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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

God proposes: he doesn’t impose

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); October 11, 2026 Is 25:6-10a.  Ps 23.  Phil 4:12-20.  Mt 22:1-14 Deacon Jim McFadden          The parable we hear in today’s Gospel tells us a lot about the Kingdom of God, which is likened to a king who throws as wedding feast for his son.  Notice that father (God the Father) is giving a banquet for his son (God the Son), whose bride is the Church.  Jesus is the marriage of divinity and humanity—and his followers are invited to join the joy of this union.          The Father out of the goodness of his…

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The wicked tenants: Ungrateful and greedy

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A); October 4, 2026 Is 5:1-7. Ps 80. Phil 4:6-9. Mt 21:33-43 Deacon Jim McFadden The parable about the mismanagement of the vineyard tells us a lot about the Kingdom of God, the choices we make, and the God who is always faithful in his forgiveness and mercy. As a visual aid to our reflection, I encourage you to check out  James B. Janknegt’s The Wicked Tenants, as a meditative icon as we unpack the spiritual meaning of this parable.          This allegorical story describes to us a landowner who, after having taking great care…

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the road home

 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); September 27, 2026 Ez 18:25-28. Ps 25. Phil 2:1-11. Mt 21:28-3  Deacon Jim McFadden In a past  issue of the Catholic Herald (September/October 2020), the newsmagazine for the Diocese of Sacramento, there is a gripping story of Eliza Cobos, who had an abortion at age 18. Looking back at those frightening days when she was deliberating whether she was going to keep the baby or not, she “ultimately succumbed to peer pressure and had the abortion.” She carried this dark secret into adulthood and it wasn’t until she dropped off her daughter at high…

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no unemployed in heaven!

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); September 20, 2026 Is 55:6-9. Ps 145. Phil 1:20c-24. Mt 20:1-16a  Deacon Jim McFadden Sometimes Jesus just doesn’t seem fair. The parable of the Day Laborers evokes the sense of getting ripped off. That’s why it’s probably the least liked parable that Jesus ever told because it offends our sense of justice. Those who work in the beginning, middle, and end of the day all get the same pay. There’s more: the guys who were hired last, not only get paid the same, but they get to go to the head of line and…

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outside of forgiveness: No Hope, No Peace

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); September 13, 2026 Sir 27:30-28:7       Ps 103.     Rom 14:7-9        Mt 18:21-35 Deacon Jim McFadden             Today’s Gospel speaks to us about  forgiveness.  Peter asks Jesus a very straightforward question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  As many as seven times? (Mt 18:21).          Peter is pointed in the right direction and the number ‘seven’ is not just something he pulled out of his hat, but ‘seven’ represents a perfect number: namely, something complete.  So, Peter thinks that he is being very generous in the assumption of his…

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fraternal correction

One of the Highest & Most Demanding Expressions of Love 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); September 6, 2026 Ez 13:8-10.  Ps 95.  Rom 13:8-10.  Mt 18:15-20 Deacon Jim McFadden If there is one absolute in our secular culture today is non-judgmentalism. The basis of that implicit bias is that there are no universal, absolute, objective standards that apply to all people at all times in every situation. All moral propositions are subjective and culturally relative. What follows is that you have your understanding of the truth and/or correct moral behavior and I have mine. Since there are no autonomous…

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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.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

John 14,6

videos

You can find our spiritual resources available on video. Visit our YouTube Channel.

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