theROCK

Bearing Fruit

Last Saturday, my day began with two funerals and ended with a ride on a mechanical bull at a Gala party for 7th and 8th grade parents. I wonder if this is the modern expression of St. Paul’s utterance: “I have become all things to all,” (1 Cor. 9:22).

This Sunday is Priesthood Sunday in the United States. In my 17 months as a priest, one story from Scripture continues to come to mind. I’ll look ahead at a day’s commitments (a
funeral, a homily, a meeting, a talk, etc.) and wonder: “how am I going to get through this?” or “how will this go?” and fear and doubt creep in. Then the day passes, and everything
goes well, often with unforeseen blessings and fruit. And going before the Blessed Sacrament in the rectory chapel at the end of the day, I feel like the 72 disciples who return to Jesus
saying: “Lord, you won’t believe what we did in your name!” (my paraphrase of Luke 10:17). And Jesus looks at them (and me) and calmly replies: “I do believe it. Because I’ve seen it. I
made you. I called you. And I’m with you through it all.”

On the wall next to my alarm clock hangs a small, simple cross with five images: grapes, wheat, a fish, a loaf of bread, and a chalice. As I drag myself out of bed and turn off the alarm, I touch that cross and make a simple morning offering: “Lord, I offer all to you today.” This is an image of the priesthood. The priest offers very ordinary things—meetings, conversations, bread, wine—and God multiplies the loaves and fish, God transubstantiates the bread and wine into his very self. 

The kneeler in the rectory chapel has a little shelf displaying Archbishop Grob’s holy card, which reminds Fr. Dennis and me every morning: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5). The priesthood is a beautiful life. I’m so grateful God has called me to be his priest, and I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m also very aware that this sublime calling hasn’t done away with my personal faults and foibles. I trust, however, that as long as I pray and remain in God each day, He will bear fruit through it all—be it funerals or mechanical bulls.

A Season of Transformation

The most holy season of Lent is one of my favorite liturgical seasons. We begin on Ash Wednesday, signed with a reminder of our mortality and repentance. We enter into the desert with Jesus for 40 days, praying, fasting and giving alms so that we can rise on Easter Sunday one step father away from sin and closer to Jesus. Lent challenges us with the question “what are you going to work on or eliminate from your life that will help you to know Jesus more personally come Easter?”

When I was little, my mom would have my brothers and I make caterpillars during Lent out of pompoms. We could decorate them any way we wanted and when we were done they would each get placed in a brown paper bag, their cocoon, only to be seen again on Easter Sunday. Miraculously, on Easter Sunday when we awoke, our caterpillars had turned into beautiful butterflies hanging over the dining room table, complete with felt wings perfectly shaped! Although this was a simply craft, it holds a beautiful significance for Lent and Easter. We begin Lent by entering into the cocoon with Jesus where he transforms us so that on Easter Sunday we rise changed. I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on this question: “What in me needs to be transformed so that I can rise on Easter Sunday closer to Jesus?

A good examination of conscience for this precise question is to ask, who do you let influence your life….who is leading you, teaching you what is morally right and wrong….why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? We tend to be so judgmental about everyone else and what they are doing wrong. But Jesus is challenging us to stop and look at our own shortcomings and to focus on living just a little differently and a little more like Jesus to change our world. You have the power to change the world one small step at a time. Lastly, Jesus says that a tree will be known by its fruit. Lent is a time to reflect on what are the good fruits and bad fruits in my life. Where do I need to be pruned in order to bear more fruit?

Don’t let Lent pass you by without truly examining your life, so that by the grace of God you will slowly be transformed into the person God created you to be. For, we were not created to remain caterpillars, but to be transformed into beautiful butterflies bringing the message of Christ to all!

Witnessing Christ with Resolve

Raise your hand if you made New Year Resolutions for 2025.

Now raise your hand if you’ve already “slipped” in adhering to those resolutions.

Now, raise your hand if you will join me in a resolution that goes far beyond those of losing weight, keeping your house tidy, or breaking a bad habit.

Celebrating Christmas this season, I’ve been struck by how very different celebrations today are from those of my youth. As a child, many of the movies and Christmas specials on TV were overtly religious. John Denver & the Muppets included a beautiful Nativity retelling in their special, and Linus of the Peanuts recites Luke 2:8-20. Many songs played on the radio were the same Christmas hymns we would sing at Mass. Sharing oplatek was the norm for many Christmas dinners, and no one dared start eating until after a proper prayer before the meal.

We are not living in a Christendom anymore. We are multi-cultural and secular in most aspects of our lives.  Millions celebrate Holidays without ever setting toe in a church, temple, or synagogue. The culture focuses on Santa, spending, and STUFF.

Still, Jesus IS the Reason for the Season. (Jesus, and the Triune God is the reason for everything if we’re being honest.)

So let’s all resolve to act like He is. 

It doesn’t even take much effort to be a Witness for Christ. Say a prayer before meals, even at restaurants.  Reject watching shows or listening to music that are perverse, dark, pornographic, and obscene…even if they are the most popular movies/songs. Shut down social media gossip and garbage that deteriorates human connection. Talk about your faith in some way with others on a regular basis.

Share your faith with those you know and invite someone to Mass or to an parish event.

Embrace these resolutions, among others you devise, and commit to doing them with resolve.

This is how we change ourselves in ways that matter so much more than pants size.

This is how we heal our world and live our faith.

Raise your hand if you’re IN.

A very Happy New Year!