This weekend I continue with the fourth homily of a new message series called BREAKING NEWS—THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS. This seven part message series will help all of us realize that God’s love is good news that we should embrace, celebrate and share. God is for us and not against us—He heals us, fills in the gaps and gives us eternity. This makes all the difference in our lives!!
I will be preaching this series every week at the 8 AM Mass at St. Joseph Church and all the Masses that I celebrate each weekend. If you miss any of the series you can go to our website (chathamcatholic.ca) to watch or listen.
October 11/12 – GOD HEALS US
October 18/19 – GOD HEARS US & HELPS US
October 25/26 – THE POWER OF HUMILITY
November 1/2 – GOD GIVES US ETERNITY
November 8/9 – HEAVEN ON EARTH
November 15/16 – GOD HELPS US PERSEVERE
November 22/23 – BUILDING CHRIST’S KINGDOM
SOLEMNITY OF ALL SOULS DAY
This weekend we do not celebrate the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (which we typically would) but since November 2nd has fallen on a Sunday—we celebrate the Solemnity of All Souls Day. This takes precedence over the regular Sunday liturgy. This is an important celebration in the liturgical year as we pray for all those who have died—hoping they are at rest in heaven for all eternity.
I have had the great privilege to be in Poland three times for All Souls Day—and I must say, I was moved each time. It is a national holiday where Poles go to Mass and then to the cemetery, bringing flowers and lighting candles. I will never forget the countless thousands visiting the graves of their loved one and when it got dark, to see the thousands of candles that dispelled the darkness of night, sadness and death. It was a powerful reminder for me that Christ came to bring us the ultimate GOOD NEWS—we are all offered the gift of eternal life!!
THE GIFT OF ETERNITY—GOOD GOOD NEWS
This weekend the gospel from Luke tells us that Jesus went to a town called Nain where He and His disciples encounter a funeral procession. The deceased man was the only son of a widowed mother. Jesus brings the young man back to life as a sign of what is in store for all of us. This is definitely Good News!!
(1) Jesus has compassion
In the gospel we read, “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her…” Jesus is compassion. He came to set us free from sin, to show us a new path of discipleship but also offers us the gift of eternal life that in one way is beyond this world but in another way, needs to be embraced here and now.
(2) Jesus tells us not to weep
In the gospel, Jesus tells the widowed mother not to weep. Christ turns our tears of sadness into everlasting joy when He brings new life. I am sure that the mother cried when she saw her son brought back to life. The Lord reminds us that our suffering, and our tears will turn into joy in heaven. We need to trust in Him.
(3) Jesus commands us to rise!
This gospel shows the authority Christ has over death. This miracle is one of three recorded in the gospels where Jesus raises the dead. It is a powerful demonstration of Christ’s compassion and dominion over death. Jesus came to bring life so that we might live fully—both here right now, and for eternity in heaven. May the Lord have command of our lives!
(4) Sharing our Good News Stories
The crowds in the gospel this weekend were completely amazed and speechless. They were slowly coming to realize that Jesus was the Messiah who was fulfilling the promise of salvation from the Heavenly Father. Astounded by this miracle, they cannot help but to spread the news and tell everyone what had taken place. As witnesses, they began to testify. We too are called to be evangelizers, sharing with others the grace and power of the Lord in our lives. If it really is good news—we cannot help but share it!! There is no better news than eternal life!
LIVING ETERNAL LIFE
If we truly embrace the good news of eternal life, our lives change—we automatically live differently. We become freer, not getting caught up in things of this world. We also become more generous and compassionate wanting others to experience Christ’s love and light that lasts forever. I think we also become more optimistic, positive and hopeful because the darkness, sufferings and pains of this world are temporary and pale in comparison to what is to come. Are we living eternal life today?
