HOMILY SUNDAY 20 – B Be Mature and Wise: Believe and Love (Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58) ******************************************************** Usually, the readings for each Sunday are chosen by the liturgists to at least have a connection between the first reading and the Gospel. The second reading is kind of an add-on most often. […]

HOMILY WEEK 19 06 – Year II Repentant Childlikeness (Ezk 18:1-10,13,30-32; Ps 51; Mt 19:13-15) ********************************************** A comment I once made to a sister who works in a day-care center about the innocent and trusting nature of children brought an instant negative reaction – she insisted children are utterly dependent, more so than innocent and […]

HOMILY WEEK 19 05 – Year II Chosen to Live an Iconic Ideal: Optional Memorial of St. Stephen of Hungary (Ezk 16:1-15,60,63; Is 12; Mt 19:3-12) ******************************************* A wanderer visiting Bro. Anthony noticed a beautiful manuscript in his cell. He stole it and took it to a book vendor to sell it. The vendor replied […]

HOMILY FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION Mary, Model of Virtues (Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a;10; Ps 45;1 Cor 15:20-26; Lk 1:39-56) ******************************************************* Today we celebrate the solemnity of the assumption of Mary into heaven – a good occasion to reflect on the role of Mary in our lives. If, as papal preacher Fr. Cantalemessa claims, imitation of Mary […]

HOMILY WEEK 19 03 – Year II Faith, Forgiveness, Healing, Glory and the Kingdom of God: Optional Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe (Ezk 9:1-7; 10:18-22; Ps 113; Mt 18:15-20) ********************************************************* Five words and their inter-relationship that capture the essence of the readings today are faith, forgiveness, healing, glory and the kingdom of God. Faith in […]

HOMILY WEEKDAY 19 02 – Year II Becoming Like a Child: Optional Memorial of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus (Ezk 2:8-3:4; Ps 119; Mt 18:1-5,10,12-14) ********************************************************** A little trust game I liked to play with children is to invite them to stand straight and stiff, arms at their side, and fall back into my arms. Some […]

HOMILY WEEK 19 01 – Year II Learning to Listen – Lavishing Praise: Memorial of St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Ezk 1:2-5,24-28; Ps 148; Mt 17:22-27) ************************************** Have you ever heard God speak to you? Was your response one of praise? Today’s liturgy invites us to hone our ability to listen to God’s voice, and […]

HOMILY WEEK 18 06 – Year II A Spiritual Athlete: Feast of St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112; Jn 12:24-26) ********************************************** Have you ever participated in a triathelon? Today’s gospel challenges us to do just that – participate in a spiritual triathelon of three activities: be a grain of wheat that […]

HOMILY WEEK 18 05 – Year II Radical Discipleship and Redemptive Suffering: Optional Memorial of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Nahum 1:15, 2:2, 3:1-7; Dt 32:35-41; Mt 16:24-28) ******************************************************* When asked to address a Christian Business Men’s Association breakfast just before Holy Week one year, I decided to speak about Radical Discipleship and Redemptive Suffering. […]

HOMILY WEEK 18 04 – Year II Covenant Love: Memorial of St. Dominic (Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51; Mt 16:13-23) ************************************* Yearning for intimacy is one thing that God and humans have in common. For God, that was always expressed through covenant relationships. The liturgy today invites us into an ever-deepening covenant relationship with Jesus that […]