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 17th to the 19thcenturies. 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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