Homilies and Lectio Divina

We gather together to remember that Jesus was born into our world—a God becoming a human being like us. He came to show us God’s enormous love. He came to be with us, to experience our joys and pains, to be a part of our lives, to bring us joy and peace in a world…

Luke 1:46-56     We read in Luke’s gospel that when Mary finds out she is pregnant she rushes to her older cousin Elizabeth who is also expecting her first child. Our Father is a God of surprises. He surprised Mary and Elizabeth with unexpected gifts—a baby born of a virgin, a baby born of a…

Luke 1:5-25 God goes ahead with his plan despite Zechariah’s lack of faith. The Almighty was anxious to raise up a fitting herald for his Son and no human effort could ever encumber His designs. Zechariah’s lack of faith did not disrupt nor soil God’s plan—a fitting herald was born in the person of John…

Gospel Reading: 46And Mary said, Mary Praises God “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy…

Gospel Reading Luke 1:57-66 The Birth of John 57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. The Circumcision and the Naming of John 59On the eighth day they came…

Gospel Reading: 46And Mary said, Mary Praises God “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy…

Simbang Gabi (3rd Day) (Matthew 1:12-25) Joseph was shocked when he learned that Mary was expecting a baby. Here was a woman, Mary, whom Joseph always knew to be beyond fault. Legally he could have denounced her publicly. Yet he didn’t. He was ready to let the whole matter drop quietly, as if to give…

Genealogies (family trees) are very important. They give us our roots and help us understand our family heritage. Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus traces His lineage from Abraham, our father in faith—the father of God’s chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel, to Joseph, the son of David and finally Jesus who was…

Gospel Reading Lk 1:39-45  39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,  40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.   And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit42and exclaimed with a…

Gospel Reading Lk 1:5-25 Zechariah and Elizabeth 5In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments…