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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We’re Created to Love
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time A); 10-25-2020 Ex 22:20-26. Ps 18. 1 Thes 1:5c-10. Mt 22:34-40 Deacon Jim McFadden This Sunday, the Gospel reading reminds us in no uncertain terms that the whole of the Divine Law can be summed up in our love for God and neighbor. Matthew offers an account in which
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Putting on God’s Love
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 10-10-2020 Is 25:6-10a. Ps 23. Phil 4:12-20. Mt 22:1-10 Deacon Jim McFadden The parable we hear in today’s Gospel focuses on a royal wedding party, which will tell us a lot about the Kingdom of God. The central character is the king’s son, the bridegroom whom we can
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To Whom Do You Belong?
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 10-18-2020 Is 45:1,4-6. Ps 96. 1 Thes 1:5b. Mt 22:15-21 Deacon Jim McFadden We’ve just heard one of the famous passages of the entire Gospel: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God” (Mt 22:21). It’s teasingly straightforward, so straightforward
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The New Wine of the Vineyard
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A); 10-4-20 Is 5:1-7. Ps 80. Phil 4:6-9. Mt 21:33-43 Deacon Jim McFadden The parable about the mismanagement of the vineyard tells us a lot about the Kingdom of God, the choices we make, and the God who is always faithful in his forgiveness and mercy. As a visual
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Taking Responsibility
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 9-27-2020 Ez 18:25-28. Ps 25. Phil 2:1-11. Mt 21:28-32 Deacon Jim McFadden In a recent issue of the Catholic Herald (September/October 2020), the newsmagazine for the Diocese of Sacramento, there is a gripping story of Eliza Cobos, who had an abortion at age 18. Looking back at those
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No Unemployed in Heaven
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 9-20-2020 Is 55:6-9. Ps 145. Phil 1:20c-24. Mt 20:1-16a Deacon Jim McFadden Sometimes Jesus just doesn’t seem fair. The parable of the Day Laborers evokes the sense of getting ripped off. That’s why it’s probably the least liked parable that Jesus ever told because it offends our
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The Third Way: Forgiving Others
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 9-13-20 Sir 27:30-28:7. Ps 103. Rom 14:7-9. Mt 18:21-35 Deacon Jim McFadden Last week’s readings spoke of reconciliation. This week we consider the same theme, but from the perspective of forgiveness. We all know how difficult it is to swallow our pride and say that we’re sorry
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Fraternal Correction
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 9-6-20 Ez 13:8-10. Ps 95. Rom 13:8-10. Mt 18:15-20 Deacon Jim McFadden If there is one absolute in our secular culture today is non-judgmentalism. That basis of that implicit bias is that there are no universal, absolute, objective standards that apply to all people at all times
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Don’t Be Afraid of the Cross
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 8-30-20 Jer 20:7-9. Ps 63. Rom 12:1-2 Mt 16:21-27 Deacon Jim McFadden Today’s Gospel passage challenges us to make an either or choice: our life is either about ourselves or its about God. The choice is primordial, which Jesus encountered in his third temptation when Satan promised
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God’s Great Gamble
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 8-23-20 Is 22:19-23. Ps 138. Rom 11:33-36. Mt 16:13-20 Deacon Jim McFadden St. Paul reminds us in the second reading, in case we should ever forget, that “How inscrutable are (God’s) judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Rom 11:33b). And, he underscores that truth with an exclamation
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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