Click here for archive of homilies from 2003-2007

Feast of the Ascension.  Jesus calls us to make a difference in the world, to be His hands and voice in the world, to proclaim the Good News. 

Welcome to St. Matthew's School Alumni.  Catholic education continues to make a difference in the lives of the young people it touches.

How does the community of faith handle diversity
Treat each other with gentleness and respect
Give each other enough space to allow the Spirit to work

The search for the face of God is common to all World religions. It is the passion to know God in heart and mind.

The Gospels as a manual for discipleship. Images of shepherd and sheep are symbolic of authority and leadership. The gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd. The shepherd is obedient to the good order. The sheep know the voice of the shepherd and thereby have a relationship with the shepherd. The shepherd calls his sheep by name. Ascribed vs. acquired authority. The shepherd leads the sheep through the gate by stepping out in front, without hesitation or cowardice.

St. Luke's account of Cleophas and an unnamed disciple on a journey, accompanied by the risen Lord. Many traditions abound relating to this story. We are a pilgrim people on the road. Sometimes we don't recognize Jesus. Know Christ in the Word of God and at the Eucharistic table.

Easter Vigil service (8 PM). Everything that exists is good. And the men and women whom God created are the best. Older people help younger people do their best.

Palm Sunday Passion Reading.

Death is the ultimate anxiety. The story of Jesus, Martha and Lazarus. "I am the Resurrection and the life. If you believe in Me, even though you physically die, you shall have life in Me." Eternal life is what you possess now and forever. Invite Jesus to live within. In the Eucharist our life with Christ is deepened and strengthened.

Jesus said, "We must do the work of Him Who sent Me." Light and darkness as real material stuff. Eyes as the window to the soul. Fear of the blind. Fear of darkness. Let the darkness be an occasion for God's work to be done and seen. Bring light!

John the Evangelist's perspective on the Word of God in a secular society. Pew Forum survey about the religious landscape of the U.S. We all have a hunger for deeper meaning in life. What is the role of a believer in Jesus Christ? We must be able to express our longings to one another. Our invitation to and sharing of faith are the path to God.

Sorry, recording not available due to a technical glitch with the iPod. Synopsis by RCS:
    Father Steve Adrian talked about mountain top transformations and the "big picture" from this vantage point. In history, the mountain has been the privileged place where humans come face to face with God. This is the case in Jewish, Muslim, Hindi, Far Eastern, Christian and Native American religions. The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ at Mt. Tabor is a mirror of the Exodus account of Moses being given the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, where the faces of both Moses and Christ "shone like the sun". The difference is that Christ's divinity was shown forth as God said, "This is My Son...listen to Him." Moses was the agent for transmittal of the Law (the stone tablets). Christ is the new Law, the new Way to the Father.
    It is hard to see the big picture when we are engaged in individual, day-to-day tasks. The Eucharist can be a mountain top experience for all of us, allowing us to see how it all fits together under Jesus Christ -- the perfect revelation of God.

Christ's Temptation in the desert is a story about identity and fidelity. In Jesus' suffering, dying and rising, we are drawn into union and we become children of God.
   The tempations of Christ included: (1) immediate gratification, (2) testing God by looking for a sign, (3) covering all the bases, (4) Peter saying, "Lord this can never happen.", and (5) on the cross, Christ being asked why He cannot save himself.
   The meaning of the words, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"

Homily

- Catholic Schools Week introduction by Asst. Principal Lynn Volkenant.
- Annual Catholic Appeal address by Archbishop Harry Flynn. "God loves you."

Homily

Baptism of Our Lord: parallels in Book of Isaiah the Prophet.

Feast of the Epiphany.