Gift and Grief | Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Fr. Mike's Homily)

[@R_Thomp]

Thank you Father

[@Lagunaticmom]

Fr Mike’s dad was the only one of 14 children to live. Fr. MIke’s grandparents suffered immense grief. But imagine their praise before the Heavenly Father when they see the many hearts and souls saved because of the ministry of their grandson, Fr Mike - the son of their only child. In the great providence of the Lord God, he takes our pains and creates blessing, especially when we give that pain and suffering back to Him. May the Holy Spirit be comforting to you, sisters and brothers, as you walk through your pain and grief. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@audreyglanton7094]

Fr Mike Yur. Homilies Are very I inspiring And gives me wonderful faith my God. Tk yu 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 Amen

[@jesusworksbro4Life]

God bless All of you God is great

[@MargoB]

Wow. That was powerful. I want to be more grateful for Your gifts, Lord. I want to trust You more. Boy, do I need a Savior.

[@mslinda4576]

Thank you Fr. I needed to hear that.

[@juliadandry-richards3355]

I never thought of this and is this me. Thank You father Mike.

[@rosaredondo1598]

Thank you father Mike 😊🙏🏻

[@Porcelainwhite-o8z]

Father Mike this one was for me from Ford to 13 to job, the pain is a little more bearable hearing this . Thank you so very much and God bless

[@kilroy4103]

Fr. Mike is wonderful and great with his words. Gods special gift to us is life. Nobody asks to be born but God says we will be born. And unfortunately all living things will die but when Jesus Christ returns to take us to Heaven, we will never die again.

[@joanneyork2520]

Father Mike God Bless you !! your homilies are the best thank you !!!!

[@martyvestal1222]

I have listen to this homily several times already, and I know I will watch it again and again. I think God for the wonderful teachings of his awesome priest, Father Mike. ❤️🙏✝️

[@patrickpala5642]

Father you're Wonderful. Praise Be To GOD.

[@antoniochen6866]

Fr., you give life to infant. You give life. Including me. Thank you, amen.

[@nathanngumi8467]

Amen. 🙏

[@klieglamp]

Excellent homilist.

[@Mark-bc3lb]

Fr. Mike, I am so grateful that you are not my priest. I would not be able to handle hearing these homilies every week at mass, rather I get to come home and watch them with tears streaming down my face week after week. Thank you for making me cry every single Sunday

[@lindaharper2870]

So true

[@MorreHope]

@@lindaharper2870 I AM WITH YOU

[@Call_Upon_YAH]

They with ears to hear, let them hear: Through the Holy Spirit, God has put it on me to preach to those lost in the devil's deceit! Hear me when I say, ye that are Catholic have been deceived and know not God. Ye worship Mary, praying to her; when God tells his to worship none other than him. It is idolatry. Catholicism has its own Bible and teachings, which are blasphemous to the word of God: the Holy Bible. As ye follow the teachings of man and not God; ye hear the pope, but not Jesus, yet ye claim to be his disciples! These are but a few things I named ye dwell within; there are many more. I tell you now to repent of your sins, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you'll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit upon asking the Father! There are *NO* sub-divisions of Christianity. You're either a disciple of Christ or not. A Christian is someone who follows God's word, not a religion. Who obey the Father and follow his will; not man's nor their own heart's. Unless you keep Jesus' commandments, think not the Holy Spirit will dwell within you! They who heed this message and did what was stated with an open heart to God... Read the Holy Bible (KJV) daily and every time before you read, pray to the Father and ask: "Lord I ask that you give me understanding of your word, that I interpret it the way you want me to, and none of my own. I ask you in Jesus' name, amen." Revelation 22:8-9 KJV 8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Acts 2:38 KJV 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Luke 11:13 KJV 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? John 14:21-24 KJV 21 *He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.* 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, *If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.* 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and *the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.* 3 John 1:11 KJV 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. *He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.* 1 John 3:6-10 KJV 6 *Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.* 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: *he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.* 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 *Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.* 10 *In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God,* neither he that loveth not his brother.

[@chrisdzuricky2633]

​@jesussaves182 are you kidding me 😢

[@lindaharper2870]

@@Call_Upon_YAH I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. You should educate yourself before you post comments. God Bless

[@KolokaiKalai]

This is so inspiring a homily...You are the best. You are an amazing gift to us. I thank the Lord for you. God bless you. 🙏

[@Tgerardb]

Fr. Mike, you had me thinking about my own father and grandmother. She must have had such a profoundly negative influence on Dad, yet Dad never let it destroy him. He got married and they raised 6 kids. Life can be a blessing or a curse; Dad made his life a blessing.

[@madams.5976]

There isn’t one of us that have not felt loss. Some great loss. We are all scarred by hurt in this life. The price of love is grief, but to never love is worse.

[@annemariemcgowan9273]

My heart is broken since losing my husband last year. So many people said to me " You had a great love. Some people don't experience that" I couldn't understand why anyone could feel lucky , being a widow, at 55. I now realise how lucky I was x

[@01happykat]

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, but it is true. You are one of the lucky ones and you've been blessed with something so many of us never get. I'm days away from turning 44 and have yet to find a loving, long-term partner. After one of the deepest deceptions of my life, I am utterly heartbroken once again and wish to be left alone at this point. That said, I wish you had had more time with your husband and can't imagine your grief. But it goes to show we all grieve different losses and we all suffer, just with different experiences. I wish you healing and peace.

[@wbl5649]

Sending a hug, I lost my husband 7 years ago when I was 57. I know its hard...Jesus is now our husband. Isaiah 54:5 says “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” Scripture also says He is the defender of widows...

[@annemariemcgowan9273]

@@wbl5649 Thanks Wb x Sending a big hug back to you ❤ x

[@annemariemcgowan9273]

@@01happykat Hi happykat ❤ Yes, when you look around there are lonely people everywhere. Deception is hard. It's difficult not getting angry but you sound like a very strong lady. Thanks for reaching out, my faith is everything to me x God bless you xx

[@01happykat]

@@annemariemcgowan9273 Thank you for your kind words, and, again, my prayers are with you. Faith is what gets us through. God bless you too, my dear!

[@ifeomaoluhara9421]

'The gift is worth the grief, the love is worth the loss, the joy is worth the heartache and no matter the risk, this life is worth the living'--- Words to reflect on. Thank you so much Fr. Mike, you truly are blessed.

[@tiff1622]

This was beautiful. The one thing Ive learned as a widow and also as a divorcee... is there is one love that endures forever. When we lose friends, we have one friend that endures forever. When we lose everything and everyone... we have everything because we have Him. When we grieve we know we have hearts that loved and love is the greatest thing in the world. We love because He first loved us.

[@nedraencelewski4400]

Beautifully said.

[@nellennatea]

Power sermon making power belief. Can't go wrong.

[@andreagadomski3776]

Father Mike, THANK YOU for this heartfelt talk. You are truly God's Gift to those of us who need His help. 🙏

[@mandulathrimanne8400]

"If we're lucky, we'll get to the end of our lives with many scars" - WOW!

[@TruthWillprevail13]

Please pray for me and my children. I receive so much hate simply for asking for prayers. Prayers are ALL I NEED and want. I’m a single mother and I’m struggling to provide for my sons both are autistic and I’m overwhelmed! I lost my job because I declined the vaccine. I declined due to my heart condition I had a massive heart attack and I suffer from lupus. I am waitressing now but not making nearly enough to get by. Ever month is a battle. I can’t go back to my job at the hospital because mandates are still in place. Jesus help me to overcome my fears. Because as I struggle I am fearful. Struggling to provide for me and my children is scary Struggling to buy groceries. Struggling to pay rent. BUT I trust you Lord. Jesus hear my prayers. I’m so thankful that God has provided this far. Jesus has never left my side. Praise Jesus. Even though I’m discouraged I will keep faith! ❤

[@Jmjemmanual]

I will offer my prayers, works for your intention, keep the faith God is with you and your children Mamma Mary is covering your with her Arms. I’m sure you are offering all your struggles to God.

[@pam7533]

The greater the love, the greater the pain. The only consolation is that the ONLY one Who never disappoints or leaves you is Jesus.

[@chicao8784]

Fr. Mike, last night I was crying in bed asking God why He blesses us with 30 years of love and happiness and then took him away when I'm in my most happiest moment of my life. Well, God just have you answered my question. Thank you for giving me God's message. May God bless your heart with His love forever.

[@Stillwater23-q5r]

Thank you Father Mike for this very important message. Choosing to risk grief and still love is our biggest challenge in life. I lost my dad and my husband at the same time and I was awash in grief. At that time I read the autobiography of Dr. Cornel West, a professor and Christian, and when he lost his dad he was completely heartbroken. But standing over his fathers grave he vowed to love more. More. I always think of that when I hesitate to love. Loving is the most important thing for us to learn. Blessings to all those suffering from grief.💖

[@suec2297]

❤

[@MargoB]

Wow -- "standing over his father's grave, he vowed to love more."

[@nikah.4465]

Fr Mike's homilies are always so heartwarming and beautiful❤

[@denisederidder688]

This meant so much to me as I have lost both my son's, thank you

[@bernf9329]

I completely understand this story as my first child was a miscarriage and had dreams for this child. When I was told at 7 weeks that the baby wasn't alive it was the hardest experience in my life. In my tears alone in the doctors office I looked to the Lord and said Thank you! In living in God's will, I can do this, but in the end my gratitude became a blessing of twins in the next year! The first 3 months of that pregnancy, I cried and begged for them to live. They did! God's plan will happen, but it's not always easy. God is always good. Always.

[@ritasaar2208]

Thank you, Father Mike. You always make me think and make me feel. I cannot hide. Not always pleasant, but necessary.

[@AvaCherry189]

Thank you Father Mike. I needed this message today.

[@anneturner2759]

Me too , trying to be here without my amazing husband . Worst pain ever .

[@jpr7702]

I've been married to my wonderful wife for 42 years. We've been blessed with 4 kids and 5 grandkids. I know the day will come when one of us will experience the loss of the other. I couldn't imagine living for 1 day without her and I know she feels the same about me. What Fr. Mike said is so true about love and loss. However, I wouldn't change a thing. Enjoy every day and give everything of yourself. God will take care of the rest.

[@mayemayi]

Thank you Padre ...I am sick right now but my heart leapt in joy bcoz you spoke the truth...will listen again..and will be praying for you ❤️🙏

[@jeanetteiacobucci7624]

I am speechless! We are so blessed to have you in our lives,!thank you

[@anisisariri938]

The fact that they didn’t give up on each other and kept living in the will of God was your grandparents’ true strength and grace🙏 And you Father Mikes is the fruit of that ❤

[@reginaclaire4680]

woah. thank you. you speak the Truth. you are a Good man.

[@donhayden2617]

I'm almost 80 years young, a convert in 1965 so I've heard a lot of homilies over the years and this certainly has to be one of the best I've ever heard.

[@Yet333]

Must’ve been 85 yrs of horrendous homilies

[@KathleenBanfield]

T Father Mike’s homily really puts today's gospel into a fresh perspective, Father Mike speaks from a place in the heart, not as if he's simply going through the motion of preaching.

[@pme8370]

Grief is the price we pay for love. ❤️💗

[@sashaveltsin1836]

I agree with Grandpa Pete about ALL those things! ❤️

[@monicalopez7251]

❤ thank you Fr

[@nellennatea]

I love happy endings. Thank you Father Mike for keeping me going. Amen.

[@kellycarithers3383]

This is so powerful and special and I will listen to it over and over again. Thank you Father!

[@MJT409]

This is the most beautiful sermon I’ve heard in a long while, thanks for sharing.

[@Jennifer-gr7hn]

Just to help out, it's a homily, not a sermon ;) I agree though! Definitely very good.

[@Jennifer-gr7hn]

Grief also comes in the forms of losing/being stripped of anything -- including things and people desired, that were never obtained. Excellent homily

[@MarkKamoski]

St. Jude, pray for us.

[@annemariemcgowan9273]

St Jude is my friend ❤x

[@Theodore-x2q]

Wow, I never comment, but this homily was absolutely amazing. You had me in some tears. There is a reason your grandparents had your dad, so your dad could have you. Because you are truly a blessing from God. Thanks Father Mike. I pray you for everyday Father Mike. Pray one day our paths will cross. Stay Safe always.

[@nellennatea]

"The gift is worth the grief" "No matter the risk this life is worth the living". AMEN.

[@jans1675]

Wow! Thanks Fr. Mike

[@sashaveltsin1836]

I bookmarked this on my homescreen.

[@daveraymond8526]

Fr Mike your homilies are always thought provoking and of purpose. I wish the priests here in the UK would respond like this.

[@ICMLJ]

😢 You always speak right to my heart...

[@a.r.greene]

Lord, watch over your people St. Charbel, pray for us 🙏 St. Philomena, pray for us 🙏 St. Nicholas, pray for us 🙏

[@edelmiraespinosa9689]

Thanks!

[@shareenchoudhury-leighton1748]

How 😢heartbreaking We are born to love .. without love ??

[@zanycarnivore3036]

Our Lord Jesus encounter grief as well. One example would be Jesus wept when he heard the news of Lazarus’s death.

[@annemcgoff8495]

Thank you Fr. Mike. You’re a blessing 🙏

[@mmanese1]

Praying for you. Thank you so much for all you do and answering God's call.

[@rhondaheidelberger4556]

Fr. Mike, you are a blessing!🙏🏻💜

[@springtrapstarwar5557]

now that's a good message about gift and grief.

[@colleenconger5265]

I am bawling my eyes out, and this is so true I love you, father Michael thank you I wasted my life

[@loricrockett-owens5117]

Awe man. Father Mike I'm so sorry about your losses. God bless. I tell ya what, I have had loss. But when I lost my mom I thought it was going to wipe me out. Gradually doing better though thankfully. Momma wouldn't want me going through this anyway. Be strong father Mike. God bless.

[@jameschin1786]

Hi Fr. Mike. I'm so sorry that your grandparents had so many heartbreaks. Truly understandable why you grandpa kept your dad at a distance. I feel that way at times too. I've so many brothers and sisters and dread the day when one of them passes away. Maybe that's why I don't get along with them at times. Please pray for my family especially my parents as my dad is near the end of his life. God bless.🙏🙏

[@NancyCahalan]

My dad used to say that!!!

[@sylviekahindo6749]

Just so touching. Losses are not easy to overcome

[@ejohnson8661]

❤ always thought provoking. I love it.

[@dorothylanasa6074]

Thanks for the homily. Please remember us for restoration of health. God bless!

[@angbandart]

That was epic

[@JoMereDoe]

Father Mike, this beautiful homily touched my heart so deeply. I have never been affected by a homily like this. Thank you, thank you. May God bless you and keep you safe. ❤

[@nightyew2160]

During my struggle with major depression I learned that it is important to allow yourself to enjoy the good things in life because it actually makes you stronger when trouble comes, allowing the good to balance out the bad. Holding back from the good things fearfully doesn't really stop bad things from happening. It just makes it so you never even had those good times when the bad times inevitably come.

[@guennieknight1576]

This touched my heart so deeply ❤

[@zrobert66]

Thank you Fr. Mike ❤

[@ivahelf4077]

Father Mike, I Thank GOD everyday for your Gift of "WORD" you have an innate talent to touch the depth of our souls with your words! I really needed to hear this today! As I was listening to you my life flashed through out your Homily & I saw the pain, rejection, abandonment, Heartache, & loss I have experienced; none of which I asked for & tried so hard to work on. I was feeling like my heart could not take any more pain, until I heard your Homily... Thank you for the food I received today, that will sustain me & give me courage to heal my scared Heart! ...THANK YOU FATHER!😭🙏🙏😇

[@raba650]

Well said, Fr. Mike. Life is worth the living and love worth the loving like you mention C. S. Lewis say. I really needed to hear this message to dare to love. Suffering demonic afflictions while trying to rediscover my faith has at times made me feel like Job, and to the point of wondering whether it was worth opening myself to love. But providence in this homily gave me the answer and hope to dare to love since for some reason the human experience or process is itself valuable. I’m edified to continue to dare to hope and love again!

[@deb9806]

Even with pets, I tell people all the time, you can't love them the way you do and not grieve. They expect it with people, but any great love brings great grief.

[@01happykat]

Losing a beloved pet is one of the greatest pains. I spend more time with my dog than anyone else in my life and dread the day she dies, but I am beyond grateful she entered my life because she is absolutely a gift from God.

[@deb9806]

@@01happykat Yes a Rabbi who writes a God Squad column, wrote the most beautiful articles on pets and love. They don't cause the same pain as humans so it's not unusual you'd mourn so deeply.

[@01happykat]

@@deb9806 Thank you! I'll have to find and read that column. It's true they don't cause the same pain and offer unconditional love. For some, they are our primary source of companionship and comfort, so it is an awful loss.

[@deb9806]

@@01happykat I wish I could link. One of the dog columns is mine when I lost my dog Gideon. ( I wrote him.) if you google “rabbi gellman tribune “you’ll get recent columns. He used to write with a priest he loved who died of Parkinson’s few years ago. If you google rabbi gellman pets, you’ll get ones in his dogs death and others. I love his columns.

[@amberharris3148]

"The gift is worth the grief" 💯

[@whiteoaksroad]

So so beautiful. Thank you, Father. Our dog just got hit by a truck and died. My 11 year old daughter watched her best friend die. This is what I need her to hear. Thank you for speaking to us. Thank you for letting us hear and know God through your words. You are a gift.

[@y1m1]

This homily touched me deep❤ I needed to hear this

[@mrss4328]

“Grief is love with nowhere to go.”

[@lindaharper2870]

Fr Mike, that was so beautiful. 😢

[@patrickrusso9919]

I've certainly gotten to the point where I'm afraid to ask for things, out of fear that it will never be given to me, or that it will be given but full of poison. My life is miserable but a misery that I can handle. I've had so much grief I fear I can't ever accept the gift without wondering what the catch will be.

[@Lagunaticmom]

So sorry to read this Patrick. I don’t have any good answers but will pray you can truly continue to live in Christ in such a way that your faith and fearlessness grows. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” I Peter 4:18 I believe that as we allow the Holy Spirit to fan the flames of God’s Love in us, it will help us keep an open hand and heart, even when it breaks. Well, Fr Mike says it better than me. If you need guidance, please find a good counselor, priest, pastor, spiritual director, or confidant to help you work through your specific things. I’m probably much older than you; and I find it is easier in some ways to trust God after many years of struggle to place myself at the feet of throne of Grace. One more thought. Challenge your doubts with the words from Psalms. David often encouraged himself saying, “Why are you downcast my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42 :5 Sorry I wrote so much. God bless you. 🙏🙏🙏

[@helenmy7657]

A most touching homily. Thank you Father Mike.

[@IGeseT]

So I decided to have a child and once I had her, the love and protection was overwhelming. So I separated myself from her bit, for the same reason. Didn't work she is my child she is my gift from God and it's so overwhelming but I'm happy that God allows me to be her protection

[@wreloise1]

Lord Help!!! “There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭GNBDK‬‬

[@cloudsofwonder7004]

This is so right on to my story today I am grateful for Fr Mike and the wisdom sure helps me to accept life as it is and I recognize our oneness with all that is ☘️👩‍❤️‍👨

[@dianeponzio6035]

Powerful.

[@35TheDarkknight]

Wow. Powerful 😢

[@juliagomes3824]

God bless you so much, Father Mike! Thank you so much 😭 I've Just Lost a friend that grew up with me like a brother. He was younger than me, and bc It looks like He's taken away his own life, it's so hard to deal with It. But your words that are always not yours, but from the Holy Spirit, reached my broken heart. Living is a bigger blessing than anything that can hurt me. Because I have the most important person in the universe with me: God.

[@sandischorling1055]

There are not enough words to describe how I feel as I'm wiping the tears from my eyes. So powerful of a homily. Father Mike, you truly found your right path in life. I am grateful I found this. Bless you 🙏 ♥️

[@amyc5913]

If I was as smart as you and had money enough I'd be a doctor.

[@LisaGemini]

Oh my gosh, I can't believe your grandparents lost 13 babies! How on earth could anyone survive all of that? I would've given up trying. God bless you, Father Mike, and all those who lose their children.

[@jocelyneboutot5722]

Right on point Fr Mike, just don't know how to let the walls down

[@marybussey4473]

So beautifully stated, Father Mike. Love is worth it!!! 💙💙💙

[@michelleharkness7549]

FWIW- ( USA 🇺🇸 ) : fwiw: GOD BLess : again; GOD BLess

[@michelleharkness7549]

In Thanksgiving: ( world 🌎 wide) : btw: Media Technical Support People and Staff at Ascension Presents ( Roman Catholic) / Eucharistic Celebration: thank you 🙏: again, thank you 🙏

[@laronbenson8707]

Believe it or not, i just watched TAR, when i came home before watching this!!!