My homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 8am Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Clarence Town.

The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53. Today’s psalm is Psalm 39: “Lord, come to my aid!”

“Hearing Jesus speak about fire, division and the like seems odd, particularly when his birth was announced wishing peace on those of good will. Yet for those who hear the words of Jesus, and the call to conversion that comes with it, we are aware that not everyone will like what they hear or answer the call to change of heart. They may prefer Christians to remain silent, but having heard the Good News of the Reign of God, we have no other choice than to live that word, and speak that word into the world.”

My homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 8am Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Clarence Town.

The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48. Today’s psalm is Psalm 32: “Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.”

“Although we remain waiting for the Secon Coming of Jesus, we are still called to be vigilant and prepared for that coming. As Christians, we must not only be vigilant against temptations that might lead us from God’s plan, but also to be about the work of the Kingdom.”

Technical difficulties mean that there is no recording of my homily for this week. I apologise for any disappointment.

My homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary’s Church, Dungog.

The readings proclaimed were Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13. Today’s psalm is Psalm 137: “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.”

“At the very heart of Christian prayer, of the priestly prayer of the priestly people of God, is a prayer not for what I want or think I need, but rather to align the hearts of the Christian community to the agenda of God for humanity and the world…and most importantly to not get in the way of the coming of God’s kingdom.”

My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This occasion was an 8am Mass.

The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37. Today’s psalm is Psalm 68: “Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.”

“‘Who is my neighbour?’ An almost innocuous question asked of Jesus by a teacher of the law, but one with profound consequences for the disciples of Jesus down to this very day. The parable of the Good Samaritan expands the range of those who have a rightful call on our love and care to include, well, everyone.”

My homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass.

The readings proclaimed were 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62. Today’s psalm is Psalm 15: “You are my inheritance, O Lord.”

“Jesus resolutely sets his face for Jerusalem, there to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by God the Father. There is an urgency revealed in today’s gospel. Nothing can stand in the way of Jesus moving towards Jerusalem, and nothing must stand in the way of us fulfilling the ongoing and urgent task of proclaiming the Good News of God’s Reign.”

My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Sunday evening Mass.

The readings proclaimed were Genesis 14:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17. Today’s psalm is Psalm 109: “You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.”

“Faithful to the Lord’s command, the Church has gathered to celebrate Eucharist in memory of him. Each time Eucharist is celebrated we receive God’s very self, and are transformed more and more into that which we receive, the Body of Christ, and nourished for the mission of proclaiming the Lord’s Death and Resurrection.”