Forgiveness
3rd Sunday of Easter
Originally delivered on May 2, 1992
Readings: Acts of Apostles 5:27-32, 40-41; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
In this homily, we hear of the tragedy of the riots in Los Angeles in 1992 and Fr. Healy’s struggle to understand the riots in light of the Easter allelujah that he felt during the season. From the first reading, we are reminded that we, like the apostles, sometimes may get into trouble doing the work that we are called to do. In the second reading, we hear again that Jesus will triumph. Finally, in the Gospel, through the story of Jesus meeting Peter fishing, we are reminded of Jesus’ forgiveness and our responsibility to serve others. The racial riots in Los Angeles is another reason to know that we still have an unjust society and that we must confront those injustices if we say that we are true witnesses of Jesus. What are our present day events that show the injustices that remain? How are we changing societal structures and ensuring that all people are included? These are the questions that we must consistently ask ourselves as believers in Jesus’ Resurrection.
Easter
Originally delivered on April 16, 1995
Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Corinthians 5:6-8; John 20:1-9
Fr. Healy begins this last homily at Our Lady Queen of Peace by retelling some favorite funny stories. He reminds us that we cannot let the meanness and sadness of the “bad guys” to overcome us. We must find hope in the Risen Christ. We are not alone in our pain and sorry, but Jesus’s pain on the cross, is so that we can bear our pain. We must not give up. We are called to be the Easter people and sing alleluia for ourselves and for our sisters and brothers. We cannot give in to those that would silence us. We must always stand up for the truth. We are also called to forgive those that have wronged us.
7th Sunday of Ordinary Time
1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38
Originally delivered on February 23, 1992
We are called and anointed to make peace, forgive our enemies, and do good to those that would persecute us. In the Gospel today, Jesus says, “To you who hear me…” Are we hearing Him? Indeed, we must hear with our hearts. In the second reading, Paul tells us that we are natural beings before being divine. We are reminded that we are called to bring the Kingdom of God and His love and forgiveness to our sisters and brothers in the here and now. We know that Jesus told us to love our enemies, have we heard it in our hearts? Have we translated that love into deeds? Will we seize this sacred moment and make something of it?
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Kings: 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51
Originally delivered on August 11, 1991
In today’s first reading, we hear about Elijah’s journey to the desert where God wakes him, feeds him, and commands him to keep going. In the Gospel, Jesus says that He is the Bread of Life. We are called to be the bread and nourishment for our sisters and brothers because of our commitment to the person and message of Jesus. Indeed, we are called by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians to “Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.”
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on September 12, 1993
Readings: Sirach 27: 30-28:7; Romans 14: 7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35
In this week’s homily, we hear of the atrocity of a supporter of Haitian President Aristide being dragged out of a Mass being said by Fr. Antoine Adrien and murdered. We are also reminded of the history taking place in Yugoslavia. Despite these global injustices, and even with our personal pains and grievances, we are, as Christians, called to forgive, just as God forgives us. Indeed, the message is clear: God is forgiveness. What about you?
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Genesis: 18:22-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13
Originally delivered on July 30, 1989
In this week’s readings, we hear about Sodom and Gomorrah. Through this story, we learn that we can talk to God, despite our sins. In the today’s Gospel, Jesus says tells us how to pray. Indeed, He wants us to forgive, just as He has forgiven us already. That’s the spirit in which we should pray and the spirit in which we should live. But, we must embrace this in our lives and make the message our own.
11th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Originally delivered on June 17, 1989
Readings: Sm 12:7-10, 13, Gal 2:16, 19-21, Lk 7:36—8:3
We are sinners, but God is love. His love is the air we breathe. His forgiveness is the atmosphere in which we exist. That is what we learn from today’s scriptures. In the first reading, David, the king, is a sinner for having stolen another man’s wife. Additionally, he sent the woman’s husband, Uriah, off to battle so that the husband would be sure to be killed. And yet, we hear that the Lord forgave David after he admits his sin. From the Gospel, we hear that God forgives regardless of the greatness of the sin itself. It is through our very weakness that God’s mercy becomes even more obvious. Our task is, as sinners, is to welcome others with forgiveness and then to be agents of compassion and forgiveness of others, rather than their judges. As Paul reminds us, Jesus shows us that our faith in the power of His forgiveness will save us.
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.
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