Author: Frank Finamore
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on February 21, 1993
Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48
In this homily, Fr. Healy retells the tragic story of the fire that struck his family’s home and its aftermath for the family. We are reminded that we must always forgive unconditionally. Although this is very difficult, we have examples of parents, including those of Jesus, whose children were killed by others. We are called to forgive just as Mary and Joseph forgave. In today’s readings we are also given encouragement to forgive. In Leviticus, we hear the Lord say to Moses, “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God. am holy. You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.” Then, in the second reading, Paul says to the Corinthians that we are temples of a holy God. We are challenged to let go of our hurts so that we might truly forgive.
Epiphany
Originally delivered on January 4, 1987
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
In this homily on the Feast of the Epiphany, we hear that that most important line from the three readings is “God’s secret plan, as I have briefly described it, was revealed by the Spirit to the holy apostles and prophets. It is no less than this: in Christ Jesus the Gentiles are now co-heirs with the Jews, members of the same body and sharers of the promise through the preaching of the gospel.” As co-heirs, we must ask ourselves if we’ve also accepted the responsibility of sacrificing what we could have to ensure that our sisters and brothers have a place at the table? Welcoming all, but especially the refugees and other foreigners, like the wise men were welcomed by the baby Jesus, is what we are called to do as Christians.
Christmas
Originally delivered on December 25, 1989
Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25
On this Christmas day, Fr. Healy teases us with the possible homilies that he might give us. He reminds us that Jesus, as a baby, is like us as frail, frightened human being. We are called to be love, forgiveness, and decency to a world terribly in need of these Godly gifts. Indeed, we are a privileged people, but we are also called to act in order to make a difference in His world.
4th Sunday of Advent
Originally delivered on December 22, 1992
Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44
In today’s Gospel, we are reminded of how Joseph acted in a manner that no one could understand, except someone that believed in God. We are reminded that those that left the greatest marks, were those that believed in their dreams. What would happen if each of us believed that God was in, around, and always with us?
Read the PDF transcript by clicking the link below.
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on October 19, 1986
Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; Paul to Timothy 3:14 – 4:2; Luke 18:1-8
Prayer is always the lifting of the mind and thought with God. It is how we are in communion with God. But prayer is more than just formal prayers. Being in relationship with our brothers and sisters, especially those hurting and in pain, is how we give praise to our God that created us and also be a people in prayer. Whatever we do that is meant to harmonize us with God’s plan for us is prayer. In this week’s readings, we hear that even Moses’ arms needed support, just as we need others to help and support us.
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on October 12, 1986
Readings: Kings 5:14-17; Paul to Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19
There is no doubt about it — God can cure all human suffering, but His use of power is limited to opportunities to encourage our faith. The Scripture tells us that for the foreigners, God was willing to heal them, in order to help us to increase our faith and believe more in the Lord. We are called to grow in faith each day. We are reminded that in 1986, the similarities between lepresy and AIDS were so evident. Then, and now, we are called to be loving to all people just as Jesus loved the ten lepers in today’s Gospel. Our God is not merciful, but rather God is Mercy. In His image, we are called to bring love and compassion to all those suffering with human afflictions.
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on October 5, 1986
Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2, 2-4; Paul to Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10
We hear in today’s homily that we should not look for appreciation and gratitude from others, but rather take actions based on the Gospel. Our faith can give us strength and courage even when others oppose and undermine us. Furthermore, we must love those opponents as Jesus loves each of us, even giving HIs life for us. The Eucharist is our thanks, the perfect thanks,from God the Creator. If we can remember to give thanks to God, we can find the strength to carry on as Christian people, whether or not anyone else ever appreciates us. Let us be faithful not for reward, but because faith is its own reward.
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53
Originally delivered on August 20, 1989
In today’s gospel we hear from an angry Jesus who proclaims, “I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!” He then goes on to speak of the divisions that will exist in our society because of Him. Fr. Healy preaches that God is angry because of what we have done with God’s plan for us to love and share with all of God’s children, our brothers and sisters. We are reminded that even Jesus’s crucifixion was legal. That is, we cannot stand behind what is the law as protection from what is God’s law of love that we are called to follow. Even our acts of silence, participation by inaction, or approval by passivity hurt others and we are challenged to examine ourselves and seek God’s ways, even if that means that we will create divisions, as today’s gospel states.
Weekly Homilies 