Fr. Roger J. Landry

St. Peter’s, Joffa, Israel

Pilgrimage of Passages for Catholics with Columbia Students

May 22, 2023

 

To listen to an audio recording of this homily, please click below: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/5.22.23_Jaffa_Homily_1.mp3

 

The outline for today’s homily was:

* Two scenes of Peter in Jaffa. First is Peter doing what Jesus did in healing. Second is dream. Purpose of the dream was to help Peter bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, to all the nations. The HS was acting with Peter and Cornelius. Peter’s calling to be a fisher of men, his proclaiming Christ as Messiah and Son of God, his accepting the loving responsibility of feeding and protecting Christ’s sheep and lambs, were all about this Mission. Peter was faithful to it in Jerusalem, here in Joppa, in Caesarea Maritima, Antioch and Rome. 

* We’re called to a similar fidelity. With the Holy Spirit Peter gave witness to Jesus whom he knew. After having gotten to know Jesus much better here, we’re called to share that gift. Fisher of men. Proclaimer of him as Messiah and Lord. Loving him and others. Baptizing. Teaching. Reminding that God is with us. 

* Parable of soil and seed. Bearing fruit with its own seeds. Not rocky or thorny. Sharing photos, joys and graces. 

* Choice to do so. Jonah. Peter after his falls said yes. 

* Peter was present in the Upper Room. Eucharist is the synthesis of all that we’ve done here. With gratitude let’s go to Jesus to strengthen us to share our faith with joy.