Letting Ourselves be Stretched by God’s Immense Love (Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps 96; Mt 18:12-14) ************************************************** In his teaching, Jesus used images he was familiar with, such as shepherds. In the gospel today, he recounts a parable in which he mentions an unlikely scenario – a shepherd leaving 99 sheep in the wilderness to rescue one […]
HOMILY WEEKDAY ADVENT WEEK 02 01 – Yr I
Redeemed and Ransomed by the Lord (Is 35:1-10; Ps 85; Lk 4:17-26) ****************************************** The movie Argo depicts the liberation of American hostages from their captivity in Iran with the help of Canada. Imagine the feelings of those hostages as their feet touched freedom for the first time in months. The readings today remind us we […]
HOMILY ADVENT SUNDAY 02 – C
Through Repentance to the Glory of God (Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126; Phil 1:3-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6) ************************************************* St. Irenaeus once said, “The glory of God is man and woman fully alive.” Repent, believe in Jesus and you too will be fully alive. In today’s gospel we are told the word of God comes, not to […]
HOMILY SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Balancing Devotion with Imitation (Gen 3:9-20; Ps 98; Eph 1:3-12; Lk 1:26-38) ********************************************************** In November – December of 2016 and again in 2918, I was chaplain for a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land, and was privileged to preside at the Eucharist commemorating this feast of the Immaculate Conception. The celebrations took place in […]
ADVENT WEEK 01 04 – Yr I
Doing the Will of God – Memorial, St. Ambrose (Isaiah 26:1-6; Ps 118; Mt 7:21, 24-27) *************************************************** “Only the ones who do the will of my Father in heaven will enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus could not be clearer or more direct than this teaching: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 01 04 – Yr I
Building Our Lives on Rock ((Is 26:1-6; Ps 118; Mt 7:24-27) *************************** At the Western Wall in Jerusalem, our guide pointed out that the massive stones we saw were really just a retaining wall to support the platform on which the temple was built. What a solid foundation! Today, in the gospel, Jesus advises his […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 01 03
Love Alone Satisfies Spiritual Hunger (Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23; Mt 15:29-37) ************************************ “Is that all there is to my life?” is a question many people end up asking, especially as they enter into the second half of life. Our yearning for the fullness of life can only be satisfied by the experience of God’s love, […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 01 02 – Year I
A Shoot Shall Come Out (Is 11:1-10; Ps 72; Lk 10:21-24) **************************************** There is a bumper sticker that reads, “If you want peace, work for justice.” The powerful readings for day two of the first week of Advent inspire us to adapt it to become, “If you want peace, justice and joy in your life, […]
HOMILY ADVENT SUNDAY 01 – C
Celebrate a Triple-Header (Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36) ************************************************************ In the world of baseball, a triple-header is when two teams play three games against each other in succession over a few days. That sporting event pales in comparison with the liturgical triple-header that is involved in the season of Advent […]
HOMILY WEEK 34 03 – YR II
Worship and Witness (Rev 15:1-4; Ps 98; Lk 21:12-19) *************************************** During this last week of the liturgical year, the readings continue an apocalyptic theme, as well as two scenes – a heavenly one and an earthly one and the connection between the two. The opening prayer provides the underlying message: Pray to see what must […]
