iPadre: Fr. Cooper's Homilies

The world doesn’t revolve around us. Our first priority is to Christ and His kingdom. That means more than simply keeping the commandments. It means loving God and His people more than any worldly treasure. It means, in short, denying ourselves and following Jesus who gave His life for us and for the entire world. Many people claim to be Christ followers. However, there is absolutely nothing in their lives that would signify this except, perhaps, attendance at Mass. They are not sharing their faith with others. They are not volunteering in their communities. They are not giving to those who are down and out. As we have asked several times over the past few weeks, are you a follower of Christ or simply a fan? It makes a difference!

“Who do you say that the Son of Man is?” asked Jesus. And, for once, Simon Peter got it right, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Who is Christ to you . . . and what difference does it make in your life? Listen to Fr. Cooper's Sunday Homily and be inspired on your journey as a follower of Jesus!

Mary’s Assumption can be easily understood by love. It is also love that is the source and cause of her perfect beauty. Being intimately close to God, she radiates His infinite beauty. This celebration of Mary’s Assumption inspires us to hope. Pope Benedict XVI said: “For over a thousand years, the Church has greeted Mary, the Mother of God, as ‘Star of the Sea’: Ave maris stella! Human life is a journey. Life is like a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route. They are lights of hope. Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us?” (Spe Salvi, 49). Let us turn to Mary. She gives us hope that, like her and through her maternal intervention, we will find the way to heaven, our true and lasting home.

The existential philosopher, Søren Kierkegarrd, called the decision to follow Jesus a leap of faith, like jumping off the cliff. One could not play it safe and follow Christ; rather we must be willing to risk it all. St. Peter would call it leaving the boat. But the time to play it safe is over. We must risk it all for the sake of Christ. Are there some fears that cause you to be disillusioned and keep you from risking it all for Christ? Could it be that you have allowed those fears to become greater than they really are? Are problems distracting you from the source of your power? Do doubts nag at you and keep you from learning to trust Christ? Whatever it is, the One greater than fears, problems, and doubts is here! Jesus is waiting on you to believe in Him and risk it all. Come on, leave the boat and walk on the water. Jesus says you can do it! Listen to Fr. Cooper’s Sunday Homily and dare to get out of the boat!

In our own way, each of us has been to the mountaintop at some time in our lives. “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). But we are sinners. We love Him, but in the time of testing, we have each denied Him. We are grateful to be recipients of His grace, and we commit ourselves again this day to seek in all we do to be close to Him from this day forward. That is what the Transfiguration is all about! Listen to Fr. Cooper's Sunday Homily and keep the flame of faith alive in your heart!