Reflecting on "Give Up Worry for Lent" Parish Mission with Gary Zimak

After the third and final night of the Lenten Parish Mission, as my wife and I were leaving, I said to her that the KEY to a worry-free living is a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is as simple as that. Thank you for the reminder, Gary Zimak.

NOTE: Many of the Bible verses that Gary Zimak cited to of when Jesus talks about worry can be found in my homily for the Second Sunday of Lent. I invite you all to read it at this link here: https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/homily-for-second-sunday-of-lent-year-b.html.

Below are my notes, thoughts, and comments on the Lenten Parish Mission.

Night 1

Here is the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdrG0Vdul50

Giving up: giving up something that is keeping us from God (redemptive suffering)

Giving in: surrendering to God (thy will be done)

Giving out: external action that is an outward manifestation of our internal change

Mark 1:15 - Jesus said:

"This is the time of fulfillment.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel."

The time is now; we are in Lent. The kingdom of God is here because Jesus is alive with us - yesterday, today, tomorrow. Change (metanoia) internally which leads us to act differently externally. Jesus wants us to render our hearts. Have confidence in the word of God.

Paraphrasing what Jesus said in Mark (1:15) and applying it to Lent: "Lent has begun. My kingdom is here. Plenty of spiritual benefits offered and available to us. Change the way you think. And believe and have confidence in my word."

Worry is attempting to control the uncontrollable.

Fear: An emotion given to us from God. Not right or wrong morally. Fear can lead us to worry.

Worry: "What ifs" and "worse case scenarios" that we ruminate on. Worry takes God out of the picture. We do not trust that God can help us so we feel that we have to do it on our own.

Concern: Concern is rooted in facts, real situations with actions that we can take, i.e., concern about layoffs so we update our resume to prepare to look for another job.

Worry and faith cannot coexist. We can be concern and have faith. When we worry, we go against our faith. Storms are a part of life. Jesus tells us that if you listen to what I say and put my words to action, then you will not crumble because you are standing on a rock foundation.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. . . my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Night 2

Here is the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_iodG4exvY

Get into boat with the apostles and go into the storm at sea with them. Trust that Jesus is in the boat with you in the midst of the tempests in our lives.

The first journey into the storm at sea is in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4, verses 35-41.

We become a "captive audience" to Jesus when we go into the storms in our lives. Jesus does care about us; we only need to gaze upon the Crucifix to know how much our Lord cares for us.

Jesus asked them: “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

Faith is not a feeling; it is a choice. We have to choose to believe that Jesus cares about us. He said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." He knew that they would cross to the other side, but the disciples did not. They must trust and have faith to follow Jesus.

If we are baptized, then we cannot say that we have not faith. We might have "weak" faith but we have faith. Our faith in God will help us get through one storm and prepare ourselves for subsequent storms to come in life because they will come. This helps us face future storms with hope, knowing that Jesus is with us in the boat.

After Jesus calmed the storm, we have what was the first small group discussion to reflect on what just happened to them.

The second journey into the storm at sea is in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22-33.

Jesus found the need to pray and went up the mountain by himself to pray. We need to be like Jesus. We think we are too busy to pray, Jesus was much busier than us and he still had a need to pray and found the time to pray.

The fourth watch of the night is the hours from 3:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. It is the darkness before the dawn. We do not like faith because we are a control-freak; however, Jesus is way is better than our way, his thoughts better than our thoughts.

Jesus comforts us in the midst of the storms in our lives, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

Jesus said to Peter, "Come," and Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. Peter started to sink under the weight of his fears and problems when he lost focus of Jesus in his life. Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!"

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" We doubt because we do not trust in Jesus. Let us pray for an increase in trust and confidence in God.

Sometimes, Jesus permits the storms to rage in our lives. Sometimes, he calms the storms. However, Jesus is in the storms with us, ready to grant us his supernatural peace.

Another small group gathering to worship the Lord our God. There is hope if we turn to Jesus because he is our hope in the storms of our lives.

Would you rather be in the storm with Jesus or in the boat without Jesus?

Night 3

Here is the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFHPANMTfgU

Prayers:

Lord, save me.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Jesus, I trust in you.

Divine mercy and those of us who worry

God loves us. His mercy is greater than our sins.

Here is the link to his article in the National Catholic Register, titled: Are You Anxious? Do You Worry? The Divine Mercy Message Is for You 

Here is the link:

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/are-you-anxious-do-you-worry-the-divine-mercy-message-is-for-you

WOW!! --- "Mercy is love that meets suffering and does something about it."

"My child, know that the greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety." (Diary of St. Faustina, 1488) ("exaggerated anxiety" is when we are anxious and we should not be, such as fear about the future, and is rooted in the deadly sin of pride.

The remedy is to walk with the Lord and trusting in Him. --- "How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound me most painfully." (Diary, 1076) AND "My child, all of your sins have not wounded My Heart as painfully as your present lack of trust does." (Diary, 1486) --- This should be how motivation to give up worry.

Worry is when we try to control the uncontrollable, but this is what Jesus tells us. --- "Do not fear; I will not leave you alone. Do whatever you can in this matter; I will accomplish everything that is lacking in you. You know what is within your POWER TO DO; DO THAT" (Diary, 881). --- Okay to be concerned because concern motivates us to put into action our plan, something that we can do.

WOW!! --- "You will give me pleasure if you hand over to me all your troubles and griefs." (Diary, 1485) --- THANK YOU, LORD!

When we are going through a storm, remember to turn to Jesus. --- Jesus said, "I am very pleased that you confide your fears to Me, my daughter: Speak to Me about everything in a completely simple and human way; by this you will give Me great joy." (Diary, 797)

Yes! Jesus is worthy of our trust!

We cannot be worry and pray at the same time.

Redemptive suffering - unite our suffering with the suffering of Jesus on the Cross. When we embrace our cross out of love for Jesus and follow him, we share in Jesus' mission for the salvation of soul. God will bring about a greater good - our purification through suffering.

All suffering is temporary - gone in this life or in the next life in heaven.

In the midst of our suffering, we can find supernatural peace through Jesus.

Romans 8:28 is a comforting verse in Scripture: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

I read this article today: https://sports.yahoo.com/stacy-wakefield-wife-of-late-former-red-sox-pitcher-tim-wakefield-dies-of-pancreatic-cancer-193327959.html --- We can only believe that God can bring comfort and peace to their children and bring good out of these tragedies --- two parents dying and leaving behind their children. Only God can bring about hope and healing for their families (think of the woman hemorrhaging for 12 years and Jairus' daughter who is on the verge of dying (and died)).

Do we choose to believe, by faith, that Jesus can help us in some way? Pray. Pray. Pray.

Sometimes, God lets the storm remain. In those time, let us remain hopeful, prayerful. Invite Jesus into the storm with us and suffering, it will get better. He will either take it away, make us wait, or give us the grace to weather the storm. Most of all, he will give us peace if we trust in Him.

Never give up on Jesus, even when we are surrounded by cynics. Jesus tells us, "Do not be afraid. Have faith."

Jesus is the answer.

Giving up worrying is surrendering and accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.

Things we can do to change out lives:

1. Go to Mass as often as you can. Go to Daily Mass if you can

2. Go to Confession. Frequent the Sacraments.

3. Read Scripture. Jesus speaks to us in Scripture.

4. Pray in the morning and at night.

Mark's version of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8) --- Jesus gives us a glimpse of his glory and his peace. Then, Jesus will lead us down the "mountain" and accompany us in our journey in life. He will never abandon us but will help us carry our cross each and every day.

Here is the link to his web-site: https://followingthetruth.com/

Lenten Book Study "Self Portrait" - Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16

Once again, I am leading a book study. This time the book is Jim Sano's novel "Self Portrait", the 3rd 4th book in the Fr. Tom series. It is a mini-book study over 4 evenings - Feb. 13th, Feb. 20th, March 5th, and March 19th - covering 8 chapters during each meeting.

To help us with our discussions, I came up with questions for us to reflect on and prepare to share during the meeting. The questions are:

• Which character struck you the most in the chapter? Why?
• Which character reminds you of yourself or someone you know? How?
• Do you empathize or sympathize with any of the characters in the chapter? Which one? Why?
• Were there any teachings or references to the Catholic faith that you picked up in the chapter? If yes, what is it and what were your thoughts?
• What do you find most compelling about the chapter? Why?

Below are my thoughts on chapters 13, 14, 15, 16.

Which character struck you the most in the chapters? Why?

I would say Fr. Tom because he is still tormented by his past (read "The Father's Son" to find out why). He has moved forward from what happened but he still carries the guilt of his actions with him and is remorseful.

Which character reminds you of yourself or someone you know? How?

Billy because, after his nightmare about his son, Patrick, he found himself standing in front of St. Francis Church and went inside. Once he entered the church, he did not feel alone because he was in the presence of God. When I feel lost, sitting before the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament brings me peace and comfort. Even though the problems do not go away, I take comfort in knowing that Jesus is with me always.

Do you empathize or sympathize with any of the characters in the chapters? Which one? Why?

Fr. Tom because, like many of us, our past can stay with us and torment us. He was able to move forward because he turned to God for help and now he is helping others - from David Kelly to Gus Busbi, to the Comghan and now Billy.

Were there any teachings or references to the Catholic faith that you picked up in the chapter? If yes, what is it and what were your thoughts?

Once again, Billy is struggling with Patrick's suicide, fearing that his son's soul is burning in Hell. More than that, Billy blames himself for not being there for his son, saying, "He needed a dad, and I wasn't there for him. . . He killed himself because I wasn't there to save him, to love him, to stop him.

What do you find most compelling about the chapters? Why?

Fr. Tom's ability to get Tobin "Tobey" Hope to reveal that Reggie Hope is his uncle. Detective Brooks' masterful interrogation of Tobey and, at the same time, earning Tobey's trust by keeping his promise not to get Tobey in trouble with his mom if he is honest with Brooks.

Previous chapter(s):

Chapter 1 https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/lenten-book-study-self-portrait-chapter.html

Chapter 2 https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/lenten-book-study-self-portrait-chapter_13.html

Chapter 3 https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/lenten-book-study-self-portrait-chapter_9.html

Chapters 4 & 5 https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/lenten-book-study-self-portrait-chapter_17.html

Chapters 6, 7, 8 https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/lenten-book-study-self-portrait.html

Chapters 9 & 10 https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/lenten-book-study-self-portrait_20.html

Chapters 11 & 12 https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/lenten-book-study-self-portrait_94.html

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-64) - A Purposeful Life

Dearest Goddaughter,

We have heard or have said this ourselves - "I have been preparing for this moment my entire life" - when it comes time for us to fulfill the goal in which we have worked hard for all of our lives. As we hear in today's Gospel (and many times in the other Gospels), Jesus knew exactly where his journey in life would end: crucified on the Cross for the salvation of all men so that he can reconcile us to the Father.

Saint John the Evangelist wrote:

"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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn* the world, but that the world might be saved through him" (John 3:16-17).

And, according to Saint John, this is our purpose in life:

"Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (3:18).

Our whole life's purpose is to get to heaven, to return to the Father, to be in paradise for eternity with our Lord and our God. Jesus came to lead us back to the Father. The path is through the Cross of Christ. Those who have eyes ought to see. Those who have ears ought to hear. But during our time sojourning in this world, we look to Jesus on how we ought to live our lives, to serve and not to be served. 

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: Jer 18:18-20 and Mt 20:17-28 (below).

. . .

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,

he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,

and said to them on the way,

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,

and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests

and the scribes,

and they will condemn him to death,

and hand him over to the Gentiles

to be mocked and scourged and crucified,

and he will be raised on the third day."

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons

and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.

He said to her, "What do you wish?"

She answered him,

"Command that these two sons of mine sit,

one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom."

Jesus said in reply,

"You do not know what you are asking.

Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"

They said to him, "We can."

He replied,

"My chalice you will indeed drink,

but to sit at my right and at my left,

this is not mine to give

but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

When the ten heard this,

they became indignant at the two brothers.

But Jesus summoned them and said,

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,

and the great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-63) - Lead by Example

Dearest Goddaughter,

My goddaughter, niece, and nephews keep me honest. I remind me to practice what I preach because I think that they observe my actions as much as they listen to my words. Sometimes, they call me out. Most children do, which is why adults sometimes have to say to the kids: "Well, that's because I am the adult and you are the child." LOL

Jesus warns us of this in today's Gospel when he talked about the scribes and the Pharisees, saying, ". . .do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice." In other words, the scribes and Pharisees lord their authorities over others. Jesus tells his disciples that that would not be them. They should be servants first because the Son of God did not come to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45, Matthew 20:28).

Jesus is the servant leader par excellence. I presented on this in my recent #Cor talk on Leadership, which you can find here: https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/cor-leadership-2222024.html. A servant leader puts the needs of others before himself out of charity. As Jesus tells us, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). That is the mark of a true servant leader.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: Is 1:10, 16-20 and Mt 23:1-12 (below).

. . .

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,

"The scribes and the Pharisees

have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,

but do not follow their example.

For they preach but they do not practice.

They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry

and lay them on people's shoulders,

but they will not lift a finger to move them.

All their works are performed to be seen.

They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,

greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'

As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called 'Master';

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-62) - Ignatian Examination of Conscience

Dearest Goddaughter,

In his homily this morning, Fr. Callen Sweeney shared with us the five steps of Ignatian examination of conscience before we go to Confession. They are:

1. Give God gratitude for today.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide our discernment.

3. Examine our conscience (where have we sinned and fallen short).

4. Ask God for forgiveness.

5. Thank God for the graces that one will receive tomorrow.

We do not do this during #Lent only but every day of our lives. When we do this, it will help us to be merciful, because we feel God's mercy toward us. We are able to stop judging and condemning others, because we know that God judges us with mercy and love and does not condemn us. We are able to forgive others because we know forgiveness from God.

This is certainly something for us to reflect on and put in our spiritual toolbox.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: Dn 9:4b-10 and Lk 6:36-38 (below).

. . .

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

"Stop judging and you will not be judged.

Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.

Forgive and you will be forgiven.

Give and gifts will be given to you;

a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,

will be poured into your lap.

For the measure with which you measure

will in return be measured out to you."

Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent (Year B - 2/25/2024)

I invite you all to come join us this evening for the first night of our 3-night Parish Lenten Mission with Gary Zimak (zim-mack), titled “Give Up Worry for Lent.” Together, we can learn how to give up worry for Lent. As “homework”, I have been reading his book. Day 4 is entitled “Give Him Your Problems” and the reflection includes this question from Jesus to the blind beggar Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) As I reflected on this question, I cannot help but wonder to myself: what are our coping mechanisms when we are frustrated, worried, or stressed? Would God be the first person we turn to for help? Would we tell God what we want him to do for us in those moments?

“Give Up Worry for Lent” by Gary Zimak (zim-mack) is one book in a long line of books to help us do the one thing that Jesus asks of us but we cannot seem to do on our own: DEPEND ON GOD. What did God say to the disciples in today’s Gospel? "This is my beloved Son. LISTEN TO HIM." Mary, the Mother of God, also said something similar, “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU” (John 2:5). In the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 5:25-34), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tells us: “DO NOT WORRY about your life” and “DO NOT WORRY about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself”. Christ asks us, “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?” Rather than worry, Jesus invites us to “[come] to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. . . my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus wants us to surrender our worries, our pain, our suffering. . . and all those things that bind and enslave us. . . over to him so that we can truly be free. 

You see, when worry occupies us, we do not leave room in our hearts for hope. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, talks about hope in his Message for Lent,  saying: “. . .we need to combat a deficit of hope that stifles dreams and the silent cry that reaches to heaven and moves the heart of God. This ‘deficit of hope’ is not unlike the nostalgia for slavery that paralyzed Israel in the desert and prevented it from moving forward. . . The desert is the place where our freedom can mature in a personal decision not to fall back into slavery. . . This, however, entails a struggle. . .” We know we are doing it right when our Lenten offering is a struggle for us. And in those moments of struggle, we should absolutely depend on God. “Let go and let God” should be our mantra. However, Christ does not want us to say, “Jesus, take the wheel,” and then for us to let go of the wheel completely. God desires us to cooperate with him. God wants us to be participants with Him in the unfolding story of our salvation in the same way that He took Peter, John, and James up a high mountain so that he could show them his glory when he “transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white.” The Old Testament is filled with stories of God’s people cooperating with Him. Noah cooperated with God when he built the ark, and from Noah’s son, Shem, we have his descendent, Abraham, our father in faith, who also cooperated with God. 

This Lent, we are doing a Message Series, titled “Give up Worry for Lent: Freedom in Pain and Suffering,”. This week’s theme is “Offer It Up.” “OFFER IT UP” is when we give over to God those things in our lives — our worries, our pain, and our suffering — that we have been clinging onto. A young couple with a newborn offers up their sleepless nights to God for the health and well-being of their child. A wife who is caring for her sick husband offers up her exhaustion and concerns to God for her husband’s health. To the parents — who are clinging onto the pain of losing their child because they believe that pain is the only memory they have left of their child — to them, Jesus says, “Offer your heartache and pain to me and I will give you rest and peace.”

My sisters and brothers in Christ, only when we let go of all those things that bind and enslave us do our hands become free to grasp and hold onto the cloak of the only Person [pointing to the Crucifix] who can heal and strengthen us and give us real peace and true freedom in our lives even in the midst of life’s struggles. When I think of offering it up to God, I think of Christ crucified on the Cross. Saint Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Romans: “He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all. . .” As Jesus hung on the Cross in pain and agony, he united his suffering to every man and offered up his suffering to his Father in heaven for the redemption of all men, saying, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). In the same way, as members of the One Body of Christ, we are called to be participants in the mystery of the redemptive suffering (or self-offering) of Christ when we unite our suffering to the suffering of Christ crucified on the Cross. Saint John Paul II summed up the relationship between Christ’s redemptive sacrifice and our mysterious participation in this way: “In bringing about the Redemption through suffering, Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ” (Salvifici Doloris, 19).

Abraham trusted the Lord and was prepared to offer up Isaac but the Lord stayed his hands and blessed him. saying: "Do not lay your hand on the boy. . . I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son. . . because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly. . . and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore. . . [and here is the hinge] in your descendants ALL THE NATIONS of the earth SHALL FIND BLESSING. . .  all this because you obeyed my command." Saint Paul states that “[we] know that all things work for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). Therefore, know that when we offer ourselves up to God — our worries, our pain, and our suffering, not only does He bless us abundantly but we become the vessels, the instruments God uses to bring blessings to countless others so that they, too, may have HOPE through FAITH in God who is LOVE and loves all of us. We become participants in Christ’s redemptive suffering (or self-offering), and that gives meaning and purpose to our own suffering. Amen.

Cor - Leadership (2/22/2024)

At the recent Cor meeting, on Feb. 22nd, I had the blessed opportunity to present on the theme of "Leadership", in particular, servant leadership, which our Lord Jesus Christ is the model par excellence. Below is a script of my presentation.

. . .

Opening Prayer: St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

Warm-Up Question: Who was (were) your role model(s) growing up? What about them did you admire most, and how do you think that impacted you?

HINT: Write down the qualit(ies) that you admire most in this person(s). Discuss with table members.

Dcn. Phúc: My role model growing up was my dad. He had the courage to leave his country of Vietnam with his wife and two young sons. He worked various jobs - from gas station attendant to a cook in a restaurant to an auto mechanic - to provide for his family. English was not his first language but he was able to make do because what other choice did he have. To this day, my dad is still my role model of quiet strength and courage.

Watch: "Leadership" video https://site-444741.bcvp0rtal.com/detail/videos/into-the-breach/video/6133457734001/leadership

Presentation: Servant Leadership

Our Jesus Christ: Servant Leader par excellence

Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, John, and James and at once they left their old lives behind and immediately followed Christ. There was something about Christ that drew these men to leave everything behind, pick up their crosses, and follow him. . . Matthew 4:18-22. . .

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

The disciples saw Jesus as a leader so they followed him. They realize what kind of a leader he is - a servant leader who puts others before himself - in Matthew 20:25-28. . .

But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus is the servant leader par excellence and he teaches his disciples (and us) to be the same when he washed their feet at the Last Supper in John 13:13-15. . .

You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.

At the Last Supper, the disciples once again argued who among them is the greatest. . . Luke 22:24. . .

Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest.

to which Jesus replied in Luke 22:25-27. . .

He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves.

Then Jesus spoke to Simon Peter in Luke 22:31-32. . .

"Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.”

Peter replied that he was prepared in Luke 22:33. . .

He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.”

But. . . was he really? Are we? As we saw in video, we say that we are willing to die for Christ; however, are we willing to live for Christ? To live a life of virtue, to be servant-leaders and lead others to Christ, especially our families.

February 22nd is the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

Jesus entrusted his people to Peter and told Peter to “Feed my lambs”. . . “Tend my sheep”. . . “Feed my sheep”. . . and “Follow me”. . . (John 21:15-19)

Peter learned what it means to be a servant leader like Jesus and urged others to follow him, as he wrote in 1 Peter 5:2-3. . .

Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Like the video tells us. . . eternity is forever. . . that is what we are preparing ourselves and our families for. . . “the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4)

Servant Leaders & KofC

Let us be the “rock” foundation for our family and our community. . . by honoring Jesus first in our lives. . . “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. . . and leading others to Christ (Matthew 16:16)

Let us be the reason why the “gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against” our families and our Church (Luke 16:18). This is the purpose of Bishop Olmsted's apostolic exhortation to men that inspired the "Into the Breach" series for men by the Knights of Columbus.

"Into the Breach" https://www.archspm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/INTO-THE-BREACH-ROMAN-CATHOLIC-DIOCESE-OF-PHOENIX.pdf

Let us be servant leaders (excerpt from Robert K. Greenleaf) https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader. . .  The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?. . .  A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. . . The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.

“Call to Battle” small group discussion Strive for great things. If the virtue of magnanimity involves striving for great things, work to develop this virtue in your own life by examining what you are striving for. Are the true aims of your life things like money, pleasure, “down time,” watching sports and avoiding “hassle”? Or do you have nobler goals such as growing in virtue, fighting injustice, serving your community and leading your family? Identify one “great thing” you would like to strive for in your life and write down specific ways you can move toward that goal.

How can I be a servant leader at home? At the parish?

Dcn. Phúc: How can us men form and train young men so that they can replace us in ministry work at the parish? How can we we inspire young men to become a Knights of Columbus, to serve Holy Mother Church, and to be the right-hand men of our priests and help them care for the parish and fellow parishioners? This is what servant-leaders must do and we look to our Lord Jesus Christ as the servant-leader par excellence.

Closing Prayer: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou,

O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God,

cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits,

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.