Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/091017.cfm

Summary: Loving others is not about sentimentalism or blind toleration of actions -- but rather, seeking the real good of others according to truth. Sometimes love needs to confront others about their destructive behaviors (to themselves or towards others). But the end goal is about restoration and renewal of a person, and not judgment or rejection.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/090317.cfm

Summary: To be Catholic is not simply to agree "intellectually" to a set of beliefs about Christ -- it is about being transformed by Christ.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082717.cfm

Summary: Catholicism is unique among Christian traditions in that it retains the idea of papal authority, or the primacy of the Petrine (succession of St. Peter) ministry in the Bishop in Rome. The Catholic claim is not that any pope is perfect in character, but that Christ has established through the headship of Peter, the basis for unity in the worldwide Church. In this homily, Fr. Kevin demonstrates the basis for the papacy from the Scriptures.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081517-vigil.cfm

Summary: As in all the Church's teaching on Mary, it is never only about Mary herself, but reflects the salvific work of Christ. The Assumption of Mary, body and soul into heaven reflects the reality of Christ's resurrection power applied to Mary. In Mary, God preemptively does the work in her that he will eventually do for all of us.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081317.cfm

Summary: In the New Testament, there is a repeated theme of the disciples drifting out in a boat, and in both cases, the disciples experience a profound encounter with the power of Christ over the rough and chaotic sea. Throughout Christian history, the image of the "Boat" has often be used to apply to the Church as a whole. However, the Church is not to understood as a bunch of passengers leisurely enjoying a cruise, but rather to be understood as "crewman" on a fishing vessel. We are in the boat with a specific mission, which is to be ambassadors for Christ.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080617.cfm

Summary: In the story of The Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor, the disciples receive a small glimpse of the glory of Christ. When we consider the life of Christ we must be reminded that his life is not simply to be admired afar, like some great moral teacher -- rather, to know Christ is to literally come to him and be transformed from the inside out.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070917.cfm

Summary: When we experience trials and sufferings, one mistake is to believe that God is somehow "punishing" us. We may not know in this lifetime why we are experience sometimes extreme suffering.

But what we do know is that suffering and physical evil is not the end of the story. While God does not necessarily give us an "answer" -- he gives us himself. In our suffering, we are joined to Christ's own sufferings on the cross, and he carries us through it.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070217.cfm

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062517.cfm

Summary: Every baptized Christian participates in the 3-fold work of Christ as "priests", "prophets", and "servant-kings". As such, our mission is to know and understand our faith deeply, to share it with others and to live out our lives in a way that serves God's purposes and his love for ALL people.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061817.cfm

Summary: The two great themes in scripture, is the theme of "The Journey" and "The Meal". In the Eucharist, we see these two come together. First, Christ gives us essentially "food for the journey", to sustain us. At the same time, the Eucharist is also the "banquet meal" in which we all participate in the unity of the Church family. As we cannot survive without everyday nourishment from food, we also cannot survive without Christ.