Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14c; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12,17-20Click here to download a PDF of this homily. Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler “Rejoice!” “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her!….Exult! Exult with her all you who were mourning over her.” “Thus says the Lord.” God is offering comfort and a promise of a new beginning to a people disheartened by years… read more →
Readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Revelations 5:11-14; John 21:1-19Click here to download a PDF of this homily.Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler “Simon Peter, Do you love me?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Then, “follow me.” Following Jesus cost Peter, didn’t it? When we meet him and the other disciples in our first reading, it is not the first time… read more →
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12,16-20; Luke 7:17.20-16Click here to download a PDF of this homily. Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler In last week’s homily, Gaynelle Wethers asked us to reflect on our response to God’s call. This week, Jeremiah and Luke take that challenge to a new depth. Jeremiah indicates there are only two opposite postures in life: placing one’s… read more →
Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32 Click here to download a PDF of this homily. Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler As the end of our liturgical year approaches, and the days are getting shorter, do you feel as though our readings seem to reflect the darkness? In the book of Daniel, we read that “it shall be a time… read more →
Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 Click here to download a PDF of this homily. Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Have you ever cradled a little baby in your arms, and been so enthralled that you said, “Oh, I love you so much I could just eat you up?” That was the first image that came to mind as I… read more →
Readings: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 Click here to download a PDF of this homily. Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan-Hetzler Women of a certain age may remember some things expected of us, back in the day. Going away by yourself? Well, then, is everything arranged to run smoothly in your absence? Meals cooked ahead? Check. Kids schedules sorted… read more →
Readings: Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15 Click here to download a PDF of this homily. Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Many years ago, I was at a luncheon with colleagues when the conversation turned to the coming Lenten season. One person said he liked the positive approach that he had heard at Mass, one involving spiritual practices. Another… read more →
Readings: Acts 2:42-47, 1Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler It had been a terrible weekend. Their friend, whom they loved dearly, had been snatched from their midst, tortured and executed. Without him, they were lost. Not only that. They were full of anxieties. Afraid they might be next. So now, on Sunday night, they were huddled together, behind… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Our oldest granddaughter celebrated her birthday last week. She’s one of the sweetest kids I know. Not that I’m biased, or anything! She has a sunny personality. An inquisitive mind. And lots of energy. I drove a long way to celebrate her birthday with her. And it was worth… read more →
Readings: Acts 14:21-27; Revelation 21:1-5a; John 13:31-33a, 34-35 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler “Behold, I make all things new!” What do you suppose God is up to with a promise like that? “Behold, I make all things new!” God did something new when Paul and Barnabas took the early church in a new direction, and we are the beneficiaries. But what… read more →