SYNOPSIS: OT XIV [B] HOMILY ON MARK 6:1-6 Introduction: Today’s readings introduce Jesus as a prophet and explain how prophets and other messengers from God inevitably suffer rejection. The readings challenge us to face rejection and hardship with prophetic courage. Scripture lessons summarized: The first reading, taken from the book of the prophet Ezekiel, tells… Continue reading »
Synopsis of OT XIII [B] Homily on Mk 5: 21-43 Introduction: Today’s readings speak of the gift of life, both physical and spiritual, that God has given us. They urge and challenge us to be grateful for our health in body and soul and to use God’s gifts of life and health responsibly. Scripture lessons:… Continue reading »
Synopsis: Nativity of St. John the Baptist [A, B, C] Introduction: Birth of John the Baptist is a Sabbath Year Feast, that is, a feast that we celebrate on a Sunday only once every seven years. It is an important feast in the sense that his is one only three whose birthdays we commemorate. The… Continue reading »
Introduction: Today’s readings are about the birth and growth of the reign or rule of God (Kingdom of God), in human lives and about the gigantic growth of the Church from very humble beginnings. Both growths are slow and mysterious, guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture lessons: The first reading, taken from… Continue reading »
Synopsis of OT X homily on Gen 3. 9:15; II Cor 4:13–5:1; Mk 3:20-35 Introduction: The readings for today, the Tenth Sunday [B] in Ordinary Time, give the name “sin” to our offenses against God. When we sin — violate God’s Commandments — we distance ourselves from Him; when we refuse, or fear, to admit… Continue reading »
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 »