Pentecost homily (24 May 2026)

 

PENTECOST HOMILY, JOHN 20:19-23, May 24, 2026

By Father Vincent Corbelli, MM

1. STORY

John was sitting comfortably in the plane ready to take off for a long trip over the ocean when the pilot announced a slight delay due to trouble with the plane's compass.  The pilot then announced another delay explaining that the compass had to be replaced with a new one.  Finally, the pilot announced the plane was ready to depart as the compass was in order.  During this delay no one complained as all knew the importance of a compass to guide them during the long flight.  The Holy Spirit is our compass guiding us during our long journey in life.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 20:19-23

A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

When the resurrected Jesus visited the disciples for the first time after his resurrection, he gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. "He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.”

B. JESUS GAVE THE DISCIPLES A MISSION

Jesus not only gave the disciples a gift but he also gave them a mission, a task for them to do.  He sent them out to preach the good news.  "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit both at our baptism and our confirmation.  How does the Holy Spirit help us? 

i)  During our complicated journey in life, the Holy Spirit will help us to better understand the problems we meet and will help us make the right decisions.  We must ask the Holy Spirit for his help.

iiI) There are many voices we may hear giving us advice on how to act or how to solve a problem.   We must listen carefully to his guidance and obey it.                    

B. JESUS HAS GIVEN US A MISSION

Just as Jesus was sent by his father into this world to preach the good news of their salvation, so does Jesus send us out on the same mission. 

i) Where shall we go?  St. Pope John Paul II answers this question, "The world today is one great mission land, even in countries of longstanding Christian tradition."  

ii) How do we carry out this mission?

a) We must pray for the people we wish to evangelize.

b) We preach by our actions.  We are kind, respectful, and caring towards others.

c) We share our message that for those who follow him, Jesus will bring them peace, happiness, and will give them eternal life. 

 

4. CONCLUSION

A) John knew the importance of the plane's compass to guide them to their destination.

B) Jesus gave the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit and the mission to preach the good news about their salvation. 

C) We have also received the gift of the Holy Spirit and the mission to continue the work of sharing the good news about Jesus.

 

7th Sunday of Easter Ascension homily (17 May 2026) Go to all nations

 

7th Sunday of Easter ASCENSION, MATTHEW 28:16-20, May 17, 2026

By Father Vincent Corbelli, MM

1. STORY

Fr. John went on a tour to China.  The tour group stopped in a department store to buy some souvenirs.  He walked around the store and came to where paintings were being sold and asked the young Chinese salesgirl which painting she liked most.  She immediately pointed to a painting of a girl with folded hands praying.  This surprised Fr. John very much as religion was a topic not often spoken of in a communist controlled country like China.  He then asked her why she liked this picture.  He said she was a Catholic.  Again, this response surprised Fr. John and he asked her how was it that she was a Catholic.  She said her grandmother taught her about Jesus and arranged for her baptism. Even under difficult circumstances, the Gospel was being preached.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 28:16-20

A) GO TO ALL NATIONS

Jesus tells us very clearly where we must go to share the good news.   We must go to the over 6 billion people throughout the world.  We must go to the rich and poor, the educated and not educated, and to those who welcome us and do not welcome us.

B) MAKE DISCIPLES OF THEM

Jesus not only tells us where we must go but also tells us very clearly what we must do.  We must make disciples of all.  We must tell them of the great peace and happiness that will be theirs when they come to know, love, and serve God.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) GO TELL ALL

Go to your family, your friends, your classmates, your colleagues, your neighbours and whomever you may meet.  Most people live very busy lives and may not have the interest or time to think about God.  This should not discourage us, rather it should challenge us to think of practical and interesting ways to help them know about God.

B) MAKE THEM DISCIPLES

THE FOLLOWING ARE STEPS TO HELP ONE BECOME A DISCIPLE OF Jesus.

i) One must know that Jesus exists and can help them

find peace and happiness. 

ii) One must study the basic teachings of Jesus by attending a weekly class for about 18 months. 

iii) One must be baptized and live a life following the instructions of Jesus by loving God, neighbour and self.

 

4. CONCLUSION

In the story, under difficult circumstances, the grandmother was able to make her granddaughter a disciple of Jesus.  She obeyed Jesus’ command to go and make all his disciples.  We also must obey Jesus’ command by going to all whom we meet and tell them about God and pray that they will accept God who is the source of peace and happiness.

 

6A Easter homily (10 May 2026) The gift of the Holy Spirit / Paraclete

 

6A EASTER HOMILY, JOHN 14:15­:21, May 10, 2026

By: Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM 

1. STORY

John was a young Native American Indian who had to pass a test to become a full member of his tribe.  His father took him into the forest, blindfolded him, and left him alone.  He had to sit on the stump of a tree all night and was not permitted to take the blindfold off until the sun rose the following morning.  He was by himself, he could not cry out for help.  John was terrified as he could hear all kinds of noises.  Beasts were all around him.  Maybe some person would harm him.  The wind blew the grass and earth and even shook the stump.  Yet John sat there quietly, not removing the blindfold.  It was the only way to pass the test to become a full member of the tribe.  Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed the blindfold.  It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him guarding him the entire night.  We are never alone.  Even when we do not know it, the Holy Spirit/ Paraclete is protecting us.

 

2. GOSPEL, JOHN 14:15­:21

A) THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT/PARACLETE

Jesus tells us that his Father will give us another Paraclete who will be with us always.  The Holy Spirit/

Paraclete will protect us from the devil and from those who wish to harm us.  The Holy Spirit / Paraclete will comfort us when life becomes difficult, when we fall or when we suffer.

B) HOW TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus tells us the way to receive the great gift is that we must love him by obeying his commandments.  It’s like John who loves his father knowing that his father deeply loves him.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) The Holy Spirit helps us

The Holy Spirit is like a compass guiding us by keeping us on the right path as journey through the vast, dangerous and difficult forest of life.  We must follow the guidance of the compass, the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is like a watch giving us accurate information about what is right and what is wrong.  It would be difficult to know what time it is by just guessing.  It would often be difficult to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong if we only depend on ourselves.

B) LOVE JESUS BY OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS

In the story John knew by his father’s actions that his father loved him.  It was natural that he would love his father in return.  We know that Jesus loves us so it is natural we love Jesus.  We love Jesus by our actions such as being kind, patient, and forgiving to others.  We love Him by being grateful, encouraging and understanding.

 

4. CONCLUSION

In the story, John’s father loved his son and stayed with him the whole night though John was not aware of this during the night.  The Holy Spirit is always with us protecting and comforting us though we may not be aware of his presence.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to love Jesus by carrying out his command to love God, neighbour and self.