Homily for the Third Saturday of Advent
St. John Paul II Shepherd’s Guild
December 17, 2022
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
Keller, TX
Genesis 49:2, 8-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 3, 4ab, 7-8, 17
Matthew 1:1-17
“Justice shall flourish in His time, and fullness of peace forever.” When we look closely at the character and the behavior of the individuals listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David and the son of Abraham, we can see that this Psalm is not prayed because of the human excellence of an historical dynasty. In fact, each of these figures, especially the kings, committed sins, injustices, and failures that brought suffering and misery on their children and their children’s children.
Read more…
Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Rite of Candidacy for Eric Flores and Benjamin Grothouse
December 18, 2022
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
Arlington, TX
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24
Today as we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent we formally receive as candidates for ordination, Benjamin Grothouse and Eric Flores. These two men have been in discernment and seminary formation for over eight years having answered the call from Christ to follow Him on this path to priestly ordination and ministry.
Read more…
Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudate Sunday
December 11, 2022
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
John the Baptist is the last and greatest prophet before the coming of the Messiah. His prophetic witness begins even before his own birth and also before the birth of Jesus, as he leaps in the womb of his mother Elizabeth when she is visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary who is pregnant with Jesus. Elsewhere in the Gospel, John the Baptist proclaims Jesus to be the Lamb of God who has come to deliver us from our sins. John the Baptist protests Jesus’ desire to be baptized by him because he knows himself not even to be worthy to untie the straps of his sandals.
Read more…
Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 19, 2021
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
Keller, Texas
Micah 5: 1-4a
Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrews 10: 5-10
Luke 1:39-45
We began the season of Advent by listening to the words of Jesus that speak of the last things that are imminent signs before His second coming at the end of the world. “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Read more…
Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent
December 12, 2021
St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church
Mansfield, Texas
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18
Three groups of people ask John the Baptist the practical question about what they should do to prepare the way of the Lord for the coming of the promised Messiah. John addresses each of these groups specifically. His first response is to the crowd. He instructs them, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” His second instruction is to the tax collectors who are Jews but work as bureaucrats for the Roman Empire: “Stop collecting more than what is proscribed.” His third admonition is addressed to the Gentile soldiers of the Roman Empire: “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Read more…
Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent
December 5, 2021
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Arlington, Texas
Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6
We have just proclaimed the Gospel that reveals that “the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
Read more…
Homily for the Mass of First Profession of Sister Maria Sagrario, OCD
November 25, 2021
Carmel of the Most Holy Trinity
Arlington, Texas
Hosea 2:16, 21-22
Ephesians 1:3-14
Luke 10:38-42
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” These are the words that Jesus speaks to Martha in the Gospel of Luke. They are the words that He speaks to Martha in the presence of her sister Mary, of her brother Lazarus, and of the Apostles.
Read more…
Homily for the First Sunday of Advent
November 28, 2021
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
Colleyville, Texas
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Today we begin the season of Advent by hearing the words of Jesus that speak of the last things that are imminent signs before His second coming at the end of the world. “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” We begin with the end and end with the beginning in entering into the mystery of our redemption won by Christ who is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. In Advent, the second coming is considered first and the first coming is considered second.
Read more…
Life on the Chrism Trail 
You must be logged in to post a comment.