WASHING FEET + CLEANSING TEMPLES: Two significant actions performed by our Lord before His Passion and Death.
What can they mean for us who will be entering into the mysteries of Holy Week? Do they have something more to teach us about ourselves, our lives, our Lord?
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This reflection on Luke 1:26-38 was made on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
I moved into my new room the other day and took pains in planning how to arrange its furniture. I thought to myself: “I’m going to spend a lot of time here this year, so I may as well design this space carefully.” It took me a couple of days moving and rearranging the furniture. Once satisfied with the lay-out, I capped my chore by vacuuming my new sanctuary and work space, optimistic and eager to settle in.
This homily was delivered on March 2, 2014 at Mary the Queen Parish.
These days I’ve been quite fascinated by this so-called text or chat language. I’m referring to all these acronyms and abbreviations that young people seem to be using all the time when they message each other on their phone and on the Internet. It’s an ever-growing, ever-evolving language, and it’s really not easy keeping up with some of the new stuff that’s coming out.
For example, many of us probably know that LOL stands for “Laughing Out Loud,” but did you know what A-LOL means? It means “Actually Laughing Out Loud.” I didn’t know that either!
This homily was delivered on 06 February 2014 on the Feast of Paul Miki and his companion martyrs of Japan.
One religious shrine that has left a deep impression on me is the Martyrs’ Shrine in Nagasaki, Japan. The first thing you’ll see when you get there is a row of 26 figures: the martyrs of Japan, each one hand clasped in prayer, with a distinctive facial expression. Some are Japanese; others foreigners. Some are priests and religious; others lay people. Among them is a Japanese youth, the Jesuit novice Paul Miki, who was well-known for his preaching.
Eye witness accounts tell us that he was crucified along with his companions, and in his last moments, he preached to the crowd (certainly the last thing I would do if I were crucified!). Paul Miki took the occasion to address the crowds, preaching about forgiveness but also about hope.
This homily (on 2 Samuel 12:1-7A, 10-17 and Mark 4:35-41) was delivered on 01 February 2014.
Whenever I come across a Gospel story that’s recounted in several of the gospels, the biblical scholar wannabe in me sits up and pays more attention than usual. What we have just heard today, “the Storm at Sea,” is one such story. It is reported in all three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Interestingly, all three versions include one apparently unnecessary detail–namely, the Lord sleeping in the boat at the height of the storm–although Mark, usually the least elaborate of the evangelists, adds a charming detail about Jesus asleep on a cushion.