26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last Advent we preached about the 4 Marks of a Disciple: Quick to Pray, Joyfully Sacramental, Intentional in Relationships, and Committed to Growth.  Since then, I hope that you’re finding yourself on certain weeks striving to grow in one or another of those Marks as we have continued to bring them up in preaching.  This weekend we return to the first — Quick to Pray — and after some examples of how we as a staff here at our Central Office have been changing our habits and actions to grow in being Quick to Pray, I’d invite you to consider for yourself: How have you been more Quick to Pray in your daily life?  What are some ways you’ve thought of being more Quick to Pray but maybe just haven’t acted on yet?  (That’s likely the Holy Spirit inviting you to take the next step.)  The call in these days ahead: start challenging yourself, as we the staff are challenging ourselves, to grow in being more Quick to Pray!

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

“Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven… Remember your last days, set enmity aside;”

“So will my heavenly Father do yo you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last week we heard about how the gates of the netherworld would not prevail against the Church, how Jesus actually sees His Church as being on the offensive, and how the gates of darkness will not be able to hold back His kingdom.  This week’s readings continue and clarify that them, showing us what it will actually cost to overcome gates of darkness in our world and bring the light of Christ.  It won’t be easy, but it will absolutely be worth it!

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel today Jesus says an often misinterpreted and misunderstood line: “upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”

In the face of such seemingly steep opposition, pushback and darkness in our modern world, I believe this line of Jesus, correctly understood, provides us the key to understanding how and with what attitude we as Christians are called to engage the world today!

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This weekend is the kickoff for our annual diocesan Catholic Services Appeal (CSA).  The CSA provides incredible opportunities to spread the faith of Jesus Christ in northwestern Wisconsin – for our seminarians, for our youth, for our schools, for our parishes – opportunities that I witness and see the fruits of firsthand!  I’m challenging you this year to stretch yourself in prayerful generosity to all of your favorite organizations and non-profits.   I challenge you particularly this week to think what you might be able to sacrifice monetarily to support the CSA for your parish this coming year.  Jesus Christ is our model of prayer and generosity; let’s act more like Christ in this life, so as to become more of who we are called to be in the next!

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our first reading, there’s a strong heavy wind crushing rocks, there’s an earthquake, there’s a raging fire. In our Gospel there’s a stormy sea.

But where is God in the midst of it all?  In the noise of our lives (which will always be there), I want you to look for God in the small moments, the daily moments, the unnoticed moments, in the small whispers.  When we notice Jesus in small ways, even in the midst of our storms, and invite him into our boat, we find a true peace and calm that only He can bring.  And those storms just aren’t as stormy any more.

Look for God in the small moments this week.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week, no matter where you’re at, I am challenging you to take one real step in prayer.  I don’t care where you think you’re at now – whether you only come to church when you’re visiting Grandma and Grandpa, or whether you have a daily hours long prayer regimen that you have followed for years – no matter where you are I want all of us to intentionally take one step in prayer this week.  Disciples are Quick to Pray.  Disciples are Committed to Growth.  Let’s get a two for one this week and take one step toward growth in prayer!

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Rabbi” means “teacher”.  “Disciple” means “student”.  In Israel, 2,000 years ago, there were a couple formulaic statements that a rabbi would use to call a disciple and then invite that disciple to take on the rabbi’s worldview and become like him (one statement we find in today’s Gospel!).  Then at the end of this period of formation, the disciple is sent out to teach others what he learned from his rabbi.  We are disciples of the Great Rabbi, and Jesus has sent us to witness to what we have seen, heard, learned and experienced!