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Monday, March 31, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Prodigal Son. (2025-03-30, Lent, 4th Sunday)
[_ver-06, _] Homily – March 30, 2025 / 5th Sunday Lent ● Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 ● Psalm 34 ● 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ● + Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 ●
"Children,
obey your parents, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother. This
is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that
you may have a long life on earth."
Sometimes,
we measure our loyalty, love, or relationships by what we do—whether for God or
for each other. Yet, my parents did not love me because I mowed the lawn. God,
our Father, does not ask us to obey and heed His Word simply through labor but
through our receptivity to His love. At the end of the parable, both brothers
learn this lesson. They are often characterized as opposites—one good, one bad;
one who returns and receives a celebration, the other who does not. However,
they are the same in one crucial way: both believe they must earn their
father’s love.
One
brother assumes he has lost his father’s love and must work to regain it,
signing up for minimum wage or less to earn his way back. The other believes he
has already secured his father’s love and needs to do nothing more. Yet, the
father tells the elder son, "Everything I have is yours." He has
always been treated as a beloved son, but paradoxically, he sees himself as a
slave. Both sons receive forgiveness from their father, yet mercy and
reconciliation require acceptance.
Mercy
is, also, in the eye of the beholder.
The
younger brother represents all of us who seek absolution in the confessional,
vow faithfulness in matrimony, receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit at
Confirmation, and come forward in humility to receive Holy Communion, saying,
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, but only say the
word and my soul shall be healed."
This
parable is one of Jesus' most well-known and beloved, but it is both challenging
and consoling. Whether we identify with the rebellion of the younger brother,
the pride of the older brother, or the compassion of the father, each figure
reflects traits found in all of us. You might say, "I know how this story
ends, just like a summer rerun of 'Law and Order.'" The behavior of the
two brothers is predictable—you can see it coming. But is the father’s response
predictable? If you were hearing the parable for the first time, would you
expect him to react this way?
If
you are a parent, grandparent, or elder relative, you might recognize this
instinct. When a rift occurs, it is often the parent who makes the first move.
Years ago, I heard about a classmate who had a serious falling out with his
parents. He was an adult by then, and the estrangement lasted months—then
years. It saddened me to hear this. Fortunately, the rift was eventually
healed, but it took time. The turning point, the "God moment," came
when his parents reached out first. They prayed and persevered, refusing to
wait for their son to make the first move.
In
the parable, it may seem that the prodigal son initiates the reconciliation. He
says, "I got up and went back to my father." But in truth, the father
has been waiting all along. He sees his son from a distance and runs to meet
him. The father’s mercy teaches both brothers the value of their lives and
their future salvation. They both have a place in their father's house.
My
father did not have my brother and me mow the lawn just so he could relax on
weekends. He was showing us that we were not merely tending his property—we
were tending our own. "Everything I have is yours." That is the
message of the Gospel.
As
parents, mentors, and leaders, our role is not just to demand obedience for its
own sake but to lead others to God the Father. For a time, children look to
their parents as their guide to God. But as they grow, parents must step aside,
allowing their children to establish their own relationship with Him.
Teaching
children to listen, be humble, and respect authority is not about control—it is
about preparing them for a life of cooperation, love, and self-discipline.
Learning to admit when we are wrong is essential in marriage, work, and faith.
Obedience is not blind submission; it is an engaged response to truth.
Sometimes, obedience means speaking the truth in love, as when a faithful
friend offers guidance or when a parishioner holds a priest accountable to
God’s will. A priest friend once told me, "I obey the Archbishop of Newark
not just by following orders, but by telling him the truth—even when I
disagree—and offering solutions." True obedience is not passive; it is an
active cooperation with God’s plan.
Parents
do not obey their children—although, as the Duke of Windsor once quipped,
"Parents in America are very good at obeying their children." This is
not the model we are called to follow. Parents lead not by submission but by
faithfully carrying out their role as stewards of their children’s formation.
We
often look back and realize that, although we may not have wanted to hear our
parents’ words at the time, we are grateful for them now. As the saying goes,
"When I was 16, I thought my parents were foolish. When I was 36, I
thought they were brilliant. As I grew older, my parents grew wiser and
wiser."
In
the end, the prodigal son returns home—not merely to obedience but to a
relationship. He comes back not as a slave but as a son, restored in love. This
is what God desires for us—not just compliance but reliance on Him. He calls us
not only to work for Him but to give Him our hearts. When we serve Him and one
another, we build His house together, and in that unity, we find eternal
happiness.
"Children, obey your parents, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother. This is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Stations of the Cross. (2025-03-23, Lent 3rd Sunday)
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[v.3] Homily – March 23, 2025 / 3rd Sunday Lent ● Exodus 3:1-8a ● Psalm 103 ● 1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12 ● + Luke 13:1-9 ●
Title: Living Stations of the Cross: A Reflection on Luke 13:1-9
[__01_]Witnessing the Living Stations of the Cross
Recently, on Friday, March 14, I found myself seated where you are now, facing the altar, as I witnessed a presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross. This dramatic play was performed by our Confirmation Religious Education students under the guidance of our dedicated teachers and volunteers.
To our students—thank you. Your efforts went beyond mere compliance with your teachers; you collaborated with one another to bring this story to life. Through your performance, you invited all of us to walk alongside Jesus in our own Lenten journey.
[__02_] The Lenten Sacrifice. The 40 days of Lent are a time of preparation. We fast, abstain from meat on Fridays, and give up conveniences to focus on spiritual growth. However, sacrifice requires motivation and energy.
Our young students demonstrated this beautifully. They spent two full hours here on a Friday evening—perhaps hungry, perhaps tired after a full week of school —yet they gave their time to enact the Passion of Christ. This act of devotion was its own form of fasting, an offering of their time and effort in service of our faith. We all have limited time!
[__03_] The
Limited Time of Christ on Earth
Jesus’
Passion and Death remind us that He, the eternal Son of God, had a limited time
on earth. Though His divine nature is everlasting, His earthly ministry was
brief. He chose to be vulnerable, accepting suffering and death not for His own
sins, but for ours.
His
self-sacrifice teaches us the value of time. Jesus had only a few short years
to teach, heal, and redeem, and He used them fully. We too have a finite number
of days to turn to God and live according to His will.
[__04_] Jesus:
The Star Who Suffers
There
is a paradox in the Passion story. In the Living Stations of the Cross, Jesus
is the central figure, yet He is the one who suffers and dies. While others
live, He alone bears the burden of our sins.
On
Good Friday, Isaiah the prophet foretells this sacrifice: “He was pierced for
our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that made us
whole, by his stripes we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
The
Stations of the Cross remind us of Jesus’ suffering: He falls once, twice, a
third time—yet He rises each time, carrying His cross forward. Actually, the 3 steps
leading to every Catholic altar symbolize these falls, reminding us that Jesus
continued onward despite His suffering, in his limited time.
[__05_] Common
View of Life and Death
The notion that life is a fleeting drama is
not new. William Shakespeare famously wrote in As You Like It:
“All the world's a stage, And all the men and
women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in
his time plays many parts.”
Shakespeare
describes old age as a period of decline, a time of losing everything. Jesus,
too, lost everything—His friends, His dignity, even His clothing. But is this
the true way to view life and death? Is life simply about accumulating and then
losing material possessions?
[__06_] The
Gifts of Aging
While
aging often comes with challenges, it also brings gifts. Sometimes, though, we
resist these gifts because we see dependence as a weakness.
My
father once shared an experience at work. After many years in one place, he was
relocated to a new office with many new co-workers who didn’t know him. At a
morning meeting, he stood in the back – along with several others - because there weren’t enough chairs. A younger
colleague offered him a seat, but he declined, finding this form of “kindness”
to be excessive. “No thanks, I’m good.”
This moment highlights how we equate strength
with independence. I don’t want a chair
when I can stand. Yet Jesus teaches us that true strength is found in reliance
on God and in serving one another.
[__07_] Gospel’s
Message on Life and Death
The Gospel passage from Luke 13:1-9
challenges common assumptions about life and death. Biblical scholar John
Bergsma explains that in Jesus’ time, people often viewed a tragic death as a
sign of divine judgment. But Jesus turns this thinking upside down.
“Jesus
is rebuking a tendency among the [Jewish people] of his day, including his
disciples, to see one’s fate in death, whether favorable or unfavorable, as a
divine assessment of the righteousness of one’s life. In the kingdom of heaven,
things are reversed. Those who die in persecution may in fact be ‘blessed’
(Matthew 5:10-12).”
Today, we may not think in these exact terms,
but we have our own biases. We often equate a person’s worth with fame or
wealth.
Consider
that when a celebrity dies very suddenly, the world takes notice, as defined by
CNN, TikTok, X (Twitter). You know where to turn. All of these channels have
some tribute to the celebrity’s life and death, often based on how famous or
accomplished the person was. Yet, in the eyes of God, neither wealth nor status
matters. Jesus says this, do you imagine that the people who died tragically
were were worse than you?
I'd
like turn this around. Do you imagine that the people who die in great fame and
wealth are better than you?
Sometimes
we imagine they're better just because they're famous.
That's not true.
What matters is whether we are in a state of
grace, prepared to meet Him.
[__08_] Walking
the Stations for Ourselves and Others
We walk the Stations of the Cross during Lent not only to honor Christ but also to seek His grace. This is a time to ask God for the strength to change our lives, to turn back to His ways. It is also a time to pray for those who have already died or are dying. Perhaps we haven't thought of someone in a while, but it's never too late to offer our prayers for the soul of a child, the soul of a brother, sister, husband or wife, mother or father, we ask God's mercy on them, just as we ask it for ourselves. Our lives are not merely performances where we exit the stage at death. Instead, through Jesus' sacrifice, we are given the opportunity to enter eternal life, and following God's commandments is not simply about obedience and compliance. This compliance is also about community. It's about collaboration. We help one another to recognize Christ's love guiding each other towards salvation. Husbands and wives are called to help each other to get to heaven. Mothers and fathers to help their children to get to heaven, and even children to help their parents to get to heaven through the saving Body and Blood of Christ, we don't simply exit as players from a stage. We are called to enter into God's eternal family.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Transfiguration. Jeopardy! (2025-03-16, Lent 2nd Sunday)
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[__ver-05__] Homily – March 16 2025 / 1st Sunday Lent ● Genesis 15:5-12 ● Psalm 27 ● Philippians 3:17-4:1 ● + Luke 9:28b-36●
[__01_] Regarding the Gospel of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36).
From time to time, there are moments of glory
and greatness in the ordinary life of my mother who lives with Parkinson’s disorder
/ disease and is a courageous and patient person.
Parkinson’s a neurological and
movement disorder that affects motor coordination and also memory and
cognition. There have been reasons for hope not only because my father takes
excellent care of my mother but also because my mother has not lost her will to
live, even to do things she is not supposed, such as unpack her own suitcase.
Her desire to do this brings some hope, even though we know she is not
physically capable.
Also,
my mother can still calm you down or put you in your place if you are carrying
on too long by simply interjecting with, “now, that’s enough.”
[__02_] I bring this up as one example of what many you live with or have lived with, in the long term care of chronic illness.
So many of you help your loved ones.
And we look for rays of sunshine amid the often cloudy conditions and gray
areas.
[__03_] I also bring this up because the Gospel of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36) is about the vision of something bright and dazzling amid the and darkness and seemingly unmitigated disaster of Jesus’ passion and death.
This Transfiguration event occurs
several months or one year or more before Good Friday. On Good Friday,
everything is rolling – as we say in West Orange – down the hill. But, in the
Transfiguration Gospel, with Jesus appearing with Moses and Elijah, Jesus is up
the mountain and up the hill, meaning he is also giving access to God in
Heaven.
[__04_] The Transfiguration is one of many profound
mountain experiences in Scripture. God often meets His people on summits.
Consider Abraham’s journey to Mount Moriah with his son, Isaac (Genesis 22).
There, Abraham faced the agonizing test of faith—to sacrifice his son.
Ultimately, God provided a ram, sparing Isaac. This story foreshadows the
ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Like
Abraham's ascent, Jesus' climb anticipates sacrifice. The Jerusalem Temple,
another place of sacrifice, also stands on a mountain. For those who have
visited the Holy Land, the steep climb to Jerusalem is unforgettable. The
Transfiguration, then, is not just a geographic ascent but a spiritual
one—pointing to Christ’s sacrificial journey culminating on Good Friday.
[__05_] Preparing for the Climb: Visualization How do climbers prepare for their journey? One key method is visualization. Climbers mentally rehearse the path—visualizing handholds, footholds, and safety measures. This preparation reduces mental noise, helping them focus on their goal.
Similarly, in our spiritual lives, distractions and noise can obscure our direction. The Transfiguration reminds us to focus on where God is leading us. Are there worries or confusions preventing you from hearing God’s call? Visualization in prayer can help clarify our path.
[__06_] Facing Challenges Through Visualization
Are there difficulties or people you'd rather
avoid? Life presents unavoidable challenges. But through prayer, we can
visualize God's presence even in adversity. The Transfiguration is a glimpse of
Jesus' true glory, reminding us that God's light is present even amid
suffering.
[__07_] The paradox is that Jesus is most in his glory not on this mountain in dazzling white clothing, but most in his glory when he is giving his life, arrested and suffering on the Cross.
The disciples, of course, will be
discouraged – at first – by this definition of glory.
So, Jesus appears in dazzling white
now to reveal His glory ahead of time.
We also need moments to remember
God’s love for us and our call to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
This transfiguration and
visualization reminds his disciples of their hope of being Jesus in paradise,
in heaven.
I pray that this Gospel reminds not
only about the difficulty of climbing each day but that we can already right
now visualize that God is with us. Jesus is here. Listen to Him.
[__08_] Do you know Harvey Silkovitz? Until recently, I also did not know who he was? This past Monday, I received a telephone call from my father at around 8 pm, which was later than he and would usually talk by phone. Nevertheless, I was glad to receive his call and had good news of which I had no knowledge.
He asked if I had watched the game
show, Jeopardy that particular evening.
I was on my way to the store. I had not seen Jeopardy.
He was eager to tell me about one of
the contestants named Harvey Silkowitz. First of all, my father was interested
because Harvey was announced as being from “West Orange New Jersey!”
Great, I thought. But there was more,
because Harvey has Parkinson’s Disease and clearly lives with the disorder. You
can see it in his facial expression, by this stiff movements and relatively
slow speech.
But, because of all this, my father
was really rooting for Harvey.
On the show, Harvey was seated rather
than standing like the other players but other than that, Harvey was the same.
And, Harvey was so good that he knocked off the incumbent Jeopardy champ who
had won a few days in row.
Learning all of this, I felt so
elated- transfigured – in my own attitude towards Parkinson’s and I was really
hoping Harvey would win several more days so I could see him…and also share
this moment with my father and whole family. We could be the Harvey fan club.
And, I could run HQ here in West Orange, New Jersey!
That would be devotion, right!
In this regard, I am just like the
regular disciples looking for faith, hope, and love in all the wrong places.
Looking for material transfiguration
and glory, such as money or the number of consecutive days as Jeopardy champ.
Harvey reigned for one day.
Bummer I thought.
Of course, this is not the right way
to view life.
I congratulate Harvey on this
achievement. I just wanted his presence publicly
and visually to last longer. I am like Peter who was building tents, monuments
on the mountain to make the Transfiguration moment last longer.
The cloudiness of my mother’s illness
was brightened by this ray of Harvey sunshine, but is there not more than this?
My mother herself has never been on Jeopardy, but she has immeasurable value in
our lives.
True glory and greatness and cannot be
measured in material terms.
[__09_] Our
Lent began last Sunday with temptation and Jesus' 40 days in the desert, but
His vision remained fixed on His mission. The Transfiguration affirms that
Jesus' mission and true glory is found not in dazzling appearances but in His
sacrificial love on the cross. This paradox reveals that true victory comes
through surrender.
[__10_] Listening to Christ in Our Climb
The
disciples were likely discouraged by Jesus' path to suffering, but the
Transfiguration offered them a glimpse of His ultimate glory. Similarly, we
need moments of clarity—reminders of God's love and the hope of eternal life.
[__11_] St. Joseph
March
is also the month of Joseph, foster father of Jesus in the Holy Family and an
example of one whose glory was in his humility and silence and faith.
The
Transfiguration reassures us that even amid life's climbs, God is with us. We are
called to listen to Him, to remember that Jesus is near, guiding us every step
of the way.
May
this Gospel strengthen our resolve, reminding us that while the climb is
challenging, the summit—God's presence—is always worth it. Let us continue our
journey, trusting that Jesus walks beside us. Listen to Him.
[end]
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Rules. Retreat. Relationship (2025-03-09, Lent 1)
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[__v-08__] Homily – March 9, 2025 / 1st Sunday Lent
● Deuteronomy 26:4-10 ● Psalm 91 ● Romans 10:8-13 ● + Luke 4:1-13 ●
Title: Rules. Retreat. Relationship (Lent, Luke 4:1-13)
[_01_] Jesus is in the desert. In some biblical and historical commentaries on this place and time, we see Jesus in the Gospel being compared to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were also called to fast, not from everything, but they were called to fast from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Jesus is
fasting in the desert as an act of obedience, as an act of connection to God,
not just showing that he can observe the rules,
but also that he can recover.
It's an act of recovery and also the foundation of new relationship with us and with God.
[_02_] Many years ago, I had a summer job as a server at a hotel that did banquet-style dinners.
The maître d'
would explain the rules for each event. One night, we served "family
style," bringing large platters for guests to serve themselves. He
described it as, "Like when your mother slaps a pot of potatoes on the
table."
My friends and I
still are amused at his rules and regulations for FAMILY STYLE.
Lent, too, has
rules about fasting and abstinence. But is faith just about rules? In any
relationship, boundaries exist not for repression but for connection. Lent is
not about punishment; it is about recovery and relationship with Christ. It
calls us to both fasting and living "family style."
[_03_] Rules
& Reasons
Abstaining from
meat on Fridays honors Christ’s sacrifice. Since the first century, Christians
have recognized Friday as a day of penance. The law of the Church calls us to
abstinence from meat on Fridays of Lent, and Catholics 14 and older are called
to observe this practice.
Outside of Lent, on
the other Fridays of the year, another meaningful penance may be substituted.
I get it: You are saying, hey Padre, Friday is a day
for celebrations not “regulations”.
There
is even a restaurant: TGI Fridays
Restaurants tempt us with steak dinners. If
skipping meat is difficult, consider another quiet sacrifice, such as omitting
a meal earlier in the day or not eating dessert.
The point is not
just removing something, but making space for God.
[_04_] Rest & Recovery in Fasting
We naturally fast between meals to digest. This a natural example of “retreat”, “rest”, “recovery”.
And,
while fasting may seem difficult, the opposite of fasting is an extreme to
avoid,
if
we have eaten too much, consumed too much rich food, then no matter what is put
in front of us, we may be incapable of eating what is truly good. Intellectually,
I may recognize spinach salad or asparagus as healthy, but if I am already
stuffed, I will avoid even these!
The
same could be true if I am over-saturated or over-indulged in entertainment or
news or information. I only hear what I want to hear and disregard the rest.
Fasting,
in this regard, is not only about “abstaining” but also “sustaining”, not about
rejection but recovery. Fasting is healthy spiritually too.
For
example, it is often an exercise in “fasting” to be a good listener, to listen
to your spouse, your children, your parents. Talking is good, but we can fast
from talking to listen and hear each other and hear God’s word.
Coming
to Mass is not only a one-hour food fast prior to Holy Communion but also a
fast from socializing, talking, conversing, texting and all forms of media. You
got this!
Fasting is not
just abstaining but sustaining, a way to rest, retreat, and grow in unity with
God—"family style."
[_05_] Relationships & Fasting
Jesus is
asking us to fast, not to deprive ourselves, but to make room for him. And this
is summarized by the prophet Isaiah. This is the fasting I wish, releasing
those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the
oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering
the oppressed and the homeless.
Fasting is
about our relationship with God and neighbor and creation.
Balance.
On the one
hand, we can and do take bread or soup that we are not eating and bring it to
church or to the poor. This is good but not the only way to fast.
When
you're hungry, when you're fasting, you can make a prayer for those who are
physically hungry, physically starving, famished. There are people in our own
community, who live in what we call sociologically “food deserts”.
They may
not have access to supermarkets. They may live in neighborhoods where they
can't get to stores or lack transportation. There are many reasons that people
are starving. Some of it is poverty, some of it is transportation, and not all our
neighbors are far away. So we can unite ourselves to those who are very hungry
by our own fast to pray for the hungry and to pray that they will they will be
given what they need.
Our fasting is meant to be an act of mercy towards those we love and even towards those we do not know.
[_06_] I pray that these 40 days of Lent and our practice of the faith may help all of us to rest and recover by fasting and also relate … to render unto God what belongs to God, what originates from Him, not only our desires, but also our flesh and blood, body and soul and to make room for his Son to live in you and live in me, family style.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Ash Wednesday 2025
[Version 03 Ash Wednesday Homily: Entering God’s Reward, English]
Do you belong to any rewards programs? Whether it’s a store like
Staples or an airline like United, many of us are familiar with how these
programs work. We sign up, make purchases, accumulate points, and eventually
redeem them.
Recently, I went to Staples, the office supply store, knowing I
had a Staples reward card. I made a purchase, and they told me I had $10 in rewards.
Then I realized I hadn’t bought everything I needed, so I picked up another
item for $17 and asked, “Can I use my reward points now?” The representative
said, “Sorry, no, you have to wait until it processes in the system.”
Sometimes, you do not get your rewards right away. Our faith
journey is similar. God’s rewards do not come instantly; they require patience,
trust.
It is tempting to view Lent as a transaction: we give up
something—chocolate, social media, or meat on Fridays—and in return, we celebrate
with Easter feasts. But Jesus is not asking, “What’s in your wallet?” like a
credit card company. He is asking, “What’s in your heart?”
One of the “rewards” of fasting, sacrifice, and prayer during
Lent is discovering our true priorities. In moments of crisis, we can ask God:
“Lord, show me what is most important.”
Worldly Rewards vs. God’s Rewards
This time of year is also “award season” in Hollywood—the
Oscars, the Grammys, the Emmys. Many of us enjoy watching these ceremonies, not
just for the glamour, but for the acceptance speeches. The best speeches are
filled with humility and gratitude.
True love and faith are not transactional; they are
transformative. Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies. Pray for those who
persecute you.”
Structure of God’s Rewards Program: Declaration, Denial, Delight
Declaration To
join a rewards program, you must sign up. Similarly, we declare our faith
publicly. Receiving ashes today is one way of saying, “I belong to God.”
Denial Any
rewards program involves sacrifice. If you want airline miles, you need to take
multiple flights. Likewise, Lent calls us to deny ourselves. Jesus says, “If
anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow
me.”
Delight The true delight is
not an earthly prize—it is aligning our hearts with God’s love. God loves the
poor, the outcast, the broken. Do we love what He loves?
Unlike a retail store or airline rewards program, God’s program
does not have a database where we can check our points. The true reward is a transformed
heart and eternal life with Him.
The ashes we receive today remind us that earthly things pass
away, but our souls are made for something greater.
So as we begin this Lenten season, let us
embrace God’s invitation. Let us declare our faith, deny ourselves for the sake
of the Gospel, and delight in what God delights in. The journey may require
patience, but the ultimate reward is beyond anything we can imagine.
[Ver. 03 Ash Wednesday Homily: Entering God’s Reward, Spanish]
¿Pertenece a algún
programa de recompensas? Ya sea en una tienda como Staples o en una aerolínea
como United, muchos estamos familiarizados con cómo funcionan estos programas.
Nos inscribimos, realizamos compras, acumulamos puntos y, eventualmente, los
canjeamos por descuentos o beneficios.
Recientemente, fui a
Staples con mi tarjeta de recompensas. Compré algo y me informaron que tenía
$10 acumulados. Luego, me di cuenta de que me faltaba algo y compré otro
artículo por $17. Pregunté si podía usar mis puntos, y el empleado respondió:
“Lo siento, debe esperar hasta que el sistema lo procese.”
A veces, las
recompensas no llegan de inmediato. Hay que esperar. De alguna manera, nuestra
vida de fe es similar. Las recompensas de Dios no son automáticas; requieren
fe, paciencia y confianza.
Es tentador ver la
Cuaresma como una transacción: dejamos el chocolate, reducimos el uso de redes
sociales o evitamos la carne los viernes, y a cambio celebramos en Pascua. Pero
Jesús no nos pregunta: “¿Qué hay en tu billetera?” Nos pregunta: “¿Qué hay en
tu corazón?”
Una de las
“recompensas” del ayuno, el sacrificio y la oración en Cuaresma es descubrir
nuestras verdaderas prioridades. En los momentos de crisis, podemos pedir a
Dios: “Señor, muéstrame qué es lo más importante.”
En esta época también
es la "temporada de premios" en Hollywood—los Oscar, los Grammy, los
Emmy. A muchos nos gusta ver estas ceremonias, no solo por el glamour, sino
también por los discursos. Los mejores están llenos de humildad y gratitud.
El verdadero amor y la
verdadera fe no son transacciones; son transformaciones. Jesús nos dice: “Amen
a sus enemigos. Oren por quienes los persiguen.”
La estructura del
programa de recompensas de Dios: Declaración, negación y deleite
Declaración. Para unirse a un programa de recompensas, hay
que registrarse. De manera similar, declaramos nuestra fe públicamente. Recibir
la ceniza hoy es una forma de decir: “Yo pertenezco a Dios.”
Negación Todo
programa de recompensas requiere sacrificio. Para acumular millas, hay que
viajar varias veces. De manera similar, la Cuaresma nos llama a negarnos a
nosotros mismos. Jesús dice: “Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a
sí mismo, tome su cruz y sígame.”
Deleite El verdadero gozo no es un premio terrenal—es
alinear nuestro corazón con el amor de Dios. Dios ama a los pobres, a los
marginados, a los quebrantados. ¿Amamos nosotros lo que Él ama?
A diferencia de los
programas de recompensas comerciales, el programa de Dios no tiene una base de
datos para consultar nuestros puntos. La verdadera recompensa es un corazón
transformado y la vida eterna con Él.
Las cenizas que
recibimos hoy nos recuerdan que lo terrenal es pasajero, pero nuestra alma está
hecha para algo mayor.
Al comenzar esta
Cuaresma, aceptemos la invitación de Dios. Declarémonos como sus hijos,
neguémonos por el Evangelio y encontremos gozo en lo que Dios ama. La
recompensa final es inimaginable. Amén.
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Annual Appeal 2025 (2025-03-02)
This is my homily/presentation March 2, 2025 to promote the Annual Appeal with the Archdiocese.
For video presentation of this go to:
___ Click Here for English Version __
___ Click Here for Spanish Version __
If you would like to contribute, information is available in the pews. You can also contact me at
FatherJimFerry@lourdeswestorange.org
Or call (973) 325-0110
To donate online, visit rcan.org/sharing
[slide_00 Gospel] One of my seminary professors once remarked that this passage from the Gospel must have come from St. Joseph and Jesus’s carpenter’s workshop. After all, it speaks of splinters and wood—things that carpenters would have encountered daily. We try to keep splinters out of our bodies, especially our eyes. A carpenter and a carpenter’s son would have understood not only the challenge of removing splinters but also the need for assistance to see clearly. Likewise, we need God’s grace to help us see clearly in our daily lives.
[slide_01] This Sunday, we are promoting the Annual Appeal. Coincidentally, I also want to clarify some terminology. The Annual Appeal focuses on our mission—the mission of charity that we undertake as Christians and Catholics. However, there is another collection that sounds similar, beginning with the letter "A as in alpha"—the Assessment Collection. This collection also involves financial support to the Archdiocese, but it serves a different purpose.
The Assessment Collection
covers maintenance expenses, which help sustain the Archdiocese. For example,
part of our assessment funds the upkeep of the cathedral basilica in Newark and
provides support for property management services. These services assist
parishes like ours by ensuring that buildings are well maintained. Currently,
as we prepare to lease our convent to a new tenant, a lawyer is drafting the
lease for us. Thanks to the assessment funds, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish does
not have to cover legal fees, as they are already accounted for in our
contribution to the Archdiocese.
On the other hand, the
Annual Appeal is not about maintenance but about our mission. It supports charitable
efforts that extend beyond our local parish. I want to thank you for your
continued generosity and invite you to join me in supporting this year’s Annual
Appeal. I have already made my contribution, and I encourage you to do the
same.
When we give regionally, we
benefit locally. The Annual Appeal serves the Archdiocese of Newark, which
includes Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Union counties. But first, let me remind
you why we give locally.
[slide_02,
why give locally / faith]
Why
Give Locally?
Your parish contributions allow the Catholic faith to be
passed on through the sacraments. Young people are baptized in Christ, prepared
for penance, confession, confirmation, marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of
the Sick. Your generosity helps cover the cost of religious education, which
tuition fees alone cannot sustain. We are also blessed with many volunteers who
give their time freely to support religious education at Our Lady of Lourdes.
Thank you for your dedication—you are ensuring that the sacraments, worship,
and education remain accessible to all. We never turn anyone away due to
financial hardship.
[slide_03] Your local giving also supports the needy.
Consider the example of Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, Jesus washed the feet of
His disciples and told them to do the same for others—an act of humble service.
Similarly, your Holy Thursday donations support the St. Vincent de Paul
Society, which aids the poor in our community. At Christmas, your generosity
provides for those in need through our Giving Tree project, ensuring that the
most vulnerable receive assistance.
[slide_04] Why
Give Regionally?
The Annual Appeal extends our mission by funding seminary
education and forming future priests, including those serving in our own
parish. I myself was educated through the Annual Appeal—your generosity helped
pay for my tuition at Immaculate Conception Seminary. Father Bob Susko, our
weekend assistant, continues to work in administration there.
Additionally, the Appeal funds campus ministry,
supporting young Catholics at nine colleges within our Archdiocese. Before
coming here, I served in campus ministry at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Thanks to your contributions, my ministry was provided at no cost to the
university. Your support ensures that priests continue to serve students at
Montclair State University, Rutgers-Newark, Kean University, and other
campuses. Note that this funding does not extend to Seton Hall University,
which has its own sources of support. Instead, these contributions sustain
Newman Clubs and Catholic outreach at public and non-religious
universities.
The Appeal also provides for Masses for the disabled,
ensuring that worship remains accessible to the hearing-impaired and others
with special needs. It funds Catholic Charities, which offers food, shelter,
job training, and educational programs for those in crisis.
[slide_05] How Does This Benefit Our Parish?
You may be wondering: How does giving to the Annual
Appeal benefit Our Lady of Lourdes?
Because of your generosity, our parish has received over
**$200,000** in grants and debt relief from the Archdiocese over the past ten
years. This includes:
- **$105,000 in direct grants** for building repairs
- **$50,000 in assessment reductions** over the past two
years
- **$36,000 in additional assessment reductions**
- **$66,000 in forgiveness of unpaid bills** to the
Archdiocese
That’s a total benefit of **$207,000** over the past
decade.
Additionally, **Catholic Charities rents our school
building**, and their rent covers **50% of our parish budget**. The Mount
Carmel Guild Academy, which operates in our school building, serves children on
the autism spectrum and those with special learning needs. Your contribution,
no matter the size, supports both our parish and the broader Church.
[slide_06] Our
Goal for This Year
Our **goal for this year’s Annual Appeal is $33,208**. By
reaching this goal before **June 30**, our parish will receive **a $12,000
reduction** in assessment costs. This benefit is available to all parishes that
meet their goal by June 30.
If you would like to
contribute, information is available in the pews. You can also contact me at
FatherJimFerry@lourdeswestorange.org
Or call (973) 325-0110
To donate online, visit rcan.org/sharing
Thank you for your prayerful
consideration and for supporting our parish. Together, we continue to build on
over 110 years of faith and service at Our Lady of Lourdes.
[slide_07] Thank
you for your prayerful consideration and generosity. Together, we continue to
build on 110 years of faith and ensure
Our Lady of Lourdes remains a thriving spiritual home for generations to come.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us !
Now, we will watch the official video from the
Archdiocese. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you!