St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the Memorial of St. Jerome

Jesus often used actions as well as words to teach a life lesson. His disciples were embroiled in a debate about a very self-centered question: Which of them was the greatest? Their concept of greatness might have been based on talent, family background, or even their closeness to Jesus. Jesus, however, needed to enlighten them about what true greatness really is in the eyes of God, a stark contrast to their worldly view.

The lesson began with Jesus placing a child beside Himself, a powerful action that spoke volumes before He uttered a word. In that time and place, a child was not a symbol of greatness but weakness and vulnerability. Jesus chose to identify with the little ones, often overlooked by the world. In their misconception, the disciples were far from the truth in their desire for greatness, a reminder of our own need for guidance and humility in our spiritual journey.

The point is that God's values are not the same as those of the world. Like the disciples' rivalries, we, too, can sometimes be driven by the ego in our pursuits. We must remember and align our ambitions with God's values, as demonstrated by His Son, Jesus.

Homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In her memoir One More Time, actress and comedienne Carol Burnett recounts the night she met Mr. and Mrs. "C."

When she was a drama student at UCLA, Ms. Burnett and a troupe of students were asked to perform at an exquisite dinner party for faculty and guests. After their performances — as she was filling her handbag with cookies and food from the buffet table — a couple came up to her. Mr. & Mrs. "C" — as Ms. Burnett identified them in her book — were both very taken with her performance and asked about her future plans. Without hesitation, she said she wanted to go to New York and work in the musical theater.

"What was stopping her?" the couple asked politely.

"Money," she replied.

"How much would she need?"

"Oh, a thousand dollars would be nice," Ms. Burnett said, not thinking about the figure. "It's yours," Mr. "C" said. He told her to call him at his office. She took his card and, a couple of days later, on a whim, called the number, never dreaming he would remember her or his promise. But he remembered, and he met with her. He said he would loan her $1000 on three conditions: one, that she pay him back in five years — not if but when she succeeded; two, that she never reveal his identity; and three, that she help someone else realize their dreams later on.

With Mr. "C's" check, Carol Burnett went to New York and, as we all know, became a star on Broadway and television. Five years later, to the day, she repaid the money to her mysterious benefactor. She has kept his name a strict secret ever since.

And has she kept the third part of the agreement to help someone else realize their dreams? When asked, Carol Burnett smiles and says, "That's my secret!"

To give a "cup of water" to someone, to give our time to someone who needs to talk, or even to give money to a struggling actress, because they belong to Christ, is to act in Jesus' name. Jesus promises that even the simplest act of kindness and grace will one day be honored by God. Anyone in need or in trouble has a claim on our compassion and charity because they belong to Christ. In whatever opportunities we have, with whomever we meet and can offer help, may we not hesitate to act in Jesus' name.[1]

 

 

[1] Jay Cormier, Connections

Homily for Saturday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel talks about a time when everyone was amazed by Jesus. He had just healed a boy who suffered from seizures, and everyone was in awe of what God had done through Him. However, Jesus knew that despite the support He was receiving, it wouldn't last. He knew He would suffer the same fate as many prophets before Him. Even at the peak of His notoriety, He said, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."

For Jesus, admiration meant little. His primary motivation was to do God's will and complete His selfless work. Despite the danger, he felt compelled to go to Jerusalem because He believed that the people needed to hear His message, even if it meant His own death.

Our faith calls us to make Jesus' priorities our own, to be about God the Father's business, and to do God's will with the opportunities we have. This will bring not just the momentary pleasure of applause but the more profound joy that comes from living the real purpose of our lives.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul

In today's Gospel, after praying, Jesus asked His disciples two questions: "Who do the crowds say that I am?" and "Who do you say that I am?" 

The first was broad and straightforward; the second was deeply personal and profoundly challenging. 

When that question is posed, it asks us to say who Jesus is personally for each of us. It is easier to imagine what He means to people in general; it takes a lot more introspection to say what He means to me personally. But it is the answer to that second question that matters most. Jesus wants us to express our personal faith in Him. He asks us, "What do you believe?" and then sends us forth to share our faith.

Homily for Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Herod wielded power in Galilee on behalf of Rome. Saint Luke depicted his attitude toward Jesus as somewhat dismissive. When he learned about Jesus' activities and people's intense interest in Him, Herod became curious and sought to meet Him. Their encounter finally occurred during Jesus' Passion, when Pilate sent Jesus to Herod to verify His guilt. Herod questioned Jesus but ultimately treated Him with contempt. His curiosity about Jesus was superficial and did not lead to faith.

While some were led to faith by their interest in Jesus, even people of faith have much to contemplate about His life. Herod's question, "Who then is this?" is not just for him but for all of us to ponder. We must be constant seekers in our quest to know Jesus.

Let us pray that we will always strive to understand Jesus and His role in our redemption to deepen our relationship with Him and our hope for salvation.

Homily for Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, Jesus sends His Apostles on a mission and tells them to travel lightly. He wants them to trust the hospitality of those to whom they will preach the Gospel. Instead of being self-reliant, He wants them to rely on others and trust in God, who will actively help them through the service of others.

Most of us like to be somewhat self-sufficient, but we are only partially so. In our early lives, we depended on our parents and others. As we move toward the end of our lives, we will again need others to care for us. Between these two periods of total dependence, we still depend on others for things we do not have within ourselves, and others rely on us for what they do not have.

The Lord encourages us to welcome others' generous service and to offer what we have. Each of us has much to give and much to receive. The joy of giving and the fulfillment of receiving are both gifts from God, for it is in our service of one another that we all experience God's love and providence.

Homily for Tuesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Responding to reports that family members were looking for Him, Jesus declared that His real family "are those who hear the Word of God and act on it." Jesus wants to relate to us as His family. He calls us His brothers and sisters and wants us to belong to His spiritual family. The way to become His family is relatively straightforward: we need to hear the Word of God and put it into practice in our everyday lives.

Jesus was intensely focused on God's Word and His will throughout His life and ministry. His understanding of and adherence to this Word were so complete that it influenced everything He said and did. John's Gospel even identifies Jesus as the Word made flesh.

As Christians, we are called to hear God's Word and act on it in everything we say and do. The transformative power of God's Word inspires us to become more like Jesus. If we listen to God's Word and let it shape us and our lives, then we are brothers and sisters to Jesus, our Lord.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina

In today's Gospel, Jesus uses the powerful metaphor of light. Those who hear the Word are called to act on it and become a light to others. By sharing the Word in speech and action, we can enlighten others and open them to transformation.

To those who hear and respond to the Word well, even more graces will be given. However, those who choose to ignore the Word risk losing the invaluable blessings it brings.

We pray for receptive minds and hearts so that God's Word may permeate our entire being. And we also pray that our active response to the Word will not only transform us but also bring others closer to God.

Homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is a story about an auctioneer selling a neglected old violin. A young man offered ten dollars, and the bidding stopped. The auctioneer asked if anyone wanted to play it. An older man stepped onto the podium, took the violin, and began playing. He pulled such an enchanting melody and sound from the old instrument that the entire auction hall was almost in tears. As the beautiful strains subsided, a few seconds of silence followed. Then, a burst of thunderous applause erupted from the entire crowd.

The bidding began again and climbed up to three thousand dollars. The master's touch brought out the value of that shabby violin, a value that no one else could see.

Similarly, when we allow it to move freely in our lives, God's grace reveals our true value, the value we have always had in God's eyes, even though no one else may be able to see it.

In the Our Father prayer, we say, "Thy Kingdom come" and "Thy will be done." These two phrases basically mean the same thing.

When we ask for God's Kingdom to come, we humbly ask for His law of love and redemption to rule over our lives and the lives of all people.

This phrase also makes us think of Christ's second coming, which will occur at the end of human history when all resistance to God's law of love and redemption will be destroyed forever. However, right now, in our sinfulness, we still experience this resistance. When we pray "thy Kingdom come," we ask God to send His grace so we can Conquer that resistance. 

When we speak of God's "law of love and redemption," we speak about what He wants. Our faith tells us that God wants only what is best for each of us - this is His essential wish for us. That is what we mean by "God's will": His desire for our salvation and eternal joy.

This is motivation behind the Commandments, the Church's teachings, and the guiding hand of divine Providence. God wants to give us the grace to ask for His will for us, not only in our words, but in our hearts, minds, and choices. Let's be open to Him giving us the opportunity to make that happen.

Homily for the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

We are familiar with the Gospel story today. Matthew, a tax collector and presumed sinful man followed Jesus and ate with Him, much to the objection of the Pharisees, who believed it violated their laws about ritual purity.

In response, Jesus referenced Hosea, saying, "Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'" Jesus stressed that mercy is above Temple sacrifices and, therefore, stands higher than the laws of ritual purity.

The Pharisees prioritized strict obedience to the law as God's will, but Jesus emphasized that mercy and love are above these laws and traditions. St. Paul affirmed this by highlighting the importance of love in all actions and knowledge.

Mercy, a product of love, is the voice of God's love for us and His desire for our well-being on earth and in the kingdom to come. Excluding and criticizing sinners, those whom Jesus came to save, is not a merciful response. Instead, let us remember that God's love is inclusive, accepting all who seek His mercy and that we are called to imitate that love.

As we strive to spread the Good News, let us pray that God's mercy and love may guide our actions, words, and attitudes toward the people we are called to serve.