Epiphany: All Are Called To Him

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…]

Christmas Homily

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…]

4th Sunday of Advent: Saint Joseph, a man of Great Virtue

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…]

Second Sunday of Advent: Preparing for Christmas

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…]

First Sunday of Advent: Commit to the Kingdom!

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…]

33rd Sunday C: Running with the Lord

Two weeks from now the season of Advent will begin.  That’s when the most important preparation for Christmas begins.  This preparation is meant to help us to celebrate God becoming Man.  Advent celebrates the two comings of God-made-Man, His physical coming in the flesh at Bethlehem and His spiritual coming as King of the universe … [Read more…]

32nd Sunday C: Do Not Be Afraid!

The first reading for this Sunday is intense.  In 165 B.C., a new King, Antiochus Epiphanes decided that everyone in his domains should follow Greek practices.  Many Jews went along without complaint as they wanted to be part of the new modern Hellenistic culture.  They built gymnasiums where they would exercise in the rather immodest … [Read more…]