HOMILY WEEK 04 05 – Year II The Threat of the Other (Wis 2:1-11; Ps 34; Jn 7:1-30) ****************************************** “Something there is that does not love a wall; that sends the groundswell under it.” The readings today invite us to resist evil, believe in Jesus, and get to know him better through prayer. That quote […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 04 – Year II Faith in Jesus and his Gift of Life (Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106; Jn 5:18, 31-47) ******************************************* How strong is your faith? Is the Word of God dwelling in you? Are you enjoying eternal life, here and now? The invitation that comes to us from the readings today […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 03 – Year II Faith, Identity and Eternal Life Now (Is 49:8-15; Ps 145; Jn 5:16-30) ************************************** Moses and Jesus were golfing one day. It turns out that Jesus is a great fan of Tiger Woods. Every time he made a good shot, Jesus would exclaim “Wow – just like Tiger […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 02 – Year II Plunge into the Healing Waters of God’s Grace (Ezk 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46; Jn 5:1-6) *********************************************** Six times a week, I am in a swimming pool for a half-hour aquacize session. That practice not only provides health benefits for me, but also deepens my appreciation for the […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 04 01 – Year II New Creation through Faith and Love (Isaiah 65:17-21; Ps 30; Jn 4:43-54) ******************************************** How strong is your faith? How deep is your love? Important questions, these, because today’s liturgy invites us to be part of God’s new creation through faith in Jesus, and love for one another […]

HOMILY LENT SUNDAY 04-B Back to the Future (2 Chronicles 36:14-17; 19-23; Ps 137; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21) ***************************************************************** In the not too recent past, a movie came out called Back to the Future, in which the main character experiences a time warp into another period of history. The readings today come together to form […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 06 – Year II Letting Go of Living in Illusion: Optional Memorial of St. Frances of Rome (Hosea 5:15b-6:6; Ps 51; Lk 18:9-14) ******************************************** Did you know that disillusionment is not necessarily a negative reality? It just means one was living an illusion, and has now become aware of it. Today’s […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 05 – Year II Speaking of Hymns to God’s Mercy: Optional Memorial of St. John of God (Ho 14:1-9; Ps 81; Mk 12:28-34) ***************************************** “Only he who has been touched and caressed by the tenderness of God’s mercy really knows the Lord.” That comment by Pope Francis invites us to see […]

HOMILY LENT WEEK 03 04 – Year II Harden not Your Hearts: Optional Memorial of Saints Perpetua and St. Felicity (Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95; Lk 11:14-23) ********************************************* Healed people heal people; hurt people hurt people. Sin and sinfulness; stubbornness and disobedience seem to sum up the readings today, inviting us to be just the opposite […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 03 – Year II Loving Intimacy and Fulfilling the Law of Love: (Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147; Mt 5:17-19) ********************************************* Two sentences sum up the message from today’s readings: “I have come, not to abolish but to fulfill” by Jesus in the gospel, and “What great nation is there that has gods […]