Catholic Sunday Homilies of Fr. Paul Gawlowski OFM Conv and Fr. Carlos Morales OFM Conv at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Hermosa Beach, CA
The full Mass recording from our 6AM Easter Sunrise Mass on the beach, at the water, overlooking God's Creation, part of His Love Letter to Us! Will we answer that Letter, and Return His Love, and Praise Him Today! Alleluia!
Jesus' last sign in the Gospel of Luke is the raising of Lazarus from the Dead. But, If Jesus Loved Lazarus, why did he wait for him to die? Jesus did not come to take away our death. That is the consequence of our sin, he came to heal our sickness and the Shadow of Death under which we live that enslaves us. He sets us free to Live eternally in the life to come, but also now, to be fully alive!
These readings are from the Lectionary Cycle C, about the woman caught in adultery. If she was caught in "The very act of adultery" why was not the man also brought to be stoned? What more is going on here? What is the trap that the Scribes and Pharisees are setting for Jesus? It seems they fall into it ourselves. So to do we when we refuse to forgive others.
Homilia del Padre Carlos sobre la necesidad de confesar nuestros pecados.
This homily breaks down in some detail, this parable, to show we are all like both the younger and the older Son. But the Loving Father shows no favoritism, and has invited both into the celebration. We must accept that invitation, and leave behind whatever holds us back; wrong external actions, or interior sinful attitudes. But we're not alone, God will help us if we only make the first step.
I hear it often said, "Father I'm a good person, I know God loves me, I don't have to go to church." I wonder what would be God's response to this statement? Today's Gospel, and also today's second reading from 1 Cor 10:1-6,10-12) tell us that we are all sinners, and we all need God's Mercy. Yet most of us, like our ancestors, go about our life complaining to God, not being Grateful, and pursuing other loves in our life, while our True Love "Wants to seduce us, lead us into the desert, and speak to our hearts." (Hosea 2:16). This lent, why don't we make room for that miracle?
Jesus leads three disciples up the mountain, and then is Transfigured before their eyes so they see the Glory of God. Certainly this is an event that they'd want to tell everyone about. But why does Jesus want them NOT to tell? The reason is not only for them, but for us too.