Homily - Easter Sunday homily (31 March 2024) Jesus rose from the dead

 

EASTER SUNDAY HOMILY, YEAR B, JOHN 20:1-9, MARCH  31, 2024

1. STORY
John lived in a small fishing village where the entire village revolved around the fishing industry.  There was a volunteer rescue team to help out cases of emergency.  One windy and rainy night, a fishing boat in trouble sent out an S.O.S.  The captain of the volunteer rescue team and his crew launched their rowboat into the rough sea while the villagers waited on the beach.  An hour later the rescue boat reappeared and the cheering villagers ran to greet them.  The exhausted crew reported that they had saved all but one.  The captain called for another volunteer to go rescue the remaining person. Sixteen-year-old John volunteered.  His mother pleaded with him not to go as his father died in a shipwreck ten years ago and his older brother, Paul, was lost at sea three weeks ago.  John said he must go and joined the team.  After an hour, the rescue boat appeared.  The captain called out, “Did you find the lost man?”  John yelled back, “Yes, we found him.  Tell my mother it’s my older brother Paul.”

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 20:1-9
A. SORROW AT THE TOMB.

Mary of Magdala went with sorrow to the tomb on Easter morning and was shocked to find the stone removed from the tomb.  She reported to Peter that the body of Jesus had been taken away and they did not know where it was.

B. JOY AT THE TOMB.

Peter and the beloved disciple ran to the tomb.  The beloved disciple looked in the tomb and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead as he had said.  They were filled with great joy.

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. MANY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION.

Today many scoff at the idea that there is life after death.  Many do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead.  Many believe that at death, life comes to an end and it is wishful thinking based on ignorance or superstition to think that there is an afterlife.

B. WE BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION. 

We believe that Jesus rose from the dead and that he is alive.  As disciples of Jesus, we believe we also will rise to eternal life, a life of eternal happiness with him.  This belief makes it possible for us to live a life of joy, peace, and happiness while on earth.  Easter is a great day for us to rejoice knowing that Jesus has given us the gift of eternal life.  Our hearts are filled with joy.

4. CONCLUSION
John was full of joy having helped to save his older brother Paul.  The sorrowful disciples were filled with joy when they believed that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive.  We are full of joy knowing that Jesus is alive and has given us the great gift of eternal life.  We ask Jesus to give us the strength to share this good news with others.  We can say to all, HAPPY EASTER.

Homily - Palm Sunday homily (24 March 2024) We welcome Jesus

 

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD, MARK 11:1-10, MARCH 24, 2024 

1. STORY

Mary had a pet sheep called Mo Mo.  One day Mary and Mo Mo went into town which was 16 miles from home to buy medicine needed to control her high blood pressure.  After purchasing the medicine, Mary drove home only to realize that she had forgotten to take the medicine from the store.  At home, she fainted due to the lack of medicine she needed.  Her young children realized the problem and tried to have Mo Mo push the small wagon to get the medicine.  Mo Mo sensed the problem but was unable to push the wagon.  Mo Mo then ran for two hours back to the store when the owner realized the problem.  He drove his car to return the medicine to Mary.  Mo Mo was so exhausted that he died saving his owner.  Jesus died to save us.

 

2. GOSPEL, MARK 11:1-10

A. JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM.

After his long trip from Galilee, Jesus arrived at the gates of Jerusalem.  He instructed his disciples to prepare a young donkey for him to ride as he entered the city.  The gospel states: “So they brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks over it.  And he sat on it.” 

B. THE PEOPLE WELCOME JESUS.

The people welcomed Jesus into the city crying out “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  At that time, the people did not know that this entry into the city was the beginning of his journey to the cross to save us.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. JESUS COMES INTO OUR LIVES.

Jesus comes into our lives in many ways because he loves us and cares for us.  Here are four ways he comes to us. 

i) He comes to us when we pray to him.

ii) He comes when we receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and go to confession.

iii) He comes to us when we read the bible and other spiritual books.

iv) He comes to us through people such as our parents, our bishop and our teachers. 

B. WE WELCOME JESUS.

Just as the people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, so too do we welcome Jesus into our hearts.  The palm we use has three meanings: 

i) It is a sign that we welcome Jesus into our lives.  We listen to him, follow his commandments and receive his help.

ii) It is a sign of victory.  With the help of Jesus, we resist the temptations in our lives and gain eternal life.

iii) It is a sign of love.  We love Jesus who died to save us.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Mo Mo the sheep so loved the owner that he gave his life to save her.  Jesus so loves us that he gave his life to save us.  The palm we hold reminds us that we welcome him into our lives, we are victorious through his help, and we love him as our savior.  We thank Jesus for his love and ask him to help us to have our hearts open to this love, to his saving word, and to his power to save us.

Homily - 5B Lent Sunday homily (17 March 2024) Helping others demands sacrifice

 

5B LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 12:20-33, MARCH 17, 2024 

1. STORY

In parts of Central America, many poor people were suffering unjustly and many died.  At that time Archbishop Oscar Romero was the archbishop of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.  Archbishop Romero tried to help these suffering people by speaking out against those who were causing this suffering.  This resulted in his having many enemies.  On March 24, 1980, while saying Mass in a small convent, he was shot through the heart and died.  He knew that helping others demanded sacrifices.  On February 3, 2015, Pope Francis declared him a martyr.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 12:20-33

A. IF A GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS INTO THE GROUND AND DIES.

As Jesus approaches the end of his life, he uses the simple example of a grain of wheat buried in the earth to explain to the people that he must die so as to save them.  Though he went about doing good during his life, he was rejected by the leaders, unjustly condemned, and finally, nailed to a cross and died.  Jesus knew that to help people gain eternal life, it was necessary to make sacrifices. 

B. THE GRAIN OF WHEAT WILL PRODUCE MUCH FRUIT.

The death of Jesus bore much fruit.  Through this great act of love, we were able to gain eternal life.  Without Jesus we would never be able to enter heaven.  It would be like trying too open the bank’s vault without a key.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. HELPING OTHERS DEMANDS SACRIFICE.

We must be willing to make sacrifices in order to help others.  Jesus tells us, “Whoever serves me, must follow me.”  Here are two examples. 

i) As many of you know from personal experience, caring for the elderly demands much love, patience, and understanding. 

ii) Helping the lonely or those who are unhappy demands a lot time, much patience, and a listening ear.  One should not expect gratitude for these acts of kindness. 

B. HELPING OTHERS WILL BRING MUCH FRUIT.

Here are three examples of the fruit produced by helping others. 

i) The persons receiving help will know that someone cares for them, and they are not useless because of their age, illness, or difficulties.  They have value in the eyes of someone. 

ii) The one who is willing to help follows the examples of Jesus.  This will bring happiness and peace to the one who is imitating Jesus in making sacrifices. 

iii) The good example of helping others will influence others to do the same.  It will give them the idea, the know-how, and the confidence to help others.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Archbishop Romero helped those who were suffering injustices and death which resulted in his death.  Christ knew that he must die to help us gain eternal life.  We must follow Jesus in helping others knowing that we must make sacrifices along the way.  Helping others demands sacrifice.

Homily - 4B Lent Sunday homily (10 March 2024) Jesus has come to save us

 

4B LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 3:14-21, MARCH 10, 2024

1. STORY
Several years ago there was a fire in a home on the 11th floor of an apartment building.  The father fled the fire and was on the ground floor when he realized that his 20-year-old daughter was sleeping in their home.  He immediately ran back up the 11th floors, braved the fire and smoke, entered the apartment, and carried her to safety.  The father saved his daughter who was in great danger of perishing.  God loved us so much that he sent his only son, Jesus, to save us as we were in great danger of perishing.

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 3:14-21
A. CHRIST CAME TO SAVE US.

This gospel states very clearly that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  Jesus has come to save us so that we may have eternal life.

B. WE MUST BELIEVE IN JESUS.

The gospel tells us “Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned.”  We must believe in Jesus to have eternal life.

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. HOW JESUS SAVES US.

Here are four ways in which Jesus saves us.

i) Jesus died on the Cross to open the doors of heaven for us.
ii) Jesus established the Catholic Church which is the family of God.
iii) Jesus gave us the seven sacraments as aids on our journey to heaven.
iv) Jesus gave us the Bible as an instruction book telling us how to follow his example of living a victorious life.

B. HOW TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH.

We must open our ears to hear good music, open our eyes to see a beautiful flower, open our mouth to eat good food and open our hands to receive good gifts.  So, too, we must open our hearts to Jesus so that he can strengthen our faith in him.  Just as a flower needs water, sunshine, and good soil to grow, so does our heart needs the help of Jesus who is able to make us strong in faith.  We must do the following four things.
i) We must come to know Jesus better so as to understand how much he loves us.
ii) We must listen to the voice of the Catholic Church as the true guide as we travel through life.
iii) We must receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
iv) We must read the Bible as God is speaking to us.
These four things will help strengthen our faith in him.

4. CONCLUSION
Just as the father saved his daughter who was in the burning building from perishing, so did God the Father send his only Son, Jesus, to save us for eternal life.  Jesus has done his part and we must do our part by believing in him.  Jesus helps us to strengthen our faith.  We must open our hearts to receive his help.  We must learn more about him, be guided by the Catholic Church, receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and read the Bible and other good spiritual books.  Jesus, thank you for saving us and strengthening our faith.

Homily - 3B Lent Sunday homily (03 March 2024) Jesus cleans the temple

 

3B LENT HOMILY, JOHN 2:13-25, MARCH 3, 2024 

1. STORY

One of the most beautiful and important churches in the Holy Land is the Church of the Annunciation located in Nazareth.  The church commemorates the Angel Gabriel informing Mary she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus.  Nazareth is also the town where Jesus lived for 30 years before he began his public ministry.  A few years ago, a troubled family entered the church and set off a dozen firecrackers during a crowded worship service.  The congregation became furious at the family for doing something so disrespectful in such a sacred place.  A church is a house of pray and worship and certain activities are prohibited.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 2:13-25

A. TAKE THESE THINGS OUT OF HERE.

In Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple and was very unhappy at what he saw.  He ordered those out of the temple who were doing business such as selling oxen and sheep and the money changers.  These activities made his Father’s house a marketplace. 

B. MY FATHER’S HOUSE.

Jesus knew that the temple was the house of his Father.  It was a sacred place, a house for pray and worship.  It must only be used for this purpose.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. TAKE THESE THINGS OUT OF HERE.

Because of our baptism, we became adopted children of

God our Father, brothers and sisters of Jesus, and temples of the Holy Spirit.  Lent is a good time to reflect on what we should try to remove from our lives.  Here are three vices to consider. 

i) Anger hurts others and ourselves.  It must be replaced by respect.

ii) Hatred is not loving others.  It must be replaced by forgiveness as Jesus teaches us in the Our Father. 

iii) Selfishness is the act of thinking about and acting only for ourselves and neglecting the needs of others.  It must be replaced by generosity. 

B. WE ARE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

We must remember that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, we are sacred persons.  Here are three suggestions for Lent.

i) Be respectful of others in our thoughts by remembering that we are children of God.  We do this by our words of praise and comfort to others and by our actions such as listening attentively when one speaks. 

ii) Be forgiving of others who may have offended us.  Remember Jesus forgives us and has taught us to forgive others.

iii) Be generous towards others by giving them your time, talents, and your material help.  Such ways of dealing with people will make them happy.  When we make people happy, we also gain happiness.

 

4. CONCLUSION

It was very disrespectful and improper to set off firecrackers in the church.  Jesus removed those from the temple who were making it a market place by selling ox and sheep and the money changers.  We are the temples of the Holy Spirit.  We must remove from our lives unfit attitudes and actions such as anger, hatred, and selfishness.  We must respect others, forgive others, and be generous towards others.  We are temples of the Holy Spirit.

Homily - 2B Lent Sunday homily (25 February 2024) The Transfiguration, Jesus our treasure

 

2B LENT HOMILY, THE TRANSFIGURATION, MARK 9:2-10, FEBRUARY 25, 2024 

1. STORY

A very rich man gave a large and beautiful house as a gift to a group of nuns.  The house was full of beautiful furniture, rugs, and lovely paintings.  The nun superior decided to have some of the paintings cleaned thinking that they were just ordinary paintings.  The cleaning company informed the superior that they would be willing to buy a few of the paintings for a generous amount of money.  The superior asked the advice of an expert, and to her great surprise, was informed that two of the paintings were masterpieces worth millions of dollars.  The nuns did not realize the great treasures they possessed.   We do not realize the great treasure we have in Jesus.

 

2. GOSPEL: MARK 9:2-10

A. HIS CLOTHES BECAME DAZZLING WHITE.

Jesus took three disciples up a mountain and wanted them to know that he was not only a man but also God.  He did this by changing his appearance and his clothes became dazzling white. 

B. THIS IS MY BELOVED SON.  LISTEN TO HIM.

The three disciples heard a voice, the voice of God the Father, saying that Jesus was his beloved son and they must listen to him.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. JESUS IS OUR TREASURE.

Jesus wishes us to know him better.  He is not only a man; he is also God.  Here are a few examples of why Jesus is our treasure.

i) He is the light of the world helping us to see what is right and what is wrong.  He helps us to stay on the right path in this complex world.  He guides us to our final home. 

ii) Jesus is the bread of life.  We know the importance of good food for our health.  Jesus gives us the Eucharist for our spiritual health and strength. 

iii) Jesus is the good shepherd protecting us from the many evils in the world.  He protects us from the people who would lead us into sin.  During Lent we should try to know Jesus better as he is our treasure. 

B. WE MUST LISTEN TO JESUS.

When we visit a doctor or attend a class, we listen to the advice of the doctor or the teacher’s instructions as it will help us.  Jesus gives us good advice on how to live as children of God and how to act as his disciples.  He helps us to learn what we do not know, and he corrects us when we do not think correctly.  Jesus speaks to us in the following ways. 

i) When we pray and ask for guidance, Jesus speaks to us. 

ii) When we attend Mass and listen to the readings and the homily, Jesus speaks to us. 

iii) When we read the bible and spiritual books, Jesus speaks to us.   During Lent, make every effort to shut out the noises of the world and listen carefully to what Jesus has to say to us.  His advice will help us to live happier lives.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Just as the nun was amazed by the value of the paintings, so too were the disciples surprised to learn that Jesus was not only a man but is also God.  They were told of the importance of listening to Jesus. During this Lent, please do the following. 

1) Take home a Lenten box and help the poor with your donation. 

2) Make a good confession. 

 

Homily - 1B Lent Sunday homily (18 February 2024) Repent and believe in the Gospel

 

1B LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 1:12-15, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 

1. STORY

After his death, John was refused entry into heaven because of his poor record during life.  However, the angel of heaven’s gate gave him a chance to enter.  He must go back to earth and discover what would make God most happy.  He went back to earth and returned with a drop of a martyr’s blood.  The angel said that God was pleased but there was something even more pleasing to him.  He must try again.  The second time John brought back a drop of sweat of the brow of a missioner, but the angel said he could try one more time.  For the third time and final time, John brought back a drop of the tear of a repentant sinner.  The angel agreed that this was the gift most pleasing to God and permitted him to enter heaven.  God is truly happy when a sinner repents.

 

2. GOSPEL: MARK 1:12-15

A. JESUS TELLS US TO REPENT.

Jesus tells us that we must repent.  Repentance means to change our thinking, our heart, and our actions. 

B. JESUS TELLS US TO BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL.

Jesus tells us that we must accept the gospel.  The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to teach us.  The core of the gospel is love.  We must love God, our neighbor, and ourselves.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

Here are three changes we can begin to make during Lent.

A. CHANGE OUR MINDS.

Jesus wants us to place God as the number one priority in our life.  Even though there are many important things in our life such as a home, a job, money, good health, and a good family, we must remember that God is our number one priority.  When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, he said, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt. 22:37). 

B. CHANGE OUR HEARTS.

Jesus wants us to have a forgiving heart.  Many people have been offended and find it hard to forgive others.  Jesus teaches us in the Our Father, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Mt.6:12). We should forgive those who have offended us.

 

C. CHANGE OUR ACTIONS.

Jesus wants us to be kind towards others in our speech.  It is very easy to be angry and hurt others by what we say and how we say it.  St. Paul reminds us “No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear it” (Ep.4:29).  We should be kind toward others in our speech.

 

4. CONCLUSION

During this Lent, please try to do the following.

i) Help the poor by taking home the Lenten donation boxes. 

ii) Attend the Stations of the Cross. 

iii) Make a good confession.

iv) Attend the parish retreat.  We ask Jesus to help us repent and believe in the Gospel.