Homily of the Day

Other Articles by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.
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Do You Really Know Jesus?

September 2, 2007

1 Thes 4:13-18 / Lk 4:16-30

The Good News that Jesus brought to the people of his hometown, Nazareth, was the best news they'd ever heard or even hoped for. But they didn't listen, they didn't take it seriously, because they didn't take Jesus seriously. And why? "Because we know your father, Joseph, and he's nobody."

That's pretty lightweight reasoning, but it had heavy consequences for those villagers. It cut them off from everything Jesus had to offer. It threw away their chance for a whole new life. They were so sure they knew who Jesus was, and they were so wrong.

And that raises a fair question about us: Do WE really know who Jesus is and what he's about, or do we just THINK we do because we've been showing up at his church for quite a few years? It reminds me of G K Chesterton's words, "Christianity hasn't failed; it just hasn't been tried!"

Why not try a few questions on yourself: Have I spent enough serious time with the Lord to really know his mind, to see the world through his eyes, to see my life through his eyes? Have I trusted him enough to rearrange my life on the basis of what he's helped me see? Am I a different person than I would have been BECAUSE my heart is bonded to the Lord the way that two pieces of wax bond together?

A "no" answer to any of those questions will tell us that we're like Jesus' neighbors in Nazareth: We think we know him, but we don't — no matter how often we happen to show up in church!

Knowing the Lord takes an open heart and lots of listening time. Why not start listening right now. Jesus has Good News that will surprise you ... if you hear it on the inside!

Gregory the Great, a Model for Civil and Religious Leaders

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 44 (45)
The wedding of the King
My heart cries out on a joyful theme: I will tell my poem to the king, my tongue like the pen of the swiftest scribe. You have been given more than human beauty, and grace is poured out upon your lips, so that God has blessed you for ever. Strap your sword to your side, mighty one, in all your greatness and splendour. In your splendour go forth, mount your chariot, on behalf of truth, kindness and justice. Let your right hand show you marvels, let your arrows be sharp against the hearts of the king’s enemies – the peoples will fall before you. Your throne is firm, O God, from age to age, your royal sceptre is a sceptre of justice. You love uprightness, hate injustice – for God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness, above all your companions. Myrrh and aloes and cassia anoint your garments. From ivory palaces the sound of harps delights you. In your retinue go the daughters of kings. At your right hand, the queen is adorned with gold of Ophir. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 44 (45)

The wedding of the King

My heart cries out on a joyful theme:
I will tell my poem to the king,
my tongue like the pen of the swiftest scribe.

You have been given more than human beauty,
and grace is poured out upon your lips,
so that God has blessed you for ever.

Strap your sword to your side, mighty one,
in all your greatness and splendour.
In your splendour go forth, mount your chariot,
on behalf of truth, kindness and justice.
Let your right hand show you marvels,
let your arrows be sharp against the hearts of the king’s enemies
– the peoples will fall before you.

Your throne is firm, O God, from age to age,
your royal sceptre is a sceptre of justice.
You love uprightness, hate injustice
– for God, your God has anointed you
with the oil of gladness, above all your companions.

Myrrh and aloes and cassia anoint your garments.
From ivory palaces the sound of harps delights you.
In your retinue go the daughters of kings.
At your right hand, the queen is adorned with gold of Ophir.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 44 (45)
The King's bride
Listen, my daughter, and understand; turn your ears to what I have to say. Forget your people, forget your father’s house, and the king will desire you for your beauty. He is your lord, so worship him. The daughters of Tyre will bring you gifts; the richest of your subjects will beg you to look on them. How great is the king’s daughter, within the palace! She is clothed in woven gold. She will be taken to the king in coloured garments, her maidens will escort her to your presence. In gladness and rejoicing they are brought and led to the house of the king. Instead of your fathers you will have sons: you will make them rulers over all the world. I will remember your name from generation to generation. And so your people will do you honour for ever and for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 44 (45)

The King's bride

Listen, my daughter, and understand;
turn your ears to what I have to say.
Forget your people, forget your father’s house,
and the king will desire you for your beauty.
He is your lord, so worship him.
The daughters of Tyre will bring you gifts;
the richest of your subjects will beg you to look on them.

How great is the king’s daughter, within the palace!
She is clothed in woven gold.
She will be taken to the king in coloured garments,
her maidens will escort her to your presence.
In gladness and rejoicing they are brought
and led to the house of the king.

Instead of your fathers you will have sons:
you will make them rulers over all the world.
I will remember your name
from generation to generation.
And so your people will do you honour
for ever and for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Canticle	Ephesians 1
God the Saviour
Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us, in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in heaven. In love, he chose us before the creation of the world, to be holy and spotless in his sight. He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ, simply because it pleased him to do so. This he did for the praise of the glory of his grace, of his free gift of us in his Beloved, in whose blood we have gained redemption, and the forgiveness of our sins. This he did according to the riches of his grace, which he gave us in abundance, with all wisdom and discernment, revealing to us the mysteries of his will, because it pleased him to do so. In this action he has planned, in the fulfilment of time, to bring all things together in Christ, from the heavens and from the earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Ephesians 1

God the Saviour

Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us, in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in heaven.

In love, he chose us before the creation of the world,
to be holy and spotless in his sight.

He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ,
simply because it pleased him to do so.

This he did for the praise of the glory of his grace,
of his free gift of us in his Beloved,

in whose blood we have gained redemption,
and the forgiveness of our sins.

This he did according to the riches of his grace,
which he gave us in abundance,

with all wisdom and discernment,
revealing to us the mysteries of his will,
because it pleased him to do so.

In this action he has planned, in the fulfilment of time,
to bring all things together in Christ,
from the heavens and from the earth.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Short reading	1 Thessalonians 2:13 ©
We constantly thank God for you because as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God’s message, you accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayers and Intercessions

?

Let us praise Christ, who loves and cares for his Church. Let us call on him trustingly, saying: - Lord, grant the prayers of your people.
Lord Jesus, bring all men to salvation: and lead them to recognise your truth.
Watch over our Pope N. and our Bishop N.,: and give them the support of your strength.
Take care of those who long for justice:: let them pass their lives in happiness and safety.
Lord, be the refuge of the poor: and their help in tribulation.
To the dead to whom in this life you gave the honour of the priesthood: grant the gift of celebrating your glory for ever in heaven.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Almighty God, who gave your unworthy servants the strength for today’s work,
accept our evening sacrifice of praise
as thanks for the gifts we have received from you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

The Worod Among Us

Monday, September 03, 2007

Meditation
Luke 4:16-30

There’s an old folk song that goes, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” This hymn refers to the way one person’s witness to the gospel can touch a lot of people and bring them closer to the Lord. But it’s just as true from a negative aspect as well.

Take today’s reading as a case in point. Jesus came home to Nazareth proclaiming an amazingly positive message: A time of favor from the Lord has begun! The promises of healing, forgiveness, and restoration described in Isaiah were about to be fulfilled! At first, the people’s response was positive, but then some began to wonder, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son? How can he be making such sweeping declarations about God?” You can see the negativity beginning to spread: Doubts turned into skepticism, and skepticism turned into cynicism. Jesus responded with words of truth—and something of a rebuke for their growing negativity. What happened then? Violent wrath! It seems that negativity won the day in Nazareth.

Unfortunately, this kind of process can happen in our lives too. A negative word from a friend or family member can sometimes override hundreds of kind words they have said to us in the past. Or a sense of guilt over sin can cloud out our experience of God’s loving kindness and mercy. In such cases, we let the negative dominate us and allow it to rob us of the life God has for us.

Over and over, God tells us that he loves us. He gave up his Son to demonstrate the depths of his love. He even sent his Spirit to live in us and fill us with his divine, transforming power. What tremendous good news! How positive we should be about life!

There are so many ways we let negativity cloud our judgment. But this isn’t the way Jesus was, and it’s not the way he wants us to be. He wants us to share in his confidence in God. He wants to give us his sense of optimism grounded in hope. He wants us to give priority to mercy over judgment and to pay more attention to God’s love than to others’ failings—or our own.

“Jesus, I praise you for healing the brokenhearted and proclaiming a time of favor. I adore you, Jesus. You are the good news of God’s unfailing love.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Psalm 96:1,3-5,11-13

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, September 3, 2007 >>

Pope St. Gregory the Great

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Psalm 96

Luke 4:16-30

View Readings

ON FIRE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me." —Luke 4:18

Father Al Lauer, founder of One Bread, One Body, considered Luke 4:18 to be his personal mission statement. As he prepared for his ordination to the priesthood, he chose this Scripture verse as his theme. The passage was quoted on his funeral Mass card. Fr. Al was on fire with the Holy Spirit and operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit throughout his priesthood.

Jesus said: "I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!" (Lk 12:49) Jesus came to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:8). On Easter, He told His disciples, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). After Jesus ascended, the gifts of the Spirit were poured out on us all (Eph 4:11; Acts 2:17) and the Church was born.

At Baptism, you received "the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit" (Catechism, 1266; see also Mk 1:8). Yet the world, the devil, and our flesh constantly fight against the Holy Spirit for control of our lives (Gal 5:17). Therefore, "I remind you to stir into flame" the Holy Spirit in your lives (2 Tm 1:6-7).

Fr. Al once told me: "The more I say 'No' to myself, the more I say 'Yes' to the Holy Spirit." In that spirit, repent immediately of all sin. Deny yourself and take up your daily cross (Lk 9:23). Be on fire with the Holy Spirit, living so as to never stifle or sadden the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19; Eph 4:30). "Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead" (Gal 5:25).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I receive a double portion of Fr. Al Lauer's spirit (2 Kgs 2:9). May I want the Holy Spirit more than I want to take my next breath. Come, Holy Spirit!

Promise: "Thenceforth we shall be with the Lord unceasingly." —1 Thes 4:17

Praise: Pope St. Gregory the Great was so on fire with the Holy Spirit that his life was used by God in world changing ways.

**Fr. Al once told me: “The more I say ‘No’ to myself, the more I say ‘Yes’ to the Holy Spirit.” In that spirit, repent immediately of all sin. Deny yourself and take up your daily cross (Lk 9:23). Be on fire with the Holy Spirit, living so as to never stifle or sadden the Spirit (1 Thes 5:19; Eph 4:30). “Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s lead” (Gal 5:25).**

I find this true for me too.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 85 (86)
A poor man's prayer in time of trouble
Lord God, you are full of mercies, patient and true.
Turn your ear to me, Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and destitute. Keep my life safe, for I am faithful; O God, save your servant, who trusts in you. Take pity upon me, O Lord, for I call to you all the day long. Make your servant’s heart glad, for to you, O Lord, I have raised it. For you, Lord, are gentle and mild: you are kind to all those who call on you. Let your ears hear my prayer, O Lord! Turn to the voice of my pleading! In my time of trouble I call on you, for you, O Lord, will hear me. No other god is like you, O Lord, and nothing compares with your works. All people – all nations you made – will come and worship before you; they will give glory to your name. For you are great, you work wonders: you alone are God. O Lord, teach me your paths, and I will come to your truth. Make my heart simple and guileless, so that it honours your name. I will proclaim you, Lord my God, and give you praise with all my heart. I will give glory to your name for ever, for your great kindness is upon me: you have rescued me from the deepest depths. O God, the proud rise against me, in the meetings of the powerful they seek my life: they do not keep you in their sight. And you, Lord, are a God of compassion, full of mercies, patient and true. Look upon me, have mercy upon me, give your strength and protection to your servant your servant, the child of your handmaid. Give me a sign of your goodness, let my enemies see it and be confounded; because you, O Lord, have helped me and given me comfort. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Lord God, you are full of mercies, patient and true.

Reading	1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
God chose that we should receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us; so that, asleep or awake, we should still live with him.

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.

Prayer
Let us pray. Give our bodies rest, Lord, to restore them; and let the seeds sown by our labours today grow and yield an eternal harvest. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.

Lk 4:16-30
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
16	And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day: and he rose up to read.	et venit Nazareth ubi erat nutritus et intravit secundum consuetudinem suam die sabbati in synagogam et surrexit legere
17	And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:	et traditus est illi liber prophetae Esaiae et ut revolvit librum invenit locum ubi scriptum erat
18	The spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,	Spiritus Domini super me propter quod unxit me evangelizare pauperibus misit me
19	To preach deliverance to the captives and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of reward.	praedicare captivis remissionem et caecis visum dimittere confractos in remissionem praedicare annum Domini acceptum et diem retributionis
20	And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.	et cum plicuisset librum reddidit ministro et sedit et omnium in synagoga oculi erant intendentes in eum
21	And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.	coepit autem dicere ad illos quia hodie impleta est haec scriptura in auribus vestris
22	And all gave testimony to him. And they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth. And they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?	et omnes testimonium illi dabant et mirabantur in verbis gratiae quae procedebant de ore ipsius et dicebant nonne hic filius est Ioseph
23	And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.	et ait illis utique dicetis mihi hanc similitudinem medice cura te ipsum quanta audivimus facta in Capharnaum fac et hic in patria tua
24	And he said: Amen I say to you that no prophet is accepted in his own country.	ait autem amen dico vobis quia nemo propheta acceptus est in patria sua
25	In truth I say to You, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.	in veritate dico vobis multae viduae erant in diebus Heliae in Israhel quando clusum est caelum annis tribus et mensibus sex cum facta est fames magna in omni terra
26	And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.	et ad nullam illarum missus est Helias nisi in Sareptha Sidoniae ad mulierem viduam
27	And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.	et multi leprosi erant in Israhel sub Heliseo propheta et nemo eorum mundatus est nisi Neman Syrus
28	And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.	et repleti sunt omnes in synagoga ira haec audientes
29	And they rose up and thrust him out of the city: and they brought him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.	et surrexerunt et eiecerunt illum extra civitatem et duxerunt illum usque ad supercilium montis supra quem civitas illorum erat aedificata ut praecipitarent eum
30	But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.	ipse autem transiens per medium illorum ibat

(*) hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart is missing in Vulgate, but present in the Greek original (Stephanus). The verse breakdown differs in Greek.

Christ Enthroned