Category: Homilies

  • Is it I, Lord?

    3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B); January 21, 2024 Jon 3:1-5,10. Ps 25. 1 Cor 7:29-31. Mk 1:14-21 Deacon Jim McFadden  Twenty years ago, I was preparing an inmate at Folsom Minimum Security Facility for his confirmation on Christmas day, which was presided by then Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia (may he Rest in Peace). The…

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  • “Ven y veras”

     2º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (B); 14 de enero de 2024 1 Sam 3:3-10,19. Sal 42. 1 Cor 6:13-15,17-20. Juan 1:35-42 Diácono Jim McFadden  En reuniones sociales y de negocios, es bastante común que las personas intercambien tarjetas telefónicas para futuras interacciones. Para que eso suceda, la gente tiene que saber dónde se encuentra uno.…

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  • “Come and See”

    2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B); January 14, 2024 1 Sam 3:3-10,19.  Ps 42.  1 Cor 6:13-15,17-20.  Jn 1:35-42 Deacon Jim McFadden          In business and social gatherings, it’s fairly common for people to exchange calling  cards for future interactions.  For that to happen, people have to know where one is located.  In today’s Gospel…

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  • The Magi: A Lesson on Worship

    The Epiphany of the Lord; January 7, 2024 Is 60:1-6.  Ps 72.  Eph 3:2-3a,5-6.  Mt 2:1-12 Deacon Jim McFadden             The Evangelist Matthew tells us that the Magi, when they came to Bethlehem, “saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him” (Mt 2:11).  This seems very straightforward, but worshiping…

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  • Together They Discovered God’s Plan

    The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (B); 12-31-2023 Sir 3:2-6. Ps 128. Col 3:12-21. Lk 2:22-40 Deacon Jim McFadden Today we are celebrating the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, which is a good opportunity to reflect on just what makes a family “holy.” Now, the source of holiness is God— it’s…

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  • The Nativity is our Defiant Hope

    The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas); 12-25-2023 Is 9:1-6.  Ps 96.  Ti 2:11-14.  Lk 2:1-14 Deacon Jim McFadden          One of the stranger aspects of The Annunciation that precedes the Birth of Jesus is how the Archangel Gabriel addresses Mary  as “Hail, favored one!” (Lk 1:28b).  What will ensue is that she will be a…

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  • Misioneros de al alegria

    Tercera Semana de Adviento 2023 (Ciclo B);  Is 61:1-2a,10-11. Lc 1:46-50,53-54. 1 Tes 5:16-24. Juan 1:6-8,19-28 Diácono Jim McFadden El corazón humano desea alegría. Todos queremos ser felices. Nadie se despierta por la mañana y dice: “¡Hoy será un buen día para ser miserable!”. Entonces, ¿cuál es la fuente de nuestro gozo? En pocas palabras, el…

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  • Missionaries of Joy

    3rd Sunday of Advent (B); December 17, 2023 Is 61:1-2a,10-11. Lk 1:46-50,53-54. 1 Thes 5:16-24. Jn 1:6-8,19-28 Deacon Jim McFadden The human heart desires joy. We all want to be happy. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says, “Today is going to be a good day to be miserable!” So, what is the source…

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  • Itinerary of Faith

    2nd Sunday of Advent (B); December 10, 2023 Is 40:1-5,9-11.  Ps 85.  2 Pt 3:8-14.  Mk 1:1-8 Deacon Jim McFadden        Last Sunday we began Advent with the anticipation of Christ within our hearts and community at a deeper level.  In this Sunday of preparation for Christmas, we focus on the itinerary of faith, which…

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  • Anticipation: Come, Lord Jesus

    1st Sunday of Advent (B); December 3, 2023 Is 63:16b-17,19b; 64:2b-7.  Ps 80.  1 Cor 1:3-9.  Mk 13:33-37 Deacon Jim McFadden             Carly Simon in the ‘70s sang, “Anticipation, anticipation is makin’ me late, is keepin’ me waitin’.” As we enter the new liturgical year and season of Advent, which prepares us for Christmas, the…

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homilies

Don’t Talk to the Divider!

1st Sunday of Lent (A); February 22, 2026 Gn 2:7-9, 3:1-7.  Ps 51.  Rom 5:12-19.  Mt 4:1-11 Deacon Jim McFadden          Each year,  the Gospel of the 1st Sunday of Lent presents us with the narrative of Jesus in the…

Ash Wednesday: A Time for pruning

Jl 2:12-18.  Ps 51.  2 Cor 5:20-6:2.  Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Deacon Jim McFadden          People of God,  we come once again, to that great season of Lent, which is a great opportunity to prune away falseness, superficiality, and indifference to…

Respect a Person’s Dignity!

6th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A); February 15, 2026 Sir 15:15-20.  Ps 119.  1 Cor 2:6-10.  Mt 5:17-37 Deacon Jim McFadden          It can begin with the smallest gesture: an interested glance across a classroom, the brushing of a hand,…