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Mass times for Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, 2020
Saturday at 5:00 pm (inside)
Sunday at 9:00 am (inside)
Sunday at 11:00 am (inside)
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30
Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52
What to listen for in today’s Bible readings
The second reading is from Saint Paul as he writes to the Christians in Rome. Today’s second reading contains verse 28: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” Sometimes we don’t see how the tough times in our life can bring good. Fr. Mark will unpack this further in his homily. Therefore, in preparation for today’s message, ask yourself: How do you feel about the struggles in life? Do you believe that “all things work for good for those who love God”?
Today’s homily in one sentence
Today’s message is: To know as God knows we must see as God sees
Prayer for Protection from Hurricanes
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children.
The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order when you calmed the storm and sea.
We profess today that you are God, and there is no other.
You are the Master of land and sea.
During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father.
Spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm.
Mary, we call upon your intercession.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor and our Lady of the Isle, hasten to help us.
Through your intercession, may God protect us, our homes, and entire community.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
HOMILY NOTES A. Today’s homily in one sentence: To know as God knows we must see as God sees
B. All things?
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” (Today’s second reading, Romans 8:28)
Really? All things work for good for those who love God?
What about ... suffering? ... sin? ... desolation?
C. All questions about God must be answered from the perspective of God and not the perspective of man
How are we to truly understand Romans 8:28?
To know as God knows we must see as God sees
D. God sees our current experience through our ultimate destiny
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)
One can have a temporary residence away from their permanent citizenship (Example: camp owner)
We are not going to live on earth forever; however, we will live somewhere forever.
E. God sees all of time all at once
Heaven is forever. It is limitless. It has no limits, no boundaries. It is bound by nothing.
God is not bound by time. He sees everything all at once.
F. God sees what you can’t see when you can’t see anything other than what you do see
God is not bound by time. He sees our future when sometimes all we see is our present.
God is not bound by memory. He sees our past when we have forgotten how we got where we are.
God is not bound by perspective. He sees a solution when all we see is our struggle.
God is not bound by desire. He sees what we need when sometimes all we see is what we want.
God is not bound by life. He sees what will get us to heaven when sometimes all we want is earth.
G. Romans 8 in context.
Verse 24 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
Verses 26-28 In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Verses 31-35 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or peril, or the sword?
Verses 37-39 No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.