HOMILY WEEK 29 01 – Year II Faithful Grace and Grateful Ministry (Eph 2:1-10; Ps 100; Lk 12:13-21) *********************************************** “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” The Word Among Us serves as an initial resource for this reflection. It states that Jesus has just spoken at length to a large crowd about […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 06 – Year II Knowing God, Acknowledging Jesus and Experiencing the Holy Spirit Optional Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross (Eph 1:15-23; Ps 8; Lk 12:1-7) ************************************************************** The gospel today invites us to “acknowledge” Jesus, put our complete faith in him, be ready to witness to him openly, and to believe […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 05 – Year I Disciples of Mercy: Feast of St Luke (2 Tim 4:9-17; Ps 145; Lk 10:1-9) **************************************** “From among his disciples Jesus appointed seventy and sent them on ahead of him in pairs.” The feast of St. Luke, and the readings we hear, invite us to be missionary disciples, building […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 04 – Year II Chosen and Loved to be Saints: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch (Eph 1:1-10; Ps 98; Lk 11:47-54) *************************************** Here are some one-liners that fit the readings today: Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited-until you try to sit in their pews; Many folks want to serve God, […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 03 – Year II Claiming our Inheritance and Called to Conversion: Memorial of St. Marguerite d’Youville (Gal 5:18-22; Ps 1; Luke 11:42-46) ****************************************************** Have you heard the expression “The spiritual life is more a journey than a destination?” There is some truth to that statement. Today’s readings call us to conversion, and […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 02 – Year II Genuine Faith Expressed Through Selfless Love: Optional Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) (Gal 5:1-6; Ps 119; Lk 11:37-41) *************************************************** “For freedom Christ has set us free” and “Give for alms those things that are within.” These two quotes from the readings today focus our attention on […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 01 -Year I On Being Thankful and Living with Gratitude: Optional Mass – Thanksgiving Day 2024 (Col 3:12-17; Ps 113; Mt 7:7-12) ***************************************** The remark “A grateful person is a happy person” was made on a panel show once, causing me to reflect on its truth ever since. That truth is especially […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 28 – B Be wise; Pray with God’s Word; Let Go (Wis 7:7-11; Ps 90; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30) *************************************************** Sr. Therese Arcand was a Grey Nun of Mètis ancestry stationed in Ile-à-la Crosse, Saskatchewan. One day she performed a service for her superior, who told her that certainly she would have another […]

HOMILY WEEK 27 06 – Year II Free to Live the Word of God (Ga 3:22-29; Ps 105; Lk 11:27-28) ********************************************** You have probably heard the somewhat cynical saying that was used years ago to describe the life of a church-goer – pay, pray and obey! In the gospel today, Jesus urges us to go […]

HOMILY WEEK 27 05 – Year II Holding Nothing Back: Optional Memorial of St. Pope John XXIII (Gal 3:6-14; Ps 111; Lk 11:15-26) ******************************************* “After Jesus had cast out a demon…” This Gospel passage seems to refer to Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast seven demons. Visionary Ann Catherine Emerich claims after Jesus […]