Homilies From St. Patrick Catholic Community

We have either heard or said the phrase, "over my dead body!". It can be a figure of speech, annoyance at something we do not like, or serious statement meant to show disagreement or anger. Today's gospel has Jesus giving another meaning to that phrase, a shepherd who lays down his life for his flock. Listen to what Jesus means and what he asks of us in laying down our lives as well.

St Luke's Gospel sees the city of Jerusalem the destiny of the mission of Jesus. Two disciples take the path away from Jerusalem and head towards Emmaus. It is the wrong path for a disciple. The path to God is the path of suffering love. We learn from God that there is no love without sacrifice. God saves us from false love that knows no sacrifice.

A broken dish usually is thrown away. In Japan there is a philosophy of having broken items being put back together by craftsmen. Beauty is seen in what is broken. God's mercy is the same. God takes our brokenness and restores what is has been beautiful already in our lives.

Here is the link to the video shown at mass this weekend.

Kintsugui:The Art of Broken Pieces

https://vimeo.com/90734143

"GODISNOWHERE- how do we read this? We used Luke's account of the Road to Emmaus, as two disciples experience both versions of this run on sentence. God is no where, yet after a stranger appears and they experience the risen Lord in their sadness, it changes to God is now here. How can we all be Easter people to a Good Friday world? Listen to our Easter homily.

Jesus wept. The shortest verse in the Bible yet the most powerful thought. Jesus is perturbed at the death of his friend Lazarus. He deeply feels the suffering and pain of humanity. His voice gives life to Lazarus as he calls him to come out of the tomb. Only God can give such life. Many came to believe in Jesus. Do we believe only God can take our dying and bring us life?