The world is a scary place: school shootings, violence, hatred, and more. What in the world is going on?

It is through Christ's sufferings that we find redemption. He did not come to save us from our sufferings, but he came with compassion.

How often do we cry out to God to end our sufferings, to take away our pain? But yet it still remains. What is God's answer? The cross.

Gospel: John 3:13-17

#suffering #violence #cross #Jesus #Catholic

If you are familiar with Middle Eastern culture, you are aware of the close-knit nature of families, which provide opportunities for safety, employment, and marriage prospects. In today's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that to follow him, they must give up their families, which can be a heavy cross. He is asking them to give up everything, which breaks the social norms.

This hasn't changed in 2,000 years: He is asking us to not live of this world, just in it.

Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

#cross #family #Jesus #disciple #catholic

Our dignity comes from Him and no one else. We try, each and every one of us, to prove our dignity over and over and over. But we don't need to prove the dignity that we have in Christ because it is God who gives it to us, not any one human being.

All the saints understood that humility means depending upon God rather than ourselves. The saints lived in the Truth that they were sons and daughters of the Father, that they were weak but were made strong in Christ.

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

#homily #Jesus #Catholic #humility #dignity #saints

,This week we were joined by Father Agapitus Hector Businge from the Catholic Diocese of Hoima in Uganda.

In addition to sharing insights in our weekly reading, he tells the congregation about St. Mary's Children and Women Specialized Hospital that offers specialized care to millions in need in Africa.

"Indeed, when God comes to save us from all forms of oppressive forces, whether they are political, social, economic or otherwise, we become a blessed and liberated people."

To give to this year's missionary cooperative, visit OSV and click "Give Now" under Missionary Co-Op: https://osvhub.com/sjy/giving/funds

#missionary #hoima #uganda #hospital #blessed #liberated #catholic #homily

Whenever we only consider in our minds what we should do, we are just debating among ourselves. This is not discernment about where God desires us to be. We are called to think of what is above, not what's on Earth. But how quickly our feeble minds turn to what we can see, touch, taste, and feel, that instant gratification.

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

#richfool #prayer #God #catholic #christian #homily

Jesus taught us a new way to pray. We are no longer alone in our prayers, isolated. Now it is joined with that of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. And now we call God our Father, no longer orphans but the sons and daughters of the Lord.

Gospel: Luke 11:1-13

#homily #Catholic #Abba #Father #prayers

For a Christian, the works of service and charity are never to be detached from listening to the Word of God.

Yes, this is a part of our lives, who we are, but the reason why we serve is to imitate Christ, Who serves all humanity.

How do we know how to serve if we do not sit at His feet and listen to Him?

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42

#homily #Martha #Mary #Catholic #service #Christian #Christ

In this week's Gospel, we are faced with the answer of how to attain eternal life: Love the Lord with everything you are, AND love your neighbor as yourself.

Why are these two tasks so hard to live out? It's even more difficult when we understand everyone is our neighbor, not just the ones we want to be.

"Go and do likewise."

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

#goodsamaritan #jesus #neighbor #love #catholic #christian #homily