Category: Uncategorized

  • Are We All “Lepers”?

    6th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B); February 14, 2021 Lv 13:1-2,44-46.  Ps 32.  1 Cor 10:31—11:1.  Mk 1:40-45 Deacon Jim McFadden             The last few Sundays, we have encountered Jesus, the Divine Physician of our bodies and souls.  He was sent into our world plagued by dissension, alienation, dysfunction, and social injustice of every sort—all…

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  • Jesus, the Divine Physician

    5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B); 2-7-2021 Job 7:1-7.  Ps 147.  1 Cor 9:16-23.  Mk 1:29-39 Deacon Jim McFadden             Pope Francis often describes the Church as a “field hospital” of wounded, broken, sinful people who are in need of healing.  While it is difficult to admit, all of us are spiritually sick who need…

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  • The Holy One of God

    4th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B); 1-31-2021 Dt 18:15-20.  Ps 95.  1 Cor 7:32-35.  Mk 1:21-28 Deacon Jim McFadden             This Sunday’s Gospel reading (cf. Mk 1:21-28) narrates the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in which he breaks into the world of illusion and of the demonic through his powerful word and deed.  Our world,…

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  • Is It I, Lord?

    3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B); 1-24-2021 Jon 3:1-5,10.  Ps 25.  1 Cor 7:29-31.  Mk 1:14-21 Deacon Jim McFadden        Nearly 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).   He…

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  • Listening to God

    2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B); 1-17-2021 1 Sam 3:3-10, 19.  Ps 42.  1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20.  Jn 1:35-43 Deacon Jim McFadden             The spiritual writer and poet John O’Donohue once wrote, “When you listen with your soul, you come into rhythm and unity with the music of the universe” (Anam Cara—Spiritual Wisdom of the…

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  • The Heavens are Opened

    The Baptism of the Lord (B); 1-10-2021 Is 42: 1-4,6-7.  Ps 29.  Acts 10:34-38.  Mk 1:7-11 Deacon Jim McFadden             Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, which also concludes the Christmas season.  Mark’s gospel describes what happens on the bank of the Jordan River.  At the time that John the Baptist…

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  • Look Up, Get Going, and Bring Gifts

    The Epiphany of the Lord (B); January 3rd, 2021 Is 60:1-6.  Ps 72.  Eph 3:2-3a,5-6.  Mt 2:1-12 Deacon Jim McFadden          The Epiphany is a feast of light.  In the first reading we hear, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (is 60:1).  We look…

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  • What’s a Holy Family?

    The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; 12-27-2020 Sir 3:2-6   Ps 128   Col 3:12-21   Lk 2:22-40 Deacon Jim McFadden             Holy Family Sunday gives us the opportunity to reflect upon what makes a family “holy.”  Self-help books give a lot of advice as to what can make a family more cohesive, functional, healthier, and…

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  • A Dwelling Place for God

    4th Sunday of Advent (B); 12-20-2020 2 Sam 7:1-5,8-12,14,16   Ps 89.  Rom 16:25-27.  Lk 1:26-38 Deacon Jim McFadden          As Christmas is nearly upon us, the readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent focus our attention on the notion of a dwelling place for God.             In the first reading from the second book of…

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  • Missionaries of Joy

    3rd Sunday of Advent (B); 12-13-2020 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 of…

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homilies

mulder and Thomas

Divine Mercy Sunday (A); April 12, 2026 Acts 2:42-47.  Ps 118.  1 Pt 1:3-9.  Jn 20:19-31 Deacon Jim McFadden             During the ‘90s, a popular, albeit off-beat television show was the X-Files, featuring agent Fox Mulder, an investigator of the…

A Different dawn

Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of Our Lord; 4-06-2026 Acts 10:334,37-43. 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 cross: A sneak preview

Good Friday: The Passion of the Lord (A); 2026 Deacon Jim McFadden Can you imagine was must have transpired in Hell when  Jesus  died on the Cross? No doubt some serious infernal celebration must have erupted when the Son of…