Faith, Hope and Love: Memorial – St Cecilia (2 Macc 7:1-31; Ps 17; Lk 19:11-28) ***************************************** Some years ago, the St. Albert parish celebrated their 150th anniversary with a year-long series of speakers and events. I was invited to conduct a parish mission as part of that series, and was impressed by their theme: Rooted […]
Category: Ordinary Time
HOMILY WEEK 33 02 – Yr I
Memorial: Presentation of Mary (2 Macc 6:18-31; Ps 3; Lk 19:1-10) ******************************************** Fr. Cantalemessa, the papal preacher, once said that imitation of Mary is just as important as devotion to her. Along with trying to imitate Mary, today’s liturgy invites us to pray to receive the fullness of grace, as did Mary, and to be […]
HOMILY WEEK 33 -01 – Yr I
Being Faithful to a Covenant Relationship (Mac 1:1-64; Ps 119; Lk 18:35-43) ************************************************ We have probably all heard the saying, “There is more to this than meets the eye.” That statement applies to today’s readings with a touch of divine irony – a blind man is able to see what the Israelites could not. That […]
HOMILY SUNDAY 33 – A
Just Discipleship (Proverbs 3110-13, 16-18, 20, 26, 28-32; Psalm 128; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 24:36; 25:14-30) ********************************************************** Oblate Brother Tom Novak is part of Just Theatre, a theatre group in Winnipeg that puts on plays that expose injustices toward especially the poor and immigrants, and seeks to build a more just society. Seen from a […]
HOMILY WEEK 32 05 – Yr I
Faith and Readiness; Believe and Love Memorial – St Elizabeth of Hungary (Wis 13:1-9; Ps 19; Lk 17:26-37) **************************************** A nervous lector at the Sunday Eucharist ended her reading one day with the words, “This is the end of the world.” To which the congregation dutifully responded. “Thanks be to God!” The readings for this […]
HOMILY WEEK 32 04 – Yr I
Living in the Reign (Wis 7:22-8:1; Ps 119; Lk 17:20-28) ********************************* Living in the Reign is the title of a retreat that I love to offer. It of course, alludes to living in the Kingdom of God here and now, the message of today’s gospel. It also coincides with my episcopal motto, Regnum Dei Intra […]
HOMILY WEEK 32 03 – Yr I
Servants of the Kingdom – St Albert the Great (Wis 6:1-11; Ps 82; Lk 17:11-19) ************************************************** “Because as servants of the kingdom you did not rule rightly.” That quote from the first reading caught my attention for two reasons: one, it is the first time that I have seen it […]
HOMILY Week 32 02 – Yr I
Living Our Human Longing Well (Wis 2:23-3:9; Ps 34; Lk 17:7-10) ****************************************** “God created us for incorruption.” That evocative statement, and the readings today, invite us to live our human longing well. Today’s first reading from Wisdom is one that we are most likely to hear at a Catholic funeral. In fact, it is […]
HOMILY Week 31 06 – Yr I
Memorial: St Martin of Tours and Remembrance Day (Rm 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; Ps 145; Lk 16:9-15) *************************************************** “If you want peace, work for justice.” That bumper sticker is an appropriate one to ponder this Remembrance Day when we gather to remember, honor and express gratitude for all the veterans who gave their lives in pursuit […]
HOMILY WEEK 31 05 – Yr I
Proclaiming the Good News – Memorial: St Leo the Great (Rm 15:14-21; Ps 98; Lk 16:1-8) **************************************************** Have you ever wondered what your life would be like without your faith in Jesus Christ? Honest and open encounters with a Muslim woman and a Hindu computer programmer left me appreciating St. Paul’s goal to constantly speak […]
