Father Healy's Weekly Catholic Homilies » Cycle C: Recent Episodes
Fr. James K. Healy, C.S.Sp.
Homilies by Fr. Healy from the current liturgical calendar (Cycle B) originally delivered from 1987-1995.
Originally delivered on January 5, 1992
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12
In today’s Gospel we hear of the three foreigners coming to welcome the baby Jesus. We too are called to welcome the foreigners, refugees, or aliens in our lives. We also hear of Herod’s attempt to thwart God’s plan. May we each hear this week’s Gospel and look at how we, like Herod, might be acting to thwart God’s plan here on earth. We are challenged, as Christians, to welcome all as our sisters and brothers by raising our voices in protest when some are excluded.
https://fatherhealy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/cepiphany-1-5-92.mp3
Originally delivered on December 18, 1988
Readings: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
Elizabeth greets Mary as “the mother of my Lord.” This Gospel reminds us that perhaps few of us are prophetic, like John the Baptist in last week’s reading, but many more are like Elizabeth. By accepting ourselves, as God has created us, we have the opportunity to bring God’s Grace to the world. Through the simplicity of our roles and actions, we can make a difference in the world. By choosing life rather than death, light rather than darkness, and by caring for others rather than being judgmental, God’s presence is felt by others through us.
https://fatherhealy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/c4a-12-18-88.mp3
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Originally delivered on December 4, 1988Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6In anticipation of the coming of Jesus, a herald’s voice cries “Make ready the way of the Lord.” While recognizing that we live within an increasingly global village, we must start preparing the way by transforming our own neighborhoods. But we mustn’t stop there. To “topple the mountains and fill in every valley,” we must look at the economic and political arrangements in our world that keep some poor and others wealthy, even if it makes us uncomfortable.
https://fatherhealy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/c2a12-4-88.mp3Read the Transcript
Originally delivered on November 27, 1988
Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36
Advent is a time of waiting for the birth of Jesus. What we do while waiting is worth examining. Do we seize the opportunity to improve our current condition and the quality of tomorrow? If we don’t take action to make tomorrow better, how will we ever explain this to ourselves and to God?
https://fatherhealy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/c1a-11-27-88.mp3Read the Transcript
Originally delivered on November 15, 1992 Readings: Malachi 3:19-20; Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21: 5-19 We live with earthquakes, famine, war, and all sorts of tragedies. We needn’t fear the future because we are living in hell already. We also have the ability to bring the Risen Lord into our lives right now. We are not […]
Originally delivered on November 8, 1992 Readings: Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Thessalonians 2:16 -3:5; Luke 20:27-38 or 20-27 , 34-38 How does our conscience shape our actions? Are we, like the seven sons and their mother from the Book of Maccabees, willing to die for what we believe? In today’s homily, we are reminded […]
Originally delivered on November 5, 1989 Readings: Wisdom 11:22 – 12:1; Thessalonians 1:11 -2:2; Luke 19: 1-10 The story of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector and a short man, teaches us that we needn’t worry about things we cannot change, but rather change the things we can. We can waste time and energy trying to […]
Originally delivered on October 30, 1989 Readings: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; Paul to Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; and Luke 18:9-14 Fr. Healy begins this homily by discussing the death of his beloved sister, Sally. Through the experience of Sally’s death, the Healy family gatthered to share favorite family stories, including who among the many Healy children, was […]
Originally delivered on March 12, 1989 Readings: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Philippians 3: 8-14; John 8:1-11 As a follow-up to last week’s parable of the Prodigal Son, this week’s Gospel is the story of Jesus’ forgiveness of the woman about to be stoned for adultery. He asks those that are without sin to cast the first […]
Originally delivered on March, 29, 1992 Readings: Joshua 5:9, 10-12; Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 In this homily, Fr. Healy reminds us that the parable of the Prodigal Son allows us to be with God, despite our shortcomings. Through a powerful story of his own, Fr. Healy reminds us that God is love. Indeed, Jesus […]
Originally delivered on March 15, 1992 Readings: Genesis: 15:5-12, 17-18; Letter of Paul to Philippians 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1: Luke 9:28-36 In this homily, Fr. Healy reminds us that our perspective is important in understanding events. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus takes the apostles up the mountain to see a glimpse of the Glory of God. […]
Originally delivered on February 12, 1989 Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Letter of Paul to the Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13 On this first Sunday of Lent, Fr. Healy talks about tithing and it’s importance as a practical need to care for our brothers and sisters. We are reminded by the Gospel reading that we should not be […]
Readings: Sirach 27: 4-7; Corinthians 15: 54-58; Luke 6:39-45 Originally delivered on March 1, 1992 In today’s homily, we are reminded that listening and discerning is a difficult yet unending task that we are called to do. Of course, we must be wary of liars, or intentional deceivers, but we must also be wary of […]
Originally delivered on February 9, 1992 Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8; Corinthians 15:1-11 or 15:3-8,11; Luke 5:1-11 Although we are not worthy, we are called to be the Good News. In today’s Gospel, we hear that Peter is moved by the power of Jesus and then became a fisher of men and women. Each of us, […]
Originally delivered on January 26, 1992 Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10; Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 In this week’s homily, we are asked to imagine that we are a Jew waiting for the Messiah in order to fully comprehend the power of the Gospel story where Jesus announces that he is the Messiah for whom […]
Originally delivered on January 19, 1992 Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12 How will Isaiah’s words, “I will not be silent” propel us into action? In likely his most passionate homily, Fr. Healy reminds us to add our voices on behalf of the poor, especially those in Haiti, to bring about justice. We are […]
Originally delivered on January 12, 1992 Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 A Sacrament of initiation, Baptism, is more than a welcome to the Church. Baptism is an initiation into the family. In today’s homily, we are asked to acknowledge Baptism as a commissioning outward to share in the spirit […]
Originally delivered on December 24, 1988 Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts of the Apostles 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25 In this Christmas message we hear of a story of a simple act rooted in selflessness that forever changed the life of another. We’re also reminded of the power of believing.
Originally delivered on December 18, 1988
Readings: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
Elizabeth greets Mary as “the mother of my Lord.” This Gospel reminds us that perhaps few of us are prophetic, like John the Baptist in last week’s reading, but many more are like Elizabeth. By accepting ourselves, as God has created us, we have the opportunity to bring God’s Grace to the world. Through the simplicity of our roles and actions, we can make a difference in the world. By choosing life rather than death, light rather than darkness, and by caring for others rather than being judgmental, God’s presence is felt by others through us.
https://fatherhealydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/c4a-12-18-88.mp3
Read the Transcript
Originally Delivered on December 11, 1988
Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18
John the Baptizer says to us that we must change our ways because Jesus is coming. We might do well to be as fervent in our preparations for Jesus in our lives as John the Baptizer is. At the very least, we must use only what we need, be just toward others, and make the world a little bit better for our sisters and brothers through simple acts of kindness and joy.
https://fatherhealydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/c3a-12-11-88.mp3
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Originally delivered on December 4, 1988 Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6
In anticipation of the coming of Jesus, a herald’s voice cries “Make ready the way of the Lord.” While recognizing that we live within an increasingly global village, we must start preparing the way by transforming our own neighborhoods. But we mustn’t stop there. To “topple the mountains and fill in every valley,” we must look at the economic and political arrangements in our world that keep some poor and others wealthy, even if it makes us uncomfortable.
https://fatherhealydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/c2a12-4-88.mp3
Read the Transcript
Originally delivered on November 27, 1988
Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36
Advent is a time of waiting for the birth of Jesus. What we do while waiting is worth examining. Do we seize the opportunity to improve our current condition and the quality of tomorrow? If we don’t take action to make tomorrow better, how will we ever explain this to ourselves and to God?
https://fatherhealydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/c1a-11-27-88.mp3 Read the Transcript
Originally delivered on November 19, 1989
Readings: Malachi 3:19-20; Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21: 5-19
In this week’s Gospel, we hear Fr. Healy’s anger and passion regarding the murder of fellow priest, Segundo Montes, S.J., in El Salvador just three days before the homily was delivered. He goes on to talk about what the financial realities were with Duquesne University and the Washington Office on Haiti. We are reminded that ten years earlier, Archbishop Oscar Romero was also murdered because he fought for the poor. He goes on to remind us that this week’s Gospel tells us that horrible things will happen, including death for some. Despite these things, we are called to bear witness and to stand up for our sisters and brothers. Indeed, we must bring light to every area of government and society where injustice exists. Are we willing to get into a little bit of trouble, in the name of Jesus?
https://fatherhealydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/c33ot-11-19-89.mp3