We come together for Mass in order to be nourished – at the twin tables of God’s Word in Scripture, and the table of the Bread of Life which is the Eucharist. Because it appears in all four Gospels, the multiplication of the loaves and fishes – and the Bread of Life discourse that follows it in the Gospel of John – is a frequent homily topic in these summer months.
Blessed are your eyes that see, and your ears that hear!
Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V.July 12, 2020
“Listen! A sower went out to sow.” Thus begins the wonderful series of parables told by the great teacher, Jesus of Nazareth – stories which, two thousand years later, are still being told as we gather to be formed by Jesus, who is the Greatest Story ever told! As we gather in the midst of thi
As Jesus sends his disciples off on their first apostolic mission in the Gospel today, three times he says to them: do not be afraid. Again and again (365 times in all, if you count the Old and New Testaments), these words are spoken to us by God: do not fear. You would think that hearing this once should be enough – but in our world still caught up by so many forms of fear and terror, we obviously need to keep being reminded.
We celebrate today the Feast of Corpus Christi: the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. In the Eucharist, bread and wine – simple gifts of God's providence and human labour – are transformed into the real and living presence of Jesus among us. We do this every Sunday - every day, in fact
Winston Churchill once referred to the Soviet Union as “a mystery wrapped in an enigma.” For many Catholics, when you ask them about the Trinity, you get a similar response.
Today, the Church celebrates its “birthday” with the feast of Pentecost. It is a scene of great drama – rushing wind, tongues of fire, the uttering of many languages. It is also a scene of inner transformation: timid disciples empowered to speak boldly, in a way that no matter what the religiou
There’s an old story about a Welsh pastor who was celebrating his 50th Anniversary of Ordination. For this occasion he had invited his personal friend, Richard Burton, to come and recite his favorite Psalm - Psalm 23. Richard Burt
Easter has come and gone: we have rung the bells, sung the alleluias, eaten the chocolates – apparently, the Easter Bunny is still considered an essential worker - but have we really experienced the Resurrection? In this time of pandemic, where do we meet the Risen Lord? Have we heard him call us by name, like Mary Magdalene? Have we touched his wounds, felt his risen presence, like Thomas? Maybe we have – but for many of us, especially this year, it may well still all very theoretical, not quite real. Our sadness has not yet been converted into joy
On this second Sunday of Easter octave, today’s Gospel tells us of the encounter between the Risen Christ and the Apostle Thomas. I have always liked Thomas. I can relate to him. I have even joked that if ever I became Pope (a long shot, to be sure!), I would choose to be called Thomas. Havin
Do not be afraid! Jesus is risen, just as he promised!
Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V.April 11, 2020
We hear these words spoken on Easter morning to the women who went to anoint the body of Jesus, but found his tomb empty. This empty tomb is the foundation of our Easter hope. Christ is risen, just as he has promised.
St. Monica's Parish