Father Matthew Wiering Podcast

Christmas 2022: Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes, Lying in a Manger

St. Luke repeats two details for us: That the newborn Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (this latter detail Luke repeats thrice. The Church Fathers, attentive to this seemingly intentional repetition, saw in these two details at the beginning of Christ's life a prophesy of how his life would be culminate -- in his handing over his body through his dying and becoming food for his believers. This prophetic imagery is fulfilled today at our Christmas (literally, "Christ's Mass) Liturgy.

God’s Plans vs. My Plans

Today's first reading contains one of the most famous prophesies of all the Scriptures: A virgin will conceive and bear a son. What we don't always think about is the context in which this "sign" is announced: In the face of armies attacking Judah, King Ahaz is belligerent in his design to ally Judah with Egypt. He is insisting on doing his own will, instead of being obedient to God's will. He doesn't even want to hear what God has to say on the matter. We find a clear contrast with Ahaz in our Gospel. Joseph, who also finds himself in an extremely trying and confusing circumstance, opens himself to God and God's will in his life. Obedient to God instead of his own will, he says "yes" to taking on Mary as wife and Jesus as son--thus, you and I can be saved! What wonderful things God can do with our "yes" to His will!

Flowers Bloom in the Desert

Again in today's first reading from the prophet Isaiah we have a very striking image for Israel -- a desert -- which evokes aridity, barrenness, and death. Yet. The prophet tells us that the desert will be filled with an abundance of flowers. Of course, he does not mean that a desert will literally bloom, but that the "desert" of Israel, which at this point in its history seem lifeless and fruitless will not always be so but will again produce fruit, in Jesus. The same thing happens to the "desert" of our heart when Jesus comes -- flowers begin to bloom there. Let's pray and wait for this during Advent!

New Life from a Dead Stump

In this 2nd Week of Advent, the prophet Isaiah speaks to us again. He says, "A shoot shall sprout from the stump of David." In dead Israel, new life is going to come. How much do we need Jesus to come into those dead and lifeless places in our heart? Let our Advent prayer be, "Come, Lord Jesus!" 

The Mass as the Fulfillment of Ancient Prophecy

During the Sundays of Advent our first reading is taken from the prophet Isaiah, the foremost prophet on the coming of the Messiah. Since this is the very purpose of Advent -- preparing for the liturgical celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ-Messiah of Israel, how appropriate for us to be rooted in this ancient text. Today we explore how the mountain prophecy in Isaiah's 2nd chapter is not only fulfilled in the final age with the restoration of the heavenly Jerusalem, but in the present age of the Church -- with the celebration of every Mass.

Thanking God in Good Times and in Bad

In our Gospel of the healing of the ten lepers, Jesus tells the Samaritan man who returned to thank him, "Your faith has saved you." It does seem that there is a connection between thanksgiving and faith: If we have faith and trust in the goodness of God our Father, then we will be able to thank him for everything he is doing in our life, whether in "good times" or in "bad times". 

Solemnity of Christ the King: Maintaining Hope in the Midst of our Politics

The Solemnity of Christ the King presents us with an interesting juxtaposition between our own experience of worldly power and authority (as demonstrated by our political leaders) and Christ's power and authority. Our Gospel brings us to the Cross, the throne of Jesus. From that place of selflessness and humility, Christ shows us what makes him victorious: obedient love. This service is at the heart of what truly makes one great -- the feature of the True King of the Universe.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Heading for Destruction

In today's Gospel, some people are standing near Jesus admiring the beauty of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Jesus says to them, "All that you see here ... a stone will not be left upon another stone..." On a literal level, Jesus was predicting the destruction of the Temple, which happened in 70 AD at the hands of the Romans. But on a symbolic level, he is also talking about what will happen to you and to me: Of us, too, Jesus can say, "All that you see here ... a stone will not be left upon another stone..." Accepting this truth, how does this change how will we live? Will we live this life in preparation for the next?

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: What’s our Attitude towards Death?

Today's 1st reading from 2nd Maccabees recounts the story of the heroic seven brothers and their mother who choose to sacrifice their lives rather than to eat pork. Perhaps astonishingly to us, the mother is the one who is encouraging her sons to offer their lives rather than offend God. How is it that the sons are able to give their lives in this way? How was the mother able to encourage all seven of her sons to be martyrs? Their attitude towards death showed their confidence in the resurrection: That this life is not the final destination but rather means for us to attain eternal life. Do we approach death in the same way?

Solemnity of All Saints: Is Holiness Possible?

To be a saint, literally means to be "holy". Perfect holiness will come someday in heaven, but even now the Church, through the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, tells us that everyone -- priests, religious sisters, and lay people alike -- are called to holiness. So what is "holiness" actually and is it even possible for us in this life?