Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 25th 2019. Given by Rev. John Hilton at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, CO.

Sermon from the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 18th, 2019. Given by Deacon Phil Harrington at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, CO.

Today’s Gospel is a call to sobriety and away from an unbiblical way of thinking. Have you heard of a ideology called "Universalism"? It presumes that most people, if not the vast majority, will go to Heaven. Unfortunately, many Christians today prescribe to this idea. But as we hear in today’s gospel, and several other places in the bible, that is NOT what scripture says. Indeed, scripture says the exact opposite. The Church has never taught the notion of Universalism. So, brothers and sisters, please reject this heresy. It is dangerous to our salvation, and the Lord explicitly warns us against it today. So let's unpack today's Gospel to understand why...

Lectionary Readings:

Is 66:18-21

Ps 117:1, 2

Heb 12:5-7, 11-13

Lk 13:22-30

Homily from the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 4, 2019. Given by Fr. John Hilton at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, CO.

Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Given by Fr. John Hilton at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, CO.

Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Given by Fr. John Hilton at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, CO.

Today we hear our Lord's parable about the "rich fool". Whenever we have a Gospel reading come up at Mass where Jesus is talking about wealth and possessions, do you ever dread that you’re going to get a lecture from the priest about how you’re not giving enough of your money to the Church and charity? Don’t worry, that’s not what you’re going to get from me today. That’s a sure way to just turn people off. No one likes to be told what your supposed to do with your money right?

But in the Gospels, Jesus talks a lot about money, wealth, and possessions. There is something very important about these things he wants us to realize. That's what I want to unpack with you today my friends. And I had an amazing personal experience about this once that truly transformed my life that I would like to share with you to illustrate. Take a listen...

Lectionary Readings:

Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23

Ps 90:3-4,5-6,12-13,14,17

Col 3:1-5, 9-11

Lk 12:13-21

What was the mission of Jesus Christ on earth? How would you answer that question? If you think it was to help the poor, heal the sick, or show us how to love each other…then you’ve missed the main point. Those things are good and important of course, but they were not his main mission.

In our second reading today from Colossians chapter 2, St. Paul gives us the answer. He tells us the ultimate mission of Jesus Christ. And brothers and sisters, it is so powerful! It’s perhaps my favorite passage in all of Scripture. He reveals to us the cause of all the problems in the world, who our enemies truly are, and how Our Lord triumphed over them. Take a listen as we unpack this incredible revelation in Scripture.

Lectionary Readings:

Gen 18:20-32

Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

Col 2:12-14

Lk 11:1-13

Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 14th, 2019. Given by Deacon Phil Harington at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, CO.

Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 30th, 2019. Given by Rev. John Hilton at St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen, CO.