Name: Homily - 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time by CampusPadre
Duration: 23 min 37 s
Description: The Declaration of Independence & The American Dream: An Incarnation of the Human Condition

This homily centers on the virtue of humility and its direct opposition to pride, which is depicted as an "excessive self-love" that fosters division among people.  The sermon also introduces the concept of a "ladder of humility" versus a "ladder of pride," urging listeners to become "hardcore climbers in pursuit of holiness" by prioritizing God's kingdom and understanding their true place in creation, rather than self-serving ambitions. 

Hard Core Climbers

Fr. Blair's homily explores the demands of authentic Christian discipleship, emphasizing that it requires more than superficial emotions. It highlights the necessity of intellectual engagement, commitment, and sacrifice, contrasting this with the appealing but ultimately misleading "prosperity gospel" which prioritizes material gain over spiritual growth. Also discusses the importance of prioritizing God above all else, even over family or personal possessions, and offers practical tools like a "program of life" and spiritual exercises to foster spiritual maturity. Ultimately, it argues that true discipleship involves voluntarily embracing difficulties as a consequence of faith and developing a freedom from worldly attachments.

Homily - 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

This homily emphasizes that true discipleship of Jesus demands a radical, unwavering commitment that prioritizes God above all else, even family and one's own life, a concept presented as hyperbole to stress supreme devotion rather than actual hatred. Jesus illustrates this need for careful consideration and sacrifice through parables of building a tower and a king going to war, highlighting the importance of counting the cost before embarking on the challenging journey of faith. The speaker clarifies that following Jesus isn't merely about superficial feelings or comfort; it requires intellectual effort, perseverance through suffering, and reliance on God's grace to navigate difficult choices, even when faced with seemingly good alternatives. Ultimately, genuine discipleship means renouncing attachments to worldly possessions and personal desires when they conflict with God's will, echoing the choices faced by figures like those in the Exodus, and recognizing that true faithfulness often comes with a significant personal cost, setting it apart from a "gospel of success" or easy Christianity.

Key Topics





The Choices we face & The Cost of Discipleship

This homily, delivered on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, begins with a reading from the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing Jesus' teachings on unconditional love, forgiveness, and mercy towards all, even enemies. Father Blair connects these spiritual principles to the pervasive violence and social disorder of the present day, referencing specific tragedies and global conflicts, urging listeners to pray for peace in a world grappling with hatred and false ideologies. The core message underscores that genuine peace, both personal and societal, can only be achieved through authentic faith, hope, and love, and by embracing God's call to holiness rather than succumbing to the secular world's misrepresentations of Christ's teachings and its promotion of violence through media. The homily concludes by asserting that the universal call to holiness, particularly through the Eucharist, is the ultimate remedy for the world's ills, advocating for radical faithfulness to Christ's mission to draw humanity out of darkness.

Finding Peace

This homily centers on the profound meaning of the cross, moving beyond its historical brutality to its spiritual significance. It emphasizes that Christ's crucifixion, though a horrific act of human cruelty, is ultimately a symbol of God's immense love and salvific mercy. It urges believers to reflect deeply on Jesus's suffering, not to dwell on the "bloody awfulness," but to understand the cost of salvation and the bridge it forms between humanity and God. This understanding should inspire a call to action, transforming believers into "missionary disciples" who embody Christ's love and are willing to sacrifice for the spread of His message. Ultimately, the cross is presented as a constant reminder of God's love and grace, a catalyst for repentance, transformation, and a commitment to living a life of active faith.

From Suffering to Salvific Mercy

Homily-Feast of the Exultation of the Cross

The Declaration of Independence & The American Dream: An Incarnation of the Human Condition 

Homily - 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

A brief summary through discussion of the main themes of the homily, which views the Sunday readings through the lens of the Declaration of Independence and the American Dream, arguing that true human flourishing requires more than individualistic success. The central purpose is to caution against a secular, self-centered mindset that prioritizes ambition and material gain over the love of God and neighbor. By analyzing the parable of the rich man and Lazarus alongside the Ten Commandments, the author demonstrates that spiritual failure—specifically breaking the first commandment by loving wealth more than God—leads directly to a grave failure of social justice and active love toward the marginalized. Ultimately, the text asserts that the foundational ideals of America and the path to genuine goodness must be rooted in divine truth and a commitment to the universal call to holiness that ensures "no one left behind."

Homily - 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

CampusPadre

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