FRIDAY EVENING MASS HOMILY – FATHER JOSEPH

On August 4, 1859, a priest died. He was the Cur¾ of Ars, patron of parish priests. St. John Vianney was a guide and healer of souls. He would spend 10-15 hours a day in the confessional. The weight of the sins of the people who confessed to him was with him. He had a real love in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He would point to the tabernacle and say "He is there." He was known for his strong preaching. He denounced evil. He wanted to convert people.

The presence of God for the sinner is torment.

SATURDAY MORNING MASS HOMILY – FATHER AUGUSTINE

Today is the memorial of St. Mary Major Basilica which was erected in Our Lady's honor by Pope Sixtus III.

The motherhood of Mary is a gift from Jesus, and it does not take away from the sanctity of Jesus. Work in Her sanctification is the work of Jesus Christ. Mary, Mother of God, comes from Her meeting with Elizabeth who responded: "Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Mary is the mother of Jesus; Jesus is God; thus, Mary is the Mother of God.

At the moment of conception, God gives a soul (supernatural). Mary's body was given for Jesus to grow. She is the mother of the person. The Son of God died on the cross (we speak in His human nature). In divine nature, we cannot say that - divine nature precludes death. 

What type of union existed between Jesus' divine nature and His human nature (united in the divine person). Hypostatic union is the union between the divine nature and the human nature in a divine person. Jesus is a divine person with a human nature. We are called to reflect the glory of God and really have both image and likeness untarnished in us. The likeness was gone in us because of original sin, but we have the image.

Honor Mary because She is the greatest of all human persons.

HEALING SERVICE – FATHER ANTHONY

Father read the homily given at the dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Mary said YES to the motherhood of Jesus. She is the holy and ever virgin Mother of God. She is the precious vessel; a crown of virginity; a symbol of orthodoxy; an indestructible temple. Because of Mary we can cry out, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. A very powerful thing happened when Mary said YES. Because She said YES, the Church was established.

Crypt churches are usually dedicated to Mary because they stand in support of the great church upstairs.

We can understand God as Trinity because of Mary. Each of us is called to be bearers of the Word. There are many Franciscan communities around the world. There are many missionaries around the world. We are called to be missionaries. We look to Mary as a model.

Everywhere we turn there are words, words, words screaming at us. We cannot hear the Word. Only one word we need to hear - the Word of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture stirs our heart and exposes our heart. Meditate on the Word of God in the Eucharist. He radiates - pierces through.

Jesus has to become alive in our hearts and the hearts of everyone to help and comfort people in our lives, to look like Jesus so people can recognize Him, and preach the Word by letting Him take root in our hearts.

It is hard at times to relate to Jesus Crucified. Mother Angelica was inspired to build this temple for a reason.

St. Anthony had a tender love for Jesus, because he loved the Word of God. He meditated on it and preached the Gospel. Jesus came to him right out of the Gospel and spoke to him. 

St. Francis had a tender, soft affection because of the Word of God made flesh. He was able to love the Word of God crucified for us.

SUNDAY MORNING MASS HOMILY - FATHER JOSEPH

Why does the Church celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus as a feast?

1. It shows us the divinity of Jesus. He is not merely another religious leader, but the very Son of God.
2. Our destiny is not just the grave or get as much as we can out of life. Our destiny is Heaven, Glory. Our eyes are fixed on our eternal destiny. Supreme happiness of the soul is what we will see in Heaven.

1. At the Baptism of Jesus, we hear the Father's voice from Heaven, "My Beloved Son."
2. At the Transfiguration - the Father's voice from Heaven, "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him."

On Mount Tabor, the apostles see His glory. He tells them that they must take up their cross and follow Him. If we have to know where we are going, we have to know what our goals are. We can pass through our cross, but we will have our glory afterwards. James was the first martyr of the apostles. John had a long life, but was persecuted and suffered in exile.

Your suffering of penance is nothing as compared to the glory in Heaven. Take up your cross whether it is convenient or inconvenient. We have a need for prayer and contemplation to be renewed. The Pope said that we need to climb the mountain with Jesus. The experience of prayer and contemplation is necessary.

The Church insists that Catholics go to church every Sunday. It is necessary to go to Mount Tabor to be refreshed by the Lord. We are to be counterculture to the ways of the world. We are called to be different - followers of Jesus Christ through thick or thin. We take up our cross and follow Him, refreshed by Him, whatever persecution or resistance we receive.

Everything we need is in Jesus Christ. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, not looking on ourselves, but fixed on Him.

God is the center of my life, not merely a part. He is my life.

MY GOD AND MY ALL!