Homilies about free will

God's Radical Respect for Your Free Will and His Abundant Mercy

The homily reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son, emphasizing God's profound respect for human free will and His abundant mercy towards sinners. It challenges listeners to examine their own attitudes towards those who have strayed, urging them to imitate the loving father's compassion rather than the self-righteousness of the older brother or the Pharisees.

The Frightening Reality of Your Free Will: Lessons from the Rich Man and Lazarus

The homily emphasizes the radical freedom of our will and the consequences of our choices, drawing a stark contrast between trusting in human beings versus trusting in God. It uses the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate how a corrupted will leads to a lack of charity and an inability to recognize spiritual truth, even in the afterlife. The priest urges listeners to choose God, shed wickedness during Lent, and allow the Holy Spirit to be the sole leaven in their lives.

Why God Gives Us Free Will and the Call to Forgive

The homily addresses the question of why evil exists and God's allowance of free will, leading into the core message of forgiveness. Drawing from the Gospel parable of the unforgiving servant, it emphasizes that as God has forgiven us our immense spiritual debt through baptism and confession, we are likewise called to forgive others, distinguishing forgiveness from reconciliation.

¿Por Qué Seguimos Pecando? La Cuaresma es Tu Oportunidad de Cambio

The homily emphasizes that Christ came to give us eternal life and the power to overcome sin, which stems from our 'thirsts' for worldly pleasures, fame, and attention. The priest challenges the faithful to actively use the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving not as mere obligations, but as tools to strengthen their will and transform their lives by choosing not to be weak and to truly encounter Christ.

God's Abundant Mercy and Our Free Will

The homily briefly touches on God's abundant mercy, emphasizing that Jesus considers us worth dying for and will do everything within His divine power to bring us to Himself, except contradict our free will. It highlights that while we have the power to reject God, our hearts' desire for repentance and contrition will lead to union with Him.

The Finger of God and Your Free Will: A Lenten Reflection

The homily encourages a positive outlook, drawing from the Gospel where Jesus heals a mute man and faces both positive and negative interpretations. It connects this to the concept of God's 'finger' in creation and healing, emphasizing that while God initiates, human free will is essential to reach out and connect. The homily also serves as a call to recommit to Lenten practices at the halfway point.

God's Irresponsible Generosity and Your Free Will

Father Ed Gonzalez

The homily reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son, emphasizing God's "irresponsibly generous" love and respect for human free will. It connects this divine generosity to the discernment of vocations, urging individuals to set aside worldly desires and focus on God's calling, whether to marriage, priesthood, or religious life.