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.
January 15, 2023 · 3:41 pm

20230116 Monday Ordinary A

Today’s Gospel talks about the old and the new.  When Jesus was asked why his disciples didn’t fast like John’s and some of the religious leaders of the synagogue, Jesus said that they would fast after his death even though that was still in the future. 

When we think about fasting, there are several examples that come to mind.  We fast for an hour before mass.  We fast on Fridays in Lent.  We abstain or fast from meat on Fridays in Lent and some people do that year-round.  Jesus used a parable to explain the difference between the old way and the new way.  He talked about things that everyone listening knew were absurd. 

Jesus talked about sewing new cloth into an old garment.  He talked about putting new wine in old wineskins.  Everyone knew that you didn’t do that because of what would happen. 

The same is true for our lives.  When we think about our lives, there were probably many times when life was going along quite happily when suddenly everything changed.  The old and comfortable became new and different.  Sometimes it becomes difficult or even disastrous, a lot like the new cloth in an old garment that tears it when it shrinks or new wine in old wineskins that will burst as the wine ages.  

We sometimes ask ourselves “Why?” or resent what happened in the past.  It’s easy to carry frustration and hatred toward someone who hurt us, even though it may have been years or decades ago.  The old hurt is still tearing our hearts apart after all this time. 

The solution is for us to spend some time in prayer.  Not that God will necessarily change that person but pray that God will bless them and help me to become more loving and kinder in my heart.  I know that this is difficult for me at times.  That’s the hard part for most of us; striving to be the Christian that God calls each of us to be regardless of how we feel. 

Then, we must be open to God’s healing touch.  Praying that God will take care of everything is the easy part.  Opening our hearts for God to ease the pain is more difficult to do.  Sometimes it’s easier to hold onto the pain and resentment than it is let God work in our lives.  The result is that our hearts remain broken, and our suffering continues. 

We decide to fast for a couple of meals and instead spend that time in prayer to show God that we are serious in our request to help us change.  Fasting is not something we do very often today.  The Apostles and the Saints spent a lot of time fasting and praying for God’s mercy and direction which is one of the reasons they were so effective in spreading the Gospel. 

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus said, “Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined.  Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.” 

Through prayer and fasting, we ask God to heal us and make us whole again.  We must also open our hearts to God’s healing, so we are not ruined like the old wineskins by our anger and resentment. 

May our hearts be like new wineskins ready to receive God’s healing power into our hearts.  Then God’s love and mercy will flow to us to draw us closer to him and flow to those around us. 

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January 14, 2023 · 4:17 pm

20230115 Sunday Ordinary A

John the Baptist said “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.  He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.  I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” 

It’s interesting that John did not know who Jesus was to recognize him upon sight.  One would think that they would have been close friends.  After the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced the Incarnation and told Mary that Elizabeth would bear a child, Mary rushed to Elizabeth and stayed three months.  This would indicate a strong bond between the two women. 

However, we must keep in mind that after the children were born, life was very different for both women, but especially Elizabeth because of her age.  The primary means of travel was walking and traveling long distances would be difficult with an infant and even more so with a toddler.  Think about it: “I’m tired.  Can we stop?  My feet hurt.  When are we going to eat?  Are we there yet?” 

After the Magi came, Joseph was told to flee to Egypt to protect the child Jesus.  They had no choice but to travel at night to build a life in a new country.  When the Holy Family returns years later there is no record of the two families meeting, not even at the Temple on Holy Feasts. 

John knows and understands his life’s mission.  He is the person who is to identify Christ to the world.  While he is unsure who that person is in real life, he knows the sign that will reveal him.  John said “’A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”  This was John’s mission in life. 

John the Baptist said that Jesus was the Lamb of God.  Jesus himself said that he was God.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asked the disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 

Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”  Jesus then said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.  And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”  Jesus said that he would build his church upon that Rock of faith which was revealed to Simon by his Father.” 

Peter Kreeft wrote: “Jesus does not give us the option of belonging to one church or another.  For him there is only one, and that is the one he spoke of when he changed Simon Peter’s name to Peter, or the Rock. 

Peter Kreeft continues: “If you are not convinced and convicted that Jesus is right about that, that the church is right about Jesus, that John was right about Jesus, that Jesus was right about Jesus – then you are not a Catholic Christian.  For that is the single essence and center of absolutely everything in our religion.” 

Strong words but it sums up our faith.  Are we convinced that Jesus is the Son of the Living God?  Do we really believe it?  Does the way we live our life show that we believe it? 

Even though Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter based on his conviction that Jesus was the Christ, Peter still struggled to live that faith.  When Jesus is arrested and put on trial, Peter, the Rock of Faith that Christ said he would build his church, denied that he even knew Jesus three times.  But Jesus saw something in Peter that he knew that Peter was the right person to lead his Church. 

That gives us hope that even though we sometimes fail and fall, that Jesus loves us and will give us strength to ask forgiveness and get up to follow him and proclaim to the world that Jesus is the Son of God. 

John the Baptist, Peter the Rock, Paul the Apostle, and all the Saints up to this day have testified that Jesus is the Son of God.  It’s one thing to hear it, it’s another to believe it, and still another to live it. 

Both Peter and Paul could be labeled failures because of their actions against Jesus.  Peter’s denial and weakness hiding from the Roman authorities; and Paul’s persecution of the early Church would seem to disqualify them for the positions that God chose for them to serve.  They were changed from failures to devout and passionate witnesses of the Risen Christ. 

At the end of today’s Gospel, John the Baptist said, “Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”  Peter and Paul spread the same testimony throughout the world.  We are commissioned to do the same. 

I have often wondered how different my life would be if I truly believed that Jesus is the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world and was as passionate about Christ in my life like Peter and Paul after their encounter with the Risen Lord. 

We must each ask ourselves, “Do I believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God?”  If we answer “Yes”, then we must examine our lives to determine if our life reveals it to the world.  We have the same mission as John the Baptist.  We must reveal Jesus to the world with the same passion and testimony as John the Baptist, Peter and Paul. 

Jesus sees something in each of us just like he did in Peter.  Jesus is asking us today, “Who do you say that I am?” 

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January 8, 2023 · 1:13 pm

20230109 Monday Baptism of the Lord A

Jesus’ baptism is an important event because it is noted in all four Gospels.  It is also important because it signals the start of his ministry. 

After his baptism, Jesus goes into the wilderness and fasts for forty days.  At the end of that time, Jesus is tempted by Satan.  While Jesus was divine, he was also human.  Therefore, he had the ability to yield to temptation just as we do.  The fact that he was able to successfully resist similar temptations from Satan that we experience is an example for us to follow. 

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he went to live in Capernaum and started calling the disciples.  He began to teach the people and preach “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  All of this started after his baptism. 

Scholars and theologians have written volumes on the Baptism of the Lord with many views on it.  One of the struggles is “Why did the Son of God who was sinless need the baptism of repentance?” 

Bishop Barron wrote: “John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the prophets, correctly discerns that Jesus is the Son of God, but what he finds disconcerting is that this God-man comes to him for baptism: “I should rather be baptized by you.”  This reversal – still stunning 2000 years later – is indicative of the Incarnation’s purpose: God’s desire to enter into the state and condition of the sinner out of love.” 

Jesus was a unique blending of humanity and divinity into One Being.  God, the divine coming to earth to live like us so he could truly understand the trials and temptations that we experience. 

The divine side was the great love with which he loved us, even in all our sinfulness.  The human side gave Jesus the free will to submit to temptation.  Jesus’ love for his Father and his desire to do his Father’s will enabled him to resist the temptations of Satan and overcome them. 

What great love God has for us; that he would have his very own son, who was just like him, come to earth and become like one of us in all things including temptation, suffering and death. 

The essence of God is love.  The love between the Father and the Son is the Holy Spirit from the beginning of time which still flows out to us even today.  There is no greater love than the love that God has for each of us.  Sometimes we forget how much God loves each person. 

God loves the person that we can’t stand to be around.  God loves the homeless person on the corner asking for money.  We may think that they should go get a job and provide for themselves, but God still loves them, and he loves us too even though we think less of that person in need.  Maybe we should share a fast-food gift card with them so they can get a hot meal. 

God loves the starving person in Africa whom we don’t even know.  God loves the worst criminal on death row whom we want to get the death penalty for their crimes.  Our ProLife response is to pray for the person and fight for the end of the death penalty just as much as we fight for the end of abortion. 

If God loves all these people, some I can’t stand or wish would go away, and I profess to be a Christian, why can’t I at least pray for them and help them in their journey of life? 

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January 1, 2023 · 2:45 pm

20230102 Monday Christmas Weekday A

The Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to John the Baptist to ask him “Who are you?” 

This is the burning question for John the Baptist “Who are you?” 

Why did the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leaders, want to know who John the Baptist was?  Let’s look at the questions the delegation asked John. 

“Who are you?” 

He said, “I am not the Christ.” 

So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” 

And he said, “I am not.” 

“Are you the Prophet?” 

He answered, “No.” 

“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?” 

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.” 

John understood his role in the plan of salvation, he was the messenger that Isaiah prophesied about who would prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. 

The Jewish leaders were not satisfied with the answers that the delegation gave them, so they sent some Pharisees to get better answers.  They asked John “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 

What they really wanted to know was “If you are not the Messiah or a prophet, then by what authority do you baptize people?”  John told them: “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.” 

After the end of today’s Gospel, John the Evangelist continues:

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God,* who takes away the sin of the world.”  He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’  I did not know him,* but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”  John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him.  I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’  Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” 

John the Baptist understood his role in salvation even though he did not know him before.  That too is our role.  We did not know Christ before he was revealed to us, and we each confessed our belief in him. 

We, like John the Baptist, must point the world to Jesus.  It’s not about us, more importantly, it’s not about ME.  It’s about Jesus, the Son of Mary, the Son of God. 

The question now turns to us.  Who are you?  I am not the Christ.  Are you a prophet?  No.  Are you a witness for Jesus?  Yes.  I can profess Christ with my lips but, does my life reflect it?  The world knew that there was something different about John the Baptist.  That’s why they came asking “Who are you?” 

Does the world know that there is something different about us?  Do they want to know why we are different?  Does the Spirit live in us? 

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December 31, 2022 · 12:45 pm

20221231 Octave Day of Christmas, Holy Mother of God

There’s a song that’s popular at Christmas time each year “Mary Did You Know?” 

The song is a Christmas song addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus, with lyrics written by Mark Lowry in 1984, and music written by Buddy Greene in 1991.  Michael English originally recorded it in 1991.  It has become a Christmas classic recorded by hundreds of artists and all of you could probably sing the lyrics from memory.  The group Pentatonix has helped make it popular. 

It starts with the question “Mary did you know that your baby boy would” and goes on to list the many miracles and attributes of Jesus her son. 

Did Mary know that her son would walk on water?  Did Mary know that the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, the dumb will speak, and the dead will live again?

I’m not sure that Mary knew any of these small details.  But Mary knew that her child was the Son of God.  In Luke, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”  But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”  

Gabriel tells Mary that she will give birth to the Son of God.  Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.  Mary trusted what the angel told her. 

Mary, growing up in her Jewish faith, understood what she was saying.  She knew that she could be stoned to death as punishment for adultery which would be the only way she could become pregnant while betrothed to Joseph.  And yet she trusted in God to take care of her when she committed to God’s will in her life.  Mary knew that her baby was the Son of God. 

We frequently forget the great faith Mary had in the God of the people Israel.  This tremendous faith is why she found favor with God to bear his Son so how could we forget her purity and faith? 

When the shepherds saw the baby in the manger, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.  And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.  Mary knew – she understood that her baby was the Son of God. 

When the time was completed and Joseph and Mary took the baby to the Temple, 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.”  And again, Mary knew that her baby was the Son of God. 

After Joseph died, Mary followed her son in his ministry throughout the region.  Mary knew that her baby Jesus was the Son of God and she nudged him to start his ministry at the wedding in Cana when the water was turned into wine. 

She saw the miracles of the blind being able to see, the deaf being able to hear, the lame being able to leap, the dumb being able to speak, and the dead being raised to life again. 

And Mary knew, keeping all these things that she saw and felt reflecting on them in her heart.  

When Jesus was arrested and taken into custody, Mary was horrified by what she was seeing.  There is a beautiful Stations of the Cross from Mary’s point of view titled “Mary’s Way of the Cross” that was written by Fr. Richard Furey.    It describes the horror and agony of what our Holy Mother saw and felt as her Son was beaten, mocked, spit on, and eventually crucified. 

One phrase in particular stands out in the Fourth Station when Mary said: “I had managed to break through the crowd and was walking side by side with my son.  I called to him through the shouting voices.  He stopped.  Our eyes met, mine full of tears of anguish, his full of pain and confusion.  I felt helpless; then his eyes said to me, “Courage! There is a purpose for this.”  As he stumbled on, I knew he was right.  So I followed and prayed silently.” 

Yes, Mary knew.  The sword that Simeon had prophesied was piercing her heart and the agony was overwhelming, but when her eyes met her Son’s, she knew.  At the Fifteenth Station at the tomb, Mary feels the agony “I could only be most grateful for the sacrifice of my son for us.  Yet, what emptiness I felt trying to live without him whom I loved so!” 

A few days later, Mary’s agony and pain was overcome with joy when she learned of his resurrection on Easter Sunday.  This was the purpose for which he came, this was the purpose for which he was born and died!  

The Station concludes with “But, only two days later that emptiness was filled beyond belief — he had risen!  Our savior had opened the doors to a new life.  That is the way it had to be — because his undying love for you would not stop at anything less.  I could rejoice forever, but not in silence.” 

The song, “Mary, did you know?” ends with the question “Did you know that your baby boy, … This sleeping child you’re holding is the great ‘I Am’?” 

Yes, Mary knew!!! 

Do we know?  Do we know the amount of faith that Mary had in God to trust completely him? Do wwe know that Mary’s baby boy, our Lord Jesus Christ, is the Great I AM in our lives? Do we hold Christ in our hearts and share him with others by the way we live our lives? 

Now the question becomes more personal “Do I know that Mary’s baby boy is the Great I AM in my life?” 

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December 25, 2022 · 8:21 pm

20221226 Monday Christmas A

Today is the Feast of Stephen, the first martyr for the faith. 

Jesus warns us in today’s Gospel that those who follow him will be handed over to courts for prosecution, taken before government officials to be a witness to them and the pagans, and hated because of his name. 

It seems to be all gloom and doom, but there is hope and a cause for joy at the end the Gospel when Jesus said “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” 

At the beginning of this chapter of Acts, the Apostles were getting overwhelmed taking care of the widows, orphans and distributing food to the poor.  Their solution was to find upright and reputable men to take care of these tasks so they could proclaim the Word to the people. 

The community presented seven reputable men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them to serve the people.  Stephen was first in the list of reputable men who were presented to be the first Deacons.  Shortly after that, Stephen was martyred for his faith, becoming the first Deacon and the first martyr for the faith. 

There are several characteristics about St Stephen for us to consider. 

First, St Stephen was selected because he was upright and reputable.  He was a living example of a Christian to the community around him. 

In the Gospel, Jesus said that those who live and witness to his name will be put to death.  “Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.”  Those who are evil and filled with hatred for the church will cause the followers of Christ to be put to death. 

Second, St Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit.  He accomplished this not on his own but by spending time in prayer and seeking God’s will in his life.  St Stephen placed God above everything else in this world.  It was evident by the way the Holy Spirit worked in him. 

St Stephen trusted in God completely.  Jesus said that we should not worry about what to say when we are persecuted.  Jesus continued, “You will be given at that moment what you are to say.  For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  St Stephen let the Holy Spirit give him what to say when he was falsely accused.  I would encourage you to read Chapter 6 & 7 of Acts for the details. 

Third, St Stephen was a person who was filled with forgiveness.  Our natural tendency is to hold a grudge against those who mistreat us, to hate them and even seek revenge against them.  As St Stephen was being stoned he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” 

How do we measure up to the standard that St Stephen lived?  Do people know that we are Christian by the way we live our lives?  Do others sense that we are different, that we are filled with the Holy Spirit by our kindness toward all people? 

Is it evident that we don’t harbor ill feelings and seek revenge?  Do we forgive others even before they ask? 

Do we trust in God to the point that we too can say ““Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”?  Will we endure to the end and be saved? 

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December 18, 2022 · 5:43 pm

20221219 Monday Advent 4 A

There are many parallels between yesterday’ Gospel from Matthew and today’s Gospel from Luke. 

In yesterday’s Gospel of Matthew, the annunciation of Jesus’ conception is given to Joseph rather than to Mary.  In today’s Gospel of Luke, the annunciation of John the Baptist’s conception is given to Zechariah instead of Elizabeth. 

The major difference is the age of the couples.  Joseph and Mary are young and ready to raise a family.  Zechariah and Elizabeth are old and beyond the age of bearing children. 

Even though they are old they prayed for a child.  The Gospel tells us “Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.”  Observing the commandments was a moral obligation and observing the ordinances was a ceremonial or liturgical obligation. 

Zechariah was serving in the Temple and was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.  An angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.”  Zechariah had obviously been praying for a child because the angel tell him that his prayer was heard and proceeds to tell him that Elizabeth will bear a son and they will name him John. 

The angel continues to tell Zechariah “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.”  The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible explains that this last phrase means that the baby will be greater than all the prophets of the Old Testament before him. 

In the Gospel of Mathew Jesus confirms this when he said “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” 

The angel also tells Zechariah that John will “drink neither wine nor strong drink.  He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.  The commentary explains that means he shall be a Nazarite, or “a separated one”. …. the Nazarite was a symbol of holiness; nothing inflaming was to cross his lips; no razor to come on his head; no ceremonial defilement to be contracted. Thus was he to be “holy to the Lord [ceremonially] all the days of his separation.” This separation was in ordinary cases temporary and voluntary: only Samson, Samuel, and John Baptist were Nazarites from the womb. 

Zechariah doesn’t believe the angel because of their age when he asks ““How shall I know this?   For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”  It’s so like our mortal nature that we pray for a miracle and then question it when it happens.  Zechariah prayed for a child even though they were past the age of bearing children and then doubts that the miracle he prayed for can happen. 

But God did provide the miracle in spite of Zechariah’s unbelief and John the Baptist was born to point all of us to the One who is to come.  John said “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.  I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.” 

John was a messenger who pointed others to Christ.  Do we do the same in our lives?  Do we point others to Christ by the way we live our lives? 

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December 17, 2022 · 7:07 pm

20221218 Sunday Advent 4 A

This is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  We are in the final week of Advent preparing for the birth of Christ.  One concept in today’s Gospel stands out. 

Kindness

How did that Kindness come about? 

Matthew tells us that “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.  When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.  Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.” 

It’s hard for us to understand the culture of that time.  In our society, it’s acceptable to have sex with many partners and living together instead of marrying your partner is the norm.  Sex between engaged couples is commonplace.  Today, those who hold to the sanctity of marriage believe it is right to be a virgin on your wedding night are scoffed at and ridiculed. 

Father Ron Rolheiser explains “The Jewish law was especially strict as to the couple remaining celibate while in the betrothal period.  During this time, the young woman would continue to live with her parents and the young man would go about setting up a house and an occupation so as to be able to support his wife once they began to live together.” 

John Pilch gives us a better understanding of the marriage process in the ancient Mediterranean culture. 

“Though a betrothed couple did not live together, a formal divorce was required to break the public establishment of the betrothal.  Sex with a betrothed woman was considered adultery. 

In the ancient Mediterranean world, marriages were arranged by parents to join extended families and not individuals.  The bride did not expect love, companionship, or comfort.  In this rigidly gender-divided world, men and women had very little contact.  Both partners realized that their union was arranged for the political or economic advantage of their families. 

The entire marriage process is a ritualized removal of a woman from her family.  The groom’s father offers gifts or services to the bride’s father to win the wife he wants for his son.  The bride’s father makes the final decision. 

The women of both families negotiate the contract to be certain neither family is shortchanged, but the patriarch of each family ratifies the contract publicly.  When the groom takes the bride into his home, the marriage process is completed.” 

We often think of the Old Testament culture being dominated by men, yet John Pilch tells us that the mothers negotiate the contract to protect their interests even though the fathers ratify it publicly. 

Ron Rolheiser writes “Joseph and Mary were at this stage of their relationship, legally married but not yet living together, when Mary became pregnant. Joseph, knowing that the child was not his, had a dilemma: if he wasn’t the father, who was? In order to save his own reputation, he could have demanded a public inquiry and, indeed, had Mary been accused of adultery, it might have meant her death. However, he decided to “divorce her quietly,” that is, to avoid a public inquiry which would leave her in an awkward and vulnerable situation.”  

Matthew tells us that “since he (Joseph) was a righteous man” he acted with Kindness. 

What did it mean to be a righteous person for Joseph?  Ron Rolheiser tells us that “the Joseph of the Christmas story writes his own history: he is presented to us as an “upright” man, a designation that scholars say implies that he has conformed himself to the Law of God, the supreme Jewish standard of holiness.  In every way he is blameless, a paradigm of goodness …” 

Joseph conformed himself to the Law of God.  That is an accomplishment that very few people attain.  Each of us here today are following in St Joseph’s footsteps.  We are striving to live a life of holiness as we worship in this holy place. 

God is always described in the Bible as full of Love and Mercy; in the Old Testament for the Children of Israel and in the New Testament for all people including us today.  The final prayer in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy ends with “but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.” 

If Joseph conformed himself to the Law of God, he would have lived a life of love and mercy toward everyone he met.  This love and mercy revealed itself as kindness toward Mary.  He did not want to cause Mary any undue stress even though he had every right. 

Both Mary and Joseph had a lot that could go very wrong, but they trusted in the message the angel gave them from God.  Mary knew that she could be accused of adultery and stoned to death.  And yet she said “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.” 

Joseph could have publicly shamed Mary to defend his own reputation.  John Pilch writes “The honor code of the Mediterranean world demands that no one take what properly belongs to another.  Mary’s child is not Joseph’s, so he hesitates to take the child.  But if he doesn’t act quickly, he will be shamed.  His sense of honor hopes that the rightful father will seize this opportunity to claim the child and marry the woman, Mary.  In all of his decisions, Joseph acts very honorably.” 

By law, Joseph is entitled to return Mary to her father and expose her to death.  He decided to quietly divorce her because he is a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to shame.  

Joseph acted with kindness. 

Kindness

It’s something we see so little of today.  It’s so easy to be upset and angry with people we meet.  The rude person in the grocery store, the person who cut us off on the highway, the relative who knows how to hit not just one but all our buttons, or the homeless person on the corner. 

Despite all the anger, hatred, hurtful people out there we must act with kindness toward everyone we meet. 

As we come to receive Christ in the Eucharist, we must open our hearts and lives to Christ so his Love and Mercy flows through us to others. 

Kindness 

Will I strive to follow the example of St Joseph in my life?  Who will I be kind to this week? 

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December 3, 2022 · 10:03 am

20221204 Sunday Advent 2 A

The Gospel of Matthew is the first of the four Gospels.  The early church believed that it was written first.  It also begins with the genealogy of Jesus starting with Abraham coming through the centuries to the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, so it is in the logical sequence for it to be first.  Later studies indicate that the Gospel of Mark was written first.

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the visit by the Magi, the massacre of the Holy Innocents, the flight to Egypt and the return are all covered by the end of the second chapter. 

The Gospel of Matthew makes this transition from the start of John the Baptist’s ministry to the start of Jesus’ ministry very quickly.  After Jesus is tempted by the devil and John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus moves to Capernaum by the sea and begins his ministry. 

We know from the Gospels that there was a very close connection between John the Baptist and Jesus from the very beginning.  Elizabeth and the infant John both recognized the Divinity of Christ in the womb of Mary. 

In the Gospel of Luke, we read: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord* should come to me?” 

After the end of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus comes to John the Baptist in the Jordan River to be baptized.  At first John is reluctant because he recognizes Jesus as the one who is mightier than he.  Jesus tells John that it needs to be accomplished for the glory of God.  This makes the bond between them even stronger. 

In the Gospel reading for today, John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” In the next chapter, Jesus starts his ministry with the same words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  

This phrase “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” will be heard frequently in the coming liturgical year.  Sometimes it will be “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”, depending on the Gospel.  These two phrases are used over one hundred times in the Gospels. 

It is interesting that this phrase, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” which only appears in the Jewish based Gospel of Matthew, is used over thirty times.  What is so unique and so important about this phrase that it is used so many times? 

In Jesus’ time, the people knew about kingdoms and authority.  Caesar was in Rome but ruled with absolute force.  Anyone who opposed Rome was brutally dealt with in the public view so that all would see what happens to those who dare oppose Caesar. 

The Jewish people also understood the Kingdoms could be good like King David who ruled the people with fairness and love.  Much of the Old and New Testaments refer to Christ as King, coming in his glory as King of all the earth. 

The people of Jesus’ time wanted a political kingdom like their father David who would overthrow the Roman Empire and free the people from the bondage and oppression they experienced every day. 

It’s amazing that neither Jesus nor Gospel writers explain what is meant by the phrase, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”.  It is one of those things that all the listeners of that time would have known what is meant, so there was no need to explain.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t help us two thousand years later.

So, what is really meant by “the kingdom of heaven”? 

Deacon Donald Cox wrote about the kingdom of heaven in the Catholic Journal:

“Simply stated, the Kingdom of Heaven is a Kingdom that exists within and among the people of God.  If we look at and combine all of the various statements made in Scripture regarding the Kingdom of Heaven, we find the following:

It is a Kingdom that is approached only through understanding. 

You have to enter into this understanding only by acceptance, like that of a little child. 

Entrance into this Kingdom is a spiritual rebirth. 

This kingdom is populated by souls who devote themselves to doing the will of God. 

This Kingdom, therefore, is not defined by geographic territory, but rather by dominion. 

Think of the Kingdom of Heaven as God’s intentions for the universe.  Citizens of this kingdom are, therefore, called to live the way that Christ lived and think the way that Christ thought.” 

The kingdom of heaven takes us back to the very beginning of Genesis before we sinned and lost favor with God.  Everything was working in accord with God’s intention for the universe.  Then we succumbed to the temptation to be like God. 

Think about the last sentence that Deacon Cox wrote.  We are called to live the way that Christ lived and think the way that Christ thought.

When I look at my own life to see how I compare to the standard that Christ lived, I fail miserably. 

But there is hope! 

St Thomas Aquinas wrote: “No man is able of himself to grasp the supreme good of eternal life; he needs divine help. Hence, there is here a two-fold object, the eternal life we hope for, and the divine help we hope for.” 

God understood that we are unable to enter the kingdom of heaven and achieve eternal life on our own.  That’s why he sent his Son; to live as we live, to be tempted as we are tempted, to suffer pain and agony as we suffer; so that through his passion, death, and resurrection we have the hope of entering the kingdom of heaven. 

The kingdom of heaven is the central theme of Jesus’ life and ministry.  Are we going to be a part of it?  Are we willing to repent, and change the way we live our lives?  Are we willing to repent of our past sins and open our hearts for a spiritual rebirth to think and live like Christ? 

If we are willing to do that, the world will be a radically different place. 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel; and give us strength and courage to think as you thought and live as you lived. 

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November 30, 2022 · 7:28 am

If I were to die today, would anyone be impacted by my absence?

Our oldest son is an Episcopal priest.  We have some extremely interesting discussions about theology, the Church and how to live our lives.  Recently he made a statement that really hit me hard.  He asked his Outreach Council a question “If our church closed its doors today, ‘Would anyone outside those who attend here notice?’”  In essence, “Is the Church having an impact on the community that makes a difference?” 

It really made me think.  “Is our Church having an impact on the community that makes a difference?”  Does anybody know that we exist?  Or are we just serving ourselves? 

Let’s make it a bit more personal.  If I were to die today, would anyone outside my family and friends be impacted by my absence?  Would a homeless person go hungry because I didn’t bring a meal for them today? Would a person die alone without anyone to pray with them because I wasn’t at their bedside? Would a person commit suicide because I wasn’t there to give them hope with a smile and a cheerful “Hi, how are you?”

Tough questions! 

Yes, but questions that we need to ask ourselves.  Jesus was a radical in his time.  So radical that the church leaders put him to death. 

Jesus had an impact on other people’s lives.  He healed the sick, he cast out demons, he forgave people of their sins, he condemned the self-righteous for their self-centered lives and most importantly, he gave hope to the poor, outcast and marginalized of society. 

And how do I stand against the other actions that Jesus did while on earth?  Do I bring healing to others?  We often think of a miraculous healing where the lame can walk, and the blind can see.  What about the subtle healing of sitting with someone who is pain, quietly, not saying anything, just being there with them and praying silently for them? 

There are many evil people in the world.  We see them all the time teaching gay marriage, transgender culture and pornography to our young people, and other acts that are destroying the structure of the family.  Do we speak out against these demons or are we silent hoping they will go away? 

While I am unable to forgive people their sins, do I forgive those who have caused me harm or pain and suffering?  Do I forgive those who spread lies about me or spread mean things about me because of my faith? 

Do we speak out against sins and evil even within the Church?  The self-righteous perpetuate arrogance and coldness that turns people off religion.   Am I like that?  Or do I strive to be a loving and caring person who worships humbly and reverently? 

It’s one thing to donate money to the poor but do I really care for the poor and outcast?  Do I turn my head away from the homeless person at the corner asking for help?  Or do I look at them, smile at them treating them with the dignity that each person deserves as a child of God, do I pray for them, do I offer them a gift card to get something to eat at a fast food restaurant, especially something hot in when the weather turns cold? 

If I were to die today, would anyone be impacted by my absence?

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