tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91661762024-03-14T04:52:51.138-04:00GW Catholic Q & AHello, GW students! I’m Fr. Greg, the chaplain of the Newman Center . This site is a forum for GW students to ask ANY (appropriate) questions about the Catholic faith, related or unrelated to my posts. All comments have to meet my approval before they are posted. I'm sorry for the approval process and I thank you for your patience and understanding. Thanks, and may you know the peace of Christ!Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.comBlogger1650125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-3933477944062306062014-12-17T13:40:00.002-05:002014-12-17T13:40:52.322-05:00Eternally grateful<br />
Today is my last full day at the Newman Center. I continue to rejoice in the Lord for my 5 1/2 years here, and will for the rest of my life. I am eternally grateful to Almighty God, Cardinal Wuerl, GW Catholics, parents, alumni, friends, and benefactors for the most incredible gift of being the chaplain here. You are in good hands with Father Park, Julie, the missionaries, and leaders going forward. The Holy Spirit will continue to bless and grow this community!<br />
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I will be stationed for the next six months at St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, Maryland, helping out at the parish and doing hospital ministry, starting January 5. My email is <a href="mailto:gshaffer@adwparish.org">gshaffer@adwparish.org</a>. Please pray for me, and trust in my daily prayers for you. Until I see you all next, I will see you in prayer!Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-88434311121258649152014-12-16T14:46:00.003-05:002014-12-16T14:46:43.549-05:00Homily - "I rejoice heartily in the Lord for YOU"<br />
Click <a href="http://gwcatholics.squarespace.com/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily. <br />
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Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-17461437786748901962014-12-09T15:41:00.001-05:002014-12-09T15:41:28.746-05:00Homily: "What's the point of Confession?"Click <a href="http://gwcatholics.squarespace.com/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Reflecting on
the past five and half years at GW regarding Confession, there are many
highlights. The most humorous one involved my Confession policy which is
similar to 7 Eleven stores: I'm open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for
Confession. It took students a little while to realize I wasn't kidding,
and some called at 1 or <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1523338445" tabindex="0">2
am</span></span> for Confession or a shoulder to cry on. My favorite
highlight was Ash <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1523338446" tabindex="0">Wednesday</span></span>
Masses. I brought in 6 priests to hear confessions at the Masses, and
about 100 students went to the priests. Awesome! In the first year or
two, it had been many years since students had been, on average. Now, the
average is a few months, In general, there has been such a change in culture
regarding Confession, thanks be to God.<br />
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This sacrament is the perfect preparation for the Lord's coming. The
Church gives us tonight's readings to say it's a great Advent preparation for
Christmas. We focus on St. John the Baptist's preaching on the
forgiveness of sins. We hear about being "found without spot or
blemish before him" from St. Peter in the second reading. Even Mass
itself is like a mini Advent: we begin by confessing "to Almighty
God....that I have greatly sinned". We ask the Lord to remove our
spots or blemishes before He comes to us in the Eucharist. This forgives
venial sins...again, spots or blemishes. But, for big blotches - mortal
sins - we need to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).<br />
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We Catholics see the need for priests in other sacraments. We call a priest for
Baptism or Anointing of the Sick. We come to Mass with a priest for the
Eucharist, recognizing we don't have the power to do it on our own. Why
do we think we don't need a priest for Confession?<br />
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Catholics approach this sacrament differently than the others because we focus
on what we do, and not what God does. If it was just all about what we do
- being embarrassed time and again by admitting our darkest secrets and
failures - then I can understand why so few go to Confession...what, 10% of Catholics? But,
it's more about what God does...more about what we receive.<br />
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This has been the shift in approaching the sacrament by GW Catholics.
You have received a good experience of peace, love, kindness, and mercy.
You have received good advice from the priest - and not just me because many
priests have heard your confessions - that really helped. In
general, you received the deep experience of being forgiven by God, and the
immense freedom and peace it brings. A few minutes of embarrassment and
humility is worth receiving all that!<br />
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People who go to Confession hear that they are forgiven. This is a huge,
healing aspect of the Sacrament. When we hear from someone else that we are
forgiven, then that sin is done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's
over. We let those sins go. I know people who say they go to God directly for
their sins, but still talk about sins from many years ago. This is one of the
reasons Jesus gave us the sacrament. In John <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1523338447" tabindex="0">20:20</span></span>, Jesus gave the first priests
the power to forgive sins. When we go to the priest for confession, we are
going to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really Jesus who
absolves of our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really him
who forgives us. We hear “I absolve you of your sins”, just like we here at Mass,
“this is my body”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is Jesus who
celebrates the sacraments through his priests.<br />
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The Lord has given us the Sacrament of Confession mainly to forgive our mortal
sins. If we die in mortal sin, we go to hell. The Lord has given us the Sacrament,
then, to keep us out of hell! A mortal sin is a grave offense done with full
knowledge and full consent. This means it is seriously wrong, we know it is
seriously wrong, and we freely choose to do it. For example, skipping Sunday Mass
is a mortal sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a grave offense
against the third commandment. We know that we need to go to Mass every Sunday.
And, if we freely choose to skip Mass, then we commit a mortal sin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fulfilling
the Sunday obligation means being present for the liturgy of the word and the
liturgy of the Eucharist. So, if someone comes to Mass on Sunday after the Gospel,
then they need to find another Mass to fulfill the obligation. Coming in late but before the Gospel or leaving early is a venial sin. We don't really have a problem here with people leaving early, but always keep in mind that Judas left the first Mass early. We don't want to go there! </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It's a serious thing to go 24 hours on the
Lord's day and choose not to come to Mass. In that instance, the person
chooses everything else ahead of the Mass and the Eucharist. It's like saying,
"Jesus I don't need you today, I don't need the Eucharist." </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Only one time
can bring this break in our relationship. Look at the first mortal sin by Adam
and Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One major sin broke their
relationship with God and closed the gates to Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ came to mend the broken relationship
between God and man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So, if we've left
the state of Grace because of a mortal sin, we need to go to Confession before
receiving the Eucharist. Receiving the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin is
a mortal sin…it's sacrilege. If a person can't go to Confession before Mass, they
should remain in their pews to make a spiritual Communion, or come up to
receive a blessing. Don’t worry about what other people will think; worry more
about what Jesus thinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please respect
the Eucharist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The priest to whom you go to Confession is a sinner too. He goes to Confession
himself. (He doesn't go to confession<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>
to</u></b> himself… "bless me, me, for I have sinned… I have absolve me of
my sins".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, that doesn't work!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go to another priest for Confession once a
month because I am a great sinner, and I need God's mercy regularly. I would
recommend going to confession once a month even if there's no mortal sin.
Confession keeps us clean and in a state of grace, helps us to live the
virtues, and more easily forgive others when they sin against us.<br />
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All of these points about Confession are what you, GW Catholics, have come to
realize and understand... and, now you live. You get it that the Sacrament
is real and it's awesome. You seek it out. I'm guessing that a few
thousand confessions have been heard here the past five years. That is so
awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As your spiritual father, I am
so proud of you for this and so many other things. I love what you have
done, and more importantly, who you are. I have such great love and
respect for you. You are salt of the earth and light of the world.
These are my words to you tonight, but also the words of Jesus Christ to you
tonight and the rest of your lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-50517178486225286582014-12-01T14:23:00.003-05:002014-12-01T14:23:33.825-05:00Homily - "Are you awake?"Click <a href="http://www.gwcatholics.org/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-3059538972102780492014-11-28T11:13:00.001-05:002014-11-28T11:13:31.523-05:00So thankful for my years at GWClick <a href="http://gwcatholics.squarespace.com/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily and announcement. Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-2929469667368666242014-11-25T01:22:00.002-05:002014-11-25T01:22:48.357-05:00Announcement from GW Catholics<div class="promoted-content" id="yui_3_17_2_1_1416889884621_158" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: adelle; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; margin: 30px 0px; width: 270px;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fr. Greg Shaffer, chaplain of the George Washington University Catholic Newman Center and priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, will be leaving his position in early January.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Diocesan priests like Fr. Greg are ordained to serve not just one specific parish or ministry, but wherever the bishop assesses that there is a need. Cardinal Wuerl has determined that Fr. Greg is most needed elsewhere in the archdiocese and has given him a new assignment which takes effect on January 1, 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fr. Adam Park, the pastor of Epiphany parish in Georgetown, will be the new Catholic chaplain for GW. He will remain as pastor there and will take on the additional responsibilities of providing spiritual care and guidance to the GW Catholics. We hope you will warmly welcome Fr. Park and introduce yourselves when you see him around the Newman Center, the GW campus, and here at St. Stephen Martyr parish. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Over the last six years, Fr. Greg has served as a shepherd to the budding GW Catholic community, helping it to flourish both in number and in faith. He has established multiple thriving retreats, community service programs, and brought Focus missionaries to campus. During his time as chaplain, Fr. Greg has dedicated himself to the enhancement of ministry among students.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the very beginning of his time at the Newman Center, Fr. Greg immediately focused his preaching and teaching on the Eucharist. His love for the Eucharist is immeasurably shared by the many young adults who frequent the Newman Center for the sacraments, as well as those who attend Sunday student Masses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fr. Greg formed a foundation of collaboration to ensure the continued growth of programs at the Newman Center, including two staff members, an alumni advisory board, student leadership board, and Focus. God has built up this ministry beautifully and substantially. There are many key leaders who will remain involved running GW Catholics at the Newman Center, and God will certainly continue to bless the ministry going forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fr. Greg’s passion and dedication will be greatly missed, but he knows the GW Catholic community’s support and prayers will be with him as he goes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please pray for both of these wonderful priests as they begin their new endeavors.</span></div>
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Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-55861387118189456952014-11-18T10:58:00.000-05:002014-11-18T10:58:02.135-05:00Pope Francis coming to the U.S.!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/pope-francis-plans-visit-philadelphia-2015/story?id=26963001">abcnews.go.com</a>) Pope Francis plans to visit Philadelphia in 2015, the pontiff announced today. It would be his first trip to the United States as pope. <br />
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The pope made the announcement when he addressed participants at a Vatican conference on traditional marriage. </div>
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The trip, expected for late September, would coincide with the World Meeting of Families organized by the Catholic Church, a world event that will take place in Philadelphia that focuses on strengthening family bonds. </div>
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“I wish to confirm according to the wishes of the Lord, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families,” Francis, 77, speaking in Italian, told the crowd at the Vatican. “Thank you for your prayers with which you accompany my service to the Church. Bless you from my heart.” </div>
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Only three other reigning popes have ever visited the United States: Paul VI in 1965; John Paul II, who traveled to the country seven different times; and Pope Benedict XVI, who visited the United States in April 2008. </div>
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Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who was on hand for the announcement in Rome, expressed excitement about the pope’s planned visit in a statement released by World Meeting of Families. </div>
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“I am overjoyed by Pope Francis’ announcement that he will join with us for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year. A hallmark of his papacy has been a keen focus on the many challenges that families face today globally. His charisma, presence and voice will electrify the gathering,” Chaput said in a statement.</div>
<br />Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-83208257843505127902014-11-17T15:50:00.000-05:002014-11-21T11:15:39.410-05:00Homily - Healing Mass (Fr Dan Leary)Click <a href="http://www.gwcatholics.org/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-26945805873712856452014-11-12T13:43:00.001-05:002014-11-12T13:43:19.191-05:00"It Is Right to Call Them Heroes" This is a fitting reflection because I celebrated a funeral Mass for a woman yesterday (Veterans Day). I referred to it as a "day of heroes", and that she lived a heroic life. Donna Clarke was a hero for Jesus Christ!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>It Is Right to Call Them Heroes</strong></span> <br />
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A Reflection for Veteran's Day</h6>
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<em id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72444">By Tom Hoopes</em></div>
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ATCHISON, KANSAS, November 11, 2014 (<a href="http://www.zenit.org/?utm_campaign=dailyhtml&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dispatch" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Zenit.org</a>) - This Veteran’s week, there is growing irritation on the part of some to the modern American custom of calling all veterans heroes. One recent example is David Masciotra’s <a href="http://thegregorian.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e8619c43012a30eeeba343b33&id=ecf69e0fb2&e=108581d6a2" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Salon piece</a> “You Don’t Protect My Freedom: Our Childish Insistence on Calling Soldiers Heroes.” </div>
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I am very sympathetic to his point. The term heroes has been devalued, just as Masciotra says (though even he falls into the “easy hero” trap by suggesting that teachers, hospice workers and social workers deserve the designation more than soldiers). He decries the sexual harassment problems in the military that arose after the decision to put women in combat. Then he reminds us that not every U.S. war is just. That is a truth Catholics are keenly aware of (though Masciotra is certainly wrong about the justice of the U.S. war in Afghanistan against the Taliban).<br />
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I get it. It is healthy and necessary to question the wild stadium applause and automatic cheering of all things military.<br />
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But I think Masciotra might misunderstand why it is Americans are so quick to call soldiers heroes. Some thoughts …<br />
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<strong>1. We call them heroes because they do what we would not or could not.</strong><br />
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Recently students, friends and I watched <em>The Hurt Locker </em>together. Seeing the soldiers living under the constant threat of roadside IEDs and insurgents, one comment kept being repeated: “I’m glad I’m not in Iraq,” and “I wouldn’t go to Iraq for any amount of money.” </div>
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It is true: Many — most — of us wouldn’t do what they do. But they do.<br />
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“No one has greater love than this,” said Jesus, “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”<br />
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We recognize that veterans have shown a willingness to sacrifice themselves that is admirable in and of itself, even as the centurion’s faith in the Gospel was admirable, even though he was a leader in the occupying force that would crucify Christ. </div>
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<strong>2. We call them heroes because they have committed themselves to virtues we lack.</strong><br />
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Of course, Jesus praises the centurion not for offering his life but for his faith. His faith derives from his military virtues. </div>
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“For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me,” he tells Jesus. “And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes.” These virtues dispose his mind to accept Christ. In the 21st century, the military has preserved the virtues of discipline, hard work and loyalty that are the antithesis of the carelessness, acedia and infidelity that have weakened the national fabric.<br />
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There is something thrilling in watching the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier because we recognize in their precision a whole way of life. I know a priest who uses both to teach his altar servers the care they should have around the altar. What better institution than the military can he use to show the self-control and reverence kids need to see?<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72469">
<strong id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72468"></strong> </div>
<strong>3. We call them heroes because they rise above partisan pettiness.</strong><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72467">
Today’s public discourse is toxic not because it is partisan — humanity has always been thus — but because we have become so petty about it. </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72466">
</div>
It is one thing to disagree over ideas. It is quite another to reject the persons who disagree.<br />
<br />
For all our talk of tolerance, Americans have become very thin-skinned. Friends, families and coworkers are too often torn apart over differences that we should know not to take personally. It need not be so — and in a healthy democracy it should not be so.<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72465">
</div>
The men and women who are willing to go to serve regardless of who is in power live out in their lives the nonpartisan spirit many of us only pretend to share.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>… in the end, I agree. Let’s not glorify war.</strong><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72464">
</div>
It is right to question military decisions. We should not mindlessly rush into violent answers to situations where often the last thing needed is more killing.<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72463">
</div>
But as for the men and women who serve our country, I think it is right to stand and applaud them, without reservation.<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72462">
</div>
When someone is willing to risk their life, their limbs and their sanity for me; when someone has conquered their fears and their selfishness to the degree one must in the military, it is right to call them heroes. We have no better term to acknowledge our debt.<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72461">
--</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1415807229079_72460">
Reprinted with permission from the Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College.</div>
</div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-66836665990056983502014-11-10T19:06:00.005-05:002014-11-10T19:06:58.937-05:00Homily: "You are the temple of God"Click <a href="https://gwcatholics.squarespace.com/config#/|/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When we were
in Israel this past summer, we visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
This is the site of the Jewish Temple that was built 3,000 years ago and
destroyed in 70 AD. It is a sacred site to Jews, Christians, and
Muslims. It's the holiest place in the world to Jews because it was where
God dwelled on earth. It is sacred to Christians because of our Jewish
roots and because Christ prayed and taught there. It is holy to Muslims
because they believe that is where Mohammed ascended into Heaven in the 7th
century. The iconic image of Jerusalem - the Golden Dome - is actually a
Muslim building.<br />
<br />
While we were there touring the site, we saw religious extremists from the
different religions. Our guide actually pointed them out to us, and
stopped the tour a few times just to monitor them. There was definite
tension. It wasn't violent like it's been there at that site in past
days, but aggressive. The temple area is actually the focal point of the
conflict in Israel and the religious tension there.<br />
<br />
The temple is the focal point of tonight's readings as we celebrate a feast of
a major Christian church, the dedication of the Basilica of St. John
Lateran. This was the mother church of Christendom before St. Peter's.
The temple was revered so much by Jews because it was the House of God on
earth. It's where they experienced the presence of God, especially the
Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. They worshipped God and paid
Him homage in the temple. They still do it today at the only remaining remnant
of the temple, the Western Wall. We prayed at the wall - also known as
the Wailing Wall - while we were there. We hear in the first reading that
everything flows from the temple - vast amounts of water and fruitfulness.<br />
<br />
A transition regarding the temple is made in today's Gospel. This is a
popular Gospel account, though, for other reasons. People cite this often
to show that even Jesus got angry (righteous anger). This is true, but is
also reveals his intense love and respect for the temple..."zeal for your
house consumes me". The transition that is made here is that the
temple goes from being a building to a person, Jesus Christ. He talks
about rebuilding the temple. Those who are there think he is referring to
the enormous building. "But he was speaking about the temple of his
body". He was referring to himself as the new temple!<br />
<br />
He is the presence of God on earth. He is the new Ark of the
Covenant...the new Holy of Holies. And why is this transition to a new
temple tied in with the resurrection? Because the resurrection is the greatest
manifestation of his divinity. When he rose from the dead, the disciples
recognized His divinity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, then they
“remembered that he had said this”, that He was the new temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His risen body is the new temple, the
presence of God on earth. Just as the Jews worshipped God in the temple,
we worship Jesus in his risen body, primarily the Eucharist. We pay him
homage and respect when we come before his Eucharistic body, genuflecting and
kneeling in his presence. The seeds of respecting and reverencing the
presence of God on earth were planted in the Old Testament, and were fulfilled
in the New Testament in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Finally,
there is an even stronger transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the second reading, St. Paul writes that “you are the temple of God”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is speaking to all of you and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a plural “you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a few chapters later in 1 Corinthians, he refers
to the individual Christian: “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here he is referring to all of us who have
been baptized, and “that the Spirit of God dwells in you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Baptism, the Holy Trinity makes His
dwelling in us; we are God’s presence on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all make up the Church which is the Mystical Body of Christ on
earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are holy and sacred, just
like the Temple and Eucharistic Body are holy and sacred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t destroy or desecrate the bodies, souls,
reputations, and spirits of those around you, just like you wouldn’t destroy or
desecrate a temple or church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Build each
other up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Treat each other as holy and
sacred, the new temple, the mystical Body of Christ on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-50934034224912126542014-11-04T16:24:00.001-05:002014-11-21T11:17:10.054-05:00Homily - "Why?"Click <a href="http://www.gwcatholics.org/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The most frequent question that people ask<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me is, “why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Why does the Church teach (this or that)?” is up there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, mainly it’s, “why is God allowing (this
or that)?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does God allow death or
anything bad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are celebrating All
Souls Day, and praying for all those who have died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, why did God allow them to die?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are all tough questions, and the Church
does not claim to have all the answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, when it comes to death, tonight’s readings give some help to
formulate answers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My first funeral as a priest was for a baby who was
two weeks out of the womb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you
talk to that family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are a devout,
Catholic family, but they asked, “why?...why is God allowing this, Father?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listened to them and cried with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I later responded to them by saying that when
I ask why, I look at a crucifix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did
God allow His own son to die?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we look
at why we call the day He died “Good Friday”, we can again arrive at an answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We call it “Good” because of the good that
came out of it: our salvation and redemption, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, and this is what we hear in the readings
tonight, resurrection is what comes out of Christ’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, we call it Good Friday because
of Easter Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In general, the Church teaches that God allows bad
things to happen in order to bring good out of them. In fact, it’s a greater
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about Christ’s suffering and
death: as bad as it all was, the good that God brought out of it was even
greater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That greater good was resurrection.
The second reading (Romans 6:3-9) says, “we know that Christ, raised from the
dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
His resurrection, Christ conquered death!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has power over all things, including death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get a fuller sense of the magnitude of
this, imagine if you’re at a funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
casket is in the front of the Church, and the person has been dead for 3-4
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine the person getting out of
the casket, and walking around….alive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what
happened with Christ, and I’m sure it freaked the people out like it would
freak us out at a funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, even
more so: no one had ever risen from the dead before Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what happened with Him: His body was
dead, and then it was alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s what can <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>happen for us: “if, then, we have died with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the Lord says in the Gospel (Jn 6:37-40),
“everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I
shall raise him on the last day”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
live and die in Christ, we shall rise with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, God allows death, as bad as it is, so
that something greater can come out of it which is resurrection and eternal
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, we have to go through
death to get to Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But, what about suffering in this life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does God allow that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every person in this Church is probably
thinking that right now about a particular situation in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, He is allowing it to bring about a
greater good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I count fourteen things in
the first reading (Wis 3:1-9) that are good coming out of bad…fourteen “goods”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, half of them refer to life after
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, listen to some of these
things attributed to “the just”…by the way, any reference to a “just man” in
the Old Testament is an indirect reference to Christ…He is the just man, and
the “just” are those who follow Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
souls of the just are in the hand of God (awesome!), and no torment shall touch
them…in peace…immortality…worthy…shine…judge nations…understand truth…grace and
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mercy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reading describes that they (we) are “chastised a little…God tried
them…as gold in the furnace”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes,
God tests us with suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
trying us, and refining us as gold is refined in the furnace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two things about this: one, if you are
suffering, you being Christ-like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
allowed Christ to suffer because He of His trust and love for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“God chastises those He loves”, we hear in
the Book of Judith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two, the good things
I just mention are immeasurably valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may not want to be like gold in the furnace; you may not want to be
made stronger<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or better through fire or
heat (one of the qualities of fire is that it purifies), you may just want to
chill and have a normal situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, “God’s
ways are not our ways”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the good
that comes out of suffering is profound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a speaker at Newman last Tuesday who has suffered much in his
life: Vietnam veteran and recent widower, with much suffering in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had so much wisdom, it was
incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was dropping “knowledge
bombs” everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through his
suffering, he has been able to better “understand truth”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are suffering, good will come out of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, tonight is like a funeral Mass for all the
faithful who have died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At every funeral
Mass, I preach about one of the greatest teachings of the Catholic Church: the
Communion of Saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Communion of Saints
refers to the interaction between the saints in Heaven and the saints on
Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens at every Mass,
including every funeral Mass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a few
minutes, I will consecrate bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and
Divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where there is the Son, there is the Father and the Spirit, and all the
angels and saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Eucharist is
where Heaven and Earth unite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
Church will be like a chamber of Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We won’t see the saints, but we believe that they will be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baby Ikesi and all those you know who have
died who are among the saints in Heaven will be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where the saints on Earth and in
Heaven unite: the Communion of Saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-72810523403914684892014-10-31T11:00:00.003-04:002014-10-31T11:00:53.630-04:00"Halloween History" video<br />
Happy Halloween! Click <a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/default.aspx?id=23">HERE</a> for articles about Halloween from americancatholic.org. <br />
<br />
Here's a 3 min. video on the history of Halloween from the National Geographic Channel. Even the video says that Halloween has historically been a "dangerous" holiday. BE SAFE!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R-VRAemIvbI" width="459"></iframe>Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-14834458480452128782014-10-27T19:50:00.002-04:002014-10-27T19:50:24.349-04:00Homily - "Four types of love"Click <a href="https://gwcatholics.squarespace.com/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have
materials in the back of church for the upcoming election. They are from
the Archdiocese of Washington, but can be applied to any election because they
address main issues. It's helpful to have a Catholic guide to vote, not
for particular candidates or parties, but on issues. The Church's teachings are
based on love of God and neighbor - as we hear in today's Gospel - and are
compassionate - as we hear in today's first reading. In 2012, we put out
similar materials to help guide GW Catholics. A young woman contacted me,
strongly objecting to what the Church teaches on social issues. I met
with her and listened to her objections. The more we spoke, the more she
realized that the teachings are compassionate and biblically based. Even
in the first reading, we hear a basis for the teaching on immigration:
"you shall not oppress an alien, for you were once aliens
yourselves". By the way, she and I have become friends, and she is
trying to embrace the Church's teachings.<br />
<br />
Christ gives us the greatest commandments in today's Gospel: "you shall
love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all
your mind...and love your neighbor as yourself". In his encyclical,
"God is love", Pope Benedict XVI gave us a beautiful exposition on love.
He began by writing that love is the most overused word in the world. In
our language, we have one word that is used for everything: we love our pets,
we love movies, we love our parents. The Greeks had four words for
love. "Storge" is love within families; "Philia" is love
within friendship; "Eros" is passion or desire that normally led to
marriage: and "Agape" is self-emptying, sacrificial love. The
Church today defines love as "gift of self" which would be agape
love. The former pope made the point that Greek Old Testament writers
only used eros twice, and none in the New Testament. Philia was used in
the New Testament by St. John in his letters to describe the friendship love
between Christ and His followers. So, we can deduce that the love Christ
calls us to have for God and neighbor is agape love.<br />
<br />
In a tender, non-judgmental way, Pope Benedict examined how eros can be
distorted. Passions and desires are good, and they ultimately lead us to
fulfillment. For example, whenever I preach at a wedding, I ask the
couple to look deep into each other's eyes, and say to them, "you are
looking at your happiness...really, God's happiness for you through the
other". This is all true when eros is joined with agape, meaning that our
desires are fulfilled when they are used to serve another. They become
distorted when they are used selfishly. The most common example of this,
unfortunately, is viewing pornography. This obviously does not constitute
love, but lust. It involves using others to feed our sexual desires in a
selfish way. And, it doesn't lead to fulfillment. I have worked
with many, many people who habitually view pornography, and they are not happy
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s actually the opposite. We
will never be fulfilled by pleasure only.<br />
<br />
My favorite quote from the Pope's encyclical is, "love can be 'commanded'
because it is first given. Christ commands us to love God and neighbor
with agape love because He first loved us in this way. He merges eros
with agape. He emptied Himself by becoming man, and showed his intense
passion for our love and souls..."I thirst" (for love), He said from
the Cross. The Cross is where eros (horizontal part of the Cross) and
agape (vertical part) merged. Christ emptied Himself for us (horizontal)
to God (vertical) in his sacrifice. He commands us to give ourselves -
heart, soul, and mind - to God first and foremost. Remember what we heard
last week: "give to God what belongs to God". Give him your
life! Love means gift of self. Love means sacrifice. Give of
yourselves to God and neighbor.<br />
<br />
Finally, we might say that the Eucharist is the face of eros and agape love merging
in our world. Christ "earnestly desired" to eat with the
disciples, and He gave Himself as the food. He gives us His agape love
tonight, saying to each of us, "this is my body, blood, soul, divinity,
heart, and mind". In the Eucharist, He lives in us so that we can live out
His command to give our body, blood, heart, soul, and mind to God and neighbor.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-85097787230064397032014-10-22T14:25:00.001-04:002014-10-22T14:26:02.721-04:00St. John Paul II and Eucharistic Adoration (happening now at GW Newman Center)<span style="font-size: large;">With Eucharistic Adoration happening right now in the GW Newman Center chapel until 10 pm on the feast day of St. John Paul II, it is fitting to quote him on the importance of Adoration (via therealpresence.org): </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CVH-ikH-JY/VEf2c2kVlLI/AAAAAAAAA0M/h_WjEsKyE5k/s1600/JP%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CVH-ikH-JY/VEf2c2kVlLI/AAAAAAAAA0M/h_WjEsKyE5k/s1600/JP%2BII.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pope John Paul II:<br />Defender and Apostle of Eucharistic Adoration</span><br />
<br />
"I hope that this form of perpetual adoration, with permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, will continue into the future." <br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(International Eucharistic Congress in Seville, Spain June 1993)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
"Public and private devotion to the Holy Eucharist outside Mass is highly recommended: for the presence of Christ, who is adored by the faithful in the Sacrament, derives from the sacrifice and is directed towards sacramental and spiritual communion." <br />
<small><em>(Inaestimabile Donum, #20, 1980)</em></small> "The Church and the world have great need of Eucharistic adoration. Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration and contemplation full of faith. And let us be ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease." <small><em>(Dominicae Cenae: Letter to Priests, Holy Thursday, 1980)</em></small> "Closeness to the Eucharistic Christ in silence and contemplation does not distance us from our contemporaries but, on the contrary, makes us open to human joy and distress, broadening our hearts on a global scale. Through adoration the Christian mysteriously contributes to the radical transformation of the world and to the sowing of the gospel. Anyone who prays to the Eucharistic Savior draws the whole world with him and raises it to God." <small><em>(Letter to the Bishop of Liege, Reported in L'Osserv. Romano, 1996)</em></small> Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-53906586065025514562014-10-21T11:03:00.004-04:002014-10-21T11:03:50.605-04:00Homily - "Give to God what belongs to God"Click <a href="https://gwcatholics.squarespace.com/father-gregs-homilies/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At our grad
student Bible study last Monday night, I asked the group what does it mean to
do what Jesus says in tonight's Gospel, "give to God what belongs to
God". One of the students pensively answered, it means give God your
life. Wow, I thought, good answer! Yes, in general terms, give God your
life. But, what does it mean specifically?<br />
<br />
Give God your time. By coming here tonight, you are giving God your
time...on His day. Other students have seen that you give God an hour
every Sunday, and they now do the same. You give God time every <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1932845604" tabindex="0">Wednesday</span></span>
during ten hours of Eucharistic Adoration at Newman, some for thirty minutes
and some for just a few minutes. Dozens of you give God time every week
for FOCUS Bible studies and discipleship. Almost twenty of you gave early
time last Saturday morning to serve breakfast to the homeless. You are the
busiest people I've ever met, and yet you give time to God each week.<br />
<br />
Give your money to God....ten percent. The biblical formula of tithing is based
on Abraham giving ten percent of what he had to the priest, Melchizedek.
As students, you don't have income, so give ten percent of what you spend every
week. If you can drop $50 at dinner or shopping, you can drop $5 in the
basket here.<br />
<br />
Give your anxiety, stress, burdens, hurts, and wounds to God. Jesus
basically says this in Matthew <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1932845605" tabindex="0">11:28</span></span>
- "Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you
rest". He wants us to give him what's on our hearts...like, it
belongs to Him. I give you permission to give all of your crud to
Him. He wants it. You have been open to this with our healing
ministry, giving your wounds from relationships or family to Jesus the Divine
Physician. We will have a Healing Mass next month, a great
opportunity to give Christ your burdens.<br />
<br />
Give your life to God. We normally think of this in regards to vocations.
Several GW Catholics have given God their lives after graduation by entering
the seminary, convent, or marriage.<br />
<br />
Give God your sins...in Confession / Reconciliation. He gave His life for
your sins, so He definitely wants them! GW Catholics regularly go to Confession
whether before or after this Mass, or during the week to me or Father Zack <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1932845606" tabindex="0">on Tuesday</span></span>
or <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1932845607" tabindex="0">Thursday</span></span>
evenings. Keep giving your sins to Christ!<br />
<br />
Give the sins of others to God. Forgiveness is so huge in our relationships
and families. Trust me, if you forgive others throughout your lives, you
will save a lot of money on counseling. So many problems result from a
lack of forgiveness, especially in marriages. Small things that aren't
forgiven can become big things. Forgive! Just as recently as last week, a
student came to talk to me about the rough break-up with her ex...and was open
to forgiving. Give God the sins of others...He wants them.<br />
<br />
Give God your heart. Caesar was inscribed on the Roman coin. Give to
Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Christ is inscribed on your heart. Give to
God what belongs to God.<br />
<br />
Finally, give God the credit. For everything good in our lives, the credit
belongs to God. Give Him thanks every day. I have encouraged you to
give thanks for a moment or two after Mass, in imitation of the saints: give
thanks to God for all your blessings, especially Jesus in the Eucharist and on
the Cross. So, now at <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_1932845608" tabindex="0">Tuesday</span></span>
night Mass before dinner, I finish Mass and then have to wait a moment or two
to greet the 30-40 students. They are all making their thanksgiving! You
do give thanks to God, for you see that all that you have is from Him.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-41758479816070278112014-10-17T16:21:00.001-04:002014-10-17T16:21:05.066-04:00"Synod say what?"The following is from catholicvote.org to provide some clarity to what has been reported on from the Synod in Rome this week. The best part is the first link below which has the actual text of what was said and written. I found some of the media's headlines to be misleading, and so getting it "straight from the horse's mouth" is necessary here. There is different, more positive language and tone from the Church on some modern issues, and that's new(s). But, doctrine hasn't changed (it can't change), and there is nothing from the Synod that hints at changing doctrine. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Synod say what?</strong><br />
<br />
The document admittedly is far from perfect -- and at times appears contradictory. Perhaps it should be rewritten (as some Cardinals are suggesting), or perhaps it should never have been released. <br /><br /> The truth is the document contains no definitive teaching. It is merely a working summary of discussions that will continue for another week -- and then again next year. <br /><br /> A few things to consider:<br />
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4421">
<li><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">
The Church doesn’t decide what it teaches based on emotions, trends, or whims of the people. Instead, it proclaims those truths found in Scripture (revelation), sacred tradition, and that which we can know by right reason (natural law). Knowing the truth however is not enough. The Church must use prudence to discern how best to lead others to it, especially the truth about human dignity and sexual love. This is what the Synod is really about.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">
The document presupposes that everyone needs God’s mercy. Nobody is perfect. Christ came to save the broken. <strong>But this “mercy” or what the media calls a “softening of tone” is only possible in the truth. Real mercy cannot be based on a lie about the nature and dignity of the human person.</strong></div>
</li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4420"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4419" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">
Is there room for the Church to grow and adapt in the pastoral challenges that surround the difficult situations of our modern world? Absolutely. Is there room for innovation or new ideas on how to best carry the truths of the Church to those in ‘irregular’ situations, or those who mistakenly believe that Catholics hate homosexuals? Yes, indeed. <strong>But always in the truth.</strong></div>
</li>
<li><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">
Pope Francis has called the Church a hospital for sinners. The evidence is clear that marriage and the family around the world are in need of conversion and transformation. How to address these challenges is not easy, and the conversations surrounding it are messy. <em>Efforts to reduce the document or the Synod to a few hot button issues for mass media consumption does a disservice to the conversation occurring in Rome.</em></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4422" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px;">
<br /> So what can you do? <br /><br /> Don’t lose patience or despair. The Holy Spirit isn’t asleep at the wheel. He is working with imperfect people. <br /><br /> And of course, don’t believe everything you read from big media outlets. They lie a lot and have their own agendas. <br /><br /><strong>Pray. Pray extra hard for the Church and for those in Rome during this Synod. </strong> <br /><br /> Finally, check out the articles below. Especially the commentary by Fr. Robert Barron. <br /><br /> Brian <br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Helpful Links and Articles:</strong> <br /><br /><em id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4423">Relatio post Disceptationem</em> <br /><a href="http://email.vervemail.com/ct/38632193:13828907727:m:1:415905075:B3CE09392E6D5758A2EC1CB6B083A087:r" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4424" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/10/13/0751/03037.html </a> <br /> Having Patience for the Sausage-Making Synod (Fr. Robert Barron) <br /><a href="http://email.vervemail.com/ct/38632194:13828907727:m:1:415905075:B3CE09392E6D5758A2EC1CB6B083A087:r" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4427" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/article/having-patience-for-the-sausage-making-synod/4517/</a> <br /><br /> Catholicism, Sex and Marriage (R.R. Reno) <br /><a href="http://email.vervemail.com/ct/38632195:13828907727:m:1:415905075:B3CE09392E6D5758A2EC1CB6B083A087:r" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4434" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2014/10/catholicism-sex-and-marriage</a> <br /><br /> The Great Catholic Cave-In that Wasn’t (George Weigel) <br /><a href="http://email.vervemail.com/ct/38632196:13828907727:m:1:415905075:B3CE09392E6D5758A2EC1CB6B083A087:r" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4433" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.nationalreview.com/article/390228/great-catholic-cave-wasnt-george-weigel</a> <br /><br /> The Earthquake, the Vacuum, and the Still, Small Voice (Thomas Peters) <br /><a href="http://email.vervemail.com/ct/38632197:13828907727:m:1:415905075:B3CE09392E6D5758A2EC1CB6B083A087:r" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1413576806507_4432" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.catholicvote.org/the-earthquake-the-vacuum-and-the-still-small-voice/</a></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-43070968751017935682014-10-14T11:05:00.001-04:002014-10-14T11:05:25.131-04:00Boy Celebrates (Mass) In English/LatinGone are the days of private, pretend Masses as boys when no one is home, I guess! They are now celebrated with the family. This is an incredible video.<br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZfuJ1h69OIY" width="459"></iframe>Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-3726452560385152562014-10-13T15:05:00.001-04:002014-10-13T15:06:02.766-04:00Homily - "You are precious, and I love you"<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please take
out your phones...not to go into your email or text messages, but to go into
the App Store. Please download an app called, "Laudate". It's a
great Catholic app that contains the Bible, among other things. We wanted
to give you pocket Gospels this year, just like Pope Francis handed out at
World Youth Day in Rio last year. Unfortunately, they really can't be
purchased..guess it was a special deal for the Pope. With this app,
though, you have the Bible with you wherever you and your phone go. You
should be reading the Bible every day. The saying is, "ignorance of
Scripture is ignorance of Christ". Get to know Christ better through the
Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Speaking of
Scripture, we have cards for you that have a verse from Isaiah 43: "you
are precious, and I love you" (v. 4). Our campus minister, Julie,
and our FOCUS missionaries, SJ, Becca, and Jim, are handing out a card to each
of you now. If you're thinking, 'I got this, I know it... Fr Greg
is always saying, "you are good and you are loved"', then listen to a
story about Fr Larry Richards who is a well-known priest, author, and speaker
in the Church. He went on a retreat one time, looking forward to going
deep with Scripture. The nun directing his retreat told him to meditate on
Isaiah 43:1-5 which says God loves you. He responded by saying,
"Sister, I got that. Can you give me something deeper and more
advanced?" She insisted on those lines, and he finally agreed. He
then spent 4-5 days meditating on God's love for him, and it changed his
life. He went to the depths of his heart which rejoiced in being loved by
God...who made his heart. So, even if you think you know that God loves you,
have this card in clear sight - on your desk or somewhere you will see it - and
meditate on the verse this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now, our crew
will pass out envelopes which have five of these cards in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of weeks ago, I spoke about starting
a campaign on campus as a result of the “hate preachers’” visit to Kogan
plaza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That motivated us to do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then, we had yet another
tragedy on our campus with the student jumping from Shenkman Hall on Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a miracle that she survived, and we are
praying for her recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday, we
printed out 5,000 of these cards; tonight we launch this campaign of love
through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please give these cards to
five people you know who need to hear the message from God that, “you are
precious, and I love you”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You are
essentially sending out invitations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tonight’s Gospel is a parable of a king who sends out his servants to invite
guests to his banquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really tells
the story between God us over the course of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has invited his guests to a banquet which
is his kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has sent out
prophets, apostles, and disciples to invite his sons and daughters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are modern-day apostles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word “apostle” means “one who is sent”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is calling you to invite people to
receive his love through this campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please don’t
be afraid to give this card to five people who need to read it and think about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could save a life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could save a heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could save a soul. The message on this
card is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to get it our real quick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people on this campus – maybe even some
of you here tonight – are hearing a different message in their heads every day,
maybe even every hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a message
that says, “you are not precious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
a piece of trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God doesn’t love you,
he is not even there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one loves
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are all alone”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These thoughts are garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are precious” is real! An “I love you” from
God is really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to get this
our really quick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today, I
preached at a couple of different parishes about invitations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spoke about you, and how effective you have
been at inviting other students to good events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through your invitations, almost twenty students came out yesterday
morning in the cold and rain to serve coffee and breakfast to homeless men and
women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the attractive invitation
of a student leader to Wednesday Adoration one week, we had several students
every hour come to adore our Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
best example, of course, has been narrated many times by Cardinal Wuerl: you
have invited other students to Sunday Mass, and our Mass attendance has
quadrupled in the past five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Pew
Research poll found that the number one reason students go to Mass during
college is because they were invited by other students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, your personal invitation is powerful
indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t be afraid to invite
others on our campus to receive God’s love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Finally, if
this initial invitation leads to another conversation, then great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They might ask where these cards came from,
and you can say that you received them at Mass from the GW Catholics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can invite them to the feast of “rich
food and choice wines” that is Holy Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can invite to go to Confession or prayer or Bible study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Invite them through your witness which means
tell them of your experiences there, and the peace and joy you have
experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is powerful indeed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, for now, I send you out tonight to give
these invitations of God’s love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
the message of Jesus Christ that is real, is really good, and needs to get out
real quick: “you are precious, and I love you”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-58950769223316487052014-10-10T11:05:00.001-04:002014-10-10T14:14:29.631-04:00"You are precious and I love you" - Isaiah 43:4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">TO EVERY GW STUDENT</span>:</span></em></strong></div>
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<br />Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-54533628897091763722014-10-08T14:35:00.000-04:002014-10-08T14:35:14.693-04:00"Tommy and God"<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412792058264_6187" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412792058264_6186" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Father John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:<br /><br />Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of<span> </span>Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long.<span> </span>I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day, I was unprepared and my emotions flipped. I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... Very <span> </span>strange. Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.<br /><br />When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?" I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically. "Why not," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."<br /><br />I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then I called out, "Tommy!<span> </span>I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!"<span> </span>He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.<br /><br />I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line He will find you! <span> </span>At least I thought it was clever.<br /><br />Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful. Then<span> </span>a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me.<span> </span>When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe.<br /><br />"Tommy, I've thought about you so often;<span> </span>I hear you are sick," I blurted out. "Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks."<span> </span>"Can you talk about it, Tom?" I asked. "Sure, what would you like to know?" he replied. "What's it like to be only twenty-four<span> </span>and dying?<span> </span>"Well, it could be worse."<span> </span>"Like what?”<span> </span>"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life.”<br /><br />I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody<span> </span>I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)<br /><br />"But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought <span> </span><span> </span>I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me. Then you said, 'But He will find you.’ I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My clever line. He thought about that a lot!) "But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven. But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success?<span> </span>You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit."<br /><br />"Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided thatI didn't really care about God, about an afterlife, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: 'The essential sadness is to go through life without loving.’ But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them."<br /><br />"So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him. "Dad."<span> </span>"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.<span> </span>"Dad, I would like to talk with you."<span> </span>"Well, talk.”<span> </span>"I mean. It's really important."<br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"<span> </span>"Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret <span> </span>joy flowing inside of him. "The newspaper fluttered to the floor.<span> </span>Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing <br />before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me."<br /><br />"It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years. I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long."<br /><br />"Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to. Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I<span> </span>pleaded <span> </span>with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop,<span> </span>'C'mon, <span> </span>jump through. C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks.'<span> </span>Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour. But the<span> </span>important thing is that He was there.<span> </span>He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him."<br /><br />"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize.<span> </span>To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living <span> </span>in him.’</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412792058264_6218" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1412792058264_6219" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now.<span> </span>Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what<span> </span>you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as<span> </span>effective as if you were to tell it.” "Oooh.. I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class." "Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call."<br /><br />In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me.<span> </span>.So we scheduled a date. However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.<br /><br />Before he died, we talked one last time. "I'm not going to make it to your class" he said. "I know, Tom." <span> </span>"Will you tell them for me?<span> </span>Will you...tell the whole world for me?"<span> </span>"I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best."<br /><br />So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening.<span> </span>And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy, as best I could.<br /><br />If this story means anything to you please pass it on to a friend or two.<br />It is a true story and is not enhanced for publicity purposes.<br /><br />With thanks, Rev. John Powell, Professor, Loyola <span> </span>University, Chicago</span></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-5898498787701690312014-10-07T11:50:00.003-04:002014-10-07T11:50:59.150-04:00Homily - "Here"
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” ( Phil 4:6-9). In my time as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chaplain here, I have wanted you to
experience the peace of God…the grace of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s what is best for you, and like any parent, I want what’s best for
my (spiritual) kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have tried just
about everything in order for you to have an experience with the peace of God –
on campus and elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have done
many trips and pilgrimages – to World Youth Day in 2011 when we went to Madrid
and stopped by Rome, Paris, and Lourdes; on mission trips and service trips
over spring break in Appalachia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
have all been good and grace-filled, and given GW Catholics an experience of
the grace of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The most fruitful trip we have taken was our
pilgrimage to the Holy Land this past May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>19 of us went for 10 days just before the trouble and bombings began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an awesome trip…awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been interesting telling friends and
family about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many people said, “I
want to hear all about it”, but then about 30 seconds into telling them all
about it, they don’t want to hear any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s either that they aren’t interested anymore, or they say to stop
talking about it because they are jealous and probably won’t ever go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of those “you had to be there”
trips, and it’s hard to fully describe it, but I will try over the next
few<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We spent the first few nights in Galilee on the “Mount
of Beatitudes”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where Jesus
preached the Sermon on the Mount, and it overlooks the Sea of Galilee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a huge body of water, so we could
look out over it and think, “this is where Jesus walked on water or called
Peter or did this or that”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
where it happened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where He
was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going for a walk at night on the
grounds, it was amazing to think, “this is where he preached the Sermon on the
Mount”. We couldn’t believe where we were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in the vineyard!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a good primer for when we went up to
Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the 17 students, the pilgrimage really began in
Nazareth at the Church of the Annunciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the Church’s façade is a Latin phrase that meant, “the Word became
flesh here”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here” became a theme for the
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many of the missals that I used
at Mass at different sites, it said that (such-and-such) happened HERE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never seen that in any of the prayer
books at Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went into the Church,
and down to the grotto of the Annunciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the cave where the angel appeared to Mary at her house when she
was a teenager and revealed God’s Plan for Mary to conceive the Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary said yes, Jesus was conceived by the
Holy Spirit… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“the Word became flesh”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students were so moved by this, and were
saying, “this is where it all began”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was so psyched as a chaplain, firstly, because they are pro-life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life begins at conception, so the Word became
flesh at conception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>December 25 is
great and all that, but the Word became flesh at the Annunciation on March
25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, the students were theologically
accurate that God became man when Jesus was conceived at the Annunciation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The most powerful moment was at Gethsemane where
Jesus had his agony in the garden the night before He died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked through the garden and saw the
2,000 year old trees that have been described as the “silent witnesses” of
Christ’s agony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about the
agony Christ went through; Mother Teresa said that he went through the worst
human pain there is…loneliness, rejection, isolation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also sweated blood. Then, we went inside
to the Church of Agony for Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
Church, there is a huge rock at the base of the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is believed that that rock is where Christ
agonized and sweated blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s where
He first shed His blood for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
thinking about his suffering – with which we could all identify – and the blood
He shed, we heard the words at Mass that we probably take for granted: “this is
my blood…poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole experience was so powerful…overwhelming,
really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the only Mass that I
thought to suggest confessions after Mass because there were other priests
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I totally forgot to announce
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Mass, I made my thanksgiving
and went out to meet the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one
was around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking, “where did
they go?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were all in line for Confession.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The most emotional Mass we had was in the tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IN. THE. TOMB.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide hooked us up with an early morning
Mass in the tomb where Christ was buried and rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We first went up to Calvary
which is the highest point in the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We learned that at the time of the Crucifixion, Calvary was just outside
of the city line, so as today’s Gospel says, “they threw him out of the
vineyard, and killed him”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then went
down to the floor of the Church to the tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The students were in the front area, and I went alone to the small back
area to celebrate Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide had
said that he’s been to Mass in the tomb 50 times, and 3 times the priest
cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No pressure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, when I began Mass, the water works
started immediately and continued all Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was literally Niagara Falls for me and all the students. We could
barely talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was offering Holy Mass on
a marble slab where He lay…where He was buried…where He rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking the entire time, “who am I to
be here doing this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also thought of
Mary Magdelene and the Apostles, and all the events of Holy Week that we
celebrate so reverently every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were right there where it all happened!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Many of the students who went were looking for an
experience of the presence of God…of the peace of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among the 19, we had some doubters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came back 19 believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were 19 conversions in the Holy
Land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the graduating seniors
quite her well-paying job in a law firm after the trip to work for the
Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was that powerful for all of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then the God of peace will be with
you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The God of peace was with us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-32846840902193440112014-09-30T13:42:00.001-04:002014-09-30T13:42:47.481-04:00"Nats Mass" covered on TV!<br />
Click <a href="http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/09/fans-say-nats-mass-at-church-near-nats-park-helps-nl-east-champs-107591.html#.VCl6B4eEZK8.twitter">HERE</a> to see the story from Channel 7 this past weekend, featuring Fr. Drew Royals, founder of the "Nats Mass".<br />
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-90351788779412439832014-09-29T11:32:00.001-04:002014-09-29T11:33:09.361-04:00Homily - "You are good and you are loved"Click <a href="http://www.gwcatholics.com/2014/09/29/homily-you-are-good-and-you-are-loved/">HERE</a> to listen to Sunday's homily.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had some excitement at Kogan Plaza <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_808133359" tabindex="0">on Wednesday</span></span>
as you might have "overheard (at GW)". Four men were preaching in the
name of Christ all day with a bullhorn, but they weren't preaching Christ’s love.
They were holding up the Bible, but misrepresenting it, misinterpreting it, and
misusing it. When I walked up, they were saying Catholics aren't
Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a few minutes, I was
being told that I perform "witchcraft" with the sacraments.
There was a small crowd of students there, most of whom were bewildered and
angry. Some came up to me to join forces, and really to urge me to speak
to the men which I did. My first question to them was, "what are you
trying to do here?"<br />
<br />
What offended me most was not being called a witch or sorcerer or magician or
whatever personal attacks they launched. (Btw, the one guy apologized for his
personal attacks). The thing that offended me the most was that they
didn't even know you, and they were condemning you. In twenty plus years
of doing youth ministry, I've learned that you have to first establish trust,
respect, and love with young people before you can preach to them....before you
can reach them. Those men were there just to preach, not to reach.<br />
<br />
The second most offensive part of their "preaching" was that it was
faith without reason. They were unreasonable in their approach (preaching
and not reaching), but also in the points they made. The man on the
bullhorn exclaimed, "baptism doesn't save!", while holding a Bible.
In our conversation, I pointed out that the Bible says, "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whoever is baptized will be saved</i>"
(Mk <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_808133360" tabindex="0">16:16</span></span>).
His main point was that we don't need the Church or the sacraments. I
pointed out that Jesus said we need the Eucharist in John 6: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood,
you have no life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has
eternal life</i>" (53,54). To that he said: "you make a good
point".<br />
<br />
There were about twenty to thirty students gathered around him and me while we
discussed these things. So, while I was focused on talking with him, I
was really teaching them....many of whom were Catholic. One came up to me
afterwards and asked, "so, when did Jesus give his power to the
Apostles?" Matthew 16, Matthew 18, Luke 10, John 20, and other places, I
answered (and had quoted all this to the man). He then asked, "how
did they give it to others?" I said, "they ordained other priests and
passed on the power...for 2000 years. It's called Apostolic Succession".
He was taking notes at this point, looked up, and said, "Apostolic
Succession! That is so cool!". Yes, it is very cool! So, all that
plus the positive media coverage showed that God brought good out of this bad
situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tonight's second reading says, "humbly regard
others as more important than yourselves". Those men were <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_808133361" tabindex="0">on Wednesday</span></span> primarily for
themselves, not for you. They were there to preach just to preach, not
preach to reach. Jesus mentions John in the Gospel; St. John the Baptist
preached a tough message. But, he reached tax collectors and prostitutes.
They changed after hearing his preaching. He preached "tough
love". But, those who heard it knew that he loved them. What
we heard <span class="aqj"><span data-term="goog_808133362" tabindex="0">on
Wednesday</span></span> was not tough love; it wasn't love. It was
just...tough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, I would really like to start a campaign of
t-shirts or signs that say, “YOU ARE GOOD AND YOU ARE LOVED”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard that these men come to campus
regularly, although Wednesday was the first time in five years that I’ve seen
them here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s be ready the next time
they come with signs or shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students
protested with signs the other day, and I wish that I had thought to make a
sign saying “YOU ARE GOOD AND YOU ARE LOVED” and hold it next to the men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the message to give to young people,
especially college students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
Christ’s attitude toward you, first and foremost! Everything starts there, and
then later we get into more challenging stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will challenge you this year to say “yes” to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will challenge you to say no to premarital
sex and drunkenness, but will more emphasize saying yes to chastity,
self-control, and virtue…to freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will encourage you to say yes to Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Wednesday, all you heard preached was “no”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’s going to choose that? It’s much more
attractive to say yes to good than to say no to bad. I will challenge you to
say yes to Christ and what’s good because that is what is best for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you love someone, you want what is best
for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that I love you. You know
I want what is best for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Have the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe deeply in your hearts and minds what
He thinks of you: YOU ARE GOOD AND YOU ARE LOVED.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-64401471652483894662014-09-24T10:48:00.000-04:002014-09-24T10:48:49.061-04:00Cardinal Wuerl to GW Catholics: "you bring hope"<span style="color: black; font-family: ARIAL, SANS SERIF; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cardinal Wuerl encourages GW students to wear the
cross proudly</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: ARIAL, SANS SERIF; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">By Mark Zimmermann</span></span><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: ARIAL, SANS SERIF; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Catholic Standard</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: ARIAL, SANS SERIF; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">9.18.14</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: ARIAL, SANS SERIF; font-size: 12px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBDfM6A6Nuk/VCLYqnbPHFI/AAAAAAAAAzE/qRB-4LEfxQU/s1600/Wuerl_GW_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBDfM6A6Nuk/VCLYqnbPHFI/AAAAAAAAAzE/qRB-4LEfxQU/s1600/Wuerl_GW_2014.jpg" /></a></div>
At the
Sunday evening Mass on Sept. 14 for George Washington University students,
Father Greg Shaffer - the chaplain at the Newman Center there - had a confession
to make.<br /><br />"We don't always have Cardinal Wuerl and Chipotle!" he said,
referring to the archbishop of Washington who celebrated the Mass at St. Stephen
Martyr Parish, and to the free burritos downstairs at the reception
afterward.<br /><br />The cardinal, who earlier had smiled as he harkened back to
the free pizza offered during his first visit to the campus community, thanked
the more than 200 students for attending the Mass. "It's always a pleasure and
joy to come to this Mass, and see all of you who are here. It means so much, the
hope you bring."<br /><br />During his homily, Cardinal Wuerl noted that Mass
commemorated the Exaltation or Triumph of the Cross, and he pointed how
displaying the cross on the wall of your room, or wearing it on a necklace, or
even making the sign of the cross before meals, offer an important witness of
faith in Jesus, who died on the cross and then rose to new life.<br /><br />"Crosses
are a sign of our commitment to Christ," he said. "...We have that sign of God's
love for us."<br /><br />Making the sign of the cross at the dinner table or at a
restaurant is a small gesture, but it says a lot, the cardinal added. "(We)
remind ourselves and others, that we're proud of who we are, as disciples of
Jesus. He calls us to walk with him."<br /><br />The cardinal noted how Pope Francis
has emphasized God's love and mercy. "All of us stand in need of God's love, and
stand in need of God's mercy and forgiveness, and it's always
there."<br /><br />Cardinal Wuerl said the cross is also a reminder that "we're
supposed to share the Good News with others." The cardinal noted that Jesus
taught his disciples that "you're loved by God, and you have the opportunity to
share that love with others."<br /><br />Father Shaffer later said that while free
food might attract some students to the Newman Center, "once they're here, they
encounter Christ. Our evangelization method is, whatever it takes to get them in
the doors." After Communion, he reminded students that the GW Newman Center was
sponsoring a combination white water rafting trip and freshmen retreat for the
next weekend.<br /><br />At the GW Newman Center, the priest is assisted by three
FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries, who evangelize
on campus and help lead Bible studies and discussion groups there. On average,
about 8-10 students become full members of the Catholic Church during the Easter
Vigil there, and in recent years, eight young men from George Washington
University have entered the seminary, and one young woman is studying to become
a nun.<br /><br />The main reason that so many students attend Mass there is because
other students invited them, Father Shaffer said. The Catholic students there,
he said, "are apostles on campus. That's the most inspiring thing - they go
out," he said. <br /><br />Cardinal Wuerl sat at a table with six students, joining
them for the free burritos after Mass. Afterward, one of the students, Ana
Maguey - a native of Mexico City studying for her master's degree in
international law - held the small crucifix she wore on her necklace. "The
cardinal was reminding us, we should be proud to be Catholic," she
said.<br /><br />She also expressed gratitude for the community of faith and friends
at the Newman Center. "It's like you have found your family, even though you are
far from home," she said.<br /><br />Another student who joined the cardinal at the
table, Chichi Osuchukwu, said the cardinal's homily "hit home with me." The
sophomore pre-med student from Virginia Beach said that her grandmother gave her
a rosary, with its familiar beads connected to a small cross, that she carries
in her pocket. "It's a reminder Christ is always with me," she said.<br /><br />Lisa
Campbell, a GW senior from Colorado Springs who is studying international
business and marketing, said she also appreciated what the cardinal said about
the cross. "It's a great message. Wearing the cross on campus is an outward sign
of our faith," she said.<br /><br />She also said that evangelizing - sharing the
faith - is the main mission of the Newman Center. "College is hard. A good
relationship with Christ makes it better," she said.<br /><br />Philip Paulson, a
freshman mechanical engineering student from Southern California, echoed that
point. "It's good to be proud of your faith and show it, and get some kids who
stray away to come back," he said.<br /><br />The cardinal's message about the cross
also resonated with Caroline Multerer, a junior from Buffalo studying
international affairs. "It's important to wear that proudly (on campus), and
make sure it's something you're embodying every day," she said. "It can be easy
to waver in your faith. The sign of the cross is something very important to
come back to."</span>Fr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9166176.post-39139732365415031572014-09-23T13:26:00.000-04:002014-09-23T13:26:08.736-04:00<span style="font-size: large;">"The things that we love tell us what we are."</span><br />- St. Thomas AquinasFr Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17394217028562458631noreply@blogger.com0