Sunday Homilies

4th Sunday A
Readings:
Zephaniah 2:3,3:12-13
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 5:1-12a

HOMILY: Not so long ago there was a popular song with the title: ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’. Some people liked it very much. I found it trite and superficial. In the first place, not worrying about anything is easier said than done.

3rd Sunday A
Readings:
Isaiah 8:23-9:3
1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17
Matthew 4:12-23

HOMILY: There are some valleys in the Swiss Alps that are so deep, that in the middle of winter, the rays of the sun don’t penetrate for days, and sometimes even for weeks.

2nd Sunday A
Readings:
Isaiah 49:3,5-6
1 Corinthias 1:1-3
John 1:29-34

HOMILY: Who was Jesus Christ? Who is Jesus Christ? These are the most important questions that we, his friends and followers, can ask. John the Baptist has answered those questions.

Feast of Epiphany
Readings:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

HOMILY: At Christmas time we give presents to particular people. Some people give gifts to us. What’s it all about? It all goes back to the story of the three wise men going to Bethlehem, falling on their knees,

Mary Mother of God (New Year)
Readings:
Numbers 6:22-27
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21

HOMILY: ‘As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart’ (Luke 2:19). We’ve been assured that ‘it takes all kinds of people to make a world’. Certainly, and fortunately, we’re not all the same.

Christmas Day
Isaiah 9: 1-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

HOMILY: ‘… but the angel said. “Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by all the people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10-11)

Christ the King Sunday C
2 Samuel 5:1-3
Colossians 1:12-20
Luke 23:35-43

HOMILY: A man called Michael has told this story about being a witness to the truth in an everyday situation: He recalls what happened:
My wife and I are building extensions to our house, and while that’s going on we decided to move out and rent.

Third Sunday of Advent A
Readings
Isaiah 35:1-6, 10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

HOMILY: For ten years I was a member of a team in Sydney that conducted weekends for engaged couples. It was called ‘Catholic Engaged Encounter’.

Second Sunday of Advent A
Readings
Isaiah 11:1-10
Romans 15:4-9
Matthew 3:1-12

HOMILY: A brand-new priest went to the lectern to preach his first homily after ordination. He was as nervous as a kitten.

First Sunday of Advent A
Readings
Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44

HOMILY: The story is told of three devils who are preparing to depart for Earth to begin their careers of deceiving people with their lies, tricks, and spin.