Finding Eternal Life by Giving Everything – Nov 24 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr. Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 24, 2025, reflecting on the Vietnamese martyrs led by St. Andrew Dung-Lac and connecting their total surrender to God with the widow's offering in the Gospel, urging trust in Our Lord through total consecration to Our Lady.

Father honors St. Andrew Dung-Lac, a Vietnamese priest beheaded in 1839 after tortures, and his 116 companions—96 natives and 21 foreign missionaries, including bishops, priests, laypeople, a mother of six, and a nine-year-old—canonized by John Paul II in 1988. These martyrs, dying over 300 years from the 1600s to 1800s, exemplify total surrender to God, an act of profound trust. They knew that whoever loses his life for God finds it eternally, as in Matthew 16:25. For us, Father says, we may not face bloodshed, but the Gospel's widow models bloodless trust. In Mark 12:41-44, she gives her two small coins—her all—relying solely on God. Our Lord notices immediately, proving His trustworthiness: she gives everything, He provides everything. Those reserving parts for themselves reject God's care to that extent, while full surrender invites divine provision.

Connecting to Mary, Father notes Our Lord asks for everything, impressing Him with our total gift. He gave us Our Lady as Mother to ease this surrender, like a newborn trusting fully. By giving all to her, we find it multiplied: she offers it to Christ, enhancing merit and value. This trust empties us of self, allowing Our Lord to fill us with His life and grace. It's the saints' path—surrender to Mary, receive abundance from God.

Matthew 16:25 - Lose life to find it - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?25
Mark 12:41-44 - Widow's total offering - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12?41
Catechism of the Catholic Church - Martyrdom as witness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a8.htm#2473
Catechism of the Catholic Church - Trust in divine providence - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p4.htm#301
Catechism of the Catholic Church - Mary's role in salvation - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p6.htm#969
Franciscan Media - St. Andrew Dung-Lac - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andrew-dung-lac-and-companions/
Catholic News Agency - Remembering the Martyrs of Vietnam -  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252905/remembering-the-hundreds-of-thousands-of-christians-martyred-in-vietnam

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Andre Dung Lac and his companions - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=540
Readings: Monday 34th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112425.cfm
1st: dan 1:1-6, 8-20
Resp: dan 3:52-56
Gsp: luk 21:1-4

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1203&r=1559

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