Author: St. Charles Borromeo

Homilies

22nd Sunday Ordinary Time – Anti-Nicomachean Ethics

| St. Charles Borromeo

Before the Banquet, Francis Chin, 2012

First Reading
September 1, 2019
Sirach 3:17-18, 28-29 

We return today to the book of Sirach. We read from this book a few months ago and called him one of the great virtually unsung heroes of Judaism. Ben Sira lived in Jerusalem in about 200BC. By this time, the Jews had been under direct foreign domination for over 300 years. First by the Assyrians and then by the descendants of the great Greek general Alexander. The beliefs of the Jews were radically different from their occupiers and, although there was little direct persecution, there was pressure to conform to Greek mores. This was particularly true of the elites. The sons of wealthy and well-placed Jewish families who associated with wealthy and important Assyrians then Greek leaders were particularly tempted to take on foreign ways.

Ben Sira, better known as Sirach, was the teacher of these aristocratic scions. He understood the teachings of the day both the traditional “Wisdom” of the East and the philosophy of the West, i.e. the Greeks. He admired some of it and assimilated where he could, but he understood very clearly that ultimately wisdom or philosophy were incompatible with authentic Judaism. Continue reading “22nd Sunday Ordinary Time – Anti-Nicomachean Ethics” →

Homilies, Podcast

21st Sunday Ordinary Time – 11:15 am (Fr Smith homily)

| St. Charles Borromeo

 Transcript:

Luke 13:22-30 

It is said that familiarity breeds contempt, but in religion it might better be said that it breeds presumption. Although rarely stated, it is easy to believe that knowing about God is the same as really knowing Him. The prophets without exception tell us that having a mastery of laws and customs – and even being actively involved in liturgical practices – can make one look religious but does automatically connect one to God.  Today, Luke shows us what this really means.   Continue reading “21st Sunday Ordinary Time – 11:15 am (Fr Smith homily)” →

Messages from the Pastor

21th Sunday Ordinary Time – Isaiah’s Warning: Avoid Corruption; Unite the Community

| St. Charles Borromeo

A Plate of Cakes, Jehan Georges Vibert, circa 1840–1902, private collection (WikiArt)

FIRST READING:
August 25, 2019
Isaiah 66:18-21

Several weeks ago on July 7, we read a section from Isaiah (66:10-14c), which comes a few verses before today’s selection (66:18-21). We saw then that these verses were written by the third person to use the name Isaiah. The first lived in Jerusalem around the end of the 8th century BC, the second in Babylon about 540 BC, and this Isaiah sometime around 515 BC while Jerusalem was being rebuilt.

The Second and Third Isaiahs did not choose the name casually. Although they lived in different times and/or places, they all shared a few common beliefs. The most important was that the God of the Jews was the Lord of History. By the time of Third Isaiah, this meant that He was not only God but also that the Lord controlled world history from the beginning of time, not just the destinies of the Jews. This meant that He expressed Himself in concrete events and our relationship with Him was to be more than verbal.

To use the name Isaiah meant that the author understood that worship and justice were inseparable. This is the special theme of chapter 66. When we examined this last month, we emphasized that the call of the Jews and now indeed ourselves was to be the “light to the nations.” Now let us look at the corrosive effects of corruption on leaders. Continue reading “21th Sunday Ordinary Time – Isaiah’s Warning: Avoid Corruption; Unite the Community” →

Events

RSVP for Fall Parish Cookout on 9/15

| St. Charles Borromeo

You and your family are cordially invited to attend
the Fall Parish Cookout
on Sunday, September 15 after the 11:15 AM Mass. 

Join us for a cookout as we reconnect with those who have been away over the summer and welcome in the fall season. There will be activities for all ages, including games and story time with the St. Charles lectors.

To help us arrange for the appropriate amount of food, please let us know if you can attend by September 8. This event is free of charge thanks to your generous donations.

Please fill out the form below to RSVP:

Fall Cookout 2019 RSVP
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Events

Survey on Timing of 2nd Christmas Eve Mass

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Planning on attending Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Charles Borromeo? If so, we’d welcome your input as we finalize our Mass schedule for the remainder of 2019.

On Tuesday, December 24, we will have a 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Mass and also plan to have a later Mass. Last year, the later Mass was said at midnight, but few of our parishioners attended. We are evaluating whether there is a better time. Provide your input via the below survey, which will remain open until September 2.

Christmas Eve Survey
Suggestions for 2nd Christmas Eve Mass Time
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Homilies

20th Sunday Ordinary Time – 11:15 AM (Fr. Smith Homily)

| St. Charles Borromeo

Last week’s Gospel spoke of the Master who returned to his household at an unexpected time and will need to reward or punish his servants. His measure is simple, “Are they doing their regular tasks justly and carefully?” This story is universally relevant to all followers of Jesus. The good disciple is one who builds up Jesus’ household, the church, most dutifully. So important is this that he will serve them – hopefully us – a wonderful meal. For the Jews this would have been especially significant as they believed the time of the Messiah was best seen as a great feast. Continue reading “20th Sunday Ordinary Time – 11:15 AM (Fr. Smith Homily)” →