John the Baptist and Human Dignity (Birth of the John the Baptist)

To listen to this homily, click here.

You have to be pretty special to get a feast day celebrating your birthday in the Catholic Church. There are three people with this honor and the first that comes to mind, of course, is Jesus on December 25. The second is Mary, his Mother, on September 8. The third winner is John the Baptist whose birthday we celebrate today, June 24. The Church allows the usual Sunday readings and prayers to be replaced with ones dealing with John because of his close connection with the life and ministry of Christ. John was the forerunner, the one who would go before the Lord to "Prepare the way of the Lord". As we reflect on the birth of John the Baptist we marvel at how unlikely his existence was: he was born of older parents who were thought to be unable to have a child—a source a great suffering for many couples then as it is now. 

The angel told a skeptical Zechariah that not only would their son bring joy and gladness to them, but in fact "many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord". The angel revealed that John had a special task to perform in his life. John's glory, the reason we honor him at mass today, lies not in his worldly accomplishments or in the recognition he received from the people of his time. John's importance and holiness lay in the fact that he was "great in the sight of the Lord; his human dignity came from the fact that he was made in the image and likeness of God, called and loved by the Lord. 

In the sight of other people we are sometimes held in esteem, other times in contempt, but God sees through that pettiness and loves us—great or humble, rich or poor, famous or obscure, simply as we are, precious in his eyes even if scorned by others. Perhaps we can take a lesson from this as to the value of all human life. Even an infant destined for worldly insignificance is "great in the sight of the Lord" and deserves the same welcome that John the Baptist received from his parents. We see the absolute value of every human life in God's eyes, especially the lives of the unborn, in the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you”.

This feast provides an opportunity for us as Americans to contemplate things going on in our country. Recently there has been much discussion, debate, and now proposed legislation over the practice of separating children from parents when they attempt to cross our nation’s borders illegally. Not that this practice of separation is new but the decision to prosecute each person who crosses the border illegally is what has increased the number of these separations. 

Now I’m not going to go into the politics of this policy as it stands currently or as it was during the terms of past presidents; I don’t think the homily is the proper forum for that. However, I do want to reflect on the apparent disconnect or double standard that exists throughout this national discussion on immigration, borders, and national security.

This debate has centered largely on the principle of human dignity and how we honor that even when people are not citizens of our country or are potentially entering with criminal intent. There has been a lot of talk about children separated from their families and how their dignity is being violated. There is a strong sense that families should not be broken up. There has also been many thoughts shared about the trauma inflicted on the children because of this; how they are crying themselves to sleep, feeling alone, abandoned, and full of fear. I think there is truth in these concerns and valid objections to this policy that must be addressed.

At the same time, one has to wonder why there is such an immediate uproar for the way these children are being treated while so many stay silent in the face of the thousands of innocent, defenseless babies that have been and continue to be killed each and every day in our country through legalized abortion. Why Pope Francis is quoted by many as condemning this policy at our borders but then largely ignored this past weekend when he stated that, “abortion is the white-gloved equivalent to the Nazi-era eugenics program.” As a nation, are we not the height of moral hypocrisy as we call for an end to policies that separate families from their children while at the same time maintaining that it is a basic human right to abort one’s unborn child for any reason? Why have lawmakers, advocates, citizens, media, and even scores of Christians practiced selective outrage on one issue and not the other? If we think we can have a true, lasting solution to the problem of immigration, the separation of children from their parents and other issues of human dignity while tolerating and even defending the practice of abortion, we are out of our minds. Either we value and protect every human life as sacred without exception or we say that some persons are more valuable than others and can be treated differently. There is really no middle ground on this particular point. We cannot fix one without addressing the other. And heaven help us if we only confront these issues when they become politically expedient or popular!!

The birth and life of John the Baptist, which we celebrate today, is a perfect inspiration for our times. He was one of the most unexpected and unlikely of children to be born but imagine what the world would have lost without him! He had a message to proclaim, which offended some, but he did it fearlessly, even though it cost him his freedom and eventually his head. Might we need a little dose of his courage and zeal to proclaim the gospel teaching on the inviolable dignity of every human person, regardless of whether they are American citizens, migrant children, born or still in the womb? Mindful of John the Baptist and the "greatness" he held in the eyes of the Lord, even before his birth, let us pray that all God's children may be welcomed into life with love, for all are truly "great in the sight of the Lord.”

Patience and Fatherhood (11th Sunday, Year B)

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Before I begin the homily today, I want to wish all the Fathers present a very happy and blessed Fathers’ Day. I'd like to thank you for your faithful witness and willing self-sacrifice, which has been an integral part of your family’s formation in the faith. Unfortunately, we live in a society that often minimizes the role of the father in family life and makes it easy for men to shirk their responsibilities. We see the hurtful effects of these decisions on our young people! But today in our culture and in our Church, we want to reaffirm your essential role in the family and in the world for all our dads. After communion we will offer a special blessing of appreciation for all of our fathers.

One of the essential characteristics of fatherhood is patience. A good father learns to be patient very quickly so the members of his family can have a safe environment to grow and develop. But even the best dads lose their patience sometimes. And certainly all of us, even the most mild-mannered, struggle to be patient in certain circumstances and with certain people. I think this is even more so in modern times, where we have grown used to things happening right away, as soon as we want them. Think about how quick communications have become with instant messaging, text messages, skype, and the fact that most people expect a response to their message right away. We can see the same impatience in the way we shop, the way we eat, the way we drive, and even the way we pray.

Compare this with Jesus’ description of the kingdom of God. He says, “it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow.” To drive his point home, Jesus offers another image for the kingdom of God, of which, we are called to be members. Once again he says, “It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."

The Hebrews would have understood the point of these parables instantly because they understood agriculture. Their lives depended on the crops they cultivated and the animals they raised.  Yet, they knew the wonder of growth belonged to the Lord. The people who heard Jesus tell the parable of the farmer's life also shared the wonder of the soil. The farmer worked hard during the day, but he couldn’t make the seed grow into a plant, nor the plant produce fruit. It is God and God alone who caused the growth. The people of Jesus’ time would have been acutely aware of how little control they had over their crops, the weather, and even the harvest they could expect. Whether they liked it or not, they had to be patient and trust that God would provide for their needs.

This is a necessary lesson for us modern people. We have grown used to thinking we are in control and the false sense that we will master any situation with enough time and research. We have grown so impatient as a society believing we must take charge and seize what we want. But how much mystery still remains in the world!? And how little we actually control?

The people of the ancient world were often a step ahead of us when it came to openness to the kingdom of God. They constantly came into contact with their helplessness and knew how much they depended on God for their basic, daily needs. The parables of the farmer and the mustard seed would have described a way of life that many experienced each and every day: It is God who plants the seed and God who makes it grow. We can cooperate with his grace but ultimately it is God who controls everything. We have to be patient, acknowledging that things happen in God’s time and according to his plan.

It is good for us to reflect on God’s patience with mankind and how patience is built into a true understanding of the kingdom of God. Imagine how easy it would have been for God to make us the way he wanted right away, to make us perfect instantly. Instead, God is patient with us, he gives us many opportunities to grow, and forgives our failures if we are truly sorry. Truly, God’s patience is one of the great gifts that he shares with us and one we certainly don’t deserve. But like so many of God’s gifts, his patience cannot be hoarded for ourselves. It must be shared freely.  

With the example of God’s patience, we might look at our own approach to life’s setbacks and annoyances. Do we exercise patience when things don’t go our way? Or when God asks us to wait for what we want? Or when we have to absorb the impatience of others? Since God is so patient with us, we must learn to be patient with ourselves and others. The root of the word patience is “patio” which means “to suffer” and if we want to have patience in our day-to-day living, then we must also be willing to accept suffering in our lives. If we try to run from every suffering then we will be unable to be patient as well. 

Let us pray for this gift of patience each and every day so we might live the truth taught in today’s parables. And let us embrace the opportunities that come our way to exercise patience, even if it means suffering, knowing that they can teach us something and lead us closer to God.

Jesus Is Waiting for Your Visit (Corpus Christi 2018)

To listen to this homily, click here.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, historically known by its Latin name, Corpus Christi, celebrates the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. The feast dates to the Middle Ages and came about because of an extraordinary miracle.

In 1263 a German priest, Fr. Peter of Prague, made a pilgrimage to Rome. He stopped in Bolsena, Italy, to celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Christina. At the time he was having doubts about Jesus being truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. He was affected by the growing debate among theologians who were speculating if the Eucharistic was Jesus’ actual Body and Blood or just a symbol. When Fr. Peter said the prayer of consecration, blood started seeping from the host onto the altar and corporal.

Understandably shaken, Fr. Peter reported this miracle to Pope Urban IV, who happened to be nearby in Orvieto. The pope sent delegates to investigate and ordered that host and blood-stained corporal be brought to Orvieto. The relics were then placed in the Cathedral of Orvieto, where they remain today. Pope Urban instituted Corpus Christi for the Universal Church and celebrated it for the first time in 1264, a year after the Eucharistic Miracle in Bolsena.

        Inspired by the miracle, Pope Urban commissioned a Dominican friar, St. Thomas Aquinas, to compose the Mass and Office for the feast of Corpus Christi. Aquinas’ hymns in honor of the Holy Eucharist, Pange Lingua, Tantum Ergo, Panis Angelicus, and O Salutaris Hostia are the beloved hymns the Church sings on the feast of Corpus Christi as well as throughout the year during Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

This belief that the Eucharist is actually the Body and Blood of Jesus is something that has distinguished Catholics from virtually every other Christian community and denomination. It’s the reason we genuflect when we come into Church. It’s why we have the unique practice of Adoration, where the Host is placed in something called a monstrance for us contemplate in wonder and awe. This fundamental belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in Holy Communion has enabled many Christians to give their lives for the Eucharist, not just in the early centuries, but even in modern times. In Nazi concentration camps, priests celebrated secret Masses so they and other prisoners could receive Communion. A priest in a Vietnamese prison celebrated Mass by holding a tiny particle of bread and single drop of wine in the palm of his hand. 

If the Eucharist meant so much to so many Catholics over the last 20 centuries, we should also ask what it means to us? Here at Incarnate Word, we are doing our best to have a well-kept church and beautiful music. We have a welcoming community and I promise your clergy put a considerable amount of time, prayer, and effort into our preaching. But even if all these things were missing or downright terrible, would it not be worthwhile to come to Mass just to worship and receive Jesus himself?

As creatures made in the image and likeness of God, our first and most important responsibility to the Lord is worship! The primary purpose of music is to worship God. In a similar way, an effective homily should lead to worship and should itself be an act of worship, which means it doesn’t draw attention to me but directs the focus back to God. Our very gathering is an act of worship. We should, of course, be friendly and courteous, but we always keep in mind that we are here for a sacred purpose: to worship our Maker, our Savior, the One who gives us his entire self under the form of bread and wine.

St. Augustine said, "No one eats this flesh unless he first adores it." Which highlights the spiritual treasure we have in this wonderful parish: perpetual adoration! Every hour of every day except for Good Friday and Holy Saturday, we are blessed to have the Eucharist, the actual Body and Blood of Jesus in our adoration chapel waiting for you and me to visit in prayer. Think about that for a moment! The Savior of the world, the Victor over sin and death, the Redeemer of your soul and the souls of everyone you have ever loved, sits quietly just outside these doors 24 hours a day! He would be thrilled to see you, to have you sit with Him and whether you tell Him what is going on in your life or you just enjoy His company, nothing would make Him happier!

Lately we have been having trouble filling up hours for our adoration chapel. It is customary to have at least two people signed up for each hour of adoration which means this parish would need at least 336 people to visit with Jesus one hour each week. Many of you already do this. But there are some slots with only one person and other times where one adorer covers multiple hours. Incarnate Word has 2,053 registered households and 5,927 souls as members. Simple math tells me we have enough people to keep Jesus company.

I know many people hesitate from signing up because they aren’t sure what they would do for an hour. Maybe they feel like they don’t know how to pray or are afraid they will do it wrong. Don’t let that stop you. Adoration is as simple as sitting with someone you love and who loves you back. You don’t need a script. Sometimes you might talk, other times you will listen. Maybe you will pray the rosary, read the bible, write in a journal or even fall asleep. Many times it will be as simple as looking at the Lord and knowing He looks back and smiles at you. Hopefully you’ve had this sort of experience already as a spouse, parent, grandparent or friend and you enjoy sitting in the company of the people you love while your heart is fed and filled.

One other common concern: “Father, I’m too busy. I can’t commit to an hour.” To which I would offer the observation that love finds a way to be with the people near and dear to our heart. We all get the same amount of hours in a day but the way we spend them is up to us. I know it can be difficult, especially for our young families, to get away from ball games, meetings, and the business of raising kids every single week. But might it be possible to sign up for an hour with three or four other families or friends so each one covers an hour a month? Love is creative like that. It finds ways to spend time together despite the challenges. 

One final comment. I have never met anyone who committed to a regular practice of adoration and found out that it was worthless, terrible, or ruined their life. In fact, person after person will tell you that even though they didn’t know what to do or expect at first, it has changed their life and made them a better Christian, spouse, friend, and overall person. So let’s honor the tremendous gift of Jesus in the Eucharist and do something good for ourselves at the same time. Please consider adding the practice of adoration to your prayer and let’s see how it might change your life by the time this feast rolls around next year!