Father Kevin A. Codd

A Happy Miracle: Cana, 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (C), January 19, 2025

Today's impressive "miracle story" from the Gospel of John is a rarity: it is a "happy miracle!" Most of Jesus' miracles begin with a leper, a blind-man, even a dead-man (Lazarus), but this one begins with a wedding feast...the only problem is the wine for the feast has run out...not such a big deal in the face of humanity's many troubles.  The changing of water to wine is a sign of the grand graciousness of God to us. Making us happy makes him happy! 

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Bautismo del Señor (año C), 12 de enero de 2025

“Mijo, te quiero y me complace.” Tales palabras dicho por un papá son de suma importancia en la vida de un niño. También fueron para Jesús. Al oír palabras muy parecidas de su Padre en el cielo momentos después de su bautismo en el rio Jordan, Jesús seguramente se sentía a la aprobación de su Padre para su manera de llevar la salvación a su pueblo. No por una revolución política contra los poderes políticos, ni por ser el más famoso maestro de la ley en la historia de Israel, sino por acompañar el pueblo humilde, pobre, y pecador en el desierto y en las aguas de arrepentimiento del rio Jordan.

Homilía compartida en la capilla de las Siervas de Maria en Cuenca, Ecuador.

You Are My Beloved Son: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Year C), January 12, 2025

"I love you and I'm proud of you." These are words any son or daughter loves to hear from their father. They are much the same words Jesus hears from his Father following his baptism in the Jordan River at the hands of John. They were important to Jesus not just because he needed some paternal validation, but because they let him know that his choice for just how he is going to save God's People has been the correct one. Jesus does not choose to take on the sons of Herod as a political revolutionary, nor be the greatest of rabbis on the steps of the Temple, but by going out to the desert to be with the poor, the humble, the sinners of Israel. 

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador.

The Three Strangers, Solemnity of the Epiphany, January 5, 2025

We have warm and loving feelings for our Three Magi, so prominent on this final solemn feast of the Christmas season. Because of that love, we have many names for them: the Three Magi, the Three Kings, the Three Astrologers, and the Three Wisemen. Perhaps, we missed one though: "The Three Strangers", for their coming from a far-away land, their strange dress and customs, even their status as non-believers in the God of Abraham, may make such a tital far more important to the Epiphany story than the others. 

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Mary Remembers: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, (Year C), January 1, 2025

Arguably one of the most poignant lines in all of Luke's Gospel is at the heart of today's feast: "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." It tells us so much about the character and spirituality of our dear Mary. She was at heart, a contemplative, and remembering all that God had done for her was an integral part of her contemplative spirit. 

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecudador. 

Jesus Grows Up: Feast of the Holy Family (C), December 29, 2024

The boy Jesus' extended stay in the Temple of Jerusalem marks a significant turning point in his life as Luke tells the story. As he listens to the great rabbis teach and preach, he also asks them the big questions that have been on his mind for a long time. Over the three days he spends among them, something remarkable happens: he grows up. He lets go of the hands of his father and mother and takes the hand of his Father. He comes to know who he is and what his mission is: to be God's feet, his hands, his very face to the People of God! 

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community of Cuenca, Ecuador. 

God Unmighty: Christmas Morning (C), December 25, 2024

It seems that the more we honor God as "Almighty", the further he seems to be from us. We imagine the Almighty God as a severe judge, a king enthroned on high, or even as Michaelangelo's old man with a great beard floating on heavenly clouds. As God becomes ever more distant from us and our lives here on this earth, so too the cry from our hearts: "Where are you God; I need you HERE!" Those images of God Almighty are shattered on this day, when God becomes the Unmighty: nothing but flesh and blood like us, poor, cold, defenseless against the night. This is the great mystery we celebrate on this great morning: An Unmighty God Among Us!

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Gettting to Know Elizabeth, 4th Sunday of Advent (C), December 22, 2024

Elizabeth is one of those dear people you just want to get to know. So today, using the gift of homiletic imagination, let's spend some time with her and listen to her tell her story...

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador.

What Should We Do? 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 15, 2024

The question is repeated several times over; John is asked: What should we do? John's answer is a baseline of moral behaviour; it is nothing extraordinary. John is just trying to get his people up to the minimum of decent human and Jewish behavior. John knows that the One Who Is To Come will ask far more of them: a much deeper kind of love, a self-giving love!

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador

Placing Jesus in Our History, 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 8, 2024

Luke opens his version of Jesus's story with a bit of historical context. It is important in telling us that the story that follows is not a fable or a fairy tale or a great work of fiction. It is history. And this very real story begins with John in the desert...

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador.