Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Part of the reason why we’ve made this pilgrimage is to see and touch the places where Jesus lived, ministered, died, and rose from the dead. Today, for example, we find ourselves right where Jesus was born!

These experiences are meant to strengthen our faith and understanding that he really lived, he really died, and he really was raised from the dead. Jesus was a real, historical person – not some figment of our imagination or a character in a fairy tale.

Saint Luke makes the same effort when writing his Gospel, at times listing historical events with painstaking detail. In today’s Gospel, for example, he writes:

“In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus…when Quirinius was governor of Syria…And Joseph went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem.”

Luke wants the reader to be certain: Jesus of Nazareth was here.

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So, what’s special about his birthplace? Why did the Lord choose to become flesh here in Bethlehem?

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One reason is because “Bethlehem” means “house of bread.” 

From his birth, the Lord is setting the stage for what he will leave behind: his resurrected presence in the Eucharist.

Luke adds a further detail: Jesus was born in a trough. Just as animals receive nourishment from food placed in a trough, so we are meant to feed on Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread.”

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May our presence here today reaffirm what we already believe: Jesus wasn’t a figure from a fairy tale. He was – and is – real.

And we are about to receive Him now. (If you’re reading this online, know we’re carrying you to the altar today).

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Image credits: (1) History Hit, Basilica of the Nativity (2) OMHKSEA, Basilica of the Nativity (3) www.bethlehem-city.org

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Gospel: Matthew 26: 36-46

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,  and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,^* and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”

He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”

Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.

Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.

Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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I’m sure many of you have heard of Fulton Sheen, the most popular Catholic preacher of the last 100 years. 

He was famous for many things: his style, his energy, his pomp and circumstance, and how his sermons made the Gospels seem relevant and accessible to a 20^th century audience.

When Sheen was ordained a priest, he made two promises to God: first, he would offer Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother every Saturday, seeking her intercession to protect his priesthood.

And second: he would spend an hour a day in prayer. 

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Sheen’s promise to pray a “holy hour” was transformative. He credits prayer, in particular, to making his heart more like Christ’s. 

It’s why I’ve made the same effort – to pray an hour a day – for the last 12 years. I, too, can say that prayer has fueled my love for Christ.

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But, why pray for an hour?

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It comes from today’s Gospel – from the very place where we are standing now. “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” Jesus says to his disciples.

Sheen claims this is the only time when the Lord asks anything of them – just to keep him company.

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While the Lord doesn’t expect all of us to keep watch with him for an hour a day, every day, we all must pray. 

It’s what made Sheen – and what can make us – a Saint.

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Image credits: (1) Dreamstime.com (2) Custodia Terrae Sanctae (3) Holy Land Sites

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But he said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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This homily is given at the Duc in Altum on the Sea of Galilee during our parish pilgrimage, day 3.

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Many of you have visited – or at least seen pictures of – Niagara Falls. The beauty of the falls comes from the height and sheer volume of water that rushes over the falls – some 700,000 gallons per second.

Over the centuries, people have attempted death-defying stunts at the falls, such as going over the falls locked inside a barrel. One person even tried – unsuccessfully – to swim across the rapids.

Then there was the daredevil known as the “Great Blondin,” who crossed the falls on a highwire multiple times. In one of his attempts, he planned on pushing a wheelbarrow across, balancing on a wire only several inches thick.

Before starting his long and delicate journey, a voice cried out from the crowd, “You’ll never make it! Goodbye!”

But the “Great Blondin” confidently pushed the wheelbarrow from one end of the falls to the other, then turned around and made his way back.

“Now do you believe I can do it?” He said to the skeptic. 

“Yes,” the man conceded. “Now I believe.”

“Do you believe I can do it again?” Blondin asked.

“Of course. A hundred times!”

“If you really believe,” Blondin said, “then get into the wheelbarrow!”

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In today’s Gospel, the disciples are invited to get into the wheelbarrow; to believe in what Jesus has done.

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Since Jesus’ death on Good Friday, they’ve been hiding in Jerusalem, terrified that they may be next.

You can imagine the disciples huddled together, shivering as they listen to children running through the alleyways outside, locals bartering in the streets, people chattering back and forth.

Are those same voices chattering in the streets also the ones who shouted, “Crucify him!” on Good Friday? If the disciples leave, will they be recognized? Will the same crowds call for their death, too? 

It seems they have reached a dead end. They’ve lost their leader and, perhaps, their faith in him.

Suddenly, Jesus appears and says, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

Jesus commissions them to begin telling the world about the remarkable victory he has won over death.

And they actually do!

In the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about Saint Peter standing in the middle of a large crowd, saying, “This man you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up!”

What a remarkable act of courage. Peter faces the same people who put Jesus to death – and who could also put him to death – and tells them about the resurrection. 

This sudden change in his behavior from cowardice to courage is one of the very first proofs of the resurrection. There’s no other logical explanation as to why Peter would’ve left that locked room in Jerusalem unless he actually saw the Risen Christ…and believed.

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In three days – no pun intended – you and I will have the opportunity to touch the empty tomb. To see what Peter did. We’ve already walked the same roads; we’ve dipped our fingers into the Sea of Galilee; we’ve visited the place of our Lord’s birth.

So, how deeply has this pilgrimage touched us? Like Peter, has it strengthened our faith in the resurrection, inspiring us to be more vocal about our faith, even telling others back home?

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“As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” Jesus says. 

Or, using the words of the “Great Blondin”:

“If you really believe, then get in.”

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Image credits: (1) Magdala, Duc in Altum (2) Doubting Thomas, Caravaggio (3) The Blondin Memorial Trust