Looking To Sunday®

The inflatable Christmas decorations that are currently very popular can convey not only the joy of Christmas, but also its spiritual significance. The homily is based on the meaning of Christmas and not on a particular reading.

"Yes" is a powerful word. It can make things happen. Mary's "Yes" brought about the first Christmas. Our "Yes" to God makes Christmas continue and makes the kingdom come. The homily is based on Luke chapter 1, verses 26 to 38

People have different types of personalities. John the Baptist certainly was person who was serious, brave, truthful, and self-confident. This homily explores the reasons for John's strong personality. The homily is based on John chapter 1, verses 6 to 8, 19 to 28.

The message of John the Baptist attracted throngs of people. This homily asks why our Christian message seems so less attractive today. The homily is based on Mark chapter 1, verses 1 to 8.

To be truly watchful and alert, we need to know what or whom we are watching for. Advent calls us to be watchful for the Lord's glorious return, but perhaps we should be watchful for even more. The homily is baed on Mark chapter 13, verses 33 to 37.

We know that in life everyone does not get chosen for everything. Selections, judgments, cuts are made. The same is true in our spiritual life. God makes cuts. Apparently, not everyone is fit for the Kingdom of God. The homily is based on Matthew 25, verses 31 to 46.

Jesus tells a parable about a master who invests in three of his servant. Two reward the faith and confidence the master places in them. The third does not. God invests his blessings in us because God has faith in us, his servants. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 25, verses 14 to 30.

This homily relates the game of HIDE & SEEK to the parable of the ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 25, verses 1 to 13.

We often criticize leaders for their failings, particularly for telling people to do one thing, while they themselves do something else. Jesus accused the religious leaders of his day of the same thing. The homily focuses on inauthentic leaders and followers. The homily is based on Matthew 23, verses 1 to 12.

"Gotcha" questions are designed to embarrass the person trying to answer the question, or to make the respondent look ignorant or foolish. When asked a "gotcha" question about the greatest commandment, Jesus turns the table on the questioner. The homily is based on Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34 to 40.

Taxes are a hot topic in our day, and they were at the time of Jesus. He tells his hearers to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. The homily explores those words of Jesus. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 22, verses 15 to 21.

Jesus tells a parable about invited guests who fail to honor their invitations. They do not show up. God is constantly inviting us to grow in faith, and in our relationship with him. The homily asks us to consider our response to those divine invitations. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 22, verses 1 to 14.

Jesus tells a parable about tenants who are given what is necessary to produce harvest of grapes and wine for their landowner. Yet when the time comes to give what they have promised, they refuse. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 21, chapter 33 to 43.

Jesus tells a parable about two sons who are given work to do by their father. Each son only gets things half right. One says the right thing, the other does the right thing. We often get things only half right when it comes to doing what God asks. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 21, verses 33 to 42.

Jesus tells a parable that proclaims that God is an "employer" who desires all his people to employed in doing the work of the kingdom. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 20, verses 1 to 16.

We believe the choice of the Sunday scripture readings were guided by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel for September 11, the Tenth Anniversary of the terrorist attacks, would not be one we might have chosen, but is the one that the Spirit of God wants us to hear.

People often expect perfection in the Church. But Jesus knew his Church would not be perfect. That is why he taught us how to handle conflicts in the Christian community. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 18, verses 15 to 20.

We are made uneasy when death hits close to home. Peter was made uneasy when Jesus began to speak about suffering and death in his life and in the lives of his followers. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 16, verses 21 to 27.

Some questions remain timeless. They are always worth considering. This homily explores two timeless questions asked by Jesus. "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" "But who do you say that I am?" The homily is based on Matthew chapter 16, verses 13 to 20.

A mother suffers humiliation and scorn to win the help of Jesus for her suffering child. God allows himself to be humiliated and scorned for the sake of his children. The homily is based on Matthew chapter 15, verses 21 to 28.