Sunday Sermon 1.29.23

LATIN MASS (FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY)

(Epistle) Romans 13:8-10 Brethren: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. For Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The love of our neighbor worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law.

Christ fulfilled and ended the Old Covenant, but the moral law of God, the Ten Commandments, are still binding on Christians in the New Covenant. The moral law of God remains. We must love God and our neighbor. These commands are not optional.

(Gospel) Matthew 8:23-27 At that time, when Jesus entered into the boat, His disciples followed Him: and behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but He was asleep. And His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish. And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up, He commanded the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey Him?

Be not afraid. No amount of communists and fascists that are in control of our country today can separate you from God. Only you can do that. Obey and love God. Fulfill His commands. Love your neighbor. Do the works of God. He will rescue you.

NOVUS ORDO (FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)

(Old Testament) Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord’s wrath.

Zephaniah 3:12 For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord— 13 the remnant of Israel; they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. Then they will pasture and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.

God Himself fulfilled this prophesy in the Incarnation and later enacted this prophesy in the Last Supper and the Cross when He instituted the New Covenant. God Himself will be our Good Shepherd and will bring His graces to us through His sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.

(New Testament) 1 Corinthians 1:26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Be humble. Seek humility because only the humble will see God. The proud are sent to hell. The sin of pride is the first sin and is the beginning of every other sin. Avoid sin and pride. At the consecration during Mass, strike your breast three times and say to the Lord, “have mercy on me a poor sinner” and mean it.

(Gospel) Matthew 5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus isn’t kidding here. If you want to be blessed from God, you must be these things and do these things. You must be meek and humble. You must remain pure in heart. You must be merciful and forgive others. Think about someone you have refused to forgive and forgive them immediately and forgive them in front of the Blessed Sacrament in church. Give over all your anger, hatred and revenge to Christ and let Him handle those who have sinned against you. You forgive them.