HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 03 – Year I (Dan 3:13-95; Dan 3; Jn 8:31-42) ******************************************** Many parishes are familiar with the hymnbook Glory and Praise that came out many years ago. That title, the psalm response and readings today combine to provide us with a clear message centered on faith: believe in Jesus; listen to […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 02 – Year I (Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102; Jn 8:21-30) **************************************** Ordinarily, liturgists try to find a first reading that connects with the gospel for the day. That connection today is very clear and invites us to put our total faith in Jesus, to turn to him for new life. The […]

HOMILY WEEK 05 01 – Year I Optional Memorial of St. John Baptist de la Salle (Dan 13:1-64; Ps 23; Jn 8:1-11) ****************************************** When we act like God, we get to feel like God. To forgive from the heart is to act like God, and to get to share in God’s serenity, inner freedom and […]

LENT SUN 5-C (Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Phil 3:8-14; John 8:1-11) ******************************************************* An aboriginal legend sets the tone for our reflection on the readings today. An old Grandfather, whose grandson came to him with anger at a schoolmate who had done him an injustice, said, “Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 06 – Year I Optional Memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer (Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7; Jn 7:4—53) **************************************** Have you ever had an attitude problem? Today’s liturgy invites us to have an open attitude towards Jesus and to accept him into our lives as the Messiah. In the first reading, Jeremiah continues […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 05 – Year I Optional Memorial of St. Isidore (Wis 2:1-22; Ps 34; Jn 7:1-30) ************************************* The two sides of a beautiful tapestry can serve as a metaphor for our lives of faith in God’s presence and power working in our lives. God turns everything to the good for those who […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 04 – Year I             (Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106; Jn 5:18-47) **************************************** Nikos Kazantzakis, the great Greek writer, tells a story of an elderly monk he once met on Mount Athos. Kazantsakis, still young and full of curiosity, was questioning this monk and asked him:  “Do you still wrestle with the […]

HOMILY WEEK 04 03 – Year I Optional Memorial of St. Francis of Paola (Is 49:8-15; Ps 145; Jn 5:16-30) ************************************** “I will never forget you, my people. I have carved you on the palm of my hand… I will never leave you orphaned, I will never forget my own.” This familiar hymn by Carey […]

HOMILY WEEK 04 02 – Year I (Ezk 47:1-12; Ps 46; Jn 5:1-16) **************************************** In the busyness of preparing for giving presentations at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress one year, I neglected to water the plants before leaving. Upon my return, I was shocked to see our pepper plant languishing and drooping, almost screaming […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 01 – Year I (Is 65:17-21; Ps 30; Jn 4:43-54) ****************************************************** When a lady was asked why she put in her will a request to be buried with a fork in her hand, her answer was because her mother always told her, “Keep your fork, the best is yet to come!” […]