DAILY HOMILIES

As a Christian, if people get close to me, would they see something different from what I portray in public? Do I even believe the things I preach? If I am not convinced about what is right and wrong, do I expect anyone to believe me?

The outside may be laced with gold but if the inside is dirty, the drink is poisonous. In other words, in our desire to do God’s work, we must always examine our motives; we must look inside – if our desire is to own a lot of money, cruise around the world and use the latest and the best of everything, we may just be serving poison to those who come in contact with us.

For Bartholomew (Also known as Nathanael), Nazareth was a complete write-off. The reaction of Philip is highly worthy of praise. Philip did not try to argue with him. He simply said: “Come and See.”

A house (or any gathering) without a leader or someone to exercise authority is just a recipe for chaos and disaster. That the House of God on earth may stand, Jesus knew it was necessary to select a leader. Today’s lessons are drawn from the manner Jesus went about selecting this leader.

Mary was so humble and ordinary that to this day, many Christians continue to think of her as just and “envelop” used and dumped by God. In her humility, God has now raised her to glory. Jesus said: “whoever exalts himself will be humbled but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)

Your bones may have been dead completely. You may have lost all hope. You may have given up on every attempt to repent from certain things you know God is not pleased with, but the truth my dear friend is that God still cares! His love is everlasting!

What kind of guests would hear “Come and eat” and still refuse to show up? This is very strange! But then, this is our situation today.

Like these workers in the vineyard, what separates us from each other are unimportant factors

Basically, wealth makes us think of ourselves as gods and since there is only one God in heaven, we cannot go and be competing with God.

Just as our Gospel passage encouraged us to give away our possessions to attain perfection, the life of the prophet Ezekiel also encourages to give up our attachment to sin and our love for those things that displease God

Enough of miracle displays in our churches. In fact, the greatest miracle is our firm resolve to repent from our sinfulness and shameful lifestyles. Isaiah says, keep justice; do righteousness and you will be accepted.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.