Tag: Sacrifice

Homily for the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Freedom Freely Given

Posted on by Father Albert
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, C                                                                              June 26, 2022Fr. Alexander Albert                                                               St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/jn01oieesqY If I told you that today’s readings are about freedom, how would you take it? Would you perhaps point out that the 1st reading is about a man sacrificing his livelihood and leaving his family all because another man said so? Or point out that Jesus tells people that following him means giving up a home and family? But St. Paul is clear: “for freedom Christ set us free.” Jesus also tells us “the truth will...Read More

Homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter: Glory Revealed

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Easter Sunday 5, C                                                                                                     May 15, 2022Fr. Alexander Albert                                                               St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/dPm5jrJocwc "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” This is during the last supper. Jesus has just washed their feet and announced that one of them will betray him. After everyone denies it, Jesus tells Judas “what you’re going to do, do quickly.” Betrayal prompts Jesus to speak of glory. What do you think of when you hear glory? What does it mean to “glorify” something or someone? For Jesus Christ,...Read More

Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter: One With The Father

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Easter Sunday 4, C                                                                                                     May 8, 2022Fr. Alexander Albert                                                               St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/EjmRKNmKjLU He didn’t smell very good and he was only half-covered by the hospital gown. Introvert that I am, I was already timid and uncomfortable simply entering his room – this stranger in a dimly lit room to which I was sent as a kind of hospital chaplain intern. I was not enjoying the experience, I was not exactly happy to do it, and I wanted to get out of there. Then… something happened. It's hard to...Read More

Homily for Easter: The Authority to Love, Triduum Pt. 3

Posted on by Father Albert
Easter Vigil                                         Part 3 of Triduum 2022                                  April 16, 2022Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette [See part 1 here] [See part 2 here] https://youtu.be/laRr7ujxiyk Thursday night, we began the most sacred time of the year – the Paschal Triduum – and began also an extended reflection on the meaning of freedom and authority revealed in the life and death of Jesus Christ. Through the washing of the disciples feet and the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood, we saw that authority is truly a service to the people over whom it is wielded....Read More

Homily for Good Friday: The Authority to Love, Triduum Pt 2.

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Good Friday of the Lord's Passion     Part 2 of Triduum 2022                                  April 15, 2022Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette [See part 1 here] [See part 3 here] https://youtu.be/sXt3xI3VWEI The authority to love. That’s how we defined freedom last night as we began this paschal journey. Jesus, aware that the Father has put everything in his power, used that power to serve, to wash the feet of his disciples, to institute the sacraments of the Eucharist and the priesthood while also foreshadowing the sacrament of confession. Even while washing their feet, Jesus continued to give commands,...Read More

Homily for Holy Thursday: The Authority to Love, Triduum pt 1.

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Mass of the Lord's Supper                  Part 1 of Triduum 2022                                  April 14, 2020Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette [See part 2 here] [See part 3 here] https://youtu.be/tzTHradX2h0 What is freedom? What is authority? What is power? As we enter into the most sacred time of the year – the Paschal Triduum – I return to my custom of offering a prolonged reflection on a theme. Over these three homilies – today, tomorrow, and for Easter – we will, with God’s help, explore the meaning of freedom and authority. And it starts right here with...Read More

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent: Woken to Glory

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Lent Sun 2, C                                                                                                  March 13, 2022Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/TY0G80EN9fQ “Stay woke.” Perhaps you’ve heard some variation of this phrase. Maybe it’s a positive thing to you or maybe you think of it as a kind of insult. Like so many catchphrases, the meaning has shifted over time and it means different things to different people. It was originally meant to encourage people to stay alert to what is really going on behind the scenes… to see past what “the man” tells you. Or it’s being sensitive to injustices that permeate our...Read More

Homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent: Cycle of Victory

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Lent Sun 1, C                                                                                                              March 6, 2022Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/WTKMEYA2nX0 Identity. Trial. Thanksgiving. This is the pattern for us in life and the pattern laid out for us at the beginning of Lent. It begins by knowing who we are and what makes us who we are. This identity is challenged, attacked, tried by the Adversary, Satan. And what sustains us through it all is to receive the gifts of God and return it to him with thanksgiving. Jesus was just baptized in the river Jordan. He is revealed as the Son...Read More

Homily for Ash Wednesday: Now Is The Time

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Ash Wednesday                                                                                                          March 2, 2022Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/mkRPK6aA8UQ “Now is the day of salvation.” This is similar to a popular piece of advice: “live in the present moment.” There’s a piece of truth in that popular adage. The reality is that we only have the present. The past is gone and the future is not here. The present moment is most real, most important. But this only goes so far. Another, related popular dictum is “live with no regrets” as if being in the present moment justifies never considering past mistakes. If all...Read More

Pastor Column: Mass Times Change

Posted on by Father Albert
[Note: This is not the homily, that can be found under homilies on this website.]From the bulletin of Feb 27th, 2022      As I announced last week during the Homily, our Sunday Mass schedule will change to 9am starting the Second Sunday of Easter (April 24). The reason is straightforward: we don’t need two Masses to accommodate the number of people who attend on Weekends. We average just under 300 people on a weekend (100/Mass) though we could fit 600. It’s worth reflecting on how necessary the Saturday 4pm really is (don’t worry, I’m not cancelling it, just provoking thought)....Read More