Homilies about mercy

The Rosary in a Soviet Gulag: How Faith Survives Crisis

The priest explores the theme of 'apocalyptic literature' as a response to crisis, drawing parallels between the false accusations against Susanna in the Book of Daniel and the Pharisees' trap for the woman caught in adultery. He shares a powerful story of Anamaria Schmidt in a Siberian gulag to illustrate how radical faith and the Rosary can move God to intervene even in the most desperate circumstances of starvation and oppression.

The Final 'Yes': Remembering Fr. Peter Nguyen Dinh Phuong

A poignant funeral homily for Fr. Peter Nguyen Dinh Phuong, reflecting on his sudden passing and his life of 'Xin Vâng' (Yes/Fiat) modeled after Mary at the foot of the Cross. The preacher consoles the grieving family, especially the priest's mother (Bà Cố), by emphasizing that life is changed, not ended, and that Fr. Peter now enters the eternal spring of God's love.

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 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.

Una Meditación Sanadora: Dile Adiós a Quienes Amas

Father Martin

Instead of a traditional sermon, the priest leads a guided Ignatian-style meditation on the raising of Lazarus, inviting parishioners to visualize a deceased loved one. He facilitates a spiritual encounter where participants express grief, seek forgiveness, and envision Jesus leading their loved ones into eternal life.

From a Knife to a Rosary: The Deathbed Conversion of Roberto Sbragia

The priest recounts the dramatic conversion of Roberto, who initially met him with hostility and a knife but eventually found peace through the Rosary and the sacraments. He emphasizes that no matter how far one has strayed or how much anger they carry, God's mercy and the 'medicine' of confession are always available. The homily highlights the specific power of the Rosary in reconnecting Roberto to the faith of his Italian childhood in his final days.

When Your World Stops: Finding Hope in the Face of Death

The priest reflects on the death of his mother 50 years ago to illustrate the profound 'stop' the world feels when a loved one dies, paralleling the grief of Martha and Mary. He emphasizes that while death feels like a final 'game over,' Christ’s word has the power to break through that finality, both in the physical resurrection and the spiritual restoration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Letting God Hold Your Hand: Finding Blessing in Brokenness

Fr. William Kaliaden

Fr. William Kaliaden explores the Beatitudes as a roadmap for finding blessedness in the midst of human brokenness, sharing personal stories of loss and vocation. He challenges the faithful to move beyond a performance-based culture and instead embrace the 'holy disturbance' of God's call to mercy, meekness, and peace.

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.

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.

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.

Fr. Quinn: Why There Are No Magic Words for Death

Fr. Shi Quinn

Fr. Quinn reflects on the reality of death through a poignant encounter with a grieving woman who asked for 'magic' to raise her brother, and his own experience of his father's sudden passing. He emphasizes that while Christ has conquered the grave, the only way to eternal life is through death, necessitating a life of constant reconciliation and readiness.

Fr. Doug on the Seizure That Saved His Life

Fr. Doug Owens

Fr. Doug Owens shares a deeply personal testimony about his struggle with alcoholism and a life-changing seizure that led to his sobriety, framing it as an intense experience of God's love. He connects this to the raising of Lazarus, explaining that God's love often involves suffering or waiting for a greater glory to be revealed. The homily concludes with a call to choose love over hate and to trust in the Church's mission despite external persecution or internal trials.

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 Auschwitz Commandant Who Found Forgiveness: God's Mercy for the Gravest Sins

The homily emphasizes that sin is primarily an 'abandonment of the heart' from God, not just an action. It uses the parable of the unforgiving servant and the story of Adam and Eve to illustrate how sin blocks us from God's love. The priest shares a powerful personal anecdote about encountering demonic influence in confession and concludes with the extraordinary conversion story of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, highlighting God's immense mercy and forgiveness, even for the gravest sins.

A Prison Chaplain's Stories of Mercy, Forgiveness, and the Power of Prayer

Father Charles "Chuck" Canterna

Father Canterna shares powerful personal anecdotes from his prison ministry, illustrating the transformative power of God's mercy, forgiveness, and the Catholic sacraments. He emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer, especially for family members, and the profound impact of simple acts of love and human connection, even in the most hardened hearts. The homily highlights the truth and resources available in the Catholic faith for spiritual growth and finding joy amidst suffering.

From Despair to Dignity: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Mercy

This homily, delivered as part of a parish speaker series, focuses on the transformative power of encountering Jesus, drawing parallels between the healing of the Gerasene demoniac and a modern-day story of a woman named Magdalena. The speaker emphasizes that true transformation involves being 'clothed' with dignity and love, having a 'right mind' amidst worldly confusion, and 'sitting at the feet of Jesus' for protection and guidance. The core message is about embracing God's mercy and faithfully following His unique call for each individual, rather than striving for self-made success.

El Dolor de Perder un Hijo: Una Reflexión sobre el Bullying y la Esperanza

Salvador Añen Nuevo

Reflecting on the resurrection of Lazarus, the priest addresses the painful 'contradiction' of parents having to bury their children. He specifically commemorates a local youth who died by suicide due to bullying, calling on parents, teachers, and students to take active responsibility in protecting children's lives.

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.