Homilies

Homily for Pentecost, May 28, 2023

We should keep in mind that not only the solemnity of the Ascension, but also the solemnity of Pentecost can be correctly understood only within the context of the mystical Body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the Head and all of us are the members of his Body; we are the Church. Now, while we do not know when the birthday of Jesus the Head is, we certainly know that Pentecost is the birthday of the Body, of all of us, the Church. Pentecost is indeed our “birthday” as the Body of Christ in the sense that we are born to new life in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Sp

Homilies

Homily for the Ascension of the Lord, May 21, 2023

Across the centuries, Christians have always needed someone mighty and strong to lean on and to cling to whenever the squalls blow fiercely, and the pain becomes hard to bear. For three years that support was provided by the physical presence of the Lord Jesus in human flesh, visible and operative amid his first disciples. The Apostles took over that task after Jesus ascended into heaven to receive from the Father the fullness of his glory for having obeyed him even unto death on a cross. Those mentioned in today’s 1st reading are Philip, Simon Peter, and John wh

Homilies

Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter, May 14, 2023

Across the centuries, Christians have always needed someone mighty and strong to lean on and to cling to whenever the squalls blow fiercely, and the pain becomes hard to bear. For three years that support was provided by the physical presence of the Lord Jesus in human flesh, visible and operative amid his first disciples. The Apostles took over that task after Jesus ascended into heaven to receive from the Father the fullness of his glory for having obeyed him even unto death on a cross. Those mentioned in today’s 1st reading are Philip, Simon Peter, and John wh

Homilies

Homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter, May 7, 2023

We just heard Jesus telling us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you?” Now, these are most certainly words of comfort; but they should not be interpreted as referring only to our endless, blissful future life in heaven. These words should penetrate the recesses of our minds and hearts in such a way that they become consistent with this passage: "I have told you this so that my joy may

Homilies

Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter, April 30, 2023

What are the voices that scare us? That’s easy! They are the harsh voices, the voices of condemnation, the menacing voices of impending doom. By contrast, let us think of the voices that have the power to soothe, to reassure, to calm our fears, to make us smile and face the world with a bit more courage. They are choice, selected voices. They are the voices of those people that have gained our trust with more than mere sound bites. They are the voices of those who unquestionably love us and assure our wellbeing and joy. Thus, we long to hear their voice because

Homilies

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, April 23, 2023

Could it be that two thousand years ago, the Holy Spirit inspired St. Luke to write this event in the life of two of Jesus’ disciples in such a gripping way that we can see ourselves in many of its details? The geography has changed, of course; the issues are somewhat diverse; our concerns and fears are of a different nature; but the anguish, the worries, and the gloominess of the future ahead of us is so strikingly similar! The apparent lack of knowledge of recent events prompting the question of the two downcast disciples heading for Emmaus: “Are you the only vi

Homilies

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, April 16, 2023

How long did the joy we wore on Easter Day last? Could it be that the grinding of daily life has reclaimed our heart and mind? The readings of the 2nd Sunday of Easter are purposely very down to earth, addressing accurately human weaknesses, sinful tendencies, and limitations. This could be the reason why St. John Paul II, established the formerly called Dominica in albis depositis (Sunday of the removed white garments) as “Divine Mercy Sunday.” In the early centuries of the Church’s life, those baptized at the Easter Vigil wore a white garment for a whole week.

Homilies

Homily for Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023

We decry that, a long time ago, many in our society took Christ out of Christmas.  As believers, at Easter, our disappointment should be double! A first disappointment: Ester bunnies have absolutely nothing to do with the risen Lord, while eggs and newly hatched chicks could be symbols of new life and, thus, be somewhat connected to Christ’s victory over death.  There should be a second disappointment troubling true believers: so many fail to live viscerally and wholeheartedly in the supernatural reality brought about by the Resurrection. “If then you

Homilies

Homily for Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023

There is something unique about Holy Week. We know that, starting with Palm Sunday, we should be reliving the events which erased the wrongs of our past, give meaning to our present and shape our future with a promise of immortality and eternal glory. Today’s passion narrative (Matthew 26:14 – 27:66) has a particular significance amid all the mysteries we will be reliving in these days with a heavy heart. We experience shame for being the cause of what Jesus had to endure; we feel sorrow for our broken promises; but, in our imperfect love for him, we would also l

Homilies

Homily for the 5th Sunday in Lent, March 26, 2023

In my 50 years of ministerial priesthood, I found myself confronted by situations that elicited in me spontaneous, irrepressible pity. As a priest, of course, I know, and I preach about the value of suffering in union with Christ. I maintain that euthanasia is a direct interference with God’s plan for a dying person. But, in hopeless cases, marked by palpable, futile struggles, the prayer that, time and again, rises from my heart and floods my mind is a variation of this: “Please Lord, call her to yourself without delay; please, merciful God, lead him into your Ki