Sanctuary Views: Recent Episodes
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Jesus' parable of the weeds and wheat helps us to experience our limited vision and need for mercy. Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Every path through life and every form of government--especially self-government--has its own yoke and burden. There's a good reason why Jesus could say: "My yoke is easy and my burden light." Homily for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time and the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.
Refreshing others and being refreshed as we find our life by losing it. Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Jesus doesn't only say, "Fear no one" but also "be afraid." Ordering our fears properly helps us to overcome adversity. Homily for the Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time and Father's Day.
Jesus called twelve real people with real lives and with real sin, all of which they were called to leave behind to follow Him. But leaving those things is not a onetime event. Homily for the Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Our desire for companionship suggests something profound about our Creator. Homily for Holy Trinity Sunday.
Three short stories testifying to the Holy Spirit's presence and activity, and an invitation to reflect on what could be preventing his fruitfulness. Homily for Pentecost.
Don't forget that Jesus has involved you in His mission. Let's dispense with the distractions and get to work. Homily for the Ascension of the Lord.
Jesus said that if we love him, we'll keep his commandments and he will send us the Holy Spirit. This implies that something is present that allows the Holy Spirit to do his work. Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter and Mothers Day.
Our church will no doubt be a reflection of God's building us up into a spiritual house, but He has left space for us to contribute, too. Let's work to assure that the church really is an authentic reflection of our life of faith. Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter and our annual Discipleship Renewal.
By saying that He is the gate, and on the other side is salvation, Jesus seems to be suggesting that following Him has to do only with the individual and Jesus--walk through the gate and be saved. But upon closer inspection, it's clear the Apostles understood that differently. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter.
Christ became poor to enrich us. What real impact does that have on our lives? Palm Sunday Homily.
If Lazarus' illness and death were for the glory of God--that who He is might be revealed--then might our sufferings and sadnesses be part of God's larger plan? Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Freedom from fears is possible, but it seems to require admitting our ignorance and limitations. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
The story of the woman at the well who encounters Jesus and is changed is so ancient and yet so very relevant. Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent.
God's call to follow Him into the unknown requires the faith to trust that His hopes for us are greater than our own. Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent.
An ancient Desert Father sheds light on the Devil's schemes. Homily for the First Sunday of Lent.
Today's Gospel is a doozy. But it's part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which must mean that His words are intended not to reduce our happiness--our beatitude--but to increase it. Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Being the "Salt of the Earth" and the "Light of the World" is a calling, but not one we can achieve on our own. St. Augustine's words to God come to mind: "Give what You command, and then command what You will." Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
What gifts do you have? What do others see in you and call you to achieve? To what is Jesus calling you? Answering these questions well helps us to properly plot our course through this life. Homily for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time.
In this divisive and derisive time, reflecting the Lamb of God's light to the nations is as needed as ever. Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Forgiveness is a defining characteristic of any Christian community, which is sincerely felt when the mask hiding our shortcomings is removed. Homily for the Baptism of the Lord.
The story of the Magi captures the deepest longings of the human spirit for truth and meaning, which opens up our lives to a great adventure. But this adventure can be compromised through the type of complacency we see in today's Gospel. Homily for the Epiphany.
The Good News of the Incarnation and Birth of Jesus Christ is only comprehensible and compelling when the bad news is understood. Then the Gospel can be more clearly seen for the gift that it is, which is reflected for us at JPII this day in a most marvelous, unexpected and generous way. Merry Christmas!
There's something at work testing your patience. What it is might surprise you. Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent.
There's plenty in this world to drive us to depression and despair, but the antidote has been given us, if only we would draw upon its source. Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent.
The Christian life isn't the result of abstract reasoning, but of an encounter with an event, a person, which is a gift that carries responsibilities with it. Homily for the First Sunday of Advent.
What was not assumed--not taken to Himself--by God was not redeemed. Thus the necessity for the promised King to become one with us, all the way to the grave, which is exactly the basis of our hope. Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King.
It's about love, mature love. That's what it's about. Homily for the Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time.
What did the earliest Christians identify as essential for receiving vivifying faith and finding answers to the questions of their day? Homily for the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
If being united with Christ in the resurrection depends on having grown into union with him through a death like his, as St. Paul said, then what happens when we depart this life with an imperfect union, for which we are at fault? Homily for All Souls Day.
46 years ago a crowd in Warsaw, Poland gathered to make known their desire for God…in their families, their schools, their books and their workplaces. A crowd gathered today with similar sentiments. Homily for the Feast Day of St. John Paul II, our Patron. Celebrated on the grounds of our new Academy, which we blessed on this occasion. What an inspiring experience!!
Fixing our gaze on God and heavenly things is essential to successful spiritual battles. So too is mirroring God's actions. Homily for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
There is no place to which we can descend that God cannot reach, as long as we want Him there. But this took lots of time and suffering to know. Homily for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
What if we're troubled, not because of the size of our faith, but because of the object of it? Homily for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ Respect Life Sunday.
The niceties of life have a way of making us insensitive to more important things. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus has less to do with whether or not we're rich, than with whether or not we're doing what we can for those in need. Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Jesus on the Cross reveals the depravity of human beings and that we're not beyond repair. But repairing humanity comes at the cost of witnessing to the truth--not my truth or your truth, but the truth. And truth is that upon which a free society depends. Without it, life is governed by the whim of those wielding the power of Twitter, or the presidency or a long-range rifle, instead of the inalienable rights/truths imprinted in us by God. Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time and reflection upon the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
If the Master's life revolves around God, it only makes sense that His disciples' would, too, which turns out to be the way we can give others what's best. Homily for the Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time.
It's a paradox. Focus on your "I" and joy slips through your fingers. Focus on others and joy abounds. Homily for the Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.
"Endure your trials as discipline," the Letter to the Hebrews says. Strengthening us as disciples of Jesus is a fruit of trials--of all trials, since no qualification is stated. This means that every trial has this capacity, for God's providence is all-encompassing.
Witnesses not only provide a good example and inspiration, but also merit and share spiritual goods. Homily for the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Abraham was just one example of countless faithful followers of Jesus, by whom we have been blessed, and to whom we have a debt. Homily for the Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
If God invited Abraham to wrestle with the problem of justice in a fallen world and to act for the innocent, might God do something similar with us? Homily for the Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The fascinating history, highlighted on this Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, discloses something of the essence of confessing Jesus and believing in Him.
On this great Solemnity of Corpus Christi, let's take a look at how the miraculous grace at work back then is at work in our parish right now. Homily for Corpus Christi.
God has made room for us in Himself, for our humanity, forever. Persevere in making space for God in your life. Homily for the Ascension of the Lord.
The dream that is America, and John's dream or vision in the Book Revelation of the heavenly Jerusalem is not a task we can complete, or one from which we can shrink... Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
Don't be deceived by the distance between us and the Apostles, or by the work you do. You, too, are called to proclaim the Gospel, if you're a follower of Jesus. Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter.
Jesus said that his sheep hear his voice. How do we hear it, listen for it, discern it? Remembering our mothers on this special day can help us understand. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter.
Our faults, shortcomings and areas in need of healing are no obstacles to our Lord. Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter.
The unexpected way God approaches those who have let Him down. Homily for Divine Mercy Sunday.
There is so much more to life than meets the eye. If only we had the Key to unlocking life's mysteries... Homily for Holy Thursday - The Mass of the Lord's Supper.
Evil is not triumphant, nor did Jesus fail to leave room for us to participate in His love and so be coworkers with Him in overcoming all evil. Homily for Passion Sunday.
By delivering the woman from being stoned, Jesus also showed the way to escape being critical of others. Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.
He's deceptive and tricky, but Satan can be overcome in ways that touch upon the everyday. Homily for the First Sunday of Lent.
Jesus links an unworthy guide--one who is blind--with the person whose heart doesn't permit their mouth to speak the good things people need to hear. What are the causes of blindness? Are they affecting you? How so? Homily for the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
If being good means doing good across the board, how do we avoid the compartmentalization which plagues us and is rebuked by Jesus? What serves the integrity of which He speaks? What helps or hinders our becoming good, moral people? Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time.
An image is so very helpful. The image of my grandmother comes to mind when I hear Jeremiah's words: "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit." Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Being with God leads to being sent by Him on mission, which for baptized lay people involves developing their anointing as Priest, Prophet and King. Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time and Discipleship Renewal.
The human brain takes in a massive amount of information each moment, but we're conscious of but a sliver. That means we're significantly influenced by factors of which we're unaware. How can we positively affect the unconscious instincts produced in us? Homily for the Feast of the Presentation.
How do we discover our place in the world? Where is our relevance and importance cultivated, as well as our awareness of that of others? How does what we learn in school take on its proper and higher significance? Homily for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Despite prominent voices to the contrary, marriage cultivates meaningful and happy lives, and economically successful ones, too. Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The people coming to John the Baptist acknowledged their sins and expressed their intention to change their lives. But even with that, the gift for which they longed was beyond their reach until the heavens opened and they were baptized into Christ Jesus. Homily for the Baptism of the Lord.
If you've met them, you know that God is still at work in this world and speaks to people. Homily for Epiphany.
Mary gathers us around her Son, the source of blessings, protection and mission in the New Year. Homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
The world as we know it can only be explained by Christmas. What about your own personal life? Homily for the Nativity of Jesus.
Our reading from the Letter to the Hebrews seems a little out of place, this close to Christmas and paired as it is with the prophecy of the coming Messiah and its fulfillment in the first reading and the Gospel. But is it really? Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
If St. Paul encouraged the Philippians to rejoice, even though he wrote from a prison cell, what did he know that we desperately need to know, too? Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent--Gaudete Sunday.
Where does value come from? What does pursuing the highest value do? What about pursuing something less? Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent.
Stories help us to understand life, our place in this world and how to live well. More than one story exists, though, and often they compete and clash. In whose story are you living? Homily for Christ the King.
Having been proved true and accepted by the Father, Jesus invites us to a way of life that leads to being vindicated by God, too. Homily for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Having been baptized into Christ's love gives us a share in His mission to provide healing and hope to a broken world. Homily for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Christian marriage is an extraordinarily exalted vocation. Homily for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Altar Server Appreciation Sunday was the perfect occasion to better understand Jesus' words in the Gospel. Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The disciples asked, "Who is the greatest?" Jesus didn't follow that with, "Don't seek greatness," but "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." The question about greatness shouldn't focus on oneself, but on that which is true greatness, and on the One who embodied it. Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Why are so many young people protesting and demonstrating? What has made them susceptible to trends that offer a sense of moral superiority without actually demanding much moral excellence? Is the common Christian invitation consonant with Christ's? Homily for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
There's nothing wrong with pursuing wealth--we need it to survive, and to some degree, to thrive. The problem comes with pursuing or misusing excess wealth, which as St. James suggests, impacts how we assess the worth of others. Homily for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
If Jesus accepted the rejection of his teachings, wouldn't that mean his teachings were consequential, important enough not to be amended, discounted or equivocated? Were they more important than increasing the number of followers? What does that mean for Christianity and following him? Homily for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Friends, we’ve been brought into not just any family, but God’s family, given not just any bread, but the bread from heaven that gives life, and invited to do this—live your life as a gift of love. Don’t put limits on what God can do. Just believe. Homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
A life without many sacrifices suggests a life without a high aim. Sacrifice for the highest good, and life becomes pleasant and fragrant, as St. Paul said. Homily for the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Not all of Christ's followers are asked to preach, but all are involved in the proclamation of the Gospel. Homily for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The President's predicament may not be far removed from our own. Homily for 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Confusion is a hallmark of the tricky, little Serpent. Homily for the 10th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Our Ancestors acted in time; our God acted and acts in time, too. Our connection with both depends on our respectful remembering and our love. Holy Trinity Homily on Memorial Day Weekend.
The limits of mankind's long history of biological evolution have been transcended. Divine Mercy Sunday Homily.
Maybe God's command of Abraham to sacrifice his son wasn't so absurd after all... Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent.
What can we say about the shooting at the Chiefs' parade? What light does the Old Testament Flood and Jesus Christ shed on it, on freedom, on morality and on our place in it all? Homily for the First Sunday of Lent.
What's the guiding narrative in your life? Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Revelation, faith and obedience demythologized the world. Dismissing them is not without effect. Situate your life within God's narrative, and your life, your potential and your contribution to the world expands. Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family.
The Birth of the Light which Continues to Enlighten the World through the Few. Christmas Homily.
If St. Peter wasn't talking about climate change or astronomy, what was he saying? Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent.
Trust reverses the cause of our covering and hiding. Our Lady shows us the way. Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Advent begins, and it is a journey, as is life itself, which can only be successful if, like a journey, we move towards the End, which is in fact moving towards us, and even meets us from time to time in advance.
This weekend I gave a special presentation for the homily. Unusual, I know--but necessary. Follow this link to view it: https://youtu.be/LgTHJvLlW50
Wisdom helps to see the particular in light of the whole. It sheds light on what's truly meaningful, and on what's but empty show. Homily for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Don't underestimate your calling and the power of a credible witness. Homily for the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Evil has not yet run its course and been brought to an end by God, but He has equipped His holy ones with the Power to faithfully persevere. Homily for All Saints Day.
If God is Love, and we're stamped with His image, then our existence, purpose and fulfillment are wrapped up with love, too. Homily for the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Today is the Feast Day of St. John Paul II. His encounter with the Soviets is instructive for the challenges confronting us today, as we seek to follow Christ's command to Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. Homily for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time and our Patronal Feast Day.
To what is God sending out invitations? How is He sending them? What's endangering our response? Homily for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
How could St. Paul encourage his people to "Have no anxiety at all..."? Here is anxiety's cause and remedy. Homily for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The extraordinary pattern present in today's second reading harkens back to the beginning, restores creation's identity, while creating space for our participation. Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Isn't it strange that we say we want eternal happiness with God, but often identify happiness with what He prohibits? How can both be true? Is working in the Lord's vineyard freeing or constraining, enriching or impoverishing? Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Sirach bids us to keep in mind our future death and cease to sin. Sin, in Greek, means to miss the mark. So it's not our mere mortality we are to keep in mind, but the point, the goal, the mark of our life, and whether or not we're aiming at it, hitting it.
Please check out Bishop Barron's homily that I referenced: https://youtu.be/OaeZ3cGlns8?si=_EYEMDGmm0vb3O9U
What did St. Paul mean when he said to offer your body to God as a living sacrifice, your spiritual worship? Is your body something separate from yourself? If not, then what does that say about masculinity and femininity, anything? Homily for the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time...and a pretty good reason for a Catholic and Classical Academy.
God's work of renewing all things in His Son encompasses all walks of life. Homily for the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Check out our Design and Land Reveal: https://youtu.be/9wjb3FVC0zs
The Goal may be currently beyond us, but Jesus sketches out the Way to get there. Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, and a little update on our building endeavors.
The beautiful Emmaus account sheds light on discerning what's right, and how we can end up disappointed. Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter.
Christ's death was unlike Adam's, and for those who have been baptized, his death has become our gift and our mission. Easter Homily.
Anthropology makes all the difference in the world. Pilate's and our present day's are eerily similar in their premises and in their conclusions. God stands by mankind still. Homily for Good Friday.
We want to know "Why?". The man born blind and healed provides the Reason. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
The providential encounter of Jesus and the woman at the well provides a pattern for the renewal of our hearts, too. Homily for the third Sunday of Lent.
The promise of a new Moses, a new Covenant, a new Law, a new Exodus--fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Homily for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
While salt fulfills its purpose naturally, ours is achieved through being "salted" ourselves with sacrificial worship and life choices. Homily for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The helpful background of the Exodus opens up a deeper level of meaning. Homily for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, and renewing our Discipleship Goals & Commitments.
God has blessed us in the saintly and humble Pope Benedict...may he receive the reward of his long life of laboring in the Lord's vineyard.
Competing worldviews collide in you and your kids. Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent.
May we be reflections of the Witness to Hope, who is our Patron. Homily for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Abraham, Martha & Mary, Abortion and Value Them Both. Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Peter's precious and distressing encounter with Jesus is a source of great encouragement. Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter.
The purple cloths veiling statues at this time point to something profound. Homily for Passion Sunday.
What does the celebration of Passover, the eating of the Promised Land's produce and the cessation of the manna have to do with the Parable of the Prodigal Son, forgiveness, feasting and music? Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Like today's first reading, many Old Testament stories seem so foreign, if not problematic. Yet, they do disclose something about humanity and how God accommodates Himself to us with an apparent goal in mind. Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent.
That which underlies the tyrannical use of force in Ukraine is not all that far removed from our home in the United States. Sermon for the 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
According to St. Paul, Jesus is the last Man--the end or goal of humanity--which reveals what makes for a life not lived in vain. Homily for the 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The Beatitudes aren't simply aspirational ideas, but a way of life that opens the disciple's life, as well as the world, to God's light and love. Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
What real-world impact does the Death and Resurrection of Jesus in "accordance with the Scriptures" have? More than you might think... Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Don't be deceived by popular psychology. There is a sure way to being at peace with others and with your self. Homily for the fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
God's engagement with mankind, which generated a wise way of living that overcame the dark ages, has a relevance for us, too. Homily for Epiphany.
The Light of the Incarnation only makes sense against the backdrop of the Gloom in which mankind dwelt, and which expands when fidelity to the Light fades. Christmas Homily.
The Gospel, and recent studies and observations point in the same direction... Homily for the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Human beings have extraordinary potential. John the Baptist highlights this and what's necessary to reach it. Homily for the third Sunday of Advent.
The widow's hope discloses where deliverance from fear may be found. Homily for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Today's madness has a tragic template, but an alternative does exist... Homily for 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Our value structure impacts how we see, feel, understand ourself and our life. Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
That God made Jesus, the leader to our salvation, perfect through suffering means something for us and for our suffering, too.
Jesus identifies loyalty to him with the loyalty due to God, a loyalty rooted in the hope of the Resurrection, which suggests that the fulfillment of who we are extends beyond the confines of this world. By following Jesus in this way, we become instruments through which hope breaks into a dark and sad world.
The spirit of our true, American heroes from the past is still alive, but it is in jeopardy...
A brother who sounds stupid, or a spouse that seems deaf to you is an invitation to help them be the best they can be. Homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
It was kettles, jugs and beds for the Pharisees. For us, it's face masks, but the temptations seem nearly the same. It's much easier to focus on the exterior than the interior. Homily for the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
St. Paul's teaching reveals the path to meaning, joy and unity, as well as our cultural baggage and skewed way of understanding relationships with one another and with God.
"Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" Homily for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
With God, nothing is lost, nothing is without value...even your trials and sufferings and apparent failures.
Friends, I'm grateful to be here with you at St. John Paul II, and to be able to share a little about myself and especially to share the BIG news we talked about at Mass, today! Fr. Farrar
If you found this interesting, you might enjoy reading my principle source: "Covenant and Conversation" by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
God the Father's commands for Jesus, which culminated in the Crucifixion, paradoxically reveal the Father's love for Jesus, and Jesus' love for us. Sunday Homily.
Separation from the Source of our humanity is not without effects. Sunday homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter.
Christ is the cornerstone, and you too are part of the structure God is building--you have a part to play!
Christianity is not a set of propositions, but a view of reality. Either it's a true or false view. If it's false, we should have nothing to do with it. If it's true, then following Christ has to do with living honestly.
Jesus appears to his fearful Apostles, presents to them his wounds, breathes the breath of forgiveness and peace into them and reveals the pattern of healing and hope that he offers to us. Divine Mercy Sunday Homily.
The promised new age has begun in Christ. History demonstrates this, as do the effects of falling away from Him.
Pilate's understanding of truth is our contemporary culture's--the destructive effects of which were apparent then, as they are now.
God's Remedy was prepared long in advance, testing the patience and perseverance of those awaiting the fulfillment of His promises, as well as their humility to accept something unexpected.
Viktor Frankl's profound observations from the concentration camps provide a most helpful vantage point.
The Omega point, the pattern of renewed humanity in the Person of Christ Jesus shone through Steve in a marvelous way, providing light for our journey along the Way.
Jesus said to hate yourself and to love your neighbor as yourself. So, which way is it? Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.
In the midst of experiencing our own weaknesses, Jesus refashions our identities according to his strength. Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent.
The unsettling story of Abraham and Isaac gives us a clue about how humanity will be renewed. Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent.
With a little help from Lincoln, something of the meaning of the biblical Flood comes to light, which can only be fully understood in light of Jesus Christ. Homily for the First Sunday of Lent.
The logic of St. Paul's counsel is still relevant today, perhaps especially on this World Marriage Sunday. Sunday Homily.
If Superman--halfway through the movie--decided kryptonite was no longer bad, what would that do to the story? Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Although it seemed appropriate from the beginning, I wrote this homily intentionally omitting references to President Biden--we've had our fair share of intense politics. But then I came across the news of what he did on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and his first day in office. Even if codifying Roe v. Wade is something he was planning to do, there was no need to highlight this on the day we mourn for the 65 million aborted babies in the last 48 years. This was an affront of the middle-finger type to Catholics in good standing with the Church. Because of his high office and his promotion of his Catholicism, this poses a grave danger to Catholics in general, and children in particular. If procuring an abortion results in an automatic excommunication, can supporting abortion really be moral and not affect one's standing with the Church?
I approached this issue not in terms of policy, but in terms of the consistency and coherency of such a faith with Christ's words in the Gospel, and leave it to you to honestly determine whether the proposed logic rooted in history is flawed or compels affirmation...
Thankfully, God does speak to us and continues to intervene in our ordinary days. Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The Baptism of Jesus speaks precisely to the mess of last week (and beyond). Sunday Homily.
Real world examples suggest the Light of Christ is authentic and impactful. Homily for Epiphany.
With human beings securing blessings such as the Covid-19 vaccine 'on our own', does humanity even need God, or the idea of God, to secure blessings anymore? New Years Homily.
A look at Abraham and Sarah on this timely Feast of the Holy Family reveals something of the purpose and duties of family life.
God has spoken His Word to us, overcoming our isolation with His presence, and revealing that such a way of being is also at the heart of our humanity. Homily for Christmas.
Have you noticed more people than normal being just a little cranky? Here's a cause and a remedy. Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Our society is clearly confused about identity--its origins and its substance. John the Baptist provides us with a roadmap for discovering who we are. Parents, this is important!
Without God's great story for our lives, we become vulnerable to counterfeit ones. Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent.
The delightful combination of readings this Sunday encourages us to explore the responsibilities and opportunities of receiving such valuable gifts. Homily for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Let's let God's Word describe the foolish and the wise, and the cause and the effects of what can still be seen in our own day. Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The Saints and the Structure of Christ's Church shed light on the current controversy ~ Homily for All Saints Day.
Should we be surprised that the doers of God's commands are bound to have happier and more fulfilling lives? Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Christ's directions about what to give to Caesar and to God were and are profoundly political, and strikingly relevant for our time. Homily for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The parable of the King and the guests invited to His Son's wedding Feast is surprisingly relevant for us, today. Homily for the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Vandalism and BLM Encourage a Search Beneath the Surface ~ Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time
The meaning of the word "Brother" discloses something about who the Church is, and who the Christian is, as well as what our responsibilities and opportunities are. Homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The source and fruit of today's supreme wisdom: "Be true to yourself". ~ Homily for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Three Pursuits which Fortify your Soul against the Evil One and make it Abundantly Fruitful ~ Homily for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Why does Jesus test our love? Why should we? Homily ~ Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
There's more evil in this world than Covid-19. There's more life than what this world offers. Corpus Christi Homily
Overcoming disunity and contradiction and threats to our democracy ~ Homily for Holy Trinity Sunday
Spiritual Sacrifices, the Sacrifice of the Mass and Motherhood ~ Homily for 5th Sunday of Easter
Donate towards our rose bushes and audio/video projects here: https://www.shemporia.org/donate
Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter ~ By making God so small, we set up ourselves for disappointment. Look at what the Emmaus story reveals regarding unbelief...