John 6: The Invitation - Homily for August 12

Readings for Sunday, August 12 / 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time: 1 Kings 19:4-8  |  Psalm 34  |  Ephesians 4:30-5:2  |  John 6:41-55

Come to Me.

John 6: Why Are You Here? - Homily for August 5

Readings for Sunday, August 5 / 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time:  Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15  |  Psalm 78  |  Ephesians 4:17, 20-24  |  John 6:24-35

Food from Heaven

The crowds followed Jesus not because of the signs but because their stomachs were filled. What
brings you to Mass today?

Corpus Christi - Homily for June 3

Readings for Sunday, June 3 / Corpus Christi Sunday:  Exodus 24:3-8  |  Psalm 116  |  Hebrews 9:11-15  |  Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

The Miracle of Bolsena/Orvieto brings us to honor the great mystery we celebrate every Mass: the Body and Blood of Christ.

Lent: Learning to Trust - Homily for February 25

Abraham and Isaac, c.1617 - Anthony van Dyck

Readings for Sunday, February 25 / 2nd Sunday of Lent:  Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18  |  Psalm 116  | Romans 8:31-34  |  Mark 9:2-10

Today we reflect on the faith of Abraham and the role of the Transfiguration in the faith of Peter, James, and John.

Go Show Yourself to the Priest - Homily for February 11

Readings for Sunday, February 11 / 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46  |  Psalm 32  |  1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1  |  Mark 1:40-45

Our contemporary world often tries to create a division between Jesus and Religion, as if Jesus was opposed to all religious affiliation. The Gospel today shows us quite a different story. 

Christmas: Diligently Seeking - Homily for January 7

Readings for Sunday, January 7 / Epiphany of the Lord: Isaiah 60:1-6  |  Psalm 72  |  Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6  |  Matthew 2:1-12

Today we imitate the Magi in seeking after the Lord, rejoicing when we find Him, and walking away changed from the encounter. 

Prepare Well - Homily for November 26

Readings for Sunday, November 26 / Christ the King Sunday: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17  |  Psalm 23  |  1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28  |  Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe, but what He desires is your heart. Will we leave Him waiting or are we ready to come and rest in His Presence?

The Priest - Homily for November 5

Readings for Sunday, November 5 / 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10  |  Psalm 131  |  1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13  |  Matthew 23:1-12

The priest exercises an office of great dignity, but if he forgets the dignity is not his own he is the greatest of fools. Let us pray for our priests to recognize the dignity of their vocation and exercise humility in carrying it out. Let us pray, too, for more young men to respond to this great call to give one's life for the good of the Church.

The Greatest Commandment - Homily for October 29

Chapel of St. Claude la Colombiere

Readings for Sunday, October 29 / 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Exodus 22:20-26  |  Psalm 18  |  1 Thessalonians 1:5-10  |  Matthew 22:34-40

The Lord reminds us that the great commandment is to love the Lord with all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our soul. When it happens, beautiful things happen. The lives of the saints show us what it looks like.

Holy Mass: The Dismissal - Homily for October 15

Readings for Sunday, October 15 / 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time:  Isaiah 25:6-10  |  Psalm 23  |  Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20  |  Matthew 22:1-14

The final part of the Mass is the Dismissal, but it is by no means the least important. Even the few short words spoken for us have a particularly powerful element to them. 

Holy Mass: Receiving Christ - Homily for October 8

Readings for Sunday, October 8 / 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Isaiah 5:1-7  |  Psalm 80  |  Philippians 4:6-9  |  Matthew 21:33-43

Our Gospel today tells us of the consequences of not receiving Christ as we ought. Let us give some reflection to the manner of receiving Holy Communion at Mass, both the exterior and the interior, that Our Lord might find in us a welcoming soul to His Presence.

Holy Mass: Humility - Homily for October 1

Readings for Sunday, October 1 / 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Ezekiel 18:25-28  |  Psalm 25  |  Philippians 2:1-11  |  Matthew 21:28-32

The 'Christ Hymn' recounted by St. Paul today shows us the humility of Christ and provides a model and encouragement for us to do the same. The prayers of the Mass leading up to Holy Communion are a great aid to us in this.

Holy Mass: Holy Communion - Homily for September 24

Readings for September 24 / 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Isaiah 55:6-9  |  Psalm 145  |  Philippians 1:20-24, 27  |  Matthew 20:1-16

The moment after we receive Holy Communion is the most intimate moment we can have with God this death of death. Don't miss the opportunity to speak to the Beloved and to love Him with all of your heart.

Holy Mass: The Canon - Homily for September 17

Readings for Sunday, September 17 / 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Sirach 27:30-28:7  |  Psalm 103 |  Romans 14:7-9  |  Matthew 18:21-35

The Eucharistic Prayer is the core of the Mass, when the consecration of the gifts takes places and they are offered to the Father for our salvation. This week we reflect upon that mystery and why I use the Roman Canon almost exclusively on Sundays. 

Holy Mass: It is Right and Just - Homily for September 10

Readings for Sunday, September 10 / 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time: Ezekiel 33:7-9  |  Psalm 95  |  Romans 13:8-10  |  Matthew 18:15-20

This week the Lord reminds us that gathering to pray in community is powerful. We are not Christians who content ourselves with a 'Me & Jesus' approach to the faith. Rather, we are members of the Body of Christ and when we gather together the Lord fills us with His grace and then sends us out to do the same for others. 

Holy Mass: The Offertory - Homily for September 3

Readings for Sunday, September 3rd / 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time: Jeremiah 20:7-9  |  Psalm 63  |  Romans 12:1-2  |  Matthew 16:21-27

During the Offertory we are called to offer much more than money, bread, and wine. We are called to offer entire selves to become a living sacrifice that can be used in the hands of Our Blessed Lord. May God grant us the grace deny ourselves and follow Him. 

Holy Mass: The Readings - Homily for August 27

Readings for Sunday, August 27 / 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time: Isaiah 22:19-23  |  Psalm 138  |  Romans 11:33-36  |  Matthew 16:13-20

Each week we hear the readings proclaimed and it can be easy to zone out or be distracted by many other things going on in our minds. The readings, however, are not to be missed because they are the voice of God speaking to us. When we pray we long to hear a response - in the Scriptures we find it. Let us pray for open hearts and open ears, that when the Lord speaks we can hear and respond. 

Mass: The Entrance - Homily for August 20

Readings for Sunday, August 20 / 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7  |  Psalm 67  |  Romans 11:13-15, 29-32  |  Matthew 15:21-28

The Holy Mass is the place where the "house of prayer for all peoples" comes to life right in our midst. The house of God is here for us to come to worship. Every word and action has a meaning. As we begin this series of reflections on the Mass, we discuss the movement from the Entrance Procession up to the Gloria. May the Lord grant us the grace always to continue to draw close to Him as we do each week in the Liturgy.

Hiding in His Heart - Homily for August 13

Readings for Sunday, August 13 / 19th Sunday of OT: 1 Kings 19:9,11-13  |  Psalm 85  |  Romans 9:1-5  |  Matthew 14:22-33

The Lord invites us today to fly to him and to rest in His Sacred Heart much like Elijah hid in the cave of the mountain. May we have the strength to turn to Him in our need and to remain with Him so as to hear His voice in the silence. 

The Lord Is With Me - Homily for June 25

Vesting Bishop Provost in preparation for Holy Mass

Readings for Sunday, June 25 / 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Jeremiah 20:10-13  |  Psalm 69  |  Romans 5:12-15  |  Matthew 10:26-33

This weekend the Scriptures call to mind the many things which we fear and wrestle with through our week - the attacks from others, the attack from sin, and the attacks of the evil one. In all of this, we need not fear because the Lord is with us. United to Him, He fights for us.