Homilies

Homilies Given at Mass and other Celebrations

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THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNEW IT

The Book of Revelation and the New Creation
Homily – 5th Sunday of Easter – C
Revelation 21:1-5a

Fr. Bill preaches on the Book of Revelation’s introduction of the New Creation and what it means that “the sea was no more.” He also relates what is revealed in Revelation to current events in the World and in the Church.

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HOW DOES GOD PUNISH EVIL?

The Parable of the Fig Tree
Luke 13:1-9
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Homily – 3rd Sunday of Lent – Year C

Was AIDS a punishment for sin? Was 9/11 a punishment of the United States for its sins? Were the victims of the collapse of the Tower of Siloam more sinful because they suffered that catastrophe? Fr. Bill preaches on the issue of God punishing for sin and how the Parable of the Fig tree clarifies the question, bringing in a whole new element to the issue.

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IT IS NOT A SIN TO “JUDGE”

So What did Jesus Command?

Homily – 7th Sunday of Year C
Luke 6:27-38

Fr. Bill preaches on Jesus’ command to “stop judging” and how modern society, even modern Christians interpret it incorrectly.

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Waiting for Christ & Anticipating Death

Homily – 33rd Sunday of the Year – B
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Mark 13:24-32

Christians do not fixate on when Jesus will Return in Glory. Fr. Bill preaches on how Catholics wait in hope for Christ’s Return, but live their lives in anticipation of Death; once the ultimate alienation from God because of sin, is now saturated with God’s presence because of Christ. Fr. Bill also talks about how Catholics anticipate Death, and ultimately celebrate it as they commend the faithful departed.

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…AND GOD MADE MARRIAGE

How God Made Marriage and What it Means for Christians
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Homily – 27th Sunday of the Year (B)
Mark 10:2-12

Fr. Bill preaches on how Marriage is linked to Creation, what it means for us as Human Beings, and how We are Called to more fully embrace it as God Created it.

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CUTTING OFF THE GREAT MILLSTONE – Why Did Jesus Use Such Extreme Rhetoric

Sunday Homily
26th Sunday of the Year – B
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Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Cut off your hand! Cast into the sea with a great millstone around your neck! Jesus uses extreme language in his teaching. Fr. Bill discusses what it all means, why Jesus uses such language, and how we as Christians can follow such extreme teaching (without resorting to dismemberment).

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HOW TO RESPECT AND RENEW CATHOLIC TRADITION

Homily
22nd Sunday of the Year – B

“Tradition” is a word that is tossed around a lot in Catholic circles. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees clinging to human tradition. Fr. Bill preaches about what Tradition, what it means for the Church, what its origins and aims are and how we can renew and restore meaningful Catholic traditions.

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ST. PATRICK OF IRELAND AND THE CONFIDENCE OF CHRISTIANS

Homily
5th Sunday of Lent / St. Patrick’s Day

John 12:20-33

The Second Half of the Gospel of John presents a Confident Jesus, determined to carry out His Father’s will. St. Patrick evangelized Ireland with the same zeal and surety in his message and mission. Fr. Bill ties the two together, including a prayer from among the earliest tradition of Christian evangelization as the Church begins the final days and weeks of the Season of Lent.