28th Sun of OT Year B Homily

As we enter into this "Year of Faith" our bishop has given us four very obtainable goals to accomplish during this upcoming year. We realize that our world has been effected by a loss of faith; that even at times extends into our own lives. Despite this lack of faith that may be present we are invited to spend this upcoming year to draw ourselves closer to the reality of Christ and His Church. In our Gospel we found a man who desired to find a way to make his faith become manifest. Christ's response was total surrender of himself on behalf of the Gospel. This total surrender would allow nothing to become more important then God who should always be held at the primary place of our faith. As we enter into this year we join in this perseverance of faith allowing ourselves to use each day that has been bestowed upon us to continue to grow in this path. The world has many voices which attempt to conquer the voice of faith, but we cannot allow these voices to get in our way as we continue to grow in union with Christ's love.

The Ten Commandments and the charge to hand over everything for the love of Christ was given to this man. Our bishop has challenged us for this "Year of Faith" to rediscover the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When we examine our own lives we realize that their are times when sin has come into our lives and we have given in to turn away from the infinite love of God. Reconciliation is our way to come before Christ the Healer and receive the forgiveness of sins when we realize that we have turned away from God and the commandments that have been give to us. Through the confession of sins we will be able to give up everything that we have for the sake of following after Christ. Thankfully our parish has added many opportunities to join in this Sacrament of Healing. Following our 8am Mass on Wednesday and Saturday and from 4-5pm on Saturday we are able to partake of this Sacrament. May we allow Confession to lead us towards the Holy Eucharist which will aid our faith in its growth.

During this "Year of Faith" we must allow the word of God to penetrate into our hearts and souls. To hear the word of God is to be challenged and to live it out within the world. We cannot be "Catholic" when we are inside of the Church and then partake of acts that are contrary to the faith when we leave Church behind at the end of the day. This year challenges us to realize that we are the hands and face of Christ to all people whom we encounter. If we are to be the hands and face of Christ we cannot allow ourselves to only be this way for the hour that we are here on Sunday, but for each day of our lives. To grow in our faith during this upcoming year we must seek out ways where we can grow more in our relationship with Christ. Partaking of time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, serving those in need in our Food Pantry, attending a study group, or praying the Holy Rosary are all ways that we can make time in this busy world for our faith to begin to grow anew.

As we spend time during this upcoming year dwelling upon "faith" and its importance inside of our lives we are able to see the beauty of the Church as it leads us into relationship with Christ. From the height of "faith" we realize the great wisdom that the Church contains as She expresses it to the whole world. Each of us find ourselves on a journey where we cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we know everything, but realize that we need to continue to grow in our understanding of "faith." The Bishop has challenged us to use the Creed as a daily prayer that will help to lead us during this "Year of Faith." Through its use we are able to see the wisdom that lies behind the Church and see the great task that lies before us to continue to express our faith each day. In this world that wants to claim that faith in God is worthless, we are able to be the voice of wisdom. Through our preparation during this upcoming year may each of us grow closer Christ and grow in our "faith" which fills us with joy.