Remember Me In Paradise

13/6/2019

Passion Sunday | C

Vancouver, April 14, 2019

I will just give a brief homily since the readings from Saint Luke’s Gospel give us so much to reflect on, to meditate on – to lead us into prayer and to contemplate the Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God – His Sacrifice for us. What is most outstanding is the contrasts between Jesus entry into Jerusalem as King. The people Hail him as King – Hail King of the Jews.

This is the Palm Sunday message at the procession – Jesus being welcomed as King into Jerusalem, and waving palms acknowledging his Kingship. Because of the powerful deeds they had seen, they joyfully cry out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” Then, we hear the drama of the last days of Jesus leading up to His Crucifixion? What happened.

What happened to the joyous reception of the King into Jerusalem? Did the people change their minds? Those who first acclaimed Him as King, did they have second thoughts?

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Here I am

13/6/2019

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Here I am, a homily by Fr. David Bellusci, O.P.

Sunday | OT | 5th | C

Vancouver, February 10, 2019

In chapter 6 of the book of the prophet Isaiah we have the period when the Kingdoms of Judah, the southern Kingdom and the kingdom of Israel, the northern Kingdom were divided. King Uzziah reigned in the southern Kingdom around 750 years before the Birth of Christ. Here, we hear the prophet Isaiah speaking. The Prophet Isaiah is at the beginning of his prophetic ministry, and how does this come about? How is Isaiah acknowledged as prophet?

We already hear of these prophecies -- these visions, of -- “the Lord sitting on a throne…” and this beautiful image of “his robe filled the temple.” And the seraphim are part of the choir of angels. And what are these seraphic angels saying, “Holy holy holy, is the Lord God of hosts.” These words from Isaiah should sound familiar to us because they are the same words we use at Mass just before the Eucharistic prayer, when we say or sing, Holy holy holy, or in Latin, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus.

So, we can see how the prophetic words of Isaiah have been included in the Roman Catholic liturgy. The entire earth is filled with the glory of God. How is that possible? Where do you see the glory of God?

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New Circumcision

12/6/2019

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NEW CIRCUMCISION, a homily by Fr. David Bellusci, O.P.

Sunday | Easter | 6th | C

Vancouver, May 26, 2019

Have you noticed people like rituals? If we don’t have rituals, we will create them. Rituals are like traditions. Think of the rituals or traditions you have. Maybe on special occasions you are all united for a big family dinner. Summer picnics or BBQs on someone’s birthday or saint’s day.

Or traditions you don’t even think of as traditions such as going to the same restaurant with a friend or family member just before Advent or Lent. To be a tradition the event needs to be repeated otherwise it’s not a tradition. And the tradition is something special. It’s an expression of the meaningfulness of the occasion and/or person. Now, think of breaking a tradition. You are no longer getting together for the big family dinner that only occurs once a year or you are no going on that same summer BBQ with your family. There is the question: Why not? What happened? Why did this change?

The more a tradition is ingrained in the individuals, people, a community or culture the more difficult it is to let go. When traditions are religious observances this means they are asked of us by God – or what we might call a pious tradition, that gives a different angle to the tradition. The tradition must be kept because it’s of a religious nature.

What about letting go of religious traditions or observances? Has God changed His mind. What was required no longer is required. How can this be?

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On Silence

12/6/2019

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Sunday | OT | 8th | C

Vancouver March 3, 2019

When I was discerning my religious vocation in France some years ago I spent some time in a monastic setting – in fact three years. We had strict rules about silence: we were not allowed to talk except at recreation for 20 minutes and that was only twice a week. And on Sunday evenings when we had dinner together. We were allowed to talk to fellow Brothers on Sundays or exceptionally during the week if we had permission from our Superior.

And so, I discovered the value and wisdom of silence. Silence is probably the most meaningful part of my monastic experience. Sometimes I would walk with a Brother from the community, a friend. We prayed the Rosary. We walked in the fields. And spoke little. When you are close to someone, you don’t have to talk all the time.

You probably noticed that the Reading from the Book of Sirach is about how we use language. Very often we think that words are harmless. It’s just gossip. Or, I’m just venting. Or I need to get my frustrations out. But at these times the words we use with family members, friends, colleagues, at school, could be rude, disrespectful even hurtful, even, if it’s talking behind their back.

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Angels and Stars

12/6/2019

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Angels and Stars, a homily by Fr. David Bellusci, O.P.

Sunday | Lent | 2nd | C

Vancouver, March 17, 2019

Our lives involve planning or looking ahead. And often these plans require great detail. Already we are looking ahead and in preparation for First Communions. The Sacramental preparation of what Communion means and Confession. Perhaps, a wedding with all the excitement, arrangements, hoping everything goes well. Then, of course, we look ahead to the end of the school year and Summer plans -- our vacations here, or a trip flying distances to travel or reach relatives. We make plans-- as we look ahead.

A significant part of looking ahead is hope – that everything unfolds as planned -- and we trust-- especially when this involves a promise. I trust you will keep your promise. The more the promise seems unlikely, the more trust becomes difficult, let alone to speak of HOPE. Especially when we are dealing with broken promises. We start to lose trust. Humanly speaking it’s difficult to regain trust when a promise is broken. This really requires forgiveness. But then, our experiences can also teach us that we need to trust more…

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the joy in the midst of uncertainty

5/6/2019

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Fr. Bellusci's homily on The Joy in the midst of Uncertainty

Wednesday | Easter | 7th | C
Ac 20 | Ps 68 | Jn 17

Vancouver, June 5, 2019

In the Acts of the Apostles and today’s Gospel of St. John we find both express departures. Their leader is leaving them and they do not know what to expect. The question of what will happen? Who will lead us? Of course, Paul is a missionary leader, while Jesus Christ Himself established the Church.

Departures create anxiety: What happens next? What do we do now? How will we manage? In the Acts of the Apostles Paul is writing to the church elders of Ephesus, he advises them, and tells them, “I know after I have gone savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to lead astray the disciples to follow them.” Paul realises how fragile these communities are. Christianity is in its early stages of growth. These are not men who defend themselves or attack with swords. They have the Word of God: the Old Testament Scriptures -- and at this time the only teachings of Christ they have is what they remember Jesus taught and the writings/letters of the Apostles circulating.

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Remember Me In Paradise

Here I am

New Circumcision

On Silence

Angels and Stars

the joy in the midst of uncertainty

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