ADVENT HOMILY DECEMBER 19th Humble Faith, Barrenness, Hope and Relational Justice (Jdgs 13:2-25; Ps 71; Lk 1:5-25) *********************************************** Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you were powerless, came up empty, felt like your hands were tied behind your back? The readings today give us hope that God can work marvels of […]

HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 03 – Year II Prophecy Fulfilled: God is With Us (Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72; Mt 1:18-24) *********************************************** Do you have a friend whose word you can trust totally? Today’s readings can be a reminder of the rock-solid foundation of our faith, based on the realization of all the Old Testament prophecies […]

HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 02 The Blessing of Our Geneologies (Gen 49:8-10; Ps 72; Mt 1:1-17) *********************************** Are there any skeletons in your families’ closets? Today’s readings can help us relax and trust that God can work marvels even with a less than holy family tree. Today we read the opening lines of Matthew’s Gospel—the […]

HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 01 – Year II Responding to Prophecy with Authority (Num 24:2-27; Ps 25; Mt 21:23-27) ********************************************* How much authority do you exercise? Today’s readings invite us to speak out with faith and exercise our authority as baptized believers in Jesus. In the first reading from Numbers, the prophet Balaam twice asserts […]

HOMILY SUNDAY ADVENT 3-A Unwavering Joyful Faith (Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11) *************************************************************** “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Pray for unwavering faith in Jesus that expresses itself in love and joy. The first reading exposes why John the Baptist would even […]

HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 02 06 – Year II Being Elijah for Others: Memorial of St. John of the Cross (Sirach 48:1-11; Ps 80; Mt 17:10-13) ************************************** Do you see yourself as a prophet? The readings today invite us to be both Elijah and John the Baptist for others. Both the first reading from Sirach and […]

HOMILY WEEK 02 05 – Year II Following the Way of the Lord with Faith and Fidelity: Memorial of St. Lucy (Is 48:17-19; Ps 1; Mt 11:16-19) ************************************************** “Oh, that you had paid attention to my commandments!” Today’s readings and memorial of St. Lucy invite us to respond to God’s unconditional covenant love for us […]

HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 02 04 – Year II Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Rev 11:19, 12:1-10; Judith 13; Lk 1:39-47) ********************************************** There are two options for the first reading on this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The richness and appropriateness of the second option from Revelations makes for an easy decision. The whole […]

HOMILYADVENT WEEK 02 03 – Year II Faith, Forgiveness, Healing and Rest: Optional Memorial of St. Damasus (Is 40:25-31; Ps 103; Mt 11:28-30) ******************************************* How strong is your faith? The readings today invite us into a strong faith in God experienced through forgiveness, healing and rest. The first reading from Isaiah and Psalm 103 tell […]

HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 02 02 – Year II God as Loving Father and Good Shepherd (Is 40:1-11; Ps 96; Mt 18:12-14) ************************************************ There’s nothing like a parable to illustrate a spiritual point in a new way, or to offer new insight to a familiar point. Jesus used these short stories drawn from everyday life to […]