HOMILY – SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH Ushering in the Realm of Faith and Loving Grace (2 Sam 7:4-16; Ps 89; Rm 4:13-22; Mt 1:16-24/Lk 2:41-51)) ********************************************************** Have you ever been embarrassed by taking something totally of out context? The readings today, as well as the solemnity of St. Joseph, are best understood within the context […]

HOMILY LENT SUNDAY 04 – A The Man Born Blind (1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Psalm 23; Eph 5:8-14; John 9:1-41) ************************************************************* A very curious girl was walking with her mother one dark summer night when the stars shimmered in the sky. The girl stared skyward silently for what seemed to her mother to be […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 06 – Year I Responding to a Relational God: Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Hos 5:15-6:6; Ps 51; Lk 18:9-14) **************************************** Have you ever tried to earn anyone’s love? The readings today invite us to respond to a relational God through humble honesty, trusting repentance and grateful service. The […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 05 – Year I Walking with God through Love: Optional Memorial of St. Patrick (Hos 14:1-9; Ps 81; Mk 12:28-34) **************************************** The liturgy today invites us to walk with God by keeping the commandments of Jesus and living out the disciplines of Lent. The scribe in the gospel wanted to go […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 04 – Year I Our Choice: Willing Belief or Willful Disobedience (Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95; Lk 11:14-23) ************************************************ The late Gerald May wrote a book entitled Will and Spirit. In it he claims the gift of free will that we have been given by God is one of our most precious […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 03 – Year I The Nearness and Justice of God Fulfilled in Christ (Dt 4:1-9; Ps 147; Mt 5:17-19) ************************************************* We need to hear again the striking statement of Moses to the people, “What other nation has a god as near and as just as the Lord our God whenever we […]

HOMILY LENT WEEKDAY 03 02 – Year I Mature Faith as Fidelity and Forgiveness: (Dan 3:25-43; Ps 25; Mt 18:21-35) ************************************************* Do you find it hard to trust in God and to forgive? Both readings today take us to the core of the gospel, which is mature faith as fidelity and forgiveness. We are invited […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 01 – Year I The Healing Power of Humble Faith (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.” […]

HOMILY LENT SUNDAY 03 – A Freed by the Truth (Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42) ************************************************************* Are you thirsty for more, for all that life has to give? Jesus alone can quench our thirst and give us the fullness of life. When Albert, a young seminarian, began spiritual direction, his spiritual […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 02 06 – Year I The Loving Father and Two Lost Sons (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 […]