Homilies about evil

A Kingdom Divided: Understanding Jesus's Power Over Evil

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading about Jesus casting out a demon and the reactions of the crowd. It emphasizes the faulty logic of those who accused Jesus of partnering with Satan, the coming of God's kingdom through Jesus's actions, and the call for believers to gather others in love rather than scattering them. The core message is about understanding Jesus's power to liberate from evil and extending His kingdom.

Why Division Destroys Us: A Reflection on Inner and Societal Peace

The homily reflects on Jesus' teaching about division, both within oneself and in society, linking it to the tactics of the evil one. It emphasizes the need for inner unity and integrity, contrasting it with the devastation caused by war, which Pope Francis calls a failure of human imagination. The priest invites listeners to recognize the presence of God amidst division and strive for unity.

Why We Give the Devil Too Much "Free Publicity"

This homily, delivered during what appears to be a Rosary devotion rather than a Mass, critiques the modern tendency to overemphasize the devil's presence and power. The speaker reminds the faithful that Christ's resurrection signifies his triumph over death and evil, and that focusing on Christ and the Eucharist provides sufficient protection and salvation, rather than giving "free publicity" to the devil.

Jesus's Power Over Evil: Finding Freedom from Guilt and Fear

The homily reflects on Jesus's exorcism of the Gerasene demonic, highlighting Jesus's power over evil and the unusual command for the healed man to proclaim his healing. It encourages listeners to identify with the tormented man, recognizing that Jesus desires their freedom from guilt, fear, and lifeless situations, transforming them into ambassadors for Christ.

Why Your Daily Choices Determine Your Eternal Fate

The homily emphasizes the consistent message from the prophets and Jesus: the choice between good and evil dictates one's ultimate fate. Using the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, it warns against a lifetime of self-concern, stressing that daily choices to do good, help others, and care for the vulnerable are crucial, as a last-minute change of heart is unlikely.

Lent: Recapturing Your Identity in God's Kingdom

The homily emphasizes that Lent is a time to recover our identity and mission as integral parts of God's kingdom, where God reigns in our hearts. It acknowledges the real power of evil and sin in the world, manifesting as injustice, division, and conflict, but asserts God's reign is far more powerful. The core message is to return to the Lord, repent, and believe in the Gospel, actively fighting evil and living a renewed life in Christ through grace and the sacraments.

Why Neutrality is Not an Option for Christians

The homily emphasizes that neutrality is not an option for followers of Christ when it comes to moral truth. Drawing from the Gospel, it highlights that remaining silent in the face of evil is a form of negligence, akin to spiritual muteness. The priest encourages discernment to distinguish between wise silence and silence born of fear, urging believers to courageously speak truth with love, trusting in God's ultimate victory over evil.

Christ, The Stronger Man: Conquering Evil Through The Cross

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading where Jesus drives out a demon, highlighting the faithlessness of those who attribute his power to the devil. It encourages believers to recognize God's gifts and miracles in their own lives, even amidst difficulties, and to trust in Christ as the 'stronger man' who conquers evil through the cross, rather than seeking additional signs.

Understanding Evil: Lessons from Joseph and the Vineyard

The homily explores the problem of evil as a Catholic mystery, drawing parallels between the Old Testament story of Joseph and the New Testament parable of the vineyard. It emphasizes God's persistent love and desire to save us, even when we respond to evil with judgment, and encourages prayer for divine intervention.

Choosing God's Kingdom: Why Neutrality is Not an Option

The homily emphasizes that evil cannot defeat itself and that the real battle is between God's kingdom and forces that destroy human life. It challenges listeners to actively choose good through forgiveness, truth, and mercy, rather than remaining neutral in the struggle against division and darkness.

The Power of Speech and the Heroism of St. John of God

The homily emphasizes the importance of using the gift of speech for good, praising God, and building up others, while also warning against curiosity about evil. It then transitions to a detailed recounting of the life and miraculous deeds of St. John of God, highlighting his dedication to the poor and his heroic actions during a fire.

How to Discern God's Work from the Devil's: Lessons from Jesus and C.S. Lewis

The homily discusses Jesus's challenge to accusations of driving out demons by Beelzebul, emphasizing that good results (healing, peace, joy) cannot come from evil. It draws parallels between Jesus's enduring legacy and the fleeting power of dictators, and applies the 'whoever is not with me is against me' principle to moral issues like slavery, citing Martin Luther King Jr. The homily concludes by explaining the 'strong man' parable as Jesus liberating us from the devil's hold and recommends C.S. Lewis's 'The Screwtape Letters' to understand the devil's subtle tactics.

The Devil's Four Weapons Against Christian Love

The homily emphasizes the reality of evil and the devil's influence throughout history and in contemporary issues like abortion and threats to marriage. It calls Christians to take a side with Jesus and genuinely love God and neighbor, warning against four 'weapons' the devil uses: ragged individualism, materialism, indifference, and complacency.

Why Does Evil Happen? Finding God's Glory in Suffering

The homily reflects on Jesus as a good teacher whose actions and words were for the glory of God, even through the crucifixion. It addresses the difficult question of why evil happens in a world with a good God, suggesting that suffering is an opportunity to recognize God's goodness and to live for His glory through our words and actions.

Why Evil is United Against God (and How We Should Respond)

The homily focuses on Jesus' response to accusations that he casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul. The priest emphasizes that evil forces are united in their opposition to God, drawing a parallel to a sports team needing unity to win. He highlights the crowd's animosity towards Jesus, which prevented them from recognizing his divine power.

Why God Allows Limits: Preparing for Eternal Treasures

The homily explores the common argument against a loving God in a world full of evil, referencing Thomas Aquinas's view on the temporal nature of creation. It connects this to the Gospel reading, emphasizing that God's miracles are not about immediate gratification but preparing us for eternal life, highlighting the importance of valuing spiritual treasures over worldly desires.

Why You Can't Fight Evil with Evil

The homily emphasizes that we cannot fight evil with evil, even if we believe we are justified in doing so to prove our truth. It warns against internal division and calls for clear moral choices, accepting evil in our hearts to remain good, rather than using evil means to achieve good ends.

Why Do We Kill? The Dark Side of Human Nature and the Power of Love

The homily explores the difficult question of why people kill, attributing it to a deep-seated, sinful human nature. Drawing on the stories of Joseph and the wicked tenants, the priest emphasizes that evil intent can erupt from within us, but ultimately, the cross reveals that love is the only true response to inhuman acts and the way to stop bloodshed.

How to Fight Evil in Your Heart: A Lenten Reflection

Fr. Thomas Abraham

The homily emphasizes the reality of evil and the constant struggle between good and evil within us. It highlights that by our own strength, we cannot overcome these forces, but through prayer, repentance, humility, and trusting in God, we can cooperate with Christ to defeat evil and allow the light of Christ to drive away darkness.

Jesus: The Stronger One Who Conquers Evil

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading where Jesus drives out a demon and is accused of using evil power. The priest emphasizes that Jesus is the 'stronger one' who conquers evil, even when evil seems to be winning in our lives. We are called to seek Jesus through prayer, sacraments, and love for others, relying on his presence to overcome temptation and sin.