Homily: June 18, 2023, Sunday of the Eleventh Sunday in ordinary time (God's Love)

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 "At the sight of the crowds, Jesus' heart was moved with pity because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd."

I especially admire Pope Benedict XVI. I can relate to his personality in many ways. He was an introvert and shy, so am I. And he liked bier, so do I.

He was one of the greatest theologians of our time. Through the encyclicals, which are papal letters to all the bishops of the church, Popes share their wisdom and insights on world issues and the faith to guide the church forward. When Pope Benedict was installed, many theologians and the world waited eagerly for his first encyclical, wondering which global issue of the time he would address.

Instead, his first encyclical dwelt on a very basic yet profound topic, "Deus Caritas est", that means "God is love". It was what the church needed, to go back to who God really is and focus on the very basis and essence of our existence.

No world issue can be resolved without knowing God, and no one can be saved without God’s love.

As we listened to today's three readings, we see the true essence of God’s relationship with His people reflected - love.

The full expression of God’s love is Jesus’ heart. Today’s Gospel began with: "Jesus' heart was moved with pity".

Imagine a scene where a child has created a terrible mess in his room, broken toys, spilled drinks, messy floor, and he himself is hurt and dirty. He looks guilty and frightened. And the loving father looks at him, not angrily, but his heart is moved with pity. He knows his son has done wrong, but he also knows his son is helpless. His son is troubled but does not know how to undo the mess on his own, he needs help.

This is how Jesus sees the crowd, this is how He sees us. “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus prays for us as He dies nailed to the cross. It is made clear in the second reading: "But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Because He knows we are ignorant, we have messed up this world, our own lives, other people’s lives and we do not know how to undo our wrongs, we do not know how to resolve the problems we created for this world.

We need help, we cannot save ourselves. God knows. And He feels deep pity for us.

So, He sent Jesus to help us, to restore our relationship with Him, and with one another. He instructed and empowered His disciples to do what He does, “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons”.

So, what are the global issues troubling our world? What are the life issues troubling us? Who are the people we are struggling to forgive or accept? There is only one solution – love. God’s love.

God is love. His heart is moved with pity for us. Let us also love one another with God’s love. Amen.


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 “And you yourself a sword will pierce.” Today, September 15, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. We remember the sufferings Mary experienced throughout her life, especially as the Mother of Jesus. Traditionally, the Church remembers seven sorrows of Mary: the prophecy of Simeon; the flight into Egypt; the loss of the child Jesus in the Temple; Mary meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary; Jesus dying on the Cross; Mary receiving the body of Jesus into her arms. and finally, the burial of Jesus. What does this feast teach us? First, it teaches us that sorrow is part of human life. None of us can go through life without experiencing suffering, disappointment, loss, or grief. But Mary teaches us something even deeper: suffering does not mean that God has stopped loving us. Mary was loved by God in a unique way. She was full of grace and chosen to be the Mother of his Son. Yet being close to God did not protect her from suffering. She stood beneath the Cross and watche...
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Homily: June 21, 2025, Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (Sufficient Grace)

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 “Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’” This sentence in today’s first reading is one of the most well-known and quoted lines in the New Testament. There are many interpretations about what could be the “thorn in the flesh” which St. Paul referred to and asked for the Lord to remove for him. No one knows for sure, and no one needs to know exactly. What we do know is that it was something Paul believed the “angel of Satan” was sent to torment him. It was so bad for him that he wished and prayed for the Lord to take away from him. But Jesus did no, and told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Jesus is telling us the same: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Are you struggling terribly? Do you feel greatly tormented? Are you facing huge troubles? Do you feel like there is no way out? If you are crying out to the Lord like St. Paul, know that you are not alone. God’s silence is not absence. He is with y...
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