4C Lent Sunday homily - A father forgives his son (30 March 2025)

 

4C LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32, MARCH 30, 2025 

1. STORY

Several years ago, John had run away from his home.  He realized his mistake and wanted to return.  As it was the era before the telephone, he telegraphed his father asking him to put a cloth on the tree next to the small town’s train station if he had been forgiven and welcomed back home.  John would get off the train if there was a cloth on the tree.  If there was no cloth, he would know he was not forgiven nor welcomed.  He then would not get off the train.  John was very tense as the train approached the station.  The cloth was there.  John was overjoyed knowing that he was welcomed home and was forgiven.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32

A. FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN AND AGAINST YOU.   The son did two things.

i) He asked for his share of the property and then left his father for a life of pleasure.  He failed in his duty to his father.

ii) Realizing his mistake, he returned home asking for forgiveness. 

B. THE FATHER WAS FILLED WITH COMPASSION.  

The father did two things.

i) He longed for his son to return home.  He welcomed his son and forgave him upon his return.

ii) The father celebrated his son’s return by providing him with a robe, a ring, sandals, and a feast.  The father forgave his errant son.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD, OUR LOVING FATHER.  

There are two things the prodigal son can teach us. 

i) We have sinned against God our father.  This would include not obeying God’s commandments of loving God, your neighbor, or yourself. 

ii) We need to return to God and ask for his forgiveness.  God will always welcome and forgive our failings. 

B. GOD WILL FORGIVE US AND WELCOME US BACK.  

There are two things we should remember.  

i) God is our loving father and will always forgive us no matter what sins we may have committed.  Jesus reminds us of this when asked how often to forgive, Jesus answered seventy times seven; that is an infinite number of times.  God has given us the sacrament of confession as a way to receive his forgiveness.

ii) We must be willing to forgive those who have offended us. I n the “Our Father” Jesus taught us to ask God for forgiveness “as we forgive those who have offended us.”  God will forgive us and we must be willing to forgive others.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The son who had left home was overjoyed learning that his father had forgiven him and welcomed him back home.  In the parable, the merciful father forgave and welcomed his prodigal son back home.  God always welcomes us, his errant child, and forgives us our sins.  God wants us to follow his example and forgive those who have offended us.  We thank Jesus for his instruction and ask him for strength to follow his example of forgiving others.

3C Lent Sunday homily - Repent and bear fruit (23 March 2025)

 

3C LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 13:1-9 MARCH 23, 2025

1. STORY

A missionary priest working in a poor country was not getting many converts.  Because pigs were highly prized in that mission country, he imported the biggest and best pigs from his country.  As he expected, many people came from the jungle villages to see these amazing animals.  One day he went to inspect the pigs and discovered that one of his prized pigs was missing.  Realizing it had been stolen, he was very upset and went out into the villages looking for it.  He finally found the pig in the house of the village chief.  In anger he hit the chief and took back his pig.  After some reflection, the priest was very sorry for what he had done to the chief.  He then went back to the village and asked for forgiveness and left one of his pigs as a gift to the chief.  A few days later the chief, along with many others, came to the church wanting to know more about God who was able to so profoundly change the heart of the priest.  The priest repented for what he had done.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 13:1-9

A. YOU MUST REPENT

Jesus warned the people of the importance of repentance to avoid future suffering.  He gave two examples of people who had suffered as a result of their not changing their lives. 

B. IT MAY BEAR FRUIT IN THE FUTURE

Jesus gave the example to a fig tree which had not produced any figs and was about to be cut down.  The caretaker asked for more time as he would give it special care hoping that it would bear fruit.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE MEANING OF “TO REPENT”  

The meaning of “to repent” is to change our hearts.  Just as we can change our watch if it is running too fast or too slow or our clothes if the weather is too hot or too cold.  With the help of God, we can change our hearts.  Here are three examples.

i) If there is hatred in our hearts, we can put love.

ii) If there is revenge, we can put forgiveness.

iii) If there is anger, we can put peace.  We ask Jesus to help us repent. 

B. IT MAY BEAR FRUIT IN THE FUTURE

Just as one expects a fig tree, an apple tree, or a cherry tree to produce figs, apples, or cherries, so does God expect us, his followers and disciples, to produce fruit in the form of good works.  Here are three examples of doing good works.

i) If there is someone you hate, ask God for the strength to pray for him and to have the strength to wish that person well.

ii) If you want to take revenge on someone, ask for the power to forgive that person no matter what he/she may have done to hurt you. iii) If you are angry with someone, ask God for the strength to make peace with that person.  In doing good works, you become merciful as your heavenly father is merciful.  You bring happiness to others and, of course, you bring happiness to yourself.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The missionary priest repented asking for forgiveness from the offended village chief.  Jesus teaches us to change our hearts.  God will help us repent.

2C Lent Sunday homily - The Transfiguration (16 March 2025)

 

TOPIC: THE TRANSFIGURATION

2C LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 9:28b-36, MARCH 16, 2025 

1. STORY

Three-year-old Mary was celebrating her birthday and her uncle wanted to give her a gift.  He offered Mary money, two ten-dollar bills, and told her she could pick only one bill.  She looked carefully and noticed one was bigger than the other.  She was about to select the bigger one but decided to ask her mother for help.  To her surprise, her mother picked the smaller one and explained to her that the bigger bill was a Hong Kong ten-dollar bill but the smaller one was a US ten-dollar bill worth much more than the Hong Kong one.  Thanking her mother for her help, Mary selected the small US ten-dollar bill.  Mary’s mother helped her daughter to make the right choice.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 9:28b-36

A. JESUS’ FACE CHANGED IN APPEARANCE AND HIS CLOTHING BECAME DAZZINGLY WHITE.

To the amazement of the three disciples, Jesus on the mountain was a different Jesus than the one in daily life.  Jesus wanted them to understand him better.  He helped them to know that he was not only a man but he was also God.

B. THIS IS MY CHOSEN SON, LISTEN TO HIM.

God, our heavenly father, helped the disciples by confirming that Jesus was his chosen son and the disciples would profit a great deal by listening to what Jesus had to say.  This mountain experience was a very valuable learning experience.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. UNDERSTANDING JESUS

It is very important for us to listen to Jesus.  He is our master full of wisdom and experience.  Here are some suggestions. 

i) Make a good confession in preparation for the celebration of Easter.  Jesus speaks to us through this wonderful sacrament. 

ii) Make an extra effort to listen to the Sunday homily.  Jesus speaks to us each Sunday when the gospel is explained. 

iii) Jesus wants us to help the poor.  Put in your donation so as to help the poor by using the small Lenten box.

 

4. CONCLUSION

By listening to her mother’s advice, Mary received a valuable gift from her uncle.  By listening to Jesus, the disciples became wiser.  Jesus helped the three disciples by taking them up a mountain and showing them that he was not only a man but he was also God.  God the Father reminded them that it was very important to listen to what Jesus had to say.  Lent is a special time for us as going up the mountain was for the disciples.  It is a time to better understand Jesus and to listen more careful to his wise instructions.  We thank Jesus for helping us to understand him better.  We ask Jesus to give us the strength to become more like him.

 

1C Lent Sunday homily - Jesus rejects temptations (9 March 2025)

 

1C LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 4:1-13 MARCH 9, 2025

1. STORY

There was a king who was seriously ill.  He commanded all the beautiful glasses he had collected from all parts of the world to be brought to him.  He then ordered that all of them be broken into pieces.  When asked why he did this, he replied that he would often drink to excess which injured his health.  He made a vow to never drink wine again.  To avoid being tempted to drink again by the sight of the beautiful glasses, he had all of them broken.

 

2. GOSPEL: LUKE 4:1-13

A. JESUS WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL

The devil tempted Jesus three times.

i) He tempted Jesus to seek material goods.  “Command this stone to be turned into bread.” 

ii) He tempted Jesus to seek power.  “I shall give you all this power and glory.” 

iii) The devil tempted Jesus to seek fame.  “Throw yourself down from here.” 

B. JESUS REJECTED THE TEMPTATIONS

On all three occasions, Jesus rejected these temptations.  He said, “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE DEVIL TEMPTS US  

As the devil tempted Jesus, so does he tempt us. 

i) Seek material goods.  We are tempted to buy too much food, tempted to buy too expensive clothes, and tempted to buy too many gadgets such as computers, mobile phones, and iPads. 

ii) Seek power.  We are tempted to have it our way by not listening to suggestions by others and wanting to be the boss. 

iii) Seek fame.  We want people to praise us and reject any helpful suggestions that may help us to be better disciples of Jesus. 

B. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS.  REJECT TEMPTATIONS. 

i) Live a simple life by buying and possessing what is essential and avoiding having too many material things. 

ii) Live a life of service as Jesus did.  He came to serve and not be served.

iii) Live a humble life as he did.  He lived a humble life with his parents for 30 years.

 

4. CONCLUSION

During Lent, which is the time the Church arranges for us to prepare our hearts for Easter, let us follow the example of Jesus who rejected the devil’s temptations.  Here are three suggestions to help us make a good Lent.

i) Take home a small Lenten box and donate some money to help the poor. 

ii) Try to make the Stations of the Cross by attending the weekly Stations of the Cross or make them on your own. 

iii) Make a good confession during these forty days of Lent.  We thank Jesus for his example of rejecting the devil’s temptations and ask him to help us reject these temptations and give us the strength to make a good Lent.

8C Sunday homily - A good person ...produces good (2 March 2025)

 

8C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 6:39-45  March 2, 2025

1. STORY

In Abbot John's monastery there were many books with one being very rare and expensive.  One day a visiting monk walked away with it and tried to sell it to a rich man.  The rich man asked Abbot John about the valuable of the book.  The abbot said it was very valuable but said nothing more.  The rich man told the visiting monk about his visit to the abbot.  The visiting monk was amazed that the abbot said nothing about the book being stolen.  He realised that the abbot did not want to get him into trouble.  He change his mind about selling the book and returned the book to the abbot.  He pleaded with the abbot to let him stay in the monastery to learn wisdom from him.  His wish was granted and he modelled his life after the saintly abbot.  He learned a good person produces good.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 6:39-45

A GOOD PERSON PRODUCES GOOD

Jesus teaches us that a good tree does not bear rotten fruit and a rotten tree does not bear good fruit.  He explains this by saying a good person produces good and an evil person produces evil.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

SUGGESTIONS FOR BEING A GOOD PERSON

Here are some suggestions on how to be a better person.

A. TOWARD GOD

i) You should pray daily asking God at the beginning of your day to bless you and your family during the day.  At the end of the day thank him for all his love and care received during the day.  

ii) Make every effort to faithfully attend Sunday Mass and if possible, to receive Holy Communion. 

B. TOWARD OUR NEIGHBOUR

i) You should speak with kindness and respect helping people to know more, to be happier and more at peace. 

ii) You should listen to others who want to speak.  This requires your time, interest and patience.  This is a sign of respect for them. 

C. TOWARD YOURSELF

i) You must take care of your heath by eating properly, resting and getting enough sleep. 

ii) Make time to have good communication with your family and friends.  We need the support of others. 

 

4. CONCLUSION

Abbot John helped the visiting monk who stole an expensive book from his monastery.  The visiting monk did not sell the book he had stolen rather he asked for forgiveness and to remain in the monastery to follow the saintly example of the abbot who was a good person who produced good.  Christ teaches us to do good.  We do this by praying to God, helping our neighbour and caring for our health.

7C Sunday homily - Love your enemies (23 February 2025)

 

7C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 6:27-38 February 23, 2025 

1. STORY

John killed his master in a fit of anger.  Fearing he would be put to death, he fled to a remote village accessible only by walking on a dangerous narrow mountain path.  To atone for his sin, he began to cut a road through the mountain to end the isolation of the village.  

In four years, he finished half of his work.  One day a young man appeared and said he was the son of the man who had been murdered and he wanted revenge.  John was willing to die but pleaded with the young man to have him finish the road first.  The young man agreed. He was so impressed at his enemy's determination that he volunteered to help. 

Finally, the road was finished and John said he was ready to die.  The youth could not bring himself to killing John.  He said to John that he had learned a lot from him and could not harm his teacher.  He then walked away.  He had learned to love his enemy.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 6:27-38

A. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us.  He has given us a good example of this as he on the cross forgave those who put him there.

B. BE MERCIFUL JUST AS YOUR FATHER IS MERCIFUL

Jesus teaches us to follow the example of our heavenly Father who forgives us our sins and failings. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WHO ARE MY ENEMIES?

We must ask ourselves if we have any enemies.  There may be people whom we may not like or find it hard to get along with.  This is difficult to avoid.  It may be our attitude towards others or the way we speak or act towards them that is the cause of trouble.  It is important to know this to improve the way we act towards others.

B. BE MERCIFUL

Here are several suggestions that may help us to be merciful. 

i) Pray for the person whom you find difficult to be with. 

ii) Ask for forgiveness if you have offended someone. 

iii) Try to help the person if possible. 

iv) Change a bad habit that may be offensive to others.

 

4. CONCLUSION

John killed a person and fled fearing he would be put to death.  To atone for his sin, he helped a remote village.  He was found by the dead man's son who had come to take revenge.  The son eventually forgave John.  Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. 

He teaches us to be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful.  We follow the example of our Father by praying for our enemy, asking for forgiveness and helping the person if possible.

6C Sunday homily - Blessed are you when people hate you. Your reward will be great in heaven. (16 February 2025)

 

6C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 6:17, 20-26 February 16, 2025

1. STORY

Frank (Franz Jagerstatter) an Austrian farmer, a devout husband and father and a devoted Catholic was executed on August 9, 1943 for refusing to serve in Hitler's army.  His family, friends, pastor and even his bishop tried to change his mind.  But Frank was convinced that the Nazi cause was evil and he could not join as it would endanger his soul.  Eventually he was recognised as one of the most courageous and inspiring Christian witness of our time.  He was beautified in 2007.  He understood well the words of Jesus, "Blessed are you when people hate you...on account of the Son of Man.  Behold your reward will be great in heaven."

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 6:17, 20-26

A. THE SUFFERING CHURCH

Jesus tells us that there will be times when his followers will be hated, insulted and considered evil because of him.  There will be suffering for his followers.

B. THE FUTURE REWARD

Jesus tells us to rejoice and be joyful for our reward will be great in heaven. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE 

A. THE SUFFERING CHURCH TODAY 

i) We are blessed as we do not suffer hardship or persecution because of our faith.  We are free to go to church any time we wish.

ii) There are many Churches in Asia which are being persecuted.  A recent report indicated that Indonesia, Pakistan, North Korea and China are among countries where this is taking place in Asia.

B. HELP THE SUFFERING CHURCHES 

i) We thank God for giving us freedom of religion.  We are free to believe in any religion.  Being Catholics, we can choose the church we wish to attend, at any time and as often as we wish.  This is truly a great blessing. 

ii) Being aware of the difficulties of Churches in other countries, we pray for an improvement in the religious situation.  We try to help when there is a request for financial support for the needy in those countries under persecution. 

 

4. CONCLUSION

Frank a devout Catholic was executed for refusing to join the German army as he thought this was basically evil despite his family and others who tried to change his mind.  He was eventually recognised as a very courageous person and was beautified in 2007.  Jesus told us the Church would be persecuted but the reward would be heaven.  We thank God for giving us religious freedom and pray for the Churches that are being persecuted.