Father Kevin A. Codd

Life After Death? 32nd Sunday (C)

Some Sadducees, who did not really believe in life after death present to Jesus a story of a wife who marries seven brothers, one after the other. Its meant to make Jesus and his teaching about life after death look silly. Jesus turns the table on them and makes them the silly ones. In doing so, he answers one of the great questions of all humanity: what happens after we die? 

(Homily shared at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Spokane, WA)

Zacchaeus! (31st Sunday-C)

Zacchaeus, chief tax collector for the Romans in Jericho, is the worst of the worst when it comes to sinners. Yet he wants to at least see Jesus...even climbing a sycamore tree to do so. As things turn out, it is Jesus who sees Zacchaeus and invites himself into his home, to his table, into his heart and restores this sinner of all sinners to life, joy, and discipleship. 

Homily shared at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Spokane WA

Lazarus and that Rich Guy and God’s Mercy, 26th Sunday, Year C

Yet another profound, if complicated, parable from the teaching Jesus! It is a "mercy parable" that reveals to us the very heart of God, as Pope Francis has so often reminded us: "The very name of God is mercy." 

This homily was shared at Sacred Heart Church in Othello, Washington.

Lightening Others’ Burdens, 25th Sunday, Year C, (Gonzaga Prep 71 Reunion)

Father Kevin was honored to preside and preach at the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist for the Class of 1971 Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, WA.

As we look ahead to the remainder of our lives, most of us now approaching our 70th birthdays, a perplexing parable about a clever steward, when imagined with new details, can guide us forward in how we live our lives: perhaps our "mission" in the last years of our lives is to lighten others' burdens, reduce their debts, lighten their loads...

The Unlimited Love of a Father, 24th Sunday, Year C

In one of Jesus' most perfect and profound parables, he shows us an extraordinary image of God's mercy and love...without hesitation, limitations, or preconditions. 

This homily was shared at Saint Rose of Lima Church in Cheney, Washington. 

Jesus and a Pharisee Sit Down for Dinner: 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, August 28, 2022

Jesus was an equal-opportunity diner, it seems. He ate with tax-collectors and sinners...and even with a Pharisee from time to time. He takes the opportunity at the Pharisee's table to teach a lesson about humility to his fellow guests, but then goes much deeper as he turns to his host and drives home the way of God's Kingdom when it comes to with whom we share our table.

This homily was shared at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Spokane, Washington

”Will Only a Few (of us) Be Saved?” 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, C

The question asked of Jesus in today's passage from Luke's gospel almost assuredly was posed by one of the "leaders of the people". The presumption behind the question almost certainly one that included the questioner among those few. 

Jesus response is not what was expected...

(This homily was shared at Sacred Heart Church, in Brewster, Washington)

”Father”: 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time-C

At the heart of Jesus' self-revelation is his relationship to his "Father". In his prayer, his parables, and in his very life, he shows us "what God is like" for us. 

Homily delivered at Saint Francis Assisi Church, Spokane.

Two Lessons in Hospitality: 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time-C

Both the Abraham and Sarah story in today's first reading from Genesis and the Gospel of Luke story of Martha and Mary hosting Jesus in their home, teach us valuable lessons on the virtue of hospitality...so essential to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. 

Today's homily was delivered at the Monastery of the Poor Clare Sisters in Spokane, WA. 

Grumpy Jesus? 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time-C

In today's gospel passage from Luke, Jesus seems particularly unlike himself. His responses with his disciples or disciple-wannabes are short and sharp. Is he having a bad day or didn't get enough sleep the night before? Why so grumpy? 

The reality is that this moment in Luke's gospel is a decisive one as he leave Galilee and heads for trouble in Jerusalem. It is not the time for hesitation or distraction. It is the moment to be all in or go home. 

(Homily delivered at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Spokane)