St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel reading presents an unsettling story about two people possessed by demons. They were entirely out of control and prevented others from entering their area. Living among the tombs, they seemed more dead than alive, embodying the essence of outsiders. However, Jesus engaged with them, and as a result, they were healed, restoring their relationship with their community. Having just calmed a storm at sea, Jesus also calmed the turmoil in the minds and spirits of these two possessed people.

Although we may never experience the same level of turmoil as the two individuals in the story, we all find ourselves feeling out of sorts from time to time—disconnected from ourselves and others, feeling only half alive, and tossed about by our circumstances. In those moments, we need to come before the Lord, just as the people in the Gospel did.

Initially, their approach to the Lord was aggressive and angry, asking, "What have you to do with us, Son of God?" When we are distressed, our first reaction in prayer can mirror this aggressive approach. However, Jesus is never put off by our inner turmoil. If we allow Him, He will pour His peace into our hearts and calm us, just as He calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee.

Homily for Tuesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel reading, we learn about a sudden and unexpected storm on the Sea of Galilee. Just as the disciples faced a sudden crisis, we, too, may encounter overwhelming challenges without warning. Even if everything seemed fine yesterday, this Gospel passage reminds us that we could find ourselves in a crisis at any moment.

St. Matthew's account of the storm closely connects to the experiences of his Church. The disciples' desperate plea, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" reflects the needs of St. Matthew's readers, as well as our own, during times of despair. The message is clear: the Lord is always near, and our urgent prayers for help will not go unanswered. The Lord is more powerful than any storm we may face, and when we call out, "Lord, save us!" we can trust that we will receive help.

Homily for Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, the Scribe expresses a strong desire to follow Jesus. However, Jesus reminds him of the challenges that accompany discipleship, emphasizing that He lives a nomadic life without a permanent home. This interaction highlights the contrast between our initial enthusiasm and the harsh realities we often face. Although the disciples were initially eager to follow Jesus, they struggled to maintain their commitment when confronted with the journey's difficulties, especially as the prospect of the Cross loomed ahead.

Maintaining our idealism, enthusiasm, and generosity can be challenging, especially when encountering obstacles. We may realize that our strength and optimism are insufficient during such times. We need the Lord to be our source of strength when we feel disheartened, our inspiration when we are tempted to settle for less, and our refuge amidst life's storms.

To remain faithful on our journey with the Lord, we must rely on Him every step of the way. He does not expect us to walk alone; instead, He asks us to lean on Him for support.

Homily for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

St. Peter distinguished himself from the other disciples due to his divinely inspired recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. This insight led Jesus to grant Peter a unique role among His followers, designating him as the "rock" upon which He would build His Church. This was a significant responsibility, as Jesus entrusted Peter with "the keys to the Kingdom of heaven," which implied authority to interpret matters and make decisions. However, despite his essential position, Peter had flaws; he once tried to dissuade Jesus from following the path of the Cross and later denied Him. Jesus chose to entrust a crucial role to someone not without faults.

While teaching is associated with St. Peter, preaching is linked with St. Paul in scripture. St. Paul spread the Gospel to the pagans throughout the Roman Empire and delivered his final sermon in Rome, where, like St. Peter, he was martyred for his faith in Christ. In a moving passage, likely written from his prison cell, St. Paul stated, "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith." This imagery of competition and racing highlights that "keeping the faith" was a struggle for St. Paul, just like for St. Peter.

Maintaining faith is not always easy for any of us. St. Paul's words reveal his understanding that his ability to keep the faith was not solely due to his efforts; the Lord empowered him. He stated, "The Lord stood by me and gave me strength." The Lord strengthens and empowers all of us to maintain our faith. His faithfulness enables us to remain faithful, and His love encourages us to return to Him, even after we stumble. The faithful witness of Saints Peter and Paul ultimately serves as a testament to the Lord's faithfulness towards us all.

Homily for the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we celebrate today, profoundly symbolizes our Blessed Mother's interior life. It encapsulates her deep joys and sorrows, virtues and hidden strengths, and above all, her boundless love for God the Father, maternal love for her son Jesus, and compassionate love for all people.

Our understanding of this devotion is firmly rooted in Scripture, particularly in the Gospel of Luke. There, we see that Mary kept everything in her heart, pondering and praying over them.

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary focuses on her love for Jesus and the Father.

Today, we are reminded that Mary is the perfect example of devotion to God and His will. Let us turn to her to intercede for us, so that our love for her Son and God our Father may grow stronger in our hearts.

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.