Homilies of Father Matt Pennington: Recent Episodes
Denise C Williams
Explore a deeper connection with Jesus Christ. Selected Homilies provoke reflection, inspire and entertain.
Last is first, first is last. How unpredictable incidents can ruin your day. Finding peace in perspective.
What should you do when there is a conflict between choosing between time with God and time with your family or your job?
Finding the reason for your existence, how the church views our purpose, and pursuing true happiness. A story of a couple who adopts two siblings from another country. What the Catechism has to say.
Give to the departed eternal rest... Do we just shrug and accept these circumstances we are in, or what should we do? Discussion of our times, access to weapons, and what you can do as a child of God to access the God-Power. Perseverance. Prayer
Jesus appears to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. When we can see Jesus in others, we can learn to listen and even compromise.
How does the frame you carry influence your life experiences? Jesus reframed death. You can choose your frame. Choosing JOY
The incident at the 2022 Academy Awards; how our simmering anger that lies within influences our actions. Is it good to be angry? How the crowd reacted to the condemnation of Jesus. What history shows us about anger and how it destroys us today.
Tending and nurturing the tree to produce good fruit. You are the tree! Co-existing with each other would bring the world closer to peace.
Are your political beliefs and ideology causing hostility and are they more important than your family, peace, and spirituality?
Are your political beliefs and ideology causing hostility and are they more important than your family, peace, and spirituality?
Miracle at the Wedding at Cana inspires the question: Is my prayer too insignificant for God to grant?
Miracle at the Wedding at Cana inspires the question: Is my prayer too insignificant for God to grant?
Visionaries, like Bob Iger of Disney, seem to predict human behavior. Jesus was the ultimate visionary.
Visionaries, like Bob Iger of Disney, seem to predict human behavior. Jesus was the ultimate visionary.
Do not be fearful of the end. Signs of the times. Revelation. Advent ... and are you ready?
Do not be fearful of the end. Signs of the times. Revelation. Advent ... and are you ready?
What is sacrifice? Jesus' examples show that real sacrifice is always for the benefit of another's needs.
What is sacrifice? Jesus' examples show that real sacrifice is always for the benefit of another's needs.
Letting go of judgment: upload some new software to your brain. Employ new habits. Overcoming fear.
Letting go of judgment: upload some new software to your brain. Employ new habits. Overcoming fear.
Using your gifts, finding happiness, being content. Reading reference: James 3:16--4:3 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091921.cfm
Using your gifts, finding happiness, being content. Reading reference: James 3:16--4:3 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091921.cfm
We can choose gossip or choose to look at another with hope, charity, forgiveness, and love.
We can choose gossip or choose to look at another with hope, charity, forgiveness, and love.
In pursuit of success, we often run away from failure and challenges. But how fast can we run? Faith will help us face the challenges and help us find freedom.
In pursuit of success, we often run away from failure and challenges. But how fast can we run? Faith will help us face the challenges and help us find freedom.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation During the Pandemic. Sin, forgiveness, reconciliation, confession distraction, grace.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation During the Pandemic. Sin, forgiveness, reconciliation, confession distraction, grace.
Temptation creeps into your most vulnerable moments and those areas that are hardest to overcome. Where are your weakest links right now?
Temptation creeps into your most vulnerable moments and those areas that are hardest to overcome. Where are your weakest links right now?
As over 400,000 Americans have found out, you don't know when your time here is up. Do not let distractions change your priorities.
As over 400,000 Americans have found out, you don't know when your time here is up. Do not let distractions change your priorities.
Baptism and Resurrection. Facing your fears. "One has to die many times while one is still alive." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Baptism and Resurrection. Facing your fears. "One has to die many times while one is still alive." - Friedrich Nietzsche
A reflection of faith and gratitude in 2020 and every day. Reasons to be grateful today.
A reflection of faith and gratitude in 2020 and every day. Reasons to be grateful today.
Cultivating our relationship with God requires us to clear out the clutter in our lives.
Cultivating our relationship with God requires us to clear out the clutter in our lives.
What would Jesus say we should do to heal our division. Now is the time to resolve your conflicts.
What would Jesus say we should do to heal our division. Now is the time to resolve your conflicts.
St Paul's letter to the church of Rome (ROM 11:33-36) and the french film "Cache" reminds us that God is a mystery we may never fully solve.
St Paul's letter to the church of Rome (ROM 11:33-36) and the french film "Cache" reminds us that God is a mystery we may never fully solve.
There's a lot of trauma for everyone right now. How do we focus on what is important? Mass Link video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgTb6gvJ1qw&feature=youtu.be
There's a lot of trauma for everyone right now. How do we focus on what is important? Mass Link video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgTb6gvJ1qw&feature=youtu.be
The power of peace, healing, and consolation through Jesus. Dealing with exhaustion associated with the current events. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The power of peace, healing, and consolation through Jesus. Dealing with exhaustion associated with the current events. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Jesus dealt with anger and division in his life. How compromise and respect can create peace. A story about driving in L.A. traffic.
Jesus dealt with anger and division in his life. How compromise and respect can create peace. A story about driving in L.A. traffic.
Gifts are given to you through Baptism. The flames of faith need to be stoked. The full Mass is available at: https://vimeo.com/419383261
Gifts are given to you through Baptism. The flames of faith need to be stoked. The full Mass is available at: https://vimeo.com/419383261
During this time, there are many voices that divide us, but we can choose to listen to the true voice of Jesus.
During this time, there are many voices that divide us, but we can choose to listen to the true voice of Jesus.
John 20:19-31, Spending your time during isolation for good. Watch this Mass at: https://www.nativityslo.org/sunday-mass-videos
John 20:19-31, Spending your time during isolation for good. Watch this Mass at: https://www.nativityslo.org/sunday-mass-videos
This entire Mass and all the HOLY WEEK MASSES are available on video at: https://www.nativityslo.org/holy-week-videos Jesus is always with us in all circumstances. Christian Virtues: Forgiveness, Friendship, Loyalty. “You are braver than you believe, stro
This entire Mass and all the HOLY WEEK MASSES are available on video at: https://www.nativityslo.org/holy-week-videos Jesus is always with us in all circumstances. Christian Virtues: Forgiveness, Friendship, Loyalty. “You are braver than you believe, stro
What does the human condition of suffering have to teach us? The entire Mass is available at: Good Friday Mass: https://www.nativityslo.org/holy-week-videos
What does the human condition of suffering have to teach us? The entire Mass is available at: Good Friday Mass: https://www.nativityslo.org/holy-week-videos
The healing of a blind man by Jesus serves to teach us hope and courage today. A VIDEO OF THIS FULL MASS IS AVAILABLE AT: https://vimeo.com/399279926
The healing of a blind man by Jesus serves to teach us hope and courage today. A VIDEO OF THIS FULL MASS IS AVAILABLE AT: https://vimeo.com/399279926
Second Sunday of Lent - Gospel reading: The Transfiguration of Jesus. Father Matt tells a real-life story of hoarding during the COVID-19 - Corona Virus - outbreak of hoarding demonstrates the need to share as Jesus taught. Stress and pressure can bring o
Second Sunday of Lent - Gospel reading: The Transfiguration of Jesus. Father Matt tells a real-life story of hoarding during the COVID-19 - Corona Virus - outbreak of hoarding demonstrates the need to share as Jesus taught. Stress and pressure can bring o
A heartwarming story about a young child who saves her dad. Using your gifts to help others.
Isaiah 58:7-10 http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/58:7
A heartwarming story about a young child who saves her dad. Using your gifts to help others.
Isaiah 58:7-10 http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/58:7
Death can be a source of fear for most people. How can we get past it and become fearless?
Death can be a source of fear for most people. How can we get past it and become fearless?
Baptism stays with you forever. God is always with us. The symbolic meaning of white throughout life.
Baptism stays with you forever. God is always with us. The symbolic meaning of white throughout life.
Holiness is not necessarily "perfection." Respect and gratitude contribute to happiness.
Holiness is not necessarily "perfection." Respect and gratitude contribute to happiness.
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus warns of being vigilant in preparing for the end. How will you spend Advent?
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus warns of being vigilant in preparing for the end. How will you spend Advent?
Breathing underwater requires trust beyond your instincts. The kingdom is God is impossible to imagine for us. God's love for us is greater than we can imagine.
Breathing underwater requires trust beyond your instincts. The kingdom is God is impossible to imagine for us. God's love for us is greater than we can imagine.
Jesus' parable: Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14): Failure can be a blessing and being open to humility can improve your life. (Art:Francisco Ciccolella https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/21/health/psychology-humility-pride-behavior.html)
Jesus' parable: Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14): Failure can be a blessing and being open to humility can improve your life. (Art:Francisco Ciccolella https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/21/health/psychology-humility-pride-behavior.html)
The story of Jill Kinmont, a World-class Olympic champion, who overcame incredible challenges by using her talent. How are we called to use our talents? Parable of the Dishonest Steward.
The story of Jill Kinmont, a World-class Olympic champion, who overcame incredible challenges by using her talent. How are we called to use our talents? Parable of the Dishonest Steward.
What are the criteria for practicing humility? How humility can enhance your relationship with God.
What are the criteria for practicing humility? How humility can enhance your relationship with God.
Money and possessions are often objects of obsession in life. But our obsessions won't save us from the inevitable.
Money and possessions are often objects of obsession in life. But our obsessions won't save us from the inevitable.
Breaking away from your automatic thoughts and choosing to replace them with compassion and love.
Breaking away from your automatic thoughts and choosing to replace them with compassion and love.
Father Matt tells the story of watching a homeless man help a blind student cross a busy L.A. intersection. Being interconnected to one another means we need to practice mercy and compassion.
Father Matt tells the story of watching a homeless man help a blind student cross a busy L.A. intersection. Being interconnected to one another means we need to practice mercy and compassion.
Find the space and time to hear the still small voice of God. Practice the presence of God in your life.
Find the space and time to hear the still small voice of God. Practice the presence of God in your life.
"Love one another." Father Matt explains that when you let go of being judgemental of your neighbor, focusing on finding the good instead, your reward is more happiness in your life.
"Love one another." Father Matt explains that when you let go of being judgemental of your neighbor, focusing on finding the good instead, your reward is more happiness in your life.
How we can seek the good in everything; Repentance; Exodus 3:1 (link: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Exodus/3:1)
How we can seek the good in everything; Repentance; Exodus 3:1 (link: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Exodus/3:1)
Your own uniqueness and gifts, as well as those of others, work to enhance the entire dynamics of the human family and the church. We are one in the living body of Christ.
Your own uniqueness and gifts, as well as those of others, work to enhance the entire dynamics of the human family and the church. We are one in the living body of Christ.
You are here for a short time . . . do you want to spend it being unhappy or angry? Consider what brings you joy. And the knowledge that God is with you should bring you great joy!
What is the tradition the lighting of the Advent Wreath? Here's a short explanation by Father Matt explaining the symbolism and history of the Advent Wreath on the First Sunday of Advent 2018.