Homily - 4A Easter homily (30 April 2023) Jesus, the Good Shepherd

 

TOPIC: JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

1. STORY

Mary, a 52-year-old teacher, was accompanying her students across a road on a school activity when a speeding car roared toward them. She put herself in the path of the car pushing aside six students before being struck.  She died from her injuries.  Thousands attended her memorial service and funeral.  All considered her a hero by giving up her life to save her students.  Jesus, the good shepherd, did the same to save us.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 10:1-10

A) JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Jesus describes what he does for us.

i) He leads the sheep (us) to pasture to find nourishing food. He walks in front of them so that they will not get lost or leave the flock.  He comes so that they may have life and have it abundantly.

B) THE SHEEP FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD

i) The sheep listen carefully and hear and recognize his voice.

ii) The sheep follow him for they know that he is to be trusted to bring them to rich pastures.

iii) The sheep will be saved from all danger.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) TODAY’S GOOD SHEPHERDS

We are blessed having good shepherds to lead us through difficult times.

i) Our Pope Francis who has given us a great example of living a simple life, speaks in language that is easily understood and welcomes everyone.

ii) Our bishop who provides us with timely advice, provides us with priests to serve us and helps the local church follow the example of Jesus.

iii) Our parish priest who arranges parish Masses, plans the parish activities, and cares for the upkeep of the parish.

B) WE ARE TODAY’S SHEEP

We use the examples of being like sheep as to understand the parable. i) We hear Jesus by listening to his word found in the bible during the Mass homily, and in the directives from our pope and bishop.

ii) We follow Jesus by imitating his example of loving God, loving our neighbor as he did by caring for others, and loving ourselves by caring for our spiritual and physical health.

iii) We will be saved by having peace in our hearts and being assured of eternal happiness.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The teacher, like a good shepherd, gave her life to save her pupils. Jesus is our good shepherd who cares for us and finally gives his life to save us.  Our modern good shepherds are the Pope, our bishop, and our parish priest.  We must listen to their words, follow their advice, and we will be saved.  We thank Jesus for being our good shepherd and providing us with modern-day shepherds.

Homily - 3A Easter homily (23 April 2023) How to recognize Jesus

 

TOPIC: HOW TO RECOGNIZE JESUS

1. STORY

John was a businessman, who on weekends would take a few poor children out for an enjoyable day.  First, he would buy them some new clothes, then would take them to see a good movie or go to an amusement park and finally end the day with a tasty meal.

One day after finishing a delicious meal, one of the young children asked John if he was Jesus.  John smiled and said no. The boy said that he knew that Jesus helped people and thought that as John always helped people, he might be Jesus.  The boy knew Jesus as one who helped people.

 

2. GOSPEL: JOHN 24:13-35

A) THE DISCIPLES DID NOT RECOGNIZE JESUS

While they were walking to a village named Emmaus, the two disciples were discussing what had happened to Jesus in Jerusalem during the past few days.  Though Jesus walked along with them, they did not recognize him as being the risen Jesus.

B) JESUS HELPING THEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT HE WAS THE RISEN JESUS

Jesus helped them in two ways.

i) He explained the meaning of the bible, “Beginning then, with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted for them every passage of the Scripture which referred to him.”

ii) He celebrated the Eucharist with them.  He took bread, pronounced the blessing, then broke the bread and began to distribute it to them.  With that their eyes were open and they recognized him.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) MANY DO NOT RECOGNIZE JESUS

Many believe that Jesus does not exist.  Others believe that if Jesus is God, he is not concerned about us and does not help us as they cite the many problems in the world.  Many believe that Jesus lived 2,000 years ago and in no way can help us today.

B) WE HELP OTHERS TO RECOGNIZE JESUS

We recognize a policeman, a nurse, or a priest by the uniform they wear.  We recognize Jesus in the following ways:

i) By those who are kind, caring, and helpful to others such as Mother Teresa who spent her life in helping the poor; in St. Pope John Paul II who was a caring shepherd who preached the gospel throughout the world; in a gentle parent, a kind teacher, or a patient nurse.

ii) We recognize Jesus in the word of God, the Eucharist, and in our prayers. We also help people to see Jesus when we are helpful, kind, patient, caring, and forgiving toward others.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The children thought John might be Jesus as he was so kind and caring toward them.  The disciples only recognized Jesus after he had helped them by explaining the Scriptures to them and sharing the Eucharist with them. Today we recognize Jesus in those who help others such as Mother Teresa, St. Pope John Paul II, a caring parent, a kind teacher, or a patient nurse.  We help others to see Jesus by our kind words and helpful actions.

Homily - 2A Easter homily (16 April 2023) Peace be with you

 

TOPIC: PEACE BE WITH YOU

1. STORY

During a violent storm on the Atlantic Ocean, all passengers on the ship going from Europe to New York were filled with fear, except Mary, an elderly woman. She maintained a calm and peaceful appearance. When asked by one of her fellow passengers how this was possible, she replied, I have two sons, one in heaven and one in New York. During the storm I prayed to God that if the ship sank, I would first see my son in heaven.  If it was God’s will that the ship passed safely through the storm, then she would first see her son in New York. In other case she would eventually see her two sons.  She said that God always brought her peace.

 

2. GOSPEL: JOHN 20:19-­31

A) THE DISCIPLES WERE FULL OF FEAR

The disciples were full of fear because 

i) Jewish leaders might put them in prison or even worse kill them.

ii) Jesus, their leader, had died and thus they were leaderless.

iii) They were ashamed at having deserted Jesus in his greatest hour of need.

B) JESUS BRINGS PEACE

When Jesus visited his disciples on Easter night, he was not angry nor did he criticize them.  Rather he greeted them twice with, “Peace be with you.”  Jesus wanted them to have peace in their hearts.  The result was that “At the sight of the Lord” the disciples rejoiced.  Jesus brought them peace and joy.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) MANY ARE FILLED WITH FEARS

Many people are filled with fear just as the disciples were.  Some are fearful due to poor health, lack of money, worried about their children, job security, or about their future.  In many parts of the world, fears come from war, hunger, or disease.

B) JESUS BRINGS US PEACE

Just as Jesus brought peace to the fearful disciples, he brings us peace and joy.  He brings us peace for the following reasons.

i) He has risen, is alive, and is with us. 

ii) He is the good Shepherd who protects us from those who wish to harm us.

iii) He is the light of the world guiding us through life.

iv) He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water nourishing us on our journey.

v) He will give us eternal life at the end of our worldly journey.

 

4. CONCLUSION

As she journeyed across the dangerous ocean, Mary had great faith in Jesus resulting in her having peace in her heart.  The fearful disciples, upon seeing Jesus and hearing this greetings of peace, were filled with joy.  We, though filled with fear at times, will have peace and joy when we believe that Jesus is with us, protecting us as the good shepherd, guiding us as the light of the world, and nourishing us as the bread of life and the living water.  Remember the words of Jesus, “Peace be with you.”

Homily - Easter Sunday homily (09 April 2023) He saw and believed

 

EASTER SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 20 :1­-9, APRIL 9, 2023

1. STORY

One day three ten­-year­-old children attempted to walk across a river on exposed rocks.  While in the middle of the river, the water suddenly rose and they were trapped and not able to return to shore.  They cried for help knowing that their lives were in danger.  The police and firemen immediately responded to their call for help and rescued the children.  Their parents were overjoyed with their rescue and thankful to the police and fireman for their bravery and help.  The children first experienced fear and then joy.

 

2. GOSPEL

A) THE SORROW AT THE TOMB

With great sorrow in her heart, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb early on Sunday morning.  She was shocked to find the tomb empty and at a loss to where the body could be.  She immediately informed Peter and the beloved disciple, and they came running to the tomb.  After looking in the empty tomb, Peter too was puzzled as to what happened to Jesus’ body. They were deeply saddened.

B)  THE BELOVED DISCIPLE SAW AND BELIEVED

When the beloved disciple saw the burial cloth there and the head cloth rolled up in a separate place, he knew that the body had not been stolen.  He knew and believed that Jesus had been risen from the dead as he had said so often. He was the first believer in the resurrection of Christ from the dead.  He believed that Jesus was alive.  His heart was full of joy.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) MANY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION

Today many scoff at the idea there is life after death.  Many do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead.  They believe that at death our life comes to an end.  There is nothing that follows.  It is wishful thinking based on ignorance or superstition to think there is an afterlife.

B) WE MUST BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION

We believe that Jesus rose from the dead.  We believe that we, who are his disciples, will also rise to a life of eternal happiness with him. This belief makes it possible for us to live a life of joy, peace, and happiness while on earth.  Easter is for us a day of celebration knowing that Jesus has given us the gift of eternal life.  Our hearts are full of joy.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Just as the three children were full of joy having been rescued from the middle of the river, so were the disciples full of joy knowing that Jesus truly was alive; he truly went from death to life.  We are full of Easter joy knowing that Jesus is alive, and we share in his eternal life. We believe that death is just a change and not the end of life.  Because Jesus has been raised, we will rise from the dead to live a life of eternal happiness.