SYNOPSIS: ASH WEDNESDAY HOMILY ON 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.” The Old Testament tells us how the people of Nineveh, King Ben Hadad of Syria, and Queen… Continue reading »
Synopsis of OT VIII [A] Sunday Homily on Mt 6:24-34) (L/17) Introduction: Today’s readings give us an invitation to avoid unnecessary worries by putting our trust in the love and providential care of a loving and merciful God, and by living each day’s life as it comes, doing His will and realizing His presence within… Continue reading »
Introduction: Today’s readings explain why Christians are expected to be holy and how we are meant to become holy people. The first and second readings give us reasons why we should be holy and the Gospel describes four methods of becoming holy people prescribed for us by Jesus.
Homily OT VI [A] Mt 5:17-37 Introduction: Today’s readings challenge us to choose freely and wisely to observe the laws given by a loving and caring God. He revealed His laws to His Chosen People through Moses and the prophets in the Old Testament, and through His own Son, Jesus, in the New Testament. For… Continue reading »
Introduction: The common theme of today’s three readings is our mission to the world as salt and light. Scripture lessons: In our first reading, the Lord God through His prophet Isaiah gives us examples of how we are to allow the light of God to shine through us. “Share your bread with the hungry, sheltering… Continue reading »
Synopsis: OT IV [A] Sunday Homily on Mt 5:1-12 (L/17) Introduction: Today’s readings define our Christian goal of eternal happiness and explain the attitudes and actions necessary to reach it. They form the outline for Christ-like living, giving the personal qualities expected of a disciple of Jesus and pointing out the way of life to… Continue reading »
Synopsis: OT III [A] Homily on Mt 4:12-23 (L/17) Introduction: Describing the humble beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, today’s Scripture readings teach us that Christ has brought us from darkness of sin into the Light (4:16) by calling us to repentance (4:17) and the acceptance of God’s rule. Scripture lessons: The first… Continue reading »
Introduction: The central theme of today’s readings is a challenge to live like the Lamb of God and to die like the Lamb of God. Scripture lessons: In both the first and second readings, God calls individuals to His service entrusting them with a mission. The first reading is from the “Songs of the Suffering… Continue reading »
Synopsis of Epiphany of the Lord Mt 2:112 (L-17) Introduction: The Greek word Epiphany ((επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. Multiple revelations of Jesus as God are celebrated in the Feast of the Epiphany. First, the angels revealed Jesus to the shepherds. In the Western Church, the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while… Continue reading »