A Gift of Tongues or A Gift of Love - Reflection Pentecost Sunday - C

Readings

Many years ago, I asked a friend who went to a charismatic Church if he received the Holy Spirit. When he said “yes”, I asked what it was like.

He said during the service, the preacher could see those about to be touched by the Holy Spirit. Calling them to the front of the congregation, the preacher would lay his hands upon them.

My friend told me then you hear a sound like a strong driving wind and feel like you are on fire. The Holy Spirit seizes you. Some fall to the floor and others dance in ecstasy; but, all called speak in tongues.

Was this a real experience of the Holy Spirit? I don’t know; but, the gift of tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues is what most thinks of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.

But St. Paul writes: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

These gifts of the Holy Spirit are the Church.

This celebration of Pentecost is not the celebration of speaking in tongues but the celebration of the creation of the Church. The Church that began when Christ appeared in the midst of the apostles in the upper room to breathe on them and said receive the Holy Spirit.

It is the same Church that is today the presence of Christ and his love in the world.

Love is the one true gift of the Holy Spirit that each and every one of us should realize. It is the love in you that is the Holy Spirit in you.

Love is the presence of God within you, the Holy Spirit. It is uncreated grace.

No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”

The problem is in this world many don’t want God to love them. That is a freedom that God has given everyone.

But, still, no matter if you are a sinner or a saint, God cannot love you more than God already loves you right now. No matter if you are a sinner or a saint, God cannot love you any less than that he loves you right now. Yet, it is for each of us to realize God’s love for us, through Jesus Christ, and to receive the Holy Spirit; the presence of God within us. 

Jesus told the apostles, “The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything.”

The Holy Spirit is not conjured up to bring magical gifts like party games.  The Holy Spirit is God within us every day. It is the God’s love that we bring to the world. 

That is the gift given to the Church.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way you live and love, filled by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Love of His Goodbye - Reflection Ascension Sunday

Readings

This weekend, my family celebrated the marriage of my niece at a reception held in honor of the newlywed couple. As family came together, I saw love that is family. I saw those who have experienced love in a real and broken world.

Earlier in the week, I had asked my grandson if he knew what love is and he gave me a good answer for 5 year old. “Love is I love my mommy and my brother and you pop. “

Since we were talking about telling the truth, I explained that love was a forever truth. I explained to love someone is a promise of always wanting and giving what is good for another person. It was always important to tell the truth because telling a fib was not giving what is good.

I explained that my love for him is the promise of wanting and giving all I have that is good to him and his brother. Loving him is also the promise of wanting and giving all that is good to his mother and his grandmother and his great-grandparents.

I finished with the fact that love is keeping that promise to one another. That is the way Jesus’ loved us.

At the reception, I thought about this talk with my grandson and how hard love is to really give; because in the real everyday life where we exist face to face with other persons, there is always going to be the fact of our frailties and failures in this world.   

Even for love, they present obstacles in every relationship. Frailties and failures in us that are obstacles placed in relationships. These are things like resistance, disappointment, and irritation or a fear of not being understood or valued. It is the wound that springs from our humanity. It is the wound in our ability to love one another that the world rubs salt into.

I hope that Elliot and Callie’s love is a promise of wanting and giving all that is good. Living in this world, I hope it is a love that is forgiving, true, and truthful.

That promise of wanting and giving all that is good is Jesus’ love for us.

He gave us that in the love of his good bye.

The love of these words, “I am sending the promise of my Father upon you….”  A promise made wanting and giving all that is good,  the Holy Spirit, the power from on high; God within us.

And in that good bye, the apostles loved. They promised all that is good for him by giving him homage, returning to Jerusalem with great joy, and continually praising God.”

At his time in our world when the idea of love has become scandalous, and  the world puts forth the concept that abortion is love and somehow acceptable to God, we must love. Realize as believers, we have been given power from on high: the Holy Spirit, God within us.

Give him homage and with great joy continually praise God. With that power from on high love one another in the promise of wanting and giving all I have that is good.

People of God, why are you standing there looking at the sky?

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

Love One Another; Homily 5th Sunday of Easter

(Readings) This was inspired by a blog I read.

We are sad Fr. Job is leaving. He has brought much comfort, joy, and peace. He has been here for a long time as our friend, teacher, and spiritual leader; but, do not let your hearts sink to the wrong place.

I heard someone said about Fr. Job’s move, “This must be how disciples felt when Jesus let them.” That may be near blasphemous, but, I know how they feel.

Friends, we have never lost Jesus. And, the impact of Fr. Job on each one of us, our family of faith, our community, and the entire area will never be forgotten.

Yes, we love Fr. Job, who has given us a true example of love, a love that is a pattern of selfless service and sacrifice found in the gospel: Jesus’ way of love.

Jesus told his disciples that all will know they are disciples by the love they show for one another. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.”

Sounds simple enough; but, these words of Jesus will turn the world upside-down. Fr. Job sharing Jesus’s way of love has turned this corner of the world in northeast Louisiana upside down.

Love your neighbor. Love yourself. Love your enemy. Love your spouse. Love your friend. Love your bus driver, your mailman, your pharmacist. Love everybody.

Just love.

The truth that love is the answer is easier said than done.

Loving your enemy is  difficult when faced with hatred and anger. The devil will throw these at all who try to love the way Jesus taught and to bring that love to others.

St. Paul tells us, love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”

For those reasons, love really is the answer. The love Jesus taught led him to wash feet and led him to the cross. It is more than just words and warm fuzzy feelings. It is selflessness, sacrifice, and service. 

How are we to live in Way of Love that Jesus asks of us. Fr. Job’s ministry is an example.

This is us what I have learned over the past 16 years working with Fr. Job's ministry: Seek Jesus, find abundant life, know freedom, find and know love.

One of Father's constant messages has been this: Seek Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No matter how hard a minister works or sacrifices or loves, it is Jesus who has the power to change lives and to change the world for good. Follow Jesus is to follow love. It is a choice we must make over and over again.

By seeking Jesus, we find abundant life. It is not the abundance of riches, or power, or status that the world seeks. It is an abundant life of grace, knowing joy, peace, and generosity that we abundantly share with others. In that abundance is a life of meaning, given back to God and lived for others.

Another lesson is that in Jesus’ love we find freedom. It is a freedom from the powers of this world that want us to live in fear, sin, oppression, and division. These are the things that pull us from God created and keep us from being dignified, whole, and free.

And once we have found and know all these things, then we can find love and know the way of love that Jesus taught. To know God’s love, to love and be loved by others, and to love ourselves.

Fr. Job’s ministry has been as Jesus commanded, “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

Fr. Job’s ministry is a selfless love of sacrifice and service to others. It was a model of courage, passion, and stamina for lifting up the lowly and lifting up each and every one of us.

He showed us Jesus’ love; a love that is good and a love that is true. It leads us to put others before self.

For 16 years, Fr. Job encouraged us to be more than just “passable” Christians. How many of us pass as Christian on how we one another?

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

What Shepherd Do You Follow - Reflection Good Shepherd Sunday/Mother's Day

(Readings)

Today is a special day, we celebrate our mothers. (Happy Mother’s Day)  It is also Good Shepherd Sunday; a Sunday where we pray for the Shepherds of the Church. I think it is appropriate that they are on the same day.

Our mothers are our first shepherds. They teach us the ways to go. They shape us into who we are in life and ultimately influence us in  our vocation. Mothers are the first to teach us about God. For many, they are the first to teach us to pray. No matter  Bishop, Priest, Deacon, religious brother or sister, or someone called to married life, all were born to a mother. Being a mother is the noble vocation of being for many our first good shepherd. 

This Sunday we give thanks and pray for all our good Shepherd’s in life.

There are those who try to steal us from the Good Shepherd.

Prayer has been taken from our schools. The Ten Commandments are banned from our courthouses and public venues. Public officials will not take their oath of office before God on the Holy Bible.

You see, not everyone wants to hear and understand or believe the Good News.

So I would like each and everyone to think about this and decide, What Shepherd Do You Follow?

Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch and the whole city turned out to hear the word of God. Those who should have believed were filled with jealousy and violence against what Paul said.

Today, the whole world can hear the word of God and the world is filled with jealousy and violence against what is proclaimed. 

The ones that should be the first to hear that word and believe are the ones turning from God. Like Paul and Barnabas, we should speak boldly the word of God. The world needs to hear it.

Those who should hear are our political, social, and business leaders. Many of them have rejected it or corrupted it for their own purpose. They see themselves as gods. They want to change the world and make all of us over into their desired image. It is an image of worldly morals and culture to benefit of their agenda and pocket books.

In fact many of these leaders see themselves shepherds to the salvation of the world.

Those who should hear the Good News is religious leaders, ministers, preachers, priests, and pastors of all faiths and denominations. It is those who say they serve God but instead exploit the trust of others with lies, abuse and cover-ups. They take advantage of their position for their own agenda and reputation.

Again, many see in themselves the shepherds and the salvation of the world.

Those who should hear the word of God are the ones who identify themselves as believers but do not to worship God but instead seek entertainment.

Baptism becomes a game. Communion is a party. And, sadly for them, the Blessed Sacrament is not the real presence of Christ.

They question Jesus and all He taught. They re-interpret God’s word for their agenda. Being nice and kind is enough; but, it is not enough.

This corruption of faith and worship is seen by many as the salvation of the world. In that belief, they fall for the deception of the devil.

Those who should hear the Gospel first include each and every one of us.  Like sheep, too many hear the voice of the popular world and follow the wrong shepherd.

What shepherd do you follow?

If we are truly Christians we will follow only one voice.  Jesus said: My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me.

If we are the people, the sheep of his flock then No one can take us from him.

Shake the dust of all that is not of Christ off your feet in protest to the world. Prepare yourselves in this time of great distress. We stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night by who we are in this world.

Hearing the His voice and following His word, God has made us to be a light and instrument of salvation to the world.

What shepherd do you follow?

Janet and I are preparing an interfaith couple for marriage. She is Catholic. He was raised in a Buddhist home; however, he has lived all his life among Christians.  

He said I know there is a God, I see him in my life.

He wants to know about Jesus. He wants to raise his children as Catholic Christians and be able to answer their questions.

To learn, he is going to a Bible study with friends. He asks questions of faith, not as an antagonist but an inquisitor. The reason he wants to know more comes from the example of faith in his fiance and friends.

He requested a Catechism and I offered him further guidance.  All I can do is follow the shepherd to lead others to the life-giving water.

Happy Mother’s Day, pray for our Bishops, priests, deacons, and religious.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel lead others to the living water by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

Stop Procrastinating - Homily Reflection 3rd Sunday of Easter

readings

How many procrastinate and tend to put things off for whatever reason?

This Sunday as we welcome young people to the Eucharistic table making first communion, I want to tell you about my procrastination.

I was baptized into the Catholic Church at two weeks old. I was never catechized because my dad became a Baptist minister. But I married a Catholic woman and was raising my children in the Catholic Church but I didn’t make my first communion until I was 35 years old.

I kept putting it off. And, the Lord kept calling me.

It was the same thing about becoming a Deacon. I told my wife the Lord was calling me. But I made excuses. I got other things I have to take care of first. I have a job. I have a family.

I kept putting it off. And, the Lord kept calling me.

In both instances, I was scared or unsure. Maybe I didn’t know how to do or what to do. I felt uncomfortable in a  way.

I should have learned my lesson; but still, I procrastinate. Like on this this homily. I was a little blank. I couldn’t hear or understand what message the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart. So, I googled procrastination and spent an hour reading about it.  

Then I prayed the Liturgy of the Hours and asked the Holy Spirit to send me inspiration.

The prayers for the Hours begin: God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me.

It’s amazing we put off our work for God and ask God to hurry up and come help us. It also funny the message He put in my heart, stop procrastinating– why aren’t you doing my work.

That’s where we procrastinate. Proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord and doing His work in this world.

Usually, procrastination is intentional; like that shown by the apostles in today’s gospel.

Over the couple weeks before this gospel narrative the experience of the apostles included the crucifixion of Jesus, the resurrection, and His appearing to them not once but twice behind locked doors. They had even received the Holy Spirit when the risen Christ, breath upon them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The apostles should have been on fire!

Instead, Peter announces, “I’m going fishing.” And, 7 of the 11 apostles said they were going with him.  

Instead of going out and being the fishers of men Jesus wanted them to be, they were going back to the comfort of what they knew. They were running scared.

Fishing was something they knew. It gave them comfort.

Maybe the devil put in them a longing for what was comfortable to procrastinate from doing the hard and demanding ministry Jesus had asked from them.

These first priests were scared little children in the world. Maybe they felt, they were not worthy or didn’t know exactly what to do. And, they went out and fished all night and 7 expert fishermen didn’t catch a single fish.

In the morning, Jesus appeared on the shore and called them just as they acted: “Children did you catch anything?” The apostles acting like children instead of the adults tasked with doing what the Lord asked of them.

Why aren’t we doing the Lord’s work?

Jesus will ask us to do things we consider hard. They are the same things he asked the apostles; things outside our comfort zone.

When the Lord puts something uncomfortable before us we tend to be little children. We don’t want to look foolish or be ridiculed or have someone think we are wacky religious.  

He sends us to ministries and works outside our comfort zone. The Holy Spirit moves us to work with the homeless or volunteer for hospital ministry or start a prison ministry or work to feed the hungry.  Maybe our ministry is to stand on the street and proclaim the gospel of the Jesus Christ.

Most of the time, we must start these ministries and works with nothing than the need. So we procrastinate and it’s intentional.

If we put it off, maybe someone else will do it. The devil encourages procrastination to keep us from what Jesus has asked of us.

We avoid Jesus speaking to our hearts. We out off all Jesus asks of us. If we are not doing what the Lord asks; it's like fishing all night and not catching a single fish.  

Jesus questioned Peter the rock on which he built his Church, the same Church that is all of us.

"Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"

Simon Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." He asked Peter a second time, "Do you love me?" 

"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, “Tend my sheep." Jesus said the third time, "Do you love me?"

Peter was distressed Jesus asked him a third time, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Finally to Peter, Christ speaks these words to all the Church, Follow me.

Follow Jesus Christ to the places you will feel uncomfortable and feed the hungry, give water to those who thirst, clothe the naked, and take care of the sick and dying. Follow me to places were you may be ridiculed or mocked because of me by preaching the gospel the good news of Jesus Christ.

He’s not going to stop asking you. He’s not going to stop calling you. “Do you love me?”

We as a Church, Christians, believers answer: “Lord, you know everything; you know that we love you.” If that is the case: We should have been on fire!

“Why aren’t we doing the Lord’s work?

Don’t procrastinate. Obey God. The Lord will tell us where to cast our nets.

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

Amen.

The Way, The Truth, and The Life - Homily Reflection First Friday Mass

This week Janet and I have been mentoring an engaged couple for pre-Cana. Our mentor workbook asks us share our biggest fight. It was my fault.

It was my fault because I had forgotten one truth.

My parents told me, no matter how much trouble you’re in, those who love you will be there for you. Most importantly God is there for you; put all my trouble in Jesus’ hands.

I had heard “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” all my life.  I had heard it but I didn’t know it.

For the biggest fight in our marriage was not really with my wife. It was with the devil.

I was ready to throw everything away. My wife, my family, and myself because I couldn’t handle being knocked down again and again and again by the world.

The devil was winning. He was killing the love that was in me. Not the love for my wife and children because their love kept me connected to God’s love.  The love dying in me was the love that keeps us inter-connected and interacting with the world.

They say you have to hit bottom before you can rise back up.  All I could do was the thing the devil didn’t want me to do. Put my troubles in Jesus’ hands. Put my faith Jesus Christ to seek forgiveness for all I had said and done.

That brings me here today.

During pre-canna mentoring we did another exercise where we drew a picture marriage. The engage couple draws what they expect. The married couple what they’ve experienced.

Janet’s picture was a road with ups and downs and one particularly large dip.  I think it was that fight.  Looking back now, God was in those ups and downs.

It took those ups and downs to truly understood Jesus’ words. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

My friends, you have to hear those words. You have to live those words and claim those words as your own.  All comes from Him. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is Life. He lives within us. He does all things for us.

May each of you know his love today and forever.  Amen.

Do Not Doubt Mercy - 2nd Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday

Readings

John Paul II said the logic of mercy only makes sense from the inside. To understand mercy we have to experience it. For those who have never realized God’s Divine Mercy in their life, it makes no sense. Some say our Christian faith is nonsense.

God’s mercy extends even to them.

In the divine mercy prayer of St. Faustina we pray, “Eternal Father, I offer you the body and blood, soul and divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”

God’s divine mercy was given to the whole world by the sacrifice of Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity on the cross.

Most of the world thinks it is nonsense. Most of the world denies His mercy. They deny Jesus. They deny God. Some say Christianity is a made up for simple people to believe. Despite all this, God’s Divine Mercy is for all.

Take for example Thomas.

Thomas was a disciple of Jesus. But, like all the disciples when Jesus was arrested, he ran and hid. He was not there when the brought Jesus before Pilate. He was not there when they mocked, tortured, and crucified the Lord.

He was in hiding when Mary ran to tell disciples the tomb was empty. Thomas didn’t run to the tomb.  

He didn’t think it was safe behind the doors closed and locked with the other disciples. Thomas was not there when the risen Christ came to the disciples and said “Peace be with you” and breathe upon them saying “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Thomas was not there.

He was not there when Christ by his mercy, acknowledged forgiveness to those disciples who ran or denied or hid. Thomas was not there when the risen Christ gave the apostles through the power of the Holy Spirit the authority to proclaim his mercy. “What sins you forgive are forgiven.”

Thomas was not there and doubted it happened. To him it was nonsense. I cannot believe unless I put my fingers in the nail holes of his hands and my hand in his side.

The logic did not make sense, so Thomas doubted.

Friends, do not doubt Christ’s mercy.

Christ appeared again in the room when Thomas was present and said, "Thomas put your finger in my hands and your hand in my side, believe."

The logic of mercy only makes sense from the inside and it is understood by those who know mercy. Now Thomas was on the inside. Thomas realized the mercy of forgiveness. He realized that he was forgiven for running and hiding and denying and doubting the risen Christ.

Thomas realized mercy in these words, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Do not doubt Christ’s mercy.

Peter even though he denied Christ three times, by God’s mercy he was forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit. He brought God's Divine Mercy to the whole world. In the name of Jesus Christ many signs and wonders were being accomplished by his mercy.

“For the sake of his sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

The Holy Spirit brings the mercy of God to each and every one of us and is a powerful thing.

The secret of Christ’s Divine Mercy is his death on the cross, the sacrifice of his body and blood was an act of mercy for you and me; but, many forget that it was an act of mercy for the entire world.

It was act of Mercy for those who believe and those who don’t believe; mercy for those who say there is no God or there was no such person as Jesus of Nazareth. It was even an act of mercy for those who have never heard of Christ.

You see St. John Paul II knew. Saint Faustina knew. Those of us who truly believe and live in the mercy of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy know his mercy is for the whole world.

Now, He sends us to bring that mercy to the world.

Be good be holy and bring God’s divine mercy to the whole world by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen. 

Give all Glory to God - Homily Easter Sunday 2019

Readings

Christ is risen. Alleluia!!

This is a beautiful day, the sun shining, the weather is warm, and the Lord has risen. We have just finished the season of Lent. During this past Lenten season there was no bells, no Gloria, no Alleluia.

And last night, at the vigil mass, the Gloria of the risen LORD erupted.

At Our Lady of Fatima, where I was asked to assist for the vigil service, a visiting retired priest, Fr. Pike Thomas sang the Exsultet and most of the Mass. It was beautiful. His voice was beautiful. I practiced for two weeks to sing four words - “The Light of Christ.”

It inspired me this morning to sing the Easter Sequence - Victimae Paschali Laudes

Not because, I have a great voice. Not because, I want everyone to hear me sing or even that it was remotely possible anyone here wants me to sing.  Not because I wanted to embarrass my wife.

I sing for joy. I sing to give praise and honor to Christ. I sing for Jesus, the Lamb of God, our redeemer. I sing to proclaim that Christ has overcome death and reigns immortal. 

I sing because of the way our readings begin. "You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.”

Jesus came and brought us hope. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Then he was crucified. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.

He rose from the dead, just as he promised. God raised Jesus on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us,

And, the world kept on being the world. But believers changed. We, unlike the world, seek what is above.  We are raised in Christ.

Amen! Alleluia!

But the world is still the world. The evil of the world keeps on putting believers to the same trials, tortures, and sufferings that it put on Jesus.. 

Every day, believers face all the illness, crisis, and suffering the world throws at us.This morning there was a terrorist suicide bombing of Churches during the Easter Mass in Sri Lanka, over 160 people were martyred.

In spite of all these things the world give to us, we continue to believe by faith. In that faith we are truly like the disciples and apostles.

Like the ones who were there and saw him unjustly tried, tortured, and crucified. Like the ones who saw the empty tomb. Like those who saw the burial clothes there and the cloth that covered his head fold up and put to the side. Like those who saw him and heard him and knew him and believe but still did not understand.

Like them, we believe. Like them, we run to Jesus in our darkest hours to find His light. And like them, we seek what is above not what is of earth.

This morning I have three services at three different churches. As I was driving, I noticed that some of the larger protestant churches have signs up with direction for overflow Easter Parking. Some have the deputy Sheriffs directing traffic. All are expecting so many who call themselves believer but only come to worship the LORD once or possibly twice a year.

They believe but they don’t understand. We will never truly understand, because God is a mystery. God the Father is an infinite mystery. God the Son, Christ is God an infinite mystery. A mystery as to why he became as one of us, why he experience all he experience, and the resurrection a mystery. The Holy Spirit, the flow of love between God the Father and God the Son, is the infinite mystery that is God.

And no matter if you are Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Assembly of God, Pentecostal, or other you cannot truly understand the mystery of God. Even the Church that has been given the wisest, most educated, and holy people to understand try to understand the mystery has only scratched at the mystery that is God.

This is what they preach to others that coming to worship God once or twice a year gives all they need to understand and live in this ultimate mystery. 

He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

So today, I sing to glorify God. I sing as thankful praise for all the new believers who have come to God and the Church this Easter.

I call each of you to do the same. You look at me and say but you’re a deacon.

I sing for the experiences of this Holy Week.

On Holy Thursday, my 5 year old grandson came forward to get his feet washed.  He had the biggest smile as his pop washed and kissed his feet. He pop’s heart was about to burst.

Afterward at the Church’s Passover meal and as Father and I listened, Aunt Jennifer asked if he knew what Easter was about. He answered, “Jesus died for us because he loves us.”

If a 5 year old can evangelize to a priest and a deacon so can each and every one of you.

I sing for true believers.

You cannot deny it, each and every one of us is here today because we believe or we want to believe or we seek to believe.  We should all give thanks and praise for God through Jesus Christ has touched our hearts.

Friends, do not limit our praise and glory to just this Sunday, to these seats, or to just these witnesses. Bring it out to the world.

You know what happened over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.”

God will anoint you with the same Holy Spirit.

Today, we know what is happening in our community, our state, our country and in the entire world. It is easy to see the devil in the world that continues to be the world.

For those who believe, we see the risen Christ. I see it in a 5 year old who preaches the gospel with innocence of heart. I see it in each and every face here before me, true believers. I see Christ in the homeless person sitting outside the door at 10:30 last night after the vigil mass.

He commissioned us to preach and testify that he is the one appointed by God.

Preach the Gospel any way you can! Bring the message to the people, the community, the state, the country and to the entire world. Give to God all glory, thanks, and praise.

Preach and proclaim that Jesus Christ has risen!!!

You can do this - be good, be holy and preach the good news of the risen Christ by the way you live your life and love one another.

Amen. Alleluia

All Carry Different Crosses - Homily Palm Sunday

Readings

Last week as I was sitting drinking coffee with a friend, his grandson told us a joke. It was to see how our minds worked. The joke as we heard it: There were 30 cows and 28 chickens, how many didn’t?

My mind went to a Chick-Fil-A commercial. I thought the answer was 2.

The grandfather said “I can’t answer because I don’t know. What is a “didn’t”?

The 10 year old answered. Pappaw, “didn’t” means did not. The way the joke was told: There were 30 cows and 20 ate chickens, how many did not eat chickens? The answer is 10.

It is amazing how we can see things in different ways depending on age, experiences, or just because we are individuals. We can see this cow – chicken story through the eyes of a 10 year old or a grandparent or from somewhere entirely different.

Truthfully, it is the same in the passion of Jesus. Each of us see it through different eyes and relate to different people in Jesus’ passion story.  

As Christians, most of us want to be the people waving palm branches and laying their cloaks on the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Or, we wish to give Him our best like the one who gave him the colt to ride on or the patron with the upper room.  

However, often we can more easily we see our self in the disciples who have fallen asleep in our relationship with Jesus.  Fall asleep and things happen.

Possibly, we relate to those at the Passover feast. Despite the generosity of Jesus who humbled his self to wash his disciples’ feet and literally took the form of bread and wine for those who believe; yet, they argued who was the greatest among them themselves.

Perchance, we see Peter in our acts. Despite saying he was willing to follow Jesus anywhere even to death and then pulling his sword to defend him, in fear Peter denied Jesus, once even to a maid.

Maybe, we have become like Judas. Money is the most important thing in our life despite the fact that Jesus gave his life for us.

Or possibly we are meek and timid to world like Pilate, even though we know what is right; we let others bully us into their wrong and sinful ideas.

Then there are the jealous like the accusers of Jesus. Or perhaps, we follow the crowds of the world ridiculing and denying our faith.

How many would say that in all of these, “Surely not I, LORD” but we still run away from the LORD.

We are afraid, so, it is easier for us to persecute Christ than to carry the cross.

Jesus did not want to face his own death. He sweated drops of blood but bravely and without reservation carried the cross. He carried the cross for the sins of the world.

Because of that sacrifice in each and every one of us who looked to Jesus for something truly wonderful.

No matter how their minds worked, these people in this passion story had Jesus in their midst. Christ Jesus is in our midst. Just like then, He is in the midst of all us sinners.

We live in the same world people have always lived in. We are the same as in the days of His passion. By our sins we spit on him and beat him, ridicule and mock him. Even today we betray him, deny him, and run away.

Despite the reality of then and now, Jesus took the cross of sin from each ones shoulder and put it on his own. Jesus carried that cross for them and he carries it for us. 

Jesus hung on the cross between two broken and sinful men; but, no matter how broken we are, He is there for our forgiveness.  

To find forgiveness, ask Jesus, “Remember me.”

Jesus’ cross is every cross; the cross on my shoulders and your shoulders. We would never be able to carry our crosses if Jesus did not carry his. 

We all carry crosses; some are more visible than others. Because of whom we are and how we are, each of us carries different crosses.

We carry the crosses of our sin in the lack of respect of others, greed, pride and selfishness. He carries His cross for these. His cross is for brokenness and sinfulness of those like the men who hung beside him.

Jesus’ cross is also the cross of concern we carry as we wait for lab results or cope with death, a job loss or financial catastrophe, and the cross that is the frailties of age.

Christ is in our midst and because of the promise of His cross; we will be remembered in paradise. 

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

Press On - Homily 5th Sunday of Lent

Readings

Sometimes I have to travel for work. Flying into new cities, you can be lost. To get to where you have to go you may need an Uber or Lyft or go old school and call a taxi. When your ride shows up, the driver will ask “What’s your destination?” or “Where are you headed?” We get in with faith the driver will get us to where we need to be.

“What’s your destination? Where are you headed?” That’s a great question of life and faith.

Today, the main message of our scripture is forgiveness. We are lost to sin but through Jesus’ sacrifice we are forgiven. Forgiven, the driver is encouraging us to Christ.

So, “Where are you headed?”

In the gospel, the scribes and the Pharisees were bringing an adulterous woman to Jesus for him to judge. This woman was caught in adultery what should be done? Do we stone her as Moses commanded us?

Many overlooked the next words, “They did this to test him so that they could have a charge to bring against him.”

Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. Some say, it was the commandments of God; others say he was just doodling.

But, no matter what he wrote on the ground, it was in the dirt of the sin and treachery of their hearts that Jesus wrote.

The message to the woman and the Scribes and Pharisees was this; “where are you headed?”

For the sinful woman, her acts and lifestyle may have been all she knew. She saw no wrong. It was where she was headed.

The Scribes and Pharisees were testing Jesus. In their way they saw no wrong in what they were doing. It was where they were headed.  It was their way to heaven; and, it was not about Jesus.

Jesus didn’t fall for their words. Instead he challenged them.

Writing in the dirt, Jesus challenged them to be more like him. Let the one here without sin cast the first stone.

The Scribes and Pharisee thought about it and slowly turned and walked away. Then he said to the sinful woman, go and sin no more.

He challenged them, “Where are you headed?” He called them to be like Him and forgive.

Then there was Saul of Tarsus.

Saul was a devout Jew, a Hebrew’s Hebrew, a model Pharisee, and exceedingly zealous in his faith. By the Law of Moses, his righteousness was blameless; but, where was Saul headed.

One place Saul was headed to - Damascus.

On the road to Damascus, Saul met the risen Lord.  Saul, Saul why do you persecute me? The risen Lord’s question to Saul was where are you headed?

Saul was Paul before he met the risen Lord. He firmly believed that how he lived and what he did was the way to heaven. Then the risen LORD struck Saul blind and opened the eyes of Paul.

Friends, where are we headed? Is it, to gain Christ Jesus and to be found in Him?"

Our destination should never be outside of Jesus Christ. All that God has for us or will ever do for us is in Him, with Him, and through Him.  

Paul will write: I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Like the sinful woman or the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees or even Saul, the things we do or the things we consider our spiritual advantage can actually be to our loss if they get in the way of knowing and trusting Christ.

Obviously we can’t forget our past; Paul never forgot he was once Saul of Tarsus.

But don’t live have you have done in the past. Instead, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pt 3:18)

When the Lord writes on our hearts open them to Christ and God’s love for us.

People thought there was no chance Paul would come to know the risen Lord.  Paul says, I am not perfect; but I follow after. Other translations of “I follow after” is “I press on”

If someone asked Paul “Where are you headed?” His answer would be, I follow after Christ. I press on towards Christ.

Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisees; let the one without sin cast the first stone. Follow after Christ.  Jesus tells the sinful woman go and sin no more. Press on towards Christ.

So where are we headed?  Our ride is the Church. Our driver is the Holy Spirit. Our destination should never be outside of Jesus Christ.

Friends, we are forgiven, press on to be more like Christ.

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