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
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Our God is Awesome, but Strange
Our God is Awesome, but Strange 24th Sunday in O.T. (C); Sept. 15, 2019 Ex 32:7-11,13-14 Ps 51 1 Tim 1:12-17 Lk 15:1-32 Deacon Jim McFadden; SJB Let’s face it: the God that Jesus reveals does not operate according to the way we go about doing things. We’re given a heads-up in the
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The Cost of Discipleship
23rd Sunday in O.T. (C); 9-8-2019 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 blogosphere scrutiny. He’d
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The Narrow Gate
21st Sunday in O.T. (C); 8-25-2019 Is 66:18-21 Ps 117 Heb 12:5-7,11-13 Lk 13:22-30 Deacon Jim McFadden A few years ago an inmate at Folsom Prison approached me and said, “Deacon, I came across a number in Scripture that says only 150,000 people are going to be saved. If that’s so, I don’t stand a
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“Humility, Humility, Humility”
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time; 9-1-2019 Sir 3:17-18,20,28-29 Ps 68 Heb 12:18-19,22-24a Lk 14:1,7-14 Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison At the mid-point of the 90’s blockbuster film Titanic, the Leonardi DiCaprio character, spread-eagled with his arms extended on the stern of the ship, boasts loudly, “I am the King of the World!” Contrast
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Jesus, A Cause for Division
20th Sunday in O.T. (C); August 18, 2019 Jer 38:4-6,8-10 Ps 40 Heb 12:1-4 Lk 12:49-53 Deacon Jim McFadden; SJB In today’s first reading Jeremiah is in the middle of a national crisis, political power plays, and civic turmoil. Jeremiah, speaking in God’s name, advocates that the people surrender to the their enemy,
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Enjoy Life
The Father has given you the Kingdom 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); 8-11-2019 Wis 18:6-9 Ps 33 Heb 11:1-2,8-19 Lk 12:32-48 Deacon Jim McFadden Do you know how you can pick out a Christian? They are the ones who enjoy life. When we set our hearts on the Kingdom of God, we
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Being or Having?
18th Sunday in O.T. (C); August 4, 2019 Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23 Ps 95 Col 3:1-5,9-11 Lk 12:13-21 Deacon Jim McFadden I first came across the Book of Ecclesiastes in the early ‘60s when I heard The Byrds “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, which was adapted from Chapter 3. I really enjoyed the song, it was
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Discovering Who We Are in our Father’s Eyes
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); July 28, 2019 Gn 18:20-32; Ps 138:1-3,6-8; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13 Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison Sixteen years ago I was facilitating a catechist class at Folsom Prison (Minimum Security), preparing some for Confirmation. One of the men, named ‘Juan’ was telling his story. He narrated
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All Are Called to Discipleship
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time; July 21, 2019 Gn 18:1-10a Ps 15 Col 1:24-28 Lk 10:38-42 Deacon Jim McFadden; St. John the Baptist C.C. This little story of Martha and Mary has a way of getting underneath our skin. Let’s face it: most of us are not contemplatives in the same way that say,
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Listening to your Inner Voice
15th Sunday in O.T. (C); July 14, 2019 Dt 30:10-14 Ps 69 Col 1:15-20 Lk 10:25-37 Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison In nature the laws of physics apply everywhere—there’s no escaping them. Take the Law of Gravity. What would happen if you denied the reality of this Law?
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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