Shawn The Baptist - Sunday Scriptures

This homily was given to the graduating class of Hayden High School at their Baccalaureate Mass.

We Are the Blessed

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Like a time capsule left for us in scripture, these words are addressed to us living today. We never saw Jesus during his public ministry. We did not see him die on Good Friday. Except for a few mystics, we have never seen him alive after his resurrection. Yet, billions of Christians all over the world gather today and profess our whole-hearted belief in Jesus Christ. Have you ever stopped to think how amazing this is? St. Paul tells us that "without seeing him, you love him." On this day that see our beloved Pope John Paul II officially named "blessed," the words of Jesus remind all of us who believe that truly we too are among the blessed.

An atheist admitted in a debate that, although he did not believe in the resurrection, the only logical conclusion was that the apostles did.

Today is the strangest of days. On this day we recall the inexplicable truth that God died for us, his own mere creatures.

Tonight we end Mass with a procession whereby we spiritually follow Jesus as he leaves the upper room and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Learn about the powerful surrender on Palm Sunday, where General Grant displayed mercy towards General Lee at Appomattox.

Jesus promises the best for us, ultimately eternal life. The question for us is the same he asked Martha, “Do you believe this?”

In today’s gospel we hear of the cure of a man born blind. Yet there are things more serious than physical blindness that affect all of us.

Like the Samaritan woman, when we find Jesus we can joyfully leave our bucket behind at the well and live in the new freedom of Christ.

Discover how mountains symbolize spiritual clarity. Learn about the journey and the effort behind faith-filled experiences.