R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”

As I read the sacred Scripture of today’s Mass, I thought that this is a good time to clear the air – to preach about the seven capital sins that get in our way of holiness with God and with one another.

You know, I have in my library seven masks that show the “faces” of the capital sins. The acolytes are going to help me show them to you. All seven capital sins, remember, are based on the seven drives we have within us. Every human being has these seven drives.

1. The drive of Anger. The drive of anger is there in all of us. It becomes a sin when we make it an offense against God or against one another.
2. The drive of Lust. Human beings have a sexual drive. It becomes a sin – even a serious sin – when we begin to let our passions rule us instead of the virtues of purity and chastity.
3. The drive of Gluttony. We have an appetite for food, for drink. It becomes a sin when we over-indulge in that food, whether good food or “junk” food, or in that drink.
4. The drive of Sloth. The desire to relax and do nothing … It becomes a sin when we refuse to do something and avoid work at all costs.
5. The drive of Greed. The drive to have possessions … It becomes a sin when we desire in excess, wanting to possess more and more.
6. The drive of Envy. The drive to protect what you have … it becomes a sin when you desire having more than what your friend, neighbor, or family member has … more, more, more …
7. The drive of Pride. The drive to see your self-worth … It becomes a sin when you’re a snob and think you’re better than anyone else.

The scripture readings today remind us that the real answer is not misusing those seven drives, and turning them into sin, but lead a life instead of humility and service before God and others. Walk humbly before God and others.

This is what our Lord wants. This is what pleases Mary, our Mother, who is for all of us the model of humility. Pray at this Mass to overcome any of these sins that are getting in the way of you becoming wholesome and holy. Walk humbly before your God.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.