O. T. XXV [A] Sunday (Eight-minute homily in one page) L/20 Introduction: Today’s readings are all about our sense of justice and the extravagant grace of a merciful God. While God is both just and merciful, God’s mercy often seems, in our view, to override His justice, as God pardons us unconditionally and rewards us… Continue reading »
Lent II [A] Sunday 1-page summary of an 8- minute homily L/20 Introduction: The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation. The readings invite us to work with the assistance of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by renewing them during Lent, and to radiate the glory and grace of the transfigured… Continue reading »
Lent I [A] 1-page summary for an 8-minute homily (L-20) Introduction: Lent is primarily the time of intense spiritual preparation for conquering our temptations, using the means Jesus used during his forty days of preparation in the desert for his public life. It is also the time for renewing our lives for the celebration of… Continue reading »
ASH WEDNESDAY 1-page Summary for an 8-minute homily 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 »
OT VI [A] Sunday 1-page summary for an 8-minute homily 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… Continue reading »
Introduction: The Scripture lessons for today focus on the first Christmas, or the birth of Jesus, which we celebrate today in all its solemnity. We are celebrating the fulfillment of the prophecies about our merciful God who sent His own Son to save a sinful world. Scripture lessons: In the first reading, Isaiah prophesies how… Continue reading »
Why do we celebrate Christmas with great rejoicing? 1: First, Christmas is the Feast of God’s sending us a Savior: God undertook the Incarnation of Jesus as True God and true man to save us from the bondage of sin. The Hindus believe in ten incarnations of God. The purpose of these incarnations is stated… Continue reading »
Advent IV [A] Sunday Homily- One-page summary (L-19) Introduction: Loving, responsive obedience to God, as modeled for us in the Gospel by St. Joseph, is the central theme of today’s readings, with special emphasis on the Virgin Birth of Jesus. Scripture lessons summarized: In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives a sign from God… Continue reading »
JOHN THE BAPTIST SUFFERS IN HIS WITNESSING (Is.35:1-6,10, Ps.146:6-10, Jam.5:7-10 & Matt. 11:2-11) Last Sunday we heard from the prophet Isaiah how the expected Messiah would reconcile the contradictions and differences that separate people and to bring peace and harmony when he comes. While in the gospel John the Baptist cries in the wilderness calling… Continue reading »
Advent III [A] Sunday Homily: One-page Summary (L/19) Introduction: Today’s readings invite us to rejoice at the rebirth of Jesus in our lives as we are preparing for our annual Christmas celebration. Today is called Gaudete Sunday because today’s Mass begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino semper,” i.e., “Rejoice in the Lord always.”… Continue reading »