Homilies

August 25, 2019

Homily: The Knowledge We Can’t Fake (Lk 13:22-30)

Click here to listen to this homily! Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
August 18, 2019

Homily: The Christianity We Want Nothing Of (Lk 12:49-53)

Click here to listen to this homily! Ten years ago I wrote a book on martyrdom, Christian martyrdom, on how Christianity can neither be understood or practiced without also understanding martyrdom, without also, at least in principle, being open to it for oneself.[1] I also suggested that if we wanted to know how to behave as […]
July 20, 2019

Homily: The Better Part in a World of Rage and Noise (Lk 10:38-42)

An old politician was beginning to lose his hearing.
July 14, 2019

Homily: Awkward, Uncomfortable Love (Lk 10:25-37)

“Telescopic Philanthropy” is what Charles Dickens called it.
June 30, 2019

Homily: On Stupidity and Unfit Disciples (Lk 9:51-62)

Simone Weil, that eccentric and brilliant woman, said once, rather famously, that it was “more useful to contemplate our stupidity than our sin.” Contemplating sin risked pride, she said; admitting failure due to “sheer stupidity,” on the other hand, the bad results of our plain mediocrity: “No knowledge is more to be desired,” she wrote. Because […]
June 15, 2019

Homily: Trinity and the Loving Closeness of God (Jn 16:12-15)

Today we celebrate the most Holy Trinity, the Catholic dogma of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We must admit, though, it’s something of a troublesome dogma, difficult if not embarrassing for some. It’s always been so.