HOMILY SUNDAY 22-B First Fruits of all Creation (Dt 4:1-2, 6-8; Ps 15; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23) ************************************************************* Some years back, two American Dominican sisters realized their dream of serving in a mission. There was much excitement as they packed up and prepared to move to a community in northern Saskatchewan […]

HOMILY WEDNESDAY of HOLY WEEK The Key to the Kingdom (Is 50:4-9; Ps 69; Mt 26:14-26) ********************************** A fellow, tired of carrying his cross, went into a cross shop to trade it in. He tried on all kinds of crosses, but found them all either too long or too short, too heavy or too light, […]

HOMILY TUESDAY of HOLY WEEK Redemptive Suffering and Brokenness (Is 49:1-6; Ps 71; Jn 13:21-33. 36-38) ****************************************** As a young seminarian, my spiritual director was Fr. Adam Exner, who eventually became an archbishop. After hearing my story (the first one to ever do so), Exner asked me to pray with Is 43:1-4, and that passage […]

HOMILY MONDAY of HOLY WEEK Mary of Bethany – Model of Genuine Caring (Isaiah 42:1-7; Ps 27; Jn 12:1-11) ******************************************** Many years ago, well-known spiritual writer Henri Nouwen wrote a book entitled Out of Solitude. It contains three sermons he gave to health-care professionals outlining what it means to really care. One of the points […]

HOMILY PALM SUNDAY YEAR B Making Sense of our Suffering (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47) ********************************************************** “We transmit the pain we don’t transform,” and, “Hurt people, hurt people.” These succinct quotes from Richard Rohr, noted spiritual writer and speaker, touch on the meaning of the Paschal Mystery for our lives. Faith in […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 06 – Year II The Messiah and Covenant Love: Optional Memorial of St.Turibius of Mogrovejo (Ezk 37:21-28; Jer 31; Jn 11:45-57) ************************************** “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them.” That promise from God, proclaimed by the prophet Ezekiel in the first […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 05 – Year II Faith and Prayer – Lifelines in Times of Distress (Jer 20:7, 10-13; Ps 18; Jn 10:31-42) *************************************** “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he heard me.” The readings today are quite appropriate for this time of post-pandemic global distress and the ravages of wars, […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 04 – Year II Keeping the Covenant and Living the Word: (Gen 17:3-9; Ps 105; Jn 8:51-59) ****************************************** In Indigenous cultures, there is always someone in each community or territory who is the keeper of the traditions and ceremonies. Today, the Word of God invites us to be keepers of the […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 03 – Year II A Critical Decision (Dan 3:13-95; Dan 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42) *************************************** Perhaps you have heard this tongue in cheek saying, “The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.” A disciple is a life-long learner, a “mathetes,” someone who seeks the truth, and strives […]

HOMILY – SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH (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, […]