St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

Homily for the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini

Sometimes, we overlook the fact 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 God was the one 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 could see God’s hand in his recovery.

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

Homily for the Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

In the passage that precedes today's Gospel, the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. His response, in today's passage, reminds us that faith is not a mere set of requirements, but a transformative force that shapes our lives and inspires us to exceed expectations.

Jesus wants us to understand that true faith is not merely about going through the motions. It is about living and embodying our faith daily in every aspect of our lives. It involves being active participants in the mission of Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us remember that faith is not just about what we do but about who we are. We should reflect our faith in our actions, words, and attitudes daily. When we do this, we will truly live the life Jesus calls us to lead, and we will be actively contributing to His mission here on earth.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours

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 are to life's challenges.

Idealistic individuals find it challenging to forgive the weaknesses and flaws of others. Despite their admirable virtues, they often find it hard to comprehend the power of temptation. They might miss the goodness in those around them. This struggle with forgiveness can be 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 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

On August 28, 1774, an extraordinary person named Elizabeth Bayley was born in New York City. At age twenty, she married a successful businessman named William Seton. They settled in a fashionable house on Wall Street, and the young couple had five children over time.

Tragedy struck when they lost all their wealth due to a conflict between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800, forcing them to move into a small house. To make matters worse, William contracted tuberculosis. The couple moved their family to Italy in hopes that the climate would help him, but his condition was terminal, and he died in 1803 at the age of 34. Despite these hardships, Elizabeth's resilience shone through.

With the support of a generous Catholic family in Italy, Elizabeth and her young children returned to the United States. The kindness of this family deeply touched Elizabeth, prompting her to explore the Catholic Church. Two years later, she underwent a profound transformation as she converted to Catholicism.

Elizabeth's journey to Catholicism was not without its challenges. Her family and friends were shocked by her decision and virtually disowned her. She was compelled to find a teaching job to support her five children, all the while grappling with her newfound faith and the rejection of those she held dear.

After her children reached adulthood, Elizabeth became a nun and founded the American branch of the Sisters of Charity. This order was instrumental in pioneering the Catholic school system in America, a legacy that continues to this day. Elizabeth's deep devotion to the Eucharist, her genuine love for Scripture—especially the 23rd Psalm—and her strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary were the guiding forces behind her work.

Like her late husband, Elizabeth also contracted tuberculosis and died on January 4, 1821, at the age of 46. Throughout her life, she was not a mystic or a martyr; instead, she was a widow who dedicated everything she had to God. She transformed tremendous personal tragedy into a remarkable gift for God and the Church.

In 1963, Pope John XXIII beatified her, stating, "In a house that was very small, but with ample space for charity, she sowed a seed in America which, by Divine Grace, grew into a large tree."

Pope Paul VI canonized Elizabeth as the first American-born saint on September 14, 1975, in a ceremony held in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. This momentous event marked the formal recognition of her extraordinarly holy life and contributions.

Her story resonates with our Scripture readings today, as two of the readings also feature generous widows. Like Elizabeth Ann Seton, these widows gave from a generous heart. Each had valid reasons to excuse themselves from giving, yet both chose not to do so.

The giving we are discussing goes beyond material or monetary gifts; it encompasses gifts from the heart and soul. It's about returning to God what God has given us in terms of love, talent, compassion, and mercy. It involves using all that we have and all that we are to be instruments of God's love and compassion in our world.

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.

Homily for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

In the parable from today's Gospel reading, a rich man confronts his steward about the mismanagement of his property. He orders the steward to prepare a full accounting and informs him that he will no longer be employed.

Recognizing his predicament, the steward, with admirable courage, decides to seek the help of his master's debtors. He calls each one of them and reduces the amount they owe. While this act involves a certain level of dishonesty, it conveys a more profound message.

Notice that the master appears less angry with the steward after he sees how the steward has eased the burden on the debtors. Perhaps, witnessing the mercy of the steward treating the debtors, the master also softened his response with mercy. This highlights the transformative power of mercy in the face of wrongdoing.

Homily for Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel reading, we see the Scribes and Pharisees' persistent tendency to exclude individuals they deem imperfect. They criticize Jesus for eating and spending time with these people.

However, Jesus uses parables to tell His critics that they should focus on the very individuals He is with. He reminds them that He has not come for the righteous but to save the lost and forsaken. To achieve this, He meets them where they are rather than waiting for them to redeem themselves. This means that Jesus will eat with, speak to, spend time with, and love them.

We, too, are called to seek out the lost and forsaken and to serve those in need: the sick, the oppressed, the poor, and even the sinners.

May our lives reflect Jesus's true teachings as we strive to be His voice, His hands, His feet, and His instruments in the world.

Homily for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Many people struggle with today's Gospel passage, particularly the part about needing to "hate" family members. This concept can feel uncomfortable on a personal level, and it seems to contradict what Jesus and the Scriptures, including the Ten Commandments, say about honoring our parents. So, what is Jesus really trying to convey?

Jesus is not speaking about "hate" in the way we commonly understand it. Instead, He emphasizes that we must love Him and our heavenly Father even more than we love our parents or family members. He is teaching us that when we face a choice between following Him or our family, we must always prioritize Him, even if it creates tension.

While Jesus' expression of this can sound harsh, He often used strong language to capture the attention of His listeners. He aimed to highlight that, at times, following Him can be challenging and, in rare instances, may even put us at odds with those we love the most. We must be prepared to choose Him over family when necessary.

Let us pray for unwavering faith and trust in Jesus, even when following Him requires us to bear difficult crosses and burdens.

Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus shares a parable about a man who invited guests to a dinner, but they were too busy to attend. The man sent his servants to invite others, yet the house was still not full. So, he sent his servants again to continue inviting people until the home was filled.

This reflects God's nature. Just like the man in the parable, God continually seeks us out to save us and invites us to His heavenly home. Sometimes we refuse the invitation because we are too busy or preoccupied with other matters; other times, we struggle with situations that prevent us from accepting God's love. However, God is persistent in His efforts to rescue us from sin and danger.

May we be open to God's grace in our lives and reach out in our times of need, so that one day we may find ourselves at the eternal banquet of heaven.

Homily for the Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo

In today's Gospel, a wealthy Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner, which is unusual because Pharisees typically only dined with those who shared their views. During the meal, Jesus suggests that His host should often invite people he wouldn't ordinarily welcome—those who are outsiders and those experiencing illness, hunger, and poverty.

Unlike the Pharisees, who limited their social circles, Jesus regularly shared meals with a diverse array of people, including the rich and poor, the educated and uneducated, the devout and the outsiders, and men and women. His choice of dining companions reflects His inclusive nature—no one was excluded from His presence or from His mission of preaching the kingdom of God. Jesus aimed to reveal God's generous welcome for everyone, especially those who were marginalized.

Through His authentic lifestyle and the company He kept, Jesus demonstrated the wide hospitality of His Father. In contrast, the Pharisees viewed God as exclusive rather than inclusive. 

While we are also called to practice hospitality, it can be tempting to limit ourselves to a small group of friends who share our attitudes and are able to reciprocate our kindness. However, God calls us to expand our circle and our compassion, to reflect the love of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.