So Far Transition Has Been Smooth

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Sep 5 2005, 01:45 AM'](Catching up...)  Nice homilies, as always!  :applause:

I had no idea until just today that seminarians were so troublesome.   At the church I went to the priest called some seminarians... er... what was it? "Whiny brats" I think. 

He was joking... kind of.  A couple of them had written an anonymous letter to the Bishop complaining that he didn't genuflect, and he was using the gospel as an example of what they should have done -- ask him about it and they'd have learned his knees can't bend that much.
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No, it is actually true. However, once they go to a parish, live at a parish, and get outside the comfort zone of the seminary, they will change. You learn to pick your battles, and some battles are just not worth engaging in in the first place.

Had I only known then what I know now....I guess that pertains to most of life though.

God Bless

[IcePrincessKRS]

You write beautiful homilies. Its clear that you put alot into them. Your parish is SO blessed to have you.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' date='Sep 7 2005, 01:30 AM']You write beautiful homilies. Its clear that you put alot into them. Your parish is SO blessed to have you.
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Thank you. You are right I do put a lot into them, and pray that they touch at least one person. I am not preaching for myself, but for the one person that needs to hear what God wants them to hear. Even if I believe it is the worst homily I ever wrote, I still preach it, confident that someone needed to hear that. So far, that has been the case. At least one person, sometimes more, come up to me and tell me that was exactly what they needed to hear.

I won't be preaching this weekend, because my pastor gave me a little break since I have started seminary again and because I have to officiate at a wedding / convalidation this Saturday.

If you guys wanted, I could post that homily, just let me know.

Thanks again

God Bless

[homeschoolmom]

yes, please..

[philothea]

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Sep 7 2005, 07:47 AM']I won't be preaching this weekend, because my pastor gave me a little break since I have started seminary again and because I have to officiate at a wedding / convalidation this Saturday.

If you guys wanted, I could post that homily, just let me know.
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Oh, right, like you NEED TO ASK??

Of course I want to see it!

[Theologian in Training]

I have been trying almost all evening to write this homily and it just won't come. I was hoping to have it finished by tonight since the rehearsal is tomorrow and the Mass is at 10AM on Sat.

I need prayers, because I really want to have this homily done, I am just having a hard time what I need to say. Sunday and Weekday homilies seem to be much easier than special homilies.

God Bless

[philothea]

Prayers for the homily.

[Theologian in Training]

Wedding homilies have to be the most difficult to write. You want to focus on the readings but also the nature of the sacrament, here is my half-baked approach. I feel sorry for them, but this seems to be the best I can do I removed their names.

Today we are gathered here in this church, among family and friends to witness N and N profess their love. It sounds so simple, but means so much because this profession is making public what was once private. A love that they alone shared they now share with all of us gathered here.

In a few moments they will speak seemingly simple words, in which they will profess that love, and by the power and mystery of this sacrament, those same words will become the vows that will bind them one to the other, so that what God has joined, no one can separate, and as our reading reminds “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.”

Even when God had given Adam all of His creation, he was still not fulfilled, there was still something lacking. It was only when God removed a rib from Adam to create Eve that he finally found his complement, his equal, someone without whom he would feel incomplete. He was finally fulfilled. He found his true love, a special kind of love, to be sure, with the sole purpose of seeking fulfillment in the other. It is why when Adam saw Eve he spoke those beautiful words: “this one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.”

Even more beautiful though is what Adam gave in order to create Eve: a great piece of himself in order to bring her to life. This is what gives meaning to marriage, to love someone so much so that they are willing to give everything including their entire life. This is what makes marriage sacramental, for the love N and N have for each other is a foretaste of the great love Christ has for His Church. For, Christ loved His Church so much He was willing to die for Her, to give His life; the greatest sacrifice for His greatest love.


N and N understand this very well and I was able to witness this firsthand while they did all that was necessary to have this celebration today.

As some of you may know, I am a newly ordained deacon and have only been ordained less than five months. As a result, I am still new and not familiar with all of the requirements that are needed for a marriage to take place. It was this lack of experience that made it very difficult for N and N because I would discover something new and would be forced to tell them, which would require more work on their part.

Yet, given this turmoil that I unintentionally caused I saw something very amazing and quite inspiring. I was able to see how well they deal with stress and how they help each other when the other is in need. What really stood out, however, was the way in which N was there to give N the support she needed and the strength she sought when things got overwhelming for her. I firmly believe that it was his ability to remain calm in stressful situations that, in turn, helped her to remain calm.

I can tell you right now they did a lot for me and were very patient with me when I am sure they would have wanted to give up. Yet, they persisted together and were able to overcome any obstacle as a result.

And, this is what counts, this is the test of true love, to struggle together and gather strength from the other in order to conquer whatever may come; to be able to sacrifice, time, work, and even convenience without any hesitation.

Christ did the same and asks for the same, and that is why we are here today before this altar, before the tabernacle, to watch them give their lives completely one to the other, so that they too, like Adam can utter those beautiful but simple words: “This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.”

Edited September 10, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[philothea]

Aww, it's sweet.

Only nitpick, a rib isn't really an organ.

I am sure everyone will love your homily as usual!

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Sep 9 2005, 11:00 PM']Aww, it's sweet.

Only nitpick, a rib isn't really an organ.

I am sure everyone will love your homily as usual!
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Thank you. What would it be considered then? Also, it is a different congregation...friends of the family, and only a few of them know my homiletic style. I thank God I don't have to preach this weekend. Sept 11th would be hard, although, God in His infinite sense of humor has decided to make it an assignment for my preaching practicum II class

So, you think it is OK though?

BTW, I edited it...not as strong anymore but still works.

thanks

God Bless

Edited September 10, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[philothea]

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Sep 9 2005, 09:04 PM']Thank you. What would it be considered then? Also, it is a different congregation...friends of the family, and only a few of them know my homiletic style. I thank God I don't have to preach this weekend. Sept 11th would be hard, although, God in His infinite sense of humor has decided to make it an assignment for my preaching practicum II class 

So, you think it is OK though?
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Hee.

Yeah, it's definitely OK. I especially like that it's not a generic wedding homily that could be said by anyone at any wedding.

Errrr.... a rib is a bone, which you of course know. Organs are unique, and perform specific functions.

I'm not sure what the most euphonius replacement would be.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Sep 9 2005, 11:23 PM']Hee.  

Yeah, it's definitely OK.  I especially like that it's not a generic wedding homily that could be said by anyone at any wedding.

Errrr.... a rib is a bone, which you of course know.  Organs are unique, and perform specific functions.

I'm not sure what the most euphonius replacement would be.
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Let me ask you something. Since when do you know me to be generic

It will make for more work at the moment, and I am sure I will write a good one that will be appropriate for most weddings...but that time has not come yet.

Thank you again for the feedback, it makes me feel a little better.

God Bless

[Theologian in Training]

It went well, and you were right they liked the homily. In fact, they told me I hit the nail on the head with regard to the bride and groom, which was amazing, since I gathered it all by observation.

I just pray I did not commit any liturgical abuses, though I did try making the bride say the groom's name I N take you...it just did not click....I said, "I'm new." What is that phrase the one a priest told me I will need to know welll....ah yes, Ecclesia Supplet

Anyway all went well and there is a vast amount of stress that has been lifted from my shoulders...I think I'll take a nap.

God Bless

Edited September 10, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[Theologian in Training]

I don't normally post things like this, but someone from the parish asked to borrow the homily about Hurricane Katrina to use for an Antioch Retreat.

I just got an email that both brought tears to my eyes and really humbled me. It really put things in perspective with regard to my homilies.

I edited it to remove names.

Dear Deacon,
You will be happy to know that your Homily on prayer was a homerun with the young people on the Antioch Retreat. The Peer directors (seniors) read the sermon to the group and we all broke up into small groups to answer the question The youth leader suggested "What struck you about this sermon?" Well to say that it was thought provoking is an understatement. Many of the young people were struck by even in the midst of devastation, God's mercy and love could be seen in what was saved (churches vs the casinos). Also they were struck by how everyone was calling upon the name of God to save them and help them. And now since nearly 2 weeks have passed since the event they were aware that after the political leaders called on the country to pray for them, all of a sudden immediately the country reacted as one and sent food, help, aid. They all saw that as God answering the prayers of "where 2 or 3 are gathered...it will be given them". What a powerful message for these young people, to have pointed out to them that prayers can be answered if they join their hearts together and pray to God. They all thought your sermon was well written, from the heart and had a wonderful message.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share it with them. I have told them if they are at the 11:00am Mass to mention something to you and introduce themselves. Many are rather shy so they may take their time in coming up to you. But I want you to know that all the time and effort you put into your sermons are always worth it. You may not reach everyone, but you will reach enough people that you could change the outcome of their lives.

You are always in my prayers.
Peace always,

Edited September 14, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[Theologian in Training]

Also, I figure you might like reading this, prolly not, but either way. I had to write a very short homily for a hypotetical commuter Mass for tomorrow in Preaching Practicum II. I am telling you right now it is not that good, and deals with only one point, and not that well. Ejoy or not.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

What great love God has for us to send us His very Son. He could have sent anyone, He could have saved us in any way, yet He chose to send His love out of love for us.

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. It sounds strange, celebrating the cross, but it is the cross that has brought us life. For, by the cross, Jesus has saved us at a great price, the price of His very blood, blood that could not even be shed unless He was willing to become man, as we heard from St. Paul: “Though he was in the form of God, (Jesus) did not regard equality with God…Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.”

In my room at the seminary I have this picture, with a silhouette of Jesus on the cross, with very powerful words written next to it. It poses a question and then gives Jesus’ reply: “I asked Jesus, ‘How much do you love me?’ ‘This much,’ He answered, and He stretched out His arms and died.”

God gave us His Son out of love for us, and Jesus in turn, died out of love for us. Therefore, we celebrate a great triumph in the cross, because it is a sign of love, great love. For, through the cross we were saved, we were reconciled to what we lost, to whom we lost, our Heavenly home, our Heavenly Father.