I preached this homily at Saint Rose of Lima Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Sunday, August 6, 2017. I know the intro still says Deacon Joe, but I was ordained a few weeks ago, so I am now celebrating Mass as Father Joe. The website will catch up soon, I promise. Setting the stage I … Continue reading "Will you preach the Transfiguration or this rotting flesh?"

I preached this homily on the Sunday, March 19, 2017, the 3rd Sunday of Lent, at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Gospel was John 4:4-42, the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Who is this woman? Why were the disciples amazed? The easy answers always come to … Continue reading "The Woman at the Well"

I preached this homily at St. Rita Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana on March 16, 2017. The Gospel was the well known story of The Rich Man and Lazarus. When you are called home, will your soul be light because you emptied yourself out, or will you be weighed down by taking and taking until you … Continue reading "With Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest"

I preached this homily at the Church of the Assumption in Nashville, Tennessee on February 26, 2017. The readings for that Sunday are: First Reading Isaiah 49:14–15 Response Psalm 62:6a Psalm Psalm 62:2–3, 6–9 Second Reading 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 Gospel Acclamation Hebrews 4:12 Gospel Matthew 6:24–34 In 1988, one of the great poets of the … Continue reading "Don’t worry. Be happy."

I preached this homily on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Our Lady of the Rosary parish in New Orleans, Louisiana. The readings are Sirach 15:15–20, 1 Corinthians 2:6–10, and Matthew 5:17–37. To Fulfill the Law The Law (Commandments) are the bare minimum. The Beatitudes, which we heard a few weeks ago, represent approaches to the … Continue reading "I have come to fulfill the Law"

I preached this homily at Notre Dame Seminary on Friday, February 10, 2017. I am preaching on Mark 7:31-37. I would like to focus for a few minutes on the deaf man. I want to present him as a type of baptism. Notice he did not come to Jesus on his own. He was brought. … Continue reading "Ephphatha: How are they they hear the Gospel?"

I preached this homily on October 4, 2016, at Saint Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The kids were off on fall break, so I was just preaching to the adults, this time. That’s important since, otherwise, this would have been a homily for Kindergarten through fourth grade.

I preached this homily at St. Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee to the kindergarten through 8th grade (and any other parishioners who happened to be attending daily Mass). The Homily So we have 3 archangels that we honor today in this feast day. Michael Gabriel and Raphael. Notice each one of those names have to … Continue reading "God has declared open war – we are the foot soldiers"

I preached this homily on Thursday, September 22, 2016, at St. Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Gospel Luke 9:7-9 Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the … Continue reading "Why do we want to meet Jesus?"

I preached this Homily on Sunday, September 18, 2016, at Saint Edward Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The nature of parables This is a difficult passage since it sounds like Jesus is applauding this steward for lying and stealing from his boss. We need to remember the purpose of parables. The precise details of the parable are … Continue reading "We must put the same effort into our spiritual lives"