Fr. Iakobus

Right Order in the Family

DVRodriguez2026-02-09T23:26:59-05:00

To be happy a family does not need great wealth or pleasure, yet right order is essential. The husband must lead, making difficult decisions, always for the good of the whole family. The wife is the heart, inspiring love and peace; a magnet pulling everyone back to the home. The chief duty of children is obedience. They are to help their parents and lighten their burdens. Love and peace abound when families work together, have common goals, communicate well, and each member exercises humility. Families are sanctified by suffering. In the Holy Family, God has provided the perfect model for all [...]

Right Order in the FamilyDVRodriguez2026-02-09T23:26:59-05:00

Be Not Wise in Your Conceits

DVRodriguez2026-01-30T10:51:49-05:00

We humans are weak, think our way of seeing things is always right, don’t want to own up to our own faults, and seek to force our plan for life upon others. We resort to evil means to reach a sought after good, then justify our actions that are not right. We do this in small things and it becomes a habit in our soul. We are blinded to our own faults and can’t see how our way of acting destroys the peace in our family, parish, and society. This pride of man also prevents God from speaking to our souls. [...]

Be Not Wise in Your ConceitsDVRodriguez2026-01-30T10:51:49-05:00

Why Are Our Marriages Unhappy?

DVRodriguez2026-01-27T20:03:20-05:00

Our Lord performed His first public miracle at the Wedding of Cana. He elevated marriage to a sacrament, meaning it became a stable state of life which produces grace. He did this at the request of His Mother. The overabundance of wine represents grace and great joy. All society benefits from this, not only the married couple. Yet we have deviated from how Christ has instituted marriage. Even Catholic Canon Law has confused the proper ends of marriage. NFP is used by so many Catholics, but it easily fosters a spirit of selfishness and pleasure that runs contrary to marriage. The [...]

Why Are Our Marriages Unhappy?DVRodriguez2026-01-27T20:03:20-05:00

Savior and King of Love

DVRodriguez2026-01-11T12:00:20-05:00

The name Jesus was decreed by God from all eternity. This Name means Savior. It has great power. Use His Name with reverence frequently (when sad, it brings joy; when tempted, it makes the devil flee; when in trouble, it brings aid). Parents have a grave obligation to make this Name known to their children. It is not enough to just be Catholic. Many Catholics do not go to Heaven. We must live good Catholic lives and strive to be models of Christ. If we are, He WILL help us. What must you do in 2026 to grow in His love, [...]

Savior and King of LoveDVRodriguez2026-01-11T12:00:20-05:00

Show Jesus to Others

DVRodriguez2025-12-18T12:07:18-05:00

Despite being in prison, St. John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus. It is the duty of every Catholic to point out Christ, even subtly. A spouse does so when showing love even when not treated rightly. A child does so by honoring its parents when it doesn't receive all it wants or deserves. A worker does so by giving a good day's work when he could slack off. Consider the example of Captain Guy Gruters, a US Air Force pilot and Vietnam POW who suffered terribly in the hot box at the ‘Hanoi Hilton’. The world rejects the cross, [...]

Show Jesus to OthersDVRodriguez2025-12-18T12:07:18-05:00

Noise and Silence of Advent

DVRodriguez2025-12-05T11:02:16-05:00

It is the first day of the new [liturgical] year and time for a fresh start – to put things in the right order. We commemorate Christ’s coming in the flesh and prepare for when He will come again. So we must “look up” with our minds. We often fail to do this on account of the noise all around us: from the world which we can’t avoid, from technology that is self-inflicted, and from our own lips. Strive to have a spirit of silence this Advent that you may hear and love God more than you did the past year.

Noise and Silence of AdventDVRodriguez2025-12-05T11:02:16-05:00

The Sweet Yoke of Christ

DVRodriguez2025-11-05T11:23:22-05:00

All nations are to be bought under the sweet yoke of Christ’s rule. Christ must first reign in our souls. Then He can use us to transform souls and extend His kingdom to others. But have we been infected by the spirit of the world? Do we think the Catholic life is too difficult, that we can’t live as the Church calls us to or as our ancestors did? This is simply not true. Christ is King and He remains so for all eternity. His power extends over everything. We have to know Him and His truth. Be confident that Christ [...]

The Sweet Yoke of ChristDVRodriguez2025-11-05T11:23:22-05:00

Bear One Another’s Burdens

DVRodriguez2025-10-23T16:14:38-04:00

Faith has to show forth in actions. Exercise charity by bearing one another’s burdens, especially those in our household [of faith]. This is our duty and it is also very fatiguing. Prudently give others the benefit of the doubt. Wisely know when to bear a wrong in silence. This is more challenging when we have the same defect, as seeing it another pricks our conscience. It is also harder when dealing with those who are close to us and whom we love. But carrying a heavier cross brings greater graces. Let us not tire in doing good. May those who encounter [...]

Bear One Another’s BurdensDVRodriguez2025-10-23T16:14:38-04:00

The Cross: Means of Suffering and Life

DVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:25:05-04:00

The True Cross was first found by St. Helena. Centuries later, the Persians stole it. The Christian Emperor, Heraclius, fasted and prayed, then conquered the Persians and recovered the Cross. He returned it to Jerusalem. Yet as he approached Calvary, the Cross grew heavier and he could no longer move forward. Only by imitating Our Lord’s humility could he proceed. Our Lord has tailor made crosses for each of us and they are rarely what we choose. We too can only advance if we follow Christ’s example, embracing our crosses. We do not like suffering; it goes against our nature. So [...]

The Cross: Means of Suffering and LifeDVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:25:05-04:00

The Pharisee and the Publican

DVRodriguez2025-09-08T12:25:28-04:00

More people go to hell for their ‘good qualities’ than their weaknesses because they rely on themselves and forget God. 'Perfection' is the enemy of the good. And mercy is removing an evil by giving a good. The pharisee followed the law and did good. Yet he did not thank God, or ask anything of God, content in his pride and self-righteousness. That is why he judges others and considers himself above them. The publican, however, has humility. Humility is true knowledge of self. It is a foundational virtue, necessary to acquire all the others. Humility always stands in the truth. [...]

The Pharisee and the PublicanDVRodriguez2025-09-08T12:25:28-04:00