5th Sunday of Lent Year A Homily

Martha’s heart was filled with grief pertaining to the death of Lazarus. She cried out to the Lord from the depths of such grief, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” In the midst of our own grief we must join with her in the tension that exists between what we have lost and the belief that God has the power to heal us.

Martha does not remain lost in her sorrow. Instead she turns towards the Lord and places her trust in Him, “But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” She does not ignore the pain that was present in her life, but faces it be joining it to God. We too in the midst of our own grief cannot ignore what we feel, but must turn towards the Lord in faith.

Jesus’ response to her should bring faith unto our hearts, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Through such a statement Martha is being directed unto Him and the hope of what will spring forth through such an encounter. The Lord continues to join with us in our grief in order that we may move forth infused with the virtue of hope.

The belief that Jesus is the Resurrection is not a rejection of physical death, but the hope that life continues. From the First Preface for the Dead, “Life has changed, but not ended.” Our spirit does not cease with our death and so we as Christians must live as one who is oriented towards such a reality.

As the Lord asks, “Do you believe this?” This is a invitation that is made in order that we may enter into relationship with Him. Faith is not something that is to be passive, but is to be a conscious act of the will. It is a “yes” that allows God’s grace to enter in and transform us into living a life modeled after His.

Martha’s response was “Yes, Lord.” At the Easter Vigil we will have the opportunity to make a renewal of our baptismal vows. Through such a renewal we are not just giving the right answer to the question asked, but are consciously proclaiming our desire to live as one who has been marked for Christ Jesus through the life giving waters of baptism.

And so today we celebrate the third scrutiny with the Elect. Just Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away from the tomb of Lazarus does He call our elect and too each of us to freed to from the sin and fear that keeps us from the fullness of life. In such a way we freely come to state “Yes, Lord” as we journey towards the Easter sacraments and strive to live as children of God.

Just like Martha we have our own fears, regrets, and sorrows as symbolized by the tomb. Nevertheless, the Lord continues to invite us out of the darkness and into the light of His presence. It is this light that we continue to prepare to behold as we approach Easter and that fact that the darkness of sin and death has been removed from our midst. 

4th Sunday of Lent Year A Homily

Saint Augustine stated, “That blind man is the human race; for this blindness had place in the first man, through sin, from whom we all draw our origin… every man is born mentally blind.”

The act of mixing saliva with dust in order to create clay takes us back to the Book of Genesis. From Genesis we are told, “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.”

The Hebrew word Adam is related to adamah, meaning “ground” or “earth.” The Hebrew word used for “formed” is the same used for a potter who shapes clay. We have been deliberately shaped by God, formed in His image. To breathe into one’s nostrils represents the soul given to us by God.

In our Gospel Jesus is forming the blind man’s sight from the earth just as God had formed the first man from the earth. In other words it is being suggested that Jesus is the “New Adam” who uses the elements of creation in order to finish the work of creation in this man as well as us. It was through the Fall that humanity returned to the dust of sin, but Christ is the “New Adam” who has lifted us back up.

As we continue this Lenten journey, we must look ahead toward the Lord and place our trust in Him. It is so easy to set our sights on trivial matters of worldly allure; instead, we must allow Him to lift us up. Through the grace given especially in the sacramental life of the Church, we are formed into true disciples of the Lord.

Wit this in mind today is the second of three Scrutinies for those among us preparing to enter the life-giving waters of Baptism. The anointing you have already received is the beginning of faith—much like the clay applied to the blind man. The washing the blind man underwent represents the baptism you will soon receives which washes away Original Sin. Just as the blind man was given sight, we are enlightened so that we may no longer live in the darkness of sin.

On this Laetare Sunday, let us rejoice in all that the Lord has done for us. We were once blind to the truth of God through sin, but we are constantly being invited to wash away that sin through Christ’s mercy, that we may see the world through the lens of the Gospel. Let this transformation be brought about within us as we continue to prepare the way to celebrate the Easter mysteries.

3rd Sunday of Lent Year A Homily

The Israelites were liberated from their slavery by passing through the Red Sea. Now they were toiling about in the desert and were found not only uncomfortable, but dying. From this plight Moses come before God and he was instructed to “strike the rock.” From this rock flowed water which quenched their thirst.

Saint Paul would state that this “Rock was Christ.” It is for this reason that Christ is able to grant something greater than the simple quenching of thirst. The Lord is able to offer us the gifts of Sanctifying Grace. This gift allows us to participate in the very life of God. Through such an interaction with Him and the gift of the Spirit we move from being a consumer, always thirsty, to finding our fill in His Divine Life.

This transformation is realized within the Sacrament of Baptism. Not only are we being washed within these waters, but we are also being filled. We are sent forth from these waters not as if unchanged, but truly changed in Christ. We are sent forth from His midst living for Him and the joy that proceeds from this relationship.

On this 3rd Sunday of Lent we celebrate the First Scrutiny. Here we join our prayers for those who are now journeying towards the Easter sacraments especially the sacrament of baptism. We pray that any spirit of dryness may be cast out, so that the living water of baptism may flow freely.

We find ourselves like the Israelites who had such thirst. We thirst for so much through our grief, anxiety, and the pursuit of things that do not satisfy. The woman in our Gospel was caught up in such pursuits as she came to the well. Nevertheless, through a true encounter with Christ her thirst was forever quenched.

We too must allow the Lord to quench our thirst as He quenched the thirst of this woman. He sees us in our need and invites us to enter more fully into communion with Him. If we are to undergo such conversion and have our thirst quenched then we must allow Him to heal us of all that holds us captive.

The sacrament of confession heals us in such a way as we turn towards the infinite mercy of God. This Thursday our parish will hold its Lenten Penance Service at 6pm with a total of eight priests assisting with confessions. If you have been away from the sacrament for a long time use this opportunity to be reconciled with God and live.

We must ask ourselves if we are running towards wells which leave us empty (wealth, pleasure, power, honor) or do we turn our sight toward the Lord. It He who invites “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.” What barrier do we continue to put in the way of such fulfillment and are we willing to remove it in order that may finally come to place our trust in the Lord?

2nd Sunday of Lent Year A Homily

Every year on the 2nd Sunday of Lent we always  hear concerning the Transfiguration of the Lord. The Greek word for Transfiguration is metamorphosis. Metamorphosis translates, "to be changed in form" or "to be transformed." The Greek metamorphosis used in this context describes a change in appearance and not a change in essence.

Such a transformation was true of our Lord on Mount Tabor. Here He did not change in nature, but a veil was pulled back to reveal who He had been all along. On this mount His humanity did not change into divinity, but His divinity which was hidden was allowed to shine through. Through such a glimpse His clothing became “white as light.”

Lent is the path which leads us towards Holy Week and the crucifixion. Through such a glimpse we are given a reminder of His divine glory which serves as the hope of the Resurrection in the midst of all the darkness that we must sustain. Through such a glimpse we are allotted courage to continue to move forward day by day just like the Apostles.

We are only in the second week of Lent, but maybe we are already growing weary when it pertains to our Lenten resolves which started out so passionately. Through such a glimpse into the Lord’s Divinity we should realize the purpose of why we do what we do and continue to do it with the Lord’s help.

As Saint Thomas Aquinas put it, “Christ enjoyed this splendor for a moment to encourage his disciples to endure the trials that were to come.” This is the divine foretaste necessary to continue to move forward. This is the hope that we must continue to enjoy in the midst of those trials that come our way because Christ has already won victory upon the cross and so we can endure.

Hopefully all the sacrifices that we have committed ourselves to during this Lenten season have a purpose. Hopefully they were not chosen just because of some perceived need to give something up, but because we realized the need to bring about a proper transformation within us. Through such a transformation we are able change our appearance to be more Christlike.

As Saint Paul puts it in his Letter to the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” This is precisely what we ought to be setting out to do during this season of Lent. This season is here not in order that we may continue to trudge throughout life without a purpose, but that we may come to live for Christ.

Let us come to live for Christ as the Apostles would eventually come to live for Him. Through this glimpse into His Transfiguration they were given the hope to continue to move forward. Through such a glimpse may we continue to move forward each day placing our trust in the Lord and bringing about that transformation which is necessary for us.

1st Sunday of Lent Year A Homily

Today we commemorate the first Sunday in the season of Lent. Here we enter into the confines of the desert with Jesus and while there we are reminded of the importance of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Through this season we come to strip away the noise of this world in order that we may finally come to hear the voice of God that is being made manifest in our life.

Jesus’ time spent in the desert points towards what took place in the garden. Here we discover a parallel between the fall of Adam and the victory of Christ. Adam had everything that he would ever need in the garden and yet he fell while Christ had nothing in this desert and yet He held firm. Jesus is the “New Adam” because He undoes the knot of disobedience tied by the first Adam.

In the desert the devil comes in order to tempt Jesus, but He overcomes these assaults and lies which come His way. Adam was tempted in such manner inside of the garden, but he fell to the deceptions which were thrust upon him. The devil is unable to create and so he twists that which has been created to where it no longer meets its God given purpose.

The first temptation that we are presented with deals with bread and thus our physical hunger. Adam was tempted in such a way through the fruit of the tree. The devil wants us to believe that our way to happiness is through the fulfillment of earthly pleasures be they food, drink, sex, wealth, or anything else that has become disordered instead of meeting its God given purpose.

The second temptation suggests that Jesus throw Himself off the temple in order to force God’s hand. This is the sin of presumption, that same sin committed by Adam and Eve that they could determine that which is right or wrong for themselves. Through submitting to such a temptation we attempt to use God as a tool for own validation instead of submitting to Him with trust.

The third temptation deals with the desire for power and thus “being like gods.” Adam was led to believe that eating of the fruit would grant him divine autonomy. In the desert the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. This becomes the temptation to prioritize our own will over the humble service that God asks from us.

These forty days of Lent are an opportunity to reorient ourselves to God where such orientation is needed. By fasting we tell our body that we do not need such worldly pleasures in order to be fulfilled. By our almsgiving we reject the allure of power and wealth, and through our prayer we silence the voice of the tempter in order that God’s voice may be heard.

With courage let us look towards Christ who overcame the devil with scripture and obedience. We are not alone in our temptations for we are assisted with the grace that is given to us by God. Through such grace we can preserve until the end assuming we desire to strive to fight against such assaults. Let us remember that the “New Adam” has already won this battle and so there is hope for us we move towards Easter that we might rise with Him fully alive and transformed.

Ash Wednesday Homily

Today we receive a smudge of ash upon our foreheads as we are told, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” This mark of ash is not a badge of honor, but a reminder that we are in need of a Savior. In our Gospel Jesus warned against “practicing our righteousness before others to be seen by them.” This mark of ash means nothing if we are not willing to go further and begin to go to work on what is found disordered within us. Actions such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not done in order that we may be seen, but that true transformation may take place within us day by day. Through the reception of these ashes let us call out to the mercy of God who sees what is hidden and invites us to return to Him.

6th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

In only three days time we will begin the sacred season of Lent. Here we are being asked to give our “yes” to God and our “no” to the world. This season calls us away from our many excuses and justifications in order that we might encounter a total conversion of heart that is authentic and true.

Lent is a serious season that we must enter into with full intentionality. Our Lenten resolves should assist us in growing in the virtuous life and away from the ways of the world. Through the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving we give our “no” to any pride found within us and our “yes” to our dependence upon God.

From our gospel we were told, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.” Through such a statement Jesus is inviting us to a radical simplicity of heart that leaves no room for the evil one to enter in and lead us astray. A “yes” or “no” cannot be just a “maybe.”

It is easy to say “yes” to prayer in so far as we aren’t too tired. We are willing to say “no” to a particular sin, but are also willing to keep the door cracked just in case we want to revisit it at another point in time. We cannot hide behind such excuses, but must set out in order to allow the light of Christ to enter in and to illuminate our soul.

On Ash Wednesday we will be told, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Repentance is a “no” which is given to the ways of the world in order that we may give our “yes” unto God. Hopefully the mark of ashes that we dare to receive upon our forehead are not a ritualistic smudge, but an outward sign of our desire to cultivate virtue and thus give our “yes” unto God.

Let us prayerfully consider the full import of saying “no” during the season of Lent. “No” to meat on Fridays or “No” to a habit is train our will in order that it may always follow after God. To give our “no” and to grumble or look for loopholes to get around is to look at this season as a legalistic chore instead of an opportunity to grow in virtue.

Let us also prayerfully consider the full import of saying “yes” during the season of Lent. Our “yes” given to an increase of prayer, a particular sacrifice, or an increase of alms should be a total gift. The giving of “yes” does not need to be posted all over the internet or done in order to be seen by others. Rather, our “yes” is giving as opportunity to grow in virtue.

At the Annunciation Mary gave her “yes” unto God and at Gethsemane Jesus gave His “yes” as He underwent His sorrowful Passion. These were each surrenders to the will of God. May we too enter fully into the Lenten season in order that we may surrender all to God and use this season which will soon be set before us in order that our “yes” may mean “yes” and our “no” mean “no.”

5th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

On this 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time we also come to observe what was anciently known as Sexagesima Sunday. This name is derived from the Latin word “Sixtieth” for being 60 days prior to Easter. This Sunday, as well as the one before it and after it, serve as a reminder to the faithful that the coming of Lent is neigh.

We also must come to this realization for the Lenten season will soon be upon us. If we do not take care to enter into these most sacred of days then we will find ourself in the midst of Lent without any knowledge of how we go there or where we are going. It is the purpose of Lent to prepare us for the coming of Easter through the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Our reading from Isaiah 58 provided us with a good “pre-Lenten” checklist. This reading sets our sight towards providing for the needs of others and removing “false accusation and malicious speech” from our midst. Through the undergoing of such goals we allow the light to rise in the midst of darkness.

In the Gospel of Saint Matthew such light is spoken of. It is this light which cannot remain  hidden under a bushel basket, but it is set upon a lampstand for the world to see. Likewise, through our intentional entering into Lent we allow the penitential character of this season to take hold of us in order that we may come to renew our baptismal promises that have grown dim.

Over the course of the next two weeks let us identify the bushel baskets that we put in our way. These are the habits, grudges, or distractions that hide our Christian identity. By the time that we come to celebrate Easter may our light not be just a flicker, but a beacon that the whole world is able to see. Let us intentionally enter into Lent to prepare ourself to be a true disciple of the Lord.

4th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

The Prophet Zephaniah presents us with the image of a people who have been restored. They are restored not by the pursuit of wealth or power, but through their interior transformation. Therefore, God promises that a remnant will be left behind who will exhibit the virtue of humility through their willingness to not speak lies or practice deceit.

This vision that has been given to us through Zephaniah finds its fulfillment in the Beatitudes. Jesus climbed this mountain in order to speak and in doing so He looked out upon such a remnant. It was these people who were found to be poor in spirit, meek, and pure of heart. It is these individuals through such attributes who exhibit a freedom that the world cannot give.

The prophet stresses that this remnant speaks with no lies when pasturing their flock. As people of faith one cannot live with a sense of duplicity. One cannot live a double life where they say one thing, and yet do another. Those in this remnant act with great integrity because their faith has been integrated into who they are as a human person.

As Catholics we must be willing to be this remnant in the midst of this world. Through our baptism we are called to a specific way of life. Through our hunger and thirst for righteousness as shown in the Beatitudes we begin to reflect the very character of Christ Himself. By living out our life in such a way we become a contradiction to what is often exhibited in our culture.

As we approach Christ present with us in the Eucharist let us be willing to take upon ourself such simplicity. Wherever there is any duplicity found within us let it come to be pruned away through Christ’s mercy. Let us be willing to be this remnant in the midst of this world in order that we may always come to live out the faith without compromise.

3rd Sunday of OT Year A Homily

The ancient prophecy of Isaiah has come to be fulfilled, “The people who sat in darkness have a seen a great light.” This is not just a historical note, but is a reality that continues to take hold over our life. We walk through the darkness of isolation, grief, or a world that is divided. Nevertheless, it is Christ who enters as the Dawn which never sets.

January 25th also serves as the date for the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. He was moved from the darkness of persecution to the light of Christ on the road which led to Damascus. Paul’s life serves to us as a reminder that nobody is beyond the reach of God’s grace. We are called to join with Paul in encountering such a light which comes in order to transform our heart.

In our Epistle Saint Paul pleads there there be “no dissensions among you” in order that we may always be “united in the same mind and the same judgement.” It is unity which allows the light of faith to burn brightly. It is division which causes such light to flicker thus poorly effecting our homes, city, country, and world.

As a Church we remain united as one diocesan family under the unity of our bishop and our holy father, Leo. Through such unity the great light of Christ shines brightly for the world to see. Next weekend our diocese we observe the annual bishop’s appeal for ministries which allows each of us to join the efforts of the diocese in order that they may continue to be made manifest.

Through this appeal many ministries come to be supported through your generosity. We are able to provide “light” to the seminarians discerning their call to priesthood and support those in deacon formation. We bring “light” to those who find themselves in need through the support of Catholic Charities and the Mobile Medical Clinic. 

Together we are also able bring “light” to our youth and young adults. Our culture often presents a dim outlook, but the Church provides a brilliant light through the truth of the Gospel. This includes providing for the needs of Christian Faith Formation where we assist our children in finding their footing on this path which leads to holiness.

Each gift when gathered which others become a fire which brings forth hope to those who encounter it. It must be our fervent hope that all come to discover this great light which comes to us from Christ. So many have thrust down into darkness and it is Christ alone who can lift them out of it.

Let us ask for the grace of a true conversion in order that we may be like Saint Paul who beheld the great light of Christ. Let us join with our bishop in supporting the annual bishop’s appeal for ministries in order that we may join within the unity of this diocese by supporting those many ministries which make it up ensuring that through our unified support, more souls may be lifted out of darkness and into the light of Christ.

2nd Sunday of OT Year A Homily

Ember Days are an ancient tradition of the Church. They were three days set aside (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday) at the start of each of the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) for fasting and prayer. This practice would give one the opportunity to look to the field in order to give thanks for all that God had given them. On the Saturdays ordinations would take place for these were the spiritual first fruits gathered to be given to God.

Today we observe “Called by Name Sunday” where we are given an invitation to look at our own community as being such sacred soil. A farmer would set out to his field to look for the first signs of the ripening crop and so too the Lord walks among us looking for those first fruits who have been called by name to serve Him as a priest or in a religious community.

The scriptures give us many who have been called by name. These include the likes of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, and Mary. In each of these cases an individuals life has been redirected towards a supernatural end. This is also true for those who are called by name to be a priest or enter a religious community.

We must pray and offer sacrifice for vocations. If we do not have priests we would not have the Eucharist. It must be our fervent prayer that we as a community identify those first fruits among us and to support them with our prayers and sacrifices. For this reason you have been asked to fill out the form allowing us as a community to name those first fruits who may be among us.

Such a harvest cannot take place in a desert. It requires the soil of a supportive community which includes one’s own family. In our parish’s resent survey for diocesan strategic planning it was found that only 3% of this parish has encouraged someone to a priest and 4% has encouraged someone to enter a religious community.

I was blessed to have parishioners in my life including my own pastor to invite me to be a priest. This was something already in the back of my mind due to my desire to pursue truth, but I still needed the encouragement of others. Through such a call I was willing to respond and was willing to enter seminary right out of high school. I became the first fruit of Notre Dame Parish in Greenville that was collected and offered to the Lord.

Saint John the Baptist invites, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Such an invitation brings us into communion with Him. Through such a relationship we come know to know Him, but also go wherever He calls. As the Prophet Isaiah stated in our 1st reading, “You are my servant.” No matter the fear that gives rise let us be willing to abandon our nets and follow Him.

Please leave your card with pencil in the collection, leave it at the vocation table at the gathering area, or bring it next weekend to Mass to leave in the offertory. As we are told in Saint Matthew’s Gospel, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Baptism of the Lord Year A Homily

Today we observe the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Lord’s baptism is important because it foreshadows what will come for us through our own baptism as well as the effects which have been brought about through the Cross and Resurrection. This celebration assists us in looking ahead to what these life giving water mean for us.

By stepping into the river Jesus sanctifies the water that He touches. He descends into the place of repentance in order that sinners may come to rise to new life. Through His descent we acknowledge that Christ enters into death itself in order that we may come to be liberated from its grasp over us.

At His baptism the heavens came to open. Through such an action a proclamation is being made concerning what the cross will accomplish. It was sin which closed the door between Heaven and earth, but it is Christ who dies in order that this barrier may be lifted. Upon the cross His side would be pierced and blood and water symbolic of of the Eucharist and baptism would flow from this wound.

As the voice stated at His baptism, “You are my beloved Son.” These words are true of Christ because He is God the Son. The same words must also be made true within us, for each of us, are called to order our life towards Him. Our call is not to sin, failure, or death, but belonging through our relationship with Christ.

All of this must challenge us to live as a people who have truly been set free from such bonds. If we have died to sin and risen with Christ, then we cannot live as though sin and death still have rule over us. Our words and choices must reflect that freedom that we have received through our baptism. Through baptism we are called upon to reject that which enslaves in order to live with true Christian dignity.

Some falsely act as if baptism is an action which only affects the past. We must remember that through baptism we are given an indelible mark which never goes away even with death. Despite only being baptized once those graces of this sacrament continue to be found at work within our life to this day and beyond.

Baptism is not a superstitious action where one is able to live as they wish because they have been baptized. Rather, we are called to an authentic life of faith that is integrated into who we are as a Christian. As Saint Paul remarks, “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”

Let us continue to renew that which was begun within us at our baptism. Each of us must strive for such renewal in order that our life may be lived for Christ. It is He who entered into the Jordan and conquered the grave and thus it is He who continues to lead us from these waters, through the cross, and into eternal life.