HOMILY EASTER WEEK 03 01 Security, Identity and Mission Memorial: St. François de Laval (2 Tim 4:1-5; Ps 96; Jn 10:11-16) **************************************** In Canada, the usual readings for today are replaced by special readings chosen for the memorial of St. François de Laval. Given his shepherding role as bishop, one can see why. These readings […]

EASTER WEEK 02 06 Balancing Prayer and Ministry, Contemplation and Action Blessed Marie-Léonie Paradis (Acts 6:107; Ps 33; Jn 6:16-21) ******************************************************* Noted spiritual writer and speaker, Fr. Richard Rohr OFM, founded a Centre for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, some years ago. That prophetic gesture provides a fitting backdrop to today’s readings and […]

HOMILY – FEAST PHILIP AND JAMES Living and Praying the Paschal Mystery (1 Cor 15:1-8; Ps 19; Jn 14:6-14) ***************************************** Today’s first reading begins with St. Paul reminding his readers of the Good News that he proclaimed to them in which they were “standing,” and by which they were “being saved.” That Good News is […]

HOMILY EASTER SEASON WEEK 02 04  Faith, Transformation and Eternal Life (Acts 5:27-33; Jn 3:31-36) ***************************************   Faith, transformation and eternal life – these three words sum up the message from today’s readings.   We believe in the resurrection of Jesus; we experience transformation through forgiveness and healing, and we then live lives of obedient […]

HOMILY EASTER WEEK 02 03 Living Jesus’ New Way of Life (Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34; John 3:16-21) **************************************** “Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.” That command from an angel of the Lord to the imprisoned apostles, and the gospel today, invite us to revolutionize the world […]

HOMILY EASTER SEASON WEEK 02 02 Resurrection, Pentecost and Community Memorial: St Marie of the Incarnation (Acts 4:32-27; Ps 93; Jn 3:7-15) ************************************ When Richard Rohr became involved in the Charismatic Renewal in the early sixties he did so in a big way – founding the New Jerusalem Community. Looking back now, he admits there […]

HOMILY EASTER SEASON – WEEK 02 01 Living Our Baptismal Call in the Face of Opposition and Unbelief Memorial of St. Catherine of Sienna (Acts 4:23-31; Ps 2; Jn 3:1-8) ********************************************************** “No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” These words of Jesus to Nicodemus, the secret, fearful […]

HOMILY EASTER (DIVINE MERCY) SUNDAY 02 C Experiencing Divine Mercy (Acts 5:12-16; Psalm 118; Rev 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31) *************************************************** “It was evening on the day Jesus rose from the dead, the first day of the week.” That sentence is often repeated by the gospel writers, almost like a mantra, driving home the point that […]

HOMILY OCTAVE of EASTER – SATURDAY The Good News of Easter (Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118; Mk 16:9-15) ********************************************* As we approach the end of the Octave of Easter and all its solemnities, the readings today provide an encapsulating chronology for us to ponder. In the Gospel, Mary Magdalene becomes the first witness to the resurrection […]

HOMILY EASTER OCTAVE – THURSDAY The Divine Dance (Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118; Jn 21:1-14) ************************************************ In many ways, Franciscan priest, spiritual writer and speaker, Richard Rohr, has been prophetic for years. He always has been on the cusp of where the Church was going – starting with the charismatic renewal in the 60’s; the great […]