homiletics
-
Good Friday 1st Word
Jesus was led along with two criminals to be crucified. When they came to the Place of the Skull, as it was called, they crucified him there and the criminals as well, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke Continue reading
-
Responding to Reality
In the Old Testament reading today, we have the famous scene known throughout the rest of the Scriptures as the waters of contradiction. The Israelites are faced with troubles: they are thirsty and they are in the desert. This reading resonates with us today because we are faced with the corona virus phenomenon, and we Continue reading
-
Be perfect
Our Lord’s instruction to choose the way of perfection is an important reminder for all of us who call ourselves Christian. “Be perfect,” he tells us. Some of you might respond as I do to these words: I’m a sinner, Lord, conceived a sinner in my mother’s womb, and thanks to the concupiscence I inherited Continue reading
-
Our common ordinary priesthood
Last Sunday we wrapped up the season of Christmas and Epiphany with the Baptism of the Lord, and now we have entered the Sundays in Ordinary Time. Father reminded us last Sunday that all of us participate in the common priesthood and the three-fold office of Priest, Prophet, and King by virtue of our Baptism. Continue reading
-
17 out of 100
When I was a freshman in college, I took Calculus II because in high school I had earned college credit for the first part of Calculus. And I was doing great in that class until we got to something called Taylor series. And for some reason, my brain hit a brick wall and I could Continue reading
-
Justice and Death
The Old Testament reading today from Malachi is short – it’s only two verses – but it really packs a punch, doesn’t it? Lo, the day is coming when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble. But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing Continue reading
-
Prayer: Perseverance, Posture, Praise
The theme of the readings today is prayer. From the Old Testament reading, we are comforted to know that all prayers reach the ears of the Almighty. St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy demonstrates how prayer must be at the center of the disciple’s life. In the gospel from Luke today, Jesus warns us about the Continue reading
-
Time and Talent
The parable of the prodigal son is one of the best-known stories in all the Bible. I’d like to draw your attention to the first turning point in the story, where the younger son is in the middle of his terrible job feeding the pigs, and he realizes he doesn’t have to live like this. Some voice inside Continue reading
-
Expectant Waiting
The readings for last Sunday and this Sunday are about what’s important and how to protect it. Last Sunday’s readings were about what is not important. Riches are not important, building bigger barns or bigger retirement accounts is not important. This Sunday’s readings are about what is important. What is truly important is that we Continue reading
-
Mary Has Chosen the Better Part
One of the great topics of dispute in the Christian faith, from the time of St. Paul certainly through the time of Martin Luther and even up to our own day, is the question of faith versus works. The two sisters from our gospel today personify the interplay between faith and works, for Mary seems Continue reading
Bound in Love 