Shawn The Baptist - Sunday Scriptures

Abraham trusted God, even to the point of not withholding his only son. Do you trust God? What are you withholding?

The disciplines of Lent are only a means to an end. The entire origin of the season of Lent is all about baptism.

It's Valentine's Day... but it's also Ash Wednesday. This many seem like a downer, but there is also a happy connection.

At the time of Jesus, leprosy carried a two-fold stigma. First, it was a terribly painful and debilitating disease which left the person suffering with sores and rotting flesh. As if this wasn't bad enough, the second affliction of leprosy was that the person would be cast out of society and have to live apart as we see described in our first reading. The leper would have to yell out "unclean" if anyone came near him.

This background makes the encounter between Jesus and the leper in today's gospel a truly astounding event. First, the leper does not stay away like he's supposed to. He's not afraid to run up to Jesus. More amazing, Jesus is not afraid of the leper. We can imagine everyone else backing away in shock, perhaps even fearing that they might become infected. Jesus then does the unthinkable; he touches the leper. In this case, since Jesus is God, he does not become infected with leprosy. Instead, the infected person is healed. A true miracle.

As we prepare to begin Lent, we are meant to see the disease of leprosy as an analogy for sin. Just as leprosy left a person physically ill, so sin leaves us spiritually ill. Leprosy isolated a person from the community and sin does the same to us. Notice that Jesus did not simply invite the leper back... he healed him first. This is the same path forward for us. We need to run to Jesus and kneel down in the confessional and be healed of our sin. Then Jesus will reintegrate us fully back into the community.

Sin is a serious disease. If we leave it untreated, we will not only spiritually suffer and die, but we will infect the entire community and slowly bring it down. But imagine if we were all to run to Jesus in confession this Lent. The whole community could be cured of our spiritual leprosy and we could lift each other up. If you have the courage to approach Jesus in the sacrament this Lent, then you too can hear the beautiful words of Jesus, spoken through the priest, "I absolve you from your sins. Be made clean."

Today's homily was given to the archdiocesan candidates for the diaconate at the conclusion of their weekend of formation.

In the second reading, St. Paul tells us about the need to preach the gospel. Yet, in today's world, "preaching" has almost taken on a negative connotation. "Don't preach at me!" In this sense, the listener seems to understand the one preaching as coming from a position of superiority. This is the opposite of what St. Paul intended by preaching. Rather, he makes the striking statement, "To the weak, I became weak." To be a good evangelist, to be a good Christian, we must recognize that we are not superior, but weak.

Acknowledging weakness is especially important for those who would be leaders of God's people. The deacon in particular should be in touch with the every day cares and worries of the people he serves. His ministry "in the world" makes the deacon especially fit to bring the needs of God's people before the assembly at Mass. This is seen in the leading of the Universal Prayer, or "intercessions," as well as in the handing over of the bread and wine to the priest.

Whether we are called to a special ministry of leadership in the Church or not, we are all called by virtue of our baptism to be evangelists, to be preachers of the Word. Don't worry if you're not perfect or feel weak; these are not disqualifiers for Jesus... these are prerequisites. Unlike a corporation that might fire a leader that isn't strong enough, Jesus chooses the weak to reach out to others who are weak. Just look at the apostles.

So get out there and preach your story; preach from your weakness. Peach about what Jesus has done for you in your weakness. As St. Paul himself reminds us, it is when we are weak that we are strong.

What does it mean to "teach with authority" and why were people so astonished at the teaching style of Jesus? Demonic opposition is expected.

God is calling you. Have you heard him? Today's homily offers three insights into how God calls so you might be able to hear him and respond.

In today's homily I take the three letters of the Latin word for peace and outline a path to peace offered to us by the example of the Magi.

Today's gospel is one of the most well-known. "God so loved the world that he gave his only son." Find out the connection with the Trinity.

Jesus returns saying, "Peace be with you" and "Receive the Holy Spirit." Today's homily considers the important connection here.