2 Sunday B - Come and See - Homilies
Tony Kayala, c.s.c.
As much as Jesus had to leave Nazareth (home and comfort, familiarity and family) to come to the Jordan (last Sunday) to be baptized, the disciples too have got to "leave" in order to "come" (No arrival without a departure). We are used to checking out a product before buying or a person before hiring or we "see" and choose (come). We check it out before stepping out. Abraham and other prophets have to leave for an uncertain task and territory; Abraham must first accept to sacrifice his only son, then he will see God's plan. He didn't doubt in God's promise of progenies like the sands and the stars even though the only son was going to be sacrificed! Joseph had to first accept Mary pregnant as she was and then he will see God's plan. Come so that you may see. Step in, walk in, follow me, leave behind ....so that you may see plans, actions, results for you. "Come" is an invitation and "see" is the promise. You can trust the Lord for his promises.
Then the uncertain, doubtful, denying Simons will have to become Cephases and solid rocks on which the Lord can build his Church.
Baptism of Our Lord 2015
Thomas O’Loughlin
Introduction to the Celebration
Today marks the beginning of the public life and ministry of Jesus Christ as he set out to do the Father’s will and announce the arrival of the kingdom of God. And the moment of the beginning of the messianic work of Jesus is marked by the moment of his baptism in the Jordan. He is acclaimed on earth by the prophet John and links himself to John by being baptised by him. He is acclaimed from heaven by the voice of the Father and the presence of the Spirit. As the people who have heard his preaching and accepted his call, who have confessed him as the Christ, and set out to follow his way, let us pause and consider the words addressed to Jesus: ‘Thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well pleased.’
Epiphany 2015
Story: A husband asked his wife, "Why would God give the wise men a star to guide them?" She replied, "Because God knows men are too proud to ask directions."
"When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, heal the broken, feed the hungry, rebuild the nations, bring peace among people, make music in the heart." So wrote Howard Thurman.
More from last year’s post:
January 1: Mary, Mother of God and New Year
Thomas O’Loughlin
Introduction to today’s Celebration
Introduction to today’s Celebration
This is a great day of joy the world over: a new year has
just begun and with it is the hope of new relationships of peace, new
endeavours to make life better for the human family, and resolutions to start
afresh in many areas of our individual lives. We as Christians share this joy
for our good news is that the Father of mercies is always extending his love
and care so that we can return to him and start over afresh. In sending us his
Son as a human being born of Mary in Bethlehem he showed the depth of that
love: he offered a new era to the whole human race, and now we are celebrating
the beginning of the two thousandth and twelfth year of that era. Now let us
reflect on all that we want to start afresh in the coming year, let us ask the
Father to help us overcome the old ways of sin and death, and to give us his
help in our new endeavours.
Holy Family 2014
A little boy greets his father as he returns from work with
a question: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?” The father is surprised and
says: “Look, son, not even your mother knows. Don’t bother me now, I’m tired.”
“But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour?” the boy
insists. The father finally gives up and replies: “Twenty dollars.” “Okay,
Daddy,” the boy continues, “Could you loan me ten dollars?” The father yells at
him: “So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Now, go to sleep
and don’t bother me anymore!” At night the father thinks over what he said and
starts feeling guilty. Maybe his son needed to buy something. Finally, he goes
to his son's room. “Are you asleep, son?” asks the father. “No, Daddy. Why?”
replies the boy. “Here's the money you asked for earlier,” the father said.
“Thanks, Daddy!” replies the boy and receives the money. The he reaches under
his pillow and brings out some more money. “Now I have enough! Now I have
twenty dollars!” says the boy to his father, “Daddy, could you sell me one hour
of your time?” Today’s gospel has a message for this man and for all of us, and
the message is that we need to invest more of our time in our family life.
Christmas 2014
Michel DeVerteuil
General Comments
This well-known story is very rich so we will focus on some aspects only, staying with Mary’s perspective, especially in verses 6 to 7, and 16 to 20.
In verses 6 and 7 Luke tells us that Mary gave birth “when the time came for her to have her child.” Contrary to the popular interpretation, he indicates no regret that there was no room in the inn. All happened as was foretold.
To understand the significance of verse 19, it is important to note that the Greek word which we translate as “things” is rhema, means both “word” and “event”. Mary, through her interior attitude of respectful listening, turns the event into a sacred word.
Christmas - Homilies and Stories
Socrates taught for forty years, Plato for fifty, Aristotle for forty,
and Jesus for only three. Yet the influence of Christ's three-year ministry
infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching
from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity. Jesus
painted no pictures; yet, some of the finest paintings of Raphel, Michelangelo,
and Leonardo da Vinci received their inspiration from Him. Jesus wrote no
poetry; but Dante, Milton, and scores of the world's greatest poets were
inspired by Him. Jesus composed no music; still Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach,
and Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in the hymns,
symphonies, and oratorios they composed in His praise. Every sphere of human
greatness has been enriched by this humble carpenter of Nazareth .
"His unique contribution to the human race is the salvation of the soul. Philosophy could
not accomplish that. Nor art. Nor literature. Nor music. Only Jesus Christ can break
the enslaving chains of sin and Satan. He alone can speak peace to the human heart,
strengthen the weak, and give life to those who are spiritually dead."
Does God Exist?
Malice of Absence
Claim: While a college student, Albert Einstein humiliated an atheist professor by using the "Evil is the absence of God" argument on him.
Does evil exist?
The university professor challenged his students with this question. Did God create everything that exists? A student bravely replied, "Yes, he did!"
"God created everything? The professor asked.
"Yes sir", the student replied.
Christmas Eve Sermons
From Sermons.now: Only Partly; the rest when you sign up
1.
Christmas Eve: What Was Seen At Bethlehem - Luke 2:8-20
2. Candle
Lighting Service & Sermon: A Great Light - Matthew 4:16 3. Christmas Sermon: No Room In The Inn - Luke 2:1-7
4. Advent Sermon: Surprise, It's Christmas - Luke 1:26-38
5. First Person Skit: "A Personal Testimony" - Luke 2:1-7
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1st SERMON FOR LUKE 2:8-20
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Sermon
Opener Mary: Immaculate conception - Dec 8
Popular imagination has added an interesting slant to the story of the woman taken in adultery. You know the story: The Pharisees bring the woman before Jesus for judgment and Jesus says, "Let the person who is without sin cast the first stone." They fell silent, and then, all of a sudden a stone came flying from the crowd. Jesus looks up, surprised and amused, and then says, "Hold it, mother? I am trying to make a point, here." This joke likens the sinlessness of Mary to the sinlessness of good women and men we have known. For we have known many good men and women who think that their holiness of life is their personal achievement. As a result they develop a certain holier-than-thou attitude toward others who have not attained their level of holiness. They become intolerant, angry and judgmental toward those they regard as sinners. People like that would not hesitate to throw the first stone at a sinner caught red-handed, like the woman in our story.
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