Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

To watch Fr. Joe’s homily from the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: CLICK HERE! 

It’s been 6 months since Easter 2020… which we might say “never was”.  Easter, the Easter Vigil in particular is the “Mass of the Year”…

It is at the Easter Vigil that we “receive” Candidates and Catechumens into the faith.

Well today is the EASTER VIGIL… Today, we are welcoming James with whom we will be celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Communion (Eucharist).

For sure today is personal day for James, but so is today personal day for each of us…  We are not spectators, we are people of faith.  Welcoming James to walk with us, and we with him as we all walk with our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.

Because it is JESUS we encounter in the Sacraments.  It is JESUS who is our WAY, our TRUTH and our LIGHT.  It is JESUS who asks us to not only walk with Him, but to BRING Him to one another and to all.

Today, may be a first step for James, but it is an opportunity for us to renew, to recommit,  to live anew, to share our stories of faith, our stories of “God’s Presence” in our lives.

Today is about continuing the plan of God here on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Today’s readings are not about God bringing people to a wretched end.  Rather, today’s Scriptures are a reminder to us, as a person, family and Parish to continue to bring about the KINGDOM of GOD each and every day.

A Kingdom of caring and sharing…  acceptance and forgiveness…  working together… growing together… respect and love for all thoughts and all people…  life and eternal life for all.

Often, at the end of Lent, during the Easter Season, we reflect, we ask… How have I changed?  How is my life a bit more like that of Jesus Christ?

Truth is that question, that reflection is valid every Sunday.

Often the Sundays of the year are referred to a “mini-Easters”.  Reminders if you will of our need to continue to live our faith, to love God, love others and be faithful disciples; every day and not just on Easter.