Homily for Holy Thursday 2015 (April 2, 2015)

May Jesus Christ be praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.

Isaiah tells us and Saint Paul reminds us, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news. Ten years ago tonight, the whole world was keeping vigil by the light from a single room.  The whole world was keeping vigil because, ten years ago tonight, Pope John Paul II, was dying.  The light from his room kept burning until he had passed from this world to the house of the Father.  Pope John Paul II had come to the end of his earthly journey.  This was the journey from Wadowice to Krakow, from Krakow to Rome, and from Rome to the whole world.  He had traveled the world.  He had walked in the path of triumph and tragedy.  He had walked in the path of suffering and adversity.  He had walked to the Eucharistic Sacrifice on the Altar of the World and he had walked the way of the Cross in his own life.  Pope John Paul II brought the good news.  With Isaiah and with Saint Paul, and with the whole Church we can acclaim that indeed, his feet were beautiful.

Tonight, the Lord Jesus asks for the feet of his disciples.  This is a strange request.  They have followed him for three years.  They have proclaimed his Word.  They have cured the sick, cast out demons, fed the crowds, and seen the dead raised to life. And now Jesus asks them for their feet.  He wants to wash their feet.  He wants to perform for them the humble service of the servant.  Though the Lord Jesus is the host of the banquet and he is the meal that is shared, he wants to be of service to his servants.  He wants to wash their feet.

Our feet give us freedom.  Our feet give us control.  It was likely the most joyful day of our young lives when we learned to use our feet to walk.  It was likely one of the most terrifying days for our parents when we learned to use our feet to walk.  We had freedom.  We had control.  We were no longer bound to be carried in the arms of our mother or our father.  Our feet gave us freedom.

And Jesus asks us for our feet.

My head was washed in the waters of Baptism and my forehead was anointed and I received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation.  My hands were consecrated by the Chrism of Salvation on the day that I received the priesthood by the imposition of apostolic hands.  By the power of his word, the tender mercy of his love and the gift of his Body and Blood, the Lord Jesus has taken possession of my heart and my soul.  And now the Lord Jesus asks for my feet.

Will I give my feet to Jesus Christ?  Will I let him touch and claim and wash my feet?  Will I give to him in love the freedom that he has given to me?  If I give my feet to Jesus Christ then I will have a part with him.  If I give my feet to Jesus Christ and let him be a servant to me, then I will become a servant to him, and to you.  If I give my feet to Jesus Christ he will guide my steps to the mountaintop.  He will guide my steps to the upper room and the altar.  He will guide my steps to the garden and to Calvary.  If I give my feet to Jesus Christ, he will guide my steps along the path that he chooses.  If I give my feet to Jesus Christ, he will guide my steps along the path that leads to his kingdom.  If I give my feet to Jesus Christ, then I will walk with Him.

At the end of this Mass we will walk with Jesus to the garden.  We will keep vigil with the Lord by the light of this single room.  Tonight we give our feet to Jesus Christ and we remain with him.

Preached at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC

Homily for March 22, 2015 (5th Sunday of Lent A)

May Jesus Christ be praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.

Yes Lord, I believe.  These are the words professed by Martha of Bethany.  Yes Lord, I believe.  Before she witnessed her brother Lazarus raised from the dead, Martha professed her faith in the power of Jesus Christ.  Yes Lord, I believe.

Martha, like her sister Mary and her brother Lazarus, was loved by Jesus.  They were privileged to listen to him.  They were privileged to welcome him.  They were privileged to know the Lord Jesus.  And when Lazarus became ill, it was Martha and Mary who sent word to the Lord Jesus.  They knew that he had the power to heal their brother.  They would be privileged to see the full power of the resurrection and the promise of life in Jesus Christ.

Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord God had promised to open the graves of his people and call them to life in the Promised Land.  The Lord God promised to place his spirit, the spirit of life and the spirit of faith, in the hearts of his people.  This is the spirit that Paul proclaims.  This is the spirit of life and power.  This is the spirit of the resurrection.  This is the spirit of the promise in which Mary and Lazarus and Martha of Bethany placed their faith.  This is the spirit that conquers death and brings life.

Yes Lord, I believe.  Martha spoke these words in sadness and darkness.  Her brother had died, her sister was at home with the mourners, but the Lord Jesus was near.  She had called for him, and he had come to Bethany.  She announced her sorrow at the death of Lazarus, but pronounced her faith in the power of Jesus.  She revealed her belief in the resurrection of the righteous ones on the last day, but Jesus Christ revealed something more.  The power of the resurrection at the last day in which Martha believed, was speaking to her.  She heard the words of promise from the one who is the promise.  She is the first to hear the promise of the resurrection.  She is the first to hear the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Yes Lord, I believe.  Martha professed her faith before she had seen the promise fulfilled.  Martha professed her faith in the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in anticipation of the glory that is to be revealed.  And so do we.  Martha made her profession of faith near a tomb that was sealed.  She professed her faith in the one whom she knew, the one whose voice she heard, and the one whose teaching she had learned.  Martha professed her faith in the promise of the resurrection because of her faith in the one who made the promise. And the promise of the resurrection that was made to Mary and Martha and Lazarus of Bethany is made to you and to me.

Yes Lord, I believe.  Amen.

Preached at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC

Homily for March 15, 2015 (4th Lent A)

May Jesus Christ be praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.

He was called for glory, but the glory was not his own.  Among all of his brothers, David was called for glory, but the glory was not his own.  It was for the glory of God that David was called to be king.  It was for the glory of God that the Spirit rushed upon David with the anointing by the prophet Samuel.  It was for the glory of God that he was called.

It was for the glory of God that the man born blind was healed.  He did not ask to be healed.  He did not cry out to the Lord Jesus.  The Lord Jesus looked upon him with the eyes of mercy.  The Lord Jesus looked upon him with love.  The Lord Jesus took clay into his hands, just as the Lord God had taken clay to form Adam in the Garden of Eden.  Rubbing the clay on the eyes of the man born blind the Lord Jesus gave him sight.  This was not an act of restoration.  The Lord Jesus did not give sight back to the man.  This was a new act of creation.  It was a new act of creation for the glory of God.

Saint Paul tells us that we were once in darkness.  We were once separated from the light.  But Christ in his mercy came to us.  Before we could call out to him, before we could pronounce his name, Christ Jesus came to us in his mercy.  He came to us as the Light of the World while we were still in darkness.  The Lord Jesus invites us and Saint Paul reminds us that we are called to live as children of the light.  We are called to live in the light of glory, but the glory is not our own.  Like David we have been anointed.  Like David the Spirit of God has rushed upon us.  Like David we have been called to glory, but the glory is not our own.  We do not live for ourselves.  We do not live for our own glory, but for the glory of him who died and rose again for us.  It is for the glory of God that we have been called.  It is for the glory of God that the dawn from on high has broken upon us.  It is for the glory of God that we have been recreated in the waters of the baptismal font.

The man born blind was marked with clay by the hands of Christ and washed in the pool of Siloam.  We were marked with the sign of the Cross by apostolic hands and washed in the saving waters of the baptism.  The Lord Jesus has looked upon us with mercy.  The Lord Jesus has looked upon us with love.  He has come to us.  He has called us.  And by his grace he has made us radiant lights that shine to the glory of God.  Amen.  

Preached at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC

Homily for March 8, 2015 (3rd Sunday of Lent)

May Jesus Christ be praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.

She left her water jar at the well.  The Samaritan woman, who came to the well to draw water, left her water jar.  The water jar, the one thing needed to carry the water that was needed, and she left it at the well.  Something incredible, something amazing, must have happened to this woman at the well.

Wells are interesting places.  Many interesting things happen wherever people gather for water.  A well is a place of hospitality.  It is a place to be renewed and refreshed.  In the Scriptures, a well is even a place where future spouses meet each other.  Interesting things happen at the well. 

At the well, the Samaritan woman met Jesus.  The Lord Jesus was waiting at the well.  She was seeking water.  In the heat of the day, she was seeking water.  Seeking one of the most basic needs of life, the Samaritan woman encountered the one who gives eternal life.  He asked her for a cup of water.  He approached her in her solitude.  He broke through the barriers that separated them so that he could speak to her of the living water that would unite them.  Even though Jesus knew her past, he spoke of the promise of her future.  He awakened her faith.  He gave her hope.  He showed her the love that passes all understanding.  Through sin and separation the voice of the Lord broke through.  Through sin and separation the voice of the Lord spoke to her.  And she left her water jar at the well.

Saint Paul tells us that while we were still helpless, Christ died for us.  While we were still sinners, Christ gave himself up for us.  We did not deserve his love or his mercy.  We could not deserve his love or his mercy.  Like the Israelites in the desert, we were in need and we were helpless.  Like the Israelites in the desert, we were tempted by Egypt, and we were far from the Promised Land.  Yet while we were still helpless Christ died for us.  While we were still sinners, Christ gave himself up for us.  We were thirsty, and Christ gave us living water to drink.  We did not meet him at the well, but at the baptismal font.

The Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well, and she left her water jar.  We met Jesus at the baptismal font, and we left original sin and separation.  The Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well and her faith poured forth like a spring within her.  She left her water jar because nothing could be as important as announcing the presence of the Holy One and bringing people to Jesus.  She came to the well with an empty water jar and she left the well with the water of life and the message of salvation.  Something incredible, something amazing happened to the woman at the well.  Jesus was waiting for her at the well, and she met him.  Jesus is waiting for us too.  Amen.

Preached at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC

Homily for March 1, 2015 (2nd Lent B)

May Jesus Christ be praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.

It is a word of encouragement and a moment of promise.  The transfiguration of the Lord Jesus on the high mountain, when the splendor of his glory was revealed, is a word of encouragement and a moment of promise.  We need this word, dear brothers and sisters, and we need this promise.

On the high mountain with Peter, James and John the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father was revealed.  In the presence of Peter, James and John, Elijah the Prophet and Moses the giver of the Law conversed with the Lord Jesus.  On the high mountain the voice of the Father gave testimony about his Son.  It was a word of encouragement and a moment of promise.  It was a revelation of the glory to be revealed, before the days of suffering in Jerusalem.  It was a gift of the Father, who is giving the world the gift of his Son.

The disciples of Jesus had heard that he is going to Jerusalem, and they had heard the prediction of the cross.  It is for them a time of confusion and a time of doubt.  It is the same kind of doubt and confusion experienced by Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice Isaac.  It is a time of confusion and doubt before the mystery of a loving God.  It is a time of confusion and doubt before the reality of suffering and death.  It is time of confusion and doubt for these people of faith on the high mountain.  And the response of God is a word of encouragement and a moment of promise.

The voice of the Father gives testimony about his Son.  The voice of the Father invites us to listen to the Beloved Son.  The presence of Elijah and Moses, the representatives of the Law and the Prophets, give testimony about the Lord Jesus.  The presence of Elijah and Moses, give the disciples encouragement that this Jesus is the one through whom the law was given and for whom the prophets spoke.  They were signs of encouragement because they were believers in the promise.

Only ten days into our Lenten journey and we need a word of encouragement and a moment of promise.  We have not been invited up a high mountain, but to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, to the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven.  We have been invited to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and in our midst the words of the law and the prophets are proclaimed.  We are offered here the word of encouragement.  We are offered here a moment of promise.  We are offered here, a share in the glory that will be revealed.  We are promised here, a time to be with Jesus.  It is good Lord that we are here.  Amen.

Preached at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC

Homily for February 22, 2015 (1st Sunday of Lent B)

May Jesus Christ be praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.

Every Lent I seem to do the same things.  I think about the great season of Lent and the joy of preparing for the great feast of Easter, and I start to plan.  I will make this sacrifice.  I will not eat this particular food.  I will say these additional prayers.  I will take more time to be alone with God alone.  I will be nicer.  I will be more patient. 

And then, in the midst of all of those plans, I am surprised when Lent begins.  It happens so quickly.  One evening it is Ordinary Time and the next morning is Ash Wednesday.  I have to make my list of prayers.  I have to remember which foods I promised not to eat.  I need to choose another sacrifice for Lent.  I need to make another promise to God.  I need to slow down, but quickly.  There is so much to do.  There are so many promises to make and promises to keep.

Every Lent I seem to do the same things.  But maybe this Lent, things could be different.  Maybe this Lent, I will not worry so much about the sacrifices that I should make.  Maybe this Lent, I will not worry so much about eating this food or that one.  Maybe this Lent, I will not try to add any more prayers to my day.  Maybe this Lent I will choose only one thing, because only one thing is truly important.  Only one thing really matters: following Jesus Christ.

We will follow Jesus Christ, from the baptism to the desert, and from the desert to his preaching.  We will follow him with the sick and we will follow him with the sinners.  We will follow him up the mountain.  We will follow him to the Upper Room.  We will follow him to a court room, and to a lonely cross.  We will follow Jesus Christ this Lent.

This Lent, things will be different.  We will not focus on our sacrifices, but on His Sacrifice.  We will not focus on eating this food or that one, but on being fed by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.  This Lent, we will say our prayers, but we will focus not on the number of prayers, but on the God to whom we pray.  This Lent, things will be different.

The Lord Jesus began his preaching with a simple message: “The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” We begin this season of Lent with a simple goal: to follow Jesus Christ.  He will lead and we will follow.  He will speak and we will hear.  He will feed us and we will be filled.  He will promise, and we will be changed.

This Lent will be different.  Amen. 

Preached at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC

Homily for February 15, 2015 (6th Sunday B)

May Jesus Christ be praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.

He was willing to admit that he was sick.  The leper was willing to admit that he needed healing.  And he begged that the Lord Jesus would be willing to heal him.

The law required that lepers live outside the city.  They were isolated.  They were separated.  The lepers had to constantly announce that they were unclean.  The lepers were forbidden from approaching people until they were healed.  They were isolated.  They were separated.  They were rejected.  They were alone.  The lepers were far from society, but the Lord Jesus drew near to them. Jesus entered into the isolation.  Jesus broke into the separation.  

The leper kneeling at the feet of Jesus did not first announce his sickness.  The leper did not first reveal his pain.  The leper confessed his faith in the power of God present in the Lord Jesus.  The leper announced his belief in the divine power and made a claim upon the divine will.  And then he was willing to admit that he was sick.  He was willing to admit that he needed healing.  And he begged that the Lord Jesus would be willing to heal him.

The healing took place very quickly.  The compassion of the heart of Christ extended his hand in healing.  The Eternal Word spoke and the leper was healed.  The leper was given a command to show himself to the priest so that the leper, now cured, could be restored to the community.  The leper was given a command to offer a sacrifice, an act of thanksgiving to God.  He was given a command to be silent, so that the mission of the Lord Jesus would not simply be bound to physical healings. The leper was willing to admit that he was sick.  He was willing to admit that he needed healing.  And he had begged that the Lord Jesus would be willing to heal him.

We may not be lepers, dear brothers and sisters, but our souls are blemished by sin.  The unkind word, the temper lost, the broken trust and the broken promise stain our baptismal garments and lead us into separation and isolation.  In our rejection of the law of God we lessen our share in the life of God. We become separated, isolated, and alone. 

But the Lord Jesus draws near to us.  The Lord Jesus, by the grace of his call, invites us to admit that we are sick.  The Lord Jesus invites us to admit that we need healing.  Not in the public streets do we admit our weaknesses and our sins, but in the sacred and secret tribunal of the mercy of God.  We come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to confess our faith in the goodness and the power of God.  We come to admit our need for healing.  We come to admit that we have broken our promise, but we know that the Lord God is faithful to his promise.  Through the ministry of his priest, the Lord Jesus stretches out his hand in healing.  Through the voice of his priest, the Lord Jesus speaks the word of mercy and the word of healing.  He is willing to heal us.  He is willing to forgive us.  Dear brothers and sisters, let us run to him!  Amen.

Preached at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC