Look with the Eyes of the Soul - Reflection Ascension Sunday

The Acts of the Apostles is written to Theophilus. No one knows who Theophilus was; but, there was a later Theophilus. He was the Bishop of Antioch (second century) and considered one of the early church’s great apologists.

He wrote this (paraphrased): 

If you say, "Show me your God," think about this:

If you look with the eyes of the body then you will perceive only earthly objects whether white or black, well-proportioned and symmetrical or dis-proportioned and awkward…

The appearance of God is ineffable and indescribable; and, cannot be seen by eyes of flesh. All have eyes; but in some eyes are blinded and they do not see the light of the sun.

But if you look with eyes of the soul that it is when we are able to behold God. God is seen by those who are enabled to see Him when the eyes of their soul are opened:

For in glory God is incomprehensible, in greatness unfathomable, in height inconceivable, in power incomparable, in wisdom unrivaled, in goodness inimitable, in kindness unutterable.

Most men have the eyes of their soul blinded by their sins and evil deeds.

The reason I share these words of the early apologist is today’s scriptures. For some reason, some do not follow the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel.

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Instead they only baptize in the name of Jesus. The reasoning, the apostles were not baptized this way. Nowhere does it say the apostles baptized this way.

It is claimed, the words of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew were made up when priests and monks were hand writing the Bibles in the early church to match the sacrament.

Yet, Catholics and most Christian do baptize in the Trinitarian formula not just in the name of Jesus as found in the Acts of the Apostles.

First, it is what Jesus tells us. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you.

Second, it is a baptism just like Jesus’. When Jesus was baptized by John, the Trinity was present. “The Son is baptized, the Father speaks, and the Spirit descends.”

Even in the Acts of the Apostle when the Deacon Philip baptized the people of Samaria, Peter and John were sent there to pray and lay hands on them for they had only been baptized in the name of Jesus and not yet received the Holy Spirit.

And, Jesus promised his followers they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit. 

Those who say the early church baptized only in the name of Jesus seems to have forgotten that Act of the Apostles.

The Church baptizes in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit because is has always been led by the Holy Spirit to followed Jesus’ instructions. It is found even in the earliest Church manual, the Didache, written before the Bible. 

It is believed to have originated before most of the Gospels were written. The earliest portions issued by an Apostolic Council of the twelve headed by Peter and James at the Church in Jerusalem. These early instructions outlined a Trinitarian Baptism and the Eucharist.

There were also other Christian Churches other than the Roman Catholic Church. The Coptic Church states that their church began in 50 AD, when the Apostle Mark became the first Pope of Alexandria. They baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Thomas Christian of Kerala India (Malabar Christians) can trace their Church to the Apostle Thomas. These Christians ecclesiastically, liturgically, and linguistically represent one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world. They baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Yet, despite all these truths, many will look for God with eyes of flesh blinded by sin. If the eyes of your soul are open, as the angel said, then why are you standing there looking at the sky?

The Church looks with the eyes of the soul at Jesus’ words, follows his instructions, and believes his promise. Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. And, behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.

In glory God is incomprehensible, in greatness unfathomable, in height inconceivable, in power incomparable, in wisdom unrivaled, in goodness inimitable, in kindness unutterable.

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way your live your life and love one another. Amen.

Social Distancing - Homily 6th Sunday of Easter

In the Acts of the Apostles is the story of Philip. This was not Philip the Apostle; this was Philip the Evangelist. This Philip was the Deacon.

In the first part of chapter 8 of Acts, we are reminded of the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, and the severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem. The Christians were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 

As the early Christians practiced social distancing, the apostles remained in Jerusalem.

This was at the time Saul was trying to destroy the church by entering house after house; dragging out men and women to put in prison.

Yet, even those escaping persecution shared the Gospel wherever they went. Philip went to city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah.

When the people heard Philip, they paid attention to his words and signs. Unclean spirits were cast out and people were cured.

Philip introduced the people of Samaria to the way of Jesus. It was a way of living, loving, and relating to one another new to them. Philip baptized them in the name of Jesus. There was great joy in the City of Samaria.

Philip shared the way of Jesus, a relationship built through Christ Jesus to God.  

And, Jesus teaches there is one more person in this relationship.  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth…”

When the apostles heard the good work done by Philip, they sent Peter and John to pray for them, because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Philip only baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus. Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

This is about relationship. Philip teaching relationship in the way of Jesus: living, loving and relating to one another differently than the world teaches.  Jesus teaches us the relationship of the Holy Trinity. It is the most divine relationship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is the most precise loving, living relationship there is.

God is relationship. The way of Jesus is living, loving and relating on earth as it is in Heaven, in God.

Think about relationships. The people we tend to love are not just the people who loved us, but people who loved what we love and care about what we care about. It makes love easy, natural, and life-giving.

One place to find this place in others is the common need most people have for hope. The result of hope is joy.

Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope and do it with gentleness and reverence.

This is the secret of sharing the Gospel. It is the way Philip spoke. Pursued and persecuted for his faith in Jesus Christ, Philip had hope and shared why he had hope. The people were filled with joy.

Here we sit, a few inside the Church, wearing mask, practicing social distancing, and sanitizing our hands. Some are outside in cars watching on Facebook coming for communion. Some are home watching and will share a spiritual communion.

We have one thing in common: hope. The reason for hope as believers is Christ in our hearts. Today, the world is looking for hope. To have a relationship with God, the Holy Trinity through Jesus Christ is the promise of hope. The result of hope is joy

Even as we practice social distancing don’t forget your relationship with God. Don’t forget the living and loving relationship we have with others.

Be good, be holy, and preach the Gospel by the way you live your lives and love one another. Amen.

A Heart that Savors God – Homily on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. She is the patroness of our Parish, what a wonderful patroness she is.  

Our Lady appeared to three peasant children (Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco) on a hillside in Fatima, Portugal, and gave instructions.

They were not anything different from what the church teaches. None of her instructions contradicted the teachings of the word of God that came to us as Jesus Christ. The message she gave was for the times they lived in and times to come.

Mary instructed them to pray the Rosary to bring peace to the world and an end to war; pray for the conversion of Russia; and do penance. And that God wanted the world to have a devotion to Her Immaculate Heart.

The message of Fatima is important now as it was then. Pray the rosary, pray for peace, pray for the conversion of sinners, and do penance. And, have devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

On the 100^th anniversary of Fatima, P. Francis said ‘the children’s encounter with Our Lady was an experience of grace that inspired their love for Jesus. Mary led them to savor God as the most beautiful reality of human existence.”

That is the promise found in Jesus words, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Simple children heard the message and lived it. They lived lives of unwavering faith.

Great things can come from people of simple unwavering faith.

Today, in these trying times, listen to the words of Jesus and the message of Our Lady.

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Pray the rosary, pray for peace, pray for the conversion of sinners, and do penance. And have devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Don’t just listen the words, contemplate them, gnaw on them, consume them, make them part of us, and then act on them.

Pope Benedict wrote “The heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than anything that can come against us.”

(Friends) strong is the Immaculate Heart of Mary? She must be the example for our hearts open to God.

At Fatima, Our Lady declared “My Immaculate Heart will triumph!” In that have unwavering faith. The heart open to God is stronger than any disease or pestilence; pandemic or plague; violence or war.

Our Lady taught the children to pray. One prayer was this: My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You! Amen.

A heart that savors God is a most beautiful reality of human existence.

Be good, be holy, and pray for each other. Amen.

A While to be Silent - First Friday Homily - May 1, 1010

(Readings)

We live in unusual times and want explanations. Some things are accepted; some are not.   

Some things are ironic. Saul of Tarsus was set to the home of Judas on Straight street.  

Some things are hard to understand. The Corona Virus is spread by social contact. Prevention limits work, school, and gatherings (no public mass, no sharing of the Eucharist).

Solitary confinement is harsh medicine. It’s considered a severe punishment. It’s not a restful stillness, but of anxiousness and sorrow. Despite these rules of social distancing; in our area cases are increasing at rates higher than others. It seems people don’t believe what is said about the Covid 19 virus.

Yet, we ask why God is doing this. People want explanations. Is it punishment; a warning sign?

Maybe, it’s a time of lament; a time to ask “why;” perchance, a while to be silent, look at our lives, and to pray. Perhaps, it’s a time to be still and know God.

Possibly, it’s like the time the Lord gave Saul.

He was going down the wrong path believing it was God’s work. The Lord gave Saul a time of solitary confinement. In this time of quiet, Saul prayed and the Lord set him straight.

Ananias laying hands on him, said “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately the scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized…”

Moving beyond self is the answer Jesus gives. Listen to His words.

“Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. My Flesh is true food.  My Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.”

People tend to believe in themselves and not the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

In this time of Solitary Confinement away from the real presence, the Lord has sent us to be healed.

Sadly, not all will be healed; but in this time of lament, Christ is opening the eyes of many.  

Amen