Don’t Jump Ahead of Yourself - Weekday Homily Video

As the director of the Formation program for seminarians of the Congregation of Holy Cross, there is a term I used frequently as I cautioned the young men in formation. “Please don’t jump ahead of oneself.”

Some with an ambitious mind wanted to act like deacons already. They were focusing too much on future outcomes even before completing the current stages of training. Of course, the dangers of becoming overly confident and unrealistic can be significant. No growth takes place then.

Why am I saying all this, we just celebrated the birth of Jesus a few days ago and here we are with today’s Gospel already highlighting the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry after John the Baptist’s arrest. It might sound like jumping ahead of oneself.

Yet what is different here is that we must shift gears from the nativity experience and focus now on the purpose and main thrust of Jesus’ coming into the world. Jesus comes to proclaim the Gospel, the good news of freedom from the darkness of sin. Jesus begins this proclamation of good news in Galilee.

What is the good news that Jesus proclaims?

• It is good news of peace, for he comes to restore our damaged relationship with God.
• It is good news of hope that through his death and resurrection, we shall receive everlasting life.
• It is good news of truth, about God the Father and his unconditional love for all of us.
• It is good news of promise that those who set out to seek him will never be disappointed or abandoned.
• It is good news of salvation, where we shall not remain enslaved into the darkness of sin, but we shall experience the grace and freedom to live as children of God. Our lives as believers will be changed and transformed through the work and power of the Holy Spirit.

Repent and Receive the Good News

For us to receive and experience the freedom of receiving the good news, Jesus announces two things that need to happen first, so that we don’t jump ahead of ourselves and delude ourselves that we are already saved. He demands that we repent and believe.

Repenting implies being able to recognize and see our sins for what they are. Sin makes us rebellious and pushes us to reject the love of God being extended to us. If the good news of Jesus is to take root, we need to be open to the power and grace of the Spirit of the Lord, turning away from all that would keep us from God’s love.

Repenting implies that we must embrace the life of the beatitudes, be humble, meek, and poor in spirit, focused on striving for righteousness; we must be ready to extend that kindness that has been extended to us.

Believing is God's Gift

Believing as we know is a gift from God given freely. It is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves our hearts to embrace God’s love. Believing is a prerequisite for the conversion of our hearts to God. We must take Jesus at His word, that He has come to free us from all kinds of enslavement. He comes to transform our lives and shape us into beloved children of God.

Let us joyfully work towards knowing and appreciating God’s new presence in our lives. His love for us surpasses all else and impels us to give him our all.

• Today’s Readings
  
  
• Father Fulgen's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
  
  
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