Category: Homilies

Moses resists God’s selection of him as the one to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt in today’s first reading. Moses doesn’t trust God’s judgment, Fr Charlie believes, because Moses doesn’t trust himself. In the end, Moses agrees to lead Israel because “I AM” promises to be with him.  We, too, can accomplish anything God asks of us because, like Moses, “I AM” is always with us.

Today’s Readings

“I am the God of your father [the Lord said to Moses,] … I will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. “But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will be with you.”
EX 3:1-6, 9-12

“No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
MT 11:25-27

The lack of repentance of Chorazin’s first century inhabitants is not likely to have led to it’s destruction in a fourth century earthquake.* Nevertheless, Fr Peter notes, our refusal to repent does have serious personal consequences. Why not avoid them, accept Jesus’ invitation, and return to God? 

*Eusebius writes that around 330AD the city was in ruins as a result of a devastating earthquake which was attributed to the punishment of God and the fulfillment of Jesus’ “curse.”

Today’s Readings

When the child grew, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her son and called him Moses; for she said, “I drew him out of the water.”
EX 2:1-15A

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!”
MT 11:20-24

Matthew recounts Jesus’ warning to his apostles – and to us – to expect serious opposition in proclaiming God’s kingdom in today’s gospel.  Matthew knows how the story ends. Yet, Fr Ted points out, as Jesus loses his life on the cross, he never stops reaching out in love to those around him – even when the only ones left are his enemies.

Today’s Readings

Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects, “Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live.”
EX 1:8-14, 22

Jesus said to his Apostles… “Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
MT 10:34—11:1

A scholar of the law asks Jesus who his neighbor is in today’s gospel. What he really wants to know, Fr Greg points out, is where his responsibility ends – who is not his neighbor. Jesus’ answers with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The scholar’s responsibly – and ours – extends to anyone in need.  Everyone is our neighbor.

Today’s Readings

“For this command [of the Lord] that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you… No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts.”
DT 30:10-14

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
COL 1:15-20

But because [the scholar of the law] wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
LK 10:25-37

Fr Ted points out that if we are to speak with the spirit of the Father, as Jesus enjoins us to do in today’s gospel, then we must first listen to the spirit of the Father speaking within us. There is no time better than now to begin listening the voice of God – whether it is in the silence of hearts or through the people we encounter today.

Today’s Readings

As Joseph saw him, he flung himself on [his father’s] neck and wept a long time in his arms. And Israel said to Joseph, “At last I can die, now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive.”
GN 46:1-7, 28-30

“Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
MT 10:16-23

 

Fr Greg points out that the apostles in today’s gospel don’t really need much to do the work of Jesus. Nor do we. Everything that we need to do the work of Jesus is in our hearts.

Today’s Readings

“I am your brother Joseph … [but] do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.”
GN 44:18-21, 23B-29; 45:1-5

“Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.”
MT 10:7-15

Fr Charlie points out that Joseph ultimately worked through his feelings of betrayal and abandonment at the hands of his brothers.  While we may not have been sold into slavery as Joseph was, many of us have felt abandoned and betrayed. With God’s help and each other’s support, hopefully we, like Joseph in today’s first reading, can get beyond those feelings.

Today’s Readings

Joseph concealed his own identity from them and spoke sternly to them… But turning away from them, he wept.
GN 41:55-57; 42:5-7A, 17-24A

Jesus sent out [the] Twelve after instructing them … [to] make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”
MT 10:1-7

Fr Ted points out that we, like the Pharisees in today’s gospel, have a choice. The kingdom of God is at hand – whether we’re ready for it or not. We can sulk on the sidelines or, like the crowds, rejoice that Jesus has come into our lives.

Today’s Readings

“You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.”
GN 32:23-33

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. “But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
MT 9:32-38

Jacob’s dream in today’s first reading seem so real to him that he declares that the “shrine” where he slept was nothing less than the “abode of God” and the “gateway to heaven.”  Fr Greg points out that we, like Jacob, can find the “abode of God” if we desire to.  For the “shrine” where heaven meets earth lies within each of us.  We are God’s dwelling place. We are his holy ground.

Today’s Readings

“How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!”
GN 28:10-22A

[A woman suffering hemorrhages] said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter!  Your faith has saved you.”
MT 9:18-26

Fr Ted points outs that Jesus’ appointing of the seventy[-two]* disciples in today’s gospel was only the beginning.  We, too, have been sent to prepare the way for Jesus – wherever we live and with whomever we meet.

*Some Alexandrian and Caesarean text types have “seventy,” while other Alexandrian texts and Western readings have “seventy-two.”

Today’s Readings

Thus says the Lord… As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.
IS 66:10-14C

Brothers and sisters: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GAL 6:14-18

At that time the Lord appointed seventy[-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 
LK 10:1-12, 17-20