Homily - Pentecost homily (28 May 2023) The Holy Spirit, God's invisible power

 

PENTECOST HOMILY, JOHN 20:19-23, May 28, 2023

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 THE 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.

Homily - 7A Ascension (21 May 2023) Go to All Nations

 

TOPIC: GO TO ALL NATIONS

1. STORY

Fr. John went on a tour to China.  The tour group stopped in a department store to buy some souvenirs.  He walked around the store and came to where paintings were being sold and asked the young Chinese salesgirl which painting she liked most.  She immediately pointed to a painting of a girl with folded hands praying. T his surprised Fr. John very much as religion was a topic not often spoken of in a communist controlled country like China.  He then asked her why she liked this picture.  He said she was a Catholic.  Again, this response surprised Fr. John and he asked her how was it that she was a Catholic.  She said her grandmother taught her about Jesus and arranged for her baptism.  Even under difficult circumstances, the Gospel was being preached.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 28:16-20

A) GO TO ALL NATIONS

Jesus tells us very clearly where we must go to share the good news.  We must go to the over 6 billion people throughout the world.  We must go to the rich and poor, the educated and not educated, and to those who welcome us and do not welcome us.

B) MAKE DISCIPLES OF THEM

Jesus not only tells us where we must go but also tells us very clearly what we must do.  We must make disciples of all.  We must tell them of the great peace and happiness that will be theirs when they come to know, love, and serve God.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) GO TELL ALL

Go to your family, your friends, your classmates, your colleagues, your neighbours and whomever you may meet. Most people live very busy lives and may not have the interest or time to think about God.  This should not discourage us, rather it should challenge us to think of practical and interesting ways to help them know about God.

B) MAKE THEM DICIPLES

THE FOLLOWING ARE STEPS TO HELP ONE BECOME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS.

i) One must know that Jesus exists and can help them find peace and happiness.

ii) One must study the basic teachings of Jesus by attending a weekly class for about 18 months. 

iii) One must be baptized and live a life following the instructions of Jesus by loving God, neighbour and self.

 

4. CONCLUSION

In the story, under difficult circumstances, the grandmother was able to make her granddaughter a disciple of Jesus.  She obeyed Jesus’ command to go and make all his disciples.  We also must obey Jesus’ command by going to all whom we meet and tell them about God and pray that they will accept God who is the source of peace and happiness.

Homily - 6A Easter homily (14 May 2023) The gift of the Holy Spirit / Paraclete

 

Topic: THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT/PARACLETE

1. STORY

John was a young Native American Indian who had to pass a test to become a full member of his tribe.  His father took him into the forest, blindfolded him, and left him alone.  He had to sit on the stump of a tree all night and was not permitted to take the blindfold off until the sun rose the following morning. He was by himself, he could not cry out for help.  John was terrified as he could hear all kinds of noises. Beasts were all around him.  Maybe some person would harm him.  The wind blew the grass and earth and even shook the stump.  Yet John sat there quietly, not removing the blindfold.  It was the only way to pass the test to become a full member of the tribe. Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed the blindfold.  It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him guarding him the entire night. We are never alone.  Even when we do not know it, the Holy Spirit/ Paraclete is protecting us.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 14:15­:21

A) THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT/PARACLETE

Jesus tells us that his Father will give us another Paraclete who will be with us always.  The Holy Spirit/Paraclete will protect us from the devil and from those who wish to harm us. The Holy Spirit / Paraclete will comfort us when life becomes difficult, when we fall or when we suffer.

B) HOW TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus tells us the way to receive the great gift is that we must love him by obeying his commandments.  It’s like John who loves his father knowing that his father deeply loves him.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) The Holy Spirit helps us

The Holy Spirit is like a compass guiding us by keeping us on the right path as journey through the vast, dangerous and difficult forest of life.  We must follow the guidance of the compass, the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is like a watch giving us accurate information about what is right and what is wrong. It would be difficult to know what time it is by just guessing. It would often be difficult to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong if we only depended on ourselves.

 

B) LOVE JESUS BY OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS

In the story John knew by his father’s actions that his father loved him.  It was natural that he would love his father in return.  We know that Jesus loves us so it is natural we love Jesus.  We love Jesus by our actions such as being kind, patient, and forgiving others.  We love Him by being grateful, encouraging and understanding.

 

4. CONCLUSION

In the story, John’s father loved his son and stayed with him the whole night though John was not aware of this during the night.  The Holy Spirit is always with us protecting and comforting us though we may not be aware of his presence. With the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to love Jesus by carrying out his command to love God, neighbour and self.

Homily - 5A Easter homily (07 May 2023) Heaven is our home

 

TOPIC: HEAVEN IS OUR HOME

1. STORY

Mary, a rich lady, had a dream that she was in heaven with an angel who showed her around.  She asked the angel who the person was who lived in the mansion in front of her.  The reply was that her gardener lived there.  She was surprised as on earth her gardener lived with his family in a very small house.  As they continued to walk, she saw a small cottage under construction and asked who lived there. She was shocked when the angel informed her that the small cottage was for her.  She replied that this would be very difficult for her as she was accustomed to living in a mansion.  The angel explained that they were using the material sent from earth, such as kindness, generosity, and forgiveness to build the house. As she sent up very little material, such as works of charity, her house had to be small.  She then woke up from her dream realizing that her life has to change as she needed to store up treasures in heaven by her good works.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 14:1-12

A) JESUS GOES TO PREPARE A HOUSE FOR US

Christ cares for us in the present as he provides us with the basic necessities of life such as food, water, shelter and clothing.  He cares for our future as the gospel tells us: “In my father’s house there are many dwelling places…I am going to prepare a place for you.”

B) I WILL COME BACK AGAIN

We must be ready for Christ’s return.  “I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) OUR FUTURE HOME

i) Our life has a beginning but it will never end. 

ii) When we end our life on earth, we begin our life in heaven.  It will be the one of great joy as we will be with Jesus.  “I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

B) HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS

i) As we prepare for an examination, or a meal, or a journey, so too must we prepare for our journey to heaven.

Here are two suggestions. 

a) Pray daily asking God for a strong faith and thanking him for all his blessings. 

b) Be kind towards others in our speech as this is part of the spiritual material we send to heaven as mentioned in the story.

 

4. CONCLUSION

In the story Mary realized the importance of good works as a way to prepare for her home in heaven.  Jesus tells us that he is concerned about our future as he is going to prepare a home for us in heaven.  We realize that the ultimate end of our journey on earth is heaven, and we must be ready for Christ’s return by living a good life full of good works.