Fr Tom’s Homilies
My father, Joe Huff was a firefighter for 34 years in the City of Binghamton, NY. From time to time he would take part in “mock-up” exercises involving burning structures with a team of fire-fighters. Inside a building there would be thick smoke, pitch darkness and extreme heat. They would edge their way around the … [Read more…]
It is to the Old Testament that we must look to begin to understand Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The lamb occupies an important place in the story of the people of Israel. In the first few pages of their sacred text we encounter Abel, son … [Read more…]
For the early Christians, the thought that their Lord had Himself undergone baptism was disturbing, embarrassing and even scandalous. Did the spotless Lamb, the Holy One of God, really acknowledge that He was truly united with sinful humanity by submitting to an act of ritual purification? Why did the Son of God in human … [Read more…]
At Midnight the song of the Angels is heard praising God and announcing peace. Above the sky heaven’s glory had come down to the darkness of earth’s night. In this heavenly light the angelic hosts the shepherds were told of a sign lying in a manger, and they went to see the Child and they … [Read more…]
Today’s readings remind us just how unholy some families can be; even royal ones. We should not be surprised that King Herod massacred innocent children. He was so ruthless and domineering in his own family that he ended up killing three of his sons as well his wife Mariamne. And many of the kings whom … [Read more…]
The Sacrament of Christ’s Incarnation and Birth By St. Peter Chrysologus (406-450) A virgin conceived, bore a son, and yet remained a virgin. This is no natural occurrence, but a visible sacrament or sign of God’s divine power. It is a unique event, not like any other events. Christ’s birth was not a necessity, but … [Read more…]
The Infancy Narratives in the Gospel of Luke present Joseph as the foster father of the Lord, but the main focus outside of Jesus is placed on Mary. It is today’s Gospel of Matthew that focuses on Joseph. This makes a great deal of sense. Matthew’s main audience was Jewish Christians. Joseph was of the line of … [Read more…]
The third Sunday of Advent is called “Joyful Sunday” as Christmas draws near. This time of year is meant to be a time of joy, but it can be a time of sadness for some for a variety of reasons. Some of us struggle to find joy at Christmas because we confuse joy with feeling good. In … [Read more…]
We all spend a lot of time getting ready for Christmas with gifts, cards, decorating, cooking, visits to Santa, shopping, caroling and presentations. Why do we do all this? “Well, everyone else is doing it,” you might say. There’s some truth to that, because after all, we want to join those who are celebrating the … [Read more…]
They will beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks. This is from the first reading this weekend from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. At the end of World War II, the nations of the world decided that an international organization could best prevent war, and the United Nations was established. Since that … [Read more…]