HOMILY – SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH Ushering in the Realm of Faith and Loving Grace (2 Sam 7:4-16; Ps 89; Rm 4:13-22; Mt 1:16-24/Lk 2:41-51)) ********************************************************** Have you ever been embarrassed by taking something totally of out context? The readings today, as well as the solemnity of St. Joseph, are best understood within the context […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 03 – Year II Loving Intimacy and Fulfilling the Law of Love: Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147; Mt 5:17-19) ********************************************* Two sentences sum up the message from today’s readings: “I have come, not to abolish but to fulfill” by Jesus in the gospel, and “What […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 02 – Year II Forgiveness and the Furnace of Resentment: Optional Memorial of St. Patrick (Dan 3:25-43; Ps 25; Mt 18:21-35) ********************************************* A lady confessed the sin of narcissism, of vanity to a priest. She claimed she was so beautiful that she was wasting countless hours admiring herself in the mirror, putting […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 01 – Year II The Healing Power of Humility (2 Kg 5:1-15a; Ps 42; Lk 4:24-30) ******************************************* What comes first – faith or healing? Ordinarily, we would automatically think the answer would be faith, as so often in the scriptures, Jesus would say things like “Your faith has saved you” or […]

HOMILY LENT SUNDAY 03 – A Thirsting for Living Water (Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42) ************************************************************* Have you ever heard the country song, Thank God for Unanswered Prayer? Believe in Jesus, and trust him at all times. The singer in that song is looking back over his life, and realizes how […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 02 06 – YEAR II On Being as Compassionate as God (Micah 7:14-15, 18-30; Ps 103; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32) *********************************************** When was the last time you saw a play? Today’s liturgy unfolds like a three-act play, inviting us to be as compassionate as our God is compassionate. The prophet Micah provides the […]

WEEKDAY LENT 02 05 – Year II Resisting Repentance (Gen 37:3-28; Ps 105; Mt 21:33-46) ******************************************* The poet, Robert Frost, wrote these memorable words: “Something there is that does not love a wall; that sends the groundswell under it.” There is something in human nature that does not love goodness; that resists it and seeks […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 02 04 – Year II Living the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity (Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1: Lk 16:19-31) *************************************************** The parish of St. Albert, Alberta, for its anniversary celebration some years ago, chose the theme “Rooted in Faith, Living with Hope, Growing in Love.” That theme fits todays readings inviting […]

HOMILY WEEK 02 03 – Year II Faith, Suffering and Service (Jer18:18-20; Ps 31; Mt 20:17-28) ************************************* Activist Daniel Berrigan once stated that before deciding to follow Jesus, we should consider how good we look on wood! The message from today’s readings is simple and straightforward: following Jesus will involve suffering and service. This is […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 02 02 – Year II The Making of a Lenten Stew (Is 1:10-31; Ps 50; Mt 23:1-12) ******************************************* The readings today make a good stew. A stew includes some main ingredients, such as meat, potatoes, carrots, peas, garlic, and onion, and lots of spices. Then it is slow cooked to perfection. The […]