From the Pastor - 2nd Sunday in Lent

March 25, 2022

In last week’s Gospel, we followed Jesus into the desert where He fasted and prayed. This week, He leads us up a mountain to witness His Transfiguration. Why both of these experiences?


He is preparing us to go with Him in a few short weeks to a hilltop — Golgotha — where He will lay down His life for our sake, and then finally to take us to an empty cave where He triumphed over sin and death once and for all.


Jesus perfectly understands our humanity. He knows we need desert experiences — times of self-denial and testing — in order to arrive at mountain-top moments when we see and feel His glorious presence in our lives. The purpose of these two types of experiences is summed up in the description of the Apostles who were with Jesus at that mountain-top experience in today’s Gospel: “Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory….”


The reason for all of our fasting and prayer and almsgiving during lent is to be reawakened to all God has done for humanity, and to all that He has done for each of us personally. It is all too easy to get lulled into complacency in our daily routines, to “sleepwalk” through life, getting up and getting ourselves out the door, going to work, returning home for dinner and dishes, meetings, or sports activities, and finally flopping on the couch to watch TV until bedtime. While there is nothing inherently sinful in this routine, as Christian stewards, we are called to so much more!


This lent, let us train ourselves, or more precisely, allow Him to train us to say “Yes” to His will and to offer our lives back to Him in gratitude. In so doing, we, too, will become “transfigured.” This is what it means to live fully awake; this is a stewardship way of life and it is glorious indeed.

© Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2022

 

Pastoral Pondering

Last week I wrote about Kerygma in general. This week we move to Eucharistic Kerygma specifically. The Eucharist makes present the one saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary. This is the central event of the Kerygma of the Church. St. Thomas Aquinas notes that the Eucharist is the foundation of the Church’s doctrine because it is the “premiere sacramental sign of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary.” It is that which makes Christ and His love for us present in the Church.


Traditionally, the Church understands that the Eucharist is both a sacrifice and a sacrificial meal. The Bishops notes this in their document. They also note that while the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist has primacy, this is “not opposed to the meal or banquet aspect of the Mass. Following the Second Vatican Council, there was a good bit of liturgical experimentation that, while well-intentioned more often than not, focused too much on the meal aspect to the detriment of the sacrificial aspect. The sacrificial meal is made concrete in Communion.


No one can ignore the fact that our society is divided; some would say broken. The bonds that once united us have been dimmed and, in some cases, apparently erased. This reality became even more apparent during everything surrounding the pandemic; although, this was not the beginning by any means. Hence, communion, and a proper understanding of it, is absolutely necessary not only for the good of society, but also for the good of our souls.



Our present culture is very focused on individualism. Interaction with others is quickly becoming more virtual than actual. There is a tendency to assume the worst of others rather than giving the benefit of the doubt. And, far too often, if someone has a different outlook than we do, they are vilified rather than engaged in sincere debate and discussion. Hence, as Roland Millard points out in his excellent summary, “The message of the communion brought about by the Holy Eucharist needs to be proclaimed with renewed vigor. The gift of sacramental graces, the increase of sanctifying graces, the strengthening of the life of virtue, and the grace offered to conquer sin and temptation are essential teachings that should be highlighted during this period of intentional Eucharistic focus.”

 

All of us, clergy and laity alike, should be promoting a better understanding of communion as we understand it in connection to Communion. A renewed understanding of Eucharistic communion includes the worthy and frequent reception of Communion, taking the time to prepare to receive and thanking the Lord in thanksgiving after, the importance of Eucharistic adoration and a greater awareness of spiritual Communion in between those times when we can be physically present at Holy Mass.

 

The majority of the public attention given to the Bishops’ document focused on how it would address Catholic politicians who hold public positions contrary to the faith, and this was not ignored, but it was not the primary focus of the document. The bishop, in his diocese, is to “guard the integrity of the sacrament, the visible communion of the Church, and the salvation of souls.” Each Catholic, however, also has a responsibility; namely, he or she has the responsibility “to discern with the aid of a well-formed conscience whether he or she is properly disposed to receive Communion.” Nonetheless, the Church also has a responsibility of protecting the sacrament and taking steps to avoid scandal and sacrilege. In the end, the matter has nothing to do with politics, it is about the spiritual communion that binds us together as a Church.

 

How do we as a parish encourage a greater understanding of both communion and Communion? Some things we are already doing. The Adoration Chapel is a great gift to the Church and a legacy that Monsignor Bellow left to St. Mark. Pope Benedict noted that, “The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself.” In addition fostering holy hours, processions and participation in the annual Eucharistic Congress can all be a great aid to increasing awareness of this central reality of our faith. Doing these things then can lead to a greater understanding of communion. When we love the Lord, we are naturally led to love our neighbor. Forming strong relationships with those who share the faith and live it is an essential way of fostering not only a deeper understanding of the faith lived, but also a community in which we can be encouraged and challenged to do better and to grow in our efforts to draw others to the Lord.

 


From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

By John Putnam • June 27, 2025
During June, we have celebrated key moments in the life of the Church — Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi — culminating today with the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Though very different men, they are united in faith, mission, and martyrdom, and the Church has honored them together since the third century. St. Peter, the first Pope, was chosen by Christ as the rock on which the Church would be built. The Catechism tells us that because of the faith he professed, Peter remains the “unshakeable rock of the Church.” Despite his human weaknesses, Peter's loyalty, repentance, and leadership make him a powerful model of stewardship. St. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the Church’s greatest evangelists. In today’s second reading, Paul reflects on his mission, saying, “I have finished the race… the crown of righteousness awaits me.” The Greek word he used for “crown” — stephanos — refers to a victor’s crown, not a royal one, showing his view of faith as a race well-run for the sake of Christ. Though they were martyred separately, tradition holds that Peter and Paul were in Rome at the same time, and their shared witness and sacrifice tie them closely together in Church history. They embody two vital aspects of stewardship — Peter in his faith and leadership, and Paul in his zeal and wisdom. As stewards, we are called to follow their example — to build the Church through our commitment, to overcome our failures through God’s mercy, and to proclaim the Gospel with courage. Like Peter and Paul, we are invited to give all we have for the sake of Christ and His Church. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  This Solemnity marks the beginning of summer vacation in Rome. The Holy Father will be traveling to Castelgandolfo for some time away from the heat of Rome. For the rest of us, the weeks of summer are in full swing, and as we move into July this week, I hope that families have an opportunity to spend some time in rest and relaxation. Spending time with family, friends, and the Lord, are among the best things that we can do with our “down time”. Leisure is essential to a well-lived life, but it has to be understood properly in the context of the Christian life. Anthony Esolen’s Leisure: The Basis of Culture is a contemporary reflection and expansion on the classic work of the same name by Josef Pieper. Esolen argues that modern society has lost its understanding of true leisure, mistaking it for mere idleness or entertainment. In contrast, he defines leisure as a contemplative, receptive state that allows individuals to encounter truth, beauty, and God. True leisure, according to the author, distinguishes leisure from passive consumption or busyness. True leisure is rooted in wonder, worship and reflection – activities that are ends in themselves, not means to productivity. He critiques how modern life has turned all human activity into something utilitarian. Education, art and even religion are often reduced to tools for social mobility or economic growth, rather than pursued for their intrinsic value. Esolen emphasizes that leisure finds its highest expression in worship and liturgy. Time spent in contemplation of the divine is the deepest form of leisure, because it directs the soul toward eternal realities. He draws on classical and Christian sources to affirm that man is not simply a worker or consumer but is made for contemplation and communion. In the end, he calls for a return to genuine leisure as the only path to restoring culture, education, and the dignity of the human spirit. The author argues that without true leisure, civilization cannot thrive, because it loses contact with what is eternal and meaningful. Leisure, rightly understood, is not a break from life – it is at the heart of what makes life worth living.

From the Pastor - Corpus Christi

By John Putnam • June 20, 2025
Today we observe the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This beautiful feast celebrates the gift of the Eucharist, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches is the source and summit of our Christian faith. “For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself” (CCC paragraph 1324). The very word, Eucharist, means “thanksgiving” or “gratitude” and so this feast is especially meaningful to all of us who are striving to live as grateful stewards of all God’s blessings to us. Surely the Eucharist is the greatest of all blessings because it is not only from God, the Eucharist, is God — the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today’s second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us of the depths of love our Lord has shown us in the gift of the Eucharist, recalling Christ’s words at the very first Eucharistic celebration. “The Lord Jesus… took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.’” In that moment, and at every celebration of the Mass thereafter, Jesus gives us His very self in an act of complete humility and perfect love. How can we possibly show our gratitude for such a sublime gift? We can receive the gift of the Eucharist with the greatest possible reverence and love. And, following our Lord’s example, we can give ourselves generously to others in the week ahead. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ naturally follows the Solemnities of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity. Each of those celebrations highlight a profound experience of God. The Eucharist invites us into the very life of God which is the Holy Trinity. We are nourished by the Lord to sustain us as we strive to run the race and fight the good fight. The Church in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican II describes the Eucharist as the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows… At times perhaps we allow our assistance and participation at Mass and reception of the Eucharist to become habitual or common place. Such an attitude should always be avoided since it diminishes the centrality that the Eucharist is to play in each of our lives. Nonetheless, it is a common pitfall that many of us fall into. There are a number of ways in which we can help ourselves to avoid falling into that trap. First and foremost, we should prepare ourselves for participation at Mass. This can be accomplished in a number of ways but especially by taking some time to read and reflect on the Scriptures before we arrive at the church. Arriving early at Mass so that we can actually spend some time in prayer, quieting our hearts and minds before the celebration begins is also helpful. Outside of Mass, we can make spiritual Communions and make visits to the Blessed Sacrament. These moments of grace can also inspire us to live more authentically Christian lives by our concern for and service to the poor. Serving our neighbor and loving the neighbor as we love ourselves is a true expression of our love for God.  I also want to offer a word of thanks to all those who assisted with the diaconate and priestly ordinations the previous two Saturdays. A great deal of work goes into these events, and the St. Mark staff and volunteers always “step up” to do their part. We as a parish are honored to host these important Diocesan events and appreciate all of those who contribute to their success.
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