Homily - 26B Sunday homily (29 September 2024) Entering the Kingdom of God

 

26B SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 9:38-43, 45, 47-48, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 

1. STORY

A king, wishing to reward his warriors, offered them the prize of a small beautiful island. The first one who put his hand on it would win the prize.  Each one in their own boats paddled with all their might.  In this fierce competition, the king’s son was determined to win at all costs.  To win this closely contested race, as they approached the island, the son cut off his left hand and with his right hand threw it on the island.  He won the prize as he was willing to make this great sacrifice.

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

A. THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Jesus tells us that there is the kingdom of God, that is heaven.  There is also hell or Gehenna. 

B. WHAT CAN HELP US OR HURT US GAIN THIS PRIZE

Jesus gives us three examples explaining what can help or hurt us gain this prize; that is our hands, our feet and our eyes.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE KINGDOM OF GOD

i) Life has a beginning and an end.  The end of our life is not the cemetery but heaven, the kingdom of God.  The kingdom is being with God and living in peace and happiness.

ii) Jesus, through his death and resurrection, opened the doors

of heaven for us and is waiting for us to enter.

iii) Like any valuable prize, we must work hard to gain it.  God is always with us to help on our journey. 

B. HOW TO GAIN THIS EXTREMELY VALUABLE PRIZE

i) For a student to get good results in his exam, he must sacrifice.  If an athlete wishes to get a gold Olympic medal, he must sacrifice.  For a businessman to succeed, he must make sacrifices.  We must also make sacrifices to gain this prize.

ii) We must use our hands, not to steal or hurt others, but to help others and be generous.  We must use our feet not to go to bad places but to go to church and to places in need of our help.  We must use our eyes not to see bad things on the TV, computer, or mobile phone but read the bible and other spiritual books.  We must be prepared to make sacrifices to gain this valuable prize.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The son of the king won the prize of the island as he was willing to make a great sacrifice.  Jesus tells us there is heaven at the end of our life’s journey.  We must make sacrifices to gain this prize.  We must use our hands to help others.  We must use our feet to go to church.  We must use our eyes to read the bible and good literature.  We thank Jesus for this important instruction.  We ask him for the help in our life to gain the price of heaven.

Homily - 25B Sunday homily (22 September 2024) Who is the greatest

 

TOPIC: WHO IS THE GREATEST

25B, SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 9:30-37, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 

1. STORY

An old monk prayed for years for a vision of Jesus to strengthen his faith, but it never came.  Then suddenly one day the monk was overjoyed when the vision came.  Just then the monastery bell rang.  It was his turn to feed the hungry who came to the door.  He was torn between doing his duty or staying in his room.  He decided he must feed the poor.  When he returned to his room, he could hardly believe his eyes as the vision of Jesus was there waiting for him.  Then Jesus said to him, “My son, had you not gone to feed the poor, I would not have stayed.”  Service to others makes one great in God’s eyes.

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 9:30-37

A. WHO IS THE GREATEST

The disciples discussed what they thought was a very important topic, “among them who was the greatest.” 

B. THE GREATEST MUST BE THE SERVANT OF ALL

JESUS ANSWERS, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WHO IS THE GREATEST

At school, the student with the best marks is considered the best student.  During the Olympics, the one with the most gold medals is considered the greatest athlete.  In business, the person who earns the most money is considered the best business person.  Jesus tells us that if we wish to be the greatest in his eyes, we must be the servant of all.

 B. SERVING OTHERS

Here are some suggestions as how we can serve others.

i) We must be willing TO SACRIFICE as Jesus did.  We must be willing to give our time, our energy, and even our money to serve others. 

ii) We can help THE SICK by praying for them, visiting them, and calling them to show our care and concern for them. 

iii) We help UNHAPPY persons by listening to their cares and concerns, by reminding them that God loves them and is always with them, and by our words of comfort. 

iv) We help THE POOR by supporting the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Caritas bazaar, or by giving them some food or money.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Because the monk was willing to feed the poor, Jesus rewarded him by waiting for his return to his room.  Jesus taught the disciples that the greatest among them is the one who serves others.  We have many opportunities to serve the sick, the unhappy, and the poor.  We thank Jesus for teaching us the importance of serving others, and we ask him to give us the strength to serve others as he did.  By doing this, we make others happy and we make ourselves happy.

Homily - 24B Sunday homily (15 September 2024) Jesus asks "Who do people say that I am?"

 

24B, SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 8:27-35, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

1. STORY

One day while on vacation, I went to pick up my father at his workplace.  I got there a bit early and so had a chance to speak to the guard at the gate.  He spoke freely about the difficulties of his job often using vulgar words.  Suddenly he stopped and asked me if I was waiting for Mr. Vincent.  I said yes. Then he asked me if I was his son.  Again, I said yes.  Finally, he asked me if I was his son who was the priest.  Again, I said yes.  His face turned red.  He was embarrassed having used vulgar words in my presence.  He did not know who I was.  The people did not know who Jesus was.

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 8:27-35

A. “WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT I AM?”

Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was.  Most did not know.  It was only Peter who knew that he was the Christ. 

B. JESUS TAUGHT THE DISCIPLES THAT HE MUST SUFFER

Jesus taught them that he must suffer and die and after three days he would rise.  They were shocked at this news.  Peter reacted strongly against this news.  Jesus had to correct him.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WE KNOW WHO JESUS IS

We are blessed knowing who Jesus is. 

i) Jesus is our SAVIOR who makes it possible for us to enjoy eternal life.  Only he was able to open the gates of heaven for us to enter. 

ii) Jesus is our TEACHER.  He teaches us about God’s love for us, how to live as adopted children of our heavenly father, and the difference between right and wrong. 

iii) Jesus is our DOCTOR.  He heals our wounds caused by our sins through the sacrament of confession.  He gives us the medicines to resist the many temptations in the world through the sacrament of the Eucharist. 

B. JEUS TEACHES US THAT WE MUST SUFFER

Jesus tells us we must carry our cross.  One way we can do this is by helping others as Jesus did.  Here are three suggestions as how to do this.

i) We must be willing to give some of our TIME to help others.  Just by listening to others, we help them.  We also get to know their difficulties and how it might be possible to solve their problems.  We tell them of the importance to pray and that God will give them the strength to carry their crosses.  We tell them of the importance of being persevering and not giving up.  Jesus is always with them.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The guard at the factory did not know I was a priest.  The people did not know who Jesus was.  Only Peter knew Jesus was the Christ, our savior.  We are blessed knowing that Jesus is our savior, our teacher, and our doctor.  We carry our cross by helping others by giving those in need our time, by listening to them, and by comforting them.

Homily - 23B Sunday homily (08 September 2024) Jesus cures a deaf man

 

23B, SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 7:31-37, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

1. STORY

One day, Thomas Edison, the famous inventor, was looking for a job as a Morse code telegraph operator.  There were about ten other youths also looking for a job, waiting in the room to be called by the manager.  All of a sudden Edison stood up, walked to the manager’s office, knocked on the door, and entered.  Shortly after he came out smiling telling the others that he was just hired for the job.  They were amazed and asked him how this happened.  His answer was very simple.  While they were waiting and chatting, he heard a message in Morse code informing anyone who heard the message to go to the manager’s office.  He was the only one who heard the message.  He learned the importance of listening.

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 7:31-37

A. A DEAF MAN

The gospel tells us that the people brought to Jesus a deaf person who was not able to speak and asked Jesus to cure him. 

B. JESUS CURED THE DEAF MAN

Jesus was happy to help him.  He took the man aside and cured him.  “Immediately the man’s ears were open, his speech impediment was removed and he spoke plainly.”  His life was changed.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. SPIRITUAL DEAFNESS

We can be spiritually deaf just as we can be physically deaf if there is wax in our ears.  Spiritual wax can be caused by a too fussy life, too much noise around us, too much use of the computer or mobile phone, or too much watching TV.  Spiritual wax can be caused by anger, greed, hatred, revenge, and pride in our lives. 

B. BEING ABLE TO HEAR IS A GREAT BLESSING

i) It is a great blessing to be able to physically hear.

ii) It is a greater blessing to be able to hear spiritually.  Here are three suggestions as what to listen for.  First, listen to the word of God.  It can be heard during each Mass, when we read the bible, or attend a formation class.  The word of God can bring us strength, comfort, guidance, and peace.  Second, listen to your neighbor.  When he/she is sad, troubled, or confused, it alerts us to help him/her.  We then follow the example of Jesus who cured the deaf.  Third, listen to the cry of the needy.  There are many needy persons in the world.  Cardinal Tong urges us to pray for the Catholics and Christians in China as their crosses are being removed from their churches and buildings.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Thomas Edison was able to find a job because he had the ability to hear clearly.  Jesus took pity on the deaf man and cured him thus giving him the ability to live a better life.  We are blessed with the ability to hear spiritually.  We must listen to the word of God and follow it.  We must listen to our neighbor and try to help him whenever possible.  We must listen to the cry of the needy and pray for them.  We thank God for the wonderful gift of hearing and ask him to help us to use it to praise and thank God and to help those in need.

 

Homily - 22B Sunday homily (01 September 2024) Jesus teaches what is important in religion

 

22B, SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Sept. 1, 2024

1. STORY

An elderly rabbi who was in prison was given enough water and food each day to survive.  As time passed, the rabbi grew weaker and weaker.  Finally, it was necessary to call a doctor.  The problem was diagnosed as dehydration, not enough water.  The guards were told to watch the elderly man closely to see what he was doing with the water.  The guards discovered that the rabbi was using almost all his water to perform religious ritual washings before he prayed and before he ate.  As a result, he had little water left to drink.  He misused the precious water.

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

A. WHAT IS NOT IMPORTANT

Jesus tells us that what is important for some people is to follow human traditions.  What is important is a person’s exterior.  “They observed the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.  They were concerned with a person’s exterior.  Jesus said that this was not important.

B. WHAT IS IMPORTANT

Jesus tells us that what is important is to obey God’s commandments.  What is important is to clean our hearts.  Get rid of “evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.”  Jesus teaches us what is important is a person’s heart, his inner self.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

We are blessed because Jesus has told us what is important in life.  What is important in life is to love God, love our neighbor, and to love ourselves. 

A. LOVE GOD

We love God by obeying his commandments. I n the Our Father, we pray that “your will be done.”  We love God by giving him our time by praying daily and going to Sunday Mass.

B. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

We love our neighbor by being kind to others in our speech and by showing respect for them.  We love our neighbor by being helpful to those in need.

C. LOVE OURSELVES

We love ourselves by caring for our physical health by eating proper foods, getting enough rest, and learning how to relax in our busy lives.  We love ourselves when we care for our spiritual health, when we are aware that God cares, loves, and helps us in our difficulties.  God is always with us helping us to carry our crosses.  We are not alone.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The rabbi misused the precious water to do something which was not essential.  He should have used the water for maintaining his health.  The Pharisees and scribes placed their own traditions above God’s commandments.  Jesus said that what is first and of great importance is to obey God’s commandments.  We thank Jesus for his clear and very important instruction on what is not important and what is important in religion.  We ask Jesus to help us do what is most important in religion: love God, love our neighbor, and ourselves.