St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua

In our Gospel passage, Jesus calls for a deeper understanding and practice of morality beyond merely avoiding outward sins like adultery. He teaches that true righteousness involves guarding our hearts and addressing sinful desires before they lead to unwholesome actions. Jesus also expands our knowledge of marriage and divorce, stressing that they should represent a sacred union that reflects God's love and commitment.

While acknowledging the commandment, "You shall not commit adultery," Jesus raises the bar. He insists that it is not enough to avoid the deed itself; we must also refrain from lustful desires in our hearts. This highlights the importance of inner righteousness and confronting sinful thoughts before they become actions.

Jesus' teachings highlight the need for inner transformation, not just external obedience to rules. He calls for a radical change in our hearts and minds, leading to a way of life that reflects His teachings.

Homily for Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus calls His followers to embody a standard and virtue that exceeds what the scribes and Pharisees practiced. This is not a mere suggestion, but a powerful call to action. He exhorts us to pay attention to our deep-seated attitudes and emotions, inspiring us to prevent evil actions and renewing our minds and souls.

Our efforts alone cannot achieve the profound transformation Jesus calls for. We need the power and grace of the Holy Spirit to bring about this profound change within us. 

May the Holy Spirit recreate the love that is God deep within us. May the roots of this profound virtue grow in our hearts and minds, helping us to become what God truly wants us to be.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Barnabas

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus's profound respect for the Jewish tradition is evident. He emphasizes that His purpose is to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, bringing their true meaning to completion. His respect for His religious heritage, and His receptiveness to how God intends for that tradition to evolve, is a testament to the value and respect He showed for the tradition.

Similarly, we are encouraged to appreciate the positive aspects of our religious tradition, knowing that the Lord plays a pivotal role in continually renewing and inspiring it. This understanding fills us with hope and inspiration, strengthening our faith.

Homily for Tuesday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time

Bioluminescent bacteria are light-producing bacteria found in oceans, and they are responsible for the glowing phenomenon often observed in seawater. 

While these bioluminescent bacteria are microscopic organisms that can only be seen under a microscope, when they gather in large numbers, they emit light that can be detected from hundreds of miles in space.

In today's Gospel, Jesus urges us, "Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." It is important to remember that Jesus does not ask us to undertake this alone. We fulfill this call by allowing our light to shine and using the Holy Spirit's gifts to improve others' lives. When we unite with people of faith and those embodying pure goodness, our collective light becomes a powerful beacon of faith, hope, and love in our world.

Homily for the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Those who have grown up in the Catholic faith have always understood Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to be our Blessed Mother. Today's Gospel highlights when Jesus proclaimed her the Mother of the Church. 

As the Church's Mother, Mary plays a vital role in our relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. She answered God the Father's call during her encounter with the angel Gabriel. She gave birth to and raised Jesus, His Son, and was present at the original Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Church's first leaders.

When she stood at the foot of the Cross, just moments before her Son died, Jesus declared her to be not only the Mother of His beloved disciple but also the Mother of all His disciples—essentially, the Mother of the Church.

As members of the Church, may we live out our faith as our Blessed Mother did. Let us be guided by her example and rely on her heavenly intercession.

Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost, a day when God sent His Spirit to dwell in the hearts and souls of the Apostles and commissioned them to share that Spirit with others.

The arrival of the Holy Spirit is much more than a single event in the life of the Church; this feast, this Solemnity, focuses on being persons of the Spirit, who is described as a "driving wind" or "breath" that shakes the house; "tongues of fire" warm hearts that have grown cold with fear; "different languages" are understood; and, ultimately, we witness the gift of "peace" bestowed upon all who receive the Spirit.

Receiving the Spirit is not a passive experience—those who have received the Spirit are alive in their faith. They allow Christ to come alive within them, and their faith extends beyond themselves to embrace others through lives of service, support, and prayer.

Their worship and prayer are sincere and heartfelt. Their faith energizes them to grow in love for God and their neighbor.

A person who has received the Spirit lives as a son or daughter of God; they do not shy away from their identity as disciples of Jesus, even when it leads to conflict with the world.

People of the Spirit understand that God grants them grace to face life's challenges and joys.

On this Solemnity of Pentecost, we should each ask ourselves if we are truly people of the Holy Spirit. To be such people, we must invite the Spirit into our hearts every moment. And so, we pray:

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

“O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that, by the same Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Homily for Friday of the 7th Week of Easter

After Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him three times. However, after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter and asked him three times, "Do you love me?" This question focused not on Peter's past actions but his present love for Jesus. 

Jesus asks us the same question: "Do you love me?" This question invites us to make Jesus the center of our affection and devotion. In the Gospel of John, Jesus states, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love." This love relationship between us and the Lord is fundamental to our faith, and everything we do in His name relies on it.

Peter could not be entrusted with caring for the Lord's flock until he publicly declared his love for Him. Similarly, our personal relationship with the Lord must come before any work we might do in His name. Our life of faith and our participation in the Lord's work of caring for His flock are the results of our personal relationship of love with Him.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Boniface

The Resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity. If He truly rose from the dead, we can believe in all that He said and did. However, as Saint Paul reminds us, if He did not rise, our faith would be in vain.

Following His Resurrection, Jesus did not appear to the Pharisees or the general public; He only revealed Himself to His Apostles and a select few followers. The Apostles were the only witnesses to the fact that His body was not in the tomb on the third day. Despite their grave danger, these ordinary and fallible humans did not deny the Resurrection. Instead, they bravely offered their lives in martyrdom as a testament to their unwavering belief in what they had witnessed.

At the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for His Apostles and all those who would believe in Him through their message. Although the world may not have known Jesus, these chosen individuals did. He entrusted them with the mission of sharing this knowledge so that all who believe in Him could be united on earth and in the presence of God in heaven.

Jesus relied heavily on His Apostles, and now He relies on us. Our sharing of the faith continues the work that the Apostles began after Jesus's death, Resurrection, and Ascension. May we remain faithful to that mission, guiding others to the same belief.

Homily for Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

Jesus has always been a guide and protector for His disciples. In today's Gospel, He continues to care for them through His intercessory prayer. This prayer is a natural extension of the many ways He has served them since they began following Him. Similarly, when we pray for others, we demonstrate our care and serve them as Jesus did.

Jesus taught us the importance of intercessory prayer by praying for His disciples. Since then, praying for others has become integral to the Church's prayer life. The Apostle Paul also mentions praying for his congregations and encourages his followers to pray for him. This form of prayer has a long history in the Jewish tradition. Through intercessory prayer, we express our unity and connection with others in Christ.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

Today's Scripture readings convey some "famous last words" from St. Paul and Jesus. Each expresses the idea that most of their work has been completed. St. Paul prepares to go to Jerusalem, praying that he will travel to Rome and Spain if he emerges from the city alive. Jesus, on the other hand, declares that He has fulfilled the work assigned to Him by His Father and prays, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son." St. Paul offers guidance regarding the responsibilities of pastors and religious leaders, while Jesus prays for them and all those who will join the ministry throughout future generations.

St. Paul's address and Jesus' prayer emphasize a hopeful future grounded in faith; they openly acknowledge that they have given their best in their endeavors. St. Paul reflects, "You know how I lived among you the whole time from the day I first came here. I served the Lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me." Jesus affirms the identity of His followers, saying to His Father, "I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word." 

St. Paul faces an uncertain future, with possible imprisonment awaiting him in Jerusalem. Jesus does not predict the exact challenges ahead; instead, He prays that His disciples will remain faithful to Him and His teachings.

Our situation today is no different as priests, religious, and committed laypeople. We, too, should confront the uncertain future with faith and peace, knowing that when we complete the work given to us by the Father, God will welcome us to Himself.