Deacon Greg's Homily 4-8-18
Jesus... I Trust in You!
Lord Jesus, we trust in you, as you are our giver of mercy and our font of life. Loving Lord, continue to be our healer, our teacher, our Savior and our friend... Lord Jesus, we trust in you. May all that we are remain in your hands! AMEN (Inspired by the song “Jesus, I Trust in You” by Sarah Hart and Angus McDonell - https://youtu.be/i3barNdlCNI)
On behalf of Fr. Brian, Fr. Thomas, and All the Staff… HAPPY EASTER!
Speaking of the Staff, I’ll be honest and tell you that our bi-weekly Staff Meeting often falls on the Thursday before I write these homilies. We always begin our meetings with a discussion on that week’s upcoming Gospel, which always seems to offer me some inspiration and guidance as I attempt to get some thoughts together… I am always grateful for the help of the Spirit shared through the hearts and words of my friends in Christ. This week was no different, as we looked to the Gospel, and the Apostle Thomas. One fellow staffer offered this... Thomas is like the guy who fumbles the ball in the big game… No matter what good he had done to that point, he’s always remembered as the one who fumbled. That’s was followed up by more examples and discussion indicating that no matter who Thomas was or what he did as an Apostle, he’s always stuck with that title of “Doubting Thomas.”
I’m a sports junkie, so my mind wandered to other examples... If your a baseball fan, Bill Buckner is the example. It was an easy ground ball that went between his legs down the first base line that many claim ruined the Red Sox chance of claiming the 1986 World Series. Meanwhile, the span of his notable 22 year career in the league shows a lifetime batting average of .289. For comparison’s sake, Hall of Famer and life long Red Sox great, Carl Yastrzemski, spent 23 years in the league with a lifetime batting average of .285. Other notable Red Sox batters Ted Williams had a.344 average in 21 years, while Babe Ruth, in his 22 years, averaged .342, batting with the Red Sox and some other team in the league. Bill Buckner is not in baseball’s Hall of Fame, but has quietly raised his family in Boise, Idaho, working as a successful Real Estate investor. He does get credit for establishing a Boise neighborhood called “Fenway Park.” (Post Script: Since the Red Sox most recent World Series Victories in 2004, 2007, and 2013, A certain sting is gone from the story of "Billy Buck." Oh, by the way, he has indeed forgiven his MANY critics!)
If you’re a football fan, take the example of the Buffalo Bills, and quarterback Jim Kelly*. They’ll always be remembered as never winning the Super Bowl, going 0-4 in their attempt to claim greatness. Meanwhile, Jim Kelly is a strong witness of love and family, as he and his wife were blessed with a son named Hunter, who lived eight years with special needs. Along with his other children, the Kelly’s brought much awareness and support to thousands of families via an effort called “Hunter’s Hope.” Meanwhile, Jim Kelly is also on his own journey, currently in remission from a very aggressive form of Cancer. He’s had his jaw removed and replaced and continues to share a message of faith, hope and courage wherever he goes. He is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (*Post Script: I was reminded that Scott Norwood would be the Buffalo equivalent of Bill Buckner.)
Which brings us to today’s Gospel... As dedicated and faithful as any other Apostle, Thomas took the faith outside of the Roman Empire in the year 50 AD to what what is now the state of Kerala in India, the home of our Associate, Fr. Thomas! While forever linked to his supposed doubt, it’s his declaration in the Gospel that we are all able to participate in!
Let’s be fair… Doubt is a very real concept that we all struggle with on a minute by minute basis. We doubt the weather forecast, and we doubt whether we can find that old file that lies dormant on the old computer. We doubt the reality of wild theories that predict our demise is the distant future. We doubt ourselves. We doubt our intentions. We doubt our community. We doubt their intentions. We doubt credibility, and we doubt qualifications… especially our own. And finally, YES, we even doubt our faith, and many of its real promises. Quite frankly, I think we can agree that we are far more doubting at times than even “The Doubting Thomas,” and yet the Lord, just like he did when he entered the Upper Room that day for Thomas, comes into our midst, at every moment of our lives!
Last week, many of us witnessed our new Catholics coming in to the Church at the Easter Vigil. I also had the pleasure of leading them Wednesday, in their first gathering in the period called “Mystagogia.” Our new brothers and sisters are officially called “Neophytes.” They are some what like new infants, and they deserve to be cared for and fed, just like a new born. So we all must take great care to help them with our prayers, our support, and our willingness to help guide them… These folks made a declaration of faith last weekend, as they were visited by the Resurrected Christ, who showed them all that he had to give in the waters of Baptism, the oil of Confirmation and most especially, in his Body and Blood with their First Communion.
Today, in the midst of whatever doubts that we might share, here is our Risen Lord, greeting us with PEACE! As in the Gospel, we are welcomed by our Lord in three ways:
As He Says Peace Be With You…
Let us Open Ourselves to God’s love and mercy, for He loves us and finds us worthy!
Let us Rejoice as Christ’s love gushes forth to save you, for those rays of mercy go on forever!
Let us Receive his unconditional love and generous mercy, trusting in Him always!
Let us Respond in our love and support of one another by sharing that mercy, as we go forth in peace, glorifying the Lord by our lives, as we are called to be merciful to one another!
Lord Jesus, we trust in you, as you are our giver of mercy and our font of life. Loving Lord, continue to be our healer, our teacher, our Savior and our friend... Lord Jesus, we trust in you. May all that we are remain in your hands! AMEN
Lord Jesus, we trust in you, as you are our giver of mercy and our font of life. Loving Lord, continue to be our healer, our teacher, our Savior and our friend... Lord Jesus, we trust in you. May all that we are remain in your hands! AMEN (Inspired by the song “Jesus, I Trust in You” by Sarah Hart and Angus McDonell - https://youtu.be/i3barNdlCNI)
On behalf of Fr. Brian, Fr. Thomas, and All the Staff… HAPPY EASTER!
Speaking of the Staff, I’ll be honest and tell you that our bi-weekly Staff Meeting often falls on the Thursday before I write these homilies. We always begin our meetings with a discussion on that week’s upcoming Gospel, which always seems to offer me some inspiration and guidance as I attempt to get some thoughts together… I am always grateful for the help of the Spirit shared through the hearts and words of my friends in Christ. This week was no different, as we looked to the Gospel, and the Apostle Thomas. One fellow staffer offered this... Thomas is like the guy who fumbles the ball in the big game… No matter what good he had done to that point, he’s always remembered as the one who fumbled. That’s was followed up by more examples and discussion indicating that no matter who Thomas was or what he did as an Apostle, he’s always stuck with that title of “Doubting Thomas.”
I’m a sports junkie, so my mind wandered to other examples... If your a baseball fan, Bill Buckner is the example. It was an easy ground ball that went between his legs down the first base line that many claim ruined the Red Sox chance of claiming the 1986 World Series. Meanwhile, the span of his notable 22 year career in the league shows a lifetime batting average of .289. For comparison’s sake, Hall of Famer and life long Red Sox great, Carl Yastrzemski, spent 23 years in the league with a lifetime batting average of .285. Other notable Red Sox batters Ted Williams had a.344 average in 21 years, while Babe Ruth, in his 22 years, averaged .342, batting with the Red Sox and some other team in the league. Bill Buckner is not in baseball’s Hall of Fame, but has quietly raised his family in Boise, Idaho, working as a successful Real Estate investor. He does get credit for establishing a Boise neighborhood called “Fenway Park.” (Post Script: Since the Red Sox most recent World Series Victories in 2004, 2007, and 2013, A certain sting is gone from the story of "Billy Buck." Oh, by the way, he has indeed forgiven his MANY critics!)
If you’re a football fan, take the example of the Buffalo Bills, and quarterback Jim Kelly*. They’ll always be remembered as never winning the Super Bowl, going 0-4 in their attempt to claim greatness. Meanwhile, Jim Kelly is a strong witness of love and family, as he and his wife were blessed with a son named Hunter, who lived eight years with special needs. Along with his other children, the Kelly’s brought much awareness and support to thousands of families via an effort called “Hunter’s Hope.” Meanwhile, Jim Kelly is also on his own journey, currently in remission from a very aggressive form of Cancer. He’s had his jaw removed and replaced and continues to share a message of faith, hope and courage wherever he goes. He is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (*Post Script: I was reminded that Scott Norwood would be the Buffalo equivalent of Bill Buckner.)
Which brings us to today’s Gospel... As dedicated and faithful as any other Apostle, Thomas took the faith outside of the Roman Empire in the year 50 AD to what what is now the state of Kerala in India, the home of our Associate, Fr. Thomas! While forever linked to his supposed doubt, it’s his declaration in the Gospel that we are all able to participate in!
Let’s be fair… Doubt is a very real concept that we all struggle with on a minute by minute basis. We doubt the weather forecast, and we doubt whether we can find that old file that lies dormant on the old computer. We doubt the reality of wild theories that predict our demise is the distant future. We doubt ourselves. We doubt our intentions. We doubt our community. We doubt their intentions. We doubt credibility, and we doubt qualifications… especially our own. And finally, YES, we even doubt our faith, and many of its real promises. Quite frankly, I think we can agree that we are far more doubting at times than even “The Doubting Thomas,” and yet the Lord, just like he did when he entered the Upper Room that day for Thomas, comes into our midst, at every moment of our lives!
Last week, many of us witnessed our new Catholics coming in to the Church at the Easter Vigil. I also had the pleasure of leading them Wednesday, in their first gathering in the period called “Mystagogia.” Our new brothers and sisters are officially called “Neophytes.” They are some what like new infants, and they deserve to be cared for and fed, just like a new born. So we all must take great care to help them with our prayers, our support, and our willingness to help guide them… These folks made a declaration of faith last weekend, as they were visited by the Resurrected Christ, who showed them all that he had to give in the waters of Baptism, the oil of Confirmation and most especially, in his Body and Blood with their First Communion.
Today, in the midst of whatever doubts that we might share, here is our Risen Lord, greeting us with PEACE! As in the Gospel, we are welcomed by our Lord in three ways:
As He Says Peace Be With You…
We REJOICE in Jesus Christ) as we gather here together!
As He Says Peace Be With You…
As He Says Peace Be With You…
We RECEIVE the power of the Holy Spirit!
As He Says Peace Be With You…
As He Says Peace Be With You…
We RESPOND like Thomas saying, My Lord and my God, as we accept his Body and Blood in our midst!
Divine Mercy Sunday offers us this image which is always hanging in our Day Chapel.
Focusing on this Image
Divine Mercy Sunday offers us this image which is always hanging in our Day Chapel.
Focusing on this Image
Let us Open Ourselves to God’s love and mercy, for He loves us and finds us worthy!
Let us Rejoice as Christ’s love gushes forth to save you, for those rays of mercy go on forever!
Let us Receive his unconditional love and generous mercy, trusting in Him always!
Let us Respond in our love and support of one another by sharing that mercy, as we go forth in peace, glorifying the Lord by our lives, as we are called to be merciful to one another!
Lord Jesus, we trust in you, as you are our giver of mercy and our font of life. Loving Lord, continue to be our healer, our teacher, our Savior and our friend... Lord Jesus, we trust in you. May all that we are remain in your hands! AMEN
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