Making Visible the Invisible (1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97; Jn 20:2-8) ***************************************** When a bishop is named, the tradition is to have the ordination on a feast day. So strong is that tradition that I, at the insistence of the nuncio, was ordained on August 29th, the feast of the beheading of John the Baptist! […]
Category: Homilies
HOMILY FEAST OF ST STEPHEN
Living Calvary In Slow Motion (Acts 6:8-10; Ps 31; Mt 10:17-22) **************************************** A well-known theologian, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, once said: Grace is free, but not cheap. This statement resonates with a song that the International singing group Up With People sang as part of their show: Freedom isn’t Free. These two phrases seem to fit this […]
CHRISTMAS EVE HOMILY – YEAR B
The Light that overcomes Darkness (Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-16) ********************************************************* There is almost nothing as heart-warming when traveling by boat on a rough lake at night under completely dark, cloudy skies as turning a corner and seeing the light of a familiar beacon or light. Then we know we are […]
HOMILY ADVENT SUNDAY 4-B
Be a Beacon of Hope and a Light to the World (2 Samuel 7:1-5b, 8b-12. 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Rm 16:225-27; Luke 1:26-38) ************************************************************ Years ago, noted television personality and writer Malcomb Muggeridge spent some time working with Mr. Theresa in the slums of Calcutta. He noted that one of the forces that kept her […]
HOMILY DECEMBER 23
An Infinite Horizon of Faith (Mal 3:1-4;4:5-6; Ps 25; Lk 1:57-66) ********************************************** Olivier Tremblay, an Oblate who works with university students in Eastern Canada, spoke at an Oblate symposium once. He noted that youth today lack hope, because they don’t have an infinite horizon of faith into which they can situate the events of their […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 04 – Yr II
Mary and Elizabeth; Jesus and John the Baptist (Zep 3:14-18; Ps 33; Lk 1:39-45) *********************************************** Bishop St. Ambrose has an interesting reflection on the visitation that I thought I would adapt and make part of this homily. Here is what is found in the office of readings for today: When the angel revealed his message […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 03 – Yr II
Prophecy Fulfilled (Is 7:10-8:10; Ps 24; Lk 1:26-38) ******************************* Scripture tells us that the sign of a true prophet is the fulfillment of that prophecy. There are countless prophecies in the Old Testament that are proved to be true, because they are fulfilled completely by the birth of Jesus among us, the mystery of the […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 01 – YR II
Saying “Yes” to God like St. Joseph (Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72; Mt 1:18-24) ************************************ Two small boys, having a sleep-over at their grandparents, were saying their night prayers. One was praying out loud with all his might that God would get him a bike for Christmas. The other told him he didn’t have to pray […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 02 – Yr II
Living the Mystery (Judges 13:2-25; Ps 71; Lk 1:5-25) *************************************** Perhaps you have heard the saying, “Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved.” Today, as we approach the end of the Advent season, we are invited to live that mystery with humble faith, trust and prayer. The readings today […]
HOMILY ADVENT SUNDAY 3-B
On Being Grateful Pilgrims (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28) **************************************************************** Some years ago, Gustavo Gutierrez, considered the father of Liberation Theology, spoke at Newman Theological College as part of the Bishop Anthony Jordan series of lectures. That event and his message ties in with this third Sunday of Advent […]
