Fr Aaron’s Homilies For His Mom

Seeing the Voice of God

FIRST READINGActs 2:1–11 When the feast of Pentecost had arrived, they were gathered together in one place. Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared among them what seemed like tongues of fire, separating and resting upon each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in various languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were devout Jews staying in Jerusalem from every nation beneath heaven. When this sound was heard, a large crowd assembled, bewildered because each person heard them speaking in his own native tongue. Amazed and astonished, they said, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How then do we each hear our own language being spoken? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya around Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts, Cretans and Arabs — yet we hear them declaring in our own languages the mighty works of God.” RESPONSORIAL PSALMPsalm 104 Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia. Bless the Lord, O my soul!O Lord my God, how great you are!How countless are your works, O Lord;the earth is filled with your creatures. Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia. If you take away their breath, they dieand return again to dust.When you send out your Spirit, they are created,and you make the earth new once more. Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia. May the glory of the Lord endure forever;may the Lord rejoice in all he has made.May my meditation be pleasing to him;as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord. Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia. SECOND READING1 Corinthians 12:3b–7, 12–13 Brothers and sisters: no one can truly say, “Jesus is Lord,” except through the Holy Spirit. There are many kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit; many forms of ministry, but the same Lord; many kinds of workings, but the same God who accomplishes everything in everyone. To each person the Spirit is revealed for the good of all. Just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members, though many, form one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were given the same Spirit to drink. GOSPELJohn 20:19–23 On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered behind locked doors because they feared the authorities. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they recognized the Lord. Jesus said again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so now I send you.” Then he breathed upon them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and those whose sins you retain are retained.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aarona851065.substack.com [https://aarona851065.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Clouds & Smoke & a Not Yet World

First reading Acts 1:1–11 As the Apostles were looking on, Jesus was lifted up. In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” ________ Responsorial Psalm Psalm 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9 God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or Alleluia. All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or Alleluia. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or Alleluia. For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or Alleluia. ________ Second reading Ephesians 1:17–23 God seated Jesus at his right hand in the heavens. Brothers and sisters: May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. ________ Gospel Acclamation Matthew 28:19a, 20b Alleluia, alleluia. Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. Alleluia, alleluia. ________ Gospel Matthew 28:16–20 All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” ________ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aarona851065.substack.com [https://aarona851065.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Cosmic Spirograph

First reading Acts 8:5–8, 14–17 Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. ________ Responsorial Psalm Psalm 66:1–3, 4–5, 6–7, 16, 20 Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or Alleluia. Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!” Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or Alleluia. “Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or Alleluia. He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice in him. He rules by his might forever. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or Alleluia. Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness! Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or Alleluia. ________ Second reading 1 Peter 3:15–18 Put to death in the flesh, Christ was raised to life in the Spirit. Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit. ________ Gospel Acclamation John 14:23 Alleluia, alleluia. Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. Alleluia, alleluia. ________ Gospel John 14:15–21 I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate. Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aarona851065.substack.com [https://aarona851065.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Living Stones

First reading Acts 6:1–7 They chose seven men filled with the Spirit. As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith. ________ Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33:1–2, 4–5, 18–19 Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or Alleluia. Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or Alleluia. Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or Alleluia. See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or Alleluia. ________ Second reading 1 Peter 2:4–9 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood. Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ________ Gospel Acclamation John 14:6 Alleluia, alleluia. I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me. Alleluia, alleluia. ________ Gospel John 14:1–12 I am the way and the truth and the life. Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aarona851065.substack.com [https://aarona851065.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Each of Us by Name & All of Us Together

First reading Acts 2:14a, 36–41 God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. So if anyone or anything comes along who wants you to follow them or to align yourself to their way of thinking, who tells you you don’t belong with the other sheep, but shows no signs of following the example of Christ’s humility, gentleness, of returning no insult for insult, of self-sacrificial love, that person is not a shepherd for whom Christ has opened the gate. Anyone who presents himself as a Saviour but shows none of these qualities is a thief who has come to divide and destroy the sheep, the people of God called who are called to unity, self-sacrificial love, love of enemies, self-sacrificial love of the poor, of the defenceless and weak. ________ Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23:1–3a, 3b–4, 5, 6 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or Alleluia. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or Alleluia. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side, with your rod and your staff that give me courage. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or Alleluia. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or Alleluia. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or Alleluia. ________ Second reading 1 Peter 2:20b–25 You have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. ________ Gospel Acclamation John 10:14 Alleluia, alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia, alleluia. ________ Gospel John 10:1–10 I am the gate for the sheep. Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aarona851065.substack.com [https://aarona851065.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]