Holiness

If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. To many, the Lord's command seems difficult and painful. But to those who experience the wisdom of Christ His command is not really difficult or painful because Christ Himself helps us to do what He commands. Christ says "my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Love makes easy whatever may be difficult with respect to His commands.

To take up one's cross means we must endure many things that are painful. When we decide to follow Christ and embrace His teachings we will inevitably be contradicted. People will try to stop us. Even those who call themselves disciples of Christ will sometimes do so. Many people call themselves Christians, but few are truly friends of Christ because few are truly willing to suffer for His sake. If we wish to follow Christ we must use any obstacle and unite it to the cross. We must endure all hardships for the sake of Christ. "If anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself."

This is a command to all people; virgins, brides, widows, married women, monks, married men, clergy and laity. It is a command the whole Church must embrace. All members have their place in the Church. All must follow Christ in their own particular way of life. We must deny ourselves. We must rely on not our own strength, but on the strength of Christ Himself. We must take up our cross by enduring whatever pain the world brings our way.

Let us learn to love Christ more completely. He can neither deceive nor be deceived. He will never fail us. His promises are all true. Often people's faith fails because Christ does not offer an immediate reward. However, if we hold out and endure with patience we have carried our cross.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Holy Innocents, Martyrs

From the Office of Readings; a sermon by Saint Quodvultdeus, bishop:

A tiny child is born, who is a great king. Wise men are led to him from afar. They come to adore one who lies in a manger and yet reigns in heaven and on earth. When they tell of one who is born a king, Herod is disturbed. To save his kingdom he resolves to kill him, though if he would have faith in the child, he himself would reign in peace in this life and for ever in the life to come.

Why are you afraid, Herod, when you hear of the birth of a king? He does not come to drive you out, but to conquer the devil. But because you do not understand this you are disturbed and in a rage, and to destroy one child whom you seek, you show your cruelty in the death of so many children.

You are not restrained by the love of weeping mothers or fathers mourning the deaths of their sons, nor by the cries and sobs of the children. You destroy those who are tiny in body because fear is destroying your heart. You imagine that if you accomplish your desire you can prolong your own life, though you are seeking to kill Life himself.

Yet your throne is threatened by the source of grace--so small, yet so great--who is lying in the manger. He is using you, all unaware of it, to work out his own purposes freeing souls from captivity to the devil. He has taken up the sons of the enemy into the ranks of God's adopted children.

The children die for Christ, though they do not know it. The parents mourn for the death of martyrs. The child makes of those as yet unable to speak fit witnesses to himself. See the kind of kingdom that is his, coming as he did in order to be this kind of king. See how the deliverer is already working deliverance, the savior already working salvation.

But you, Herod, do not know this and are disturbed and furious. While you vent your fury against the child, you are already paying him homage, and do not know it.

How great a gift of grace is here! To what merits of their own do the children owe this kind of victory? They cannot speak, yet they bear witness to Christ. They cannot use their limbs to engage in battle, yet already they bear off the palm of victory.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Hidden Life

We must learn to appreciate the great value of silence. In a world that wants to pull us in so many ways away from heavenly realities, we must embrace a state of mind focused on meditation, peace and quiet. We must constantly reflect on that which is spiritual. We must properly dispose ourselves to be open to the Word of God Who speaks to us in our hearts. In short, it is our duty to develop and nourish a disciplined, well-ordered spiritual life. We must embrace silent prayer that is known to God alone.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Incarnation

From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop

Awake, mankind! For your sake God has become man. Awake, you who sleep rise up from the dead and Christ will enlighten you. I tell you again: for your sake, God became man.

You would have suffered eternal death, had He not been born in time. Never would you have been freed from sinful flesh, had He not taken on Himself the likeness of sinful flesh. You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness, had it not been for this mercy. You would never have returned to life, had He not shared your death. You would have been lost if He had not hastened to your aid. You would have perished, had He not come.

Let us then joyfully celebrate the coming of our salvation and redemption. Let us celebrate the festive day on which He who is the great and eternal day came from the great and endless day of eternity into our own short day of time.

He who glories, let him glory, not in himself, but in the Lord. For this reason, when our Lord was born of the Virgin, the message of the angelic voices was: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.

Let us then rejoice in this grace, so that our glorying may bear witness to our good conscience by which we glory, not in ourselves, but in the Lord. That is why Scripture says: “He is my glory, the one who lifts up my head.” For what greater grace could God have made to dawn on us than to make His only Son become the son of man, so that a son of man might in His turn become Son of God?

Ask if this were merited; ask for its reason, for its justification, and see whether you will find any other answer but sheer grace.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Lord is made Manifest

A reading from the Epistle of Blessed Saint Paul the Apostle to Titus:

Dearly beloved: The grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men, instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly and justly and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak and exhort: in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Mystery of the Incarnation

Saint John writes: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through Him all things came into being; not one thing was created without Him...The world was made through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. He entered His own creation, and His own did not receive Him."

As Christmas day approaches we look forward to celebrating with great joy the Incarnation of Christ. We pray that we are not among those who did not receive Him. This Advent season we have been preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ through our prayer and penance. We take this time to recognize and acknowledge the ways we have not received Christ and rejected Him by our sinfulness.

When the Word was hidden within God Himself He was invisible to God's created world, but in the fullness of time God made Him visible. God made the Word visible so that the world could be saved by Him.

Let us open up our hearts to the grace God offers us in the person of Jesus Christ. Let us be converted from our sinful ways and enjoy true peace of mind and heart in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Judgment and Punishment for Sins

From the Imitation of Christ; Chapter 24

Keep your goal always before you and, remember, you shall stand before a strict Judge, who knows all things, who accepts no bribes, allows no excuses, and always passes a just judgment.

O foolish, wretched sinner! You sometimes become terrified when you see the face of an angry man, but what answer will you give to God, who knows your every wicked deed? Prepare yourself for Judgment Day, for when it comes you will not have a defense attorney to make excuses for you, but you will have to answer for yourself. Right now your efforts can bear profit, and your tears find acceptance; your sighs can be heard, and your sorrow find cleansing forgiveness.

The man who habitually exercises patience goes through a wholesome purgatory while still alive. He suffers injuries at the hands of others, but he is more concerned about their malice than his hurt. He willingly prays for those who harm him, wholeheartedly forgives offenses committed against him, and never puts off asking another's pardon. In fact, he more readily gives in to compassion than to anger. Too, he does not pamper his body, but by penances strives to bring it into complete subjection to his spirit.

It is better to purge our sins and root out our vices now than to keep them for some future purgation. We certainly deceive ourselves by the obsessive love we have for our bodies!

What else does this fire have to feed on but your sins? The more lenient you are on yourself and the more you yield to your flesh, the greater will be your future suffering, for you are only storing up fuel for the fire.

There, a man will be punished according to the types of sins he has committed. Those who are lazy will be pricked with red-hot spurs, and the glutton will be tormented by acute hunger and thirst. Those filled with lust and who have indulged their senses will howl in pain like mad dogs.

There is no vice that will not have its own special torment. The proud will be filled with disgrace and humiliation, and the miserly will suffer all kinds of privations. One hour of suffering there will be more fierce than a hundred years spent performing the hardest penances. For the damned there is neither rest nor comfort, but we here do enjoy a break from our toil and do find comfort in our friends.

Therefore, take care and be sorry for your sins, so that on Judgment Day you may be safe and numbered among the blessed. Then the righteous man will stand in great confidence in the presence of those who have afflicted him. The man who now humbly submits to other men's judgments will then rise to judge; the poor and humble will be wrapped in assurance, while the proud will be enveloped in fear.

He who learned to be a fool for Christ and was despised by men will then be revealed as truly wise. All trials patiently endured will prove a delight, while the throats of the wicked will be choked in sorrow. All the devout will rejoice and all the wicked weep.

Mortified flesh will then exult more than if it had been brought up on the choicest of foods. Rough garments will take on brilliance, while silks and stains will lose their sheen. The humble hut will be esteemed more than any gold-encrusted palace. Steadfast patience will prove more valuable than all the world's power, and simple obedience will be more honored than worldly wisdom.

A good and pure conscience will then give you more joy than all the philosophy you have ever learned. The contempt for riches will weigh more than all the treasures in this world, and fervent prayer will bring you more happiness than a multi-course banquet.

The silence you kept will then be more exhilarating than the telling of long tales, and holy deeds will be of greater value than nice-sounding words. And a strict life with hard penances will then bring you more pleasure than worldly delight.

Remember, the sufferings you now bear are somewhat slight, but they will free you from greater sufferings in the future. Try and endure, here and now, what you will have to suffer later on! If now you can only put up with so little, how will you bear a punishment that is eternal? If a modicum of suffering now makes you uneasy, what will hell's fire do to you?

It is impossible for you to enjoy a double paradise: one here, based on the delights of this world, and the other reigning with Christ in His kingdom.

If, up to now, you have always lived amid honors and pleasures, what good would all this do you if you were to die this instant? All is vanity, therefore, except loving God and serving only Him. If you love God with your whole heart, you will fear neither death nor punishment, neither judgment nor hell. Perfect love opens up an unerring way to God. If, however, you still find delight in sin, then it is no wonder that you fear death and judgment.

If love cannot draw you away from evil then, at least, let the fear of hell pull you away. If you put off fearing God you cannot long persevere in goodness, but all too quickly, you will fall into the devil's snares.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Penance

"Facite ergo dignos fructus poenitentiae."
"Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance."

(Luke 3, 8)

This is exactly what John the Baptist preached to all the people in the desert. John pointed out that repentance is what we must embrace if we want to attain eternal life. Bring forth real fruits of penance so that your sins may be forgiven. In other words, if we have sinned we must do penance. However, we must realize that even if our sins have been forgiven, there is still punishment due which must be atoned for either in this life or in the next.

This is the difference between the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Penance. In the Sacrament of Baptism, God forgives us without requiring anything from us. On the other hand in the Sacrament of Penance, God forgives our sins, but requires that we undergo a temporary punishment either in this life or in the next. God demands that we do penance simply to keep us from relapsing into sin.

God wants us to unite our works with His work of salvation. He wants us to often contemplate on how much He suffered to make our works meritorious. Let us remember that without the Passion of Jesus Christ, anything we do to atone for our sins is worthless.

As we approach the Nativity of our Lord, let us repent, do penance and amend our lives.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Repentance III

It is God's will that we be saved. Nothing pleases God more than our coming back to Him with sincere repentance. All the prophets up to John the Baptist preached repentance. Christ Himself did the very same thing. He came to call sinners to repentance. He reminded us that is was not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Christ came to look for the sheep that was lost. "You can be sure that there is joy in heaven, over one sinner who repents" said Christ.

Consider how the Father was moved with pity for his wayward son who returned, repented and made amends for his sins. The Father embraced his son, dressed him once more in fine garments and did not chastise him for any of his sins. "Come to me, all you that toil and are heavy of heart. Accept my yoke, Christ said, my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

"Forgive, and you will be forgiven, Behave toward other people as you would wish them to behave toward you."

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Sacrifice and Priest for God

In the words of Saint Peter Chrysologus, bishop:

"How marvelous is the priesthood of the Christian, for he is both the victim that is offered on his own behalf, and the priest who makes the offering. He does not need to go beyond himself to seek what he is to immolate to God: with himself and in himself he brings the sacrifice he is to offer God for himself. The victim remains and the priest remains, always one and the same. Immolated, the victim still lives: the priest who immolates cannot kill. Truly it is an amazing sacrifice in which a body is offered without being slain and blood is offered without being shed."

Saint Paul says: "I appeal to you by the mercy of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, living and holy." We are all called to be both sacrifice to God and his priest. Embrace holiness and chastity. Put on the armor of Christ with his cross acting as your protection from evil. Pray always and live in the Holy Ghost. Make your heart an altar to God. Present your body to God for sacrifice with full confidence. God wants us to live by faith. He wants our self-surrender. He wants our offering of free will.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Humility and Peace

From the Imitation of Christ

Do not care much who is with you and who is against you; but make it your greatest care that God is with you in everything you do. Have a good conscience, and God will defend you securely; no one can hurt you if God wishes to help you. If you know how to suffer in silence, you will surely receive God's help. Since He knows best the time and the way to set you free, resign yourself to Him, for God helps you and frees you from all confusion.

When a man humbles himself for his faults, he more easily pleases others and mollifies those he has angered. God protects and frees a humble man; He loves and consoles a humble man; He favors a humble man; He showers him with graces; then, after his suffering, God raises him up to glory.

He reveals His secrets to a humble man and in His kindness invitingly draws that man to Himself. When a humble man is brought to confusion, he experiences peace, because he stands firm in God and not in this world. do not think that you have made any progress unless you feel that you are the lowest of all men.

Above all things, keep peace within yourself, then you will be able to create peace among others. It is better to be peaceful than learned. The passionate man often thinks evil of a good man and easily believes the worst; a good and peaceful man turns all things to good.

A man who lives at peace suspects no one. But a man who is tense and agitated by evil is troubled with all kinds of suspicions; he is never at peace with himself, nor does he permit others to be at peace. He often speaks when he should be silent, and he fails to say what would be truly useful. He is well aware of the obligations of others but neglects his own.

So be zealous first of all with yourself, and then you will be more justified in expressing zeal for your neighbor. You are good at excusing and justifying your own deeds, and yet you will not listen to the excuses of others. It would be more just to accuse yourself and to excuse your brother.

If you wish others to put up with you, first put up with them.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

"How short a time it was when I left them before I found him whom my soul has loved. I held him fast, and I will not let him go." Saint Ambrose in his book on virginity writes in the Office of Readings: "How do we hold him fast? Not by restraining chains or knotted ropes but by bonds of love, by spiritual reins, by the longing of the soul.

If you also, like the bride, wish to hold him fast, seek him and be fearless in suffering. It is often easier to find him in the midst of bodily torments, in the very hands of persecutors.

His bride says: How short a time it was after I left them. In a little space, after a brief moment, when you have escaped from the hands of your persecutors without yielding to the powers of this world, Christ will come to you, and he will not allow you to be tested for long.

Whoever seeks Christ in this way, and finds him, can say: I held him fast, and I will no let him go before I bring him into my mother's house, into the room of her who conceived me. What is this "house," this "room," but the deep and secret places of your heart?

Maintain this house, sweep out its secret recesses until it becomes immaculate and rises as a spiritual temple for a holy priesthood, firmly secured by Christ, the cornerstone, so that the Holy Spirit may dwell in it.

Whoever seeks Christ in this way, whoever prays to Christ in this way, is not abandoned by him; on the contrary, Christ comes again and again to visit such a person, for he is with us until the end of the world."

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priestly Vocation to Perfection

From the decree on the ministry and life of priests of the Second Vatican Council (Presbyterorum ordiniis)

By the sacrament of Orders priests are formed in the image of Christ the Priest, to be ministers of Christ the Head in constructing and building up His whole Body, the Church, as fellow-workers with the order of bishops. In the consecration of baptism they have already received, in common with all Christians, the sign and gift of so great a vocation and grace that, even in their human weakness, they have the power, and the duty, to seek perfection, in accordance with our Lord's words: "Be perfect, then, as your Father in heaven is also perfect."

Priests are obliged in a special way to acquire this perfection. By receiving holy Orders they have been consecrated in a new way, and made living instruments of Christ the eternal Priest, so as to be able to continue through the years Christ's wonderful work which, by divine power, has restored to wholeness the entire family of man.

Since each priest acts, as far as he may, in the person of Christ Himself, he is given special grace to help him grow toward the perfection of the one whose role he plays, as he ministers to his flock and the whole people of God. He receives grace for healing of human weakness from the holiness of Christ, who became for us high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners.

Christ, whom the Father sanctified, that is, consecrated, and sent into the world, gave Himself for us, to redeem us from all sin, and to purify for Himself an acceptable people, zealous for good works. So, through His passion He entered into His glory. In the same way, priests, consecrated as they are by the anointing of the Holy Spirit and sent by Christ, put an end in their lives to the sins of our selfish nature, and give themselves wholly to the service of mankind, and so are enabled to grow to perfect manhood in the holiness with which they are enriched in Christ.

As they exercise the ministry of the Spirit and of holiness, they are strengthened in the spiritual life, provided that they are docile to Christ's spirit, who gives them life and is their guide. By the sacred actions they perform daily, and by their entire ministry in communion with their bishop and fellow-priests, they are set on the way that leads to perfection.

The holiness of priests is itself an important contribution to the fruitfulness of their ministry. It is true that God's grace can effect the work of salvation even through unworthy ministers, but God ordinarily prefers to show His wonders by means of those who are more submissive to the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and, who through close union with Christ and holiness of life, are able to say with Saint Paul: "I live, but no longer is it I who live, it is Christ who lives within me."

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

More on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

What relevance does this doctrine have for our own spiritual life? Why was it God's design to preserve Mary from every stain of sin? Why did He destine her to attain a degree of holiness far beyond that of any other mere creature? And why did God choose to reveal to us the special favors He bestowed upon the lowly handmaid of Nazareth?

First, it was fitting that Mary be conceived without sin because she was destined to be the worthy, beloved Mother of the Holy God. In preserving Mary from all sin, God prepared a holy tabernacle in which His Son was to dwell, a holy body from which He was to take His humanity, a holy Mother whom He could love with the fullness of His divine/human love. The Immaculate Conception is ultimately a reflection of the holiness of Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, with whom Mary was destined to enter into such an intimate relationship.

Sin is alienation from God, disorder in one's relation to God, a loss of the divine image, a defilement of one's being. It was fitting that one who was to be the Mother of God never experience such alienation, disorder, loss, or defilement. What veneration we therefore owe the Blessed Virgin!

Second, it was fitting that she, the New Eve, who was to cooperate so intimately with her Son in the work of our redemption, be entirely free of sin. She who was to be associated with her Son in His victory over Satan must never have been under the dominion of Satan.

Third, in revealing to us Mary's Immaculate Conception and perfect holiness, God places before our eyes a concrete model of what we are to love, and, in loving, strive to be. He gives us a model that is at once perfect and yet lowly, lovable, and imitable. Despite her unique privilege and lofty holiness, Mary is the most imitable of the saints because her greatness is in her lowliness. She is the handmaid of the Lord. Mother yes, but first handmaid. Blessed becasuse she believed.

In gazing upon the Immaculate Virgin, utterly free of the disorders of our sinful nature, the devout faithful feel a new hope in their own humanity. In contrast to their experience of a world given to sin, corruption, lying, cheating, cruelty and lust, they see a fellow creature that is utterly pure and good, totally given to love, a mother's love for all. For mortals trapped in this world of sin to look upon the sinless Virgin is like the mine workers recently buried in South America for so long who were eventually saved and allowed to see the bright sun and breathe pure air once more.

Finally, in revealing to the Church Mary's Immaculate Conception and perfect holiness God shows in her what the Church is called to be and what He will ultimately make her to be.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Immaculate Conception

Both the Angel Gabriel and Elizabeth pronounce Mary blest among women because she has been chosen to be the Mother of the Lord. The Christian faithful, recognizing how singularly Mary has been blest by God, have regarded her as wholly pleasing to God, and thus free from sin.

However, the Scriptures do not directly affirm that Mary was absolutely free from every stain of sin, personal or original, and that she always remained perfectly sinless. But Catholic piety and devotion have recognized that the Mother of God always was and always remained most pleasing to God and completely free from any stain of sin.

Mary was highly favored of God in that she was chosen to be the Mother of His Incarnate Son. The Catholic faithful have followed their instinct of faith in believing that God did not permit sin to touch her who was to be the living tabernacle and Mother of the Word Incarnate. They spontaneously understood that so good a Son endowed so good a Mother with the riches of His grace so that she always remained completely free of sin and most holy and beloved in his sight.

As we celebrate Mary's Immaculate Conception, we must take into account the explicit teaching of Saint Paul that all humans need redemption because they have inherited a condition of sin from Adam. The fact that Mary was never infected by sin of any kind does not mean that she did not need redemption. It means, rather, that she has experienced a more perfect redemption which has preserved her from actual contamination of sin.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Birth of Mary

From a Sermon by Saint Thomas of Villanova, Bishop:

"For a long time I have wondered and been at a loss to understand why the evangelists should have spoken at such length about John the Baptist and the other apostles, and yet told us so little about the Virgin Mary, who in life and distinction excels them all. Being at a loss, as I say, to understand this, all I can think is that it pleased the Holy Spirit that it should be so. It was by the providence of the Holy Spirit that the evangelists kept silent, because the glory of the Virgin, as we read in the psalms, was all within, and could more truly be thought of than described. The outline of her life: that Jesus was born of her, is enough to tell her whole story. What more do you seek for in the Virgin? It is enough for you that she is the Mother of God. What beauty, I ask you, what virtue, what perfection, what grace, what glory does not belong to the Mother of God?"

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Christian Chastity

Blessed Saint Paul the Apostle in his epistle to the Corinthians writes: "I tell you, brothers, the time is short. From now on those with wives should live as though they had none; those who weep should live as though they were not weeping, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing; buyers should conduct themselves as though they owned nothing, and those who make use of the world as though they were not using it, for the world as we know it is passing away."

Saint Cyprian writes the following regarding chastity: "They have dedicated themselves to Christ, and, renouncing the pleasures of the flesh, have consecrated themselves body and soul to God, in order to finish a task that is destined to win a great prize; they should not strive to adorn themselves or give pleasure to anyone but the Lord, from whom they hope to receive the reward for their chastity."

Listen again to the words of the Apostle Paul: "The first man was made of the dust of the earth; the second is from heaven. Those who are made from earth are like him who was on the earth. Those who are of heaven are like him who is from heaven. As we have borne the image of the man who is of the earth, so let us bear the image of the man who is from heaven. This image is shown forth in virginity, purity, holiness and truth."

Finally, listen to the words of the Second Vatican Council regarding chastity: "Chastity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, professed by religious, is to be valued as an outstanding gift of grace. In a unique way it sets free man's heart, so that it may be the more inflamed with love for God and for all mankind. It is therefore a special sign of the blessings of heaven, and a most fitting means by which religious dedicate themselves eagerly to the service of God and the works of the apostolate. In this way they bring to the minds of all the faithful that wonderful marriage between the Church and Christ, its only spouse: a marriage that has been established by God, and will be fully revealed in the world to come."

Let us all embrace the evangelical council of chastity. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that our Lord wishes us to embrace.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Word of God

Scripture possesses a sacred character and excellence because God is the author. Since Scripture is the Word of God, it must be valued among our most prized possessions. "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work' (2 Tim 3:16). Scripture thus strengthens our faith, but it also provides a means for hope and consolation in the midst of trials and adversities.

De Verbum states: "in the sacred books the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet His children, and talks with them. And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigour, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life."

We must be diligent in our study of Sacred Scripture. Saint Jerome once wrote that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. If we want to strengthen our relationship with Christ we must increase our knowledge of Sacred Scripture.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

First Friday II

Christ continues to suffer insults even at the hands of Catholics who while believing in His benefits, repay them with great ingratitude. "My soul is sorrowful unto death!" This was Christ's complaint on the Cross when He received absolutely no consolation from anyone, not even His closest disciples. Christ experiences this same indifference even today at the hands of several classes of people.

We should consider the sentiments of Christ upon being rejected by His very own people for whom He became man. Christ preached His doctrine and performed miracles in their midst. For all this He received in return nothing but persecution. He was condemned to be scourged, mocked and crucified.

We should also consider today the sentiments of the Sacred Heart of Jesus upon receiving such harsh treatment from heretics. Consider all those who deny His Real Presence in the Blessed Eucharist.

Finally, we should consider those who do believe and yet remain cold or indifferent toward Him in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. The First Friday of the month is an opportunity to renew our love for Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. We should make it a point to visit our Lord and make reparation.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Advent Continued

Advent gives us an opportunity to focus on our last end. It is a season that reminds us of the importance of not losing sight of our ultimate goal, namely heaven. Unfortunately, many lose sight of their last aim in the midst of this changing world. For these, life turns into nothing but trouble because thinking of eternity disturbs them in the midst of a life of pleasures in this world. Many do their best to never think of the reality of death.

People who pursue only happiness on this earth often deceive themselves. Many go so far as to forsake God, Who will be forced to forsake them on their bed of pain. Many spend their lives seeking for a good that they never find. In the absence of God-suffering, misery and no consolation is inevitable!

We should be encouraged to use this precious time to open our hearts up more fully toward our Creator. We should strive to focus on the fact that we were created for eternity. This world is but a means to an end.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Advent II

We are now in a time of both anticipation and preparation. The Advent seasons offers us an opportunity to look forward with joy to the greatest event in the whole history of humanity, namely the incarnation. At the same time, we are reminded of our responsibility to make ourselves ready for Christ's second coming when He will act as our Judge.

It should be a great joy for us when we meditate on the fact that our lives on this earth are so very short. We will soon depart this good world that God created; a world in which we are so often tempted to offend God who suffered so much for us. It is good for us to meditate often on eternity. When we do so how can we possibly cling to this life and all that is in it?

Judgment on the part of Christ should bring us consolation rather than despair. Our Lord is not a severe Judge, but a Father and Redeemer. God opens His heart to us in sympathy. Those who have been sincere in their tears for their sins, their penances and good works will no doubt be embraced by the loving arms of the Father.

Are you ready for that day?

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Gratitude

We should daily express our gratitude towards God for all His benefits. The Advent season gives us an opportunity to anticipate with joy the birth of Christ. The Incarnation was by far the greatest event in the whole history of the world. We have been redeemed by the blood of the Word made Flesh.

God comes to us in the person of Christ. He will come again in glory to be our judge. He comes to us through grace whenever we are willing to open our hearts and accept his bountiful gifts. What more could we possibly ask for?

God gave us absolutely everything when He gave us His Son. We now have the sacraments through which we encounter Christ in a concrete manner. We may receive our Lord in the Eucharist as often as we wish. How can we remain indifferent or ungrateful for the favors God bestows upon us?

Today let us give thanks to God.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Sin

Many of us do not realize that sin kills the soul. Sin kills God Himself. Many love to cling to their sins. We must always meditate seriously about the nature of sin and its effect in our lives. If we sincerely do this, we will learn to have such a hatred for sin that we will cease to commit it.

God created us to be happy and at peace. He gives us His commandments not to be a burden, but to bring us happiness and peace. Unfortunately, many choose unhappiness. Many choose to turn away from God and give themselves over to Satan. We commit sin and soon find ourselves not knowing how to extricate ourselves from it. We lose sight of how nothing is more important than the state of our souls!

Many go to confession and still are not converted because they feel no true contrition for their sins. Our sins crucify our Lord all over again and we feel no contrition! The saints all understood how much sin offends God. They spent most of their lives weeping for their sins!

Let us make our prayer to God a petition that we will amend our lives and feel true contrition for our sins against God!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Advent

The Church in her wisdom gives us the different liturgical seasons of the year to help us follow Christ more closely. We now enter into the season of Advent when we prepare to welcome the "coming" of Christ our Lord.

Christ's first coming was as a helpless infant. He suffered and died to redeem us with His blood. However, His second coming will be much different than the first. In the future, Christ will come in all His glory escorted by His angels and saints to be our judge.

The Church gives us this wonderful season to help us prepare for this second coming. We want it to be a day of joy and rejoicing. However, for many who are not prepared it will be a day of frightful terror.

Is your heart ready to welcome your Savior? Christ also comes to us through His grace, especially in the sacraments. Let us make use of the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist while we still have time. We know not the day or the hour of Christ's visitation.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Confession

We cannot even begin to comprehend the goodness of God towards us in giving us the sacraments. They are given not because of any need on the part of God, but because God foresaw our weakness and fraility. He knew how much we would need His sacramental presence, particualry when it comes to the need of forgiveness.

What a great gift it is to have the sacrament that heals the wounds of our souls! We must make frequent use of the sacrament of penance. We must also take great care to make sure our confessions are good ones. It is not enough to simply tell the priest our sins. We must be sincerely sorry for them. Otherwise we receive Holy Communion and offend our Lord!

We cannot put off our confession. We must pray to amend our lives and for the grace of true contrition for our sins. When we are sincerely sorry we must make every effort to remove the spots on our souls through sacramental confession.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Christian and the World

Saint John says: "Never give your love to the world, or to anything in it. A man cannot love the Father and love the world at the same time. All that the world offers is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and earthly ambition. The world and its allurements will pass away, but the man who has done the will of God shall live for ever."

We have a responsibility to discern and carry out the will of God at all times. It is not for us to do our own will. I reluctantly accepted the office of priesthood because it was not my own will for my life, but the will of the Father. Once we have accepted God's will in our lives, we must, according to the words of Saint Cyprian, "be single-minded, firm in faith, and steadfast in courage, ready for God's will, whatever it may be."

We must constantly remind ourselves as baptized Christians how we have renounced the world. As Christians we live in it, but are not of it. We are aliens in this world. We should never fear death because death in this life means an end to our exile. We will then become free from this world and be able to welcome the paradise that awaits us. If we want to show the world that we sincerely live our faith, we must always focus on the eternal life that awaits us after this our exile!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Pure Soul

Saint John Vianney tells us that we know if a person is pure only by looking at him. "His eyes have an air of candor and modesty which leads you to the good God. Some people, on the contrary, look quite inflamed with passion...Satan places himself in their eyes to make others fall and lead them to evil. Those who have lost their purity are like a piece of cloth stained with oil; you may wash and dry it, and the stain always appears again: so it requires a miracle to cleanse the impure soul."

We would truly suffer severe punishment if there were not some pure souls making amends to God for the many sins of impurity. It is a crime all too common in our world. As Christians created in the image of God this sin dishonors our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Nothing impure will enter the kingdom of heaven.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Soul and Christ

The soul that is darkened with sin and does not possess Christ has had its desires degraded. It knows nothing but shame. In the words of Saint Macarius: "Woe to the soul if the Lord does not walk within it to banish with His voice the spiritual beasts of sin...Woe to the soul without Christ as its true pilot; drifting in the darkness, buffeted by the waves of passion, storm-tossed at the mercy of evil spirits, its end is destruction. Woe to the soul that does not have Christ to cultivate it with care to produce the good fruit of the Holy Spirit...Woe to the soul that does not have Christ dwelling in it; deserted and foul with the filth of the passions, it becomes a haven for all the vices."

Christ our King offers His grace to save us from the power of sin. He has prepared our souls to be fitting temples of the Holy Spirit by dying on the Cross. We must always remember our responsibility to glorify God in our bodies.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Christ the King

Christ is the conquerer of sin and death. The powers of darkness rail against Christ's Church and against His children. However, we must not fear because Christ is the King of kings and the God of armies.

All Christ's enemies are in His presence infinitely less than the smallest grain of sand. In this life we suffer and struggle in the bosom of the Church, but if we have trust and confidence in Christ our victory is assured.

We must realize that no power of evil can reach the Almighty or snatch from His hand a single soul that is sincerely bound to Him. No lack of success, no weakness, no frailty is able to interfere with Christ's action or hinder His will to do good through a person for the glory of God the Father.

If we are patient and faithful in little things, Our Lord will soon place us over great things. Christ will say: "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Salvation

Saint Peter exhorts us to embrace virtue. We have been invested with a divine power by virtue of our baptism. We therefore have everything necessary for living a life of genuine piety. This is part of our two-fold responsibility toward our Creator. Through the knowledge of Christ Himself who has called us to be His own, we have the strength to fulfill our responsibility.

Saint Peter says we must embrace virtue with a lively faith. Since we have left a world corrupted by lust to become sharers in the divine nature, we must practice self-control. Self control leads to perseverance. Perseverance leads to piety. Piety in turn leads to charity. Charity leads to love.

We thus fulfill the second part of our duty toward God, namely to love. Saint Peter says that these qualities bear fruit in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. If we lack these qualities we possess a spiritual blindness.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Judgment

We should never lose sight of the fact that one day we will all be judged without mercy. All our sins will be revealed in plain sight of the whole world. We must use this short life we have for repentance and conversion. We must assure ourselves of the Kingdom of God.

As long as we live here on earth we can hope for pardon. However, if we wait too long or put off our repentance, it may be too late. There is a chance that there may be no help for us. We should pray to God for the grace that we never lose sight of the day of judgment and that He will not allow us to fall into temptation.

We want to hear on the last day the words of our Redeemer: "Come ye blessed of my Father, possess ye the Kingdom which has been prepared for you from the beginning."

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

We should strive as much as possible to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. We should look for every opportunity possible to pray before the Blessed Sacrament exposed. There are many forms of prayer and there are many opportunities to pray. In fact, we can pray at all times and absolutely anywhere. However, there is absolutely no substitute for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament exposed.

The Consecrated Host is the true presence of Christ, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Praying before our Lord's presence in the Host in like a window into heaven. It has the effect of calming our souls and setting our hearts not only on the eternal, but on the absolutely truest reality in the universe--God Himself.

What more could we ask for? What more is there to look for in our daily routine after we have placed ourselves in the true presence of our Lord and Creator? He inspires us, gives us strength, enlightens us, and shows us the true path to peace of heart and mind. When was the last time you placed yourself in the Eucharistic presence of Jesus Christ?

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Prayer and Charity

As God's creatures, we have a two-fold responsibility toward our Creator; to pray and to love. We must place our relationship with Christ above absolutely everything else in our lives. We must foster this relationship through our dedication to prayer each and every day. Prayer is a combination of an act of the will and a response to God's grace in our lives. God wants our attention more than anything else. Submission to His will is what He desires of us more than anything.

After we have prayed, we must be people of charity. If our prayer does not evolve into active works for our brothers, it means nothing. What have we done for Christ today? How have we neglected Him? What we do or do not do for others we do or not do for Christ.

Let us pray and love.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Prayer and Penance

We must constantly pray. Christ prayed before, during and after every significant occasion in His entire life. Contemplation and meditation are what we must beg God's grace for in order to be disposed to them. As we pray we must ask God for a knowledge of ourselves and our own sinfulness. After we acknowledge our sins we must pray for the grace to do penance for them.

Prayer and penance are essential to the life of the Christian. We really don't have any idea of the number of innocent souls who combine their innocence with lives of penance not only for the salvation of their own souls, but for ours as well!

Let us strive to renew our dedication to prayer and making atonement for our sins through penance.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Peter the Rock

When Christ asked Peter and the apostles "Who do you say that I am?" Peter was able to acknowledge Christ for who He was. Peter's response was "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus then told Peter that he would be the rock upon which Christ would build His Church and that the jaws of hell would never prevail against it.

Today we commemorate Pope Saint Martin who succeeded Peter in his chair. What a great privilege it is to be a part of the Church that Christ Himself established! It is a Church that will always exist! We can rest assured that we have access to the fullness of the faith in the Catholic Church! There is to be no further revelation. Through the successors of Saint Peter Christ Himself continues to communicate the fullness of His truth to all who are willing to listen.

Today let us pray the we will embrace the truth with open hearts and do our part to lead others into the truth. Let us also pray for Christian unity.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Repentance

No one knows the day or the hour when our life will be required of us says our Lord. When we have left this world, we shall no longer be able to repent and confess our sins. We must utilize all means necessary to keep our bodies pure and follow God's commandments. In order to obtain eternal life it is absolutely necessary that we remain pure and keep our baptismal promises.

Our bodies are temples of God. We shall therefore be judged in the body. Let us turn to God for forgiveness with contrite hearts.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Doing all things well

We should ask God each day for the grace to perform the seemingly simple, every-day actions of our life extraordinarily well. Since we are in fact created in God's image, we must always strive to imitate Him. "Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5,48).

As Christians we must always strive to conform our lives with that of Christ. Christ always gave glory to God His Father. He performed all His actions for the love of God His Father, even the very smallest of things.

God is just as concerned with the seemingly insignificant things in our daily lives as he is with the significant. This is why it is so important for us to show the same interest in our smallest actions as we do for the important ones. This is how we learn to grow in grace and holiness.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

First Friday

Saint Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. We must remember constantly that we are a pilgrim people. The reason we were born is to be with God forever in heaven. Christ Himself exhorts us in the scriptures to pursue heavenly realities with but a fraction of the fervor that we often pursue the things of this world.

We have a special opportunity on the First Friday of the month to remember the infinite love Christ shows us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. He gives so much to us and in return asks so very little. All He longs for is our unconditional love in return! Today let us make a special effort to visit Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and pray for His mercy and love!

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

All Souls Day

Today it is most fitting that we pray for the dead, particularly for the souls in Purgatory. The souls in Purgatory may no longer pray on behalf of themselves in order to be released from their suffering. They rely completely on our prays in order to aid their delivery to eternal happiness.

Prayer for the departed, sacrifices, and suffrages for the dead are very much a part of our Christian worship. We should always foster a particular devotion towards the souls in Purgatory. Scripture reminds us that: "It is a holy and wholesome thought, to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins" (2Maccab. 12:45-46).

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most efficacious prayer we can offer to God in order to alleviate the suffering of the poor souls in Purgatory. Let us make every effort to attend Mass today and pray for those souls who are counting on our intercession.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Christ the King II

Christ is the Word through whom the universe was created. He is therefore above all things. Everything in heaven and on earth must obey Him. Christ's dominion extends throughout the entire cosmos. Christ's kingship over natural creation is followed by His primacy in the economy of salvation as well. In other words, by dying on the Cross Christ has reconciled the world and mankind to God the Father. Christ is therefore both our Creator and Redeemer.

Christ is pre-eminent over all creation. Sin cut mankind off from God, but Christ's blood shed upon the Cross has obtained peace for us. He who created all things has re-established peace throughout all of creation.

Today and everyday let us worshop Christ the King!

In Christ,

Father Jeffery A. Fasching

Obedience to the will of God

God's will is infinitely powerful and good. It is the center of all things. It is only by the will of God that anything at all happens both in this world and in eternity. God's will is apparent both in His commandments and in the precepts of the Church.

Christ came to earth to do the will of the Father, not His own. No matter how difficult it was, Christ always subjected Himself to the will of the Father. Likewise, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints conformed to the will of God.

If we want to obtain salvation, happiness and peace we must strive to cooperate with the will of God in our lives. This was the example of Jesus, Mary and all the saints.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

More on the Priest

A holy priest takes the place of Christ on earth. He represents Christ. He acts with Christ's authority. He acts in Christ's name. The priest is consecrated to exercise the highest functions that Christ Himself ever performed on earth. He should always strive to give himself completely to God; that is his mind, heart, strength, time and affections.

Pray for your priests.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priest...

Saint Dionysius says: "The most divine of all divine things is to cooperate with God in the salvation of souls...Who speaks of the priesthood, speaks of an order which contains within itself all that is most sacred and most holy."

Saint John Eudes writes: "Such a priest is a man called to the sacerdotal dignity not by men, not by the will of flesh and blood, not by his parents or by the spirit of ambition, not by avarice or human motives, but by vocation from God."

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priest Continued

Christ has said: "You are the salt of the earth. But what if salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Saint John of Capistrano writes the following: "Truly the unclean, immoral cleric is trampled underfoot like worthless manure. He is saturated with the filth of vice and entangled in the chains of sin. In this condition he must be considered worthless both to himself and to others.

Presbyters who are born leaders deserve to be doubly honored, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. It is indeed a double task that worthy priests perform, that is to say, it is both exterior and interior, both temporal and spiritual, and, finally, both a passing task and an eternal one.

Even though they dwell on earth and are bound by the same necessities of nature along with all mortal creatures, at the same time they are engaged in earnest communication with the angels in heaven, so that they may be pleasing to their king and learn how to serve him. Therefore, just as the sun rises over the world in God's heaven, so clerics must let their light shine before men so that they may see their good deeds and give praise to their heavenly Father.

Your are the light of the world. Now a light does not illumine itself, but instead it diffuses its rays and shines all around upon everything that comes into its view. So it must be with the glowing lives of upright and holy clerics. By the brightness of their holiness they must bring light and serenity to all who gaze upon them. They have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord."

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priest II

One of God's greatest gifts is to send worthy priests out into the harvest to minister to souls. In fact, the greatest blessing God can give to any particular church is a saintly priest. We are in desperate need of them. The world is full of intellectuals, PHD's and educated men. What the world needs is more holy men and women and more priests after God's own heart.

The holy priest offers grace and eternal life to all those who are willing to seek it. He frees souls from sin and hell. He instructs, admonishes and prays on behalf of his flock. The holy priest is concerned only with teaching salvation and loving God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Let us pray that God will send His church holy priests.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Sacraments II

All the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of the Eucharist, should be received with complete purity of body and soul. We learn to advance in the spiritual life through frequent reception of the sacraments. Remember that the priest takes the place of Christ when he administers the sacraments. Priests act in Christ's name and take on His authority. To the priest is given the power to blot out sin and spread the grace of God.

We should often reflect on the greatness, holiness and dignity of the sacrament of all sacraments, the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is by far the greatest action ever performed in heaven or on this earth. At the Holy Sacrifice Christ comes to us, He sacrifices Himself for us, and He gives Himself comepletely to us.

How can we not be willing to give back to Christ all that we are and have?


Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Sacraments

We should always approach the sacraments with high esteem and have a deep respect for them all. They are God's most efficacious means of His infinite power. The sacraments display God's wisdom and goodness. God gives them to us constantly to allow souls to encounter Christ in a concrete manner. It is through the sacraments that God sanctifies souls and restores life to those whose souls are dead.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priest III

Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians reminds us that we are constantly doing battle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. Satan and his minions are active and alive, prowling about the world seeking the ruin of souls. In the Royal Priesthood of Jesus Christ, Satan is even more so attacking those men whom God has chosen to share His priesthood.

Part of the duty of the laity is to constantly pray for priests, as Christ Himself prayed for Saint Peter, that Peter's faith would not fail him. Peter, in turn, was to pray for his brothers. All have a grave responsibility to do all in their power to fulfill this duty.

The priest himself has many dignities and obligations he must constantly strive to fulfill during his priestly ministry. The life of a priest is truly great and glorious and therefore carries with it much dignity. Priests will have much to answer for on the day of judgment.

Let us pray for priests.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Contemplation

We must always consider God's will and what He wants when we wish to enter into contemplation. Since we offend God in so many ways, we must constantly humble ourselves before God. We must acknowledge our unworthiness and pray that God heal our souls. We must ask for God's mercy.

After we do this, we should focus on the Spirit of God with great joy. We can then cease focusing on our unworthiness and the sadness it brings. We can begin to see that God's will rather than our own is in every way beneficial to us. We eventually learn to despise deviating from the will of God in any way.

We make progress in the spiritual life when we realize how thinking of ourselves brings frustration and sadness. However, when we think about God we are consoled in the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit. Our fear and humility gives way to hope and love.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priestly Vocation to Perfection

From the decree on the ministry and life of priests of the Second Vatican Council:

By the sacrament of Orders priests are formed in the image of Christ the Priest, to be ministers of Christ the Head in constructing and building up his whole Body, the Church, as fellow-workers with the order of bishops...By receiving Holy Orders they have been consecrated in a new way, and made living instruments of Christ the eternal Priest, so as to be able to continue through the years Christ's wonderful work which, by divine power, has restored to wholeness the entire family of man.

Since each priest acts, as far as he may, in the person of Christ himself, he is given special grace to help him grow toward the perfection of the one whose role he plays, as he ministers to his flock and the whole people of God. He receives grace for the healing of human weakness from the holiness of Christ, who became for us high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners...

As they exercise the ministry of the Spirit and of holiness, they are strengthened in the spiritual life, provided that they are docile to Christ's Spirit, who gives them life and is their guide. By the sacred actions they perform daily, and by their entire ministry in communion with their bishop and fellow-priests, they are set on the way that leads to perfection.

The holiness of priests is itself an important contribution to the fruitfulness of their ministry. It is true that God's grace can effect the work of salvation even through unworthy ministers, but God ordinarily prefers to show his wonders by means of those who are more submissive to the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and, who through close union with Christ and holiness of life, are able to say with Saint Paul: I live, but no longer is it I who live, it is Christ who lives in me.

Pray for priests

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Peace of Heart

Peace of heart is of the utmost value in our lives. If we want true peace of heart we must practice obedience and renouncing our own will. We can learn these things through practicing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Christ wants us to lead lives according to His pleasure and not our own.

In order to do this we must unite ourselves to the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must constantly offer to God all the prayers that Christ has offered on our behalf, particulary at the time of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If you feel you are making no spiritual progress, offer God the infinite love of Christ to make reparation for your own lack of success. We can make repartation for anything imperfect in our actions by offering to God the perfect love of Jesus Christ.

Gaudium et spes reminds us that: "The Word of God, through whom all things were made, was Himself made flesh so that as perfect man he might save all men and bring all things into unity. The Lord is...the joy of all hearts and the fulfillment of their desires."

I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Obedience II

Christ was obedient even unto death and unto the death of the Cross. We should be ever grateful for the example that Our Lord has given us. The saints have always embraced this holy virtue. They constantly preached it and practiced it.

The virtue of obedience is so absolutely necessary for the salvation of our souls that Christ Himself came among us to teach it by word and example. His whole life was a life of obedience. He always obeyed His Heavenly Father. He was subject to Mary and Saint Joseph. He even bowed to King Herod, Pilate and his executioners.

Let us pray for the virtue of obedience.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Priestly Functions

Priests are successors to the disciples selected by Christ Himself. The priestly office consists of the following functions:

1. To change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, to offer Him sacrifice and give Him to the people.

2. To preach the Word of God.

3. To baptize.

4. To rule and guide souls towards eternity.

5. To forgive sins or withhold absolution.

6. To bless.

The above qualities and functions belong solely to the divine and infinite power of God. Thus, when a man is admitted into the priesthood, he is elevated to a divine and infinite dignity. Therefore, a priest incurs obligations which are infinite in character.

Pray that priests will thank God constantly. Pray that priests will give themselves completely over to God and worthily perform their duties.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priest and the Mass

Nothing can compare with the value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is the work of God. How great is the office of the Priest! Saint John Vianney once wrote that if a priest truly understood himself he would die! At the altar God obeys the priest. At the words of the priest God comes down from Heaven and makes Himself present in the Host! Faith demands that we see God hidden in the priest!

After the Consecration, God is as present in the Host as He is in Heaven. We would die of love if we really understood this mystery. Before every Mass we should diligently prepare ourselves for what we are about to receive. We should examine our conscience well.

If we want to obtain anything from God, we must simply offer Jesus Christ to God after Holy Communion, with all the merits of His death and His Passion. Our Lord will be unable to refuse us anything...

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Silent Prayer

We should collect ourselves each day and sit in silence with our Lord. We must calm our hearts and free our minds from all distractions if we want our Lord to speak intimately with us. Christ wishes to communicate His will to all of us, but so few take the time to listen and respond.

Christ is our strength. If we root ourselves in silent prayer we soon realize we can accomplish anything. We also begin to see that is in fact Christ who is actually working in and through us. He is the vine and He wishes the branches on that vine bear fruit in abundance.

Let us renew our dedication to daily prayer and be more closely united to our Lord.

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Jeffery A. Fasching

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass II

When we participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we do so at our Lord's command. Saint Paul writes: The Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said: This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you shall proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

When we share in the Lord's body and blood it should remind us of our obligation to die to the world. Our life is to be hidden with Christ in God. We must put to death whatever in our human nature is rooted in this world. We must stop indulging in sins of the flesh. When we feed upon Christ's flesh and blood we learn to contemplate on things that the eye cannot see. Saint John Vianney once said that the eyes of this world see no further than this life, but the eyes of the Christian see deep into eternity.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Prayer and the Blessed Sacrament

There is no substitue for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Although there are in fact many forms of prayer, none will produce the wonderful effects in our lives the way that actually visiting Christ's true presence in the tabernacle is capable of. When we come before Christ in the tabernacle He is always glad to receive our adoration. He is ready to bestow graces upon us in adundance. How can we possibly neglect our Lord who eagerly awaits our visit?

In Christ,

Rev Jeffery A. Fasching

The Priesthood

What is a priest?

A man who holds the place of God -- a man who is invested with all the powers of God. "Go," said Our Lord to the priest; "as My Father sent Me, I send you. All power has been given Me in Heaven and on earth. Go then, teach all nations. . . . He who listens to you, listens to Me; he who despises you despises Me. "

When the priest remits sins, he does not say, "God pardons you"; he says, "I absolve you. " At the Consecration, he does not say, "This is the Body of Our Lord;" he says, "This is My Body. "

-St. John Marie Vianney

Fr. Jeffery A. Fasching

Our Lady of the Rosary

The Prophets spoke of the Blessed Virgin Mary before her birth. They compared her to the sun. When the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on the earth, God's anger towards man's sinfulness was immediately appeased. The Blessed Virgin is much better than the best of all mothers because she always treats her servants with love, and never punishes us.

Mary's heart is full of love and mercy. Her only desire is that we simply turn to her and pray. She places herself between the justice of her Son and us. The greater sinners we are, the more compassion she feels for us. It is the child that has cost its mother the most tears that is the dearest to her heart.

The Ave Maria is a prayer that is invaluable. All the saints have a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. No graces flow from heaven to us without first going through the Blessed Virgin. Since Mary is the only creature who has never offended God, our prayers have a special merit when they are presented to God from her.

We should always pray for a true and genuine devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Clerical Attire revisited

Clerical Attire

The Cassock, the Surplice and the Biretta

The meaning of the Cassock and Surplice

The black Cassock signifies that the priest should always be mourning for the Crucified Christ. The priest should be dead to sin, to the world, and to himself. The cassock is a reminder that the priest should be doing penance for his own sins and those of the world. The cassock also reminds us that the priest’s body should be constantly mortified so that Christ’s life is made manifest to others.


The surplice represents the “new man,” our Lord Jesus Christ. The priest must be like Christ and clothed with His perfection, humility, charity, modesty, purity and all His other virtues. The surplus signifies the ordained minister’s responsibility to be freed from the “slavery” of secular dress.

The Catholic Church demands that her clerics who wear the surplice lead a life in conformity with the life of Christ’s. Unfortunately, there are many priests who live as world lings and view their clerical dress as an obstacle to the very pleasures they renounced at their ordination. Many clerics live with an inordinate love for secular dress and look upon their clerical attire as something to be ashamed of. I am proud to be a priest. I am proud and privileged to be able to wear a cassock.

The meaning of the Biretta

The biretta is simply a cross which the priest wears on his head to show that the cross of Christ is his crown and his glory. Saint Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6, 14).

Priests should take seriously the meaning of the cassock, surplice and the biretta and treat them with fitting reverence. We must pray that all priests have the strength to practice what their clerical state demands of them.

“Let thy priests, O Lord God, put on salvation.” Sacerdotes tui, Domine Deus, induantur salutem.


Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Amendment of our Lives

Faith is among our greatest gifts. We must compete to remain firm in our faith and live holy lives. If we do this, we will be confident when we petition God in prayer. God knows our needs and is alwasy ready to give.

We must pray to amend our lives. We must renounce sinful pleasures and practice self-control. God's judgment is quickly approaching. This will be a terrible day. The scriptures say that the sun, moon and stars will be consumed, and the entire earth will be destroyed. All that each man has done, in open or in secret, will be brought to light. We must atone for our sins while we still have time. A good way to do this is by giving to the poor. "Love covers a multitude of sins."

In order to be saved we must repent from the depths of our hearts. If we are all to be saved, we must help each other and support those who struggle to live good lives. If we see someone doing wrong, we must warn him and point out the error.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Blessed Virgin Mary IV

From a sermon by Saint Thomas of Villanova, bishop:

"For a long time I have wondered and been at a loss to understand why the evangelists should have spoken at such length about John the Baptist and the other apostles, and yet told us so little about the Virgin Mary, who in life and distinction excels them all. Being at a loss, as I say, to understand this, all I can think is that it pleased the Holy Spirit that it should be so. It was by the providence of the Holy Spirit that the evangelists kept silent, because the glory of the Virgin, as we read in the psalms, was all within, and could more truly be thought of than described. The outline of her life: that Jesus was born of her, is enought to tell her whole story. What more do you seek for in the Virgin? It is enough for you that she is the Mother of God. What beauty, I ask you, what virtue, what perfection, what grace, what glory does not belong to the Mother of God?

The Holy Spirit has not described her in words, but has left her to you to picture in your own mind, so that you may understand that there was nothing she lacked of grace, perfection, or glory which could be imagined in the mind of a chaste human being, or rather that in fact she surpassed all understanding. So when she was wholly perfect, it would not have been right to describe her in part, for fear that you might think she could have lacked what had not been described. To say of the Virgin Mary only that she is the Mother of God surpasses all that can be said under God."

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Sanctity of Marriage and Family

(Gaudium et spes, n. 48)

Husband and wife, by the covenant of marriage, are no longer two, but one flesh. By their intimate union of persons and of actions they give mutual help and service to each other, experience the meaning of their unity, and gain an ever deeper understanding of it day by day.

This intimate union in the mutual self-giving of two persons, as well as the good of the children, demands full fidelity from both, and an indissoluble unity between them. Christ the Lord has abundantly blessed this richly complex love, which springs from the divine source of love and is founded on the model of his union with the Church.

In earlier times God met his people in a covenant of love and fidelity. So now the Savior of mankind, the Bridegroom of the Church, meets Christian husbands and wives in the sacrament of matrimony. Further, he remains with them in order that, as he loved the Church and gave himself up for her, so husband and wife may, in mutual self-giving, love each other with perpetual fidelity.

True married love is caught up into God's love; it is guided and enriched by the redeeming power of Christ and the saving action of the Church, in order that the partners may be effectively led to God and receive help and strength in the sublime responsibility of parenthood.

Christian partners are therefore strengthened, and as it were consecrated, by a special sacrament for the duties and the dignity of their state. By the power of this sacrament they fulfill their obligations to each other and to their family and are filled with the spirit of Christ. This spirit pervades their whole lives with faith, hope and love. Thus they promote their own perfection and each other's sanctification, and so contribute together to the greater glory of God.

Hence, with parents leading the way by example and family prayer, their children-indeed, all within the family circle-will find it easier to make progress in natural virtues, in salvation and in holiness. Husband and wife, raised to the dignity and the responsibility of parenthood, will be zealous in fulfilling their task as educators, especially in the sphere of religious education, a task that is primarily their own.

Children, as active members of the family, contribute in their own way to the holiness of their parents. With the love of grateful hearts, with loving respect and trust, they will return the generosity of their parents and will stand by them as true sons and daughters when they meet with hardship and the lonliness of old age.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

In the Image of God

God made man in His image and likeness. We are truly blessed that God has granted to us his eternal image and the likeness of His character. As long as we preserve our likeness to God, we possess a high dignity and calling. In order to be like God we must apply the virtues that God has planted in our souls.

The first commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. When we do this we renew His image within us. True love manifests itself both in word and in deed. Scripture says: "Be holy, for I am holy." God is loyal and truthful. We must always act in the same manner. If we are harsh, proud, and stubborn we are not acting in the image of God.

Gossip has destroyed many a brother. Men often revel in minding and discussing the business of others. They often take pleasure in criticizing people behind their backs. If what we have to say does not promote peace and is not spoken with a discerning tongue, we should say nothing at all.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Forgiveness

If we pray to the Lord to forgive our sins, we must in turn forgive the sins of others. We must all stand before the judgment seat of God. We must all one day give an account of our own sins. We should therefore always serve the Lord with fear and awe.

We must constantly pray and be alert that we not be lead into temptation. Even in the midst of severe temptations, we should strive to make progress and hope to attain virtue. Judgment awaits all of us.

We should never become angry when we are corrected for doing something wrong or for our sins. Sometimes we are unconscious of the sins we commit because our hearts are of little faith. Futile desires often cloud our minds. However, we can rejoice if we keep God's commandments.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Witness

The Christian life necessarily involves persecution. We make enemies simply by calling ourselves Christian. There are many kinds of persecution, just as there are many kinds of martyrdom. We have a chance every day to be a witness to Christ.

For example, we are tempted by a spirit of fornication, but out of fear of the judgment of Christ we decide to maintain our purity of mind and body. We are thus a martyr for Christ. We may be tempted by the spirit of pride and ignore the poor and the needy. Instead we show compassion for them out of humility. We are thus a witness to Christ.

The greatest witness is simply acknowledging that Christ has come in the flesh and adhering to His commandments. If we hear and do not act, we deny Christ. The true witness is the one who hears God's commandments and keeps them.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Our Lord

Open up the door of your heart to receive the Lord! Open up your soul to Him always! Receive Him into your mind and you will soon experience the richness of living a simple life, what it means to experience true peace, and know the feeling of true joy brought about by grace!

If you shut the door of your mind, you shut out Christ. Christ will never force Himself upon anyone, but rather He will always knock at the door awaiting His time of entry. Blessed is the man at whose door Christ stands and knocks.

When does Christ most often knock at your door? He visits those who are tempted in order to save them from being overwhelmed by their temptations and trials. When the members of His body are in distress Christ is always near.

Open up to Him; He wants to enter.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Repentance II

The first stage of repentance is admitting one's own sins. When we condemn our own sins the Lord will always forgive us. Furthermore, condemning our own sins makes us less likely to commit them again. We must also stop dwelling on those who have done us harm, or our enemies. We must control our anger and forgive other's sins against us. "For if you forgive your debtors, your heavenly Father will forgive you."

We must also constantly pray from our hearts and be willing to practice charity at all times. We should strive to live a modest, humble life in the Lord. We are always capable of forgiving, being humble, praying and condemning our own sins.

Let us always strive to turn back to the Lord.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Temptation

The scriptures remind us that God chastises every son He acknowledges. If we find ourselves excluded from sufferings or chastisements, than we are not among God's numbered sons. God even chastised His only Son. If God did not spare even His own Son who was without sin from punishment, how could He not punish we who are adopted sons who are with sin?

We must prepare ourselves and expect temptations in this life. Scripture also remnids us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. We must not be afraid of temptations because God will never abandon us. God rebukes but He also encourages, He brings fear but He also brings consolation. We must never refuse the healing nature of our God.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Christian Perfection

We all have a responsibility to seek holiness in our lives regardless of the state of life we have chosen to live. For a mother of five children, holiness means something different than that of a cloistered religious. No matter what our vocation, the life of a Christian involves what we do, what we say and what we think. Thought comes first, then words because our words express what is inside. Finally, after thoughts and words come actions. What we do is the result what the mind has conceived. We must therefore make sure that all our thoughts, words and actions are controlled by Christ.

We must constantly examine our thoughts, words and actions to make sure they are all directed toward Christ, rather than turned away from Him. For example, if our thoughts, words, or deeds are a result of our passion, they will not be in harmony with Christ. On the other hand, if they are free from any passionate inclination, we can be sure they are directed toward Christ, who is the source of our peace.

Christian perfection consists in observing all the things which express the meaning of Christ's name. We must bring out this meaning in our thoughts, our prayers and the way we live.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Prophecy of Simeon

"And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35

The Flight into Egypt

"And after they (the wise men) were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise and take the child and His mother and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy Him. Who arose and took the child and His mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and He was there until the death of Herod." Matt: 2:13-14.

The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple

"And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him." Luke 2:43-45.

The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross

"And there followed Him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him." Luke 23: 27.

The Crucifixion

"They crucified Him. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His Mother. When Jesus therefore had seen His Mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, He said to His Mother: Woman: behold thy son. After that he said to the disciple: Behold thy Mother." John 19: 25-27

The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross

"Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counselor, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking Him down, wrapped Him up in the fine linen." Mark 15: 43-46

The Burial of Jesus

"Now there was in the place where He was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein no man yet had been laid. There, therefore, because of the Pasch eve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulcher was nigh at hand."
John 19: 4l-42

The World

"They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world" (John 17, 16). Such was the prayer of Jesus to His Father regarding His Apostles. The Apostles, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints lived in a spirit of aversion toward the things of this world.

The world consists of both malice and folly and these two qualities are why the holy ones learned to hate the world. Changing fashions and styles are a clear indication of worldly folly. We should guard against getting caught up in worldly habits, dress and always succumbing to the changing environment. Christ said: "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5, 13).

We have a responsibility as Christians to be the wisdom and the "wise" people of this earth, otherwise we become "salt which has lost its savour."

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Blessed Virgin Mary III

Today is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We must worship and adore God because of His infinite love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. God from all eternity had great plans for the Blessed Virgin. Today is a day to rejoice with the Mother of God in all the favors conferred upon her by Almighty God. Today is a day to thank the Blessed Trinity in their immense love for her.

When we have a true devotion to the Mother of God we must know that this devotion is none other than a reflection of the same love, respect and submission with which Christ Himself honored her while He walked the earth. We also honor the Blessed Virgin Mary because of the perfection with which God bestowed upon her. We venerate her because of the service and honor she herself gives to the Almighty God. Finally, we acknowledge Mary because of the powerful blessings we receive through her intercession.

We should offer the Blessed Virgin Mary our body, soul, heart, mind and very life. We must also pray that we lead others to the same sentiments. The most efficacious means, however, of honoring the Blessed Virgin is to imitate her virtues. We must be humble and submit to the will of God in our lives. We must be pure and have a hatred for sin in all forms. We must show our love for God by our charity toward one another. We must be patient, meek, and zealous for the Kingdom of God.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Sacred Heart II

Consider that our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen to remain always with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar in order to share His infinite love and treasures with us. By giving Himself to us, Christ has willed to give us the very Source of these blessings. It is only in the Blessed Eucharist that we are able to find every possible kind of blessing.

Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament imparts His blessings at all times and on everyone who approaches Him. "Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." (Matt. 11:28). God in His infinite love and mercy chooses to acknowledge our infirmities and weaknesses. He in turn gives Himself to us as our nourishment and consolation in order to give us strength and combat our evils.

It isn't enough for our Lord to give us His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His infinite love. He also wishes to be our strength and defense against all the efforts of our enemies. Today it is good to meditate on the question: What could Christ possibly give to us that He hasn't already given when he gives us Himself in the Eucharist?

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Jeffery A. Fasching

Sacred Heart

"I am forgotten as one dead from the heart." (Psalm 30:13). Christ suffered harsh treatment from His own people the Jews, the Gentiles and also heretics. All these classes of people caused Christ much pain, but they were all His open enemies. Harsh treatment was likely expected from them. But could one think it possible that even those who profess being faithful to Him would not have sympathy for all this harsh treatment?

Imagine the sentiments of Christ and His tender, Sacred Heart which has infinintely loved men, but has found in the hearts of those same men only coldness and even contempt! Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month. Let us make a firm resolution to give the Sacred Heart of Jesus proof of our gratitude and love. Let us renew our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us be more respectful toward His presence in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Let us visit Him more frequently.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Sacramental Confession

The saints were all very diligent in guarding the purity of their souls since they so often found it necessary to receive the Bread of Angels. They were always well aware of their own sinfulness. Their disposition was always like that of the publican who prayed: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner."

Most of the great saints went to confession every single day. Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus would not even think of receiving communion if she was conscious of even a single venial sin. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Frances de Sales, Saint Ignatius, and many others went to confession each day before celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

"Let everyone first examine himself, and then eat of that Bread and drink of that Chalice; because he who eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks unto his own condemnation" (1 Cor. 11:28-29).

It was natural for the saints to daily examine themselves, to repent, and to ask God's pardon. The more we strive to conform our lives to Christ, the more fruit we will derive from our frequent communions. The Sacrament of Penance is an excellent way to maintain similarity between one's soul and that of Jesus Himself.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

The Passion II

Christ was offered up because He willed it, for the sins of the world. By the will of His heavenly Father, weariness, fear and sadness broke His heart. What a lonely stranger Christ was on earth, without true friends and in the midst of perverse, sensual and ungrateful men! How He must have longed for heaven, for His Father’s house, for the company of angels and saints, for the loving embrace of His heavenly Father!

But instead He saw God’s face averted from the sins with which He was covered, and God put Christ away from Him. God sent Christ on earth and led Him to a frightful desert, without way and without water, and He commanded Christ to hang on the Cross, dejected and despised. Fear entered Christ’s heart and hurled it into strange agonies. He trembled at the sight of the cruel prods which were to tear His flesh, the long thorns which would pierce His head, and the nails which would transfix His hands and feet.

An indescribable confusion fell upon Christ at the sight of the humiliations that were to come. He saw Himself in the fool’s robe at the house of Herod, stripped of His garments and shamelessly exposed to the eyes of the jeering, sensual multitude, ridiculed as a king in the court of Pilate, esteemed more vile than Barabbas, and suspended at last on a gibbet between two thieves. On top of all that, as Christ hung on the Cross, Satan himself hurled his defiance in His face: “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross: He has saved others; Himself He cannot save.”

But how could the God of Justice and Holiness come to Christ’s rescue while He still bore, by His own will, the iniquities of men? Christ accepted that supreme desolation that His brothers might not be separated from His heavenly Father, and inclining His head He died in an agony of unmitigated pain.

Let us meditate upon the Passion of Christ each day.

In Christ,

Fr. Jeffery Fasching

The Passion

How sad it must have been for Christ to see around Him at the foot of the Cross so few compassionate friends. There before Him, then, was his whole Church, the fruit of so many labors, the reward for so many favors, the result of so many miracles! His heart was filled with anguish as He beheld His poor mother at the foot of the Cross. The approaching tragedy, the farewells, had broken her heart and His own, and the thought of her distress was present with Him until death.

As she looked upon Christ’s pain, she clearly saw that He was suffering more for her sake than for all others, and that but for the foreseen merits of His suffering she would not have been Immaculate. The Blessed Virgin knew that if Christ had not loved her to that extent, He should not have suffered so much. So she considered herself the cause of His suffering. In the divine plan she could not but wish to see Him suffer, and that wish tortured her mother’s heart.

In pity Christ looked long and sadly upon her, there at the foot of the Cross. That long last look of His, veiled as it was by the shadow of death, plumbed her soul to its deepest depths and never left her as long as she lived. The executioners tortured Jesus and the Justice of His Father did not restrain their blows.


In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Prayer and Sacrifice

How painful it must be for our Lord to see each morning His churches all but deserted while the fearful tragedy of Calvary is being re-enacted for the sins of men! How much more painful it must be for Him to see His priests assist at Mass without devotion, and perform the rite with haste and irreverence that take Christ painfully back to the treatment He received on Calvary’s hill.

We should make every effort to attend and assist at Mass whenever possible. When we do so, we must always participate with a spirit of reverence and awe. We must realize that there is no greater prayer we can offer to God the Father than Christ Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

We cannot let our sinfulness keep us away from the Sacrament of Sacraments. In fact, it is precisiely through frequent reception of the Eucharist that we make ourselves less unworthy to recevie the Body and Blood of Christ. If however, we are conscious of mortal sin we must of course make a sacramental confession before receiving the Eucharist.

Let us pray for our priests who offer sacrifice. Let us pray for ourselves that we make every effort to approach the Eucharist with humility and confidence in order to mold ourselves better into the image of Christ.

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Jeffery A. Fasching

The Blessed Virgin Mary II

Christ has placed no limits on His tender affection for the Blessed Virgin Mary. I therefore as a priest who am always at her side with Christ have absolutely no fear of lavishing filial love on my Mother. She is the Virgin Most Faithful. All the love which her children give to her, she in turn gives to Christ Who is the Principle and End of all things.

Althought Christ is God, He willed while on earth to receive everything through His Mother. It is to her that He made known all His needs, and addressed all His requests. I likewise address to her all my prayers and I receive all from her mother's hand. Christ is infinitely good and powerful; He is ready to give me everything as His priest. Nevertheless He will not do so except on receiving a sign from His Immaculate Mother.

Mary is the distributor, the Mediatrix of all graces. Let us turn to her each day with confidence as we present to her all our needs.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching