- Are you happy with your choices in life
November 24, 2019
November 17, 2019
All Saints homily Nov 1st (Mass with children)
- Father Matthew preaches to children about All Saints' Day, celebrated in the Catholic Church. His message is that God wants all of us to be a saint. Saints go to Heaven to be with God. We are called to be saints and to follow Jesus.
November 10, 2019
Lord will many be saved (Luke 13 22-30) Oct 30 homily
- Before the 1970s we were scared about going to hell, but then near Vatican II, everything changed. Talks about going to hell are not heard of often anymore. But there are consequences to the message that everyone is good, and that everyone is going to heaven. Nowadays, the sacrament of confession is rarely attended. In today's Gospel, a question is asked of Jesus, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" Jesus doesn't provide a yes or no answer. Instead, He says, "Strive to enter through the narrow door." So, it isn't a wide and huge door. "For many will try to enter, and will not be able to." Even when knocking at the door, God will say, "Go away from me all you evil doers." Father Matthew provides us with his reflection on what this teaching means for us, and how we need to strive to enter through that narrow gate.
November 3, 2019
Today salvation has come to this house (Luke 19)
- Zacchaeus, the tax collector, was not well liked. But even the most crooked and worst of sinners have the opportunity to turn back and receive mercy, forgiveness, and healing if they repent. Jesus notices Zacchaeus' efforts. Zacchaeus was shocked when Jesus requested to visit his house. He would have no time to clean up and to hide things, just as we too would feel the discomfort of Father Matthew announcing that he would visit our homes without any notice. We would have not time to clean up and prepare for a visit. Zacchaeus immediately repents and says that he will give away half of what he owns, and that he will pay back those he had defrauded four fold. It's an amazing conversion story. Sin cannot exist when Jesus is present. Zacchaeus chooses Jesus over sin, and he decides to make reparations. Jesus then forgives him by saying salvation has come to this house. We always need to be ready because one day Jesus will walk up to us like he did to Zacchaeus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)