Homily for the Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

Jesus calls us to be the light unto the world. Just as a small lamp can give light to a large room, each of us individually can be that beacon of light in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Matthew 5:16 says: "let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." So how do we continue to let our light shine? 

No matter how dark life appears, Jesus wants to be the Light that lights the way through every challenge. Invite Christ into your life and that Light will be turned on. No matter how dark your life appears, with Jesus, life will begin to make sense. With the Light of the World in your life, you’ll be filled with hope and understanding.

Here’s more good news. When we do this, Jesus says we can be a light to others by pointing people who are in the dark to the light…the Light of Christ.

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

In the name of Jesus, the Church finds her whole good. It is the divine name which alone brings salvation “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus Himself shows us the saving power of His name, giving us this consoling certitude: “If you ask anything of the Father, He will give it to you in my name” (John 16:23). 

Today, spend time saying the name Jesus. Oftentimes we complicate prayer, but the most perfect prayer is simply the name Jesus. No matter where you are: walking in your house, or walking in between clients... say the name of Jesus. If you're fighting the enemy speak the name of Jesus and the enemy has to stay on his knees. The Holy Name of Jesus can keep the demons at bay. Let us today, say the name of Jesus. That name, that holy name, spoken so many times on the lips of Our Lady and St. Joesph. Jesus, name above all names.

Homily for The Epiphany of the Lord

Where are you right now in your life? Are you a little like Herod, having a bit of anxiety of what the future hold so you begin to get nervous and try to control things in your life? Or are you like the Magi who let God guide them and lead them to where they needed to go? Sometimes in life, we have those tendencies where we freak out and try to control things when something is not going well or right in our lives, but we never know where life takes us, so live in the moment and know that where God has you in your life is where he wants you to be. Wait on the Lord and be of good courage. In this New Year, trust the Lord a little more. Stop fearing the future so much in your life and trust where the Lord has us, he's leading us.

Readings from January 2, 2022

Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Matthew 2:1-12

Homily for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

We can learn a lot from the Mother of God by taking on the same attitude of keeping and pondering all things since we may also have to endure great challenges in our life where our expectations may clash with reality. We have to put our joy of the Gospel to the test. Today and every day, let Mary teach you to learn, grow, and mature in faith from difficult situations, as it is the narrow path to achieve the goal, the Cross, without which there can be no ressurrection. 

Readings from January 1, 2022

Numbers 6:22-27

Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Galatians 4:4-7

Luke 2:16-21

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is a model for all families. Being a Holy Family does not mean that everything was smooth for them. It was a family with many ups and downs just like our own family. However, what can we learn from the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is, that in order to keep our families from falling apart, and also keep our families as sacred as God made them to be for creation, we need to encourage them daily to put faith in God through all considerations and actions. Faith in God is the master key to a happy home.

Today and every day, be obedient to God and to one another. Members of a family experience peace when they respect and obey each other. Disobedience is one of the vices that disintegrate families. A family that prays together, stays together. There is power in prayer. A prayerful Christian is a faithful Christian and a powerful Christian.

Readings from December 26, 2021

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17

Luke 2:41-52

Homily for the Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

We are made to love, we are not made to hate; it's not how we were created. God didn't create us in hatred, He created us in love. He didn't create us to be angry. He created us to be a gift to other people. He made us and created us in order to love and be loved in return. Tonight, think about our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. The piercing of her heart. Ask the Blessed Mother where are the times in my life where you have suffered for me? What times in my life did your heart get pierced by the things I've done or gone through in my life. Today and every day, let us have remorse and pray to Our Lady for those areas of our life where we may have been led astray from the love Christ, so that we can love her and come to understand her heart in a deeper way.

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

On this feast day of the Holy Innocents, we recall the tragic massacre of children at the hands of King Herod. When King Herod heard of the infant born who would be King of the Jews, he was greatly disturbed, and began planning to oust him. He asked the Magi to visit this king and tell Herod where to find him, but, having been vested by an angel, the Magi did not report back. Not knowing where to find this infant, Herod then ordered that all boys under the age of two be slain. These are the lives we remember on the Feast of the Holy Innocents. 

Homily for the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

We are the disciples whom Jesus loved, that's the foundation. As John was able to grasp and believe that, that enabled him to do many great things. Imagine the things we could do and the relationship we could have if we truly believe that as imperfect as we are; we are a disciple that Jesus truly loved. Today, pray that the grace of seeing ourselves and seeing our identity as disciples of Jesus, may pierce our hearts.

Homily for Christmas Day Mass 

Have you ever wondered why Jesus left His heavenly home and His eternal fellowship with God to take on human form as a baby and humbly live among man? Have you ever wondered why He just didn't appear on earth as a majestic king? Jesus came as a baby to magnify the humility of Christ. The humble emergence of baby Jesus gives us insight into the heart of God. He did not pick a wealthy couple of immeasurable means to care for His son. He did not pick a mighty man of power and influence or a famous and prominent woman to raise His son. Instead, God acknowledged the quiet and sincere faith of both Jospeh and Mary. He selected them for the wondrous honor of raising His son Jesus, an honor that was both costly and a blessing. But because of their humility, they too become special examples of God's grace.

Readings from December 25, 2021

Isaiah 62:11-12

Psalms 97:1,6, 11-12

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:15-20

Homily for the Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

He says, knock and the door will be opened for us; all we have to do is ask. Today, ask our Lady to come into those areas of your life where you need that joy in this season so that you can encounter Jesus in a more profound way. Ask the blessed mother to come into your heart, come and bring your spouse, the Holy Spirit, into your heart so you can receive Him. Jesus can be born inside of you anew to refresh, renew, and restore because; He can bring hope where there is hopelessness.