Homilies about communication

Los Venenos que Matan el Matrimonio: Violencia, Pornografía e Infidelidad

Dr. Marcos Randle

This homily, delivered by Dr. Marcos Randle, a psychologist, focuses on the "poisons that kill marriage." He categorizes these into subtle, slow-acting poisons (like financial disagreements, personality differences, or excessive phone use) and lethal poisons (violence, pornography, and infidelity). The core message emphasizes the importance of open communication, mutual understanding, and cultivating marital friendship as antidotes to these destructive forces, stressing that change is possible through conscious effort and God's grace.

Why We Misunderstand Each Other (and How to Stop)

The homily explores Jesus' statement about not abolishing the law but fulfilling it, highlighting the theological debate around works versus grace and the interpretation of Old Testament laws. The core message shifts from theological conundrums to the practical importance of avoiding misunderstanding in daily interactions, urging listeners to truly listen and ask clarifying questions rather than jumping to conclusions, illustrating this with anecdotes from church life.

The Power of Genuine Dialogue: What the Scribe Taught Jesus

Father Mullen

The homily emphasizes the importance of genuine dialogue and open-hearted listening, drawing a contrast between the scribe's sincere inquiry to Jesus and the adversarial questions typically posed by other religious leaders. It challenges listeners to adopt this open approach in their daily conversations and public discourse, suggesting that such genuine interaction brings us closer to the Kingdom of God.

The Samaritan Woman and the Power of Real Conversation

The homily focuses on the importance of deep, sustained communication, drawing parallels between Jesus' long conversation with the Samaritan woman and our need to truly listen and reveal ourselves to others. The priest emphasizes that effective communication is vital not only in our relationship with God but also within our families, warning that a lack of it can lead to estrangement and broken relationships. He challenges the faithful to practice this kind of communication during Lent.

The Power of Listening: What Jesus and the Samaritan Woman Teach Us About Communication

Father Daniel

The homily emphasizes the critical importance of effective communication and active listening in all relationships, drawing parallels to Jesus' long conversation with the Samaritan woman. The priest challenges the congregation to reflect on how well they truly know their family members, highlighting a societal decline in genuine conversation and advocating for openness to understand others as a path to growth and salvation.

The Power of Our Words: Why 'Jokes' Can Hurt

Father Doug

The homily reflects on the Gospel passage where the mother of James and John asks for positions of honor for her sons, connecting it to the idea of 'fool around and find out' (FAFO) and the importance of mindful speech. The priest emphasizes that our words, even those intended as witty or joking, can be hurtful and diminish the dignity of others, urging listeners to consider the impact of their communication.

The Power of Our Words: Speaking and Listening with Love

This homily emphasizes the importance of discerning when to speak and when to listen, drawing from the day's readings about hearing God's voice and the mute man. The priest uses a children's song, "Be careful little ears/mouths," to illustrate the need for thoughtful communication that builds others up in Christ, rather than tearing them down. It calls for charity in our words and a readiness to both speak and listen with love.