LITURGICAL AND HOMILETIC INTERACTION

LECTIONARY

5th Sunday of Lent [C]    -    Is. 43:16-21, Ps. 126:1-6, Phil. 3: 8-14, Jn. 8: 1-11.

Homily - In these scriptures, it tells us that through the same God whose mercy and power saved Israel is the source of our righteousness by His mercy and power.

Thursday of 31st Week    -    Phil. 3: 3-8a, Ps. 105: 2-7, Lk. 15: 1-10.

Homily - In these scriptures, it tells us that in all that we do, Christ has done more.  He became the Good Shepherd and  saved us, even though he did not have to.

HOMILIES

1) Pride - Philippians 3:8-9 shows us that everything that we do is nothing compared to Christ.  Many times, we either look at something we have or done with pride.  None of those things matter, when it is compared to the great gift Christ is offering us.

2) Gratitude- In reference to the section on pride, we have been offered this great gift, which cannot be obtained on our own, but sometimes we fall into ungratefulness.  If we were to truly understand it, then we would pursue the goal with sharing the suffering of Christ.

3) Perseverance -  In connect with gratitude, there are many times that we do not continue the pursuit or lose focus on the prize.  We need  to work and learn ways to continually strain forward toward the goal like depending on the grace offered to us by God.