Sermons on Homily:

Grace Is The Difference

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 16, 2010

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. "What is the rumpus all about

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating various possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Anglican

The Bread Of Life

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 4, 2015

Most important; however, is the need to be thankful for the spiritual food and the blessings it brings. We must always allow these blessings to draw us closer to God in faith, hope and love.

When I was doing the research for my homily, I came across a story that I think fits in quite well with this morning's Gospel reading, so I'd like to share it with you. It might also serve as a warning to those of us who preach sermons! An elderly minister was searching in his closet for his ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35, John 6:35

Denomination: Anglican

Sowing The Seeds Of Love

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 8, 2003

A brief wedding message about being the right kind of soil, not letting problems choke out the joy, and keeping God’s Word in the marriage.

Homily I’d like to share a brief word to you from God’s Word, encouraging you in your new life. Jesus told a story once about 4 kinds of soil that a farmer scattered some seeds in: 1) on a footpath - birds came and ate the seeds 2) in shallow soil - it grew up quickly but soon wilted for lack of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Nelson Mandela: Well Done, Good And Faithful Servant

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 14, 2015

Nelson Mandela chose to persevere in his life’s mission regardless of the cost and hardship, just like Christians everywhere are to persevere in their mission from God regardless of the cost and hardship.

Before I deliver my homily this morning, I’d like to say a few words about the passing of Nelson Mandela this past Thursday. How can I describe in a few words and a few moments what he meant to the people of South Africa and the world? How can I describe his legacy in a short amount of time? ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34

Denomination: Anglican

Queen Mother And Servant Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 20, 2011

We call Mary Queen of Heaven because she was first the servant of God in imitation of the God who became servant of all

Let us confidently draw close to the throne of grace, that we may find mercy and discover grace at the time we need help. These words of the letter to the Hebrews–which were also incorporated into Archbishop Gomez’s coat of arms–were the keynotes to today’s celebration of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Catholic

Prophecy And Discernment Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 1, 2015

All Christians are anointed with prophetic gifts by our baptismal anointing, but before speaking for God, we must also practice discernment of spirits.

Feast of St. John Neumann (January 5) Thirteen Days of Christmas Today St. John speaks to us of “testing the spirits.” In theological language, derived from St. Paul, this is the spiritual gift of discernment. Let’s talk about its exercise in the first century: in the churches ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

God's Love Is Constant--Even When It Does Not Feel Good

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 19, 2022

When the Lord showed Himself to Moses on the mountain, He declared Himself to be a God of compassion and loving kindness–in Biblical language–forever.

Tuesday of the 16th Week in Course Recently I heard a homily that really pricked my ears, and almost prompted me to jump up in the pew and object. The preacher said something like “the God of the OT is not One that I worship,” because in the Scriptures we read some pretty nasty stuff. Psalm 137 is ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:6, Matthew 12:46-50, Psalm 85:2-8, Micah 7:14-20

Denomination: Catholic

Compost Pile Or Heap Of Rotten Garbage? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 24, 2021

The Christian heart needs frequent airing out and turning, even after conversion and sacramental grace.

Monday of 17th Week in Course Ss Anne and Joachim When someone says the word “parable” to most Christians, I think they immediately recall the parables of Jesus, like the one we heard today: the tiny mustard seed grows into a huge bush, the yeast mixed up with wheat, if properly mixed, causes the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35, Jeremiah 13:1-11, Matthew 13:16-17, Deuteronomy 32:18-31

Denomination: Catholic

Doing Battle In Charity Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 12, 2021

Scripture reminds us to contend with others, Christian or not, with charity as our rule of engagement.

Homily for Monday of 11th week in Course 2 Cor 6: 1-10; Mt 5:38-42 There’s an old story that after the battle of Waterloo, someone was speaking to Lord Wellington about the superior courage of his soldiers. He is supposed to have said “our men were not braver than the enemy. They were brave five ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 5:38-41, Psalm 98:1-4

Denomination: Catholic

The Messiah God Wants, Not Necessarily The One You Want Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 29, 2021

Why did Jesus not heal many of the sick in His own home town?

Monday of 22nd week in Course 1 Cor 2: 1-5; Lk 4: 16-30 Hearing today’s Gospel with fresh ears might lead some of us to be a little critical of Jesus. After all, the townsfolk of Nazareth welcomed Jesus back and invited Him to act as lector and even give the homily. When he told them that He was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-30, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Catholic

Is This Your God, Or Just My God? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 17, 2024

Isaiah reminds the king that the LORD is, indeed, his God.

Homily for December 20, five days before Christmas. 2024 Isaiah had to be one of the most frustrated prophets in the OT. He constantly challenged the leaders and people of Israel to return to the LORD, their God, and give up the sordid rites of the Canaanite peoples who inhabited the Holy Land ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Catholic

All Things Working Together To Bring Us Salvation

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 2, 2025

God’s promise: that when He himself comes to Zion as Redeemer, God would make a covenant with the peoples and send His spirit into them, His words into their mouths.

Epiphany Homily 2025 The story of God’s people, the Israelites, from Abraham to Jesus was a series of a few triumphs and many tragedies. Look carefully at the histories recorded in Scripture and you’ll see that the tragedies were caused by poor human decisions, while the triumphs were caused, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3, Ephesians 3:5-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Education, Immigration, Development And The Gospel Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 27, 2010

One little act of evil just leads to more evil, not good; if we are to help humans develop, we must fact the twin problems of education and immigration

Monday of Holy Week 2010 Caritas in Veritate The notion that doing one “little act of evil” in order to fulfill a good purpose is the original sin. So Judas, one of the early disciples and probably the earliest treasurer, raked off some of the collection plate money for something he ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Joy Beats Mourning Every Time, In Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 3, 2014

The burdens of life can seem the truest part of life. In Christ, the truest part of life is joy in the Holy Spirit.

This is a short homily given at an inner-city mission in Toronto. Have you ever felt like life is too much? It’s all just too hard, too painful, too much work? Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel? I think we’ve all felt something like that from time to time. The accumulated ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Holy Spirit Guides The Church

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 15, 2018

The Council was critical to the defense of the faith and the worldwide evangelical effort that was already beginning. It was truly a work of the Holy Spirit.

Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Course 2018 Reformation/Revolution The words of Jesus today are so poignant that most of us have probably memorized them sometime in our lives. A yoke is the implement an ox or other draft animal wears between head and body. Slaves might be made to wear such ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:7-19, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Catholic