St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today's Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus commemorates God's choice to come among us as a human being, experiencing all aspects of life except sin. Jesus had a human heart that felt the same emotions and struggles that we do. He experienced pity, distress, and pain, ultimately succumbing to death on the Cross.

The significance of this lies in that when God chose to manifest as a human, He did not take the easy path. Jesus endured the same trials and tribulations that we face, demonstrating profound empathy. By doing so, God reveals His deep understanding of our human condition, drawing us closer to Him.

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us to reflect on how we perceive Jesus in our prayers. Do we see Him as a distant, abstract figure, or do we envision the man who lived among us and shared in our experiences?

As we pray to Jesus, let us recognize Him as one who deeply loves us and desires closeness, as someone we can truly relate to. Doing this allows our hearts to unite with Jesus' Most Sacred Heart.

Homily for Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

We have been reading the Sermon on the Mount during Mass for several weeks and reached the final section today. In this crucial sermon, Jesus outlines three essential activities for his followers: speaking, listening, and doing. When we gather for public prayer, we speak by calling on Jesus as Lord. In public worship and private prayer, we hear the Word of God and allow it to fill our hearts. Speaking and listening play a significant role in the life of a disciple. However, Jesus emphasizes that the value of these practices diminishes unless they lead to good actions.

It is not enough to simply call on the Lord; we must strive to do God's will. Merely listening to Jesus' words is insufficient; we must act on them. Our actions should reflect our words and what we hear. When our prayers and listening to God's Word result in good deeds that mirror Jesus' life, our lives become firm and solid, like a house built on rock. Today's Gospel reassures us that if our words to God and God's words to us positively influence our attitudes and behavior, we can better withstand life's storms.

Homily for Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

A good tree is recognized by its fruit, which is produced year after year. Jesus' followers are deeply rooted in Him, enabling them to live productive and meaningful lives. We must remain vigilant to avoid compromising our faith and beliefs, especially when faced with daily temptations. This analogy suggests that a tree typically does not die suddenly but decays gradually from within.

Our commitment to God must be continually reaffirmed. However, certain significant moments in life serve as essential turning points when it is crucial to declare our stance. One notable turning point occurred when the Law of Moses was rediscovered after being neglected in a hidden corner of the Temple for a long time. The king had the book read to various groups of people, and he solemnly rededicated the covenant before all those present.

If we have strayed from the path set by the Lord or if our initial hopes and ideals have begun to wither, we need to turn to prayer, meditate on the Scriptures, and be open to revitalizing our commitment to the Lord. When a good tree is only partially decayed, it does not need to be cut down; instead, it can be pruned and brought back to health, allowing it to once again bear good fruit. This is a powerful testament to the hope and renewal that God can bring into our lives. He will reaffirm our faith and revive our bond with Him in His infinite wisdom and love if we simply open our minds, hearts, and souls to the movement of His Spirit.

Homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Names play an essential role in our lives. They provide us with identity and signify who we are. The name given to us by our parents may carry a special meaning. It might be a traditional name within our family, be inspired by a family member or a close friend, or have a particular significance that our parents appreciate. Regardless of the reason, when a child is born, parents often feel a sense of joy and anticipation when announcing the child's name.

Elizabeth's joy at the birth of John the Baptist was not only that of a new mother; it transcended the ordinary. This joy stemmed from her lifetime of barrenness and the advanced age of both Elizabeth and Zechariah. John's birth was a miracle, showcasing the power of faith and God's divine plan.

As was customary, John was circumcised on the eighth day and named. People gathered eagerly to hear the chosen name; they assumed he would be named Zechariah after his father, which would have brought great joy to the family. However, Elizabeth declared that his name would be John. This announcement caused confusion, as no one in their family bore the name John. When they asked Zechariah, he confirmed by writing on a tablet, "John is his name." This response only added to the confusion, yet Elizabeth and Zechariah understood that they could not have chosen any other name; God had chosen the name John.

When John's name was proclaimed, Zechariah's tongue was freed, allowing him to speak. He immediately blessed and praised God for the gift of his son and for the restoration of his speech. By giving John the name that God designated, they acknowledged its significance. The name freed Zechariah's tongue and foretold the coming of the Messiah.

Let us pray... Lord, help us recognize the power of our own names. Guide us in prayer and inspire us to share the Good News of the Messiah, Jesus, in all we do, as did St. John the Baptist. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Homily for Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus presents a humorous image of someone with a wooden beam in their eye struggling to remove a splinter from someone else's eye. This illustrates a common tendency to be more aware of the faults and shortcomings of others than our own. However, acknowledging our own faults keeps us humble.

When we understand and accept ourselves, including our imperfections, it helps us empathize with the faults and failings of others. Recognizing our limits and weaknesses allows us to work on them. Essentially, Jesus is telling us that we should prioritize addressing our own faults over focusing on the faults of others.

He recognized that correcting our own shortcomings is often more challenging than correcting those of others. He challenges us to examine ourselves first before judging others. Importantly, when we do this self-reflection, we should first turn our gaze to the Lord. We look to Him before we examine ourselves, just as we evaluate ourselves before we assess others. Understanding God's love for us frees us to examine ourselves without fear, and the presence of His love in our hearts empowers us to grow closer to Him.

Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

The origin of today's Solemnity, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi, can be traced back to a priest who struggled with his belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. His faith was waning, but one day, as he consecrated the host, it began to bleed. This miraculous event rekindled both his faith and that of his congregation. In honor of this event, that community began celebrating Corpus Christi, a tradition that has since spread throughout the Church.

Initially, the focus of the celebration was on the miracle that occurred with the host. However, over time, particularly since the Second Vatican Council, our celebration has shifted to emphasize the spiritual nourishment we receive in communion with the whole Church when we eat the Body of Christ and drink His Blood.

God has united us in a relationship that transcends anything we could create on our own. This relationship is marked by something greater than humanity. We encounter God by turning our attention inward into our own lives and those of others, especially during our communal worship. As St. Augustine points out, this is where God has chosen to be present with us. This means that how we treat one another reflects how we treat Christ. Jesus said that whatever we do for one another, we do for Him.

At the heart of our faith in Christ is our commitment to morality and an ethic of love for one another. As Christians, we are called to a particular understanding and practice of love. Jesus set a simple standard: we are to love one another as God has loved us. While we may call others to account for their actions, our attitude toward them should not be based on what we think they deserve or what feels right at the moment. Instead, our attitude must mirror God's own.

In Christ's words, we are called to love our enemies if we are to be His people, His Body. Is this a radical calling? Yes, but it is one that Jesus embodied throughout His life.

Every week, every day, the Church commemorates the mystery of our profound connection with God. We do not merely acknowledge this mystery; we actively participate in it and bring it to life. Our worship and participation in the Eucharist serve as the means through which God unites with us. God could have chosen many ways to establish intimacy with His people, but He selected the very human acts of eating and drinking. This level of intimacy transcends comprehension and imagination; it requires faith.

Thus, the Eucharist is integral to our identity as the community of the Church. We not only partake in the Body and Blood of Christ, but every time we gather in God's name and strive to bring about the justice spoken of in the Gospel, we embody the Body of Christ on earth.

St. Paul tells the Corinthians, "Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it." In her prayer, St. Theresa reminds us, "Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet but yours."

As we celebrate the Eucharist today and every day, and as we partake together in the One Bread and the One Cup, let us be mindful that we, the Church, are the Body of Christ on earth. We are called to be the hands and feet, the instruments of God's love to all people. Through our actions of love, care, and concern, may everyone witness the love and compassion of God that acts in and through each one of us.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

Today's Gospel reading emphasizes the two greatest commandments that Jesus teaches: love of God and love of neighbor. No matter how often we hear these words, we are reminded of their significant demands on us.

Loving our neighbor as ourselves sounds lovely until we look closely at some of those neighbors or co-workers. We all know that some individuals can easily get under our skin. Some people can be rude, selfish, and even unbearable. Yet, we are still called to love them. We are called to follow the example of Jesus, who, while hanging on the Cross and looking at the very people who nailed him there, said, "Father, forgive them..."

It may seem impossible to show love to those we encounter in challenging circumstances. Still, precisely during these moments—when we strive to do God's will—we often experience God's love most profoundly. This love does not originate from either person but from God, residing deep within us. It is a love we can access when we act according to God's teachings; it is a love capable of transforming even the most difficult circumstances.

Homily for Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus teaches the difference between earthly and heavenly treasures, highlighting the need to put spiritual wealth ahead of material possessions. He exhorts His followers to store up spiritual treasures in heaven, where they are lasting and secure, rather than earthly treasures, which are temporary and often devoid of real meaning. 

Our hearts are directed by what we value most in life. If our treasure is on earth, earthly concerns will consume our hearts. If our treasure is in heaven, our hearts will be guided toward God's will and His kingdom. 

We must periodically reflect on what we truly value in life and recognize in what our hearts are truly invested. We must constantly work on building up our relationship with God, putting Him first and spiritual and heavenly pursuits above earthly ones. We do this through prayer, worship, and acts of generosity and kindness toward those in need.

Homily for Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time

We just heard the narrative of Jesus introducing the Lord's Prayer, which is found in two of the Gospels: Matthew and Luke. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus warns us not to use many words or engage in meaningless repetition like the pagans, who believed they could influence the gods to favor them.

Jesus tells us that such empty chatter cannot sway our heavenly Father. Instead, He teaches us to surrender to God's will. 

Let us reflect on the true essence of prayer. Jesus encourages us to focus our prayers on glorifying God, supporting the coming of His kingdom, and fulfilling His will rather than merely expressing our desires. By doing this, we acknowledge our dependence on God for our fundamental needs, guidance in this world, and the journey toward the world to come.

Homily for Wednesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus advises us not to flaunt our good deeds to seek attention from others. However, earlier in the sermon, he seems to suggest the opposite when he states, "Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." Although there appears to be a contrast between these two ideas, both hold significant value. We should not conceal our faith or pretend to be agnostic and noncommittal. Instead, we should demonstrate our love for the Lord through our lives and choices. We must act and speak with humility, always remembering that everything we do, no matter how small, should be for the glory of God. This is our inspiration and motivation.