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In this site, you will find homilies, reflections (original or from others), Catholic Factoids (stuff that’s currently in the news), Catechesis (which will be grounded in the Catechism), and videos (the library is limited, but very lively!) shared by Dc. McFadden.

Homilies —Articles —Reflections —Bible Studies

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HOMILIES

Homilies

A Different dawn

Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of Our Lord; 4-06-2026 Acts 10:334,37-43. Ps 118. Col 3:1-4. Jn 20:1-9 Deacon Jim McFadden Today we are celebrating the apex of the liturgical calendar; indeed, it is the nucleus of our Faith: The Resurrection of the Lord. In the midst of so much uncertainty—the dire predictions of climate change outcomes, a divisive body politic in which we see our political rivals as “the enemy,” a full blown war on the European continent in Ukraine, and now war in the Middle East– we dare to joyfully celebrate that the resurrected Jesus is forever with us. We’re…

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April 5, 2026April 5, 2026

The cross: A sneak preview

Good Friday: The Passion of the Lord (A); 2026 Deacon Jim McFadden Can you imagine was must have transpired in Hell when Jesus died on the Cross? No doubt some serious infernal celebration must have erupted when the Son of God breathed His last. (Think of a diabolical version of the World’s Cup Final, Super Bowl, World Series, and NBA Finals all wrapped into one. The scene would be mind-boggling: Only someone with the talent of a Dante or Milton could convey the apparent triumph of evil over good. For one day, Satan reigns triumphant–he is striking High Fives with…

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April 4, 2026April 4, 2026

holy thursday: It’s not about a bath!

Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Deacon Jim McFadden Tonight is often called the feast of friends, the friends of God. Sounds good, but there’s a stark challenge: to be friends of God, we have to live a certain way. Along this theme, tonight is also a remembrance of Who God is and who we are; of being full, participating members of the Body of Christ, the Church, who gather around the story (the word) and the bread (the Eucharist) and become what we eat. We become Christ to the world. The Jews begin their Passover ritual with…

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April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

the only life worth living is serving others

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (A) Mt 21:1-11 (proc.) Is 50:4-7. Ps 22. Phil 2:6-11. Mt 27:11-54 Deacon Jim McFadden Every year is a moving experience on Palm Sunday as we go with Jesus towards the Temple, accompanying him on the ascent which leads to the Cross. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, people then and now throughout the centuries acclaim him, crying out: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Mt 21:9). A beautiful rendering of this scene can be found in the first segment of…

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March 29, 2026March 29, 2026

Beyond the walls of death

5th Sunday of Lent (A); March 22, 2026 Ez 37:12-14 P s 130 Rom 8:8-11 In 11:1-45 Deacon Jim McFadden There are only two weeks to go to Easter and the Bible readings speak about resurrection. It is not yet that of Jesus, which burst forth in absolutely mind-blowing innovation, but our own resurrection, to which we aspire despite nagging doubts and to which Christ himself gives us, when he rose from the dead. Death represents a wall as it were. On the face of it, life comes to an end. In chronological time and physical space, life has ended–there…

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March 22, 2026March 22, 2026

We can see clearly now

4th Sunday of Lent (A); March 15, 2026 1 Sam 16:1b,6-7,10-13a. Ps 23. Eph 5:8-14. Jn 9:1-41 Deacon Jim McFadden As we read today’s Gospel from John (9:1-41), it will be helpful to remember John’s audience and his purpose. John is writing at the end of the first century to people who were waiting for the return of the Risen Christ. His purpose in writing his Gospel is to help them see, that is, realize that the Risen Christ is already present to them in the Church and the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. What is true then is…

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March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

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SPIRITUAL RESOURCES

bible studies

Drawing from Scripture scholars, I have tried to convey their insights in way that is accessible to the ordinary person. Such topics covered have been the synoptic Gospels along with John, Acts of the Apostles, the Infancy Narratives, and Advent and Lenten reflections (cycles A, B, and C). Along this line, I’ve also offered a commentary on papal encyclicals, especially that of Pope Francis.

ARTICLES

Over the years, I have written for such publications as Shalom Tidings and Spirituality magazines. The recurrent and underlying themes are grounded in our relationship with our Lord Jesus: namely, how can we respond to our Lord’s invitation to an authentic I-Thou relationship with Him and with the One who sent Him?

HOMILIES

I prayerfully prepare the homily under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is the Doer and I am the instrument. In so doing, I focus on one major theme, which guards against wandering and freely associating. The spotlight is on the Lord, not on me, the homilist. In terms of length, the sweet spot seems to be eight minutes, no more than ten.

REFLECTIONS

This domain is a religiously grounded application of our Catholic
Tradition within the political, economic, and social domains. Often under the guise of Catholic Trends, I riff off of topics of contemporary interest that hopefully are consonant with our Social Justice Tradition.