HOMILY WEEK 06 01 – Year II Humility, Wisdom and Joy: Optional Memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (James 1:1-11; Ps 119; Mk 8:11-13) *********************************************************** Humility, Wisdom, Joy. Those three words can be a profound seven-syllable mantra for contemplative prayer emerging from today’s readings. They provide us with a compelling message: […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 06 – Year A Living and Loving Wisely (Sirach 15:15-20; Ps 119; 1 Cor 2:6-10; Mt 5:17-37) *************************************************** “It is part of spiritual wisdom to be able to see the eagle in the egg; butterfly in the caterpillar; saint in the sinner.” That quote from Sr. Joan Chittester, noted spiritual writer and speaker, […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 06 – Year II Jesus – Bread of Life: Faith Versus Faithlessness (1 Kg 12:26-34; Ps 106; Mk 8:1-10) ******************************************** A new waitress was told by a customer he wanted two headlights and four hubcaps, without any explanation. The kitchen staff, who knew the customer as a joker, told her he wanted […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 05 – Year II Healing Touch and Joyful Proclamation: Memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius (1 Kg 11:4-13; Ps 106; Mk 7:24-30) ********************************************** “We are not punished for our sins – we are punished by them.” This cryptic saying, coming out of the 12 Step program, invites us to believe in Jesus […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 02 – Year II Worship from the Heart: Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (1 Kg 8:22-30; Ps 84; Mk 7:1-13) ******************************************************** Did you notice that the word “heart” is mentioned in all three readings today? “Your servants who walk before you with all their heart” in the first reading; “My […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 01 – Year II Living in Glorious Simplicity: Memorial of St. Scholastica (1 Kg 8:1-13; Ps 132; Mk 6:53-56) *********************************************** Perhaps you have heard the expression we should “live simply, so that others can simply live.” Today’s liturgy invites us to emulate Jesus in a simple way of life and loving service. […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 05 – YEAR A Be Salt and Light to the World (Isaiah 58:7-10; Ps 111; 1 Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16) *********************************************** “Let your light shine” is one of the teachings of the Christopher Leadership course on effective speaking. It could also well be the message of the Gospel for today’s celebration of the […]

HOMILY WEEK 04 05 – Year II David and John the Baptist: Model of Repentance and Faith (Eccles 47:2-13; Ps 17; Mk 6:14-29) ******************************************************** Repent, heal and realize our dignity is a message from the readings today. Ben Sirach, in the first reading, extols and exalts David, in spite of the fact that he committed […]

HOMILY WEEK 04 04 – Year II Our Royal, Missionary Mandate: Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions (1 Kg 2:1-12; 1 Chron 29; Mk 6:7-13 ******************************************** While travelling as a university student with Cast C of the international singing group Up With Peoplein 1969, we performed for King Beaudoin and Queen Fabiola of Belgium […]