Introduction: The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Lætare (Rejoice) Sunday, from the first words of today’s liturgy. As on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, rose-colored vestments may replace violet and flowers may grace the altar, symbolizing the Church’s joy in anticipation of the Resurrection of Our Lord. The central theme of today’s readings is that our salvation is the free gift of… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS OF LENT III HOMILY ON JOHN 2:13-25 Introduction: Today’s readings from Holy Scripture teach us that Lent is the ideal time for cleaning out the Temple of our own hearts and to offer to God proper Divine worship by obeying the Ten Commandments. They also teach us that our New Covenant with God demands… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS OF HOMILY: LENT II SUNDAY MARK 9:2-10 (L-18) Introduction: The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation. The readings invite us to cooperate with the grace of God with the assistance of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives, by renewing them during Lent and to radiate the grace of the transfigured Lord… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS OF ASH WEDNESDAY HOMILY ON Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 ASH WEDNESDAY Jl 2:12-18; II Cor 5:20—6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Introduction: Ash Wednesday (dies cinerum) is the Church’s Yom Kippur or the “Day of Atonement.” Its very name comes from the Jewish practice of doing penance wearing “sackcloth and ashes.” In the early Church, Christians who had committed serious sins were instructed to do public penance wearing sackcloth… Continue reading »
LENT I SUNDAY (Gn 9:8-15; I Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15) Introduction: The primary purpose of Lent is to prepare us for the celebration of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. The Church tries to achieve this goal, leading her children to metanoia or true “repentance” by the reordering of their priorities and the changing of their values, ideals and ambitions, through fasting,… Continue reading »
Synopsis of OT VI [B] Homily on Mark 1: 40-45 Introduction: All three readings today teach us that we are called to become pure and holy. But we don’t become holy by some ritual observances. We become holy by confessing our sins to God and offering our lives for God’s glory and by sharing God’s love with… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS OF O.T. V [B] (Feb 4) HOMILY on Mk 1: 29-39 Introduction: Today’s readings challenge us to avoid Job’s pessimistic and cynical view of life as a chain of pain and sufferings and to accept life with hope and optimism as a precious gift from God, using it to do good for others and spending… Continue reading »
Synopsis of OT IV Sunday Homily on Mark 1:21-28 introduction: The common theme of today’s readings is Divine authority as exercised in this world by the prophets of the Old Testament in their messages, by the apostles (including St. Paul), in their writings and teaching in the New Testament, and by Jesus in his teaching and healing… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS OF O.T. III SUNDAY HOMILY : MK 1:14-20 Introduction: The three readings today underline the absolute necessity for us of repentance and a prompt response to God’s call. Scripture lessons: The first reading tells us how God had to deal with the disobedient, fleeing prophet Jonah to turn him around (convert him), so that, repenting, he would… Continue reading »
Ordinary Time: Second Sunday Ready! At your Service! A “call narrative” is the appropriate term to speak of our readings today. In the Old Testament passage we hear of God’s call to the young boy Samuel; the Gospel describes the invitation of Jesus to Andrew and Simon. All three individuals respond with generosity, following an… Continue reading »