Homily: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

artwork by: Bro. Mickey McGrath 

This weekend we heard how blessed are those who are poor and hungry and woe to those who are rich and well-fed.  Once again Jesus is turning our thinking upside down.  The Beatitudes always seem to perplex many as to what kind of lives we are being called to.

Using some insight from the soon-to-be-released book by world renowned liturgical music composer David Haas, along with wisdom from Lutheran minister Nadia Bolz-Weber who provides current context for a sermon we have heard so many times - together they may just open all of our eyes to seeing how we can all bring forth the reign of God.  Check it out and see what I mean…

To listen to a podcast of the homily, click here

For the text of the homily, click here

For the readings of the Sunday, click here

To pre-order Rejoice and Be Glad – (Y)Ours is the Kingdom of God, by David Haas, click here

Homily: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Really?  We have to love those that we fear?  Those who are different from us? The ones who are strangers?

In the past few weeks there has been much written about the plight of the refugees.  Politics aside, as Christians, we are called to live the Gospel…which is much harder than reading or preaching about it.  So what does Jesus say in the Beatitudes?  And how can Pope Francis, Brian McLaren and Leonardo DaVinci add some light on this hotly debated subject?

Check it out…

Click here for a podcast of the homily

Click here for the text of the homily

Click here for the readings of this Sunday 

Eulogy for Marjorie Gilbert Knipper

On December 25, 2016 our Step-mother, Margie Gilbert Knipper, at the age of 86, died after a short illness.  She joined both of my parents in the arms of the risen Lord.  Today, friends and family gathered together as we celebrated her life with a Mass of Resurrection at St. Paul Church in Princeton NJ.

Margie had an incredible life as a religious sister, author, playwright, artist, poet, minister, Religious Education Director, and wife.

In 1980 she jotted down her Philosophy of Life:

1.      Trust in God

2.      Be kind to everyone

3.      Do what you want to do

4.      For spirituality – say the Our Father and listen to the Spirit within you

5.      Be honest – no matter what

6.      Don’t take yourself too seriously

7.      Be grateful. Thank God

8.      Appreciate a blade of grass, how a rug is made, a song, a child, a book, sand, sea, flowers…see God’s face in every flower.

9.      Pray for a friend!

Her life was filled with many blessings and no surprise that she was called home to the Lord on Christmas night.  Why do I say that?  Listen to the words I shared with all those who came together today – and more about our dear Margie…

Click here for the text of the homily

Click here for the podcast of the homily

Homily: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Sunday we hear a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus continues teaching about a new way to live and love.  Author Krista Tippett in her recent book reminds us that law and politics are unable to really tell us what matters in life, what matters in a death, how to love, and how we can be of service to each other. “These are the kinds of questions religion arose to address.”

But it would seem many egocentric people (many who even call themselves religious) are still focused on using the laws to determine who they feel is in and who is not.  Yet Christ reminds us that we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, so that we may be in right relationship with God.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you?!  Really? Isn’t that a bit over the top? 

Click here for the podcast of the live recording of the Gospel and Homily

Click here for the text of the Homily

 

Click here for the Sunday readings