December 2023 archive of Homilies
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/29/23
Is 9:1-6 | Ps 96 | Ti 2:11-14 | Lk 2:1-14
Earth received her King over two-thousand years ago, but there is still so much emptiness and pain in our world. He himself told us that we would always have the poor with us, that there would be wars, ... Read More »
Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/29/23
Is 61:1-2a, 10-11 | Ps Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 | 1 Thes 5:16-24 | Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
One generation ago, South Africa overcame its darkest hour, emerging from a tunnel of darkness and ignorance generated by a social and racial system of segregation called apartheid. Advertised as a means ... Read More »
Second Sunday of Advent
Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/29/23
Is 40:1-5, 9-11 | Ps 85 | 2 Pt 3:8-14 | Mk 1:1-8
Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish priest and amateur astronomer, initiated a revolution. His observations of the heavens convinced him that the sun was the center of the solar system, while the earth was one of many heavenly ... Read More »
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/29/23
Gn 3:9-15, 2- | Ps 98 | Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 | Lk 1:26-38
Many people tend to love award shows (or did); before acceptance speeches became overtly political and presenters weren’t slapped across the face on live television. The red carpet and designer wear can be enamoring, but one ... Read More »
First Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/29/23
Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 | Ps 80 | 1 Cor 1:3-9 | Mk 13:33-37
In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah offers us one of the Bible’s most beautiful images of God. It is the image of God as the potter, one who makes things out of clay. We, ... Read More »
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/29/23
Ez 34:11-12, 15-17 | Ps 23 | 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28 | Mt 25:31-46
Saint Martin is a popular saint throughout France and much of Europe. He was born in the early 300’s in modern day Hungary. As the son of a military officer, he joined the cavalry for ... Read More »
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/29/23
Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 | Ps 128 | 1 Thes 5:1-6 | Mt 25:14-30
The parable Jesus tells today works very much in tandem with last week’s reading and brings us to the threshold of the Solemnity of Christ the King next week. Both parables concern an absence and ... Read More »