Conscience
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on November 8, 1992
Readings: Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Thessalonians 2:16 -3:5; Luke 20:27-38 or 20-27 , 34-38
How does our conscience shape our actions? Are we, like the seven sons and their mother from the Book of Maccabees, willing to die for what we believe? In today’s homily, we are reminded that we may have to take a stand for something which will become irrelevant at a later date. Nonetheless, in the moment, we are called to follow our conscience. We should pray dearly and act sincerely based on what our conscience tells us. On the issues of women priests, abortion, sexual orientation, divorce, and our economic systems, we must pray and ultimately follow our conscience.
2nd Sunday of Advent
Originally delivered on December 8, 1991
Readings: Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6
We are challenged to let the martyrs in El Salvador to make us wonder how well we receive the Gospel to level the mountains and fill up the valleys. Are we answering the call to our own prophesy? Furthermore, we are reminded that the goal of the prophet is not to always be right, but rather, to be be sincere to our conscience. The words of today’s Gospel should be our encouragement because we will see the glory of our God.
5th Sunday of Easter
Originally delivered on April 28, 1991
Readings: Acts 9:26-31; John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8
Today we are challenged to get more serious in our following of Jesus. We have to be ready for God to change our circumstances and see the world in a whole new light. Like Paul, we might even switch sides. In the epistle, we are reminded that we are to love one another as Jesus loves. We are called to “love in deed and in truth and not merely talk about it.”
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.
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on August 22, 1993
Readings: Isaiah 22:15, 19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20
In this week’s readings, we hear about authority, but it’s not equivalent to power, when Jesus gives authority to Peter. We are reminded that those who positions of authority, are bound by conscience, where one is alone with God. When Jesus speaks, He calls each of us to be one with God by seeking out His will. Then, we must follow Him by our actions in our lives. Fr. Healy passionately explains that God doesn’t want us to always be right, but rather, we must be sincere, driven by our deep connection with God through our conscience. Indeed, we must struggle with those that have reached a very different view of an issue of today through their own conscience. The ultimate measure of truth, goodness, and beauty, is the person of Jesus. We must constantly ask ourselves what Jesus would say or do. Living according to that principle makes us Christian.
13th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on July 2, 1989
Readings: Kings 19: 16-21, Paul to the Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9: 51-62
In today’s homily, which begins with Fr. Healy singing an anthem, we hear of an oppressed people that risked everything for freedom. In today’s readings, Paul says that “It was for liberty that Christ freed us. So stand firm, and do not take yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time! My brothers, remember that you have been given freedom that give free rein to the flesh. Out of love, place yourselves at one another’s service.” And furthermore, it says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Fr. Healy passionately states that this law of love, must triumph all other laws enacted by others. Indeed, this law of freedom and love is both liberating and frightening. Through a series of present-day challenges, we are challenged to view those issues through the lens of love and personal conscience. Our freedom hinges on our faith and responsibility to others.
Weekly Homilies 