I will put my spirit in you that you may live

April 2, 2017 6:00 am

“I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land;  thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.” (EZ 37: 14)

St. Paul speaks today about two options we have: to be “in the flesh” or, on the contrary, to be “in the spirit.” Those who are “in the flesh” forget about their dignity; those who prefer to be only “in the spirit” forget that we are “an incarnate spirit,” “a soul which expresses itself in a body and a body informed by an immortal spirit” (FC 11). When we are focused on bodies, serving our patients or clients as doctors or practitioners, we need to remember whom we serve. We respect “bodies” because Our God “put His spirit in us that we may live.” Our patients or clients deserve the best service “in the flesh” to receive benefits “in the spirit” at the same time.

“I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will never die.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Homily for Education Phase II at Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study on Human Reproduction (for FertilityCare Practictioners and NaProTECHNOLOGY Medical Consultants)

Teach them to your children and to your children’s children

March 22, 2017 6:00 am

“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” (DT 4: 9)

When we look at generations of our families’ genealogies, we can see the heritage of our fathers and grandfathers, who spread to us their love for God (or something opposite), and also see that we are now responsible for transmitting to the next generations—“to your children and to your children’s children”—our love for God. The more “our own eyes have seen,” the more we are close to Our Lord, the more our lives are based on His “words of everlasting life,” the more natural it will be for our children to follow His words.

“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Supplication for all the holy ones and also for me

October 27, 2016 6:00 am

“With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.” (EPH 6: 18-20)

So talented and chosen by Our Lord, especially for his mission to proclaim the Gospel to pagans, St. Paul asked for “supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel.” St. Paul knew that behind every preacher is prayer. Not only his prayer, but also many others—“with all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit”—because He is the One who comes when He is called and helps preachers to bring proper words to support God’s children.

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Fit for the Kingdom of God

September 28, 2016 5:49 am

 

“‘I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.’ Jesus answered him, ‘No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.’” (LK 9: 62)

Jesus speaks of the seriousness and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Even family ties and filial obligations, such as burying one’s parents, cannot distract one, no matter how briefly, from proclaiming the kingdom of God. Following Jesus doesn’t means rejecting family; it rather means building a new family, based on our vocation.

“I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The one who is the greatest

September 26, 2016 6:00 am

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” (LK 9: 48) 

From God’s perspective, “who is the greatest” is totally different from the world’s perspective. The world looks for success, improvement, effects and results; heaven looks for ministry, relationship, dependence, trust and love. Everything is “in His name” and is based on Him, who “came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Gospel Acclamation) 

Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness 

September 25, 2016 6:00 am

“But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 TM 6: 11) 

But you, man of God, pursue…” the most important things in your lives. “Pursue” is active, needs our commitment, plans and good strategies. Starting with righteousness we go to gentleness to build a better world where our families can grow and “to which we were called.” Our Lord will assist us with His grace “so that we might become rich” in His love.

“Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

He spent the night in prayer to God

September 6, 2016 6:00 am

“Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles…” (LK 6: 12-13)

Important events were prepared for by Our Lord with prayer—like calling His apostles or facing His arrest and death. Prayer is for being with God, looking for His point of view, seeking strength and support, and seeing my role in the world from the right perspective.

“I chose you from the world, that you may go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)

He went up on the mountain by himself to pray

August 2, 2016 6:00 am

 

“Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” (MT 14: 22-23) 

Jesus’ identity determined His actions, prayer and activities–as Son of God, who came to bring God’s love to us. His activity was not primarily to do something for someone (like feeding the hungry crowd or praying to God), but was to be with them (to listen to them and to answer to their needs). He was with people, and “his heart was moved with pity for them,” and He was with His Father “to pray.” What He does is based on who He is—“You are the Son of God”.

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Delights in clemency

July 19, 2016 6:00 am

“Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.” (MIC 7: 18-19) 

Our God looks for any occasion to show us His mercy, compassion and “delight in clemency.” He “removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of His inheritance.” When we bring Him our sins, He knows perfectly what to do with them: He “will cast them into the depths of the sea.”

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

He rose and went home

June 30, 2016 6:00 am

 

“‘Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.’ He rose and went home.” (MT 9: 6-7)

So simple, so easy, so effective and doable only by God’s love. Our Lord comes to us with His love, not as a mighty, respected and distant God, but as a friendly, compassionate and merciful Son of God. Whatever He did was oriented to “entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation)