Archive for March, 2010
“Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!”
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
The ancient prophecy of Zechariah reads:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey” (9:9).
St. Luke’s Gospel reads:
“And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village opposite, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat; untie it and bring it here. If any one asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this, ‘The Lord has need of it.’
So those who were sent away and found it as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ And they said, ‘The Lord has need of it.’
And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their garments on the colt they set Jesus upon it. And as he rode along, they spread their garments on the road. As he was now drawing near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’
And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the VERY STONES WOULD CRY OUT’” (19:28-40).
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St. Michael the Archangel, Defend Us…
Saturday, March 27th, 2010
Two weeks ago, when I went to southern Italy to visit the shrine of St. Padre Pio, I also went over to Mount Gargano in order to visit the shrine of St. Michael the Archangel, which is the oldest shrine to the archangel in Western Europe.
Now, there are a lot of holy places that don’t “feel” like holy places. The hustle and bustle, the stores and religious artifacts, the crowds, as well as our American sense of urgency, busy-ness, and distractedness. etc., etc. It’s hard to really just stop and let a holy place talk to us.
Well, the Cave of St. Michael, which is the heart of the shrine, compels a silence and sense of sacredness.
As soon as I walked in, I KNEW and FELT that I was in a holy place. The focus of the cave is an enclosed statue of St. Michael, and he’s not laughing. He is busy destroying the work of the Devil and seeking the protection of the children of God.
I know that some people struggle with the presence of the angels. Thanks be to God, I’ve always been blessed with the grace of being very close to them. I often pray to my guardian angel, and seek the help and guidance of all the angels. I’m not sure where I received this devotion (perhaps from my dad’s military service?), but I know that the angels are there and they really help us.
Frequently, I turn to the angels, and to St. Michael in difficult times (for myself and for others).
In the Scriptures, St. Michael is seen defending God’s Majesty and securing the well-being of God’s people. From the Book of Daniel (Chapter 12) in the Old Testament to the Book of Revelation (Chapter 12) in the New Testament, St. Michael is laboring and fighting for God and his Glory.
St. Michael also labors and works for us. He is a strong advocate in times of temptation, fear, anxiety, or the sense of bad spirits. The bad spirits fear him because he holds God’s power and fights in God’s name. If St. Michael laughs, he laughs at the folly of the Devil and of sin.
As Christians, we should befriend so great a servant of God and ally to us in our struggles. The Prayer to St. Michael is strong and effective. He works more than we can every understand in this life. He seeks always to help and defend us. We only have to ask.
St. Michael, St. Raphael, St. Gabriel, and all the guardian angels, are our spiritual friends, personal gifts from God to each of us, to help us in our discipleship and in our efforts to grow in faith, hope, and love.
Come, angels of God, light and guard, govern and guide us.
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On Vacation and Preparing for Holy Week
Friday, March 26th, 2010
Today we start our Easter Vacation. But, it’s not really a vacation, at least, not during Holy Week. This weekend, I’ll be working to catch up on things and then try to spend Holy Week in prayer and reflection. Each of the liturgies of the week have to be prepared for, and taken slowly. We are entering the holiest week of the entire year! This is what it’s all about folks!
We have to pray for each other. It’s my hope to post some thoughts on the week as we walk through it as a Church.
On the Becoming Father Bob front, the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of St. Paul- Minneapolis have run the article from the CNS. This a great blessing. The national convention for the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) will be held in Minneapolis next month. Principal and Co-Author Peggy Wertz will be attending the conference and running a booth on Becoming Father Bob. If anyone is in the area, please stop by and say hello to Peggy!
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So Many Great Things…
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
I think some of the blog readers have been following the column series entitled, “Eight Portraits of Love,” in “The Catholic Miscellany.” Today was the seventh portrait. It was of Mother Katharine Drexel (pictured above), who was an awesome woman of faith. I’ve received a few e-mails about the series. One of the e-mails asked me why all of the portraits are of women? My answer: why not? A saint is a saint. Another e-mail asked me if I was purposely following the Beatitudes. My answer: you got me! I am definitely following the Beatitudes, hoping to show the Face of Christ in each of the holy ones that are presented in the series. It’s been a blessing to write the columns. It’s helped me to get to know these Friends of God even better. Check out the series! I hope it helps.
I’m amazed at the different e-mails I’ve started to receive from across the United States. It seems many newspapers have picked up the CNS story on Becoming Father Bob, and people are really excited about it! Thanks be to God.
And, of course, I’ve saved the best for last! All of the faithful back home know that today, on this Solemnity of the Annunciation, as we celebrate the Incarnation of the Son of God in the womb of Mary, we are locally observing the First Anniversary of Bishop Robert Guglielmone as the Bishop of Charleston. We have to remember to pray for him, and for his apostolic ministry in South Carolina! Come, Holy Spirit!
What a great day!
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“Becoming Father Bob” on CNS
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
This week, the Rome Bureau of the Catholic News Service (CNS) ran an article on Becoming Father Bob. The article is a great summary of the mission and intention of the book. Check it out!
The CNS is like the Catholic Associated Press, and so, through CNS, the article could be picked up by several Catholic newspapers throughout the United States.
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Monday Church Jeopardy
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
All right, congratulations to everyone who got last week’s church correct! It was St. Ignatius of Loyola Church. Although the church is named after him, the saint is actually buried in the Gesu Church (which we’ve had before on church jeopardy).
This week: please identify the church below. It has a very famous statue of Moses, and is named after one of the Apostles. And, please give one fact about Moses. This is a hard one, but you’re good! Have fun!
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2010 Rome Marathon
Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Some friends were in town, and today we did the Rome Marathon!
A few years ago, as a seminarian, I ran the full marathon after some intense training. This past year, however, I wasn’t able to train as much, and so today was a run-walk of the 26.2 miles. It was still a challenge and a good time! I’m physically tired, but very rejuvenated.
I’ll post some more pictures in the next few days.
Here’s the medal:
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Another “Dead Guy”?
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Here’s a picture of Croagh Patrick, the small mountain in Ireland where St. Patrick went to pray and fast for the soul of Ireland. Patrick was originally brought to Ireland as a slave by raiding pirates. After years of captivity, he escaped, but was later called by the Lord to return to Ireland and preach the Gospel.
I sometimes wonder what must have occurred in Patrick’s heart when the Lord called him to return to his place of former enslavement in order to preach the message of love, mercy, and freedom in Jesus Christ. Talk about trust!
The Lord sometimes calls us to hard places, or to difficult tasks, but we know that he is always with us, and we have such a great older brother in St. Patrick to help us in our own discipleship.
I still can’t believe that some people dismiss the holy ones, the friends of God, as mere “dead people.” Where’s our faith? Where’s our humility?
St. Patrick is a great model and friend to every Christian. We look to his example and ask for his prayers that we might serve the Lord as faithfully and lovingly as he he did.
Years ago, in 1999, I was able to climb Croagh Patrick with some friends. It was in December, and honestly the hike was not all that enjoyable. When we reached the top, however, I remember the thoughts and feelings of consolation in knowing how much Patrick loved God and the people of Ireland. I thought then, and I often think to myself now, “Can I love any less?” Well, “Can we love any less?”
On St. Patrick’s Day, my mind always goes to Croagh Patrick, and to this question.
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Fr. Bob on Catholic Radio
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Recently, Co-Authors Principal Peggy Wertz and Fr. Jeff Kirby, along with Illustrator Alice Judd, were featured on the radio show, “Pathways to Rome.” Check out the episode. It’s part of a full episode on discerning priestly vocations.
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Why Visit a Dead Guy?
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Yes, friends, that was a real question recently: “Why visit a dead guy?”
I was asked why I went to southern Italy after finishing Chapter Two of my thesis, and visit some dead guy. Of course, they were referring to Padre Pio. It was a sad question, which revealed an even sadder worldview.
I hope we all know and believe as Christians that death does not have the last word. By the power of Jesus’ Resurrection, we are united to one another. For those in heaven, in purgatory, and the baptized on earth, we are truly one Body in Jesus Christ. And not even death has any power over that bond given by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The saints, those holy men and women who have lived their lives and sought the Face of God in the midst of trial and difficulty, are a cloud of witnesses to each of us. They stand as our friends, older brothers and sisters, fellow believers. They cheer us on to victory, and befriend us as they encourage us on our pilgrimage of faith through this life.
I can’t imagine, and I have never seen, the saints as just “some dead people.” They’re closer to us than that, and death has merely become a passage way for them to reach their eternal reward in Jesus Christ. They rest with Him, and they inspire us to in our own discipleship so that we might also be with them and the Lord Jesus one day in heaven.
Our contemporary society has allowed death to have too strong a victory and too tight a grip over us. The Lord has destroyed that slavery and given us freedom in his Resurrection.
Why visit a dead guy? Because he’s not dead. Because he’s my father, brother, friend, and guide. Because I need his friendship and help. Because he’s a part of me in Jesus Christ. This is the power and reality of the Communion of Saints. And, thanks be to God, for such an awesome gift!!!
We each have to choose what path we’ll follow. This world offers many views on death, obedience, fear, freedom, and so many things. As disciples, however, the Lord desires to change and transform us and how we see things. We have to let him work. We have to seek his mind and his heart. We have to drop everything from before, and generously follow him:
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