So Far Transition Has Been Smooth

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Oct 5 2005, 08:26 PM']

Very nice!

I don't know about the rest of your class, but I would not be at all surprised if you were the best homilist in the class.  You're already better than... oh... 90% of the priests I hear. 

When people start asking you to do talks I hope you don't get too stressed over it. 
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Wow, that, in itself, is an amazing compliment. Thank you very much.

You should see all the evaluations. Although they thought everything was good except for some who thought I could have better eye contact, I got so many requests to insert a personal story into it, since I guess I kind of shocked them with a personal story for my Sept 11th homily.

I don't know if I am going to add anymore or say anything more. I have been looking at it, thinking about it, and I don't know if it needs anything more. Granted, my class wanted a personal story or a practical way of showing how to live out God's will, but it is not really something you can demonstrate that concretely, as much as doing it because you want to and God wants you to.

Maybe something will strike me within the next couple of days....time will tell.

Thank you again

God Bless

[Theologian in Training]

I added another little paragraph, don't know whether I will keep it or not, maybe will dress it up a bit more as well. However, I think it perfectly conveys a person struggling with the will of God. Although, one has nothing to do with the other, he also paid me a great compliment, which I think makes some sense, he said, you preach how people want to pray. It really struck me, and I have really used that as someting to think about. Anyway, enjoy the edit

God Bless

In today’s second reading Paul seems to be boasting that he can live humbly and in abundance, well fed and hungry, in poverty or in wealth without being affected in any way, completely self-sufficient and reliant upon no one.

A secret, as he says, that he has learned, a secret that he shares with us: to attain self-sufficiency is to realize that we are not self-sufficient at all, but entirely reliant upon something someone greater to whom we owe our entire independence.

He says it simply and, almost in passing, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”

A seeming paradox: that in order to do anything we have to rely upon God who can do all things.

To say in complete simplicity: my will is Your will.

That I only want what God wants and want God to want what I want.

It is why Paul was content with whatever he endured and why the Saints were able to perform great miracles and were untroubled and undisturbed when sick, dying, or experiencing many trials.

It is the ultimate expression of ultimate love: to give everything, our very wants and desires and to let them be God’s alone.

Granted, it sounds a bit abstract and ideal but is, as many saints have said, the key to sanctity and the secret to a happy life.

And, this is the struggle we face each and every day, to want to do what God wants despite our own inclinations to do something else.

In fact, there is a guy at the seminary, who was also recently ordained a deacon, who said every day he would wake up and say this is the day he was going to leave the seminary. He would then listen to the traffic report and hear about all the congestion and decided he had one more day in him. He said that even though he wanted to leave, God had other plans for him and revealed to him, even in the simplicity of the everyday, what God really wanted for him.

St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, put it this way: “Tell him: Lord, I want nothing other than what You want. Even those things I am asking you for at present, if they take me an inch away from your Will, don't give them to me.”

It sounds so simple, yet the most difficult thing for us to do, because, in giving our will to Him, we are saying, as Mary said “Be it done unto me according to your word.” And that is scary, because it implies a lot, it implies that He will take our life and do with it as He pleases and, what’s more, we are saying we will readily accept that.

To accept His will then is both an invitation and a command, a test of true fidelity, of not just saying yes, but yes I believe, and I trust so much so that I will offer everything to You, and when I do, when I reach that point I too can say, as St. Paul says: “I can do all things in Him strengthens me,” to which I often add, “and absolutely nothing without Him.”

Edited October 7, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[Theologian in Training]

This is the actual homily I preached,

In today’s second reading Paul seems to be boasting that he can live humbly and in abundance, well fed and hungry, in poverty or in wealth without being affected in any way, completely self-sufficient and reliant upon no one.

A secret, as he says, that he has learned, a secret that he shares with us: to attain self-sufficiency is to realize that we are not self-sufficient at all, but entirely reliant upon something someone greater to whom we owe our entire independence.

He says it simply and, almost in passing, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”

A seeming paradox: that in order to do anything we have to rely upon God who can do all things.

To say in complete simplicity: my will is Your will.

That I only want what God wants and want God to want what I want.

It is why Paul was content with whatever he endured and why the Saints were able to perform great miracles and untroubled and undisturbed when sick, dying, or experiencing many trials.

It is the ultimate expression of ultimate love: to give everything, our very wants and desires and to let them be God’s alone.

Granted, it sounds a bit abstract and ideal but is, as many saints have said, the key to sanctity and the secret to a happy life.

And, this is the struggle we face each and every day, to want to do what God wants despite our own inclinations to do something else.

St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, put it this way: “Tell him: Lord, I want nothing other than what You want. Even those things I am asking you for at present, if they take me an inch away from your Will, don't give them to me.”

It sounds so simple, yet the most difficult thing for us to do, because, in giving our will to Him, we are saying, as Mary said “Be it done unto me according to your word.” And that is scary, because it implies a lot, it implies that He will take our life and do with it as He pleases and, what’s more, we are saying we will readily accept that.

Many years ago I met a priest believed to have the gift of healing. I remember that after the Mass, I was given the opportunity to meet with him individually. He was a very simple man, no different than you or I, yet there was something about him, that, to this day, I really cannot place. His answers to my many questions were simple and prayerful, and he constantly spoke about God’s will. Yet, it wasn’t until my mom, who was also given the opportunity to meet him, related a story that he had told her, that what he said really had an impact. He told her that he had come from an area where the Ku Klux Klan was very prominent and that, for whatever reason, since he didn’t give one, they wanted to kill him. When she asked him why it never happened, he simply responded: “It wasn’t God’s will.”

To accept His will then is both an invitation and a command, a test of true fidelity, of not just saying yes, but yes I believe, and trust so much so that I will offer everything to You, so that when I do, when I reach that point I too can say, as St. Paul says: “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me,” to which I often add, “and absolutely nothing without Him.”

[philothea]

Very nice indeed.

Lucky parishoners!

[missionseeker]

seconded

[Theologian in Training]

This was tonight's and is tomorrow's homily. It is not that good, but I was having difficulties trying to preach a Gospel that could easily become a cliched homily. I tried my best.

God Bless

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.”

Today Jesus is asking us for a lot, more than I think we might realize. He is asking us to love, and to love fully, with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind. A love so vast and far-reaching that it consumes, so that every beat of our heart, every part of our being, and every thought in our mind is of God alone.

And from that consuming love to extend that same love to our neighbor.

How is this possible? How can we possibly love to such a degree?

We quite simply can’t.

It is probably the greatest mystery that in order to love God God has to give us that love so that in order to truly love our neighbor we have to have that consuming love of God. We give from what we have been given.

It sounds circular because, in fact, it is. Yet, it is probably the greatest affirmation of our utter dependence upon God alone. For, from it, we learn that loving God precedes everything and when we love Him, we love as He does, and learn to love in the capacity He has given us to love.

That is why it is not only the first but also the greatest commandment, because all love flows from love of Him, and then we, in essence, become lovesick for Him and seek to find Him in everything we do and in everybody we meet. It is why St. Francis was able to embrace the lepers he hated so much, or the reason Mother Teresa comforted the homeless dying in the streets.

The love they received they brought to others.

We too will have a share of that same love when we will receive the Holy Eucharist in a few moments.

Christ’s love will be made manifest in us so that when we leave this Church we too will want to bring that love to others. How can we not, for, we will receive Him who gave Himself out of love for us. A love that not only saves us but seeks to consume us.

Edited October 22, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[philothea]

"...not that good..."!!

Had you said that in person, I'd swat you.

(Very nice.)

I've been thinking about homilies in general ever since I started reading about you trying to come up with good ones. I think yours are especially good because you are on topic, you're insightful, and you don't blather on for ages diluting whatever message you have.

The latter is such a common flaw. I've heard priests who begin well... but 15 minutes later I can't even remember what they started speaking about.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Oct 22 2005, 09:08 PM'] "...not that good..."!!

Had you said that in person, I'd swat you.

(Very nice.)

I've been thinking about homilies in general ever since I started reading about you trying to come up with good ones.  I think yours are especially good because you are on topic, you're insightful, and you don't blather on for ages diluting whatever message you have.

The latter is such a common flaw.  I've heard priests who begin well... but 15 minutes later I can't even remember what they started speaking about.
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Well, you see, that is exactly why I write them out, and preach with a piece or pieces of paper in the pulpit. I know myself, and know that if I went up there and just started "talking," I would lose direction very quickly. In fact, the reason my homilies turn out so short is because I wind up cutting out a lot, realizing that they could be good for other homilies, just not the one I am preaching this time. I have a whole other Word document that is nothing but bits and pieces that I tossed from other homilies. Sometimes I go back to see if they might be relevant, but so far have not been so lucky...maybe when we move into Liturgical Year B I will have more success

BTW, I witnessed what you are talking about in your last point. I went to this Church (because we had "off" from the seminary and parish for Fall Break) which was packed full of people. The pastor was a very quiet polish man who apparently loved to talk, because I think he gave us not just one major point about the Gospel, but about 10 major points. I watched as the congregation went from being incredibly interested and captivated by what he said, to looking at their watch, talking to the person next to them, or staring at the ceiling. It was literally what Archbishop Dolan calls "homily abuse."

He had a lot of great points and I guess he felt impelled to cover them all. I know I could easily do the same, which is why I heavily edit every sermon I write. Just look at the length of my reply

BTW, you do realize I post my homilies because I know you are always the one who will read them without fail. Otherwise, I don't dont know I would continue posting my homilies since I seem to be at the point where I get feedback whether I ask for it or not, especially in my preaching practicum class.

So, thank you

God Bless

Edited October 23, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Oct 22 2005, 09:08 PM'] "...not that good..."!!

Had you said that in person, I'd swat you.

(Very nice.)

I've been thinking about homilies in general ever since I started reading about you trying to come up with good ones.  I think yours are especially good because you are on topic, you're insightful, and you don't blather on for ages diluting whatever message you have.

The latter is such a common flaw.  I've heard priests who begin well... but 15 minutes later I can't even remember what they started speaking about.
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Actually, I was given another compliment on my homily today. A woman came up to me and told me that my homily was the perfect length. She then told me about a priest who also preaches short, I think she said no longer than 3 minutes. She said, as a result, you could hear a pin drop because the congregation knew he would not be up there that long but what he said had so much impact that if you did not pay attention you would miss it. She then told me I remind her of that priest. Come to think of it though, I do realize that the Church does get awfully quiet when I get up there to preach, and I never noticed it before, but a lot more eyes are on me. Hmmm..food for thought....I just hope I can write three, possibly four homiles for this week (forgot about my preaching practicum class and a homily on All Souls Day....ahhh, life.

God Bless

[philothea]

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Oct 22 2005, 07:28 PM']BTW, you do realize I post my homilies because I know you are always the one who will read them without fail. Otherwise, I don't dont know I would continue posting my homilies since I seem to be at the point where I get feedback whether I ask for it or not, especially in my preaching practicum class.
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I do appreciate it very much. I hope it is not too much trouble.

[philothea]

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Oct 23 2005, 12:17 PM']Come to think of it though, I do realize that the Church does get awfully quiet when I get up there to preach, and I never noticed it before, but a lot more eyes are on me. Hmmm..food for thought....I just hope I can write three, possibly four homiles for this week (forgot about my preaching practicum class and a homily on All Souls Day....ahhh, life.
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Cool!

In my parish people get comfortable for a long nap....

Okay, not exactly, but I have been able to watch many people as they drifted off to sleep. Including the altar servers.

[Paladin D]

It isn't about the quantity, it's about the quality of the homily. Some priests can make their point only with a few words, while with others, it takes longer. None of these methods are wrong, just as long as you are getting your point across.

Keep it up, doing good.

[Theologian in Training]

Perhaps it is because I am feeling incredibly overwhelmed by all I need to get done, but I could use a prayer or two. I emailed my professor to ask him if I could do the practicum another day, which he agreed to, but I still have three other sermons to write. I would appreciate prayers because I am having a really hard time coming up with anything for this weekend, the Eucharist and the Seminary.

So, if you remember a prayer or two would be great.

Thank You

God Bless

[Theologian in Training]

Here are the two homilies I gave, one for the Sunday liturgy and the other for the Holy Hour. The one for the seminary is going to be another recycled version of the one on the cross. I will post that one as well.

BTW, the one for the adoration actually brought some to tears.

Thank you again for all your prayers...need some more for my MDiv presentation tomorrow though...so keep them up!!

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

This command of Jesus is probably one of the most confusing in the bible, because it is asks us to humble ourselves, yet in the very act of humbling ourselves we are then no longer acting humbly.

Yet, I think that is the point Jesus is trying to make. To show that to be humble we, in fact, don’t do it, but let it happen to us.

The modern day saint and founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaria Escriva, puts it this way: “You are humble not when you humble yourself, but when you are humbled by others and you bear it for Christ.”

In essence, recognizing humility as something God gives rather than something we do.

Yet, in order for us to do that, we have to be honest with ourselves and realize that our greatest accomplishments in this life were achieved with talents that were freely given, talents that were a gift from God.

In fact, our current Catechism says that: “humility is the virtue by which a Christian acknowledges that God is the author of all good."

This, in itself, is humbling because it asks us to attribute all our good works to God alone, despite our great inclination to do just the opposite.

Yet, this is what the saints meant when they would see themselves as mere instruments; the ability to get out of the way, as it were, so that Christ could fully work through them.

Probably one of the greatest examples of this was a priest I met a few summers ago at a program for priestly formation. He had a myriad of jobs, but the one in particular that stood out was as the exorcist of a major metropolitan city.

I remember we had a great conversation about exorcisms, how it happens, how they know if a person is possessed etc. However, when I asked him how he prepares for an exorcism he said “I fast, I pray, and have others pray for me, and most importantly during the actual exorcism, I get out of the way.

It was probably the most profoundly simple piece of advice I had ever heard. That in order to do such a great thing, he had to let himself be the lowest thing, the mere conduit through which God works.

That is what it means to be truly humble to recognize not just our entire dependence upon God alone but to let ourselves be the vessel through which God works.

May we strive to be that vessel and, in doing so, allow ourselves to be humbled rather then trying to humble ourselves.

Edited October 30, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[Theologian in Training]

When I was younger I went on my first retreat, something called Youth 2000, a retreat designed for teenagers, and run by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

I remember they held the retreat in a school and converted a gymnasium into a chapel by stacking what looked like wooden palettes with candles on the end of each board, and on top sat this golden sun-looking thing.

It was a peculiar thing to me, and something I had never seen in my life.

That is why it was so strange to see young kids spending countless hours kneeling before it, in deep prayer. In fact, I remember one girl in particular whom I think spent most of the night just praying.

It made absolutely no sense to me. Why were these kids spending so long in front of this thing that looked like an oversized golden sun?

I came to find out during the course of that retreat, that this oversized sun was actually what they called a monstrance, like the one on the altar now, and that within that monstrance there was an actual Son, the Son of God.

Yet, I have to admit, even after that experience and when I would often find myself before the monstrance again, it was not until many years later that it all made sense, and that I understood indeed within that monstrance is the actual Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

It wasn’t an earth-shattering revelation, per se, rather it was more of an awareness that I wasn’t just speaking to this white host anymore but Jesus, and it probably became clearest to me when I was overcome with a very strong desire, a desire that is going to sound really strange, and even stranger when I say it: the desire to run up and hug the monstrance. Rest assured, I did not act on that desire but it was strong a desire. And, it was at that moment, I finally knew, I finally realized that Jesus was there, and He was sitting on that altar, listening and speaking to me, and to all those present before Him.

Yet, as strange as this may sound, I don’t think that desire was exclusive to me alone, in fact, I am willing to guarantee that everyone here will have or has had a similar experience. It is bound to happen, it has to, otherwise, no matter how many times your told that your sitting before Jesus, you won’t believe it, you will think you are merely wasting time in front of a white host or a golden box.

And this only comes with faith because to believe such a thing we have to take one of the greatest leaps of faith, to believe without seeing and to know. It demands a lot, because our entire faith is centered upon this one belief, and why the Church calls it the “source and summit of our lives.” In fact, it has to be.

It has to be the source of all of our strength, the one thing that can sustain us, to make we who are weak the strongest in this world, to be our highest peak, the ultimate pinnacle of our existence.

At heart though, the Eucharist has to be the greatest and most importance person in our entire lives.

For, within that monstrance right now is not just a white host but Jesus Himself. He is here with us, in front of us on that altar, waiting, so that He can speak to all of you, and address your problems, your fears, and your concerns.
“Come to me,” He says, “all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light”