St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus came to bring fire to the earth and desires that it were already blazing. This fire prefigures that of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke describes the Holy Spirit as descending upon the disciples like tongues of fire. However, Jesus knows He cannot send the Holy Spirit until He has endured His Passion and death, which He refers to as “a baptism with which [He] must be baptized.” Mindful of the impending suffering, He admits that He will endure great despair until it is finished.

He earnestly wished to complete His Passion (a passion that His disciples will share) so that the fire of the Holy Spirit could begin to blaze in the hearts, minds, and souls of believers.  

Because they carry the mission of Jesus, some families will experience division; some members will embrace the Gospel while others will reject it. The Lord’s arrival and presence touch the depths of our humanity in ways that can sometimes cause deep divisions. 

Our calling is to allow the fire that Jesus has ignited to burn within us, and to trust that the Holy Spirit will kindle in us the fire of His love.

Homily for Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Many prefer to know what lies ahead and when to expect it, rather than being caught off guard. However, unexpected events are a part of life. In today's parables, Jesus highlights the importance of preparing for these surprises. In one story, a burglar breaks into a house unexpectedly. In another, a master returns home to find his careless servant unprepared. Jesus suggests that there can be an element of surprise in our relationship with Him.

The Son of Man may arrive at an hour we do not anticipate. This warning might refer to sudden and unexpected death, but it can also apply to the unexpected arrival of the Son of Man in our daily lives. The Lord may call us to something we have never considered or lead us down a path we wouldn't have chosen. He can come to us through unexpected people—those we wouldn't usually see as messengers of the Lord. The Gospel encourages us to always be ready for the unexpected regarding our relationship with the Lord.

Homily for Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus surprised His audience by describing a scenario in which a homeowner, instead of being served by his servants, puts on an apron and serves them. This was completely unconventional for that time and reflects His own act of washing the Apostles' feet. Jesus uniquely combined the roles of master and servant, which was not the norm of His era.

The homeowner's act of serving his servants is a response to their faithful vigilance. The Lord, who sustains us, expects us to be faithful and watchful so that we are ready to welcome Him whenever He arrives. 

In the Book of Revelation, the Risen Lord says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Jesus is always knocking at our door. If we welcome His presence in our lives each day, He will serve and support us in countless ways.

Homily for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Our Gospel today may seem to criticize wealth, but one could argue that God does not have a problem with our success. 

From Jesus' teachings, we learn that our wealth, gifts, and the fruits of our labor can be powerful tools for good. We live in a society overflowing with possessions, busy schedules, and a sense of empty busyness. Many people are overwhelmed by the pursuit of more and the need to build larger "barns" to store their excess.

To be true people of faith and genuine disciples of Jesus, we must let go of our material possessions and busy lives to create space and time for God to dwell within us. The most tragic form of poverty is a life filled with things yet lacking in a relationship with God.

Christ calls us to focus on what truly matters—love, forgiveness, compassion, mercy, and gratitude—the gifts that God has generously given us. Let us embrace this priceless and wonderful life and learn to love one another as God loves us.

Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells the story of a poor widow who is wronged by someone and ignored by a dishonest judge who did not fear anyone, including God. The widow faced numerous challenges, and unlike other widows who might have given up, she persisted in demanding justice. Her struggle grew so intense that the dishonest judge started to fear her. Through her determination, the widow demonstrated God's anger at the wrong in the world, eventually prompting the judge to do the right thing. God was with her in her strong cry for justice.

One night in December 1956, Rosa Parks, an African-American woman, was told to give up her bus seat for a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. This had happened many times before, and it seemed like God did not care about the injustice of segregation. However, that night, Rosa decided to stand up against the unfair law. When she refused to move, she got arrested. Her brave act showed God's sadness over racism. This inspired others to join her, leading to peaceful protests against segregation. Together, they boycotted the buses for 380 days, which helped end segregation on the buses. Through Rosa Parks' brave actions, God prompted people to seek justice.

In our difficulties, God shows His great love and helps us overcome evil. There is a scene in a Peanuts cartoon where Lucy tells Charlie Brown, "These are your hard days. If you keep your head up and keep fighting, you will win!" Charlie Brown, feeling slightly better, asks, "Really?" To which Lucy replies, "Honestly, no!" 

She is right; we cannot succeed alone. But with God, we can do anything. When God comes to us, even if we can't see Him, may He find us full of faith in His love working through us. Let's continue to pray and stay strong in our fight against the serious wrongs of our times.

Homily for the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist

Today, we join the Church worldwide in celebrating the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, who is known as the "beloved physician" and a "co-worker with the Apostles." 

The Gospel of Luke is often referred to as the "Gospel of Mercy," as it emphasizes how Jesus came to heal the sick, forgive sins, and show tender mercy to everyone. St. Luke's experience as a physician echoes in his Gospel, which portrays Jesus as the great Physician of our souls. 

The Gospel of Luke is unique for its detailed account of Jesus' birth and childhood, showcasing his deep devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. We can follow his example by growing in our love for Mary and viewing her as a model disciple. 

Just as St. Luke meticulously documented the life and teachings of Christ, we are called to share the Good News using our own gifts and talents. This sharing can occur in our daily lives, professions, and actions, as we become co-workers in the Lord's vineyard and "fishers of men and women." 

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Jesus' words about sparrows serve as a powerful statement about God. Sparrows are common birds, lacking in notable distinction. Yet, not a single sparrow is overlooked in God’s eyes. God pays attention to even the smallest and least significant creatures. 

If God cares for the humble sparrow, how much more does He cherish us? God is aware of the smallest details of our lives. In the grand scheme of things, this is truly remarkable. God, as the Creator, is transcendent and worthy of reverence and awe, yet can He also focus on each individual in this vast world.

Jesus reassures us that God is a caring Father who is close to us and looks after each one of us. Knowing this, we can trust ourselves to Him without any hesitation.

Homily for Thursday of the 28th Week in Ordinary TIme

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus criticizes the experts of the Jewish Law for taking "away the key of knowledge." They rejected His teaching and tried to prevent others from knowing God through it. They have not remained faithful to their calling as teachers of God's ways. Jesus revealed God more completely than any other human being could, and by rejecting His teaching, they fail to recognize that God is at work in Him.

God has entrusted us with the key to understanding Him, and that key is Jesus. He serves as the gateway to this unique knowledge, and our journey of learning from Him is lifelong. It is a misconception to think that we have a complete understanding of God's ways; we are more like infants, always in need of more learning. This is why Jesus, in His humility, prayed to His Father, acknowledging, "You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to the innocent." Our understanding of God will only deepen when we accept this truth.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus

Jesus admonished the Pharisees and the scholars of the Law for placing heavy burdens on people instead of helping them. Their interpretation of Jewish Law was misguided, turning what should have been a path to life into a heavy load for those already facing life's challenges. Jesus did not come to make people feel more guilty. Instead, He offered comfort, saying, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

At times, the Gospel can feel demanding, but this is meant to help us grow in love within our relationships. We are not to feel completely weighed down by these challenges. God desires for us to experience life in its fullest measure. He presents us with challenges but also provides the Holy Spirit to guide us on our journey toward eternal life.

Homily for Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time

Experience teaches us that people have different priorities and values. What is essential to one person may be unimportant to someone else, and this can lead to frustration when something we regard as necessary is not taken seriously by others. 

For example, the prescribed ritual of washing before meals was more critical to the host than it was to Jesus. This highlighted their conflicting priorities. Certain rituals, like prescribed washings, held less significance for Jesus compared to the values and attitudes of our minds and souls. 

Jesus then emphasizes the importance of almsgiving and caring for those living in poverty as a means of purifying one's deepest self. Ultimately, love takes precedence over human-made rituals. 

It's crucial to recognize that what we consider vital may not always align with Jesus' values. To truly emulate Him, we must allow Him to shape our perspectives rather than trying to shape Him to fit our own. Our ultimate goal should be to align our priorities with His, as this alignment is essential for spiritual growth and guides us on our journey.