FEAST of the BAPTISM of the LORD – YEAR B A New Covenant of Unconditional Love (Isaiah 55:1-11; Ps 29; Mk 1:7-11) ******************************************************** Have you ever felt insecure, unsure of yourself in some situations, perhaps even doubting if you are loved or really lovable? Today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord invites us to […]

HOMILY EPIPHANY 2024 Learning from the Magi (Is 60:1-6; Ps 72; Eph 3:2-6; Mt 2:1-12) *************************************************  When a topic pertaining to wisdom, theology or academia comes up, Bishop Emeritus Gerry Wiesner, who lives, taught and ministers in Western Canada, often quips, “All wise persons come from the East – and the wiser they are, the […]

CHRISTMAS WEEKDAY – THURSDAY, JANUARY 05 Living Faith and Loving Action (1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100; Jn 1:43-51) *************************************************** A fellow was hiking in the mountains when he fell over a cliff. Halfway down the face of the mountain, he luckily managed to grab hold of a branch with both hands that stopped his fall. […]

HOMILY JANUARY 04 – Year II Come, See and Be (1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98; Jn 1:35-42) ********************************* There is a freshness to the gospel today that, along with the first reading, invites us to “come, see and be” – to come to Jesus, discover who Jesus is, and respond by being Christ-like or righteous. […]

JANUARY 03 – XMAS SEASON (Homily 01) Growing into Christ-likeness – The Most Holy Name of Jesus (1 Jn 2:29-3:6; Ps 98; Jn 1:29-34) ************************************************************************************************* One of the delights of returning to northern Saskatchewan for seasonal ministry is seeing the adult children of couples I knew as children, and guessing who their parents are. Often, […]

HOMILY OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS JANUARY 02 – Year I Faith and Fellowship: Memorial of Saints Basil and Gregory (1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98; Jn 1:19-28) ******************************************************* Can you think of a friendship that changed your life? The reading today from 1 John, and the memorial of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, invite […]

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD – New Year’s Day 2023 Birthing Jesus Into the World (Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21) ************************************************** This day, dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, is on a par with her other great feasts. Drawing on scriptural and patristic sources, it celebrates Mary’s role in the incarnation and in […]

HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY – YEAR B Prophetic Marriage and Family Life (Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Ps 105; Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40) ************************************************************** Noted sociologist Reginald Bibby, in his book The Boomer Factor, quotes respected American journalist Walter Kirn as saying, “There is still only one way to be sane – enjoy your family, friends, […]

HOMILY – OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS – DECEMBER 30th Following the Wisdom of the Elders (1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96; Lk 2:36-40) *********************************************** What role do elders play in your life? Years of Indigenous ministry has taught me to appreciate the role of elders. The readings today present us two elders, St. John and Anna, who […]

CHRISTMAS OCTAVE DAY 05 – DECEMBER 29th Walking as Jesus Walked: Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket (1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96; Lk 2:22-35) ********************************************** The Word Among Us has an interesting commentary on today’s gospel that with some adaptation will make up this homily. It begins with the quote, “The parents of Jesus took […]