St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's parable, Jesus is represented by the master, and all of us are represented by the servants. However, it's easy for us to forget that we're simply servants who depend on God.

In a world where technology has given us much power, it's natural for some to think of themselves as the center of the universe. But this parable reminds us that we are not God nor the center of the world. Our purpose is to know, love, and serve God. Only by doing so can we find true fulfillment.

God has blessed us with talents, which refer to all the abilities and blessings we receive from Him. We can either use them as Christ wants us to or squander them. The secret to true fulfillment is to use our God-given talents well.

St. Teresa of Calcutta is an excellent example of someone who learned this lesson. One of her many stories illustrates beautifully what it means to use our God-given talents well.

During her stay with a community of sisters working with indigenous Australians, she visited an older man who lived alone and was ignored by everyone. His home was filthy, but he refused when Teresa offered to clean it. She insisted, and he finally agreed.

While cleaning, she found a beautiful lamp covered with dust. The man told her he had never lit it because no one visited him. Teresa promised the sisters would visit him every night if he agreed to light the lamp. The man agreed, and from that day on, the sisters visited him every evening. Two years later, he sent a message to Teresa saying that the light she lit in his life still shone.[1]

Our life mission is to invest our talents so that we can light as many lamps as possible in as many different ways as possible. We should first identify our gifts and thank God for all our blessings. Then, we should reflect on the one or two strong characteristics, traits, or talents God has given us. What are the things that excite us, and what have we always dreamed of doing?

The second step is to get right with God and stay that way by praying daily, going to confession regularly, and studying Scripture and Church teachings. This is how we get to know our Lord and Savior and stay connected to the vine. If we fail to do this, our talents will bear no fruit.

Finally, we must put our gifts at the service of others. We should be creative and courageous, just like Christ, who left us his new commandment: to love one another as he has loved us. To fulfill our purpose in life, we must give our lives by using our talents to serve those around us.

[1] Voices of the Saints" by Bert Ghezzi

 

Homily for Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

The parable of the widow and the unjust judge teaches us a vital lesson. Even though the widow was rejected by a judge who didn’t fear God and disrespected his neighbors, 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 almost impossible obstacles.

Towards the end of the parable, Jesus asks a question that still resonates with us today; "When the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?" The answer lies not in God's faithfulness, which is never in doubt, but in our own. We must strive to maintain faith in difficult times through prayer, just as the widow did. Prayer is our primary means of sustaining our faith, even when the odds seem against us.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

The Gospel reminds us of the danger of being so consumed with our daily routines that we forget what truly matters. While it's true that we need to eat, drink, read, write, buy, sell, plant, build, and nurture our relationships, these activities alone are not enough to fulfill us.

There is a deeper purpose to our lives that goes beyond the mundane. Jesus called it the day of the Son of Man, a reality that is both imminent and eternal. The Lord is present in our daily lives, even in the most ordinary moments. We need to be aware of His presence and purposefully 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's not allow ourselves to become so preoccupied with our daily activities that we neglect our spiritual life. Instead, let's keep the Lord at the heart of our lives, and in doing so, find true fulfillment and purpose.

Homily for Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

Sometimes, we fail to recognize the significance of seemingly ordinary things. We miss out on their value even though they are right before us. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would arrive. To their surprise, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God is among you." Although it was not in the form they expected, the kingdom of God was present.

Christ's presence is not always grand or showy, but it is always present in our lives. He works through people who uplift, heal, and bring life to others. We may not even realize how much he influences our lives daily. He promised, "I am with you always," so we will never be without his healing power. We need faith, open eyes, and ears to recognize his presence. Let us pray for "an increase in our faith."

Homily for Wednesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

Sometimes, we forget that every good thing we have in our lives is a gift from God. The story of the Samaritan leper in today's Gospel reminds us of 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 God had cured him.

Jesus praised the Samaritan for his gratitude and insight. He didn't seek any thanks for Himself but rather for God's healing power. Jesus said, "Your faith has saved you." This leper had a heart full of gratitude and saw God's hand in his recovery.

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

Homily for Tuesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

In the passage that precedes today's Gospel, the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. His response to their request reminds us that faith is more than just fulfilling a list of requirements. It's a way of life that inspires us to go above and beyond what is expected.

Jesus wants us to understand that true faith is not just about going through the motions. It's about living and breathing our faith daily in every aspect of our lives. It's about being an active participant in Jesus Christ's mission. So, let's remember that faith is not just what we do; it's who we are. Let's strive to embody our faith in our actions, words, and attitudes every day. When we do that, we will truly live the life Jesus calls us to live.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

It's not uncommon for people with high ideals to be intolerant, scandalized, or easily offended. While some may suggest that they need to be more streetwise, Jesus teaches us not to give them a reason to be scandalized, no matter how hardened they are to life's challenges.

Admittedly, it's not easy for idealistic people to forgive the weaknesses and flaws of others. Although they may possess great virtues, they may struggle to understand the power of temptation and may overlook the goodness in others. This lack of forgiveness can be a stumbling block for unbelievers, driving them away from the Church.

However, Jesus reminds us that sin and failure are inevitable. He doesn't tell us to condemn those who sin but rather to balance our quest for holiness with faith in God's work in the lives of others, even those who fall short (which includes all of us).

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

Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is a story of a man who had significant financial difficulty; he could barely support himself and his family. In despair, he went to his parish church to ask God for help. 

At first, he was a bit anxious and hesitated, but he finally made it through the doors, knelt in the back pew, and prayed: “God, if you’re up there, please help me win the lottery so I can support my family.” He went back every day for months and prayed the same prayer. But nothing happened.

Finally, on a Friday, he made his regular visit. He prayed his usual prayer: “God, if you’re up there, please help me win the lottery.” Much to his amazement, the ceiling opened, and a booming voice from heaven answered him: “OK, fine. But you must at least buy a ticket!”  

How often are we like that? We desire all that God promises but fail to do our part. Perhaps we are too lazy. Perhaps we are too busy with other things. Maybe we are fearful that we will fail in our efforts to cooperate with the will of God. Perhaps our faith in God and in ourselves is weak.  

What is God asking of us right now? Has God recently placed something in your heart and mind that needs your attention? Is there a relationship that you need to fix or even end? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone from whom you need to ask for forgiveness?

Do you need to renew your commitment to the basics of being a Catholic: daily prayer, regular Communion and Confession, being active in the mission of the Church, and a sincere, ongoing endeavor to know what the Church teaches?  

God doesn’t want our lamps to run out of oil. He wants His light to keep shining in our hearts for our own good and for the good of those around us. But God never forces His will upon us. He will never force us to fill our lamps and keep them filled.  

Still, he comes to us each day and offers Himself to us and for us in the Eucharist. He comes to us in the people we encounter daily, those who need our help and those who are trying to help us.

He simply asks that we do our part, whatever it may be, and be always ready in the many ways He enters our lives and be prepared for His final coming at the end of time.

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours

In today's first reading, St. Paul commended his faithful friends who fulfilled their part in service of the Gospel. While in prison, simply knowing that his friends had not forgotten him lifted his spirit. He told them he could cope with his circumstances, regardless of the challenges.

His friends' gift did more than make his cell more bearable; it gave him consolation, knowing that they still cared for him.

In our lives, we must be both generous givers and grateful receivers. After giving what we can to those in need, we must gladly accept our reliance on others in different ways.

The Gospel instructs us to make generous use of what we have and not be slaves of money or material possessions. In such matters, what some think important may be trivial in God's eyes. If we are faithful in such small matters, we may look forward with hope to much greater things.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Leo the Great

In today's parable, a wealthy man confronts his steward about misusing the man's property. He commands him to make a full accounting, telling him that he will no longer be employed by him.

The steward recognizes that he will need the help of his master's many debtors, so he calls each of them and lowers the debt that each one carries. While this does bear a little bit of dishonesty, it points to a much more significant message.

We see that the master is no longer as angry with the steward after he lowers the debtors' burdens. Perhaps, in seeing the mercy with which the steward treated the debtors, he also tempered his response with mercy.

In the LORD's Prayer, we ask God to be merciful just as we are merciful. May the story of the dishonest steward guide us in our response to people in our lives.