Homily - 13B Sunday homily (30 June 2024) The cure of Jairus' daughter

 

13B Sunday Homily, Mark 5:21-43, June 30, 2024

1. STORY

A king loved his hunchback son very much and tried every method to have him cured.  Finally, he sought the help of a wise man who advised him to have a statue made which looked like his son except with a straight back.  The statue would be put in the palace garden.  Every time the son would see the statue he would say, “Oh, that looks like me.”  Gradually the boy’s back became straight.  The son was cured.  The king thanked the wise man for his help.  This story is like today’s gospel.

 

2. GOSPEL: MARK 5:21-43

A. THE FAITH OF JAIRUS

Jairus went to Jesus for help saying, “My daughter is at the point of death.”  “Please come…that she may get well and live.”  Jairus had great faith in the power of Jesus. 

B. JESUS CURED THE CHILD

Jesus was willing to help the father but encouraged him to have faith even though he received the news that the child had died.  “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”  Jesus spoke to the child and said, “Little girl, I say to you arise!”  “The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked.”  Jesus cured her.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. BELIEVE IN JESUS

Just like the king and Jairus, we have our own problems.  Some may be health problems, family problems, financial problems, or faith problems.  Jesus will always help us if we ask him and if our faith in him is strong.  Do not expect an instant cure.  Jesus will help us in his own way and in his own time.  Jesus tells us, “Do not be afraid, just have faith.” 

B. JESUS HELPS US

Jesus helps us in three ways.

i) As the Light of the world, Jesus tells us that here is a loving God who cares for us, wants us to be happy on this earth, and wants us to enjoy eternal happiness in heaven.  He helps us to know what is right, which will help us and what is wrong, which will harm us.

ii) As the living Bread, Jesus gives us the strength to resist the many worldly temptations which we encounter each day.  He continues to give us the strength to persevere in being his disciples.

iii) As the Way, Jesus guides us on the right path to reach our destination of heaven.  It is easy to leave the right road in this complex world.  Jesus is our guide and we must have faith in him.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Just as the king sought the wise man’s help in curing his son, so did Jairus seek the help of Jesus in curing his daughter.  Jairus had great faith in Jesus who did cure his daughter.  When we have problems, go to Jesus with faith and he will help us.  He is the Light of the world, the Bread of life, and the Way.  Jesus reminds us, “Do not fear, just have faith.”

Homily - 12B Sunday homily (23 June 2024) Jesus calms the storm on the sea

 

12B SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 4:35-41, JUNE 23, 2025 

1. STORY

John Newton, the son of an English sea captain, went to sea at 17 and began leading a wild life.  He took a job on a cargo ship carrying slaves from Africa to America and eventually became the captain of the ship.  One night, a violent storm blew up at sea.  Everyone on board was filled with panic.  Then John did something he had not done before.  He prayed and said, "God, if you save me, I promise to be your slave forever."  God heard his prayer and the ship survived.  John kept his promise.  He left the ship, studied in the seminary, and was ordained pastor of a small church in England.  He became a famous preacher and composer of hymns.  One hymn he wrote was "Amazing Grace."  The song begins "Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me."

 

2. GOSPEL: MARK 4:35-41

A. THE DISCIPLES WERE TERRIFIED BY THE STORM.

When Jesus and the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee, a violent storm came up and waves were crashing into the boat.  The terrified disciples woke Jesus and said, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 

B. JESUS CALMED THE STORM

"Jesus woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Quiet.  Be still."  The wind ceased and there was a great calm.  Jesus rebuked the disciples for their little faith.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. STORMS IN OUR LIVES

Just as the disciples were faced with a storm, we are also faced with many storms in the form of problems.

i) There are health problems we or family members may have.  Some may even lead to the death of a loved one.

ii) There are relationship problems with God by losing faith in him, with family members, colleagues at work, or with friends.

iii) There are financial problems.  Our income may not be sufficient to meet our needs.  There may be no work, money to pay rent, or money for the children's education.  We must go to Jesus for help just as the disciples did. 

B. JESUS SAVES US

There are three ways we can ask Jesus for help. 

i) Pray to Jesus knowing that he loves us and wants us to be happy.  Jesus has the power to help us solve our problems.

ii) Ask Jesus to increase our faith.  Jesus knows we are in trouble.  We must be patient and let Jesus help us in his own way and in his own time for results.

iii) Ask Jesus to help us follow the good example of Mary by saying, "Thy will be done."  Jesus knows what is best for us.  We must accept his will and what he has planned for us.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Jesus helped John by saving his life.  Jesus helped the disciples by calming the sea.  Jesus will help us solve our problems.  We thank Jesus for his love and care.  We pray for an increase in faith.

Homily - 11B Sunday homily (16 June 2024) The Parable of the Growing Seed

 

11B SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 4:26-34, June 16, 2024

1. STORY

One warm autumn day, little Mary dropped a seed into a hole in the ground, covered it up, and waited for her flower to grow.  When the snow came and covered the ground, the little seed could not grow.  After waiting for weeks and months, Mary urged the seed to grow.  The seed said it was cold, the ground was hard, and she must ask the snow to go away.  Mary then asked the snow to melt.  The snow told Mary to ask the sun to shine.  The sun told Mary to ask the wind to move the clouds so that the sun could shine and melt the snow.  The wind told Mary to ask God to let it blow.  Finally, the sun melted the snow, the earth turned soft, and the flower came up.  She learned it is God who makes all things grow.

 

2. GOSPEL: MARK 4:26-34

A. THE FARMER PLANTS THE SEED.

The farmer was the one who “scattered the seed on the land.”  Also, “When the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle” to gather in the harvest.  The farmer does not know how this growth happens. 

B. GOD CAUSES THE SEED TO GROW.

It is God who makes the seed grow.  Because of God “the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

This parable tells us about the growth of our Catholic Church.  God has assigned a role for us, a work we must do to help God in building up his Church.  We must do our part and at the same time remember that it is God who is ultimately responsible for the growth of the Church.  We are his important co-workers.  Here are two suggestions explaining how we can work along with God. 

A. BY OUR PRAYERS

We must pray for the following.

i) We pray for those in the Church, especially for our families and all other Catholics that they have a strong faith to resist the temptations in the world and remain faithful followers of Jesus.

ii) We pray for those outside of the Church especially for those who are baptized but have left Jesus and for those who have never heard of Jesus.

iii) We pray for those suffering from wars and persecutions as in the Middle East and for those who have limited freedom to practise their faith as in China. 

B. BY OUR ACTIONS

We can help the Church by our actions.

i) We must be kind to people in our words and attitude.  People are made happy when people are kind to them.

ii) We must encourage those Catholics who have left Jesus to return to him.  Be willing to take them to church along with you.

iii) We must be concerned about the elderly, the sick, the lonely, and the poor.  Do what you can to bring some joy and happiness into their lives.  By acting in this way, we are following the example of Jesus.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Little Mary realized that it is God who makes things grow.  The parable tells us that both the farmer and God cooperate so that the seed can grow and produce fruit.  The parable is about the growth of the Catholic Church.  We help God in this task.

Homily - 10B Sunday homily (09 June 2024) Faith

 

10B HOMILY, MARK 3:20-35, JUNE 9, 2024

Faith 

Mary felt as she got older and weaker, her faith was also getting weaker.  She asked herself: is there a God who cares?  Is there life after death?  One day she asked a priest for his advice on how to keep her faith strong.  The priest listened carefully and then gave her this advice.  "There is no way to prove these things, but you can become surer of them.”   "How?" asked the elderly lady.  The priest said, “By love.”  “Try to love your neighbor from the heart.  The more you love, the stronger your faith will grow and the weaker your doubts will become.  This has been tried.  This works."

 

GOSPEL, MARK 3, 20-35

THOSE WHO REJECTED JESUS.

Though Jesus had cured many people, and taught many who believed in him, in the gospel today two groups rejected him.

i) His family set out to take charge of him, convinced that he was out of his mind.

ii) The scribes accused him of expelling evil spirits by the help of the devil. 

THOSE WHO ACCEPTED JESUS.

Anyone who did the will of God accepted Jesus and became a member of this family, his brother, his sister and his mother.   We accept Jesus by doing the will of his father. 

 

APPLICATION TO LIFE

HOW WE REJECT JESUS.

Jesus has come into this world to help us, to bring us peace and

happiness.  He has come to guide us to eternal life.  We reject Jesus

i) by not praying,

ii) by not listening to his advice,

iii) by living a life displeasing to him.

 

HOW WE ACCEPT JESUS.

We accept Jesus by doing the will of his father.

i) We must pray daily for his help and listen to his guidance.

ii)We must thank and praise him by attending Sunday Mass.

iii) We must receive his strength by receiving Holy Communion.

iv) We must follow his good example of helping the needy.

 

CONCLUSION

Mary asked for advice how to keep her faith strong.  The priest told her she must love by helping others.  This would make her faith strong.  In the gospel some rejected Jesus and some accepted him.  Jesus said to do the will of God was to accept him.  We ask Jesus for the strength to do his will, to accept him by loving others.

Homily - B Year, Body and Blood of Christ Sunday homily (02 June 2024) The Body and Blood of Christ

 

B, BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 14:12-16, 22-26, JUNE 2, 2024 

1. STORY

In 1958, Bishop James E. Walsh, an American missionary working in China for many years, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Chinese Communists.  He was released from prison after serving 12 years of his sentence.  In 1970, at the age of seventy-nine, he crossed into Hong Kong as a free man.  When asked what was the most difficult thing for him during the long years in prison, he replied that the most difficult thing was not being able to say Mass and received Holy Communion. I t is a great blessing to be able to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion.

 

2. GOSPEL: MARK 14:12-16, 22-26

A. PREPARING FOR THE FEAST

i) The disciples asked Jesus where he wanted them to prepare for the feast as they knew preparing for the meal was very important.

ii) The feast was the great feast of the Passover.  This feast celebrated their freedom from the life of slavery in Egypt. 

B. THE LORD’S SUPPER

Jesus and his twelve apostles celebrated this meal.  During the course of the meal, Jesus performed an amazing miracle.  He changed the bread and wine into his body and blood and gave them to his disciples to eat and drink.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. PREPARING FOR MASS

It is very important to prepare properly for attending Mass.  Here are three suggestions. 

i) Preparation begins at home as you decide what clothes to wear.  Dress properly as you are to visit the King of Kings.

ii) Make every effort to arrive early at church for quiet meditation.

iii) Calm your mind by looking briefly at the gospel.

This will help us to be focused on the Mass. 

B. THE MASS, THE LORD’S SUPPER

It is a great privilege to be able to participate at Mass which is divided into two parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  During the first part, we must listen attentively to the readings and the homily.  God is speaking to us.  God has an important message for us.  During the second part, we thank God for his blessings.  We prepare our hearts to receive the Eucharist, the spiritual food we need to continue to be faithful disciples of Jesus.  We should make very effort to receive Holy Communion each time we attend Mass.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Bishop Walsh, while in prison, found the most difficult thing was not being able to celebrate Mass and receive Holy Communion.  How blessed we are being able to freely attend Mass and receive the Eucharist as we wish.  Jesus, before his death on the cross,

left us with the precious gift of the Eucharist.  Through his Church, he gave priests the power to change bread and wine into his body and blood.  We must prepare well to attend Mass by being prudent in our choice of clothes, arriving early, and calming our mind before Mass begins.  We should make every effort to receive Holy Communion every time we attend Mass.  We thank Jesus for this fantastic gift.  We ask him for help to better understand and truly appreciate the Eucharist.

Homily - B Year, The Trinity Sunday homily (26 May 2024) The Trinity

 

B, THE TRINITY SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 28:16-20, MAY 26, 2024 

1. STORY

John, a high school science teacher, was explaining how science was able to help students understand religion.  He gave the examples of water and a candle.  He said water could either be solid such as ice, a liquid such as water, and steam, but all are water.  The candle produces a flame, heat, and light; but there is only one candle.  These two examples help us to understand a bit more about the Trinity which means there is one God made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

2. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 28: 16-20

A. THE COMMAND TO BAPTIZE.

Jesus has given us the command to baptize people by using the phrase “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  It is Jesus who has taught us about the Trinity.  Without his help, we would never know this about God.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.

It’s amazing how often we use the sign of the cross in our daily life and in the liturgy.  Each time we participate in the Mass we use this phrase.  It is said

i) at the beginning of the Mass,

ii) at the Collect,

iii) during the Gloria,

iv) during the Creed,

v) at the Preface,

vi) at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, and

vii) at the Final Blessing. 

B. UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF THE TRINITY.

Jesus has given us some insights to help us better understand this great mystery.  Here are a few examples. 

i) The Father

“For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from the Father.”  The Father loves us very much. (John16:27). 

ii) The Son

“This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).  Jesus loves us so much that he died to save us. 

iii) The Holy Spirit.

 “The Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name – he will teach everything to you and remind you of all that I have told you” (John 15:26).  The Holy Spirit is with us to help us understand all that Jesus has taught us.

 

4. CONCLUSION

John taught his students that water and a candle can give us some help to understand the Trinity.  Water can be solid, as ice, a liquid which we drink, and steam.  Though three things are all water, a candle has a flame, heat, and light; yet there is one candle.  There is only one God; but we know this one God has three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit love us very much and care for us in our daily lives.  We thank Jesus for teaching us about this great mystery.  We ask Jesus to strengthen our faith so as to pray to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Homily - B Year, Pentecost homily (19 May 2024) The Gift of the Holy Spirit

 

B. PENTECOST HOMILY, JOHN 20:19-23, MAY 19, 2024

1. STORY

Fr. John, a missionary, was travelling to a remote village in the jungle.  An experienced guide was selected to take him because the only way to reach the village was through the tropical forest.  The journey started out without much problem as there was a smooth path and walking along it was easy.  Eventually the path disappeared and the guide was forced to hack away through the overgrown jungle with a machete.  As their progress slowed down, the missionary grew concerned and asked, “Where is the path?”  The guide looked back at the missionary, smiled and said, “I am the path.”  Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 20:19-23

A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The risen Christ visited his disciples several times.  On one occasion he gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit.  “He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit was their new guide. 

B. A NEW MISSION.

Jesus not only gave the disciples a new gift but also a new mission when he stated, “As the Father has sent me, I send you.”  The Holy Spirit was to help them carry out this new task of sharing the good news with others.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Acts of the Apostles (2:1-11) helps us to understand the Holy Spirit.  There were three things present at Pentecost: a strong wind, tongues of fire, and the gift of tongues.

i) The strong wind is a symbol of invisible power.  The Holy Spirit gives us invisible power just as the invisible wind gives a sail boat power to move.

ii) The tongues of fire are a symbol of light.  Just as a flame of fire helps us to see in a dark room, so does the Holy Spirit gives us light to know how to carry out our mission.

iii) The gift of tongues is a symbol of knowledge.  Just as the disciples were able to speak to the people, the Holy Spirit will help us to inform others about Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is our guide. 

B. OUR MISSION.

The Father has sent Jesus to save the world so that all may enjoy eternal life with God.  Jesus has given us this task.  The following are two suggestions on how to carry out this mission.

i) We pray for those who do not know Christ or who have left him. Select one person and say one Hail Mary each day for that person’s conversion.

ii) Tell others about the happiness and peace that Jesus gives us and will give them if they follow him.  Jesus has the power to change their lives.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Fr. John needed the help of the guide to reach the remote village.  The disciples needed the help of the Holy Spirit to carry out the new mission of sharing the good news about Jesus with others.  Jesus gives us the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit to act as our guide in carrying out our mission of telling others about Jesus.  We thank Jesus for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit.  We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we carry out our new mission.