September 27th, 2026: Christ Directed Life

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

I said I would post part of my homily notes for the 26th Sunday Readings. Enjoy the diagrams I mentioned of the Christ-Directed Life, and the Self-Directed Life below:

 

St. Paul describes how Jesus empties Himself to the Fr’s Will / And in Matthew’s Gospel we see a son change his mind and choose to do the Father’s Will.

 

St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians: ch. 2 is called (The Christ Hymn).

-This is the model of Paul’s Discipleship and teaching in his letters.

-You follow this example (you will be following Christ) and the Fr’s Will.

 

-This “self emptying” is focused on (humility and obedience).

-Jesus is always about the Father’s Will / That is why when we know Jesus we will also know the Father.

 

-A simple way to know we are following the Fr’s. Will? / One practical thing I use is the acronym PALE GAS for the 7 deadly sins to examine my conscience. The 7 deadly sins are: Pride, Anger, Lust, Envy and then Gluttony, Avarice, [Sloth (or spiritual laziness)].

 

-When we choose the Fr. Will / Thru “obedience” and a “self-emptying” / We begin to find order amidst our trials, confusion, and stress / God has our back / Will always bring about a Greater good. 

 

I remember the Movie (Pi) where a math savant created (an algorithm) that was able to find numerical order within numerical systems appearing to be random and in chaos. (Has graphic scenes when he is dreaming so not a family film. Lol).

 

Reminded me of:  The Christ Hymn / There is order within the Chaos.

With the Christ Hymn Paul says: I imitate Christ / So, if you imitate me, then you will also be imitating Christ Jesus.

 

To live the Christ Hymn / Christ-Directed Life / Self Emptying means:

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-Jesus should be placed above everything / Seated on the throne.

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Christ Directed Life: Because Jesus is seated on the throne / I like to describe the interior circles as Jesus ordering our passions & activities (All are willed to the good & In Harmony).

 

Self-Directed Life: (We are seated on the throne / We seek to order our lives: Thus, our passions and activities are chaotic, random, and disordered).

 

-God is a gentleman / Invite Him in / Be patient / When we empty ourselves and simply say (Thy will be done not mine) / amidst the stress, confusion, and chaos of life / When things settle down / You will see spiritual growth within the order you didn’t know existed within the perceived chaos.

 

-Life is so much more rewarding when its not SELF-CENTERED. 

LET US BE CHRIST CENTERED. Put Faith, Family, and others first.

 

Notes:

We recently enjoyed the canonization of Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. Archbishop Sheen did a daily Holy Hour which I know helped to give him the gifts and wisdom to speak with clarity about our Catholic Faith, and the truth about the world around us. 

 

We need help filling Holy Hour slots for the Infant of Prague Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Holy Hours are changing my life. Many times I enjoy simply sitting quietly just being with Jesus. Please help us keep enough people involved to continue perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. This is a very special gift for a parish of our size that is certainly growing. Let us not lose this gift. :)

 

Vivat Jesus

Fr. Vic Gournas