Recent Sermon
Be Humble As the Dirt
Fr. Simons
Why do the innocent suffer? All suffering on Earth is permitted as a punishment for the sins of mankind. When we see all suffer for sin in this life, even the innocent, it serves as a reminder of the far greater punishments in store for those who die unrepentant and is an impetus for the evil to convert their lives.
This is the Sunday of humility, and we are reminded that we cannot persevere in the state of Sanctifying Grace without this indispensable virtue. Our Lord gave us the perfect example to follow by living the humblest of lives and permitting the greatest insults against Himself. We are completely helpless without the constant assistance of God’s grace. Christ was possessed of infinite virtue, but it was humility that he instructed us to learn from Him. Humility can save the worst sinner in the world even in his last moments. We should not only accept humiliation but should strive to enjoy it. We must humbly suffer only a little in this life in order to be united with Christ in eternal happiness.
From Our Archives
Contrition and a Clear Conscience
Fr. Violette
If we wish to enjoy the peace of a clear conscience, we should know the definition of perfect contrition. Our sorrow for sin is perfect if we detest sin because it offends God, Whom we love above all things. Perfect contrition is a gratuitous gift offered to us by God. Our contrition is imperfect when we are sorry because sin is hateful in itself, or because we fear God’s punishment. However, in God’s great mercy, He always offers us sufficient grace for perfect contrition.
The miraculous gifts given to the early Christians aided in the spread of the Church, but these gifts in themselves are not necessarily a sign of sanctity. In our own day, one should be very slow to believe those who claim to possess these charismatic gifts of God.
The Pharisee in the Gospel went beyond the religious duties required of him, but his fault was in claiming these good works as his own accomplishment. We cannot perform any meritorious act without God’s help. The Publican was negligent in his works, but his humility called down God’s mercy. We must practice the good works of the Pharisee, with the humility of the Publican.
