Suffering

Posted by James Silk

HOMILY FOR 16TH SUNDAY O.T. -C

HUMAN SUFFERING

20/21 JULY 2019

        Sacred Scripture has revealed that there are a number of possible reasons why God would allow us to suffer. These reasons are not always present in every suffering. For example, there are times we suffer as ... Read More »

Overcoming Sin

Posted by James Silk

HOMILY FOR 8TH SUNDAY O.T. -C

2-3 march 2019

Sunday before Ask Wednesday — Get Prepared

        The wise man once said, “he who fails to prepare, prepares to fail.”  It is a good statement just days before we enter the great season of Lent. 

        The purpose ... Read More »

Christian Marriage

Posted by James Silk

HOMILY 27 SUNDAY O.T. (B)

Christian Marriage

6/7 Oct 2018

         A man was observing the golden jubilee of his wedding. He was asked his secret. He responded, "On my wedding day, Joan's father gave me a watch. Across the face of it, he had printed, "Say something ... Read More »

HOMILY FOR 33D SUNDA O.T. (A) GRACIOUS HOSPITALITY/BL. SOLANUS CASEY 18/19 NOV 2017

Posted by James Silk

        Barney Casey became one of Detroit’s best-known priests even though he was not allowed to preach formally or to hear confessions!

        Barney came from a large family in Oak Grove, Wisconsin. At the age of 21, and after he had worked as a logger, a hospital ... Read More »

The Reformation: 500 Year Anniversary

Posted by James Silk

It happened my last semester of seminary at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. One morning in a class on the Holy Trinity, one of the best systematic theologians in the US, Fr. Richard Malone, came into the classroom and said this to us, who would soon be priests:

... Read More »

HOMILY FOR 23RD SUNDAY O.T. (A) RELATIVISM AND RIGHT AND WRONG

Posted by James Silk

At first glance, it seems that Jesus is being authoritarian in this passage.

        He is explaining to His Apostles, the future leaders of the Church, how they should deal with members of the Church who fall into sin and cause scandal to the family of believers. Here Jesus ... Read More »

HOMILY FOR ASSUMPTION 2017 Reading the Signs of the Times

Posted by James Silk

In the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, Joy and Hope, the  Council Fathers said this:

       “Inspired by no earthly ambition, the Church seeks but a solitary goal: to carry forward the work of Christ under the lead of ... Read More »

Reconciliation

Posted by James Silk

It happened 100 years ago this last week.  July 13, 1917.  The Blessed Virgin Mary made her third appearance to the three shepherd children in Fatima Portugal.  This apparition, the third of six, was different however.  This one she had prepared them for in a special way. In this ... Read More »

Baptism in Christ

Posted by James Silk

One of the great things about Ordinary Time, is it gives some flexibility to homilists as to what to preach about. So, during these summer months, I want to give a series of homilies — sermons really, on the Sacraments of the Faith.  And St. Paul’s words to us ... Read More »

Which Came First

Posted by James Silk

HOMILY FOR 6TH EASTER (A)

20/21 May 2017

Which Came First

        In all of life there are the eternal questions:  why am I here; is there a God; what is my purpose in life; which came first, the chicken or the egg.  And today's Gospel sets up ... Read More »