Homily: A Sacrifice unto Death God was so violently angry at us that only the brutal death of his son could appease that anger. OR God was so passionately in love with us that only the freely offered death of his son could demonstrate the depth of that love. What we have here is what … Continue reading Holy Thursday 2023

Homily: "Crowd Noise" "We have perhaps read the studies which show that once a group has decided to differentiate itself from another group, the rules of conversation change toward that group. We are inclined to believe the worst of them, paranoia and conspiracy theories soon abound, they are fair game for the commentators, and our … Continue reading Palm Sunday 2023

Homily: "Jesus Vision" For some reason, this Lenten season, I have been very much exercised, or maybe better said, animated by a fascination with vision; with the ways by which we see. I've been reflecting on the vast differences that are apparent between a life lived out of a life-giving vision and a life lived … Continue reading Laetare Sunday 2023

Homily: "The Unknown Journey" Lent for us can be about so many things. It can be an opportunity to refocus our spiritual lives. It can be a time to take up some small asceticism that we pray will lead us into deeper relationship with the Lord. It can be a time to reunite ourselves with … Continue reading 2nd Sunday of Lent 2023

Homily: "Corrective Lenses" There are basically two different lenses through which we could view our scriptures this 1st Sunday of Lent. The first lens emphasizes the dangers of temptation and the inexorable reality of our human condition. The second lens, rather, focuses in on remembering what is most true. The first lens alone might lead … Continue reading 1st Sunday of Lent 2023

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2019 [Though this homily is from a different Sunday Lectionary Cycle and different year I wanted to share it just the same!] There is a quote from the American spiritual writer and monk, Thomas Merton, that I feel really gets at the heart of any on-going conversion or spiritual transformation. … Continue reading “God is Good”

Homily: "Where It Begins" What is the yoke that burdens you? What is the particular pole that stoops your shoulders? And who's the taskmaster wielding his or her rod against you? Our Psalmist today wonderfully reminds us of the one and only, the primary, task of the Christian: "That I may gaze on the loveliness … Continue reading 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2023

Homily: "The Perfect Prayer of Presence" (NOTE: This homily was given a few years ago but I wanted to share it here today as we journey together into a New Year!) I would like to begin this homily with a question: "Are you really here? Now that may sound like a silly question: "Of course … Continue reading 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Homily: "Then they opened their treasures" I was a rather strange child. And perhaps the best example of this "Strangeness" is exemplified by Christmases past. I have 6 siblings, 3 brothers and 3 sisters. On Christmas Eve it was the family tradition that Dad took all of us out around our small town to take … Continue reading Epiphany 2023

Homily: Wonderful are your works Wonder is born from the heart of frailty As we grow older we perhaps can become all too aware of the truth that illuminates the lines from Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”: “When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.” Loss seems to get ladled onto more loss, like … Continue reading 4th Sunday of Advent