It surely could not have been enough. Five loaves of bread and two fish could feed ten people but not five thousand. I wonder if the Twelve ever thought Jesus was crazy or if they saw enough signs to know that he really was God. It’s on my list of questions for when I arrive in Heaven.
My study Bible says this passage is a foreshadowing of the sacramental miracle of the Eucharist. I think it’s also an example of trusting that what we are given by Jesus is enough. When my husband lost his job, I prayed for a very specific salary for his next job. Our parish and seminary were planning capital campaigns and I wanted to donate. Thanks be to God, my husband found employment but the salary was not what I’d hoped. One of those campaigns began and we were asked to donate an amount we thought would be out of reach. We prayed and talked about it and decided to give it a go. It turns out that what I didn’t think would be enough is, in fact, enough. Again, I am reminded that Jesus can do big things with our humble trust.
Feeding five thousand people is a big task. I would like to know what the Apostles thought when Jesus instructed them to distribute the loaves and fish. I would like to thank them for their trust in this and in so many other matters. The example they set as flawed humans like us, is inspiring and helpful.
Slowly, as I live this life I’ve been gifted with, I am learning that Jesus’s reality is so much bigger than mine. He has the whole picture while I have just a bit of it. I can trust that what He gives is not just enough, it’s more than enough. He is so good.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” The Gospel reading today is part of the bigger Sermon on the Mount, which spans three chapters (Matthew 5-7) that are still relevant today. Christ’s words to his listeners about dependence on God are more important than ever in the twenty-first century.
We live in a world that has removed most of the inconveniences of daily life. No need to wash or clean by hand; we have machines for that. No need to travel on foot or by horse; we have cars and planes. There are some great blessings to this era, including safer, better ways to live, and that is a gift we shouldn’t take for granted! However, the control we have in many areas of our lives comes with a downside: the temptation to try to control every part of our lives.
It is an easy and understandable mistake to make. We already take charge of so many things. We press a button, and the problem gets fixed. Unfortunately, that method only works with machines, and human beings are not machines. Our lives cannot be programmed. Truthfully, the most important things in life – God and others, living and dying, love and loss – are not the kind of things we can control.
That was no less true for Christ’s audience two thousand years ago. His listeners were people from a world very different from ours with no modern conveniences, no easy way of life. He told them, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.” Not a single part of it.
As always, He gives us a practical reason and a deeper philosophical reason for that. The practical reason is simple: Worry never did anybody any good. In fact, as we know from experience, worry often makes a situation worse! And the philosophical reason is this: We truly have no reason to worry.
We have a Father Who loves us so dearly that He will do anything to give us whatever we need to come home to Him. Anything. My brother once said to me, “God loved you enough that He let His only Son die for you. You really think He isn’t going to take care of your problems?” Lost keys. A missed job interview. A falling-out with a family member or friend. The loss of a loved one. No matter how convenient our modern age is, we still can’t control the things that matter most to us. And we aren’t supposed to.
Who should be in charge, you or me, imperfect humans who can’t always see the deeper picture? Or our loving Father, Who sees and wills all things for our good (even lost keys!)? He will not let a single thing happen to you that will take you away from Him. All He asks, as He reminds us in today’s Gospel, is that we trust Him to take care of it all, today, tomorrow and always.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
“They say that money can’t buy happiness, but if I have a lot of money, I can go on a cruise, and that would make me happy.” That philosophical twister was posed by one of my eighth graders with the approval of many of his classmates. What followed was a spirited debate that was, as is often the case when teaching, completely off topic but completely on point. We talked about the difference between enjoyment and happiness, and we discussed the emptiness of always striving for that next shiny thing. Can something that fleeting really be called happiness?
Toward the end of the class period, another student – one who had spent a year traveling the world with her family – wrapped it up quite well. “We have too much stuff in this country,” she said. “When I was in Africa, I met the poorest people I have ever met, and they were all so happy.” Clearly money had not bought their happiness.
It all comes down to grammatical semantics – adjective versus noun. Money may have the power to make you feel “happy” by acquiring some good or adventure you long for, but those feelings are temporary. “Happiness” as a noun is much deeper, more profound. It is a contentment and a peace in the soul for one who has discovered a deeper purpose in connection to God. That is the happiness that money can’t buy. And that is the treasure Jesus urges us toward in today’s Gospel.
Our hearts will seek that which we treasure. When we treasure (value, long-for) the newest gaming system, a shiny new car, or the praise of our peers, the fleeting happy feeling we may experience when we get these things won’t last, and it will leave us longing for more. But when we treasure God and treasure discovering and living His purpose for us, we find true, deep, abiding happiness. As St. Augustine wrote in his Confessions, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Things of this world can never fully satisfy. If our happiness is based on these things, and even the “happy” in our lives fades, spoils, and disappoints, how devastating will the sad days be? In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to look toward the light so that we will be filled with light. We are called to set our hearts on God and the graces of our faith. Finding joy in the treasure that endures, the abiding love of God, makes our earthly joys more sweet and our earthly sorrows less bitter.
So, to the bright young man who posed our opening question, yes, money may be able to buy you a happy feeling here and there, but, no, it cannot buy happiness. That happiness, as the villagers your classmate met in Africa would likely be able to tell you, is a treasure borne of their Creator, and it doesn’t cost a dime.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
The readings today point to God the Father as full of justice, truth, majesty, compassion, mercy, care, and love for us. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that he preaches the Gospel with humility and knowledge and his boasting is only in Christ Jesus, not for himself. The psalmist gives glory to God for all His works of creation, for the deeds He does, and tells us that God is reliable. Jesus teaches His disciples to pray the Our Father, possibly one of the first rote prayers many of us learned. Jesus wants us to go to God as our Father, since we are His children.
As a spiritual director, I often talk to people about prayer. We are familiar with “prayers we say” but those wordless prayers, or whispers from the heart, can be challenging for us. We think that we must pray the right way, that we somehow pass or fail in our prayers, and if we pray the wrong way God will not hear or answer us. That is our human fear of approaching God, but God wants to hear from us. All the time. About all that we need. If we go to God with humility, we will pray well.
In the Our Father there are two phrases that strike me often; “thy will be done” and “Give us this day our daily bread.” They will be done – in other words, Lord, I am turning over my needs, wants, hopes and life to You, so that Your will, not mine, is done. And I can do this because I trust that You will give me my daily bread. In other words, You will care for me today and give me what I need for today.
I often have trouble with the “today” part of that phrase. I want to know how I will be taken care of for the next few weeks, months, and really, what is the ten-year plan. Can I have that, Lord? Do you feel that way sometimes as well? How can we move past that and focus on what is happening rather than what might happen?
I like to begin with gratitude for what is going on in my life now and where I see God’s hand on me. Then I slow down. I mean that – I slow myself down and hold onto what I know. God cares for me, and He will provide what I need for today so that His will is done. I try, as best as humanly possible, to cooperate with God.
As you go through your day, ask yourself how you can better cooperate with God.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
When I was growing up and times were tight, my parents dug up a section of the backyard and planted a garden. We grew carrots, green and yellow beans, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, all to help feed the family and cut down on the cost of groceries. One year, we also bought a package of corn seeds, and it was my job to plant them. Now, I’m quite fond of sweetcorn, so this was a task I could get behind. I planted as many rows as that packet of seeds would fill, and I waited. When the plants started to sprout, I was sent out to thin and weed them.
As I look back, the basic problem with this arrangement was I was a corn eater, not a corn farmer. I was just a kid, probably not even a teenager yet, and I had no idea if that was a little corn plant or a weed. When I got done with that task, those rows were pretty sparse. As the summer went on and the plants grew, we ended up with just 15 cornstalks, thanks to me and my lack of weeding expertise. I think we then ended up with maybe a dozen ears of corn total. I can’t even remember if it was good corn or not. The basic components of successful corn sowing and reaping just weren’t there.
The basic components of our faith, however, are pretty straightforward: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Those are the things we try to do more fervently during Lent, and those are the things we then try to carry forward into the rest of the year. And we do so out of love. What is prayer but our conversation with our God? What is fasting but our attempt to remove those things that get in the way of our relationship with God? And what is almsgiving (the righteous deed Jesus points out in Matthew’s Gospel today) but our attempt to love and serve others because of our love for God?
Thus, Jesus’ teaching also seems pretty straightforward: We know what we’re supposed to do, but we definitely need to watch out for how and why we’re doing it. None of it is for show. None of it is to gain us the praise or admiration of others. All of it is for God. But the beautiful promise is that when we do it all for God, the Father will repay us. He will, as Paul tells the Corinthians, increase our harvest of righteousness. And, as the psalmist tells us, He is gracious and merciful and just. Pray, fast, and give alms, but do it all for God and with God and through God. And the Father’s generosity to us shall endure forever. Talk about reaping bountifully!
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
Love my enemies? Pray for those who persecute me? Be perfect? That’s crazy talk.
Every time I hear the passage from today’s Gospel, a thought that goes through my brain for a split second that says, “This is crazy talk.” Not because it is Jesus asking this of us, but because it all seems so impossible. “Lord, you know humanity. You know my sinful self. I can’t possibly live up to this.” And yet, Jesus still asks us.
What if we could be perfect? What if we could love as God loves? If He’s asking, it must be possible.
As Christians living after the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, we have an advantage that His followers during His life on earth did not. We know the entire story from the beginning. We know how the story ends. The only way that what Christ asks of us makes any sense is in light of His dying and rising.
The Cross is the answer to impossible things. Jesus showed us what to do, to carry our crosses and embrace them fully. In the mystery of suffering, we rise above human thinking to the mind of God.
Today, let’s ask for the grace to see and understand not as we see, but as God sees. Let us ask for the gift to think as God thinks, and the courage to carry our crosses well so that they might transform our lives.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
In the days of the exodus, when Moses was trying to lead and govern the young nation of Israel, the Lord instituted the Law of Moses for them to live by. This included the Ten Commandments, rules for religious worship, and laws for everyday living. At the heart of the societal rules was ‘an eye for an eye,’ meaning that if someone wronged you, you had the right to inflict the same damage on them. For example, if someone killed your sheep, you were entitled to one of their sheep, but not to burn down their house. In this way, the Lord began the formation of the conscience of Israel, training them to recognize that regardless of emotional response, people deserved fair treatment during a disagreement.
Jesus came to fulfill and perfect the law. He is not abolishing the Mosaic Law in this passage but rather elevating it. Now, instead of seeking equal pain on the perpetrator, Christians are called to forgiveness. We are invited to relinquish our claim on material recompense in exchange for a spiritual reward.
This type of living simply wasn’t possible during the time of Moses because Jesus hadn’t come to the world yet. Jesus calls us to behavior that is counterintuitive and contrary to our instincts. The only way we could possibly attain peace while letting enemies strike us, steal our tunics, and force us into labor is through the grace of God.
Jesus recognizes the things that grab a hold of our hearts and keep us tethered to this world. Things like anger, greed, and pride. If someone hurts us, our reaction is anger and we seek to inflict pain on the other person. If someone attempts to wrongly take our possessions, we cling even tighter to our worldly goods. If someone tries to force us to work, we dig our heels in and refuse charity in the name of independence.
Jesus commands us to instead release the anger, the possessions, and the pride. By turning the other cheek, we aren’t condoning abuse but abandoning any claim to retaliation. In this broken world, we don’t have to look far to find a sinner who has hurt us. Jesus asks us to forgive immediately, without any restitution. By handing over not only our tunic but also our cloak, we practice detachment from earthly goods. All of the things we have will one day be gone, but the spiritual gifts and graces Jesus would like to give us in return shall remain with us for all time. By willingly going beyond what is required of you, your labor is transformed from servitude to charity. Instead of slaving for your boss all day, your work becomes the means of your sanctification.
When we live this way, we are set free. This is the gift Jesus wants so desperately to give us: freedom. The rest of the world won’t understand it, but the peace we receive from being set free of our anger, greed, and pride is of far greater value than any worldly reward.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
I was used to driving on dusty country backroads. In fact, I loved them because they signaled to me that an adventure had commenced. I pulled up to a modest home and was greeted by a huge sheep dog. A grey habited sister met me at the door and my discernment with SOLT began.
The weekend was full of prayer, service, and great conversation. I was at peace in the rhythm of religious life and could see myself in that community, but God didn’t call me there for vocational reasons. Rather, He called me there for a different sort of adventure, something quite mysterious.
One afternoon, while in prayer, He led my mind’s eye into a round room with latticed windows. The interior was a well-lit and cozy canvas yurt (similar to a teepee or a wigwam). As I was scanning the space, I was encircled by Mary’s mantle to dwell there with her, and I wasn’t alone. In the center of the room was God, the Holy Trinity, “floating” much like an orb (sphere), as best as my human prayer imagination could perceive. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit united in one space dwelt deep in Mary’s core and I was standing before Him soaking Him in. I felt peace, awe, and wonder.
More than ten years later I am still unpacking this great mystery of God, the Most Holy Trinity, which we celebrate today. It is one of the most fundamental dogmas of Christianity and one that we have no access to without His gift of revelation. I don’t understand it. I cannot comprehend it, but in regards to God’s revelation to me that day, I am overwhelmed by the fact that He chose to gather us unto Himself under Mary’s mantle. He destined His self revelation to be tied up with her.
I still don’t know why God gave me that image, but I am grateful and want to make every use of the gift. Most of all, I simply want to dwell there with Him. I want to be in that sacred space and let my soul rest in Him under Mary’s watch. My prayer for you is that today’s solemnity would inspire you to meditate on the Most Holy Trinity’s unity with Mary. I hope that you ask her to gather you under her mantle so that you may also dwell there with Him.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
As we take time to reflect today we look at a passage from the Gospel of Matthew. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.” As I read this passage it made me look at both human nature and the current stage of motherhood I am in.
First I want to talk about us as humans. It is common in our society to find out what the new trends or fads are and set goals to obtain them, whether it be weight loss, or another personal or spiritual goal. Every year we set a New Year’s Resolution, and unfortunately we often do not end up sticking with that goal long term. What if instead of setting these goals, we just started saying yes more to things that would better our lives. For instance, instead of saying “I’m going to work hard to better my spiritual life this year,” say yes when a friend asks you to join their prayer group.
This passage also hits home as a mother. I feel like I am always setting goals to slow down and spend more quality time with each of my girls, or to make every moment special. I get so lost in the planning that I miss the moment. Instead I could just stop and say yes when my daughter asks to play a board game or read a book.
God knows what we need. If we take the time to be more like our Mother Mary and say yes to the moments God presents us with instead of trying to plan our own destiny, we can form a deeper relationship with God and discover His plan for us.
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.
Have you ever considered the first time you realized that prayers do get answered? I was about seven years old and attended Catholic school. In addition to the Nuns teaching us about prayer and the beautiful gifts of the saints, my Mom always taught me to pray to St. Anthony if I lost anything.
One warm summer afternoon, and I was spending the day at the city pool swimming with friends. When I got home, I changed out of my favorite two-piece purple and white polka dot swimsuit. I placed it outside on our deck to dry before running off to play with my neighbors. The next day, my mom reminded me where I had left my swimsuit and as I ran out to get it, I noticed that the bottom was missing. Crying, I told my mom, and she immediately suggested I pray to St. Anthony. Boy, did I pray as I began a trek through the backyards of all my neighbors. I spotted something as I approached the end of the last backyard. That purple and white print was the best sight ever!
That’s when it all connected: saints can help us, provide guidance, and answer prayers through intercession to God. St. Anthony of Padua was a Franciscan and a very close friend of St. Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of the poor. He was taught by St. Francis to love and desire God and all his creatures. St. Anthony has proven to be like a brother to me in times of need. I learned that he listens to us, no matter how big or small the request might be.
Have you lost something as important as your faith? Instead of filling your soul, are you emptying it? Are you at a point in your life where you are uncertain about who to turn to for help? I can say that St. Anthony has become an essential part of my life journey. Can I share all the prayers that he has answered? No. But I can say that I trust that his answer will be what’s best for me and my faith journey – God’s will.
To this day, I, too, tell my kids to pray to St. Anthony. This simple prayer about covers it all:
Dear St. Anthony,
You are the patron of the poor and the helper of all who seek lost articles.
You also taught us the great importance of prayer,
which puts us in touch with God and brings us His help.
Keep me close to God each day through my daily prayers.
Help me to be good to my family and all my friends.
Come to the aid of all people who seek what they have lost,
especially those who seek to regain the grace of God.
St. Anthony, pray for us!
Daily Reading
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:…
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More
Feast date: Jun 22
On June 22, the Catholic Church honors the life and martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the lawyer, author and statesman who lost his life opposing King Henry VIII’s plan to subordinate the Church to the English monarchy.Thomas More was born in 1478, son of the lawyer and judge John More and his wife Agnes. He received a classical education from the age of six, and at age 13 became the protege of Archbishop John Morton, who also served an important civic role as the Lord Chancellor. Although Thomas never joined the clergy, he would eventually come to assume the position of Lord Chancellor himself.More received a well-rounded college education at Oxford, becoming a “renaissance man” who knew several ancient and modern languages and was well-versed in mathematics, music and literature. His father, however, determined that Thomas should become a lawyer, so he withdrew his son from Oxford after two years to focus him on that career.Despite his legal and political orientation, Thomas was confused in regard to his vocation as a young man. He seriously considered joining either the Carthusian monastic order or the Franciscans, and followed a number of ascetic and spiritual practices throughout his life – such as fasting, corporal mortification, and a regular rule of prayer – as means of growing in holiness.In 1504, however, More was elected to Parliament. He gave up his monastic ambitions, though not his disciplined spiritual life, and married Jane Colt of Essex. They were happily married for several years and had four children together, though Jane tragically died in childbirth in 1511. Shortly after her death, More married a widow named Alice Middleton, who proved to be a devoted wife and mother.Two years earlier, in 1509, King Henry VIII had acceded to the throne. For years, the king showed fondness for Thomas, working to further his career as a public servant. He became a part of the king’s inner circle, eventually overseeing the English court system as Lord Chancellor. More even authored a book published in Henry’s name, defending Catholic doctrine against Martin Luther.More’s eventual martyrdom would come as a consequence o f Henry VIII’s own tragic downfall. The king wanted an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, a marriage that Pope Clement VII declared to be valid and indissoluble. By 1532, More had resigned as Lord Chancellor, refusing to support the king’s efforts to defy the Pope and control the Church.In 1534, Henry VIII declared that every subject of the British crown would have to swear an oath affirming the validity of his new marriage to Anne Boleyn. Refusal of these demands would be regarded as treason against the state. In April of that year, a royal commission summoned Thomas to force him to take the oath affirming the King’s new marriage as valid. While accepting certain portions of the act which pertained to Henry’s royal line of succession, he could not accept the king’s defiance of papal authority on the marriage question. More was taken from his wife and children, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. For 15 months, More’s wife and several friends tried to convince him to take the oath and save his life, but he refused. In 1535, while More was imprisoned, an act of Parliament came into effect declaring Henry VIII to be “the only supreme head on earth of the Church in England,” once again under penalty of treason. Members of the clergy who would not take the oath began to be executed.In June of 1535, More was finally indicted and formally tried for the crime of treason in Westminster Hall. He was charged with opposing the king’s “Act of Supremacy” in private conversations which he insisted had never occurred. But after his defense failed, and he was sentenced to death, he finally spoke out in open opposition to what he had previously opposed through silence and refusal.More explained that Henry’s Act of Supremacy, was contrary “to the laws of God and his holy Church.” He explained that “no temporal prince” could take away the prerogatives that belonged to St. Peter and his successors according to the words of Christ. When he was told that most of the English bishops had accepted the king’s order, More replied that the saints in heaven did not accept it.On July 6, 1535, the 57-year-old More came before the executioner to be beheaded. “I die the king’s good servant,” he told the onlookers, “but God’s first.” His head was displayed on London Bridge, but later returned to his daughter Margaret who preserved it as a holy relic of her father. St. Thomas More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonized in 1935 by Pope Piux XI. The Academy Award-winning film “A Man For All Seasons” portrayed the events that led to his martyrdom.