Friday, July 31, 2015

July 31 - Homily for Today

St Ignatius was born to Spanish nobility at Loyola, Spain in 1491, the youngest of twelve children.  He received a military education, becoming a soldier and entering the army in 1517. He served in several campaigns. He was wounded in the leg by a cannonball at the siege of Pampeluna in 1521, an injury that left him partially crippled for life. During his recuperation the only books he had access to were The Golden Legend, a collection of biographies of the saints, and the Life of Christ by Ludolph the Carthusian. These books, and the time spent in contemplation, changed him.

On his recovery he took a vow of chastity, hung his sword before the altar of the Virgin of Montserrat, and donned pilgrim’s robes. He then lived in a cave for a year, contemplating the way to live a Christian life. In 1528 he began to study theology in Barcelona in Spain, and Paris, France, receiving his degree in 1534. His meditations, prayers, visions and insights led to forming the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus on August 15, 1534; it received papal approval in 1541. With six other friends, including St. Francis Xavier, the group formed the core of the new Society of Jesus. Although he never used the term Jesuit (it was only used as an insult by opponents), today it is used with pride by his followers.

Ignatius traveled Europe and the Holy Lands, and then settled in Rome to direct the Jesuits. His health suffered in later years, and he was nearly blind at death on this date, July 31, in the year 1551. The Jesuits today have over 500 universities and colleges, 30,000 members, and teach over 200,000 students each year.

St. Ignatius took to heart the first reading today from the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians: whatever you eat, drink or do, do everything for the glory of God. The motto of the Jesuits: AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM reflects this imperative: everything “for the greater glory of God.”

The gospel passage today reflects the Jesuit way of calculating, measuring, studying and drawing conclusions: but if it all does not add up to what this passage is all about: the eternal benefit of renouncing all our possessions both external and internal – to make a space for Jesus, and the truth and the life – then it is all in vain. Jesuit know-how must lead to complete negation of self so to be filled with God’s presence – or it is useless: ad majorem Dei gloriam!


To put it another way: Jesuit spirituality is all about: seeing Jesus more clearly, in order to love him more dearly, so that they can follow him for nearly as he leads the way directly into eternal life! – and this we are invited to do day by day!

Thursday, July 30, 2015

July 30 - Homily for Today

The first reading today reveals God desire to be present in a distinct and powerful way to his people – especially when they are wandering in unfamiliar territory, and seemingly lost. He comes up with the idea of “dwelling somewhat visibly in a tent” – or at least around it, or near it – by means of a cloud, fiery or otherwise.. The tent, called the “Dwelling” – was constructed by Moses according to God’s own specifications – and then God took up residence there to be faithful and reliable source of strength and direction to the “desert-people”.

This “dwelling place” idea is reminiscent of the very tabernacle on our altars which contain not the Ark of the Covenant – which was written on tablets of stone – but rather the living Reality of God’s New Covenant: The Body and Blood of Christ Himself – who is all of the power, glory, strength, guidance, direction and love that God has to offer his people at any given moment: that people being us, the “new people of God.”

May we look to the tabernacle each day to gain the power and the nourishment we need to journey through the desert of any given day – and we will surely get it. “How lovely is God’s dwelling place.”

The gospel passage is a comforting one to those living in a world that is becoming more and more bizarre every day: a world where “the children of the circus” live and act out disturbing and even frightening vignettes and dramas. The Kingdom of heaven at this point of the game is full of “all kinds” of people – some of whom are right on target with true spiritual goals – and some who are far from it – but at the end, the parable tells us, when the angels come – and it is sorting time – the bizarre, bad and barbaric ones will be cast away into “the fiery furnace” where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. This is true, this is not just some fictitious effort at crowd control – we are all accountable for forming our lives in the image of God – and the countenance of Christ himself – not some self-styled counterfeit and imposter. May we be not the imposter today, but the real deal!


Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son, so that we can make necessary changes in our lives. 

Monday, July 27, 2015

July 27 - Homily for Today

The gospel passage today speaks of a “kingdom” and a “church” as the initial stages of that kingdom – as a potentially all-pervasive, all-encompassing and welcoming community of believers. All are welcome to this shelter and home-away-from-home but not as free-loafers, not as vagabonds, not as useless baggage. No. Being a member of God’s kingdom, God’s family, God’s people means being “in via” – “on the way” – each day to a greater perfection than the previous day; to a deeper commitment to God and the dictates of his Son Jesus (which reflect the dictates of the Law his Father gave to Moses and the people of Israel of old).

Being a member of God’s flock means being actively aware and being will each day to cooperate with graces given to build up the Body of Christ. Things for us are meant to be changing always – not into something different – but into something new and exciting – a more complete manifestation of our true selves – selves that are loved unconditionally and deeply by God – so that we can love him back absolutely and entirely, and others as we have been loved by him.


The father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Good fruit, authentic and genuine fruit!  

Thursday, July 23, 2015

July 23 - Homily for Today

God-speech can come in many varieties. In our readings today we see three such methods of communication. The first being a tremendous show up light, heat, sound and power (such as Cecil B. Demil could portray) as God arranges to make his presence known to the people of Israel for the first time, and to engage Moses in direct conversation. The scenario is unmistakable – it is magnificent.

In the gospel passage Jesus – the very words of God made flesh – chooses two other methods of communicating the message of God: parables, and direct discourse. The parables were simple analogies and stories carefully chosen to convey a specific and particular message regarding the Kingdom of God that Jesus came to announce the arrival of. They were based in what the people already understood and could relate to: seeds, plants, treasure, sheep, pearls and the like.

But to the disciples Jesus gave a third level – the more instructive and didactic level – he explained in more complete detail what everything meant because they would one day be the “keepers of the message.” And this was a kind of seminary training!

God desires very much to communicate with us today. And it would behoove us to LISTEN TO HIM speaking in whatever way he chooses to do it: it loud claps of thunder, fire and smoke; or in the tiny whispering sound in the breeze; whether is a parable of sorts, or directly through our meditative reading and reflection, our prayer and our reveries.


We will have all we need to get through today – if we are OPEN TO THE GOD OF OUR JOY, THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION.   

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

July 22 - Homily for Today

Today we have magnificent feast of St. Mary Magdalene, "The Penitent. " She was given the name "Magdalene" because though a Jewish girl, she lived in a Gentile town called Magdala in northern Galilee, and her culture and manners were those of a Gentile. St. Luke records that she was a notorious sinner and had seven devils removed from her. She was present at Our Lord's Crucifixion, and with other women, was present at Jesus' empty tomb three days later. She was the first to whom Jesus revealed himself after his resurrection from the dead. The reason this was so is because Jesus' death and resurrection was all about the forgiveness of sin! It was only fitting that one of the most notorious sinners of the times was the first to receive the grace of his presence after his spiritually life-saving death and resurrection.

What qualified her for this however was not just that she was a classic sinner, but rather because Jesus read her heart beforehand, he knew her, especially from the event just preceding his death, when she washed his feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair. Jesus must have planned right at that very moment for her to be the first to experience his glory after he rose from the dead – and she would be the one to carry the news of his resurrection to Peter and the other Apostles. The truly penitent heart stands in right and merciful relationship with God who lavishes his forgiveness, healing and blessings upon it abundantly!

Our readings today are all about Mary's deep and persistent search for Jesus as her One, True, Lover. The passage from the Song of Songs is about the deep longing that she, and any soul has (wittingly or unwittingly) to be in the presence of the One who is love itself – and God sent his love in the form of a human person (Jesus) so that the object of our longing could be found.

The gospel passage is about Mary's desire and ours as well, to cling to Jesus once we recognize him as Risen Lord, Beloved Savior and True Teacher of the Way to Eternal Life. The way he desires, however, rather than clinging to him, is to by means of the power of the Holy Spirit, whom he would and has sent to us his Church, is for us to proclaim his life, his words, his deeds and demonstrate the effectiveness of them by a life dedicated to serving the needs of brothers and sisters everywhere. The more we do this, the more Jesus and the Spirit cling to us, fill us and empower us to do the Father's Holy Will, to proclaim the Gospel and give it credibility by the way we "love one another, from the heart."

In doing all of this it will feel as though our souls are clinging fast to God, we will feel his right hand upholding us; under the shadow of his wings he will be our constant help and we will have reason to shout for joy day in and day out!

Amen. 

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

July 21 - Homily for Today

What Jesus is telling us in the gospel passage today is that those who do the will of his Father, like he always did, are related to him – because he is related to his Father by obedience. Therefore when we obey as Jesus did – he who is Son of God – then we who are baptized into his life – are also related to him as a brother or sister (or mother). The point here being: God’s glory and God’s will first, foremost and preeminently by all his creatures but especially the humans!

In the first reading we have been hearing about the life of Moses and his role as liberator of God’s people from bondage in Egypt. Today we read the very familiar story of the crossing of the Red Sea on dry land and the subsequent destruction of Pharaoh’s forces who came after them. In God’s justice there is life and death distributed as the situation warrants: it must have been that important for God to destroy some lives in order to save others. He can do what he wants – he is God.

May we be obedient children today who can rest assured that God always has our best interest in his mind and heart – and will lead us through many difficulties to the shores of newness of life and joy!


Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

Monday, July 20, 2015

July 20 - Homily for Today

In our gospel passage today Jesus laments over the fact that the evil and unfaithful generation in which he finds himself living seeks other signs rather than the most excellent sign that he himself is for them. Always looking for sensational signs and wonders, the self-seeking generation in which Jesus lived missed the most magnificent sign and reality of all: God made Flesh, for them and for their salvation – standing right before them and trying to get through to them.

But the gift of faith – by which men and women recognize God – can be blocked by the men and women to which they are given – such being the case here. However this is not without even dire consequences. It will go easier with generations past who did listen to God’s word preached to them and followed it up by sincere repentance of heart and action, than for those in the present who have a much more intense presence of God to teach them, but they do not listen, and they do not repent and change their lives.

May we always be willing to see Jesus as the one great sign for our and all ages: and may we accept the grace to conversion for our own faults and sins so that we will be ready to spend eternity with him in our Father’s house!


If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts!

Friday, July 17, 2015

July 17 - Homily for Today

The gospel passage today tells us that God desires mercy and not sacrifice. This he is applying to observance of external rules over the true affairs of justice and compassion. Satisfying human hunger goes beyond the arbitrary definition of “work.” While the Sabbath is most assuredly supposed to be the “Lord’s Day” – the Lord would meet the basic needs of his people on that day – even though it would appear that they are doing something contrary to “the law.”

In the first reading we see the heart of the matter – the very act of God’s justice, compassion and mercy that set it all in motion: the magnificent act of deliverance – long-awaited by his enslaved people. The act that will begin the mass exodus from Egypt takes place with the sparing of God’s people whose lives are spared when the angel of death “passes over” their houses signified with the blood of a lamb – this prefiguring the great Passover from sin to forgiveness to be wrought by the death of Christ on the Cross for us!

There was no doubt that this was the day chosen by God to be ready to do whatever he suggested to bring about freedom and life: just as today is chosen by God to give us the same benefits of freedom and life. This Mass is our Passover, and now we live in a new dispensation of the law of Love. May we live and love, and truly experience the Presence of Joy, Hope and Peace: the Presence of God!


Amen.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

July 16 - Homily for Today

We have an interesting first reading today. Here we see Moses meeting with the leaders of the house of Israel and relating God’s message that they are to go to the king of Egypt and tell him to let those Israelites confined to forced labor go free. But he warns them that the king will not allow this unless he is forced. And so God will stretch out his hand, therefore and smite Egypt by doing all kinds of wondrous deeds there (including the death of Pharaoh’s own son – and then his army who are in pursuit of the fleeing Israelites).

The age old question immediately surfaces: how can a loving God kill, especially children, and also an army of men? Actually the age old answer is sometimes overlooked: God is not a murderer. The deaths resulted in the decision made not by God, but by the king of Egypt; he truly did bring upon himself the “smiting” (if you will) that God is often blamed for, in a casual and even wishful-thinking kind of perusing the Scripture by those who are out to dethrone the God of Love!

No, God is Love and can only love, and his morality is always pure, and a guideline for love; but it has consequences that must be played out to keep its system certain and verifiable. It is men and women who force the hand of God to do things that he is heartbroken over doing!

The gospel passage is the classic invitation to take all our cares and burdens and place them at any time at the feet of our Lord, who understands, who has lived a human life, who knows exactly how to supply for our lack, our want, and our need – even when the faulty thinking of others infringes upon our rights, and it seems that we are being “smited” in any number of ways! We must take courage, for the meek and humble heart of Christ will always be refreshment and a source of new energy in our daily battle in this vale of tears!


Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

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July 15 - Homily for Today

Saint Bonaventure, born in 1221 in Tuscany, Italy is also known as the Seraphic Doctor and is one of the greatest theologians in the Church. A Franciscan, he is sometimes referred to as the second founder of the order. His intellectual gifts were quickly recognized and he was sent to Paris to study. There he became a friend of St. Thomas Aquinas who was a classmate. In the intellectual world, Bonaventure emphasized the affective over the rational approach to the study of divine mysteries: for Bonaventure, the purpose of human knowledge, including theology, is not to speculate, but to love. He graduated from the University, being awarded a Doctorate of Theology.

Among his friends was King Saint Louis IX of France, with whom he often dined. Soon his order tapped Bonaventure to become their General; this occurred when he was just 35 years old. But, his pastoral zeal and continued writings of not only academic theology but also a biography of St. Francis, and works on spiritual theology led to his being nominated as archbishop-cardinal of Albano – an invitation by Pope Gregory X he could not refuse. He then took a leading part in the Second Council of Lyons which tried to reconcile the differences between the Churches of the East and West. Bonaventure died in Lyons before the end of the Council on July 15, 1274.

Our readings today are specially chosen for the feast: Bonaventure knew that knowledge of Christ was of supreme importance only if it reached the heart and filled us with deep desire to love God and love others the way we have been loved by him by the sending of his Son to redeem us of our sins!

In all of his work for the Church, Bonaventure was a truly humble servant not only to his Franciscan brothers, but also to all the members of God’s flock whose lives his touched. And now he is exalted and praised not for being great in himself, but for being an outstanding vessel of God’s grace, and knowledge and love!


May we imitate St. Bonaventure today and be lovers, true honest and authentic lovers of God – and one another – with Christ’s own love emanating from us!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

July 14 - Homily for Today

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (born 1656 – died 1680 at the age of 24)  is the first Native American to have been beatified and canonized. She is known as the “Lily of the Mohawks.” Born Tekakwitha, Kateri or Catherine was her Christian name; she was daughter of a Christian Algonquin mother and a pagan Mohawk chief in Auriesville, New York. She was orphaned at age four. A bout of smallpox left her disfigured and partially blind. At a very young age, Catherine made a vow not to marry, which ran counter to the culture of her people and created great personal difficulty for her.

In 1667 she met Christian missionaries for the first time, but did not seek baptism at that time; it was only eight years later when she met Fr. Jacques de Lamberville, a Jesuit, that she was baptized on Easter Sunday, 1676. Finding life in her village stressful, she walked two hundred miles to settle in a Christian mission in Sault St. Louis, near Montreal, where she made her First Holy Communion in October 1677. For the next three years Kateri led a devout Catholic life, attending Mass twice a day, fasting on Wednesdays and Saturdays, teaching children and caring for the sick and the aged. She died on April 17, 1680. A number of miracles and appearances were reported after her death and were attested to by the Jesuit missionaries. The Council of Baltimore in 1884 petitioned the Holy See to begin Kateri’s beatification process which bore fruit only in 1980. In October of 2012, this “Lily of the Mohawks” was canonized at the same time in Rome as another saintly personage from Central New York State: Mother Mary Anne Cope, OSF who was both an educator and a worker with lepers with Fr. Damien on the Island of Molokai, Hawaii.

These beloved daughters of the church were true Brides of Christ who were led into the desert by the Lord so that he could speak his love to their hearts, so that he could espouse them to himself forever in right and in justice, in love and mercy and fidelity: so that they should know their Lord.

Let us respond to the same Lord who invites us this very day into an intimate relationship with him, so that having our lives saturated with his grace and his power, (as was Kateri Tekakwitha’s), we can witness to all we meet each day of the magnificence and splendor of the Christ-grounded life that we are all called to participate in.


Young men and women, praise the name of the Lord.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

July 11 - Homily for Today

St. Benedict was born at Nursia, in central Italy in 480. He studied in Rome, but was soon disgusted with the rampant immorality that he saw there, and so he “headed for the hills:” he went up Mount Subiaco and lived in a cave there as a hermit for a year. Others found him, however, and asked to join him in his monastic observance: and so he set up 12 deaneries with 10 monks each. Soon though he left the region and went to Monte Cassino, near Naples, where he finished his Rule borrowing inspiration from Sts. Basil, John Cassian, and Augustine and other “monastic writers” of the times.

His Rule emphasized authority and obedience (modeled after the Incarnation and Crucifixion of Jesus), and stability and community life (the only way to progress in spiritual life is the given tension of life-together that is lasting, not just temporary and fleeting). The duties of the monk are to pray the Office and read complementary readings and texts; and manual labor. The flexibility of the Rule allowed it to be instrumental in shaping centers of scholarship, agriculture, medicine and hospitality.

 Benedict stayed at Monte Cassino for the rest of his life. Though never becoming a priest and not intending to even found a religious order, St. Benedict soon became known as the Father of Western Monasticism: sometimes your destiny has your name written all over it. St. Benedict is one of the most widely known saints in Church history, along with his sister St. Scholastica, who founded an order of nuns who followed his Rule. His patronage is of monks, of course, but also against the forces of evil and Pope Paul VI named him a patron saint of all of Europe. He died in 550 and was buried near his sister! In the year 2000 there were 8,000 Benedictine monks, and 7,000 Benedictine nuns and 10,000 active Benedictine Sisters.

The purpose and goal of the monastic life is to seek and find God, using the tools of poverty, humility and obedience – and then to do his holy will. The Benedictine way is a sure-fired way to do that – not only in a formal way by joining the Order proper, but there are thousands who belong in the Professed Oblate Program – and there are many other organizations and groupings that adhere to the chief tenets of the grand and glorious, tried, tested and true Rule of St. Benedict! [We are such an association – and we are thankful to Benedict, and for his Rule.]

Just as Jesus assures Peter (in the gospel passage) that he will receive a great deal for his sacrifice, the Lord assures us the same; and Peter received his reward because he did all for love of Jesus; may we do the same – armed by the mighty and ancient Holy Rule of the Saintly Patriarch of Nursia!

The key to advancement along the Benedictine way is to begin in silent listening, any day, any project, any undertaking: thus many statues of St. Benedict have him placing a finger on his lips to encourage stillness and quiet as a starting point: BE STILL AND KNOW GOD; BE STILL AND BE INSPIRED; BE STILL SO THAT YOU WILL HAVE MUCH TO SAY AND DO, AND MUCH ENERGY TO SAY IT AND DO IT!


Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Friday, July 10, 2015

July 10 - Homily for Today

Everyone “loves a happy ending!” Today we see the continuation of the happy ending of the “Joseph Story.” Yesterday, though preempted by the feast of St Benedict, the ferial reading told of how Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, finally, and how they all wept with joy at their unexpected reunion; today we see the conclusion of the story when the brothers present Joseph to their father who has prayed for, hoped and longed for such a reunion to happen before his death! It was an amazing, tearful scene. Sometimes, it takes a long time, and many twists and turns for God’s plan to unfold in the positive way – but patience will profit her children, and the Presence of God’s Finger will be felt – encouraging all!

In the gospel passage today we see on the contrary, that a ‘happy ending” may not be so easily attained. Jesus sends out his Apostles to announce the arrival of the Kingdom, the arrival of God’s Truth, the arrival of God’s kind of Justice, the arrival of God’s kind of Law – and he tells them that they will most definitely be opposed, hated, tortured – and some will be put to death! But this is the way that is has to be: the genuineness and the authenticity of the Message demands it. This is after all the battle between God and the evil force present in the world, so how could it play out otherwise.

It would be a great mistake for us in 2015, to think that this was all over and done with in Jesus’ day – and that we can go merrily on our way. Absolutely not! We must be even more vigilant, more aware and more ready and willing to proclaim the same GOSPEL to an even more decadent, immoral and paganized world. What makes it more dangerous than ever is the subtlety that the Father of Lies engages in dispatching his troops! He makes it seem that wrong is right, bad is good, hate is love – and the unsuspecting, the vulnerable and the unwilling to have their minds and hearts rightly educated in the ways of God – fall into his trap every single time – and then they wonder why their lives are so miserable!

May we be apostles on the side of the truly happy ending, where the head of Satan will be crushed and we all will live happily ever after in the Father’s kingdom – prepared for those who want it, and are willing to work for it!


Turn from evil and do good that you may abide forever.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

July 9 - Homily for Today

The first reading today continues the familiar story of Joseph and his brothers, who now appear before him, an administrator of the Pharaoh himself, to beg for food for themselves and their families (even though they are not Egyptians) – due to the drought that has forced so many into destitution. Joseph today reveals himself to his brothers – and does not hold their crime of selling him to the Egyptians many years earlier against them, but reconciles with them – thus prefiguring Christ himself who would be betrayed and sold by his own friends, but who would become reconciliation for all people everywhere, and distribute the great bread of his very self to them and for them, and for all who believe in him, by means of the Eucharist, one day to come!

In the gospel passage, Jesus continues the idea from yesterday, telling the Apostles to go and make the proclamation that THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. Something is radically different now! TRUTH is here! A reliable GUIDE-PATH for life is here! UNENDING LIFE is now available and is offered for the taking! He tells these disciples not to worry about the details of their missionary journeys, for the laborer deserves his keep. They were to offer PEACE as a barometer of the spiritual lives of the recipients of their message. If the household received the peace offered and wished it back to the Apostle, then there was fruitful soil on which to build a spiritual life; if the peace was returned – and probably rather abruptly and rudely, then the soil was bad, and nothing good could be expected in that place!

May our souls be fruitful ground today, may we gladly accept the peace of Christ that is offered to us; and may we offer this peace and proclaim the reality of the Kingdom of God to others this day in some way, shape or form: this we are called to do by our own baptisms!


The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

July 8 - Homily for Today

This gospel passage is very clear: the Apostles are to go, first and foremost of all, after the lost sheep of the house of Israel – the pagans and the Samaritans would not be ignored, but they would come later. The reason for this is that God is a “family man” – and to him family will always come first. And at this point, the family consisted of the house of Israel.

I think we ought not forget in our own day that – while evangelization is important – bringing the Light of Faith, the Light of the Gospel to a rapidly “repaganizing world” – what is more important is the re-evangelizing, the re-igniting with the Light of Faith, the rekindling of the Gospel Message in the hearts of those who already belong to the new family of God: members of Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church. Unless we recharge our own decaying batteries, then we will have nothing to give anyone, and no Gospel to share.

How we do this recharging is to devote ourselves to the service of the breaking of the bread and to the prayers, and to putting out faith in God and his promises into action by subsequent loving care and concern for all we meet – united as we are in mind and heart, joy and peace!

In the first reading we see how sometimes a family reconciliation must take place – like Joseph and his brothers – so that God’s plan can be carried forward; may we be willing to be reconciled with members of the family of God, first, that we need reconciling with, then all others. It is only then, that the peace of Christ can fill our hearts and true justice can be administered to all who need it.


Yes, the very Kingdom of God is at hand: may we repent and believe in the Gospel, and actually give evidence of this belief in our words and deeds!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

July 7 - Homily for Today

In the first reading we see Jacob contending with an angel of the Lord in a contest that was meant to be an act of faith for him. And Jacob was victorious not because he won or lost the battle (which wrenched his hip socket), but because his response – when his opponent was about to leave – was to ask for a blessing from him. This is an unlikely reaction to a night-long encounter with a powerful assailant.

But because Jacob was firm in his faith, and generous in his charity he asked the blessing, and it was given in abundance, so much so that his name was changed to Israel – because he contended with divine and human beings and prevailed. And thus the history of Israel as a nation began in earnest.

At some point God will contend with us, under the guise of any number of disguises, and when we are finished with the test, we will feel like everything is different (that our name, our identity and destiny) has been changed.

This is all part of God’s leading us along the path that he has already marked out for us – the road that leads to him. We simply need to let him lead us, stay on the path, and follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us, like Jacob, Israel, David, Jesus, the Apostles and the saints. We will not be disappointed if we do.

The gospel passage tells us that there is a lot of work still to be done in announcing the kingdom, and bringing in the sheep, all of them, to the one true pasture – may we do all we can to help in this regard – and follow the one shepherd into everlasting life!

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep,                              and mine know me!

Monday, July 6, 2015

July 6 - Homily for Today

It is clear to everyone following Jesus that he has great powers over nature, especially power over sickness, disease and even death itself. Today he heals a woman whose faith urges her to just touch a tassel of his cloak, and he raises a little girl who appeared to be dead, to life again.

Jesus did neither of these acts, nor any like them, to be showy or to attract gawkers and sensationalists; he did them however to awaken FAITH IN HIM AS SON OF GOD, to place just the tiniest SPARK OF FAITH in the hearts of men and women so that faith could someday blaze forth in them to be a guiding light for all they do.

Jesus is willing to perform such acts for us and for those we love, not to be showy, or to do our wills, as if we could manipulate God – but to strengthen FAITH in ourselves, and in those for whom we pray.

The secret to intercessory prayer is always to say and to mean: “this is how it would seem that things ought to work out in this difficult situation, but you know best, heavenly Father, answer as you will, but just put me on record as asking, in all humility, trust and good faith!” In this way – no matter what the answer turns out to be, it will always be the absolute best for all involved.


In you, my God, I place my trust.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

July 5 - Homily for Today

The readings for our Mass tonight can have something directly to say both about the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (reminder: “Ordinary” comes from “ordinal” which means “counting” – we are counting the Sundays from Pentecost down to the Solemnity of Christ the King in November) – and the national celebration of the 239th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence from its tyrannical parent European homeland: England.

In the first reading we see the task put to the Prophet Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel to heed the loving parental correction of their Father-God – so that at least – though they may continue to rebel as their ancestors did – they will know that a great prophet has risen in their midst: this being reminiscent of the greatest Prophet, Jesus, who would come later and get the same reaction.

It is easy to point our finger at those people of old and say: “Why are you doing that? Don’t you know that you are dealing with God – a most loving and compassionate God? Don’t be so stubborn! Change you ways!”

But then again, realize that we are at the same time pointing the remaining fingers at ourselves – and could we not ask ourselves the same questions – “do we get it or not? do we believe that God loves us and only has our best interest in mind – and that he will always guide us in right paths if we ask him, and then let him!”

In the second reading today St. Paul learns the great lesson that it is not always in his best interest to be flawless, in tip top shape and relatively carefree. In fact, quite the opposite: to keep his attention fixed on him, God visits Paul with a rather large “thorn in the side.” Self-sufficiency is only well-founded, when it depends entirely on the grace of God. St. Paul learned to pray from the heart: “Power is made perfect in weakness – God’s grace is sufficient.”

The same is true for us – far from being a stiff-necked rebellious house like the Israelites of old – and like the early St. Paul – it would behoove us – as individuals and as a nation to glory in those weak areas of our lives, and our abilities, and our administration of all the things God has placed us in charge of – both privately and in grander, larger, even governmental scales: we need to say: GOD, I SURRENDER! How is this supposed to work? How can I get it really right? Instead of grasping at straws and tilting at windmills. Might is rarely right, if, in fact, ever.

It is faith in God that has seen us, and our country through in the past, and it will see us through in the future. Yet, many who see the great Prophet of the Mystical Body of the Risen Christ: the Church, as a nuisance rather than a beacon of hope and light in the stormy night that we often find ourselves in – will get no results from their complaining as did the people in Jesus’ hometown, who just did not give him credit for being who he really was: GOD’S WORDS, LOVE, TRUTH, POWER and COMPASSION IN THE FLESH!  How could they miss that? How can we?

May our Fourth of July be one of celebrating Independence from tyranny – but may it never lead us into a worse kind of tyranny – a world without God, a world without hope, a world without light!


A true Prophet has risen in our midst – he will bring glad tidings to those who have ears to hear, and hearts to listen! Amen.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

July 4 - Homily for Today

Today we celebrate Independence Day in the United States: the birth of our nation. 239 years ago today a band of courageous and long-sighted colonists signed a document that resulted in the formation of united colonies, united states of America. The issues at hand were unjust taxation from England – the mother country – and religious freedom: the freedom from being bound by a state religion, the freedom to be able to choose one’s own form of religious affiliation and expression.

What must be kept firmly in mind here is that the preservation of this freedom is what being American was to be about, as well as a just form of government and system of levying taxes and the like. The choice of religion was always meant to involve the God of religion, and the freedom involved was to be first and foremost the “freedom of the children of God.” It is only when one is free in God’s sight can one be truly free to follow one’s conscience and live a life for God, for family, others and for country!

In our country this particular Independence Day, we Catholics join together in solidarity – thanking God for the vision of our founding fathers: those brave and noble men who FEARED GOD, who had an awesome respect for him, and who knew that any authority they had in governing souls was given by him, and had better align with his divine, originating and primal law!: but for the best of reasons: after all, this is no heavy burden: the law of God: God’s very law is a law of freedom: God’s law ensures that everything be allowed to be itself, to grow and develop and mature according to its own nature and design, and one day find its fulfillment in God to whom all things, and all nations are journeying. God’s law is a law of loving relationship and caring!

May we who are Catholic – who are members of “two kingdoms” simultaneously – the earthly and the heavenly: beginning this day, with a resolution renewed, blend our entire perspective of and activity in the earthly kingdom, with a supernatural perspective and vision that God himself freely gives to all who ask! And when government, either intentionally or unintentionally, with vincible or invincible ignorance attempts to overreach its bounds in matters referring to religious liberty and free exercise of conscience, may we with wisdom and courage and the fear of the Lord in our own hearts – peacefully, yet forcefully make our objections heard.

And one last thought: for two and a half centuries the military engine of this great nation has defended these very rights and freedoms: pure and God-ordained as they were in their origins; may we remember in our hearts and with gratitude all who so willingly and bravely gave their lives so that we might be free, free in our civic society, and free to live our lives with the freedom of the children of God!

And may Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our Country, pray for us as we begin yet another year of grace, year of challenge and year of seeking true justice and peace in all our affairs!

Amen.

Friday, July 3, 2015

July 3 - Homily for Today

Today we celebrate the feast day of one of the most quoted Apostles of them all: St. Thomas the Apostle. There was a time when we would immediately connect the name “Thomas” with “Doubting” – but in our day we have come to the certain realization that the other side of the coin is the more important one: Thomas’s resounding act of FAITH, by which he cries out (when he touches the sacred wounds of Christ): MY LORD, AND MY GOD!; and which redounds throughout the ages as the most perfect prayer of FAITH and ADORATION that were ever spoken!

That Thomas first shot off his mouth in a barrage of disbelief was absolutely normal for a human being, the human being that he was. It resembled quite a bit the times when Peter, James and John and some of the other Apostles shot their mouths off as well in a rain shower of ignorant and senseless words. But that is all they were: words, words with no real substance or meaning. We all shoot off our mouths from time to time.

But the great and wonderful message today on this feast of St. Thomas is that forgiveness and reconciliation is always more important than holding a grudge and harboring resentments: if Jesus did that: no one would be forgiven and no one would go to heaven.

In the gospel passage we see that what triggered Thomas’s act of faith and renewed zest for apostolic work was “touching the wounds of Christ” – if we need a re-triggering of our faith: the most direct way is to “touch the sacred wounds of Christ in the poor and needy around us” – we must reach out to them and touch them physically (when appropriate) but always prayerfully, spiritually and even monetarily: they are after all depending on us for their lives!

There is uncertainty about Thomas’s missionary activity after Pentecost, but it is generally believed that he spent a great deal of time in India, and was martyred there: there is a cathedral there bearing his name!

May our faith be as strong as this “doubter’s” was; and may we like Thomas know when to cooperate with grace given and allow our acts of doubt to melt into acts of faith: faith and belief that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God – made flesh – for us and for our salvation!


Let us go out to all the world and tell this Good News!

Thursday, July 2, 2015

July 2 - Homily for Today

Today we have the iconic and classic story of the astounding obedience, trust and indeed FAITH of Abraham who was willing even to sacrifice and holocaust his own beloved son, Isaac, the joy of his old age – at the bidding of God. This scenario was of course nothing but the elaborate setting for the testing of Abraham’s faith – and Abraham passed the test with flying colors.

An angel stayed his hand when he was about to obediently strike his son dead. And as a result, the LORD GOD, swore by himself and told Abraham who did not withhold his son that he would be blessed abundantly and that his “descendants would be as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore” – his descendants would take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in his descendants all the nations of the earth would find blessings – all because you obeyed by command.

This is all that God wants of us: to obey his commands – simple or complex, when we understand them and when we don’t, when they are easy and when they are difficult. God can promise eternal love, protection and strength – but he needs our TRUST, our ATTENTION, and our FAITH in HIM in order for us to benefit from what he has to offer!

In the gospel passage we see how easy it is for God, through Jesus, to bestow abundant blessings and wonders and signs – and in this case Jesus combines a healing with the fact that he has power to forgive sin as well – being God as he is. This is the same Jesus who wants to work great signs and wonders in our lives as well – and to forgive our sins – if we approach him with faith, trust him, and ask him.


We approach now, O Lord, we have faith, we trust and we ask! Bless us!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Jul 1 - Homily for Today

Sometimes if we take the time to apply historical perspective to a reading it can be very interesting, even very humorous. Today, in the gospel passage, we see Jesus simply and immediately curing two “demoniacs” – poor lost souls who were troubled by unclean spirits – and who could find comfort only by prowling among the tombs. But what is interesting is that St. Matthew adds a bit of humor to the rendition of the story – by having the unclean spirits go into a herd a swine – pigs – which are unclean to Jews already in the first place – and then having the whole herd rushing headlong over a cliff into the sea.

This is just a bit of extra humorous drama that Matthew adds – to in fact make a joke – not out of Jesus power to heal, but to demonstrate the ease that he heals with, and the fact that he can do it in whatever way he wishes.

The townsfolk however did not find it humorous at all – and they begged Jesus to leave the district. They found him all too much for them. Who was this “magician” – who was this “worker of wonders?”


Well – he is truly Lord and Master of the Universe which he created with his Father – he is Lord and Master over Life – he is Healer, Comforter and Friend. The two demoniacs were very grateful for Jesus’ intervention! May we with them praise God always for his kindness, and his deeds done for our welfare and our salvation.

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...