Video of Homily
In our Gospel reading today, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” In our catholic mystical tradition, we have many instances when someone hears Jesus speaking to them. Two weeks ago, we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday. Sister Faustina would hear Jesus speaking to her in visions. Because she listened, the world was given the image of Divine Mercy and a more complete understanding of the mercy of God. Mother Theresa of Calcutta would hear Jesus ask her to serve the poor and the orphaned. " For them I long, them I love. Wilt thou refuse?” Mother Theresa would hear these words and go on to establish the Missionaries of Charity in over 130 countries. We also have the words of Jesus recorded for us by Saint Francis as he prayed in the dilapidated Church of Saint Damiano. “Francis, go and rebuild my church which, as you see, is falling down.” Listening to our Lord he would start to rebuild the walls of the fallen church, but in time he realized the call was far deeper. Francis would go on to establish the Franciscan order.
Few of us, but perhaps some of us, have heard Jesus speaking in the same way he did to Sister Faustina, Mother Theresa, or St. Francis. Yet we know we are his because we hear his voice. Simply by attending Mass, in receiving communion, in confessing our sins, in having our children baptized and showing them the way in which to go – in these things, we hear his voice and follow him. In spending time reading our sometimes-dusty bibles, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the lives of the saints – again we are hearing his voice. In prayer too, we prepare ourselves, give ourselves and then actively listen for his voice. We hear his voice by living the good life revealed to us, and in sharing our faith, our understanding with others. By way of evangelization, we not only join Christ in his mission but in the process become ourselves transformed, as by his word.
Most of us lead ordinary lives, yet from the ordinary comes the extraordinary. The time will come when we will be in that multitude that St John describes in his vision. This is the vision of the redeemed, the communion of saints, of those who heard, followed, persevered in faith, despite many and varied challenges. Here we will see people of every nation, tongue, and tribe. Here will be the culmination of all the threads of salvation, carefully woven together by a God, who desires us and all his children to be one. Here we are led to the springs of life-giving water which is eternal life. We have every reason to rejoice in being ordinary. We may not share the mystical experiences of some but, by way of a simple faith life, one which is open to hearing our Lord's voice, we will neither perish nor be lost, for we are held in God’s loving hand as Jesus clearly tells us.
We have a new pope. An American pope born in Chicago. The Holy Spirit is always profoundly present to us but perhaps in this week he is present in a special and deep way. We pray for Pope Leo and join him in praying for Christ’s church and for the whole world. May the good news of unity, mercy, forgiveness, and love, which has been entrusted to Pope Leo and to you and me, flow out to all corners of the earth. May this message, be our message too. The Pope, I do not doubt, will do extraordinary things, and we, well we will do the ordinary, but together we will all hear His voice, and follow him.
Deacon Peter Bujwid
St. Agnes Church, Arlington, Massachusetts
Sunday 11th May 2025
