There is an old Latin phrase that says this: “Ave Crux Spes Unica”. It means, "Hail the Cross, our only Hope".

This is a day unlike any other day. In all Catholic Churches around the world, the tabernacles are empty, the sanctuaries are stripped and bare, sacred images are covered. Because today Our Lord was crucified and died for us. Tonight and tomorrow our Churches are barren, because Our Lord is in the darkness of the tomb.

Brothers and sisters, turn your hearts to the Cross today. The Crucifixion of Jesus is the center of our lives as Christians. It’s our glory, it’s our hope, it defines who we are as a people.

Hail the Cross...our only Hope.

Lectionary Readings:

Is 52:13—53:12

Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25

Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Jn 18:1—19:42

Tonight it begins brothers and sisters...we enter into the Sacred Pascal Triduum. These are the three days of our redemption. There are so many incredible things we could talk about which happened on that Holy Thursday night in the upper room at the Lord's Supper. But I want to focus mainly on two things; (1) the source and summit of our Catholic Christian faith, and (2) understanding who we are and where we come from...which flows from the first. I invite you to take a listen.

Lectionary Readings:

Ex 12:1-8, 11-14

Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18

1 Cor 11:23-26

Jn 13:1-15

What does it mean to be Holy? What does the word “Holy” mean? Well, it means “to be set apart…to be different...to be set apart for God”. As you know, this is Holy Week. And this week should look different for everyone of us. It’s not like any other week. It’s "The Week that changed the world." That is my favorite description of it…The Week that Changed the World.

Brothers and sisters, I hope it becomes that kind of week for you. Don’t let it be just another week in your life…just another Holy Week. Let it be a week that changes your world. That is my hope for you my friends. Because this is the week you were redeemed.

Lectionary Readings:

Lk 19:28-40

Is 50:4-7

Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Phil 2:6-11

Lk 22:14—23:56

To those who wanted to execute the woman caught in adultery, Jesus speaks one of his most famous words of wisdom, justice, and mercy in the bible; “Let him among you who is without sin cast the first stone.”

It is almost as though Jesus was saying this: "Reason with me, men. If you demand strict justice, if you insist that I 'throw the book' at her, you’d better first look and see what is written about you in 'the book'. If she is to be judged strictly and without mercy, then you, too, will face the same standard. Gentlemen, there are things in the book about you...serious things. Have you counted the cost of condemning this woman? Are you sure that you want to demand that I 'throw the book' at her? Think about it, men. Think very carefully."

The message is clear brothers and sisters: The measure we use for others will be measured back to us. If we have been merciful then we will find mercy, but if we have been harsh, unbending, and unmerciful, the Lord will judge us far more strictly.

Lectionary Readings:

Is 43:16-21

Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Phil 3:8-14

Jn 8:1-11

On this Laetare Sunday (which means "Rejoice") we are at the midpoint of Lent and we focus on the parable of Jesus about the joy that takes place in Heaven over one sinner who repents. The most famous story of repentance in the Bible is "The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Another name used for it which I like is “The Parable of the Lost Son”. I think this name captures the true essence of the parable. The father in the story doesn’t refer to his younger son as ‘Prodigal’. Twice he says, “This son of mine was lost, and now he has been found.”

How many of you can see yourself in this story? For so many people, this parable has pierced their heart, brought about conversion, repentance, forgiveness, and healing in one’s life so desperately needed. The father in the story of course represents God the Father, who is always waiting for us, and calling us back to seek his forgiveness and mercy.

Lectionary Readings:

Jos 5:9a, 10-12

Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

2 Cor 5:17-21

Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Enter more deeply into the Lenten Season and discover (or rediscover) your life's direction. Where are you headed? Lent is meant to remind us of this, because we are on a pilgrimage. It's meant to reorient us. You and I have a direction. We have a place we are headed towards.

"One day in your house, O Lord, is better than a thousand elsewhere." ~Psalm 84

Brothers and sisters, I think it’s time for a “check-in”. That’s one way I see this 3rd Sunday of Lent. We are almost halfway through the Lenten season as we journey with Jesus to Calvary and Easter.

So where are you at? Has this Lent been fruitful for you? Has it been challenging? Has it been disappointing? Or has it been nothing? Has nothing really changed in your spiritual life? Are you a barren fig tree? Let’s do a check-in, let’s see where we’re at and find out if we need to implement some halftime adjustments.

Lectionary Readings:

Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15

Ps 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11

1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12

Lk 13:1-9

Hope is the mother of courage. So what is courage? Courage is not the person who launches off Lovers Leap on a powder day in Blue Sky Basin, or bungee jumps off the Royal Gorge bridge. There is a big difference. Real courage is when you know something is good, and right, and true, and beautiful…and you are willing to suffer for that. This is at the heart of the Transfiguration. This is one reason why Jesus chose to pull back the veil and reveal his glory to Peter, James, and John on that mountain. Take a listen to see what I mean...

Lectionary Readings:

Gn 15:5-12, 17-18

Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14

Phil 3:17—4:1

Lk 9:28b-36

In Genesis, Adam is tempted in the garden and he falls. On the opposite side, the mirror image, Jesus (the true man) is tempted, but of course he does not fall. So, in this struggle in middle we live in, there are two men…who are you going to image, who are you going to mirror?

There are two ways to be human, there’s two ways to live your life. The normal way is Adam. St. Paul talks about this all over his writings. He says you are either going to bear the image of Adam, or bear the image Christ...one of the two.

In Christ there’s a new way to be human, there’s a new way to go through life. And Jesus as he’s tempted in the desert…trusts the Father. No matter what hardships and sufferings he will face in his humanity…he accepts it without hesitation, because he has complete trust in the Father’s will. That’s what it means to be IN Christ. A fresh start, a new beginning, a new way to be human. That’s the choice in front of you...will you be Adam, or will you be Christ?

Lectionary Readings:

Dt 26:4-10

Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

Rom 10:8-13

Lk 4:1-13

“There are two types of people. There are the sinners who think they are saints…and the saints who know they are sinners.” (Blaise Pascal).

Which one are you? I love that you are here at Mass today. And I hope that your presence here means that you know you are a sinner…AS AM I. St. Paul calls himself the greatest of sinners. No one in history has been more firmly convinced of their own sinfulness and brokenness than the saints. The healthier we get, the more we realize how sick we are.

So, a good question to ask yourself…why are you here today? Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but yet it's one of the most attended Masses of the year. So why did you come? What does Ash Wednesday mean to you...and in general?

Lectionary Readings:

Joel 2:12-18

Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14, 17

2 Cor 5:20—6:2

Mt 6:1-6, 16-18