Spiritual Orphans
April 27, 2008
The Catholic Church in America and all the people of the United States have gone through a week of re-evangelization and spiritual renewal as Pope Benedict XVI came for his visit to America. It seems clear to me that the Holy Spirit through our Holy Father had brought an urgent message for us.
That word was given when Raymond Orroyo, the News Director for EWTN, the Catholic Global Television Network interviewed President Bush before the Pope’s visit the Pope’s visit. Raymond asked President Bush: Is the Pope bringing a urgent message from God to us? Bush replied: Yes the Pope is bringing an urgent message from God to us.
That was certainly evident through out the six days the Holy Father spent talking to every group of people in our Church and Nation. Catholics believe the Pope is the Vicar of Christ in the Church. God is speaking to us through our Holy Father. Pope Benedict is the successor of Peter. The New Testament states how the Holy Spirit was speaking and acting through Peter and His successors in the Church.
So the Pope first had a private audience with President Bush. We don’t know what the Pope said in their hour talk in the Oval Office. Then the His Holiness spoke to the Cardinals in the Catholic Church. Cardinals are the close advisors to the Pope. That discussion was not open to the news media.
His Holiness had a meeting with the Bishops. Here the Pope strengthens them in their responsibility as shepherds of their dioceses. The Pope said he was ashamed of the sex scandal. He met with several victims and prayed and listened to their pain. He prayed that the healing grace will close the deep wounds inflicted on you.
Priests were also given a message. The priesthood is the greatest gift given to us. God has chosen you to go forth and give the Gospel of Jesus Christ to His people.
Presidents of our Catholic Colleges and Universities were also given a message. He told them that our Catholic Faith has been handed down to you. Jesus is the Way, The Truth and the Life. These truths need to be given to the young students coming to learn the truths and practice it. Christ is out Hope.
His Holiness was invited to speak to the United Nations in New York. He was received with great enthusiasm for his message to this world body.
Our Holy Father asked to speak to the Jewish Leaders in New York. Then he met with the religious leaders of the Hindus, Muslins and other non Christians.
The Laity were not left out. His Holiness celebrated Mass for them at the National Stadium in Washington D. C. and the New Yankee Stadium in New York. These two Masses were filled with all the splendor and devotion giving praise and thanksgiving to God the Father.
Our Holy Father met with the seminarians at Yonkers New York. He strengthens them and encouraged them in accepting the call to the Priesthood. God has chosen you to bring the Good News to those God has sent to you.
One of the most touching moments in the Pope’s visit came
when he personally talked and blessed fifty disabled and
handicapped children. The deaf choir sang with their hands
and their voices. That was fantastic. Twenty thousand
young people came to meet the Pope. This was so great to
see these young people take to the Pope. They screamed ‘
Benedicto”. Pope said you are the hope of the church.
The Holy Father went to ‘Ground Zero”. Here he prayed and blessed the site and met with several of the survivals of this terrible disaster.
I think you can see the hand of God in meeting with all these groups both Catholic and Non Catholic. It seemed that the Pope showed a great love for our Country. All the government leaders both in this country and the world were opened to that word that he had for them. A large crowd came to say ‘farewell to the Holy Father as He boarded the plane named ‘Shepherd 1.
The Pope spoke His last words to us loud and clear: “God Bless America”.
Raymond Arroyo, Father John Neahaus and Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus tried to wrap up this spectacular visit of Pope Benedict XVI. His Holiness spoke to all these groups of people and had a message for everyone.
They were completely amazed and overwhelmed at the way the Pope spoke to all those ‘hot button’ issues in our nation and the world. There is no doubt that God has been speaking to us through Pope Benedict XVI.
Now it up to us to act upon what God is urging us to do. Are we going to hear what the Lord is telling us and then go about business as usual?
No, the cardinals, Bishops, Priests, University Presidents, UN world leaders, seminarians and lay people have to change. Then Pope is asking us to put Christ in the center of our lives. Live the Gospel. Pray and build up marriage and family life. Defend and protect life from conception to natural death. Every person is sacred, defend human rights. Truth is one and absolute.
These are hot button issues that we must deal with. Christ is our hope. Without Him we can do nothing. If you keep my commandments, you will have my joy and my joy will be complete. God Bless America.
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Who is Father Edgar Schaefer?
I grew up on a farm in Heron Lake Minnesota. There were 4 girls and two boys in our family. Parents sent us to Catholic Grade Schools. We attended both Catholic and public high schools.
When world war came I enlisted in Navy Air Force. Navy sent me to various schools to learn and use radio and radar equipment.
After war, I began studying for the priesthood at St Mary’s College and St. Paul Seminary - Ordained priest June 6, 1954.
I served the Winona Diocese in Minnesota for 45 years. At age 75, I retired and came to Sun City where my brother and sisters lived.
On June 6, 2008, I will celebrate my 55 years in priesthood. I loved the priesthood.
Began sending My homilies have been aired on Radio Family Rosary on KXXT. Now I was invited to be share my priesthood with others by putting my homilies on this website.
Homily
April 26, 2008, Spiritual Orphans
May 4, 2008, Good Witness
May 11, 2008, New Pentecost
May 18, 2008, Real Mystery
May 25, 2008, Corpus Christi
June 1, 2008, Successful Life
June 8, 2008, Wounded Healer
June 15, 2008, Gift of God
June 22, 2008, Be not Afraid
June 29, 2008, Star Witness
July 13, 2008, Planting Seeds
July 27, 2008, Hidden Treasure
August 3, 2008, God's Economy
GOOD WITNESS
May 5, 2008
I don’t know if any of you have been involved in a courtroom proceeding in which you are being called as a witness in a case that is being brought to trial. Think on that for a moment. If you were, would you make a good witness? Its amazing that our court system depends so heavily on the testimony of witnesses.
Its also amazing to me that Christ entrusted his Gospel to witnesses. Some of them were not very reliable.
You can see why Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to guide and protest all those truths that He gave to them.
After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to His disciples over a forty-day period before His ascension. During that time He taught them about the Kingdom of God. He left them with final instructions. “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit which you heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then He gives them a promise and purpose: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth”.
Jesus was entrusting everything. He had lived and died for to these disciples and those followers of His yet to be born. Their assignment was to His witnesses to out and preach the Gospel and be living witnesses to His life. These disciples who saw, lived, and heard Christ in their own life; are now to share that experience with others.
That’s a tremendous undertaking. Jesus said to believe in Him and the works that He has done; and you will be able to do these works and even greater works after I have gone to the Father and the Holy Spirit has been given to you. So the right question to ask: Where these disciples gifted with the Holy Spirit good witnesses?
The Acts of the Apostles gives us the answer. After the Holy Spirit came down on them on Pentecost; Peter and the Apostles left that upper room , they began to preach the Gospel and live like Jesus lived. Peter alone stated: Believe and be baptized. He baptized 3000 people that day.
Soon the Jewish Religious leaders saw what was going on. They arrested them, put them in prison, beat and tortured them; to try to get them to stop this teaching. But they said we must obey God rather than man.
Persecution began in Jerusalem; so they fled to other cities. Peter made his headquarters in Rome where he was crucified--head down.
But they appointed successors to continue on their Mission that Jesus had given them. Even Roman emperors tried to wipe out the Christian Faith by making the Catholic Faith illegal and anyone caught practicing the Faith were put to death.
An early Fathers of the Church was quoted as saying: “the blood of martyrs is the seeds of Faith”.
Finally The Emperor Constantine issued a decree that made the Catholic Faith the law of the land. He converted and his mother Helena was baptized in the Faith.
Now new missionary communities were established and were sent to all of Europe, the Far East, Africa and North and South America.
They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to go out and spread the Gospel. That was the last command Jesus gave them before He ascended into Heaven. “Go out to all the world, preach the Gospel and baptized them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Behold I am with you to the end of the world”.
Many groups of immigrants came to America to flee persecution and wars. My grandmother and father were just one of many who came to America and made their home. They had the Faith and lived it even under some most severe hostile forces. Anti-Catholicism was common. Church and schools were burned. I can remember growing up with anti-Catholic slogans and bitter feelings in our small community of Heron Lake. They build a Catholic School where I received my grade school education.
That brings us to the present time. Are you a good witness for Jesus? You have been given the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was purely a gift of God. What have you done with this gift that God has given to you?
Are you a good and live witness to the Catholic Faith?
Credibility is everything in today’s society. We are tired of people who say one thing and do something else.
In today’s society a credible and authentic witness is important. Our young people are searching for the truth. Many of our young people have been exposed to frauds.
A good Catholic witness must be committed to the Faith. We are all guilty here. Some of us are silent witness for Christ. We don’t wear our religion on our sleeve. The only problem with that; we are followers of Christ. We are either for or against Christ. We can’t kid outself.
So how good a witness are you?
Live credibly as a disciple of Christ. Be a person who cares. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that the world will know that you are a follower of Christ. Jesus said: “You will be my witness in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the world. Then you will know the joy that no one will take away from you.
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NEW PENTECOST
May 12, 2008
Moms and Dads usually are ready to hear some fantastic ideas or news coming out of the mouths of their kids.
My Mom and Dad were not ready to hear the startling revelations that came from me when the mail man delivered a letter from Bishop Leo Binz.
When I was confirmed, Bishop Kelly told my pastor, Father Boecker, to ask me if I would like being a priest since I gave him all the answers to questions in the catechism. I never told this to my Mom and Dad.
When I read the letter to them stating that I was accepted to begin my studies for the priesthood; they were surprised to say the least. My brother and I would play saying Mass. We were both Mass servers. But it never entered my parent’s mind that I would consider studying for the priest.
I was discharged from the Navy Air Force after serving four years during World War II. I planned to go to college and study radio and computer technology. I was dating a nice girl they liked. So they had dreams of a marriage for me. Now all their hopes and dreams collapsed when I announced that I would like to study for the priesthood.
It’s sort of like what happened on the first Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came upon Mary the disciples, they started to act so strange that some accused them of being drunk or of being out of their mind.
Even more peculiar the disciples began to speak in different languages. These uneducated Galileans were babbling sounds not in their native language but in tongues that strangers from far off places recognized as their own language.
Suddenly there came a noise like a strong driving wind where they were seated. There appeared parted tongues of fire which came to
rest on each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit.
The power of God was on display in a dramatic way.
Peter preached to thousands of people. They accepted
the Gospel and were baptized and joined the church.
Peter baptized 3000 in one day.
What followed was an exciting display of God’s power.
People joined together and prayed. Some were healed.
They shared their wealth with the poor.
They proclaimed the Gospel in spite of persecution.
The Church grew strong because the Holy Spirit
was at work.
The second Pentecost occurred. Paul began to preach
the Gospel to the Gentiles. The same thing happened when Paul ventured out in his missionary journey. The Gospel was preached, the Holy Spirit was released, people were converted and churches were built.
Pentecost is not simply a commemoration of past events. It’s a proclamation of the gospel preached, the power of the Holy Spirit is released and the lives of people are changed.
Pope John Paul stated that in the year 2000 a new Pentecost and new outpouring of the Holy Spirit is taking place. This new Pentecost is happening right now. How?
I was watching EWTN last Wednesday. Father Mitch Pacwa has a live talk show. Father had Robert Rodroguez of “Media Missionaries” on his show. He began with the EWTN Media Missionaries. The Media has a great influence on us. Most people watch TV five to six hours a day.
Mother Angelica built a Global Catholic Television Network. She also built a radio station. Both broadcast 24 hours a day. You can also pick up EWTN on the Internet and Serius Satellite.
EWTN is the vehicle bringing good, orthodox Catholic teaching to the whole world.
Everyone can get involved in the Media Missionary evangelization. It takes only ten minutes a week of your time. What you do is watch the programs on EWTN, record them and share them with others.
Here is a good example of how this network is touching people. A mother of five little kids was alone after her husband committed suicide. How is she going to raise these five kids alone in Orlando Florida?
She also had thoughts of suicide. When she just happened to browse the networks on TV and came across EWTN. She tuned in and heard very encouraging words of Hope. She heard how Jesus loves her. Now she listens to EWTN and has joined the Media Missionaries of EWTN.
Now these days when fuel is so high and prices soaring; many families need hope that Jesus loves them and cares for them. I’m sure, if St. Paul was living today and going on his missionary journey; he would be using the latest in technology to preach the Word to the whole world.
Even the homebound and those in homes that care for the sick and retired can belong to EWTN Media Missionaries and find their life useful by offering up their suffering for the success of this new Pentecost. EWTN Media Missionary has grown from 70 to 10,000 members.
Mothers who are under severe hardship in raising their families; can find great blessing and grace from the Holy Spirit. Our Blessed Mother is the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Use her power of intercession to bring the New Pentecost in your life. This is their telephone number: 205 795 5771. Please call them and share in the joys of the Holy Spirit or click here to go to the site.
REAL MYSTERY
May 18, 2008
God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son.
How often we have made the sign of the cross as we come into church or leave church without invoking and really being aware of saying the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The sign of the cross is the renewal of our baptismal vows made in baptism made by our sponsors if we were an infant, or by yourself if made at Confirmation. Water was poured over us and the priest said “I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. In that one sacred rite, the Church makes us Christians by calling upon the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. From that time on we have a definitive mark of a Christian and we believe in the Blessed Trinity.
As we grow older we find that disappointing. It seems so remote from our life, so hard to understand. This one simple formula expresses our Faith. There should be something attractive and exciting in our lives—that becomes apparent. God is revealing a great mystery to us. St. John’s Gospel tells us that God has given us the Holy Spirit, as our Advocate and comforter to teach and guide us into this great mystery in our hearts.
The Holy Spirit takes what he hears from the Father and the Son and reveals it to us in a personal life-giving way. This is not just a passing on of information. The Holy Spirit knows how to reach into our hearts in such a way as to bring us into an experience of the Trinity. This revelation lifts our hearts, fills us with joy, and give us confidence that we are God’s children.
How does the Holy Spirit touch our hearts with those Grace and gifts? St. Paul in Romans 8:26, shows us “The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; so the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in speech. God the Father knows what the Spirit means. The Spirit intercedes for us as God Himself wills”.
In all the Sacraments, God has given us all the Graces, virtues and gifts that we need to experience God’s love. God lifts up our hearts and gives us the Faith, and confidence, and trust that He loves us and we are his children.
The Holy Spirit has given and has shown us that God gave and He gave and He gives us some more. In fact He gave everything so that we could be with Him. That’s how much He loves us.
In the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals to us how much He loves us. The Son of God became man in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He became like us in every way except sin. Jesus began His public life and taught us how to live the fullest life in this life so that we could enjoy the everlasting life with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus showed us that God is love and He has implanted this love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Love then our being and essence. We are nobody till someone loves us. When we love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves, we are fulfilling all our hopes and dreams. Jesus gave us on the night before He died the Holy Eucharist under the forms of bread and wine.
It all began with Mary. God asked Mary to say yes to let God become flesh in her womb. Mary said yes. “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let be done unto me according to your word”. When we receive Holy Communion, we say “Yes” to God in our life. We receive the Body and Blood, soul and divinity of Jesus in our hearts. God becomes a living person in our hearts. Jesus became man so that we could become like God. It’s like pouring melted wax into melted wax. We take on the likeness of Jesus. We think, and act like Jesus.
So when we come up to receive Holy Communion, the priest says: “The Body of Christ, and The Blood of Christ,” and we say “Amen”. That Amen is our yes to let Jesus come into our hearts and live there. The only thing that prevents us from having Jesus come into our hearts would be sin especially serious sin. We need to go to Confession before we are worthy to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
When we receive Holy Communion; it’s not God doing everything and we let it happen. In receiving Holy Communion we enter into the life of Jesus. We become part of His life. When we receive Holy Communion we receive not only Jesus but also the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said I am the living bread that has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever.
We will not know the mystery of the Holy Trinity; but we will come to enjoy the experience of the love in our heart. Jesus has given us everything. Jesus has given us His own Mother from the Cross. Mary is the spouse of the Holy Spirit because Mary became pregnant by the Grace of the Holy Spirit. So go to Mary and ask her to take you to Jesus. She will show you how to enjoy the love of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
So at Mass today on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity; ask for a deeper revelation of the love that gave everything so that we could be with Him. God will fill you with His divine life and give you a deeper taste of His Love.
CORPUS CHRISTI
May 25, 2008
I think that your life will be different after you read this homily on the Holy Eucharist. Your attitude and your adoration will change the next time you go to Mass and receive Holy Communion.
Why am I saying this? Pope John Paul stated in his encyclical on The Eucharist and the Church that he is setting for a plan for the church for the next 1000 year. His Holiness said that he will re-discover and re-kindle the truths on the Eucharist that has been proclaimed by the Church for over 2000 years. The Pope goes on to say that this awesome mystery of the Holy Eucharist needs to once again burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
I was talking with my nephew who stop going to church. He grew up as a cradle Catholic. He was a Mass server and he attended Catholic grade and high schools. He admits that maybe the priests didn’t preach on the Holy Eucharist or I wasn’t listening. I didn’t get anything out of going to Mass and receiving Holy Communion.
Then I began to tell him about this awesome mystery in the Catholic Church. Jesus wanted us to really live the Passion, Death and Resurrection in our life. It is not a mystery that merely took place 2000 years ago. Jesus wants you to experience what Jesus did for each one of us. Jesus had you in mind as He endured that intense suffering and death on the cross and then rose from the death on the third day. He had you and me in mind. All our sins and rebelling.... He nailed them all to the cross.
Then He established a plan that we could experience this love of God the Father Son and Holy Spirit every time we come to Mass and receive Holy Communion. Jesus stated. "I am the living Bread come down from heaven; and everyone who eats this Bread will live forever. ... this Bread is my Flesh for the life of the world." Jesus is talking about life; our life--daily life. We draw life from the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is the center of our life.
Jesus knew how hard it would be to live a good life. He knows our temptations and struggles. Jesus was one like us in every way except sin. He experience all our temptations with Satan in the desert. So He figured out a way He could stay with us as we journey through our life.
Scott Hahn wrote a book the Lamb’s Supper. Scott was formerly a Presbyterian minister and very anti-Catholic. Scott came to know the teachings of the Catholic Church through prayer and study of the early fathers following the apostles. He became convinced of these teachings and became Catholic. In his book the Lamb’s Supper; he states that we go the heaven every time we go to Mass. He traced that teaching from the time of the apostles, down through the centuries of the church. Vatican II used the same words as well as Pope John Paul II.
The Holy Eucharist is the summit and source of life in the Church. Pope John Paul II states the church draws all its spiritual wealth from the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is the living person of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. He is one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus made this possible in the Upper Room the night before He died. It was the Jewish Passover Feast. Instead of sacrificing a lamb; Jesus became the Lamb of God. He became the victim offered in sacrifice to the Father. Jesus became the priest offering Himself to the Father to satisfy diving justice for our sins.
Then Jesus ordained the twelve apostles and empowered them to do this in His memory. Jesus then went to complete what He had done in the upper room. He died on the cross. Jesus then told the apostles to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then you will be able to do what I have done at the Last Supper and on Calvary.
Jesus instituted the priesthood at the last supper. This is an extraordinary gift of God to continue in the person of Christ. So the ordained priest only says the words and action of changing bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Christ is changing the bread and wine into His Body and Blood. The priest is empowered to say the words. He speaks only in the person of Christ. “This is my Body, This is the Chalice of my Blood”.
The early Church came to know the Holy Eucharist as the “Breaking of the Bread”. We know this as the Sacrifice of the Mass. The Holy Eucharist is the most precious possession of the Church. We are united with Jesus and all the angels and saints in celebrating this sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Revelation 5 gives us the scene in heaven as we celebrate Mass on this earth.
Jesus said that He did not want to leave us orphans. He promised to be with us until the end of time. So He made it possible to be present in our tabernacles for us to come and spend time with Him. Jesus invites us: come to me all you that labor and I will give you rest." "Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest to your souls.
I have found great comfort in spending an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Our Churches have the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him. I need that hour with Jesus everyday to get started on my day. Also, Jesus has given His mother to us. She is our Eucharistic Mother. I go to Mary and she takes me to Jesus. That’s the easiest, shortest and most reliable way to Jesus our Savior and Lord.
I live on the Holy Eucharist. Jesus is center of my life on my life’s journey. I hope this homily will change your whole attitude on going to Mass and receiving Holy Communion.
SUCCESSFUL LIFE
June 1, 2008
There is nothing worth having that comes too easily.
How about building a successful marriage? Does that come easy? There’s a lot of self giving.
How about building a healthy body? That takes time, effort, and suffering.
How about building a successful life? Where would you look for guidance and advice? I would like to give you the words of wisdom from God the Creator. Jesus said: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who build his house on the rock. The rains came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock."
The teachings of Jesus Christ are the foundation for a full and meaningful and successful life. Jesus tells us to love God, love your neighbor. Be able to forgive, and accept others, practice humility and peace. It’s a total package. There are many people who find this life to strict and are drawn to other ways of life. But Christ’s way cannot be improved upon.
I was reading a story told by Dr. Milton Erickson, a well-known and well-respected psychiatrist. Dr. Erickson was asked to counsel an elderly woman who was quite depressed. Erickson went to her home. During the visit Erickson noticed three well cared-for African violets. Each was a different color and next to them was an empty pot in which this woman was going to start another plant. This lady had a great talent for growing flowers.
Erickson wanted to prescribe something for her feelings of depression. So Dr. Milton made her commit to an agreement to fill his prescription. She agreed.
Dr. Milton said: “Depression is not your problem. Your problem is that you aren’t living a meaningful and satisfying Christian life. The woman was startled and went on the defensive. “What do you mean? I attend church weekly, pray daily and keep the commandments. "
Then Dr. Milton pointed out her great talent for growing African violets. It was a gift she was keeping to herself. He told her to purchase more pots and grow more of these beautiful plants. When she had an adequate supply, he asked her to put an African violet in each of these pots and give one of these violets to the mother of every baby born to a member of her parish. Then she was to give one to every member of her church who was hospitalized.
After Dr. Milton left she began to think about what he had said. She decided to give it a try. She took the African violets to a friend who had recently lost her husband. Then another to a family who just had a new baby. Soon this was a regular part of her life.
About ten years later, an article appeared in the local paper. It titled: “African Violet Queen dies—mourned by thousands. Evidently by living our her Christian faith and sharing her talent for growing African violets with others; this woman discovered a meaningful and satisfying life.
Our Catholic Faith is all about giving ourself away. Jesus gave us that example. He humbled Himself even to the death of the cross. But Jesus didn’t stop there. He gave Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist in which He becomes present to us under the forms of bread and wine.
Yet, that was still not enough. He gave His mother to us on the cross before he died. What more could Jesus have given to us that He has not given? He gave all. Mary also followed her Son’s example. When she was asked to become the mother of God; she said ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your Word."
When she was also told by the Archangel Gabriel that her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant, Mary left immediately to be with her cousin in her need and stayed until the child was born.
So when we look at "Love" the right way; we have to see the way God looks at it. Love has only one meaning-self giving sacrifice. Doing something for someone else even when we don’t want to, even when every fiber of our being tells us not to, is the true definition of love.
It's no wonder that Christ said the greatest act of love is to sacrifice your life for a friend. It all comes down to giving yourself away.
How does that play out in married life.
My sister is in a group home where they take care of dementia patients and others who need constant care. There is a man there who is bed ridden. He has to be fed, bathed, and given all the personal care that he needs to live. I see his wife come there everyday and stays with him through most of the day. I marvel at the devotion and commitment she has to her husband. She made that commitment when she said in sickness and in health unto death do us part. She has kept that commitment. That’s real self-giving love to her husband. I find that as an example of such a great witness; that I find it easy to come to take care of my sister and be there for her.
When we are young and healthy there are no limits to the kind of interesting people God can send your way. After all there are millions of people around the world whose rights are trampled upon. Right now in our own country the dignity of human life is under fierce attack by abortion.
Fulfilling your God given obligation to your family comes first, but that aside there are times when we can get involved to reach out to those in need. Many people are discovering the words of Jesus are true. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and put them into practice is like a wise man who build his house on the rock."
Have you discovered the truth of Christ’s words for your life. You too can enjoy the fullness of life that Jesus offers us. Go for it.
54th ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY
June 6, 1954
The date was June 6th, 1954 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, Minnesota. The date when my whole life was changed.
This is my story. I was born in a small town in Heron Lake Minnesota. Mom and Dad had six kids-two boys and 4 girls. We were raised in a farm.
My parents sent us to Catholic Grade school. I graduated from high school as an average student. I remember the superintendent call all the graduates in to suggest what we should do now. He suggested that I go back home and become a dirt farmer. That was the last thing in wanted to do.
I got a job working in a plant making phonographs for 35cents/hour as a flunky.
I always loved airplanes and flying, radio so I went to night school and took a course in fundamentals of radio. Pearl Harbor and WW II came. I enlisted in Navy Air Force. Since I had some education in radio, the Navy sent me to several radio and radar schools to service Radio and Radar equipment on carrier-based planes.
After the war I didn’t know what to do. So I entered college in electrical engineering. That didn’t satisfy me.
Then came the turning point in my life...
When I was in the 7th. Grade. I was Confirmed. A strange episode happened. The Notre Dame Sister practiced exactly where to sit in the church. On the day of Confirmation, Bishop Kelly asked that the first person in the first five pews of the center aisle should come up to the Communion rail. The Bishop and several priests were seated along the communion rail. BishopKelly quizzed each student on the Balitmore Catechism. When my turn came he asked me several questions. I knew all the answers perfectly.
So after Mass Bishop Kelly asked Father Boecker, the pastor, who is this boy that knew the catechism so well? Father said, Edgar Schaefer. Bishop Kelly said to Father Boecker he would make a good priest. So the next morning I came to serve Mass. Father Boecker said Bishop Kelly talked about you. He though you would make a good priest.
I never told that my Mom and Dad. I wasn’t a bright student in school.
After one year at St. Mary’s College I was undecided what to do. I didn’t like electrical engineering. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Remember what Bishop Kelly said; you "would make a good priest." It took a direct intervention of the Holy Spirit to get in the priesthood.
I was ordained June 6th. 1954. They ordained 14 men that day.
I have had some great assignments. The Bishop sent me to school for a year in clinical training which I hated, but it turned out to be a blessing; for it taught me a lot about myself.
I love the priesthood. I gradually learned that I will not be a happy priest unless I develop a personal relationship with Jesus. I always had a devotion to the Blessed Mother and the rosary. She has brought me through many a crisis in my life in the Navy and the priesthood. I took this motto: "Mary will take me to your Son Jesus." She has done that in my priesthood.
I want to thank sister Maggie for being here. My other sister Margie was unable to be here. I wish to thank my nephews and nieces. They have been good and a great support to me. I want to thank my brother priests together with Deacon Jim From LAFB, who were kind enough to be here to celebrate with me. I want to thank Father John for giving me this Mass to celebrate my anniversary and reception in the Hall. I want to thank Father Jerry Conway. He is the only priest here from my diocese of Winona. I wish to thank Father Ryan. He has been great support to me after my brother died. He is my confessor and spiritual director. There are many good lay men and women that were a great support and encouragement to me. Many are here today to celebrate this anniversary.
On July 7th. St. Paul Seminary invited us to the seminary for our class reunion. There are only 17 of us left from a class of 72. I close to celebrate this anniversary. Not for me. It’s the priesthood that I want to celebrate.
Join me now in celebrating Mass and giving thanks to God for the greatest gift that God could ever give to me. I pray that God will give me the joy to celebrate with Jesus and with my parents, brother, and four sisters, and all the angels and saints in the kingdom of heaven.
WOUNDED HEALER
June 8, 2008
We all want that peace and freedom of mind and heart that comes from confession of our sinfulness. All of us are aware that we have been wounded because of the sin of Adam and Eve. The world, flesh and the devil are tempting us to wrong doing. The weakness of human nature causes us to give in to these temptations.
In the gospel it describes Mary Magdalene as freed from seven demons. Jesus freed her from these demons. We want to be freed from the roots of those seven capital sins.
Also in the old testament 2nd Kings, there is the beautiful story of the leper, Naaman, who bathed seven times in the Jordan and was totally clean. His flesh became like a newborn child.
In the book of Revelation, the 12th Chapter, St. John the Apostle describes the dragon—the devil as having seven heads. This is one way to look upon these seven heads as seven capital sins. The dragon is angry at the woman Mary, and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring and those who keep God’s commandments and give witness of Jesus.
Now the woman’s offspring is us. We are trying to keep God’s commandments and give witness to Jesus. So the devil is off to wage war upon us. We are God’s beloved children by baptism. We believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We are created to love; for God is love. The seven capital sins separate us from the love of God and our neighbor. This is what we want to be freed from—those demons which are the roots of the seven capital sins. We want to bathe seven times in the Living Waters of the seven Sacraments that will take us into the Kingdom of Heaven and intimacy with God.
Have you ever felt the desire to enjoy this cleansing and experience the peace and love of Jesus Christ? Do you wish you had the chance to meet Jesus just as Mary Magdalene, Peter and all the others?
Wouldn’t it marvelous to actually hear Jesus and experience His touch? Think of the woman caught in adultery and Jesus told her, neither do I condemn you. Or imagine hearing those comforting words: Go in peace.
But God didn’t leave us alone. We all have the same opportunity to know His mercy and personal intimacy in the Sacrament of Confession. It’s no secret that the Sacrament of Confession has fallen on hard times recently. Some have attributed that to the lost of sense of sin. Dr Menninger of the Menninger Clinic, a clinical Psychiatrists, wrote a book: What has happened to sin?
In Confession Jesus is also looking on us with compassion and mercy. It is Jesus who tells us that our sins are forgiven and that we can go in peace. When a priest hears Confession he is acting in the person of Christ just as he does when he is celebrating Mass. He acts on the same intimate level. He becomes the voice of Christ as he absolves us of sins. It is as if we have entered into the gate of heaven and are face-to-face with Jesus Himself.
The Sacrament of Confession stands behind the Seal of Confession so no priest is ever allowed to reveal what anyone has confessed to him. Jesus tells in the Holy Scriptures that God removes our sins from us as far as the East is from the West. Many saints have described God’s mercy as our sins are cast into this ocean and never seen or heard again. We often hear the phrase the celebration of this sacrament as Holy Eucharist and Baptism and others.
When we go into confession—burdened with guilt, hesitant and embarrassed, we should never have to leave the same way. Confession should be a conversion experience. A time we move from darkness to light, from guilt to freedom.
Every time we come face to face with Jesus in confession, He takes away our sins, lifts our burdens and assures us of a deep and joyful love. Come to me, he invites us, and I will give you rest. I hear the witness of many women who have had abortions and suffered and now publicly regret they have had an abortion. They now experience the mercy and love of Jesus again and are restored to that peace of mind.
So don’t let your sins or failings hold you back. Instead come to the Lord and lay them at His feet. Let Him strengthen and refresh you. Let Him draw you into the embrace of love of God. That’s how the celebration begins. All heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. Just as the father of the prodigal son called for a feast when his boy returned home. Just as Jesus told those who came to Him, He wants to tell you, Go in Peace.
I go to confession about once or twice a month. I go always to the same priest so he gets to know me and can give me advice on how to grow in the fullness of grace in confession. I use the seven capital sins in making my examination of conscience.
St. John the apostle tells us that perfect love overcomes all fear. The root of fear are those seven evil demons described in the book of Revelation. We are all called to holiness God said. The Sacrament of confession and Holy Eucharist will make us holy. We must be holy to enter the kingdom of heaven. God provided us with the graces to be holy.
The seven capital sins are Pride, Wrath (rage), Envy, Greed, Sloth (spiritual laziness) Lust and Gluttony. The first five are sins of the spirit and the last two sins of the flesh. These sins represent the seven primary ways by which Satan tempts us and enslaves us to sin. For more on the seven capital sins, click here
GIFT OF GOD
Happy Father's Day
June 15, 2008
Lets suppose you would hear it said: We are rich, if we only knew it. We have so much, so freely you have received, freely give.
Does that sound right when gas and groceries prices are rising? When foreclosures on homes are common, when more and more people are filing for unemployment benefits, many families are unable to pay their monthly bills? We would say to them, you must be living in another world. That’s not the society we are living in.
Of course when Jesus spoke those words, He was not talking about the financial crisis we are currently experiencing. Jesus was talking about the spiritual graces and blessing we have received through the kind and compassionate love of God.
I read a story of Pastor Daniel who tells about a coffee mug that he found in a gift shop at an Abbey. The inscription on the side of the mug read like this: God danced the day you were born, You are loved, You are beautiful, You are a gift of God, his own possession, You are a gift to all humankind, God’s gift of love to you. “Shucks’ that’s worth eleven dollars. I bought the most expensive coffee mug I’ve ever owned.
He claims this mug is now one of the most valuable things he owns because it reminds him of the mission of Jesus—to share the message that every human being is loved, beautiful, gift of God and a gift to everyone.
You and I are loved by God. That makes us spiritually rich, if only we knew it. We have treasures that are not dependent on the stock market, or the size of our bank account, or the value of our house, We are rich because we are loved. We are loved by other people and we are loved by God.
Susan Conray found this out when she was in between her junior and senior year of college. She heard so much about Mother Theresa of Calcutta India and the work she was doing in take care of the poorest of the poor. So she went to Calcutta and volunteered to do the same work that Mother Theresa was doing. Susan met Mother Theresa asked to help in caring for the abandoned babies and pick up the men and women in the streets of Calcutta who were left to die.
Susan followed the same schedule as the Missionaries of Charity. They got up early in morning, spent an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and celebrated Mass. Then the work began of caring for those sick and dying people.
Susan tells how spiritually rich and loved she felt in doing this work. She freely has received and she freely gave of herself. To know that you are loved is the greatest gift we can received from God. To know we have a Father in Heaven who loves us is the most wonder gift of all.
I read the story of a soldier in Jordan who went on a rampage and shot and killed seven Israel school girls. King Hussein, the king where this crazy gunman lived; left his throne and his palace. He left his country and entered the homes of the families of the slain girls. King Hussein in all his majesty entered each of the homes of these grieving families and fell on his knees. He bowed down before them and looked into the eyes of the mother, father, sister and brother and said: I beg you forgive me. Your daughter is like my daughter, your loss is my loss. May God help you in your pain.
King Hussein gave us an image of our relationship with Christ. The God of all the universe humbled Himself and came into our world to show us how much we are loved. Now its our job to take that love to others. Freely you have received, freely give.
I am particularly mindful of this relationship on Fathers Day.
Fathers and mothers have been specially gifted in marriage in being co-creators with God is bring new life into this world. Fathers along with their wives are given the responsibility of raising these gifts of God.
But look at our culture today? Its going into a deep recession. Our permissive society has encouraged us to live beyond their means. So families are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. Some families are already going to the food pantries asking for food.
Here’s an open letter to all fathers. I ask that fathers and mothers talk this over and call a meeting with the family. Explain to the kids the financial crises were in and discuss ways they can cut back on the expenses that keep rising in the home.
Kids would love to offer ways to cut expenses. They might suggest not buying these expensive frozen dinners, pizzas and even soft drinks. They might offer to shop at Goodwill stores for second hand clothing. Kids might offer to go grocery shopping for sales and hunt for coupons that save money.
Fathers begin to pray together as a family and do things more as a family. Can you just see how the economic recession we are in could be a blessing. It could save many marriages and the breakup of families and homes.
I can speak from experience. I came out of the great depression days of the 1930’s. Most of the people were poor and barely living from hand to mouth. My Mom had a big garden and she canned all these fruits and vegetables. So we lived from that garden. We never knew what it was like to eat out. We stayed home and prayed, worked and played together. So we were a happy family even though we were financially broke. God provided for us and satisfied our basic needs.
So today on Fathers Day, I ask Fathers to take the leadership role in bringing Mom and the kids to pray and discuss how we can live on less and enjoy the happiness of family life.
BE NOT AFRAID
June 22, 2008
In the beginning of the year 2000, Pope John Paul II announced a new Pentecost and a outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He said the Holy Spirit will raise up new people who will bring the Good News of the Gospel to every corner of the world.
No one thought that the Holy Spirit will call upon the lay people to play this important role.
In Mark’s Gospel 16:15-16, Jesus told the apostles to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation”. Wow! What a mission. The whole world is the goal. That sounds fantastic. How is Our Lord going to preach the Gospel to every corner of the world?
Well, it didn’t take long for the Holy Spirit to put those words into action. God is a God of surprises. He always picks out the lowest and most unfit people to carry out His greatest work.
St. John Vianey is only one of many God chose to do His work. John didn’t have the mental ability to make it in the seminary; so he was dropped. The Bishop finally put a priest in charge to teach him just a bare minimum so that he could be ordained to the priesthood. The bishop had little confidence that he could make it. So he assigned John Vianney to the poorest and most run down parish in the diocese. He could not do any more damage than already has been done. Most of the people didn’t go to church, or receive the Sacraments. The little down of Ars was filled with vice and immoral living.
John Vianey went into that run-down parish and began to pray and preach the simple basic truths of the gospel. He lived a life of prayer and a living witness to the Catholic Faith. In a few years the people saw John Vianey a saint. They came back to Church and the Sacraments. He organized religion instructions for the young. John Vianey not only converted Ars, but many towns and cities in France.
Well now how is God going to convert the world through the new outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Raymond Arroyo, a journalist gives us the story the Holy Spirit of a woman abandoned by her father and raised in poverty by her mother who suffered suicidal depressions. Rita Rizzo had many health problems. Suffered abdominal pains that doctors said was a nervous condition. She sought the prayers of a mystic and her condition disappeared. Rita dedicated her life to the Lord and became a cloistered nun. But Rita’s faith compelled her to unlikely endeavors. She went down to Alabama to establish a monastery in a state where there are less than 5 percent Catholic.
After establishing the monastery in Alabama, she started the world’s first Catholic cable network. Relying on God’s providence she built an empire without the concerns for budgets or fund raising campaigns. She achieved the highest level of the Catholic Church in re-evangelizing the world. This is what Mother Angelica did. She took Christ’s commandment to heart.
It began in 1981 when she stepped into faith and transformed the garage of her poor Clare monastery in a television studio which is now the Eternal Word Television. Through God’s divine providence and the generous supporters of EWTN’s apostolic work and with their prayers and donations; this humble beginning has become the world’s largest Catholic media network reaching more than 140 million homes in 144 countries worldwide.
Mother Angelica admits that building a world wide network was never in her plans. Since its founding the Network’s mission has been to spread the Eternal Word and to teach others that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Using all facets of modern media, including television, radio, Internet and publishing, EWTN reach the entire globe with the message of the Gospel. EWTN is the one and only Global Catholic Network.
I visited EWTN twice and toured the whole studio where all the programs originate. In fact I was on EWTN live show of Father Mitch Pacwa and Marcis Grodi. I saw those huge satellite dishes positioned in every direction to send the signal to satellites positioned in the upper atmosphere.
I toured the radio facility they air Catholic programming on short wave and AM & FM and Serius Satellite around the United States. EWTN is also on many cable networks around our country. The Gospel is also broadcast in both English and Spanish. EWTN Global Catholic Network is dedicated to teaching the truth as defined by the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church.
In keeping with the Holy Father’s call for a New Evangelization, our mission is to communicate the teachings and the beauty of the Catholic Church and to help people grow in their love and understanding of God and His infinite mercy. Our Holy Father states that lay people are called to play a most important role.
So how can you become involved in this most important work of evangelization in your parish.
1. You can pray for the success of EWTN Media Missionaries.
2. You can volunteer to help spread the Good News of the Gospel. It only takes about
ten minutes a month to take the written materials and give them away to others in the parish with your pastor permission, or your workplace or neighborhood. There is a monthly newsletter that gives the complete schedule of all the programs that are on both radio and television twenty four hours every day. The internet addressIf you are interested in being a volunteer; I have all the materials to give to others. email Radio Family Rosary where these homilies are aired. Please consider being a volunteer to spread the Gospel to others.
Star Witness
June 29, 2008
In my study of church history; I have discovered the most amazing and unbelievable way the Holy Spirit has raised up men and women who were dedicated and committed to deal with the problems that His Church has suffered in their time.
Jesus has promised Peter, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” “I will give you the keys of the keys of heaven so that whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide and protect the teachings of the Gospel that Jesus Christ was sent by the Heavenly Father. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have taught you. He assured Peter that I will be with you to the end of time.
The Catholic Church in its 2000 year history has gone through many great heresies and divisions that have hurt the Bride of Christ the Church, but it has always come through stronger and greater faithful witness to the Bride of Christ.
I would like to show how this has played out in my lifetime.
During World War II America was involved in a war against Hitler that had threatened the survival of our country. With many of our young men called into service; the women had to go to work in various industries that were making airplanes, tanks and all the materials to fight this war.
This has led to the breakup of families and rise of teenager delinquency and divorce.
The Holy Spirit saw this breakup of families. The old adage: “As the family goes so goes the nation.”
Patrick Peyton and his brother left Ireland and came to America. Patrick met a priest and encouraged him to study for the priesthood. So he was sent to Notre Dame for his studies and was ordained a priest.
Patrick contacted tuberculosis that was terminal. Patrick prayed to the Blessed Mother to heal his illness. He promised that if he would be healed he would give his entire life to saving the family. Father Peyton was miraculously healed. So he devoted his whole life in establishing the Family Theater. He was able to get several Hollywood Stars like Bing Crosby and Loretta Young and many others to design programs that were aired on radio and television.
Family Theater became so popular that it was carried on the major networks. Father Peyton’s motto: “The Family that prays together stays together.”
It seems to me that a miracle of grace was taking place. All Hollywood stars of radio and television cooperated to get our people to pray together as a family. We have found that the world at prayer is a world at peace. Prayer has brought our families together.
Then in the 1960’s another great priest was raised up as our marriages and families were once again falling apart in the sexual revolution. Bishop Fulton Sheen began talks on Radio and Television. Bishop Sheen was a great communicator and Catholics and Non-Catholics tuned in on Sunday nights to listen to Bishop Sheen’s message. He won Emmy awards in Hollywood.
Our moral value began to erode again. The family began to steadily become worse, with the rise of divorce, broken homes, drug culture, embryotic stem cell research, and same sex unions becoming a big part of our culture.
The Holy Spirit has again brought a new Pope on the scene. Pope John Paul II was chosen by the cardinals to lead the church through this immoral crisis in the church and the world. In 1978 Pope John Paul announced a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the start of the new Millennium.
His Holiness began a series of talks on sex and marriage. The Pope states that the Church’s teaching on sex and marriage is good news. Its good news because it’s the truth about love and true love is the fulfillment of the human person. “Love one another as I have loved you” John 15:21. These words of Christ sum up the meaning of life and the meaning of human sexuality. At its core sexual morality is expressing God’s love through our bodies. Pope John Paul states that ‘mutual love’ revealed through our sexuality is the fundamental element of human existence in the world.
The book of Genesis states that God made us male and female according to His own image and likeness. We are the image of God. As male and Female we make visible God’s invisible mystery.
God is love. We are called to love as God loves. The marital union of husband and wife participate in the very life of God. To love and be loved as God loves is the deepest desire of the heart. God put it there when He made us in His own image and likeness. What does this mean? We are called to live in the relationship with God. Having received the love of God we are called to give our self back to God. This love is stamped in our very being. We fulfill our self by giving our love back to God to others.
George Weigel, a great historian said this; “Theology of the Body” is like a time bomb ready to explode in our culture. Notice that all these Star Witnesses used the latest media of radio and television in bringing about the conversion of the culture. Pope Benedict is also using radio, television, internet, IPod and many other of the latest hi-tech media to change our culture of death to a culture of life.
The Holy Spirit is giving us what our culture needs. We are a love starved culture. We have looked for love in the wrong places. Now God is showing us what true love can be found in this new document: “Theology of the Body.” This document is being implemented in the Diocese of Phoenix and many dioceses around the country. This is the Good News for the culture we are living in today.
Planting Seeds
July 13, 2008
It was the year 1939 that a farm boy graduated from high school. The superintendent had the custom of interviewing each one of the graduates. The superintendent asked us what our interests and goals were that we had for our life.
When my turn came; the superintendent looked at my academic records. He asked me what I plan to do after graduation. I told him that I had no plans. I had an interest in radio and airplanes. After he looked over my report card he merely commented: “I think you should be a ‘dirt farmer.’” In those days farming was not considered much of a occupation. If you didn’t get good grades in school; the best thing to do was to make a life time of farming. That is certainly not true in this day of hi-tech farming. Well, I left his office feeling put down and worthless.
I did not follow his advice to become a ‘dirt farmer’. I got a job at Waters Conley as a ‘flunky’, carrying boxes to the assembly line where electronic record players were made. I made enough money to go to Rochester Junior College where a class in Fundamentals of Radio was offered. The teacher of the class saw some potential in my interests in radio and encouraged me to pursue the field that was opening up and offering many opportunities to make a great advancement.
Then Pearl Harbor came and our country was in World War II. I went down to the Navy recruiting office to see how I could volunteer. The recruiter asked if I had any interest in radio. The Navy needed radio technicians. I told him that I had taken a course in the fundamentals in radio. He said that if I took his test in radio and passed it I would get a rating and be eligible for further education in radio. That was my moment of opportunity. I took the test and passed it. Now I could join the Navy and be given education and training in radio.
But there was one problem. I was not old enough to volunteer in the Navy. My mother would not sign for me. So I had to wait until the draft board had me going into the Army. My mother then signed. The Navy sent me to several schools to be trained in radio.
I was sent overseas and assigned to a carrier-service unit to service radios and radar equipment on planes. After the war, when I was discharged from the Navy, I had many offers from colleges to pursue this big field in hi tech radio.
It was then that the Holy Spirit intervened and reminded me what bishop Kelly asked me at Confirmation. He asked me if I wanted to be a priest because I knew all the answers that he asked me in the catechism. I followed up on the Bishop’s suggestion and joined the seminary to be ordained a priest.
I’m in my 55th year in the priesthood and I love the priestly ministry in the church. Now what am I telling you my life story? The Holy Spirit wants me to use all my radio technology and experience to bring the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to many people who are searching for the way, the truth and the life.
The first assignment Bishop Fitzgerald gave me was at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. I saw this as the great opportunity to share the teaching of the Catholic Church to many more people than those who attend church. I asked the local radio station to give me one-half hour to give talks on the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Then, I saw the Legion of Mary group go door to door twice a week. They visit with many people who are seeking to find the truths that Jesus brought down from heaven and gave to the Catholic Church.
We were planting seeds of faith in the minds and hearts of people. Jesus used the best media in His time to teach these mysteries of the Faith. His person-to-person contact with people planted His seeds in the minds and hearts of everyone He spoke to.
If Catholics know and live their Faith, they radiate goodness and love of God and others. They become the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth”. People are drawn to us because every one of us is looking for goodness and love.
One good example: On my flight from Phoenix to Minneapolis last week, I was sitting next to a man who had been away from the Church for thirty-one years. He was married and divorced and remarried. Now he wants to get back to the church. I was dressed as a priest so he felt he could easily talk to me. I showed him how he can get back to the good graces of the church and receive Holy Communion again. He loved my advice and planned to follow up and see a priest.
Mother Angelica has established and built a global radio and television network in Irondale Alabama. EWTN broadcast 24 hours seven days a week. All the great Catholic programming is aired throughout the whole world. They reach over 175 mission homes around the world and it is growing more every day. I visited EWTN twice and saw both the radio and television stations and sat in on some of the live programs.
The World Youth Day was televised from Sidney Australia. What amazing hi-tech we have today to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world. But there is more--The bishops and priests are using the latest in radio and TV. They are using IPods, blogs, Podcasts and more to reach out to everyone who wants to search for the truths of the Catholic Faith.
The Phoenix Diocese does not have a Catholic radio station (There is a group working toward getting a Catholic Radio Station for the State of Arizona). Currently, time is purchased on a Protestant radio station to air the rosary. I can now put my homilies on this station, KXXT 1010 AM. Their website links to this site for my weekly homilies.
So the church in the main stream of this new hi technology in spreading the Good News throughout the world. Pope John Paul stated that the new millennium will see a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. That is really happening in our time. We are fulfilling the words of Jesus: “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel and baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe everything I have told you. And behold I am with you to the end of the world”.
These words are being fulfilled in our time. We are truly living in exciting times of Church history. I’m glad God has used me to spread the Gospel to the whole world.
HIDDEN TREASURE, July 27, 2008
Can you think of anything in this world for which you would sell everything you own to get this hidden treasure?
I can think of only one thing, the life of someone we love, if one of our children were sick and there was a cure that would cost everything we have, even including our own life. Most of us would be willing to give it all up without a moment’s thought. We would give everything we own for the well-being of those we love but that’s about it. Nothing else that I can think of has that big of a hold on us. I can remember when my sister was diagnosed with leukemia. That is a terminal illness in which there is no cure, yet my parents went were willing to sell everything they owned to find a cure for this dreaded disease.
Yet, Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is worth everything we have, our money, our time, our energy or life. Everything. That’s quite a statement. Everything we own. So what is this kingdom of heaven? This kingdom of heaven must be something way beyond our minds and hearts' understanding or experience.
What is this kingdom of heaven that Jesus revealed to us?
Jesus said that kingdom of heaven is where God reigns. For some people this means that getting into heaven when we die is worth everything we possess. And certainly that is true. After all, when we go to heaven, we leave everything behind. However that doesn’t imply that entrance to heaven is something we can purchase or buy. No amount of money in this world can buy our way into heaven. No amount of good works will satisfy.
The kingdom of heaven is a pure gift of the goodness of God. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to suffer and die on the cross and rise again. Jesus ransomed us with the price of His own precious blood so that now the gates of heaven are opened to us.
The cross is our salvation. The cross is central to our faith. Christ paid it all purely because He loved us. He created us for love and made us sons and daughters of God our Father. God created us for heaven and He wants us in heaven. That is the price of our salvation.
You can’t buy your way to heaven no mater how much you are willing to give. Eternal life with God is a gift of a gracious God. Surely it's worth everything we have and more but Christ has taken care it in our behalf.
But Jesus is not talking only about the kingdom of heaven after we die. Jesus refers us to the words of Isaiah the prophet. The time will come when they shall beat their swords in plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. The wolf shall dwell with lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion together. And a little Child shall lead them. The prophet Isaiah was speaking of the kingdom of God in this world.
There will come a time when God shall reign in every heart. That’s the kingdom of God that Christ is bringing into this world. It is the kingdom of this world as well as the Kingdom of heaven yet to come.
And here’s the good news for us. We don’t have to wait. God can dwell in our hearts today. God’s kingdom is wherever God dwells.
The Pharisees asked Jesus: when the kingdom of God will come? Jesus said the kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation. Nor people say “Here it is" or “There it is”. The Kingdom of God is within you. God can dwell in your hearts today.
By baptism we are temples of the Holy Spirit. God dwells within our hearts by Grace. All the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and the prayer life of the church nourish and enrich the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. By baptism we share in the divine life of God. We share in all the Graces, powers of God; the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit, the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude and all the moral virtues.
So we have it all in its fullness. The Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. We are children of God and heirs to the kingdom of heaven, provided that we keep His commandments and carry out His will.
Jesus said if you love me and keep my commandments, my Father and I will love you and come and dwell within you.
So we have the kingdom of God within our hearts by grace. That is what Jesus is talking about in the gospel today. By the grace of God we have discovered the treasure hidden within us. We are willing to make any sacrifices to possess that kingdom. What is there in the world except those you love that is worth everything we have?
The young people that went to World day in Sidney Australia have found that treasure. They left their loved ones and at great expense and sacrifice found that treasure. I saw it on EWTN and talked to one of the parents of their son who made the pilgrimage. At Communion time they knelt down to receive Holy Communion and received it on the tongue and then knelt down on the cold grass. They spent the night praying before the Blessed Sacrament and slept on the ground. Does that sound like they found that hidden treasure? If you have not found the kingdom of God, you have missed the pearl of great price. God offers the kingdom to everyone. It a pure gift of God.
Thank and praise God for giving you this rich treasure of His kingdom to dwell in our hearts now and receive the beautiful vision of God in the Kingdom of heaven.
GOD'S ECONOMY, August 3, 2008
We live under a tremendous economy--God’s economy. I’m not referring to the stock market that soars one day and plummets the next day.
Today many families are worried about our economy—the rise of gas prices, increase of the cost of groceries and the large numbers of foreclosures. As a result, many families are unable to meet their monthly payments.
God’s economy does not suffer from the rise and fall of gas and groceries, and the rise of interest on loans in buying a home, and paying monthly mortgage payments. God’s economy remains stable and unfailing because it is founded on the Word of God and His faithful promises. His economy includes the promise of salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of heaven, where all pain and sadness are wiped away. You have to conclude God’s economy is a rich economy.
But how rich is our heavenly Father and how eager is He to share His riches?
One good example: Jesus had a vast crowd of about 5,000 people with Him. He was curing the sick and talking to the crowd. Then, because it was getting toward evening and they were in a deserted place where it was hard to find food; His heart was moved with pity for them. So Jesus said to His disciples we have to feed them. How much food do we have? Five loaves and two fish. Jesus said we will feed them so make them sit down on the grass and bring the loaves and fish here to me. Jesus said the blessing and gave the loaves and fish to the disciples to distribute to the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied and they picked up 12 baskets of leftovers.
How willing He was to share His riches! That miracle shows how full of compassion our heavenly Father is. He knew their heartaches and heartaches that go with hunger pains. He took pity on them because He’s been there. He knows all about hunger pains that make us weak and hurting.
These people were not kings and queens or great celebrities or well educated. Yet Jesus was willing to share His riches with them. This crowd spent time with Jesus listening to His teaching and trying to grasp His message. They did nothing to earn this miracle. Many of them were thinking more of the food that He gave them and not what Jesus said. Yet that didn’t matter he cared for them. That says something about the generosity of giving and not expecting any returns.
Our heavenly Father will provide for what we lack as He did for the hungry crowd. He will provide also for our needs.
All of us have so many great promises for our God. The question is: are you hungering for something that you have not received? There are a lot of people that are spiritually hungry. Mother Theresa said America is nation starving for truth. Our Holy Father sensed that. He established World Youth Day in Sidney Australia. He appealed to all the youth around the world to come to Sidney Australia. 500,000 young people from around the world came to Sidney.
Pope Benedict said that Jesus has proclaimed a new age has begun and the Holy Spirit is pouring forth all His gifts and graces on our people. He said I can experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit here at Sidney. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is not something we can merit or achieve. Its only a pure gift of God’s love for you. It has the power to change our hearts from within. The Pope urged the youth to quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament the Holy Eucharist.
The Holy Father said through the loving intercession of the Mother of the Church you may experience a New upper-Room experience from which a burning fire and love of the Holy Spirit will dwell in your hearts and proclaim the Risen Lord to every corner of the earth.
These 500,000 young people believed in the Pope’s words. They attended classes in learning more about Christ and the Church; they went to confession. And they spend all-night vigil before the Blessed Sacrament and slept on the cold ground in sleeping bags. Then on Sunday they celebrated Mass with the Holy Father. At Communion time they knelt down to receive Holy Communion and received Holy Communion on the tongue.
Then after Holy Communion the Holy Father sat for some quiet meditation. The young people knelt down on the ground and prayed in quiet adoration. Imagine 500,000 young being quiet for about ten minutes.
Would you say these 500,000 young people came from all corners of the world in search for the truth of their Faith. These youngster were spiritually hungry for the truth and they found it in Sidney Australia.
I talked to one of the mothers whose son went to Sidney. He came back full of joy of the Holy Spirit. He came back sick but said the sacrifice and the suffering we went through was worth it. These young people are going to become the future of the Church. A new age of the Holy Spirit has begun. Many vocations will come from this group. Our marriages and family life will be enriched and stabilized. We are looking up to this group to renew the Church. May God Bless them fill them with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
