Deacon Tom’s homily for November 16^th and 17^th

 

 “BY YOUR PERSEVERANCE YOU WILL SECURE YOUR LIFE."

 

       We have certainly seen way too many instances of violence, war, and natural disasters in our world.

 

       When it comes to crimes of violence and terrorism – we might ask: what has 2,000 years of Christian teachings and beliefs accomplished?

 

       There certainly seems no less evil in the world today than at the time of Jesus. 

 

       It is also true that our personal life can be a microcosm of world times. We each have our own personal wars and disasters of the spirit. 

 

       What is it that will bind up our brokenness? What is it that will heal the wounds we all experience and live with?

 

       After 2,000 years – what does Christianity have to offer the world?

 

WHAT DOES CHRISTIANITY HAVE TO OFFER TO YOU AND ME?

 

 

       As bad as some of life circumstances and events can be, they none the less seem to call forth God’s living and compassionate presence among us, within us, and through us!

 

       Whether it is the first responders and firefighters rushing into the collapsing World Trade Center Towers, or the task force of aircraft from around the world bringing food, medicine, and medical care givers to the Philippines; or in our personal life, acquiring the spiritual resolve to return our life to God; it is God’s compassion and mercy that becomes experienced in these times of great trial and need.   

 

       There is no denying that the world we live in, and the life we live, can be both terrible and tender. 

 

       Jesus’ final words in today’s Gospel are: 

 

“By your perseverance you will secure your lives." (Luke 18:18)

 

    ·        Jesus teaches this truth –

·        Jesus calls us to act on this truth –

·        Jesus lived and experienced the hatred, the pain, the disappointments, and the love, that are all part of human life.  

 

HOW WE ARE EXPECTED TO “PERSEVERE?”

 

        At the Mass, we celebrate the pinnacle of our Catholic faith. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states,

“In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist

the body and blood,

together with the soul and divinity,

of our Lord Jesus Christ

and, therefore, the whole Christ

is truly, really, and substantially contained.”

 

       By what authority does the Church proclaim and teach this “real and substantial presence” of the living Christ?

 

       On that night before Jesus was tortured and then executed – on that night of the Lord’s Last Supper, he took ordinary bread and giving thanks to God, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, saying:

 

“Take this, all of you, and eat of it,

for THIS IS MY BODY . . .”

 

       When supper was finished, he took the chalice containing wine - and once more giving God the Father thanks, handed the chalice to his disciples, saying:

 

“Take this, all of you, and drink from it,

for THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.”

 

       This is a key doctrine of our Faith and a teaching that sets Catholics apart from most other Christians.

 

       Today, we like the people Jesus is speaking to, experience this real and living presence.

 

       When we come forward to receive Holy Communion, we not only ‘receive’ but we are ‘received into’ the very essence of the living Jesus Christ.

 

 

WE RECEIVE THE GRACE NECESSARY TO PERSEVERE.

 

 

       I would like to say a few things about the proper manner we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

 

       First there is the Eucharistic Minister – who has the honor and the blessing of answering Jesus’ call to, “feed my sheep,” Mark 6:37.  They have the honor to hold the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and the privilege to distribute it as Jesus did on the night of that last supper; an honor and grace that is beyond all human comprehension.

 

       When you approach the minister of Holy Communion, reverently bow – acknowledging the moment of this great sacredness. Preferably this bow is done while the person in front of you is receiving Communion.

 

       When the minister of the Eucharist announces: “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ,” you express your faith and belief in that reality by proclaiming and saying: “Amen.”

 

       Saying “Amen” is a declaration and the affirmation, of your belief in this real and living presence of Jesus Christ.

 

       Saying “Thank You” does not proclaim this belief and acceptance of this doctrine of our Catholic faith.

 

       Saying “Thank You,” in this circumstance is not the proper response. 

 

       When receiving in the hand – hold your hands up as in a gesture and symbol of profound gratefulness. 

 

       If receiving on the tongue, extend the tongue far enough out so that the Host can easily be placed on it. 

 

       Immediately upon receiving, swallow the entire Host and Precious Blood in the presence of the Eucharistic Minister before moving on. 

 

IT IS THIS GIFT OF GOD that makes it all possible for us to preserve in our journey of life to eternal salvation.

 

IT IS THIS GIFT OF GOD that fortifies us in our struggle to lead the life God calls us to.

 

IT IS THIS GIFT OF GOD that gives us the grace to continually re-direct our lives back towards God – to return to God’s grace regardless as to how many times we have failed in the process.  

 

 LET US PRAY:

 

We give thanks to you, our God, because of your constant love for us, you have given us your promise and the means to achieve everlasting life.  Amen.