Fr. Brian Soliven Sermons

**Bonus musical piece at the end of the homily from a Requiem Traditional Latin Mass**

The altar in a Catholic church is more than a table—it's the sacred heart of worship, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice and presence among His people. Here, heaven meets earth as bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ during the Eucharist. It stands as a place of offering, transformation, and divine encounter, reminding the faithful that God's love is not distant but present, real, and continually poured out for all. 
 

Even in our deepest suffering, Jesus is present, shaping our pain into something purposeful. What feels like brokenness to us can become a testimony of His grace, strength, and redemption. Through our trials, He reveals His power to heal, restore, and bring hope to others walking through the dark. When we surrender our wounds to Him, He doesn't waste a moment—He transforms them into a story of glory, showing the world that even in sorrow, He is good, and His love never fails.
 

“I give you a new commandment: love one another.” With these simple yet profound words from this Sunday’s Gospel passage, Jesus gave us the greatest commandment—a call to live lives of deep compassion, selflessness, and courage. Few have lived out this command as powerfully as St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest whose love broke through the darkness of World War II in one of history’s most terrible places.

In the cruel confines of the worst Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz, where hatred and despair seemed to rule, St. Maximilian Kolbe chose self-sacrificial Christian love. When a fellow prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek, was sentenced to die by starvation, Kolbe did the unthinkable. He stepped forward and offered his own life in exchange. He didn’t do it for recognition or reward. He did it out of love—pure, Christ-like love for a stranger.

This act was not just brave; it was holy. In that moment, Kolbe became a living reflection of Jesus, who laid down His life for us all. In a place meant to strip away human dignity, Kolbe’s sacrifice declared that love still lives, even in the most hopeless of places. He showed that true love doesn’t count the cost; it gives everything. As he led prayers and hymns in the starvation cell, bringing peace and light to those around him, Kolbe proved that love can triumph even in death. His final breath was not one of defeat, but of victory—the victory of love over fear, of faith over hatred. St. Maximilian Kolbe’s legacy is a radiant beacon for all of us. His life challenges us to love more boldly, to give more freely, and to live not for ourselves, but for others. In a world that often values power and self-interest, Kolbe reminds us that the greatest strength is found in self-giving love.

This heroic love is not rare or unreachable; it is the very heartbeat of the love Jesus Christ pours out for us each and every day. We don’t need to journey to a far-off land or wait for a dramatic moment in history to experience it. This love, powerful and life-changing, is nearer than we think. It’s as close as your local parish church, just a short drive away, waiting to welcome you with open arms.

The Eucharist is a profound daily reminder of Jesus’ self-sacrificial love. In every Mass, Christ offers Himself to us completely—His Body and Blood—just as He did on the cross. This gift is not just symbolic; it is real and personal, a continual act of love that nourishes our souls and calls us to do the same. Through the Eucharist, Jesus shows us how to live for others, to give without counting the cost, and to love with a heart that holds nothing back. It is both a gift and a challenge—to receive His love and then go out and share it with the world.

Sharing the joy of the Christian message is a powerful act of love and hope. It brings light to dark places, offering peace to the troubled and purpose to the lost. When we share the good news of Christ’s love, we become vessels of grace, reminding others they are never alone. Each word of encouragement, each act of kindness inspired by faith, has the potential to transform hearts. In a world often marked by division and despair, the message of Christ stands as a beacon of unity and everlasting joy—a gift too great to keep to ourselves.
 

Remaining in Jesus' love is the anchor that holds us steady through every storm. His love is not earned—it is freely given, constant, and unchanging. When we choose to abide in it, we find peace that surpasses understanding, strength beyond our own, and a purpose that transcends the temporary. In a world full of shifting values and fleeting affection, His love is a firm foundation. It empowers us to love others, walk in truth, and live with hope, knowing we are never alone. Staying in His love transforms our lives from the inside out.
 

Praying the Rosary through Our Lady of Fatima holds profound spiritual importance, as it was her urgent request to the world during her apparitions in 1917. She called for daily recitation of the Rosary as a means to bring peace to the world, end wars, and convert hearts. Through this devotion, we unite ourselves with her motherly mission of salvation, offering reparation for sin and drawing closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Rosary becomes not only a personal prayer but a powerful response to her call for repentance, faith, and the triumph of her Immaculate Heart.
 

Habemus Papam! WE HAVE A POPE!
And in a stunning turn of history—he's American!

For the first time ever, the Chair of St. Peter is occupied by a pope from the United States. Few anticipated this outcome. Leading up to the election, the prevailing wisdom held that the cardinals would shy away from choosing a pontiff from the world’s preeminent economic, political, cultural, and military power, fearing it might pose a conflict of interest or risk the perception of imbalance. Yet, against expectations, they elected Cardinal Robert Prevos, a humble priest from the suburbs of Chicago.

So, how do we celebrate this unprecedented moment? Should we honor the Windy City with deep-dish pizza after every Mass? Replace Doughnut Sundays with Hot Dog Sundays? Whatever we do, let them be filled with joy—but also with prayer.

For now, the immense responsibility of shepherding 1.4 billion Catholics rests upon his shoulders. As Pope Leo XIV—his newly chosen name—stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the world, he began with these profound words:

“Peace be with you all! These are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for God’s flock.”

This sacred moment reminds us of the unchanging mission entrusted to every successor of St. Peter: to courageously lead the nations ever closer to Jesus Christ.

In a world often marked by uncertainty, confusion, and wandering souls, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd offers profound comfort and direction. This metaphor, drawn from His own words in John 10:11—"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"—paints a picture of intimate care, sacrificial love, and steadfast guidance.

A shepherd knows his sheep by name. He doesn’t lead from behind with force but walks ahead, calling each one to follow, trusting that they recognize His voice. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leads with gentleness and strength. He knows our weaknesses, our fears, and our needs, and still, He chooses to walk beside us, never abandoning us when life grows dark or perilous. His leadership is not driven by power but by love.

The shepherd also protects. In a spiritual sense, Jesus stands between us and the dangers that threaten our souls. He laid down His life on the cross, not as a distant figure making a calculated decision, but as one who loves deeply and personally. This act of self-sacrifice shows that we are never forgotten, never alone.

Even when we stray—and we all do—the Good Shepherd does not give up. He searches for the lost lamb, carries it home on His shoulders, and rejoices over its return. His grace is not reserved for the perfect but extended freely to the broken, the wandering, and the weary.

To follow Jesus as the Good Shepherd is to trust that we are seen, known, and valued. It is to walk in the assurance that, no matter the terrain or the trials, we are being led by One who loves us more deeply than we can comprehend. In Him, we find green pastures, still waters, and the promise that goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. In Jesus Christ we find the peace that we have all been searching for. 

**Bonus hymn at the end of the homily from our 2PM Traditional Latin Mass**

After the resurrection, Jesus met His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There, in a quiet and intimate moment, He turned to Peter and asked a question that pierced the heart: “Do you love me?” He asked it not once, but three times—echoing the three times Peter had denied Him before the crucifixion. This repetition was not to shame Peter, but to heal him. In those three questions, Jesus was not only restoring Peter's soul but also redefining his mission.

This dialogue reveals the tender power of grace. Jesus did not condemn Peter or dwell on his betrayal. Instead, He met Peter where he was—broken, ashamed, yet longing to be made whole again. Each time Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,”Jesus responded, “Feed my sheep.”With these words, love became a calling. Jesus showed that love for Him is not proven by words alone, but by the willingness to serve, to lead, and to care for others. The beauty of this moment lies in its universal message: we all fall short. We all have moments of weakness, times when fear speaks louder than faith. Yet, Jesus meets us after the fall—not to cast us aside, but to lift us up. His question, “Do you love me?” is a personal invitation to return to love, to step into grace, and to live out our purpose.

Peter, who once crumbled under pressure, became the rock upon which the Church was built. Why? Because he answered the question honestly, humbly, and with his whole heart. In doing so, he discovered that love—real love—restores, redeems, and calls us to something greater than ourselves. This question still echoes in every soul today: “Do you love me?” It is not just a test—it is a path back home. When we say yes, we are invited into a life of meaning, one where love transforms failure into faithfulness and shame into sacred calling.

Love is the Christian answer to our pain because it is through love that God meets us in our suffering, not with avoidance or empty answers, but with presence and healing. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we see a God who does not turn away from human pain but enters into it, bearing it with us and for us. Christian love is not passive—it moves toward the hurting, embraces the broken, and transforms wounds into hope. It is in loving and being loved that we find the strength to endure, the grace to forgive, and the promise that no pain is wasted in the hands of a loving God.

 ***English Homily Begins at Minute 12:00***

A estas alturas, muchos de ustedes probablemente ya habrán escuchado la noticia del fallecimiento del Papa Francisco, quien dejó esta vida el lunes pasado a la edad de 88 años, después de enfrentar problemas de salud durante un tiempo. Justo un día antes de su muerte, se vio paseando por la Basílica de San Pedro en la Ciudad del Vaticano en el muy familiar papamóvil blanco, ofreciendo bendiciones y saludos a los miles de peregrinos que se habían reunido. En lo que sería su última aparición pública, pasó sus últimos momentos como pastor bendiciendo a las personas que amaba tan profundamente: una conclusión hermosa y apropiada para una vida entregada al servicio de la Iglesia.

Como sacerdotes, estamos llamados a dar nuestra vida al servicio del pueblo de Dios. Caminamos contigo en momentos de alegría y tristeza, de celebración y de sufrimiento, esforzándonos sobre todo en amarlos con el corazón de Cristo. Este llamado es a la vez profundo y humillante. Como ustedes, somos humanos: frágiles, imperfectos y en constante necesidad de la misericordia de Dios. Tenemos nuestros momentos de fortaleza y nuestros momentos de debilidad, y es sólo por gracia que continuamos en esta sagrada misión.

Ahora, mientras los cardenales de todo el mundo se reúnen en la Ciudad del Vaticano para discernir y elegir al próximo sucesor de San Pedro, se nos recuerda una verdad profunda: cada Papa que alguna vez ha dirigido la Iglesia, incluido el que está por venir, es un pecador redimido por la gracia de Dios. No es el humano perfecto quien sostiene a la Iglesia, sino la presencia permanente y el poder de Jesucristo, su Divino Fundador. La misión de la Iglesia permanece sin cambios: proclamar con valentía y alegría que Jesucristo ha resucitado de entre los muertos y que el pecado y la muerte ya no tienen la última palabra. En esta verdad encontramos nuestra esperanza, nuestro propósito, nuestra paz y, lo más importante, la intensa misericordia de Dios. Este domingo también celebramos providencialmente el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia.  La Divina Misericordia es más que una devoción; es el corazón mismo del Evangelio. En la fe católica, la Divina Misericordia representa el amor infinito de Dios derramado sobre la humanidad, incluso cuando no lo merecemos. Es un recordatorio de que ningún pecado es demasiado grande para el perdón de Dios, y ningún alma está demasiado perdida para ser devuelta a Sus brazos.

En el centro de esta devoción está el mensaje de Jesús a Santa Faustina Kowalska, una humilde monja elegida por Dios para difundir el mensaje de Su misericordia al mundo. A través de ella, Cristo nos recordó que Él no anhela condenar, sino sanar, restaurar y redimir. Sus palabras, “Jesús, en ti confío”, se han convertido en una poderosa oración de entrega, que invita a cada corazón a confiar en la bondad de Dios incluso en tiempos de oscuridad. La Divina Misericordia nos desafía a vivir con compasión. Nos llama a reflejar la misericordia de Dios hacia los demás: a perdonar, a comprender y a tender la mano a quienes están sufriendo. En un mundo que a menudo se siente duro e implacable, el mensaje de la Divina Misericordia se convierte en un faro de esperanza, que ofrece paz y renovación a cualquiera que recurra a él. El abrazar la Divina Misericordia es creer en un amor que nunca se rinde ante nosotros. Es un llamado a confiar, a perdonar y a amar sin contar el costo. Al hacerlo, no sólo recibimos misericordia sino que nos convertimos en instrumentos de ella. En palabras de San Juan Pablo II, quien canonizó a Santa Faustina y estableció el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia: “No hay nada que el hombre necesite más que la Divina Misericordia”. Y, de hecho, en un mundo herido, la misericordia no es sólo un regalo de Dios: es nuestra misión.

St. Peter casting his net into the water is a powerful symbol of faith, obedience, and divine calling. When Jesus instructed Peter to cast his net despite an unfruitful night of fishing, Peter obeyed—and the resulting miraculous catch revealed the abundance that comes from trusting in God's word. This moment not only demonstrated Jesus' divine authority but also marked Peter's transformation from a fisherman to a "fisher of men," highlighting the importance of spiritual surrender and mission. It reminds believers that great outcomes often follow acts of faith, even when logic or experience says otherwise.