31st Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Friday - Imitators of the holy ones or Enemies of the Cross

Throughout the Scriptures, the Word of God helps us to understand the difference between good and bad. In the first pages of Scripture, we see God imposing order over the forces of chaos, separating light from darkness. In the Garden, Adam and Eve have a choice between trust and disobedience. Deuteronomy speaks of the way of life and the way of death. Jesus speaks of two gates, one that leads to destruction, the other that leads to life. Jesus teaches how at the Judgement God will separate the sheep from the goats. 

In today’s passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the Apostle differentiates between two types of people: Brothers and Sisters in Christ who Imitate Paul's Example, and the Enemies of the Cross of Christ.

The enemies of the Cross live in ways that are contrary to the message and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Their lifestyle negates the principles of self-denial and sacrificial love that the cross represents. They are driven by earthly appetites and sensual desires. Their focus is entirely on worldly matters—material possessions, status, and temporal pleasures. And Paul explains, their end is destruction. 

The Brothers and Sisters of Christ, on the other hand, align their lives with the teachings and example of Christ. They are not focused soley on the world, because they believe their ultimate citizenship is in heaven, and this earthly life isn’t simply for satisfying bodily urges and appetites, but preparing for eternity. 

Paul urges the brothers and sisters in Christ to remain steadfast in their faith because we live in the midst of a lot of bad examples who engaging in behaviors contrary to Christ’s teaching, promoting immorality, selfishness, and rebellion against God's commands. 

So Paul says, look to the holy ones in order become not earthly minded, but heavenly minded, focusing on eternal truths, spiritual growth, and the coming of Christ.

At the beginning of the month of November, we celebrated the feast of the Saints, those holy ones whose examples we need to keep every in focus. These citizens of heaven teach us how to live with God’s kingdom as our primary allegiance rather than allegiance to worldly systems and values---those opposing the message of the Gospel.

Paul’s exhortation encourages us to examine our lives to ensure that we are not conforming ourselves to this age, as he writes to the Romans, but we are seeking the renewal of our minds and hearts and souls to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. 

May the Holy Spirit help us to imitate the saints in following Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in God's mercy and guided by His Word, let us bring our prayers before Him, seeking the grace to live as faithful disciples.

For the Church: That all members may imitate the example of Christ and the saints, standing firm in faith and resisting the allure of worldly values.

For our leaders: That those in positions of authority may promote justice and moral integrity, helping to build a truly righteous society.

For our community: That we may support one another and set good example for each other in seeking the renewal of our minds and hearts, focusing on eternal truths over temporal pleasures.

For the youth: That they may be inspired by the lives of the saints to choose the path of righteousness and self-denial.

For those facing heavy crosses of illness, loneliness, or hardship, that they may experience God's sustaining presence and our compassionate care.

We pray in a special way during this Month of November for all of the faithful departed; for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, that they may experience the fullness of God's grace in eternal life. 

Heavenly Father, hear the prayers of Your people. Grant us the grace to turn away from earthly distractions and to embrace the path that leads to eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

31st Week in Ordinary Time 2024 - Tuesday - The humble attitude of Christ

Today's reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians is one of the most beloved passages in the New Testament—Paul's Christological hymn. 

The hymn focuses on Christ—his pre-existence as the co-equal eternal Son of the Father, his incarnation, his humble self-emptying, and his saving death on the cross. Paul uses this hymn to teach the Philippians about humility, urging them to emulate Christ's attitude in their relationships with one another. True Christian unity depends on each member of the community sharing the humble mindset of Christ, who was obedient to the Father's will.

How are we called to embody this Christ-like humility? First, like Christ who "did not regard equality with God something to be grasped," we must let go of our need to always be in control--or to prove your opinion correct. This might mean listening more than speaking or admitting when we've made a mistake rather than defending our pride.

Second, as Christ "took the form of a servant," we too must seek opportunities to serve, especially in ways that might seem beneath our status. This could mean being the first to volunteer for unglamorous tasks, helping a colleague even when we're busy, or quietly doing household chores that no one notices.

Third, following Christ's example of being "obedient unto death," we are called to persevere in doing good even when it costs us. This might mean caring for other people despite our own fatigue, remaining patient those with whom we disagree, or standing up for truth even when it makes us unpopular.

In Holy Communion today, we approach the one who empties himself that we may be full of life. As St. Augustine said, to receive Holy Communion worthily we must seek to become what we receive—not one who grasps at power, but one who seeks to serve.

Jesus makes of himself a total offering, a total gift of himself for the good of others, and every Christian must strive to make that the animating force of their life. This certainly involves seeking conversion from pride to humility every day. 

Let us pray for the grace to empty ourselves as Christ did, that we may decrease so He may increase in us. May we, like Christ, become bread broken for others, poured out in loving service to all we meet for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For unity in the Church, faithfulness to right teaching, detachment from worldly vices, courage in the Church’s evangelizing mission, and humility in all of our interactions and relationships.

May citizens of our nation today take seriously the responsibility of voting. May our election system be free from corruption and may its integrity be defended. May civility prevail in all of our political affairs and may those with differing political views may work together for a good, just, and righteous society. May our most sacred liberties be protected, especially the right to life.

For all victims of war, for peace in the Holy Land, an end to the violence and the consolation of the suffering. May God come to the assistance of the communities and families devastated by terrorism and war; and may world leaders work together for peace. 

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance, and that Christians will be instruments of God’s mercy for all those in need.  

We pray in a special way during this Month of November for all of the faithful departed; for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

6th Week of Easter 2024 - Tuesday - Evangelical suffering

 Even when we are trying to do the tasks that God gives us without calling attention to ourselves, we may be unfairly treated. 

When St. Paul performed an exorcism in Philippi, he and Silas were arrested, beaten, and thrown in jail. 

But notice how the story from the Acts of the Apostles led to the conversion of the jailor. Tied to a stake in the innermost prison cell, they sang hymns and taught about Jesus. Even when Christians experience injustice at the hands of unbelievers, God can bring good out of the sufferings we endure. 

Keeping the faith when those sufferings come our way is not easy. Praising God while suffering injustice is the last thing most people would do. But when we are animated by faith and the desire to save souls those injustices are transformed into opportunities to build the kingdom of God. 

Now Paul and Silas were eventually freed from prison in Philip and continued to sew the seeds of the Gospel there before moving on to Thessalonica and Athens.

Five years later, Paul writes to the Christians in Philip in his famous letter to the Philippians. And in his opening address he writes to them, “I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you…I want you to know, brothers, that my situation has turned out rather to advance the gospel, so that my imprisonment has become well known in Christ throughout the whole praetorium and to all the rest”

Paul looked back on his time in Philippi, including his imprisonment, with gratitude because he had used his time for God. We never regret the time we give to God, even the times when we suffer. For Paul's suffering, faithfully endured, became evangelical, an instrument of the Gospel.

But so often, we have the intention of doing something good, but we get a small glimpse of potential suffering and discomfort, and we run away, and decide to spend the time on ourselves, on something easier—but ultimately less fulfilling—and we are unhappier for it.

Rather, let us take to heart Paul’s injunction to the Philippians, when he says, “conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, not intimidated in any way by your opponents.”

 May news of our faithful conduct, our works of charity, our efforts for the Gospel resound for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Even when we are trying to do the tasks that God gives us without calling attention to ourselves, we may be unfairly treated.

When St. Paul performed an exorcism in Philippi, he and Silas were arrested, beaten, and thrown in jail.

But notice how the story from the Acts of the Apostles led to the conversion of the jailor. Tied to a stake in the innermost prison cell, they sang hymns and taught about Jesus. Even when Christians experience injustice at the hands of unbelievers, God can bring good out of the sufferings we endure.

Keeping the faith when those sufferings come our way is not easy. Praising God while suffering injustice is the last thing most people would do. But when we are animated by faith and the desire to save souls those injustices are transformed into opportunities to build the kingdom of God.

Now Paul and Silas were eventually freed from prison in Philip and continued to sew the seeds of the Gospel there before moving on to Thessalonica and Athens.

Five years later, Paul writes to the Christians in Philip in his famous letter to the Philippians. And in his opening address he writes to them, “I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you…I want you to know, brothers, that my situation has turned out rather to advance the gospel, so that my imprisonment has become well known in Christ throughout the whole praetorium and to all the rest”

Paul looked back on his time in Philippi, including his imprisonment, with gratitude because he had used his time for God. We never regret the time we give to God, even the times when we suffer.

But so often, we have the intention of doing something good, but we get a small glimpse of potential suffering and discomfort, and we run away, and decide to spend the time on ourselves, on something easier—but ultimately less fulfilling—and we are unhappier for it.

Rather, let us take to heart Paul’s injunction to the Philippians, when he says, “conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, not intimidated in any way by your opponents.”

 May news of our faithful conduct, our works of charity, our efforts for the Gospel resound for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

31st Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Monday - Strive for Unity

 St. Paul, in his mission to build up the Church, both sought to convert non-believers and also strengthen the faith of those who had already begun to believe.

Scripture contains fourteen letters attributed to St. Paul in which he helps to lead Christians deeper into union with Christ. But each of those letters has its own unique themes and goals. The letter to the Philippians is neither a treatise on systematic theology, like Paul’s epistle to the Romans, nor is it a practical, moral letter answering many specific questions and local problems, like I Corinthians.  Rather, Philippians is a pastoral letter in which Paul expresses his love for the Philippians and shepherds them to a deeper love of Christ and each other.

And he states this pretty clearly in today’s reading, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love”

Through faith and baptism Christians are joined together and joined to God. Unity of divided humanity has been brought about by God through Christ. But…unity also requires work on our part.

The Catechism speaks of this when it says, “Christ always gives his Church the gift of unity, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity that Christ wills for her (CCC 820).”

We are united to God through Christ. And we are united to each other through Christ so much so that every Christian who has ever lived in any part of the world is called our brother and sister. Our unity is part of Christ’s victory—he died to rejoin what was severed in sin—a loss of unity with God and each other. And that unity heals and restores what was lost. And by our unity, we witness to the world of what God has done for us through Christ.

We have a vocation—to be one—to be united in faith and united in love, as St. Paul explains today. And this requires that we cooperate with the grace of God—through real effort and will on our part. Again, the Catechism lays this out nicely:

Permanent renewal in unity, the catechism says requires constant “conversion of heart” on the part of the faithful, seeking to live holier lives according to the Gospel." It is the unfaithfulness to the Gospel which continues to cause divisions, so we must seek constant conversion.

Unity requires common prayer. The family that prays together stays together, and that’s true for the Church. But also people who are experiencing division also need to pray together, for change in heart, and unity, comes through seeking God’s will in prayer. 

Unity comes through fraternal knowledge of each other. Christians should seek to know each other, share our lives with each other, and our needs and trials with each other. We can’t know everyone perfectly, but people who pray together should share their life stories with each other. Spaghetti dinners and clambakes and parish picnics and nametag/donut Sundays and opening up your homes for small prayer groups serve this purpose. 

There shouldn’t be a single person who comes into this church building for more than a few weeks, who would say, “no one knows me, no one reached to me”. If you see a stranger, please greet them.

Concern for achieving unity "involves the whole Church, faithful and clergy alike” may each of us respond to God’s grace in fulfilling Christ’s Last Supper prayer, that we may be one as he and the Father are one, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Gospel may be for divided humanity the source of unity and peace, and for a healing of sinful divisions within the Church.

That those seeking political office in the upcoming Election will be dedicated to authentic justice, peace, and the good of all.

As the month of October comes to a close, may the rosary of Our Lady be a source of great graces for the Church and for the world. 

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

31st Week in OT 2018 - Tuesday - The self-emptying of Christ

Today’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one of the most beloved passages in the entire New Testament—Paul’s Christological hymn also known as the Philippians Hymn.  Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians in the late 50s, yet scholars believe that the Philippians hymn predated the letter, a hymn that Paul may have encountered during an earlier missionary journey. So it is perhaps one of the oldest expressions of Christian faith dating back to the 40s or even possibly the 30s just years after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Our Lord.

This hymn encapsulates the humility of Jesus, which Paul is exhorting the Philippians to practice, especially in their conduct toward one another. Harmony and unity amongst Christians is predicated on each member of the community seeking to imitate, having the same attitude of, the humble Christ.
The hymn points out the Lord’s humility in his self-emptying, leaving his exalted status in heaven at the behest of his Father, to become a slave for our redemption. Obedience to the Holy Will of the Father is one mark of humility. Willingness to embrace suffering for the good of others is another.

Pope Benedict XVI, commenting on this passage wrote: “Christ, incarnated and humiliated in the most infamous death, that of crucifixion, is proposed as a vital model for the Christian…not content with gazing on us with a benign look from his throne of glory, [God] enters personally in human history, becoming "flesh," namely, fragile reality, conditioned by time and space…To penetrate into Jesus' sentiments means not to consider power, wealth and prestige as the highest values in life, as in the end, they do not respond to the deepest thirst of our spirit, but to open our heart to the Other, to bear with the Other the burden of life and to open ourselves to the Heavenly Father with a sense of obedience and trust, knowing, precisely, that if we are obedient to the Father, we will be free”

In Holy Communion today, we approach the one who empties himself that we may be full of life. May we pour ourselves out in humble Christian service for the unity of our Church and the good of those most in need, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may seek to imitate Jesus in his charity, compassion, self-sacrifice, and witness to the Truth.

On this Election Day, we pray that all those seeking political office will use their political influence selflessly to serve Christ’s kingdom of justice and peace.

That all Christians may seek to imitate the Lord Jesus ever-more deeply in his humble obedience to the Father’s Will.

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that they may know the goodness of God and the charity of the Church.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for whom we pray especially during this month of November, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

31st Week of OT 2018 - Monday - Putting on the mind of Christ

Throughout the week, our first reading will be taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul’s short four chapter letter to the Philippians, can easily be read in one sitting.

Philippi, in northeastern Greece, was a city of some importance located on a major trade route of the Roman Empire. Reading through this letter, you can tell that Paul has a special place in his heart for the Christians of Philippi.  And this makes sense, because according to the book of Acts, Philippi is the first Christian community established by Paul in Europe.

This letter is neither a treatise on systematic theology, like Paul’s epistle to the Romans, nor is it a practical, moral letter answering many specific questions and local problems, like I Corinthians.  Rather, Philippians is a pastoral, personal letter in which Paul expresses his love for the Philippians, his confidence in their progress in holiness, and his joy that the Gospel is spreading.  And he writes all this while in prison in Rome where he was awaiting death.

We will hear Philippians most famous passage tomorrow, Paul’s Christological Hymn—the song of Christ’s self-emptying---that Christ emptied himself and took the form of a slave and died on a cross.
But, today’s passage is like a mini-introduction to the hymn—Paul exhorts the Christians to, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.”  The “mind” they are to adopt is the “mind” or “attitude” of Jesus who humbled himself to the point of death on the cross, which will be sung about in the following verses. The servant-attitude of Christ isn’t just for some members of the community, but all of them.

Then he writes, “Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves”. This sort of humility was certainly counter-cultural for the Philippians, as it is today. In the Roman empire, one’s place in the imperial pecking order was of great concern. One was expected to pursue higher status with great ambition, willing to prove that you are better than the people and the classes below you.

“Compassion” and “mercy” were signs of weakness. The cultural attitude was to regard yourself as better than others and treat them that way.

Rather, Paul, instructs us to adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ in all things. Look for opportunities to practice compassion and mercy. Hold banquets for the poor and the outcasts, as the Lord instructs in the Gospel.  Do not worry about where you stand in the social order, in the eyes of your neighbors and coworkers. Rather, pour yourself out like Christ in service, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may seek to imitate Jesus in his charity, compassion, self-sacrifice, and witness to the Truth.

That those seeking political office tomorrow on Election Day will use their political influence selflessly to serve Christ’s kingdom of justice and peace..

That all Christians may be dedicated to the works of mercy, especially in serving the needs of the most vulnerable.

For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

Homily: Thursday - 31st Week in OT 2016 - "We are the circumcision"

Circumcision is mentioned briefly but prominently in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, as we heard this morning. The custom of circumcising males was an important identity marker for the ancient Hebrews—it was a sign of belonging to the God of Israel, and distinguished them from the non-circumcising nations like the Philistines and Babylonians.

The meaning of circumcision is given in Genesis chapter 17, where God instructs Abraham to circumcise himself and all his male descendants as a sign of the everlasting covenant between God and his people.

The Hebrew Scriptures would often use this idea of circumcision as a metaphor, speaking of the circumcision of the heart, the lips, and the ears. For example, before the Israelites enter the Promised Land, Moses calls them to a renewed dedication to the Lord by saying, “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and be no longer stiff-necked”. Allowing God to “circumcise your heart”, Deuteronomy says,  will enable you to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.

Circumcision is understood as a removal of a barrier, a renewed attentiveness and devotion to God’s Word. To circumcise the ears and lips is to remove a barrier to hearing and speaking the word of God. To circumcise the heart is to renew the barriers in your life to loving God.

So what a strange and amazing thing for Paul to say in “we, Christians, are the circumcision…we who worship through the Spirit of God…and do not trust in our flesh.” Paul is speaking of a vocation isn’t it…a vocation for Christians to help the rest of the world remove the barriers in their hearts to God…and we precisely fulfill that vocation by not putting our trust in vain, empty things.

We, who have had the barriers in our lives removed, need to help others do the same. When we are faithful to that vocation, when we help those lost in sin return to God, there is, as we heard in the Gospel, “much rejoicing in heaven.”

May the Holy Spirit continue to help us identify those parts of our minds and hearts that we do not give to God, so that we may be more effective in the work of mercy for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Homily: Monday - 31st Week in OT - Humbly regard others as more important

Having concluded our weekday reading of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we’ll read this week, Paul’s short four chapter letter to the Philippians.

Philippi, in northeastern Greece, was a city of some importance.  It was a city in the Roman province of Macedonia. It’s population of about 15,000 people was comprised of five groups: a small group of wealthy Roman elite, the farmers, the merchant class, the poor, and slaves. Most of these people were pagans, and the Christians numbered around 2 or 3 hundred, there was also a small group of Jews.
Reading through this letter, one can tell that Paul has a special place in his heart for the Philippians.  And this makes sense, because according to the book of Acts, Paul established the Church at Philippi.

This letter is neither a treatise on systematic theology, like Romans, nor is it a practical, moral letter answering many specific questions and local problems, like I Corinthians.  It is a pastoral, personal letter in which Paul expresses his love for the Philippians, his confidence in their progress in holiness, and his joy that the Gospel is spreading throughout the world.  And he writes all this, while in prison in Rome where he was awaiting death.

Because of the Holy Day and feasts this week, we won’t get to hear the most famous passage of Philippi, the great Christological hymn in chapter 2, so we’d do well, to read it on our own.

In today’s passage Paul exhorts the Christians, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.”  Do not just look after your own interests, but also for others.

Ironically, in Protestant circles, today, October 31 is known as Reformation Day. A day to which we can trace the many divisions which now afflict the Christian Church. These divisions would no doubt break Paul’s heart, who labored so intensely for church unity. Throughout his letters to the Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, Paul stresses doctrinal unity as essential, but here, to the Philippians he stresses not just a unity of ideas, but a unity of spirit—a brotherhood among Christians, a deep fraternal love, in which we “do nothing out of selfishness”.

“Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves” he says. Our homes and hearts are to be open to the needs of others.

In this great year of Mercy, Pope Francis has challenged us to do the same; to look to the needs of others, to not be so wrapped up in our own problems, our own pursuits, our own habits, but to break out of that comfort zone, in order to truly see those in need all around us.

Through mercy, through service we come to experience the depths of love in the heart of Christ. The life of a vibrant church is to be embodied in concrete acts of charity, friendship, forgiveness, reconciliation, visiting the sick, offering hospitality, lending a hand to disabled neighbors, doing the work no one else wants to do.

May we be dedicated to this form of unity. For Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. And so must we...for the glory of God and salvation of souls.