From the Deacon's Desk

by Deacon Rick Wagner

Deacon Rick Wagner was ordained on June 23, 2012 and currently serves his home parish of St. Pius X in Indianapolis, IN. He has been married to his wife, Carol, for 42 years and they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Deacon Rick has been involved in Catholic education for 40+ years and currently serves as President of St. Theodore Guerin High School, a workshop instructor for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and a retreat leader.

He has also authored three books: Remember What’s Important (2011), Fifty Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2016), and Fifty MORE Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2024).

Have a question or comment for Deacon Rick? Feel free to contact him at rwagner@spxparish.org

  • Welcome the Word

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Defiles

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Does God Dwell on Earth?

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Recognizing Him

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Homily: Humility and Empathy

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Understanding Heart

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Keeping God’s Word

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Evangelization Instructions

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Accepting Jesus

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.

  • Your Faith Has Saved You

    Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase from the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

    Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80)

    SEE YOUR FACE: I have a painting from my wife Carol that hangs in my office at school. It depicts a close-up of Jesus’ face. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has “see-right-through-me” piercing eyes. It is a daily reminder of how much Jesus loves me and what he was willing to endure to show his love. I literally see the face of Christ each day.

    When we read, “Let us see your face, Lord…,” in Psalm 80, we may think of seeing only in human terms. Seeing the face of Jesus in human terms is literal – seeing the actual face of the human being Jesus, either through divine appearance, a dream, or a picture or painting.

    I believe the Psalm goes beyond that literal interpretation.

    As disciples, we are called to see as Jesus sees. That would enable us to see Christ in every person – the likeness of Christ and the dignity of the human person that is reflected in that likeness.

    To see the face of Christ, we need only look around at the many people we encounter each day. If we do that with love in our hearts, not only will we see Jesus in them, they will see Jesus in us.