I could almost title this sermon ‘enough already’. Paul was having a real problem trying to convince the Jewish Christians in Galatia that what made their personal relationship with God ‘right’ was their baptism and their faith in Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen, not ritual circumcision. Jewish Christians were insisting, despite all Paul’s teachings, that Gentile Christians had to be circumcised if they were real Christians. Under such pressure some of the Gentile Christian had themselves circumcised and Paul wrote to them, “O foolish Galatians who has led you astray before whom Jesus Christ is depicted as crucified.” He told these misguided people he was astonished they followed a teaching, a gospel other the one he preached. Such a gospel was a perversion of the one he taught them from the beginning of his ministry among them. He called such preachers ‘accursed’. (more…)
Author Archive
For me, to live is Christ – Homily – July 7, 2013
Sunday, July 7th, 2013Homily – June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 30th, 2013A number of years ago someone gave me a gift. It was a circle of cloth with the letters T W I T in the middle of the circle. The object was called a round to it. It was for procrastinators. How often have we heard ourselves saying, I’ll get around to making that phone call, I’ll get around to sending that email, I’ll get around to visiting, I’ll get around to doing whatever. I’ll get around to it. Remember Harry Chapin’s song ‘the cats in the cradle’ and its refrain ‘we’ll get together then son, you know we’ll have a good time son’- of course it never happened – I’m very busy but we’ll get around to it. (more…)
Bulletin – June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 30th, 2013FROM THE DESK OF FR. PAUL
Good people of St. Gabriel’s,
Thanks for a wonderful weekend. Thanks to the many “old timers” who came to wish me well. Thanks to the parish staff who arranged everything for the receptions. Thanks to all of you for your great generosity towards me. My life has been an “embarrassment of blessings”. Thank you, thank you! What more can I say? (more…)
All Are Welcome – Homily – June 23, 2013
Sunday, June 23rd, 2013In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he stresses a very important truth. Because of our baptism there can be no distinctions in the Christian community. Our baptism makes us sons and daughters of God, by God’s grace we have clothed ourselves in Christ, or as Paul puts it in another of his letters “we have put on Christ” and we are meant to grow to full maturity in Christ. Because of baptism there is to be no distinction between Jew and Greek, slave or free, male or female. We are all one in Christ Jesus. (more…)
Bulletin – June 23, 2013
Sunday, June 23rd, 2013In this week’s bulletin, Children’s Faith Program registration, Adult Faith Development and a marriage preparation course. (more…)
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
