Homilies

Homily – 4th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)

| Fr. William Smith

The least productive way to read St Matthews Gospel is to see Jesus as a teacher of timeless and universal truths. What he offers us is true for all times and places, but Matthew is a Pastor and knows that Jesus and his teachings come alive only when they are lived in a specific Church community. As we read Matthew this year, I think he will prove himself as good a pastor for us as he was for his immediate community, especially in today’s reading.

We do not know if Matthew was born a Gentile or a Jew. It is obvious however that he understood that Jesus was a Jew and could only be understood as one. Jews received their religious identities from participating in the Covenant with God. This made them God’s people, his family. This relationship was personal but not individual. A Jew cannot have a relationship with God outside of the family and would wonder why he should try.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 4th Sunday Ordinary Time

| St. Charles Borromeo

On Sunday, January 29, 2023, join us in person or online for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Our current Sunday Mass times are:

Today’s readings will be from Cycle A.

Readings/Psalm – 1101

Entrance: O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God – 902

Offertory: We Are the Light of the World – 592

Communion: Taste and See – 930

Closing: Blest Are They – 735

The Gather 3rd Edition Hymnal/Missals are available for use in the church – pick one up as you enter and return it after Mass. Instructions on how to use the hymnal missal are available here: https://www.stcharlesbklyn.org/hymnal-missal/ .

Today’s readings are also available to read online at the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org .

Scriptual Commentary

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Boasting in the Lord

| Fr. William Smith

The Beatitudes Sermon, James Tissot
c. 1890, Brooklyn Museum

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:1–3)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the Second Reading
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 1:26–31
January 29, 2023

Last week’s reading ended with Paul saying that he did not preach the gospel with the wisdom of human eloquence “so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning”. (1 Co 1:17) By human eloquence he meant the techniques of classical rhetoric that were considered the marks of education, breeding and intelligence. He thought that these bells and whistles might distract from the meaning. We see that today with preachers who are better versed in marketing conventions than scripture. Paul sees that the cross destroys all pretense and continues with:

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Bulletin

Homily – 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)

| Fr. William Smith

Long quotes from the Old Testament , like the one which opens today’s Gospel, are not the most exciting passages in the scriptures. They may be important for scholars, but do not engage the common believer. Yet we ignore any passage of scripture at our peril. The Gospels, in particular, are written with great economy and every word is meaningful. This passage is important for understanding Jesus’s intentions and illuminates this week’s special celebration.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time (Word of God Sunday)

| St. Charles Borromeo

On Sunday, January 22, 2023, join us in person or online for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, which Pope Francis has designated as the Sunday of the Word of God. Our newest young member of our parish will be baptized at the 11:15 AM Community Mass.

Our current Sunday Mass times are:

Today’s readings will be from Cycle A.

Entrance: Boundless Love – 700

Readings/Psalm – 1098

Offertory: Lord, When You Came – 781

Communion: Christ, Be Our Light! – 590

Closing: How Can I Keep from Singing? – 685

The Gather 3rd Edition Hymnal/Missals are available for use in the church – pick one up as you enter and return it after Mass. Instructions on how to use the hymnal missal are available here: https://www.stcharlesbklyn.org/hymnal-missal/ .

Today’s readings are also available to read online at the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org .

Scriptual Commentary

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Becoming Closer to Christ and Each Other

| Fr. William Smith

Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew, Caravaggio
c. 1603 – 1606, Hampton Court Palace


He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
(Matthew 4:19–20)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the Second Reading
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17
January 21, 2023

In a previous assignment, I sent a group of parishioners to a leaders’ meeting to organize for a neighborhood initiative. When the time came to energy where they were from, they called out “Father Smith’s Church.” A Baptist minister who was present, a wise man and good friend, called me that night. He said that in his experience this was a sign of admiration and affection but also presented grave dangers. When a church becomes overidentified with any human being, it is in danger of losing sight of both Jesus and neighbor and is an invitation to factionalism. I addressed it with several homilies at Mass but not, alas, with the reading today. Human beings need affirmation and recognition, but Paul is reminding both leaders and followers that for Christians that can only come by putting Jesus first. Everything and everyone else are secondary.

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