Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Homily – December 31, 2008 – Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

Today we have the soaring gospel of St. John's account of the birth of Jesus summarized: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth!"

What an astounding fact John recounts: the very Word that was already existent in the beginning; which created all things; which was the beloved of the Father – became visible in the flesh-of-the-children-of-Adam – our flesh!

For those who would believe this fact and accepted him as God's amazing gift he gave the power to become children of the Father: another amazing fact!

If we will live as children of the Father in this last hour, then we will know God and we will know Truth (His Son, our Lord, Brother and Friend - Jesus). We will also recognize those among us – whether fellows or leaders – who possess the one Truth; and we will be able to reject those who pose as leaders and fellows who actually do not possess the Truth at all!

The Truth is Light, and if there is darkness in a person, then the Light, the Truth is not with him! It takes one who is in the Light to see one who is in darkness; the one in darkness is rarely willing to see the Light and the Truth at all: thus they are easily recognizable – they flail and flounder as if they truly are in a dark room! They are the challenging, argumentative ones – the uncharitable malcontents who are far from the Kingdom of God!

On this last day of the year we pray that the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice, the sea resound and the plains be joyful for the Lord, the Light, the Truth comes to save the world and to rule it with justice!

Sing to the Lord a new song: announce his salvation this day and every day!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Homily – December 30, 2008 – The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

As we come to the last week of the calendar year it is important to take to heart the message of the readings for Mass today: love the Word of God, it has freed you; do the will of God, it will lead to everlasting life!

The three groupings of addressees in the first reading today has to do with the three stages by which we all come to know God's word and God's will: as children, as fathers (& mothers), as young men (&women). In all three stages God's Word must be considered a wonderful gift; doing God's will – our loving and generous response!

In the gospel passage today we see one who was privileged to see the tiny Messiah (the Word Made Flesh) shortly after his birth. The prophetess Anna – one who was advanced in years (84) – never left the temple of the Lord, except for the brief time of her marriage. She worshipped day and night and spent long hours in prayer and fasting. It was at the time of the child's presentation in the temple that she beheld him and then became his spokesman to the Jewish people! "I have seen him! The long awaited one is here!" – she would tell the people of Israel who would come to the temple!

Anna received the Word of Life – Jesus - and then she did God's will – announced his arrival to any who would listen! May we follow the example of Anna – may we be a person of never ending prayer, worship and thanks to God; and a doer of his will – this day and each day of the New Year!

A holy had has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Homily – December 29, 2008 – St. Thomas Becket

Thomas Becket was born in London in 1118. A cleric of the diocese of Canterbury, he first became chancellor to the king and then in 1162 was chosen bishop. His tireless defense of the rights of the Church against Henry II prompted the king to exile Becket to France for six years. After returning to his homeland, he endured many trials and in 1170 was murdered by agents of the king. He is truly honored as bishop and martyr and is patron saint of England.

The two readings today remind us that those who want to follow Jesus are inviting persecution to come their way, as Jesus invited persecution just by being his good, holy and just self! But both readings assure us that there is great reward for those who choose to follow Jesus on his terms: the reward is comfort of conscience, strength in time of trouble, and everlasting life when all is said and done!

Let us welcome our cross as Christ welcomed his and Thomas Becket his and let us follow them both into everlasting life – a life rich in what truly counts: fellowship with God and all the saints, forever!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they will be satisfied.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Homily – December 28, 2008 – The Feast of the Holy Family

What made the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph holy was not that they were "perfect!" (What family would not be perfect who had a sinless mother and child as a part of it – and a foster father who was as sinless as one could possibly be – except for the original sin that he was born into the world with!

What made this family holy was that each member was completely and totally open to all of the gifts that God the Father had to offer them to live their earthly lives in accordance with his will! And what made them holy and perfect was the fact that they each did their God-given duty solely because they loved God the Father from the depths of their hearts – and willed never to do anything apart from that love and that will!

This is where our family life – whether we are children of parents (living or deceased) or parents of children – can resemble that of the holy family! We each can be open to all of the gifts God has to give us (this is the gift-giving time of the year – have we remembered to give God the gift of ourselves for Christmas, and to receive what he has specially chosen for us this year?); and we can resolve to do God's will, live a holy family life because we love God the Father with all of our hearts. Thus will our family life be "holy and perfect in the sight of God" – while on the surface, and from a strangers point of view – it may look anything but holy and perfect!

In the first reading today from the Book of Sirach we are reminded that family members ought to take care of one another – children by parents when they are young, parents by children when they are old. We ought always to honor and respect one another as family members!

St. Paul tells the Colossians an amazing secret to successful family life: let it resemble the love that God the Father has for all his people: let it resemble the love that Christ the Bridegroom has for his Bride the Church (us). Jesus loved the Church (us) so much that he laid down his life for her. He sacrificed for her. He nurtured her tenderly. He took care of her. He, by baptism, bore new children with her. This is exactly how husbands are meant to love their wives, and the submission of which St. Paul speaks means nothing less than the wife, the bride, allowing the husband to love her thusly! To dote over her, to protect her, to give his life in many ways for her – even to the point of death – this is the duty of the husband, after the example of Christ! Both roles involve self-donation and mutual giving!

Family life borne of mutual respect, mutual friendship, mutual love, mutual caring, mutual sacrifice will always - to be authentic and genuine - be a free gift of members to one another; it will be total and complete, needing no other source of compensation; it will be faithful and fruitful and creative of a variety of manifestations of more and more of God's gifts – gifts to be used at the service of one another!

It is never too late to begin to have a more pure, a more holy, a more perfect family life. It simply takes prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance and power needed; the decision to do so, and then taking the first step of giving ourselves freely to those who are nearest and dearest to us – our families!

Let the peace of Christ control our hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in us richly- and we will know what to do; we will always know what to do!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Homily – December 27, 2008 – St. John, Apostle, Evangelist

Yesterday we celebrated the first "red martyr" of the Church – St. Stephen, the Deacon; today we celebrate the feast of the first "white martyr" – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. St. John was very willing to give his life for Jesus, after the example of his own brother, James, who was the first of the Apostles to suffer red martyrdom – but it seems that God willed it otherwise. John died of old age after a full life of ministry in the Church – as second to Peter in the Jerusalem Church – in writing a gospel account of Jesus life, and other letters which became a part of Scripture – and, of course, the highly imaginative Book of Revelation. Though he did not die for the faith in the turbulent years of the early Church; he lived the turbulence and completely gave himself to Jesus for his use which was credited to him as martyrdom!

More than any other Apostle or Evangelist, St. John experienced and captured in prose the essence of the very love of God which became a man in Jesus. His symbol is the "eagle" as what he had to say seemed to soar to heaven's heights!

It was John who was Jesus' best of all friends. He with his brother James and Peter were present when Jesus said and did the defining and essential elements of his ministry: the Sermon on the Mount, the Mount of the Transfiguration; miracles of the loaves; the wedding feast at Cana, the raising of Lazarus; the Last Supper. He slept in the Garden with James and Peter while Jesus prayed in agony over our salvation! But he was the first to appear at the tomb on Easter morning, along with Peter – although he did not enter the tomb first but waited for Peter to enter first (signifying the primacy of Peter as leader of the 12.)

The first reading today from his letter tells of Jesus as the Word made flesh – the word that would bring eternal life to those who listen to it and act on it! It was his goal and desire always to proclaim that word so that anyone and everyone might have fellowship / friendship with other believers – which is the same fellowship / friendship that is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ [the same that the Father and the Son have with each other]. He wants those who hear the message to have complete joy – as only this particular word can bring!

On this feast of St. John let us open our minds and our hearts to receive the gift of joy, of life, of peace, of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of fellowship / friendship that are always available to those who are willing to receive them – and then let us live this day – empowered by the Eucharistic Bread of the Word Made Flesh – as if we truly did believe it!

We praise you, O God,

we acclaim you as Lord;

the glorious company of Apostles praise you!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Homily – December 26, 2008 – St Stephen

Today we celebrate the feast of the proto-martyr of Christianity: St. Stephen. Stephen was a Greek-speaking Jew who was converted to Christ – and became filled with the Holy Spirit early on. He intuitively knew that discipleship meant service. He cared very much for the poor and the widowed members of the Christian community. He was one of the seven that the Apostles chose and "ordained" to minister to the needs of the poor and the widowed as deacons.

Since Stephen was a Hellenist: a Christian who intuitively knew that Christianity must separate itself from Judaism – not to turn its back on it – but to simply grow on the foundation of it, as was intended by God – he knew that the Christian message was for the Gentiles too!

But a great many of the Jerusalem Jewish officials were against the Hellenists and very much against Stephen – a leading member of them. And so when the opportunity arose they convened a council and decided to drag Stephen outside the city and stone him to death! This they did – while Saul of Tarsus looked on and did nothing to stop it!

Stephen was the first, then, to give his life for the Christian faith. He was the first to "give back" to Jesus, everything that Jesus had given "for him and for all of us!" The Holy Spirit helped him in his last agony – and he was able to forgive his executioners as Jesus forgave his! He died crying out: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

Every person who bears the name of Christian – rejoice this day – and celebrate the martyrdom of St. Stephen – for it is a reminder that God is faithful to his promises – that he helps us in all our trials – that a crown of glory awaits those who give their all – as all was, and continues to be, given to them!

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Homily – December 25, 2008 – Solemnity of Christmas

There are two very important references to "time" in Scripture:

"in the fullness of time" & the "hour"

The first has to do with Christmas;

the second has to do with Good Friday.

It was "in the fullness of time" that Jesus was born, some 2000 years ago on this very day– it was the absolute perfect moment for him to be born! And he was born – the Word became Flesh, born True King of David's royal line – and he began to dwell among us! But he (as Bishop Sheen told us so rightly) is the only person ever to be born to die – so that we might live and we might have the possibility of going to heaven when we die! Most people are born to live; Jesus was born to die!

And so: the "hour" that Jesus kept referring to his whole life – would be that hour on Calvary when he would lay down his life for his friends – for us; and at the very moment that he and his Father had chosen – he would "hand over his Spirit" – he would die - so that we might live!

Yes, the CRIB and the CROSS are very much related! Thank you, Jesus, for being born to die for us, thank you for coming & giving your life for your friends! May we prove our thanks and love for you by loving others and being a friend to others as you have been and continue to be for us!

God's Friendship became a man and his name was JESUS!

The Communion Bread we will share today is the Holy Bread of Friendship-Restored! Thank you Jesus! We adore you and we bless you!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Homily – December 24, 2008 – Weekdays in Advent – December 24 - Mass in Morning

From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.

Today's "O" statement is O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice, come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Today is the day before Christmas. The first hint of Light begins to Dawn so near is our Salvation! The one promised for ages will soon come into our dark and cold, cruel world. He will come to be its light, its justice, its hope!

He will come to those who are ready and willing to see him and benefit from his gifts!

The royal king of David's line who will rule forever will be born into the world. But it would be on no earthly throne that he would sit, but rather on the throne of a cross which would lead to a throne at his Father's side in heaven!

In the gospel passage today, Zechariah prophesized about his own son, John, to be the one who would be the last, greatest and true prophet of the Most High – as the dawn breaks upon us, as the Messiah comes to a people dwelling in darkness.

Come, Radiant Dawn, and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death – and guide our feet always in the way of peace!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Homily – December 23, 2008 – Weekdays of Advent – December 23

From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.

Today's "O" statement is O King of all nations, keystone of the Church come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Today we reflect upon the central figure of the Church which was sent from God to be our mainstay in life. If human life were not so treacherous we would not need a Church – but human life is very treacherous and the way through it is long, dark and arduous. But – God the Father, God our Friend provided a light and a guide to help us every step of the way: Jesus, Messiah, Brother, Friend and Helper! It is he who established Church as life-line, light-source and distributer of charity known as friendship and service!

This Messiah did his part in establishing the Church – empowering it with the gift of the Holy Spirit – and now it is up to us – members of that Church – to be the Church both for ourselves and for all others in the world.

The Church of Jesus can truly make all the difference in the world – if we are loyal, strong, true, dedicated, devoted, faithful and fruitful members. It begins with baptism and is renewed at each and every Mass. Let us take the fruits of this celebration into the waiting world today! It is darker than ever "out there" – it is Light-er than ever "in here" – in the Church – our home!

Lift up you heads and see; your redemption is near at hand!

Monday, December 22, 2008

December 22, 2008 – Weekdays of Advent – December 22

From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.

Today's "O" statement is O King of all nations, come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
The ones who need saving the most are the ones who think they do not need saving at all. These people need primarily to be saved from that very notion! No matter what kind of reality a person may invent for themselves – they probably would not include in it a need for redemption from what could keep them from an eternal form of happiness! They would simply invent a perfect reality of their own that would include this happiness!

But wishful thinking and script writing just may not measure up to an objective evaluation of the human situation: which needs salvation from without! Rather than having everyone invent his own salvation from a very real impossibility to enjoy eternal happiness without it – one salvation was willed for one group of people who would humbly welcome it and recognize it when once it came in their midst!

The one salvation has come from the One King of all nations, the true savior of the dust of the earth. In his sight all are equal, all stand in need of redemption, and all are to be equal recipients of his manifold gracious gifts! With Mary we cry out today: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior! He is coming to set us free from all that could interfere with our eternal happiness, life and peace! Amen! Amen!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

December 21, 2008 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Did you know that God the Father has a "secret name" for all of us! Just as you who are fathers know – each child is unique and special and deserving of its own "secret name!" – a name that just perfectly fits the individual!

God the Father's "secret name" for a humble maiden of Nazareth called Mary was: "full of grace!" Mary always was completely filled with God's love, his grace and his friendship! The lost love, the lost grace and the lost friendship caused by Adam's sin – Original Sin – never touched Mary – because God the Father had a "special task" for Mary – should she accept it – to be the Mother of his Son! [God the Father also has a "special task" for each of us – something to do in life (our "vacation") which can only be done in just the way we do it – should we accept the job! Mary, in this regard, then, was no different from us!]

And so we see one of the most dramatic scenes in all of the Scriptures in the gospel passage today: the angel Gabriel comes to Mary, calls her by her "secret name" "Hail, full of grace!" and delivers a message from God – the proposal of her "special task" – to be the Mother of his Son! And how dramatic it truly was: heaven and earth stood still while Mary thought about it, gathered some more information about how it would happen, and then immediately agreed to do it! YES! I will be the Mother of God's Son! Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word!

And the Holy Spirit overshadowed her – the power of the Most High came upon her and EMMANUEL began to exist in her womb! Her joy became ecstatic – and she later cries out in Elizabeth's presence! MY SOUL PROCLAIMS THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD! MY SPIRIT FINDS JOY IN GOD MY SAVIOR!

Jesus is Mary's Savior, he is our Savior! He has come to restore lost love, lost grace and lost friendship!

May we find that love, that grace and that joy always – as it emanates and radiates from the Holy Scriptures and from the Eucharistic Bread of Friendship Restored!

For ever we will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Homily – December 20, 2008 – Weekdays of Advent – December 20

From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.

Today's "O" statement is O Key of David, come and free the prisoners of darkness!
To be born blind is one thing. Perhaps, those born blind do not even know really what they a missing – because they never could see at all. But, those who are intellectually and spiritually blind from birth or as a learned art can sense their handicap – and they can know for sure what they are missing out on! Before the coming of the Messiah – there was no chance of overcoming intellectual and spiritual blindness. The Messiah would come and open the gates of the heavenly Kingdom and let the Light of the Kingdom illumine the mind and the heart of man!

There are a great many in our day in age who not only are in intellectual and spiritual darkness, but they actually glory in it, wallow in it, and use it for all it is worth for their own personal notoriety, vainglory and gain. They seek lives in the shadows – and then expect to be felt sorry for and pitied when things "go wrong!"

May we who are baptized into the Light of Christ this day rejoice in the intellectual and spiritual sight that is ours for the receiving, ours for the simple price of belief and assent of faith – ours at the cost of the Death of Christ on the Cross! And may we share our light with others!

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory! His glory is the Light of Life!

Friday, December 19, 2008

December 19, 2008 – Weekdays of Advent – December 19

From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.

Today's "O" statement is O Root of Jesse's stem, come to save us without delay!
It was always thought that the arrival of the Messiah – would be announced in small and varied ways. A tiny bud emanating from the root of Jesse's stem was such a sign of God's love for all his people! God was offering his people hope in the midst of their darkness and oppression!

In our day we have a strange combination of light and darkness. Jesus the Light has come, the Light, His Light is shining brightly for those who switch on the lamp of his light! But so many choose to remain in darkness, confusion, tension and frustration! They complain and say "there ought to be a way out of this chaos" – but they refuse to "plug into" the way that has already been provided!

May we who are baptized into the Light of Christ, this day let our light shine not only for ourselves to see the way through our own day, but so that others might see the way through theirs! May we all rejoice in the fact that miracles can happen – the barren can be fruitful, buds can bloom where there was nothing but dead wood, light can appear where there was darkness – and God's Friendship and Love and Light can become a tiny baby boy: Jesus, born in a cave in Bethlehem – for us! Nothing is impossible with God!

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, O God, and I will sing your glory!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

December 18, 2008 – Weekdays in Advent – December 18 – O Leader

From December 17th onward, we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.

Today's "O" statement is O LEADER of the House of Israel, come to rescue us with your mighty power!
It was always thought that the Messiah – when at last he came would be a rescuer of the people of God – who were in more need of rescuing than they even realized. They had more of a political rescue (or bailout) in mind – but God had a spiritual one in mind all along!

The Law was given to Moses and the people on Mt. Sinai to be a tool for them to measure their spiritual connectedness to him; but these people changed its meaning into a tool of spiritual self-condemnation. Interpreting the Law of God with a secular mind will always bring about confusion, chaos and worse: possible spiritual death!

But the first reading today tells us that from the stump of Jesse will sprout a righteous shoot – who shall be king, who shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. And in his day Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell in security. The gospel passage tells of the wondrous birth of this King of David's line – the fulfillment of the Law of Moses – spiritual life and blessing for all – Emmanuel: "God is with us!"

And so, for all, justice shall flourish in his time (which is all time) and fullness of peace (for now) and forever!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

December 17, 2008 – Weekdays in Advent – December 17 – O Wisdom

Today – December 17 we shift into a higher gear in our Advent preparation for Christmas: it is the time of the "O Antiphons" which are used for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer in the Divine Office – as well as the "Alleluia Verse" of Daily Mass. Each "O" statement makes known a special title of the coming Messiah: Son of God and Son of Mary.

Today's "O" statement is O WISDOM of our God Most High – come to teach us the path of knowledge! Since this is first – it might be said to be the most important: all of the salvific activity in the world would not be useful to us if we did not know about it: and the way we know about something is by being taught about it! God has chosen to be our teacher!

The ONE TRUE TRUSTED KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM is the very Wisdom of God itself which became a human person: this is what the Antiphon announces and celebrates: the Messiah is the very knowledge of God, about God! When we are students of his: we can learn the most important aspects of life itself! We can have a reliable and trustworthy guide for making the choices in our own life!

The first reading tells us that God would never desert his people: he would someway, somehow get through and make his presence known and felt. The gospel passage tells us of the very genealogy of the Messiah himself: three sets of fourteen generations from the time of Abraham (Father in faith) to Jesus!

O Wisdom of God – guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Homily – December 16, 2008 – Third Week of Advent - Tuesday

The most pitiable of people are those who think they do not need God. These are they who might say that "well, sure, for the people of the olden days – the time before Jesus birth things were pretty messed up and someone had to come and straighten it all out!" Things were "messed up" and "someone" did come – Jesus – Messiah and Savior; Jesus – Friend and Brother.

But, some say – now that he has come – and now that he did what he came to do – teach us a lot of things about God, his Father, and then suffer and die to reconcile us to God – we just don't need him anymore.

There are a great many people in the world who think this way!

But we have been called out of the world – to be a remnant people who will always know a need for him!
No one is "safe" until the last trumpet is sounded – all stand in need of God's goodness, his graciousness and his guidance! May we this day be in a sense "like the tax collectors and prostitutes" of the Gospel passage who are entering the Kingdom of God before the chief priests and the elders of the people! For they knew they stood in need of God's mercy, forgiveness and love! So do we!

We have work to do in God's vineyard today – it is the work of loving service to others in need (especially at this holiday time of the year). Freely and joyfully doing this work will demonstrate that we believe in God – and that we want to be a part of his Kingdom – forever!

The Lord hears the cry of the poor!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Homily – December 15, 2008 – Third Week of Advent - Monday

Today we have an amazing reading from the ancient Book of Numbers: even in the days shortly after the time of Moses it was prophesied that "a star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel!" The promise of a leader clothed in light was made by God – and God is always faithful to his promises.

The way of light is the way of love; and the way of love is the way of salvation! The Messiah was to be born from the God of Love, to be God's love among us – to show us the way back home!

In the gospel passage we see that Jesus was to be a different kind of light – different from John the Baptist – who was not the light at all – but a precursor of the greatness of the true Messiah himself: Jesus, his cousin; Jesus the Christ! And Jesus was also to be no match for those who would spend the next three years trying to tick and trap him. 'If you can tell me where John's baptism came from, then I will tell you where I get the authority to do the things that I am doing."

The chief priests and elders could not answer the question without convicting themselves of ignorance and cowardice, so they did not answer! Neither did Jesus answer them about his authority – not that he couldn't – but they would not have understood, much less believed what he had to say anyway – so he remained silent!

Matters of faith – matters dealing with God – cannot be "proved" by a secular mind: they never could, they never will!

When God gifts us with faith, and we accept – then the light is switched on in our minds and we can see things clearly: today, we pray for an increase in faith for ourselves and for any and all who remain in varying degrees in the darkness of ignorance and cowardice!

Teach us your ways, O Lord, today!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Homily – December 14, 2008 – Third Sunday of Advent

We spoke last week of John the Baptist crying out in the desert: PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD! MAKE STRAIGHT THE PATHS that will lead us to him and him to us! We also said that those who are on the high mountains of their own self-importance ought to "come down" to the flat-plain to meet "face-to-face and eye-to-eye" the One who rules over them; and the ones who are sunk low in the valley of poverty and humiliation ought to "come up" to level ground to meet "straightaway" the One who promised to come to them to be their redeemer. In short: all ought to prepare themselves to meet their SAVIOR!

The gospel passage today tells us more about this Savior, this Messiah, this LIGHT who has come into the world so that people could find their way home to God the Father!

Now, John the Baptist was so charismatic that people thought he might be the long-awaited Savior, Messiah, LIGHT! But John tells those who inquire: "NO! I am NOT the Light! But I CAN testify that the Light is among you and that he will do amazing and powerful things to bring about your salvation – (which will include a spectacular show of Light on the Morning of the Resurrection)! My "baptism" is only a preparatory kind of ceremony to clear the mind and heart internally to receive the Messiah when at last he will make himself known! When he does come, it would behoove you all to pay very close and strict attention to him! THE LIGHT OF HIS LIFE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD FOREVER!

As was prophesied in Isaiah in the first reading today: LIGHT will mean: glad tidings preached to the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, liberty for captives, release for prisoners! LIGHT will mean that a time of REJOICING has come! [REJOICING IS THE THEME OF THIS THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT!]

As St. Paul says to the Thessalonians today: with rejoicing always in your hearts may you pray without ceasing: in all circumstances giving thanks to God, not quenching the Spirit, so that you may both receive the Light of Christ more fully this day and every day, and be more willing to share that Light with others: as your hearts are enflamed with the same Light in your reception of Holy Communion!

[I wrote this part of the homily before the ice storm:]

No one need live in darkness anymore – God the Father sent the LIGHT, his Son; and his Son sent us – to make a difference in the world around us! May we be that LIGHT, that difference, always!

[Now having experienced the ice storm I can say that it is a perfect example of what I am saying today: those living in spiritual cold and darkness are there by their own choice: and what is still seen on the news reports about the ice storm is symbolic of what insisting to live away from the Light of Christ can be like! But it need not be that way: come fully near the warmth and the experience of Christ our Light – and bring others with you!]

Our souls rejoice in our God!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Homily – December 13, 2008 – St. Lucy

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Lucy. She is patroness of those suffering from diseases of the eyes. She lived in the early 300's – being born in Syracuse, Sicily. At a young age she is said to have torn her eyes out rather than to yield to a rapist. She later suffered a martyr's death! This day is celebrated in Sweden as the "festival of light" – images of Lucy with a crown containing candles are associated with the celebration!

Virginity, in the early Church, throughout its history – and with resurgence in our own day – is a very special charism and gift from God. One day the purified, holy and innocent Church will be the Bride of Christ in the age to come; voluntarily virginity and "engagement to Christ" here below is a very powerful and rich sign of what is to come – and a cause for joy, hope and encouragement: that all of the travail in this life will be transformed at the eternal wedding feast that awaits us all!

We are all called, in a sense to be like wise virgins, who have oil for our lamps, awaiting the arrival of the Groom. The oil is prayer, it is communal celebration of the Lord's Presence in Eucharist, it is loving service to brothers and sisters: to friends of God: it is standing always in a posture of watchful hope and hopeful expectation!

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits: for as we place our trust in you, we are certain that you will redeem us, O faithful God!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Homily – December 12, 2008 – Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: it celebrates the 16th century apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a hill outside Mexico City to Juan Diego. A painted, life-size figure of the Virgin as a young, dark-skinned American Indian woman with the face of a mestizo (one of culturally mixed ancestry) was imprinted on Juan Diego's cloak. The image gave Indians the assurance that Christianity was not only the faith of their European conquerors, but a faith for them also; indeed, that Mary, the Mother of God, was loving and compassionate toward them.

It is true the long await Messiah – born of the woman with clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet – the one who was destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod – was indeed the King and Lord of all lands and nations – including Mexico!

And just as Mary and Elizabeth experienced a moment of great joy when they embraced in the friendship of kinship, and the Christ who was in Mary was recognized by his cousin and Precursor, John the Baptist who was in the womb of Elizabeth) so all can experience the same joy welling up from the depths of souls who recognize the presence of the same Jesus in one another – for he is really there!

Then with Mary we can say: Our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord; our spirits rejoice in God our Savior!

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our Lord.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Homily – December 11, 2008 – St. Damasus

Our saint for today: Damasus – was born in Spain around the year 305. He was admitted to the Roman clergy and in 366, during a period of upheaval in the Church, was ordained bishop of Rome. He summoned synods to work against schismatics and heretics and widely promoted the cult of the martyrs whose burial places he adorned with sacred verse. He died in 384.

From the reading of St. Paul today, and from the life and work of St. Damasus it is evident that there always has been a predominating element in the world trying to pervert the story of God's tremendous love demonstrated in sending his own Son to reconcile things between us and him! For those who have weak, little or no faith the things of God make little or no sense! But from those who are alive with the Holy Spirit – given in Baptism and Confirmation – everything takes on a whole new, clear and sacred meaning!

It was Damasus' job – as pope – to continue to reveal to the world what was revealed by Jesus, and what Jesus commanded his successors to proclaim: that friendship with God, and the self-sacrificing love that is entailed in it – is the most important thing there is! "No, one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends! You are my friends, if you do what I command you! I no longer call you slaves…I call you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from the Father. It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you to go out into the world and tell everyone about this one amazing FRIENDSHIP that everyone is called to participate in!

Strengthened by the bread of Eucharist – the bread of incomparable friendship – we go forth to be friends with all we meet to one extent or another – true, real, genuine, authentic, Eucharistically-based FRIENDS!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Homily – December 10, 2008 – Second Week of Advent - Wednesday

Our readings today have to do with something that each one of us can identify with: the desire to have our "strength renewed." It is not always easy living a human life; it is not always easy living life as a member of God's family; it is not always easy living life as a member of the Church founded by God's Son!

And so our scripture readings for today tell us of God the Father's desire to help us: he is always standing there as our helper, our remedy, our friend if we only open our hands to receive the help, the remedy and the friendship!

This, of course, was prophesied in the reading today from one of the most "exciting" books of the Bible: Isaiah the Prophet! There is such imagery, such color, such vivid and real excitement, anticipation and joy found in that book - as God promises full restoration to his people after they had yet again turned away from him! Yesterday we read again what was read on Sunday from Isaiah: "Comfort! I want to give comfort to my people! I want their slavery to come to an end! I want to shepherd them with care – finding those who are lost – and carrying them back to the circle of friends: the flock of my heart's desire!"

Today we have it stated another way: "I want to be the strength of my weary and fainthearted people! They have been through so much – most of which was their own doing – but now I want to refresh them: I want to be their strength – so that they can do things for and through me that they never thought they would be able to do again!"

To accomplish this, there would be One sent to BE the strength; and to OFFER the helping hand of friendship, comfort and joy: that, of course, would be JESUS, the Messiah, the very Son of God and Son of Man. All the people would need to do is to connect to and remain connected to Jesus, Messiah, Lord and friend, and his strength, his grace, his life would be theirs!

In the gospel passage we have it stated another way: Jesus is the One to whom we are to go to have our lives (which can be heavily burdened with labor and trials difficulties) refreshed and renewed. Jesus is meek and humble of heart! He identifies with all of our human experience and he alone can give us rest from the turmoil. He will share the yoke of life's burdens with us – and will make them easy and light!

I wear a very small, almost weightless gold crucifix close to my heart to remind me that if my cross in life is any heavier than it ought to be: it is my own fault and not anyone else's – especially not Jesus' fault. I must carry my cross – and I willingly do it – but I trust fully that he will carry most of the load just as he said he would!

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him!


 

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Homily – December 9, 2008 – Second Week of Advent - Tuesday

Our first reading today on this Advent Weekday is the same from last Sunday. Its first theme is the consolation that God is offering to his people! Isaiah is prophesying the end of the Babylonian Captivity: the restoration of the people of God to his good graces and favors: literally. Its second theme is "right alignment" – the only way to meet the coming Messiah is "straightaway" – therefore the "paths that lead to him need to be made straight, mountains made low, valleys filled in: so that all can walk right up to him and "look him straight in the eye, and he us" when at last he comes. The third theme is the "gentleness" with which this powerful God shepherds his flock: like cherished lambs he treats them – carrying them in his arms, holding them close to his heart!

The gospel passage takes up this idea: Jesus goes after the lost sheep not only of the house of Israel – but anyone, anywhere, any time. He holds it close to his heart, and carries it back to the center of the fold of the assembly of charity, the assembly of friends – where it belongs!

The Messiah – the One who came, the One who is to come again – can be our "comfort!" We can "look him straight in the eye" – rejoice, and allow him to hold us and encourage us – to do all that he commands us to do for our own good and the good of others!

The day of the Lord is near: Behold, he comes to save us!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Homily – December 8, 2008 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne. [In fact, in the Eastern Churches this feast is called the Conception of Mary in the Womb of St. Anne and is celebrated on December 9.]

This feast is a very important piece in the fabric of salvation history: the one chosen by God to be the Mother of his Son would be free from Original Sin, so to be a fit environment for him to grow in from the first moment of his conception in her womb. It all has to do with FRIENDSHIP. Original sin destroyed the FRIENDSHIP between God and mankind; Jesus was to restore the FRIENDSHIP; it is only fitting that his mother be already in a restored state of FRIENDSHIP with God and not his "enemy" as she carried, delivered and cared for her son and his! Mary then, had the "singular grace and privilege…in view of the merits of Jesus Christ" (her Son!) to always be a FRIEND OF GOD. And why could this not be this way? God can arrange anything to be the way he wants it! But let it be clear too that this "singular, graced" relationship with God in no way took away Mary's freedom in regard to deciding whether she would accept the role of Mother of God: heaven and earth did stand still and held its breath when the angel Gabriel posed the invitation from God to her – and they all waited for her free-will reply! But since FRIENDS ALWAYS HELP OUT FRIENDS, Mary, of course, said: YES! Surely I will do it! I will be the Mother of God's Son!

Pope Pius IX on December 8 1854, in a papal statement entitled: "Ineffable God" – declared the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary to be a matter of faith and belief for the entire Church. It was four years later that Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubrious at Lourdes declaring: "I am the Immaculate Conception!"

A primary scriptural reference to Mary's Immaculate Conception is found in just two lines from the gospel passage today: [And coming to her, the angel Gabriel said: "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you!" That says it all! God has a secret name for each of us. Mary's was "full of grace!" God was always "with her!" She was a quintessential "FRIEND of God," always. Of course, she would be willing to do what God asked of her, even to be the mother of his Son.

We thank God today for sharing his FRIENDSHIP with us in a redemptive sort of way beginning with a young maiden of Nazareth named Mary! We pray that we who share in the merits of JESUS and are redeemed FRIENDS of God – may preserve that FRIENDSHIP by prayer, by the reception of Holy Communion, by loving service to brothers and sisters (to FRIENDS of all sorts and degrees that God puts in our path!).

It is quite obvious too that with the descriptions of the beginnings of the lives of both Mary and Jesus in their mothers' wombs that human life begins at the moment of conception: and what is instantly there is our FRIEND and a FRIEND of God as well! The new human being, from the first moment of its existence, needs all of the respect and love and care that we can give it both before it is born and then throughout its life afterwards. FRIENDS ARE FOR LIFE!

Sing to the Lord a new song; for he has done marvelous deeds!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Homily – December 7, 2008 – Second Sunday of Advent – (St. Ambrose)

Our Scripture readings today, on this Second Sunday of Advent, tell us of the great coming of the long awaited Messiah – as we go back to the beginning - to tell the story of Jesus all over again this new liturgical year. The theme today is: HE IS COMING! HE IS COMING! MAKE STRAIGHT THE PATHS BEFORE HIM! This is the cry of the greatest and the last of the Old Testament Prophets, St. John the Baptist. The Messiah Himself would be the One, True and Only Prophet from then on – in the New Testament!

All flesh needs to see the salvation of God! And to see, all flesh needs to be able to look him straight in the eye; and so make straight the paths, so to be able to see! Those who are proud and arrogant – come down to the plain, to the flat land – come down and meet the great King who rules over you! Those who are lowly and poor – come up, come up from the valley of poverty and see that your Savior is here, he has not forgotten you! May all – who even this day need to hear this cry hear it: come down, come up – he is coming straight ahead to meet you – with his kindness, with his gifts, with your salvation!

Today, since it is December 7th we also celebrate the feast of St. Ambrose (whose feast day it is on the Church Calendar). He is one, who, born in the 4th century cried out to the people of Milan in his eloquent and persuasive way: YES! HE IS HERE! HE IS HERE FOR ALL TO SEE AND TO EXPERIENCE AS REDEEMER, SAVIOR AND FRIEND! He is here in the Church (which he founded on the person of St. Peter) that is growing and developing by leaps and bounds since the day of his Ascension, and the day of the sending of the Spirit!

In the late 300's when Ambrose lived, in Milan, Italy – he had the important task as Bishop to enforce the findings of the Council of Nicea which was held earlier in the 300's. There was a big discussion at the Council about the divinity of Jesus. A man named Arius said that Jesus came from God the Father, but was made as a creation of his – he was not truly divine as the Father was. This was an erroneous idea (a heresy) and the Council made it very clear that Jesus was GOD FROM GOD, LIGHT FROM LIGHT, TRUE GOD FROM TRUE GOD, BEGOTTEN - NOT MADE, ONE IN BEING WITH THE FATHER. This you will recognize as a part of the Nicene Creed that we proclaim each Sunday (which was written at that very Council of Nicea). Each line of that creed was carefully thought out and came from some need to clarify who we are in relation to God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and the Church.

And so, St. Ambrose did much to squelch the Arian heresy in the city and diocese of Milan! Ambrose was a very brilliant man, with a great gift for preaching and teaching. He could simplify things so clearly and so well that he was named later as one of the four Latin Doctors of the Church along with St. Augustine, St. Jerome and St. Gregory the Great: (a doctor one who clearly and concisely states what already exists regarding sometimes confusing doctrines of the Church). Ambrose had great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary; and he was very much interested in preserving and also developing the sacred beauty of church buildings, and church music: he had a chant –similar to Gregorian – named after him! [We are fortunate to have right in this altar a relic – a piece of bone of St. Ambrose himself; just before I proclaim the gospel and preach to you I always ask St. Ambrose to help me!]

This leads us to here – now! St. Ambrose Parish, Richmond, Maine! – It has been here, as you know, now, for 120 years – under the spiritual guidance of 10 popes, 10 bishops and 18 pastors. It has been a consistent and faithful part of the Diocese of Portland for that entire time. The same Jesus is here, too (as was there in the time of St. Ambrose himself)! – in one another as we gather each week, in the Scriptures we read, on the altar of Sacrifice during Mass – and in the tabernacle afterwards – and in our hearts (after receiving him in Holy Communion) as we go out from each Mass to love and serve his brothers and sisters (and ours) as he asked us to do! And while we wait for the him to come again, like its founders, this parish is asked to take what was passed on to them from the time of Jesus, through the time of St. Ambrose, up to today – to affirm and confirm it by the purity and holiness of the Catholic Christian lives they embrace and try to lead; and to pass it on to others "at the font" – inviting any who want to join them! In doing this St. Ambrose Parish is doing its part to ensure the people of this part of Maine that the Messiah and Christ remains here and will be here for as long as God would have it!

Today then we have a happy convergence of three sources: The Message of St. John the Baptist; the message of St. Ambrose and the message that you, the people of St. Ambrose Parish, are called to proclaim! HE IS HERE! May the anniversary year find you hungering and thirsting for more and more of the spiritual realities: truths and nourishment that will strengthen you to accept the challenge to lift high the cross of Christ / which has as its counterpart the Paschal Candle and the Light of the Resurrection – and to show them to all you meet – and indeed, by rippling effect, to the whole world! God bless you!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Homily – December 6, 2008 – St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra (which is now Turkey) in the early 300's. He was noted for his piety and pastoral zeal – he had a special love for children. During the persecution of Diocletian he was imprisoned, and later he was present at the Council of Nicea which dealt with errors concerning the divinity of Christ. Nicholas is popular in both the Eastern and Western Churches. The practice of giving gifts to children on his feast day was actually begun by the Dutch when they came to North America. It was combined with a Nordic legend of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good ones! From these sources came the notion of Santa Claus.

Though not being Santa Claus, this Nicholas was definitely a saint in his own right. He was one who accepted the commission of God – as did Isaiah the prophet in the first reading – to go where God would send him and to say what God would have him say!

In the gospel passage – it is more clearly spelled out: go – Jesus told his disciples – and say: THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND FOR YOU! They were to announce to the villages where Jesus would visit that in him, in Jesus, was to be found the kingdom they were all looking for itself!

St. Nicholas and we are called to recognize the presence of Jesus right here among us – and to proclaim this reality to anyone who will hear us! In his Word, in the Sacraments (esp. Eucharist), in our hearts, in our actions of self-sacrificial love and charity – JESUS IS HERE! THE KINGDOM THAT WE ARE ALL REALLY LOOKING FOR IS AT HAND. The world needs to be assured of this! More and more people need to make it the focal point of their lives. But, first we need to ensure it is the focal point of ours!

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives! Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Homily – December 5, 2008 – First Week of Advent - Friday

Jesus, at that time, told the cured blind men not to tell anyone about the cure because he did not want to become known simply as a "worker of wonders." That he cured blindness was but a sign and symbol of how his whole presence and purpose in life was to "give sight to the spiritually blind": these are the ones who would always be in danger of losing everything – out of purposeful ignorance.

The Old Testament, first, reading today tells of "the one who is to come" as one who would cause the "deaf to hear" and the "blind to see" – that is: those who stopped believing and listening for the things of God would once again hear them; and those who were groping around in the darkness of their own stubbornness and willfulness would be able to see things are they really are: by the very light of God himself who would light up the spiritual countryside!

We are invited this day to hear the very voice of God, to see by the power of his light what is true, and right and good – and to put into practice what we hear and see – put into practice by means of active charity what we sense!

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Homily – December 4, 2008 – St. John of Damascus

Today we celebrate the life of St. John Damascene. He was born of a Christian family in Damascus, Syria in the latter part of the seventh century. Being taught science, philosophy and theology by a Sicilian monk, John became a monk himself and later a priest. He wrote many doctrinal works which earned him the title "doctor" of the Eastern Church. His thought greatly influenced Thomas Aquinas and others. He wrote especially against the iconoclasts (those who were out destroying sacred icons and images). John died in 749.

The first reading today speaks of guarding the rich trust that was passed on with the help of the Holy Spirit. This was John Damascene's mission – it is also our co-mission! God will be with us, he will grace us as he graced John to bear our share of hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

The gospel passage puts it another way: each, according to his ability has been given something to do to build up the Body of Christ – to bring the Church to its full stature. We get profit by investing what we have been given; we get no gain and no profit if we hide what we have been given – and we will have no reward from God.

May God say to us that he is pleased with how we invested the seeds of faith that he planted within us! May he give us the responsibility of celebrating in a big way life in the Kingdom of gifted brothers and sisters – prepared for us!

Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Homily – December 3, 2008 – St. Francis Xavier

We have an interesting gospel passage today on this feast of St. Francis Xavier. It is St. Mark's account of the ascension of Jesus. Just before ascending into heaven Jesus tells the apostles to "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. Signs will accompany you." And so they went, they preached, some believed and were baptized and saved; others apparently chose not to believe and to be condemned; and signs accompanied them which confirmed the words they spoke (but were not powerful enough apparently to persuade the doubters).

St. Francis Xavier was a 16th century Jesuit priest who traveled to India and Japan – doing what the Lord was asking him to do. He preached the word, and by means of it – many thousands of people were baptized – and many signs and wonders no doubt took place as he lived and worked among the poorest of the poor. Francis felt compelled – because it was his vocation – to preach the gospel as "an obligation that was imposed on him" (as St. Paul likewise says in the first reading today of himself). It was not a matter of a boastful preacher – but of a humble servant of the word – not just any word, but the very powerful Word of God himself – which was alive and active!

It is my obligation, my duty and my joy – to do what I (along with St. Francis Xavier; and my fellow priests and bishops of today) have been commissioned to do – to preach the gospel, and to confirm it with signs. Signs, of course, are a tangible and visible manifestation of the faith of the person or people who hear the words that are preached to them and explained to them in homilies. Miracles are always the response of faith! Miracles are not relics of the past! Miracles can happen any place, any time!

There is no reason why - in our own day in age – some powerful manifestations of God's caring, loving, healing providence cannot be experienced – why miracles cannot happen! After all is that not what the miracle of miracles – the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the very body and blood of Christ that will occur here in just a few moments (and in thousands of locations throughout the world on a regular basis) is all about. If you believe in that miracle, you can also believe in other ones that demonstrate and prove God's love for you and others!

If we let God love us the way he wants to love us – miracles will abound – so that we will know God is with us until the end of the world!

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world!


 

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Homily – December 2, 2008 – First Week of Advent - Tuesday

The gospel passage on this Advent morning brings up an interesting point: the only ones who can know who the Father is, is the Son: Jesus and anyone that Jesus wishes to reveal him to – and this does not necessarily include everyone. What is the point of revealing him to those who will just never get the message!

This does not mean, however, that the general offer to come to know God as Father is not put forth for all; but it does mean that those who actually will come to know him fall into a special category: the category of the childlike.

When we think of knowing and "knowledge" we usually do think of the wise and the learned. What could the "common folk" know? But Jesus tells us that those who truly get the real "knowledge" of the real "message" are the lowly ones, the humble ones, even the uneducated ones – the childlike ones – for the true "story of God: his love, the gift of his Son and forgiveness of sin" comes to those who are simply open, trusting, loving and expectant!

In the first reading today – in this season of anticipation we hear prophesied the likes of the One who would come as a shoot sprouts from the almost dead stump of the tree of Jesse. The Spirit of the Lord with his gifts would rest on him (The Messiah) – and he would bring justice to the land; and there would be peace, and harmony and love! This would be a spiritual event, not a political one; and this root of Jesse would be set up as a signal for the nations and everyone would seek him out to see his glorious dwelling! This same Messiah is still here today and is still that same light!

Behold our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Homily – December 1, 2008 – First Week of Advent - Monday

We now enter into the Advent Weekdays with hopeful and joyful expectation. Our hearts can sense the beginning of a new day – the first streaks of the morning light of dawn. Christ is our Light and this season draws us ever more fully into that light! It is the light of God's glory (that we read in the Old Testament reading) which was a sign of shelter and protection for his people as they waited for the arrival of the Messiah!

The arrival of the Messiah meant truth (Light), grace and healing for those who would believe.

The gospel passage today relates how pleased Jesus is that a Roman centurion demonstrates great faith in him when he asks to cure his servant. This first of all shows what a truly compassionate man the centurion was – he cared very much that his servant was paralyzed and suffering greatly! Jesus was also amazed that in truly humility he would not even want Jesus to come to his house – and so he says those historically famous words that we all speak at every Mass: "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed."

So amazed was Jesus at this pagan man's faith that he immediately cured the servant and assured the man that the likes of him would be reclining with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven!

May we also be among those who are reclining: because of our faith, because we believe in Jesus the Light of Day who came so that we might all be saved!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Homily – November 30, 2008 – First Sunday of Advent

The word "watch" was just used four times in the nine lines of this gospel passage: watch, watch, watch, watch!

Today we begin a new liturgical year with the Season of Advent in a "watchful" mode – the same mode as we ended the old liturgical year last Sunday. What we are watching for on this Sunday is the same object as last Sunday – Christ the King who is to come at the end of the world – as Judge.

If anything that we learned from the Scripture readings and homilies last year made any impact on us – we will understand how important it is to be in a "watchful, alert" kind of mode! For if we believe what Jesus said and did, then we will also believe it when he says that he will come suddenly – and those who are "watchful and alert" will be the ones who will find eternal reward with him!

We watch by prayer! We watch by studying the documents of the church! We watch by reading and listening to Scripture! We watch by going to church and receiving the sacraments: especially the greatest gift of all: Holy Communion! We watch by going to confession to keep the channels of grace flowing freely! We watch by going out from Mass to love one another in our own life settings – but also by reaching out to as many others as we possibly can – Catholics, non-Catholics – anyone and everyone! We watch by keeping our eyes fixed on the Cross of Christ Jesusand by willingly and joyfully carrying our own!

While we continue to wait for the full revelation of the Lord this day let us turn our face to God and pray that he show us his face – and we shall be safe today and in the days to come: including the Last One!

Show us O Lord, your love;

and grant us your salvation!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Homily – 11-29-2008 – Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Saturday

The last words of the last gospel of the last Mass in the now completed liturgical year of grace is: be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.

In the first reading today from the Book of Revelation we hear how magnificent it will be: the new heaven and the new earth when the Son of Man Comes. It will be a place where nothing accursed will be found anymore. It will be a place of unending security. It will be a place of perpetual light! For those who find the words trustworthy and true the quick arrival of the transition day needs to be prayed for: In the reading the Lord himself says: Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keep the prophetic message of this book!

Each generation thinks that it is the one whose calamities are worse than all others, and that therefore the Lord will come to them to change it all. For one generation it will be true. It could be for ours! But, in any event when our own individual day comes for our own transition from life, through death to what lies beyond we will be judged on how trustworthy and true we found the words of Life the Church has given us – and how well we lived them out!

If our consciences are truly free and clear then we can cry out:

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Homily – 11-28-2008 – Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time - Friday

What will last is the word of God! Therefore what we need to grasp and hold onto is "the Word of God!" Not just "words of God" but the Word-himself-made-flesh: Jesus! If we accept the redemption that he won for us: then we shall be safe on that judgment day that surely is to come.

There will be signs of the coming: they will be: the excess of the godless, and the increase of the fervor of the faithful!

Drawing nearer and nearer to God each day in silent prayer, by public prayer, by almsgiving, by actively serving all we see in need: we will be ready for that great day when the current heaven and earth passes away: and when we will continue to exist and live and love: completely taken into and contained in the Word of God: Jesus Christ, who will be our King, Lord and Brother forever!

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Homily – 11-27-2008 – Thanksgiving Day

If we look at the history of our country beginning really at Popham Beach and then Jamestown, Virginia, and then Plymouth Rock – and we look all the way though the struggles of its progress and growth to the present day…

If we look at the family settings that we find ourselves in - either or both as children of parents or now parents of children – and we consider all of what went into making us the family units that we are today…

If we look at this parish (as a part of the greater Church of Portland, Maine) – and we look at its growth and development throughout a 120 year span – and we consider all of the sacrifices and contributions that went into making it what it is today – especially the sacrifices and contributions that had to do directly with faith and its development, celebration and transmission from one generation to the next…

If we look at all of these things – we can only conclude as was prophesied in the first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah: only God could have gotten us through all of this – only God could have saved us over and over again when we needed saving – only God could have given us exactly what we needed when we needed it - to be successful in the ways that really count. The favors of the Lord I will recall and celebrate on this Thanksgiving Day!

The second reading today encourages us to see that brought safely to this moment by God – the only way to proceed from here is to be thankful to God for his great care and love – and to show it – in and by everything we do! If we do everything- out of gratitude to God who gives us everything we need - to accomplish everything that needs accomplishing: then we will have our priorities straight and the blessings of God will continue to overflow upon our country, our families and our church – both today and for as long as God would have it so!

Jesus – in the gospel passage today (in this particular instance) – told the man who was cured by him not to tell anyone about it (because at that particular point in his public ministry not many would have known what to do with the information); on this Thanksgiving Day, however, he would tell us this: if you truly hear my word, if you find healing in me, if you find nourishment in "the bread of angels" – the Eucharist - that I give for your spiritual nourishment, if you experience my presence in one another as you gather here, if you are motivated to go from here to give alms and to help other people: then, by all means tell everyone about it! Everyone!

Everyone needs a home – the Church is meant to be everyone's home! We are grateful from the depths of our hearts today that we have and always will have "a place to come home to!"

O Lord, we thank you for your faithfulness and love!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Homily – 11-25-2008 – Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time - Tuesday

We would be clear about the intent of this gospel passage: we must not be deceived into thinking that anyone on earth at any given time is the "one who is to come again as judge" – no person on the face of the earth is its messiah or savior or ultimate judge: there is only One Messiah, Savior and Judge and that is Jesus Christ – and he will come when he comes.

And so Jesus tells us not to be too much alarmed when tumultuous things start happening and there are false sightings of him everywhere – these things are "bound to happen first." Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky – but do not be afraid. Rather remain prayerful and vigilant and in the thick of a life of service to your brothers and sisters – and you will be prepared for the day of the coming of the Lord – whenever it might be!

The first reading from the Book of Revelation reminds us that it will be a day of harvesting. The sickle will be swung and the harvest will be reaped. It is our goal to be among that which is preserved and gathered by the Lord, and not that which is thrown into the fiery furnace! If we love God and others – he will gather us unto himself and them – in a place of refreshment and peace forever!

If we remain faithful until death, we will be given the crown of life!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Homily – 11-24-2008 – Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time - Monday

The ones who will have the places of honor at the heavenly banquet of the Lamb will be the ones who have the Lamb and his Father's names written on their foreheads (as the first reading tells us today); they will be the only ones singing a new hymn to God (learned from a special grace of intimacy they have had with the Lamb and his Father); they will be the ones who, while on earth, thought of the needs of others' first, rather than their own – who even gave their last coin for someone's else's benefit (as Jesus relates his approval in the gospel passage).

The formula for success as God sees it – and his is the only perspective that counts – is: once empowered by incorporation (by Baptism), live as much as you possibly can a life of self-sacrifice and giving: and you will hear heavenly music: and your whole life will be the new hymn to the Lamb and his Father – and as a reward, one day you will be seated at a place of honor at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb!

Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain! – and who gives to the needy and the poor!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Homily – 11-23-2008 – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

There is a verse from a popular African American Spiritual that says:

John tells us of a time when time will be no more

in the days when the trumpet shall blow.

We'll meet over yonder in that heavenly place.

There we'll see each other face to face.

Then the refrain:

I can almost see the lights of the city

shining down on me.

I can almost see the lights of the cit,y

forever Lord, I shall be free.

I encourage each and every one of you to remember the words of this spiritual when you enter into this church building from now and and see its newly appointed lighting system. It is true! The lights of the new and eternal Jerusalem to which we are all invited are meant to be foreshadowed to some degree in the worship spaces in which we gather – to keep us wanting to come back each week to see them – to have something to dwell upon and remember during the week when we are not here – to remind us of our goal. Use well this new dimension of our experience of God's presence among us and our communion with one another as fellow pilgrims through life!

In the new configuration of the sanctuary there are three things to remember: Christ Has Died! Christ is Risen! Christ will come again! (These, you will notice, are the exact three elements of the Acclamation of the Memorial we proclaim and sing after the words of consecration.)

CHRIST HAS DIED! The central arch, the most prominent, containing the Altar of Sacrifice and the Crucifix has to do with the fact that Christ has come into the world to die for us – so that we can have the forgiveness of our sins and entrance into heaven. (It is fitting that the Mary statue is now in the sanctuary as it is she who gave birth to Jesus, and she who stood by him during his most horrible passion and death!) (It is fitting too that the Book of Gospels which announces the story of how it all happened is also there – for it is this very Word of God that became flesh in Mary).

CHRIST IS RISEN! The arch on the right has to do with the Risen Christ being very much present in the tabernacle. It is fortunate that there is a Risen Christ image to place there above the tabernacle. It really is an astounding fact that he is here with us – until the end of time – as spiritual food but also object of prayer and adoration!

CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN! The arch on the left has to do with an open invitation to the whole world to experience life in the Church while there is time to do so. It has to do with joining the Church through Baptism and Confirmation. It has to do with living the Catholic Christian faith that has to do with loving God first and then helping one another in self-sacrificial ways all the days of our lives – until Christ comes again to gather us all into the Kingdom of heaven – just as he promised that he would do!

With this three-part theme in mind for this sanctuary – let us truly proclaim and sing the acclamation of faith when it comes up in Mass each week with great enthusiasm and joy! For it is all about who we are and where we are going!

Now, to talk about the new crowning jewel of the sanctuary: the hand-carved in Czechoslovakia, wooden, St. Paul Series Crucifix! There is no greater symbol and sign in all of the world since that day on Calvary than the symbol and sign of the Cross! There is no greater image! It has a life all its own! By means of it the powers of the Evil One have been held back! By means of it Hope has dawned on the despairing! By means of it Peace has been restored! By means of it Reconciliation has been accomplished and man has once again become friends with God, adopted children and heirs of eternal life!

So long as we have breath in our bodies we ought never take our eyes off the Cross of Christ Jesus! For not only was suffering on it the necessary prerequisite for Resurrection of newness of life for Jesus – but it is also the same for us! Just as Jesus never took his eyes off his own cross throughout his entire life from the moment of his birth; so too we must not take our eyes off our own cross that he has assigned us! Just as he carried his cross, so too we must carry ours, so that we may enjoy the fruits of the reconciliation that he won for us all!

Our readings today for the Feast of Christ the King tell us that the purpose of the reconciliation of all of mankind was so that the way would be paved for the establishment of the One True Universal Kingdom that God the Father had in mind all along. The plan is spelled out very clearly in the second reading of St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Christ would bring about and be the reconciliation that was absolutely needed for man to be in right relation to God; his reward would also be our reward if we believe in him and do what he told us to do; then, his reign would extend over all the temporary "presidents, kings, potentates" of the earth and he would subject them to himself; then he would offer all of them and us, including himself to God his father who would make him king of all creation forever – and then God would be all in all – which was the original plan in the first place! After taking the very long way around – we will finally have made it! It will be quite the day: that final one!

As the gospel passage tells us: as we have heard so many times: "if you say you love me (Jesus says this) but do not take care of the least of my brothers and sisters – then you have not really loved me – and you will have no place in my kingdom." (This applies to the very least of the brothers and sisters wherever they may be found!) But if you did your best to care for me where I told you I would be: in the poor, the weak, the defenseless; in the sick, in the imprisoned, in the hungry, in the naked – you will be warmly welcomed into everlasting life – and you reward will be beyond anything you can possibly imagine now!

Lord Jesus, you are king of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love and peace! These are the hallmarks of your amazing kingdom! We want you to know this day that even above all of these things you are most of all KING AND CENTER of our Lives and our Hearts! We ask you to receive the crown that we bring forward during the offertory procession today as a symbol of our desire to live each day as if we truly believed in your Kingship and want to be among the sheep at your right hand on that day that is surely coming – and could arrive at any time!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Homily – 11-22-2008 – St. Cecilia

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Cecilia who was born in the middle of the second century. She gave God a gift of virginity (even though she became married due to circumstances beyond her control), and God gave her the gift of martyrdom. In the estimation of the early Church she was therefore considered doubly blessed with two very powerful expressions of love of God!

Martyrdom, of course, was seen as a tremendous gift from God – because the one called to be a martyr engaged in sufferings equal to that of Christ: they truly "carried their cross" as Christ carried his: and we thus deserving of the joys of the resurrection as he won them and first experienced them.

But when martyrdom waned in the history of the church virginity was seen as a substitute: "carrying the cross" by total renunciation of what life had to offer, especially in the area of sexual expression, so to focus completely on Christ the Groom – Christ the Goal – Christ the One who would come one day to take us to the Marriage Feast of Heaven – was considered on the same level as martyrdom.

And so, Cecelia was doubly blessed to be both a virgin and a martyr. She is the patroness of music because she is said to have heard heavenly music in her head when she was married to a pagan husband who would be baptized because of her insistence on remaining a virgin!

The readings today are suited to this feast: Cecilia was like one "led to the desert so that God could commune with her and she with God" – her life was very focused and oriented on the goal: eternal life on high with Jesus and his Father. The gospel passage relates how she certainly was one of the virgins who had their lamps full of the oil of gladness, the oil of prayer, the oil of attentiveness, the oil of expectation, the oil of welcome: so that when the Lord bid her come: she went forth immediately!

We are all invited to the Marriage Feast of heaven – it is never too late to become as single-minded and focused in vision as St. Cecilia! We may even hear heavenly music in our heads as we come closer and closer to the object of our longing: JESUS, the CHRIST – KING OF THE UNIVERSE – KING OF OUR HEARTS!

The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Homily – 11-21-2008 – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we celebrate the dedication of the church of St. Mary which was built in Jerusalem near the site of the Temple. With the Christians of the East, the Latin Church also recalls on this day the tradition according to which Mary as a small child was presented to the Lord by her parents in the Temple.

We celebrate today, then, the Temple in Jerusalem which received Mary as was prescribed by Mosaic Law. Joachim and Ann, the parents of Mary, were devout Jews and fulfilled the law's demands with awe, respect and great devotion!

The Lord received Mary on that day – and the echo of the time when she herself would become a temple began to sound – when she herself would carry the Son of God in the temple of her womb before his birth!

And now today we have the opportunity to make our hearts a temple to receive her Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus in the astonishing gift of Holy Eucharist which he gave to us to be our spiritual strength and energy and motivation to accomplish good works in his name!

In the gospel passage Jesus says: my mother and my brothers and sisters are those who do the will of my Father in heaven! May we be a true relatives of Jesus today: by seeking out and doing what his Father, our Father, would have us do!

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

The gospel passage today gives very clear reference to two historical spiritual realities:

first, the Lord's own people, the family of the Father's chosen ones, descendants of Abraham, who were preparing for many centuries to receive the Messiah, are not recognizing the fact that it is he and that the redemption, salvation, peace they have been looking for are to be found in his very person;

second, a great many people throughout the centuries since the time of Jesus up to this very day do not recognize the fact that he, the Messiah, has both been here historically, and remains here spiritually: in the Sacraments, in the Scriptures, in we the people who have been Baptized and Confirmed (Ordained) into his very life – and who are now Communicants of his very real spiritual Body and Blood in the Eucharist – he is present in the Catholic Church!

The first reading from the Book of Revelation describes this in an incredibly dramatic fashion. It tells that Jesus, the Messiah – is the Lamb slain who alone was worthy to open the book of life (at the throne of his Father in heaven), with its seals. The hymn to the Lamb that St. John relates to us as he heard it in heaven proclaims: Worthy are you to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth!

This means that the One who alone is Worthy (Jesus) – by sharing his very life – through the shedding of his blood in death – has made everyone on earth (those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation) eligible to be not only members of the One Kingdom over which he will reign as King, but also priests who will reign over the new earth when it is established. And one day a new earth will surely be established!

May we this day acknowledge and acclaim Jesus as the Messiah who has come to his people as he promised; and pray that these his own people open their hearts to receive him! We hail Jesus as the Lamb of God slain for us – who is so generous in sharing the full fruits of his redemption with any who will receive them! We thank him for making us members of his kingdom
and priests who have the spiritual right to office pleasing "sacrifice of thanksgiving" to his Father!

Let us exult in glory today: let the praises of God be in our throats; let us sing for joy! Alleluia!

Happy New Year 202

  A Happy New Year to you all! I hope and pray I am able to keep this blog up to date now that we are entering into the New Year! I would li...