Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church: Catholic Sunday Homilies

The Parable of the Sower in Context (Mt 13:24-43) (15 OT)

Jesus is telling this parable after having been rejected by many. He is explaining why some listen to the Word of God and some do not.  To listen is hard, it requires an open heart, and calls us to conversion, and then to produce fruit. Most don't want to do that. 

Come to Me Jesus Says; My Yoke is Easy, My Burden Light (Mt 11:25-30) (14 OT)

These are very comforting words indeed.  But what is a yoke anyway? What is the Yoke of Jesus that he invites us to put on? And how does it make a difference.  The yoke is His will. It takes humility to be led by Jesus! But it is easier than going it alone in life. No matter where you are in life, no matter what is going on, if you truly are open to God's will, then just say "Lord I can't wait to see how your going to work this one out!"

The Prosperity Gospel comes by Way of the Cross: A Franciscan Homily (Mt 10:37-42) (13 OT)

Many preach a prosperity Gospel. It is true the Gospel is Good News, it brings the fullness of Life (Jn 10:10) but it comes, as we hear today, by way of the cross. We must die to self, to live in Christ. Life in Christ is fullness of life, perfect freedom and love, but it comes by laying down oneself for Jesus, and if we do that, it will be laying down one's life for others; "If you love Me, feed my sheep." (Jn 21:15-17). Love of self, ego, selfishness and greed, are the cause of all the world's problems. So often the issues of our world are cloaked in politics, they are really morality. So often our political differences are a rationalization for selfishness. Life is best lived when poured out for the other, it is what Christ did for us, and what is contained in the famous prayer of St. Francis. 

Judgement: It's a Good Thing! (Mt 10:26-33) (12 OT)

We think of Judgement as a bad or scary thing. It is not meant to be. It is a time when the one who loves us, notices all the good we've done. That brings us great joy, not because of pride, but because the one whom we loved has noticed and acknowledges what we've done in love. So, be Christians who are Unafraid, to do Good, to witness to Jesus, not only in the big things, but the many small things that we forget over the years, and also that affect others in ways we do not even know. In the end, we will see all these as we are shown them by Jesus, and He will embrace us, and say "Come inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

To Eat His Flesh and Drink His Blood: Receive the Divine Life of God (Jn 6:51-58) (11 OT)

Many believe Jesus was speaking symbolically when He said "Unless you Eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you." But to believe Jesus is talking symbolically is hard to believe since he went out of his way, while talking about bread after the miracle of the loaves, to progress into flesh and blood, then even further to "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life..."  The Old Testament points to the Eucharist, and Jesus intentionally establishes the New Worship of His Body and Blood, before His actual Passover; the sacrifice in His death and Resurrection, just as God established the liturgy of the first Passover before the actual event. Jesus's Mission was to not only die for our sins, and rise to share with us divine life in the Holy Spirit, but he also as part of that mission, as intentionally established the Eucharist so that we 2000 years later, and 1200 miles away may also share in this Passover from death to eternal life. 

Justice is Love's Minimum Requirement: Called to Live in Image of the Trinity (Jn 3:16-18) (10 OT)

Although a difficult theological concept, practically the implications of the Trinity are easy to understand, and helpful to guide us. God is three united by perfect Love in One. We are created in God's Image and Likeness; therefore we are called to be united in love living in community. St. Paul urges us to mend our relationships with one another and live in Peace. In the light of the MANY demonstrations for Justice, today's feast has a powerful message. We are called to work to live together in unity and love. All people are our brother and sister, and we must hear the cries of those calling out for Justice. Justice if Love's MINIMUM requirement. I believe this is the beginning of a period of great social progress in our nation and world, if we as a nation respond to the most noble call for our nation at this time; to work for Justice.  I encourage the young and old alike, dedicate their lives to Justice, and the Common Good. 

Holy Spirit at Pentecost Strengthen's us: Like confirmation strengthens Baptism (Jn 20:19-23)

In Acts Luke tells of the Holy Spirit coming 50 days after the Resurrection, in John it is on the same day of the Resurrection. Which is it?  The two can be likened to the relationship between our Baptism and our Confirmation. Confirmation means to strengthen. The One Spirit manifests itself differently in each, yet unites us as one. I offer a prayer I am sure God will answer; "Lord what do you want me to do? Send the Holy Spirit to strengthen me to do it." Amen. 

The Spirituality of Waiting: The Feast of the Ascension (Mt 28:16-20) (7 ET)

Christ ascended so that He could be present everywhere, in us His Body. By our baptism we are called to be priests; prophets and kings/queens. But the disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit before beginning to be Christ's witnesses. We hate to wait don't we? Waiting for churches to reopen, waiting to go "back to normal". We hate waiting because it reminds us that ultimately we are not in control. God is. But the spirituality of waiting has much more to teach us; how to live in the present, how to learn God's language, how to grow closer to God, to recognize that He is God and we are His creation, and more...

Time to renew the Charismatic Dimension of our Faith (Jn 14:15-21)

Jesus tells us he will reveal himself to us! Wow! This is an experiential faith, a personal relationship with Jesus. If during these times of pandemic we must fast from the Eucharist, why not Feast on the Word! Let the Holy Spirit renew our Home Church. This homily includes a plan to do that. 

Cut the Ballasts! Focus your Life: Prayer & Ministry (Jn 14:1-12) (5 ET)

Sometimes when the weight of our responsibilities weigh us down, and we feel like we can no longer carry the load... maybe we just need to cut some of it!! Is everything we're doing necessary? Focus your life by this simple formula: Prayer and Ministry.  We are meant to each do our part, so that the Church together, each doing his part, will carry the great weight, and We as the Church will do - and have already done - greater works than Jesus! Hard to believe, but those are His words!