Palm Sunday homily (29 March 2026) Jesus enters Jerusalem

 

TOPIC: JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD, MATTHEW 26:14-27:66, Mar. 29,2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

 

1. STORY

Among all the animals in animal heaven, the proudest was the horse.  One day the horse, while drinking at a stream, met a donkey.  He boasted to the donkey how while on earth he had carried kings and lead armies into battle.  He asked the donkey if he had ever heard of the great king, Alexander the Great.  The donkey replied that he had never heard of him.  The horse boasted that he carried this great king many times to victory.  The donkey mentioned that he too, once carried a king.  The horse was in a hurry so did not have time to listen.  As the horse left, there was a little rabbit who was very interested in hearing about this king that the donkey once carried.  The donkey said this event happened many years ago in Jerusalem.  He explained in great detail what had happened.  The rabbit asked the name of the king.  The donkey said it was a man named Jesus.  When the rabbit heard this, he became very excited and happy telling the donkey that he carried into Jerusalem the savior of the world.

 

2. GOSPEL. MATTHEW 26:14-27:66

A) JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM

The disciples prepared a donkey for him to enter into Jerusalem.  The donkey was a symbol of peace, as the horse was a symbol of war.  As he entered, the city was shaken and the people asked who this man was.  The crowd answered it was Jesus the prophet.

B) THE PEOPLE WELCOMED JESUS

The very large crowd spread their cloaks while others cut branches from the trees to spread them on the road.  They all cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) JESUS COMES INTO OUR LIVES

Jesus comes daily into our lives because he loves us and helps is to lead good lives.  He comes to us in many ways.

i) When we pray to him during the day.

ii) When we hear his word while reading the bible.

iii) When we receive the Eucharist.

iv) When we go to confession.

v) When we are kind to others by word and deed.

 

B) WE WELCOME JESUS

When we see and hold a palm, it has three meanings for us. 

i) It is a sign that we welcome Jesus into our lives and hearts.

ii) It is a sign of victory over death; for as Jesus rose from the dead, so will we too rise from the dead.

iii) It is a sign of love that we have for Jesus who died to save us.

 

4) CONCLUSION

It was a great privilege for the donkey to carry Jesus into Jerusalem and for the people to welcome him.  We also are privileged to welcome Jesus into our lives.  He comes to give us strength to live good lives.  When we see the palm, we remember that it is a sign that we welcome Jesus into our lives, a sign of victory over death, and a sign that Jesus loves us and we love Jesus.

 

5A Lent Sunday homily (22 March 2026) Jesus is the Ressurection and the Life

 

5A LENT, SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 11:1-45 March 22, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

Once there was a monk who longed to discover the secret of immortality.  He heard that there was an elderly monk who lived far away who knew the secret of how to live forever.  He was so excited that he began the log trip to the distant mountain where this monk lived.  However, when he arrived at the destination, he was terribly disappointed to discover that the monk with this secret had died a few days before his arrival.  Upon his return home, he was consoled by his friends who said that if the elderly monk knew the secret of how to live forever, he would not have died.  The lesson he learned was that only God can give eternal life.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 11:1-45

A) LAZARUS DIED

The sisters Martha and Mary were saddened by the death of their brother Lazarus.  The friends of the two sisters were in great sorrow knowing that Martha and Mary’s brother had passed away.  Even Jesus was “perturbed and deeply troubled.”

B) LAZARUS LIVED

Martha believed Jesus when he said that whoever believed in him would never die.  Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus was buried and cried out in a loud voice.  “Lazarus, come out.”  Lazarus came out of the tomb, a living man.  Jesus had the power to raise the dead to life.  Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) SORROW IN THE WORLD

There is much sorrow in the world. This is caused by the death of a loved one, illness, discord in the family, unhappiness at work, lack of a descent place to live, and not having enough money to live even a simple life. I t comes from war, hunger, and disease.

B) JESUS BRINGS US HAPPINESS

Each year at Easter there is much joy and happiness among the newly baptized for they have come to believe in Jesus.  Jesus brings us happiness when we believe that he has the power to give us eternal life, to give us strength to live a happy life, and the truth that there is life after death.  Because he brings us happiness, we should do two things:

i) Thank him for the joy and happiness he gives us. 

ii) We must bring others to know Jesus who will also bring them happiness.

 

4. CONCLUSION

In the story, the monk learned that none of us can give eternal life.  In the gospel, we learned that only Jesus can raise the dead to life and give us eternal life.  He taught us that he is the resurrection and life.  We must thank Jesus for the great gift of eternal life and should introduce others to Jesus who will also give them joy and happiness here on earth and happiness forever in heaven.

 

4A Lent Sunday homily (15 March 2026) Now I can see

 

4A LENT – SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 9:1­-41, March 15, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

John was born blind with cataracts.  When he was three, his mother who was very poor got in contact with one of the few doctors who did eye operations at that time.  She asked him to help her son and promised, if necessary, to pay him a certain amount from her wages each week for the rest of her life.  The doctor performed the operation. 

On the day the bandages were to be removed, John’s mother bought him a little wooden horse and placed it in front of him.  When the bandages were removed, John reached for the toy and his mother knew that the operation was a success.  A few months later, the good doctor died.  His last gift to the world, as stipulated in his will, was a full cancellation of all debts.  John kept this little wooden horse as a reminder of the debt.  He owed this generous doctor who had given him the ability to see.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 9:1­-41

A) JESUS CURES THE PHYSICALLY BLIND Jesus met a blind man, put clay on his eyes, and told him to wash them in a nearby pool.  The blind man returned to Jesus and was able to see.

B) JESUS CURES THE SPIRITUALLY BLIND Jesus gradually helped the cured man to see who he really was.  The blind man first recognized that Jesus was a prophet, a man with divine power.  Then he believed that Jesus was the Son of Man.  Finally, he worshipped Jesus.  Jesus cures the spiritually blind.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) THE SPIRITUALLY BLIND

Today there are many who are spiritually blind. 

i) They do not know that God exists, God created them, God cares for them, and God forgives them.  They do not know Jesus came and saved us. 

ii) Many do not know what the purpose of life is or how to live a life that will bring peace, joy, and happiness. 

iii) Many do not know what happens after death.  It is the end or is there something else that follows.

B) JESUS CURES THE SPIRITUALLY BLIND

i) Jesus teaches that there is a loving, caring, and forgiving God.  Jesus tells us that he has come to save us and to lead us to eternal happiness. 

ii) Jesus teaches us that the meaning of life is to live according to God’s commandments and to be of service to others.  Jesus teaches us how we must live by loving God, others, and ourselves. 

iii) Jesus tells us that death is not an end but a beginning of an eternal life of joy, peace and happiness.  Jesus is the light of the world who brings us from darkness to life.  Now we can see.

 

4. CONCLUSION 

The doctor helped the boy, Jesus helped the blind man, so does Jesus helps us.

3A Lent Sunday homily (08 March 2026) The Living Water

 

3A LENT­ SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 4:5-­42, March 8, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

There was a little flower standing alone in the desert.  It dreamt daily of falling raindrops which never came, so it began to wilt.  One day a bird saw this and asked the animals for help.  The big lion was not interested, the fat dog was too lazy, and the noisy blackbird was too busy.  The little bird asked the busy ants for help.  They joined hands and built a long chain bringing drops of water to the roots of the flower causing it to flourish.  All came to realize the importance of water for life.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 4:5­-42

Jesus met a woman at a well and a conversation began.

A) JESUS CAN PROVIDE LIVING WATER 

Jesus told the woman, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

B) THE WOMAN WANTS LIVING WATER 

The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw

water.”

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) What is living water?  The living water which Jesus gives us is his teaching, his revelation.  Here are some examples. 

i) Jesus tells us that God is our heavenly Father who loves us, cares for us, and helps us. 

ii) He tells us to live happily so we must follow the commandments of love God, neighbor, and self. 

iii) At the end of the road of life, God has prepared for us a life of eternal happiness and peace.

B) HOW DO WE OBTAIN THIS REVELATION? There are many ways to obtain the living water.  Here are a few examples. 

i) During each Mass, we hear the word of God and receive the Eucharist which gives us insights and strength. 

ii) When we pray to God, we are obtaining his comfort and understanding. 

iii) When we go to confession, we receive his forgiveness and consolation.

 

4) CONCLUSION

Just as the thirsty flower on the desert revived because it received water, so do we need the living water which Jesus gives us through his instruction to remain his faithful disciples.  This revelation comes through the Mass, our prayers, and in the sacrament of confession.

2A Lent Sunday homily (01 March 2026) The Transfiguration

 

2A, LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 17:1-9, MARCH 01, 2026

By: Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1) STORY

While living in Rome, I took a visitor to see the beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica, a church I had often visited.  As we walked through the church, I pointed out the huge marble statues of the saints which were situated about 100 feet above the floor.  I lamented not being able to read the names at the base of the statues. The visitor told me that one was the statue of St. Francis, another was St. Dominic, etc.  I was amazed and asked how it was possible to see the names which were so far away.  He answered that the glasses he was wearing permitted him to see objects which were near and those which were far.  He could see things I was not able to see because of his eye glasses.

 

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 17:1-9

A) JESUS HELPS THE APOSTLES

Jesus led the three disciples up a high mountain and he was transfigured before them.  “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”  He wanted to teach them that he was not only a man but was also God.

B) THE APOSTLES

The apostles were able to see that Jesus was no ordinary man.  He was also God.  They were able to hear the Father’s words, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.  Listen to him.”

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) JESUS HELPS US TO KNOW HIM BETTER

We can consider Lent as a time when Jesus takes up to a mountain.  Though we cannot see Jesus as the apostles did, he is in our midst as he is present in his Church, in the bible, the Church’s teachings, and in the lives of holy people.

B) WE SEE AND HEAR JESUS

We see Jesus when we see a priest celebrating Mass, when we read the bible, or attend the Stations of the Cross.  We see him when we help a poor, sick, or an unhappy person.  Jesus has said that when you help others, you are helping him.  We hear Jesus when we listen to the Mass homily, the words of the bishop, or the cry for help of someone in need.

 

4) CONCLUSION

The eye glasses helped the visitor to see the names of the saints in St. Peter’s Basilica.  Jesus helped the apostles to see that he was not only man but also God and that he was the Father’s beloved Son.  They should listen to him.  During Lent Jesus also helps us to see that he is both God and man.  We should listen to him.

1A Lent Sunday homily (22 February 2026) Reject temptations

 

1A LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 4:1-11, Feb. 22, 2026

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli. MM

 

1. STORY

Two friends, David and John, went out to eat at a buffet lunch.  Both were amazed at the amount and variety of delicious food.  They filled their plates and after finishing went for a second helping.  Though they were both full, David decided to eat despite of John’s warning of the consequences of stuffing himself.  He succumbed to the temptation and took his third helping resulting in his getting sick.  He learned the hard way the important lesson − for your own good, resist temptations.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 4:1-11

A) JESUS IS TEMPTED

The devil tempted Jesus three times.

i) Jesus was asked to change rocks into bread.

ii) Jesus was asked to jump from the temple.

iii) Jesus was asked to worship the devil.

B) JESUS REJECTS THE TEMPTATIONS

Jesus rejected the three temptations.

i) He rejected bread which represents a desire for material goods by living a very simple life.

ii) He refused to jump from the temple which represents a desire for fame as he was a very humble person.

iii) He rejected to worship the devil which represents a desire for power by obeying the will of God.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) WE ARE TEMPTED

Here are some examples of our temptations.

i) We are tempted to lose faith in God when our prayers for help are not answered. 

ii) We are tempted not to be kind and helpful to our family, friends and co-workers when they are not good to us.

iii) We are tempted to spend too much time on TV, computers, mobile phones, sports, and entertainment.

B) WE MUST RESIST TEMPTATIONS

Here are a few suggestions on how to strengthen our will to resist temptations. 

i) Make a good confession during Lent. 

ii) Attend a retreat if at all possible. 

iii) Use one of the Lenten (mite) boxes to help the poor by donating some of your money. 

iv) Make the Stations of the Cross in church or at home.

 v) Read the Bible, a spiritual book, or the Catholic newspaper.

 

4. CONCLUSION

We learned from the story that we help ourselves by resisting temptations.  Jesus resisted the temptations for the desire for material goods, fame, and power.  We resist the many temptations in our lives by going to confession, attending a retreat, helping the poor, making the Stations of the Cross, and doing spiritual reading.  A good Lent leads to a joyful Easter.

 

6A Sunday in Ordinary Time homily (15 February 2026) Avoid anger

 

6A Homily, Matthew 5:17-37, February 15, 2026

By: Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1) STORY

Abraham Lincoln’s army general had some trouble with one of his officers and complained to the president.  Lincoln told him to write a sharp letter to the officer, which he did.  The general then showed the letter to Lincoln.  After praising the general for the strong letter, he asked the general what he planned to do with it.  A bit surprised at this question, the general said he was going to send it to the officer.  Lincoln advised him to tear it up and write another one now that his anger has passed.  The president said not to send a letter when written in anger. 

 

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 5:17-37

A) TO BE ANGRY WITH YOUR BROTHER

The fact is that sometimes we are angry with God, with our family, neighbors and even with ourselves.

B) YOU WILL BE LIABLE TO JUDGMENT

Jesus teaches us that we will be punished for being angry.  Certainly, one punishment will be that we will be unhappy. 

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) ANGER IN OUR LIVES

i) We are angry with God if he does not answer our prayers.  We think he has forgotten us or does not care about our sufferings and problems.  It is useless to depend on him for help.  It is better to believe that he is powerless or does not exist.   

ii) We are angry with our family, friends, co-workers, Catholics, and neighbors.  They have hurt us by their words or actions.  They have not come to our help when we were in need.  They have hurt our reputation by lying or exaggerating our weaknesses.   

iii) We are even angry at ourselves because we have made stupid mistakes, have failed to achieve our goals, and because we are unhappy. 

B) AVOID ANGER

i) God loves us, cares for us, and wishes us to be happy.  He is wiser than we are.  He will give us strength to carry out his plan for us.  He will give us the wisdom to know what to do.  We must keep asking for his help and above all never abandon him.   

ii) We must remember that others are weak, busy, and have to carry their own crosses.  Do not demand too much from them.  Be grateful for any help you receive from them.   

iii) We must not demand too much from ourselves.  We will gradually continue to improve.  We must do our best and leave the rest to God. 

 

4) CONCLUSION

Lincoln gave wise advice to the angry general.  Jesus teaches us that being angry will result in serious consequences for us. We must avoid anger.