Father Kevin A. Codd

Blind Bartimeaus. Blind Us. (30th Sunday of Ordinary Time-B)

The blindness of Bartimaeus calls us to ponder our own blindness, not of the eyes, but of the heart.

This homily was delivered at Saint Therese Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 24, 2021. 

Father Kevin‘s Final Homily at Sacred Heart Church before Retirement

Setting aside the rather gruesome imagery of today's gospel passage, cutting off hands and plucking out eyes, Father Kevin instead shares some final reflections with Sacred Heart parishioners in his final homily before retirement. 

Unsaid in this homily is the happy reality that, God willing, he will continue preaching and pastoring in new places and new ways. Next up: a brief visit to Albuquerque, then on to Cuenca, Ecuador for five months!

Jesus in Three Acts (25th Sunday of Ordinary Time-B)

On this 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, (cycle B), the dramatic device of telling a story in three acts is a useful tool for following today's gospel passage in which Jesus must clarify for his disciples the manner of cross he...and they...are about to bear. 

Ephphatha! (23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time-B)

Each time we baptize a newborn child, the rite ends with a brief ritual in which we bless the ears of the child and then the mouth. This easily overlooked baptismal ritual has its roots deep in today's gospel story. One word stands out in both: Ephaphatha!  "Be opened!"

How to Form a Conscience/Vaccination

Responding to Bishop Daly's request that we parish priests assist our parishioners in forming well their consciences regarding the reception of life-saving vaccines, Father Codd offers this homily. 

Sad Hannah and Joyful Mary (Assumption-B)

 On this feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Old Testament story of "Sad Hannah" allows us to understand more deeply Mary's joy, expressed so beautifully in the canticle featured in today's Gospel.

What Manner of Man is the Prophet? (14th Sunday of Ordinary Time-B)

The great rabbi, Abraham Heschel, asks the foundational biblical question: "What manner of man is the prophet?" His description of the prophetic call allows us to understand better both Jesus and Paul. 

Mark‘s Gospel Sandwich (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time-B)

Mark wraps one great story around another, forming one of his characteristic "gospel sandwiches". In this sandwich, the story of two unrelated afflicted women are told and in each Jesus heals them out of immense compassion and without consideration for their social and religious status. 

Doubting Thomas Reborn as Believing Thomas (2nd Sunday of Easter-B)

On this Second Sunday following Easter, we hear again the story of "Doubting Thomas"; sadly that nickname stuck more than the truer reality of this apostle: he is the one who proclaims before Jesus: "My Lord and my God!" 

The Story of Two Temples (3rd Sunday of Lent-B)

On the Third Sunday of Lent, we are presented in John's Gospel with the images of two temples, one made by hands and one not. Both will fall, only one will rise again.