The author of the Book of Revelation faced the fears of persecution and the inability to worship as they wanted. The words of Revelation give us hope. John assures the people of his day and ourselves of the glory to come. The Passover and Victorious Lamb assures us that he will shepherd us into eternal life. Let us remain firm in the faith and undeterred in our Baptismal resolutions. ~ Fr. Matt
Whenever we see persecution we can be relatively certain that the persecuted are on the side of the truth. Jesus prepares us for persecution and strife. Jesus the Divine drummer is tapping out the tempo of salvation. God continues to speak to us through the scriptures, sacraments, circumstances, and our everyday experience with people. Will we listen and be transformed? ~ Fr. Matt
What is the church? A mystery imbued with the hidden presence of God. It is as Cardinal Avery Dulles described it -an institution, a mystical communion, a sacrament, a herald, a servant. The church is a community of disciples. ~ Fr. Matt
In Richard Wagner’s opera “Das Reingold”, the weary and worn gods are near Valhalla. There is no way across the chasm. Thor creates a rainbow as a bridge and all are finally at rest. Today on Easter Sunday we are battered and worn out Christians. We are celebrating a passage to a more wonderful home. Jesus Christ through his death and resurrection has become the rainbow bridge traversing the chasm of sin and forgiveness, slavery and freedom from darkness to light. We travel this passage in faith. This is the challenge of Easter.
~ Fr. Matt
St. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ UNION with the Father and doing the will of God over and above his suffering and death. The HEALING power of the passion of Jesus is pointed out by the reattaching of the man’s ear in the Garden. The INNOCENCE of Jesus is announced by Pilate three times, surprisingly by Herod, the one thief, and the Centurion under the cross. ~ Fr. Matt
Life is a series of passages, from youth to old age, from small dreams to fulfilled goals, from fool hardy to daring to experienced risk taking, from failure to repentance, from death to life. ~ Fr. Matt
Today’s prodigal son parable is meant to enrich us. May we be attentive. God loves us sinners before we repent. The parable probes deeply into our psyche. Gratitude to God should mark all the episodes of life. The sacraments are meant to introduce us to the joy of the Father. ~ Fr. Matt
We are never converted in a single experience but many times throughout our lives. We have many small and sometimes large turn arounds in our sojourn on earth. Are we able to continue these conversions or do we shut the door on God’s grace? Every Lent is a time of relating to Moses, St. Paul, Mary Magdalene, St. Augustine, in their dramatic conversions. Yet we are constantly called to make new renderings of ourselves with God’s help. ~ Fr. Matt
Peering over the shoulders of Peter, James, & John we witness the glory of Jesus as displayed by his Transfiguration by the love of the Father. Luke is the only Evangelist to mention his exodus, a departure that hinted at his suffering and death in Jerusalem. As Peter and the disciples found out, they had much more to listen, learn, and remember. During this season of Lent may we do the same. ~ Fr. Matt
DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT?
In the words of Pope Francis
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
~ Fr. Matt