Homily stories

28 Jan 2024

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Confronting cruel, merciless powers

When my previously confident, vivacious 16-year-old daughter developed an eating disorder, our entire family was plunged into a frightening underworld. Darkness descended in the form of psychotic episodes, suicidal ideation, hospitalizations, and her paranoid conviction that we were conspiring to hurt her instead of help her.

21 Jan 2024

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

The end of the world as we know it

In 1999 everyone thought that the world would end with the beginning of the year 2000 because of the Y2K “millennium bug” that threatened everything run by computers.

14 Jan 2024

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Breaking barriers

At the age of 21, Ray became the first African American elected to represent my city on my county’s commission. He ran against a politically experienced and divisive candidate, and no one thought Ray would win. But Ray did win—by three votes.

7 Jan 2024

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle B

Moments of hope

They were parishioners I had gotten to know well. After Mass, they stopped and asked me if I had ever seen the birth of a child. I hadn’t. I had just been with a dear friend of mine when he died surrounded by his family in his rectory room.

31 Dec 2023

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Cycle B

A family saved by grace

The day of my uncle’s funeral was met with many surprises.

31 Dec 2023

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Cycle B

The family of faith

Homesickness is a powerful disease for which there is no cure but going home. We may miss our own room or bed. Maybe we need the routine that we have grown accustomed to over the years

31 Dec 2023

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Cycle B

Trust your instincts

Joseph, husband of Mary, had guts. He had the guts to pay attention to his dreams.

24 Dec 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Soothing the dreadful wait

A 6-year-old climbed into her mother’s lap the morning of Christmas Eve, and said, “Mommy, I’m afraid I’m going to die.”

24 Dec 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Say yes to God

Imagine Mary’s bewilderment when the angel Gabriel greeted her with the familiar words, “Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.”

24 Dec 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Time to practice

There are two seconds left to play. The shooter is at the foul line. The game will be decided by his two free throws. He needs to make both of them to win the game. It is all on his shoulders.