Sunday and Daily Mass Homilies by Fr. Aristotle

Friday Mass. 8.14.26.

In this homily, I share the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe — his zeal for Mary, his work protecting refugees from the Nazis, and his final act of love in Auschwitz, giving his life for a stranger. I reflect on what it means to see our suffering through the lens of Christ rather than the lens of the world, and how every trial, thought, and struggle can be used by God for good.

Wednesday Mass. 8.12.26.

A homily on Matthew 18:15-20 — how Jesus calls us to correct one another not with pride or judgment, but with love, as members of one Body of Christ.

Monday Mass. 8.10.26.

Today we celebrate St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, who gave everything away to the poor and was cooked alive on a grill—yet still had the humor to tell his executioners to turn him over. In this homily I look at Jesus' words in John's Gospel: "unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat." I talk about what it means to lose our life for God rather than try to seize it for ourselves, and how that plays out not in dramatic martyrdom but in the small, daily fights of marriage, family, work, and our own hearts.

Sunday Mass. 8.09.26.

In today's homily I reflect on Elijah on the mountain, running from Queen Jezebel, terrified for his life. God tells him to wait, and then comes not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire — but in a whispering sound. I talk about how faith grows the same way for us: not in the big dramatic moments, but in the little ones, in the time we give to God each day. Even five minutes counts. When we spend time with God, we come to know Him, trust Him, and find the strength to face our fears — not because the fear disappears, but because He's greater than anything we could ever imagine.

Friday Mass. 8.07.26.

I reflect on how Israel's enemies grew so consumed by pride and conquest that they eventually lost everything, and how Jesus asks us this question: what profit is there in gaining the whole world but losing your soul? I talk about the reality that we can't have both the world and God, and I invite us to fight for the crown of heaven the way we so often fight for things far less worthy.

Wednesday Mass. 8.05.26.

In this homily, I reflect on the Canaanite woman's persistent faith in the Gospel and what it teaches us about trusting God even when His answer seems delayed.

Tuesday Mass. 8.04.26.

A homily on St. John Vianney's story of doubt and perseverance, and what it means to trust God with the outcome instead of controlling it ourselves.

Monday Mass. 8.03.26.

In this homily, I look at the contrast between the prophet Jeremiah, who called God's people to real repentance, and a false prophet who told them only what they wanted to hear. I talk about how trials aren't punishment but an antidote for our sin-sickness, and how Jesus sending the disciples into the storm before walking on water teaches us that God is always in control, even when we feel like we're not. The more we try to control everything, the more we push God out — so I encourage letting go and learning to listen for how He's guiding us.

Sunday Mass. 8.02.26.

Homily on giving God what we have, even if it feels small, and trusting him to multiply it. The Eucharist as the ultimate sign of his love for us.

Friday Mass. 7.31.26.

Today's homily is on St. Ignatius of Loyola and his conversion story — how a wounded soldier dreaming of worldly glory discovered, through reading about the saints, the difference between joy that fades and joy that lasts. I talk about how this led Ignatius to develop the discernment of spirits, his teaching on never making decisions in extreme desolation or consolation, and how his whole life became summed up in one phrase: all for the glory of God.