Sexagesima Homily

In two weeks we will begin the Lenten season. On the 1st Sunday of Lent we will be instructed on Jesus going into the desert in order to fast and pray. While there he came to be tempted by the assaults of the devil. Nevertheless, Christ resisted his pursuits and held fast solid in faith rebuking each of his lies with the truth of Sacred Scripture.

As we came to be instructed in our Epistle, “a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” Each of us should be able to relate to what was being saint by Saint Paul. We are in the midst of such spiritual assaults and none of us are free from such temptations.

As Saint Augustine stated, “Your first task is to be dissatisfied with yourself, fight sin, and transform yourself into something better. Your second task is to put up with the trials and temptations of this world that will be brought on by the change in your life and to persevere to the very end in the midst of these things.”

Such perseverance can only be brought about if we understand and believe the next words which were spoken by Saint Paul. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power in made perfect in weakness.” Through such a statement of faith we place our trust in God and His infinite mercy which is being poured out onto us.

It is important that in the midst of such temptation and worse yet falling to the assaults of the devil that we do not give into despair. The saints were very real just like you and me. Nevertheless, they also knew temptation and sin, they were in need of the grace and mercy that has been poured out upon them by God, and yet they are now in Heaven.

This glimpse into the saints of Heaven should bring us joy for they show us the way that we must take in order for us to endure as they have endured. They teach us that our lives, despite the trials of this life, can be lived for God. They show us that there is something greater to the here and now instead of just living in the moment.

Our Gospel gave us the parable of the sower which spoke of such a perspective. Here those who “fell away among thorns are they who have heard and, going their way, are chocked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit.” So too so many allow themselves to get caught up in such worldliness and thus forget about Heaven and fall prey to the temptations that are thrown our way.

May this coming season of Lent be fruitful for us to regain our sight in order that we may see more clearly. This season prepares us for Easter and the Good News of the Lord’s Resurrection that brings forth hope that no matter the sin or temptation we can indeed endure for God’s grace is sufficient. May all the angels and saints of Heaven, pray for us. 

6th Sunday of OT Year C Homily

It is hard to believe that we are now roughly 70 days away from Easter which means that Lent is quickly approaching. The time for us to place our focus upon this season is now. If we prepare ourself now we will be ready once Lent finally gets here on the 1st Wednesday of March. We would thus be found vigilant to the point that the Lenten season would be fruitful for us.

Our Gospel puts this urgency into perspective through the giving of the Beatitudes. Through this list we are told how one will be blessed, but are also given the opposite. In other words we must apply ourself to a life of faith in order that we may obtain a relationship with God. This relationship also includes those around us who we must treat mercifully. If we cannot treat others as Christ would treat them we are found lacking.

Lent is one way in which we can challenge ourself to grow in such virtue. Throughout this season we take up the actions of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in order that we may grow in those areas which are necessary in order that we may love God and neighbor. 

Such actions must be mindfully done through the direction of prayer instead of being mindless actions which bring forth no change within us. To give up something for the sake of giving up something changes us in no way with the coming of Easter. Through our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving we should be growing in our love for God and neighbor by overcoming those vices which run rampant in our life.

From Rule of Saint Benedict the monk is told, “During these days, therefore, let us increase somewhat the usual burden of our service, as by private prayers and abstinence in food and drink. Thus everyone of his own will may offer God ‘with joy of the Holy Spirit’ something above the measure required of him. From his body, that is, he may withhold some food, drink, sleeping, talking, and jesting; and with the joy of spiritual desire he may look forward to holy Easter.”

Therefore, may this quickly approaching season of Lent assist us in heading the call to follow after the Lord. Wherever something has gained mastery over us we ought to master it for the sake of the Kingdom to which we have been called. Through such freedom we are able to grow in our love for God and neighbor.

5th Sunday After Epiphany Homily

Every day we make the decision of what clothing we are going to wear. So too we must consciously choose to put on qualities which allow virtue to spring forth in our life. We must take on the clothing of a Christian such as that baptismal garment that we received at our baptism and keep it white as snow.

The many things that we choose to surround ourself with effects the way in which we encounter the world and our relationship with God. If we spend all our time chasing after the ways of the world we would of done nothing to pursue a relationship with God. Rather, we must put on Christ for He ought to be the one to whom our life is oriented.

Our Gospel presented us with the wheat and cockle. As it grows the cockle which is poison in nature looks as if it is wheat. It can only be separated at the time of the harvest. So too we must allow our own life to avoid those harmful distractions which lead astray from living out a life of faith.

Saint Paul’s list of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience must be fostered and allowed to be made manifest in our life. Most of all, we must grow in the virtue of love. Without such a virtue it becomes impossible to live out a life of faith because we are found too busy turning inwardly upon ourself.

Our modern day society has lowered this virtue of love to the point that it is found to be without deep meaning. Love can be seen upon the cross when the Lord offers His life without reservation in order that we may be redeemed. Love is that relationship that exists in the Most Holy Trinity which is most perfectly given asking for nothing in return of the other.

If we are to grow in the virtue of love we must come to know God and be willing to share what we receive with others. The love of God is found to be abundant and without end. Therefore, there is always something more for us to grow in if we are to love as God loves. This virtue must influence all of our relationships from one’s child, to one’s spouse, and to all those whom we encounter especially the most difficult.

In the words of Saint Philip Neri, “Prayer and communion are not to be made or desired for the sake of the devotion we feel in them, for that is seeking self, and not God; but we must be frequent in both the one and the other in order to become humble, obedient, gentle, and patient. When we see these virtues in a man, then we know that he has really gathered the fruit of prayer and of communion.”

Let us us depart from here with that fervent desire to grow in such virtue. If we see that vice has taken over our life it can only be moved out through the pursuit of virtue. Let us not be content with allowing the cockle to take over our life. Instead let us be willing to orient our sight unto God and to be found willing to move towards Him with the confidence of faith each day.

Presentation of the Lord Homily

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple.

We must remember that what was taking place was in the context of a Jewish ritual. Firstly, the mother was to be purified following giving birth to her child. Secondly, the firstborn was to be presented in the temple 40 days after his birth. This presentation serves as the consecration of one’s child onto God.

Despite Jewish ritual taking place we know that Christ is God Himself. We came to proclaim this reality through our celebration of Christmas. He is God who has made His dwelling place among us. It is He who is the “Light to all the nations” who shines brightly for all. From His eventual cross that brings forth our salvation will shine that great Light of His Resurrection for we have been redeemed.

This Light proceeds out into the whole world bringing hope to all that it touches. So too this Light must penetrate into the depths of our own heart. We must be consecrated to God by how we choose to live and order our life on this earth. So often we are found willing to abandon what has been handed onto us here for the sake of other pursuits.

Let us continue to commit ourself unto the Lord in such a profound manner in order that we may allow this great Light to shine forth to all the nations.