WEEK 14 06 To Love as God Loves Optional Memorial: St. Henry II (Gen 49:29-50:26; Ps 105; Mt 10:24-33) ***************************************** A theologian, when asked how simple he could make the Christian message, responded promptly: “Jesus loves me, this I know, because the bible tells me so.” He then added, “That little song I learned as […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 05 – Year I When Life is Hard, Faith Runs Deeper (Gen 46:1-7,28-30; Ps 37; Mt 10:16-23) ********************************************** John Allen Jr., Globe and Mail correspondent to the Vatican, is working on his latest book. It will be on the persecution of Christians around the globe. That initiative fits today’s readings with their […]

WEEK 14 – 04 Go and Announce the Good News of Reconciliation Memorial: St. Benedict (Gen 44:18 – 45:5; Ps 105; Mt 10:7-15) ****************************************** David Wells, a well-known educator from England, spoke at the Los Angeles Religions Education Congress recently. His talk focused on the two words that begin today’s gospel: “Go” and “Announce.” His […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 01 – YR I Trust, Tithing, and Transformation (Gen 28:10-22; Ps 91; Mt 9:18-26) **************************************** A hundred-dollar bill, a twenty-dollar bill and a Loony were having a serious conversation about life one day. The hundred-dollar bill said that it had a very good life – it had been on a few cruises […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 14 – C Missionary Disciples – Missionary Church (Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12; 17-20) ******************************************************** A young boy was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. He replied he wanted to become a minister so he could stand up in Church and yell. What is a missionary? […]

HOMILY WEEK 13 05 – Year I Following Jesus More Closely Optional Memorial:St. Anthony Zaccaria (Gen 23:1-24:62-67; Ps 106; Mt 9:9-13) ********************************************************* “Follow me” – two cryptic words spoken by Jesus that changed a troubled person’s life, and can change ours as well. Today’s liturgy invites us to follow Jesus into a more compassionate way […]

WEEK 13 04 – Year I Living in the Presence of the Lord – Optional Memorial: St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Gen 22:1-19; Ps 116; Mt 9:1-8) ************************************************* Today’s psalm response extends to us an important invitation to, “Walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.” That raises the question – […]

HOMILY – FEAST OF ST. THOMAS, WEEK 13 03 – Year I Faith, Identity, Transformation and Mission (Eph 2:19-22; Ps 117; Jn 20:24-29) *********************************************************** A trip to Chenai, India, would not be complete without a visit to the tomb where tradition tells us St. Thomas is buried, after evangelizing and laying the foundations of the […]

Week 13 02 A More Accurate Image of God and Seismic Revelation of Jesus (Gen 19:15-29; Ps 26; Mt 8:23-27) ********************************************************** Have you ever heard these comments at funerals, “God took her home,” or “It was God’s will?” Or when growing up, “God’s going to get you for that!” Today’s readings encourage us to let […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 13 – C Responding to God’s Call (1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62) ************************************************************ Is your job just a job, or a vocation? Be a disciple of Jesus: Proclaim the Kingdom; live in the Spirit and love one another. The readings today portray a clear call to discipleship, […]