Homily, October 22, 2023

Hearts on fire. Feet on the move.

Homily by Msgr. Joseph K. Ntuwa at All Saints Catholic Church in Hampstead, NC on Sunday, October 22, 2023 -- 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time and World Mission Sunday

Here is a portion of the text, paraphrased:

Yesterday [October 21, 2023], we kicked off the celebration to mark the 100 years since this Diocese was founded, and it was a big celebration in Raleigh. I thank all those parishioners who traveled to Raleigh to the convention center to kick off that celebration. We were reminded by the Bishop [Luis Rafael Zarama] of our baptismal call…. When we are anointed at baptism, we are anointed priest, prophet, and king. And that’s why we are sent out, to be disciples; not to hold our faith, but to share it. Hearts on fire. Feet on the move.

The United States started the three-year Eucharistic Revival so that we really understand the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist; so that we can cultivate a personal encounter with the Lord. And all the parishes are asked to make all the efforts so that parishioners really embrace and understand the Real Presence of the Lord.

We shall have so many opportunities here: Apart from the ...Sunday Mass and during the weekdays, every First Friday [of each month] we have Adoration up to one o’clock. But we also have increased that. For instance, once a month on a Wednesday from 6:30PM to 7:30PM, there will be an opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration, especially for the working families. Before you go back home, just come and spend a quiet moment with the Lord… He gives himself into the Real Presence… The Lord will be here, waiting for you. Talk to him, share your anxieties, your joys, and so forth... He told us that, “I will not leave you orphans.” [John 14:18a] “I will be with you till the end of time.” [Matthew 28:20a]

Again, the Bishop has asked us to make sure that Jesus goes to the peripheries... We shall make arrangements so that people will be able to visit, to be with the Lord, and have that time with him...

Thank you so much for your commitment and for your discipleship in this year of renewal and preparation.

May the call to serve the Lord be heard and answered with hearts on fire and feet ready to move. Let’s light up the world with our prayers and generosity!