Imitating Christ and Mary’s Virtues – Sep 28 – Homily – Fr Bernard

 

Fr Bernard gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Sep 28, 2025, where he explores the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that selfishness and self-indulgence lead to damnation while virtuous acceptance of poverty leads to salvation, urging listeners to cultivate virtues through grace and imitation of Christ and Mary.

The Father begins by questioning the sin that damned the rich man in 'Luke 16:19-31', clarifying it was not wealth itself but selfishness, self-indulgence, lack of compassion, gluttony, hedonism, greed, pride, and anger, all stemming from self-centeredness that ignored Lazarus's needs. He contrasts this with Lazarus, saved not merely by poverty but by living it virtuously through faith, supernatural vision, patience, abandonment to God, humility, and meekness, accepting suffering as an offering to Him. Father emphasizes that salvation depends on using worldly things to serve God and neighbor for His glory, rather than as ends for self. He urges us to ask our Blessed Mother for the grace to acquire virtues and eradicate vices, as these inclinations form the bulk of spiritual life, as per 'CCC 1803'. Quoting 'Matthew 11:29', "learn from Me, I who am humble and meek of heart," He calls for imitating Christ's and Mary's virtues through study, meditation, and begging for grace. Explaining grace enables the exercise needed to habituate the will to good, like marathon training, not instantly removing tendencies. From 'Amos 6:1,4-7', He warns against complacency and hoping in worldly things, common today, instead founding hope in God and Mary, mediatrix of graces, per 'CCC 1817'. Finally, on the gospel's end, He notes Jesus fulfilled the rich man's request by raising Lazarus in 'John 11:1-44', yet it hardened unbelievers, showing bad will closes hearts to signs, while good will opens to God's truth, law, love, and will. He concludes by invoking Mary, who possesses the fullness of virtue, to assist in acquiring Christian virtues, just as a mother clothes her children.

Luke 16: 19-31 - NAB - Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/16?19
Amos 6: 1,4-7 - NAB - Woe to the Complacent - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/6
John 11: 1-44 - NAB - Resurrection of Lazarus - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1803 - Definition of Virtue - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1803
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1812 - Theological Virtues Overview - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1812
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1817 - Hope as Virtue - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1817
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1866 - Capital Sins Listed - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a8.htm#1866
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2443 - Love for the Poor - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm#2443

00:00 – Rich Man's Damnation
00:48 – Sins of Selfishness
01:25 – Gluttony and Pleasure
02:25 – Greed and Pride
03:07 – Lazarus's Virtues
04:47 – Self vs God
05:45 – Acquiring Virtues Grace
08:47 – Amos Complacency Warning
09:50 – Hope in God
10:31 – Resurrection Not Convincing
11:41 – Openness of Heart
12:05 – Mary's Virtuous Assistance

Ave Maria!

Mass: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092825.cfm
1st: amo 6:1, 4-7
Resp: psa 146:7-10
2nd: 1ti 6:11-16
Gsp: luk 16:19-31

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=876

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