Running the Race: Saints as Our Cloud of Witnesses – Feb 04 – Homily – Fr Ignatius

 

Fr Ignatius gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 04, 2025, on how the saints serve as our "cloud of witnesses," encouraging us in our spiritual journey toward heaven while keeping our focus on Jesus.

Father reflects on Hebrews 12:1-4, explaining how we are "surrounded by a cloud of witnesses." He addresses concerns about Church scandals by pointing to the saints, particularly St. Joseph of Leonessa, as living examples of the Gospel. Drawing from Hebrews 12:1 ("Let us rid ourselves of every burden"), he compares our spiritual journey to a race where sin impedes our progress. Father emphasizes Jesus's role as our primary example (Hebrews 12:2), who endured the cross and now sits at God's right hand (Mark 16:19). He connects this to CCC 956 regarding the communion of saints and CCC 2013 about the universal call to holiness. The homily concludes with a challenge from Hebrews 12:4 about resisting sin to the point of shedding blood.

For Further Reading:
Hebrews 12:1-4 - NAB - Cloud of Witnesses passage - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/12

CCC 956 - Communion of Saints - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/956.htm

CCC 2013 - Universal Call to Holiness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2013.htm

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Joseph of Leonessa - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4084
Readings: Tuesday 4th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020425.cfm
1st: heb 12:1-4
Resp: psa 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32
Gsp: mar 5:21-43

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=606&r=1378

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