Catching the Word with Fr. Garry Koch: Recent Episodes
Diocese of Trenton
Every week Fr. Garry Koch reflects on the reading for Sunday with occasional messages from Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M.
On this 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch explains that through the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us to overcome prejudice and hatred. He calls us to love our enemies.
On this 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch tells us about Christ disciples who were called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ after His death and resurrection. We are reminded that the gate is narrow and the way is difficult for all disciples of Christ.
Father Garry Koch tells about the power of the call to discipleship and how we are called to an ongoing encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.
On this Feast of Corpus Christi, Father Garry Koch tells us about the institution of the Eucharist and the Revival in the Catholic Church in the United States to increase the understanding that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.
On the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity Father Garry Koch explains to us the meaning of the Trinity and the importance of this belief in our Catholic faith.
The Holy Spirit is the constant companion of the disciples of Jesus after his resurrection...as it is for the church today...and in our own life. We call upon the Holy Spirit to inspire in us, the wisdom within us, to understand God's will in our lives.
On this 16 Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch tells us that programs and projects are important aspects of ministry. But we must also rely on the Holy Spirit and the grace of God to provide the nourishment we need to bear the fruit we are meant to bear.
Father Garry Koch reflects on the meaning of peace...the meaning of the sign of peace in church; what it means when we pray for peace; and how peace must be motivated by love.
On this 5th Sunday of Easter Father Garry Koch tells us about the early church and the apostles. By the end of the 1st Century the Gospel had been proclaimed from the Southern tip of England to the West Coast of India...and all of the villages and cities in between. This is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the apostles and their co-collaborators.
On this 4th Sunday of Easter Father Gary Koch tells us that the world cannot silence the voice of Jesus. After his death the Apostles and St. Paul helped to spread the gospel throughout the Roman world very quickly.
In the Gospel reading for this 3rd Sunday of Easter Jesus prepares the disciples for the consequences they will face bringing the Good News to the world. Their mission will be filled with success but it will also come at a cost.
On Divine Mercy Sunday, the 2nd Sunday of Easter Father Garry Koch reflects on the story of the doubling Thomas. He reminds us that the impact of doubters in our lives. We must never let them make us doubt what we believe.
On the Easter Sunday, Father Garry Koch tells uf the meaning of the empty tomb and what we can learn from the disciples in the Upper Room.
On this 5th Sunday of Lent Father Garry Koch asks us to examine our tendency to judge others. We all struggle with our own sin and need mercy. Jesus challenges us to look into our hearts and seek mercy for ourselves and offer mercy, not judgement to others.
On this Fourth Sunday of Lent as Father Garry Koch tells us that no parable demonstrates a better outline for mercy than the Prodigal Son. We are all challenged to show mercy even in the face of the merciless. lent challenges how we value mercy.
On this Third Sunday of Lent Father Garry Koch tells about about the history of God's mercy and compassion throughout history, from Moses' time to Jesus life on earth. This week's readings emphasize the importance of these two principles. Mercy and compassion are probably two of the most difficult demands to Christian discipleship.
On this 2nd Sunday of Lent Father Garry Koch reflects on the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor 40 days before his crucifixion. Father Koch reminds us of the importance of silence in our prayer.
On this First Sunday of Lent Father Garry Koch reminds us that during Lent we are challenged to turn away from sin and follow the Gospel. This is a time for authentic conversion, attempting to change the rest of lives, not just these 40 days.
On this 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch reminds us that as the season of Lent approaches we are called to reflect on our own judgement of others. Our focus should be on showing love and mercy toward others and not judging or condemning them.
On this 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch reflects on the Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Luke. He tells us that at the root of mercy stands justice grounded in love.
On the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch breaks down Chapter 6 of the Gospel of Luke, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. He tells us how Jesus turns the tables on the smug and self important and those who think they have it all together...those who have the fame and fortune of this world.
On this 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch reflects on the Gospel of Luke Chapter 5. Luke recounts how Jesus begins to assemble his disciples like Peter, James and John. He asks this group to follow him and lead others to faith. This is the beginning of the foundation of the church.
On this 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch reminds us that discipleship and leadership in service to the Gospel can come at great cost...even today in some parts of the world.
On this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch explains the history of the bible and the scriptures...the story of our faith. He emphasizes the importance of reading and praying the scriptures.
On this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch tells us that in the Gospel According to John, John the Apostle reveals Jesus as the Messiah when he turns water into wine at the wedding feast of Cana. Jesus transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Wine becomes the new covenant - the blood of Jesus Christ.
On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Father Garry Koch tells us that Baptism can transforms us, as long as we allow it to take root.
On the Feast of the Holy Family Father Garry Koch stresses the importance of family and why we must support strong and healthy families and the family bond in our society.
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent Father Garry Koch reflects on the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. He also tells us about the important role that John the Baptist played in salvation history.
Gospel Reflection for Dec. 12, 2021, The Third Sunday of Advent. Written by Fr. Garry Koch and Read by Bill Staub.
On this 2nd Sunday of Advent, Father Garry Koch reminds us that we are called to repentance and go to confession. This is a time to reflect and recognize God's plan for the world and His plan in our own life.
On the First Sunday of Advent we begin a new liturgical year and we reflect on the warning of the end of times. Father Garry Koch reminds us that we must be alert and accept the challenge to bring healing, peace and mercy to a broken world.
On this last Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Christ the King Father Garry Koch tells us how Jesus rejected worldly power and didn't seek a kingdom in this world. The kingdom of God encompasses everyone who belongs to the truth, and who listens to Jesus' voice.
Father Garry Koch tells us that just like the days of the Old Testament when the prophets had to read the signs of the times, the church today must do the same. But it must be kept in context.
On this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch echoes the need that we must be generous and charitable. We do this for our own benefit to better understand God's love and mercy for us all.
On this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch reminds us that love of God should be our primary motivation of all that we do in our life. Second is to love our neighbor.
On this 30th Sunday in ordinary time, in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10, the blind man Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus to heal his blindness. Father Garry Koch tells us that Bartimaeus is an example of the desire in each of us to seek the healing and merciful presence of God.
On this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch tells us how Jesus was preparing the disciples of the cross that He would suffer. He warns them that that the same fate awaits them if they are to continue to be His disciples. Just like the disciples, we too are challenged today, to drink from the cup of His blood, and follow Him.
Father Garry Koch tells us how there are different scenarios on how Jesus calls us to be be His disciples. The idea of being a disciple is very different from the reality of living it. We must examine what holds us back from following the Lord completely.
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Father Garry Koch reflects on the significance of marriage and it's impact on the family. Father Garry tells us that marriage is the truest expression of a lived covenant and Jesus elevates the meaning of marriage to a sacrament union.
Let none of us ever be a source of pain, scandal or division, but rather the instrument of God’s loving mercy.
On this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch reflects on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter nine. He tells us that service is at the heart of discipleship and that Jesus' example of success is to be a servant.
On this 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch describes the confusion the disciples had understanding the Messianic role of Jesus. It was difficult for them to grasp the meaning of the cross...that Jesus, the Messiah, would endure so much suffering.
The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Father Garry Koch tells us, that in Chapter 7 of Mark's Gospel, Jesus speaks the word "Emhphatha" while healing a deaf man. Emhphatha means to "Be Open". We are all called and challenged to be open to understanding our faith. Once we are open to the word of God and His truth ....we can speak this truth and evangelize the world!
Father Garry Koch tells us that prayerful routines and various devotions can be a great spiritual benefit to us. But we shouldn't obsess over the actual routine. Jesus called His disciples to a moderation of life and to a more balanced expressions of faith.
In this reflection on the Gospel of John Chapter 6, Father Garry Koch reminds us that the most important thing that we will do in our lives is to share in the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
On this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch reminds us that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. He is the "bread that came down from heaven!"
On this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch tells us that we are all called to make a leap of faith in many aspects of our lives. We often look for signs in our life to make them. But sometimes we demand too many signs. True faith in Jesus does not seek signs.
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Father Garry Koch explains the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and its meaning.
On this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Garry Koch explains how in today's society many of us feel like we can be our own shepherd, and the only voice we need to hear is our own. But the way of discipleship is to pause and listen the voice and guidance of Jesus.
Father Garry Koch emphasizes that the church today continues the same mission as when it began with the first missionaries, the apostles. Father Garry also reminds of that we must be aware of the presence of sin in our lives, along with having the desire to be healed.
Father Garry Koch reminds us that Jesus taught us that there is no room for ego in the proclamation of the Gospel. The Gospel will be more widely rejected than it is accepted in every time and place. When Jesus went back to His hometown of Nazareth the people were fundamentally closed to His message. Jesus doesn't take it personally, but shakes off the dust from His feel and He left Nazareth for the last time.
On this 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Father Garry Koch reminds us that there are many ways to approach the Lord. What is important is that we are not afraid to reach out to Jesus. Jesus is always there for us.
This week Fr. Garry Koch reflects on our need to discern the will of God in our everyday lives. Throughout our lives we must look to Jesus for guidance, even in areas where we feel we are experts.
The nature of the Church, especially in relation to the Kingdom of God, is one that has been the source of much speculation by theologians over the centuries. The Kingdom of God is certainly more comprehensive than merely the Church herself. God’s kingdom is universal, unconstrained by the limits of time and space. One might expect that, if indeed sensate life exists on other planets in the universe, that they are equally members of God’s plan for creation and members of the great Kingdom of God. The Church, including all of her visible and invisible members, is limited to our immediate experience of history.
Father Garry Koch reflects on the meaning of the Eucharist and it's connection to Jesus' crucifixion and the church on this Sunday, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Sunday May 30 is the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Father Koch explains history of the covenant God had forged with the people of Israel and the new covenant forged by Jesus...the Son of the Father who, after His death and resurrection sent His Holy Spirit. These three make the Holy Trinity and is expressed in the world today through the Church.
On Pentecost Sunday - Peace was the first word that Jesus spoke to His disciples after His resurrection. Jesus bestowed His peace and the Holy Spirit to His disciples before He ascended to heaven. We are challenged everyday to live and share this same peace to the world we live in. It is also this is the same peace we receive in confession today.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Father Garry Koch reviews the 4o days Jesus spent with the disciples before he ascended to Heaven. During this time, Jesus prepared them for their ministry to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth! As Jesus returns to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, His disciples begin the work of the church.
On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, Father Garry Koch emphasizes the importance of love to us as followers of Jesus. In his gospel, the only commandment that John mentions Jesus' commandment to Love. The love that Jesus refers to is sacrificial, self-giving and unconditional.
On this 5th Sunday of Easter, Father Garry Koch reflects on Jesus' parable about the vine and the branches. Father Garry reminds us that we are incomplete outside of the Church community...when we are apart from Jesus, the vine.
On this 4th Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, Father Garry Koch reflects on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the True Shepherd. He also shares his thoughts on the role and responsibility of shepherds/leaders in the church today, as well as the sheep.
On this 3rd Sunday of Easter Father Garry Koch tells us that when the risen Jesus appeared to his disciples he was familiar, yet barely recognizable. They were encountering Him in a new way. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection we are able to encounter Him everyday through the sacraments.
The 2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday - Mark Chapter 16, 9-15 - Father Garry Koch tells us that upon seeing the risen Jesus for the first time in the Upper Room, and receiving His Holy Spirit, his disciples were permanently transformed. Now as apostles, they were charged with giving testimony, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Father Garry Koch reflects on the discovery of the empty tomb and the significance of this event to our faith and Christian theology. Jesus conquered death thus giving us the gift of eternal life.
Father Garry Koch reflects on the gospel reading from Mark Chapter 11 and John Chapter 12 for this Palm Sunday. He reviews the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion starting with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
On the 5th Sunday of Lent Father Garry Koch reflects on the Gospel this week, the Gospel of John Chapter 12. It is here that Jesus speaks of two deaths, His own eminent death on the cross and the death to self that is necessary to all who follow Him. We must abandon and forsake this life in order to obtain eternal life.
On this 4th Sunday of Lent, Father Garry Koch tells us that the readings this week demonstrate that "All of God's actions in history is a manifestation of God's love.
On this third Sunday of Lent Jesus challenges us to upset the money changers in our lives and reorient our lives toward the Lord.
For the Second Sunday of Lent Father Garry Koch reflects on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9 where Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the mountaintop and they witness His transfiguration. Father Garry tells us that although our ultimate goal is to be on the mountaintop with the Lord; Our journey of Life and faith is a constant trek from wilderness to mountaintop.
On this first Sunday of Lent Father Garry Koch challenges us to face our own temptations. He also reminds us that the Lord provides angels in our lives to help us to overcome the temptations and struggles we face.
On this 6th Sunday in Ordinary time, Father Garry Koch reflects on the 1st Gospel of Mark and Jesus healing of the leper. The healing of the leper is another sign to Jesus' followers that the kingdom of God is overcoming the power of Satan in the world.
In this commentary Father Garry Koch focuses on the healing ministry of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. Father Koch tells us how Jesus was recognized by his followers as someone extraordinary who brought healing to a world broken by sin and overcome by the kingdom of Satan.
On this fourth Sunday in ordinary time, Father Garry Koch reflects on the beginning of Jesus' teaching ministry when he speaks in the synagogue and exorcises a demon from a man. This is the beginning of Jesus' popularity among the people of Galilee.
On this third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Sunday of the Word of God, Father Garry Koch tells us how the Gospel of Mark prepares the reader for the "ending", the crucifixion of Jesus. John the Baptist's, martyrdom is a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus.
On this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time , Father Garry Koch reflects on the The Gospel of John, Chapter 1, where John the Baptist proclaims "Behold the Lamb of God!" as Jesus walked by. Upon hearing this, Andrew went on to proclaim to his brother Simon that he has found the Messiah, thus becoming the first to evangelize to another.
On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we are reminded that the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan marks the beginning of His ministry. We share in this baptism, but not of Jesus and water, but baptism through Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.
As we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, Father Garry Koch reflects on the journey of the Magi to pay homage to the Messiah. He tells us that the Magi's arduous search and task for the pursuit of the truth and God reminds us of the challenges and blessings of our own spiritual journey.