HOMILY WEEK 29 06 – Year II Balancing Faith and Repentance: Optional Memorial of St. Pope John Paul II (Eph 4:7-16; Ps 122; k 13:1-9) ****************************************** “Repent and believe in the good news” (Mark 1:15) are the first words Jesus preached as he began his public ministry. The readings today continue that double message of […]

HOMILY WEEK 29 05 – Year II Truth, Beauty and Goodness – Attributes of God: (Eph 4:1-6; Ps 24; Lk 12:54-59) *************************************************** “Truth, Beauty and Goodness” – these are the classical three pillars of faith in God and living in Christ. The readings today, within the context of these three pillars, carry powerful messages for […]

HOMILY WEEK 29 04 – Year II Awakening to God’s Power Within Us: Optional Memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (Eph 3:13-21; Ps 33; Lk 12:49-53) ******************************************* The phenomenon of high and low tides during a priest’s retreat I was conducting in Newfoundland became an invitation for me to be more aware of and appreciative […]

HOMILY WEEK 29 03 – Year II Live the Mystery of Faith as Servants of the Gospel – Trust, Thank and Tell: Optional Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross (Eph 3:1-12; Is 12:2-6; Lk 12:39-48) ***************************************************************** “Life is mystery to be lived, not problem to be solved.” The readings today invite us to live […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 03 – Year II Disciples of Mercy: Feast of St Luke (2 Tim 4:9-17; Ps 145; Lk 10:1-9) **************************************** “From among his disciples Jesus appointed seventy and sent them on ahead of him in pairs.” The feast of St. Luke, and the readings we hear, invite us to be missionary disciples, building […]

HOMILY WEEK 29 01 – Year II Faithful Grace and Grateful Ministry: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch (Eph 2:1-10; Ps 100; Lk 12:13-21) *********************************************** “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” The Word Among Us serves as an initial resource for this reflection. It states that Jesus has just spoken at […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 29 – C The Unscrupulous Judge and the Importunate Widow (Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Lk 18:1-8) ******************************************************** Have you ever seen the bumper sticker: “If you want peace, work for justice?” The gospel today could inspire another saying: “If you want justice, pray unceasingly and work steadily for peace.” Betty […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 06 – Year II Knowing God, Acknowledging Jesus and Experiencing the Holy Spirit Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus (Eph 1:15-23; Ps 8; Lk 12:1-7) ************************************************************** The gospel today invites us to “acknowledge” Jesus, put our complete faith in him, be ready to witness to him openly, and to believe in the […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 05 – Year II Enjoying our Inheritance – Optional Memorial of St. Callistus (Eph 1:11-14; Ps 33; Lk 12:1-7) ********************************************** Are you aware of what your inheritance will be? The readings today invite us into a deeper appreciation of our spiritual inheritance – the kingdom of God – and how we can […]

HOMILY WEEK 28 04 – Year II Chosen and Loved to be Saints (Eph 1:1-10; Ps 98; Lk 11:47-54) *************************************** Here are some one-liners that fit the readings today: Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited-until you try to sit in their pews; Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers; It is […]