St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for Monday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus was critical of those who hindered others from believing in Him. At one point, He chastised His own disciples for trying to prevent children from coming to Him, despite their parents wanting them to do so. He also rebuked those who attempted to stop the blind man Bartimaeus from reaching out to Him.

Rather than closing off the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus calls His followers to open it up to others. This is not an individual task but a shared responsibility. We are meant to guide one another to the Lord, reveal the Lord to each other, and support one another on our journey toward Heaven.

The Gospels are filled with examples of individuals who brought others to Jesus, serving as a source of inspiration for us. Consider John the Baptist, whose life's purpose was to lead people to Jesus and, in doing so, to help open the Kingdom to others. His dedication and fervor can ignite our own passion for this shared mission.

As we navigate our pilgrimage through life, we rely on each other's faith and lived witness for support. This mutual encouragement is a crucial aspect of our shared experience as we journey together toward Heaven.

Homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 covers the ground, and while it’s very cold, it’s perfect for skiing. Charlie bundles up in several layers of clothing, puts on his big gloves, and straps on his skis. However, when he moves toward the door, he finds that he’s too bundled up to fit through. Instead of removing the items that are preventing him from getting outside, 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, serves as a good reminder as we confront the challenge that Jesus presents to us today. Many things can make it difficult for us to pass through the narrow gate to the kingdom of heaven. These could be spiritual or material obstacles, but whatever they are, they can keep our hearts and our focus away from the loving and merciful presence of God.

One of the things that might keep us from entering the kingdom of heaven is the expectations of others. A story that illustrates this point involves Joe Rosenthal, the photographer who took the famous photo during 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, but his family and friends thought this was a terrible mistake. Despite their objections, Joe’s faith in Jesus burned in his heart. He knew that his decision was right, and he understood that he had to go against the wishes of those who loved him most. This was a challenging and painful task.

After World War II, Joe spoke about his work as a photographer as well as his faith in Jesus and how it helped him during the challenging years on the battlefield. In an interview, he reflected on his conversion to Catholicism, stating, “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 essential for most of us that others think well of us. Jesus warns us that we need to stand by the truth; we must speak out and live out the Gospel, regardless of the sacrifices, suffering, or even rejection that we might face from those we love most, if we hope to walk through that narrow gate. This ties back to the Gospel from last week, where Jesus spoke about family members turning against one another because of His message. He emphasized that, as important as our relationships are, living out the Gospel and the kingdom of God are infinitely more important.

As we bring today’s Scripture to prayer this week, let us be mindful of those bundles and burdens that keep us from becoming all that God has called us to be. May we ask God for the true freedom we need to be children of God, walking freely toward His kingdom of love.

Homily for Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and authenticity in the lives of all Christians. He contrasts the actions and attitudes of the Scribes and Pharisees with His own teachings. Jesus calls His followers to avoid hypocrisy and prioritize serving God and others over mere outward displays of piety. He reminds us to acknowledge God as the ultimate source of authority.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to act with integrity, ensuring our words and actions align with what we profess to believe. We must understand that the external appearance of faithfulness is far less significant than the genuine service to God and others that springs forth from our faith in Him. And, we should always recognize our need for God's help and guidance to truly follow His will and grow in His love.

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 22nd to emphasize its connection with the Solemnity of the Assumption, one week earlier.
There are many "vocational stories" throughout the Scriptures. Today, we hear about the call to Mary, which 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 asked 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 understanding what God wants from us. Mary's response of total surrender to God's purpose for her life did not come easily, just as it may not come easily 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."

Homily for th Memorial of Saint Pius X

On the surface, the tossing out of the guest without the wedding garment seems cruel. However, as with all of Jesus’ parables, what we see on the surface is simply a metaphor for a much deeper reality.
 
In today’s parable, the host is God the Father, and the wedding is the salvation He offers to us. He offers salvation to the good and the bad; he offers salvation even to those who will reject this invitation. Some will accept the invitation but fail to be faithful to God through the sacraments, praise, and worship, and do good works in Jesus’ Name. These things are what the wedding garment stands for.
 
When we accept God‘s invitation, we do so with a willingness to accept and live out the demands that such acceptance requires. Our wedding garment is the faith and love we share with others, acting as an instrument of God‘s love and peace.
 
Let us pray that we will always work hard to create a beautiful wedding garment that will carry us into the feast of the kingdom of heaven.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Bernard

Many people find today's parable about the workers in the vineyard difficult to accept. It doesn't seem fair, but this parable isn't about fairness; it's about generosity and mercy. It serves as a reminder of God's boundless love and His willingness to show mercy even when we don't deserve it.

The vineyard owner symbolizes God, and we are fortunate that God is generous and compassionate in His love for us. Even when we strive to follow God's will in our lives, we often fall short. In those moments, we hope for God’s mercy rather than His judgment based on fairness.

God's kingdom is a gift to us, a manifestation of His limitless love. Our role is to love God and our neighbors, trusting that He will provide us with all the graces we need for our salvation. God deeply loves each of us, and no one can earn or demand that love.

Homily for Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

Certain phrases in the Scriptures carry profound inspiration. For example, the assurance that "for God, all things are possible" is comforting. This echoes the response given to Mary when she asked the angel, "How can this be?" To which the angel Gabriel replied, "Nothing will be impossible for God."

In today's Gospel passage, we witness the moment when the rich young man, seeking the path to eternal life, left feeling disheartened after Jesus's response indicated a sacrifice greater than he believed he could make. This raises the question: How can a wealthy person find the way to eternal life, especially considering that some may find such sacrifices unfeasible? Jesus assures us that it is possible, but only with a unique grace from God.

Throughout our lives, we all face challenges that seem insurmountable. We may feel anxious as we navigate a health crisis, cope with a family loss, manage a marriage breakdown, or endure a severe bout of depression. In these moments, it is reassuring to remember that for God, all things are possible. St. Paul embraced this belief and expressed it beautifully when he wrote, "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." How comforting it would be to share in that deeply held conviction!

Homily for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

The young man's question to Jesus in today's Gospel passage is heartfelt. He sincerely sought spiritual guidance and asked, "What good must I do to gain eternal life?" In response, Jesus recited several commandments that emphasize being just and kind to others, highlighting that the path to eternal life involves being life-giving and law-abiding.

The young man, who already followed these commandments, felt there was more he could offer. When Jesus suggested that he sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, the young man found this request overwhelming and left feeling saddened.

While such a challenging lifestyle may not be for everyone, the journey to eternal life that God desires for us always requires some level of self-denial and an unselfish relationship with others. Through His teachings and example, Jesus shows us what we must do to attain eternal life.

Homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary TIme

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a professor of theology at the University of Berlin in Germany in the 1930s. At this time, German Christians were divided over Hitler. One group allied itself with Hitler; they wanted a “pure” German nation. They formed an official German church, which supported Hitler and his hatred of the Jewish people.

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 Theological Seminary in New York - or returning to Germany to head up an illegal, underground seminary for the churches that refused to comply 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 could betray Christ. How could they pray in a church that supported the hatred of an entire people?

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 they prayed each day, or how earnestly and sincerely they sang hymns on Sundays. Ultimately, the measure of spirituality is not how we are in the church, but how we are in the entirety of life. 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 stamina it takes to truly lead a Gospel life, that by our lives, we may lead others to the message, the kingdom, and the glory of God.

Homily for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel recounts an incident in which parents brought their children to Jesus, hoping that He would lay His hands on them and pray for them. They recognized Jesus as a channel of God's life-giving work and wanted the best for their children. Similarly, parents today who value Jesus and His teachings wish to bring their children to Him, seeing Him as an extraordinary gift from God and wanting what is best for their children's spiritual well-being.

In the Gospel, the parents faced obstacles along their journey. The disciples initially tried to deter them from bringing the children to Jesus. However, Jesus, in His wisdom, insisted that the children be brought to Him, overcoming the resistance of His disciples.

This story serves as a powerful reminder to trust in the Lord's plan. He is always at work, guiding our efforts to lead our loved ones to Him. His desire for others to find life in Him will ultimately prevail, overcoming any obstacles we may encounter. We must hold onto our faith, knowing that the Lord will always find a way to bring people to Him, regardless of any resistance we face.