Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church: Catholic Sunday Homilies

Be a Testimony of God's Joy (Jn 1:6-8,19-28) (3 AD)

The ministry of John, is also our ministry; to testify to the Light - Christ. I suggest three steps; 1) Share what God has done in your life, 2) Share who Jesus Christ is and how He can make a difference 3) Invite others to invite Jesus into their lives.  But sadly one of the biggest reasons we do not testify to Jesus enough... we've not yet experienced the Joy he wants to give us; a Joy that the world cannot take away. Let us be that Voice Crying out from the desert of our barren heart/lives asking for God to enter, with His Peace, Joy, Hope and Love. 

Prepare the Way for The Power of God to Enter Your Heart (Mk 1:1-8) (2 AD)

We take for granted what God has already done for us in the 1st coming of Christ.  We rarely think about the 2nd coming of Christ at the end of time. But the Christ who has come, and the Christ who will Come again, is also with us now bringing with Him Power, yet we fail to see, appreciate and receive that. This Advent, open you hearts, prepare the way for His Power, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to change your life and reveal more efficaciously God's Love & Graces, in your life. 

Be Alert!! What is Jesus Talking About? (Mk13:33-37) (1 AD)

Why is Jesus telling us to be Awake. What does that mean and how do I do it?  I would say; pray like Isaiah, and make changes in our life to make room for a miracle. God wants to wake us up! This homily gives some ways we can make room for the coming of Jesus into our lives.

Jesus The Shepherd King (Mt 25:31-46) (34 OT)

In these times of political division, this Feast Reminds us that all Nations have but one and the same King, Jesus Christ King of the Universe. All earthly authority comes from Him, and must be exercised in accords with the values of His Kingdom. He is Truth. He is Love. We can never seek worldly ends, even good ones, by adopting means that betray His Kingdom. His ways are our Highest authority, and His ways have already triumphed over the ways of the world.  The scene of Judgement we hear of in todays Gospel, where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats, teaches not that we are saved by our works, but that our citizenship in God's Kingdom, by grace through faith, expresses itself in our lives as it did in the live of our Shepherd King Jesus Christ, in laying down His life for all, especially the most vulnerable, the lost and wounded in His flock. 

The Meaning and Purpose of our Lives (Mt 25:14-30) (33 OT)

Our meaning and purpose can be easily expressed. Today's parable of the servants given 1, 2 and 5 talents sums it all up. We live between the two comings of Christ. The two comings is God's plan to establish the Kingdom in Power in the second coming, but through the first coming, bring as many into it as possible!  This design is in perfect fulfillment of His Justice and Mercy. And we are part of the plan! How can more enter the Kingdom as Jesus delay's His second coming, unless we invite them? This is our mission and purpose; to be His disciples, and use our gifts and talents to build up His Kingdom.  That's it! :-)

How to Stay Awake: Prayer with Scripture; Sacrament; Service; Study (PSSS) (Mt25:1-13) (32 OT)

This parable of the ten virgins gives us a great image of what our life now is like, as we prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom (Jesus). During this time between the two comings of Christ we should focus on; deepening our spirituality, simplifying our life, and sharing the Light of Christ with others.  Jesus asks us to "Stay Awake", so that his delay will be an opportunity for more to be saved. Here are some practical tips; Pray with Scripture, receive the Sacraments, Serve one another, and Study (PSSS).  Additionally, live in the moment day by day. 

Holy Transformation: To Be In That Number of Saints (Rev 7)

Homily on All Saints day, based on Revelation Ch 7.  We are not saved because we are forgiven, we are forgiven so we can be saved. Freedom from past sins allows us to open ourselves to be joined to Christ. Our being joined to him, transforms us.  We celebrate the saints because we are happy for them, but also to remind us of our destiny to be in that number. We are called to Holiness, a lifelong process of Transformation from our sinful self, to Christ likeness. This homily shares scriptural passages about our transformation so as to MOTIVATE us to want to be a saint, and include the needed discipline in our lives, to develop our Spiritual life, so to let God's Holy Spirit Transform us into saints. 

What Does it Really Mean "To Love God" and The Secret of How to Do It (Mt 22:34-40) (30 OT)

It is easy to say "I Love God" and fool ourselves, because we are loving an image of God we've created.  To love others is the true test, and training ground, of how we learn to love, by laying down our lives for others.  Jesus goes on to ask his disciples to lay down their life for Him, and His Kingdom. This is impossible for us to do on our own. There is a Secret. We can encounter God's love so powerfully, that changed by this Love, we learn to Love more like Christ. 

BUT Give to God What is God's: That Can Transform Ceaser's Kingdom (Mt 22:15-21) (29 OT)

Jesus's statement 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's' might be better translated, 'But give to God what is God's'.  Jesus is not saying they can be separate, but that the more important questions that are we 'paying tax to Caesar' is are we paying our due ('tax') to God?  Of course God does not force us like the Caesar of the world to pay our due, we are invited to do it voluntarily out of Love.  This Gospel has more to say also. The image of a coin with Caesar's image is meant to call to mind in whose Image we are Made, and let that image be our highest standard, so that it may transform the world, not the world transform us. 

God's Original Intention for Us is a Wedding Banquet (Mt 22:1-14) (28 OT)

The last three weeks Jesus has talked about the Kingdom of God being like working in a vineyard. Today we hear it is a Party! Ultimately, God is love and desired for us to live in perfect Love of Him, and one another. That was how Paradise was meant to be. It will be restored again in heaven, it is like a wedding feast and we are invited. Let this certainty be the source of our Hope, Joy and yes, LOVE!