HOMILY WEEK 21 06 – Year II Striking a Balance Between Prayer and Action (1 Cor 1:26-31; Ps 33; Mt 25:14-30) ******************************************** Is contemplation incompatible with action? The readings today invite us to find a way to balance these two important and essential elements of Christian life. On the surface, the gospel parable of talents […]
Category: Homilies
Faith and Love
WEEK 21 – 05 HOMILY Faith expressed through Love (1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33; Mt 25:1-13) ********************************************* For St. Paul, in the first reading, what is more important than even baptism? The answer is proclaiming the Gospel. He says he was not sent to baptize but to preach the Gospel, to entice everyone to believe […]
St. John the Baptist
HOMILY WEEK 21 04 – Year II The Passion of John the Baptist: 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 […]
St. Augustine
HOMILY WEEK 21 03 – Year II Attitudes of Genuine Faith and Sincere Love: Memorial of St. Augustine (2 Th 3:6-10, 16-18; Ps 128; Mt 23:27-32) ****************************************** “The last act is the greatest treason. To do the right deed for the wrong reason.” That statement, by T.S. Eliot, in his play Murder in the Cathedral, relates […]
St. Monica
HOMILY WEEK 21 02 – Year II Standing Firm and Holding Fast: Memorial of St. Monica (2 Thes 2:1-3,14-17; Ps 96; Mt 23:23-26) **************************************** There is a legend about St. Francis who when asked what he would do if Jesus was coming that day, replied that he would keep on hoeing in the garden. In […]
HOMILY WEEK 21 01 – Year II Love to Affirm; Courage to Correct; Faith to Praise (2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12; Ps 96; Mt 23:13-22) ****************************************************** As worshippers leave the Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, CA, they are artistically reminded to Be Doers of the Word by a mural done in tiles above the entrance to […]
The Eucharist – Bread of Life
SUNDAY 21-B Experiencing Eternal Life through Faith and Love (Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ps 34; Eph 4:32-5:2, 21-32; Jn 6:53, 60-69) ************************************************************* There is a Portugese saying: “What is important for us we find time and money for.” To enjoy eternal life now, we need only believe in Jesus as the Bread of Life, and […]
St. Bartholomew
HOMILY WEEK 21 03 – Year I Called to Unite Heaven and Earth: Feast of St. Bartholomew (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, honour, and cherish this woman?” “I do,” said the groom meekly. […]
St. Rose of Lima
HOMILY WEEK 20 05 – Year II The Oxygen of Faith: Optional Memorial of St. Rose of Lima (Ezk 37:1-14; Ps 107; Mt 22:34-40) ********************************** The reflection from The Word Among Us for today begins with the sentence, “Breathe into these slain that they may come to life.” It continues to ask if one has […]
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
HOMILY WEEK 20 04 – Year II Wearing the Wedding Garment: Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ezk 36:23-28; Ps 51; Mt 22:1-14) ************************************************************* Have you ever felt out of place because you were not dressed right for a particular occasion? Today’s readings invite us to put on the garments of profound […]
