Surprised by Grace

By Fr. Rich DyerReligion & Spirituality

Surprised by Grace episodes

March 24, 2020 Bee in the hand...
A riddle to help us reflect upon the nature of God and each other.
5 min
March 23, 2020God forgives...and forgets.
Homily given at Mass on Monday in the 4th Week of Lent (Cycle II) in the Rectory Chapel at St. Veronica's in Chantilly, VA during the coronavirus pandemic. The Mass Readings were as follows:
Isaiah 65:17-21 -- "The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind."

Psalm 30 -- "I will praise You, Lord, for you have rescued me"

John 4:43-54
7 min
March 22, 2020 Man Born Blind (Laetare Sunday)
Homily given during a "live streaming" of the Mass in the rectory chapel at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Chantilly, VA on Sunday, March 22, 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic on the 4th Sunday in Lent (Year A).
Mass Readings were as follows:
1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a -- "The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David"
Psalm 23 -- "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want"
Ephesians 5:8-14 -- "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord"
John 9:1-41 -- "I do believe, Lord"
24 min
March 21, 2020 Drop the net!
Meditation given in the Rectory Chapel at St. Veronica Catholic Church on Saturday, March 21, 2020 (in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic). I was scheduled to give a talk to TMIY! and Exodus 90 men's groups at St. Veronica, but was required to do it remotely because of the social distancing.
Read Luke 5:1-11 ("put out into deep waters").
27 min
March 20, 2020 Silence
Meditation given in the Rectory Chapel at St. Veronica Catholic Church on Friday, March 20, 2020 in the midst of the uncertainty during the Covid-19 pandemic. Reflected on Psalm 69 and 1 Kings 17-19 (story of the Prophet Elijah).
31 min
March 19, 2020Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Homily given at Mass on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Rectory Chapel during the time of suspended public Masses due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Mass Readings are as follows:
Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16

Psalm 89

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 -- "righteousness that comes through faith"

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a -- "do not be afraid"
6 min
March 17, 2020"Remember Your mercies, O Lord!" (1st Mass without a Congregation)
Homily given at Mass on Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent (Cycle II) in the Rectory Chapel on the first day of the suspension of public Masses as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Mass Readings were as follows:
Daniel 3:25, 34-43 -- "For your name's sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant. Do not take away your mercy from us."

Psalm 25 -- "Remember your mercies, O Lord"

Matthew 18:211-35 -- "A debtor was brought before him who owed a huge amount."
11 min
March 15, 2020 Samaritan woman at the well
Homily given on the 3rd Sunday in Lent (Year A) at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Chantilly, VA on Sunday, March 15, 2020 (9:00 am Mass) in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Mass readings were as follows:
Exodus 17:3-7 -- "Is the Lord in our midst or not?"
Psalm 95 -- "If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts"
Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 -- "The Love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
John 4:5-42 -- "Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
16 min
March 14, 2020 Prodigal Son
Homily given on Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent (Cycle II) at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Chantilly, VA. The Mass Readings were as follows:
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Psalm 103 -- "The Lord is kind and merciful"
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- Prodigal Son
7 min
March 08, 2020 Transfiguration
Homily given on the 2nd Sunday in Lent (Year A) at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Chantilly, VA on Sunday, March 8, 2020 (7:30 am Mass).
Mass Readings were as follows:
Genesis 12:1-4a -- "The Lord said to Abram: 'Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation...I will bless those who bless you"
Psalm 33 -- "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."
2 Timothy 1:8b-10 -- "Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works, but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began."
Matthew 17:1-9 -- "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him....Rise, and do not be afraid." (Transfiguration)
15 min