A pearl is begotten from suffering. It originates from the suffering of a oyster which gets sand stuck inside and thus it's body begins to fight off this agitation by creating a pearl to rid the intruder from its midst.
And so this pearl of great price is making an illusion to the Kingdom of Heaven. So many profess the joys of Heaven, but they forget about the work that must be done in order to get there.
Like the pearl we must be willing to undergo suffering for the sake of the Heavenly Kingdom. Thus we must work each day at being faithful disciples of the Lord. If we know Heaven to be the pearl of great price then we would allow nothing to get in the way of achieving such a goal.
Let us therefore consider this pearl of great price and in return ask ourself the many things within this world which we place before this pearl be it relationships, job, sports, whatever it may be. May we thus come to value this pearl and pursue it always through the confines of the Church.
Our Gospel gives us the imagery of a net. This net represents to us the Church and thus found within this net is both the just and sinners. Despite this reality we cannot say that the Church is not holy, but rather we can say that it those who make up the Church who fall short of the mark.
Thankfully within the confines of the Church we find the safety of the sacraments which sustain and nourish us and pour out God’s grace upon us. The good fish are thrown into vessels and thus they have allowed themselves to be caught up in the reception of God’s grace while on the other hand the bad fish are discarded for they came to reject God’s grace.
Thus collected within this net, which is the Church, we find all those who have forever been marked by the Sacrament of Baptism. Now we must stay on guard that we continue to live out faithfully what was begun here at this sacrament. Thus we must frequent the sacrament of confession, receive the Most Holy Eucharist in the state of grace, and find other ways to create a continual relationship with God.
If we know the pearl of great price to be our goal for it is the Kingdom of Heaven we will not get caught up in the ways of the world thus allowing ourselves to chase after false gods. Rather we will remain in the net of the Church and will be found good in nature for we have done everything in our power to follow after this pearl of great price.
As the pearl is begotten from suffering may we too enter into this reality in order that we may strive for the Kingdom of Heaven above all things.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Sunday, July 23, 2017
16th Sunday of OT Year A Homily
Our parish has many talented gardeners who give of their time to work on the gardens of our parish grounds and I am not one of them, but I do believe I can tell the difference between a weed and a flower. So what is the big deal about these weeds being thrown in with the grain in our Gospel? The weed in question is known to us as cockle and it is a big deal for it is toxic to human consumption. The problem with cockle is that it cannot be distinguished as such until it matures. Therefore it looks perfectly like grain, but in all reality it should not be consumed.
The Fathers of the Church see this passage to be making reference to false doctrine. It is false doctrine which confuses the faithful and causes them to rebel against their faith and thus against Jesus Christ Himself. False doctrine is toxic like cockle because it rips us away from the Body of Christ to which we should be joined.
We cannot allow ourself to be found asleep such as the individual in our Gospel. So many Christians in this day and age are found to be asleep. They have thus allowed the enemy to infiltrate their household to spread the toxicity of this cockle.
So many are ready to take up popular opinion concerning Church doctrine for they have allowed themselves to get caught off guard by the enemy. They have taken in the cockle of false doctrine and have accepted it as truth to the detriment of their faith. Instead we must form our conscience to that of the Church and thus to that of Christ. In this manner we rebuke the enemy from our midst and thus invite true doctrine into our life.
What can we do to defend ourselves against the confusion of this cockle and thus the spreading of true grain at the time of the Harvest of the Lord?
If we are to allow true grain to be made manifest we must find ways to nurture this seed of faith. Spiritual reading assists us in this way as does making time for the study of our faith. A Protestant is able to quickly quote from scripture to our amazement, but if we are amazed by such a feat then why don’t we devote time to the study of our faith. When we question a Church teaching we should not pass over it lightly, but instead we should educate ourselves to the reason for the teaching and thus form our conscience to the mind of the Church.
It is education which assists us in coming to know Christ and thus truths of our faith, but so often we are willing to take our faith lightly and thus lose the sight of this reality.
Let us therefore take up study of our faith and make time for spiritual reading in order that we may be found on guard against enemy who wants nothing more then to confuse us and thus do us harm.
The Fathers of the Church see this passage to be making reference to false doctrine. It is false doctrine which confuses the faithful and causes them to rebel against their faith and thus against Jesus Christ Himself. False doctrine is toxic like cockle because it rips us away from the Body of Christ to which we should be joined.
We cannot allow ourself to be found asleep such as the individual in our Gospel. So many Christians in this day and age are found to be asleep. They have thus allowed the enemy to infiltrate their household to spread the toxicity of this cockle.
So many are ready to take up popular opinion concerning Church doctrine for they have allowed themselves to get caught off guard by the enemy. They have taken in the cockle of false doctrine and have accepted it as truth to the detriment of their faith. Instead we must form our conscience to that of the Church and thus to that of Christ. In this manner we rebuke the enemy from our midst and thus invite true doctrine into our life.
What can we do to defend ourselves against the confusion of this cockle and thus the spreading of true grain at the time of the Harvest of the Lord?
If we are to allow true grain to be made manifest we must find ways to nurture this seed of faith. Spiritual reading assists us in this way as does making time for the study of our faith. A Protestant is able to quickly quote from scripture to our amazement, but if we are amazed by such a feat then why don’t we devote time to the study of our faith. When we question a Church teaching we should not pass over it lightly, but instead we should educate ourselves to the reason for the teaching and thus form our conscience to the mind of the Church.
It is education which assists us in coming to know Christ and thus truths of our faith, but so often we are willing to take our faith lightly and thus lose the sight of this reality.
Let us therefore take up study of our faith and make time for spiritual reading in order that we may be found on guard against enemy who wants nothing more then to confuse us and thus do us harm.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
15th Sunday of OT Year A Homily
Truly God gives to each of us the grace which is necessary to lead good and holy lives, but we so often allow ourself to get up in the ways of the world at the expense of the Gospel. No matter the life that we have lived in the past we must remember that we can become this good soil which is prepared to receive God’s grace.
Therefore let us consider for ourself the ways in which we can prepare the soil of our soul to receive this abundant outpouring of God’s grace. Let us realize that in doing so we must also consider the ways in which we allow the weeds to grow up within our soul and thus choke out this gift of grace which God is pouring upon us. We must remember that it is not God who withholds rather it us who reject this gift by the way in which we live our life.
If we are to clean out the weeds which choke out grace within our life then we must be willing to enter into the silence of prayer. Here making a daily examination of conscience which causes us to be truthful in our reflection of the ways in which we have transgressed against God and thus each other. Such a practice allows us to make a daily act of contrition as we continue to set straight our path towards an encounter with the Lord. Frequent confession also assists the soul in coming to be cleaned for such an infusion with God’s grace.
Yes, we should desire to cultivate within our life and home this attitude which is open to receiving God’s grace. Throughout our life there are so many ways in which we can be strengthened in our relationship with the Lord. We strengthened when we worthily receive the Most Holy Eucharist for what we receive is truly Jesus Christ who loves us dearly.
The world is a busy place therefore we must constantly remind ourself of the Eucharist. Be it a visit to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the midst of our busy day or a simple recollection of mind to the gift which is Christ present with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Truly such visits are beneficial in changing the disposition of our life in order that we may be more patterned after our Lord and thus open to receiving God’s grace.
Other forms of prayer also assist us in cultivating this reality within ourself especially that of the Most Holy Rosary. The Rosary assists us in lifting our minds and hearts to the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. The Rosary allows us to walk with our Blessed Mother and thus in return ask that she may assist us in preparing our soul to receive God’s grace. We must remember the exclamation of the angel Gabriel to her: “Hail Mary, full of grace.” Truly she is most perfect in God’s eyes and thus intercedes that we may receive the gift of God’s grace.
This day and always let us keep watch over the soil of life in order that it may be found rich in nature and thus welcoming of God’s grace.
Therefore let us consider for ourself the ways in which we can prepare the soil of our soul to receive this abundant outpouring of God’s grace. Let us realize that in doing so we must also consider the ways in which we allow the weeds to grow up within our soul and thus choke out this gift of grace which God is pouring upon us. We must remember that it is not God who withholds rather it us who reject this gift by the way in which we live our life.
If we are to clean out the weeds which choke out grace within our life then we must be willing to enter into the silence of prayer. Here making a daily examination of conscience which causes us to be truthful in our reflection of the ways in which we have transgressed against God and thus each other. Such a practice allows us to make a daily act of contrition as we continue to set straight our path towards an encounter with the Lord. Frequent confession also assists the soul in coming to be cleaned for such an infusion with God’s grace.
Yes, we should desire to cultivate within our life and home this attitude which is open to receiving God’s grace. Throughout our life there are so many ways in which we can be strengthened in our relationship with the Lord. We strengthened when we worthily receive the Most Holy Eucharist for what we receive is truly Jesus Christ who loves us dearly.
The world is a busy place therefore we must constantly remind ourself of the Eucharist. Be it a visit to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the midst of our busy day or a simple recollection of mind to the gift which is Christ present with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Truly such visits are beneficial in changing the disposition of our life in order that we may be more patterned after our Lord and thus open to receiving God’s grace.
Other forms of prayer also assist us in cultivating this reality within ourself especially that of the Most Holy Rosary. The Rosary assists us in lifting our minds and hearts to the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. The Rosary allows us to walk with our Blessed Mother and thus in return ask that she may assist us in preparing our soul to receive God’s grace. We must remember the exclamation of the angel Gabriel to her: “Hail Mary, full of grace.” Truly she is most perfect in God’s eyes and thus intercedes that we may receive the gift of God’s grace.
This day and always let us keep watch over the soil of life in order that it may be found rich in nature and thus welcoming of God’s grace.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
14th Sunday of OT Year A Homily
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
In what ways do we come here feeling labored, burdened, and in need of rest? Maybe we feel the weight of illness as it bears down upon us or upon one whom we love. Maybe it is the long hours of work that are put in throughout the course of a week or the fear of losing a job. Maybe it is the struggle of married life. Maybe it is the pull of sin upon us that constantly pulls us downward into doubt. What is it that leaves us labored, burdened, and in need of rest?
We try to overcome this feeling of being overburdened through many different avenues. Our Gospel instructs us of the proper avenue to which we should pursue and that avenue is Christ.
Christ thus instructs us: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Truly we bear upon ourselves great burdens which are constantly weighing us down. Christ is the answer to which we must strive. He alone has the power to heal us. We must remember that it was upon the cross that He offered Himself entirely and without reservation on our behalf. Thus He bears upon Himself all that gives us burden, but we must be willing to abandon such things unto Him. Thus here at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we come to set our sight upon Christ and His Passion. From this reality we gather together our prayers, needs, and burdens and surrender them unto Him.
Rather then abandonment unto Christ and His profound mercy we continue to grasp onto distractions without entrusting ourself to Him. Thus we find ways to distract ourself from that which leaves us burdened rather then allowing Christ to be the one who fulfills us.
Thus as we approach this week which lies ahead may we be willing to foster faith in Christ to where we are willing to abandon all out of love for Him. A great act of abandonment that we can offer is that of a good confession thus allowing Christ to take the weight of our sin and thus to allow ourself to walk out clean. Let us come to know the silence of prayer in the midst of a world a noise which does everything to drown out the voice of Christ. Let us pray each day before a crucifix contemplating the mysteries of our Lord’s Passion and thus be willing to abandon all the struggles present in our life at His feet. Let us be present to those around us who are in need of Christ’s mercy and thus assure them of the yoke of Christ and thus too be willing to keep them and their needs in our prayers.
Truly the Lord desires to take our yoke upon Himself. In doing so our burden will become light. May we truly allow Christ to assist us in such a fashion rather continuing to hold onto our burdens to the point that they overwhelm us. May we thus allow the Savior of the world to bring us the assurance of rest.
In what ways do we come here feeling labored, burdened, and in need of rest? Maybe we feel the weight of illness as it bears down upon us or upon one whom we love. Maybe it is the long hours of work that are put in throughout the course of a week or the fear of losing a job. Maybe it is the struggle of married life. Maybe it is the pull of sin upon us that constantly pulls us downward into doubt. What is it that leaves us labored, burdened, and in need of rest?
We try to overcome this feeling of being overburdened through many different avenues. Our Gospel instructs us of the proper avenue to which we should pursue and that avenue is Christ.
Christ thus instructs us: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Truly we bear upon ourselves great burdens which are constantly weighing us down. Christ is the answer to which we must strive. He alone has the power to heal us. We must remember that it was upon the cross that He offered Himself entirely and without reservation on our behalf. Thus He bears upon Himself all that gives us burden, but we must be willing to abandon such things unto Him. Thus here at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we come to set our sight upon Christ and His Passion. From this reality we gather together our prayers, needs, and burdens and surrender them unto Him.
Rather then abandonment unto Christ and His profound mercy we continue to grasp onto distractions without entrusting ourself to Him. Thus we find ways to distract ourself from that which leaves us burdened rather then allowing Christ to be the one who fulfills us.
Thus as we approach this week which lies ahead may we be willing to foster faith in Christ to where we are willing to abandon all out of love for Him. A great act of abandonment that we can offer is that of a good confession thus allowing Christ to take the weight of our sin and thus to allow ourself to walk out clean. Let us come to know the silence of prayer in the midst of a world a noise which does everything to drown out the voice of Christ. Let us pray each day before a crucifix contemplating the mysteries of our Lord’s Passion and thus be willing to abandon all the struggles present in our life at His feet. Let us be present to those around us who are in need of Christ’s mercy and thus assure them of the yoke of Christ and thus too be willing to keep them and their needs in our prayers.
Truly the Lord desires to take our yoke upon Himself. In doing so our burden will become light. May we truly allow Christ to assist us in such a fashion rather continuing to hold onto our burdens to the point that they overwhelm us. May we thus allow the Savior of the world to bring us the assurance of rest.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
13th Sunday of OT Year A Homily
This past Tuesday was the funeral Mass of Monsignor Mankel at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville. Please continue to pray for the repose of his soul and as well as the souls of all the faithful departed. At this funeral as well as all Catholic funerals that you attend you will see a tall white candle known as the pascal candle placed near the casket. This is the same white candle that was present for your baptism from which a small candle was lit which many of you may still have, either your own or children's.
Saint Paul instructed the Romans: “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Chris Jesus were baptized into his death?”
As we see from the presence of the pascal candle at a baptism as well as a funeral we can begin to see how this statement is true. For many a baptism is solely a celebration which is a reason to bring family and friends together and to celebrate. Baptism is something more then a simple celebration which is without meaning. Rather baptism plunges us into the life of Christ and into the life of the Church.
Christ instructed in our Gospel: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Thus in baptism we die to sin and are sent forth from the sacrament’s life giving waters created anew. Now we must deny sin and its grasp upon us and thus begin to take up the cross of our Blessed Lord for ourself as we set out to follow Him always.
At times our definition of being a good person is that we haven't killed anyone. Instead of making a serial killer the mark to which judge ourself as good we should instead use Christ as the mark for which we should strive. If Christ is the mark of our life then we must be truthful with ourselves and realize our need to surrender ourself to His infinite mercy.
With Christ as the mark of our life we must be willing to take up the cross and follow Him. There is no other way in which we can follow if we truly desire to be His follower.
The cross reminds us to put to death that which is found to be disordered within our life. The cross thus reminds us of the need to deny ourself. As we set out upon this week which is now before us may we remember the cross of our Blessed Lord. May we be willing to find ways to embrace it by how we come to order our life. May we take upon ourselves practices of penance and mortification in order that our life may be ordered towards virtue rather then vice.
To be a Christian is a big deal to which our life has been ordered since baptism may we thus be willing to take up this charge and faithfully embrace Christ and come to proclaim Him unto the world.
Saint Paul instructed the Romans: “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Chris Jesus were baptized into his death?”
As we see from the presence of the pascal candle at a baptism as well as a funeral we can begin to see how this statement is true. For many a baptism is solely a celebration which is a reason to bring family and friends together and to celebrate. Baptism is something more then a simple celebration which is without meaning. Rather baptism plunges us into the life of Christ and into the life of the Church.
Christ instructed in our Gospel: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Thus in baptism we die to sin and are sent forth from the sacrament’s life giving waters created anew. Now we must deny sin and its grasp upon us and thus begin to take up the cross of our Blessed Lord for ourself as we set out to follow Him always.
At times our definition of being a good person is that we haven't killed anyone. Instead of making a serial killer the mark to which judge ourself as good we should instead use Christ as the mark for which we should strive. If Christ is the mark of our life then we must be truthful with ourselves and realize our need to surrender ourself to His infinite mercy.
With Christ as the mark of our life we must be willing to take up the cross and follow Him. There is no other way in which we can follow if we truly desire to be His follower.
The cross reminds us to put to death that which is found to be disordered within our life. The cross thus reminds us of the need to deny ourself. As we set out upon this week which is now before us may we remember the cross of our Blessed Lord. May we be willing to find ways to embrace it by how we come to order our life. May we take upon ourselves practices of penance and mortification in order that our life may be ordered towards virtue rather then vice.
To be a Christian is a big deal to which our life has been ordered since baptism may we thus be willing to take up this charge and faithfully embrace Christ and come to proclaim Him unto the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)