|
Homilies
5th Sunday of Easter "Priesthood"
In OT, priests were Mediators between God & Humans.
Moses & Aaron were 1st priests.
Moses told to build an ARK & a Tabernacle around it.
Moses would go before God & come out with grace, and face would shine.
People feared.
Solomon built first Temple. Temple had degrees of separation (Priests, Men, Women ...)
Jesus said to Samaritan & Woman, “worship everywhere in Spirit & Truth!”
He breathed out Spirit when He died, and earthquake tore Veil of Separation in Temple.
Peter in 2nd reading describes the Priesthood of the Laity.
We all have Direct Access to God.
Ordained Priests are not Mediators.
We are “Ordained” to bring order to God’s Assembly,
liturgically & in community.
Ever seen Children on a Playground?
How long does it take them to start forming Rules to their Games?
We pretend we don’t like Rules, but in Reality, we love Order!
My FAVORITE description of a Priest is “ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR.”
He might not Play an Instrument,
but calls out the various gifts of others at their own times to create harmonious music!
So,
Priests are the Head of the Liturgy (as Christ is head of the Body of Christ, the Church).
Priests call on various ministers at various times (readers, Eucharistic Ministers).
Priests call on the assembly to respond, and pray (Let us pray. Lift up your heats.).
Priests call on the gifts of teachers, carpet layers, gardeners, accountants, etc.
Priests are also called to teach & correct.
We are given the faculties to forgive sins (keys to bind & loosen).
We bless and consecrate.
They anoint the sick.
There are 3 Types of Priests:
1. Diocesan (Jesus is founder).
2. Religious (Saint if founder).
3. 21 Eastern Catholic Rites (like Maronintes, Chaldeans, etc.) (they can marry).
Vestments
Alb = Baptised individual (share in priest, prophet, king role of Christ)
Stole = Ministry of Priesthood
Chasuable = Tuxedo (Wedding Garment) . . . Jesus is Groom, Church is Bride, Mass is Wedding, Heaven is the Reception!
(Mention too points about the 6 men ordained to the Transitional Diaconate Saturday,
and the 7 deacons ordained in the 1st Reading ... 1st Ordination of the Catholic Church!) |
 4th Sunday of Easter Pope
A boy swallowed a nickel at a McDonald’s
& several people tried to put the heimlich on his small frame without success.
Finally a well dressed gentleman approached, and put the squeeze on,
and out popped the nickel.
The mother asked if he was a paramedic, and he replied, “No, I work for the IRS.”
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday.
We are also preparing for Pope Benedict’s first trip to the USA this Tuesday.
He is our earthly Shepherd, or Pastor.
So, what is the Papacy, and who is Benedict?
The Papacy is the oldest continuing institution in the world.
265 men have held the Office in an unbroken line of succession.
There are 1 billion Catholics under his Pastoral Care.
It started with a man named Simon, that Jesus renamed “Peter” because,
“Peter means Rock, and on this Rock, I will build my Church.”
Jesus chose Peter, and gave him the keys to heaven.
Later, he gave those keys to the other apostles.
He chose Peter, and 2 other apostles to witness his transfiguration. Only Peter spoke.
Peter denied Jesus three times, but Jesus gave him another chance by asking him
three times if he loves him, and commissioned him to “feed my sheep.”
Today’s first reading is right after the Pentecost Coming of the Holy Spirit,
and Peter is the first to preachon behalf of the newborn Church.
The Pope is the First / Head among Bishops.
He is the Bishop of Rome, and 1 of 5 Patriarchs of the Church.
He does not work Independantly, but in Unity with them to Teach, Lead & Safegaurd
what had been Handed Down Not invent new ideas . . .
. . . but ensure it’s Continuance in the Modern World.
Who “Invent’s New Ideas?” or keeps the Church in Touch with New Generations?
FAMOUS, AGE OLD TENSION:
THEOLOGIANS vs. HIERARCHY
Freshness vs. Tradition & Roots
This Tension is the Source of Creativity!
“I came to bring life to the fullest!!”
Popes also Appoint & Meet with Bishops, Meet with World Leaders,
Canonize saints, Preach & Teach (and attend tons of meetings & host visitations).
Who is Benedict 16th?
Born April 16, 1927 (on Holy Saturday!) (will be 81 while in USA)
As a youth was exposed to the horrors of Nazi Germany, which left a lasting impression.
He was Ordained a priest with his brother George in 1951.
Taught as a Professor of Theology at German University for 26 years.
Wrote many books on Theology, Scripture, Liturgy,
& Life of Christianity in Modern World.
He wrote much of what is in the documents of the Second Vatican Council.
After a short stint as Archbishop of Munich, he was elected as
Prefect of Congregation of the Faith (Top Cop) by Pope JP II in 1981.
(Our former Archbishop, now Cardinal William J Levada, has that job).
We was elected Pope on April 19, 2005 (will celebrate 3rd Anniversary while in USA).
He wrote 2 Encyclicals, “Deus Caritas Est,” (On Love) & “Spe Salvi” (On Hope),
and one best selling Book, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
He has made an exerted effort to Dialogue Seriously with Muslims,
reconcile with the Orthodox, and look at reinstating the Excommunicated Lefevrites.
Some of Benedict’s Themes in his Homilies, Teachings & Encyclicals are:
1. Faith is a Life-Giving friendship with Christ.
2. A Christian loves and serves as Jesus did.
3. Faith and Reason are Not Opposed. (faith & science not opposed)
4. Living a life of Faith is Hard, but Worth the Effort.
you work at sports, your carreer, why wouldn’t work that hard for faith?
Faith is more important than sports or carreer.
5. Don’t be enslaved to a Particular Politic or Persuasion: Conservative or Liberal,
but be Followers of Christ & His Gospel and recognize the voice of the Spirit!! |
Easter
Homily Easter A 2008 March 23, 2008
What’s so special about Easter?
Eggs, Chocolates, etc. I’m sure . . .
Some Christian critics say that our Feast of Easter is an adaptation of a Pagan Ritual!?
Well, the English Name: “Easter” is from the German Pagan Spring Equinox Festival.
But, the Rest of the World names it “Pasqua” = Passover.
Matthew, Mark & Luke say that the Last Supper WAS the PASSOVER.
Jesus was Jewish, as were all the Apostles, and earliest Christian Converts.
Jesus Adopted it, Adapted it, & Fulfilled the Old Version (making it obsolete Heb. 8:13)
Some Modern Theo Scholars are saying the Passover was a Jewish Adaptation
of a more ancient Nomadic Pagan Feast!!
Dan Brown (author of DaVinci Code) says in his first book, “Angels & Demon”
that the Christian, or Catholic Church just adopted Symbols & Rituals
from other Religions . . . Cruciform from Egyptians,
One “Sun” God Worship from Akhenaten (even Saint’s halos . . .),
Christmas from Winter Solstice.
Cruciform: Jewish Historian Josephus even describes that Jesus was actually crucified!
Monotheism: One Egyptian King out of hundreds?? 1300 years before Jesus!
Christmas: We celebrated Annunciation on March 25th almost back to Jesus’ time
& Birth of John the Baptist (6 mo.s older) on June 25th for almost as long . . .
. . . do the Math . . . (9 mo.s & 6 mo.s resp. = Dec. 25th.)
Besides, even if we did adopt them & Adapt them,
they’re given Christian Meaning, Rooted in Scripture & Tradition.
In Acts, Paul, while in Athens, took a Pagan god, and said it might be the Real God.
Jesus took the Passover Sacrifice, and TRANSFORMED IT.
Jesus took an old Jewish version of baptism, and TRANSFORMED IT.
Religions don’t HAVE TO INVENT new Rituals.
Religion is NOT a series of MAGIC FORMULAS for some AWESOME POWERS.
But a Collection of MEANINGFUL GESTURES
to Express our Belief in God
& to try and Understand God Speaking to us in a “Language” we understand.
That ONLY WORKS if One Generation Actually Teaches the meanings to
the NEXT Generation.
Literally talking about God, the Bible stories at home.
If parent’s DON’T DO THAT, then the Rituals that Relate to those stories
seem like some Made Up, Random, Meaningless Gestures
that NO ONE can Relate to (sound familiar, State most Oregonians are in).
Most Catholic Oregonians my age & Younger
Can’t tell me a Single 1 of 10 Commandments!!??
When they hear “Jesus Died & Rose” they react with, “So what?”
Why does God have to die?
They understand nothing of the Deep Roots of Sacrifices, Forgiveness Rituals,
in the Religion Jesus belonged to, and Taught out of.
If we DON’T START TEACHING our kids AT HOME,
there’s NO POINT in me preaching from here.
I’m also hearing a lot of, “So much evil has been done on the part of Religion.”
I just read a Vocation story of a 25 year old considering the priesthood,
who says that when his Peers ask him what he’s doing, and he tells them,
they look at him like he’s still sacrificing Goats on altars.
What is so wrong with teaching people about FORGIVENESS,
ETERNAL LIFE from the Author of Life,
CHARITY (did you catch Friday Paper’s Front Page Article,
Study: Better to Give than to Receive
saying that Science agrees
“People who made gifts to others or to charities reported they
were happier than folks who didn’t share.”
Are we In Reality, pretending there is NO AFTERLIFE?
Are we Trying to FILL OUR SUITCASES for a trip to heaven?
What would you Bring?
Football
Car (Keys)
TV (Remote)
Carreer (Diploma)
Blanket?
You CAN’T BRING THOSE THINGS!?
TRY THESE:
7 VIRTUES
1. Faith is belief in the right things (including the virtues!).
2. Hope is taking a positive future view, that good will prevail.
3. Charity is concern for, and active helping of, others.
4. Fortitude is never giving up.
5. Justice is being fair and equitable with others.
6. Prudence is care of and moderation with money.
7. Temperance is moderation of needed things.
BY THE WAY, 7 NEW DEADLY SINS:
Drug Dealing, Obsenely Rich, Genetic Manipulation, Environmental Polluters,
Abortion, Pedophelia, & Causing Social Injustice
Name the ORIGINAL 7 DEADLY SINS? (Hint 40 & younger . . . Movie)
(lust, gluttony, avarice, sloth, anger, envy and pride.)
CAN’T BRING THINGS PAST THE RESURRECTION.
JESUS FORGIVES SINS IN CRUCIFIXION.
ONLY YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDES! |
Holy Thursday
John’s Gospel linked the Last Supper with the Passover,
but it WAS NOT the Seder.
Matthew, Mark & Luke say it WAS the Passover.
I don’t know how Fundamentalists reconcile that discrepancy,
but Catholics understand that John was writing in a style of Theological Poetry,
whereas Matt, Mark & Luke were writing in a more Historical style.
Interesting, but 1st reading (Exodus version of 1st Passover)
was about 1500 years before Jesus.
2nd reading was about 15 years after the Resurrection,
and 20 years before the 1st Gospel (Mark) was written.
John’s Gospel (today’s) was written 20 years after Mark was.
We know Mark’s version was popular, because Matthew & Luke used it,
and just added stories to it (16 chapters vs. 28 & 26 respectively).
John wasn’t trying to retell the historical story of Jesus,
he was trying to make certain theological points about Him.
For example, as the Priests were in the Temple slaughtering the Lambs for the Passover,
the next day, they were slaughtering Jesus on the Cross.
This wasn’t necessarily against the Jews (the Romans also had a hand in killing Him),
but a Theological Point . . . Priests offer Sacrifices . . .
. . . and Jesus is the Ultimate Sacrifice!
John describes Poetically that Jesus is linked to the Passover by saying,
“Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to Pass
from this world to the next.” Even in Hebrew or Greek, there is this play on words.
In John’s Gospel, there is no mention of Jesus consecrating Bread & Wine,
like in the 2nd Reading or in Matthew, Mark & Luke’s Gospels.
John deals with that in John 6: 53-58 saying that he is the Bread of life,
and we are to eat his flesh & drink his blood to have real life in us!
Instead, John focuses on Jesus preaching (for 3 chapters) & washing feet (service).
This is because this has the same meaning behind the Eucharist that Paul teaches.
The Eucharist unites us.
If we treat Jesus (Master & Teacher) with respect, we are to treat each other with respect.
Describe how Jesus fulfills 5 Old Testament Sacrifices:
1. Passover (describe 4 cups, and the conclusion of Seder in heaven)
2. Wedding (Jesus is groom, Church is bride, Communion is Mass, Reception is heaven)
3. Atonement (Jesus is scapegoat)
4. Redemption
5. Harvest (Octoberfest) Thanks & Trust Tithing (Give God your Best!) |
5th Sunday of Lent A
A funeral director called a man for further instructions about his mother-in-law's body. “Do you want her embalmed, cremated or buried?” “ All the three!' the man answered promptly. “Don't take any chances.”
After an atheist died, a friend looked at him in the casket, shook his head, and remarked:
“All dressed up and no place to go.”
The pastor was visiting a terminally sick parishioner in the hospital. As he started consoling the patient the sick man said: “Don't worry about where I am heading to, Father. I have friends in both places.”
Strange but, Jesus LET Lazarus DIE!? MAIN REASON: to Glorify God & be Glorified.
Glorified in 2 WAYS: 1. The Glory of THIS MIRACLE 2. This Miracle was LAST STRAW
that would cause so much fear & resentment that the JEWS would KILL JESUS.
BUT, THAT is WHY he CAME!, & He had to LET IT HAPPEN.
He had a DEBT to pay, OURS!
People who get things handed to them on a silver platter all their lives,
WE CALL THEM SPOILED!
Spoiled people never really appreciate what they have,
nor the problems that others have to go through.
Back in 1998, I was a priest in Portland, and a friend was a Y.M. in Oregon City.
She told me a story of the Oregon City Girls Basketball Team of that year . . .
For 4 straight years, they were undefeated!
The Reigning State Champs.
They were regarded as the best team in the USA for 2 years!
Well, they started the 5th year out on a bad foot.
They weren’t doing so hot!
They tasted defeat.
They knew humiliation, and shattered expectations.
They couldn’t live up to their predecessors,
to the expectations of their older bro.s & sis.s,
parents, teachers and fellow students, as well as greater Portland!
As they were about to fall headfirst into despair,
One of the girls shared a story about Jesus
having raised his friend Lazarus from the dead!
After Lazarus tasted death,
Martha and Mary suffered through a lot of hardship:
all their hopes in Jesus were dashed,
the grief of losing their beloved brother hurt,
watching the Wailing Crowds for 4 days, kept tearing at their side,
realizing that at the end of 4 days,
even the Spirit of the deceased left the area,
and no longer hovered around the body,
It was only after suffering this,
that they learned to really appreciate what Jesus meant before
when he taught that, “I am the resurrection & the life!”
They heard him say it before;
they may have even thought it was profound.
Jesus was a righteous man, and they believed him.
BUT IT WAS ALL A HEAD TRIP!
There was room for doubt, and despair,
because they had NO EXPERIENCE of resurrection . . .
. . . YOU HAVE TO HAVE DEATH FIRST!
Think of an example of Your Own suffering.
We all experience suffering.
When we do, we often ask God, “Why?!”
“Why weren’t you there?” “Why did you let this happen?”
But Jesus wants us to KNOW that SUFFERING IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF LIFE!
JESUS IS IN CHARGE, & not feeling his presence doesn’t change that!
RIGHT AFTER THE LAZARUS STORY, Jesus gets arrested & his passion begins.
Jesus has to enter into our suffering,
it is one way that we are often willing to let him in.
After Lazarus was raised up,
Martha and Mary knew Jesus in a far more intimate way!
And this is the story that the Oregon City Pioneers recalled.
They knew the death of their dreams, and hopes.
They knew that when hope is gone, all you have is faith!
And they faithfully prayed that fateful day:,
“LAZARUS COME OUT!”
And they tasted resurrection!
They not only won on that day, but every game they played, they cried out,
“LAZARUS,” instead of “Let’s Go!” or “Go Pioneers!”
And they won, and won again.
Well, the rest is history;
But, on Saturday, March 7, 1998,
the Oregon City Girls Pioneers Basketball Team
beat Central Point’s Comets 48 to 42
for the 5th straight 4A Girl’s State Basketball Championship Title.
Lindsey Yamasaki, the 6’2” Senior won the 4A Player of the Year award,
but had this to say about it,
“Winning the state title meant a lot more!”
Would it have meant as much if they
NEVER EXPERIENCED the thought of having lost it in the first place ? |
1st Sunday of Lent 'Sin'
We don’t talk about SIN much anymore.
Not nice to think about. WORLD tries to say All is Relative . . . to what religion
(although Mainline Religions have SIMALAR MORAL CODES!)
(Newest Modern Development from Email Scare is thap Oprah will be doing a weekly New-Age Christ Radio Address . . . No Sin. Cross is Meaningless, etc.).
Has Church gotten away from Sin?
NO. But, has ENLARGED IT’S VIEW OF IT, to MORE than Personal Sin.
ORIGINAL SIN & ACTUAL SIN.
We heard about the Original Sin in 1st Reading.
What fruit did they Eat? Apple? NO, Fruit of Knowledge of Good & EVIL.
Before that, they knew EVERYTHING, because God Created Everything,
& Everything Was Good.
But, He gave Adam & Eve FREE WILL to Love God or Reject Him.
They INTRODUCED EVIL into the Physical World.
Now there’s Death, Hard Labor, Sin.
Paul says that Adam’s Sin MULTIPLIED through the GENERATIONS.
There is Something to Inheriting that Sin, or HUMAN NATURE?
NOT NATURE, as we’re CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE, & Christ Restored us,
but there is a tendency towards Evil in the Human Heart, even Paul described:
Rom. 7:19 -20 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
BUT, GOD’S GRACE IS GREATER THAN ALL THAT SIN COMBINED!
BAPTISM ERASES ORIGINAL SIN. Confession & Anointing erases Actual sin
(Charity, Fasting & Prayer erases Actual Venial Sins)
ACTUAL SIN IS:
Old Catholic & Testament Version:
Going against the Law of God.
10 Commandments (or 613 Pharisaical Laws)
Beattitudes (Matt 5-7) & Jesus’ Teachings
This is a Simplified & Legalistic Approach to Sin.
Paul wrote that the Old Law is obsolete, and that Christ saved us through the Cross,
and Christians have the Spirit in them guiding them.
(he mentions that you don’t need the Spirit to follow the law, it’s just a checklist) (Gal 3).
Jesus also WENT BEYOND the 10 Commandments:
“You shall not kill,” I say whoever is angry with his brother is liable to judment.” (Mt 5:22).
“Do not commit Adultery, I say whoever looks at a woman with lust already did.” (Mt 5:28)
There is Serious or Mortal Sin & Venial Sin:
To be Serious or Mortal Need:
1. Serious Matter 2. Serious Reflection 3. Full Consent of Will
Defn Mortal Sin: God is Author of LIFE. Breaking from God = Death.
Venial Sin is not Breaking from God.
It is more like Tarnishing your Image of God (maybe some rust).
Habits can affect level of Responsibility (affect Serious Reflection).
Addictions even more so (affect use of Wilpower)
Sin is NOT just Something you DO, but also what we FAIL to do (like in Confiteur).
(Good Samaritan story (Lk 10:25-37) & those who feed the poor, visit sick, etc. (Mt 25)
Church didn’t deviate from Personal Sins . . .
Personal Sins are those that Paul lists:
Gal. 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
Larger Sin, is Looking at the Teachings of Jesus,
which are primarily Social Justice Concerns!
Luke 4:14-19 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (quoting Is 58).
If we approach Sin with a Legalistic Attitude, then Sin is ONLY following Clear Cut Laws ...
... if there is no Clear-Cut Law written, then it’s NOT A SIN?!
Let’s read Paul’s whole section concerning his “List of Personal Sins:”
Gal. 5:18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, Gal. 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, Gal. 5:21 occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal. 5:22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, Gal. 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Simple Laws Don’t address, Bad Attitudes . . . Good or Bad Intentions . . .
Ways of Seeing Things (World’s Eyes, or with God’s Eyes /Faith).
A Definition of the Larger View of Sin is more Relational:
Based on the Great Commandment to Love God, & Neighbor as yourself. (4 Gospels)
Relational Sin Is: Disconnecting from God through failure to see through His eyes,
and to love others.
OR: Refusing to Trust in God.
(like Adam. God gave Him all, but he thought God was holding out).
Using the Legalistic Approach to Sin (Checklist of Personal Sins)
a Person IS:
1. Law-Oriented 2. Minimalist (What can I get away with?) 3. Asks: What am I doing?
Using the Relational Model of Sin:
a Person IS:
1. Value-Oriented 2. Conversion (What can I Do?) 3. Asks: What am I becoming?
Communal Sin - Social Sin
Communal Sin - Social Sin
Rom 14:7 “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.”
1Cor. 12:26-27: We Suffer together & Rejoice together as the Body of Christ.
Communal Reconcilaition Services Express the Healing Together.
Social Sin: Looking Beyond Personal Sins, to what we Avoid Doing:
Fixing Educational Systems, Housing Policies, Tax Structures, Immigration Policies, Health-Care Systems, Employment Policies, the Market Economy.
We Cannot Fix them all! We are not trying to Create a Guilt Trip,
But, we Need to Name the Social Evils, and do what we can.
We need to SEE WITH GOD’S EYES, or on Judgment Day God will say,
(Following Derived from Matt 25:41, Lk 13:27-30, & Matt 21:31):
Depart from me, you uncaring disciple. I saw my children starving, and you standing by with tearless eyes. I do not know you . Prostitutes and thieves who wept for me and my poor will go into heaven before you.”
Example of Confession of Personal Sins:
Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been six weeks since my last confession.
I lost my patience three times, I lied twice, I missed Mass once, I had impure thoughts
twice, and I gossped about my neighbor four times.
Example of Confession of Relational Sins:
Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been six weeks since my last confession.
I am a husband, and father of three teenage children, and I hold an executive position in a large computer firm. Over the past month I have allowed my love to grow cold at home and in my work. At home, I have been inattentive to my wife and children as I allowed my new projects at work to consume most of my time and energy. I have spent more time at work and little time with the family. At work, I have selfishly neglected to disclose some data which my colleages needed for a new project. I wanted to gain the glory. I have also failed to support a female colleage who was clearly being sexually harassed and I failed to confront those who were doing the harassing. I think a good penance for me, Father, would be to take the family on a camping trip this weekend and to make a special effort to affirm my junior colleages for the great work they have been doing.”
(some ideas & stories from Catholic Updates: Understanding Sin & New View of Sin) |
Hom 4th Sunday Ordinary (Beattitudes)
Some look at the Beatitudes, & say that Christianity is for wimps & pushovers.
The Beattitudes let us be walked over, and they call Christianity a Crutch for the weak.
But, Paul wrote this about Christianity, in today’s 2nd Reading:
“God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and he chose the weak things of the world to confuse the mighty.”
In the Beattitudes, Jesus asks us to take a stand
when we are threatened wiith persecution.
Famous Christians are not known for their weakness.
Today's Martyr, St. Blase, healed a boy after he was tortured & on way to his execution.
Do you consider Mother Theresa weak? . . . . She’s tiny!
Could you wash the rotten arms of a homeless, dying person?
I have a story about a young woman named Gladys Aylward.
She was a missionary in China many years ago.
She won the trust of the local Chinese officials where she lived.
One day, a bloody riot broke out at the local prison.
Amazingly, the Prison Warden called on Gladys to come and restore order!
What could one, unarmed woman do against dozens of armed, murderous inmates?
When Gladys asked the warden that question, the warden replied,
“Well, Gladys, you claim that the Living God resides inside of you.
Then surely you will prevail.”
Gladys breathed a quick prayer and entered the prison gates.
Bodies carpeted the inner courtyard.
One prisoner armed with a machete was chasing men around the compound.
Gladys stepped up to the armed prisoner,
and commanded him to hand her his knife.
And, lo and behold, he did!
Then, Gladys lined up all the prisoners, heard their versions of why they had rioted,
and set them to cleaning up the yard.
Soon afterwards, Gladys instituted a number of reforms in the prison.
She also began leading Bible Studies there.
Her courage in the face of the riots provided a powerful witness among all the Chinese.
Was Gladys weak? Her Faith was greater than that of the strongest man in prison!
Weak people run away from God. . . . Why?
Because surrender to God would require them to be strong.
Surrender to God would require them
to take stands that might be unpopular with friends.
Surrender to God might send them to unpopular places.
Surrender to God might make even bring pain.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of such courage.
While he was imprisoned in an Alabama Jail for his civil rights activities,
he wrote a letter to members of the clergy (sounds like St. Paul writing epistles!)
This letter was addressed to those clergymen who considered him too outspoken.
In this letter, King said that the ‘Greatest Stumbling Block” to equality for Black People was not the Klu Klux Klan . . . No, the greatest stumbling block was
the white moderate who agreed with the goals of the Civil Rights Movement
BUT was unwilling to stick His or Her neck out for them!
The Klu Klux Klan galvanized their opponents against them . . .
while the Apathetic Ones allowed the Evil to live on.
He wrote, “Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”
If the world who thinks that Christianity is for weaklings had their way,
what would the Beattitues look like, if it was written by them?
Something like this:
Blessed are the powerful, for they shall control others.
Blessed are the movers and shakers, for they shall make things happen.
Blessed are the strong, the young, and the beautiful, for they shall be greatly admired.
Blessed are those of White, European descent, for they shall conquer the earth.
Blessed are the winners, for they shall be lauded and applauded.
Blessed are the affluent, for they shall have what they need, & Want!
Blessed are Americans, for they shall live in God’s beloved and wealthy country.
Blessed are those in authority, for they shall possess all power and truth.
That might make us wince, they are the opposites of the Beattitudes. . .
. . . but they are what our society is promoting.
Are WE sitting back, and letting society have its way?
Are we letting schools rob us of Expression of Religion and Prayer?
Are we letting sports take away our Church’s Wednesday nights,
and even have our Sundays for tournaments?
Are we sitting back and letting our Parish Budget shrink to the point of barely existing?
Are we allowing the State and Federal Government cut back the budget for the poor?
Are we keeping quiet when the rights of the unborn to live is being trampled
for the sake of the convenience of the irrisponsible Lustful person?
It takes a lot of courage to follow God’s ways.
God turns most of our world, and its value system upside-down.
We are called to have poverty of spirit
in a culture that values the accumulation of things.
We are called to be meek in an age
when position & prestige & big cars are fashionable.
We are asked to show mercy
when its popular to read about Sins & Flaws in People Magazine.
We are called to be peacemakers when we are urged to Make War.
Today’s readings challenge us to live out of our vulnerability.
No one likes to be vulnerable.
But when we are open and vulnerable,
we can know & welcome LOVE.
And that’s what its all about. |
Hom Sermon HeavenHell
Homily/Sermon Heaven/Purgatory/Hell Jan. 27, 2008
First of all, brief explanation of 1st Reading that Jesus quotes:
Zebulun & Naphtali were areas that belonged to the Kingdom of Northern Israel,
until the Assyrians & Babylonians conquered it.
They intermarried & the people became known as Samaritains or Galilians.
In the mindset of the Jews (name comes from the Tribe of Judah,
the tribe that survived the invasion & exile with their bloodlines intact)
these were Half-breeds (racist) & worse yet: Heretics . . . People in darkness.
Jesus will be brought up in Galilee, But, born in Bethlehem of Royal Blood!
At Nathan’s calling, he said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth [in Galilee]?” (Jn 1:46)
Isaiah is talking about how God will restore this land after it was degraded. . .
. . . he will restore it through Jesus!
Sermon:
Where IS HEAVEN?
We hear about dwelling in “the House of the Lord” &
“Gaze on lovliness of the Lord . . . in his Temple.” in Psalm 27.
In 2nd Reading from Paul to Corinthians,
that all who are Baptized Christian “belong to Christ” without Division.
Jesus spoke about how the “Kindgom of HEAVEN is AT HAND!”
Jesus said in John 2 that He is the Temple.
Talking about the Heavenly Jerusalem (Heaven) John writes in Rev. 21:22 says,
“I saw no temple in the city, for its temple IS the Lord God Almighty & the Lamb.”
1Peter 2 & Eph. 2 says that WE ARE LIVING STONES in that Temple!
John also writes in Rev. 21:23 that “The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the Glory of the Lord gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.”
Jesus said while on earth, “While I am in the world, I Am the light of the world.” Jn 9:5
(In Matthew He says, “You are the light of the world!”)
Paul says in 1Cor. 12:27 that We, the Church, are the Body of Christ!
Continues with Someone is the Hand, someone else the Foot, and so on.
Jesus said that in heaven, for those deemed worthy to rise from the dead,
will All be Like Angels. (Luke 20:34-36)
Paul also wrote of the Resurrection of our Bodies on the last day... 1Thes. 4:16 &
of the different ways our bodies will be in heaven in 1Cor. 15.
“Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:48
So, that’s a lot to think about in these few Sample Verses. . .
To TRY & Sum up Heaven:
In Heaven we will be in Perfect Communion with God,
so much so that we will be One Body.
However, somehow there will be Individuality, Distinction,
as one heavenly Body is to another (1Cor 15:40).
(If you’re worried about Boredom . . . You’ll be Joined to the One who
CREATED CREATIVITY!
YOU HAVE THE UNIVERSE to EXPLORE . . . )
In some way, we will Have All Knowledge (Like Angels ), & Intimacy,
But, then by the Definition of ETERNITY, there is always Everything + 1 . . .
A Mystic once wrote that Heaven is an Eternal Romance.
(The most exciting part of a relationship is GETTING TO KNOW THE OTHER).
Like Angels, BUT somehow Keep our Bodies . . . Won’t Stop Being Human!
Paul wasn’t sure what that meant either!
PURGATORY:
TO PURGE
IF GOD IS PERFECT (He IS Matt 5:48),
& If HEAVEN IS Us Joined to God, and We’re Not Perfect (1John 1:10)
& Nothing “Unclean” can Enter Heaven (Rev. 21:27) (Heb 12:14)
Then Purgatory is the PROCESS OF BEING PURGED OF OUR SINS.
We already heard that God is the Light in Heaven, Jesus is the Lamp.
The Holy Spirit came down as Tongues of Fire (Acts 2)
` (Heaven is already on Earth in the Church . . . Verses above)
Jesus came to set the World on Fire, and wishes it were already blazing (Luke 12:49)
1Peter 1:7 says how our faith, that is more precious than gold, will be tested by Fire.
2Pet 3:10 says that on the Day of the Lord, the earth will be dissolved by Fire,
and All will be Found Out.
1Cor 3:15 “If someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the Person will be saved, but only As Through Fire.”
Rev. 15 Describes the Saints in Heaven standing on a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire
Praising God, and playing Harps!!
The Fire ISN’T Hurting Them!
Rev. 20:14 & 21:8 Describe how those
“Whose names are not found written in the Book of Life”
& “the cowards, unfaithful, murderers, unchaste, etc.”
will be thrown into a Pool of Fire, which is the 2nd Death.
The Fire of God
is Either His Beauty to those who love Him or the Pain for those who don’t)
That there is a Process of Purification:
1Pet 3:18-20 Describes Jesus going to the Spirits in Prison (like Noah), & saving them.
Paul prayed for the family of Onesiphorus on the day he meets the Lord (2Tim 1:16-18).
2Macc. 12:44-46 Shows Jews in O.T. praying for the forgiveness of dead soldiers!
Jesus, speaking about “The Sin Against the Holy Spirit,” said that person won’t be
forgivin in “this age, or in the Age to Come.” = Purgatory!
Not that there’s TIME nor Place in Purgatory . . .
. . . or Heaven for that Matter . . .
Even Though, John 14 says, “in my Father’s House many dwelling places.”
(There are many metaphors of Heaven as we’ve seen)
When Catholics pray for Souls in Purgatory,
they aren’t Literally Praying for “TIME OFF.”
TIME is an ANALOGY for our LIMITED HUMAN MINDS to use to TRY & understand.
Some Say Purgatory is a matter of INTENSITY.
SOME HAVE MORE SINS & SINFUL ATTITUDES to Burn Off than others.
Hell
In Matt 22:12 talking about Heaven as a Wedding Banquet,
Jesus mentions how a Guest is THROWN OUT to Darkness to Wail & Grind his teeth.
In Matt 25, those who DON’T FEED, VISIT, CLOTHE the “Least of my bros”
will be cast into the “eternal fire prepared for the Devil & his angels.”
John 15:6 tells how an unfruitful branch on the Vine that is Jesus
will be cut off and thrown into the fire and be burned.
God will judge His people (2Tim 4:1 Heb. 10:30 Heb 13:4 )
The Saints will Judge the World . . . & Angels too! (1Cor 6:2)
And Many more Scripture Verses describe similar things.
My Favorite Analogy: Describe:
Assume the Old Farmer’s Tale: Playing in the Rain makes you Sick. |
 Epiphany
Epiphany = God Manifesting Himself in the Flesh.
INCARNATION = In the Flesh.
Happened/Happens 3 Ways: Baby Jesus, Holy Communion, Church.
Body of Christ, Body of Christ, Body of Christ (1Cor 12:27)
At Jesus Arrival: 3 Reactions: 1. Homage/Praise 2. Indifference (Priests who knew when & where 3. Open Hostility (Herod)
Matthew’s Gospel, written for Jewish-Christians,
starts off with the Magi coming to visit Jesus, from the “3 Corners”of the World.
Matthew’s Gospel ends with Jesus sending the Apostles out to ALL THE NATIONS.
(Eastern Orthodox say there were 12 Kings, not 3! We say 3 cause 3 Gifts)
Point is, the Jews from 587 BC were supposed to Share God with World (Isa 25 & 60)
By the time of Jesus Birth, they hadn’t done it yet,
so God had to come down for himself and do it!
EVEN BEFORE ISAIAH,
The Jews were ALWAYS given MANDATE to Honor Aliens & Immigrants in TORAH!
(not that they had “Immigration Laws” back then . . .)
“You shall treat the ALIEN who resides with you no differently than the NATIVES born among you.
Have the SAME LOVE for them AS FOR YOURSELF,
for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt.” (Lev. 19:33-34)
The Early Jewish-Christians thought more highly of themselves
than Gentile Converts,
so Matthew had to make it CLEAR that Jesus is FOR ALL PEOPLE!
That is why the Church celebrates Immigration Week right after Epiphany
(& Feast of Holy Family, where Jesus, Mary & Joseph had to become
Refugees in Egypt to survive the Persecution of King Herod).
“Catholic” = “Universal”
Catholics are the most Worldwide Church on Earth.
Catholics, above any other religion, therefore,
Should think Globally,
& should champion the rights of Immigrants & Refugees.
Our Lord Jesus, had no place to lay his head, & relied on the hospitality of strangers.
Since our 1st Social Justice Papal Encyclical, Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor)
by Pope Leo 13th in 1891,
We have developed a Tradition about the 3 PRINCIPLES of MIGRATION:
1. People have the Right to Migrate to Sustain thier lives and the lives of their families.
2. A Country has the Right to Regulate its Borders and to Control Migration
3. A Country MUST Regulate its borders With Justice & Mercy!
A BIG part of Justice & Mercy is with an EYE on KEEPING FAMILIES UNITED.
All kinds of things FORCE people to Migrate:
Wars, Famines, Lack of Educational Opportunities, Environmental Disasters,
Persecution due to Greed, Religion, Racism |
 Christmas
At Christmas we celebrate the Child Within!
Ever hear someone say, “Christmas is all about children?”
Well, that’s correct, sort of . . .
Adults can forget how to DELIGHT in things.
Ever been at a playground when children get out for Recess?
They can Shriek & Run around for JOY.
Most you’ll ever see from an Adult is a Hoot & Holler when they see a touchdown.
About Shrieking & Running & Jumping up in ONE PLACE . . .
. . . WE ALL DID THAT ONCE! Why did we Stop? (who wrote That Rule?)
A 3 year old daughter told her newborn brother, “Tell me what God looks like,
. . . I’m starting to forget!”
Jesus said, “”Let the children come to me & do not stop them, for the Kingdom of God
belongs to such as these. Whoever does not accept the Kingdom like a child,
will not enter it!” (Mark 10:14)
We Gather in Church to be in the PRESENCE of GOD!
Children LOVE TO HEAR FAIRY TALES, MOTHER GOOSE TALES,
even BROTHERS GRIMM TALES!
We Gather to hear the Ancient STORIES ABOUT GOD & our Ancestors in FAITH!
We Gather to Receive God in HOLY COMMUNION!
As God humbled himself like a little BABY born in a BARN,
Jesus Humbles Himself for us TODAY to EAT AS BREAD!
DO WE STILL DELIGHT IN THAT?
(I met a SHUT-IN today THAT DID! SO MUCH he CRIED!)
A child (Gwen) told me yesterday, “I know why we give presents at Christmas...
. . . because God BECAME PRESENT TO US!” AMEN!
WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE WONDERS?
“WELL, Fr. Heiko, WE GROW UP,” you’re thinking . . .
. . . THERE’S A GROWN UP TYPE OF DESIRE!
The Jews Didn’t Lose this sense of AWE about God, they UNDERSTOOD THIS:
PSALM 19: 5 (Groom-Bride Desire)
Christmas is called MARRIAGE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH.
Divinity MARRIES Humanity.
“God made a home there for the sun. It comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom.
& PSALM 19:7-1 (even Law Desire)
The Laws of the Lord are perfect, refreshing the soul. The commands of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. They are more desirable than the finest gold; sweeter than the purest honey.”
In the 1st Christmas Reading (from Vigil):
In the 1st Christmas Reading (from Vigil): (Isaiah 62:5)
“The Lord DELIGHTS IN YOU and makes your land his SPOUSE.
As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder will marry YOU.
As a bridegroom REJOICES in His bride, so shall YOUR GOD REJOICE IN YOU.
In the Old Testament is the Romantic Love Poetry: Song of Songs:
Listen to this Sample:
(Children cover your ears . . .
“His arms are rods of gold adorned with chrysolites.
His mouth is sweetness itself; he is all DELIGHT.
Such is my lover, and such my friend.” (Song of Songs 5:14-16)
God shows us how much He loves us in so many Ways. . .
. . . He just wants us to RESPOND TO HIS ADVANCES!
Don’t boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives
get HURT when they GET REJECTED?
Even CHILDREN know this feeling, as Jesus pointed out,
“They [those who are never satisfied, complainers] are like children
who sit in the marketplace and cry to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang you a sad song, but you did not cry.” (LK 7:32)
POINT IS, EVEN CHILDREN GET HURT WHEN THEY GET SNUBBED.
God is crying out to your hearts this Christmas,
“COME OUT & PLAY!” |
 4th Advent-"Marriage"
Homily/Sermon Marriage 4th Advent A Dec. 23, 2007
HISTORY OF MARRIAGE:
Genesis 1& 2 Creation of Man & Woman is First Marriage!
1. Created same time, together image of God or
2. from same flesh/side of man comes woman. (Equal from near Heart)
From same flesh, back to same flesh.
Jesus refers to Genesis as the 1st Marriage (when Pharisees are trying to trap him)
“Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss [her]?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” (Mt 19:2-9)
At time of Moses, Man could divorce wife with saying 3 times: “I divorce you.”
Moses restricted Divorce by requiring a Divorce Decree & 2 Witnesses.
Early Israelites POLYGAMISTS (Harems) & SEMI-MONOTHEISTS
At Babylon they discover there is ONLY ONE GOD.
(Psalm 135:14-20 “The LORD defends his people, shows mercy to his servants.
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths but speak not; they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not; no breath is in their mouths.
Their makers shall be like them, all who trust in them.
House of Israel, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!” )
When they return, they begin to have only ONE WIFE.
The prophets write about God as Groom, and Israel as the Bride.
They point out how PASSIONATELY GOD LOVES US, (Song of Songs 2:8)
“Hark! my lover-here he comes like a stag, springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills. My lover speaks, he says to me, “Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one & come!”
They point out how faithful God is, regardless of how Unfaithful Israel is.
(Isaiah 61:10, 62:5; Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea)
During this time, Jews develop Marriage Ritual:
Engagement (betrothal, like today’s Gospel) but they still live apart at parent’s home.
9 Month Period of Living Alone (Why 9 Months? . . . )
If woman caught pregnant during this time, & Child is NOT Husband’s,
She could be Stoned to death. (DURING THIS TIME Mary was pregnant).
The Big Wedding Ceremony, where Groom Returns, Servants wait with Lamps,
Carrying Bride over Threshold (for 1st Time).
Then the Weeklong Ceremony begins with Lots of Wine (John 2)!
Isaiah points out that If Israel has the only God, it must be a light to the nations! (49:6)
Jesus opens up his Salvation to all nations (Matt 28:18-20)
HE is the groom, and the Church is the Bride!!
Many “Heaven is a Wedding Banquet” Stories (Mt 9:15, Mt 22:2-12, Mt 25:10)
Eph. 5:21-33 [Have a Woman Read it . . . ]
Explain how Eph 5:21-33 is Anti-Chauvanistic according to John Paul II’s
“On Dignity & Vocation of Women.”
Explain how it is a Great Description of 2 Made One Flesh, Holy Communion.
how it is a “SACRAMENT” (Latin) = “MYSTERY” (Greek) (Eph 5:32)
MASS IS COMMUNION/WEDDING
Eph 5 shows Church as the Bride of Christ, and the 2 Become 1 Flesh.
What God has joined may no one divide.
1Cor. 11-13 shows how Through Mass: Communion “
1Cor. 11:23-30 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying.
The next 2 Chapters shows how Paul Describes the Church as THE BODY OF CHRIST.
That’s how we live forever, being MARRIED to the IMMORTAL.
In Mass, we take our HUMAN LIVES & JOIN them TO the DIVINE.
Many Mystics have called CHRISTMAS the
“MARRIAGE BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH,”
WHEN THE DIVINE JOINED ITSELF TO the HUMAN . . .
(Was one the Betrothal (Christmas) and the other the Wedding Night (Last Supper)?)
Other Important Falsehoods about Marriage:
1. Wrong Rumor: Divorced People cannot Receive Communion.
Divorced & Remarried, or Co-habitating People (who live LIKE they are married in Church)
Should refrain from Communion (See last part of 1Cor 11:23-30)
2. Annulments are Not Catholic Divorce.
It is Looking Back, and finding CONCRETE EVIDENCE
that an ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT WAS MISSING at the time of Marriage.
Tribunal LAWYERS & JUDGES are used.
Essential Ingredients have always been:
Man & Woman, Over Certain Age, Not Siblings or 1st Cousins, Free Consent (*),
not Ordained (even in Eastern Rites where Priests can marry, marriage 1st),
not in Religious Vows of Celibasy, Not Psychologically or Mentally impaired,
Capable of Marriage & “Performance of Marriage Duties (consummate).” & more.
Or, simply that the Couple never approached the Catholic Church,
and at least one was Catholic, and bound to follow Catholic Law on Marriage.
(easy annulment to get, called, “Lack of Form” case).
3. Infidelity Always Leads to Divorce. (Heard of FORGIVENESS? Trust is Different)
(Proven Trust vs. Naive Trust is more Profound ... what work for means more)
(*) If time, an important Development in Catholic History of Marriage:
1. Different States had Different Laws on Marriage.
in 1300s, Church was asked to make a judgment on a Marriage Case.
A Germanic Prince was betrothed to a Latin Princess (to unite Kingdoms).
Latin Law said “EXCHANGING VOWS”” makes a Marriage.
Germanic Law said “CONSUMMATION” makes a Marriage.
The Germanic Prince had a local German Girlfriend/Fiance.
He tried to claim, by German Law, that THEY were married!
The Kings, to try and unite Kingdoms, said “The Vows we Exchanged” made it!
Since the case could NOT be decided Objectively in either Kingdom,
they asked the Roman Catholic Church (which ruled equally over all) to decide.
Canon Law states since that time, that VOWS VALIDATES a marriage,
but CONSUMMATING it “COMPLETES” it.
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians 5:21-32
Husbands & Wives be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church,
he himself the savior of the body.
As the church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her
to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
“For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.”
This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. |
3rd Advent "Catholic Social Justice Teaching"
Mission of Catholic Social Justice Teaching:
”To make the actions and words of Jesus real again today to transform and uplift social life
for all people in the light of the Gospel.” by Chris Kaczor, Ph.D, This Rock, (Ap 07)
Why Categories?? Jesus just taught. Not Math Class . . . Science Class. . . Hebrew Class. . .Social Studies
But, Easier to Remember Categories (& Check this out on Website):
7 Categories of Catholic (Not Republican Nor Democrat) Social Justice Teaching:
1. Life & Respect the Human Person
Image & Likeness of God (Gen. 1:26) (Matt 25:44) (Col 1:15 & Col 3:10)
Respect Life (Though Shalt not Kill (Exod 20: ) (Dont’ even get angry (Matt 5:22)
No Abortion
That includes EMBRYONIC Stem Cell Research
No Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide
No War (Assistants/Angels could prevent me from being killed (John 18:36)
Why would God, Our Father, want us to kill his other Children?
No Death Penalty
No Racism, Torture, Poverty, Human Traficking, Pornography
& other things that demean life.
2. Promote the Family & Community
We are not just individuals, But a Community (Great Commandment, Say Love God, hate neighbor, LIAR! (1John 4:20)
Family is Basic Unit of Society & a Domestic Church
Foster Stable Marriages where Children are Welcomed & Educated
Calls for a “Family Wage” where there is One breadwinner, and One to care for kids
Need to Stabilze Social Structures to allow that:
discourage overly long work hours, “toxic social culture” that dampens fidelity
excessive taxation, etc.
Freedom of Religion & Religious Teaching (With Right, comes Responsibility!!)
3. Protect Property Rights
Denies that the State should own all things (dating from Rerum Novarum (1891)
Thomas Aquinas wrote in 1265AD, Summa Theologica: “Because every man is more careful to procure what is for himself alone than that which is common to many or to all: since each one would shirk the labor and leave to another that which concerns the community, as happens where there is a great number of servants.[Paraphrase: We work harder when we own our own things. We often take for granted what others do for us ...Hence, it is to be observed that quarrels arise more frequently where there is no division of the things possessed.”
The right to private property is not unconditional.
Aquinas says you can steal if Necesity/Survival depends on it
(ie.,Les Miserables, stealing bread) . . .
(CDs, DVDs, TVs don’t count as depend no matter how much you desire them)
You cannot take basic Necesities if you can attain them on your own labor,
or through the voluntary help of others.
There is also the Big RED FLAG of TURNING POSSESSIONS INTO IDOLS.
(Cannot worship God & Mammon (Matt 6:24) (Treasure where heart is (Lk 12:34)
Private Property comes with the RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS.
4. Care for Creation & the Common Good
Be good Stewards of God’s creation. Not ours, HIS! (Gen 1-2)
Jesus said lease it out to others till Master arrives (Matt 21:41)
Use less, recycle more.
Packaging Fuel
Size of car Appropriate to Need, not Ego
Promote Clean energy. Energy that doesn’t pollute Energy that doesn’t kill fish runs
Make sure there is enough for All
Poor often suffer first when resources become scarce. . . water, food, fuel,
Defn Common Good’: “The sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.” (Pacem in Terris).
Common Good is NOT the Common Desires or Interests of the majority,
BUT, what would be authentically Good for people,
& the social conditions that enable Human Fulfillment.
Human Fulfillment includes health & psychological well being of a person.
People will not work on their psychological well being until their physical needs
(food, water, shelter) are met.
The COMMON GOOD is NOT the highest GOAL ... FULFILMENT in GOD IS!
COMMON GOOD should help ALL to FIND GOD.
5. Observe the Principle of Subsidiarity
The Government is to help secure the Common Good.
“They provide Defense, and preservation of Common Goods such as natural & human
Environments, which cannot be safeguarded by market forces.” (Centisimus Annus).
(also Treaties with other nations, Criminal Justice, Roads, etc.).
But, Governments often exceed their legitimate role and infringe upon individuals & groups
in society to Dominate rather than Preserve them.
Abe Lincoln said, “The legitimate object of government is to do for a community...whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves.”
Government should be as small as possible, but as big as necessary to accomplish
whatever needs to be done that cannot be done in any other way.
“Nanny State” not necessary (offering Cradle to Grave security).
(except for those who CAN’T, not Won’t. ie., Mental Illness, Severe disability)
DO LOCALLY WHAT CAN BE DONE LOCALLY.
When it’s local, more people work on Improving the Kingdom of God!
6. Respect Work & the Worker
God creates Man, and puts humanity in charge of naming the animals & caring for the garden
Work is part of a Human’s Vocation.
God worked, we work.
God gives us our Talents, Interests, and Jobs (see 1Cor. 11-13).
Economy must serve People, not other way around.
Workers are not drones, means to a productive end for the employer.
God said to pay the 1 Hour worker same as All Day worker
to show that he’s an employer who cares for the well being of worker. (Mat 20:1-14)
They deserve a just wage.
Allowed to form unions to procure basic rights if necessary.
If the Government forbids Unions, “it contradicts the very principle of its own existence . . .
the state is bound to protect natural rights, not to destroy them.” (Centisimus Annus)
7. Pursue Peace & Care for the Poor.
Interesting how they link these two in One Category.
Peace means more than the absence of Violence.
Paul VI said, “If you want peace, work for justice.”
If War Is necessary, it is to restore peace.
“Just War Theory” from CCC # 2309) “The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave and certain; all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective; there must be serious prospects of success; the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition... The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.”
It is said that a Just War is not to include a “Premptive Attack.”
It is also debated whether a “Just War” is even possible today,
. . . regarding modern technology . . .
Peace involves a JUST ORDERING OF SOCIETY.
This involves Primarily, Help for the Poor.
It is when people get So Discouraged that there is Unrest, Violence & War.
This includes the DIRECT & INDIRECT effects of individual actions (our purchasing habits),
to national, social policies that affect the poor.
Catholic Social teaching does not dictate exactly how this should be done,
but states that aggressive social action by Governmental programs may be necessary.
Subsidiarity says that smaller Private Groups (religious & secular) should help.
Businesses, voluntarily or by law, should adopt policies that aid the poor.
Not a separate Category, but the Gem of them all:
Jesus’ Preferential Option for the Poor:
Jesus Born poor (Intros to Matt & Luke)
Son of Man nowhere to lay head (Lk 9:58)
Feed Hungry & Thirsty Matt 25 Do it, do it to me. Don’t do this, Go to Hell.
Visit Imprisoned & Sick
Good Samaritan was justified, not Priest, not the “holy” Levite. (Lk 10) |
2nd Advent "Baptism & Confirmation"
Homily/Sermon Baptism & Confirmation 2nd Advent A Dec. 9, 07
John talks about his baptism of repentance today,
and Isaiah talks about the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (we relate to Confirmation).
In Sermon: “INTRO to SACRAMENTS” I mentioned how Catholics use 5 SENSES.
God CREATED THE PHYSICAL WORLD to COMMUNICATE with us.
Sacraments are: Sign & Symbol instituted by Christ to give GRACE.
Symbols of Baptism are:
Water (Life/Death)
Candle (“I am the light of the world.” John 9:5 “YOU are the light of the world” Mt 5:14)
White Garment (“Saints wear clean linen garments” Rev. 19:8)
Oil of Exorcism
Chrism Oil
Tomb . . . Cave . . . Womb
Octogonal Baptistry (Mysterious 8th Day 1Pet 3:21 “You are saved by a baptismal bath that corresponds to this exactly (8 days like Noah’s family was 8 that were saved).
Last week I preached on “CHURCH”
In Baptism you ENTER THE CHURCH . . . Why there’s FONTS at Entrance of building.
As you dip your fingers, REMIND SELF OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES:
1. BELIEVE IN GOD AS TRINITY
2. PROMISE TO LIVE (or raise child) AS A. PRIEST B. PROPHET C. KING
(See Eph. 2:13-22 & 1Pet 2:1-9 for description as us as Living stones in Church
& how we’re a holy priesthood & holy nation (Kingdom))
Infant Baptism? Not Superstition.
Not Blasphemy. . . Parents promise to raise child in faith, then don’t!? Hypocrasy! Lies.
Col. 2 Paul writes how Baptism replaces circumcision (which was 8 days after birth).
Also in 1Cor. 1 & throughout Acts, Paul baptises whole households including children.
Baptism Necessary? see 1Peter 3:21 (8 Days & Saved by baptism)
& 1John 5:6 (by water & blood; eucharist) & John 3:5 (saved by water & Spirit)
Immersion vs. Sprinkling? Immersion Preferred
Romans 6:1-6 tells how in Baptism we die with Christ to Rise with him.
Ezek. 36:25-28 tells of God sprinkling & cleansing us of our sins.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, says the Lord, to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
300 years of Adult Baptism RCIA . . . Then Infant Baptisms Only new Christians
Old Testament Water Stories Jesus Fulfills:
Waters of Creation (Gen 1-2); Waters of Flood (Gen 6); Waters of Red Sea (Ex. 7); Water from Rock (Ex 17); Water of Jordan(Josh 3); Ezekiel’s Temple Vision (Ez 46)
CONFIRMATION:
Originally PART OF BAPTISM: “Sacraments of Initiation” = Bapt. + Conf. + 1st Comm.
(Was with Mexicans in Roman Rite: Still is in Eastern Rites of Catholic Church)
In Europe, Bishop wanted to Reserve Confirmation, but didn’t visit towns annually.
Historical Change created an attitude of Confirmation as “Rite of Passage.”
Not intended so.
However, It does Confer Gifts of Holy Spirit of Mature, Adult, Active Christianity
Paul writes about having to mature in the faith:
1Cor. 3:1- “Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it.
you are still not able, even now, for you are still in the flesh.
Heb. 5:12-14 “By this time you should be teaching others, you need to have someone teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God; you need milk, not solid food. Everyone whose food is milk alone is ignorant of the Word that sanctifies, for he is a child.
Solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice
to distinguish good from evil.
The Apostles were scared until Pentecost.
Then they received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
(from Isaiah 11; 1st Reading:(& Thomas Aquinas Interpretation)
Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, Fear of the Lord)
from 1Cor.12:4-11
Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miraculous Powers, Prophecy, Tongues, Interpret)
After Pentecost, they Baptized 3,000 Spoke in Tongues,
Prophecied, Healed the Sick, Got arrested & preached again! (Acts 2)
“Confirm” = Three meanings:
1. To Confirm the promises made at baptism
2. To Confirm the baptism done by a priest or deacon.
3. To Strengthen
Symbol of Oil: To Strengthen, To Firm Up
Old Testament Stories
Anointed priests (Torah), prophets (Elijah-Elisha) & kings (Samuel-David)
Roman Customs (oil rub-down after jacuzzi to “ward off infections”)
Symbol of Laying on of Hands:
Acts 8:15 They didn’t receive Holy Spirit until Apostles laid hands on them.
Acts 19:6 Group was baptized by John. Paul baptized them in Jesus,
and Spirit came with Laying on of hands & they prophecied & spoke in tongues.
Distinction between Holy Spirit received at Baptism vs. Confirmation:
At Baptism we receive the Spirit for pardon, and new birth in Christ.
At Confirmation we receive the Spirit for strength to preach the Gospel
and live as an adult Christian.
It’s NOT JUST Be Baptized, but ONCE BAPTIZED:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19-20) |
1st Advent, Sermon "Church"-
Homily/Sermon Church; 1st Advent A Dec. 2, 2007
Temple (housing Holy Spirit of God) [Picture of Temple in Jerusalem]
John 4: Will come a time when you will not worship God here, or in Jerusalem temple
but everywhere in Spirit and Truth
Eph 2:19-22 & 1Pet 2:1-10 Living Stones in Temple of God
Bride of Christ (Eph 5:21-33)
Body of Christ Eucharist is Marriage (1Cor 11-13)
Kingdom of God (Matt 18:20) Where 2 or 3 gather in my name, I AM in their midst.
(ON EARTH: NOT fully Realized (Communion of Saints = Heaven, Coll.Sinners)
Sacrament
Vatican II document, Lumen Gentium p#1: “by her relationship with Christ, the church is a kind of sacrament or sign of intimate union with God, and of the unity of all mankind. she is also an instrument for the achievement of such union and unity.”
. . . Soooo, “When say, “Church this, and Church that!” YOU ARE CHURCH!
But, YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR TEACHING, & FORM CONSCIENCE
Unity in Diversity (1Cor 12-13)
Birthday: Pentecost (Acts 2)
Different “Sides” “Models” “Aspects:” (See Avery Dulles, “Models of the Church”)
Liturgical Liturgical Year, Formal Prayer
Sacramental 7 Moments of Grace
Legal Canon Law (612 OT Laws . . . 1753 Canon Laws!)
Theological “Official Science of Religion” Intellectually Meaningful, Logical, & FAITH
Pastoral-Servant Spiritual, Mystical, Personally Meaningful
Structural-Institutional:
Hierarchy
(I’ll describe Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, Priest, Deacon, Religious, Lay . . . Orders)
Archdioceses (Dioceses)
Parishes, Missions
(Parish needs 1. Worship 2. Teach Children 3. Evangelize new 4. Charity
5. Financially Stable)
VS RELIGIOUS ORDERS IN ROMAN RITE
23 Rites of Catholic Church: Roman, Ukrainian, Coptic, Chaldean, Maronite, etc.
Different Legal: Priests Marry, Leavened or Unleavened? Marriage: Vows or Priest
Language, Ritual, etc. Same Sacraments, Unity, Creed, Pope
Benedict VI: ONE CHURCH vs. Ecclesial Communities.
USING TECHNICAL, THEOLOGICAL LANGUAGE, not Popular, like Media
Theologically:
Jesus doesn’t have MANY WIVES, Just One
“One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” (Eph 4:5)
So, Denominations are “Technichally” Not Churches, but Ecclesial Communities
in some level of Communion, All together the Body of Christ.
HISTORY:
Liturgical Year: I said 2 weeks ago it Reenacts HISTORY OF SALVATION Analogy
Real History:
Pentecost, But, roots in the “Stump of Jesse” (O.T.) (last few years: Jesse Tree)(Isa)
EARLY CHURCH/BIBLICAL WRITING TIMES
Preached, Sacraments, Charities (collections for Widows, Jerusalem Earthquake, etc)
Trouble Between Disciples of Paul & James (See Acts, Romans, Gal., & James)
Theological Trouble with Synagogues
Trouble with the Romans
Freedom of Religion/Official Religion; Nicae 313 AD
Bible Decided upon (which books belong in it) Council Hippo 380 AD
Bible Translated into Latin from Greek 347-420 AD
2 Major Bible Schools: Antioch & Alexandria (sort of early seminaries)
Fundamentalist & Analogy
First Monk (Religious Type #1): Benedict 520 AD
Heresies & 21 Councils
Emporer Charlemagne reduced many Rites in Europe to Roman Rite 800s AD
Split with Eastern Church in 1050 AD Celebasy in Priests 1051 AD
First Mendicant (Religious Type #2): Francis & Dominic
Split with European Theologians (Protestant Reformation) 1517 AD
Council of Trent Reformation 1545-63 AD (No More Council till Vatican 1 in 1868)
Vatican Council II 1962-65 AD
Biggest Change in minds of Parishioners:
Change Language BACK TO Vernacular
New Rite for Mass (Tridentine to Novus Ordem)
Took away Mandatory Weekly Abstinence (except Lent)
Changed Calendar of Saints a Little
Took away 12 Hour Fast & Confession for Venial Sins before Communion
Other Significance:
LARGEST GATHERING OF BISHOPS IN HISTORY
Collegiality with Pope
Opened Salvation to World (those who never had chance, can be saved)
Nuns Invited (as advisers)
Dialogue with other Religions Encouraged
Protestants Invited (as observers)
Embarrasing Moments (Mostly Roman Rite) Pope John Paul Apologized for:
Crusades (but who drew first blood, Muslims or Christians?)
Spanish Inquisition
Occasional Persecution of the Jews
Conquering the New World vs. Enculturation of the Faith
Early Church Heresies by Brian Stoffregen (Not in homily, only available here)
Ebionites
Jesus was the son of Joseph and Mary. He was the Messiah, but he was not divine.
Dynamic Monarchianism or Adoptionism
Jesus was a unique man who was divinely energized by the Holy Spirit (at baptism) and called to be the Son of God. That Spirit left just before Jesus died.
Arianism
"There was when he was not" = Jesus was not co-eternal with the Father. He was an intermediary between the Creator and the creation. (Today's Jehovah's Witnesses have adopted an Arianistic Christology.)
Origenism or Subordinationism
Christ is a divine being somewhat below the highest divine principle. He derives his existence from the highest divine level.
Nestorianism
Jesus is split into two distinct persons: one human and one divine. Mary was not theotokos ("God-bearer"). The divine logos ("Word") was not involved with human suffering and change. Christ could only be truly human if his humanity was not fused and overcome by the divine nature.
Chacedonian Definition or Orthodoxy (the "right" stuff)
Jesus the Christ is one. He has two natures preserved in one prosopon ("person") and in one hypostasis ("substance"). Both natures are unimpaired, "perfect" consubstantial with God and man. Christ was both pre-existent and born from the Virgin. Christ is eternal and dies on the cross.
Monophysitism
There is one person, one substance and one nature. The manhood of Christ becomes unimportant. He was God.
Modalistic Monarchianism
God was revealed at one time under the mode of Father, at another time under the mode of Son, and at another time under the mode of the Holy Spirit.
Docetism
This view begins with the Greek idea that matter is essentially evil. Jesus was not a real "flesh and blood" human. He just "seemed" to be human. He was a god appearing in human form. |
 Christ the King
Susan C. Kimber, in a book called Christian Woman, shares a funny piece of advice she received from her little son: "Tired of struggling with my strong-willed little son, Thomas, I looked him in the eye and asked a question I felt sure would bring him in line: 'Thomas, who is in charge here?' Not missing a beat, he replied, 'Jesus is, and not you mom.' "
700 years before the birth of Jesus, Micah 5:1 announced His coming as king. "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrata, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”
The New Testament tells us that Jesus is the long awaited king of the Jews. In the Annunciation, recorded in Lk.1: 32-33, we read: “The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever and his kingdom will never end.” The magi (Mt. 2:2) from the Far East came to Jerusalem and asked the question: “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star… and we have come to worship him.” On Palm Sunday, the Jews shouted: (Lk.19: 38) “God bless the king, who comes in the name of the Lord.” When Pilate asked the question: (Jn.18: 33) “Are you the king of the Jews”? Jesus made his assertion, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into this world for this one purpose.” Today's gospel tells us that the board hung over Jesus' head on the cross read: “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews,” and that Jesus promised paradise to the repentant thief on the cross who made the request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Before his ascension in to heaven, Jesus declared: (Mt. 28:18) “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
The Cross is his throne and the Sermon on the Mount is his rule of law, summarized in “Love God, love neighbor as self” or “Love others as I have loved you."
His love is selfless, sacrificial, kind, compassionate, forgiving and unconditional.
That is why the preface in today's Mass describes Jesus' kingdom as a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.
He is a king with a saving & liberating Mission: to free mankind from all types of
bondage so that we may live peacefully and happily on earth and inherit eternal life in heaven. His rule consists in Seeking the lost, Sharing with others
Offering salvation to those who call out to him & Making friends of enemies.
The Kingdom of God is the central teaching of Jesus throughout the Gospels.
The word kingdom appears more than any other word throughout the four Gospels. Jesus begins His public ministry by preaching the kingdom. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:14).
In Christ's kingdom, “we are all a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1Pet 2:9)
This Feast was started by theologians St. Bonaventure & Duns Scotus in 1300s.
Pope Pius XI introduced this feast in the liturgy in 1925 because the people of the day had “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives” and “these had no place in public affairs or in politics.” Although emperors and kings now exist mostly in history books, we still honor Christ as the King of the Universe, by enthroning him in our hearts and allowing him to take control of our lives.
At Christ the King, we look over the PAST YEAR.
Evaluate. Reconcile. Appreciate.
Next week is Advent, Beginning of Next Year (liturgically).
We look to the FUTURE.
Hope. Clean Slate. Newness.
Businesses & Bosses do Annual Evaluations!
Doctors do Annual Checkups!
Confessions, you do Examinations of Conscience (next week’s bulletin!)
Today, lets see how Christ rules over our lives with a self-evaluation: (Handout)
Reflection Questions for Feast of Christ the King!
Please take the next 5 minutes to journal your answers to the next few questions.
When you are through, you may take this home with you, offer it up as a prayer,
by burning it reverently in your fireplace, stick it in your Bible, or offer it up
in the collection basket, where Fr. Heiko will reverently offer it up in smoke.
When you have completed the questions, you may pray reverently, and Give Thanks to God
for all the Blessings he bestowed on you over the past year!
1. What Difference Does Jesus Make?
If you stopped believing in Jesus Christ, today, how would my life change?
Write down 5 concrete ways the absence of belief in Jesus
today would significantly affect my life tomorrow.
2. If I call Christ my king, do I truly allow him sovereign power over my life,
my thoughts, my heart, my will?
How do my words & works reflect that I have accepted Jesus?
3. When was I most aware of Christ’s presence this past week, and why?
4. What have I read/experienced this week to help change my mentality as a
Christian? (ie., Scripture, Spiritual Books, Religious Magazines, Vatican II Documents?)
5. What did not turn out the way I planned in my attempt to bring about change in:
my family? My friendships? My neighborhood? My work/other environments?
EXPLANATION BY FR. TONY AKADAVIL. QUESTIONS BY FR. HEIKO |
 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 28, 2007
Homily SERMON SAINTS 30th OTC October 28, 2007
1. Early Church, all BAPTIZED called Saints.
(back then didn’t take Baptism for granted . . . fed to lions!,
Baptism REALLY MEANT, Dying & Rising with Christ (Rom 6:1-6)
Saints are those who make it to Heaven . . .
Mark 16:16 The man who believes, and accepts baptism will be saved!
2. 1st “Heroes” were MARTYRS (gave others courage to endure persecution)
3. After persecutions, those who led EXTRAORDINARY LIVES given honor.
“SAINT” = “Holy Person” (Sanctified) (ie., San Francisco)
Among Canonized Saints:
MARY is the most important.
(Come to next Marian Feast for a detailed description of her importance in Bible...
New Eve, New Ark, Model of Church, TheoTokos, Model of Christian, etc)
Last Mystery of Rosary: Coronation of Mary . . . Based on today’s 2nd Reading!
We will all receive a Crown when (IF) we get to heaven!
Pray for Us
James 5:16 “The prayers of a holy person (Saint) are powerful indeed!”
Matt 18:19 When 2 join their voices to pray, it shall be granted.Simon’s MomInLaw Lk 4:38
Help Us . . . this one problematic with Protestants.
Jesus said each child is given a Guardian Angel to HELP US.
Matt 7 We will be LIKE ANGELS in heaven, Jesus said.
We help each other on Earth, by God’s grace, and according to God’s will.
Saints are still alive (even more so).
John 11 “I am the resurrection & the Life, whoever believes in me will never die, but live.”
Today’s 2nd Reading again: Paul says God gave him strength to do his will.
PATRON SAINTS . . . Each Saint Unique Relfection of God’s Image.
Saints are Humble
They do good, but Give God the Glory!
Pharisee in Gospel was “Holy” by his Church’s standards . . . but ARROGANT!
Sinner was humble & Contrite. (Psalm 51: A humble & contrite heart you will not spurn.”)
Saints Share Communion = “Communion of Saints”
Another word for the Church + Mass!
In another Sermon, I describe how Last Supper (Mass) is SEDER MEAL.
Seder has 4 CUPS. Jesus saved the LAST CUP until we’re ALL IN HEAVEN.
Dinner is NOT OVER YET.
Jesus, the Apostles, all the Saints in heaven, & Us are SITTING AROUND TABLE.
THE TABLE makes us all IN COMMUNION . . . = the BODY of CHRIST (1Cor 11-13)
Saints have had their Sins Purged Sinner in Gospel was Justified after confession
All Saints Day Reading is from Rev. 7.
John’s vision of Saints in heaven, wearing WHITE ROBES.
Another chapter describes them standing on SEA LIKE GLASS, in the FLAMES
while PRAISING GOD (not burnt).
1Peter 1:7 describes God purifying us like Gold in Fire.
(ever heard the description of Silver being tried by a Blacksmith . . . keeps refining it
until he SEES HIS REFLECTION in it! (We’re refined till God’s image in it).
Mal. 3:3 He will sit refining and purifying [silver], and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
(HEAVEN & HELL & PURGATORY Sermon later)
The Holiness of Saints IS GOD’S Image restored in thm.
Statues: Worship Graven Images? 2nd Commandment? (Exod 20)
NO!
2ND COMMAND IS: Honor the Sabbath!
For Protestants, they Divided 1st Command into 2:
1. Honor God & 2. Don’t Worship Graven Images.
(then they had to combine 9. & 10. into one to catch up)
Besides, Key Word “WORSHIP Graven Images.”
GOD also told Moses to BUILD AN ARK with ANGELS ON IT.
They didn’t worship the Angels, but what was sitting on top of them: GOD. (Exod 25)
We don’t worship statues.
They are Prayer Aids. (like Candles, Incense, Flowers, Music, that Protestants have)
Like Pictures of Loved Ones on the Refridgerator.
A lot of our Beliefs come from CENTURIES OF EXPERIENCE:
Miracles attributed to Saints.
Apparitions of Mary (that Science cannot explain . . .
Guadalupe, Lourdes: Water, Healing & Incorrubtibility, Levitation, Eucharistic Miracles)
Watching them Live patiently, courageously, lovingly, with wisdom.
Eph. 5:3 Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you,
as is fitting among holy ones,
Col. 3:5 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.
In one Summary:
Saints: Proves that We’re in this Together,
and WE NEED EACH OTHER.
& 1Cor 6:11 “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
still need to beware:
2Cor. 5:10 talks about judgment of our post-baptismal sin
More Later or on Own (not vital):
Canonization Process . . . |
 27th Sunday SERMON on JESUS
This Sunday, we will explore our belief in Jesus!
Happy Respect for Life Sunday, from the author of life!
Theology of Jesus (Remember, Study of God = Theology)
(Study of Jesus = Christology) another BIG Seminary Class!
First Called Christians in Antioch (now Turkey)
JESUS IS:
Christ = Messiah = THE Anointed One (Priest Prophet & King).
YAHWEH = “I AM” (Exod. 3:14) “Tell them, “I AM” sent me to you.”
Jn 18:6 “When [Jesus] said to them,“I AM,” they turned away & fell to the ground.”
Word of God made flesh (John 1:1-14)
(God SAID, let there be light . . . (Gen 1)
God spoke & it came into being (Psalm 33:6-9) “By God’s Word, God spoke &”
DABAR = Word of God in Hebrew = Powerful . . . tried to silence prophets
OBVIOUSLY THEN, FULFILLS OLD TESTAMENT
Emmanuel “God is With Us.” (Matt 1:23)
Trinity, 2nd Person
(Last Week, I mentioned:
Paul’s Letters, His Baptism, Transfiguration, John’s Last Supper, Matt 28:19)
True God & True Man
1John 5:20 We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Doubting Thomas: “My Lord & My God” (John 20:28)
Many heresies tried to say Not Real God (God can’t die)
Not Real Man (A Man can’t be God)
Called Himself “Son of Man” often (Matt. 9:6) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
Emptied Himself to Become Man (Phil 2:2-11)
Jesus Learned, Obeyed Parents, got hungry, bled, Cried, God Mad,
Loved (“No Greater Love than to die for one’s friends” (John 15:13)
Bread of Life
(John 6 Story
Last Supper stories in Matt, Mark & Luke, Took Bread, Take & Eat, this is my body)
BIG Leap of Faith is Creator of Universe Becoming Man, Small leap Man > Bread
New Ark, True Ark
Old Ark: 10 Commandments from God inside & Mannah (Exod 25 & Heb 9:2-5)
New Ark: THE WORD of God & The Bread of Life! (Mary is also Ark: Lk 1:56)
Temple of God (John 2:19-21 & John 4:21-23 Worship everywhere...like Priests in Temple)
New & Everlasting Covenant
Luke 22:20 & 1Cor. 11:25, & Heb 8:13, 9:15 & 12:24)
Hebr. 8:13 When he speaks of a “new” covenant, he declares the first one obsolete. And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing.
Fullness of God’s Revelation
Matt. 11:27 “All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
High Priest
Hebr. 6:20 where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner,
becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Levite Priests?
Levi wasn’t even born yet!! (Gen 35:23) 12 sons of Jacob=Israel
Melkizadech was with Abe! (Gen 14:18)
Scapegoat (Yom Kippur)
Jewish: Lev. 23:26
Christian: Last Supper, This is the Cup of my blood, the blood of the New & Everlasting Covenant, it will be shed for you, and for all, so that Sins may be Forgiven.” (Matt, Mark, Luke & 1Cor 11)
Hebr. 9:6-14 With these arrangements for worship, the priests, in performing their service, go into the outer tabernacle repeatedly, but the high priest alone goes into the inner one once a year, not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people. In this way the holy Spirit shows that the way into the sanctuary had not yet been revealed while the outer tabernacle still had its place. This is a symbol of the present time, in which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper in conscience but only in matters of food and drink and various ritual washings: regulations concerning the flesh, imposed until the time of the new order. But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
Lamb of Sacrifice
(John Baptist called him that (John 1:29)
Passover & Jesus Passion & Death (Matt, Mark, Luke & John in a Way ...)
(Last Supper: Once & For all , Not Again & Again, but Still)
Shepherd & Gatekeeper & Gate (I am the way, the truth & the life (John 10:7)
I AmThe Resurrection & the Life, whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. (Jn 11:25)
New Adam
Rom 5:14-15 1st Adam’s Grace surpasses Sin of 1st Adam
1Cor. 15:22 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
1Cor. 15:45 “The first man, Adam, became a living being,”
the last Adam a life-giving spirit.
Note: If Christ is the New Adam, who is the New Eve??
Could it be Mary’s obedient “Yes” to God (Luke 1:38)
Groom
(John Fasts, I Feast > Groom,
10 Virgins with Oil,
Explicit Description of Jesus as Groom: (Eph 5:21-33 & Rev. 19:9)
Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5)
POOR
Born Poor (Two turtledoves) (Lev 12:8 & 14:22 & Luke 2:24)
Associates with Poor (Matt 25:40)
NON-VIOLENT nor AGGRESSIVE
“Don’t Lord your authority like pagans do. They make authority FELT.
Be servant of servant.” (Matt 20:25)
“Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath,
for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
“Do you not know I can call down 12 legions of angels?” (Matt 26:52-53) |
 26th Sunday SERMON on GOD
Homilette: If Rich don’t share with poor, it is a Grave Sin. (& we’re ALL RICH!)
1) We can't take wealth with us. 2) There is justice in the afterlife. 3) It is too late to repent after death. 4) Some people will not listen to God's words under any circumstances; it does not matter who might rise from the dead to bear witness.
5) God permits injustices in this life, though not in the next. Lazarus was victimized, and God forced no one to do anything about it because He is not running this present world as a moral police state. The Bible tells us how to live
and it reveals the consequences of disobedience. The rest is up to us.
Sermon on God
[Show Powerpoint Reflection on Images of God]
One (Israelites Semi MonoTheists, Jews Mono)
Trinity
Creator
All Good
We are in His Image & Likeness
“Yahweh” (same as “Jehovah” . . . Köln is Cologne & Naples=Napoli)
“Holy, Holy” (Isaiah 6:3) = Different
Love 1Jn 4:16 We have come to know & to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
GREAT COMMANDMENT
Images
El Shaddai (Almighty Lord of Hosts)
King
Face of God
Good Shepherd
Abba (See Jesus’ Our Father)
Groom
But, God beyond Male (Gen 1:27 sexes created
Is. 66:13 As mother comforts son, nurture with abundant breasts
Mt 23:37 Hen Chicks)
Jesus Word of God made Flesh
Trinity in Scripture
Baptism of Jesus
Transfiguration
Jesus Last Supper Sermon in John
Matthew’s Commissioning
Jesus Talks to God on Cross, Breathes out Spirit
Paul’s Intros & Conclusions
Trinity in Liturgy
Into & Conclusion
Creed
Eucharistic Prayer To Father, Sends Spirit, Consecrates Son |
25th Sunday 1st in PREACHING SERIES
From now on, for next several weeks, I’ll be giving a “Sermon” instead of a “Homily.”
I’ll be teaching on the Basic (Fundamental) Doctrines of our Faith.
The basic topics from R.C.I.A. maybe not in order of the Class,
but based A LITTLE on the Readings.
So, Homilette for today’s Gospel (St. Luke & Augustine had problems with Jesus telling this story . . . Luke added 4 morals, & Gus said, “I can’t believe that this story came from the lips of our Lord.”)
Children of the light can learn something from the Children of Darkness.
I had a Mean Pastor once. I still learned a lot from him!
People use their BRAINS for Business & Hobbies.
WHY DON’T they use their BRAINS for their FAITH (yes, Religion)?
Often a person with a High IQ drops his IQ Points
when he/she walks in the Doors of the Church!
(Foget how to Read, Think, Remember, Listen).
Now, the Sermon: Topic: “PRAYER”
1st off, Prayers of Faithful Modeled after today’s 2nd Reading: 1Tim 2:1-4
Offer prayers for everyone . . . for Kings, for Authorities . . .
This is good & pleasing to God our Savior, who wills that everyone be saved
& come to the Knowledge of the Truth.
. . .Pray . . . without argument!
Notice an order to P of F (also known as “Intercessions”)
Usually follows this basic format:
1. Universal Needs of the Church (often for it’s authority/hierarchy)
2. Civil Authority & Salvation of the World
3. Those burdened by difficulty
4. For the Local Needs & Community
(Mass Intentions: Sundays Your Intentions & of Universal Church (write ins)
Weekdays, Personal Intentions (goes back to St. Monica & Monks)
Intercessions just One Type in One Category of Prayer
Main Categories in Descending Order:
1. Adoration (Goal: Union with God & Creation Words not necessary)
Posture can Help: Sir 50:17 Then the people fell prostrate in Adoration before God
Psalm 34:3 Let my soul Glory in the Lord!
2. Praise (Goal: Praise God for WHO HE IS Words Work: Holy Holy Holy...Songs!!)
3. Thanksgiving (Goal: Praise God for WHAT HE DID Creation, Blessings, Love)
Acknowledge our Need for God’s Sustenance
If those 2 Don’t Work to Humble Us, then . . .
4. Confession (Acknowledge our Humility, Sinfullness & Need for God’s Salvation)
Healing: Confess your sins to one another that you may find healing (James 5:15)
5. Intercession (Goal: to Care for Others, Connect with Others, Know Compassion)
Luke 4:38 Apostles Interceded for Peter’s Mother-in-law & Jesus Healed her.
6. Petition (Most Selfish . . . Pray for me. But Jesus prayed this:
Gethsemane & Our Father has Petitions! Give Bread, lead from Temptation
Sirach 35:14-16 says: “The One who serves God willingly is heard,
his petition reaches the heavens.”
7. (Mine: Cup of Coffee . . . Conversation with God.
Jesus wants to have fun with us!
Wants to join you in your hobbies, job, etc.
(I call God my Travel Agent. He gets me Hotels when it’s all booked up!)
Prayer is a Mystery.
God knows what we want before we say it.
God asks us to pray. Knock . . .Ask . . .(Luke 11:9) Prayer of a Holy Person powerful (James 5:16)
We pray with the Promptings of the Spirit
Rom. 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
God CAN do all things by Himself.
BUT, He wants INTERACTION with us.
He gave us Free Will (because that’s the Nature of True Love . . .to choose it)
Prayer UNITES US WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER!
Thousands of Types of Prayer
They can fall under any of those Categories mentioned above (to help our understanding).
In Catholic Church’s Order of Importance (1st 4)
Mass
Liturgy of the Hours
Eucharistic Adoration
Rosary (& Prayers they Include)
Angelus
Our Father (deserves special mention)
Mantra (Repeat a word)
Meditation
Prayers from Saint Devotions
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Novenas
“Please God . . .”
Anointing (& other Sacraments)
ACTS = Adoration Contrition Thanksgiving Supplication
TARP = Thanks Adoration Reconciliation Petition |
 Feast of Holy Trinity (124th Anniversary)
Instead of a Homily today (preaching on readings), and instead of a "sermon" (preaching on a topic), I am going to give a summary of the History of our parish, Holy Trinity, on this, the Feast of Holy Trinity. Our Pastoral Council was looking at a date to celebrate our 125th Anniversary this year, and the history shows there are many dates, and even years, to choose from. We settled on celebrating it on this Feast Day!
My information comes from the excellent Centenniel Celebration book prepared by Kathy Cowan, Kathy Phillips & Joan Goodbroad, as well as from a History of the South Coast Vicariate prepared by Fr. Scott Vandehey on the occasion of Holy Redeemer, North Bend's 75th Anniversary, 25 years ago! Both books quote pretty extensive bibliographies.
This year celebrations of 125th Anniversary Events!
History of Holy Trinity Parish & St. John Mission:
1861 Catholic Directory states that Port Orford was served with Mass from
Archbishop Blanchet & two priests stationed at the Cathedral with him
(Fr.s Andre Poulin & John Fierens).
Archbishop Blanchet was a Missionary Bishop, as were his early priests. Our Archdiocese (then called the Archdiocese of Oregon City) is the 2nd Oldest Archdiocese in the USA (Baltimore is the oldest). Our Archdiocese covered Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and parts of Brittish Columbia.
1869 Catholic Directory shows that Fr. AJ Glorieux (from Belgium) served the Coast including P.O. out of Roseburg.
1873 City of Bandon founded & named by George Bennett from Bandon, Ireland.
(in Boston last week, I met Fr. Colm Hogan from near Bandon, Ireland)
1875 Catholic Directory lists Fr. John Heinrich (from Austria) as pastor covering:
Roseburg, Canyonville, South Umpqua River Settlement, Grave Creek, Myrtle
Creek, French Settlement, Mount Lane, Winchester, Wilbur, Calapooya Settlement,
Elk River Settlement, Scottsburg, Gardiner, Umpqua City
Coquille River Settlement, Empire City, Marshfield, Randolf, Port Orford, Ellensburg (now Gold Beach) & Chetco (now Brookings).
Travelled by Stage to Scottsburg, then Steamer to Gardiner,
then Stage on the Coast to Coos Bay, or on the Sea.
Empire City had 300, Marshfield had 600
From Coos Bay News:
Sept. 6, 1876 Fr. Heinrich visited parishioners on Lower Coquille and held services
at Jas. McCue’s
Sept. 17, 1879 Fr. Heinrich is here now. We hope he will be appointed to the new church
about to be erected at Bandon.
Aug. 25, 1880 Archbishop Seghers will hold divine services on Sunday, Aug 29, 1880 at Newport & Sunday, Sept. 5 1880 at Ellensburg. He will visit Bandon on his return.
(Newport was 3 miles South of Marshfield, Libby area today)
Oct. 1880 Archbishop John Seghers blessed foundation of new Catholic Church and
consecrated plot of land for cemetery.
Aug. 31, 1881 The new Catholic Church [in Bandon] is nearly completed.
1881 1st Church built and named Mary Refuge of Sinners!
However, Coos Bay News & Port Orford Post called it “St. Helen’s
& March 15, 1882 Coos Bay News said Archbishop Seghers would consecrate
the Church in May, 1882.
Aug. 12, 1883 Archbishop Seghers dedicated the church (25’x50’). (Note: this was the only Catholic Church on the coast at that time between Astoria & the California border).
Oct. 9, 1884 1st Marriage was at the Fahy Home, north of Bullard’s Park (in Randolf),
which was frequently the site of Mass, of Henrietta Fahy, daughter of Mr Ed Fahy
to Capt. Oscar Gruggel of the City of Napa, by Fr. Heinrich.
Mr. Fahy often officiated at services & funerals when no priest was in town.
From Sept. 22, 1887 issue of Catholic Sentinel:
They thought Newport would be the site of the first Church (due to Irish miners),
Bandon was chosen due to its centrality on the Coast.
On Sunday, the 11th (of August), his Grace [Archbishop William Gross] preached and administered Confirmation [in Bandon]. The next place he visited was that of Mr. P. Hughes, a most excellent Catholic gentleman, whose residence is near Cape Blanco, the most distant western point in America. His Grace preached to a large congregation which had gathered at Mr. Hughes’ place.
In response to a written invitation from the citizens of Port Orford, which is almost entirely non-Catholic, his Grace lectured at that place on the evening of the 13th inst., in a public hall which was elaborately festooned and decorated for the occasion with chinese lanterns and evergreens and supplied with good melodeon. An impromtu choir agreeably surprised the Most Rev. lecturer by singing an “Ave Maria” and a “Sanctus.”
Bandon Dates Continued:
1888 1st Resident Pastor: Fr. Peter Beutgen.
1889 Bandon became a Mission Church to Marshfield
1909 2nd Resident Pastor: Fr. Charles Keveny renamed parish to Holy Trinity &
built 1st Rectory (North of present one)
1909 City of Bandon asked for easement to straighten road (we owned to Old Town).
We refused, and courts agreed, and it’s still crooked today!
1936 Church destroyed by Bandon fire. Eucharist saved by Mr. Parent.
(we were spared the fires of 1914! at time of Fr. Keveney)
1937 Fr. John Sheridan of St. Monica’s, supervised building of 2nd Church at same place.
Contract given to Mr. Anderson of Marshfield for the 30’x68’ building for $5000.
(Mass said in various homes: esp. Tom & Mary Devereaux at Parksville)
Bandon became a Mission to Myrtle Point until that rectory burnt 1942, then Coquille.
1957 Fr. Ervin Vandehey built present Rectory and became Resident pastor.
1961 He built annex to present Church (addition) and took charge of Port Orford Mission.
He also invited 4 Srs. of St. Francis of the Atonement from Garrison, NY for catechesis in Bandon, Brookings & Coquile. Convent (present Hall) was built.
1980s The Hall Extension was built by Francis Stadelman & in 1990s classrooms added.
Cape Blanco:
1891 Fr. Peter Beutgen laid cornestone of Church.
1892 Church was completed & names Mary, Star of the Sea.
1894 Archbishop Gross consecrated ground around the Church as a cemetery.
1895 Fr. John Hughes was ordained on Dec. 21. Son of Pat & Jane Hughes.
Langlois: (possibly named after Fr. Langlois who was an early traveling priest here).
1918 St. John’s built under Fr. Joseph Clancey (20 year old), pastor of Bandon.
It was bungalow style 32’x24’ and still sits across101 from the Langlois Market.
Port Orford:
June 9, 1851 Town founded by Capt. William Tichenor,
named by Capt. George Vancouver after his friend, the Earl of Orford.
1920 Fr. Rubis, from Bandon, fashioned a Church from a private home.
1944 Fr. Kelly directed the construction of a Church on land donated by Ed Hughes.
1949 Parish became a Mission to Brookings.
1954 Fr. Emil Kies was Pastor in Brookings and said early Mass in Brookings, 2nd in Gold Beach & 3rd in Port Orford. . . . [read section about traveling windy roads]
Fr. Kies lived at Baycrest until this year, where he moved to Maryville in Beaverton.
1957 Port Orford became a Mission to Bandon with the arrival of Fr. Ervin Vandehey.
1967 Church burnt down intentionally, with plans on building a new one.
St. Christopher’s Episcopalian Church was used until a new Church was built.
1982 Fr. Dale Waddill, with parishioners of St. John & Holy Trinity, decided it was time
to build own Church.
Altar Societies, parishioners (esp. Zubers), & Fr. Dale raised enough to start plans.
May 29, 1983 1st Mass in new Church
Aug. 13, 1983 dedicated St. John the Baptist by Archbishop Cornelius Power.
1990s Francis Stadelman added classrooms. |
|
