C, The Body and Blood of Christ (22 June 2025)

 

C, THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST HOMILY, LUKE 9:11-17 JUNE 22, 2025

1. STORY

John was a popular teacher who at Christmas received gifts from his students.  Each Christmas when he received a gift of a long thin box, he knew it was a tie.  He would put it into a drawer without opening it.  Over the years, he accumulated many such boxes.  One day when he was preparing to attend a wedding, he took out one of the gifts looking for a tie to wear.  When he opened one of the boxes, he was shocked to find not a tie but a very valuable watch.  What looked like an ordinary tie box turned out to be something very special.  Jesus ate many ordinary meals withy people.  However, there was one meal that was not ordinary, the Last Supper, when he changed bread and wine into his Body and Blood.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 9:11-17

A) A LARGE CROWD OF HUNGRY PEOPLE

i) People enjoyed listening to Jesus’s preaching and receiving his help.

ii) One such day a large crowd had been with Jesus all day and in the evening they were hungry.

iii) As they were in a deserted place, it would be difficult for them to buy food.

iv) The disciples asked Jesus to send them away so that they could find food for themselves. 

B) JESUS FEEDS THE HUNGRY PEOPLE

i) Jesus asked if there was any food available.

ii) There were five loaves and two fish at hand.

iii) After Jesus blessed this food he told the disciples to pass out the food.

iv) There was enough food to feed over 5,000 people with 12 baskets of food left over.

v) Jesus had the power to multiply bread. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) TODAY THERE ARE MANY HUNGRY PEOPLE

i) Today there are many physically and spiritually hungry people.

ii) Spiritually hungry people are unhappy, not at peace, not sure of the purpose of life, and do not have the strength to change for the better.

iii) Jesus has the power to spiritually feed these people. 

B) THE EUCHARIST, THE BREAD OF LIFE

i) Just as Jesus had the power to multiply bread, he had the power to change bread and wine into his Body and Blood.

ii) He gave this power to priests through the Church.

iii) How blessed we are being able to receive this wonderful gift at Mass.

We should take every effort to receive the Eucharist at each Mass we attend.  Through this gift, Jesus gives us strength to live a happy and peaceful life.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John was very surprised, when looking for a tie, he found a valuable watch.  Jesus ate many ordinary meals.  However, there was one very special meal, the Last Supper, when he changed bread and wine into the Body and Blood.

ii) Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish making it possible to feed over 5,000 people.

iii) Through the Eucharist, Jesus gives us spiritual strength to be happy and at peace.  We thank Jesus for this precious gift of spiritual food.  We should receive the Eucharist at every Mass we attend.

 

C, The Holy Trinity homily (15 June 2025)

 

C, THE HOLY TRINITY HOMILY, JOHN 16:12-15, JUNE 15, 2025

 

1. STORY

On their way to a buffet lunch, John and his friend were discussing and were puzzled by the doctrine of the Trinity.   They entered the restaurant and saw about 20 delicious dishes from which they could choose.  They chose about 10 different kinds of food lamenting that their stomachs were not big enough to eat all the other dishes.  John then thought as their stomachs were not able to eat all the delicious foods, their minds were not able to understand many doctrines of the Church, especially the one concerning the Trinity.

 

2. THE GOSPEL, JOHN 16:12-15

A. I HAVE MUCH MORE TO TELL YOU

For three years Jesus taught the disciples many wonderful things about God, about life, and about heaven.  He told them there was still much more they had to learn and that he would teach them through the Holy Spirit.  “When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”

B. THE THREE NAMES

In this passage Jesus tells us about Himself, the Spirit, and about His Father.  This has led the great minds of the Church to conclude that there is only one God but three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We call this doctrine the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE HOLY TRINITY

i) We are blessed knowing something of this great doctrine. There is only one God but God is composed of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  It is only because Jesus taught us this that we know this great secret.

ii) In our prayers and in our liturgy, we use the prayer, “In the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

B. THE NEED FOR HUMILITY 

i) Although we have a wonderful mind, our knowledge is limited.  There are many things we know but many more things we do not know.

a) We know that one candle can have a flame, heat, and light; but it remains one candle.

b) We know that water can be a solid, ice, a liquid, water, and steam; yet all are water.  From all of this, we recognize the importance of humility which means we know some things but there are many things that we do not know.

C. THE NEED FOR UNITY

The teaching of the Trinity helps us to know that the importance of unity for the Trinity is the model of unity.  We must work to bring about unity in our family, in our Church, in our society, and in the world.  How do we do this?

i) We PRAY for unity among all.

ii) We RESPECT others’ thought, we may or may not agree with their beliefs or actions.

iii) We use DIALOGUE and not violence to bring about unity.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John realized that as his stomach was limited in the amount of food he could eat, so too was his mind limited in how much he could understand.

ii) Jesus told us that there was much more we had to learn, and the Holy Spirit will help us to find the truth.

iii) Jesus taught us about the Father, himself, and his Spirit. This doctrine is known as the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  We must be humble knowing of our limitations and strive to bring about peace in our family, Church, society, and the world.  We ask Jesus for his help.

 

Pentecost homily - The Holy Spirit, God's invisible power (08 June 2025)

 

PENTECOST HOMILY, JOHN 20:19-23, June 8, 2025 

1. STORY

John’s business was selling balloons at an amusement park. One day a boy approached him and was fascinated by the different colored balloons.  Accidentally, a red balloon slipped out of John’s hand and rose up into the sky.  The boy asked John if he released a black colored balloon would it also go up.  John explained to the boy that the color of the

balloon was not important.  What was important was the air inside of the balloon that made it rise.  What is important for us is not the color of our skin but the Holy Spirit in our heart.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 20:19-23

A) RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

After his resurrection while visiting the apostles, Jesus gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit, “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.” In our first reading, Acts 2:1-11, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles like a wind, “Suddenly from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong, driving wind” which is invisible and also fire, Tongues of fire appeared,” which is a sign of God’s presence in the Bible.  So, the Holy Spirit is God’s invisible power in us.

B) AS HE FATHER HAS SENT ME SO I SEND YOU

Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit because he has a task we must carry out, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  Just as in our first reading, Acts 2:1-11, the apostles preached the gospel, so too does Jesus want us to do the same.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

There are many invisible powers in our life.

Wind can move a sail boat, electricity can produce light in a light bulb, and radio waves make the mobile phone possible. The Holy Spirit, God’s invisible power, can guide us on our life’s journey, teach us the truth and comfort us in our sorrow.  This same Spirit gives us the courage and ability to preach the gospel.

B) Sharing the gospel

Just as a thirsty person needs water, a hungry person needs food and sick person needs health, so too do we need Jesus.  Jesus is the living water, the bread of life and the physician who can heal us.  Because there are so many spiritually needy persons, Jesus wants us to tell others that he is the source of peace, happiness and eternal life.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Just as a balloon rises because of the air inside it, so too are we able to rise, do good things.  Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit, God’s invisible power, so that we have the courage and ability to preach the gospel, tell others that Jesus is the source of happiness, peace and eternal happiness.

C Ascension homily - Jesus was taken up to heaven (01 June 2025)

 

C, ASCENSION HOMILY, LUKE 24:46-53, JUNE 1, 2025 

1. STORY

John was traveling on a mountain road when he found a precious stone in a stream.  The next day he met another traveler, Peter, who was hungry and asked for some food.  When John opened his bag to get the food, Peter noticed the precious stone and asked for it.  To Peter’s great surprise, John gave him the jewel.  Peter left rejoicing at his good fortune.  The next day Peter came back and returned the stone to John.  He asked John for something more valuable than the stone.  He wanted to know John’s secret that enabled him to give up the stone.  John answered that his secret was his belief in heaven and that every good deed he performed on earth brought him one step closer to his goal.  Heaven was far more important than the precious diamond.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 24:46-53

A. JESUS SUFFERED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD

i) We know that Jesus suffered on the cross as a sign of his love for us and to save us.

ii) We know that after three days he rose from the dead and gave us the greatest gift to eternal life.

iii) We know that Jesus helped people during his life. 

B. HE WAS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN

After Jesus finished his work on earth and trained his followers to continue his work, he ascended into heaven.  He did not abandon us but continues to care, support, and love us in heaven where he sits at the right hand of God the Father.  He is preparing a place for us to be with him forever.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. OUR LIFE ON EARTH 

i) Through our baptism, we have been called to carry on the work that Jesus started.

ii) Just as Jesus helped the poor, the sick, and the hungry, we must try our best to help those in need.

iii) We are called to preach the good news to others by our words and actions.  We share with them that Jesus is the source of our happiness and peace.  He alone can give us the gift of eternal happiness. 

B. WE WILL BE TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN.

i) Just as Jesus was taken to heaven, we will also be taken to heaven.  Heaven is our final home where we will enjoy eternal happiness with God.  It is a pure gift from God.

ii) Though we can in no way earn heaven, Jesus through our baptism, expects us to do good as he did.

a) We do this by praying to God for help and thanking him for his goodness to us.

b) We are kind, respectful, comforting, forgiving, grateful and encouraging to others by our words and deeds.

iii) We care for our health by eating properly, exercising, and getting enough rest.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John considered heaven more valuable than a precious diamond.

ii) After living a life of service, Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead, and was taken to heaven.

iii) We have been called through baptism to follow the example of Jesus by helping others as he did.  We too will be taken to heaven as Jesus was.  We will live with him forever in eternal happiness.  We thank Jesus for giving us the great gift of heaven and ask for the strength to live as he did by loving and helping others.

6C Easter homily - The gifts of the Spirit and Peace (25 May 2025)

 

6C EASTER HOMILY, JOHN 14:23-29, MAY 25, 2025

1. STORY

John, a diamond expert, received a small box from a farmer containing nine small diamonds of various colors.  The one that caught his attention was a red one, no bigger than a cherry, which is very rare and very expensive.  He could not believe that such a valuable diamond was kept in a box on a shelf in a farm.  After carefully studying it, he estimated that it was worth over 7 million Hong Kong dollars.  It sold for that price at an auction.  When John informed the farmer by phone of his good fortune, the farmer thanked him and hung up.  The farmer had no idea of the worth of his small red diamond.  We too are often not aware of the great gifts of the Spirit and peace. 

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 14:23-29

A. THE FATHER WILL SEND THE SPIRIT

The first gift God the Father will send us is the Spirit.

i) He will teach us new things.

ii) He will remind us of all that Jesus had taught us. 

B. PEACE I LEAVE YOU

Jesus leaves us his peace.  Peace means “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit will teach us many new things as well as remind us of what Jesus has taught us.

i) He will teach us that Jesus is always with us to help us as we walk on the road of life.  We are never alone.

ii) He will teach us what is right and what is wrong and what we should do and what we should not do in this very complicated world.

iii) He will teach us that, at the end of the road of life, death is but a change and not the end.  The end will be to enjoy eternal life and happiness with God in heaven.

B. THE GIFT OF PEACE

Peace means to live without being troubled or afraid.  This is possible because Jesus lives with us. 

i) Jesus is the Good Shepherd who guides and protects us as we move along the road of life.  We have no fear of going down the wrong path or being attacked by the devil.

ii) Jesus is the Bread of Life who provides us with spiritual strength through the Eucharist.  We have no fear of being spiritually hungry and weak as we go forward in life.

iii) Jesus is the Light of the World who keeps us from walking in the dark.  He helps us to see the path so that we will not stumble or fall.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John was amazed that the farmer had no idea of the worth of the red diamond.  We may also not be aware of the precious gifts of the Spirit and the peace that we have been given.  

ii) God will give us the Spirit who will teach us new things and remind us of what Jesus has taught us.  We have the gift of peace which makes it possible for us to live without being troubled or afraid.  We thank Jesus for helping us know and appreciate the precious gifts of the Spirit and the peace we have received.  We ask Jesus to help us to follow the guidance of the Spirit and to live a life of peace.

5C Easter homily - Love one another, as I have loved you (18 May 2025)

 

5C EASTER HOMILY, JOHN 13:31-33A,34-35, MAY 18, 2025 

1. STORY

After a severe earthquake, John volunteered to go to the north of the country as a rescue worker.  Shortly after he arrived, there was a second devastating earthquake.  He was working at an orphanage helping children to evacuate from their building.  He made several trips in and out of the orphanage bringing the children to safety.    Disregarding his own safety, he continued to help the children when he was hit by falling bricks and was killed.  John showed his love by sacrificing his life to help others.  He carried out the command of Jesus to love one another.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 13:31-33a, 34-35

A. LOVE ONE ANOTHER

i) This is a very important command as it sums up the other commandments.

ii) Jesus demonstrated this command by the example of his life.

iii) By loving us, Jesus gave us the strength to love others. 

B. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU

Here are three ways Jesus loved us.

i) He humbled himself and came down from heaven and became a man to be with us.  This was a great act of humility.

ii) He spent his whole life helping others.  He gave us a model of how to love others.

iii) He died on the cross and rose from the dead so that we may have eternal life.  He sacrificed his life for our sake. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

Love others as Christ loves us.  Here are four suggestions as how to love others as Jesus loves us.

i) Put in your mind that all of the people you meet, you want them to be happy.  Whether the person is a stranger, a friend, a neighbor, a fellow worker, or even a person you do not like, the thought in your mind is you want them to be happy.

ii) Most people have good and bad points.  Make an effort to see their good points and to appreciate them.  Accept the fact that we all had characteristics that may not be so good.  No one is perfect.

iii) Be willing to forgive others who have offended you.  As we hope others will forgive us if we have offended them, so do others hope we will forgive them.

iv) Finally, help others as much as you can within your ability.  A smile, a kind word, or a listening ear, even though you may think they are very small things, they are ways you can love others.  We also love others by praying for them.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John volunteered to help the needy.  He gave his life to save others. ii) Jesus gave us a most important command to love others, that is to help others.  Jesus helped us and gave his life as a model for us to follow.

iii) We love others by wishing them to be happy, appreciating their good points, forgiving them, and helping them in any way within our abilities.  We thank Jesus for this very precious instruction and ask him to help us carry out his command to love others as he loves us.

4C Easter homily - Jesus is the good shepherd (11 May 2025)

 

4C EASTER HOMILY, JOHN 10:27-30, 

MAY 11, 2025 

1. STORY

One day John lost a sheep.  A search party was about to set out when John asked his neighbor, Peter, to help out.  Peter replied, “With only one sheep lost was it necessary to have so many people involved in the search?”  “Yes,” John replied, “as there were so many paths in the area, the sheep could have gone in many different directions.”  After awhile, the search party returned.  Peter asked John if they had found the sheep, John replied that they had not found the sheep as there were so many paths that they did not have enough men to explore each path.  In life there are so many paths that we too can get confused and lose our way.  We are safe when we follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 10:27-30

A. MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE

i) Jesus loves us, his sheep.  He gives directions so that we will stay on the right path in this very complex world.  It would be very easy to get on the wrong path causing us much suffering and sorrow.

ii) It is imperative that we listen to his advice.  We must obey Jesus.  We must not listen to the advice of others who would lead us astray. 

B. I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE

i) Where will we end up if we follow Jesus?  We will not have wealth, power, and fame which will perish someday.  We will have the greatest gift possible.  We will have eternal life, a life of happiness, joy, and peace with God in heaven.

ii) These blessings will never perish.  They will last forever.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. LISTEN TO AND FOLLOW JESUS 

i) Jesus speaks to us through the Church, when we read the bible, when we hear the homily during Mass, or when our parents, a teacher, or a doctor speak to us.

ii) We follow Jesus by obeying him, imitating his good example, and by being merciful towards others.

B. JESUS GIVES US ETERNAL LIFE

i) Our life’s journey has a beginning at birth, an ending on this earth at death, and a beginning of a new life in heaven.

ii) Life in heaven with God will be one of joy, happiness, and peace.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John made every effort to find the lost sheep but failed as there were far too many paths in the area and not enough men to explore all of them.

ii) Jesus is our good shepherd who guides us on the right path in this complicated world.  When we obey Jesus, he will lead us to eternal life, a life filled with joy, happiness, and peace.

iii) We must listen carefully and obey the voice of Jesus.  This is our way to arrive at eternal happiness.  We thank Jesus for being our good shepherd and for guiding us to a life of happiness.  We ask Jesus to help us to listen and to obey his voice.