HOMILY WEEK 06 06 – Year II The Chair of St. Peter (1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23; Mt 16:13-19) ********************************** In 1988, on a trip to Edmonton, a lay couple and I were able to sit on the bed and chair used by Pope JP II at the then Grey Nun’s Center in Edmonton, where […]

HOMILY WEEK 06 05 – Year II Taking up Our Cross: Radical Discipleship and Redemptive Suffering Optional Memorial of St. Peter Damian (James 2:14-24, 46; Ps 112; Mk 8:34-9:1) *********************************************** A man, tired of the cross he was given to carry, went into a cross shop to get another one. All the ones he tried […]

HOMILY WEEK 06 04 – Year II Faith in a Revolutionary Messiah (James 2:1-9; Ps 34; Mark 8:27-33) *************************************** A woman who promised her husband she was just going window shopping and would not buy anything, returned with a very expensive dress. Quite upset, he asked her why she did that when she had promised […]

HOMILY WEEKDAY 06 03 – Year II The Word of God: A Healing Power and a Power to be Lived (Jm 1:19-27; Ps 15; Mk 8:22-26) ****************************************************** “Be doers of the Word” and “he saw everything clearly.” These two sentences capture the essence of the message from today’s readings – we are to live the […]

HOMILY WEEK 06 01 – Year II Humility, Wisdom and Joy: Optional Memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (James 1:1-11; Ps 119; Mk 8:11-13) *********************************************************** Humility, Wisdom, Joy. Those three words can be a profound seven-syllable mantra for contemplative prayer emerging from today’s readings. They provide us with a compelling message: […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 06 – Year A Living and Loving Wisely (Sirach 15:15-20; Ps 119; 1 Cor 2:6-10; Mt 5:17-37) *************************************************** “It is part of spiritual wisdom to be able to see the eagle in the egg; butterfly in the caterpillar; saint in the sinner.” That quote from Sr. Joan Chittester, noted spiritual writer and speaker, […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 06 – Year II Jesus – Bread of Life: Faith Versus Faithlessness (1 Kg 12:26-34; Ps 106; Mk 8:1-10) ******************************************** A new waitress was told by a customer he wanted two headlights and four hubcaps, without any explanation. The kitchen staff, who knew the customer as a joker, told her he wanted […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 05 – Year II Healing Touch and Joyful Proclamation: Memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius (1 Kg 11:4-13; Ps 106; Mk 7:24-30) ********************************************** “We are not punished for our sins – we are punished by them.” This cryptic saying, coming out of the 12 Step program, invites us to believe in Jesus […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 02 – Year II Worship from the Heart: Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (1 Kg 8:22-30; Ps 84; Mk 7:1-13) ******************************************************** Did you notice that the word “heart” is mentioned in all three readings today? “Your servants who walk before you with all their heart” in the first reading; “My […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 01 – Year II Living in Glorious Simplicity: Memorial of St. Scholastica (1 Kg 8:1-13; Ps 132; Mk 6:53-56) *********************************************** Perhaps you have heard the expression we should “live simply, so that others can simply live.” Today’s liturgy invites us to emulate Jesus in a simple way of life and loving service. […]