Introduction: The feast and its objectives: Today, we celebrate the solemn feast of Corpus Christi. It is three feasts in one: the feast of the Eucharistic sacrifice, feast of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the feast of the Real Presence of Jesus. It is a doctrinal feast established for three purposes: 1) to give… Continue reading »
Synopsis for a 10-minute homily: HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY Introduction: The mystery of the most Holy Trinity is a basic doctrine of Faith in Christianity, understandable not with our heads but with our hearts. It teaches us that there are three distinct Persons in one God, sharing the same Divine Nature, co-equal and co-eternal. Our… Continue reading »
Pentecost literally means 50th. It is a feast celebrated on the 50th day after the Passover feast by the Jews and a feast celebrated on the 50th day after the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus by the Christians. The Jewish Pentecost was originally a post-harvest thanksgiving feast. Later, the Jews included in it the… Continue reading »
Introduction: Christian love resulting in Christian unity is the main theme of today’s Scripture lessons. The first reading, taken from Acts, tells us how the eleven apostles as one unit, relying on the power of God, elected Matthias to replace Judas. This incorporation was done by the whole community under the chairmanship of Peter, choosing… Continue reading »
Introduction: Today’s readings describe the Ascension of the Lord Jesus into his Heavenly glory after promising the Holy Spirit as the source of Heavenly power for his disciples and commanding them to bear witness to him by their lives and preaching throughout the world. What is celebrated is Jesus’ exaltation and the end of his… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS: EASTER VI [B] SUNDAY HOMILY Introduction: Today’s Scripture passages declare the profound truth that those who believe in Christ are to obey his commandment of love – “Love others as I have loved you.” When we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us remember with gratitude that it is generally our mothers who practice the agápe love of Jesus Scripture Lessons: In… Continue reading »
Synopsis of Easter V [B] Homily on Jn 15:1-8 Introduction: Today’s Scripture selections emphasize the need for Christians to abide in Christ as a condition for producing fruits of kindness, mercy, charity and holiness. Scripture lessons summarized: The first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, testifies to the abundance of spiritual fruits yielded by the apostles… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS OF EASTER IV SUNDAY HOMILY Introduction: On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, called Good Shepherd Sunday, we continue to reflect on the meaning of the Resurrection. This is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Today, we celebrate the risen Lord as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep…. Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS: EASTER III [B] SUNDAY HOMILY (Lk 24:35-48) L/18 Introduction: The common theme of today’s readings is the challenge to adjust our lives to the living presence of the risen Lord as we grow daily more aware of God’s presence within us and all around us as the Holy Spirit. This awareness should strengthen our hope… Continue reading »
SYNOPSIS OF EASTER- II (SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY) HOMILY Introduction: The readings for this Sunday are about God’s mercy, the necessity for trusting Faith and our need for the forgiveness of our sins. The opening prayer addresses the Father as “God of everlasting Mercy.” In the Responsorial Psalm (Ps 118), we repeat several times, “His mercy… Continue reading »