Dayton XII Presents: Recent Episodes
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A collection of homilies and talks on the spiritual life, produced by the Catholic parishes of Pastoral Region XII in Dayton, Ohio. Learn more at www.daytonxii.org
On the feast of the Ascension, Fr. Ambrose reflects on the importance of maintaining hope in Christ.
On the feast of the Ascension, Fr. Joe asks the crucial questions: Where is Jesus? Has he ascended in our hearts?
Still in the Easter season, Fr. Ambrose offers a beautiful reflection on the Christian witness as us cooperating with grace and acting with love because God first loved us.
Reflecting on Jesus' statement "I am the vine, you are the branches," Fr. Joe offers a helpful meditation on the art of pruning.
On the third Sunday of Easter, Fr. Ambrose argues that "prayer and union with Christ in prayer is more important than any of the individual acts of service that go on in the Church."
"There's so much more to reality than what meets the eye," says Fr. Joe, as he reflects on faith, the mystery of the Eucharist, and the apostles' experience with the risen Christ.
In a moving reflection on Divine Mercy Sunday, Fr. Joe says that the only way the world will change "is through the mercy of God received by us and then extended to others."
On Good Friday, Fr. Ambrose encourages us to spend time in silence as we contemplate the suffering, death, and sacrifice of Jesus.
Reflecting on the gospel reading for Palm Sunday, Fr Ambrose reminds us that "There truly is hope in the mercy which our Lord Jesus Christ offers to us."
"Even in the darkest time, if you have the eyes to see it, there is light." This is the central theme of Fr. Joe's moving meditation on Palm Sunday.
On this 5th Sunday of Lent, Fr. John encourages us to lower our defenses and let God "transform us into who He wants us to be: Christ for others."
On this 4th Sunday of Lent, Fr. Ambrose reflects on our call to turn away from sin and embrace the Gospel. Understanding how sin affects us helps us appreciate the grace and power of Christ.
On this 3rd Sunday of Lent, Fr. Ambrose reflects on the aim of Lent. He says: "This is what we aim to do in all of Lent: to take that victory of Christ that he wants to win in us and let it get as deep and as thorough and as total throughout our soul as it can be."
Taken together, the readings for the second Sunday of Lent (God asking Abraham to sacrifice his own son; the transfiguration of Jesus) emphasize our need to trust in God. Fr. Ambrose reflects on this as he encourages us to keep our eyes on Christ.
On this second Sunday of Lent, Fr. Alex digs into the details and contexts of today's readings and finds beauty in the theme of dying to self.
We are always invited to have a deeper relationship to Jesus, to live in his light. Fr. Joe reflects on this on this second Sunday of Lent
On this first Sunday of Lent, Fr. Ambrose offers a beautiful reflection on the self-sacrificial love of God and our call to imitate it. He reminds us: "God can do incredible works of generosity and mercy throughus."
On Ash Wednesday, Fr. Ambrose reflects on our exterior actions and the inward motions that order them towards true repentance. He says: "This is the goal and the ultimate reality of repentance...to live with such an incredible, burning holiness that everyone who looks at us sees not just us but Christ."
On this first day of Lent, Fr. Joe talks about the importance of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
In today's gospel account Jesus was "moved by pity." Fr. Joe offers a beautiful reflection on our call to imitate Christ in being moved to compassionate action by the suffering of others.
Pain is unavoidable. Suffering is inevitable in this life. Fr. Ambrose reflects on how we might suffer well.
There are many different ways in which our hearts can be broken. Fr. Joe reflects on sadness, grief, and sin, and reminds us to live in hope: "Praise the Lord, no matter what's going on. Give him thanks, no matter what. Because He heals the broken-hearted."
Reflecting on prayer and the spirituality, Fr. Ambrose explores the natures of marriage and consecrated life.
Is the devil real or a just a myth? Examining the Church's teaching on this question, Deacon Bob reflects on sin, temptation, and the importance of prayer.
Reflecting on St. Paul's words on anxiety, Fr. Alex Harb talks about the struggles we all face with anxiety and worry.
We're immersed in a culture that encourages attachments to things. Offering a beautiful alternative, Fr. Ambrose expounds on the virtue of detachment.
Reflecting on how the original 12 Apostles each answered the call to follow Jesus, Fr. John encourages us to consider how God calls each of us. He says: "God gives us time to figure out who Jesus is, what Jesus is calling and asking us to do in our lives for building the kingdom of God."
Fr. Ambrose gives an important parish update and offers a beautiful reflection on how communities can pray through their struggles together.
Fr. Joe gives an important parish update. And he reflects on our need for healing, saying: "When we have trouble, we realize that prayer is right — we live in a valley of tears."
We are all connected through Baptism. On this feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Joe distinguishes between social and spiritual isolation, reflecting on how spiritual isolation [due to sin] can disrupt our true communion.
"What type of power do we use to include and exclude people in our lives?" This question is central to Fr. Tony's reflection on The Epiphany, as he reminds us that Christ came to save us all.
Reflecting on the feast of the Epiphany, Fr. Ambrose talks about how we can "find Christ in the smallness" and in prayer.
God exists outside of time. And yet, God chose Mary as the link, the bridge between time (as we understand it) and eternity. On this Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Fr. Tony reflects on the concept of time and our ability to transcend it by grace.
On this Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Tony offers a beautiful reflection on how our true treasure lies at the heart of the love we share within our families.
On the Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Ambrose emphasizes the importance of taking the time to pray together as a family.
We celebrate the Holy Family as "a model of faith and of family life, of how to grow into a decent human being." So says Fr. Joe on this blessed feast day.
While the inn had no room for Christ, the manger welcomed him. Is your heart the inn or the manger? This question is at the heart of Fr. Joe's beautiful Christmas homily.
At midnight Mass, Fr. Tony reflects on the joy of Christmas and the comfort we can take in knowing that God is with us.
Reflecting on the hardships of 2020, Fr. Ambrose gives thanks for the joy of Christmas — that God dwells among us even in our darkest nights.
On the 4th Sunday of Advent, Fr. Ambrose finds hope in surrendering to God's will amid the strange reality of 2020.
On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Fr. Ambrose reflects on the Christian call: "Our job is to follow Mary's footsteps in following Christ, in giving up this grasping desire for control."
"Sin, of its nature, warps and changes and breaks and bends and wounds," says Fr. Ambrose, in a stirring Advent reflection on our call to conversion and the gift of freedom in Christ.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what would you do differently? This question is at the heart of Fr. Tony's reflection on this 1st Sunday of Advent. He urges us to be watchful, to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
On this feast day celebrating Jesus Christ as the King of the Universe, Fr. Ambrose reflects on its implications.
Reflecting on the historical context of the establishment of the feast of Christ the King, Fr. Tony considers how Jesus Christ redefined what it really means to be a king.
In this moving homily, Fr. Ambrose reflects on the love, joy, and mercy at the heart of God's generosity.
Reflecting on the relationship of risk and reward in the Christian life, Deacon Bob reminds us that "we must use our spiritual talents" and the gifts we've been given to love God and our neighbors.
Reflecting on how hard the Christian life can be, Fr. Ambrose reminds us that we're not alone — we have each other. We are all brothers and sisters [in Christ] to help each other stay strong in the faith, in hope, and in love.
How to be a real Christian is the focus of this reflection from Fr. Joe. He discusses the spiritual and the corporal works of mercyand their role in our growth in love of God and neighbor.
On the feast of All Saints, Fr. Tony offers a moving reflection on saintly living and the beatitudes. He emphasizes that we are allcalled to be saints.
On the feast of All Saints, Fr. Ambrose reflects: "If we want to be like the saints, we have to open our heart up more for the desire for God."
Asking the age-old question Who is my neighbor?, Fr. Tony reflects on our Christian call to love. He says: "You can't love God without loving your neighbor and you can't love your neighbor unless you love God."
Reflecting on the greatest commandment, Fr. Ambrose reiterates that love is not a suggestion — it is a command.
On this 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Deacon Bob reflects on progress vs. perfection in our efforts to love as God loves.
Giving us a vivid picture of this well-known scene from the gospel of Matthew, Fr. Tony re-iterates our call as Christian disciples: "We give our lives back to God in lives of service to others."
Reflecting on the upcoming presidential election in light of the gospel, Fr. Joe reminds us: "We have to realize that each person will vote according to what their conscience tells them. And that's okay."
Exploring what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God, Fr. Ambrose reflects on the role of Catholics in American democracy. He reminds us: "All of us belong to God before we belong to any country...We belong to God before we belong to any political body."
"Jesus came to give us freedom," says Fr. Tony, encouraging us to make the faith our own.
In a timely homily, Fr. Ambrose reflects on Pope Francis' latest encyclical andSt. Paul's message to the Philippians.
Christ speaks truth to power. He calls those in authority to live up to the standards they set for others. Fr. Joe reflects on this and so much more.
In a moving homily on personal responsibility, Fr. Tony reflects: "Sure, we have rights. But it is our responsibility to use those rights according to the way God would have us use them."
"People canand dochange, by the grace of God or by their own sinfulness," says Fr. Ambrose. He adds: "We must make use of those mercies that God makes new in every day and in every morning."
Reflecting on the parable of the landowner, Deacon Bob meditates on the generosity of God.
In this moving homily, Fr. Ambrose reflects on how cultivating the virtue of hope can help us overcome our fear of death.
"Forgiveness is a way of life," says Fr. Tony in this homily on the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The forgiveness that God offers us is radical. As Fr. Ambrose reflects in this homily, Christ is calling us to an "incalculable mercy."
In a beautiful reflection on fraternal correction and reconciliation, Fr. Tony insists: "There is no relationship that is so broken that — if we turn it over to God — cannot be fixed."
Knowing when and how to forgive or ask for forgiveness of our brothers and sisters can be tricky. Fr. Joe shares some thoughts on the art of discernment.
"We have the word of God in us," Fr. Tony reminds us. And we must live the truth by bearing witness to Christ crucified and Christ glorified.
To truly imitate Christ is to walk the walk of self-sacrificial love. Fr. Ambrose reflects on this in a moving homily.
Authority is a responsibility — it is not something to be taken lightly, misused, or abused. Fr. Tony reflects on this in light of the authority Jesus bestows to Peter and the Apostles: "We are called to emulate Peter...so that we can help those come to Christ, not be a barrier for those who are searching."