24 August 2026, Feast of Saint Bartholomew

Rev 21, 9b-14; John 1, 45-51

                                                                              Homily         

          There were several concentric circles of followers around Jesus.  First there was the crowd, to whom Jesus addressed most of his teaching.  Then there was a group of disciples, men and women, who followed him on his journeys through Galilee and Judea.  Among them were the Twelve, whom he had chosen in a special way and who were to be the foundations of his Church.  Each of these Twelve was chosen explicitly, each by name.  Of some of them we know a fair amount about their lives, their apostolic activity and their martyrdom.  Of others we know very little.  Of Bartholomew (Bar Tolomeos, i.e. the son of Tolomeus), whom we celebrate today, we know very little. According to tradition, however, Bartholomew is the same person as the Nathanael mentioned in the Gospel we have just heard.

August 23, 2026 – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year “A”

Isaiah 22:19–23; Romans 11:33–36; Matthew 16:13–20

                                                                                 H O M I L Y

    The passage from the prophet Isaiah that we heard as the first reading was not chosen at random. It helps us understand the question Jesus posed to his disciples. This text was most likely written at a time prior to the first deportation of the people of Jerusalem.

August 23, 2026 – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year “A”

Isaiah 22:19–23; Romans 11:33–36; Matthew 16:13–20

                                                                                  H O M I L Y

    The passage from the prophet Isaiah that we heard as the first reading was not chosen at random. It helps us understand the question Jesus posed to his disciples. This text was most likely written at a time prior to the first deportation of the people of Jerusalem.

23 août 2026 – 21^ème dimanche ordinaire « A »

Isaïe 22, 19-23 ; Romains 11, 33-36 ; Matthieu 16, 13-20    

                                 H O M É L I E

          Le texte du prophète Isaïe que nous avions comme première lecture n’a pas été choisi au hasard. Il nous aide à comprendre la question de Jésus à ses disciples. Ce texte fut très probablement rédigé à une époque antérieure à la première déportation de la population de Jérusalem.

22 août 2026 – Samedi de la 20^ème semaine ordinaire, année paire

Ézéchiel 43, 1-7 ;  Matthieu 23, 1-12

                                                                     H o m é l i e

Chers frères et soeurs,

          La première lecture, tirée du Livre d’Ézéchiel, nous transmet un sens très vif de la présence de Dieu.  Les images sont vivantes et dramatiques;  mais l’élément principal est l’affirmation finale de Dieu qui dit:  : « Fils d’homme, c’est l’emplacement de mon trône et la place de mes pieds; c’est là que j’habiterai, au milieu des fils d’Israël, pour toujours. »  L’élément central de la spiritualité du Peuple d’Israël était ce sens très profond de la présence de Dieu en son sein et dans son histoire.  Et cela peut nous aider à comprendre le texte de l’Évangile que nous venons de lire.

22 August 2026 – Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, even-numbered year

Ezekiel 43:1–7; Matthew 23:1–12

                                                                     Homily

Dear brothers and sisters,

          The first reading, taken from the Book of Ezekiel, conveys to us a very vivid sense of God’s presence.  The imagery is vivid and dramatic;  but the key element is God’s final declaration:  ‘Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I set my feet; it is there that I shall dwell, in the midst of the people of Israel, forever.’  The central element of the spirituality of the people of Israel was this profound sense of God’s presence amongst them and within their history.  And this can help us to understand the Gospel passage we have just read.