HOMILY WEEK 15 03 – Year II Humble Faith – Key to the Kingdom of God Optional Memorial of St. Henry (Isaiah 10:5-7; 13-16; Ps 94; Mt 11:25-27) ********************************************* “Even the biggest ship needs a tug to move it out of the harbour.” That statement resonates with the readings today proclaiming humility as the virtue […]

HOMILY WEEK 15 02 – Year II Transformative Faith and Repentance: (Is 7:1-9; Ps 48; Mt 11:20-24) ********************************************** “Repent and believe – the kingdom of heaven is near.” That first sentence of Jesus in the Synoptic gospels is reflected in the readings today as an invitation to us – to stand firm in faith and […]

HOMILY WEEK 15 01 – YEAR II What God Really Wants, and Does Not Want, of Us: Memorial of St. Benedict (Is 1:10-17; Ps 50; Mt 10:34-11:1) ************************************************* At one point during his agony in the garden, Jesus utters a prayer that rings true for us in the light of today’s readings: “Father, not my […]

HOMILY ORDINARY SUNDAY 15 C The Great Command and the Good Samaritan (Dt 30:10-14; Psalm 69 or 19; Col 1:15-20; Lk 10:25-37) ***************************************************** A mother sent her little girl to the store with strict orders to come straight back. When she was late returning, a worried mother asked her why. The girl responded she had […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 06 – Year II Our Healing Journey of Faith: Optional Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions (Is 6:1-8; Ps 93; Mt 10:24-33) ************************************** “Whoever acknowledges me, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” That statement is a clear call to believe in Jesus. The readings add the dimension of […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 05 – Year II Ready to Evangelize (Hos 14:1-9; Ps 51; Mt 10:16-23) ************************************* “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves.” This statement from Jesus can be a little intimidating. However, if we are solidly grounded in the Father’s love experienced through forgiveness and healing, we […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 04 – Year II God’s Ways Are Not Our Ways: (Hos 11:1,3-5,8-9; Ps 80; Mt 10:7-15) ******************************************************** A young lad, allowed by a storeowner to lick the molasses from an empty jar, decided he should pray first, “Lord, make my tongue adequate to this occasion!” Today’s liturgy invites us to respond to […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 03 – Year II Our Call to be Contemplative, Missionary Disciples: Optional Memorial of St. Maria Goretti (Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12; Ps 105; Mt 10:1-7) ************************************************** A Jewish businessman in Chicago sent his son to Israel for a year to absorb the culture. When the son returned, he said, “Papa, I had a great time in Israel. […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 02 – Year II Idol-free Living: Optional Memorial of St. Anthony Zaccaria (Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Ps 115; Mt 9:32-38) **************************************** There is a sign at Fountain Park pool that says, “Keep this an idle-free zone.” Today, we are called to live in an idol-free zone; to trust the one true God with […]

HOMILY WEEK 14 01- Year II Birthing Newness Through Faith and Covenant Love: Optional Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Hos 2:14-16,19-20; Ps 145; Matt 9:18-26) ********************************************** Have faith in Jesus; touch the hem of his garment, receive healing and participate in a new creation. There is a relational progression in the readings today. In […]