Homilies by Fr. James Farfaglia: Recent Episodes
Salvatore James Farfaglia
If there are the sounds of a lively discussion mixed with hearty laughter and the aroma of a good cigar, Father James can't be too far away. His priestly service has taken him to four different countries, many parish settings, and in contact with more friends that rivals most politicians. One of his favorite quotes: "Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair." - G. K. Chesterton
Father James is the Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Visit him on the web for his Sunday homilies at http:// www.fatherjames.org.
In a powerful and inspirational homily, Father James explains the essential importance of forgiveness and what steps to take to forgive everyone always.
After a clear reflection about the lessons that we should learn from Hurricane Harvey, Father James explains the importance of fraternal correction as an act of love.
The gift of faith allows us to see things in a different way. From the perspective of faith, Father James reflects upon the controversial removal of statues and Monday's eclipse.
Why are Catholics celebrating the Assumption of Mary today? Why is a Catholic feast day so important? How do we fix our culture?
In an inspirational and powerful Sunday homily, Father James Farfaglia explains how we can be free from the fears that control us and allow us to experience the freedom that trusting in God will give us.
The equilibrium of Catholicism is explained today by Father James. It is the both/and approach to all of reality. Catholicism celebrates the physical as a gift from God, but it points our direction to the things of God as our treasure and the pearl of great price. During the Collect of today's Mass, the priest prays: "we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure."
Father James explains this Sunday's Gospel passage in a very practical way, providing concrete steps on how we can overcome evil and live a life with Jesus, filled with peace and joy.
The Word of God is the same for each person. Each person responds to the God’s love in different ways. The free will of each person is unique and quite mysterious.
In this Sunday's homily, Father James explains the importance of humility and how we can grow in this fundamental Christian virtue.
During the time of Jesus, Gehenna was a filthy, maggot infested garbage dump outside of Jerusalem. Jesus referred to Gehenna as an image for Hell. With passion and clarity, Father James exhorts his listeners to fight against sin, especially sexual sin, and to always make good use of the Sacrament of Confession.
In another inspirational and motivational homily, Father James challenges his listeners to reject the prevailing decadent culture and to embrace the truth of marriage, sexuality and family life according to God's plan.
Prayer is a gift from God and it is through prayer that we develop an intimate relationship with the Blessed Trinity. If prayer is a normal part of the life of any Christian, today prayer is even more important given the tumultuous times that we live in.
Today is Pentecost and Fr. James speaks from the heart on how to have an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Father James maps out a practical vision for the renewal of the west side of Corpus Christi, Texas.
As we journey through the Easter season, Father James focuses his reflection on these words from this Sunday"s Gospel: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14: 15). Christianity is practical. Christianity is a way of life. We show our love for Jesus by our actions.
Answering a criticism that Father James is a white priest telling Mexicans how to be Mexican, Father launches into a beautiful reflection on motherhood and the Mexican culture. Father explains that it is essential, for the survival of the family in America, for Mexican Americans never to forgot their beautiful culture.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He gives his life for the sheep. This is how we are to live our lives - giving ourselves to others. Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort.
Through his own experience of the loss of a dear friend, Father James explores the meaning of this Sunday's Gospel passage. The disciples of Emmaus grieve the loss of Jesus only to find him alive and risen from the dead.
The beautiful gospel passage about Thomas and the Risen Jesus fills us with peace, joy and hope as we journey through the trials and tribulations of life.
Ash Wednesday and Lent brought us through an intense spiritual journey. Today we now come to celebrate once again Easter Sunday. What does it mean that Jesus rose from the dead?
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the year. The Sacred Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday mark the culmination of Holy Week.
Father James explains, in a clear and practical way the meaning of the Sacred Triduum and how we are to participate in these three special days.
Lazarus, come out! With these amazing words, Jesus brings the dead man back to life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. In another inspirational homily, Father James invites us to understand that Jesus is real and that we need to be real too.
This Sunday’s gospel narrative allows us to examine closely the intense and ever increasing tension developing between the Pharisees who can see physically, but are spiritually blind, and a simple, humble man who is physically blind, but who eventually is able to see who Jesus really is.
If we were to give a title to this Sunday's Gospel passage we could call it: Man's Search for God and God's Search for Man. Father James delivers a powerful homily about the beautiful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
As we begin our Lenten journey, this Sunday's liturgy reminds us that the battle with Satan is real. Father James provides practical ways to overcome temptation, sin and evil in our lives.
In a passionate homily about personal conversion and spiritual progress, Father James invites all of us to change whatever we need to change in our lives.
Ash Wednesday begins the most practical time in the lives of Catholics. What we are seeking is spiritual progress. Father James explains the practical steps for a successful Lent.
Of all of the teachings of Jesus, the mandate to love our enemies is the one most far reaching and difficult to live. In this Sunday's homily, Father James provides practical ways in which we can put this demanding part of the Gospel into practice.
Father James delivers a crystal clear review of the teachings of the Catholic Church on the Sacrament of Marriage. In a time of intense confusion, clarity is essential.
Father James provides another inspirational Sunday homily as he explains how we are to put today's Gospel passage into practice within the daily circumstances of our lives. Jesus invites us to be salt of the earth and light of the world. What does this mean?
Fr. James, in this Sunday's homily, explains to us the fundamentals of Christianity: 1) how to encounter the Risen Jesus; 2) how to develop and maintain a lasting friendship with him; 3) how to live out the Gospel in our daily lives.
Encounter, meeting the Risen Jesus, knowing the Lord...we have heard these things mentioned many times. But, how do we "do it?" How does it happen? How do we encounter the Risen Lord post-Pentecost?
Fr. James explores the cause of why the celebration of Christmas has become so narcissistic and materialistic. Do Christians really know who Jesus is?
In another inspirational and motivational homily, Father James explains the meaning of Christmas and how to deal with family issues that are difficult to deal with during the holiday season.
Today is the 29th anniversary of Father James' ordination to the Catholic priesthood. Each year we get together to give thanks to God for this awesome gift. Here is the homily of Father's homily during the 9 AM Mass of Thanksgiving at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas.
On the last Sunday of Advent, the Catholic Church allows us to contemplate the Incarnation through Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Father James Farfaglia, the Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas explains the significance and practical applications of the name Guadalupe.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is not really Our Lady of Guadalupe, instead she is really Our Lady of coatlaxopeuh which is pronounced "quatlasupe." Coatlaxopeuh means She who crushes the head of the serpent.