Great homilies to improve the faith and understanding of Christians
This world has plenty of suffering. What do we do when bad things happen? Especially when it happens to those we love or to ourselves. Do we blame God? Do we question His priorities? Similarly, might we even question the existence of God? The gospel story of Jairus addresses these questions. Bishop Barron helps us to interpret this beautiful story for a better faith in God.
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Isn’t it the case that many people want to see something with their own eyes in order to believe it. Why didn’t Jesus reveal himself after his resurrection to Pontius Pilate or to the Jewish leaders in the Sanhedrin. Perhaps it is because he wanted people who were willing to be a witness. The reality is that most people can see something amazing and just as easily go back to a life of apathy. Do you understand what it is to be a proper witness?
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How did you choose your career? For most people it’s a product of luck and circumstance. We have an opportunity early in our working lives and that becomes something we build into a career. This presentation by Bishop Barron is something I wish I had seen earlier in life. Instead I was guided in career choices by things like the Myers-Briggs assessment. We need to change our perspective on career discussions. The egotism in career advice should be alarming. Instead of what can I accomplish? Instead of what will make me most happy? We should be asking in what way can I be most loving! In what way can I be most generous! The fruit of the Holy Spirit described in Galatians 5 is the most compelling career advice I have ever heard. And I say this after spending several decades in Human Resources.
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St Peter tells us there is no salvation through anyone but Jesus. How then do we reconcile ourselves to other religions? Do we use imperialism or violence to bring people into Christianity? Or conversely, do we give into an indifferent mindset. One that says that all faithful people from any religion may be saved? Neither extreme is correct.
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How many of us have struggled with self-love as we grew up? We craft personas to try to be cool. We hide our secret identities so as to be liked. In fact, a lot of people walk around with a secret identity that they hate. Everything changes, however, if we remember where we came from and what we are. Fr Mike discusses the implications of being made in God’s image. Do you know God’s secret identity?
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Modern society views celibacy as something weird. Dr Pitre’s presentation gives us insight on why we might choose a celibate life.
We should view marriage as one wonderful expression of love. But equally, being celibate can also lead to a life of love for God. In fact, in the resurrection there will be no marriage and everyone will be celibate. Therefore, choosing celibacy now is choosing how you hope to live in heaven.
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Our Faith is very much a gift from God. In many respects, Faith is like learning a musical instrument. The gift of an instrument is one thing. But your ability to play is based on going for lessons. It is based on regular practice. And if the instrument is in need of repairs, then we have to actively seek these out. It takes effort.
Jesus says you must strive for heaven. This does not entail a life of comfort. Nor should we expect heaven if our life is full of distractions and abstractions. We need to be seeking a relationship with God. We need to be agonizing for heaven.
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