Father Dave Preaches

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today's Gospel, Jesus mentions our ancestors who ate manna, a food understood to be perishable, in the desert. Father Dave compares the Eucharist to Twinkies, a food that does not perish. He also contrasts the Bread of Life with Black Friday, a time when people tend to be self-interested and act uncharitably towards others. Rather, the Eucharist is a communal meal and brings us together. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 8-5-18

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest. Father Dave talks about repentance, and having the confidence to ask for God's mercy. He discusses Saint Ignatius of Loyola and how he turned his life around. Saint Ignatius came from a wealthy background and had a successful military career. After an injury on the battlefield, he began to read about the lives of the saints and read scripture. Saint Ignatius had a plan for his life, but by following the voice of God he became a great saint. We should follow in his footsteps. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 7-31-18

Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Dave reflects on our tendency to be self-reliant. In today's reading, God tells Jeremiah that his people have forsaken him and dug themselves broken cisterns. They did not rely on the Lord, rather they relied on themselves. Father Dave points out that we must trust God and leave things in his hands, just like saints Joachim and Anne. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 7-26-18

Feast of Saint James, Apostle. On this feast of Saint James, Father Dave discusses the Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, which is a walking pilgrimage through Northern Spain. He points out that the camino is challenging but worth it. Father Dave asks if we are able to live our lives like Saint James and walk in his footsteps. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 7-25-18

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave discusses today's Gospel reading in which the hemorrhaging woman is healed by touching Jesus' cloak. The story of the woman interrupts the narrative of Jairus' daughter needing healing. Father Dave asks why Mark would interrupt the story in this way. He explains that the interruption is the story for us. It is a demonstration that God doesn't only have time for the very important. He has time for all of us. Preached at Saint Boniface Church, Cold Spring, Minnesota, on 7-01-18

Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave discusses the passage in the Old Testament in which God refers to the people as "stiff-necked." While it's important to stay focused and set our eyes on Christ, we should not take that to the extreme and have blinders on. To be a person of faith, we must know our surroundings and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 6-25-18

Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Father Dave discusses the Lord's Prayer. In today's Gospel, Jesus references the pagans and their belief system. They believed that their gods did not listen to all of their prayers, so they would have to pray multiple prayers. Jesus tells us not to pray in this way, and to believe that God hears our prayers. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 6-21-18

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave discusses the contrast between the first reading, in which Jezebel has her husband killed, and the Gospel, where Jesus asks us to be forgiving and not to seek revenge. Father Dave asks if we take Jesus' message to heart and follow this teaching today. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 6-18-18

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave considers how powerful our smartphones are to work off of a small chip. He relates this to the parable of faith and the mustard seed the Jesus explains in response to the disciples asking him to increase their faith. We must trust that God will nurture the seed of our faith. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, on 6-17-18

Father Dave discusses today's reading in which Elijah looks for God. He relates Elijah's search to our search for God today, and how we can sometimes feel abandoned. God is always present, even when we can't recognize him, and we must keep searching like Elijah. Preached 6-14-18