Posts Tagged ‘Homily’
There was an expression common among the Rabbis of Jesus’ time, and perhaps even now, wherein one Rabbi would ask another a question, but request the answer be given, “Standing on one foot.” Which is a Jewish way of saying, “Be brief in your answer.” And that sort of expression may be behind the question [...] Read the rest of this entry »
In today’s Gospel we see the healing of a leper (this means you and me). Leprosy in Scripture is more than just a physical illness, it is also a euphemism for sin. Leprosy itself is not sin, but it resembles sin and what sin does to us spiritually. For sin, like leprosy, disfigures us; it [...] Read the rest of this entry »
There are four aspects of powerful preaching displayed by Jesus in this passage. As such, Jesus is not just a powerful preacher himself, but also models what it means to be a powerful and effective preacher. In using the word “preacher” here we ought to be careful not to reduce preaching merely to what takes [...] Read the rest of this entry »
This Sunday in many places features the (moved) Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Our Lord. While you may puzzle over my title, allow me to explain it later. On a Solemn feast like this many things occur that might be preached and taught. Allow three areas for reflection: The Reality [...] Read the rest of this entry »
By his resurrection Jesus has brought us from death to life. He has snatched us from this present evil age (Gal 1:4), and from the death directed desires of our body (Rom 6:12), and made us into a new and living creation (2 Cor 5:17). As such, we have exchanged the tombstones that once indicated [...] Read the rest of this entry »
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday, for the readings focus on how our risen Lord Jesus is our shepherd who leads us to eternal life. But of course, the flip side of the Lord being our shepherd, is that we are sheep. We sometimes miss the humor of the Lord [...] Read the rest of this entry »
In today’s gospel we encounter two discouraged and broken men making their way to Emmaus. The text described them as “downcast.” That is to say, their eyes are cast to the ground, their heads are hung low. Their Lord and Messiah has been killed; the one they had thought would finally liberate Israel. Yes, it [...] Read the rest of this entry »
In today’s Gospel, Jesus, the Light of the World, brings light to a man born blind. If you are prepared to accept it, you are the man born blind, for all of us were born blind and in darkness. It was our baptism alone, and the faith it gave, which has rendered us able to [...] Read the rest of this entry »
In the Gospel for this Weekend’s Mass we are well into the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and today we cover a good deal of Chapter 5. In a way the Lord is drawing a picture for us of the transformed human person. He is presenting a kind of slide show of what sanctity [...] Read the rest of this entry »
In fourth chapter of Mark’s Gospel which we are reading at daily Mass this week we find the following saying of the Lord: To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Mk 4:25 ) The Rich get Richer? Now to [...] Read the rest of this entry »
As Ordinary time (tempus per anum) opens up, the lectionary continues to “introduce” Christ to us. Last week he was baptized obtained many gifts for us as he was manifested by the Father. This week is a continuation of sorts as John the Baptist elaborates on Who Jesus is. John’s words are brief but they [...] Read the rest of this entry »
There is an old saying that the Lord didn’t just come to get us out of trouble, he came to get into trouble with us. More of that, in a moment. A uniquely human glory and gift – This Christmas we celebrate that God is not content for us to experience his love for us [...] Read the rest of this entry »
