Originally delivered on October 31, 1993

Readings: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10; Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12

In this homily, Fr. Healy discusses the significance of Vatican II, the Church in Haiti, and those that are marginalized by the institutional Church. He characterizes Vatican II as revolutionary and a calling for us to be part of the universal Church in both spirit and responsibility. We are reminded that our conscience is the ultimate law of morality because it is our sacred inner core where we meet God.  We must remember that Jesus responded that the two greatest commandments were to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.    

Download | Duration: 00:29:10

Originally delivered on October 24, 1990

Readings: Exodus 22:20-26; Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40

This day’s liturgy presents to us the two faces of God.  The first, from the Old Testament, warns us that if we don’t welcome others, such as aliens, widows, and orphans, then we’ll see the terrifying face of God’s vengence.  The second, from the Gospel of Matthew, is a loving God that says that our love for God and our neighbor is the basis for all of the commandments.  Fr. Healy, joined by Fr. Antoine Adrien of Haiti, asks us to consider how the law of love applies to the issues of the day in Bosnia, Somalia, and Haiti. In this homily, we also hear the rare recorded words of Fr. Antoine, who speaks of the pain and frustration of Haiti.

Download | Duration: 00:29:32

Originally delivered on October, 18. 1987

Readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21

In this week’s Gospel, we hear Jesus’ instructions to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give to God what is God’s.” We are reminded that our government is a gift from our God to construct an order of things to more effectively achieve our ultimate goal of establishing the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.  That means that we must care and love for one another. Government is a means, therefore, to that end, but the governors sometimes believe that it was God’s gift to them individually, rather than God’s gift to all His people. We are reminded that we have a responsibility to God to be responsible citizens and participate in the political system in order to care for our brothers and sisters in the spirit laid out in the Gospel.

Download | Duration: 00:17:26

Originally delivered on October 10, 1993

Readings: Isaiah 25: 6-10; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22: 1-14 or 22:1-10

We are reminded today that we are all invited to the wedding banquet.  Today, we are asked, just as a bride and groom, to let go in order to more fully receive Jesus’ promise.   Each and every one of us are invited to the banquet of our Lord, without exception and without conditions, and yet, we are equally called to serve the fellow guests, our sisters and brothers. 

Download | Duration: 00:19:52

Originally delivered on October 7, 1990

Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

In this week’s Gospel, we hear another parable about a vineyard.  Today we hear about tenant farmers who brought forth beautiful grapes, but they thought it was their own doing and forgot about their responsibility to the vineyard owner.  We are challenged to think of how we act toward others and if we see God, as the vineyard owner, as the reason for our abundant harvest. 

Download | Duration: 00:25:10

Originally delivered on September 30, 1990

Readings: Ezekial 18: 25-28; Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5; Matthew 21:28-32

Today Jesus speaks to us again in a parable about a son who says he’ll do something for his father and doesn’t while another son who refuses, but eventually does what is asked.  Fr. Healy discusses how we are each like the first son when we accept the call of Jesus and yet we often find it difficult to carry out that promise. There are others , such as Mitch Snyder, who don’t accept any structures or institutions, but then go on to serve their brothers and sisters, in the spirit that Jesus calls us all.  But we are also asked to think of those that go through the motions of faith, but then don’t live the Gospel in their daily actions and habits. We might remember all the amens that we’ve given and reconsider those that we might discard, but who do great works on behalf of our less fortunate sisters and brothers.  

Download | Duration: 00:19:39

Originally delivered on September 19, 1993

Readings: Isaiah 55: 6-9; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20: 1-16

In the second reading, we hear Paul say that he “prefers to be freed from this life and to be with Christ..” We are supposed to be on our way to the vision of Jesus.  May we be getting our thoughts, attitudes, and priorities ever more in harmony with God’s so that our ways are more like His ways. In this week’s Gospel we hear the parable of the vineyard owner who pays those hired at the end of the day, the same wage as those workers that labor all day.  We are challenged, in the context of this Gospel, to think about those among us who don’t receive a fair day’s wage, immigration, national health insurance, and trade policy. 

Download | Duration: 00:27:38

Originally delivered on September 16, 1990

Readings: Sirach 27: 30-28:7; Romans 14: 7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35

Today’s Gospel challenge to us is to forgive, just as Jesus always forgives us.  We must remember that God came in the form of His son, Jesus, and although he was crucified, in his dying breath, He said, “Father forgive them...”  May we be reminded of this example and forgive as Jesus forgives. This doesn’t mean to forget, but rather to remember and still forgive. 

Download | Duration: 00:19:40

Originally delivered on September 9, 1990

Readings: Ezekial 33: 7-9; Romans 13: 8-10; Matthew 18: 15-20

In today’s readings, we are called to be loving critics.  Although it is difficult, it is a responsibility that we cannot escape.  We must be committed to tearing down arrangements that give unfair advantages to some but not all. We cannot elude our responsibility to offer our loving criticism.  As Ezekial tells us today, if we speak out and the wicked man doesn’t listen, then we are not responsible for his demise.  It’s always easier to not share our criticism, but today we are reminded that we are required to share our critical voices.

Download | Duration: 00:25:12

Originally delivered on September 2, 1990

Readings: Jeremiah 20: 7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16: 21-27

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to Peter, and to us, “Get out of my sight, satan!” We are each challenged to follow Jesus by letting go of the established order and overturning unjust arrangements.  May we be open to new challenges and willing to face the impossible because we have faith.  Today, we are asked to take up the cross of uncertainty.  

Download | Duration: 00:18:30