Today is the first Sunday of Advent and we now look towards the coming of the Messiah in the lowliness of a manger. Advent is a period of preparation for this celebration. It is necessary for it aids us in allowing our life to be directed towards the coming of the Messiah.
Pope Benedict XVI exclaimed that "forgetting about God is the most imminent danger of our age.” In other words people fail to direct their sight towards God, but rather they direct it inwardly upon themselves.
As the Book of Acts instructs: "In him we live and move and have our being." It is for this reason that we must stream towards this mountain which was spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah. This mountain is the Lord who comes to set us free from the burden of sin. We must allow ourself to be directed here and thus allow Him to be the one who animates our life.
Our Gospel recounts those who did not allow themselves to be directed unto the Lord. They were not found to be prepared for the Lord's coming. They are not the ones who according to Saint Paul have "put on the Lord Jesus Christ." We cannot allow ourself to be unwilling to set our sight upon Christ's coming and thus fall into the danger of forgetting about God.
People now decorate their homes for Christmas, Christmas music begins to play, presents will be bought and wrapped. All of this is fine, but we must ask how we will use this season which has been set aside by the Church to prepare ourself for the coming of the Lord. We cannot just wonder throughout this season and forget about the transformation that we must undergo if we are to "go rejoicing to the house of the Lord."
Make use of the Sacrament of Confession. Allow it to reorient your sight upon God. Make use of our Blessed Sacrament chapel. Allow it to reorient your sight upon Christ who comes to dwell among us in the Eucharist. Make use of an Advent wreath at home to direct your sight upon the Lord's coming. There is the tradition of the Joshua Tree which would be the perfect devotion for a family that can be used to teach children each day about figures from Sacred Scripture who play a role in the Lord's coming among us.
We have so much which fights for our attention. It is easy for us to forget about God's presence in our midst. Advent is the time to get away from this path and thus reorient our sight towards Him. Saint Paul instructs in his Letter to the Corinthians: "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." Yes, we must do everything for the glory of God and yes this task is possible if we are willing to direct our sight towards Him.
There is no greater place for us to direct our sight towards Him and to give glory to Him, but here at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Here our prayers are gathered together and they are offered unto God. Therefore, you notice the crucifix of our Lord placed upon the altar. It has been placed there in order to remind us that everything that we do here is directed towards Christ. It reminds us that our worship here is directed towards God and is not directed towards man.
Let us therefore lift up our hearts in worship of the Lord. May we be willing to set our sight upon Him and thus put on Christ for ourself during this Advent season.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Christ the King Year C Homily
A king rules from the height of his throne, but in our Gospel we are instructed that Christ the King rules from the throne of the cross.
Rulers come and go. Even in our own country we have elected new officials who will soon take office. Some are happy, some are mad, some are afraid, and some are hopeful. Nevertheless, when we look towards Christ the King we are given a glimpse into the Eternal Kingdom for which we are destined. This Kingdom will be far different then what we experience here on a daily basis for this Kingdom will be just and perfect. No matter the opinion of a politician, king, government, or nation we must remember that is Christ who is the King of all and thus all of these fall short of Him and His Heavenly Kingdom.
Therefore Pope Pius XI created this solemnity in 1925 in order to combat the increase of secularism. Secularism rejects religion and holds that it plays no part in the affairs of the state or of public office. Nevertheless, we reject this notion and thus proclaim that Christ rules over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations.
Despite this fact we often fall into this secularist notion ourself and thus banish Christ from our midst. In doing so we do not always allow our faith to influence how we act within this world. Our world and our families are greatly in need of Christ the King and thus we must begin to allow Christ to rule within our life.
We are thus given the great gift of the Eucharist which is the gift of Christ Himself. Christ who calls out to us from the midst of the busyness of our life and calls us to surrender ourself unto Him. Today following Mass all will be invited to come and adore our Lord and Savior in our Blessed Sacrament chapel. Our parish is greatly in need of new adorers to come and adore our Lord. Let us thus be willing to come and adore Him and thus entrust ourself, our family, our world, and our nation unto Him. May Christ always be allowed to reign victorious as He reigned victorious upon the wood of the cross.
Upon the cross He offered all that He had as a surrendering of love for us. He held nothing back upon cross, but offered all out of love. He thus continues to invite us to share in this same sacrificial love which has been offered. We may be afraid, alone, tired, but despite all of this we are called to the cross where our life takes on meaning. It takes on meaning through the sacrificial offering that Christ accepts and thus if we come to accept the cross and what it means we can begin to rebuild society to be modeled after it.
The transformation of society begins in the Church. We need the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in order to be transformed. From this reality we are sent forth by Christ to bring Him out into the world and thus to bring others into the knowledge of His Holy Name. May we be willing to always allow Christ to reign victorious in the midst of the world which is in need of such a King.
Long live Christ the King. May we allow Him to reign victorious in our homes and within our world.
Rulers come and go. Even in our own country we have elected new officials who will soon take office. Some are happy, some are mad, some are afraid, and some are hopeful. Nevertheless, when we look towards Christ the King we are given a glimpse into the Eternal Kingdom for which we are destined. This Kingdom will be far different then what we experience here on a daily basis for this Kingdom will be just and perfect. No matter the opinion of a politician, king, government, or nation we must remember that is Christ who is the King of all and thus all of these fall short of Him and His Heavenly Kingdom.
Therefore Pope Pius XI created this solemnity in 1925 in order to combat the increase of secularism. Secularism rejects religion and holds that it plays no part in the affairs of the state or of public office. Nevertheless, we reject this notion and thus proclaim that Christ rules over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations.
Despite this fact we often fall into this secularist notion ourself and thus banish Christ from our midst. In doing so we do not always allow our faith to influence how we act within this world. Our world and our families are greatly in need of Christ the King and thus we must begin to allow Christ to rule within our life.
We are thus given the great gift of the Eucharist which is the gift of Christ Himself. Christ who calls out to us from the midst of the busyness of our life and calls us to surrender ourself unto Him. Today following Mass all will be invited to come and adore our Lord and Savior in our Blessed Sacrament chapel. Our parish is greatly in need of new adorers to come and adore our Lord. Let us thus be willing to come and adore Him and thus entrust ourself, our family, our world, and our nation unto Him. May Christ always be allowed to reign victorious as He reigned victorious upon the wood of the cross.
Upon the cross He offered all that He had as a surrendering of love for us. He held nothing back upon cross, but offered all out of love. He thus continues to invite us to share in this same sacrificial love which has been offered. We may be afraid, alone, tired, but despite all of this we are called to the cross where our life takes on meaning. It takes on meaning through the sacrificial offering that Christ accepts and thus if we come to accept the cross and what it means we can begin to rebuild society to be modeled after it.
The transformation of society begins in the Church. We need the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in order to be transformed. From this reality we are sent forth by Christ to bring Him out into the world and thus to bring others into the knowledge of His Holy Name. May we be willing to always allow Christ to reign victorious in the midst of the world which is in need of such a King.
Long live Christ the King. May we allow Him to reign victorious in our homes and within our world.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
33rd Sunday of OT Year C Homily
In two weeks we will find ourself in the midst of the Advent season. Advent prepares us for the coming of the Christ and thus we use this season to orient ourself back towards Him.
Our world is a busy place and there is a lot for us to get caught up with. It is easy to allow our emotions go rampant while forgetting that God is the one who is in control. Therefore we must allow ourself to be oriented back towards Christ. We must allow our heart to dwell with Him always!
Therefore on Thursday we will have the opportunity to direct our heart towards Him and His infinite mercy. On this evening our parish will hold its Advent penance service. Through our sin we turn ourself away from Him, but through this sacrament of our Lord's mercy we allow ourself to be oriented back towards Him. There is no sin which is too big to be forgiven, but we must be willing to hand it over to Christ instead of continuing to latch onto it.
Next Sunday on the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King we will receive a subtle reminder of our need to be reoriented towards Christ. On this day our Perpetual Adoration Committee will hold an open house of our Adoration Chapel. This will be done as a reminder that we can never allow our life to be found too busy to redirect ourself towards Christ.
Christ continues to call out to each of us from the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar and thus calls us to direct our sight towards Him. The Eucharist is not just a mere symbol, but it truly is Jesus Christ who dwells with us here out of love. Other faith traditions may have the symbol of the Eucharist, but it is simply that; just a symbol. What we have been blessed with is Christ who continues to dwell with us here in the form of bread and wine. If we profess this to be Christ and thus the fullness of truth how could we not allow our heart be humbled in His midst?
Therefore, seeing that this is Christ who dwells with us here surely we would first want our heart to be humbled through the Sacrament of Confession before we defile our Lord and Savior with our sinful heart. Let us orient ourself towards the Lord and thus humble ourself in His midst!
Our Perpetual Adoration Chapel serves as a further invitation to humble ourself in the midst of Christ. It is always open and thus Christ continues to call us out to us from the busyness of this world and thus into the solitude of His Sacred Heart. Some stay here in this humble abode for an hour, some for half an hour, but even a brief visit for a couple of minutes brings so much value into one's life. Make the sacrifice of your time by coming into the chapel, bring your children and family, together come and let us adore our Lord as we orient ourself back towards Him.
Soon we will be preparing ourself for Christmas and thus the great gift that will be brought into the world on that day. The gift of Christ our Lord born in the lowliness of a manger. Let us orient our sight towards Him and thus away from our sin, our fears, and the busyness of our life. We now gather here at this Mass and our sight is not directed towards the priest nor the laity, but towards Christ. Together let us orient our sight towards Him as we continually invite Him to dwell in our midst under the form of bread and wine.
Our world is a busy place and there is a lot for us to get caught up with. It is easy to allow our emotions go rampant while forgetting that God is the one who is in control. Therefore we must allow ourself to be oriented back towards Christ. We must allow our heart to dwell with Him always!
Therefore on Thursday we will have the opportunity to direct our heart towards Him and His infinite mercy. On this evening our parish will hold its Advent penance service. Through our sin we turn ourself away from Him, but through this sacrament of our Lord's mercy we allow ourself to be oriented back towards Him. There is no sin which is too big to be forgiven, but we must be willing to hand it over to Christ instead of continuing to latch onto it.
Next Sunday on the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King we will receive a subtle reminder of our need to be reoriented towards Christ. On this day our Perpetual Adoration Committee will hold an open house of our Adoration Chapel. This will be done as a reminder that we can never allow our life to be found too busy to redirect ourself towards Christ.
Christ continues to call out to each of us from the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar and thus calls us to direct our sight towards Him. The Eucharist is not just a mere symbol, but it truly is Jesus Christ who dwells with us here out of love. Other faith traditions may have the symbol of the Eucharist, but it is simply that; just a symbol. What we have been blessed with is Christ who continues to dwell with us here in the form of bread and wine. If we profess this to be Christ and thus the fullness of truth how could we not allow our heart be humbled in His midst?
Therefore, seeing that this is Christ who dwells with us here surely we would first want our heart to be humbled through the Sacrament of Confession before we defile our Lord and Savior with our sinful heart. Let us orient ourself towards the Lord and thus humble ourself in His midst!
Our Perpetual Adoration Chapel serves as a further invitation to humble ourself in the midst of Christ. It is always open and thus Christ continues to call us out to us from the busyness of this world and thus into the solitude of His Sacred Heart. Some stay here in this humble abode for an hour, some for half an hour, but even a brief visit for a couple of minutes brings so much value into one's life. Make the sacrifice of your time by coming into the chapel, bring your children and family, together come and let us adore our Lord as we orient ourself back towards Him.
Soon we will be preparing ourself for Christmas and thus the great gift that will be brought into the world on that day. The gift of Christ our Lord born in the lowliness of a manger. Let us orient our sight towards Him and thus away from our sin, our fears, and the busyness of our life. We now gather here at this Mass and our sight is not directed towards the priest nor the laity, but towards Christ. Together let us orient our sight towards Him as we continually invite Him to dwell in our midst under the form of bread and wine.
Sunday, November 6, 2016
32nd Sunday in OT Homily
We are now approaching the conclusion of the liturgical year. Thus we move towards November 20th and our celebration of Christ the King. This celebration also brings us to the conclusion of the Year of Mercy. As we approach this day the readings of the Mass begin to reflect the reality of death and also the end of time.
Our culture lives in rejection of death, but despite this rejection it is something which we cannot escape. There are many saints who are depicted in art with a skull placed upon their desk. It serves as a reminder of death and thus how it is to be something that we must be prepared for. Saint Gerard kept a skull and crossbones upon his desk in order to remember that life was not long and therefore he would soon face his final judgement before God.
Ultimately death is something which does not have to be feared. Even in our Gospel Christ consoles us with the news of the resurrection of the body. In other words we come to believe and profess that death is not the end, but rather that it is the entry way into eternal life. It is impossible for us to become a saint if we do not first die. Therefore may we order our life in a way which is pleasing to God in order that we too may be like the many saints who have gone before us who have been welcomed into Eternal Life.
If we trust in these words which come forth from the mouth of Christ why would we not strive to be a saint? We are told that through the Resurrection that we will not die a second death. Therefore the body which we are given will be glorified and we will be called into perfect communion with God and thus too all the angels and saints of Heaven.
The month of November makes us also consider the poor souls in Purgatory. Those found in Purgatory have already competed the race and they are now destined for Heaven. There is no in between state for them because they have already been judged as worthy of Heaven. In order to get there they must first be purified of their repented moral sins which have yet to be satisfied and their repented or unrepented venial sins which have yet to be satisfied. They are greatly in need of our prayers and sacrifices in order that they may be called home to Heaven where they will become a saint of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Through these souls for whom we now pray may we see our own need to love God more and more. It must be our goal to get to Heaven and it should also be our goal to love God as much as is possible within this earthly life. Sin keeps us grounded to the here and now, but Christ invites us towards something so much greater. He calls us to love as love was ordered to be and thus He calls us into perfect communion with Him. He calls us to strive to not only be like the saints, but to be saints ourself.
May we be willing to undergo this daily transformation that Christ expects of us. May we keep our sight firmly placed upon death and realize that eventually it will catch up with each of us. There is no escaping death’s grasp. With death will come the final judgement which will be made by God the just judge. May we truly order our life in a manner which is worthy of being called a saint and thus the great gift from gift which is eternal life.
Our culture lives in rejection of death, but despite this rejection it is something which we cannot escape. There are many saints who are depicted in art with a skull placed upon their desk. It serves as a reminder of death and thus how it is to be something that we must be prepared for. Saint Gerard kept a skull and crossbones upon his desk in order to remember that life was not long and therefore he would soon face his final judgement before God.
Ultimately death is something which does not have to be feared. Even in our Gospel Christ consoles us with the news of the resurrection of the body. In other words we come to believe and profess that death is not the end, but rather that it is the entry way into eternal life. It is impossible for us to become a saint if we do not first die. Therefore may we order our life in a way which is pleasing to God in order that we too may be like the many saints who have gone before us who have been welcomed into Eternal Life.
If we trust in these words which come forth from the mouth of Christ why would we not strive to be a saint? We are told that through the Resurrection that we will not die a second death. Therefore the body which we are given will be glorified and we will be called into perfect communion with God and thus too all the angels and saints of Heaven.
The month of November makes us also consider the poor souls in Purgatory. Those found in Purgatory have already competed the race and they are now destined for Heaven. There is no in between state for them because they have already been judged as worthy of Heaven. In order to get there they must first be purified of their repented moral sins which have yet to be satisfied and their repented or unrepented venial sins which have yet to be satisfied. They are greatly in need of our prayers and sacrifices in order that they may be called home to Heaven where they will become a saint of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Through these souls for whom we now pray may we see our own need to love God more and more. It must be our goal to get to Heaven and it should also be our goal to love God as much as is possible within this earthly life. Sin keeps us grounded to the here and now, but Christ invites us towards something so much greater. He calls us to love as love was ordered to be and thus He calls us into perfect communion with Him. He calls us to strive to not only be like the saints, but to be saints ourself.
May we be willing to undergo this daily transformation that Christ expects of us. May we keep our sight firmly placed upon death and realize that eventually it will catch up with each of us. There is no escaping death’s grasp. With death will come the final judgement which will be made by God the just judge. May we truly order our life in a manner which is worthy of being called a saint and thus the great gift from gift which is eternal life.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
All Souls Day Homily
Today we receive an important reminder of the need to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. This is after all one of the spiritual works of mercy of which we are to carry out. From the Book of Maccabees: "For if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin."
So often we forget this need to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. We have lost sight of Purgatory and thus we forget to assist those who are found here with our prayers and sacrifices. There is no greater gift that we can give to our beloved dead then the gift of our prayers, sacrifices, and above all the Holy Sacrifice of Mass being offered on their behalf.
The Book of Revelation states concerning Heaven that nothing unclean will enter into it. This is precisely why Purgatory is so important. Without Purgatory so many souls would fall short of the rewards of Heaven for they would be stained with sin and thus be found unclean. Thus Purgatory purges away our continued attachment towards venial sin and also purges from us the effects of our forgiven mortal sins which have yet to be atoned for.
Through our prayers and sacrifices we are able to assist these souls towards the splendor of Heaven. It is an incorrect statement concerning Purgatory that it is a second chance or an in between state. Rather all those found in Purgatory are destined towards Heaven. There is no second chance nor are they in some in between state; they are instead destined towards Heaven. Here they are purified as gold which is tested in fire. Thus in time we will come to venerate these very souls on All Saints Day.
May we therefore set Heaven before our face. May we realize that we are each called to enter into it. May we realize that we have been called to love Christ with all of our heart and soul. If we truly love Christ we must begin to practice virtue. We must realize that in time we too will die and thus we will be judged for the way in which we have ordered our life. May we therefore entrust ourself to Christ now by entrusting ourself to the grace and mercy that God constantly pours out upon us.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
So often we forget this need to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. We have lost sight of Purgatory and thus we forget to assist those who are found here with our prayers and sacrifices. There is no greater gift that we can give to our beloved dead then the gift of our prayers, sacrifices, and above all the Holy Sacrifice of Mass being offered on their behalf.
The Book of Revelation states concerning Heaven that nothing unclean will enter into it. This is precisely why Purgatory is so important. Without Purgatory so many souls would fall short of the rewards of Heaven for they would be stained with sin and thus be found unclean. Thus Purgatory purges away our continued attachment towards venial sin and also purges from us the effects of our forgiven mortal sins which have yet to be atoned for.
Through our prayers and sacrifices we are able to assist these souls towards the splendor of Heaven. It is an incorrect statement concerning Purgatory that it is a second chance or an in between state. Rather all those found in Purgatory are destined towards Heaven. There is no second chance nor are they in some in between state; they are instead destined towards Heaven. Here they are purified as gold which is tested in fire. Thus in time we will come to venerate these very souls on All Saints Day.
May we therefore set Heaven before our face. May we realize that we are each called to enter into it. May we realize that we have been called to love Christ with all of our heart and soul. If we truly love Christ we must begin to practice virtue. We must realize that in time we too will die and thus we will be judged for the way in which we have ordered our life. May we therefore entrust ourself to Christ now by entrusting ourself to the grace and mercy that God constantly pours out upon us.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
All Saints Day Homily
Today and tomorrow serve as very important days in the life of the Church.
Today we celebrate All Saint's Day where we call to mind all the angels and saints of Heaven who now intercede on our behalf. This includes those whose names have been revealed to us by God as well as all those who go unknown by name.
Tomorrow will fall the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed also known as All Soul's Day. On this day we recall the necessity to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory in order that they may be purified and thus come to receive their Heavenly reward.
Therefore we now turn our attention towards the saints. In doing so we must not distance ourself from them. They lived a holy life which was dedicated towards God, but we too are called to do the same. The saints do not show that the journey towards Heaven is impossible, but rather they show that the journey towards Heaven is possible.
Some never contemplate the saints while keeping in mind that they too are to strive to be a saint like them. After all if we are to make it to Heaven then we in return will be known as a saint. Therefore we must start to order our life in such a manner.
The saints prayed and trusted in God. The saints learned to offer up their sufferings thus joining them to the wood of the cross. The saints truly saw others as one created in the image and the likeness of God the Father. The saints came to acknowledge the mercy of God and thus prevailed themselves to it in the Sacrament of Confession.
If we study the lives of the saints we will see that every story has the same end result. That they died in the state of grace. Through the study of their lives we will see that they each took different journeys to arrive at this end result. Some lived out lives of sin, but found conversion. Some suffered greatly from physical ailments. Some lived out a virtuous life from an early age.
Therefore no matter the path that we currently find ourself upon we must be like the saints and die in the state of grace. We must realize that no matter what we are going through and struggling with that it can be overcome through the mercy of God. God is merciful with us as He was merciful with the saints.
Can we trust that God desires us to be a saint? Can we trust that God gives us the grace which is necessary to become a saint? Can we trust that despite the sin, struggle, or hardship of our life that we can faithfully endure upon this journey of faith?
Truly we are called to be saints and therefore on this day we turn are attention to all the angels and saints of Heaven and we ask for their intercession. May they pray for us that we too may be holy and pursue God in our daily life as we strive to one day join them in the Kingdom of Heaven. May all the angels and saints of Heaven, pray for us.
Today we celebrate All Saint's Day where we call to mind all the angels and saints of Heaven who now intercede on our behalf. This includes those whose names have been revealed to us by God as well as all those who go unknown by name.
Tomorrow will fall the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed also known as All Soul's Day. On this day we recall the necessity to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory in order that they may be purified and thus come to receive their Heavenly reward.
Therefore we now turn our attention towards the saints. In doing so we must not distance ourself from them. They lived a holy life which was dedicated towards God, but we too are called to do the same. The saints do not show that the journey towards Heaven is impossible, but rather they show that the journey towards Heaven is possible.
Some never contemplate the saints while keeping in mind that they too are to strive to be a saint like them. After all if we are to make it to Heaven then we in return will be known as a saint. Therefore we must start to order our life in such a manner.
The saints prayed and trusted in God. The saints learned to offer up their sufferings thus joining them to the wood of the cross. The saints truly saw others as one created in the image and the likeness of God the Father. The saints came to acknowledge the mercy of God and thus prevailed themselves to it in the Sacrament of Confession.
If we study the lives of the saints we will see that every story has the same end result. That they died in the state of grace. Through the study of their lives we will see that they each took different journeys to arrive at this end result. Some lived out lives of sin, but found conversion. Some suffered greatly from physical ailments. Some lived out a virtuous life from an early age.
Therefore no matter the path that we currently find ourself upon we must be like the saints and die in the state of grace. We must realize that no matter what we are going through and struggling with that it can be overcome through the mercy of God. God is merciful with us as He was merciful with the saints.
Can we trust that God desires us to be a saint? Can we trust that God gives us the grace which is necessary to become a saint? Can we trust that despite the sin, struggle, or hardship of our life that we can faithfully endure upon this journey of faith?
Truly we are called to be saints and therefore on this day we turn are attention to all the angels and saints of Heaven and we ask for their intercession. May they pray for us that we too may be holy and pursue God in our daily life as we strive to one day join them in the Kingdom of Heaven. May all the angels and saints of Heaven, pray for us.
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