Out of Aces

Learning how to play poker with Jesus

12/16/2024

Mt 21:23-27 When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”  Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

After Mass a couple of weeks ago someone casually asked me if I played poker. I answered “No, but I do like to watch ‘The World Series of Poker’ on television.” Have you ever watched that show? It features the world’s greatest poker players like Phil Helmuth, Doyle Brunson (with his signature cowboy hat), Johnny Chan, Phil Ivey, and Daniel Negreanu.

What I like about the show is that the viewer (you and me) gets to see everyone’s hand – what cards they are holding – and what the person about to bet has to contend with. You can almost guess what they are thinking as they toy with their chips between their fingers and the timer ticks down.

That show always reminds me of Kenny Rogers famous song, “The Gambler.” The well-known refrain goes like this: “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em / Know when to fold ‘em / Know when to walk away / And know when to run. / You never count your money / When you’re sittin’ at the table / There’ll be time enough for countin’ / When the dealin’s done.” I love the depth psychology at work watching the faces of players trying to decide “when to hold ‘em” and “when to fold ‘em.”

In the gospel today we see a sort of poker game between Jesus and the chief priests and elders. The Jewish leaders ask Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” We might say they are asking Jesus to show them the hand he is holding. That is, do you have a pair of Aces or are you just bluffing and you have no authority, you are just a man.

In response, Jesus raises the stakes and increases the bet by putting John the Baptist into the pot. He answers, “Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly origin or of human origin?” And then like on the show The World Series of Poker, the chief priests and elders hesitate and think while toying with their poker chips.

And finally they decide to fold their hand, and Jesus takes the pot and does not reveal his cards or his authority either. Even Kenny Rogers knows it’s never a smart move to play poker with Jesus. He already knows the hand you are holding, like we can see the players’ hands on television.

Even though I do not play poker with a group of guys, there is a sense in which we all play poker with God. How so? Well, we all get a hand that is dealt to us at birth, and it appears quite random as the cards are distributed. Some of us hold the aces of beauty, intelligence, self-confidence, being born in an affluent country, loving parents, etc.

Others are dealt a dud hand of birth defects, poverty, low IQ, being born in a developing nation, abusive parents, etc. have you ever wondered why you are so lucky to have the opportunities you enjoy while others struggle to survive? To a large extent, that is the hand you were dealt in life. And just like poker, everyone has to play the hand they get.

Another way life is like poker is we often try to out-smart or bluff with God. To bluff in poker is to make the other player think you have a bigger hand than you really have and to make him fold his hand. We do this in the million-and-one ways we try to out-maneuver God. We ignore him and stop going to church or Mass.

We debate him in our mind and feel his answers are not satisfactory, like modern atheism and agnosticism. And sometimes we even think God is trying to bluff with us because he seems to be saying he’s holding a better hand with promises of heavenly glory, while we foolishly think our poor hand of an 8-high of earthly goods will beat him.

Now, here is the real problem with playing poker with God. Like in the television show, The World Series of Poker, the viewer can see what cards everyone at the table is holding, God sees all our cards. Jesus knew in the gospel what the chief priests and elders were holding as well as what they were thinking.

Like Kenny Rogers sang about the gambler so too with Jesus: “He said, ‘Son, I’ve made a life / Out of readin’ people’s faces / Knowin’ what the cards were / By the way they held their eyes / So if you don’t mind my sayin’ / I can see you’re out of aces.” And that is the real predicament of playing poker with Jesus. We are always out of aces.

Jesus, on the other hand, is holding that supremely rare hand called a royal flush, an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten (all of hearts), which in spiritual terms are God the Father, God the Son, the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit, the perfect 10. And maybe that is the real reason that when someone asks me, “Do you like to play poker?” I always answer, “No thanks.”

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Keeping Kristen Happy

Taking advantage of the joy of Gaudete Sunday

12/15/2024

Zep 3:14-18a Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.

I was having dinner recently with Kristen and Ryan Gehrig, parishioners of Immaculate Conception. We began to discuss homilies we hear on Sundays and what they liked and disliked about them. And I will never forget a spontaneous comment Kristen suddenly blurted out. She said, “Listen, I just come to hear a good joke to help me make it through another week.” So, in honor of Kristen’s request, and for the rest of you who are only here to hear a good joke, here you go.

A Catholic priest, a Rabbi, and an Imam were meeting together at an interfaith council when they were interrupted by a secretary. She rushed in and exclaimed: “God is on the phone for you, Fr. Murphy.” Fr. Murphy takes the phone, listens a moment, nods his head gravely, and then hangs up. He turns to the Rabbi and the Imam and says, “I’ve got good news and I have bad news. The good news is that God loves us. The bad news is he is calling from Salt Lake City.”

Okay, if you didn’t get that one, maybe you will get this joke. An Augustinian monk, a Benedictine, a Dominican, and a Franciscan were arguing amongst each other about which of their religious orders had done the work most pleasing to God. It was becoming a rather heated debate, and finally before it deteriorated into a major unholy brawl, they decided to pray about it.

They asked God what his choice was regarding which order had done the most good in his eyes. Shortly afterward, a parchment drifted down from the sky. On it was inscribed: “My sons, do not fight amongst yourselves! All of you are equally pleasing to me!” Signed, “God, SJ.” (S.J. are initials that stand for the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.)

Okay, if you didn’t get those two jokes, maybe you’ll have better luck with this last one. A little boy during a church Christmas play was reciting his lines. Suddenly, his mind went blank and he couldn’t remember what he was supposed to say next. He looks out into the audience for clues, and sees his mother.

He reads her lips as she mouths the words, “I am the light of the world.” His eyes light up and he announces loudly: “My mother is the light of the world!” All the moms here this morning are not laughing because they are thinking: “That’s no joke, I AM the light of the world.”

I share these jokes not only to keep all the Kirstens out there happy, but also because humor touches the heart of the Third Sunday of Advent. How so? Well, this weekend we light the happy, pink candle on the Advent Wreath. And priests and deacons around the world wear pink vestments, so not one can take us too seriously.

And this weekend is even called in Latin “Gaudate Sunday,” which means “Rejoice, ya’ll!” Have a good laugh. That paraphrases our first reading from Zep 3:14, “Be glad and exult with all your heart.” In other words, the Third Sunday of Advent does not just want to keep all the Kristens happy with a good joke.

This Sunday desires that all God’s people be happy and rejoice with the Good News that Jesus, the true Light of the world (sorry mom), is about to be born. You see, the joy and laughter we feel in hearing a good joke is merely a down payment on the greater and eternal joy that Jesus’ birth brings.

Another way to tap into the joy of this Gaudate Sunday is to take fully advantage of the new Jubilee Year Pope Francis has announced. Have you heard about this? You may also have heard that Bishop Taylor has even designated Immaculate Conception Church as one of the Jubilee Churches. What does all that mean? Well, Pope Francis is the Successor of St. Peter, and the Vicar of Christ.

Therefore he carries the keys that Jesus entrusted to St. Peter in Mt 16:19, “I give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.” That means the pope has the power to unlock the treasure trove of divine graces called “indulgences” and forgive the penance or punishment due to our sins. To put it in terms of the board game “Monopoly,” an indulgence is a “get out of jail free card.” That is, an indulgence remits the punishment for our sins we would have paid for in Purgatory.

The conditions to gain a plenary indulgence are fourfold: (1) go to confession, (2) receive Holy Communion in the state of grace, (3) pray for the intentions of the pope, and (4) visit a Jubilee Church like Immaculate Conception, all within the Jubilee Year, which begins on December 29, 2024 and ends January 6, 2026.

I know the practice of indulgences got a bad rap during the Middle Ages because there were serious abuses of them, and in some ways, that abuse sparked the Protestant Reformation. But today, we have thrown out the bathwater and kept the Baby, namely Jesus, who came to give us the treasures of heaven, which is none other than his own divine life.

And like the seven sacraments, although to a lesser degree of efficacy, indulgences communicate God’s own mercy and love to you and me. He indulges us like a loving father dotes on their children. And that should put a bigger smile on your face than hearing a good joke.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Soothing the Savage Beast

Opening remarks, welcome and prayer

12/13/2024

I am truly pleased that Immaculate Conception Church can host this Christmas classical music concert, titled “Under the Rose Window.” Think about it: classical music has always found its home in the Church. After all, a funeral Mass inspired Mozart’s “Requiem in D minor”.

Beethoven composed a “Missa solemnis in D Major”, a solemn Mass for his patron, Prince Nikolai Golitzin. And who can forget Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” for a Lutheran service? It is no exaggeration to say classical music not only finds its truly proper home in the Church but perhaps  here it even reaches its most sublime heights.

And this should not surprise us since, even going all the way back in the Old Testament to 1000 BC, King David composed his Psalms as liturgical - that is, church - music. And by the way, do you remember what effect his church music produced in the hearers? We read in 1 Samuel 16:23, “Whenever [a tormenting] spirit came upon [King] Saul, David would take the harp and play, for the evil spirit would leave him.”

It’s like the old saying “music soothes the savage beast.”  In other words, liturgical music, especially music like David’s Psalter and Beethoven’s Missa solemnis, is designed not only to lift the spirit in prayer (which it most certainly does) but also to heal the spirit from wounds (which we most certainly need).

Perhaps we can make that perspective our prayer this evening. Let us pray, “Heavenly Father, you delight in the music of your children. As your Holy Spirit inspired the great musicians of the past - David, Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach - to help your people down the ages to lift their minds and hearts in prayer, so bless the musicians this evening – the IC Treble Makers, Ben Henderson, Judith Norton, Grant Harper, Lori Fay, and Ben Keating.

May their talents and training serve to give you all the glory and to give your people healing, hope, and a touch of the joy of Christmas. May their music soothe the savage beast in each of us. We ask this as all things through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

One small house-keeping item before I turn the evening over to Dr. Rick Foti, our Emcee. The proceeds from tonight will benefit our "Yesterday, Today, and Forever Campaign", the centerpiece of which is a new back altar in the sanctuary. So, a very hearty thanks to our sponsors who made this evening free for everyone.

But that also means you should have a few extra shekels in your pockets that you can leave for our campaign by dropping them in the baskets at the exits of the church. Your gift will make this church a worthy home for the heavenly music you are about to hear. Magnificent churches like this is where such music was born. Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Using That Word

Understanding what Jesus means by rest and peace

12/12/2024

Mt 11:28-30 Jesus said to the crowds: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

One of my favorite movies growing up was “The Princess Bride.” And I enjoy watching it even now as an adult. One of the villains in the movie named Vizzini – who abducts the princess bride – had a habit of repeating the word “inconceivable.” Inconceivable! Inconceivable!

At one point in the movie, one of his friends named Inigo Montoya calls Vizzini out about his excessive use of that one word. And he says to him, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” That is a sample of the movie’s subtle but sophisticated humor.

Today if Inigo Montoya had been at morning Mass, and had heard Jesus speaking in the gospel, he might have leveled the same criticism against our Lord. Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” And again, Jesus says: “You will find rest for yourselves.”

Well, Inigo Montoya could rightly have said, “You keep using that word, rest, but I do not think it means what you think it means.” And in a sense, Inigo Montoya would be right, but not because Jesus does not know what rest means, but because we do not know what real rest means. What do I mean?

Well, first of all, Jesus does not mean rest and peace like we think of rest as a nice vacation on the beach. Jesus is not referring to some “R and R”, rest and relaxation. Don’t forget what Jesus said in Mt 10:34, “Do not think I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but the sword.” In other words, Jesus’ idea of rest and peace is radically different than our idea of rest and peace. Jesus keeps using that word, but I do not think it means what we think it means.

But if Jesus does not mean by rest and peace like reading a John Grisham book on the beach, where do we find Jesus’ kind of rest and peace. We find it primarily and principally in the sacraments. For example, the Eucharist is punctuated at several points with Jesus’ notion of peace, especially right before Holy Communion. At that point, we turn to each other and say, “Peace be with you.”

What we wish for each other is not “I hope you get to the beach soon.” But rather we wish each other “shalom” a peace that comes from a deep and intimate friendship with God. We could be celebrating Mass in the middle of a war – as many Army chaplains have – and still experience Jesus’ peace and rest. You keep using that word, I do not think it means what we think it means.

Another sacrament where we feel the profound peace of Christ is in reconciliation. I don’t know how you feel when you walk out of the confessional, but I feel like on top of the world. I feel like I could fly because a great burden of sin has been lifted off my shoulders. I will never forget a little girl who made her first reconciliation. She was so happy she ran back to her mom and squealed, “Mom, can I do that again?!” You keep using that word, peace. I do not think it means what we think it means.

And a third sacrament of deep peace is Anointing of the Sick, especially when it is given for the last time, as Last Rites, or Extreme Unction. I received the Anointing of the Sick in 2003. I was hospitalized with viral meningitis. Bishop Sartain, our bishop at the time, came to the hospital and anointed my head and hands. Now, even though I was not miraculously healed, I did experience a profound peace.

And that peace pervaded my entire body. I felt like Jesus was holding me tightly in his arms, and that nothing could truly harm me. That must be how people feel who are anointed right before they die: Jesus is holding them tightly in his arms and nothing can harm them, not even death. That is true peace and rest. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what we think it means.

Folks, we will continue to hear the words rest and peace throughout Advent and Christmas. And the angel choirs will sing at the birth of Jesus in Lk 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Don’t be fooled into thinking rest and peace mean a long vacation in the mountains or going on a cruise ship. Jesus’ peace comes from an abiding friendship with him, and frequently coexists with and is fully compatible with war, and wounds, and weakness. Jesus keeps using that word. But it does not mean what we think it means.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Victim of a Book

Seeing the role of the angels in the parable of the lost sheep

12/10/2024

Mt 18:12-14 Jesus said to his disciples: "What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost."

I had a professor at the University of Dallas whom I admired very much (and still do) named Dr. Janet Smith. She taught philosophy and classical languages like Greek and Latin. She once made an off-handed comment that I have never forgotten. She said: “We are all the victim of the last book we read.”

What she meant by that was that we feel very moved, or inspired, or convicted, or enthralled, or entertained, etc. by the most recent book we just finished, and we feel all our friends should read it, too. Have you ever fallen victim to the last book you read? Don’t worry, I have too.

Let me share a little of a book I am currently reading, and feeling like its willing victim. I have fallen under the spell of Jean Danielou’s classic “The Angels and Their Mission: According to the Fathers of the Church.” Now, don’t let that anodyne title deceive you; it may sound tame and trite.

But this little 114-page book packs a powerful punch. And I am convinced everyone should run out and buy their own copy. In other words, everyone who has ever read a book feels like Oprah Winfrey and wants to start their own book club. Oprah is also the victim of the last book she reads.

But Jean Danielou helped me penetrate the gospel we just head and reach new depths of understanding. He reads and studies Scripture through the eyes of the early Church Fathers, collectively called “the Patristics.” Danielou is a Patristic scholar.

And therefore intimately familiar with the works of Origen, Tertullian, St. John Chrysostom, St. Irenaeus, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Gregory the Great, and the greatest of them all, St. Augustine. That is, Daniel would say: if you want to be a victim of any book, go back and read the Church Fathers. That is the book club you want to belong to, not Oprah’s.

When you and I hear Jesus’ parable in Mt 18 about the 100 sheep, 99 good and 1 that goes astray, we typically think the “sheep" symbolize “people.” That is, Jesus is talking about 99 righteous people (the saints) as opposed to the one lost soul (the sinner). But that is not how the early Church Fathers interpreted that parable.

Danielou explains: “ There is a whole tradition, with Irenaeus as its first witness, but actually going back much further, which sees this [lost] sheep as human nature and the flock which the Good Shepherd leaves behind to set out in search for the sheep as the worlds of the angels” (p. 49). Did you catch that? The 99 sheep do not represent human beings but the choirs of angels. And all humanity is the one lost, straying sheep.

Danielou continues to expound this Patristic perspective: “ Christ, returning with the lost sheep on His shoulders, is the Word of God who has assumed human nature and leads it back into heaven at the Ascension.” And then Danielou adds: “This is the joy of the angels – that is, for the Fathers, of the ninety-nine sheep which the Shepherd left behind to set out in search of the stray sheep, and who now greet Him with joy as he returns with it” (p. 49).

In other words, the Church Fathers saw the parable of the lost sheep not only in light of the angels, but also as shedding light on the mystery of the Ascension, the 2nd Glorious Mystery of the rosary. The Ascension, therefore, is not just Jesus returning home after a long day at work saving souls; he is the Good Shepherd who has found the lost sheep – humanity – and brought it home to heaven on his shoulders.

Now, that is all good and fine for speculative, theoretical theology – like trying to answer the question, “how many angels can dance on the head of a needle?” – but does this Patristic perspective have any practical value? I thought you’d never ask. I don’t know about you but when I hear the parable of the lost sheep, do you know which category I automatically place myself?

Naturally, I am one of the 99 righteous sheep. After all, I go to daily Mass, I pray my rosary, I give to the poor, I wear this very holy-looking Roman collar. You cannot get much holier than that. When I counsel couples struggling in their marriages, when I talk to teens who are fighting their parents and their peers, when I read and write decisions for annulment cases, do you know what I hear?

Everyone believes they are innocent and the victim of injustice, and someone else is the culprit and at fault. In other words, we all jump into the category of the 99 righteous sheep and look at others as the straying sheep. And debunking that delusion is precisely the practical value of the Patristic interpretation of this passage. The 99 righteous are the angels, not human beings, and you and I are collectively the culprit, the lost sheep, in need of salvation.

There is a poignant scene at the beginning of the movie “Gladiator” when the Roman legion faces-off against a Germanic, barbaric army. Right before the battle the Roman General Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, stands beside his lieutenant, Quintus, surveying the scene. Quintus states proudly: “People should know when they are conquered.”

And Maximus replies wisely: “Would you, Quintus? Would I?” Then the Roman legions mow down the barbarians in a gory battle. The great irony, of course, is that 400 years later those same Germanic barbarians, called the Visigoths, would overrun Rome and sack her. And that is the point of the parable of the lost sheep: humanity has been conquered by Satan, and we do not know it.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

A Bone to Pick

Understanding who the Immaculate Conception is about

12/09/2024

Lk 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

This is going to be a super-short sermon, so pay super-close attention. But I do have a bone to pick with the selection of Scripture readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. What do I mean? Well, this particular gospel passage is precisely the wrong one for the Immaculate Conception. Why? Well, because whose conception does it describe? It is all about the conception of Jesus in the womb of his mother, Mary.

But that is exactly what the Immaculate Conception is not about, even though 9 out of 10 Catholics you ask mistakenly think that is what the Immaculate Conception is. Wait. Wut? Now, get this, and get this good: the Immaculate Conception is not about the conception of Jesus in the womb of his mother, Mary. Rather, it is about the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.

Nonetheless, I do not believe this passage from Luke 1: 26-38 is entirely misplaced or without merit. Why not? Well, because of the first words out of the Archangel Gabriel’s mouth when he greets the Blessed Virgin Mary. Do you remember them? Of course you do, because those are the words we borrow to pray the Hail Mary. That is, we say like Gabriel: “Hail Mary, full of grace…”

Now, those three innocent little words, “full of grace” – the way you say that in Greek is kecharitomene – could not be theologically more important or supernaturally more significant. Why not? Well, when did Mary start to be “full of grace”? Did she receive an Amazon Prime delivery one Christmas with a package that was of “full of grace”? No.

Did she feel full of grace when she turned 7 years old and embarked on the so-called “age of reason”? No. Was Mary suddenly “full of grace” when she was presented in the Temple by her parents Sts. Joachim and Anne at the age of 3? Nope, not then either. Maybe she became “full of grace” on the day that she was born? Nope.

Mary was “full of grace” – kecharitomene – at the very first instance of her existence, that is, when she was conceived in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. In other words, the Archangel Gabriel was not making Mary “full of grace” when he greeted her. He was acknowledging the fact that she was already and the only one jam-packed with grace from her conception until her bodily assumption.

And perhaps just as amazing is that she never lost a grain of that grace by committing any actual sins. Mother Mary was “full of grace” for every second she lived on earth, and today she is “full of glory” every second she lives in eternity. So, let’s recap the lesson we learned today. Is the Immaculate Conception about the conception of Jesus? No. Is the Immaculate Conception about the conception of Mary? Yes.

And what does it mean to be “immaculately conceived”? It means you are sinless, or to put it positively, you are kecharitomene, “full of grace.” You and I, on the other hand, are NOT immaculately conceived – even though some of us may think we are sinless and perfect. Still, even though we cannot share Mary’s fullness of grace here on earth, maybe we can share some of her fullness of glory one day in eternity. Today, we ask for her powerful prayers – prayers full of grace – so we can be a little more full of Jesus’ grace like her.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Stealing Sermons

Appreciating the life of St. Ambrose and Woody Shank

12/07/2024

Jn 10:11-16 Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd."

Last week I did something I do not normally do, but I am glad I did, namely, attend a funeral at a Protestant church. I can’t do that often because I’m too busy performing funerals here at I.C. The funeral was for Woody Shank, who has many Catholic family members, but Woody himself was staunchly Baptist.

The interior of the church had semi-circular seating, dim lighting over the congregation, the stage – hard to call it a sanctuary – was decked with four large-screen TV, Christmas trees, columns of blue lights, and a sole pulpit standing in the center illuminated by a spot-light.

Even though the funeral was not as liturgical and ritualistic as I would like – no smells and bells – I heard one of the most moving funeral sermons I have ever heard. It was delivered by Dr. Jeff Crawford, pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist Church. The sermon was a lot longer than what you hear in a Catholic service.

But I was mesmerized by how Dr. Crawford eulogized Woody Shank with humility, humor, and holiness. He shared several funeral jokes which I will save for a Sunday homily. Baptists always give me great homily material. I’ve stolen lots of sermons from Protestant pastors. After 2,000 pretty much everything you hear in church is stolen from someone’s sermon.

But what really grabbed my attention was how much of an impact Woody left on Dr. Crawford’s life. He recalled how Woody was a dedicated youth minister taking boys, like Jeff, on camping trips and snipe hunting. How Woody reached out to kids who started distancing themselves from the Church. How Woody loved to talk about Jesus.

Dr. Crawford repeated what could well be Woody’s life motto: “It was always about Jesus. It was only about Jesus.” Dr. Crawford attributed his own call to ministry as a pastor to Woody’s influence. And he felt his life had somewhat come full circle when Jeff introduced his own children to Woody.

Today is the feast of St. Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, who lived in the 4th century, from 339 to 394. We often do not hear much about St. Ambrose because his life was overshadowed by his more famous protégé, St. Augustine of Hippo. Just like I probably would never have known about Woody Shank until I heard the preaching of Dr. Crawford, so in some ways, St. Augustine put St. Ambrose on the historical map of the Church.

In other words, St. Augustine both overshadowed him but ironically also shed light on him. How so? Well, it was to St. Ambrose that St. Augustine credited his complete conversion to Christ and his desire to follow in his footsteps. And who knows, maybe St. Augustine stole a few sermons from St. Ambrose as well.

So taking my cue from Dr. Crawford and St. Augustine, I would like to share a few stories about the life of St. Ambrose, the beloved bishop of Milan. The first remarkable thing to note is that Ambrose became the bishop of Milan not initially by the appointment from the pope, which is how all bishops are created today.

Rather, he was chosen as bishop of Milan by the popular acclaim of the people. His reputation as a pastor, a preacher, a theologian, and leader was well known and respected. His ascension to the episcopal see was, as we say today, “a no-brainer”, and spoke highly of his personal character and professional credentials.

A second accomplishment to recognize about Ambrose was he was an accomplished musician. For example, he developed an early form of antiphonal chant for the Mass called the Ambrosian Chant. Think of how we sing or say the Responsorial Psalm by repeating the antiphon, which is usually a verse from that psalm. He helped develop that.

He also composed the hymn called the “Te Deum,” which in Latin means “To You God.” Priests and deacons sing the Te Deum in the Liturgy of the Hours on Sundays and Solemnities. When we sing the Te Deum praising God, we should feel a deep gratitude to St. Ambrose. 

But of course, Ambrose’s lasting claim to fame will be his influence on St. Augustine. Let me allow the Doctor of Grace (Augustine) to speak for himself. He wrote in Book V of his immortal Confessions: “To Milan I came, to Ambrose the bishop…whose eloquent discourse did then plentifully dispense unto Thy people the flower of Thy wheat, the gladness of Thy oil, and the sober inebriation of Thy wine.”

He continued: “To him was I unknowingly led by Thee, that by him I might knowingly be led to Thee. That man of God received me as a father, and showed me an Episcopal kindness on my coming. Thenceforth, I began to love him.” It is hard not to hear how Dr. Crawford could have uttered almost identical words about Woody Shank.

Dr. Crawford could say: “To Woody was I unknowingly led by Jesus, that by Woody I might be knowingly be led to Jesus.” My friends, today think about someone who has influenced you and brought you closer to Christ: a pastor, a parent, a professor, a friend, a family member, or a public figure.

As we gather to sing the praises of God, like priests and deacons sing the Te Deum, whisper a word of thanks in your heart for all the Ambroses in your life. We would not know Christ without them. And we might even steal something from their sermons once in a while.

Praised be Jesus Christ!