Homiletics 7/12/17

Offemaria, Joeford Maxi R.

Testimonial Homily on Acts 22:1-21

Some 8 years ago, people who came to know that I will be entering the seminary asked;
“What? You? Entering the seminary? Will you be admitted there?” Still, after some time the
questions did not cease. People still inquire; “Are you really sure of that? Did you not consider
being the only son?”

My dear friends, the story of a man being doubted by people around because of God’s
call is a not so new story. The Scriptures attest and is filled with stories of men being tried by
people to whom they are administering. We hear of the Israelites murmuring against Moses;
the same people protesting and putting into exile their prophets. Even Jesus himself was a
victim of this. We hear of him being attempted to be hurled into a cliff because of claiming
Isaiah’s prophecy. There was also a time when he was demeaned by His fellow Galileans only
because of their familiarity of His familial background. And yet, the story of rejection never
stops. Today, we hear of Paul defending himself before the Jerusalem Jews for the same reason
of being called and chosen by God.

Let us admit it. People will come to know us and they may not like all about us or the
church we are all into. But, my dear friends, God has His own way. He has His own criteria in
choosing and we can never understand His ways. We just have to simply keep this in our hearts
just as what Mary did and commit everything to His care as St. Peter says in his first epistle.
Paul, on his part may have followed some sort of steps in his way to God. But, mind you my
dear friends it is his knowledge of the Scriptures that guided him in his personal quest. So, what
shall we do now? The Bible suggests two ways:

1. “Be still and know that He is God.”

2. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Homiletics 7/12/17
Offemaria, Joeford Maxi R.

Biographical Homily on St. Joseph the Worker

Among the many persons declared by the church as saints, only a few celebrate their
feast day twice; among them is St. Joseph. But, as a point for clarification, it must be clear
among us that March 19 is his feast as the “Patriarch” while today, May 1 is his feast as the
“Worker”. Really and truly, we find scarcity of sources about his life (only in the Gospels) also
stating the fact that he cannot be quoted even for a word. But, his role in salvation history can
never ever be belittled. It was so great that we can draw a number of things to ponder upon.
With this, let me at least give you three points to look on:

First, our social status is not a basis in establishing a relationship with God. It does not
matter whether one is poor or rich so long as he/she strives to live a good and holy life. We see
in St. Joseph’s life how God related to him, a mere carpenter by profession. Second, when love
is concerned, God conspires. Joseph so loved Mary and Jesus and in so many events in their
lives did God collaborates. It was Joseph’s love for his family that sustained them all throughout
because God was with each of Joseph’s handiwork. Lastly, when we work, we work; when we
pray God works. The Scripture attests to how Joseph adhered to Judaic laws on obligatory
feasts, etc. This only shows that Joseph knows by heart what he can do something about and
which God’s part is.

So, as we celebrate St. Joseph’s laborious efforts today, we again mirror in ourselves
how we live out our devotion to St. Joseph by looking at our relationship with God, on how
much love we put in our works for our neighbor and which things we can do something about
and which are to be entrusted to God. Amen.
Homiletics 7/12/17
Offemaria, Joeford Maxi R.

St. Benedict of Nursia and the Pharisees

Viva San Benito! Today we triumphantly raise our voices in jubilation as we commemorate our
dear patron St. Benedict of Nursia. We remember his victory over the trials he has won over and more
so, we celebrate his great contribution to the church. But, he is not just a saint to look up to; he is also a
man to be emulated especially in his great desire to follow Jesus. So, what lessons can we gain from his
life and examples? Let me share to you three things.

First, retreating doesn’t mean losing. In fact, the greatest battles won are those after a retreat.
Early in our lives have we been taught that we must keep on fighting; fight until you win. But, to tell you
my dear friends the greatest comeback is after a setback. We see this clearly in the life of Jesus whereby
He (Jesus) did not frequent himself with confrontations with the Pharisees. There was even a time when
he just slipped through the crowds in escape from the unjust Pharisees. The same can be read in the
Crucifixion event when he just let mockery pass through yet now, we celebrate Easter as the greatest
ecclesial feast. The same lesson can be drawn from the life of St. Benedict. St. Benedict retreated to Mt.
Subiaco in escape of the widespread hypocrisy and maladies of the “Pharisees” of his time. Yet, we see
how his flight into the mountains led him to an encounter with God which was his greatest victory ever
noted.

Second, a battle fought is a battle won. Most of us have this idea that battles are those with the
high powered guns, heavily armored tanks, best army etc. however we have already put into the
sidelines the battles we fight hard every day: the battle against the “self”. Before a war becomes
external it starts within. Every day we are confronted with decisions to make, preferences to choose etc.
and all this starts within on which the grind happens. Daily we are made to choose whether to just give
in or fight. Jesus never gave up. St. Benedict never gave up. Jesus battled with temptations as well as
with the Pharisees but with the Father as his stronghold. St Benedict fought only to please God even if it
takes him to roll over thorns or be poisoned by the “Pharisees” in his community. All in all, they fought
and they won.

Lastly, consider things done if God is in the finish line. A lot of us think that it was the “I” who
made things happen. Most of us forget that was someone who conspired for things to be accomplished.
Jesus could have been so proud of his success as the people’s choice yet he never failed to point it all up
to the Father. St. Benedict may have also demanded a copy right for his rule but he never did. Why?
Because he was not seeking for anything because it was not him who accomplished all he has done. So,
as we recall the glorious memory of St. Benedict may we only seek to do what is good and pleasing that
in all things God may be glorified. Amen.
Homiletics 7/12/17
Offemaria, Joeford Maxi R.

Topical Sermon on Humility

Humility: So big a word for a person who has been trying to gain such a noble virtue.
Today my dear friends, I beg your indulgence for I will be dealing with a matter I know not
much. In fact, it will be an irony today for I will be sharing something I do not have. But as most
of us know, we Christians must tread the path the Lord Jesus trod for we follow Him not your
preacher.

For six years now, yes! For six consecutive years, I have been evaluated by the brothers
as someone who is proud. It is for this reason that I find it hard to reflect on this topic because
of my iniquity. How can I pull off the plank in my brother’s eye if I have a spat on my own? I lack
credibility in this aspect and I cannot afford to fool you with theories regarding the same matter
taken from Google or some inspirational writers. In short, I cannot pretend to be who I am not.
But let me do justice by giving some points for reflection with regards to this virtue.

Number one, humility enables us to restrain the inordinate desire for our own
excellence, giving us a true evaluation of our smallness and misery before God. This description
of humility brings us to the closing prayer of one of our morning praise: “That all we do may
find its origin in You, continue with your help, and through You reach completion”. This prayer
singles out that there is no reason for us to acclaim ourselves because primarily everything is
God’s initiative and it is in His own power that everything finds it fulfillment; we are mere
instruments of his graciousness.

Number two, humility implies our subjection to God. “Fiat voluntas tua”, Thy will be
done. Oftentimes, we find ourselves dictating what must happen in a given situation
notwithstanding God’s prerogative. It is then that we seem to be in control of the situations we
are in whereas we are not. We are mere channels whom God respects because of the same
graciousness we are enjoying. Nevertheless, let Him lead the way!

Lastly, we now ask ourselves the question; how is it possible for us who have received
the great gifts from God to recognize these gifts and at the same time be aware of our littleness
and misery before God? These we respond to by quoting St. Thomas Aquinas: “Whatever
pertains to defect and imperfection is of ourselves; whatever pertains to man’s goodness and
perfection is from God.

Thus, whenever we seem to find ourselves exalted, point it all up to Him because it is
most proper to Him, our origin and guide.
Homiletics 7/12/17
Offemaria, Joeford Maxi R.

Textual Sermon on the Beatitudes

It was on the Sermon on the Mount wherein Jesus articulated the Beatitudes. Among
the eight which he enumerated, one speaks of seeing God and it goes this way: “Blessed are the
pure of heart for they will see God.” From these very words of the Lord, reflects a reality on the
part to which he taught this. A teaching which is passed on to us because, this is for us.

Even before the time of Jesus, immorality has already taken roots and it has already
seeped into the hearts of people. There were already prostitutes, homosexual activities,
adultery and many more. However, it was not until now that these things were to be legalized.
It is only now that these things were thought of to be “necessary”. Before, anyone caught in the
act of doing this acts were penalized with the sentence of being stoned to death. But now, with
the regime of modernization it is not that hard on the part of people to open up their minds on
these things. Their conception is that these things are normal and they can do these with
freedom without any idea that these lead them away from seeing God which starts from the
acknowledgement of good.

If to be taken up humorously, there is a new substitute to the beatitude mentioned

above which states that: “Blessed are the ones who will vote yes, for the will have their due.”
This vivid motive of our legislators is but a stroke against our moral distinction between right
and wrong because, it directs us to an acknowledgement of an “apparent societal good” which
leads us away from the fulfillment of God’s promise of happiness. Now, who will see God? Who
will experience the beatific vision? Who will be happy?

After all that man has gone through, he deserves to be happy. He deserves the taste of
heaven. Yet, he must first and foremost submit himself to duties it entails. He must abide by
the prevailing principles of morality (love of self & others) and he must give what is due to his
Creator (love of God). We must remember that it is the promise of heaven that some of us
longs for, and it must also be the motivating factor for each and every one of us who yearns to
see God.

With all these things laid down, we go back to the beatitude:”Blessed are the Pure of
Heart for they shall see God.” Our motivations cause our actions and it is our actions that define
who we are and as our Catholic teaching is concerned; we are the adopted children of God. So,
we earnestly pray to God that the blood that flowed from the sufferings of Christ may purify
our hearts so that it may be possible to see the face of God among us and in the life to come
and may we abide in the moral teachings of our faith.