre priest. However, usually God’s grace manifests its strength and force more abundantly through the priest who is honestly striving on a daily basis for authentic holiness of life.
How could a dump of a place, ransacked and devastated by the French Revolution, be transformed into a community of fervent and saintly people—this place being the little town of Ars? The response is simple and to the point: the holiness of that one priest who begged the Lord to send him any suffering so as the save his Parish and parishioners. That priest was Saint John Marie Vianney—commonly known as the Cure of Ars.
Returning to Saint John the Evangelist, why is it that this saint whose image is depicted on the front cover of the book In Sinu Jesu becomes the entrance gate to what is becoming a modern spiritual classic?
In this book that was written by an Irish Benedictine monk, the person of Saint John the Evangelist returns time and time again. The fundamental reason for the frequent presence of Saint John the Evangelist is this simple reason: Saint John, also nicknamed by Jesus with his brother James as Boanerges—meaning “sons of thunder”, is a model for all priests, as well as Bishops.
Therefore, let us pray fervently for all priests to Jesus the High-priest, to Mary the Mother of priests, but also to Saint John the Evangelist that priests will contemplate and pray to this saint to help them grow in holiness in their vocation and state—that of the holy priesthood.
The following points accentuate and highlight the characteristics of Saint John the Evangelist as model, friend, pattern and intercessor of priests. Even the worst of priests, living in whatever country, situation or social milieu in the world, can still become a super-star priest. This depends on one primary condition: to trust infinitely in the mercy of God and beg the Lord Jesus, Mary and Saint John for a new heart. It is never too late! Saint Paul reminds us: “Where sin abounds, the mercy of God abounds all the more.” (Romans 5:20) Jesus said to Saint Faustina that the worst sinner can become the greatest saint under one condition: INFINITE TRUST IN THE INFINITE MERCY OF GOD!
What then are the characteristics of Saint John the Evangelist as model and pattern for priests? There are many! May priests utilize this for meditation; may lay people use this in their fervent prayers for priests and future priests.
1. CHOSEN. Saint John the Evangelist was chosen by Jesus Christ to be His follower as a priest—Jesus Christ, the Model of all priests and the High-priest Himself, who chooses some individuals to follow Him in the priestly vocation. This choice came simply from a pure and gratuitous love that Jesus had for Saint John, as well as for all priests. Of course those who are chosen must say YES to the call. God’s love must be accepted freely and without coercion.
2. JOHN SPENT THE WHOLE AFTERNOON WITH JESUS. (Jn 1:38-39) In the Gospel of Saint John, the very first chapter after the beautiful Prologue, John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God to two of his disciples—John and Andrew. They follow Jesus and He turns around asking what they are searching for? Then Jesus invites them to spend the afternoon with Him. It all started that day about 4:00 p.m.—as Saint John takes care to point out—a critical hour that radically changed their lives. Like John, the priest must have experienced that special day, that hour, that precise moment when Jesus became real to him. That precise moment was that moment of grace when, like John the Evangelist, the priest became convinced of the personal love that Jesus has for him.
3. FROM FISHERS IN LAKE GALILEE TO FISHERS OF MEN. Jesus was preaching on the shore of Lake Galilee, then in the boat of Peter to the multitude that stood on the shore. The preaching finished, Jesus told Peter to go out into the deep and to drop the nets. Obedient to the command of the Master, Peter dropped the nets and caught so many fish that he had to summon James and John to help haul the fish to the shore. Then Jesus gave the definite call: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will be fishers of men.” At that moment, Peter, James and John left all to follow Jesus. Like Saint John, in this also critical moment the priest must learn the true freedom that comes from leaving all to follow Christ. Money, possessions, power, fame, material goods—all are freely surrendered for something much greater: a dynamic and deep Friendship with Jesus. Indeed, in having Jesus as the center of their lives, they have all. The priest who focuses upon Christ as the center of his whole existence will experience a perpetual state of joy in the depths of his soul.
4. THE TRANSFIGURATION EXPERIENCE. Peter, James and John were privileged in experiencing a foretaste of Heaven. On the top of Mount Tabor, bathed and transfigured in light, Jesus spoke freely with Moses and Elijah. Then the voice of God the Father could be clearly heard: “This is my Beloved Son—listen to Him.” (Mt 17:5) Jesus was encouraging His three best friends with a foretaste of Heavenly glory. The priest lives on earth, but with his mind and heart directed to the glory of Heaven. The virtue of hope will buoy the priest above and beyond the daily trials and crosses that are part and parcel of following Christ.
5. BOANERGES—SONS OF THUNDER. In a very loving, kind and charming manner, Jesus gave two of His best friends, James and John, a nickname—Boanerges, meaningSons of thunder!!! The priest should be a son of thunder in that he should thunder against sin, and have a roaring thunder and fire in his heart for love of Jesus! The Lord Jesus Himself declared: “I have come to cast fire on the earth and I am not at peace until that fire be enkindled.” (Lk 12:49)
6. THE LAST SUPPER: JOHN RESTS ON THE HEART OF JESUS. One of the patron saints for the Sacred Heart of Jesus is none other than Saint John the Evangelist. Why? One of the primary reasons is that there at the Last Supper, Saint John leaned over to rest his head on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. John listened to Jesus’ heartbeats of love. Every priest is summoned to draw close to Christ and to rest on His Sacred Heart. Jesus invites: “Come to me all of you and I will give you rest; for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30) Like John, may the priest find rest in the Sacred Heart of Jesus—his true refuge and haven against the storms of life.
7. AT PRAYER, JOHN FALLS ASLEEP. It is a Biblical-Gospel truth: John fell asleep when Jesus really needed his prayer and friendship. John was not perfect! There is the perennial danger for all Catholics—and this does include the priest—of falling asleep in prayer when we should be wide awake and vigilant. The primary reason for the fall of a priest is precisely this: lack of prayer and lack of fervent prayer. Indeed, prayer is truly Friendship with Jesus. May priests learn the art of praying even in the difficult moments of desolation. Indeed the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
8. AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. There at the foot of the cross on Calvary that first Good Friday were present three of Jesus’ best of friends: The Magdalene, John the Evangelist, and Jesus’ Mother, Our Lady of Sorrows. Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen depicts the three as representing three different styles of life: Mary Magdalene represents the true Penitent—the sinner repentant and sorrowful for the sins of their past. Our Lady represents total Innocence—the Immaculate one. Saint John, according to Sheen, represents the Priesthood. Quite understandable given that John stands under the cross, as it were offering Jesus, the Innocent Victim, to God the Father for the salvation of the world. Every Mass that is offered, in any time or place, the priest transports back to Calvary with Jesus hanging on the cross. The fruits of Calvary and the Mass are timeless and infinite!
9. JESUS: MARY AND SAINT JOHN. From the pulpit of the cross, Jesus delivers His last and greatest sermon. These would be His famous “Seven Last Words…”. One of these words or short phrases was directed at His Mother Mary and His Beloved Disciple, Saint John. Jesus said: “Woman behold thy son; son behold thy Mother; then the beloved disciple took Mary into his home.” (Jn 19:26-27) Like Saint John, the Beloved disciple and Apostle, every priest must invite Mary into his home. By home, in a spiritual but a very profound sense, is meant their very heart. John invited Mary into his heart to be his loving Mother forever. Every successful man must have a woman behind him. In the case of the priest that woman is the Blessed Virgin Mary—his loving and tender Heavenly Mother.
10. HIS HEART WAS PIERCED WITH THE LANCE: BLOOD AND WATER CAME GUSHING FORTH. After Jesus breathed forth his last, the soldier came and pierced His side with the lance; then Blood and water came gushing forth. Saint John was an eye-witness of this heart-rending event. The Church teaches that the Blood and water symbolize the Church and its Sacramental life. Most specifically, the Blood and water symbolize Baptism and Confession (the water), and the most Holy Eucharist (the Blood). The priest must be motivated with great love to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Also, the priest should have a great desire to bring back wandering souls to Jesus the Good Shepherd by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Our prayer, desire and hope is that Saint John the Evangelist, presented as a model for priests in In Sinu Jesus, will serve as a model and pattern for every priest to meditate upon, pray over and imitate. More than anything else, Saint John allowed the love of Jesus to penetrate his whole being, to the very fiber of his being. For Saint John, and hopefully for every priest, Jesus is the end all, the alpha and omega, the Principle and Foundation of his existence. For Saint John, Jesus was His Lord and God, His Master and Teacher, His Redeemer and Savior, and most especially, His Best Friend. May all priests take Saint John as a model priest on which to pattern the essence of their priestly life. Indeed, Jesus is and always will be the BEST OF FRIENDS WHO WILL NEVER FAIL US!!!
HEALING OF OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE!
In the Advent Season one of the Gospel Readings is the long list of the Genealogical Origin of Jesus, in the three sets of 14 names. Daunted by the long list and befuddled as to how to preach a homily on this long list of names, this thought occurred to me: the healing of our own Genealogical Tree.
ORIGINAL WOUNDS. All of us who come into the world as sons and daughters of Adam and Eve inherit the Original Wound as well as its consequences. With the exception of Mary’s Immaculate Conception and the Virginal Birth of Jesus, we all inherit Original Sin and its consequences at the very moment of our conception. True! Baptism washes away the stain of Original Sin, but not the consequences that Saint Thomas Aquinas terms concupiscence.
CAPITAL SINS. Those bad tendencies that are defined as the Capital Sins remain within our very being until we die. These are the following: Gluttony, Lust, Avarice, Sloth, Envy, Anger, and Pride. With the help of God’s grace and our collaboration with His grace, these bad tendencies have to be tamed and the opposite virtues must be practiced.
WOUNDED HUMANITY. All of humanity, therefore, has this mortal wound stemming from the Original Sin. However, to compound the state of our wounded human nature is our own moral culpability that flows from our own personal sins. Original Sin wounds from the start; personal and actual sins aggravate the state of our wounded condition.
WALKING WOUNDED HUMANITY. We live in a world walking side by side with a walking wounded humanity and we add our own quota to this wounded and broken world.
WOUNDED WOUNDER OR WOUNDED HEALER. Taking into account our woundedness there are two possibilities or options. Either we are wounded wounders or we become wounded healers. If we do not come to terms with our wounded condition, then our woundedness grows, festers, and spreads like a disease, like a moral pandemic. And we wound others by our wounded condition.
WOUNDED HEALER. However, if we recognize that we are wounded, if we admit it and we strive to seek healing, then being a Wounded Healer can become a reality. How? The only solution is to run to Jesus. Only Jesus can truly heal us. Indeed, He alone is the Wounded Healer. The Prophet Isaiah made reference to the coming of Jesus and His mission when he said: “By His wounds we are healed.” (Is 53:5)
JESUS’ PASSION: HIS WOUNDS AND OUR HEALING. In His Passion, Jesus was wounded for our sake. His scourging at the Pillar, His crowning with thorns, His falling under the weight of the cross, the nails that pierced His hands and feet, His side that was pierced with the lance—all of these manifest the open and gaping wounds of Jesus.
FINDING REFUGE IN THESE WOUNDS. If we sincerely seek refuge in the wounds of Jesus then we can experience His healing. Most specifically, the healing of our moral wounds can take place in the context of the Sacraments, and most especially in the Sacrament of Confession. In fact, every Sacrament communicates not only grace but a specific Sacramental grace that differentiates it from the others. The Holy Eucharist confers nourishment and spiritual strength. The Sacrament of Confession confers moral healing of the wounds that we have contracted due to moral evil that we call sin.
BLOOD OF CHRIST—HEALING POWER. Every time we approach the Sacrament of Confession with a good disposition, then with the confession of our sins and Sacramental absolution, the Precious Blood of Jesus that poured forth from the cross on Calvary that first Good Friday washes away our sins. Jesus’ Precious Blood cleanses us and heals us.
HEALING OUR GENEALOGICAL TREE. Recently, much has been written on the healing of our ancestors, our relatives of the past, the gaping wounds of past ages. Fascinating as this topic sounds and the variety of ways to approach the healing of our genealogical tree, I believe there is truly a most efficacious manner, means or practice that we can undertake. Indeed, going all the way back to our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, there are many wounds, gaping wounds, unhealed wounds of the past that have repercussions in the present and that can extend way into the future.
THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS AND UNIVERSAL HEALING. Of all of the possible remedies for healing wounded humanity—past, present and future, there is an all- powerful means that we have at our disposal: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
MOST POWERFUL OF ALL PRAYERS. Of all the prayers that can be offered in the past, present and future, there is no more powerful and efficacious prayer than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is truly OPUS DEI—the great work of God Himself. It is God offering Himself to God: Jesus (Second Person of the Trinity) offers Himself into the hands of His Heavenly Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit for the salvation of humanity.
CALVARY: THE MASS TRANSCENDING ALL TIMES AND PLACES. Even though it is true that Jesus died on Calvary on Good Friday more than two thousand years ago, the presence and power of Calvary extends to all times and places—past, present, and future even until the end of time! How does this take place? Every Sacrifice of the Mass today, tomorrow, and until the end of time takes us back to Calvary. That First Good Friday as Jesus hung on the cross, He poured forth His most Precious Blood. That same Blood that Jesus shed willingly and most abundantly becomes present in every Mass. And it is through the shedding of the Blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world that the purification of our sins and salvation becomes a reality!
OFFERING THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS TO HEAL OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. Now to the point of our topic: OFFER MASS FOR HEALING! Have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered for your family, and the two different lines if you are married: the husband and his family of the past; the wife and her family of the past.
THE INTENTIONS. By way of example, that Mass intention can be specified in the following way: Families Lopez and Garcia—healing of the past, present and future. Therefore, this intention includes the paternal side (Lopez) and their past, present and future; and the maternal side (Garcia) and their past, present and future. This intention is universal, all-inclusive. In a real sense it is Catholic which means universal! Let us now explain the three time dimensions of past, present and future.
HOLY MASS: META-HISTORICAL EVENT. By meta-historical is meant that it transcends all times, places, events and cultures—that it encapsulates the entire past, present and future. The power and efficacy of EVERY HOLY MASS transports back to Calvary 2000 years ago and is actually present with its fruit and effects right now, but also its power extends into the past and into the future until the end of time. It is through the Precious Blood of Jesus shed on Calvary that wounds are truly healed and wounded wounders can indeed become wounded healers!
THE PAST. By the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—this meta-historical event that transcends time—the Precious Blood of Jesus can be applied to family members, both maternal and paternal over years, decades and even centuries in the past. In concrete, in the Lopez and Garcia family there are countless numbers who have passed away. Many of these members were not ready to have direct access to Heaven, and may still be detained in Purgatory. Therefore, this Mass offered in the present can serve as a most efficacious means to help purify these souls detained in Purgatory; and some may actually be released from Purgatory and arrive finally at their Heavenly Home for all eternity! Their healing total and complete!
THE PRESENT. These two families have immediate family members, as well as other blood relatives, such as cousins and aunts and uncles. Now the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered on their behalf can serve in the present as a most powerful means to sanctify many, convert others, prevent still others from making egregious moral blunders, and can serve as a shield against the wily but persistent attacks of the enemy—the devil who is always on the prowl like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour! Also, countless lights, inspirations, insights can flow invisibly but most powerfully to these family members, and all by means of the Precious Blood of Jesus poured forth on the cross on Calvary on Good Friday but applied in the present moment in Holy Mass!
THE FUTURE. It is God Himself who created time with all of its ramifications. However, God is not confined to time and space as we the living experience it. In a real sense God lives in the eternal present! This being the case, even though the Mass is being offered for the Lopez-Garcia family right now in the present moment, its effects can extend into the future. In all truth, the effects of every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass can extend into the future, way into the future. If you like, this Mass offered right now can extend in its power and efficacy until the very end of time and into eternity. How might this be the case? Say a family member of the Garcia-Lopez clan living in the year 2500 is on his deathbed after living an immoral, sinful life for many years. Shortly before he expires, he receives a light, an insight, an inspiration to repent and turn his heart back to God. His last words before giving up his spirit are: “Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner” or “Jesus, I trust in your mercy” or simply, “Jesus, save me”! Or other words similar to these. These words are not only expressed with his lips but deeply intended in his heart. He is saved! What is fascinating is the following: the Mass offered close to five hundred years earlier by a family member in the Garcia-Lopez clan was the means by which on his deathbed, this hardened sinner received the grace of final conversion!
In conclusion, all of us can tap into this source of infinite value: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! Even one Mass offered for our family members can have universal repercussions. The Precious Blood of Jesus poured forth on Calvary but applied in every Mass has a universal and timeless extension. Holy Mass can purify our deceased relatives who perhaps lived hundreds of years in the past. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass can serve to convert, sanctify, and save family members living in the present epoch. Finally, far into distant and future years, Holy Mass can prevent sin, sanctify souls, and convert the most hardened sinners of our family. How great and powerful is God through Jesus’ Passion, death and Resurrection, all applied in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! Let us pray that through Holy Mass and the Precious Blood of Jesus, we indeed will not be wounded wounders but rather wounded healers in a broken and wounded world!
ST. JOSEPH | PROTODULIA
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Father Ed Broom, OMV, serves as Associate Pastor at St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Religious Order, Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and was ordained by Saint John Paul II in St Peter’s Basilica on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed is a Retreat Master and teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction. He is the author of three books: From Humdrum to Holy, Total. Consecration to Jesus through Mary through the Mysteries of the Rosary and Road Map to Heaven, A Catholic Plan of Life.
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