Homily: November 18, 2022, Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time.

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 From the first reading, “I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey”.

From the responsorial psalm, “How sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

God’s Word is sweeter than honey, really?

In all honesty, not all the words in the Bible are sweet, there are so many words which I personally don’t like, that is if I look at the words detached from the bigger Truth.

It is like eating a meal, if we were to separate all the ingredients and eat each on its own, not everything tastes good, in fact some ingredients taste bad on its own. But when they are put all together in the right proportions and given a good heat, it will taste wonderful and delicious. Similarly, God’s Word.

The words of the bible are God-given, spirit-inspired and have taken flesh in the person of Jesus. When we understand it from beginning to end, we will be awed and amazed, enlightened and inspired, like so many people from different lands through the ages have been.

In the Gospel text, we see the common folks eager to listen to Jesus, as “all the people were hanging on his words”. There is something attractive, comforting and assuring in the words of Jesus for all who are humble and open.

But to those who are prideful and closed, His words, meant to awaken those intoxicated by worldly pleasures, can seem harsh.

It is not easy to read and understand the Bible on our own. If we follow the Mass readings daily over three years, we will complete almost the whole Bible.

At the liturgy of the Word of every Mass, scripture readings are paired from the old testament with the new testament, and beautifully woven with a corresponding psalm in response. If we open our minds to listen attentively and contemplate deeply within our hearts the Word proclaimed, we will truly enjoy this sumptuous feast of divine inspiration, which brings sweetness to our ears and tastes like honey to our souls. We will surely burst out in thanks and praise to our great God.

Taste and see that the Lord is good, sweet like honey, pure like gold.

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, and prepare to welcome the King of kings, let us look forward in faith to the fulfilment of the God’s promises at the end of time, as proclaimed in the Word.

May we learn to love and savour God’s Word in all its entirety, for all eternity. Amen.


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March 1, 2025: First Holy Communion Homily: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Seffner, Florida

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Today’s second reading ends with this powerful phrase: “Because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Today we celebrate two beautiful events: the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and Father’s Day. So, happy Father’s Day to all our fathers, grandfathers, fathers-to-be and godfathers! My siblings and I are incredibly blessed to have had a good Christian father who fulfilled his duties both as a father and as a Catholic. My papa was a very quiet, resilient, yet very gentle person. He loved and protected all his seven children, physically, emotionally, mentally and especially spiritually. He taught us the faith and was a great model of the traditions. He made sure we never missed Sunday Mass and took us regularly to Confession. I was very much a “dad’s boy”, working with him daily on the farm, taking care of the animals together with him. He didn’t worry much about school grades, but he was very firm and strict with us re...
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Homily: Tuesday of the Tenth week in Oridnary Time (Salt lose taste)

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