The Eyes of Your Heart

(June 2, 2019)

Bottom line: Like the apostles we want God to enlighten the eyes of our hearts to see Jesus and his plan for us.

Today we have a follow-up testimony regarding the Annual Catholic Appeal. It fits with the theme of Ascension Sunday - Jesus at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus ascends not to abandon us but to assume his proper authority. Jesus, as we saw last week, stands at the center of the universe and at the center of human history. In speaking about Jesus, St. Paul prays that God will open "the eyes of your hearts". What does this phrase mean and how does it relate to the Ascension?

In the Bible the heart is the place of planning and deciding. As Bishop Sklba observes the "eyes of the heart" enable a person to "plan wisely and well". Those eyes see the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, true and false. Above all, they see Jesus at the center of the cosmos - and the center of history.

During Easter we have focused on Jesus' two-step plan: faith and action. In the Gospel we see how faith guides action. When Jesus disappears from their sight they return to Jerusalem. Joy fills them - the joy that comes from gratitude. They don't mourn because Jesus left them. No, they recognize his profound presence in prayer and in the sacraments. Like the apostles we want God to enlighten the eyes of our hearts to see Jesus and his plan for us.

This leads to our testimony about the Annual Catholic Appeal. Some of our parishioners had a beautiful experience of God's presence in our Western Washington Church. With a prayer in your heart, I ask you to give your full attention to __________.

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Audio Homilies for Ascension Sunday:
Mother's Day & Ascension (2018)
What the Ascension Does and Does Not Do For Us (2017)
Gift of Honor (2016)
Ascension & Communion (2015)

Spanish Version

From the Archives (Ascension Homilies - Year C):

2018: Bridging the Gap
2017: Life in Christ Week 7: Mission
2016: Gift of Honor
2013: The Way He Opened
2010: Disappear vs. Leave
2007: Separation of Church and State
2004: Forgiveness - In His Name
2001: Submission to Jesus
1998: Jesus' Rule Vs. Cafeteria Catholicism

Other Homilies

Seapadre Homilies: Cycle A, Cycle B, Cycle C

Audio Files of Homilies (Simple Catholicism Blog)

Take the Plunge Bible Study (audio resources) *New episodes for Ordinary Time leading up to Lent*

Are these homilies a help to you? Please consider making a donation to St. Mary of the Valley Parish.

Other Priests' Homilies, Well Worth Listening:
Fr. Frank Schuster
Fr. Brad Hagelin
Fr. Jim Northrop
Fr. Michael White
Fr Pat Freitag (and deacons of St. Monica)
Bishop Robert Barron

Bulletin (St. Mary of Valley Parish)

Parish Picture Album

(current)

MBC - Mary Bloom Center, Puno, Peru

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