Homily: Twenty-Fourth Sunday Year B

 

Reading 1: Who is Isaiah prophesying about? “I gave my back to those who beat me, my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting….The Lord God is my help.” From our perspective, it is Jesus in his passion which we will hear about in the Gospel.

 

Through the prophet God was preparing the people for the great mystery of his redemptive love, the suffering and death and resurrection of his own divine Son become man. But the focus of the prophet was not so much the sufferings of this servant of the Lord, but his resolve to trust in God in the midst of his sufferings. He endured this suffering even though he knew he was sinless and innocent. He would be true to his identity and mission.

 

In the midst of his sufferings on the cross, Jesus still could say, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”  When Isaiah says that this suffering servant sets his face like flint, he means that he is resolved to be fully obedient to the Father and to do his will in love.

 

How often do we find ourselves in difficulties and struggles? How often we have suffered at the hands of others though we were innocent of their attacks? Do we turn to the Lord for his help? Do we trust in the Lord, knowing in faith He is near and will uphold our right? The difference between Jesus and ourselves is that we have sinned and he was sinless. At times, we may be reaping the consequences of our sins.

 

Reading 2: This is a continuation of the last Sunday’s second reading. James is balancing the emphasis Paul wrote that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. The works of the Old Law did not save us. This is true.  It is possible that in the community to whom James is writing some interpreted Paul the way some Christians do today. They say faith alone saves us.

 

James reflects on Jesus’ teaching about the need to feed and clothe and give drink to the needy out of love. This was very important in the life of the disciple. James makes that very clear. It is faith in Jesus Christ that saves us, but that faith must be expressed and lived in love by carrying for those in need. He says faith not expressed in works or actions is dead, a matter of external show. But faith accompanied with works demonstrate one’s faith in Christ. As Jesus said: “It is not the one who says, Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven but him who does the will of my Father.”

 

Gospel

There are three parts in the Gospel today. First, the confession of faith in Jesus by Peter; second, the mystery of the cross is part of this; third, the need for us both to believe in Jesus and follow in his footsteps by embracing our own crosses.

 

First, the need for the apostles to make a decision about the identity of Jesus. They have been with Jesus for a period of time and have heard his teachings and seen signs and wonders. “Who do you say I am to you at this point of our relationship?” Peter, in faith, proclaims: “You are Christ” This is part of Jesus’ true identity. He is promised Messiah and Savior of the world.

 

Second, Jesus reveals to them what it really means for him to be the Christ. This is our connection to the first reading. He is the Suffering Servant prophesied by Isaiah. Jesus reveals that he will live out his mission as the Christ by suffering the cruel death of crucifixion.

 

To this Peter reacted negatively. Though he gave the right answer, he had a wrong understanding of its full meaning. Or maybe Peter really understood the implication of Jesus’ predictions of his suffering, but was not ready to embrace this himself. Peter was, in essence, telling Jesus to deny both his identity and his mission.

 

Third, Jesus rebukes Peter’s attempt to turn him from the cross. Instead, he emphasizes the disciple is to acknowledge Jesus’ identity and mission and embrace the mystery of the cross in one’s own life. Having faith in Jesus is not just agreeing with a set of statements about Jesus. Having faith means following him. It means giving our lives to him. Having faith means that we make Jesus our way of life. And this is the way of the cross, the way of love.

 

Who do you say I am? This is a question each disciple of Jesus needs to answer. If he is Christ for us, then how do we respond to this reality? Is he truly the Lord of our lives, at the very center of our lives? Do we embrace or run away from the crosses in our path?

“It is our vocation to set people’s hearts ablaze, to do what the Son of God did, who came to light a fire on earth in order to set it ablaze with His love.” Frédéric Ozanam (1813-1853)

 

Do you see this as your calling in your state of life? This was the conviction of the Saints, no matter their walk of life, to be witnesses of God’s love in a world lacking this fire. A person’s life may be routine and aimless until they fall in love with another person, then they can’t contain themselves. Their life has new purpose. If this is true on a natural level, how much more true is it on the most important level, our eternal destiny. A person’ faith life may be still a seed that has not borne fruit. But, when they have a transforming encounter with the One who planted the seed in the first place, the power of love brings forth new fruit. But this love cannot be contained. Of its nature it needs to be given away. This spark of love, through witnessing to other becomes a roaring fire, spreading from one person to another. All because love made the difference.

 Twenty-fourth Sunday Year B 

Now Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." 

· Caesarea Philippi was rebuilt by Herod Philip and dedicated to the emperor, Caesar. There was another Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast.

· These were the popular opinions circulating about the identity of Jesus. But Jesus was more interested in who do they say he was.

· Who is Jesus to you? How did you see Jesus ten years ago? How do you see Jesus today? What has made the difference?

And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Messiah."  

· Though Peter gave the right response, he did not fully comprehend its true meaning.

· How did Peter see Jesus when Jesus first encountered him? What has made the difference in Peter’s present understanding of Jesus?

· Will Peter’s understanding of his statement that Jesus was the Messiah change after the resurrection? How so?

Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.  

· Why did Jesus tell them not to tell anyone about him yet? What has not happened for the fuller understanding of what it meant for Jesus to be Messiah to be clearer?

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.  He spoke this openly.

· Notice Jesus says the he “must” suffer for it is the Divine plan of the Father for the salvation of the world.

· Jesus takes Peter’s confession and gives the right understanding. He was not a political Messiah but one who would give his life for the salvation of the world.

· This is the first of three predictions of Jesus’ upcoming suffering and death and resurrection which he shares with the disciples. Why do you think he does this three different times?

Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."  

· Peter did not want to publicly rebuke Jesus in front of the others. But Jesus was not going to so spare Peter. He had overstepped the boundary between disciple and Master.

· Why does Jesus call Peter, Satan? Would you be shaken if Jesus said this to you?

· Do we sometimes think not as God does but in the ways of others?

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said  to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel  will save it.”

· How do you apply this teaching of Jesus in your own life? What is Jesus asking of you at this time of your spiritual journey?

· What part of this reflection has touched you the most?

 

"My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings." St. Isaac Jogues 

 

St. Paul said: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6-7) God will accomplish his plans in our lives, not without us, but with our full cooperation. Unfortunately, because of our tendency to sin, we get in the way of God, by inserting our “better mouse trap.” God is the Master Builder. He gives us the blueprint with each detail. He is the architect. We are the contractors and laborers. His design and details will lead us to eternal life, if we but follow faithfully. If we use faulty material, if we try to cut corners and not follow the specs, what is finished will not weather the storms and stresses of life.

 

 

“We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips.” St. Peter Claver 

 

The old saying, “Actions speak louder than words” is definitely true. Don’t tell someone you love them, if you are not willing to show the person love. We are called to witness the saving powers of Jesus, but first we are called to take care of their needs. Once a person encounters the love of Christ, then the person is more receptive to hearing the message of Jesus. Too many times we are quick to inform before we prepare the soil of one’s heart to receive the saving word through an encounter of love and goodness.

 

 

 

“When you feel restless, sad, sorrowful and embittered, look for the cause, and if it is not worth being sorry about (and nothing that does not offend God is worth being sorry about), get rid of your anxiety; if you do not see the causes but feel restless and dissatisfied all the same, put up with it, arm yourself with patience, let the storm pass, and your inner peace will return.” Blessed Francisco Palau y Quer 

 

These feelings and emotions are part of the human journey. What we do with them or allow them to do to us is the issue. If these feelings come from sin on our part, then repent of the sin and return to the Lord. If they come from circumstances of life, which we have no control of, entrust oneself into the hands of the Lord, sharing in his passion. Turn the focus from ourselves to the Lord, who alone can make lemonade out of lemons. The peace that we desire during these times comes from our relationship with the Lord.

 

"God speaks in the silence of the heart.”  St Teresa of Calcutta 

 

When the prophet Elijah waited to hear God’s plan for him, it was in the quiet whisper in silence that he received his message. In that silence God’s quiet voice is heard. It is hard for us to enter into the quiet of silence because our mind is all over the place. Yet, that is the place and time God reveals his plan for us. There is no audible voice, but an inner awareness that brings peace to us. God himself gives us this direction in the Scriptures. “Be still and know that I am God.” Should we not follow it?

 

Homily Twenty-Third Sunday Year B

Reading 1:

Background.  People are exiled in Babylonia because they broke their sacred covenant with God. Isaiah gives them a message of hope from God. He said that God will bring them back, just as he delivered their ancestors, who were in bondage in Egypt. As God purified their ancestors in the desert for forty years and led them into the Promised Land, so God will deliver those now in exile.

 

While in exile, many had become accustomed to their new homeland and didn’t want to leave. Some were frightened of the harshness of the journey. God’s response: do not be afraid. Isaiah reminds them that it is God who will lead them back to Judea. He is their savior.

 

Isaiah reminds the people that God will give them signs, just as he did as of old. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the crippled will walk and dance, those mute will speak. God will provide water to drink even in the desert. Do not be afraid. Trust and obey.

 

How often do we need to hear the same comforting words in the midst of our difficulties! We may not be in exile, but we are confronted with our own problems, personal and social, political and ecclesial.

 

Reading 2:

The focus of this part of the Letter of James is the equality of faith. God shows no partiality. He gives everyone the grace of repentance and conversion, the grace of faith. The problem is that we, who have been so gifted freely by God, show partiality how we treat others in the community of faith.

 

If we do this, we are basing our treatment of one another, not on our common gift of faith, but on external human realities. In the case of the people James was addressing the problem was the distinction made between rich and poor. They gave preference to the material rich, the well dressed, the good looking, but looked down on the poor, the marginalized and the less attractive.

 

James reminds us that the way we treat others should be the way God treats us. He did not choose us because we were deserving but all of us were spiritually poor and in need of salvation, which comes through faith in Jesus. We should let the eyes of faith be the lens we use in our treatment of one another.

 

Gospel:

Jesus sees the faith expectation in the request of the people and in the eyes of the man afflicted by deafness and dumbness. Jesus knows he has come to proclaim the message of hope and salvation to a people in darkness. Jesus desired to bring healing and salvation to all, even those outside of the territory of Israel.

 

One of the signs of the new era God would bring, according to Isaiah in the first reading, was the opening of the ears to hear and the mute to speak.

 

Jesus is not about entertaining the crowds by performing a miracle. So he takes the man aside in order for the man to focus on how much God loves him. It is in this one to one encounter with Jesus that will remain riveted in the heart of the man and to which he will return again and again to reflect on.

 

The external signs Jesus use—touching, spittle, words—are sacramental in nature, namely, outward, visible signs of Jesus’ messianic power. At the baptism of a person, we do the same. We say over the ears and mouth as we make the sign of the cross on them: Be open so that you may hear the word of God and proclaim it to others.

 

The miracle is further enhanced because, not only does the man hear for the first time, but he is able to speak a language he has never heard or learned. He communicated clearly.

At the time, the reason Jesus said not to tell anyone is because they would see Jesus only as a miracle worker. Not until his death on the cross and his resurrection will they see him as the Lord and Messiah.

 

Today, we experience the Eucharistic miracle. As a result, we too need to go and proclaim to others the Good News of salvation and the marvelous love of God for us. We need to say: Fear not! Our God has come to save us. This gift is for everyone. Our faith and treatment should be a sign of that reality.

 

“We do not want to curse anyone, we do not want to hold anything against anyone, and we want to be good to everyone.” Blessed Joseph Georg Simon Häfner 

 

When we are mistreated or falsely accused, our human tendency may be to wish the worse on the other. We both suffer. We add our sin to the sin of the other. That’s not the way of a true disciple of Jesus. St. Paul reflected the thought of Jesus, when he wrote, “Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them.^” (Romans 12:14) The world is not transformed by the “eye for eye” mentality. Only love can break the strongholds of evil, for love endures but evil will eventually fail.

 

 Twenty-Third Sunday Year B

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. 

· Jesus goes to Sidon which is north of Tyre and then east to the Gentile territory on the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  In a previous trip to this area he exorcised a demonic man and the people asked Jesus to leave their territory.

And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd.  

· Symbolically, the man can stand both for the Jews and Gentiles who were deaf to God and his word. Are we at times deaf to God’s word?

· Why do you think he took the man aside away from the crowd? Was it not to draw attention to what Jesus was going to do?

He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” --and immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.  

· What is the symbolism of putting his finger in the man’s ears and saliva on his tongue? What is the symbolism of Jesus looking up to heaven before  saying the words?

· Do you see a connection with baptism?

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

· In ordering the people not to say anything about the actual healing, Mark was trying to convey to his readers that Jesus was more than a healer. We must wait until his death and resurrection to fully understand the mystery of Jesus.

· What needs to be opened in our hearts, eyes and minds? What application do we make from this miracle?

"There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle the contests of temptation; and in the end the fullness of perfection." Pope St. Gregory the Great 

 

This is the spiritual journey that we are on. It began for us in Baptism, but we were too young to know. Later, we had a " conversion" experience, when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The full grace of our baptism was released. The reality of sin became clearer to us as we moved on. Not that we no longer sinned, but we saw sin for what it is. We began to deal with our sins, seeking through the Sacraments the grace to move from darkness into light. Without knowing, we were on the road of perfection, which is completed in death and if necessary the purifying fires of purgatory. Keep your eyes on the prize.

 

 

“I calmly do what I can, the rest is done by the Lord, who can do everything. With his help everything is light and smooth, because we serve a good master.”  Blessed Francisco Gárate Aranguren, SJ 

 

Unfortunately, many feel they have to do everything, rather than only what they can. Why? Is to prove themselves? Is it that they don’t trust that God really cares? Whatever the reason their task becomes a burden to accomplish alone. They may feel overwhelmed. They failed to realize they are not starting from scratch, but with something given already by God. He gives us opportunities to serve with him in the perfection of his creation, as an apprentice under the Master. Once we realize this relationship, our task will be easy and our burden light, for all is in his hands, for his purpose.

 

“Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free. We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of our peace of soul. Instead, let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever He chooses to send us.” Blessed Solanus Casey 

 

St. Paul gives us this admonition. “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.^” (Philippians 4:6-7) To worry about things we have no control over is to put our attention on our own inabilities, instead on the Lord, who has a plan and purpose for everything. Worry saps our energy. Trust in the Lord’s providence strengthens us as we wait. Worry brings tension and discontent, while leaning on the Lord will bring the peace that endures. We can choose yin or yang.

 

Homily: Twenty-second Sunday Year B

 

Reading 1: How do we see the Ten Commandments? Do we see them as a rule of life, helping us to become more the people of God or as a burden too heavy to bear and impossible to follow? Do we see them from a loving God? Moses told the people not to add or subtract from what was commanded. We could say not to interpret and dilute them to justify some of our likes and behaviors. Moses further told the people that observing the Commandments would show their belief in God and their closeness to God as well as their dependence upon him.

 

Today, does our observance of these Commandments reflect our relationship to God? Do our failings to keep the Commandments reflect that God is not relevant in our lives? Today, there are those determined to erase the Ten Commandments as a rule of life, because they do not believe in the Judeo-Christian God. The civil law is more meaningful than the Divine Law, because civil laws can be changed from generation to generation. Civil laws can be adapted to the changing times. For instance, “you shall not kill” is one of the Commands of God. But the taking of the innocent life of an unborn child is justified by civil law, because people’s thinking has changed to fit their purpose. Respect for life, which is the Law of God, is no longer the practiced way of life when the self becomes the norm, rather than the other.

 

We can go through each of the Commandments and see how people are or are not observing them today. Moses told the people that by observing the Ten Commandments they will be witnesses to the nations of the goodness of God.  When the Commandments are not followed or relegated to irrelevancy, then the civil law, which can be manipulate to fit the will of the majority at the time, becomes the rule of life, leading away from God.

 

Gospel: The heart of today’ s message is “You disregard God’s Commandments, but cling to human traditions. There is nothing wrong with washing dishes, hands, clothes. This is good hygienic practice.  During the present pandemic it is good to wash our hands, sanitize, wear masks, etc. But there is a greater disease that many times we neglect to deal with.  It is the disease of sin.

 

The Pharisees were more concerned with external purification than internal purification. By focusing on the Commandments, they would be dealing with the sins which can bring lasting and eternal death.

 

Yes, we should be concern about the virus and about cancer, which can cause our physical death. But how concerned are we about the spiritual cancer, which is more destructive?  We are all sinners. We all fall short of the glory of God. By observing the Commandments, we will replace sin with virtue by God’s grace.

 

Where do we start? Which is my greatest sin? Start there. As we look at a Commandment, don’t look at it from the surface. Take for instance the example of a person who goes to confession and says “I didn’t kill anyone”. Maybe physically that is true, but are there other ways to violate this commandment besides physically taking a life?  Here is an examination of conscience to reflect on. “The fifth commandment forbids: Murder, suicide, criminal neglect that might cause serious injury or death to another, serious anger and hatred, abortion, mercy killing, the use of narcotics, sterilization, drunkenness, help extended to another to commit a mortal sin, fighting and revenge.”

 

Reading 2: Just as the Commandments are from God, so his revealed word is from him. As the Commandments are given to guide our life in relationship to God and others, so too his word. We are to welcome his word, which is given to us to same us. How do we truly welcome the Ten Commandments and the revealed Word?  Do we hear them, receive them and act on them?

 

Each Sunday we are privileged to hear God’s word. How do we receive it? What did we do with the word we heard last Sunday? Every time we hear God’s word it is anew and alive with meaning for me in my present circumstance. But if we do not act on that word, then we will miss the present grace God desires to give us in our lives.

 

 

 

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” Saint Augustine 

 

We call this cafeteria Faith. The Gospels are the revealed Word of God, not the word of man. Men were inspired by the Spirit to recall and write down the words and deeds of Jesus. To reject what we don’t like is to make ourselves the validator of God’s Word. Or to interpret the word to fit our personal thinking pattern is to negate the power of the Word. What we are called to do is to hear, believe and act on the Word of God, because it is the Word of God. The Word of God cannot contradict itself, because it is truth. In accepting his word, we are accepting the Author of the Word, God himself. What we don't understand, we ask the Spirit to enable us to comprehend what God wants us to know. 

 Twenty-second Sunday Gospel B

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. 

· The fact that they came from Jerusalem meant that they were an official delegation sent to observe this new Rabbi and his disciples to see if they were strictly following the Law. They were checking his orthodoxy.

For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands,

keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. 

· The Pharisees and observant Jews were keen on ritual purity, that is, to do nothing that would make one unworthy to enter into the temple or to offer sacrifice. There were many laws regulating ritual purity. The Pharisees pride themselves on their strict observances of all these laws. They expected, and seemingly demanded others to do the same.

So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 

· This tradition was at the heart of their understanding of righteousness, based on works. This offended their sense of righteousness before God.

· Here we have another point of contention between the Pharisees and Jesus over his disciples’ behavior.

· The issue is Jesus’ interpretation of the Law and their interpretation and between the commandments of the Law and human traditions of their elders.

· This was another attempt to discredit Jesus before the people who flocked to him.

· They were not so much concerned about hygiene but ritual impurity.

He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” 

· Jesus was aware that they had come to undermine his ministry.

· What is the distinction Jesus makes in his response? Jesus knows that there is nothing in the commandments demanding this ritual of washing but was added later by human tradition.

· What upsets Jesus is that these leaders were laying more emphasis on their own ritual requirements than on what was far more important, such as obedience to God’s word.

· In quoting Isaiah Jesus indicates the degree of their hypocrisy. They placed more emphasis on human interpretation than on the actual word of God.

· The question Jesus raises is this: Is the interpretation of the Law, made by the teachers down through the centuries, which at times reinterpret the Word of God even to the point of altering it somewhat, equal to the Law itself?

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.  Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,

adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” 

· When we reflect on this passage do we see an application in our lives?

· Do we sometimes focus on the external trappings rather than the interior transformation that God desires?

            How conscious are we of the roots of sin within us? What are we doing about them?

 

“Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” St. Monica 

 

These words reflect the inner desires of a person who has seen the one thing she prayed for the most answered. She wanted her son, Augustine, to finally be baptized and commit his life and energy to serving God.  Once her son took that step, there was nothing left for her to do here on earth. Shouldn’t this be the most important desire of any Christian parent? For when, a parent dies and goes before the Lord, I believe God will ask this one of several questions. “Where are your children in relationship to me because of you? Are they closer to me because of you or farther away because of you?” A child is a gift from God to be returned to God as a saint. That should be the prayer of every parent.

 

 

“No one was ever lost because his sin was too great, but because his trust was too small.” Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos 

 

God is rich in mercy and forgiveness, when it comes to the sins of humanity. Jesus through his death on the cross forgave all sin. Therefore, there is no sin God will not forgive, if there is true repentance and openness to his grace. When Jesus talks about the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the issue is not the sin itself, but the sinner not believing and trusting in the mercy of God. The greater sin is that, even with the grace given by God to enable repentance, the person obstinately refuses the grace and chooses self-condemnation. Pray for the grace to have a receptive heart to the mercy of God.

 

 

“Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.” St. Rose of Lima 

 

Is it a wonder that Jesus made taking up our cross daily an essential for the journey to glory? It was the instrument he used for our salvation. How often we try to run away from the cross in our path! But in doing so, we encounter road block after road block. We are to take up our cross as a yoke Christ asks us to bear with him. The cross of itself is never easy. But the cross shared with Jesus becomes bearable. For many the cross is a stumbling block. But for the disciple of Jesus, the cross is the sure path to union with Jesus now and in eternity. Jesus embraced the cross for us and asks us to embrace the cross for and with him.

 

 “No one has access to the Almighty as His mother has – none has merit such as hers. Her Son will deny her nothing that she asks and herein lies her power. While she defends the Church, neither height nor depth, neither men nor evil spirits, neither great monarchs, nor craft of man, nor popular violence, can avail to harm us – for human life is short  but Mary reigns above, a Queen forever.” Saint Cardinal John Henry Newman 

 

Mary’s Queenship is the ultimate grace that God has given to the Mother of Jesus. As Jesus is King of Kings by virtue of being the Lord of Lords, so Mary is his beloved Queen, reigning with him. She is his perfect creation. Where Eve would not submit totally to God’s will, Mary, surrendered her total self to God, without counting the cost. Crowning Mary as Queen, signifies the role Mary played in the salvation of the world through doing the will of God. Yes, by grace, but also by choice. Mary, we honor you as God honors you. You are indeed blessed among women.

 

 

Homily Twenty-First Sunday Year B

 

Reading 1: Over the period of Israel’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land the people had witnessed God’s signs and wonders. First, he freed them from their bondage of Egypt. Then he established a covenant with them, sealed with blood. At the time the people said, “We will serve the Lord.” They remained in the desert for forty years because their actions and words did not match. They grumbled and complained; they were disobedient and obstinate of heart against God. As a result, many died without entering into the Promised Land.

 

Now, God brings them into the land flowing with milk and honey. They were able to conquer their enemies and began to settle down. Once more Joshua reminded the people what God did for them. Joshua challenged them to either renew the covenant and serve only the Lord or go the way of their ancestors. “As for me and my household we will serve the Lord.”

 

The people made the same profession of commitment. They were faithful, but generations after them were not.

 

When we were baptized, God made a covenant with us. He chose us to be his adopted sons and daughters.  Each Sunday, we renew our covenant in the Eucharist. The question is do we just say words or do we live our commitment with the same intention of Joshua? “As for me and my household we will serve the Lord.”

 

Reading 2: In marriage, husband and wife enter into a sacred covenant with each other and with God. What Paul says about man and woman in the marriage covenant, he sees through the lens of our relationship with Christ.

 

The first reading focused on serving the Lord, being faithful to the Lord, following the Lord. The second reading is saying the same thing. Husband and wives in living out their covenant are to focus on serving the Lord. Their subordination to one another is because of their relationship to Christ.

 

Wives love your husbands as you love Christ. Husbands love your wives as you love Christ. How can you do this with all the faults each sees in the other? The same way Jesus loves us with our faults and failures. He did this by laying down his life for us, his people, the Church.

 

In the same way, each spouse is to live in relationship to the other. This is the subordination each is to show to the other. In so doing, you will be helping the other to grow in holiness.

 

One of the many questions, God will ask of spouses at the Day of Judgment is “Where is your spouse in relationship to me because of you”?

 

Gospel: The Gospel is a continuation of last Sunday’s reading. Jesus’ promised to give us his Body to eat and his Blood to drink, so that we may have life everlasting. At the beginning of last Sunday’s Gospel, it said that the Jews grumbled, questioned and challenged Jesus. Here it says, even some of his disciples found Jesus’ words too hard to accept.

 

Jesus’ teaching was a Word of Wisdom, which is beyond the rationale of the human mind, but is dependent on faith in the person of Jesus Christ. In a sense, Jesus, in a subtle way reveals his true identity. “What if you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” The Spirit gives the faith that is needed; human nature cannot.

 

Many of his disciples walked away because they could not make a commitment to accept Jesus and his word.  Jesus then turns to the twelve and asked: “Do you want to leave?” Peter had already confessed that Jesus was the Christ. Now he professes: “You have the words of everlasting life. We believe that you are the Holy One of God.”  Both statements were expressions of faith in the person of Jesus and in his words.

 

Our faith is in Jesus as Lord, Savior and God. There may be many things that may be hard to understand and believe. Like the disciples our faith may be tested and may waver a bit. If our faith is at best surface deep, it will take little to shake it. We need to ask for the grace from the Holy Spirit to remain followers of Jesus, never separating ourselves from him or his Church, no matter what. “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

 

“God does not prevent sin, because even from the very abuse man makes of the liberty with which he is endowed, God knows how to bring forth good and to make his mercy or his justice become more and more resplendent.” St. Pius X 

 

God could prevent sin. To do so is to take away the freedom that he gives us to choose to love or not to love. He allows sin so that he can show the depth of his love through his unconditional mercy or the consequence to unrepentant sin through his righteous justice.  This is why God is God. His ways are not our ways. Living in his way is to live in love. But when we sin, we can return to the Lord for his mercy is everlasting. Each time we do, we are proclaiming the greatness of our God in spite of our weakness.

Twenty-First Sunday Gospel B 

Many of Jesus’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 

· “This saying” was the teaching of Jesus in the last two Sundays’ Gospel readings concerning his gift of his body and blood as food and drink leading to eternal life.

· Notice those who were having a hard time accepting this teaching of Jesus were disciples—that is some of the very ones who had committed to walk and learn from him.

Earlier, it was the Jews in general who followed Jesus after the multiplication of the loaves                and fish.

· What does that say to you?

Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?  It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” 

· Though they had been disciples following Jesus, they had not yet made that final faith commitment in him. Are you an uncommitted disciple or a “no-turning back” disciple?

· What does Jesus mean when he says: “What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending…”? They couldn’t believe his word because they couldn’t see him beyond the fact that he was a man just like them. They were not open to the fact that he was more than what they saw and thus more than what they could understand. His words do not make sense if he is no more than a man, if he is not also the Son of God.

· What is the role of the Spirit is this? Our human knowledge without the gift of understanding by the Spirit cannot comprehend or accept the mystery of the gift of Jesus’ Body and Blood as food for our journey. From the Spirit comes the gift of faith that empowers us to accept in faith this gift of Jesus.

Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him.

· How did Jesus know this? Over the period of time and in prayer he was discerning (gift of the Spirit) who was going to continue to walk with him and who was going to betray him.

  And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 

· Do we know people who have done this even among our acquaintances? How do we react to their decision?

· Notice Jesus didn’t try to stop them or to explain the mystery any further to them. No one can be forced to accept and believe. It must be a free choice.

· Even today, our understanding and acceptance of the Eucharist divides us from others who cannot accept the reality of Jesus’ words.

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

· What separated the twelve from the others who left Jesus? Why did they remain in his company?

· What do you take from this passage and apply to your life?

“If you want to become a Catholic, then live faithfully as a Catholic, so that when people see you, they will know that you are a Catholic." Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene TansI  1903 –1964)

 

Too many people are “Catholic” culturally and by name only. But they look and act no different than those who are non-believers. They may have the external trimmings of a “Catholic”, they may go through the motions at times, but their life is not rooted in Christ. If they were, their values and morals would be different from the crowd. They would make decisions based on their relationship with Jesus, desiring to be with him eternally. Being a Catholic is not like being a neon sign flashing one’s faith, but a mirror reflecting ones’ faith and commitment. You can tell a tree, Jesus says, by its fruits.

 

 

 “Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desire, and his disposition live and reign there.” St. John Eudes (1601-1680)

 

What is this based on? It is the fact of our faith that we belong to the Lord. Since we belong to the Lord, all that we are, have and will be, should be his. Even though this is a fact of faith, it is not always a fact in our lived reality, especially when we sin. We withhold from Jesus, our Lord, what is his by right. We also use what is his for our own gain, like the unjust steward in the Gospel. Honestly ask yourself where Jesus is not fully the Lord of your life? What have your hoarded for yourself, because you do not trust Jesus? Repent. Return to the Lord all that is his. Surrender to him. He will give you even more than you can imagine.

 

 

 “Fidelity in little things must be the basic rule in striving for holiness,” St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)

If I cannot be faithful and obedient in the little things asked of me, how can I be faithful in bigger things? The building blocks of holiness is laid in the fidelity to God’s will in each thing that is expected of me. That thing of the moment is God’s will for me in the moment. Do it well out of love for God, then God will be able to entrust bigger things for us to do. The servant who buried his Master’s talent proved he was unworthy of anything more important. When I am faithful in little things, then I am saying that everything is important in the eyes and service of God. God is found more in the ordinary than in the spectacular.

 

“Theologians have frequently come up with similar reasons to explain in some way the meaning of the abundant graces showered upon Mary and culminating in her assumption to heaven. They put it this way: “It was fitting; God could do so; therefore, he did.” This is the clearest reason why our Lord granted his Mother, from the very moment of her immaculate conception, all possible privileges. She was free from the power of Satan. She is beautiful, spotless and pure in soul and body.” St. Epiphanius (310-403)

 

God’s ways are not our ways; his thoughts are not our thoughts. What is impossible for man to conceive, comprehend and conclude rationally, God simply wills from all eternity. God chose to honor Mary, the Mother of the Savior, first by conceiving her free of Original Sin and its effects, then by sustaining her in grace, so that she can, while remaining a Virgin. conceive and give birth to Jesus. As she shared in the merits of his death from the beginning of her human existence, she shared in his glorious resurrection by being assumed into heaven incorrupt, in body and soul. Who can question God?

 

 

 “If you want to become a Catholic, then live faithfully as a Catholic, so that when people see you, they will know that you are a Catholic." Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene TansI  1903 –1964)

 

Too many people are “Catholic” culturally and by name only. But they look and act no different than those who are non-believers. They may have the external trimmings of a “Catholic”, they may go through the motions at times, but their life is not rooted in Christ. If they were, their values and morals would be different from the crowd. They would make decisions based on their relationship with Jesus, desiring to be with him eternally. Being a Catholic is not like being a neon sign flashing one’s faith, but a mirror reflecting ones’ faith and commitment. You can tell a tree, Jesus says, by its fruits.

 

 “We are like a pencil with which God writes the texts He wants said in the hearts of men.” St. Irmã Dulce (1914-1992)

 "Hell is full of the talented, but Heaven of the energetic." St, Jane Francis de Chantal

The talented in Hell are there because they were focused on themselves and not on God. They used what was God-given for a selfish purpose. On the other hand, the Saints were zealot for the Lord, as they recognized all had come from God and was to be used for his glory. We have many gifts. How do we see them and hoe do we use hem? To glorify self or to glorify God? Don't let gold turn to dust, but take the dust and turn it to gold for the praise of God.

 

“Let go of your plans." St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942)

 

Can we trust God’s love for us to let go of our plans and accept and act on his plans? Wasn’t this the call of each of the disciples? Jesus invites us to let go our expectations in life, so that his plans may begin to form us into our full potential. This is the path to holiness. Following him no matter where he leads us. In his humanity Jesus did not want to embrace the suffering of the cross. In his love of the Father, he embraced the will of God, even when it meant his suffering and death by crucifixion. We don’t know all that God will ask of us on the journey of surrender to him, but we do know in faith that he will lead us to the Father, our ultimate destination. Not my will but yours be done.

 

"Let not weakness make you discouraged.” St. Mary MacKillop 

 

St. Paul learned this lesson and shared his insight from God with us. “’My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Weakness is used by the devil to discourage us. God uses our weakness to draw us to himself. He teaches us that our strength comes not from ourselves but from him. In him I can do all things. Without him I can do nothing that is of value. We are to acknowledge our weakness, so as to depend more upon the Lord for his strength. In this way we mock the devil. 

 

Homily Nineteenth Sunday Year B

 

Reading 1: Elijah has confronted the infidelity of the nation of Israel. Their king, Ahaz, was wicked and did abominable deeds. His wife, Jezebel, was a foreigner, who brought the worship of her gods with her. Ahaz had temples built to her gods for worship. Elijah was told by God to confront this head on.

 

Elijah had all the false prophets killed. Jezebel was furious and sought to kill Elijah. That is why he is fleeing and wants to die. Gut God has other plans for him. You ever felt that way.

 

Elijah is obedient. He is told to go to the mountain of God, Horeb in the desert. Mt. Horeb in the OT was the place of Moses’ encounters with God during the Exodus journey. There Moses had the burning bush experience; there God gave him the Ten Commandments, making a covenant with the people. There God provided water when the people complained.

 

While waiting upon the Lord, Elijah also has an encounter with God. God speaks to him in the whisper of the wind. God told him to anoint another king to succeed Ahaz and a prophet to succeed him.  He had a destination and a purpose, to follow the way of the Lord, to hear the word of the Lord and to act on the word of the Lord. He was obedient.  Like Elijah we have to learn how to be attentive to that small voice of the Lord, as he guides us through the difficulties and storms of our life journey. Sometimes we look for God in the wrong places, rather than be still and wait upon the Lord. Like Elijah we are called to listen, to obey and to act.

 

Gospel: Last Sunday in the first reading, the Israelites in the desert murmured and complained that they did not have food. So God gave them manna in the morning and quail in the evening. They were never satisfied.

 

Like their ancestors of old, the people in Jesus’ day murmured against Jesus, even though he was speaking the truth to them. They had been fed with the few loaves and fish. Now they wanted more. They could not accept Jesus for who he was, even though they had seen the signs and wonders Jesus performed.  Jesus said they should hunger for the true bread that will allow them to live forever. Their ancestors ate manna in the desert and complained against God that they were tired of the same food every day.

 

 

“I am a sinner and do not think much of myself. I have recourse, to the greatest Servants of the Lord that they may pray for me to the blessed Christ and His Mother. But do not forget, that all the Saints cannot endear you to Christ as much as you can yourself. It is entirely up to you!” St. Cajetan (1480-1547)

 

Jesus has saved us without our help, but we must respond to this grace of salvation, that’s our part. The Saints act as models and intercessors for us, showing us the path they travelled. But we have to travel the road ourselves, yes with their help and God’s grace. It is this latter factor that was missing in those who never reached the final intended destiny with God. They failed to respond to the grace of salvation sufficiently and consistently as a way of owning their faith. They received a paid airplane ticket, but they never took the flight. They were too busy sightseeing on side trips and missed their flight.

 Nineteenth Sunday Gospel B 

The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven," and they said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 

· What is the fundamental problem the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were having with Jesus? His identity! They saw him as a man but could not see him as one sent by God or equal to God as he claimed. Their human knowledge blinded and limited them to the mystery being revealed.

· What areas in our life that we have a hard time fully believing and living according to the Word of Jesus? What would be the hardness of our heart that blocks us from totally trusting in Jesus?

· Were in our life do we box Jesus in?

Jesus answered and said to them, "Stop murmuring among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: 'They shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.

· How attentive do we listen to the Father as he draws us to Jesus?

· Jesus is referring to himself when he says “Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God.”

· As Jesus claims to have seen God what do you think went through the minds of the religious leaders? What is Jesus claiming without directly stating it?

 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

· The key word here is “believes.”  Does our faith lie on the words of Jesus or the person of Jesus? If we believe that Jesus is one with the Father, does it really matter if we don’t fully understand some of his teachings, but accept them because of who he is?

· How strong is your faith in Jesus?

 I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." 

· Do we understand Jesus’ word figuratively and symbolically or do we believe in them literally?

· And if we believe that Jesus meant in fact what he said, with what attitude do we approach the Eucharist?  With awe and wonder or with inattentiveness?

· Spend some time reflecting on Jesus’ words in this passage. Enter more fully into the mystery being revealed.

· What impact does this passage have on your life?