Fr. Brian Soliven Sermons

And so it was, in the beginning, when the Lord God saw that Adam, the first of His creation, was alone, He declared, "It is not good for man to be alone." With divine wisdom, He caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and from his side, He took one of his ribs. From that rib, He formed the woman, and when Adam awoke, he beheld her, radiant and perfect in every way, and he knew she was bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh. And he named her Eve, for she was the mother of all living, the gift of God to share in the fullness of life.

In the book of Genesis, the moment when God breathes life into Adam is a profound and intimate act. After forming Adam from the dust of the earth, God gently breathes into his nostrils, imparting the breath of life. This divine breath not only animates Adam’s body but also marks the unique connection between humanity and the Creator. It is a moment of spiritual and physical union, where God bestows upon Adam the essence of life itself, making him a living being in God’s image. This act signifies the sacred relationship between man and God, highlighting the divine origin of human life.

 When God creates the world, He does so out of pure benevolence, fashioning everything with intentionality and care. Each act of creation is called "good" by God, revealing that all of creation reflects His perfect plan and the order He established. The crowning act of creation, the creation of humanity in God's image, underscores the dignity and purpose given to every person. Through the lens of the Catholic faith, Genesis teaches that God's creation is inherently good, a sacred trust for humanity to care for, cultivate, and protect, while recognizing that God's grace is woven into the very fabric of the created world, inviting all to participate in His divine plan.

What is the “Good News” of Christianity that we always hear about? It is none other than a profound and life-changing message: that God, in His infinite love, has made a way for us to be united with Him, through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the Gospel, and it is a message that offers hope, healing, and eternal life to all who respond to it with faith.

At the core of Catholic belief is the conviction that humanity is in need of redemption. From the moment of original sin, we have been separated from God, but through Jesus Christ, God has provided the means to restore us. Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world as both fully divine and fully human. He lived among us, showing us how to love, how to forgive, and how to live in communion with God. But His mission was far greater than simply teaching; He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. On the cross, He bore the weight of the world's brokenness, and by His resurrection, He triumphed over sin and death, offering us the gift of eternal life.

This good news is not just about an individual relationship with God but about the entire Church. The Church, as the Body of Christ, is called to continue the mission of Christ on Earth—bringing His message of salvation to all people. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, Catholics believe they are intimately united with Christ, receiving His grace to live holy lives and to be a source of light and hope in the world.

This salvation is a pure gift from God, but it is a gift that requires a response. Through faith, hope, and charity, Catholics are called to live out the good news of the Gospel, not only by receiving God's grace but by sharing it with others. The Church emphasizes the importance of love, especially love for the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. By serving others and living a life of holiness, Catholics are called to be witnesses to the transformative power of Christ's love in the world.

It is a message of hope that touches every aspect of life. It is a message of healing for the brokenhearted, of peace for the troubled, and of joy for those who long for meaning and purpose. It is the promise that we are not alone, that God is with us always, guiding us through life's challenges. And it is the assurance that, through Christ, we are invited into eternal communion with God, a communion that begins now and lasts forever.

In a world filled with uncertainty, the Catholic Church proclaims the good news of a God who is always faithful, always loving, and always present. This is the foundation of Christian hope: that we are loved beyond measure, and that through Christ, all things are possible.

The question of why the Gospel takes root in some nations and among certain people, while in others it does not, remains a profound mystery. Nevertheless, the Scripture passages we reflect on today remind us that our responsibility is to continue proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. The outcome, however, is entrusted to God.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, celebrated annually on February 2nd, marks a pivotal moment in the life of Christ—a moment rich with theological significance and deep symbolism. This event, recorded in the Gospel of Luke (2:22–40), offers profound lessons about the intersection of human faith, divine promise, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

When Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, they are fulfilling the Jewish law, which requires the dedication of the firstborn male to God. At first glance, it appears as a routine, even mundane, act of religious obedience. However, as we dive deeper into the layers of this event, we come to realize that the presentation of Jesus in the Temple is anything but ordinary. It encapsulates themes of expectation, revelation, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

The central figures who reveal the true significance of this event are Simeon and Anna, two elderly, devout individuals who have spent their lives waiting and praying for the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Simeon, described as a "righteous and devout" man, is waiting for the "consolation of Israel," the long-awaited Messiah who would bring hope and salvation to God's people. Anna, a prophetess, similarly spends her days fasting and praying in the Temple, anticipating the arrival of the one who would redeem Israel.

What is striking about both Simeon and Anna is their deep sense of expectation and trust in God’s promises. They lived in a world filled with darkness, suffering, and political oppression, yet they held fast to the belief that God would act in history to bring salvation. Their faith was not passive or abstract. It was rooted in a tangible hope that God would fulfill what He had spoken through the prophets.

For Simeon, the moment of fulfillment arrives when he takes the infant Jesus in his arms and declares, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation" (Luke 2:29-30). This moment is the culmination of a lifetime of waiting, praying, and hoping. Simeon’s joy is not merely personal—his recognition of Jesus as the Savior is a public proclamation that God's promise of redemption is now a reality.

Anna, too, responds to the child with exuberant gratitude, "giving thanks to God and speaking about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). Her testimony echoes the truth that salvation has arrived not just for a select few, but for all who long for deliverance. Through the faithful witness of Simeon and Anna, the meaning of Jesus’ presentation in the Temple is revealed—not simply as a ritual act, but as the moment in which God's long-anticipated salvation is unveiled. The light of the world has come. 

In today's Gospel, Jesus describes the word of God as a little seed in different types of soils. Some bare fruit while the other one does not. What separates the good soil from the bad? 

Since the beginning of the Church, the beauty of the cross baffled the early Christians. In this great paradox, an instrument of Roman torture would become our greatest hope. 

If you're looking to impress friends and family at your next gathering with your knowledge of Scripture, consider posing the following question: "What is the most frequently repeated phrase in the entire Bible?" While many may pause in wonder, you will already know the answer. After reading this insightful Pastor’s Desk column, you’ll be equipped to surprise the group with the answer: “Do not be afraid.” This phrase appears in various forms around 365 times, once for each day of the year.

This raises an important question: why, among all the possible phrases God could have chosen to emphasize in the Bible, does He repeatedly urge us, "Do not be afraid"?

To explore this, we need to reflect on our own fears. If we’re honest, most of us can identify something we fear. We fear losing our health, being alone, losing loved ones, or seeing those we care about suffer. We fear financial instability, revealing our true selves, facing the consequences of past mistakes, or confronting an uncertain future. The list is long, but it’s clear that fear is a common part of the human experience. To all these fears, God responds again and again, “Do not be afraid.”

The foundation of our Christian courage and confidence lies in our relationship with a God who reveals Himself as our loving, attentive Heavenly Father. Take a moment to reflect on this truth: God is our Father. Like any good parent, He provides for our needs. Jesus reminds us of this in the Gospel of Matthew, where He says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31).

This Father is actively guiding human history toward a final, redemptive purpose. His providence unfolds before us, often in ways we cannot immediately see, but we are called to have the faith to trust in His plan. This theme resonates powerfully in this Sunday’s Gospel passage. We see Jesus returning to Nazareth, the small town where He grew up, and entering the synagogue He once attended. In this intimate setting, where everyone knew Him, Jesus unrolls the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, which had been written some 600 years earlier. The passage He reads foretells the coming of a figure who will bring hope and liberation: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

After reading, He rolls up the scroll, sits down, and delivers a statement that would send shockwaves through the crowd: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” In other words, He is the one they’ve been waiting for. He is the one who will remove their deepest fears and bring hope, freedom, and peace.

We are truly blessed to witness so many beautiful weddings take place here in our parish, not only for our own parishioners but also for couples from neighboring communities. Our church, with its stunning fountain courtyard, the grand aisle, and the Spanish-style sanctuary, provides a breathtaking backdrop for these sacred moments. It is a place where love, joy, and new beginnings come to life.

Anyone who has been part of planning a wedding knows how much effort goes into ensuring that both the ceremony and reception are flawless. But as every couple knows, the true work begins after the wedding day. The journey of building a life together, of creating a happy marriage, is not a task that ends with "I do"—it’s a lifelong commitment. How do we create a strong and enduring marriage? It's a question every couple faces, and it’s a journey that requires patience, sacrifice, and above all, love.

Marriage is never easy. It is a beautiful but challenging journey. Even the happiest and most loving couples face difficulties, because marriage is the coming together of two individuals, each with their own experiences, values, and dreams. Two people, each with their own struggles and imperfections. The reality is, we are all human; we are all fallen. The stain of Original Sin, as we hear in the Book of Genesis, means that we all have a tendency to choose the wrong. We call this concupiscence.  And because of this, relationships can be challenging. But this is not something to fear—this is the very space where love can grow.

In the face of these challenges, how are we called to live? First and foremost, we must embrace the wisdom passed down through generations before us. We once had a culture of courtship, where love was nurtured with time, respect, and intention. In those days, marriage was seen as a sacred journey that required commitment from the very beginning. Today, we live in a world that sometimes encourages a trial period before the lifelong commitment of marriage—believing that living together before marriage will lead to stronger unions. But studies consistently show that cohabitation before marriage actually increases the risk of divorce.

For healthier families and stronger marriages, we must return to a more sacred view of marriage, one rooted in biblical values and the wisdom of the Church. As Sister Lucia, the last living visionary of the Marian apparition at Fatima, once wrote in 1983, “A time will come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and the family. Those who work for the good of the family will face persecution and trial. But do not be afraid, because Our Lady has already crushed his head.” In the years since she wrote those words, we can see the truth of her prophecy unfolding before us. The challenges are real, but so is the hope.

So, how can we contribute to building a "Civilization of Love"? The answer is clear:  “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” True love is selfless. It requires us to lay down our egos, to put the needs of others before our own, and to give of ourselves unconditionally. This is the essence of love—this is how we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

In marriage, this is the call: to deny ourselves for the sake of our spouse, to take up the cross of daily sacrifice, and to journey forward together, with Christ as the center of our lives. In this, we will discover the fullness of life—the life that is abundant, rich in grace, and filled with the kind of love that endures all things.

Together, let us build marriages that are not just based on love but on the transformative power of Christ’s love—love that sacrifices, love that endures, and love that never fails. This is the love that can change the world, one family at a time.