For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/112407.shtml
Jesus clearly says in today's Gospel that there are some who are to become like angels, who neither marry nor are given in marriage. In saying this, he affirms that while all people may desire marriage, not all are called to it. Instead, some are called to attain to the resurrection of Christ in a singlehearted way, through celibacy for the kingdom. In accepting the call and gift of celibacy, priests and religious witness to the reality of the happiness awaiting us all in the kingdom of heaven, when our flesh will no longer have a chance to dominate our spirit.
Unlike America, which has a poverty of saints and martyrs, the tiny Vietnamanese peninsula is awash in the blood of courageous witnesses like Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions. Today's memorial marks the deaths of 133,000 Vietnamanese martyrs. These martyrs became like angels in offering their earthly lives in testament to the reality and power of Jesus' resurrection. May their witness inspire many, many vocations to the priesthood and religious life!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Homily for Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time - Miguel Pro, priest and martyr
For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/112307.shtml
The producer of the movie Bella has plans to make another movie on the life of Miguel Agustin Pro, a 20th Century priest and martyr from Mexico. As vocation director, I very much hope he makes this movie, as I can use it to inspire vocations to the priesthood. Miguel Pro's relics are in the altar at St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood, my first parish, along with the relics of the North American martyrs. We need more American saints like Miguel Pro, for our continent is woefully short on martyrs and saints compared to other countries.
Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and must be constantly purified through the sacrament of reconciliation and the worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist. Judas Maccabeus and his brothers are rejoicing at their opportunity to rededicate the temple of the Lord, and Jesus Himself in today's Gospel is trying zealously to clean out that same temple. May we never become desensitized to sin and its power to cast out the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us.
The producer of the movie Bella has plans to make another movie on the life of Miguel Agustin Pro, a 20th Century priest and martyr from Mexico. As vocation director, I very much hope he makes this movie, as I can use it to inspire vocations to the priesthood. Miguel Pro's relics are in the altar at St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood, my first parish, along with the relics of the North American martyrs. We need more American saints like Miguel Pro, for our continent is woefully short on martyrs and saints compared to other countries.
Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and must be constantly purified through the sacrament of reconciliation and the worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist. Judas Maccabeus and his brothers are rejoicing at their opportunity to rededicate the temple of the Lord, and Jesus Himself in today's Gospel is trying zealously to clean out that same temple. May we never become desensitized to sin and its power to cast out the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us.
Homily for Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time - St. Cecilia
For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/112207a.shtml
Most parishes will of course use the readings for Thanksgiving Day today, but I wanted to comment just a bit in this blog on St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. Cecelia was not necessarily a musician herself, but her virginity and her martyrdom constituted her 'song' which gave glory to God! I experienced much growth in my faith through my participation in the choirs at the St. Lawrence Center at KU. We sang for the Holy Father at WYD Denver in 2003 and again in Rome during pilgrimages in 1996 and the Jubilee Year of 2000. I hope through the intercession of St. Cecilia, to make of my life a 'song' that glorifies God.
Mattatias continues the bravery we have seen in 2 Maccabees by refusing to obey the king's orders, instead inviting all those wanting to be faithful to the covenant of Moses to leave Jerusalem and to withdraw with him into the desert. When Jesus himself arrives in Jerusalem, He weeps for her, knowing that in order to become what she is supposed to be, she must first be broken down piece by piece, and cured of her pride. Let us repent for our own pride, through which we give credit to ourselves, rather than glory and thanksgiving to God, for His presence and many blessings in our lives!
Most parishes will of course use the readings for Thanksgiving Day today, but I wanted to comment just a bit in this blog on St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. Cecelia was not necessarily a musician herself, but her virginity and her martyrdom constituted her 'song' which gave glory to God! I experienced much growth in my faith through my participation in the choirs at the St. Lawrence Center at KU. We sang for the Holy Father at WYD Denver in 2003 and again in Rome during pilgrimages in 1996 and the Jubilee Year of 2000. I hope through the intercession of St. Cecilia, to make of my life a 'song' that glorifies God.
Mattatias continues the bravery we have seen in 2 Maccabees by refusing to obey the king's orders, instead inviting all those wanting to be faithful to the covenant of Moses to leave Jerusalem and to withdraw with him into the desert. When Jesus himself arrives in Jerusalem, He weeps for her, knowing that in order to become what she is supposed to be, she must first be broken down piece by piece, and cured of her pride. Let us repent for our own pride, through which we give credit to ourselves, rather than glory and thanksgiving to God, for His presence and many blessings in our lives!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Homily for Wednesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/112107.shtml
When a child is brought to the Church for baptism, the child's name is proclaimed at the beginning of the rite as a reenactment of the Jewish tradition of presentation. The name is pronounced in the Church as a confirmation that this child belongs not to the parents, but to God. The parents are stewards of this precious gift, and in the end, they give God the chance to name the child. In baptism, parents proclaim the truth that they are not owners of the child they present, but are caretakers of the mystery of life.
The mother is 2nd Maccabees is extraodinarily courageous in directing her son to give up his life. The mother is able to give this instruction because she knows the power of God to give and to restore life is greater than the power of men to destroy life. This woman in 2 Mac prefigures beautifully our Blessed Mother, whose presentation in the temple we commemorate today. Mary taught her son that to obey the will of God was sweeter than life itself, and He, like the son in today's first reading, was able to say to his persecutors - You do not take my life from me - I freely lay it down.
Joachim and Anne brought Mary to the temple for her presentation in order to proclaim that Mary was a child of God, and that her life had lasting value only insofar as it was received as a gift. Mary became the handmaid of the Lord, willing to give her life back to God generously accordingly to his will. She did not guard her life our of fear, like the miserly steward we hear of in today's Gospel. Because of this, she was the first to receive the gift of eternal life from Her Son!
When a child is brought to the Church for baptism, the child's name is proclaimed at the beginning of the rite as a reenactment of the Jewish tradition of presentation. The name is pronounced in the Church as a confirmation that this child belongs not to the parents, but to God. The parents are stewards of this precious gift, and in the end, they give God the chance to name the child. In baptism, parents proclaim the truth that they are not owners of the child they present, but are caretakers of the mystery of life.
The mother is 2nd Maccabees is extraodinarily courageous in directing her son to give up his life. The mother is able to give this instruction because she knows the power of God to give and to restore life is greater than the power of men to destroy life. This woman in 2 Mac prefigures beautifully our Blessed Mother, whose presentation in the temple we commemorate today. Mary taught her son that to obey the will of God was sweeter than life itself, and He, like the son in today's first reading, was able to say to his persecutors - You do not take my life from me - I freely lay it down.
Joachim and Anne brought Mary to the temple for her presentation in order to proclaim that Mary was a child of God, and that her life had lasting value only insofar as it was received as a gift. Mary became the handmaid of the Lord, willing to give her life back to God generously accordingly to his will. She did not guard her life our of fear, like the miserly steward we hear of in today's Gospel. Because of this, she was the first to receive the gift of eternal life from Her Son!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Homily for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/112007.shtml
I don't know about you, but when I read the daily obituaries, I always pay special attention to the people who died who are younger than me. On March 17th, I will turn 33 years old. 33 is the best historical estimate of how old Jesus was when He was crucified. This is a birthday I have been looking forward to for this very reason. For me, it is a benchmark of when someone should be ready to die out of witness for his faith. I know that there are many young men and women who have died at a much younger age serving our country. Some of the great martyrs and saints died much younger than 33, and were not afraid to die because of their great faith. So I regard 33 as absolutely the latest date for one to be ready to do whatever Christ would ask him to do in order to strengthen his kingdom, even if this involved great sacrifice and persecution. Eleazar is the hero of today's reading from Maccabees. He says rightly how foolish it would be for one who is 90 years old like him to worry about preserving his life, rather than giving his life freely so that those after him would have a great example of faith. And so Eleazar is martyred, and the free gift of his life begs the question as to whether you and I are willing to die for our faith as well.
I don't know about you, but when I read the daily obituaries, I always pay special attention to the people who died who are younger than me. On March 17th, I will turn 33 years old. 33 is the best historical estimate of how old Jesus was when He was crucified. This is a birthday I have been looking forward to for this very reason. For me, it is a benchmark of when someone should be ready to die out of witness for his faith. I know that there are many young men and women who have died at a much younger age serving our country. Some of the great martyrs and saints died much younger than 33, and were not afraid to die because of their great faith. So I regard 33 as absolutely the latest date for one to be ready to do whatever Christ would ask him to do in order to strengthen his kingdom, even if this involved great sacrifice and persecution. Eleazar is the hero of today's reading from Maccabees. He says rightly how foolish it would be for one who is 90 years old like him to worry about preserving his life, rather than giving his life freely so that those after him would have a great example of faith. And so Eleazar is martyred, and the free gift of his life begs the question as to whether you and I are willing to die for our faith as well.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Homily for Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time - St. Leo the Great
For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/111007.shtml
Jesus tells us to make eternal friends with finite wealth. Of course there will be no need for money in the kingdom of heaven, and so the resources we have on this earth are good insofar as we use them to bring us closer to the kingdom of heaven, and evil so far as those resources use us to get us to prefer our kingdom here on earth. Jesus says as well that the way we use the goods of this world are a good indication of how we will use the gifts of grace that He brings us through the sacraments. If we use material resources to solidify our kingdom here below, we will also use the gifts of faith, hope and love to gain friends in this world only, rather than making friends who will welcome us into eternal dwellings. We should follow the example of the saints, like St. Leo the Great, one of only two popes to be called great. They are our friends who are already in heaven, and by their example and prayers they spur us on to victory!
Jesus tells us to make eternal friends with finite wealth. Of course there will be no need for money in the kingdom of heaven, and so the resources we have on this earth are good insofar as we use them to bring us closer to the kingdom of heaven, and evil so far as those resources use us to get us to prefer our kingdom here on earth. Jesus says as well that the way we use the goods of this world are a good indication of how we will use the gifts of grace that He brings us through the sacraments. If we use material resources to solidify our kingdom here below, we will also use the gifts of faith, hope and love to gain friends in this world only, rather than making friends who will welcome us into eternal dwellings. We should follow the example of the saints, like St. Leo the Great, one of only two popes to be called great. They are our friends who are already in heaven, and by their example and prayers they spur us on to victory!
Homily for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time - St. John Lateran
For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/110907.shtml
Today’s Gospel discourages us from turning our sacred spaces into secular marketplaces, but it does not discourage us from using our financial resources to build sacred spaces. It is true that the greatest basilicas, including the mother church basilica of St. John Lateran that we commemorate today, are as nothing compared to the temple of a human body, which is to be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. It is sad indeed when great basilicas are empty, and are not blessed by the presence of the faithful celebrating the great mysteries of the faith. But we should have such beautiful churches in which to worship God. Oftentimes, we give in too easily to the temptation to think that we should help the poor instead of building beautiful Churches. The reality is that we should sacrifice to do both. It is not an either/or proposition but a both/and proposition. We should not steal from the poor in order to build opulent places of worship, but we should also not give less than our best in the building of a Church and then fail to give to the poor as well, which I am afraid happens more often than not.
Just as the condition of the homes in which we live, the way we construct them, and maintain them, says something about the importance of the family that lives there, so also the Churches we build should speak to the dignity of the family that God is building there. The Church building should not serve simply as a convenient and comfortable place for the faithful to gather; it should be the very best building that a community can build, far greater than any neighborhood home. It should speak to the reality that what happens in the sacred space is different than what happens outside it. Catholic Churches should be especially beautiful since they house the living presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are the primary locations where the faithful physically encounter their Lord.
Today’s Gospel discourages us from turning our sacred spaces into secular marketplaces, but it does not discourage us from using our financial resources to build sacred spaces. It is true that the greatest basilicas, including the mother church basilica of St. John Lateran that we commemorate today, are as nothing compared to the temple of a human body, which is to be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. It is sad indeed when great basilicas are empty, and are not blessed by the presence of the faithful celebrating the great mysteries of the faith. But we should have such beautiful churches in which to worship God. Oftentimes, we give in too easily to the temptation to think that we should help the poor instead of building beautiful Churches. The reality is that we should sacrifice to do both. It is not an either/or proposition but a both/and proposition. We should not steal from the poor in order to build opulent places of worship, but we should also not give less than our best in the building of a Church and then fail to give to the poor as well, which I am afraid happens more often than not.
Just as the condition of the homes in which we live, the way we construct them, and maintain them, says something about the importance of the family that lives there, so also the Churches we build should speak to the dignity of the family that God is building there. The Church building should not serve simply as a convenient and comfortable place for the faithful to gather; it should be the very best building that a community can build, far greater than any neighborhood home. It should speak to the reality that what happens in the sacred space is different than what happens outside it. Catholic Churches should be especially beautiful since they house the living presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and are the primary locations where the faithful physically encounter their Lord.
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