St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the Feast of Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist

It is fitting that we observe the Feast of St. John the Evangelist and Apostle shortly after we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord. The opening lines of his Gospel succinctly communicate what we celebrate at Christmas: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."

This Gospel is the last of the four to be written. It is based on the eyewitness testimony of a particular disciple, often referred to as "the one whom Jesus loved." This description may lead some to believe that Jesus loved this disciple more than the others. However, other texts indicate that Jesus loved all of His disciples equally. He said to them and us, "As the Father loves me, so I also love you."

According to John's Gospel, this apostle stands apart from the others because he accepted and responded to Jesus's love more fully. He was the only male disciple present at the foot of the Cross, remaining faithful to Jesus while others proved unfaithful. His unwavering love allowed him to reach the empty tomb faster than Peter. Furthermore, his steadfast love gave him the insight to recognize the true meaning of the empty tomb before anyone else: "He saw and believed." 

He is the disciple who inspires us to love Jesus wholeheartedly, just as He has given Himself to us.

Homily for the Feast of St. Stephen

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Stephen. He was the first martyr of the Church, put to death by a mob in 36 A.D., with the approval of Saul of Tarsus (the future Apostle Paul). He is the patron saint of deacons, as he was among the first group of seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to care for the poor.

During the season of Advent, which we just concluded, we directed our thoughts to the less fortunate, especially people experiencing poverty. We shopped for people who would not receive as many presents as our families. We donated food to people in need, and some of us even volunteered part of our Christmas Day to feed people experiencing poverty in “soup kitchens.” But Christmas Day has come and gone, and it could be easy for us to forget our Advent almsgiving and focus on our future for ourselves.

In his work, Pilgrim’s Almanac, Fr. Ed Hayes suggests using today’s feast to share some of our Christmas gifts with those less fortunate than ourselves. The feast of St. Stephen, known as “Boxing Day” in England and Canada, was once a day when people would box up some of their Christmas presents for the poor. However, the re-boxed gifts are more likely those we didn’t like or couldn’t use and are returned to the store.

Most of us really have no need for all the gifts we receive. So, if you plan to return a sweater, why not share it with someone who is in genuine need of one? It could be a learning opportunity for our youth to share something with other kids who don’t have so much.

A few years ago, just a few days before Christmas, there was a horrible fire in the town of Monson; the family lost everything. Before Christmas, a friend’s granddaughter and her boyfriend gave up some of their gifts so the family victimized by the fire would receive something on Christmas morning. And let’s admit it: the spirit of that gesture was the greater gift. May we freely share that gift of generosity in many ways throughout the year ahead.

Homily for the Nativity of the Lord

Who among us here has not walked through the darkness? 

We have experienced the darkness of ominous world events. 

We have faced the darkness of our own pettiness. 

We have known the darkness of grasping when we should have held tenderly. 

We have felt the darkness of broken promises—our own and others. 

We have encountered the darkness of unfulfilled ambitions from our youth. 

We have confronted the darkness of disappointment. 

We have struggled with the darkness of chronic sickness. 

We have grieved the darkness of loss. 

We have dealt with the darkness of impatience with others, even those we love—perhaps especially those we love. 

We have experienced the darkness of coveting what others have. 

We have faced the darkness of giving up on ourselves and quitting too soon. 

We have known the darkness of feeling empty in a society of consumption. 

We have lived in the darkness of being comfortable with the status quo, even when it means that children go to bed hungry, working families lack health care benefits, and people around the world are oppressed. 

We have wrestled with the darkness of sin and recognized our own limits. 

But there is a star rising in the East. Today, the light of Christ shines anew. The light of Christ enlightens our lives, our homes, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods. It shines in the empathy we show one another, in our moments of generosity, in our acts of courage, in our exercise of virtue, and in our wild abandon for the love of God. The light of Christ is reflected in the eyes of those we love and in the hearts of those who love us. This light shines forth from you and me and from all of us who gather here to become the body of Christ. 

We live in a mixture of light and shadows. Today, we witness the truth that the light has come into the world, and the darkness cannot overcome it. All the darkness in the world can never extinguish even the most minor light. And the light of Christ is no small light. May we, in our joy and anticipation and in our Christmas hope, dedicate ourselves this year to seeking the light. Let us follow the light daily through the practice of our faith, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us to everyone we meet. 

We gather today with our hearts full of hope and our faces aglow in starlight to celebrate Jesus, the Christ, the light of the world. God has seen us even as we have walked in darkness and deemed us worthy of this incredible outpouring of love: Jesus, God’s Son, becomes human for our sake on this holy night.

“A people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Let us follow that light wherever it leads us: to our best and brightest selves in love with God.

Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent

Zechariah’s canticle is rooted in the belief that God’s promises are fulfilled. When Zechariah expressed doubts about his faith, he was rendered mute until the day the promised event occurred. Eight days after the birth of John, Zechariah and Elizabeth, following the ritual commanded to Abraham, took him for circumcision. When it came time to name the child, Elizabeth insisted he be named John, as God had commanded. Those present turned to Zechariah, who confirmed the name, and immediately, he regained his speech and began praising God, who always fulfills His promises.

This Christmas Eve, Zechariah’s canticle can resonate with us as we pray for a deeper personal awareness of God in our lives. We see the light on the horizon and wait in hope for it to become the full, dazzling light of God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ. 

We live in a space between what has passed and what is yet to come. A light has dawned, but it has yet to fully illuminate the darkness within and around us. As disciples of Jesus, we acknowledge that the divine light has entered our world, yet we still await its full radiance. We may even doubt that such a glorious future is possible. However, like Zechariah, we can look up at the dawn and catch a glimpse of the first twinkling light that represents the glory God has in store for His people.

Homily for Monday of the 4th Week of Advent

Naming a child can often lead to family disagreements, as everyone has their own preferences. Ultimately, however, the parents have the final say in the decision.

In the case of Zechariah and Elizabeth, their relatives and neighbors expected them to name their son "Zechariah" after his father, in keeping with traditional customs. Nevertheless, Zechariah and Elizabeth believed that God had a different name in mind for their child.

Conventional practices were set aside during this time because God was starting something new. This child was destined to be unlike any other, and people were curious about what he would become.

John the Baptist would play a significant role in preparing people for the coming of someone greater than himself—someone known as Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." God was working in a new way, establishing a new covenant with humanity. This extraordinary gift is what we celebrate during Christmas, and it should always inspire us with joy and gratitude.

Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent

In his work, The Great House of God, Max Lucado writes:

“You stalk the malls, walking the aisles and searching for that extra-special gift. Stashing away a few extra dollars a month to buy him that leather jacket, staring at a thousand rings to find her the best diamond, staying up all night on Christmas Eve, assembling the new bicycle.

“Why do you do it?

“So the eyes will pop, the jaw will drop. To hear those words of disbelief: ‘You did this for me?!’

“And that is why God did it. The next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow or flower leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, ‘Do you like it? I did it just for you.’"

The miracle of Christmas is that God could love us enough to become one of us, that God could humble himself to take on our humanity and transform the human condition in his holiness.

As St. Augustine preached, "God loved us so much that he who made time entered time for our sake; he who is an eternity older than the world became younger in the world than many of his servants; he who made humanity became human. He became a creature through a mother he had created; he was carried in arms he made. From his crib arose in his infant cries the Word of God, without whom all human eloquence falls mute."

As we do for others this holiday season, may we be mindful that our love mirrors the love of God. May our words, actions, and attitudes mirror those of our God as we reach out to others this Christmas. May the good we do bear fruit in this life and the next, and may our actions live beyond this season of giving.

Homily for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent

In today's Gospel reading, we witness a beautiful moment of grace between two relatives, Mary and Elizabeth. This passage highlights the deep love that prompted Mary to travel to Elizabeth's side during her time of need. We also see the compassion that Elizabeth offered Mary through her hospitality, comfort, and joy during this challenging period.

Mary and Elizabeth serve as shining examples of what family should be. As husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, we are gifted with one another to create a safe and welcoming environment known as family. For some, family may be discovered outside of blood relationships. Nevertheless, it is through all these connections that we experience God's love and saving grace.

Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent

While we are less than a week away from celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Gospel passage takes us back nine months to the Annunciation of His Virgin Mother, when she learns from the angel God's plan for her in His larger plan. We are reminded of Mary's initial confusion and fear and the angel's gentle admonition, "Do not be afraid."

In today's world, we may be afraid of much. Yet, the angel's gentle words to Mary are said to us" "Do not be afraid." If we, like Mary, follow the will of God in our lives, then, ultimately, we need not fear anything, for we will always be in the presence of the Lord.

During these final days of Advent, may Mary be our model of trust in the Lord as we seek to follow His will and fulfill our part in His divine plan.

Homily for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent

Zechariah received wonderful news from the angel Gabriel: his wife, Elizabeth, who had been unable to have children, would soon give birth to a special son. This son would be called to prepare the people for the Lord. However, Zechariah found it difficult to believe this incredible news.

Sometimes, we, too, struggle to believe good news because we are surrounded by negativity. We may find it challenging to accept the Good News that comes from God, or we may believe it in general but not feel that it applies to us personally.

During this time of year, we celebrate the Good News that God has become Emmanuel, God-is-with-us, through the birth of Jesus, Mary's son. This is Good News for all of us, both as a community and as individuals. Christ is with us in every aspect of our lives, surrounding us with His love and guidance. Let us embrace this Good News with joy during this special season.

Homily for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent

The Gospel of Matthew differs from the other Gospels in that it doesn't tell us about the Annunciation to Mary. However, it does contain an account of an angel's message to Joseph.

In Luke's Gospel, the angel tells Mary, "Do not be afraid." In Matthew's Gospel, the angel tells Joseph the same thing: "Do not be afraid."

God was doing something unprecedented and significant in the lives of Mary and Joseph, something crucial for humanity's redemption. The conception of Jesus was a miraculous demonstration of God's grace that understandably stirred doubts in the hearts of Mary and Joseph, who were the most affected. Both of them needed assurance to confront the challenge ahead of them.

In times of change, transition, and challenge, we all require the same reassurance: "Do not be afraid." May we have faith in God's presence, in Emmanuel - God is with us - just as Mary and Joseph did, and in doing so, may we become willing participants in God's plan for us.