HOMILY WEEK 15 01 – YEAR II What God Really Wants, and Does Not Want, of Us: Optional Memorial of St. Henry (Is 1:10-17; Ps 50; Mt 10:34-11:1) ******************************************* At one point during his agony in the garden, Jesus utters a prayer that rings true for us in the light of today’s readings: “Father, not […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 15-A The Sustaining and Healing Word of God (Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65; Romans 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23) ******************************************************* Within the striking image or parable of the Word of God today as a seed, and the response or lack of response to that seed, two aspects emerge demanding our attention, and that is the power […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 06 – Year II Our Healing Journey of Faith: Memorial of St. Benedict (Is 6:1-8; Ps 93; Mt 10:24-33) ************************************** “Whoever acknowledges me, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” That statement is a clear call to believe in Jesus. The readings add the dimension of forgiveness and healing to that […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 05 – Year II Ready to Evangelize (Hos 14:1-9; Ps 51; Mt 10:16-23) ************************************* “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves.” This statement from Jesus can be a little intimidating. However, if we are solidly grounded in the Father’s love experienced through forgiveness and healing, we […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 04 – Year II God’s Ways Are Not Our Ways: Optional Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rang and Companions (Hos 11:1,3-5,8-9; Ps 80; Mt 10:7-15) ******************************************************** A young lad, allowed by a storeowner to lick the molasses from an empty jar, decided he should pray first, “Lord, make my tongue adequate to […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 03 – Year II Our Call to be Contemplative, Missionary Disciples (Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12; Ps 105; Mt 10:1-7) ************************************************** A Jewish businessman in Chicago sent his son to Israel for a year to absorb the culture. When the son returned, he said, “Papa, I had a great time in Israel. By the way, I converted to Christianity.” […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 02 – Year II Idol-free Living (Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Ps 115; Mt 9:32-38) ************************************** There is a sign at Fountain Park pool that says, “Keep this an idle-free zone.” Today, we are called to live in an idol-free zone; to trust the one true God with our lives, and to pray for […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 01- Year II Birthing Newness Through Faith and Covenant Love: Optional Memorial of St. Maria Goretti (Hos 2:14-16,19-20; Ps 145; Matt 9:18-26) ********************************************** Have faith in Jesus; touch the hem of his garment, receive healing and participate in a new creation. There is a relational progression in the readings today. In the […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 14 – A (Homily 01) Humble Faith in Jesus (Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30) ************************************************************* A man took his dog out hunting ducks. Every time he shot a duck on a lake, the dog walked on the water to get it. Amazed, the man took a boastful friend along […]

HOMILY WEEK 13 06 – Year II New Wine – Fresh Skins: Optional Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Amos 9:11-15; Ps 85; Mt 9:14-17) ******************************************* An elderly lady went to the bar every night and ordered a glass of whiskey and a drop of water.  Every night it was the same – a glass […]