Cycle A
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on September 30, 1990
Readings: Ezekial 18: 25-28; Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5; Matthew 21:28-32
Today Jesus speaks to us again in a parable about a son who says he’ll do something for his father and doesn’t while another son who refuses, but eventually does what is asked. Fr. Healy discusses how we are each like the first son when we accept the call of Jesus and yet we often find it difficult to carry out that promise. There are others , such as Mitch Snyder, who don’t accept any structures or institutions, but then go on to serve their brothers and sisters, in the spirit that Jesus calls us all. But we are also asked to think of those that go through the motions of faith, but then don’t live the Gospel in their daily actions and habits. We might remember all the amens that we’ve given and reconsider those that we might discard, but who do great works on behalf of our less fortunate sisters and brothers.
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on September 16, 1990
Readings: Sirach 27: 30-28:7; Romans 14: 7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35
Today’s Gospel challenge to us is to forgive, just as Jesus always forgives us. We must remember that God came in the form of His son, Jesus, and although he was crucified, in his dying breath, He said, “Father forgive them…” May we be reminded of this example and forgive as Jesus forgives. This doesn’t mean to forget, but rather to remember and still forgive.
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on September 2, 1990
Readings: Jeremiah 20: 7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16: 21-27
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to Peter, and to us, “Get out of my sight, satan!” We are each challenged to follow Jesus by letting go of the established order and overturning unjust arrangements. May we be open to new challenges and willing to face the impossible because we have faith. Today, we are asked to take up the cross of uncertainty.
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 22:15, 19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20
Fr. Healy tells us that he always wanted to be parish priest, despite signing up for the Holy Ghost Fathers who are dedicated to missionary work. He recounts that he had doubts about his ability to remain a priest within the institutional Church. He lets us know that priests and other religious people are often put up on pedestals thereby making it difficult for many religious to deal with their humanity. In these stories, he challenges us to reflect on the role of Peter in today’s Gospel. It is the same Peter who Jesus said, “You are a rock and upon this rock I build my Church” that also denied him three times. He suggests that the religious should come down from the pedestals and be with the people to create the Church.
The Assumption
Originally delivered on August 15, 1993
Readings: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10; Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1: 39-56
In this homily, we hear a reflection of Jesus’ response to woman that yelled out “Blest is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” In response, He said, “Rather, blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” Fr. Healy asks us to consider that Mary’s willingness to hear God’s word and carry out His will is her true gift to us so that we might emulate her actions.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on July 25, 1993
Readings: Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8: 28-30; Matthew 13:44-52 or 13:44-46
In this Gospel, we hear the parables about the Kingdom of God. Specifically we hear about the treasure buried in the field and the man who sold all that he had to buy the field. We are challenged to see ourselves as the treasures that God so cherishes. Perhaps we’ve been led to believe that only the great leaders, priests, or others in high positions are treasures. But in this homily, Fr. Healy invites us to see the important role that each of us plays in carrying out God’s plan.
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on January 14,1990
Readings: Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
We are the light of Jesus in the world today. We are each called to bring that light, through our own unique gifts and talents, to make this world the Kingdom of God. In this Gospel, Jesus reaches out to the fishermen, Simon and Andrew, to be fishers of men and women. Jesus didn’t go to those in power. Instead, he went to the ordinary people, like us, to bring forth His message, just as we are now called. In the second reading, however, we are reminded that in being the light, we must not get caught up in our inevitable squabbles that have more to do with us than in following Jesus. Paul reminds us that we cannot give ourselves over to jealousness and mean spiritedness. Paul did mean uniformity, but rather unity around Christ’s message to be His light in the world.
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.
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