Thursday, January 31, 2008

Homily -01-31-08 - Thursday

Today we celebrate the feast of an apostle to the poor and to youth. John Bosco was born in 1815 in a small town near Turin, Italy. His family was very poor. He discerned a certain vocation to the priesthood and was ordained a priest in 1841. He dedicated his priestly life to helping the young – especially boys who needed education and training in skills that would be useful in their livelihood. He thus became a patron of Catholic schools in general as well as patron of vocational education that comes down to us today!

Other priests came to join him in his work and together they formed a new religious community known as the Salesians – the Order of St. Francis de Sales. A group of women formed a parallel group called: Daughters of Mary Help of Christians: the Salesian Sisters.

John Bosco and those who lived and worked with him, and those who came to know his work knew that he was motivated by his love for the Lord Jesus. They knew that he took to heart what Jesus said concerning children: that their humility was the golden key that would lead to life in the Kingdom forever. Children are simply loving, simply trusting, simply giving, simply faithful and loyal. Unless we turn (convert) and become like children we will not enter the Kingdom! Can we afford not to take Jesus' word on this!?

Not only this but whoever receives a child in the name of Jesus receives Jesus! In our day, this area needs to be healed more than any other. The Church – and all members in it – need to interact with children in a very pastoral and loving way – in a way that supersedes all mistrust, pain, and wrongdoing - despite what has surfaced in the past several years regarding the treatment of the very young. Children need to know that they are safe and welcomed and treasured in the arms of their loving mother the Church – by all who are members of it: but the confidence-level, the trust-level has to be reestablished and rebuilt.

But this needs to be done as soon as possible – for the children of today are the adults of tomorrow – the adult Christians who must be taught now as St. Paul tells us – to rejoice in the Lord always – to have no anxiety at all – to reside in the peace of God the Father – to think always what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious and excellent – so that the reality of the presence of Christ on earth in the Church can shine forth like the noonday sun – so that the world may see that in the Catholic Church there exists something special, something irresistible, something worth looking into!

O bless the Lord, my soul!


 

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Homily – 01-30-08 - Wednesday

When Jesus takes the time to give his own homily - as he did in the gospel passage today - perhaps he has something really important to say – and there is not much that need be added to it! But as far as human concerns go there always seems to be a need for deeper and clearer explanation and understanding.

As Jesus himself explains very simply: the seed that the sower sowed is the word! But this word is not just any word – or words spoken in an ordinary way. The seed – the word – is Jesus Himself. It is the Word – creative, dynamic, effective, loving, caring, compassionate, merciful, healing and salvific. The Word of God can transform us – transform our hearts, transform our minds - it can transform every part of our lives. It can take us far beyond the earthbound limitations that can entrap us so easily. The Word of God can redeem every part of us that needs redeeming – and that is all of us!

The Word of God is Jesus Christ who was promised to rise from the house of David (a we herd in the first reading today) and establish a Kingdom that would endure forever!

All we need to tap into the redemption, to tap into the transformation, to tap into the newness of life that is awaiting us is: FAITH! It just takes faith! BELIEVE!
Will to believe in what God says in his Word – and all will be well!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Homily – 01-29-08 - Tuesday

If we could only grasp the true meaning of what "God the Father's will" is; if we could only understand how safe and secure this will is; if we could only appreciate the reality of the fact that outside of God's will there is nothing – nothing at all – then we would know for certain: God's will is all!

GOD'S WILL IS ALL! It is as simple and plain, yet complex and all-encompassing as that! How could God's will be anything but powerful and effective? He is God – his way will always be the best, the most meaningful, the most beneficial!

And yet, human beings, since the time of Adam and Eve have declared to God that they know better; they know more than God; they can take perfect care of themselves, by themselves. We know this to be pure fiction! But how many even in our own day – still cling to some or all of these notions.

IN GOD'S WILL IS OUR SAFETY! IN GOD'S WILL IS OUR HOPE! IN GOD'S WILL IS OUR LIFE!: the family life of God himself! Jesus says in the gospel passage: "Whoever does the will of God (the Father) is my brother and sister and mother!"

It is possible to live in God's will! All it takes is willing surrender of our own desires and plans into his providential care! We are to make plans and direct our desires: but keeping them in line with his for us! It can be done!

David could dance before the ark (in the first reading) because he pitched a tent for God in the desert and placed the symbol of his obedience to God's will – the ark – in its midst! When we obey the will of God we too can have reason to shout and rejoice and dance! Will to obey! Will to obey God!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Homily – 01-28-08 - Monday

St. Thomas of Aquinas had a vocation to plumb the heights and depths of scriptural "wisdom." He was graced by God with the ability to understand what he sought; to digest what he learned; to communicate to others what he appreciated. The first reading today from the Book of Wisdom describes what happened to Thomas who most certainly prayed for true wisdom! "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me."

Thomas was born in 1226 and at a very early age was placed under the care of the Benedictines at Monte Casino. His teachers were surprised at the progress he made, for he surpassed all his fellow pupils in leaning as well as in the practice of virtue. When he became of age he chose to enter the Order of Preachers of Naples.

After making his profession at Naples, he studied at Cologne under St. Albert the Great – who nicknamed him the "dumb ox" because of his silent ways and huge size, but he was really a brilliant student. He went from Cologne to teach and study at Paris where he befriended and often dined with Louis, King of France, who later himself became a saint.

Thomas' crowning theological work (among a vast amount), of course, is his Summa Theologica – which was characterized by brilliance of thought and lucidity of language. This work remains unfinished as he fell ill and died at the Cistercian monastery of Fossa Nuova in 1274 before he could complete it!

Thomas was completely saturated with the study of Scripture. This is why his work is so vital and real – for Scripture is the very Word which is Christ the Truth! The one main idea that Thomas himself could come up with concerning his own work was: all of my study and all of my work is but a piece of straw compared with the real reality of God! We can know just a fraction of him! But this fraction makes all the difference in the world!

With St. Thomas Aquinas let us cry out today over and over again: LORD, TEACH ME YOUR STATUTES! Teach me your statues that I may have life, that I may love you, that I may love my brothers and sisters because of you! For if I don't do this: my knowledge of you is worthless!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Homily – 01-27-08 – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our readings today we still see reflected the Christmas / Epiphany idea of "light." After all, that Jesus came to be the true and only Light of the World must be the launching point about everything we say about his activity as teacher, preacher and healer.

Isaiah prophesied in the first reading that the District of the Gentiles, west of the Jordan – the land of Zebulun and Naphtali – whose people had walked in a great intellectual as well as spiritual darkness will see a Great Light – a light that will bring them abundant joy and great rejoicing – the yoke of ignorance and darkness will be smashed! Jesus is the one who will be the Light, and who will smash the ignorance and the darkness – forever!

And so, after his birth, hidden life and baptism, Jesus begins his public life as the "Light of the World" – and to fulfill the prophesy he chooses Capernaum for his home base – Capernaum by the sea – Capernaum in the District of the Gentiles – Capernaum in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. And then he begins to do what he came to do: to preach "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," which is really to say: "Come and be with me, and follow me, and listen to me, and believe in me – for my Kingdom and the Kingdom of my Father are here – they are found in ME!

For most of Jesus' public life, the people were divided about him. As he slowly began to reveal himself and his Father in heaven – some, through a loving act of faith came to believe and to enter into a special relationship with him; most however did not understand, nor did they even try to exercise any amount of faith in his regard. Jesus was very concerned about these people – and later – before his death – he would sit on a hillside and weep over the city who just did not "get it" – just did not "get the Love which he offered from his Father" "get the Love he offered from himself."

But what is even more disturbing is that after the resurrection, after the coming of the Spirit, after the Church was born, after the early communities were forming – many of the members of the Church still did not "get it." They were claiming Paul and Apollos and Cephas as the focus of their belief and loyalty. Paul was very disturbed about this! He says: "Is Christ divided?" "Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" Our sole focus and point of reference must always be Christ Crucified from who flows the entire life of our faith!

And so, before choosing Paul to bring the entire gospel package to the Gentiles, at the very beginning he chooses four fishermen named: Peter, Andrew, James and John. And from these four unlikely characters he begins to build the future of the human race – until the Day when it is transformed!

Not only would Jesus teach and preach and heal – but so would they! They would go to the ends of the earth! And for as long as there are men and women on this planet, the spiritual descendants of these Apostles and their helpers would be there to ensure that Christ is present until the end of time!

THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT AND OUR SALVATION!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Homily – 01-26-08 - Saturday

Today we celebrate the feast day of two of St. Paul's companions and co-workers. Timothy and Titus helped Paul in his missionary journeys in a variety of ways, but most especially later when he made each a bishop in order to solidify the foundation of the Church. Timothy was made bishop of Ephesus, and Titus, who was a Greek, bishop of Crete.

It must have been exciting for all of them knowing that they were part of the beginning of what would be a tremendously huge operation: the Church of Jesus, the Church which he founded upon Peter and Paul, the Church which was to ensure the presence of Jesus on earth until the end of time.

Paul takes comfort from Timothy and Titus when things get rough for him, and he gives them reassurance and comfort when things get strained for them. It was not easy at all being in on the ground floor of the Christian religion – they needed all the mutual love and support that they could give one another. This is later why Jesus sent out his disciples two by two.

Their mutual aid and support was always rooted in faith: faith in Christ Jesus for whom they worked, for whom they toiled, for whom they would do anything at all to accomplish the mission that he entrusted to them: even to the point of giving their lives!

In the first reading today from Paul's letter to Timothy we see how affectionately Paul encourages his fellow bishop to stir into flame the gift of God that he received through the imposition of hands (through his ordination as bishop). It is a spirit of power and love and self-control so that the work at hand can be done joyfully and with great perseverance.

In the gospel passage Jesus is seen sending out his disciples far and wide with the commission to go and harvest the flock – the Father's flock – his flock – for they are like sheep without a shepherd. It would be dangerous and perilous work – the perks would be few and far between – but armed with the Good News: the simple statement: "The Kingdom of God is at hand for you!" - great things will be accomplished – for he, Jesus, will be doing the work!

Paul, Timothy and Titus all made that wonderful proclamation: to places in which it could extend to all the world: and great things are being accomplished: even in our own day: the Kingdom of God is being manifested right here, right now!

And we are called upon with Paul, Timothy and Titus to proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Homily – 01-25-08

The feast we celebrate today – the conversion of Saint Paul – clearly demonstrates who is in charge and who is not! God the Father is in charge and we are not: none of us – including Saul of Tarsus.

In the telling of this familiar story, what we may not see is that in the early life of Saul, God was preparing him in many ways to be his Apostle to the Gentiles: the one he had chosen for this task for the variety of reasons that he himself alone knew. We may not see how Saul resisted being formed and shaped by God into a follower of Jesus his Son! We may not see that it took all of Saul's effort to try and dismiss the whole idea from his mind and heart – until – that day on the road to Damascus.

On that day of days in Saul's life – the God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit made themselves unmistakably known to the militant anti-Christian young man – and disabled him – stopping him in his tracks literally – and making known the only plan that Saul could approve – be baptized and have your sins washed away calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus – because I want you to be my witness before all the world. Saul – baptized Paul – was certainly free to either obey or not – but this scenario gives us another lesson – we are truly and only free to do what God wants us to do – and so Paul makes a decision and freely and voluntarily gives his will and his life to God – and he is transformed forever!

Paul becomes one with the Twelve – by the design of God. He with Peter, becomes the foundation of the Church! And the Church is now on its way to becoming the sign and sacrament of God the Father's love in the world for all ages! The contributions of Paul as preacher and writer of letters to the early Christian communities is astounding. His works were so inspired that they became part of the Bible – one can't get more inspired than that!

Paul's one great message was to proclaim joyfully the Cross of Christ Crucified – from this comes our life and our salvation!

Thank you Paul for accepting the offer of conversion that was made to you by God – may we be faithful to our own conversion and turning to God the Father – and renew it at this Mass – and in all the hours of this day!

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Homily – 01-24-08 - Thursday

Today we celebrate the feast of an outstanding bishop and doctor of the Church. St. Francis de Sales was outstanding in his clear-thinking, straight-to-the-heart approach to his pastoral work. Francis was born in Savoy in 1567. Being of noble birth, he secretly felt the call to become a priest but he kept these thoughts to himself "until he had real proof from God that it was his will – and not his own ruminations!"

After many years of waiting, during which time he studied and obtained a doctorate in theology from the university in Padua, God made himself clearly known to Francis. As he was riding, he fell three times from his horse and every time his sword came out of the scabbard – and each time came to rest on the ground in the shape of the cross. Shortly after this he began studies for the priesthood. It did not take much time for this bright young priest to be made a bishop, in Geneva, Switzerland which was in the midst of the Calvinist revolt of the Protestant Reformation. Francis did much, in his own particular way, to fight against the Calvinists.

One thing he did was to publish "fliers" or "tracts" about the true life of faith that is to be found in the Catholic Church alone - that he would deliver and place under the doors of people everywhere. This was the first use of published tracts.

Francis also, having been prepared in a dream, worked with a widow named Jane Francis de Chantal – in a slow and orderly fashion – always trying to determine God's lead in the process - to found an order of contemplative nuns: the Visitation Sisters – who did much to fuel the Catholic Counter-reformation with sweet-smelling prayer rising day in and day out to God our heavenly Father.

In the first reading today St. Paul describes himself as the "least of all the holy ones" who was given the task of preaching to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past…so that now God's wisdom might be made known through the Church. This is indeed what St. Francis de Sales did as well – he proclaimed loudly and clearly what he knew in his heart was directly from the Blessed Trinity of love!

The gospel passage speaks of the heart of Francis' message, which is the heart of St. John the Evangelist's message, which is the heart of Jesus' message: LOVE ONE ANOTHER – as I have loved you, so you are to love one another! He meant this – for when we actively love one another GOD IS EXPERIENCED IN OUR LIVES! There is no other way to experience God than by LOVING – because GOD THE FATHER IS LOVE!

St. Francis helps us to understand this "loving experience" – in his book "The Introduction to the Devout Life" – when he compares romantic love, with divine love: if we can put as much effort and interest in our relationship with God, as we do in a human-to-human romantic relationship – then we will know God, and we will know better how to love our fellow human beings – romantically and otherwise!

The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.


Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Homily – 01-23-08 - Wednesday

Today we have the familiar story of David and Goliath. The true proportions of each person involved may have been a bit exaggerated in the telling of the story – but it is clear that Goliath outsized David on many levels. The facts of this story are another in a long line of examples of how God the Father shows that he is faithful to and helpful to those who trust in him and who walk and live in his power and presence.

In this situation God is the rock in David's hand. And he can be the rock in our own – when we need him - to deal with oversized, bullying and unpleasant foes of every kind.

In the gospel passage we see Jesus vying with the religious leaders of his time and place (the self-appointed bullies and unpleasant foes) and he lobs at them a rock of his own logic and words: "Is it lawful to do good rather than evil on the Sabbath?" (he asks them.) They couldn't answer him! And so Jesus zeros in on their foreheads and throws the rock of his healing: "Stretch out your hand" he tells the man whose hand was withered – and he stretched it – and was cured!

May we trust that God can be our "rock" of refuge" – our fortress, our stronghold, our deliverer, who subdues those who need to be subdued- so that we can, in freedom and joy, respond to the love that God the Father has to show us!

Blessed be the Lord, my rock!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Homilly - 01-22-08

The Lord delivered me from all my fears: this is from the Responsorial Psalm of today’s Mass. How comforting it is to know that this is true: the Lord does indeed deliver us from all our fears if we turn to him and place all our trust and our hope in him!

St Vincent, the deacon, who lived in Spain in the early 4th century, was one who was persecuted for the sake of righteousness: and the Kingdom of heaven was given to him! He was tortured and put to death because he refused to surrender his holy books. While imprisoned, though, he converted the warden, but was later put to death for his faith in the God who was far superior to any earthly ruler!

In the gospel today, Jesus tells us that part of discipleship is the strong possibility of being hated, ostracized, persecuted and even put to death! The servant, after all, cannot expect any better treatment than the master. It is by our willing and joyful acceptance of these challenges that we put our faith on the line and demonstrate that we truly are disciples of Jesus, children of the Father, and instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit.

The Church in our day needs the spirit of martyrs in order to penetrate the smothering and overwhelming spirit of evil that still infiltrates all the corners of the world. Negative fear is the hallmark of the presence of evil. Deliverance from negative fear and holy fear and love are the hallmarks of one who lives in Christ Jesus. May we live in you, Jesus, this day!

Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my foes!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Homily - 01-21-08

Today we celebrate the feast of one of the most popular saints in the early Church – Agnes of God. She was born in 305 in Rome and dedicated her life at an early age to the “Lord of the Universe” – whom she considered her one, truly and only “spouse.” During the persecution of Diocletian, the Proconsul, the governor’s son, tried to divert Agnes’ attention from her Lord, but Agnes refused. Eventually, the young man presented the thirteen year old girl to the Emperor who condemned her to death. Through it all her face shone like that of an angel!

Her death as a martyr was a very important part of the fabric of the foundation of the early Church. Because her name was so closely associated with the Latin word for “Lamb” (Agnus) – the lamb has been her emblem since early times. In fact, in a convent where St. Agnes lived, lamb’s wool is still processed and made into the paliums that are worn by archbishops.

Our first reading today tells how Agnes did what she did: it was God, who chose her, acting through her! None of these things could she have done on her own – these and greater things she could have done because of God her aid, and her strength. The same is true of us! The most qualified for anything are the poor in spirit and the weak: they can be outstanding vessels that God can work with, if they give him permission!

Agnes found her “treasure buried in a field” – and “pearl of great price” – in JESUS! There is no greater treasure or pearl! He is all for all of us! Let us live in God’s love, remain it it and bear much fruit because of it – like Agnes of God!

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want [more than him!]

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Homily - 01-20-08 - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings today beautifully relate how Jesus takes up his mission as the Lamb of God who has come into the world to take away the sin that could in no other way be removed.

Isaiah prophesied in the first reading that Israel would be the servant of the Lord, and more than that: it would be a light to the nations, that salvation would reach the ends of the earth. This referred, of course, to the perfect Israelite who would be born to be the true and only light by which men were to see and be saved: Jesus Christ.

Our responsorial psalm had the familiar refrain today: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. We often think that this refers mainly to us and our stance of readiness in relation to Jesus, but actually, it is primarily and first the stance of readiness of Jesus in relation to his Father. Jesus never, ever, diverted from this prescription: Father, I have come into the world to do your will! And because it was Jesus’ prescription – it must also be ours, who are baptized into his life, into his body, into his family! This is undeniably Jesus’ most amazing trait: absolute, complete, total and uncompromising obedience to the will of the Father! Can we believe that he would expect any less from us!

This sounds like a tall order – who can possibly do this, but Jesus? Jesus tells us in many ways and at different times: for us – for unaided human will and intellect and memory - it is impossiblebut with God all things are possible. So, logic tells us that the more we attach ourselves to God, (actually, the more we allow God to love us the way he wants to love us) the more miraculous things will get – and the more amazing our lives will be!

Our second reading today is simply an extended “greeting” from Paul to the Church of Corinth. It is a greeting of “grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” What is so miraculous here is that the words are effective: when they are spoken, the grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus does in fact descend upon those who hear the words. Jesus went about freely distributing his grace and peace to any who would want it – this came with his task of redeeming us. The cross would bring grace and peace like mankind had never experienced it before. It is from the cross that all grace and peace flows! We are fortunate indeed to be at the receiving end of God’s astonishing gifts at this particular time in salvation history!

May we, this day, this week, help Jesus to distribute grace and peace, and light and knowledge of salvation by all that we say and do for others – especially those we might not want to associate with; these are the very ones that God the Father has placed in our path to be helped first – for Jesus is in them waiting for us to recognize him and serve him! We can never forget what we will hear on judgment day – whenever that might be: “What you did to the least of my brothers and sisters – you did to me!”

May God bless us, and protect us and give us life – eternally!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Homily - 01-19-08

In our first reading today from the book of Samuel, Saul is anointed by Samuel as “commander of the Lord’s heritage” – that is, king – to govern the Lord’s people Israel, to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.

The people wanted a king – and so now they have one. The significant part of this story is the “anointing” – Samuel pours oil on Saul’s head, and commissions him! This prefigures the later time when Jesus would have oil poured over him by Mary Magdalen, as a preparation for his death and burial – where he will show himself to be Priest, Prophet and King! It also prefigures our own anointing at baptism – when we share Christ’s role as Priest, Prophet and King.

Jesus was anointed as
“commander of his Father’s heritage,” and commissioned to govern the Lord’s people [the new] Israel, and to save them from the grasp of their [spiritual] enemies roundabout!

In the gospel passage – Jesus, true King of Israel, and indeed the whole world – confuses the religious leaders of his day by calling a tax collector to be an intimate follower, and by associating with persons of questionable character and repute: public sinners of a variety of sorts.

Jesus uses the opportunity of dining at Levi’s house to announce that he has come into the world to call sick people and not well ones; he came to call sinners, not righteous people! And he knows, and we need to come to know, that we are all sick, we are all sinners, we are all in need of his mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Only residing in the ocean of his mercy and forgiveness will we reside in the ocean of peace provided by God the Father – one day in eternity!

“The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.” We thank you Lord for looking on us in our poverty, and for releasing and saving us! Help us to spread this “good news” to all we meet today!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Homily - 01-18-08 - Friday

In our gospel passage today Jesus demonstrates that he is no ordinary preacher, teacher or rabbi. Everything he does is with certain, sure and unmistakable authority! His authority comes from his Father! His authority is at once most powerful and yet most gentle and compassionate.

Jesus does two interrelated but separate things in the passage to show that he is also God: he cures the man, but he also forgives his sin! It is true: only God can forgive sin (as the scribes affirmed) – and Jesus is God: but they cannot see him as such, and so they criticize him!

We must believe that Jesus can do these same two things for us: he can cure us and others of what we need curing (if it is his will) – and he can forgive our sins (which is always his will). The only requirement on our part is FAITH: faith that believes that the supernatural dimension of being human is the most important dimension; faith that believes that our loving Father can do amazing things for us, his children, on that over-and-above-the-natural-level of our existence. It is true! He wants to! He can! He does!

When we let God have his loving way with us we can exist in the "sea of God’s peace!" When we want our own way, the sea becomes choppy and our boat flounders! In the first reading from Samuel, the elders insisted on having a king (so that they could be like the other nations). This was not initially God’s will – but after they pestered him – he let them have their way. Unfortunately, the established kingship did not do much for their standing among the nations, and it, in a sense slowed down the progress of their becoming a truly spiritual kingdom that he had in mind all along! The sea remained for them choppy!

Let us remember that a great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people! The prophet is Jesus; the people is us! When we surrender our lives into his care – all is well! All is well!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Homily - 01-17-08 - Thursday

Today we celebrate the feast of the founder of monasticism in the Catholic Church – Anthony of Egypt – who was born around the year 250. After his parents died, he distributed his property to the poor and beginning a life of penance withdrew into solitude of the desert. He attracted disciples and labored on behalf of the Church, giving support to believers during the persecution of Diocletian and assisting Saint Athanasius against the Arians. He died in 356.

From the Life of St Anthony by St Athanasius we read:[One day, shortly after his parents’ death, Anthony was on his way to church and he began to think about the gospel passage concerning the rich young man and Jesus advice to him: to go sell everything and come follow him] when he got to church he heard the Lord say in the Gospel: Do not be anxious about tomorrow. Without a moment’s hesitation he went out and gave the poor all that he had left – and then gave himself to the ascetic life – and practiced great austerity. He did manual work because he had heard the words: If anyone will not work, do not let him eat. Having learned that we should always be praying, even when we are by ourselves, he prayed without ceasing. Indeed, he was so attentive when Scripture was read that nothing escaped him and because he retained all he heard, his memory served him in place of books!

He founded a monastery – which was actually a collection of hermit cells – wrote a Rule of Life – and thus became the foundation upon which all of the monasteries and great monks of the future are founded such as Basil, and Benedict and Francis.

In our first reading today, we see how Saint Paul tells us all to put on the armor of God – which is the Holy Spirit. We must pray always for the gift and the graces of the Holy Spirit in order to be able to withstand the attacks of the mortally wounded, but still persistent evil spirits that roam the world seeking the ruin of souls. We must especially ask for the Spirit to pray for us in his own words – so that nothing is left unguarded.

In the gospel passage, we read of the rich young man, who unlike Anthony of the desert – could not give up his possessions – and thus cut himself off from a huge portion of God’s favor, and blessings, and protection. If we want to be taken with our possessions – God will not prevent it – but he will be sad that our life together will be that much less.

You are my inheritance, O Lord. Help us today, Lord, to truly understand what this means – because if we do – everything falls into place – and our life in you is secure!

Amen.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Homily - 01-16-08 - Wednesday

One of the unknown but no less great prophecies in the Old Testament is the prophecy which is gotten from the first reading today from the book of Samuel. The Lord calls Samuel while he is asleep in the temple. Three times he goes to Eli, whom he thinks is calling him, but Eli tells him to go back to sleep – he did not call him! The third time Eli tells Samuel to respond: “Speak for your servant in listening.” And when he did so, immediately his life changed and it was filled with the presence of God’s spirit – so much so, that all of his words were of highest value and effect after that.

This foretells the time when Jesus would come and all of his words would be of supreme value and truly effect what they proclaim - because they too would be spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit!

In the gospel passage, Jesus uses words to show his power over nature, over illness and afflictions: he speaks, and healing occurs on the physical and spiritual levels.

The most endearing words to God that we could say in a day is: “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.” If we say, them and mean them, and expect God to take us at our word, then great things can be accomplished in our day, by the simple removal of our will from the mix! God’s will is amazing! Let it be done this day as he desires! (And it is always his desire for us to be kind and compassionate and loving towards others, especially the poor – the poor in any stage of poverty – for we ourselves too are poor in the eyes of God!)

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them, and they follow me!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Homily - 01-15-08 - Tuesday

“Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.” This is the “Alleluia Verse” for today’s Mass. And it is a very important statement. It means that we are to receive the word of God – with the ears of faith; not with the worldly ears which are only listening for what they want to hear – as worldly ears do on a regular basis.

In the gospel passage, Jesus speaks with authority and at least for the time being – the hearers can tell the difference. When the authoritative voice of supernatural origin speaks, even the earth-bound ear can recognize it is as something different from what it is used to hearing. But, whether the human hearer can fully apply faith to what he is hearing and thus understand the words completely is quite another story.

This was Jesus’ challenge from the very beginning: to get people to hear his words as words from God, not as common ordinary everyday words. And it is true: when we listen with faith: everything sounds different – it sounds clear – it sounds believable – it sounds trustworthy – it sounds right!

In the first reading today, Hannah prays to the Lord, using words full of faith, and hope and trust. On the supernatural level she implores the Lord to give her a child; and on the supernatural level the Lord hears her prayer – and he grants her request. Any qualitative difference in her heartfelt prayer probably would have meant that she would not get a child.

Jesus tells us to ask on the supernatural level of faith for what God the Father wants for our lives – and we shall surely get it on the supernatural level – this is all about getting and keeping our perspectives straight. By our baptism we are new creations, therefore, everything about our lives have as their gravitational center – faith in Jesus, faith in his Father, and trust that the Holy Spirit will accomplish with, in and through us, what God has in mind!

And so, today, let us receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God! – and let us help others to understand and use this amazing perspective!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Homily - 01-14-08 - Monday

We begin now the first week of ordinary time. These are the informative and wonderful days, weeks and months when we are privileged once again to examine closely the entire life’s work of Jesus of Nazareth: the Messiah: the God/Man: the Savior of the world. Once again we will see exactly how it all came about – how it all unfolded as the most dramatic love-story ever told.

The first reading today, from the Book of Samuel speaks of Hannah, who was reproached for her barrenness – something with which she was born – something of which she was incapabable of removing. This is a reminder of the Original Sin that all of us are born into this world with – and which we are incapable of removing by our own efforts. (Yet we know that something, in fact, could be done about it – and was done – by the coming into our world of Jesus / Messiah / Redeemer.) But for the time being, in this story, Hannah bears the humiliation of the reproaches against her – and can only place her hope and trust in God to help her – which he, as we will see, in fact, does.

In the gospel passage, Jesus, now baptized, begins his public life by a simple yet o so powerful statement: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel!” Repent and believe in this GOOD NEWS!

Jesus announces: “Here I am” “I am the fulfillment!” “I am the Kingdom” “Reflect upon and consider your lives in comparison with me, commit yourself to change and believe this Good News that I am telling you: your slavery to Original Sin and its effects is coming to an end!”

Then, Jesus selects his first four helpers in the proclamation: Simon (Peter), Andrew (his brother); James, Son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were all fishermen – and Jesus promises to make them from now on “fishers of men” – who would gather into one net, the immense catch of the Father’s children!

Today let us rejoice that Jesus: Messiah / Redeemer / Savior came into this world. Let us rejoice as we see his public life beginning to take shape. Let us rejoice that we were among those “caught” by the untiring work of the Apostles and their successors. Let us rejoice in the privilege we have of being sent by the Church to help catch others and bring them home to God.

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Homily - 1-13-08 - Baptism of the Lord

For the past few weeks we have experienced an intense participation in the excitement of the celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. After weeks of spiritual preparation in Advent, we became very still and silent, and in the cold, dark watches of the night, we recalled the birth some 2000 years ago, of the person who changed the course of human history forever.

With the path on which mankind was heading, and the darkened condition of the environment in which he was travelling – there would have been no chance of mankind ever reaching reconciliation with God, and the chance to bask in the light of spiritual day – not only in this life but also in the next.

And so, in a marvelously conceived plan, a part of God became fully man and fully God at the same time: and his name was Jesus. Jesus had to be both God and man in order to transform man in his entirety from a slave to concupiscences – the result of the Original Sin of mistrust and disobedience to God – to a free person, with his sin forgiven and the possibility of eternal life forever with God a reality! This astounding marriage between mankind and God in Jesus is what we celebrated recently in the Advent and Christmas Seasons! Now, imagining that he is already grown and mature, becoming the perfect man, it is time to move to the time of Jesus’ public life!

After spending his formative years with Mary and Joseph at Nazareth – being trustful and obedient to them – a remarkable act of humility and submission for one who was the majestic God – Jesus, at the age of 30 knew that it was time to do what he had come to do: to redeem the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, by a life of preaching, teaching, healing and then by demonstrating the utter depth of his love by accomplishing our salvation the only way it could have been accomplished: by his voluntary, free and o so loving death upon the cross!

And so, to officially inaugurate his “hour,” Jesus presented himself to a man named John who was baptizing people with water, in the Jordan River, as they repented of their sins – as a way to prepare themselves for the arrival of the Messiah – which, from all scriptural calculations was an event close at hand.

And what happened on that occasion was something amazing.

Everything that Jesus experienced as a human being, he experienced in order to transform and redeem that human experience. On this occasion rather than being consecrated by the water in the Jordan, Jesus consecrated the water itself. Thus, in being baptized, he gave an example for all who would follow him – they too would be baptized by consecrated water for the real remission of their sins - all of this being validated, because at the end of his public life Jesus would die a brutal death to make it effective.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he was embraced by the loving arms of his mother; on this day of his spiritual birth as a man (for us, not for himself) his Father in heaven embraces him with his voice when he says: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him! Mary held her child for the Magi to adore; the Father revealed that his Son is to be worshipped by all the nations! And it is up to us to listen to Jesus, and to worship him and to do all we can to see that the whole world in fact does adore him, and his Father and the Spirit who gave him life, and who gives us life!

Today we thank God that the prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled – he has come: the Light of the Nations, the one who is to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, to bring out of confinement those imprisoned by chains of slavery to sin, and to release into the brilliant Light of a New Day those who were trapped and stumbling in great darkness!

How magnificent this life of Christ – this life of our brother – this life of our savior! May we accept the peace which he offers to us and to all – as we commit ourselves to listening to him as he speaks throughout the weeks and months of the coming Liturgical Year. Absolutely everything that he has to say by word or deed is for us! We need only ask the help of the Spirit – already given us for this very purpose – to learn it, to understand it and to put it into practice!

God’s Spirit and God’s peace be with us all!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Homily - 01-12-08 - Saturday

Today’s first reading is about being on guard against idols. An idol is anything that takes the rightful place of God in our lives. An idol is anything that preoccupies us and keeps us from focusing on Jesus. An idol is anything that prevents us from experiencing the reality of God in its fullness in our lives.

St. John tells us in this reading that it is not only our duty to stay away from idols, but it is also our duty in Christ to help others stay away from them too. There is a fine but real line between minding our own business and loving fratternal correction. Who would not want to notify someone that the bridge ahead is out – if it is out – and the person is racing toward the spot with careless abandon!

In the gospel passage, we see that in the exchange between John and his questioner, John the Baptizer was tempted to idolize himself – quite literally to take the place of Jesus – but he refuses to do this, and tells his hearers that he (Jesus – the other one who was apparently performing ceremonial washings) must increase and I must decrease. John always knew who he was and more importantly who he wasn’t.

As we prepare today for the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus, let us reflect upon how marvelous it was for a real, true, genuine light to dawn for a people who sat in darkness – for generations! Let us also remember, that we are a part of that people – and that we must do all we can to preserve the presence of that light in our lives!

The Light is nourished and fed by the communion that we receive at this Mass – thank you God for providing this means to stay in touch with you!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Homily - 01-11-08 - Friday

Our first reading today tells us that God is concerned about where each of us will be spending eternity. If Jesus had not come, then we would not be spending it with God – and when we died there would be nothing but an empty cold darkness.

But God wanted us to spend for ever with him and with all others who would believe in him – and so he did send Jesus to prepare the way – to make it possible – to make it a reality! It was by Jesus’ self-sacrificial, obedient, self-offering that we were saved! It was when water and blood flowed from his side, it is when the Holy Spirit raised him to new life that our life was restored completely and eternal life was now a possibility!

St. John, then tells us in the first reading that “belief” – “faith” in God who did these things for us is not only necessary, but vital to us! Faith is a gift, that all we really have to do, is to recognize and respond to!

The gospel passage today tells us that Jesus not only came to give us an eternal home, but that he was interested in helping us out while we are still on this earth! He came to bring truth, to preach, to teach – but also to heal and to cure! Jesus has power over nature – after all he created everything, along with his Father and the Holy Spirit.

And so Jesus cures the leper! This makes him popular with the crowds, but Jesus retreats to be alone with his Father in prayer. It is always from prayer that Jesus does what he does, and it is to prayer that Jesus returns! Life in the Spirit of prayer was Jesus mode of operation!

This day may we assent to God’s revelation and action in our lives by means faith – faith made visible in acts of kindness and love for others – especially the poor – and the ones that we would least want to be helpful to – for Jesus lives in them for us and when we help them we help Jesus directly!

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people – may we help him by our cooperation with the impulses given by the Holy Spirit today!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Homily - 01-10-08 - Thursday

“The Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.” These words are from both the “Alleluia Verse” before the gospel passage, and in the gospel passage itself today! This one sentence neatly summarizes the entire earthly work of Jesus, the Messiah and the Christ!

The only human being in the whole history of the world to be qualified to bring true glad tidings to the poor and to set captives free - was a human who was also at the same time divine - really and truly divine! And that person - who was both - was Jesus! Son of God! Son of Mary! And Jesus voluntarily, eagerly and lovingly accepted his mission: the right the wrong in the world!

The emphasis here is on “lovingly!” It was love that conceived the plan to send Jesus to this planet. It was love that accomplished the needed reconciliation. It is love that makes the presence of the Church - an extension of the body of Christ - a reality! It is love that makes us members of that Church. It is loving that proves that we are children of God! It is loving that ensures that God will dwell with us and in us, both now and for ever!

And when this happens: when love prevails - miraculous things happen: the poor hear a message of glad tidings; captives of debilitating spiritual realities are set free; sight - the ability to see reality as it is - is restored to the spiritually blind; those suffering all kinds of oppression are set free by the gentle loving presence of God.

Jesus, in the gospel passage, tells us that he was the one to fulfill the prophecy to make these things happen. He invites us to be and do the same for others. It is our duty and our privilege - being baptized and incorporated into his very life and love! Otherwise, as St. John tells us in the first reading: we are liars! And God is not with us or in us, or in any of our activities for others!

Let us give our consent, so that today we may reflect the glory of the presence of Jesus in us - the Jesus we will receive sacramentally in this very Mass!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Homily - 01-09-08 - Wednesday

The disciples are afraid when they see Jesus walking towards them on the lake - after he had fed the five thousand with the loaves a fishes! In doing that his demonstrated his amazing ability to distribute and infuse LOVE - a love which would fill them up entirely and remove all fear from their hearts!

Obviously, they had not understood the meaning of what he did - because they were afraid when Jesus performed another miracle of walking on the water!

In the first reading today St. John tells us that perfect love casts out all fear - which means that if there is any kind of fear, love is imperfect! It is probably safe to say that for most people love is imperfect because there is fear, or there is fear because love is imperfect!

Jesus gave us what we need to make our love perfect! He gave us himself! When we receive the gift he made himself, of himself - when we receive and understand and put into practice what the Eucharist means - then our love becomes more perfect and our fear becomes less!

Let us this day love God enough to do what he asks us to do - whether it is scarey or not! He is here to help us - all the way - all the way to eternal life!

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you! Help me to help you make this a nation that give you your due!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Homily - 01-08-08 - Friday

Jesus came into the world to distribute love - to distribute it unconditionally, to distribute it generously, to distribute it without limitation. The gospel passage today - about Jesus feeding the five thousand - is about Jesus distributing love - the love that is found in his care and concern for people; the love that is found in the giving of himself on the Cross to be the bread of life - which we share at this and every Mass!

God the Father set it up so that when we enter into and experience loving - we enter into and experience Him - and when we don’t, we don’t experience Him either! It’s rather simple! Yet, rather challenging! The type of love we are talking about here is a self-sacrificing love; a love that takes effort; a love that must hurt if it is to be authentic and genuine; a love that stay the course until the bitter end! So many people in this, and every age, have rather chosen a different kind of softer, pseudo-version-of-love, a self-centered love, a self-exalting love! People who choose to love this way - do not experience love at all, they do not experience God.

Let us be among those, this day, who realize that first there was God; then there was God’s creation as a manifestation of this love; then there was us who are first loved by God - always! Our lives can only and should only be a response to that tremendous initiating love! Everything we do must reflect our thanksgiving to God for have first loved us - and then loved us again by redeeming us at the price of the blood of his only-begotten Son!

God so loved the world that he gave his Son, so that the world might have life through him!

Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, so much!

Monday, January 7, 2008

Homily - 01-07-08 - Monday

Today we already have a transition kind of gospel passage. We leave behind the Christmas stories and begin to reflect upon the public ministry of Jesus. Today’s gospel passage is about the changing of water into wine - as Jesus first public miracle. As this will appear shortly after again in our readings, I would simply like to point out one short sentence for today! And it is a tie-over from the Christmas Season.

After Mary spent thirty years with Jesus in his hidden life at Nazareth, she was present with him at this special wedding in Cana of Galilee. It was at this time that the “hour” of Jesus was to begin in earnest! And apparently a little ahead of schedule! When Mary asks Jesus to make water wine, he tells her that it was not time yet for him to inaugurate his divine mission! But then Mary simply said to the stewards: “Do whatever he tells you!”

And they brought the water jars, and Jesus changed them - which signified the great transformation that would be brought about by his life, death and resurrection! What is important to concentrate on at the point is the words of Mary: “Do whatever he tells you!” These are Mary’s last spoken words! And it is her quintessential request for every one at all times! We all must do whatever he, Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, Son of God and her Son, tells us to do - because there is no greater security in the world by which men are to live and be saved and enter into eternal life - than by means of Jesus the Messiah!

The first reading from St. John today is all about staying the course, staying on track and helping others to stay on track! Eternal salvation is a very critical and important subject for every one! Where we are going to spend forever is indeed a very timely and important topic for all of us! Those who respond to God’s invitation to live in his love, live in the life of his Son, live in the life of the Church - will be safe both now and for all eternity; those who, for whatever reason, we see wander off the track, deserve our sense of care and concern, they deserve any attempt that we might use to help guide them back onto the safe path, the safe Way, which is life in Jesus! Loving fraternal advice and correction is an obligation - born of prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit!

The Lord takes delight in his people! Let us remain his faithful people this day; and let us help our brothers and sisters to become more fully faithful and happy this day as well! There is no substituting life in love, life in Christ, life in the Church! This is where God dwells! This is where we are invited and called to live now and for ever!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Homily - 01-06-08 - Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord

Today we have a wonderful feast! It is the feast of the manifestation of Jesus as the redeemer and savior of all men and women of every age and time. Though he came to the people of Israel, his mission was to all mankind.

Mankind was stumbling around in a terrible darkness - caused by the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. God turned out the lights for them when they mistrusted him and disobeyed a direct command. And the darkness was severe for eons! The resulting behavior of the children of Adam and Eve demonstrated just how treacherous the world had instantaneously become. No one was really sure of anything - and it was driving every one to distraction. It was driving everyone to all kinds of aberrant and disordered behavior.

The center of life mistakenly was thought to be mankind - with God pushed off to the farthest limits in most cases. Yet God, being God, insisted that he be placed in his proper position of FIRST! And so he devised a plan to reorder the disorder - to reconcile the wrong - to bring about healing and the restoration of light so that men and women could once again see for themselves what life truly is to be all about: giving glory and praise to God the Father - who provides for all of our needs! And so the LIGHT was born into the world - the WORD was the LIGHT - and the Word was made flesh - and they named him Jesus - because he would save his people, and all people from their sins - from the terrible darkness that sin brings!

Today we celebrate the LIGHT that shone over the place where he dwelt with Mary and Joseph - the light of the star which symbolized all of the hope that was now dawning on the earth! This child of Bethlehem would become great and powerful in a spiritual sense - and nothing would be the same! The Light of his Life would overcome all the darkness in the whole world - and we would never have to stumble around again - unless we wanted to!

What connects us to the light which is Christ is one very important and vital piece of spiritual reality: and that is: FAITH! Faith, an absolutely free gift from God, is given so that we can see by the Light of Christ! But we must choose to accept the faith! We must choose to use the faith! We must choose to put the faith into action - the loving action of service - or else it is not really faith at all - and it provides no relief for the darkness! FAITH IS FOR LIGHT! LIGHT IS FOR LIVING IN CHRIST! LIVING IN CHRIST IS TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF OTHERS - until we share an eternal banquet forever in our heavenly homeland!

Isaiah prophesied in the first reading that the LIGHT OF GOD would come to Jerusalem - and that one day the whole world - nation after nation - would walk by its light - the light of God, the light of faith, the light of love! When Christ was born the prophecy was fulfilled, and representatives from the Gentiles came to bring the newborn King their homage and their gifts of honor, respect and adoration!

St. Paul, in the second reading tells how he was called to bring the gospel message - the light of God’s truth - to all people - to Gentiles, everywhere!

Ignorance and darkness are now optional! Where before there was no choice, now there is choice - because Christ the Messiah broke the chains that held us bound in our stupidity and bleakness! And this is true for all people!

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you - and we accept our part to play in bringing your light to others - so that they can understand that they do not have to stumble in the darkness of ignorance! There are plain and simple explanations for everything - if we take to time to use the tools that Jesus gave us, and the information that he preserves for our use and our good in his holy Church!

Christ is the Light of the world! Christ is our Light! Let us bring him far and wide - strengthened and empowered by the Eucharist we partake of in this Mass!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Homily - 01-05-08 - Saturday

Today we read of the essence of life in God - and that is, LOVE! God truly is love and all he creates is an expression of love, and therefore we are the manifestation of God’s being and love! The only logical way in which we are to conduct ourselves in this life is to reflect the love that we are and possess! And when we do - then we experience, undeniably, the reality and presence of God!

The opposite is also true. When we hate! When we lie! When we deceive! When we are selfish! When we are self-centered! When we are self-conceited - then we murder the reality of God’s life within us! And we murder the relationship that we are to have with our neighbor - and as Saint John tells us in the first reading today - “everyone who hates his brother is a murderer!” These are strong, but true words! WE ARE MEANT TO LIVE IN LOVE, and mutual respect and support! We owe it to one another to live this way!

The gospel passage relates the calling of Phillip - who proclaimed Jesus to be Son of God and King of Israel - when Jesus revealed to him the inner workings of his heart! Jesus knows us too! And when he reveals our selves to us - we can see how much we are in need of him, and how he truly is the one and only true Son of God and King of Israel and indeed the whole world.

Our saint for today: John Neumann was a German / Czech immigrant who was ordained a priest in New York City shortly after his arrival in 1835. He became a Redemptorist as well, not too long after his ordination. Due to his popularity and tireless work for the good of the newly established American Church, he was appointed fourth bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. He was the first to establish a diocesan Catholic school system. He increased the number of schools in his diocese from 2 to 100.

John Neumann was one who understood and did all he could to spread the reality of God as love, God as the light that comes from knowledge of him, and God as guide for the footpath of our lives!

May we live our day this day doing what we can to do the same!

Friday, January 4, 2008

Homily - 01-04-08 - Friday

Today we celebrate the feast of the first native born American saint: Elizabeth Ann Seton. Elizabeth was born into a wealthy Episcopalian family and married into wealth. But when one of her five children was seriously ill with tuberculosis, and having died shortly after a trip to Italy (which hopefully was to be for her benefit), because of the kindness of an Italian family who took care of them on their visit, Elizabeth converted to Catholicism. Her cousin, James Bayley also converted and later became archbishop of Baltimore.

Elizabeth always had a desire to work for the poor and the uneducated, and she put that desire into practice. She was known as the “Protestant Sister of Charity.” But soon after her conversion, when her husband William Seton died, she devoted her entire life to works of charity and education. She founded the Daughters of Charity of St. Joseph - of Emmitsburg, Maryland - who followed the rule of St. Vincent DePaul.

Mother Seton laid the foundation work for what would become the parochial school system in the United States; and her sisters worked with the poor in many and various institutions, including hospitals, clinics and orphanages.

It was evident that Elizabeth Seton was a living saint, and it did not take long after her death in 1821 at the age of 46 for her cause to be presented to Rome for canonization; in 1963 she was beatified by Pope John XXIII, and in 1975 on September 14 she was canonized by Pope Paul VI.

Today we pray for all of her daughters as they continue to carry out her works of charity and education. Elizabeth lived a life of simple, childlike faith, as is described in today’s gospel passage - and she communicated it through her order to generations of Catholics. Thank you, Mother Seton, and thanks to the kind Catholic family in Italy who demonstrated their love for God by caring for the needs of Elizabeth Seton and her child - if they did not do this, perhaps the course of American Church history would be different.

Simple, loving acts of kindness can have amazing and far reaching consequences! May we always engage in them, as did Mother Seton, and her band of sisters from St. Joseph’s Valley in Emmitsburg, MD.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Homily - 01-03-08 - Thursday

In our weekday celebration between Christmas and Epiphany today we hear right away about the reason why the Word became flesh at all: this being sin! Jesus, the Word made flesh, came to reconcile the great Original Sin and all personal sins of mankind, so that we might be free once again - free to love God, free to obey God, free to serve him and live with him forever in heaven.

St. John the Baptist, in the gospel passage, is moved by the Holy Spirit to say: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” when he sees Jesus walking toward him, when he came to officially inaugurate his public ministry. Indeed that is why Jesus came, to be the Lamb that would save the lambs of God - that would save us!

In the first reading from St. John we see that those who are baptized in Christ - are really and truly adopted sons and daughters of God. They live in utter and true communion with God. There is no trace of - what is not of God - sin - in them. How could it be otherwise? How can God and sin abide in the same place? St. John urges us to remain sin free - so that God can completely fill us, and we can live completely in God as his beloved children - for now - as we wait for the grand transformation that is coming and we begin to exist in a way that no one can even imagine! All we do know is that it will be marvelous beyond all our hopes and dreams!

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God! It is up to us this day to manifest and proclaim this power of God right here, right now and to all whom God places in our day! Strengthened by the Eucharist we eat - which is communion with God extraordinaire, we can do this: as we should do everything: to the glory of God the Father!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Homily - 01-02-08 - Wednesday

Today we celebrate the feast of two eastern saints: Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen - both were boyhood friends, and both were bishops and doctors of the Church.

Basil came from a holy family to say the least. Both his father and mother were later named saints: St. Basil the Elder, and St. Emmelia. Several of his 9 brothers and sisters were honored among the saints as well. He attended school in Caesarea, as well as Constantinople and Athens where he became acquainted with St. Gregory Nazianzen in 352. A little later, he opened a school of oratory in Caesarea and practiced law. Eventually he decided to become a monk and found a monastery in Pontus which he directed for five years. He wrote a famous monastic rule which has proved the most lasting of those in the East. This rule also influenced St. Benedict of Nursia, who became Patriarch of Monasticism in the West. Later, he became bishop of Caesarea, where he became a man of vast learning and constant activity, genuine eloquence and immense charity. This earned for him the title of “Great” during his life and Doctor of the Church after his death. Basil was one of the giants of the early Church.

St. Gregory of Nazianus was the son of the bishop of Nazianus, in Cappadocia. Under his father's influence he became a priest. He was drawn to the ascetic life and it was in retreating to monastic life that he met Basil the Great. He later became bishop of Constantinople. He was a very learned man, gifted in oratory. His “Five Theological Orations” earned him the title “Theologus - Theologian”!

Both of these great men of Church history were motivated by the desire to live out their true vocations: as assigned by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They give witness to the fact that when we discern what it is that God is calling us to, he also helps us to live out what it entails! Our first reading today from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us that all of our vocations have one goal: to build up the body of Christ: if what we perceive to be our vocation is not building up our brothers and sisters in some way, and leading them to God, then we are not tuned in to true, valid and real vocation! We all have a part to play in each others’ lives! We are all here to help each other out in one way or another!

The gospel passage reminds us that no matter what titles or honors we might receive in this life: all the glory, all the praise, all the honor goes to God. For there is only one Father, there is only one Master, there is only one Teacher - and that is God. The fatherhood, leadership position and teaching positions that we are involved in only participates in his! It is up to us to redirect the credit and give God all that is his due!

With the Lord as our shepherd, with the Lord providing shepherds for us (like Basil and Gregory), we can be assured that we will truly have all that we need to live every moment of our lives!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Homily - 01-01-08 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

A week ago we celebrated the birth of the Son - Son of God, and Son of Mary! Today we celebrate the graciousness of the Mother, a humble virgin, who retained her virginity during the entire process of her pregnancy and the birth of Jesus; a simple handmaiden of Nazareth who became the Mother of the God-Man - thus making her truly the Mother of God!

On this day of reflection upon Mary, Mother of God, we look at three of her chief virtues. Her life was empowered by “humility,” a humility that was born of “poverty,” true poverty of spirit. In her humble poorness there was all the room in the world for God to use her as He would - to use her to be the first dwelling place of his only-begotten Son. Mary, unlike us who are tainted with original sin at our birth, and with remnants of it for the rest of our lives, was always completely and totally free to give everything voluntarily, willingly and lovingly to God for his use - and God filled her emptiness and lowliness with the very might and presence of himself! Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit all the days of her life!

And so, humility is the first virtue that we see Mary accepting as a gift from God, and using for the advantage of all! The next virtue is “obedience.” Not many like to hear the word “obedience,” which really proves that it is at the heart of the problem of original sin! It was “dis”obedience that caused the sin. The remnant effects are still deep down inside of us - oftentimes we want to be rebellious persons in small or great ways! Obedience is the only way out of being captured by sin! Obedience to God! Mary always obeyed God! Always! Obedience follows humility and poverty. In our nothingness we need direction and guidance; and it is God who can provide it: if we listen in the silence of our hearts to the voice of his Spirit speaking to us - and actually carry out what we hear. Mary listened. Mary understood. Mary obeyed. Mary put into practice what she heard!

And finally, “joy” is the last virtue of Mary for our consideration today! Her poverty of humility, and desire for obedience produced in her an amazing amount of joy! Joy is the by-product of loving God and doing his will - especially by loving and helping all others he places in our life - but most especially the poor! Mary sang her “song of joy” because her heart was filled to overflowing with gratitude, praise and glory for God. We can have a life full of joy too - during the days of this coming New Year - if we live each day in obedience to God who knows how everything works and can help us work it all out, after having made an empty space in our hearts out of love - so that God can come to dwell there as we live lives of true poverty and humility no matter what our external circumstances are!

Because we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us we can call God “Abba - Father” - and this Spirit will bless us and keep us, shine upon our face, and be gracious to us, looking upon us kindly and giving us peace - all the days of our life!

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...