We Weren't Spiritually Prepared **warning**this might disturb you

So the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare.
Prior to the decision the US Bishops called for fasting and prayer.
It was way too little and way too late.

The reality is--The Roman Catholic Church is not spiritually prepared to do the battles.

Their spiritual balance is off.

We have forgotten fasting and prayer and confession.
Somehow during the past 30 years we focused on social justice issues and policy--to the point where the spiritual balance was upset.  Instead of peace marches and sit-ins complementing spiritual and religious practices, they replaced confessional lines and Friday fasts and daily Mass.

Just last week I heard a homily where the aging priest listed what he decided were prophets of his time.  And then he likened them to St. John the Baptist--yep the cousin of Jesus Christ the Messiah.  I must have heard a homily like that once or twice a year for the past 40 years.  I even preached homilies like that (my belated apologies to those congregations).
The balance is so off that even our language has become nothing more than politically correct crap which skirts the real issues and has the potential to confuse the congregation.  When the preacher discussed recent church scandals he avoided the use of words like; evil, demonic, and satan.

We don't even use the language that clearly describes right from wrong. How can we even be expected to awaken ancient spiritual practices?

So when the Bishops called for fasting and prayer they were expecting the clergy and people to practice something that isn't even preached--I wonder how many clergy and laity really did fast--yes physically fast.  I wonder how many Roman Catholic Church's offered an evening prayer service or conducted novenas. 


The Bishops expected the people to do something that hasn't been promoted, practiced, or preached for years.


"Only by fasting and prayer can these demons be expelled."
-Jesus Christ.

Medjugorje Pilgrimage This Fall 2012

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Fatherhood--Priesthood

The following article of mine was picked up by Priest Magazine a couple years back and has now become an 'annual' post.

I sat in the pew and listened as the newly ordained priest introduced himself to the congregation; “Hello, I am Father…”  I remembered the many times I stood before a congregation and how blank their stare was.  But there was no getting around it.  The first weekend in a parish for a new priest was simply exhausting on a variety of levels.    

            Sitting next to me were my wife and son and the three of us glanced and smiled at one another.  As the priest  began his homily, I settled into thinking about the word he just used; Father.  Though I knew he was using it simply as a title, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was aware of its power—a power that can open his life to a much deeper existence.  Father is a word that transcends the vocational boundaries of priesthood and dadhood. So, for what it is worth, here are some thoughts from a man who was both.

Being a Dad means you are not the center.

Fatherhood isn’t about you—you are about it.  Priesthood isn’t about you—you are about it.

Fatherhood is about sacrifice

Dads keep a variety of vigils in life.  From the bedside of your sick child, to the middle of the night worries about losing your job, to watching your spouse suffer through chemotherapy—desperately hoping your child doesn’t fall into despair.  We simply keep vigils at all hours, day and night.  Keeping vigil has something to do with asking the question “Why?” and then moving the heart to trusting that God is present.  Keeping vigil is really about offering everything back to God.  Spend a night in prayer.  It will do your soul good.

There is no such thing as a day off.

There might be a day off from work or even vacations—but you are still a Dad.  In priesthood, a day off should not become an excuse to blend into the world.  One of the worst homilies I ever heard was preached at a first Mass of a newly ordained—the premise being that to be a good priest the new priest must venture forth and immerse himself in the world. He must read, watch and listen to what the people read, watch, and listen. Really?

Being a parent means trusting in Divine Providence.

It means putting earthly desires aside and consciously uncovering your soul’s desire for God.  When this happens—God provides everything you need.  Where is your desire?  What is your desire?  Being more concerned about the diocesan campaign and weekly collection than anything else is fertile ground for self destruction.

To be a good Dad, I need to pray and fast

Constant prayer and fasting must be modeled.  As a priest it is easy to get caught up in the responsibility of leading prayer—so much that one forgets to pray.  That is acting not praying.  Fasting, true physical fasting magnifies heartfelt prayer.  “Only by prayer and fasting…”-Jesus Christ

A Dad must not shy from teaching right from wrong.  

For now, I must be my son’s shield and filter from the media frenzied world.  You are the teacher—Nobody else has the responsibility of your child’s soul.

Priests, are you truly living a conscientious priesthood and teaching right from wrong?  Are you truly caring for their souls?  Or are you living a soft approach more conscious of popularity?  Being a priest means that you are loved for just that—not super homilies, not building a parish, not even keeping everyone ‘entertained’ on a Sunday morning.  Live the Sacrifice…there is no greater love.  Spend just as much time in the confessional as you do in meetings.

The easiest way to be a good Dad is to love your son’s Mother.

Not all Dad’s have the blessing of a loving wife and mother of their son.  But I know one thing, without her I’d be lost.  Her love makes me want to be a good Dad.

Priests, love the Mother of Jesus, she will help you.

Being a Dad means I will never have this opportunity again.

Every practice, every event, every game, every recital, every kiss good night, every prayer—live your Fatherhood with intention.

Pray this Mass as if it were your first, your only, and your last

And so, let us pray for our Fathers.