12th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

The prophet Jeremiah tells us “terror on every side!” Such a statement might seem to be precisely what we are going through in the here and now. It makes known the effects of this broken world, the pain of rejection, and the anxiety of being surrounded by hostility. It can be difficult to carry on when we bear such weight and not give into despair.

But after Jeremiah cries out in such a way he eventually pivots to state, “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion.” Such a statement brings forth the virtue of hope as his gaze has been taken off of his persecutors and placed onto God’s character. We too need to place our trust in God instead of being led into despair of what is too difficult or impossible for us to accomplish.

In our life there can be a lot for us to fear for such terror is constantly being made known. Nevertheless, the Lord instructs, “Fear no one.” Such a statement was made to His disciples for He knew that the path before them would be much like the path that Jeremiah underwent. Despite such a reality He would remind them two times in this short passage, “Do not be afraid.”

These readings are making us reflect on where we place our ultimate security. If our goal is perfect earthly comfort and safety we will constantly live in fear. But if our goal is eternal life with the Father, we can run the race and persevere until the end. Christ has already conquered over death and thus we have nothing to fear for He has redeemed us.

The cost of such discipleship never comes easily. We can see this from the Greek word for witness, this word being where we get the English word martyr. The martyrs were so convinced of the truth of the Gospel that they were found willing to lay down their life in order to protect such truth.

Likewise, despite the “terror on every side” are we called upon to “fear no one.” Just like Jeremiah there will be those who will shout “denounce him,” but we cannot give into their cry. We must stand solid in our practice of faith and live the faith without compromise. If this be so we even if we never spill our blood for Christ like a martyr will persevere out of witness for Him.

We are called upon to live out all Catholic truths and not just the ones that we find to be convenient. We must stand up for the vulnerable, we must speak out against injustice, we must live out the moral teachings of the Church, we must come to Mass each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation to give God proper laud, honor, and glory, and we must live out a relationship with Him and His Word through prayer.

Yes, the world wants us to think that such a task is impossible, is inconvenient, is not in line with the majority, but Christ reminds us that we have been set apart for we have been claimed by Him upon the cross. Never give into fear and never fall into despair for through Christ we find the strength to transform our earthly terrors into an unwavering witness of hope.

11th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

This past Friday the Church observed the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In light of our nation’s 250th anniversary our bishops consecrated our nation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today we reconsecrate our parish to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in order that we may rekindle such faith in Him and His mercy which endures forever. It is His heart which has been moved with pity for us.

When we look at the image of the Sacred Heart we notice a heart which is encircled by a crown of thorns. This represents human sin, coldness, and active rejection to the gift that Christ has offered onto us. As Saint Paul explained in our Epistle that His love is poured out right into the middle of our mess and hostility, not after we’ve cleaned ourselves up.

Saint Paul mentions that we are “justified by his blood” and “reconciled to God through the death of his Son.” In the imagery of the Sacred Heart we see a distinct wound in the side of the heart. This is a reference to Saint John’s Gospel where the solider pierced Christ’s side and blood and water poured forth. This devotion emphasis the fact that His heart was literally broken open to pour out mercy upon a helpless world.

Despite what would seem to be helplessness we see great hope being proclaimed. As Saint Paul states, “how much ore, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” In the image of the Sacred Heart we see the flame that brings with it such hope as light is brought forth. We are sacred by His active, resurrected life, and He like this flame continues to pursue us into the here and now.

The consecration of our parish to the Sacred Heart means to consciously and deliberately place our entire community inside this furnace of divine love. Such a consecration calls us back to a spiritual realignment of what is important. We do not rely on our achievements, programs, or strength, but upon the overflowing mercy of Christ. We are asking that we may make our hearts like His.

This consecration must transcend the walls of this church and overflow into the domestic church, that being our homes. When we practice such devotion to the Sacred Heart especially through the Enthronement of one’s home to the Sacred Heart we are declaring that Jesus is the true head of our household. By setting apart a place of honor for His image transforms the home from anxiety to peace and from conflict to reconciliation.

It is precisely from the home and the parish that the renewal of our society takes place. Looking at the world we see fractures in the family, division throughout our nation, and unrest throughout the world. Such a glimpse can be daunting for us, the flame at the top of the Sacred Heart assures us that His mercy is actively pursuing the world. No matter how much culture wanders from Him  it is never beyond that reach of His Pierced Heart. If we are found willing to return to Him, His grace will ripple outward, and more will come to know of the fire of His love.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Corpus Christi Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is not just a mere symbol of Christ, but is truly Christ present with us Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine. To receive Him under our roof is to allow Him to be the one who nourishes us and leads us forth fortified by the gift of God’s grace.

The Israelites underwent a 40 year journey in the desert where the wondered toward the Promised Land. This journey would bring many twists and turns (they were hungry, thirsty, and lost); they would even think that they were better off in their slavery of old. Nevertheless, God heard their cry and poured down heavenly food which would nourish them along this journey.

We too find ourself on such a journey with the Promised Land of Heaven as our ultimate goal. Throughout the pilgrimage of this life we take many twists and turns; it is easy to desire to live the life of old instead of living for Christ Jesus. In the words of Saint Augustine, “Lord, grant me chastity and continence, but not yet.” As Jesus said in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The Eucharist is food for our journey. It sustains us as we travel through the spiritual wilderness of this world. We must flee the slavery of sin and head toward the true Promised Land of Heaven. If we allow our life to be centered upon Christ and His presence among us then we will be given the strength necessary to continue to move forward without looking back.

The manna in the desert could only temporarily fight off death for the Israelites. They ate it daily, they grew old, and they eventually died. If they hoarded it, it would rot for it belonged to this temporal world. The Eucharist grants eternal life for it heals the soul, strengthening the believer against mortal sin and allowing them to live for the Resurrection which is to come.

As we pray when we recite the Our Father, “give us this day our daily bread.” A better translation would be “super-substantial” or  “supernatural” bread which is to say that we are asking for the daily nourishment of the Eucharist for this gift goes far beyond the effects of physical food for this heavenly food also provides for the wellbeing of our soul.

It is so easy to get caught up in things which will never fill. It is most difficult to move ourselves away from unhealthy practices which we have allowed to become routine. Let us dare to look as Saint John the Baptist directs, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Indeed in the Eucharist we behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Let our be centered upon Him and thus may we come to repent of all sin and enter into communion with Him in order that we may allow Him to always remain the food for our journey which leads towards the Promised Land of Heaven.

You have given them Bread from heaven. Having all sweetness with it.