During the Mass and after the Scripture readings, the celebrant preaches the homily. In the homily, the priest focuses on the Scripture texts or some other texts from the liturgy, drawing from them lessons that may help us to live better lives, more faithful to Christ's call to grow in holiness.
It is in this homily from our Sunday Liturgy that we bring to you, our weekly reflections on the Word of God through our priests and deacons.
Fr. Anthony's Homily at the Saint James Website
Fr. Leo & Deacon Tim's Homilies at Saint Mary/Saint Philip Website
The Lord Jesus was a preacher. His first homily (Mark 1:14-15) was remarkably short: “Repent and Believe in the Gospel.”
In Preaching the Mystery of Faith, the U.S. Bishops point out, “All effective homilies have this sense of urgency and freshness, revealing the startling beauty and the promise of the Kingdom of God and of the Jesus who embodies it…” The homily intends to bring about conversion of heart and belief. The bishops continue: “A good homily is an occasion to find healing precisely through confidence in Christ Jesus.”
Most of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of readings from Sacred Scripture. On Sundays and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings. During most of the year, the first reading is from the Old Testament and the second reading is from one of the New Testament letters. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles which tells the story of the Church in its earliest days.
The last reading is always taken from one of the four Gospels.
In the Liturgy of the Word, the Church feeds the people of God from the table of his Word (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 51). The Scriptures are the word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
In the Scriptures, God speaks to us, leading us along the path to salvation.