Homilies about love

Jason Evert on Chastity, Pornography, and Finding True Love

This is not a homily from a Mass, but rather a talk by Jason Evert on chastity, relationships, and the dangers of pornography, delivered to a Catholic audience. Evert uses personal anecdotes, research statistics, and scriptural references to emphasize the importance of purity, self-respect, and true love in dating and marriage for both young men and women. He encourages listeners to set high standards, seek reconciliation, and cultivate devotion to Mary as paths to a virtuous life.

Fr. Sam: How Confession Heals Your Deepest Wounds and Transforms Your Life

Fr. Sam

This homily, part of a Lenten Healing Mission, emphasizes that God loves us as we are, not for our virtues or lack of sin, and that this unconditional love is the basis for true change and healing. It delves deeply into the sacrament of confession as the primary means of healing trauma and sin, urging penitents to be brutally honest, take ownership of their actions, and renounce the 'seven deadly wounds' (lies like abandonment, shame, fear) that prevent God's grace from entering. The priest shares personal anecdotes of suffering transformed into consolation and highlights the power of Eucharistic reparation to change history.

A Son's Poetic Tribute: Remembering Jerryanne Mason's Life and Legacy

Father Michael Woods

The homily is a eulogy delivered by the deceased's son, Jeffrey. He offers a heartfelt, poetic tribute to his mother, Jerryanne Mason, highlighting her many talents, competitive spirit, love for family, and deep faith. He shares personal anecdotes, including her singing at Carnegie Hall and for the Pope, her prowess in bridge, and her dedication to her grandchildren, emphasizing her 'all heart' nature and the lasting legacy she leaves.

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.

The Day My Father Found Me: A Story of God's Unconditional Love

Father Ben

The homily uses a vivid personal anecdote from the priest's childhood about getting lost and being found by his father, who, despite his anger, only expressed immense relief and love. This story is then connected to the Easter message, emphasizing that God, like the father, sent Jesus to search for us, pick us up, and carry us home, driven by profound love and a desire for our safety and return.

Finding God's Dignity in the Margins: A Priest's Story from Haiti

The homily emphasizes the Christian call to reach out to those on the margins, drawing parallels between the Samaritan woman at the well and the speaker's personal experiences serving the poorest in Haiti. It highlights the importance of restoring dignity and grace to those who lack it, not out of self-righteousness, but because God first did so for humanity.

Beyond Food: New Ways to Fast This Lent (Inspired by Pope Francis)

Padre Juan Nicolá

The homily reinterprets Lenten fasting, moving beyond traditional food abstinence to focus on 'new ways of fasting' proposed by Pope Francis. These include acts of charity and interpersonal connection like greeting others, expressing gratitude, listening without prejudice, offering encouragement, helping those in need, celebrating others' qualities, and prioritizing family, especially elderly parents. The core message emphasizes that true sacrifice and love are found in these everyday acts of kindness and connection, which are more challenging and meaningful than mere dietary restrictions.

Desátalo y Déjalo Caminar: Rompiendo las Cadenas del Vicio

Reflecting on the raising of Lazarus, the priest emphasizes the distinction between casual affection and sacrificial love, using Jesus' relationship with Martha and Mary as a model. He calls the faithful to identify the 'vices' and 'demons'—such as addiction, envy, and anxiety—that act as burial shroud bindings, preventing them from walking in spiritual freedom. The homily concludes with a personal testimony about finding peace through the intercession of Blessed Conchita Cabrera.

The Enduring Love That Gives Meaning to Every Season of Life

The homily reflects on the transient nature of life, emphasizing that 'everything has its time' as described in Ecclesiastes. It uses the life of the deceased, Phero Maria Nguyen Duc Hoang, as an example of navigating different phases of life with faith and love, particularly highlighting his unwavering love and sacrifice for his wife and family, and his commitment to teaching his children right from wrong. The core message is that true love, especially for God and family, gives meaning to all seasons of life and prepares us for the ultimate encounter with God.

Fr. Trương Bửu Diệp: A Martyr's Love and Our Call to Sainthood

Fr. Vincente Phạm Ngọc Hùng

The homily celebrates the life and impending canonization of Father Trương Bửu Diệp, emphasizing his martyrdom and the profound impact of his sacrifice. The speaker highlights the joy and pride the Vietnamese Catholic community feels in his sainthood process, urging the faithful to not only seek his intercession but also to emulate his virtues of sacrificial love, faithfulness, and service to the poor, thereby living as worthy 'children' of Father Diệp.

The Blindness of the Heart: Seeing God's Love and Our Own Flaws

Cha Giose Đinh Quang Thành

The homily explores different forms of blindness, both physical and spiritual, drawing from the Gospel story of the man born blind and a poignant story about a mother's sacrifice. It challenges listeners to recognize their own spiritual blindness, especially in failing to see God's love and the love of those around them, and encourages them to seek spiritual sight during Lent.

Bishop Phêrô Bùi Đại: God's Unconditional Love and Our 'Water Jars'

Phêrô Bùi Đại

The homily, delivered by a newly appointed bishop, emphasizes God's unconditional love and forgiveness, drawing parallels from the Exodus story and the Samaritan woman at the well. It encourages listeners to reflect on what 'water jars' they cling to in life, preventing them from fully receiving God's living water, especially during Lent. The bishop shares a personal reflection on his fears and unworthiness upon receiving his new mission, relating it to the Samaritan woman's transformation.

St. Joseph's Silent Love: A Path to Holiness and Forgiveness

This homily, delivered during a retreat for the sick, focuses on the virtues of St. Joseph, particularly his humility, silence, and compassionate love, especially in his decision to discreetly leave Mary. The priest emphasizes that true holiness lies in simple acts of love and forgiveness, rather than outward displays or worldly achievements. He encourages listeners to embrace their unique calling, live harmoniously, and find joy in God's unconditional love, drawing parallels between St. Joseph's quiet service and the call for personal sanctity in everyday life.

Anadelsa Espinal: A Life of Selfless Love and Concrete Faith

Padre Ambioric

This homily celebrates the life of Anadelsa Espinal, highlighting her profound and selfless love for her family, her community, priests, and the poor. The priest emphasizes that Anadelsa's life was a testament to Christ's love, making her an apostle who lived out the Beatitudes through concrete acts of service and unwavering faith. Her legacy is presented as an inspiration to continue living out the mission of the Church.

Sức Mạnh Của Lời Khích Lệ: Bài Học Từ Mẹ Của Thomas Edison

The priest reflects on the 'Week of Stoning' in Lent, focusing on Jesus' revelation of His divinity and the eternal life promised to those who keep His word. He uses the inspiring story of Thomas Edison and his mother, Nancy, to illustrate how encouraging words rooted in love can transform a 'dull' child into a world-changing inventor.

Beyond Acceptance: The Power of Extraordinary Affirmation

Father Hank

The homily emphasizes the concept of "extraordinary affirmation," which goes beyond mere positive peace to truly see and value individuals despite their perceived atypicalities or past mistakes. Drawing from the Gospel story of the man born blind, the homilist challenges listeners to offer this deep affirmation, recognizing that people are more than their disabilities, addictions, or past sins, and to be a safe space for others to reveal their vulnerabilities without fear of rejection.

The Zero Regrets Policy: Loving Others Until Their Last Breath

Father Hank

Fr. Hank reflects on the 'zero regrets policy' of accompanying the dying, inspired by the morning's passing of a longtime parishioner and the liturgical readings of women facing execution. He emphasizes that the core of Christian outreach is ensuring that no one feels forgotten or unloved in their final moments, regardless of the outcome.

Tình Yêu Vô Điều Kiện Của Thiên Chúa: Bài Học Từ Người Cha Nhân Hậu

This homily, delivered during a Lenten adoration, reflects on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, emphasizing God's boundless mercy and unconditional love. It highlights how the father's actions in the parable—running to meet his son, embracing him, and celebrating his return—mirror God's eager anticipation and forgiveness for sinners, even when their return is not purely motivated by love. The homily stresses that God's love is so profound that He hopes for our return, even when we choose to abandon Him, and that His joy over a repentant sinner surpasses all else.

Saying 'Hello in There': Reaching Out to the Lonely

Father Hank

The homily uses the song "Hello in There" by John Prine to illustrate the pervasive loneliness and disconnection many people experience, mirroring the 38-year isolation of the man at the Pool of Bethesda. It challenges listeners to emulate Jesus's extraordinary affirmation by reaching out and saying "hello in there" to those living in spiritual deserts, transforming their lives into lush gardens.

How God's Love Appears in Unexpected People

Deacon Nathan

The homily emphasizes that God's love and formation begin at baptism and are often manifested through people in our lives, not always through direct divine intervention. Drawing on personal experience of parental divorce and feeling unloved, the deacon highlights how his grandparents provided unconditional love and forgiveness, serving as Christ-like examples. He urges listeners to be that source of love and forgiveness for others, especially enemies, as a true act of faith and transformation during Lent.