Thanksgiving (2024-11-28)

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 [__ver-06__]   Homily –  Nov 28, 2024  /  USA Thanksgiving 

●    ● Psalm ●  ● + Luke 17:11-19 ●

Title: Wrongdoing, Mercy, and Restoration 

0. Introduction

Many years ago, and for several years in a row, I would go to my friend's house for a reunion the night before Thanksgiving, and noticed that his parents did something that my parents did not do.  That is, by Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving), at five in the afternoon, the table was completely set. Everything was set. 

Everything was on the table that it was ready to go.  We have to get ready, in advance to signify unity at table. Maybe it's by picking up guests, maybe it's by setting the table. Maybe it's other actions that signify our unity as one family. 

Thanksgiving begins even before we sit down to eat. Thanksgiving is also the word, the translation for the word Eucharist. Eucharistia means thanks to God, giving thanks to God. 

There is an outline of this homily, un esquema de esta homilia en espanol, in por dentro de la Iglesia en la mesa del medio de la Iglesia.  I’d like to conclude this homily also with a prayer of thanksgiving, a prayer after mass that St Thomas Aquinas is known for, and also to talk about how preparing for Thanksgiving is also about restoration, about forgiveness, about being welcomed back.

1.  A Family Gathering and an Unexpected Incident   

In September, shortly after Labor Day, I traveled to Chicago to attend the funeral Mass of a beloved family member—the sister of my sister-in-law. It was a rare gathering with family members I seldom see, and while it was a serious and sorrowful occasion, it also provided an opportunity to reconnect.  

One evening during my visit, an unexpected situation unfolded, offering a lesson in wrongdoing, punishment, recovery, and mercy—an experience that echoed themes found in the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus heals ten lepers.  

__ 2.  Rules Broken   

Several families, including my brother, sister-in-law, and their children, stayed in a house rented through Airbnb. I had arranged to stay in a hotel across town, unaware of the rules governing the Airbnb house.   I was also surprised to realize that these rules would become relevant to me!

On the first evening, as we gathered at the house enjoying pizza, we received a startling call from the owner. He informed us that we had violated the terms of the rental AIRBNB agreement. Security cameras revealed we had exceeded the guest limit and someone had brought a dog into the house.  

The owner was clear: we had 1 hour to vacate the property. It was 9 pm at night, and we were facing “eviction”.  

__ 3.  A Selfish Dilemma   

As I processed the situation, I realized I was the only one with alternative lodging—a hotel room. My immediate thought was self-centered: I didn’t want to share my space.  

Yet, I couldn’t ignore the possibility that my brother’s family might need a place to stay. I began calculating: Would my room have enough space? Was there a pull-out couch? These thoughts revealed the common human tendency to prioritize personal comfort over the needs of others.  

Family life, however, calls us to something greater. St. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:15-16:  

> *“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones. Exercise hospitality.”*  

Hospitality isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s simply about recognizing the need right in front of us and responding, even when it’s inconvenient.  

__ 4.  Mercy Granted   

The situation seemed hopeless—wrongdoing had occurred, and the consequence was clear: leave the house. But two family members --- who were the bringers of the actual dog– called the house owner, apologize, and pleaded for another chance.  

Remarkably, the owner extended mercy. He allowed us to stay, provided we adhered strictly to the rules moving forward. 

My brother’s young niece read the conditions aloud from her phone/tablet to everyone at table, much like Moses delivering the commandments to the Israelites.  

The crisis was averted. No one had to leave, and I did not have to squeeze five people into a room designed for one.  

__ 5.  Healing and Restoration   

I’d like to connect this experience of being restored to that of the lepers in the Gospel and the experience of sinfulness more generally.

Leprosy in biblical times was more than a physical disease—it symbolized sin and separation from the community. When Jesus healed the lepers, He did more than restore their health; He restored their place in society and their relationships.  

Similarly, Jesus offers healing for our deeper wounds—sin and brokenness. These cannot be healed by our efforts alone; we need a Savior.  

When we acknowledge our need for healing and turn to Christ, He responds with mercy and restoration.  

__ 6.  Turning Back to God   

In the example of the conflict with the house owner and AIRBNB, it was not just 1 offense that led to the owner’s distress and possible “punishment.”

          He had seen how we – his tenants – had ignored 4 voice mails earlier in the day. Then he saw the number of people in the house, then the dog.

          Then he sounded the alarm and called us.

          This got our attention.

          The Christian author, C.S. Lewis wrote that God is also trying to get our attention and that while God whispers to us in our pleasures (in the things we like) He shouts to us in our pain (the things we do not like).

__ 7. Conclusion   

You or I might be in pain due to our sins or the sins of others. Jesus did not abandon the men with leprosy, though regular people had.

          He welcomes every sinner – everyone of us who comes to him in the confessional for mercy – even  if it has been a while.

          And even if 9 out of 10 are not turning back and have vacated the premises, you can still be the one who turns back to Jesus to receive his mercy. Your faith in Him will save you.  

St. Thomas Aquinas expresses in a ""Prayer After Mass" our own hope for Eternal Life and true communion with our Savior --- as our Lord called it when speaking to His disciples at the Last Supper -- the joy that “no one shall take from you” (John 16:22),  

PRAYER:     I thank You, Lord, Almighty Father, Everlasting God, for having been pleased, through no merit of mine, but of Your great mercy alone, to feed me, a sinner, and Your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for my judgment and condemnation, but for my pardon and salvation. Let this Holy Communion be to me an armor of faith and a shield of good will, a cleansing of all vices, and a rooting out of all evil desires. May it increase love and patience, humility and obedience, and all virtues. May it be a firm defense against the evil designs of all my visible and invisible enemies, a perfect quieting of all the desires of soul and body. May this Holy Communion bring about a perfect union with You, the one true God, and at last enable me to reach eternal bliss when You will call me. I pray that You bring me, a sinner, to the indescribable Feast where You, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, are to Your saints true light, full blessedness, everlasting joy, and perfect happiness. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

[__fin__]

Truth. Google. Jesus Christ, King (2024-11-24)

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Homily –  Nov 24, 2024  /  34^th Sunday (Year B)  Jesus Christ, King ● Daniel 7:13-14  ● Ps 93   ●  Revelation 1:5-8   ● + John 18:33b-37 ●

Please note our Christmas concert is coming up.

Homily for November 24 Here...

 [01] Search for Truth: Quest for Answers 

In July 2024, a statistical report revealed some of the most commonly searched questions in the Google search engine box: ___*How to lower blood pressure?*, ___*How old is Travis Kelce … and ___Taylor Swift?*, ___*What channel is the Super Bowl on?*, and *___When is Thanksgiving Day?* These questions often yield straightforward, factual answers based on verifiable information. Some, like the ages of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, are purely informational and have little impact on our daily lives. Others, such as *When is Thanksgiving?*, prompt a response, like planning for the holiday. 

    Interestingly, no one seems to Google *When is Christmas?*, as the December 25 date is universally known. This reveals how some truths are so enduring they remain unquestioned. Reflecting on these truths invites us to consider the difference between transitory/transient (fleeting, fluctuating) interests and unchanging foundations. 

 

 [02] Pilate’s Q to Jesus: Search for Truth 

 In this Sunday’s Gospel (John 18:33b-38), we see Pontius Pilate grappling with questions about truth as he interrogates Jesus. Pilate asks, *Are you the King of the Jews?* and later, *Then you are a king?* These questions emerge in the context of a courtroom, where truth is ostensibly – officially - the central pursuit. 

 Jesus, accused of being a dangerous revolutionary, stood before Pilate as a defendant. His crime? Claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of God. This proclamation threatened the authority of religious leaders, compelling them to enlist Roman power to prosecute Jesus. 

  [03] Threat to Authority   

The religious leaders feared the growing influence of Jesus, whose teachings and miracles undermined their control. His claim to divinity was seen as blasphemous, and without the means to punish Him themselves, they appealed to Roman law, framing Him as a political threat. 

 

Pilate’s question—*Are you the King of the Jews?*—provided Jesus an opportunity to avoid His impending suffering. He could have denied the charge outright, potentially securing His release. Instead, Jesus chose to affirm the truth, even knowing it would lead to the cross. 

 

 [04] Speaking Truth in Face of Consequences 

 Jesus’ response to Pilate reveals the cost of truth. He declared, *For this I was born, and for this I came into the world: to testify to the truth.* His kingship was not rooted in earthly power but in divine authority. 

 This moment underscores the integrity of living by truth, even when it brings difficulty. As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace this same commitment, resisting societal pressures to compromise what is right and true. 

 

 [05] Profession of Faith: Declaring Our Allegiance 

 Each Sunday during Mass, and at pivotal moments like Baptism and Confirmation, we recite the Profession of Faith. Why? Because it is a declaration of who we are and what we believe. Before making this commitment, we renounce Satan, rejecting his works and empty promises. This renunciation is like rejecting harmful influences—acknowledging that they are detrimental to our spiritual health. 

 The Profession of Faith is not merely a ritual; it is a pledge to live in alignment with God’s truth: 

 - *I renounce Satan and all his works and empty promises.* 

- *I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.* 

- *I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord...* 

- *I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life...* 

- *I believe in the Holy Catholic Church... and life everlasting.* 

 This commitment reminds us that living a holy life involves both doing good and avoiding evil. It’s a choice to follow God, who is infinitely more powerful than Satan, and to trust that His way leads to eternal life. 

  [06] Precepts of the Church: Living Out Our Faith 

 Our profession of faith is not just words—it calls us to action. The Church provides five precepts to guide us in living a Catholic life: 

 1. **Attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation**: This includes participating at Mass wherever you are. 

2. **Confess your sins at least once a year**: Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are renewed and reconciled with God. 

3. **Receive the Eucharist at least once a year**: Especially during the Easter season, we are called to partake in the Body and Blood of Christ. 

4. **Observe days of fasting and abstinence**: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics fast by eating only one meal. On these days and the Fridays of Lent, we abstain from meat to unite ourselves with Christ’s sacrifice. 

5. **Provide for the needs of the Church**: This includes offering financial support and volunteering our time to help the Church fulfill its mission. 

  [07] Precepts restated as values

These precepts express not simply a set of rules to keep us “in line” but VALUES to keep us together:

-        Regular prayer and meditation (going to Mass)

-        Humility and responsibility (confess your sins)

-        Unity and community through following a model of sacrifice (Holy Eucharist and “Thanksgiving”)

 From Bishop Robert Barron:

“Of course, there is a meal aspect to the Eucharist that provides a connection—even if a tangential one—to our secular [United States] holiday of Thanksgiving. The Eucharist, however, is much more than a common meal; it is first and foremost a holy sacrifice. “The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished” (Catholic Catechism §1360).”

Source: https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/fellows/the-eucharist-as-thanksgiving/

 

-        Making “sacrifice” part of our own everyday life – fasting and abstaining from meat.  These ordinary sacrifices help us to love not only God but also neighbor.

-        Doing all of this as a team – supporting the church by our monetary contributions anf volunteer effort.

These precepts practical expressions of our commitment to God and His Church. 

By learning these values, we also learn about integrity and truthfulness.

 [08] Truth in Everyday Life 

When we Google questions, we trust in the existence of clear, factual answers. Similarly, Jesus invites us to see Him as the ultimate truth—a foundation for our faith and morality. 

 

Through the Eucharist, Jesus offers His body and blood, reminding us of the eternal truth of His sacrifice. This truth shapes how we treat others, from caring for the sick to forgiving those who wrong us. Our choices, grounded in God’s truth, affirm the dignity of every person. 

 

 [09] God’s Truth vs. Relativism 

Today’s world often promotes subjective interpretations of truth, such as *my truth* or *your truth.* As Catholics, however, we believe in God’s eternal truth—a standard that transcends personal opinion. 

This belief can draw criticism, as some may view adherence to objective moral teachings as intolerant. Yet our faith is not about judging others; it’s about upholding God’s unchanging truth. Judgment belongs to Him, and we trust in His mercy and justice. 

 [10] The Answer to Pilate’s Question 

At the courtroom trial with Jesus,

Pilate’s asks question a get himself off the hook of following an objective set of values. Pilate asks, *What is truth? And implies that there is none.

Yet, truth finds its answer in Jesus Christ. He is the light in which there is no darkness, the embodiment of divine truth. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the path to salvation. 

As we profess our faith and live out the precepts of the Church, let us remember that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ. In a world full of questions, He is the eternal answer.     

Life After Death (2024-11-17, Sunday-33)

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 [__ver-06__]   Homily – Nov 17, 2024  /  33^rd Sunday (Year B)  ● Daniel 12:1-3  ●  Pslam 16:5  ●  Hebrews 10:11-14,18  ● + Mark 13:24-32 ●

[__01_ Introduction to Life After Death _]   From a human perspective, we are interested in the concept of life after death primarily because it can offer comfort and meaning in the face of our mortality and also the possibility of being PHYSICALLY REVIVED.

          What is LIFE after death?

          Is it simply a PHYSICAL MATERIAL REVIVAL?

The Q of what happens after we die is not only a religious one but also a scientific one. A compelling medical case was reported by doctors/physicians at hospital in Japan in 2011. A young woman, who had overdosed and died from cardiac arrest, was found hours later in a remote forest. Doctors revived her after more than six hours, using advanced technology to circulate blood and oxygen through her body. Remarkably, there was LIFE AFTER HER PHYISCAL DEATH. She walked out of the hospital 3 weeks later. This case highlights how medical science is advancing, with patients surviving traumas and illnesses that would have been fatal just a few decades ago.

While it’s easy to discuss a person surviving cardiac arrest, we might not want think about our own mortality. Yet, death remains the ultimate common denominator. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes"—though some manage to avoid the IRS and taxes. But if we invest time learning how to maximize our wealth and live well, should we not also prepare for the absolute certainty of death?

 [__02_Near Death Experiences_]     There is also a field I want to mention called “near death experiences” is documented by scientists and religious folks alike. 

Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer points to the field of research known as “near death experiences” which report descriptions of individuals or events who “while in cardiac arrest” come to connect with people who have died or gain information that they never knew before.  While acknowledging the potential significance of near death experiences to understand the immortality of the soul, Father Spitzer emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific research.  Check out Father Spitzer or his website,  crediblecatholic.com

 

[__03_Gospel and End of the World _]    

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about the end of the world, which is not only and what happens next – which is not only PHYSICAL –but also spiritual.

Jesus predicts the PHYSICAL destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. 40 years after Jesus’ prediction, the Romans destroyed the Temple, a catastrophic event for the Jewish people. The Temple was not only a religious center but also symbolized the universe itself, with its art of PLANETS, STARS, NATURE, GARDEN OF EDEN, ANGELS, WATER, LIGHT … depicting the creation of the cosmos. This connection between the Temple and the universe was a cosmic image of God’s creation, truly a microcosm.

Even today, churches often reflect this same idea. For instance, if you visit  South Orange campus and Seton Hall University's chapel, you’ll see stars painted on the ceiling, a reminder of the cosmic relationship between the Church and the universe.

Our church 60^th /  110^th anniversary in 2024 – has ceiling skylights to allow the sun’s rays to reach us, connecting us to the solar system and beyond.

The destruction of the Temple was a profound sorrow, not just a “near death experience” but a “death experience” and sorrow. This destruction points to a fulfillment of Jesus' words:  “While heaven and earth will pass away, my words will not pass away.”  While the exact time of the world’s end is unknown, we are all called to prepare for the end of our own lives.

[__03_Preparation, why? _]    

The Lord Himself urges us to prepare in the way we pray and live. We pray,  for example,  “Lead us NOT into temptation and deliver us from evil.”

          All of us are tempted away from God in some way each day, and temptations we face are not necessarily clear-cut physically and material evil choices or outright dishonesty. Sometimes there is something more subtle or spiritual.

          The 1^st Commandment simply reminds us to put God first and have no other gods before him.

          We can tempted and led into evil when we come to “overvalue”  or “worship” material things, e.g.

          WORK – is good. But does “work” or doing work or making money become a temptation or an IDOL? (e.g., workaholism)

          POPULARITY – is good. But does being popular or liked become our primary goal.

          These can become idols and lead us into temptation.

          In examining our lives for these idols or temptations, we are not just doing this to look good on the outside – on the exterior – but to have an interior life with God in friendship.

          True friendships is based not only on what we can see and touch, but also on the invisible and intangible.

[__04_Interior Life / Prepare, Pray _]    

          Jesus is calling us into a relationship with Him, to INTERIOR LIFE OF PRAYER AND ONGOING PREPARATION. And this relationship is not just an occasional prayer but an ongoing discipline, similar to studying.

          And, I suggest that studying has both a material and physical reality.

There is a principle in actual studying that we should "spaced intervals" and "summarization" can be applied to our spiritual life.

 

**Spaced Intervals: Daily Prayer**

“Spaced intervals” in prayer mean committing time each day to connect with God. Whether we're facing trouble, [It’s time to pray] anxiety, illness [It’s…], or joy [It’s…], it’s always time to pray.  But, it’s also time to PREPARE and LEARN.

This is also why we come to church every Sunday not just to read passively and listen but also to study God’s Word.  As St. Jerome wrote: ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.  Or, to re-state, our intelligent reading of the Scriptures – every day and at least every Sunday equals intelligence of Christ.

It is important that we all make effort to read the Bible. You can read the New Testament – the Gospel and all the Epistles – in 3 months, if you read for 15 minutes per day.

We need spaced intervals to pray and also to study God’s Word.

Prayer - as St. Paul writes - is meant to be unceasing - but it also is not “one and done”. It does not happen all at once.

 [__05_Conclusion _]    

The Gospel this Sunday is given to us to help us prepare for a test, an examination and final interview with Jesus who also wants us to examine our lives in a space interval, with a summary, each day. This is our nightly examination of conscience which is informed by reading the Gospel regularly.

And, we are called to take these spaced intervals to be with Christ not only in church, but also at school, in front of the computer, alone or with others.

Gospel reading is itself a prayer and summarized in the Lord's Prayer.

Regarding the day and hour of the Lord’s coming, no one knows – except … our … Father … who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom, come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread as and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

… And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. One day the end of our lives will come, it's time to pray and to prepare.  [__end__]    

Priorites. Lourdes 110th Anniversary

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 [__v_06__]   Homily – Nov 10, 2024  /  32^nd Sunday (Year B)

● 1 Kings 17:10-16 ●   Psalm 146 ● Hebrews 9:24-28 ●  + Mark 12:38-44  ●

  [__01__]    Priorities.    A teacher walks into a classroom and sets a glass jar on the table. She silently places several large jagged rocks in the jar until no more rocks can fit. She asks the class if it is true that the jar is full and they say YES. 

She says, “Really, is this really true?” and pulls out a pile of small pebbles, adding them to the jar, shaking it slightly until they fill the spaces between the rocks. He asks again, “Is the jar full now?” They agree. 

Challenging them further, she scoops sand into the jar, filling the space between the pebbles and asks the question again. This time, the class is divided, some feeling that the jar is obviously full, but others are wary of another trick question. 

So she grabs a pitcher of water and fills the jar to the brim, and shows that now the jar is full.

She asks, “If this jar is your life, what does this experiment show you?” 

A bold student replies, “No matter how busy you think you are, you can always take on more.”

“That is one view,” she replies. Then she looks out at the class making eye contact with everyone, 

The sand and water represent the ‘small stuff’ that fills our time, “Can you see what would happen if I started out placing sand and pebbles in first?”.

“The rocks represent the BIG things in your life – what you will value at the end of your life – what your real priorities? 

The lesson is: make space for your most important priorities – the big rocks -- first.

 

[__02__]    In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus observing people putting their offerings into the temple treasury. Some make large, noticeable donations, but Jesus points to a poor widow whose small offering is greater in God’s eyes. Her sacrifice, though small, reveals her humility and her sense of priority. 

Jesus shows us that glorifying God isn’t about the size of our offerings or social status. True greatness is in humbling oneself before God. Jesus lived this teaching—his rejection, suffering, and death were all acts of glorifying God. He teaches, “Whoever loses his life will save it,” and “The last shall be first.”  The Gospel message is clear:  the “Looking-out-for-Number-1” mentality is not the Christian way to love mercy and walk humbly and justly with our God.  

 [__03__]    Today is significant for our parish. We celebrate the 110th anniversary of our founding. The first Mass took place in a humble home back in 1914. Now, we are blessed to gather in this beautiful church, built in 1964 after years of dedication and sacrifice by our founding members. 

Lourdes parish was their “rock,” one of their priorities. They saved prudently, invested in this sacred space, and trusted in God’s providence. We still rely on the support of our community to maintain and grow this parish, just as they did.

 [__04__]    Pope Benedict XVI once reflected on the significance of church buildings. While these buildings aren’t equal to God’s presence,  the building and edifice of our church demonstrates and witnesses to God's presence.

The earliest churches were not big parish churches like we have now. In fact, they were more similar to the Cherry and Chestnut  Street “house” Church. They were house churches, but the church was never meant to be limited to people's homes.  To some,   that age of the “domestic” church, or age of history, may be seen as somehow more pure, less political, more spiritual.  We might even question whether multiple parishes or  large organizations within a bigger parish  is really better?

Nevertheless, a growing church structure also unites us. Saint Paul observes that even in the earliest house churches, there were divisions among people. In Corinth, the early house churches, at times, lacked reverence and respect. Pope Benedict XVI wrote that,  the church community is not meant to be a domestic circle of private family and friends gathering in a house. The church is a community, a communal place for all of us to come, for conversion, for challenge, for support and prayer publicly.  The Church is also the Bride of Christ, intimately related to and a part of His body – members of the Body of Christ.  So in reality, we stand steadfast in faith on the shoulders of the Saints and our predecessors here at Our Lady of Lourdes with a shared love of divine origin with Jesus and one another.  And we pray in Psalm 62:  “Psalm 62:6: God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken”

 

[__05__]     To align our priorities with God’s, we are called to embrace 3 key priorities that will help us to love God, love neighbor as  we love ourselves.

What I suggest we are called to prioritize are:

 REST (prayer)  > recreation

RESTORATION (fasting) > 

RELATIONSHIPS (almsgiving)

 [__06__]     First, RESTING.  You and I know that when we do not get enough rest, life can be out of control.

It’s also significant that Sunday is the day of Rest, the day of Sabbath rest. I recognize that coming to church and getting the family ready – ourselves ready – can be a challenge, yet we come here not to “work” but to put aside our “work” and to focus on God and His love for us.

The Church reminds us often of the need for silence. James’ letter urges us to be “slow to speak, quick to listen.” In our noisy world, I struggle with resting silence, preferring quick decisions or procrastination over thoughtful reflection. But silence is where God speaks to us. Silence is not an enemy but a friend. Our church is open daily for silent prayer, and I encourage you to take advantage of this time with God. Silence is and prayer are one of the “big rocks” we are called to prioritize in our lives.

 [__07__]     Second, RESTORATION and FASTING.

Are we not advertised and told about the importance of resting ourselves from too much consumption, food and drink? In a physical sense, we restore by abstaining.

We do this naturally and organically by going to sleep at night. Thus the first meal of the day is called “break fast” – we are breaking the fast from overnight before.

But, this act of fasting is not only about fasting from large meals or meant to go for long periods.

The widow in the Gospel gave all she had, and though most of us aren’t called to a life of poverty, we can still make daily sacrifices. 

Whether it’s fasting from certain foods or pleasures, abstaining from speaking to allow others to be heard, or giving up time spent on entertainment, we can offer small sacrifices to unite ourselves with Jesus. These acts may go unnoticed by others, but God sees them. Jesus teaches us to fast in secret, trusting that God, who sees what is hidden, will reward us. Through sacrifice, we grow in understanding of Jesus' love, who sacrificed everything for our salvation.

Fasting is part the restorative process of our lives – physically and spiritually. It an important rock and priority.

 

[__08_]      Third,  Relationships  and Almsgiving = charitable giving.

Talk about the first 10 percent and personal responsibility 

In the bible, we are told about the importance of giving our first 10% financially to God and charity.

This is also known as tithing.

I suggest this principle of charity and love can apply to our moral choices as well – and the commandments – to honor thy father and thy mother, to make our parents and family a priority.

To avoid turning any of our pleasures – such as sports or media or politics – all of which have good elements into an idol – into God.  Our culture co-opts Sundays for sports, shopping and a host of other demands while the Ten Commandments require Christians to keep holy the Sabbath.  We need to revisit our priorities as a culture or perhaps as families and work with love to repair any damaged relationship that we or our family members might have with God and/or one another. 

I suggest we could apply this principle of the first 10 percent (or more than 10 percent) to difficult relationships. 

Often we are inclined to blame the other person or turn ourselves into a victim.

But, the principle of charity urges us to take responsibility and to consider – in any conflict or problem – where is my “first 10 percent”

What do I need to repent of, what contrition and sorrow for my sins can I offer to our Lord and Savior.

The Gospel reminds us of a woman who had 2 small coins but also 3 large priorities correct – to rest in God’s presence, to restore herself through sacrifice and to give back to God for the good of the community.  You might even recall that Jesus told us that He desires mercy more than sacrifice.

In Jesus's love for us, he willingly gave himself up to rejection, humiliation and excruciating suffering for our sins, he patiently waits for us in the tabernacle and in the confessional and feeds us with his body and blood.  And it is that same Jesus who inspires and assists us in building our house, not on sand but on the rock of his church.  Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.