Epiphany of the Lord – Homily

The Epiphany of the LordIsaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (11)Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12 We come today to celebrate The Epiphany of the Lord.  In the Old Testament we hear stories of God appearing to people.  God had appeared in the burning bush to Moses and in the tiny whispering sound to Elijah.  Now, Jesus, …

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Feast of the Holy Family

Christmas is our celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thus, it is too important to celebrate with a single day. As Catholics, we celebrate Christmas as a season that begins on Christmas day and continues until we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord (which falls on January 8th this year). There are …

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Christmas Homily 2023

The Nativity of the Lord (Mass During the Night)Isaiah 9:1-6Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-14December 25, 2023 We come today to celebrate something very special and we do so with “abundant joy and great rejoicing.”  We come into church from a world with darkness and gloom.  How many shootings have there been this year?  How much senseless violence?  …

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Why the Genealogy of Jesus is Important

As we approach Christmas, there are specific readings for daily Masses on the final eight days before Christmas. The gospel readings focus on the events just before the birth of Jesus including the announcements of the pending births of John the Baptist and Jesus. It begins on December 17th (which was a Sunday this year, …

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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 …

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Beginning a New Year With Blessings

Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is far too important to celebrate with a single day. We celebrate Christmas for a season that lasts until the Baptism of the Lord (which falls on Monday, January 9th this year). This season include the Epiphany of the Lord (which falls on Sunday, January 8th this …

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Christmas Homily for 2022

The Nativity of the Lord (Mass During the Night)Isaiah 9:1-6Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-14December 25, 2022 You can find a video of this homily on my website page for my upcoming series, The Greatest Gift: The Eucharist at www.renewaloffaith.org/greatestgift (scroll down on that page to find the video). “The people who walked in darkness have seen a …

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The Baptism of the Lord

With this Sunday’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord our Christmas season ends. Christmas is a time of great hope. We hear the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, we see Jesus laying in the manger, and our hearts are filled with hope. The sight of any baby can fill our hearts with joy for …

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The Epiphany of the Lord – Homily

The Epiphany of the LordIsaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (11)Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12January 2, 2022 Today we celebrate The Epiphany of the Lord. We know the story of the magi, traditionally referred to as the three kings.  They came to give homage to Jesus.  Why do we call this “The Epiphany of the Lord?”  …

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