Father Kevin A. Codd

Sheep, Goats, and A King, Solemnity of Christ the King-A, November 26, 2023

Jesus' image of sheep, goats, and the great king who separates them for distinct destinies seems simple enough up front, but once he adds the troublesome criteria of how they are to be "judged", things get much more complicate...and worrisome. His emphasis on the corporal works of mercy rather than typical piety challenges us to examine our consciences with some justified trembling. That trembling may be calmed by the fact that before he was a "king" this Jesus was a shepherd. 

Homily delivered to the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador. 

Thanksgiving and Its Responsibilities, 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time-A, November 19, 2023

The Thanksgiving tradition of recounting particular blessings at the dinner table is a wonderful one. Each gift or grace that is mentioned comes with a string attached: the responsibility to use that gift for the benefit of others. The image of the servant who buries his one talent, not allowing it to grow or bless others, is a powerful one that encourages us to not follow his example. Gifts shared are not expended, they are expanded! 

Homily delivered to the Catholic Community of Saint Francis, Cuenca, Ecuador.

Holy Wisdom, 32nd Sunday of the Year (A), November 12, 2023

Wisdom, as understood in the Hebrew Scriptures in the centuries before Jesus, was imagined as a living and gracious feminine presence, seeking out souls open to its blessings. It was seen as an expression of God's presence among his people. This kind of Wisdom was alive and present especially in Jesus, his words and works. It is close to, if not the same reality, his disciples later came to understand as the Holy Spirit. This Holy Wisdom, "Hagia Sophia" in Greek, is what the world needs now...

Homily delivered to the Saint Francis Catholic Community, Cuenca, Ecuador

Not Lifting a Finger: 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time (A), November 5, 2023

Jesus blasts the hypocrites who are his constant opponents in ministry with a series of accusations about their moral character. One among those accusations is particularly poignant for the cruelty it points to: those who lay heavy burdens upon others' shoulders, yet do not lift a finger to lighten the load. (A cheery apology for the interruption at the beginning of the homily when a small child wandered into the sanctuary, attracted by the beautiful statuary in the retablo of the church!).

Homily delivered to the Saint Francis Catholic Community of Cuenca, Ecuador. 

Loving Our Neighbor, 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A), October 29, 2023

Jesus yet again responds with great wisdom to the trick questions posed by those who are threatened by his public ministry. The two great commandments, including "the golden rule", to love our neighbor as ourselves, form the foundation of our moral lives and the way of the Gospel.

Homily delivered to the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador. 

On Coins, Idolatry, and Giving to God, 29th Sunday (A), October 22, 2023

In Jesus' encounter yet again with the Pharisees, he is confronted with a trap at base of which is a moral dilemma presented by the image of Caesar on a Roman coin, then common in use in the first century. Is it idolatrous to use such a coin given Caesar's pretensions to divinity or is it just a practical necessity allowed by God and for the good of his people? The trap is sprung, but Jesus turns the question on its head by making clear our concern as people of faith is not Caesar or his coins; it is our hearts and how we give them back to God. 

Homily delivered to the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, EC.

La Fiesta de Vida Eterna: 28o Domingo (A), 15 de octubre de 2023

La hermosa imagen del "Cielo de Dios" como una grande fiesta encima de una montaña alta provee a Jesús el base de la parábola que nos ofrece hoy en el evangelio de San Mateo. Jesús nos invita a la fiesta de vida eterna aun aquí en esta tierra. 

Iglesia de San Francisco, Cuenca EC

Heaven on Earth, 28th Sunday (A), October 15, 2023

And the parables just keep rolling! At the foundation of today's parable of the wedding feast gone sideways, is the beautiful image from the prophet Isaiah of the great feast atop the mountain where God is present lifting the veil that covers the nations, wiping every tear from every eye, and where death is no more. Jesus' adaptation of Isaiah pleads with the leaders of Israel to come to the feast...as he does us. 

Homily preached to the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, EC

Una parabola que nos asusta y un sinodo, 27o Domingo (A), 8 de octubre, 2023

La parabola que Jesus ofrece a los sumos sacerdotes y ancianos del pueblo de Israel nos asusta. El hijo del dueno esta matado por los trabajadores. Los ancianos y sacerdotes no entienden que Jesus esta hablando de ellos. Su gran pecado de arogancia es un pecado que siempre nos afliga. El Sinodo en Roma es un ejercicio espiritual y eclesial a purificar la iglesia de este pecado tan horible. 

Homilia dado en la Iglesia de Todos Santos, Cuenca Ecuador.

A Shocking Parable and A Synod, 27th Sunday (A), October 8, 2023

Yet another parable from Jesus directed to the high priests and elders of the people...but this one is particularly shocking because of how Jesus ends it: with a horrific murder. Even this does not break through the blindness and cold-heartedness of the elders. Their failure to see because their authority and power had hardened them is a failure that plagues the Church, too. The current Synod taking place in Rome is the Church doing her best to step away from this sin of arrogance that comes with power and instead serve the world in humility and self-giving love. 

Homily delivered to the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador. (Apologies for the poor audio quality of this recording; sometimes technology just lets us down!)