Homily of the Day: Thursday Reading 1PHIL 3:3-8A Brothers and sisters: We are the circumcision, we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh, although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I. Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee, in zeal I persecuted the Church, in righteousness based on the law I was blameless. But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Homily: Good morning. Today I would like to begin by sharing an old gospel hymn with you. The hymn is entitled, Just as I am, and the theme of the hymn pertains to us coming to God for the forgiveness of sins. And not coming as perfectly dressed in appearance, but rather coming just as we are, with broken sprits, with contrite, sin stricken souls, and then receiving from Him, His perfect absolution and restoration. It’s about rending your heart and not your garments. The reason that I bring this up is because it has everything to do what the apostle Paul is saying today. So before we go any further, I present to you the following hymn. youtube/watch?v=P3PBtPZKC8k Just as I am - without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, -O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am - and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, -O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am - though tossd about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, -O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, -O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am - Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, -O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am - Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down; Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, -O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am - of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, -O Lamb of God, I come![7] It’s a beautiful hymn, right? The author very truthfully and poetically illumines the fact that as human beings we have a very sinful human condition that we are all victim to, and then simultaneously, brings to light the purpose and mission of Christ, which is to provide forgiveness, healing, restoration, and spiritual growth for all people. God has has through the death and resurrection of His son broken every barrier down that separates us from him. He through His only begotten son provided and continues to provide pardon, cleansing, and relief to every distressed soul that approaches him with humility. The fact of the matter is that God is persistent and he never gives up on us no matter how many times we approach Him. He is always welcoming people back, and is always willing to forgive if we at least, with the help of His grace, try to repent. God is love, He loves you and me, and He will never leave nor forsake us because we are clothed into His eternal goodness. And this includes the Apostle Paul. You see, in today’s reading the Apostle Paul’s conversion talks about his life before his conversion. He was a prideful well educated Jew. He was born in the tribe of Benjamin, was circumcised on the eighth day, and was very good at observing the law. He had great confidence in God, but in spite of this, he probably considered himself as immaculate as the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. He wrote in today’s reading, that he was blameless in the sight of the law. But then he said, in effect, after his massive conversion, every rich I had, I now count as loss because of Christ. Christ was the game changer in Pauls life. He changed his whole mentality and gave him a new outlook on life. God in His supreme goodness met the apostle Paul where he was at, turned his life around and made him one of the greatest theologians of the early church. God had big plans for him, and He was used to advance the gospel. Just as the Lord met the apostle he meets us. He meets us each and everyday wherever we stand in our faith journey. He is the one who greets us at mass, and he is the one who gives us His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity for us to feast on which He uses to advance our spirit. Jesus is our all. So today, as we approach Him, let us come just as we are and let Him provide the transformation that He wants us to experience. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 20:26:42 +0000
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