6th Sunday OT @ St. Apollinaris Parish

HOMILY - SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
MAY 26, 2019
10:30 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



The United States Bill of Rights is made up of the first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution, which add to the Constitution certain guarantees of personal rights and freedoms. They are based on previous, similar documents – among them the Virginia Declaration of Rights from 1776, The English Bill of Rights from 1689, and the Magna Carta from 1215.

The First Amendment was approved on December 15, 1791 and states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The first part of this amendment – covering Freedom of Religion – remains hotly debated to this day. Does this mean a wall or hedge of “separation of church and state?” as Thomas Jefferson proposed 10 years later? Or can it be reduced to “freedom of worship” as envisioned by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941?

Presently, there are 27 ratified amendments to the US Constitution, and six unratified proposed amendments still outstanding.



Today is the 6th Sunday of Easter.

We continue to move through the Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation, and the Last Supper discourses of Jesus in John’s Gospel.

In the Book of Revelation Chapter 21, we hear of John’s vision of the “holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.” John notes further along that he “saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.”

Our reading today is missing seven verses in the middle which describe this city as a fascinating construction of jewels and gems. But perhaps most fascinating is its size, which would be 1,500 miles square. This is roughly the distance from San Francisco to Nebraska, or from North Dakota to Texas.

In other words, this isn’t a city – this is a country!

The other feature is that the holy city is not merely the home of the Bride of Christ. Rather, this city itself is the Bride of Christ. So it isn’t made up of buildings – the holy city is made up of people.
And while John “saw no temple in the city” this was because the “temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.”

Instead of a separation of Church and State, what John sees is a city – which is big enough to be a country – coming down from God, and God Himself is the temple, from whom and out of whom the city itself has descended.

In a sense, what John is seeing is an unimaginable unity between God and man, and between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

In the first reading from Acts, we hear of the First Council (ever) of the Church. Yet St. Peter doesn’t indicate that things went to a vote, or that the Apostles lobbied or politicked for various positions. Rather, Peter says:

It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us …

implying that this unity seen by John in Revelation is already in place.

For ourselves, we tend to impose human and worldly models on the Church, which can cause separation from God and division among the people of God.



In the Gospel, Jesus bestows “peace” on the Apostles, that is – upon the Church. And this is not a worldly peace but a heavenly peace.

Perhaps a good rule of thumb in distinguishing the two is that the world’s peace (or the lack of peace) is more often than not based on resources or the lack of resources … while Christ’s peace – the peace that comes from God – is based upon relationships.

In all of this, we can be assured that through Holy Baptism we share in the divine life of the Most Holy Trinity … through Confirmation we have received the fullness of the Holy Spirit … and through the Eucharist we receive Jesus Christ, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.

May the Eucharist we receive today incorporate us more and more into Christ and His Church. And may God’s saving grace draw us deeper into our relationship with Him – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – every day … and every moment of our lives.

5th Sunday of Easter @ St. Apollinaris Parish

HOMILY - FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
MAY 4 - 5, 2019
4:30 PM (SAT), 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



The traditional rhyme: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” is pretty much known to every wedding couple.

Its origins are lost in antiquity, but it seems to have come out of England and Wales as a response to superstitions about curses being placed on brides and grooms by jealous spinsters and jilted suitors.

In a more contemporary way, it is symbolic, and reminds a couple entering into marriage to remember where they have come from, to look forward with eager anticipation to the future, to share their joys and sorrows with friends and family, and that the sky is the limit in regards to their dreams and aspirations.

This is good advice for anyone, really, who is embarking on any new endeavor. And is something we should all remember as we journey through life.



Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter.

And as we progress through the Easter Season, we have been “channel surfing” through the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. Today, we find ourselves just past the middle part of Acts, and almost at the end of the Book of Revelation.

In today’s reading from Revelation, we hear about “a new heaven and a new earth” and the

holy city, [the] new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

And how “God’s dwelling is with … his people” … as “the old order pass[es] away … [t]he one on the throne … make[s] all things new.”



It is important for us to not only remember the symbolism of Revelation, but to recognize that this is a living part of the “consummation” and “accomplishment” of Christ’s mission – what He spoke of from the Cross, and what he will speak of in the next few verses in Revelation.

This is the “becoming” that we experience every day as we allow God’s grace, mercy, and love to “dwell with [us]” more and more.

This comes about in us through the “strengthen[ing of our] spirits” and our “persever[ance] in … faith” as we recognize that despite “many hardships” in this world here and now, our ultimate goal is “to enter the kingdom of God” and to reign with Christ for eternity.



We do this by seeking, not our own glory, but the glory of God. And in today’s Gospel we hear that “God is glorified” through, with, and in Christ Jesus when we “love one another” as He has loved us.

Not a schmalzy love. Not a selfish love. Not a shallow love, or cheap love. But a sacrificial and a divine love. A love that perseveres from all eternity and for all eternity. A love that shares itself without reservation. A love that sets no limits and knows no limits.

Difficult? Yes. Impossible? For human beings, yes. But with God, all things are possible. And we must allow God to always dwell in us.



Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist are the Sacraments of Initiation … the Sacraments that incorporate us into the Body of Christ … as the Church … the Bride of Christ … in the Kingdom of God.

We must never lose sight of what these Sacraments are – living signs of our union with Christ – and sources of divine grace for us to transcend our human weaknesses … to live as the sons and daughters of God.

As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ … let us never let go of the infinite and transforming graces … which give us the power to live out that “new” commandment … which identifies us as disciples of Jesus Christ.

“As [he has] loved [us], so [we] also should love one another.”

3rd Sunday of Easter @ St. Apollinaris Parish

HOMILY - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
MAY 4 - 5, 2019
4:30 PM (SAT), 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



Antiques Roadshow is a television program broadcast on PBS (the Public Broadcast Service) and has been in production for 22 years. It’s based on a British television program by the same name that has been around since 1979.

The program features regular people who bring in their antiques for appraisal by experts … who discuss provenance, history, and finally the value of the items.



The highest valued item ever on the show was a 1904 Diego Rivera oil painting titled El Albañil – The Bricklayer – painted when the artist was 18 years old. It was thought to have been lost, but was in the possession of the family in Corpus Christi, Texas – who had purchased it in the 1940s, but were originally told it was a fake, and then later determined that it was worth between 1 and 2 million dollars.

There are also plenty of spin-off shows of a similar bent, among them Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Storage Wars, and many others.



Today is the Third Sunday of Easter.

Our readings focus in on the value of our redemption in Christ Jesus.

The first reading from Acts, Peter and the apostles are ordered by the religious authorities of their day to stop talking about Jesus. In the eyes of those in charge, it’s just not worth it to cause so much trouble over one man.



Yet filled with the Holy Spirit, the Apostles reply:

We must obey God rather than men.

A human appraisal of the things of God often comes up short. Only by relying on the Holy Spirit can we assess the true value of the Divine gifts of grace that we have all received.



In the Gospel, Our Lord reverses Peter’s triple denial that we heard during Holy Week – three times asking him “Do you love me?”

Two aspects of the Gospel reading may give us pause – the phrase “more than these” and the miraculous catch of fish numbering 153.



There are plenty of theories, and I won’t bore you with all of them. But one of the ideas on the number has always been the number of beads on a traditional Rosary. Another is that it is the two perfect numbers: 7 and 10 … added together … and multiplied by 3 times 3 (that is, 9). So it is “fullness” (in 7) and “perfection” (in 10) times the thrice holy three Persons of the Holy Trinity.

The phrase “more than these” has been analyzed by Scripture and biblical scholars for years. The question being, is Jesus asking Peter about his friendship with the other apostles? Or his brothers James and John? Or something else?

I would propose that it is all of these and more – namely, anything that takes us away from total union with Jesus Christ … as members of His mystical Body.



Finally, we have in the second reading, the continued vision of St. John in the Book of Revelation … where today a “countless … number” of “angels … living creatures and … elders” sing “a new hymn” declaring “the Lamb that was slain” as “worthy.”

The Greek word here is “axios” – which means “worthy” And in the branch of philosophy called “axiology” we find the study and analysis of values, ethics, conduct, beauty, and harmony.



Christ alone is “worthy” because as the Son of God – He alone shows us the value of our humanity – not only in taking it on in His own Person through the Incarnation … but also by His passion, death, and resurrection – which brings us into the fullness of redemption … buying us back from the worthless things we had given ourselves over to.

As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, let us pray that through our share in His divinity – given to us in Baptism – we might strive to grow in relationship to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and that we may be made … day by day … and more and more … worthy of our redemption in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2nd Sunday of Easter @ St. Apollinaris Parish

HOMILY - SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
APRIL 28, 2019
10:30 AM, 5:30 PM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



“The Big Reveal” is a literary device … an unexpected plot twist … that exposes the reader (or the audience) to a previously unknown element … resulting in a radical change in the expected outcome in a novel or story. Such a surprise ending may have been foreshadowed earlier in the work in a subtle or hidden way.



A “spoiler,” on the other hand, is an article or a review which gives away “The Big Reveal” in advance. Even letting on that there is a plot twist or surprise ending is controversial since it modifies the audience’s expectations … if not their enjoyment of the work.

Today is the Second Sunday of Easter.



The First Reading speaks of the growth of the early Church in Jerusalem. While “great numbers” of people joined the disciples, there were still “others [who] dared [not] join them.” Yet people were doing unexpected things – laying sick people where St. Peter’s shadow might touch them … “and they were all cured.”

The Second Reading is from the beginning of the Book of Revelation.

Revelation, sometimes known as the Apocalypse, is a series of mystical visions with symbolic images. Because it is symbolic, it is open to various interpretations – from being an explanation of heavenly worship before the Throne of Almighty God … to being a code book for the end of the world. Some see it as an explanation of all of Creation History – from Creation to Redemption, while others consider it to be an allegory of first century persecutions of the Church.



In today’s pericope, the author finds himself in the presence of “one like a son of man” who identifies Himself as

the first and the last, the one who lives.[Who o]nce … was dead, but now … [is] alive forever and ever.… [and] hold[s] the keys to death and the netherworld.

This mysterious person is Jesus Christ – risen, ascended, and glorified in heaven.



We see a similar scene occurring in an earthly realm – in the familiar story of Doubting Thomas. Who despite his initial firm disbelief, makes a bold profession of Faith in the presence of Christ Jesus, saying

My Lord and my God!

In each of these three readings we find something important “revealed” in some way to individuals.
The power of God working in the members of Christ’s mystical Body is revealed in the First Reading; the revelation of the Son of God in all of His glory in the Second Reading; and the appearance of the Risen Christ to the disciples, and then revealed to Doubting Thomas.



The words “revelation” and “apocalypse” both refer to an un-covering … or an un-veiling … of something that had previously been unknown or hidden.

Today we complete the Octave of Easter, and after our Lenten preparation, we move forward into the Easter Season.



Despite the “spoiler” of knowing the Gospel stories of Jesus’s passion, death, and resurrection, our Lord gives us countless surprises … revealing Himself each day in countless unexpected ways.

As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ … may He reveal to us the power of God and the great ocean of  God’s mercy in the graces we receive today, and every day, through His Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar … the Eucharist.

Easter Sunday @ St. Apollinaris Parish

HOMILY - EASTER SUNDAY
APRIL 21, 2019
7:30 AM, 9:00 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



“This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us be glad and rejoice in it!”

The 24th verse of Psalm 118 calls out to us to rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ Jesus. For today is Easter, and we have finished our forty day Lenten journey of prayer, fasting, and charity … and we have completed the three days of Christ’s Passion in the Triduum.

Today is not only Easter, but also begins the Easter Octave – 8 days celebrating the “day the Lord has made”, the Resurrection of Our Lord from the dead in which Christ has conquered sin and death.



We heard in today’s Gospel the first few lines of the 20th Chapter of St. John’s Gospel, and heard that Peter and John upon arriving at the tomb “saw and believed” but “did not yet understand”.



Next week, in the account of “doubting Thomas,” we will hear him say, “Unless I see … I will not believe.” And Our Lord’s words to Thomas:

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

Faith, seeing, and understanding – these are three different approaches to growing in knowledge of the Truth.



As we enter into the Easter Season of forty days, let us pray for a deeper outpouring of the Baptismal graces of Faith, Hope, and Love. May our experience of the Presence of the Living Christ in both Word and Sacrament deepen our knowledge and understanding of “Christ our life” – “our paschal lamb, [Who] has been sacrificed”, and Who “is seated at the right hand of God.”

“Christ my hope is arisen … Christ indeed from death is risen … Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!”

Good Friday @ St. Apollinaris

HOMILY - GOOD FRIDAY
APRIL 19, 2019
7:00 PM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) SERVICE



We have just heard the Passion according to St. John. A customary reflection on Good Friday are what are called “The Seven Last Words from the Cross.”

There are three from the Gospel of St. Luke, one from the Gospel of St. Matthew (and St. Mark), and three from the Gospel of St. John.



Enumerated, they are:

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Lk 23:34)Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. (Lk 23:43)Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother (Jn 19:26–27)My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Mt 27:46/Mk 15:34)I thirst. (Jn 19:28)It is finished. (Jn 19:30)Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit. (Lk 23:46)

And they are traditionally known as words of:

1. Forgiveness, 2. Salvation, 3. Relationship, 4. Abandonment, 5. Distress, 6. Triumph, and 7. Reunion.

Forty-some days ago, as a spiritual exercise going into Lent, I began what I now call a “Mindfulness of Forgiveness.”



It started out sort of slow … repeating to myself “I forgive,” over and over. Every day. Whenever something … a situation, a memory, or just a turn of mood … got my goat or raised my ire … I would redouble my efforts. And I’d have to remind myself, pretty much every day, too.

Going through Lent, I’ve remembered people who I didn’t necessarily forgive over the course of half a century. And moving through these forty-some days, I’ve learned the power of mindful forgiveness.



Both parish priests here at St. A’s spend roughly 3 hours in the confessional each week.

And, Sacramentally, forgiveness is “easy.”

But in receiving God’s grace in that Sacrament … it’s important for us to not only “receive,” but also to “give.” And in that “giving” … of “for-giving,” we share in the power of God’s grace … and can do so by paying it forward … as well as paying it backwards … with our own forgiveness.



As we reflect on the great gift of God given to us in the Person of His Son … and reflect upon His Passion, Cross, and the Eucharist and all the Sacraments … let us seek always to give as good as we get … imitating Him by taking up our own crosses … every day … and following Christ Jesus, Our Lord.

5th Sunday of Lent @ St. Apollinaris Parish

HOMILY - 5TH SUNDAY OF LENT
APRIL 7, 2019
4:30 PM (SAT), 10:30 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



A popular TV show that has been around for nearly 25 years is Judge Judy.

While it constitutes a form of Reality TV, Judge Judy does, in fact, adjudicate real-life small claims disputes within a simulated court room.



As Reality TV, both parties receive an appearance fee of around $500, as well as $35 per day during the taping of a show. They also receive airfare and hotel expenses for themselves and their witnesses.
In essence, taking your case to Judge Judy is sort of an all-expense-paid vacation to settle a lawsuit.



In the real world, court can often be stressful, and litigants seek to strategically refute each other’s claims. Yet there are expenses of both time and money involved in pursuing a court case … including the possibility of losing.

Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent.



In the Gospel, we hear about how “the scribes and the Pharisees [have] brought a woman who had been caught in adultery.” They then ask Jesus to adjudicate the case, and lay out the law for Him to make a decision.

However, the scribes and the Pharisees have no real interest in justice. In reality, they are setting Jesus up in a lose-lose situation.



If Jesus doesn’t embrace the “open and shut” nature of the case – stoning her according to the Law of Moses – then He is showing open disdain for God’s Law … and the scribes and the Pharisees have a reason condemn Him as an apostate – someone who won’t follow the Jewish Law.

On the other hand, if Jesus condemns the woman and allows the crowd to stone her, He will be arrested by the Roman authorities – because the death penalty could only be tried in a Roman civil court.

While the scribes and the Pharisees think they are pretty clever – having set a trap for Jesus – and they think they’ve got it all figured out.



But Jesus turns the table on them by saying:

Let the one among you who is without sin 
be the first to throw a stone at her

The scribes and the Pharisees certainly thought that they were free from sin. But if they’re the ones to start throwing stones, the Romans will arrest them, and they will be charged with attempted murder.
Instead of being boxed-in by the trap set for Him, Jesus operates outside-the-box and reverses things on those who were looking to trap Him.



We hear of God’s “outside-the-box” thinking being spoken of in the First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah, who in speaking through the prophet says:

[Behold!] I am doing something new!

God is admonishing Israel to let go of the past … to let go of their “baggage” … and to allow Him to act in their midst in a new way.



St. Paul, in the Letter to the Philippians, after presenting his qualifications and genealogy – things very much sought-after by Jewish leaders – refers to all of this … his historical “resume” … as

so much rubbish

when compared to

the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Monday is our parish Reconciliation Service. There will be about half-a-dozen priests available for confession.

Hopefully in our Lenten reflections we have come to the conclusion that our human condition leaves us far short of the glory of God. That is, no one among us is without sin.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we have the opportunity to allow God to do “something new” in our lives. We get to take out the spiritual trash – “so much rubbish” – which we have been holding onto … for how long? and for what reason?



The Sacrament of Reconciliation puts us in the position to “[re-]gain Christ” and “through faith in Christ” to obtain “[our] righteousness from God” … “to know [Christ Jesus] and the power of his resurrection” in our lives and in ourselves – through the power of the Sacrament.

As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ … let us open ourselves up to God’s plan for … “something new” … without baggage … without shame … without guilt.

Let us move forward toward Holy Week and “continue [our] pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus” our Lord.