St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat illustrates the differing perspectives of the farmer and his servants. When weeds appeared among the wheat, the servants desired to remove them immediately to keep the field pure. However, the farmer advised them to let both the wheat and the weeds grow together until the harvest, when they could be separated. He demonstrated patience, knowing that he would eventually obtain pure wheat without any weeds.

In this parable, Jesus conveys a message about the Church and the individual disciples that comprise it. He acknowledges that the Church will consist of both good and evil until the end of time, when all that is not of God will be removed.

Individually, we embody a mix of light and darkness until we are fully transformed into the likeness of God's Son in the afterlife. While we strive to reflect God's image in our lives, we must recognize that sin will always be part of our earthly existence.

Like the farmer, the Lord is patient with us; we, too, need to practice patience with ourselves and others. This is not an endorsement of complacency, but rather an acknowledgment that we are all works in progress. Being a 'work in progress' is hopeful because God has started a good work in our lives. Even if it is not completed in this life, God will bring His work to completion in eternity—a promise that fills us with hope and reassurance.

Homily for the Feast of Saint James, Apostle

The Gospel passage today highlights the human tendency to seek status and importance. In this case, the mother of two of Jesus' disciples desires recognition for her sons. This tendency can stem from pride, whether for ourselves or for those we love. The offense taken by the other Apostles serves as another example of our desire to appear significant in the eyes of others.

We can observe this tendency in various areas, such as the media, government, and other fields, where individuals strive to appear more important and influential than their peers.

Jesus's teaching in this story is clear: the desire for status has no place in the lives of His disciples. To truly follow Him, they must be willing to endure suffering, just as He did. They are called to serve others rather than seek to be served. Humility and prioritizing others above ourselves are the keys to true greatness—the kind of greatness we are all called to achieve. This greatness reflects being created in the image of God, following His ways, and ultimately returning home to our Father at the end of our lives, bringing with us only the fruits of our actions on earth.

Homily for Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink."  This proverb is believed to be one of the oldest and continuously used in the English-speaking world, first appearing in writing in 1175. It highlights a profound reality: we can guide people toward the truth, but we cannot force them to hear, see, or believe it.

One could argue that Jesus referenced this idea regarding some of the prophets and righteous people of His time, as He quoted the prophet Isaiah in today's gospel passage. Jesus used parables as a means to help people recognize and understand the Truth He came to share.

Each of us has areas in our lives where we might be blind or deaf to essential messages—even those that matter greatly to us. The reasons for this blindness or deafness vary from person to person.

Let us acknowledge our limitations in perceiving the message and presence of Jesus in our lives. We should ask the Holy Spirit to help us hear, see, and believe in the Truth.

Homily for Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

The Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus' best-known stories. What makes it particularly remarkable is that it is the only parable He went on to explain to His disciples.

In this parable, the different types of soil represent various human responses to God's message. We are reminded that while God's Word is powerful, it requires our active response to be effective. We must open ourselves to the Word for it to bear fruit in our lives.

The parable identifies several obstacles that can hinder our full engagement with God's Word. One obstacle is a lack of understanding; we need to know who Jesus is and what He has said and done in order to respond appropriately. 

Another challenge is our tendency to keep God at a distance, which hinders His Word from taking root in our hearts. Additionally, we can become overly preoccupied with the complexities and pleasures of earthly life, allowing them to dominate our focus.

In His later interpretation of the Parable of the Sower, Jesus displays a practical understanding of these barriers to His presence and His Word. However, this practical perspective should not lead us to discouragement. The message of the Gospel is that God's perseverance is more powerful than any obstacle we face. When Jesus' disciples asked Him the rather cynical question, "Who then can be saved?" He replied, "For human beings, this is impossible, but for God, all things are possible."

Homily for the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

In the Church's tradition, particularly in its artistic expressions, Mary Magdalene has often been portrayed as a repentant sinner. This misconception stems from her being mistakenly identified with the sinful woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. However, the Gospels provide no evidence to suggest that Mary was any more sinful than the other disciples of Jesus.

In today's Gospel passage, Mary Magdalene is recognized as the woman who, out of deep devotion, went to the tomb early on that first Sunday morning. Upon discovering that Jesus' body was missing, she stayed outside the tomb, weeping in sorrow. 

Mary Magdalene was searching for the Lord but could not find Him. In her grief, however, the Lord sought her out and revealed Himself to her by calling her name. Just as she sought the Lord, we too search for Him, and similarly, He seeks us out and finds us. It is God's pursuit of us that comes before our own search for Him. Even when we struggle to find the Lord, as Mary did, we can trust that He will always reach out to us and call us by name. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us and now calls us individually. 

When the Lord calls us by name, He also sends us out, just as He did with Mary Magdalene, to share the Good News of His Resurrection with those we encounter. He not only calls us by name but also appoints us as His messengers to others.

Homily for Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel passage from St. Matthew, Jesus refers to two significant figures from Jewish history: the wise king Solomon and the reluctant prophet Jonah. He emphasizes that He is greater than both Jonah and Solomon. Jesus not only conveys God’s word, but He is also the Word of God; He is not just a wise king, but He embodies the Wisdom of God. Despite His true identity, many of His contemporaries did not recognize or appreciate Him; they demanded miraculous signs before they would take Him seriously.

What Jesus says to them is also directed at us: “There is something greater than Jonah here; something greater than Solomon here,” someone more wonderful than all the prophets and wise men of Israel combined is present among us and within us. Jesus is not only greater than Jonah and Solomon; He surpasses anything that might create a barrier between Him and us. As Saint Paul reminds us, “Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the story of Jesus visiting his friends Martha and Mary in the village of Bethany, one can't help but feel a bit sorry for Martha. It was her home, and she naturally wanted to present it in the best way possible. However, her tendency to be overly anxious about details led her to focus on what she viewed as a single correct way to do things, which resulted in stress when others chose differently. What she didn't realize is that genuine hospitality involves setting aside our own concerns and concentrating on what our guests genuinely need.

Martha had deep affection for Jesus, and it's evident that He loved both Mary and Martha. The problem was that she did not recognize how Jesus wanted to be welcomed. Mary understood that when Jesus came to see them that day, He was more interested in conversation than food. While Martha worked, focused on serving and cleaning, Mary had a better grasp of Jesus' expectations. Her intuitive sense recognized the primary purpose of His visit: He came not to receive, but to give; not to be served, but to serve. He had a message to share, and they were meant to listen.

This exchange illustrates a theology of contemplation, showing how to welcome the Lord's presence. It begins with the idea that, regardless of who visits us, there is always something valuable to learn from them. The person knocking on our door has something to share that deserves our attention and understanding. After having a challenging debate with the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus sought out His friends for a moment of peace. He engages with us during the quiet of evening or the newness of morning, eager to share the Word of life. He comes not out of necessity for us, but because we need Him. We can all get sidetracked and "worry and fret about many things," missing the "better part"—the essential act of listening to Christ's Word.

Our world is filled with both Marthas and Marys—those who take action and those who dream—and there are far more doers than dreamers. Today's society places immense importance on accomplishments. What matters is achieving concrete results. In business, production and sales goals are established, and only those who reach them receive rewards. Business leaders often tie compensation to output: "shape up or ship out." Those who can't or won't keep up frequently lose their jobs. This scenario reflects Martha's world. Fortunately, we still have dreamers among us, and like Jesus, we should value their contributions to our lives.

Are there Marys around us now? Yes. Not all of them live in monasteries, although some do, quietly praying for all of us. Many people lead busy lives at work and home, but still manage to carve out time for prayer and church attendance. Others dedicate their creative efforts to writing or art, tirelessly working towards a vision of a better world for future generations. These poets, artists, writers, philosophers, and mystics, like Mary, have chosen the more meaningful path or, as Jesus calls it, the better part.[1]

 

[1] Based on a homily from the Association of Catholic Priests.

Homily for Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time

There is a sharp contrast between those who sought to destroy Jesus and Jesus himself, who came not to destroy but to heal. From the very beginning of his ministry, some desired Jesus' death. Despite this, Jesus consistently aimed to bring life to others and to share in God's own life. We hear the words, "A bruised reed he will not break; a smoldering wick he will not quench." His mission inspires hope and instills a sense of purpose within us.

The bruised reed and the smoldering wick symbolize those who are broken in body and spirit. It is very easy to break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick. Those who are physically or spiritually broken are highly vulnerable. Jesus is sensitive to those in need. He can restore the bruised reed and reignite the smoldering wick into a vibrant flame.

Homily for Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Religious leaders during Jesus' time were more focused on adhering to precise religious practices than on understanding their origins and spiritual significance. This often led to clashes with Jesus, and they frequently distrusted Him.

One Sabbath, Jesus and His hungry disciples walked through a field, and His disciples were picking and eating heads of grain to satisfy their hunger. The Pharisees, who adhered to a strict interpretation of the Sabbath laws, viewed this as a violation of the regulations prohibiting work on the Sabbath.

While Jesus did not disregard the traditions, He emphasized that the Pharisees' rigid interpretation was not aligned with the Scriptures or the spirit of the Law. According to Jesus, the Sabbath should be honored by more than merely following detailed rituals; people's well-being takes precedence over temple regulations. Thus, the actions of the disciples were justified in the name of preserving life.

In our worship and in following the will and Law of the Lord, let us always remember that practicing our faith is not just about fulfilling requirements, but about celebrating and living out the love of the Lord.

Homily for Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus calls us to take on the "yoke," the "burden" of service, imitating His example of selflessness and compassion towards the hungry, needy, and those facing challenges in our communities. We are encouraged to be like "eagles' wings" for the weary, despairing, and struggling individuals we encounter on our journey.

The "yoke" of the Gospel of Jesus is "easy" in the joy it brings to a generous heart, and it feels "light" because of the love of God reflected in our lives and the lives we touch through our selfless compassion.

Let us pray to learn from Jesus' humility and generosity. By His grace, may we reflect His selflessness in the compassion and love we extend to those experiencing poverty, the lost, and the struggling.