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 »
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 »
Advent II [A] (Dec 8) Sunday Homily: One-page summary (L-19) Introduction: On the one hand, salvation is God’s doing, and we cannot earn His blessings. We are saved by His grace. On the other hand, we must cooperate with God’s grace because God cannot force his bounty upon us. That is why John the Baptist… Continue reading »
HOMILY ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A READY FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD: (Is.2:2-5, Ps 121, Rom. 13:11-14 & Matt. 24:37-44) Today is the First Sunday of the Advent Season which lasts for four weeks. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus which means “coming.” In the Christian tradition Advent… Continue reading »
Advent I [A] Sunday Homily: One-page Summary(L-19) Introduction: Today we begin our yearly pilgrimage through the events of our history of salvation starting with the preparation for the birthday celebration of Jesus and ending with the reflection on his glorious “second coming” as judge at the end of the world. We are entering the Advent… Continue reading »