Living With Lamps Lit (1 Thess 4:1-8; Ps 97; Mt 25:1-13) ************************************* Recently, after years of burning messy candles, we noticed an oil lamp sitting on a side table in our chapel. We filled it with oil, held a match to it and voila! – it lit up and has been burning brightly for us […]
Category: Ordinary Time
HOMILY – EDMONTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OPENING MASS – St. Charles Parish
Generative Discipleship – Week 21 04 (1 Thes 3:7-13; Ps 90; Rm 12:4-12; Mt 24:42-51) ************************************************** The theme you chose for this liturgy, “Rooted in Jesus – hearts to love, hands to serve” is a powerful theme that would serve you well for the whole school year. In the light of this theme and today’s […]
HOIMLY WEEK 21 03
WEEK 12 03 Worthy Lives or Whitewashed Tombs? (Thes 2:9-13; Ps 139; Mt 23:27-32) *************************************** As it was a few days ago, the readings today are a study of contrasts. That being said, the gospel acclamation and St. Paul in the first reading come together to provide a clear message: we are to lead lives […]
THE PASSION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST – Memorial – Week 21 02
Prophetic consolation and desolation (Jer 1:17-19; Ps 71; Mk 6:17-29) *********************************************** The late Fr. Andrew Britz OSB, former editor of the Prairie Messenger newspaper, was noted for his courageous editorials that addressed rather fearlessly and directly the key and often controversial issues of the day. After his death, a selection of his editorials was compiled […]
HOMILY WEEK 21 01 – Memorial: St Augustine
WEEK 21 01 Memorial: St. Augustine (1 Thes 1:1-10; Ps 149; Mt 23:13-22) *************************************** The problem of addicts is not that they think they are worms, nor that they think they are special. Their problem is that they think they are very special worms! This cute saying actually fits in with today’s liturgy. Usually, liturgists […]
HOMILY SUNDAY 21 – A
On Being Church (Isaiah 22:15, 19-23; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20) ************************************************************* Here is a quiz for you. CH – – CH: What’s missing? The answer is “U” “R”. Without you, the Church is incomplete. The Gospel today speaks not only of who Jesus is for us, but also of who we are for […]
HOMILY WEEK 20 06 – Year I
Be humble and Walk the Talk (Ruth 2:1-17; Ps 128; Mt 23:1-12) ************************************* “Do what they teach you, but not what they do, because they do not practice what they teach.” The gospel today is inviting us to be humble, and to be persons of integrity living our faith – to “walk the talk.” I […]
HOMILY WEEK 20 05 – Year I
WEEKDAY 20 05 Going Beyond the Law (Ruth 1:1-22; Ps 146; Mt 22:34-4-) ***************************** Keep it simple, sweetheart! We are probably more accustomed to a less flattering version of that saying, but I prefer this version that is much more positive. It also applies to the teaching of Jesus when asked which was the greatest […]
FEAST OF ST BARTHOLOMEW – Week 20 02
Disciples Evangelizing for the Kingdom (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, honor, and cherish this woman?” “I do,” said the groom meekly. “Okay,” said the minister to the bride, “Reel him in.” Casting a […]
HOMILY WEEK 20 03 – St. Rose of Lima
The Kingdom of God as a Ball Game (Judges 9:6-15; Ps 21; Mt 20:1-16) ***************************************** Have you ever resented someone else’s good fortune? The gospel today invites us to look at reality from a deeper, broader faith perspective. As a young scholastic, I once questioned my spiritual director about the value of going to confession, […]
