Homilies about lent

Beyond the Cliches: What Actually Happens When We Die

Father Hank

Father Hank explores the dialogue between Jesus and Martha, arguing that they are 'talking past each other' because Martha relies on limited theological cliches while Jesus offers a radical new reality. He challenges the congregation to move beyond 'cartoonish' views of the afterlife to a robust understanding of glorified bodies and the beatific vision, especially when comforting those in grief. The message is grounded in a moving personal story about a 26-year-old family friend who recently died in a skiing accident.

The Nasty Glitter of Pride (and the Macaroni Miracle)

Fr. Joe

Fr. Joe concludes a Lenten series on the seven deadly sins by focusing on pride, describing it as a 'nasty glitter' that sticks to everything and ruins life's joyful moments. Through humorous personal stories about a slow coffee order and his father's 84-year-long silent endurance of macaroni and cheese, he illustrates how humility is the only cure for the self-obsession that fuels our misery.

Fr. Marcos: Dios despertará a los pueblos oprimidos (Nicaragua, Cuba y Venezuela)

Padre Marcos

Fr. Marcos uses the resurrection of Lazarus to deliver a powerful social and political critique, likening the 'tombs' of Bethany to the modern suffering of nations like Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela. He proclaims that God stands above all earthly tyrants and that Christ's call to 'come out' is a mandate for both spiritual and social liberation from oppression and injustice.

The LGBTQ+ Way of the Cross: Finding Christ in the Marginalized

Father Paul

This is a specialized Stations of the Cross devotion that interweaves the traditional Passion of Christ with the modern-day sufferings and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Each station reflects on specific themes such as the 'closet' as a tomb, the persecution of trans individuals as a form of crucifixion, and the sanctity of queer families and marriages.

A Heart That Stays: Joe Melendrez on Being Present with God

Joe Melendrez leads a Lenten Mission focusing on 'A Heart That Stays,' emphasizing the importance of being fully present, listening to God's voice, and being still. He introduces the 'SOAP' method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) as a practical tool for daily spiritual growth and engagement with the Word of God.

The Junkyard Dog and the Surprises of God

Father Thomas

Father Thomas explores the theme of life's 'surprises'—both good and bad—through the lens of the raising of Lazarus and his own near-death experience with a massive junkyard dog. He encourages the faithful to trust that no matter what unexpected news they receive, God is present to help them handle the situation and that death is never the final chapter.

Fr. Leandro: Letting Go of My Father and Finding the Resurrection

Father Leandro

Father Leandro shares a deeply personal story about rushing to Brazil to see his father, only for him to fall ill and pass away immediately upon arrival. He connects his initial anger and 'selfish' desire to hold onto his father with Martha and Mary's grief, ultimately finding peace in Christ's promise of the resurrection. The homily concludes with a call to 'come out of the tomb' of sin through the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent.

The Hard is What Makes it Great: Moving Beyond Spiritual Comfort

Cooper Ray

In this Lenten Mission talk, Cooper Ray explores the concept of being 'made for more,' challenging the audience to move beyond spiritual comfort and mediocrity. Using personal stories of his wife's nursing school journey and his own failure to help a homeless man in New Orleans, he emphasizes that the 'hard' parts of the Catholic faith are exactly what make it great and lead to spiritual stretching.

From Harlot to Saint: The Miraculous Life of Mary of Egypt

A complete liturgical reading of the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, detailing her journey from a life of extreme public depravity in Alexandria to miraculous conversion in Jerusalem and 47 years of asceticism in the Jordanian desert. The narrative follows the monk Zosima as he discovers her, administers her final Communion, and eventually buries her with the assistance of a lion.

Lazarus, Jasmine, and the Power of Resurrection Today

Fr. Paul Williams

Fr. Paul Williams explores the raising of Lazarus, emphasizing that Jesus' grief and anger at the tomb prove that death was never God's original plan. He shares the moving story of Jasmine, a young girl with a debilitating bone disease, to illustrate how resurrection and joy can break into our lives even amidst suffering. The homily concludes with a call to mission through Cross Catholic Outreach, showing how small acts of love like 'Boxes of Joy' can restore life to others.

Breathe in Love: A Chaplain's Story of Faith and God's Silence

Father Ron

Reflecting on the prophet Jeremiah's suffering and the Gospel's tension, the priest explores the theme of God's silence during moments of vocational crisis and personal trial. He uses the Parable of the Wedding Feast to challenge the congregation to fully 'clothe' themselves in the Word of God and invite others to the upcoming Easter celebration. He concludes with a powerful story from his time as a military chaplain, where he helped a dying, atheistic soldier find peace by 'breathing in love' despite his lack of formal faith.

Why Your Doubts Don't Disqualify You from God

Jim 'Butch' Murphy (Lay Speaker introduced by Fr. Mike)

Guest speaker Jim 'Butch' Murphy explores the mystery of God being simultaneously revealed and concealed, using the healing of the man born blind to illustrate faith as a step-by-step journey. He emphasizes that personal struggles, doubts, and 'unbelief' do not disqualify one from a relationship with Christ, but are actually the primary reasons Jesus seeks us out. The talk concludes with a powerful reflection on the physical reality of Christ's 'broken heart' as the source of the water of baptism.

Everything I Learned About Justice, I Learned from the Manger

William Promemeso

Father Bill explores the principles of Catholic Social Teaching by using the Nativity scene as a model for radical inclusion and diversity. He challenges the congregation to examine their own biases regarding racism, immigration, and gender identity, calling for a transformation of heart that recognizes the inherent dignity of every human person.

The 17-Hour Bus Ride: How God Chases Your Heart

Using the story of his grandfather's 17-hour bus rides to court his grandmother, the speaker illustrates God's persistent pursuit of humanity through the Eucharist. He connects Old Testament types like the Passover lamb and Manna to the Real Presence of Christ, challenging listeners to prioritize the Mass over worldly commitments. The talk concludes with a deep dive into John 6 and the liturgical continuity of the Catholic Church from the early centuries to today.

Fr. Zade: When Everything Feels Dead, God is Recreating You

Fr. Zade

Using the film 'The Shawshank Redemption' and the vision of Ezekiel's dry bones, the priest illustrates how God consistently brings life out of seemingly hopeless, 'dead' situations. He shares a moving personal story about visiting a dying parishioner named Bob on St. Patrick's Day, emphasizing that Christ stands at the entrance of our personal tombs calling us to 'come forth.'

Untie Him: Finding Hope After the Loss of a Child

The preacher reflects on the raising of Lazarus, connecting the command to 'untie him' with the Lenten call to be freed from the burdens of sin. He shares a deeply personal story about purchasing family cemetery plots years before the unexpected illness and death of his young daughter, Mary, offering a witness of hope in the face of grief.

When God Weeps: Finding Hope in the Midst of Heartbreak

The priest reflects on the human experience of heartbreak and grief, drawing parallels between the raising of Lazarus and his own experience losing six siblings. He emphasizes that Jesus is not a distant or stoic figure, but one who is 'perturbed and deeply troubled' by the reality of death and sin. The homily calls listeners to identify the 'tombs' in their own lives—such as addiction, anxiety, or loneliness—and allow Christ to call them back to life through the community and sacraments.

Radical Trust: A Priest's Story of His Mother's Last Moments

Father Butler

Reflecting on the raising of Lazarus, the priest shares a deeply personal account of his mother's terminal cancer diagnosis and her final moments of faith. He emphasizes that while death is a universal human experience that causes even Jesus to weep, the core of the Christian faith is a radical trust in Christ as the resurrection and the life.

Stop Gaslighting Yourself: How to Face Your Sins with Divine Mercy

The priest explores the psychological defense mechanisms of the Pharisees—denial, rationalization, projection, and gaslighting—as they confront the divinity of Jesus. He argues that these same mechanisms prevent us from facing our own sins, but that the 'antidote' is standing 'spiritually naked' before the image of Divine Mercy. The homily concludes by identifying the Cross and the Sacrament of Confession as the primary tools for living in reality rather than 'fantasy island.'

Fr. James Martin: How to Help God Free the People You Love

Fr. James Martin

Fr. James Martin explores the raising of Lazarus, focusing on Jesus's commands to 'take away the stone' and 'untie him.' He argues that while Jesus has the power to act alone, he invites the community to participate in the work of freeing others from what keeps them stuck or unfree.