THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Her Doctrine and Morals

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

31 August 2025

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The Sunday

Sermon

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Dear Friends in Christ,

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard them" (Beginning of today's Gospel reading, Saint Luke 10:23-37).

Jesus is not speaking of the physical sights and sounds that the disciples saw and heard, but rather the spiritual things that they saw and heard — that is, comprehended and implemented into their lives. Many lived in the time of Jesus. They physically saw and heard Him, but continued against Him, just as the leaders did.

To see and hear Jesus is to find, understand, and follow the spiritual way He sets before us. Many see and hear with physical eyes and ears the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Not all see and hear with the spiritual eyes of our souls the true worship, sacrifice, praise, and honor of God in the Mass. The world cannot see any real difference between The True Church and a false one. Many see no difference between the True Sacrifice of the Mass — unbloody renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary — and a Protestant Memorial renewal of the Last Supper. Many see no difference between a Protestant sermon and Communion Service and the True Catholic Mass. But when we truly understand the spiritual significance of the Mass, we are enriched and connected in a way that transcends the physical world.

Materially, these things may closely resemble one another, but spiritually, they are worlds apart. Blessed are the eyes that see clearly these differences. Many have desired to see them and have not. Many have desired to hear these things and have not.

We are truly blessed when we see with the eyes of our souls that the valid and licit offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, even in the humblest of chapels, is greater and more beautiful than the greatest sermon or celebration in the largest and finest of buildings.

We are truly blessed when we understand that attendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most essential part of our lives. It is not dull or irrelevant. It is sad to see that even among Catholics, there is more enthusiasm and excitement over watching a sporting competition on a screen than there is in uniting with Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, offering ourselves with Jesus to God the Father, and receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The world gladly embraces sacrifices and burdens for worldly amusements; however, any sacrifice or burden to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is refused or turned away from.

Assistance at Mass is not just physically being there or watching what takes place, or hearing readings or sermons. This is all that the world can do. Jesus' true disciples need to see, hear, understand, and participate on a much higher level than the world.

We must truly strive to see and hear Jesus, the Son of God, at every True Mass. We are to strive to receive Him even more intimately in every Holy Communion. We are not to see and eat a wafer or piece of bread; but, we are to see and eat the Living Flesh of The Son of God — True God and True Man.

It requires true faith and trust in God to truly see and hear. We need not fear, God gives us first the grace of faith. It is when we cooperate with this grace that virtue begins to grow. Our unbelief is transformed into belief. That which is hidden begins to be seen. That which is seen darkly begins to be seen more clearly. To be piously near and present to Jesus on the Altar is a great grace which often sets the stage for us to increase what we believe, see, hear, and understand.

Often, the first thing that we truly see is our sinfulness and unworthiness to even be in the Presence of God on the Altar. This realization should not bring despair, but rather, it should lead us to a deeper understanding of His Sacrifice for us, unworthy sinners. Sinners see and understand the need to receive the Sacrament of Penance or Confession to allow them to draw even nearer to Jesus and see and hear Him even more clearly. It is through humility and repentance that we open our spiritual eyes to the true significance of the Mass and our relationship with Jesus.

There are undoubtedly many souls in Hell or even in Purgatory right now, that long for just one more chance to attend the Holy Sacrifice of Mass in this life; or to worthily receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist just one more time, what they wouldn't do to be able to see and hear what is right before our eyes. How sad and miserable we are if we do not see and listen to what is right in front of us, while we are here. How sad and miserable we are if we do not comprehend and cooperate with Jesus when He comes to us!

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspire, guide, and protect us!