Cycle A
2nd Sunday of Lent
Originally delivered on March 11, 1990
Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9
In this week’s Gospel, Peter, James, and John see a glimpse of God’s glory as Jesus was transfigured before them. Sometimes each of us also need to see a glimpse of God to keep us going, doing the work commanded by Jesus to care for our sisters and brothers to bring about His kingdom here on earth for everyone. May we each take a moment to reflect on how we’ve seen Jesus in the work and love of others, but then allow their example to propel us to take action ourselves.
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.
Christ the King
Originally delivered on November 22, 1987
Readings: Ezekial 34:11-12, 15-17; Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25: 31-46
In today’s Gospel, Fr. Healy says that Jesus tells us the bottom line. That is, we will be judged by how we treated the “least” among us. Do we put things before the needs of our sisters and brothers? Indeed, we are called to do more for the marginalized, poor, and ostracized. We are all supposed to stand as equals in front of our God.
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on November 15, 1987
Readings: Ezekial 34:11-12, 15-17; Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25: 31-46
We are reminded that the Scriptures are written in a cultural context and that we must look through this context and look for the deeper meaning. In the first reading from Ezekial, we are challenged to reach out to the poor and give what we can. In the Gospel, we are told that we should use our unique gifts to help serve God to advance the spirit and the purpose of the Gospel. We are urged to make those actions now, not to wait.
32nd Sunday IN Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on November 8, 1987
Readings: Wisdom 6:12-16; Thessalonians 4:13-17 or 4:13-14; Matthew 25: 1-13
In today’s homily, Fr. Healy reminds us that Jesus teaches us to not put things off. We are also reminded that the disciples believed that Jesus would come again within their lifetimes. We are implored not to lose the sense of urgency that Jesus is coming. We must act and be the Christ to our sisters and brothers.
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on October 31, 1993
Readings: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10; Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12
In this homily, Fr. Healy discusses the significance of Vatican II, the Church in Haiti, and those that are marginalized by the institutional Church. He characterizes Vatican II as revolutionary and a calling for us to be part of the universal Church in both spirit and responsibility. We are reminded that our conscience is the ultimate law of morality because it is our sacred inner core where we meet God. We must remember that Jesus responded that the two greatest commandments were to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on October 24, 1990
Readings: Exodus 22:20-26; Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40
This day’s liturgy presents to us the two faces of God. The first, from the Old Testament, warns us that if we don’t welcome others, such as aliens, widows, and orphans, then we’ll see the terrifying face of God’s vengeance. The second, from the Gospel of Matthew, is a loving God that says that our love for God and our neighbor is the basis for all of the commandments. Fr. Healy, joined by Fr. Antoine Adrien of Haiti, asks us to consider how the law of love applies to the issues of the day in Bosnia, Somalia, and Haiti. In this homily, we also hear the rare recorded words of Fr. Antoine, who speaks of the pain and frustration of Haiti.
Weekly Homilies 