Posts

Divine summon and our dedication (Homily for Monday of the 13th week in ordinary time year II June 29 2024

-
Homily for Monday of the 13th week in ordinary time year II June 29 2024 Amos 2:6-10, 13-16; Psalm 50; Mathew 8:18-22 Divine summon and our dedication  A visionary leader equips their followers with the foresight to anticipate the challenges of a new venture, coupled with the reassurance of triumph. In today's gospel, Jesus candidly outlines the sacrifices entailed in discipleship to a Scribe who expressed a desire to follow Him. The motivations of the Scribe remain unclear, yet it is evident that the journey of discipleship would not mirror the prestige associated with his current role. Christianity calls for a life of service, and without a heart for service, one may find the faith unfulfilling. Jesus remarked that the Son of Man had no place to rest His head, posing a paradox: How could one so dedicated to benevolence lack even the most basic provisions? The underlying lesson is the asymmetry of kindness; the good we do may not always be reciprocated. Christian living demands a
Post a Comment
Read more

Exploring the Divine affirmation of life (Homily for the 13th Sunday in ordinary time year II June 30 2024

-
Homily for the 13th Sunday in ordinary time year II June 30 2024 Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 30; 2Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15; Mark 5:21-43 Exploring the Divine affirmation of life The scriptural passage from Wisdom 2:23-24 serves as the foundation for our reflection, asserting that God created humanity for an incorruptible existence, in the likeness of His eternal nature. Yet, it was through the envy of the devil that death made its entrance into the world, afflicting those aligned with such malevolence. It is a fundamental truth that God champions life; any force that undermines or destroys life is not of divine origin but a consequence of human sinfulness. Today's Gospel presents us with two instances where Jesus Christ, emulating His Father, acts as an agent of life. He first restores health to a woman afflicted with hemorrhage, and then He resurrects a young girl. In the initial miracle, we witness Jesus healing a woman who had suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years. Upon he
Post a Comment
Read more

Divine Providence in Human imperfections (Homily for the solemnity of saints Peter and Paul June 29 2024

-
Homily for the solemnity of saints Peter and Paul June 29 2024 Divine Providence in Human imperfections  In the annals of Christian history, Saints Peter and Paul stand as colossal figures, instrumental in the Church's formative years following Christ's ascension. Saint Peter, the inaugural Pontiff, was pivotal in maintaining the Church's unity during its nascent phase post-Pentecost, a period marked by the spread of Christianity across the Middle East and Europe. Initially, the early Church was predominantly Jewish, with Jews being the first to embrace Jesus as the Messiah. However, as the Church's horizon expanded, Saint Paul's evangelistic efforts to the Gentiles led to a significant demographic shift within the Church, with Gentile converts eventually surpassing their Jewish counterparts. It is through Paul's ministry that many of us find our spiritual lineage, as he elucidated to both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the consummation of Old Testament prophe
Post a Comment
Read more

Cultivating a Prayerful disposition (Homily for Friday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 28 2024

-
Homily for Friday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 28 2024 2kings 25:1-12; Psalm 137; Mathew 8:1-4 Cultivating a Prayerful disposition  In the pursuit of a profound prayer experience, the leper from today's scripture serves as a poignant example. Contravening the societal edicts that isolated lepers, he approached Jesus with a boldness rooted in the conviction that he would not be spurned for his affliction. This leper's confidence in Jesus' boundless love and acceptance is instructive; our own conviction in God's love is foundational to our approach to prayer and shapes our readiness to engage with the Almighty. The leper's entreaty, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean," encapsulates his deep-seated beliefs. His first conviction was in Jesus' power to heal, recognizing His profound compassion and ability. He did not doubt Jesus' capacity, focusing instead on His willingness to heal. Our prayers gain resonance when we pla
Post a Comment
Read more

Pursuing Faithfulness over Popularity ( Homily for Thursday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 27 2024

-
Homily for the Thursday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 27 2024 2kings 24: 8-17; Psalm 79; Mathew 7:21-29 Pursuing Faithfulness over Popularity Today's gospel reading elucidates a profound truth: possessing a divine gift does not inherently secure salvation, regardless of the fame it may bestow upon the individual. Salvation is anchored in heeding Jesus' teachings and implementing them in our lives. This serves as a solemn admonition to us all. Christianity transcends mere performance art; it is an authentic experience. Our Christian efficacy is appraised not by our actions but by how closely our lives mirror the Word of God—a true measure that assures our salvation. Hence, we must not be swayed by the court of public opinion. While humans judge by outward appearances, God discerns the intentions of the heart. Our daily endeavor should be to emulate Jesus' authenticity, not to seek the accolades of being esteemed preachers, miracle workers, or spiritual leade
Post a Comment
Read more

The Divine is the Ultimate Resolution (Homily for Wednesday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 26 2024

-
Homily for Wednesday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 26 2024 2kings 22:8-13, 23:1-3; Psalm 119; Mathew 7:15-20  The Divine is the Ultimate Resolution  In the scriptural passage of today, we are presented with a continuation of Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the importance of delving beyond superficiality. He cautions us that adherence to veracity is our safeguard against the predations of deceptive prophets. These individuals may present themselves as benign, yet their true nature is predatory. Their initial impression may be positive, yet it lacks endurance. It is often observed that when confronted with adversity, a plethora of advice emerges. Names and locales are suggested as sources of resolution. Affirmations of their efficacy are shared, attempting to persuade, even when they stand in opposition to Christian principles. Regardless of how enticingly malevolent forces are portrayed, their underlying intent is invariably destructive. The allurements proffered by m
Post a Comment
Read more

Our reliance should be placed unwaveringly in the Lord (Homily for Tuesday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 25 2024

-
Homily for Tuesday of the 12th week in ordinary time year II June 25 2024 Our reliance should be placed unwaveringly in the Lord In the scriptural narrative, we encounter the Assyrian monarch Sennacherib, who confronts Hezekiah, the ruler of Judah, with a declaration of defiance against the sovereign deity in whom Hezekiah places his faith. Hezekiah responds by laying Sennacherib's derisive missive before the Lord in supplication. The divine response is swift and unequivocal. Through the prophet Isaiah, Hezekiah is reassured that the braggadocio of the Assyrians is unfounded. Isaiah's prophecies foretell the futility of Jerusalem's siege and the eventual demise of Sennacherib, all of which come to pass. The lesson for us is clear: our reliance should be placed unwaveringly in the Lord. Those steadfast in their faith are likened to Mount Zion, unmovable and enduring (Psalm 125:1). In the Gospel of today, our Savior imparts the timeless maxim, "Do unto others as you woul
Post a Comment
Read more