Reflections on the Sunday readings from the Catholic Lectionary for Mass. Includes homilies, sermons, and other thoughts.
These past few weeks have been filled with a lot of confusion as faithful Catholics and even the larger world have been trying to make sense of various pieces of …
Catholics love to talk about the Church, and today’s Gospel is a great one. Yet, we must learn from the Gospel that the Church is built on personal faith. Specifically, …
In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses an encounter with a Canaanite woman to teach us about prayer. He delays answering her prayer immediately so that her desire might be increased. God …
How do you normally expect to encounter God? Each of today’s three readings point to three different ways that we might have such an encounter with God.
The following homily was given to scouts gathered for Mass in the Chapel of the Twelve Apostles at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, Missouri. Lots of people …
After appearing to his disciples for forty days after his resurrection, Jesus is asked, “Are you going to restore the kingdom now?” To the shock of the apostles, Jesus says …
The following homily was given at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Olathe, KS Right on the top of the parish web site for St. Paul’s are three big words: “Inspire. …
The following homily was given at the Lumen Christi monastery of the Little Sisters of Lamb in Kansas City, KS Our society today is very focused on romantic love. One …
The following homily was given at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, KS on the occasion of the closing of the “Scouting 500” gathering of scouts from all over the …
Today’s Gospel is filled with uses of the verb “to know.” In an almost trial-like fashion, the witnesses are questioned. The blind man is asked what he knows. “If he …
Today’s story of the woman at the well uses one of our most basic human needs, our thirst, to teach us about God. We thirst for all kinds of things …
The Hillside City of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of a city on a mountain or hill not being able to be hidden. Perhaps …
Prophets for Life Today’s readings speak to us of two great prophets, Isaiah and John the Baptist. We tend to think of a prophet as someone who predicts the future. …
The Pax of the Magi As we contemplate the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem today it’s important that become more to us than just some additional figures in our …
Peace for the New Year Today is not only the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, but also the World Day of Prayer for Peace. In today’s homily, I consider …
Save the Family, Save the World As we look today at the holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, it wold be easy to dwell on just how much our …
Have you ever hoped for the perfect Christmas? The first Christmas wasn’t so perfect, so yours doesn’t have to be either.
Courage to Fight Today’s is the 238th anniversary of the birth of the United States Marine Corps. Tomorrow is also Veterans’ Day. While neither those who serve in uniform nor …
Witnessing the Noble Confession Today I had the joy of baptizing my newest nephew who was born two weeks ago. He’s very cute…which I think he gets from me. I …
Evidence for Faith Often times people of faith are made to believe that scientific knowledge is more believable than the knowledge faith provides. Sometimes, even those who are believers can …
Numbering Our Days Aright In today’s psalm the author prays “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” There is a certain wisdom that …
Prayer Conforms Our Hearts to God In our first reading today, Abraham shows us the power of intercessory prayer. Specifically, his nephew Lot has gotten himself into trouble living in …
Choosing the Better Part Jesus chastises Martha in the gospel today for being “anxious and worried about many things” while there is “need of only one thing.” We too often …
Farewell to Curé of Ars Today’s homily is the last one given by me as the Associate Pastor at Curé of Ars. It’s been an amazing two years here and …
Big Rewards from Small Commitments Today’s homily was delivered to over 500 scouts present for Mass at the Chapel of the Twelve Apostles on the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation …
What Does God Think About Sinners? Today’s readings all consider the important question of sin and what to do with sinners. We get several examples of people who know they …
Expanded Expectations Both in the first reading and the gospel today we see God do the unexpected…he raises someone from the dead. Just when people though they had Jesus figured …
A Matter of Life and Death Why a feast in honor of the Eucharist? Isn’t every Mass a celebration of the Eucharist? Sometimes we can allow ourselves to take the …
The Joy of Affliction In the 2nd reading today, St. Paul tells us to boast even in our afflictions. This leads to endurance, which leads to proven character, which leads …
Explode with the Spirit The Scriptures use the image of wind and fire to describe the power of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for this power is dynamis, from …