deacon's corner

On Being Perfect

23. February 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

7th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle A (Mt 5:38-48)

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke describe two differing versions of what Jesus taught; similar but different. Luke covers these lessons in chapter 6, within what is described as the Sermon on the Plain, while Matthew’s version, entitled The Sermon on the Mount, is contained in three, chapters 5, 6, and 7.

Thinking Life Over, Again

08. December 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

2nd Sunday of Advent – Cycle A (Mt 3:1-12)

For those of us who have heard Frank Sinatra’s iconic rendition of ‘My Way’ we no doubt can recall the line “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention” and only wished that was the case for us. For most of us, at least for those who have lived more than a few years, there are at minimum one or two events in our lives that we would love to ‘do over’ or have the chance to try again. Unfortunately, life is not like that. Life is a one-way street and there is no reverse button for us to push. Once lived, we cannot relive the moment, but we can reconsider our past and change the direction going forward.

A Caress of Love

14. September 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C (Lk 15:1-32)

In his homily at the Papal Mass for the Possession of the Chair of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis spoke of the father of the prodigal son. He told those in attendance “The Father, with patience, love, hope and mercy, had never for a second stopped thinking about him, and as soon as he sees him still far off, he runs out to meet him and embraces him with tenderness, the tenderness of God, without a word of reproach: he has returned! And that is the joy of the Father.” Pope Francis continued by saying “God’s patience has to call forth in us the courage to return to him, however many mistakes and sins there may be in our life. … But God is indeed waiting for you; he asks of you only the courage to go to him. … Don’t be afraid, go to him, he is waiting for you, he will take care of everything.”

Place God First

07. September 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C (Lk 14:25-33)

“Hate” is such a harsh word, devoid of any sentiment or tender feelings. It is the antithesis of “Love”. It darkens the soul and hardens the heart. Yet today Jesus tells us that “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” [Lk 14:26]. It is difficult, perhaps even impossible, to reconcile his instruction to hate ourselves and others with his constant message of love and forgiveness.

How Many Will Be Saved?

24. August 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C (Lk 13:22-30)

When someone asked Jesus “Lord, will only a few people be saved”, he ignored the question, and in his response, left it unanswered. And so it remains, even today. Blessed [soon to be Saint] John Paul II noted that “it is an inscrutable mystery between the saintliness of God and the conscience of man.” Jesus responded by saying “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough…” [Lk 13:24]. His response contains three essential messages for all to hear and heed.

Our Most Cherished Freedom

23. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C (Lk 9:18-24)

I have written and spoken in the past on the importance of words and language. Words are important for they are the mechanism for expressing and conveying thoughts and ideas. And it is man’s ability to express himself, to give voice to dreams and ideas conceived within one’s own mind, that makes us unique among all of God’s creation.

A Fresh Surprise of Love

08. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C (Lk 7:11-17)

We hear today of the restoration of life from death and it would be easy to speak of these miraculous events and the impact that they had on the two widows and their sons. But I believe that what is of far greater importance is to recognize in these events the manifestation and expression of God’s love, a love that is unbounded and limitless.

He Lived Among Us

27. March 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

Friday of the Passion of the Lord (2013)

John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, once wrote “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” There can be no doubt that this describes our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for he is the epitome of a leader. Another important quality of a leader can be expressed with the maxim “never ask others to do what you are unwilling to do yourself.” Again, Jesus is perhaps the finest example of this, especially through his passion and death on the cross.

The End of the Beginning

18. November 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B (Mk 13:24-32)

All of creation has a beginning and an ending. The first three words of Holy Scripture are “In the beginning” and we hear today of the future, expressed in apocalyptic imagery, of the end time, when the Son of Man will return and all will be gathered by the angels for judgment.

To God Every Time is Now

16. September 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Homilies

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B (Mk 8:27-35)

“Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” [Mk 8:33] In rebuking Peter, Jesus makes the point that God is beyond our understanding, beyond our knowing; it is not for us to question God, for we are His creatures, created in His image to love and to serve Him.