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Lighthouse March 11, 2026

His Disciples Had Gone into Town Jn. 4:5ff

I don't know about you but this scripture really grabbed my attention. Especially after the account we just heard last week from the gospel of Matthew where he recounted the Transfiguration. Remember in that story how Jesus had gone up the mountain and only Peter, James and John had gone with him. The rest stayed behind. It was the end of the day and it was kind of like they just told Jesus 'You go on and climb that mountain; we just want to rest.' They passed up an opportunity to have a special experience with the Lord. Then this week we listen to the story of the woman at the well. We can't help but ask, why did all 12 apostles have to go grocery shopping? How much more ready we are to focus on the things of the world, especially food. Have you ever noticed, even when we are sharing a good meal we don't seem to be able to keep ourselves from talking about other food venues. We don't seem to fully appreciate what is in front of us. Why did all the apostles have to go? They knew they were going to be dealing with Samaritan food suppliers. They knew they were leaving Jesus alone, alone in foreign territory by a well where Jesus didn't have a means of getting the water; where women are normally the ones to come and draw water; where he would be put in a situation of dealing with a foreign woman. It seems derelict on their part but Jesus knew what he was doing. He probably knew it was Jacob's well and an important part of His history. Did He also know that this woman would be coming along? She was most likely an outcast among her own people as she was not drawing water at the time most women would. Did He know He was going to have the opportunity to help someone who was downtrodden? Had the apostles been there they would have dissuaded him from dealing with her; after all He had called another woman a dog. Did He finally just get so thirsty that He was willing to overlook those biases and ask Her for a drink? And, for that favor, he tells her she has had a lot of men in her life; and 'the one you have now is not your own.' In other words her husband was probably not even divorced. How many men were there? Six. And that finally becomes the real clue for John's Gospel. Six is always a number which speaks of imperfection, of coming up short. 666 would refer to Satan, meaning he came up perfectly short. But in looking at this woman who had never found fulfillment; not in having multiple men, not in Jacob's well (she left her pitcher behind). Fulfillment can, and will only be found in Jesus. That is why in John, who tells us of the wedding feast of the lamb, Jesus is number 7. There is room too for her to be in the 'bride of Christ' just as John pointed out six stone jars filled with wine at the wedding feast. They were the best wine, but still came up short, till one realizes Jesus himself is the seventh. He himself is the finest wine as we look at the wedding feast of the lamb. Are you willing to do the extra, like, climbing the mountain, to show your love for Jesus and by staying with Him at the well to receive life-giving water, or will you be distracted and have to go grocery shopping for the things of this world?

Lighthouse March 4, 2026

ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN

How does that grab you, these words from Matthew 7:7? I'm all in. But wait, haven't you asked before and not received? What's with that? It says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. . For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” First of all Jesus says 'everyone'. Not just the super holy; not those who have been Christian for at least 10 years; not those who learn some secret formula. He says 'whatever you ask the Father in my name I will do.' He says 'say to this mountain move and it will move.' does that mean you and I don't have enough faith. 'even the faith the size of a mustard seed.'? I know it creates a lot of questions. How many people there are entrapped with alcoholism or drug addiction that I've prayed for and not seen any results yet. How many with other illnesses; how many suffering from the economy or persecution; and certainly, how many who are being sacrificed through abortion. We already know we are not to pray on and on like the pagans do; having some sort of rain dance as if we can make God do something. Then when we read further in Matthew we hear Him say: 'If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him.' we are assured that the Father wants to give more than we ask. It makes me think of the story of a young man who was turning 16. he knew his dad would want to give him a car as all the other fathers in his circle do. So, he went to his dad's office where he was a very wealthy CEO and just flat told his dad he would like a Lamborghini for his birthday. When the day came and the family was gathered around his birthday cake his dad gave him a package, which he knew would be the car he wanted. But, when he opened it all he saw was a Bible and a note saying “I am giving you the most valuable thing in my life.” without thinking, he just threw the Bible against the wall, and it stayed there. A few days later his dad died of a massive heart attack. After the funeral the young man saw the Bible still lying on the floor. Feeling some remorse he went and picked it up and it opened to the title of the car he wanted. Even though his request was great, the father gave him more than he asked for by also giving him what he himself treasured most. We have to believe and know, God will give us more than we ask for, in His perfect timing. We also have to know that God's greatest gift, free will, is something He will never take away. And so, while I believe He can influence others He will never take away their free will to respond. I will continue to pray for those who suffer from addictions and other afflictions. Will you?

Lighthouse February 25, 2026

WHEN

That is the word which stands out as we read Matthew 6. Right now we are into the season of Lent, which for many of us is a time of prayer and fasting, in a greater way than normal. That is why that word 'when' stands out. Jesus says: 'when you give alms'. .. 'when you pray.' . . 'when you fast.' Jesus assumes that any of his followers will naturally be doing these things as the ordinary way. When you are in love, these things are natural. For example Jesus was criticized for his disciples not fasting. The fact was, they were fasting all the time trying to follow Him around. Remember how they were so hungry that they ate the grains of wheat right out of the field, on the Sabbath. And of course they were criticized for that as well. How many parents have fasted so their children, or spouse could have more? Or at the very least, the mother ate a cold meal. I remember how dad always seemed to go for the chicken neck claiming he liked it most. I don't believe that now. You never see chicken necks sold by the pound. But Jesus also tells us that fasting supports prayer. Remember when He said certain kinds of evil can only be driven out by fasting, not just prayer? Why is that? Prayer for another may be an act of love; but it doesn't really call for an investment of ourselves, while fasting does. And in telling us to pray He is referring to more than just the rote prayers we may offer each day. In telling us to go to the inner room He is reminding us that we are temples and therefore we have access to the Father at all times and all places because He is always within us. If we are in love with God it should be no problem being conscious of Him throughout the day. And then too, with almsgiving. A Christian's normal life is one which seeks to give of oneself. That is one reason why I like the song based on Eitenne de Grillet's poem, If There Is Any Good Which I can Do, Let me Do It Now. As the song goes on: 'tomorrow may be too late my friend to do all the good that you plan. So reach out to those who need you, and lend a helping hand.' Lent is a reminder to all of us that time flies, Tempus Fugit. So, in receiving ashes on our foreheads we are reminded that we are but dust, as is everything around us. Don't put off the good you intend to do tomorrow. Do it now. Therefore let us pray, fast and give alms while we can and out of love for all those whom God loves. Have a great rest of lent.

Lighthouse February 18, 2026

SHROUD OF TURIN

The preponderance of evidence requires scientists to conclude that this historic, antique cloth can hardly be anything but the burial cloth of Jesus. We are again fortunate to have it for display during these days most connected with His death. A replica along with banners describing all the many different kinds of scientific tests will be on display at St. Catherine Church from now till Feb. 26th and at St. George Church in Van Buren from Feb. 26th til March 8th at 10:00am. Come and witness the kind of torture He must have gone through for our sins. What kind of trials did He endure. We know that he had sweat blood while in the garden of Gethsemane and then was arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin. While being questioned about what he taught he said 'Ask those who have heard me...they know what I said. .then one of the officers standing by struck Jesus....and Jesus said 'If I have spoken wrongly bear witness to the wrong.” With this He was making it clear that they really had no grounds for any kind of action against Him. Nevertheless they would lead him to a civil trial. Pilate, thinking he could torture Him and get their sympathy to let Him go had Him scourged. Now, the Jews had a punishment of scourging with a reed where they could lash the person 40 time minus 1, but the Romans, they used a whip which would have 3 straps, each with a metal barbell with barbs or bones and rip the flesh away. They didn't have any restraining limit and so the shroud depicts 120 lashes He received. You might want to watch 'The Passion' and get a good idea of what it was like. When the Jews still refused to let Him go Pilate condemned Him to death on the cross. John 19:17 says that 'He went out, bearing his own cross.” With that you can imagine a weakened man falling and the shroud would depict a head bruise and dislocated nose along with dirt in the knees. This dirt on the shroud has been determined to be from that part of Israel. Then in John 19:34 he says 'One of the soldiers pierced his side'. This wound and blood also is clearly seen on the shroud. In Mt. 27:29 the scripture says that they 'made a crown of thorns and put it on his head...and took a reed and struck him on the head.' driving in the thorns. Can you imagine? We really can't begin to comprehend the intensity of the suffering He endured for our salvation. We do well, during this special time of year, to reflect on it and ask ourselves how we can become a better version of ourselves in taking control of the different weaknesses we have. May you have a beautiful and blessed Lent.

Lighthouse February 11, 2026

Shrove Tuesday

Are you going to celebrate Shrove Tuesday next week? What’s that? You might be more familiar with Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. If you’re interested Trinity Methodist is going to have a pancake supper Tuesday night. Why? And you are invited. That day is also called Fat Tuesday. That does not mean you try to eat as much as you can and get fat but rather there is an attempt to get the fat out of the house. Kind of reminds you of the Jewish celebration of Passover when they get all of the leaven out of the house. Anyway, it is a time of seriously looking at ourselves and asking what changes do we need to make in our lives. So Lent is a time to look at our shortcomings, our weaknesses, our habits where the world is taking more control in our lives. To help us do that it is traditionally a time for giving up meat on that Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent. Ever wonder why there are so many fish fries on those Fridays? Then on every day of Lent we seek to give up something, like maybe only having 3 simple meals a day with no snacks. Someone asked me if they could give up electronic media. I said in this day and age that is more than an excellent idea; or at least take control of it and only check it at certain times of day. Could you do a total media fast? So anyway, Lent is a time of fasting. Scripture tells us that certain evils can only be overcome through prayer and fasting. Not just prayer alone. Fasting intensifies the prayer and lets God know we are serious. Remember David, when he was about to lose his first son? His son died anyway as God was showing him that there are consequences for sin. Then we hear of others who were day and night fasting in the temple; or the Ninevites who were called to fasting and. Penance and God did rescind the promised disaster. And, of course, we have the 40 days of fasting in imitation of Jesus who fasted 40 days in the desert. Then when he was tempted he overcame the temptations. Well, getting back to Shrove Tuesday, did you know it begins with 4 days of repentance beforehand. Some have the use of confession but even if you don’t its is very appropriate to come before God repenting of your sins, thus, being shriven. Decide on a plan now: what do you repent of? What kind of fast do you need to overcome the evils in your life? And finally, what can you do without that others in need might have what they need. Celebrate Shrove Tuesday and have a pancake for me. I can’t be there. May God bless you through this Lent and give you a better sense of peace and joy when it is over. Fr. Dan

Lighthouse February 4, 2026

“Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

Those are the words which stood out for me most this last weekend as we listened to our Lord's proclamation of the Beatitudes. As I listened to them this week I heard with new ears. I couldn't help but think of the International Day on Human Trafficking which occurs on February 8. As I listened to the beatitudes I realized there was a progression. We begin with 'blessed are the poor in spirit' followed by 'blessed are those who mourn.' In other words we have to have humility and know we are sinners and then mourn for the sin which surrounds us. As I think of human trafficking I have to question my own sinfulness. To what extent am I being complicit for not doing more, thinking it does not involve me? And then, am I really mourning, and praying as I recognize how serious it is, especially here in the land of the free? In the movie 'The Sound of Freedom'. I have to realize, this is anything but freedom.

According to the United Nations, an estimated 27 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, predominantly women, children, migrants, and people forced to flee their homes. This is a complex and dramatic phenomenon that takes multiple forms—from sexual exploitation to forced labor, from domestic servitude to forced marriage—and which, while remaining largely hidden and unreported, is increasingly finding new forms of exploitation online. Scripture says: “Learn to do what is good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the rights of the orphan, advocate for those in need” (Isaiah 1:17)

“Human trafficking remains a deep global wound, violating human dignity and disrupting the peace of our societies, especially in a world torn by conflict, war, and forced displacement. By placing the theme of peace and human dignity at the heart of this year’s World Day, we call all people of goodwill to move beyond awareness and unite in concrete action to end this crime. Our commitment is to walk closely with victims and survivors, to listen to their voices, and to advocate for systemic change that addresses the root causes of trafficking and builds a world rooted in peace, justice, and dignity for all.” said Sister Abby Avelino, Coordinator of the Day and of the International anti-trafficking network, Talitha Kum. There are so many ways, besides right out abduction, to capture someone. I was just reading of the Romeo method of slowly making someone feel loved and taking them where you want. There's the example given in 'Virgin of Guadalupe' no, not our lady, but young women who come across the border and while one perpetrator acts like they are going to do them harm another comes pretending to help and take them under their wing. Think about it, love, justice, peacemaker are all words requiring action and not just saying 'I'll pray about it' as important as that is. Let us work together to end the objectification of any other human being.

Lighthouse January 28, 2026

March for Life #52 53 years since the infamous Roe vs. Wade, 65 million persons killed.

The theme for this year's March for Life was "Life is a gift," focusing on the unshakable conviction that life is very good and worthy of protection, no matter the circumstances. This year President Trump spoke, via phone, giving his encouragement and continued commitment to make abortion unthinkable. He shared some of the many things which have been accomplished this past year, how we have overcome the infamous Roe vs. Wade supreme court decision. He talked about how he just extended the Mexico decision. It now prevents giving tax money to any organization which supports abortion in any other country of the world. Then he shared on the initiative which will set $1,000 aside for each child born in the US besides the different tax credits which are available. Then Vice President Vance gave a resounding speech reaffirming his ongoing commitment to the first right in the Constitution, the right to life. He shared how he and his wife are expecting their fourth child. “The mark of barbarism,” Vance said, “is that we treat babies like inconveniences to be discarded rather than the blessings to cherish that they are.” He said "In the ancient pagan world, discarding children was routine... The March For Life... is about whether we remain a civilization under God or we return to the paganism that dominated the past."
Scientific advancements continue to make care of the child in the womb more and more commonplace. The rally even had a group called '21 Club' sing 'America'. They are a group of young people who have Down Syndrome and have found a very fulfilling life. It is scientific advancement that led Dr. Bernard Nathanson who began crafting the language and plan for getting abortion approved back in 1967 with the founding of NARAL, later known as Planned Parenthood. Having the largest abortion clinic in the United States He was guilty of killing thousands and children. With the creation of the ultra-sound he discovered the humanity of the unborn child, and became pro-life. This week we celebrate Martin Luther King who led in the Civil Rights Movement which recognized that even though it took 284 years to overcome slavery in this country equality was not yet reached. His niece Alveda King who had had a couple abortions became pro-life and now helps lead Priests for Life. And so the list continues, doctor after doctor, Abortion worker after abortion worker are turning from death to life much because of the truth science presents. At the March the Knights of Columbus were recognized for having placed 1,000 3D ultrasound machines in clinics throughout the country. That, along with the many who continue to help women with their pregnancy and avoid abortion supports a clearly pro-life America.

Even though I had to cancel out on participating in the march this year people ask: “Why do we march?” It's not because of the news coverage which continues to ignore this largest of all humanitarian marches – hundreds of thousands, while covering the smaller ones like the Women's March. It is, by the way, the only march where the participants are not there for themselves but for the sake of the unborn who cannot speak for themselves. They continue year in and year out as a way of encouraging one another and bringing their collective prayer before Almighty God who says “I have knit you in your mother's womb.” and had John the Baptist “jump for joy” in Elizabeth's womb at the presence of Jesus who was only days in Mary's womb. Those who march go on to participate in other ways of helping those who don't know what to do and would rather choose life. They pray that each year the next year's march will be to celebrate America having come to its senses in recognizing the biological, scientific truth that these unborn are Americans too and abortion is no longer thinkable. Just think, this year Puerto Rico created a law declaring the unborn to be persons. That's the one thing the Supreme Court in 1973 said they were not able to do, declare when one was a person. When will all our states do such. Each unborn child is a person and should be entitled to all that the laws allow for persons. This year Missouri will have an opportunity to pass a new amendment to our constitution to overcome the amendment foisted on all Missourians by just a couple major cities. All need to support this new Amendment 3 and realize their vote counts. Let us make sure that every one in these rural areas where life is valued makes their voice heard.

Lighthouse January 21, 2026

Behold the Lamb of God.

These words by John the Baptist which we heard this past Sunday would have been astonishing for those who heard them. Those words led some of John’s own disciples to follow Jesus. So, last week we heard of Jesus being baptized and then seeing the Holy Spirit descend on Him and this week from John we hear John witness to the holy spirit. For Jesus it meant absolute commitment to the will of the Father and for the apostles as well as us it should logically be a commitment by our own baptism to totally listen to His words as the Father said ‘this is my beloved son, listen to Him.’ But what is this ‘lamb of God’ business? For the Jews, the lamb conjured up thoughts of the lamb they would each sacrifice yearly at the Passover. If Jesus is ‘the lamb of God’ He must be the most perfect lamb ever. With that we hear of how His whole three years of public life were to lead to the final Passover which Jesus said he longed to share with the apostles. Knowing He is the ‘lamb of God’ He approached the cross with the awareness He would be the Lamb sacrificed on this last Passover, last supper. All the other lambs were kind of an abeyance of God while John declares this Lamb will ‘take away the sins of the world.’ Just think. We are no longer in a situation where we simply offer a lamb admitting our sins; receive a baptism proclaiming our sinfulness but actually enter a baptism which takes away our sins. This is why we see John’s gospel consistently showing Jesus to be in charge of His own approach to the cross. He is the priest and the victim who when He has done it all says ‘it is finished.’ Yes, the price of our salvation has been accomplished but it is not over for us. We must still listen to His words and put them into practice throughout our lives. When we look upon the ‘Lamb of God’ upon the cross and realize how much He underwent for us it should make it all the easier to accept any of our own sufferings as minuscule and, if our heart is big enough, a happy offering of ourselves to God. Will you be faithful to following him throughout this year? Will you offer all that you do as an act of love united with Jesus on the Cross? If so you will, as St. Paul says: 'continue to bear within ourselves the completion of the sufferings of Christ.' and help Him change the world.