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March 31, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In his 1975 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope St. Paul VI wrote “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” On this Easter Sunday, the first reading gives an account of St. Peter’s powerful witness. He testifies to the history: Jesus came into the world, proclaimed a message of healing and hope, was crucified in Jerusalem, and rose from the dead. Peter tells his listeners that he and the other apostles have been given the mission to testify to these events. From our moment in history, we can look back and see that this mission was lived out, as the apostles gave their testimony not only in words and teachings, but with the very manner of their lives.

These great apostolic witnesses are inspired by the witness given in the Gospel today. St. Mary Magdalene, is, in many ways, the first witness. Her fidelity to Jesus impelled her to go to the tomb to pray. Finding it empty, she goes to Peter and bears witness that something has happened. Her testimony is enough for him to go and see, though he and John leave the tomb before anything else can happen. Mary, however, remains a while longer at the tomb, and as a result, encounters the Risen Jesus. Our Lord sends her to testify to the apostles, to share with them the joyful news that not only is the tomb empty, but Jesus has really been raised and she has seen Him. Mary Magdalene becomes a living witness to the other apostles. Through her initial testimony, St. Peter went to the tomb. Through her continued testimony, St. Peter began to understand the powerful truth of the Resurrection.

As we celebrate this great solemnity of Easter, the witness of the apostles and Mary Magdalene can serve as an inspiration for each of us, called also to bear witness in the world to the joyful news of the Resurrection. Mary did not fully understand what had happened yet was able to lend her voice to tell the story. Peter did not fully comprehend the cost of witness yet spoke boldly of the truth of Jesus Christ. Every baptized Christian is called to share the good news of Jesus Christ in some way.  We may worry that our understanding is incomplete. We may fear the implications of sharing the fact that we believe with others. In the face of these concerns, St. Paul VI continues the quote above with these words: “It is therefore primarily by her conduct and by her life that the Church will evangelize the world…the witness of poverty and detachment, of freedom in the face of the powers of this world, in short, the witness of sanctity” (Evangelii Nuntiandi 41). The Apostles and first followers of Christ were not perfect. By the power of Christ risen from the tomb, though, they were able to be authentic witnesses and transformed the whole course of human history.

Today is Easter Sunday. Whether we find ourselves enjoying a deeper understanding of the Gospel, or struggling to indicate to anyone that we believe in Jesus, the mystery we celebrate today urges us forward. The tomb is empty. With Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene, we too are witnesses of this great mystery. Like the apostles, we have passed through the challenging test of Lent, and the sufferings of Holy Week. May we share in their joy today as we celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection. Truly He is risen from the grave! Death and sin have no power, for Jesus has defeated everlasting death and won forgiveness for our sins! The mercy of God endures forever in our Risen Savior. What a privilege for us to be witnesses of these things. Happy Easter!

Peace,

Fr. Sam

February 25, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Lord, it is good that we are here.” Overwhelmed by the glory of the transfigured Jesus, shocked by the presence of Moses and Elijah, St. Peter utters these words in the Gospel we read today in the hope of remaining on the mountain for a while longer. While the moment of the Transfiguration will pass and things will seem to go back to normal, the short-lived glory that Peter, James, and John were privileged to witness would become a sign and a prefiguration of what was to come. Jesus is transfigured so that the Apostles can be confident in the time after His death on the cross that, indeed, He will be raised as He promised. So it is good that the Apostles are there, for their witnessing of the glory of the Lord will help them later, when they are called upon to strengthen their brothers in hope.

But those words, “it is good that we are here,” ring true for us today, as well. It is good that we are here, in this Lenten season. It is good that we have this time dedicated to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, because it is through this holy season and the disciplines that accompany it that we are able to reorder our lives. The discipline of Lent has an immediate purpose – the fast of this time allows me to offer myself to God here and now. The Transfiguration had a present-moment purpose, as it confirmed for the Apostles the true identity of Jesus. It also had a future-oriented purpose, as it prepared them for the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord. Just so, our Lenten discipline both helps us now, and prepares us for that future time when, faced with temptation, difficulty, or spiritual doubts, we will need the skills these forty days teach us to help us on our way. And so it is truly good that we are here on this Lenten journey. It is good that we are embracing the disciplines of Lent. And it is good that, as we enter more deeply into this season, we are here with Jesus. For our Lord who went into the desert for us, has invited us to come with Him there. He has invited us up the mountain with Him. It is good that we are here.

The next part of the Gospel story is important, though we will not read it today. Immediately after the Transfiguration, Jesus returns down the mountain with Peter, James, and John. There, they find the remaining Apostles trying to cast a demon out of a boy and having no success. The boy’s father makes the humble prayer “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief,” and at that supplication, Jesus casts the demon out, healing the boy. The Apostles ask why they could not exorcise in this situation, and Jesus tells them that this particular kind of demon can only be cast out by prayer and fasting. This episode teaches us that, while some kinds of healing can happen simply by the authority of the name of Jesus, there are some healings that will take place only by our perseverance in prayer and in discipline. So it is good that we are here, in Lent. For Lent teaches us those disciplines of prayer and fasting that will help us to find the healing that Jesus desires for us to receive. Virtue is the habit of choosing to do what is good. Prayer and fasting help me to choose, habitually, to do the good. The only way to cast out the demon of sin is the consistency and habit of penance, the prayer and fasting which these forty days call us to live. It is good that we are here. We are not meant to live a constant Lent, but we need the lessons from Lent every year, for our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving give us the tools we will need to be strong in the face of temptation, to strengthen our brethren in faith, and to uproot sin whenever and wherever it crops up in our lives. It is good that we are here.

Peace,

Fr. Sam