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Sent as Missionaries Two-by-Two
Like the Jews in Babylon or the Christians in Galatia, we live in a secular pagan culture soaked in sex, violence, gluttony, and material excess. Many are tempted to adopt the lifestyle of our neighbors. But God is calling couples to be missionaries.
A Homily 18 Years in the Making
Three thoughts on my ordination. 1) I am Blessed to be a Blessing to Others. 2) I didn’t turn out to be the Perfect Catholic Priest, but God only needs my daily "yes". 3) Our individual “yeses” are part of a community, a family of faith.
The Vulnerability of God
Was I too vulnerable in my recent homily? I always debate about the wisdom of sharing stories that involve my personal life. I only preached this homily at one Mass but now it's out on the web and anyone can listen. What will people think of me?
Mind, Body, Spirit
When our spirit is led by the Holy Spirit, it can lead the body and mind into a harmony, a human trinity. Christians are members of the Holy Trinity. From within the communion of the Trinity we can recover harmony in ourselves, our families, and society.
Every Member a Missionary
You can't force anyone into communion. Imagine a church where every member were set aflame by the power of the Holy Spirit and formed and equipped to share the good news with others. That is my dream!
Jesus Ascends and the Spirit Descends
When Jesus walked the Earth, the Holy Spirit kept him connected to his Father. Jesus ascends and the Holy Spirit descends. Now the Holy Spirit is here with us keeping us connected to Jesus and the Father. The Body of Christ has its head in the clouds!
Dunked Into Communion
Jesus is praying for us! He lives every day in deep, intimate communion with his Father. We are called to bring people into communion with God so they can also experience true communion with themselves, others, and creation. Come, Holy Spirit!
The Purpose of Our Parish
"As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Many of us nod and smile at these words without realizing what they mean. Jesus is calling us to something far more radical than tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion. He wants us to enter into __
A Felt Sense of Safety and Security
Physically speaking, we live in a very secure country. And yet we seem to be suffering from an epidemic of anxiety. Jesus offers a sense of safety and security that no one can take from us. Join me for an experience of the Good Shepherd.
The Pope's Job Description
Captained by Peter, the church is sailing into the Resurrection. Jesus is waiting there with a banquet. Peter is given his job description as the first Pope. Let us pray for a Pope who loves Jesus and will feed and tend His sheep.
Where Can We See the Risen Jesus?
Our eyes need to be opened to the ongoing presence of Jesus in our daily life. Most people will come to believe in the Risen Jesus when they see him in you!
When Did God Become Real for You?
If some guy in India died and then rose again, it wouldn't impact you very much. But what if your best friend rose from the dead? That would change your life! Many people experience Easter as just a nice day because they don't know Jesus personally.
Was God Still a Good Father on Good Friday?
Our own Good Friday experiences can cause us to doubt that God is a good father. The Passion reading is full of people acting out of self-protection and self-reliance. Do you live like Jesus, trusting in your Good Father, or like his persecutors?
The Miracle Moving Hosts (God Is With Us)
God is with us! No matter how much we run from him, abandon him, or choose everything else besides him, God is still with us! And he chooses us. May this year's Triduum experience open your eyes, ears, and heart to God's presence.
Two Obstacles to Self-Giving Love
God the Father calls Jesus to total self-giving love. We were made by love and for love. We only find fulfillment in self-giving love. So why can't we love like Jesus? Fear and selfishness become obstacles to truly loving.
Written In The Dust
What was Jesus writing in the dust with his finger? Sins? The Law? The names of the accusers? What is clear is that Jesus gives the woman a new life because he pays the penalty for her sin. Jesus has died for you. How will you live for him?
Living in the Gaze of Unexpected Love
We are not expecting the father to welcome his prodigal son home again. God our Father is always gazing at us with love. Sometimes we are the prodigal son; sometimes we are the older brother. We must learn to live in the gaze of the Father.
This Is What We Do When We Feel Inadequate
We feel inadequate because we are inadequate. The world is too big for us and God asks us to do impossible things. We tend to respond by dominating and controlling or running and hiding. Instead, we can let God lead us.
The Light Is Our Destination
Lent is a journey and today we are shown the destination. First, we are headed to Easter, to new life, and the most perfect sacrifice. Finally, and most importantly, our destination is eternal life.
Dunkirk and the Father's Protection
When Jesus is at his lowest, Satan pounces. Jesus responds, not with his own words, but with the Word of God. God's word is on his lips and in his heart. Where do you turn when things look hopeless? Do you know any psalms by heart?
Remember You Are Dust and to Dust You Will Return
Imagine looking back on your Lent from the perspective of Easter. Is it easier to give up candy now if you remember that Easter candy is coming? In a similar way, how will your life look different from the perspective of eternity?
Is God a Good Father?
Why is Jesus expecting us to respond to evil in a way that is so impractical and unwise? Jesus wants us to realize that God is a good father and we can depend on him to protect us, to provide for us, and to be present to us.
Put Out Into the Deep
Peter looks good on the surface. Underneath, he’s not so good. But even deeper down, Peter is Very Good. Jesus invites Peter to move below the surface, through the layer of "not good", into that place of "Very Good".
Tend The Living Flame
Parents receive their child, nourish that child, and give him or her back to God. The light of faith has to be carried, nourished, and protected so that it can grow brighter and carry us to heaven. All of us must burn with the love of Jesus.
Time for a Fresh Start
A Jubilee was a time of rest, freedom, and a fresh start. The Catholic Church grants a jubilee plenary indulgence every 25 years. When we draw near to Jesus, we experience the freedom, peace, hope and a fresh start. Jesus himself is the jubilee.
Donal Walsh Knew Where to Find the Wine
The Spirit gave Donal Walsh a deep sense of faith. When we try to build our own little kingdom, we will always run out of happiness. When we aren't afraid to faithfully serve each day, we find the Lord is turning our water into wine.
Jesus Wants Your Best and Your Worst
The Feast of Epiphany is older than Christmas. The frankincense and myrrh are the fruit of where the plants have been wounded. They symbolize giving Jesus our wounds, our very worst. Allow him to transform you from the inside.
Jesus Comes to Heal Our Identities
Jesus comes not only to restore us as as individuals, but also to heal our family. He does this by revealing that our four fundamental identities are rooted in the True Love of God the Father and Mary our Mother. Let’s turn to Mary our Mother.
Is There Room For Him In Your Inn?
No matter how far we wandered, we have never gotten out of our Father's back yard! When the time had come, God sent his Son Jesus into this cold, cruel world. He came to tell us that we have a Father who loves us and who wants us to come home.
Christmas Pageant or Ego-Drama?
Each of us is trying to be a star in our own show that is written, produced, and directed by ourselves. The Bible tells a different story. We each have a special part in the great "Theo-drama." Let Baby Jesus teach you how to play your part.
The Wheel of Fortune
The ancient and medieval world was familiar with the example of the wheel of fortune: One minute you're on top of the world, the next minute you are on the bottom. We need to move from the chaos of the outside to the peace at the center.
We Are Made for Communion
We were made for communion with God, with one another, with ourselves and even with Creation. Communion means we want to dwell in God and have God dwell in us. Mary started from within God and then received God inside of her. We are the opposite.
The True Source of Our Peace
A felt sense of safety and security is necessary for us to find peace. When peace is missing, there are many ways we might try to manufacture it, but God desires to make his people safe and secure. I share some ways to find peace and remain in peace.