Calling
5th Sunday of Easter
Originally delivered on May 9, 1993
Readings: Acts 6:1-7; Peter 2: 4-9; John 14:1-12
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on February 7, 1993
Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10 (73A); 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is challenging each of us to determine what our gifts and talents are, but more importantly, how we are using those gifts. If we are the salt of the earth, then how is the special salt in each of us, the light of Jesus, meant to flavor the greater community? From Isaiah, we hear that we must “share our bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.” That is, we are called by Jesus, to let our light shine, but for the poor, the oppressed, and the hungry. We might ask ourselves, in light of this day’s readings, how we are recognizing and changing the continual oppression of women, African-Americans, and gays and lesbians. Jesus is calling each of us to let our unique light shine for our sisters and brothers.
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on January 17, 1993
Readings: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34
We are a frail people, and yet, we are asked to walk in the likes of John the Baptist and the other prophets, and be a light to all. We are reminded that there are prophets in our time as we celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Despite all of our faults, just as the prophets before us, we can speak the truth of Jesus. Each of us must take action, in whatever we can, and not leave it up to others to change the order of things that keep many of sisters and brothers suffering. God has placed the incomprehensible burden of freedom in our hands. To embrace Jesus means that each of us must embrace everyone as a child of God.
1st Sunday of Advent
Originally delivered on November 29, 1992
Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44
In the week’s Gospel, Fr. Healy urges us to see the message that we are challenged, as God’s people, to get a “mountain view”. That is, to see things as God does. On this first Sunday of Advent, we are asked to look at ourselves, our lives, and this world from a whole new perspective. With Jesus as our anchor, we can, in fact, get a new perspective and to find the courage to hope and to change things. We only have a finite amount of time in our lives to make these changes. We don’t know what the hereafter might be so we must seize the opportunity now to see the world as God sees the world. It may cost us something, but it’s what God’s calling for us to do, and what Jesus is calling us to do through this day’s readings. We are called to consecrate the earth, share with others, and loving each others as brothers and sisters. That’s the view from the mountain that we are challenged to see, accept, and act upon.
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on June 25, 1989
Readings: Zechariah 12:10-11, Paul to the Galatians 3: 26-29; Luke 9: 18-24
Through a marvelous Healy family story we are reminded to recommit ourselves to Christ through service to our community. Indeed, we are reminded in this Sunday’s Gospel that we must take up the cross every day. This means denying ourselves, if necessary, in service to God’s people in need as one family. (Note: Unfortunately this homily was cut off so this is only the first part of it.)
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on November 14, 1993
Readings: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30 or 25: 14-15, 19-20
We are reminded in today’s Gospel that God gives each of us a Divine gift to each of us that is unique to each of us. But our task is to take the risk of faith to make more of it. If God is, in fact, love and mercy, we must believe, in the depth of our being, that we are already in God’s love and mercy and see ourselves in that context. We are encouraged to ask ourselves not why we got certain gifts and not others, but what we are doing with the gifts that we have been given. If we trust in God and invest in our talents, we will increase our gifts exponentially as a reflection of God Himself.
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on November 7, 1993
Readings: Wisdom 6:12-16; Thessalonians 4:13-17 or 4:13-14; Matthew 25: 1-13
In today’s Gospel, Jesus again uses the metaphor of the wedding reception. Perhaps it’s symbolic of letting go of one’s individualism to become something greater through a newness of life. As Jesus explores this universal symbolism, he tells us that everyone is invited to the marriage with God, but some refuse in one way or another. But for those that engage in a relationship with Christ, we are called to be of service to our sisters and brothers. On this day, we also hear from Fr. Antoine Adrien about what was happening in Haiti in 1993, their fight for freedom and justice, and his plea for our continued support as sisters and brothers in God.
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.
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.
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