Father Kevin A. Codd

Sweet Graces, Corpus Christi-B, June 2, 2024

The expansive display of sweets of all kinds here in Cuenca's Parque del Calderon this Corpus Christi weeks raises the simple question, "Why?" The answer is clear if we understand what sweets symbolize in the popular Catholic imagination, particularly in Latin America. Just about everything dealing with God and his love for us! Sweet are God's abundant graces in our lives!

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

The Trinity is First an Experience, Trinity Sunday-B, May 26, 2024

To "understand" the Holy Trinity is only possible after we have "experienced" the Holy Trinity as did Jesus' first disciples. 

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

Lo que la viña nos enseña, 5o Domingo de la Pascua-B, 28 de abril, 2024

Un viñador nos ensena el significado de la viña, el tronco, y sus uvas: comunión con Dios y los demás.

Homilía compartida por el Padre Kevin con la comunidad católica de Santa Teresita, Misicata (Cuenca, Ecuador)

What Vines Teach Us, 5th Sunday of Easter (B), April 28, 2024

The image of the Marlboro Man is the archetype for rugged individualism. The humble vine-tender with his vines is an archetype of communion. 

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

"La Paz Este con Ustedes," 2o Domingo de la Pascua (Misericordia Divina) B, 7 de abril, 2024

Juan 20: 19-31: Al anochecer del día de la resurrección, estando cerradas las puertas de la casa donde se hallaban los discípulos, por miedo a los judíos, se presentó Jesús en medio de ellos y les dijo: "La paz esté con ustedes". Dicho esto, les mostró las manos y el costado. Cuando los discípulos vieron al Señor, se llenaron de alegría.

Las primeras palabras que Jesús resucitado dice a sus discípulos son sencillas pero importantes: "La paz este con ustedes." O en hebreo: "Shalom." ¿Que es esa “paz” que Jesús les ofrece? La consideramos...

Homilia para el segundo domingo de la Pascua/Divina Misericordia (B)

Peace be with you. Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)-B, April 7, 2024

Jesus' first words to his disciples are simple: "Peace be with you." The fact that he repeats them two more times in today's reading from the Gospel of John would indicate they are very important words, indeed. Just what kind of peace is Jesus extending to his frightened and confused disciples? 

Homily shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca, Ecuador. (A Spanish version of this same reflection is also available on this site). 

Mary Magadalene, Simon Peter, and Young John, Easter Morning (B), March 31, 2024

On this Easter morning, John's Gospel gives us three important characters in the opening verses of his Resurrection story for our joyful consideration. Each responds to the empty tomb in a different way; only one sees and believes. 

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

He Handed Over His Spirit, Good Friday (B), March 29, 2024

In the most poignant moment in John's Passion, Jesus "hands over his spirit." What might John mean by this strange final note to Jesus' passion? Perhaps we need to go back to the Creation story in Genesis to plumb its meaning.

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

"Kenosis": Pouring Out in Three Lessons, Holy Thursday, March 28, 20224

As we begin the Holy Triduum, the thread that runs through the solemnities of these days is captured in the Greek word: "Kenosis". Jesus teaches his disciples the meaning of "kenosis" in three lessons: the washing of feet, the breaking of the bread, and the acceptance of the cross. 

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

Why have you abandoned me? Palm/Passion Sunday (B), March 24, 2024

"Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtani? My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? We cannot afford to warm or lighten the cold blackness of these final words of Jesus in the moments before he dies. To do so risks cheapening the mystery of the Incarnation and the glory of the Resurrection. This is Jesus in the fullness of his humanity feeling God's absence and crying out for its loss. In our own desolations of the spirit when God seems absent from us, Jesus is our companion and our guide through the darkness to the light of the Third Day. 

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