A difficult moment

Today’s gospel begins with words which Jesus spoke to the crowds: ... unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you (Jn 6:53).  Many of those who heard these words found them difficult to understand, and because they could not understand his words, many of them turned back and no longer went along with him (Jn 6:66).  This was a kind of litmus test for them, a breaking point.  Like them,  we must always ask ourselves: how far am I willing to go to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?  It is always easy to follow him when things are going well, but the true level of our commitment only comes to light when there are challenges, when we are tested.

This summer has been a very trying time for many in the Church.  At the end of July, a retired Cardinal who once shepherded the Archdiocese of Washington, DC resigned his position as an advisor to the Holy Father as a result of accusations of inappropriate behaviour and cover-ups regarding abuses committed by clergy under his care while he was in active ministry.  Last week, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury released a report that accuses more than 300 priests in dioceses throughout that state of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children over a 70-year period.

Reports like this always remind me that although God is perfect, none of us is.  The weakness of those who serve in the Church is understandably a cause for concern, because we are called to lead first and foremost by example ... and because the victims in this case are the innocent: those who should be protected most of all.

Those who are guilty must always answer for their actions, but such situations should also make all of us aware of our own weaknesses, and each of us must ask ourselves the question: how far am I willing to go to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

In the first reading for today’s liturgy, Joshua challenged the elders, the heads, the judges and the officers of Israel ... to choose who they would serve (Joshua 24:15).  In the midst of confusion and chaos, his words rang out and reverberated in their hearts, and they recognized a call to affirm their willingness to serve the Lord.

Even today, when we are faced with situations of confusion and chaos, we must always stop and listen deeply for the voice of God that is always whispering wisdom in the depths of our souls.  This voice will always help us to return to the basics.  It will always help us to find our way, even when we are faced with the most disturbing news.

The report issued by the Pennsylvania Grand Jury has sent shock waves throughout the Church in the United States and these shock waves have reverberated here in Canada and as far away as Rome.  These difficult questions require answers, and the answers will be forthcoming, but in the meanwhile, each of us can and must pray for our brothers and sisters: those who have committed such unspeakable acts and those who have been victimized.  Let us all strive to be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us (Eph 4:32).

His Word Today: Emmanuel

Good morning everyone,

Anyone who is familiar with the traditional carols that are sung at Christmas will know the word Emmanuel.  During the Advent period, we sing: O come, O come Emmanuel! but many people may not know that the word Emmanuel means God-with-us.

The prophet Ezekiel had a vision of the holy city.  In chapter 43 of his Book, he describes a moment when he stood in the inner court of the temple and heard someone speaking to him.  The voice said: Son of man, this is where my throne shall be, this is where I will set the souls of my feet, here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever (Ez 43:7).  This vision was fulfilled when God sent Jesus to live among us.  After the Ascension, God sent the Holy Spirit - the third person of the Trinity - to dwell among us.  This means that the prophecy of Ezekiel has been fulfilled: Emmanuel - God is with us!

God is dwelling in our midst.  If we have even the slightest doubt, all we need to do is open our eyes and look around us.  God is present in the life of a newborn, God is present in the exuberance of a child, God is present in the curiosity of a student, God is present in the moments of worry and concern faced by every parent, God is present to all those who are sick and suffering, God is present to all those who are growing weak and feeble, God is present to those who are preparing to meet Him.  God is with us.  Look for Him today, and if you find Him, say hello.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Bartholomew

Statue of Saint Bartholomew
by Marco D'Agrate, 1562
inside the Duomo of Milan

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.  Bartholomew is named as one of the apostles in each of the three Synoptic gospels (Mt 10:3; Mk 3:18 and Lk 6:14).  There is no mention of Bartholomew in the gospel of John.  Instead, the writer refers to a figure by the name of Nathanael (Jn 1:45), which some scholars believe to be the apostle Bartholomew.

After the Ascension of Jesus (Lk 24:50-53), it is believed that Bartholomew went on a missionary tour to India where he visited the region of Bombay where he described his own interpretation of the holy city of Jerusalem (cf Rev 21:9-14) and left behind a copy of the gospel of Matthew. Other traditions hold that he served as a missionary in Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia and Lyaconia, as well as Greater Armenia.

Bartholomew is believed to have been martyred while in India.  At the age of 50 years, it is believed that his skin was removed from his body while he was still alive and that he was beheaded by order of the king.  His relics made their way back toward Italy, where they are currently housed in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo in Benevento.  Some relics have also been moved to Rome (where they are housed in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo sul'Isola), the Frankfurt Cathedral (officially known as the Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew, located in Frankfurt, Germany) and the Canterbury Cathedral located in Canterbury, Kent, England.

May the zeal of this holy apostle inspire us today to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Laundry

Good morning everyone,

Some people quite enjoy the chores we all have to accomplish, even the most mundane ones ... like doing the laundry, but not everyone.  Sorting the dirty laundry, loading the washing machine, choosing the water temperature and the cycle, drying the delicates, folding everything and putting it away ... not to mention the ironing.  It can all be rather cumbersome, but doing the laundry - something that we hide from public eyes - is an essential part of life.

The principle of doing the laundry also pertains to our spiritual lives.  The prophet Ezekiel speaks today of this necessity, reassuring us that the Lord will sprinkle clean water upon us (Ez 36:25) to cleanse us from all the dirt that we have accumulated.  Like the laundry, we often choose to keep the dirt and grime of sin hidden from others, but God wants to cleanse us from all our impurities ... to give us a new heart and to place a new spirit within us (Ez 36:26).

What spiritual laundry have we been trying to hide - from ourselves, from God or from others?  We can always trust that God will wash away all the dirt that we have accumulated, and replace our tired spirits with fresh, clean laundry.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Queenship of Mary

The Coronation of the Virgin
by Fra Angelico (1395-1455)

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the liturgical Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This feast was established in 1954 by Pope Pius XII - the same Pope who solemnly decreed the Church's belief in the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

Mary's queenship has its roots in scripture:  at the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), the archangel Gabriel announces that Mary's son would receive the throne of his ancestor David, and ... rule over the house of Jacob forever.  At the Visitation (Lk 1:39-45), Elizabeth refers to Mary as the mother of my Lord.  Throughout the significant moments in Mary's life, she was always associated with her son Jesus.  Her queenship is therefore understood as a share in Jesus' kingship.

Today's festivity falls on the octave (the eighth day) following the liturgical solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.  In the encyclical entitled Ad Caeli Reginam (To the Queen of Heaven) in which Pope Pius XII established today's Memorial, His Holiness pointed out that Mary deserves the title of Queen of Heaven because she is the mother of God, because she is so closely associated with the redemptive work of her son Jesus (ACR, 38), because of her pre-eminent perfection and because of her intercessory power (ACR, 39).

While on earth, Jesus established his kingship based in service to others and Mary too exercised her queenship through service.  Now, we believe that the glorified Jesus remains with us always as our king until the end of the age (Mt 28:20) and Mary, who was assumed into heaven and crowned as queen of heaven and earth remains by our side, interceding for us and helping us as we journey to our heavenly homeland.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Pius X

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Pius X.  Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto was born in Riese, in the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, then a part of the Austrian empire but now part of the Italian province of Treviso on 2 June 1835.  He was the child of a postman, and grew up in poverty, one of ten children: he had three brothers and six sisters.

At a young age, Giuseppe studied Latin with his village priest.  Having completed his secondary studies, he was admitted to the seminary of Padua in 1850 where he completed his studies in preparation for Ordination as a priest of the Diocese of Treviso.  He was ordained a priest on 18 September 1858.  In the early years of his priesthood, while fulfilling most of the duties of a pastor, he also managed to study Saint Thomas Aquinas and Canon Law.  As the years progressed, he continued to be entrusted with further pastoral responsibilities until in 1978, he was appointed as a vicar-capitular with pastoral responsibility for the city of Treviso during a time of vacancy in that diocese until a new Bishop could be appointed.  He held this position for two years, after which he returned to the Treviso seminary where he taught dogmatic theology and moral theology for four years.

On 10 November 1884, Pope Leo XIII appointed him as Bishop of Mantua (Italy).  Nine years later, during an open consistory held on 12 June 1893, Pope Leo XIII created him a Cardinal and three days later, he was privately named as Patriarch of Venice, but was prevented from assuming that role until the following year.  On 20 July 1893, Pope Leo XIII died, and not long afterward, the Conclave to elect a successor was convened.  Cardinal Sarto was elected Pontiff on 4 August 1903, taking the name of Pius X.

Even after he had been elected Supreme Pontiff, he never forgot his humble origins: that he - and we - are human beings, not God (cf Ez 28:2, 9). His simple origins became clear right after his election, when he wore a pectoral cross made of gilded metal on the day of his coronation and when his entourage was horrified, the new pope complained that he always wore it and that he had brought no other one with him. He was well known for cutting down on papal ceremonies.  The pontificate of Pius X was noted for conservative theology and reforms in the liturgy and in Church law.  He worked tirelessly to develop various aspects within the life of the Church.

In 1913, Pius X suffered a heart attack, and subsequently lived in the shadow of poor health. In 1914, the pope fell ill on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary (15 August 1914), an illness from which he would not recover. His condition was worsened by the events leading to the outbreak of World War I (1914–18), which reportedly sent the 79-year-old pope into a state of melancholy. He died on 20 August 1914 of a heart attack, on the very day when German forces marched into Brussels.

Following his death, Pius X was buried in a simple and unadorned tomb in the crypt below Saint Peter's Basilica. Papal physicians had been in the habit of removing organs to aid the embalming process. Pius X expressly prohibited this in his burial and successive popes have continued this tradition.  Pope Pius X was beatified on 3 June 1951 and subsequently canonized on 29 May 1954.

Saint Pius X, pray for us, that we may always remain a humble people at the service of our brothers and sisters.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Bernard of Clairveaux

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Bernard of Clairveaux, a French abbot and a major leader in the reform of Benedictine monasticism.

Saint Bernard was born near Dijon (France) in 1090 AD.  As a young boy, he was admittedly unruly, and this behaviour continued into his teen years, but having experienced a conversion of sorts, and recognizing his need to change, he chose (as a young adult) to join the Cistercian Order - a branch of the Benedictines that had only recently been founded.  They were known for their austerity and Bernard thought that this discipline could tame his wayward ways.  This recognition of conversion was not unlike the man who came to Jesus and said, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?' (Mt 19:16), however like the young man in the gospel, all who recognize such need for conversion should also be prepared for surprises.

At the age of 22 years, Bernard entered the Cistercian Abbey of Cîteaux (south of Dijon), a place that was known for its strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict.  Bernard's remarkable enthusiasm helped to persuade his uncle, his brothers and many friends to join him.  In total, a group of 30 men entered the abbey along with Bernard.  Three years later, Bernard was sent, along with 12 other companions, to a diocese in Champagne where, in a valley that came to be known as the Valley of Light (Clairveaux), Bernard founded the monastery where he would live as abbot for the rest of his life.

From the time he became abbot to the time of his death in 1153, Bernard dominated the religious and political life of Western Europe.  His writings have had a lasting impact on Catholic spirituality and the abbey of Clairveaux became the motherhouse for dozens of Cistercian monasteries around the world.

Bernard died at the Clairveaux abbey on 20 August 1153 at the age of 63 years.  He was canonized by Pope Alexander III on 18 January 1174.  May he intercede for us so that we too might seek to follow in the footsteps of the Lord who calls us to be his disciples.

Have a great day.

Eat, drink, abide

Over the past few weeks, we have heard Jesus describing himself as the bread of life.  Jesus was well aware of the central part that bread played in his disciples’ diet ... and in the cuisine of the Jewish people.  He wanted to use this figure to explain the importance of developing a relationship between each one of us and our loving God who provides for all our needs.

Today, we hear Jesus saying to his disciples: I am the living bread that came down from heaven (Jn 6:51).  In the same way as bread nourishes our bodies, the relationship of trust that we enjoy with our God nourishes our souls.  The Church has always taught that when we receive the Eucharist, it is Jesus himself that we receive.  The more frequently we eat of the bread of life, the more our relationship with Jesus will be strengthened, and the more our relationship is strengthened, the easier we will find it to tell others that the reason for our joy is the faith that we have in Him.

Jesus also encouraged his disciples to drink of his blood (Jn 6:53).  Jewish people are all familiar with the rituals that surround the Sabbath meal, and they all know the details about the celebration of the Seder.  It was in the context of a Seder meal that Jesus gave us the bread of life and told us to drink of his blood, but here again, we need to understand the importance of receiving this gift from the Lord.  In the times of the early Church, Christians would gather to celebrate the Eucharist and they would consume both the body of Christ and the blood of Christ in accordance with his command.  In the same way, when Christian communities gather for the celebration of the Eucharist today, bread is blessed and broken and wine that has been consecrated is consumed.  As we receive these gifts, we should ask God to strengthen his life within us so that we will be aware of his presence coursing through our veins.

Strengthened by this food from heaven, we go out into the world to share the experience of our faith with others.  Saint Paul reminds us to be careful about how we live, in order to make sure that we are not perceived as unwise people but rather as wise, making the most of the time we have been given (cf Eph 5:15-16).

Let us receive the gifts that are offered at the Lord’s table today, and let us ask our loving God to strengthen our awareness of His presence in our lives so that we may truly abide in Him this week, using our words and actions to show others the wisdom of our heavenly Father at work within us.

His Word Today: Virtue

Good morning everyone,

When a child sets out on the morning of the first day of school, his or her parents are already marking a major moment of passage.  Hopes and dreams for the future are all wrapped up in the little one who ventures forward - regardless of whether or not there are words to express them.

The same is true for God as we are watched at all moments of our lives.  God dreams about all that we can become, God hopes that one day at a time, one day after another, we will come to realize all that we can be.  The prophet Ezekiel speaks of this dream in terms of being virtuous (cf Ez 18:5) and what we must aim for is to do what is right.

These sound like simple words but living up to them is anything but simple.  Thankfully, it is not impossible, but in order to live up to our potential in God's eyes, we must strive to remember every day that we are not alone as we make our way through this journey.  Day after day, as we look for signs of divine presence, as we ask for heavenly guidance and sharpen our ability to recognize such grace, we come to see that He is always with us, and there are always new opportunities for goodness.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Clothed

Good evening everyone,

How often have we taken the time to truly appreciate the significance of the moments that mark major milestones in our lives?  Sometimes, such moments fly by us and are gone before we even realize that they are gone, yet if we take the time to understand how God is at work within us and at such moments, there is wealth to be celebrated and shared.

Every moment of our lives, we can pause to consider God gazing at us, seeing within us a beloved son or daughter who has been bathed with water and anointed with oil, clothed with an embroidered gown, with sandals of fine leather on our feet (Ez 16:9-10).  These are the priceless ornaments that the Lord has given us - not physically visible, but part of our spiritual wardrobe.

When we allow our faith to shine in the words we speak to others, when we allow our belief in the living God to direct our thoughts and actions, others come to see and appreciate the precious garments with which the Lord has adorned us, and we come to appreciate all the more, how precious we are in the eyes of our heavenly Father.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Sight and sounds

Good morning everyone,

The word of God was addressed to Ezekiel, the prophet: they have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear (Ez 12:2).  These words are alive, speaking to our hearts even today - many generations after the time of the prophets.

Who of us has not set out on a new path, filled with ideas and plans; filled with the dreams of possibilities ... and then found ourselves at some point wondering whether we have truly lived up to every possibility that we could have?  We can sometimes tend to shy away from admitting our shortcomings, especially if we tend to be perfectionist in other facets, but it is precisely at such times - when we are aware of our shortcomings, that we also have a wonderful opportunity placed before us.

It is often in the moments when we ourselves recognize our own shortcomings that we learn to rely on the strength of God.  To do otherwise is to run the risk of thinking that we can control all things, or that we can be the masters rather than students of the divine Master.

Give thanks today if you find yourself in a situation where you are aware of weakness, for in that moment of vulnerability, it is the strength of our merciful God that will teach us to be truly wise.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: The Assumption of Mary

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, the Mother of God.  The belief among Christians that the Mother of God was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life is not documented in the scriptures, although the account which appears in the book of Revelation is believed to speak prophetically about this event (cf Rev 11:19; 12:1-6, 10).

The Roman Catholic Church holds this belief as a Dogma, defined in the Apostolic Constitution entitled Munificentissimus Deus (God is most generous) which was published by Pope Pius XII on 1 November 1950.  This was one of the very rare occasions when the Holy Father spoke ex cathedra (which literally means from the Chair).  In order for this to happen, the Pope must speak in union with his brother Bishops, and it must express something about the faith that is believed by the people of God (cf MD, 12).

Today is a day of great rejoicing for the entire Church.  We give thanks to God for the great grace accorded to the mother of Jesus whose soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord (Lk 1:46).  In recognition for her role in our salvation history, she was the first mortal to be taken up into heaven, and because she has been given this great privilege, we too can look forward to the day when we will enter into the joy of heaven.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate and pray with one of the Polish Saints - Maximilian Kolbe - who was born on 8 January 1894 in Zduńska Wola, in the Kingdom of Poland which (at the time) was a part of the Russian Empire, the second son of weaver Julius Kolbe and midwife Maria Dąbrowska. His father was an ethnic German and his mother was Polish. He had four brothers. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Pabianice (in central Poland).

Saint Maximilian's life was strongly influenced in 1906 by a vision of the Virgin Mary which he said he had at the age of 12. He later described this incident:

That night I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.

In 1907, Maximilian and his elder brother Francis both joined the Conventual Franciscans.  After a period of formation, Maximilian professed his final vows in 1914 and was known from that day forward as Maximilian Maria Kolbe.  He was sent to Rome where he earned a Doctorate in Philosophy (1915) and a second Doctorate in Theology (1919, 1922).  At the time, the Freemasons were mounting organized attacks against the Holy Father and there was much unrest in Rome, so in October 1917, Maximilian - who was not yet ordained a priest - organized the Militia Immaculatae whose aim was to work for the conversion of sinners and enemies of the Catholic Church through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.

In 1918, he was ordained a priest and the following year, he returned to the newly-independent Poland where he continued to actively promote devotion to the Virgin Mary.  From 1919 to 1922, he taught at the Krakow seminary but was forced to take a leave from his teaching duties because he was suffering from tuberculosis, however this did not stop his zeal from being shared.  In January 1922, he began publishing a weekly periodical entitled Rycerz Niepokalanej (Knight of the Immaculate) which continues even today, and he was also instrumental in establishing Conventual Franciscan seminaries and publishing houses in Poland, China and Japan.

After the outbreak of World War II, which started with the invasion of Poland by Germany, Father Kolbe was one of the few brothers who remained in the monastery, where he organized a temporary hospital. After the town was captured by the Germans, he was briefly arrested by them on 19 September 1939 but released on 8 December. He refused to sign the Deutsche Volksliste, which would have given him rights similar to those of German citizens in exchange for recognizing his German ancestry. Upon his release he continued work at his friary, where he and other friars provided shelter to refugees from Greater Poland, including 2,000 Jews whom he hid from German persecution in their friary in Niepokalanów. Kolbe also received permission to continue publishing religious works, though significantly reduced in scope. The monastery thus continued to act as a publishing house, issuing a number of anti-Nazi German publications. On 17 February 1941, the monastery was shut down by the German authorities. That day Kolbe and four others were arrested by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in the Pawiak prison. On 28 May, he was transferred to Auschwitz as prisoner 16670.

Continuing to act as a priest, Kolbe was subjected to violent harassment, including beating and lashings, and once had to be smuggled to a prison hospital by friendly inmates. At the end of July 1941, ten prisoners disappeared from the camp, prompting SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Fritzsch, the deputy camp commander, to pick 10 men to be starved to death in an underground bunker to deter further escape attempts. When one of the selected men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, My wife! My children!, Kolbe volunteered to take his place.

According to an eye witness, an assistant janitor at that time, in his prison cell, Kolbe led the prisoners in prayer to Our Lady. Each time the guards checked on him, he was standing or kneeling in the middle of the cell and looking calmly at those who entered. After two weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe remained alive. "The guards wanted the bunker emptied, so they gave Kolbe a lethal injection of carbolic acid. Kolbe is said to have raised his left arm and calmly waited for the deadly injection. He died on August 14. His remains were cremated on 15 August, the feast day of the Assumption of Mary.

On 12 May 1955, Kolbe was recognized as a Servant of God and was declared venerable by Pope Paul VI on 30 January 1969. Beatified as a Confessor of the Faith by the same Pope in 1971, he was canonized by Saint John Paul II on 10 October 1982.  May this holy man, who willingly received what the Lord gave him (cf Ez 2:8-3:2) intercede for us and help us to be courageous in living our faith.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: The Encounter

Good morning everyone,

Have you ever noticed that for some people, setting out on an adventure is an exciting affair, while it can truly be a traumatic experience for others to venture beyond the confines of their usual routines?  Yet, it is those who brave the unknown who sometimes are rewarded with truly remarkable encounters.

The prophet Ezekiel described a vision of heaven in which he saw God and the angels (cf Ez 1:2-5; 24-28).  This vision of a reality that was previously unknown may very well have caused some people to be filled with dread and foreboding but Ezekiel uses words that portray a very serene experience.

As we move through life, I wonder whether some of us grow anxious or worried about the adventure that lies beyond.  Yet for those who believe in the existence of God, this earthly life that we live is a training ground upon which we learn how to relate with others, how to relate with God and how to see ourselves as precious children who are loved.  The prospect of encountering God in all His glory, surrounded by the angels should not be a cause for fright; rather, for those who have faith, it is the moment for which we prepare every day as we live our earthly lives.  Therefore, be not afraid; rather, think of it as the encounter for which we have waited all our lives.

Have a great day.

What is he saying?

The gospel passage we have heard today follows on last weekend’s gospel.  Jesus is explaining the fact that he is the bread that came down from heaven (Jn 6:41).  These words are as true today as they were when he first spoke them, but even now, we can find it difficult to understand what these words mean.

God sent his son Jesus into the world so that we might understand his desire to be close to us – to all his beloved people.  We understand what it means for two people to be close friends, confidants, husband and wife.  This is the kind of relationship that God wants to have with each one of us, and he chose to live among us, in the form of another human being so that we could understand his desire. If he had remained far off, we would never have come to understand this level of his love for us.

It’s not always easy for us to understand this relationship between God and us.  We can easily grasp the fact that Jesus was a human being, the son of Joseph and Mary, but we find it more difficult to comprehend how he can say I have come down from heaven (Jn 6:42).  In order to understand this, we must first hear him tell us that the Father has sent him, and that the Father draws us to him (cf Jn 6:44). 

It is God who has always desired this relationship with us.  It is He who invites us to gather in this place and in other such assemblies, around his table.  It is He who feeds us with special food just as he fed Elijah.  We heard about this in the first reading today (cf 1 Kings 19:4-8).  Just as God provided food for Elijah, he also provides the bread of angels for us at this Eucharistic table.  Strengthened by this food, we too are sent out – just like Elijah, and just like the disciples – to share the good news of the gospel with others.

We need to be reminded of this simple food.  That’s why we need to keep coming back to his banquet, to receive the Eucharist over and over.  We also need to hear the encouragement that Saint Paul offered to the early Christians at Ephesus.  His words also speak to our hearts: we have all been marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit (cf Eph 4:30).  Therefore we need to remember every day that we are much more than just physical beings existing in the world.  This is why Saint Paul urges us to resist all temptations toward bitterness, anger, wrath, slander and malice, and instead to be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgiving of one another (Eph 4:31-32).

Here then is our homework for this week: we have gathered in the presence of our God, let us present our prayers to him today: praising him for his goodness and asking him to help us.  Let us receive graciously the food that he offers us so that it will strengthen our hearts and souls, and let us set out on the journey, seeking only to practice the virtues that he has taught us.

His Word Today: Saint Clare of Assisi

Wax covers the face of Saint Clare
inside the Basilica of Saint Clare in Assisi

Good morning everyone,

Today, we remember and pray with Saint Clare of Assisi.  Her life provides us with a most valuable lesson for our time.  Chiara Offreduccio was born in Assisi on 16 July 1194.  Clare's father was very wealthy and her mother was from the noble family of Fiumi.  Therefore she could have led a life of luxury.  However, even as a child, Clare was devoted to prayer.  She was 18 years old when she heard Francis preaching during a Lenten service held in the church of San Gregorio in Assisi, and she asked him then to help her live according to the gospel.  A short time afterwards, on the evening of Palm Sunday, 20 March 1212, she left her father's house and proceeded to the chapel of the Porziuncula (the little chapel that had been restored by Francis) where her hair was cut and she exchanged her rich gown for a plain robe and veil.

Francis placed Clare with the Benedictine nuns of San Paolo near Bastia, where she stayed for some time until being transferred to the the Monastery of Sant'Angelo in Pranzo, another Benedictine convent.  She remained there until a small dwelling was built for her and for her sister Caterina (who had also chosen a life of poverty) next to the church of San Damiano in Assisi.  Throughout the remainder of her life, Clare lived lived a simple life of poverty, austerity and seclusion from the world.  This allowed her and her companions to fulfill what she referred to as her obligation to follow Christ.

Clare understood the need to separate herself from the temptations that are presented by worldly possessions.  She chose to contemplate the goodness of God who gazes (even) on the faithless in silence (Habakkuk 1:13) rather than to allow herself to be distracted by the promise of worldly possessions.  Let us ask her to help us too, so that we might always keep our eyes fixed on Him who calls us to be his hands, his feet, his eyes and his ears in the world today.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Lawrence

Saint Lawrence distributing the treasures of the Church
by Bernardo Strozzi (1581-1644)

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Lawrence, the Martyr, one of the seven deacons of the Church of Rome who is believed to have been born in Valencia (Spain) on 31 December 225 AD.  As a young man (most probably as a student) Lawrence met Sixtos (the future Pope Sixtus II) who was a Professor of Philosophy in Ceasaraugusta (the present-day Zaragoza, Spain).  Lawrence eventually travelled with Sixtus to Rome and, after Sixtus was elected Bishop of Rome in 257, he ordained Lawrence as a deacon and entrusted him (along with six others) with the responsibility of overseeing the treasury and the riches of the Church and the distribution of alms to the poor.

Sixtus must have recognized in Lawrence a great capacity for generosity, for as Saint Paul wrote to the early Christian community at Corinth, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully ... for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:6-7).  In the same year as Sixtus was elected Pope, the Roman Emperor Valerian published edicts against Christians.  One year later, Pope Sixtus himself was apprehended and put to death, and four days later, Lawrence was also martyred.

The Roman Emperors subjected many of the early Christians to such torture and death because they could not understand the message that Jesus had come to preach - and the natural human tendency is to ignore or banish that which we do not understand, however the secret to being a disciple of Jesus is to give generously all that we have received out of love for our brothers and sisters.  That is what Christians have always been called to do in imitation of Christ himself.   Will you welcome this invitation today?

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Engraved

Good morning everyone,

Today, the prophet Jeremiah assures us that the Lord will place his law within us, and write it on our hearts (Jer 31:33).  What would our hearts be like if God were not part of our lives?  Would they be lacking in form - not physical form but rather the form that comes from knowing that we are deeply and intentionally loved?

Our God loves us so deeply that he has constantly been at work, placing his law - the law of love - within us, inscribing it on our hearts.  When we take the time to step away from our busy lives and to allow ourselves to marvel in the presence of God, we get a glimpse of the love that He has engraved within our very beings.

Even in the absence of words, if we spend time in silence and contemplation of this truth, the Lord will reveal some wonderful realities to us.  Dare today to stop long enough to feel the heat of the sun on your face or to notice the gentle breeze that tickles your skin.  Give thanks today for the marvellous gifts that our loving creator has prepared for us, revealing such blessings in the depth of our beings.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic at Prayer
El Greco (circa 1605)

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate the liturgical Memorial of Saint Dominic, a Spanish priest and the founder of the Dominican Order.  He was born in Caleruega, halfway between Osma and Aranda da Duero in Old Castile (Spain).

Dominic was educated in the schools of Palencia (they became a university soon afterwards) where he devoted six years to the arts and four to theology. In 1191, when Spain was desolated by famine,[9] young Dominic gave away his money and sold his clothes, furniture and even precious manuscripts to feed the hungry. In 1194, around the age of twenty-five, Dominic joined the Canons Regular in the canonry in the Cathedral of Osma, following the rule of Saint Augustine.

Around 1205, Dominic began a program in the south of France aimed at converting the Cathars, a Christian religious sect with gnostic and dualistic beliefs, which the Roman Catholic Church deemed heretical. As part of this, Catholic-Cathar public debates were held at Verfeil, Servian, Pamiers, Montréal and elsewhere. Dominic concluded that only preachers who displayed real sanctity, humility and asceticism could win over convinced Cathar believers. However, even Dominic managed only a few converts among the Cathars.

In 1215, Dominic and six of his followers established themselves  in a house given by Peter Seila, a rich resident of Toulouse. Dominic saw the need for a new type of organization to address the spiritual needs of the growing cities of the era, one that would combine dedication and systematic education, with more organizational flexibility than either monastic orders or the secular clergy. He subjected himself and his companions to the monastic rules of prayer and penance; and meanwhile received written authority to preach throughout the territory of Toulouse.

In the same year, Dominic went to Rome to secure the approval of the Pope, Innocent III. He returned to Rome a year later, and was finally granted written authority in December 1216 and January 1217 by the new pope, Honorius III for an order to be named The Order of Preachers (Ordo Praedicatorum, popularly known as the Dominican Order).

The Dominicans still exist today, preaching God's word so that all those who hear it can be restored and rebuilt (cf Jer 31:4).  May His word always find a place in our hearts and fill us with joy.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Incurable

Good morning everyone,

A long time ago, I heard it said that a cold will last for seven days if it is treated - and a week if it is not.  Why then does it happen that people get colds that seem to go on forever?  Are there that many viruses flying through the air?  When we have one of those colds, it can seem that there is no cure.  Admittedly, that might have something to do with a compromised immunity system, but even more serious are situations where no matter what we seem to do, our faith is always weak, even to the point of suffering.

Jeremiah says that this wound is incurable (cf Jer 30:12) but there is still hope because God recognizes the fact that human beings are frail: that no matter how good our intentions might be, there is a part of us that only He can heal.

Perhaps it is a grace for us to recognize and to admit to the fact that we are incurable.  There is nothing that we can do or say that will earn us favour with God, and often it is only when we recognize our own weakness that we are able to grasp God's true strength.  It is only when we recognize our own woundedness that we can come to understand the fact that our God is the master physician.  It is only when we admit to ourselves - and to God - that we are lost and need help that we begin to comprehend the depth of his words: You shall be my people and I will be your God (Jer 30:22) ... always!

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Transfiguration

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.  Saint Mark recounts the details of that wonderful day when Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves (Mk 9:2).  I've been up that mountain and I can attest to the fact that it's not an easy climb.  In fact, these days, tourists are transported aboard a series of mini buses to the top of that mountain and when you get there, you truly feel as though you are apart from everything else that is going on in the world.

On that mountaintop, those three disciples were witnesses to something truly extraordinary: Jesus was transfigured before them and his clothes became dazzling white ... then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses and they conversed with Jesus (Mk 9:3-4).  Miraculous things happened there: three human beings were able to gaze on eternal beings; the connection and continuity between the teachings of Elijah, Moses and Jesus were emphasized; and the disciples got a sneak peak at the glory of heaven.  Later, as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anyone about what they had seen there until the Son of Man had risen from the dead (cf Mk 9:10).

The details of the conversations that these three disciples must have had with their other companions are not recorded in the bible, but we can imagine how it all played out, perhaps in the Upper Room on the day of the Resurrection.  With the doors closed, they may have finally been able to tell the others about what they had heard and seen at the top of that mountain: how they had been filled with exceeding joy, how they had wanted to put up three tents (cf Mk 9:5) so that they could stay there for awhile, how they never wanted that moment to end.

Perhaps we too have experienced such mountaintop moments: as we have held a new-born baby, in the arms of a loved one or as we have witnessed the moment of physical death.  When we get glimpses of heaven, we never want them to end ... but they do come to an end because the task of one who has seen heaven in this way is to share the good news that we have learned so that others may come to believe.

Have a great day.

Food for body and soul

A number of years ago, I was invited to work with a group of Christian faith leaders to organize an outdoor faith gathering.  One of the first planning meetings took place early in the morning – a breakfast meeting.  We began by talking about the importance of such gatherings: people from various Christian faith traditions don’t always gather to pray together, so this was a significant moment indeed.  At one point, after we had discussed the significance of this gathering, someone said that we should pray, asking God to provide everything that we needed for this endeavour to be successful, and so we did ... then someone else observed: We should make a list of the people we need to contact, any reservations of space that need to be done, advertising that has to be done, etc.  In other words, we can’t always rely on God to provide for our needs if we’re not willing to do our part too.

We see evidence of this in today’s first reading.  The Israelites have been freed from slavery in Egypt and led into the Promised Land, but even there, they are not happy.  The problem was that they had not yet realized the need to ask God for what they wanted.  Instead they just murmured among themselves and misdirected their anger toward Moses and Aaron: If only we had died ... in the land of Egypt ... but you have brought us out into the wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger (Ex 16:3).

The same was true of the crowds who followed Jesus.  They knew that they wanted bread, but they did not truly understand the significance of the bread that Jesus gave.  Instead, they kept looking for more signs (cf Jn 6:30).

Have we ever found ourselves in such situations: asking God for help, but unaware of the fact that we too need to contribute our talents in order to find solutions to the situations that challenge us, or somehow expecting that God will provide us with some kind of magical response to our prayer?

Like the Israelites in the desert, like the crowds who went to Capernaum looking for Jesus (Jn 6:24), we too need to do our part.  First, whenever we encounter a challenge, it might help to look at it not in a negative light but rather to try seeing it as an opportunity.  If we are able to train ourselves not to see life as a series of negative experiences but rather as possibilities for positive outcomes, we will also be able to set out in search of Jesus, and we will also be able to recognize the signs that he provides: the true bread from heaven that our Father provides for us (cf Jn 6:32), his constant presence, his support and his love that strengthens our resolve to be his disciples day after day.

It was because Saint Paul had encountered the Lord, and because his heart and soul had been nourished by the presence of the Lord that he was able to advise the early Christians living in Ephesus: put away your former way of life ... and be renewed in the spirit of your minds ... clothe yourselves with Christ (Eph 4:22-24).  Let this be our prayer this week.  Amen.

His Word Today: Saint John Vianney

The incorrupt body of Saint John Mary Vianney
above the main altar in the Basilica at Ars, France

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, TOSF (Third Order Franciscan) who is known in English as Saint John Vianney.  He is also referred to as the Curé d'Ars (in reference to the parish in Eastern France where he served as pastor for most of his life).  Born on 8 May 1786 in the town of Dardilly (not far from Lyon), John was the fourth of six children born to Mathieu and Marie (Belize) Vianney who were devout Catholics and who often gave assistance to the poor.

By 1890, the anticlerical attitude which was part of the French Revolution (1789-1799) forced many loyal priests to hide from the regime in order to continue ministering to the faithful.  Despite the danger, the Vianney family often travelled to distant farms in order to attend Masses celebrated by priests on the run.  John realized that these priests were risking their lives every day and began to look on them as heroes.

Religious peace was reestablished in 1802 but it wasn't until John was 20 years old that his father allowed him to leave home in order to pursue an education (which included arithmetic, history, geography and Latin).  He struggled with the studies but persevered because of his ardent desire to be a priest.  In the end, despite having had his studies interrupted due to an army draft (which he managed to avoid), he continued formation and was ordained a priest on 12 August 1815.

In 1818, he was appointed as pastor of the little church in the town of Ars where he lived for the remainder of his life.  The aftermath of the French Revolution had resulted in religious ignorance and indifference among the people, so he had to work all the harder to instruct them and to show them by his own example the importance of a relationship with God, with Jesus, with Mary and with the Saints.

His reputation spread throughout France and beyond.  As early as 1827, people travelled extensively in order to consult with him.  By 1855, the number of pilgrims reached 20,000 per year, and he spent between 16-18 hours a day (in summer months) in the confessional.  In winter months, due to the cold, he reduced this length to 11 or 12 hours a day.

Saint John Vianney died on 4 August 1859 at the age of 73.  There were 300 priests and more than 6,000 people present at his funeral.  On 3 October 1874, Pope Pius IX proclaimed him Venerable and began his cause for Canonization.  On 8 January 1905, Pope Pius X declared him Blessed and proposed him as a model for all parish priests.  In 1925, it was Pope Pius XI who canonized him and who - in 1929 - made him patron saint of parish priests.

Let us ask him to pray for our priests, that the Lord will inspire them to be fervent servants and that He will continue to prepare the hearts of many young men to hear his call ... come, follow me (cf Mt 4:19).

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Listen

Good morning everyone,

Today, the scriptures place us with the prophet Jeremiah in the court of the house of the Lord where he speaks to the people.  The words he speaks were meant for them to hear, but it is also good for us to hear them as well.  The Lord instructed Jeremiah: whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing (Jer 26:2).

Every day, the Lord longs to speak with us, to instruct our hearts and our souls and to demonstrate his tender love for us, but He can only do that if we are willing to listen - as Saint Benedict once said, with the inner ear of the heart.  In our prayer, we need to learn to listen with the inner ear of our hearts so that we can hear the Lord's voice.

If we have already established this discipline, we know how fruitful it can be; if not, let us set a resolve to begin listening for the Lord's voice today.  He will always speak the words we need to hear: words of encouragement when our hearts are desolate, words of challenge when we go astray, and most of all, words of love to gladden our hearts.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Eusebius

Good morning everyone,

Today, we celebrate the liturgical Memorial of Saint Eusebius, who was born in Sardinia (Italy) in the third century (283 AD).  This was a very difficult time to be a Christian because the Roman Emperors were persecuting Christians, putting them to death.  However, the blood of martyrdom has always (and continues to) watered the faith of Christianity and made it more fervent.

Eusebius' father suffered a martyr's death in Sardinia and then his mother took him to Rome where he was eventually ordained a priest and later was appointed as Bishop of Vercelli (in the Piedmont region of northern Italy) where he lived with the other clergy, devoting his best energies to forming them in piety and zeal.  In this way, he reminded them by word and example that we are all like clay in the hands of the potter (Jer 18:6), constantly being formed into the people we are meant to be.

Today, let us ask this holy man to pray with and for us so that we too may allow the Spirit of God to form us into the faithful disciples God intends us to be.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Good morning everyone,

Today we celebrate the liturgical Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (known as the Redemptorists).  Born in 1696 in Marianella, not far from Naples (Italy).  Nearsighted and suffering from asthma, he could not pursue the military career he first wanted, so his father had him educated and prepared for the legal profession.  He eventually earned doctorates in both civil and canon law.

At the age of 18, Alphonsus joined the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy; with others who were part of this brotherhood, he helped to care for the sick at the hospital for incurables while enjoying a successful legal career.  He did however recognize that the legal profession was too full of difficulties and dangers at at the age of 27, he made a firm resolution to leave the legal profession.

In 1723, he wanted to offer himself as a novice to the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri where he could prepare for priesthood, but his father was opposed to this plan.  Eventually, after a few months had passed, he and his father reached a compromise: Alphonsus could prepare for priesthood but lived at home.  He was ordained a priest on 21 December 1726.  His first years of priesthood were spent among the homeless and marginalized youth of Naples.  He founded the Evening Chapels, centres of prayer and piety, preaching, community, social activities and education which were managed by the young people themselves.

On 9 November 1732, he founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer with the charism of preaching popular missions in the city and throughout the countryside, teaching and preaching in slums and other poor places.  In this way he helped the poor to discover the Lord's words and to devour them so that they became the joy and happiness of their hearts (Jer 15:16).

Alphonsus went on to become a renowned Bishop, serving as the pastoral leader of the Church of Sant'Agata dei Goti from 1762 until his retirement in 1775.  He lived for two more years in the Redemptorist community in Pagani (Italy) where he died in 1787.

Beatified on 15 September 1816, and canonized on 26 May 1839, he continues to intercede for all of us, and to instruct us still.

Have a great day.