BAPTISM OF THE LORD – A Live as a Covenant People (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17) **************************************************** A French-Canadian logger went to confession one day claiming he had a sin for which there was no forgiveness. The priest responded that God was forgiveness and encouraged him to proceed. The logger recounted […]

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY – YEAR A Living the Gifts of the Magi (Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12) **************************************************************** Lay theologian Gerry Kelly of Ottawa has a theory that the authors of the bible wrote with the intention that each word was important and significant. This was partly because of the […]

HOMILY CHRISTMAS SEASON – JANUARY 7th Strong Faith Expressed Through the Finest Wine of Love: Optional Memorial of St. André Bessette (1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149; Jn 2:1-12) ******************************************* St. John, once again, is unique among the gospel writers with his emphasis on mystery, mysticism, sign and symbolism. Today, both readings invite us to place […]

CHRISTMAS WEEKDAYS – FRIDAY, JANUARY 06 Radical Grace – Radical Newness (1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147; Mk 1:4-11) ********************************************** “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness.” That simple, innocent looking statement holds a radical content that is key to appreciating the gospel. It invites us to place our faith in Jesus as Son of God […]

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 I 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. […]

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 Pray, Bless and Praise (Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21) ************************************************************* Ritual, Theology and Narrative: these three words succinctly describe the three readings for today. In essence, they call us to bless one another; pray like Mary, and worship God like the shepherds. As we […]

HOMILY – OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS DAY 07 – DECEMBER 31st From Hard Laws to Warm Grace and Truth Optional Memorial of St. Pope Sylvester I (1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96; Jn1:1-18) **************************************************** Suppose you were given hard stone tablets with rules written on them to hold for a while – how would you respond and […]

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY – YEAR A “Live Transformed Lives” (Sirach 3:2-6; Ps 128; Col 3:12-21; Mt 2:13-15; 19-23) ************************************************************ There is a clear message from the readings for today’s feast of the Holy Family: all of us are to live lives that are transformed by Jesus Christ. The transformation takes place within the […]