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.
June 26, 2022 · 6:11 pm

20220627 Monday Ordinary 13 C

Today’s Gospel starts with “A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”  Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 

Jesus’ answer seems strange to us.  We are always planning and storing food for the times that we might not have any or very little.  This is especially true of the generation who lived through the Great Depression.  And many of the children from that generation learned that you must have a house and store food in preparation for the worst. 

Jesus was making the point that we should not be overly concerned about the things of earthly life, including places to live and food to eat.  I think of Mother Theresa in our time who understood this concept and lived trusting on God to provide the daily needs of the Sisters and those they served. 

In his book, The Gospel According to Matthew, David Brown writes, (I have paraphrased this selection because it was written in the King’s English and difficult to follow)

“Will you? Jesus replies.  Understand what you are committing to do.  There is no warm home, no downy pillow, or comforts that most people enjoy.  The foxes and birds places to live. but Jesus doesn’t.  Jesus has to depend on the hospitality of others, he even has to borrow a pillow for his head.  Jesus does not reject the Scribe’s offer to follow him, nor tell the Scribe not to follow Him.  Jesus only wanted the Scribe to know what he is committing to do and “consider the cost.”  Jesus wants the Scribe to weigh the strength of his attachment to earthly things and determine if he will be able to follow Jesus through adversity and trials.  If so, the Scribe is welcome to follow Jesus, for Christ will not turn anyone away.” 

It is so easy to get caught up in the moment and want to do something about an injustice of support a cause, just as this scribe did, without realizing the extreme effort and possibly the personal cost required to follow the task through to actually change the world. 

We try to provide for the future and get so involved with acquiring a house, food, things to satisfy our desires, and to have what we want right now, that it is easy to forget the real message of the Gospel.  It’s not about this earthly life but our eternal life.  And that is hard for all of us to truly comprehend in this culture. 

Jesus was teaching an invaluable lesson – The comforts of earthly life have a strong pull on us.  Are we too attached to the good things of this life to give them up?  Has the good life on earth become so important to us that we are unable to turn away from them to serve God? 

We don’t know whether the Scribe followed Jesus.  The question for us is “Are we willing to give up the comforts we have acquired to follow Jesus and share his love with others?” 

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June 19, 2022 · 5:35 pm

20220620 Monday Ordinary 12 C

My parents divorced when I was about a year and a half old.  My mother tried to make it on her own but eventually moved my sister and me to live with her parents.  My grandfather became my father figure and was a great example of a godly person. 

We were very poor by the standards of the world but rich in family and God.  My grandfather was a janitor at a church and was uneducated in the world of business but was able to repair plumbing, install electrical wiring and build things including a house using materials from other houses he demolished for the windows, doors wood and nails.  My grandparents and mother taught me a good work ethic that lasted throughout my life. 

When I got older, I was blessed with two men who worked in the corporate world and mentored me on how to act, how businesses worked and how to excel in the corporate environment.  I owe my success in life and in the companies where I worked to these two men. 

The first one was Carl.  Carl had a lot of sayings about how people act and how to get along with others.  One of these sayings was “We criticize others for the things we subconsciously dislike about ourselves.” 

Let’s think about this for a little bit.  “We criticize others for the things we subconsciously dislike about ourselves.”  I would like to think that it’s not true but over the years, when I found myself criticizing others, I would examine myself and realize that Carl was right. 

“We criticize others for the things we subconsciously dislike about ourselves.”

Jesus taught this same lesson two thousand years ago.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus said “You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” 

Recently, Brother Stephen talked about how Jesus taught us that the intent of the heart was what mattered.  If we have slandered in our neighbor’s character in our mind, we have committed the sin even though we did not say it out loud. 

The next time we are about to criticize someone, we must pause and ask ourselves “Do I do that?”  We must examine our lives critically and honestly.  Over the years, I have found that Carl was right.  I do that.  Then I work at being less a better person.  I pray for the person I was about to criticize and for myself that I might strive to be closer to God and worry less about others around me. 

When we are critical of someone, we are really judging that person.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus also said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged.  For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.” 

The next time we are about to criticize someone for any reason, we must pause and ask ourselves, “Do I do that?” 

Remember. “We criticize others for the things we subconsciously dislike about ourselves.”  Lord, help me not to judge others by my criticism, that you will be merciful to me, a sinner. 

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June 13, 2022 · 11:09 am

20220613 Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua C

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said: “Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” 

That seems like a lot to ask.  Give to the one who asks of you.  No stipulations, No limits, No restrictions.  Give to the one who asks – period. 

For many years, I never gave to anyone standing on the corner asking for money.  I would go buy a meal and take it back to them sometimes, but not cash.  That person could use the money for cigarettes, alcohol, or even illegal drugs. 

Gradually, over the years, the concept of almsgiving during Lent changed my mind.  God asks that we give to the poor., That is our obligation, it’s not up to us to judge or condemn, especially without even knowing the person.  And so I began to give to the person on the corner with a cardboard sign asking for help. 

It was an honor to be at Father Dave’s ordination in Pittsburgh this past Saturday.  As I was leaving the Cathedral to go back to the Turnpike, trying to follow the GPS prompts and keep track of where I was headed, there was a woman standing at the intersection with a cardboard sign that read “Homeless. Anything helps.”  The traffic light for the entrance onto the Interstate Highway to go to the Turnpike was changing.  I could have stopped but drove on thru in my rush to get on the road. 

As I drove past the woman, I saw the desperation in her face.  She looked scared.  That look will always be with me.  I could have and should have stopped for the light and helped in a small way.  In my haste, I drove by. 

These are the marginalized of society.  The forgotten people who are alone, scared, and desperate.  There are many reasons why they are Homeless.  A good friend of mine, Deacon Frank, was the Director of Deacons and Senior Priests.  Now he is the Director of Seattle Night Watch.  His Ministry of Charity was to go with several other deacons and leaders from Night Watch into North Aurora Avenue and the Jungle in Seattle.  The area along the I5 corridor where the Tent Cities are abundant is called the Jungle.  Anything goes there and many of the Homeless fear for their lives but have no place to go. 

Deacon Frank would post the team’s encounters with people on their walk at night to hand out food, water and to spend time talking with those who wanted to talk, to hand out a rosary and to pray with those who permitted it. 

Deacon Frank has an extremely unique way of writing about the encounters in the dark.  He uses one initial for each person and describes the pain, the agony and at times the joy of those the team meets. 

Deacon Frank’s writings make you realize that each person deserves to be treated with respect and given the dignity of one of God’s Children regardless of their circumstances. 

Everyone wants to be loved, to be treated with kindness and given hope that things will get better when they are at the bottom of life.  This applies to you and me as well when we are discouraged and think that life is hopeless. 

I preached a similar homily a number of years ago.  One of the families told me that their son asked about helping the Homeless.  She suggested that they buy some $10 McDonalds gift cards to hand out.  What a great idea.  Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to get a meal for $10 from any fast-food place today. 

I pray that I will slow down and help the next time I see a person with a cardboard sign asking for help.  Jesus tells us to help others without any reservations.  Then, after we have helped, we must pray for the safekeeping of God’s Child in this world. 

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June 5, 2022 · 10:22 am

20220606 Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. 

Some years ago, Father Jay asked this question in a homily: “What if Mary had said NO when the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she would be the Mother of God?” 

We are all created in God’s image and God gave us a Free Will to say Yes or No to him.  Therefore, Mary had the ability to say No to God. 

What if God decided that he would only give humanity one chance at salvation from the Original Sin that happened in the Garden of Eden, and that hinged on Mary’s answer.  What if Mary said, “A pregnancy would be so inconvenient at this point in my life.”  In essence saying No for all of humanity.  

To put it into today’s terms, what if Mary said “I can’t get pregnant now.  I am so busy now with our wedding planning and the scandal would be shameful to us and to my family.  I don’t want to endure all of that right now.” 

Today, sex before marriage is accepted and normal.  An accidental pregnancy today simply means that one would get an abortion and it’s no longer a problem.  This is true of many Catholics sitting in the pews in the US today and not just our political leaders.  A pregnancy would not even be considered shameful let alone a sin.  

It’s easy for us to criticize the political leaders who consider themselves devout Catholics while pushing for abortion as a woman’s right while we still find it acceptable in our own hearts. 

Fortunately for all generations to come including us today, Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.”  

Mary’s complete dependency on God in spite of the fear and terror in her heart when she said “Yes” is a model for us today.  Mary was an extremely devout person, that’s why she found favor with God.  She also knew the penalty for adultery was death by stoning.  She knew the shame that would come to her family when it was revealed that she was pregnant. 

But fear never stopped Mary.  She feared for her son’s safety when Joseph led them into Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath on the children of Bethlehem.  She and Joseph were frantic when Jesus was missing when they were returning home from the feast in Jerusalem.  She endured the suffering and crucifixion of her son silently on the sideline fearing for his life.  She was at the cross when her son died a terrible, painful death. 

While Mary experienced a life of fear and pain, she also experienced joy and peace in her later years.  Mary was there when her son, hanging on the cross, gave her to the Disciple he loved to care for as his own mother.  She was there after Jesus rose from the tomb.  She was there when Jesus appeared after his resurrection.  And Mary was there with his Disciples at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the new Church. 

Our lives are filled with so much pain and suffering.  Mary’s life is an example for us that joy and peace will come.  Together, let us pray to our Holy Mother:

Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

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May 29, 2022 · 5:32 am

20220529 Easter 7C

“Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” 

In the beginning of this segment we hear “Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one …”  It seems incredible but this came true.  Today, we believe because of “their word” which was written down in the Gospels, the Book of Acts and the Epistles for us to read today. 

Jesus continued “so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you”.  We can make today’s Gospel profound and deep, even difficult to understand, or we can try to understand it as Jesus said it.  Jesus, throughout his life, preached a message of love and care for one another, especially the poor and the unwanted.  Jesus wanted the love that he and his Father shared for us too. 

Unfortunately, that is not the gospel that we so often live today.  We avoid the reality that evil exists in the world, the evil that opposes the love the Father and Son want to share with us.  This is evident in the violence we see in the world today.  From the war in the Ukraine to oppression in countries like China, Afghanistan, The Sudan, and many other nations, to the recent killing of others because they are different than us, to the killing of innocent children because evil exists.  There is evil in the world, but we don’t like to acknowledge it because it is unnerving and forces us examine our own sin. 

In the United States, our rugged American individualism also gets in the way.  We live in a society where consumption regardless of the impact on others, or the earth, is the norm.  Others become secondary to what we want or think that we need.  Public leaders can claim to be devout Catholics and yet support laws and ideologies that are in direct conflict with Church teaching.  What we think or want for ourselves seems to be all that matters. 

We can criticize these leaders, or we can remember how Jesus handled the mob of righteous leaders who brought the woman caught in adultery to demand that she be stoned to death.  We’ll never know what Jesus wrote in the ground, or if it was just his words ‘Let the one without sin cast the first stone’, but he made them look into their own lives because none of them were without sin.  And the same is true for us today.  We must examine our own lives for the times we have failed to follow Christ and seek forgiveness for ourselves, then pray for our leaders and those around us. 

So how do we get back to the true love that Jesus wanted for us?  Pope Francis gave us a roadmap on how to do this when he said, “We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love.  Be poor among the poor.  We need to include the excluded and preach peace.” 

How do we give hope to young people, spread love and include the excluded?  We start by following Jesus’ command to love others even if we disagree with them and despite what they say or do is wrong to our beliefs.  We pray and care for those who need our support and live by example so others will see that God loves them through our actions.  When we live a Christian life, the world will hate us and try to control and destroy us.  That has been so evident these past two years. 

Bishop Barron recently wrote “The “world” is that collectivity of persons, institutions, armies, and nations predicated upon the loss of friendship with God. That network will hate the followers of Jesus because it cannot frighten them, and its success depends upon fear.  Jesus is about to be swallowed up by the forces of the world, but he is not held captive or entranced by them, because he does not live in himself—and hence in fear—but rather in the Father, the power that conquers the world.” 

Does the world frighten us or pressure us from speaking out when we see injustice?  Are we afraid that we will lose our job or a promotion because of our Catholic faith?  Are we afraid to confront our sin?  Are we willing to acknowledge that evil exits and holds extreme power in the world? 

At the end of each mass, we pray the Prayer to St Michael the Archangel to defend us in battle against evil and the snares of the devil and all the evil spirits prowling about the world seeking the ruin of souls.  We are in a battle for our spiritual lives and the spiritual lives of those around us.  We need to live like it. 

Jesus prayed for his disciples and us, that we would love each other as he and his Father love each other.  Jesus prayed that we would be one in Christ as an example to the world of love for others in spite of our differences, shortcomings and failures. 

Lord Jesus, help us to love others like you love them, so that we may be one with you. 

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May 23, 2022 · 6:49 am

20220523 Monday Easter 6C

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us ““I have told you this so that you may not fall away.”  Jesus had a great concern for his disciples and for all of us today.  He was warning us that others would hate us and mistreat us if we truly followed him. 

Jesus was concerned that we would turn away from our faith when trials, persecution, failures, and disappointments happen to us.  Jesus was giving the disciples encouragement that the Holy Spirit would remind them what he taught them and teach them new things as well as give them strength and courage to preach the Risen Lord. 

Jesus wanted them to know what to expect so they would continue to build the Church here on earth.  The Holy Spirit of truth emboldened the disciples to preach and endure mistreatment for the sake of the Gospel. 

This is exactly what happened.  When the disciples were expelled from the synagogues, they continued to preach with fervor and built the church with Peter as the leader.  It was not easy.  The Apostles endured beatings, jail and attempts on their lives but them continued to build the church, preaching the Gospel that Jesus taught them. 

Father Richard Rohr recently wrote

Throughout the history of Christianity, it would seem Jesus’ teaching has had little impact, except among people who surrendered to great love and great suffering.  Could this be the real core of the Gospel?  (And here I think of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.)  Such people experience God rather than merely have disconnected ideas about God.  We need practice-based religion that teaches us how to connect with the Infinite in ways that actually change us from our finite perspectives. 

We must rediscover what St. Francis of Assisi called the “marrow of the Gospel.”  In the year 1205, Jesus spoke to Francis through the San Damiano cross: “Francis, rebuild my church, for you see it is falling into ruin.”  

It is the Marrow of the Gospel that St Francis talked about that gives us the ability to focus on the needs of others and rebuild the Church.  We do this by helping those around us.  We happily drive those who need a ride to the doctor, sit with the lonely, provide food to those who are hungry, and speak out when we see unjust treatment of others. 

If God has little impact in our lives, if we are disconnected and practice our Christianity in a ho hum method, we will never change the world around us.  If we have a practice-based religion like Fr Richard described, we can and will change those around us by our example.  This is what Jesus called us to do.  The Holy Spirit is with us even today to help us surrender our lives to God’s great love and give us strength and courage to tell others about our Risen Lord. 

Lord, help us to truly follow you and make us instruments of your Love that we might share our Risen Lord with the world around us. 

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May 18, 2022 · 10:07 am

20220515 Easter 5C

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us to “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Love. 

It’s a strange word.  We use it in so many different ways.  We say, “I love you” to our spouse, our children, our siblings, and parents.  Bet we also say, “I love ice cream”.  We say, “I love a certain TV show”.  We say, “I love a movie star (insert any name) whom I’ve never met”.  And then we say, “I love you Grandma”. 

With such a wide spectrum of uses for the word Love, they all can’t mean the same thing.  Americans have basically two words, love and like, however we usually use the word love to describe liking something. 

Many countries have multiple words for love that have a very specific meaning for different levels of love.  The Greeks had up to nine words for different levels of love.  Based on the word used, a person knew the level of love the speaker meant. 

One level is love of self.  We all dislike the person who is arrogant and overbearing, the person who is completely self-centered and critical of everyone else.  Many people think that Love of Self is wrong, but a person must love themselves in a positive way to be able to love others.  A person must have the peace that God gives within their hearts to share God’s love with others.  People who hate themselves or think poorly of themselves generally have a negative attitude toward and about other people. 

The other eight words the Greek language uses define different levels of love towards others.  The Greeks used “Agape” to describe God’s love.  But what is God’s love? 

Cyril of Alexandria gives us some insight when he wrote

“I give you a new commandment, said Jesus: love one another.”  But how, we might ask, could he call this commandment new? 

Through Moses, he had said to the people of old: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 

Notice what follows. He was not content simply to say, “I give you a new commandment: love one another.” 

He showed the novelty of his command and how far the love he enjoined surpassed the old conception of mutual love by going on immediately to add: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

To understand how we should love others; we must comprehend how Jesus loved us.  Jesus loved us so much that he willingly suffered the pain and agony of scourging and crucifixion on a cross.  His passion and suffering such a terrible death, to give his life for us to save us from sin, was so that we might have eternal life with him in Heaven.  This is a love that I don’t know how to describe. 

When Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” he was teaching a completely new concept to the Disciples and to us today. 

John Pilch tells us

“Other farewell addresses in the Bible and other ancient literature usually exhort the survivors, the “children,” to practice moral virtue or to remain obedient to the Law.  Jesus’ farewell address lays down a “love command” which is described as “new.”  “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another” 

“What is evident in all these passages is that love is extended only to other members of the inner circle, the community, and not to those outside.  “By this everyone [else, outside] will know that you are my disciples [insiders], if you have love for one another” 

This example of mutual love among insiders should be a stirring example to all outsiders. 

God’s covenantal love is spontaneous, unmotivated, directed to sinners and others unworthy of love. Israel experienced this love of old in Deuteronomy.  In Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s love is known in a totally new dimension. 

A new command to love others, everyone, as I have loved you!  This same love is mentioned in the second reading from Revelation, “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.  He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God.” 

God promised to always be with us as our God.  Since God is love, then this supreme Love will always be with us for us to share with everyone we meet. 

That is not easy to do when people are mean and hateful to us.  But Jesus said that others will know that we are his disciples if we have love for one another.  Sharing God’s love will become even more critical in the coming days when people may try to disrupt mass and attack Catholics for our faith.  The early Christians were persecuted and many of them were martyred for their love for God.  They followed Jesus’ example of quiet, patient suffering for their faith.  We must do the same. 

This is the real mission of the Church.  The eighty-nine young people confirmed here at St Joseph’s yesterday are empowered by the Holy Spirit to love one another and to take God’s love to the world.  And we must join them and follow Jesus’ command to love each other as Jesus loved us. 

How do I love the dirty unkept person on the street corner begging for food?  How do I love the person spreading hate and gossip at work?  How do I love the neighbor who lets their dog run all over our yard when we have asked them not to do that?  How do I love the family member who always gets on my nerves? 

The world is hungry for love.  They have sought it in wealth, success, power, and fame; yet nothing seems to satisfy.  When we have God’s love within us it flows out to those around us.  Our love for each other is a witness of God’s love that will make the world want what we have.  

Jesus taught us how to lead others to him: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Jesus us a new command, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  The question we must ask ourselves is “Do I love others as Jesus loves me?” 

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· 10:01 am

20220501 Easter 3C

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times, once for each time Peter betrayed Jesus during his trial and passion.  Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 

Jesus said to Peter: “Someone else will lead you to where you do not want to go.”  Do you ever feel that someone is leading you where you do not want to go in life? 

It made me think about the events in my life that I would prefer never happened, the journeys that I did not want to experience.  I’m sure that you have some of those too.  Even when we are young, things happen to us that make us question Why. 

Why did I develop cancer at 35? 

Why did my child die at 16? 

Why was my brother killed in the line of duty at 22? 

Why was my job terminated and we lost everything? 

Why did my best friend have a stroke in her sixties and will never recover? 

Why?  Why God?  Why? 

We all experience pain and suffering in our lives.  Like Peter, each of us must walk a path where we do not want to go.  While your path is different from mine, both are similar; we walk the through the trials and suffering that living brings to us. 

When terrible things happen to people who are not Christians, it is devastating.  Their whole world collapses in around them and they sink into the depths of despair and hopelessness.  Some will turn to drugs or alcohol, others will be angry with everyone, some will dive into the depths of despair that they will commit suicide thinking it will solve all their pain and suffering. 

When these things happen to Christians, it is still devastating but we have the Hope of the Resurrection to get us through it.  Jesus suffered severe pain and agony through the trials of his Passion.  Jesus did not want to walk the journey of his Passion.  In the garden he prayed “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” 

When we think about the pain and agony that Jesus suffered on his journey to Calvary for our sake, the trials and suffering on our journey of life are insignificant by comparison.  That does not mean our lives are any less painful but gives us strength and hope to overcome them. 

During this past Lent at the Second Station in the Stations of the Cross, Jesus puts the trials in our journey in life into perspective:

“This cross, this chuck of wood is what my Father chose for me.  

The crosses you must bear are largely products of your daily life.  And yet my Father chose them, too, for you.  Receive them from his hands. 

Take heart my other self, I will not let your burdens grow one ounce too heavy for your strength.” 

Jesus said he would not let our burdens grow one ounce too heavy for the strength we have each day.  Sometimes it seems that the suffering in our lives is overwhelming.  Jesus will give us the strength to survive. 

Many of the Saints of the Church have shown great patience and endurance through the many trials of life.  Saint Joseph the Worker, whom we honor today, and for whom our parish is named, had more trials than most people. 

First, Joseph finds out that his betrothed is pregnant.  Then he flees to another country to protect his family from death.  Living in a country where one does not speak the language or know the customs had to be extremely difficult.  Joseph must begin a business as a carpenter to provide for his family.  They had to struggle in the beginning to make ends meet. 

Then Joseph moves his family back to their homeland to start a business all over again.  Patiently enduring each set back and trial that living brings to him, Joseph takes it all in stride because his faith is in God.  Joseph knows that God will protect his family and provide for their needs. 

St Joseph is a great example for us as to how to live our lives, patiently enduring each setback, patiently enduring each “Why?” in our life. 

After Peter professed his love for Jesus three times, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”  Peter followed Jesus and it was the turning point for the Church.  He led the other disciples to teach multitudes of people to believe in Christ and the Church grew in great numbers. 

Jesus calls us to Follow Him too.  We follow the Jesus who rose from the dead.  We have Hope because of his Resurrection and triumph over death. 

We teach those around us about Jesus by how we live our lives as the daily trials and burdens of life bombard us.  Like St Joseph, our faith in God helps us overcome the suffering and struggles of daily life. 

Our life journey continues to present us with events we prefer not to experience.  These are products of our daily lives.  Some of these events are because of bad decisions we made in the past.  Other events are the same that everyone experiences at some point. 

Jesus knew that his passion and death were only the beginning.  His resurrection that we celebrate during this Easter Season is victory over death and all the suffering of the world.  Jesus followed his Father’s will he calls us to do the same. 

When overcome by daily events, it’s difficult to remember that we are living our lives for an eternal reward with our Lord.  Jesus said he will give us the strength to overcome these daily events in our lives, and by doing so to show others that Jesus gives us hope even in our daily suffering. 

Then Jesus said to Peter “Follow Me.”  Jesus calls us too, “Follow Me.” 

Will we? 

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· 9:57 am

20220424 Easter 2C Divine Mercy Sunday

John said that the doors were locked where the disciples were because they were afraid of the Jews.  Rightly so, the Jews had Jesus, their leader, unjustly condemned and crucified.  It would just be a matter of time until the Jews came looking for his followers to give them a similar death.  The disciples feared for their lives. 

What are you afraid of? 

Death?

Loss of Family?  

Terminal Sickness?  

Addiction? 

Loss of employment?  

Bugs, Snakes, Spiders?  

Bills you can’t pay? 

War? 

High inflation on a fixed income? 

What is the biggest fear for you?  

The most repeated command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid.”  But how can we not be afraid?  With all the evil and hatred in the world and in social media, it’s impossible to live without fear. 

However, the most repeated command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid.”  The angels at the tomb said “Do not be afraid.  When Jesus appeared after his Resurrection, Jesus would frequently start with “Do not be afraid.” and continue with “Peace be with you.” 

All of Jesus’ comments after his Resurrection were words of comfort.  When Jesus talked with Mary Magdala in the garden after his Resurrection, he said to go tell the disciples that I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”  Words of comfort and Hope. 

The whole conversation on the Road to Emmaus was to comfort the two men who were so distraught about what had happened in Jerusalem, about Jesus’ crucifixion and death. 

In today’s Gospel, we hear words of comfort from Jesus.  Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

Peace. 

Peace is very elusive.  We hold Peace Negotiations to bring two nations together to talk and reach an agreement on terms for a cease fire and peace.  We pray for peace in our world today as Russia invades Ukraine.  We pray for peace in our families where fighting and bickering seems to be the norm.  We pray for peace within our hearts to calm the constant tension we feel. 

But “What is peace?”  How do you define peace? 

A walk in a park or woods? 

A walk along a beach? 

Playing with the grandchildren? 

Singing in the shower? 

Time spent in prayer and in Adoration of our Lord? 

John tells us that after Jesus said, “Peace be with you.”, he showed them his hands and his side.  The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.”  Jesus repeated it!  Our “Peace” was so important to Jesus that he repeated it! 

During the Eucharist prayers, the priest says, “Peace be with you.”  All the people reply with “And with your Spirit.”  The deacon then encourages the people to share a sign of Christ’s peace with each other. 

Everyone wants to be happy.  We try to find that happiness in many different ways.  Some try to find it in drugs, alcohol, pornography, and even in abusive behavior to make one feel stronger and superior to others.  Others try to find it by climbing the ladder of success where others at work or even at church will admire and praise them for their success. 

When we are unable to find happiness, some people take it out on everyone around them.  Some are abusive to their spouse or family, others are critical of everyone, others resent the happiness of those who have become successful.  Unfortunately, regardless of how we try to find happiness, we still fail to find peace without Christ in our lives.  How will the world learn how to obtain this peace? 

In today’s Gospel, after Jesus said ”Peace be with you.” the second time, he continued, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.”  We too receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism.  This is the peace, the happiness that the world seeks but is unable to find. 

The world is so hungry for happiness and peace but how will they find it?  Who will tell them? 

The answer is at the end of Matthew’s Gospel where we read “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.  When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.  Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” 

Jesus commanded the eleven to share that peace with others.  That command has been handed down over the millennia to us today.  We find the peace that Jesus promised in the Sacraments of the Church.  A week ago, we as the community of Christ here at St Joseph Church, shared the Sacraments with 31 new members.  Peace be with you. 

The central theme during the Easter Season is “Do not be afraid”, “Peace be with you”.  We have Hope because of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.  We only find happiness, real peace when we follow Jesus and share him with others. 

What can we do to find this peace?  We study the scriptures to learn how to live better lives and grow closer to God.  We spent a few more minutes in prayer each day seeking God’s help and mercy to serve him with all our strength, with all our heart and all our soul.  We spend a few minutes in quiet time listening for God’ guidance to heal our broken spirits and guide us to his peace. 

It requires effort to grow closer to God.  Are we willing to put forth the effort required to open our hearts to his peace? 

It must be important because Jesus said it twice in today’s Gospel.  Jesus is here at the altar in our midst today saying

“Peace be with you.” 

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· 9:54 am

20220410 Palm Sunday C

In today’s Gospel, Jesus instituted the Eucharist at his last supper with his disciples.  Jesus showed by example that the Eucharist should be shared in community and that the Eucharist makes us equal in Christ.  There are no differences, whether we are fat, skinny, young, old, strong, feeble, outspoken like Peter, or quiet like some of the other disciples.  Our differences, our disabilities and our suffering are gone.  We are only souls who come to the Table of the Eucharist with out-stretched hand to receive Christ into our lives. 

Jesus teaches this lesson of equality when the disciples argue about who of them is the greatest.  The new Church should not be like the Gentile governments who have positions of power who rule with that power.  Jesus, the Teacher, said, “I am among you as the one who serves.”  In the new Church, everyone will serve others as Jesus did by example. 

“Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.”  Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray many times in the past and tonight was no different.  We have talked many times how often Jesus would slip away from the crowds to pray.  He does that again in preparation for trial that lies ahead of him. 

Jesus, knowing what he was to endure, asked his Father to prevent this suffering.  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”  Notice how Jesus wanted to avoid the suffering but still prayed that the Father’s will be done. 

How often we ask God to remove the trials and suffering from our lives, to make our lives easier.  It is harder to ask for God’s will to be done because that might mean more suffering.  But Jesus said that he would never permit any trial greater than we can bear.  That means we can follow the example he gave us to pray for God’s will in our lives too. 

We are all equal when we pray, just like when coming to receive the Eucharist.  We pray to the Father, individually, and collectively as the Church, seeking God’s help and will in our lives.  God even hears the silent prayers of desperation that are in our hearts. 

Holy Week is a time of many emotions.  It goes from ecstasy of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to the suffering of the scourging and the crown of thorns, to the agony of death on the cross, to the hope of new life in the Resurrection. 

As we spend time in prayer this Holy Week let us reflect on similar events in our lives, both the suffering and the rejoicing.  As we work our way through these many emotions, remember that the Hope of the Resurrection gives us confidence that we will see our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.  

With that Hope in mind, we too can pray “Not my will, but yours be done”. 

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