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     Today we sing the fourth antiphon, “O Clavis David” (O Key of David). The importance of this title is that from the Fall of Adam and Eve, mankind has been locked out of heaven. Our separation from God was such was that the door could be opened from God’s side. Only one with authority possesses the keys.  However, with the reality of the Incarnation -of God becoming man- Jesus Christ as Messiah IS the key who opens heaven for us and he does it from our side. He does not just possess the Father’s authority, HE is AUTHORITY IN HIMSELF!

    O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and lead your captive people to freedom.

      John Allen, the self-anointed expert on Pope Benedict has offered some back handed support to the Pope on his upcoming trip to the US and speech to the United Nations. The Pope in his opinon seems to have serious communication problems. In the op-ed section of the NY Times today, he opines that

     Part of the problem is that so far, this cerebral Pope has a track record of blurring such compelling arguments during his biggest turns on stage. Allen is referring to Pope Benedict’s remarks being “misunderstood” at Auschwitz, Regensburg, Brazil and to the NGO’s in Italy. In each case, Pope Benedict goes beyond the superficial to deal with the real issue, which always goes back to the Truth. Allen continues  by writing that Pope Benedict’s ideas however, were overshadowed by a few throwaway phrases that betray a worrying insensitivity to how unfamiliar audiences are likely to hear what he says.

     If Pope Benedict seeks anything, it is perfect clarity in regard to the nature of the question being studied and an honest assessment of its virtues and drawbacks. THAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR ALLEN! Benedict says what he means and means what he says. He does not obfuscate or water down the truth. The Truth has a habit of making the hearer when he/she rejects or does not know the truth, naked. When the truth is clearly proclaimed, whether it is on issues of  religion or those of social or sexual or cultural morality, there is nothing for us to hide behind. It is what it is. When he goes to the UN in April to speak, I’m sure that many will be offended, if for no other reason that the Pope claims to know the Truth as given to us in Jesus Christ.

       A long time ago, when Jesus told a politician that he came to bear witness to the truth, the politician replied “What is truth?” I’m sure that many will repeat Pilate’s words today. Allen seems to think the Pope needs to find a way to make the truth palatable to the post-modern person. The fact of the matter is that if you have no taste for truth, it will never taste good. The world has, I believe, lost its taste for truth. The only way to get people face it is to put a big, heaping spoonful in front of their face and say “Open up wide.” If we are proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ and the human person in a spirit of charity and humility, and it offends someone, it is not our problem. It is theirs.

    Today we pray the third of the “O Antiphons”, “O Radix Jesse” (Root of Jesse). This antiphon recalls the prophecy from Isaiah that a shoot will spring from the stump of Jesse. King David was the first flower from the Jesse tree. With the destruction of the monarchy through idolatry and defeat and exile, the great tree was reduced to a mere stump. However, in the divine plan, the stump was not dead, but dormant. From this stump will come the finest branch of the tree of Jesse, the true Messiah, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Mary. On this third day, let us pray that our own hearts, that have become lifeless stumps due to sin and evil,  will sprout the new life of Christ through our repentance from sin and a renewed faithfulness to God.

     O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence: the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred heart Radio

     This second day of the “O Antiphons,” we recall the Lord hsowing himself to Moses on Mt. Sinai, commissioning him to free the Israelites from the slavery of the Egyptians . We bessech the Lord Jesus to come quickly to us, so that as the new Moses, he may set us free from Sin and Death, which truly enslave the human race through sin.

    O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the Holy Law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.  

Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio.

     Everyone has a different way of counting to Christmas. Some do it in terms of shopping days. Catholics do it in the form of the “O Antiphons.” These are the antiphons that are recited or chanted during evening prayer before the Magnificat for the octave preceding Christmas. Each antiphon connects the coming of Christ with his foretelling in the Old Testament either from the prophet Isaiah or Micah. The first is “O Sapientia” (O Wisdom)

Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong, tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio.

      Today is the Feast of St. Lucy, a virgin martyr of the early Church. She is one of several virgin martyrs that are listed in the Roman Canon at Mass. Not much are known about them, but the Canon at least tells us they existed. Lucy is included with Agatha, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia. She is the patroness of those who suffer from diseases of the eye. She is often pictured holding her own eyes on a platter. Not too pleasant. I believe that the fact of the historical existence of these women martyrs could be used as a great example for young catholic girls. These martyrs provide an example of holiness, purity and dedication to God; all of the things society tells young girls they should not be involved with. 

Lord, give us courage through the prayers of St. Lucy. As we celebrate her entrance into eternal glory, we ask to share her happiness in the life to come. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio

     The Blessed Mother took good care of Sacred Heart Radio today. Through her intercession and the generosity of many people of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, The SonRise Morning show with Brian Patrick was able to raise a little more than $16,000 in pledges and contributions. Thank you all very much. I am very grateful for the support of the many listeners who called in and contributed, as well as the people who came in and talked about the importance of Sacred Heart Radio on the air. The only way the station an grow is through the committment of people who love the Catholic faith and wish to share it with others.  Tomorrow at Mass, my intention will be for all the benefactors of the station who helped today. May God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin keep you from all harm.

Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio. 

     This year, for the first time, Sacred Heart Radio (AM740) will be running a pledge drive during the Sonrise Morning Show with Brian Patrick. We hope to be able to raise pledges and donations in the amount of 25,000 so that we end up this year in the black. The show will be on from 6:00am-9:00am with special live interviews from the regulars of the morning show, including Rich Leonardi, Emily Bissonette, Fr. Phillip Devous and others.

     We have been graced by God’s Providence over the years. While we have not received many large donations, we receive very many small donations that have a habit of adding up quickly. It is clear that the people who are listening are the ones who are contributing and we take their committment very seriously. The Mission of Sacred Heart Radio has always been to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it is lived and prayed and celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church. We seek to offer the best Catholic programming possible and we have been blessed with local priests and deacons and lay persons who have volunteered and sacrificed to make this idea a reality, as well as a smart and talented station manager who is dedicated to his faith and the spreading of Catholic radio. If you have a chance, please listen Wednesday to the Sonrise Morning Show to donate, or go to our website www.sacredheartradio.com . We cannot do this without you and the Lord!!

Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio.  

      A Happy feast of the Immaculate Conception to all. It is always a good day to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. DE MARIA NUMQUAM SATIS! It is the Patronal feast of the Seminary today and Archbishop Pilarczyk will celebrate Mass and welcome our first year Seminarians into Candidacy. Candidacy is a special rite in which the first year men make a public statement of their desire to study for the priesthood, and the Archbishop accepts it. The names of the men making candidacy today are Jon-Paul Bevak, Karl Borchers, Daniel Hunt, Bob Lanterman, Matthew Robben, Jim Romanello and Marc Soellner. This is their first formal step towards Holy Orders, so keep them in your prayers.

     Yesterday was the feast of St. Ambrose, and I did not have the opportunity to write on him. So today, I am including a Marian passage from St. Ambrose on the Annunciation:

     She does not appear to have doubted the event but asked how it would take place. Clearly, if she asked how it would happen, she must have believed in its fulfillment. Thus she merited to hear the words: Blessed are you becuase you have believed.

     Yes, truly blessed for having surpassed the priest Zechariah. While the priest denied, the Virgin rectified the error. No wonder that the Lord, wishing to rescue the world, began his work with Mary. Thus, she through whom salvation was being prepared for all people, would be the first to receive the promised fruit of salvation.      

Father, you prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy Mother of your Son. You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by his death and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin.                                                                                  

Please pray for all priests and seminarians and support Sacred Heart Radio

     Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (Turkey). He died in 345AD. While this day is usually seen as a day of receiving gifts from St. Nicholas in our stockings or shoes, generosity is only one of his many virtues. He was also imprisoned by the Emperor Diocletian during the persecutions and later released. Eusebius mentions in his Ecclesiatical History that Nicholas was also present at the Council of Nicea, where he defended the full divinity of Jesus Christ.  The Orthodox Christians, especially the Greeks, highly venerate St. Nicholas (How many Greeks do you know who are named Nick?).

     He is also a warm-up for the Great Western Doctor of the Church that we celebrate tomorrow, St. Ambrose.

Father, hear our prayers for mercy, and by the help of St. Nicholas, keep us safe from all danger and guide us on the way to salvation. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Please pray for all priests and seminarians, and support Sacred Heart Radio.