Listen to the homily here.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
The apex of our liturgical year, Jesus the King!: Jesus Christ, the king of the Universe (Last Sunday in Ordinary Time!)
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
Thanksgiving = eucharisia = Eucharist!
The Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Last Sunday in the Liturgical calendar
The apex, of the year
· Though it is interesting that Easter, Christmas and others are eminently important, though we live in a linear world
We heard some of the best words we could use to describe Jesus, our King
· Dominion, glory, everlasting, majesty, splendor robed, strength, trust, faithful witness, ruler, Alpha and Omega, son of Man
· Each of which could introduce another homily
But this weekend, I would like to ask you one question. Is Jesus Christ your king?
· One level can be simple…yes, or no?
· In a different level, our secular society, may think he is simply a good prophet or a teacher, but not a king…are you in that group?
· Or in another different level, some of us consider that Jesus Christ, even yes, a king, but just in part of my private life
o Like, yeah, I’ll get to church and mention his name at church, or offer a prayer or two
· And here is a totally different level
o Jesus Christ, is not just a king for our world, over even the universe, but as God—as one person of three in the Trinity
Now let me ask the same question again: is Jesus Christ your king?
· If so, you ought to allow him to be the king of every part of you: your body, mind, and soul
· Your family, your sexuality, your health, your career, your job, your hobbies, your finances
If you really believe that Jesus Christ is your king, you must follow with everything…not a portion, not most of it, but all
· Imagine if your doctor said, “I got 90% of your cancer” how would you respond to that?
· Or, if you told your spouse, “I am 85% faithful to you” how would you respond to that?
· Thus, shouldn’t you answer the earlier question? 100%
And when you fall, as we are all sinners, seek Christ’s mercy: “Lord Jesus Christ, my king, have mercy on me a sinner” and get back to following him with everything!
Parish Bulletin Article: "Beauty in the Word": 11-25-18
I just finished reading one of the best books about education in my life: “Beauty in the Word—Rethinking the Foundations of Education” by Stratford Caldecott. I would highly recommend reading this book for all of you teachers, and our teachers at St. Thomas Aquinas has a copy on the way for their homework J.
One of the inspirations that I received while reading this was the focus on an “old school” word—transcendentals—unity, truth, goodness and beauty. Each of these is ways to go beyond academics at (home)school, but honing into the depth of serving our children to grow as a whole person.
I also enjoyed some of the deepness with some theology and philosophy that can regenerate how teaching can be founded on God within every academic type: math, history, science, reading, grammar, psychology, etc.
Finally, Caldecott’s climax for education was the liturgy (Mass) which opens harmony in both our academics and spiritual lives. For instance, when you come to Mass, you can see, hear, smell, touch and feel that can offer experiences with your five senses that show who we are as people.
At the same time, within the place of a Church building is full of school subjects that are synchronized. Our building was built with math, floor plans, architecture and materials to help us worship God. As we come to Mass in a beautiful building, it is full of art: statutes, banners, stained glass windows, Stations of the Cross and proclaim music and singing to offer praise to God. We also listen to history during our readings, hear the bells (which were made) and hopefully the homily. Finally, think of how much science is behind the scenes when we see the candles, lights, bread and wine, heat/cool air condition!
I hope and pray that each Mass is an experience with you, to pray, learn and think.
Thus, within this amazing book, we can learn how our Mass is the rock, the foundation of God, that should also support education to serve the generations of God’s sons and daughters at (home)school.
God Bless!
Memorial Mass for those who passed away this year: Tuesday, November 20th, 2018
Listen to the homily here.
Hebrews 10 and Mark 13: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
Apocalyptic readings today
· Daniel
· Jesus
· Other places in the Bible
o Ezekiel, James, Revelation
· When I imagine the salvation plan from God, from the beginning of the Bible after Adam and Eve had the first sin, the story of salvation is through different genres—genealogies, poems, history, prophesying, narratives, parables and more
· To me, some of these make sense
· One part is tough for me…Apocalyptic = revelation
So today, instead of studying deeply into many apocalyptic of the images in the readings today, I would like to pull out two things that does make sense to me
First
· Hebrews 10
o “…this one offered one sacrifice for sins,and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offeringhe has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.”
o Within the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, priests had a job to offer sacrifices, slaughtering animals to offer to God for forgiveness
o The challenge was, these priests had to do it, over and over and over
o And so to us today—confession
o But Jesus Christ gave one sacrifice in which we receive Jesus’ Body and Blood at Mass that is re-presented
Second
· Mark 13
o “Heaven and earth will pass away,but my words will not pass away.”
o Our planet—earth—at some time will be gone
§ Now, probably in billions of years, but our planet is finite, like Jesus said
o But what is a climax in this simple teaching from Jesus, his words will not pass away
o Jesus Christ is THE Word, THE logos, THE priest, sacrifice and redemption
We are blessed, because we know the Saving Plan from God through the Bible
· And we know the truth—that this salvation is open for everyone…who believes in Jesus Christ
St. Albert, the feast for Fr. Albert Wugaa!: Thursday, November 15th, 2018
Listen to the homily here.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Purification, Conversion and Thanksgiving: Wednesday, November 14th, 2018
Listen to the homily here.
Two widows who gave everything away...can you?: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
Two widows who give away everything and there a few veins that I would like to consider for your prayerfulness and discern
· The “widows mite” in the Gospel
o As I was reading it, tangent (I cannot be like the scribes and the Pharisees using their positions to be famous!)…but then the Scriptures said, “He [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasuryand observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.”
o Here, my first idea was to imagine Jesus Christ watching us, giving our gifts to the collection, UCA, treasure whether into the baskets from the ushers or on our donations through our internet bank donations
o He challenged those of us who have offered our surplus in our budget while the widow gave EVERYTHING
Then let’s go back in time to the second widow
· "Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink."
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
"Please bring along a bit of bread."
She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die."
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
"Please bring along a bit of bread."
She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die."
· “Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.”
Go and do as you propose.”
So today, as we live in the richest country in the world, let’s think, think, think…imagine Jesus watching you when offer simply your surplus, but give away more, and more and more.
Do not be afraid, as so many people are scared to give away possessions
Parish Bulletin Article: "Bartimaeus, Persecution, Vote, Hunting": 11-4-18
A few small tidbits for this weekend.
First, as Bartimaeus continues to be in my mind, I imagine how he, a blind man, was persecuted. For help, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me." And what did some of the members in the crowd respond? “And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.” What?! Praise God, Jesus stopped walking, spoke to him and then healed his blinding.
Second, as a Catholic, you, too, may have experienced persecution for your faith. No matter what type of oppression you have experienced, whether our morality, belief, dark events in our history, our recent sex abuse scandal or just believing in Jesus Christ, I am guessing that everyone has been rebuked or diminished. Each of you may have different triggers, like your emotions—sadness, angry or loneliness—and you may be looking for some answers. While we must pray, seek God’s mercy and focus to our Savior, here is two quick verses that can channel your experience back to Christ:
· “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12)
· “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John15:18).
Third, please go vote on Tuesday!
Finally, to you hunters, know of my prayers with success, health and safety, and make it to Mass!
God Bless!
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