Oct 9, 2016 • Solidarity Sunday • By Leora Weitzman 2 Kings 5:1-15c, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 I’ve always liked Naaman. He’s so human. When Elisha sends word to him to wash in the Jordan, he reacts just as I react to advice to stretch or go for a walk. Surely I wouldn’t feel so miserable if that’s all I need! Surely I need someone to cure me, or at least I need to undertake some great and glamorous quest. But no. When I actually follow the advice, presto—I feel much better. And so it is, writ large, with …
Steve Zwettler’s Homily, October 2, 2016
HOMILY OCTOBER 2, 2016 FROM: STEVE ZWETTLER READINGS: Habbakuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10 “FAITH: A WAY OF THE HEART” As I begin my reflection this morning, I first of all want to ask a question. I wonder how your faith is doing right now? How is your relationship with the God that you believe in doing right now? It is so important to keep this relationship alive in our hearts if we are to be loving believers. There is an old Yiddish Proverb that says: “Be careful of words-for they beget either Demons or Angels. It is …
Jerry Folk’s Homily, September 25, 2016
September 25, 2016 Ordinary Time 26, Pentecost 10 Holy Wisdom, Madison WI All three of today’s readings warn of the dangers that accompany wealth. In the first reading Amos denounces the self-indulgence to which wealth led the Israelite elite. But what troubles the Prophet more than their self-indulgence is their indifference to the suffering of the workers whom they exploit to maintain their luxurious lifestyle. The author of I Timothy reflects on the dangers to which those who want to be wealthy expose themselves. The love of money, he writes, is a root of every kind of evil and …
Roberta Felker’s Homily, September 18, 2016
Holy Wisdom Monastery Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16: 1-13 September 18, 2016 The Crafty Manager All parables have an element of strangeness; that’s sort of the point. Jesus used parables to teach about the reign of God – but he often had a strange way of making sense. It doesn’t make sense to turn the other cheek, to throw a party for folks who can’t invite you to theirs, to leave behind an entire flock because one wandered off. The parables are intended to be counter-cultural… but strange is the least of it today. …
Patti La Cross’ Homily, August 28, 2016
When I was turning 21—and broke—my parents thoughtfully asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and—though surprised—they honored my request for three 1 x 12s. Those boards were an essential element for staging the musical Godspell. The youth group I worked with was preparing to present that exuberant contemporary portrayal of Jesus as the parish’s central liturgy of Holy Week in 1976. Godspell was written by another 21 year old, John-Michael Tebelak, and is based largely on the Gospel of Matthew, though it includes 3 parables from, and I like to think, the implicit staging of Luke. Luke’s Gospel gives …
Joseph Wiesenfarth’s Homily, August 21, 2016
Joseph Wiesenfarth 21 August 2016 Isaiah 58: 9b-14, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 Some four score and seven years ago . . . . Wait a minute: somebody else said that before me. So let me just say . . . four score and forget the seven years. I was at that time growing up just south of the borough of Queens in the East New York section of Brooklyn, which is now considered, according to the New York Times, the most dangerous district in New York City to live in or even to visit. But back then my neighborhood …
Libby Caes’ Homily, August 14, 2016
Libby Caes August 14, 2016 Jeremiah 23:23-29; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 When was the last time you asked yourself the big existential question… What is the purpose of my life? What is it that I really want? It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities and busyness of life and lose sight of the larger picture. It is also very easy to become complacent in our spiritual practices, only going through the motions. What is it that I really want? The opening verse of today’s gospel reading could be Jesus’s mission statement. I came …
Lynne Smith’s Homily, August 7, 2016
Genesis 15:1-6 August 7, 2016 Heb. 11:1-3, 8-16 Lynne Smith, OSB Luke 12:32-40 The exchange between God and Abram in the first lesson today caught my imagination this week. It is so down to earth and human. I can hear Abram’s skepticism about this stars-in-the-sky promise. He has heard this promise before but he hasn’t seen anything to assure him it will be fulfilled. He wants to see evidence that God is going to make good on the promise. “O God, what will you give me for I continue childless?” He is thinking, “I’m not getting any younger …
Jim Penczykowski’s Homily, July 24, 2016
In the Roman Catholic Church the so-called twelve apostles are assigned liturgical feast days. I say so-called 12 because St. Paul was assigned a feast as the apostle to the gentiles from earliest times; and now at last St. Mary Magdalene is also assigned a feast as an apostle, a feast day celebrated July 23rd. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century called her “the apostle to the apostles” because she was entrusted with the joyful news of the resurrection. That title has fitted her to this day. Another small “glass ceiling” has broken. Amen. Alleluia. Have you ever acted …
Mary Gordon’s Homily, July 17, 2016
Mary Gordon’s Homily for July 17, 2016 Delivered by Shiela Reaves Martha and Mary Sermon I am so sorry not to be with you today, as I had very much looked forward to being the homilist as my dear friend Paul Knitter presided. For those of you who don’t know, my husband, Arthur Cash, had a serious fall resulting in brain injury from which he is not expected to recover. He is now in a wonderful hospice facility and we await the end, which may come sooner or later, no one of course, knows. I ask your prayers …