Homilies

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Sirach 15:15-20 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:17-37 February 16, 2014 Jesus told his disciples that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. It might have been nice if…

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 58-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16 February 9, 2014 Jesus says to us as his disciples “You are the salt of the earth.”  Of course, the question becomes in what way are…

Presentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 February 2, 2014 Normally we would be celebrating the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time today but instead we are celebrating the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. There are…

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 8:23-9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 January 26, 2014 Why did Jesus come into our human world?  Why would Jesus who is consubstantial with the Father be willing to give up…

2nd Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 January 19, 2014 Here comes Jesus!  One might have expected that as soon as John saw Jesus he might run to Jesus with great…

Baptism of the Lord, Year A Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17 January 12, 2014 Isaiah speaks of the “suffering servant” chosen by the Lord to receive his spirit and who pleases the Lord.  People ask who this “suffering…

Epiphany, Year A Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 January 5, 2014 The magi see a star and knew it signified the birth of a newborn king and not just any king but a newborn king of the Jews.…

Mary, Mother of God, Year A Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 January 1, 2014 God is instructing Moses to have Aaron and his sons, who serve as the priests, to offer a special blessing for the people.  They are…

Holy Family, Year A Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Colossians 3:12-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 December 29, 2013 “Bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” These are words that Paul writes to the Colossians.  Who do you think of as you hear…

Christmas 2013, Year A Isaiah 9:1-6 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 December 25, 2013 This summer a prince in line to the throne of England was born.  As a king-to-be, he was born in a private suite in the hospital.  There…

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24 December 22, 2013 God offers King Ahaz a sign! If God offered you a sign what would you ask for? Would you ask for something simple or…

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 December 15, 2013 “Are you the one?” John the Baptist is in jail for preparing the Way of the Lord and has heard of Jesus.  He…

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12 December 8, 2013 Every time we celebrate Mass we listen to words from the Bible.  Why? Paul offers us an explanation when he writes to the Romans,…

1st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44 December 1, 2013 Even before Thanksgiving Christmas items were appearing in the stores.  I saw a Santa in a mall two weeks before Thanksgiving.  Radio stations are…

Christ the King, Year C 2 Samuel 5:1-3 Colossians 1:12-20 Luke 23:35-43 November 24, 2013 The Israelites realize it is time to make David their king.  God had already anointed David as king but the Israelites are just coming to…

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C Malachi 3:19-20a 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19 November 17, 2013   Next week we will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and then the weekend after that we will begin Advent.  Advent…

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 Luke 20:27-38 November 10, 2013   The Resurrection is a central mystery of our faith.  The Resurrection is essential to who we are as Christians.  At…

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C Wisdom 11:22-12:2 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 Luke 19:1-10 November 3, 2013 Zacchaeus was seen as a sinner.  He was a tax collector and tax collectors were known for their extortion.  In those days, extortion…

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14 October 27, 2013 I have competed well, I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith. These are the words Paul writes to…

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Exodus 17:8-13 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Luke 18:1-8 October 20, 2013 Jesus speaks today about the necessity to pray always. Pray always? Doesn’t that mean praying 24/7?  How can we do that?  We need to work,…

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 Kings 5:14-17 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19 October 13, 2013 Ten lepers, all in need of healing, come to Jesus.  They ask for pity.  With no other action, Jesus tells them to go to…

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10 October 4, 2013 “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The apostles had faith but they knew their faith was not as strong as…

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Amos 6:1a, 4-7 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Luke 16:19-31 September 29, 2013 Paul writes to Timothy to offer him guidance as the leader of a community.  Paul’s instructions to Timothy might sound simple.  “Compete well for…

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Amos 8:4-7 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Luke 16:1-13 September 22, 2013 Today Jesus tells us the Parable of the Dishonest Steward.  In those days a steward was essentially the complete manager of the owner’s property and…

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-32 September 15, 2013 The Israelites had become “depraved.”  How?  Because they had ‘turned aside from the way God had pointed out to them.’ Through Moses God had…