Showing posts with label friendship and love of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendship and love of God. Show all posts

The routine, events, and challenges of life test our trust in God and provide opportunity to practice trusting in Him! - February 8th, 2024 - Thursday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time - St. Patrick Basilica Parish

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Saint Patrick Basilica Parish
Downtown Montreal

Thursday, February 8th, 12:10 p.m. Mass

The routine, events, and challenges of life test our trust in God 
and provide opportunity to practice trusting in Him!

How much room do we make, do I make, for God?

Audio recording of the homily by Fr. Gilles Surprenant 



----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2024 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2024 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

O that today you would listen to the voice of the Lord. Do not harden your hearts! The Lord is near to all who call on him! - January 27th-28th, 2024 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Transfiguration of Our Lord Parish

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time  


VOCATION: Jesus calls us - He calls you to follow Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and become a missionary disciple....

Saturday Gospel & Homily MP3 PDF version 

Sunday Gospel & Homily MP3 PDF version 


What are the offerings that we bring to God? What is the meaning of "HOSANNAH!" We acclaim God for his greatness and praise Him, while at the same time calling upon Him to rescue us in our distress.... "HOSANNAH!" MP3 version 



“O that today you would listen to the voice of the Lord. Do not harden your hearts!” 

Have you noticed how Jesus never beats around the bush? We just heard how Jesus wasted no time with the unclean spirit, but immediately commanded it: “Be silent, and come out of him!” Just seven little words, but how very effective! The unclean spirit wasn’t happy about it and convulsed the man, making him cry “with a loud voice”, but it “came out of him”.

It will be just like that for unrepentant souls when they draw their last breath on this Earth and in this mortal life. Hard, rebellious souls behaving like evil spirits will find that Jesus will not beat around the bush with them either. Proud, controlling, and nasty souls will find that in the radiant Presence of God; they can no longer avoid facing the truth, all the truth. They will have one last chance to admit all the truth, to humble themselves, and to repent before God.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him!” 

Jesus was just as firm with the religious leaders because they were hypocrites and didn’t really care about the people; they did not love ordinary people but showed them contempt. By being firm with the leaders, Jesus was giving them a chance to repent and accept Him. We are not merciful like God. We are more like the religious leaders; instead of like God. We easily judge others. We want God to get rid of those who do evil and harm in the world. We think that we are good, and we want to receive all of God’s blessings and graces, but we have a hard time accepting that God is merciful to everyone; even those who behave badly. He wants to give everyone a chance to accept the Father’s love and to learn to love their neighbour. 

We human beings have a hard time accepting that there can be such different attitudes in God. Deep down, we doubt that God is really that good, that kind, that understanding, and that loving. We are a little like the People of Israel to whom Moses spoke. God wanted his people to believe that the words Moses spoke to them were the very words that God told him to tell them. So, God used fire and thunder, similar to a volcano, to make a deep impression on the people. As a result, they were terrified and didn’t want to hear God’s voice any more. 

“O that today you would listen to the voice of the Lord. Do not harden your hearts!”

We need to learn the ways of the Lord. God needed to get their attention because they were so stubborn and proud and didn’t want anyone to tell them what to do. Sadly, that sums up the human condition, our mortal condition. None of us want to be told what to do. With an attitude like that, we are behaving as though we were God, but we aren’t. We cannot have a personal relationship with God without the humility to admit to the Lord every day the truth about who we are, what we are saying and doing, our attitudes, and how we are behaving towards one another. We need to know when we mistreat others, to stop doing it, and to ask forgiveness. When we refuse to wake up; God will let the troubles of life shake us up to get our attention.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him!” 

That is why Saint Paul was trying to teach the Corinthians to put God first; to try to please God before trying to please other people in our lives. If we live in such a way as to please God; then our behaviour will definitely be humble, kind, caring, and loving towards others. We will even be willing to be merciful to those we don’t like; even to enemies. We will even pray for evildoers; asking God to bless them with the grace they need to wake up and start doing good. 

“O that today you would listen to the voice of the Lord. Do not harden your hearts!”

Here is a simple rule of thumb, easy to remember, that can help us to please God at all times. When something good happens to anyone else; we can rejoice with them and thank God for his goodness. When we see someone doing what seems to be wrong or evil; we can ask God to show them the right way. Then, we can use that bad behaviour as an opportunity to examine our conscience and ask God: “Lord, am I doing something like that too?” If we are doing anything similar but didn’t realize it before; we can ask God to forgive us and help us change. 

“The Lord is near to all who call on him!” 

Our life on this Earth is in between the time when Jesus walked this Earth and the eternal life of Heaven. On Earth, Jesus exercised great authority over evil spirits and the hard-hearted religious leaders. Jesus continues to exercise that authority in the heavenly realm, but on Earth from now until he returns in glory; it is different. Jesus leaves it up to us to build the kingdom of God on Earth. The Father loves us, the Holy Spirit gives us life, and the Lord Jesus supports us. The Most Holy Trinity wants to rule this world through us. In every situation of our lives, God wants us to speak his words of life, to show his mercy to others, and to build peace on Earth. We are weak, but God wants to exercise his authority and power through us. He is waiting. 

“O that today you would listen to the voice of the Lord. Do not harden your hearts!”

“Mary Mother of God, St. Joseph, help us walk in the steps of Jesus. O my Jesus, I trust in You! Thank You; You who are God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

In silence now, the Holy Spirit helps us to unite our offering of ourselves to that of Jesus….

 

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com         https://homeliesabbegilles.blogspot.com

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2024 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2024 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

If now I have found favour in your sight, O Lord, I pray, stay with me forever. Alleluia! - June 4th, 2023 - The Most Holy Trinity "A" - MQP Church in JLW Parish

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------



The Most Holy Trinity 


VOCATION: Jesus calls us - He calls you to follow Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and become a missionary disciple....

 Homily MP3 version - PDF version 

What are the offerings that we bring to God? What is the meaning of "HOSANNAH!" We acclaim God for his greatness and praise Him, while at the same time calling upon Him to rescue us in our distress.... "HOSANNAH!" MP3 version 


“Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers and
blessed is your glorious and holy name. Alleluia!”

Dear Sisters and Brothers, two weeks ago, on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, I invited you to do a spiritual exercise – “God’s Sacred History with Me”. Did you try to do it? If you did, how did it go? Did you have any trouble remembering or identifying moments in your life when you were touched by God, by his power to save, by his love and mercy, by his healing grace? If you didn’t try to do it, I invite you to look into your heart to see – why not?

Of course, we are not obliged to remember when God blessed us; nor are we obligated to have a relationship with God our Creator, our Father, nor with Jesus, Our Lord, nor with the Holy Spirit. But then, why would we not want, not only to have, but also to develop a personal relationship with each of the three Divine Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity? 

“Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
and to be extolled and highly glorified forever. Alleluia!”

It all begins with believing that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the One sent by God the Father to come into the world to reveal to us that the Father loves us as his very own children, but more than that. Jesus is the One who reveals the Father to us; He makes it possible for us to come to know the Father personally, and that He loves me personally; He loves each of us personally.

“Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
and to be extolled and highly exalted forever. Alleluia!”

So, how does it happen, exactly, that Jesus reveals the Father to us? It all begins with us deciding to believe in Jesus, not only that He is the son of Mary, but also that He is the Son of God the Father, and that it is the Holy Spirit who caused Mary to conceive in her womb the baby boy whom she and Joseph would call a holy Name, Yeshoua in Hebrew. Jesus, in English, means “God saves”. Believing in Jesus as son of Mary and at the same time Son of God, we look at Him. We look at Him on the cross, in an image, or in our imagination – and, looking at Jesus, we contemplate Him – and we realize He is already looking at us with love. We accept and welcome his loving look, and He pours into us the fire of his divine Love, the Holy Spirit.

“Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne on the cherubim. Alleluia!”

Have you ever suffered from the painful impression that what you think doesn’t matter to anyone? It is a very common human experience to feel that no one cares about what I think. It is also true that the greatest pain experienced by people who are itinerant, living on the street, is feeling invisible because people passing by very rarely look into their eyes. St. Paul tells us to “greet one another with a holy kiss.” The person in front of me will feel that I care when I look into their eyes with love. They will feel that their thought matters if I listen to them express it.

“Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, to be sung and glorified forever. Alleluia!”

“Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped” in the presence of God. He made room for God in his thoughts and in his heart. Jesus made lots of room for his Father by spending many hours in the silence of the night watching and listening. St. Paul tells us to “agree with one another”. This just means making room for one another in our mind and heart. We don’t have to agree with others, and they don’t have to agree with us. But it is an act of love to make room for the other in my mind and in my heart. Then, the Holy Spirit actually uses others to teach me about them, about life, about myself, and about God.

“If now I have found favour in your sight, O Lord, I pray, stay with me forever. Alleluia!”

We have been blessed with 50 days of Easter and today we celebrate the wondrous mystery of the Most Holy Trinity – that our Creator God is actually a divine community of 3 Persons – and that we all come from God and are all returning to God. We can feel confused or afraid in the face of the unknown – whether it’s a strange or different or unknown human being or God. We have nothing to fear from God, who wants nothing but our good and our eternal happiness. But God’s ways are not our ways, and in the ways of the Lord, the unpleasant experiences of life – storms, accidents, illness, pain, misunderstanding, conflicts, temptation, and sin – all can be used by God to help us become the person we are meant to be, the person we want to be.

“If now I have found favour in your sight, O Lord, I pray, stay with me forever. Alleluia!”

I have placed on my website a spiritual exercise to help you go back over the moments when you were touched by the love of God. The people of God reflected on their sacred history with God; that’s the Bible. You also have a sacred history with God. On the Internet, look for my name – Gilles Surprenant blog – that will open a link Father Gilles Surprenant. Click on the link and you’ll come to my home page. There, you will see several navigation links; look for the link Fr. Gilles’ English Homilies and there you’ll find today’s homily with a link to:

 

 SPIRITUAL EXERCISE – “GOD’S SACRED HISTORY WITH ME”

 

https://fathergillespages.blogspot.com/2023/06/christian-prayer-gods-sacred-history.html

 

“If now we have found favour in your sight, O Lord, we pray, stay with us forever. Alleluia!” 

Mary Mother of God, St. Joseph, walk with us in the steps of Jesus. O my Jesus, I trust in You! Thank You; You who are God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

 

In silence now, the Holy Spirit helps us to lay down our offering together with that of Jesus….

 

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com         https://homeliesabbegilles.blogspot.com

 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2023 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2023 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia! - May 28th, 2023 - Pentecost Sunday "A" - LSM - Late Sunday Mass in St. Willbrord Church

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------


Pentecost Sunday 

VOCATION: Jesus calls us - He calls you to follow Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and become a missionary disciple....

 Gospel & Homily MP3 version - PDF version 

What are the offerings that we bring to God? What is the meaning of "HOSANNAH!" We acclaim God for his greatness and praise Him, while at the same time calling upon Him to rescue us in our distress.... "HOSANNAH!" MP3 version 


“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!”

The apostles became witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind.” Have you ever wanted to experience a dazzling manifestation of the power of God? Before Jesus’ ascension, and having seen Jesus after his resurrection, even some of the Apostles had doubts. What about us, what about our doubts? In the face of all the terrible things happening in the world, and in the face of our own trials, what about our own doubts regarding God? What are we to do with our doubts? 

Dear brothers and sisters, it is important for us not to live our lives as though we were just sleepwalking, like people who never reflect on their experiences of God. Jesus never stopped provoking his apostles and disciples to reflect on the things of God, on his words, on the power of God at work in Him. Every day we must also reflect on the presence of God in the Church but also in us. Let us not lose sight of all the ways in which the Love of God touches our lives and the people we love. 

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!”
 

In his Gospel, John says that, the “evening on the day Jesus rose from the dead… Jesus breathed on them”. The dazzling manifestation of the Holy Spirit only happened 50 days later. This means that God takes the time we need in order to bring about in our spirit that openness to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Examine your memory; search your memories. What are the moments when you were touched by the love of God? While walking in nature? While saying your prayers? Reading Sacred Scripture? Reflecting in silence in a church? While participating during Holy Mass? When you were receiving Jesus in Holy Communion?

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!”
 

By his resurrection, Jesus gave them a great joy. It wasn’t happiness, because they still feared the authorities, but it was a heavenly joy. In your life, what has been your greatest joy? I’m not talking about happiness, but about joy in God. What has been your greatest joy? The love of God is constantly being given by the Father and Jesus his Son, because the love of God is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit gives himself to us in a flood like the sun that never stops shining even during the night. Our part is simply to remain open and receptive to this flow of divine life which is the love of God, the Holy Spirit. We are also to let fall every obstacle, every obstruction to this river of divine love which is in God and which seeks to fill us to purify us, to heal us, to strengthen us, and to send us out into the world.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!” 

Have you found it yet, the greatest joy that you ever had? If you have trouble remembering your greatest joy, don’t be discouraged. Relax and put your trust in the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you. You have all the time you need to recall your memories and to become aware and bring them back to mind. (A pause)

“May He open to his light the eyes of your heart, so you may know the hope to which he has called you and the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. Alleluia!” 

Imagine your greatest joy multiplied to the infinite…. What a wonder! This heavenly joy gives us a glimpse of God the Father and his Son Jesus united in their divine love which is the Holy Spirit. God pours into us his Holy Spirit like a river. All we have to do is become aware of it and thank Him. Confession helps us let go of all that obstructs the flow of God’s Spirit in us or prevents his love from flowing out from us to others. God’s love unites us to all of humanity; even to enemies. The Holy Spirit helps us take to heart the whole world, even enemies. 

“May He open to his light the eyes of your heart, so you may know the hope to which he has called you and the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. Alleluia!” 

I have placed on my website a spiritual exercise to help you go back over the moments when you were touched by the love of God. The people of God reflected on their sacred history with God; that’s the Bible. You also have a sacred history with God. On the Internet, look for my name – Gilles Surprenant with the word blog – you’ll see a link Father Gilles Surprenant. Click on the link and you’ll come to my home page. There, look for the link Fr. Gilles’ English Homilies and there you’ll find today’s homily with a link to:

     SPIRITUAL EXERCISE – “GOD’S SACRED HISTORY WITH ME” 

“May He open to his light the eyes of your heart, so you may know the hope to which he has called you and the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. Alleluia!”

Mary Mother of God, St. Joseph, walk with us in the steps of Jesus. O my Jesus, I trust in You! Thank You; You who are God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

In silence now, the Holy Spirit helps us to lay down our offering together with that of Jesus….

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com         https://homeliesabbegilles.blogspot.com


----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2023 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2023 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia! - May 21st, 2023 - Ascension of the Lord "A" - MQP Church in JLW Parish

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------


Ascension of the Lord  

VOCATION: Jesus calls us - He calls you to follow Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and become a missionary disciple....

 Gospel & Homily MP3 version - PDF version 

What are the offerings that we bring to God? What is the meaning of "HOSANNAH!" We acclaim God for his greatness and praise Him, while at the same time calling upon Him to rescue us in our distress.... "HOSANNAH!" MP3 version 


“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!”
 

The apostles became witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. “After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” The day Jesus was to return to his Father, once more Jesus appeared to them, yet despite this indisputable and marvelous evidence, in spite of seeing Jesus with their own eyes, “some doubted”. What about us, what about our doubts? In the face of all the terrible things happening in the world, and in the face of our own trials, what about our own doubts regarding God? What are we to do with our doubts?

Dear brothers and sisters, it is important for us not to live our lives as though we were just sleepwalking, like people who never reflect on their experiences of God. Jesus never stopped provoking his apostles and disciples to reflect on the things of God, on his words, on the power of God at work in Him. Every day we must also reflect on the presence of God in the Church but also in us. Let us not lose sight of all the ways in which the Love of God touches our lives and the people we love.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!”
 

Examine your memory; search your memories. What are the moments when you were touched by the love of God. While walking in nature? While saying your prayers? Reading Sacred Scripture? Reflecting in silence in a church? While participating during Holy Mass? When you were receiving Jesus in Holy Communion?

By his resurrection, Jesus gave them a great joy. It wasn’t happiness, because they still feared the authorities, but it was a heavenly joy. In your life, what has been your greatest joy? I’m not talking about happiness, but about joy in God. What has been your greatest joy? If it was truly joy and not simply a pleasure, then it was the love of God flowing through you, the living water of which Jesus spoke to his disciples.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!”

The love of God is constantly being given by the Father and Jesus his Son, because the love of God is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit gives himself to us in a flood like the sun never stops shining even during the night. Our part is simply to remain open and receptive to this flow of divine life which is the love of God, the Holy Spirit. We are also to let fall every obstacle, every obstruction to this river of divine love which is in God and which seeks to fill us to purify us, to heal us, to strengthen us, and to send us out into the world.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses to the end of the Earth. Alleluia!”
 

Have you found it yet, the greatest joy that you ever had? If you have trouble remembering your greatest joy, don’t be discouraged. Relax and put your trust in the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you. You have all the time you need to recall your memories and to become aware and bring them back to mind. (A pause) 

“May He open to his light the eyes of your heart, so you may know the hope to which he has called you and the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. Alleluia!” 

Imagine your greatest joy multiplied to the infinite…. WOW! Outstanding! Grandiose! Wonderful! Well, that is God. God puts into you his joy, his love. That is the Holy Spirit. God is Love, and he pours into you his Holy Spirit like a river. All we have to do is become aware of it and thank Him. Confession helps us to let go of all that obstructs the flow of God’s Spirit in us or prevents his love from flowing out from us to others. God’s love unites us to all of humanity; even to enemies. The Holy Spirit helps us take to heart the whole world, even enemies. 

“May He open to his light the eyes of your heart, so you may know the hope to which he has called you and the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. Alleluia!”

I have placed on my website a spiritual exercise to help you go back over the moments when you were touched by the love of God. The people of God reflected on their sacred history with God; that’s the Bible. You also have a sacred history with God. On the Internet, look for my name – Gilles Surprenant with the word blog – you’ll see a link Father Gilles Surprenant. Click on the link and you’ll come to my home page. There, look for the link Fr. Gilles’ English Homilies and there you’ll find today’s homily with a link to:

 SPIRITUAL EXERCISE – “GOD’S SACRED HISTORY WITH ME” 


“May He open to his light the eyes of your heart, so you may know the hope to which he has called you and the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. Alleluia!”
 

Mary Mother of God, St. Joseph, walk with us in the steps of Jesus. O my Jesus, I trust in You! Thank You; You who are God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” 

In silence now, the Holy Spirit helps us to lay down our offering together with that of Jesus….

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com         https://homeliesabbegilles.blogspot.com

 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2023 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2023 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Jesus invites us to be real and honest with God and accept his friendship. - January 29th, 2023 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - The L.S.M. of C.A.M. at St. Willibrord Church, Verdun

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------


  4th Sunday in Ordinary Time  

VOCATION: Jesus calls us - He calls us to follow Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and to become a missionary disciple.... 

 Homily MP3 version - PDF Sacred History Reflection on My Life 

What are the offerings that we bring to God? What is the meaning of "HOSANNAH!" We acclaim God for his greatness and praise Him, while at the same time calling upon Him to rescue us in our distress.... "HOSANNAH!" MP3 version 


A few afterthoughts from the homily....

The Word of the Lord speaks to us today a lot about humility... a virtue, attitude, perspective on life which we find everywhere in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Have you ever thought much about humility? What does humility have to do with anything in your real life? What difference does it make, or can it make, in your family, home life, at school or at work, with your friends, out in society at large? Why does God insist so much on it?

This is simply because God's attitude from the beginning towards us human beings, and why He created us male and female to begin with, is that the Most Holy Trinity are forever offering us to enter into friendship with them. God is inviting us to enter into and to participate in the intimate life of the Most Holy Trinity, and to do so by way of friendship.

Friendship is a relationship based in complete freedom and it is always a gift which can never be demanded, bought or sold, or expected. To enter into friendship with anyone, we need to be honest with ourselves as well as with them. This is what humility is all about, accepting the truth about ourselves rather than living in an illusion of what we would like to be or how we would like others to see us. 

Jesus goes so far as to actually offer us to enter into partnership with Him - this is the meaning of the "gentle yoke" He offers us - He offers to be our "first reference" in our Marriage, family life, business enterprises, work or school, in all that we do. Imagine how different our life could be if we accept Jesus' offer and do nothing, make no decisions, without Him, without consulting Him in prayer first!

A humble person can of course improve themselves and grow; they simply refuse to entertain any illusions about their actual conditions and circumstances at any given moment. As we do admit our own truth to ourselves, we become aware of our shortcomings, our faults and failures, and our sins. Sins are the ways in which we shut God out or shut others out of our mind, heart, or soul. We sin whenever we enter into illusions of life rather than the reality of life, or when we try to grab for ourselves that which can only be given as gift. We sin when we refuse to accept the love of others, humans and God, or when we demand that they love us on our terms rather than in the freedom which is theirs.

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2023 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2023 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

William John Setlakwe & Thomas Raymond Setlakwe - Twins Baptism - Solemnity of the Holy Trinity - Sunday, June 12th, 2022 - Église St. Viateur, Outremont, Montréal

The Rite of Baptism for Twins William John Setlakwe & Thomas Raymond Setlakwe - God the Father, Jesus his Son, and the Holy Spirit offer intimate friendship to each and every human being on Earth. - Le Bon Dieu offre de l'amitié dans son amour intime à toute personne humaine - il suffit d'accepter et d'ouvrir son coeur, sa pensée, son esprit à notre Dieu Créateur.... 

Rite du Baptême    

VOCATION: Jesus calls us - He calls you to follow Him, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and become a missionary disciple.... 
Jésus nous appelle - Il nous appelle à Le suivre, à nous laisser remplir du Saint Esprit, et à devenir ses disciples missionnaires....

MP3 Files - Opening Dialogue aux Portes - - The Texts / Les Textes 

The Gospel / l'Évangile - - - L'Homélie / Homily - - - PDF Version 

The Baptisms / les Baptêmes 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +



 Homily Notes pour l'Homélie

« Au Nom du Père, et du + Fils, et du Saint-Esprit. Amen ! »               “God so loved the world, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.”

Three years ago, who would have believed we would all have to endure a worldwide pandemic? None of us had any control over that… we could do nothing to stop it… we could only endure it and so our best to remain safe. (en français)

A year ago, who could have imagined that the world would be help hostage by a Russian invasion of Ukraine? It could not be helped or stopped… and to this day we remain helpless and can only stand by and watch, and do what we can to support Ukraine and to help refugees as they come among us in Canada and Québec. (en français)

We do our best to make a home for ourselves and our families, but we also spend a lot of time at work, at school, in our extended families, and in our neighbourhoods. The workplace is constantly putting pressure on us to enter into servitude. We are offered promotions, shares in the company, bonuses, and further advancement, but all too often, the bottom line is that we are being seduced to give our consent to the new slavery… not a slavery with chains on our ankles, but a slavery of 10-to-12-hour days, 6-to-7-day weeks, and moving ever closer to 24 / 7.

(en français) 

“God so loved the world, he gave us his only Son, 
that all who believe in him might have eternal life.”

It is a running battle for both women and men to seek and maintain a vital balance of life, to make and defend time for our life as a married couple, as parents, as members of an extended family, and even simply as human beings. We have to make deliberate efforts to take time just to breathe, to stop and enjoy the scenery, and to remember who we are and why we are alive.

(en français) 

It is very stressful and perhaps even impossible to win this battle to live a fully human and satisfying human existence by our own efforts alone. That’s why God designed us to find our life companion and become husbands and wives, for the most part. Some of us can find support for living as celibates, but we all need the support of family and friends.

(en français) 

“God so loved the world, he gave us his only Son,
that all who believe in him might have eternal life.”

We also need to have a personal connection and relationship with the living God, our Creator. Although our God chooses to remain mysterious, we can come to know and to love God. God plays “hide and seek” with human beings… the Holy Trinity does the hiding, and it is up to us to do the seeking.

As in much of human life, we need mentors, we need the example and help of others in order to find our way. Let me tell you a little about how I was helped to come to know God.

What about you? What might be your earliest memory of God? Of praying to God? Of opening your mind, heart, imagination, and soul to God?

I invite you to pray with me…. “Holy Spirit of God. Jesus promised to send You to guide us, to enlighten our minds, and to grant us to remember all that You have said and given to us. Come Holy Spirit of God to awaken in us, to awaken in me, my memories of all that God the Father has given me, of all that Jesus has said, and of all that Jesus has done in me and for me. O Most Holy Spirit, I trust in You!”

(en français) 

Maman when I was 4 ½ - my fear of the dark... one memory now = every night for 6 months....

(en français) 

Papa when I was 6 - he was staring at the sanctuary... I was puzzled... in my wondering, I knew that Papa could "see" God... and I knew that God existed, God is real....

When I was 8, my Confirmation, my first Confession, and my First Holy Communion... the ways God gently touched my spirit and left traces of his Presence in me....

God our Creator knows us and loves us personally, and He wants to reveal Himself to us. It is often in silence that God comes to gently touch us deep within our spirit. Let us enter into the silence within us as often as we can. Entering into our own experience of silence often, we can then initiate our children to experience and enter into the silence within themselves. Let us show them not to be afraid of the silence first through our example before we talk to them about it. This is how the Most Holy Trinity make themselves known to us personally, very gently, and in complete respect for our freedom and autonomy. It’s all about love and generosity.

(en français) 

“O my Jesus, I trust in You!” God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

In silence now, the Holy Spirit pours the Divine Mercy deeply into our spirit..

 

https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com         https://homeliesabbegilles.blogspot.com


 

© 2006-2022 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC           © 2006-2022 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

Most Popular Posts