Fr. Brian Soliven Sermons

The Jewish temple holds deep religious and historical significance in Judaism. It originally referred to the sacred structure in Jerusalem where the ancient Israelites performed rituals and sacrifices to God. The First Temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed in 586 BC, while the Second Temple, reconstructed in 516 BC, stood until its destruction in 70 AD. For Jews, the temple represented the dwelling place of God on Earth, a central point for worship, community, and connection to the divine. Though the physical temple no longer exists, its symbolic importance endures, particularly in Jewish prayers and the hope for a future rebuilding, as prophesied in the Hebrew scriptures.

Brothers and sisters, let us turn our hearts to one of the most beautiful parables ever told—the story of the Prodigal Son. A story that speaks to the deepest yearnings of our souls, a story that reveals the very heart of God. This is a story not just about a wayward son, but about the longing of our Heavenly Father for each and every sinner—no matter how far we have gone, no matter how lost we may feel.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells us about a young man who demands his inheritance, leaves his father's house, and wastes everything he has in reckless living. He finds himself in a foreign land, destitute and alone. He reaches rock bottom, working with pigs, hungry and ashamed. And it is in this desperate place, in the very depths of his sin, that he comes to himself and remembers his father’s house. He remembers that even the servants in his father’s house have food to spare, while he is perishing in hunger. He decides to return, saying, “I will go back to my father and say, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”

Now, my friends, I want you to pay attention to what happens next. This son, who thought he was beyond redemption, who believed he had gone too far, who was ready to throw himself at his father’s mercy, was met with something utterly unexpected. What does the father do? He runs to him. He doesn’t wait for the son to make it all the way home. He doesn’t wait for him to earn back his place. He doesn’t lecture him or punish him. No, the father sees him from a distance, and with arms wide open, he runs to his son and embraces him.

This is the heart of God for sinners. This is the radical, unyielding love of our Heavenly Father. You see, God is not a distant judge waiting for us to fall short so He can condemn us. No! God is a Father, and His heart burns with love for His children. When we wander away, when we fall into sin, He doesn’t stand back with crossed arms, waiting for us to prove our worth. Instead, He is waiting, yearning, longing for us to turn back to Him. And when we do, He runs to us. He doesn’t make us crawl back in shame; He meets us with grace, with mercy, with a love that knows no bounds. This parable is not just about a son returning home. It is about the desire of God to bring all of us back into His embrace. How often do we feel like that Prodigal Son? How often do we wander off, caught up in the pleasures and distractions of this world, only to find ourselves empty and broken, far from the Father's love? But know this: no matter how far we have gone, no matter how deep our sin, God is always waiting. His arms are always open. His love is always ready to welcome us home. God desires sinners. He desires YOU. So come, return to the Father. His arms are open wide, and He is waiting for you with love that will never let you go. Amen.

First and foremost, the Ten Commandments offer a clear framework for understanding how to love and honor God, as well as how to live in harmony with others. By teaching these principles, we instill a deep respect for God's authority and a commitment to integrity, honesty, and kindness. These commandments help us recognize the importance of honoring our parents, respecting the sanctity of life, and being truthful in all our dealings. In a world often filled with confusion and moral ambiguity, the Ten Commandments offer clarity and direction, helping individuals make ethical choices that reflect God's heart.

The story of the woman at the well, found in John 4:1-30, is a profound account that not only reveals God’s desire for all people, but also highlights significant theological insights that early church fathers, such as Augustine, Chrysostom, and Origen, have offered. Their interpretations illuminate the deeper spiritual meanings behind Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, revealing God's relentless pursuit of individuals regardless of their past or their social standing. 

For the early Church Fathers, the encounter at the well symbolized more than just an individual’s personal transformation; it was a reflection of God’s overarching plan of salvation for all of humanity. St. Augustine, for instance, saw the woman at the well as a figure of the Church, which had been estranged from God through sin but was now being offered redemption through Christ. The Samaritan woman, a member of a group considered "outside" of God's covenant people (the Jews), represented the Gentiles whom Christ came to save. Augustine noted that Jesus’ dialogue with her symbolized the inclusive nature of the Gospel—salvation was no longer limited to the Jews, but was now extended to all people, even those who were socially marginalized.

St. John Chrysostom, another early Church Father, emphasized the personal and intimate nature of Jesus' interaction with the woman. He pointed out that Jesus, despite being tired and thirsty from His journey, chose to speak with a woman who was both a Samaritan and a sinner. Chrysostom saw this as a deliberate act of God’s compassion, showing that God's desire reaches beyond societal divisions. Jesus engaged her in a deep theological conversation, revealing to her that He was the Messiah, despite her being an outsider. For Chrysostom, this encounter illustrated God’s boundless mercy and His desire to bring salvation to those who, in the eyes of the world, seemed unworthy.

Origen’s interpretation took this a step further by linking the physical water at the well to the deeper spiritual "living water" that Jesus offered. He explained that Jesus was offering not just a remedy for physical thirst, but eternal life that would quench the deeper spiritual longing of the human soul. Origen saw the Samaritan woman as symbolic of humanity's thirst for truth and the fulfillment that only Christ can provide. In this sense, Jesus' offer of living water was an invitation for the woman—and through her, all of humanity—to partake in the salvation that comes from communion with God.

The early Church Fathers also reflected on the symbolism of the water jar the woman left behind after meeting Jesus. According to Chrysostom, the jar represented her old life, filled with the emptiness of past mistakes and disappointments. By leaving it behind, she symbolized her transformation and her acceptance of the living water that Jesus offered. This act demonstrated God’s desire not just to provide a temporary fix to human needs, but to radically transform the lives of those He encounters.

The parable of Lazarus and the rich man, told by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31, contrasts the fates of two men: a poor beggar named Lazarus and a wealthy man who lived in luxury. Lazarus suffers outside the rich man's gate, longing for scraps of food, while the rich man ignores his plight. After death, Lazarus is carried to Abraham's side, while the rich man is tormented in Hades. The rich man, in his suffering, pleads for mercy, but Abraham explains that the choices made during their lives have determined their eternal fates. 

The Holy  Mass holds profound significance as it is the central act of worship, where believers come together to celebrate the sacred mystery of Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist. Through the consecration of bread and wine, Catholics believe that the body and blood of Christ are truly present, not symbolically, but in reality, offering spiritual nourishment and a deep union with God. The Mass is a powerful means of grace, where the faithful can experience Christ’s love and sacrifice, renewing their commitment to live according to His teachings. 

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor is one of the most profound and awe-inspiring events in the Christian faith, capturing both the mystery of Christ's divinity and the hope of human transformation. As recounted in the Gospels, Jesus ascended the mountain with Peter, James, and John, where He was transfigured before them—His face shining like the sun and His garments becoming as white as light (Cf. Luke 9:29). During this moment, Moses and Elijah appeared, speaking with Him, and a voice from the cloud declared, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

For the early Church Fathers, the Transfiguration was not merely a miraculous spectacle, but a profound revelation of the nature of Christ and a symbol of the salvation He offers. St. Athanasius, writing in the 4th century, emphasized that Jesus did not come to earth only to teach or to suffer, but to "divinize" human nature. The Transfiguration served as a glimpse into this reality—the glory of God made visible in Christ, showing that humanity, united with Christ, could share in this divine radiance. The Fathers understood the Transfiguration as a foretaste of the resurrection, where the glory that Christ revealed on Mount Tabor would fully be manifested at the end of time.

In the writings of St. Gregory, who was the Bishop of Nyssa between 372-376, we find that the Transfiguration is a symbolic revelation of the transformation of the believer’s soul. He viewed it as a picture of what every Christian is called to experience—becoming "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4) through the grace of Christ. The event on Mount Tabor invites all believers to look beyond the surface of their earthly existence and to recognize the potential for divine transformation within themselves. Just as Christ’s divine glory shone through His human form, so too can God’s light shine through human lives when we align ourselves with Christ and His love.

The Transfiguration also has a pastoral dimension. For the apostles, it was a moment of revelation in the midst of uncertainty. The road ahead, filled with suffering and the mystery of the Cross, was not fully understood, but in the Transfiguration, the glory of Christ assured them that the suffering would not be the end. St. John Chrysostom pointed out that the Transfiguration strengthened the apostles' faith, helping them endure the trials to come. In our own struggles, this event reminds us that our own suffering is not without hope, for we too are called to share in Christ’s eternal glory.

Ultimately, the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor speaks to the promise of transformation that is central to the Christian life. It reveals that the divine potential within humanity is not only possible but destined to be realized in Christ. Through His transfigured glory, He calls us to rise above our limitations, to let His light shine in and through us, and to hope for the day when we, too, will be transfigured in the eternal light of God's presence.

In Matthew 5:48, Jesus calls on his followers to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This challenging command invites believers to strive for spiritual maturity and moral integrity, reflecting the holiness and love of God in their own lives. While recognizing human imperfection, Jesus emphasizes the importance of aiming for a Christlike character, rooted in love, compassion, and righteousness, ultimately becoming more aligned with God's will and nature. 

Christian teaching emphasizes the importance of reconciling with God and with one another as a central aspect of faith. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, believers are offered forgiveness and the opportunity to restore their relationship with God, no matter their past sins. This reconciliation with God also calls for reconciliation with others, as Jesus teaches in the Bible to love our neighbors and forgive those who wrong us. By embracing forgiveness and striving for peace, Christians are encouraged to live in harmony with both God and fellow human beings, reflecting God's love and grace in their lives.

Perseverance in prayer is a key theme in the teachings of St. John of the Cross, St. Benedict, and St. Teresa of Avila. For St. John of the Cross, prayer is a path of union with God that often involves dark nights of the soul, where perseverance in faith and trust is essential. St. Benedict, with his emphasis on the rhythm of prayer in daily life, teaches that consistent devotion strengthens one's relationship with God, even through routine struggles. Similarly, St. Teresa of Avila, who championed the interior life, highlighted that true prayer requires patience, persistence, and an openness to God’s transforming grace. Together, these saints show that the journey of prayer is not always easy, but it is through steadfastness and a willing heart that we grow in holiness and intimacy with God.