Saints of God…the Lord be with you!

What you don’t hear explained about the Gospel reading (John 13:31-33a; 34-35) is that it is a continuation and explanation of the pericope of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet on Holy Thursday. In other words, the washing of the feet begins the glory of Jesus’ death on the cross and His rising from the dead to a new life. This glorious love is not of Jesus alone but is grounded in the glorious love of the Father and the Holy Spirit. The “new commandment: love one another, as I have loved you…” is our invitation from Jesus to participate in the Divine and glorious love of the Trinity. As Christians, we are called not just to worship the Blessed Trinity but are invited to participate in the very life of the Trinity.

How optimistic is that!

The question becomes what does it mean to participate in the life of our Trinitarian God? I think a way to do that is to reflect on the temptations of Jesus in the desert immediately after His baptism.

Since we are in the year of Luke let’s use his schema. The first temptation is for Jesus to use his power to satisfy his physical hunger ( remember he has not eaten for forty days). Instead, he quotes from the Book of Deuteronomy, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone.”

The second temptation is to worship the devil and thus be given all earthly authority and splendor. Again, Jesus refuses and again quoting Deuteronomy says, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.”

The third temptation is to throw Himself down from the heights of the Temple and thus use this spectacle to prove his divinity. Again, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy and says, “ It is said: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

It seems to me that our worship of Jesus since He is both God and man, must include imitating him in some way, Jesus lived out his baptism of solidarity by standing up for and helping the poor and hungry, reaching out to the politically marginalized, and being with those whom religion didn’t want. Looking at our world today, not much has changed and how much does our world need people to live out their own baptismal promises.

This week let’s imitate Jesus who washed the feed of his disciples, by loving one another, particularly the poor, the politically powerless, and those whom religion doesn’t seem to want. In other words, let us truly and actively LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS JESUS LOVES US.

– Fr. Steve

My Good Friends,

As you read this reflection, the Church may have already elected the successor of Pope Francis. In the event there is no new Bishop of Rome at this point in time, I offer my humble thoughts…

As the Catholic Church elects a new pope, this moment coincides with Good Shepherd Sunday, offering an opportunity to reflect on the qualities desired in a spiritual leader. Good Shepherd Sunday, observed on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, emphasizes Jesus as the shepherd who knows, guides, and lays down his life for his sheep. This image serves as a model for the papacy, highlighting the need for a pope who embodies Christ’s pastoral care, humility, and dedication to the flock.

The conclave, which began on May 7, brings together cardinals under the age of 80 in a process steeped in prayer and tradition. Guided by the apostolic constitution, the election requires a two-thirds majority and all voting is conducted in the Sistine Chapel, emphasizing the spiritual gravity of choosing the next Vicar of Christ.

In light of Good Shepherd Sunday, the Church seeks a pope we pray who will listen attentively to the voice of Christ and the needs of the faithful, lead with compassion, mirroring Jesus’ care for each individual, and serve selflessly, prioritizing the well-being of the global Church over personal interests.

The Church contemplates Christ as the true and eternal Shepherd, the one who knows His sheep, speaks to them, and lays down His life for them. In this image, we are reminded of what it means to lead—not with power, but with sacrificial love, humility, and deep care for the flock.

When the Church is called to elect a new pope, it is not merely choosing a global figurehead or administrator—it is discerning a shepherd in the image of Christ. The Holy Father is not just a leader of a billion Catholics; he is a shepherd entrusted with the care of souls. Like Christ, he must listen to the voice of the Father, know the needs of the flock, and guide them with courage and compassion.

A Shepherd Who Listens – Just as Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice,” so too must the pope be someone who first hears the voice of the Good Shepherd. He must be a man of prayer and discernment, rooted in Christ, listening not only to the Spirit but also to the joys and wounds of the Church.

A Shepherd Who Knows His Flock – Jesus knows His sheep personally. The new pope must be someone with pastoral sensitivity—able to walk with the poor, the suffering, the disillusioned, and the hopeful. He must know the real lives of the people of God, not from afar, but through humble and sincere connection.

A Shepherd Who Lays Down His Life – Leadership in the Church is always marked by the cross. The role of pope is not a privilege but a burden borne in love. Like Jesus, the Holy Father must be ready to suffer for the truth, to protect the vulnerable, and to stand firm in faith—even when it is costly.

The process of electing a new pope is not merely political or organizational—it is spiritual. We believe the Holy Spirit is at work, guiding the Church to choose not just a skilled leader, but a true shepherd in the likeness of Christ.

As we reflect on Good Shepherd Sunday, we are reminded to pray fervently for all our Church leaders, especially when the Chair of Peter is empty or newly filled. We pray that the one chosen may be faithful in doctrine, courageous in mission, tender in mercy, and rooted in Christ the Good Shepherd.

Ultimately, we want a pope who loves the Lord, regardless of how many times Jesus may ask, along with the courage in being attentive to feeding the lambs, tending the sheep, and feeding the sheep. May our new pope, like Christ, be a shepherd who knows, feeds, and loves his flock with unwavering fidelity.

Peace and all good,
Fr. Zack

Saints of God, the Lord be with You!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! What we celebrate today is the central event of Christianity, for without the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead into a new and glorified life, there would be no Christianity. On Good Friday, Jesus, though sinless offered Himself as a sin offering on the cross for us. The Resurrection is, in a way, the proof that God the Father accepted the saving action of Jesus. That is why, to paraphrase St. Paul, if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain, and we are still in our sins. (1 Cor. 15:17).

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! But how do we know this? What’s the proof? In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (10:34, 37-43) St. Peter preaches that, “this man (Jesus) God raised on the third day and granted that He be visible, not to all the people, but to us…” He was seen. The second reason is found in today’s Gospel according to John (20:1-9) in which Mary Magdalene discovers the tomb of Jesus empty. The second proof is the empty tomb. The good news for us is that this event has consequences for us. To paraphrase the second reading from St. Paul (Col. 3:1-4) we were raised with Christ…and our lives are hidden with Christ in God. When Christ our life appears, we too will appear with Him in glory. St. Paul later writes in his letter to the Romans, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! So profound a mystery is this that the Church celebrates this mystery in a threefold way. Today, Easter Sunday the Church celebrates Christ’s victory over sin and death as we contemplate His bodily resurrection to new life. Another way of saying Easter is recalling Christ’s Ascension into heaven. Humanity and human nature are now and forever part of the divine. And finally, Pentecost, when Christ gives us the Holy Spirit to dwell among and within us forever.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! So, our traditions speak to the new life Christ has given us. We give candy because life is a bit sweeter. We dye eggs to show that our lives are a bit more colorful because of Christ’s grace to us. The image of the Easter Bunny reminds us that life is abundant. We hide eggs to imitate Mary Magdalene’s search for Jesus. (Given the fact that the one place Jesus wasn’t was in the tomb, I hid all the eggs for the friars to look for in the refrigerator…they didn’t think to look there!)

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Repeat this prayer throughout the day and the coming weeks and let this Good News sustain your faith, your hope and your works of charity.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!
– Fr. Steve

My Good Friends,

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”— Luke 19:38

Today we walk with Jesus as He enters Jerusalem—not on a warhorse, not surrounded by soldiers, but riding a borrowed colt. The crowds shout and wave palms, but this is not the triumph of a conqueror. This is the gentle arrival of the Prince of Peace is exactly the kind of King that St. Francis would recognize.

I would imagine that image of Jesus on a colt would have moved St. Francis deeply. For Francis, all of creation was his brother and sister. He saw no creature as lowly, no moment as small, no life as insignificant. Even a humble donkey was part of God’s plan.

This passage reminds us that God doesn’t ride in on extravagance and power, but on gentleness. Jesus doesn’t come to dominate but to dwell among us. So, what kind of King rides a colt? A King who is not afraid to be small a humble King. People expected a liberator—someone to throw off the Roman Empire. But Jesus’ revolution is not one of swords, but of servanthood. He comes as a King who lays down His life, not one who takes the lives of others.

St. Francis followed that same path. Although in his “pre-conversion” Francis had the ambition to be a solider and a knight, he soon thereafter renounced weapons, embraced the poor, and sought to rebuild the Church; not with stones, but with love. He took up the cross of Christ, not a sword. To follow Jesus into Jerusalem, we too must choose that same way of peace, embracing our own cross for Christ.

When the Pharisees tell Jesus to silence the crowd, Jesus replies: “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40) This is Franciscan at its core! In the Canticle of the Creatures, Francis invites the sun, moon, fire, water, and even Sister Death to praise God. Jesus reminds us: all creation knows its Maker. And should we forget how to praise, creation itself will carry the song.

So, what does this mean for us?

And so we pray…

Lord Jesus, humble King, You entered not with might, but with mercy. You chose the lowly path, and called it holy. Make our hearts like Yours—gentle, courageous, and full of praise. May we sing with all creation:

“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.” Amen.

Have a Blessed Holy Week!
-Fr. Zack

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

Have you ever have an “Aha!” moment? I did, and because I am a not too-smart Franciscan, I have them often. The most life changing “Aha!” moment happened when I was discerning my vocation. Should I continue my plan of returning to teaching as a Franciscan Brother or was God calling me to ordination? It happened that a woman approached me while I was a student friar and tearfully asked if I would hear her confession. The cause of her tears was that she was denied absolution because she didn’t know the Act of Contrition…in Latin! I told her I wasn’t a priest, but Father Andrew would make everything okay. He did, and I never saw her again.

On the ride back to the friary, I expressed my indignation at that priest, and, trying to calm me down, Fr. Andrew suggested that I go to the beach and reflect on the incident. I did, and after about twenty minutes I realized I had been asking the wrong question concerning my vocation. The question was not “should I get ordained” but rather, “how can I best serve.” And the rest you know.

It seems to me that all three readings today are about “Aha!” moments. In Genesis (15:5-12,17-18), Abram experiences the Lord God, and because of his obedience the LORD made a covenant with him and his descendants. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians (3:17-4:1), he writes that God “will change our lowly body to conform with His (Christ’s) glorified body.” The result (the “Aha!”) of standing firm (in faith) in the Lord.

With the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28b-36) of Jesus, the apostles Peter, John, and James, having become overwhelmed by sleep became “fully awake” and “saw (Christ’s) glory and the two men (Moses and Elijah) standing with Him.” An “Aha!” moment to say the least, but one which they didn’t fully understand until the Resurrection/Pentecost.

If Catholicism is anything, it is a religion of “aha moments”…Baptism changes us into Christ…bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ….we celebrate our forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

My prayer for all of us this Lent is that our prayers, fasting, and almsgiving may open us to a greater awareness of the “aha moments” that enfold us.

– Fr. Steve

My Good Friends,

Peace and all good to you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ! As we have now begun our Season of Lent, with our First Sunday of Lent, the Church leads us into the desert with Jesus. We witness His confrontation with the devil and His unwavering trust in the Father. This passage from the Gospel of Luke (4:1-13) invites us, especially as followers of Franciscan spirituality, to reflect on the themes of poverty, humility, and trust in divine providence.

St. Francis, in his deep love for the poor and crucified Christ, saw the temptations of Jesus as a call to embrace a life of dependence on God. We now continue our journey together through this Lenten Season striving to live the Gospel with the eyes and hearts of St. Francis.

“One does not live on bread alone” | Embracing Poverty & Simplicity | The first temptation Jesus faces is hunger. After fasting for forty days, He is invited by the devil to turn stones into bread. But Jesus responds, “One does not live on bread alone” (Luke 4:4).

St. Francis lived this truth profoundly. He abandoned wealth and privilege to embrace holy poverty, recognizing that our deepest hunger is for God, not material security. Lent calls us to let go of excessive attachments and trust in God’s providence. It is a time too fast, not just from food, but from all that distracts us from relying on the Lord. So, we ask ourselves… Do we place our trust in material comforts, or do we seek to be nourished by the Word of God?

“You shall worship the Lord your God and Him alone shall you serve” | The Call to Humility | The second temptation is about power. The devil offers Jesus’ authority over all kingdoms, saying that it will be His if He worships Satan. Jesus refuses, declaring that God alone is worthy of worship.

Francis of Assisi, though once ambitious and eager for worldly success, learned that true greatness comes from humility and service. He chose to live among the poor, not seeking power or recognition, but only the love of God. Lent is a time for us to resist the temptations of pride, ego, and the desire for control, instead choosing the humble way of Christ. Once again, we ask…Are we tempted by power, status, or the need for recognition? How can we embrace humility in our daily lives?

“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” | Surrendering to God’s Will | In the final temptation, the devil challenges Jesus to throw Himself down from the temple, testing God’s protection. Jesus refuses, showing complete trust in the Father’s plan.

St. Francis also learned to trust God completely, even in suffering and uncertainty. Whether begging for food, preaching with no guarantee of success, or bearing the wounds of Christ in his own body, Francis never doubted that God was with him. Lent calls us to let go of our fears and surrender fully to God’s will. And finally, we ask ourselves… Do we trust God in times of difficulty, or do we try to control everything? Are we willing to surrender to God’s plan?

Lent is a time of renewal, a call to follow Christ more closely in poverty, humility, and trust. Like Jesus in the desert and Francis in his radical discipleship, we are invited to fast from attachments that keep us from God. Pray with simplicity and sincerity, deepening our relationship with Christ. Give generously, sharing with those in need, as Francis did.

We ask our Lord to transform our hearts this Lent, so that we may walk more faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus and St. Francis.

May our Lenten journey lead us to the joy of Easter, where we will rise with Christ in newness of life. Amen.

– Fr. Zack

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

Years ago, when my friend Sister Kate Murphy, OSF, was in her eighties, I would often ask her, “Kate, if you had to choose Jesus or me, who would you choose?” She always answered that she would choose me, to which I would say, “Wrong choice! You’re 80!” Now picture Fr. David Phan, OFM. As soon as I would say, “David, if you had to choose…” and before I would finish, he would respond, “Yes!”

It seems to me that all the readings hold out to us the demand to choose either a life of blessing or curse. Of course, most of us would choose blessing. The difficulty is that sometimes we must choose so quickly that we choose without reflection. Other times, the choice is not between good or evil, but between two actions or things which are both good. Sometimes, we choose without enough information or life experience. And even not to choose is itself a choice.

What might help us is asking, what a person choosing blessing would look like. In today’s Gospel according to Luke (6:17, 20-26) Jesus describes a blessed person as knowing that no matter how monetarily wealthy one is, they are aware of their existential poverty. None of us will live forever, and all the wealth we accumulated does not go with us.

We are blessed when we realize that no matter how much stuff we have, we are still hungry for more. But more of what? Or better yet, hungry for whom?

The answer, of course, is God.

We choose to be blessed people when we mourn, for our own sins and the sins of the world. And when hated or ridiculed by others because of our choices to trust in God rather than our wealth, we continue to trust in “Christ (who) has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

All of today’s readings ask us to make conscious choices for God, and God’s values. Moral theologians call this “our fundamental option.” And in choosing choices that point us in the direction of God, we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit living within us.

– Fr. Steve