May 29 - Friday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

June 6 - Saturday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

(2Tm.4:1-8; Ps.71:8-9,14-17,22; Mk.12:38-44) "Put up with hardship, perform your work as an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." In final words to his blessed disciple, Paul exhorts Timothy with all the strength he is able to muster "to preach the word, to stay with this task whether convenient or inconvenient – correcting, reproving, appealing – constantly teaching and never losing patience." He even invokes "the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead," to emphasize the seriousness of his charge. Clearly the end approaches for Paul. He himself states: "The time of my dissolution is near" – and so it is with great urgency he desires his preaching task to go forth, for Timothy's own sake, that he might share the "merited crown" that awaits his father in the faith, and for all who look "for [the Lord's] appearing with eager longing." Paul sees as he draws nigh to the Day of the Lord what has perhaps never been known so clearly as today, that "the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but, following their own desires, will surround themselves with teachers who tickle their ears." He prophecies so well what is true of every age but is magnified so greatly in the dark time in which we live: "They will stop listening to the truth and will wander off to fables." More have died in war in the last century than in all the rest of human history; and the martyrs' blood has never mounted as high to heaven as in this atheistic age wherein all hearts turn away from true doctrine to enshrine the workings of their own hands and minds. (May the smoke of Satan be blown from the confines of the Church and the devil's veil of illusion be lifted from all minds!) But we must not be as the scribes "who like to parade around in their robes and accept marks of respect in public, front seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at banquets." The prideful adulation that sparks the unholy fire of the cults so prevalent in our glamorous time is not what must call to our hearts or be the leaven for our souls. We must but praise the Lord! With our psalmist we must sing to our Lord and our God, "the Holy One of Israel": "My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your glory day by day." We must "give [Him] thanks with music on the lyre," with our body's every fiber. Brothers and sisters, we must "always hope and praise [God] ever more and more." Ever we are called to draw closer to the Lord. We have not yet been as the widow who "gave from her want, all that she had to live on"; we have not yet been "poured out like a libation" as has Paul; we have not yet shed blood with Jesus on the cross. We cannot yet say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"; for there is much race yet to be run and to the end our faith must endure and grow ever stronger day to day. Indeed our ministry must be fulfilled, all our strength spent in witness to the Word of Truth. ******* O LORD, send us true teachers of the faith, that we might be so faithful ourselves, pouring out our lives for your sake. YHWH, to you let us turn in faith; instruct us ever in your way. Let your truth alone be taught by all who stand in your place. Laying down their lives for your flock, may they find their blessing on your Day. And let us all lay down our lives with them; O LORD, let all men sing your praise. For none is released from your call to preach, to live the faith all our days. Soon your Son shall return; let our eyes be up and looking for His coming. Let us desire to unite with you and so give all we have toward that end. We may not have much to give, LORD, but if we place all at your service, you will multiply our good works and make us worthy to stand with you. O LORD, keep us from those who lead souls astray by their words and by their actions. To Jesus indeed let us look, and to His faithful disciples, to find the way we should walk. If we are diligent in following you, if we are humble and speak the truth, you will bless us and all we do, and join our song to that of your saints. May Jesus teach us this day.

June 5 - Prayer to St. Boniface

O apostle of the faith called out from monastery walls to travel into the world, laboring and suffering even to the shedding of blood as you steered Christ's ship pounded by waves but kept on course, spreading out upon the face of the earth by the sacrifice of shepherds like yourself – pray the bishops of today will unceasingly teach the faith, defending the Church from all assaults, never silent in the face of danger, never turning from their call but preaching the Gospel in season and out of season that in all seasons Christ's flock might increase and be strengthened. Let us rather die than give in to the impending darkness.

June 5 - Friday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

(2Tm.3:10-17; Ps.119:157,160-161,165-166,168; Mk.12:35-37) "Princes persecute me without cause but my heart stands in awe of your word." The Word of God and persecution are our topics for today. On the one hand, Paul tells Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching," and Jesus uses a passage of Scripture (Psalm 110) to refute His persecutors and verify that the Son of God, the Word of God made flesh, is indeed greater than David – being David's Son insofar as the flesh is concerned, but truly begotten of God the Father and one with Him from all eternity. And on the other hand, Paul states categorically, "Anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus can expect to be persecuted," and our psalmist sings, "My persecutors and my foes are many." But these two hands become one hand, working in the one Body of Christ, revealed in the passage Jesus quotes: "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." For by the power of the Word of God in Scripture and made flesh in Christ we His children conquer with Him all our enemies… these persecutors become as so much empty wind. Brothers and sisters, never lose awe for the Word of God spoken in Holy Scripture. Be like Timothy who "from [his] infancy" knew "the sacred Scriptures, the source of the wisdom which through faith in Jesus Christ leads to salvation." Treasure this gift at our hands, "inspired by the Holy Spirit" as it is for our instruction. And I pray your teachers will always be as Paul, so faithful to the Lord in knowing His Word and living it with "resolution, fidelity, patience, love, and endurance, through persecutions and sufferings." Then your path will be straight on the way to God; then will your hearts and minds be filled with light. There are many "evil men and charlatans" about who, "deceived themselves" and "deceiving others," fail to drink of the undrainable waters of Scripture, and who avoid the Lord's cross at all costs… listen not to these. "I turn not away from your decrees," our psalmist declares, and so he finds "great peace" despite any trial. Brothers and sisters, for us who love the Lord and are like the crowd in today's gospel who "heard [His words] with great delight," "there is no stumbling block." All our persecutions but add to our ever increasing knowledge of our Savior, drawing us ever closer to the kingdom of God, where Jesus reigns forever. ******* O LORD, as we contemplate your Word, we find you – you who are Truth, you who are God… and so have great peace. YHWH, let us stand in awe of you and your Word; Jesus Himself is the Word imparting wisdom to us that by faith in you we might be saved. Lead us unto life everlasting by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And as we heed your Word, O LORD, and walk in His way, give us the endurance that comes from you; for indeed we shall be persecuted if to Him we remain true. As Jesus was led to the Cross and all His apostles as well, so will all those obedient to your Word in Sacred Scripture, all those who find life in your commands. But in you we shall ever have peace, for with you we shall ever be. O majestic LORD, far above us all, let us not be deceived by false teachers who would lead souls into sin but be ever guided by those you appoint to stand in Jesus' place and guide the Church unto glory. May your apostles remain firm in your way that all may come soon to your eternal kingdom.

June 4 - Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

(2Tm.2:8-15; Ps.25:4-5,8-10,14; Mk.12:28-34) "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior." Brothers and sisters, "Remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, was raised from the dead." He is our Lord. He is our God. He is our Savior who speaks only truth. Listen to Him and walk in His way, "following a straight course in preaching the truth." After Jesus proclaims the greatest of all commandments today, finally, "no one ha[s] the courage to ask Him any more questions." Finally the traps cease to be set to catch Jesus in His speech and the leaders of the people "stop disputing about mere words." For who can argue with the Son of God when He makes known the clear path to God, when He exposes the heart of the law and the prophets in absolute terms? Only silence can follow such Truth. No vain utterance can stand in the face of such Love. For the command is love, and Jesus is love – and this Paul has come to preach, "even to the point of being thrown into chains." His only concern is for "those whom God has chosen, in order that they may obtain the salvation to be found in Christ Jesus." For this he preaches the Gospel unto death, that all might hear and know of the love of God… and should we not join him? Should the Church not be a speaker of the truth in love, "a workman who has no cause to be ashamed"? Should she cower to declare Christ Jesus risen from the dead and fear offending those on the path to destruction? Should she stand by idly as false gospels are preached and docile lambs are led to the teeth of wolves in sheep's clothing? Does she not care for the flock as does Paul, as does Paul exhort Timothy? Should it not be she who "guides the humble to justice" and "teaches the humble His way"? Brothers and sisters, "there is no chaining the word of God!" and there is no place for falsehood to stand in its light. God is love and we must love others. We do not love by nodding as others fall into error – this is not our call in the Lord. We must teach the truth with Jesus our Lord with "heart," "mind," "soul," and "strength," His Spirit of love and truth upon us. Then will all lies fall silent. Then will light shine. Then will His love be known and all come to the "eternal glory" He holds. ******* O LORD, teach us your way of love that humbly we might walk in it and teach it with strength to others. YHWH, Jesus is the true teacher of the faith, for He is risen from the dead – He is your Son, O God! Who can dispute with His wisdom? Who can question His knowledge, who compare with His holiness? None there is beside Him, yet send us true teachers to speak in His Name. We are prone to go astray, dear LORD, to wander from your love, which is life itself to us. We do indeed tend to forget why we're here and fall easily into sin. O send forth your preachers to remind us of your love, to remind us of the sacrifice your Son has made for us, and that He is risen from the dead. For if we forget not that He is raised for our sakes, will not your love remain in our hearts; will we not conquer sin and death and live with you in love of one another? Then let your Word come to us and make His home in us, that humbly we might worship you all the days of our life. O LORD, let us be faithful to your Word at work within us and live in your love. May all our being bless your NAME!

June 3 - Prayer to St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

O modern martyrs for Christ who gave your lives even as the early Christians, under torture by the emperor, who remained steadfast as these despite sword or fire come by the power of the king… a new age indeed you ushered in, one of mighty suffering, a time for the blood to mount up on this earth – pray, brothers in the faith, that your sacrifice not be in vain, that we shall join you in loyal service and so find the Church blessed with new growth in the Spirit. Though new to the faith yourselves when you bled and died for the Word, deeply was your foundation laid, unshaken by the threats of the mighty. Should we not be the same; should we not follow in your way, we who profess to love the Lord?