Daily Archives: November 6, 2005

Happy Anniversary, Brothers!

Posted on November 6, 2005 by Deacon Chris


Exactly one year ago today eight of my classmates and I were ordained deacons in the Catholic Church. — November sixth, in the year of the Lord 2004, St. Cecelia Cathedral, 10 o’clock in the morning. It seems as just yesterday to me.

I wish all my brothers continued grace and blessings in their service to the people of God. May your ministry be one filled with wonder, awe, and great humility as you strive to be the servant Christ who came not to be served, but to serve, and offer His life as a ransom for all.

(here is a photo of us listening to Archbishop Curtiss instructions just prior to the ordination rite.)

He urged us above all to be incredibly patient with those we minister to — so many Catholics are alienated, hurting, or poorly cathecized. Meet them where they are, and help them to mold their lives more fully to that of Jesus. Touch them as the Servant Christ, whom you have been configured to today in Sacred Orders.

Our Lord suffered when He poured forth His blood on Golgotha. The blood of the new and everlasting covenant. The blood that makes all things new.

(here is a photo of us receiving that very same Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity)

How incredibly blessed we are to share the Body & Blood of Christ with the people of God — and even more blessed to take Him to those who cannot get to Church because of age or infirmity.

Thank you brothers, for all you do to make the kingdom present to those you meet. Congratulations on your first anniversary, and thank you for welcoming our newest 17 brothers in such a beautiful way yesterday.

Categories: Deacons, Holy Orders | 2 Comments

Tim LaHaye missed Mass today

Posted on November 6, 2005 by Deacon Chris

Today is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – and it’s a shame that Tim LaHaye wasn’t with me at Mass this morning.

You see, in the Epistle we hear St. Paul using the very language that LaHaye and his followers base their “rapture” theology on:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 italics mine)



But the solution to all of this rapture talk is foun in the words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel reading for today:

Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:10-13 italics mine)



Throughout the Gospels we hear the words of our Lord consistently urging us to be on guard, to be prepared for we know not when He will come again.

But the success of LaHaye’s Left Behind series shows that so many Christians do NOT heed these words of Jesus. They prefer to look for signs and clues – both in Sacred Scripture and in other places as well.

Tomorrow is promised to no one, folks – it’s as clear as that. Live each day of your life expecting and desiring that our Lord would return. Instead of waiting for the Kingdom – make it present by doing what Jesus commanded of you: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick & imprisoned.

Who wants to be a foolish virgin when the bridegroom arrives? Or worse yet, who wants to be a goat when they are separated from the sheep?

God bless you all that serve our Lord faithfully, diligently and quietly. Your reward in heaven will be great.


Categories: Catechetics, Homiletics, Theology | Leave a comment

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