HOMILY WEEK 14 03 – Year II Our Call to be Contemplative, Missionary Disciples (Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12; Ps 105; Mt 10:1-7) ************************************************** A Jewish businessman in Chicago sent his son to Israel for a year to absorb the culture. When the son returned, he said, “Papa, I had a great time in Israel. By the way, I converted to Christianity.” […]

  HOMILY WEEK 14 02 – Year II Idol-free Living: Optional Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions (Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Ps 115; Mt 9:32-38) ************************************************** There is a sign at Fountain Park pool that says, “Keep this an idle-free zone.” Today, we are called to live in an idol-free zone; to trust the […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 01- Year II Birthing Newness Through Faith and Covenant Love (Hos 2:14-16,19-20; Ps 145; Matt 9:18-26) ********************************************** Have faith in Jesus; touch the hem of his garment, receive healing and participate in a new creation. There is a relational progression in the readings today. In the first reading from Hosea, God is […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 14 – B Called To Be Prophets (Ezk 2:2-5; Ps 122; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Mk 6:1-6) ******************************************* Have you ever thought of yourself as a prophet? To be baptized into Jesus Christ means that we are all called to be prophets. Our baptismal call is often taken for granted. We know that we […]

HOMILY WEEK 13 06 – Year II New Wine – Fresh Skins: Optional Memorial of St. Maria Goretti (Amos 9:11-15; Ps 85; Mt 9:14-17) ******************************************* An elderly lady went to the bar every night and ordered a glass of whiskey and a drop of water.  Every night it was the same – a glass of […]

WEEK 13 05 HOMILY – Year II Forgiven, Healed, Merciful: Optional Memorial of St. Anthony Zaccaria (Amos 8:4-6, 9-12; Ps 119; Mt 9:9-13) ********************************************** “No one lives by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” and “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” These two sentences from the readings today frame […]

HOMILY WEEK 13 04 – Year II Faith, Forgiveness and Deeper Healing: Optional Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Amos 7:10-17; Ps 19; Mt 9:1-18) ************************************************* Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be paralyzed? The gospel today invites us to place our faith in Jesus and come to him for forgiveness […]

HOMILY – FEAST OF ST. THOMAS, WEEK 13 03 – Year II Faith, Identity, Transformation and Mission (Eph 2:19-22; Ps 117; Jn 20:24-29) *********************************************************** A trip to Chenai, India, would not be complete without a visit to the tomb where tradition tells us St. Thomas is buried, after evangelizing and laying the foundations of the […]

HOMILY WEEK 13 02 – Year II Weathering Life’s Storms with Faith: (Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12; Ps 5; Mt 8:23-27) *************************************** Have you ever been caught in a storm while boating? Today’s readings invite us to trust that Jesus can help us weather any storm in our lives. I remember one incident years ago on Lac […]

CANADA DAY HOMILY Be a Beatitude People (Is 56:1,6-7; Ps 84; Mt 5:1-12a) *************************************  Years ago, former sister Marge Denis, who ministered in the Northwest Territories, produced a slide series entitled the Beatitude People, which I purchased and used extensively in my own ministry. The readings on this Canada Day, invite us to be a […]