Why are Christians persecuted? Many people deny God exists - the big shock will be after the moment of death. - Wednesday in the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, November 24th, 2021 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

 Gospel & Homily MP3 version             Homily PDF version 

There is no sponsor today for this Holy Mass; so I offer it for priests having difficulties. 

Sign of the + Cross                 Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions

Good Morning. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…. Brothers and Sisters, today we remember 130,000 Vietnamese martyrs who died from the 17^th to the 19^thcenturies. We ask Mary Queen of the World and Saint Joseph to pray with us for all Christians persecuted for their faith in God.

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

Prayer after Communion                                    Announcement 

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Saint Joseph, pray for us.              Blessing and Dismissal

HOMILY

Brothers and sisters, the Word of the Lord addressed to us today by the Most Holy Trinity is not about “Jolly, jolly, happy, happy!” Nevertheless, it is good news, because every word that comes from the mouth of God is good news for humanity. The Lord calls on us to consider a very hard question: “Why do people persecute those who are religious, those who believe in the one true God and who worship Him?”

Today we honour some 130,000 Vietnamese men and women, young people and children who were imprisoned, often tortured, and executed simply because they had the boldness to believe in God, to share their faith with others, and to worship the one true God. So, why are some people bothered by manifestations of faith and worship offered to the one true God?

They deny that God exists, or that there is only one true God of all Creation, or they don’t like the God believed in and worshipped by Christians. What will happen to them? We are told in no uncertain terms by Daniel what the outcome will be in every case. The King of Babylon or Chaldea, which is Iraq today, disrespected God publicly when he had his nobles, guests, wives and concubines drink from the sacred vessels his father had taken from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. God never turns down such a direct challenge; nor did He then.

The hand that appeared in thin air to write on the wall was a brutal wake up call for the king who was killed that very night. People think God is cruel and stingy like us, but He is not. God is love. God’s every action is an act of love, tough love at times, but still love. Those who die an unexpected sudden death are given time by God to open their heart to the divine mercy. Those who refuse God’s offer of love prefer to go to hell rather than feel indebted to God.

Death of itself solves nothing. People who choose to end their life prematurely rather than suffer here on Earth pass through the thin veil separating us from eternity, and they discover the shocking truth that they have solved nothing. They no longer have a body to suffer in, but now they cannot avoid suffering worse pains in their soul. Those who accept God’s mercy but need to be purified from sinful habits and material attachments will suffer in Purgatory until they are finally set free and are now ready and willing to enter into God’s radiant presence.

Father in Heaven, your plan for our life on Earth then eternal life after death is the best possible plan. Have mercy on all those bent on looking for a better solution than the plan you offer.  “O my Jesus, I trust in You. Mother Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us.

We give praise to You, O God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

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https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com

© 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

God asks us not to harshly judge those in high places but to mercifully pray for them daily. - Wednesday in the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, November 10th, 2021 - S + L Mass at MQW Cathedral downtown Montreal

 Gospel & Homily MP3 version             Homily PDF version

(Unfortunately, there is no sponsor today for this Holy Mass.)

Sign of the + Cross                

Good Morning. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…. Brothers and Sisters, today we remember Pope Saint Leo the Great, who with Mary Queen of the World, and Saint Joseph, calls on us to pray daily for all the people in high places who are responsible for much of humanity.

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

 Prayer after Communion                                    Announcement 

Please support this Live Daily Mass through your daily prayers, Mass intentions, and donations to the Cathedral and to Salt + Light Media. We are especially in need of generous sponsors. 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.              Blessing and Dismissal

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(Anticipating Remembrance Day - November 11th, 2021)

HOMILY

“Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.” This is the refrain for today’s Psalm. It is a prayer and a sentiment that I believe many of us may find already echoing in our own heart in the face of the great misery we observe all over this planet today. It is easy to understand how we might come to feel this way about the powerful and the wealthy of this world and all those who govern us at the many levels of government in all the nations of the Earth.

We know, and Pope Francis tirelessly declares it for all of humanity to hear, that money alone rules the Earth, but it should not. Governments and commercial interests of all types are fully committed to seeking endless growth in profits and wealth. Human peace and harmony mean nothing to the arms producers and traders. Land, labor, and lodging for families to live and thrive mean nothing to wealthy and powerful landowners. Human dignity, freedom, and the common good mean nothing to the commercial lobbies that pressure politicians or to the forces of law and order which keep the wealthy and powerful secure and often take their part.

However, Jesus did not criticize the rich and powerful out of hate, but because God loves them, because they are also children of God. It would be a mistake for us to condemn those in high places. It is enough for us to know that they, like us, will be judged by God, and that those in high places will be judged severely because of the common good entrusted to their care.

The nine lepers who did not have grateful hearts may have been cured of their leprosy, but they were not made well. Only the Samaritan leper, who noticed he was healed, was grateful, and came back to prostrate himself before Jesus and thank Him. His faith opened his soul to God in gratitude, and it is this transformation of his spirit that made him well.

If all we do about the world’s troubles is gripe about the rich, the powerful, and all those in government; then we are no better than the 9 lepers who felt no gratitude towards Jesus. God is calling us to have understanding, pity, compassion, and mercy for all those in high places. They need our daily prayer to help them accept the light of wisdom shining on the face of Jesus. We will more easily pray for them if we begin every day by thanking God for our life and his love.

Father in Heaven, thank You for our life. Have mercy on all those in high places, those in government, business, and private enterprise. They are all prisoners of fear, fear of losing ground to competition, fear of failure, fear of not getting re-elected, and countless other fears. Have mercy on them and let your light of wisdom break through the dark and cold places in their souls. “O my Jesus, I trust in You. Mother Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us.

We give praise to You, O God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com

 

© 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