Listen to the homily here.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Light, light, light!: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
5thSunday in Ordinary Time
Light and Darkness…AGAIN!
· I’m not sure if that came to Mass today as the connection of the readings in similar situations, a reminder from God to try it with a better homily, or offer us a new perspective of His Word
Light, light, light!
· And this weekend, I think that this light is shown to the world with our service:
o “You are the light”
o “You are the light of the world.”
o “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others,that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
it is set on a lampstand,where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others,that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
o Imagine the culture of Jesus’ time that needed lamps without electricity
§ I mean, Buddy Heater ice fishing, tall stands that turns off
§ If you put the lamp back then is under a basket, or under a bed, isn’t that changing a needed light into a fire or destruction?
§ And is that what we actually do when we are not giving your good needs?
In Isaiah
· “Share your bread with the hungry,shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn…”
clothe the naked when you see them,and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn…”
“The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.”
· “…he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice.”
Be the light of the world! Be the light of Koochiching County!
· And, do you know how much our parishioners have done them for many decades and can support your new or continued service? Like Ruby’s Pantry, Clothing Closet, Servants of the Shelter, Friends against Abuse and beyond.
· Show your light!
Parish Bulletin Article: "King David with Tough Challenges": 2-9-20
In the second book of Samuel (chapters 15 and 16), David was experiencing some crazy situations. As the king, he was being kicked off his throne, and who was kicking him off? His son, Absalom!
Have you ever experienced your child that is leaving you, your faith, or your love?
I imagine David getting out of Jerusalem to be protected from his child! And then, here comes another man, an annoyance, or a beat down with words from a coward bully. Read what he was cursing toward his king:
"As David was approaching Bahurim, a man named Shimei…was coming out of the place, cursing as he came. He threw stones at David and at all the king's officers, even though all the soldiers, including the royal guard, were on David's right and on his left. Shimei was saying as he cursed: 'Away, away, you murderous and wicked man!'"
Have you ever had a time when you were having a tough day, and the last thing you needed comes from left field, only to receive more hurtfulness? I certainly have.
In this narrative, let's continue to read how David was protected:
"Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king: 'Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, please, and lop off his head.'"
Now, this is undoubtedly a bit intense response as David's protector calling Shimei as a "dead dog" and wanting to "lop off his head"!
But don't we sometimes want to respond to someone who just ticked us off immediately? Don't we react on Facebook, gossip with our friends, our "tribe" to lop off another persons' name or fight with words?
What really inspires me from David is how he responded, not with violence, not with reaction, but thinking about what God may be leading him.
Again, read King David:
"Then the king said to Abishai and to all his servants: 'If my own son, who came forth from my loins, is seeking my life, how much more might this Benjaminite do so? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day."
Wow.
What I took from this narrative was to seek true love for my family, even when they may frustrate me. And let's be honest, sometimes the people we love the most (like our family and friends) may offer the most challenges in our lives. We are also to pray for our enemies as Jesus taught us in the Scriptures many times. Lastly, how important it is to settle down, breathe, and discern how we, who may be ready to fight, actually need to open the door of a conversation and love as God's mission may be the opposite of our desires?
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Three Cool Things on the Presentation of the Lord: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Old School with Advent and Christmas
· Advent on the days of Advent
o I’ve said this again with many of you, I do not listen to Christmas music until it is Christmas
· Then, I celebrate Christmas on Christmas
o Christmas tree up on Christmas or after
· The letter/pictures out
o Now, I’ll be honest, I wrote a comment to my family and friends that I was writing it during the octave of Christmas…and it took forever…aka after the Christmas season
Then I realized the traditional celebration of Candlemas which brings us to this blessed weekend: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
· So #1: Joseph, Mary and Jesus present Jesus to the temple
o 40 days after his Birth
· As we heard in Luke: Simeon
o “Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
· #2: The purification of Mary according to the Law of Moses
· #3: “By the offerings of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph and the prophecy of St. Simeon, the life of Christ here begins to point toward his resurrection
So back to Candlemas
· In the beginning of Christianity, the Eastern Churches called this date as “The Meeting”
· The West started in the 6thcentury
· Why? To have candles to be blessed for Jesus Christ, for Mary, for the presentation to Simeon and his mission to move forward
Finally, did you know that Rome is now taking down their Christmas trees, decorations for Christmas? So I hope my letter does make it in time!
Parish Bulletin Article: "St. Thomas Aquinas, our Patron": 2-2-20
Last week we had National Catholic Schools Week. One of the best days of the week was on Tuesday, January 28th, the Feast for St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron of our parish and school. Here is a great section from his own writing below:
“Why did the Son of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly, as an example of how to act.
It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.
If you seek the example of love: Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends. Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.
If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth. Therefore Christ’s patience on the cross was great. In patience let us run for the prize set before us, looking upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, bore his cross and despised the shame.
If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.
If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.
If you seek an example of despising earthly things, follow him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Upon the cross he was stripped, mocked, spat upon, struck, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink.
Do not be attached, therefore, to clothing and riches, because they divided my garments among themselves. Nor to honors, for he experienced harsh words and scourgings. Nor to greatness of rank, for weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on my head. Nor to anything delightful, for in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.
If you seek the example of love: Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends. Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.
If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth. Therefore Christ’s patience on the cross was great. In patience let us run for the prize set before us, looking upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, bore his cross and despised the shame.
If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.
If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.
If you seek an example of despising earthly things, follow him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Upon the cross he was stripped, mocked, spat upon, struck, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink.
Do not be attached, therefore, to clothing and riches, because they divided my garments among themselves. Nor to honors, for he experienced harsh words and scourgings. Nor to greatness of rank, for weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on my head. Nor to anything delightful, for in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
God Bless!
Is there Light in your Soul?: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
The last couple of years I have found a 15 second video that absolutely makes me laugh
· “It’s 15 below in International Falls. Why don’t they just abandon that town? What is the purpose of it? Do they need a neon sign that says, Get out?! I don’t, I don’t get it!”
· I have no idea why, but I laugh every time I hear it!
· No mosquito’s, no tornados, no hurricanes, and in the summer we don’t have 130 degrees having to stay in
Now, this time of the year can be tough
· Kids with cabin fever
· Adults wanting to get outside again
· Winter activities
I am not here to preach about loving winter, but where do you think I am using this as a teasing? Yep, Isaiah and Jesus showing the light and darkness in our other world
· “Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.”
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.”
· Matthew: “From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””
While our worldly weather, we can be affected, but what about the weather in our souls? Our journey with Jesus Christ? The warmth of his love?
Parish Bulletin Article: "National Catholic School Week": 1-26-20
Happy National Catholic School Week to all of you!
As my assignment began on Wednesday, July 16th, 2014, I’ll never forget my first visit to St. Thomas Aquinas Church and School. (I do apologize to our family at St. Columban as my first visit to your parish took place when I moved to the area). In doing so, I spent time with Fr. Kris McKusky, our principal, and our religious educator.
As we begin this incredible weekend for all National Catholic School Week, I would like to share what has happened since the previous paragraph. One of the first things I learned: we had 19 students registered for our school. 19! I was also asked if I planned to keep the school open or closed. Could you imagine that as a new young pastor?!
My response to several people was pretty clear: “I don’t think that our Bishop [God rest his soul] sent me up to close a school as I have a degree in Math High School Teaching, and I love Catholic education!” And, before I began my job up here, I asked our principal for a list of families who would want to go to our school, but the tuition would be challenging for them.
Within a couple of weeks, some parishioners gave $20,000 to support these families (and once again, thank you for your generosity!). With this gift, we originally from 19 kids went up to 38!
As I am sitting in the office at the school today, I am reminiscing how much has happened since 2014-2015. Our population for students is now 3x more significant (57 students). We are steadily afloat and growing up to sixth grade. Our fundraising went from $35,000, and our goal this year is $100,000. We are striving to support our students, not only academics but whole persons connected with a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, we are still praying and seeking support for this fantastic school. Some of our next significant steps include the following: grow our teachers’ salaries, introducing daycare in our school, and licensing our pre-school to allow more options for families in our community
Once again, happy National Catholic School Year, and please pray and serve our #1 mission: St. Thomas Aquinas School Saints!
God Bless!
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