As Christians we are called to be people of forgiveness. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer we say, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We acknowledge our need to be forgiven and we pledge to offer the same to others. Yet we find forgiving others (and ourselves) can …
Today’s first reading (8/13/18 – Monday of 19th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2) from Ezekiel provides what can be both a powerful and confusing image. It can be confusing to us because it relies on imagery unfamiliar to us but known to the Israelites as images of God. It can be a powerful image …
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (9a) Ephesians 4:30-5:2 John 6:41-51 August 12, 2018 Elijah was fleeing from King Ahaz and others after defeating the 450 prophets of the false god Baal. They were seeking to kill him. In fear and despair Elijah “prayed for death, …
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Homily for August 2018 Holy Hour Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 6:7-15 We started our monthly holy hour last September as part of our diocesan Year of the Eucharist. So, it was only logically that the themes of the readings we used helped us reflect on the Eucharist. After …
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18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54 (24b) Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 John 6:24-35 August 5, 2018 Last week we hear from the Old Testament of when Elisha fed 100 people with 20 loaves. This was a small miracle serving as a precursor to the huge miracle of …
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17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 (16) Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15 July 29, 2018 During the time Elisha served as a prophet of the Lord, there was a famine in the land. So, food was scare. A man brings twenty barley loaves and Elisha directs that it …
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16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23:1-3, 3, 4, 5, 6 (1) Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34 July 22, 2018 God has always cared for his people. He had appointed people as kings and priests to be shepherds over his people but many of them misled and scattered his flock. Through the …
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Homily for July 2018 Holy Hour Jeremiah 29:8-14 Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 Phil 2:5-11 John 15:9-17 Two weeks ago, we celebrated the Fourth of July as our national holiday. As far as I know, we are the only country that celebrates July 4th as a holiday. That’s because of its significance to us. Of course, …
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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Ezekiel 2:2-5 Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 2-4 (2cd) 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Mark 6:1-6 July 8, 2018 One might think that people from Jesus’ “native place” would welcome him with great fanfare as the hometown boy. If somebody becomes famous today, their hometown often puts up a big welcome sign …
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13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24 Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13 (2a) 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 Mark 5:21-43 July 1, 2018 Today we hear of Jesus doing two great healings. One is for a twelve-year-old girl who, by the time Jesus’ arrives at the home, has “died”. The …
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