Homilies about creation

Why You Lose Nothing By Believing in God (And Everything If You Don't)

The homily emphasizes that denying God's existence or power, despite clear evidence in creation and miracles, is a grave error. It argues that belief in God brings immense spiritual wealth and a deeper experience of reality, while atheism leads to a loss of fundamental truth. The homilist reassures that even in suffering or loss, God's reality remains constant, like the sun behind the clouds.

Why Loving God Helps You Love Your Neighbor

The homily reflects on the two great commandments: loving God and loving neighbor. It emphasizes that while modern society increasingly understands the importance of loving one's neighbor and inclusivity, there is a growing uncertainty or even denial of God's existence. The homilist encourages believers to look to the grandeur of creation as a reminder of God's glory, which in turn should inspire and empower them to love their neighbors, especially when it is difficult.

Finding God's Voice in a Snowstorm: A Reflection on New Creation

The homily reflects on the beauty and transformative power of a snowstorm, drawing parallels to the first reading's theme of new heavens and a new earth. It encourages listeners to take a moment for quiet contemplation and remember that despite human advancements, God remains ultimately in charge, as evidenced by nature's ability to halt human activity.

Lent: Preparing for the New Creation and Your Rebirth

The homily connects the Gospel reading about Jesus working on the Sabbath to God's continuous work in sustaining creation and initiating a new creation through Christ's resurrection. It emphasizes that Lent is a time for personal renewal and rebirth, preparing individuals to share in the joyful new life offered by Christ at Easter through confession and amendment of life.

St. Patrick, Freedom from Sin, and Seeing God in Creation

The homily connects the readings to the feast of St. Patrick, emphasizing the theme of freedom from sin and the importance of always looking for God in creation. The priest uses St. Patrick's story of being freed from pirates and the healing of the paralytic man to illustrate how Jesus brings freedom, urging the congregation to recognize God's presence in everyday life.

God's Promise of a New Creation: From Isaiah to Jesus

The homily explores God's promise of a "new heavens and a new earth" from Isaiah, connecting it to the symbolism of the ancient temple, the coming of Jesus as a new creation, and the ongoing process of spiritual renewal. It emphasizes that God is always about to create something new in Jesus Christ, and that everything in the Old Testament prepared for Jesus, just as the Church prepares us to be 'other Christs'.

Why Loving God Means Loving Your Neighbor

The homily emphasizes that the two greatest commandments—love of God and love of neighbor—are not parallel but intrinsically connected, like a cell dividing or a heart and lung. True love of God naturally gives birth to love of neighbor, meaning one cannot claim to love God while abusing creation, harming others, or rejecting His teachings. The two loves are interdependent; if one is removed, the other dies.

Fr. Luis: God's Unforgettable Love and Continuous Creation

Father Luis

The homily emphasizes God's tender and merciful nature, contrasting it with the misconception of a harsh Old Testament God. It highlights that God is continuously at work in creation and salvation, never forgetting or abandoning His people, even more so than a mother would her child. The core message is that God's love, revealed through Jesus, is active and transformative, calling us to share this good news.

Rediscovering God's Original Plan for Humanity This Lent

Father James Plleinia

This Lenten reflection focuses on the Genesis creation account, contrasting it with the Babylonian creation myth to highlight the Judeo-Christian understanding of creation through God's word and peace, not violence. The homily emphasizes humanity's creation in God's image and likeness, the inherent goodness of creation, and the call to restoration and communion with God, especially during Lent.

Why Christ Came to Complete Creation

The homily emphasizes that Christ came to complete the creation of the world, not just to perform good deeds, but to heal and restore all things to God's original plan. Our discipleship is not merely about agreeing with Jesus' philosophies, but about recognizing that the world can only find peace and completeness through him.

Why Jesus Healed on the Sabbath: God's Unfinished Work of Creation

The homily explores Jesus's consistent performance of miracles on the Sabbath, offering two interpretations: first, that charity and mercy supersede strict Sabbath observance, and second, that God, through Jesus, continues the work of salvation and creation, unable to rest due to sin. The priest connects Jesus's actions, like making clay to heal the blind man, to God's ongoing work of re-creation and fixing humanity's sinful nature.

Jesus: Lord of the Sabbath and Giver of New Life

The homily focuses on Jesus' identity as the Lord of the Sabbath, emphasizing that God's work of sustaining creation and bringing about new life in Christ continues without ceasing. It encourages listeners to embrace this new creation and life that Jesus offers.

God Never Stops Working in Your Life

Father Phil

The homily emphasizes God's continuous and active presence in creation and in our personal lives, contrasting it with the Jewish understanding of Sabbath rest. It highlights that God never stops caring for us, guiding us, forgiving us, and helping us grow, inviting us to cooperate with His ongoing work.

The Power of Believing Before the Miracle

The homily connects the Isaiah reading about a "new heavens and a new earth" to the Genesis creation story, emphasizing God's power to recreate and improve. It then focuses on the Gospel account of the royal official, highlighting his profound faith in Jesus's word even before seeing a miracle, serving as an example for believers to trust without requiring prior signs.