Category: Homilies

Bishop Bill's homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent (Year A) as preached during the live-streamed 9.30 am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45. "I am the resurrection and life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives… Continue reading Homilies: 5th Sunday of Lent, Year A

My homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year A) as preached in an empty Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton as Mass was celebrated at 9.30 am in the absence of the assembly. The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Ephesians5:8-14; John 9:1-41. "The journey of the man born blind and the authorities stand… Continue reading Homilies: 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A

My homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11. "The three temptations of Jesus reflect the same three attributes that were the gifts of God to humankind in Eden - food, protection,… Continue reading Homilies: 1st Sunday of Lent, Year A

My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48. "We don't join a faction or group when we are baptised; we join Christ! We belong to Christ, and… Continue reading Homilies: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37. "True righteousness before God is not measured by the external observance of God's laws and teachings, but of allowing the laws… Continue reading Homilies: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 8 am Mass in St Columba's Church, Adamstown. The readings were Isaiah 58:7-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16. "We are called to a be light to the nation, and the only way we can do that is by following what… Continue reading Homilies: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

My homily for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Year A) as preached during the 5 pm Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40. "When the Lord appears in the Temple he does so as 'one like us' not as a distant external judge. In… Continue reading Homilies: The Presentation of the Lord, Year A

My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. This Sunday also marks Australia Day and the first Sunday of the Word of God. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 32:15-18; Romans 12:9-13; Matthew 5:2-12. "How can we be both… Continue reading Homilies: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34. "The introduction to Paul's first letter to the Church of God in Corinth, though exceedingly formal and formulaic, reminds us… Continue reading Homilies: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord as preached during the 9.30 am Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-5; Matthew 2:1-12. "Like the Magi, many people know they are seeking something 'more' because of something within themselves, or because of their own 'wisdom',… Continue reading Homilies: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord