Fr. Jeff’s Weekly Homily

Ascension Sunday; First Communion
May 20, 2007

READING 1: Acts 7:55 -60
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.

Psalm 47
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord

READING 2: Hebrews 9:24-28, 19-23
Let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust…Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope

GOSPEL: Luke 24:46-53
Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem . You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany , raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

I have this beautiful bowl on my coffee table in my living room. I like it and I like visitors to enjoy it too; that’s why I leave it out. Beauty reminds us of God whether it is nature, God’s creatures or man made beauty. This is a beautiful day in the lives of our children. Their beauty, innocence, excitement remind us of heaven. If you came to today’s 10:00 AM Mass expecting it to be like most other Sundays: surprise! I pray that all of us, whether here by surprise or intentionally find ourselves awash with good childhood memories. The beauty of this magnificent Sacrament is flowing within us as we see the 91 children receive the power of Christ’s Body and Blood in the miracle we are celebrating. Of course this isn’t just a spontaneous event. On your behalf, I thank Lisa McQuague, Sr. Beatrice and all the catechists and helpers who guided our children and parents through the preparations. Thank you, parents, for taking your responsibility seriously, fulfilling all the preparation requirements, and bringing your children to this table where we are all one family.

Children imitate their parents whether it’s by trying to talk with a deep voice like dad or trying on mom’s make-up. More often than not, children grow up to be just like dad and just like mom. Your approach toward life and your approach toward our best friend, Jesus, will most likely be imitated through their childhood, their adolescence, their teenage years and then someday your grandchildren’s lives. What we do every Sunday will influence these young lives through to eternity. What we are doing today is profound.

So, I put this beautiful bowl out for everyone to enjoy, but I live alone so I find myself throwing junk into it. I got this card from the bishop, I want to keep it, but I don’t know where to put it yet, and I got this thank you note, and this business card, and I like this badge but haven’t figured out where to keep it either, these are pictures from Holy Week, here’s those paper clips I was looking for the other day; oh yeah, I ate this cereal bar for breakfast yesterday and this one the day before, it goes on and on. Well, as you can see, the bowl isn’t pretty with all this junk in it.

So, if I leave the bowl empty, I know me, I’ll start using it for stuff, maybe even some trash. I need to do something different so I won’t fill the bowl with junk.

Now, I want each of you to think of this bowl as if it were your mind. Your mind is beautiful and good. God created your mind so you could have a good life. But sometimes the mind gets filled with junk.

Can you think of some things that are like junk in your mind? Dirty words are like junk. Bad names that we call others are like junk. Lies are like junk. Selfishness is like junk. Things that hurt us are junk in our minds and our hearts. God did not give us life to think about trash or to be filled with junk.

Of course sometimes it happens. We know we are sinners, even when we look like little angels. So God sent Jesus to be our Savior. Everywhere he went he helped people. When some friends brought the crippled man to Jesus, he said: “Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus forgives sins. But, of course, now, since we don’t really see Jesus, he gives us priests to let us know that we are forgiven in the sacrament of confession. (Empty the bowl)

But Jesus does more than take our sins away. When we receive His Body and Blood in this Holy Communion, he fills us with good things. What are some of the good things Jesus fills us with: (Invite children to bring the fruit up and read the attached word) “STRENGTH;” COURAGE;” “HONESTY;” “CARE FOR OTHERS;” “GOODNESS;” “LOVE;” “KINDNESS;” Yes! And so many other good things! When you are filled with Jesus you are filled with good things. Jesus helps you to be good.

Use your mind to think of your life. It is like a bowl. Who puts things into your mind? Remember Jesus helps us to dump out the junk things. Also remember, Jesus helps you to fill your life with good things. And that’s our good news!

Fr. Jeff McGowan
Queen of Peace Catholic Community
Gainesville, Florida