Sunday of Octave of Christmas Homily (Extraordinary Form)

Merry Christmas!

Today we observe this Sunday in the Octave of Christmas.

Our Gospel takes us to the account of the Presentation in the Temple where the Lord was presented unto God. It was here that the prophetess Anna confessed this child to be the Redemption of Israel. It is here that the prophet Simeon is illumined through this great light of salvation.

We too must behold this great light which has taken on our human flesh and dwelt among us. With our lips we must profess Him as God who has come in order that we may redeemed. Through such a profession of faith we must live our life for Him in thought, word, and deed. In such manner we remain His disciple in every trial and temptation that we face in this vale of tears.

During this season of Christmas we focus upon that silence which was present on this most holy of nights. The Book of Wisdom referenced such silence in our Introit, “While all things were in quiet silence, and night was in the midst of her course, Thine almighty Word, O Lord, leaped down from heaven from Thy royal throne.”

It was in the midst of such silence that God was found at work in the midst of this world. We too need to enter into such silence in order that we come to know God more intimately. So often we fill each and every moment of life with noise because we fear what we are to do with such silence.

It is through silence that we enter into prayer and build up a relationship with the Lord. He is that great light which shines in the midst of all that we undergo in this life. With such a light there is no reason for us to despair for Christ has already triumphed. This is truly the one who has come in order that we may be redeemed. 

As we continue the celebration of this Christmas season may we remember that love which was present as God took on our human flesh and made His dwelling among us. This proclamation does not remain in the past, but continues into the present and the future.

Let us hold close to the mysteries of the Incarnation in order that we may always profess Him to be our King in all that we do. This child who lies in this crib is the eternal Word of the Father. Through Him we are set free from sin and death. Let us never cease in giving Him praise, adoration, and homage.

Feast of the Holy Family Year B Homily

Merry Christmas!

Today we continue this Octave of Christmas and celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

The final verse of of our Gospel stated: “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

For the majority of Christ’s life scripture tells us nothing. We are told of the Annunciation, His Nativity, the coming of the magi at the Epiphany, His presentation in the Temple at age 3, the finding in the Temple, and then we skip to His baptism in the Jordan at age 30. In this long stretch of time one truth can be told and that is that He was raised in a family who protected Him, taught Him, and prayed with Him.

It is through the loving care of Mary and Joseph that He is assisted in fulfilling all that was stated in this verse. He grew, became strong, and was filled with wisdom because God was upon Him. We cannot forget that He was a child just like you and me once were. It easy to focus upon His adulthood and forget about the fact that He was a child.

What would happened if Mary never fed Him? What would of happened if Joseph did not go in haste at the time of the Holy Innocents? What would of happened if they never gave Him shelter? What would of happened if they never taught Him in the ways of faith? Of course He is God made Man and would of lived a good and holy life, but the role of Mary and Joseph in His upbringing is very important.

So too in this world in which we live is the family important. Fathers and husbands must look to Saint Joseph as a model of what is means to be a father and husband. Mothers and wives should look to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of what it means to be a mother and wife. The domestic church which is the church at home is very important for us, but so often the church at home goes forgotten.

It must be the goal of parents to assist their children in growing, becoming strong, and being filled with wisdom. If one is to pass on such virtues to their child they too must come to pursue these virtues for themselves. How do we do this, but make time for prayer, to study the faith, to study Sacred Scripture, to partake in the sacraments such as confession, and to assist at Holy Mass. 

The things that we let into our home effect not only us, but those around us. In all things that we do may our mind and that of others be taken to God. Let our hearts dwell with Him always in order that our home may be modeled after that home of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Christmas Homily

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate the birth of the Savior of this world. This season of Christmas serves as a pilgrimage to the manger. We are told of the presence of angels who sing “Glory to God in the highest.” We are told of shepherds who came to adore and kings who traveled from afar to do Him homage.

The lives of those shepherds and kings came to be transformed in the Lord’s presence. They came with to Him in their sinfulness and with their fears and the Lord brought them His mercy and consolation. When they left His presence they were left changed for an encounter with Christ always changes us. There is none who encounter Christ who are left unchanged.

We too must open our heart wide to accept transformation into our life. This celebration of Christmas is far greater then a holiday which comes and goes. This celebration is a proclamation of our salvation for without His birth we would never be set free from sin and death as He laid down His life for us out of love upon the cross.

Just like those who came to abandon their life for Christ we must we be willing to lay down our life for His. We each need to undergo this pilgrimage which leads towards Him. On this pilgrimage we strip away everything that keeps us from receiving Him with joy. Through the sacramental life of the Church we are given the assistance which is necessary to walk this path which leads us towards Him.

Our world is busy and there is always something more for us to do. This most solemn of days reminds us to slow down and to dwell with the Lord. To be present at the manger with Him is to allow our heart to dwell with Him in prayer. Through prayer we enter into a relationship with Him and come to know Him and to allow Him to be the source of our faith.

Transformation of life springs forth from this relationship with Him in prayer which can never be sacrificed. On that Christmas morning He brought peace to a world touched by sin and death and by entering into relationship with Him such peace and tranquility is ushered into our life. We are in need of this peace.

May this season of Christmas be a blessing for each of us as we continue to encounter Christ at His coming among us. Today we will encounter Him in the Most Holy Eucharist. Let our life be surrendered here with Him in order that He may lift us out of sin, strengthen us against the temptations of this life, and bring us aid in all that we need.

Let us continue to rejoice at the birth of the Savior of this world.

Vigil of Christmas Homily (Extraordinary Form)

Today we observe the Vigil of Christmas.

This word “vigil” is familiar to many of us. The word “vigil” is still used by the Church, but its application here is different then it’s modern day understanding.

In the new Missal a vigil is celebrated the evening before as an anticipation of the feast. Therefore, later today we will celebrate the Vigil Mass of Christmas at 5pm and this Mass will count as one’s attendance for Christmas.

What we observe today is different than this understanding. A Vigil in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is a preparation for the feast. Therefore, this Vigil of Christmas is made in preparation for the feast which is Christmas. This day is penitential in nature for it is preparing us for the feast which we will soon celebrate.

At this moment we continue to anticipate the coming of the Messiah. As we were instructed in our Alleluia verse, “Tomorrow shall the iniquity of the earth be abolished: and the Savior of the world shall reign over us.” As will be said in the Secret to this Mass, “that as we anticipate the adorable birthday of Thy Son. So may we joyfully receive His eternal gifts.”

Here we look outward to what is to come. As we look outward towards this gift of God made Flesh we must reflect upon the ways in which we remain closed to Him. If we are to “joyfully receive His eternal gifts” we must make room in the inn of our heart for Him to come and dwell with us. This season of Advent, as well as this vigil, remind us of this need to be found prepared for such an encounter.

There are many who will wake up tomorrow, open presents, eat with family, and give what is truly important to this feast no other thought. For us we do not rush into the feast, but prepare for our encounter with it. Hopefully, there will be none here who simply wake up and forget that Christ is the reason for the season. Not only is He the reason for the season, but we must be found receptive of Him and His Divine truths.

As we are told in the Gospel of Saint John, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that if any man eat of it, he may not die.” This verse is important for our reflection because the Lord came down from Heaven as the Word made Flesh. We must now be found prepared to receive Him in order that we may live.

Let us continue our preparations for Christmas that our life may always be ordered towards the Lord in order that we may be found receive of Him in all things.

3rd Sunday of Advent Year B Homily

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent also known to us as Gaudete Sunday. This word “gaudete” is Latin for “rejoice” and is taken from today’s entrance antiphon, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.”

Therefore, we focus our attention upon rejoicing in the Lord. Whenever we come to rejoice in the Lord we have true Christian joy. This joy that is being proclaimed to us is not just an ordinary joy such as one’s favorite food. We are speaking of a supernatural joy which is to say that we look outward towards that life to come which is in Heaven.

Saint John Chrysostom stated, “All seek joy, but it is not found on earth.” We can think of the many ways in which we attempt to find such joy in our life, but always come up short in acquiring it. Money and earthly pleasures always leave us longing for something more because our true longing is to enter into communion with God.

Our world is filled with a lot that might make us think that we have no reason to rejoice. So often we think that happiness and joy are equal, but they are not. There will come times in our life when we will come to know the hardship of the cross. During these moments we do not have to lose the virtue of hope because we can still have joy. Joy exists each and every time that we look outward and look upon the face of Christ.

During this upcoming season of Christmas we have the ability to acknowledge that God’s love is so great that He took on our human flesh and dwelt among us. Despite the darkness of sin and death that entered into the world through the Fall it was Christ who brought forth a great light to the world as He triumphed upon the cross. The love of the Lord for each of us is abundant and thus we must always find our belonging in Him.

During the remainder of this Advent season we must continue to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming. The more that we open our heart to receive Him the more that we are able to find joy. Wherever you believe that hope cannot be found remember that it is always found in that joy which springs forth from relation with the Lord. There is no cross, no matter how heavy, that is greater then the cross that He already endured for our sake. By joining with Him we invite Him to enter into our life in order that our burden may be made light. May this time of expectant anticipation bring about joy for we will come to encounter the Lord soon. We will encounter Him today in the Most Holy Eucharist, we will encounter Him at His Nativity, and we will encounter Him when He comes again.

No matter the circumstance that we now face let us “rejoice in the Lord always.”

2nd Sunday of Advent Year B Homily

Saint John the Baptist is known as being the precursor of the Lord. Through this important role he calls people to receive Him into their life. He knows of this roll for he states that “I must decrease and He must increase.” From Saint Mark’s Gospel he invites, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”

During this season of Advent we prepare the way for the Lord’s coming. He comes among us in the Eucharist, He comes at the Nativity, and He will come again at the end of time. For each and every encounter with Him we must be found prepared. This call to such preparation is important for us to heed for so often we encounter Christ as if He is one among many instead of being “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Saint John the Baptist understood that Christ was the Messiah. He understood that Christ was the one to whom all of scripture and prophets had pointed towards. He called out to Him from the depths of faith, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” For this encounter that he had with the Lord and to which he directed others he lived his life with vigilance.

Through this vigilance we see a man who lived a life of mortification. Of this mortification we are told in the Gospel of Saint Mark, “John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.” Through acts such as these he was found completely free and detached to the point that he remained open to the will of God in all things.

Likewise, we must use this season to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming. Saint John the Baptist’s call to “make straight his paths” is a call which leads us towards such conversion to the point that we can also be free and detached to the point that we remain open to the Lord in all things.

With such a thought in mind we must take to prayer the ways in which we are led by something other then Christ. And ask, how can we use this season to attune our heart and mind in order that we may follow after the Lord? What must we strip away from our life if we are to more closely follow after Him? The Advent season’s purpose is to assist us in being able to celebrate fully with Christ as we move into the Christmas season.

Let us heed this call that comes to us from the mouth of Saint John the Baptist. By preparing “the way of the Lord” and making “straight his paths” we come to more clearly “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Let nothing get in the way of such an encounter with Him.

Immaculate Conception Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This celebration draws many parallels to the Old Testament especially the figure of Eve.

Verse 15 of the Book of Genesis tells us, “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.”

This verse shows the struggle that exists with sin which culminates with the Lord’s death upon the cross. It was through this death that victory was won for us. Mary holds an important roll in this victory for she said yes to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation and through her womb came forth the savior of the world.

Verse 20 of the Book of Genesis also tells us, “The man called his wife Eve, because she became the mother of all the living.”

One title that has been given to the Blessed Virgin Mary is that of the New Eve. Through the Eve of the Old Testament sin entered into the world, but through the New Eve which is Mary the world came to be redeemed from sin and death through her Son. She serves as mother of all the living for she is the pure and spotless vessel in which God chose to take on our human flesh. Thus the saving effects of this reality continue to be enjoyed by each of us.

This celebration of the Immaculate Conception is to say that Mary was chosen by God to be this pure and spotless vessel. She was prepared for such a task through her Immaculate Conception which is to say that she was conceived without the stain of original sin. Another title attributed to Mary is that of the New Ark of the Covenant. The ark of the covenant was to be pure and spotless for it contained the presence of God. Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant for she was pure and spotless and God came to dwell in her womb.

If we analyze the Gospel of Saint John we would notice that Mary is constantly referred to as woman instead of by her name. At the wedding feast of Cana, “Woman…my hour has not yet come.” When upon the cross, “Woman, behold your son.” We would notice that Eve is only known by her name after the fall. Therefore, the use of this word “woman” is showing great honor to Mary because it is heralding her as the New Eve.

As we further this celebration of the Immaculate Conception may we come to foster devotion for her. She is our mother and devotion to her always leads back to her Son. As we continue our Advent preparations we must always come to our open our heart to be found receptive of her Son.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

1st Sunday of Advent Year B Homily

Today we celebrate the 1st Sunday of Advent. The name Advent comes from the Latin word, advenire, which means, to come to.” During this season we prepare for the coming of Christ. We must remember that Christ continues to come among us in the Most Holy Eucharist. On December 25th we will celebrate the birth of Christ who comes among us as the Word made Flesh. Finally, we cannot forget that the Lord will come again at the end of time.

We should approach this season with great attention for this season is important in aiding us at being found watchful and alert for this coming. During these weeks which lay ahead the world begins to act as if Christmas has already arrived, but the Church calls us to be vigilant. Through our vigilance we are found prepared for the return of the lord of the house. If we are not vigilant and do not take this season seriously we will continue to encounter Christ as if He is just the mundane.

There is nothing mundane about the Lord and thus we must stir ourself out of our slumber and prepare for His coming. If the gatekeeper fails to be alert he will not be able to allow the lord of the house in. Advent assists us in making those preparations in our life which assist us in our expectant anticipation. These preparations have nothing do with putting up Christmas trees, lights, and decorations. These preparations cause us to look inwardly and see what is off kilter in our life when it pertains to Christ.

There will come a time when we will encounter Him with joy. Today we will encounter Him with joy as we behold Him in the Most Holy Eucharist. On December 25th we will encounter Him with joy as the good news of His birth is spread throughout the world. Eventually we will encounter Him with joy when He comes again at the end of time at an unknown hour. For this encounter we must be found watchful and alert.

As we pass through this season let us reflect in our prayer on the ways that we have moved away from the Lord and thus fail to make room for Him to dwell within the inn of our heart. There are many things which we place great importance upon which push the Lord away for our midst for we have become too busy to encounter Him with joy. This season assists us in preparing the way for His coming among us in order that we may encounter Him which such joy.

If we are looking for ways to prepare for this encounter we must not forget the sacrament of confession. It is this sacrament which connects us to the Lord and His presence among us in the Most Holy Eucharist. So many forget this sacrament which goes hand in hand with our reception of Holy Communion. We cannot live our life exempt from God’s mercy. To do so would mean that we are not being vigilant for that unknown hour which awaits each of us. Let us remain watchful and alert for the Lord’s coming among us.

Last Sunday After Epiphany Homily

Today we celebrate the last Sunday of the liturgical year. When we gather together next Sunday we will celebrate the 1st Sunday of Advent and will embark on a new liturgical year. Through the season of Advent we prepare for Christ’s coming. He comes among us at Christmas as the Word made Flesh born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, He comes among us in the Most Holy Eucharist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and He will come again at the end of time.

Our Gospel presents us with the urgency that is this end of time. If we were to continue reading just one verse we would be told, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son, but the Father only.” There are those who attempt to reveal this time based upon their understanding of prophecy, but time and time they are proven to be wrong.

These proclamations of the end of time are not important for us to get caught up in. What is important is that we understand that there will come a day when Christ will come again and at that unknown hour judgement will take place. It is possible that this coming will take place in our lifetime, but if it does or doesn’t the fact remains that there will come a time when we will die and in return we will be judged by God the Father.

During this moment of accounting we should desire to be numbered among His elect. It is the elect who have died in the state of grace. Through their death they were found worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom because they lived their life for Christ and rejected the death that comes from sin. Sadly there are Christians who are so in name only because they live a life which is contrary to Christ and His Church and see nothing wrong with it.

We must be stirred out of our slumber and placed into motion to be found active in our practice of faith. Christ established a Church on earth and through it He has extended the sacraments into our life. The sacraments are outwards signs instituted by Christ which bestow grace. Therefore, we need all of the sacraments and not just those that we agree with. 

The sacrament of confession is important because through it we are absolved of our sins and made clean for Christ. If we have gone many years without this sacrament there is need to return to it. We cannot just say I will wait until I sin no more, I will wait until I am ready to live for Christ, or I will wait because there is no urgency in my going. As a reminder our Advent penance service will be this Thursday at 6pm and there will be seven priests present assisting with confessions.

Our Gospel shows us that there is such urgency in our life. Our urgency is that we must remain prepared for our death and judgement. We must pray for the grace of final perseverance which is to say in the words of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, “He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.” Let us remain on guard for the Lord for we know not the time nor the hour that we will be called home to Him.

Resumed 6th Sunday After Epiphany Homily

The woman mentioned in this parable mixes in leaven which allows the bread to give rise. It is this leaven which transforms the dough into becoming something more. If the dough is not allowed to sit the yeast will not be able to work and thus it will not give rise. Through the use of time the bread begins to take shape as the leaven completes its task.

Just like the leaven of our gospel we must invite God into our life and be willing to participate with the gift of His grace. Through such an openness we allow God to do His transforming work within us. This transforming work takes us where we are and leads us along the path of God’s divine plan which He has for each of us.

So often we do not like to wait in order to see results. In our modern day world we receive whatever we want in an instant. So too in the spiritual life do we want such quick results to take place. Despite our ability to see such a reality taking place or not we need to realize that God is constantly at work in our life and thus we cannot lose the virtue of hope.

Through the virtue of hope we realize that despite the cross, that is present in our life, something greater always comes. It may not come in a day, a week, a month, a year, but it will come through Everlasting Life. We see such a hope through the empty tomb as the Lord has conquered death upon the cross.

Therefore we must realize the need to be patient. Through patience we realize that God is at work in our life. We must continue to open our heart wide to be found receptive to the gift of His grace for through this gift we are kneaded over and over in order that we may live good and holy lives which are lived in response to the Gospel.

How must we allow the Lord to transform us this day? What are we holding back from Him because we do not want to let go of it? The Lord desires to enter into our life to bring about such transformation, but do we want anything to do with this? We must allow Jesus to enter into our life through prayer, through the scriptures, and through the sacraments for through these avenues we come to be transformed by the gift of God’s grace.

As the leaven is mixed with dough it gives rise. As we allow God’s grace to enter into our life we are sent forth to live entirely for Him in thought, word, and deed. May this transformation take place within us instead of us avoiding such a reality. We must learn to be content with realizing that God is the one who is in control of our life. May we allow ourself to remain open to the gift of His grace and allow His grace to be the leaven that it mixed into our life in order that we may live good and hoy lives.

33rd Sunday of OT Year A Homily

God has entrusted each of us with a lot. We are to take these many gifts that have been entrusted to our care and do something with it. We cannot squander such a gift because to do so would mean that we are idle in our practice of faith. We must remember that God pours out grace to where we can live good and holy lives. We must participate with such a gift for to do so is to walk humbly with God.

In our Gospel the master stated, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” So too when we are called home to God should such words be said of us. This servitude is more then a job that we work Monday through Friday. This servitude is a way of life that we should foster each day of the week and the year. It is easy to get caught up in what we do and fail to see the one who we are called to serve.

To be a faithful servant means that we are to be found humble of heart. If we look at Sacred Scripture we will see the humble who received the gift of faith and did something with it. Mary humbly accepted the gift of Christ at the Annunciation and remained a servant of this gift that had been entrusted to her care. Likewise, we can look to the saints of the Church who humbly accepted Christ into their life and chose to live for Him above all things.

It is easy to get caught up in big things and overlook the small. Nevertheless, in our Gospel we were told, “Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.” Therefore we must pay great attention to the faith that we profess. To be faithful in the big and the small is to say that we humbly accept and put into action all that has been handed down to us.

We must continue to set our sight upon our master who is God the Father. He has created each of us as an outpouring of His love. We should desire to foster a relationship with Him that transcends mere words. Our whole life must be a response to this outpouring of love. Thus our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become reflective of Him. Through our life of faith we strive not for the here and now, but for God’s Kingdom which will come.

Let us be good and faithful servants in all that we do. Through such fidelity we come to share in the master’s joy. It is this joy which is greater then all temptations and worldly satisfactions. It is this joy that is reflective of true treasure for it never passes away and always leaves us left fulfilled. Let us keep our sight upon God and be humble servants in all that we say and do. We will thus be told, “Well done, my good and faithful servant."