Readings: Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4:12-23 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Have you ever stopped to marvel at this gospel story? To wonder what it was about this encounter with Jesus that prompted four grown men to drop everything instantly? To leave the security of job and family? And embrace a totally unknown future? Not normal. At any level. Normal… read more →
Readings: Sirach 35:15-17,20-22; 2 Timothy 4:6-8.16-18; Luke 18:9-14 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler A famous theologian, commenting on St. Paul’s assertion that the gospel can be a stumbling block, once said that the danger is stumbling over the wrong thing! The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector is a familiar one, isn’t it? So familiar that we often think of… read more →
Readings: Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan-Hetzler The biblical concept of justice is central to our readings today. There, justice involves the external ordering of society. In ways that life is most able to thrive. Justice, reflected in the Law, requires special concern for the powerless: Widows. Orphans. The resident aliens. The needy. And especially, the poor.… read more →
Readings: 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21;Galatians 5:1, 13-18;Luke 9:51-62 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Today, as we begin following Luke’s story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and the cross, we’re invited to reflect on the mystery at the heart of our faith. Who—and whose—are we? Discipleship. Commitment. These are the challenges our readings put before us. Elisha, at first, appears not quite ready.… read more →
Readings: Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.10-12; Luke 13:1-9 Preacher: Dierdre McKiernan Hetzler In our first reading, Moses’ encounter with a burning bush becomes a life-changing event. The God of this bush is a compassionate God. Having heard the Israelites’ cries of complaint, God is ready to rescue them. And God reveals a closeness to God’s people: “I know well what they… read more →
Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler This lovely gospel narrative, beautifully pictured in art, is so familiar to us, isn’t it? We could recite it from memory, couldn’t we? I’d like to look at the story by way of a couple of themes it brings to mind. First, God’s faithfulness to those who trust in God.… read more →
Readings: Wisdom2: 12,17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler In the Gospel, Mark often portrays the disciples as slow. And dense. Today, Jesus is speaking about his upcoming death. For the second time. And they’re arguing about who among them is the greatest! When asked later about it, they are too embarrassed to say. Yet, if we’re honest,… read more →
Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8: 7,9,13-15; Mark 5:21-43Click here to download a PDF of this homily.Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan-Hetzler In the first of our beautiful readings today, Wisdom tells us, “God created all things that they might have being, and the creatures of the world are wholesome…” God is present in all of creation. And we are invited to… read more →
Readings: Acts 3:13-15,17-19; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48Click here to download a PDF of this homily.Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Today’s gospel begins: “The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way…” Whoa! On the way? To where? And what took place? Like many of the Scripture passages excerpted for Mass, this statement needs context. Clopas and another disciple… read more →
Readings: Jonah 3:1-5,10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31;Mark 1:14-20Click here to download a PDF of this homily.Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler There is an urgency in all of our readings today, isn’t there? Jonah preaches “Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed.” Paul writes “the time is running out…the world in its present form is passing away.” And, just before calling his… read more →