HOMILY WEEK 09 05 – Year I Trusting In God at All Times: Optional Memorial of St. Ephrem (Tobit 11:5-15; Ps 146; Mk 12:35-37) *************************************** “That day there was joy for all the Jews who lived in Nineveh” Tobit faced trial after trial. By the end of this story, however, his circumstances had flipped. Not […]

HOMILY WEEK 09 04 – Year I Living the Great Commandment (Tobit 4; Psalm 128; Mark 12:28-34) ************************************************* How does one enter the reign of God? The answer is simple – keep the Great Commandment that Jesus gave us to love God, others and ourselves. Dr. Glasser, originator of Reality Therapy, taught that our lives […]

HOMILY WEEK 09 02 – Year I Giving Ourselves Back to God: Optional Memorial of St. Norbert (Tob 2:9-14, 3:1; Ps 112; Mk 12:13-17) *************************************** Christine Archibald, the Canadian victim of a terrorist attack in London, had a heart for the poor and worked at a homeless shelter. The hashtag #ChrissySentMe inspired people around the […]

HOMILY WEEK 09 01 – Year I Practicing the Art of Fraternal Correction: Memorial of St. Boniface (Tob 1:1-2:8; Ps 112; Mk 12:1-12) ***************************************** The term “fraternal correction” might not be used much these days, but certainly fits the gospel today, which invites us to believe in Jesus and act like Tobit. The author of […]

HOMILY – TRINITY SUNDAY YEAR A On Being “Theology of God” Students (Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; Daniel 3; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18) ******************************************************* A Sunday School student was doing some art during the free time the teacher gave her class. When asked by the teacher what she was drawing, she replied that she was drawing […]

HOMILY WEEK 08 06 – Year I True Wisdom – Prayer, Perseverance and Gratitude: Memorial f St. Charles Lwanga and Companions (Sirach 51:12-20; Ps19; Mk 11:27–33) ************************************************ “I sought wisdom openly in my prayer” (Sirach 51:13). Today’s first reading especially encourages us to pray for wisdom; to persevere in seeking wisdom, and to be grateful […]

HOMILY WEEK 08 04 – Year I The Healing of Bartimaeus – Faith, Healing and Following Jesus: Memorial of Saint Justin (Sirach 42:15-25; Ps 33; Mk 10:46-52) ****************************************************** “Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” The gospel today invites to have […]

HOMILY – FEAST OF THE VISITATION (Zeph 3:14-18/Rm 12:9-16; Is 12; Lk 1:39-56) *************************************************** In his book, Mary – Mirror of the Church, former papal preacher Ranaiero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., offers beautiful insights into role of Mary in the Church. In his writings, Cantalamessa invites us to make imitation of Mary our priority. He calls […]

HOMILY WEEK 08 02 – Year I Keep My Commandments (Sir 35:1-15; Ps 50; Mk 10:28-31) ******************************************* Yesterday’s gospel was about the attachment of the rich young man to his wealth, and the need for detachment, leaving all to follow Christ. Today the Gospel presents us with the disciples who have left everything, and wonder […]

HOMILY WEEK 08 01 – Year I Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (Gen 3:9-15,20/Acts 1:12-14; Judith 13:18-20; Jn 19:25-27) *********************************************************** Take a moment to think of your mother. What thoughts come to mind, and what feelings flood your heart? Hopefully gratitude, warmth, tenderness, affection for her virtues, and compassion for […]