He is Risen Indeed - Homily 3rd Sunday of Easter

 Jesus Christ is risen, Alleluia  

A friend, an elder in the Lutheran Church, sent me this Easter Greeting the first thing Easter Morning. The response I texted back, “He is risen indeed. Alleluia, Alleluia.”

This is a traditional Easter greetings among Christians, but, I wonder if these are the words the disciples shared after Jesus appeared to them the first time?  I’m not sure because I don’t think they were sure.

The disciple were behind closed doors when Jesus appeared to them. Thomas put his hand in Jesus side and fingers in the nail marks. The disciples felt the breath of Jesus upon their face when He breathed upon them. And they were still not sure.

All that was going through their minds, did we not see Jesus crucified? Was this Jesus or a ghost that passed through the walls? They were not sure what they had seen.

Simon Peter has the answer, “I’m going  fishing.” The other disciples say, “We’re coming with you.” They go fish all night and catch nothing.

When the dawn comes. Jesus is standing on the shore looking towards them. They could see Jesus well enough; the boat was only about 100 yards from shore. However, the disciples did not realize it was Jesus.

Jesus speaks; calls them children. “Cast the net over the right side of the boat” and they did. “The number of fish in their net was so great; they were not able to pull it in.”  The disciples may have thought, it seems this happened before. They remembered the  time Jesus said that he would make them fishers of men.  And, John realized, “It’s the Lord.” Then, Peter excitedly jumps out of the boat to get to Jesus.

On shore, Jesus has the Eucharist ready for them. Even though no fish had been brought to shore, fish were cooking. Bread was ready to be broken and shared. Jesus tells the disciples; bring what you have.

There is a whole lot of meaning in that short sequence. Time does not allow us today to explore all that is there.

The point I believe this gospel make is He is risen indeed. 

A second point is Jesus asked the disciples to do some things. Share the Gospel. Baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Build my Church. Share the Eucharist.  Jesus called them to a new life.

Like children they had a hard time doing as told. They hid.  Even after Jesus breathed upon them the Holy Spirit, they ran to the isolation of a boat in the middle of the Sea of Tiberius.

Maybe they forgot Jesus could walk on water.

They wanted the comfort and familiarity of their old life because the disciples were scared. They were scared for the mission Jesus had given. They were scared for their lives and the persecution to come. They were scared of things they had seen, experienced, and would experience.

Was the Jesus they saw a ghost? Was the Jesus that came to them a hallucination or was Jesus really raised from the dead and alive? None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”

A question to be asked by many answered by this Gospel account.  Was Jesus dead - the dead do not eat? Was Jesus a ghost - ghost do not eat?  Did the disciples hallucinate – hallucinations do not serve you fish and bread to eat?

Jesus is a living, breathing, tangible person standing before them.  Jesus body, blood, soul, and divinity invites the disciples to breakfast. Only the living needs to eat.

That meal is the Eucharist.. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.  The disciples truly realize Jesus Christ resurrected to life. They are able to tell everyone the resurrection was not myth or story.  Jesus is alive and eats breakfast.

He is risen indeed.  This truth is the enormity of Jesus’ promise. It is in the enormity of all He asks of us. It is truth for long time disciples, followers of Jesus, new believers, and those who want to believe.

In Jesus Christ, life goes on. We eat breakfast. We visit with our friends. We live our lives doing the things we enjoy. Called in our everyday lives to something greater.

Jesus told the disciples to share the Good News. Baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Build His Church. Share the Eucharist. Come to a new life.  Instead, they were scared. They ran and hid.

Loving them, Jesus came with a simple meal to give them strength.

Just like the disciples, we are to share the Gospel. Baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Build up His Church. Share the Eucharist.  We are called to a new Christian life and we can often run away and hide.

Loving us, Jesus comes to us in a simple meal to give us strength to do the things he asks.  It gives us strength to face all the scary issues of our individual lives in this scary world.  

“Blessed are those who have not seen and believed.”

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

He is risen, indeed.  Alleluia - Alleluia 

"How Big are They in There?" - Homily 3rd Sunday of Lend "C"

Reading I: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15   Responsorial Psalm:103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11  Reading II: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12  Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen

At Friday's fish fry, I was asked if my homily was ready. No, it wasn't, in fact I was studying the scripture as I ate fish. But, God would send me the message he wanted. As most of you know, God sends me messages through the eyes of a child.

Walking to my truck with my grandson, I explained to him about good choices and listening. "Liam, Poppy can't keep coming to school because you do not listen to your teachers." 

He answered, I don't know how to listen. So I told him, "Use your ears to hear what people say. Use your head to understand what they say. Use your heart to know the right thing to do."

Then he says “that’s because Jesus lives in your heart.” Then he asks “Does God live in there too?.”  

I said "yes, God and Jesus are both in your heart." 

Then he asks, “Well how big are they in there?”

God spoke to my heart, go with it.  

Moses sees fire flaming out of a bush; and, though on fire, was not consumed. Moses decided – I must go and look at this remarkable sight.

Moses asks God “‘What’s your name?” God replied, “I am who am.” If any one asks who sent you tell them “I am that I am.”  God tells Moses - I will be what I will be. I will create what I create. I am being itself. I am the alpha and omega. I am eternal.

God is the flaming fire of goodness that does not consume us but makes us more. God is in creation all around us. God is in each of us. We are his creation.

God tells Moses this is how big “I am.”

There is Christ, the spiritual rock that sustains us. He was with the Israelites as they came out of Egypt. He is with us now. We all drink from the same spiritual rock.

Jesus comes to search for our fruitfulness. The fruits of faith, love, joy, and hope we share with others. Many times, he finds none. We let bad things, suffering, and fear stand between the God and us.  It keeps us from listening to the one we need to hear.

Jesus came to rescue us from that fear and suffering. He knew fear and suffering more than most of us will know. From that, He preached hope, peace, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life realized in the heavenly kingdom to come. 

Then He left to his disciples the responsibility to cultivate the ground. He gave them the gospel and instructions on how to make it fertile. 

We have Christ in us. Christ is in others. That is how great the love of  Christ is. 

In Christ's love, love we are to be fruitful.

And yet, St. Paul warns many proclaim and profess this; yet, God is not pleased with most of them. Many think they are secure in what they believe; but, they grumble or desire evil things. To all those, take care.

Bad things are going to happen in this world. We are afraid of those bad things. We are afraid of the suffering that happens. To avoid bad things and suffering, people make bad choices failing to listen for what they need to hear with their ears, their heads, and their hearts. 

But, a 3 yo would probably not understand any of these things. So, I answered him like a grandfather not a deacon.

God and Jesus both live in you. When you breathe air you do not get bigger right then; but, you need air to grow and become a big boy. God made the air. God made our food. God made us. God is in all that makes you grow to become a big boy. God is even in the choices you make because Jesus lives in the goodness and love we have. He helps you make the right choices.

He answered, “Ooo-kay, I going to ride my scooter now."

This is the 3^rd Sunday of lent – Scrutiny Sunday. Friends, today do an examine. Look at the choices we make. Use our ears, heads, and hearts to listen to the goodness and love of Christ that is in all of us.  

Most will fail to listen to Jesus speaking to them from the goodness and love in their hearts. Never fail to follow him. When we fail to follow the Jesus in us, we crucify him again and again.

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

Because, I Don't Want to Be Bad - Homily Reflection - 1st Sunday of Lent "C"

 Reading I: Deuteronomy 26:4-10     Responsorial Psalm: 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15     Reading II: Romans 10:8-13     Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

May Jesus Christ be praised –forever and ever. Amen

Welcome to Lent. At St. Lawrence, we had Ash Wednesday service. It was well attended. People came to receive ashes and were told “remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return” or to “repent and believe in the gospel.”

Fridays, we prayed the Way of the Cross. We pray the Way of the Cross for love of Jesus. We take Lent seriously and at the end of Lent, we pray we will be closer to Jesus.

However, the temptations of this world make it hard to grow closer to Jesus. There was a good number of people for Ash Wednesday service, but there could have been more. We had faithful believers praying the way of the cross, but the Church was mostly empty.

Even today, temptations keep the pews from filling. We are all tested and we all fail. My 3-year-old grandson expresses the dilemma of this world best when asked why he misbehaves. He answers truthfully, “Because, I don’t want to be bad!”

God knows us. Jesus knows what it is to be tempted. He came to experience things we experience. Look at our temptations and look at Jesus’. They are close to the same.

We live in a world so full of evil. It is constantly around us. People and countries with power can be spiteful, vindictive, and greedy. Our neighborhoods and communities can be the same. People in their own little circle of influence want power through being spiteful, vindictive, and greedy.

Because of the consequences these things bring upon others – war, crime, fear, and tragedy, people can find themselves tempted to be defeated or tempted to feel unworthy, or tempted to not  even start.

That was something Jesus knew as well. Jesus baptized by John heard God say this is my beloved Son. Then Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days of trials, test, hunger, and to face the temptations of the devil.

That is our life. We are baptized and become clean adopted children of God. Then we face the wilderness of this world full of violence, illness, suffering, and just plain bad.

Evil in the world tells us there is no God. It becomes easy for the hurt to question how God could let horrible things happen. Even in bad times, God is always present. “He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders”

The devil does not want you to realize that truth. He works against all that is good. He even tempted Jesus. If you are hungry, command these stones to become bread. He showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and said all of this is yours - if you worship me.

Then the devil came after Jesus with this temptation, if you are truly the son of God, test him, throw yourself off this temple parapet and see if he saves you. Satan tested Jesus’ faith in God - if there is a God he will save you.

Instead of turning against God, Jesus avows fidelity in God by faith, worship, and scripture. Jesus did not forget who he was and withstood the temptations.

Jesus tells the devil, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

This is Jesus’ example of how we must overcome the temptations and worldly evil by faith, worship, and scripture. Be with us, Lord, when we are in trouble.

Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no distinction between people; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If we believe in God, we don’t want to be bad. Repent and believe the gospel.

We adore you O Christ and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. At the end of Lent, we pray we will closer to Jesus.

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.

Watch Your Tongue - Reflection - 8th Sunday OTC

Reading I: Sirach 27:4-7   Responsorial Psalm: 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16   Reading II: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58    Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

May Jesus Christ be praised, forever and ever. Amen

Several years ago, I worked with a construction superintendent who was a huge body builder. Some would say he was scary. Truthfully that may have been why the company hired him.

Around his neck was large cross that hung outside his shirt. I asked about it. He said he wore it so people would know his faith. He confided in me that he was Catholic but went to a non-denominational church with his wife.

Later in the day, we visited one of his company’s construction sites. During that visit, it was hard to recognize the Christian. The words that came out of his mouth were vulgar and obscene. They were inconsistent with  who he told me he was.  “Praise no one before he speaks, for it is then that people are tested.”

When we started to another location, I said to him. “I would appreciate it if you would tone down your language when you speak to  people. It’s not respectful to whom you are speaking. It is not respectful to me and I cannot be associated with your words.”

He apologized.

I  asked him to look at himself on that construction site. “Is that how Jesus speaks to you? If Jesus asked for an account of your life, is that the words you would use with Jesus?”

Then, this - big, burly, scary - body builder started crying. “No” he said, “that is not Jesus."

Over the next couple of years, I worked with him several times. I never heard anything similar from his mouth again.

In him, I saw Jesus’ parable. “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree is known by its fruit; people do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles.”

All are called to bring others to Christ. The problem is we can only show them the truth of the healing and promise of Christ  in us. If we show the world crudeness, bitterness, hatred, and greed and say we are Christians, then we become the blind leading the blind. Bad things will happen.

To bring someone to Christ, we must first remove the beam from our own eye.

The message around us is “The world does not need God.” It seems to be the path many in the world has chosen.  Even though the world cries out for peace and justice it does not know the source of true peace and justice. 

Even Christians bring the same message if God is not foremost in their life. They forget to pray and begin to set a bad example of what it is to be a Christian. So rest of the world does not expect to see Christ in the words and actions of everyday people who call  themselves Christians. Instead, they see hypocrites. They see Christians not bearing good fruit. 

Parent, friend, husband, wife, brother, sister, or neighbor, what do those around you see? 

At one time, I would have never said anything to my friend about his language. Even though I have long professed a Christian, in the past my language was just as crude. Then by prayer and contemplation came a true realization of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. By grace and  love, the teacher trained this disciple to be more like him.

That teacher has truly came into the heart of my friend. He changed jobs and became more involved in his Church. He leads the youth ministry program. “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good…, for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

My beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Continue to pray, witness the gospel, and give to others goodness, respect, and love.

Wish good to your neighbor. Help others in kindness. Have love and respect for all people. Always give praise and thanksgiving to God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

My Singing Voice - Homily 6th Sunday OTC

Reading I: Jeremiah 17:5-8     Responsorial Psalm: 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6     Reading II: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20     Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever.

A couple of things in today’s scriptures that I noticed are the many blessings in our lives and the second is that God is with us when we don’t feel blessed.

Today is world marriage Sunday. For all those called to the vocation of marriage it is one of many blessings. I have been blessed for almost 37 years.

Another blessing is the liturgy of the mass. I am blessed to come to mass, humble myself before God, and pray in petition, supplication, praise, and thanksgiving. I am blessed to be able to share in Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.

I am blessed and you are blessed. We can preach and witness the gospel of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the promise of eternal life, and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. That is our faith. If you do not believe these, St. Paul says your faith is in vain.

There are many in the world who do not know this blessing. Those may be people of other faith traditions. There may be people who feel they do not have enough time to  worship God.  Some may have something they feel is more important.

Then there is the poor. The ones who cannot worship because of persecution. Maybe their poverty is a lack of priest and clergy. They may be poor in health or physical condition and cannot make it to worship.

I would like to offer the one blessing I miss. Most of the time at mass, there is beautiful voices offering prayerful songs of praise and then there is my voice. God gives me so many blessings but he did not bless me with a singing voice. I have hope, by God’s grace, one day that will change.

There are so many blessings given and all are given by God’s grace. Jeremiah says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord.” The Psalmist sings  follow God’s word and be blessed.

These are beatitudes, a form of blessing given to encourage people to do good. Simple ways of saying have hope in God, follow his word, and you will be blessed.

Do good and do not be wicked. Do not follow sinners or keep company with the insolent but instead take delight in God’s ways. Do good by placing your trust and hope in the Lord.

Jesus takes on the beatitudes differently.

Coming down from the mountain, Jesus begins to teach his disciples. We know that almost all the words of scripture holds truth and we hear “raising his eyes toward his disciples he begins.” Jesus beatitudes come from a lowly perspective.

Blessed are those who are poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded, insulted, and denounced. They will be rewarded who suffer these shameful experiences. God will bless them if they put their trust in him.

The poor do not put their trust in human things so they turn to God. They cannot put hope in money they have none. They cannot put hope in possessions they are very few. They cannot put hope in all the good the world lavishes upon them; the rest of the world wants to put them out of sight.

Woe to you who puts your trust in money, possession, and the good will of others. It is trusting in human things. Jeremiah had hard words for these people.  “Cursed the one who trust in human things, seeks strength in the flesh, and has turned their hearts away from God.”

Jesus’ beatitudes are different. They come from a different place and are meant as comforting words to people who needed to hear his good news. And, even if  Jesus teaches from a different perspective, it is the same beatitude Jeremiah taught.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord.

That is the principle of all the beatitudes. Blessed are you if you do not look for blessings that come from the world -  wealth, money, possessions, fame, reputation, or power.

Blessed are you if you are not be wicked. Blessed are you if you do not follow sinners or keep company with the disrespectful. Take delight in God’s ways. There you will know true riches and be satisfied. In Christ, you will laugh and leap for joy for the reward of those blessed by God is in heaven.

My friends that is where I will find my singing voice.

There are many blessings in our lives.  Jesus told us we are blessed because God is with us even when we do not feel blessed.

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

Amen.

Help Me to be Good - Homily 2nd Sunday OTC

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.

My youngest grandson has a devotion to Mary. Every Sunday after mass he runs to the prayer garden at St. Lawrence and stands at the foot of the  statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And he says this prayer ‘God is great, God is good. Amen.’

Then he adds “Please help me be a good boy. Amen.

We pray that little prayer a lot at our house.

There was a wedding at Cana. Jesus’ mother was there and so were Jesus and his disciples. When the wine ran short, Mary went to Jesus with the problem. His answer to her, “how does your concern affect me, my hour has not yet come.”

That is an interesting question. We could pray about it for hours. But look at Mary’s response.

His mother just turned around and said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” And, they did. They filled six stone jars with water. Then, the waiters drew some out. The water had become the good wine.

In her response to Jesus, think of the Christmas song Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters?

All good mothers know their children; but, maybe Mary knew a little more. Remember all the things she was told and kept in her heart, by the Angels, by Elizabeth, by the shepherds and knelt and paid homage to the new king. She kept in her heart, the words of Simeon and the Prophetess Anna from the presentation at the temple.  All the things she was told and kept in her heart, Mary knew.

Jesus is the good wine for God is great. God is good. Amen.

And Mary has always brought our problems and needs to Jesus.

The headwaiter was speaking about more than just the wine in his cup when he said, “Everyone serves good wine first… but you have kept the good wine until now.”

In that time with no newspaper or internet or television, people would have shared this story about a new teacher they had hear about from Nazareth. They would share the story in the marketplaces and meeting places and homes. And as that story was shared from person to person, people may have compared Jesus to another great person – Moses who had turned the water of the Nile into blood.

Now, something greater had happened. Someone greater had turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana.

Some would remember the prophecy of Isaiah that told of a wedding, a covenant between God and his people in which the LORD God rejoices.  They would compare the wedding Isaiah promised to bring blessings and great joy to the people to this wedding at Cana.

Some would begin to believe that Jesus is the new covenant. He would bring blessings. It was Jesus who simply spoke and the water in these stone jars became wine. It was the best of wine at the wedding in Cana.

It was the best wine, think about the promise. Certainly, the good wine brings joy, abundance, blessing, and life that God promised. Some who heard the story would know something special had happened. Some would realize the good wine presented at that wedding was Jesus, the goodness of God brought to us.

That best would continue to bless. There would be miracles, healings, and casting out demons. He would feed the hungry, calm the seas, and walk on water. He would transform wine into his own blood. He would give the gift of salvation for all God’s adopted sons and daughters. Through him is the promise of eternal life. He would give of himself to make us good wine.

We are made good wine through the power of the Holy Spirit. Some will receive the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and faith. Others receive the gifts of healing, mighty deeds, and prophesy. Still, some will receive the gifts of discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation.

These gifts are given to serve God and to live out his plan for us. A divine plan put in place before we were born that is part of His covenant. Our destiny is to bring God’s divine plan into the world. He gives us the gifts to fulfill that destiny. He gives us the good wine of Christ.

Do not be disappointed if you don’t have a gift of tongues or healing or mighty deeds. Your gift may be to recognize the good Jesus Christ and share it so others will know the greatness and goodness of God.

Your gift may a devotion to Mary, being an example to others, praying for others, and bringing the needs of many to Jesus’s mother so she can bring them to Jesus.

Maybe your gift is to glorify Jesus and believe. Maybe our gift is to listen to him, and He will help us to be good.

Be good, be Holy, and preach the Gospel by the way you live your life and love one another. That is your greatest gift.” Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.

A Family Plan - Homily Feast of the Holy Family

Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever.   Merry Christmas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Praise be Jesus Christ, fore ever and ever

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What should we do?”

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

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

He is three years old.

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

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

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

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

The Friendliest People - Homily Feast of Christ the King

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Christ in us is contagious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harsh Words – Reflection 33rd Sunday OTB

 Praise be Jesus Christ fore ever and ever.

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

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

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

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

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

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

But…, I am a sinner.

God still love you more than anything.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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