HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 01 – Year I (2 Kg 5:1-15; Ps 42; Lk 4:24-30) *********************************** A little recovery joke fits today’s liturgy. The addict’s problem is not that he or she thinks, “I am very special.” Nor is it that he or she thinks, “I am a worm.” The addict’s problem is that he […]

LENT SUN 03-C (Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; Psalm 103; 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9) ********************************************************* Many years ago, a well-known spiritual writer and mystic, Carlo Coretto, wrote a book entitled Letters from the Desert. It was quite popular when it came out, with its invitation to greater spiritual growth to his fellow Christians, perhaps not […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 02 06 – Year I (Micah 7:14-20; Ps 103; Lk 15:1-32) *********************************** Have you ever felt lost in sin, struggling with false pride, alienated from God, others and even yourself? There is a close link between the readings today, inviting us to come to God for both forgiveness and healing. The prophet […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 02 05 – Year I (Gen 37:3-28; Ps 105; Mt 21:33-46) ***************************************** Joe Walsh, former member of the Eagles, sings in his signature song “One Day at a Time,” of his life at one time being like riding on a “runaway train heading for the end of the line.” Today’s readings are […]

HOMILY WEEK 02 04 – Year I (Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1; Lk 16:19-31) ************************************************ Have you ever seen the bumper sticker “If you want peace, work for justice?” The readings today present us with a tweaked version: “If you want to live in joyful serenity, pray for peace and work for justice.” The first two […]

(2 Sam 7:4-16; Ps 89; Rm 4:13-22; Mt 1:16-24/Lk 2:41-51)) ********************************************************** We are all familiar with Mariology. How familiar are we with Josephology? Today’s solemnity of St. Joseph is an occasion to explore some of that Josephology, with its message for men especially – to be humble, obedient, faithful, caring and self-giving, but also for […]

HOMILY WEEK 02 02 – Year I Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Is 1:10-31; Ps 50; Mt 23:1-12) ****************************************** Brother Tom Novak OMI of Winnipeg makes social justice a main thrust of his ministry and was involved with a drama group called Just Theatre. They centered all their performances on an issue of […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 02 01- Year I Optional Memorial of St. Patrick (Dan 9:3-10; Ps 79; Lk 6:36-38) **************************************** We do not see light – we see by light. The closest we come to actually seeing light is through a prism or a rainbow that displays the beauty of light. Today, I can’t resist looking […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 01 06 – Year I (Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119; Mt 5:43-48) ******************************************* A tourist stopped by a roadside café as he was travelling through an Indigenous community. He asked an elder sitting outside, smoking a pipe, “Where does this road go?” The elder calmly replied, “Road stays; you go.” Today’s readings provide […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 01 05 – Year I (Ezk 18:21-28; Ps 130; Mt 5:20-26) ******************************************* We can gain an interesting perspective by looking at today’s readings through the lens of the 12 Step program. The message that appears is clear: repent, receive God’s forgiveness, be open to healing and seek to be reconciled with others. […]