St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for August 29, 2019

Homily for the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist - August 29, 2019

Many churches throughout the world have paintings and mosaics of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. Within a few short years of their meeting in the waters of the Jordan, both of them would be dead, victims of execution. First, John the Baptist would be beheaded in a spiteful act of revenge by the wife of Herod, who requested his head on a platter, and so, Herod ordered the execution. Jesus was crucified by order of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in Judea. Jesus foresaw his own destiny in the death of John the Baptist. John died for declaring that Herod had broken God’s Law by marrying his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias. John is a beacon of light against the darkness of the others in the story: King Herod, his wife, Herodias, and her daughter. By their combined actions, they killed one whom the king admitted was a righteous and holy man, just as Jesus, the ultimate righteous and holy man, would be killed by another alliance of darkness.

The light of faith shines in darkness of death and destruction. The light of the Lord’s presence shines in our own experience of the darkness difficult experiences of life. Jesus called John the Baptist a “burning and shining lamp.” John’s life is a model for us to let the light of our faith shine forth in the darkness, to live the Gospel in a world that often contradicts it, even when it puts us in conflict with those around us. Our vocation as Christians is to let the light we have received to shine brightly in every situation.

In his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), our Holy Father, Pope Francis wrote that “there is an urgent need to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim. A light this powerful cannot come from ourselves but from a more primordial source: in a word, it must come from God.” +

Homily for August 28, 2019

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop & Doctor of the Church - August 28, 2019

Jesus seems to be on a roll in His righteous anger toward the Pharisees. We continue yesterday’s scene where He chastised them for their focus on details of the law (again, as they interpreted it), all while ignoring the core values of the Torah.

In today’s, passage, Jesus points to the importance of our inner reality over the image we portray to others. What matters most, He tells us, is who and what we are in the deepest recesses of our being.

Jesus was swollen, bruised and bleeding as He hung dying on the Cross – a gruesome image – but it was at that moment when His love for us was most intensely and powerfully visible.

The widow who put two small coins into the Temple treasury seemed insignificant with her tiny contribution. However, Jesus recognized her generosity of heart; He saw that she was prepared, like Him, to give everything she had.

Indeed, appearances can be very deceiving. The scribes and Pharisees had far less substance than outer image. In the widow in the Temple and in the crucified Jesus, there was far, far, more than met the eye. Jesus tells us to be not so much concerned with how we appear to others as with the quality of love in our heart.

So, let us pray, today and always, that God’s Holy Spirit will kindle in our hearts the fire of His love; that we may be recreated to become the people He created each of us to be in the first place. +

Homily for August 27, 2019

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Monica – August 27, 2019

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus blasts the Pharisees in a moment of righteous anger. The Pharisees were always focusing on the fine details of the God law (as they interpreted it) all while ignoring the spirit of God’s law. In particular, He goes after them for their merciless insistence on details such as the exact tithing of herbs, all while ignoring essential values of the Torah: justice, mercy and faith. Jesus insisted that people value and practice what really matters to God.

Indeed, it is essential for us as Christians, that we keep returning to the fundamentals, to the true spirit of the Gospel, so that we will know and do what God really wants of us.

In the Book of the Prophet Micah we hear the words, “You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” These were the ideals Jesus exemplified in His life and in His death. To live by them is to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ," which is our essential vocation as Christians. +

 

Homily for August 26, 2019

Homily for Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time - August 26, 2019

As we just heard, our first reading today came to us from St. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. It is, in fact, the oldest Christian document in existence. It was written by St. Paul sometime around the year 50 AD, almost twenty years after the time of Jesus, and about twenty years before the first Gospel – that of St. Mark. St. Paul’s letter begins on a note of joy and thanksgiving; St. Paul gives thanks to God for the Church of Thessalonica, for their love and faith and for their steadfastness of hope in Jesus.

The main theme throughout this letter is that of thanksgiving, because this is the basic attitude of people who trust in God, regardless of their circumstances in life.

Towards the end of the letter, St. Paul says to the people, “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

Regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves at any given time, we always have reason to be thankful because of how God has blessed us in Christ Jesus. God has given us so much and we all have reasons to be grateful and, hopefully, we will find ourselves always able express our thanks to God, even in times of difficulty. +

 

Homily for August 25, 2019

Homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 25, 2019

There is a Peanuts cartoon that shows   Charlie Brown getting up one morning and looking out the window. It’s a beautiful winter day: Snow is covering the ground and it’s very cold but it’s perfect for skiing. So, Charlie bundles up in several layers of clothing. He then puts on his big gloves and his skis. When he moves toward the door, he finds that he’s too bundled up to get through the door. But, instead of removing the items that are preventing him from getting out the door, he stands there and screams at the top of his lungs.

The image of Charlie Brown standing in front of the door too bundled up to pass through it, is a good image for us to remember as we meet the challenge that Jesus gives us today. There are many things that might make it very difficult for us to pass through that narrow gate to the kingdom of heaven. They may be spiritual things or material things but, whatever they are, they are things that keep our hearts and our focus from the loving and merciful presence of God in our midst.

Perhaps too, the thing that might keep us from the kingdom of heaven is the expectations of others. A good story to illustrate this point involves Joe Rosenthal, the photographer who took the famous photo in World War II of the United States Marines raising the American Flag on the island of Iwo Jima.

Joe was a Jewish man who became convinced that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah. He decided to convert to Catholicism. His family and friends thought this was a terrible mistake but Joe’s faith in Jesus burned in his heart. He knew that his decision was right, and he knew that he had to go against the wishes of those who loved him most.  This was a very difficult and painful task.

After World War II, in an interview, Joe talked about his work as a photographer and he also talked about his faith in Jesus and how it helped him during the difficult years on the battlefields. Referring to his conversion to Catholicism, Joe said that he realized that “sometimes the thing that keeps us from entering the door to God’s kingdom is not just material possessions and concerns, but also [concerns about] what others may say about us or think of us.”

Indeed, it’s very important to most of us that others think well of us. Jesus warns us that we need to stand by the truth; we need to speak out and live out the Gospel, regardless of sacrifice, suffering, or even rejection at the hands of those we love most, if we are to walk through that narrow gate. This is what He was referring to in our Gospel last week when he spoke about family members turning against one another because of His message. He is saying that as important as our relationships are, Gospel living and the kingdom of God are infinitely more important.

As we bring today’s Scripture to prayer this week, may we be mindful of those bundles, those burdens, that keep us from being all that God has called us to be. May we ask God for the true freedom we need to be children of God who walk freely toward God’s kingdom of love. +

Homily for August 22, 2019

Homily for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

By the Middle Ages, the Blessed Virgin Mary was venerated as Queen of the angels and the saints. In 1955, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast was given the date of August 22^nd to emphasize its connection with the Solemnity of the Assumption, one week earlier.

There are many “vocational stories” throughout the Scriptures. Today we read about the call, the vocation, of Mary, who showed a wide range of responses to her encounter with the angel. First, she was “deeply troubled” at being called “full of grace.” Then she was confused that she would conceive and bear a son. Then, only after reflection, she submitted to what God was asking of her, saying, “May it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary’s question, “How can this be?” shows that she struggled before reaching her famous response. There is always some struggle in reaching our own understanding of what God wants from us. Mary’s response of total surrender to God’s purpose for her life did not come easy to her and does not come easy to us. However, in our struggle to live in harmony with God’s will for us, we have the promise of Gabriel’s words to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible for God.” What seems impossible to us is always possible with God’s help. In the words of St. Paul: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me has not been ineffective.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Homily for August 21, 2019

Homily for the Memorial of St. Pius X, Pope - August 21, 2019

For many people, today’s parable about the workers in the vineyard is a tough one to swallow.  There just doesn't seem to be any fairness to it and yet, this parable isn’t about fairness; it’s about generosity and mercy.

The vineyard owner is, of course, representative of God and we are fortunate that God is like that: generous and compassionate in His love for us.  After all, even if we work hard to follow God’s will in our lives, we know that we often fail and it is then that we really don’t want God to judge us with fairness, but with mercy instead.

God's kingdom is His free gift to us.  All we can do is love God and our neighbor and trust that He will give us all the graces that we will ever need toward our salvation. Each of us is loved deeply by God, but none of us is able to do anything to have either earned it or demanded it. +

Homily for August 20, 2019

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot & Doctor of the Church

There are certain sayings from the Gospels that seem to have a unique inspirational power about them. For example, it greatly reassuring for us to know that “for God all things are possible.” A similar response is made in answer to Mary’s question to the angel, “How can this be?” The angel Gabriel answered, “Nothing will be impossible for God.”

The context in today’s Gospel passage is at the moment that the rich young man, who was looking for the path to eternal life, went away sad because Jesus’ response suggested a sacrifice greater than the young man believed he could make. So, how can a rich person find the way to eternal life (presuming that for some rich people, sacrifice is not a doable option)? It is possible, Jesus says, but only with a special grace from God.

All of us, at different points in our lives face what seem to be impossible odds. We become anxious wondering how we will get through some health crisis, a family loss, a marriage breakdown, or a severe bout of depression. In such circumstances, it is good to know that, for God, all things are possible. St. Paul believed this, and he expressed it in his unique way. To the Church in Philippi he wrote, “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” How comforting it would be to share in that deep conviction! +

 

Homily for August 19, 2019

Homily for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time - August 19, 2019

There is something likable about the young man’s pressing question to Jesus in our Gospel passage today, that of a person who seeks ideals by which to live. This young man was sincere about finding spiritual meaning and purpose. It was a vital question, “What good must I do to gain eternal life?” In reply, Jesus recited several commandments, commandments about how to be just and kind to others. The way to eternal life is to be life-giving and law-abiding.

The young man was not satisfied with this answer because he was already doing all of this, and he sensed that there was more that he could be giving of himself. When Jesus revealed what this “more” might be, it seemed to be too much for him; He invited the rich young man to sell his property and give his money to the poor. It was too big a sacrifice, so the young man wilted and went away “grieving”, perhaps wondering what might have been.here is something likable about the young man’s pressing question to Jesus in our Gospel passage today, that of a person who seeks ideals by which to live. This young man was sincere about finding spiritual meaning and purpose. It was a vital question, “What good must I do to gain eternal life?” In reply, Jesus recited several commandments, commandments about how to be just and kind to others. The way to eternal life is to be life-giving and law-abiding.

Such a challenging, austere lifestyle is not for everyone. Yet, for each of us, the path to life, the path God wants us to follow, will always include some level self-denial and an unselfish relationship with others. By His teaching and example, Jesus shows us all what we must do to gain eternal life. +

Homily for August 18, 2019

Homily for the 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 18, 2019

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a professor of theology at the University of Berlin in Germany in 1930’s. At this time, German Christians were divided over Hitler. One group allied themselves with Hitler; they wanted a “pure” German nation. They formed an official German church, which supported Hitler and banned Jews from holding official positions in the church.

Bonhoeffer was among those who could not go along with Hitler’s anti-Jewish and radical vision. With others, he set up an underground church, which explicitly refused to ally itself to Hitler’s Third Reich vision. It was dangerous.

Eventually, he fled to London. Two years later he was faced with a choice: He was offered one of the most prestigious theology appointments in the world – lecturing at Union Seminary in New York - or returning to Germany to head up an illegal, underground seminary for the churches who refused to go along with Hitler.

He chose New York but, shortly after he arrived, he regretted his decision. He decided his faith was meaningless if he took the easy option. So, he headed back to Germany and found Hitler so evil that he abandoned his commitment to non-violence and got involved in a group that was related to multiple plots to assassinate Hitler. The plots failed and, in 1943, Bonhoeffer was arrested.

In prison he led worship services for his fellow prisoners, until April 9, 1945, when he was executed by the Nazis.

Throughout his final years, what distressed Bonhoeffer most was the way so many Christians could sell out to Hitler’s evil vision. He wondered, how people who claimed the name of Christian so betray Christ. How could they pray in a church that banned Jews from holding office?

It convinced Bonhoeffer that religiosity, in and of itself, was worthless. It didn’t matter how fervently a person believed in Jesus, how many times each day they prayed, how earnestly and sincerely they sang hymns on Sundays. In the end, the measure of spirituality is not how we are in the church but how we are in the whole of life. In the end the measure of spirituality is to live in the world as a man or woman who is for others.

The true disciple is the one who mirrors the vision of Christ in today’s Gospel reading. The true disciple, in the best sense of the term, is one who stands apart from the whims and demands of society and stands by the truth of the Gospel. To live by the Gospel has always been a contradiction to society and that’s why it has always been very demanding. The person with great integrity of faith is the one who can stand by that Gospel regardless of what society says and regardless of outside pressures.

The Gospel has never been easy to follow. It has always been difficult, and God knows this. But this is the life that we are called to live. It is the Gospel to which we are called to give witness, by our words and actions. It is the Gospel that leads us to everlasting life.

As we pray to God this day, let us pray for the courage and the stamina it takes to truly lead a Gospel life, that by our lives, we may lead others to the message and the kingdom and the glory of God. +