homilies

The Cross of Christ is the Throne of Grace

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, Year C

Fr. Jim homily

5 minute read

Today, we reach the climax of the Easter Triduum as we focus on our Blessed Lord’s Suffering and Death on the cross. The cross is at the center of our Christian life; it is at the center of our Triduum. As I was preparing for my Good Friday homily, several scriptures stood out to me. First, from the prophet Isaiah, who says, “See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted” (Is. 52:13). In Jesus, lifted high on the Cross, we see the fulfillment of this prophecy. The…

Tonight We Take Up the Cup of Salvation With Christ

Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, Year C

Fr. Jim homily

6 minute read

This evening, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Scriptures remind us of the history of salvation, which is fulfilled in Christ, who establishes the New Covenant in his own blood. Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, speaks and it happens. Just as in the beginning, God says, “Let there be light, and there was light” (Gn. 1:3), so too, when Jesus says, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 13:24) he at one and the same time institutes the Eucharist and…

Blessed Is The King Who Comes in the Name of the Lord

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, Year C

Fr. Jim homily

2 minute read

As we continue to reflect on the significance of our Blessed Lord’s passion, at the beginning of Holy Week, we are first reminded of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The Gospel we heard at the beginning of Mass recounts the way in which the people received Jesus. The first image is of Jesus riding a colt. This particular colt was one kept for just this purpose. It was a colt that had never been yoked, which had been reserved for the king. Second, the people spreading their cloaks on the…

What Kind of Fruit Do We Produce?

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Fr. Jim homily

4 minute read

“The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had;” (Sir. 27:6a) “The just one shall flourish like the palm tree;” (Ps. 92:13a) “For every tree is known by its own fruit;” (Lk. 6:44a) “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58). Jesus talks of good fruit and bad. What kind of fruit do we produce?

Jesus is the Light of the World

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas), Year C

Fr. Jim homily

5 minute read

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which has also been known as Candlemas as well as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke tells us: “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord….” According to the Law, when a woman gave birth, she was unclean for seven days, and then an additional thirty-three days in which she could not touch anything holy or…