John ends his gospel with a compliment to each of us here today: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” We have not seen, we have not touched and yet we still believe, in good times and in bad, the awesome truth that “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” As we said after the renewal of our baptismal vows during the Vigil, ‘This is our faith, this is the faith of the church we are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (more…)
Archive for the ‘Homily’ Category
Homily – There Was Not a Needy Person Among Them
Sunday, April 15th, 2012Homily – April 8
Sunday, April 8th, 2012This is a night of light and life. Our Easter Candle is the symbol of the risen Christ, the light of the world who through his passion, death and resurrection has conquered the darkness of sin and death and brought the light of truth to the world. Christ promised those who follow him would not walk in darkness and he challenged those who bear his name – you are the light of the world, so let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. After your baptism or reception into the church you will receive a candle lit from our Easter candle and a very important prayer will be said “you have been enlightened by Christ, walk always as children of the light. Keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts and when the lord comes may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.” (more…)
Homily – April 6 (Good Friday)
Friday, April 6th, 2012The British Government is set to argue at the European Court of Human Rights that Christians do not have the right to wear a cross or crucifix openly at work. The British Government argues that there is no religious requirement for Christians to wear a cross or crucifix and so employers can forbid employees wearing a cross in places of work. Some Christians claim this is just another attack on their religious freedom and an effort to exclude religion from public life. (more…)
Homily – April 1
Sunday, April 1st, 2012What more can one say after listening to the reading of the account of the passion of Jesus as told to us by Mark. The most probing question Jesus could ask of us is simply this: “what more could I have done for you that I have not done?” I have given my life for you. What is missing in our second reading of Paul’s advice to the Philippians are the challenging words of the text: “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” The mindset of Jesus’ life was to do His Father’s will no matter what that might cost him. (more…)
Now is the Hour
Sunday, March 25th, 2012At the very beginning of his public life we hear the story of Jesus and Mary and the disciples being at a wedding feast. The hosts had the embarrassing misfortune of running out of wine. Mary notices this and tells Jesus they have no wine. Jesus changes ordinary water into choice wine to save his friends from embarrassment even though he tells his mother ‘my hour has not yet come.’ In Johns gospel we are told, “this was the first of the signs given by Jesus” There will be many more signs, many more miracles given by Jesus to the astonishment of the ordinary people and to the annoyance and the hostility of the authorities. (more…)
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
