3rd Sunday After Easter Homily (Extraordinary Form)

We must remember that we are pilgrims on a journey towards eternal life. We see this echoed to us in our epistle where Saint Peter addresses us as “strangers and pilgrims” and calls us “to refrain from carnal desires, which war against the soul.” Therefore, we cannot set our sight upon things of this world, but of things which are to come.

So often people find their “joy” in the ways of this world which are disordered. None of these actions can lead someone towards true happiness and joy. Our introit calls us to “shout with joy to God.” Indeed we are to shout with joy to God despite the daily struggle because we come to acknowledge the one who truly fills us to the fullest degree.

In coming to encounter the Lord we were told in our Gospel, “A little while, and now you shall not see Me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me.” These words show the toil that must take place within us if we are to find such joy. So often people of faith are willing to give up hope instead of persevering in their practice of faith.

We know that the apostles had to undergo a lot at the time of our Lord’s Passion. Here they are being prepared for that moment for not only will He die, but He will live as He rises on the third day. So too the sufferings and toils of this life are fleeting before us for from the cross springs forth the joy of the Lord’s Resurrection. This is the virtue of hope that is stirred forth from this moment.

We too must have this virtue stirred up within the depths of our own heart. Without hope there would be a lot which would beat down upon us and cause us to surrender our faith. Despite what we may perceive to be going on within the Church we must hold steadfast in our practice of faith. Despite the temptation that continues to rip upon us we must not give up hope, but remain united with His mercy that endures forever. If and when we are able to do this we will discover that joy which was referenced in our introit.

This season of Easter is a time of great hope for the tomb was found to be empty. From the emptiness of this tomb we are able to go to persevere for there is nothing dead to be found when it pertains to the faith that we profess with our hearts, minds, and lips. Let us be sent forth from this place in order to be filled with the joy of the Gospel, no matter what takes place around us. From this joy let us live an authentic faith that is centered upon Christ and His Church that He has established on this earth. It is this Church that will assist us on our pilgrimage from this life to the life which is to come.

2nd Sunday After Easter Homily (Extraordinary Form)

Christ makes known in Our Gospel, “I am the good Shepherd.”

The shepherd is given an important role for it is up to their watchful care to provide for the needs of the sheep who have been entrusted to them. Sheep must receive water, food, and safety and the shepherd must make sure that these are provided. Psalm 23 reflects this important role by stating, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.” “In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me.” “He guides me along right paths.”

From Jeremiah 23 we are told of shepherds of people who have misused their responsibility in shepherding their flock. “Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.” Later, it is promised, “I will raise up shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear or be terrified; none shall be missing.”

A good shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. As we are told from the lips of our Blessed Lord, “This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.” You see the Lord’s love for us is great and yet we must reflect upon the ways in which we choose to reciprocate this love. So often we are found too busy and consumed into our own wants to enter into relationship with the Lord.

The sheep know the voice of the good shepherd and thus respond to it. We must come to know this voice by cultivating such a relationship with Christ. The world is such a busy place, but we cannot forget to enter into this life giving relationship. The glamour of sin exists, but we must rebuke it by choosing to stay close to the Lord. He truly provides for our needs especially though the sacramental life of the Church.

We must pray that we will always have good shepherds in the life of the Church. At this time we continue to pray that we will soon receive a new bishop for this Diocese of Knoxville. We must remember that by virtue of our own baptism we are also called to be a good shepherd. We must live and assist others in their pursuit of God. This means that we must embrace a relationship with the Lord and turn away from those paths which keep us far from Him.

In the words of Saint John Paul II, “What a blessing it is to know Christ, the Good Shepherd, to know Him as the Redeemer who laid down His life for the sheep, to know Him as the Risen Lord, the source of everlasting joy and life. What a blessing it is to know the Good Shepherd and to believe in Him. This gift of faith is the greatest blessing we could ever receive in life.”

Let us strive to know Christ the Good Shepherd and to live a life modeled after His commands.

Easter Homily

Christ is Risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!

Today we rejoice for the tomb was not the end and so after three days He rose again in accordance of the scriptures. Our celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection is important for us because it affords us hope and orients our life down a path which leads towards Everlasting Life. This is the great hope that is brought forth through our celebration of His Resurrection.

The doctrine of the resurrection of the body is central to our Christian belief. As we profess in the Nicene Creed, “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” This statement of faith applies to each of us. Therefore, at a Funeral Mass we are able to proclaim despite the certainty of death “that life has changed, but not ended.”

When the Lord was taken down from the cross and placed inside of the tomb it would of been easy to think that this was the end. Likewise, whenever we face the reality of death it could be easy to look at it as if it were the end. Nevertheless, the Lord triumphs over the tomb and thus hope springs forth from it that all of those who have been touched by sin and death will be given life.

As Christians we have been marked with a seal through the event of our baptism for through these waters we were given life. In the Book of Ezekiel the faithful received a mark upon their forehead, the faithful are also given a mark upon their forehead in the Book of Revelation, and we enter into this mark through that which has been given to us at our baptism. 

Baptism is not a reality that stays in the past, but enters into the present and into the future. Through it we are given an indelible mark which will not go away even with death. Therefore, we are always marked as Christian and we should live as such. It is through our consent to sin that we turn away from God and this life that has been extended to us.

Christ suffered and died upon the cross, rose again on the third day, and Ascended into Heaven. These acts brings about the totality of His sacrificial action. Through such acts of complete love we ought to realize the seriousness of what we come to profess with our hearts, voices, and lips. Let not our life be lived in accordance with the Gospel for only a moment, but always.

This is truly what we come to profess through our celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection. The Good News that springs forth from the empty tomb must continue to be meaningful for each of us. Our life must be lived in accordance to this message, for this message is one of Everlasting Life. Let us desire this pearl of great price which is foreshadowed by our Lord’s glorious Resurrection and order our life towards it.

Easter Vigil Homily

Christ is Risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!

On this most sacred of nights we acknowledge the fact that Christ has triumphed over the tomb of sin and death. Our readings took us upon a journey down salvation history and this journey culminated with the Good News of our Risen Lord. At times it may seem that there is no hope for our world which has been touched by both sin and death. We cannot give into such despair for our world or self for our Lord has truly risen.

Despite dying on the cross He rose forth on the third day. So too, we who have entered into the waters of baptism, or will soon enter into these waters this night, must remember that our life follows a similar path. Through baptism we have been plunged into the death of our old self and we rise forth from these waters as a new creation in Christ Jesus. Not just for a moment, but for our whole life. Let us continue to pray for these individuals, who will soon enter into the waters of baptism, or will be received fully into the Church. May their “yes” to the Lord remain their whole life as our “yes” to Him should remain forever and not just for a passing moment.

May this most holy of nights bring forth true desire in ourself to live for the Lord and to be filled with that great hope which springs forth from the empty tomb.

Holy Thursday Homily

There are seven sacraments and each of them find their origin in Christ Jesus. Tonight we place our focus upon Christ’s gift to the Church which is the Most Holy Eucharist. You will notice that today’s Mass prayers state that tonight He took into His holy and venerable Hands bread and wine saying “this is my Body” and “this is my Blood do this in remembrance of me.” This statement draws our minds towards what takes place on Holy Thursday as we come to commemorate the Lord’s supper.

When a Jew celebrates the Passover meal it is understood that they are not simply recreating a moment of time from the past. Rather, they are entering into that very moment where time stands still. Therefore, they do this in remembrance of what took place. So too we do this in remembrance of what the Lord did when He gathered with His apostles on this solemn night. What we do at each Mass is to be taken to the point in time of His Passion where time continues to stand still.

Following this Mass there will be the opportunity to spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This heralds back to those words spoken in the garden, “Could you not stay watch with me for one hour?” The Lord continues to invite us into relationship with Him. Let us take up this invitation and develop such a relationship where we allow Him to remain at the center of our life. With the Lord at life’s center we are called to be sent forth to share what we have received with others. Let us enkindle such a relationship with Him always remembering the important of what takes place here at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

5th Sunday of Lent Year B Homily

On this 5th Sunday of Lent we also celebrate the life of a great British saint, Saint Patrick.

Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain and was captured by Irish pirates at age 14 in order to be placed into slavery to herd and tend sheep. At age 20 he escaped and returned to Roman Britain. A few years after returning he received a vision from God which caused him to study to be a priest and to later return to Ireland in order to bring the Gospel with him. Through his fervent work Ireland was converted into a Christian nation.

From Saint John’s Gospel, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.” Saint Patrick was willing to take the call that came to him from God and put it into action. His servitude to Christ was so great that he was willing to go back to that land that had placed him into slavery. Through God’s healing work within him he was able to convert many to the Gospel.

We too must undergo such a spirit of conversion, so that we can get to that point where we are able to embrace the Gospel to it’s fullest degree. So often we fail to look towards where we are headed in life. We allow many short term distractions to seep in and cause us to lose sight of our ultimate goal, Heaven. Every aspect of our life should be informed by this goal for if this is not true within us we cannot be a servant.

All around us there is so much potential if only we place our trust in God’s merciful hands. This means total nor partial abandonment to His will. Placed into slavery Saint Patrick probably did not see so much potential for Ireland and yet God brought forth great conversion through his work. Again this was only possible for Saint Patrick was willing to become a servant of the Lord and that servitude brought forth life to a land that was far from the Gospel. So too there is hope that all who are far away from the Gospel may be drawn towards it. We must start this process by choosing to be a servant of the Lord.

We are now just about at the end of the Lenten season. Next week will be Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. Lent is related to Easter because it prepares us for that celebration. So too we must realize that through our work of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving we strive to be better servants of the Gospel. We take all that has been touched by sin and death and turn it over to God and His mercy, so that we may be set free from all that holds us in darkness.

Saint Patrick was set free from darkness by coming to believe in the Gospel, being liberated from slavery, and growing into a true servant of the Lord. May he intercede for each of us that such conversion may take place within the depths of our heart. What keeps us from being a servant of Christ? Let us move forward with God’s grace to put that to rest in order that we may truly come to rejoice with the Risen Lord.

Saint Patrick, pray for us.

4th Sunday of Lent Year B Homily

Today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent also known to us as Laetare Sunday. This word is Latin for “rejoice” and is taken from this Mass’ Introit which comes from Isaiah 66, “Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and come together all you that love her, rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.”

From this text we are instructed to rejoice. Nevertheless, it is also reflected that those who are and have been in sorrow will be given reason to rejoice. In the middle of this Lenten season we must be reminded of this reality. It can be easy for us to lose hope and give up when things seem to be too burdensome. Instead we must persevere each day keeping our sight firmly placed upon the Kingdom of Heaven, that pearl of great price spoken of in Sacred Scripture.

With all that surrounds us in this life it can be easy to question why we have reason to rejoice. In various parts of the world there are still places which are torn about by violence and bloodshed. In families there is the hardship of divorce. There are homes where peace and tranquility are not found in favor of violence. There are people who are barely getting by when it pertains to the paying on one’s bills. There are those whose health is fleeting before their eyes and the certainty of death ever seems to lurk. Those whose lives have been effected by addiction be it their own or those who are around them.

There is truly a lot that goes on within this world that we live. How are we to rejoice? During the Preface dialogue of each Mass we have an exchange of words that takes place between the celebrant and the people. “Lift up your hearts.” “We lift them up the Lord.” “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” “It is right and just.” Giving thanks in the midst of such hardship can be difficult and thus we are to direct our sight to that which is truly important. With our sight set upon the Lord we can give thanks and we can rejoice.

Rejoice my brothers and sisters in the Lord our God for the celebration of the events of our salvation will soon come. The answer is the cross for through it the world has been redeemed. The cross is such a wondrous instrument of our salvation for Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert and they lived and so the Son of Man will be lifted up and they will live. Soon we will arrive at Easter and the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection and here we will come to proclaim the great hope that “life has changed, but not ended.”

In the midst of all that we face in this veil of tears let our hearts remain with these mysteries of our salvation. Through these sacred mysteries we will and have been given life. From them we are able to rejoice and give thanks. We are thus able to move forward each day with the gift of God’s grace to live for the Lord our God. Let us choose to live for Him always and thus rejoice for those thrust into sorrow may finally exult.

3rd Sunday of Lent Homily (Extraordinary Form)

The woman cried out to Him from the midst of a crowd, “Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck.” His response, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.” Some use this verse to make a claim against the importance of Mary. Such a stance is absurd and misses the point of His response. 

After all Elizabeth called Mary blessed on two occasions in the Gospel of Saint Luke. “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” As she would respond in the Canticle of Mary, “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.”

At point of the Annunciation Mary was greeted by the angel Gabriel and told, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” Such a response from the angel heralds the importance of this woman that was chosen by God to be the mother of the second person of the Most Holy Trinity. To say such words concerning her is to acknowledge that she is most perfectly filled with the presence of God. There is no room in her for sin and thus we know that she was conceived without sin for she was the perfect vessel that found without blemish to bring forth her Son.

A better translation of the Greek word that is used in English as “rather” would be “indeed.”“Indeed, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.” This response affirms what is uttered by the woman in the crowd when it pertains to His mother and invites us into a relationship with her in following such a path that leads one’s life towards conversion to Him. As seen in His words to His mother from the cross, “Woman, behold, your son” and to Saint John, “Behold, your mother.” This exchange invites us to “hear the word of God, and keep it.”

In the words of Saint John Paul II from Redemptoris Mater, “He wishes to divert attention from motherhood understood only as a fleshly bond, in order to direct it toward those mysterious bonds of the spirit which develop from hearing and keeping God’s word.”

Therefore, those who want to make a case against Mary based upon this verse could not be further from the truth. She most perfectly came to follow God and devotion to her draws souls into closer relationship with her Son. His response invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. We too should strive to live our life dedicated unto Him as Mary lived her life in dedication to the Lord.

The motto of Saint John Paul II was “totus tuus” “totally yours” sums this attitude up for us. He understood that becoming a son of the Blessed Virgin Mary would strengthen him as a disciple of Christ. During this Lenten season let us more fervently come to grow in our devotion to Mary and through her be led into deeper union with her Son. Take up the rosary, make a consecration, among other devotions. “Indeed, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.”

2nd Sunday of Lent Year B Homily

On this 2nd Sunday of Lent we are given the account of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This word “transfiguration” signifies a change of form or appearance. This is perfectly summed up by Saint Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians, “the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” Therefore, here upon Mount Tabor His clothing became dazzling white for He was revealed as God made Flesh to His apostles.

The figures of Moses and Elijah who appear with Him in this account are very important. Moses represents the Law for he was given the Law and Elijah the prophets for he is held as being the greatest of the prophets. Moses died while Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a fiery chariot. Christ is the “Lord of both the dead and the living” in the words of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Moses and Elijah both experience their own encounter with God upon Mount Sinai. Elijah experiences Him in a “light silent sound” according to 1 Kings and Moses encounters Him in the book of Exodus in the burning bush. Now these figures of the Old Testament stand with Him and point the way to His glory. It was of this glory that the apostles experienced with their sight that they would later return to following His Passion and Resurrection.

Much later we are told from the Gospel of Saint Luke that the Lord appeared to His disciples on the road to Emmaus following His Resurrection. There we are told, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.” Here they uttered, “were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”

As we continue this journey of Lent we must allow the Lord’s words to be at work within our own heart and soul. It is no mistake that this account of the Lord’s Transfiguration takes place during the season of Lent because this experience strengthened “the apostles’ faith in anticipation of his passion” in the words of the Catechism. We too must be given such faith in Him in order that we may allow our life to dwell with Him for He is not only fully man, but also fully God.

Whenever we have the opportunity to adore our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar we have the opportunity to be with the same God that Moses and Elijah adored. We are able to be with He whom the apostles gave praise and glory. Through fervent Eucharistic devotion our heart will be burning within us.

Let the tabernacle be a place for our refuge. The Lord invites us into this space and so let us remember whose presence that we have entered into. In the midst of all the issues of this life we should remember to bring them before the Lord in order that He may be the one to strengthen us. Let us adore Christ present among us in the Blessed Sacrament always and let our life become a reflection of His.

1st Sunday of Lent Year B Homily

Today we observe the 1st Sunday in the season of Lent.

Our Gospel accounts for us our Blessed Lord going into the desert in order to fast and pray for a period of 40 day and nights. While there the devil comes in order to tempt Him, but the Lord remains steadfast against his attacks.

In the Book of Exodus Moses led the Israelites into the desert and there they toiled about for a period of 40 years until they made it to the Promised Land. This is symbolic of our own life where we toil about in search for the Kingdom of Heaven.

This season of Lent aids us in making such a journey as we undergo this period of 40 days. It is easy for us to toil about and find that we are lost. No matter where we find ourselves today hope is always found in the Lord. Through Him has the world been redeemed from the plight of sin and death.

The Lenten season connects us to the waters of baptism. From these waters spring forth new life as one comes to be claimed for Christ Jesus. In the dryness of the desert there is this longing for such water to bring life unto us.

When we arrive at Easter Sunday we will have the opportunity to renew our baptismal promises. The proper response is “I do.” Do we truly mean these words or do we simply state them because this is the proper response?

Through our practice of Lent we allow the Lord to assist us in making such a response with the firmness of faith. Through those ancient practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving we form our heart and soul to dwell with the Lord our God.

For in this world there are many voices which come our way which attempt to lead our heart away from the Lord. This is the same voice that came to the Lord in the desert, but He rebuked that voice. We must treat our faith with sincerity in order that we too may heed the Lord and His presence among us.

Where sin is found we must be found willing to humbly go before the Lord and ask His forgiveness. This Thursday our parish will hold its Lenten Penance Service where we will have nine priests who will assist with the hearing of confessions. Do not pass up this or other opportunities to partake of this sacrament of God’s mercy.

May this Lenten season be fruitful for us because this season leads towards the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection. This celebration is most important for through it we come to profess the Lord’s triumph over the tomb. Where we have been thrust down into sin and death we must place our trust in Him in order to be lifted out of it. His words bring life to us and so may we turn our sight unto His and allow our thoughts, words, and deeds to dwell with Him always.

Ash Wednesday Homily

The mark of ashes that we will soon dare to wear upon our foreheads is a reminder that we are sinners who are in need of the infinite mercy of God. This symbol reminds us of our mortality and thus that there will come a time when we will be claimed by death. From the Book of Genesis: “For you are dust and to dust you shall return.” With this realization firmly upon our mind our life must come to be transformed in the Lord’s presence. As we are told of such transformation in the Gospel of Saint Mark “repent and believe in the Gospel.” Let us come to be transformed in His presence by making use of the sacrament of confession where we come to be absolved of our sins and to be aided by the gift of God’s grace. Hopefully this mark will be something more then a mark that is worn for social distinction, but a mark that reminds us that we must leave here with the assistance of God’s grace to live not for the world, but for Christ. Let us choose to live for Him in all that we do.

4th Sunday of OT Year B Homily

The annual bishop’s appeal will take place next Sunday. It should be no secret that at this point in time we continue to prepare the way to receive a new bishop for this Diocese of Knoxville. At the conclusion of each Mass we pray for this intention in the life of the local Church of East Tennessee. It is important for us to understand that this appeal does not go to support the bishop whoever he may be. Instead this appeal is important for it provides for the needs of the many ministries which make up the Diocese of Knoxville.

Through support of this appeal we are able to provide for the formation of our priests and deacons as well as the seminarians of this diocese including our parish’s own Gerald Stults (may we continue to pray for him and support vocations). Support of this appeal assists with Catholic education by supporting young adult faith formation and college campus ministries such as Johnson City’s ETSU Catholic Center. This appeal helps to provide care and counseling to those who are in need by providing for Catholic Charities. This appeal assists with Saint Mary’s Mobile Clinic which goes to areas of this diocese that are in need of medical assistance and cannot afford it. Finally, this appeal works with parishes, such as our own, to enliven faith formation programs.

Our refrain from our Responsorial Psalm instructed us, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” The Lord is constantly calling each of us to Him. It is easy for us to fail to look outward in a spirit of charity and thus our heart grows hardened. The Lord always calls us to love. We see this love displayed for us from the wood of the cross as He came to lay down His life out of love for us.

The virtue of charity so often goes misunderstood. This word is love in its highest form. Through charity we give of ourself to another, out of love, and expect nothing in return. The Lord invites us to enter into such charity. Whenever we encounter Him we encounter love. As we depart from here we are to treat others with the love that comes to us from Christ. How we look upon another and how we treat one another must be based upon this reality.

As we continue to say “yes” to the needs of our local parish we must also say “yes” to the needs of the diocese to which we belong. I invite you to pray concerning your participation in this year’s bishop’s appeal for ministries. These ministries provide for the needs of so many people. Through these ministries people are able to be treated and know of the love of Christ. Let us continue to enter into this love and be willing to share it with those whom we encounter.

Let our hearts not grow hardened, but always remain open to the voice of Christ that calls each of us by name.

3rd Sunday After Epiphany Homily

The Lord states to the Centurion, “Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.”

Faith is a gift that comes to us from God. Through faith we open our intellect to truth which comes to us from the one who is above. The gift of faith comes to us from grace which is bestowed on us by God, but we must also do something with this gift that has been given to us. We thus must remain open to the movement of God in our life and be willing to respond to that call that has been extended to us.

The centurion displays such an outpouring of faith. He cries out from the depths of his faith, “Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof: but only say the word and my servant shall be healed.” In this response the centurion points towards his unworthiness to receive such a gift. He professes trust that the Lord is able to heal at only uttering a word. He therefore had absolute confidence in the Lord’s power, he had humility, and he recognized the true dignity of the Lord. This was a true display of faith.

Our Gospel pointed out that Israel was lacking in such faith. These people had seen and heard of many great works and yet they still chose not to believe. They heard His word from His lips and yet they were found unwilling to change. Christ called them to something greater and yet they wanted to remain at a distance. Concerning them there was no humility found for they were caught up in what they were doing.

Our world is filled with many who act like those of Israel. They choose to push the Lord away from their midst in order that they may pursue a life that they think is best for them. This life if disconnected from Divine Truth will always be lacking for it is lacking relationship with God. The further that we and our society wonder away from God the more that our faith will be found lacking. Faith is not magic and we are not the dispensers of such faith.

Instead we must desire to have faith like the centurion who was mentioned in our Gospel. In such manner we must realize that faith is a gift that is given to us by God. Therefore, we must remain humble in our acceptance of it. Where our life seems to be off kilter we must place our trust in the Lord for He is the one who calms the many storms that beat us about in this life. We must realize and believe that He is God who has taken on our human flesh and dwelt among us. Let us build this relationship with Him out of love.

In the words of Saint Josemaria Escriva: “Everything is possible for one who has faith. The words are Christ’s. How is it that you don’t say to him with the apostles: Increase my faith?” Let us be like this centurion and have an increase of faith especially are we state prior to the reception of Holy Communion, “Lord,  I am not worthy that you may enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Lord, increase my faith!