Homily Christmas (B) Holy Family - Hallowed Be Thy Name

He Gave Them Authority

Core Message:

Compassion. Power. Gift. Have a heart that bleeds like Christ’s, know that you have the power to do something about it, and be generous.

Homily

Compassion

Compassion. Power. Gift. Three words punctuate today’s Gospel. Compassion. Power. Gift.

Let me begin with a story. Last night Tim and Lacey spent all night in the hospital. Their little 5-week old girl, Hannah, was suffering serious respiratory problems. Doctors said she probably would not make it through the night. My friend Jared wrote me, “You pray more than anyone else I know. If you have any spiritual resources, please pray for this little girl.”

I assured him that Hannah would be in my constant prayers, and not to worry for she is in God’s hands and covered by his mercy. But it struck me how outsiders see us. We are not the one as the one who teaches Hebrew, or the one who works in the Sacerdos office, or the one who drives the bus. We are souls who spend our lives talking with God.

But does our heart truly bleeds with compassion in the face of suffering souls? Do we have a Christ-shaped heart?

In today’s Gospel, we see that Christ’s heart was moved with compassion. The word in Greek is as hard to translate as it is to pronounce. Feeling compassion is described as a movement of the inner organs. It is a visceral experience. The strange verb appears a dozen times in the NT, only in the 4 Gospels. When Jesus gets off the boat and sees a crowd on the shore, he has compassion on them, for they are like sheep without a shepherd (Mk 6:34). When the crowds have been following him for three days, he has compassion on them, for the have nothing to eat (Mk 8:2). When the two blind men of Jericho cry out for mercy, Jesus stops, calls them, and in compassion touches their eyes to give them sight (Mt 20:34). When he saw the widow of Nain he had compassion on her, for she lost her only son (Lk 7:10). Most importantly, in the parable of the Prodigal Son, Christ has the word on his own lips when teaching the disciples about his own merciful heart. The father sees his son in the distance and has compassion. And what follows? He runs to him, embraces him, and covers him with kisses. That is the compassionate heart of our God.

Do I have a heart that is moved to compassion? Or am I preoccupied with myself, my goals, my responsibilities, getting in my study hours like Boulogne tells me I should. Do I say like the disciples. “Lord, send them away.” Do I really care about the people who have asked for my prayers?

May God give us a compassionate heart like his!

Power

The second theme of today’s gospel is exousia, that’s Greek for Power or authority. In Mt 10:1, we read

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them exousia over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.

Christ tells the twelve to do everything he has been doing in the last two chapters. With a word of power, he cast out demons, calmed the seas, cured his mother-in-law, healed the blind man. Matthew just finished telling 10 miracle stories in which Christ shows his divine exousia.

And this is how Jesus began his ministry, teaching on a mountain in Galilee, the Sermon on the Mount. And what is the first thing they say of him when he finishes his first homily? They were all astounded for he taught with exousia and not as the scribes.

And this sounds a lot like the last words of the gospel. Where Jesus again is on a mountain in Galilee. “Behold, all exousia on heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”

Jesus, if you’ve got the power, why don’t you go and make disciples? But we continue his ministry, and we are empowered to do so.

And what power in that ministry! What exousia. Remember the centurion? I too am a man under exousia, and I say to one go and he goes. Lord, just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

Then there is the paralytic. “That you may know that the Son of Man has exousia to forgive sins, I say to you, take up you pallet and walk.”

Jesus goes on to heal a woman with a hemorrhage, to cast out demons, and to raise a girl from the dead. What can’t he do? And then he gives exousia to me.

Brothers, don’t just feel compassion for people, know that God is giving you the power to do something about it. At this Mass, there is a re-actualization of the mystery we proclaim. So take that little piece of paper you’ve got in your pocket with the prayer intentions that people have left with you and know that you are vested with authority. You are given Christ’s power.

Gift

The third word is gift.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.

Brothers, we have been so graced! We have received so much. We would be miserly and unfaithful not to be generous.

Yes all authority in heaven on earth is Christ’s, but if he says THEREFORE, go and make disciples it is because he gives it to us who have a share in his mission. And so he concludes, “Behold, I am with you until the end of the age.”

This is the real miracle we are called to perform. This is the mountain we are called to move: the human heart.

I return to my friend Jared, whom I promised prayers for little Hannah.

He confessed, “I know I haven’t been a very good friend. I have been away from the Church for a long time, but I’m ready to come back.”

Brothers. Care for your people. Let your heart bleed. COMPASSION.

Know you have the exousia of Christ to bring healing. POWER

GIFT. You have received without pay. Give without pay!

Question and Answer

What does it mean to feel compassion? Where else is compassion seen to be a trait of Jesus heart?

Do I care about people like Jesus does?

Am I indifferent to the needs of others?

Do they stir my heart?

What is Matthew’s notion of exousia? Where else does exousia appear?

What kind of things does Jesus do by virtue of his exousia?

What does he ask the disciples to do with this gift?

What have I been gratuitously given? How can I give gratuitously?

Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family (B):

First Reading

Option A

Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14

For the Lord honored the father above the children,

and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children,

and when he prays he will be heard. Whoever glorifies his father will have long life,

and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother;

O son, help your father in his old age,

and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance;

in all your strength do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

and against your sins it will be credited to you;

or

Option B

Genesis 15:1–6, 21:1–3

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.

Response

Psalm 105:7a, 8a

He is the Lord our God;

his judgments are in all the earth.

He remembers his covenant forever,

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,

Psalm

Psalm 105:1–9

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Seek the Lord and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

O offspring of Abraham, his servant,

children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He is the Lord our God;

his judgments are in all the earth.

He remembers his covenant forever,

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,

the covenant that he made with Abraham,

his sworn promise to Isaac,

Second Reading

Option A

Colossians 3:12–21

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

or

Option B

Colossians 3:12–17

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

or

Option C

Hebrews 11:8, 11–12, 17–19

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Gospel Acclamation

Hebrews 1:1–2

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Gospel

Option A

Luke 2:22–40

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation

that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

or

Option B

Luke 2:22, 39–40

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Liturgy

The Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord [Christmas], or, if there is no Sunday, December 30.

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

Feast

Entrance Antiphon [Lk 2:16]

The shepherds went in haste,

and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant lying in a manger.

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.

Collect

O God, who were pleased to give us

the shining example of the Holy Family,

graciously grant that we may imitate them

in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity,

and so, in the joy of your house,

delight one day in eternal rewards.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

When this Feast is celebrated on Sunday, the Creed is said.

Prayer over the Offerings

We offer you, Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation,

humbly asking that,

through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God and Saint Joseph,

you may establish our families firmly in your grace and your peace.

Through Christ our Lord.

Preface I, II or III of the Nativity of the Lord, pp. 538–543.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,

through Christ our Lord.

For on the feast of this awe-filled mystery,

though invisible in his own divine nature,

he has appeared visibly in ours;

and begotten before all ages,

he has begun to exist in time;

so that, raising up in himself all that was cast down,

he might restore unity to all creation

and call straying humanity back to the heavenly Kingdom.

And so, with all the Angels, we praise you,

as in joyful celebration we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts …

When the Roman Canon is used, the proper form of the Communicantes (In communion with those) is said.

Communion Antiphon [Bar 3:38]

Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.

Prayer after Communion

Bring those you refresh with this heavenly Sacrament,

most merciful Father,

to imitate constantly the example of the Holy Family,

so that, after the trials of this world,

we may share their company for ever.

Through Christ our Lord.

Questions about Readings

The Locked Door - Existential Need

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Miscellaneous

· When God sends an answer to my question, a solution to my problem, a messenger for my salvation, will I be ready to receive it or will it come in vain?