HOMILY WEEK 09 03 – Year I Faith and Trust in God Optional Memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter (Tob 3:1-17; Ps 25; Mk 12:18-27) ************************************ Can you remember a time when you were in dire distress? What was your prayer like at that moment? The liturgy today invites us to trust God at all […]
Faith-Love-St. Justin Martyr
HOMILY WEEK 09 02 – Year I Giving Ourselves Back to God: Memorial of St. Justin Martyr (Tob 2:9-14, 3:1; Ps 112; Mk 12:13-17) *************************************** Christine Archibald, the Canadian victim of a terrorist attack in London, had a heart for the poor and worked at a homeless shelter. The hashtag #ChrissySentMe inspired people around the […]
Faith-Loving Service-Visitation of Mary
HOMILY – VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY In Imitation of Mary, Mirror of the Church (Zeph 3:14-18/Rm 12:9-16; Is 12; Lk 1:39-56) *************************************************** In his book, Mary – Mirror of the Church, former papal preacher Ranaiero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., offers beautiful insights into role of Mary in the Church. In his writings, Cantalamessa […]
Faith-Discipleship-Holy Trinity
TRINITY SUNDAY Year B Make Disciples of All Nations (Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20) ************************************************************ A teacher was trying to teach her class the creed by having assigned students recite the different parts at the start of each class. It worked well for a few days, then one day there was silence when […]
Faith-Wisdom-St. Pope Paul VI
HOMILY WEEK 08 06 – Year I True Wisdom – Prayer, Perseverance and Gratitude: Optional Memorial of St. Pope Paul VI (Sirach 51:12-20; Ps19; Mk 11:27–33) ************************************************ “I sought wisdom openly in my prayer” (Sirach 51:13). Today’s first reading especially encourages us to pray for wisdom; to persevere in seeking wisdom, and to be grateful […]
Faith-Forgiveness
HOMILY WEEK 08 05 – Year I Forgiveness – Fruit of Faith (Sirach 44:1, 8-13; Ps 149; Mark 11:11-25) ************************************************ Why is it impossible to starve in a desert? One can always eat the sand which is under our feet! The readings today provide us with a spiritual sandwich that is all about faith and […]
Faith-Healing-St Augustine of Canterbury
HOMILY WEEK 08 04 – Year I The Healing of Bartimaeus: Faith, Healing and Following Jesus Optional Memorial of Saint Augustine of Canterbury (Sirach 42:15-25; Ps 33; Mk 10:46-52) ****************************************************** “Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” The gospel today invites […]
Faith-Sacrifice-Service-St. Philip Neri
HOMILY WEEK 08 03 – Year I Following Jesus Through Sacrifice and Service: Optional Memorial of St. Philip Neri (Sirach 36:1-22; Ps 79; Mk 10:32-45) ************************************** “Jesus and the disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them.” The readings today invite us to follow Jesus through sacrifice […]
Faith-Commandments-Pope St. Gregory the Great
HOMILY WEEK 08 02 – Year I Keep My Commandments: Optional Memorial of Pope St. Gregory the Great (Sir 35:1-15; Ps 50; Mk 10:28-31) ******************************************* Yesterday’s gospel was about the attachment of the rich young man to his wealth, and the need for detachment, leaving all to follow Christ. Today the Gospel presents us with […]
Mary, Mother of the Church
HOMILY WEEK 08 01 – Year I Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (Gen 3:9-15,20; Judith 13:18-20; Jn 19:25-27) *********************************************************** Take a moment to think of your mother. What thoughts come to mind, and what feelings flood your heart? Hopefully gratitude, warmth, tenderness, affection for her virtues, and compassion for her […]
