Blog Post Homily Cycle I 1/20/2023 – Offered at OLPH School Mass

 

Offered at OLPH School Mass

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012023.cfm

 

This morning we began Mass with the Sign of the Cross, and when we did, we offered our minds, hearts and souls to God for service in The Kingdom of God.  The Church offers us many liturgies, Mass, the Celebration of the Eucharist being the most important because it is “the source and summit of our faith.” 

However, one of the other Liturgies we receive from God through Holy Mother Church is the Liturgy of the Hours.  In its simplest for is Morning Prayer, the Office of Readings and Evening Prayer, on a four week cycle.  In addition to those prayers in the Liturgy of the Hours, we have Midmorning, Midday, Midafternoon and Night Prayers.

 

On Tuesday of this week at Morning Prayer we prayed, “In the depths of my heart, the law of God is my guide.”  That is the essential message from today’s readings from Scripture.

In the Gospel Jesus summoned the 12 and Jesus summons us.  Apostle in the early Church meant “people who are sent”, we like the Apostles are sent by God into the world to proclaim [live] the Gospel message.

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This year marks the 400 the anniversary of the death of St. Francis 

de Sales and our Holy Father issued an Apostolic Letter entitled “Everything Pertains Love ….” [Totum Amoris Est]. 

St. Francis de Sales was one of the first ordained clerics of the Church to advocate “holiness of life” for all people not just priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, but also, the laity.  In his Apostolic Latter Pope Francis’ highlighted two essential dimensions of the spiritual life:

1.     Humble and preserving prayer open to the Holy Spirit

2.     And reminded us to think in the Church and think with her teaching.

That isn’t easy, so how can we do that, Be faithful in our prayer life.

At the end of Mass, you will hear “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

It is a reminder that after we are nourished at Mass, we are to bring the Message of Jesus [the Gospel Message] to our school, our home, our neighborhood, to wherever we go.

Hard work but very rewarding.

May God Be Praised.

 

*The image is available at the Salesian Shop https://www.salesianshop.com/the-sacred-artwork-of-bro-mickey-mcgrath/