TRINITY SUNDAY Year B Make Disciples of All Nations (Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Ps 33; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20) ************************************************************ A teacher was trying to teach her class the creed by having assigned students recite the different parts at the start of each class. It worked well for a few days, then one day there was […]
St. Bede the Venerable
HOMILY WEEK 07 06 – Year II The Virtue of Childlikeness: Optional Memorial of St. Bede the Venerable (Jm 5:13-20; Ps 141; Mk 10:13-16) ***************************************************** A set of parents finally managed to convince their precocious son that Jesus was really risen from the dead. As that truth settled on him, a gleam appeared in his […]
Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau
HOMILY WEEK 07 05 – Year II Faith, Healing and Intimacy: Optional Memorial of Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau (James 5:9-12; Ps 103; Mk 10:1-12) ******************************** A Sunday school teacher said to her children, “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me […]
Justice
HOMILY WEEK 07 04 – Year II Faith, Love and Justice (James 5:1-6; Ps 49; Mk 9:41-50) *********************************** Today’s readings present a challenge to us with their harsh language, both by James in the first reading and Jesus in the gospel. Combined with the psalm, however, they invite us to be grounded in God’s forgiveness […]
St. Rita of Cascia
HOMILY WEEK 07 03 – Week II Doing God’s Will and Living the Mission: Optional Memorial of St. Rita of Cascia (James 4:13-17; Ps 49; Mk 9:38-40) ******************************************** We can all vividly remember how quickly our lives changed four years ago at the onset of the global pandemic. As we lived through months of lockdown, […]
St. Eugene de Mazenod OMI
HOMILY WEEK 07 02 – Year II Humble, Childlike, Trusting Faith: Optional Memorial of St. Eugene de Mazenod (James 4:1-10; Ps 55; Mk 9:30-37) ************************************** “Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” This admonition from St. James in the first reading is the key to understanding the readings of today’s liturgy, and […]
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
HOMILY WEEK 07 01 – Year II Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (Gen 3:9-15,20/Acts 1:12-14; Judith 13:18-20; Jn 19:25-27) *********************************************************** Take a moment to think of your mother. What thoughts come to mind, and what feelings flood your heart? Hopefully gratitude, warmth, tenderness, affection for her virtues, and compassion for […]
Pentecost
HOMILY PENTECOST YEAR B Live by the Spirit in the Kingdom (Acts 2:1-11; Gal 5:16-25 (Optional); Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15) *************************************************** Some kids were burying their pet cat that had died. One of them said that they should say a prayer first. Another said that his dad was a minister and he knew how to pray […]
Pope St. John I
HOMILY EASTER SEASON WEEK 07 06 – Year II Following Jesus into the Kingdom of God: Optional Memorial of Pope St. John I (Acts 28:16-20,30-31; Ps11; Jn 21:20-25) **************************************************** Imagine spending years in prison or under house arrest, as Paul did. Or imagine languishing in harsh conditions – including nine years in solitary confinement – […]
Servant Leadership
HOMILY EASTER SEASON WEEK 07 05 – Year II Servant Leadership Based on Love and Forgiveness: (Acts 24:27, 25:13-21; Ps 103; Jn 21:15-19) ************************************************** In the early years of my ministry in northern Saskatchewan, a brother priest and I went by boat from Île-à-la Crosse to Patuanak to visit Bishop Dumouchel OMI, who loved to […]
