Fr. Jim's Blog

Here are some challenging but inspiring words from Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Lisbon, Portugal on May 11, 2010 during his Apostolic visit to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the Beatification of Jacinta and Francisco, Young Shepherds of Fátima.  In light of the session of Good Leaders/Good Shepherds I am currently attending, I have highlighted in red the section that caused the most conviction in me. I think he hit the nail on the head. I remember Archbishop Sartain telling us at Priest Days one year, "Don't go wide, go deep!" Sometimes we focus on numbers and not on evidence of a changed and transformed life which is the inevitable fruit of an authentic encounter with the Risen Lord.  I hope you find encouragement in these words. I sure did! Lisbon—friend, port and shelter for the great hopes that were placed in you by those who set off from here, hopes that were cherished by those who visited you—today I wish to make use of these keys that you have...

The Encounter between Chaos and Light In everyday modern life we are hardly aware that on February 2nd we celebrate an ancient feast, common to the Church of both East and West, one which used to have a great significance in the rural calendar: Candlemas. Tributaries from many historical sources have flowed together into this feast, with the result that it sparkles with many colors. Its immediate reference is to the event when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to perform the prescribed sacrifice of purification. The liturgy focuses mainly on one detail of Luke’s portrayal: the meeting between the Child Jesus and the aged Simeon. Thus in the Greek-speaking world the feast was called Hypapanti (the encounter). In this juxtaposition of the Child and the old man, the Church sees the encounter between the passing heathen world and the new beginning in Christ, between the fading age of the Old Covenant and the new era of the Church ...

The Importance of Obedience I did indeed obey the Lord. (1 Samuel 15:20) Poor King Saul! Until Samuel confronted him, he had no idea he had disobeyed God. As far as he was concerned, he had just wiped out a formidable enemy, as God had instructed. He just hadn’t gotten around to dealing with their king yet. Surely that was a minor omission. He had even improved on God’s commandment: instead of destroying all the livestock, he had set aside the choicest animals to offer as a sacrifice. Was that really such a bad thing? Sometimes what God asks of us is very clear. We gladly carry out most of it, except for one minor detail. We work through our painful memories until we can forgive everyone who hurt us—except one person. We’re willing to extend the kiss of peace to anyone at Mass—except that man whom you saw at the mall walking arm in arm with another man. It’s also tempting to add to God’s simple commands and then impose our additions on other people. For instance, in situation...

Dear Friends in Christ, Here is a great example of a short but profound homily by Pope Francis on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Epiphany. The words of the Prophet Isaiah – addressed to the Holy City of Jerusalem – are also meant for us. They call us to rise and go forth, to leave behind all that keeps us self-enclosed, to go out from ourselves and to recognize the splendour of the light which illumines our lives: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (60:1). That “light” is the glory of the Lord. The Church cannot illude herself into thinking that she shines with her own light. Saint Ambrose expresses this nicely by presenting the moon as a metaphor for the Church: “The moon is in fact the Church… [she] shines not with her own light, but with the light of Christ. She draws her brightness from the Sun of Justice, and so she can say: ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me’” ( Hexaemeron , IV, 8, 32). Christ is ...

I hope that you're having a blessed Advent and that everything is going well as you prepare for Christmas.  The Church sets before us a great "feast" of Scripture readings during the Advent season. There are also some great reflections in the Office of Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours.  Today there was a powerful reflection from one of my favorite devotionals, The Imitation of Christ . This timeless devotional has been a great inspiration for many of our Saints!  Here is the reading for today:  Do not worry about who is and is not on your side: simply make sure that God is with you in all you do. Have a clear conscience, and God will defend you. For if God chooses to help you, no malice can do you harm. If you know how to suffer in silence, without doubt you will receive the help of the Lord. He knows when and how he will free you, so resign yourself into his care. It is for God to give help and give freedom from trouble. For the sake of humilit...

Powerful Reflection On The Beatitudes We heard Jesus in the Gospel who teaches his disciples and the crowd gathered on the hill near Lake Galilee (cf. Matthew  5:1-12). The word of the risen and living Lord points out also to us today the way to reach true blessedness, the way that leads of Heaven. It is a difficult way to understand, because it goes against the current, but the Lord says to us that he who goes on this way is happy; sooner or later he becomes happy. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” We might ask ourselves how a person can be happy who is poor of heart, whose only treasure is the Kingdom of Heaven. But the reason is precisely this: that having a despoiled heart, free from so many worldly things, this person is “awaited” in the Kingdom of Heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” How can those who mourn be happy? And yet, he who in life has not experienced sadness, anguish, pain will never know t...

Just read this article and posted it on Facebook with the following introduction:  Lot's of food for thought here......These kinds of messages must always be subjected to careful prayer and discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22) but the focus on helping people engage in the midst of the difficulties rather than hunker down and be fearful or selfish is impressive. God is still holding out a hand of salvation to the world...anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ should be very excited about the upcoming opportunities to lead people to Him. Wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit are going to be lavished on humble and ready souls. Let's all pray for the ability to say "Here I Am Lord" Some of us (present company especially included!) need a little "coal" purification like Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 6:4-7) but if we keep our eyes on the high-prize calling of life in Christ Jesus (cf. Philippians 3:14) we will always be a people of hope. I am very excited about our upcom...