Religion of the Heart: Memorial of St. Francis de Sales (Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85; Mk 3:13-19) ************************************************** “I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” That sentence, and the readings today, invite us to move from sacrificial […]
Living in an Intimate Covenant Relationship with God (Heb 7:25-8:6; Ps40; Mk 3:7-12) ****************************************************** A young man shared a dilemma with a friend. He was in love with two young women. One was a wonderful baker, and the other a wonderful poet, and he did not know which to marry. His friend commiserated with him, […]
HOMILY WEEK 02 03 – Year I Towards a More Peaceful, Pure Faith: Optional Memorial of St. Vincent, First Spanish Martyr (Heb 7:1-3,15-17; Ps 110; Mk 3:1-6) *********************************************** Which of the following statements resonates most deeply with you: Law and legalism, or Love and relationships? The readings today invite us to deepen our faith in […]
Covenants of Hope and Love: Memorial of St. Agnes (Heb 6:10-20; Ps 111; Mk 2:23-28) *************************************** “God is ever mindful of his covenant.” That sentence from today’s psalm, along with the first reading and gospel not as connected as usual, combine to invite us to be a people in a covenant relationship with God filled […]
New Wine of Eternal Life; Fresh Skins of Humble Obedience: Optional Memorial of St. Fabian, Martyr Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Heb 5:1-10; Ps 110; Mk 2:18-22) ****************************************************** The superior of a religious community of women was on her death bed. One of the sisters, whose father found drinking a little brandy each night […]
HOMILY WEEK 01 06 – Year I Following Jesus (Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19; Mk 2:13-17) *********************************** “God accepts us as we are, but believes in whom we can become.” That quote from Sr. Teresita Kambeitz OSU, underlines the message from today’s readings: we are called to follow Jesus into a new life of mercy, grace […]
HOMILY SUNDAY 02 – YEAR C Marriage and a New Creation (Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12) ********************************************************* One year, on December 30th, a wedding took place in the northern Manitoba community of Lac Brochet. A young couple decided it was time for them to make a lifelong commitment before God in […]
HOMILY WEEK 01 04 – Year ITorah and Temple, or Partners of Christ(Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95; Mk 1:40-45)************************************************* Have you ever felt guilty for not picking up a hitchhiker? Or not reaching out to a person seemingly lost in a parking lot? Today’s liturgy invites us to go far beyond the rubrics of the Torah […]
HOMILY WEEK 01 04 – Year ITorah and Temple, or Partners of Christ(Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95; Mk 1:40-45)************************************************* Have you ever felt guilty for not picking up a hitchhiker? Or not reaching out to a person seemingly lost in a parking lot? Today’s liturgy invites us to go far beyond the rubrics of the Torah […]
HOMILY ADVENT DECEMBER 23 – Year II An Infinite Horizon of Faith, Forgiveness and Healing: Optional Memorial of St. John Kanti (Mal 3:1-4; 4:5-6; Ps 25; Lk 1:57-66) ******************************************************** Bishop Olivier Tremblay, an Oblate who previously worked with university students in Eastern Canada, spoke at an Oblate symposium once. He noted that youth today lack […]
