What do you believe and Why - Homily 16th Sunday OTC

(Readings)

What do you believe and why? Sounds like a simple enough question.

At every mass, we proclaim what we believe in the Nicene and Apostle’s Creed.

“I believe in God the Father, creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ his only son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.”

If you were asked that question outside of church what would your answer be? Would your answer include God, Christ, or any reference to faith?

I heard a preacher (T. D. Jakes) who I think had it right when he said people wear churchy clothes. They do and say churchy things. And, they go to churchy places. People will worship the Lord on Sunday and forget all about Jesus by Monday.

Friday night at dinner with my family and friends, some conversations had gotten silly. Two young men were discussing twinkies.

So, I asked this question. What do you believe and why?

One answered, I believe that twinkies are the best, they are so good.

I asked “What if you could choose a better way?”

He answered, nothing is better than a twinkie, unless it’s a fried twinkie.

He was being silly in that answer he gave to this Deacon. But, even for those in the presence of Jesus, that question is hard to answer.

In the readings from Genesis, the LORD blessed Abraham and said that his wife Sarah would bear a son. And even though Abraham and his wife Sarah were advanced in years, Abraham believed.

Sarah believed it was funny and laughed.

In the gospel, we have two sisters that have very different beliefs: Martha and Mary.

Martha, what do you believe and why? Martha believed in the loving kindness expected of good hosts and households of their time. Just like Abraham, she rushed about to make sure that the LORD was welcomed, was comfortable, and fed well.

Because of this, she was worried and anxious about many things. If everything wasn’t perfect, would people speak badly of her hospitality, family or manners? What if they ran out of wine or food?

Mary, what do you believe and why? Mary believed the most important thing was to be in the presence of Jesus. Why; because, He was the most important person in the room. He was the most important person she knew. She chose him, the better part to listen to his word and look upon the face of God.

The truth is they were both doing what was important.

All are called to serve like Martha. Just don't make a fuss or draw attention to it. Martha was worried about making sure there was enough food for the one who had turned water into wine and fed 5 thousand with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread.

But, Mary focused on Jesus. Mary wanted to be near to the LORD and to adore the one who would change bread and wine into his body and his blood to feed us to eternity.

Most of the time, we tend to be like Martha.

Sometimes, I get too busy or hurried to take a quiet time for my holy hour of prayer, reading, and contemplation with Jesus. I get a phone call or someone is in need and rush off to serve. But when I miss that time with Jesus, it shows in my day and in my life.

Like Martha most tend to on things other than Jesus in their busyness of life. It’s like we have our churchy clothes; we do and say our churchy things and come to our churchy places. But, on Monday faced with all the anxieties of life, we forget the LORD.

Jesus told is disciples “Do not worry about your life, what you’ll eat, or about your body or what you’ll wear. Life is more than these things.”

In his letter to the Colossians, St. Paul tells us what he believes.

He believed he shared in the suffering and afflictions of the LORD for all believers, the Church. He was sent as a minister and servant of the LORD to bring the word of God. Why; because God chose to make the riches of his glory in Christ known to all.

Believe in the riches of God’s glory: Abraham believed and nine months later so did Sarah. And through Jesus Christ, Mary believed and Martha beleived. And Paul preached it.

If someone asked you what you believe and why; what would your answer be?

Yes we have the creed, but St. Paul sums up the creed: If we are believers, we proclaim Christ. It is Christ in you that is the hope for the riches of God’s glory.

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

Crossing to the Other Side of the Road - Reflection 15th Sunday OTC

(Readings)

We live in a time of troubles.

In this time of trouble think of the poor traveler on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, beaten up by the world and left beside the road. We can’t find healing in those we would normally trust.

The Priest and the Levite distanced themselves from the robber’s victim. They went to the other side of the road. I heard it said they did not want to make themselves unclean with the blood of poor soul lying beaten on the road. If they were unclean they could not complete their priestly and temple duties.

To love of neighbor is to care for their today and for their eternity.

But let us look at that victim on the road as Jesus himself. He laid their broken and beaten. And those who should have run to his aid turned their eyes away and cross to the other side of the road.

It was the one you would not expect that came to him. He came to the victim and touched him with a healing touch. Even though it was a sacrifice of his time, his mount, and his silver, this Good Man brought the victim to others so that together they could make Him strong again. .

This parable describes a time of trouble.  Today still, we live in a time of troubles.

It seems many have lost sight of the true Christ.  Instead of worshipping God, people turn to worship the world and their place in the world.  In this fault, people can turn to worship the messenger instead of the message.  See this in super star evangelist and preachers. Their followers fawn over them. They do no wrong. Some say they are Christ-like; some say they are Christ.

Many begin to worship the person instead of the one true Trinitarian God.  Idolatry is putting something or someone before God or equal to Christ.  Remember, the person is only God’s vessel in the world.

As a Deacon, I am a vessel that proclaims the Word of God to the world. I should not seek glory or fame or advancement in position and fortune by my service to God and to the Church. This is a truth that holds for priest and preachers and religious no matter if they are Catholic or Protestant.

St. Paul writes of Jesus Christ in his letter to the Colossians, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church.”

Forgetting this, one can turn one away from God. A person no longer serves God or the Church when they put self before God; like the Priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan who forgot they were called by God to do God’s work.

Turning their eyes away from the needs of others and thinking only of self, they crossed to the other side of the road. Many in these times of trouble do the same thing.

By baptism, each is called to do God’s work above and beyond self. It is a promise all consecrated religious and ordained clergy take when they profess vows of obedience to God and his Church. It is obedience to the Bishop or a religious superior in their vows made to God.

As a Deacon, I made a vow to be obedient to my Bishop and assist the priests. I am to serve the people of the diocese, especially in my parish. And, I am to defend the faith, the church, and the Bishop. I have also taken a vow of chastity. If I were to become single again through death or some other misfortune, I have pledged myself and my chastity to God.

But, I also took another vow before God at my marriage. I promised God, I would be true to my wife and to love her in sickness and in health, for richer for poor, and till death do us part.

People ignore the vows they made to God.  Some don’t even see marriage as a true sacrament. More and more don’t think marriage is even important enough to make their vows as promise to God.  Even those that do may abandon their vows. And one person or both will put self before their marriage, their relation with their spouse, and their promise to God.

Sadly, the same happens with priest, deacons, and religious.  They too can abandon the vows they made to God at their ordination.

In our vows to God, some have become jaded. Too often, people of faith are not offended by infidelity or divorce that breaks the marriage vows made to a spouse and to God.

Some are jaded to the point that they are not offended by infidelity or divorce from the vows made to God by a priest, deacon, or religious. Infidelity and divorce manifest in the abandonment of any vow including chastity or poverty or prayer or obedience.  

We live in a time of trouble.  We live in a time when many have forgotten the sacraments. We live in a time when some abandon the vows made to God. We live in a time when people turn their eyes away from what God has asked and cross to the other side of the road.

But, God never forgets his promise. Jesus vow to us from the cross, Father forgive them.

It is times like these we must remember the greatest commandment "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

To love of neighbor is to care for their today and for their eternity.

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

Declare Peace - Reflection 14th Sunday OT C

(Readings)

There is a whole lot in the gospel of the sending of the seventy-two. One message is peace. So many are anxious about this world; it is the time to bring peace. It is a time for us to find peace.  

Peace is found in different ways. Most think of peace as absence of war and violence. There is also peace in a society free of civil unrest. Peace is found in family, friends, and communities were love abounds. Yet, we forget that true peace begins must begin in one’s self.

The truth to peace is no secret; but, it is a truth that is hard for the world. Peace is found in answering God’s call to share the good news that is the Kingdom of God.

It is a peace of inner tranquility and freedom.

That is the peace we must find it our self though Christ. Then we are to bring it to those around us in the community and society we live; sharing the peace that is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ with one another person. Realizing and sharing the peace found in the Kingdom of God. By that, one person can bring true peace to the world.

Jesus sent out seventy-two others in pairs to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He instructed them share their peace.

Sharing peace is promoting justice. Justice is respects the dignity and personhood in everyone. Since we are to share peace we must bring justice. Justice found in the truth each and every person is made in God’s image and is loved by God.

The virtue of this truth gives the justice of dignity. Dignity is the justice of recognizing the image of God in each person. Peace and mercy come to all who follow this rule.

Justice for all is not always popular. Peace is hard even for clergy and religious. All fall to the temptation and allurement of the world. It is hard to find peace when the world tell us it is not Jesus but stuff that will brings peace.

Temptation tries those with the closest relationship with God. It tempted Adam. It tempted Eve.

Jesus warned his disciples about this, “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Peace is not found in possessions, but in prayer. Peace is not success feeding your ego; but, it is surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Peace is not found in any relationship made of this world; but, it is found in a relationship with Christ. Peace is found in recognizing truth, justice, and dignity. Friends, these are the building blocks of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus entrusts us with the same message given to the seventy-two. “Know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand.” That is a message we should declare to all, beginning with our self. .

But he also gave this this message, “Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.'” The household begins in each and every one of us.

Be good, be holy, and preach the good news of the Kingdom of God by the way you live your life and love one another. Amen.

It's Real - Homily Most Holy Body and Blood

Today we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi; solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The first thing that comes to my mind is that old southern gospel song: There is Power in the Blood.

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There's power in the blood, power in the blood ; Would you be free from your passion and pride, There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

We as Catholics have the body and the blood. And we have the real presence of Jesus Christ in that body and blood.

Parents have faced this question - Why do I have to go to Mass? Many grown people ask the same question. For believers the answer is simple, to worship, give praise, and receive Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We come to mass to be with the risen Lord.

Since the very first mass, Catholics have recognized the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. When we say the Real Presence, it means that Christ is literally and wholly present—body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Holy Eucharist—under the appearance of bread and wine.

But many have found this teaching hard so they departed from it. In fact, many Christians say it is “unbiblical” and the bread and wine are just a symbol.

Jesus does not say it is a symbol. Jesus told his disciples: THIS BREAD IS MY BODY and THIS CUP, THIS WINE IS MY BLOOD. When he said that, many of his followers found this teaching hard and departed from him.

Even Catholics don’t understand the realness of the Eucharistic. A 2010 Pew study found 50% of Catholics didn't know the church's teaching on the real presence. Many believe it a symbol.

It is not just a symbol. Weak faith makes it easy to say. It is hard for those with a weak faith to grasp that a piece of unleavened bread is Jesus: Body, blood, soul and divinity.

Believers know the real presence and have celebrated this mystery throughout Christian history. Many have given their lives for the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Believers have been martyred in concentration camps, communist prisons, and the Middle East. Even today, believers are martyred for Christ and the Eucharist. Tomorrow, it may be us.

Would we be willing to give our life for the reality of Jesus' presence in the bread and wine of the Eucharist? Through the priest’s prayers the mystery of transubstantiation takes place. Transubstantiation is Jesus' declaration, "This is my Body. This is my Blood." Our senses still tell us what we taste, smell, touch, and see is bread and wine; yet, the substance has changed. They become the body and blood of Christ.  

As each of us comes forward to receive the Holy Eucharist, we are invited to adore the real presence of Jesus Christ. Before we receive the minister holds up the host and says, "The Body of Christ."

Our adoration is the "Amen."  Amen - we believe it is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. In that moment, we are joined to Jesus as an offering to God.

To do this, we must be right in our hearts and in our lives. We should not receive communion if we live a life completely contrary to Jesus.

Many never notice their lives of contradiction. It is one thing to sin, recognize it, and repent. It is quite another to sin and rationalize it. "Well, everybody is doing it."  One is a sinner the other a hypocrite. There is a difference. The sinner struggles; the hypocrite judges. The sinner repents; the hypocrite rationalizes. The sinner confesses; the hypocrite gossips.

The world will try to weaken us. It calls us to be compassionate and accepting of sin. They rationalize it by saying even Jesus as He accepted the woman caught in adultery, But they forget his words of compassion to the woman. "Go and sin no more."

The Eucharist is more than a symbol. It is the sacramental sign of our faith. It is our faith the world is constantly fighting against.

The world can be successful in that fight, one example is how the world can weaken our faith every time we receive communion irreverently.

Today, many have abandoned communion on the tongue. So many, priest, deacons, religious persons, and lay people have all begun to reach out and grab the Blessed Sacrament. We reach and grab as if it were a Big Mac or a moon pie. (examples) Irreverence hardens our hearts.  

Sure, not everyone will receive communion on the tongue; but, think about the last time you were sick or weak (sin makes us that way) and someone who loved you fed you. Remember the intimacy and the love experienced in that act.

Yes, receiving in the hand is acceptable, but please remember the proper and reverent way: place your left hand on top of your right, forming a cross, a throne to receive your King. After you say "Amen" step to the side and reverently place the host on your tongue.

Why do I go to mass? For me the answer is quite simple, there is power, power, wonder working power of the body and the blood and the real presence of Jesus Christ.

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

Love, Trinity, and Fathers - Reflections Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Readings

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and Father’s Day.

If I asked a child to explain the Holy Trinity, it might give a great big story full of imagination. With that vivid imagination, a child might get close.

If I asked anyone reading this to explain the Holy Trinity, probably they could give me this answer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons yet one God. Asked how to you explain three persons, yet, one God; and, the imagination dies. Our imagination is stuck in this world.

In our studies for the diaconate, we had all these big text books. Two or three for each class, but, the text book studying the Holy Trinity was less than  a  ½ inch thick.

Even there, the Holy Trinity was a mystery hard to tackle.

Jesus said “I have much more to tell you but you cannot bear it now.”

One description of the Trinity is Infinity, Immanence, and Intimacy (R. Rohr). Most will say it makes since as God the Father is infinity. Christ Jesus is immanence. And, the Holy Spirit is intimacy.

We’d be wrong. The early Fathers and great doctors of the Church had a different experience of the Trinity. Jesus told us the reality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Most Holy Trinity is that ALL truth is given to the other.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.

He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

That sharing of ALL truth comes from love. The truth and mystery of the Blessed Trinity is Love. That is why the reality of the Trinity is that all is given to the other.

That brings us to the ALL giving that is the truth of being a father. It is not just a truth for father but for every parent or those who desire to be parents.

Look at the reality that is family. It is a trinity of father, mother, and children. In the love of family all is given to the other.

Since this is Father’s Day, I will focus on fathers.

Using the description of family as a trinity of infinite, immanent, and intimate where all is given to the other look at the father’s role.

To a child, a father’s love must be infinite. The father is powerful, the protector, and the provider giving all to his family. The child looks to the father and loves without reservation. Fathers should love the child without end; but, many fathers are in love with self or the world more than their family. They forget the importance of a child’s need for a father’s infinite love in a child’s life.

To a child, the father’s love must be immanent. The father should hold a position in the family that is permanent, pervading, and sustaining. The father should be in every aspect of the child’s life. This is where many fail. Career, money, possessions, and ego become the important things in the father’s life and the father becomes less immanent in the child’s life.

To a child, a father’s love must be intimate, close, and familiar. It is a love that must be found in the love for a child but also love for the family, and the mother. It is the reason of a Godly marriage. It is to strengthen familial love. That is the intimate, close and familiar love a child needs. Because the father has answered the world, where he is the most important, the intimate love a child needs from a loving father is lost.

The world is broken. People can’t understand the trinity. People don’t understand how important love is to those around us; especially to our children.

We say we are Christians; but, God knows us. And, Jesus knows us. God knows we are a hard hearted people. It is our hard hearts that make it hard to give others the love they need; even our children.

The hard heart the world has given us stifles an imagining of the love that is the Holy Trinity and tramples an imagining of the love we should have for each other. But by the Holy Spirit, we are to know peace with God through Jesus Christ. God, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) the blessed Trinity wants to soften the affliction of our hard hearts.

St. Paul writes: “Knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

Happy Father’s Day.

Be good, be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you lives and love one another especially our children. Amen.

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

Readings

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

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

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

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

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

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

These gifts of the Holy Spirit are the Church.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That is the gift given to the Church.

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

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

The Love of His Goodbye - Reflection Ascension Sunday

Readings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love One Another; Homily 5th Sunday of Easter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just love.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Readings)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What shepherd do you follow?

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

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

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

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

What shepherd do you follow?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stop Procrastinating - Homily Reflection 3rd Sunday of Easter

readings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The apostles should have been on fire!

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

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

Fishing was something they knew. It gave them comfort.

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

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

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

Why aren’t we doing the Lord’s work?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

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

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

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

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

“Why aren’t we doing the Lord’s work?

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

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

Amen.