As disciples of Jesus we are to do everything for love of God and our neighbor, not for personal gain. - Wednesday in the 11th Week of Ordinary Time, June 16th, 2021 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

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Sign of the + Cross                        

    Good Morning. There is no sponsor for this Mass today. 

Thank you for your support. The Lord reminds us that He loves a cheerful giver. The more we are generous to the poor, those in need, and for his works of mercy, the more the Lord will provide so we can continue being generous. During this Live Daily Mass, we offer to the Father our personal intentions and those of his Church.

Penitential Rite         Brothers and sisters let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.  (Formula 1) 

HOMILY

There are some who misunderstand the Word of the Lord to say that if we follow the rules and commandments; God will bless us with prosperity and success. If uncertain of what the Word of God means, we need only look to the example of Jesus to see the will of God in action.

Jesus did not have any money at all. He entrusted the common purse for Himself and his disciples to Judas. Unfortunately, Judas was weak and helped himself to some of that money. With regard to that common purse, Jesus gave the priority to helping the poor and others in need. As for Himself and his Apostles, they were really like mendicants, which means that they begged or relied on the generosity of the people they served to share with them food and lodging. They often slept under the stars and got water from public wells and streams.

We are not all called to live as beggars, like many religious women and men who belong to communities that rely on the generosity of the people they serve. However, what is abundantly clear is that our Creator God has filled Planet Earth – on land, sea, and in the air – with great abundance of life, food, and resources. There is no doubt that our Creator God intends for all these resources to be there for everyone to enjoy equally. Sadly, because of the original sin, fear and insecurity, and greed, far too many human beings set out to acquire far more than they need to live simply, in security, peace, health, and comfort.

Jesus makes it abundantly clear that whatever we do – whenever we give alms to assist the poor, whenever we pray, and whenever we fast; we should do it for God’s eyes alone. When we do good things our of authentic, heartfelt love for God and for our neighbors, and even for our enemies and those who are especially difficult to love; then we can be certain that our works of love and mercy will benefit both those who receive our care and also ourselves. Our spirit, our whole person becomes more like God when we live as children of God.

Whenever we take care to keep our almsgiving, prayer, and fasting secret; then we avoid the praise, admiration, and congratulations of others, and our true reward is the gratitude of those who are helped and the love and approval of Almighty God, the Most Holy Trinity.

(Spontaneous departure from my prepared text)

You notice this morning that I have a kind of  weakness in my voice; well, we all have strengths and weaknesses, and it causes me to think that there may be men out there the Lord is calling to the priesthood but who are resisting, and whenever we resist, it is because we focus too much on ourselves and we don't accept the grace of the fear of the Lord; which means to put our trust and confidence in God alone. 

(Added comment: "Looking back on my whole life of 72 years, and in particular on the almost 38 years of life and service to the Lord and his people as one of Jesus' many priests; my overwhelming thought and feeling is: 

"What a wonderful life and path! It is truly awesome to be entrusted by the Holy Spirit with glimpses into the minds, hearts, souls, and lives of other human beings whenever they open themselves to Jesus in the confidential moment and encounter with the Lord Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, in Confession. 

"How awesome and beyond understanding to know that Jesus Himself entrusts me with his own authority to say again his own words at the Last Supper; that He may once again be truly present in his risen flesh in the Bread and Wine of the Holy Eucharist and give Himself once again for food to eternal life to all who come to Him today. 

"As a mother gives of herself as food to her infant at her breast; so too does Jesus give a transfusion of his divine life to all who receive Him in Holy Communion. The wonders of such an intimate sharing in the life, mystery, and priesthood of the Lord Jesus is beyond words to tell. How could any man whom the Lord is calling not want to put his trust in the Lord Jesus, in the Most Holy Trinity, and respond to the call deep in his heart and soul as the prophet Isaiah: "Here I am, Lord!"

"Be not afraid, O little man, and take the spotlight of attention and worry off of  your poor self, and rather turn the spotlight of your attention onto the Lord Jesus, who remains for eternity to be seen in his pitiful passion, haning on the Cross; yet glorious at this very moment at the right hand of his Father in Heaven. He alone in the universe has the power of God to give life where He will in union with his Father and the Holy Spirit. Since He has power to create the universe and keep it in existence, and demonstrated his power by calming the storm on the sea and in so many other wonderful works; so too can He make of you one of his poor, humble, and blessed priests. 

"O my Jesus, I trust in You." )

Father in Heaven, fill us with your Holy Spirit and make us more and more like Jesus, your only-begotten Son, our Lord here on Earth; so that You may be pleased to welcome us into your eternal home at the end of our lives.  

In the Name of the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

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Prayer after Communion                                    Announcement 

We thank you for supporting this Live Daily Mass through your daily prayers, Mass intentions, and donations to the Cathedral and to Salt + Light Media.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.              Blessing and Dismissal

 

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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC