Immaculate Conception Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

With Marian feasts I usually stress that everything points the way towards her Son, Jesus. It is for this reason that when we pray the “Hail Mary” that Jesus remains at the heart of this prayer. It is He who “is the fruit of thy womb.”

The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine of the Church that has been defined as dogma since 1854. This was only 171 years ago, but this does not mean that this teaching has not been held prior to this date. From the earliest of centuries Christians would honor her as being free from personal sin.

Saint Justin Martyr and Saint Irenaeus in the 2nd century would come to refer to Mary as being the new Eve. This acknowledges the fact that Eve was created without sin upon her soul and yet through the Fall such sin entered into the world. Mary, on the other hand, brought forth the Saviour of the World who has freed us from all sin.

In the 3rd century Saint Gregory the Wonderworker would refer to her as being the New Ark of the Covenant. This title acknowledges the fact that the one who dwelled within her womb was God Himself. This title also points towards the ark which was made of gold for the one whom it contained was God.

Both these titles sum up what is being celebrated through the Immaculate Conception of Mary. She is the Godbearer who would bring forth the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Therefore like Eve she was without sin and like the Ark of the Covenant was a pure vessel for God.

None of these traits were enacted by Mary through her own merit. Rather, it was God who worked on her behalf and thus the angel Gabriel was able to proclaim at the Annunciation, “Hail, full of grace.” She has truly been filled with such grace to its fullest degree for God has worked on her behalf.

Let us continue to foster such devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through such devotion we are always being led into a deeper relationship with her Son, Jesus. She never leads us away from Him for she always leads us towards the virtuous life. By coming to pursue such a life we make room for the Lord to enter in and to make His dwelling place among us.

Saint Mary, pray for us.

2nd Sunday of Advent Year A Homily

The prophet Isaiah gives us a vision of hope, “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” This image of a stump relays something which has been left finished, cut down, and left beyond repair. Nevertheless, despite such certainty renewal is able to take place in this stump as well as in each of us.

From this stump will a shoot sprout and with it life will be brought forth. This reality is made so through the coming of the Savior. He comes without spectacle and brings forth life to all that He touches. As we continue this Advent journey we must be found willing to look inwardly upon self and to see our disordered habits, our broken relationships, and our spiritual dryness and to allow God to bring forth new life within us.

Saint John the Baptist makes this his message as he cries out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Through such repentance we are willing to move towards God and to realign our life towards the one who is to come. We can only act in such a manner if we are found willing to be honest in those areas in our life where we resist God and to be found willing to move back towards Him. 

As we are told in Saint Matthew’s Gospel that we will, “produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” In such manner good fruit is brought forth despite the certainty of what seems to be finished, cut down, and left beyond repair. Through Christ this sprout will spring forth and life will once again come to triumph in it’s place.

It is this image from Isaiah that is the basis for the Jesse Tree. Through the Jesse Tree the linage of Christ springs forth from the stump of Jesse. The world has been prepared for the coming of the Messiah through the lineage of people such as Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, the prophets, and finally Mary and Jesus.

Let our sight be forever set towards such a coming. Through the virtue of hope we can and must prepare for such a coming. He will be found at work within us (even if we feel finished, cut down, and left beyond repair)  if we are willing to come to Him without reservation. During this season of Advent let us come to Him in such a manner and thus allow the Lord to prune all that must be pruned in order that we may be sent forth from His midst in order to bear good fruit.

Dedication of the Church Homily

Today we gather in order to celebrate the Solemnity of the Dedication of our Church.

From 1st Kings we were told, “even the highest heaven cannot contain You- how much less this house which I have built.” Therefore, the stones which make up this church represent that this is a holy place which has been consecrated to God where God continues to dwell among His people. We see this in the sacramental life of the Church especially through the Most Holy Eucharist. Through entering into such a life we are sent forth to put what we have received into action.

It is Saint Paul who reminds that we are “God’s building” and “the temple of the Holy Spirit.” Through such a proclamation we are reminded that through this celebration that God desires that we be sanctified in His sight. As the consecrated people of God we must continue to be the living stones which build up the Body of Christ. This means that we are to be sent forth from here to live out a life of faith that transforms all that it touches.

This evening we come to celebrate this parish community and it’s rich history here in Johnson City. In the past many have contributed to the wellbeing of this community by putting their faith into action for the spread of the gospel. As we move into the future we do so proclaiming Christ by the way in which we choose to live and order our life on this earth and thus from these walls flows faith to all that it touches.

1st Sunday of Advent Year A Homily

Today we observe the 1st Sunday of Advent, where we prepare the way for the ardent light which springs forth due to the coming of the Messiah.

From the prophet Isaiah we are told, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” As Jesus Himself says in the Gospel of Saint John, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” We must now stand firm in our practice of faith and proclaim, “Let us walk in the light of the Lord!”

The light of Christ proclaims a great hope to all of us. Through the Messiah’s birth humanity has been rescued from the darkness of sin and death. Through this birth we have been given a way towards the reality of eternal life. This light provides direction in the midst of all that we come to endure in this life.

From the Book of Romans we were told, “Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Such a thought causes us to look inwardly and to realize that this light is much stronger than the darkness. The more that we allow ourselves to reflect upon such a light, the more we will be able to overcome sin, fear, and despair.

During this time of year we especially long for the coming of such light because of how early it grows dark. We must realize that such gloominess will be overcome through the rising of the sun. Eventually the day will grow longer and so too in our life we must look to the Lord so that all that ails us may be overcome.

The sacrament of confession assists us in allowing the light of Christ to penetrate into the midst of the darkness of sin. This is the perfect way to begin this season of preparation. On Thursday we will hold our Advent Penance Service, where eight priests will assist in hearing confessions. Take advantage of this or one of our other confession opportunities.

From the Gospel of Saint Matthew we are told of the need to be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man for we know not the time nor the hour. We can only prepare for such an encounter if we are willing to step out of the darkness and enter into the light. If we allow ourselves to remain in such darkness, we will be caught off guard at the Lord’s coming.

May this Advent season continue to assist us in preparing the way for the Lord’s coming. Let us be willing to welcome this light into every corner of our life. He has come in order to dispel the darkness, so that we may walk with renewed hope towards the One who saves.

Christ the King Year C Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This solemnity serves as the culmination of our liturgical year and sums up the fact that Christ is the Chosen one, He is the Messiah, and He is the King of the Jews.

There were voices which mocked His kingship saying, “He saved others, let him save himself.” They were unable to see that He had come to save us and not Himself. Through the throne that is the cross we have been redeemed for He has been lifted up upon it.

From this gift that we have received we must choose to allow the Lord to penetrate into our life. The good thief understood this as he cried out, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Likewise, we must turn our sight towards Him and make such a profession of faith.

At this Mass there are those among us who will make a Profession of Faith and be received fully into the life of the Church through confirmation and the Eucharist. As they profess the fulness of faith we must also come to live out what we profess in thought, word, and deed.

It was upon the cross that His blood was spilled for us and through the spilling of His blood we have been made a part of His kingdom. From the Book of Revelation, “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.”

Let us come to understand that we have been given a share in His kingship through our baptism. Through our baptism we were incorporated into Christ in order to share in His role as priest, prophet, and king. We exercise Christ’s kingship by governing our life and relationships towards the service of God. In doing so we lead others to God’s Kingdom and do not get caught up in the allure of worldly power.

Such a reality can only be lived in so far as we are willing to live the Gospel without compromise. So many see no need to commit their self to such a state. They might attend church on Sunday, but choose to not live what they have received in the midst of the world. The gospel isn’t a message of suggestions, but is a way of life that cannot be silenced.

It was for this reason that Pope Pius XI established this feast in 1925. He did so in order that the rising secularism, atheism, and communism following World War I would be opposed. In this day and age we must continue to combat such realities for they run rampant in our world. As Christians we must oppose such realities and set our sight towards Christ, in order that we may continue to build up His Kingdom on this earth by living out the gospel, and thus the faith without compromise.

Long live Christ the King!

23rd Sunday After Pentecost Homily

We are quickly coming to the end of the liturgical year. Very soon we will find ourself in the midst of the Advent season and will be preparing for the coming of Christ. He comes to us at the Nativity, He comes to us in the Eucharist, and He will come again at the end of time. It is He alone who is able to bring peace into our life for it is He alone who can fill.

As disciples of the Lord we must choose to live for the Lord. We can only live for the Lord if we are willing to take up the cross and follow after Him. In so far as we are willing to reject the cross or to compromise the cross we become enemies of the cross of Christ. The cross always leads us towards an encounter with truth for the cross is life giving.

Enemies of the cross of Christ know not the true meaning of sacrifice. They instead push Christ out of their life by making room for the world to come and dwell with them. They get caught up in the pursuit of pleasures as an end in themselves and fail to treat their neighbor out of love. For them the world is more important the proclamation of truth that is found within the Church.

Advent serves as a means to reorient ourself to what is truly important. Through the passing of these sacred days we make room in the inn of our heart for Him to come and make His dwelling place among us. This reality can only be made so if we are willing to embrace the cross and accept Christ fully into our life.

The woman in our Gospel understood this when she reached out from the depths of faith to embrace the garment worn by our Blessed Lord. She was then told, “thy faith has made thee whole.” Through such an act of faith she was made clean as we are able to be purified by all that keeps us from Christ.

In order to reach out to the Lord in such faith we must have humility. Through such humility we hide not behind excuses or act as if such a commitment is not big deal. Through such humility we truthfully come to the Lord and leave everything that we have with Him. If we are unwilling to act in such a manner of faith we are found unwilling to allow Christ to dwell among us.

Through the sacrament of confession we reach out to the Lord in such humility and allow Him to purify us in His mercy. Each day we must desire for the Lord to dwell with us by staying close Him and choosing to live our faith without compromise. What is keeping us from allowing the Lord to dwell among us?

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

33rd Sunday of OT Year C Homily

Jesus speaks of unsettling events in our Gospel. There will be wars, earthquakes, and persecutions. Seemingly everything that we hold to be secure will seem to be collapsing around us. Statements such as these are especially true in these trying times when the media stirs such feelings within us through all that is going on within our world.

Nevertheless, the true message of this gospel is not one of fear, but faithfulness. The world that we know is currently passing away, but those who persevere in faith will endure forever. Whenever everything around us seems to be out of control we must cling to Christ who is the one foundation that cannot be destroyed. 

Whenever we think of our own death or the second coming of the Lord we should not be terrified, but allow such a thought to awaken us from our slumber. As disciples of the Lord we are not called to place our trust in the powers of this world (those are constantly passing away and can never fulfill), but in the promise of the world to come.

Today we have those among us who have participated in the Rite of Acceptance which is the beginning of their journey toward baptism and the Easter Vigil. Your “yes” given unto the Lord is a reminder to the whole Church that our faith is a pilgrimage. By being marked with the sign of the cross you turn toward Christ for He is the sure hope and final end.

All of us must come to secure our lives through perseverance for we find ourself on this same pilgrimage. Daily we must come to choose the Lord before other earthly allurements. The gospel must be chosen over comfort, truth must be chosen over compromise, and mercy must be chosen over resentment. We are all called to stand firm as a witness to Christ in all that we do.

As we draw to the end of this Church year (and as our catechumens begin their journey to Easter) let us lift up our hearts to Christ who is our hope. War will continue to give rise around us. Natural disaster will continue be a reality. Christians will continue to be persecuted for their faith. The effects of our fallen world will continue to be made apparent. Nevertheless, Christ is the hope who lifts us out of such a plight.

From here we must walk together, the baptized and the soon to be baptized, in perseverance. We are called not to grow wearily in our pursuit, but to be strengthened through the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Through such a pursuit we continue the pilgrimage of this life as we are renewed in Him who is our beginning and end for He is the Alpha and the Omega. Let us place our trust in Him.

Dedication of John Lateran Homily

Today we observe the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.

If we were to reflect upon the many churches in Rome the first we would probably think of is Saint Peter’s Basilica. It is this church which is often associated with the holy father and is seen as the center of Catholicism. The Archbascilica of Saint John Lateran is the oldest of the major papal basilicas, the oldest of any church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica in the Western world.

This basilica is also important because it is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. This means that found within it’s walls is the cathedra romana (Roman chair) which is symbolic of the role of the holy father as the Bishop of Rome. This chair is symbolic of the pope’s authority and pastoral role as the shepherd of the Church in Rome and the successor of Saint Peter.

Every church is dedicated in a solemn liturgical ceremony performed by the bishop. During this ceremony the building is being set aside for sacred worship. This ritual will include the anointing of the altar with Sacred Chrism which is symbolic of Christ the “Anointed One.” Through this ritual the church is dedicated to Christian worship.

Throughout the course of a year we celebrate a few dedication of churches on our liturgical calendar. Those being the dedication of the local church (December 2nd for us), the dedication of the cathedral to which one belongs, the dedication of the Lateran Basilica that is celebrated today, and the optional celebration of the dedication of Saint Peter and Paul Basilicas.

Some wrongly see a church building as being unimportant. We must remember that the church building is a visible sign of an image of the Church as the “temple of God built from living stones.” This people being the baptized people of God. The dedication of such a building is a symbolic act that not only consecrates the building, but marks the whole church community’s commitment to being a living witness of Christ in the world.

From the prophet Ezekiel we are given the image of water flowing from under the temple which in return grows into a great river which brings forth life to barren lands. This is symbolic of God’s life giving presence which like this small stream will grow to transform everything that it touches. In return we have grace being poured out to us by God especially seen within the sacraments.

Through our celebration of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome may we continue to allow God to be found at work within our life. The Church is alive and well and by entering fully into it we are sent forth in order that we may live for the Lord. This might seem to be a difficult task, but nothing is too difficult if we commit ourself to Christ and allow Him to be found at work within us.

Let us remain consecrated to God by how we come to orient our life unto Him.

All Souls Day Homily

Today we observe the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed also known to us as All Souls Day.

All Souls Day reminds us of the importance of praying for those who have now gone before us. Our prayers are unable to redeem them if they have been judged as unworthy of Heaven. Therefore, Purgatory is not a second chance at salvation for we only get one chance at that. By passing through Purgatory one is cleansed of the consequences of their sin so that they can be pure and ready to enter into God’s presence. As the Book of Revelation states, “nothing unclean will enter it.”

The concept of praying for the dead is not something that was created by Catholics. It is found in scripture, it is present in the Church of the East, and is even something which is practiced in Judaism. The praying for the dead is only something which has been challenged by some Christians since the 16th century.

As is stated in 2 Maccabees, “If he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead…thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.” In Judaism this is shown through the Mourner’s Kaddish which is prayed for 11 months from the day of death as well as on the anniversary of one’s death.

So often people get caught up on the concept of the dead and forget in the words of the Preface of the Dead “that life has changed, but not ended.” As we are told in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

This stresses the importance of the resurrection of the body which we proclaim as a truth of faith that lies in wait. The souls of those who have gone before us are assisted in their purification through our prayers. This hope is found in black vestments, such as the one that I wear today, for one is able to see the black of sin which is purified through the gold or silver in the vestment and thus the soul is being made ready for Heaven.

Let us continue to pray for these holy souls and to strive with the assistance of God’s grace to also one day be numbered among the saints of Heaven. May all the angels and saints pray them that they may be brought into Everlasting Life and may they pray for us that we may faithfully come to run this race towards Everlasting Life.

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.

All Saints Day Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. On this day we especially ask the intercession of all the saints of Heaven in order that they may pray for us in order that we may run the race to Everlasting Life. This is the race that they have already ran and been found victorious. They now share in the beatific vision and are able to pray for us in such a special way.

In the Church we have a multitude of saints who have been revealed to us by God as being in Heaven. There are also those saints whose names go unknown and yet they are now in Heaven with God. These may be members of our families or friends who have now gone before us into Everlasting Life.

The saints show us that Heaven must be our ultimate goal and they show us that Heaven is indeed achievable. So often we trudge through this life acting as if we are not called to something greater. We are called to holiness in our everyday life and we are called to be intentional concerning our salvation.

Once our life on this earth comes to its conclusion we should desire to be numbered among the saints for this means that we are now in Heaven with God. Do we live our life in such a manner? Do we see ourself as a saint or something else? There still time for us to live as saints and so let us commit ourself to God and His grace and the fulness of the sacramental life of the Church. In such manner we indeed will be victorious and numbered among the saints of Heaven.

All the saint in Heaven, pray for us.

30th Sunday of OT Year C Homily

We must always be willing to praise God with our lips. In today’s parable we are given great contrast between these two figures. The Pharisee proceeds to exalt his own deeds while the tax collector humbly prays with a contrite heart. We too must come to model ourself after the humility of this tax collector.

From the Book of Sirach we were told, “The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.” The Pharisee acts opposite to this because he is quick to point out that he “[fasts] twice a week” and “[pays] tithes on [his] whole income.” On the other hand, the tax collector cries out to God’s infinite mercy, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

We must remain on guard against falling into the pride of this Pharisee. We cannot think that due to all the religious things that we do that we are better than others. We must clothe ourself with the virtue of humility which allows us to always remain on guard against such thoughts that might form inside of our mind.

From the Book of Sirach we are told how important that the prayer of the humble is. “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.” Through such humility we are modeled after this tax collector whose simple prayer of humility pierced into the Heavens. Prayer can only take on such a manifestation if we are willing to place our trust not in ourself, but in God.

As we journey through the Sacred Mysteries of this Holy Mass such a reality should be made so within us. We do not just jump into the Mass, but we first turn towards the infinite mercy of God. There we are called upon to “acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to enter into these sacred mysteries.” We then call out to God with a contrite heart, “I confess to almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do.”

These words are not just vain words which make a list of all the great works that we have performed. We understand that salvation is a gift which comes to us from God. No matter how many good works we have performed this does not make up for mortal sin which brings death to our soul and thus our salvation. It is for this reason that we humbly move to the sacrament of confession in order that we may be forgiven of the sins that we have committed in order that we may be healed in God’s mercy and forgiveness.

The Catholic Church teaches that “faith without works is dead,” but at the same time acknowledges the need for a contrite heart that calls out to the infinite mercy of God. These works serve as a response to our commitment to the gospel and Christ which must be given of us. Let us choose to be like this tax collector who in humility “beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

19th Sunday After Pentecost Homily

Our Introit addressed us, “In whatever tribulation they shall cry to Me, I will hear them and I will be their Lord for ever.”

Over the course of this last week there have been many who have cried out to the Lord and rightfully so.

Some of you have cried out in fear, others in sorrow, others in anger, and others who are just at a loss of words concerning that which might now lay before them.

Some of you have moved to Johnson City for this Mass, others have grown up in it, and others have came here later because they were drawn to its reverence.

Some of you may move over the announcement which was made last week and that is okay because we must be willing to go wherever the Lord calls.

Wherever it is that we go let us remain united to the Church and the unity that is expressed therein even if it might feel like such unity can never be a reality.

For those of you who remain in this parish community we will continue to express the fullness of Catholic teaching and this Mass will continue to be offered reverently in the Ordinary Form.

Our Gospel directed our sight towards a wedding feast. This is the same wedding feast to which we are invited for this is the Kingdom of Heaven.

We must strive with the help of God’s grace to run this race towards the Heavenly Kingdom.

This means that we must persevere to the very end without allowing our wedding garment to be stained by sin.

Thankfully we have the sacrament of confession to which we can flock to be cleansed from such a stain in order that we may once again be found to be whiter then snow.

In order that we can have the grace of final perseverance we must cry out to God and believe that He is our Lord forever.

When it pertains to the wounds caused by this transition let us continue to cry out to Him. So too when it pertains to every other struggle in this life we are the cry out to Him and place our trust in Him for He is our Lord for ever.

We are to set our hands to plow and not look back for in doing so we are taking our sight off of the Lord and this Heavenly Kingdom and placing it upon something else.

In faith let us cry out to the Lord for He is calling each of us to fidelity to Him and His Church.