When the weight of the world feels heavy, start the church year with homilies that show how Jesus lifts the burden. This year’s Advent theme is the “Weight of Waiting.” We examine characters from each of the lectionary readings who understand the season’s burdens: Jesus, John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna.
During the Epiphany season, homilies from January 5 to March 1 focus on our role in Jesus’ ministry of mercy. We don’t have to go searching for him. He’s nearby, in the parish, visiting a wedding, dialoguing with teachers, listening and learning. Luke assembles a cast of characters who reenact Jesus’ Way and invite us to play a part.
God calls each of us, even in our workplaces, to follow him, just as he did for Simon Peter. He invites us to read his words aloud as if a Father were reading a bedtime story to you. We are servants looking for Jesus’ miraculous signs and wonders. As we do, we will notice that Jesus gives us a test to evaluate character. We pay more attention to what people say than what we see. What comes out of a person’s mouth tells us more about the condition of their heart than what we can observe.
14 Ready-to-preach homilies from December 1, 2024-March 5, 2025.
Download a copy of this quarter’s homilies, and let these readings lift your heart to the Lord.