Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Pope Pius XII stated that this event was a “manifestation of the hope” of all humanity. In the Creed we profess such a hope, “the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” Therefore, we cannot forget that Christ’s redemption redeems the whole human person, body and soul.

As Saint Paul states in his 1st epistle to the Corinthians, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep… But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” 

Mary is the first among “those who belong to Christ” to receive that ultimate promise. She was united to Christ fully (after all she was declared to be “full of grace”), bearing Him in her body and standing by Him at the cross. Her glorified body in heaven serves as a preview of the bodily resurrection that has been promised to every believer at the end of time.

What has already happened to Mary is what the Church as a collective body hopes to experience when Christ restores creation. She has reached the destination toward which every pilgrim Christian is currently walking. May she pray for us that we may seriously come to pursue such a life that leads us towards such Heavenly glory.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Homily

Today we observe the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in place of the 16th Sunday After Pentecost under the permission that has been granted by Bishop Mark Beckman. She serves as the principal patroness of the Diocese of Knoxville for this was the day that our diocese was established.

On the liturgical calendar there are three births which we celebrate: Saint John the Baptist on June 24th, Jesus on December 25th, and as we observe today Saint Mary on September 8th.

Usually the memorial of a saint falls on the day of their death. It is through their death that they died and were judged as worthy of Heaven. These three births are important. In the case of John the Baptist he was the precursor to the Lord and pius thought holds that he was born without original sin thanks to the events of the Visitation. The birth of Christ is important for this is God who takes on our human flesh as the pure and spotless lamb that dies in order that we may be redeemed.

Mary’s birth is also important for she is the New Ark of the Covenant which means that her womb contained God in the second person of the Most Holy Trinity. She was that pure and spotless vessel which was chosen by God for this task. As we acknowledge on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is without sin including that of original sin. It is for these reasons that the celebration of this birth becomes so important.

In the words of Saint Paul, “those (God) foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” This reality becomes the purpose of the life of Mary. From her conception and her birth she was forever prepared for this reality. Through her “yes” given to the Archangel Gabriel she further conformed to this image. Her life was lived in service to her Son.

Likewise, through devotion unto her we conform ourself to the image of her Son. All feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary point the way towards this reality. They never detract from her Son as some would falsely claim. As we continue to foster such devotion our heart is formed to give our “yes” unto God in all that we say and do.

Let us continue this celebration of her birth by fostering such devotion in our life in order that we too may choose to live for her Son and thus also be conformed unto Him. Through the growth of such spiritual strength as this we are “able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth, and the length, and height, and depth” of God’s love. It is this love that is abundant and without end; by entering into such a reality we enter into something that we are always able to more intimately conform ourself to. 

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

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.

Assumption of Mary Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. 

It was in the year 1950 that Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption of Mary as an official dogma of the Church stating, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

This does not mean that the Church created this teaching some 73 years ago. This is a teaching that had existed throughout the Church’s history. As early as the 8th century this feast was celebrated in the West. In the 5th or 6th century celebrated in the East. Even early texts only a few hundred years after Christ attest to this reality.

One of them stating, “And when the third day was ended, the voices were no longer heard; and from that time forth all knew that her spotless and precious body had been transferred to paradise.”

This concept of being “transferred to paradise” is not something unique to Mary. In Sacred Scripture we also hear of this concerning Enoch and Elijah. Of Enoch: “Enoch walked with God, and he was no longer here, for God took him.” Of Elijah: “As they walked on still conversing, a fiery chariot and fiery horses came between the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.”

Of these figures Mary is most important for she is without sin. Through her Immaculate Conception this includes original sin. Her whole life was lived in acceptance of God’s will. It was she who overcame the cunning of the serpent as she stepped on his cursed head. It is she who points us toward our ultimate goal of paradise where we will be with God forever.

Concerning the importance of establishing this feast Pope Pius XII stated, “while the illusory teachings of materialism and the corruption of morals that follows from these teachings threaten to extinguish the light of virtue and to ruin the lives of men by exciting discord among them, in this magnificent way all may see clearly to what a lofty goal our bodies and souls are destined. Finally it is our hope that belief in Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven will make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and render it more effective.”

With this celebration we come to set our sight upon God and this goal of Heaven. So often we can get caught up in the here and now and forget about this ultimate goal. At the end of time the resurrection of the body will take place where our soul will be rejoined to our body. Mary already shares in this reality as she continues to point the way to her Son. Every minute of her life was lived for God and she did not get caught up in these worldly allures. Through her intercession may we to continue to run the race that leads to Everlasting Life.

Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.

Immaculate Conception Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. 

When we pray the Rosary we pray those words given to us by Saint Gabriel, “Hail Mary, full of grace.”

What does it mean for one to be found full of grace? Mary was found to be “full of grace” because she was filled with the presence of God. Seeing that she is most perfectly filled with God’s presence there is no room within her for sin. Each us have been touched by the reality of sin. Unlike us she is that most perfect creation of God which was preserved from the stain of sin for she would be the Mother of God.

This statement made by Gabriel is a reversal of roles. Throughout the Old Testament it was humans who would revere angels for they were closest to God and thus partake most fully of the divine light. Gabriel’s statement shows that even the angels come to revere Mary. She was found to be “full of grace” and thus it is right and just that we give her proper devotion.

When we think of sin we often think of those transgressions that one makes against God. Not only did Mary never consent to sin, but she was also conceived free of original sin. When an individual is baptized all sin including original sin is washed away. This was not necessary for Mary for she was that perfect creation who God had been set apart to be the mother of His Son.

This celebration is most important for us for the Immaculate Conception is the beginning of our salvation. Through it we get that mystery of faith which we will soon celebrate, the Nativity of the Lord. Mary remained open to the gift of God’s grace throughout her whole life. Likewise, we must open ourself up to this gift of His grace. We cannot turn inwardly upon self, but must be willing to remain open to God. This is preciously what Mary was willing to do.

May this celebration of Mary assist us in opening our heart to such graces. May she pray for us in order that we may realize that such a reality has been extended to us if only we would dare to place our trust in God and the gift of His grace. Truly Mary was “full of grace,” we forever profess this reality through this celebration of her Immaculate Conception.

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

Mary, Mother of God Homily

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Today we embark upon this New Year. As we embark upon it may we call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us in this new year. It is for this reason that the singing of the “Vini Creator Spiritus” “Come Creator Spirit” is a plenary indulgence on January 1st along with (1) receiving communion in the state of grace, (2) making a confession in a reasonable amount of time, and (3) praying for the intention of the Holy Father.

Today is also the eighth day following Christ’s birth. This day brings about the conclusion of what is known to us as the Octave of Christmas. The importance of this eighth day was also pointed out in our Gospel: “When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” As time has progressed this day has also become dedicated to Mary as being Mother of God. Truly whenever we have the opportunity to celebrate the Blessed Mother we have the opportunity to dwell with Christ for all devotion to her always points the way back to her Son.

Throughout Christmas we celebrate the fact that God loved us so much that He took on our human flesh and dwelt among us. With that let us think how scandalous all of this may seem to the untrained mind. God was unable to feed Himself and instead relied upon His parents in order to receive His sustenance. He would go to the desert and there He would come to know the true meaning of hunger and thirst as He fasted for a period of forty days and nights. Through His circumcision He spilt His Blood as a foreshadowing of what would come through the ultimate spilling of blood upon the cross.

If we desire to be more human then we will strive to be more like Christ. Through this reality we are not called to becomes less human, but to become more human through this pursuit. As Saint Athanasius put it in today’s Office of Readings: “Our Savior truly became man, and from this has followed the salvation of man as a whole. Our salvation is in no way fictitious, nor does it apply only to the body. The salvation of the whole man, that is, of soul and body, has really been achieved in the Word himself. What was born of Mary was therefore human by nature, in accordance with the inspired Scriptures, and the body of the Lord was a true body: it was a true body because it is the same as ours. Mary, you see, is our sister, for we are all born of Adam.”

As we head into this new year may we continue to foster devotion to Mary in our life and within our family. All of this devotion draws us into a closer relationship with her Son, Jesus. In this manner we can strive to be more like Christ and in the process strip away everything that keeps us from achieving this goal. For many a New Year’s resolution never gets put into action or if it does it only lasts a few days and weeks before things return to normal and we begin to forget of what we once strived for. To pursue Christ is not a New Year’s resolution, but a way of life. 

Mary, Mother of God Homily

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

It is easy to get confused on what is important during the season of Christmas. There is nothing wrong with presents, decorations, Christmas music, or parties, but all of these mean nothing compared to the great gift which is Christ our Lord. Sometimes I believe that we have a hard time grasping just how important this great gift which is Christ truly is.

Therefore, do we truly believe or even thought about the fact that Christ is God made Flesh, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity? We can use the title, Son of God, which is true, but at the same time we must remember that He is both fully divine and fully human. This baby who lays in the manger, thou weak and powerless, is not just any child, but is God made Flesh. Sometimes I feel that we stress Christ’s humanity to the point that we entirely forget about His divinity. When we go back to the Gospel of Saint John we are told that Christ is the Word and that the Word was God.

Some get confused on calling Mary the Mother of God. There is nothing wrong with this title. Rather this title proclaims exactly who her Son is. Her Son is God made Flesh. He who came down from Heaven out of love in order that He could take on our flesh and eventually embrace the cross in order that we could be freed from the grasp of sin. Prior to Christ many sacrifices had been made, but none of them were perfect. The sacrifice that Christ offers upon the cross is perfect only because He is God made man. If Christ were another human like you or me the cross would mean nothing.

Mary has been given many titles throughout the course of history. One of these titles is that of the ark of the new covenant. This title reflects the fact that the ark of the covenant held the presence of God. Therefore, the ark of the new covenant holds the presence of God made flesh. It was this pure and spotless vessel which was called upon by God to bring forth His divine presence. Again we are reflecting the fact that Mary is the Mother of God which is a reflection of who her Son is.

We need to reestablish proper devotion to our Blessed Mother within our homes. Just as the title, Mother of God, reflects who her Son is, so too does devotion to her flow to her Son. Devotion to Mary never overshadows Christ because devotion to her always flows through her and towards her Son. We must reestablish within our homes the praying of the rosary especially the praying of it as a family. The rosary allows us to join with our Blessed Mother who according to scripture held all these things within her heart. With her, then, we join to contemplate Christ and His life on this earth in order that we may hold all these things in our heart and model our life after His.

As we celebrate this Solemnity of Mary the Mother God and embark upon this new calendar year may we do so under Mary’s intercession. Her Son is not just one among many, but is the Savior of the World. He is God who takes on our human flesh and dwells among us. Through devotion to her may we set our sight upon her Son. If our sight is modeled after her Son then we will have proper devotion to the Eucharist for this is the same Christ who is the Son of Mary, God made Flesh, born in Bethlehem, who died upon the cross, and rose again on the third day. May we allow Saint Mary to always intercede for us. St. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Assumption Homily

On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII infallibly declared: “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” It was not 1950, some 68 years ago, that the Church came to profess this reality. Rather, this is something which the Church has always professed from the time of the apostles moving forward into the present age.

Some claim that Assumption of Mary into Heaven contradicts Sacred Scripture, but this is not the case. Sacred Scripture may not mention Mary being taken into Heaven, but it does account for Enoch and Elijah who were taken up. If this is true of them, then what makes it so hard to believe that the same can be said of Mary? After all we must remember that the Assumption is not the Ascension. We cannot confuse these two with one another. It was Christ who ascended to Heaven, how, but by His own infinite power. In the case of Mary or Enoch or Elijah we can say that they were assumed, how, but by God’s infinite power, not their own power.

Mary, on the other hand, is set apart from Enoch and Elijah. She is set apart from all the prophets and saints for scripture says of her through the lips of an angel: “Hail, full of grace.” Grace is such an important word and yet in the modern world this word seems to be so hard for us to grasp. I have even been told that you should never mention the word grace in a homily because nobody will know what you are talking about. Well that statement is absurd because we must come to understand the importance that grace plays in our life.

So what is grace? From the Catechism: “grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.” In the words of Pope Benedict XVI: “grace is a relational term: it does not predicate something about an I, but something about a connection between I and Thou, between God and man.” Therefore to receive grace is to be found in relationship with God. In the case of Mary she was found to be “full of grace” which shows that she had perfectly come to open herself up to the reception of God’s grace. This relationship was not tarnished by the stain sin, but rather she lived as a perfect receiver of the gift of God’s grace. No wonder then that it is so fitting that she is taken body and soul before us into Heavenly glory.

As we come to celebrate this Solemnity of our Blessed Mother may we come to invoke her intercession that we too may strive to be open to receiving the outpouring of God’s grace. If we are to receive such an outpouring we must frequent the Sacraments which means that we are in need of the Sacrament of Confession which leads us to Christ who is present with us in the Most Holy Eucharist and assists in being receptive of God’s grace. Today we celebrate the fact that Mary was taken up body and soul into Heaven. May we foster true devotion to her in order that we too may persevere to the end and one day come to join with her in Heaven. If this is to be true then we are in need of God’s grace for without it we cannot get to Heaven. We can nothing apart from God and His grace. May we now dare to go where she has gone before and thus strive for the Kingdom of Heaven above all things.

15th Sunday of OT Year A Homily

Truly God gives to each of us the grace which is necessary to lead good and holy lives, but we so often allow ourself to get up in the ways of the world at the expense of the Gospel. No matter the life that we have lived in the past we must remember that we can become this good soil which is prepared to receive God’s grace.

Therefore let us consider for ourself the ways in which we can prepare the soil of our soul to receive this abundant outpouring of God’s grace. Let us realize that in doing so we must also consider the ways in which we allow the weeds to grow up within our soul and thus choke out this gift of grace which God is pouring upon us. We must remember that it is not God who withholds rather it us who reject this gift by the way in which we live our life.

If we are to clean out the weeds which choke out grace within our life then we must be willing to enter into the silence of prayer. Here making a daily examination of conscience which causes us to be truthful in our reflection of the ways in which we have transgressed against God and thus each other. Such a practice allows us to make a daily act of contrition as we continue to set straight our path towards an encounter with the Lord. Frequent confession also assists the soul in coming to be cleaned for such an infusion with God’s grace.

Yes, we should desire to cultivate within our life and home this attitude which is open to receiving God’s grace. Throughout our life there are so many ways in which we can be strengthened in our relationship with the Lord. We strengthened when we worthily receive the Most Holy Eucharist for what we receive is truly Jesus Christ who loves us dearly.

The world is a busy place therefore we must constantly remind ourself of the Eucharist. Be it a visit to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the midst of our busy day or a simple recollection of mind to the gift which is Christ present with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Truly such visits are beneficial in changing the disposition of our life in order that we may be more patterned after our Lord and thus open to receiving God’s grace.

Other forms of prayer also assist us in cultivating this reality within ourself especially that of the Most Holy Rosary. The Rosary assists us in lifting our minds and hearts to the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. The Rosary allows us to walk with our Blessed Mother and thus in return ask that she may assist us in preparing our soul to receive God’s grace. We must remember the exclamation of the angel Gabriel to her: “Hail Mary, full of grace.” Truly she is most perfect in God’s eyes and thus intercedes that we may receive the gift of God’s grace.

This day and always let us keep watch over the soil of life in order that it may be found rich in nature and thus welcoming of God’s grace.

Mary, Mother of God Homily

Merry Christmas to all of you.

Today we bring about the conclusion of our celebration of the Octave of Christmas with our celebration of this Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.

Calling Mary the Mother of God is a proclamation to who Jesus Christ really is. It is a proclamation that Christ is the second person of the Holy Trinity and thus Mary is the very vessel which brings forth the Christ child.

This title has been rejected by many Protestants, but to reject this title would reject the fact that Christ is fully human as well as fully divine. This is not a statement to say that Mary brought God into existence, but rather it is a statement that her Son is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity and thus is God made Flesh.

Thus today we have the opportunity to turn our attention towards our Blessed Mother in order to glance upon her Son through the use of her eyes. So often we get caught up in the ways of the world and thus fail to see Christ as we ought. Nevertheless, Mary never fell into the stain of sin and thus she assists us in our ability to see her Son more clearly.

We must fashion for ourself and within our home devotion to the Blessed Mother. If we allow ourself to push devotion to her to the side we in return will be pushing Christ to the side. We need the loving, tender assistance of our Blessed Mother in order that our home may truly become a dwelling place of God's love.

Saint John's Gospel instructs: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The dwelling place of this love was within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God fashioned her before time to be this perfect dwelling place where God's love would come and dwell. Her family had assisted her in her upbringing in order that she may be found receptive of God's great gift. For this reason she was fully aware and prepared for this gift which she would undertake.

Devotion to Mary leads us to love of Christ. It leads us towards stripping away our sinfulness and allowing our heart and soul to become a dwelling place of God's love. How sad is it to fathom that so many have stripped away their devotion to our Blessed Mother. That the home and family is not a place to foster such devotion. That so many fail to pray the Most Holy Rosary and thus fail to build up a crown of roses to be placed upon her blessed head.

Pray the rosary, make a consecration to our Blessed Mother, wear her Brown Scapular, and thus begin to foster within yourself her humility and love for her Son. In the season of Christmas we celebrate that God's great love was so great that He came to dwell among us. May we truly desire for Him to dwell among us by the way in which we come to order our life. May the Blessed Mother intercede on our behalf that we may grow in our love and devotion for our Blessed Lord and thus we may better be able to serve Him by our life.