It’s not Mustard Greens - Homily Reflection 11th Sunday OTA

Readings

Inspired by a CH Spurgeon message

Happy Father's Day, and to all you Mothers, thank you for putting up with us.

Everybody has gotten their gardens planted; the farmers’ fields are full of growth. Today scripture tells us about planting the shoots on the high mountain and scattering seed to harvest the fruit.

Then there is the parable of a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds. In my youth, I pictured mustard green seeds. Mustard greens have the tiniest seeds, but they don’t grow into trees. It’s not mustard greens.

“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

Christ is the seed in me. The Christ in me is preaching the gospel, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. It is sowing and scattering the seed to others. Remember, the truest way to preach the gospel is in the way we live our lives and love each other.

We do not do this for fame and honor. The parable tells that one planting the seed is unknown. “A mustard seed is sown in the ground.” All it takes is someone to sow one seed.

This is proclaiming the Good News. Not doing it for fame and fortune or testimonial plaques on the wall. It is just living good and holy everyday lives sowing the seeds of the Kingdom of God.

The mustard seed was only one small seed; but, the sower didn’t leave it lying on the shelf; it was put to its proper use.

It may seem a trivial act, it is expected that a seed will be planted in the grown. But truth be told, it is a miracle of simplicity.

A single, small, naked mustard seed placed in the naked soil. Insignificant too many, but, for the seed and the sower it is an all-important matter. It is the same for the gospel, for the one preaching and the one who receives; it is an all-important matter.

Like the mustard seed, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a miracle of simplicity. But, it has to be put to proper use so it grows in the human heart. That gospel is Jesus came; he died for the forgiveness of our sins; and rose again on the third day. If we believe it, we will sow, proclaiming God’s Kingdom

The mustard seed, though small, is a living thing. Life slumbers in it. Just like life is in the mustard seed, life is in the gospel; the message the soul needs. Simplicity itself, believe the gospel and live! 

That simple seed has everything in it that it will ever become. Every branch, every leaf, every flower, every seed to be and even the plants essence is within the seed. It needs to be developed; but it is all there. 

The gospel is simple. It is goodness and it is love; yet, the Kingdom of God is everything we will ever need. It is the truth of eternal life. It is there but it needs to be developed. If we are true to ourselves and if we are true to the gospel, we will live and love as the gospel leads us.

The mustard grew. The seed became more than the size of the seed seemed to promise. “It becomes the largest of plants.” It puts forth great large branches. It became a tree. That proves that it’s not mustard greens.

Preach the gospel and truth will take root and grow. Those who accept it grow in grace to increase and strengthen the Kingdom of God! 

The tiny seed the gospel puts in us can put forth large branches of faith to become a great tree.  The LORD will lift high the lowly tree. The tree planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

The tiny seed that grew into a tree became even more.

Birds came to dwell in its branches. A tiny mustard seed that once could hardly be seen was providing life and peace to others. How many birds came to that tree in a day, a week, in a year?

When you preach the Gospel do you see this very wonderful tree? A tiny gospel seed that was once hardly seen grows to provide life and peace to others. How many lives will it touch in day, a week, in a year?

This is the parable. Plant the seeds that are the Kingdom of God. Plant that seed in the hearts of others by His gospel.  Let the seed of faith grow.

That is why St. Paul writes, “We are always courageous in this body away from the LORD. We walk by faith, not by sight. When we face judgement before Christ, each will receive recompense, according to what he did in the body.”

It’s not mustard greens; but, with faith the size of a mustard seed nothing is impossible; a little seed can grow into great things. Faith is the seed planted in our hearts.

That is the Kingdom of God.

Sow the seed, pray it grows. Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

3 Questions - Homily 10th Sunday OTB

(Readings)

It was a day in paradise, a day probably similar to today, blue skies, comfortable temperature, and low humidity. The perfect presence of God was walking in the Garden of Eden. It was the day God asked a simple but profound question. Simple questions are often the best.

There are three questions in today's scriptures. Three questions we answer every day by the way we live our lives. They are simple questions; because sometimes simple questions are the best.

My mother knew about simple questions. She had one simple question in her arsenal that asked so many questions - my whole name. If she called me by my whole name “William Earl Goss”, with a questioning timbre or tone in her voice, it was either time to run and hide or stand and confess.  

I’m sure most mom’s had the same technique. Yes, sometimes, short and simple is the best.

In the bible, God's first question is short and simple.  

The man and woman had just eaten from the forbidden tree when they sensed God's presence in the garden, so they hid from him. God called out to Adam. He probably called out with his whole name. It was only one word, Adam.

God’s simple question is “Where are you?”  The question in Hebrew is “ayeka”, which translates “Where are you?”  (Rabbi Marc Gellman)

God, who knows everything and created everything in the universe, asked “Where are you?”

God did not need to ask Adam where he was. But, Adam needed to be asked.

Maybe, God asked so man could confess and repent.

When your mother called you by your whole name, it was time to confess. Running and hiding does not good. Confess everything and do it immediately. She already knew. And God, God knows everything.

Adam who knew God and walked with God in the garden was hiding from God. The same Adam God formed from clay and blew the breath of life into his nostrils was no longer in the perfect presence of God.

If we really believe Holy Scripture holds the truths of God; then, they are truths for all eternity. God asks every person the same question when we are no longer in the perfect presence of God. God calls us by our whole name, “Where are you?”

In that question, God gives direction. He is calling us back to him.

Just like Adam, instead of answering, we hide. Hiding from God does not work!  We hide because our shame when we realize that we are naked before God.  But, God is God. We are always naked before God. God created us and knows all the intimate details. It is the world that points out we are naked.

When God ask us the simple question, “Who told you that you were naked?” Each will realize their nakedness in a different way. It may be:

• Who told you that you’re a failure?
• Who told you, you’re bad?
• Who told you, you’re not good enough?
• Who told you that money was happiness?
• Who told you that you’re not loved?
• Who told you that you cannot be forgiven?

If we are not in the perfect presence of God, we answer those questions with excuses. It's not my fault, someone else or something else made me do it! 

This story of the first man and woman is considered humanity’s fall from grace. It was our loss of the perfect presence of God.

But, we have Jesus Christ. He is the one who asks the third question.

Jesus family comes looking for him. Why? Maybe they felt their nakedness. Maybe the family was concerned or embarrassed or shamed by what the world was saying, accusing him of having an unclean spirit or being possessed by Beelzebul.

When his family arrived, the crowds said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sister are looking for you.” Maybe, his family called him out by his whole name.

Jesus didn't run and hide. Jesus had no sin to confess. Instead he asked in reply, “Who are my mother and brothers?”

Jesus, looking at those circled around the Son of God. Looking at those in the perfect presence of the incarnate word of God, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers, for whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

In his own words, Jesus calls out, “Where are you?”

If you cannot give a good answer to “Where are you?” don’t despair. Saints may be the only ones with the right answer.  Yet be honest  in giving an answer to God, God already knows everything.

Only the world sees we are naked, absent of the perfect presence of God and points it out. The world points away from its own shame.

This is why St Paul writes - What is seen (our nakedness) is transitory, what is unseen (the perfect presence of God) is eternal.

Don’t be discouraged; our nakedness is just a momentary light affliction. Our inner self is being renewed day by day to bring us an eternal glory, beyond comparison.

It is in this glory, that we can answer “Where are you?”

Here I am Lord!

My brothers and sisters, strive to walk in the perfect presence of God. Be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

There is Power in the Body and the Blood of Christ - Reflection for The Feast of Corpus Christi

Readings

Today we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Before the Gospel is a sequence. It is an ancient hymn of the Church. It is beautiful. It is poetic. It tells the universal truth of the Body and Blood of Christ.

What he did at supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, His memorial ne’er to cease:

I am different: because, I think of another song. The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ brings to mind that old gospel song “There is Power in the Blood.”

I am particularly fond of Alan Jackson’s version found here: There is Power in the Blood

As Catholics we know this to be true more than so many of our Christian brothers and sisters. Amen! However, as Catholics, we will sing, “There is Power in the Body and the Blood of Christ.”

We think this feast is about the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of Holy Communion and it is. However, the body and blood of Christ is the reason for all the sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance-Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders.

All the sacraments are established by the body and blood of Christ. Each are a promise to God for the promise made in the blood of the new covenant. And Covenants with God are forever, and even though we as imperfect humans fail to realize it, the sacraments we make are covenants with God and are forever.

These sacraments are the power of the Body and Blood of Christ. Friends all the Sacraments are important.

These are the power of the blood of the new covenant. These are the power in the Blood of Christ. How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There's power in the blood, power in the blood…, Would you o'er evil a victory win? There's wonderful power in the blood

Christ is mediator of a new covenant: his death has taken place for deliverance from our transgressions so those we may receive the promised eternal life. This is the power in the Blood of Christ.

Would you be free from your passion and pride…, There’s power in the blood, power in the blood… Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide There's wonderful power in the blood

Jesus said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”

There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

There is power in the body and the blood that is the life and the Spirit of Christ. By the new covenant and in the Eucharist, we are united with Christ through the wonder-working power of his body and blood.

We come to the power of the Body and Blood of Christ through the Sacraments, our promise to God. By the power of the blood of the new covenant and in the Eucharist the blood of Christ comes into us. Then, Christ’s life comes into us, too. By his life, we are made into one body with him, one living body that is His Church. That is a body alive with the living Spirit of Christ.

From that ancient hymn: 

What he did at supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, His memorial ne’er to cease

There is power, power wonder working power in the body and blood of Christ; but know that power we must be like Jesus, break the bread, share the body of Christ. Pass the cup of the blood of the new covenant and drink from it fully.

Then we bring the power of the body and blood of Christ to the world.

Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel, the power of the body and blood of Christ, by the way you live and love. Amen.

Why Curse the Fig Tree? - Homily for First Friday Mass and Adoration

Prayer: Lord Jesus keep us true to our faith, true to love, and true to you. Amen

Why Curse the Fig Tree?

Jesus could do without food. He fasted for forty days in the wilderness, resisting temptation. He fed 5000 with a couple of loaves and a few fishes. If Jesus commanded the fig tree would have produced abundant fruit. So, why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

Even though it was out of season, the fig tree was full of leaves and the splendor of those leaves promised it would be full of fruit. That is the way fig trees are in that part of the world. The tree promised to be fruitful, but bared no fruit. Comparing it to a person, it would have been a hypocrite, putting on a false appearance. So, Jesus cursed it.  

Cursed means He passed judgement. "May no one ever eat of your fruit again!"

Jesus was cursing hypocrisy. The hypocrisy of the fig tree was all leaves and no fruit. The hypocrisy of humanity is all show and no love. Many speak and boast but bare no fruit.

Hypocrisy is not that we are sinners; but, we pretend NOT to sin and are too proud to be humble, honest, or human. Like the people Jesus found in the temple that would speak and boast of their relationship with God but bared no fruit. They had made the promise and splendor of God’s temple, a house of prayer, into a den of thieves.

The priests and scribes heard Jesus was there and feared him…, they were all show and no fruit; hypocrites in faith, all show and no love. 

And, Jesus passed judgement on them, driving out those buying and selling, overturning the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those selling doves.

When evening came, He went out of the city.

The next day, the fig tree was withered and dead. The next day, the priests and scribes withered and died in conspiring to put Jesus to death.

Friends turn away from hypocrisy. Lead a life that is an authentic and genuine worship of God. If you preach, preach the words of God. If you serve, serve with the strength God supplies.  Let your love for one another be true and intense.

More than anything else as Jesus said, "Have faith in God.”

In other words, be good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

33 - Love upon love - Homily Holy Trinity Sunday

What a great weekend! This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. But, there's a couple of other things we celebrate as well.

One is Memorial Day. In honor of all those who gave their life in service to our country we will take a moment for silence and prayer.

Most Holy Trinity, we remember those who gave their life in service for our country. They all served in honor for the love of this country and their families. May all those who died as believers be among the people the Lord has chosen for his own. May they know eternal piece at the foot of your throne. We ask this, in the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The second are all the anniversaries in May and June. Today is Janet and Herbert Breard’s 40th anniversary. How many of the rest of us celebrate our anniversaries during May and June?

Another anniversary celebrated this Friday wass Janet Goss and Deacon Bill’s 33rd. I began my anniversary celebration Friday morning with adoration. Friday Adoration at St. Lawrence begins at 6:30 a.m. Janet misses it because of work. I spent my hour with God praying for my family and thanking God for the past 33 years of life with my wife.

When I returned my wife had left I printout on the significance of the 33rd anniversary. First, the number 33 is the sum of the numbers represented by the letters in the world Amen.  The A is 1. M is 13. E is 5. N is 14 and if you add those numbers 1 + 13 + 5 + 14 they equal 33. It’s probably not true for the word Amen in Greek or Hebrew or Latin or Aramaic; but, it's a nice thought.

Another, 33 is the number of Miracles reported in the Gospels. Yes, scripture says that there were many more miracles not written about, but 33 is the number recorded.

Thirty-three is also the number of years that Jesus was on the earth.

Spiritually, the 33rd anniversary is represented by meditation, contemplation, philosophy, and prayer. It’s appropriate then that I began my day with meditation, contemplation, and prayer at Adoration.

However, not in the printout about the 33rd anniversary is the two 3s. We celebrate and worship a Triune God. One God in three persons, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The 33rd anniversary calls to mind the Holy Trinity, twice.

The mystery of the Triune God is hard to wrap our heads around; one God in three distinct persons. In deacon formation we were told the one thing we can know about the mystery of the Trinity is love. God the father is the lover, the son (Christ the word of God) is the Beloved, and the Holy Spirit is the actual love between the father and the son. The Holy Trinity, the Triune God is love - upon love - upon love.

I'd like to think that my 33rd anniversary was love - upon love - upon love - upon love - upon love - upon love.

This was the God the Moses knew. The one described as “The Lord who is God in Heaven above and Earth below; there is no other.

Moses knew the same God we know. Although Moses may not have been able to articulate the Holy Trinity or a Triune God, he knew God. The scripture that is credit to him tells us that in the very beginning God said let us make man in our own image. God spoke and begat the word  and the Word was God. The Holy Spirit was part of that us, the Ruach, the breath, the spirit of God t was calming the waters of chaos in God’s creation.

Moses was led by the spirit of God. Scripture tells us those led by the spirit of God are sons of God. And in that we can cry “Abba Father.” Led by the Spirit, we become children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.

We are heirs to that love - upon love - upon love that is the Holy Trinity. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

By the Spirit we are led to baptism.

I remember my baptism. Not my first one when I was a two-week-old at the Cathedral Holy Nativity in Biloxi Mississippi. I mean my second baptism.

My father, the baptist minister, preached about the importance of being saved, knowing God, and being born again in baptism. At 12 years old, I made the altar call. I knew God, I knew Jesus, but I wanted to know the Holy Spirit.

So one spring day on the banks of the Bayou Barbue near Emmanuel Community in Natchitoches Parish, I was baptized by the Baptist Church. I opened my eyes to look for the Holy Spirit t my father had preached about so many times. Instead, I saw beautiful. I saw a kaleidoscope of colors. The blue of the sky, the green of the trees, the golden sparkling reflections of the sun shining through the water. But, I did not see the Holy Spirit.

It wasn't until I made my first communion in my mid thirties that I experienced the Triune God in my life. As I received Christ on my tongue, it was like nothing I had ever experience. I truly knew Christ was part of me. I truly felt the presence and fire of the Holy Spirit. I knew what it meant to cry “Abba, Father.”

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

We began speaking about anniversaries. Many, for one reason or another, may not celebrate this type of anniversary; but, remember, we are all chosen in love by one so much greater than any person. Each and every one of us is chosen by God. Chosen to be his own. Chosen to answer the call of Jesus Christ. Chosen to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We are called in baptism to share the love upon love upon love that is the Holy Trinity.

In being chosen, we are to go and make disciples of the whole world.

Be good, be holy and preach the gospel of Christ. Living as one God has chosen to be his own; sharing the love - upon love by the way you live and love one another. Amen.

I have never heard that Wind.... A homily for the Feast of Pentecost

My first charismatic worship experience was when my father left the Baptist church and attended a Pentecostal Church. He asked me to go with him.

I knew Mass and the Baptist service; both, quiet reverent services. Mass had standing and kneeling. The Baptist had the Amen or occasional Hallelujah.

But, I had heard things. I didn’t know what to expect. When I got there, people were shouting, speaking in tongues, dancing, waving their arms, and falling to the floor. I was about 13 and it scared me.

Think about the apostles. Maybe they were scared as they waited for the one the Father would send. They didn’t know what to expect. Jesus promised the Paraclete would come, so, they waited. The time they waited between the ascension and Pentecost is known as the in-between time.

We all have in-between times in our lives; time in-between the big events. Times we are scared or don't know what to expect. What do we do with them? Let me suggest this, pray.

We as believers pray…., Come Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Then, we wait.  

I have an in-between time on the altar each week. Before I proclaim the gospel, I ask for a blessing.  “Bless me, Father.” Then with the Book of the Gospel I proceed to the ambo to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord. In that in-between time, I pray.

I pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to come make my words loud and strong so that all may hear. I pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the Gospel will fill all those who hear it with the Holy Spirit so they may go forth and live a life that proclaims the Gospel of the Lord.

If I give the homily, I pray that the Lord fills my meager words with the power of the Holy Spirit to touch hearts and souls for the Lord. In that in-between time, I pray and give myself over to the Holy Spirit.

That’s what the apostles did. They came together in the upper room and prayed. They prepared to proclaim the Gospel. They prepared for the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house…

I once asked a friend who attended a Charismatic Holiness Church and who experienced the Holy Spirit by falling on the floor in ecstasy and speaking in tongues if he knew it was going to happen.

Maybe, I asked because I wanted the experience. Maybe, I doubted.

He said the Spirit comes with the sound of a driving wind, when you hear that, make yourself ready.

I have never heard this wind…. But what he said was so true.

We cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit unless we make ourselves ready. God does not impose himself on anyone. We must make ourselves ready by being open to the coming of God’s love.

To receive the gifts of Christ, to receive the Holy Spirit, to open up to the charisms or charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit, we have to open up to the coming of God’s love.

All the things the apostles experienced at the coming of the Holy Spirit is theophany; the visible manifestation of God to man. The theophany of the Holy Spirit robed in the mystery, majesty, and mighty power that is God yet made visible so those present could experience it.

What does that in-between time have to do with this? People want to know the presence of the Holy Spirit. They want to be restored to paradise that is the Kingdom of God. Yet, they are afraid to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit.

But, they are in the in-between waiting for something to happen: A driving wind, tongues of fire, and speaking in tongues. 

I have never heard this wind….

Let me suggest this - Pray. Prayers don’t have to be poetry or eloquent words. Just pray with heart that is true. Pray the prayers learned as a child. Pray with an earnest heart.

Pray, for the Gospel tells us:  No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit …, 

Jesus told us that “when the Advocate comes, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, will testify to me. And you also testify….

No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit….  If we give ourselves over to the Holy Spirit, we will testify Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

The Holy Spirit is everywhere in history. It breaks through in critical moments, moments when the universe needs, moments when humanity needs, and moments when you and I need. The Holy Spirit never ceases to come into the world.

Give yourself completely to the Holy Spirit. Live by the Spirit. Follow the Spirit.  Be open for the coming of the Holy Spirit, because, the mystery, majesty, and mighty power of God is proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is a true anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Many are living in the in-between times, waiting for the sound of a driving wind, tongues of fire, or the ecstasy the Holy Spirit brings. They wait for an anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

I have never heard that wind …, but, I know the presence of the Holy Spirit.

I know the presence of the Holy Spirit that never ceases coming into the world and our lives. The theophany, the visible manifestation of God to the world is this: No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit…,

Come Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Be good, be holy, pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit to proclaim that Jesus is my Lord and savior; by the way you live and love. Amen.

Real & Tangible - Homily for Solemnity of the Ascension/Mother's Day

(Readings)

We celebrate three things this week. You can probably guess two very easy.  Some of you may know the third. First, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.  Second, we celebrate Mother’s Day. The third we’ll save for later.

One of my favorite lines from the Bible “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Today, over 2000 years later, we can ask Christians the same question. “Christians, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Christians are supposed to be doing more than just waiting around. Faith must be in our everyday life. It must be in our heart, our hands, our feet, and in our labor. Don’t let your faith be all in your head (Rohr), looking at the sky, and waiting for something to happen.

Jesus final words to his disciples before he ascended into heaven: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” After Jesus spoke to them, he was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.

The apostles then went forth and preached everywhere. And, the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. We are to do the same by bringing the Gospel to the world in real and tangible instances. (Rohr)

Each of us will go according to the measure of Christ's gift with some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers in the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ…,

He gave a special gift to many. That gift is being a good Christian mother; Happy Mother’s Day.

Not all mothers are perfect mothers; but, for most of us, we truly love our mother. St. Paul’s words can be used perfectly to describe most mothers.  You live in a manner worthy of the calling, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity through the bond of peace.

All of us are sitting here today because of someone who is a mother. A mother is not just the person who gave birth to us; but, the person who made us who we are in this life.

Most of us are here in this holy space today because of our mother. She made sure we were at mass. She taught us our prayers. She prayed over us at night as we slept. She prayed for us when we strayed away from the Lord. In these, the mother is the heart and spiritual strength of families.  

Mothers are can even be the reason some Dads come to mass. Children and Dads remember this grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.  Loving Christian mothers are definitely a gift from the grace of God.

Just as Paul urged the Ephesians to live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received. That is what our Mothers urge us to do with our lives.

Our mothers are our first ministers, our first teachers, and our first evangelist. It is by her example we bring the Gospel of Christ to the world; as parents, as single persons, as families, as Catholic Christians.

The way our Mothers (and Dads) raised us is the way we live, love, and preach the gospel. Mothers bring us to the Gospel in the real and tangible.

Can anyone think of the third thing we have to celebrate this weekend?

Luke writes the book of Acts to Theophilus. He writes to one who is a lover of God. We have many Theophilus here are St. Lawrence. But, fifteen years ago, on Mother’s Day, St. Lawrence was introduced to a true Theophilus.

A young man, dark hair, with a beautiful beaming smile was introduced to us as our new priest. Fifteen years ago, a Theophilus, a Lover of God came into the lives of all of us here at St. Lawrence. That was Fr. Job.

He came to our community to build up the body of Christ. He did not just come to preach to this one little community. He came to evangelize to many.

Fr. Job brings the love of Christ that is in him to the whole world. He is a true evangelist that has brought unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God to all of the Northeast Louisiana Community and in his ministry at the Catholic Campus Ministry has touched people throughout the world.

Fr. Job truly preaches the Gospel in the real and tangible. Fifteen years ago, I said Father you are going to have to have to come out of your shell, who would have thought.

Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. We celebrate Mother’s Day. We celebrate Fr. Job’s anniversary in our community. And, we also celebrate his birthday, Monday.

Fr. Job, and I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and those who are like mothers to us.

In closing, I remember my mother would often say to me, “Billy don’t just stand there looking at the sky, daydreaming. Get out there and do something.”

My friends don’t just stand there looking at the sky, be good, be holy and preach the gospel in the real and tangible ways you live and love. Amen

Big Bang - Homily 6th Sunday of Easter

Readings

I was sitting in my recliner, contemplating scripture when a commercial came on for the “The Big Bang” television show. It got me thinking.

Scientists say that the universe was created by the big bang. It was originally the theory of a Belgian astronomer, physicist, and Catholic priest, Monsignor Fr. Georges Lemaître.

His primeval atom hypothesis examined the origin of the universe. He proposed that the universe is in an ever expanding state that started with a specific event.

Sarcastically, his critics called his hypothesis “the Big Bang Theory.” The description of his idea as the Big Bang Theory stuck.

He had plenty of critics. Scientific critics said his theory was too religious. Religious critics said it was too scientific and contrary to God.

Lemaitre had insight that his critics failed to acknowledge. Faith and reason are complementary. Faith and reason are the ways God interacts with the world. Pope Benedict XVI said, “Not to act reasonable is contrary to the nature of God.”

God created everything out of nothingness. The big bang actually seems a reasonable description of the impact of God’s word on total nothingness. Sing to the LORD a new song, he has done wondrous deeds.

By faith, we know the divine mystery that is God spoke. God’s word begot Christ and God’s word begot love. Creation began. God’s act of creation and God’s act of love set everything in motion. The universe was created.

By faith we know these first words of the Bible, “In the beginning, God created.” Reason calls the event of creation the big bang.

As the universe is ever expanding, so is God’s love. God’s love is infinite, but God’s love ever expands and is revealed through creation.

This is the way the love of God was revealed to us, God sent his only Son into the world. Jesus is God’s love. The big bang was manifest on earth by his sacrifice on the cross, the ultimate act of love for our salvation. It changed the world.

Jesus commands us to be part of the ever increasing expansion of God’s love. This is my commandment love one another as I love you.

Monsignor Lemaître said the Holy Spirit knew perfectly the Universe. God in all his omnipotence knew what the big bang started. It started love. It is a love that has no partiality. It is not restricted to a nation, a people, a race, or a group.

God’s love is infinite and knows no partiality. But it is up to us to be the continuing expansion of the realization of God’s love in the world. Bearing witness by calling each other friends; being fruitful; and doing all we do in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is total self-sacrificing love. This is the love Christ asks of us.

God’s love is the big bang that starts our life of expanding and encompassing love for the rest of eternity. Everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Everything starts with our own personal big bang. The truth we must realize to have that happen is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us.

Realizing God loves us changes everything. It changes us to live the command he gave us: Love one another. Pope Francis wrote - We are all called to live our lives with love; bearing witness in everything we do; wherever we find ourselves.

Jesus said “remain in my love.” Giving praise and thanksgiving to God anchors us to Christ’s love. The Eucharist anchors us to Christ’s love. Prayer anchors us to Christ’s love. “Whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.”

I read Albert Einstein said Fr. Lemaitre’s Big Bang “…is the most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation….” Maybe, Einstein understood faith and reason.

Faith and reason are complimentary. “Not to act reasonable is contrary to the nature of God.” God knows perfectly his work.

Friends, truth is the beginning of everything and all truth is God's truth. Truth is found in God’s love.

Live your life loving one another because love is of God. Live in the truth of God’s love.

Be good, be holy and make a big bang in the world by preaching the gospel in the way you live and love. Amen.