So Far Transition Has Been Smooth

[philothea]

Praying for you.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Nov 16 2005, 02:37 AM']Praying for you.
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Thanks, nothing is still coming. I think I am just going to go to bed and hope something comes tomorrow morning...

If not, well, I don't know what I will do then.

Like I said, I am starting to really dislike writing homilies....

[Theologian in Training]

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers. I preached today at the practicum and people seemed to like it. I thought (still think) it is really bad, but no one else saw any problems with it. In fact, one guy told me I have to stop getting up there warning them how bad it actually is, because what they expect they don't believe they get.

Anyway, here it is. Personally, I still think I could do more, and probably would, if I were actually going to preach.

God Bless

Thank you

Two incredibly powerful words

Thank you

Yet, two words used so often, so carelessly, and so lightly that they have almost become cliché

Perhaps this is why we always feel it necessary to attach an action to those words, in order to, in a sense, not just say thanks but also show it.

That is what the Samaritan in today’s Gospel did. He returned to thank Jesus, but he didn’t just say it, rather, in complete humility, he fell at His feet to show it.

He showed his thanks by what he did.

We also do the same today.

We will gather around a table with family and friends to share in a great meal. And, before doing so, we will bow our heads in prayer to give thanks. The president will carry on the tradition of proclaiming this day a day of thanks, as Abraham Lincoln decreed, the parade will be on the TV, then later the football game and, in the end, we will all have our fill of food, family, and fellowship.

We will look to the pilgrims as our model of giving thanks, that despite hunger, death and fading hope, as God provided for their needs and when their needs were met they gathered for a great feast, to recognize who was ultimately responsible.

They bowed their heads and gave thanks and praise to God alone.

This morning, we too gather around a table with family and friends to share in a great meal and we too will bow our heads and offer thanks, yet, this meal will be different.

For, it will not commemorated with one day in which to remember, but everyday, and though we will be full, we will never have our fill, until we arrive at the heavenly banquet with God alone.

[Lil Red]

i like...i need the reminder to stop and thank God.

[philothea]

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Nov 16 2005, 03:36 PM']I would like to thank everyone for their prayers. I preached today at the practicum and people seemed to like it. I thought (still think) it is really bad, but no one else saw any problems with it. In fact, one guy told me I have to stop getting up there warning them how bad it actually is, because what they expect they don't believe they get.
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The guy is right. Don't ever tell peple that. Especially with your proven inability to judge these things. : Either you pre-convince people that you're not good, or you are telling the people who like your words that they have no taste!

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Nov 16 2005, 03:36 PM']For, it will not commemorated with one day in which to remember, but everyday, and though we will be full, we will never have our fill, until we arrive at the heavenly banquet with God alone.
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This last sentence is perfect.

Edited November 16, 2005 by philothea

[Theologian in Training]

I have to give a talk this Monday night on Mary. They are doing an ongoing Novena, I think up until Immaculate Conception.

I was thinking of doing a reflection on the Hail Mary, but that is not completely set in stone, though I am really leaning that way.

I just ask for your prayers that I may have something to say and be confident enough to say it.

Thank You

God Bless

[philothea]

I suppose praying a rosary would be appropriate then...

Looking forward to hearing what you come up with.

[Lil Red]

praying!

[Theologian in Training]

I actually received an email with regard to the homily I wrote about humility. I always find it amazing how much people appreciate my meager words in trying to explain something far greater than myself. I look so many of my homilies as absolute garbage, and yet, I don't think I can tell you how many times people have asked for a copy of my homilies.

I don't mean to say that to boast or be arrogant, I just find it very humbling, actually, to know that people get something from what I am trying to say, and get something so much that they want a copy of it, usually to use it in a talk or a retreat, or something else.

In fact, my one about Hurricane Katrina was used by the leaders for the Antioch Retreat as something to reflect upon and my one about humility is going to be used for an interdenominational meeting. A guy here at the seminary wanted the one on the cross, and another guy here wanted my one for Christ the King.

Again, I am certainly not trying to boast, I just find it very humbling to know that what I say actually has an impact of some kind, so much so, that they want to share it with others....

Wow...I don't think I know what to say...It is certainly humbling.

God Bless

[Lil Red]

you let the Holy Spirit work through you - what a wonderful gift!

[Theologian in Training]

This is probably my longest...6 minutes. It is supposed to be 10 minutes, but it ain't happening. I figured you guys might like also to see it since it is honor of Mary, on Her day.

God Bless

The Hail Mary is probably one of the most beautiful and simple prayers we have ever been given. Countless saints have prayed it and encouraged others to pray it as well. And yet, given all of this, when we pray it, when I pray it, I wonder if it is entirely clear what it is we are actually praying. It is with this, that I would like to offer a little meditation on this very beautiful prayer.

[i][b]“Hail, Mary.”[/i][/b]

Gabriel spoke thus and we repeat this salutation, crying out to Her as a child for his mother or a peasant to a queen. St. Louis DeMontfort said that each time we pray the Rosary we create for Her a crown of roses, which we place upon Her head.

[i][b]“Full of Grace”[/i][/b]

To be full means there is no room for anything else. She is filled to capacity, to the point of overflowing, and therefore can dispense that grace, Her grace, to us.

“The Lord is with Thee”

Indeed. For, first She was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and then bore a Son, the Son in Her womb. She is the first and most beautiful tabernacle.

[i][b]“Blessed art thou, amongst women”[/i][/b]

These are the first words out of Elizabeth’s mouth, upon seeing her cousin. Her child leapt in her womb and she knew the Holy Spirit was with Mary. She is not only blessed, but blessed among all women, because no other woman in history bore God Himself, nor will any other woman do so in the future.

[i][b]“And blessed if the fruit of thy womb”[/i][/b]

And yet, this is why Mary is so blessed, this is what makes Mary so great, the fruit of her womb.

[i][b]“Jesus”[/i][/b]

Like a word spoken so often it loses its meaning and decreases in power, so has the holy name of Jesus become.

Just like any name, it carries with it the memories of that person, and with it we remember not just who the person was but what that person did. Yet this name is different, and the memories more powerful.

We remember the manger, a star, and a crib, we remember miracles and healings, we remember the garden, the violence, the cross. We remember how the dead were raised and how He destroyed death, knowing that no other person in history did the same, and that no other name recalls the same events.

It is a name that when spoken can bring both consolation and fear, disgust and great love.

It is the name most frequently spoken during Mass and whose life we remember and imitate during the course of the Mass.

Countless books have been written, and people have fought over that name

It is a name that is invoked in all seven sacraments and used to cast out demons.

A name so strong and so powerful that not just those in heaven and on earth, but even those in Hell should bow at the name.

A name meek and humble enough to dwell on our altars, strong and powerful enough to still the sea

The name above every other name that at the name every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

No simple name, no simple word to have such power and such strength in that one word the Word that became flesh.

[i][b]“Holy Mary”[/i][/b]

The most humble woman, the most powerful saint, our great model of sanctity, the sublime example of holiness. To be truly holy we must be truly humble and to be humble we have to be, as Mary was, a mere vessel through which Christ can work. She was told She would bear God Himself and simply said, “Be it done unto me according to your word.” And when Elizabeth greeted Her, Her first words were of praise to God: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.”

[i][b]“Mother of God”[/i][/b]

A child only dwells in the womb of the mother. God chose Mary’s womb. She is the Mother of God. Yet, before He died Christ gave us His Mother at the foot of the cross to be our help, hope, and protection. "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"

[i][b]“Pray, for us sinners”[/i][/b]

All of us are great sinners and in need of great prayer. What better person, then the greatest of all saints to offer Her prayers for us, on our behalf. Constantly interceding for us that we may one day see Her, only for Her to bring us to Her Son.

[i][b]“Now, and at the hour of our death”[/i][/b]

How beautiful to know that She intercedes for us even now, but, even more, in our final hours here on earth. What an amazing Mother to want nothing but the best for us, to see us united with Her Son.

[i][b]“Amen”[/i][/b]

So be it, let it be.

Edited November 21, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[Theologian in Training]

It went well. I think the priests liked it more than some of the parishoners. Though, one woman came up to me telling me it is good to be reminded to meditate on the Hail Mary.

It was probably the first time I wrote something down and did not intend it for anyone, except Mary Herself.

God Bless

[philothea]

I liked it. Started out a little... simple, but then you slipped into the more profound stuff. Seems like a good approach for a (relatively) longer homily.

Supposed to be ten minutes, hm? Ten minutes (or more), and I want some notes handed out too.

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Nov 21 2005, 08:47 PM']It was probably the first time I wrote something down and did not intend it for anyone, except Mary Herself.
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[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Nov 21 2005, 11:09 PM']I liked it.  Started out a little... simple,[/quote]

What are you saying? That it wasn't profound enough in the beginning,

Actually, I intended it that way. I actually was trying to have the whole thing like that, just something little to think about, but, as you said, it moved in to more "profound" stuff later, which kind of just happened. I was going to keep it simple.

Besides, I am so fried and my brain is so....can't think of the word that I just wanted to keep it simple.

I was up most of the night on Friday, till 2:00AM on Sat, till 2:00 last night....my brain not functioning rightly

sleepy time....soon

God Bless

Edited November 22, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[Theologian in Training]

Wow, this thread was buried. Anyway, I have a problem, I wrote a homily, and think it could work, but feel as though something is missing, but I don't know what. In prayer, I got the sense I was supposed to preach something completely different, and perhaps that may be so, since I do not preach until tomorrow morning. However, below is what I have now, and am trying to figure out why I feel as though it is lacking something. I am not looking for criticism, per se, but more about what you think may be missing. Let me know as soon as you can. thanks

God Bless

And so it’s begun.

The frantic race toward Christmas.

The stores are beginning to swell with people, the garden shops are selling trees, students are gearing up for exams as they finish up their papers and families are making arrangements for the big day.

And, before you know it, it all ends, and then we pause for a moment and collectively look back trying to figure out what just happened, and realize, sadly that we actually rushed Christmas; the day when our God became a little child for the salvation of the entire world.

And, this is exactly the reason why it is so important for us to take advantage of this season of Advent, and to really meditate on the readings we have been given, because, above and beyond anything else, their primary focus is upon preparation with the underlying anticipation of Christ’s coming, first as a child and then as a king.

Right now, we should be a people in waiting, not rushing to and fro, but focus on really preparing ourselves.

That was John’s message, and the message for us today: “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

And this preparation is necessary, and should not be neglected. In fact, the preparation for Christ’s first coming was so important and so monumental, that he needed a messenger, to herald His coming, and not just any messenger, a prophet who would preach the forgiveness of sins and bring that to the people by baptism.

John’s whole life was lived and reflected this one vocation.

If it was this important for Christ to have someone herald His coming, how much more should we prepare ourselves today?

For, as a little child, we knelt before Him as the first shepherds knelt before Him in the dark cave, yet, we will again kneel before Him as King of Kings and Lords of Lords.

Will we be ready for that?