Homily, 7-10-23; Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time: We can reflect on how we ask God for help when we face a difficult situation. Do we ask in faith trusting that God will help us according to His will? Or, do we try to make a deal promising to do something for God,… Continue reading Making Deals with God
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Cornerstone, not Capstone
Homily, 7-3-23; Homily for the Feast of St. Thomas: As a dad and a grandpa, I have spent many hours on the floor building castles and towers out of wooden blocks. The goal is often to try to build a tower as tall as possible. And so we always start with the largest blocks—ours were… Continue reading Cornerstone, not Capstone
Now is an Acceptable Time
Homily, 6-19-23; Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time: “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Many years ago, Jenni and I took a trip down to the outskirts of Mexico City to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Some friends had recommended a small… Continue reading Now is an Acceptable Time
Comfort & Encouragement
Homily, 6-12-23; Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time: Encourage; we hear the word encourage or encouragement ten times in our short reading from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. With this repetitiveness, I find the passage a little bit confusing, especially with our understanding of the word encourage. In the Latin text… Continue reading Comfort & Encouragement
St. Boniface & the Christmas Tree
Homily, 6-5-23; Monday of the 9th Week In Ordinary Time (St. Boniface): Today is the feast day of St. Boniface. I remember it because our youngest daughter was married on this date, thirteen years ago, and so they have a special connection to him.. But I never knew much about St. Boniface, so I looked… Continue reading St. Boniface & the Christmas Tree
Adoration
Bulletin Q&A Article, published 6-4-23: Many of my friends say they are going to the church for adoration. Can you explain a little about this? I remember from my childhood learning the mnemonic, ACTS, to learn the different ways to pray: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. And at Mass we pray with all these intentions.… Continue reading Adoration
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
Bulletin Q&A Article, published 5-28-23: Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He carries the guilt of his sin without end. (ref. Mk. 3:29) Please explain. This is the question about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the “unforgivable sin”, which is also mentioned in Mt. 12:31 and Lk. 12:10. The Catechism gives… Continue reading Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
Will We Scatter?
Homily, 5-22-23; Monday of the 7th Week of Easter: In the Book of Ecclesiastes we hear: “There is an appointed time for everything, A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them” (Ec. 3:1,5). Scatter, I did a word search on the word and found that this word is used 130 times in… Continue reading Will We Scatter?
Organ Donation
Bulletin Q&A Article, published 5-21-23: I am renewing my driver’s license and considering joining the organ donor registration. What is the Church’s position on organ donation after death? Paragraph #2296 of the Catechism states: “Donation of organs after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a manifestation of generous… Continue reading Organ Donation
Christian Persecution
Homily, 5-15-23; Monday of the 6th Week of Easter: We just heard in our gospel passage: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify.” We are called to go out in the world… Continue reading Christian Persecution