Homily for Saturday, 26th Week of Ordinary Time

Homily for Saturday
26th Week of Ordinary Time

October 6, 2018

Luke 10: 17-24
Our Lady of Lourdes, Bethesda, Md.

“Rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10: 20).

Of the various lessons we might draw from today’s gospel, I’ll point to two.

1st is God’s gift to us:  our names are written in heaven, i.e., we are marked or sealed for salvation thru the power of Jesus.  This isn’t our own doing but Jesus’ doing.  Nothing we do on earth—earning oodles of money, building a great business, earning a fine reputation, learning the secrets of the universe, winning honors—none of that matters unless our names are written in heaven, unless we know our Father in heaven because Jesus has made him known to us (10:22) and claimed us for him.

Picked up thru http://thegoodheart.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-holy-name-of-jesus.html

2d is the power of Jesus’ name.  When Jesus is invoked, Satan is powerless; he falls.  It’s not learning or earthly power or wealth that defeat him but the humble power of Jesus.  Jesus forgives our sins, which are Satan’s grasp at our souls.  Jesus offers us a share in his victory over the grave, and eternal life.  So we put our trust in him, call upon him, come to him in his sacraments.

Blessed are we who see Jesus in our lives (10:23)—God’s gift to us, God’s power effecting our redemption!