Homilies | Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach
God Bless You All

Father Nathan Homily | August 25, 2019

Father Nathan | Homily

21th Sunday Ordinary Time (August 25, 2019)

For behold, some are last that will be first, and some are first who will be last. Lk 13: 22-30

Fr. Nathan

 
Introduction:

The liturgy today invites us to be focused on the mission and the ministry; and when we focus on our mission, we are taught that we will to strive enter heaven through our means to save our souls – because finally saving one’s soul should be the ultimate motivation for a Christian which demands abundance of sacrifice and detriment and so on…

Scripture lessons summarized: 

In the first reading, Isaiah’s prophecy speaks to the future Babylonian exiles returning to Jerusalem after 47 years in captivity, telling them that salvation is not a Jewish monopoly and that is why Yahweh will welcome the pagans also into Judaism. The prophet’s great book ends as it began, with a vision of all the peoples of the world streaming toward Jerusalem, acknowledging and praising the God of Israel.  

In the second reading, exploring with his readers the consequences of Christian commitment, St. Paul explains that “the narrow gate” of Jesus means our accepting pain and suffering as the loving discipline God is giving His children.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus clearly explains that anyone who wants follow him SHOULD CHOSE the narrow gate of sacrificial service and sharing love will be saved.   Jesus also admonishes his followers to concentrate on their own salvation by self-discipline. It’s not an outcome of our option…..

Cultural Context

People of Jesus time thought that Kingdom of God was reserved for the Jews alone, and Gentiles would be shut out. 

The Jewish catechism, Mishnah, taught:

“All Israelites have a share in the world to come.”

The author of the Apocalypse of Ezra declared,

“this age the Most High has made for the many, but the age to come for a few” (4 Ezra 8:1).

Hence, Jesus’ answer must have come as a shock. Jesus affirms that God wants all persons to enjoy eternal life with Him. But he stresses the need for constant fidelity and vigilance throughout our lives. Thus, Jesus reminds us thatneven though God wants all of us to be saved, we all need to work at it.

Entry into God’s kingdom is not automatically granted, based purely on religious Faith or nationality, so we cannot presume God’s mercy and do nothing by way of response to God’s invitation.

Jesus stresses that to attain the kingdom, we need constant fidelity and vigilance throughout our lives. Jesus also insisted that salvation was an urgent matter. We must enter through the “narrow gate” of sacrificial and selfless service.

Life Messages

If anyone desires to come after me, let him:

  1. Deny himself
  2. Take up his cross daily
  3. Follow Me” (Lk 9:23).

This denying, this taking the cross, this following is EVERYDAY of our life, until we are with him…

“A loose wire gives out no musical note; but fasten the ends, and the piano, the harp or the violin is born. Free steam drives no machine but hamper and confine it with piston and turbine and you have the great world of machinery made possible… Our lives must be disciplined, if we are to be of any real service in this world.”

– Editorial, War Cry Magazine, Michael Green

If you are going to walk with Jesus, there are some things you will need to leave behind.

Have a Blessed Week,

Fr. Nathan

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Past Messages from Father Nathan

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 14, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 14, 2021

What is Holy Mass?
What we do and why do we do this?

Vatican II, bulletin 1324 said the following: – The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” 136 ‘the other sacraments and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented towards it.

read more
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 7, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 7, 2021

What is the Sacrament of Confession? Why do we need confession? What are the benefits of going to confession? The Sacrament of Confession is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God, our neighbors, and the Church.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 28, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 28, 2021

The Mysteries of our Faith. As the Lenten Season has started please make all the efforts possible to participate in the liturgy and other pious activities of the church. These are the ways and means we are able to understand the mystery of Christ…

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 21, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 21, 2021

We have just started the Lenten season. It’s one of the most precious and holiest seasons of the year… Let us try to know Christ and let us try to understand him. Please, make an effort to talk to Him and with Him through the readings of the scripture, praying the rosary as a family,

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 14, 2021

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 14, 2021

Ash Wednesday | The Beginning of Lent
“Repent and believe in the Gospel” is the captivating sentence as we begin the holy season of Lent. For any Roman Catholic Church, the suffering the death of Christ is the mystery of our faith. Our faith revolves around this.

read more