Reorient Your Life Towards the Risen Christ – Sep 10 – Homily – Fr Terrance

Father delivers a profound message on the concept of reorientation, likening it to turning towards the east, where the sun rises, as a symbol of turning towards the risen Christ. He explains that embracing the Catholic faith means aligning our beliefs and behaviors with God's will, a process that involves repentance, as Jesus taught in His first preaching, 'Mark 1:15'. Father emphasizes that reorientation allows us to experience God's presence and guidance, as promised in 'Isaiah 42:16', where God leads the blind on unknown paths, turning darkness into light. He cites 'Psalm 23:3' to illustrate how the Lord guides us on the right path for His name's sake. God's loving nature is highlighted through 'Exodus 34:6', revealing Him as compassionate and gracious. Father also draws on '1 John 3:1' to show how God's love makes us His children, and on 'Matthew 18:3' and 'Luke 18:17', where Jesus urges us to become like children to enter the kingdom. He speaks of God's grace as living water in 'John 7:38' and 'John 4:14', promising eternal life. Transformation is painful but necessary, as in 'Isaiah 64:8', where we are clay in the potter's hands. Father concludes with St. Paul's advice in 'Colossians 3:1-3' to set our minds on heavenly things, and Jesus' promise in 'Revelation 21:5' to make all things new, urging us to seek freedom in truth as in 'John 8:32' and '2 Corinthians 10:5'.

For Further Reading

Mark 1:15 - NAB - Repent and believe in the Gospel - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?15
Isaiah 42:16 - NAB - God guides the blind - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/42?16
Psalm 23:3 - NAB - God guides on right paths - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?3
Exodus 34:6 - NAB - God's compassion and grace - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/34?6
1 John 3:1 - NAB - We are God's children - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3?1
Matthew 18:3 - NAB - Become like little children - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18?3
John 7:38 - NAB - Rivers of living water - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/7?38
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213 - Sacrament of Baptism - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1213
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1996 - Grace and Justification - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c3a2.htm#1996
Catechism of the Catholic Church #234 - God's Infinite Goodness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p2.htm#234

Ave Maria!