How many reminders do we need of God's love for us? The joy of being present when life is brought into the world. A near death experience which shows us the importance of the life that we have been given. That no matter how bad things seem to get we are still blessed to have a roof over our heads and food on our tables. Yes we have a countless amount of experiences that have been given to us and remind us of our love for God, but our generation is not unlike those that have gone before us.
The scriptures for today's Mass document this struggle in the generations that have gone before us. The Jewish people were led into the desert by Moses. They were freed from their slavery and yet they continued to turn against God through their actions. The prophets came to the descendants of these people and still they would not reform their ways. Even in today's Gospel passage we can see that many people were able to see the miracles and signs of Christ and yet they were still not able to reform their ways and trust in Him.
Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Jerome who like the saints came before us in generations past. He gives us the hope to one day be able to trust fully in Christ and in His miracles. He was baptized later in his life while studying in Rome. While in Rome he was faced with the life of the early Christian martyrs who were willing to sacrifice all including their own life to follow the example of Christ. The example of these martyrs inspired him to grow in his faith.
May we not fall into despair when we fail to live up to the example given to us by Christ. May we not lose hope when the reminders of our faith nolonger seem to inspire us along our spiritual journey. May Saint Jerome intercede for us this day to draw us closer to God the Father, especially as we are nourished at the altar of God by the Body and Blood of Christ.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Matthew 3: 13-16 Homily
This homily was presented to my formation house in the context of Night Prayer.
The House of Saint Matthew is filled with many strengths. As individuals we bring many strengths to this House and thus to this seminary. Some of us here are superior at an understanding of languages while others have excelled so much in writing papers that they have been asked to give assistance to those who are more in need. Some are wonderful leaders and thus use this strength to strengthen the community. No matter what our strength may be may we always allow Christ to enter into these strengths and be the one to make them so much greater. May we never begin to think that we know more then Christ.
John the Baptist was indeed a very strong individual. He was able to preach and prepare the way for the Lord and yet at the Baptism of Jesus he had to lower himself to Christ. I find it most interesting that out of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke that this is the only gospel that places John in dialogue against Christ concerning the baptism. He had to realize that Christ knew better then he and therefore he gave in and baptized Him. No matter how strong and how much John the Baptist knew he still had to allow Christ to take lead in the ministry that he would have to give to the world.
Yes we are a strong House made up of many strong individuals, but may we never allow ourselves to become greater then Christ. May we always find the time to listen to Him when he calls out and realize that without Him we are nothing.
The House of Saint Matthew is filled with many strengths. As individuals we bring many strengths to this House and thus to this seminary. Some of us here are superior at an understanding of languages while others have excelled so much in writing papers that they have been asked to give assistance to those who are more in need. Some are wonderful leaders and thus use this strength to strengthen the community. No matter what our strength may be may we always allow Christ to enter into these strengths and be the one to make them so much greater. May we never begin to think that we know more then Christ.
John the Baptist was indeed a very strong individual. He was able to preach and prepare the way for the Lord and yet at the Baptism of Jesus he had to lower himself to Christ. I find it most interesting that out of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke that this is the only gospel that places John in dialogue against Christ concerning the baptism. He had to realize that Christ knew better then he and therefore he gave in and baptized Him. No matter how strong and how much John the Baptist knew he still had to allow Christ to take lead in the ministry that he would have to give to the world.
Yes we are a strong House made up of many strong individuals, but may we never allow ourselves to become greater then Christ. May we always find the time to listen to Him when he calls out and realize that without Him we are nothing.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
24th Sunday OT Year A Homily
10 years ago today this nation was changed forever.
Forever it would be enshrined within our minds where we were when the news reached our ears. For me I was in high school getting ready for the start of Spanish class. None of us knew on that day that our lives would be changed forever.
Despite the great travesty that happened on that day a nation was brought together. We lived in fear of the unknowing of the facts which I most vividly remember played out in the lines of people at the gas pumps who feared that this would be the last time to fill up their car. This fear helped us to evaluate what was important in our lives. Families who were once scattered and separated came together with their attention placed upon the importance of each other as they huddled around the television. Where hundreds of channels granted many different options usually where, but now all was unified with one option. People did not know where to turn, and so some tried to regain a relationship with God that they had not attempted in years. Through this event many people from many different cultures and backgrounds came together united in one cause. We became a community that was gathered together by one common theme that has not been seen since the attacks of that day.
As the days, weeks, months, and years passed by we continue to remember that day and to call it to our minds. Despite this we lose site of the commitments that we made on that day. Commitments made to family, friends, and God have been left behind and we have walked away to turn our attention to passing things of the world. Yes we still come together on this day as a nation unified, but we cannot do that every single day of our lives.
In today's Gospel we encounter a man who had many troubles. On his visit to the king he had to of been filled with shock because he no longer had anything to fear. He was given a life changing moment that would surely always be enshrined within his mind. It would of been hard to believe that he could forget anything about the events of that day. Surely he would be able to remember what he was wearing, the people present inside of the room, and the face of the king as he granted this great gift of mercy. Despite all that he had going for him he lost site of the joy that was brought into his life. Despite this moment being enshrined inside of his mind he encountered another man and did not share the mercy granted to him.
This servants actions show that for a small moment in time he forget the moment that had changed his life forever. In our journey of faith we have been given many moments that have changed our lives forever. Some here have stood before their bishop present for ordination. They were asked to promise many things to him that would transform their lives forever. Others can easily call to mind the time that they met with their Bishop or Vocation Director and were informed that they were accepted to pursue seminary formation. Surely these moments have been enshrined within our minds and will never be forgotten. Surely we will not allow the days, weeks, months, and years to pass by while we allow our great commitments to pass us by. Slowly passing by as we involve ourselves with worldly excuses that will attack our moments of commitment to the core.
Each of us has been cleansed with the waters of baptism and our sins where washed away. If we remember this moment due to receiving baptism at an older age or not each of us has been committed to a life long task that we can never turn away from. Possibly we find ourselves turning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation in hope that we can feel Christ's transforming mercy within our lives. By coming to this Sacrament we realize the horror of our sin and pledge are intention towards sinning no more. May we never forget this commitment that we have made before Christ because through it we have been set on the path towards holiness which is the path that each of us must find the strength to walk.
May we never allow ourselves to step away from these moments that have brought joy into our lives and into the life of the Church. When we struggle to live out our commitments we must call to mind the life giving moments that exist within our hearts and we must trust in the mercy that is being given to us by Jesus Christ. Even if we feel overwhelmed only two weeks into this semester we know that we have the tools at hand to stay on track if we allow them to work within our lives. Through these faith committing moments may we allow ourselves to be transformed to give better service to the God and the Church.
Here at this Mass we will be given one of the greatest tools which will nourish our commitment to the faith. Here we will receive Christ present in His Body and Blood and we will allow Him to dwell within our souls. Surely if we receive the Eucharist we will have the strength that will be needed to step into daily life and remain faithful to living out the commitments that we have made. May this life changing moment remain enshrined within our hearts and minds as we encounter everything that the world has in store for us.
Today may our commitments always remain important in our lives. Remembering how they have been enshrined inside of our minds as a reminder of the faith that we have committed ourselves to living. May we never allow ourselves to forget because if we allow that to happen we will slip farther and farther away in our journey of faith. We must always be ready to continue to respond to Christ who desires to shed His infinite mercy with us now and forever.
Forever it would be enshrined within our minds where we were when the news reached our ears. For me I was in high school getting ready for the start of Spanish class. None of us knew on that day that our lives would be changed forever.
Despite the great travesty that happened on that day a nation was brought together. We lived in fear of the unknowing of the facts which I most vividly remember played out in the lines of people at the gas pumps who feared that this would be the last time to fill up their car. This fear helped us to evaluate what was important in our lives. Families who were once scattered and separated came together with their attention placed upon the importance of each other as they huddled around the television. Where hundreds of channels granted many different options usually where, but now all was unified with one option. People did not know where to turn, and so some tried to regain a relationship with God that they had not attempted in years. Through this event many people from many different cultures and backgrounds came together united in one cause. We became a community that was gathered together by one common theme that has not been seen since the attacks of that day.
As the days, weeks, months, and years passed by we continue to remember that day and to call it to our minds. Despite this we lose site of the commitments that we made on that day. Commitments made to family, friends, and God have been left behind and we have walked away to turn our attention to passing things of the world. Yes we still come together on this day as a nation unified, but we cannot do that every single day of our lives.
In today's Gospel we encounter a man who had many troubles. On his visit to the king he had to of been filled with shock because he no longer had anything to fear. He was given a life changing moment that would surely always be enshrined within his mind. It would of been hard to believe that he could forget anything about the events of that day. Surely he would be able to remember what he was wearing, the people present inside of the room, and the face of the king as he granted this great gift of mercy. Despite all that he had going for him he lost site of the joy that was brought into his life. Despite this moment being enshrined inside of his mind he encountered another man and did not share the mercy granted to him.
This servants actions show that for a small moment in time he forget the moment that had changed his life forever. In our journey of faith we have been given many moments that have changed our lives forever. Some here have stood before their bishop present for ordination. They were asked to promise many things to him that would transform their lives forever. Others can easily call to mind the time that they met with their Bishop or Vocation Director and were informed that they were accepted to pursue seminary formation. Surely these moments have been enshrined within our minds and will never be forgotten. Surely we will not allow the days, weeks, months, and years to pass by while we allow our great commitments to pass us by. Slowly passing by as we involve ourselves with worldly excuses that will attack our moments of commitment to the core.
Each of us has been cleansed with the waters of baptism and our sins where washed away. If we remember this moment due to receiving baptism at an older age or not each of us has been committed to a life long task that we can never turn away from. Possibly we find ourselves turning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation in hope that we can feel Christ's transforming mercy within our lives. By coming to this Sacrament we realize the horror of our sin and pledge are intention towards sinning no more. May we never forget this commitment that we have made before Christ because through it we have been set on the path towards holiness which is the path that each of us must find the strength to walk.
May we never allow ourselves to step away from these moments that have brought joy into our lives and into the life of the Church. When we struggle to live out our commitments we must call to mind the life giving moments that exist within our hearts and we must trust in the mercy that is being given to us by Jesus Christ. Even if we feel overwhelmed only two weeks into this semester we know that we have the tools at hand to stay on track if we allow them to work within our lives. Through these faith committing moments may we allow ourselves to be transformed to give better service to the God and the Church.
Here at this Mass we will be given one of the greatest tools which will nourish our commitment to the faith. Here we will receive Christ present in His Body and Blood and we will allow Him to dwell within our souls. Surely if we receive the Eucharist we will have the strength that will be needed to step into daily life and remain faithful to living out the commitments that we have made. May this life changing moment remain enshrined within our hearts and minds as we encounter everything that the world has in store for us.
Today may our commitments always remain important in our lives. Remembering how they have been enshrined inside of our minds as a reminder of the faith that we have committed ourselves to living. May we never allow ourselves to forget because if we allow that to happen we will slip farther and farther away in our journey of faith. We must always be ready to continue to respond to Christ who desires to shed His infinite mercy with us now and forever.
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