Browsing Father's Homilies
Homily for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 18, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 9/20/22
Putting God First
In 1912, Henry Ford visited Ireland, the home of his ancestors. The story goes that, while he was staying in Cork, a couple of trustees of the local hospital paid him a call. “Mr. Ford, we’re building a hospital here in Cork. We think it ... Read More »
Homily for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 4, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 9/06/22
Following Jesus and renouncing our possessions
This gospel is pretty harsh sounding and dramatic, isn’t it. Can you imagine, Jesus asking that we renounce all our possessions? Can you imagine doing that! A demanding challenge such as this is best handled indirectly. And so…let me share some stories…
One day an Indian boy found a large pearl that he thought to be priceless. Now he knew his worries were over. He would never have to work again in his ... Read More »
Homily for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 21, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 8/22/22
Choosing the Narrow Door
A student once asked a successful businessman what was the secret of his success. He replied that his approach could be summarized in three words: “and then some.” He said, “Early in life I learned that the difference between average people and the truly ... Read More »
Homily for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 7, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 8/08/22
Life: it takes courageous faith!
A rabbi friend told me a story…It relates to the Old Testament tradition about the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. You have the huge crowd of Hebrew people with Moses in the lead. Behind them, the Pharaoh’s army is in ... Read More »
Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 31, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 8/01/22
Unclogging the arteries of the conscience
I love historical biographies because they make history more personal; they bring history to life. Let me share one of my favorite stories about a US president. Many years ago, it was a bitterly cold night in northern Virginia. An old man’s ... Read More »
Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 17, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 7/18/22
Martha & Mary: the two faces of hospitality
I recently read a story that brought me to think about today’s gospel in a new way…
A young minister walked slowly to the office, mumbling to himself that he was not “on call” that day, and ... Read More »
Homily for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 10, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 7/11/22
And who is my neighbor?
There is a story told about the late Sam Rayburn, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. The daughter of one of his friends was critically injured in a car accident. Early the next morning Mr. Rayburn knocked on ... Read More »
Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time June 26, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 6/27/22
I will follow you, but…
The world-renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti recalls, “When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown, ... Read More »
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 19, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 6/20/22
This man welcomes sinners and eats with them
The story is told of a man attending a crowded church service who refused to remove his hat when asked to do so by ushers. The preacher was perturbed, too, and waited for the man after the service. He told ... Read More »
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity June 12, 2022
Posted by marguerite noga on 6/14/22
Do you want to enter into this reality with me?
In a recent issue of the Vatican newspaper, I read an article about two Ukranian nuns and their experience of the war that is raging there. Because this article reveals something about the nature of God, I want ... Read More »