HOMILY WEEK 21 03 – Year II Attitudes of Genuine Faith and Sincere Love: Memorial of St. Augustine (2 Th 3:6-10, 16-18; Ps 128; Mt 23:27-32) ****************************************** “The last act is the greatest treason. To do the right deed for the wrong reason.” That statement, by T.S. Eliot, in his play Murder in the Cathedral, relates […]
Category: Ordinary Time
St. Monica
HOMILY WEEK 21 02 – Year II Standing Firm and Holding Fast: Memorial of St. Monica (2 Thes 2:1-3,14-17; Ps 96; Mt 23:23-26) **************************************** There is a legend about St. Francis who when asked what he would do if Jesus was coming that day, replied that he would keep on hoeing in the garden. In […]
HOMILY WEEK 21 01 – Year II Love to Affirm; Courage to Correct; Faith to Praise (2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12; Ps 96; Mt 23:13-22) ****************************************************** As worshippers leave the Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, CA, they are artistically reminded to Be Doers of the Word by a mural done in tiles above the entrance to […]
The Eucharist – Bread of Life
SUNDAY 21-B Experiencing Eternal Life through Faith and Love (Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ps 34; Eph 4:32-5:2, 21-32; Jn 6:53, 60-69) ************************************************************* There is a Portugese saying: “What is important for us we find time and money for.” To enjoy eternal life now, we need only believe in Jesus as the Bread of Life, and […]
St. Bartholomew
HOMILY WEEK 21 03 – Year I Called to Unite Heaven and Earth: Feast of St. Bartholomew (Rev 21:9b-14; Ps 145; Jn 1:45-51) ******************************************** A somewhat forgetful preacher at a wedding was an ardent fisherman. He asked the groom, “Do you promise to love, honour, and cherish this woman?” “I do,” said the groom meekly. […]
St. Rose of Lima
HOMILY WEEK 20 05 – Year II The Oxygen of Faith: Optional Memorial of St. Rose of Lima (Ezk 37:1-14; Ps 107; Mt 22:34-40) ********************************** The reflection from The Word Among Us for today begins with the sentence, “Breathe into these slain that they may come to life.” It continues to ask if one has […]
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
HOMILY WEEK 20 04 – Year II Wearing the Wedding Garment: Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ezk 36:23-28; Ps 51; Mt 22:1-14) ************************************************************* Have you ever felt out of place because you were not dressed right for a particular occasion? Today’s readings invite us to put on the garments of profound […]
Pope St. Pius X
HOMILY WEEK 20 03 – Year II On Being Good Shepherds in the Kingdom of God: Memorial of St. Pius X (Ezk 34:1-11; Ps 23; Mt 20:1-16) ************************************************ Did you know that by our baptism, we are shepherd-kings, called to help shepherd God’s people? The readings today challenge us to deeper caring and greater openness […]
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
HOMILY WEEK 20 02 – Year II Humble Honesty – Key to the Kingdom: Memorial of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (Ezk 28:1-10; Dt 32; Mt 19:23-30) ******************************************* Danny’s wife called me at two am, asking desperately if he could come to see me. Apparently depressed despite being on anti-depressants, unable to sleep despite taking sleeping […]
St. John Eudes
HOMILY WEEK 20 01 – Year II Trusting Surrender: Optional Memorial of St. John Eudes (Ezk 24:15-24; Dt 32; Mt 19:16-22) ****************************************************** “Made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God as we understood God.” That simple statement (Step 3 of the 12 Step program), I submit, captures […]