Why Did Jesus Take Peter, James, and John With Him?

Today’s gospel begins, “Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.” Why did He take them with him? He knew what was going to happen and He wanted them to see it. What happened? “He was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and …

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Do We See What God Offers as a Treasure?

In today’s gospel Jesus continues to teach in parables. The first two parables speak of something so valuable that one would be willing to sell everything that one has to obtain the treasure that is offered. Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is like the treasure and the pearls in these parables. Do you see …

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16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AWisdom 12:13, 16-19Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 (5a)Romans 8:26-27Matthew 13:24-43July 23, 2023 “Where have the weeds come from?” The man had sowed only good seed.  Why were weeds growing in the field? His enemy had come during the night when everyone was asleep and sowed the weeds. There is evil …

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15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AIsaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14 (Luke 8:8)Romans 8:18-23Matthew 13:1-23 July 16, 2023 The crowds that came to Jesus were large.  They all had heard something about Jesus that drew them there.  Perhaps they heard of miracles He had done.  Others may have about his teaching.  They came because …

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

In the time of our first reading today the Israelites were under foreign rule. Israel had been a great nation but had been defeated by their enemies. They were saddened in this situation. Through the prophet Zechariah the Lord tells them, “Rejoice heartily…shout for joy.” What reason do they have to rejoice? Why should they …

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13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Elisha spent much time travelling to deliver God’s message as his prophet. Today, we hear of the woman who urged him to dine at her house. She knew that Elisha was “a holy man of God.” She was already “a woman of influence.” So, she probably isn’t just trying to look important by having Elisha …

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12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year AJeremiah 20:10-13Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 (14c)Romans 5:12-15Matthew 10:26-33June 25, 2023 Jeremiah faced danger.  He heard “the whisperings of many” who sought to “denounce him.”  Why did they want to denounce him?  Because he was pointing out their sins.  He was telling them that they needed to change but …

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We Are His People

God did not simply free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and walk away. Rather, He chose to establish a covenant with them (see today’s first reading). In doing so, He formed a relationship with them. It was not a legal relationship established through a legal contract. It was covenant. The difference? A covenant is …

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The Most Holy Blood of Christ, Year A – Homily

The Most Holy Body and Blood of ChristDeuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16aPsalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 (12)1 Corinthians 10:16-17John 6:51-58June 11, 2023 The Book of Deuteronomy is seen as a farewell address by Moses as he reminds the people of what the Lord has done for them and what they agreed to do (keep the commandments).  God allowed …

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Three Yet One

This Sunday we celebrate The Most Holy Trinity. In today’s second reading, Paul concludes his Second Letter to the Corinthians invoking the Trinity as he writes, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” We begin our prayers by …

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