Homily stories

17 Dec 2017

Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Respond in kind

The movie Wonder, based on R.J. Palacio's best-selling novel by the same name, is an exploration of the power of simple acts of kindness. Each character in this coming-of-age story is able to move from fear to hope by one caring gesture from someone else: A cool student sits at the lunch table with the “freaky” student; a friend sacrifices the limelight so another can shine; a dad gives his son an encouraging word to defend himself; a mom offers a daughter insight about the ups and downs of relationships.

10 Dec 2017

Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

By any other name

Jennifer was the No. 1 name given to newborn girls every year from 1970 to 1984, resulting in more women named Jennifer in the United States than there are people in the state of Montana. Growing up, I usually had two to four classmates who shared my name, and we would negotiate at the start of every school year who would go by “Jennifer,” “Jenny,” “Jen,” or some other nickname.

3 Dec 2017

First Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Enter the no-fault zone

She came to see me telling me she wanted to talk about the terrible difficulties her family was facing. Between her tears and her thick accent, she was not easy to understand. It was 20 minutes nonstop before she took a breath. And in that time, she had spoken almost entirely about herself. 

26 Nov 2017

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Cycle A

What is the final word?

I go to a lot of funerals. It is the nature of my work as a parish pastoral minister. Before the Mass begins at many of our funerals, a family member will give a eulogy about the one who has died.

19 Nov 2017

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Cultivate your talents

My friend Brian is an engineer and inventor. His inventions have run the gamut from the magnificent—an elliptical receiver sent into space—to the mundane—a clip-on shelf for a recreational vehicle. He is also a university professor, teaching young engineers how to be ethical entrepreneurs.

12 Nov 2017

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Moving on

Prepare for the coming of the Kingdom? I’m stressed out just preparing for my upcoming move to another state. After 27 years of living in Chicago, I’m moving to a very small town in rural Michigan. I’m in the thick of getting ready for it: packing boxes, calling movers, visiting with friends to say goodbye.

5 Nov 2017

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Now it's different

We should honor all those who give their lives to God's service, not just the “rabbis” or “masters.” But how we do that may change over time. On or near my mother’s birthday, I always visited the family plot at Mt. Carmel Cemetery by myself with a yellow rose, her favorite, to place on her grave.

29 Oct 2017

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

A bag of bread

I saw him from a block away, only to ignore him later. “Some change, please?” is all I heard. I was walking with a bag full of bread, and I just walked on by. He was just a boy, sitting in the cold, hungry. But with my bag full of bread, I didn’t even look at him. I just walked on by. A block later, I wanted to go back, to have another chance.

22 Oct 2017

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

The only legacy that matters

Not long ago I attended a funeral for a man who had served as a journalist for the diocesan paper for over 25 years. Kevin was all that one would hope and trust a journalist might be: inquisitive, persevering, intelligent and articulate. Usually disheveled, wearing a corduroy jacket with a camera slung over his shoulder,

15 Oct 2017

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Feast first

“I really don’t want to go to this lunch,” Bill won’t mind will he?”