OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY Acts 1:12-14; Psalm – Luke 1; Luke 1:26-38 Mary is at the center of our readings today. In the first reading, the apostles gathered with Mary in prayer at the Upper Room in Jerusalem. Similarly, the Psalm presents us with Mary’s beautiful prayer, the Magnificat, a song of praise, while […]
Category Archives: Weekday Homily
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH Baruch 1:15–21/Psalm 79:1–5, 8.9/Hebrews 2:14–18; Luke 1:39–56 The gospel reading this evening presents us with the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. This visitation is a significant event in Christian theology, and it is described specifically in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39–56). It draws our minds to the encounter between two women, […]
CHRIST’S MESSAGE Baruch 1:15-22; Psalm 78; Luke 10:13–16 In the Gospel, Jesus lamented over the people and regions that did not accept his message despite the miracles they witnessed (Luke 10:13). To whom much is given, more is expected. The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum received much but repented little. It’s a very big […]
Nehemiah 8:1–12; Psalm 18; Luke 10:1–12 THE WIDER MISSION In Matthew 10:5 and Mark 6:7, Jesus sent out the twelve, but in Luke 10:1, he sent out 70 others. Obviously, 70 is greater than 12. Therefore, today’s gospel presents us with the wider mission of the church. While the twelve were sent out to the […]
Believers and excuses Nehemiah 2:1–8; Psalm 136; Luke 9:57–62 Luke 9:57–62 presents us with the “cost of discipleship.” Jesus sets out on his final journey to Jerusalem. This journey carries a sense of purpose, urgency, and a frame of danger. Precisely because of this imminent danger, those who indicated interest in following him gave excuses. […]
Memorial of Thérèse of Lisieux Samaritan Opposition Zechariah 8:20–23; Psalm 87; Luke 9:51–56 Luke 9:51–56 demonstrates the animosity that existed between Jews and Samaritans at the time of Jesus. However, the disciples’ way of dealing with the issue and the Lord’s way differ. The disciples were furious when they were not received in the village […]
GUARDIAN ANGELS Zechariah 8:1-8; Psalm 90; Matthew 18:1–5, 10 A guardian angel is an angel that is assigned to protect or guard a particular person, group, or nation. In Exodus 23:20-23, God grants the Jews a guardian angel to lead and guard them on their journey back to the Promised Land. For their part, the […]
MISSION AND DISTRACTIONS Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15; Psalm – Jeremiah 31:10-13; Luke 9:43-45 In today’s gospel, Jesus had to remind the disciples of his mission. Earlier in Luke 9, Jesus exhibited His majesty in two dramatic ways: the transfiguration and the casting out of a stubborn demon. Nonetheless, He reminded His apostles that His mission had […]
SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL (ARCHANGELS) DANIEL 7:9-10, 13-14 PSALM 138; JOHN 1:47-51 Angels are messengers of God; they appear frequently in Scripture. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael had important roles in the history of salvation. Jesus described them in the gospel as those who dwell in the Lord’s presence and act as his messengers. Saint […]
HEROD’S GUILT Haggai 1:1-8; Psalm 149; Luke 9:7-9 Herod said, “John, I have been beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Jesus (Luke 9:9). There is no evidence that Herod had a genuine spiritual interest; rather, the tales and speculations about Jesus puzzled him, especially given […]