HOMILY FOR THE MASS OF PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD – St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
What a sight! Jesus entering Jerusalem and greeted as a king, the crowd casting their cloaks before him and waving victory palms.
HOMILY FOR SANCTA SOPHIA COLLEGE ANNUAL ARCHBISHOP’S MASS – Tuesday of the 5th week of Lent, Sancta Sophia College, Camperdown
It’s a common trope in many films, TV shows, and books, ranging from Star Wars to Kung Fu Panda.
HOMILY FOR MASS OF THE 5TH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
Imagine you’re an outsider, but curious about Christianity. Or that you’ve put your foot in the door, if not yet in the water, and are preparing for baptism at Easter. What questions would be on your mind? What should you experience or be given to read by those accompanying you?
HOMILY FOR MASS OF THE 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A + DAY OF THE UNBORN – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
Some years ago I was part of a Channel 4 TV programme in Britain, a panel discussion about the new genetics. I was asked what I thought about prenatal testing.
HOMILY FOR 3RD SUNDAY LENT YEAR A – ST MARY’S CATHDERAL, SYDNEY
When most people hear the word ‘Samaritan’, they think of The Good Samaritan, rather than the not-so-good one of today’s Gospel. At first glance the two are unconnected by anything but nationality.
HOMILY FOR ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD OF BR JOHN NGUYEN OFMCap – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
Last September the British photographer, Jim Grover, spent a day snapping people crossing Westminster Bridge: locals and visitors, adults and children.
Homily for the Mass of Ordination to the Episcopate and Installation as the sixth Bishop of Lismore of Most Rev. Greg Homeming OCD – St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore, Feast of the Chair of St Peter
Some years ago I was praying in the crypt of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, many metres below the putative chair we celebrate tonight, now suspended below the main window of the Holy Spirit. As she pointed at the sepulchre, a large black American lady asked if I knew what it was.
HOMILY FOR 7TH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME YEAR A + 40TH ANNIVERSARY ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH, ST MICHAEL’S PARISH, LANE COVE
Backed by a rendition of the 1988 song ‘It’s got to be perfect’ by British band Fairground Attraction, a current TV ad opens with a nappy-clad child rummaging through a woman’s handbag, removing a lipstick and using it to
draw on a wall.
HOMILY FOR 6th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME YEAR A + ROYAL COMMISSION – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
This past week the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began its review of the overall performance of the Catholic Church in Australia in this area. And what has been revealed has already been harrowing.
HOMILY FOR 5TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR A – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
The Word of God has converted hearts, transformed lives and inspired action in millions of people for two millennia and more. It has also played a major role in shaping our language and culture, and so our thinking and communication; the King James Bible stands with Shakespeare as the two principal sources of modern English.
HOMILY FOR THE MASS DURING THE DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
What sound most moves us? A natural one such as a thunder-clap, rain on a tin roof, or a kookaburra’s laugh? Or a more human sound, such as the weeping of a well-played violin or of those who must listen to one being played badly?
HOMILY FOR THE MIDNIGHT MASS OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD – ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY
What sound most moves us? A natural one such as a thunder-clap, rain on a tin roof, or a kookaburra’s laugh? Or a more human sound, such as the weeping of a well-played violin or of those who must listen to one being played badly? A siren racing a patient to hospital?