Homily
Friday of the 2nd Week of Ordinary Time II
20 January 2012
Danforth Chapel at the University of Kansas
Daily Readings
Today we listen from the Gospel of Mark about Jesus choosing the first apostles. Upon hearing the reading, I immediately begin praying for our local bishop Archbishop Naumann, the pope and all bishops. It is easy to forget when you become friends with your 'boss' and spend so much time with him, that he carries with him the full responsibilities of the apostolic mission of the Church. The Holy Father Pope Benedict is a 'first among equals' but each bishop is a true successor of the apostles, chosen by Christ through the vehicle of the Church, to be sent out to teach, forgive, and sanctify. It is an impossible task, being responsible for the unity and salvation of so many people, not only Catholics but all those in the Archdiocese. Were it not truly Jesus himself active in and through ordinary, fallible men, the leadership of the bishops would have long ago fallen apart. Bishops make many mistakes. They would be the first to admit that. Yet they have been called by Christ to a mission that they cannot shrink from. They deserve and need our prayers.
St. Fabian was one of the first bishops of Rome, who bravely took up this unique responsibility of being a successor to the apostles, and suffered martyrdom because he would not shrink from the challenge in front of him. May his powerful prayers and witness on his feast day give courage to all bishops, and their closest helpers, the priests and deacons of the Church. Amen.
For the Church, especially for our local bishop and his intentions, and those of the Holy Father, we pray to the Lord.
For the world in which we live, that all people would have the courage of their convictions, and that lasting peace and justice would spring forth, we pray to the Lord
For the mission of St. Lawrence to the University of Kansas, that the truth of the Gospel would find a good hearing here, and all learning by perfected by charity, we pray to the Lord
For the intentions we bring to this Mass, especially for those who are lonely, sick, scared or doubtful, and those who have no one to pray for them, we pray to the Lord
For the humility and faith to respond generously when we are called by the Lord to a holy vocation within the Church, we pray to the Lord.
Heavenly Father, look with kindness upon the cries of your children, and grant us only those things that are truly good for us, and in accordance with your gracious will, for we ask everything always through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Quick Takes for today
Friday of the 2nd Week of Ordinary Time II
20 January 2012
Danforth Chapel at the University of Kansas
Daily Readings
Today we listen from the Gospel of Mark about Jesus choosing the first apostles. Upon hearing the reading, I immediately begin praying for our local bishop Archbishop Naumann, the pope and all bishops. It is easy to forget when you become friends with your 'boss' and spend so much time with him, that he carries with him the full responsibilities of the apostolic mission of the Church. The Holy Father Pope Benedict is a 'first among equals' but each bishop is a true successor of the apostles, chosen by Christ through the vehicle of the Church, to be sent out to teach, forgive, and sanctify. It is an impossible task, being responsible for the unity and salvation of so many people, not only Catholics but all those in the Archdiocese. Were it not truly Jesus himself active in and through ordinary, fallible men, the leadership of the bishops would have long ago fallen apart. Bishops make many mistakes. They would be the first to admit that. Yet they have been called by Christ to a mission that they cannot shrink from. They deserve and need our prayers.
St. Fabian was one of the first bishops of Rome, who bravely took up this unique responsibility of being a successor to the apostles, and suffered martyrdom because he would not shrink from the challenge in front of him. May his powerful prayers and witness on his feast day give courage to all bishops, and their closest helpers, the priests and deacons of the Church. Amen.
For the Church, especially for our local bishop and his intentions, and those of the Holy Father, we pray to the Lord.
For the world in which we live, that all people would have the courage of their convictions, and that lasting peace and justice would spring forth, we pray to the Lord
For the mission of St. Lawrence to the University of Kansas, that the truth of the Gospel would find a good hearing here, and all learning by perfected by charity, we pray to the Lord
For the intentions we bring to this Mass, especially for those who are lonely, sick, scared or doubtful, and those who have no one to pray for them, we pray to the Lord
For the humility and faith to respond generously when we are called by the Lord to a holy vocation within the Church, we pray to the Lord.
Heavenly Father, look with kindness upon the cries of your children, and grant us only those things that are truly good for us, and in accordance with your gracious will, for we ask everything always through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Quick Takes for today
- Blessings and prayers to Archbishop Naumann, Mike Scherschligt and all those from the Archdiocese embarking on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land - 101 in all! Pray for us!
- The same to Fr. Steve Beseau and all those attending the FOCUS national leadership conference in Baltimore this weekend and/or going on the March for Life, especially the two KU buses!
- I'll be in Paola this weekend preaching on Call to Share! This will be my first visit there as vocation director.
- The Jayhawks and Longhorns always play epic games against each other; here's hoping KU keep rolling Saturday at 3pm in Austin. Rock Chalk.
- I'll be saying the 12:10pm Mass at Danforth Chapel today on campus, followed by the hearing of St. Thomas Aquinas confessions, and a Mass for their senior Kairos retreat at Savior Pastoral Center this afternoon. Then hopefully catch a little of the Saints Classic where my friend Fr. Brian O'Brien will be watching the Bishop Kelley boys team do battle. Fr. Brian is the president of that high school in Tulsa.
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