Pod Apostle

Father Michael O'Connor's homily from Mass on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, MS

Reading 1

EZ 33:7-9

Thus says the LORD:You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel;when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die, ”and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way,the wicked shall die for his guilt,but I will hold you responsible for his death.But if you warn the wicked,trying to turn him from his way,and he refuses to turn from his way,he shall die for his guilt,but you shall save yourself.

Reading 2

ROM 13:8-10

Brothers and sisters:Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another;for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery;you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, ”and whatever other commandment there may be,are summed up in this saying, namely,“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no evil to the neighbor;hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

MT 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:“If your brother sins against you,go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.If he does not listen,take one or two others along with you,so that ‘every fact may be establishedon the testimony of two or three witnesses.’If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church,then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.Amen, I say to you,whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.Again, amen, I say to you,if two of you agree on earthabout anything for which they are to pray,it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name,there am I in the midst of them.”

Father Michael O'Connor's homily from Mass on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, MS

Deacon Eddie Renz farewell homily from Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church on August 23, 2020

First ReadingIs 56:1, 6-7

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:Observe what is right, do what is just;for my salvation is about to come,my justice, about to be revealed.

The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,ministering to him,loving the name of the LORD,and becoming his servants—all who keep the sabbath free from profanationand hold to my covenant,them I will bring to my holy mountainand make joyful in my house of prayer;their burnt offerings and sacrificeswill be acceptable on my altar,for my house shall be calleda house of prayer for all peoples.

Responsorial Psalm67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!

May God have pity on us and bless us;may he let his face shine upon us.So may your way be known upon earth;among all nations, your salvation.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

May the nations be glad and exultbecause you rule the peoples in equity;the nations on the earth you guide.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

May the peoples praise you, O God;may all the peoples praise you!May God bless us,and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

Second ReadingRom 11:13-15, 29-32

The gifts and the call of God for Israel are irrevocable.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters:I am speaking to you Gentiles.Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealousand thus save some of them.For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world,what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.Just as you once disobeyed Godbut have now received mercy because of their disobedience,so they have now disobeyed in order that,by virtue of the mercy shown to you,they too may now receive mercy.For God delivered all to disobedience,that he might have mercy upon all.

Gospel Acclamationcf. Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdomand cured every disease among the people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMt 15:21-28

O woman, great is your faith!A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!My daughter is tormented by a demon.”But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.Jesus’ disciples came and asked him,“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”He said in reply,“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”He said in reply,“It is not right to take the food of the childrenand throw it to the dogs.”She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scrapsthat fall from the table of their masters.”Then Jesus said to her in reply,“O woman, great is your faith!Let it be done for you as you wish.”And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 - 1 KGS 19:9A, 11-13AAt the mountain of God, Horeb,Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him,“Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountainsand crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this,Elijah hid his face in his cloakand went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Responsorial PsalmR. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.I will hear what God proclaims;the LORD — for he proclaims peace.Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,glory dwelling in our land.R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.Kindness and truth shall meet;justice and peace shall kiss.Truth shall spring out of the earth,and justice shall look down from heaven.R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.The LORD himself will give his benefits;our land shall yield its increase.Justice shall walk before him,and prepare the way of his steps.R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Reading 2 - Rom 9:1-5Brothers and sisters:I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witnessthat I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christfor the sake of my own people,my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites;theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;theirs the patriarchs, and from them,according to the flesh, is the Christ,who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.AlleluiaR. Alleluia, alleluia.I wait for the Lord;my soul waits for his word.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel - Matthew 14:22-33After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boatand precede him to the other side,while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night,he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply,“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,“Truly, you are the Son of God.”

Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

Reading 1  IS 55:1-3Thus says the LORD:All you who are thirsty,come to the water!You who have no money,come, receive grain and eat;Come, without paying and without cost,drink wine and milk!Why spend your money for what is not bread;your wages for what fails to satisfy?Heed me, and you shall eat well,you shall delight in rich fare.Come to me heedfully,listen, that you may have life.I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,the benefits assured to David.

 

Responsorial Psalm  PS 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18R. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.The LORD is gracious and merciful,        slow to anger and of great kindness.The LORD is good to all    and compassionate toward all his works.R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.The eyes of all look hopefully to you,    and you give them their food in due season;you open your hand    and satisfy the desire of every living thing.R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.The LORD is just in all his ways    and holy in all his works.The LORD is near to all who call upon him,    to all who call upon him in truth.R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

 

Reading 2  ROM 8:35, 37-39Brothers and sisters:What will separate us from the love of Christ?Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?No, in all these things we conquer overwhelminglythrough him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,nor angels, nor principalities,nor present things, nor future things,nor powers, nor height, nor depth,nor any other creature will be able to separate usfrom the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Alleluia  MT 4:4BR.    Alleluia, alleluia.One does not live on bread alone,but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of GodR.    Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel  MT 14:13-21When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.  When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,“This is a deserted place and it is already late;dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villagesand buy food for themselves.”Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;give them some food yourselves.”But they said to him,“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”Then he said, “Bring them here to me, ”and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,he said the blessing, broke the loaves,and gave them to the disciples,who in turn gave them to the crowds.They all ate and were satisfied,and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full.Those who ate were about five thousand men,not counting women and children.

Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

Reading 1  IS 55:1-3Thus says the LORD:All you who are thirsty,come to the water!You who have no money,come, receive grain and eat;Come, without paying and without cost,drink wine and milk!Why spend your money for what is not bread;your wages for what fails to satisfy?Heed me, and you shall eat well,you shall delight in rich fare.Come to me heedfully,listen, that you may have life.I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,the benefits assured to David.

 

Responsorial Psalm  PS 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18R. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.The LORD is gracious and merciful,        slow to anger and of great kindness.The LORD is good to all    and compassionate toward all his works.R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.The eyes of all look hopefully to you,    and you give them their food in due season;you open your hand    and satisfy the desire of every living thing.R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.The LORD is just in all his ways    and holy in all his works.The LORD is near to all who call upon him,    to all who call upon him in truth.R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

 

Reading 2  ROM 8:35, 37-39Brothers and sisters:What will separate us from the love of Christ?Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?No, in all these things we conquer overwhelminglythrough him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,nor angels, nor principalities,nor present things, nor future things,nor powers, nor height, nor depth,nor any other creature will be able to separate usfrom the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Alleluia  MT 4:4BR.    Alleluia, alleluia.One does not live on bread alone,but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of GodR.    Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel  MT 14:13-21When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.  When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,“This is a deserted place and it is already late;dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villagesand buy food for themselves.”Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;give them some food yourselves.”But they said to him,“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”Then he said, “Bring them here to me, ”and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,he said the blessing, broke the loaves,and gave them to the disciples,who in turn gave them to the crowds.They all ate and were satisfied,and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full.Those who ate were about five thousand men,not counting women and children.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 109

Reading 1 1 KGS 3:5, 7-12

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”Solomon answered:“O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, kingto succeed my father David;but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heartto judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.So God said to him:“Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself,nor for riches,nor for the life of your enemies,but for understanding so that you may know what is right—I do as you requested.I give you a heart so wise and understandingthat there has never been anyone like you up to now,and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

R. (97a) Lord, I love your commands.I have said, O LORD, that my partis to keep your words.The law of your mouth is to me more preciousthan thousands of gold and silver pieces.R. Lord, I love your commands.Let your kindness comfort meaccording to your promise to your servants.Let your compassion come to me that I may live,for your law is my delight.R. Lord, I love your commands.For I love your commandmore than gold, however fine.For in all your precepts I go forward;every false way I hate.R. Lord, I love your commands.Wonderful are your decrees;therefore I observe them.The revelation of your words sheds light,giving understanding to the simple.R. Lord, I love your commands.

Reading 2 ROM 8:28-30

Brothers and sisters:We know that all things work for good for those who love God,who are called according to his purpose.For those he foreknew he also predestinedto be conformed to the image of his Son,so that he might be the firstbornamong many brothers and sisters.And those he predestined he also called;and those he called he also justified;and those he justified he also glorified.

Alleluia CF. MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 13:44-52 OR 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples:“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,which a person finds and hides again,and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchantsearching for fine pearls.When he finds a pearl of great price,he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,which collects fish of every kind.When it is full they haul it ashoreand sit down to put what is good into buckets.What is bad they throw away.Thus it will be at the end of the age.The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteousand throw them into the fiery furnace,where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?”They answered, “Yes.”And he replied,“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heavenis like the head of a householdwho brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 1 KGS 3:5, 7-12

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”Solomon answered:“O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, kingto succeed my father David;but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heartto judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.So God said to him:“Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself,nor for riches,nor for the life of your enemies,but for understanding so that you may know what is right—I do as you requested.I give you a heart so wise and understandingthat there has never been anyone like you up to now,and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

R. (97a) Lord, I love your commands.I have said, O LORD, that my partis to keep your words.The law of your mouth is to me more preciousthan thousands of gold and silver pieces.R. Lord, I love your commands.Let your kindness comfort meaccording to your promise to your servants.Let your compassion come to me that I may live,for your law is my delight.R. Lord, I love your commands.For I love your commandmore than gold, however fine.For in all your precepts I go forward;every false way I hate.R. Lord, I love your commands.Wonderful are your decrees;therefore I observe them.The revelation of your words sheds light,giving understanding to the simple.R. Lord, I love your commands.

Reading 2 ROM 8:28-30

Brothers and sisters:We know that all things work for good for those who love God,who are called according to his purpose.For those he foreknew he also predestinedto be conformed to the image of his Son,so that he might be the firstbornamong many brothers and sisters.And those he predestined he also called;and those he called he also justified;and those he justified he also glorified.Alleluia CF. MT 11:25R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 13:44-52

Jesus said to his disciples:“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,which a person finds and hides again,and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchantsearching for fine pearls.When he finds a pearl of great price,he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,which collects fish of every kind.When it is full they haul it ashoreand sit down to put what is good into buckets.What is bad they throw away.Thus it will be at the end of the age.The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteousand throw them into the fiery furnace,where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. “Do you understand all these things?”They answered, “Yes.”And he replied,“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heavenis like the head of a householdwho brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”