Saying “Yes” to God like St. Joseph (Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72; Mt 1:18-24) ************************************ Two small boys, having a sleep-over at their grandparents, were saying their night prayers. One was praying out loud with all his might that God would get him a bike for Christmas. The other told him he didn’t have to pray […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 03 02 – Yr II
Living the Mystery (Judges 13:2-25; Ps 71; Lk 1:5-25) *************************************** Perhaps you have heard the saying, “Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved.” Today, as we approach the end of the Advent season, we are invited to live that mystery with humble faith, trust and prayer. The readings today […]
HOMILY ADVENT SUNDAY 3-B
On Being Grateful Pilgrims (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28) **************************************************************** Some years ago, Gustavo Gutierrez, considered the father of Liberation Theology, spoke at Newman Theological College as part of the Bishop Anthony Jordan series of lectures. That event and his message ties in with this third Sunday of Advent […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 02 06 – Yr II
Being Elijah for Others (Sirach 48:1-11; Ps 80; Mt 17:10-13) ************************************** Do you see yourself as a prophet? The readings today invite us to be Elijah and John the Baptist for others. Both the first reading from Sirach and the gospel focus on Elijah. Elijah was the great prophet of the Old Testament, well deserving […]
HOMILY FORT McMURRAY WORKSHOP ON RECONCILIATION AFTER THE TRC
In a Spirit of Reconciliation December 15, 2017 (Is 48:17-19; Ps 1; Mt 15:21-28) ************************************ You will notice that the gospel is different than the one provided for today, chosen because it fits our theme of moving forward in a renewed spirit of reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples. It involves cross-cultural encounter, and can serve […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 02 01 – Yr II
Tee Pee Spirituality Healing (Is 35:1-10; Ps 85; Lk 5:17-26) ************************************ A man told a psychiatrist that he suffered from nightmares – sometimes he dreamt he was a tee pee, other times he was a wigwam. When he asked what his problem was, the psychiatrist replied simply that he was too tense! Did you know […]
HOMILY ADVENT SUNDAY 2-A
Repentance – Key to the Kingdom (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:6-15; Mark 1:1-8) **************************************************************** A dishonest painter thinned the paint with water and painted a church. As long as it didn’t rain right away he would be okay, he thought. That night there was a big storm. He ran to the Church […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 01 06 – Yr II
Modern Day Isaiah’s Offering Hope and Healing (Is 30:19-26; Ps 147; Mt 9:35 – 10:8) ************************************************ Are you shocked at the number of drug-related deaths due to the opioid crisis in our society today? Could that be an indication of a deeper spiritual malaise, a lost-ness of the soul? Jesus, in the readings today, mandates […]
HOMILY SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Balancing Devotion with Imitation (Gen 3:9-20; Ps 98; Eph 1:3-12; Lk 1:26-38) ********************************************************** A husband asked his wife why she had purchased an expensive dress after she had told him she was only going window shopping. She replied that she did go window shopping and that when she saw that beautiful dress in the window, […]
HOMILY ADVENT WEEK 01 04 – Yr II
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 […]
