Author: Frank Finamore
Holy Trinity
Originally delivered on May 25, 1986
Readings: Proverbs 8:22-31; Paul to the Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
Today we are asked to pause to try to grasp the very nature of our God. Fr. Healy reminds us of the story of St. Augustin’s attempt to understand God. Indeed, we may only catch glimpses of God. Every creature on Earth is a reflection of God, who is neither male or female. Our task is to keep falling deeper in love with God, by holding and understanding every person as best we can because she or he is a reflection of God.
Pentecost
Originally delivered on June 7, 1992
Readings: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11; Paul to the Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23
Fr. Healy reminds us that we have already received the Holy Spirit. Perhaps not in the wind or the fire, but in the light and life of the diversity of our sisters and brothers. Indeed, there are people throughout the world waiting for the fire within us to make a difference in their lives. He reminds us of political events in Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Haiti where people are waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit. The message of Pentecost is not to be still and wait for God to save, but rather that we must be fire on the earth.
3rd Sunday of Easter
Originally delivered on May 2, 1992
Readings: Acts of Apostles 5:27-32, 40-41; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
In this homily, we hear of the tragedy of the riots in Los Angeles in 1992 and Fr. Healy’s struggle to understand the riots in light of the Easter allelujah that he felt during the season. From the first reading, we are reminded that we, like the apostles, sometimes may get into trouble doing the work that we are called to do. In the second reading, we hear again that Jesus will triumph. Finally, in the Gospel, through the story of Jesus meeting Peter fishing, we are reminded of Jesus’ forgiveness and our responsibility to serve others. The racial riots in Los Angeles is another reason to know that we still have an unjust society and that we must confront those injustices if we say that we are true witnesses of Jesus. What are our present day events that show the injustices that remain? How are we changing societal structures and ensuring that all people are included? These are the questions that we must consistently ask ourselves as believers in Jesus’ Resurrection.
2nd Sunday of Easter
Originally delivered on April 2, 1989
Readings: Acts of the Apostles 5: 12-16; Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31
In this week’s homily, we’re invited to rethink what it meant for Thomas to doubt the existence of the risen Lord until Thomas saw Jesus for himself. What if Thomas is the hero in the story? Perhaps Thomas was the only one who recognized that to be the Messiah required Jesus to suffer human pain and suffering and Thomas was acknowledging that human suffering of our Messiah by asking to see his wounds and put his hands in His flesh. Furthermore, it might be that this Gospel story tells us not so much about Thomas’ disbelief, but rather that we can experience a relationship with our God by being in relationship with our sisters and brothers, reaching out to them, and touching their lives in a similar way to how Thomas touched Jesus’ wounds and hurts.
Easter
Originally delivered on April 16, 1995
Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Corinthians 5:6-8; John 20:1-9
Fr. Healy begins this last homily at Our Lady Queen of Peace by retelling some favorite funny stories. He reminds us that we cannot let the meanness and sadness of the “bad guys” to overcome us. We must find hope in the Risen Christ. We are not alone in our pain and sorry, but Jesus’s pain on the cross, is so that we can bear our pain. We must not give up. We are called to be the Easter people and sing alleluia for ourselves and for our sisters and brothers. We cannot give in to those that would silence us. We must always stand up for the truth. We are also called to forgive those that have wronged us.
Easter
Originally delivered on April 18, 1992
Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Corinthians 5:6-8; John 20:1-9
Fr. Healy recounts a funny story of an Easter Vigil in Newport, RI. He reminds us that we need to enjoy, laugh, hope, and bring joy to the world. Indeed, despite what is happening in our own lives, we are called to bring light the light of Christ to our sisters and brothers. Fr. Healy says hallelujah for three things: apartheid being done in South Africa; women coming into greater equality; and meeting God through human experiences.
Passion of Our Lord
Originally delivered on April 9, 1995
Readings: Isaiah 50: 4-7; Paul 2: 6-11; Luke 22:14-23, 56 or 23:1-49
In this homily, we are challenged to ask ourselves “What does crucifying Jesus look like in our times?” However we celebrate the passion of our Lord, it ends with the sacred recalling of Jesus being utterly rejected and shamed before his sisters and brothers that He came to save. We must ask ourselves if we fear really welcoming Jesus. Yet we must also remember that He came to save us, despite our imperfections. We must be with Jesus on the hill if we are to be with Him as the Risen Lord.
5th Sunday of Lent
Originally delivered on April 2, 1995
Readings: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Philippians 3: 8-14; John 8:1-11
This week’s Gospel is the John’s account of the adulterer. Fr. Healy invites us to reflect on whether sexual issues are highlighted in our society, perhaps as they were in Jesus’s time, to deflect our attention from other issues. We are reminded that Jesus speaks to us today when he tells the woman, “Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on, avoid, the sin.”
Weekly Homilies 