English Homily - Fourth Sunday of the Dedication of the Church

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As the liturgical year concludes, Jesus affirms the authority given to leaders in the Church and clarifies its purpose. In His time, the Pharisees, priests, and teachers held legitimate God-given authority, just as bishops and priests do today. Bishops oversee the Church and protect the faith, while priests administer the sacraments and preach God’s word. These roles serve as bridges, leading us to God as our Father and Christ as our Teacher. Every Christian shares in this responsibility by helping others see and believe in God. This mission is fulfilled not just through visible actions but by showing up, being taught by God, and allowing Him to shape our lives. May we embrace this role now and always.

English Homily Second Sunday of Moses - 2024

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Pride can be both a virtue and the root of all sin, as seen in Lucifer’s rebellion against God. It manifests in every sin as a rejection of God’s work in us. The Gospel story of Jairus, a powerful synagogue leader, illustrates that true grace comes when we humble ourselves and ask for help. Despite his status, Jairus had to let go of pride and seek Jesus to heal his daughter. This teaches that miracles happen when we acknowledge our need for God. Whether facing addiction, anger, or depression, both prayer and seeking professional help are vital. True faith means stubbornly believing that Jesus can rewrite our story, even in our darkest moments.

English Homily - 1st Sunday of Moses

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The parable seems unfair at first glance, as workers who worked different hours receive the same wage⁠.

The vineyard represents our relationship with God, and being called to this relationship is itself the reward⁠.

The parable reveals our tendency to view heaven as something earned rather than a free gift⁠.

God's grace is given based on our need, not our deeds: "Grace is a response to our need, not our deed"⁠.

The homily encourages self-reflection on how we respond to others receiving God's grace⁠.

It concludes by emphasizing that God's grace is given where the need is greatest, and we should be grateful for our own invitation to live with God⁠.

English Homily - Third Sunday of the Cross/Sixth of Elijah

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The verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is highlighted as one of the most famous biblical quotes.

The homily contrasts this with Jesus' teaching that without God, we can do nothing, emphasizing the importance of divine strength.

St. Paul's warning to "Have NO anxiety about ANYTHING" is presented as crucial for receiving God's strength.

Two gospel stories are used to illustrate anxiety: the Canaanite woman worried about her daughter's healing, and the hungry people with Jesus.

The homily outlines how anxiety can negatively impact faith, including losing sight of God's work, losing hope, and becoming indecisive.

It emphasizes the importance of being WITH Jesus rather than just being on His side.

Jesus is not only the answer to problems but also the company that calms anxieties, enabling believers to do all things through His strength.

English Homily - 5th Sunday of Elijah/2nd Cross 2024

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Reasons people might tune out during a homily include the priest's voice, distractions in the church, or thinking they've heard it before⁠.

Repetition is essential for learning, even if it might seem boring⁠.

St. Paul emphasizes the importance of repeating teachings for the safety of his listeners⁠. Jesus expresses frustration with his disciples' lack of faith, highlighting that even small faith (like a mustard seed) can be powerful⁠.Obstacles to faith include expecting perfection, fear of loss, and dwelling on the past⁠.The homily concludes by emphasizing that God doesn't give up on teaching us, and that overcoming these obstacles can lead to a stronger faith and relationship with God⁠1.

English Homily - Third Sunday of Elijah 2024

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This homily discusses the parable of the weeds and the wheat, focusing on judgment and human dignity. Judgment is not simply about declaring who is good or bad⁠. It's difficult to distinguish between "weeds" and "wheat" until harvest time. Judgment is ultimately about who we choose to serve and align ourselves with⁠. The homily concludes by emphasizing that while past actions don't erase our value, future choices define what truly matters to us⁠.

English Homily - Second Sunday of Elijah

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Jesus speaks in a parable that's difficult to understand, not providing a clear explanation.

The disciples question Jesus' approach, and he quotes Isaiah, suggesting people are not receiving his message well due to dull hearts⁠.

Jesus wants to give "The Word of the Kingdom," which inspires good, guards against sin, and provides strength⁠.

The parable illustrates obstacles to receiving God's word, such as rocky ground, thorns, and paths⁠.

Jesus is frustrated because he wants to give himself to people, but they are often not present, not serious, or too busy⁠.

The homily concludes by reminding that while people may be waiting for God, God is also waiting to be gracious to them⁠.

English Homily - 1st Sunday of Elijah

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This homily speaks of two miracles from the Gospel: the healing of a blind man and the conversion of Zacchaeus.

Everyone has asked God for a miracle at some point in their life⁠.

The conversion of Zacchaeus is presented as a miracle, comparable to healing physical blindness⁠.

Zacchaeus, a tax collector, was spiritually lost but found salvation through his encounter with Jesus⁠.

The homily suggests that Zacchaeus' spiritual transformation might be an even greater miracle than physical healing⁠.

It emphasizes that God is continuously working to bring about similar miracles in people's lives today⁠.

The passage encourages readers to reach out to God, just as Zacchaeus did⁠.

English Homily - Seventh Sunday of Summer

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The homily discusses the concept of prayer through the example of two men, highlighting the right approach to prayer as taught by Jesus. It emphasizes that prayer should not be about comparing oneself to others or feeling superior, but about connecting with God and recognizing one's own goodness in God's eyes, independent of others. The story of a man comparing a white house to fresh snow illustrates the idea that true value and joy come from focusing on God and seeking His mercy, rather than on external comparisons.

Homily Sixth Sunday of Summer

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Being thankful is transformative as it shifts focus from oneself to others, acknowledging their efforts and reducing entitlement. The Gospel story of the ten lepers highlights the profound gratitude of one healed leper who was thankful not just for physical healing but for the restored ability to connect and love without causing harm. This teaches us to be grateful for healing that allows us to love freely and deeply without our own pain spilling over and hurting others. Jesus invites us to give thanks for this profound healing and to be instruments of joy, mercy, and love.