Father Healy's Weekly Catholic Homilies » Cycle C

Originally delivered on January 5, 1992 Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 In today's Gospel we hear of the three foreigners coming to welcome the baby Jesus.  We too are called to welcome the foreigners, refugees, or aliens in our lives.  We also hear of Herod's attempt to thwart God's plan.  May we […]

Originally delivered on December 18, 1988 Readings: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 Elizabeth greets Mary as “the mother of my Lord.”  This Gospel reminds us that perhaps few of us are prophetic, like John the Baptist in last week's reading, but many more are like Elizabeth. By accepting ourselves, as God has created us, […]

Originally delivered on December 4, 1988 Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6 In anticipation of the coming of Jesus, a herald's voice cries “Make ready the way of the Lord.” While recognizing that we live within an increasingly global village, we must start preparing the way by transforming our own neighborhoods. But we mustn't […]

Originally delivered on November 27, 1988 Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36 Advent is a time of waiting for the birth of Jesus. What we do while waiting is worth examining. Do we seize the opportunity to improve our current condition and the quality of tomorrow? If we don’t take action to make tomorrow […]

Originally delivered on November 15, 1992 Readings: Malachi 3:19-20; Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21: 5-19 We live with earthquakes, famine, war, and all sorts of tragedies.  We needn't fear the future because we are living in hell already. We also have the ability to bring the Risen Lord into our lives right now. We are not […]

Originally delivered on November 8, 1992   Readings: Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Thessalonians 2:16 -3:5; Luke 20:27-38 or 20-27 , 34-38   How does our conscience shape our actions? Are we, like the seven sons and their mother from the Book of Maccabees, willing to die for what we believe?  In today's homily, we are reminded […]

Originally delivered on November 5, 1989 Readings: Wisdom 11:22 – 12:1; Thessalonians 1:11 -2:2; Luke 19: 1-10 The story of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector and a short man, teaches us that we needn't worry about things we cannot change, but rather change the things we can.  We can waste time and energy trying to […]

Originally delivered on October 30, 1989 Readings: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; Paul to Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; and Luke 18:9-14 Fr. Healy begins this homily by discussing the death of his beloved sister, Sally.  Through the experience of Sally's death, the Healy family gatthered to share favorite family stories, including who among the many Healy children, was […]

Originally delivered on March 12, 1989 Readings: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Philippians 3: 8-14; John 8:1-11 As a follow-up to last week's parable of the Prodigal Son, this week's Gospel is the story of Jesus' forgiveness of the woman about to be stoned for adultery.  He asks those that are without sin to cast the first […]

Originally delivered on March, 29, 1992 Readings: Joshua 5:9, 10-12; Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 In this homily, Fr. Healy reminds us that the parable of the Prodigal Son allows us to be with God, despite our shortcomings. Through a powerful story of his own, Fr. Healy reminds us that God is love. Indeed, Jesus […]

Originally delivered on March 15, 1992 Readings: Genesis: 15:5-12, 17-18; Letter of Paul to Philippians 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1: Luke 9:28-36 In this homily, Fr. Healy reminds us that our perspective is important in understanding events.  In this week's Gospel, Jesus takes the apostles up the mountain to see a glimpse of the Glory of God.  […]

Originally delivered on February 12, 1989 Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Letter of Paul to the Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13 On this first Sunday of Lent, Fr. Healy talks about tithing and it's importance as a practical need to care for our brothers and sisters. We are reminded by the Gospel reading that we should not be […]

Readings: Sirach 27: 4-7; Corinthians 15: 54-58; Luke 6:39-45 Originally delivered on March 1, 1992 In today's homily, we are reminded that listening and discerning is a difficult yet unending task that we are called to do.  Of course, we must be wary of liars, or intentional deceivers, but we must also be wary of […]

Originally delivered on February 9, 1992 Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8; Corinthians 15:1-11 or 15:3-8,11; Luke 5:1-11 Although we are not worthy, we are called to be the Good News. In today's Gospel, we hear that Peter is moved by the power of Jesus and then became a fisher of men and women.  Each of us, […]

Originally delivered on January 26, 1992 Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10; Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 In this week's homily, we are asked to imagine that we are a Jew waiting for the Messiah in order to fully comprehend the power of the Gospel story where Jesus announces that he is the Messiah for whom […]

Originally delivered on January 19, 1992 Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12 How will Isaiah's words, “I will not be silent” propel us into action? In likely his most passionate homily, Fr. Healy reminds us to add our voices on behalf of the poor, especially those in Haiti, to bring about justice. We are […]

Originally delivered on January 12, 1992   Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22   A Sacrament of initiation, Baptism, is more than a welcome to the Church. Baptism is an initiation into the family. In today's homily, we are asked to acknowledge Baptism as a commissioning outward to share in the spirit […]

Originally delivered on December 24, 1988 Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts of the Apostles 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25 In this Christmas message we hear of a story of a simple act rooted in selflessness that forever changed the life of another.  We’re also reminded of the power of believing.  

Originally delivered on December 18, 1988 Readings: Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 Elizabeth greets Mary as “the mother of my Lord.”  This Gospel reminds us that perhaps few of us are prophetic, like John the Baptist in last week's reading, but many more are like Elizabeth. By accepting ourselves, as God has created us, […]

Originally Delivered on December 11, 1988 Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18 John the Baptizer says to us that we must change our ways because Jesus is coming.  We might do well to be as fervent in our preparations for Jesus in our lives as John the Baptizer is.  At the very least, we […]

Originally delivered on December 4, 1988 Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6 In anticipation of the coming of Jesus, a herald's voice cries “Make ready the way of the Lord.” While recognizing that we live within an increasingly global village, we must start preparing the way by transforming our own neighborhoods. But we mustn't […]

Originally delivered on November 27, 1988 Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36 Advent is a time of waiting for the birth of Jesus. What we do while waiting is worth examining. Do we seize the opportunity to improve our current condition and the quality of tomorrow? If we don’t take action to make tomorrow […]

Originally delivered on November 19, 1989 Readings: Malachi 3:19-20; Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21: 5-19 In this week’s Gospel, we hear Fr. Healy’s anger and passion regarding the murder of fellow priest, Segundo Montes, S.J., in El Salvador just three days before the homily was delivered.  He goes on to talk about what the financial realities […]

Originally delivered on November 8, 1992   Readings: Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Thessalonians 2:16 -3:5; Luke 20:27-38 or 20-27 , 34-38   How does our conscience shape our actions? Are we, like the seven sons and their mother from the Book of Maccabees, willing to die for what we believe?  In today’s homily, we are reminded […]

Originally delivered on October 8, 1989 Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2, 2-4; Paul to Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10 In today’s Gospel we hear of the importance of faith and confidence in God.  The message in today’s liturgy is powerful and burdensome: the God in whom we believe, does not intervene in this world, but He […]

Originally delivered on September 20, 1992 Readings: Amos 6:1, 4-7; Paul to Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 We all have the same dilemma.  That is, if we really listen to the words of Jesus, it sounds impossible to follow him.  We are all probably, at our best, silent co-conspirators that keep poor people in their poverty. […]

Originally delivered on September 24, 1989 Readings: Amos 8:4-7; Paul to Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16: 1-13 or 16:10-13 We cannot serve God and money.  We cannot put things in front of people.  People must always be more important and we must never put ourselves in a better position at the expense of our sisters and […]

Originally delivered on September 17, 1989 Readings: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; Paul to Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32 or 15:1-10 In the first reading, we hear of God’s anger toward the people of Egypt for their sinfulness.  But in the Gospel reading, we learn, through the story of the Prodigal Son, of Jesus’ forgiveness and love for […]

Originally delivered on September 10, 1989 Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18; Paul to Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33 In this Gospel, we are reminded of what it takes for us to be followers of Jesus.  We must be ready to sacrifice ourselves, as Archbishop Romero did, for our sisters and brothers. Unless we embrace the cross each […]

Originally delivered on August 30,1992 Readings: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a; Luke 14:1, 7-14 We are reminded that if we want to be great, we should celebrate with and praise the least attended to among us.  If we want to strive for humility, then we should celebrate the reflection of God within ourselves […]

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: Isaiah 66: 18-21; Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13; Luke 13: 22-30 Originally delivered on August 27, 1989 Fr. Healy begins his homily with a funny story about the Holy Ghost Fathers. He reminds us that in today’s gospel, we are called to see everyone as part of the family of […]

Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53  Originally delivered on August 16, 1992 In this week’s gospel, we hear the anger of God who proclaims, “I have come to light a fire on the earth.”  What have we done with God’s marvelous plan?  We are invited to reflect on the fact that Jesus’s crucifixion […]

Originally delivered on November 16, 1986   Readings: Malachi 3:19-20; Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21: 5-19   In today’s Gospel, we are once again reminded that we must follow Jesus, despite the fact that many obstacles will confront us precisely for what we believe and do based on those beliefs.  We, in a sense, bear a […]

Originally delivered on November 8, 1992   Readings: Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Thessalonians 2:16 -3:5; Luke 20:27-38 or 20-27 , 34-38   How does our conscience shape our actions? Are we, like the seven sons and their mother from the Book of Maccabees, willing to die for what we believe?  In today’s homily, we are reminded […]

Originally delivered on November 5, 1989 Readings: Wisdom 11:22 – 12:1; Thessalonians 1:11 -2:2; Luke 19: 1-10 The story of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector and a short man, teaches us that we needn’t worry about things we cannot change, but rather change the things we can.  We can waste time and energy trying to […]

Originally delivered on October 26, 1986 Readings: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; Paul to Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; and Luke 18:9-14 In this week’s Gospel we hear the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. We are reminded today that everything that we do should be done in a Christian spirit and in the name of Jesus.  […]

Originally delivered on October 19, 1986 Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; Paul to Timothy 3:14 – 4:2; Luke 18:1-8 Prayer is always the lifting of the mind and thought with God. It is how we are in communion with God.  But prayer is more than just formal prayers. Being in relationship with our brothers and sisters, especially […]

Originally delivered on October 12, 1986 Readings: Kings 5:14-17; Paul to Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19 There is no doubt about it — God can cure all human suffering, but His use of power is limited to opportunities to encourage our faith. The Scripture tells us that for the foreigners, God was willing to heal them, […]

Originally delivered on October 5, 1986 Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2, 2-4; Paul to Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10 We hear in today’s homily that we should not look for appreciation and gratitude from others, but rather take actions based on the Gospel.  Our faith can give us strength and courage even when others oppose and […]

Originally delivered on September 20, 1992 Readings: Amos 6:1, 4-7; Paul to Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 We all have the same dilemma.  That is, if we really listen to the words of Jesus, it sounds impossible to follow him.  We are all probably, at our best, silent co-conspirators that keep poor people in their poverty. […]

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53 Originally delivered on August 20, 1989 In today’s gospel we hear from an angry Jesus who proclaims, “I have come to light a fire on the earth.  How I wish the blaze were ignited!” He then goes on to speak of the […]

Originally delivered on May 25, 1986 Readings: Proverbs 8:22-31; Paul to the Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Today we are asked to pause to try to grasp the very nature of our God. Fr. Healy reminds us of the story of St. Augustin’s attempt to understand God. Indeed, we may only catch glimpses of God.  Every […]