St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary tIme

In today’s Gospel, Jesus announces that a new time has arrived—a time that brings us closer to an awareness of the Kingdom of God; a time to repent, to turn away from sin and from those things that keep us from God and His ways, and to turn toward His Gospel in every aspect of our lives. This message is both urgent and hopeful. Jesus is not simply inviting us to a minor adjustment in our routines, but to a radical reorientation of our lives. He calls us to look honestly at where our priorities lie and to ask ourselves whether our daily choices truly reflect the values of the Gospel. The invitation is for all people, in all walks of life, to be open to transformation and to embrace the deeper meaning and joy that comes from living according to God’s will.

 

When Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, they do so and leave their nets behind. As fishermen, the nets were their livelihood and security, yet they simply left them where they were and followed Jesus. Imagine the courage and trust this required. They didn’t have all the answers or a clear idea of what lay ahead, but they sensed the power and promise in Jesus’ call. Their willingness to let go of what was familiar and safe challenges us to consider what it might mean to take a leap of faith in our own lives, to respond to God’s call even when it requires sacrifice or stepping into the unknown.

 

We, too, have nets—things we cling to—that can keep us from following Jesus with all our heart, mind, and soul. These nets might be habits, attitudes, relationships, or possessions that distract us from our spiritual journey. Perhaps it’s a grudge we can’t let go of, an unhealthy attachment to material things, or even fears that keep us from embracing God’s plan. We need to discover what these nets are and set them aside, giving us the freedom and focus we need to be His true disciples. This process isn’t easy, but it’s essential if we want to experience the fullness of God’s love and purpose for us.

 

And we need to do this constantly throughout our lives. Repentance—choosing to follow Jesus—isn’t a one-time event; it’s something we do over and over on the way to the perfection and full life that awaits us in heaven. Each day presents new opportunities to realign our hearts with God’s will. Sometimes we stumble or fall short, but God’s mercy is always available to help us start anew. The journey of faith is ongoing, marked by continual growth, conversion, and a deepening relationship with Christ. As we strive to respond to Jesus’ call, we can be confident that He walks with us, guiding, strengthening, and encouraging us every step of the way.

 

Homily for the Baptism of the Lord

One would hardly expect the leading figure in American psychology to stand up and talk about sin, but that’s exactly what Dr. Karl Menninger did in his book Whatever Became of Sin? Dr. Menninger was deeply troubled by people who wouldn’t admit their personal sins. He was even more troubled by their refusal to acknowledge social sins.

 

By social sin, Dr. Menninger means a sin committed by society—a sin committed by groups of people or even entire nations. Some examples he gives are disregard for the poor, stockpiling military weapons, and widespread destruction of the environment.

 

The frightening thing about these social sins is that individuals, like you and me, don’t consider themselves responsible for them. They don’t see themselves as guilty, so they wash their hands of these sins.

 

How different was Jesus's attitude toward accepting responsibility for social sins? To learn what Jesus’ attitude was, we need only turn to today’s Gospel reading and ask ourselves: Why did Jesus step into the Jordan River to be baptized by John?

 

John had the same question in mind when he saw Jesus step down into the water. St. Matthew says that when Jesus presented himself for baptism, “John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?’” John made it clear that this baptism was only for sinners—those who had turned their backs on God. If Jesus had not sinned, then why was he presenting himself for baptism?

 

This brings us back to Dr. Menninger’s point about social sins. By being born into our world, Jesus identified himself with the human race. He became a member of a sinful world. He stepped into the river not because he personally was a sinner, but because he was part of a sinful humanity that needed conversion. He didn’t need conversion—but the human race, of which he was now a part, did. Jesus wanted to identify so closely with humanity that he wouldn’t stand apart from any aspect of it, not even its sinfulness. It was because humanity needed to admit it needed conversion.

 

Just like Jesus, you and I are members of the human race, and we must be responsible members as well. We can’t simply say, “I don’t approve of what humanity does, but I have absolutely no responsibility for it.”

 

Some things may seem out of our reach, and we might think our voices won’t be heard or that we’ll have to pay a price for standing up and speaking out. But as Catholics, as Christians, and as members of the human race, we are called to stand up. We’re called to acknowledge that these social sins exist. We can speak out against them in many ways. In our country, this is our right—but it’s also our responsibility. Finally, we need to pray. We need to pray for guidance because so many socially sinful situations in our world are very complex. We also need to pray for those affected by these situations, that God will be with them and deliver them from the evil forced upon them.

 

The example of Jesus in today’s Gospel is a call to each of us. It’s a call to act honestly, responsibly, and prayerfully, just as Jesus did. It’s a call to recognize that, with God’s help, we can bring about positive change in our world—and in doing so, move our world closer to the kingdom of God.

 

Homily for Saturday after the Epiphany of the Lord

John the Baptist was a humble person who understood his identity in God's eyes. He recognized both his strengths and his weaknesses, fully aware that his life was meant to revolve around the One who was to come—Jesus. John never sought attention or praise for himself; instead, he devoted his entire existence to preparing the way for Christ. His humility was evident in his actions, his words, and his interactions with others, always pointing people away from himself and toward Jesus.

 

This awareness was not a burden for him; instead, he found overwhelming joy in Jesus’ arrival and in his unique role in Jesus’ mission. John understood that he was called to be the herald of Good News, but not be the Good News. Rather than clinging to his own influence or popularity, he was content to decrease so that Jesus could increase. When Jesus came, John willingly stepped aside, trusting that his purpose had been fulfilled, and in doing so, he became a true example for others to follow.

 

By embracing humility, we find our true purpose and value in God's eyes. When we follow John’s example, we learn to let go of pride and self-importance, making room for God to work through us. Prayer can be a complete offering of oneself to God, allowing for an authentic exchange of life and love, where we surrender our will and receive God’s grace in return. Through humility, prayer, and service to those in need, we discover the joy, peace, and fulfillment that come from living in alignment with God’s purpose.

Homily for Friday after the Epiphany of the Lord

The Lord demonstrates true service by reaching out to those marginalized by society. Rather than focusing on the powerful and wealthy, Jesus intentionally sought out those on the fringes—people who were often rejected or overlooked. He engaged with the poor, the sick, tax collectors, prostitutes, and thieves, affirming their dignity and worth in the eyes of God. His actions revealed that God’s love is not limited to the privileged but extends especially to those most in need of acceptance, compassion, healing, and transformation. In doing so, He set an example of radical inclusivity and humility that challenges us to reconsider our own attitudes toward those whom society casts aside.

 

In today's Gospel, Jesus encounters a man suffering from leprosy—a disease that not only brought physical pain, but also caused deep social and emotional isolation. Those afflicted were required to live apart from others and publicly declare their unclean status, often living lives marked by loneliness and shame.

 

Defying convention and risking further rejection, the man approaches Jesus, desperately begging to be made clean. Jesus’ response is remarkable. Moved by compassion, He stretches out His hand and touches the leper, an act that would have rendered Him ritually unclean according to religious law and shocked everyone present. Yet, in that moment, Jesus chooses mercy over custom. He speaks words of healing, restoring not only the man's health but also his place in the community. This act of courage, compassion, and acceptance perfectly illustrates Jesus’ mission to heal, restore, and welcome all into God’s family. It embodies the kind of pastoral risk-taking and unconditional love that defines what it means to be a true fisher of God’s people.

Homily for Thursday after the Epiphany of the Lord

While at the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus explained His mission by reading a powerful passage from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” This verse represents joy, liberty, and justice, and demonstrates God’s ability to free the oppressed. At first, the people were impressed and optimistic, but their attitude would shift to hostility, foreshadowing the resistance Jesus would face from religious leaders who opposed His ideas of freedom and brotherhood.

 

Even during His crucifixion, the Spirit remained with Him, and His mission culminated in His sacrificial death. He proclaimed God’s grace and mercy, especially toward the marginalized, though His neighbors found His broad vision of God’s love too challenging. Ultimately, Jesus offers transformation and belonging to everyone, regardless of their past struggles.

Homily for Wednesday after the Epiphany of the Lord

The Gospels often show Jesus in prayer. After miraculously feeding a large crowd, He went up the hillside to pray. Even though He sought solitude, prayer didn’t separate Him from the challenges of the world. In fact, prayer made Him even more aware of the needs and struggles of others. While praying, He remembered His frightened friends, who were worn out from rowing across the stormy lake. He paused His prayer to go to them and help them, saying, "Take courage. It is I, do not be afraid!"

 

Though Jesus maintained a close relationship with His Father, He also stayed connected to the needs of the people around Him. This balance is reflected in our own inner lives, too. In prayer, we become aware of God’s presence and tune in to the divine within us. This awareness prompts us to consider others and empathize with their needs. Not surprisingly, the One we reach out to in prayer is filled with love for others, so talking with Him reminds us to care for those around us. Often, our prayers are intercessions for ourselves and others. True prayer strengthens our connection with God and expands our concern, especially for those facing life’s storms.

Homily for Tuesday after the Epiphany of the Lord

In the encounter we witness in this morning’s Gospel passage, Jesus urged His disciples to become trusting and generous givers who seek to help those in need.

 

When faced with a large, hungry crowd, Jesus' disciples suggested that He send the people away to fend for themselves. However, Jesus offered a different approach: "Give them some food yourselves." He urged them to take responsibility for these needy people rather than merely wishing them away. Jesus told His disciples to take action, no matter how small their contribution might seem. Eventually, they discovered five loaves and two fish—minimal resources. Yet, with this sparse offering, they could feed the entire crowd.

 

The Gospel encourages us to be generous, even when we feel we have little to offer or when the situation appears overwhelming. God will ensure that our efforts bear fruit.

Homily for the Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop

Today's Gospel begins with Jesus entering Galilee, meeting people in great need of hope and a renewed spirit, and fulfilling the words of the prophet Isaiah: the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Jesus' arrival is that light and marks the beginning of God's reign on earth.

 

Jesus calls us to repent of our sins because God's kingdom is near. His healing actions clearly demonstrate God's love and power to restore wholeness to people's lives—a promise that will be fully realized in heaven.

 

As a community of faith and as individuals, we are called to reflect on our lives and consider how we can actively participate in bringing the light of the Gospel to our communities, parishes, workplaces, schools, and homes.

 

By responding to Jesus' call to follow Him and actively sharing His message of hope and healing, we become instruments of God's kingdom in the world, bringing light to the darkness around us.

Homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Most of us would agree that the hardest part of Christmas shopping is deciding on the perfect gift for each person on our list—what best expresses our love and care for each person, what will bring delight and joy to those we love. Once we know the gift, the trip to the store or the online shopping experience is much easier.

 

So what were the Magi thinking when they chose gifts for the Christ Child on that first Epiphany? Did they simply pick items they had on hand, or were they offering the traditional gifts expected for a king?

 

Or did the three gifts symbolize something special about this Child that these wise men had come to recognize?

 

First, the gift of gold. People say you can never go wrong with money, but in ancient times, gold was more than just currency. Gold—then the most valuable metal on earth—was a symbol of divinity. It was the ultimate gift, the perfect offering for royalty. This Child, who would be betrayed for silver, came to transform our perspective on wealth, to help us treasure once again the things of God: compassion, forgiveness, and peace; the currency in the kingdom of the newborn King.

 

The gift of frankincense. Frankincense comes from a small tree native to Arabia and northern Africa. The hardened resin was widely used as medicine—it stopped bleeding, healed wounds, countered poisons, and soothed bruises, ulcers, and paralyzed limbs. This Child came not only to heal physical ailments encountered during His ministry, but also to heal humanity's fears and doubts, and to bridge the gaps separating us from each other and from God.

 

And the gift of myrrh. Myrrh was an expensive extract from the resin of the myrrh tree. It, too, was used as a medicine, but more importantly, for embalming the dead. Only the very wealthy and royalty were embalmed; myrrh, therefore, was a gift reserved for kings. This Child came to give us new life in God: His death was the defeat of death, and His cross will be His—and our—glory.

 

The three gifts of the Magi are a Gospel in themselves: they honor the Child who is Himself a gift from the God whose love is beyond our understanding, whose goodness knows no limits or conditions. May we carry these gifts with us in the year ahead as we follow Christ, the Morning Star, on the journey to Jerusalem and beyond.

 

Homily for the Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Several years ago, I worked with horses in Middleburg, Virginia. At night, I would go out to the barn to check on them and usually bring a carrot for each of the six horses. When I entered, I called their names one at a time, and each horse, recognizing its name, would respond with a quiet whinny. It always amazes me that animals know their own names, as well as the names of other animals and people.

 

If names are so important to animals, they are even more so to people. Each of us receives a name from our parents or guardians, often with special meaning.

 

The importance of names extends to Jesus, whose name (which means, ‘God saves,’) was given by God through the Angel. His name, simple yet powerful, brings God’s saving presence among us and brings comfort, courage, and healing.

 

Yet too often today, His Name is misused in anger or reduced to everyday speech. Instead, we are called to honor His Name, to turn away from misuse, and to show prayerful devotion to it.

 

By speaking the Name of Jesus prayerfully each day, we can let it guide and transform us, trusting in its power to draw us closer to God and strengthen our faith.