Treasures of Our Faith with Deacon Richard Vehige

Acknowledge your sins at a time of God's favor

On Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (11:1-17, 26-27) entitled "The sin of David". Our treasure, which follows, is from a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386) was the Bishop of Jerusalem, a Doctor of the Church, and one of the Church's greatest catechists. Living during the turbulent years following the First Council of Nicaea, he courageously defended the true divinity of Christ against the Arian heresy despite repeated exile. He is best known for his Catechetical Lectures, a series of instructions given to those preparing for Baptism and to the newly baptized. These teachings provide one of the clearest and earliest explanations of the Catholic faith, especially regarding the Creed, the sacraments, and the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Saint Cyril's lasting contribution is his clear, pastoral presentation of the faith, showing that Christian doctrine is meant not only to be understood but also to be lived and celebrated in the life of the Church. The essential message of today's "treasure" from "Acknowledge Your Sins at a Time of God's Favor," a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril, is that God lovingly offers the grace of forgiveness to those who sincerely repent and turn back to Him. Saint Cyril urges those preparing for Baptism—and all Christians—to examine their consciences, confess their sins with humility, and embrace God's mercy while the opportunity is given. He reminds us that God desires not to condemn sinners but to restore them to communion with Him. The main takeaway is that conversion cannot be delayed. The present moment is God's "time of favor" and the day of salvation. Through sincere repentance, prayer, and the sacraments, especially Baptism and Reconciliation, God cleanses the heart and grants new life. Saint Cyril encourages us to respond to God's invitation today, trusting in His boundless mercy and allowing His grace to transform our lives. The teaching from our first reading from the second book of Samuel is that even the greatest of God's servants can fall into serious sin, but sincere repentance opens the door to God's mercy and forgiveness. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite, David is confronted by the prophet Nathan. Rather than denying his guilt, David humbly confesses, "I have sinned against the Lord." The main takeaway is that sin has serious consequences, but God's mercy is always available to those who repent with a sincere heart. David's story teaches that no one is above temptation or accountability. It also reveals that true greatness is found not in never falling, but in honestly acknowledging our sins, accepting responsibility, and turning back to God. God's justice and mercy work together to restore those who seek Him with humility and contrition.

My Lord and my God

Today, July 3, as our Church celebrates the Feast of Thomas, Apostle, we are invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (4:1-16) entitled "Let us imitate the Apostle just as he imitates Christ". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope. Saint Thomas is remembered for his incredulity concerning Christ's resurrection from the dead. When confronted by the risen Lord, his disbelief gave way to belief and he proclaimed the Easter faith of the church: "My Lord and my God!" Nothing certain is known of his life except for this evidence in the gospels. He is said to have subsequently preached the Gospel to the people of India. Since the fourth century the celebration of the transference of his body to Edessa has been commemorated on July 3. Saint Gregory was born at Rome around the year 540 is certainly one of the most notable figures in Ecclesiastical History [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07365a.htm]. He rose through various public offices to the prefecture which he renounced. He entered the monastic life and, once ordained deacon, he discharged the duties of the legate at Constantinople. On September 3, 590 he was elevated to the Chair of Saint Peter and he proved to be a true shepherd by carrying out his office, helping the poor, spreading and strengthening the faith. He wrote extensively on moral and theological subjects. In essence, Gregory's lasting impact is his model of the Church as both teacher and mother—firm in truth, yet deeply attentive to the spiritual needs of her people. The essential message of our "treasure" today, "My Lord and My God," a homily on the Gospels by Gregory the Great, is that faith in the risen Christ is strengthened not by seeing with our eyes, but by trusting with our hearts. Reflecting on the encounter between the risen Jesus and Thomas the Apostle, Gregory explains that Thomas's initial doubt ultimately served the Church by providing convincing evidence of Christ's Resurrection. When Thomas touched Christ's wounds and proclaimed, "My Lord and my God!", he made one of the clearest professions of Jesus' divinity in all of Scripture. The main takeaway is that those who believe without seeing are especially blessed. Gregory reminds us that, although we have not seen the risen Lord with our physical eyes, we encounter Him through faith, the Scriptures, the sacraments, and the life of the Church. Thomas's journey from doubt to faith encourages us to bring our own questions honestly to Christ, trusting that He will strengthen our faith and lead us to the same joyful confession: "My Lord and my God." The main teaching point in our first reading from Corinthians is that Christian leaders are called to be faithful servants of Christ, and all Christians are called to imitate Christ by following the example of those who faithfully live the Gospel. Saint Paul the Apostle reminds the Corinthians that apostles are not to seek honor, popularity, or worldly success, but to be trustworthy stewards of the mysteries of God, even when this means suffering, hardship, or rejection. The Christian life is learned as much by example as by instruction. Paul urges the faithful to imitate him only because he imitates Christ. True discipleship is marked by humility, self-sacrifice, perseverance, and love rather than pride or the desire for recognition. The passage challenges every Christian to become a living witness to the Gospel so that others may be led to Christ through both our words and our example.

I will enter God's marvelous dwelling place

On Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to first reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (6:1-23), entitled "The ark of the covenant is brought to Jerusalem". Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon on psalm forty-one addressed to the newly baptized by Saint Jerome, priest. Jerome (c. 347–420) was a priest, monk, biblical scholar, and one of the greatest Doctors of the Church. He is best known for translating the Bible into Latin, the Vulgate, making the Scriptures more accessible and providing the standard biblical text of the Western Church for centuries. His biblical commentaries and scholarship have had a lasting influence on Catholic teaching. Saint Jerome's greatest contribution was his unwavering commitment to Sacred Scripture. He believed that knowing God's Word is essential to knowing Christ, famously declaring, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." His life reminds us that the Bible is not only to be studied but also prayerfully lived, allowing God's Word to transform our hearts and guide our daily lives. The essential message of "I Will Enter God's Marvelous Dwelling Place," a sermon by Saint Jerome, which is today's "treasure", is that the human heart is made to long for God and finds its true fulfillment only in His presence. Just as the psalmist thirsts for flowing water, the Christian soul thirsts for God and desires to dwell with Him in worship and communion. The main takeaway is that our earthly journey is a pilgrimage toward God. Saint Jerome encourages us to persevere through life's trials with hope, keeping our hearts fixed on the Lord. By seeking God in prayer, the Scriptures, and the Church's worship, we begin even now to experience the joy of the heavenly dwelling where we will one day live in His presence forever. The principal teaching in our first reading from 2 Samuel (6:1–23) is that God's presence is the true source of Israel's strength, joy, and unity and should be honored with reverence and wholehearted worship. When David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he recognizes that the nation's true king is God. David celebrates with great joy, dancing before the Lord, while also learning that God's holiness must be approached with reverence and obedience. The main takeaway is that God desires to dwell among His people, and our response should be one of joyful worship, humble reverence, and faithful obedience. The Ark foreshadows Christ's presence among His people, reminding us that the greatest blessing is not earthly power or success but living in the presence of God and giving Him first place in our lives.

Go and teach all nations

Today, July 1, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Juniperra Serra, priest, we are first invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of the apostle Paul to Tomothy (5: 17-22: 6: 10-14) entitled "The good fight of priests and men of God". Our treasure, which follows, is from the decree on the missionary activity of the Church of the Second Vatican Council. Junípero Serra (1713–1784) was a Spanish Franciscan priest and missionary who dedicated his life to proclaiming the Gospel in what is now Mexico and California. After serving as a professor of theology in Spain, he volunteered to become a missionary in the New World. Despite suffering from a painful leg injury for much of his adult life, he traveled thousands of miles on foot to preach the Gospel and establish Christian communities. He was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015. Saint Junípero Serra's greatest contribution to the Church was his missionary witness. He founded nine of California's twenty-one Spanish missions, including the historic Mission San Diego de Alcalá, Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, and Mission San Francisco de Asís. These missions became centers for evangelization, worship, education, agriculture, and community life. His work helped establish the Catholic faith along the California coast and laid the foundation for many of today's Catholic dioceses and parishes in the region. The Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church, Ad Gentes, is one of the sixteen documents of the Second Vatican Council. Promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965, it explains the Church's mission to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples and to establish the Church wherever Christ is not yet known. The purpose of Ad Gentes is to remind the Church that mission is not an optional activity but belongs to her very nature. Because the Father sent the Son and the Son sent the Apostles, the Church is likewise sent into the world to proclaim salvation in Jesus Christ. The decree emphasizes that every baptized Christian—not only priests, religious, and missionaries—shares responsibility for the Church's missionary mission through prayer, witness, charity, and, when called, direct evangelization. The principal message of our first reading from 1 Timothy (5:17–22; 6:10–14) is that those who lead God's people must live lives of holiness, integrity, and faithful perseverance. Saint Paul the Apostle urges Saint Timothy to honor faithful priests, correct wrongdoing with justice, avoid favoritism, and lead by example. Paul also warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil and calls every "man of God" to flee greed and pursue righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. The central takeaway is that Christians, especially those in leadership, are called to "fight the good fight of the faith" by remaining faithful to Christ, living with integrity, and trusting in God rather than in worldly wealth or success.

If I wanted to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ

On Tuesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a scripture passage from the second book of Samuel (2:1-11; 3:1-5) entitled "David is anointed in Hebron as king of Judah". Our treasure is from a sermon by Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine was born at Tagaste in Africa in 354. He was unsettled and restlessly searched for the truth until he was converted to the faith in Milan and baptized by Ambrose. Returning to his homeland, he embraced an ascetic life and subsequently was elected bishop of Hippo. For thirty-four years he guided his flock, instructing it with sermons and many writings. Saint Augustine is a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His most important teachings shape not only Western theology but the entire intellectual tradition of the Church. His thought deeply influenced later figures such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and remains foundational in Catholic doctrine. He died in 430. Our "treasure" today is from a sermon by Saint Augustine based on Galatians 1:10 entitled "If I Wanted to Please Men, I Would Not Be a Servant of Jesus Christ". The main teaching is that a true disciple of Christ must seek God's approval rather than human praise. Augustine explains that the apostles proclaimed the Gospel faithfully, even when it was unpopular or brought them suffering, because their first loyalty was to Christ. They refused to alter God's truth simply to gain acceptance or avoid opposition. The main takeaway is that Christian faithfulness requires the courage to live and proclaim the truth with humility and love, even when it is misunderstood or rejected. Saint Augustine reminds us that our goal is not to win popularity but to be faithful servants of Christ. While Christians should always treat others with charity and respect, they must never compromise the Gospel to satisfy human expectations. Authentic discipleship means allowing Christ's truth—not public opinion—to shape our words, decisions, and way of life. The principal message of our first reading is that God's promises are fulfilled in His own time, and faithful leaders seek His guidance before they act. After the death of Saul, David did not seize power for himself. Instead, he first inquired of the Lord, asking where he should go. In obedience to God's direction, he went to Hebron, where the people of Judah anointed him king. Although David had been chosen years earlier, he patiently waited for God's timing rather than forcing events. The main takeaway is that godly leadership is marked by humility, patience, and dependence on God. David trusted God's plan instead of relying on ambition or personal power. The passage teaches us to seek God's guidance before making important decisions, to wait patiently for His timing, and to lead by serving others rather than seeking our own advancement. God's plans often unfold gradually, but they are always faithful and sure for those who trust Him.