The Priest as Victim

Christ came into the world to be the Victim for humanity, to take upon Himself our sins and to bear the chastisement due to them, to procure for humanity eternal life by His Passion and Sacrifice. We, as priests, have voluntarily agreed to continue here below Christ’s life as a Victim, to save mankind. Christ has made Himself the food for souls. Priests should likewise allow the faithful to consume as food their time, their strength, and their talents. The faithful must be allowed to try and to take advantage of a priest’s patience, to tax his health, and to use his goods, without expecting anything in return here below.

The grape is destined for the wine-press. Unless it is pressed, it will not give up its precious juice. The priest, following the example of Christ, is destined to be wasted for souls, giving up for them his time, his convenience, his life itself. Christ had no place to lay His head. He was born and brought up in poverty. He died abandoned on the Cross and had as a sepulcher a borrowed tomb.

How then can a priest allow himself to become engrossed in this world’s goods? Our kingdom is not of this world. We have here no fixed abode. Why should he attach himself to things that pass away? Priests, above all, must seek first to extend Christ’s kingdom on earth. If a priest is a priest with Christ, all other things will be given him in due time by God the Father in heaven.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Constantly Seek Christ in Prayer

If you feel you lack wisdom, ask it of Christ who is Eternal Wisdom. If you are weak or infirm, come unto Him for He is the loving Physician. If you are needy, hold out your hand, for He is Infinite Treasure. If you are laden with guilt, draw near unto Him for He has come to save sinners and to wash away all our sins. Up until now you have obtained little because you have asked for little and without faith.

Christ is your Father and Redeemer. Before you have even begun to pray He has already heard it. Before you have even cried out to Him, He has already answered you. Christ is the All-Powerful. He is the Fullness of all perfection, the Lord and Master, the First and the Last. He is the Abyss of riches and mercy; He seeks an abyss of wretchedness that He may fill it. Acknowledge your nothingness, your utter poverty. Christ's riches will fill you to the brim.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Palm Sunday

How is it that the King of kings enters into the holy city? Is it in the midst of His conquered enemies? Is it in the presence of all His captives and countless treasures? Does He ride on a magnificent chariot pulled by a glorious, well-bred horse? No. The King celebrated His triumphant day riding on a donkey. Pride and ambition play no part in this triumphal entry. Rather it is humility, meekness, mortification and self-denial that our Lord demonstrates. He is completely unselfish. Christ was born in poverty and remained in poverty all His life. Christ had no friends in high places or among the rich. All His friends were among those who were poor. His favorites were the rejects of the world. It was such as these that followed Him on this day. They did so not following any order as from a general, but out of curiosity, love and veneration. As soon as Christ is seen coming into the city they break off palm branches and throw them in His path. Hosanna! Hail to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! This is the way that Christ chose to take possession of His kingdom.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching

Trust in God alone and not in men

Our ultimate goal is of course God. He is the source alone of all that is good and holy. Faith in God is among our greatest gifts. God wants our faith to be strengthened. Christ demanded faith from all those for whom He worked His miracles. In order to hear our prayers, our Lord wishes us to experience poverty, distress, abandonment and even persecution. In His wisdom, this is how God shows us we are included among His beloved friends. However, we must remain faithful to Him in all such circumstances.

God wants us to always grow in our confidence in Him alone and in nobody else. God refuses to work in and through those who refuse to place all their confidence in Him alone. On the other hand, if we have a lively faith and hope in Him He will do great things for us. God always raises up the lowly.

Finally, God wishes to test His faithful servants like gold in the furnace. We must remain unshaken and steadfast in times of distress. God will in turn always raise us up. This is the way God has always dealt with His saints. If we remain faithful in the face of trials, God will give us true peace in this world and life forever in the next.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching