Homily: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week we hear that all-too-familiar gospel of Martha and Mary.  The one with Martha running around and doing all the work while Mary remains seated at the foot of our Lord…and is told that Mary has chosen the better way. But this gospel is not one that was written necessarily to show that a contemplative life is superior to one that is filled with action….or that Jesus necessarily prefers prayer over the preparation of a meal.  So what is the deeper meaning of this story?  Check it out…

To listen to the podcast of the homily, click here

For the text of the homily, click here

For the readings of the Sunday, click here

Homily: The funeral of Fr. Don Pantle, SJ

Yesterday, we gathered at the same church where our friend and mentor, Fr. Don Pantle was baptized, received first communion, was confirmed, said his first mass as a newly ordained priest and this weekend was laid to rest.

He touched the lives of thousands of students at the University of Scranton over some 30 years through his unique ministry of food, cards and Eucharist which was brilliant, was Jesuit, and was incarnational.

A few years ago Don asked that I would preach the homily at his funeral and was honored and humbled to have fulfilled my commitment to him.  So take a few minutes and listen to why I feel Don made such a difference – and still does – in so many lives.

 

Click here to listen to the reading of the Gospel – the story of the Road to Emmaus

Click here to listen to the homily for Fr. Don Pantle

Click here to download the transcript of the homily

Click here to download Fr. Don’s recipe for spätzle and doughnuts!

Homily: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

It still boggles my mind how some want to ignore the Gospel, ignore Vatican II and have our religion focused on spiritual worthiness versus Gospel Hospitality. Every week it seems we read another example of the growing faction of orthodoxy within our Church who would love to ignore the directions and documents that came forth from Vatican II and roll back time to the way it was before 1963.  I guess, no surprise. They are the same issues Jesus faced back at home in Nazareth as we hear in today’s Gospel.  Mark reminds us that armed with only a walk stick and sandals (emptying ourselves) we are called to be Christ to the world.

See my take on Gospel Hospitality…

Click here for the readings

Click here for the homily