St Francis Catholic

John 1:29-34. Homily from the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

When we see green vestments at church, we should think about how we’re growing as Christians in the two main areas of holiness and apostolate. Holiness is the primary vocation of every Christian, and we’re all called to share the good news about Jesus with those around us.

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Matthew 3:13-17. Homily from the Baptism of the Lord.

The rest of us need to be baptized in order to be made holy. But when Jesus was baptized, He made baptism holy. Because of this, baptism, like all the sacraments, isn’t just a sign or symbol. It causes a new reality: we are washed of our sins, made children of God, and united to His church.

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Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23. Homily from the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Jesus sanctified everything He touched, and because He was born into a family, He sanctified family life. For people who live in families, family life is the path to holiness. Loving your family, being patient with each other, and even chores like doing the dishes are sanctifying when done in the name of Jesus.

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Matthew 1:18-25. Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Vigil).

God doesn’t want us to be afraid to be in relationship with Him, so He made Himself as small as He could, coming to us as a baby. He came to us out of love for us. In return, we should love Him and re-order our lives the way we so naturally do when we love someone.

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Matthew 1:18-21. Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

There are three possible reasons why Joseph initially chose to divorce Mary when he learned she was pregnant. Whatever the reason, when God told Joseph in a dream to take Mary as his wife, he immediately followed God’s will. Are we willing to change our own minds when God shows us that we’re wrong?

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Matthew 11:2-11. Homily from the Third Sunday of Advent.

Where can we find true and lasting joy and peace? Only in relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the answer to all of our questions, needs, and desires. The joy that Christ gives is not a good mood that sways like a reed in the winds of life circumstances, but a deep and abiding joy that comes from knowing we are loved by Jesus, and that He will never abandon us.

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Luke 1:26-38. Homily from the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fr. Michael Casey discusses what it means that Our Lady is “full of grace,” explaining the nuances of the term from the original Greek. In view of the merits of her Son, God preserved Mary from original sin from the moment of her conception so that she could be the worthy mother of the Messiah.

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Matthew 3:1-12. Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent.

Repentance isn’t about hating ourselves for our sin. It’s about turning around. If we’re on the wrong path, the best thing to do is simply turn around. This advent, Fr. Michael Casey encourages us to prayerfully consider where in our lives the axe needs to be laid at the root of the tree so that we can turn from sin through the love of Christ.

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Matthew 24:37-44. Homily from the First Sunday of Advent.

There was no room for Christ at the inn— is there room for Him in our hearts? During advent, we need to make sure we’re prepared for the coming of Christ, both at the eschaton, and at every Mass, when He comes to us in word and sacrament.

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Luke 23:35-43. Homily from The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

Jesus is king. This means we should allow Him to shape our views on moral issues. We don’t live in a theocracy, but because Jesus is king of the universe, His shepherds have the responsibility to speak up on important moral issues that our government is addressing.

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