Homily - 3B Sunday homily (21 January 2024) Come follow Me

 

3B Sunday Homily, Mark 1:14-20, January 21, 2024 

1. STORY

A FAMOUS General, John, was ordered to take charge of an army that was losing the war.  When the tired and discouraged soldiers heard who was to be their new general, their attitude changed completely.  It went from hopelessness to hope, from discouragement to encouragement, and from a sense of defeat to a sense of victory.  Under General John’s command, the army eventually won the war.  (This is a true story of General McClellan, who during the American Civil War, eventually helped lead the North to victory over the South).

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 1:14-20

A. JESUS CALLS THE FISHERMAN

i) Jesus saw ordinary fishermen, Simon, Andrew, James and John

and invited them to come after him.  He gave them a call.

ii) He gave them a purpose.  Jesus wanted them to help him by becoming fishers of men. 

B. THE FISHERMEN’S RESPONSE

i) They were busy at their work casting their nets into the sea and mending their nets.  Despite this, they immediately abandoned their nets. 

ii) They followed Jesus not knowing how to do this work, or would they even like it, or would they be successful at it.  They had faith in Jesus as their leader.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. JESUS HAS CALLED US TO FOLLOW HIM

You may ask when did Jesus call us to follow him.  Jesus called us at our baptism to follow him.  Not only is baptism a great blessing by making us children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus with the Holy Spirit as our guide, but it also makes us members of the Church, the family of God.  This is a great responsibility.  Jesus expects us to help him by working along with him to spread the gospel, the good news, that he loves all men and wants all men to follow him. 

B. OUR RESPONSE TO JESUS’ CALL

We must follow the example of the fishermen by doing our best to help Jesus.  We remember that Jesus wants us to work along with him to spread the good news.  Here are two suggestions to help us.

i) We must follow the example of Jesus by being kind and caring when dealing with people.    People are more willing to listen when they are treated kindly. 

ii) We must tell people of some of the advantages of following Jesus. They are:

a) Jesus brings us peace and happiness.

b) He helps us to know what is right and what is wrong.

c) He gives us strength to do what is right.

d) He comforts us during our difficulties.

e) He gives us eternal life.

People need the help of Jesus even though they do not know there is such a person as Jesus. 

 

4. CONCLUSION

Just as the soldiers needed an inspiring general to lead them to victory, too, did the fishermen need Jesus as their leader.  They immediately responded to the invitation to follow Jesus and work along with him.  At baptism, Jesus invited us to follow him and to work along with him sharing the good news that God loves them.  Today, Jesus again calls us to work along with him.  We do this by being kind toward others and by letting people know the blessings that Jesus gives to those who believe in him.

Homily - 2B Sunday homily (14 January 2024) We have found Jesus the Messiah

 

2B SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 1:35-42, JANUARY 14, 2024 

1. STORY

The superior of a monastery went to a wise man for advice.  His monastery was once very famous and flourishing with vocations.  People from all over the world went there to pray.  However, this has all changed with fewer vocations and fewer people going there.  The superior asked if it was some sin of theirs that caused this.  The wise men said it was because of the sin of ignorance.  One of their members in disguise was the Messiah, and they were ignorant of this.  The superior returned to the monastery with the amazing news that the Messiah was one of their members in disguise.  Could it be Brother Cook?  Brother Gardener?  Brother Cleaner?  One thing was certain: If the Messiah was there in disguise was it not likely that they would recognize him.  So, they treated each other with respect and consideration.  The result was that the atmosphere in the monastery was full of joy.  Many came to pray and to seek admission as the monastery was filled with the spirit of love.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 1:35-42

A. ANDREW FOUND JESUS THE MESSIAH

i) John the Baptist, when he saw Jesus walking by, informed Andrew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Lamb of God.

ii) Andrew immediately followed Jesus and stayed with him. 

B. ANDREW TELLS PETER THAT HE HAD FOUND THE MESSIAH

i) Andrew informed his brother Peter about the good news that he had found the Messiah.

ii) He then brought Peter to meet Jesus who welcomed him.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WE HAVE FOUND JESUS

When we have found a lost house key, or a lost ID card, or a lost sum of money, we are overjoyed as these are important for our daily living.  We are blessed as we have found Jesus who is the source of our joy, peace, and happiness.  He is the light of the world helping us to know right from wrong, what is important and not so important, and what is good and what is harmful for our soul.  He is the bread of life nourishing us with the Eucharist and his word.  He is the living water comforting us as we meet troubles and failures in our life’s difficult journey. 

B. WE HELP OTHERS FIND JESUS

We have the opportunity, ability, and responsibility to tell others about Jesus.  They, too, are in need of joy, peace, and happiness.  Here are three suggestions to help others find Jesus. 

i) Pray daily for one friend or relative who is not baptized or for a baptized person who has left Christ.

ii) Be kind, patient, and forgiving to others. 

iii) Invite a relative, a friend, or neighbor to church or to study a catechism class.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The monastery was changed when the monks knew that the Messiah was among them.  Andrew found Jesus and brought his brother Peter to Jesus.  We have found Jesus, and we must bring others to know Jesus.  Jesus brings joy, peace and happiness.  He will also do the same for others whom we bring to him.

Homily - 1B Epiphany of the Lord (07 January 2024) Helping others to find Jesus

 

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD - Sunday Homily, Matthew 2:1-12, January 7, 2024 

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 - 01 January 2024 homily (01 January 2024) Mary, the Mother of God, our Mother and Model

MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, Luke 2:16-21, January 1, 2024

1) 1)   STORY

Fulton was a famous editor but did not believe in God.  His family was in serious trouble, and he needed help but did not know where to get this help.  One day, he passed a church, stopped, looked at it, and decided to enter.  He sat for a while, then got up and walked over to the Chapel of Our Lady.  He went inside, knelt down and prayed, “Mary, if you are really here, please help me.”  At that moment, there began a great change in his life. The change ended in his becoming a deeply committed Catholic.  Mary came to his aid.

2) GOSPEL: LUKE 2:16-21

A) THE SHEPHERDS AT THE MANGER.  There are three things the shepherds did.

i. They went to Bethlehem searching for Jesus.

ii. They told others about Jesus.

iii. They glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard.

B) MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD.  Mary did two things.

i. She kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.  Jesus was the center of her life.

ii. She was obedient.  Sat the circumcision, she named her son, Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) BE LIKE THE SHEPHERDS.

i. We must continue to meet Jesus in our daily prayers, when we attend MASS, hear his word, and receive the Eucharist.

ii. We must tell others about Jesus by our words and actions.

iii. We must continue to praise and glorify God for giving us the gift of Jesus, our savior and King.

B) MARY, OUR MOTHER AND MODEL.

i. Mary is the mother of Jesus.  She loved him, cared for him, and taught him many things.  Mary is also our mother who loves us and cares for us.

ii. In a world full of distractions, she helps us make Jesus the center of our lives.

iii. She helps us to be obedient to Jesus and to resist the many worldly temptations which lead us into sin.  As we begin this new year, God has given us Mary as our mother and model.  We must stay close to Mary throughout the year.

4) CONCLUSION

Fulton, in his hour of great need, found Mary who came to his rescue.  The shepherds sought the baby Jesus, shared the good news with others, and praised and glorified God for this great gift of a savior.  We must do the same.  Mary kept Jesus as the center of her life and was obedient to the word of God.  As we begin a new year, God has given us Mary as our mother and model.  We must stay close to Mary who will always keep us close to Jesus, our savior and King.

Homily - Sunday after Christmas (31 December 2023) The Holy Family

 

YEAR B SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS homily: LUKE 2:22-40, DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

1.   STORY

There was a poor woodcutter who lived happily with his family at the edge of the forest.  Each night when the king walked by, he was annoyed that a family could be so happy.  The king gave orders that the woodcutter must have fifty bags of sawdust for him in one day or the whole family would be killed.  The woodcutter and his wife said that this was impossible.  They prayed to God for help.  When morning came, there was a knock on the door.  The king’s messenger entered slowly and sadly and told the woodcutter to cut twelve hardwood planks for a coffin.  The king had died the previous night.  God protected this happy family.

 

2.   GOSPEL: LUKE 2:22-40

A.  Mary and Joseph

             i.        Both of them were very religious parents.  They were obedient to God.  They fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord.

           ii.        They were responsible parents as they cared for Jesus who grew up strong and filled with wisdom. 

B.  Jesus

             i.        Even though he was the King of kings and the Son of God, he was obedient to the will of God.

           ii.        He was also obedient to his parents while living with them in Nazareth for 30 years.

 

3.   APPLICATION TO LIFE

A.  The family

We belong to many groups such as a school, a company, or a church but the most important group we belong to is our family.  We must make every effort to make out family a happy one. 

B.  How to help make our family a happy family

Each family is different so there are many different ways to be happy.  Here are two suggestions:

i.             Be a caring member of your family.  Be caring by keeping in contact with them even though may be once a year.  Be caring by helping them when they are in need whenever you can and according to your ability.

ii.           Be forgiving.  There will be misunderstandings, arguments and different points of view among family members.  This will cause friction and hard feelings.  Forgive those who have offended you.  Ask for forgiveness if you have offended others.  Forgiveness is a great medicine which is able to cure an unhappy family and bring it back to health.

 

4.   CONCLUSION

The woodcutter’s happy family was in great difficulty.  God protected this family who has great faith in him.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph make up the ideal family as they obeyed God and faithfully carried out their responsibilities.  We must help to make our family a happy one by caring for and forgiving members of our family.

Homily - Christmas Day (25 December 2023) The Gifts of Light and Life

 

YEAR B CHRISTMAS DAY homily: JOHN 1:1-18, DECEMBER 25, 2023 

1. STORY

Mary was blind since birth.  Before Christmas she had an operation to help her see.  When the bandages were removed, she could see for the first time.  At a Christmas party after the operation, she was given lovely gifts of clothes and toys.  With great joy and gratitude, she often repeated, “I can see. I can see.”  This was her greatest Christmas gift.

 

2. GOSPEL: JOHN 1:1-18

A. THE GIFT OF LIGHT

Jesus is the light of the human race, and he shines in the darkness.  There are many wonderful things Jesus wants us to see and understand. 

B. THE GIFT OF LIFE

Jesus gives us the power to become children of God.  The only thing we have to do is to accept him.  Jesus wants us to have a joyful and happy life.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE GIFT OF LIGHT

There are many things we can see with the help of Jesus, the light of the world.

i) We can see that there is a God who loves us and cares for us.

ii) We can see that Jesus has come to save us and to teach us how to live.

iii) We can see that our life here on earth is a journey which will lead us to eternal life and happiness. 

B. THE GIFT OF LIFE

Jesus gives us new life.

i) We are now the adopted children of God.  God is our heavenly father who loves us and cares for us.

ii) Jesus is our elder brother who has saved us by making it possible to become God’s children.  Jesus has given us the bible, his word.  Jesus has given us the Eucharist, the bread of life.  Jesus has given us an example of how to live as his brother.

iii) Our new life makes it possible to live forever, to live with God, and to live in peace and happiness.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Mary was full of joy and gratitude having received the gift of sight.  Jesus gives us the gift of light and life which helps us to understand that there is a loving God and that Jesus is our elder brother.  We are filled with joy and gratitude at Christmas because of these great gifts.

 

Homily - 4B Advent Sunday homily (24 December 2023) The Angel's message to Mary

 

4B ADVENT SUNDAY HOMILY: LUKE 1:26-38, December 24, 2023 

1. STORY

St. Ambrose was the governor in northern Italy with his headquarters in Milan.  In 374 the bishop of Milan died leaving the Church bitterly divided and, thus, unable to choose a successor.  St. Ambrose, fearing that there might be trouble, went to the basilica in his civil capacity and exhorted the people to settle the election of a new bishop in a peaceful manner.  Suddenly a voice shouted out, “Ambrose for bishop.”   The people quickly took up the cry.  Ambrose was horrified.  Not only was he a layman but also was not even baptized.  Fleeing the basilica, he went into hiding to evade the crowd.  However, when they found him, he agreed thinking that this was the will of God.  Within a week he was baptized, confirmed, received holy orders, and was consecrated bishop of Milan.  His response was “Yes, Lord.”

 

2. GOSPEL: LUKE 1:26-38

A. THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE

The angel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth and told her that she would become the mother of Jesus.  He would rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom would have no end.  She was not to be afraid, as this would happen through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

B. MARY’S RESPONSE

Naturally, this amazing message which came so suddenly shocked Mary.  She asked how this could be.  The angel explained that this would happen through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Mary responded, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.   May it be done to me according to your word.”  Mary’s response was, “Yes, Lord.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. GOD’S MESSAGE TO US

Just as God had work for Mary to do, he also has work for us to do.  Through Baptism, God has chosen us to become his adopted children.  He wants us to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves.  We are disciples of Jesus, and we must continue the work of Jesus.  We must do what Jesus did.  We must preach the gospel and help the needy.

 B. OUR RESPONSE

We must be like Mary saying, “Yes, Lord.”  As adopted children of God, we must strike to love holy lives, God, our neighbor, and ourselves.  As disciples of Jesus, we must share the good news with others.  During this Christmas season, invite someone to go to Mass with you and send a Christmas message to a relative or friend.

 

4. CONCLUSION

St. Ambrose said “yes” to God.  Mary said “yes” to God.  So, too, must we say “yes” to God by living as adopted sons of God and faithful disciples of Jesus.