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     Today, many people are worried about identity theft. Someone can steal a Social Security or Credit Card number, set up a whole new life and leave the real person holding the bag. There is something evevn more important though, than our material identity, and that is our spiritual identity. Sin robs us of our spiritual identity becuase it robs us of Christ.

     In order to deal with the temptations and seductions of the devil, we need the proper defenses. St. Paul speaks of these defenses in Ephesians 6. He reminds us that our battle is primarily a spiritual one, so we need the armor of God whih consists of the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

     The girdle of truth helps us to recognize our need for God; the breastplate of righteousness is our right behavior, done with a humble and generous spirit; the shoes of the Gospel of peace help us go and be reconciled with those who have hurt us; the shield of faith protects us from the doubts and uncertainties with which the devil tries to tempt us; the helmet of salvation, which is the grace of recognizing the goodness of what God has done for us and, lastly, the sword of the Spirit, which exposes the lies of the world and the emptiness of the world’s message that seeks to banish God from human hearts and shows us the truth of God.

     In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are given the identity of Christ. We share his life in a deeply personal way. It is an identity which we need to guard at all costs. Nothing ought to ever cause us to surrender that identity or have is stolen form us through sin.  Paul teaches us that when we face daily battles over good or evil, we will prevail  if we are interiorly and exteriorly clothed with these gifts, because it is Christ who is prevailing within us. This is from the heart of St. Paul.

      About a year ago, I purchased a digital audio recorder and began taping my Sunday homilies, since some people felt they had not done enough penance by hearing me once and wanted to listen again. Now I have all but three or four of my homilies from the past year on  12 CD’s. If anyone is interested in them, let me know by email at FRIARBOP@aol.com or leave a comment below. I would simply ask for a donation of twenty dollars ($20.00) to cover the CD’s, jewel boxes and postage.  

      As you can see along the side of the website, I have WORDS OF HOPE also available for downloading or listening from Lent through the present. Most are about 15 MB’s big, so I would not encourage downloading through a dial up, unless you have a lot of time to kill. So if you have enjoyed listening to me preaching the Word of God, (Which next to celebrating the Mass, is my favorite thing to do), or you wish to engage in some very serious purgatory reduction time, I may have just the right thing to help you out.

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

     When we think of the mystery of God and redemption, sometimes the answers become a little complicated. St. Paul, however, keeps reminding us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the meaning of our redemption is very simple. In answer to the question: Why was Jesus born? St. Paul responds in the First Letter to Timothy: “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” (1Tim 1:15)

     In other words, sinners could not reconcile themselves to God. Only God could do this and so he sent his Only-Begotten Son as our Savior to bind us to him in a new and everlasting covenant. Who are the sinners? Paul tells us in the very next verse that he was the foremost of sinners, one of the worst, but he was given mercy by Jesus for an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. In the Letter to the Romans, Paul teaches that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:24) With that, it is clear that Jesus Christ comes to save us because we are sinners. His mercy is shown by the water and blood that flowed from his side on the cross, that washes us in the waters of rebirth. 

     Jesus has shown us the same mercy that has he has shown St. Paul  so that we too can be an example for those who were to believe in Jesus for eternal life. This mercy is so great that if only one person had sinned, Jesus Christ would have come and died for him. He desires that all people share in everlasting life. Paul’s joy in possessing this life impels him to tell others about the mercy of God and urges them to repent from their sins.

     To be a Christian, we must we willing to admit that while we are sinners, God in his goodness gives us his Son, so that the sin that separates us from Him is not replaced by the grace that makes us his children. 

     Some people wonder how Paul is different from the four Gospels. Actually, the Letters of St. Paul were written before the Gospels. Paul did not set out to write a Gospel. He really focuses on the core point of the Gospel and moves on from there. The core point is “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.”

     Paul’s letters were addressed to the different Churches he established throughout Asia Minor in an area today known as Turkey. He would journey throughout the Mediterranean world three times in his life, stopping at key cities, preaching and establishing small Christian communities. When we was away from them, he would send them pastoral letters, especially if there were problems, so that he could remind them what the Life of Jesus is all about  and how they are to live with each other as members of the Church.

     Paul would encourage them and assure them that Christ was still with them. He would lose his temper sometimes when the Churches would follow others, especially the Judaizers who attempted to lead them away from Christ and Paul’s true teaching on him. He would also remind them of his constant love for them, becuase he knew that the glue that held the Church together was the love of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. This love reminds them that Christ will bring their lives to fulfillment and holiness in him. His blessing for them is the same for us: “May the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil 4:7)

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

     Last week as that terrible Jerry Springer Opera opened at some small theater downtown. Some Catholics were bound and determined to protest it publicly. Sacred Heart Radio got some heat because we did not seem to pick up on the thing and speak against this anti-God, anti-Catholic thing. Some even got a little nasty and self righteous about it.

    Then I watched channel 12 news and they highlighted the Opera because of the protests. Several people, including some that looked like Benedictine monks were seen praying the rosary. I do not question the faith of these people. I believe it is sincere. I do, however question their prudence. Was it worth it? I would say no for the following reasons. If no one had shown up to protest it, it might have been a 30 second spot on the news instead of a three minute one. That means most would have disregarded it. Also, the producer of the play said that it was disrespectful and that those who diagree should not come. But he also said that he “welcomed the conversation” that these protests instigated. This is usually the liberal way of saying “thanks for the free publicity of showing up and pointing out how bad we are. That is going to help us sell tickets.” And it probably did.

     Even from the standpoint of the Gospels, Jesus knew that we had to pick our fights. Luke 9:53-56 points this out when the James and John want Jesus to  call down fire from heaven on the Samaritan town and he rebukes them and keeps on going. Unfortunately, blasphemies go on every day all over the city and the world and even in some Churches. We shoud fight some and ignore others. A lot of it concerns the ultimate goal. In Luke, Jesus eyes were set on Jerusalem. Nothning was going to distract him. Are we letting this little “gnat” distract us. Are we too busy picketing bad things and not busy enough spreading the Gospel. Maybe next time, if they want to picket a play, they should do it in a positive way. “This show is lousy. Down the treet there is a much better play and we might even give you a ticket to go and see it rather than waste your time at this. It is a thought.

    We need to point out the reality of sin and evil in the world. There is not enough of that being done. The question is how to do it. I think there are other ways than picketing second rate plays and giving them free publicity.

   Last Saturday night I had Mass at St. Veronica’s, and they were having their parish festival. A really bad thunderstorm hit and just as I was receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, there was a huge clap of thunder and the lights went out. (I thought to myself, God really wants to remind these people WHO it is they are receiving.) Anyway, after communion, , and there were more people in Church than usual after communion becuase they did not want to get wet by leaving early (Another divine sign?) So before the final blessing I asked the people to join me in saying a Hail Mary that she will ask her Son to clear up the weather and give them a good night. I wanted to ask them to say a Memorare with me, but I think that many would not know it.

     So we said the Hail Mary together.  By the time we were finished the lights began t come back on in the body of the Church, and wouldn’t you know that by the time the festival started at 6:00pm there was no more rain. I hope some of the people thought to thank the Blessed Virgin for interceding for them, but many probably did not.

     Still, I hope I planted a small seed in some of their heads that they start asking the Saints to intercede for them. We need to get the Communion of Saints out of the unemployment lines and get them back to work for us and with us. They will be a tremendous help in getting the Church renewed.

ALL HOLY MEN AND WOMEN. PRAY FOR US

    As the Pauline year begins, I have written some reflections entitled The Heart of St. Paul. Many of them will air on Sacred Heart Radio, but I will also post them here. I already have 16 “in the can” for the station. Here is number one:

     When one talks about St. Paul, many ideas come up. Paul is the great preacher to the Gentiles. He comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. He has the habit of getting a little bit cranky from time to time. Paul presents us with a new view of the world with Christ not only as the Head of the Church, but the One from whom all creation flows and finds its meaning. Where does one find the root of Paul’s passion? What has motivated him to sacrifice all for Jesus Christ? It is his heart. It is a heart that is humbled on the road to Damascus. It is a heart that suffered persecution and misunderstanding. It is a heart filled with a deep joy, because it is a heart inflamed with a deep love of Christ crucified and raised from the dead. For his heart to be fulfilled, he gave it to Jesus Christ, so that Paul could, in his own inimitable way, take on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us pray that St. Paul will ask Jesus to give us that same passionate and courageous heart:    

     St. Paul, you preached Christ crucified and raised from the dead to people of every place and nation. From the road to Damascus, you discovered that the road to heaven is through Jesus Christ. We ask you to intercede for us to Jesus. May he fill us with the same zeal that lead you to preach Jesus alone. May we discover that like you, it is in our weakness and frailty that Jesus is made known to all. May we receive from him that same Spirit that he gave to you, so that his name will joyfully be spoken on our lips and his love may burn deeply in our hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our Savior and our God forever and ever. Amen.

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

     On June 6, 1992 Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk ordained me to the priesthood. The readings from Mass give me an important lesson. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the Sacred Writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 3: 14-15)

     It does not seem that it has been that long. All I hope for is that so far I have done more good than harm and that I will follow whatever direction the Lord points me in, and not be a burden for the Church. I looked at the promises I made that day and I thought it would be a good idea to put them here:

     My sons, before you proceed to the order of the presbyterate, declare before the people of God your intention to undetrake this priestly office.

     Are you resolved, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to discharge without fail the office of priesthood in the presbyteral order as conscientious fellow workers with the bishops in caring for the Lord’s flock?

     Are you resolved to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully and religiously as the Church has handed them down to us for the glory of God and the sanctification of Christ’s people?

     Are you resolved to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and explaining the Catholic faith?

     Are you resolved to consecrate your life to God for the salvation of his people, and to unite yourself more closely every day to Christ, the High Priest, who offered himself for us to the Father as a perfect sacrifice?

I am with the help of God

The words of the bishop to the newly ordained: Anointing of hands: The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God.

Presentation of chalice and paten: Accept from the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to him. Know what you are doing, imitate the mystery you celebrate: model your life on the mystery of the Lord’s cross.

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

      I hope to catch up on my blogging soon, but here is a prayer I wrote for the feast of our Lady of the Visitation, which we celebrate today:

     O Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mother of God, for nine months you were the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle of the Most High. Everywhere you travelled, you carried Jesus Christ with you. I ask you to watch over me today with you maternal love. Protect me from all harm. Through your intercession may Jesus your Son form in me a pure, humble and obedient heart. At the hour of my death, come in haste to visit me with your Son, that my heart and soul may leap for joy and find lasting peace. Amen.

Our Lady of the Visitation, Pray for us.

     You have to love the Catholic Faith. We take every part of our life very seriously. We bless candles on the Feast of the Presentation and throats on the Feast of St. Blase. We bless animals on the Feast of St. Francis. We literally bless you coming and going (baptism and death). On this feast of St. isidore the Farmer, we remember a 12th century man who lived in Spain who worked the land as a farmer. He cultivated the land for a landowner and had a great devotion to God and to the poor. When other workers complained that Isidore came to work late because he was first attending Mass, the landowner saw a vision of white oxen ploughing the land so that attendance at Mass never impeded his work.

      Today at Mass, we blessed some soil and water after the prayers of the faithful. Then after Mass, parishoners were free to take some blessed soil and water home to bless their own gardens. These devotions tell me that we don’t need to make up new things to do to make the faith important to people. We simply do it by devotion to Christ, his Blessed Mother and the Saints who always remind us that God is a constant part of our lives, even in the dirt in our gardens.

You just gotta love the Tradition of the Church!!!