Archive for the ‘Homilies’
The Cross - The Ultimate Symbol of God’s Love - Homily Notes: Exaltation of the Cross - Year A
St. Paul tells all of us about the ‘make or break’ nature of love in our lives. He says:” If I do not have love, I am nothing.” (1Cor.13:2) We can have all kinds of wonderful gifts, but if we don’t receive and give love, life becomes meaningless, and we become meaningless and lost.
Seeking and Learning Forgiveness: Homily Notes - 23rd Sunday - Year A
This Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 18: 15-20) is about protecting one’s heart from anger and vengefulness. We all recognize, and often fear a person who has harbored deep hurt and rage in their hearts. Such hurt makes us bitter, hard, and even dangerous. Maybe we have been there ourselves or know a friend or a family member who has been terribly scarred by some very painful or hurtful event. Psychologists try to help people they counsel to identify such events, and help them to confront, let go, and forgive. If we don’t, they point out, we will continue to diminish-destroy our own life, and the lives of those around us.
Christianity and Prosperity (Homily Notes for 22nd Sunday - Year A)
Does Faith bring material blessings and prosperity??? Yes and No. Indirectly, faithful living of the gospel helps us avoid many of the pitfalls of life. If we take illegal drugs, there is a good chance we will become addicted and destroy our own lives and the lives of others around us. If we steal and plunder, there is a good chance that we will end up in jail. If we sell our bodies in prostitution….. (This list of ‘ifs’ could fill pages, but I think you know what I mean.) Living by Christian values helps us to be productive, happy, members of society, and thus indirectly, can lead to blessings and prosperity.
Empowered By Jesus
Homily Notes for 21st Sunday - Year A (Matthew 16:13-20)
The Challenge to Love our Neighbor
Homily Notes: Twentieth Sunday - Year A (Matthew 15:21-28)
The Fundamental Challenge of Christianity (Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time)
Compassion, the human feeling that allows us to see and feel the pain of others, motivates us to reach out to the other and help. If we call ourselves Christian, and have no compassion or love for the other, then we really don’t understand what Christianity is all about. But here is where it get tricky. Just because we feel for the other, doesn’t mean that we will try to help.
Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul - Homily Thoughts
This weekend I am preaching on two very significant, if not the most significant Christians responsible for the spread of Christianity after the Ascension of Jesus. This weekend we celebrate the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul.
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