The Doohan Discourse: Recent Episodes
Fr Andrew Doohan, Catholic Priest
Homilies and other occasional content from Fr Andrew Doohan, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 17 June is taken from verses 12-14 of Chapter 13.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 16 June is taken from verses 1-11 of Chapter 13.
My Scripture Reflection for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Tme, Year B, for Sunday, 16 June, 2024.
The scripture readings were Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34. Today's psalm is Psalm 91: "Lord it is good to give thanks to you".
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 10 June is taken from verses 62-70 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 9 June is taken from verses 60-61 of Chapter 7.
My Scripture Reflection for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, for Sunday, 9 June 2024.
The scripture readings are Genesis 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1; Mark 3:20-35. Today's psalm is Psalm 129: "With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption".
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 8 June is taken from verse 59 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 7 June is taken from verses 56-58 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 6 June is taken from verse 55 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 5 June is taken from verse 51-54 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 4 June is taken from verses 49-50 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 3 June is taken from verses 44-48 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 2 June is taken from verses 35-43 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 1 June is taken from verse 34 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 31 May is taken from verses 31-33 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 30 May is taken from verses 24-30 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 29 May is taken from verses 19-23 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 28 May is taken from verses 10-18 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 27 May is taken from verses 5-9 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 26 May is taken from verses 1-4 of Chapter 7.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 24 May is taken from verses 14-19 of Chapter 5.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 23 May is taken from verses 1-13 of Chapter 5.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 22 May is taken from verses 63-78 of Chapter 4.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 21 May is taken from verses 44-62 of Chapter 4.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 20 May is taken from verses 22-43 of Chapter 4.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 19 May is taken from verses 1-21 of Chapter 4.
My Scripture Reflection for the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday, Year B, for Sunday, 19 May 2024.
The scripture readings are Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23. Today's psalm is Psalm 103: "Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth".
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 18 May is taken from verses 7-13 of Chapter 3.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 17 May is taken from verses 1-6 of Chapter 3.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 16 May is taken from verses 33-40 of Chapter 2.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 15 May is taken from verses 30-32 of Chapter 2.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 14 May is taken from verses 23-29 of Chapter 2.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 13 May is taken from verses 16-22 of Chapter 2.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 12 May is taken from verses 11-15 of Chapter 2.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 11 May is taken from verses 1-10 of Chapter 2.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 10 May is taken from verses 6-13 of Chapter 1.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 9 May is taken from verses 1-5 of Chapter 1.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 8 May is taken from verses 45-50 of the Prologue.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 7 May is taken from verses 39-44 of the Prologue.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 6 May is taken from verses 35-38 of the Prologue.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 5 May is taken from verses 21-34 of the Prologue.
My Scripture Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B, for Sunday, 5 May 2024.
The scripture readings are Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17. Today's psalm is Psalm 97: "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power".
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 4 May is taken from verses 14-20 of the Prologue.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 3 May is taken from verses 8-13 of the Prologue.
The daily reading from the Rule of St Benedict for 2 May is taken from verses 1-7 of the Prologue.
A quick announcement concerning the pending return (again!) of The Doohan Discourse in a new and consolidated format.
Coming to all the places you find your podcasts from Wednesday 1 May 2024!
My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 16 July 2023.
The Scriptures proclaimed were Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23. Today's psalm was Psalm 64: "The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest."
NB: Towards the end of the recording, I mentioned that we gathered for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time; I misspoke, as we gathered for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Oops!
My homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on 9 July 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Zechariah 9:9-10, Romans 8:9, 11-13, Matthew 11:25-30. Today's psalm is Psalm 144: "I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God".
My homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 25 June 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 20:10-13, Romans 5:12-15, and Matthew 10:26-33. Today's psalm is Psalm 68: "Lord, in your great love, answer me."
My homily for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 18 June 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 19:2-6, Romans 5:6-11, and Matthew 9:36 - 10:18. Today's psalm is Psalm 99: "We are his people; the sheep of his flock."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 11 June 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, and John 6:51-58. Today's psalm is Psalm 147: "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem."
With my apologies for the croaky sound of my voice, which continues to recover from the aftereffects of a rather nasty cold.
My homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 28 May 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13, and John 20:19-23. Today's psalm is Psalm 103: "Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 21 May 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:17-23, and Matthew 28:16-20. Today's psalm is Psalm 46: "God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord."
My homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 14 May 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, 1 Peter 3:15-18, and John 14:15-21. Today's psalm is Psalm 65: "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 30 April 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:14, 36-41, 1 Peter 2:20-25, and John 10:1-10. Today's psalm is Psalm 22: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 23 April 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:14, 22-33, 1 Peter 1:17-21, and Luke 24:13-35. Today's psalm is Psalm 15: "Lord, you will show us the path of life."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 16 April 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 1:3-9, and John 20:19-31. Today's psalm is Psalm 117: "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting."
My homily for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 9 April 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 10:34, 37-43, Colossians 3:1-4, and Matthew 28:1-10. Today's psalm is Psalm 117: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad."
My homily for the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, Year A, as preached on Saturday 8 April 2023.
My homily for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, as preached on Holy Thursday, 6 April 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, and John 13:1-15. The psalm is Psalm 115: "Our blessing cup is a communion with the blood of Christ."
My homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 26 March 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:12-14, Romans 8:8-11, and John 11:1-45. Today's psalm is Psalm 129: "With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 19 March 2023.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, and John 9:1-41. Today's psalm is Psalm 22: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 12 February 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8, and John 4:5-42. Today's psalm is Psalm 94: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 26 February 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11. Today's psalm is Psalm 50: "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."
My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 19 February 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48. Today's psalm is Psalm 102: "The Lord is kind and merciful."
My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 12 February 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37. Today's psalm is Psalm 118: "Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord."
My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 5 February 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 58:7-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16. Today's psalm is Psalm 111: "A light rises in the darkness for the upright."
My homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 29 January 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12. Today's psalm is Psalm 145: "Happy the poor in spirit, the kingdom of heaven is theirs!"
My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 22 January 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 8:23 - 9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23. Today's psalm is Psalm 26: "The Lord is my light and my salvation."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 15 January 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34. Today's psalm is Psalm 39: "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, as preached on Sunday, 8 January 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Today's psalm is Psalm 66: "Lord, every nation earth will adore you."
NB: There were some minor technical difficulties with the sound system; apologies for the inconvenience.
My homily for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, as preached on Sunday, 1 January 2023.
The readings proclaimed were Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21. Today's psalm is Psalm 66: "May God bless us in his mercy."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, as preached on Sunday, 25 December 2022.
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 18 December 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24. Today's psalm is Psalm 23: "Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 11 December 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11. Today's psalm is Psalm 145: "Lord, come and save us."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, as preached on Sunday, 4 December 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12. Today's psalm is Psalm 71: "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever."
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent, Year C, as preached on Sunday 27 November 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44. Today's psalm is Psalm 121: "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord."
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 24 November 2022, taken from Chapter 45.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 23 November 2022, taken from Chapter 44.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 22 November 2022, taken from Chapter 43, continuing from verse 13.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 21 November 2022, taken from Chapter 43, commencing at verse 1.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 20 November 2022, taken from Chapter 42.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 19 November 2022, taken from Chapter 41.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 18 November 2022, taken from Chapter 40.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 17 November 2022, taken from Chapter 39.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 16 November 2022, taken from Chapter 38.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 15 November 2022, taken from Chapter 37.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 14 November 2022, taken from Chapter 36.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 13 November 2022, taken from Chapter 35. continuing from verse 12.
My homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 13 November 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19. Today's psalm is Psalm 97: "The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice."
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 12 November 2022, taken from Chapter 35, beginning at verse 1.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 11 November 2022, taken from Chapter 34.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 10 November 2022, taken from Chapter 33.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 9 November 2022, taken from Chapter 32.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 8 November 2022, taken from Chapter 31, continuing from verse 13.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 7 November 2022, taken from Chapter 31, beginning at verse 1.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 6 November 2022, taken from Chapter 30.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 5 November 2022, taken from Chapter 29.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 4 November 2022, taken from Chapter 28.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 3 November 2022, taken from Chapter 27.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 2 November 2022, taken from Chapter 26.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 1 November 2022, taken from Chapter 25.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 31 October 2022, taken from Chapter 24.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 30 October 2022, taken from Chapter 23.
My homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 30 October 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 11:22 - 12:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2; Luke 19:1-10. Today's psalm is Psalm 144: "I will praise your name forever, my king and my God."
"Zacchaeus was moved to conversion of heart not because of some externally imposed rules or law, but because Jesus stopped and addressed him personally and by name. The invitation into relationship - for Zacchaeus and for us - is the spur to conversion, to become more and more like what Jesus calls us to be."
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 29 October 2022, taken from Chapter 22.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 28 October 2022, taken from Chapter 21.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 27 October 2022, taken from Chapter 20.
The daily excerpt from the Rule of Saint Benedict for 26 October 2022, taken from Chapter 19.
My homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 23 October 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Sirach 35:12-14; 16-19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14. Today's psalm is Psalm 33: "The Lord hears the cry of the poor."
"To be truly humble means to recognise that we cannot live the life God calls us to except with the help of God's grace and mercy. If we think we can do it through only our own efforts - and when we judge others the same way - then we are not 'at rights with God'. Unfortunately, that attitude is not limited to the Pharisee of today's Gospel but continues within 'Christianity' down to this very day."
My homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 16 October 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:2; Luke 18:1-8. Today's psalm is Psalm 120: "Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
"If we only do the right thing because it leads to a 'quiet life', then we might find ourselves on the wrong side of a right relationship with God. As God is the God of Justice, so God's People are called to a People of Justice."
My homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 9 October 2022.
The readings proclaimed were 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-14; Luke 17:11-19. Today's psalm is Psalm 97: "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power."
"There is nothing we can do in response to God's generous lavishing of gifts upon us except to give thanks and worship. God, being God, loves us so much that he lavishes gifts on us, both individually and corporately, because God loves us, not in any expectation that we must 'balance the books' by undertaking some particular action. In any case, nothing we could do would change God in any way - God is God, and is generous as God chooses to be."
My homily for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 2 October 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-9. Today's psalm is Psalm 94: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
"'Increase our faith', the disciples ask Jesus. Yet, Jesus reminds us that our faith is enough, enough to be fanned into a flame that will set the world on fire for the glory of God. Every gift we have been given, including the gift of faith itself, is given to us so that God might be glorified through us."
My homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 25 September 2022.
The readings proclaimed were Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31. Today's psalm is Psalm 145: "Praise the Lord, my soul!"
"Unlike the rich man we hear about in our Gospel, we are called to use those things God has given us for the sake of those who are at the fringes of society. God's blessings to us are not solely for our comfort or our aggrandizement, but also for those we find at our gates who have a rightful call on our care, our compassion, and our hospitality."
My homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog.
The readings proclaimed were Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13. Today's psalm is Psalm 112: "Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor."
"Money, "that tainted thing", is a necessary thing in contemporary society. It allows us to feed and clothe ourselves, and to do those things that we might need to do to assist others. Money is also helpful when it comes to furthering the Kingdom of God. Yet when money becomes an end unto itself, we are truly in danger of drifting away from a life that has God at the centre."
My homily for the 23rdd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33. Today's psalm is Psalm 89: "In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge."
"Paul's letter to Philemon calls Philemon to a conversion of heart that then leads to a change of behaviour, i.e., a recognition that Onesimus is no longer a slave but a fellow believer in Christ, a brother in the Spirit. The challenge for us is to resist the pressing call to see 'the other' as anything less than being created in the image and likeness of God as we are. 'The other' is not to be disregarded but seen as one with us in God's grace."
My homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog.
The readings proclaimed were Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14. Today's psalm is Psalm 67: "God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor."
"Unlike the People of Israel who were taken out of Egypt and led into the wilderness, where they wandered for forty years as strangers in a strange land, those who embark on the Christian pilgrimage of life know their final destination. And when they reach the heavenly Jerusalem, they are welcomed not as strangers but as citizens, as first-born children, who were meant to be there. Knowing the final place we are destined for makes walking the path of the Christian life a little easier."
My homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 8am Mass at St Patrick's Church, Clarence Town.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53. Today's psalm is Psalm 39: "Lord, come to my aid!"
"Hearing Jesus speak about fire, division and the like seems odd, particularly when his birth was announced wishing peace on those of good will. Yet for those who hear the words of Jesus, and the call to conversion that comes with it, we are aware that not everyone will like what they hear or answer the call to change of heart. They may prefer Christians to remain silent, but having heard the Good News of the Reign of God, we have no other choice than to live that word, and speak that word into the world."
My homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 8am Mass at St Patrick's Church, Clarence Town.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48. Today's psalm is Psalm 32: "Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own."
"Although we remain waiting for the Secon Coming of Jesus, we are still called to be vigilant and prepared for that coming. As Christians, we must not only be vigilant against temptations that might lead us from God's plan, but also to be about the work of the Kingdom."
My homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog.
The readings proclaimed were Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13. Today's psalm is Psalm 137: "Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me."
"At the very heart of Christian prayer, of the priestly prayer of the priestly people of God, is a prayer not for what I want or think I need, but rather to align the hearts of the Christian community to the agenda of God for humanity and the world...and most importantly to not get in the way of the coming of God's kingdom."
My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This occasion was an 8am Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37. Today's psalm is Psalm 68: "Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live."
"'Who is my neighbour?' An almost innocuous question asked of Jesus by a teacher of the law, but one with profound consequences for the disciples of Jesus down to this very day. The parable of the Good Samaritan expands the range of those who have a rightful call on our love and care to include, well, everyone."
My homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62. Today's psalm is Psalm 15: "You are my inheritance, O Lord."
"Jesus resolutely sets his face for Jerusalem, there to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by God the Father. There is an urgency revealed in today's gospel. Nothing can stand in the way of Jesus moving towards Jerusalem, and nothing must stand in the way of us fulfilling the ongoing and urgent task of proclaiming the Good News of God's Reign."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Sunday evening Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Genesis 14:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17. Today's psalm is Psalm 109: "You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek."
"Faithful to the Lord's command, the Church has gathered to celebrate Eucharist in memory of him. Each time Eucharist is celebrated we receive God's very self, and are transformed more and more into that which we receive, the Body of Christ, and nourished for the mission of proclaiming the Lord's Death and Resurrection."
My homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 10am Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23. Today's psalm is Psalm 103: "Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth."
"In fulfilment of Jesus' promise to his disciples, the Holy Spirit is to among them and they are able to speak in many different languages and so witness to the marvels of God to those who are in Jerusalem. The Spirit continues to be present in the Church, manifested in many different ways so that the Church - that is, us! - are able to continue to proclaim God's marvels to the whole world."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53. Today's psalm is Psalm 46: "God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord."
"Before his Ascension, Jesus has left his disciples the task of becoming his witnesses throughout the whole of the earth. We cannot remain still gazing up into the sky to await his return as he promised; we must turn our attention to the mission of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus' Life, Death and Resurrection."
My homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29. Today's psalm is Psalm 66: "O God, let all the nations praise you!"
"As Jesus prepares to take leave of his disciples - both immediately prior to his Passion and Death, and after his Ascension - he promises that his presence will continue through the love that the disciples have for one another as the continuing manifestation of God's indwelling with God's people, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will remind the disciples of all that Jesus has taught them, and through the gift of peace, a peace that the world cannot give but is the sole gift of a loving God."
My homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 9am morning Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 14:21-27; Revelation 21:1-5; John 13:13-35. Today's psalm is Psalm 144: "I will praise your name forever, my king and my God."
"Jesus tells his disciples to love one another and to do so as he has loved them. The love of Jesus for his disciples - and us - is made manifest in his Passion, Death and Resurrection, which he willingly embraced for our sake. It manifested God's glory to Jesus' disciples. Our love for one another - a love as complete and absolute as Jesus' love for us - allows God's glory to shine out into the world here and now, in this time and place."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19. Today's psalm is Psalm 29: "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me."
"The disciples had returned to their previous lives; they had returned to what they had been about before encountering Jesus in the same place as today's Gospel account. When Jesus appears to them, especially to Peter, the mantle of pastoral leadership of 'The Good Shepherd' is passed on to those who would now be responsible for continuing Jesus' mission in the world. As that mantle passes from Jesus to Peter, the task of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom becomes the responsibility of the disciples, and our responsibility in this time and this place."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 10am Sunday morning Mass.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31. Today's psalm is Psalm 117: "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting."
"Contrary to what we might be told from time to time, doubt is not the enemy of faith. The true enemy of faith is apathy. Thomas was uncertain about believing the testimony of the other disciples, for any one of a number of true human reasons. And yet from that doubt, he was able to say "My Lord and my God!" when Jesus delivers a very personal experience to him, and to take the experience out into the world. It's okay to doubt, because it permits us to make a distinctive choice for belief, and the embrace the mission that comes naturally from believing."
My homily for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14 - 23:56. Today's psalm is Psalm 21: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
"Luke goes to great lengths to focus not so much on the details of Christ's Passion but on the fundamental injustice of Christ's condemnation and death. The injustice flows from a misunderstanding - deliberate or otherwise - of what the Messiah was meant to be and a belief that Jesus did not fit the expectation of the religious authorities of the day. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to proclaim the Reign of God that Jesus inaugurated, not what we believe it should be."
My homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During today's Mass, we celebrated the Third Scrutiny with Donald.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45. The psalm today is Psalm 129: "With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption."
"The raising of Lazarus from the dead confirms Martha's proclamation of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the one promised by God. Jesus' delay in responding to the original message sets up both the profession of faith and the confirmation of God's glory through the raising of Lazarus to 'new life', a promise held out to all those who can profess Jesus as the Christ."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, hamilton. During today's Mass, we celebrated the Second Scrutiny with Donald.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41. Today's psalm is Psalm 22: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."
"The healing by Jesus of the man born blind overturned the understanding of physical ailment as punishment for sin and drew the young man to encounter a truth he could not deny or avoid even when confronted by intense interrogation and pressure from the religious authorities. The young man eventually comes to a place where he is able to confess 'Lord, I believe'. God's action through Jesus Christ brings us from the darkness of unbelief into the light of undeniable truth - if we open ourselves to the action of God in our lives."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During today's Mass, we baptised Oliver and celebrated the First Scrutiny with Donald.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42. Today's psalm is Psalm 94: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
"The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman was initiated by Jesus, not the woman, and it was the conversation that brought the gift of faith alive in her heart and changed her life. Faith is not something we initiated; it starts with God reaching out to us, and we respond not just in one moment but across the course of our lives."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17 - 4:1; Luke 9:28-36. Today's Psalm is Psalm 26: "The Lord is my light and my salvation".
"The transfiguration of the Lord confirms what Jesus had been teaching his apostles in the days before, that Jesus, 'the Chosen One', had to go to Jerusalem, to suffer and to die, in order to fulfil God's plan of salvation for humanity. It is a reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and that we are called to play the part in God's plan rather than focus on what we think should happen."
My homily for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Sirach 27:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45. Today's Psalm is Psalm 91: "Lord, it is good to give thanks to you".
"Rather than judging others, or even attempting to draw them to a 'right way of life', our Gospel today has Jesus showing us that the first step is to 'get our own house in order', to ensure that our heart is aligned to God and what God asks of us, before passing judgment on others or calling our their behaviours. If our heart is not aligned to God, what comes from our mouth is also not aligned to God."
My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Today we marked the 60th anniversary of the service of Sisters from Our Lady's Nurses of the Poor in the Newcastle area.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38. Today's Psalm is Psalm 102: "The Lord is kind and merciful".
"In the exaggerated style of the prophets, Jesus calls us to undertake tasks that society would consider foolish. It is a reminder that our ways are God's ways, not societies, even if society tells us we are foolish and dismisses us."
My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26. Today's Psalm is Psalm 1: "Happy are those who hope in the Lord."
"Luke's recounting of the Beatitudes highlights the difference between following the true prophets, those who call God's people back to right relationship with God even at the risk of death, and following the false prophets, who serve not God but the latest fashion, the latest fad, because it does not require conversion of heart. Our hope is the in the Lord, and we are called to listen to what God makes known to us, trusting solely in God's wisdom."
My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Today is also marked as Word of God Sunday.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11. Today's Psalm is Psalm 137: "In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord."
"Like Isaiah, Paul and Peter, we are called not only to hear the Word of God addressed to us but to listen. Listening requires being open to allowing the Word of God to penetrate our very being, to find a home in our very self, and accepting that by doing so we will be forever transformed because the Word of God will change us."
My homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13; Luke 4:21-30. Today's Psalm is Psalm 70: "I will sing of your salvation."
"The mission of Jesus is not simply to those who are expecting the Messiah, the Promised One of the Lord, but also - and perhaps necessarily so - to those who have not encountered that promise. We, too, are not able to restrict our proclamation of the Good News of Jesus only to those who we wish to proclaim it; our task is to proclaim the Reign of God to the whole world."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21. Today's Psalm is Psalm 18: "Your words, Lord, are spirit and life."
"'This scripture is being fulfilled today even as you listen', says Jesus in the synagogue in Nazara. And yet we really need to ask if that is true in our day and age. Are we proclaiming good news to the poor? Liberty to captives? Proclaiming the year of the Lord's favour? Or are we so concerned with ensuring we don't transgress someone's interpretation of God's Law? In a world in desperate need of the Good News, let's be about the task that Jesus has given to us."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11. Today's Psalm is Psalm 95: "Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations".
"In turning water into wine, Jesus reveals himself to be 'Bridegroom of Israel' as prophesied by Isaiah, as the fulfilment of God's promise to God's people. We are called to joyfully celebrate God's graciousness, and live that joy in the world so that all might have life in its fullness."
My homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22. Today's Psalm is Psalm 103: "Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!"
"God's glory is revealed on the banks of the Jordan, and God's gracious gift of self for the salvation of us, God's people, is once again portrayed for us who are the beneficiaries of God's generosity. As our Christmas season comes to a close, let's not forget what we have celebrated over these days: God's salvation is offered to us."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Today's Psalm is Psalm 72: "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you".
My homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52.
My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) as preached during the live-streamed Midnight Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 9:1-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14.
My homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-44.
My homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C, preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During the Mass, we celebrated Confirmation with Amelia and Giovanni, and immediately after Mass, we celebrated Baptism with two families.
The readings proclaimed were Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18.
"After their baptism for repentance for sins, John's disciples asked 'What must we do?' The answer is clear: live as if it means something, and don't go back to old habits, old ways of living. Live as if what you have experienced means something. We are called to do the same thing: having been baptised, we are called to live differently, to live as Jesus would have us live, always open to God's grace when we stumble."
My homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C, preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6.
"Advent is the season where we have the opportunity - in this time and in this place - to open ourselves to God's action in our lives so that those things that inhibit our ability to welcome the Second Coming of Jesus can be 'laid low, raised up, straightened, and made smooth'. It is not simply a spiritual exercise, but an exercise firmly situated in reality, in the here and now".
My homily for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
"Advent is an interesting time between what has already been fulfilled and what is yet to be fulfilled. We are called to be attentive and alert for the fulfilment of the Reign of God that will occur at the Second Coming as well as those signs of the Reign of God that already among us."
My homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year B, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Daniel 7:13-14; Apocalypse 1:5-8; John 18:33-37.
"Pilate does not expect the answer to his loaded question that he gets from Jesus. Yet that answer reminds us of what the Kingdom that Jesus proclaims is about and what it is not about: it is about Peace, Justice, Truth and not about power and domination."
My homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am live-streamed Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32.
Today we celebrated the Confirmation and First Communion of Amelia, as well as marking the death of Bishop Bill Wright yesterday.
"As we await the fulfilment of God's promise at the end of time, we are called to keep hanging in there, as well allowing God's will to come to fruition in our lives as 'God wills it'."
My homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am live-streamed Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44.
"The two small coins of the widow represent all she possesses, given over for God's purpose with trust in God's faithfulness and generosity in response. The actions of the widow are also symbolic of a subverted religious structure and system represented by the scribes who use their positions for their own aggrandisement rather than for the worship of God."
My homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34.
"The response of Jesus to the scribe's question was both entirely orthodox and completely radical. To truly understand its significance requires attention to more than the words Jesus says in this particular encounter. It also requires attention to the way in which Jesus had acted, and to what he had preached during his entire public ministry."
My homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52.
"When we wander through life, do we truly See and Hear the people around us? Or do they fade into the background and become invisible? The response of Jesus to Bartimaeus calls us to truly See and Hear people around us as Jesus did with Bartimaeus, and to respond from the heart of Jesus."
My homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45.
"The understanding of power and authority displayed by the disciples of Jesus in today's Gospel is at odds with that named by Jesus. The Messiah is sent not to wield earthly power and control, but to become open to the sufferings and trials of all. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to embrace Jesus' understanding of power and authority as firmly rooted in the embrace of suffering and trials, not control and prestige."
My homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30.
"To truly follow Jesus, we are called to a radical trust in God and God's providence, being prepared to give up those things that provide security in this life in preference for security in the next. Are we able to make that choice? Or, like the young man in today's Gospel, do we walk away sad?"
My homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Numbers 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48.
"God works as God does, and our task is to recognise where God is at work rather than think that God only works within our expectations. God calls us to be open to God's work, not restricting our understanding of God's work to only that which suits us."
My homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37.
"Jesus challenges the understanding of 'Messiah' held by his disciples by placing a child before them, overthrowing and subverting the entire social strata of his time. Doing so reminds his disciples - and us - that following Jesus is not about position or honour, but about ensuring the Reign of God, as God intends it, comes to be."
My homily for Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday 2021, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 14:7-9; Luke 7:46-56.
My homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 35:4-7; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37.
"The prayer of Jesus - "Ephphatha!" or "Be opened!" - is not just about a healing of physical limitations as we hear about in today's Gospel. It is also a prayer of Jesus for us, that those things that stop or hinder us from hearing God speak to us, through the person of Jesus, through the Scriptures, through the tradition of the Church, might be removed so we sing God's praises in faith."
My homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
"Jesus reminds those who hear him - and that includes us - that the Torah cannot be reduced to mere external ritual observance. The Torah, a gift from God, was meant to show God's people how to live in right relationship with God and with other human beings. Everything that God has revealed to us since - culminating in the very person of Jesus - must be seen in the same way: as a means of ensuring our hearts are changed, aligned to God and God's ways, rather than imposing empty external observances. God's plan of salvation for humanity requires a change of heart!"
My homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69.
"To whom shall we go? The response of Peter to Jesus is as relevant today as it was then. When confronted with 'other idols' are we prepared to commit ourselves to Jesus, and all Jesus teaches, in the hope for eternal life? Can we embrace all of what Jesus has come to reveal, or is that language, that demand, 'intolerable'?"
My homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Apocalypse 11:19, 12:1-6, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56.
"Having received God's promise to her via the angel Gabriel, Mary sets out to visit Elizabeth, where Mary's faith in God's promise is confirmed. In light of that confirmation, Mary raises her voice in praise of God. We, too, are called to have faith in God's promise to humankind and to raise our voices with Mary in praise of God, the faithful One.
My homily for the Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross (Mary Mackillop) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Kings 17:8-16; Colossians 3:12-17; Matthew 6:25-34.
"Rely on the providence of God in all things, putting God's kingdom - God's agenda - before anything that might distract from working for God's kingdom and God's justice. As St Mary did, so we are called to do.
My homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 8am Mass from St Mary's Church, Casino, where I am currently on annual leave.
The readings proclaimed were 2 Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15.
My homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 5pm Mass from St Mary's Church, Casino, my home parish where I am currently on annual leave. My apologies for the slight echo in the soundtrack; it comes from using an unfamiliar sound system.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34.
My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Amos 7:12-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13.
My homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 2:2-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6.
My homily for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, our diocesan Patronal Feast, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Proverbs 8:22-31; Acts 1:12-14; John 19:25-27.
My homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During the Mass, we celebrated the First Communion of some of our parish's children.
The readings proclaimed were Job 3:1, 8-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41.
My homily for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34.
What impact will recent changes at the top of the liturgical pyramid have for the rest of the Church?
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During the Mass, we celebrated the First Communion of some of our parish's children.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26.
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year B, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20.
The celebration of Pentecost raises some concerns about how best to discern the presence and action of the Spirit.
Changes to official lay ministries in the Catholic Church may have consequences yet unknown.
My homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:1-11; Galatians 5:16-25; John 15:26-27; 16:12-15.
My homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20.
My homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Year B, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17.
My homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter (Year B) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 9:26-31; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8.
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter (Year B) as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Today is also commemorated in Australia as ANZAC Day.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 4:8-12; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18.
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year B) as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48.
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31.
My homily for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Mark 11:1-10; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1 - 15:47.
My homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent (Year B) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45.
My homily for the 3rdd Sunday of Lent (Year B) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25.
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10.
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15.
My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Leviticus13:1-2, 44-46; 1 Corinthians 10:31 - 11:1; Mark 1:40-45.
My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Job 7:1-4, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39.
My homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28.
My homily for Australia Day 2021 (26 January) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20.
My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Sunday Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20; John 1:35-42.
My homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Year B) As preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11.
"Through the action of being baptised in the Jordan, Jesus has united himself to us, and through our baptism, we have been united with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12.
"For the world in which we live, Christmas may be over. For faithful Christians, however, Christmas can never be over. We are called to journey each and every day as Christmas people, bearing witness to the truth of 'God-with-us', proclaiming what have come to know to others - just like the Magi who journeyed to find that which they sought, and then journeyed back to their own countries filled with joy and wisdom."
My homily for the Feast of the Holy Family (Year B) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40.
"Faith is a powerful thing, and it is the family that is the social construct that allows faith to take root in our hearts and be passed on from generation to generation. Like the Holy Family, we are called to live a life of faith in relationship with our family - in whatever way that is constructed - and to pass our experience of faith on to the next generation and to the world."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year B) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38.
"The angel's message to Mary is not just a revelation about what God will do, but combined with Mary's simple 'yes' it becomes the moment when God is joined with human flesh in the body of Mary, as the Eternal Word takes on human form in her womb."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year B) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28.
"The only identity John the Baptist is prepared to admit to is a 'voice crying out in the wilderness', as someone who says that there is someone greater coming. Our task, as the faithful People of God, is to do likewise, and point beyond ourselves to the fulfilment of the Kingdom whose Advent we are both awaiting and celebrating."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year B) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8.
"John the Baptist came before the Promised One with a mission to prepare the way. As faithful disciples of Jesus awaiting the Advent of the Reign of God, we too are called to prepare the way."
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year B) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 63:16-17, 64:1, 3-8; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37.
"Stay awake! A simple imperative that reminds us that followers of Jesus, i.e. us, are called to be attentive to the first glimpse of the kingdom however it might present itself, and to play our part - even now - in bringing it to reality."
My homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 34:11-2, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46.
"Over recent weeks we have heard what the Kingdom of God is to be compared with - from the mouth of Jesus himself! This weekend we hear of the consequences that face the people of the world when the Kingdom is fulfilled: judgement. And it is a judgement that is not focussed on our own successes or failures, but on how we respond to our brothers and sisters in need."
My homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-20.
"We are given those things to be about proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and are called to be about the proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and not surrender to a fear of using what we've been given lest we 'get into trouble'."
My homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13.
"The bridegroom, i.e. the Reign of God, is coming whether we like it or not. We are called to alert, prepared, and courageous in our preparations for the coming of the Kingdom, ready to play our part."
My homily for the Solemnity of All Saints as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday Evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12..
"The Saints are not just those whom we acknowledge in our liturgical calendar across the year. We are all created and called to be the 'Saints of God', those whom God has chosen and called to be in a close and righteous relationship with God. Thousands of generations of Saints have gone before us; a thousand more generation may come after us. But we are called to live out our lives struggling to be that which God has called us to be - God's Saints."
My homily for the 30thSunday in Ordinary Time, Year A as preached during the 5 pm Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40.
"Having being loved by God - profoundly and completely - we are called to love our neighbour not for our sake but for theirs. To love another is to be prepared to sacrifice something of ourselves for the sake of the other - just as God loved us enough to send his Son to live as one like us, and to suffer and die for our sake, and to rise that we might have life eternal."
My homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A as preached during the 5 pm Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 25:6-10; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14.
"The banquet of the Lord has been laid out, and invitations have been sent out. If we are prepared to accept the invitation, we are also called to extend the invitation to others, to go out to the corners of the streets and extend God's invitations to others."
My homily for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43.
"The vineyard of the Lord - God's Reign - will come to be, not because of our actions but because God wills it. If we do not contribute to God's plan, then God will find others who will take up the mantle of being workers in the vineyard of the Lord."
My homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A as preached during the 9.30 am live-streamed Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32.
"The whole task of the Christian life is about constantly allowing our human hearts to be aligned to the heart of God; everything else follows from that!"
My homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A as preached during the 9.30 am live-streamed Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16.
"God is abundantly gracious and merciful as God chooses to be; the challenge of the Christian life is to recognise and celebrate God's graciousness, not be envious when it is lavished on someone other than us."
My homily for Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday as preached during the 9.30 am live-streamed Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 14:7-9; Luke 1:46-56.
My homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached during the 9.30 am live-streamed Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20.
"Only when human beings are in relationship with other human beings can they truly flourish. When that relationship is compromised, Christians are called to go the extra mile to be reconciled so that everyone can have the life God intended for them."
My homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached during the 5.30 pm Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 20:7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27.
"Change can be frightening especially when it involves moving away from that which is comfortable and secure. There can, however, be no salvation without the Cross; Jesus calls us to embrace the Cross - his Cross - so that we can walk the same path as Christ. Are we prepared to take up our Cross?"
My homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as preached during the 5pm Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43.
"We not be able to grasp the full reality of the Kingdom that Jesus proclaims in parables, but we are still called to be active in pursuing it and playing our part in God's plan for humanity."
The homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Today is also marked as Sea Sunday.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23.
The homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached by Bishop Bill during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Today is also marked as National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday.
The readings proclaimed were Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30.
Bishop Bill's homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 20:10-13; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33.
Bishop Bill's homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - Corpus Christi - (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton...with the return of a small congregation.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58.
Bishop Bill's homily for Trinity Sunday (Year A) as preached in (an all but empty) Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass.
The readings were Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18.
The homily for Pentecost Sunday (Year A) preached by Bishop Bill during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from (an all-but-empty) Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23.
The homily preached by Bishop Bill for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (Year A) from the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from the (all-but-empty) Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20.
"My hope is that this time of lesser activity will be an opportunity for us to reflect on what really matters, on what we have most profoundly missed, and will allow us to return to the most fundamental 'Mission' of the Church, to be the Lord's witnesses in the world, to go out to all the world and tell the good news, to go, make disciples of all the nations."
Bishop Bill's homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from (an all-but-empty) Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21.
Bishop Bill's homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from an all-but-empty Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12.
"As Christians we do not have to struggle with an 'idea' of God. We have 'seen' God, as our Scriptures remind us. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and through Jesus Christ we know God, not just in thought but in reality. As Christians, as Catholics, we cannot talk about God except by talking about Jesus."
The homily from Bishop Bill for the 4th Sunday of Easter (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10.
The homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year A) as preached by Bishop Bill during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:14, 22-33; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35.
"On the road to Emmaus, Jesus turns our focus from our own hopes and wants - from being followers - to truly knowing the Risen Christ and becoming truly joyful disciples of the One who has become known to us. The call of the Gospel is not primarily about us, but about Christ and about making him known because we have first come to know him."
The homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year A) as preached by Bishop Bill during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31.
The homily for the Mass of Easter Day as preached by Bishop Bill during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral. Hamilton.
The readings were Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9.
The homily of Bishop Bill or the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night as preached during the live-streamed 7 pm celebration from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Genesis 1:1 - 2:2; Exodus 14:15 - 15:1; Isaiah 55:1-11; Romans 6:3-11; Matthew 28:1-10.
Bishop's Bill homily for Good Friday's Celebration of the Lord's Passion as preached during the 3 pm liturgy from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Our apologies for the 'gaps' in the audio; there were some unforeseen technical issues.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; John 18:1 - 19:42.
The homily for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper preached by Bishop Bill during the live-streamed Mass from the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15.
The homily preached by Bishop Bill for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Year A) during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The scriptures proclaimed were Matthew 21:1-11; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14 - 27:66.
Bishop Bill's homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45.
"I am the resurrection and life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year A) as preached in an empty Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton as Mass was celebrated at 9.30 am in the absence of the assembly.
The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Ephesians5:8-14; John 9:1-41.
"The journey of the man born blind and the authorities stand in stark contrast to each other. One moves from physical blindness, to sight, to spiritual awareness; the other moves from physical sight deeper into darkness brought about by attempts to deny the reality staring them in the face. In a time when the world - and the Church - is confronted by pandemic, we could be tempted to deny the facts and reality which we face. Or we could seek to allow God to draw us into a spiritual awakening that focuses on the revelation of God in the here and now. The choice is ours."
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11.
"The three temptations of Jesus reflect the same three attributes that were the gifts of God to humankind in Eden - food, protection, and place. The response of Jesus reminds us that the Season of Lent is the opportunity to repent of any belief we might have that we are at the centre of creation or that we are able to receive all of God's promised gifts through our own efforts."
My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48.
"We don't join a faction or group when we are baptised; we join Christ! We belong to Christ, and therefore to God, not the other way round. When we forget that, we forget the most important thing - something beyond personal preference or personal ideology. God is at the centre of everything, and everything we are and do serves God."
My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37.
"True righteousness before God is not measured by the external observance of God's laws and teachings, but of allowing the laws and teachings to transform us at our very core. Only when we allow ourselves to be converted in our hearts has the law and the prophets been fulfilled."
My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 8 am Mass in St Columba's Church, Adamstown.
The readings were Isaiah 58:7-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16.
"We are called to a be light to the nation, and the only way we can do that is by following what we hear in Scripture about how we are called to act and to be. Be bold and be brave in following Jesus, and don't allow the light to diminished by the tubs of fear or complacency."
My homily for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Year A) as preached during the 5 pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40.
"When the Lord appears in the Temple he does so as 'one like us' not as a distant external judge. In doing so, we are to be forever the brothers and sisters of Jesus called to be a 'light to the nations'."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. This Sunday also marks Australia Day and the first Sunday of the Word of God.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 32:15-18; Romans 12:9-13; Matthew 5:2-12.
"How can we be both authentically Christian and authentically Australian? Allowing the Word of God to permeate our very lives, everything we do, say and are, is a very good first step."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34.
"The introduction to Paul's first letter to the Church of God in Corinth, though exceedingly formal and formulaic, reminds us that like the recipients we, too, are the Church here in this place and this time, holy because God is present with us, and called to be a light to the city in which we live, our country, and the entire world."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-5; Matthew 2:1-12.
"Like the Magi, many people know they are seeking something 'more' because of something within themselves, or because of their own 'wisdom', or because of something beyond themselves like science. Also like the Magi, those who are seeking will not truly encounter the Divine until they encounter the Word of God. Our task, as Christians, is to be the living embodiment of the Word of God that allows those who are seeking to come to know that which they are seeking."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24.
"The arrival of Jesus is prophesied as Emmanuel - as 'God is with us'. The present tense of the name given by Isaiah, and referenced by Matthew, reminds us as we prepare for the celebration of the Incarnation that God has already invaded human history, and the fulfilment of God's Reign will come with the Second Coming. Until then, we are called to live as the continuing presence of Jesus in the here and now, in this time and place. And that, please God, changes everything!"
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.
"Jesus responds to the question of John's disciples by asking what they had seen and heard? The actions of Jesus in restoring sight to the blind, life to the dead, hearing to the deaf, and movement to the lame gives an answer more powerful than words could ever do. The references to the signs of the Promised One contained in Isaiah's prophecy are recognised and embraced by John's disciples."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12.
"Isaiah's prophecy of the Messiah presents a challenge to those people of John the Baptist's day, whose idea of the Messiah had been domesticated to encompass their own preference of what a Messiah might look like? Having seen the promise fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, how are we awaiting the Second Coming? Have we created our own images of the Messiah, or are we prepared for the Messiah to come as God chooses?"
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 5 pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44.
"Today we begin our journey through Advent - and indeed a whole new liturgical year. The Season of Advent calls us to look back with joy to the inauguration of the Reign of God in the celebration of the Incarnation, to look forward to the fulfilment of the Reign of God that will come with the Second Coming of Christ, and to commit ourselves in the here and now to playing our part in making the Reign of God present."
My homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Year C) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The scriptures readings proclaimed were 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43.
"The kingship of Jesus is rooted not in a political settlement but in a covenantal relationship between God and God's People. The Reign of God was inaugurated by Jesus, and we are called to listen to what God is saying to us as we seek to find the answers that will allow humanity to flourish. Human wisdom and ideologies will not suffice; we must rely on God's providence."
My homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3"7-12; Luke 21:5-19.
"If we focus on trying to interpret the 'signs and wonders' in the world and their connection to the end of the world, we miss the opportunity given to us to be about the primary task of the Christian: to witness to the name of Jesus in the world, here and now."
My homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - 3:5; Luke 20:27-38.
"We don't know what eternal life will look like, yet we know that God is graciously offered it to all who seek it. We live our lives in this present reality in keeping with what God asks and commands of us, knowing that God is faithful to promise of eternal life that the People of God have received."
My homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5 pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 11:22 - 12:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2; Luke 19:1-10.
"When he looks at Zacchaeus, Jesus does not see a tax collector or a public sinner or someone worthy of being shunned; Jesus looks at Zacchaeus with the eyes of love, and gazes on that which God has created in God's own image. It is the look of love that calls Zacchaeus to conversion. We are called, too, to love at others and see them as God sees them - worthy of love for no other reason than they have been created in God's own image. That is the call to conversion we receive when God looks upon us with the eyes of love."
My homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Sirach 33:12-14, 16-19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14.
"Our Gospel today reminds us that our prayer should focus on God and what God is asking of us, and avoid the overuse of the word 'I'. We are called to recognise that we are called to rely on God and God's grace in order that our lives might reflect that which God is asking of us - and not presume to place ourselves above God and God's place in the world."
My homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:2; Luke 18:1-8.
"Paul's passionate call to Timothy is to proclaim the message, the message of Jesus Christ, and to do so consistently whether the time is favourable or unfavourable. It is in keeping with the great commission of Jesus to all of us to go, to make disciples, to baptise, and to teach - and to do so in that order."
My homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19.
"God is always willing to lavish grace and gifts on us, to restore us to the fullness of life that God intended for us. How do we respond? Do we carry on without recognising what we have received? Or, like this other good Samaritan of today's Gospel, do we fall on our knees and thank God? True salvation, freely offered to us by God, invokes a response of praise and thanksgiving in those who have received it."
My homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Saturday evening Mass in St Mary's Church, Casino (I was visiting my home town on Annual Leave).
The readings proclaimed were Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31.
"Our Gospel reminds us that whatever we've been given - wealth, talents, other resources - not for our self-indulgence, but for the welfare of the Lazaruses of the world. When we do that, when we think first of others rather than ourselves, we will find eternal rest in the bosom of Abraham."
My homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Sunday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14: 1, 7-14.
"Our readings today are not just a moral lesson on the virtue of humility, but also a challenge to remember that when the Kingdom is brought to fulfilment there will be a great reversal of the status quo. Where will we find ourselves? With the rich and haughty as they are cast down from their thrones? Or with those whom Jesus spent time with?"
This will be my last homily for a month while I am on Annual Leave. The next homily will appear for Sunday 6 October.
My homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30.
"The invitation to be part of God's kingdom is given at a time of God's choosing, and we are called to respond to the invitation in a timely manner lest be found outside the door."
My homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton, and featuring the musical skills of Dr Anne Millard, the Cathedral's Director of Music.
The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53.
"The dissonance in today's Gospel reminds us that Jesus did not come to proclaim a nice comfortable message, but rather to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Preaching the Kingdom is not without difficulty or discord, but to be authentic in our discipleship requires us to proclaim the Kingdom and work for its advent as best we can even in the face of discord and turmoil."
My homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48.
"Our Gospel reminds as to always be ready to be held accountable for the way we have lived our Christian lives, how we have responded to the teachings of Jesus. The timetable will not be of our choosing but of God's."
This weekend I was away from my usual place of worship, helping out in one of the country parishes in the absence of the pastor. This is my homily, therefore, for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 10am Mass in St James' CHurch, Muswellbrook.
The readings proclaimed were Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21.
"The true worth of the human being in the eyes of God is not about material possessions in this world, but in the way in which we are in right relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. This, and only this, is the treasure that is stored for us in heaven."
My homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The Scriptures proclaimed were Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13.
"The Lord's Prayer is a wonderful yet dangerous prayer that reminds us that before all else God and God's agenda comes first. When we pray using the Lord's Prayer we open ourselves to playing our part in God's plan for humanity."
My homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Sunday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The Scripture readings proclaimed were Genesis 18:1-10; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42.
"The temptation towards activity, and any anxiety that flows from it, can cause us to miss out on the Presence of the Divine, and the Promise of Christ that comes from it. While activity is necessary, it should never stop us from revelling in God's Presence and Promise in the here and now."
My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37.
"Who is our neighbour? There is nothing that should preclude us from engaging with other human beings and see nothing - not skin colour, not political persuasion, not ethnicity, not citizenship status - that precludes us from responding to them as God would have us respond, i.e. with unconditional love for the other."
My homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62.
"Having determined to head to Jerusalem, even knowing what awaited him there, Jesus is single-minded in seeking to fulfil the task entrusted to him. As we seek to be missionary disciples of Jesus, we too are called to be single-minded in our discipleship, seeing all that we do in terms of our mission of proclaiming the coming of the Reign of God."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Year C, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During the Mass we celebrate the First Communion for some young members of our parish community.
The readings were Genesis 14:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17.
"We when receive the Body and Blood of Christ we are opening ourselves to God empowering us to become more and more what we have received, i.e. the Body of Christ in the world. It is a dangerous thing we do when we receive the Body and Blood of Christ because God's purpose will have a hold on us and we will be transformed by God as God sees fit."
My homily for the Solemnity of Trinity Sunday (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Proverbs 8:22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15.
"The Mystery of Faith that is the Trinity might be beyond our full grasp - but only because we're not God. The challenge of the Christian is to grapple with the Trinity not for the sake of gaining understanding alone, but precisely because God has been revealed to us in that way. We don't have a choice other than to embrace the way God has been revealed to us - as Trinity - and not the way that might be easier for us to do so."
My homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Acts 2:1-11; Romans 8:8-17; John 14:15-16, 23-26.
"The Spirit is given to us in fulfilment of Christ's promise to us, and it is given to us not for our own sake but for the sake of mission that Christ entrusted to us - to live the Good News in the world, and to spread the Good News to everyone and everywhere."
My homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Joseph's Church, Gloucester.
The readings were Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Apocalypse 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29.
"The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of God's continuing presence in God's Church. When we open ourselves to what the Spirit is saying to us we can be sure that we are doing what God asks of us, and not what we think is best."
My homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Acts 14:21-27; Apocalypse 21:1-5; John 13:31-35.
"Having been the beneficiaries of God's great love for us, we are called to love one another in the same way. We love not for our own sake, but for the sake of the other, because they, like us, have been created in the image and likeness of God."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Acts 13:14, 43-52; Apocalypse 7:9, 14-17; John 10:27-30.
"Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, a day when we pray for vocations to the ordained priesthood. The Good Shepherd is offered by Jesus as the model for all ordained priests to emulate. So pray for priests, pray for more priests, and prayer for your priests."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Apocalypse 5:11-14; John 21:1-19.
"Like the Disciples in the Acts of the Apostles, we can not be silent in the face of all that we have come to know and believe about the Resurrection of Jesus. Like them, we are called to be witnesses to what we have seen and heard and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, speak what we know into the world."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Acts 5:12-16; Apocalypse 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31.
"Thomas needs Jesus to reveal himself to Thomas in a particular way; Jesus does this, and allows Thomas to profess faith. We have had Jesus revealed to us down through the generations because of what others have believed in - and we are called to continue that to future generations."
My homily for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were: Acts 10:34. 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9.
"The Resurrection is the birth of our hope - for salvation, for life, for all that God created us to be. The Resurrection is at the very heart of who we are, what we believe, what we do, and who we are called to become. Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! He is Risen Indeed! Alithos Anesti!"
My homily for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14 - 23:56.
"We have the opportunity to look at the Crucifixion through the lens of the self-emptying love of Jesus that is represented in each and every Cross upon which we fix our gaze. This great act of love compels us out into the world to share with others that which we have received ourselves."
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.
"Before we can revel in the love and mercy that God is willing to lavish upon us, we need to repent, to recognise that we aren't perfect, that we aren't God. Opening ourselves to the grace of God allows to recognise our mistakes, and to turn back towards God who will welcome us with lavish gestures of welcome."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 5:30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Hamilton.
The readings were Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9.
"Our Gospel reading reminds us that if being Christian is not a 'once only' deal. We are called to be open to being constantly nourished by Jesus so that we flourish in our Christian life and so be a source of fruit for the world." Â
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Exodus 3:1-8. 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9.
"Our Gospel reading reminds us that if being Christian is not a 'once only' deal. We are called to be open to being constantly nourished by Jesus so that we flourish in our Christian life and so be a source of fruit for the world."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17 - 4:1; Luke 9:28-36.
"The Transfiguration of the Lord reframes the covenant between God and God's People. To be in right relationship with God - and with each other - we are called to listen to God's Chosen One, the Incarnate Word who is Jesus the Christ."
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13.
"The temptation of Jesus in the desert - and the reliance of Jesus on God as revealed in the Word - reminds us that like Jesus we are called during Lent to embrace the traditional disciplines not for their own sake but so that we might be converted to be attuned to the heart of God not of the world. Our conversion should allow us to see as Jesus sees, to hear what Jesus hears, and to do what Jesus does."
My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38.
"Love your enemies? Sounds all but impossible! Yet the heart of today's Gospel is a call to change the way we live our lives to be more in keeping with God's way of being - to 'be merciful as the Father is merciful', to lavish love, mercy and forgiveness on others as God lavishes the same on us."
My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached at the 9.30am Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26.
"Luke's version of the Beatitudes reminds us that God's salvation will not be found in trusting to our own efforts but in trusting in God's desire to care for God's people. When we trust in God, when we surrender to God's desire for salvation, then we will truly be blessed."
My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11.
"Confronted with the Presence of the Divine in Jesus, Simon owns his unworthiness and sinfulness. Jesus, however, invites Simon to 'be not afraid', and to become a fisher of people. We, too, are invited by Jesus to not focus on our unworthiness, but to step out in mission fearlessly because we have been chosen in love by God."
My homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at the Sacred Hamilton Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13; Luke 4:21-30.
"Without love, we are nothing at all. St Paul reminds the church in Corinth, and reminds us, that to be authentically Christian everything we do, everything we say, and everything we are must be rooted firmly in love. Love is the fundamental orientation of the true follower of Christ."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached at the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21.
"Ten words were all that Jesus spoke after reading in the Nazareth Synagogue. There was no need to say anything more: all that was promised by God is found in the Word of God, and it has been fulfilled. Our task is to do exactly the same because we have encountered the living Word of God, Jesus Christ."
My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11.
"The Holy Spirit is given to all who are able to proclaim Jesus as God and Saviour, and then manifests in many different ways - but always for the building up of the community of the Church and the proclamation of the Reign of God."
My homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Year C) as preached at the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.
"His baptism marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, and inauguration of the messianic age that is the Kingdom of God. We live here and now in the Kingdom, though imperfect, a Kingdom that began there and then on the banks of the River Jordan."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Year C) as preached at the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12.
"The Magi, whoever they were, came to encounter Jesus Christ through following the signs that guided them. Are we able to be the signs that others might follow so they too can come to know the Promised One?"
My homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Year C) as preached at the 5pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52.
"Families are important to us as human beings and as believers. They are the domestic church where faith is taught and caught. Our Gospel today reminds us, however, that there is a prior call on the life of the believer: to be about the Father's business.
My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18.
My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) as preached at the Midnight Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 9:1-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14.
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year C) as preached at the 5pm Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-44.
"As we approach the Feast of the Incarnation, we are reminded that God has fulfilled the promise made to God's people, to Elizabeth and to Mary, and remembering that is our source of hope that God will fulfill the promise made to us as well. The promise has been fulfilled, will be fulfilled, and is being fulfilled here and now."
My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton on Sunday 16 December 2018.
The readings were Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18.
"Our readings today remind us that preparations for Christmas during Advent are about preparing ourselves to welcome the Reign of God. Based firmly on the advent of justice, the Reign of God was inaugurated at Christ's first coming - and we await its fulfilment at Christ's coming again."
My homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year C) as preached during the 5.30pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.
"The arrival of Advent focuses our attention on the fulfilled promise of God to send the Messiah, a promise once fulfilled and which will be fulfilled again at the 'end of time'. Until then we are called to be attentive to the ongoing task entrusted to us, and be about the work of the Kingdom."
My homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Year B) as preached during the 5.30pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37.
"The Feast of Christ the King challenges our understanding of exactly what the Reign of God is meant to be. The Reign of God we are called to live and proclaim is not based on power and authority that draws on strength, wealth, political or military influence, but on love, the love that Jesus lavishes on us."
Tonight, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton, once again hosted the community of the Anglican Cathedral - Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle - to help mark their Feast of Title with the celebration of Festal Evensong.
This act of ecumenical hospitality was necessitated because of the running of a motor race in the inner city of Newcastle, which made the celebration of their Feast of Title more difficult than necessary.
It was a pleasure to welcome Dean Katherine, the Christ Church Cathedral Choir, and their community to our home, and to celebrate with them this important occasion.
It was my privilege to deliver this Address for the occasion.
My homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9am Mass at St Joseph's Church, The Junction. The readings were Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14; Mark 13:24-32.
This Mass was the annual Remembrance Mass for those whose funerals have been celebrated in the church during the past year, and for those who rest in the church's columbarium.
"It is pointless to try to work out when Jesus will return, especially by deciphering the imagery found in the apocalyptic text of the scriptures. It is more important to focus on the hope that comes from the promise given to us by God that Jesus will return, and to live our lives day by day in that hope."
My homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44.
"The observation of the behaviour of people contributing to the Temple treasury is a reminder to us that, like the widow, Christians are called to give all of themselves for the sake of the Kingdom - and not just from the surplus or from what is comfortable to give."
My homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34.
"Jesus turns the question asked by the scribe into a challenge to mere adherence in the external forum. True faith is not to be found solely in keeping the law or engaging in sacrifices and temple worship, but in the love of God and the love of neighbour."
My homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52.
"Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, seeking Jesus' compassion and presence. His request - to see again - stand in direct contrast to that of the sons of Zebedee in last weeks Gospel. When we cry out to Jesus - when we say "Lord, have mercy", what are we seeking?"
My homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16 - 4:3; Mark 9:30-37.
"Being a Christian calls us to set aside our own quest for status and approbation in the eyes of society in favour of a preparedness to act as Jesus did, to care for those Jesus cared for, and to walk as Jesus walked. The Christian is the one who is prepared to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the world."
My homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35.
"Confessing Jesus to be the Christ along with Peter is not enough. We are called to live that faith through good works, standing with the same people with whom Jesus stands: the poor, the disenfranchised, the abused. Anything else is not an option."
My homily for the 23rdd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) - also marked as Child Protection Sunday - as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 35:4-7; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37.
"The ears of all of us have been opened to the stories of those who have been abused by fellow members of the Church, and our tongues have been loosened in order to speak out in the defence of the most vulnerable, especially children. We must not, we cannot be silent anymore. I will not be silent anymore."
My homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
"Holiness cannot be gained or lost by the keeping or otherwise of external actions. Holiness is a gift from God that is meant to take root in our hearts, and bring forth from within us the kind of life that honours God's faithfulness to us."
My homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69.
"Could the grumbling from some of the disciples be a case of misplaced expectations? Might it be that they were unable to cope with a God who willed to be immediately and intimately present to God's people, and would have preferred a distant and remote God instead? Eternal life is found not in rules and regulations handed down from a distant God, but in the immediate and intimate relationship with God-in-human-form, Jesus Christ."
My homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58.
"Jesus is the Bread of Life who promises to be with us for ever. When we revel in the great gift that is Jesus' presence with us, we have all that we need to be about the task given to us."
My homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were 1 Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2; John 6:41-51.
"The bread which Jesus promises is not designed to satisfy our physical hunger, but rather to feed us for eternal life, a reality that is found not in some unknown future but right now and right here."
My homily for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35.
"The Israelites and the crowd that were fed by Jesus both missed the point of the divine hospitality offered to them. God offers us not just physical sustenance but an eternal relationship with God that stretches into an unknown future."
My homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were 2 Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15.
"The feeding of the five thousand reminds that the Lord's hospitality is abundant and gracious, and is not dependent on the size of resources available. If we entrust even the smallest thing to the Lord in faith and in hope, the truly miraculous becomes possible."
My homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34.
"Though it may feel like it at times, we are not like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus has promised to walk with us, to continually shepherd us. Are we prepared to listen and to follow?"
My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Amos 7:12-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13.
"Disciples of Jesus are not meant to stick together for the sake of staying together. We are sent out by Jesus to preach the Good News of the Reign of God, to share that which we have already heard."
My homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Ezekiel 2:2-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6.
"The Gospel we are called to preach is God's not ours. Sometimes we need to stop and listen to what God is asking of us, rather than thinking we have all the answers ourselves."
My homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43.
"Human touch is a very powerful and symbolic act. How much more powerful is the touch of Jesus Christ? When we gather on Sunday we are touched by the presence of the very Author of Life through Word and Sacrament and the very assembly of God's Church."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (Year B) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80.
"The giving of a name also gives an identity. John's identity before God is found in his name - "God is gracious" - and we too are known by our name before God."
My homily for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9am Mass at St Joseph's Church, The Junction. The readings for today were Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34.
"The Reign of God will come in God's own time; we may not know how, but we know it will. Our response to this reality is to be prepared to allow the Word of God to take root in us and allow the Reign of God come to fruition as God wills."
My homily for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today were Genesis 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1; Mark 3:20-35.
"God will be God as and when God chooses. Our choice, not merely one of intellect, is to choose to be on the side of God or not. If we choose God, we might encounter disorder, chaos and conflict, but we will also be recognised as the brothers and sisters of Jesus."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26.
"Our 'Amen' at Communion is a dangerous word because it is not only a profession of faith but a response to the invitation to become more and more that which we are receiving."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20.
"We might struggle to grasp the philosophy and theology that has come to explain the mystery of the Trinity, but we innately know through experience that God is One, yet more than One. Have been baptised into that mystery, we encounter Love, and then we are sent out to make disciples, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
My homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost (Year B) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today were Acts 2:1-11; Galatians 5:16-25; John 15:26-27, 16:12-15.
"The Spirit of Truth is promised to the Church by Jesus, a Spirit that leads us to the fullness of truth. If we listen to the Spirit at work in us, we will discover what it is that God is asking of us, and then we can go out and courageously speak the fullness of truth."
My homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (Year B) as preached during the 9am Mass at St Joseph's Church, The Junction. The readings for today were Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20.
"With the Ascension of Jesus to the Father, our mission to preach the Good News of the Kingdom to the world. Empower by the Spirit promised to us, which we celebrate next Sunday, let's be about the work entrusted to us."
My homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter(Year B) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today were Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17.
"'Love comes from God' we hear in our second reading. Having been loved by God, we are called to love in return - not ourselves, but the other for the sake of their having fullness of life. "
My homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter(Year B) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today were Acts 9:26-31; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8.
"Confronted by the Truth of Jesus Christ, of his death and resurrection, Paul's life is changed forever. We, too, are confronted by the Truth of Jesus Christ as we continue to celebrate Easter. Will our lives also be changed?"
My homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter(Year B) as preached during the 8am Mass at Mary Immaculate Church, Tighes Hill. The readings for today were Acts 4:8-12; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18.
"Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who knows his flock individually, intimately, and completely. We are invited by the Good Shepherd to allow God to be God and to become part of the People of God that is the Shepherd's flock."
Homily preached on 15 April 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the Third Sunday of Easter (Year B).
The readings were Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48.
Homily preached on 8 April 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the Second Sunday of Easter (Year B).
The readings were Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31.
Homily preached on 1 April 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (Year B). The readings were Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9.
Homily preached on 24 March 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Year B). The readings were Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1 - 15:47.
Homily preached on 18 March 2018 @ St Joseph's Church, The Junction during the 9am Mass for the 5th Sunday of Lent (Year B). The readings were Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33.
Homily preached on 10 March 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year B). The readings were 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21.
Homily preached on 4 March 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Sunday Mass for the 3rdd Sunday of Lent (Year B). The readings were Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:22-23; John 2:13-25.
Homily preached on 25 February 2018 @ Mary Immaculate Church, Tighes Hill during the 8am Sunday Mass for the 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year B). The readings were Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10.
Homily preached on 18 February 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 9.30am Sunday Mass for the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year B). The readings were Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15.
Homily preached on 11 February 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Sunday evening Mass for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). The readings were Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; 1 Corinthians 10:31 - 11:1; Mark 1:40-45.
Homily preached on 4 February 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Sunday evening Mass for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). The readings were Job 7:1-4, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39.
Homily preached on 26 January 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Mass for Australia Day, a day of prayer. The readings were Isaiah 32:15-18; Romans 12:9-13; Matthew 5:1-12.
Homily preached on 20 January 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Saturday evening Mass for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). The readings were Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20.
Homily preached on 13 January 2018 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Saturday evening Mass for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). The readings were 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20; John 1:35-42.
Homily preached on 31 December 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Sunday evening Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The readings were Genesis 1-6, 21:1-3; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40.
Homily preached on 24 December 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 7pm Sunday evening Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.
The readings were Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25.
Homily preached on 24 December 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Sunday morning Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B).
The readings were 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38.
Homily preached on 17 December 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Sunday evening Mass for the Third Sunday of Advent (Year B).
The readings were Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28.
Homily preached on 10 December 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Sunday morning Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent (Year B).
The readings were Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8.
Tonight, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton, hosted the community of the Anglican Cathedral - Christchurch Cathedral, Newcastle - to help mark their Feast of Title with the celebration of Festal Evensong.
This act of ecumenical hospitality was necessitated because of the running of motor race in the inner city of Newcastle, which made the celebration of their Feast of Title more difficult than necessary. It was a pleasure to welcome Dean Katherine, the Christchurch Cathedral Choir, and their community to our home, and to celebrate with them this important occasion.
It was my privilege to deliver this Address for the occasion, with the readings being from 1 Samuel 16:2-13 and Matthew 21:1-11.
Homily preached on 25 November 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the Saturday evening Mass for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Year A).
The readings were Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46.
Homily preached on 19 November 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30.
Homily preached on 12 November 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13.
Homily preached on 5 November 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Malachi 1:14-2:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9; Matthew 23:1-12.
The 'noise' you may hear in the background comes from a music festival being held in a public park a kilometre or so away from the Cathedral.
Homily preached on 29 October 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40.
Homily preached on 22 October 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21.
Homily preached on 15 October 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Isaiah 25:6-10; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14.
Homily preached on 8 October 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43.
Homily preached on 1 October 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32.
Homily preached on 24 September 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 9.30am Mass for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16.
Today is also marked as Social Justice Sunday.
Homily preached on 10 September 2017 @ Mary Immaculate Church, Tighes Hill during the 8am Mass for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20.
Homily preached on 3 September 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral during the 9.30am Mass for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A).
The readings were Jeremiah 20:7-9; Romans 12:1-12, Matthew 16:21-17.