Homily for Thursday, Week 4 of Lent

Homily for Thursday
4th Week of Lent

April 3, 2025
Ex 32: 7-14
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Moses' prayer (William Blake)

“Moses implored the Lord” (Ex 32: 11).

The Scripture tells us the Israelites became depraved (32:7).  Feeling secure after their escape from Egypt, they made an idol and attributed their blessings to it.

We’ve seen countries become prosperous after long periods of depression—Ireland and Poland, for example—and then lose their traditional faith and religious practice and celebrate their freedom and economy as supreme goods.  It’s trending that way in most Western cultures, you’ve no doubt observed.

The Scripture tells us then that God’s wrath blazed against Israel (32:10).  Whereon “Moses implored the Lord.”  He became Israel’s intercessor, not for the 1st time nor the last.  I especially like how the responsorial psalm expresses it:  “Moses, his chosen one, withstood him in the breach to turn back his destructive wrath” (Ps 106:23).  Davy Crockett wasn’t able to hold the wall of the Alamo against the Mexican army, 

The Fall of the Alamo by Robert Jenkins Onderdonk depicts Davy Crockett
swinging his rifle at Mexican troops who have breached the south gate of the mission.

but Moses held back the wrath of God.

Brothers, believers have Moses’ role today:  to pray to God on behalf of today’s idolaters, the many who worship their unrestrained freedom, their prosperity, their political or military power; and to pray for the oppressed and the afflicted who have no recourse in this world but only God’s mercy.

Gesture of Compassion

A Gesture of Compassion
Reaching Out to Earthquake Victims in Burma

(ANS – Mandalay, Burma – April 1, 2025) – In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck parts of Burma, the Don Bosco community extended a helping hand to the suffering victims in Mandalay. With hearts full of compassion, the team spent quality time with the displaced families, offering drinks, snacks, and much needed support. (The military dictators want you to call the country Myanmar.)

While attempting to cross the Sagaing Bridge over the Irrawaddy River, the team was unable to proceed due to restrictions. But this did not deter their mission to serve. By mingling with the affected people, they discovered that while many groups were providing rice boxes for daily meals, there was a severe shortage of such essentials as mosquito nets, tarps, umbrellas, mats, bed sheets, and pillows. The scorching heat added further to the challenges faced by the victims.

To bring relief, the Don Bosco team took a unique approach. They bought ice cream for the children, bringing smiles to their faces amid the suffering. They provided electric power by running a generator, enabling people to charge their phones and lamps for the night. This act of kindness stood out, as most other relief groups left shortly after distributing their aid.

The simple yet thoughtful gestures had a profound impact. One of the victims expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “It is the first time that we received free power to recharge our phones and connect with our families.”

The Don Bosco team felt deeply fulfilled, witnessing the joy and relief they brought to people. Their presence not only eased some of the material hardships but also provided emotional comfort and hope during a time of great difficulty.

In their commitment to Don Bosco's mission of serving those in need, the team reaffirmed the importance of compassion and solidarity, transcending boundaries of faith or culture.

Homily for Tuesday, Week 4 of Lent

Homily for Tuesday
4th Week of Lent

April 1, 2025
Ezek 47: 1-9, 12
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

“Wherever this water comes, the sea shall be made fresh” (Ezek 47: 9).

Ezekiel’s image of fresh water flowing out of God’s house in such abundance that it freshens even the Dead Sea is awesome.  Naturally, the image suggests Baptism in this season when catechumens are looking toward the Easter Vigil and the rest of us are preparing to renew or refresh our baptismal commitment.

Baptism refreshes souls no matter how dead they’ve been in sin.  “Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live” (47:9), and every virtue shall flourish in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus uses water as an image of the Spirit:  “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, … ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’”  St. John explains, “He said this in reference to the Spirit what whose who came to believe in him were to receive” (7:37-39).  As we know well, Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:5).

Ezekiel’s image speaks of fresh fruit coming forth every month, thanks to “the flow from the sanctuary” (47:12).  That suggests our need for constant freshness, constant renewal—the ongoing conversion to Christ that’s essential for our spiritual lives.  We always need a new infusion of the Holy Spirit.