Summary
Highlights
The Mass begins with an opening prayer and an acknowledgement of the fifth Sunday of the Resurrection. Father Jowel addresses the common human experience of fear and anxiety, explaining that these emotions, while normal, can hinder joy and peace. He questions the value of prayer and faith if one is constantly overcome by worry, suggesting that persistent anxiety is a spiritual ailment that prioritizes negative outcomes over God's promises. He encourages confession for moments when fear has overshadowed faith.
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the early Christian community addressing the needs of neglected widows by appointing deacons, demonstrating a practical approach to problems rather than succumbing to worry. The responsorial psalm reinforces the theme of hope and trust in God's love. The second reading from 1 Peter emphasizes believers as chosen people, called to be living stones in a spiritual house, offering spiritual sacrifices to God and declaring His wonderful deeds. The Gospel reading from John 14:1-12, where Jesus tells His disciples not to be troubled and to trust in Him as the way, the truth, and the life, sets the stage for the homily. Father Jowel thanks the congregation for their generosity and support, which has contributed to a new altar, attributing all good to God's abundance.
Father Jowel outlines three main reasons why worry is harmful: First, 'worrying solves absolutely nothing.' He uses the example from the Acts of the Apostles, where the apostles addressed a problem directly rather than worrying about it. Worry, he states, is like a rocking chair – it moves but goes nowhere, leading to unproductive exhaustion. Second, 'worrying is rehearsing failure in advance.' He explains that the mind doesn't differentiate between real events and imagined ones, so constantly imagining negative outcomes brings about repeated suffering. He encourages focusing on God's goodness and promises instead. Third, 'worrying is creativity used in the wrong direction.' Our minds are powerful and capable of great things, like building planes or curing diseases. However, when used for worry, this creativity is directed towards imagining worst-case scenarios instead of solutions or faith in God's plan.
Father Jowel reframes anxiety not as a punishment, but as an invitation from God to pray and draw closer to Him. Just as an ambulance siren or a ringing phone signals something important, anxiety signals a need to connect with God. He urges the congregation to transform their worries into prayers and praises, as a prayerful heart will never lose strength or hope. He encourages turning to God amidst personal, relational, national, or global anxieties, emphasizing that in God, one finds strength, peace, and vitality.
The Mass concludes with a final prayer, thanking God for communion and asking for continued guidance from sin towards renewal. Father Jowel reiterates his gratitude to the online and physical attendees of the Mass. He reminds the congregation that worrying is useless, a rehearsal of failure, and a misuse of creativity. Instead, he encourages using one's mind to remember God's promises—that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and has prepared a good place for them. He concludes with a blessing, emphasizing that God has their back, always provides, and is an abundantly good God, urging them to go forth in the peace of Christ.