Today and tomorrow, we will divert from our reflection of Fr. Gerhard Lohfink’s book “Prayer Takes Us Home” to think about my homily offered yesterday to the OLPH School Mass [8:45 am]. Tomorrow I will share a few spiritual insights for St. Francis de Sales on his feast day. Next Monday and Tuesday we will conclude our sharing on “Prayer Takes Us Home.”
Homily Cycle i - 1/22/2021 Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Mass
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012221.cfm
Today our readings remind us that we are made in God’s image and likeness; God’s imprint is on each human heart and God promises us a “new” covenant. God’s laws are “… placed in our minds and written on our hearts.” God told the Israelites and us “I will be there God and they will be my people.”
We are God’s people, in our Gospel today Jesus called His Apostles and at our Baptism He called us to be His disciples. Only God grants life and only God can call us home. Biblically - Mountains are very important information like An Alert, Breaking News coming through electronic media:
Moses received the Commandments on Mount Sinai,
Apostles were summoned and called by Jesus,
The Transfiguration,
The Sermon on the Mount,
The Crucifixion & the Ascension,
Very Important Events happen on Mountains.
This past Wednesday we experienced an Important Political Event, the Inauguration of a new President and Vice President we should pray for them and all elected officials and government workers in our nation. Let me share some Biblical reflections that were shared that day:
1. At Mass in the morning: “… the divine summons [is] for all of us, no matter our faith background or walk of life.” And St. Paul tells us that “The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all ….” [Kevin O’Brien, S.J., the president of Santa Clara University, Homily 1/22/2021]
2. Invocation: “Gracious & merciful God, at this sacred time we come before you in need—indeed on our knees. But we come still more with hope ….” [Fr. Leo Donovan, SJ]
3. Benediction: “More than ever ... [God] they and our nation need you … for in you we discover our common humanity.” [Rev. Sylvester Beaman]
We are like the Apostles in today’s Gospel called by God to as St. Francis de Sales said, “Be who you are and be that well, to give honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are.” We are to reflect God’s goodness to the world.
Emily Dickinson wrote, “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops - at all….”
Today remember that our Hope and our Salvation is in Jesus Christ. Today He reminds us to Hope in Him and to follow Him.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Saint Andre Bessette intercede for us.
May God Be Praised!
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