Homily for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Growing up I used to collect things. Most of what I collected were the usual “boy” things like baseball cards, rocks, and keychains. But I also collected something which wasn’t typical for boys my age: chemical formulas. I kept a three-page Word document with all …
Month: August 2020
Be Brave and Bold
Homily for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. In 42 B.C., two years after he died, Julius Caesar was declared a god by the Roman Senate. It was a brilliant piece of political and religious propaganda. It allowed Julius’ adopted son and heir, Caesar Augustus, to take on a new and exalted title: …
Two Women and Two Virtues
Homily for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Mother Teresa was once living in a small orphanage in Calcutta. One day there was nothing for the orphans to eat. So, Mother called them together and said to them, “Children, we having nothing to eat today. But if we pray to God He will …
That’s Quite an Assumption
Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption. Joseph and Mary were walking in the garden one day. Mary turned to Joseph and said to him: “Joseph, when I come to the end of my earthly life, I think God is going to take me body and soul into heaven.” Taken aback, Joseph paused for …
He Will Not Let Us Drown
Homily for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Imagine being in the boat with the disciples. It’s late at night. It’s dark and overcast. Occasionally the clouds break and the pale light of the moon shines through. A few lights twinkle off in the distance along the shore. But otherwise it is dark. …
The Our Father: Privilege and Responsibility
Homily for the Presentation of the Lord's Prayer. Gospel: Mt. 6:9-13. When I’m having a hard time coming up with a homily, I sometimes share that fact with my parents. And their reactions are usually a bit different. My mom will encourage me to trust that God will provide, as He has in the past, …
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