Month: September 2007

Ss. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel

Today’s readings: Tobit 5, Tobit 12, Revelation 12:7-12, Matthew 1:18-25 Celebrated in our parish church as a Solemnity today. This is very similar to the homily I gave to the school children last year on the Solemnity, amended a bit in order to speak to the wider audience of a morning Mass. We’re all very… Continue reading Ss. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel

Vigil of Ss. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel

Today’s readings: Tobit 5, Tobit 12, Revelation 12:7-12, Matthew 1:18-25 Today’s feast: Vigil of Ss. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel [Vigil Mass Celebrated for the School Children] What is a hero? The dictionary tells us that heroes are people of great courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. They are people who… Continue reading Vigil of Ss. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel

Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Today’s readings Today’s Gospel reminds me of a sound bite for the evening news. Taken out of context, Jesus is denying his family. And not only that, but Jesus now has “brothers,” so what happened to the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary? Sound bites cause nothing but trouble because you don’t have the… Continue reading Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week of Ordinary Time

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Today’s readings How wonderful for us to celebrate the feast of St. Matthew. Because Matthew was qualified to be a disciple of Jesus in much the same way that we are qualified to be disciples of Jesus-which is to say, not at all. Matthew was a tax collector, working for the Roman occupation government. His… Continue reading St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Ss. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang & Companions, Martyrs

Today’s readings Korea was introduced to Christianity in the late 1500s when some Koreans were baptized, probably by Christian Japanese soldiers who invaded Korea at that time. It was not until the late 1700s that a priest managed to sneak into Korea, and when he did, he found about 4000 Catholics, none of whom had… Continue reading Ss. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang & Companions, Martyrs

Wisdom Has Built Her House

Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6, 11, 10; Romans 11:33-36; Mark 6:1-6 A lecture presented to the CREEDS Scripture Study group, kicking off their study of Wisdom Literature and the Chronicler. I. What is Wisdom Literature? You’ll be treated this year in CREEDS to an introduction to Hebrew Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Wisdom literature is a… Continue reading Wisdom Has Built Her House

Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Today’s readings The little instruction of St. Paul to Timothy about bishops, women and deacons seems quaint. And it’s sure a relief to me because he doesn’t mention priests! Actually, he doesn’t mention priests because they were of course a later development. You can even see how the office of bishop has changed over time,… Continue reading Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Twenty-fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today’s readings The Kingdom of God is about mercy, and forgiveness, and repentance, and reconciliation. The task of the Church is to call people to repentance, and to bring God’s mercy, and forgiveness, and reconciliation to the world. The task of Christian disciples is to repent, and to receive God’s mercy, and forgiveness and reconciliation,… Continue reading Twenty-fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

St. John Chrysostom

Today’s readings | Today’s saint St. John Chrysostom was known to be a prolific, well-spoken and challenging preacher. The name “Chrysostom” means “golden-mouthed.” He spoke eloquently of the Scriptures, of which he had an extensive understanding, and applied their words to the times of his day. He was known, actually, to often preach for two… Continue reading St. John Chrysostom