A Family Plan - Homily Feast of the Holy Family

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever.   Merry Christmas.

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. A family of willing participants in God’s divine plan. The model  of a Holy Family all Christian families should strive to become.

In God’s divine plan for everything your family, my family, and the salvation of the world by forgiveness of sins was this Holy family. A family that loved and trusted one another. In their love was a family that knew peace, harmony and comfort.

It was a family that said “yes” to all that God asked of them. Mary said “yes.” Joseph said “yes.” Even Jesus said “yes,” to Father’s divine plan. In their “yes,” the Holy Family lived God’s divine plan.

The Holy Family, just like the rest of us, experienced problems now and them. That happens in today’s gospel.

The demands of love sometimes put us in a bind. Parents know this. As our children grow, we learn everyday how the demands of love continually unfold.

The modern family may look different from the Holy Family; but, by love all want the best for family. That is part of God’s plan.

Sadly, human love and family love can be focused on wrong things. Many thinks “best” are material things. Striving for material best, persons can lose sight of love from trust, peace, and harmony. This can lead a family lost from itself and from God's divine plan.

The best we should want for family is a loving relationship with God. The best is a relationship with God in Jesus Christ. The best is when a family knows who Jesus is, why He is, and why He is God. The best is for a family to know prayer, faith, and hope.

Wisdom of Sirach tells us with family “we store up riches; are made glad; and know comfort.” Those are intrinsic best for family.

As mentioned earlier, everyone experiences problems now and them This Holy Family that was the yes in God’s divine plan still faced troubles of this world.

The gospels of Matthew and Luke tell us about the birth of Jesus; but in today’s gospel it seems Mary and Joseph didn’t immediately see God in a missing little boy named Jesus.

They looked for him for three days. They looked like any parent would look, thinking like a little child. Looking in all the places a child would think wonderful in a place like Jerusalem.

They were worried parents. They probably thought the worst. They probably imagined horrible things. In the back of their mind, they knew God protected their little boy Jesus but he was still missing.

Many know this feeling. I know this feeling as I thought one of my daughters was lost once. She was 17 and worked at a coffee shop and often closed my herself.

When she wasn’t home at her regular time, I gave her 30 minutes and went looking. At the coffee shop, my daughter’s car was parked outside and inside was a man, with a gun, counting money.

I was a worried. I thought the worst, I imagined horrible things. And I pounded on the door to rescue my daughter from that man with a gun. By God’s grace, it was the owner, and he did not shoot and ask questions later about this man trying to knock his door down. He was as concerned as I was.

Her phone had no reception. Her best friend did not know anything. I was filled with anxiety. She showed up a couple of hours later and could not understand why I was worried.

When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, she said to him, “Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety. And he said to them, why were you looking for me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?”

Pretty much the same answer my daughter gave me. She just wasn’t at church. She was riding 4 wheelers. She was mad that I didn’t trust her. She was a teenager.

St. Paul gives us a guide to living as a Holy Family in God’s divine plan “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another….”

Bring Jesus to the center of your family. Want the best for them, a relationship with God. God’s divine plan for us is to be a Holy Family. All of us being one. A family of willing participants in God’s divine plan, a Holy Family that answers “yes” to God.

Friends may God’s love be evident in the trust, peace, harmony, and comfort that reign in our home and in the faith we profess.

Be Good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live your life and love one another.  May Jesus Christ be praised forever and ever. Amen.

 

Living Kindness and Love - Reflection Third Sunday of Advent Year C

Praise be Jesus Christ, fore ever and ever

Today is Gaudete Sunday. The 3^rd Sunday of Advent and we light the rose candle. The rose-colored candle represents Joy.

Our reading today are all about Joy. The Prophet Zephaniah speaks God’s word: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!  Sing joyfully, O Israel!  Be glad and exult with all your heart….”

Paul writes to the Philippians “Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again:  rejoice!”  Then he continues, “Your kindness should be known to all.”

Paul told them to know true joy “rejoice in the Lord.” Rejoice and “your kindness will be known to others.”

The world in the time of Paul and the world today does not lend itself to people being kind to one another.  Yet, the LORD God sent his prophets with a message of kindness and joy.

When the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers asked John the Baptist what should we do, he answered them simply to be kind to others - "Share with the person who has none. Do not cheat others out of what is rightfully theirs. Do not falsely accuse and be happy with what you receive."

Because of the simple instruction of John the Baptist, people were joyful. It was his simple instructions on how to be kind to others that brought hope John the Baptist was the messiah.   "All were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ."

John says something better is coming  "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals."

To paraphrase John in a simplier way, Hold on people, if my words bring you joy and hope wait for the one coming after me. The joy I bring is nothing compared to His. His work is of the Spirit of God. 

John was telling them the truth of the Psalmist words, “Cry out with joy and gladness for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.”

This Sunday, Gaudete Sunday cry out with joy and gladness. The Lord is near.

“What should we do?”

Let us learn from this example.  A couple of weeks ago during the children’s liturgy, the teacher asked each child what they wanted others to see in them. Each child gave a beautiful answer.

One little boy, the loudest, most restless, and the one surely everyone knows rom this description, had a very good answer. This child who finds his joy running between the pews and up/down the aisles looked at the teacher and answered, “I want them to see Jesus.”

He is three years old.

All of us older than that three year old should want that same thing. If others see Jesus in us and we see Jesus in others, the world will know joy and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

By the fact that we are  baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, our presence in this world is the presence of Christ to many. Just as he asked the prophets, God asks each of us to bring  the world kindness and joy.  

We are baptized to do this. Christ is near us. He is in us. By the power of the Holy Spirit, others will see Chist in us and we will see Christ in others. God is always near and realizing this is true joy. Living out kindness and love brings joy.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by your life bringing kindness and joy to others. Praise be Jesus Christ fore ever and ever. Amen.

The Friendliest People - Homily Feast of Christ the King

 Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm: 93:1, 1-2, 5, Revelation 1:5-8, John 18:33b-37 

Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Praise be to Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

This is a wonderful day to celebrate our God and King Jesus Christ.

The LORD God says, I am the Alpha and Omega. He is the beginning and end of all things; the one who is, was, and will be. Remember nothing that God puts in your life is unimportant.

Reflecting back on this week and the things he put in my life, God was there.

Thursday night sitting alone at the Hibachi Super Buffet in Jonesboro AR, and I witnessed the friendliest people. The servers greeted each person with sincere happiness. It was a loving warm friendliness between all the servers and guests. It was genuine. It was the atmosphere. Greetings were full of smiles, handshakes, and many even shared hugs.   

The next morning, the same thing in the hotel lobby. The employees interacting with the guests. The guests smiling and happy, not only interacting with the employees but with the other guests as well.

When I went to my room to pray with my prayer journal, I wrote about the love and friendliness I witnessed.

Then at my appointment, I asked my contact a native of Toronto, Canada, how Jonesboro compared to Toronto. His answer it was friendliest placed he had ever lived. People are nice. They go out of their way to greet you. He said the friendliness was contagious.

I thought about how we see Christ in others and how they see Christ in us. How many will not realize God’s love until we share with them God’s love in us.

The Christ in us is contagious.

However, this is 2021. The world tells us, we do not need Jesus. We do not need Jesus as our King. We do not need Jesus as our leader and hero.

Sadly, in today’s world what is right and just in society often comes from the lies and deceit of the evil one. Many times the things put before us, can be cartoonish.

Some prefer the cartoon heroes (both real and make believe) because the great deceiver uses them to champion his lies. Christians sit, watch, and accept the actions of the enemy as the way it should be in the world.

Big business require employees to ask a person’s preferred pronouns so not to offend. Companies call it tolerance and respect; but it often it does not go both ways. Sharing Christian faith can be upsetting to non-Christians.

The devil changes much by deceit and little by little. The world becomes more secularized, agnostic, and atheistic.

Even the opinion of Christ changes. Christ has moved from King to buddy. Some do not ask Jesus to lead us but accompany us. Lives are not redeemed but socially adjusted.

Instead of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and giving glory to God, too much of popular culture worships at the altar of I, me, or we and might have a little Jesus on the side.   

Both this feast day and the Gospel we share holds the essence and truth about being a follower of Christ. If we proclaim “Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”, we battle the enemy’s lies in the world.

Jesus said, “Mine is not a kingdom that belongs to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be here fighting for me.”

Jesus’ words of hope were “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Those who listen come from all peoples, nations, and languages. His voice is the seed of the kingdom planted in us for it is the way, the truth, and the life.

Believers know the truth that His is a kingdom of God’s presence where justice, love, peace, and goodness exists for all people.

Christ is King and leader who loves so much he does accompany us in our life’s walk. His redeeming kingship saves us and that saving redemption adjusts our lives so we may know and live the truth of his kingdom. By his kingly sacrifice, we have become more than friends. We are his adopted brothers and sisters.

Jesus said that this Kingdom is not of this world. But, His kingdom can exists in us and through us. It is a Kingdom of respect, tolerance, and forgiveness that recognizes the dignity and beauty of all creation. It is hope and tr    uth. It is the seed in every Christian believer to grow the Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ in this world.

For the world to know that kingdom, Christ must be the King that is reigns over our lives.

He must reign in our minds. He must reign in our wills. He must reign in our hearts. He must reign in our bodies. He must reign in our talents, gifts, and abilities. He must reign in our love of God and our love for one another.

Nothing that God puts in your life is unimportant. Think about how we see Christ in others and how they see Christ in us. The Christ in us is contagious when we plant the seed of the kingdom in others. He is the beginning and end of all things.

Friends be good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live your life and love one another; and, His kingship will not be destroyed.

Praise be to Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the universe forever and ever. Amen.

Harsh Words – Reflection 33rd Sunday OTB

 Praise be Jesus Christ fore ever and ever.

Most know, I have three beautiful grandchildren. I love them all, but each is different. Each has their own personality. 

My youngest grandson is a rambunctious 3 year old. There are times, maybe twice or more a week or a day, the daycare calls for someone to come and have a discussion with him about his behavior.

After the second visit, the discussions become a little harsher. When you love someone, a little tough live maybe needed to put them on the right path for their behavior. Put it this way, the 3 year old gets a lot of guided tours to that right path.

Those times are hard on me. Each of my grandchildren are unique and I love them just as they are more than anything.

On that note, what do you think about the scripture readings this morning? I you ask me to describe them in one work – “Yikes!” or even “Scary!”

With those “scary” words, take these comforting thoughts. God loves you more than anything.

But…, I am a sinner.

God still love you more than anything.

But…, I am a little different than other people.

You are God’s creation. You were created for him to love and to love him. God loves us in our difference more than anyone else.

God loves us in our quirks. He loves us in our differences. God loves us even when we sin. Because God loves us, do not be afraid of Jesus’ words.

It is our sin we should fear. Sin hurts us. Sin is the rejection of God’s love for us. Sin is when we fail to love God.

That is even more “scary” than Jesus’ words: The sun will become dark and the moon will no longer shine. The stars will fall and the powers of the sky will be shaken.

Times of greatest sin is when many see these scary things Jesus warned us about. Jesus tell us to not be afraid. Because, Jesus will come again. All things will be made new. All who live holy lives will live forever.

Scripture proclaims, “You shall be Holy for I am Holy.” And, “You are God’s temple and God’s spirit dwells in you. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple.”

God sent Jesus as an example of how we are to be Holy. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us so that we should be Holy.

To live a Holy life we should take these simple words from today’s Psalm used in the Children’s liturgy. “You Lord are all I want! You are my choice and keep me safe. I will always look to you as you stand beside me and protect me from fear. With all my heart I can safely rest.”

Being Holy is a loving God. Being Holy is not rejecting God’s love. Being Holy is following Jesus words, his instructions, and following in his footsteps.

Many look at the world and see what Jesus describes in today’s Gospel. It is easy to see violence, hate, injustice, and attacks on the dignity of peoples. There is much confusion as men, women, and leaders of the world think they can be God by opinion and legal rulings. Many times, the result is not Holy.

Sometimes a loving Father has to speak to his children with harsher words; but, He still loves each of them more than anything.

We are shown a path of life in Jesus words, instructions, and way. It is a path that will not change. His words will not pass away. Everyone who listens to him will shine bright in wisdom.

Do not be afraid. Only God the Father knows the timing of his will. It is all in the Father’s hands.

Be good, be holy and go to preach Jesus’ words by the way you live your life and love one another.

Praise be Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Widow’s Trust Homily - 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time

Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

It is said that a preacher will often preach to themselves. It is true today.

This past week there was a graveside service, a baptism, preparation for All Souls mass on Tuesday, reports on mass attendance for the Diocese, perpetual adoration on Thursday, and the First Friday mass with adoration on Friday. Today is altar server training, PSR, mass, and this afternoon at 3 is blessing of the graves. I had to prepare two homilies and find time for my spiritual direction studies.

People will ask how do you have time for all the things you have to do? The truth is I don’t.

I missed a Holy Day of Obligation, the Feast of All Saints, because I took care of my mother and had work obligations. Because of other things, I missed my holy hour a couple of days this week. Sometimes, I think I rush my prayers.

In these, I see my failures at being holy and giving myself totally to God.

It is because of my riches. My riches are a beautiful and loving family. I have a job. I have a home. I have two wonderful church families - St. Lawrence and Our Lady of Fatima. Sometimes the obligations I have to these keep me from giving all to God. 

I see myself in the scripture readings today, in so many ways, as one of the poor widows or the scribe or those that give from their abundance.

The most obvious point of the readings is the two stories about people who have nothing. Two widows that have no money, little to their name; but, they have faith.

In the first reading, the prophet Elijah meets a poor woman and asks her for a cup of water; and, as she was going to retrieve it he adds, could you also make me a small piece of bread.

When the woman protest, Elijah tells her she will not run out of flour and oil until the famine is over.

Most people would considered Elijah’s request crazy, cruel, or both. This poor woman had only a little flour and oil, enough for one last meal for her son and her self. But this widow, because she had nothing was free from worldly riches. She can easily trust this prophet of God and gives from all that she has. Her only gamble is trusting God, and God does not fail. God recognizes her gift.

The Gospel shares a similar story. There is an extremely poor widow. She has almost nothing. Because of her poverty, she is free enough to give from all that she has. Her only gamble is trusting in God and God does not fail. Jesus recognized her gift.  

These widows’ actions came from their faith and love and trust of God. They gave as they felt they must, sacrificing some or all that they needed. 

But, look also at the other persons Jesus identifies in the gospel. Jesus contrasted the poor widow to the scribe and others who flaunted themselves and paraded around in their importance.

Their worldly importance had become their keeper. They were not free to have a trusting faith in God’s mercy and salvation. The trust and faith they have was not in God but other things. The were not free to give from all they had because their faith and trust was in their appearance, position, and their wealth.

In these readings, the widows, the scribes, and the affluent people are not given names. We can put ourselves in their place. I can see myself in each one of them.

As I shared my week earlier, I can easily see myself as the scribe that Jesus speaks about. Worried about my ties to this world, my job, what people think of me, and making other people happy by what I do.

At the same time, I can see myself as one of the widows. Trusting God and giving to God from the gifts he has given me. Always afraid that what little time I have will run out and I will not be able to do what I need to do.

I can put my own name on the people of these two stories. Can you see yourself or others in those people?

In this world, prudence requires us to take the proper actions and precautions to care for our family and loved ones. That is riches God has given me. Like the widow, what little I have I should give it to God with a trusting faith. What I give from all I have is the hand full of flour and little bit of oil. God always give me more to share. 

These are the things that makes us holy. It is not the activities but the total trust and faith we have in God. It is a trusting faith that comes from freedom. Giving all from what little we have. Ultimately it is God who cares and looks over us.

That is the truth the widows shared in their simple ways. Each had a trusting faith in God. 

It is by the trusting faith we have in God that we are saved.

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

Praise be Jesus Christ fore ever and ever. Amen.

 

The Peanut Butter all over the Room - 31st Sunday OTB

 Praise Be Jesus Christ forever and ever.

Have you ever asked a question knowing the answer, trying to catch someone saying something wrong? I did it when my children were young.

They were not good at telling a fib. "Did one of you get into the jar of peanut butter?

No, they would answer and had good reasons in the eyes of a child why peanut butter was all over the room.

As the years passed, I learn to read their body language, expressions, and especially their eyes. The eyes can be the mirrors to the soul. It was a good skill to have as they became teenagers.

Although not to same end, the Jewish temple leaders, Pharisees, and scribes were always trying to trick Jesus. Using human truths and laws in a dishonest way to achieve what they wanted.  

What they wanted was to discredit Jesus and they tried to do it all the time.

Once they asked him “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?” Another time they questioned him “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Jesus’ answers was to the point. You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me?"

Those probably knew the truth about Jesus. Surely they saw the miracles all over the places he went. They recognized in his body language, expression, and words that he spoke with authority. Surely, they could not have looked into His eyes (the eyes of God) and treated Jesus the way the treated him.

But, they were trying to trap him with human law. They were using worldly truth to achieve what they wanted.

Friends most of the time, when we sin we are doing the same thing.  We justify our sin by worldly things.  Many look at human terms, laws, and opinions and ignore God’s truth.

Sin is a terrible thing. However, people think it is no big deal most of the times. It is a small thing. God forgives. The sinner will get over it. Others will get over it.  With that, the sinner abandons God and reason. .

People are trying to trick God, look around, how is that going? 

Human law changes. Politicians and lawmakers will not remain in office. They will not live forever. However, Jesus remains forever. God’s truth remains forever.

The one the world is trying to trick by human law and reason knows our thoughts. The world can never trick God or trap Jesus; even though humanity as tried since the beginning of hiistory.

That is why today’s gospel is a little different. The question of “What is the greatest commandment?” might have been asked to trap Jesus.

Jesus’ answer: The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

That answer open the eyes of the scribe. He saw the truth of who Jesus was in the answer the scribe already knew. The scribe listened to Jesus and looked into his eyes and saw God. The scribe acknowledges the truth in Jesus’ words.

Jesus saw the scribe understood.

Our sin is the peanut butter all over the room. We can never make up a situation where God’s answer and truth is to blame. If we deny it or justify it, sin is sin. Realize, it is of the world. Give to Caesar what is Caesars.

Live by the greatest commandments so that never will the situation arise when we think we can trick Jesus to justify our sin. Everyday, imagine yourself looking into the loving eyes of Jesus and merciful eyes of God.

Living that greatest commandment is to know truth. Knowing truth, never will you question Jesus again.

Be good, be holy and live the greatest commandment by the way you live your life and love one another. 

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.

I Know That Young Man - Homily 28th Sunday OTB

 Praise be Jesus Christ fore ever and ever. Amen

I joined the PSR classes this morning and heard the teacher asked the class, “what are the rules that God has given us to live by?” She continued, “Does anyone know the answer?”

The class just looks at her. I'm standing behind holding up 10 fingers. Then, she holds up both hands with all her fingers outstretched “The 10…”

One little boy shouts out, “The 10 fingers!!”

Not exactly right, but maybe a good answer - think about it.

God loves us so much he wants to hold us in his loving hands. Those 10 commandments are like the 10 fingers that hold us close to him. The truths of how we are to love him and love each other.

Today’s Psalm proclaims “May the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours; prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!

In the gospel today, a young man asks Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus answers him “You know the commandments….”

The young man assures Jesus that he had observed since he was a child.

Jesus loved him, but said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

At that statement the young man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

It is the same place many fail; myself included.

I recently completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. One thing the retreatant must do is recognize their poverty. A poverty found in the times failed in life by their sins. Times separated from the riches of a relationship with our heavenly Father.

The way to recall and reflect these times is prayer. “I prayed and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of wisdom came to me.”

It was a hard to pray about all the times I hurt God. One friend said after he started this exercise, he wanted to run and hide from God because of his sins and the hurt he had brought to God and others. Truth is “Nothing is concealed from him; everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.”

As I reflected, one thing coming upon my heart seemed trivial; but, as I contemplated, it became profound.

In high school, all the football players had a secret spirit booster. These boosters put up signs and spirit posters. They gave treats on game day. My senior year, a sophomore made me cookies every week.

She was a sweet girl but not a good cookie maker.

The day came when our secrete spirit booster was revealed. I was a senior, a football player; but, I had no idea how to interact with girls. When I meet her, my awkward response was – “you can’t make very good cookies.”

I was that young many who came to Jesus. His failure was he couldn’t let go of his possessions. All his stuff was more important to him than eternal life, a relationship with Jesus, and God.

Jesus telling him “give all that you have to the poor and come follow me” was Jesus telling him – “love God with all that you are and love your neighbor.” The pride of the young man for all his earthly possessions would not let him do it.

Pride is the source of most sin. Pride has us put our things before God. It is putting loving our things before loving our neighbor. In my pride I told someone who spent many nights making cookies for me - you don’t make very good cookies. I didn’t treat her the way God wanted me to treat her. I think back about how my pride hurt her.  

As I reflected on it, I saw that same pride in all my sins.

Every one of us, if we look at our sin, will see our failures are the same as that one who approached Jesus. It may not be monetary wealth, but it is something we see as riches. They are the things we put before God and loving others.

"Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.  All things are possible for God."

By the greatness of God, his mercy, and his sacrifice - our sins we are forgiven.

I recently read: “Faith without religion is like breathing without air.”

So remember, come to mass and pray every day to draw closer to God. Recognize, we are sinners. Partake of the sacrament of reconciliation. Come to Jesus in Eucharist to have eternal life.

Friends, come and follow Jesus. Be good, be holy, and preach the Gospel by the way you live your life and love one another.

Praise be Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.

Scruples - Memorial of St. Therese & 1st Friday

 

Today is the Memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower of Jesus. She is remembered for the simplicity and practicality of her faith, the little way. But, in the simple practical faith she practice was plagued by scruples, which is guilt and anxiety about moral or religious issues. Mental health professionals define scruples is a moral or religious obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).

Maybe, more people should have guilt and anxiety on moral and religious issues.

Sometimes, it takes hardships for people realize their faults. The Jewish people realized theirs during the Babylonian captivity. The prophet Baruch wrote – “Justice is with the Lord, our God; and we are flushed with shame”

“We neither heeded the voice of the Lord, our God, nor followed the precepts the Lord set before us.”  “… each went after the devices of his own wicked heart….”

The lack of a moral compass or a religious base can lead to a wicked and harden heart. God told us through Moses and Jeremiah that people are hard hearted. Isaiah wrote about insensitive and hard hearts. Daniel wrote about arrogant hearts.

In the gospel of Mathew, Jesus speaks about hearts that have become dull. The King James Version of the bible, the words are “The hearts of the people is waxed gross”

Sadly, today many lack scruples.

So many people’s hearts are hard about so many different things. Hearts are waxed gross. Faith has become dull. A lack of scruples allows people to hear but not understand and to see but not perceive.

One political leader’s remark on their Bishop’s statement against abortion was “I’m just don’t agree.”

Consider what Jesus told his apostles, “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me - whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

If today you hear his voice - harden not your hearts.

St. Therese, little flower of Jesus, pray for us.

Priesthood Sunday - 26th Sunday OTB

 Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

This is Priesthood Sunday. Those who have been called to be priests in Christ’s Holy Church are called to a special place. A place of service to God. Truth is we are called to priesthood.

God wants us to serve him; but, not everyone wants to answer that call. Many want a God that serves them.  It is the reality of most of the modern world’s perception of God.

This world has led people to create a god of human expectations. In those expectations, they treat their god as a pet. It is kept in a box and taken out when needed or to show it off. Then when they think they have gotten what they ask of their god, they put it back in the box and back on the shelf, out of sight and out of mind.  

Friends, if you think that is God, you are wrong. God does not serve us. God is way bigger than anything we can imagine and infinitely beyond anything we can control.

That is shown in today’s readings.

In the 1st reading, Moses is feeling the pressure and responsibility of the role God has given to him. It is a hard and burdensome role; so, God gives him help.

Moses calls 70 community leaders to the tent of meeting and they receive the Spirit of God.  Then the unexpected happens, two men (Eldad and Medad) failed to come to the tent of meeting, yet they still received the Spirit of God and prophesied. And Joshua was amazed, confused and probably a little upset. Moses, my lord, stop them.

In the Gospel, the apostle John has a similar experience. Like Joshua, John was amazed, confused, and probably a little upset. “Master, we saw a man casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.”  

The response of Joshua and John was a human response. They were basically putting God in a box. They expected God to respond as they would respond. They expected a human reality and were amazed and confused by the action of God’s will.

God, our creator’s will does not depend on us. God is absolutely free, God has His own logic of operation for his will and his plan for creation. Psalms 115 says “Our God in heaven does whatever he wills.”

As God’s creatures we received our freedom, our free will, from God. The problem is people want to use their free will to decide God’s will by interpreting it with human conditions and expectations.  

Our plans are usually biased by our limited nature and understanding.  No matter how hard humanity tries, it cannot change God will based on human conditions and terms.

This is where people tend to their own personal interpretation of god. They put that god in a box for their own purpose. Many want a god for fine clothes, fancy cars, and wealth. None of this will bring them true happiness.

It is their will not God’s will.

No matter what we say or what we think, God’s will is infinitely mysterious and greater than our own. God’s will steers creation to the place of His plan and purposes.

God sent his spirit upon Medad and Eldad to prophesize.  God’s will for the man John saw driving our demons in Jesus’ name was to glorify him. God’s will for us is service.

People in the world tend to put their god in a box. That opens them to sin. Jesus tells us the result of sin is the unquenchable fires of Gehenna.

Father, we wish you a blessing and grace on this Sunday that celebrates your priesthood. Those who have been called to be priests in Christ’s Holy Church are called to a special place which is in the service to God.

We are all called to be e good, be holy, and preach the Gospel. Prophesy to others by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen.

Praise be Jesus Christ, fore ever and ever. Amen.

Follow Jesus up the Mountain - Homily Feast of the Transfiguration

Inspired by a reflection of Michael Moore OMI

Praise be Jesus Christ.

Most of us live an ordinary and usual life. It’s truth for most of us.

The apostles were living life as usual; if a life walking with Jesus on earth was usual. But after 3 years, maybe, they felt life had become ordinary and usual. Peter was so comfortable that 6 days before, he rebuked Jesus when he foretold of his passion.

Then Jesus took them up the mountain.

At first, it was nothing unusual. Jesus often went to the mountains to pray. But for Peter, James, and John something wonderful was about to happen. He was transfigured before them, his clothes became dazzling white. His face shone like the sun.

Imagine the surprise, shock, and astonishment of the men with Jesus. All Peter could say, Lord, it is wonderful to be here. 

But the words they heard; This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. 

Words that mean just as much today as they did then. As important to us as they were to the ones who first heard them. Because, the good news Jesus speaks is life-giving and life-changing.

If we open our hearts to his words they change us. They will nourish and sustain us. They give us a glimpse of Jesus in all his glory and a taste of the promise of what is to come.

To follow Jesus up that mountain encourages and challenges us to venture away from life as usual; because as followers of Christ, our lives are more than the ordinary and usual. The Transfiguration reminds us we Jesus to a life of meaning and purpose by realizing God’s promise to us.

Celebrating the Transfiguration is to experience hope in Jesus Christ. His words are the promise of eternal life. This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

We may never experience anything as powerful as the Transfiguration; but, in countless ways, God does come into our daily lives.  

In moments of peace, joy, reconciliation, or forgiveness, God is with us. In every act of compassion we share, God reaches out to us and through us. Those are moments of transfiguration for ourselves and those we help.

Lord it is wonderful to be here; open our hearts to hear Jesus.

Praise be Jesus Christ. Forever and ever. Amen.

What's in your Basket - Homily 17 Sunday OTB

Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

Jesus said we are to feed the hungry. Many will protest and say that there is no way I can feed the hungry. I have nothing.

Funny, that’s what Phillip and Andrew said: 

• “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food is not enough to feed them even a little.”  
• “What good is five barley loaves and two fish for so many?”

Jesus reminds them by his actions, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”  His example was simple, take what you have, pray over it and offer it to God, and go out to other's with faith.

People who don’t want to believe in Jesus and his miracles will say it’s impossible to feed the large crowd with five barley loaves and two fish because there were about 5000 men.

True, it would have been impossible to feed 5000 men without feeding women, children, and families that were with them. For God all things are possible.

Those who doubt argue surely in a multitude of people others brought food. They simply shared with those around them.

Friends, why is that not a miracle. It may not be as dramatic as feeding the multitude from a child’s sparse basket of bread and fish prepared by his mother; but, it is the miracle of love. The miracle is Christ in that meal.

Christians feed the hungry.

But, scripture tell us, many are not just hungry for food, physical subsistence. They are hungry for spiritual subsistence; hungry for Christ. They are hungry for someone to lead them to a better life.

For those who hunger, we are to share from our own baskets, even if they are sparse.

Live all the miracles that happened when Jesus fed the multitudes. People sharing from what they have with those around them. There is the truth of St. Paul’s words - We are called to the one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

In that truth, we are unable not to share our faith with neighbors, co-workers, friends, and especially family. We share Christ in us. We lead others to Christ; to the truth of what is right and just.

Friends, take what you have, pray over it and offer it to God, and go out to others with faith.

Still people say, there is no way I can feed the hungry. I have nothing.

Yet, when you share from what you have to feed the hungry; even if you have less than a widow’s mite – you bring the riches and rewards of heaven. If you only have 5 barley loaves and 2 fishes – you bring the promise of the heavenly banquet.

If all you see in what you have to share is a broken and sinful self – to others you bring Christ in you..

We are called to feed the hungry - no matter how sparse our basket may be. Pray over it and offer it to God, and go out to others with faith.

From this sharing, there will be an overabundance of faith. “They shall eat and there shall be some left over.”

Through example, we feed the hungry from our baskets. We teach others our faith. We teach others to pray. We teach others to realize miracles, no matter how great or how small present in our lives.

Always lead to Christ. This is the real hunger of the world. .As Catholics lead the hungry to the most divine meal of the most Holy Eucharist, which is the truth of this gospel.  The miracle is the presence of Christ in that meal.

As a Church, a community, followers of Christ; we are called to feed the hungry. Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.

Be good, be holy, and share your faith by the way you live your life and love one another. Pray about it and do it in faith. 

God's great, God's good, thank you God - Homily First Friday Mass

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070221.cfm  

Today’s gospel brings to mind my 2 year old grandson’s prayer before meals. It is a prayer of wisdom. “God’s great, God’s good, thank you God. Amen (then he adds) Praise the Lord!” I know Jesus does come to dine at my house with such a great invitation as this.

Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners; so all would know God is great and God is good. Despite their sins, they came to Jesus because they knew God matters.

People seemed to have forgotten that God matters and that what matters to God - matters. A lot of things do not matter; because, they do not matter to God.

These things seem to be fixated upon because people think they matter. Like labels the world puts on us (tax collector or sinful person), labels we put on ourselves (race, gender, sexuality), or things we think important (wealth, power, or possessions).

God made us and we matter to God. God didn’t make the labels that has obsessed many; those don’t matter to God.  To those who complain, Jesus says “Go and learn this, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’”

Knowing the difference between what matters to God and what does not -- requires we know God.

Knowing God is not about intellect. God is not an idea, nor a thought. We cannot know God objectively – He is not the object of our knowledge.

God is known because He is. He is being made known to us as we know another person.

We come to know God as we come to know a person.. We come to know God in time, relationship, and prayerful conversations. And coming to know God is not some great achievement by us; it is a matter of grace and revelation. It is free gift, given in love.

Knowing God does not keep us from knowing other persons. Knowing others is not a distraction from knowing God. Knowing other persons is essential to knowing God because we can only know God to the extent that we love others.

It matters that we know God. God among us, walking with us, and dining with us.

God matters.

Because, to know God is life itself. “This is eternal life—to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one He sent.”

Christ Jesus comes to dine with us, sinners and saints alike.

What matters to God - matters.

God’s great, God’s good, thank you God. Amen -------- Praise the Lord!