Homily - 10B Sunday homily (09 June 2024) Faith

 

10B HOMILY, MARK 3:20-35, JUNE 9, 2024

Faith 

Mary felt as she got older and weaker, her faith was also getting weaker.  She asked herself: is there a God who cares?  Is there life after death?  One day she asked a priest for his advice on how to keep her faith strong.  The priest listened carefully and then gave her this advice.  "There is no way to prove these things, but you can become surer of them.”   "How?" asked the elderly lady.  The priest said, “By love.”  “Try to love your neighbor from the heart.  The more you love, the stronger your faith will grow and the weaker your doubts will become.  This has been tried.  This works."

 

GOSPEL, MARK 3, 20-35

THOSE WHO REJECTED JESUS.

Though Jesus had cured many people, and taught many who believed in him, in the gospel today two groups rejected him.

i) His family set out to take charge of him, convinced that he was out of his mind.

ii) The scribes accused him of expelling evil spirits by the help of the devil. 

THOSE WHO ACCEPTED JESUS.

Anyone who did the will of God accepted Jesus and became a member of this family, his brother, his sister and his mother.   We accept Jesus by doing the will of his father. 

 

APPLICATION TO LIFE

HOW WE REJECT JESUS.

Jesus has come into this world to help us, to bring us peace and

happiness.  He has come to guide us to eternal life.  We reject Jesus

i) by not praying,

ii) by not listening to his advice,

iii) by living a life displeasing to him.

 

HOW WE ACCEPT JESUS.

We accept Jesus by doing the will of his father.

i) We must pray daily for his help and listen to his guidance.

ii)We must thank and praise him by attending Sunday Mass.

iii) We must receive his strength by receiving Holy Communion.

iv) We must follow his good example of helping the needy.

 

CONCLUSION

Mary asked for advice how to keep her faith strong.  The priest told her she must love by helping others.  This would make her faith strong.  In the gospel some rejected Jesus and some accepted him.  Jesus said to do the will of God was to accept him.  We ask Jesus for the strength to do his will, to accept him by loving others.

Homily - B Year, Body and Blood of Christ Sunday homily (02 June 2024) The Body and Blood of Christ

 

B, BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 14:12-16, 22-26, JUNE 2, 2024 

1. STORY

In 1958, Bishop James E. Walsh, an American missionary working in China for many years, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Chinese Communists.  He was released from prison after serving 12 years of his sentence.  In 1970, at the age of seventy-nine, he crossed into Hong Kong as a free man.  When asked what was the most difficult thing for him during the long years in prison, he replied that the most difficult thing was not being able to say Mass and received Holy Communion. I t is a great blessing to be able to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion.

 

2. GOSPEL: MARK 14:12-16, 22-26

A. PREPARING FOR THE FEAST

i) The disciples asked Jesus where he wanted them to prepare for the feast as they knew preparing for the meal was very important.

ii) The feast was the great feast of the Passover.  This feast celebrated their freedom from the life of slavery in Egypt. 

B. THE LORD’S SUPPER

Jesus and his twelve apostles celebrated this meal.  During the course of the meal, Jesus performed an amazing miracle.  He changed the bread and wine into his body and blood and gave them to his disciples to eat and drink.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. PREPARING FOR MASS

It is very important to prepare properly for attending Mass.  Here are three suggestions. 

i) Preparation begins at home as you decide what clothes to wear.  Dress properly as you are to visit the King of Kings.

ii) Make every effort to arrive early at church for quiet meditation.

iii) Calm your mind by looking briefly at the gospel.

This will help us to be focused on the Mass. 

B. THE MASS, THE LORD’S SUPPER

It is a great privilege to be able to participate at Mass which is divided into two parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  During the first part, we must listen attentively to the readings and the homily.  God is speaking to us.  God has an important message for us.  During the second part, we thank God for his blessings.  We prepare our hearts to receive the Eucharist, the spiritual food we need to continue to be faithful disciples of Jesus.  We should make very effort to receive Holy Communion each time we attend Mass.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Bishop Walsh, while in prison, found the most difficult thing was not being able to celebrate Mass and receive Holy Communion.  How blessed we are being able to freely attend Mass and receive the Eucharist as we wish.  Jesus, before his death on the cross,

left us with the precious gift of the Eucharist.  Through his Church, he gave priests the power to change bread and wine into his body and blood.  We must prepare well to attend Mass by being prudent in our choice of clothes, arriving early, and calming our mind before Mass begins.  We should make every effort to receive Holy Communion every time we attend Mass.  We thank Jesus for this fantastic gift.  We ask him for help to better understand and truly appreciate the Eucharist.

Homily - B Year, The Trinity Sunday homily (26 May 2024) The Trinity

 

B, THE TRINITY SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 28:16-20, MAY 26, 2024 

1. STORY

John, a high school science teacher, was explaining how science was able to help students understand religion.  He gave the examples of water and a candle.  He said water could either be solid such as ice, a liquid such as water, and steam, but all are water.  The candle produces a flame, heat, and light; but there is only one candle.  These two examples help us to understand a bit more about the Trinity which means there is one God made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

2. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 28: 16-20

A. THE COMMAND TO BAPTIZE.

Jesus has given us the command to baptize people by using the phrase “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  It is Jesus who has taught us about the Trinity.  Without his help, we would never know this about God.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.

It’s amazing how often we use the sign of the cross in our daily life and in the liturgy.  Each time we participate in the Mass we use this phrase.  It is said

i) at the beginning of the Mass,

ii) at the Collect,

iii) during the Gloria,

iv) during the Creed,

v) at the Preface,

vi) at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, and

vii) at the Final Blessing. 

B. UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF THE TRINITY.

Jesus has given us some insights to help us better understand this great mystery.  Here are a few examples. 

i) The Father

“For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from the Father.”  The Father loves us very much. (John16:27). 

ii) The Son

“This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).  Jesus loves us so much that he died to save us. 

iii) The Holy Spirit.

 “The Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name – he will teach everything to you and remind you of all that I have told you” (John 15:26).  The Holy Spirit is with us to help us understand all that Jesus has taught us.

 

4. CONCLUSION

John taught his students that water and a candle can give us some help to understand the Trinity.  Water can be solid, as ice, a liquid which we drink, and steam.  Though three things are all water, a candle has a flame, heat, and light; yet there is one candle.  There is only one God; but we know this one God has three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit love us very much and care for us in our daily lives.  We thank Jesus for teaching us about this great mystery.  We ask Jesus to strengthen our faith so as to pray to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Homily - B Year, Pentecost homily (19 May 2024) The Gift of the Holy Spirit

 

B. PENTECOST HOMILY, JOHN 20:19-23, MAY 19, 2024

1. STORY

Fr. John, a missionary, was travelling to a remote village in the jungle.  An experienced guide was selected to take him because the only way to reach the village was through the tropical forest.  The journey started out without much problem as there was a smooth path and walking along it was easy.  Eventually the path disappeared and the guide was forced to hack away through the overgrown jungle with a machete.  As their progress slowed down, the missionary grew concerned and asked, “Where is the path?”  The guide looked back at the missionary, smiled and said, “I am the path.”  Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 20:19-23

A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The risen Christ visited his disciples several times.  On one occasion he gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit.  “He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit was their new guide. 

B. A NEW MISSION.

Jesus not only gave the disciples a new gift but also a new mission when he stated, “As the Father has sent me, I send you.”  The Holy Spirit was to help them carry out this new task of sharing the good news with others.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Acts of the Apostles (2:1-11) helps us to understand the Holy Spirit.  There were three things present at Pentecost: a strong wind, tongues of fire, and the gift of tongues.

i) The strong wind is a symbol of invisible power.  The Holy Spirit gives us invisible power just as the invisible wind gives a sail boat power to move.

ii) The tongues of fire are a symbol of light.  Just as a flame of fire helps us to see in a dark room, so does the Holy Spirit gives us light to know how to carry out our mission.

iii) The gift of tongues is a symbol of knowledge.  Just as the disciples were able to speak to the people, the Holy Spirit will help us to inform others about Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is our guide. 

B. OUR MISSION.

The Father has sent Jesus to save the world so that all may enjoy eternal life with God.  Jesus has given us this task.  The following are two suggestions on how to carry out this mission.

i) We pray for those who do not know Christ or who have left him. Select one person and say one Hail Mary each day for that person’s conversion.

ii) Tell others about the happiness and peace that Jesus gives us and will give them if they follow him.  Jesus has the power to change their lives.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Fr. John needed the help of the guide to reach the remote village.  The disciples needed the help of the Holy Spirit to carry out the new mission of sharing the good news about Jesus with others.  Jesus gives us the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit to act as our guide in carrying out our mission of telling others about Jesus.  We thank Jesus for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit.  We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we carry out our new mission.

Homily - B Year, Ascension homily (12 May 2024) Ascension, Jesus is with us

 

B Year, ASCENSION HOMILY, MARK 16:15-20, MAY 12, 2024 

1. STORY

Nine-year-old John wanted to see his father’s office.  His father would show him the way on the subway, but John would have to return home on his own as his father had more work to do.  John listened carefully to his father’s instructions and assured his father he could return home on his own.  After the visit, John was put on the subway to return home alone.  Although a bit scared, he assured his father he knew the way.  Little did John know that his father was in the next carriage watching his son until he arrived home safely.  Although John did not see his father, his father was watching over his son.  Even though we do not see Jesus, Jesus is with us.

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 16:15-20

A. JESUS WAS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN.

i) Jesus’ work on earth was finished.  He had trained his disciples to continue his work.  He ascended into heaven. 

ii) Jesus sits at the right hand of God.  He has all power to help his disciples. 

B. JESUS WORKED ALONG WITH HIS DISCIPLES.

i) Jesus gave his disciples a mission to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

ii) Jesus, though in heaven, “worked with them.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. JESUS IS WITH US.

Even though Jesus was in heaven, he was with the disciples.  Jesus is also with us although we cannot see him.  He is with us in the following ways.

i) Jesus is with us when we hear the bible preached or we read the bible. 

ii) Jesus is with us when we receive the Eucharist.

iii) Jesus is with us when we pray.

iv) Jesus is with us when we go to confession.

v) Jesus is with us when our Pope or bishop speaks to us.

Although invisible to our human eyes, Jesus is visible to us through our spiritual eyes.  That is our faith. 

B. JESUS WORKS ALONG WITH US.

Jesus has given us work to do.  “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”  Jesus works along with us in the following ways. 

i) He gives us a goal.  We must preach the gospel throughout the world.  We are often tempted to think only of our own parish, diocese, or country. 

ii) Jesus gives us a message.  He loves us and wants us to share eternal life with him.  We have the bible as a source book.

iii) He gives us strength.  He gives us the Eucharist to carry out our mission despite the difficulties we may encounter, the rejections we may meet, and the failures we may experience.  Jesus always works along with us.

 

4. CONCLUSION

John did not see his father on the subway, but his father was watching over him.  The disciples did not see Jesus after he ascended into heaven.  Though in heaven, Jesus was working along with them.  Today we are not able to see Jesus with our human eyes but we know by means of our spiritual eyes, our faith, that Jesus is with us.  He works along with us as we do his work of preaching the gospel throughout the world.  We thank Jesus for being with us.  We ask him for the strength to carry out this work.

Homily - 6B Easter homily (05 May 2024) Love one another

 

6B EASTER HOMILY, JOHN 15:9-17, MAY 5, 2024

1. STORY

A college professor gave a project to his sociology class.  They were to go into a very poor area of the city to interview 200 young boys about what their possible future might be.  In every case, the conclusion was the same.  The boys would fail.  Twenty-five years later, another sociology professor had his students follow up on this project. Of the 180 boys they were able to contact, 176 achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen.  The professor was astounded and decided to further pursue the results.  To the question of what was the reason for their success, the reply in each case was “There was a teacher.”  As the teacher was still alive, the professor asked for her magic formula.  “It’s very simple,” she replied. “I loved those boys.”

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 15:9-17

A. JESUS LOVES US.

Jesus tells us that, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.”  We know Jesus loves us by his actions.  He humbled himself and became a man.  He lived a simple life for 30 years and helped people in many ways.  He suffered injustice on the cross, he died for us, and rose to life for us. 

B. LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.

Jesus repeated twice “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.”  Jesus has chosen us “To go and bear fruit that will remain.”  We love one another by helping others as Jesus did.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WE LOVE JESUS.

Jesus tells us very clearly that we best love him by keeping his commandments.  Jesus has commanded us to first love God, then our neighbor, and then ourselves.  We love God by: 

i) Each day we give him some of our time in prayer.  In the

morning, we ask for his help; and in the evening, we thank him for caring for us and our families.

ii) Each Sunday we attend Sunday Mass making every effort to get there before the Mass begins.  We listen carefully to the readings and the homily.  We remove all distractions during this holy and sacred hour.

iii) We receive the Eucharist during each Mass we attend.  If necessary, make a good confession so to be in the state of grace.

These are a few ways to love Jesus. 

B. LOVE JESUS AS HE HAS LOVED US.

Jesus is very clear on how to love him.  We must follow his example.  Here are some examples of how we can love Jesus:

i) Jesus was humble when he became a man in order to help us.  We must be humble knowing that our strength comes from him. 

ii) Jesus was generous giving his time and energy to help the needy.  We must be generous in giving some of our time and material blessings to the needy.

iii) Jesus was forgiving.  We also must be forgiving by forgiving those who have offended us.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The elderly teacher was a great success because she loved her pupils who in turn became successful.  Jesus loved his disciples and commanded them to follow his example.  Jesus loves us and wishes us to follow his example by loving others.  Jesus will reward us with happiness and peace.  We thank Jesus for his instruction.  We ask for the strength to love one another as he has loved us.