Author Archives: Deacon Joe Shriver

About Deacon Joe Shriver

Deacon Joe is a Roman Catholic Deacon who served at Holy Cross Parish, Lake Stevens, WA in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Deacon Joe was ordained in 2007 at Saint James Cathedral in Seattle, WA. In the spring of 2018, we moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to family. Deacon Joe is currently serving at Saint Joseph Parish in York, PA.

20240303 Sunday Lent 3 B

Ronald Knox was an Anglican Priest who became Catholic in 1917.  He helped G K Chesterton discern his decision to become Catholic a few years later.  Father Knox was not as well-known as Chesterton but left an imprint on the Church just as important as Chesterton’s. 

In one of his sermons on the Eucharist, Father Knox made this observation: throughout two thousand years of history, Christians, both whole churches and individual believers, have consistently been able to ignore many of Jesus’ key commandments and invitations.  We have either been too weak to follow his counsels or we have rationalized them away somehow. 

Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser said “And so, to a large extent, we have exempted ourselves from the demand to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek when attacked, to forgive 70 times 7, to leave our gift at the altar and first go and seek reconciliation with our brother before we worship, to place justice on the same level as worship, to see mercy as more important than dogma, to not commit adultery, to not steal, to not call someone a fool, to not tell lies, to not give in to jealousy.  We have, in virtually every one of these areas, individually and collectively, a history of infidelity and rationalization.” 

The Children of Israel also had a problem with keeping the Commandments that God gave Moses on the mountain.  By the time Moses came down the mountain, they were worshiping a golden calf instead of the God who delivered them from slavery in Egypt.  Time and time again they turned away from God and worshiped the gods of the nations around them.  It seems that our nature is such that we can easily make excuses or rationalize our sins away, so we don’t feel any guilt. 

Father Rolheiser continues: “But we have, for the most part, been faithful and consistent throughout all the years to one of Jesus’ commands: to celebrate the Eucharist, to meet together in every circumstance and share his word and break bread and drink wine in his memory.” 

Jesus became angry with the way the temple was being used as a marketplace rather than a place of worship.  The reason that I became Catholic is because of the reverence that Catholics hold for the Sanctuary.  Most Evangelical churches talk and chat in the Sanctuary the same as outside the church.  This bothered me but I didn’t realize the bigger distinction that makes Catholics different.  As I studied to become Catholic, I realized that it is the Eucharist that is what sets Catholics apart from other religions. 

We celebrate the Eucharist at every mass.  This is where we get our strength to follow Christ each day.  It is in receiving his Body and Blood in the Eucharist that helps us to go out into the world to share his love with everyone we meet. 

During our Lenten journey, as we examine our hearts and motives, it is important for us to not only look at the Ten Commandments that God gave us but to look deeper at the teachings Jesus gave us to love one another as he loves us.  Father Rolheiser mentions leaving our gift at the altar and going to a person to seek reconciliation before offering our sacrifice to God. 

When Jesus talked about this in the Book of Matthew, he said “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”  

Notice that Jesus didn’t say that you have something against someone, that is easier to control, but that you know that someone is angry or upset with you.  Then you should go and reconcile with that person and then come and offer your sacrifice. 

This is one of the hard lessons that Jesus taught about loving others as he loves us.  Being sensitive to others is difficult for all of us.  We are so busy taking care of ourselves and our family that we don’t notice the pain we may have caused to others by our carelessness or impatience with others. 

It may be something that we did or said that we didn’t realize upset that person at the time.  It may even be something that we don’t think should bother anyone.  But it did and we must take the first step as Disciples of Christ to correct it by going to the person and seeking reconciliation. 

At the start of mass, we always ask for God’s forgiveness for the times we have failed to obey the Commandments or to love as he loves us.  We do this to prepare our hearts to receive him in the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist.  During this Lenton Season, let us take it one step further and resolve the hurt, even if we don’t know the specific issue or didn’t mean to offend, it is enough to know that someone is upset with us that we should seek to make it right. 

All of us are Children of God.  Our body is the Temple of God.  Jesus speaks to us today, he wants to drive out the sin in our hearts the same as he drove out the money changers from the Temple two thousand years ago. 

Each day during Lent I listen to the Franciscan Short Way of the Cross by the choir and students of Thomas Aquinas College to remind me that Lent is a time of preparation.  The Fourteenth Station is: Jesus is taken down from the cross; When I receive you into my heart in Holy Communion, make it a fit abiding place for your adorable Body. 

As we prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus into our hearts and lives, let us resolve to reconcile ourselves with others and with Christ.  Help us Lord to stop making excuses and rationalizing our sinful behavior so we may be a fit and abiding place for your Body. 

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20240218 Sunday Lent 1 B

Earlier in this first chapter of Mark we learn that John proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me.  I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”  After John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus began his earthly ministry.  It seems that Jesus knew that John’s ministry is over and his must begin. 

The three verses before today’s Gospel reading tells us about Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the heavens opening and the Spirit descending as a dove upon Jesus.  The Father speaks saying “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 

Then in today’s Gospel “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan.”  This Spirit so beautifully described as a white dove descending upon Jesus as a sign of his Father’s approval now drives Jesus into the desert to be tempted by Satan doesn’t seem like the same Spirit at all. 

Why would the Spirit drive Jesus into the desert alone to be tempted by Satan.  Peter Kreeft tells us “He was lead there by the Holy Spirit to toughen up his humanity, so to speak, like basic training in the Army; to prepare for his three years of spiritual warfare in his public ministry, which would culminate in his Passion and Death and Resurrection.  He prepared for this for the first thirty years of his life, the silent years, but especially during these forty days.” 

Peter Kreeft tells us “He fasted for forty days not only from food but also from human friendship, which is even more basic than food.  ….  Animals and angels are both good and important – in fact more important than we usually think – but even good friends above and below us are not human friends.  We are neither animals nor angels.  Animals have no spiritual souls, and angels have no mortal bodies.” 

I could not imagine what that must have been like for Jesus.  While Jesus was Divine, he was also Human.  To be alone without any other person to pray for him, to encourage and comfort him in his temptations would be devastating and make Jesus more susceptible to yielding to the temptations that Satan would present to him. 

Because Jesus was tempted by Satan in this manner, he can understand the temptations that we endure from Satan in our lives.  The major difference is that Jesus was alone without any other contact with people.  This is the first time that Jesus is abandoned and alone during his life on this earth.  The second time is during his Passion and Crucifixion when everyone abandoned him. 

We are blessed to have our family, our Church (which is our Family in Christ), and friends to pray for us, comfort, encourage and help us on our journey of life.  Jesus had no one.  Only wild beasts who wanted to devour him, angels and demons. 

There is nothing that we must endure that our Lord has not already endured in this world.  Sometimes our temptations seem so overwhelming that we can barely go on.  Jesus has been there and understands, he offers help in our trials and temptations. 

We can find comfort knowing that Jesus endured much more than we are going through.  He stands ready to help if we only ask him. 

In our busy lives it’s easy to forget that we too have angels and saints walking with us and ready to help us.  We believe that angels and saints are all around us, walking with us, protecting us, guiding us and giving us strength the same as the angels ministered to Jesus. 

When Jesus stared his ministry he said: “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”  These are the same words we heard on Ash Wednesday when ashes were used to make the sign of the cross on our foreheads. 

What is the Gospel message that Jesus taught?  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.  This means keeping the Commandments given to us by Moses from God the Father.  It means living the New Commandment that Jesus gave us; Love others as much as we love ourselves. 

Loving others like we love ourselves is extremely hard for us.  Our ego gets in the way.  We are the only one who is important to us, sometimes even more important our family or God.  Our ego, our False Self is more important than anything else in the world.  It drives us to work longer hours to obtain more promotions at work, to make more money than our neighbors, and to live in the adoration of others wishing to be like us. 

Jesus said “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”  This Gospel was to love God by obeying his Commandments and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  This means really caring about others; the lonely neighbor down the street who seems grouchy all the time, the family struggling to have food on the table to eat, the family being discriminated against because of their race, culture, religion, or marriage partner.  It means respecting each human being as a Child of God. 

It’s not about writing a check to give to a charity that helps others; it’s spending personal time listening to those who are struggling talk about their struggles, helping the neighbor with yard work who is unable to do it, and spending time fasting and praying for all of them as well as writing a check to a charity that helps them. 

During his forty days in the desert, Jesus fasted and prayed.  Jesus helps us the same as the angels ministered to him, but we must be receptive and let him into our hearts. 

Jesus said “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”  What is that Gospel?  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself. 

Do my actions show others that I really believe in the Gospel that Jesus taught? 

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20240121 Sunday Ordinary 3 B

Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment.  The kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 

In a couple of weeks, we will receive ashes on our foreheads and hear the words “Repent and believe in the Gospel”.  Ash Wednesday is on February 14th this year.  It is early so, even though we are in Ordinary Time, as we begin to look toward Lent and Passion Week, we should begin to ask ourselves “Do I really believe in the Gospel?” 

John Pilch tells us “Scholars believe that after his baptism, Jesus became a disciple of John, preaching his message of repentance and baptizing others.  Over the course of time, Jesus began to discover a new ministry for himself.  According to Mark, Jesus embarked upon it after John was arrested. 

The theme of Jesus’ preaching is quite similar to that of the Baptist’s: “the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news”.  Jesus invites his listeners to give undivided loyalty to God whose definitive reign is about to begin.” 

Jesus then calls the first four of his disciples to follow him.  We are still in the first chapter of Mark and a lot has happened.  John the Baptist preaches a message of repentance.  Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and then tempted by Satan; just like we are tempted.  Jesus begins his ministry and calls the first disciples and begins his miracles of healing. 

The disciples immediately leave their livelihood and follow Jesus.  This always seemed strange that they just stopped what they were doing, left their father and the hired help and followed Jesus.  John Pilch helps us understand the culture of that time. 

“Cultural background and information shed light on the story.  It is highly likely that Jesus and the four followers he summons here are not strangers.  If they have not personally met each other before this time, they were aware of each other’s aspirations and objectives.  News traveled quickly in the ancient world thanks to gossip networks.  (And I might add, it seems that hasn’t changed in two thousand years.) 

Jesus the artisan moves from Nazareth, an insignificant village, to Capernaum, a hub of activity on the Sea of Galilee at the crossroads of major highways.  His presence and activity stir curiosity and become the topic of gossip.  He does not seem to have gone there to seek work.  Instead, he appears to be seeking people to join him in a common venture.”  

Jesus has been in the background for most of his life.  He is thirty at this point and worked as a carpenter just like his earthly father, Joseph.  This was common to learn the trade from your father and have the same position in life as your father.  As we proceed through the Gospels this theme appears several times.  His father was a carpenter so how is he now a teacher or Rabbi?  It was out of place in that society. 

Jesus became noticeable because he taught with authority, not like the scribes and leaders of the synagogue, he spoke out against the establishment, against those who followed the Law so closely that they allowed no room for worshiping God. 

Sometimes we too get like the Pharisees; congregations become divided over where the altar should be placed or how to process into mass or which songs to sing, or not sing.  We adhere so precisely to the rules that we lose sight of the real message “The Kingdom of God is at hand.  Now is the time of fulfillment.  Repent and believe in the Gospel.” 

Jesus called many others to follow him during his ministry.  The young rich person who had many possessions and went away sorrowful because they were unwilling to put Christ above their possessions.  The person who wanted to wait for their parents to die before following Christ.  Our egos to get in the way.  We desire to have prestige, to be noticed for our accomplishments, to have power over others, to dream of being the hero in a difficult situation and receiving acclaim for our actions. 

We lose sight of the real message of Good News that Jesus taught, Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”  When Jesus calls us to “Repent and believe in the Gospel” we seem to hesitate.  Why?  What is holding us back?  What are we afraid of?  Scorn from co-workers, being held back from a promotion because we are Catholic, attachment to material things or placing family above God? 

Two thousand years later, Jesus calls each one of us to follow him, just like he called Simeon, Andrew, James, and John.  I have often wondered what the world would be like if I had the zeal of the early Apostles or St Paul.  They didn’t just preach the Gospel; they lived the Gospel. 

It seems that most of the time we are like Jonah.  We hear God’s call but don’t want to follow it.  We have our reasons just as Jonah had his.  The Ninevites were an enemy of Israel.  Jonah wanted them to be destroyed so the land would return to Israel. 

Jonah disobeyed God and ran away from his call.  How many times do we do the same thing.  Like Jonah, we have our reasons.  God continued to call Jonah to fulfill the mission that God was calling him to do.  We sometimes run away from it like Jonah, wanting to follow our own path in life. 

Each of us must ask ourselves, “What is God calling me to do?”  Is God calling me to speak to someone about God’s love, about his forgiveness and the true peace that only Christ can give?  Is God calling me to be a Priest, or join an order of religious life? 

How will we respond?  Like Jonah and run away from his call, or, like the disciples, and follow Christ? 

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20240107 Sunday Epiphany of Our Lord B

The Magi, or the Three Wise Men as we frequently refer to them, found Jesus with Mary, his Mother, and Joseph.  They fell prostrate before him and worshiped him.  “Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

The Gospel of Matthew tell us very little about the Magi.  Most of the details about the Magi are from later Christian tradition rather than on what Matthew tells us.  

We sing a song titled “We Three Kings of Orient Are” but Matthew never states how many there were that came to worship the Christ Child.  Matthew never states what country the Magi are from, only from the East. 

Dr Rebecca Denova tells us that “Herodotus (a Greek historian) claimed that the magos were originally the aristocrats of the Median nation, who were also gifted with the interpretation of dreams.  With the spread of Hellenism, magos became an adjective; magas techne, or ars magica in Latin, referred to the expertise of astrology and magical rituals.  All these conceptual elements come together in Matthew’s story.” 

Some believe that the Magi came from China which is the area of the world that the song references the three kings from Orient.  Some believe that the Magi came from Babylon or Saudia Arabia. 

We only know that they came from the East.  Many believe that they were from Iran because of the term Magi referred to the priests of the Zoroastrian religion in that ancient time. 

Bible Odyssey tells us “The New Revised Standard Version translates the Greek word magoi as “wise men,” but this is not a very accurate translation.  The word usually means “astrologers” or “magicians.”  It can also refer, more specifically, to priests of the Zoroastrian religion — an Iranian tradition that has influenced both Judaism and Christianity.  Zoroastrian magi were famous in the ancient world for their skills in interpreting the nighttime sky, so Matthew’s enigmatic figures may have been priests who hailed from Iran.” 

Dr Denova tells us “The individual names of the Magi most likely came from a manuscript written in Alexandria, Egypt c. 500 CE.  Other details were added from an 8th-century Irish manuscript.  In the Western tradition they are:

Melchior – an old man with white hair and a long beard – a king of Persia. 

Gaspar – beardless and ruddy-complexioned – a king of India. 

Balthasar – black-skinned and heavily bearded – a king of Arabia or a Moor. 

The mention of skin color may represent the nations depicted in the genealogies of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japtheth.  By tradition, they all live to be over 100.  Their experience led them to convert to Christianity, and stories emerged that they all died as martyrs (from the 17th-century Spanish Chronicon of Dexter).”  Our tradition about the Magi comes from a long history of interpretation or misinterpretation over many centuries and even millennia. 

There is no mention of how many were in the group.  There could have been many of them due to the great stir caused in Jerusalem when they came to King Herod seeking the newborn king of the Jews. 

Matthew tells us “magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem”.  This indicates that they were Gentiles because, unlike the Shepards who came from the hillside around Bethlehem, they came from the east of Jerusalem. 

We know that the Magi had wealth, and therefore power, because of the gifts they brought to Jesus.  Gold, a precious metal, frankincense, which is an incense and perfume, and Myrrh, a spice that was used to embalm kings in that time.  They were probably wise men or counselors to a king who were respected and trusted because of their great knowledge. 

It’s intriguing to try to discover who the Magi really were and their names.  They could have come from China, Iran, Babylon, Saudi Arabia, or another country.  There could have been three of them or twenty or forty of them. 

We don’t know much about them.  The important message is that they obviously traveled a great distance searching for Jesus, the newborn King of the Jews.  And these Magi searched until they found the Newborn King and worshiped him. 

I’m sure they endured many hardships during their travels, possibly running low on water, food, or shelter.  They continued their journey until they found the Christ Child.  Nothing stopped them; not even King Herod wanted to kill the newborn king. 

We too search for Jesus.  It doesn’t matter who we are or our names, or how many of us are searching for him.  Do we search with the diligence of the Magi?  They traveled a great distance.  We depict them on camels which would indicate travel through a desert. 

How diligent is our search for Christ?  Do we persevere when it gets difficult, when we travel through the sesert of our lives?  Are we ashamed that we are Catholic when we are around others who may not believe in Christ?  Do we let our doubts and fears prevent us from seeking Christ?

What gifts do we bring?  The Magi brought gifts of great value.  We too can bring gifts of great value to Christ.  Not gold, frankincense, and myrrh but all that we have and are, our entire being.  That is the value that Jesus wants from us. 

Are we willing to lie prostrate in front of Jesus and give him everything?  The Magi gave everything they brought with them to Jesus and went away empty handed. 

Will we give all the wealth we have or ever will have, our families and friends, our will and desires, our dreams, our very souls so that nothing can come between us and Christ?  That is all Jesus wants.  Will we give it all to him or will our egos get in the way and prevent us from surrendering ourselves him? 

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20240101 Monday Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God 1 B

What image comes to mind when you think of Mary, Our Blessed Mother?  For most of us it is probably one of the statues we have or have seen with her hands folded piously praying. 

What do we know about Mary?  Physically, Mary was of Mediterranean ancestry which means dark complexion to endure the sun and heat with typically brown eyes. 

The first trait we notice about Mary’s personality is that she was a leader.  Yes, she was pious and pensive, but she was also a person of action. 

Mary loved God and practiced her Jewish faith.  We know more about Mary than we do about Joseph.  Mary was born to Ann and Joachim in Jerusalem.  Joachim owned a house in the vicinity of the temple, near the Sheep Gate and its pool called “Bethesda”. 

There isn’t much written directly about Mary’s personality or life.  The scriptures teach us about Mary’s personality by what is written about her.  The Virgin Mary is a model for all of us but especially for women of every class, age, and culture. 

Mary and Joseph were devout Jews and worshiped in the Temple according to the customs of their faith.  God is at the center of their lives, and we see this as the story of Christ’s birth is revealed to us in the New Testament Gospels. 

We frequently forget that Jesus was Jewish.  He was raised in his faith by Mary and Joseph and throughout his life he practiced his faith.  Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath throughout his ministry. 

Jesus’ practice of his faith was natural because of the example of his mother.  Mary was a person who was completely dedicated to God.  When the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of God, he said “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” indicating that her dedication to God was known by God. 

The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that God has chosen her for a special mission; that she, a virgin, is to be the mother of the Son of God.  Mary ponders about this and asks, “How could this be since I’ve had no relations with a man?”  Even though Mary wonders about the message of the Angel, she willingly accepts God’s will in her life.  Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word.”  Her trust was in God. 

Mary immediately goes into the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is six months pregnant in her old age, to help her with her delivery and care for her newborn son John.  Mary gave us the example of serving others in need of our help. 

Jesus is born in Bethlehem and all creation rejoices.  Mary keeps in her heart the stories that the Shepherds and the Magi tell of the birth of Christ. 

When Jesus was taken to the Temple to offer the sacrifice according to the Law, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 

Mary quietly ponders the meaning of “you yourself a sword will pierce”.  What an example of faith!  This happens throughout her life.  Mary ponders the meaning of Simeon’s words which are revealed in her Son’s Passion, crucifixion, and death on the cross. 

When all the disciples ran and hid from the Romans, Mary was there, feeling the pain of every lash from the whip and every thorn from the crown placed on his head.  Mary walked next to Jesus as close as they would let her on the way to Calvary.  She felt the pain of each fall and the whipping and kicking by the guards. 

Mary was a leader; she didn’t just quietly stand by and ponder things.  Mary nudged Jesus to begin his ministry.  At the wedding in Cana, Mary told Jesus that they ran out of wine.  This would be a terrific embarrassment to the family and Mary didn’t want that to happen.  Even though Jeus said that his time had not come, she then told the servants to “Do whatever he says.”  Another great example of faith. 

Mary was also a leader in the early church.  The Book of Acts tells us that after Jesus ascended into heaven, some women and Mary, the mother of Jesus went to the Upper Room to pray with the Apostles. 

Mary lived a life of dedication to God and to serving others.  Her faith was strong during the many trials and hardships of life; fleeing with Joseph to Egypt to protect their son, living in a foreign land and learning the language and customs so they could blend in, then the long trip back to Israel and relearning their native language and customs, losing Jesus in the temple, watching her son cruelly beaten and killed even though he had done nothing wrong, standing at the foot of his cross in silent resistance to the powers of evil watching him die. 

But Mary also experienced great joy in her life.  She rejoiced at the resurrection of Jesus from the dead that is our Salvation, she rejoiced at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and those in the Upper Room. 

We celebrate Mary’s life on many special dates in the church.  On March 25th, we celebrate the Announcement of the Incarnation by Gabriel to Mary.  Nine months after the Annunciation, we celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th.  On January 1st, the final day of the Octave of Christmas, which is today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. 

Mary’s leadership did not end when her body and soul were assumed into heaven.  Our Blessed Mother has appeared numerous times to people throughout the world asking us to pray for peace.  Today we pray for peace and that she will intercede with her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for us and all people in the world that we might love others as much as Jesus loves us. 

And so together we pray:

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. 
Amen. 

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20231217 Sunday Advent 3 B

The Gospel reading teaches us some important lesions on evangelization.  John the Baptist was calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. 

Such large numbers of people were being baptized by John that it drew the attention of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.  The problem is that John the Baptist didn’t fit the mold of a priest like his father. 

John Pilch helps us to understand the culture at that time:

“In cultures guided by honor, persons are expected to behave according to their inherited status.  The Baptizer’s status or acquired honor derived from the fact that his father, Zechariah, was a devout rural priest. 

But the Baptizer is not behaving like a priest.  (It’s interesting to note that Jesus finds himself in the same situation; his father was a carpenter but he is acting as a rabbi or teacher.)  Instead, John looks very much like a member of the numerous groups of alienated priests that emerged as early as the sixth century BCE.  These groups found themselves increasingly separated from the aristocratic priests in Jerusalem. 

The historian Josephus indicates that the gulf between the latter and the large number of lower clergy was very great just before the outbreak of the Judaic rebellion against Rome in the mid-sixties CE. 

A major cause of alienation was the widely known and very evident luxury in which the Jerusalem priestly aristocracy lived in contrast to the conditions of the rural clergy.  

By his dress and diet, the Baptizer distances himself from this luxury and his rural priestly heritage and presents himself more like a prophet, a spokesperson who declares the will of God for the here and now. 

The Jerusalem priests wonder whether John is an “action prophet” (a spokesperson who also leads a popular movement hoping that God will intervene in liberating action) or an “oracular prophet” (one who only pronounces words of redemption or judgment).“  

The Gospel tells us that John the Baptist was neither: “A man named John was sent from God.  He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.” 

The church leaders in Jerusalem sent some priests and Levites to find out who John is because such great numbers are going out and being baptized by him.  These representatives ask John ‘Who are you?’ 

John immediately told them that he was not the Christ, nor a prophet.  “So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?”  It’s interesting that they weren’t really concerned with who John is but only needed an answer for the people who sent them. 

John said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’ “as Isaiah the prophet said.” 

Obviously, the leaders in Jerusalem weren’t satisfied with the answers they received from the priests and Levites because they sent some Pharisees who asked John “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 

So why are the leaders so upset that John is baptizing people in the Jordan River?  Because of the numbers of people who were going out to John to repent of their sin and be baptized.  And because John doesn’t fit the mold or image of a Priest. 

John fulfilled his mission in life and answered them pointing to Jesus, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 

We sometimes think that baptism is a Catholic or Christian rite.  But John Pilch tells us that “Baptism was rather common in antiquity even outside of Judaism.  The mystery cults of Isis, Mithras, and Eleusis contained baptismal rites.  In the Old Testament, Naaman was cleansed of his skin problem by bathing in the Jordan.”  

We baptize new converts at the Easter Vigil and our children throughout the year to mark them with the seal of the Holy Spirit.  And we baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  That is what separates us from the other baptisms. 

Granted, John was a little unusual.  He dressed differently from the other people and even more so from the other priests in Jerusalem.  When I look over at Father, he is not dressed in a camel hair cloak with a leather belt around his waist and sandals on his feet. 

But the people didn’t seek John out because of the way he was dressed.  They came because of the message that John preached; a message of repentance of their sins and baptism by water.  And you didn’t come to see how Father is dressed, you came to receive the presence of Jesus into your life through the Eucharist. 

There are two questions that we need to consider today.  Are we, the people of St Joseph Catholic Church in York PA, standing out as people who are doing something so great that others are flocking to join us?  Are we a beacon in this area that people will travel to see what we are doing to convert to our faith in Christ? 

And then, are we as individuals, living a life that has other people coming to us and asking us about our faith so we, like John, can point them to Jesus? 

The Gospel that Jesus taught was to love God with all our heart and to love others as much as we love ourselves.  That’s what makes us stand out from others.  When we receive the Holy Eucharist, we receive Jesus’ presence into our hearts and lives.  His love then flows through us to others.  Am I so filled with the joy of Jesus’ presence that it flows through me to everyone I meet? 

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20231203 Sunday Advent 1 B

We typically think of Advent as a time of waiting and preparation.  Waiting for the celebration of Christ coming to earth as one of us and preparation to receive him into our hearts and lives. 

Advent is also a time of Hope.  The Psalm response for today is “Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”  “Let us see your face and we shall be saved.” is a plea for God’s help in times of distress and chaos.  In spite of all the gloom and doom in the world today, there is still hope. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful!  Be alert!  Be watchful for what?  Be alert for what?  Is this to be a time of waiting, a time of preparation? 

Jesus continues with a parable to give us some insight to what he means.  The head of a household goes off on a trip.  Each person in the household is expected to perform their duties while the head of the household is gone.  The gatekeeper is told to watch for the return of the lord of the house.  That is the only way the gatekeeper can alert the rest of the household to be ready to welcome the return of the master. 

John Kavanaugh, a Jesuit professor of Philosophy at St Louis University, wrote: “The words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark may be read not only as a warning about the end times, but as a challenge for us to live in the present, to engage life now, to be attentive to the moment at hand.  It is the call of Advent itself.  Be awake.  Do not put off the opening of your life to God.” 

The words in the Gospel of Mark could be taken as a time of waiting for the Second Coming of Christ.  But Fr Kavanaugh is saying that these words should be a call to action right now; “Open our hearts to God and follow him.” 

Opening our hearts is difficult for us to do.  Seeking God’s will in the chaos of life gets lost in the busyness of living; trying to get a promotion at work, shuttling the children to gymnastics, soccer, music lessons and Religious Ed.  It never seems to end. 

In all of this “Living” we often begin to feel despair and that nothing matters.  We begin to feel worthless as though we are just going through the motions without any real purpose in life. 

God feels that we are worth a lot to him.  But do we feel that we have worth?  Have the criticisms from others chipped away at us that we feel as though we are only going through the motions, that no one really cares let alone appreciates what we do? 

With all the frenzy of Christmas and the demands of preparing and organizing dinners, parties and get togethers, it’s easy to feel that we don’t matter, that we just have tasks to do and that no one cares.  We begin to feel worthless to the world around us. 

I stopped in Cleveland and had dinner with Fr Dave on my way home from Seattle last month.  Fr Dave talked about his prison ministry and explained how he tries to help everyone know that they have worth.  In today’s world with all the darkness and chaos it’s hard for a person to feel that they have worth, that they are valuable to someone. 

This can easily happen to us.  Our society demands that we conform to the concepts that are put before us or we are an outcast.  If we hold to our Catholic faith, it can cost us a promotion at work, award of a scholarship or inclusion in the groups at school and even within our church. 

Each of us are made in God’s image.  God loves us as the unique individual that we are with all of our quirks, idiosyncrasies, faults and even our sins.  God loves us so much that even in our sinfulness and tuning away from his love for us, he sent his Son to bring his love, mercy, and forgiveness to each of us by dying on the cross to provide for our salvation. 

The first trope of the Kyrie today “you came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father” is the mission of the church.  Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.  It’s impossible to love others if we don’t love and respect ourselves. 

God’s mercy and forgiveness is there for everyone, even me.  We don’t do anything to obtain it and we can’t earn it, it’s a gift from God.  We know that we are unworthy of God’s love in our sinfulness yet if we open our lives and hearts God will fill us with his love and his mercy and he will forgive us our sins. 

We live in chaotic times, and we are so busy that it seems impossible to slow down.  Slowing down is extremely difficult to do any time of the year and especially as we approach Christmas.  The result is that we fail to open our hearts to receive God’s love to enable us to share his love with everyone we meet. 

If we heed the words of Fr Kavanaugh, we begin to open our lives and hearts to God so his love, mercy and forgiveness can begin to heal us and give us a feeling of worth.  This is the Hope of Advent! 

Do I feel as though I am just taking care of everyone else, or do I feel that I have worth as a child of God?  Am I so busy with all the demands of living that I don’t even have time to pray?  

Jesus tells us to watch and be alert for his return.  We typically think of this as his second coming at some point in the future and neglect to open our hearts now.  Lord Jesus, help us to open our hearts now so we can help everyone to have a sense of worth in a world that doesn’t to care for the outcast and marginalized of society. 

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20231020 Susi’s Quinceañera

Today we welcome everyone to celebrate Susi’s quinceañera.  Some of you may be unfamiliar with a quinceañera.  The quinceañera is a traditional celebration of life and gratitude to God on the fifteenth birthday of a young Hispanic woman.  The quinceañera emphasizes her passage from childhood to adulthood.  The rite is frequently celebrated in several countries in the Americas, including Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. 

It is the Hispanic women who pass down the faith and prepare the home.  The women prepare the altar in the home and teach the children their prayers and the teachings in the Bible.  The Abuelita, the elderly grandmother, who cares for the children and prays for the family is an important person in formation of a child’s faith. 

The quinceañera is a way for the parents to thank God for the blessing of their daughter’s life and to seek God’s blessing and guidance as she enters adulthood.  It is more than becoming fifteen, it is a sign that the young woman has become mature enough to make decisions on her own and to take on additional responsibility. 

She makes a commitment to God and the Blessed Virgin to live out the rest of her life according to the teachings of Christ and the Church.  The choice by a young Hispanic woman to celebrate her fifteenth birthday in the Church signifies her dedication to God and to be a witness to the world around her. 

The Virgin Mary is a model for all of us but especially for women of every class, age, and culture.  Mary and Joseph were devout Jews and worshiped in the Temple according to the customs of their faith.  God is at the center of their lives and we see this as the story of Christ’s birth is revealed to us in New Testament Gospels. 

We frequently forget that Jesus was a Jew.  He was raised in his faith and throughout his life he practiced his faith.  Maria and Leo have been examples and teachers of the faith with Susi just Mary and Joseph were with Jesus. 

Mary was a person who was completely dedicated to God.  When the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of God, he said “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” indicating that her dedication to God was known by God. 

The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that God has chosen her for a special mission; that she, a virgin, is to be the mother of the Son of God.  Mary ponders about this and asks, “How could this be since I’ve had no relations with a man?”  Even though Mary wonders about the message of the Angel, she willingly accepts God’s will in her life.  Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word.”  Her trust was in God. 

Mary immediately goes into the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is six months pregnant in her old age, to help her with her delivery and care for her newborn son John.  Mary gave us the example of serving others in need of our help. 

Jesus is born in Bethlehem and all creation rejoices.  Mary keeps in her heart the stories that the Shepards tell of the birth of Christ. 

When Jesus was taken to the Temple to offer the sacrifice according to the Law, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 

Mary quietly ponders the meaning of “you yourself a sword will pierce”.  What an example of faith!  This happens throughout her life.  Mary ponders the meaning of Simeon’s words which are revealed in her Son’s Passion, crucifixion, and death on the cross. 

Mary was also a leader; she didn’t just quietly stand by and ponder things.  Mary nudged Jesus to begin his ministry.  At the wedding in Cana, Mary told Jesus that they ran out of wine.  This would be a terrific embarrassment to the family and Mary didn’t want that to happen.  She then told the servants to “Do whatever he says.”  Another great example of faith. 

Mary was also a leader in the early church.  After Jesus ascended into heaven, some women and Mary, the mother of Jesus went to the Upper Room to pray with the Apostles and others. 

Mary lived a life of dedication to God and to serving others.  Her faith was strong during the many trials and hardships of life; fleeing with Joseph to Egypt to protect her son, watching her son cruelly beaten and killed even though he had done nothing wrong, standing at the foot of his cross watching him die. 

But Mary also experienced great joy in her life.  She rejoiced at the resurrection of Jesus from the dead that is our Salvation, she rejoiced at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and those in the Upper ‘Room. 

Our Blessed Mother has appeared numerous times to people throughout the world asking us to pray.  Today we pray that she will intercede with her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for us and all people in the world and especially for Susi. 

Susi was born on the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.  What a wonderful day to be born.  Many people pray the rosary, not only Catholics, in devotion to the example Mary is for us today. 

Susi, let Mary be your guide in life, following her example of trust in God, meditation and prayer, service to others and leadership by example, living for Christ in the world today. 

Susi, join us as we pray together:

Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you. 
Blessed art you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. 
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

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20230813 Sunday Ordinary 19 A

Today’s readings give us two very different views of God.  We may wonder how Elijah’s experience of a small still voice and Peter’s experience of the storm could be so different and yet be God.

John Kavanaugh gives us some insight into the readings.  “Elijah, having been promised that he would find the Lord on the mountain, left the shelter of his cave. Sure enough, God showed up, but not in mighty gales or crashing rocks. The Lord was not even encountered in the earthquake or the fiery extravaganza. It was a tiny whispering voice that made Elijah cover his face in the presence of the Most High. Elijah was called in the quiet.

Peter and his companions, tossed about by waves and wind, saw the Lord as a ghost upon the water and were terrified.  The voice over the tumult said: “Get hold of yourselves!  It is I!  Do not be afraid!”  Peter heard the call to cross the raging waters. But daunted by the strength of the wind and his own frailty, he began to sink in fear.  Even so, despite his going under, Peter was called to faith in the midst of turmoil.” 

Life is not easy.  There is a lot of tumult in our lives.  The stress of everyday living is overwhelming at times.  We feel helpless from the blowing winds of stress and uncertainty, and it seems as though we are sinking into total despair.  Everything is crashing around us, and we look for God but can’t seem to find him. 

We often think that we must be on a retreat or somewhere special.  Peter felt this way at the Transfiguration.  He wanted to build three booths, one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Christ.  Indeed, it was a special experience; but then they came down off the mountain to everyday life. 

After the wind, the earthquake and the fire, Elijah found God in the whispering voice, and he covered his face with his mantle in the presence of God.  Peter found God in the raging wind and sea when he was drowning in his fear.  Jesus reached out and saved him. 

Today’s Gospel reminds me of a time when I was a child and experienced a similar event.  My family would go to Florida every summer.  Sometimes we went fishing on a charter boat out in the Gulf.  One time, a storm came up and the engine would not start because the battery was dead.  It took some time for the crew to take the battery from the fish finder and install it in the engine compartment.  The waves got high and without power the boat turned sideways so it was rocking violently from side to side.  Spray was blowing over the side of the boat. 

My grandfather was squatting in the doorway and said he had to look up to see the light outside the door on the opposite side of the boat and then look down on the light.  I was sitting on a bench inside the cabin next to my mother and laid my head on her lap. 

The waves were big, and the boat was really rocking.  I was scared but found comfort in my mother’s lap.  Peter was scared too.  I understand how Peter felt when he saw how powerful the wind and the waves were all around him. 

After the batteries were changed, the boat headed for port and the ride smoothed out and the waves didn’t matter any longer.  I fell asleep in my mother’s lap.  Peter cried out to Jesus for help and Jesus reached out and saved him.  When Jesus entered the boat, the waves and the wind stopped. 

When Peter walked on the water, he was in the depths of despair; he knew that he was going to drown in the sea.  When Peter asked Jesus for help, Jesus immediately reached out and saved him. 

We often think that Jesus is not in the storms of life, that he has totally abandoned us.  We feel that we are all alone without anyone who cares.  Peter found Jesus in the storm, and Jesus saved him from drowning in the sea of fear and despair. 

Jesus is there for us just like he was for Peter when we are in the depths of despair and have nowhere to turn or go. 

In Psalm 90, the Psalmist wrote a description of our life: “Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; Most of them are toil and sorrow; they pass quickly, and we are gone.” 

Most of our years are full of sorrow and tears.  We worry about our children who have left the church.  We worry about how we will live with so many businesses cutting back or closing.  What if we lose our job and are unable to support our family?  We worry about sickness, especially if a family member or close friend has a terminal illness. 

Elijah waited through all the tempest and horrors of the windstorm, the earthquake and the fire for God to appear.  We must wait too.  Calm our nerves and anxieties.  That’s not easy when we are suffering or full of pain.

The verse from the Alleluia states: “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word.”  Elijah waited for the Lord on the mountain and found him in the small whispering voice.  Peter waited for the Lord and found him in the storm when the Lord rescued him. 

It’s easy to be a Christian when we experience the highlights of our spiritual lives.  Peter was typical of us when he experienced the Transfiguration on the mountain.  But when they came down off the mountain and Jesus begins his travel to Jerusalem and his crucifixion it all changes.  In a very short time, Peter went from the ecstasy of the Transfiguration to denying that he even knew Jesus. 

Sound like your life?  It sounds like all our lives.  Even with the pain, suffering and tears in the storms of life, Jesus is there to immediately rescue us just like he did for Peter. 

When we like Peter say “Lord, save me” Jesus will immediately reach out and grasp our hand to lead us to safety. 

We only need to ask: “Lord save me.” 

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20230730 Sunday Ordinary 17 A

Today’s readings talk about treasure.  Solomon has the opportunity to ask for anything and God will give it to him.  Jesus tells the parable of buying an object of great value under dubious circumstances. 

In the first reading God appears to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”  What if you could ask God for anything and you would receive it?  What would you ask for? 

The Jesuit John Kavanaugh wrote: “Some prominent sages have written that the root desires of human existence are the pride of power, the accumulation of money, and the experience of pleasure.” 

He continues: “This opinion is not limited to ivory tower theoreticians; it’s expressed in the language of ordinary people when they appeal to the “real” motives lurking behind all human actions: “Looking out for Number One,” “We’re all out for a buck,” “Everybody’s on the make.”  

We have all heard and maybe even used expressions like these.  In our society, it’s all about climbing the corporate ladder, buying a bigger house or car, and having a good time. 

He wrote a summary that says: “The billions spent on advertising presume, quite successfully, that the foundations of all value and meaning are things, privilege, and self-indulgence.” 

We are a very privileged people and for the most part unaware of the many blessings God has given us.  We have freedoms, even though they are becoming more restrictive, than any other people in the world.  We have food, shelter, clothing, and luxuries that many people think is impossible to attain. 

In view of all these blessings, what would we ask for?  Power, wealth, health, a long life, world peace, climate change, what is it?  God was pleased that King Solomon did not ask for any of these things but for wisdom to lead his people.  He gave Solomon so much wisdom that none before him nor after him would  ever have such great wisdom. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of two people who find an item of great value and sell all that they have to obtain the items.  One has misguided intentions while the other has worthy intentions. 

John Pilch helps us to understand the culture of Jesus’ time.  “Burying valuable objects was a common practice in antiquity. Retrieving them was also common.  Forgetting about the treasure or dying without telling one’s heirs or before being able to retrieve it are possible explanations for the finding of treasure by those who don’t own it.  

Rabbinic lore is filled with debates concerning how to determine whether the finder had a right to the find or not.  The circumstances of Jesus’ parable suggest that this man did not. Why else would he hide it again?”  Jesus tells us that the man sold all that he has to buy the field. 

John Pilch provides further insight into the man’s situation.  “Worse, he now owns a field with a buried treasure which he dare not dig up because it will raise questions about ownership of the treasure, the morality of buying the field, and the character of this “lucky” (!?) finder.  (Recall that in a society like this one which believes that all goods are finite in quantity and already distributed, when someone suddenly has increased possessions, that increase must be explained.)” 

Even in our culture today, there would be some questions if someone were to suddenly become wealthy beyond their means.  “Did they receive an inheritance?”  “How did they get it?”  Are they doing something illegal?”  Let’s face it; the questions and remarks would be endless. 

Jesus continues the parable by saying: “the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets.  What is bad they throw away.  Thus it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” 

Then Jesus asked his disciples: “Do you understand all these things?”  They answered, “Yes.”  I sometimes wonder if the disciples really understood the full implication of what Jesus was teaching.  That question is important for us today. 

Do we understand that Jesus was always looking at the intentions of the heart?  Are we like the one who buried the treasure again and buys the field knowing we don’t really own the treasure?  Or are we like the merchant who buys the pearl of great price to rightfully own it?  Do we seek the kingdom of God for our salvation, or do we just want to fit in with those around us? 

Being a Christian was never easy.  In the early Roman Empire, Christians were persecuted and put to death.  It required real discipleship in those circumstances to remain true to our faith to the end.  If a person was like the one who bought the field for the treasure knowing it did not belong to them, it was easy to renounce the faith to preserve one’s life. 

It’s no different today.  We are silenced by our peers and society around us who shame us into submission.  We remain silent when we see injustice to others because speaking out will bring ridicule and possible backlash, being passed over for that promotion or left out of the “In Group”. 

In circumstances like this it is easy to become cynical and question our faith.  We can sometimes forget the love, mercy and forgiveness that God has for each of us. 

Solomon sought wisdom over a promotion, over power, over wealth, over health and over pleasure.  When we come to the end of our life and God looks at our lives will our intentions be honest and worthy of reward or will we be cast into the fiery furnace? 

What is my treasure?  Is God pleased with what I seek? 

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