HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 06 – Year II The Messiah and Covenant Love: (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 reading, invites us to put our […]
Category: Lent
Faith-Prayer
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 global distress from both Covid and the war […]
Faith-Decision
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 may make you miserable.” A disciple is a life-long learner, a “mathetes,” someone who seeks the truth, and strives […]
St Vincent Ferrer
HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 02 – Year II Spiritual Vaccination: Optional Memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer (Num 21:4-9; Ps 102; Jn 8:21-30) ********************************* Have you ever wondered why we Catholics put so much emphasis on the crucifix, bearing a corpus, and not just a plain cross? One example would certainly be my own Oblate cross […]
Justice-Mercy-St. Isidore
LENT WEEKDAY 05 01 – Year II Seeing As Jesus Sees: Optional Memorial of St. Isidore (Dan 13:1-64; Ps 23; Jn 8:12-20) ******************************** The story of Daniel and Susanna today can be compared to yesterday’s gospel of Jesus with the woman caught in adultery. In so doing, we see the contrast between Old Testament justice […]
Faith-Forgiveness
LENT SUN 5 – C Live in Christ Through Forgiveness (Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Phil 3:8-14; John 8:1-11) ******************************************************* An aboriginal legend sets the tone for our reflection on the readings today. An old Grandfather, whose grandson came to him with anger at a schoolmate who had done him an injustice, said, “Let me tell […]
Authority-Humility-St. Francis of Paola
HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 06 – Year II Speaking with Authority: Optional Memorial of St. Francis of Paola (Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7; Jn 7:40-53) ****************************************** “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” (John 7:46) That exclamation by the temple police in todays’ gospel stands as a clear invitation for us to listen to the […]
Faith-False pride-Walls
HOMILY WEEK 04 05 – Year II The Threat of the Other (Wis 2:1-11; Ps 34; Jn 7:1-30) ****************************************** “Something there is that does not love a wall; that sends the groundswell under it.” The readings today invite us to resist evil, believe in Jesus, and get to know him better through prayer. Those words […]
Jesus-Pharisees
HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 04 – Year II Faith in Jesus and his Gift of Life (Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106; Jn 5:18, 31-47) ******************************************* How strong is your faith? Is the Word of God dwelling in you? Are you enjoying eternal life, here and now? The invitation that comes to us from the readings today […]
Faith-Identity
HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 03 – Year II Faith, Identity and Eternal Life Now (Is 49:8-15; Ps 145; Jn 5:16-30) ************************************** Moses and Jesus were golfing one day. It turns out that Jesus is a great fan of Tiger Woods. Every time he made a good shot, Jesus would exclaim “Wow – just like Tiger […]
