Fr. Bryan Ochs' Weekly Homily: Recent Episodes
St. Rose Catholic Church
Fr. Bryan talks about the meaning of the word "Gospel," how it was commonly used in the ancient world, and how we should proclaim good news today.
Fr. Bryan explains a method Jesus gives for resolving conflict in the Church, and how he has learned from mistakes that it is true.
Fr. Bryan explains how to effectively proclaim what it means to take up our cross and follow Jesus.
In this homily, Fr. Bryan urges everyone to pray. Prayer helps us to rise above the chaos of life and to rescue others from the chaos as well.
Prophets are men and women who speak on behalf of God. If we want our Church to be a prophetic voice, we need to support the prophets like the woman and her husband who supported Elisha the prophet.
Fr. Bryan explains one of the graces of fasting and how it applies to the pandemic. Our entire world is hungry for the Eucharist, even if they do not know it.
Fr. Bryan explains how the Trinity is a really the doctrine of the Love between a Father and Son and what it means to truly be saved.
Fr. Bryan explains why idolatry is such a serious sin and why God might be at work in the midst of this crisis.
It's a long one, but Fr. Bryan shares a bit about how our relationship with our mothers is sometimes like our relationship with God, and also reflects on what needs to happen before we reopen our parishes.
Fr. Bryan reflects on the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and considers why their hearts were burning within them. He explains a similar experience he had in college and shares how you can have this experience too.
Fr. Bryan explains how the Acts of the Apostles can give us clues for what the Church should be like today, and how this might come about during the pandemic.
This extended Lent is an opportunity for us all to experience the resurrection in ways we never had. Happy Easter!
Fr.Bryan explains how our suffering in communion with Jesus leads to peace, while other ways lead to fear, anger, despair, shame, and denial.
Judas grasped at control of his situation, and it led to death. Jesus emptied himself, and this leads to life.
Ever wonder what happened to Lazarus and his sisters after he was raised from the dead? Things probably weren't the same as they were before, and that's good. Similarly, there will be some changes that come about due to the coronavirus, but some of them will be good.
Fr. Bryan explains how this moment in history will change the way we see the world. We will come to see the world in new ways, like the man born blind.
Fr. Bryan explains the story of the Exodus and woman at the well in light of the Corona Virus Pandemic.
Fr. Bryan explains the important gifts that the Elderly bring to the Church and the world, and how they can bring peace to the young, especially the young who are fearful.
Fr. Bryan explains what it meant of the first disciples to drop their nets. Sometimes following the Lord requres a risk.
Fr. Bryan explains why John the Baptist is a model for evangelization and how reading culture helps us discern what people desire.
Fr. Bryan explains why we need Sacred Tradition to help us interpret scripture, and also what it means to be loved by the Father.
Fr. Bryan explains two types of fear in the Gospel and how they are at work in the world today.
Fr. Bryan explains why being able to make a commitment is so beneficial and important to our spiritual lives.
The season of advent is an opportunity for us to wake up, even though that can be difficult.
Fr. Bryan explains that every once in a while we need a bit of fire and brimstone in our lives to get our attention.
Fr. Bryan explains the Maccabean revolt and explains why we need to preserve the integrity of our faith.
Fr. Bryan explains how the situation in Ephesus evolved, and how Paul understood his imprisonment. Suffering that we endure for the Gospel today can help our lives bear fruit for others.
Fr. Bryan explains the difference between comfort that comes from wealth and the comfort that comes from faith and explains the purpose of suffering.
Fr. Bryan explains why it is important to pray for our leaders and to avoid constant conflict with the world around us.
Fr. Bryan explains why St. Paul wrote to Timothy and how the conversion of St. Paul and the story of the Prodigal Son can give us hope for the Church.
Fr. Bryan explains what Jesus means when he says, "If anyone comes after me without hating his father and mother, husband or wife, or even his own life he cannot be my disciple," and encourages us to preach good news to those who are discouraged.
Fr. Bryan explains the wisdom that dwells in the poor, and encourages our parishioners to ensure they have a place of honor in our lives.
Fr. Bryan explains why we need uninterrupted time with our family and friends and with God in order cultivate the love we need for service.
Fr. Bryan explains how we "weasel" our way out of the Law by questioning the meaning of words. We need redemption, not rules, to bring about peace and justice in the world.
Fr. Bryan explains that the difference between what Americans mean by freedom and what Christians mean by freedom. Freedom exists so love can exist.
Fr. Bryan shares an interesting message about a certain group of parishioners that inspires him to take the Eucharist very seriously.
Fr. Bryan talks about the Communion within the Trinity, baseball, and the love that fathers pass onto their kids.
Fr. Bryan explains how the lies we believe leads to isolation, and how the Holy Spirit speaks the truth of our identity before God.
Fr. Bryan explains the realities of Heaven and Hell in a way you may not have considered.
On Palm Sunday, the nature of evil is revealed to us. On Easter Sunday, the power of God is revealed. Jesus has defeated evil, and he gives us all apart to play in this battle. Recent tragedies in our own community show us we need to get in the fight.
Fr. Bryan explains the true nature of the priesthood and why he responded to God's call to serve as a priest.
Fr. Bryan talks about Kindness. The goal of our faith, concerning kindness, is to be kind to our family, friends, enemies, and strangers in thoughts, words, and actions at all times. This even includes showing kindness to God.
In a somewhat "strange" homily, Fr. Bryan explains how the feminine form proclaims the Gospel, how and why the evil one attacks femininity and how this plays out in the life of the Church.
Fr. Bryan ponders why the Magi travelled so far to encounter Jesus, and asks us all to be more aware of simple things we take for granted.
Marriage and Family are the foundation of society. Men have been stepping back from their role as Fathers. Father Bryan calls on all men to teach their children virtue.
Fr. Bryan explains how Jesus' prophetic words in Mark 13 apply to our own lives today. It is a message of hope for those in difficult moments.
Fr. Bryan reflects again on the horrible scandals of abuse in the Church, and asks us to draw ourselves into communion with the suffering members of the body by listening to their stories.
Fr. Bryan reflects on the awful revelations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in light of the Gospel.
Fr. Bryan explains the significance of the Holy Eucharist in our life of faith. The Eucharist forces us to confront the fact that we have desires within us that nothing in the created world can fulfill.
Fr. Bryan explains the role of John the Baptist, and how the Church is called to fulfill that role today.
Fr. Bryan explains the wisdom contained in the book of genesis. Sin has consequences. It makes us feel ashamed and isolated. It then leads to blame, which only makes it worse. In order to reverse sins consequences, we must admit fault and ask God for mercy.
Fr. Bryan explains that we best understand the Holy Trinity by entering into it. Through a process of healing, the love of the Father raises us, his sons and daughters, up out of sin and death.
Fr. Bryan gives a very important homily about healing. So many of our habitual sins come from wounds that cause fear, anger, and grief. Fr. Bryan explains how the Holy Spirit heals these wounds, and stops sin from spreading.
Fr. Bryan explains that Jesus reveals what it means to be a real man, and how men are called to offer themselves as a sacrifice.
Fr. Bryan explains how mercy and forgiveness helped the apostles experience peace, and how crucial it is for us all to have a personal experience of God's mercy.
The Lives of the Apostles, the Saints since the Apostles, and even our own parishioners demonstrate the power of the Resurrection.
Fr. Bryan explains the significance of the Ten Commandments, and how they apply to us. Even if God never offered these commandments, doing this forbidden actions would still hurt the world around us. Sorry, once again, for the audio issues.
Fr. Bryan explains the significance of Abraham's sacrifice of his son Isaac, and how it helps us to explain the crucifixion of Jesus. Sorry for the sound issues!
Fr. Bryan explains what the story of Noah's ark teaches us about how Jesus works in the world today as well as how it teaches us to address evil in our own world.
Fr. Bryan continues our series on the First letter to The Corinthians by explaining that being single is good! Single people have opportunities that many married people do not have and have an important role in healing our culture.
Fr. Bryan continues a series from over a year ago by looking at St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians. In this section of the letter, St. Paul applies Divine Wisdom to the questionable sexual morality of the Corinthians.
The readings for this week's Mass shed light on the importance of our elderly parishioners. It is beautiful to be old!
Fr. Bryan explains that the world hasn't changed much since the day Jesus was born. Jesus has saved us from the problems we face before, and he will save us again.
Fr. Bryan acknowledges the void that exists when we lose a loved one, and instructs us how to heal. He then shares the good news we find in the story of Jesus raising the son of a widow.
Fr. Bryan explains why love for God is absolutely essential if we want to experience eternal life, and explains how coming to appreciate the complexity and detail of scripture can cultivate that love within us.
Fr. Bryan explains the importance of scripture, and reminds us that there is more to being Catholic than being baptized as a baby.
The parable of the generous landowner shows us that God's ways are, in fact, above our ways. Fr. Bryan explains that this parable is not about economic models, but is actually about generosity and gratitude.
The readings are all about forgiveness. Fr. Bryan gives an honest homily over the pride he has in his parishioners who obey this difficult command.
Fr. Bryan tells a story from Church history of a serious conflict was resolved, and encourages us all to receive fraternal correction with humility and gratitude.
Fr. Bryan explains why God wants us to know him, and why we need the Church to know Jesus authentically.
Fr. Bryan explains that the final few steps in the spiritual life are just as important as the first few. The 10% of the Gospel we struggle to believe or struggle to live are very important. Our prayer in these instances is, "Lord, Save me!"
Fr. Bryan shares a personal story of the Transfiguration, as well as his hope that all Catholics will experience Jesus in a new way.
Fr. Bryan explains that being young is not an excuse to live the Gospel half heartedly. Our young parishioners are a great gift to our parish.
Fr. Bryan explains another key aspect of what it means to be a prophet, and helps us make sense of some of the suffering we endure.
Fr. Bryan explains the role of a prophet. As baptized Catholics, we are all called to the ministry of prophet and must speak authentically on God's behalf.
The Ascension should not be interpreted as Jesus leaving for a remote location in the Cosmos. The Ascension brings heaven and earth together. Fr. Bryan explains what the ascension reveals to us about being a disciple.
Fr. Bryan explains how many Catholics experience rejection for living their faith, and how our parish can help them.
Fr. Bryan explains what it means to have "Disordered Desires" and explains how Jesus the True Shepherd saves us from them.
Fr. Bryan talks about the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. This story teaches us that God is present to us during times of uncertainty and confusion.
Fr. Bryan observes that many people have become uninterested in God's Mercy, but the world has also become less merciful. He then explains how to recover a sense of God's mercy.
At the 2017 Easter Vigil, Fr. Bryan preached on the sacrifice of Abraham and explained how it relates to the sacrifice of Christ. He then offered some words of encouragement to five catechumens, about to be baptized.
Father Bryan explains what the crucifixion teaches us about times when we suffer because things don't go as we plan. This is recommended for anyone who is suffering in some way.
Fr. Bryan explains what we mean when we say the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.
Fr. Bryan explains the story of the woman at the well by explaining a similar event from his life.
Fr. Bryan explains that the greatest threats to the Church are not external threats, but internal threats. When we think of the Church in terms of human wisdom we run the risk of harming the body of Christ.
Fr. Bryan again talks about the difference between human and divine wisdom according to St. Paul. He also talks about one of the most foolish things we believe as Catholics, according to human wisdom.
St. Paul tells the Corinthians he resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ, crucified. Fr. Bryan explains what this means today, and asks if we are at a time when we need to emphasize our distinction from the world.
Fr. Bryan explains what Wisdom is. The Wisdom, or "Common Sense" of the world is very different from the common sense of God. God passes us his wisdom so we can see the world as he sees the world.
The first problem St. Paul addresses with the Corinthians was the problem of disunity. Fr. Bryan explains some ways the Catholic Church is divided today and encourages us to look outside of mainstream opinions.
Fr. Bryan introduces a series on the letter f St. Paul to the Corinthians, and explains some very subtle but very important we learn from St. Paul's greeting.
Fr. Bryan explains how the history of the Church mirrors the seasons in nature, and explains how the readings can help the Church endure periods of winter.