"And thus the paths of those on earth were set right, and people
were taught what pleases you, and were saved by wisdom." [Wis.
9:18] One of the Books of the Old Testament that I really enjoy
reading is the Wisdom of Solomon. Why? Because when I read it, I
replace the word "wisdom" with the words "Holy Spirit." By doing
so, I come to perceive a completely different perspective of this
Book. I come to perceive the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in
my life and in the world.
Today's First Reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us five things.
(1) First of all, we as human beings are very limited in our
reasoning because we lack Divine knowledge and understanding. We
are limited in our ability of doing things and of knowing the
Divine Will of God. When we pray to do the Will of God, we always
question if our words and our actions are according to His Divine
Will. It is only after years have passed by, when we look back at
our lives, that we are able to perceive if we have done the right
thing and subjected ourselves to the omnipotent Will of the Lord.
Our limitation in knowing and understanding God is because our
earthbound body is a weigh on our heavenward aspirations. "For
what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the
Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to
each other, to prevent (us) from doing what (we) want." [Gal. 5:17]
In other words of St. Paul, "I do not understand my own actions.
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what
I do." [Rom. 7:15, 19]
(2) Secondly, God sent the Holy Spirit to give us Wisdom. This
verse is prophetic in nature. Written nearly 1,000 years prior to
the ministry of Jesus, it echoed the promise of the Lord to send
the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. [Jn. 14:26, 16:7] Such was
fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. [Acts 2:1-13]
(3) Thirdly, the Holy Spirit teaches us the way, the truth and the
life. [Jn. 14:6] Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach
us everything, and remind us of all that He has done. [Jn. 14:26]
(4) Fourthly, through the Holy Spirit, we learn how to please God.
In the words of Jesus, "The hour is coming, and is now here, when
the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,
for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit,
and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." [Jn.
4:23-4]
(5) And finally, through the Divine wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we
are saved. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are born
again. Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the
Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is
born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is
spirit." [Jn. 3:5-6] Through faith in Jesus Christ and the Church
Sacrament of Baptism, we are born again as new creations. We were
buried with Christ so that we could be raised from death to walk
the new life that we have received through Christ. [Rom. 6:4; Col.
2:12] (C.C.C. # 628) "The new creation is everything!" [Gal. 6:15]
Today's Second Reading takes us to the Letter of Paul to Philemon.
Through verse 19, we learn that Philemon had been converted through
the efforts of St. Paul. Philemon was the master of the slave
Onesimus. This slave had runaway and somehow found himself in the
company of Paul who converted him. Now, St. Paul was appealing to
Philemon's good will to welcome Onesimus back while hinting how
useful the slave had been to him.
In today's Reading, Paul begins by referring to himself as an old
man and a prisoner of Christ Jesus. [Phlm. 9] In those days, an
old man would have been considered around the ages of 50 to 60. In
his reference to being a prisoner of Christ Jesus, St. Paul was not
seeking sympathy. He may have been hinting of his senior status in
the Christian community, possibly even as an "ambassador of
Christ." [Eph. 6:20] The introduction of this letter is very
important. Paul had to win the heart of Philemon so when Onesimus
returned to him, he would not be walking into a hostile
environment.
Paul knew that through his letter, he had to spiritually uplift
Philemon so that his actions would reflect a Christlike behaviour
towards Onesimus. St. Paul most likely had some of the quotes of
Jesus on his mind. "If you love me, you will keep my
commandments." [Jn. 14:15] "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and
whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." [Mt. 10:40]
"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the last of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me." [Mt. 25:40]
As an apostle of the Lord, St. Paul could have ordered Philemon to
welcome back Onesimus in love. Rather, he chose to appeal to him
in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
In verse 10, Paul stated, "I am appealing to you for my child,
Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment."
Imagine the shock of Philemon when he received the letter. Here
his runaway slave, that he most likely figured he would never see
again, had been led to Christ. By who? By Paul, a prisoner, the
same Paul who had converted him.
Here we see the wisdom of God at work. As Philemon was saved by
wisdom, (the Holy Spirit,) so was his slave Onesimus. It was no
coincidence that Onesimus was saved by St. Paul. It was the
awesome and miraculous way of God at work. Both, the master and
the slave, had been converted by the same man, but yet in different
places and under different circumstances.
In verse 12, St. Paul says, "I am sending him, that is, my own
heart, back to you." In other words, Paul was saying that through
the loss of the slave Onesimus, he would be losing something he
greatly cherished. It was like losing part of himself. As a
spiritual father, St. Paul must have become very fond of the
goodness of Onesimus that the Lord Jesus had placed on his path.
It should be noticed here that St. Paul did not condemn or forbid
slavery. To the contrary, Onesimus was being sent back to his
master. Knowing that both, the master and slave were children of
God, Philemon was obligated to treat Onesimus with Christian love.
At the same time, Onesimus was obligated to serve Philemon in
Christian faithfulness. As such, Paul was not doing an injustice
to Onesimus by sending him back.
Also, there is the spiritual law of restitution at work here. In
the Sacrament of Confession, the penitent receives a penance for
his sins after having been absolved of them. In the case of
Onesimus, while the Sacrament of Baptism would have absolved him of
all traces of the original sin and those committed since his birth,
this did not cancel the debt that he owed to Philemon. As a new
Christian who was still a worldly slave, Onesimus was obligated to
make right the wrong that he had done as much as it was humanly
possible. He was obligated to return to his master and to correct
the wrong that he had done to him.
In verse 13, Paul stated, "I wanted to keep him with me, so that he
might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for
the gospel." These words indicate two things to Philemon. First
of all, the service of the slave Onesimus had been commendable.
Secondly, Philemon was indebted to St. Paul who was his spiritual
father. Since Philemon was not available to assist Paul in his
needs, Onesimus was the next best choice. Now, such flattery must
have certainly raised the eyes of Philemon. If he was proud of
having St. Paul as his spiritual father, which I am sure that he
was, how much more would he have been proud to be able to provide
a slave to serve an apostle who was known throughout the land.
In verse 14, we read, "but I preferred to do nothing without your
consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not
something forced." While Paul would have liked to keep Onesimus as
his servant, he could not do so without the knowledge and
permission of Philemon. Nor could he force his kindness upon him.
Whatever would take place in the future, it had to be with the
consent of the master.
In verse 15, Paul says, "Perhaps this is the reason he was
separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back
forever." While hinting that he would have liked to have Onesimus
continue to work with him, St. Paul recognized the master's right
to his slave.
Throughout this Letter of St. Paul to Philemon, we see spiritual
wisdom at work through the Spirit of Christ. We see "that all
things work together for good for those who love God, who are
called according to His purpose." [Rom. 8:28] Philemon may have
been bitter over the loss of his slave. Now he was about to be
tested to see how he would welcome Onesimus back. Onesimus may
have thought he was gaining his worldly freedom. By running away,
he became a slave of Christ, being indebted to the Lord forever for
his salvation.
In verse 16, we read, "no longer as a slave but more than a slave,
a beloved brother - especially to me but how much more to you, both
in the flesh and in the Lord." Onesimus was no longer a slave but
a brother in Christ, an adopted son of God through the Sacrament of
Baptism. [Rom. 8:15] Both, Philemon and Onesimus, as brothers to
the Lord Jesus, have come to know their obligations towards each
other as master and slave. [Col. 3:22-4:1; Eph. 6:5-9] As a
convert, Onesimus was now a better person than he was before. What
Philemon was receiving was a greater gift from God than he enjoyed
before, not just a slave, but a brother in the Lord. The fear of
the slave towards his master was being replaced by love.
In verse 17, St. Paul asked Philemon to welcome Onesimus in the
same way as if it was he, St. Paul, appearing at his door. If
Philemon regards Paul as a member of the Body of Christ, then he
has to receive Onesimus on the same basis. This is not implying
that Onesimus should be treated as a member of the family without
obligation to perform his duties, but rather that he should
continue to serve Philemon by living his faith in Christ.
The message from today's Gospel is "the cost of being a
disciple." Such demands total dedication. [Lk. 14:26, 33-5]
For some time now, large crowds had been travelling with Jesus.
[Lk. 14:25] The time had now arrived for the Lord Jesus to sift
those who were truly committed from those who were not. Now was
the time to see who was ready to deny himself, even to the point of
death for Jesus.
To discern the spirits, Jesus presented two parables. He compared
the Christian life to a building project and to warfare. In the
first parable, Jesus related that before someone builds a tower, he
sits down and calculates the cost. If he does not have enough
wealth to finish the tower, in all wisdom, he does not begin the
project. Otherwise, the project will come to an end before it is
completed and everyone will laugh at the builder. So it is with
disciples!
In the second parable, Jesus said that a king going to war against
forces that are far more superior than his, must carefully
calculate the cost. He must carefully consider his chances of
winning the battle. If he does not have any chance or the risk is
too high, he must surrender unconditionally. So it is with
Christian discipleship. A disciple cannot serve two masters. He
must chose to either commit himself or to withdraw himself. He
cannot stand halfway between both sides. He cannot be lukewarm,
neither cold nor hot. If he attempts to do so, on Judgment Day,
the Lord God will spit him out of His mouth. [Rev. 3:15-6]
Counting the cost is a very important factor when it comes to
conversion. The potential convert must decide if he will receive
the Sacrament of Baptism as a condition of his membership in the
Body of Christ, the invisible Kingdom of God on earth. He must
decide if afterwards, he will receive the Sacraments of Confession
and the Holy Eucharist on a regular basis to maintain his
righteousness in the eyes of the Lord God. He must decide if he is
prepared to commit his living faith in Christ on a daily basis
until the end. He must carefully consider all the factors related
to conversion and living one's faith as expected by God and the
Church.
A true disciple must forsake all to follow Jesus. He must love
Jesus above all others. When Jesus said that His disciples must
"hate father and mother, spouse and children, brothers and sisters,
yes, and even life itself," [Lk. 14:26] this passage must be taken
in context with Matthew 10:37-8. There we read, "Whoever loves
father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and whoever
loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and whoever
does not take up the cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me."
When Luke refers to a disciple taking up the cross, he uses the
words "carry his cross." [Lk. 14:27] The Greek word for
"to carry" is "bastazo." This is the same word that
Luke used to refer to Jesus carrying His cross to Calvary. [Lk.
23:26] As such, Luke literally expected the disciples of Jesus to
follow Him in His sufferings and death.
Finally my brothers and sisters in Christ, true discipleship is to
commit onself to a life of self-renunciation. It is to embrace
suffering, persecution, obedience, servitude and humility, all for
the love of Christ. When such has been accomplished, it can be
said that the believer has been saved by wisdom, by the Holy Spirit
who has taught him and guided him step by step towards salvation
and the eternal Kingdom of God.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Wis 9:13-18b
Who can know God’s counsel,
or who can conceive what the LORD intends?
For the deliberations of mortals are timid,
and unsure are our plans.
For the corruptible body burdens the soul
and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.
And scarce do we guess the things on earth,
and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty;
but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?
Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom
and sent your holy spirit from on high?
And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.
or who can conceive what the LORD intends?
For the deliberations of mortals are timid,
and unsure are our plans.
For the corruptible body burdens the soul
and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.
And scarce do we guess the things on earth,
and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty;
but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?
Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given wisdom
and sent your holy spirit from on high?
And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17
R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,
urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,
whose father I have become in my imprisonment;
I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.
I should have liked to retain him for myself,
so that he might serve me on your behalf
in my imprisonment for the gospel,
but I did not want to do anything without your consent,
so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.
Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while,
that you might have him back forever,
no longer as a slave
but more than a slave, a brother,
beloved especially to me, but even more so to you,
as a man and in the Lord.
So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
and teach me your laws.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Reading 2 Phmn 9-10, 12-17
I, Paul, an old man,and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,
urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,
whose father I have become in my imprisonment;
I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.
I should have liked to retain him for myself,
so that he might serve me on your behalf
in my imprisonment for the gospel,
but I did not want to do anything without your consent,
so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.
Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while,
that you might have him back forever,
no longer as a slave
but more than a slave, a brother,
beloved especially to me, but even more so to you,
as a man and in the Lord.
So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.
Alleluia Ps 119:135
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Let your face shine upon your servant;
and teach me your laws.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 14:25-33
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,and he turned and addressed them,
“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.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
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.
In the same way,
anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.”
Some Prayers to Start
Lord Jesus, I come to you once again in prayer. Even though I cannot see
you, my faith tells me that you are present. You are ready to listen
and desire to speak with me. Your presence gives me hope, because you
are the all-powerful God, the creator of heaven and earth. You are the
source of all that is good in my life. Nothing happens to me without
your knowing and permitting it. My hope leads me to love. I want to be
one with you in mind and heart, identifying myself with your will and
your standards.
"Lord Jesus, may your love transform me that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you. May you always be first in my thoughts and intentions, and in my words and actions."
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Today's Homily
Jesus said, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." [Lk. 13:24] To many, these Words of Jesus are very disturbing. They imply that few will be saved. This certainly opposes the present trend of many believers who hold that Jesus is full of love and mercy, that He is not a God of fear. He understands our human weaknesses and, in His mercy, He will forgive everyone of everything.
While there is no doubt that Jesus is full of love and mercy, is His love and mercy as perceived by the general population? When someone asked Jesus, "Lord, will only a few be saved?", was this question based on the teachings of Jesus that he had heard, these implying that many are lost? Did Jesus not say, "Strive to enter through the narrow door," this implying that unless such is done, there is no salvation?
When we consider the love and mercy of Jesus, we come to perceive that His love draws us towards "the truth, the way and the life" [Jn. 14:6] so we may find our salvation through His mercy. To qualify for the mercy of Jesus, there must be a conversion, the complete change of heart of a repentant soul that is firmly committed to embracing the truth that opens the way to eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
The soul that is firmly committed to following Jesus, in cooperation with the grace of God, it is set apart to obey and serve the Lord in full submission. Its outlook of a successful spiritual growth is, "Your will Lord." Its outlook of a successful spiritual growth is not, "My way Lord."
Unfortunately, many believers today are just that, "believers." Their status of "Catholic" is based on belonging to a Catholic family and having been baptized as infants. As far as practicing their living faith in Christ, such is non-present. They are Catholic by name only.
Those who are Catholic by name only, since they are not practicing their faith, they are not receiving the Sacraments. Since they are not receiving the Sacraments, especially those of Confession and the Holy Eucharist, they are living in an ongoing state of sin and they are rejecting the gift of eternal life in the Kingdom of God that is bestowed to those who feed on the Bread of Life. (the Holy Eucharist)
Naturally, in such cases, it is understandable why few are saved. Many have chosen the worldly ways by taking the wide road to perdition.
In His parable, Jesus said, "When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord open to us,' then in reply he will say to you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But the Lord will say, 'I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!'" [Lk. 13:25-7]
What is interesting to note in this parable is that those who tried to enter Heaven, they said, "We ate and drank with You." They ate and drank with the Lord Jesus, these words implying they were receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. If such is the case, why are they lost? Why does Jesus say that He does not know them, that they are evildoers? There are two possible answers to this question.
First of all, it may refer to those who eat the bread or drink the cup in an unworthy manner. On this subject Saint Paul said, "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died." [1 Cor. 11:27- 30]
In other words, those who receive Holy Communion in a state of sin, they will receive judgment against themselves. The Lord Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession for a reason. It is for the soul to be forgiven of its sins, to be made righteous in the eyes of God. If the believers want to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Communion, prior to doing so, they must be free of mortal sins.
The Second possible reason as to why many are lost is also found in the First Letter to the Corinthians. In verse 3:11, we read, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid, that foundation is Jesus Christ." [1 Cor. 3:11] In other words, Jesus has laid one foundation, the Holy Catholic Church. No one can lay another foundation and claim that it is the foundation of Jesus Christ. To partake in communion in another Church where its members do not believe in the ongoing real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is to partake in a meal where Jesus is not present. While the members of such a Church may claim to have eaten and drank with Jesus, such was not the case. Jesus does not know them because they did not sit at His table in His Church.
When considering some of the religions that I am about to name, it should be noted that they were not instituted by Jesus Christ. The Anglican Church was instituted by King Henry VIII in 1534. The Assembly of God was instituted from a revival movement in 1914. The Baptist Church was instituted by John Smyth in 1607. The Buddhist faith was instituted by Budda, the Prince of Siddhartha Guatama in 500 B.C. The Calvinist Church was instituted by John Calvin in 1533. The Christian Science Church was instituted by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. The Church of Nazarene was instituted by the Union of General Assembly in 1919. The Congregationalist Church was instituted by Robert Brown in 1582. The Dutch Reformed Church was instituted by Michelis Jones in 1628. The Eastern Orthodox Church was instituted by the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem in 1054. The Episcopalian Church was instituted by Samuel Seabury in 1789. And the list goes on.
None of these Churches were instituted by Jesus Christ. They may all claim to be the true Church, but such cannot be. When Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of Heaven to Saint Peter, He said, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church..." [Mt. 16:18-9] Let me repeat these Words of Jesus, "I will build my church," not their Churches. There is only One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church that was instituted by Jesus. No one can lay any foundation other than by adding to the existing foundation of the Holy Catholic Church for the growth of the Body of Christ. Anyone who builds another foundation, such is being done in disobedience to God, in rejection of the foundation of Jesus Christ as being imperfect. Such is building a man made foundation, claiming that this new foundation is better than the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Indeed, many are lost because they do not choose the narrow door. They prefer a religion that is not too demanding, one that does not make it mandatory to attend Mass every Sunday. They reject the ongoing real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist once the bread and wine have been consecrated. They want their way, not God's way. By that I mean they support abortion, the death penalty, divorce, married priests, same sex marriage, anything and everything, as long as it embraces the modern trends that change from year to year, depending on the whims of the people.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, the narrow door is symbolic of the hardships of life for those who follow Jesus. It is symbolic of accepting poverty, being of a charitable heart, forgiving others, being patient, etc... It is symbolic of not being ashamed of Jesus, of going forward and proudly speaking of His salvation. It is symbolic of accepting persecution for the sake of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Jesus said, "Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." [Mk. 8:38]
What hope do we have of salvation if Jesus will be ashamed of us? None! What hope do we have of salvation if we reject the One Church of Jesus so we can belong to another one that was man made? None! Will the founder of that other Church save us? Certainly not! What hope do we have of salvation if we eat the Bread or drink the Cup in an ongoing state of mortal sin? None!
Jesus said to strive to enter the narrow door. As such, we cannot afford to follow the modern trends. We cannot afford to belong to any Church other than the Church that was instituted by Jesus Himself. We cannot afford to want our way versus His way.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us reflect upon these words in the coming week. Let us assess our obedience to God, [pause...] our servitude [pause...] and our submission to His Divine Will. With a sincerity of heart, let us pray to the Lord Jesus, asking Him to transform us in such a way that we will always be pleasing in His eyes.
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Is 66:18-21
Thus says the LORD:
I know their works and their thoughts,
and I come to gather nations of every language;
they shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations:
to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,
to the distant coastlands
that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;
and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations
as an offering to the LORD,
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,
to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,
just as the Israelites bring their offering
to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
I know their works and their thoughts,
and I come to gather nations of every language;
they shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations:
to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,
to the distant coastlands
that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;
and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations
as an offering to the LORD,
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,
to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,
just as the Israelites bring their offering
to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1, 2
R. (Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R.. Alleluia.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.”
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as sons.
For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time,
all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R.. Alleluia.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2 Heb 12:5-7, 11-13
Brothers and sisters,You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.”
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as sons.
For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time,
all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.
Alleluia Jn 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages,teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
Prayers for Today
"Lord Jesus, may I never doubt your guiding presence and mercy towards me. Through the gift of your Spirit fill me with courage and persevering faith to trust you in all things and every circumstance I find myself in. Give me the strength to cling to your promises when the world around me begins to shake or crumble. And when my love and zeal begin to waver, fan it into a flame of consuming love and dedication for you who are my All."
I believe in you, my God. You called me into existence from nothingness and carefully watch over me. You have even numbered the hairs of my head. I trust in your infinite goodness, and I abandon into your loving hands my fears, my hopes, my needs, my desires, everything. I love you, Lord, and wish to love you with all my mind, heart, soul and strength.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Homily
"And who is my neighbour?" [Lk. 10;29] Today, the gist of my homily for the Fifteen Sunday in Ordinary Time is, "who is my neighbour?"
The question to ask in our hearts is, "Towards who must I show love, care, compassion or forgiveness?" In others words, "Towards who must I show unconditional friendship?" To display unconditional friendship towards someone, we must stop dulling our senses. Rather than just seeing a potential act of charity towards others, we must be moved to act in words and actions.
As an unsigned cheque is of no value to us, charity without action towards our neighbours is also of no value. It does not accumulate treasures in Heaven.
Today, I would like to review some of our obligations towards our neighbours, obligations that demands our words and actions as a sign of our spiritual growth in the likeness of Christ.
1) The first thing that comes to my mind is the obligation of the parents and godparents to raise their children in the sound doctrines of the Catholic faith. Today, many Churches no longer enjoy the presence of children of all ages because the parents let their children decide for themselves what they want to do - go to Church or stay home. This attitude of spiritual freedom is a betrayal of God's gift of little souls to parents. When God entrusted the parents with the souls of newborns, it was with the expectation that the parents would teach their children to adore God on a daily basis, to desire to be in His presence, to learn right from wrong, etc... And when godparents stood in the presence of God and the Church on behalf of newborn children, they personally committed themselves to ensure that the children they sponsored would be raised in the Catholic faith. What happened to that commitment?
In some cases, not only are parents neglecting to raise their children in the Catholic faith, but they have also failed in their obligation as parents to have their children baptised. How often do we hear today that a 10 or 15 years-old child comes from a two parent Catholic family and he/she has not been baptised? What were the parents thinking? Are they not concerned for the salvation and eternal life of their children? If they do not attend to it, who will?
2) Let us consider the situation of the homeless. In some cities, they are found sleeping on the sidewalks, in back alleys, even in sewers. They have no place to wash themselves or their clothing and they eat whatever food they can gather in mice and rats infested slums.
Where are the Catholics who are reaching out to the homeless? How many of us take some of these people to our homes, allow them to wash themselves, do their laundry, give them extra clothing, or even a little food to sustain them for a few days?
3) What about those who are hungry? Are we reaching out to support anonymously the large families by providing them with a little extra food? Are we reaching out to those who have to turn to Food Banks because they do not know how to budget or they have no means of transportation to shop at grocery stores that have lower prices? How quick some are to judge minority groups that use Foods Banks. But do they understand the circumstances that lead to the creation of Food Banks?
4) How many of us are reaching out to immigrants and refugees who were forced to escape their homeland? Many shun the immigrants and are indifferent to the plight of those who have lived in Refugee Camps for years. Is this Catholic? Are we forgetting that they are human beings as we are? Are we forgetting all the children who go to bed hungry at night? Are we hardening our hearts to the point where the suffering of others has been excluded from our own personal little worlds?
5) With the growing number of seniors, do we as Christians perceive the loneliness that many elders are experiencing in their community? Some have been abandoned by their children who have moved to other cities. Others are unable to reach out and socialize because of their old age or their ill health. Trapped in solitude, they pray that someone would show care towards them, that someone would maybe take them out once in awhile to the park. What is our response to the need of these seniors? Is anyone offering to drive them to Church on Sundays so they can fulfill their Sunday obligation? Is anyone making the necessary arrangements so they can receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist if they are bedridden?
6) What about the issue of orphans and adoption? Many claim that there are no orphans available for adoption. Is this true? While there may not be many healthy babies with blue eyes and blond hair, there are many children with special needs who are available for adoption. Why do many of these children have special needs? It is because, over and over, they have been rejected by the adult world that wants to adopt well behaved "statues," not active little boys and girls. These children have special needs because few want to be part of their lives, just as few of us in this parish, if any of us, are part of their lives. What will become of these unloved children who may pass through twenty different group homes before they are released in the world as adults?
7) What about the persecuted? Do we speak up when we see a child bullied on the street? Do we speak up when we hear of prejudice against minority groups? Do we speak up when we see minors showing disrespect towards elders or when we are aware of ongoing spousal abuse, be it against the husband or the wife?
8) Who else are our neighbours? The prisoners! Yes, even if we do not want to hear about it, the prisoners are also our neighbours. That includes the murderers, the rapists and the child molesters. To exclude these Catholics as our neighbours, it is to be dishonest to ourselves by rejecting the message of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we neglect the salvation of these souls by refusing to share the Gospel of Christ with them, who will bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God to them? Dare we appear before the Lord God for judgment after having closed our eyes to their spiritual needs?
9) What about those prostitutes on the street, some of them being so young that it is shameful to just think about it? Who is reaching out to these young girls? Are we ready to help those girls who have run away from home for whatever reason? How many of them were raped before they turned to prostitution? How many of them are selling their bodies because their pimps are providing them with food, shelter and false love? Is it so hard for us to reach out to them, to open our homes to them, to help them return to school so they can finish their education? What are we doing to help them?
10) At the service of all of us is the International Red Cross that helps the victims of disasters. Most of all, when asked to support the Red Cross, we gladly give a few dollars here and there. Should that be the end of our obligation? Are we not also obligated to go further to help our neighbours by volunteering with the agency? What good is money if there are no loving neighbours volunteering to help and support those who are experiencing a disaster? Money does not provide a shoulder to cry on. Nor does it provide manpower to dig for those who have been buried alive during earthquakes.
11) Are we helping our neighbours who are handicapped or sick? Are we not obligated through our Christian love, if necessary, to push our handicapped or our sick neighbours in their wheelchairs if they wish to go outside for awhile for fresh air? If they cannot do it on their own and we are not being neighbourly, who will do it?
12) How about the single parents and widows who must bear the burden alone of raising their children? Are we there for them as good samaritans? Are we offering our services as babysitters so they can get an hour off here and there? Are we offering assistance with cooking or house cleaning? If these parents hold a job, do we wholeheartedly offer our service to babysit their children who are absent from school because of illness? Or do we just say, "It is her/his problem."
13) What about all these young girls who are considering an abortion? Are we there for them? Are we there to help them through their pregnancy? Are we ready to commit ourselves to help them raise their child? Are we willing to walk that extra mile to save an unborn child and the soul of its mother?
My brothers and sisters in Christ, many are the needs of our neighbours. What I have mentioned is but a short list of neighbourly needs. Who is my neighbour? It is the one who needs my friendship, especially those who have not received it as of yet!
The Lord God commanded us to observe His commandments and decrees with all our heart and all our soul. That includes to loves our neighbours. That commandment of Jesus is not too hard. It is not out of our reach, in Heaven or beyond the sea. Our neighbours are all around us. Our obligations consist of raising our children in the faith, providing for the homeless, feeding the hungry, helping the refugees and the immigrants, tending to the seniors, adopting the orphans, defending those who are persecuted, bringing the Gospel to the prisoners, reaching out to the prostitutes, etc... These are our neighbours, my neighbours, your neighbours.
What we do for them, we do for the Lord Jesus. By reaching out to those in need, we reach out to Jesus. By refusing to extend our friendship to those in need, we are withholding our friendship from Jesus.
My brothers and sisters, this week, let each and everyone of us review the level of our spiritual relationship with our neighbours. Are we doing what Jesus wants us to do or are we doing what we want to do? By the grace of God, if the necessity is there, let us reach out to our neighbours in need by extending our friendship as children of God.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1DT 30:10-14
Moses said to the people:
"If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.
"For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
'Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out."
"If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.
"For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
'Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out."
Responsorial PsalmPS 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37
R. (cf. 33) Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
OrPS 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R.(9a) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Reading 2COL 1:15-20
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
AlleluiaCF. JN 6:63C, 68C
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 10:25-37
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Homily
Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ. Reviewing today's readings for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, I perceived that they all had one common denominator. All three readings encourage us to bring God's reign into our world.
The First Reading from the Book of Isaiah began by saying that we should rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all of us who love her. We should rejoice with her in joy, all of us who mourn over her. [Is. 66:10] Based on these words, it appears that our joy should be for the physical City of Jerusalem. The verse that follows implies that Jerusalem is alive, being a life giving body. It states, "that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breasts; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom." [Is. 66:11]
In actuality, these verses speak of the arrival of the spiritual Kingdom of God on earth in Jerusalem on Pentecost Day. In those days, Jesus had ordered His disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. [Acts 1:4] When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them." [Acts 2:1-3]
On Pentecost Day, the invisible Kingdom of God was officially established on earth as it had been established in Heaven on the Day of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus.
Yes, we should all rejoice for Jerusalem. For the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, came down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [Rev. 21:2] The new Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God on earth, chose the physical City of Jerusalem as the location from which the work of God was called to prosper on earth through the grace of the Heavenly Father and the power of the Holy Spirit in the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
See, the home of God is among mortal. He dwells with us as our God. [Rev. 21:3] Thought the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which is the visible reflection on earth of the invisible Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem has arrived on earth. And now, God dwells with us in the Blessed Tabernacle.
Through the mystical Body of Christ, we are nursed by God and His glorious Church. Through the Sacraments, our joy is fulfilled. Through faith in Jesus and the Sacrament of Baptism, we are made righteous and admitted into the Kingdom of God. We receive from God the undeserved indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a new heart and a new spirit. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to do the work of the Lord. Through our living faith, we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit in order to become in the likeness of Jesus. Through the Sacrament of Confession, our righteousness is continuously reinstated. Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, we receive the Bread of Life that unites us with Christ so we may receive our salvation.
Through the fruits of the new Jerusalem, God reigns in our world, in our Church and within us through the Holy Spirit. As a mother comforts her child, so God promised to comfort us in Jerusalem. [Is. 66:13] Through the Sacraments of the Church, the new Jerusalem, God does comfort us, His children. In Jesus, we find the love, peace and joy that sets us apart from those who walk in the darkness. Through Jesus, the true Light of the world, we have become lights in the world, sent forward to bring the good news to all the nations.
Today's Second Reading from the Letter to the Galatians teaches us that in order to bring God's reign into our personal world, we must boast of nothing other than the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (The cross of the Lord means the whole Christ event.) For "it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" [1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 11:16-12:10] Personal boasting is a sign of self- reliance; boasting in the Lord is dependence on the grace and favour of God.
In the days of Saint Paul some boasted about circumcision or uncircumcision. Today, some may boast that they have a nice vehicle to drive them to Church or that they have nice clothing compared to others. Some may even boast that they are more involved in the Church than others who are paid employees. Saint Paul tells us that all these external worldly things mean nothing. [1 Cor. 7:19] Being a new creation is everything! [Gal. 6:15] The most important thing in the Christian life is being born again, this being the first step towards one's transformation in Christlikeness. [Col. 3:10; Eph. 2:10, 4:24] Those who are transformed in Christ, having been crucified with Christ, [Rom. 6:6] having died with Christ, [Rom. 6:3] having been buried with Christ [Rom. 6:4] and having risen with Christ, [Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12] (C.C.C. # 628) they become a new "creature."
To bring God's reign into our lives, we must be counted among the spiritual children of God, the new offsprings of Abraham. For it is we who worship God in spirit and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. [Phil. 3:3]
During the Second Reading, we heard Saint Paul mentioning that he carried the marks of Jesus branded on his body. Some have interpreted this to mean that Saint Paul beared the stigma. When reviewing the word in its original text, the word "marks" does not translate to the word "stigmata" in English. What St. Paul was referring to was all the suffering that he had to endure for Christ. He endured illness, [4:13; 2 Cor. 12:7], flogging [Acts 16:22, 2 Cor. 11:25] and stoning [Acts 14:19] for Christ. These marks that he carried on his body were proof that he was a slave of Christ. [Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10] They were the marks that counted, the marks that he could boast about against those who would try to give glory to a mark on the flesh such as circumcision.
Equally today, those who have nice cars or nice clothing have nothing to boast about in view of the fact that many Catholics bear marks of suffering, torture and imprisonment as slaves of Christ. Through their suffering, they have brought God's reign into our world. They are living examples of Saints who are ready to suffer so the glory of God may be seen in the world.
Today's reading from the Gospel of Luke brings to our attention how and when the Kingdom of God in Heaven was prepared while awaiting the arrival of Christ in Heaven after His glorious Resurrection.
Jesus appointed seventy disciples and sent them on ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself intended to go. [Lk. 10:1] When the seventy returned with joy, they told Jesus that even the demons submitted themselves to them in the Name of Jesus.
To this, Jesus answered, "I watched Satan fall from Heaven like a flash of lightning." [Lk. 10:18] At this point during the ministry of Jesus on earth, a great battle was taking place in Heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in Heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." [Rev. 12:7-9]
Consequently Satan, the adversary who argued before the Heavenly Throne as a prosecuting attorney against the people of God [Job 2:1-6; Zech. 3:1] could no longer bring charges against those who belong to the Body of Christ.
In view of this, the following is known:1) When the seventy two disciples announced that "the Kingdom of God has come near to you," [Lk. 10:9] Satan was casted out of Heaven. [Lk. 10:18]
2) When Jesus resurrected and ascended to Heaven, He took possession of the Heavenly Kingdom. He was "the firstborn within a large family." [Rom. 8:29] He was the first fruits of those who have died. [1 Cor 15:20] He was the firstfruit of all creation. [Col. 1:15] He was the first to resurrect and to enter the Kingdom of God as the King of kings.
3) When the day of Pentecost had come and the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, [Acts 2:1-3] the invisible Kingdom of God arrived on earth as it is in Heaven.By understanding these truths, by the grace of God, our eyes have been opened and we are now able to bring God's reign into our world. While some may continue to wait for what has already come, the arrival of the Kingdom of God on earth, we rejoice in knowing that it has arrived. Now, we can "worship the Father in spirit and truth" [Jn. 4:23] in the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus that such would come to pass and that it is pleasing to God.
In conclusion my brothers and sisters in Christ, God promised to bring His reign into our world and He has done so. As children of the Kingdom of God, we boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As you continue to participate in the celebration of the Holy Mass, be thankful to God for bringing His reign into your world. Be thankful to God that through His dwelling on earth, you are able to receive the precious Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that richly feeds your soul towards eternal salvation.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading
Isaiah 66:10-14
10 "Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her;
11 that you may suck and be satisfied with her consoling breasts; that you may drink deeply with delight from the abundance of her glory."
12 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall suck, you shall be carried upon her hip, and dandled upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14 You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 66:1-7, 16, 20
0 To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm.
1 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, "How terrible are thy deeds! So great is thy power that thy enemies cringe before thee.
4 All the earth worships thee; they sing praises to thee, sing praises to thy name." [Selah]
5 Come and see what God has done: he is terrible in his deeds among men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land; men passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,
15 I will offer to thee burnt offerings of fatlings, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. [Selah]
19 But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the voice of my prayer.Second Reading
Galatians 6:14-18
14 But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.
17 Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.Gospel
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come.
2 And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road.
5 Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!'
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house.
8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you;
9 heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,
11 `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'
12 I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"
18 And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Homily
Praise the Lord God for the beautiful readings that we have just heard from the Holy Scriptures. They richly fed us with spiritual knowledge and understanding of true discipleship.
During the First Reading, we heard the Word of God that has its origin from the First Book of Kings that is found in the Old Testament. We heard that the Lord commissioned Elijah to anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat, as the prophet to succeed him. [1 Kgs. 19:16]
In obedience to the Lord, Elijah set out to find Elisha. When Elijah found Elisha, he was ploughing the twelfth yoke of oxen. As such there were eleven pairs of oxen that were harnessed ahead of him. [1 Kgs. 19:19] From this large number of oxen, we can conclude that Elisha came from a fairly rich family.
Passing by Elisha, Elijah threw his mantle over him. [1 Kgs. 19:19] While this appears to be a strange thing to do, in those days, it meant two things.
First of all, because the mantle represents the personality and rights of its owner, [Ruth 3:9] its casting over Elisha meant that Elisha now belonged to Elijah. Secondly, because the hair-shirt mantle was part of the official dress [2 Kgs. 1:8; Zech. 13:4] of the prophets, to cast it over another person meant a formal investing with the authority that comes from being initiated in the membership of prophets.
From this action, Elisha perceived that God was calling him through Elijah to become a prophet. Leaving the oxen, Elisha ran after Elijah, asked permission to say goodbye to his parents, and accepted God's calling to become a prophet. To this Elijah answered, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?" [1 Kgs. 19:20]
While this response of Elijah appears to say that he had done nothing to Elisha, the words hold a spiritual truth. As a servant of the Lord God, it was not Elijah who was calling and anointing Elisha, but rather, the almighty God Himself through Elijah.
What followed was most interesting. As a public sign of renouncing his previous life, Elisha offered a sacrificial meal on the spot. He slaughtered the yoke of oxen and used his farming equipment to make a fire on which he boiled their flesh. Then he shared the meat with his neighbours. [1 Kgs. 19:21; 1 Sam. 6:14; 2 Sam. 24:22- 3] Having done all this, Elisha followed Elijah.
From this example, we can see true discipleship. Elisha did not hesitate to answer God's call. Through the action of Elijah, Elisha believed that God was calling him and he immediately gave his "yes." His wholehearted obedience meant disposing of all the riches that he possessed.
Through faith and the Sacrament of Baptism, we Catholic who have become members of the Body of Christ, have also become servants and slaves of Jesus. As Elisha accepted to live a holy life by submitting himself to the Divine Will of God without hesitation, we Catholics are also called to be holy by standing firm and not submitting ourselves to the yoke of slavery. For Christ has set us free from the yoke of slavery.
As true disciples of the Lord Jesus who have been freed from the slavery of sin, we have been called to become slaves to one another [Gal. 5:13] in Christ. As slaves of Christ, to return to the desires of worldly flesh, pleasures, fame and wealth is to renounce the call of our "yes" to the Lord God.
Bound by the spiritual law of Christ, our commandment is, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." [Gal. 5:14] Through the whole law, "there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him." [Rom. 10:12] If we love this one but we do not love that one, we are not of Christ. If we limit our love to those of a certain gender, age or ethnic background, we are not of Christ.
We have been called to live by the spirit, [Gal. 5:16] the spirit of adoption [Gal. 4:5] that we have received through Christ. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." [Rom. 8:14]
"What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit." [Jn. 3:6] We having been born of the Spirit are spirit "and what the spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent us from doing what we want, what is righteous." [Gal. 5:17]
Being born again in Christ, we have received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit Who inclines our new hearts towards all righteousness, we have a living hope of completing our journey on earth. Through the sanctifying fire of the Holy Spirit, we have a living hope of eternal joy and peace in the Kingdom of God.
During today's Gospel Reading, we heard that Jesus was rejected by the Samaritans. The Jews and the Samaritans did not see eye-to-eye together and as such, they were not the type to associate with one another. The Samaritans were originally Gentile people who had descended from foreigners who had settled in Israel after the deportation of the Israelites in 721 B.C. [2 Kgs 17; Ezra 4:1-3; Neh. 4:1-9]
Knowing that His ministry was approaching its end, Jesus set His eyes on Jerusalem, [Lk. 9:51] where He had to go to be rejected and face death as it was written in the prophecies of the Old Testament. Because Jesus set His eyes on Jerusalem, the Samaritans did not receive Him. [Lk. 9:53] Making a distinction between the Jews and the Samaritans, they did not love their neighbours as themselves. They had not learned the meaning of true discipleship.
When James and John, the disciples of Jesus, saw how the Samaritans had hardened their hearts, they asked Jesus for permission to command fire to come down from Heaven and to consume them. [Lk. 9:54] Jesus turned and rebuked them. [Lk. 9:55] For the approach of Jesus has never been one of using force. It has been, "If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also." [Mt. 5:39]
Because James and John showed little patience towards the Samaritans, being ready to command fire to come down from Heaven, [Lk. 9:54] Jesus called them the "sons of thunder." [See Mk. 3:17]
As Jesus was going along the road, someone came to Him and said that he would follow Jesus wherever He went. [Lk. 9:57] To him, Jesus said, "'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." [Lk. 9:58] From this response, we learn two things. First of all, from the words, "foxes have holes," which is symbolic of "hiding," Jesus was saying that He does not trick anyone into following Him. Secondly, by stating that foxes and birds have a resting place, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head, Jesus was indicating that in true discipleship, He expects total dedication. "No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." [Mt. 6:24]
Then Jesus told one person to follow Him. The person replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." [Lk. 9:59] To this, Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." [Lk. 9:60]
Through these words, Jesus was saying, "Let those who are spiritually dead bury those who are physically dead. My message is one of life." In His response, Jesus did not intend to be taken literally. Rather, He wanted to stir the thoughts of those who were present. Jesus was fully aware of the respect that the children had towards their parents, especially when it concerned burying one's parents. This filial piety was deep rooted within Judaism. [Gen. 49:28-50:3; Ex. 13:19; Tob. 4:3, 6:15]
To another who said that He would follow Jesus after saying farewell to those at his home, Jesus said, "No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." [Lk. 9:61-2] In other words, in true discipleship, ploughing demands more than what was demanded of Elisha. [1 kgs. 19:19-21] To plough for the Kingdom of God, it demands sacrifices. If one takes the time to look back, the work of God shall suffer.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is today's message to us from God. In true discipleship, there is no turning back. There is no turning back to the worldly ways. As slaves of Christ, we are expected to continuously move forward by growing in our spiritual lives through the grace of God the Father and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit in the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
This week, let us consider this truth according to our callings, be it the religious life, the matrimonial life or the single life. Are we spiritually growing in our callings? Are we being loyal to our Master? Are we being true disciples? And if some find that there is much to be desired in their lives, may they take this opportunity to change their hearts while the grace of God is at work in them this week.
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 11 KGS 19:16B, 19-21
The LORD said to Elijah:
“You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah,
as prophet to succeed you.”
Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat,
as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen;
he was following the twelfth.
Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.
Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said,
“Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,
and I will follow you.”
Elijah answered, “Go back!
Have I done anything to you?”
Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them;
he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh,
and gave it to his people to eat.
Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.
“You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah,
as prophet to succeed you.”
Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat,
as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen;
he was following the twelfth.
Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.
Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said,
“Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,
and I will follow you.”
Elijah answered, “Go back!
Have I done anything to you?”
Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them;
he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh,
and gave it to his people to eat.
Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. (cf. 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you.
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot."
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
For freedom Christ set us free;
so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters.
But do not use this freedom
as an opportunity for the flesh;
rather, serve one another through love.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement,
namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
But if you go on biting and devouring one another,
beware that you are not consumed by one another.
I say, then: live by the Spirit
and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
these are opposed to each other,
so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you.
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot."
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Reading 2GAL 5:1, 13-18
Brothers and sisters:For freedom Christ set us free;
so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters.
But do not use this freedom
as an opportunity for the flesh;
rather, serve one another through love.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement,
namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
But if you go on biting and devouring one another,
beware that you are not consumed by one another.
I say, then: live by the Spirit
and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
these are opposed to each other,
so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Alleluia1 SM 3:9; JN 6:68C
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Speak, Lord, your servant is listening;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 9:51-62
When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,
"I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him,
"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me."
But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
To him Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.
As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him,
"I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him,
"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me."
But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
To him Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."
Prayers for Today
"Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace - with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more." (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556)
Lord, I wish to put aside all distractions and to give you my total focus. I will do nothing more important today than to meditate prayerfully on your goodness and your active role in my life. Though I am unworthy to be in your presence, I trust in your mercy and love. Through this moment of prayer I want to draw closer to you and learn to live more like you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)