Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 27, 2022
Most Holy Trinity Carmel
Arlington, Texas
Joshua 5:9a, 10-12
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
In today’s Gospel from Luke, we find Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and engaged in a discussion with the scribes and Pharisees. They are watching for Him to make a mistake and find a reason to condemn Him since He welcomes sinners and eats with them. So, Jesus responds by telling them a parable.
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Homily for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
March 25, 2022
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas
Isaiah 7:10-14; 8-10
Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38
God made the original world order good; man destroyed that order by following Satan instead of God. Christ comes to restore that original order and to elevate it beyond our expectations through His Incarnation which begins through the purity of Mary’s Immaculate Heart and her “yes” to the Word of God. She is the example for each of us as disciples of Jesus in saying “yes” to the will of God. She is even more our mother and intercessor by assisting us in saying “Yes,” with the gift of God’s grace, which only she enjoys fully.
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Homily for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Diocesan Day of Stewardship
March 19, 2022
St. Michael Catholic Church
Bedford, Texas
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a,16
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
In Sacred Scripture, we see several instances where God chooses to reveal Himself and His plan for salvation through the dreams of human beings as visions of light amidst the cloudy darkness of the night: Joseph and his coat of many colors, the call of Samuel, the prophet Daniel, and in our Gospel today, Saint Joseph the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus.
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Homily for the Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
March 16, 2022
Theological College
Washington, D.C.
Jeremiah 18:18-20
Psalm 31:5-6, 14, 15-16
Matthew 20:17-28
Enemies, allies, and friends. This theme that very much dominates our news cycle these days. This is also a theme that our readings offer today for our reflection as we progress in our Lenten pilgrimage towards the mysteries of the Easter Triduum. Enemies, allies, and friends.
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Homily for the First Sunday of Great Lent: Sunday of Orthodoxy
March 6, 2022
Saint Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Church
The Colony, Texas
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Luke 6:27-38
Today as the Latin Catholic Bishop of Fort Worth, I join with you as Catholics of the Greek-Ukrainian Rite in prayer and solidarity as together we begin the start of the Great Lent, known also as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, in which we celebrate the defeat of the iconoclasts who assaulted the revealed presence of God communicated through sacred icons.
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Homily for Ash Wednesday
March 2, 2022
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas
Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14, 17
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
“Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly.” These words of the prophet Joel, call for us each and all to stop. The trumpet is not unlike an alarm that prompts us to be aware and not to panic. We hear this trumpet on Ash Wednesday to return to the Lord who never leaves us, but who we too frequently leave from our attentiveness.
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