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!

Where are you seated? Homily - 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Praise be Jesus Chris, for ever and ever. Amen. Good Morning. I pray that God has blessed you all this week.

Friends remember our penitential prayer this morning. Lord Jesus, you return the dead to their families. Lord have mercy. Christ Jesus, you restore the health of the sick. Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus, you reconcile your people to the Father. Lord have mercy.

It is all from our gospel. Jesus tells us for this, you must have faith.

Remember that and consider these questions.

Where is your faith seated? Is your faith seated in your head or in your heart? Or does your faith exist only in where you are seated?

I say that for a reason, look around us today. How many people are seated in the pews? How many people will be seated in these pews in the future?

A person’s faith is manifest in decisions, life-choices, beliefs, and passions they show to the world. It is testified to all by the commitments chosen and remained in.

Faith is in God or something else. That something else can be arrogance or pride or shame or sin.

Look at the faith shown by our political leaders this week. They display their faith by words and actions against the Church, the Bishops, and even the most holy blessed sacrament of the Eucharist. Faith comes from where they are seated in a position of power.

And faith comes from where we are seated. Sadly, many are not seated at the feet of Christ.

The book of Wisdom tells us that because of the envy of the devil, suffering and death came into the world. The devil wants nothing more than for our faith in God through Jesus Christ to die. Look around, the faith of many is sick or dying. To be healed,  they need Jesus.  It can be seen in today’s gospel.

Jairus’ twelve-year old daughter is dangerously sick. He believes Jesus can heal his daughter, in faith he falls at Jesus’ feet to ask him to save his daughter and come right away.

And, Jesus turns immediately to go with Jairus.

But, something happens. Someone reached out an touched Jesu and it stopped him in his tracks. Jesus said “Who touched me?”

Incredulously, his disciple’s said, “Who touched you?”  Everybody touched you! The crowd is all around you.?”

But, someone had touched Jesus in a special way and Jesus knew it.  That person was a woman who had been suffering for twelve years, just as many years as Jairus had had a daughter.

Society and culture at that time believed that blood was unclean. So this woman was considered unclean. She was invisible, unnoticed, and unimportant. Yet, she was desperate for healing; but, because she was ashamed to be unclean she would not approach Jesus as Jarius did.

Yet, she still came to Jesus. 

Although the world said she was shamed, that was not the person Jesus saw. He made the synagogue official wait and said “Daughter, your faith has saved you.“

Because of society and culture today, some are afraid to stand before Jesus. They hide in the crowd. Jesus knows them. He knows their needs, suffering, and pain.

In love, Jesus turns to them and tells them, Your faith has saved you.

In the prosperity of our faith in Christ Jesus, we are asked to bring that message to them.

Jarius was a totally different story. He is an important person, an official of the synagogue. Despite his pride and position, his faith was seated for the world to see at the feet of Jesus.

There was all kinds of commotion and weeping. Those at his house said it was too late and they ridiculed Jesus. They said, deny this Jesus; send him away. (Just like the world ridicules us for our faith in Jesus)  

Addressing all this commotion, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

Jesus was there with them and he is here with us. Jesus healed those who came to him and set them free from death. He gives us the same healing and freedom.

By the richness of our faith in him, Jesus needs us to tell others, “Get up – have faith.” Faith in Jesus will save you. He wants us to tell the world, Jesus is with us always.

The disciples saw the crowds. The suffering  woman saw Jesus.

The mourners saw a dead girl. Jarius saw Jesus and witnessed his faith seated at Jesus’ feet. His daughter heard Jesus call to her.

Our true faith comes from where we are seated.

Our faith in Christ will be our decisions, commitments, and life-choices. Our faith will be testified to all by our love for God and the love for our neighbors.

And, the truth of these things are found in the gospel Jesus Christ. Do not let the world tell you differently.

Friends consider this question, is your faith seated at the feet of Jesus? Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live your life and love one another.

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

We are His Body - Homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.

Imagine yourself one of those disciples 2000 years ago. You believed Jesus was who he said he was. You saw him, feed multitude, cure the sick, calm the storm, and raise the dead. You saw him crucified, died, buried and as he promised risen. You were there to see the next wonder of Jesus’ ministry.

And Jesus gave you these instructions, “Go out and proclaim the gospel to the whole world!”  Then He began to rise up. He was lifted up and a cloud takes him from our sight.

What are we feeling? It might be wonder or fear or awe. Maybe it would be a loss for words, dumbfound or helpless, or confused. Imagine you are a disciple there with all who believed and saw Jesus ascend into heaven.

Praise be Jesus Christ – for ever and ever.

Now, come back to today and think about all the emotions in the disciples when two strangers dressed in white, asked. “Why are you just standing there looking at the sky?” Jesus is gone and not coming back until he comes in glory.

I think these men in white, angels, or God’s messengers were saying – Go do what Jesus told you to do! “Go out and proclaim the gospel to the whole world!” 

Jesus told the disciples to share the gospel in words and actions.

The disciple probably feared they would never be able to continue the ministry of Jesus. They were now alone, Jesus was no longer physically present with them.  But, He was still spiritually with them. He left his ministry, his miracles, his love with them. He sent them the Holy Spirit.

He is still spiritually with us. And, He left His ministry to us. He gives us his miracles, his love, and the Holy Spirit so that we too can proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ..  

St. Theresa of Avila describes our ministry this way:

Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world.

St. Paul wrote to share the gospel in humility, gentleness and patience.

Jesus told us of gifts we would have, the words and actions needed to bring the gospel to the world. Not many of us will speak in tongues or fight with demons. We would all love to be able to heal the sick but not many are going to want to pick up snakes.

But we can share the gospel by our actions in how we live our life and love one another. More often than not, our actions speak so much more than our words. Our actions as disciples and follower of Jesus Christ may be the only gospel many will ever read.

Even though none of us were there 2000 years ago, He left his ministry to us.

We are to live the gospel not because we think it’s a good idea. Live the gospel because it is what you believe. Live the gospel because knowing Jesus is the best thing in your life. Live the gospel because knowing Jesus makes your life better and your family’s life better. Live the gospel because the good news of Jesus Christ in a person’s life makes the world better.

Live the gospel because you want the person your words and actions touch to know a better life by knowing Jesus Christ. Live the gospel so others will come to know Jesus Christ by the Christ in you.

Jesus has no physical body now but yours. He has not hands and no feet here on this earth to touch other to bring the good news, but yours. You are the eyes of compassion that Christ uses to look on this world.

Jesus is no longer physically present. He asks us to continue his ministry. 

So here before, I stand dressed in white and ask you this. “Christians, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Go out into the world and share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ by the way you live your life and love one another. 

Praise be Jesus Christ – forever and ever. Amen.

Part of the Vine - Reflection 5th Sunday of Easter - Year B

Praise be Jesus Christ, who said I am the vine, you are the branches.

In these few words, Jesus gives Christians mission, purpose, and most of all a true direction. The mission to be one with Christ. The purpose to bear fruit for Christ. And the direction is always to Christ.

God planted the vine, cares for it, and makes it fruitful. We are nourished and prepared by the sacraments so that we may be fruitful branches of Christ.

When Christians speak the truth, we are treated just like the newly converted Paul. No one wants to hear us. Some even want to be rid of us.

More and more persons in this world are turning away from the Christian Faith.

This week, I debated with a young woman. She identifies herself as a Christian, but says she doesn’t think she needs organized religion. They have too many rules. She said many of her friends do not identify as Christians because there are too many rules that they do not agree with.

Even though she did not realize it, the basis of her arguments was - People don't want to hear the truth. They want to be rid of us.

She identifies as a Christian yet argues there is nothing wrong with living together. Birth control is not wrong. And, abortion is justified in certain circumstances.

She argues beautifully. But, argues without Christian merit and truth. She is trying to bear fruit but it does not come from the vine that is Christ.

The greatest argument for those who say there are too many rules is Christ Jesus. 

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.

The greatest win in any argument is to follow the advice in John letter. “Love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

This world gives so many untruths, especially to the young. It is truly a blessing when a young person wants to discuss faith, even if it is to say there are too many rules.

Tell them about the one who said I am the vine and you are the branches.Tell them that find nourisihes us with love.

For some, the truth is just too many rules. But, love is the best truth. Love bears much fruit. It is time to be fruitful. It is time to remain in Jesus. God will prune away the dead branches.

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way you live you life and love one another. Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen.