The Lectionary for the Third Sunday of Lent gives the celebrant the option of using the readings for Year C or Year A. Here is a link to these readings. The Gospel for Year C is Jesus’ warning about sudden death (some folks Pilate had slaughtered and some who died […] Read more »
This Sunday’s readings present God’s promises to the Patriarch Abraham, St. Paul on the glory that awaits us in heaven, and Christ’s glorification on the mountain of Transfiguration. For an outline that focuses on the relationship between suffering and glory, click here. For an outline that draws out implications for […] Read more »
Today’s Gospel reading is on Christ’s forty days in the desert between his baptism and the beginning of his public life. In any one Doctrinal Homily Outline, there is enough material for many sermons. For an outline that focuses on reparation and mortification, click here. For an outline that considers […] Read more »
Central idea: Be good. Doctrine: Forming conscience and decision-making. Practical application: Form and obey your conscience. Read more »
Central idea: Christ’s new law for the new person. Doctrine: Christ as the New Adam. Practical application: Living as New Adams and Eves ourselves. To view Lectionary 81, click here. Reading 1 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 In those days, Saul went down to the desert of Ziphwith three thousand picked […] Read more »
Central idea: True poverty and riches. Doctrine: Poverty of heart and Christ’s grief over the rich. Practical application: Growing in detachment. Read more »
The readings today are on the virtue of charity and on the call of the prophet Isaiah and of the apostle Peter. For an outline that focuses on the fear proper to a child of God, click here. For an outline on the virtue of awe and vice of presumption, […] Read more »
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ fellow townspeople flip from adulation to murderous anger. This is unfortunately the pattern of his life. Here are links to two full, updated and revised outlines. The first focuses on the virtue and acts of hope. The second focuses on the laity’s legitimate role in […] Read more »
The lectionary readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time focus on (a) Ezra’s reading of the rediscovered Scriptures to the remnant who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity and (b) Jesus’ reading of the prophet Isaiah followed by his proclaimation that He is the promised long-awaited messiah. Here are […] Read more »
The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time is the Wedding Feast of Cana. Christ reveals himself to be God through his miracle. He also blesses human marriage, perhaps at that moment instituting the Sacrament of Matrimony. He also shows forth the spousal relationship between him and every baptized […] Read more »
Our Lord’s public life began when he was baptized by St. John the Baptist at the River Jordan. Here are two outlines with different focuses for this feast. Central idea: At his baptism, Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit to carry out the Father’s plan of salvation. Doctrine: Christ’s kenosis or self-emptying. Practical Application: Our daily […] Read more »
Four doctrinal homily outlines for the Feast of the Epiphany. Read more »
Central idea: Like Mary, ponder what God has done for us. Doctrine: Jesus submits to the Law, and perfects it. Practical application: Living like a Child of God. Read more »
Links to doctrinal homily outlines for the Feast of the Holy Family. Read more »
Central idea: The Birth of Christ. Doctrine: Holy images. Practical application: Contemplate the sacred images of Christmas. Read more »