Shawn The Baptist - Sunday Scriptures

Join us as we discuss the mountains and valleys of life. Discover how to navigate through challenging times with faith.

If someone asked you, "Are you saved?" would you be able to answer? Get answers to important questions for the test coming at Easter.

Rise and Walk

If we saw a man like in today's Gospel who couldn't walk or even move we would probably recognize that this person was in a very serious and sad condition. When Jesus encounters this man in the Gospel, he too recognizes a serious illness that needs healing, but not the one that we would automatically think of. Jesus looks right past the fact that the man is physically paralyzed, and instead sees that, even more seriously, he is spiritually paralyzed. The man is stuck in sin.

Jesus shows us that spiritual sickness is far more serious than any physical sickness. As we begin Lent this week, are there ways in which we are spiritually paralyzed?  Let's all pray that this Lent we can make a good confession, take on some spiritual discipline, and hear those beautiful words of Jesus, "Your sins are forgiven...rise and walk."

This weekend and last weekend, bishops throughout the country have written letters to the faithful that were read at Mass in response the recent attack on religious liberty by our government, aimed particularly at the Catholic Church. My homily this weekend begins with Archbishop Naumann's letter and continues with my own reflections. Archbishop's letter can be found at the website of the Archdiocese, http://www.archkck.org/document.doc?id=1130.

My homily follows at the 4:30 mark of the recording:

Learning and Living the Faith

This week we celebrate the ongoing legacy of a system of education that has been handed on to us as a treasured gift from past generations. Our Catholic schools continue to exist for one reason: to pass on the faith. This begins with outstanding teachers who form the minds of young Catholics in our great Tradition. Yet, intellectual knowledge of the faith is not enough. In a real sense, the faith cannot just be handed on; it must be caught anew by each generation. Our Catholic schools provide a wonderful environment for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in our students. May God bless our dedicated educators as they work tirelessly to not only inform, but truly transform the lives of our children.

The Prophetic Witness of Celibacy

People are often confused by the meaning of celibacy practiced by those in religious life. Sometimes people think that priests are celibate because it gives them more time to devote to ministry. Sadly, sometimes people might assume that marriage is less holy than priesthood. Neither are the real reason for the celibate vocation. Rather, the celibate person serves as a prophetic witness to the reality of heaven.

Marriage and family are good, holy even. Celibacy is a sacrifice precisely because the priest or religious gives up something good. Yet, as good as this life is, it is not the greatest good. The celibate person is meant to be a sign reminding us of heaven. In heaven there is no marriage because it is as though we are all married to God. That relationship of love with God is so real that celibates forgo the early sign of marriage to point to the reality of the heavenly marriage awaiting us.

So, never feel sorry for your priests or religious, or wish for them to be married. We freely and joyful choose to give our lives completely to God. Pray that we may be good prophetic signs that point people to heaven.

Explore the significance of Epiphany and the journey of the magi toward a personal encounter with Jesus in Bethlehem.

Explore the title 'Mother of God' and its significance in understanding Jesus' divine nature and Mary's role as His mother.

In whatever situation we find ourselves this Christmas, God comes to us just as he did in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.

Our Gospel mentions Gabriel, Nazareth, Joseph, Mary... Yet, the most important to a Jew at the time of Jesus would have been that of David.