The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friend,

St. Francis expressed a wish to be buried on the "Hill of Hell", a place used for the execution of criminals, but when he died our Seraphic Patriarch's body was solemnly transported to Assisi, and placed in the church of St. George. Pope Gregory IX had a magnificent church built on the "Hill of Hell" which he called the "Hill of Paradise". This church was completed in two years, and in the midst of a great concourse of pilgrims, the body was transferred with great pomp to the new church on May 25, 1230. The Pope was represented by three legates. On May 25, 1253, Pope Innocent IV solemnly consecrated the building. Pope Benedict XIV raised it to the rank of a Patriarchal Basilica.

The Introit for today's mass sets the tone for the respect and reverence that we should have for the house of God.

"Terrible is this place, it is the house of God, and the gate of heaven; and it shall be called the court of God. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord."

Our Churches where God truly resides in the tabernacle are truly very awesome places. St. Francis had the greatest respect and reverence for these holy places and personally swept and cleaned them and he even repaired and rebuilt dilapidated churches. Franciscans throughout time have learned and repeated the practice of pronouncing their adoration of Christ in the tabernacles of all the churches throughout the world each time they enter or leave a church.

It is not surprising that the world has no concept of the reverence and respect that should be given to every true church, but it is rather scandalous that so many who consider themselves Catholics should be lacking in this.

We must remind ourselves of this fact from time to time lest familiarity breed contempt. In the time of Christ the House of God (the temple) was made into a den of thieves by the people. In our own present day we see that the great buildings that were built with supernatural faith are now no longer houses of God. The tabernacles have been removed or set off to a corner on the side. All sense of reverence and respect has been forced out.

The Novus Ordo has invited the people to come to these desecrated buildings to see "God" in each other. To celebrate the divinity in us all. (After all we are all made in the image and likeness of God.) They share a meal where they can sing and talk to each other and encourage each other in their worldly affairs. There seems to be no need to visit the divine Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ really and truly present under the appearance of bread reserved in our tabernacles. There is no need for silent contemplation or reflection on the sacrifice of Our Lord on Calvary.

The once Catholic churches that are now in the hands of the Novus Ordo are desecrated churches. They are no longer houses of God but house of men (i.e. dens of thieves). Thus, the attitudes of these people in their churches is somewhat understandable. They no longer believe in transubstantiation and Christ's true presence. Therefore they act accordingly. But, what is shocking and scandalous is that so many who call themselves "traditionalists" are no better even though they profess to believe in transubstantiation and Christ's real presence in the tabernacle.

How many appear before our Lord in His Church filled with pride and vices from the world? They see no need in purifying themselves before making an offering to God. Thus with soiled hands they attempt to pray to God. Their prayers are like the sacrifice of Cain and are not received by God.

It is truly a foolish thing to come into the true House of God; in the presence of Jesus Christ Himself; this gate to Heaven; this Heaven on earth, while we carry with us the burdens of prideful sin. How dare we attempt to give our offering to God whilst we have soiled hands and tarnished offerings!

Let us learn from the example of Zacheus in today's Gospel. When our Lord said that He would be entering the house of Zacheus, Zacheus immediately began to prepare his house (soul) to receive Christ. "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any one of any thing, I restore him fourfold." In this way Zacheus prepared himself so that he could worthily receive Our Lord into his home. We too must likewise prepare ourselves before we enter into the house of God.

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