Search Results for “lent” – Page 5

A Prayer for Mercy

January 22, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Other

Almighty and everlasting God, you do not will that a single sinner should perish, and so you gave the world your Son Jesus, who is Mercy Itself. Make me a mirror of Divine Mercy. Through prayer, the sacraments, and works of charity, grant me the grace to seek your

The Trinity and Purity

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

Baccalaureate Homily for the Class of 2004, Bethlehem Catholic High School Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Trinity Sunday, 6 June 2004 Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Blessed Trinity. When I talk about the Trinity, I normally use a doctrinal formula: In the

Surrender

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

Now while they were talking of these things, Jesus stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace to you! It is I, do not be afraid.” –Luke 24:36– When it was late that same day, the first of the week, though the doors where the disciples gathered had been

Splendid Splinters

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

None but I makes much of naught. –Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven– When I was growing up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, during the 1960’s, a man who lived down the street from our family happened to be a fishing buddy of none other than Ted Williams, the retired left fielder

Junk Food, Junk Sex

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Writings

It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes. –Ecclesiastes 7:18 (NIV)– That is what happens to those who pluck and eat fruits at the wrong time and in the wrong way. Oh, the fruit is good, but

From Servant to Sister

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” –Luke 17:10– It was August of 1969. There she stood on our front doorstep, a wide-eyed, impossibly thin teenager, speaking

Spousal Silence: Intimate Prayer

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

And people brought to him [i.e. Jesus] a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked

Sharp Corners and Rough Edges

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

A Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent, Year C And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three

Hooray for Fatherhood!

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

In the second chapter of Saint Luke’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph discover the missing twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple, and Mary says: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”[1] Our Lady is actually calling Saint Joseph

Going to the Dogs

January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily

For the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church Bethlehem, PA 9 July 2011 You are of more value than many sparrows –Matthew 10:31– In his book Marley & Me, John Grogan admits that, even though he was raised a Catholic, he and his new bride