St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Saint Teresa of Calcutta often said that God does not call us to be successful, but to be faithful. Each of us has the option to respond in a meaningful way to God's love. The importance of our efforts is not measured by their scale or impact, but by the sincerity of our commitment to share that love with others.

In today's Gospel, Jesus recognizes the compassion and integrity of the despised 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 capacity we can, and to encourage others to do the same. Together, we can turn the darkness around us into the light of God's peace, love, and justice.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

In the healing story we just heard from our Gospel passage, the blind man's perseverance in prayer stands out. When he called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me," those around Jesus told him to be quiet. However, he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have pity on me!" His determination remained strong, despite the intolerance of others. 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 arise from the needs we carry within our hearts and souls. By expressing these needs to God, we invite Him to respond to our requests, just as Jesus responded to the blind man's call.

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary TIme

Our first reading from the Book of Malachi and our Gospel passage from St. Luke today both discuss the end times, highlighting how people should anticipate various disasters and judgment.

Many people use these passages, along with others, to predict when the end of the world will occur. They often promote the idea of a vengeful God who will return in anger to punish those who did not follow His will.

In reality, these Scripture passages reveal that this world is imperfect and incomplete. True happiness and joy stem from our hope and expectation for the Kingdom of God that is to come.

The great disasters that Jesus predicted in St. Luke’s Gospel occurred in the years following His death and continue to happen. They will always be part of our existence as long as the world remains.

These passages do not offer a secret key to satisfy our curiosity about the end times or our ultimate destiny as human beings and children of God. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to waste our time worrying about these matters or trying to predict when they will happen.

Instead, we should focus on following the great commandments that Jesus gave us: to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

We should strive to model our lives after the Apostles, the early followers of Jesus, the saints, and even ordinary people today who have wholeheartedly embraced the Gospel call to love, show mercy, and serve those most in need.

Some people overlook the message in today’s Scripture passages—that God desires us to live with Him in Paradise. God is a loving God who wants His children to experience His justice and healing in this life and the next. He longs to reward us for our perseverance in faith and for acting with love and compassion, despite the challenges and tragedies we face in the world.

Our faithfulness to God and our commitment to stewardship enrich not only our lives but also the lives of others. It brings the love, power, and richness of God’s life to ourselves and to all those we encounter. 

Let us pray this week for the courage, strength, and dedication to be active participants in God’s plan for His people.

Homily for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

The parable of the widow and the unjust judge teaches us an essential lesson about persistence and faith. The widow's determination, despite being repeatedly rejected by a judge who neither feared God nor respected others, is truly inspiring. She did not lose hope; instead, she kept fighting for her cause, believing it was just. Jesus presents her as a shining example of faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, serving as a beacon of inspiration for all of us.

Towards the end of the parable, Jesus poses a profound question that continues to resonate today: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?" The answer to this question depends 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 nurturing our faith, offers reassurance and comfort, even when the odds seem against us.

Homily for Friday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary TIme

The Gospel reminds us of the danger of becoming so consumed by our daily routines that we forget what truly matters. While it is essential to eat, drink, read, write, buy, sell, plant, build, and nurture our relationships, these activities alone cannot fulfill us.

There is a more profound purpose to our lives that extends beyond the mundane. Jesus referred to this as the "day of the Son of Man," a reality that is both imminent and eternal, one that should fill us with awe and reverence. The Lord is present in our daily lives, even in the most ordinary moments. We need to be aware of His presence and actively seek Him out. After all, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we can experience His presence in our lives today.

Therefore, let us not become so preoccupied with our daily activities that we neglect our spiritual lives. Instead, let us keep the Lord at the center of our lives; in doing so, we will discover true fulfillment and purpose—a source of hope and motivation to guide us through our daily routines.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin

Sometimes, we overlook the significance of seemingly ordinary things and fail to recognize their value, even when they are right in front of us. When the Pharisees asked about the arrival of the kingdom of God, they were surprised by Jesus' response: "The kingdom of God is among you." This revelation, though not in the form they expected, was a powerful reminder that God's kingdom is indeed present.

Christ's presence is not always grand or dramatic, but it is always felt in our lives. He works through those who uplift, heal, and bring life to others. His influence, though subtle, is profound, shaping our daily experiences in ways we may not even be aware of. He promised, "I am with you always," assuring us that we will never be without His healing power. We need faith, as well as open eyes and ears, to recognize His presence. Let us pray for an increase in our faith.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

It is easy to forget that every good thing in our lives is a gift from God. The story of the Samaritan leper in today's Gospel highlights this vital truth. Ten lepers were cured by Jesus, but only one returned to thank God and acknowledge Him as the source of his healing. This man recognized that it was God who healed him.

Jesus praised the Samaritan for his gratitude and understanding. He didn't seek recognition for Himself; instead, He wanted to emphasize God's healing power. Jesus said, "Your faith has saved you." This leper had a heart full of gratitude and was able to see God's hand in his healing.

Let us recognize God's work in our lives, praise Him for His goodness, and give thanks for the many blessings we receive.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours

In the passage that precedes today's Gospel, the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. His response is a powerful reminder that faith is not just a set of requirements; it is a transformative force that has the power to shape our lives and motivate us to exceed expectations. This transformative power of faith fills us with hope and inspires us to actively live out our faith.

Jesus wants us to understand that true faith goes beyond simply going through the motions. It involves living and embodying our faith in every aspect of our daily lives. We are called to be active participants in the mission of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should remember that faith is not only about what we do but also about who we are. We need to reflect our faith through our actions, words, and attitudes. This call to reflect our faith in all aspects of our lives guides us and keeps us focused on the mission that Jesus has entrusted to us.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Leo the Great

It's not uncommon for people with high ideals to be intolerant, easily scandalized, or easily offended. While some may suggest that they need to be more streetwise, Jesus teaches us not to give anyone a reason to be scandalized, regardless of how hardened they may be to life's challenges.

Idealistic people often struggle to forgive the weaknesses and flaws of others. Despite their admirable virtues, they may struggle to understand the power of temptation and overlook the goodness in those around them. This difficulty with forgiveness can become a stumbling block for unbelievers, potentially pushing them away from the Church.

Yet, Jesus reminds us that sin and failure are inevitable. He doesn't ask us to condemn those who sin; instead, He calls us to balance our pursuit of holiness with faith in God's work in the lives of others, even those who fall short—something that applies to all of us.

Let's strive to be more forgiving, understanding, and merciful as we journey toward our shared goal of spiritual perfection.

Homily for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

The first Christian emperor, Constantine, commissioned the construction of a church on land that once belonged to the Laterani family. This 4th-century church was the precursor to the present Basilica. The Baptistery attached to the current Basilica is where Emperor Constantine was baptized. Today, this Basilica serves as the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. It is considered the Pope's church as Bishop of Rome. For this reason, it is called the "mother and head of all the churches of the city and the world," including our parish church, where we gather for prayer and worship.

While our church is much smaller than the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, both serve as important monuments to the people's faith. In the first reading, Paul tells the Christians in Corinth, "You are God's building; you are God's temple." More fundamental than the physical structure we call a church are the people we refer to as the Church. The church building exists to help us express our identity as a community of faith called to worship God through Christ in the Spirit.

For our worship to be authentic, the shape of our worship must reflect the shape of our lives. Our entire lives should be a movement towards God, through Christ and in the Spirit. This is the essence of being the Church, the temple of God in the world, and it lies at the heart of our baptismal calling.