Bishop Bill Wack, CSC podcast

Come, Lord Jesus! This is the cry of all Christians, as we wait in joyful hope for his Second Coming. If we can imagine God responding, we may hear in our hearts, "I am coming. Are you ready?" While we call upon God and ask for certain things like forgiveness, redemption, and peace in our time, we must also do our part in being sorry for our sins and opening ourselves up to the good things God wants to give us.

Jesus gives us the parable of the foreman who hired workers at different times of the day. Some were hired in the morning, some at noon, and some right before quitting time. Yet they were all paid the same amount. As the Prophet Isaiah proclaimed, "God's ways are not our ways". The last shall be first, and the first shall be last. As God is merciful to us, we should be merciful and loving toward all people.

The Gospel for today contains a very simple parable by Jesus. A man had two sons, and he asked them to go into the field. One said, "Yes sir", but didn't go. The other said "No", but changed his mind and went. Which did his father's will? The latter. In the same way, God continually offers us the invitation to follow him. No matter what we have done or how many times we have sinned in the past, God offers us life, eternal life. It's as simple as what we read in Deuteronomy: "Behold I set before you life and death. Choose life."

Many people gathered in a field close to a former mission in Tallahassee to celebrate the close of the diocesan phase of the Cause for Beatification of Servants of God Antonio Inija and Companions, Martyrs of La Florida. In this homily, I give thanks to God for the martyrs and saints who have gone before us, and I speak briefly about the Martyrs of La Florida, as well as the process that has brought us to this point.

"Come to the feast!" Today Jesus gives us the parable of the king who throws a banquet for his son. Clearly, it is Jesus' way of teaching us that all of us are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb -- i.e., heaven. All we need to do is accept that invitation (and show that we have done so in the way we live).

*Note: In this homily I was incorrect in speaking about when St. Augustine was ordained a bishop. It was four years after he was ordained a priest.*

Today's readings are directed mainly at the religious leaders of the day. The prophet Malachi directs his criticism toward those priests who have forgotten the covenant of the Lord, and Jesus addresses those Pharisees and Scribes who are more interested in building themselves up than they are ministering to the sheep entrusted to them. St. Paul gives us a perfect example of what it means to live and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus reveals himself as "The Gate" for the sheep. We think of him as the Shepherd, but in this part of the 10th chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus declares that he is the means of salvation. Elsewhere he teaches that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the gate that protects us, and he is the gate that leads us to forgiveness and everlasting life. Let us go with confidence to Jesus, the Gate to eternal life.

In the course of the Easter Season, we see what happened in the earliest days of the Church: At first our main focus is on the Resurrection of Christ. As the disciples realized, however, we need to move from awe and wonder to doing what Jesus said to do. He told his followers, "When I go to my Father and your Father, you will do the things that I have done." The Holy Spirit incorporates us into the Body of Christ. We become sharers in the priesthood of Christ, and as such we are to carry the Good News to the ends of the earth.

At this Mass (in which we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for several young people), we witness the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands and the prayer of the bishop. Jesus Christ imparted the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and it is through their successors that we receive the same Holy Spirit today.

The Ascension is not something that we celebrate in isolation. Rather, it is part of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. It is all connected: Jesus' Incarnation, his Passion and death, his Resurrection from the dead, his Ascension in glory, and Pentecost. So today's solemnity gives us an opportunity to reflect on what it is that we believe when we confess that we have been redeemed in Christ Jesus. Let us worship and adore our God, even as we hearken to his words to, "Go; teach all nations..."

There is a lot of joy and energy surrounding the Resurrection accounts. In the first few days and weeks of Easter, we hear another story about what happened on that morning or later on in the day when Jesus rose from the dead. Do we have that same joy today? Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia! This is the Good News that changes everything. Because of the Resurrection, we have forgiveness for our sins, we have been redeemed, and we have the promise of eternal life with God in heaven. May we proclaim the Resurrection with joy and great faith today.

Today's Gospel reading concerning "Doubting Thomas" gives us an opportunity to reflect on how we look at something that seems "too good to be true". Yes, we tend to be cynical and pessimistic, especially with all of the problems and difficulties we experience. However, we should not carry those attitudes over to our hope for the future. We should rather set our hearts on the greatest good (God, the Kingdom of Heaven), and everything else will fall into place. As Christians, we are bold enough to expect things like beauty, goodness, perfection, heaven.

In all three of the readings for today's liturgy, we receive a command to do something as a perpetual institution or action. God commands Moses and the Israelites to celebrate the Passover every year in commemoration of the Exodus. Jesus washes the feet of his disciples in the Gospel and tells them to wash each other's feet. St. Paul tells the Corinthians that he is handing on to them what he himself received from the Lord: the celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ. Then he says, "As often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again." Whereas the first two actions (Passover and the Washing of Feet) are actions that we replicate year after year, the Mass is much more than that. Through the power of the liturgy, Christ and his salvific action becomes truly present to us. God thirsts for our faith; the liturgy is God's way of satiating that divine thirst.

Today we gather to celebrate the Eucharist with almost all of the priests of the diocese, along with many deacons, religious, and lay faithful. Within the Mass the priests will renew their priestly promises, and we will bless the holy oils that will be used throughout the liturgical year. All of this should move us to reflect on the overwhelming generosity of God. As God is generous to us, so should we be generous to one another.

With today's liturgy we enter into Holy Week. This blessed week gives us the special opportunity to walk with Jesus the Way of the Cross, and to follow him in prayer through death to the Resurrection. As we do this, however, we ought to remember two things: First, we should not simply treat the events of Christ's Passion, death and Resurrection as "things of the past". In the liturgy these events -- which definitely occurred within time -- are made present to us TODAY. Secondly, we should not think of ourselves as "spectators" this week, as though we were simply watching Jesus do what he did for our salvation. We should rather see ourselves in the person of Christ. How can I be more obedient, humble, merciful, generous, and loving as Jesus?

With this liturgy we being the season of Lent.  The readings today are a call to action -- not so much to become even busier in our daily lives, rather to do what we need to do in order to focus more and more on God.  Through our acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, may we learn to turn away from sin and turn toward the Lord and his Gospel.

Jesus is tempted by the devil.  The Scripture readings today have much to teach us - specifically, about resisting temptation.  Whereas Eve and Adam gave in to the wiles of the Ancient Foe, Jesus stood up to the devil and said "No."  But he did more than that.  In his responses to the temptations, Jesus said "Yes" more and more emphatically to the Father and to His will.  This is the key for us: not only do we need to have the courage and strength to say "No" to sin and temptation, we must strive for perfection by saying "Yes" to all that God wants for us.  "...Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

In the Transfiguration, God reveals the glory of His Son for the disciples and for us all.  Not only does this help us to "see" who Jesus really is, it strengthens us during times of trial and difficulty.  What we see in the glory of Jesus Christ will be ours one day if we follow him.  May the words spoken in the Gospel today be directed to each one of us: "This is my beloved son/daughter, in whom I am well pleased."

In the long Gospel reading from the fourth chapter of John, we hear of the encounter that Jesus has with the (Samaritan) Woman at the Well.  In the course of this amazing conversation, Jesus reveals himself more and more to the woman.  She moves quickly from complete ignorance of Jesus to the point where she goes and says to her neighbors, "Could this be the Messiah?"  This woman is a model for all of us.  At first we don't know Jesus or anything about him. As we grow in our faith we come to know him as Lord and Savior.  In worship and prayer we deepen our relationship with him.  Through the Eucharist we have communion with him.  At the end of each Mass we are told to "Go, and announce the Gospel of the Lord"!

(Pardon the introductory words to the congregation present in the church that morning)

In giving us the Beatitudes, Jesus is expounding on the Law and bringing it to perfection.  Whereas the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) help us to live at peace with God and one another here on earth, the Beatitudes point us to the Kingdom of Heaven.  We must remember that we were made for communion with God (in heaven).  Even though this has been revealed to creation from the beginning, we humans tend to fall again and again into error by excluding God and focusing only on ourselves and our desires.  This has brought only division, disaster, and death over the millennia.  Would that we would embrace our faith and believe in the words that Jesus speaks in the Gospel:  "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

Today's first reading and gospel reading refer to "the regions of Naphtali and Zebulon", places where people have "walked in darkness", but will one day see a great light.  We may not know about the significance of these regions (or the tribes for which they are named), but it is important for us to grasp a little history here.  Jesus begins his public ministry in this region.  He is thus revealed as the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy and truly is, the Light of the World.  As one who has come to enlighten all of creation, Jesus then calls some of his disciples by name.  Today he calls each of us by name, to know him and to follow him. 

It is in following Jesus -- and being in communion with him -- that empowers us to turn away from sin and embrace the Father's eternal love for us.  The way out of sin requires more than simply gritting our teeth and trying to overcome it; the way out comes only through Jesus Christ.  Come, Follow me.  

Today we celebrate Epiphany - a feast within the Christmas season.  While we traditionally focus on the event of the Visit of the Magi (today's Gospel) on Epiphany, really everything that Jesus did and said was an epiphany, a manifestation of the glory and presence of God.  We ought to strive to be like the Magi who welcomed the Lord with great wonder and joy.  And then, afterwards, we should share that joy and wonder with the whole world.

Bishop Bill's homily from the Memorial Mass for Pope Benedict XVI.  

Come to me, all who are weary, says the Lord, and I will give you rest.

The promises and prophecies of old are fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ: God is with us. Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to San Juan Diego 500 years ago with the same message: Do not be afraid, God is with you.  Our Lady desired that a church be built on the hill so that people could come from far and wide to know and to celebrate God's love, God's mercy, and God's presence among us.

Even though the rest of the world has moved on from Christmas, we remember that we are still within the Christmas season.  One of the great feasts of Christmas is the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  This gives us an opportunity to learn from Mary, who draws all people closer to her Son.  Even though the Blessed Virgin speaks a couple of times in the Gospels, she is most known for her contemplation of the mysteries surrounding the birth, passion, death, and resurrection of her Son Jesus Christ.  She LISTENED and put everything in her heart.  We would do well to do the same -- this Christmas season and throughout the year.  Let us reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and the salvation won for us by the Son of God and the Son of Mary.  Listen.

What does Christmas mean?  Do we take the time to reflect on the miracle and mystery of the Incarnation?  Imagine: God "stepped into" creation so that humanity could share in God's divinity.  We will never be able to understand it completely, but it should move our hearts to be grateful and to worship and give thanks to God all of the time -- especially today.  The Incarnation is such an awesome mystery, we must share this Good News with everyone we encounter.

In the Gospel today we hear Jesus say, "You cannot be my disciple unless you hate your father and mother, spouse and children..."  The word "hate" is disturbing, especially when used by Jesus.  Of course, while he is not telling us literally to hate someone (least of all our parents), he is intentially provocative.  He wants us to love God above all things, even above our parents, our children, and our own life.  Following Jesus is not something we do in a moment of great grace or even for a short amount of time; it is the work of a lifetime.  "Come, follow me", says the Lord.

In the Gospel today, a follower of Jesus asks him, "Will only a few be saved?" Jesus answers not with a "yes" or "no", but with this admonition: "Strive to enter the narrow way".  He said that many will try to enter but they will not be able to.  Perhaps after hearing this we may ask(along with the disciples in Jesus' day), "Then who can be saved?"  Salvation is not our doing; it is the work of God.  Through the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus, God gives all people the offer of salvation.  We cannot work our way or strongarm our way or buy our way into heaven.  No, we must allow God to save us.  How?  Through our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, and through humbling ourselves.  In order to go through the narrow way, we have to make ourselves small.  If we humble ourselves and spend ourselves for God and others, we will be glorified in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  We are invited to approach God directly with our intentions as Abraham did in the first reading today.  Jesus tells us to be bold in our prayer - and to be persistent.  We ought not be selfish, however, asking for the things that we want.  Rather, our prayer should be that of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Not my will, Father, but your will be done."

Today's Scripture readings all challenge us to do away with greed and to put on Jesus Christ.  In the Gospel we have the story of the rich landowner who only thinks of himself.  In the end, he enjoys a bountiful harvest for himself, but he risks losing his very soul.  Jesus tells us that it will be the same for us, if we do not store up our treasure in heaven.

Seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything will be given to you besides.

The cross - or better, the crucifix - draws us to the heart of Jesus Christ.  We cannot help but look in awe and adoration at the one who is crucified for our sake.  Jesus himself said, "When I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself" (Jn 12:32).  We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

As we begin our most sacred liturgy of the Triduum, we focus especially on the gift of the Eucharist, as well as the mandate to serve our brothers and sisters.  In this - and every - liturgy, we are not simply re-enacting events from long ago; we participate in mystery in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In this liturgy we ask God to bless the Holy Oils that will be used throughout the liturgical year.  With these oils -- especially the Sacred Chrism -- God's children will be anointed to "bring glad tidings to the lowly" in the name of Jesus Christ.  Anointing is not a symbolic action; it actually brings about what it celebrates.  What an awesome gift from the Father!

"Blessed are you..."; "Cursed is the one...".

The readings and the Psalm today confront us with a choice.  Will we be among those who are blessed, putting our hope in the Lord, or will we focus instead on ourselves alone and be cursed?  The prophet Jeremiah paints a picture of what it looks like to trust in the Lord:  The one who has faith is like a tree planted near water. Even in times of drought and danger, they are not distressed; for their roots run deep.  May God help us to strengthen our trust and our faith in Him.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord fits well within the Christmas season.  This mystery in helps us to see how we are incorporated into the Body of Christ.  Through our baptism - and participation in the Church - we are united with the Lord, who is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Today's Gospel treats two important questions: First, since John the Baptist baptized Jesus, is he more important than Jesus?  Secondly, why was it even necessary for Jesus to be baptized, since he never sinned?  May God renew the grace of baptism in each one of us!

Today the Gospel reading presents us with the mystery of the Visitation.  Mary and Elizabeth, pregnant with the Son of God and John the Baptist, delight in the wonders that God is doing.  They are models for us today, for our God is still with us.  May we rejoice in exultation and proclaim the Good News everywhere:  Our God is in our midst!

Today we begin the holy season of Advent.  Advent means "Coming", and in this holy season we get ready to celebrate the First Coming of Christ (i.e., the Incarnation, at Christmas), and we anticipate the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.  In addition to that, however, we cannot forget that Jesus Christ is with us TODAY, and at every moment of our lives, through the Scriptures, the Church, and especially in the Sacraments.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, tomorrow, and always. 

Today's solemnity has us extolling Jesus Christ as King of the Universe.  It's an exalted title, to be sure!  It does more than tell us who God is; it also speaks to our dignity.  If the Lord is King, then you and I are sons and daughters of the King.  We are God's beloved children now!  Let us strive always to live up to this high calling.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus encounters a man who is blind.  Jesus asks him directly, "What do you want me to do for you?"  Imagine - a blank check from God!  The man asks 'to see', and that is granted him.  In reality, we have been asked that same question by God.  At our baptism, the minister asked us (or our parents or godparents), "What do you ask for?"  They replied, "Baptism".  Although we didn't know it at the time, we were asking God for the ability 'to see' with the eyes of faith.  Thus in baptism we were enlightened by Christ, and set on a path that leads to eternal life in Jesus Christ.  

In the first reading today, God tells Solomon: "Ask for whatever you wish and I will give it to you."  What did he ask for?  The gift of wisdom.  God was pleased with that request - and pleased that he did not ask for gold or silver or power.  We ought to ask for the same gift from God.  Wisdom does not refer to being smart; it is a gift given to us to help us to know and do God's will in all things.  

God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone."  Humanity was made for communion - with God and with one another.  We truly are "bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh".  The answer to the division that we are experiencing, as well as our feelings of alienation and loneliness, is in finding and cultivating community.  In order to have peace we must remember why we were created and what God wants for us all.

Jesus offers a corrective to his disciples (and to us) regarding his true purpose and nature.  Whereas his contemporaries were hoping for a Messiah who would dominate their enemies and establish a kingdom of power here on earth, Jesus teaches that he came to lay down his life for the salvation of the world. 

Perhaps we, too, have this false understanding of who the Lord is?  Many times we pray that God would "come down here" and fix everything.  However, that is not why Jesus came to earth, and that is not what he is about right now.  Rather, in all things God calls us to faithfulness.  Thy will be done!

Today's readings teach us about the Law of God.  Whereas we today may look at the law as being something negative, holding us back, God's Law gives us true freedom, freedom to know and serve our God.  This is the "goal" of the Law - to lead us to God.  The second reading from the Letter of St. James teaches: "Religion that is pure and undefiled is this: care for widows and orphans, and keeping oneself unstained by the world."

Just as Jesus raised the little girl to life in today's Gospel reading, he calls each of us to new life at every moment of our lives.  From the first reading, the Book of Wisdom: "God did not create death, nor does He delight in the destruction of the living".  Even though we experience sin, sickness, and death in this world, God wants us to LIVE, and through His Son He extends to us all an invitation to live eternally.

In the Gospel today, the disciples - in the boat with Jesus - are terrified in the face of a violent storm.  Jesus says to them, "Why are you terrified?  Where is your faith?"  He could say the same thing to all of us today (and in every age), because we tend to become frightened when difficulties come our way.  God is with us, however, and so we shall not fear.  Like the disciples, we are in this boat together, with Jesus Christ himself at our side.

What was it that thrust the Apostles out of the upper room where they were hiding in fear?  How did they get from abandoning Jesus when he was arrested to proclaiming his Gospel boldly and fearlessly?  It was, of course, the Holy Spirit that moved them outward.  Through baptism and confirmation, we have received the same Spirit, and ours is the same mission.

The cross of Christ, which we venerate especially today, is how God refashioned creation into the image and likeness of His Son - who was perfectly obedient and humble.  Ever since sin came into the world, God has been at work and His plan has unfolded over time.  The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the altar of the cross brought forgiveness to all, as well as the promise of eternal life.

Holy Thursday Mass begins the great liturgy, the Sacred Triduum, which continues on Good Friday and concludes with the Easter Vigil.  In today's liturgy we contemplate three mysteries:  1) The institution of the Eucharist; 2) The institution of the priesthood (both the ministerial priesthood and the common priesthood); and 3) The command of Our Lord to love one another.

We do all of this "in memory of Jesus."  When we "remember" Jesus and his words and actions in the Mass, we celebrate his real, true, and substantial presence in Word and Sacrament.

Today's Gospel gives us one of the most well-known of all verses: John 3:16.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...".  To know the Son is to have eternal life.  How do we know him?  By being born again through water and the Holy Spirit.  Lent is a privileged time for us to renew the grace that is given to us in baptism, so that we can stand with our brothers and sisters who will be baptized at Easter and boldly make our profession of faith.

"A leper approached Jesus, fell down on his knees, and said, 'Lord, if you will it, you can heal me.'"

This man is the model disciple.  Even though we do not have leprosy  (thanks be to God), we are all sinners, and thus are all "unclean".  May we approach the Lord, give him glory, and believe that he has the power to forgive us and to make us clean again.