Solemnity of Christ the King Yr A 11-26-23 Dcn. Bill Kenney

“Jesus said to the Twelve: ‘Fear no one.’” Most of us fear many, many things. I don’t have to tell you that. It seems sort of inescapable. And fear comes in many forms. We fear various people at times: bullies on the playground and neighbors who do suspicious things and spouses who have bad tempers and bosses who seem to fire people without any warning. We fear situations of all kinds: the test we didn’t study enough for and job interviews and first dates and medical test results and speaking in public and boarding an airplane and maybe even our wedding day. We fear the unknown: the illness we’re worried might come out of nowhere / and whether we will find a great spouse or go through life alone / and the random dorm roommate we’re being assigned in college and the family that has just moved in next door and the bill for our visit to the emergency room and whether the stock market will go up or down. Some of us even fear God --- not in a healthy “My life is in your hands” kind of way, but in a “You’re getting ready to pounce on me” kind of way. And the biggie that we sometimes refuse to think about: death. That one always seems to be lurking somewhere in the back of our minds. Yes, we fear all sorts of things --- both people and situations (real or imagined). Then why did Jesus spend so much time telling people (and by extension, us) to not be afraid? Is it really in our control? Can we “force” ourselves to not have any fear? I’m really not sure that’s possible. And if that’s true, then Jesus almost certainly would have known that. So maybe the complete absence of fear isn’t necessarily the goal. Maybe Jesus is simply trying to make a more essential point, a more profound point. In the passage we just heard from Matthew he goes on to say, “So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” In other words, Jesus wanted his disciples (and wants us) to always be mindful of God’s incredible love for us. And because we’re talking about God, the consequences that flow from that truth are incredible difference-makers. No one or nothing is as powerful as God --- who loves us dearly. No one is in our corner, has our backs, is on our side more than God --- who loves us dearly. No one can do what God can do --- who loves us dearly. No one can give our lives meaning in the way that God can --- who loves us dearly. No one understands more than God, or can show compassion as completely as God, or forgive as deeply as God, or can save us (in the only way that ultimately matters) more than God --- who loves us dearly. Put simply --- we’re not dependent on a God who cares little. Rather, we’re completely dependent on a God who can do everything and anything AND who loves us completely and for all time. And Jesus seems to be saying that, when we believe that we are unbelievably precious in God’s eyes, our fears will begin to recede, diminish, weaken, maybe even go away altogether. They won’t get the best of us, won’t win. Jesus knew that life would be tough for his disciples. Much would be demanded of them. (In some cases their very lives.) And some of the prophets suffered greatly. We heard Jeremiah speaking boldly in today’s First Reading --- despite often being attacked and threatened for the things he said. At one point he almost lost his life. Was he afraid? Probably. But it didn’t stop him. Was Moses afraid marching off to Egypt with staff in hand to demand that Pharaoh release the Hebrew slaves? Probably. But it didn’t stop him. Were missionaries afraid heading off to unknown lands without knowing what might happen to them? Probably. But it didn’t stop them. Were the men who stormed Normandy or firefighters who found themselves running into burning buildings or people who marched in Selma or the guy who stood in front of the tank in Tiananmen Square or doctors who cared for patients with the Ebola virus afraid? Probably. But it didn’t stop them. Even many couples have some fear as they make their wedding vows. But you know what? They make their promises anyway. Fear may be a given in some situations. But it doesn’t have to get the final say. And so, when the Lord Jesus says, “Fear no one,” or “Be not afraid,” we shouldn’t think of them as commands that demand our obedience --- as if having fear is some sort of sign of a lack of faith. Rather, these statements from Jesus are kind of like sacred invitations, holy encouragements --- loving pleas from our God to help us never forget what we mean to him --- that is, never forget that nothing IN this world matters more than the ONE who CREATED this world, nothing IN this world can force us from the path to the ONE who laid down his life and BECAME the path, nothing IN this world can completely strip us of the peace that comes from the One who IS peace. And so, let’s pray for the grace to not let our fears get in the way of us becoming the beautiful people God created us to be, not let our fears paralyze us, not let our fears overwhelm us and dim the light within us. Instead, let’s keep God’s great love and care for us in the forefronts of our minds, allowing us to continue doing the things God asks of us --- giving when we have little, forgiving when the fault is great, and loving even when we don’t feel like it. It is this sort of faithful living in the face of our fears (and not the absence of them) in which true holiness takes root, blossoms, and changes both ourselves and the world around us. And no number of sparrows is worth more than that. 

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – June 14, 2026 Readings: Ex 19:2–6a • Mt 9:36–10:8 Dcn. Bill Kenney Neighborhood pick-up baseball games with your kid friends were always a lot of fun- as long as you weren’t the last player selected by the designated “captains”. You stand there in line with others, who are also not worthy of a captain’s status, hoping and praying you won’t be the last one picked. It was a first real public judgement of your athleticism, if not your popularity and personhood. You are picked with the hope and expectation that you will deliver for the team: get that hit, catch and throw the ball well, run fast. Your performance was often a reflection of your draft pick level at the next pick-up game. Today’s Gospel from St. Matthew fits nicely into the “Ordination Season” of the Church year we are in. May and June are typically months to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Orders as classes and formation studies are completed for priests and deacons and new assignments await them. The players have already been selected through years of discernment. Now it is time to perform for the captain of the team, our Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew, Jesus, from his sacred heart, feels love and pity for his scattered, lost sheep. Like the twelve tribes of his Chosen People Israel, Jesus picks and ordains his twelve Apostles- those who are “sent out” to gather the forsaken, baptize them, shepherd them, grow their faith, so they can be harvested for their salvation in due time. Later in Matthew this is called, “the Great Commission”. The original twelve apostles were both chosen and ordained by Jesus Christ to be his closest followers, representatives, and special witnesses. Jesus “Commissions” not only his Apostles and ordained clergy but also ALL of you, his disciples, to be missionaries and evangelists to bring home the lost sheep, starting with yourselves and your family members. In a sense, all followers of Jesus Christ are called to be apostles- those sent in mission for Christ. He entrusts all of us with the most blessed of all human tasks: bringing others to eternal salvation in Christ. Do you believe that you have been chosen by God to be His instruments to transform the Church and the world? And how are we to perform as apostles, as those sent as laborers with authority to drive out unclean spirits and cure the sick? Our spiritual life is cleansed through the sacraments: baptism and regular reception of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. Curing the sick can be both a physical and spiritual healing. Establish healthy living habits and, by your example, witness and share them with others. Pray for and with others for that spiritual healing they need and long for. Give freely the free gifts you have received. Jesus did not know the day or the hour of the Father’s redemption of our souls so Jesus’ instructions have a sense of urgency to his Apostles and to us. “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Let us proclaim this truth so that everyone is picked to be on the team, that we perform his commandments well, and that our last pick-up game will be an eternity with Christ, where the last one picked will be the first, for the glory of God.

“. . . so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” Some of us are very mindful of what we eat. Many people are very careful about what they put into their body. And usually people start with eliminating the “bad” stuff. And so, there are some foods that people avoid at all costs. However, that’s only half the picture. The other half involves choosing foods that are actually beneficial to one’s health, like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Eating well for our health is about making sure that we only allow what is best to enter our bodies, only allow in what will benefit us. Today we gather to celebrate one of the holiest and most Catholic of all days --- the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. And what we are celebrating is the food that beats all others, the food that absolutely matters the most, the food that can make the biggest and most profound difference in every aspect of our lives. Of course, this food is no “ordinary” food. Rather, it is Jesus himself ---- the resurrected, glorified Jesus, who has triumphed over death itself, and who is eager to be as close to us as possible. Well, that’s not exactly right. Our Lord and Savior doesn’t just want to be next to us or near us, but actually within us. It is this giving of God’s own self that we call “grace” --- and this holy meal is the supreme example of what we might call a “grace-filled moment”. Well, that’s not exactly right either. You see, Holy Communion is not simply a moment. It’s not just an experience we have for a few seconds and then leave. No, it’s more like the beginning of something powerful, a sacred renewal of a holy process that’s meant to be taking place continually. The “end” of this holy meal, the “purpose” of it is not just the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood. No, the true end, the true purpose is what is to happen AFTER we receive from the altar. Even though we believe what we believe about the Eucharist, even though we trust that there is incredible grace present in the act of receiving Jesus in this spiritual food, that grace will sort of remain dormant within us (for lack of a better word) --- waiting for our cooperation. We cooperate with God’s grace as we prepare our hearts for essentially three things --- what we believe God DESIRES to happen, what we believe CAN happen, and what we then WANT to have happen. Remember – our God is not a God who forces his will upon us. Rather, we always get a say, a choice, --- get to either embrace (or in a sense, reject) every good grace God wants for us and is willing to provide for us. And so, what exactly is The Eucharist supposed to do for us? What is the benefit? What is the outcome God longs for? Why would God give us this sacred meal? Well, it’s nothing short of our complete transformation, in – with – and through Jesus! The divine food of the Eucharist is meant to change us on the inside in incredible ways --- in ways that seem nearly impossible so that each of us will become more fruitful disciples. It’s incredible when you really ponder this mystery. The Eucharist is nourishment for our journey deeper and deeper into holiness, deeper and deeper into the very mystery that lies at the heart of God. But this transformation cannot happen without our consent --- cannot happen without our willingness to let God do what God wants to do within us. We give our consent when we boldly proclaim “Amen” to receiving the Eucharist. Is this what we are hoping for as we come forward reverently to receive? Do we truly want to become more like Jesus? And do we even think it’s possible? I don’t doubt for a second the love of the Eucharist that resides in each of your hearts. I can see it on your faces as you approach the Blessed Sacrament, accepting that what is happening is a holy encounter. But human nature being what it is, something repetitive can at times seem routine. Our conversion and growth in holiness is brought about as we consciously approach the reception of Jesus with a well prepared heart, humbling asking Him to truly change us on the inside, with a desire to be a better disciple in more perfect imitation of Him who we receive. Is that what we hope for and prepare our hearts for, as we take time in prayerful preparation before Mass begins? Or will each time we come forward simply be a “moment” of grace --- something that stirs our heart for a moment and then goes to sleep until the next time we come before the Altar of God? After Holy Communion we are living Tabernacles, who carry Jesus within us, who stay to receive the Blessing from God at the end of Mass, and who joyfully sing the Praises of God in Thanksgiving through the Closing Song. Today we dedicate ourselves to making sure we are ever more attune to the Living Jesus dwelling inside of us - through the tremendous eternal gift of the Eucharist…our foretaste of Heaven. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

Trinity Sunday

We had an open field not too far from the suburban home where I grew up. One perfectly windy Spring day my Dad took us out to fly a kite. It was a large box-kite. From an eight-year old’s perspective it was eight feet tall, when in reality it was probably more like 4~5 feet tall. Tethered by braided 50 lb test line it was sent into orbit. I remember watching it until it was a dot in the sky. As soon as Dad tried to reel it in, “the line that would never break” came back to earth at our feet while the kite went, I figured, all the way to heaven. I had hoped gravity would bring it back down to us so we could fly it again. Silly kid. Our reading from Acts got me to reminisce that kite flying story. The Apostles witnessed Jesus ascending into heaven on a cloud, watching him until he was only a dot in the sky. The big difference from that wayward kite and Jesus’ ascension is that Jesus promises to come back, just the way the apostles saw him leave. That kite is history. I lived and studied in Tucson, Arizona where you could practically count on one hand the number of cloudy days in the year. I use to naively and jokingly think as I woke up in the morning, “Another clear sky, I guess Jesus won’t be coming back today”. Be thankful for the cloudy days we have in Michigan. We know not when, but on the next partly cloudy day, look up to the sky to see if the Lord is descending on a cloud from heaven, for our redemption draws nigh. Maybe he’ll bring that kite back down with him. I am reminded today from our readings of the fundamental calling from our baptism as priest, prophet, and king, to become witnesses, testifying our faith to others, bringing them to faith, and ultimately, salvation in Jesus Christ. Bishop Robert Barron tells us, “Every one of the baptized shares in the priesthood of Christ and is therefore obligated to be a conduit of holiness, a bearer of the divine life, a spreader of the fire that sets the world a blaze.” These were Jesus’ last sentiments to his Apostles before his ascension. They remain one of the most important instructions in our calling as Christians. We are braided into that unbreakable life line of power promised to us by our Lord through the Holy Spirit to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations”. What does it mean to you to be a disciple of Christ? We are called to lay down our lives in witness of our faith to win souls for Christ. In his wisdom, the Holy Spirit moves the Church to proclaim Christ to others, to make disciples of all nations. One of the tools we use is the OCIA Program. As a fishing net or a shepherd’s crook, if you will, we utilize the OCIA program to haul in the fish and gather the lost sheep, to win faithful disciples for Christ. Consider yourselves introducing wayward family members or neighbors to become Catholic, making them disciples of our Lord. Do this before they get too distant and hard to reel in before breaking their line of hope and conversion. Who do you pray for? Who do you pray for conversion and devout practice of the faith? Consider too how you may bear witness to your faith by assisting in the faith formation of our brothers and sisters in their OCIA journey “teaching them, [as Jesus says], to observe all that I have commanded you.” Jesus tells us, “I am with you always until the end of the age”. Jesus is indeed with us and in us as we partake of his body and blood at each Mass. The Eucharist is our tethered life-line- the strongest 4-braided test line made of his body, blood, soul and divinity that we may know “what is the hope that belongs to his call” and the power to “…make disciples of all nations”. Receive him in thanksgiving, purity, and humility, to gracefully do his holy will in your life. How do you experience God’s enduring presence in your life? How can you reach out to those who feel abandoned and alone? St. Augustine said, “Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him.” Heavenly Father, as we celebrate your Son’s ascension, may we follow him into paradise, for his ascension is our hope and our glory. May we also rejoice with all the saints in anticipation of the coming Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and give us the grace to bring others to Christ. May we remain tethered by hope and prayer to the power of the Holy Spirit to faithfully behold the coming of our Lord when he returns in glory, for our salvation and for the glory of God.

4th Sunday of Easter Good Shepherd Sunday

2nd Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday

5th Sunday of Lent, The Third Scrutiny Yr. A Ref.: Jn. 11:1-44 Humanity in his tears Mar. 21/ 22, 2026 Dcn. Bill Kenney One of the most revered stigmatists and mystics of the 20th century was St. Padre Pio, an Italian Capuchin priest. Last October we made a pilgrimage to San Giovani Rotondo, Italy to view his body lying there in- state. He professed that, “tears are the work of God in you," suggesting their divine origin and power to irrigate the stirrings of our hearts. Our tears can be understood as a gift from the Holy Spirit uniting our suffering with the sufferings of Christ for personal sanctification. Babies spontaneously cry for all sorts of reasons. As we grow older, it’s not possible, nor should we try, to hold back the tears of joy at births and happiness at weddings or tears of mourning at death and distress at illness. There’s every occasion to cry at a good book, movie or song. Deep emotional tearing is uniquely human amongst God’s creation. It expresses our solidarity for God’s will to be done in and through us. Created in the image and likeness of God, we are called to be like Jesus Christ in both his humanity and his divinity. Through his incarnation, Jesus is fully man and fully God. We often focus our thoughts and prayers of Jesus on his divinity. The awesome power and wonder of Jesus’ miracles, or signs pointing to a divine grace, certainly capture our attention. The raising of Lazarus, pointing to Jesus’ and our own resurrection, is a prime example. Arguably, one of his greatest miracles, the power of Jesus’ divinity is on full display to mournful onlookers, as Jesus, speaking to the Father says, “…I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” We adore and praise his divinity. “And Jesus wept” is one of the shortest verses in the Bible, yet it is lengthy in meaning and symbolism. Jesus’ humanity is perhaps no better expressed than in this verse. It expresses the anguish Jesus felt over the pain and sorrow his friends Mary, Martha, and others, were suffering at the death of Lazarus. To "weep" often implies a prolonged and impassioned deep grief. Jesus wept for love of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and knew what he was going to do. Have you ever felt the peace and consolation that God had heard and answered your prayers through your weeping? Throughout his Gospel, John identifies the divinity of Jesus- his oneness with and in God; from the beginning, the Word. St. Martha proclaims Jesus as, “…the Messiah, the Son God”. Yet, John is also careful to insist that Jesus is at the same time completely human. As a human person, Jesus loves, weeps, feels fatigue and anguish, gets suspicious and perturbed; he thirsts, walks, sleeps, hungers, prays, and most notably, dies a most agonizing human death. All these references to Jesus’ humanity tell us he can relate with our daily struggles: our weaknesses and temptations and can deliver us from them as our redeemer and Savior. How does having an all-powerful divine Savior who lived as we live, except in sin, help you to realize a more personal relationship with him? Each time we partake of the true presence of his body and blood in the holy Eucharist, we grow in the humanity and divinity of Jesus. We softly pray during the preparation of the gifts, “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” The Eucharist is a lasting remedy for our body and soul to become more like Christ. During our earthly pilgrimage, we live in a “valley of tears” where we continue to shed tears of joy and sorrow. May we one day rise to new life in Jesus’ Kingdom following the Paschal Mystery of his divine Passion, death, and resurrection. May we one day share his heavenly banquet, where, “ He will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” May we, especially our OCIA Elect, “Come out” as Lazarus did, to the calling of our Lord to new life this Easter, recognizing his divinity and humanity in our lives, for our salvation and for the glory of God.

Lift the fog to see the Light