Readings: Isaiah 55: 10-11; Romans 8: 18-23; Matthew 13: 1-23 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino Have you ever felt at a loss? Not sure which way to turn? So did St. Paul, it seems, as he groaned over human suffering. Surely there must be a way through this mess! We know it’s not magic. But, what is the answer? Come, take a look… read more →
Readings: Acts 2: 42-47; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino As I write this, the sun is out. A miracle in itself in Rochester! And yet, we constantly hear about death of every kind. War in Ukraine. Hunger. Sickness. Struggles over paying bills. You know the stories. Isn’t there a temptation, every now and again, to ask:… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-3; John 1: 29-34 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino I love music. Sometimes, in fact, readings will evoke the words to a hymn. Like this hymn, in response to today’s readings. “Glory and praise to our God, who alone gives light to our days. Many are the blessings God bears to those who trust in… read more →
Readings: Isaiah 2: 1-5; Romans 13: 11-14; Matthew 24: 37-44 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino As often happens, this homily took on a life of its own. Unbidden. It was the joyful light of today’s First Reading from Isaiah that initially captivated my heart. Immediately I was back on a pilgrimage to Israel some 15 years ago, in the balmy springtime. Specifically, at… read more →
Readings: Ezekiel 17: 8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke: 18: 1-8 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino The persistent widow! Bold, pesky, and persistent. Constantly contesting the unjust judge at every turn. She knows what’s right! And she insists upon it! As it turns out, I know her well. For she was my mother. Not the soft, gentle mother so often described in poetry and… read more →
Readings: Genesis 14: 18-20; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26; Luke 9: 11b-17 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino I have a question. We go to Mass. We hear the same words of institution. The body of Jesus, given for us. The blood of Jesus, poured out for us. Here, then, is my question: do we really hear these words? Do we really take them in? … read more →
Readings: Joshua 5: 9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21; Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino The other night, on the nightly news, Judy Woodruff was interviewing the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States. She was so inspiring! Revealing an understanding of our world and its conflicts. Passionately advocating for her people. Yet, at the same time, carefully trying not… read more →
Readings: Zephaniah 3: 14-18a; Philippians 4: 4-7; Luke 3: 10-18 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino Shout for joy! Be glad and exult! Today’s readings simply reverberate with joy, seeping into every cell of our being, overflowing out to all we meet. But some might say, “Really? You’ve got to be kidding! Where is such joy to be found? Have you forgotten the pandemic? … read more →
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9A; James 2: 14-18; Mark 8: 27-35 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino We live in a broken world. A bruised world, where some deliberately prey on the weaknesses of others. (Consider all those daily “robo” calls.) At the same time, it’s a beautiful world, where goodness and heroism can emerge, and even triumph. Thus it has always been. So, then,… read more →
Readings: Ezekiel 17: 22-24; 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10; Mark 4: 26-34Click here to download a PDF of this homily.Preacher: Gloria Ulterino Flourishing! I love that word! I love the way it feels in my mouth when I say it. Even more, I love what it means. Alive! Abundant! Thriving! Perhaps what I love most is this: it’s a true word… read more →