Twelfth Sunday in ordinary time, June 20, 2010
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Luke 9:18-24. Deny yourself, take up your cross
MP3 Audio 13 min. Full homily text
Summary: The ancient pagans acknowledged their dependence on God. A statue of Aeneas of ancient Rome shows him carrying his father from Troy. The father is carrying the household gods, because he knows that he needed their gods, or else family members would never be able to love one another.
Fr. Brankin’s father was a police officer, and used to kneel and pray in the kitchen before going on duty. To cling to God, to worship Him only, was the only way their family would survive. A manly father offers himself to his spouse and children, and be willing to die for them if necessary. But he must love them first.
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