From the desk of Fr. Peter

Peace to you and your house!

For the past couple of weeks the readings have called us to reflect upon the theme of vocation.  Although I have not emphasized vocations to the priesthood and religious life in my homilies or articles, the readings certainly invite those who have not yet decided on a vocation to seriously search within and ask God for help in making a decision on which vocation to choose.

This weekend the Lord speaks on vocations to the priesthood and religious life when he says “ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” When we hear these words, we understand that we are to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  It is also very important for us to speak of these vocations frequently and in a positive manner to our sons and daughters and young people encouraging them to seriously consider this amazing call to serve God in a special way.

When Jesus sends the seventy two disciples, he expects them to work together by using their particular gifts and talents for the sake of one goal: establishing faith in the Gospel and forming lifestyles that manifest God’s presence and wisdom in the world.  He sent them out empty handed so that they, like him, would grow in trust and confidence in God.  They did not carry anything with them except what people desire the most, the peace of the kingdom and they blessed the people and homes they encountered with the gift of peace.  When the disciples returned to Jesus they expressed amazement at the wonders that God worked through them.

For all those who have followed God’s call to the priesthood or religious life, these readings only begin to express how amazing it is to have such a wonderful life!  For God is always active in accomplishing wonderful, mighty deeds in our world through his special servants.  Just take a moment and think about the Eucharist and the whole dynamic around this event in our lives.  There is no comparison for the wonder and power we receive and share through the Eucharist!  Yet, if young men do not respond to God’s call, we won’t have it!  If families do not encourage the priesthood and religious life, we suffer a form of poverty that is hard to estimate.  Right now, St. Edward shares one priest where there were two.  This 1 priest serves 3 communities.  While St. Edward is fortunate enough to have Mass several times a week, the other 2 communities go hungry.

We are blessed to have Fr. Matt Libra and Fr. Dustin Busse as examples of how to follow God’s call to the priesthood!  Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and please encourage young people to do something truly special and amazing by letting go of everything else and following God.  Thank you for your prayers and support!  May God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace to you!

The readings this weekend pique our awareness of tensions that arise while we strive to serve God above all. Fr. Ron Rolheiser, a theologian and spiritual writer, noted in an article for Catholic Northwest Progress that Christians should set themselves apart from the world. But setting ourselves apart does not come without innate tensions. “On the one hand, something in us wants to be different, to stand out, to be noticed as separate and show itself to be unique and independent. At the same time however, we have an equally strong, contradictory impulse that yearns for unity, community, family and intimacy, connection, solidarity and oneness with others and the world.”

Fr. Ron observes that our baptism is at the core of this tension because it is meant to set us apart from the world while drawing us deeply into a family of faith, the Body of Christ. It is in membership with the Body of Christ where we are called to be humble and be part of something much larger and greater than ourselves. Our true fulfillment, identity and happiness does not consist in our own self-determined reality. Rather, it consists in always belonging to and actively being part of the Church that Jesus regards as his very self (remember how he spoke to Paul in regards to his persecution of the Church: Why do you persecute me?).

Interesting dynamic and tension! No less marvelous than the balance of the solar system in which we live or the universe for that matter! But that’s how God does things! This could be the foundation of the Benedictine motto: All things in Moderation!

This weekend’s readings and Gospel help us understand that each of us has been called by God in a special way. God has a plan for each of us and every other person in the world that is unique. This plan includes some vocation and purpose for each one that only they can accomplish. Yet it can only be rightly and fully accomplished in the context of relationship with God and the people we are with day by day.

Jesus calls us out of the world to be with him, trust him and depend entirely on him. God also calls men and women to follow him in a special vocation within the Church to be outstanding witnesses of the true presence of God’s power working in the world. Jesus himself had to fast, pray, and forgive his enemies and struggle to be faithful when everyone else fled away. There is a cost to discipleship for everyone. St. Ignatius of Antioch died as food for wild beasts and he prayed for the gift of grace to do it. A young postulant in a monastery makes a vow of silence and strict enclosure to be separated from the world in a radical way—dead to the world. A priest and a professed religious make a promise of celibacy and an exclusive commitment to serve God alone. A married couple makes an exclusive commitment to each other and must balance the duties of job, marriage and raising a Catholic family in a world that is sometimes too busy and disconnected from morality. We all feel the tensions of “worldly stuff” that can cause us to feel divided or distracted from our highest goal. Yet we also feel the surge of a dynamic power through our communion which, ultimately rests upon the infinite love and mercy of God! May God strengthen you in your resolve to follow him more closely! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace to you!

This weekend the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  Upon his return from a victorious battle against other kings, Abram encounters the priest Melchizedek who performs the sacrifice of bread and wine offered to God in thanksgiving for fulfilling the promise of his covenant to Abram.  As a gesture of gratitude to God and the priest, Abram gives a tenth of his wealth in temporal goods.

St. Paul informs the Corinthian community that he has handed on to them exactly what he received in celebrating the Eucharist.  Beyond the text of what we read today, Paul also demands that those who partake of the Lord’s Supper be properly disposed through personal commitment to conversion, mutual respect and charity toward each other.  To participate otherwise, is to sin against Jesus’ commandments to love one another and serve one another.

The action in the Gospel story depicts Jesus and the disciples at work for the sake of the kingdom of God.  They are teaching the people about God and giving care to all according to their needs but special care and attention is given for the sick.  The feeding of the five thousand with the loaves and the fish is an early scriptural image of the Eucharist.  Today we actually have the real and true presence of Christ in the Eucharist: it is his body, blood, soul and divinity; it is not just a symbol.

When we hear the words “Body and Blood of Christ,” we remember (anemnesis) when Jesus instituted the Eucharist with his disciples and we enter more deeply into the New and Everlasting Covenant with Christ and the whole Christian family (past, present, and future) each time we celebrate it.  As we celebrate it, we are also strengthened to actively live it.  For us, Christ’s sacrifice and gift of the Eucharist is not only an event at Mass; it is not only the real presence of God hidden in the gifts of bread and wine, it is also a living relationship that each one of us has with God and his people.  The Eucharist also brings us together as the Body of Christ to be the real and true sign of Christ’s presence in the world.  We have an obligation to respect and love each other as the Body of Christ.  Imagine what our Catholic family could be like if we regarded each other as a Consecrated Host, a living tabernacle of the real and true presence of Christ.   In one of the hymns that we sing at Mass, the words of a prayer of St. Augustine are quoted: “eating your body, drinking your blood, we become what we receive.”  I hope and pray that I continue to grow in recognition of the love and goodness of God in the Eucharist, and that I can be more perfectly the Eucharist to other people.  God’s blessings to you always! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace and grace to you!

This weekend the Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.  It seems fitting that this feast should follow Pentecost because Jesus frequently referred to the Father before and after his death.  Then following his death and resurrection, he promised that the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, would come upon them and remain with the community.  The mighty wind signaled the presence and action of the Spirit among the disciples at Pentecost.  So at this point of revelation, God is understood as three distinct persons but of one divine nature: Father as Origin and Source of All that is; Son as Word of God, Savior and Redeemer; Spirit as the Animator, Indwelling Love and Guiding Light of God’s people, thus comes the Christian knowledge of God as the Holy Trinity.  The Holy Trinity always defies our complete understanding but there are a couple of things that are very clear.  God is completely relational, which is to say that God is an eternal spring of interested and active love!  God is completely in love with each one of us, personally!  Jesus came as a human being to restore the relationship between human beings and God.  Jesus expressed himself as God by being entirely loving and merciful during his life and ministry.  He showed us this love by healing us, embracing suffering and death to expiate us from sin.  Now we have the presence of the Holy Spirit nourishing us with the Word and the Eucharist, guiding us in right faith and inspiring us to continue the work of Jesus in the world.  We have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to act in God’s name in the world because we share in his divine life—what an amazing gift!  One of the greatest things to contemplate is that you and I and all the baptized receive the Holy Spirit inside of us, working within us!  We are sharers in the divine life of the Trinity!

This week the disciples receive a commission to “go 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.”  This great commission is yours and mine and we do it when we put our faith in action and trust Jesus’ words “behold, I am with you always!”  May God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace and grace to you all!

Here it is Pentecost Sunday already!  In the mind of the Church, the time from Easter to Pentecost (50 days) is viewed as 1 great day.  Do you remember how the day began?  It was at the empty tomb where two men in dazzling garments proclaimed “he is not here, but he has been raised.”  At first, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection was hard for the disciples to believe but after frequent surprise visits, their confidence and faith became solidly grounded.  It seems as though Jesus had to lead them through a series of steps to help them transition from being accustomed to his physical presence to his invisible, spiritual presence to the whole community.  As we can see, Jesus was preparing them for a special gift!

Today the Church remembers the gift of the Holy Spirit by which the Church discerns and recognizes the presence and action of God in the community.  In fact, Jesus’ physical and visible presence in the world is now through you, me and the whole Church.  This is God present in mystery!  We all recognize the Spirit at work within us as we hear God’s Word—are not our hearts burning within us?  We recognize the Spirit among us by the desire to act for the good giving dignity, respect and service to one another; this is love.  The Spirit moves us to cross the street of our own comfort zones and beyond our own interests out of ourselves—even to the ends of the earth—to share the good news of pardon, peace and new life in Jesus!  It all begins at home within ourselves just as it did for the disciples.  We give public witness as they did when we use our words and actions to build up the body of Christ and choose to forgive and begin anew rather than descend into harshness or criticism or grudging.

We also recognize that the Spirit empowers each of us with different gifts for service.  I know that many of you have been watchful in prayer and pondering what role of service you might choose for building up the body of Christ at St. Edward, St. Bernard and St. Thomas.  Teaching the faith, assisting the poor through St. Vincent de Paul, singing in the Choir, Lector/Reader, Eucharistic Minister, the Soup Kitchen, Catholic Daughters, or serving on the Bazaar committee, are just a few ideas of many possibilities.  Try to trust that God will direct you and guide you to the place you need to be!  Remember, it is through using our gifts that God is visibly present and this brings joy to you and the community!  May God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace be with you!

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord that we celebrate this weekend completes a full circle of faith for us.  When the Son of God became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, the foretold restoration of fallen humanity had begun.  In the person of Jesus who is fully God and fully human, we recognize the union of mankind with God; the marriage of human nature with divine nature.   Jesus’ mission was to reconcile mankind with God but the love and intimacy in the way God chose to do this—by becoming human is good beyond our imagining!  God was not satisfied that we should know Jesus as the one who suffered and died to take away our sins: our Redeemer, our Rescuer, our Savior.  This was not enough!  Jesus raised his human body from the tomb of death and showed himself to the disciples—fully alive!  He reveals the resurrection to new life.  Jesus shows us that a sinner does not have to die in sin but through him may find forgiveness and a completely new life.  But even more than this, Jesus takes his human body to heaven where it is enthroned at the “right hand of the Father”!   Just sit back and contemplate this event.  Let the shock of God’s exaltation of human nature sink in to your heart and mind!  Jesus changed human status from broken, fallen and condemned, to wholeness, holiness, exalted and enthroned at God’s right hand!   Additionally, we are not separate from God as individual persons but perfectly united and one with God!  This union does not destroy or eliminate our individual identity but rather augments and completes it because in it, we become fully who we are, united to each other and to God.   I hope that everyone can feel the confidence of love and trust that God is extending to each person.    Once this invitation is understood and accepted, we will no longer doubt or stand looking up into the sky.  We will work together diligently to make disciples of all nations, bringing them to the waters of regeneration in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  It is time to pray for the outpouring of the Spirit that we may be builders of the great and eternal kingdom!  God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

May the joy of Easter emanate from your hearts!

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his followers that he would send the “Advocate” to remain with them as a teacher, and as one who would remind them of all that he had told them.

For the leadership and the people of the early Church, the presence, action and teaching of the Holy Spirit was plainly visible as they clarified the divisive issue of circumcision.  The Holy Spirit is still strongly active in guiding individuals and the whole Church through the course of time.

Pope Francis continues to have a deep and positive impact on Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and non-believers alike.  Within a few moments of his first public address, it was highly evident to all that the spirit of St.  Francis of Assisi had come upon him.  As many of you know, St. Francis was known as a man of simplicity, humility, and great care for the poor.  This same gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to the Holy Father to remind us on how to live the Gospel!  His missionary efforts around the world have had profound effects.  Most notable to me was his visit to the Central African Republic where a Muslim coup caused the country to spiral into civil war.  Against the wishes and pressure of his advisors, Pope Francis was eager to visit the danger zone and he brought the Gospel of peace to them!  This is a defining characteristic of his ministry—he goes where the Gospel is needed the most.  It takes faith and courage to do that.

Two of his encyclicals include joy in the title:  The Joy of the Gospel and The Joy of Love

The Holy Spirit always comes to restore, strengthen, confirm, console and encourage.  The fruits of the Spirit are joy, courage, kindness, gentleness, humility, patience, understanding, goodwill, speech that is directed toward the up-building of each person and society.  The Spirit is agile and creative too; like a bubbling spring that always seeks what is good and finds ways to make good things happen even against all odds.  The encyclicals remind us of the joy we have when living life in the Spirit.  Those who are worldly, selfish and forceful, and do not walk as humble servants of Jesus do not experience joy.  Within each one of us there is an enlightenment that comes from the Gospel that helps us keep Jesus’ word alive in our hearts, words and actions.  Just as the Holy Spirit equipped and accompanied the disciples to proclaim the Gospel as Jesus did, we are called to be the chosen witnesses who proclaim it today.  May we be watchful and ready to welcome, console, confirm, strengthen and encourage those who come into our presence seeking God.  God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

May the joy of Easter lift your heart and mind!

Last weekend was Good Shepherd Sunday.  Listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd and following him wherever he calls us is an amazing adventure of faith.  Listening and discovering another person’s love language is a means to helping each other experience God’s voice and love.  When we speak someone else’s love language, we make each other feel valued, appreciated and loved.

This weekend we are given another paradigm that points to a much deeper and fuller intimacy between ourselves and God.  It is much more human in terms of relationship because it is not between a shepherd and sheep; it is love between God and Jesus, Jesus and the disciples and the love of disciples for each other.  This mutual love and goodwill is the true trademark of the community that Jesus founded, the Church.

As I reflect on the positioning of this set of readings in the context of the Easter Season, I am reminded of my own pilgrimage and the way the calendar of the Church leads us personally and communally in a cyclical fashion through particular stages of life toward union with God.  Every year we grow closer to what we hope for: the Beatific Vision in which we are all completely united to God in God.

At Easter, one of my favorite phrases among the prefaces of the Mass states ”the joy of the resurrection renews the whole world.”   When I reflect on this phrase while living in the Easter Season, it seems that we are on the very threshold of experiencing the Kingdom of Heaven!  But now in these readings we return to a context of farewell.   Jesus is preparing us for the departure of the Easter Season of grace, but we are not to worry or be sorrowful.  Rather, we are to focus in faith and make a daily effort to be ready for the moment he returns to gather each one us personally and intimately to himself!  It will be like the most perfect celebration and we will experience a true happily ever after in heaven!  May God’s promise of love sustain you in everlasting hope! +++ Fr. Peter

May the light and joy of Easter fill your hearts!

This weekend is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations!  There is a popular hymn by Dan Schutte called “Here I Am Lord”.   This hymn gives a good summary of what the attitude and response of each Christian and Prophet referred to in Sacred Scripture has been!  “Here I am Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard you calling in the night.  I will go Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.”

Each person is singularly and uniquely created by God and endowed with special gifts.  God calls everyone to use their gifts for the benefit of others and for building up his Kingdom, the community of faith.  Everyone has the gift of a vocation in which they find the fulfillment of the meaning and purpose of their lives.  Some are called to be priests, to preach the Word of God, to administer the Sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist, and to help the sick and the suffering and the poor and to give their lives in sacrificial service after Christ.  Others are called to serve as Deacons, to proclaim God’s Word and serve others.

Many men and women are inspired by the Holy Spirit to serve the needs of humanity in a radical way by choosing to live the Gospel under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  Their prayers are powerful as they intercede for all humanity and their lives give witness of the love and mercy of God as they serve the needs of others in charity.

Married couples are a living sign of God’s love for the human family in their mutual love for each other and their children as they lead lives of faith and teach their children to listen to God and follow the way of life that Jesus taught.  Today is also Mother’s Day and this vocation of motherhood is extremely important because mothers are the first to teach the children the ways of the faith.  Fathers also do their part but today we honor all mothers in their vocation!

All vocations are important and form part of God’s plan for the good of the whole Church.  Today, the Church needs more men and women serving as priests and religious.  Please pray for an increase in Priestly and religious vocations and a generous response to God’s call!

May God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

May the splendor of Christ risen from the dead fill your hearts and minds!

The Easter Season is a time of grace, conversion and consolation from the Lord!  I know that many of us are experiencing special gifts of grace that make change possible at this time.

In the first reading the disciples are speaking and doing things in the name of Jesus.  Peter and John had just recently healed a crippled beggar.  The authorities are offended and upset about publicizing Jesus’ name because they executed him.  Who are the authorities in our day who oppose public prayer or recognition of God as source of life and love?  Who are the ones who speak out in the name of Jesus regardless of the opposition?  The disciples felt honored to have suffered for the sake of the name of Jesus, what do you do with your discomforts, inconveniences and suffering?

The Gospel reading takes us to the sea shore and the story of the great catch of fish.  In this story, John, as the one who loves, is the first to recognize Jesus—love is always the first to believe!  Peter jumps out of the boat again.  The net is dragged to shore but doesn’t tear.  Jesus feeds them again which is the third time Jesus shows his presence in the Eucharist since he rose from the dead.  And Peter is fully reconciled to Jesus then gifted with his mission to follow Jesus.

That is a lot to unpack!  I will just say that the net signifies the Gospel with its capacity and power to gather people of every language and culture into an unbreakable unity of faith and love.  This is at the heart of the mission of the Church.  Peter’s reconciliation with Jesus empowers him to be a reconciler between the human race and God.  Forgiveness of sins brings salvation to the whole world and Peter has a special role to play in it!  You and I have a special role to play in our giving testimony to the great things God has done for us!  Like the disciples, let us do it with joy, confidence and in a most congenial way!  May God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter