Homilies

Homily for the Sunday on the Feast of the Holy Family.

Does the Lord have an opportunity to move into your imagination and help you recraft the story you tell yourself? Today is the day to say, “Hey, Lord, would you like to come in and clean house? Would you like to sweep away the stuff I’m telling myself that’s holding me back? It could be a dramatic, sad, fearful tale or something that’s too limited. Could you invite the Holy Spirit to say, “I have a story already, but I’m willing to consider myself the assistant editor. I don’t have to be the star of the show. You are that to me.” So today, we say to the Lord, “I am your servant; let it be done. Re-write my story. Can’t wait to see what you do with it. 

Gospel Luke 2:22-40

Homily for the second week of Advent.

Juan Diego has a message for the bishop, who does not listen to him. Similarly, Jesus’s message delivered at synagogue, which communicated that God’s grace extends to all people, even those outside the tribe or borders, was not well received. This leads us to ponder when we put ourselves in a position where it becomes difficult to hear someone else’s message. In the song “Do You Hear What I Hear”, the shepherd boy converses with a mighty king, one of the magi, who is willing to listen to someone of lower status because the truth holds authority. 

Gospel Matthew 11:11-15

Homily for the Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier. 

St Xavier had a zeal for bringing the gospel to new places and sharing the love of Jesus. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus encourages us to do “the will of the Father in heaven.” Doing so will make us like the wise man who built his house on rock, not sand.

Gospel Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Homily for the thirty-fourth Wednesday of Ordinary Time.

Jesus leads his disciples into unfamilar territory. Whenever we feel entitled to an answer or explanation, is it sufficient to know that God loves us and promises to be with us?

Gospel Luke 21:12-19

Homily for the thirty-third Wednesday of Ordinary Times.

Jesus tells his disciples a parable about an unjust king who reaps what he does not sow. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus immediately proceeds to the temple upon his arrival in Jerusalem and overturns the money changers’ tables. Jesus reminds everyone that the house was built to be a house of prayer, not a juggernaut of economic might that takes from people who have little and gives to people who have more.  Jesus is the model public servant. 

Gospel Luke 19:11-28

Homily for the Feast day of St. Charles Borromeo.

Saints don’t have to be distant figures. The saints are accessible to us all. Anyone  who is part of the Body of Christ can be in close proximity. All you need to do is ask St Charles Borromeo (or any other saint) to come sit by you. 

Gospel John 10:11-18

Homily for the twenty-ninth Wednesday of Ordinary Times.

Jesus asks, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Jesus identifies as us and whoever we think is not us. After 2,000 years, our human psyche still struggles with the idea of a nonviolent God. We are distinct persons but not separate. As soon as we have chosen separation rather than distinctiveness, the easy next step is judging. Separation dissolves in the presence of love. 

Gospel Luke 12:39-48

Homily for the Feast Day of Saint Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.

The story of Nathaniel sitting under the fig tree suggests that he was a devoted rabbinical student dedicated to serving God. Nathaniel was known to have no duplicity and, as a result could recognize Jesus as the King of Isreal. The Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael serve as a reminder that their whole being becomes the message. Similarly, when we welcome Christ into our hearts, we become the message of his love to the world. 

Gospel John 1:47-51

Homily for the twenty-fifth Thursday of Ordinary Times.

It is hard to understand Jesus if you compare him to something old, like Elijah or John the Baptist. You have to create a new category to even think about him. He thinks unitively, not dualistically. Even after being shamed and publicly murdered, all Jesus does is come back and say, “Peace be with you;” and good to see you again. We are invited to drink deep. Breathe in the spirit, and that kind of presence of Christ in the world makes even the most unlikely people sit up and take notice. Say, “What is this?” This looks like something new.

Gospel Luke 9:7-9

Homily for the sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Times.

A landowner sows good seeds in a field, which represents the universe. While he sleeps, an enemy sows weeds in the same field. Our task is to sow good seeds and love our enemies and know that God will take care of the wheat and weeds. 

Gospel Matthew 13:24-43

Homily for the fifteenth Thursday of Ordinary Times.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will give you rest.” Jesus desires to be by our side, not only to accomplish the task but to be a companion who with compassion lightens our burden. When we experience support, it becomes much easier for us to extend the same kindness to others who are struggling and offer to help lighten their load.

Gospel Matthew 11:28-30

Homily for the fourteenth Thursday of Ordinary Times.

Around 1800, John Chapman left Massachusetts and traveled west towards Illinois, planting apple seeds along the way. He believed that even if he never saw the apple trees grow or bear fruit, others would benefit from his efforts. He didn’t feel the need to constantly watch over the trees to ensure a large yield. Trust the Holy Spirit, receive first, then give and your needs will be few. Let us follow in his footsteps and go out into the world, loving others as we ourselves have been loved. 

Gospel Matthew 10:7-15

Homily for the fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who find life burdensome, and I will give you rest.” Before we take up our work and wear ourselves out, what if we got in Jesus’ yoke and worked beside him? Shift your attitude by praying to join Jesus’ yoke. 

Gospel Matthew 11:25-30

Homily for the thirteenth Wednesday of Ordinary Times.

When we pray the Our Father, we say “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” If you want to live in a world without a domination system, we already see the pattern set for us; it simply involves serving. That usually means with mouth closed and ears opened. Ask God for mercy and the grace we need to do the next thing our conscience calls for us to do.

Gospel Matthew 8:28-34

Homily for the sixth Wednesday of Easter.

Learning often builds on previous knowledge. We can transcend our current state and integrate our new understanding. In Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul, motivated by the love of God, no longer feels the need to use violence against pagans. In fact, St. Paul includes the temples of the pagans worshipers for his preaching. He has transcended a version of his previous self. We can all ask St. Paul to help us be more transcendent and inclusive. 

Gospel John 16:12-15

Homily for the second Wednesday of Easter.

God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, not to condemn but to save us. Jesus came to bring light to every corner of your life if you’ll just receive him. 

Gospel John 3:16-21

Homily on Holy Thursday.

Jesus demonstrated love by washing the disciples’ feet. He loved them until the end. Life is complicated, but love can guide you through uncertainty and anxiety. Choose love; it’s simple. 

Gospel John 13:1-15

Homily on the Wednesday of Holy Week.

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The betrayal and persecution of the early Christian church continued, and Christians had to vouch for the sincerity of others wanting to grow in their faith in the community. Today, we can betray others by focusing on a small thing and making it the whole thing in a partisan way. This hyperfocus can lead to disunity and justifying treacherous behavior towards others. Just as Jesus offered Peter reconciliation, we can reconcile with each other by accepting Jesus’ invitation to “Follow me.” 

Gospel Matthew 26:14-25

Homily on the fifth Wednesday of Lent.

In the book of the Prophet Daniel (Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95), the Jewish ancestors Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego, are recalled to provide consolation. The passage from Hebrews 12:1-2 serves as a reminder that we are constantly surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, including saints, angels, and our ancestors. Whenever we feel scared, we can invite this cloud of witnesses who love us to surround us. We can also draw strength from encouraging memories from our family stories. 

Gospel John 8:31-42

Homily for the Annunciation of the Lord.

Mary responds to the angel Gabriel, saying, “I’m your servant. I’ll do whatever you want. Sure. If that’s what you want, let it be done according to your word.” Mary is like us; we can say the same sort of yes, we are in charge of that. Can you imagine God having his eye on you, being in love with you, and wanting to ask, would you let me grow inside you? Could I grow incrementally day by day? Could the fruits of my Holy Spirit in you blossom, that would be a blessing for you, but it would be a blessing for everyone you come across. 

 Gospel Luke 1:26-38