Prophetic Marriage and Family Life (Sir 3:2-14 Ps 1028; Col 3:12-21; Luke 2:22-40) ************************************************************** Noted sociologist Reginald Bibby, in his book The Boomer Factor, quotes respected American journalist Walter Kirn as saying, “There is still only one way to be sane – enjoy your family, friends, faith and job – but every year there are […]
HOMILY CHRISTMAS OCTAVE DAY 05
Walking as Jesus Walked (1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96; Lk 2:22-35) ************************************** The Word Among Us today has an interesting commentary on today’s gospel that with some adaptation will make up this homily. It begins with the quote, “The parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,” and continues […]
HOMILY FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS
Light in the Darkness (1 Jn 1:2-2:2; Ps 124; Mt 2:13-18) ********************************************** St. John, whose feast we celebrated yesterday, begins the readings today with the proclamation that God is light and in him there is no darkness. Those who repent and receive the forgiveness of Jesus will have communion with each other, and also walk […]
HOMILY – FEAST OF ST. JOHN
Making Visible the Invisible (1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97; Jn 20:2-8) ***************************************** When a bishop is named, the tradition is to have the ordination on a feast day. So strong is that tradition that I, at the insistence of the nuncio, was ordained on August 29th, the feast of the beheading of John the Baptist! […]
HOMILY FEAST OF ST STEPHEN
Living Calvary In Slow Motion (Acts 6:8-10; Ps 31; Mt 10:17-22) **************************************** A well-known theologian, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, once said: Grace is free, but not cheap. This statement resonates with a song that the International singing group Up With People sang as part of their show: Freedom isn’t Free. These two phrases seem to fit this […]
CHRISTMAS EVE HOMILY – YEAR B
The Light that overcomes Darkness (Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-16) ********************************************************* There is almost nothing as heart-warming when traveling by boat on a rough lake at night under completely dark, cloudy skies as turning a corner and seeing the light of a familiar beacon or light. Then we know we are […]
HOMILY ADVENT SUNDAY 4-B
Be a Beacon of Hope and a Light to the World (2 Samuel 7:1-5b, 8b-12. 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Rm 16:225-27; Luke 1:26-38) ************************************************************ Years ago, noted television personality and writer Malcomb Muggeridge spent some time working with Mr. Theresa in the slums of Calcutta. He noted that one of the forces that kept her […]
HOMILY DECEMBER 23
An Infinite Horizon of Faith (Mal 3:1-4;4:5-6; Ps 25; Lk 1:57-66) ********************************************** Olivier Tremblay, an Oblate who works with university students in Eastern Canada, spoke at an Oblate symposium once. He noted that youth today lack hope, because they don’t have an infinite horizon of faith into which they can situate the events of their […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 04 – Yr II
Mary and Elizabeth; Jesus and John the Baptist (Zep 3:14-18; Ps 33; Lk 1:39-45) *********************************************** Bishop St. Ambrose has an interesting reflection on the visitation that I thought I would adapt and make part of this homily. Here is what is found in the office of readings for today: When the angel revealed his message […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 03 – Yr II
Prophecy Fulfilled (Is 7:10-8:10; Ps 24; Lk 1:26-38) ******************************* Scripture tells us that the sign of a true prophet is the fulfillment of that prophecy. There are countless prophecies in the Old Testament that are proved to be true, because they are fulfilled completely by the birth of Jesus among us, the mystery of the […]
