This is easy! Each week on Thursday I post my homily idea...my main focus for preaching this coming Sunday. What I am hoping for is a reaction from people in the pews. Does my "focus" connect with your daily life, faith, and experience? Or not? Either affirm the direction I am going in (by giving me an example from your life) or challenge me, ask for clarification! Questions are the best! Reaction rather than reflection is what I'm looking for here. Don't be afraid, get in the ring. Ole!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Homily Prep June 9
-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at USCCB.org
-I will be celebrating mass this weekend at 5:30, 9:30, and 12:30
I think the teaching of the Church does come across as the Truth - at least in my way of thinking, and I think for many. Because if a person believes in Love and its meaning of giving oneself away for the other - and listens to all that the Church teaches which supports that belief - then it seems evident that the Church's teachings are true. But I think challenge arises when the deeds don't match up with the words of the teaching. So, for instance, when financial scandals or sex abuse scandals or any kinds of scandal arise, there is an inclination of some to "throw the baby out with the bath water" and discredit the Church entirely. But when we can look beyond the earthly weakness of the Church and grasp a hold of the divine, as Paul did, we can see the truth revealed to us through her and her teaching. She is a sign of our union with God - and that's a Truth that gives life such purpose.
The Church has always come across for me as the Divine Truth; the absolute Truth. As Jesus said He will never leave His Chuch; He is always with Her, guiding Her in the Truth.
When someone asks me how do I know or why do I follow the Catholic Church, my response to them is plain and simple . . . this is the Church Jesus started, the Church He gave His life for and He promised to always be with Her. All other "churches" or "religions" were started by "man". That simple.
If we can share with our brothers and sisters that basic Truth, It may give them at least a rock base Truth upon which to build and grow.
I believe Paul 'is doing' exactly what he is talking about. Jesus came to testify to the truth, and this truth was revealed to Paul in a way unique for Paul.
For me, Paul proclaims the same thing as the following quote:
'About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter.' – St. Joan of Arc
The Body of Christ. I just don't know how to say it, I don't have the words.
Ok, here goes. I think the teachings/lessons of the bible are there for everyone to share. I think that the Catholic church presents the readings and that the Homily gives us and shares with us a particular way of interpretation. It is most important that we as Catholics know that God is all powerful, all knowing and almighty. I think that while some interpret the words of the Bible as truth, it should also be noted that God has a human side. If he created the world and then man and saw that it was good, he could have just sat back and been finished. Instead he gave us conflict (Adam & Eve). The divine teaching of the church should be embraced. God always reveals himself to us in some way.
The truth is that there is a distinction between what's the truth and what's the teaching. This distinction is reflected in the goal of the homilist and the homily, and the reason that I check-in with the Matador. As stated, the homily or the preaching is not the final destination. Rather, the goal of the homily is to incite and draw and facilitate passing through the preaching to an encounter with the truth and God. I pray for the attentiveness, wisdom, and grace to realize this goal as much as humanly possible.
7 comments:
I think the teaching of the Church does come across as the Truth - at least in my way of thinking, and I think for many. Because if a person believes in Love and its meaning of giving oneself away for the other - and listens to all that the Church teaches which supports that belief - then it seems evident that the Church's teachings are true. But I think challenge arises when the deeds don't match up with the words of the teaching. So, for instance, when financial scandals or sex abuse scandals or any kinds of scandal arise, there is an inclination of some to "throw the baby out with the bath water" and discredit the Church entirely. But when we can look beyond the earthly weakness of the Church and grasp a hold of the divine, as Paul did, we can see the truth revealed to us through her and her teaching. She is a sign of our union with God - and that's a Truth that gives life such purpose.
The Church has always come across for me as the Divine Truth; the absolute Truth. As Jesus said He will never leave His Chuch; He is always with Her, guiding Her in the Truth.
When someone asks me how do I know or why do I follow the Catholic Church, my response to them is plain and simple . . . this is the Church Jesus started, the Church He gave His life for and He promised to always be with Her. All other "churches" or "religions" were started by "man". That simple.
If we can share with our brothers and sisters that basic Truth, It may give them at least a rock base Truth upon which to build and grow.
I believe Paul 'is doing' exactly what he is talking about. Jesus came to testify to the truth, and this truth was revealed to Paul in a way unique for Paul.
For me, Paul proclaims the same thing as the following quote:
'About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter.' – St. Joan of Arc
The Body of Christ. I just don't know how to say it, I don't have the words.
Jeremiah 29:13
Isaiah 29:13
Open your heart, not your mind.
Ok, here goes. I think the teachings/lessons of the bible are there for everyone to share. I think that the Catholic church presents the readings and that the Homily gives us and shares with us a particular way of interpretation. It is most important that we as Catholics know that God is all powerful, all knowing and almighty. I think that while some interpret the words of the Bible as truth, it should also be noted that God has a human side. If he created the world and then man and saw that it was good, he could have just sat back and been finished. Instead he gave us conflict (Adam & Eve). The divine teaching of the church should be embraced. God always reveals himself to us in some way.
The truth is that there is a distinction between what's the truth and what's the teaching. This distinction is reflected in the goal of the homilist and the homily, and the reason that I check-in with the Matador. As stated, the homily or the preaching is not the final destination. Rather, the goal of the homily is to incite and draw and facilitate passing through the preaching to an encounter with the truth and God. I pray for the attentiveness, wisdom, and grace to realize this goal as much as humanly possible.
i think this is a good homily
god bless
I look forward to hearing your homily. This has obviously been an area of much discussion since the early days of the church.
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