30 Sun of OT Year B Homily

Our Church teaches that we need to follow our conscience. That is true, but we often fail to mention that your conscience must be well formed. Because you hold something to be true does not mean that it suddenly pops into existence as truth for you alone. No matter how our conscience is formed we must still abide by objective truth. The Church in its wisdom is very rich and has a lot to offer to each of us if we are willing to open our eyes to that wisdom. The wisdom that the Church shares with each of us is the wisdom that Christ desires to share with the world. None of us are off the hook when it comes to allowing ourselves to be educated inside of the faith, so that we may truly be able to form our consciences. With a well formed conscience we can enter into the world and evaluate for ourselves what is the objective truth within it. We can enter into situations of morality and not be pulled along by popular opinion, but be truly led into seeing the truth of the Gospel. The truth of the Gospel is not fluid and changing, but stands firm throughout all time.

In our Gospel we encounter this man who was saved through his faith. He did not merely call to Christ on one occasion, but continued to persist that Christ would have mercy upon him. With each cry that was uttered from his mouth he continued to draw closer into union with Christ. His continued persistence was his ability to form his conscience around Christ who would bring sight into his life. He did not lose hope when he did not receive a quick response to his demands, but continued to endure inside of the presence of Christ. Standing in the presence of Christ his faith was formed around this divine teacher who now stood before him. We likewise should place ourselves before this divine teacher and allow our hearts and souls to be formed in His midst. In the midst of Christ we can cry out from the crowd and have sight brought to our eyes as we allow our consciences to be formed not by society, but by the Church and Christ.

As we continue to search for this knowledge of truth we must realize that we are not being called to go through the motions of the faith. We are instead being called to a deeper relationship with Christ. This deep relationship can only come about if we realize that our call to grow deeper in our faith is a life long challenge that comes to us. We are being challenged each day to grow more in the image of Christ and thus allowing ourselves to be educated in the faith. We must be educated in both scripture and in the tradition of the faith that we share. Pope Benedict XVI recently said "the ignorance of the faith puts Christians at risk of following a do-it yourself religion." We should allow our study of scripture and the tradition of the Church to penetrate into our lives and to strengthen our faith in Christ. With our strength found here we will not be led into the error of believing what we want, but will allow our consciences to be formed towards the truth of the Gospel.

All that we encounter within the world should be informed by faith. Under no circumstance can we separate ourselves from faith. Faith should be present within our families, friends, schools, work, and politics. If we form our hearts and souls within the faith each of these areas will be touched by the Gospel of truth. If a separation continues to take place we will continue to allow ourselves to slowly move farther and farther away from truth, which will bring us to a world that wants to except anything as morally acceptable if it can bring instant pleasure into our lives. If we allow our consciences to be formed within this Spirit of truth we will be led towards the "Father of Israel" who will keep us from stumbling. Through trust inside of the faith, in Holy Scripture, and in the sacred tradition of the Church we can always be led towards Christ the High Priest. Christ the High Priest stands before us this day desiring to give sight to our eyes only if we can surrender ourselves over to Him through faith.

Unless you have been living under a rock you know the presidential election will soon be taking place. We have now heard three debates from each of the main party candidates who desire to earn our vote. For those who have yet to cast their vote inside of the election I encourage you to do so through faith and by following your well formed conscience. We should not vote out of ignorance of facts or due to a party allegiance. We should do what we can to educate ourselves fully concerning the candidates and weighing their issues together to see who is most deserving of our vote. There are many issues that our nation currently faces, but above all we should desire to protect the faith that we share. Through protecting the faith we will be protecting the life of each human person including the child within the womb, protecting the freedom of religion within our nation, having concern for the poor and the elderly, concern for the respect of life for all immigrants, and the desire to protect the family from all harm. To vote is a big deal and therefore it should be prayed about and done through the lens of faith.

All we do in our lives should be done to serve our faith. We should allow ourselves to take each step necessary to draw ourselves closer to this reality. Our challenge to grow closer to Christ each day through continued education is a challenge for each of us. Allowing our consciences to be formed inside of this same faith and to allow it to flow into every crevice of our lives is also challenging. As most of you know during our collection today we will be taking up your pledges for this upcoming financial year. I thank each of you for your commitment for this upcoming year. For all of those who have yet to do so I encourage you to take this time to fill out your form. For the rest of you I encourage you to pray about the gift that you can give this parish in this upcoming year. Your commitment helps this parish to keep its doors open and to continue to serve the faith. This commitment helps to spread the sight of faith to our school and to our community through our many ministries. May God bless you for your pledge and continue to guide each of you in your growth of faith.

Memorial of Blessed John Paul II Homily

"Do not be afraid. Open, open I say the doors for Christ." These were the words which were spoken by Blessed John Paul II thirty four years ago on the day of his consecration as pope. It is hard to believe that it has been seven and a half years since his death which proves that there are modern day saints within our Church. It is amazing that his journey towards sainthood has been moving so quickly. We examine the popular demand of many people who see his actions and how they were totally devoted to Christ. No matter what he faced inside of his life especially as the pope he would open his heart to Christ. In the sufferings and pain that would come later in his life he would remain devoted not to fear, but to Christ. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, rosary, prayer, and confession are examples to each of us who desire to open ourselves up to Christ. His life was not built around storing up treasures for himself, but was given in order to grow rich in matters of God.

What is it that we fear? Why are we so afraid to open our doors for Christ? What will we lose if we make Christ central in all the actions of our life? We cannot be afraid that opening ourselves up to Christ will force us to lose something that we hold as precious. Instead of holding onto these mere earthly possessions we should be willing to surrender all out of love for God. With our lives open totally to God we will grow rich because Christ will be present within our lives. With this friendship the doors of life will finally be opened wide because we will receive all that we need. When we are able to hand over our fears and pains to Christ we will receive hundredfold and will receive all that we will ever need. May each of the this day to make time for God in prayer. May we not fear the demands that will enter into our lives through this relationship. "Do not be afraid. Open, open I say the doors for Christ."

28th Sun of OT Year B Homily

As we enter into this "Year of Faith" our bishop has given us four very obtainable goals to accomplish during this upcoming year. We realize that our world has been effected by a loss of faith; that even at times extends into our own lives. Despite this lack of faith that may be present we are invited to spend this upcoming year to draw ourselves closer to the reality of Christ and His Church. In our Gospel we found a man who desired to find a way to make his faith become manifest. Christ's response was total surrender of himself on behalf of the Gospel. This total surrender would allow nothing to become more important then God who should always be held at the primary place of our faith. As we enter into this year we join in this perseverance of faith allowing ourselves to use each day that has been bestowed upon us to continue to grow in this path. The world has many voices which attempt to conquer the voice of faith, but we cannot allow these voices to get in our way as we continue to grow in union with Christ's love.

The Ten Commandments and the charge to hand over everything for the love of Christ was given to this man. Our bishop has challenged us for this "Year of Faith" to rediscover the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When we examine our own lives we realize that their are times when sin has come into our lives and we have given in to turn away from the infinite love of God. Reconciliation is our way to come before Christ the Healer and receive the forgiveness of sins when we realize that we have turned away from God and the commandments that have been give to us. Through the confession of sins we will be able to give up everything that we have for the sake of following after Christ. Thankfully our parish has added many opportunities to join in this Sacrament of Healing. Following our 8am Mass on Wednesday and Saturday and from 4-5pm on Saturday we are able to partake of this Sacrament. May we allow Confession to lead us towards the Holy Eucharist which will aid our faith in its growth.

During this "Year of Faith" we must allow the word of God to penetrate into our hearts and souls. To hear the word of God is to be challenged and to live it out within the world. We cannot be "Catholic" when we are inside of the Church and then partake of acts that are contrary to the faith when we leave Church behind at the end of the day. This year challenges us to realize that we are the hands and face of Christ to all people whom we encounter. If we are to be the hands and face of Christ we cannot allow ourselves to only be this way for the hour that we are here on Sunday, but for each day of our lives. To grow in our faith during this upcoming year we must seek out ways where we can grow more in our relationship with Christ. Partaking of time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, serving those in need in our Food Pantry, attending a study group, or praying the Holy Rosary are all ways that we can make time in this busy world for our faith to begin to grow anew.

As we spend time during this upcoming year dwelling upon "faith" and its importance inside of our lives we are able to see the beauty of the Church as it leads us into relationship with Christ. From the height of "faith" we realize the great wisdom that the Church contains as She expresses it to the whole world. Each of us find ourselves on a journey where we cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we know everything, but realize that we need to continue to grow in our understanding of "faith." The Bishop has challenged us to use the Creed as a daily prayer that will help to lead us during this "Year of Faith." Through its use we are able to see the wisdom that lies behind the Church and see the great task that lies before us to continue to express our faith each day. In this world that wants to claim that faith in God is worthless, we are able to be the voice of wisdom. Through our preparation during this upcoming year may each of us grow closer Christ and grow in our "faith" which fills us with joy.

Bishop Stika's Letter on Year of Faith

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

This past Thursday, the 11^th of October, we marked the beginning of the Year of Faith and the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council whose mission it was to help us grow deeper in our understanding of the richness of the Catholic faith.

I want to encourage each of you to use this particular occasion to prayerfully reflect upon what you could do personally to make this Year of Faith fruitful.  With this being said, I want to encourage you to consider doing the following:

1)     Increase your daily prayer life to include the Profession of Faith that we pray in the form of the Nicene Creed.

2)     Frequent the Sacrament of Confession.  As medicine is for the body, confession is health care of the soul.  Also, avail yourself of the special plenary indulgences that are offered during the Year of Faith, that help to better purify us for our heavenly reward.

3)     Increase your involvement in your parish community with the gift of your time, prayer, and resources such as participating in Scriptural studies, making Holy Hours of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament or helping to start or maintain a St. Vincent de Paul Society in your parish.

4)     Take every opportunity to be the hands and face of Jesus to all you encounter.

We must always keep in mind that our faith should never be static, but active in charity, for every call to action is first of all a call to prayer, and every prayer is incomplete unless it leads us to a greater love of God and our neighbor.

In one of those wonderful coincidences, the Church’s Year of Faith coincides with our own diocesan “year of preparation” that will culminate with our 25^th Jubilee Anniversary and our very first “Eucharistic Congress” on September 14^th, 2013.  This very special family weekend at the Sevierville Events Center will then kick off our Jubilee “year of celebration” throughout our diocese.  As a part of both the Year of Faith and our year of preparation for the Jubilee and its year of celebration that will follow, each parish will have the opportunity to participate in a faith formation program during the next three seasons of Lent called “Living the Eucharist.”

Finally, please continue to pray for all of our clergy and religious who help bring the faith to all of us.  Pray also for the continued blessing of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious and consecrated life.

Please be assured of my continued prayers for all of you.  May God bless you.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Richard F. Stika

Bishop of Knoxville

27th Sun of OT Year B Homily

Why in the world would anyone commit themselves to the Sacrament of Marriage. We have been bombarded by many imagines which show that marriage is an outdated institution that no longer serves a purpose. Even if you desire to enter into marriage your partner can quickly be casted off when they no longer live up to your expectations. We are constantly reminded of the high divorce rate and are told that entering into such an institution is setting yourself up for failure. In a culture that quickly wants to be served instead of to serve; it is indeed very difficult for marriage to seem important and to endure forever. To enter into marriage is contrary to this notion because it is founded upon true love and the giving of self. Marriage is a means for a person to reach salvation because they were able to successfully live out a life where they gave of themselves to another out of love. Despite the grim outlook that our culture shines upon marriage we should be given great hope that the institution of marriage can transform society.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1644: "The love of the spouses requires, of its very nature, the unity and indissolubility of the spouses' community of persons, which embraces their entire life: "so they are no longer two, but one flesh." They "are called to grow continually in their communion through day-to-day fidelity to their marriage promise of total mutual self-giving." This human communion is confirmed, purified, and completed by communion in Jesus Christ, given through the sacrament of Matrimony. It is deepened by lives of the common faith and by the Eucharist received together." Mark's Gospel is speaking to this statement made by the Catechism. In this account Jesus reminds us that man and woman were called into communion from the beginning of time and therefore shall not be separated. In his statement he is calling those who enter into marriage to a higher level where they can transcend human emotions to join together to give of self for the sake of the Kingdom.

We therefore should pray for each married couple who is in this Church today. Especially those who have recently committed themselves to this state of life. Also, those who have endured within this Sacrament and continue to learn of God's manifest love through their relationship. As with any commitment that is made; there are good days and bad days. Hopefully as your relationship continues to mature you will allow your relationship to draw you closer to God's divine light each day. This divine light becomes covered up when we get caught up in ourselves and in our own needs. Through coming together inside of this bond of love this divine light can be let loose into your relationship. If we fail to allow Christ to enter into marriage how can we ever hope to see any hope or reward from this Sacrament? Christ must remain at the heart of marriage because the love that is shown inside of the Trinity is mutual and self giving. In marriage we mirror this relationship in hope that our love will not be abusive but self giving.

We should also pray for all those in marriages that have ended in divorce. I know and understand that their are people here who have been touched by its grasp. I cannot imagine the sense of loss that is felt when everything that you have worked for has been taken away and you now find yourself alone. Despite this very unfortunate situation that has taken place within your life Christ continues to desire to bring His love and mercy into your lives. Realize that despite your broken relationship that Christ is still present with you and desires that healing can be brought into your life. By the fact that you are still here; you realize that the Church is still central to your spiritual life. The Eucharist and Confession should remain central as it does for each of us Here. Even if you are separated from the Sacraments of the Church you are still invited to partake in prayer, attend the Mass, and to grow each day in conformity with Christ the Divine Healer.

In this age where the understanding of marriage is broken we need to also pray for each of our youth. Our youth are the future of the Church when we look at things from the perspective of marriage. Our youth will be our future parents and priests. Therefore we should take every opportunity possible to begin to prepare them for this reality now. Prayer must be central in one's life if they are ever to hear the voice of God. The vocation to the priesthood, religious life, and the married state has God at its heart and therefore should be done in conjunction with His Divine Will. If a couple has never prayed about marriage; how can they be for sure that this is their vocation and the person who they should spend the rest of their life with? For the two to join together as one flesh should not be taken lightly because our motive is a misunderstanding of love. Love is something that is greater then a mere filling because it is an outpouring of yourself in the good times, which come easily, and the bad times, which require us to work harder.

May we allow Christ to work within our lives to strengthen us in our vocations. May those in the married life allow Christ to enter into all areas of their relationship. Christ will give strength to your relationship if you allow Him to enter into it! All actions that take place in our lives should not to be served, but to serve. We are called to follow after Christ's example of giving of Himself out of love. May we allow the love of God to be expressed within our relationships by not using other people as an object, but seeing Christ who dwells within them. If we can begin to allow these actions to take place we will be able to change the world's grim view concerning marriage. May The Lord continue to bless us all the days of our lives.