Easter Day Homily

A most blessed Easter to all of you!

Today we gather with great joy to celebrate the triumph of Jesus over the tomb. The tomb should be very familiar with us because we see the despair that comes with it so often played out within our world. 

Only last week a terrorist attack happened in Brussels which tragically killed 31 including the three bombers. At the start of this month four Missionaries of Charity as well as 12 others were tragically killed in Yemen due to their profession of Christ. Our own country is not far different then the rest of the world for we continue to allow the tragic murder against the unborn to take place through abortion. These are only a few examples of all which is taking place within this world that brings us into the despair of the tomb.

If we take our mind back to the death of Lazarus we would encounter the pleas of Martha and Mary: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” They would later take Jesus to the tomb and there the stone was rolled away and He would cry out: “Lazarus, come out.” Saint John’s Gospel then points out that the hands, feet, and face of Lazarus were still wrapped in a cloth. They were still wrapped in a cloth because this resurrection was not the one of the Messiah which would assure us of our salvation. Martha and Mary at the start of this story were still present with despair due to the what was in the tomb, but Christ gave them a foreshadowing of the resurrection and thus gave them every reason to rejoice and be filled with hope.

And so despite the tragedy which might be present in our life or within this world we do not have to continue to remain stuck at the tomb where we are left to despair. Christ through His Resurrection is showing us that there is something greater which is to come. From the Easter Sequence: “Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you. Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.”

And so today we come to the tomb and we find the stone rolled away. Despite the despair brought about by the darkness of sin and death we come to discover new life. In the account of our Gospel we do not discover Jesus in the flesh, but we do discover the cloths which were no longer binding upon the hands, feet, and face of our Blessed Lord. These have been stripped away and with them new life has been obtained for each of us. We are therefore sent away from the tomb with great joy because sin and death can no longer hold us captive. Christ has come and conquered over all of these realities through His Resurrection.

Therefore as Christians we must be sent forth from here as a new creation in Christ. This reality is made known through the Sacrament of Baptism and thus the renewal of our baptismal vows which we will soon make. Through these vows we profess our unending love for Christ and our desire to serve Him above all things. Through our participation in sin we do not profess this reality, and so may we be sent forth from here by allowing the cloths which might bind us, as they did Lazarus, to be ripped away.

Our Lord has truly triumphed over sin and death therefore may our despair be filled with joy for: CHRIST HAS RISEN! ALLELUIA!

Easter Vigil Homily

A most blessed Easter to all of you!

On this night we celebrate the Easter Vigil and thus we come to celebrate the fact that Christ has triumphed over the tomb through the event of the Resurrection. We also get to celebrate new life that is brought into the Church through the waters of baptism and through reception into it. 

This night is filled with rich symbolism which shows the great triumph over the tomb which takes place through our Lord’s Resurrection. Some might scoff at the length of the readings which are to be used on this night, but they are not made without purpose. These readings show the history of salvation and how it unfolds for us. The first reading began “in the beginning” when God created all that we hold to be dear. These readings work their way up to Jesus Christ and His victory over the tomb. These readings show that despite the darkness which might be present within this world that God has not left us abandoned, but has always been present in our midst despite the darkness of sin and the slavery in which it brings about.

We live in the midst of a world which seems to be filled with so much uncertainty. If we glance at the news we are left to believe that we have been thrust down into a permanent darkness. We see the effects of a world which has rejected the truths which are contained within the Gospels. We see this through actions of terrorism (that which took place in Brussels), people still being martyred for their faith (the Missionaries of Charity slain in Yemen) rejection of the sacrament of Marriage, rejection of the rite that one has to life because it is sacred, and this list goes on and on. Nevertheless, we cannot despair at these realities because we do not live in a world which is uncertain. Instead on this night we can confidently proclaim that Christ the light has triumphed over the darkness of sin and death and thus to the uncertainty that is brought about by it.

For on this night we received a great proclamation to this fact through what is known as “the Exsultet.” The Exsultet is a solemn proclamation that Christ has now triumphed over death and that the Resurrection has indeed taken place. It points towards this candle, known as the Pascal Candle, which represents Christ who is now resurrected. From a homily given by Pope Benedict XVI on this subject: “It reminds us that this object, the candle, has its origin in the work of bees. So the whole of creation plays its part. In the candle, creation becomes a bearer of light. But in the mind of the Fathers, the candle also in some sense contains a silent reference to the Church. The cooperation of the living community of believers in the Church in some way resembles the activity of bees. It builds up the community of light. So the candle serves as a summons to us to become involved in the community of the Church, whose mission is to let the light of Christ shine upon the world.”

Indeed, as we remember the tragedies of this world and our own life, may we always remember the light of Christ which takes victory over the darkness of night. The light of Christ always comes to prevail, so may we therefore desire to spread this same light to those whom we encounter. Tonight we look towards baptism and thus we look towards new life where we have been set free from the burden of sin and death. Truly through the events of our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection we have been set free and thus may confidently celebrate this reality as a light which burns brightly in the midst of the darkness of sin and death for: CHRIST HAS RISEN! ALLELUIA!

Good Friday Homily

This day is far different then other days of the week for today Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross and breathed His last breath as He died upon the cross. Most interestingly today also falls the Annunciation when Mary gave her “yes” to the angel Gabriel thus causing Christ to dwell among us. And thus this year the day he took on our human flesh is the same day that He came to expire upon the cross. On other days of the week we would joyously gather within this church and Mass would be offered, but that does not take place here for us tonight.

Today we we come to humble ourself before God and His great love for us. We will humble ourself before the cross which is the instrument of our salvation and we will humble ourself before Christ who is present within the Eucharist as we come forward to receive Him.

It can become easy to take these two realities for granted, but we cannot begin to encounter them as one who is filled with pride as if we are owed something. The Eucharist and the cross should bring us to our knees in humble adoration because what we encounter is Christ and our salvation. The thought of receiving Christ and being redeemed should make us feel humbled. These are two gifts which none of us are worthy to receive and yet Christ has extended these gifts unto us.

Let us be humbled by the cross for by it we impart upon a path of penance. Penance to rid ourself of our attachment to sin and made in atonement for our sins and for those of the whole world. Saint Teresa of Avila: "You have entered religion not to indulge the flesh but to die for Jesus Christ.” In our coming forward to embrace the cross in humility may we begin to die for Christ in order that He alone may be the one whom we serve.

What a gift that the Eucharist is for through the Eucharist we receive Jesus Christ. Whom do we serve? Christ or the flesh? Let us purge ourself of our disordered passions through our embracing of the cross in order that the answer to this question may be Christ alone.

St. Leonard of Port Maurice: “If you obey the Commandments of God, if you detest the corruption of this world, if you embrace the Cross of Jesus Christ in a spirit of penance, you will be that one alone who is saved.”

Christ came and saved us upon the cross, but now we must ask if we accept what was offered. If we accept the cross we must reject the ways of the world which rip us away from Him and His Church on this earth. Mortal sin puts our relationship with Him to death. Through mortal sin we reject the cross and we are left dead to the graces of the Most Holy Eucharist.

Let yourselves be set free by the cross. Let your heart be set aflame with love for Christ who is present with us in the Eucharist. Confess your sins and do penance and thus be truly set free to love and serve the Lord above all things. May we truly humble ourself to these gifts which are made manifest today for through them we are assured of God’s great love for us.

Holy Thursday Homily

The actions of Jesus in our Gospel reflect a much deeper liturgical action which is about to take place. What He is doing is preparing them for what He will soon have to undergo and thus they will also have to participate within themselves.

According to Saint Augustin: “He laid aside His garments, when, being in the form of God, He emptied Himself; He girded. Himself with a towel, took upon Him the form of a servant; He poured water into a bason, out of which He washed His disciples’ feet. He shed His blood on the earth, with which He washed away the filth of their sins; He wiped them with the towel wherewith He was girded; with the flesh wherewith He was clothed, He established the steps of the Evangelists; He laid aside His garments, to gird Himself with the towel; that He might take upon Him the form of a servant, He emptied Himself, not laying aside indeed what He had, but assuming what He had not. Before He was crucified, He was stripped of His garments, and when dead was wound up in linen clothes: the whole of His passion is our cleansing.”

Therefore, my dear brethren, may we set our sight upon the cross and the effects of our Lord’s Passion. From the Lord’s Passion our cleansing from sin has taken place. This ritual which Christ goes through within our Gospel sets our sight upon the Passion and how from it we receive the great gift which is the Most Holy Eucharist. Through the Eucharist Christ continues to dwell with us in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine. 

Who is it who dies for us? Who is it who gives Himself to us in His Body and Blood?

The answer to these questions is God Himself who came to dwell among us on this earth and thus comes to die for us upon the cross out of love. If Christ did not come to die upon the cross as the second Person of the Holy Trinity, fully human and fully divine, then we would not be redeemed and what we would receive in the Eucharist would only be bread and wine.

These days which lie ahead help us to draw close to our Lord. These days will assist us in renewing our hearts and continuing to lift them up to the Lord through our worship of Him. We surround ourself with so many distractions, but Christ asks each of us as He asked his apostles in the garden of Gethsemane: “Can you not keep watch with me for even one hour?”

It is for this reason that following this Mass that the Church keeps watch with Christ. We will process with the Eucharist and it will placed in the repository and then we will depart in silence. I invite you to remain and to keep watch with Christ during this time of prayer. Realize this is God who has come to dwell with us out of love and through obedience even came to accept death upon the cross. The Eucharist is Christ’s love for His Church because it is only possible through His offering of self upon the cross.

In the Roman Canon we are further reminded of what takes place on this day. “On the day before he was to suffer for our salvation and the salvation of all, that is today he took bread.” Again we are reminded of the cross and what the action of death upon the cross has gained for us. For it has gained freedom from sin and death. The Israelites were enslaved, but through God’s great mercy they were liberated from this slavery.

From the love of Christ which springs forth at the Last Supper the great gift which is the Eucharist as well as the gift of the priesthood in which Christ instituted for His Church. From these gifts we too are sent forth to love and serve the Lord. From these gifts we too are sent forth to live Christian charity with one another as Christ shows through the action of the washing of feet.

Following this homily I will wash the feet of the faithful following a similar order to our Gospel. Through this action may our minds be set upon Christ and His Passion. Through this action may our hearts be set upon the Eucharist. As we set our sight upon the cross and the Eucharist may we truly become thankful for these gifts and for the salvation that they have brought about within our life. From these gifts may we be sent forth to the love the Lord more fully and may we come to give of ourselves through acts of Christian charity.

Palm Sunday Year C Entrance Homily

Christ joyously enters into the city of Jerusalem. He comes here of His own free will in order that our salvation may be brought about. May we join with Him on this entrance into Jerusalem which leads towards the cross. May we come to embrace the cross in order that our life may be transformed as we enter into the joyous celebration of Easter with hearts made pure. These days, which lie ahead, will assist us in this preparation for through the days of Holy Week we will be prepared to encounter Christ who stands victorious over the tomb.

5th Sunday of Lent Year C Homily

The first thing that you probably noticed upon entering this Church is the fact that all of the statues and crosses have been veiled. Throughout Lent our senses are deprived of the stuff which they have grown accustomed to. Traditionally the Gospel for this 5th Sunday of Lent ended with these words: “They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” According to Saint Augustine concerning this passage: “He hides not Himself in a corner of the temple, as if afraid, or running into a cottage, or turning aside behind a wall or column, but by His Divine Power making Himself invisible, He passed through their midst.” To help signify this mystery statues and crosses are traditionally veiled beginning with this Sunday and leading into the start of our celebration of Easter.

In these days which lie ahead we will be entering into the events of our Lord’s Passion and then we will enter into a period of mourning as we await our Lord’s triumph over the grave. These veiled images remind us of our own mortality and how through sin our eyes have become veiled. Now may we have a longing to be reunited with these images which have been banished from our midst. Through Christ’s cross and resurrection these veils have been ripped away and we can be assured of the mercy of God.

Our Gospel shows how merciful the love of the Father is for each of us. Within this Gospel we encounter a woman who is cast down in her sin, but we also encounter a loving savior. A savior who desires not to condemn her, but instead to set her free from the grasp that sin has placed upon her. This Gospel is not arguing that sin is acceptable to the Father because in the Gospel we must remember Christ’s command: “Go and sin no more.” If we encounter Christ and His merciful love we too must turn away from sin and be transformed.

The Easter season calls to mind our baptism and thus we are calling to mind that moment when we were transformed by turning away from our sin and being set free from its midst. It is easy to point the finger at others and thus fail to look inwardly upon ourself. In this scenario the veil of sin has come to veil our eyes from seeing the love in which the Father desires to pour forth upon each of us.

Jesus comes to us, as He came to the crowd gathered around this woman, as a voice of justice: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” This is not to say that sinners will not be punished for their sinfulness, but instead that they cannot be condemned by man who is sinful themselves. This voice of justice is calling out to us to look inwardly upon ourself and thus allow Christ to be the one to transform us from our sinful past.

Jesus did not come to pass a sentence of death upon her, but instead came in order to extend His mercy in order that she may be healed. This infinite mercy of the Father should assist us in being sent forth to share this same mercy with the sinful. It would not be true charity to leave them in their sinfulness, but instead we must desire that the sinful entrust themselves to Christ’s mercy in order that they may be lifted out of their sin. We are currently in the “Year of Mercy” which serves as an invitation to all of this message of the Father’s mercy. It is a call which has been extended in order that we may know of this voice of justice who desires that we may be set free from sin’s grasp; no matter how great the sin of our past life may of been.

Let us think of the many ways in which our life has become veiled to the sacred mysteries of Christ’s love through our continued relationship with sin. May we realize the invitation that Christ extends that we may be lifted up from sin’s grasp and be set free. Lifted up and sent forth with the same command given to this woman: “Go and sin no more.”

4th Sunday of Lent Homily (Extraordinary Form)

“Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.”

Today we celebrate Laetare Sunday and thus we are to rejoice with our understanding that Easter is coming soon.

Maybe our journey through Lent seems as if it is currently going nowhere, but may we instead see that it is leading us towards Easter. Maybe the trials which we endure leave us feeling as if there is no hope, but we are being led towards the final Easter which is yet to come.

In our Gospel Jesus looks upon the multitude and realizes their hunger. This hunger is not simply one of the necessity of bodily nourishment, but our Lord sees their need to be spiritually fed.

In this gathering around Christ they came bearing with them their hardships and in return our Lord desired that they be fed in order that they may truly be given a foretaste of what awaits them within the Heavenly Kingdom.

When we come forward to kneel and be fed by our Lord we are receiving this same reality into our life. 

He looks upon us in our needs and trials and gives us all that is necessary for us to endure.

With the assistance of our Lord we will not falter upon the path that we must trudge upon in our daily life.

If we are to allow our Lord to feed us for all eternity we must also come to trust in the healing grace which is poured out within the sacrament of confession. 

Our Epistle reminds us that it was bondage and fear which held us captive prior to Christ, but now we no longer have to be held captive to its weight.

Confession of our sins restores us to this reality and allows us to live freely in service to Christ and to His Holy Gospel.

 In a world which can be difficult may we swallow our pride and accept the mercy that Christ desires to bring into this world; into our life.

Christ sees us in our greatest need and desires that we be feed with the Eucharist. He sees us in the midst of temptation and shows us that there is another way.

In this way we will truly be prepared for the final Easter when we will be called to commune with God for all eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven.

For this reality may we now rejoice for this time is ever moving near.

4th Sunday of Lent Year A Homily (2nd Scrutiny)

Light is a theme of the Easter season. At the Easter Vigil, Mass begins in darkness and the light of a flame is brought into the Church to dispel this darkness from our midst. This all serves as a reminder of what Easter does for us, for through Easter Jesus comes to triumph over the tomb and thus the death of sin has been triumphed over as we elevate our sight towards the joys of Everlasting Life.

Through sin we are left blind as this man was found blind within our Gospel. As we move towards Easter may we desire to see the light of Christ all the more. If we desire to see the light of Christ we must come to dispel the darkness of sin from our life. Today we celebrate the second scrutiny where our catechumens, the unbaptized, are reminded of what will take place for them at the Easter Vigil. For at the Easter Vigil their eyes will be opened because they have entered into the waters of baptism which have dispelled this reality of sin from their midst.

To be baptized is a big deal for through baptism we are not brought into some club, but we are incorporated into the mystical Body of Christ. To call ourself a Christian is a big deal for with it comes a commitment which is made to Christ to love Him above all things. May we pray for these catechumens as they now prepare to have their eyes opened within the waters of baptism and may we continue to purge ourself of sin; sin which leaves us blind to Christ. Very soon we will arrive at our celebration of Easter and here we will finally be able to “rejoice” with Christ who dispels the darkness of sin and death from our midst.

4th Sunday of Lent Year C Homily

This Sunday is one of rejoicing for Lent is now half over and we are being given a small glimpse into the hope and joy which will enter into the world through our celebration of Easter. Each of our readings pick up this theme of rejoicing for that which we long for has finally been brought to its completion.

The book of Joshua recounts the celebration of the Passover meal within the land which had been promised to them. In order for them to get to this promised land they had to move throughout the desert for a period of 40 years. While in the desert they would cry out to God that they were hungry and it would of been better for them if they had returned to their slavery within Egypt. Despite their rejection of God and their lack of trust in Him they were fed food which came down from Heaven and from this nourishment they were moved onwards towards the Promised Land. Now within the promised Land they are able to partake of this Passover meal and rejoice for all that God has done for them.

Within the Gospel of Saint Luke we receive the parable of the prodigal son which insures us of God’s immense love and compassion. The prodigal son turns away from the Father’s infinite love, but while on this path towards damnation he comes to embrace the path of conversion. He abandons his father’s house and enters into a period of misery which leads him through humiliation as he is forced to lower himself to feed the swine. As he reflects on all that he had lost he returns to the Father’s love and compassion. He can only do this because he had entered into a period of repentance which moved him back to the Father’s love. Once he returned to his father he was embraced in love and was given a beautiful robe and a festive celebration which are all pointing to the fact that the prodigal son had entered into new life.

We cannot forget about the older brother because he had already shut his heart off from the Father through his hardened heart. If he desires to be reconciled with his father then he too needs to pass through a period of conversion and in return be reconciled with his father. Once this conversion takes place he too will be able to rejoice for in the words of 2nd Corinthians: “Christ has entrusted us to the ministry of reconciliation.”

Therefore, my brothers and sisters in Christ may we reflect on the many ways in which we have hardened our hearts to the abundant love of God. Through a heart, which is hardened, we are unable to see our rejection of God and His love for us. It is the sin of pride which blinds us in these moments as it came to blind the older son within our Gospel. As we continue this Lenten journey may we take this small glimpse into Easter to heart and desire to truly rejoice once we get there. We can only rejoice with the Father if we are willing to cast off the sin which leaves us blind to the Father’s love.

The goal of the Israelites was the Promised Land as our goal is the Promised Land which is the Kingdom of Heaven. In order to get there we must pass through this earthly life, but we do not have to do so alone. Let us instead trust in the Father’s mercy and entrust ourself to Christ who is present with us in the Eucharist. Bread came down from Heaven in order that the Israelites may pass into the Promised Land and thus Christ continues to pour Himself out to us in the form of bread and wine in order that we may rejoice with Him for all eternity within the Kingdom of Heaven.