Fr. David Hogan

Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The movie Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, tells the story of a well respected general in the Roman Army, who sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. Maximus fights for his freedom and those he has become friends with as fellow Gladiators. 

The theme of this Sunday's readings are about battle. Our first reading from the book of Daniel mentions a call to “Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people.” St. Michael and the angels go into battle on our behalf to fight for our spiritual freedom as we do not contend primarily with the flesh and blood, but with the principalities and powers of the underworld. May God grant us final perseverance in staying strong in our faith. 

Scripture Readings for November 17, 2024

Daniel 12:1-3
Psalm 16:5, 8-11
Hebrews 10:11-14, 18
Mark 13:24-32 

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

The famous expression, "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak,” resonates well with all three readings this Sunday. 

Shema Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The word Shema is Hebrew for listen. Having attuned ourselves to God and others via active listening, we are open to receiving God's revelation, further revealing the kingdom of God.  

Scripture Reading for November 3, 2024

Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 12:28-34 

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, teaches us in our Gospel for Sunday how to see with the eyes of faith. Yes, we may be able to see physically, but that does not mean we know where we are going spiritually. Through prayer and discernment, God equips you and I to seek Him out despite the most chaotic of environments.  

Scripture Readings for October 27, 2024

Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126:1-6
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This weekend the universal Church celebrates World Mission Sunday. This year, Pope Francis asked us to reflect on the theme, Go! and invite everyone to the banquet. We can find this message in the parable of the wedding feast, urging us to extend God's invitation of love and salvation to all. Before we are to engage in the worldwide mission of evangelization, the spreading of faith, we ourselves need to be evangelized. As St. Pope John Paul II said many times throughout his pontificate, "open wide the doors to Christ!" 

Through prayers, sacrifices, and contributions on this day, we share the joy of Christ with over 1,100 Mission Dioceses under the Holy Father's care across Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific Islands, and the Middle East. Archbishop Rozanski asks the Church of St. Louis, to pray together for the fruitfulness of the church's missionary activity and for the missionaries who dedicate their lives to spreading the gospel. 
Scripture Reading for October 20, 2024

Isaiah 53:10-11
Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mk 10:35-45 

Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The God of Israel wants his people to be fruitful and to multiply. In our modern times, the breakdown of marriage and family life comes from a tendency to define one's own life on one's own terms. This kind of philosophy represents the breaking apart of the biblical vision of God's intentions for mankind. 

As Jesus referenced in the book of Genesis, "It's not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18), this mutual self-gift and love between man and woman gives rise to children. This is the biblical vision which is under assault today, but as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we must stand up and defend this beautiful vision. 

Scripture Reading for October 6, 2024

Genesis 2:18-24
Ps 128:1-6
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16 

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Once again we are in the middle of a contentious election cycle, which presents challenges and opportunities to proclaim our Catholic faith. This year in Missouri we are voting on Amendment 3, a proposal to radically change out constitution.
Jennifer Brinker, archdiocesan columnist wrote, "Amendment 3 would eliminate legal protections that currently safeguard the pre-born and well as their mothers, fathers, families and society from the harm of abortion." One could say that Church should remain out of politics, sure, but life is not a partisan issue.

To this end in our Gospel today Jesus speaks powerfully to our current culture, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” (Matthew 18:5-7)

Scripture Readings for September 29, 2024

Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14 
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Modern technology along with advertising agencies invest time, research, and millions of dollars toward selling products that people may or may not actually need or buy! As a result, we get used to the sales pitch. If Jesus' "marketing campaign" began today he may not last long as he spoke about people eating his flesh and drinking his blood, rejection, suffering, and even death itself. 

Nonetheless, Jesus does not back down from the truth of what it means to be a Christian nor how one is able to acquire and live a life according to Godly values. "Whoever wishes come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)

Scripture Reading for September 22, 2024

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Psalm 54:3-6, 8 
James 3:16—4:3
Mark 9:30-37 

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The song, How Can I Keep from Singing by Pauline T & Robert Lowry, speaks poetically about the song of hope we carry as human beings. A hope not just for a better tomorrow, but one in which the Lord is walking with us through the ups and downs of life. When the man in today's Gospel was blessed to receive his hearing and speech back, it is the gift of faith to hear and speak the word God. What song brings hope to you? Can you be kept from singing?

Scripture Reading for September 8, 2024

Isaiah 35:4-7
Psalm 146:7-10
James 2:1-5
Mark 7:31-37 

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Sunday's Gospel continues from this past week's chastisement of the pharisees and scribes by Jesus Christ. The pharisees and scribes were attempting to make good on the promises of Israel, but unfortunately started to fall into duplicity and eventually interior spiritual corruption. Fellow sinners, we too can fall into a similar lifestyle without the power of the Holy Spirit enlightening and sustaining our every breath and step. May God continue to lead us in courage and faith!
                                                             Mission 2911

We ask you, Oh Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede on our behalf so that St.

Simon the Apostle parish and school can continue to be a source of

evangelization, service, and witness of God’s love to the world. Through the

help of God’s grace, may we continue to thrive in offering high quality

education, catechesis, moral development, and personal spiritual growth to

our children, faithful parishioners, and to visitors near and far. May St. Simon

the Apostle parish and school be a source of welcome and invitation to

follow the Lord’s will wherever He may call. We ask you almighty God to fill

Fr. Hogan, the St. Simon the Apostle leadership team, and the Archdiocese of

St. Louis with wisdom and understanding to help discern God's plan for all of

us. May we be receptive and cooperative to the Lord’s promptings and

respond therefore in courage and faith. Amen.

Scripture Readings for September 1, 2024

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Psalm 15:2-5
James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

These past couple of weeks we have had the privilege of learning more about Eucharistic theology through the words of our Gospel writer St. John. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, which necessitates that we take the time to learn more about God's substantial gift of himself through the appearances of bread and wine. 

Simply learning more about the Eucharist, though important, is not enough. Jesus wants us to make a decision, take ownership over our faith, and proclaim this mystery to the ends of the world!

Scripture Reading for August 25, 2024

Joshua 24:1-2, 15-17, 18
Psalm 34:2-3, 16-23
Ephesians 5:21-32 
John 6:60-69