St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for Monday after the Epiphany of the Lord

Today's Gospel begins with Jesus entering Galilee, encountering people in great need of hope and a renewal of spirit, and fulfilling the words of the prophet Isaiah of the people in darkness seeing a great light. Jesus' arrival is that light and the beginning of God's reign on earth. 

Jesus calls us to repent of our sins because God's kingdom is near. His healing acts are a tangible demonstration of God's love and power to restore wholeness to people's lives, a promise that will be fully realized in heaven.

As a community of faith and as individuals, we are called to reflect on our lives and consider how we can actively participate in bringing the light of the Gospel to our community, our parish, our workplaces, our schools, and our homes. 

By responding to Jesus' call to follow Him and actively sharing His message of hope and healing, we become instruments of God's Kingdom in the world, bringing light to the darkness around us.

Homily for the Epiphany of the Lord

On this Feast of the Epiphany, we place the figures of the Three Kings in our nativity scene. Following the star, the Magi journeyed from the East to Bethlehem to find the Infant Jesus and offer Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These expensive gifts carry deep symbolic meaning: gold honors Jesus' kingship, incense honors His divinity, and myrrh honors His humanity, which would experience death and burial.

As we reflect on this aspect of the nativity scene, we are reminded of every Christian's responsibility to be a herald of the Gospel. We are called to bring glad tidings to all we meet, witnessing to this through our acts of mercy and sharing the joy of knowing God's love.

The Three Kings illustrate that people may reach Christ through a long and winding path. These men of wealth and wisdom, seeking the infinite, embarked on a challenging journey to Bethlehem. They experienced incredible joy upon finding themselves in the presence of the Infant Jesus.

Unfazed by His humble surroundings, they knelt to worship the Newborn King. In doing so, they recognized that the God who guides the stars with infinite wisdom also guides the life of our world, casting down the mighty and uplifting the lowly. Upon returning home, they surely shared their extraordinary encounter with the Messiah, thus beginning the spread of the Gospel among all peoples and nations, a mission that we continue to this very day.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Ann Bayley was born in New York City on August 28, 1774, into a well-known and influential family, and she was raised as an Episcopalian. Tragically, her mother passed away when Elizabeth was just three years old.

In 1794, at 19, Elizabeth married William Magee Seton, a wealthy businessman. Together, they had five children. However, about nine years into their marriage, William died of tuberculosis in 1803 while they were living in Italy, leaving Elizabeth a young widow. During her time in Italy, she discovered Catholicism and, upon returning to the United States, entered the Catholic Church in 1805 in New York City.

The following years were quite challenging for Elizabeth. In 1809, she moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, the first community for religious women established in the United States. She also initiated St. Joseph’s Academy and Free School, laying the groundwork for Catholic education in the country.

Mother Seton, as she is commonly known, was canonized on Sunday, September 14, 1975, in St. Peter’s Square by Pope Paul VI. She was the first person born in what would eventually become the United States to be given the title of “Saint.” Her remains are entombed in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in the Basilica at the National Shrine that bears her name.

Let us pray that, like Mother Seton, our faith will guide and support us during difficult times and inspire us to work for the good of others.

Homily for Friday of the Weekdays of Christmas

A prominent aspect of John the Baptist's portrayal is his generosity of spirit. John was a charismatic figure who attracted many followers and had his own disciples. However, in today's gospel passage, we see John directing two of his followers away from himself and toward the One he identified as the Lamb of God. These two disciples eventually become followers of Jesus. By positively responding to John's invitation to seek the Lamb of God, they accept Jesus' invitation to "come and see."

John's attitude and actions exemplify the best of human nature, demonstrating love as an expression of God's love. When we love others in a way that mirrors God's love for them, we genuinely desire what is best for them, which often means letting them go to those who can help them grow as human beings and as children of God in ways that we may not be able to. Ultimately, it is the Lord who can help us fully develop as individuals and as children of God.

The greatest act of love we can show others is guiding them toward the Lord, just as John the Baptist guided his own disciples. There was only so much John could do in leading his disciples to Jesus; they had to respond personally to Jesus' call to "come and see." The same is true for us. At some point, each of us must make our own personal response to the Lord's individual call to come and see and then remain with Him.

Homily for the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen

The question posed to John the Baptist—“Who are you?”—is one of life’s fundamental questions. We often find it challenging to answer honestly and fully when asked, “Who are you?” While it is easy to respond at a surface level by stating our job titles, such as “I am an engineer” or “I am retired,” delving deeper and exploring our innermost selves is a more complex task. Our responses to this profound question tend to evolve as we progress through life. How we answer it at this moment may differ significantly from how we would have responded earlier or how we will respond in the future.

For people of faith, the answer to this question is closely tied to our relationship with Jesus, as that relationship profoundly impacts our core being. Saint Paul exemplifies this truth. If asked, “Who are you?” he might respond with the words from his letter to the Galatians: “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.” His identity had become intimately connected with the identity of Christ. When John the Baptist was asked, “Who are you?” in today’s Gospel passage, he identified himself as “the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the LORD.’” His identity was shaped by his relationship with Jesus. 

Our own baptismal calling is to continually grow closer to Christ so that our personal identity becomes increasingly formed by our relationship with Him.

Homily for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

We gather today to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to recognize her as the Mother of the eternal Son of God. She is indeed the Mother of God and our Blessed Mother.

Mary's life, though pure, took on a deeper meaning when she accepted the opportunity to bear Jesus. She responded to the angel Gabriel by saying, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word."

These words of Mary hold the key to the deeper meaning we all seek. Our lives will gain deeper significance only when we, like Mary, turn our lives over to God. Only by allowing Jesus to be born in our hearts and souls can we move toward our true purpose. Today, we echo Mary's words to God: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord."

For those who strive to grow in faith, it is clear that doing the will of God and opening our hearts and souls to His love and grace is the only path to true fulfillment in life. By allowing Jesus to be born within us, we can find this fulfillment.

Opening our hearts to God requires trust that He will accompany us as we seek to answer His call and fulfill His will. It was Mary’s trust in the goodness, love, and presence of God that enabled her to open her heart and soul to His requests. We aspire to that same trust in our own lives, and we ask Mary to teach us through her example and prayers on our behalf.

As we start a new year, we are reminded of fresh beginnings. Many people make resolutions to improve various aspects of their lives. Perhaps this year, we can commit to trusting in the Lord more, opening our hearts and souls, and living according to His will.

When we open ourselves up as Mary did, we may one day find ourselves praying as she prayed: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. For behold, from this day all generations will call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name. God has thrown down the rulers but lifted up the lowly; the hungry He has filled with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty."

Homily for Tuesday, December 31st - The 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new year, approximately 2,025 years since the birth of our Lord. There is something fresh and hopeful about starting anew. This time of year invites us to consider the possibilities of new beginnings. Even though we are in the midst of winter, we know that for the next six months, each new day will gradually become longer than the one before. With the lengthening of daylight comes the anticipation of new life.

The Prologue of John’s Gospel echoes this theme of new beginnings, portraying the dawn of a new light on Earth. Its opening words are “In the beginning.” It speaks of a light that shines in the darkness, a light that darkness cannot overpower, a true light that enlightens everyone.

This Gospel passage refers not to the light of the sun but to a different kind of light—the light of the Word who was with God in the beginning. Because this Word became flesh, His light is now available to us. We live and move within this extraordinary light. Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Many of us have experienced our own personal moments of darkness. A darkness of spirit, mind, or heart can engulf us; we may suddenly find ourselves in unexpected, challenging situations. It is in these circumstances that today’s Gospel message speaks powerfully: “A light shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower.” Our faith assures us that there is no darkness in our world that the light of Christ cannot penetrate.

Homily for Monday, December 30th - The 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas

In the opening two chapters of the Gospel of Luke, we encounter several faithful individuals, including the elderly widow Anna. Alongside Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Simeon, Anna stands out due to her age—eighty-four years old—and her dedication to the Temple, where she remained day and night, devoted to prayer and fasting.

Typically, when we consider serving God, we think of active roles such as visiting the sick or elderly, providing food, or addressing various needs in the community. However, Anna served God differently: by staying in the Temple and engaging in constant prayer and fasting. Her life of devotion served as a powerful testament to God's work in the world.

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, Anna praised God and spoke about the Child to everyone who awaited salvation. Through her prayer, fasting, and sharing of Jesus' story, Anna became a significant witness to God's ongoing activity in our lives.

Anna's example reminds us that there are many ways to serve God, with prayer being one of the most crucial. In prayer, we surrender ourselves to God, and through this service, we can become empowered—just as Anna was—to share God's presence with those still yearning for His arrival.

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

The transition from a childhood faith to an adult faith can be smooth for some, while it can be painfully difficult for others. This difficulty arises because our childhood faith must die before our adult faith can emerge.

In his book The Restless Believers, John Kirvan poignantly describes how the death of childhood faith can impact a young person. He quotes a high school student who states, "I don't know what's gone wrong, but I just don't believe like I used to. When I was in grade school and for the first couple of years of high school, I was very religious, and now I just don't seem to care."

The passing of childhood faith can leave young people feeling heartbroken and even guilty. This is unfortunate because they are simply navigating an essential stage in their faith development, transitioning from a childhood faith to an adult faith.

Adult Christians must remember that the journey toward adult faith is ongoing; it lasts a lifetime. This is why even adults sometimes experience darkness and struggle in their faith.

Today's Gospel reading reflects this theme. It describes Jesus' transition from religious childhood to religious adulthood, suggesting that this change was challenging for Jesus and His parents. The challenge arose not from any wrongdoing on their part but because they were all profoundly human.

Just as other people experience the loss of childhood and the emergence of adulthood, so did Jesus. Scripture tells us that Jesus was like us in all respects except for sin. Likewise, Mary and Joseph had to adapt to the loss of the child Jesus and the arrival of the adult Jesus, much like parents today cope when their children receive a driver's license, head off to college or the military, or get married. This aspect of family life is something we all experience, just like the Holy Family did.

The final paragraph of today's Gospel passage provides valuable insight. It conveys an important lesson as we celebrate this feast of the Holy Family. It states that Jesus returned to Nazareth with His parents and was obedient to them, while Mary cherished all that happened in the Temple in her heart.

In essence, both Jesus and His parents navigated the transition from childhood to adulthood with harmony and understanding. For Jesus, this meant showing obedience despite his desire for independence. For Mary and Joseph, it required patience and seeking guidance during this critical phase of their son's life. This is the lesson, message, and grace we pray for in today's liturgy as we honor the Holy Family and our own families.

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Innocents

King Herod was so obsessed with maintaining his power and eliminating any perceived threats to it that he was willing to harm even innocent children. Throughout history, many rulers have been willing to sacrifice countless lives to stay in control, and this behavior continues today.

Herod's approach to kingship starkly contrasts the kingship that Jesus proclaimed: the kingship of God. Jesus' kingship is characterized not by oppression but by humble service to others.

The infant Jesus, who escaped Herod's cruelty, grew into an adult who taught His disciples, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant."

While we may not act like Herod, we must not be complacent in how we treat others. Human nature tends to seek dominance over others. The first reading today states, " If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." We need to be vigilant about how we may fail to embrace the path of humble, self-emptying service to others, which is the way of Jesus.