Come to the Eucharist!

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

I John 2:3-11

Luke 2:22-35

After Mass on Saturday, a man came up to me and said, “I have come to Mass four days in a row, and I loved it. What a difference it has made in my life!” You already know what this man is talking about for those of you who generally come to daily Mass. Attending daily Mass puts a nice rhythm to the day and helps us stay more attentive to God’s will in our lives. Our readings have a bit to do with going to Church and knowing the power and grace of attending Mass.

In our Gospel, Jesus is presented to the temple for the first time by Joseph and Mary. We are told about Simeon, who comes to the temple every day, he comes looking for the Savior, and he is filled with the Holy Spirit. Simeon knows that once he sees the Messiah that he can die in peace. We come each day looking to experience the Savior of the world.

In our first reading, the writer John says what we know, “I am not telling you anything new, but if you want to keep the commandments walk as Jesus walked. Keep doing what you are doing; it is not new.” To walk as Jesus walked takes courage, and it helps when we receive the sacraments as often as we can.

We come to Mass to bring our hearts, prayers, dreams to God and be strengthened to live a life of holiness. Let us never take for granted what we celebrate here now. May we have now and every day, the joy of Christmas in our hearts.

The gift of the Holy Family!

Feast of the Holy Family

Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3

Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

Luke 2:22-40

With pictorial directory in my hands, I look through it, saying, “Oh, they are holy; oh they too are a holy family! I wonder how they do it with all those kids.” At times I have said to some of you, “How is the holy family?” The response I get is, “Oh, we are not the Holy Family! You should have seen us before Mass; we were screaming at each other before on the way over to the church.”  Just because we may not be on par with the Holy Family it doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the Holy Family. As I have been praying over our readings, what I see as the main ingredient to being like the Holy Family is being faithful to God and obedient to His word.

In our first reading from Genesis, Abraham tells God, “What good are all these gifts of land, livestock, and produce if Sarah and I do not have children.” God tells him, “Abraham, fear not, for I am your shield; I will make your reward great.” Because Abraham and Sarah stay faithful and obedient to God, Isaac is born unto them.

In our Gospel, the writer Luke wants to make sure we know that Joseph and Mary followed everything as prescribed by Jewish law, as they present Jesus to the temple with two turtledoves. Joseph and Mary are faithful and obedient to God.

In our Gospel, there are still two others, who are both faithful and obedient to God, and that is Simeon and Anna, and they both win their just reward. Simeon takes the child Jesus in his arms and gives thanks to God for this child and then he dedicates tis child to God. I wonder have we given thanks to God for our children or grandchildren and dedicated them back to God. It is not too late!

As we come to celebrate the Feast Day of the Holy Family, we may be feeling like we do not measure up to their standard. It is not about being perfect; it is about being faithful to God and being obedient when God speaks in our lives. It means as parents and grandparents, we do all we can to share our faith with our children and grandchildren. It means celebrating the sacraments as much as possible and getting to Mass or watching it on some device.

May we know when we come to this table; Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are waiting to share this meal with us.

Glory to God in the Highest!

Christmas Eve

December 24th, 2020

Isaiah 9:1-6

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1- 20

Attendance at the 4:  Church, 6:00 Gym, 8:00 Church, 10:00 Church. Covid   

It was some year! Money was tight. Travel was challenging. Social distancing was horrible, and being alone for Christmas was terrible. You may be thinking I am talking about us in this time of this pandemic? I am talking us, but about what Joseph and Mary had to endure!

In our Gospel, we are told that Joseph and Mary traveled the ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, on the back of a donkey, with Mary about to give birth. They had to travel this distance to pay a tax that the Roman Government imposed on the people. Joseph and Mary were poor, so I would imagine they had to scrounge for every penny to pay the tax. When Mary could travel no longer and was ready to give birth to Jesus, everyone told them to social distance and kept going until they could rest in a manger. Joseph and Mary spent their first Christmas all alone.

What we celebrate this night is not a fairy tale but a real-life story of Joseph and Mary, and what they had to go through to bring the Good News to us. What they experienced was just as complicated as we have gone through this year.

So are we here to believe what the host of angels sang in the night sky? The angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those whom his favors rest.” What amazes me about the story of Christ are those who do not hear these words and who hears them. Why did not the innkeeper and his family or all the towns’ people not hear this singing? Those who heard and listened to the singing were those who were vulnerable, the shepherds in the fields.

My friends in Christ, we celebrate a God who gives us his only Son, to a people who are feeling vulnerable, lost, and forsaken. May we hear the words of the angel “Do not be afraid, your Savior has come!” 

The Greatness of God!

Tuesday, December 22  

Of Advent

I Samuel 1:24-28

Luke 1:46-56

In our readings today, we heard the prayer of two women, and they both proclaim the greatness of God. I am hoping we will do the same today.

In our first reading, we hear about Hannah, who was praying to conceive a child because she was barren. The prophet Eli hears her pleading and proclaims that God will bless her with a child. Our reading today is Hannah being faithful to that promise, as she dedicates the child to God. The Responsorial Psalm that we prayed is her prayer telling God how great he is and how thankful she is for granting her a child. In a spiritual way, I wonder if we have done what Hannah has done in a physical way. We should dedicate our children and our grandchildren to God.

Our Gospel today is called the Magnificat or the Canticle of Mary. It is not only Mary’s prayer; it is the Church’s prayer as it is part of evening prayer for those who pray the Divine Office. It is a constant prayer, and it is a good chance that someone is praying it right now somewhere in the world.

In her prayer, Mary proclaims the greatness of God as she sings, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Mary contemplates the magnitude of what has happened to her, and she joyfully surrenders her life back to God. Mary is filled with great joy as God has chosen her to be the Mother of God.  

What are the lessons we have learned this Advent Season? May we know, like Hannah and Mary, the greatness of God?

There is so much change, and what are we to do?

Fourth Sunday of Advent

II Samuel 7:1-5

Romans 16: 25-27

Luke 1:26-38

There is so much change in our lives this past year; it is hard to endure. As I sat down to write this, I became overwhelmed and began to cry. I thought about how Christmas will be a big change as we are encouraged not to gather in big groups. I thought about the change of some of you losing a loved one. I thought about the change of some of you losing your job. I thought about the change of students not being able to gather with other students in a classroom and how difficult it may be to do all of your learning online. Our readings are about a big change in people’s lives and what they have to teach us about change.

In our first reading, King David is about to have a big change of plans as he has a noble idea to build God a beautiful temple. At first, the prophet Nathan tells King David to go ahead with his plans, but after a night of sleep, Nathan comes back to King David and tells him, “There has been a change of plans! God does not want you to build a temple.” Nathan tells King David that God wants the people to know that he dwells among them, and they are to know all that God has done for them is doing and will do. Do we know that God dwells amongst us in all this change?  

In our Gospel, Mary is experiencing a big change is she is making plans to get married. In all of her preparation for her wedding day, the angel Gabriel comes to her and tells her she is going to conceive and bear a child by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here we are days before we celebrate the birth of Christ, and we are taken back to nine months before the coming of Christ. Why? The whole world awaits her response because once she responds, nothing will be normal. This is not just accepting the opportunity to become pregnant but to change the whole world as the Savior is to be born among us. Is God’s word planted deep within us?

My friends in Christ, all of us have a big change of plans in our lives, but King David and Mary have much to teach us about change. When we are experiencing change, we are to listen more attentively to the Lord. We are to obey the Lord in whatever he tells us, and we will be rewarded for our obedience.

We are to take great comfort that when we gather here, what does not change is God’s presence to us here, as simple bread and wine will become His Body and Blood. May we be at peace with the changes in our lives because God is always with us?

Are you the one?

Wednesday of the Third Week

Of Advent

Isaiah 45: 6-8, 18, 21-25

Luke 7:18-23

Who is the pastor of Holy Spirit Parish?

How do you know I am the pastor?

Who is the Music Director at Holy Spirit Parish?

How do you know, Mr. Houdek is our Music Director?

Who is the Messiah, the Savior of the world?

How do you know Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world?

In our Gospel, John the Baptist is in prison, and even though he has proclaimed who Jesus is, he sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one? I need to know!” I love the responses of Jesus. He doesn’t respond with a simple “Yes!” He speaks to John’s heart by saying, “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” Jesus is saying, “John, you and your followers have seen all of these things; never forget what God has done in your midst!”

I am the pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, and Mr. Houdek is the Music Director here at Holy Spirit Parish, and Jesus Christ is our Messiah. We come to know Jesus as the Messiah in his body and blood given to us in this Eucharist. May we live believing and proclaiming who Jesus Christ is in our lives?  

Do I say yes, or do I say no?

Tuesday of the Third Week

Of Advent

Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13

Matthew 21:28-32

God’s word is always alive and speaks to our heart, and then there are times it cuts into our hearts as it challenges us to be faithful. The readings today for me are the latter as they cut into my heart.

In our first reading from Zephaniah, the prophet warned the people that many people think they are following God’s way but are not. God will select only a small remnant from the people who have remained faithful, and they will receive His promise of peace.

In our Gospel, a father has two sons, he asks the first son to go into the fields to work, and the son refuses, but later, he changes his mind and goes. The father asks the second son to go and work in the field, and he says yes, but does not go. Jesus then asks, “Which of the sons did the father’s will?” The truth is both sons bring shame on the father because they did not do what he wanted them to do when he asked.

The story unfolds and cuts to my heart because we may think we are to choose between one son or the other son. The bigger challenge comes when we can admit that we, at times, are like both sons. How many times do we say “No” to God because we think we cannot do what he wants us to do? Lord, I am too scared, I have too many doubts, and I know I will fail. However, as life goes on, we realize God was right, and we come around to God’s way of thinking.

How many times do we say “Yes” to God because we may be all fired up from attending Mass or watching a religious program then do not do what he wants because the cost is too great? Yes, I will love my brother or sister when we leave the church we curse a brother or a sister?

My friends in Christ hope to be counted in that small remnant that Zephaniah speaks about. It will mean sacrifice on our part and not being afraid. May the Eucharist we share bring us closer to God this day?

Who am I???

Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61: 1-2, 10-11

I Thessalonians 5: 16 – 24

John 1: 6-8, 19-28

I am not Brad Pitt, but I make this rose vestment look good! I am not Yvan Cournoyer, although I was pretty fast on my skates when I played ice hockey. I am not Kristoff, from the movie Frozen, but I once petted a reindeer. These are all the people I am not, but it still leaves the question of “Who am I, and do I know and understand my purpose and mission in life?” Our readings have us reflecting on who we are, and do we know what our purpose and mission is in this life?

In our second reading, St. Paul wants the people to know who they are and what their purpose is, and to know this, he tells them three things. The first is to rejoice always! To be able to rejoice always makes “rejoicing” not a feeling but an attitude. To be able to rejoice always, we have to come to know Jesus in a very intimate way. The second thing is to pray always. To pray always is possible when we make it our way of life and make everything we do a prayer. The third thing is to be grateful always. We are to live in gratitude for everything we have going on in our life. When we do these three things, Paul tells us it will help us know who we are and our purpose and mission.

In our Gospel, we are all being encouraged to know who we are and what is our purpose and mission as John the Baptist is asked three times, “Who are you?” In each time John is asked, “Who is he?” he tells the people he is not. This does not imply that John does not know who he is. John knows very clearly who he is and what is his purpose and mission. John knows that he was sent for the singular purpose of preparing the way of the Lord and make straight the pathways to him.

We need to know who we are and what is our purpose and mission in life! My spiritual director encouraged me to have a spiritual rule to be working on. What I came up with is, my rule for my life is to give glory and praise to God in body, mind, and spirit. I was going over each of those things, and in my spiritual category, I said, “I realize that in my prayer life, I am not looking at the crucifix in my prayer room enough. I spend more time looking out the window.” My spiritual director said, “Move your chair ten degrees to the left, and you will be facing the crucifix more. He then suggested that every time I pass by the crucifix, I touch the feet of Jesus. Wow! How simple and yet how so powerful. I encourage all of us to develop a spiritual rule to help focus us on our Advent journey.

So, “Who are you?” I am not Brad Pitt, Yvan Cournoyer, or Kristoff, but I am a child of God sent to give God glory and praise in everything I do, body, mind, and spirit. May we know our purpose and mission?

The Gift of Jesus!

Friday of the Second Week

Of Advent

Isaiah 48:17-19

Matthew 11: 16-19

Have a big box wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper with a tag that reads: “To all who attend morning Mass at Holy Spirit Parish, on December 11, 2020!”

Holding the big Christmas Gift, say:

Look at the size of this Christmas gift?

Wow!

Do you want to know who this is to? Read the tag.

It is addressed, “To all who attend morning Mass at Holy Spirit Parish, on December 11, 2020!”

Do you want to know who it is from?

It is signed: God!

It is a Christmas gift to you from God.

If this was under your Christmas tree, would anyone of you not open it with your name on it?

In our Gospel, Jesus says, “I sent you a gift of John the Baptist to prepare the way for me. John preached the gift of repentance, but you did not open the gift. I came eating and drinking, healing, and making people better, and you did not open your hearts to me.”

In this holy season of Advent, we are called to know John the Baptist’s words as he gives us a gift of preparing the way for Jesus Christ. Jesus is the biggest and best gift of all time. May we use the gifts of Jesus Christ well in our lives?

What are we great at today?

Thursday of the Second Week

Of Advent

Isaiah 41:13- 20

Matthew 11: 11- 15

What would Jesus say about us right now that we are doing a great job at?” It is so easy to see the negative, but what are we doing a great job at? Our readings bring us to reflect on what we are doing right.

In our Gospel, Jesus says John the Baptist did a great job at being himself. Well, what does that mean for us? John did a great job of being himself because he knew his purpose and mission. Every ounce of John’s energy went to that purpose and mission. John’s purpose was to prepare the way of the Lord to come.

John fulfills this mission by going against the culture of the day. John lives in the desert where there is not much distractions. John wears clothing that is not comfortable but a bit scratchy to remind him to stay focused on the missions. John eats a little bitter and a little sweet.  

We need to know what is our purpose and mission is in our life! My spiritual director encourages me to have a spiritual rule to be working on. What I came up with is, my rule for my life is to give glory and praise to God in body, mind, and spirit. I was going over each of those things, and in my spiritual category, I said, “I realize that in my prayer life, I am not looking at the crucifix in my prayer room enough. I spend more time looking out the window.” My spiritual director said, “Move your chair ten degrees to the left, and you will be facing the crucifix more. He then suggested that every time I pass by the crucifix, I touch the feet of Jesus. Wow! How simple and yet how so powerful.

I encourage all of us to come up with a spiritual rule to help focus us on our Advent journey.