Monday, February 29, 2016

February 29 - Homily for Today

+ We have two interesting readings about healing today.  Both of them preclude the fact that God is very interested in healing us of what ails us, but he is more interested in the faith that we place in him to do the healing, his way, than anything else.

In the first reading we see Naaman the Syrian who is eventually healed at the instructions given him by Elisha the prophet, but not after trying to have it his way at first. His faith in a seven-plunging into the Jordan River was not great (why can’t this God of yours do it bang all at once in one dramatic act) – but when he actually did it, he got the results: he was cured of his leprosy.

When the leprosy of our sins is great, they can be removed in a way designated by God – whether it is dunking ourselves seven times in the James River, or simply going to confession. But it is faith in the God who has the power to truly forgive our sins and remove our guilt that is more important than anything.

In the gospel passage, Jesus tells the people in the synagogue at Nazareth that leprosy/sin could be healed/forgiven by he, himself – but no one was interested in hearing his claim – and in fact they wanted run him out of town and throw him over a cliff.

Let us not do the same to Jesus – who has so much to offer us – day by day – in our battle against sinfulness and the various contagious spiritual maladies that can afflict us.

I hope in the Lord, I trust in his word; with him there is kindness and plenteous redemption.


Sunday, February 28, 2016

February 28 - Homily for Today - Sunday

+ Today we read of God’s patience and his kindness towards the people that he is trying to form into a people we identified recently as “peculiarly his own.” We must remember that he knows them perfectly as the injured and wounded people who lost a great deal of the strength of their human capabilities as a result of the sin of the first parents; but he is still seen as often times frustrated with this squirming bunch of ungrateful souls who have very short term memories, who can’t remember what he does for them, and who just won’t take the time to let the natural law within them guide them the way it is designed to do.

Moses finds himself in a leadership position with this on-again-off-again lot of people – because at least his faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob seems to be strong; in fact, God likes Moses, in his simplicity and humility, so much that he has conversations with him on a mountain, and uses him to communicate to this would-be unified group of faithful family members of God a message of fidelity and compassion.

In time, Moses is put in a very precarious position when God tells him to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let “his people” go! – and to say that “I AM” is the one demanding this: I AM being God, of course. This Moses does – and we will see what happens with all that later.

The second reading today also talks of unification, brought about by God – this same unification of God’s special people, which resembles very closely the unification of God’s new family in the Mystical Body of Christ; Christ the Rock – just as the rock of flowing water followed God’s people in the desert, so the Rock of Christ’s presence and spiritual graces are always present to those who ask for them even now.

And so this Lent, we continue to take heed of the subtle message that you can’t help but notice – perhaps this is a good time, a very good time to repent as we never have during Lent because the end of the ages is here (although it has been coming for a very long time), and may within the not too distant future will conclude as it is foretold – the gospel tells us that God is kind and patient, and gives even an unblossoming fig tree chance after chance – but when the time has arrived for no more chances – there will be no more – and the barren tree will be cut down. Take care NOW to be sure that that barren tree is not you – let your life blossom forth with good works spawned from faith in and love of God – and you will have nothing to fear!


Repent, says the Lord; the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Friday, February 26, 2016

February 26 - Homily for Today

+ The story of Joseph and his brothers is known to most people.  The “technicolor coat” that his father had made and given to him is the theme of a movie and song. Joseph was the youngest son of Israel, who had many brothers, who wanted to do away with him because they were jealous of him. One brother, Reuben, talked the others into just selling him to a band of traders (Ishmaelites) – as a slave – for twenty pieces of silver. This is reminiscent of how Jesus will be sold by his “brothers” for thirty pieces of silver.

This is, however, a story of how great good is brought for from an apparently shady deal. Joseph ended up in “very high places” as a food manager in Pharaoh’s court. This would prove to be the setting for a very interesting scenario later on between him and his brothers.

In the gospel passage today Jesus tells the story of a reject also, he himself, actually, who would be cast aside by not only the elders of the religion, but also all of humanity, but would become the cornerstone of a whole new structure of church and world. Through his death on a cross, his resurrection would be the source of a whole newness of life for all of creation!

On this day of Lent, let us consider how, if God places us where he wants us, sometimes we may feel we are on the inside, sometimes on the outside track, but we will always be where we need to be: and if we trust in him and his way, we will end up victorious with Christ and all the saints, now and forever. Amen.


Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

February 25 - Homily for Today

+ Every time we hear today’s gospel passage, we hope that this time it will have a happier ending – but it doesn’t. Perhaps the reason that we want God to give the rich man a break is because we can see ourselves in him. But maybe this is precisely why Jesus tells this fictional story – to get us to want to not only acknowledge the presence of the poor in our midst – and also to want to do something to help them – so that when the time comes, we may be helped when we need it.

In the first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah – the young prophet tells of the importance of trusting in God, and God alone – and not in other human beings or the technology of machines. The true desire of our heart needs to be set at God – and his merciful embrace – and all else will fall into place.

Our hearts are fickle, our choices can be irrational – but if we turn and face the Lord God – he will shine his light on us – and everything will be brighter and clearer – and we will know that we are being drawn in the right direction!

On this day of Lent let us try to keep God’s urgings and words with a generous heart, and let us yield a harvest through perseverance.


Wednesday, February 24, 2016

February 24 - Homily for Today

+ Our gospel passage today challenges us all quite a bit: first, Jesus tells the Twelve that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer much and then to die by crucifixion and then be raised again on the third day. [Usually when Jesus says this: they hear the suffering part, but just don’t quite understand what this “resurrection” is all about – but they will learn – they will learn!]

In the next paragraph however, Jesus makes it clear to the mother of James and John that if suffering and even death was a part of his lot, so too would it be for those chosen to be his best friends and emissaries in the world! In fact, James would be the first of the Twelve to die a martyr’s death as a witness to the new-born faith! But as for sitting next to Jesus in the kingdom – that was not even up to Jesus to assign – but his heavenly Father: who is in charge of everything anyway!

This all means that we, as members of Christ’s Body, the Church, need to be willing to suffer and even to die for him as well, in many ways, small and great: because it is the way modeled by Jesus, it is the way recommended by Jesus, it is the way that has truth and life-everlasting attached to it!

My trust is in you, O Lord: I say, “You are my God.” In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.


Monday, February 22, 2016

February 22 - Homily for Today

+ This feast of the Chair of St. Peter commemorates three things: of highest importance it celebrates the faith of St. Peter which is the very foundation and focal point of the whole Church: the Church was built upon the profession of faith made by Peter when he proclaimed: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. He made this proclamation prompted by the Holy Spirit – and it is this very divine intervention that confirms the supernatural basis of what Church is. Peter then is “chief believer” and all who belong to Christ through baptism, follow his lead.

The feast also commemorates Peter’s subsequent leadership over the rest of the Twelve whom he leads and guides, strengthens and nurtures after the exhortation of Christ who wants a solid and unified college of men in charge of the flock that would gather down the ages. This leadership is symbolized in the very chair that Peter sat in to teach, rule and guide the church, and it symbolizes the authority and unifying element that resides in the office of pope. Currently, His Holiness Pope Francis occupies that seat.

And lastly, the feast commemorates the local bishop’s unifying role and leadership in the diocesan setting. The cathedra or chair that he presides from in his cathedral symbolizes a direct relation to the chair of Peter in Rome, and his office and responsibility ought to be given the same respect as that of its European counterpart. In a real way, the celebrant’s chair in any parish church or chapel (which can be occupied by the local bishop at any time) is also meant to be symbolic of a representative of Christ’s action and presence in the world today! May we all give it such reverence and respect.

Let us then today, on this feast of faith, this feast of unity, this feast of commitment, rededicate ourselves to the roles given by our states in life and places in the Mystical Body of Christ for its good and its growth!

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church;
the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.


Sunday, February 21, 2016

February 21 - Sunday Homily

+ Today we speak of the transfiguration of Jesus, and we thank God for the three-fold witness of this experience.  First, for Jesus, this experience of manifesting his glorious inner nature was important for him (as this took place chronologically about a week before his final trip to Jerusalem) – Jesus has this chance to remind himself that during all of the trials and tribulations, scourgings and crucifixion that is to come, his Father is in charge and everything would be ok – for he is his beloved Son. It was also a time for him to chat with Moses and Elijah (representatives of the Law and the Prophets) regarding the fulfillment of what has been the foundation of the significance and credibility of his upcoming great words and actions.

Secondly, this experience is given so that Peter, James and John – Jesus’ most intimate friends would be able to stand strong when the unprecedented and earth-shattering events began to occur. Especially Peter would need to have something “glowing and beautiful” to remember, and James and John, when times of persecution against them would come one day. Though each dealt with the persecutions differently, they all three remembered and applied the vision at the proper and given time.

And lastly, Jesus did it for us – as he did everything for us and our salvation: we need to believe that all along, underneath it all, Jesus was always “glowing” and “glorious” – he was always God – and he continues to be so: but what is of capital importance is that he voluntarily laid all that aside so that he could be tortured and put to death TO SAVE US, forgive us our sins and open the gates of heaven for us at our deaths.

The sin of man – from Adam on – was that horrendous, that only God, who volunteered to become one of us, could save us. This is an amazing and awesome love! This is the story of God the Father who says not only today in the gospel passage, but every single day of our lives: Behold this Jesus, this magnificent Son of mine, He is your brother, He is your Savior, He is your Redeemer, he is your Friend: HEAR HIM, LISTEN TO HIM – and do as he did – and you shall reign with him in his Kingdom forever!


Yes, Lord, you are our light and our salvation!

Friday, February 19, 2016

February 19 - Homily for Today

+ Above all Jesus came to be a reconciler - and when we participate in reconciliation we not only further his cause, but we participate in his very life! That none of us is perfect is nothing new – that all of us are called to constant conversion and willingness to reconcile and “get past things” – can be very new – so new that few are truly willing to try it. When God reconciles and forgives – he also forgets; but when men reconcile and forgive we rarely forget; and this is sadly detrimental to any progress in interpersonal relations. The point of the readings today is that it is not only possible to forget [with divine aid] but also of paramount importance. Why drag around unnecessary baggage in our dealings with one another; why defeat the whole purpose and power of reconciliation that God can bring about because of our narrow views and prejudices.

While we can never condone evil, and while we must do all we can to bring the sinner to repentance, we also ought not hold his iniquities against him once he turns to God in his heart – which is a private matter anyway – which we have no right to judge at all.

In any event, we must remember that the gift we offer at the altar each time we come to mass is only as pure and as valid as the forgiveness we hold in our hearts for all our brothers and sisters…and may we not incur the wrath of God for being any less merciful than he is.


Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit...and then it matters not what anyone says of us, or thinks of us!

Thursday, February 18, 2016

February 18 - Homily for Today

+ The “golden rule” always applies, everywhere and at all times. Though considered a general philosophic principle, Jesus brought it into his own teaching in the gospel passage. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” It is so simple and so easy that it just oftentimes gets ignored. And it is easy to forget to do it!  But, this is the law and the prophets. Do this and you will hold the secret of right living and right relationship.

And so, if we are to ask, seek, find anything – perhaps it ought to be related to the establishment of a really good working relationship – in God – between us and all others – beginning with those in our own households, and neighborhood communities – and then emanating out to whoever God places in our day!

Queen Esther in the first reading asked for something special: deliverance from a declared enemy, and the beginning of a right relationship between herself, her people and the other nations around her. She prayed in the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; we will see tomorrow how God responds to her prayer in faith!

May we today ask, seek and find what we need to live a harmonious life in the kingdom, in the place that God has given us to occupy in that kingdom! May we appreciate all he does for us, and trust for the success of all he still has yet to do through us!

A clean heart create for me, God; give me back the joy of your salvation.


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

February 17 - Homily for Today

+ On this Wednesday of the first week of Lent – we are reminded of the overall theme of the season: to repent, and to return to the Lord with our whole hearts; not being fearful or afraid – but trusting in his graciousness and mercy.

The people of Nineveh, of the first reading, listened to the preaching of Jonah and they did repent of their evil ways, they turned to God and he forgave their iniquity, and relented in the punishment that he had in mind for them. So with us, so with us, if we but repent – even in small matters – small acts of uncharity – we can be forgiven – and not punished.

In the gospel passage Jesus is frustrated with the people of his generation who refuse to see him as the sign they are looking for – an even better, fuller and richer sign than the queen of the south, and the prophet Jonah. It is true – “there are none so blind as they who will not see!” May we be willing to see today what God wants to show us. If we trust him we can be assured that what we see, in its own way, will be beautiful, truthful and useful for the good of others!

Let us return to God with our whole heart, now, for his is gracious and merciful, now!


February 16 - Homily for Today

+ It is obvious that the Father’s most favorite word is forgiveness. Forgiveness is what the Incarnation of his Son is all about: Jesus came to earth to be our forgiveness, our reconciliation with the Father – this was necessary for salvation! And so in the prayer that Jesus taught us in the gospel passage today: a key phrase is: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us! And at the end of the prayer, St. Matthew reiterates the punch-line of the prayer: if you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

In the first reading we see the dynamic of “God-speak!” What he speaks cannot not be done – after all he is God! And so he says through the prophet Isaiah, my word (my will) shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it! This is where men and women and children waste a lot of time and energy, and experience untold frustration and aggravation. Only God’s will counts! Our will must freely and lovingly correspond with his for everything to work out the way it is supposed to: why? because God sees the entire picture from a distance: we can only see the tiny little dots of paint that are present in the portrait of our life this day that are right in front of our noses. Perhaps, trusting God’s all-encompassing view and his inspirations will get us a lot farther in our quest for true love and happiness – after all he is the Divine Artist!


And so today, let us look to God and his will (for forgiveness to be an integral part of our lives) so that we may be radiant with joy and our faces may not blush with shame! Amen.

Monday, February 15, 2016

February 15 - Homily for Today

+ As we begin the first full week of our Lenten journey we need a measure to measure with! The measure par-excellence that God himself prescribes is his law: for it is a law of unconditional and very particular meaning, no strings attached, and applies to everyone.

From the time he formed Israel as a people he laid down the common sense laws of interpersonal engagement both for them with him and them with each other. This same dynamic applies to us! But it begins with the most astounding mandate imaginable: follow these rules, these laws and these prescriptions because I command that you BECOME HOLY AS I AM HOLY!

WOW! We must understand what is going on here! God is not setting an impossible barre for us to rise up to, because when God commands, he always empowers with enough spiritual (as well as physical) energy to accomplish what he is demanding. And so, WOW, we mere human beings can become HOLY AS GOD IS HOLY! This is astounding news! And all the prescriptions we must engage in to bring this about are summarized by the commandments and later by Jesus in the words: love one another, even your enemies: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

In the gospel passage we have the other end of the spectrum: after millennia of encouraging the inhabitants of the face of his Father’s earth to love fully, gladly, from the heart and with no strings attached, Jesus will come to take accounting of the project! Those who have indeed loved concretely, with self-sacrificial acts of kindness, compassion and mercy will be welcomed into the kingdom, for whenever any act of kindness in the spiritual realm is done, because Jesus identifies his very self so intimately with the poor and the needy, we actually do it or don’t do it to Jesus himself.

May we today find favor before the Lord, both now and on the Day of Judgment, because the joy of our heart is the compassion and mercy we show for others!

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!


Friday, February 12, 2016

February 12 - Homily for Today

+Today we talk about fasting in our readings. Jesus tells the disciples of John that his disciples do not fast, while they and the Pharisees fast much, because the very object and reason for the fast – closer, deeper union and relationship with Jesus – is already immediately present to them. There is no need to fast; they already possess the “football,” Jesus, in the end-zone! But for any who were or are not in immediate physical contact with Jesus, fasting is the only way to go: especially as we journey with him through the Lenten weeks of self-discipline.

The prophecies of Isaiah are always magnificent: so poetic, and so powerful! Today he declares: CRY OUT FULL-THROATED AND UNSPARINGLY, LIFT UP YOUR VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET BLAST AND TELL MY PEOPLE OF THEIR WICKEDNESS AND THEIR SINS! And you can also tell them that the way they have adopted to seek him is just not working out: their fasting and their afflicting themselves produces nothing, because it ends in carrying out their own pursuits, driving hard their laborers, quarreling and fighting, striking with the wicked claw! WHAT KIND OF FASTING IS THAT!
         
This is the kind of “fasting” I want, the Lord goes on – releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.

And it means doing this not only in large ways, but more especially in small, almost unnoticeable sorts of ways to the people God puts in our path each day.

THEN your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. THEN you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: “Here I am!”

Now this is a worthy Lenten goal, this is fasting-with-a-punch, this is what God would have us do! May we be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to fast this way, this Lent!

Amen.



Tuesday, February 9, 2016

February 9 - Homily for Today

+ Our first reading today sees Solomon praying, with hands upraised, in the temple that he has built for the Lord God of Israel. He first acknowledges the infinite greatness of God, and man’s lowliness and nothingness before him; then he asks the Lord to protect the lowly creatures who will come to the temple to pray and to ask for mercy upon themselves and their countrymen. Listen from your heavenly dwelling, Solomon implores, and grant pardon. [This is reminiscent of the installation and opening of the Holy Doors during this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy – the lowly and the poor who will enter to ask mercy upon themselves and their countrymen will happen today in churches and chapels all over the world today will be like those coming to Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.]

The gospel passage finds Jesus condemning the Pharisees and some scribes who had come from Jerusalem to observe him and find something offensive in his words or actions. Jesus does not disappoint. Now, some of Jesus’ disciples started to eat lunch without washing their hands: this is not allowed by man-made Jewish custom. Jesus is quick to point out that these religious frauds, who wait like vultures for any misstep of his or his disciples, regard only their own man-made rules and disregard God’s rules (that are preserved and prescribed in the Books of the Torah that are kept in the Holy of Holies in the Temple of Solomon). You disregard God’s commandment, but cling to human tradition! You are fools! You hypocrites!

May we today disregard any man-made customs and traditions that interfere with deep communion with God, and cling only to what is of God – so that our days will be filled with peace and the consolation of knowing that even though what is of God may not always be easy, it will always be right and helpful for our salvation and that of others!

Incline our hearts, O God, to your decrees; and favor us with your law. Write it in our hearts and help us live it out! 


Sunday, February 7, 2016

February 7 - Homily for Today

+ Today we consider the “simple radicalness” involved in true discipleship to Jesus. Jesus invites us to be an “all-or-nothing” kind of person where it matters most – our eternal salvation! And if you really stop to think about it what else deserves more intense consideration than where we will spend forever? And we will spend forever somewhere! Peter realized – when confronted with the majestic, powerful and gentle person of Jesus – that he, Simon of Bethsaida, just did not measure up! I can hear him say: “How can I possibly even consider spending forever with Jesus, who is so awe-inspiring and powerful, yet caring and compassionate! I am a sinful man!

But Jesus told him to stand up, dust himself off and to get ready, for soon he would be catching not fish, but men. Jesus would take care of the “sinful” part – with Peter’s cooperation. And then he would be inviting Peter to spend a lifetime here and hereafter with himself as Lord, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend. Simon Peter could not have imagined that morning when he woke up that he would be an all or nothing follower of an itinerant rabbi that afternoon. But he was – and he was glad about it!

The Prophet Isaiah in the first reading today foretold, at least partly, Simon Peter’s willingness to become an uncompromising disciple of Jesus. The reading tells of a vision that Isaiah saw where he was in the lofty throne of God – where he heard everyone crying out: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts”. He himself saw his own unworthiness in comparison and said: “Woe is me, I am doomed! I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts!” How can I possibly do him justice with my words. Then an angel took a burning coal with tongs and touched his mouth with it and said: “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,” Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”” Here I am,” I said; send me!”

I wonder what Isaiah thought when he heard those words coming from his own mouth? I wonder what went through Simon’s mind when he left boat and business and went to follow Jesus forever?

Actually, perhaps it was the same that went through the mind of St. Paul when he was chosen by the same Lord Jesus to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles – born out of normal course: becoming an apostle not by being handpicked by Jesus to follow him around for three years for a special type of “seminary” training but by means of a special attention getting event – including a persuasive blinding display of light. Paul already had a different kind of education – and Jesus chose him for his tenacity and his enthusiasm and his stick-to-itiveness – and his love for his Jewish roots. Isaiah handed on what he got from God; Peter handed on what he learned from Jesus; Paul handed on what he received from the other apostles and the early members of the Church: that Jesus is the Messiah, and that he died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and on the third day he was raised, in accordance with the scriptures. Then he appeared to the apostles and to many who hand on the story one person to another. So the preaching occurs and so believing can be a response!

When we hear of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus preached to us – what is our “for real” belief quotient? Is it slight, moderate, heavy, extreme? For good or bad, where we will spend forever depends on our response! May we like Isaiah, Peter, Paul and so many others – receive the word of God that is preached, let it take root deep in our hearts, let it say exactly what it has in mind to say (rather than what we might want to hear), and let it have an effect in our lives that will give God glory and will upbuild the lives of others around us, upbuild the Kingdomthen we can be assured of being in the right place at the right time – when forever begins!


In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord! 

Friday, February 5, 2016

February 5 - Homily for Today

+ We have little reliable information about the martyr Agatha, other than that she was young, beautiful and rich. We also know that she lived a life consecrated to God. When Decius announced edicts against Christians in the late second century, a local magistrate tried to profit by Agatha’s sanctity by attempting to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her. And so she was handed over to a brothel but refused to accept customers. She was eventually tortured to death in 225, but not before the magistrate who tried to use her was crushed by an earthquake. Legend says that carrying her veil, taken from her tomb in Catania, in procession, has averted eruptions of Mount Etna. Her intercession is reported to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion in 1551.   

The gospel passage today tells us that we must be relentless in professing the faith of the Church in the face of any opposition, so that the Father in heaven will be relentless in showing us mercy, compassion and love!

In all of her trials St. Agatha prayed over and over again: O Jesus Christ, all that I am is Yours; preserve me against the tyrant! May this be our prayer today, and every day, because we likewise mean it and live it!

Into your hands, Lord, we commend our spirits!


Thursday, February 4, 2016

February 4 - Homily for Today

+ It is a very touching scene we have today in the first reading between King David, and his son, Solomon. David knows that he is dying and like any good father wants to pass on the good things that he has accomplished to his son. But David has something to give his son that no other father could: “You shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.” This is quite the legacy. David knew that he has an everlasting kingship, and that he has a great treasure to pass on to Solomon.

That promise comes true today as Jesus, who is a Son of David, and descendant of him and Solomon, both, sends forth the Twelve to preach repentance, drive out demons, and cure the sick. In the authority that Jesus gives them, the Son of David’s sovereignty remains firmly established.

By our baptism we are connected to that royal family of David, Solomon, Jesus and the Twelve. We too have a mission to make a difference in the lives of people we will meet this day: we have the blessed assurance that what we have is ancient, God-sent, and associated with the promise of eternal life.

The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, all of you, and believe in the Gospel and you shall be saved.


Wednesday, February 3, 2016

February 3 - Homily for Today

+ Today we celebrate the feast of St. Blaise, (who died around the year 316), an early bishop of Sebaste in Armenia who was martyred under the emperor Licinius. He is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints to whom there was much popular devotion in Germany in the 14th and 15th centuries. Little is known about his life. One legend has him saving the life of a boy with a fish bone caught in his throat. The boy’s mother is said to have brought Blaise food and candles when he was imprisoned. Thus we have the use of two candles held in the form of the St. Andrew’s cross to bless throats on this day. This custom, still in use today, supports the Church’s belief in the intercessory power of the saints against ailments of not only the throat but of the whole body! It is Christ who heals, but through the intercession of not only Fourteen, but many thousands of helpers.

Our first reading today for Mass, tells us to boast not only of the good things that happen to us, even the answer to our prayers for healing, but also for our afflictions – for these produce endurance, character and hope – that one day Christ will heal all that needs healing in everyone. The gospel passage recommends the sick to the “elders” – the priests – who are to lay hands on them for their restoration and recovery; if done with faith, much transformation and renewal can take place in the ailing person.

The Lord is with us always, especially now in his Church, and in its ministers! Amen.



Tuesday, February 2, 2016

February 2 - Homily for Today

+ Our feast today, of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was introduced into the Eastern Empire by Emperor Justinian I, and is mentioned in the Western Church in the Gelasian Sacramentary of the 7th century. It commemorates the purifying of the Blessed Virgin according to the Mosaic Law, 40 days after the birth of Christ; and the presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple. It is also known as Candlemas Day, as candles are blessed in commemoration of the words of Holy Simeon, who received the Child and his Mother, and declared this Christ Child to be “a light for revelation for the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.”  In this regard, candles, for use in church for a year, are blessed, and at the principal Mass in a church, there is a procession with lighted candles to represent the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem.

Our readings today tell us to seek the Lord of Light in two places: in the Temple of our churches and chapels (it is recommended that we make regular and frequent visits to be with him there); and also in the eyes of those we help in God’s name. If he is not to be found in one place, he won’t be found in the other for us. And finally, may we live our days in peace because like Simeon we have received the Lord into the temples of our hearts, may we honor him there, pray to him there, and ask his help to act like him always, and in every place.

You Lord, are a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel, and us!


Monday, February 1, 2016

February 1 - Homily for Today

+ We have an interesting gospel passage today. If the man with the unclean spirit is worried about Jesus “tormenting” him, then why does he “from a distance” run to him “at once” and prostrate himself before Christ? Why does he not run in the other direction? Maybe, despite his dread, he nurtures in his heart the hope of King David, “Perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction and make it up to me.”

We all desire daily that the Lord Jesus “rise up and save us” – for we are so needy and impoverished of something – yet, we are also so very unworthy on our own merits to dare to even ask. But, the amazing thing is that God sees our need even before we do, and Jesus runs to us to bestow his grace – if we but prostrate ourselves in loving homage before him in our hearts.


You, O Lord, are my shield; my glory, you lift up my head. 

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...