Baptism and God’s Covenant

Fr. Edward Linton, O.S.B.

In his 2021 homily,  Fr. Linton shares the story of a woman in his parish who struggled to locate her baptismal record when she sought to validate and bless her marriage vows with the Church. This caused her deep distress because her baptism was the one gift she believed her parents had given her, despite their tumultuous relationship. Fr. Linton then connects this story with the reading from Genesis about God’s covenant with His people. Just as God placed a rainbow in the sky to remind Himself and inspire hope in humanity, baptism is a visible sign that we are part of God’s new creation and have put on Christ. The story of Noah’s Ark, understood as prefiguring the sacrament of baptism, shows how God saves us through the waters of baptism and enters into a special covenant. Fr. Linton emphasizes that God never breaks this covenant, even when we make mistakes or sin. He concludes by stating that baptism fills every life with hope and promise as we are part of God’s new creation, and God always invites us to come close.

Fr. Edward Linton, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, was ordained in 1991. He currently serves as Director of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE) at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy.

Recalling God’s Promises: The Power of Memory in the Spiritual Life

Fr. John Kartje

In his 2018 homily, Fr. Kartje highlights the importance of the often-overlooked spiritual exercise of memory as we enter into the season of Lent. He explains that our sins usually stem from forgetting the beauty and life-giving nature of a rightly ordered relationship with God. Sin becomes a power-grab for temporary remedies to fear, despair, or anger. Fr. Kartje emphasizes that God himself recognizes the power of memory when he establishes his covenant with Noah, using the rainbow as a reminder of his promise. Jesus also calls to mind the ancient covenant God made with His people, seeking to remind them of God’s love and His promise of deliverance. Fr. Kartje reminds the audience that losing sight of authentic love is a damaging consequence of sin. He encourages them to recall the memories of life “before the fall” and to invite the Lord to accompany them on this journey of remembrance. By revisiting those moments, they can re-encounter the grace that has never left and has only been forgotten amidst life’s challenges. Fr. Kartje urges the faithful to not give up their memories during Lent, as God won’t either

Fr. John Kartje, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, has served in both parishes and campus ministry. He is the rector of Mundelein Seminary.

Going Out in the Desert

Fr. Joseph Scolaro

During Lent, we go out into the desert with Christ. Escaping the culture which surrounds us, we face down the great temptations of our life through a disciplined program of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It is in this way that we repent and are prepared for the kingdom of God.

Fr. Joseph Scolaro is a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York.

Rainbows as Signs of Hope

In this homily, Fr. Austin reflects on the significance of rainbows as a symbol of God’s promise and love. He begins by sharing a personal anecdote about his cousin’s death and how the appearance of a rainbow at that moment brought comfort to his family. Fr. Austin then turns to the biblical story of Noah and the flood, where God establishes a covenant with Noah and names the rainbow as a sign of His promise to never again destroy all life. He highlights how the rainbow serves as a bridge, representing God’s assurance that He will provide a way through life’s troubles and even through death into eternal life. Fr. Austin emphasizes that the story of Noah goes beyond its literal interpretation and conveys a deeper truth that God will always provide for us when we are unable to do so ourselves. He invites his listeners to look for rainbows as signs of hope.

From Overreaction to Apology: God’s Rainbow of Redemption

In this homily, Fr. Jagodensky reflects on the concept of memory, specifically how older adults often recount stories with incomplete details. He draws a parallel between human memory and God’s memory, highlighting the story of the biblical flood as an example of God’s impulsive reaction. However, God apologizes for this overreaction by painting a rainbow in the sky as a sign of hope and a reminder of His covenant with humanity. Fr. Jagodensky suggests that we can learn from God’s example and embrace forgiveness, letting go of past misdeeds and looking towards a future filled with hope, joy, and peace. The homily encourages listeners to hold onto the covenant of love that God has given us and to trust in its faithful promise.

How to Resist Temptation

2003 EXCERPT: Often we approach temptation and the season of Lent which begins this week by placing too much emphasis on what is negative.  We center too much on sin.  What Lent is about is not so much saying no to sin, as saying yes to the Kingdom of God.  The freedom that we are looking for is not freedom from our faults, but rather freedom for God’s purposes in our lives.  The more we can understand what freedom is for, the  easier it will be to avoid temptation in our lives. As long as the woman in the story concentrated on the dress and how good she looked in it and how much she wanted it, it was difficult to say no to the temptation.  But if she could have instead realized that her saying no was in fact an act of love towards her family, an act of cooperation with her husband to solve the financial difficulty in their household, she would have found more power to resist.

Temptation

In his homily on the First Sunday of Lent, Msgr. Pellegrino explores the theme of temptation and the significance of the number forty in biblical stories. He explains that the forty days of Lent are a period of preparation, testing, and self-denial, mirroring the times of trial and preparation found throughout the Bible.

Msgr. Pellegrino emphasizes that temptations are not a sign of sinfulness but rather a part of being alive. He explains that temptations are difficult to overcome because they often contain elements of attractiveness and goodness that can be perverted. However, Jesus serves as an example of overcoming temptation and encourages us to entrust our pain and sin to Him. With Jesus as our center, we can conquer temptation and sin with His grace, allowing love for Him to grow in our lives.

On the first Sunday of Lent the readings have a baptismal theme. This makes sense, for it is common that on this day the catechumens report to the Bishop for the Rite of Election, who officially recognizes them as the elect of God in these final weeks before their baptism.

Let’s look at the baptismal theme of these readings from two perspectives:

Clergy E-Notes

“…if the family is the sanctuary of life, the place where life is conceived and cared for, it is a horrendous contradiction when it becomes a place where life is rejected and destroyed. So great is the value of a human life, and so inalienable the right to life of an innocent child growing in the mother’s womb, that no alleged right to one’s own body can justify a decision to terminate that life, which is an end in itself and which can never be considered the “property” of another human being.”

— Pope Francis

The Battle Keeps Raging

In his homily, Fr. Bloom explores the covenant with Noah found in the first reading and its connection to baptism. He explains that the covenant represents a new beginning for humanity and applies it to the sacrament of baptism, which has the power to save because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Fr. Bloom mentions the baptism candidates preparing for Easter and the renewal of baptism that the congregation will partake in.

He emphasizes the battle between Christ and Satan, drawing inspiration from the Gospel reading where Jesus is tempted in the desert. Fr. Bloom shares his personal experience of reading a book on this topic and underlines the ongoing struggle between good and evil in every human heart. He encourages the congregation to call on the ministry of angels through prayers such as the St. Michael prayer for protection in spiritual battles.

Setting our Navigation System towards God

In this homily, Fr. Lane emphasizes that Lent is a time of grace to open ourselves more to God and His gifts. He encourages the congregation to reflect on the path they are on and to repent and believe in the Gospel.

Fr. Lane references the popular song “Jerusalema” to remind the listeners that their true home is not here on earth, but in the heavenly Jerusalem.

He shares quotes from Pope Francis and passages from Scripture that invite the faithful to say “Yes” to God and to remain in His love.

Fr. Lane also highlights the role of guardian angels, explaining that they assist us throughout our lives. He urges the audience to be grateful for their guardian angels and to pray to them. Overall, Fr. Lane emphasizes the importance of opening oneself to God and receiving His grace during the season of Lent

Floods and Deserts

EXCERPT: Death by water. Or death for lack of it. Whichever, they may well symbolize our deepest dreads.

The biblical story of the Great Flood, with its harrowing destruction, is generally believed to include early Mesopotamian accounts of wide disaster. But the Hebrew and Christian traditions interpret it in the context of history made intelligible by God. It has moral and spiritual import, not only for the people but for the person.

Floods strip us of everything, even the land to stand on. We can only wait or go under. If we sink, we suffocate. We disappear. Water is one of those great impersonal forces of the earth, before which we, even in our technological abundance, can find ourselves abandoned and helpless.

And yet water, despite its chaos, is the promise of life. Water is sustenance and cleansing. It is refreshment, purification, and promise. Thus Noah, as the embodiment of Israel, the church and perhaps all humankind, is given a regenerating covenant in the midst of utter loss. “There shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.” Later, Isaiah (Is 54) will remind Israel of God’s eternal love and pity—the only anchor in existence for Noah and all of us to depend on.

Hope is On the Horizon

In his 2021 homily, Bishop Schuster reflects on the significance of baptism and the journey of Lent. He mentions how Jesus, after his baptism, was led into the desert, a place of dryness, work, hunger, and temptation.

Drawing parallels to our own lives, he acknowledges that wherever we are most blessed, that is where the devil will attack. He notes that the first Sunday of Lent [in 2021] feels like an anniversary, as it marks a year since the world was turned upside down due to Covid-19. However, he emphasizes that there is hope on the horizon. Lent teaches us to prioritize and live each day to the fullest, reminding us that our ultimate destination is Easter Sunday and eternal salvation.

Bishop Schuster encourages self-reflection and asks listeners to consider the areas in their lives where they have been spiritually lazy or need to become more serious. He stresses the importance of embracing the cross and being more loving to those around us. The celebration of baptism signifies a new beginning and our belonging to Jesus. With Jesus as our guide, we can always have hope for the future.

Do We Want a Savior or a Superhero?

Fr. Cummins reflects on two contrasting images – Christ in the Desert and Iron Man – to highlight the humanity of Jesus. He emphasizes that Jesus is fully human, without the attributes of a superhero. In Scripture, it is stated that Christ is like us in all things except sin, as he took on the form of a servant and humbled himself unto death. Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions and limitations, without resorting to sin.

Fr. Cummins suggests that it is us who shield ourselves from the human condition through our sins. He shares a poem by Fred Dings, highlighting the loneliness and challenges that may arise for genetically engineered superhumans, emphasizing the importance of imperfections in shaping the best lives.

Fr. Cummins concludes by emphasizing that Jesus, in his imperfect human condition, binds himself to God’s will and invites us to do the same. We need a savior, not a superhero, to restore our relationship with God, others, and ourselves.