Homilies From St. Patrick Catholic Community

This week we welcome Fr. Edward Beck to St. Patrick Catholic Community. Fr. Beck is a Roman Catholic priest of the Passionist Congregation. He is an author, playwright and on-air commentator for CNN on issues of faith, religion and ethics. Through his books, Fr. Beck shares experiences of his mission with God’s people across a wide spectrum of challenges: ministering to people who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks, walking with those struggling with addiction and counseling those navigating painful relationships.

His books include God Underneath, Soul Provider, and Unlikely Ways Home.

Here is his homily from this past weekend. Please join us Monday & Tuesday for our Advent Mission. 

Evening Presentations:

Monday, December 9 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Tuesday, December 10 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

(in the Church)

* Please note... These presentations will NOT be recorded or podcasted. 

The season of Advent is a call to have patience with God’s plan at the end of time. Impatience can be a challenge, even for Christians.

Christians, sometimes, miss the point when it comes to understanding the “end times” that scriptures present. Fr. Eric shares a good insight in how approaching the end times in a way that makes sense.

God is always at work in our lives... even when we cannot see it.

Jesus says he wants to stay at Zacchaeus’ house, a known chief tax collector and much hated. Staying at his house also means Jesus eats at table with him. No wonder people were upset. Are we upset when people come to communion when we judge them not living the right way? Fr. Eric breaks open this question in the homily.

Each reading this Sunday gives us an insight into humility and how we live it in our daily lives.

Our prayers, many times, call God the Almighty... Yet God is also a Vulnerable God. Can we identify with a Mighty God or a God who is willing to be vulnerable? Fr. Eric breaks open this mystery.

God is not held to human boundaries. God goes beyond such barriers... Disciples are called to do the same.

Sin can blind us to God working in the midst of one’s illness. Forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick happens. 

Gates are common in our world and we how they operate... The Gate in today’s Gospel parable operates differently in the Kingdom of God.