Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B - 6/30/2024)

Last weekend, I had the blessed opportunity to accompany 35 of our youth to Irving, TX for the Steubenville Lone Star youth conference. I witnessed 4,000 youth worship God with praise and songs and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. I witnessed thousands of youth go to Reconciliation and receive God's mercy and forgiveness. I witnessed 4,000 youth wept during the Eucharistic procession because they were overwhelmed by Jesus' love for them. I witnessed almost a hundred youth share their desire to discern the priesthood and religious life. There was no doubt in my mind that Spirit of God lit the flame of faith in the hearts of our youth, so much so that over twenty (20) unbaptized non-Catholic youth present at the conference professed their desire to be baptized and come into full communion with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, and received a special blessing from a priest.

Their zeal for their faith was refreshing, inspiring, and invigorating. Their love for Jesus in the Eucharist brought tears of joy to my eyes. Throughout the weekend, I prayed with our youth and had the chance to talk with several of them. One of them asked me about my call to the diaconate because he felt God’s call to him to the vocation of a religious brother. As I shared with him the story of my call to the diaconate, my wife encouraged me to share with him my conversion story as well. You see, Jesus called me to come and follow him at a time in my life when I felt this deep sense of hopelessness because someone I love was ill mentally. Like Jairus in today’s Gospel. I fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded earnestly with God to heal this person. In my vulnerability - as I lay sprawled out on the floor of my friend’s living room, sobbing - God gave me the strength and courage to surrender my life to Him and entrust my loved one to His merciful care and healing. By the grace of God, this person made a full recovery and, as for me, I died to self and have been following our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ever since. 

In today’s Gospel, Jairus embodies any one of us that has someone who is suffering, sick or dying. Our hearts ache for Jairus because we can feel the fear, anxiety, desperation, and pain in Jairus’ voice as he begged Jesus: “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." In times of illness and loss, it is incredibly difficult for us to comprehend, much less accept, that God, who we profess in the Creed to be “the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth” and “the Lord, the giver of life.” would let our loved ones suffer and even die. Yet, our faith in the same one true God impels us to believe and trust that He does not find pleasure in the death of any of His children (Ez. 18:23, 33:11). Wisdom tells us: “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. . . But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world” (Wis. 1:13, 16). Suffering and death are consequences of our fallen humanity, as St. Paul noted: ”through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all” (Rom. 5:12)..

However, we do not despair in times of loss but find hope in these words of Jesus in his teaching on the Beatitudes at the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt. 5:4). Our faith in God gives us confidence in the knowledge that our story and those of our loved ones do not end in death, “[for] God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). For this reason, Christ said to Jairus (and us): "Do not be afraid; just have faith." We are comforted by Jesus who, at the Last Supper, on the night before he was to suffer and die on the Cross, said to his disciples (and us): “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. . . I am going to prepare a place for you. . . [and] I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where [I] am going you know the way. . . I am the way and the truth* and the life” (Jn. 14:1-4, 6). Jesus wants us to “bother” him in our time of loss and so we do not “hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them” (St. John Chrysostom).

More importantly, when we experience loss and wonder how we can move forward, let us we recall this advice from St. Rose of Viterbo, who tells us to “[live] so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening. . .” because the Good News is, “[we] were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead. . . we too might live in newness of life. . . we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” (Rom. 6:4, 8). Every time we say “Yes” to God and crucify our old self with Jesus (6:6), we say “No” to the things of this world that separate us from God’s love and mercy. This is how we move forward after suffering a loss and continue to live our life. We die to self so that we may live in newness of life with Christ, to live well in the world, to “go on. . . take a step, step again. . . toward the light. . . to do the next right thing. . .” (Anna, “Frozen II”), for God and for our loved ones who are still here with us. Now, what is the next right thing, you ask? 

Jesus gave us a model to follow while he hung on the Cross. Our Lord said to his Mother, “Woman, behold your son,” and then to the disciple whom he loved, he said, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26-27). In that tender moment from the Cross, Christ gives us to each other so that we may be his instruments of comfort for one another. For us here at Saint Albert the Great, the next right thing could be helping the Lazarus Society comfort families who are mourning the loss of their loved one by assisting with the funeral Mass for the faithful departed and the reception afterwards. The next right thing could also be joining the bereavement small group to help our fellow parishioners mourn and cope with loss in their lives so that they can find healing and comfort in their Catholic faith to move toward the light. With the bereavement small group, loss is not limited to the loss of loved ones but one’s experience of loss in a much broader sense - such as the loss of a job or the loss of a beloved family pet or, perhaps, even the loss of our “favorite” priests or deacons who have moved on to their new parish assignments.

We all experience loss in different ways and we mourn loss in our own ways. But we believe that God does not find pleasure in the death of any of His children (Ez. 18:23, 33:11). In times of suffering and loss, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven for our salvation, gives us hope, saying, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” Christ desires not only to comfort us in our mourning but help us to be a comfort for each other in times of mourning and, in doing so, be blessed.

Knight of the Year Acceptance Speech (6/27/2024)

Worthy Chaplain Fr. Charlie, Worthy Grand Knight Patrick, Brother Knights and wives, and friends,

This is completely unexpected. Thank you for this tremendous honor. I thank God above all and I thank my wife. I could not have done any of it without either of them. The Council and Knights continue to be instrumental in my faith journey and service to God so I am blessed to be surrounded by good Catholic gentlemen and to serve alongside each of you.

After next weekend, I will be able to bring you greetings from our State Chaplain Bishop Mulvey, as I start my role as Assistant to the State Chaplain.

I want to share two thoughts. First, as a Spiritual Director for the Austin Chapter these past few years, I have a better understanding of the hard work it takes to earn Star Council and to meet the various goals as a Council. However, let us never forget that our primary purpose as a Council at Saint Albert the Great Catholic Church is to serve the needs of our parish. Now, no one knows the needs of our parish more than our pastor, Fr. Charlie. I would encourage all the incoming officers to work closely with Fr. Charlie to do our part to help him meet the needs of the parish, for instance the Parking Lot Ministry needs the assistance of the Knights. It is a challenge to attend Mass and help with the Parking Lot Ministry in the same day but following the example of Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney takes sacrifice. Perhaps it means going to Mass on Saturday or the 12:00 Mass but, as someone who serves at more than one Mass on some weekends, it is a blessing. So, to the new installed officers, I encourage you all to work closely with Fr. Charlie to help him meet the needs of our parish because that is what the Knights so, be the right hand of the pastor.

Second, we are the only Council in the Diocese of Austin that has Cor. We are blessed not only to have the blessing of our pastor, Fr. Charlie, to start Cor but he has been at the Cor meetings to lead the faith formation and fellowship. As the Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization for the Austin Chapter, I have been approached by many brother Knights who want to start Cor at their parish. My first advice to him is, talk with their pastor and get his support. Therefore, I would encourage all brother Knights to join us for Cor. We have it on the 4th Thursday of the month (formerly the night of the Social Meeting) in hopes that it would not but another demand on the Knights since it is already "built" into the schedule for so many years. Please come to Cor and invite other men to join your. Iron sharpens iron, let us sharpen one another in faith and grow in faith together as Catholic men. Thank you for this great honor as Knight of the Year. Vivat Jesus!

Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (6/24/2024)

Worthy Chapter President and Brother Knights,

I wanted to share with you all my recent experience at the Steubenville Lone Star ("SLS") youth conference in Irving, TX over the weekend (June 21-23, 2024). It was my first time to a Steubenville event and I, along with 9 other adults, chaperoned and chauffeured 35 youths from St. Albert the Great Catholic Church to SLS. Our youth group joined 4,000 Catholic youths from all over the State of Texas with some coming as far away as Minnesota. It was a sight to behold! The excited and energy in the building was amazing!

We heard from many inspiring Catholic speakers, including Mr. Brian Greenfield. In his presentation, he encouraged the youth to BELIEVE, TRUST, and RESPOND. Believe in God. Trust in God. Respond to God. It is such simple yet profound message for our young people to hear. I also love it that there was a session for just the young men and a session for just the young women because God made us male and female. Brian Greenfield was the speaker for the men's session and Sr. Josephine was the speaker for women's session. Mr. Greenfield encouraged the young men not to allow society and others to define who they are but know in their hearts that they are beloved sons of the Father. He quoted Pope Saint John Paul II, saying: "We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus."

Then, in his homily at Mass on Sunday morning, Bishop Greg Kelly (Diocese of Dallas) encouraged the youth to (1) go to Mass, (2) offer themselves to God at Mass, (3) receive our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at Mass, and (4) go into mission territory and lead others to Christ. Bishop Kelly told the youth to go to Mass regular even if they are bored at Mass, even if they do not want to go to Mass, to just go to Mass. Bishop even told the youth that if their parents are not regular Sunday Mass goers, then they would lead their parents by their example. Ask their parents to drop them off for Mass and pick them up after Mass. Then, during Mass, offer themselves to God, saying: "Here I am, Lord," and allow the Spirit to God to work in them and through them. Then, the bishop told the youth to receive our Eucharistic Lord in Holy Communion and allow God to dwell in them intimately and speak to them in their hearts. Finally, he said that as soon as they leave Mass and go outside, they are in mission territory. He encouraged the youth to embrace their baptismal call to bring others to Christ.

Finally, a brother Knight posted this question in the Comments: Deacon, ever feel like this dilutes the reverence and blurs the line into non-denominational Christian celebration confusing the youth?

I responded to him with this image:

The conference, for all the music, dancing, energetic and motivational speakers, excitement, and energy was Eucharist-centric. Bishop Janak (Archdiocese of San Antonio) celebrated Mass on Saturday. Bishop Kelly (Diocese of Dallas) celebrated Mass on Sunday, with Bishop Janak con-celebrating. We had 40 priests hearing 1,000 confessions. And Fr. Edwin led us in two Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Hour. As Fr. Edwin processed through the conference center with our Lord, there was not a dry eye at all. It was so moving to see our youth so in love with the Eucharist - Jesus' great give of himself to us, fulfilling his promise to be with us always until the end of the age.

I share my experience with you all in hopes that, in the future, K of C councils consider assisting their youth group ministry leaders when they needs help with fundraisers, events, etc., for your parishes' youth groups. Events like Steubenville Lone Star are so impactful for our youth and the youth are the future of our beloved Catholic Church.

Here is a link to my previous report from the Chapter meeting in May:

• Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (5/20/2024) https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/05/knights-of-columbus-austin-chapter.html 
• "Reclaiming Faithful Fatherhood" Initiative (inspired by Cor) (UPDATED 6/3/2024) https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/05/reclaiming-faithful-fatherhood.html

Deacon Phúc’s challenges for all Knights for the month of July

• PERSONAL & FAMILY: Spend time with your families, especially your children.
• COUNCIL: Host a fun family event that includes the Mass/Adoration.

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-89) - A Radical Way of Life

Dearest Goddaughter,

This week, in his Sermon on the Mount, our Lord challenges us to a new and radical way of life.

On Monday (6/17), Jesus challenges us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile for anyone. To turn the "other cheek" does not mean that we let others walk all over us. However, it does mean that when someone does evil against us, we do not return evil for evil. It is one thing for someone to strike us because they will answer to God for it. However, if we strike back, then we are no better than them. Again, this does not mean that we let others bully us or push us around but how can we respond to evil with good, because God is good.

On Tuesday (6/18), he tells us to love our enemy and pray for those who persecute us. There are four types of love. Storge love is familial affection between family members. Phileo love is friendship between peoples. Eros love is the passionate love between a man and a woman. Agape love is love that wills the love of God for another. Here, to love our enemy and pray for those who persecute us is agape love because we will the good of another and pray for them. We pray that the Spirit of God enters into their hearts and lead them to conversion.

On Wednesday (6/19), Christ invites us to be mindful of our intentions when we pray, fast, and give alms. Are we doing it for vainglory or are we genuine in our love for God and others when we pray, fast, and give alms? One of the Beatitudes is "blessed are the pure of hearts for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Our intentions must always be for the greater glory of God and not ourselves. When we pray, it is for God's eyes and not for show. When we fast, it is to help us grow in our relationship with God, not to draw attention to ourselves. When we give alms (or to charity), we do so out of love for God and for others and not to make us feel good about ourselves. Our words and actions matter; so does the intent behind those words and actions. Keep them pure.

On Thursday (6/20), Jesus gives us the "Our Father" and teaches us that we should forgive others as our heavenly Father forgives us. Forgiveness can be challenging for us, especially when a loved one hurts so in a very deep and personal way. However, through the Gospel, our Lord tells us to give others in the same way that we ask God to forgive us when we pray the "Our Father." Jesus goes as far as to warn us: "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions." When we find it hard to forgive someone, especially when we go about it on our own. Therefore, remind ourselves that nothing is impossible with God and pray for the strength and courage to forgive.

On Friday (6/21), he reminds us that "where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." Since entering Diaconal Formation in January of 2015, I have become less and less interested in watching sports unless it is in a social setting with friends. This is because our Formation Directors reminded us of this teaching from our Lord - "where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." While it is fine for us to enjoy the various activities of life, let us never forget to put God first and foremost in everything that we do and honor Him above all.

Finally, on Saturday (6/22), Christ teaches that we cannot serve "two masters" and that we must seek first the kingdom of God and trust the God will provide for us. God provided for us, provides for us, and will always provide for us. The First Commandment is "I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me." God is the master of our life. No other idols, ourselves included (because we can become our own idol), should have a place above God because they will only lead us away from our Father's love and lead us astray in life. Proverbs 3:5 tells us to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely. . ." And, of course, Jesus gives us the Great Commandment: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).

These are certainly challenging for us, because of our fallen nature, which is way we must turn to God and ask the Spirit for help us stay on the straight and narrow path that leads us to the narrow gates of heaven. Amen.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for June 17-21:

• 1 Kgs 21:1-16 and Mt 5:38-42 (6/17)
• 1 Kgs 21:17-29 and Mt 5:43-48 (6/18)
• 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14 and Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 (6/19)
• SIR 48:1-14 and MT 6:7-15 (6/20)
• 2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 and Mt 6:19-23 (6/21)
• 2 Chr 24:17-25 and Mt 6:24-34 (6/22)

Homily for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B - 6/16/2024)

Good afternoon. This week, we continue with our homily message series on the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are at the “heart of Jesus’ preaching” (CCC 1716). The Lord says: “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer 31:33). When I think of the Beatitudes, I imagine this path that is paved with the wood of the Cross and leads to heaven. I imagine on both sides of the path are the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments to keep us on the straight and narrow path of God’s laws that lead to eternal life. I imagine along this path are guideposts to help us find the source of true happiness in our lives: our LORD JESUS CHRIST. These guideposts are the Beatitudes.

In the Beatitudes, “Jesus expresses the will of God to lead man to happiness” (Pope Francis, 1/29/2017). Saint Augustine confessed that “our hearts are restless till they find rest in [God].” So many people in our society right now are restless. They lack joy in their lives. Worst, they are numbed by the empty promises of an increasingly secularized world. For us to avoid the same pitfalls, we need to live the Beatitudes in our lives, like this one that is the focus of this week: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). Pope Francis reflected that “[the] poor in spirit are those who. . . know how to be humble, docile, open to the grace of God” (Pope Francis, 1/29/2017). The Holy Father continued, saying: “The poor in spirit is the Christian who does not trust in himself. . . who is not stubborn in his opinions but instead listens with respect and willingly defers to the decisions of others.”

In the same way that “meek does not mean weak” (Fr. Charlie, 6/9/2024), not being stubborn in our opinions but listening with respect and willingly defer to the decisions of others are not signs of weakness but of power, especially when it comes to listening to God speak to us in our lives. It takes strength, courage, and power to trust in God completely rather than trust in ourselves, to be obedient to Jesus Christ, and to be docile to the Holy Spirit, particularly when it comes to our Catholic faith and the teachings of the Catholic Church. This can be challenging for us. It was challenging for me early on in Diaconal Formation when we were asked to be docile to the Holy Spirit and obedient to the Bishop of Austin. However, by the grace of God and with the help of priests, deacons, and spiritual directors, I learned to be humble and “poor in spirit”, to abandon myself to God’s mercy, forgiveness, and will.

This abandonment of ourselves to God is at the heart of the Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit. . .” (Mt 5:3). Saint Paul understood “poor in spirit” when he wrote: “I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10) and that “the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Cor 1:25; 3:19). John the Baptist said: “He must increase; I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30). Of course, no one embraced “poor in spirit” better than the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose “soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; [whose] spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed” (Lk 1:46-49). Let us not forget Saint Joseph, the model of authentic masculinity and faithful fatherhood, who is blessed in his silence and for his obedience to God as the guardian of the Immaculate Conception and the Incarnate Word. He died a happy death.

Saint Paul puts so beautifully this character trait that all holy men and women, saints of God have in common: “. . .[they] never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .” (Gal 6:14), They are “poor in spirit” and are blessed because they courageously “walk by faith, not by sight.” They acknowledge and embrace their own weakness and lowliness before the strength and greatness of God. They “have survived the time of great distress [and[ have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14) because they trusted not in themselves but rather they entrusted themselves to God’s love, mercy, and care. Therefore, “. . .theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” These holy men and women, saints of God stand before his throne and he will “shelter them. . . shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev 7:15, 17).

This is why, I think, we look to these holy men and women, saints of God for guidance and for their intercessions. They went through the trials and tribulations of life and yet they remained faithful to God to the end. We are all sinners striving for holiness and saintliness in how we live out our Baptismal calling as priests, prophets, and kings in our daily lives. We learn to be “poor in spirit” and live lives of holiness and saintliness in our own families - the “domestic churches”, with the help of our parish community, so that we have the courage to remain faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Church out there in the secular world.

I

t is when we are “poor in spirit” and dependent on God that we are like the seed that is scattered on the land. The seed of faith that is sown in our hearts at Baptism “would sprout and grow” and “[yield] fruits.” Yet, “we know not how” because, when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we “walk by faith [in God], not by [our own] sight.” We are “humble, docile, open to the grace of God”, trusting in God and not in ourselves. Moreover, it is when we are “poor in spirit” that our faith is like the mustard seed that, while it is the “smallest of all the seeds on earth”, once it is sown, “springs up and becomes the largest plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” Like the mustard seed, our faith can grow and bear fruit that brings hope to people that God puts in our lives.

Reflecting on this, I want to share with you briefly the story of a parish priest who lived and served in Connecticut in the late-1800s. If there was ever a priest who embodied “poor in spirit”, it was Fr. Michael J. McGivney. In the book, “Parish Priest”, the author observed this aspect of Fr. McGivney’s inner life that never wavered from his earliest days to his last: “his faith in Catholicism. For better or for worse, he did not question, he did not surmise. He believed - with impervious conviction” (p. 202). Under Fr. McGivney’s guidance, “men from different parishes were united in a Catholic society designed to help them in the Christian obligation. . . of caring for a family, spiritually and financially” (p. 159). The “mustard seed” of a “Catholic society” that he founded in 1882 is the Knights of Columbus. From humble beginnings, the Knights of Columbus, which was founded on the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, is now a global fraternal Order of Catholic men that brings hope to the people that God puts in the lives of the Knights of Columbus.

Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly reflected that: “We may never know in this life the good that will come about through our personal acceptance of our mission in Christ, just as Father McGivney [did not] how our Lord would use the Knights over the past 142 years” (Columbia, March 2024). However, like Fr. McGivney, whose life “was not described by great occasions or grand gestures. . . [but by] the humility of moments. . .” (p. 202), when we are “poor in spirit” and depend on God, we too can go from faith the size of a “mustard seed” to faith that brings hope to people that God puts in our lives. Then, we and all those we encounter will be blessed.

Prayer for Father's Day (6/16/2024)

My prayer for all fathers:

Loving and merciful Father, you created fathers after your Sacred Heart and gave them Saint Joseph as a model of authentic masculinity, fatherhood, and protector. Bless and protect all fathers as they work to provide for their families. Keep their hearts chaste and pure. Heal the wounded hearts of fathers who have suffered the lost of their children and grant them your peace and consolation. Endow all men with the grace to be the husbands, fathers, and spiritual fathers that their wives, children, and those entrusted to their care need them to be. We ask this through the intercession of Saint Joseph, the Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Worker, the Protector, and the Terror of Demons. Amen.

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-88) - God's Rules are NOT Meant to be Broken

Dearest Goddaughter,

I adopt these these reflections on God's law from Regnum Christi Daily Meditation for 6/12/2024:

Through the law and the prophets God prepared his people for salvation. In Christ that salvation is at hand: Jesus, the Word made flesh, will fulfill the law and the prophets and give them their proper interpretation. The law will move from the tablets of stone to the hearts of men, as demonstrated by the Beatitudes. Jesus came especially to fulfill the deep longing in the human heart for happiness, which is ultimately found in eternal life with God. . .

 “Rules are meant to be broken”—according to the first law of the “Teenage Creed.” As we approach adulthood, we may discover external conflicts to our subjective happiness. We call them rules. And as the desire to exercise our own free will grows, we begin to feel the seemingly oppressive weight of these rules—“Do this, don’t do that.” Authority figures can then be perceived to be in direct opposition to our personal fulfillment. We wrongly conclude that rules and happiness are like oil and water. Then we permit patterns of sin to develop despite what our conscience tells us, and we are unwittingly given a glimpse into the way the devil suggests his criteria to us. If we are not careful, we may form deep-seated attitudes that will make us struggle against God and against his criteria—the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the cross, and the teachings of the Church.

 “The moral law has its origin in God and always finds its source in him” (Pope Saint John Paul II, The Splendor of Truth, 40). Our true freedom lies not in the rejection but in the acceptance of God’s moral law. God is not a heartless dictator but a Father who loves us and wills our very best. If he sets standards for us, it is because he has our eternal happiness in mind, like a skilled coach who challenges the athlete to reach his full potential.

Source: https://www.regnumchristi.com/en/june-12-2024-cancelling-or-fulfilling-emptiness-or-plenitude/

It is one thing to question Church teachings and wrestle with them. It is arrogant and prideful of us to believe we know better and not be obedient when, as the reflection states, these "rules" conflict with our "subjective happiness." As our parents' rules were in place to guide us and protect us as we were growing up in the comfort and peace of our family home, the law of God is there to preserve our souls from the contagion of sin and the snares of the devil. Thus, we must be careful against forming "deep-seated attitudes" against God and His rules.

Only God gives us true freedom when we are obedient to His law while the Evil One only seek to bind us to our sins. That is no freedom at all but a death sentence that separates us from the love of God. It is as we hear in today's Gospel: "Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 1 Kgs 18:20-39 and Mt 5:17-19 (see below).

. . .

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.

I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,

not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter

will pass from the law,

until all things have taken place.

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments

and teaches others to do so

will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.

But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments

will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-87) - Meek and Humble of Heart

Dearest Goddaughter,

I heard 3 wonderful homilies on today's readings for the Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Fr. Tom (Prince of Peace Catholic Community) reflected on how we often blame others and even God for our sinfulness. In the first reading, not only does Adam blame Eve, he also put the blame of God, saying: "The woman whom YOU put here with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."

Fr. Charlie, at the 10:00 Mass this, in reflecting on the Beatitude - "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the land" - said that those who are not meek do not accept responsibility for their own sinfulness. Thus, for someone who is prideful, going to Confession is not something that they would do because do not want to admit and take responsibility for their sinfulness. We see that in today's first reading: Adam blamed the woman and God. The woman, in turn, blame Satan. Fr. Charlie also recommend praying the Litany of Humility. Here is a link to Fr. Charlie's homily on Podbean: https://saintalbert.podbean.com/e/fr-charlie-garza-1000-am-mass-homily-english-1717949481/.

Finally, Fr. Michael, at the 12:00 Mass, reflected on what causes divisions in families, among friends, between co-workers, and even with God. He reminded of how we are all parts on the One Body of Christ in the Eucharist - brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we love Jesus as he loves his Mother Mary, as how she loves all over us.

Last Sunday, I reflected on how someone commented on a post of mine saying, "this is the reason why people leave the Church." I responded saying that following Jesus and being obedient and faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church requires humility on our part. How can we be meek and humble of heart like our Lord Jesus Christ. because when we remove ourselves from the Church, we deny ourselves the "source and summit" of our Christian life - the Eucharist, our Lord's greatest gift to us. Here is a link to my Gospel reflection from last Sunday: https://phucphan.podbean.com/e/homily-for-the-most-holy-body-and-blood-of-christ-622024/.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: Gn 3:9-15,  2 Cor 4:13—5:1 and Mk 3:20-35 (see below)

. . .

Jesus came home with his disciples.

Again the crowd gathered,

making it impossible for them even to eat.

When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,

for they said, "He is out of his mind."

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said,

"He is possessed by Beelzebul,"

and "By the prince of demons he drives out demons."

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,

"How can Satan drive out Satan?

If a kingdom is divided against itself,

that kingdom cannot stand.

And if a house is divided against itself,

that house will not be able to stand.

And if Satan has risen up against himself

and is divided, he cannot stand;

that is the end of him.

But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property

unless he first ties up the strong man.

Then he can plunder the house.

Amen, I say to you,

all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be

forgiven them.

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit

will never have forgiveness,

but is guilty of an everlasting sin."

For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

His mother and his brothers arrived.

Standing outside they sent word to him and called him.

A crowd seated around him told him,

"Your mother and your brothers and your sisters

are outside asking for you."

But he said to them in reply,

"Who are my mother and my brothers?"

And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,

"Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of God

is my brother and sister and mother."

Reflecting on Holy Hour for Vocations (6/8/2024)

On the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my wife and I did a Holy Hour for vocations, as part of the 40-Hour Devotion for Vocations in the Diocese of Austin. At daily Mass, except when I am serving, I would pray the Prayer for Vocations after receiving Holy Communion. With our Lord Jesus Christ physically present in me in the Holy Eucharist, I pray this pray to our Lord that he may "send out more laborers" for the "harvest of souls is abundant but the laborers few." I invite you all the pray this Prayer for Vocations with me on a daily basis. Without priests, there is no Eucharist. With the Eucharist, there is no Mass and no Church.

During my Holy Hour, I prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. . . .

For the First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation, I reflected on how God comes to Mary and gives her her life's vocation to be the Mother of God. Our Lord comes to all of us and gives us our life's vocation, we only need to discern his will for us and pray for the courage to give Christ our "Yes" in the same way that Mary gave God her "Yes." It is a "Yes" that, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, can change the world and, at the very least, change our own life. Mary's "Yes" did both - it changed her life for all eternity and it changed the world because, through her vocation as the Mother of God, God dwelt among us.

For the Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation, I reflected on how Jesus invites husbands and wives to foster vocations in their families - the domestic churches. When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, the infant in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy. Saint John the Baptist received his vocation from our Lord Jesus Christ and his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, nurture and encouraged his vocation throughout his childhood until he went forth from their home to become the forerunner to Jesus Christ. I pray that all parents help foster and nurture their children's vocation, whatever it may be. Discernment of vocations starts in the family and it starts with the parents as leaders of their domestic churches - priest, prophet, and king.

For the Third Joyful Mystery - The Nativity of our Lord, I reflected on the Incarnation evokes in my awe and wonder of a God who becomes one of us to save us and reconcile us to our Father in heaven. Throughout his life, Jesus was obedient to his parents - Mary and Saint Joseph, but most of all, he was obedient to his Father in heaven even to death on the Cross. Jesus had a mission from the Father and he fulfilled his mission. In the same way, we are called to discern God's mission for us in the vocation that He calls us to and fulfill that mission that He has given us. Jesus promises to be with us to the end of the age as we journey through life.

For the Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Transfiguration, I reflected on how God reveals Himself to us and how we are called to respond to Him with faith. In the Gospel account of the Transfiguration, Peter, Andrew, John, and James got a glimpse of the glory of Jesus Christ. We too get a glimpse of the glory of Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass when Heaven opens and the Holy Spirit descends upon the bread and wine and transform them into the Body and Blood of Christ. We also a glimpse of God's glory in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Many priests who I know have shared with me that they hear God's call to the priesthood during their time spent in prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. In the family (the domestic church), we have our "mountaintop" experience (just like Peter, Andrew, John, and James did) when vocation is fostered. From there, we are sent by our Lord Jesus Christ, in our family, to go down the mountain and invite others to come and see Jesus for themselves in the vocation that we are called to in our life. 

For the Fifth Joyful Mystery - The Institution of the Eucharist, I reflected on the gift of Jesus' Real Presence in the Eucharist and how blessed we are as Catholics to receive our Lord in just an intimate and special way.  The Eucharist - the "source and summit" of our Christian life - strengthen us and gives us the courage to discern and answer God's call to the vocation that He has planned for us. It is so important for parents to make sure that their children receive the Eucharist regularly so that they can grow in love with our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. In those intimate moments when our Lord and our God dwells in us is when we open our hearts to hear where He is calling us in our life's vocation.

I continue to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life. Personally, I pray for two young people in my life that their parents help them discern their life's vocation and where God is calling them to serve Him and HIs faithful people.

 

2024 Year of Prayer in Preparation for 2025 Jubilee Year

"Prayer is the breath of faith" (Pope Francis). The theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year is "Pilgrims of Hope."  In the video at the link below, Bishop Vásquez invites all to set aside time for daily prayer:

• Prayers in thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for us;
• Prayers in thanksgiving for the gift He has yet to impart; 
• Prayers for our own personal intentions;
• Prayers for the intentions of our families, friends, and coworkers; and
• Prayers for our wounded world.

"It is only through Christ that we find solace through his redeeming work" (Bishop Vásquez). Let us unite our prayers with the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here is the link to Bishop Vásquez's message to the faithful people of God in the Diocese of Austin: https://austindiocese.org/jubilee-2025.

Here is the text for "The Jubilee Prayer":

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen.

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-86) - The Shema Prayer

Dearest Goddaughter,

In today's Gospel, rather than choose a law, as the scribes would have him do, Jesus sums up the law in these two commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. . . You shall love your neighbor as yourself." It is the Shema Prayer that the Jewish pray daily to remind themselves of God's love and faithful to them and for them to love Him and love one another out of love for Him.

Jesus is faithful even if we are unfaithful to him. However, we will all stand before the Lord in judgment and, as Saint Paul reminds us in his Second Letter to Timothy, ". . .if we deny him, he will deny us." Therefore, we must love God first and above all in our lives, even our own families. This can be hard to understand but, when we love God first and above all, the love and grace that flow from our relationship with God will order the other "loves" in our life in their proper perspective and order.

Let us ask Jesus to teach us his ways, which is always trustworthy:

If we have died with him

we shall also live with him;

if we persevere

we shall also reign with him.

But if we deny him

he will deny us.

If we are unfaithful

he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny himself.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 2 Tm 2:8-15 and Mk 12:28-34 (see below)

. . .

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,

"Which is the first of all the commandments?"

Jesus replied, "The first is this:

Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these."

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.

You are right in saying,

He is One and there is no other than he.

And to love him with all your heart,

with all your understanding,

with all your strength,

and to love your neighbor as yourself

is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,

he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."

And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-85) - Do Not Be Ashamed

Dearest Goddaughter,

In today's first reading, Saint Paul tells Timothy to "not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord. . . but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God." Far too many Catholics remain silent about their faith because they allow others to shame them into silence.

They tend to coward away when others say to them: "How can you believe that? That is so archaic? That teaching is so out of touch with today, so outdated?" and so on an so forth. When we allow ourselves to be silenced by others, we dishonor God and forget that God is "not God of the dead but of the living." We allow ourselves to be "greatly misled" by others who do not practice their Catholic faith or even believe in God. We must love God above all and not be ashamed of the faith that He has entrusted to us in Jesus Christ, handed down to us through the Catholic Church and inspired and guarded by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, as Saint Paul reminds us: "God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control," and encourages us to "worship [God] with a clear conscience. . ." because Jesus "saved us and called us to a holy life." For our part, we are called to be "preacher and Apostle and teacher" of the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the world. Speak Truth. God is with us until the end of the age.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12 and Mk 12:18-27 (see below)

. . .

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,

came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,

"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,

If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,

his brother must take the wife

and raise up descendants for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers.

The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.

So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,

and the third likewise.

And the seven left no descendants.

Last of all the woman also died.

At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?

For all seven had been married to her."

Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled

because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?

When they rise from the dead,

they neither marry nor are given in marriage,

but they are like the angels in heaven.

As for the dead being raised,

have you not read in the Book of Moses,

in the passage about the bush, how God told him,

I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,

and the God of Jacob?

He is not God of the dead but of the living.

You are greatly misled."

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-84) - Repay to God What Belongs to God

Dearest Goddaughter,

In today's Gospel, Jesus says to the Pharisees and Herodians who try to ensnare him: "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." However, because Christ is "a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth," he remains faithful to God because Jesus knows that while he may live in the world, he is not of the world.

Like our Lord Jesus Christ, we live in this work but we were made for eternal life with God in heaven. Saint Peter, in today's first reading, writes: "you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability." The "unprincipled" are the faithful generation of this world that want to ensnare us and lead us away from things of God. Therefore, it is so important for us to have a robust spiritual and prayer life to help us discern God's will amongst the noises of this world that aim to distract us.

Once again, Saint Peter tells us: "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ." This is how we can do an examination of conscience, discern the things that are of God, and order our life with Christ at the center of our decision-making daily. Also as important, is to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of fortitude to follow God's will. A while back, a certain candidate was running for political office and people defended him as a man who wrestle with his faith. While that is true, he forgot to ask the Holy Spirit to give him the courage to follow God's will.

Therefore, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” is our Lord invitation to pray and discern God's will and ask for the courage to follow it. Take comfort and be strengthened in knowing that God is right there by your side.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18 and Mk 12:13-17 (see below)

. . .

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent

to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.

They came and said to him,

“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man

and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.

You do not regard a person’s status

but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?

Should we pay or should we not pay?”

Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,

“Why are you testing me?

Bring me a denarius to look at.”

They brought one to him and he said to them,

“Whose image and inscription is this?”

They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”

So Jesus said to them,

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

and to God what belongs to God.”

They were utterly amazed at him.

Saying good-bye to my mentor - Fr. Matt Iwuji (6/16/2019)

Saying good-bye to my mentor throughout Diaconal Formation. . . Fr. Matt Iwuji. . . on Trinity Sunday 🙏🕊❤️

Deacon Phúc’s Homily - The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Year C - 6/16/19):

We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. In a little while here, we will recite the Nicene Creed. We profess and believe that God the Father almighty is the maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. He sent forth His only Begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross for our salvation. God raised Christ up and, through his glorious Resurrection, reconciled us to Himself. God gives us His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts so that, through faith, we may come to know and proclaim that “Jesus is Lord” and cry out “Abba, Father!”, and turn to God, not only in times of trials and tribulations in our lives, but out of love and reverence for our Father in heaven who gives us life abundantly. 

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and blesses us with spiritual gifts and fruits so that we may become imitators of Christ Jesus and follow him faithfully in our daily lives. In his humanity, Christ reveals to us the divinity of God, who is love and mercy, so that we may come to know the Father personally as His adopted sons and daughters. St. John the Evangelist wrote that Christ is the Word of God; was with God in the beginning; and, through him, life came to be - “a life that is the light of the human race” (John 1:1-5). Jesus is the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24), as we heard in today's first reading, who God poured forth and brought forth before the foundation of the world. Christ was beside God as his “craftsman” and “found delight in the human race” (Proverbs 8:31).

Thus, the foundation of our Catholic FAITH, the basis of our Christian HOPE, and the source of our selfless and sacrificial LOVE for our neighbors are rooted in our belief and love in the Triune God - one God, three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the Most Holy Trinity. Moreover, the Trinity is reflected perfectly in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church - in the communal love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that purifies and sanctifies her during her pilgrimage on earth; in the universality of her prayers (of which the highest prayer is the sacrifice of the Mass - the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist) to give God glory; and in her role in carrying out God’s plan of salvation of the world in her life and her sacraments. We, who are baptized into the One Body of Christ - the Church; who are the apple of God’s eye (Psalms 17:8); and who Jesus found delight in (Proverb 8:31), are called to carry out the mission of the Church - Christ’s mission - to the ends of the earth, until the end of time. 

Bishop Robert Barron said that the “minute you walk outside of your church on Sunday you’re in mission territory.” However, we are not alone, the Holy Trinity is with us on our journey. This prayer from St. Francis de Sales beautifully captures how the Holy Trinity works in our lives always, never abandoning nor forsaking us, while we sojourn in this life: “Send me, Lord, wherever you please, for when I am sent by you, then I am quite sure that you will help me - in whatever situation I find myself - to fulfil what you ask. Amen.” The Holy Spirit pours out His gifts upon us, gifts which were promised by the Prophet Isaiah and fulfilled on Pentecost: the spiritual gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts of the Spirit help us to see Jesus in others so that we may be Christ to others. When we see Jesus in others and be Christ to others, then those whom we serve will come to see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in us. They will come to know in their hearts and to experience in their lives the love, mercy, and forgiveness of our Father in heaven through our Christian witness.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to briefly speak to all fathers present here. In this month’s issue of the “Columbia”, the official magazine of the world’s largest fraternal organization of Catholic men, there is an article by Gerald Korson, titled “Forming Future Fathers: Your Example Plays a Major Role in Shaping What Kind of Dad Your Son Will Be”. Mr. Korson identifies five ways that you, by your example, can help your sons to become good fathers. They are (1) be a father who loves their mother; (2) be a father who prays; (3) be a responsible father; (4) be a father who is present to his family; and (5) be a father who knows he is not perfect. Our Father in heaven speaks to all fathers directly in today’s readings. In the first reading from the Book of Proverbs, the Father instructs us that “the Spirit of truth. . . will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears. . .” Therefore, we do not have to be heroes. We do not need to know everything or have all the answers. We also do not need to be everything for everyone or do everything for everyone all by ourselves. Rather, we need to be humble men of faith who pray and open our hearts to hear the Spirit of truth and allow him to fill our hearts and guide us, according to God’s plan and will, so that we may better serve our families.

Moreover, let us be men who place our hope and trust in God’s love and mercy, so that we remain steadfast in faith and be the “rock” that our families need us to be, especially in times of trials and tribulations. St. Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Romans, today’s second reading: “. . .we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint. . .” Personally, God has blessed me with a wonderful dad who continues to be for me an example of love for his family and of humility in serving his family. Most of all, I see in my father a “quiet” strength that has sustained and carried his family through many family milestones, and problems, over the years. I am also blessed with an amazing father-in-law who loves his family, has a great sense of humor and joy for life that is contagious, and whose “quiet” faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ have helped me grow in my own faith and relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Last, but definitely not least, God has blessed me with a very supportive spiritual father in Fr. Matt Iwuji. Fr. Matt came to St. Albert the Great when I was discerning Diaconal Formation in 2012. Throughout Formation, and even now as I start my ministry as a deacon, Fr. Matt has been a spiritual and pastoral leader for me and a tremendous mentor. I am grateful for the opportunities he has given me to grow as a servant leader in our parish. Fr. Matt has also done a lot for St. Albert the Great these 7 years he has been with us. We pray for God’s blessings upon him in his retirement from active ministry as a priest. Thank you, Fr. Matt, and God bless you always. [Please join us in the courtyard after Mass to show this holy man of God our appreciation for 45 years as a faithful servant of Christ and priest for Holy Mother Church.]

I want to end with these words from St. Josemaría Escrivá on the Holy Trinity; he reflected: “When we recite the creed, we state that we believe in God the Father Almighty, in his Son Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life. We affirm that the Church, one, holy, catholic and apostolic, is the body of Christ, enlivened by the Holy Spirit. We rejoice in the forgiveness of sins and in the hope of the resurrection. But do those words penetrate to the depths of our own heart? Or do they remain only on our lips? The divine message of victory, the joy and the peace of Pentecost, should be the unshakeable foundation for every Christian's way of thinking and acting and living.”