What Are You Doing for New Year’s

With the new year just five days away, have you made plans for how you will celebrate the beginning of the new year?  Will you make any new year’s resolutions? The new year begins on Sunday, December 3rd.  I will celebrate it the same way I celebrate the beginning of every new year, by celebrating …

Continue reading ‘What Are You Doing for New Year’s’ »

You Can Count on God

In our first reading, through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord offers a message to the Israelites in distress. “The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers.” The message is in the future tense. It is a message of hope. While things may seem …

Continue reading ‘You Can Count on God’ »

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A – Homily

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year AIsaiah 11:1-10Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 (7)Romans 15:4-9Matthew 3:1-12December 4, 2022 Our gospel passage today comes from the time just before Jesus began his public ministry during his first coming.  It speaks of preparation.  We can use this passage to reflect on our readiness for the Second Coming. John the …

Continue reading ‘2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A – Homily’ »

Gaudete Sunday – A Time to Rejoice

Today (December 12, 2021) we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C. The normal liturgical color for Advent is violet (we often say purple). We use the color violent as a sign of penance, especially in Lent. Thinking of penance means thinking of our sins. That may depress us. Awareness of our sins should …

Continue reading ‘Gaudete Sunday – A Time to Rejoice’ »

St. Nicholas and the True Spirit of Christmas

Today, December 6th, is the Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas. We don’t know much about him. During our present season of Advent, the memorial of saints aren’t given as much attention. However, this year I feel inspired to use what we do know about St. Nicholas as I offer this homily. So, what do we …

Continue reading ‘St. Nicholas and the True Spirit of Christmas’ »

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C – Homily

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year CBaruch 5:1-9Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11Luke 3:1-6December 5, 2021 At the time of the event in today’s gospel, Jesus has already been born.  Soon He will begin his public ministry.  However, before He does, John the Baptist is sent to “prepare the way of the Lord.” This …

Continue reading ‘2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C – Homily’ »

Preparing for the Coming

Soon we will celebrate the first Coming of Jesus with our Christmas season. Christmas is too important to celebrate with just a single day. We celebrate Christmas a season that begins with our Christmas Masses and lasts until we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Christmas is a time of hope. The birth of Jesus …

Continue reading ‘Preparing for the Coming’ »