17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 1 Kings 3:5:7-12 Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52 Jesus says, “The kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure” so valuable that one who finds it “sells all that he has” to be able to obtain the treasure. What do you see as valuable?  …

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16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43 Today Jesus speaks to us about weeding, a task common to many people.  We are fortunate to have a couple of dedicated parishioners who take care of the general gardening for our properties.  Just the other day, …

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Who is Your God?

Today’s first reading continues the story of Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush.  God told Moses that he would send him to rescue the Israelites from Egypt.  Moses asked whom should he tell them sent him.  For us the answer might seem obvious, God, but we must remember that it was polytheistic culture, …

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Some Thoughts on the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Those of you who are regular readers of my blog might notice that the title of this article is “Some Thoughts on the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A” as compared to the normal title including the word “homily.”  That’s because I’m not preaching this weekend.  We have a visiting priest from the Archdiocese …

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Zechariah 9:9-10 Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30 Giving praise to God is a recurring theme in today’s readings.  Our reading from Zechariah calls us to “shout for joy.”  The psalm speaks of praising (extolling) the Lord’s name for ever.  In the gospel, Jesus …

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The Fourth of July and Our Faith

Back on June 22nd I wrote about St. John Fisher, St. Thomas More and the “Fortnight for Freedom.”  That “Fortnight for Freedom” began on June 21st.  It ends today on July 4th, the day we, in the United States, celebrate our nation’s independence. Freedom is an important concept.  Freedom needs to be taken very seriously.  …

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13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42 The Fourth Commandment tells us to “honor our father and mother” but today Jesus says, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” Are these two in conflict?  Absolutely not.  …

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