Cycle A
Epiphany of the Lord
Originally delivered on January 3, 1993
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
Fr. Healy reminds us that Epiphany caps the Christmas season. We are called to be the Good News to others. While we may look to the stars, we must be the light of Christ to our sisters and brothers in the here and now.
Mary, Mother of God
Originally delivered on January 1, 1990
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21
In this homily, Father Healy reminds us that Mary is the first woman to be liberated by Christ Jesus. She is a prophet for all ages. We are reminded that a simple girl was asked to say Amen to Jesus and change history. We, too, can make a difference regardless of our fears. We must not allow the magic moment of grace today to pass us by. We are called to act for justice and human rights and dignity. Because of Jesus, we must hold ourselves accountable to love our enemies and to be one family with everyone in the world.
Holy Family
Originally delivered on December 31, 1989
Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew: 2:13-15, 19-23
We celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. As we gather each week, it’s truly a family reunion as everyone is together as one family of God. We are called to reflect on what the world would be like if we treated others truly as our sisters and brothers. Family is loving, learning, sharing, and caring deeply for one another while keeping a treasured tradition which is renewed and celebrated together when we gather. But most importantly, being family, is to be forgiving of the faults and failings of our brothers and sisters. We are also called to recognize the family resemblance in the spirit of every person on earth.
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 24, 1989
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 10; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24
In this week’s Gospel, we hear how the birth of Jesus came about. Joseph said Amen to marrying Mary, despite the impossibility of understanding how the Son of God was to be born through Mary. Two ordinary people, Mary and Joseph, had the faith to say Amen. May we do the same, no matter how scary it may seem. Will we say, “Your Will be done in me”?
3rd Sunday of Advent
Originally delivered on December 17, 1989
Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 1:2-11
Today we are reminded to Rejoice! Rejoice for our being prophets to bring Jesus’ Gospel to our sisters and brothers here on Earth. We are each called to be prophets despite our frailties, doubts, and even our sins. It is in our infirmity that the Glory of God becomes more evident. So, today as we rejoice in the Good News, we are each challenged to be true prophets in our actions.
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.
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.
Weekly Homilies 