In his Letter to the Philippians, St. Paul writes: "(I pray) that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain." (Philppians 1:20-21)

 He was in prison for the Gospel. He knew that even this would be used by Jesus for the glory of God. Whether he live and continue to suffer for the Gospel or die and experience the fullness of glory was not important. What was important was that in either he was in the will of God for him in the moment. This is call holy indifference. To be willing to embrace whatever the will of God is for us in our present circumstances, in spite of one's preference. This is the example Jesus gave us in his prayer to the Father in the Garden. "Father, take away this cup, but not my will but yours be done." In h is humanity he didn't want to suffer the cruel death of the cross. But in his relationship with the Father, he wanted to embrace the will of the Father. Pray for the grace to have holy indifference in the various situations you encounter. 

There is in the Scriptures a constant theme. God says "I am with you." There are times we feel his presence and there are times we don't. In those latter times, has he abandoned us? No. Jesus felt this sense of abandonment on the cross because of our sins. But he knew in the depth of his heart that the Father would never abandon him. That is why Jesus at the end could say: "Father, into your  hands, I commend my spirit."  Though we do not always feel God's intimate presence, as once we did, God is still there, guiding us on the journey. Why does God allow us to have this sense of abandonment at the times we most need him in our lives? God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. This is a mystery of God's love. For it is in love that he allows us to have this sense of abandonment. Maybe it is necessary to draw us to a deeper oneness with him without the support of his felt presence. Sometimes we don't appreciate something until we don't have it. What is God asking of us during these times of a sense of abandonment. Steadfast trust and faith in his promise to be with us even though we don't feel his presence. As Paul says, we are to live by faith not by sight.

 

 

Homily: Twenty-sixth Sunday Year C

 

Reading 1: We read from the prophet Amos last Sunday. He was called by God to be his prophetic voice to the northern kingdom of Israel, whose rulers and people had broken their covenant with God. He was sent to identify their sinful life and to warn them of the dire consequences, if they did not repent and be renewed in their relationship with God.

 

Today, we hear from Amos again. What is their sin? Complacency, apathy and insensitivity to the dire needs of others. How has the world repeated that scenario over the centuries! The French Revolution and the socialist revolution in Russia and to a small extent our own American Revolution.

 

But the question we are posed with is to what extent are we insensitive to the plight of others here in our own land and around the world? Have we mentally and emotionally isolated ourselves from these situations to the extent we seem to ignore them? Who are the prophets of today, calling us to hear the Word of God and to respond to the needs of the situation of others as God requires?

 

Gospel: The irony in the Gospel is that the rich man had so isolated himself from the reality of the poor man so that he didn’t have to deal with it. But in so doing he isolated himself from the bosom of Abraham, the root of his heritage. This is indicated by the chasm between the two.

 

Recognizing his dire strait, the rich man tried to intercede for his brothers. But he is told even a miraculous intervention will not make a difference, if one’s heart is closed and hardened like his.

 

The case in point. The spiritual leaders of Israel at the time were so hardened against Jesus. In spite of the prophets who had spoken God’s word to them about the coming Messiah, they still refused to accept Jesus or his message of salvation. This in spite of familiarity with the Word of God and witnessing the many signs and wonders he performed.

In fact, Jesus concludes that even when they will be made aware of his own resurrection, they still will refused to believe.

 

Do we sometimes isolate ourselves from the truths of reality for fear that it may call us to make a radical change in our lives? Do I prefer to see things through my colored lens and comfort zone rather than through the eyes of God? Am I so overwhelmed by the enormity of the task that I give up, accepting there is nothing I can do?

 

The Word of God is calling us to become the man or woman of God, doing what I can and must to be faithful to God. When I do, then my witness may become a catalyst and an example for others. My standard of measurement is to be God’s commands not what is commonly acceptable by society or what would make me fit into the crowd. Isolation and non-involvement are not the answers. Renewal and pressing on is what God desires, even if it means rejection by others.

 

Reading 2: What is the attitude God desires and expects of us, if we claim to be his? To be truly a man or woman of God! Have we consciously embraced and lived out of this identity? If we have not, the rest of what St. Paul doesn’t matter. But if we are trying to become more fully alive in Christ, then what Paul says becomes our marching orders.

 

“Seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness and a gentle spirit.” Since we have made a profession of faith, our oath of allegiance to God, a statement of commitment, then our life-style should be so reflective.

 

Sometimes we get caught up with the daily struggles of life that we forget the end goal of our existence as a son or daughter of God. The daily struggles will only ensure my earthly existence. But I must also be concerned about my eternal existence, which will be based on how I embraced the call of God in my life in the present moment.

 Are we living to die or dying to live? Most people are afraid of death. They spend money to extend their lives. Is it because they see death as a lost, as an end? The fear of death paralyzes them. Even when they know they are dying, they fight even harder to live. If we are dying in order to live, we have a hope of a better life beyond the moment of death. This is the reason the Son of God became Man. There was a block between us and the eternal life God created us for. Jesus through his death and resurrection destroyed that block, giving us a glimpse of the life worth living with him eternally. Because of him we should enjoy the life we have, but in hope look forward to that life which is even greater. There we will be one with God. In the words of Revelations: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away." It is then that real life begins, the life we were created for.

 Twenty-sixth Sunday Gospel C

Jesus said to the Pharisees:" There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. 

· Here is another parable reflecting Jesus’ teaching on the rich and the poor, an  emphasis in Luke’s Gospel.

o The rich man, in his luxury and comfort, is totally oblivious of the poor man. The rich man isn’t named, whereas the poor man is.

“When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.  The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 

· Notice that the poor man doesn’t go to heaven but into the bosom of Abraham. This is an indication that this is the state of existence of those who were awaiting redemption and the coming of the Messiah. It is to these that Jesus descended to before his resurrection to preach the good news of salvation.

· The underworld where there was torment is the hell that we understand.

“And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.  Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime  while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. 

Now, the rich man, deprived of his isolated comfort, recognizes the poor man as the beggar at   his door.  He did not provide for him on earth, but the rich man wants Lazarus to provide for him.

· Abraham reminds the rich man that he is where he is by his choice and Lazarus by his choice.

“Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ 

· Those awaiting redemption were in one state of existence and those who chose to be alienated from God were in another. A state of clear separation existed.

“He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,  neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'" 

· Why do you think Jesus ended the parable this way? Remember he was speaking to the  religious leaders  Jesus was predicting that even when he himself will rise from the dead and be seen by many to be alive,  many of the religious leaders still  would refuse to believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

· What is our attitude towards our possessions? How readily do we share with others in need?

· Paul says that giving alms covers a multitude of sin. How do you understand this?

· What will change in your life as a result of your reflections on this parable?

 “We have received baptism, entrance into the Church and the honor of being called Christians. Yet what good will this do us, if we are Christians in name only and not in fact?” (St. Andrew Kim)

This thought of St. Andrew Kim fits in well with the words of Jesus in today's Gospel. Jesus said: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."  It is not enough to have the title of Christian, if we are not willing to act and live as a Christian. There are many Christians in name only in the world, whose life style does not reflect their relationship with Jesus. They hear the word of God but do nothing about it. They do a disservice to Jesus. Then there are those who, like Mary, hear the word of God and put it into practice by doing the will of God. That is the litmus test that separates the sheep from the goats.

 “Patience makes us valuable and keeps us for God. Patience tempers anger, controls the tongue, governs thoughts, keeps peace, regulates the norms of life, breaks the onrush of concupiscence, represses the violence of pride, puts out the fire of hatred. It makes us humble in prosperity, strong in adversity, meek under insults and injury. It teaches us to forgive immediately those who commit transgressions and to pray long and hard for the person who is at fault.  Patience conquers temptations; it bears tribulations and martyrdoms to their end. It gives our faith the firmest foundation; it sees that our hope grows to maturity. It directs our actions so that we stay in the path of Christ as we advance with his help.  Finally, it is what makes us persevere as children of God.”

(St. Cyprian)

I would think that most of us struggles\ with patience at times. I know I do, especially, when I am driving.  I have learned to pray for those going slow in front of me. Being impatience doesn't make them go any faster. It only raises my blood pressure. How many times during the week we are given opportunities, graces by God, to exercise the virtue of patience with others. At the same time, God is giving others a similar grace to be patient with us. The more I can grow in patience, the more my life would be calmer and in right order. It is not an easy virtue to practice, but it is necessary virtue for one who wants to grow in union with God. It doesn't come easy, but it does come with practice and discipline. And in the end  it is worth it. God, give me patience with myself first, then with others.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Cyprian and St. Cornilius. Here is a quote from St. Cyprian.  “You who are envious, let me tell you that however often you may seek for the opportunity of injuring him whom you hate, you will never be able to do him so much harm as you do harm to yourselves.   He whom you would punish through the malice of your envy, may probably escape but you will never be able to fly from yourselves.”

We can apply this to other areas of sins in our relationship to others. No matter what we do to the other person in retaliation, the greater the harm we do is to ourselves. In our actions we are saying to Jesus to treat us the same way. Recall the words of Jesus: "The measure with which you measure will be measured back to you." The way of the Lord is different from the way of the world or the "norm" set by others. We are called to bless those who seek to harm us. That is counter cultural. Aren't we suppose to be counter cultural like Jesus?

 Today, we honor Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows. Here is a quote from St. Anselm on this mystery. "While other martyrs suffered by sacrificing their own lives, the Blessed Virgin suffered by sacrificing her Son's life, a life that she loved far mare than her own; so that she not only suffered in her soul all that her Son endured in His Body but moreover, the sight of her Son's torments, brought more grief to her heart, than if she had endured them all in her own person."

What true mother does not suffer when her child suffers? What authentic mother does not want to suffer in her child's place, if she could? Then if this is true for normal mothers, how much more true was it for Our Lady. She was told by Simeon that a sword would pierce her side, because Jesus would be a sign of contradiction to others. Though she was chosen by God to be without sin did not mean she would be without suffering because of the sins of others. Her greatest suffering was endured throughout the passion and death of Jesus on the cross. Seeing her Son endure the cruel death of crucifixion, which she knew was the plan of the Father for our salvation, all she could do was to be present, to be united with  his sufferings, offering all to the Father. The piercing of the side of Jesus was the fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy. Internally, she cried to the Father in union with Jesus' cry: "It is finished." Mary, pray for us, when we are called to endure our sufferings, that our hearts may united with Jesus, as yours was.

 Homily Twenty-fifth Sunday Year C

 

Reading 1: What is the focus of this passage? It identifies an attitude of a heart not in relationship with God. All is done for money, no matter at what price to others. God is not the center of this person’s life. The person can’t wait for the Sabbath restrictions are ended, so he can make more money. How? Not by honest gain, but by cheating, stealing, being unjust with no respect for human dignity or love of another. The focus is self and gaining more wealth.

 

Will God forget or not notice the attitude of the heart or the actions that flow from it? So what is the attitude of our heart concerning God’s role in our life? Is it out of obligation that we worship? Is it out of necessity and self-need that we pray? Or is God at the center of our life by choice and desire and in fact? Are our actions and business practices motivated by God’s standards or human standards? Sunday, partially for God but the rest of the week is mine to do what I want?

 

 The people to whom Amos spoke did not repent, as far as we know. They continued to act the same way, in spite of God’s warning to them.

 

Gospel: Jesus gives a parable showing how the worldly act for the wrong reasons. This steward has been found to be dishonest, because he was cheating his master’s debtors by adding to their bill a surcharge for his benefit. If a person bought a hundred measures of olive oil, he overcharged so that he could get a kickback.

 

So when he said to rewrite the note of debt for fifty instead of a hundred, he seems to be showing concern for the debtor, when in truth he was charging him what the oil really. He was only eliminating his kickback. Though dishonest, he was acting again out of self-concern. He was hoping to ingratiate himself to the debtor. But in fact, he had ben cheating the person for his gain. Now he hoped that the debtor would employ him not that he is out of a job. The issue is he did not act this way out of repentance but out of promoting himself

 

Jesus applies this parable to his followers. Be honest and just in your dealings with others. He reminds us that we can’t serve two masters. Either Jesus is the Lord of one’s life or something or someone else is the Lord. To be a disciple of Jesus means to have Jesus as the Lord and center of our life.

 

Reading 2: Paul never tires of stating the central mystery of his preaching: There is one God.  Jesus is the one sent by the Father to be mediator, reconciler and redeemer through his death on the cross. He gave his life for ours, so that all could be saved. Though Jesus saved all by his choice, all will not be saved by their choices.

 

What should our response be?  We need to acknowledge and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are called to live in relationship to him consciously in all we do and say. We need to pray for the salvation of others, which pleases God. But our prayer is to be free from anger and dissension. In other words, our prayer should flow from a heart at peace with God, ourselves and others.

 Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I share a refection by St. Andrew of Crete on the mystery of the cross. "Had there been no cross, Christ could not have been crucified. Had there been no cross, life itself could not have been nailed to the tree. And if life had not been nailed to it, there would be no steams of immortality pouring from Christ's side, blood and water for the world's cleansing. The legal bond of our sin would not be canceled, we should not have attained our freedom, we should not have enjoyed the fruit of the tree of life and the gates of paradise would not stand open. Had there been no cross, death would not have been trodden underfoot, nor hell despoiled."

With St. Paul we too can  proclaim, "May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." So when we make the sign of the cross, may we remember what Jesus has done for us. When we wear a cross around our neck, may we wear it as a sign of victory. When we look upon Christ crucified, may a prayer of gratitude well up in our heart. For with the cross, according to God's mysterious plan, we have been set free and given the gift of salvation. Hail Christ crucified and exalted for the world to see the magnificence of God's love for us!

 Twenty-fifth Sunday Gospel C

Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.  He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you?  Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ 

· We need to reflect on our own stewardship in regards what God has entrusted to us. If we would face God at this moment, what account would we be  able to give him?

The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?  I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one.  To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note.  Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’ The steward said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.

· The extra in each instance is the additional fee he tack on for his own pockets. He was bilking his masters customers for his own gain.

· Are there any “dishonest” or questionable practices that we have been doing which in the eyes of God could be considered unjust and unfair?

 “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.  I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 

· What does Jesus mean by this?

· Are we as concern with our eternal salvation as we are with our physical well-being? Do we spend more time to provide for our present life-style but not as much to provide for our eternal life time?

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.  If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?  If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?  No servant can serve two masters.  He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and mammon.”

· Are we in fact trying to serve two masters? The world and God? 

· What application do we make in our lives as a result of our reflections? Does anything need to change and will it?

 Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John Chrysostom. Here is one of his sayings: "Let us always guard our tongue; not that it should always be silent, but that it should speak at the proper time."

Most of us sin with our tongue more than with any other part of our bodies. Recall the words of St. James in his Letter: "No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers." (8-10) It is easy for us to speak negatively about another rather positively. It is easy for us to speak a word of judgment rather than one of praise. It takes a conscious effort on our part to bridle the tongue, so that what we say will be useful to build a person up rather than tear them down. Tonight, before going to sleep, review your day, what you said about others. In the morning, ask God for the grace to curb your tongue, saying only what builds another up and gives God praise.

 "Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." (1 Cor 9:24-25)

This teaching of St. Paul was affirmed by St. Peter Claver, whose feast we celebrate today. He said: "The whole company of saints bears witness to the unfailing truth that without real effort no one wins the crown." Yes, it is only through the grace of God we can make the effort. But how conscious are we of the important race we are running? It is the race for eternal life. Many of us put all our efforts in trying to survive the day and having a comfortable life here. What if we would put the same effort in growing in our relationship with God? Isn't this what Jesus referred to when he said that we need to be rich in the things that matter to God? Earthly treasures or heavenly ones? It is a matter of priority. As Jesus said: "Seek the kingdom of God first and all things will be given you." 

 I came across this story and thought it would be good to share it with you.

 

Homily: Twenty-fourth Sunday Year C

 

Reading 1: One of the mysteries of revelation is our God is a merciful God, not weak, but compassionate and forgiving. He is also a just God. The scriptures reveal to us that there is a time of mercy and time of justice. Though God’s mercy is unlimited, the time of mercy is not.

 

Through Moses intercession, the idolatrous and depraved people of God were spared from the destruction they deserved. What they deserved was swift judgement and destruction. Instead, they experienced the mercy of God, even though they were chastised for their turning away from the worship of the true God.

 

Moses interceded for the people many times during their forty years in the desert. God, in his mercy, spared them of the consequence of sin. It was this mercy of God that finally enabled them to become faithful to God.

 

Have we sinned against God many times? Have we taken his mercy for granted? Have we experienced his mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and in the Sacrament of Eucharist? His mercy is everlasting. It is because he loves so infinitely that his mercy is infinite.

 

But there is also judgment, which is the final consequence of unrepentant sin. If we persist in our sinful rebellion, if we presume on his mercy, the justice of God will be swift and lasting. Those who continued to be stiff-necked and rebellious in the desert, refusing to trust in the Lord, died in the desert and never saw the Promised Land.

 

Gospel: The theme of God’s mercy is evident. In each of the three familiar parables Jesus reflects on the Father’s mercy in seeking the lost. Each person is important to God for each is uniquely created by him; each is individually saved by him; each is loved by him.

 

God acts in ways beyond our human expectation or response to express his concern, no matter what the individual thinks of himself.  It is God’s infinite love that compels him never to give up on us, even if we give up on ourselves.

 

The foolish father loved and accepted both of his sons, who they were and where they were in relationship to him. His loving mercy was not held back because of their individual rejection of him. Even after the younger son disrespected the father by his actions, the foolish father anxiously waited for him to return. When he finally did in such a pitiable state, the foolish father did not reject nor chastised him, but in mercy and love restored him as a son to the dignity he had thrown away. Mercy is to receive something good that we do not deserve. Justice is to receive what we deserve.

 

In mercy and love the foolish father goes out to meet his angry and jealous elder son. The father acts very foolish in reaching out to both sons, not because of any good they did, but simply because he loved both of them.  How often have we experienced the mercy of God when we did not deserve it but deserved his judgment instead?

 

Reading 2: Paul acknowledges that out of ignorance he was a sinful man. He was a blasphemer and a persecutor against Jesus and his followers. But Jesus in his mercy saved him. As he said: “I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example to others.” Not only did God show him mercy by forgiveness of his sins, but by appointing him the Apostle to the Gentles.

 

What is our story? How has God shown us his mercy, not once, but too numerous for us to count? Paul was grateful and responded by living a life of commitment, serving the Lord tirelessly. Can we follow his example?

 Do you ever wonder if there is more that God wants for you? There is. To be with him forever in glory. He wants to give us more of his shared divine life. However, our receptivity is limited sometimes. The container we bring to the Lord is small and needs to be stretched and expanded to receive the more. To do this our comfort zone needs to be shaken. Our desire for the more needs to be intensified. All of this comes through repentance, prayer and good deeds done in love. Sin restricts our receptivity of the more of God's life and love. Prayer helps us to grow in our relationship with God. Good works done out of love are the lubricant that softens our opening so that it can be stretched to receive the more of God's life and love, preparing us for eternal glory with him. The true disciple wants the more; the half-hearted disciple is comfortable with the present, not willing to pay the price of preparation for the more.

 Twenty-fourth Sunday Gospel C

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  

· Have you had people in your life who always found fault with what you did? This group was like a constant thorn in Jesus’ side. Notice how Jesus handles them.

So to them he addressed this parable. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

· Reflect on God’s mercy for you each time you sinned and each time God forgave.

· Humanly, would we leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the one that wanted to stray or would we let the one go and concentrate on the ninety-nine. Why would God show such concern for the one that wanted to stray?

· Reflect on your many confessions and on the fact that there was great rejoicing in heaven when you repented and returned to the Lord.

Then he said,  “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them.  

· As you reflect on this parable look at it from the point of view of Jesus seeking to show us how much the Father loves us.

· Humanly this father is “foolish” to dote over a son who would rather see him dead rather than deny himself of his own pleasures.

After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.  When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.  So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.  And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.

· Can we relate to our sinful actions over the years? At the moment, we were rolling high and then after all was said and done we had nothing to show for our sinful decisions except self-contempt, anger, a sense of unworthiness, failure, shame, guilt, a sense of hopelessness etc.

 Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.  I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ 

· What was the grace of the moment for him? Can we recall similar graces in our own lives given to us by God that allowed us to begin to return to him?

So he got up and went back to his father.  While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.  He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants,‘ Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.  

· Can you get in touch with the “foolishness” of the father? God is not interested in what we did but that we “returned to our senses” and returned to his waiting arms and become the son/daughter that we are in his eyes in spite of what we did.

· In the parable this happened once. In real life how often have we experienced this unconditional love and mercy of the Father?

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.  He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him.

· Have we at times been angry with God because he seems to treat others better than he treats us?

He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns, who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.  But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

· What is the focus of the elder son? Himself. What did he forget?

· Can we see ourselves at times like the first son and then like the second son and then like the father?

· What do we take from this parable and our reflection to apply to our life today?

"The question of receiving the love of Christ is really very important. I personally feel more and more that sometimes it is harder for us to fully receive love than to give it. I am more and more convinced that we will find the peace and joy of Christ when we let him truly enter into the deepest places of our heart, especially those places where we are afraid, insecure, and self-rejecting." (Henri Nouwen)

In my years of ministering to people I find that many people are afraid of being loved by Jesus. For the most part it is probably due to their childhood experiences, What was shown them was not love but abuse or manipulation or conditional "love".  They were never good in themselves. They had to satisfy another. But this was not the love which God wishes us to experience. His love is unconditional, fulfilling, empowering, freeing and healing. It enables us to become the person we are created to be in relationship to the one Person who has called us into being. Once we can begin to trust in God's love and begin to allow him to enter into the secret wounds of our heart, then his love begins to make sense. Take the initial step or continual step of risking to bask in his love today.

 

"We sinners are like diamonds that have fallen into the muck. Made in the image of God, we have soiled ourselves through violence and hatred. God could have simply pronounced a word of forgiveness from heaven, but this would not have solved the problem. It would not have restored the diamonds to their original brilliance. Instead, in his passion to reestablish the beauty of creation, God came down into the muck of sin and death, brought the diamonds up, and then restored their brilliance." (St. Anselm) 

The "muck" involved our alienation from God. He wanted to restore us to our original brilliance. So God, in his great mercy and love, adopted us as his sons and daughters, pouring out his Spirit upon us, so that once more we can share in his divine life. His divine life is what brings out our true identity and destination. How lightly do we sometimes take this grace of God! We allow ourselves to remain in the state of serious sin for a long period of time, rather than avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, wherein our brilliance is restored. The grace of absolution is the cleansing element which restores the life of God in  us and thus our true brilliance. To frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation  is to show our gratitude to God. Likewise, when we receive the Eucharist, Jesus deepens the brilliance of his life within us, as he shares himself with us. One day, by God's grace, our inner brilliance will shine eternally in God's presence. 

 St. Paul reminds us that we belong to the Lord. By virtue of creation, redemption, adoption and vocation we belong to the Lord. The Apostle goes on to say that we are slaves or servants of the Lord, who is the Master. God has chosen us out of love, so that we may one day be in his eternal presence, giving praise and glory for all he has done in our lives. What should our response be? Definitely love. But this can be shown in different ways. We choose to be obedient to God out of love, seeking to do that which is "good, pleasing and perfect." We seek to love him by loving others as he has loved us. We seek to serve him by following the lead of the Holy Spirit as we give witness to what God has done for us. We reflect our love by giving God the pure worship that is his due, primarily through the Eucharistic sacrifice of Jesus. With thanksgiving in our hearts and on our lips, we proclaim his goodness out of love. To belong to Lord is not a passive relationship but one that we seek to be conscious of throughout the day. For at the end of the day, what really matters is that I am his.

 

Homily Twenty-Third Sunday Year C

 

Reading 1: Who can know the mind of God? God is perfect; we are imperfect. God is uncreated Spirit; we are created body and spirit. Our body is corruptible; God is incorruptible. Because of sin we struggle to know and do the right things. We are still trying to understand the material things around us. We make a break through and there is another mystery of creation, confronting and challenging us.

 

We try to understand and fathom what is totally beyond us: the mind of God. We come to a blank wall. Why? Because our minds are limited. God wants us to perceive what is true and what is for our good, leading us to him. To do this God gives us a wisdom, the gift of the Holy Spirit, to glimpse into the mystery of God, the mystery of eternity, the mystery of God’s unconditional love. This gift enables us, not on our own but through the grace of God, to see as God perceives into a particular situation. But we still scratch only the surface.  God reveals his plan to us, but only to the extent we can embrace it in faith, hope and love.

 

Gospel: The first reading recognizes that we need God’s wisdom to know God’s plan for us. Jesus speaks that word of wisdom in the Gospel. He speaks of the centrality of God in our lives, a centrality lived in doing the will of God, even it if means embracing a particular cross in our daily life. But Jesus goes further. He says we shouldn’t begin this journey of relationship with God unless we really intend to complete the process.

 

How many people want a relationship with God, maybe for the wrong reason? They are unwilling to pay the price, to live the life, to embrace his will. There is a difference between falling short but continuing to try and between going through the motions externally while internally choosing to be far away from a deeper relationship. What is this deeper commitment? Full discipleship!

 

Discipleship is a radical following of Jesus. Central to this relationship with Jesus are three things: the Lordship of Jesus, obedience to the will of God even to the death of the self, and doing all of this out of love.

 

What does the Lordship of Jesus means? It means that nothing and no one is to be more important to the disciple than Jesus. It is the only relationship that will last in eternity. One of the questions we will be asked at the time of our death is the question Jesus asked the disciples. “Who do you say I am?” Even though Peter said the right words initially, it wasn’t until after the resurrection that he could say with understanding and love that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah.

 

For Jesus to be the Lord of our lives in fact as well as in faith, we center our whole lives on him, on the will of the Father. We choose to do so simply to return love for love.

 

Reading 2: Philemon is a convert of Paul. One of Philemon’s slaves ran away. He found Paul in another community in prison. Paul converts him with the truth of the Gospel. Paul becomes a spiritual father to Onesimus through the waters of baptism. Paul sees him now as a son, a brother and a slave of Christ.

 

By law, Onesimus was the property of Philemon. So Paul asks the former to go back to Philemon to give him the opportunity to practice his new faith by receiving him back as a brother in Christ. In other words, Onesimus belonged to Christ more than he belong to Philemon.

 

Paul believed the love of Christ was stronger than anything else and that this love would bring forth a new and stronger relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. Paul based this on the love Philemon professed for Paul and the debt he owed Paul for setting him free to experience God’s love for him. Each was able to do this because of the Lordship of Jesus.

 "Why do we keep hiding our deepest feelings from each other? We suffer much, but we also have great gifts of healing for each other. The mystery is that by hiding our pain we also hide our ability to heal. . . . We are called to confess to each other and forgive each other, and thus to discover the abundant mercy of God. But at the same time, we are so terribly afraid of being hurt more than we already are. This fear keeps us prisoners, even when the prison has no walls! I see better every day how radical Jesus’ message of love really is." (Henri Nouwen)

Is it true that I am hiding in my own prison? Is it true that I am in this prison because I am afraid of being hurt again? Does Jesus wish me to stay in my self-imposed prison or has he come to set me free? I remember when I was younger I experienced this self-isolation, trying to protect myself. Instead, I was harming myself by holding at a distance from what I really needed and wanted. Love and acceptance. It was only by God's grace that I realized that my isolation was self-imposed. God was calling me out from the darkness into the light of his love. But I had to choose to open the door of my prison and step out into the light or not. Was I hurt again? Yes. But living in the light enabled me to deal with the hurt with forgiveness and move on. True life in Christ is lived in the light not in the dark.

 Twenty-third Sunday Gospel C

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, 

· Jesus gives some reflections on the role and life of a disciple.

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 

· The first cost of discipleship is a certain detachment from those closest to us. If it comes to making a decision which says we have to choose between Jesus and a member of our family, whom would we choose.? This is the total commitment of discipleship.

· Jesus is not asking for total separation or rejection of our family, but a realization that he alone is the Lord and no one else must be given that status in our life. He is first at all times.

· Have we had to face that point in our life, even in small matters, where following Jesus  was more important than pleasing family?

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 

· Following Jesus means readiness to accept persecution and suffering. Have we experienced this in our faith journey as a disciple of Jesus? What decisions did we make? What did we learn?

o Notice he says “his own cross.” We are not expected to carry anyone else’s cross.  Ours is tailored for us at this moment of our life.

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?  But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.

· Sometimes we want to follow Jesus on our own terms but we do not assess the cost of disciple and our commitment to embrace it fully. Something may be worth it, but whether I am willing to pay the price may be another consideration.

· How important is following Jesus to you? Are there any limitations or restrictions or conditions you are placing on your response? If the call is from Jesus, do we accept his call unreservedly or conditionally?

  In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

· What does this mean?

· Recall the time the rich young man came to Jesus and ask what it took to gain eternal life. Jesus said basically he should keep the commandments of love. The man said he was doing this but asked what more is needed. Jesus said that he should seek holiness and total dependency on him, go and free himself of all obligations and possessions and come and follow him totally. The man could not because he could let go his possessions.

· Discipleship is not necessarily physical poverty but definitely spiritual poverty where nothing else matters in one’s life but Jesus and being and serving him.

· How do we apply these sayings of Jesus in our own life today?

 “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16).

As Christians, we are to strive to have the mind of Christ as the guiding principle governing our thoughts, words and deeds. This is a high order but not an impossible one, once Jesus is truly the Lord of our lives. Our perspective of life changes. How? We begin to strive to think, feel and act as Christ did. We begin to love others as Christ did and does. We take his admonition as commands as we seek to forgive as he did and serve others as he did. In other words, Jesus becomes not only our role model but our  guide in all we do. 

St. Paul said, in another place, "have this attitude in you which was in Christ Jesus". What was this? He had a truly servant heart, obedient to the will of the Father in all things, even to the death on the cross. High order for us who are so weak and fallible, but again not an impossible expectation.. What would happen if today we begin to ask the question, "What would Jesus want me to do in this situation"? Over a period of time we may see how better to have the mind of Christ as our guiding principle and standard of measure. For the opposite is true. If Jesus is not our guiding is, who is?

 "With fear and trembling work out your salvation," (Phil 2:12) St. Philip Neri used to say, that he who does not seek, above all things, the salvation of his soul, is a fool. Jesus has saved us and has shared his own divine life with us, so that one day we may be with him in eternal glory, praising God with all of the angels and saints. But our salvation in not assured, unless we are responding to the grace of salvation. In fact, is salvation your top priority? How will you know? In your daily activity and choices do you see and judge things as how they will impact  your eternity? Like Martha we can be busy about many good things, but fail to be focused on the one thing that is necessary, our relationship with Jesus. That doesn't mean we are to stop working, but that we refocus why we are doing what we are doing in the light of our salvation. Leon Bloy once said: "The saddest thing is to die not being a saint." Your choice: to be a saint or a fool.

 "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1Cor 1:24)

St. Paul connects these qualities of Jesus to his death and resurrection. To the ordinary, unbelieving person, death on a cross is a sign of weakness not power. In fact, Paul says it becomes a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But for those who have faith, it shows the power of God. Through his death by crucifixion, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. What looks to the ordinary eye as weakness, is in fact strength. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: "God reveals his fatherly omnipotence....by his infinite mercy, for he displays his power at its height by freely forgiving sins." (CCC 270). The truth of this mystery becomes more evident to St. Paul as he cried to the Lord to take the thorn from his side. God's response: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Then St. Paul writes: "I will gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9)

The same is true for us. In our struggle with sin, we find ourselves weak. But when we learn to turn to God, his grace, his power is sufficient for us. I have learned to say, "Jesus, I love you" when I am struggling. And in this acknowledgment of my weakness and inability to overcome on my own, I find that in Christ, in his power, I can be strong and faithful.

 

Homily: Twenty-second Sunday Year C

 

Reading 1: What is humility? We are who we are in the eyes of God and no more. If we embrace this truth, then we will be loved by God and will find favor with God. The humble and the contrite heart, the psalmist says, the Lord will not turn away.

 

The problem is that we don’t live in this truth of who we really are. Instead, we often seek to be other than. And this is the source of our sin: pride.  Adam and Eve were not satisfied with being who they were, creatures under and from God—blessed, honored, loved and sharing God’s divine life. They desired to be equal to God, knowing good and evil, being in total control of their life with God.

 

David, in spite of all that God did for him and given him—raising him from the life of a shepherd to the honor of being king—wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to take to himself what was not his, the wife of another man.

 

On the other hand, Mary exemplified humility. When God revealed his mighty plan by which he had chosen her to be the Mother of the Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit she answered “I don’t understand, but I trust in you.” She didn’t think of herself but of her cousin Elizabeth, who was with child. She went to help her. She saw herself, not as the chosen Mother of God, but as cousin going to help her cousin in need.

 

Gospel: Jesus spoke often about the attitude of the heart. He said where your heart is there is your treasure. He said what comes from the recesses of the heart is what makes a person defiled, not what goes into the person. He marveled at the widow’s mite. She gave from her sustenance in comparison to the largess of the rich who gave from their surplus.

 

Here, the attitude of the heart of the invitee and the inviter is the focus. To take a place of honor or to be invited to a place of honor. Jesus has been invited to dine at the home of a rich Pharisee. Jesus noted that probably people were trying to position themselves in the place of honor close to Jesus. To do so, they thought, would give them a sense of prestige from others.

 

Humility is an attitude of the heart, which helps us to keep in check that pride within us that sees ourselves more than we are in the eyes of God and others. We look for honor and recognition. We seek affirmation and praise from others. The focus is ourselves because we have not accepted the truth about ourselves. We live in a world of make-belief, of smoke and mirrors, rather than in reality. The world doesn’t revolve around us.

 

Our true self will be known by ourselves and others by our selflessness for the sake of others. There is a genuine love of the other, a genuine concern for the other, trusting in God’s care and providence for me, while seeking to respond to God’s command of love for the other above my own desires and wants.

 

Reading 2: While humility keeps before us our true self as struggling sinners always in need of God’s mercy, the author of Hebrews reminds us how privileged we are. Though we are sinners, who deserve the wrath of God, God allows us to experience him in a personal, real way, simply because he loves us.

 

The people of the Exodus in the Old Testament were not able to approach the Mount of the Lord because of their sinful, rebellious hearts nor hear his voice. On the contrary, we are privileged to be able to approach the Lord because of Jesus our Mediator, whose blood was shed for the remission of our sins. We can come into the Real Presence of the Lord; we can offer a perfect sacrifice; we can receive the Body and Blood of Jesus—not because we are worthy or deserving, but simply because of God’s mercy and love.

 

 

 "Christians must be on guard against the spirit of worldliness that confuses and blurs the lines between what is good and what is evil. The Holy Spirit brings you to God and if you sin, the Holy Spirit protects you and helps you to get up. But the spirit of the world brings you to corruption, to the point that you can’t distinguish between what is good and what is bad; it is all the same, everything is the same.” (Pope Francis)

All of us are constantly confronted with the Spirit of God's lead and the spirit of world's attractions. Sometimes the latter is very subtle and gradual in its influence in our lives. Many people externally look like they are following the lead of the Holy Spirit in their lives, but in reality internally they are worldly at heart. Jesus reminds us that we are in the world but not of the world. When we are both in and of the world then we have a worldly spirit dictating to us our values. Jesus addressed this in his distinction between the narrow gate and the wide gate or the narrow road and the broad road. The narrow road  is that of following the lead of the Holy Spirit. It is the road of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to the will of the Father. The broad road is that of following the lead of the world, which distracts us from the Lord. The former leads to eternal life with God. The latter leads to eternal destruction. Do we find in  our hearts any residue of this worldly spirit? Do we see ourselves struggling with it but still keeping our eyes on the Lord?

 Twenty-second Sunday Gospel C

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor.  A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.  Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.  For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”  

· What is our attitude at functions and events to which we are invited?

· What is humility? Here are some thoughts:

“Humility isn't thinking little of self; it isn't thinking of self at all.”

“That the virtue of humility consists in the knowledge of certain truths, I had already recognized. These truths are: that I am nothing, that I can do nothing but sin, that I depend on God for everything--for existence, conservation, movement, and grace. What is more, I am most happy in my dependence on God, and I prefer to depend entirely on God rather than on myself.” (St. Anthony Mary Claret)

“It is proof of deep humility if one realizes that he is condemned without guilt and yet suffers in silence.  This is an excellent imitation of Christ, who innocently suffered for our guilt.” (St. Theresa)

                “One day I was wondering why God so loves the humble when it suddenly and                unexpectedly struck me that this must be because he is the supreme Truth and                humility is truth.” (St. Theresa of Avila, (Interiof Castle, VI,10)

“If we were humble, nothing would change us--neither praise nor discouragement. If someone were to criticize us, we would not feel discouraged. If someone were to praise us, we also would not feel proud.” (Mother Teresa)

Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

· How do we apply this saying to ourselves?

· Is humility an attitude of the heart and mind, seeing ourselves through the eyes of God? As Francis of Assisi says: “I am who am as God sees me and nothing more.” Being whom God sees me to be and being that person is true humility.

 

"It would be well if we were in the habit {83} of looking at all we have as God's gift, undeservedly given, and day by day continued to us solely by His mercy. He gave; He may take away. He gave us all we have, life, health, strength, reason, enjoyment, the light of conscience; whatever we have good and holy within us; whatever faith we have; whatever of a renewed will; whatever love towards Him; whatever power over ourselves; whatever prospect of heaven. He gave us relatives, friends, education, training, knowledge, the Bible, the Church. All comes from Him. He gave; He may take away. Did He take away, we should be called on to follow Job's pattern, and be resigned: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." [Job i. 21.] While He continues His blessings, we should follow David and Jacob, by living in constant praise and thanksgiving, and in offering up to Him of His own." (John Henry Cardinal Newman)

 

Sometimes we fail in this most important aspect of our relationship with God. We take for granted what we should never forget, God’s many blessings.  A grateful heart opens one to greater blessings. And the opposite is likewise true. A complacent, forgetful heart blocks itself from receiving more. The former helps us to see God as the loving Father he is. The latter shows us as spoiled children, treating God as a sugar daddy. Gratitude shows maturity of character. How do you want God to see you? A spoiled, ungrateful creature or a grateful son or daughter for all he has done for you?

 

 

"To be a Christian is one of the most wondrous and awful gifts in the world. It is, in one sense, to be higher than Angel or Archangel. If we have any portion of an enlightened faith, we shall understand that our state, as members of Christ's Church, is full of mystery. What so mysterious as to be born, as we are, under God's wrath? What so mysterious as to be redeemed by the death of the Son of God made flesh? What so mysterious as to receive the virtue of that death one by one through Sacraments? What so mysterious as to be able to teach and train each other in good or evil?" (John Cardinal Henry Newman)

 

How much do we cherish this gift, given to us unmerited by Jesus? My response to this great gift opens up doors of grace. Because I am a Christian, as an adopted son or daughter of God, I can share in the Body and Blood of Jesus. I have the privilege of being a Temple of the Holy Spirit, sharing in God’s Divine Life now, and hopefully eternally. As a Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit, I am anointed and empowered to witness Jesus to others. At the same time, to whom much is given, much will be required. Am I living as a Christian, according to the teachings of Jesus? I am a Christian by God’s grace. I respond to this privilege both by grace and choice.