May 5, 2021

R. During the 5th Prayer Service the candle turned orangeish gold and all the statues and the candle was plain.
 

May 5, 2021

 

May 5, 2021

 

R. We are preparing Fr. Joe's next homily book from 2004 for the priest mailing.

This is a new book, our priestly writing for Cycle C.

We pray for this.
Here is a sample homily from the new book.
This is a typical Sunday.

Please pray and support this for our priests.

Every book has the prayers in the prayer manual for the priests, the Church and the world.

 

Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

1 Kings 19: 15-16, 19-21

'Go,' Yahweh said, 'go back by the same way to the desert of Damascus. You must go and anoint Hazael as king of Aram. You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, of Abel-Meholah, as prophet to succeed you.

Leaving there, he came on Elisha son of Shaphat as he was ploughing behind twelve yoke of oxen, he himself being with the twelfth. Elijah passed near to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. 'Let me kiss my father and mother, then I will follow you,' he said. Elijah answered, 'Go, go back; for have I done anything to you?' Elisha turned away, took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He used the oxen's tackle for cooking the meat, which he gave the people to eat. He then rose and, following Elijah, became his servant.

 

Psalm 16: 5-11

[In a quiet voice Of David]

My birthright, my cup is Yahweh;
you, you alone, hold my lot secure.

The measuring-line marks out for me a delightful place,
my birthright is all I could wish.

I bless Yahweh who is my counsellor,
even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep Yahweh before me always,
for with him at my right hand, nothing can shake me. 

So my heart rejoices, my soul delights,
my body too will rest secure,
for you will not abandon me to Sheol,
you cannot allow your faithful servant to see the abyss.
You will teach me the path of life,
unbounded joy in your presence,
at your right hand delight for ever.

 

Galatians 5: 1, 13-25

Christ set us free, so that we should remain free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be fastened again to the yoke of slavery.

    After all, brothers, you were called to be free; do not use your freedom as an opening for self–indulgence, but be servants to one another in love, since the whole of the Law is summarised in the one commandment: You must love your neighbour as yourself. If you go snapping at one another and tearing one another to pieces, take care: you will be eaten up by one another.

    Instead, I tell you, be guided by the Spirit, and you will no longer yield to self–indulgence. The desires of self–indulgence are always in opposition to the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are in opposition to self–indulgence: they are opposites, one against the other; that is how you are prevented from doing the things that you want to. But when you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery; antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things. And about these, I tell you now as I have told you in the past, that people who behave in these ways will not inherit the kingdom of God. On the other hand the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control; no law can touch such things as these. All who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified self with all its passions and its desires. Since we are living by the Spirit, let our behaviour be guided by the Spirit

 

Luke 9: 51-62

Now it happened that as the time drew near for him to be taken up, he resolutely turned his face towards Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village.

As they travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.’ 

    Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me,’ replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’ 

    Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say good–bye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery; antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things. And about these, I tell you now as I have told you in the past, that people who behave in these ways will not inherit the kingdom of God. On the other hand the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control; no law can touch such things as these. All who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified self with all its passions and its desires. Since we are living by the Spirit, let our behaviour be guided by the Spirit

  

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time 

 July 11, 2004

INTRODUCTION – (Deuteronomy 30: 9-14; Psalm 25: 3-9; Colossians 1: 1-14; Luke 10: 25-37) The Book of Deuteronomy is a series of sermons addressed to the people of Israel by Moses right before they were to enter the Promised Land. Moses had led them from the slavery of Egypt and was with them for many years as they traveled through the Sinai desert. You might remember Moses knew he would die before the people could enter their Promised Land, so he is in a sense giving them some last words of wisdom before he would have to leave them. Today’s first reading begins with an incomplete sentence: “If only you would heed the voice of the Lord…” The sentence presupposes a thought such as: “God will bless you, if only you would heed the voice of the Lord…”  The passage goes on to stress that what God wants from his people is no hidden mystery. God has been very clear as to how he wants us to live. This concept connects with today’s gospel when a scholar of the law asks Jesus to interpret for him what God wants of any of us. Jesus’ reply to the man’s question shows that he already had the answer he was looking for. Almost instinctively, we all know what God wants of all of us. It is not the problem, but living it is.   

HOMILY – I have two confessions to make. The first one is not exactly relevant to today’s readings, but I though you might enjoy it. While I was working on my sermon Friday afternoon, I was reading over old sermons I had preached in past years looking for ideas and I almost put myself to sleep. So if anyone nods off, I won’t be offended.   

The second confession I have to make is about Jesus’ parable. In the early days of my priesthood, I didn’t like to have to read this gospel. I thought it always gave priests a bad rap. Priests are supposed to be good, caring, always willing to help others. We all know, unfortunately, they are not always that way. I have to humbly confess there were times when I’ve been like the priest or Levite in the story. I’ve turned people down who were looking for help. I’ve been taken by all kinds of people, even people I’ve trusted, and I’ve been taken big time, and I’m not just talking about a few hundred dollars! I have to admit I’ve grown less trusting as I’ve gotten older. Love is not just a matter of reaching out to help someone, it’s also a matter of how much you are willing to risk being hurt or letting someone use you or take advantage of you. I think this is one of the hard lessons in today’s gospel.   

You know, the Jewish man was a victim of robbers could have been dead. If so, it would have disqualified the priest and Levite from participation in Jewish worship for several days, because contact with a dead person made a Jew ritually unclean according to the Law. I remember a few years ago a rabbi doing a funeral service for a friend of mine, and the rabbi stood outside on the porch of the funeral home saying the prayers and giving the sermon. By law he could not even enter the funeral home.  If the victim in Jesus’ story were dead, the priest and Levite were doing what the Jewish law required of them if they were going to participate in any religious service.  On the other hand, what if he were a decoy.  The robbers could have been hiding nearby, waiting for someone to try to help this poor man, then they would have one more person they could pounce on.  Being a good Samaritan is risky business, and that’s what love is. It is risky business too. Our Lord is telling us in today’s gospel love demands we sometimes stick our necks out and take the risk of being hurt or being used or taken advantage of.   

When Jesus said the two greatest commandments were about love: love of God and love of neighbor, the Jewish scholar asked Jesus another question: “And who is my neighbor?” You might recall that there was great animosity between Jews and Samaritans, so in introducing a Samaritan into the story, Jesus shows us “neighbor” could be anyone, even someone we despise.   

There is another question I wish the Jewish scholar had asked. I wish he had asked Jesus “And what is love.” In our modern culture love is such a fuzzy concept and is equated in most people’s minds with something that makes me feel good. I think if I pray and I feel good, I am loving God. If I pray and I feel as if I’m not getting anything out of it, I feel like I’m wasting my time. If I do something for someone else and I feel good, I think I’ve been a loving person. If I do something for someone and they don’t say thanks or don’t seem to appreciate it or just take me for granted, I don’t feel good and decide it wasn’t worth it.  Modern culture has taught us to measure every loving act by our feelings, our reward, our payback. Sure sometimes we pray and feel good and sometimes we do something for someone and feel good about it. But sometimes we don’t.  Love is measured by what we give, (to God, worship and praise, to others what good things we do for them); it’s not measured by the good we get out of what we do. The Good Samaritan may have felt good doing what he did, or he may felt burdened by the extra stress and inconvenience this put on him. Jesus doesn’t tell us how the Samaritan felt. He tells us of the good thing he did.   

While we speak of the Good Samaritan, I might point out our Good Samaritan window. But our best example of love is right here at Mass. Jesus came to us and was willing to give all to save us. We were the person needing to be rescued from ignorance, sin and death and he came along as the Good Samaritan and gave his life for us. We not only have his example of love in this Eucharist, but we are united with him so that we can be empowered to love others in the same way. In our Eucharist (a Greek word which means “thanksgiving”) we thank God for all he has done for us in Jesus and we ask his help to become more loving as he has taught us. Amen. 

April 21, 2021

 Glorious Mysteries

 

The Resurrection

1. On the third day Jesus came forth from the tomb.

2. Jesus was buried and a big stone was put at the entrance of the tomb.

3. Jesus rose victorious.

4. Glory, glory, glory Lord.

5. Sing song: Glory, Glory, Glory Lord.

6. Jesus died for our sins.

7. Jesus gives us a sharing in His life in baptism.

8. Our knowing and loving capacity is elevated in baptism.

9. We receive the supernatural virtues of faith, hope, and love in baptism.

10. God created us and loves us so much He wants us eternally with Him in heaven.

 

The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven

1. Jesus appeared to the Apostles in His glorified Body after the Resurrection.

2. The Apostles were afraid.

3. They hid in the upper room.

4. Jesus took them out to a town near Bethany.

5. Jesus raised His arms and ascended into heaven.

6. The Apostles were awestruck at this sight.

7. They did not really comprehend what was happening.

8. They went to the upper room and prayed with the Virgin Mary.

9. Jesus told them, He would die and on the third day rise from the dead.

10. Jesus did as He said.

 

The Decent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Virgin Mary

1. The Holy Spirit came upon the Virgin Mary and the Apostles.

2. The Apostles were transformed from fear to fearlessness.

3. There appeared over their heads parted tongues of fire.

4. This is Pentecost.

5. Acts 2: 1-4

When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together, when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves.

6. Sing: Veni Sancte Spiritus

7. From the Lectionary

                        Pentecost Sequence

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
    Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
    Come, within our bosoms shine!

You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul's most welcome guest;
    Sweet refreshment here below;

In our Labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
    Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
    And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, man has naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
    Nothing free from taint of ill!

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
    Wash the stains of guilt away;

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
    Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
    In your sev'nfold gift descend;

Give them virtue's sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
    Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.
 

8. Sing: Come Holy Ghost

9. Sing: Come Holy Spirit

10. From the Shepherds of Christ Prayer Manual

Holy Spirit Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting Your inspirations. Amen.

  
 

The Assumption

1. Mary is Our Mother.

2. Sing: Immaculate Mary

3. Consecration to Jesus

4. Consecration to Mary

5. Mary was taken up to heaven body and soul.

6. Sing: See the Eyes that Look at Mary

7. Mary's Heart is One with Jesus.

8. I give my heart to Jesus and Mary with you in love.

9. From the Mass Book

There are five blasphemies against Mary. They are against her Immaculate Conception, against her virginity, against her as the Mother of God, against her images and statues, against her as mother of her children.

10. Spread the rosary and Consecration to School children, Mary says.

 

Mary is Queen of Heaven and Earth

1. Sing: Hail Holy Queen

2. Sing: Ave Ave Ave Maria

3. Mary has powerful intercession.

4. Mary is the Queen of Peace.

5. We consecrate the Church and the world to Mary.

6. We consecrate our family to Jesus and Mary.

7. Mary says the family that prays together, stays together.

8. Mary says Pray the rosary.

9. Mary says consecrate your hearts to her and Jesus.

10. We put our family in the Heart of Mary.

    Amen.