Tag: Christmas

Membership

A homily for The Baptism of the Lord, January 11, 2026

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Acts 10:34-38, Matthew 3:13-17

According to legend, in the early centuries Anno Domini, when followers of the carpenter from Nazareth were being persecuted and prosecuted for their beliefs, they were cagey about identifying themselves when they encountered strangers.

One Christian might trace an arc in the sand with his foot and then sidle back a few steps, eyeing the scratch with an occasional side glance. Aware, but not obvious.

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Off to see

We’re off to see the Wizard … literally. My family and I are taking a quick jaunt as Christmas and New Year’s gifts to each other.

May 2026 bring peace, respect, prosperity, equality, health and truth to every child of God everywhere.

Yes, we can do it all.

Thank you for your support. My near-heresies will return for Sunday, January 11, The Baptism of the Lord.

Interwoven

A homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, December 28, 2025

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14, Colossians 3:12-17, Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

When we were little, we were told, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names — or words — will never hurt me.” And as well-meaning as the saying was, we all know it was wrong, because names and words have power.

Our feast today in this Season of Christmas, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, involves some incredibly powerful names and words, so let’s take a minute or two to think about them. And how they guide our lives.

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Misteak?

A homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025

Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

We imperfect humans ask a lot of questions about our perfect Deity.

Many of them compare God’s persons and unlimited … everything … to our own limitations.

Nope; God is unnnnn-limited

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Rosy

A revisited homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 14, 2025

Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

As of this belated writing, medium-size snowflakes are falling steadily but gently here at the Jersey Shore, piling up on cars and railings and bannisters and tree branches so heavily that mourning doves can’t grab the wood with their pink feet. It’s Nature’s insistence that we pause and rest.

And, today, to rejoice.

The other night, spending time with eighth-graders prepping for their Confirmation, I introduced the vast majority of them to the notion of Gaudete. And I remembered this homily from 2020, which I republish with some tiny updating and an apology to folks who don’t fancy reruns.

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Count on it

A homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2025

Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-9, Matthew 3:1-12

Dictionary.com recently made a lot of people shake their heads in disbelief when the organization chose a number as the Word of the Year for 2025. Not even a number, really; it’s more of a number phrase, because it’s not pronounced in the familiar way it appears.

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When?

A homily for the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2025

Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-44

The folks who run Starbucks, Burger King, movie theaters and especially Cinnabon, among thousands of similar outfits, are geniuses.

They have made it impossible for even the most strong-willed among us to pass by their kiosks and shops without pining — yearning! — for their products. Regardless of how bad they may be for us.

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Yule wisdom from E.T.

A wish for Christmas, December 25, 2024

Is 52:7-10, Heb 1:1-6, Jn 1:1-18

This Christmas, if the only gifts we give and receive are justice and fairness, hope and kindness, that will be enough. More than enough.

Oh, and throw in a bountiful measure of joy, and the present of our presence with other people, and our day and our season will overflow.

At the end of the classic movie “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” just before the alien botanist goes home, he gives little sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore) some powerful advice, in his scratchy-mechanical voice:

“Be good.”

Jesus, born this Christmas Day, said it first.

Be good.

Be kind.

Be loving, as God is love and God loves.

Yes: Be good.

Brilliant.

Merry Christmas!

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen!

Home stretch

A homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22, 2024

Mi 5:1-4a, Heb 10:5-10, Lk 1:39-45

Hope.

Peace.

Joy.

Love.

All four candles of our Advent wreath are glowing today, the candles symbolizing hope, peace, joy and love. Our season of preparation to celebrate the Nativity of the Prince of Peace is nearly complete.

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LED

A homily for the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete), December 15, 2024

Zep 3:14-18a, Phil 4:4-7, Lk 3:10-18

One winter holiday evening about 30 years ago, our extended family decided to go out light-peeping. As my sister-in-law suggested a few nearby places to check out, her son asked, “Can we go see The Hinges?”

The Hinges?

Kathy laughed and explained that, when she first saw how one house was decorated, she said it was lit up like the Hinges of Hell.

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