7C Sunday homily - Love your enemies (23 February 2025)

 

7C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 6:27-38 February 23, 2025 

1. STORY

John killed his master in a fit of anger.  Fearing he would be put to death, he fled to a remote village accessible only by walking on a dangerous narrow mountain path.  To atone for his sin, he began to cut a road through the mountain to end the isolation of the village.  

In four years, he finished half of his work.  One day a young man appeared and said he was the son of the man who had been murdered and he wanted revenge.  John was willing to die but pleaded with the young man to have him finish the road first.  The young man agreed. He was so impressed at his enemy's determination that he volunteered to help. 

Finally, the road was finished and John said he was ready to die.  The youth could not bring himself to killing John.  He said to John that he had learned a lot from him and could not harm his teacher.  He then walked away.  He had learned to love his enemy.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 6:27-38

A. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us.  He has given us a good example of this as he on the cross forgave those who put him there.

B. BE MERCIFUL JUST AS YOUR FATHER IS MERCIFUL

Jesus teaches us to follow the example of our heavenly Father who forgives us our sins and failings. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WHO ARE MY ENEMIES?

We must ask ourselves if we have any enemies.  There may be people whom we may not like or find it hard to get along with.  This is difficult to avoid.  It may be our attitude towards others or the way we speak or act towards them that is the cause of trouble.  It is important to know this to improve the way we act towards others.

B. BE MERCIFUL

Here are several suggestions that may help us to be merciful. 

i) Pray for the person whom you find difficult to be with. 

ii) Ask for forgiveness if you have offended someone. 

iii) Try to help the person if possible. 

iv) Change a bad habit that may be offensive to others.

 

4. CONCLUSION

John killed a person and fled fearing he would be put to death.  To atone for his sin, he helped a remote village.  He was found by the dead man's son who had come to take revenge.  The son eventually forgave John.  Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. 

He teaches us to be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful.  We follow the example of our Father by praying for our enemy, asking for forgiveness and helping the person if possible.

6C Sunday homily - Blessed are you when people hate you. Your reward will be great in heaven. (16 February 2025)

 

6C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 6:17, 20-26 February 16, 2025

1. STORY

Frank (Franz Jagerstatter) an Austrian farmer, a devout husband and father and a devoted Catholic was executed on August 9, 1943 for refusing to serve in Hitler's army.  His family, friends, pastor and even his bishop tried to change his mind.  But Frank was convinced that the Nazi cause was evil and he could not join as it would endanger his soul.  Eventually he was recognised as one of the most courageous and inspiring Christian witness of our time.  He was beautified in 2007.  He understood well the words of Jesus, "Blessed are you when people hate you...on account of the Son of Man.  Behold your reward will be great in heaven."

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 6:17, 20-26

A. THE SUFFERING CHURCH

Jesus tells us that there will be times when his followers will be hated, insulted and considered evil because of him.  There will be suffering for his followers.

B. THE FUTURE REWARD

Jesus tells us to rejoice and be joyful for our reward will be great in heaven. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE 

A. THE SUFFERING CHURCH TODAY 

i) We are blessed as we do not suffer hardship or persecution because of our faith.  We are free to go to church any time we wish.

ii) There are many Churches in Asia which are being persecuted.  A recent report indicated that Indonesia, Pakistan, North Korea and China are among countries where this is taking place in Asia.

B. HELP THE SUFFERING CHURCHES 

i) We thank God for giving us freedom of religion.  We are free to believe in any religion.  Being Catholics, we can choose the church we wish to attend, at any time and as often as we wish.  This is truly a great blessing. 

ii) Being aware of the difficulties of Churches in other countries, we pray for an improvement in the religious situation.  We try to help when there is a request for financial support for the needy in those countries under persecution. 

 

4. CONCLUSION

Frank a devout Catholic was executed for refusing to join the German army as he thought this was basically evil despite his family and others who tried to change his mind.  He was eventually recognised as a very courageous person and was beautified in 2007.  Jesus told us the Church would be persecuted but the reward would be heaven.  We thank God for giving us religious freedom and pray for the Churches that are being persecuted.

5C Sunday homily - Jesus helps Peter catch fish (09 February 2025)

 

5C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 5:1-11 FEBRUARY 09, 2025

1. STORY

While John was on a journey, he met a wise man and asked him which road would lead him to success.  The wise man pointed to go forward.  John did this and shortly returned injured.  Again, he asked the wise man which road would lead him to success.  Again, the wise man pointed forward.  Again, John went forward only to return bruised.  He pleaded with the wise man to speak and not just point.  Finally, the wise man said to John that he was on the right road to success but to expect failure and suffering along the way.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 5:1-11

A. WE HAVE CAUGHT NOTHING

Peter, a very experienced fisherman, “worked all night but caught nothing.”  In his attempt to catch fish, Peter failed.

B. PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP WATER AND LOWER YOUR NET FOR A CATCH

Following Christ’s command, “they caught a great number of fish.”  “Their nets were tearing” and the boats were so filled with fish that “they were in danger of sinking.”  With the help of Jesus, Peter succeeded.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WHY WE FAIL IN LIFE

There are many reasons why we fail in life.  Judas failed as an apostle for at least two reasons. 

i) Judas failed because he was greedy.  He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

ii) Judas was proud.  He failed to ask Jesus for forgiveness.  Jesus surely would have forgiven him.  So, we must resist being greedy and being proud.  We should be generous and humble.

B. WHY WE SUCCEED IN LIFE

There are many reasons why we succeed in life.  With the help of Jesus, Peter succeeded in catching fish for at least two reasons. 

i) Peter was obedient as he followed Jesus’ command to try again.  “Put out into the deep water.”

ii) Peter was persevering.  He was willing to try again to catch fish despite having failed although he had already worked hard all night.  Jesus was the cause of Peter’s success because he was willing to obey Jesus and keep on trying.  We also should follow the example of Peter by being obedient to Jesus and keep on trying.

 

4. CONCLUSION

A) John was searching for success.  He learned that while walking on the rood to success to expect failure and suffering along the way.  Peter was looking for success.  At first Peter failed to catch fish.  However, at the command of Jesus, he tried again and caught more fish that he ever dreamt of catching.  Jesus made it possible for Peter to succeed. 

B) We are looking for success in life.  We need the help of Jesus to succeed.  We ask Jesus to help us avoid the pitfalls of greed and pride.  We ask Jesus to help us to be generous and humble.  We ask Jesus to help us to obey him and to be persevering.  With the help of Jesus, we too will succeed in life.

4C Sunday homily - Be a faithful Catholic (02 February 2025)

 

PRESENTATION OF THE LORD HOMILY, Luke 2:22–40, February 2, 2025

1) STORY

During the Second World War, a Japanese soldier, Lieutenant HIROO ONODA, was fighting in the Philippines.  On February 28, 1945, he was given the command to stand and fight as the American forces landed in the Philippines.  Though the war had ended a few months later, he remained faithful to his duty by living and fighting in the jungle for 29 years.  Only when his retired commanding officer, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, returned to the Philippines informing him that Japan had lost the war and that he was relieved of his duty, did he surrender.  He was faithful to his duty.

 

2) GOSPEL, LUKE 2: 22 – 40

A) MARY AND JOSEPH

i) They were devout Jews faithful to their religion.  “Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord.”

ii) They were caring parents.  “They returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth ... where the child became strong and filled with the spirit.”

B)  SIMEON AND ANNA

They waited patiently praying in the temple for the coming of Jesus and were rewarded for their faithfulness by seeing the baby Jesus.   This encounter brought them much joy and peace.

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) BE A FAITHFUL CATHOLIC

i) We are faithful by praying each day, by attending Sunday Mass, and by going to confession a few times a year.

ii) We are faithful by living as disciples of Jesus and following his example of caring for the poor, the hungry, and those in need.

B) CHRIST IS NUMBER ONE

Jesus must be the center of our lives and more important that money, fame, and power.  We must resist the temptations of being distracted by the computer, entertainment, and being too busy.  Jesus gives us the power to help others.  He gives us joy, happiness, and peace.    

 

4) CONCLUSION

Just as the soldier was faithful in carrying out his duty, so were Mary and Joseph faithful to their religion and to their duty as parents.  Simeon and Anna were faithful in praying and waiting for their savior, Jesus.  We must be faithful in being good Catholics by praying and keeping Jesus as the center of or lives.  He is the source of our joy, happiness, and peace.

3C Sunday homily - Bring glad tidings to the poor (26 January 2025)

 

3C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 1:1-4; 4:14-21 JANUARY 26, 2025

1. STORY

As John was about to finish high school, he spent time thinking about what he would do in the future.  One day while attending a retreat in his Catholic high school, he read a small book entitled “You Can Change the World.”  The author wrote that if you can introduce a person to Jesus, and that person accepts Jesus, that person would change.  If one person changes, then the world begins to change.  This sounded very reasonable to John.  He learned that the task of a missioner was to introduce people to Jesus.  He now knew what he would do in the future.  He would become a missioner so that he could bring change to the world.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 1:1-4, 4:14-21

A. LUKE ATTEMPTS TO TEACH HIS FRIEND ABOUT JESUS

St. Luke wanted to teach his friend about Jesus. To do this he wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. 

B. JESUS KNEW WHAT HIS MISSION WAS

One day, as was his custom, Jesus when teaching in the synagogue, he selected and read a passage from Isaiah about someone who would come with the mission of telling others the good news about salvation and helping people.  Jesus told the people this was his mission.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. LEARN MORE ABOUT JESUS

Here are two suggestions on how to learn more about Jesus.

i) Try to read the Gospel of Luke during the year.  Plan to read a chapter a week.

ii) Another suggestion is to read the other book written by St. Luke, the Acts of the Apostles.  This book tells us about the growth of the Catholic Church after the Ascension of Jesus. 

B. OUR MISSION IS TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS

i) At our baptism, we were given the responsibility of bringing glad tidings to the many spiritually poor.  The spiritually poor are those who are sad, unhappy, or lonely.  They are not sure of the purpose of life, how to get help, or are just hopeless about everything. 

ii) We can share the good news about Jesus by being kind to them, by showing them we care, or by inviting them to study the doctrine leading to baptism.

 

4. CONCLUSION

After reading the book, “You Can Change the World”, John felt he was called by God to be a missioner.  St. Luke wrote the Gospel to teach his friend about Jesus.  Jesus told the people in the synagogue that his mission was to bring good tidings to the poor.  We should try to know more about Jesus by reading the Gospel of Luke or any other section of the bible.  We, as did Jesus, have the responsibility of bringing the good news to the spiritually poor.  We thank Jesus for his instruction.  We ask him for help to faithfully carry out this mission of bringing good tidings to the spiritually poor.

2C Sunday homily - Water changed into wine (19 January 2025)

 

2C SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 2:1-11, JANUARY 19, 2025

1. STORY

One day while sitting at a well, John overheard three mothers speaking about their sons.  The first mother praised her son as he could recite many poems from memory.  The second mother praised her son because he could sing beautifully.  The third mother said nothing.  After their heavy buckets were full and they prepared to carry them home, the three sons appeared.  The first son continued to recite poems, the second son continued to sing songs, while the third son helped his mother carry her buckets.  When the mothers asked John what he thought about the three sons, he replied that he saw only one son, the one who helped his mother.  Jesus helped his mother  Mary.  Jesus was a true son.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 2:1-11

A. THEY HAVE NO WINE.

Mary noticed that the wine had run out at the wedding banquet.  She knew that something had to be done so as to make it a successful gathering. 

B. DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

Mary knew the only one who could help in this matter was Jesus.  At his mother’s request, he solved the problem by changing water into wine.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. OUR PROBLEMS.

Most people are bothered by some kind of a problem.  One may be in poor health, another may have money problems, still another may be unhappy with life.  One may have trouble with family members, dislike their work, or be lonely.  The list of problems is long. 

B. JESUS CAN HELP US.

Just as Jesus helped at the marriage banquet, so Jesus can help us in our lives. 

i) Jesus can help us by his TEACHINGS through the Church or through the bible.  He can tell us what we should do and not to do.  He can teach about the purpose and goal of life.  Listen to the word of Jesus.  

ii) Jesus can give us the STRENGTH through the Eucharist to live through difficulties.  He can give us the strength to do what is right and the strength to resist temptations in life.  Receive the Eucharist at every Mass you attend. 

iii) Jesus, by his EXAMPLE, can help us to accept life as it is, to accept suffering and unhappiness as he did.  Pray daily to Jesus for the help to do his will as he did the will of God.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The true son was the one who helped his mother carry the water buckets home.  Jesus helped Mary by changing water into wine.  Jesus helps us solve our problems by his teachings through the Church and the bible.  He gives us strength by the Eucharist to do what is right and resist temptations.  Jesus helps us by his good example to accept the suffering we have and the difficulties we encounter.  We thank Jesus for being our helper.  We ask him to give us the strength to help others.

 

C, Sunday homily - The Baptism of the Lord (12 January 2025)

 

TOPIC: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

C, SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 3:15-16, 21-22, JANUARY 12, 2025

 1. STORY

Mary, a non-Christian, attended a Catholic school.  Although she liked to discuss religion with the priests and sisters, she had no desire to be baptized.  One day, when she was in form five, she went to one of the priests and asked to be baptized.  Surprised by this change in her attitude, he asked what changed her mind about baptism.  She said that it was the good example of the priests and sisters.  By their words and actions, they showed the love of God.  She was eventually baptized and considered the date of her baptism more important than her birthday.  God had changed her life.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 3:15-16, 21-22

A. THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON HIM

When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, Jesus received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was given the power to carry out his mission of preaching the gospel and saving the people. 

B. YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON. WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED.

Jesus came to us to do the will of his father thus making him pleasing to his father.  Obedience to the father’s will was extremely important to Jesus.  He did not come to do his own will.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE GIFTS WE RECEIVE AT BAPTISM

At baptism we receive the following four gifts.

i) We become adopted children of God the Father.  We can call him, “Our Father.”

ii) Jesus becomes our brother who cares for us and has come to save us. 

iii) The Holy Spirit becomes our guide.  We become temples of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 

iv) We become members of the family of God, the Catholic Church.  We have the right to receive the sacraments from the Church. 

B. WE STRIVE TO BECOME PLEASING TO GOD.  We become pleasing to God by obeying his will. 

i) We love God by trusting him, praying to him, and obeying his commandments. 

ii) We love our neighbor by being kind, helpful, and forgiving towards them.  We avoid hurting them by what we say and do.

iii) We love ourselves by caring for our spiritual and physical health.  We try to eat properly, get enough rest, do some exercise, and do not overwork.  We pray daily, attend Sunday Mass, receive Holy Communion, and make a good confession several times each year.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Mary, because of the good example of the priests and nuns in her school, was moved by God to be baptized.  This event changed her life.  When Jesus was baptized, he received the gift and power of the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel and to save us.  By his life of obedience, he was pleasing to his Father.  At our baptism we became adopted children of the Father, Jesus became our brother, the Holy Spirit became our guide, and we became members of the family of God, the Catholic Church.  By doing God’s will, we, like Jesus, become pleasing to our Father.  We thank God for the gift of baptism.  We pray for the strength to be obedient to God.