21A Sunday homily (23 August 2026) Peter is the rock

 

21A SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 16:13-20, August 23, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

1. STORY

Next to the church where I was living, a company was preparing to put up a new building.  The first thing was to dig out a hole as deep as a ten-storey building.  After this very time-consuming job was finished, a steel frame was constructed in the hole and then the hole was filled with a great amount of concrete.  When this deep and strong foundation was finished, the construction company put up a 30-storey building.  I was sure that this building with such a strong foundation, could withstand any typhoon, storm, or earthquake.  As a building needs a strong foundation, so does a Church need a good leader.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 16:13-20

A) JESUS IS THE MESSIAH

There were two types of people.  There were those who knew who Jesus was and the vast majority who did not know who Jesus was.  Some thought he was John the Baptist, or Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.  Peter and the disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

B) PETER IS THE ROCK

Jesus gave Peter a new job.  He was the Rock and on that rock, Jesus would build his new Church.  This means that Peter would be the leader of this new Church, and along with the disciples, they would preach the Good News about Jesus and invite them to be followers of Jesus.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) KNOWING JESUS

What a blessing it is for us to know Jesus, the Son of God.  It’s like having an opportunity to know the Pope or the president of a country.  There are two things we must do.  First, we must love Jesus, obey him, and continue his work.  Second, we must help others to know and love Jesus.  The greatest things we can do for others is to introduce Jesus to them.  Their lives will change for the better.

B) WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

Just as the leaders of the Catholic Church have a responsibility to the whole Church, we as members also have a responsibility toward the Church.  First, we must live in peace and harmony with our brothers and sisters.  Second, we must help needy members of our community.  Third, we must invite others to know Jesus and become his followers by becoming Catholics just as the disciples did.

 

4. CONCLUSION

A building needs to be built on a strong foundation to withstand storms, rain, and earthquakes.  Only a few people knew Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.  Jesus selected Peter to be the rock, the foundation, the leader of the Catholic Church.  We are blessed knowing Jesus.  We need to help others to know Jesus, and we must be good members of the Catholic Church.

 

20A Sunday homily (16 August 2026) A mother pleads for help

 

TOPIC: A MOTHER PLEADS FOR HELP

20A Sunday HOMILY, MATTHEW 15:21­-28, 

AUGUST 16, 2026

By: Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

 

1. STORY

There were two tribes who were always fighting.  One lived in the lowlands and the other in the high mountains.  One day the mountain people invaded the lowlands, stole many items, and kidnapped a baby.  Though the lowland tribe did not know how to climb the mountains nor the mountain trails, they sent their best fighting men up the mountain to bring the baby back.  After several days of effort, they made little progress.  They felt hopeless and helpless so decided to return to their village below.  As they packed their gear for the descent, they saw the baby’s mother walking toward them with her baby strapped to her back.  They were amazed and asked her how she did this when they failed.  She replied, “It wasn’t your baby.”  The mother made every effort to rescue her child.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 15:21­-28

A)   A MOTHER HELPS HER DAUGHTER

The mother could not cure her daughter but helped her in two ways.  First, she used her power of speech to make known her need and to ask for help.  “Lord, my daughter is terribly troubled by a demon.”  Second, she had great faith in the power of Jesus to cure her daughter.  She knew if she kept on asking, Jesus would help her.

B) JESUS HELPS THE MOTHER 

At first Jesus refused to help her because he was sent to help the Israelites, and the mother was not one of them.  But because of the woman’s strong faith, Jesus had a change of heart.  He cured the daughter.  “Woman you have great faith.  Your wish will come to pass.  That very moment her daughter got better.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A)  WE CAN HELP OTHERS

There are many people who need our help.  Our family, our friends, the sick, the elderly, the lonely, the confused, the poor, and many more.  We may not solve their problems, but we can help them.  First, we pray for them daily asking God to care for these needy persons.  Second, we pray with faith in Jesus that he will definitely help them in his own way and in his own time.  We follow the example of the mother in the gospel.

B) JESUS WILL HELP THE NEEDY

We believe that Jesus loves us, cares for us and has the power to help us.  We know that he listens to our prayers.  We must not expect immediate results.  We must not be discouraged but must persevere in praying.  Jesus will give us the strength to accept his will.  He may not cure the needy person but will give them strength to accept their cross.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The mother whose child was kidnapped made every effort to find her child.  Because of her determination to find the child, she finally succeeded.  We, too, should have the same desire to help those in need.  We do this by praying daily that Jesus will help in his own way and in his own time.

 

19A Sunday homily (09 August 2026) Jesus saves Peter

 

19A SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 14: 22-33, August 09, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

John, a young sailor, was asked by the captain of the sailing ship to climb to the top of the mast when the sea was stormy.  The first half of the climb was easy. But halfway to the top, he made a mistake.  He looked down at the stormy sea and grew dizzy and was in danger of falling.  The captain called out to him to look back at the sky. John followed the captain’s instruction and finished the climb safely.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 14:22-33

A) THE DISCIPLES WERE IN FEAR

It was natural for the disciples to be fearful late in the night as their boat “was being tossed about in the waves raised by a strong wind.”  Even Peter, who attempted to walk on the water, cried out to Jesus, “Lord save me.”

B) JESUS SAVES THE DISCIPLES

Jesus shows his great power as he “came walking toward them on the lake.”  Jesus saved the frightened and sinking Peter as “he stretched out his hand and caught him.’  Jesus told them, “How little faith you have,” exposing their greatest weakness which was a lack of strong faith in him.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) FEAR IN OUR LIVES

Just as the storm on the lake caused the disciples to fear, so do we fear which is caused by many storms in our lives.  Here are some storms or difficulties we encounter: poor health caused by aging or sickness, not enough money to meet our expenses, job insecurity or job dissatisfaction, family disharmony or worry about aging parents or children growing up properly, difficulty in getting along with people, etc.  Such fears cause unhappiness in our lives.

B) JESUS HELPS US

Just as Jesus helped the frightened disciples, so does Jesus help us.  The more we rely on Jesus, the stronger we will be facing and overcoming our difficulties.  Here are some suggestions that may help us.  First, put Jesus into your mind remembering that He loves us, cares for us, and has the power to help us.  This requires us to push out of our minds the worries that are presently bothering us.  Second, speak to Jesus as Peter did say “Lord save me.”  Ask Jesus to increase our faith in him who is our savior.  We must do this every time we are gripped with fear.  Jesus will help us as he helped his disciples.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The captain helped John reach the top of the mast by instructing him to look up to the sky.  Jesus helped the worried and frightened disciples on the stormy sea and told them they needed a stronger faith in him.  Jesus will continue to help us face and solve all the problems and worries we encounter in life.  We thank him for his loving care and ask him to strengthen our faith.

 

18A Sunday homily (02 August 2026) Jesus feeds the hungry

 

18A SUNDAY HOMILY MATTHEW 14:13-21, August 2, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

Cardinal Joseph Zen tells this story about when he was a boy.  One cold winter day his family of seven, 5 children and his parents, were poor and there was no food in the house.  His father had a stroke and was ill.  His mother suggested he should not go to serve Mass as was his custom as it was so cold.  His father insisted that his son go as usual.  So little Joseph ran to church and served at Mass.   As he left the church to go home, an elderly Catholic asked him if he were Mr. Zen's son and why he had not seen his father at church for a long time.  Cardinal Zen told him that his father was ill and explained his family situation.  Mr. Chow dressed simply but was a rich man.  He told the cardinal to follow him home.  He took out a stack of money, wrapped it and gave it to the little boy to take home to his father.  The cardinal said they had enough money to feed the family for several months.  God had provided the family with their daily bread.

 

2.GOSPEL, MATTHEW 14: 13-21

A) JESUS' HEART WAS MOVED WITH PITY FOR THEM

A large crowd of people had been following him to hear his message and be cured.  He was very aware and concerned as they had not eaten and it was not easy for them to buy food in the area.  So, he took pity on them.

B) JESUS FED FIVE THOUSAND

Jesus took the food available, five loaves and two fish, blessed them and told the disciples to give this food to the crowd.  "They all ate and were satisfied." Jesus helped them in their hour of need.

 

3.APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) PEOPLE IN NEED

Today there are many people in need.  In our parish there are the poor, the sick, lonely and the elderly.  I was told that there are 33 homes for the elderly in our area.  We must follow the example of Jesus and be aware and concerned about these needy persons.  Jesus is aware that we are in need of spiritual food and so he daily provides us with spiritual food, the Eucharist.

B) JESUS HELPS THE NEEDY

Just as Jesus asked the disciples to help him so he asks us to help him care for the needy.  One way to help the poor is to support the work of our St. Vincent De Paul Society which helps the poor in our area.  We help the sick by praying for them and visiting them when possible.  We can help the lonely by calling them and showing them that you are concerned about them.  Jesus helps us by providing the Eucharist, our spiritual bread, to give us the strength to follow his example of helping the needy.

 

4.CONCLUSION

The elderly man, when made aware of Cardinal Zen's family situation, provided money for the family to buy food.  Jesus knowing that the people were hungry and it was difficult to buy food in the area, multiplied the bread and fish and feed over five thousand people.  Jesus cares for us by providing us with spiritual food, the Eucharist.  Strengthened by this spiritual food, Jesus wishes us to help him care for the need in our parish.

 

17A Sunday homily (26 July 2026) The pearl of great price

 

17A Sunday Homily, Matthew 13:44­-46, July 26, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

Edward was single and about 36 years old when he met a woman named Wallis.  Though she had been married and divorced twice, he continued to see her.  Eventually they came to love each other deeply.  When he was 42 years old, his father died.  His father was not an ordinary man as he was the King of England.  In January 0f 1936, Edward became Edward VIII, the King of England.  He declared his intention to marry Wallis, his pearl of great price.  His family, the Church of England, and the British Parliament opposed this.  King Edward VIII had to make a choice; either be king or marry Wallis.  He could not have both.  In December of 1936, Edward made his choice.  He chose to marry Wallis and submitted his abdication which was accepted by Parliament the next day.  He became the only British monarch ever to resign voluntarily.  He chose his pearl, Wallis, over everything else.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 13:44­-46

A) THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

There was a merchant who loved pearls and searched high and low for fine pearls.  To his great joy, he found one of great beauty which was so beautiful that he decided that he must buy it no matter what the cost.

B) HE SOLD ALL HE HAD AND BOUGHT IT

He had to make a great sacrifice.  He sold all that he had to have enough money to buy his precious pearl.  He considered himself very fortunate in having the opportunity to buy what he so desired.  This purchase brought him great happiness.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) MY PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

For some, health is the most important thing.  They eat carefully, exercise faithfully, and get enough sleep.  For others, money is most important.  They work hard, spend their money carefully, and save faithfully.  For others, happiness is number one.  Happiness for themselves, their family, and friends.  In this parable, Jesus tells us that God should be number one in our lives, our precious pearl.  Why?  The reason is that it is only God who can give us health.  He alone can give us strength to make money.  He alone can give us happiness.  So, in making God all important, we gain health, wealth, and happiness.

B) WHAT MUST I DO WITH THIS GREAT TREASURE?

First, we must love God.  We must pray each day, both in the morning asking for help during the day and in the evening thanking him for his blessings.  We must be faithful in attending Sunday Mass where we hear the word of God and are able to receive the Eucharist.  We must read the bible or some spiritual book when time permits.  Secondly, we must love our neighbor.  We must be kind in our speech, patient in our attitude, and helpful in our actions.  We cherish this great treasure by loving God and by loving our neighbor.

 

4. CONCLUSION

Edward VII, king of England, discovered that his pearl of great price was his friend and future wife, Wallis Warfield Simpson.  The price he had to pay was to give up the British throne and no longer be king.  The merchant in the parable sold all he had to purchase the pearl he wanted.  The parable teaches us that God should be our greatest desire and we show this by loving Him and our neighbor.  We pray for the grace to discover that God is truly our pearl of great price.

 

 

 

16A Sunday homily (19 July 2026) The parable of the wheat and weeds

 

16A Sunday Homily, Matthew 13:24­-30, July 19, 2026

By: Father Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

John loved to climb mountains.  One day, wearing his heavy coat, he set off to climb to the mountain peak.  When he reached the top, he saw a rattlesnake.  To his great surprise, the snake spoke saying he was starving and freezing and asked John to put him under his coat and take him down to the valley.  John refused saying that the snake would bite him and the bite would kill him.  The snake responded that for this favor he would not harm him.  A t first John resisted but finally agreed to help the snake.  He picked up the snake and tucked him under his coat.   When they arrived at the valley, he took the snake from under his coat and laid it on the grass.  Then suddenly the snake bit John's leg.  John was shocked and reminded the snake of his promise not to harm him.  “You knew what I was when you picked me up,” answered the snake as he slithered away.  This is a reminder to avoid evil persons, places and things.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 13:24­-30 

 A) A MAN SOWED GOOD SEEDS AND THE ENEMY SOWED WEEDS

The story tells us that in the field there are wheat and weeds.  The field represents the world, the wheat represents good people, and the weeds represent bad people.  In the world, there are both good and bad people.

B) LET THEM GROW TOGEHER UNTIL HARVEST

The slave is instructed not to take any action until the harvest when there will be a separation of the wheat and weeds.  God permits both good and bad people to live.  There will be a separation of the two at the last judgment.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) THE WORLD HAS BOTH GOOD AND BAD PEOPLE

In the home, the church, and in the world, there are both good and bad people.  Good people, but their words and actions, harm us and we should avoid them.

B) GOD IS PATIENT AND GOD IS JUST

God wishes to save all and so is very patient with both the good and bad.  He gives people a chance for the better, to improve their moral lives.  He sent Jesus to help us, and his work is carried on by the Church.  Jesus gives us the wisdom and strength to be good.  God is just as he will separate the good from the bad on judgment day.  He will reward the just and punish the bad.

 

4. CONCLUSION

In the story, John learned that it is dangerous to associate with a rattlesnake.  In the parable, we learn that in the world there are both good people, represented by the wheat, and bad people represented by weeds.  God permits both to live side by side in the hope that bad people, the weeds, will have a change of heart and repent their ways.  Jesus has come to help us to be good.  Finally, God is just and at the last judgment will separate the good from the bad by rewarding the good and punishing the bad.

 

15A Sunday homily (12 July 2026) The parable of the sower

 

15A SUNDAY HOMILY: MATTHEW 13:1­-19 July 12, 2026

By Fr. Vince Corbelli, MM

1. STORY

John had a good business and a happy family life.  Due to work pressures, he began to drink which eventually caused him to separate from his family and lose his business.  While walking down the street, he picked up a bent and rusty nail which immediately reminded him of himself.  He was rusty and bent out of shape.  He took it home, hammered it to make it straight, and used sandpaper to remove the rust; it looked like a new nail.  He then thought that his life could straightened out just like the nail.  He decided to try.  Today John is reunited to his family and is back in business.  To this day, John keeps the restored nail in his wallet.  We need Jesus to avoid being a bent nail.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 13:1­-19

A)  A FARMER WENT OUT SOWING SEED

In this beautiful parable, a farmer went out sowing seed.  Jesus went to preach the gospel, the word of God, which is like a seed.  Jesus helps us by giving us his teachings.

B) SOME FELL ON GOOD SOIL 

i) Some seed fell on a footpath, some on rocky ground, and some among thorns.  None of the seed grew. 

ii) Some seed fell on good soil and grew abundantly.  Just as some soil rejected the seed and some soil accepted the seed, so do some people reject and some people accept the teachings of Jesus.

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) JESUS CONTINUES TO SOW THE SEED

Jesus continues to sow the seed, to preach the gospel, and to help us.  He does this each time we attend Mass and hear the homily, when we read the bible, and when we listen to the pope or our bishop.  Jesus is teaching us; he is sowing the seed.  We need the word of God to be his disciples.

B) SOME REJECT AND SOME ACCEPT THE WORD OF JESUS

i)  Some people, due to a busy life, laziness, or see no value in the teaching of Jesus, reject him.

ii) Some people accept the word of Jesus.  They accept Jesus by their head, heart, and hands.  They accept him by their heart when they follow his teachings.  They accept him by their hands when they carry out his commands.  In doing so, we change from being like a bent nail to a new nail, a follower of Jesus.

 

4)  CONCLUSION

Just as a bent nail help John to change his life, the word of Jesus helps us to change our lives.  Some reject and some accept his help.  We heard the word of Jesus and carry it out by our head, our heart, and our hands.  We need the word of Jesus to be his faithful followers, his disciples.