The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123025.cfm

Father Chris Alar, MIC reflects on the coming Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of Mary — a mystery often misunderstood, and sometimes misused, to challenge the Church’s teaching on Our Lady. What appears, at first glance, to be a ritual of purification reveals instead a profound lesson in obedience, humility, and grace.

Mary did not submit to the law because she was sinful. Her purification was legal, not moral — a requirement of Mosaic law tied to childbirth, not guilt. Just as Jesus did not need Baptism yet freely accepted it, Mary did not need purification yet humbly embraced it. Grace raised her above the law, Fr. Chris explains, but humility placed her beneath it. Together, Jesus and Mary show us that obedience to God’s law is not weakness, but witness.

The Presentation also reminds us that every child belongs first to God. In the ancient law, the firstborn was not owned by the parents, but lent to them by the Lord. Parenthood, therefore, is stewardship — a sacred trust for which we will one day answer. Faith must be passed on by example, just as Mary and Joseph lived the law faithfully before their Son.

Father Chris then turns our attention to Simeon and Anna, the “quiet in the land.” They did not seek power, spectacle, or influence. They waited in silence, prayer, and hope. Their lives testify that holiness is not measured by activity, but by fidelity. This is a special word of encouragement for the homebound and forgotten: quiet prayer, offered faithfully, shapes salvation history.

Finally, Simeon’s prophecy confronts us with a sobering truth. Christ does not condemn us — we judge ourselves by our response to Him. When His law meets a heart that loves, it lifts us up. When it meets indifference or rejection, we turn away on our own. Salvation is not a one-time declaration, but a daily surrender. Like  St. Thérèse of Lisieux taught, we are not called to climb to heaven by our strength, but to place ourselves in Christ’s hands and let Him do the lifting.

Grace invites. Humility responds. And the hand of Jesus raises all who are willing to endure in Him

Father Chris Alar, MIC turns our attention to the Feast of the Holy Family and the profound truth it reveals about God’s design for human life. The Holy Family is not a symbol shaped by culture or preference. It is a revelation. God chose to enter history through a family — a man, a woman, and a child — and in doing so, He revealed the foundation upon which both the Church and society stand.

Father Chris warns that Satan’s most persistent attacks have always been aimed at these two bedrocks: the Church and the family. Marriage is redefined. Gender is redefined. Parenthood is fragmented. Even within Catholic homes, silence has been replaced by constant noise, family meals by screens, and shared life by isolation. The result is not freedom, but fragmentation — a loss of humanity itself.

Drawing from Pope Paul VI, Fr. Chris highlights the essential pillars of a holy family: silence, love, and discipline. Silence creates space for God to speak. Love orders the home toward self-gift rather than self-interest. Discipline — rooted in the word disciple — forms children for heaven, not merely for comfort. Parents are not called to be passive observers of their children’s lives, but faithful stewards accountable to God for their souls.

The family, Father Chris reminds us, is the domestic Church — the first place where obedience, forgiveness, sacrifice, and prayer are learned. It is where children discover who God is by watching how love is lived. Even in broken or difficult situations, God’s grace remains active. Single parents, those abandoned or wounded, are not forgotten by the Church. Their fidelity, sacrifice, and perseverance often become powerful witnesses of divine providence.

Ultimately, the Holy Family shows us that commitment is not a burden but a mission. Joseph protected. Mary trusted. Jesus obeyed. God became man within a family so that all families might be drawn into the family of God. A holy family, Fr. Chris teaches, is not only our greatest defense against the world — it is our most powerful way of transforming it.

Why does the Church place the martyrdom of Saint Stephen immediately after Christmas Day? Father Mark Baron, MIC explains that the tenderness of Bethlehem and the violence of Stephen’s death belong to the same mystery: salvation. Christmas is not only the birth of a child; it is the coming of divine light into a darkened world — a light that saves, but also confronts.

Salvation is more than a moment. It is participation in the very life of God through grace. Jesus enters the world as the Word made flesh, the Light of truth sent to reveal the Father and restore communion with Him. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1:5; NABRE). Yet when truth shines, darkness resists.

Saint Stephen, filled with grace and power, lived a transformed life after Pentecost (Acts 6:8). His witness to Christ threatened those who clung to security without conversion. Unable to refute the truth, they attacked the messenger. Stephen, fixing his gaze on heaven, saw Christ standing at the right hand of the Father — the Savior welcoming His faithful witness home.

Christmas teaches us that salvation must be endured, not assumed. Jesus Himself warns, “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” (Mt 24:13). The Child in the manger is also the Light that exposes hearts, inviting repentance, perseverance, and real transformation.

Saint Stephen reminds us that affection for Christmas is not enough. We are called to receive the truth Christ brings, even when it wounds, because within that pain is the healing God desires. To welcome the Light is to allow our lives to be changed.

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122225.cfm

Father Daniel Klimek, MIC confronts a growing indifference toward the Blessed Virgin Mary—even among Catholics—and reminds us that authentic Christianity is always Marian. The words of the Magnificat are not poetic exaggeration; they are divinely inspired truth: “From now on will all ages call me blessed.” (Lk 1:48; NABRE). Reverence for Mary is not optional sentiment—it is a biblical directive.

Mary’s song echoes the praise of Miriam in the Old Testament, yet now the liberation announced is not political, but eternal. Through the womb of the Virgin, Christ enters the world. She becomes the Ark of the New Covenant, bearing not the law written on stone, but the Word made flesh. To diminish her role is to misunderstand the Incarnation itself.

Father Daniel warns that indifference toward Mary is one of the most subtle spiritual dangers of our time. When Marian devotion is reduced to a “personal spirituality,” something essential is lost. From the Cross, Jesus entrusted His Mother to the beloved disciple—and in him, to every Christian: “Behold, your mother” (Jn 19:27; NABRE). This was not symbolic poetry; it was a sacred investiture.

To honor Mary never detracts from Christ. As the saints affirm, devotion to the Mother always leads more deeply to the Son. The Immaculate Heart is inseparably united to the Sacred Heart. When we receive Mary into our spiritual life, as St. John did, our faith becomes more profound, more biblical, and more fully Catholic.

Mary is not an accessory to the Gospel. She is at its heart. To receive her is to receive one of Christ’s final gifts from the Cross—a Mother who intercedes, protects, and leads us unfailingly to Him.

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm

Father Chris, MIC leads us into the hidden strength and obedience of Saint Joseph—a man whose silence speaks louder than words. While Mary’s fiat is rightly celebrated, salvation history also depended on Joseph’s quiet “yes.” Without it, Jesus would not have had the legal lineage of David, nor the protection and provision of a faithful earthly father.

Joseph stands as the head of the Holy Family, chosen by God to guard what was most sacred. Though sinless perfection belonged only to Mary, the Church has long taught that Joseph was sanctified for his mission. Astonishingly, God Himself chose to live in obedience to Mary and Joseph, revealing the dignity of family life and the authority entrusted to fathers.

Matthew’s Gospel shows us the Nativity through Joseph’s eyes. Faced with confusion and fear, Joseph chose charity over judgment. Only after he resolved to act mercifully did God send clarity through an angelic dream. Scripture reminds us that God’s guidance often follows—not precedes—acts of trust. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid” (Mt 1:20; NABRE).

Saint Joseph models humility, courage, chastity, and obedience to God’s will. As patron of the family and the Church—two realities most fiercely attacked—his role is more urgent than ever. His life teaches us that holiness is often hidden, obedience is rarely loud, and faith is proven in action.

Saint Joseph, patron of a happy death, pray for us.

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121925.cfm

When God is about to do something great—something that will change lives—He almost always begins with preparation. That preparation is rarely comfortable. It often includes waiting, suffering, and long seasons that seem unanswered. Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC reflects on this divine pattern by drawing our attention to two couples marked by infertility and faith: Manoah and his wife in the Old Testament, and Zechariah and Elizabeth in the New Testament.

Samson’s birth followed years of suffering, yet his consecration began before he ever took a breath. In the same way, the birth of John the Baptist comes only after decades of hidden fidelity. Zechariah and Elizabeth were “righteous in the eyes of God,” yet they carried a heavy cross. Their story reveals a hard truth of the spiritual life: holiness does not exempt us from suffering. Often, it deepens it.

Zechariah’s moment of doubt silences him, but God’s promise is not silenced. The angel Gabriel declares, “Your prayer has been heard” (Lk 1:13; NABRE), reminding us that prayers offered in faith are never wasted—even when the answer comes long after hope seems reasonable. God works on His timetable, not ours, and His plans exceed human logic.

This Gospel teaches us not to ask “why” in suffering, but to trust that God is preparing something greater than we can imagine. As the Church leads us toward Christmas, these Scriptures invite us to prepare not just our homes, but our hearts. Christ does not enter through decorations or schedules, but through faith refined by trust.

“For nothing will be impossible for God” (Lk 1:37; NABRE).

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121825.cfm

Father Matthew, Tomeny, MIC reflects on St. Joseph — the silent guardian of the Holy Family — and the mystery that unfolded when God entrusted him with Mary and the Christ Child. The Gospel tells us Joseph was “a righteous man” (Mt 1:19; NABRE), not because he had all the answers, but because he responded to God with humility, reverence, and obedience. Faced with a situation beyond human explanation, Joseph chose mercy over judgment and trust over control.

Father Matthew explores the Church’s rich tradition on Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy. Rather than suspicion, many saints and theologians saw in Joseph a profound reverential fear — a recognition that he was standing before the work of the Holy Spirit. Like St. Peter who said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” (Lk 5:8; NABRE), Joseph considered himself unworthy to be so close to such holiness. His desire to step back was not rejection, but awe.

God, however, reveals Joseph’s role through the angel: “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home” (Mt 1:20; NABRE). Joseph’s obedience gives Jesus His legal lineage as Son of David and provides the Holy Family with protection and stability. Though he never speaks a word in Scripture, Joseph’s faith speaks loudly.

As Christmas approaches, this homily invites us to imitate St. Joseph — to stop striving for control and allow Christ to dwell in the home of our hearts. True righteousness is found not in understanding everything, but in humbly saying "yes" when God asks us to make room for Him.

In today’s homily, Fr. Tyler Mentzer, MIC, reflects on the genealogy that opens the Gospel of Matthew — a passage we often rush past, yet one filled with profound hope. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Mt 1:1; NABRE) is not merely a list of names. It is the story of salvation unfolding through real people, real families, and real brokenness.

This lineage includes saints and sinners, faithful patriarchs and corrupt kings, Jews and Gentiles, holiness and grave sin. Scripture does not hide the dysfunction. David’s adultery, idolatrous rulers, exile, foreign bloodlines — all are present. And yet, this is precisely where Christ chooses to enter. God does not wait for a perfect family tree. He enters human history as it is and redeems it from the inside out.

Father Tyler reminds us that Matthew deliberately frames this genealogy as a new beginning — a new Genesis. Just as creation began “in the beginning,” so now a new creation begins with Christ. Jesus stands at the center of history, time, and salvation. As Scripture teaches, “... whoever is in Christ is a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17; NABRE).

This message is especially powerful as Christmas approaches. Many families carry wounds, strained relationships, and painful legacies. Yet the Gospel assures us that when Jesus is invited into a family, into a heart, into a life, everything begins to change.

Sin does not have the final word. Grace does.

As we prepare for Christmas, Fr. Tyler challenges us to ask honestly: Where is Christ still waiting to be invited in? When we say yes to Him, the Lord who “will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21; NABRE) begins a work of restoration that reaches backward, forward, and into eternity.

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121625.cfm

In today’s homily, Fr. David Gunter, MIC, draws us into the prophetic urgency of Zephaniah and the hope that follows divine correction. Speaking to a time of widespread apostasy and moral confusion, the prophet confronts a people seduced by false worship and corrupt leadership. Yet Zephaniah does not end with judgment. He announces restoration.

Scripture reminds us that God never abandons His people:

“But I will leave within you
    the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
    will trust in the name of the Lord.” (Zeph 3:12).

Throughout salvation history, the Lord preserves a faithful remnant — not the proud or powerful, but those supple to grace. Saint Paul echoes this truth when recalling Elijah’s despair: “So also at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (Rom 11:5). Advent places this message squarely before us. The birth of Christ sets the restoration of humanity in motion — for Israel and the Gentiles alike.

Father Gunter challenges us to recognize that we are living in a new season of preparation, one that calls for silence, repentance, and humility rather than distraction and noise. Those who recognized the Messiah — Anna, Simeon, Joseph, Elizabeth, and above all the Blessed Virgin Mary — were humble souls formed by prayer and trust. The same humility is required of us today. As the psalmist declares, “God alone is my rock and salvation… my refuge is in God” (Ps 62:7a & 8c). This Advent, the question is not whether God is offering grace — He is — but whether we are prepared to receive it. Through Confession, prayer, and fidelity, let us become the remnant ready for Christ to be born anew in our hearts.

Advent places this message squarely before us. The birth of Christ sets the restoration of humanity in motion — for Israel and the Gentiles alike.

Father Matt reminds us that God never stops speaking — but too often, we are the ones who stop listening. Not because God is unclear, but because we already have our own plans, expectations, and conclusions. At the root of this resistance is a deeper struggle: We do not want to submit to God’s authority or His will.

In today’s reflection, Fr. Matt discusses the prophecy of Balaam in the Book of Numbers. Balaam, a pagan soothsayer, is compelled to proclaim the truth: “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel.” Though Balaam himself was far from holy, God still spoke through him, showing that divine truth is not limited by the weakness of the messenger. That prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ — the true King, whose authority extends not just over Israel, but over all nations.

The same King enters Jerusalem humbly, riding on a donkey, praised by children, and rejected by leaders who refuse to listen. Their question — “By what authority are you doing these things?” — is not born of curiosity, but of hardened hearts. They hear the words, but they are willfully deaf to their meaning.

Father Matt challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we listening for God’s voice, or only for what confirms what we already want? Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, true blessing comes when we say, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” God speaks in Scripture, in the poor, in His Church, in prayer, and in the Eucharist — but He will not force our ears open.

God speaks. The question remains: will we listen?