Homily - Epiphany of the Lord (08 January 2023) Helping others to find Jesus

 

TOPIC: HELPING OTHERS TO FIND JESUS
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - Sunday Homily, Matthew 2:1-12, January 8, 2023

1) STORY
One day John’s family asked me to go to the hospital to anoint him as John was very sick.  He was in Room 1 on the first floor.   Several weeks later around 8pm, I received a call from the family asking me to visit John as he was in a critical condition.  I immediately went to the hospital looking for John in Room 1 on the first floor.  To my great surprise, he was not there.  The nurse told me via an intercom to try the tenth floor.  I went to Room 1 on the tenth floor to discover it was a baby’s ward.  I was now lost with no phone and no family contact number.  Then my “star” appeared in the form of a nurse. The nurse in the baby’s ward was willing to help me.  She guessed he was in Block C and we were in Block A.  She asked for permission to go through Block B to get to Block C where I finally found John thanks to her kindness. She was my “star” leading me to my goal.

2) GOSPEL: MATTHEW 2:1-12
A) THE MAGI

The Magi, wise men from the East, were looking for the newborn king of the Jews.  They needed help to find the new king.

B) THE STAR

“They saw his star and wanted to do him homage.”  The star led them to Bethlehem where they found the new born king of the Jews, Jesus.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) MODERN MAGI

There are many people searching for happiness, peace, a purpose in life and how to live a meaningful life.  Though they may not be aware of it, they are searching for God who alone can give them the desires of their heart.

B) MODERN STARS

People need help to find God just as the Magi needed help to find Jesus, and I needed the help of a nurse to find John.  God has sent us to be like stars leading people to Jesus.  We do this by our kindness towards others, by our willingness to help them, and the example of living a good life.  We have the power and responsibility to lead others to Jesus.

4) CONCLUSION
Just as I needed a star to help me find John and the Magi needed the help of a star to find Jesus, so too, do those looking for peace, joy and happiness need help in their search for these precious gifts.  We are modern stars helping by leading them to Jesus who alone can give them peace, joy, and happiness.

Homily - New Year's Day (01 January 2023) Mary, Mother of God

 

TOPIC: MARY OUR MOTHER
MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, Homily, LUKE 2:16-21 January 1, 2023

1) STORY
One day as Jesus was walking around heaven, he noticed some doubtful characters and wondered how they got there.  He went to ask St. Peter how this happened as Peter was instructed to let in only qualified persons.  St. Peter assured Jesus that he was carrying out his duty by standing at the gates and permitting only qualified persons to enter.  However, Peter informed Jesus that at night his mother Mary would open the back door of heaven and permit those less than qualified souls in.  She wanted all her children to get into their eternal home, heaven.

2) GOSPEL, LUKE 2:16-21
A) SHEPHERDS

The gospel tells us that the shepherds did three things when Jesus was born:

i) They went to Bethlehem in search of Jesus.

ii) They told others what they had seen.

iii) They glorified and praised God.  They set a good example for us.

B) MARY

The gospel tells us that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”  Jesus was the center of her life.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) We must always search for Jesus in our busy lives.  There are many distractions which could keep us from searching for him.  We must introduce others to Jesus who have never met him or have abandoned him.  We must praise and glorify God who is the creator of our world and who sent Jesus to save us.

B) MARY. Jesus was the center of her life.  We must make him the most important person in our lives, the center of our lives.  For some persons the center of their lives may be food, clothing, money, or entertainment.  We must reject these temptations.  Jesus gives us guidance, strength, peace, joy, and forgiveness.  He becomes the center of our lives when we communicate with him in prayer, we listen to his voice through the word of God, and we receive his spiritual food in the Eucharist.

4) CONCLUSION
Just as Mary helps people get to their eternal home, heaven, she helps us as we begin this new year.  We follow the example of the shepherds by telling others about Jesus and by praising and glorifying him by our words and deeds.  We keep Jesus as the center of our lives as Mary did.  She helps us to stay near to her son, Jesus.

 

Homily - New Year's Eve (31 December 2022)

 

TOPIC: THANKSGIVING
NEW YEAR’S EVE 2022, Luke 12:22-­31, December 31, 2022

1) STORY
Recently two friends, John and Bob, were walking on the beach when they had an argument and Bob slapped John. John then wrote in the sand, “My best friend slapped me in the face.”  As they continued to walk on the beach, Bob saved John who had fallen into a small river. John then carved these words into a stone, “My best friend saved me from drowning.”  Bob asked his friend why he wrote one message in the sand and carved the other message on a stone, John replied that “hurts” should be written in the sand where the “winds of forgiveness” will erase the hurts; but when someone helps you, it should be carved in stone.  There it will always be remembered.  Now they understood what to forget and what to remember.

2) GOSPEL: Luke 12:22­-31
A) GOD’S BLESSINGS

God blesses us with life, food, clothing, housing, and all the necessities we need to live a normal life.  “God knows what we need.”

B) STRIVE FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Jesus tells us that we have to work for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.  We learn from the Our Father that the kingdom comes “when thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  The kingdom of God will come when we obey God.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) GRATITUDE

We must thank God for his many material blessings such as food, clothing, and a place to live.  We must thank God for his many spiritual blessings such as Jesus, our faith, the word of God to instruct, the Eucharist to give us spiritual food, and the sacrament of confession to wash away our sins.

B) PRAY FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

We pray for the coming of the kingdom of God by asking God to help us forgive and forget the hurts we have received during the year.  We ask God to help us to remember all the blessings that we have received.  Forget the hurts but remember the blessings.

4) CONCLUSION
As we end this year, we thank God for all his material blessings and his spiritual blessings.  We ask God to help us forget the hurts and remember our blessings.  This is how we strive for the kingdom of God.

Homily - Christmas day homily (25 December 2022)

 

TOPIC: THE GIFT OF DIVINE LIFE

CHRISTMAS DAY HOMILY, Dec 25, 2022

 

1) STORY

John was a 10-year-old orphan living in a very strict orphanage.  All the children had to work long hours each day weeding in the garden, washing dishes in the kitchen, and cleaning the rooms.  They all looked forward to the one happy day in the year, Christmas, because they would get a spiritual treat, an orange, provided they obeyed all the rules.  When Christmas came, all waited in line for the precious gift of an orange.  When it came to John’s turn to get an orange, he was not given an orange as punishment for breaking a rule during the year, Instead, he was sent up to the dormitory for the day.  While resting on his bed, he heard footsteps.  His friends came to him and gave him the gift of an orange.  He was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.  As he was thinking how his friends were able to get this extra orange, he noticed that the outer skin of the orange was broken and each slice of the orange was carefully placed together.  He now knew that each of his friends gave a slice of his orange to John. T his orange was a gift of love to make John happy on Christmas day.

 

2) GOSPEL, JOHN 1:1-18

A) GIFT OF LIFE.

JESUS CAME TO GIVE US DIVINE LIFE: “What came to be through him was life.”

B) CHILDREN OF GOD.

We read, “To those who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God.”

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) THE GIFT OF DIVINE LIFE.

When Jesus gives us the great gift of divine life, there is a profound change in us.  It’s like when a sick person regains his health, a poor man becomes rich, a blind man can see, and a prisoner is freed.  Jesus gives us the great gift of divine life. 

B) CHILDREN OF GOD.

Jesus gives us the power to become children of God.  As children of God, God becomes our heavenly father, Jesus becomes our elder brother, the Holy Spirit becomes our guide, heaven becomes our home, and the Catholic Church becomes our family.  Jesus makes us children of God.

 

4) CONCLUSION

Just as John received the gift of an orange at Christmas, we receive the gift of divine life by becoming children of God.  Christmas is a joyful feast because Jesus gives us the very precious gift of divine life. We thank Jesus for giving us the gift of love.

Homily - 2022 Christmas Midnight mass (24 December 2022)

 

TOPIC: THE SAVIOUR HAS BEEN BORN FOR YOU

2022 CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS, LUKE 2:1-14

1) STORY

When Father John was visiting poor families in his parish before Christmas, he came to a home which was cold and had very little light. He asked a five-year-old girl, Maria, what she wanted for Christmas. Expecting the answer to be a toy, candy, or some clothes, to his great surprise, she asked for the gift of a candle.  When he returned home, he kept wondering why Maria wanted a candle.  He found out the answer as Maria was living in a cold house with very little light.  The candle would provide her with light and warmth which were the two things she was lacking.  Maria selected the right Christmas gift.

2) GOSPEL

A) A SAVIOUR HAS BEEN BORN TO YOU.

Jesus came into the world to save us, to help us, and to give us something. 

B) THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT.

Christ is the light of the world bringing us light and love in this cold and dark world.

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR.

Just as a sick person needs a doctor, a drowning man needs a lifeguard, and a man in a fire needs a fireman, we also need Jesus to save us.  We need Jesus’ help to resist temptation and sin and to attain eternal life.  At Christmas Jesus comes to save us. 

B) JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Jesus gives us light so that we can see and believe that

i) God exists and loves us.

ii) We are God’s children and heaven is our home.

iii) There is a difference between doing right and doing wrong; there are commandments to guide us.

iv) Jesus gives us warmth; he helps us at all times; he comforts us when in trouble; forgives us when we sin and encourages us when we become discouraged.

4) CONCLUSION

Maria wanted a candle as a Christmas gift as it gave her light and warmth.  Christ is like a candle who gives us light to see and understand.  He gives us warmth through his love, comfort, forgiveness and encouragement.  We are like candles when we give light and warmth to those whom we meet.

Homily - 4A Advent (December 18, 2022) St Joseph, a model of obedience

 

TOPIC: ST. JOSEPH, A MODEL OF OBEDIENCE
4A Advent Sunday Homily, Matthew 1:18-24, December 18, 2022

1) STORY
One day John was caring for his master’s sheep when a hunter came riding out of the forest and asked how far the nearest village was. After John informed him the village was about six miles away along a narrow winding path, the rider asked John to lead him to the village and he would pay him.  John refused saying he must care for his master’s sheep.  The hunter was impressed with John’s faithfulness and obedience to his master.  Suddenly, several men came riding out of the forest happy to see the hunter.  Only then did John realize the hunter was a prince.  Several days later the prince invited John to his palace and asked John to work for him as he was so faithful and obedient.  John promised to work for the prince after his master found another shepherd.  St. Joseph was such a faithful and obedient person.

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 1:18-24
A) JOSEPH’ S PROBLEM.

Mary was betrothed to Joseph and before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.  What was he to do?

B) THE SOLUTION. JOSEPH OBEYED.

Joseph did as the angel commanded him, and he took his wife into his home.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) PROBLEMS IN LIFE.

During the course of our lives, everyone encounters both small and large problems.  For example, some problems may be related to the health, family, money, work or even religious problems.  Such problems bring us pressure, worries and ultimately unhappiness.

B) THE SOLUTION. OBEY GOD.

It is very important for us to obey God. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have given us a good example.  A car driver must obey traffic laws to avoid accidents.  A musician must obey the conductor to perform well.  We must obey God who will give us the wisdom and strength to help solve our problems.  God will give us the ability to carry our cross.  Being obedient and faithful to God’s commands will bring us joy, happiness, and peace.

4) CONCLUSION
John, the shepherd boy, was blessed because he was an obedient and faithful servant.  St. Joseph was blessed as he obeyed God’s command sent through the angel.  We must follow the good example of St. Joseph and obey God by loving him, our neighbor, and ourselves.  By obeying God, we are blessed with peace and happiness.

Homily - 3A Advent (December 11, 2022) Jesus helps us

 

TOPIC: JESUS HELPS US
3A ADVENT SUNDAY HOMILY, Matthew 11:2-11, December 11, 2022

1) STORY
One day, while walking in the forest, a man fell into a hole and shouted for help.  A learned professor saw him and scolded him for not being more careful.  He lectured him on the importance of being alert and then walked off.  Shortly after a holy monk came by and made an effort to help him but was unable to do so as the hole was too deep.  He expressed his sorrow in not being able to help, and he also walked off. Finally, Jesus came by and without saying a word jumped into the deep hole to help this poor man.  He told the man to get on his shoulders and thus he was able to climb to safety.  Jesus helps people.

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 11:2-11
A) JESUS HELPED PE0PLE.

He is our savior.  He helped the blind, the lame, lepers, the dead, and the poor.

B) JOHN THE BAPTIST HELPED OTHERS.

He was a prophet.  John was Christ’s messenger who prepared others for the coming of Christ.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) WE HELP OTHERS.

As Christ helped others, we can help others in these ways:

i) The spiritually blind are lost on their journey in life.  They have no clear goal.  We tell them that heaven is their ultimate goal.

ii) The spiritually deaf hear only bad and sad news.  We give them good news by saying there is a God who loves and cares for them.

iii) The spiritually poor have no joy, happiness, or peace.  We help them to understand that God can give them these precious gifts.

B) WE ARE MESSENGERS.

As John the Baptist told others about Jesus, we can tell others about Jesus in these ways:

i) We can explain the true meaning of Christmas.

ii) We can give them some material about Jesus and the Catholic Church.

iii) We can invite them to attend a Christmas Mass with us.

4) CONCLUSION
Just as Jesus helped the man get out of the hole and helped others in their needs, so can we help others by telling them about the help that Jesus can give them.  As John the Baptist paved the way for Jesus, we can introduce others to Jesus.  Both Jesus and John helped others. We should follow their good example.