St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

In today's Gospel, Philip asks Jesus, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." This request may resonate with many of us, as we often feel that our longing for fulfillment will only be satisfied when we see God in heaven. However, Jesus replies to Philip, saying that he already sees the Father in Him: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." 

Through this reply, Jesus reminds us that He has already begun to fulfill our deepest desire for God. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, Jesus reveals the face of God Himself. As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, we begin to see the face of God, and heaven begins to be a present reality in our lives. 

Jesus desires us to appreciate and experience God's presence through Him, who is always with us until the end of time. We encounter this presence in His words, the sacraments—especially the Eucharist—and our interactions with one another.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Athanasius

Today's Gospel recounts the well-known story of Jesus feeding a large crowd with just five barley loaves and two fish, leaving twelve wicker baskets filled with leftovers. 

One crucial detail in this story is often overlooked: Where did Jesus get the five loaves and two fish used to perform the miracle? He received them from a small boy. Though the boy didn't have much, he generously offered what he had, and the Lord took care of the rest.

This detail reveals a crucial truth: God relies on our cooperation to carry out His will. We must offer our gifts, no matter how meager they seem. God can take our actions, talents, and efforts and transform them into something extraordinary, especially when it comes to feeding the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, caring for the sick, standing up for the oppressed, and sharing God's love, mercy, and providence with those in need.

As we reflect on this story, let us remember that our mission on earth cannot be accomplished through our own strength alone. With God's grace, our efforts are multiplied, and our mission is fulfilled. Therefore, let us pray that we are always willing to use our gifts and talents to benefit others, trusting in God's grace to bring about His will.

Homily for Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Today’s reading challenges us to turn away from the world’s expectations and follow God’s expectations by obeying His will rather than succumbing to human impulses.

The Apostles exemplified remarkable courage with their unwavering commitment to Jesus’ teachings. They stood their ground, even when their safety and lives were at risk, demonstrating their steadfast faith.

Our challenge is to remain firm in our obedience to God and to proclaim the truth of His love and our redemption in Christ, even when the world may not want to hear it.

Let us pray for the same courage as the Apostles, keeping our eyes fixed on heaven.

Homily for Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter

In this part of the world, evenings are getting longer, with daylight extending to nearly 8 p.m. Most of us are happy to see the increasing daylight at this time of year, but our hearts often sink later when the days grow shorter. Although many of us appreciate the light, the Gospel passage from John reminds us that sometimes people prefer darkness to light.

However, John does not refer to natural light but to Jesus, described as the "Light of the World." Jesus declares that anyone who lives by the truth and sincerely seeks it will come into the light. Even if they are unaware, they already stand in the light of God's grace. This is the light that people of faith share with all who seek the truth, as they are guided by the light of Christ.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena

In today's Gospel passage, Nicodemus—a well-educated individual with strong beliefs—appears surprised and confused during his conversation with Jesus. The discussion is challenging because Jesus' words do not align with Nicodemus' understanding of truth. In response, Jesus encourages him to let the Holy Spirit dwell within him, so he may be born again.

Often, we are told to surrender ourselves to the Spirit. However, in today's passage, Jesus does not ask for surrender; instead, he invites us to open our minds and hearts to the Spirit. He is not asking us to give up anything, but rather to listen to the Spirit.

Our relationship with God is interactive, which means we actively participate through speaking and listening. In this relationship with the Spirit, we can come to understand who God is in our lives and souls, as well as who we are to God.

Let us pray that we truly open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, so that we may come to know God and remain aware of Him as the ever-present and essential reality of our lives.

Homily for Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter

Many different kinds of people encounter Jesus throughout the progression of John’s Gospel. In today’s passage, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, part of a group often hostile to Jesus, stands apart from his peers; he is captivated by Jesus and chooses to approach Him, even though this decision puts him at odds with those around him. His initial approach is cautious, coming to Jesus under the cover of darkness. Yet, by the end of John’s Gospel, he is much less timid; alongside Joseph of Arimathea, he ensures that Jesus receives a dignified burial.

Nicodemus’ journey towards Jesus throughout the Gospel encourages us to seek growth in our relationships with Him, even when doing so means going against societal norms. Even if our relationship with the Lord sometimes feels tentative, Nicodemus’ experience reminds us that it can evolve into something bolder. Jesus’s words to Nicodemus in today’s Gospel underscore that our progress toward the Lord is not solely our own effort but also the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus teaches that to enter the Kingdom of God, we must be born of the Spirit.

Just as a sailboat relies on the wind, we, too, need the Holy Spirit guiding us as we journey towards the Lord. This Spirit is available to everyone. The Easter season is a perfect time to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives once again.

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

In his book titled Miracle on the River Kwai, Ernest Gordon recounts the story of British soldiers who were prisoners of war, forced by their captors to work on a jungle railroad. The suffering they endured led the prisoners to develop a deep hatred for their captors, and their relationships with one another deteriorated into division and bitterness.

One day, a shovel went missing. Enraged, the officer in charge demanded its return. However, none of the prisoners moved or spoke up. In response, the officer raised his gun and threatened to start killing them on the spot if the person responsible did not come forward. It was clear he was serious. At that moment, one of the prisoners stepped forward, trembling, and bowed his head. Without hesitation, the officer shot him.

Afterward, the officer ordered a recount of all the tools to ensure nothing else was missing. To everyone's shock, the second count revealed that no shovels had been missing; it had simply been a miscount the first time.

Word spread rapidly throughout the camp that an innocent man had laid down his life to save the others. His sacrifice had a profound impact. The prisoners began to treat each other like brothers. When the victorious Allies eventually arrived, the surviving soldiers—barely recognizable as human beings—stood between their captors and the Allies. Instead of seeking revenge, they protected the soldiers, proclaiming, "No more hatred, no more killing. Now we want forgiveness!" One man's sacrificial love transformed them all.

The image of God's love for us is vividly portrayed in Jesus's death on the Cross, and this image transforms us. While Jesus has risen from the dead, there is a profound reason why He remains on the Cross: whenever any member of His body suffers, He suffers as well. Just as our heads experience pain when our bodies are injured, Jesus, as the head of the Church, shares in our suffering.

Eight days after His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to the Apostles. He stretched out His hands and said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands; and bring your hand and put it into my side."

Instead of saying, "Look at my hands; look at my side. See the wounds," Jesus invites Thomas to enter into His wounds: "Put your hand into my side." This invitation is a call to unite our flesh with His flesh and our sufferings with His. Jesus remains on the Cross because we, His body, face many trials and sufferings.

The sacrifice of one soldier inspired his comrades with a powerful example of love. However, the inspiration that Jesus provides is infinitely greater. He breathes His Spirit into us, providing true inspiration. He enters into our experience and takes our wounds upon Himself to bear our sufferings alongside us. Jesus will remain on the Cross with us until the last member of His body shares in His resurrection and ascends with Him into the kingdom of heaven.

 

Homily for Saturday in the Octave of Easter

The Sanhedrin, having rejected the idea that Jesus was the Messiah, also disputed His Resurrection from the dead. Accepting this fact would require them to reinterpret their long-held traditions.

However, Peter and John, two humble fishermen, boldly stood before the Council and affirmed that Jesus, who had been crucified, was now alive and present on Earth, bringing healing and renewal. Despite the Council's formal ban on such statements, they risked their lives to deliver this crucial message, as it was too important to be suppressed by human authority.

The Resurrection of Christ did more than remove the stone blocking the entrance to His tomb; it opened the doors to a vast future and offered a glimpse of what lies beyond.

Like the disciples, we are called to accept Jesus as our Savior. This acceptance compels us to re-examine everything we believe as He illuminates our lives with new perspectives. If we trust that He has risen from the dead, our faith will energize our lives and bring light to our hearts, minds, and souls.

Homily for Friday in the Octave of Easter

After a night of fishing, the disciples returned empty-handed and feeling discouraged. Early in the morning, Jesus appeared on the shore and met with them. He invited them to have breakfast with Him, presenting an abundant table filled with fish and bread. In their disappointment, Jesus was there to provide for them, feeding them physically, spiritually, and emotionally. 

Similarly, Jesus meets us at the water's edge to offer comfort and sustenance for our journey. Like the disciples, we must recognize Him in our lives—wherever and in whomever He may appear—and make ourselves present to Him to hear His invitation. 

As a result, when we are nourished by the food of His Word and the sacrament of His Body and Blood, we become His presence to others, nurturing, healing, and loving everyone we encounter.

Homily for Thursday in the Octave of Easter

As we just heard, Jesus’ followers had difficulty believing that the man standing before them was the same Jesus they had come to know and love. They thought they were seeing a ghost. 

They had been so traumatized by the Crucifixion just a few days earlier that they struggled to accept that Jesus was truly alive. It was too much for them to comprehend.

Even today, we may find it challenging to embrace and honestly believe the good news of Easter. It is often easier to relate to the death of Jesus than to His Resurrection; we can easily connect with His suffering.

Perhaps that is why we have seven weeks of Easter: to fully take in this incredible truth and recognize that the Risen Lord is among us, saying what He said to His disciples: “Peace be with you.”

He offers us peace of mind and heart, the fruit of His love poured into us by the Holy Spirit. 

When we open ourselves to receive this gift, He sends us out as ambassadors of reconciliation, love, and peace, just as He sent out His disciples nearly 2,000 years ago. 

May our hearts be open to the reality of His love so that we can go forth and share it fully with others.