The images of light and darkness are a constant reality in our scriptures. Our creating God’s first words were “let there be light.” Paraphrasing the first chapter of John’s gospel we read; “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God” – the word was the true light that enlightens all people – a light that shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower. In other words, in the end light always conquers the dark. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Homily’ Category
Homily – March 18
Sunday, March 18th, 2012Homily – March 11
Sunday, March 11th, 2012The gospel for today can be a bit shocking. We see Jesus in a bit of a rage. He was disgusted with the way the religious authorities allowed the sacred space of the temple, the house of God, to be turned into market place for the selling of animals and the changing of money. Jesus takes it upon himself to clean up the temple and return it to what it is meant to be, a house of prayer and praise. (more…)
Homily – March 4
Sunday, March 4th, 2012The motto of our Passionist Community is “May the Passion of Christ be always in our hearts.” I think most of us have had an experience in our lives which we could describe as ‘fixed forever in my mind’ something we’ll never forget. We’ll never forget seeing the twin towers collapsing. We’ll never forget seeing the awesome power of the sea as we remember the tsunami that struck the coast of Japan. We’ll never forget the birth of our first child. We’ll never forget the look on someone’s face. These things are fixed forever in our mind. (more…)
Homily – February 26
Sunday, February 26th, 2012The biblical story of the Great Flood, with its harrowing destruction, comes to us from the mists of ancient history. Scholars generally believe it to have come from an early account of a disaster that struck Mesopotamia centuries upon centuries ago. But the Hebrew and Christian traditions interpret the flood in the context of history made intelligible by God. It has moral and spiritual import, not only for the people but for the person. (more…)
Homily – February 19
Sunday, February 19th, 2012May we all be blessed with friends like those of the paralyzed man in today’s gospel. We have no idea whether or not this man was from Capernaum itself or whether his good friends carried him a long distance. Their devotion to him was so great that the fact they couldn’t get into the house would not deter them. They worked their way up on to the roof, took off the tiles and lowered their friend down to Jesus. The great healer had come to town, and they were intent on having their friend healed by Jesus. They wanted their friend to walk, and Jesus was the one who would make that happen. Jesus must have been amazed at their loyalty and dedication to this friend. Seeing their faith, their trust in His ability to heal, Jesus looked at their friend and assured him his sins were forgiven. (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.
