Fr. Iakobus

We Must Give Thanks

DVRodriguez2026-09-13T20:11:30-04:00

The ten lepers had faith and hope. They went to Jesus and were willing to show themselves to the priest even though full of leprosy. All were full of joy but only one expressed gratitude for the gift. He had charity. What would you have done in their place? God has given us so many good things, yet we fail to thank Him. Have confidence in God. Pray for faith, hope and charity. Show gratitude to those closest to you, thank God for His sacraments, and strive to love what God commands.

We Must Give ThanksDVRodriguez2026-09-13T20:11:30-04:00

Lessons from the Assumption

DVRodriguez2026-09-06T08:25:27-04:00

This feast is one of great joy. May it foster our desire to be with Our Lady -- to be in Heaven. By following her example, we learn how to cooperate with God's providence no matter the circumstances.

Lessons from the AssumptionDVRodriguez2026-09-06T08:25:27-04:00

Our Lord Weeps for His Flock

DVRodriguez2026-07-30T10:09:20-04:00

The Holy City is to be destroyed by divine punishment. Our Lord weeps. We see His human nature. Our Lord is sorrowful over the state of His Church. Yet He has a great love for His people. In His good time He will save His Church. For our part, we should not get angry, lash out, or attack other Catholics. He has given us so much. Let us therefore be grateful and do what God wants us to do. Pray! …for conversion, that people will reject error, for unity in the Church, that His reign will be on earth.

Our Lord Weeps for His FlockDVRodriguez2026-07-30T10:09:20-04:00

When It All Seems Too Much

DVRodriguez2026-07-14T08:31:11-04:00

Cast all your cares upon the Lord; He will sustain you. We forget this so often because we see the evil in the world. We get anxious, overwhelmed, angry, and discouraged (all tricks of the devil). We try to push through but fail. Sometimes we hit rock bottom. God allows this to humble us, so we realize our weakness and how much we need Him. So that we run to Him, fleeing the worst of evils –one venial sin– and are prompted to do penance. When we acknowledge God is in charge of all things, then it doesn’t look so bad. [...]

When It All Seems Too MuchDVRodriguez2026-07-14T08:31:11-04:00

Grow in Faith for a Little While

DVRodriguez2026-05-09T23:04:06-04:00

Jesus prepares and strengthens His disciples to live by faith. The faith is our path to salvation. Too often our faith is weak; we are tempted to think evil is too strong or we wish we did not live in this time. Instead of trying to escape where God has placed you, strive to grow daily in faith. You do this by living a basic Catholic life. You must get to know God. And you must desire Heaven. If we live for Christ, then sufferings endured will win many graces. Your sorrow will only last a little while, for then God [...]

Grow in Faith for a Little WhileDVRodriguez2026-05-09T23:04:06-04:00

Don’t Be Discouraged

DVRodriguez2026-04-18T14:58:56-04:00

God brings good out of all things, even the sin of Thomas. By his act of disbelief, God shows the credibility of the Catholic Faith. Do we believe our Faith is the victory that has overcome the world or do we get discouraged by all the evil in the world? The Faith is an unchanging road map that shows us how to get to Heaven. It is not complicated. And Jesus is in charge of all things. This brings us great peace. For if we are faithful, we will rise with Christ, no matter what happens in the world.

Don’t Be DiscouragedDVRodriguez2026-04-18T14:58:56-04:00

On What Does the Veil Descend?

DVRodriguez2026-03-29T13:53:18-04:00

Passiontide begins. Everything is somber. The Church is veiled. This is the most intense phase of Lent. The gospels of the week indicate why Our Lord is hiding. He has healed a blind man and raised Lazarus from the dead. Those who oppose Him refuse to believe He is God. We can fall into the same deception, especially when we see the power of evil in our world. We are tempted to distrust Our Lord, to veil our minds and our hearts. Do not be discouraged. Rather, blind your mind and heart to the world. In the midst of the evils [...]

On What Does the Veil Descend?DVRodriguez2026-03-29T13:53:18-04:00

Great Danger of the Lukewarm State

DVRodriguez2026-03-11T07:48:57-04:00

We are to walk in love, with the charity of God in our soul. This begins by God giving us His sanctifying grace so that we are lovable and have the ability to love Him in return. That grace is meant to increase until we die. Yet we often forget how necessary it is to show this love of God every day and abide always in a state of grace. Our soul is divided, wanting things of this world. We become complacent falling into a state of sin and then returning to a state of grace. Let not your soul become [...]

Great Danger of the Lukewarm StateDVRodriguez2026-03-11T07:48:57-04:00

Penance Requires Prudence Humility and Prayer

DVRodriguez2026-03-02T11:26:56-05:00

Jesus goes into the desert for 40 days. We follow His example in order to break the hold that the world has on us. We will be tempted, especially by our flesh. We must shut this down right away and not attempt to dialogue with the temptation. We must also not tempt God by trying to force His help with imprudent penances. Not should we impose lenten menaces upon another. Remain humble because pride goeth before the fall. Take one day of lenten penance at a time. Don’t beat yourself up if you fail. Instead ask God for help and keep [...]

Penance Requires Prudence Humility and PrayerDVRodriguez2026-03-02T11:26:56-05:00

Lent is Here to Help Us Save Our Souls

DVRodriguez2026-02-17T14:38:03-05:00

Holy Mother Church calls us to see this holy season of Lent with the grace of sight. ‘To do battle’ is the spirit of Lent. We must weaken our body by mortification because that weakens the passions which lead us to sin. We must do penance because that makes up for our sins. Every sin weakens our will to live a good Catholic life; every penance strengthens that will. Making peace with our sins is not a Catholic life, so give up something that hurts. (If we are not suffering, something is wrong with our Lent). Give up the electronics, the [...]

Lent is Here to Help Us Save Our SoulsDVRodriguez2026-02-17T14:38:03-05:00