Easter Sunday - Incorrupt Body - Sister Wilhelmina

 

Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

When Mary Magdalene came to the tomb, early in the morning, while it was still dark, she saw the stone removed from the tomb. She ran and went to Simon Peter and St. John, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put Him.”

Peter and John ran to the tomb, and discovered the tomb was empty, the burial cloths and also the cloth that covered His head, not with the burial cloths, but rolled up in a separate place. By seeing the cloth that had covered His head, rolled up in a separate place, it helped them to understand, His body could not have been stolen, because nobody would remove the cloth covering the head, wrap it up and put it in a separate place. To them, the head covering was a sign, Jesus rose from the dead. Yet, they did not yet understand the Scripture that He had to rise from the dead.

Normally, sooner after death, the body begins to decay. When Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus, after He told the disciples to remove the stone from the grave, they warned Our Lord, there would be a stench. But, by His power, He raised Lazarus from the dead, even after four days.

Farmers know very well what happens to animals very shortly after they die, especially during high temperatures. Rigor mortis sets in, the body begins to decay, a multitude of flies hover over the carcass, and there is a terrible odor. Within days, maggots start eat the flesh of the animal. And within several weeks, almost nothing is left except bones.

When I was the chaplain of the Carmelite Nuns, the superior of the nuns, died of cancer. The sisters wanted a natural burial, and didn’t want to embalm. They wanted to have the funeral the same day. Thinking, it would still be fine, 24 hrs later, I suggested we wait till the next day to notify others of her death, so they could attend the funeral.

The next day, one of the sisters said to me, “Father, we should have did the funeral yesterday, there is a terrible odor and she’s all swelled up.” I was horrified and saddened, by it all, she was like that in less than a day.

When Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days, normally a body would have begun to severely decay. In Acts Chapter 2, when Peter gave his speech at Pentecost, he quoted Psalm 16, saying, therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption."

The body of Jesus did not suffer corruption, during the three days buried in the tomb. God preserved His body from ordinary decay, associated with original sin. And then early Sunday morning, the third day from His death on Good Friday, by His own power, Jesus raised Himself from the dead was given a new glorified and resurrected body.

When He appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, due to His resurrected body, they failed to recognize Him. When Mary Magdalene first saw Jesus, she did not recognize Him. Only when He said her name, “Mary”, did she recognize Him.

When He appeared to His apostles, He told them, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

The resurrection of Jesus signifies the conquering of death. Death has no power over Him. At the end of the world, we too will have a new resurrected body.

As St. Paul said, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

On April 28^th of last year, 2023, the Benedictine Sisters of Gower, Missouri decided to remove the body of their founder Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, OSB from the grave and transfer her body into the church. She died May 29th, 2019, at the age of 95. She was buried in a wooden coffin 4 years previously. What do you think the inside of the coffin should have looked like?

Mother Abbess Cecilia described how when she first peered inside the cracked coffin lid and saw a human foot, inside a black sock where one would expect to find only bone and dust, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she took a step back, collected herself, and leaned in for another look, just to be sure. Then she screamed for joy. “I will never forget that scream for as long as I live,” recalled Sister Scholastica Radel, the prioress. “It was a very different scream than any other scream,” the abbess agreed saying, “Nothing like seeing a mouse or something. It was just pure joy. ‘I see her foot!’”

Her body and her habit were totally incorrupt, but the cloth lining of the coffin was decayed. Speaking of her habit, Sr. Wilhelmina’s habit, she said, “It’s in better condition than most of our habits,” Mother Cecilia said, “This is not possible. Four years in a wet coffin, broken in with all the dirt, all the bacteria, all the mildew, all the mold — completely intact, every thread.”

For the sisters, the symbolism is profound. A St. Louis native, Sister Wilhelmina, an African American, spent 50 years in another religious order, but left, after it dispensed with the requirement of wearing its conventional habit and altered other long-established practices. She founded the Benedictines of Mary in 1995, when she was 70 years old. Mother Cecilia said of the habit, “It’s so appropriate, because that’s what Sister Wilhelmina fought for her whole religious life.” “And now,” Sister Scholastica said, “that’s what’s standing out. That’s what she took on to show the world that she belonged to Christ, and that is what she still shows the world. Even in her state, even after death, four years after the death, she’s still showing the world that this is who she is. She’s a bride of Christ, and nothing else matters.”

Most likely, Jesus preserved her body and her habit as a sign, that her life was pleasing to the Lord. She, who defended the habit, and lived an authentic religious life, is an example for all of us, that if He can preserve her body and her habit, He can also make our bodies new and resurrected like His on the last day. Sister Wilhelmina’s life was a constantly of dying to herself, and her desires through her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

She crucified her passions and lived for the Lord everyday of her life. As St. Paul said, “If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over Him. As to death, He died to sin once and for all; as to His life, He lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.”

There have been over 300 bodies of saints found incorrupt. Everyone died to sin and lived for God in Christ Jesus. St. Padre Pio’s wounds from the stigmata disappeared after his death. He is incorrupt. After death, St. Kateri Tekakawith’s face marred by smallpox was completely supple, like the face of a child.

Saint Bernadette, who Mary appeared in Lourdes, France and gave us the miraculous water, is incorrupt. St. Catherine Laboure, who gave us the miraculous medal, St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests, and many other saints were found incorrupt.

An incorrupt body points to the future resurrection of the dead. It points to the power of Jesus over death. Death destroys the body, but God can, preserve the body from decay, in order to point to the holiness of the life of the person who lived their life dying to sin, and living for others. They lived their life in union with Jesus.

As St. Paul said, “For if we have grown into union with Him through a death like His, we shall also be united with Him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.” He also said, “Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.”

Every saint had a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. They lived their life believing the resurrected Jesus loved and cared for them. Their faith in Jesus is a model for all of us. Jesus is alive. Jesus is risen. Jesus is with us and most especially, He is with us in the Holy Eucharist.

Mother Angelica, most likely, a future saint, said, “Whatever you are doing, make the most of it. If its painful endure it cheerfully. If you are happy, remember whence came for your happiness. If something you regret, put it in the hands of Jesus. If it something you are sorry about, put it in His mercy. If it is something you fear, put it in His providence. If it is something in the future, trust Him. There is nothing He will not do for you. What does Jesus want from you. Your love, your will and your sins. We have a great God. He is loving. He is compassionate. He gives and gives and never tires. He is always there even when you ignore Him. He never ignores you. Even when you forget Him, He never forgets you. And when you stray from the right path, He is right behind you, ready to catch you and is there to help you when you fall.”

Let us turn to the Virgin Mary, who many believe Jesus appeared first, whose body never suffered from corruption, and was assumed into heaven. May She help us to live our life with Jesus, dying to self and growing day by day in our love of Him, who first loved us, laid down His life for us, and rose from the dead, that we may have life abundantly with Him in heaven.

Easter Vigil - The Light of Christ

 

"The light shines in the darkness, and darkness has not overcome it".

From the blessed fire, the Easter Candle is lit, which represents Jesus Christ, coming out of the tomb, who overcomes the world of darkness. During this Most Holy of Nights, praise is sung to the Redeemer, who from the darkness has led us into God's marvelous light.

As the Church was immersed in darkness, the first symbolic act of the solemn Easter vigil: the priest carries the candle; the symbol of Christ the light of the world.

As the Easter Candle is processed into the Church, the priest proclaims, “The Light of Christ” and everyone responds, “Thanks be to God”, as we thank God for the Resurrection of Jesus, the light of the world, who overcomes the darkness of sin, and opens wide the gate to eternal life.

From the flame of the Easter Candle, each candle is lit until the church is filled with light. And when the lights of Church are turned on, it represents the light of Christ bursting forth throughout the whole world, as the risen Christ overcomes the darkness of sin.

This night is the most blessed of all as we heard in the Exultet, the Easter Proclamation. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that there is life beyond the grave.

At Easter, symbols give way to reality: "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” During the Vigil, the symbol of light is linked to that of water, and reminds us, that we are all born again, of water and the Holy Spirit, in order to share in the new life revealed by Christ's Resurrection.

On this night, the night of Easter—according to the Holy Scriptures, and beyond any human expectation—the light overcomes the darkness of sin, death and the world.

We heard in the readings an account of the creation of man and woman (first reading) and the liberation of the Hebrews from Egypt (third reading). This was in God’s plan for mankind, but the high point in God’s plan for us was the resurrection. This is the greatest celebration of the Church.

During many Easter Vigils, catechumens (the non-baptized) are baptized. Baptism means "immersion", as one is "immersed" in the mystery of God's love, which gushes forth from the pierced heart of the Crucified One. From Jesus flows living water. It is the water which gives life to the soul, through baptism. As blood and water gushed from the Heart of Jesus pierced on the Cross, so through baptism we receive life giving water, which washes away sin and gives us new life within the Blessed Trinity, as we share in God’s life through baptism. At baptism our soul becomes totally pure without sin and all punishment due to our sin is washed away. Did you know our soul can be like it once was at baptism? But this happens only once a year, on Divine Mercy Sunday. Next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. And if we have gone to confession during Lent, and if we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, God in His infinite mercy, will not only forgive our sins, but will make our soul like it was at baptism, such that all punishment due to our sins is also completely forgiven. If we were to die immediately after receiving Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday, we will go straight to heaven.

Tonight, rejoice, as sin is rolled away by baptism, and the Risen Christ will come to dwell within your Heart in Holy Communion. Behold out of tomb, He comes, and stands before you, in the little Host within the hands of the priest, and says, “Peace be with you! It is I, Do not be Afraid”.

From the Sacred Host, Jesus speaks to our heart saying, “I come that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” I come to give you every grace necessary to endure the struggles of everyday life. I come, to give you my love! I come, so that together, we may share a personal and intimate union, which is a foretaste of the communion, which will be ours in heaven. I am always with you. I am always at your side. You are never alone.

The Eucharist is truly the Risen Jesus. The same Jesus, who came forth from the tomb, will come here today in the Eucharist on the altar. And at Holy Communion, as the priest holds the Host in his hands, and says, “The body of Christ”, the living Risen Body of Christ, will stand before you.

Here in the Eucharist is Jesus. Here in the Eucharist is love. Here in the Eucharist is the light of the world. Here in the Eucharist is the one, whom we love, and the one, whom loves us. Here is the one whom, we have been searching. He longs to wipe away our tears of sorrow and give us His love.

Jesus is here at Mass and wants to help us in our daily life’s difficulties. He wants to console us when we suffer the agony of difficult situations.

If we long to be with Jesus, if we long to be with the one, who infinitely loves us, nothing will keep us from attending Mass every Sunday to be with Him. Nothing will keep us from receiving the risen Jesus in Holy Communion and we will come to daily Mass during the week when we are able. Nothing will keep us from Jesus, who stays here in the church hidden in the tabernacle. In the tabernacle, throughout the day, Jesus is all alone and desires that someone, anyone come to be with Him, so that He His joy may be our joy and our joy may be complete. For He is our joy. He is our peace! He is our hope. He is not going ahead of us to Galilee. Rather, He is about to come within our very own heart, and say to us, “Peace be with You! It is I, Do not be afraid!”

Tonight, when we come forward to receive the Jesus in Holy Communion, let us bend down to look into the tomb of our heart. Truly we will discover the risen Jesus is with us and loves us. And we will cry out, “He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia. Alleluia.”

Good Friday - Patience & Brotherly Love

 

 "The perfection of brotherly love lies in the love of one’s enemies. We can find no greater inspiration for this than grateful remembrance of the wonderful patience of Christ. He who is more fair than all the sons of men offered his fair face to be spat upon by sinful men; he allowed those eyes that rule the universe to be blindfolded by wicked men; he bared his back to the scourges; he submitted that head which strikes terror in principalities and powers to the sharpness of the thorns; he gave himself up to be mocked and reviled, and at the end endured the cross, the nails, the lance, the gall, the vinegar, remaining always gentle, meek and full of peace.
“In short, he was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before the shearers he kept silent, and did not open his mouth.
Who could listen to that wonderful prayer, so full of warmth, of love, of unshakable serenity –

“Father, forgive them” – and hesitate to embrace his enemies with overflowing love? “Father”, he says, “forgive them”. Is any gentleness, any love, lacking in this prayer?
Yet he put into it something more. It was not enough to pray for them: he wanted also to make excuses for them. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes, but they have little judgment; therefore, Father, forgive them. They are nailing me to the cross, but they do not know who it is that they are nailing to the cross: if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory; therefore, Father, forgive them. They think it is a lawbreaker, an impostor claiming to be God, a seducer of the people. I have hidden my face from them, and they do not recognize my glory; therefore, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. “
If someone wishes to love himself he must not allow himself to be corrupted by indulging his sinful nature. If he wishes to resist the promptings of his sinful nature he must enlarge the whole horizon of his love to contemplate the loving gentleness of the humanity of the Lord. Further, if he wishes to savor the joy of brotherly love with greater perfection and delight, he must extend even to his enemies the embrace of true love.
But if he wishes to prevent this fire of divine love from growing cold because of injuries received, let him keep the eyes of his soul always fixed on the serene patience of his beloved Lord and Savior.”

by Saint Abbot Aelred

Holy Thursday -Mass of the Lord's Supper

 

Tonight we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the day when Jesus instituted the Most Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Priesthood. We commemorate the beginning of a love affair between God and man found in Holy Communion. Bishop Fulton Sheen wrote, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host.” Pope Saint John Paul II said, “The Eucharist is that love that surpasses all loves in heaven and on earth.” Our Lord said, “There is no Greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Would you lay down your life for Jesus in the Eucharist? Would you risk your life to attend Mass, to receive Jesus in Holy Communion?

Matthew, one of the Apostles, was martyred while offering Mass. He was killed by the sword in 74 AD, when offering Mass in Ethiopia.

The early Christians risked their life to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion. For nearly 300 years there were no churches. Masses were offered in private homes, called “house churches”. They were also offered in the catacombs in hidden underground rooms.

Have you any idea what Rome was like at the beginning of the first century? The Romans were the most powerful people in the world because they conquered and ruled over many nations which, together, were known as the Roman Empire. The Roman rulers and their soldiers were very cruel, and were very much feared both by their own people and the people of other nations.

In the year 265, when Tarcisius was 12 yrs old, the empire was ruled over by Emperor Valerian. The emperor hated Christians because of their love for Jesus and his teaching. They were thrown into dirty prisons where conditions were poor, and many of them were martyred which means they were put to death for their beliefs.

Christians were martyred by beaten to death, others were burned- and most cruel of all- a number of them were thrown into a big arena called the Coliseum (which still exists today) and were eaten by lions. This was like a sport to the emperor and his friends who watched this horrible cruelty for enjoyment. However, Christians endured all of this, rather than give up their faith in Jesus.

To avoid being captured, Christians met secretly in their homes if they wanted to pray and to learn about their faith. When the situation became too dangerous they built underground rooms and passages called catacombs, so they could come together in safety. To enable them to celebrate Holy Mass in secret, they had to build large rooms below ground called crypts where they also buried their dead.

The entrances to the catacombs were concealed and they were usually in isolated spots outside the city known only to the Christians. These same catacombs still exist today and can be seen by visitors to Rome.

It was there they gathered to pray, to study their faith and to hear Mass and receive Holy Communion. This was possible due to the courageous bishops and priests who risked their lives so that the people could receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. No matter how careful the Christians were in protecting the knowledge of the entrances to the catacombs, sometimes the pagans discovered them. Therefore, a great number of Christians were caught or put in prison, where, each day, they expected to be put to death. Despite their sufferings they desired to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

One day, just as the Bishop was about to celebrate Holy Mass in one of the catacombs, he received a letter from the prisoners- among the prisoners were some of his fellow bishops and priests-, who had been arrested requesting him to please send Holy Communion to them. They knew if Jesus was with them, they would be less fearful and would gladly accept a martyr's death for love of Him. This posed a problem for the Bishop because knew it was very dangerous to take the Holy Eucharist to prisoners and to the sick.

Before beginning Holy Mass, the Bishop asked those present to pray that he might choose the best person to carry Jesus in the Eucharist to the prisoners. Since it was too dangerous for priests, it was important that some other good person be selected who would not arouse suspicion.

As soon as Mass was over, the Bishop asked who would be willing to carry out this brave task. A young boy, Tarcisius, an altar server- stood up and said, “send me.” The Bishop thought the boy was too young and could be endangered, but Tarcisius convinced him that nobody would suspect him simply because he was so young. All the Christians knew of the deep love Tarcisius had for Jesus in the Eucharist, so the bishop eventually accepted the boy's offer.

Tarcisius was given some hosts carefully wrapped in a linen cloth and wrapped in his tunic over his heart. The Bishop asked him to remember the “heavenly treasures” that were being entrusted to his care; to avoid the crowded streets and to faithfully and safely protect these sacred mysteries, Jesus in the Eucharist. Tarcisius replied that he would rather die than let go of them. Clasping his Sacred Treasure, he set off for the prison.

Oh how happy and proud Tarcisius felt as he carried Our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist so close to his heart! He had no thoughts to spare for places or people that he passed. He thought only of Jesus, whom he carried.

“Oh, dear Jesus, how I love you,” he whispered. “How good you are to choose me as your little messenger. How willingly I would suffer and die for you, like these good people in prison. Perhaps one day you will let me lay down my life for you too.”

Whispering words of love like these, he sped quickly on his way. He was out of the catacombs now and on the high road. There he passed a group of his classmates about to start a game, but needing one more to complete the number to make up the team. Catching sight of Tarcisius they called him to stop and join them.

“I am sorry,” he said, “but I am on an important mission.” He hurried on, but the boys caught hold of him and would not let him go.

“What have you there?” said one, seeing how tightly Tarcisius held his hands to his breast. “Let me see.”

“No, no,” cried Tarcisius, struggling to free himself. His anxiety made them all curious, and together they tried to pull away his hands.

“My Jesus, strengthen me,” whispered Tarcisius. But one boy heard his words and cried out to the others: “He is a Christian. He is hiding some Christian mystery there.”

This made the boys still more curious. They determined to see for themselves, so they struck him, stoned him and kicked him and did their best to pull open his hands, but they could not make him loosen his grip.

A man passing by asked what was the matter. One of the boys said, “He's a Christian, carrying some Christian mystery, and we're trying to get it from him.” The man said, “A Christian, did you say?” and giving Tarcisius a cruel blow, threw him to the ground.

At this very moment, a soldier, hastening towards the group, scattered them, and stooping down, lifted Tarcisius in his arms. “You cowards!” he said; “all of you attacking one little boy.” He went quickly down the street and hurried off carrying the boy. The soldier said, “Tarcisius, young man.” Tarcisius opened his eyes and recognized the soldier as a Christian he had often met in the catacombs.

“I am dying,” he said, “but I have kept my God safe from them.” And he handed his precious treasure to the soldier, who placed it reverently inside his tunic. “Carry Him to the prison for me,” said Tarcisius and with a gentle sigh he fell back into the soldier's arms and died. His little soul was already with God, for whom he so willingly gave his life, for Jesus himself once said, “Greater love than this no man has, than that a man lay down his life for his friend.” Little Tarcisius gave his life for the Friend of friends, Jesus.

Non-Catholics claim the Eucharist is a symbol, but the early Christians would have never died for a mere symbol, but they would die for a person, Jesus Christ truly present in the Holy Eucharist.

Palm Sunday - Passion Sunday "St. Faustina"

 

 

Our readings today help us mediate on Jesus’ passion. Just one example is today’s Psalm 22. Although written 1000 years before Jesus, it foresees many details in Jesus’ passion: being mocked in a way similar to what Jesus endured on the cross, casting lots for His garment, and piercing his hands and feet-- even though the Roman Empire which used crucifixion as its capital punishment for non-citizens did not even exist at the time of this Psalm.

To help us meditate on Jesus’ passion, here are some statements from Jesus to St. Faustina in her diary:

Jesus said to St. Faustina: “My daughter, meditate frequently on the sufferings which I have undergone for your sake, and then nothing of what you suffer for Me will seem great to you. You please Me most when you meditate on My Sorrowful Passion. Join your little sufferings to My Sorrowful Passion, so that they may have infinite value before My Majesty. (Diary of St. Faustina 1512)

“There is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood; the contemplation of My painful wounds is of great profit to you, and it brings Me great joy.” (#369)

“Consider My Sorrowful Passion in all its immensity. Consider it as if it had been undertaken for your sake alone.” (1761)

“There are few souls who contemplate My Passion with true feeling; I give great graces to souls who meditate devoutly on My Passion.” (737)

“At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in my abandonment at the moment of agony: This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into my mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in the virtue of My Passion.” (1320)

Jesus is stating here that He will refuse no prayer requested of Him-- in virtue of His Passion and that we can obtain everything, if what we ask for is compatible to His will.

As we reflect on Jesus’ Passion, we remember the crowd on Palm Sunday waving palm branches expecting Jesus to win a victory. Jesus won a victory, not as they hoped, but infinitely better, the victory over death. We too can say Hosanna, which means “Save us,” by asking Jesus to save us by the fruits of his Passion: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” (476)

A Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday. It’s in the bulletin. Everyday during the Novena, especially at the 3 o’clock Hour, the Lord invites us to think about His sufferings on the Cross, and to pray for the needs of others.

Joseph, Spouse Mary, March 19th - Young or Old?

 

Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of Mary.

At the time Mary and Joseph was betrothed, was St. Joseph old or young? Most statues and pictures of St. Joseph picture him as a rather old man. Mother Angelica was once asked that question on one her live shows and she responded saying, “Well, my dear, that is a good question. There is no official Church teaching on whether or not was old or young, but I prefer a young Joseph. All I know, sweetie, is old men don’t walk to Egypt!”

Mother Angelica’s straightforward answer makes a lot of sense. Not only would an elderly man not be capable of walking to Egypt, but an old man wouldn’t be able to walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, either. Bethlehem is 80 miles from Nazareth, and the journey would have been across rough desert terrain. After Joseph would have walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem where Jesus was born, he was instructed by an angel to take the Child and His Mother to Egypt. Then after Joseph learned from the angel that Herod was dead, he had to walk back to Nazareth, which would have been at least 120 miles. The terrain is rough, the heat is intense and the dangers are many.

Bishop Fulton Sheen said this about Joseph, “Joseph was probably a young man, strong, virile, athletic, handsome, chaste and self-disciplined. Instead of being a man incapable of loving, he must have been on fire with love. Just as we would give very little credit to the Blessed Virgin Mary if She had taken Her vow of virginity after having been an old maid for 50 years, so neither could we give much credit to a Joseph who became Her spouse because he was advanced in years…. Mary and Joseph brought to their espousal's not only their vows of virginity but also two hearts with greater torrents of love than had ever before coursed through human chests..”

As Pope Benedict XVI said, “Like Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.” Pope Pius XII said, “Grant that according to your example (St. Joseph) we may keep our eyes fixed on our Mother Mary, your most chaste spouse.”

5th Sunday of Lent - Divine Mercy

 

Today, I would like to speak to you about mercy. The Latin word, “Misericordia” sheds light on the meaning of mercy. Miseri means “misery”. Cordia means heart. So Misericordia means a heart open to relieving the misery of another.

“Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip...and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

If we have faith, we can see the face of Jesus in simple gestures of fraternal charity and works of mercy.

Our Lord said, “When I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink. When I was naked, you clothed me. When I was ill and in prison you visited me.”

There are also the spiritual works of mercy: the instruct the ignorant, to pray for the living and the dead, to counsel the doubtful, to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive offenses, admonish the sinner. When we treat others with mercy, we are in fact treating Jesus, who is within them, with mercy. Jesus said, “What you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.”

Therefore, for those who wish to see Jesus, can see Him in the disguise of the poor and in disguise of those who we treat others with mercy. The rude clerk at the store, the fan screaming obscenities at the referees, our friends, who irritate us, and our family members, who are selfish. We see their misery and respond with love and mercy.

Two children, who are brothers, are coloring in their own coloring book and one takes the blue crayon he was using. In turn, he gets angry and breaks his brother’s crayons. But, if we see Jesus in our brother, we will treat our brother will love and mercy by allowing him to use our crayon.

If a high school athlete thinks he is better than another player, who plays more often. To be merciful, he humbly accepts the coach’s choice, and prays for the other player, to do what is best for the team. If we see Jesus in the other athlete who gets to play more often than we do, we will treat them with love and mercy.

We can be merciful to our spouse, who refuses to clean up after his or herself, by picking up after them. We treat them with love and mercy.

During the time of Jesus, when He walked the face of the earth, people could see Him face to face. Don’t you wish you can actually see Jesus standing in front of you? Over the centuries saints saw Jesus through visions and apparitions.

St. Faustina, a polish nun, was born in 1905 and died at 33 years of age in 1938. She had a vision of Jesus in with one hand giving a blessing, and the other hand was resting on His chest and from His chest came two rays of light, one white and one red. Beneath the image of Jesus she saw the words, Jesus I Trust in You. He wanted the image to painted and publicly venerated.

In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord said, “The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”

At the Last Supper, Jesus inaugurates the New and Everlasting Covenant, the Holy Eucharist. Jesus instituted the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confession to be fonts of His mercy.

Through His death and resurrection He opened the door for the forgiveness of our sins. Through the sacrament of Baptism & Confession, the Lord God’s words through the prophet Jeremiah are fulfilled who said, “All, from least to the greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.”

On the day Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His apostles He instituted the Sacrament of Confession. He told the apostles, “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained” (John 20:22). And just before He ascended into heaven, He told His disciples, “Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

The apostles were on a mission of mercy to relieve souls of their misery of sin. To baptize, washing away original sin and personal sin. After baptism, to forgive personal sins through Confession. And to feed the new Christians with His body and blood, the New and Everlasting covenant, when they offered Mass and gave them Holy Communion.

When I did hospital ministry, I baptized a dying elderly man. Through baptism, 80 years of his sins and the punishment due to his sins were all washed away in ocean of God’s mercy.

Bernard Nathanson was a Jewish abortionist, who admitted to doing 7,000 abortions. When he gave up abortions, and became Catholic, he was baptized, and all his sins and the punishment due to his sins were forgiven.

Once, I was went to visit a Catholic in a rehab center in Wichita. The patient wanted Confession and Holy Communion. She hadn’t been to Confession for 10 years. When as I was walking down the corridor to leave, a nurse told me another patient wanted to see a priest. I stopped by her room and she too went confession. She hadn’t been to Confession in 25 years. As I was leaving, a third patient saw me and hollered through her doorway for me to come to her room. She too went to Confession, and it was 40 years since she had gone to Confession. In a matter of 30 minutes, Jesus washed away a total of 75 years of sins. I was astonished at God’s mercy.

Jesus saw the misery of the soul of the 80 year old man who was dying. He saw the misery of the abortionist. He saw the misery of the three women in the rehab center and by His love, came to relieve their misery, by washing away their sins and giving them His body and blood in Holy Communion.

We should not be afraid to go to Confession. Sometimes we may think that we just keep doing the same sins over and over. Welcome to humanity. We are all like that. But, we keep coming to Jesus trusting in His mercy.

Sometimes, we may think our sins are too many and too great. I doubt any of you killed 7,000 people, like Bernard Nathanson and yet Jesus forgave all his sins and the punishment due to his sins in ocean of His mercy.

After the first 3 years of my priesthood, I heard 5,000 confessions. Now I have been a priest for 20 years. I have heard hundreds of thousands of confessions. The priest is just a dispenser of God’s mercy. We don’t judge those who come to Confession, we rejoice in Jesus forgiving them.

Jesus said to St. Faustina, “When approach the confessional, know this, that I myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of Mercy.” “Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no[hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late.”

Jesus told Saint Faustina, “I am love and mercy itself. ... Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. ... My mercy is greater than your sins, and those of the entire world. ... I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you. Come then with trust to draw graces from this fountain... The graces of My mercy are drawn by the means of one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.”

Jesus also said, “I want the whole world to know my infinite mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in my mercy. Let not even the weak and very sinful fear to approach me, even if their sins be as numerous as all the sand of the earth all will be forgiven in the fathomless pit of my mercy.”

Jesus told Faustina He wanted to establish the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Sunday after Easter. He said, “I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.”

According to a priest from Poland, the graces we receive on Divine Mercy Sunday is as though we were to receive a “second baptism”. If we go to Confession sometime during Lent or up to and including Divine Mercy Sunday, we will receive that great grace of God’s mercy. It’s only one day a year, the Sunday after Easter. My friends, everyone please go to Confession before Easter. Allow Jesus to come in contact with the misery of your soul and to pour His unfathomable mercy in your heart.

Jesus wants us to receive His mercy and be merciful to others by opening our heart to their misery, by relieving that misery with an act of love and mercy. By doing so, we will see Jesus in everyone.

Today, look inside your soul and see its misery due your sins and cry out to Jesus, “Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew me within me.” and by going to Confession, Jesus will make it new and clean.

4th Sunday of Lent - Destruction of the Temple- Freemason (Little River)

 

The first reading today, speaks about the priests and the people polluting the temple by practicing abominations. They despised the warnings of the prophets. And so, God permitted the temple to do be destroyed by the enemies of His people, who were carried off into Babylon. 70 yrs later, in 515 BC the King of Persia rebuilt the temple. Then nearly 490 years later, (26 years before Jesus was born), King Herod built a new greater temple. During the time of Jesus, it was a place of worship by offering of animals as sacrifice.

Jesus referred to its future destruction. Matthew’s Gospel states, “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when His disciples came to point out to Him the buildings of the temple. But He answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.” In the year 70AD, 3 yrs after the martyrdom of St. Peter, the temple was destroyed by the Romans.

Jesus referred to His body as a temple. He said, “Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it.” They thought He was referring to the temple, where they Jews offered sacrifice, but He was referring to the temple of His body, that would be destroyed on the Cross and rise from the dead, three days later.

After the Resurrection of Jesus, the Apostles founded His Church, which is the new temple. The Catechism states, “the Holy Spirit makes the Church 'the temple of the living God'” (797) and again that “the Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.” (809) Also, St. Paul refers to our body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Today, Christians normally don’t refer to churches as temples, but rather churches, or basilicas or cathedrals or chapels. On altars of Catholic Churches, the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, is offered and not animals.

There are non-Christian temples, such as a Buddhist temple, Hindu, or Masonic temple. These temples are truly false temples, God does not dwell in them. They are false religions. Today, I want to speak about Masonic temples and lodges.

When most people think of the Freemasons, they think of the Shriner’s Hospital, or during parades, we see men drive the little cars wearing ISIS hats, or maybe members of the Elks Club, they are usually older gentlemen who like to smoke a cigar and do good works in the community. They are known in Kansas and other states for the Shriner’s bowl. They promote fraternity and brotherhood. Some may have friends who are Freemasons. In Little River there is a former Masonic lodge located between the grocery store and the newspaper “The Monitor.”

Most local Freemasons have no idea what goes on in their order in the highest degrees. But there is a real problem with Freemasons the average person is totally unaware.

The Catholic Church in the past several centuries has warned that Catholics cannot be masons. The reason is they believe in a naturalistic religion (making nature out to be God). It’s a secret society. It is a deistic, where God is not part of our lives but somewhere for from us. The Freemason understanding of God can be seen in their ceremonies, their rites and activities or the opening of a meeting or the way they do a funeral. As Catholics, we don’t believe in a deistic God (a God who is far away from us. As Catholics, we believe in a personal God.

There are things much worse about the Masons, than what I just described. If a family member was a Freemason who took oaths during secret ceremonies, some oaths have a negative spiritual effect up to 5 generations. There is a Freemason curse, that may need to be broken.

Msgr. Rosetti, an exorcist from the Archdiocese of Washington, DC said, “...there are really curses connected to (Freemasonry). People will see in their family members with a continual kind of a problem. A cursed problem. They just can’t seem to shake it. Whether its generational infidelity, strange deaths, addictions, generational abuse, pride, fear & control, spirits of divination and all sorts of things such as preventing some from becoming Catholic. And it keeps happening again and again. And it starts to become strange. Why does our family appear to have this curse? Well, when you look back at a number of these families, you find is that a grandparent, parent, great-grandparent, was a high level Mason. You may not have been a Mason, but we can go through the prayers to reject (curses).” Msgr Rosetti quoted Fr. Chad Rippiger, who said, “If you were a member of a Masonic organization or a descendant of someone who was, it is recommended you say these prayers.” Msgr. Rosetti said, “…….say (the prayer to break the Freemason curse) in front of….” a priest.

The Credo catechism by Bishop Athanasius Schnieder, in reference to Freemasonry states, “In their lower levels they are a naturalistic religion, where they preach the worship of nature—and self-salvation. Masons in their highest grades seem to worship the devil. They believe they alone are the “initiated, the perfect and illuminated people, while the rest of humanity is for them profane, imperfect and darkened. The human being ultimately, makes himself a god. The Church’s description of Freemasonry is considered “a Satanic sect, which has the devil as its god.”

Pope Leo XIII warns how Freemasons attempt to control society with their ideas. They influence in political and social activities.

Multiple popes have condemned Freemasonry as a false religion, including Pope Francis. In fact, a Catholic could be excommunicated from the Church, but only if a bishop decrees it. If a Catholic unknowingly joined the Freemasons, he should immediately renounce his membership in the Freemasons and un-enroll in it and go to Confession.

The Church is not trying to condemn individual people. But rather wants to warn them, that belonging to the organization is a danger to their eternal salvation. The Church wants to point out, Christians are called to be in a relationship with God, that is deeply personal. Most especially, because God dwells in our heart through baptism, and that He unites Himself to us physically in Holy Communion. Jesus is part of our daily life in all that we do and can help us no matter the situation or circumstance.

Most don’t know, that the Freemasons, at their highest level are anti-Catholic. Lower level Freemasons have no idea that is the case. Catholics are cautioned to not be members any Freemason association. The Church has said, “The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.” Catholics can’t be a member of the Freemasons and also a member of the Catholic Church.

If you have friends who are Freemasons, don’t disown them. Most likely, they have no idea what their organization is really about. Pray for them, that they may discover the fullness of truth found in the Catholic faith, and may give up their connection with the Masons.

Fr. Michael McGivney, founded the Knights of Columbus, as a Catholic alternative to the Freemasons. He is now Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney. He wanted to help Catholic men to have fraternal brotherhood, and do good deeds, especially to help widows (which is why they now have life insurance for members to help spouses after they die). The Knights of Columbus is very active in doing many charitable deeds, not only for Catholics, but also in the community.

St. Maximilian cared very much about Freemasons, so much so, after He was ordained, he offered His First Mass for their conversion. He even added a short prayer to the miraculous medal, which stated, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. And for all those who do not have recourse to thee; especially the Masons and all those recommended to thee.” He also once said, “With what intention ought we to offer the Holy Rosary? Don’t you think that the best intention, is that Masons convert as soon as possible and enroll themselves in the Militia of the Immaculate and the desire to make reparation for the evil they have caused. And put themselves to work with great fervor for the salvation of souls.”

Today, let us pray for Freemasons, that they may discover true brotherhood is found in Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church, and may the Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, pray for them.

3rd Sunday of Lent - Cleansing of the Temple - Freemasons (Bushton & Lyons)

 

In the Gospel today, Jesus enters His Father’s house, the temple in Jerusalem. He made a whip out of cords and drove the money changers, sheep, and oxen out of the temple.

Money changers, sheep, and oxen were needed so Jews could offer animals as a sacrifice in the temple. So why did Jesus drive them out?

The exchange of business should not have been in the temple, but near the temple, and money changers often times cheated buyers.

Back then, the temple contained the Holy of Holies and an altar used to offer the sacrifice of animals, given to God as a gift. Inside the Holy of Holies was the ark of the Covenant and inside it was the 10 commandments, manna & Aaron’s rod.

Later Jesus referred to His body as a temple. He said, “Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it.” They thought He was referring to the temple, where they Jews offered sacrifice, but He was referring to the temple of His body, that would be destroyed on the Cross and rise from the dead, three days later.

In the Gospel today, Jesus enters His Father’s house, the temple in Jerusalem. He made a whip out of cords and drove the money changers, sheep, and oxen out of the temple.

Money changers, sheep, and oxen were needed so Jews could offer animals as a sacrifice in the temple. So why did Jesus drive them out?

The exchange of business should not have been in the temple, but near the temple, and money changers often times cheated buyers.

Back then, the temple contained the Holy of Holies and an altar used to offer the sacrifice of animals, given to God as a gift. Inside the Holy of Holies was the ark of the Covenant and inside it was the 10 commandments, manna & Aaron’s rod.

Later Jesus referred to His body as a temple. He said, “Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it.” They thought He was referring to the temple, where they Jews offered sacrifice, but He was referring to the temple of His body, that would be destroyed on the Cross and rise from the dead, three days later.

Today, Christians normally don’t refer to churches as temples, but rather churches, or basilicas or cathedrals or chapels. On altars of Catholic Churches, the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, is offered and not animals.

There are non-Christian temples, such as a Buddhist temple, Hindu, or Masonic temple. These temples are truly false temples, God does not dwell in them. They are false religions. Today, I want to speak about Masonic temples and lodges.

When most people think of the Freemasons, they think of the Shriner’s Hospital, or during parades, we see men drive the little cars wearing ISIS hats, or maybe members of the Elks Club, they are usually older gentlemen who like to smoke a cigar and do good works in the community. They are known in Kansas and other states for the Shriner’s bowl. They promote fraternity and brotherhood. Some may have friends who are Freemasons. In Little River there is a former Masonic lodge located between the grocery store and the newspaper “The Monitor.”

Most local Freemasons have no idea what goes on in their order in the highest degrees. But there is a real problem with Freemasons the average person is totally unaware.

The Catholic Church in the past several centuries has warned that Catholics cannot be masons. The reason is they believe in a naturalistic religion (making nature out to be God). It’s a secret society. It is a deistic, where God is not part of our lives but somewhere for from us. The Freemason understanding of God can be seen in their ceremonies, their rites and activities or the opening of a meeting or the way they do a funeral. As Catholics, we don’t believe in a deistic God (a God who is far away from us. As Catholics, we believe in a personal God.

There are things much worse about the Masons, than what I just described. If a family member was a Freemason who took oaths during secret ceremonies, some oaths have a negative spiritual effect up to 5 generations. There is a Freemason curse, that may need to be broken.

Msgr. Rosetti, an exorcist from the Archdiocese of Washington, DC said, “...there are really curses connected to (Freemasonry). People will see in their family members with a continual kind of a problem. A cursed problem. They just can’t seem to shake it. Whether its generational infidelity, strange deaths, addictions, generational abuse, pride, fear & control, spirits of divination and all sorts of things such as preventing some from becoming Catholic. And it keeps happening again and again. And it starts to become strange. Why does our family appear to have this curse? Well, when you look back at a number of these families, you find is that a grandparent, parent, great-grandparent, was a high level Mason. You may not have been a Mason, but we can go through the prayers to reject (curses).” Msgr Rosetti quoted Fr. Chad Rippiger, who said, “If you were a member of a Masonic organization or a descendant of someone who was, it is recommended you say these prayers.” Msgr. Rosetti said, “…….say (the prayer to break the Freemason curse) in front of….” a priest.

The Credo catechism by Bishop Athanasius Schnieder, in reference to Freemasonry states, “In their lower levels they are a naturalistic religion, where they preach the worship of nature—and self-salvation. Masons in their highest grades seem to worship the devil. They believe they alone are the “initiated, the perfect and illuminated people, while the rest of humanity is for them profane, imperfect and darkened. The human being ultimately, makes himself a god. The Church’s description of Freemasonry is considered “a Satanic sect, which has the devil as its god.”

Pope Leo XIII warns how Freemasons attempt to control society with their ideas. They influence in political and social activities.

Multiple popes have condemned Freemasonry as a false religion, including Pope Francis. In fact, a Catholic could be excommunicated from the Church, but only if a bishop decrees it. If a Catholic unknowingly joined the Freemasons, he should immediately renounce his membership in the Freemasons and un-enroll in it, and go to Confession.

The Church is not trying to condemn individual people. But rather wants to warn them, that belonging to the organization is a danger to their eternal salvation. The Church wants to point out, Christians are called to be in a relationship with God, that is deeply personal. Most especially, because God dwells in our heart through baptism, and that He unites Himself to us physically in Holy Communion. Jesus is part of our daily life in all that we do and can help us no matter the situation or circumstance.

Most don’t know, that the Freemasons, at their highest level are anti-Catholic. Lower level Freemasons have no idea that is the case. Catholics are cautioned to not be members any Freemason association. The Church has said, “The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.” Catholics can’t be a member of the Freemasons and also a member of the Catholic Church.

If you have friends who are Freemasons, don’t disown them. Most likely, they have no idea what their organization is really about. Pray for them, that they may discover the fullness of truth found in the Catholic faith, and may give up their connection with the Masons.

Fr. Michael McGivney, founded the Knights of Columbus, as a Catholic alternative to the Freemasons. He is now Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney. He wanted to help Catholic men to have fraternal brotherhood, and do good deeds, especially to help widows (which is why they now have life insurance for members to help spouses after they die). The Knights of Columbus is very active in doing many charitable deeds, not only for Catholics, but also in the community.

St. Maximilian cared very much about Freemasons, so much so, after He was ordained, he offered His First Mass for their conversion. He even added a short prayer to the miraculous medal, which stated, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. And for all those who do not have recourse to thee; especially the Masons and all those recommended to thee.” He also once said, “With what intention ought we to offer the Holy Rosary? Don’t you think that the best intention, is that Masons convert as soon as possible and enroll themselves in the Militia of the Immaculate and the desire to make reparation for the evil they have caused. And put themselves to work with great fervor for the salvation of souls.”

Today, let us pray for Freemasons, that they may discover true brotherhood is found in Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church, and may the Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, pray for them.