Reflections on the Sunday readings from the Catholic Lectionary for Mass. Includes homilies, sermons, and other thoughts.
Both the widow in our first reading and the widow in the gospel seem to have nothing. One has no food and is about to die and the other has …
Today’s second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews uses language describing the priesthood of the Old Testament and the offering of animal sacrifices. God taught his people over the …
We don’t like suffering. We often go to great lengths to avoid even the smallest suffering. Despite our attempts, suffering will eventually come, and normally with some frequency. The key …
This has been an amazing week having the Holy Father here in the historic cities of our country. There are so many unforgettable memories that I will have of this …
We are called to go out and spread the good news. Yet it seems that so few baptized people really live out this mission. Today’s readings give us hints at …
Upon arriving in Assisi we were blessed to be able to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis, right near the tomb of the saint. The readings of the …
After spending the morning at the home of St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, we had Mass on Monte Sant’Angelo where the Archangel Michael appeared in the year 490. …
It’s natural to place a high value on things that cost us a lot to obtain. Often times the things of most value are the ones for which we are …
The readings today describe the Holy Spirit appearing as fire and wind. These are powerful elements. They are meant to symbolize the power that all of the baptized have to …
In today’s first reading, St. Peter boldly tells the Jewish leaders that there is no salvation possible except through Jesus. This is a truth that the Church has continued to …
Jesus is risen! In today’s gospel we see the risen Jesus enter a room where the doors were locked and bring a message of peace. We know the effect that …
It always seems to me that the Palm Sunday liturgy moves so quickly. At the entrance we’re acclaiming Jesus as king and yelling Hosanna, and then just minutes later we’re …
Today’s celebration of the 5th Sunday of Lent comes directly between two great solemnities that fall during the Lenten season. On Thursday we celebrated the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the …
Hopefully, before we make a big decision we listen to advice from others. But who do we listen to? There are 3 places we should not listen.
Given a choice between war and peace, we would naturally choose peace. Yet sometimes, to maintain peace, we have to fight.
The disease of leprosy, is the sad context for our readings this weekend. This terrible disease was not only a painful physical milady, but also had serious social implications. We …
Do you ever find yourself frustrated when trying to share your faith and the person you’re talking to just can’t seem to grasp it? You present evidence and testimony that, …
In today’s homily, I focus not so much on the story of the kings but the story told by Isaiah that predicted their arrival centuries earlier.
Explore the profound message of Christmas and the joy of welcoming a savior during the darkest time of the year.
Today I had the privilege of celebrating the Mass honoring the anniversary of dedication of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. This Church …
In today’s epistle, St. Paul tells the Ephesians, “Be imitators of me.” It’s a bold statement, yet one that is good advice not only for the Ephesians, but also for …
Today the Church celebrates the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, often called All Souls Day. Yesterday we celebrated all the saints in white. We honor those have washed their …
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 …
Anyone can look at a bunch of facts and reach some kind of conclusion to say what we “know,” but what do we “believe?”