News in Homilies

Commentary to the Twentieth Sunday: Withstanding the Challenge

Commentary to the Twentieth Sunday: Withstanding the Challenge

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

Our faith is not afraid to speak about both happiness and sadness. It is not afraid to speak about both virtue and vice. It tells us that if we attempt to love God without loving others, we are living a sham life, a make believe faith. Faith encourages us to base all relationships on respect, particularly within marriages. Faith tells us to understand the meaning of the word sacrifice and to realize that all that is worthwhile from learning demands sacrifice.

Commentary to the Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Faith

Commentary to the Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Faith

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

The answers to the most important questions, the fundamental questions of life, are not on the internet. They are not out there. They are in here. The answers to the fundamental questions of life can only be found in faith. If we are honest, we will recognize that this is hard to handle. We would like to find the answers to everything. But we can’t. Only faith can point us in the direction of the answers we need

Commentary to the Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)

Commentary to the Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

Usually when we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan the priest will note in his homily that those who passed up the poor man, the priest and the Levite, were part of the Temple ritual and should not be confused with Catholic priests or Church workers. I'm not so sure.

Commentary to the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

Commentary to the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

by: Fr. Fernando Armelini - Claret Bible.org in Homilies,

I come to offer you peace. Considering the reality we live in, it really takes a great faith to imagine that it is possible to build a world where peace reigns. It’s easier to believe that God exists than to keep hope in universal peace. Yet this is the mission entrusted to the disciples. 

Commentary to the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - (C)

Commentary to the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time - (C)

by: Fr James Gilhooley in Homilies,

Jesus' question "Who do the crowds say I am?" had as much relevancy down the centuries as it did when it was first asked in the northeast corner of Palestine. Many have attempted to answer that question. In fact, each Christian of every age must give an answer.

Commentary to the Feast of Corpus Christi – Year C

Commentary to the Feast of Corpus Christi – Year C

by: Fr. Fernando Armelini - Claret Bible.org in Homilies,

Jesus did not leave us a statue, a photograph, a relic. He wanted to continue to be present among his disciples as nourishment. The food is not placed on the table to be contemplated, but to be consumed. Christians who go to Mass, but not receive Holy Communion, should be aware that they are not participating fully in the Eucharistic celebration.

Commentary to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Commentary to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

The mystery of the Trinity is more than an esoteric doctrine of faith. It is a model for the Christian lifestyle. We are called to be in the world, intimate, yet not of the world, transcendent. We are called to bring Mystery amid the mayhem. 

Commentary to the Solemnity of Pentecost

Commentary to the Solemnity of Pentecost

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

People from all over the known world heard the disciples in their own language. The apostles were really just talking, but the Spirit they had received was speaking. According to the Acts of the Apostles, three thousand people became Christian that day. They were united by their determination to spread the Gospel. They were united by the Holy Spirit. 

Commentary to the Solemnity of the Ascension

Commentary to the Solemnity of the Ascension

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into heaven. Perhaps the Ascension gets overlooked a bit, sandwiched as it is between the great solemnities of Easter and Pentecost. St. Luke obviously recognized the importance of the Ascension. He presents it in each of the books of the Bible he wrote, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Commentary to the Sixth Sunday of Easter (C)

Commentary to the Sixth Sunday of Easter (C)

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our dwelling in him." This instruction from today's Gospel builds on the statement of faith found in the Prologue of that same Gospel, the Gospel of John.

Commentary to the Fifth Sunday of Easter (C)

Commentary to the Fifth Sunday of Easter (C)

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

I see this Christian optimism in the care givers and servants of the sick and poor. I see this Christian optimism whenever I am confronted with a seemingly impossible situation. Somehow or other, God will work it out. He is in control. The trials and pains of our lives have meaning and purpose because they are part of the witness of the Christians of the ages that Jesus wins. Don't be negative. 

Commentary on the Fourth Sunday of Easter

Commentary on the Fourth Sunday of Easter

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

The love and peace of the Good Shepherd is present to us in the many moments of compassion that bless our lives. In kind words, in the listening ear, in the generous actions of others for us, there is Jesus, doing this to me. He is also present in the blessings we extend to others. The Good Shepherd of today's gospel, God's Word of love made flesh, guides us every day in our journey.

 

Commentary to the Third Sunday of Easter: Feed My Sheep

Commentary to the Third Sunday of Easter: Feed My Sheep

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

Today's Gospel reading contains a wonderful resurrection scene at the conclusion of the Gospel of John. "It is the Lord,” John said to Peter. The wonderful dialogue between Jesus and Peter demanding the triple affirmation from Peter as a negation of his triple denial on Good Friday. "Do you love me, Simon Peter?” "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” "Then feed my sheep.” 

Commentry to the Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy

Commentry to the Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

In the year 2000, the Second Sunday of Easter occurred on April 30th. On that day, the Holy Father, St. John Paul II, canonized Sr. Mary Faustina Kowalska. St. Faustina was only 33 years old when she died in 1938. She spent most of her life in convents in Poland. Yet her life has made an impact upon the world. 

Commentary to Easter Sunday

Commentary to Easter Sunday

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

It's light illuminates the church. In the same three places where the cross was unveiled, the priest sings out, "Light of Christ," and the people respond, "Thanks be to God" The One who hung upon the cross has brought light to a world suffering in its own darkness. And Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word of the Father, killed in his humanity, has risen from the dead. And we have risen with Him.

Holy Thursday: Divine Intimacy

Holy Thursday: Divine Intimacy

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

Holy Thursday: Divine Intimacy. The first reading for this evening is from the Book of Exodus. It presents God’s directives to Moses for the celebration of the Passover. The Second reading is from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. It presents the Lord’s directives for the celebration of the New Passover. In both readings we encounter the determination of God to care for His people.

Commentary to Palm Sunday - Year C

Commentary to Palm Sunday - Year C

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: A Call to Faith. Where had they gone, all those people who greeted the Lord with such exuberance during his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem? Where had they gone, now that He has left the city in a completely different type of triumph, the Triumph of the Cross?

Commentary to the 5th Sunday of Lent (C)

Commentary to the 5th Sunday of Lent (C)

by: Fr Phil Bloom in Homilies,

Next weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday - the beginning of the year's most important week. We will see the depth of God's love. We imitate Jesus' love by putting mercy in action - by connecting with a fellow parishioner. A friend once told me, "Treat each person as if he has a broken heart - and you will not be wrong." Mercy begins with the one's own family - and your parish family. Remember God's words, "See I am doing something new." Amen.

Commentary to the 4th Sunday of Lent (C)

Commentary to the 4th Sunday of Lent (C)

by: Fr. Joseph Pellegrino, SJ in Homilies,

The Forgiving Father runs out to meet his son. He doesn’t wait for the Prodigal to finish his little speech. The Father is overwhelmed with joy. The son also felt the joy of being forgiven and restored to a loving relationship with the Father.