HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 04 A Covenant Relationship of Intimate Love (Gen 17:3-9; Ps 105; Jn 8:51-59) *********************************** Robert was a very popular but alcoholic priest. Unfortunately, he ended up in the hospital after having an alcohol-related accident. There he confided with a friend who had come to visit him that alcohol wasn’t his problem […]

LENT HOMILY WEEK 05 03 Glory and Praise; Worship and Blessing (Dan 3:13-95; Dn 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 […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 02 Finding New Life in Jesus (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 […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 05 01 (Year C) On Being Light to the World (Dan 13:1-64; Ps 23; Jn 8:12-20) ********************************* On a train journey East, Archbishop Emeritus Adam Exner OMI sat next to a businessman who was complaining quite openly about almost everything in his life – his work, wife, family, political situation, etc. After […]

LENT SUN 5-C The Woman Caught in Adultery (Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Phil 3:8-14; John 8:1-11) ******************************************************* Have you heard of the nun who wanted to join a curling team? In discussing what position she should play, the team remembered what Jesus taught, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone,” so they let […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 06 Transcending Justice in Jesus (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 the Old Testament refrain of […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 05 Faith Sees the Bigger Picture (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 love God. Looking […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 04 Living Faith (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 devil?” “No,” […]

HOMILY WEEK 04 02 On Being Open to the Newness of Faith (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 […]

LENT SUNDAY 04 – C The Loving Father and Two Lost Sons (Joshua 5:9, 10-12; Psalm 34; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3; 11-32) ************************************************************ Take a minute to think of all that you have done wrong in your life. What punishment do you think you deserve from God? Be an ambassador of reconciliation. Forgive as […]