HOMILY WEEK 33 02 – Year I “Carpe Diem.” Seizing the day, like Zacchaeus” (2 Mac 6:18-31; Ps 3; Lk 19:1-10 ************************************************** “Carpe Diem.” “Seize the day.” This saying, made famous by the movie The Dead Poets’ Society, fits the readings today, inviting us to deeper faith, more genuine repentance, and boldly living out our […]

HOMILY WEEK 33 01 – Year I Being Faithful to a Covenant Relationship: Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul (Mac 1:1-64; Ps 119; Lk 18:35-43) ************************************************ We have probably all heard the saying, “There is more to this than meets the eye.” That statement applies to today’s readings […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 33 – C Beginning Well Leads to Ending Well  (Malachi 4:1-2; Psalm 98; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19) ************************************************** Rhonda was quite sure that by studying the Book of Revelation, she had figured out when the end of the world was going to happen. No amount of listening, dissuading and caution could dampen […]

HOMILY WEEK 32 06 – Year I Faith Expressed through Justice (Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9; PS 105; LK 18:1-8) ************************************* What are you praying for? Today’s readings invite us into a stronger, trusting faith in Jesus, and to persevere in prayer. Bishop Robert Barron stresses that today’s Gospel exhorts us to pray with persistence. This command […]

HOMILY WEEK 32 05 – Year I Faith and Readiness; Believe and Love: Optional Memorial of St. Albert the Great (Wis 13:1-9; Ps 19; Lk 17:26-37) ********************************************* A nervous lector at the Sunday Eucharist ended her reading one day with the words, “This is the end of the world.” To which the congregation dutifully responded. […]

HOMILY WEEK 32 04 – Year I Living in the Reign (Wis 7:22-8:1; Ps 119; Lk 17:20-28) ********************************* Living in the Reign is the title of a retreat that I love to offer. It of course, alludes to living in the Kingdom of God here and now, the message of today’s gospel. It also coincides […]

HOMILY WEEK 32 03 – Year I Grateful Servants of the Kingdom (Wis 6:1-11; Ps 82; Lk 17:11-19) ************************************************** “Because as servants of the kingdom you did not rule rightly.” That quote from the first reading caught my attention for two reasons: one, it is the first time that I have seen it written, and […]

HOMILY WEEK 32 02 – Year I Living Our Human Longing Well (Wis 2:23-3:9; Ps 34; Lk 17:7-10) ******************************************  “God created us for incorruption.” That evocative statement from the Book of Wisdom, and the readings today, invite us to live our human longing well. Today’s first reading from Wisdom is one we are most likely […]

HOMILY WEEK 32 01 – Year I Called to Repent and to Forgive: Memorial of St. Martin of Tours & Remembrance Day (Wis 1:1-17; Ps 139; Lk 17:1-7) ************************************************** “If there is repentance, you must forgive.” Does this statement by Jesus in the gospel mean we don’t need to forgive a person if they don’t […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 32-C Living the Resurrection (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thes 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38) ************************************************************** As young seminarian, I was going door-to-door one summer, promoting the former Oblate Our Family Magazine, when I came across a dejected looking young girl sitting on the front steps of her house. I sat down beside […]