St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

The phrase "widow's mite" finds its source in the Gospel passage we just heard. It illustrates the paradox that sometimes those who seem to give the least are actually giving the most, while others who give more may not be sacrificing as much. 

In terms of money, the widow contributed less than anyone else to the temple treasury. However, her donation was significant because she gave everything she had. This paradox can also be seen in our own lives. Sometimes, we appear to be giving very little, but in reality, we are offering a lot because we are giving as much as we can. Our health might be suffering, or our energy levels may be low due to personal struggles. In these moments, what we can afford financially or in terms of time and energy may be significantly less. Nevertheless, even a small contribution or effort can represent a substantial sacrifice. 

The widow in today's Gospel reminds us that even when we have little to give, we can still be incredibly generous.

Homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

The Preface of today’s Mass describes Christ’s kingdom as one of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love, and peace. This manifestation is not simply a hope for the future but something to be lived in the present. The kingdom is our hope, but we are also in the midst of the evolving process of being a part of it.

The Gospel reveals how we are to advance the fuller coming of God’s kingdom in our midst. It comes whenever we bring about justice for the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and the oppressed. To conduct ourselves this way is to imitate the Servant-King Himself presented in our Gospels as the One who rescues us from alienation, hunger, spiritual fatigue, illness, and weakness in various parts of our being. Among His final words was a promise to the thief crucified next to Him that the eternal love of God in Paradise would surround him.

The best way to honor Christ our King is to labor to make His kingdom a reality right here on earth. Anything we do to relieve the suffering and poverty of people in our world is also a service to Christ because He identifies Himself personally with those in need.

A faithful follower of Christ the King cannot afford the indulgence of living comfortably for oneself while ignoring the needy and suffering among us. Ignoring the cries of those in need is to close our ears to Christ. Averting our eyes to the anguish of the dying is to close our eyes to Him. If we follow Jesus Christ as our Servant-king, we must somehow be servants ourselves for His sake and in His Name.

 

 

Homily for Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel passage occurs when the Sadducees, Pharisees, and chief priests had grown frustrated with Jesus and His message. They wanted to kill Him, but they knew He had the support of the people, which made them hesitant to act.

The questions they posed to Jesus were designed to trap Him and provoke Him into blasphemy, providing them with a reason to put Him to death. Their intentions were self-serving, hidden beneath the surface of what may have seemed to be innocent questioning.

Similarly, we often bring our own agendas when we approach Jesus. Typically, we seek something we want, a desired change, or a struggle with aspects of our lives or faith that we find difficult. Sometimes, without realizing it, our agendas can contradict Jesus’ message.

Whatever we pray for, we must offer these prayers with a genuinely open heart, mind, and soul. We should strive to set aside our agendas to more perfectly align with God's will.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr

Although we have only a few stories about Jesus' early life, we know that the last three years of his time on Earth were filled with intense activity. Today's Gospel illustrates Jesus' passion and energy, particularly during his visits to Jerusalem.

In this passage, Jesus confronts the pillars of society and expresses his righteous anger toward their corrupt use of the Temple for personal gain. At the same time, he advocates for the marginalized and oppressed—those whom the powerful look down upon.

Although Jesus' ministry was brief, he utilized every moment to disrupt the status quo and challenge those in power. His message of love and compassion posed a threat to those who wished to maintain control, leading them to seek ways to silence him.

As we carry on the mission of spreading the Good News of the Gospel, we may encounter opposition and conflict. However, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to living out Jesus' message, standing up for the marginalized, and challenging those who misuse their power. Let us be bold like Jesus, using our words and actions to bring about lasting change in the world.

Homily for the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today, the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who devoted herself to following God's plan for her life from an early age. Her unwavering faith and commitment led God to choose her as a living temple—a vessel through which He could uniquely embody Himself. Mary's openness to divine inspiration allowed her to become a dwelling place for God's Son, Jesus, in a real and physical sense.

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus speaks of those who "do the will of [His] Father in heaven." Mary exemplifies this perfectly as the first and most complete answer to God's call. Her lifelong dedication to His will made her a suitable vessel for His Son to enter the world.

We, too, are called to fulfill God's will, allowing us to become temples of the Lord and carry His presence to others. As St. Paul wrote, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

On this day, we ask for Mary's intercession, praying that we may always strive to do the Father's will. In doing so, we, too, can become living temples of the living God, with His Spirit dwelling within us.

Homily for Wednesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

The parable we just heard from Luke's Gospel addresses the expectation that God's kingdom would arrive soon. The people following Jesus were often preoccupied with thoughts about the future. In response, Jesus shared this parable to draw their attention back to the present.

The parable tells the story of a nobleman who traveled to a foreign country and later returned as king. During his absence, his servants were focused on the day of his return instead of addressing their current needs and making good use of the resources he had left them.

Worrying excessively about the future can distract us from what is essential in the present. What truly matters is how we generously and courageously use the gifts and resources that the Lord has given us to help those who are here right now. This is the perspective that the Lord encourages us to adopt. The servant who hid his gold coin in a handkerchief for fear of losing it went against this approach to life. Although using our gifts and resources may lead to mistakes or failures, it's important to remember that failure is better than being paralyzed by fear and inactivity.

Homily for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Teresa of Calcutta often stated that God does not call us to be successful but faithful. Each of us can meaningfully respond to God's great love. The value of our efforts is not determined by their scale or scope but by the sincerity of our commitment to share that love with others.

In today's Gospel, Jesus affirms the compassion and integrity of the shunned tax collector Zacchaeus, transforming the life of the man who climbed the sycamore tree. Christ calls us in the same way: He invites us to respond to God's love in whatever way we can and to encourage others to do the same. Together, we can transform the darkness surrounding us into the light of God's peace, love, and justice.

Homily for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

In the healing story we just heard in our Gospel passage, the blind man's perseverance in prayer is particularly striking. When he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me," the people around Jesus told him to be quiet. However, he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have pity on me!" His determination was unwavering, even in the face of others' intolerance; he teaches us the importance of persistence in our prayers.

The blind man's plea was rooted in his deep desire to see with his physical eyes again. Our most sincere prayers to the Lord often stem from the needs we carry within our hearts and souls. By expressing these needs to God, we ask Him to respond to our requests, just as Jesus responded to the blind man's plea.

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

We have all noticed that the days are getting shorter in recent weeks, the air is crisper, and the trees have nearly lost all their leaves. Our part of the world is becoming darker as winter approaches, bringing us closer to the end of the calendar year and the liturgical year. This is a time for reflection on the end times, often called the Apocalypse. Therefore, the words of Jesus in our Gospel become increasingly relevant during this season.

In examining today's Gospel, it is essential to understand what Jesus was conveying to his disciples and how it affected them. While discussing apocalyptic matters, His message differs from what is often portrayed in literature.

The word "apocalypse" comes from the Greek meaning to unveil and reveal.

Jesus said that the world would be destroyed, the stars would fall from the sky, and the moon and the sun would be darkened. For the people in ancient Jerusalem, the sun, moon, and stars were crucial points of reference for time and location. They guided them on their journeys and indicated the time of year and the time of day.

Jesus went on to say something that causes many doubters to question the truth of His words: that all these events would occur before that generation passed away. Yet, two thousand years later, the sun, stars, and moon remain in their places. So, was Jesus wrong? Was he mistaken?

For a person of faith who thoughtfully reflects on Jesus' words, it becomes clear that Jesus often conveyed messages that went beyond their surface meaning. He had a more profound significance to reveal to us, aiming to unveil profound truths.

Essentially, Jesus informed His followers that nothing in this world is certain, particularly concerning death. Death serves as a significant reference point for all human beings. We are all aware that it is inevitable, and many of us strive to accomplish specific goals before we reach that boundary.

When death is feared, it exerts significant control over us; it is the tool that tyrants and terrorists use to manipulate people into doing their bidding.

The fear of death has been described as the root of all sin. Every form of tyranny and system of domination gains power from our fear of death. This fear makes us vulnerable to manipulation in various ways.

Jesus understood that people's perceptions of the world, their place in it, and the significance of death would be transformed.

Jesus' death and Resurrection and the promise that we will rise after death change our perspective on life. For the faithful, death no longer holds power over us, as we no longer view it as final. Because of the Resurrection, the grip of sin can be broken, allowing us to live in the freedom of being God's children and in accordance with His will. While death remains inevitable, the Resurrection reveals the truth about death, transforming it into something magnificent—a doorway to everlasting life.

Homily for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

The parable of the widow and the unjust judge teaches us an important lesson. The widow's persistence, despite being rejected by a judge who did not fear God and had little respect for others, is truly inspiring. She did not lose hope, she persisted, believing that her cause was just. Jesus presents her as an example of faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a beacon of inspiration for us all.

Towards the end of the parable, Jesus poses a profound question that continues to resonate with us today: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?" The answer hinges not on God's faithfulness, which is always certain, but rather on our own. We must strive to maintain our faith during difficult times through prayer, just as the widow did. Prayer, our primary means of sustaining our faith, is a source of reassurance and comfort, even when the odds seem stacked against us.