Liturgy of the Word
Finding the Voice of God in Times of Trial
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory. ” Mark 13:26
We will all have that day when we are standing before God and our life is played out like a movie. When this happens and God asks each of us, “What have you done with the gifts that I have given you?” How will you respond? The good news – it’s never too late to start living a grateful and generous lifestyle.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
From Fear to Generosity with God
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
“I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living. ” Mark 12:43-44
Jesus gets right to the point – we are all called to give money to support the mission of the Church, regardless of our circumstance. No gift is too small or insignificant! Giving money to support the mission of our local parish is a matter of our faith, just like praying and participating in parish ministries. When you make a financial offering, is it from your “first fruits” or from what is “left over”?
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Living the Commandments of Love
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
“And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:33
Of all the gifts that God gives us, the one He wants the most is our heart. He wants us to share out of our love for Him, not out of obligation. Using our talent in parish ministry and contributing money to support our parish mission is important, but it’s more important to spend time in prayer with God daily and discern how He is calling us to be generous with all of our gifts. Not just the visible ones, but the invisible ones like love, mercy and forgiveness.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Jesus-healings in our lives
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well. And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.” Mark 10:52
Faith is believing in something even though you may not be able to physically see it. Many people think that miracles don’t happen anymore. This is hard, but try to focus on the positive and not the negative things in your life. When you focus on your blessings instead of your hardships, miracles will seem common. You will see God’s active presence in your daily life. You will begin to develop an attitude of gratitude.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Loving in Serving Others in a Culture of Comparison
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
“For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
If you held a mirror up to your life, would it reflect God’s love and mercy? If you are struggling with this, try changing your attitude from “I want more” to “thank you God for everything you have given me, I have enough to share”. This change in perspective will bring you joy through service to others. Pray daily to become less self-centered and to become more God-centered.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Taking the next step with Jesus
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25
Jesus uses tough language that we may not want to hear. However, we are all called to be generous with all of our gifts. Not just the ones we pick and choose, but all our gifts, and especially the one that means the most to us! That includes our time in prayer to God, our talent in participating in parish ministries and our treasure supporting our local parish and other charities.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Rejoicing in the unbounded love of God
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, they will most certainly not lose their reward.’
Today’s readings show how God’s spirit works in unexpected ways. Anyone can be chosen to share God’s message, even those who do not follow the way of Jesus.
We are all called to live justly and work together.
Just as the Lord shared the spirit that was on Moses with the seventy elders in the tent, his spirit also rested on two who were not present. Joshua objected to these two men prophesying, but Moses declared that anyone speaking the word of the Lord should be allowed to do so. (First Reading)
We see a parallel to this in the Gospel. Jesus rebukes John for being concerned about someone outside their group casting out demons in Jesus’s name. But Jesus teaches his disciples to be open and inclusive, instructing them not to hinder anyone doing good. They, too, are part of his mission. Jesus uses strong metaphors to emphasize the importance of avoiding sin.
James (Second Reading) warns about misuse of wealth and exploitation of workers. Helping those in need is a key part of living our faith.
The Psalm sings of the gift of God’s law. The law of love revives the soul, gives wisdom and creates joy in the heart. In seeking God’s closeness, and with the law as our guide, we will truly live.
This week, let’s pray for the grace always to be open and receptive to the promptings of the Lord’s spirit, and to recognize and support his work in others.
Discipleship with Jesus
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35
Jesus teaches us that we are called to love one another.
Love involves sacrifice. Sacrifice is a word that many of us don’t like to hear. We think it means that we must give up something that we want. However, the literal meaning of sacrifice is “to make holy,” from the words “sacer” = sacred and “facere” = to make. In other words, when we sacrifice, we make our lives holy by sharing our gifts in the service of God.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
The Cosmic Christ: Broadening Our Understanding of Jesus
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34
Living a stewardship lifestyle means not only being responsible for my own life, but for the lives of others as well. We realize that our gifts are not intended for ourselves, rather they are meant to be shared with others. “Taking up my cross” means doing things when someone else needs me and not when it’s convenient for me.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Is 35:4-7a; Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; Jas 2:1-5; Mk 7:31-37
Encountering Jesus
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
"Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love Him?" —James 2:5
What is more important – being rich in faith or rich in possessions?
Society tells us that possessions are most important. God teaches a different lesson. When we are rich in faith, we keep God first & experience true joy & peace. When we put possessions first, we soon realize we can never have enough & happiness is fleeting. When we put faith over possessions we truly realize it is better to give than receive
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Dt 4:1-2, 6-8, Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5, Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27, Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Embracing Transformation in God’s Truth
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
"Be doers of the word and not hearers only…" —James 1:22
It’s easy to understand the definition of stewardship – living a grateful and generous life. The hard part is doing it!
How do your words and actions reflect God’s word? Do you share your time in prayer with God daily? Do you use your talent to help those in need without expecting anything in return? Are you generous with your financial resources? If not, what are you waiting for?
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Eph 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32; Jn 6:60-69
God’s Faithfulness – Our Response
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
"If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." — Joshua 24:15
When we commit to serving the Lord, we become disciples in His work.
A disciple is someone who dedicates time to daily prayer, joyfully participates in charitable works, and generously supports their local parish and the Church’s mission. If we claim to serve God, our words and actions should reflect the Gospel message to others.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Prv 9:1-6; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Eph 5:15-20; Jn 6:51-58
The Eucharist: God’s Invitation to a Resurrected Life
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." —John 6:56
Jesus is really present in the bread and wine that are consecrated at Holy Mass. It is His actual body and blood that we consume.
This is the greatest gift we can receive. The Eucharist shows us how great Jesus’ love is for each of us.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
1 Kgs 19:4-8; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 4:30—5:2; Jn 6:41-51
Finding Christ’s Fullness in a Fragmented World
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
"Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you!" — 1 Kings 19:17
God knows that committing to a stewardship lifestyle is difficult. However, we were not designed to do it on our own; we need God’s help. Fortunately, God gave us the greatest gift of all, His son, Jesus. Through the gift of the Eucharist, we unite our sacri-fice with Jesus’ sacrifice to do the will of God, Our Father. We re-ceive the strength and courage to be His missionary disciples.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Ex 16:2-4, 12-15; Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54; Eph 4:17, 20-24; Jn 6:24-35
Finding Christ’s Life-Giving Presence Today
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
"Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not." — Exodus 16:4
When the Israelites gathered more than their daily portion of manna,
the surplus became wormy and rotten. In the same way today, self-reliance, pride and ego leads to hoarding and excessive surplus of goods and money. Living a stewardship lifestyle helps us discern our “wants” from our “needs”. Living a grateful and generous lifestyle reminds us that God
will provide all that we need and that we have plenty to share.
Copyright © 2024 Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
2 Kgs 4:42-44; Ps 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15
God’s work in our hands
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" —John 6:9
The miracle of the loaves and fishes carries two important messages. First, no matter how little we have, we always have enough to share. Second, Christ can take our humble gifts and do great things with them if we are just willing to let Him. Nothing is impossible with God.
All of our gifts were given to us for a reason – no gift is too small or insignificant!
Copyright © 2024 Archdiocese of St. Louis
Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:30-34
Mission Review with Jesus
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
He came to bring the good news of peace
The shepherding care of God is a central theme of today’s readings. This divine shepherding brings reconciliation and ends false separation.
Jeremiah (First Reading) shows great courage as he castigates the rulers of his day, describing them as corrupt, irresponsible shepherds. But he also foresees that God will raise up other shepherds with integrity, who will be true leaders of their people.
This prophesy is fulfilled in the Gospel, where Jesus sees the people as ‘sheep without a shepherd’. His loving concern for them reveals him as the Good Shepherd, who offers food for hearts and souls and bodies. He also tends the tired apostles, inviting them to rest awhile, affirming a balanced life that includes times of reflection and rest as well as activity.
Today’s Psalm is the famous song of confidence and trust in the Lord as ‘my shepherd’: the God who is with his people in times of both challenge, and of rest and celebration.
St Paul (Second Reading) offers us the basis for a profound understanding of human interconnectedness and unity as children of the one creator. Christ Jesus brings all peoples together: he is the great unifier and peacemaker.
This week, we pray for peace for innocent victims of war throughout our polarised world, and ask for the individual and collective courage and humility that leads to forgiveness and reconciliation.
Let us also follow the invitation of Jesus when we can: ‘Come … rest for a while in my presence …’.
Am 7:12-15; Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10; Mk 6:7-13
Proclaim the Good News
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff’
Our readings this week invite us to reflect on the wonder of being chosen to be part of God’s plan.
In the First Reading, we hear how Amos, a shepherd, responds to God’s call to bear witness. Despite not being welcomed, he stands his ground, knowing that he has been given his mission by the Lord.
The Psalmist, giving thanks for the blessings his people have received, rejoices in the peace, justice, mercy, faithfulness and prosperity that God gives to those who trust in him.
In the Second Reading, St Paul explains to the Ephesians how we have always been a part of God’s plan. Because of the grace and blessings showered upon us, we have been freed from our sins and become adopted children of God.
Mark’s Gospel relates how Jesus sends out his disciples to teach his message of love and forgiveness. Carrying nothing but a staff, they are to trust that they will find welcome and hospitality in many places, and stay undeterred by the rejection they will find elsewhere.
This week we pray for the wisdom and insight to recognise the call of the Lord in our own lives. However ill-equipped we might feel, we ask for the courage and strength to step out,
safe in the knowledge that we are never alone, and that God will provide for us.
Ez 2:2-5; Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Mk 6:1-6
Recognizing God’s Voice Among Us
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43
Sharing in the Healing Love of Jesus
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
‘Do not be afraid; only have faith’
Central to today’s readings is Christ the giver of life. We are encouraged to have faith in the Lord and in the life that the Lord brings – not just here on earth, but also in heaven.
The passage from the Book of Wisdom (First Reading) reminds us that God creates all things to have life, and to live that life well, resisting the temptations the evil one will bring.
In the Second Reading, St Paul offers guidance on responding to the many kinds of gifts that come from living that life well. We are not asked to make things harder for ourselves, but to use whatever surplus we have to share those gifts with others.
The Psalm is a song of praise and thanks for the gift of life, and the healing promise of the Lord. With the psalmist, we can rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord comes to the help of those who call, regardless of our worthiness.
Through the miracles Jesus works in the Gospel, we are reminded once more of the healing, comfort and new life that can be ours, if we but trust in the gift of faith.
This week, I may like to use my time in prayer with the Lord to ask for my own faith to continue to increase, so that I will have more than enough to offer those who are struggling with theirs.
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 23, 2024
Job 38:1, 8-11; Psalm 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31; 2 Cor 5:14-17; Mk 4:35-41
Face to Face with God
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
“Then he asked them, ‘Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?’” -Mark 4:40
Do you really trust God? Is God your first choice or last resort? Is your faith something you just do on Sunday or do you live the Gospel message every day of the week?
Many of us know about God. How many of us have a personal relationship with Him? Start now, open your heart to receive our Lord. Talk and listen to Him every day. Move your discipleship from head knowledge to heart knowledge.
Copyright © 2024 Archdiocese of St. Louis
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 16, 2024
Ez 17:22-24; Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16; 2 Cor 5:6-10; Mk 4:26-34
Pondering God’s Blessings
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” -2 Corinthians 5:10
We are all accountable for all of the gifts God has given us – our time, our talent and our treasure; everything we have and everything we are. Each of us is accountable not only for our own life but for the lives of others as well. One day God will ask each of us what did we do with the gifts we were given. How will you respond?
Copyright © 2024 Archdiocese of St. Louis
Gn 3:9-15; Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 2 Cor 4:13—5:1; Mk 3:20-35
Allowing the Love of God to change our hearts and minds
Homily by Fr. Robert Wong, SJ.
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” - Mark 3:24
Within your parish community, do your ministries collaborate with each other or do they compete against each other?
Do your parish ministries work for the greater glory of God or do they work for the glory of the people running them?
The primary goal of parish ministry is to be one Body of Christ that helps people take one step closer to Jesus. If it’s not doing that, it’s not worth doing.
Copyright © 2024 Archdiocese of St. Louis
Ex 24:3-8; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18; Heb 9:11-15; Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
Renewed by the Body and Blood of Jesus
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
‘Take it’, Jesus said, ‘this is my blood, which is to be poured out for many.’
The feast of Corpus Christi is a celebration of the new covenant of Christ with his people: the covenant of his blood, where he offered himself as a perfect sign of his love for us.
The First Reading is a description of the ritual that sealed God’s covenant with his people.
This relationship is taken up in the Psalm, where the covenanted people express their thanksgiving for all that God has done for them, and their readiness to fulfil their responsibilities to him.
The Gospel narrative of the Last Supper tells of the new covenant, so much more wonderful and powerful than the old. Jesus’s action at the Passover table is a ritual that anticipates his brutal, yet life-giving, death.
The Second Reading reminds us that the blood of the new covenant is from God’s own Son, so we can literally share in Christ’s life, becoming the ‘blood sisters and brothers’ of Jesus, and children of the one Father.
This week, we might pray help to purify our inner selves from dead actions, so that we do our service to the living God.
Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Ps 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
‘Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.’
As always on this first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This is the central mystery of our faith – our God, one in three persons, in whose name we were all welcomed at our baptism.
In the First Reading Moses reminds the people of everything God has done for them in releasing them from slavery in Egypt. All they – and we– are asked in return for the prosperity and eternal life that God offers, is that we obey the commandments.
In a similar vein, the Psalmist rejoices in the gifts God gives to all his chosen people. We are reminded particularly of the gifts of creation, protection from want and evil, and God’s faithful love.
In the Second Reading, St Paul speaks of the Spirit which makes us all children of God. Through this gift of the Spirit, we, like Jesus, can call God our Father, and share in his glory.
In the Gospel we see the risen Jesus handing on to the disciples their mission of baptising people throughout the world in the name of the Trinity. He reminds them, and ourselves, that he remains with us always.
This week, we pray that filled with God’s Spirit, we will be ready to share the Trinity’s message of love with the people we meet.
Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
The Spirit is our Life
The ancient Pentecost commemoration of the revelation of God (through the giving of the Torah & the making of the covenant) was now celebrated by the early Christians as the revelation of God through the outpouring of the Spirit (First Reading).
In the Gospel, St John returns us to Jesus’s words of farewell to his disciples.
The ‘Spirit of truth’ is promised to us as it was to them. So today, we can say, this is our season in the Spirit.
The Second Reading shows St Paul’s condemnation of self-indulgence amongst those belonging to the Church at Galatia. He tells them that only the consolations of the Spirit
– ‘love, joy, peace … gentleness & self-control’ – can unite their hearts to the freedom of the Gospel.
We can ask for the help of this same Spirit in the words of the Psalmist:
‘Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth’.
As we are called to witness to the fire of God (by bringing the light of the Son & the heat of the Spirit to all we meet), let’s pray this line of St. Paul every day this coming week:
‘Since the Spirit is my life, let me be directed by the Spirit.’
Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mk 16:15-20
Ascending Beyond Earthly Boundaries – Experiencing Divine transformation
Homily by Fr. Bill Wilson, SJ.
‘Go out to the whole world!’
The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles marks the end of Jesus’s earthly ministry as he returns to the Father and promises to send the Holy Spirit.
The Psalm is a joyful prayer of praise and an acclamation of Christ’s victory. He is Lord of all people, of the universe.
St Paul describes the meaning of the Ascension – the Father has raised Jesus above all powers and made him Lord of creation. The gifts of the Spirit are given for the good of all, to lead us to full maturity in Christ. (Second Reading)
In the Gospel, Jesus ascends to heaven and continues to work with his disciples as they preach the Good News. The signs he works confirm their message.
This week, we might want to pray for the opportunity to proclaim the Good News to as many people as possible.
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 1 Jn 4:7-10; Jn 15:9-17
That my joy may be in you
Homily by Fr. Rob Allore, SJ.
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” -John 15:12-13
Do you love Jesus? Do you consider Him your friend? Jesus says that if we love Him we would be willing to offer whatever we have to Him, not because we want praise and glory, but simply because we love Him. Does your giving seem mechanical out of obligation or do you share freely out of love?
Copyright © 2024 Archdiocese of St. Louis