Mar Abraham Church Sunday Homilies

Learning from the True Teacher

English Homily - Fourth Sunday of the Dedication of the Church . . . As the liturgical year concludes, Jesus affirms the authority given to leaders in the Church and clarifies its purpose. In His time, the Pharisees, priests, and teachers held legitimate God-given authority, just as bishops and priests do today. Bishops oversee the Church and protect the faith, while priests administer the sacraments and preach God’s word. These roles serve as bridges, leading us to God as our Father and Christ as our Teacher. Every Christian shares in this responsibility by helping others see and believe in God. This mission is fulfilled not just through visible actions but by showing up, being taught by God, and allowing Him to shape our lives. May we embrace this role now and always.

Pride — The Root of All Sin

English Homily Second Sunday of Moses - 2024 . . . Pride can be both a virtue and the root of all sin, as seen in Lucifer’s rebellion against God. It manifests in every sin as a rejection of God’s work in us. The Gospel story of Jairus, a powerful synagogue leader, illustrates that true grace comes when we humble ourselves and ask for help. Despite his status, Jairus had to let go of pride and seek Jesus to heal his daughter. This teaches that miracles happen when we acknowledge our need for God. Whether facing addiction, anger, or depression, both prayer and seeking professional help are vital. True faith means stubbornly believing that Jesus can rewrite our story, even in our darkest moments.

Is God Fair?

English Homily - 1st Sunday of Moses . . . The parable seems unfair at first glance, as workers who worked different hours receive the same wage⁠. The vineyard represents our relationship with God, and being called to this relationship is itself the reward⁠. The parable reveals our tendency to view heaven as something earned rather than a free gift⁠. God's grace is given based on our need, not our deeds: "Grace is a response to our need, not our deed"⁠. The homily encourages self-reflection on how we respond to others receiving God's grace⁠. It concludes by emphasizing that God's grace is given where the need is greatest, and we should be grateful for our own invitation to live with God⁠.

Strength or No Strength

English Homily - Third Sunday of the Cross/Sixth of Elijah . . . The verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is highlighted as one of the most famous biblical quotes. The homily contrasts this with Jesus' teaching that without God, we can do nothing, emphasizing the importance of divine strength. St. Paul's warning to "Have NO anxiety about ANYTHING" is presented as crucial for receiving God's strength. Two gospel stories are used to illustrate anxiety: the Canaanite woman worried about her daughter's healing, and the hungry people with Jesus. The homily outlines how anxiety can negatively impact faith, including losing sight of God's work, losing hope, and becoming indecisive. It emphasizes the importance of being WITH Jesus rather than just being on His side. Jesus is not only the answer to problems but also the company that calms anxieties, enabling believers to do all things through His strength.

Divine Repetition

English Homily - 5th Sunday of Elijah/2nd Cross 2024 . . . Reasons people might tune out during a homily include the priest's voice, distractions in the church, or thinking they've heard it before⁠. Repetition is essential for learning, even if it might seem boring⁠. St. Paul emphasizes the importance of repeating teachings for the safety of his listeners⁠. Jesus expresses frustration with his disciples' lack of faith, highlighting that even small faith (like a mustard seed) can be powerful⁠.Obstacles to faith include expecting perfection, fear of loss, and dwelling on the past⁠.The homily concludes by emphasizing that God doesn't give up on teaching us, and that overcoming these obstacles can lead to a stronger faith and relationship with God⁠1.