Homily from the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We choose our rivals. We are all confronted with the temptation towards resentment, when we see the blessings or gifts that others have. This temptation towards envy can be overcome when we choose to receive the gifts we’ve been given with gratitude, and choose to rejoice in the gift of others. Mass Readings from September 24, 2023: Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalms 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a...
Sep 23, 2023•23 min
Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Forgiveness is a decision. One of the most difficult commands that Jesus has called us to is that we must forgive those who have hurt us and who have hurt those we love. Loving like this is difficult. It is truly tough love that is willing to weigh up the hurt and release the offender from the debt that they owe. Mass Readings from September 17, 2023: Sirach 27:30—28:7 Psalms 103:1-4, 9-12 Romans 14:7-9 Matthew 18:21-35...
Sep 16, 2023•29 min
Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Do I love enough to listen? Do I love enough to speak? In loving the people around us well, one thing we have to contend with is loving them well in our words. We avoid all unnecessary negatives, love enough to listen, and love enough to speak. Mass Readings from September 10, 2023: Ezekiel 33:7-9 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 Romans 13:8-10 Matthew 18:15-20...
Sep 09, 2023•29 min
Homily from the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time "No" paves the way for "yes". Jesus gives us the conditions for discipleship. We must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. But what does it really mean to deny ourself? And how can this giant "no" pave the way for an even greater "yes"? Mass Readings from September 3, 2023: Jeremiah 20:7-9 Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 16:21-27...
Sep 02, 2023•25 min
Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time There are some questions that only you can answer. In the Gospel today, Jesus asks two questions. But there is a third unspoken question that needs to be asked and answered first: Who does Jesus say that He is? This question (and answer) will determine everything for the rest of our lives. Mass Readings from August 27, 2023: Isaiah 22:19-23 Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8 Romans 11:33-36 Matthew 16:13-20...
Aug 26, 2023•23 min
Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Knowledge without action is useless. Too often, our problem as followers of Christ is not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of courage. In order for us to live the lives Jesus has made possible by his grace, we do not need to know more. We need to be brave enough to act on what we know. Mass Readings from August 20, 2023: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Matthew 15:21-28...
Aug 19, 2023•19 min
Homily from the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is the New Ark of the New Covenant. It is fitting that Mary was assumed into Heaven since she is the fulfillment of the Ark in the Old Covenant. Mass Readings from August 15, 2023: Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 Luke 1:39-56...
Aug 15, 2023•12 min
Homily from the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A distraction issue or a decision issue? In order to achieve any worthwhile goal, we need to focus. Yet, distractions abound in our world and in ourselves. A distraction is anything that takes our focus away from what we need to be doing. But in order to know what a distraction is, we first have to know what it is we need to be doing. Mass Readings from August 13, 2023: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:2...
Aug 12, 2023•19 min
Homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Claimed. Respected. Trusted. Jesus Transfigured on the top of Mount Tabor precedes His journey to Mount Calvary. On Tabor, He is not merely transfigured...He is Claimed, Respected, and Trusted as the beloved Son. We too need the Father's voice to voice His claim over us, His respecting us, and His entrusting a mission to us. Mass Readings from August 6, 2023: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 2 Peter 1:16-19 Matthew 17:1-9...
Aug 05, 2023•22 min
Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Observe. Orient. Decide. Act. When we are faced with the challenges and obstacles of following Christ, it is easy to become overwhelmed. But we do not have to solve all of the potential issues. We are simply called to face this problem and take the next step. Mass Readings from July 30, 2023: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52...
Jul 29, 2023•24 min
Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The enemy can't win, he just wants you to lose. The Church has been established by Jesus Christ Himself. And yet, the Church has sinners and sin within Her ranks. The enemy of God and humanity has done this. We need to be aware of sin in the Church and sin in our own hearts. If we stay awake and alert, we can guard against sin in the Church and in our lives. Mass Readings from July 23, 2023: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 Romans 8:...
Jul 22, 2023•25 min
Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time We may want to run, but things get in the way. God provides the grace that we need to be able to grow as fully and freely as possible. But life is full of obstacles that make this growth a challenge. With God's grace, we can be prepared for these battles. Mass Readings from July 16, 2023: Isaiah 55:10-11 Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14 Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23...
Jul 15, 2023•29 min
Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time "Hurry is the greatest threat to the spiritual life and the way of Jesus." We constantly experience the temptation to "max out" our lives by racing from event to event, task to task. The goal of life is union with God and anything that takes us away from this goal is a major threat to this goal...including hurry. Mass Readings from July 9, 2023: Zechariah 9:9-10 Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30...
Jul 08, 2023•23 min
Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Just one more thing that could go wrong. To protect one's heart is the safest way to live. But since we are made in God's image and likeness, we are made for love. Without love, we remain safe...but we remain incomprehensible to ourselves. To love is to be vulnerable...it is to risk. To receive the gift means we must be open to grief. Mass Readings from July 2, 2023: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10...
Jul 01, 2023•19 min
Homily from the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We must cultivate the fear of the Lord in our lives. If we do not, then we will have only a partial vision of who God truly is. If we do not cultivate the fear of the Lord, then we will never have the proper relationship with God that we are made for. Mass Readings from June 25, 2023: Jeremiah 20:10-13 Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33...
Jun 24, 2023•25 min
Homily from the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Competent generosity is the key for healthy masculinity. Jesus prays that His Church is never without shepherds. This world and His Church is in need of leaders, of shepherds, and of fathers. While we will always need women and mothers, we stand in particular need of fathers at this moment in history. We need both: strong and generous men and women to place their strength at the service of the people around them. Mass Readings from June 18, 2023: ...
Jun 17, 2023•24 min
Homily from the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Feast of Corpus Christi) Love is the best thing in this world. We are made for love. God is love. We are therefore made for God. And God comes to us in love in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Christ at every Mass. Mass Readings from June 11, 2023: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 John 6:51-58...
Jun 10, 2023•18 min
Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity God, you get to tell me who You are. We have been made in the image of God. The common temptation that we all face is to re-make God in our own image. We can be drawn to the idea that we can simply worship the God whom we prefer rather than the God who has revealed Himself. Mass Readings from June 4, 2023: Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18...
Jun 03, 2023•15 min
Homily from Pentecost Sunday I do not want what Jesus has done in me to stop with me. Jesus has accomplished the Father's will in offering Himself on the Cross. He has further sent the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the world. God has done something incredible in the life of each Christian. And He sends us out into the world so that what He has done in us continues to be done in those close to us. Mass Readings from May 28, 2023: Acts 2:1-11 Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7...
May 27, 2023•16 min
Homily from the The Ascension of the Lord Approach the Lord with open hearts. It has been said that "10,000 difficulties do not make one single doubt". When we approach God, we can be tempted to hesitate. We need to be able to ask the questions that need to be answered. This asking is not the same thing as doubting. Mass Readings from May 21, 2023 Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Ephesians 1:17-23 Matthew 28:16-20...
May 20, 2023•20 min
Homily from the Sixth Sunday of Easter Jesus is the Lord. Is He my Lord? Saint Peter tells us to be prepared to give a reason for our hope. We need to be ready to give an explanation for the truth that Jesus is the source of hope. We also need to be ready to give a reason for our personal hope in Jesus. Mass Readings from May 14, 2023: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 1 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21...
May 13, 2023•22 min
Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Easter The Temple is the place of sacrifice. Peter notes that we are built into a spiritual house. We know what kind of building it is based on the purpose of the building. And the purpose of the Temple is to be the Presence of God and the place of worship and sacrifice. If we are temples of the Holy Spirit, then this is true for us as well. Mass Readings from May 7, 2023: Acts 6:1-7 Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12...
May 06, 2023•18 min
Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter Sometimes love is just showing up. At the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love alone. And to love is to give. Love almost always involves sacrifice. Because there is no present like the time. Mass Readings from April 30, 2023: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6 1 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10...
Apr 29, 2023•19 min
Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter Christian hope does not trust that all will be well if I get what I want, but that all will be well even when I don't. Sometimes the hardest part of the race is the last lap...and sometimes the hardest part of the race is the second to last lap. When the finish line is so far off that you can't see the end. In those moments, when all seems lost, hope declares that God can bring life out of death. Mass Readings from April 23, 2023: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Psalm 16:...
Apr 22, 2023•22 min
Homily from Divine Mercy Sunday It is of no use to say "I believe in Jesus" and then go back to life as usual. Faith is at the heart of our relationship with God. But our faith cannot simply be what we agree with or a mere belief. Our faith must move, act, and work. Like the early disciples, we must devote our lives to a "life of faith". Mass Readings from April 16, 2023: Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31...
Apr 15, 2023•21 min
Homily from The Resurrection of the Lord I believe in the resurrection of the flesh. Just as Jesus Christ conquered death by dying and gave us life by rising from the dead, every person will get their body back. Those who are lost will have the bodies in Hell, and those who are saved will have their glorified bodies in Heaven. What will those bodies be like? Mass Readings from April 9, 2023: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 John 20:1-9...
Apr 08, 2023•18 min
Homily from Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion I am guilty. And I am loved. When we are falsely accused, we can often be tempted to defend ourselves or justify ourselves. This makes sense, since we want the truth to be known. But we must not fool ourselves into convincing ourselves that we are innocent. Christ came to save sinners. That means, if I am not a sinner—if I am not guilty—then Christ did not come to save me. But I am guilty...and He did come for me. And for you. Readings from April 7, ...
Apr 07, 2023•15 min
Homily from Holy Thursday The only gifts the first priests had to offer the world was what God had given them. Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the final stages of Christ's Passion. But it also marks the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. Mass Readings from April 6, 2023: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15...
Apr 06, 2023•18 min
Homily from Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Jesus' secret is voluntary and radical acceptance. In His final moments on earth, our Rabbi teaches us one of the greatest lessons of Bet Midrash: how do we face the worst possible realities of life? Do we resist reality? Do we avoid addressing what scares us? Or do we do what Jesus did? Do we choose voluntary and radical acceptance? Mass Readings from April 2, 2023: Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 Philemon 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14—27:66...
Apr 01, 2023•19 min
Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Why does Jesus weep? Jesus wept. Why does Jesus weep in the face of the death of Lazarus? He weeps to silence the Great Lie. He weeps because He loves. He weeps in order to teach us to weep. Mass Readings from March 26, 2023: Ezra 37:12-14 Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45...
Mar 25, 2023•24 min
