Act Like Christ

Mary, Mother of God

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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.

Christmas

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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.

8th Sunday of Ordinary Time

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Readings: Sirach 27: 4-7; Corinthians 15: 54-58; Luke 6:39-45

Originally delivered on March 1, 1992

In today’s homily, we are reminded that listening and discerning is a difficult yet unending task that we are called to do.  Of course, we must be wary of liars, or intentional deceivers, but we must also be wary of those that speak untruths, but believe what they espouse.  We must test everything against the divine measure: does this resonate with the message and deeds of the Son of God.  May truth always be the treasure in our heart.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52

Originally delivered on October 23, 1988

Today, we are asked to consider what God is saying to us in this week’s readings.  In this first reading we hear what will be given to the chosen people.  Then, the gospel tells of a public healing of a blind man. We must struggle in our imperfection and wrestle with our conscience to try to bring about the kingdom of God in our midst. If we look at the present reality with the vision that God provides in the scriptures, then we will begin to agitate with our imperfect criticism to bring the world more in line with Jesus’s plan for the world. We may be walking in blindness, but we must remember that Jesus is always with us. What do we want Jesus to do for us?  Do we want to see?

Baptism of the Lord

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Readings: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7; Acts: 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11

Originally delivered on January 13, 1991

How do we give others power or authority over our lives?  When we are baptized in Jesus, it is a proclamation that we are joined with Jesus as Lord. No one is Lord except Jesus.  Therefore, we must stand with Jesus when contemplating actions, policies, laws, etc. Our challenge is to keep asking ourselves where Jesus is leading us. 

Christmas

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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

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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.

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Christ the King

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Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37 

Originally delivered on November 24, 1991

We cannot value power and prestige and be followers of Jesus.  Indeed, we are reminded on this day that the last will be first and first will be last.  We are challenged in this homily to stand up to injustices and the abuse of power. This Feast of Christ the King is a call for us to renounce kingship.  Rather we are reminded that king to Jesus meant serving the poor, marginalized, and outcast.  To be king is to be servant of our sisters and brothers.  Today’s feast then is about re-ordering things.  Every person is called to be in full harmony with one another, other creatures, and our Earth. 

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

Originally delivered on November 10, 1991

Fr. Healy begins this homily with a family story of his Aunt Kate.  In this Gospel from Mark we hear how to live, and not live, a religious life.  Indeed, we are called to give, like the widow, from our “substance” rather than just what is comfortable. We are therefore challenged to allow ourselves to respond to human situations not from what is practical, but what our hearts tell us to do.  Are we giving from our substance? If so, then we never have to fear how it looks to more practical people. We are already forgiven by God, but are we living as though we’ve heard Jesus’s message that our actions toward our sisters and brothers in need? 

 

 

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45

Originally delivered on October 20, 1991

In today’s homily, Fr. Healy reminds us that the not only does God exist, but that God loves us as we are.  Jesus became human, and as it says in the second reading, he was tempted but never sinned, and yet, we are always forgiven.  Indeed, Fr. Healy passionately insists that God doesn’t just have love and mercy, but is love and mercy. And yet, we are not able to merely rest on that love because, as we hear in the gospel, we also have a responsibility to care for our sisters and brothers.  We are called to let go of earthly things (e.g., money and power) and be servants to others until everyone in the family has a fair share of God’s blessings.