Sunday, December 20, 2009: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (Fourth Sunday in Advent C)

Just 13 lines earlier in Luke’s Gospel, and on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we read that “the angel, Gabriel was sent from God to the town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.” The angel greeted Mary, saying, “Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.” This is the Annunciation Story, the first mystery of the Joyous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. “The first Joyous Mystery, the Annunciation.” And then we read one of the most prominent understatements in the New ...

Sunday, December 13, 2009: Zephaniah 3:14-18A; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3: 10-18 (Third Sunday of Advent)

“Rejoice in the Lord Always. I shall say it again: rejoice.” These are the words of St. Paul to the people of Philippians. In this short letter which is only four chapters, St. Paul uses the word, “Rejoice” fourteen times. Paul wrote this letter when he was in prison in Rome. He was in danger of death but from within all that he was going through, he had the inner freedom to not only rejoice in his own sufferings but to exhort the Philippians to stay in the realm of joy. In the very first chapter of the letter, Paul ...

Sunday, December 6, 2009: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6 (Second Sunday of Advent)

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. We are gradually approaching Christmas, when Jesus Christ, the Immanuel will come among us. Today’s readings assure us that God’s coming is going to change our current situations. These readings are full of consolation and hope for us. We live in a difficult world with many challenges being thrown at us every day. We are so pressed hard by the things that come our way that we sometimes do not know what is of value to us. In these circumstances, we find that God is fighting for a little chance in our lives. ...

Sunday, November 22, 2009: Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37 ( Solemnity of Christ the King)

In traditional African societies, the people had some expectations of the king. He was someone who was strong and wielded so much power. He distinguished his strength by waging wars of expansion and subjecting other kingdoms under his dominion. This kingship is different from the kingship of Jesus. The Jews understood Jesus’ kingship in a secular sense. They saw him as a political or national leader who would make them once again a super power. They expected a king that was going to sit upon the throne of David and would rule over the whole world, rebuild the temple, bring ...

Sunday, November 15, 2009: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrew 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

As we come toward the end of the liturgical year, we hear these readings that focus on the end time. Both the book of Daniel and the gospel of Mark which we read today tell us about the cataclysmic events that would occur before the Day of the Lord. The Jews saw the day of the Lord as a time in which God will intervene in history. Although they were the chosen people of God, their history was marked with many years of persecution. Between the time of the Old Testament and the time of the New Testament, they went ...

Sunday Homilies

Sunday, December 20, 2009: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (Fourth Sunday in Advent C)

Just 13 lines earlier in Luke’s Gospel, and on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we read that “the angel, Gabriel was sent from God to the...

Sunday, December 13, 2009: Zephaniah 3:14-18A; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3: 10-18 (Third Sunday of Advent)

“Rejoice in the Lord Always. I shall say it again: rejoice.” These are the words of St. Paul to the people of Philippians. In this short letter which...

Sunday, December 6, 2009: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6 (Second Sunday of Advent)

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. We are gradually approaching Christmas, when Jesus Christ, the Immanuel will come among us. Today’s readings assure...

Sunday, November 22, 2009: Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37 ( Solemnity of Christ the King)

In traditional African societies, the people had some expectations of the king. He was someone who was strong and wielded so much power. He distinguished...

Sunday, November 15, 2009: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrew 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

As we come toward the end of the liturgical year, we hear these readings that focus on the end time. Both the book of Daniel and the gospel of Mark which...

Benedict XVI: Knowledge only grows if one loves the truth

Benedict XVI: New media technologies for evangelization