Tag Archives: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies,

To watch Fr. Joe’s homily from the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time: CLICK HERE!

I am sure that inquiring minds what to know what was the “torn in the flesh” that Paul was given.  What aliment did Paul have that “kept him humble”, even as an Apostle of Christ?

It is thought by many he had an eye issue, namely a recurring infection of the lining of the eye that made it difficult for him to see. Yet Paul went about his ministry. Preaching about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Preaching about how he was changed and the world of yesterday, today and tomorrow was changed.

Paul proclaimed in word and actions not his power or ability, but that of Christ dwelling within him.

I recently came across a quote about humility that said, “humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less…”

And maybe that is where St. Paul was coming from, thinking of himself less and thinking about others more.  Allowing the grace, the power of God, to work thru him each and every day.

As we live the gift of faith we have all been give, a faith that is part and parcel of our day to day lives, may we, like Paul, think more of others and less of ourselves… think more of what others need than what we want and think more of how we can allow God’s Spirit to work thru us for the good, better and best.

Keep humble St. Mary’s…  Let’s allow the Spirit of God to work thru each of us as person, families & parish today and everyday.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies,

To watch Fr. Joe’s Homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time: CLICK HERE!

Today’s Gospel shares with us the appointment of 72 people by Jesus to GO OUT and proclaim the Kingdom of God to all the nations.  72 is equal to the number of nations at the time of Jesus.

Jesus did not give them a Catechism to teach from.  Jesus asked that they share his word/his words with others through their LIVES, as well as their words.

Put another way, “Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.”  A quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.

So today and tomorrow, may our lives speak the words of Jesus the Savior of the World to the people we associate daily.  Lives that speak loudly about our faith, hope and love; love for God, love of others, our forgiveness of others, life and eternal life, comfort and care and healing,  sharing from even the little we have, welcoming, etc…

Every weekend, Jesus our Savior and friend, sends us out in the world to “bring Good News” to someone, to others, to the world…

Imagine what can really happen, as we continue to live as Jesus asks of you and me and us in the days ahead.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Finally, I feel I need to end my homily with an apology of sorts.  Most know that on some occasions, I have mentioned the driving challenges on the Northway…

Well, I had an the occasion to be a passenger to and from Long Island from Kingston, N.Y.  As I said to the driver, I was appreciative I was not driving – I would have turned around a long time ago.  The driving illustrated by many was at a level of aggression, I have never experienced.  And hope it stays that way.

So, Northway Divers, your driving techniques may not be the best at times, but it is certainly not the worse.

But to all drivers, I would suggest:

Drive Carefully … Drive Defensively … Drive Sober … No Texting

Get to where you are going safely, even it takes a bit more time!

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies,

The Scriptures often relate to us those times when the message of Jesus was a challenge to others, a message that was even dismissed.  Even for Jesus, it hurt to be dismissed.

Yet Jesus continues to teach us, to remind us, by His prayer, that he has faith in the God whose ways are not our ways.  And for centuries, the message of the Gospel has continued to be proclaimed through the actions of the people of faith.

Now is our time to continue to share the message of the Gospel, “of care and concern; acceptance and forgiveness; of life and love” with one and all.  Continuing in prayer that leads us to have faith in the God whose ways are not always our ways…

This past week, church leaders from across the USA gathered in steamy Orlando, Florida for a convocation focusing on “The Joy of the Gospel in America.”

A convocation that reminded not just all present, but all Catholics here in the USA, that we too are called to share the Gospel message not only through our words but most importantly through our actions.

We should never underestimate the power of concrete examples of faith lived in relationship with others by ourselves and by others.  For instance, many have made a financial gift or pledge to the Bishop’s Appeal (and if we have not, could we do so soon?) Hopefully, we know of one or two ways the Bishop’s Appeal assists the people of the parish or Diocese and shared that with a friend, a neighbor, our children, a co-worker, or even a fellow parishioner.

The Bishop’s Appeal that nurtures and sustains a culture of vocations.

The Bishop’s Appeal that assists in providing pastoral services to the Diocese.  For example, the Marriage Office & Marriage Programming.

And many times, we even go an extra mile to assist others in need, be it after a flood or hurricane or natural disaster.  Bishop Scharfenberger has asked that all parishes take up a special collection next weekend to assist those who were flooded this past week and other needs that will most likely happen in the coming winter months.

It’s human nature that we might not always agree with one another.  But most people do like a happy ending and living the Gospel, sharing the stories of the Gospel happening in our lives, our community, our parish, our Diocese, brings life to the words of goodness, caring and love.

This week, might we take a few moments to recognize how the greatest story ever told (God’s presence and love for us) continues to be lived by each of us and others and by our Church every day in ordinary and even extraordinary ways.

Might we also take some time to tell the Good News to another or others, maybe beginning with our children and grandchildren.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies,

This past week, I stopped by to see someone I had not seen in sometime.  In the course of our conversation, he mentioned they were getting a new Pastor and he shared that the rumor was, “his homilies were very good.”  But the question this person had was,  “Are his homilies short?”

Well no matter the length of homilies…  The better question is, “How is the Word of God” that we hear week after week touching our lives for the better and the lives of others for the better?

Just as Jesus appointed 72 others some 2,000 years ago, today and every day Jesus appoints others to share the Good News of God’s love and peace.  You and I have inherited the continuation of that role.

Without people… without you and me… the work of sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will not be completed.  Every day, offers us opportunity after opportunity to bring the message of Jesus to “where ever we go – into whatever house we enter.”

Every day, offers us the opportunity to show God’s love and concern, to offer words of encouragement, joy and peace.  Every day, we come in contact with countless people.  May we share with them in word and example the message of Jesus, not our own message – but that of Jesus.

May that message continue to bear fruit.  A message that can share the joy of the Gospel that comes from the working of God within us, and in those we meet.

So the question is not how long is the Homily, rather the question is, “How is the Word of God that we hear touching our lives and the lives of others for the better,” through us, the present day Disciple of Jesus, this day and everyday.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies,

Scripture Readings:    Amos 7:12-15;    Ephesians 1:3-14;    Mark 6:7-13

God throughout history has given us Prophets to deliver His message.  Prophets often rejected… Prophets to whom people turned a deaf ear.  Prophets who were too much for them, including Jesus.

Have you ever wondered, “If we had been there 2,000 years ago, how we would have acted?”

Even today, there are times when we dismiss insights, advice and spiritual counsel quite easily.  At times we even reject the wisdom that rings true, because it comes from a family member, co-worker, employee or employer.

Today, we pray that we will open our EARS and MINDS and HEARTS to God’s grace and to the Prophets whom God places in our lives who continue to reveal something of God’s love, mercy, beauty and so much more each day.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homilies,

Scripture Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9-13; Matthew 11:25-30

 

A few years ago, a parish was asked to help resettle a family that had fled Cambodia and had come to begin new lives in the United States.

The Pastor put out a call to help and everyone in the parish responded.  One parishioner, a real-estate agent, found an apartment that was large enough and that the family could afford.  A lawyer offered his help dealing with the many legal and bureaucratic issues they faced.  The children in the parish befriended the children and made them part of the life of the school.  Business owners and professionals used their contacts to find work for the father.  A group of moms reached out to the mother to help her make her way in their new community.  Other parishioners collected warm clothing for the family, who arrived with few personal possessions.  For the first few weeks, families took turns preparing supper for the family.  One elderly, homebound parishioner wanted to do her part as well, so every week she baked some kind of treat for the family’s Sunday dinner.

Everyone in the parish, in his or her own way, welcomed the family.  Parishioners offered whatever they had – be it professional contacts, food, clothing, or simple hospitality – to make this family, who has been through so much, a part of their larger Parish family.

These Parishioners with whatever skills and resources they had, took on the “yoke” of Jesus.  In the Middle East, ox yokes were custom made of wood, cut and measured to fit a particular animal.  The Greek word that we translate as “easy” in today’s Gospel more accurately means, “fitting well.”

God does not ask of us what we do not have or cannot do, but to give what we can and do what we are able to do in a spirit of humility and gratitude.

In offering what they had to help this Cambodian family, every member of that Parish took on the “yoke” and “burden” of Christ:    A “yoke” that is light and easy in that it demands no more from us than what we are capable of doing and giving and its “burden” is the humility and selflessness to use what we have in the humble, generous spirit of Jesus the servant.