Homily - 2A Advent (December 04, 2022) Repentance

 

TOPIC: REPENTANCE
2A Advent- Sunday Homily, Matthew 3:1-12, December 4, 2022

1. STORY
Henry had a dream one night and saw two words: “after six.”  He was puzzled as to what was the meaning of these two words.  He thought that they meant that he would die in six days, so he prepared for his death.  He was determined to change his life, to repent.  He made every effort to avoid sin and do good.  After six days he was still alive, so he thought that he would die in six months.  Again, he made every effort to avoid sin and do good.  After six months he was still alive, so he thought that “after six” meant he had six more years to live.  So again, he made every effort to avoid sin and do well. Thus, he lived a holy life and became St. Henry.  His feast day is celebrated July 15.

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 3:1-12
A) REPENT.

To prepare for the coming of Jesus, John the Baptist urged people to repent which means to change one’s life from doing evil to doing good. The people acknowledged their sins.

B) DO GOOD.

John the Baptist urged people to do good.  He said that people had to produce good fruits as evidence of their repentance.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) REPENT.

Here are three areas where we may need to change.

i) Doubting God’s love and care for us because of the troubles in our lives resulting in not praying.

ii) Being angry toward our neighbor and others because they do not follow our demands.

iii) Being proud by thinking we are smarter and better than others.

B) DO GOOD.

We must pray daily as we need God’s help. Be kind to others as they need our support.  Be humble knowing that we can learn from others.

4) CONCLUSION
John the Baptist exhorts us to repent which means changing from doing evil to doing good.  St. Henry gave us a good example of this.  We repent by changing from doubting God to being faithful to him; by changing from being angry to being kind to others; by changing from being proud to being humble. This is how we prepare for the coming of Christ.

 

Homily - 1A Advent (November 27, 2022) Be prepared

 

TOPIC: Be prepared

1A ADVENT – Sunday Homily, Matthew 24:37-44 November 27, 2022

1) STORY
After a long training course, three little devils were given a one-question exam: How would they deceive people to avoid them in preparing for the last judgment.  The first little devil said he would tell people there is no heaven.  The second little devil said he would tell people there is no hell.  The third little devil said he would tell people there is no rush in preparing for the final judgment.  The master devil smiled at them and said the third answer was the best.  Let people know that there is no rush in preparing as there was still plenty of time before their final judgment. The same holds true for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

2) GOSPEL: MATTHEW 24:37-44
A) PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED: In the days before the flood, people were eating, drinking, and marrying.  They were busy and had no time to prepare for the flood which resulted in their being destroyed by the flood.

B) PEOPLE WHO WERE PREPARED: Noah was prepared as he had built the ark; and when the flood came, he entered the ark and was saved. This is a reminder of the importance of being prepared.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED:  As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, many are very busy buying Christmas gifts, sending cards, putting up a tree, planning a vacation, and preparing for a delicious holiday meal.  Though good in themselves, we need to prepare for the coming of Christ.

B) PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPARED: Here are several suggestions to prepare for Christ’s coming.  First, put up a manger as a reminder that this is Christ’s birthday we are celebrating.  Second, make a good confession to prepare our hearts for this great event.  Finally, encourage someone to come with you to Christmas Mass.

4) CONCLUSION
The story and the gospel remind us that there are people so busy that they have no time to prepare properly for the coming of Jesus into their lives at Christmas and at the final judgment.  We must make every effort to prepare to welcome Jesus into our hearts and lives. Putting up a manger, going to confession and bringing someone to Christmas Mass are ways to prepare for Christmas.

Homily - 34C - Sunday homily (November 20, 2022) Christ is our King

 

TOPIC: CHRIST IS OUR KING
34C Sunday Homily, Feast of Christ the King, Luke 23:35-43, November 20, 2022

1) STORY
Father Miguel Pro, a Mexican priest who studied in Europe, had not been back to his native country for eleven years.  At that time, the Mexican government was persecuting the Church and practicing religion was against the law.  He returned to Mexico to help the Catholics despite the great dangers this presented.  He worked for 18 months saying Mass, hearing confessions, and giving retreats.  He always dressed differently to avoid being caught.  On the night of November 18, 1927, he was caught by the police and accused of a crime which he did not commit.  Nine days later, without a trial, he was condemned and shot to death in Mexico City.  With his arms outstretched and just before dying, he shouted his last words, “Long live Christ the King.”  The State rejected Jesus. Fr. Pro, now Blessed Pro, accepted Jesus.

2) GOSPEL, Luke 23:35-43
A) CHRIST WAS REJECTED.

The rulers, the soldiers, and one of the two criminals made fun of Jesus and rejected him.  They said that if he were truly the King of the Jews, he would be able to save himself.

B) ONE ACCEPTED JESUS.

One of the criminals said that Jesus had done nothing criminal. He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) REJECT JESUS.

ONE rejects Jesus by sinning, by disobeying the basic command of Jesus to love God, to love our neighbor, and to love ourselves.  This is done by not praying, by being uncharitable to others, and by neglecting one’s health.

B) ACCEPT JESUS.

We accept Jesus by obeying him and following his good example in our lives.  Christ loves us, cares for us, guides us, and forgives us.  We must be faithful, loyal, obedient, and hard-working disciples.

4) CONCLUSION
Blessed Fr. Pro gave up his life to help others.  He accepted Jesus as his king while the State rejected Jesus by persecuting the Church. While dying on the cross, Jesus was rejected by some and accepted by one.  We reject Jesus by our sins and accept Jesus by living as he did by loving God, his neighbor and himself.

Homily - 33C Sunday homily (November 13, 2022) Perseverance

 

TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE
33C Sunday Homily, Luke 21:5-19, November 13, 2022

1) STORY
As John went to work in the morning, he said to his wife he would see her in the evening.  Little did he know that this would not happen.  He and 33 co-workers descended 700 meters into a copper mine in Chile where they worked.  On that fatal day in 2010, a section of the mine caved in cutting off their only exit.  Thus began a 69-day ordeal living in the mine not knowing if they would ever return alive.  Thanks to the efforts of the rescue team who worked day and night, a hole was dug into the mine which allowed them a way out.  This was the longest time in history where miners were saved after being over two months in a mine.  When John was finally rescued, he summed up his experience by saying, “I always knew God would get us out of there.” The hard work and perseverance of all made this rescue possible.

2) GOSPEL, Luke 21:5-19
A) SUFFERING IN THE WORLD.  There will be suffering from false prophets, earthquakes, famine, plagues, kings, governors, and even from family.

B) PERSEVERANCE.  Jesus instructs us what to do during such difficult times. He says, “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) PROBLEMS IN LIFE.  

Many people encounter one or more of the following: family problems, health problems, money problems, work problems, and even problems from religion.  There is temptation to give up hope and stop trying to live a good life.


B) PERSEVERANCE.

Jesus instructs us to persevere.  Prayer is a great help in such difficult times.  We help others in difficulty by praying for them, listening to them, encouraging them, and at times, offering material support.

4) CONCLUSION
Most people encounter difficulties in life.  John relied on God during the 69 days trapped in a mine.  Jesus wants us to rely on him for the grace to persevere during our trials which will surely come.  By our perseverance in relying on Jesus, we will overcome the storms in our life.

 

Homily - 32C Sunday Homily (November 06, 2022) Eternal Life

 

TOPIC: ETERNAL LIFE
32C Sunday Homily, Luke 20:22-38 November 6, 2022

1) STORY
A priest asked a group of newly baptized Catholics what blessings they had received through baptism.  One woman named Mary raised her hand and said that in her home the question of death was never mentioned.  Death was never a topic of conversation as no one had the answer to what happened after death.  Because of Mary’s baptism, she now knew that after death there was life, eternal life.  She knew that Jesus rose from the dead and promised eternal life to all who believed in him. Believing in Jesus changed her life.

2) GOSPEL, Luke 20:22-38
A) SADDUCEES.  This group did not believe in life after death.  They presented Jesus with a difficult question to answer.

B) JESUS: Jesus revealed the resurrection of the dead.  He said, “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, even if he dies will live, and whoever believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).  The great proof of the resurrection was his own resurrection.

3) APPLCATION TO LIFE
A) NO RESURRECTION. Many people do not know what happens after death.  Many affirm that death is the end of life.  There is no such thing as life after death.

B)  BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION.  We believe:

i) Death is not the end but rather a change from earthly life to eternal life.

ii) Eternal life is to be forever happy with God.

iii) We attain this life by living as God wants us to.

iv) We must share this great news with as many people as possible.

4) CONCLUSION
Some people deny while others believe in the resurrection and life after death.  In the story, Mary’s life was changed when she believed that death was a change only and not the end of life.  The Sadducees denied the resurrection, but Jesus preached it.  Today the same situation exists as some deny the resurrection.  We believe in the resurrection and eternal life.  We thank God for this great blessing of eternal life and share this good news with as many people as possible.

Homily - 31C Sunday Homily (October 30, 2022) Seek Jesus

 

Topic: SEEK JESUS
31C Sunday Homily, Luke 19:1-10 October 30, 2022

1) STORY
A holy man was praying next to a river when a villager came with the request that the holy man taught him to find God. At first the holy man did not answer this request.  Finally, after several days of the villager’s repeated request, he decided to help him. The holy man and the villager waded into the river and there the holy man pushed the villager’s head under the water. The villager struggled to be released. The holy man asked him why he struggled while in the water. The villager replied that he could not breathe and needed air to live. The holy man told the villager that if he desired God as much as he desired air, he would find God.

2) GOSPEL, Luke 19:1-10
A) ZACCHAEUS LOOKS FOR JESUS
He knew that this Jesus was a great teacher and helped people in many ways.  He was filled with joy by welcoming Jesus into his home where he could listen to him and hoped to receive his help.

B) JESUS BLESSES ZACCHAEUS
Jesus was happy to meet Zacchaeus and even dine with him. He blessed his host saying, “Today salvation has come to this house.”

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) We must seek Christ as Zacchaeus did.  We do this by praying, listening to the word of God, attending Mass, receiving Holy Communion, and making a good confession.

B) Christ will bless us as he blessed Zacchaeus.  He will give us guidance as how to live a good life as his disciple.  He will give us the strength to continue our journey in life with all the difficulties and trials we encounter.  He will give us peace, happiness, and eternal life.

4) CONCLUSION
As we need air to live, we need Jesus in order to live as his disciples. As Zacchaeus sought out Jesus, we must always seek Jesus in our lives.  As Jesus blessed Zacchaeus, he will bless us with guidance, strength, happiness, joy, and eternal life.