6th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

Our Gospel presents us with the multiplication of the loaves and fish. In the Gospels of Saints Matthew and Mark there are two accounts of the feeding of a multitude. First, the feeding of the 5,000 and secondly, the feeding of the 4,000 of which we just heard. The feeding of the 5,000 is also accounted for in the Gospels of Saints Luke and John.

The Gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, and Luke each contain an account of the Eucharistic narrative. It is here that our Blessed Lord takes into His holy and venerable hands bread and wine saying “This is My Body” “This is My Blood.” The Gospel of Saint John is lacking this narrative, but is deeply rooted in Eucharistic theology through what is known as the Bread of Life discourse. It is this discourse which takes up the sixth chapter of Saint John’s Gospel and is given following the feeding of the 5,000.

Through the feeding of this multitude we are told that they were filled. In Saint John’s Gospel we are told that “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Through these words we can see how the Lord fills us in the Eucharist. Instead of placing our trust in Him we attempt to be filled through other pursuits. These pursuits will always leave us wanting more.

Our heart longs for union with Christ. We enter into such communion with Him through the Eucharist. We should never allow ourself to become so busy that we forget about Christ and His abundant love for us. The Lord is inviting us to enter into such communion with Him. As Saint Ignatius of Antioch stated, “I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ; I long to drink his blood, the gift of unending love.”

Each of us has such hunger. Our bodies must be nourished by food for without food we cannot live. At the same time we must allow our soul to be nourished by the Lord. He does this for us when we present ourself to Him and come to be nourished the Eucharist. Therefore, the Lord in the working of this great miracle provided not only physical, but spiritually for them. The Lord continues to work in such wondrous ways for us.

As Saint Jerome stated, “If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it was to teach us that it is dangerous to try to get to heaven without the Bread of Heaven.” Here Saint Jerome is supplying us with an important imagery of this Heavenly food which becomes food for our journey towards the Kingdom of Heaven.

Wherever our devotion to Him is found waning let us be reinvigorated in our love for Christ and His presence among us. The Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ and so our heart must long for this unity with Christ. Let us make time to pray before Him, to receive Him reverently, to make sure that our soul is found in the state of grace, and to be filled.

13th Sunday of OT Year B

It is difficult to fathom that we can let go and be happy. There is a fear that gives rise within us that when we are generous with others that our generosity will leave us wanting. Rather, we are told in our Epistle by Saint Paul, “Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less."

Saint Therese of Lisieux reflects in her autobiography “Story of a Soul”:

“I told you once how it puzzled me that God did not give everyone the same amount of glory in Heaven, and I feared they could not all be happy. You sent me off to fetch one of Father’s big glasses and made me put my little thimble by the side of it; then you filled them both up with water and asked me which I thought was the fuller. I had to admit that one was just as full as the other because neither of them would hold any more. That was the way you helped me to grasp how it was that in Heaven the least have no cause to envy the greatest.“

Here we can see that the love of God is found to be perfect and without end. It is no wonder, therefore, that Saint Paul made such a proclamation in our Epistle. In the Kingdom of Heaven we will know no end and we will be filled with true happiness. In this life we should strive to expand our ability to be found receptive of God’s love. We cannot receive that which we cannot obtain. This is always something that we can grow in because God’s love is infinite and without end.

This woman with the hemorrhage reached out and grabbed the robe of our Lord and we are told that Jesus was “aware at once that power had gone out from him.” Therefore, to this woman He gave of Himself and she came to be healed. Likewise, those of us who come to Him in our own need will be healed of each and every plight that we must face in this life.

The goal of our life is not the accumulation of possessions and passions, but relationship with the Lord. When we embrace the cross we are not found lacking, but instead receive so much through the gift of God’s grace. Through such a wondrous gift we are provided all that we will ever need to live good and holy lives and in Heaven we will be filled by God to the highest degree.

If this reality is to be made so within us we must take the risk of the woman in our Gospel and come to the Lord in faith. What keeps us from coming unto Him? By coming unto Him we are forced to abandon all that keeps us wanting in order that we may find our dependence in Him. The world will never fill us to the fullest degree, but through God we are indeed filled. Let us come to place our trust in Him.

Therefore, “Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less.

5th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

Saint Peter instructed us to “refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” Our Gospel causes us to reflect upon the importance of charity when it pertains to our thoughts concerning others. To murder someone is something which is wrong and sinful, but we cannot forget or lessen the importance of our thoughts, words, and actions when it pertains to another.

One place where we allow ourself to lose such charity is in gossip. Through gossip we allow our lips to be opened wide in order that they speak ill and ruin the good name of another. As Pope Francis has stated concerning gossip, “Gossip is not a work of the Holy Spirit, it is not a work of the unity of the Church. Gossip destroys the work of God.”

We must step back and analyze the ways in which we navigate this life seeking gain over the ills of another. Christ welcomes us into the sheepfold. Not that we may be an individual at the expense of others, but that we may enter into a community. Charity is twofold. On one hand we must have love for God and on the other hand we must have love for one another. These two realities cannot be separated from one another.

Christ does not lay down His life upon the cross in order that we fail to forgive those who have trespassed against us. By His very sacrificial action we are called upon to live and share the love of Christ with one another. Charity causes us to look upon another as one who has been created in the image and likeness of God and to treat them as such. Our world expresses to us various means which detract upon the dignity of the human person.

In approaching the altar of God it becomes important for us to be reflective of those ways in which we have failed to live as a true Christian disciple. It is the Lord who heals us of our burdens in the confessional in order that we may approach the Eucharist with a true sense of humility. For in the Eucharist we approach not bread, but Christ who has taken on our human flesh and made His dwelling among us.

How are we being called to better live out Christian charity? Instead of using words of condemnation we must begin to use words of blessing. Saint Therese of Lisieux accounts an older nun who drove her crazy with the noise that she would make. She became determined to not give into these annoying gestures, but to make an act of her will to deal with this annoyance as if this noise was music to Christ.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to live such charity in the midst of our ordinary lives. Let us draw close to Christ and through Him be transformed as we are sent forth to live out charity with all whom we encounter especially those who are most difficult. In such manner we give true honor, glory, and praise unto God. Let us refrain our tongue from evil and may our lips speak no guile.  

12th Sunday of OT Year B Homily

We might profess faith with our lips, but do we really have such faith?

Some have built their relationship with God upon emotions. The problem with emotions are that they are constantly changing. One moment we are happy and then we are sad. If our faith is built upon emotions people give up at the moment that they no longer feel what they once felt. If we can so easily give up do we really have faith?

To have faith means that we endure at those dry moments of our life. We pray not due to what is felt, but because of our love for God. We acknowledge that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and so we give Him such adoration and homage. The are instances of saints who endured the dark night of the soul which means all feeling was taken away from them and yet they continued to pray, to pursue God, and to have faith.

The faith of the apostles came to be tested in our Gospel for this storm came to give rise. The Lord responded unto them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Such words penetrated to the very depths of their soul and caused them to contemplate the Lord and their faith in Him. It is the Lord who is able to quiet the many storms that give rise in our life, but we are caught up in them and forget to call upon His Most Holy Name for this is the Name which saves.

With he Name of Jesus placed firmly upon our lips we are able to have such faith. We do not have to feel something because of it, but to do it because this relationship is something important for us to nurture. God should not be called upon solely because we are in trouble, but should be called upon at each moment of our life. If we are looking for meaning and purpose we will find this meaning and purpose in God.

Therefore, when we don’t feel like doing it pray anyways. When you feel as if you are too tired or busy to assist at Holy Mass do so anyway. Just because you feel bored does not mean that Christ is not present and grace is not being poured out upon you. 

Let us go in search of Him thus placing our faith in His merciful hands. Our emotions will change, but our longing for God will endure. We will realize that we cannot walk without Him for to do so would be to set out alone. Let us come unto Him and allow Him to calm those storms which give rise in our life. Do you not yet have faith?

11th Sunday of OT Year B Homily

Saint Paul instructs in our Epistle that “we are always courageous.” With all that takes place in our life and world how can we always be courageous?

For some the word courageous stirs up the image of a cowardly lion desiring courage. More seriously what is stirred up is the image of a soldier heading into battle. Here the image that is being called to mind is one being heroic due to their own strength.

It is important to realize that being courageous must be connected to the movement of God in our life. For this reason Saint Paul also stated, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” So often people move about disconnected from the life of faith. It is through connection to God that we are strengthened in the midst of great adversity.

Another word for courage is fortitude. Of fortitude we are told in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, that it  “enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.”

Saint John Paul II would constantly say “be not afraid.” For some there is a lot for us to be afraid of. Whenever we look out into the unknown it is easy to be filled with fear. Just because we place our trust in God does not mean that our life will become easy. It does mean that we are given the strength to endure each and every thing that comes our way.

With our trust placed in Him we can indeed “be not afraid” for we can be “always courageous.” We cannot allow fear to keep us from embracing and spreading the life of faith. We cannot allow fear to cause us to lose the virtues of hope and faith. So many allow themself to be thrust down in such fear instead of allowing the Lord to lift them out of it.

Courage does not mean that we reject the reality that has been set before us. Death does exist, that cannot be changed, but it is something that does not have to be feared. Sickness will continue to be a part of our human existence, but it does not have to be feared.

Wherever fear may be found we must take these things unto the Lord and allow the gift of God’s grace to assist us in enduring them with faith. With faith we can live out these words which were placed firmly on the lips of Saint Paul and thus “we are always courageous.”

“We are always courageous” for our hope is in the Lord. Despite those hardships that give rise we will find out trust in Him and “be not afraid.”

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Homily

Today we celebrate the External Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As we pray during the Leonine Prayers at the conclusion of Holy Mass: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

When we glance at the past we can see the ways in which we are in need of the infinite mercy of God. When we look upon this present moment we can see the ways in which we are in need of the infinite mercy of God. When we look to the future we can see the ways in which we are in need of the infinite mercy of God.

Nevertheless, there are those who fear that due to something in the past, the present, or the future that they are unable to be forgiven. The Lord is His mercy desires that we all be saved, but we must be willing to open wide our heart to be found receptive of such mercy and forgiveness. With the assistance of God’s mercy made manifest in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus we can learn to love ourselves for God’s glory and further come to trust in His perfect mercy.

In the words of Saint Augustine: “Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.”

If these words are to hold true within us we must look outward to the Sacred Heart with the realization of God’s love for us. In the words of Saint Josemaria Escriva, “If a crisis does exist, it is a crisis in men’s hearts. Men are short-sighted, selfish and narrow-minded. They fail to appreciate the great depth of Christ’s love for us.”

We see this made manifest in this world. There are people who have turned their hearts away from God. There are people who profess the Catholic faith with their lips, but their hearts are kept far from Christ and His mercy. We cannot be despondent. We must be found active in our practice of faith. Through such activity we live for Christ and His commands and are found receptive and His love and mercy.

Through devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus we are reminded of the need to make reparation for offenses made against the Lord. Through reparation may our heart and those of all in the world open their heart unto the mercy of God.

God is merciful and loving, but we most choose to live in such a manner that is receptive to this gift that we have received. If we are not receptive we will be cast out for the Lord will not know us by the way in which we have lived our life. In all things let us live for Him for He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Corpus Christi Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi which is a celebration of the importance of the Most Holy Eucharist in our life and that of the Church.

There are many faith traditions outside of the Catholic Church that have some type of eucharistic meal. In these services they direct their mind unto God and receive a symbolic representation of Christ. The Church would agree that what they receive is symbolic, but what we receive in the Eucharist at Mass is the true presence of the Lord our God.

When Church teaching becomes difficult in one area or another some are willing to flock to other faith traditions to receive something that is only symbolic for this is an easier path. If we understand and believe in the Eucharist there is no way that we can leave the Church behind for to do so would be to leave Christ behind for something lesser. Out of love for Him we must choose to embrace His cross and live our life for Him no matter the difficulty.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds, “The Eucharist is properly the sacrament of those who are in full communion with the Church.” As is stated in the Epistle of Saint John, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgement upon himself.”

From these statements we can conclude that reception of the Eucharist is important and that it should be treated as such. Reception of the Eucharist should not be something taken lightly or be treated as if it were something that is routine and expected of us no matter the state of our soul.

As we are addressed in the words of Saint John the Baptist at Mass, “Behold, the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” And the words of the centurion of which we respond, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

With true thought we should profess these words with the realization of the one whom we are to receive. We will receive Christ present with us Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine. If we discern that we need to make a good confession first let us do so. Let us properly prepare for the one whom we receive and give thanks for that gift that has been given to us instead of rushing out of the Church, without receiving the final blessing, in order to be the first to leave the parking lot. Instead let us rejoice in the Eucharist and desire to be held in His presence by how we live and order our life towards Him as we are sent forth.

“O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who according to the will of the Father, with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, hast by Thy death given life unto the world, deliver me by Thy most sacred Body, which, I, unworthy, have presumed to receive, from all my iniquities and from every evil, and make me ever to hold fast to Thy commandments and suffer me never to be separated from Thee. Amen.”