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…
Category: Homilies
-
The Other Guy
Pentecost Sunday (A); May 31, 2020 Acts 2:1-11 Ps 104 1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13 Jn 20:19-23 Deacon Jim McFadden When I was a boy, the third person of the Trinity was referred to as the Holy Ghost. Associating ghosts with spooky movies or novels, I wasn’t too keen on interacting with a ghost, however
-
Our Faith is increased by our Lord’s Ascension
Ascension of the Lord (A); May 24, 2020 Acts 1:1-11 Ps 47 Eph 1:7-23 Mt 28:16-20 Deacon Jim McFadden For the last two Sundays, we reflected upon Jesus’ Farewell Discourse which was his last will and testament; there, the nucleus of our Christian faith was on full display. Moreover, he promised us that
-
Learn the Art of Loving
6th Sunday of Easter (A); May 17, 2020 Acts 8:5-8,14-17 Ps 66 1 Pt 3:15-18 Jn 14:15-21 Deacon Jim McFadden Many decades ago, a world famous psychoanalyst Erich Fromm wrote a remarkable book, The Art of Loving, which was a daring and challenging prescription to learn how to love on a daily basis.
-
Jesus Speaks to Us
3rd Sunday of Easter (A); April 26, 2020 Acts 2:1322-23 Ps 16 1 Pt 1:17-21 Lk 24:13-35 Deacon Jim McFadden Why was it so difficult for the two disciples to recognize the Risen Lord? Jesus’ death scattered his disciples and shattered their hopes and dreams. Previously, they had been so full of hope and
-
First Step: Forgiveness
Divine Mercy Sunday (A); April 19, 2020 Acts 2:42-47 Ps 118 1 Pt 1:3-9 Jn 20:19-31 Deacon Jim McFadden Every Sunday at Holy Mass we commemorate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus; indeed, if that was not the case, the liturgy would be nothing more than a nostalgic remembrance. But during this period
-
A Different Dawn
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of Our Lord Acts 10:34,37-43 Ps 118 Col 3:1-4 Jn 20:1-9 Deacon Jim McFadden Today we are celebrating the apex of the liturgical calendar; indeed, it is the nucleus of our Faith: The Resurrection of the Lord. In the midst of a global pandemic that is bringing so much
-
The Force of Gravity that Propels Us Upwards
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Mt 21:1-11 (proc.); Is 50:4-7 Ps 22 Phil 2:6-11 Mt 27:11-54 Deacon Jim McFadden Every year is a moving experience on Palm Sunday as we go with Jesus towards the Temple, accompanying him on the ascent which leads to the Cross. As Jesus enters Jerusalem,
-
The Ultimate ‘Encounter-Clash’
5th Sunday of Lent (A); 3-29-20 Ez 37:12-14 Ps 130 Rom 8:8-11 Jn 11:1-45 Deacon Jim McFadden In today’s Gospel reading we have a stark contrast between Jesus, who is the Lord of Life, and the ruins of death. Let us pause and stand before the last of the miraculous signs which Jesus
-
We Can See Clearly Now
4th Sunday of Lent (A); March 22, 2020 1 Sam 16: 1b,6-7,10-13a Ps 23 Eph 5:8-14 Jn 9:1-41 Deacon Jim McFadden As we read today’s Gospel from John (9:1-41), it will be helpful to remember John’s audience and his purpose. John is writing at the end of the first century to people who were
-
Listen!
2nd Sunday of Lent (A); March 8, 2020 Gen 12:1-4a Ps 33 2 Tim 1:8b-10 Mt 17:1-9 Deacon Jim McFadden Our magnificent first reading is a short passage from the beginning of the 12th chapter of the book of Genesis. Prior to it are chapters 3-11, which describe, not the world that God intended,
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…
WWW.DEACONJIM.BLOG 