Father Bill says...the Fourth Sunday of Easter

to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench

This past week was one to remember for me – a couple came to visit from Texas – I had celebrated their marriage 36 years ago – we talked well into the evening as I learned of those 36 years in their lives – the stories of raising three children and finding careers – and also the continuing challenges of life. Then just today – a friend from the past recalled that he and his wife were soon to celebrate the 38th anniversary of their wedding – and I was there that day also.

This coming week will be filled with excitement also – on Friday our new Bishop, Bishop Terry LaValley, will be ordained and installed as the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg – he is a priest of this diocese – so he knows the territory – the transition to this new Bishop will not be difficult. However, please join me in praying for our new Bishop – I am sure that he will need them – while the territory is familiar – the position is not.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. In the Gospel, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me.”

Belonging to the flock of Jesus – demands:
1 – believe in Him.
2 – listen to his voice
3 – follow him
Belonging to Jesus is enormously comforting and reassuring.

Jesus wanted his followers to live as a community – in community, we find mutual support, encouragement and companionship. Jesus says, “I know my sheep.” Jesus knows each and every one of us – knowing another is difficult – how well do you know others – even those closest to you.
Children don’t know their parents; parents don’t know their children.
To know another takes time and effort – but bears great fruit – makes a total difference in a relationship. You can’ love someone you don’t know.
- Life passes by so quickly – we barely have time to truly know each other.
- - Knowing is particularly important for carers – carers need to know those for whom they care – and this demands time patience and sacrifice –
- But is immensely rewarding.

Jesus knows each one of us - Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Our task is to respond to his love.
The faithful listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him.
We have to get to know the Lord – listen to his word – and do it.
Spiritually speaking, this is demanding – but makes all the difference in the world.

The reading from the Book of Revelation contains some unique images following along this theme of the Good Shepherd

“The lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water – and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The lamb turned shepherd – such a role reversal – this, of course, means Jesus for us – Jesus, the Lamb of God, the sacrificial lamb who died for us – this Lamb is our shepherd – for he has gone the way before us – he knows what the path is life – the path of life, suffering, death – the path that leads to new life in Resurrection.

However, we might also see in this image – the child that parents parents –
The student that teaches teachers.

And then the vision of a great multitude which no one could count – “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress, they have washed their robes and made them while in the blood of the lamb.”

The blood that washes over each is the life force unleashed by the crucified Jesus and infused into his followers by the Spirit.
It does not whitewash the shedding of blood from racism and other forms of sin, but empowers all who are bloodied in the earthly struggles to emerge cleansed in his loving life force.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father – today, I pray for my new Bishop, Bishop LaValley – fill him with your Spirit through this ordination to the episcopate – fill him with wisdom and show him the way to lead and guide the people and priests of this diocese.
And touch me, Lord, with your love and peace – may I indeed find life and strength through your life giving blood – may it wash away whatever keeps me from you, my Savior, and from being a good priest. I need your help and wisdom always, my Lord. This is my prayer. Amen.

Please join me as we pray together the Lord’s Prayer.

Father Bill says...the Third Sunday of Easter

to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench

I must tell you about this past week – I took a couple of days off to visit in Syracuse – I wanted to check in on Mary Lee, my brother’s wife – she is continuing her treatment for breast cancer – the good news is that she is doing well and looks great – but continues to be under treatment and certainly needs our continuing prayers.

I stayed a couple of days with my nephew, Paul – his wife, Susan and their three children, Mary, Will and Anna – It was a enjoyable visit – and, I must admit, a learning experience. It has been a while since I have been in the middle of a busy family – living out daily life – with things constantly going on – demanding careful and good parenting – all that it takes to make an alive and happy and peaceful family. I truly enjoyed watching these very loving and concerned parents deal with the lives of their children in so many ways – great ways – it was certainly a good experience for this priest.

Third Sunday of Easter

The Gospel story for this Sunday is a familiar story – it is set after the crucifixion of Jesus – the apostles are together on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias – and they decide to go fishing but catch nothing – in many ways it is a scene of hopelessness – with the crucifixion of Jesus all seems to be hopeless for them. However, at dawn – Jesus comes – and so does success – Jesus points out to these professional fishermen – a better spot – and they catch more than enough fish – then Jesus invites them ashore for breakfast – which he has cooked for them. The story is wonderful with so many precise details – they caught exactly 153 big fish – whoever remembered this story, remembered all the details.

The Gospel reading continues with a second story – Jesus challenges Peter – three times – “Simon, Son of John, do you love me more than these?” – three times – Peter is a bit annoyed – but he should have known – he had denied Jesus exactly three times – sometimes we write someone off because of one bad experience – never let them back into our good graces – but here is Jesus – calmly and cleverly welcoming Peter back into the fold – even to the point of inviting him to become the leader.

Peter learned that in spite of his denials, Jesus still loved him. It is an amazing experience to be loved in one’s weakness and sinfulness. Peter had the guts to get up again after his fall. He became a leader – aware of his own weakness – I am certain that this helped him understand the weakness of others.

So Peter become a model for us all – we must learn to forgive ourselves- our own failures – we must not judge ourselves or others by momentary lapses – but by commitment over a long time in our beliefs.

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles – the first reading for the Third Sunday of Easter – demonstrates Peter as the great leader – in his conflict with the Sanhedrin. “We must obey God rather than men.” The religious leaders of the Sanhedrin demand that the apostles stop teaching in the name of Jesus. However, Peter boldly teaches, “God exalted Him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Peter’s speech provides us with an example of the form of the Christian proclamation of salvation through Jesus. The name of Jesus manifests the authority of God in powerful, concrete ways. One of the most concrete is the disciple’s own willingness to die for it.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father, I pray today through the intercession of St. Peter, that I may learn again of your great love for me – even in my sinfulness – and that you will stand with me as I speak to others of your saving love and readiness to come to this community of mine to bring love and forgiveness – and also to strengthen us to meet the challenge to bring your message to our world by living in your Spirit. This is my prayer. Amen.

Please join me as we join together to say the Lord’s Prayer.

Father Bill says...the Second Sunday of Easter

to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench

This will be a rather quiet weekend around my town. The School Spring break has begun – and I suspect half the town has headed down south. I do ask for your continued prayers for my sister-in-law, Mary Lee, Tom’s wife – she is undergoing more surgery.

Second Sunday of Easter

Each year on this Second Sunday after Easter – we read from the Gospel of John, the story of St. Thomas the Apostle’s doubting. I suspect that Thomas, up there in Heaven, is probably shaking his head and wondering why us down here are still retelling that story. As you may remember – Jesus appears to the disciples – he greets them twice saying, “Peace be with you.” The Gospel tells us that he shows the disciples his hands and side – the wounds he has received there. Then he commissions them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” – and he prays that they receive the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins.

The Gospel story then remembers that Thomas was not present when Jesus came – this first time. He does return later – I wonder if Thomas was going through some questioning of his call and ministry – after the crucifixion of Jesus. He refuses to believe the disciples about Jesus’ appearance – “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Then, the Gospel tells us that a week later – again, a Sunday – Jesus appears again – Thomas is there – again, Jesus greets them, “Peace be with you.” – and then invites Thomas to come up and touch him – Thomas simply drops to his knees and says, “My Lord and my God” – Jesus response is a lesson for Thomas and us – “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

The crucifixion of Jesus threatened the value and meaning of the community of the disciples and apostles – their faith was certainly tested. Jesus comes to them to strengthen their faith – the Gospel makes a point of telling us that Jesus shows them his wounds to identify himself and to demonstrate to them the proof of his love for them. Love is proved by deeds.

Thomas doubts – there are some who look on doubts as a sign of weakness – many may even feel guilty because they doubt about something – but doubts can be a growing point – a stepping stone to understanding. This was noted by Thomas Merton, he writes, “The man of faith who has never experienced doubt is not a man of faith.”

Every community could use a Thomas – someone who has the courage to ask questions. They may annoy some of us – but they do make us think. There are many who doubt about God and Jesus and the Catholic Church. Our task – as followers of Jesus – as Catholics – is to make Christ visible in the world. The only way people – especially those who are full of doubts – will be converted to belief is if they can ‘see’ Jesus and ‘touch’ Jesus in his followers. But if his followers have no wounds of love to show them, the unbelievers are not likely to be convinced. All should be able to see our faith in Jesus in the lives we live – and in the wounds and sacrifices that we have won as we follow the Savior who lived, suffered and died for us – leading to his Resurrection.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father – guide and lead me – that my follow Jesus – unafraid of the difficulties and sufferings and wounds that this may involve – so that I may discover the full joy of being a Catholic and Christian. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer

Father Bill says...a Lenten Journey, Easter

to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench


“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad”

“The Lord is Risen, He is truly risen”

Easter is about life – new life – new life in the Lord Jesus Christ who rose from the dead – we believe very firmly that Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, who truly died on the cross – who accepted the violence of the cross to demonstrate God’s loving forgiveness for all time – rose to new life – to destroy death for us all – and invite us to be an Easter people – who now can share this new life with the Lord – more than believing in the Resurrection, we are a Resurrection people.

Even now we are invited by Our Savior to share in the new life that he won by his life, death and resurrection. We live in that new life by living out our faith boldly and faithfully – knowing that God loves us unconditionally. Living in that love – we are unafraid to live in the joy and happiness of being one – united with the Lord. So we join together on this Easter Sunday at Mass – at the Eucharist – to be united to the Lord – and live in his life – new life.

Can you get more life than you have? With Jesus, we can – we will – we must – when we are aware of the great love that God has for us – our life is full - whenever I think of this I think of that wonderful song in “The Man of LaMancha” – truly with the new life of the Lord – we can “Dream the Impossible Dream” –
“To right the unrightable wrong,
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star”

Now – I have a request – I need your prayers – on this Easter Sunday, at the Sunday Masses here in my parish, I want to say something about all that is being written and said in the media and such about what is being called this scandal about sex abuse – and priests and Bishops. I remember well saying something about all of this several years ago – and here we go again – this year.

I will admit that some abusive and unhappy and violent things have happened – that there have been priests who have done wrong – I will also admit that some Bishops have failed by not dealing well with these situations – solving some things by simply transferring a priest. Every time a priest is transferred, there have been some questions – although now each diocese has a Director of Personnel and a committee that works with the Bishop considering assignments of priests.

I believe that in many ways every diocese and every Bishop is dealing well with the question of priests who may be unfit to serve – especially, in regard to abusive situations – each diocese has a lay board that considers each question – and the proper way to deal with it. I do remember well that a few years ago – at a meeting of the Bishops of the United States in Dallas – that a decision was made that any priest who was accused credibly would be removed from the priesthood. And I remember that when our Bishop came back from that meeting that five priests from this diocese were removed.

Now as for the Pope and the Bishops who critics say did not administer a situation properly – I guess I would have to admit that mistakes were made – however, often they were working together with police and other civil authorities and still mistakes were made.

As you might expect – this kind of publicity shakes off on all priests – and unhappily I know that many will reject every priest because they have heard of one who is accused and indicted. I know that there are many situations where I have changed my behavior – because of all of this.

And, finally, this touches all Catholics – there are some Catholics who have rejected the Church completely – and refuse to be part of their parish and the Catholic Church – this saddens and disappoints me – but it has happened. And there are many Catholics who find it difficult to be recognized as a Catholic because of all of this. Again, I am saddened – and I know that our Church needs good people who are unafraid to speak up about their Catholic faith and Church. And I hope to talk about good priests – at times like this we hear so much about priests who have failed – and not enough about good priests. Tell the world about the good priests who have touched your life, your family – and made your parish a great place to be.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father – I rejoice today – I rejoice in the Resurrection of Jesus – I am filled with Easter joy – I thank you God for new life – may I live out that life – may I truly be alive in your Spirit. This is my prayer. Amen.

Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer