1st Sunday in Advent
The Son of Man is Coming (Mt 24:44)
One of the advent hymns that I like most is:
We long to see thee so!
To see Thee newly-born.
We long for Christmas morn.
The sands of time run slow.
I like this hymn particularly because it arouses in me the nostalgia for homecoming. As a young boy studying in boarding schools this song reminded me of the joyful time of going back home for Christmas. I remember how the sands of time would run so slow, especially just before Christmas. However, in the past years, especially as a priest being busy during Christmas, unwrapping Christmas of its nostalgic feelings I have also begun to appreciate its spiritual depth. I am not in anyway playing down the importance of the sentimental aspects of Christmas – we have a reason to celebrate it even […]
Sunday Sermons
Sunday Sermons and Homilies
Sermon for Feast of Christ the King – Cycle C Homily
34th Sunday of the year – Feast of Christ the King
Jesus, the Suffering King
Alternative Sermon 1 <<CLICK HERE>>
Alternative Sermon 2 <<CLICK HERE>>
I remember in the early 1990’s, being driven around some tea estates in Limuru-Kiambu area not far from Nairobi in Kenya, and being told by the driver that some of that prime land belonged to the then president. And I remember a verse from the Bible popping up in my head. The verse was from 1Samuel 8:14, “This is what the king who is to reign over you will do… He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to his officials.” It is not surprising that the three families that have fielded the presidents for Kenya, feature among the ten richest […]
Sermon for 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C Homily
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C
He is the God of Life (Lk 20:27-38)
One of the things I enjoyed most during my four-year stay in Europe was the change through the four seasons of the year. It is autumn in the Northern hemisphere now. The sidewalks would be filled with dry leaves. The leaves still left on the trees would exhibit motley of colours. The Americans call this season, ‘the fall’. The fall, is it a sign of death or life? I ask myself this question every time I see a falling leaf. This question is more meaningful even as we keep the memory of our departed brothers and sisters in this month of November.
The liturgy of the word on this Sunday, even as we near the end of the liturgical year, invites us to contemplate on the […]
Sermon for 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C Homily
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
The story of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10)
Salvation: experience of justification of the righteous in the presence of Jesus
“I was a drunkard, but then one day I met Jesus, and I gave up drinking. Now I serve the Lord.” “I was not a believer, but then one day I met Jesus, and now my faith is unshakable.” “I was a womaniser, and one day I met Jesus….”
These are the common patterns in the testimonies of conversion that we hear in the context of some renewal prayer sessions. These stories are very plausible, and they touch me. Nevertheless they also raise a lot of questions in me: what is the experience of Jesus like for people who are basically good? Is the experience of Jesus always followed by dramatic signs? If people are good – as most people […]
Sermon for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C Homily
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
HE and I (Lk 18:9-14)
A few years ago, I came up with this definition of prayer: “Prayer is becoming aware of who I am in the presence of God.” I could also consistently explain the different forms of prayers within this definition. When I become aware of my dependence on God, it is the prayer of intercession. When I become aware of my sinfulness, I begin the prayer of repentance. When I become aware of what God has done for me, I express it in prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
I was quite fond of using this definition in my retreats with young people. It was very impressive. But that was until one day. That fine day this beautiful definition was threatened by a question from a young participant. “Father,” she said, “What is […]