Thanksgiving Day Homily

Thanksgiving DaySirach 50:22-24Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-81 Corinthians 1:3-9Luke 17:11-19November 26, 2020 Today is our national day of Thanksgiving.  The custom of this holiday dates back to the first pilgrims in Massachusetts.  They were thankful that God had blessed them with the harvest.  The trip across the ocean and the first year were not easy.  …

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Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year A – Homily

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year AEzekiel 34:11-12, 15-17Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6 (1)1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28Matthew 25:31-46November 22, 2020 Ezekiel opens today with the Lord assuring his people, “I myself will look after and tend my sheep.”  We find comfort in these words.  We find hope in knowing that the Lord is …

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Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AProverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 (1a)1 Thessalonians 5:1-6Matthew 25:14-30November 15, 2020 Proverbs speaks of the “worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.”  She is praised for the good she does as a God-fearing woman.  What we hear today is the short version.  If you read the …

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32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AWisdom 6:12-16Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (2b)1 Thessalonians 4:13-18Matthew 25:1-13November 8, 2020 Everyone is looking for happiness.  We find lasting happiness, we find joy, when we find fulfillment.  What is it that fulfills us? In our psalm response today we said, “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord …

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The Solemnity of All Saints – Homily

The Solemnity of All SaintsRevelation 7:2-4, 9-14Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 (6)1 John 3:1-3Matthew 5:1-12aNovember 1, 2020 We gather today for Sunday Mass.  Normally we would be celebrating the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time today.  However, today is different.  It is also November 1st.  That means it is the Solemnity of All Saints.  Throughout the year, …

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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AExodus 22:20-26Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 (2)1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10Matthew 22:34-40October 25, 2020 Last week we heard how the Pharisees were trying to “entrap Jesus in speech.”  As they did this, Jesus responded “knowing their malice.” Today, the Pharisees continue their efforts against Jesus.  “One of them, a scholar of …

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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AIsaiah 45:1, 4-6Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 (7b)1 Thessalonians 1:1-5bMatthew 22:15-21October 18, 2020 We gather on this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Today is also October 18th.  This is the feast of St. Luke, the patron saint of our parish.  We should pray regularly for his intercession for …

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Choosing a Moral, Immoral, or an Amoral Life

God gave his people commandments as a gift. The Ten Commandments are given to us to help us live a good life (cf. “God’s Commandments”). However, that does not mean they are easy to follow. Good, God-loving people struggle at times to keep the Commandments. The Law can seem like a burden at times. Thus, …

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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AIsaiah 25:6-10aPsalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (6cd)Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20Matthew 22:1-14October 11, 2020 Isaiah speaks of “a feast of rich food and choice wines.”  The Lord will provide a great banquet to which He invites his people.  It will be greater than any banquet you can imagine.  This banquet will …

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27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AIsaiah 5:1-7Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20 (Isaiah 5:7a)Philippians 4:6-9Matthew 21:33-43October 4, 2020 Is the Lord with us in our struggles?  The Lord is always with us.  Everything that is good comes from the Lord.  The Lord is like the vineyard owner described by Isaiah.  The Lord established a …

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