Homilies about blessings

How Your Tragedies Can Become Your Greatest Blessings

The homily emphasizes that our tragedies can be our greatest blessings, drawing on the story of Joseph and the ultimate sacrifice of the cross. It encourages offering up suffering to God, reminding us that God transforms our wounds into something greater that can bless the world, and that remembrance of God's past faithfulness helps overcome worry.

Finding God's Grace and Mercy in Your Life

This homily, delivered during Lent, encourages listeners to shift their focus from their shortcomings to God's abundant blessings and mercy. It prompts reflection on personal experiences of God's protection, healing, and peace, urging a response of gratitude and renewed commitment to God's love.

The Beauty and Blessing of God's Law

The homily emphasizes the beauty and coherence of God's law, which is deeply ingrained in our humanity and the created world. It challenges listeners to love God's law, strive to fulfill it wholeheartedly, and experience the blessings and presence of God that come from living in accordance with His will.

The Deadly Sin of Envy: Why Comparison Steals Your Joy

The homily distinguishes between jealousy and envy, defining envy as a deadly sin that seeks to harm others to appropriate what they have, thereby discarding God. It uses the stories of Joseph and his brothers, the parable of the tenants, and King Saul's envy of David to illustrate how envy destroys the life of God within us and prevents us from recognizing God's particular blessings in our own lives. The core message emphasizes that God's blessings are not a zero-sum game and encourages rejoicing in others' blessings rather than falling into the trap of comparison, which is a thief of joy.

From Darkness to Light: God's Plan for Your Life

The homily emphasizes that God takes us from darkness to light, from nothingness to dignity, just as he chose David and healed the blind man. It highlights the importance of obedience and faith, even when we don't understand, and reminds us that God's blessings are poured out abundantly, often in the presence of our adversaries, so we can bear witness to His glory.

Don't Be Blind to God's Blessings in Your Life

The homily addresses the misunderstanding of Jesus' healing work, where some attributed it to Satan rather than God. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's presence and blessings in our lives, urging listeners not to be blind to the 'finger of God' and to cultivate a generous and hopeful perspective, giving thanks in all circumstances.

Why Comparison is the Thief of Joy (and How to Stop)

Kevin Vincent Schmidkins

The homily begins with a personal anecdote about a blank baby book, leading into a reflection on jealousy and comparison. The priest emphasizes that comparing oneself to others is the "thief of joy" and ultimately leads to losing out on the blessings God has given, drawing parallels to the readings about Joseph and Jesus.

Finding Thanksgiving in All of God's Blessings, Even Suffering

The homily emphasizes gratitude for God's blessings, even in suffering, and encourages a deeper understanding of the Eucharist as thanksgiving. It calls for openness to God's grace to draw closer to Him, trusting Him as the source of all good.

Why We Forget Our Blessings (and How to Remember Them)

The homily emphasizes the importance of gratitude, drawing from the Old Testament's repeated admonitions to remember God's decrees and blessings. The priest highlights Jesus' teaching to not only remember these blessings ourselves but to pass on the practice of gratitude to our children, strengthening relationships and acknowledging God's presence in our lives.

The Corrupting Power of Envy: Lessons from Joseph and the Vineyard

The homily contrasts jealousy and envy, explaining that envy is worse as it not only desires what another has but also wishes ill upon them. Drawing from the stories of Joseph and his brothers, and the parable of the wicked tenants, the homily emphasizes the corrupting power of envy and the importance of gratitude for God's blessings, both for oneself and for others, to prevent hatred from taking root in the heart.