Today we have the joy of having the cornerstone of the new cathedral with us. This cathedral will be dedicated on March 3rd and is thus under a year away. This cornerstone was blessed by our Holy Father, Francis, and thus it serves as a reminder of our connection to Rome and thus that the Church is universal.
This cornerstone has been making its way around the diocese, but it is most interesting that we have it at our parish this weekend for in our readings we are told about the importance of the cornerstone. 1 Peter instructs us "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame."
In ancient times the cornerstone was the most important stone of the building. It was important because it was used as a reference point for the other stones which would be placed in reference to it. The builder would have to take great care with the cornerstone because it would determine the position, structure, and stability of the building.
Therefore, the cornerstone becomes a reference point for us. It becomes a symbol of Christ and thus reminds us that Christ must be the reference point for our life. Christ must become the center and we must allow ourself to use Him to become the reference of who we are as a human person.
1 Peter quoted concerning this cornerstone from the Book of Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 28 we are given a glimpse of a people who have turned themselves away from God and His Word. They have allowed themself to enter into sin and thus have lost sight of God who should of been the focus of their life. Instead of living this life in defiance of God they were told that a cornerstone would be placed for them to follow.
Indeed this very cornerstone will be placed in the new Sacred Heart Cathedral. It serves as a reminder to each of us of Christ. Having this stone here with us reminds us of the Church which is universal. It reminds us that we are not a parish disconnected from the body which is the Church, but rather reminds us that we are connected to the Body which is the Church. The very Church which calls us to encounter Christ and to make Him the focal point of our life.
In the Gospel of Saint John Jesus states: "I am the way and the truth and the life." This statement reflects this cornerstone of 1 Peter. It reminds us that Christ is the path that we must follow in order to encounter true life. This path alone leads us to an encounter with true love, true happiness, and thus too true life.
If we loose sight of this cornerstone we will never come to an encounter with true life. May our families be modeled after this cornerstone which is Christ our Lord. May we be willing to place Christ as the reference point of our life and family. Christ and thus too the Church always calls to encounter this cornerstone which is "the way and the truth and the life." May we be willing to make this cornerstone the reference point of our life.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Sunday, May 7, 2017
4th Sunday of Easter Year A Homily
On May 13th we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fatima. It was in Fatima, Portegul that our Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children in order to give them a message of God's love and thus too a call to conversion.
Ultimately it was the message of Fatima that we need to return to Christ. Thus we can say that it was the message of Fatima that we need to be content with the gate which leads us into the sheepfold. For this gate is Christ and He desires that we enter through Him for there is no other way which is possible.
Our Gospel reminds us that there will be those who will attempt to enter into this sheepfold exempt from this gate, but to enter exempt from this gate is an impossibility. In one of the secrets of Fatima our Blessed Mother showed the children the reality of Hell. Quoting Sister Lucia: "We raised our eyes to our Lady who said with tenderness and sadness. "You saw hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them God wishes to establish in the world the devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If they do what I will tell you, many souls will be saved, and there will be peace." Indeed hell is a possibility for those who reject this gate which is Christ our Lord.
Despite this our Blessed Mother promises that those who have devotion to the Immaculate Heart will be saved and that there will be peace. Yet now in this present moment we know that there is not peace within this world. Some claim that this lack of peace which was promised is due to the fact that Russia was never consecrated to Our Lady. After all, Our Lady did ask for Russia's consecration. Despite this claim popes have indeed consecrated Russia and the whole world to Our Lady. Sister Lucia herself claimed that this request was fulfilled. Therefore, why is there a lack of peace within this world?
Maybe the answer lies not from some outside source, but rather in our own heart. Thus the sins that we have thrust upon the Sacred Heart of Christ. Our Blessed Mother desired that we pray at least five decades of the rosary each day, wear the Brown Scapular, make sacrifices in our daily life, practice the devotion of attended Mass and making a confession on the first Saturday of the month.
Mary proclaimed: "In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph." Indeed this is true, but do we do our part to bring peace to this world. If we take these five requests of Our Blessed Mother seriously our life will be transformed and thus too this world in which we live will be transformed to become a reflection of Christ and His love for us.
If we integrate these practices into our life and family will see transformation of this parish community because this transformation is brought about by hearts which have been transformed to becoming a reflection of the Gospel. Christ is the gate through which we must enter therefore let us attempt not to get into the sheepfold through a different way.
Devotion to Our Blessed Mother will assist us in coming to know her Son and thus entering through this gate. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Ultimately it was the message of Fatima that we need to return to Christ. Thus we can say that it was the message of Fatima that we need to be content with the gate which leads us into the sheepfold. For this gate is Christ and He desires that we enter through Him for there is no other way which is possible.
Our Gospel reminds us that there will be those who will attempt to enter into this sheepfold exempt from this gate, but to enter exempt from this gate is an impossibility. In one of the secrets of Fatima our Blessed Mother showed the children the reality of Hell. Quoting Sister Lucia: "We raised our eyes to our Lady who said with tenderness and sadness. "You saw hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them God wishes to establish in the world the devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If they do what I will tell you, many souls will be saved, and there will be peace." Indeed hell is a possibility for those who reject this gate which is Christ our Lord.
Despite this our Blessed Mother promises that those who have devotion to the Immaculate Heart will be saved and that there will be peace. Yet now in this present moment we know that there is not peace within this world. Some claim that this lack of peace which was promised is due to the fact that Russia was never consecrated to Our Lady. After all, Our Lady did ask for Russia's consecration. Despite this claim popes have indeed consecrated Russia and the whole world to Our Lady. Sister Lucia herself claimed that this request was fulfilled. Therefore, why is there a lack of peace within this world?
Maybe the answer lies not from some outside source, but rather in our own heart. Thus the sins that we have thrust upon the Sacred Heart of Christ. Our Blessed Mother desired that we pray at least five decades of the rosary each day, wear the Brown Scapular, make sacrifices in our daily life, practice the devotion of attended Mass and making a confession on the first Saturday of the month.
Mary proclaimed: "In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph." Indeed this is true, but do we do our part to bring peace to this world. If we take these five requests of Our Blessed Mother seriously our life will be transformed and thus too this world in which we live will be transformed to become a reflection of Christ and His love for us.
If we integrate these practices into our life and family will see transformation of this parish community because this transformation is brought about by hearts which have been transformed to becoming a reflection of the Gospel. Christ is the gate through which we must enter therefore let us attempt not to get into the sheepfold through a different way.
Devotion to Our Blessed Mother will assist us in coming to know her Son and thus entering through this gate. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Divine Mercy Homily
Happy Easter.
Today we celebrate the eighth and final Sunday in what is known as the Octave of Easter which is also known to us as Divine Mercy Sunday. We also have the opportunity to celebrate at this Mass the First Communion of thirty students.
Divine Mercy is a perfect Sunday for such a sacrament to be received for the first time. This Sunday reminds us of the great mercy of God and thus too we are reminded of the water and blood which gushed forth from the pierced side of our Lord when He was upon the cross.
This water is the waters of baptism from which we have been washed clean. This blood is the Eucharist where Christ continues to come to us and bring nourishment into our life. If we look at the Divine Mercy image we will see Christ's hand raised in the air offering a blessing. This is precisely what we receive when we turn towards the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Confession and thus prevail ourself towards God's mercy.
The Eucharist is connected to God's mercy. We cannot separate these two sacraments from one another. One cannot receive Eucharist and receive the graces which are bestowed upon the receiver without intrusting themself to God's mercy. How sad is it to see so many who go without the assistance of the mercy of Christ. Conquer your pride and make use of the Sacrament of Confession before you profane with your lips something as special as the Eucharist which is Christ who is present with us.
It is from this Gospel text that we encounter Christ instituting the Sacrament of Confession. Christ breathed upon the apostles and exclaimed: "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Let us not fear this sacrament, but instead realize the mercy of God which is present.
In our Gospel we encountered a man named Thomas who doubted the Ressurrection. It was through his encounter with the wounds of Christ that healing and mercy was brought into his life. He desired the gift and it was given unto Him. In the words of Christ: "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
We very much so need to stand with Thomas and desire to believe in what we profess. We must desire to reach out and feel these wounds of our pierced Lord in order that we too may exclaim: "My Lord and my God." Maybe we have grown content with our life that we no longer feel compelled to reach out and touch these wounds in order that we may be healed.?
My dear children, today is a special day for you. Always remember what it is that you will receive. The answer is not bread and wine, but Christ. You will receive Christ. We will receive Christ. Parents, lead your children by example. Lead them to the Eucharist by bringing them to Mass and praying before the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Bring them to the mercy of Christ by bringing your children to confession and going yourself. May we allow the mercy of God to enter into our life in order that we may stand with Saint Thomas and proclaim: "My Lord and my God?"
Today we celebrate the eighth and final Sunday in what is known as the Octave of Easter which is also known to us as Divine Mercy Sunday. We also have the opportunity to celebrate at this Mass the First Communion of thirty students.
Divine Mercy is a perfect Sunday for such a sacrament to be received for the first time. This Sunday reminds us of the great mercy of God and thus too we are reminded of the water and blood which gushed forth from the pierced side of our Lord when He was upon the cross.
This water is the waters of baptism from which we have been washed clean. This blood is the Eucharist where Christ continues to come to us and bring nourishment into our life. If we look at the Divine Mercy image we will see Christ's hand raised in the air offering a blessing. This is precisely what we receive when we turn towards the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Confession and thus prevail ourself towards God's mercy.
The Eucharist is connected to God's mercy. We cannot separate these two sacraments from one another. One cannot receive Eucharist and receive the graces which are bestowed upon the receiver without intrusting themself to God's mercy. How sad is it to see so many who go without the assistance of the mercy of Christ. Conquer your pride and make use of the Sacrament of Confession before you profane with your lips something as special as the Eucharist which is Christ who is present with us.
It is from this Gospel text that we encounter Christ instituting the Sacrament of Confession. Christ breathed upon the apostles and exclaimed: "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Let us not fear this sacrament, but instead realize the mercy of God which is present.
In our Gospel we encountered a man named Thomas who doubted the Ressurrection. It was through his encounter with the wounds of Christ that healing and mercy was brought into his life. He desired the gift and it was given unto Him. In the words of Christ: "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
We very much so need to stand with Thomas and desire to believe in what we profess. We must desire to reach out and feel these wounds of our pierced Lord in order that we too may exclaim: "My Lord and my God." Maybe we have grown content with our life that we no longer feel compelled to reach out and touch these wounds in order that we may be healed.?
My dear children, today is a special day for you. Always remember what it is that you will receive. The answer is not bread and wine, but Christ. You will receive Christ. We will receive Christ. Parents, lead your children by example. Lead them to the Eucharist by bringing them to Mass and praying before the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Bring them to the mercy of Christ by bringing your children to confession and going yourself. May we allow the mercy of God to enter into our life in order that we may stand with Saint Thomas and proclaim: "My Lord and my God?"
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Easter Sunday Homily
Happy Easter!
Today we profess the reality of our Lord's Resurrection which we probably often think of as an event which happened in the past and thus effected Christ and His disciples only.
Easter is a celebration of the future and what awaits each and every one of us. A modern error is to believe that the soul is important at the expense of one's body. This is true because we now await the resurrection of the body and thus moment in time when the souls of dead will be reunited with their body.
We must therefore prepare ourself for the resurrection of our body. As Saint Paul instructs in his Letter to the Colossians that we must seek what is above, think of what is above, and thus when Christ your life appears you too will appear with him in glory.
How often do we fail to contemplate for ourself the resurrection? Not only the Resurrection of Christ that we celebrate today, but also the resurrection of the body which will take place for us at the end of time.
In our Gospel we encountered Christ who continues to call out to each of us: "Be not afraid." We live in a world which is afraid. We are afraid because we have lost sight of the Messiah and thus have lost the sight of placing our trust in Him.
Turn on the news and we will see reasons to be afraid. Go to the doctor and you might given a reason to be afraid. Struggle within your life and you will be given a reason to be afraid. The reasons for us to be afraid are countless, but nonetheless the Resurrection signals to us light from the midst of the darkness of night.
Our faith does not end at the cross. Rather it triumphs from its midst through the Resurrection. Thus too our life does not end at the countless amount of crosses that we are forced to bare, but through enduring these crosses we glance at the Resurrection and thus the life to come where there will be no more sickness, death, nor sin.
Therefore, may we prepare ourself for this reality. May we keep the resurrection of the body firmly placed before our eyes in order that we may spend our time on this earth preparing for this great reality.
Easter serves as a time of renewal for this season draws us towards the Sacrament of Baptism and thus what was begun within us when we were conformed to Christ through these life giving waters.
Let us not waste away the days allotted to us upon this earth by not living up to our baptism and thus too the rejection of Satan and sin. Let this season serve as a time of renewal for each of us and may it assist us in coming to serve Christ without fear as we prepare for the Resurrection.
Christ has Risen. He has risen indeed, Alleluia.
Today we profess the reality of our Lord's Resurrection which we probably often think of as an event which happened in the past and thus effected Christ and His disciples only.
Easter is a celebration of the future and what awaits each and every one of us. A modern error is to believe that the soul is important at the expense of one's body. This is true because we now await the resurrection of the body and thus moment in time when the souls of dead will be reunited with their body.
We must therefore prepare ourself for the resurrection of our body. As Saint Paul instructs in his Letter to the Colossians that we must seek what is above, think of what is above, and thus when Christ your life appears you too will appear with him in glory.
How often do we fail to contemplate for ourself the resurrection? Not only the Resurrection of Christ that we celebrate today, but also the resurrection of the body which will take place for us at the end of time.
In our Gospel we encountered Christ who continues to call out to each of us: "Be not afraid." We live in a world which is afraid. We are afraid because we have lost sight of the Messiah and thus have lost the sight of placing our trust in Him.
Turn on the news and we will see reasons to be afraid. Go to the doctor and you might given a reason to be afraid. Struggle within your life and you will be given a reason to be afraid. The reasons for us to be afraid are countless, but nonetheless the Resurrection signals to us light from the midst of the darkness of night.
Our faith does not end at the cross. Rather it triumphs from its midst through the Resurrection. Thus too our life does not end at the countless amount of crosses that we are forced to bare, but through enduring these crosses we glance at the Resurrection and thus the life to come where there will be no more sickness, death, nor sin.
Therefore, may we prepare ourself for this reality. May we keep the resurrection of the body firmly placed before our eyes in order that we may spend our time on this earth preparing for this great reality.
Easter serves as a time of renewal for this season draws us towards the Sacrament of Baptism and thus what was begun within us when we were conformed to Christ through these life giving waters.
Let us not waste away the days allotted to us upon this earth by not living up to our baptism and thus too the rejection of Satan and sin. Let this season serve as a time of renewal for each of us and may it assist us in coming to serve Christ without fear as we prepare for the Resurrection.
Christ has Risen. He has risen indeed, Alleluia.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Good Friday Homily
Good Friday makes us uncomfortable and rightly so. We want to celebrate the Resurrection, but we are not there yet. Rather everything has been stripped away from our senses such as the use of bells, the cloths upon the altar, votive candles, and above all else the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated on this day. Rather, we are forced to place attention upon the cross of our Blessed Lord from which our salvation has been won for us. The cross, like this day, should make us uncomfortable. This is so because the Cross challenges us to surrender all unto Christ. To surrender our sufferings, our sinfulness, and our joys unto Christ in order that we may be transformed in His midst.
The Cross demands transformation from us because it demands that we love as God loves us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son who would surrender Himself as a gift of love upon the cross. He who offers Himself upon the cross is not man alone, but rather the one who is fully divine and fully human. The cross is God's love made manifest for us.
On this day may we begin to conform ourself to the cross. May we be willing to accept the cross into our life. We live in the midst of the world that attempts to avoid the burden of the cross, but rather the uncomfortableness of the cross joins us to God and His manifest love which is outpoured for each of us. May we come forth to venerate the cross and thus be willing to embrace it by the way in which we order our life on this earth.
The Cross demands transformation from us because it demands that we love as God loves us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son who would surrender Himself as a gift of love upon the cross. He who offers Himself upon the cross is not man alone, but rather the one who is fully divine and fully human. The cross is God's love made manifest for us.
On this day may we begin to conform ourself to the cross. May we be willing to accept the cross into our life. We live in the midst of the world that attempts to avoid the burden of the cross, but rather the uncomfortableness of the cross joins us to God and His manifest love which is outpoured for each of us. May we come forth to venerate the cross and thus be willing to embrace it by the way in which we order our life on this earth.
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