Author Archives: Rick Montanez

Homily: Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Matthew 16:13-20  23 August 2020 The expression on one’s face easily communicates that which remains unsaid. Lately, it is proving to be a challenge to adequately understand each other what with the mandatory wearing of face masks (and now face shields) we are prevented from completely seeing eachContinue reading “Unmasking the Christ in Us”

Homily: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)Matthew 15:21-2816 August 2020 Have you noticed that over the past months the protocols prescribed to prevent the spread of Covid 19 have gone from the practical to the ridiculous? There is the logical mandatory wearing of masks, proper and frequent handwashing and social distancing to the eyebrow raisingContinue reading “Tearing Walls Down in Jesus’ Name”

Homily: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)Matthew 14:22-339 August 2020 Our Faith in the Raging Storm  In London I lived with an elderly religious (Fr. Andrew) who likes to sit in the park and feed the birds. He would return home with great stories quite useful for homilies. Once he told me about a fatherContinue reading “Our Faith in the Raging Storm”

Homily: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Matthew 14:13-21 2 August 2020 Go viral! That’s the best way to get the public’s attention these days. When I was younger, people had to make the rounds of TV and radio stations, broadsheets and tabloids to attract attention for personal or societal concerns. Nowadays, if you wantContinue reading “When Feeling Sorry Is Not Enough”

Homily: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Matthew 13:44-52 26 July 2020 My friend and I share the same birthday. This year she asked me what was my birthday wish. For those of you who know me, I believe it is not very difficult to figure out what I prayed for. When I asked herContinue reading “The Wisdom of Seeking Heaven”

Homily: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Matthew 13:24-43 19 July 2020 At the onset of this pandemic, I was immensely baffled by an image on the news of people in the supermarket actually fighting over rolls of toilet paper! Grocery shelves for tissue paper, alcohol, bleach and disinfectant sprays were empty. Surgical face masksContinue reading “Waiting Patiently in Hope”

Homily: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Matthew 13:1-9 (Matthew 13:1-23) 12 July 2020 Last Friday the IATF allowed motorcycle backriding for couples living in one household. It was subsequently announced that they should be able to present, upon inspection, evidence of their status such as a photocopy of their marriage certificate. Soon after aContinue reading “The Challenge of the Seed of God’s Word Sown in our Hearts”

Homily: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) July 5, 2020 Matthew 11:25-30 Work has resumed for some offices in the country. Employers are relieved that business is once again generating funds to cover expenditures and employees are grateful for the opportunity to earn their keep. Of course, all must strictly observe health and safety protocolsContinue reading “Humility: Jesus’ invitation, a yoke to carry…”

Homily: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Matthew 10:37-42 June 28, 2020 “Not all heroes wear capes”. I read that in the news…. and I agree. This pandemic has drawn this class of heroes out of their hideouts to help save our society from indifference and inhumanity. They are the everyday individuals who have doneContinue reading “Heroic Discipleship”

Homily: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Matthew 10:26-33 June 21, 2020 I miss our public masses so much! Through my years as a priest I know that people come to mass to thank God for blessings received, and to lay their concerns at the feet of our Lord. When I heard the IATF hadContinue reading “Prayer: Fixing our Gaze on God”