Homily of the Day

When People Think of You, Do They Think of Christ?

May 12th, 2010 by Fr. Frank E. Jindra

Acts 17:15-22 18,1/ Jn 16:12-15

After Paul’s great success in Philippi, he goes to Athens: what a disappointment.

Paul tries to change his approach to the people by giving them a more heady look at their way of understanding God. Of course, as we can see in this reading, he fails miserably. At least what he considers to be a miserable failure. Paul seems to be trying to take things to a “new level.” And as we know from his other writings, after he left Athens for Corinth, he was determined to preach Christ and Christ crucified only.

Would anyone take the place of Paul today? I don’t think there’s any pattern we can better follow that what Paul followed here. Today, more than ever, we need people willing to speak Christ and Christ crucified.

I know that may seem politically incorrect. In fact in recent years we’ve had the ten commandments stripped from a courtroom because it was too politically [in]sensitive for those who do not wish to look at our Judeo-Christian heritage. But now more than any other time in our western civilization we have a need for clear truth about Who Jesus is and about what His mission means for us.

I put the following in my Christmas card this last year:

Christmas

Christ’s Mass

Mass = Mission

Christ’s Mission: The Incarnation John 3:16

Maybe it’s time we started living that incarnational mission of Christ ourselves: “I [will] speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”(cf. 1 Cor 2:2)

To be sure, we live in this world and must face a lot of the things of this world. Paul himself made tents. But when people think of us, do they think of Christ? This is what Paul saw in his failing in Athens. May we not fail in a similar way.

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, May 12, 2010 >>

Sts. Nereus & Achilleus
St. Pancras
Saint of the Day

Acts 17:15, 22—18:1
View Readings

Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14

John 16:12-15

DISCIPLESHIP IS A BEAR

"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now." —John 16:12

Several decades ago, I began my computer programming career. During my first month on the job, so much new information came my way that I left work each day with a headache from information overload. I learned much daily, yet my boss had a great deal more to teach me, and I couldn't bear it yet. Likewise, schools separate students into twelve grades. High-school subjects are not taught to first-graders; they aren't mentally ready for that yet.

Besides being mentally unable to bear information, people may not be emotionally ready for certain information. For example, Jesus had just told His apostles He would be leaving them. He could see they were grieving His departure (Jn 16:5-6) and realized that they couldn't bear any further revelations (Jn 16:12).

Finally, we may not be ready spiritually to bear God's revelation. If we live in sin, our spiritual hearing is blocked and our hearts are too hardened to receive what Jesus wants to tell us. Like the Corinthians, we may be immature Christians still uncommitted to growing in discipleship. Though we should be able to bear solid teaching by now, the Lord has to feed us spiritual milk, for we are still infants in Christ living at the level of the flesh (1 Cor 3:1-3).

God insists upon repentance (Acts 17:30). Repent of all sin and of any stifling of the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 5:19). Abide in God's word (Jn 8:31) and in the Mass. Bear the Good News. Bear great fruit for Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, enlarge me so I can bear more for You (Acts 20:32; 2 Tm 2:20-22). "Speak, for Your servant is listening" (1 Sm 3:10).

Promise: "In Him we live and move and have our being." —Acts 17:28

Praise: Sts. Nereus & Achilleus received the Good News, threw down their weapons as Roman soldiers, and embraced death as martyrs for Christ's sake.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

Introduction

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.

Hymn

Jesu, the world’s redeeming Lord,

The Father’s co-eternal Word,

Of light invisible true Light,

Thine Israel’s Keeper day and night.

Our great Creator and our Guide,

Who times and seasons dost divide,

Refresh at night with quiet rest,

Our limbs by daily toil oppressed.

We pray thee, while we dwell below,

Preserve us from our ghostly foe;

Nor let his wiles victorious be

O’er them that are redeemed by thee.

That while in this frail house of clay

A little longer here we stay,

Our flesh in thee may sweetly sleep,

Our souls with thee their vigils keep.

All praise be thine, O risen Lord,

From death to endless life restored;

All praise to God the Father be,

And Holy Ghost eternally.

Psalm 4 Thanksgiving

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness.

When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom:

now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer.

Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy?

Why do you seek for vain things?

Why do you run after illusions?

Know that the Lord has done marvellous things

for those he has chosen.

When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

Be vigorous, but do not sin:

speak in the silence of your heart,

in your bed, be at rest.

Offer righteousness as a sacrifice,

and put your trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, Who will give us good things?

Let your face shine on us, Lord,

let the light of your face be a sign.

You have given me a greater joy

than the others receive

from abundance of wheat and of wine.

In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest:

firm in the hope you have given 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. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Psalm 133 (134) Evening prayer in the Temple

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Come, bless the Lord,

all you servants of the Lord

who stand through the night in the house of the Lord!

Lift up your arms to the sanctuary

and bless the Lord!

May the Lord bless you from Zion –

the Lord, who made heaven and 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.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Reading	Deuteronomy 6:4-7 ©

Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart. You shall repeat them to your children and say them over to them whether at rest in your house or walking abroad, at your lying down or at your rising.

Short Responsory

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness, alleluia, alleluia.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

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. Alleluia.

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. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

Come, Lord, to our dwelling, and drive the snares of the enemy far away from it. Let your holy angels dwell in it and keep us in peace; and may your blessing be with us always.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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

AMEN

	Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, be joyful,

Alleluia.

You who were worthy to bear him.

Alleluia.

He has risen, as he promised.

Alleluia.

Pray for us to God.

Alleluia.

Regina coeli laetare, Alleluia,

Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia,

Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.