TV Mass Homily

As we anticipate the Solemnities of the Ascension and Pentecost the next two week,  our readings hint at the glory that was to come upon the early Church which glory remains with us today if we take note. From the first reading, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord the crowds paid attention to what was said . . . There was great joy in that city.” We all seek such joy in the midst of our chaotic world. We pray that more will pay attention and experience the joy of the Gospel, the joy of Christ. Peter in the second reading urges us to “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason…

“Do not let your hearts be troubled,  you have faith in God” Jesus urged. Beautiful words often proclaimed at funerals when we are all a bit troubled. Jesus spoke them at the Last Supper to the twelve who were so close to him after announcing that one of them would betray him and one of them would deny knowing him three times. This was hard news that would make any heart be troubled. Then he added that he was leaving them to go to a place where they could not yet go. Surely they were shaken and bewildered by his words and at his impending departure. They missed his complete message: “ you have faith in God, have faith also in me.” He is the answer to our unanswered questions…

Praised be Jesus Christ. He is risen, he is risen indeed. Happy Easter to you all. This is a day of celebration of Christ’s victory over death and evil, of hope for the future, of recognition of the depth of God’s love from which flows forgiveness and new life. As we celebrate new life in Christ, we especially rejoice with those who are being received into the Church by way of baptism, profession of faith, confirmation and first Holy Communion this Easter. We welcome you as brothers and sisters in Christ. Some years ago before I became a priest, a friend and I went to an Easter service while on vacation. It was an unfamiliar church and we stood out. There was the joyful music, flowers that teased the imagination…

This day is familiarly called Palm Sunday when we bless and receive palms as a way to recall the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The Church officially calls it Palm Sunday of the Passion the Lord because we proclaim a Scriptural rendering of his suffering and death. It is of course both, because they are not separate events but the continuation of salvation history which continues to this day. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who turns 90 on Easter Sunday, wrote a trilogy entitled,” Jesus of Nazareth”. The 2nd volume is a powerful reflection of both which is worthy of our prayerful studies this Holy Week. Among his thought provoking insights are these. First he notes that Our Lord's entrance into Jerusalem was not a one day event. He in…

This Fourth Sunday in Lent is called Laetare or Rejoice Sunday. We do not rejoice simply because Lent is more than half over, we rejoice because the new life of Easter is closer, the light of Christ brighter which can guide our way in perilous times. Our readings center on the concept of being able to see, to overcome the darkness of this world, to set aside the blind spots and to see more clearly because the light of Christ shines in our lives. “Not as man sees does God see,” the Lord tells the prophet in the first reading, “because man sees the appearance but God looks into the heart.” Sometimes appearances can be really off base. Father Dominic Grassi, a Chicago priest, wrote that he often pondered where…

“Is the Lord in our midst or not”, the Israelites challenged Moses in the first reading. It is a question that may come to our minds when we feel anxious, lonely or lost, observe wars and natural disasters, and face debilitating disease or senseless tragedies, or the quietness of aging. Jesus answers the question in the Gospel reading as he patiently and gently leads the Samaritan woman, mired in sin, on a journey to conversion and new life in Him Her journey is a model for each of us as we continue our quest for greater holiness, a daily task. First he used the occasion of the water that she drew from the well to uncover the desire in her for greater peace and a fuller meaning to life. Then…

“Abram went as the Lord directed him,” the first reading from Genesis announces. What was the direction the Lord asked of him? “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house.” In other words, leave family, friends, familiar territory and go to an unknown place with an unknown future. One scholar noted that Abram was asked to leave behind a prosperous commercial area to settle in a land that was still relatively primitive and undeveloped. Could I have responded as did Abram who we know as Abraham? It means letting go of our control and trusting God. That ought to be the essence of our Lenten reflection. Are we willing to let go of sin and trust in God’s mercy, doing as the Lord directs us.…