Holy Family Sunday, Year C – Homily

Holy Family, Year C 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 Luke 2:41-52 December 27, 2015 We just celebrated Christmas and now we hear Jesus is twelve years old.  Boy, they do grow up fast! Well, actually that’s not the point of today’s gospel.  I see two purposes behind this gospel.  First, it shows …

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4th Sunday of Advent, Year C – Homily

4th Sunday of Advent, Year C Micah 5:1-4a Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 December 20, 2015 Today we hear the story of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth.  To understand the context of the story we first need to realize that this story happens immediately after the Annunciation where the Angel Gabriel told Mary …

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New Video Presentation Introducing the Year of Mercy

I recently gave a presentation introducing what the Jubilee Year of Mercy means for us. Pope Francis’ very first words in Misericordiae Vultus are, “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.  These words might well up the mystery of the Christian Faith.”  What is this all about?  Is mercy more than forgiveness?   If you …

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3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C – Homily

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C Zephaniah 3:14-18a Responsorial – Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18 December 13, 2015 “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!  Sing joyfully, O Israel” These are the words the prophet Zephaniah offers to the Israelites. Paul’s words echo this when he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I shall say …

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2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C – Homily

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C Baruch 5:1-9 Psalm 126:1-6 Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Luke 3:1-6 December 6, 2015 Baruch writes to the people “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery, put on the splendor of glory from God forever.” Why are the people wearing ‘robes of mourning and misery’?  Baruch is writing to …

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