A photo of coffee in a glass mug on a rustic wooden table in Copenhagen, Denmark

Weekly pastor’s post (January 19 – 25)

by | Jan 24, 2025 | Pastor's post

Over the years I have tried to have a regular practice of reading – daily reading of the Scriptures, of a spiritual book, and (more recently) something recreational. Of all of these practices, getting into the Bible was especially challenging. I’ve always liked the idea of reflecting on the word of God…but actually sitting down and engaging it was hard work, at least at first. But after reading even just a little bit of the Bible every day, I’m almost finished with my third read-through!

On the recreational side of things, I am currently making my way through Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings (the fifth book of his VERY long Stormlight Archive series, itself set within his grand worldbuilding effort in what he has dubbed the The Cosmere). On the spiritual side, I’ve been working my way through the book He Leadeth Me (the autobiographical story by Jesuit priest Father Walter Ciszek of his 23 years in Soviet prisons and labor camps).

A photo of an open Bible and a coffee mug on a wooden railing with the sun reflecting off of water in the background

Me in the morning…except inside, in my chapel, sitting in my recliner, with a cat trying to drink my morning coffee ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What has been interesting about this is how the Lord speaks through connections made in all three habits of reading. I’m not going to try to explain (or risk spoiling!) the Stormlight Archives, but the struggles of Kaladin and Shallon – particularly around self-acceptance & realization – not only hit home but coincided with Father Ciszek’s account of being broken by his Soviet interrogators and the exhortations of Saint John to the various communities in the book of Revelation. The common theme? Sinful self-reliance, and the need to accept not only own brokenness but – more importantly – choose to rely on the strength of others, most especially that of Jesus.

The Lord’s highlighting of this lesson – across three different genres of writing, no less! – comes at a time in life (my own and across the archdiocese) when we are being confronted with the impossibility of relying on our own strength. As much as I love being a priest and a pastor (and rest assured, I do!), it is impossible to be all things to all people at even one church much less five. And no matter how hard we may labor in the vineyard (and the Lord assuredly is calling us to do so!), the needs of the our community & the world far outstrip our ability to meet them.

The temptation of the devil is to highlight our weakness in order to bring us to despair – he would like nothing more than to embitter our hearts so that we turn away from the Lord not only in hopelessness but in defiance. It is Saint Paul – whose conversion we celebrate at the end of this week – who reminds us that we can be content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints because it is precisely in them that Christ’s power may dwell in us: “when I a weak, then I am strong”.

Though I am not usually eager to have my weaknesses exposed, there’s a kind of excitement to be had in discovering how the Lord uses them not to embarrass or shame but to build us up in His glory. As we continue forward in Partners in the Gospel, it is becoming more and more clear that He is making the invitation for us to rely more wholly on Him. As always, the decision of how to respond is left to us. May we ask the Lord’s help to choose to place our hope in Him.


A photo of the Santo Niño de Cebú

January 19 – On the third Sunday of January, Filipinos everywhere celebrate Santo Niño de Cebu. This a new devotion to me, but I was delighted to be able to join in the celebration at Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Port Townsend! A giant statue of the Holy Child Jesus (ie, Santo Niño) was brought into the church by Filipino members of the community (and some guests) dressed in traditional garb, singing and dancing. You may find this explainer from The Pillar to be an insightful look into the history and practice of this devotion.

A painting of Saint Agnes by Domenichino. Saint Agnes sits looking upward at an angel while another angel holds a lamb at her feet

January 21 – Today is the memorial of Saint Agnes. A virgin martyr of the late third century, she was persecuted by spurned suitors for her devotion to purity and sentenced to death. When burning at the stake failed, she was beheaded. She is particularly remembered in the annual blessing of lambs whose wool is used in the making of the palliums given to new archbishops by the pope. Read about this ancient tradition at the Vatican News website.

A line drawing of Saint John Calybites lying in bed, with two visitors

January 22 – On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, renouncing the so-called ‘right’ of the killing of children in the womb. While this marked a major turn in American history, there is yet great work needing done to turn the hearts of so many to truly care for and cherish human life from conception to natural death. And so the Church continues to mark this day – the (former!) anniversary of Roe vs. Wade as a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Read about our ongoing material and spiritual efforts at the USCCB’s Respect Life website.

A painting by Caravaggio - 'Conversion on the Way to Damascus' . A horse stands over Saint Paul, himself having been knocked to the ground with hands extended in surprise as he looks upward

January 25 – Today we celebrate the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. While studying in seminary, our professors took no small pleasure in pointing out how popular imagery this event was not quite scripturally accurate. Inevitably, some seminarian would argue and be tasked with looking up the various narratives in the bible (see Acts 9 and Acts 22) – I was among those who simply couldn’t believe that there was no mention of the mythical ‘high horse’ from which Paul was supposedly knocked! An opportunity to share in the Lord’s lesson of humility ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ! Check out Pope Francis’ 2017 homily on the occasion of this feast.



Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week

A color line art picture of people gathered around an altar as incense rises above them to heaven before the three Persons of the Trinity, Mary & Joseph, and all the saints & angels.
  • No anniversaries this week – pray for vocations!

Remembering our deceased priests

    • Fr. John D. Lynch (January 20, 1990)
    • Msgr. Philip H. Duffy (January 21, 1987)
    • Fr. Terrence Caraher (January 22, 1932)
    • Fr. Robert S. Dell (January 22, 2014)
    • Fr. Regis Maniouloux (January 22, 1919)
    • Fr. Edward T. McCarthy (January 22, 1962)
    • Msgr. Theodore Ryan (January 23, 1960)
A black and white line art drawing of Christ the judge enthroned within an arch with angels seated on pillars to His right and left with stars behind him.

Translate/traduce

Posts (recent & archive)

Links you may like

Archdiocese of Seattle newletter (C2P)
Northwest Catholic
The Pillar Catholic

Blogs
Decentfilms (Deacon Steven Greydanus)
Simcha Fisher (Simcha Fisher)
Fr. Moore (Father Jeffrey Moore)
The World is Quiet Here (Thom Ryng)
The Anchoress (Elizabeth Scalia)
Truth in Love (Archbishop Etienne)

Podcasts
Restore the Glory
The Gloria Purvis Podcast

Welcome to the comments section! As you join (or start) the conversation, please keep keep in mind that – above all – Christian charity is our guiding principle. Please limit comments to the topic(s) of the post itself. Comments that stray from these guidelines will likely be deleted. I look forward to your thoughts & contributions!

0 Comments