Sails and the Holy Spirit: Sunday, 22nd in Ordinary Time

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

I praise God, that almost every day the Scriptures at Masses are simply popping out through the Holy Spirit.

·      And the Holy Spirit is like the wind and I have loved an image in our hearts

·      Sail boat

o   Sometimes there is no wind, which makes us feel challenging

o   Sometimes there is some great wind to sail, though we may forget to open the sails!

o   But when the sails are opened with powerful wind, we move forward

So think of Jeremiah spiritually having some of these same challenges in his mission:

·      “I say to myself, I will not mention him,
I will speak in his name no more.
But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,
imprisoned in my bones;
I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.”

o   Here the closer we are to God, the more in which we are simply encouraged to keep going forward!

Or the Responsorial Psalm:

·      “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”

o   Those moments are when we feel alone, or parched in our soul:

o   “My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.”

Finally, what ag impressing verses from St. Paul, once again with challenges, but strength with God when we are opening our hearts to our mission:

·      “Do not conform yourselves to this age
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Keep rolling with God, brothers and sisters!

·      “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.”

 

 

Teachers' Half-Day Retreat: Thursday, August 27th, 2020

 Listen to the homily here.

"I believe. Lord, help my unbelief!" Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

Listen to the homily here.

Whoever keeps the word of Christ: Tuesday, August 25th, 2020

 Listen to the homily here.

Encouragement: Monday, August 24th, 2020

 Listen to the homily here.

Jesus Two Questions: Who do THEY who I am? Who do YOU think I am?21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Jesus asked two questions today which is curious about what the question was, and who it was

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
“But who do you say that I am?” 

Let’s start with Isaiah, another Isaiah and Matthew connection

·      “…I will place the key of the House of David…”

·      “…I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family”

o   And in one Bible, according to Jeff Cavins, in a Protestant Bible pointed this verse to Matthew 16!

So who do people say that the Son of Man is?

·      We heard about John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, prophets

·      But what is he name today?  Guru?  Teacher?  Philosopher? Relativism?  Speaker?  One of many other leaders?

But who do YOU say that he is?

·      That’s where Peter spoke in correctly:

·      "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. 
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”

During this time of the next political season, challenging times with a virus, who do YOU say that Jesus is?

·      If he is not the Son of God, why are you even here?

·      And if you do believe that Jesus is the Son of God, how do you live your life like that?

 

Parish Bulletin Article: "Encouragement": 8-23-2020

Earlier this week, we had a feast for St. Bartholomew, one of our twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.  His name was Nathaniel as different lists for “The Twelve” show different names, which is standard in their culture.  I also gave a homily about St. Bartholomew and preached that one of his nicknames was “The Encourager”!  But alas, my culpa, my culpa, this patron saint is actually St. Barnabas!  LOL!

Anyway, I preached about how crucial it is for encouragement during the times today.  In this daily homily I asked our parishioners, and ask you today two questions, that hopefully support your journey:

1.)        Who may you encourage someone else today?  Spouse?  Children?  Teacher?  Grandkids?  Parishioners?

2.)        Who have you recently experienced encouragement from someone else?  

I know that in my life now, encouragement certainly supports my relationship with God, as all of our encouragement originally comes from God through you!  And thank you for your encouragement to me.  Praise God!

Earlier this week, we had another passage using that same crucial word:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word” (2nd Thessalonians 2:14-17).

To conclude this article, let us grow by offering and receiving encouragement!  Don’t we need that more than ever?  And “stand firm” against any polarization, hate, anger, judgment, or gossip.  Let’s keep rollin’ as a family as brothers and sisters!

God Bless!