HAVE FAITH
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily for this feast of Pentecost - 50
days after Easter - is, “Have Faith.”
When I read today's readings and that theme hit me, I said to myself, "What? Where is that coming from?"
So here goes. Let me try to explain.
When I read today's readings and that theme hit me, I said to myself, "What? Where is that coming from?"
So here goes. Let me try to explain.
LARRY
A classmate of mine in August of 1966, said something to
me that has had an impact on my life
ever since.
Larry and I - as well as 13 other guys - were
ordained priests in June of the year
before.
I’m talking to Larry a year later and he says to me,
“Wow! I just realized I’ve been preaching the same sermon every weekend for the
past year. I’ve been saying to folks, ‘Have faith.’”
Then he paused and said, “I guess I was talking to
myself. I guess I need faith - deeper faith.”
So I asked myself, “What have I been preaching on?”
I didn’t have an answer as clear as his answer. I didn’t
know.
I still don’t know after almost 53 years.
Do I have the same message - week after week after week - all these years?
I do have some answers - as well as various questions - about what I'm about and what I'm preaching.
I still don’t know after almost 53 years.
Do I have the same message - week after week after week - all these years?
I do have some answers - as well as various questions - about what I'm about and what I'm preaching.
HAVE FAITH
In a way I’ve thought about that “Have faith” question
and answer a bit.
I thought about that moment with Larry when I read the first possible gospel for this
feast. [Cf. John 20:19-23]
It says, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and
whose sins you retain are retained.”
That hit me. However, I like the translation “hold on to” better than the word “retain” or “krateo” in Greek.
That hit me. However, I like the translation “hold on to” better than the word “retain” or “krateo” in Greek.
To forgive another's sins.... Now that’s quite a power - to be a priest and forgive sins in
the name of God.
From time to time while hearing confessions, I’ve found
myself saying - especially when giving absolution, “Wow this is quite a belief
- that I am forgiving sins - here in
confession - because of sins that took place out there in homes, on the
street or at work.”
It’s a scary thought. In reality, I’m making that act of faith and
absolving this person of their sins in a confessional.
That’s quite a belief.
Then I wonder, “Does this person confessing his or her sins believe? Do they make an act of faith - that their
sins are forgiven?"
This is quite an act of faith by two people.
Pinch me!
This is quite an act of faith by two people.
Pinch me!
Then it hits me: do we realize we all have the power to
forgive sins - or to hold onto sins - out there at home, on the street, or at
work.
I have learned that with or without the sacrament of
penance and confessionals - people hold onto hurts or mistakes they have made
or were made on them - all their life.
Or at some point they make peace with their mistakes or their hurts.
Or at some point they make peace with their mistakes or their hurts.
Come Holy Spirit - bring forgiveness into our homes and
our hearts and minds.
Help this person coming to confession make this act of faith and accept forgiveness.
In other words, "Have faith!"
In other words, "Have faith!"
MANY SUCH MOMENTS - CALLING FOR ACTS
OF FAITH
As human beings we need to make many acts of faith in
life.
This is good water. This is good lettuce - I just read
the label. These other drivers are decent drivers. These school kids will not be shot today.
As human beings we have to make many acts of faith each day.
As priest I make many acts of faith.
For example, I stand here in this church - at that altar right there [POINT] and at the moment of consecration I say, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
For example, I stand here in this church - at that altar right there [POINT] and at the moment of consecration I say, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.”
Then, “In a similar way, when supper is ended, he took
the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples saying,
‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood,
the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and
for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.’”
This is quite an act of faith we make at Mass - when we believe the bread
and the wine become the body and blood of Christ.
I make that act of faith. You make that act of faith.
Over a billion people in the world - who name and claim themselves as Catholics
make that act of faith - those going to church and those not going to church.
In fact, many of those who drop out of church - come back
because this is what they are missing: the body and blood of Christ.
In fact, our Pope, Francis, and many others are wrestling
with this question of intercommunion - as in couples who are married and one
say is Lutheran and the other is Roman Catholic - both of whom have faith - why
can’t they both receive Communion when they come to Mass together?
Faith - have faith - is a big question dealing with very
big questions.
I think this evening of those 10 people who were shot and
killed in Sante Fe - Holy Faith - Texas.
We hear people say they have gone home to God or they are with God - and
they are with those who have gone before us.
Now that’s a great act of faith - this belief in life after
death - because Christ has risen from the dead.
St. Paul makes that act of faith central to
Christianity. He says in 1st
Corinthians 15 that if Christ did not rise from the dead, we’re all a bunch of
fools. Our baptism means nothing.
Listen to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15: 17-19, “If Christ has
not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."
Then Paul continues, "And what is more serious all who have died in Christ have perished."
More, "If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people."
Then Paul continues, "And what is more serious all who have died in Christ have perished."
More, "If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people."
COME HOLY SPIRIT
Those of us who have faith in Jesus Christ - make
tremendous acts of faith.
We believe in realities that people think we’re crazy for
believing in.
We pray for more faith.
We pray for more faith.
Come Holy Spirit.
Today, Pentecost, we’re praying for more faith - for more
of the Spirit.
In the first reading for today, Acts 2: 1-11 - the disciples were hiding
out in the upper room, scared and afraid, and a strong driving wind blew into
that house and filled it - and tongues, splashes - as if they were of fire
filled each of them - and they were filled with the Holy Spirit of God - and
they went out into big crowds of people and spoke in the languages of everyone
there - people from everywhere - Galileans from where they were from - Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Romans, people from Crete and Arabs. All heard all.
All understood all.
Right now, this Pentecost - people around the world - in
all kinds of languages are hearing today’s second reading - 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13. It states that we cannot say, “’Jesus is Lord,’
except by the Holy Spirit.”
They are hearing we are one body - with many parts and
many gifts - because we have all been given to drink of the one Spirit.
CONCLUSION
This homily has gotten too long, so let me wrap it up this way.
The title and theme of my homily for today is, “Have Faith.”
The title and theme of my homily for today is, “Have Faith.”
I’m saying that we have faith because of the Holy Spirit.
In the first book of the Bible we hear that God formed us
from the mud and clay of the earth like a sculptor and then breathed his Spirit
- RUAH - in Hebrew - into us.
When we let go of that Spirit, that Breath of God - we
die during our life - and at the end of our life.
So every day - pray, "Come Holy Spirit".
So every day - when you pray, breathe in, breathe out,
breathe out evil - bad spirits - and breathe in the fresh breath of God. Amen.
