HOMILY WEEK 02 03 – Year II Balancing Mercy and Faith, Law and Love:  Memorial of St. Anthony (1 Sm 17:32-51; Ps 144; Mk 3:1-6) ****************************************************** Why was Goliath so surprised when David struck him with a stone from his sling? Such a thing had never entered his head before! The readings today, on this […]

HOMILY WEEK 02 02 – Year II Placing our Faith in Christ as Kyrios-Lord (1 Sm 16:1-13; Ps 89; Mk 2:23-28) *************************************** The late Serge LeClerc, former gang leader who had a conversion experience while incarcerated, became a motivational speaker. In one of his talks, he shared how he was always looking for identity, and […]

HOMILY WEEK 02 01 – Year II Understanding Three Spiritual Themes (1 Sam 15:16-23; Ps 50; Mk 2:18-22) **********************************************  Three significant themes run through the readings today, inviting us to pay attention to them, learn from them and let them strengthen our faith in Jesus as the center of our lives. They are violence in […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 02 – Year B The Dynamics of Discipleship and Friendship (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42) ***************************************************************** Four mothers were talking about their ordained sons. One proudly said her son was a bishop and everyone addressed him as “Your Excellency.” Another stated that her son was an […]

HOMILY WEEK 01 06 – Year II The Call of Levi – Gratuitous Grace: Optional Memorial of St. Hilary (1 Sm 9:1-19; Ps 21; Mk 2:13-17) ************************************************************ The Word Among Us offers this reflection for today’s liturgy: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus and his disciples are eating in the courtyard […]

HOMILY WEEK 01 05 – Year II New Life through Faith, Forgiveness and Healing Memorial: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys (1 Sm 8:4-22; Ps 89; Mk 2:1-12) ******************************************************* There is a saying, “People get the government they deserve.” That saying applies to the readings and memorial liturgy today. We are invited to place our faith in Jesus, […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 02 – Year B The Dynamics of Discipleship and Friendship (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42) ***************************************************************** Four mothers were talking about their ordained sons. One proudly said her son was a bishop and everyone addressed him as “Your Excellency.” Another stated that her son was an […]

HOMILY WEEK 01 04 – Year II Humble Faith and Trust: (1 Sam 4:1-11; Ps 44; Mk 1:40-45) ************************************* Have you ever wondered, “Where is God?” when something bad happened to you? The readings today provide us with a simple, clear and important message: Be humble and trust in God at all times and in […]

HOMILY WEEK 01 – 03 Doing the Will of God: (1 Sam 3:1-20; Ps 40; Mk 1:29-39) ********************************* There are many Markan characteristics in this gospel: Jesus goes out of the synagogue; he takes four disciples with him; he goes into a home; he heals Peter’s mother-in-law; he exercises power over evil spirits, then he […]

WEEK 01 02 Year II Spiralling Out of Control (1 Sam 1:9-20; 1 Sam 2; Mk 1:21-28) **************************************** How would you take the air out of a glass? Would you use a vacuum pump? Or simply fill the glass with water, and the air would be pushed out. In a similar way, the readings today […]