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Easter
Reading: Matthew 28:1-10
Originally delivered on March 31, 1991 (Scheduled to be posted on April 4, 2021)
As we sing our Easter alleluias, how can we acknowledge the despair that exists by many in our world? Perhaps our alleluia can be strength for those hurting.
1st Sunday of Lent
Originally delivered on March 4, 1990
Readings: Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19; Matthew 4:1-11
In today’s readings we hear about the Garden of Eden, Jesus’ forty days in the desert, and His temptation by the devil. We are reminded that God created the right order of things in His creation of the Garden of Eden, but like Jesus, we each experience our time in the desert, struggling with every demon. We would do well to remember that Jesus went before us and will always be with us, as God’s people. But with Jesus’ support and love, we are each called to re-create the right order of things. This means that we must experience the desert and our temptations, such as our desire for things and power, and trust in our God. To do this requires our penance, but most importantly, responsibility to make the future different.
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on February 8, 1987
Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10 (73A); 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16
In this week’s homily, Fr. Healy reflects on his experiences as a missionary in Tanzania. He hopes for a day when every person would feel and believe that would believe that they “are the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth.” He invites us to think about to whom Jesus spoke those words. Just as He did then, He is indeed speaking to us, as the ordinary people. This means that we who have heard these words are meant to be a difference to a suffering world. We are reminded of the responsibilities of being called and the examples that we’ve seen in our parish and community of taking action.
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on January 31, 1993
Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12a
In this homily, we remember the passing of Justice Thurgood Marshall. The first African-American member of the Supreme Court, he challenged the status quo and represented the poor and marginalized. Perhaps he was considered a thorn in the side of the establishment, just as Jesus must have been considered by His contemporaries. In this week’s Gospel, we hear Jesus from the mountain, just as Moses gave the ten commandments from the mount, giving us the Beatitudes which were so very different in nature than the straightforward ten commandments. But who are the poor in Spirit? Poverty in Spirit surely means genuine dependence on and trust in the Lord. But being poor in Spirit also may mean those with material wealth who stand with the poor, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized. In doing so, we will be rich in God’s love.
Baptism of the Lord
Originally delivered on January 10, 1993
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17
Through a touching Healy family story, we glean new insight about why Jesus was baptized. Perhaps he wanted to identify with us, as much as possible — with our difficulties, shame, and sin which is all washed away in Baptism. He wanted to be one with us in our struggle. When we are at our most frail, Jesus, through His own Baptism, has shown us that He is truly with us. Just as we should be with our oppressed sisters in brothers, especially those that don’t yet know about Jesus.
Baptism of the Lord
Readings: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7; Acts: 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11
Originally delivered on January 13, 1991
How do we give others power or authority over our lives? When we are baptized in Jesus, it is a proclamation that we are joined with Jesus as Lord. No one is Lord except Jesus. Therefore, we must stand with Jesus when contemplating actions, policies, laws, etc. Our challenge is to keep asking ourselves where Jesus is leading us.
Baptism of the Lord
Readings: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7; Acts: 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11
Originally delivered on January 10, 1988
On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Healy invites us to reflect on what it means to us to be initiated into an exclusive club of some type. What about our initiation into the Church? Indeed, everyone is welcomed into the Body of Christ. To be a member of Christ’s Church, we are called to look outward, embracing our sisters and brothers. To be a Catholic is to be a part of the world. We are called to work to bring the vision of Christ to our world.
2nd Sunday of Advent
Originally delivered on December 10, 1989
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12
In this homily, we hear of the death of Fr. Healy’s sister, Sally, and Pope John Paul II’s warning of the impending ecological crisis. Animated about the issues of racism, refugees from Central America, and Haiti, Fr. Healy shares his struggle about which issues to address with the people of God. We are asked to hear the words of John the Baptist, as if he was speaking directly to each of us when he say’s “prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight His path.” May we make a resolution to not be content to enjoy any of the blessings of God’s creation without a daily consciousness of how our use of God’s gifts affects the lives of our sisters and brothers.
1st Sunday of Advent
Originally delivered on December 3, 1989
Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44
Now is the time for us to take action. In a passionate homily, even more so than usual, Fr. Healy encourages us to be participants and seize the sacred moment, and to turn our swords into plowshares. Let us put on the armor of light that is Jesus Christ. Now is the hour, for us to work for peace, love, and fellowship with our sisters and bothers throughout the world. We are reminded of the martyrs from El Salvador and Nicaragua, including Archbishop Romero, who were slain in the name of peace. Let the blood of these martyrs to propel each of us to be peacemakers in our time.
