Mary Kept and Pondered
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, January 1, 2026 Nm 6:22-27. Gal 4:4-7. Lk 2:16-21 Deacon Jim McFadden There is an old tradition that Luke the evangelist knew the Blessed Mother and he wove her memories into his…
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With Arms Raised
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); October 16, 2022 Ex 17:8-13. Ps 121. 2 Tim 3:14-4:2. LK 18:1-8 Deacon Jim McFadden At the start of today’s Holy Mass, we address a prayer to our Lord that offers us a key to understand today’s readings. We pray: “Create in us a generous and steadfast heart, so
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Just Say “Thank You”
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); October 9, 2022 2 Kgs 5:14-17. Ps 987. 2 Tim 2:8-13. Lk 17:11-19 Deacon Jim McFadden Someone once said that “By the time you turn 75 years of age, the only words that should come out of your mouth is “thank you!” Being over that age group, I’d
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Lord, “Increase our Faith.”
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C); October 2, 2022 Hb 1:2-3;2:3-4. Ps 95. 2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14. Lk 17:5-10 Deacon Jim McFadden Habakkuk is really having a bad day. The poor guy faces violence and destruction and he yells out to God: “I cry for help but you do not listen! Why must I look
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Who’s on your Doorstep?
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); September 25, 2022 Am 6:1a,4-7. Ps 146. 1 Tm 6:11-16. Lk 16:19-31 Deacon Jim McFadden Today’s Responsorial Psalm reminds us that God, “the maker of heaven and earth,” upholds the anawim, Old Testament code for the stranger, the widow, and the orphan—the most marginalized in a kinfolk society.
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Transform Goods and Wealth into Relationships
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); September 18, 2022 Am 8:4-7. Ps 113. 1 Tm 2:1-8. Lk 16:1-13 Deacon Jim McFadden The parable in this Sunday’s Gospel passage (Lk 16:1-13) involves a shrewd, albeit dishonest steward who, charged with wasting his master’s goods, is about to be fired. He’s prepared to do anything to
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Jesus Welcomes Only Sinners
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time; September 11, 2022 Ex 32:7-11,13-14. Ps 51. 1 Tim 1:12-17. Lk 15:1-32 Deacon Jim McFadden Today’s Gospel passage (Lk 15:1-32) begins with several people criticizing Jesus for hanging out with tax collectors and sinners and they scornfully say: “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (v. 2). Well,
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A New Consciousness
Friday of the 22nd Second week in Ordinary Time (C) 1 Cor 4:1-5. Ps 37. Lk 5:33-39 Deacon Jim McFadden Jesus’ parable of the the old wineskins/new wineskins is a call to metanoia, namely changing of one’s mind from an egoic consciousness to one where we interpret everything through the lens of Christ crucified.
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The Demands of Discipleship
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); September 4, 2022 Wis 9:13-18b. Ps 90. Phlm 9:10,12-17. Lk 14:25-33 Deacon Jim McFadden Luke tells us that great crowds were following Jesus; he was a very popular man, a fascinating figure. If Jesus were physically with us today, he’d be all over the Internet, the focus of
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Addicted to Honor
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); August 28, 2022 Sir 3:17-18, 20,28-29. Ps 68. Heb 12:18-19,22-24a. Lk 14:1.7-14 Deacon Jim McFadden At the mid-point of the ‘90s blockbuster film Titanic, the Leonardo DiCaprio character, spread-eagled with his arms extended on the stern of the ship, boasts loudly, “I am the King of the
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Jeremiah & Jesus: Causes for Division
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); August 14, 2022 Jer 38:4-6,8-10. Ps 40 Heb 12:1-4. Lk 12:49-53 Deacon Jim McFadden In today’s first reading Jeremiah is in the middle of a national crisis, political power plays, and civic turmoil. (I know, somethings just don’t change.) Jeremiah has incurred the animosity of those in power
homilies
The Holy Family Were Refugees
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; 12-28-2025 Sir 3:2-6. Ps 128. Col 3:12-21. Mt 2:13-15, 19-21 Deacon Jim McFadden On this first Sunday after Christmas, the Liturgy invites us to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family…
a God who gathers
Christmas (A) ; 12-25-2025 Is 52:1-7. Ps 97. Heb 1:1-6 . Jn 1:1-18 Deacon Jim McFadden Christmas celebrates God’s overwhelming desire to be united with us. Sometimes we wonder, why does he bother? He’s perfect—he doesn’t need anything since…
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